#duo: heavenly mirror

[the-messenger-hawk]

wangnan gets all the hottest first meetings

[gingermintpepper]

I don't want to bother you while you're in your art challenge, take your time to answer! I just loved your analysis and opinion of Branchus, and i saw in the post you said we could ask you for others Apollo's lovers... I want to know (they're not lovers, they're grandfather and grandmother lol, but i would like to see your thoughts) of Koios and Phoebe 👀 Not in relationship with Apollo, just your opinion of them...

We don't know so much about Koios, we know a bit more about Phoebe because of her tie to Delphi and the Oracle.

Oh, how sweet! Thank you so much for the consideration and hey, no worries at all on asking about his grandparents rather than a lover, I'm always ready to ramble about Apollo's genealogical line since I find it extremely interesting!

Since information on a lot of the older Titans in terms of how they were worshipped and seen is scarce (Phoebe does have mentions in her mantic right but very little is mentioned in reference to Koios or her daughters apart from establishing genealogy and Koios himself seems to have been more of an abstract establishment, the way a lot of Hesiod's old gods were) I won't go out of my way to quote or base my opinions here in any literature that I've been exposed to, so just keep in mind that what I'm going to say is very much my own opinions mixed with things I understand and very influenced by my own love of familial and romantic parallels in god-pairs being symbolic of various natural and abstract relationships!

I see Koios and Phoebe, like a lot of the older Titan pairs, as abstractions of the original pair of Gaia and Uranus. Power often originates with and is exerted by women in these older pairs while glory is what is passed on, and consequently fought over, by the men - in Gaia and Uranus' case, it is Gaia who is older and it is from Gaia that Uranus is born. Uranus is her match but is also her subservient and so when Uranus is unable to love his children and seeks their destruction, it's Gaia who bestows the power and means by which to silence him. This 'equal but subservient' dynamic is definitely alive and well with Koios and Phoebe and I even think they mirror their parents from a symbolic standpoint as well.

Koios and Phoebe are the knowledge duo. They represent the two sources of knowledge/wisdom in the old world - that of heavenly (male) knowledge which pertains to the nature of the physical world and its realities and earthly (female) knowledge which pertains to the nature of intangible and unobservable reality such as time and space. I like having them mirror each other; what with them both being associated with their respective world axes (Koios as the heavenly axis if you syncretise him with the Roman Polos, Phoebe as the earthly axis if you take Delphi as the centerpoint of the world), having serpent symbolism (Koios with the hundred-headed star-serpent Drakon who guards the Hesperides which is sometimes said to be located in the land of the Hyperboreans and Phoebe with Python who guards the fount of knowledge at Delphi) and splitting their essence equally across their descendants (Their children and grandchildren perfectly embody one half of their partnership - Asteria with her heavenly magic and night-prophecies and Leto with her earthly power and wisdom and their grandchildren following likewise; Hecate who works beneath her grandfather's skies and has her grandmother's wisdom but who has chosen to reside neither in the sky nor on the earth, Artemis who could not be more of a daughter of the soil and Apollo who has his place among the brightest of stars).

It all leads back to that really fun dichotomy of equal but subservient honestly! Knowledge (and wisdom/intelligence) in general in Greek myths are female in nature so already that kind of puts Koios in an interesting position as a direct male descendent of Gaia and Uranus who didn't represent some physical, tangible element (in contrast his brothers all had some level of physicality to them - Oceanus the oceans, Cronus the harvest, Crius the winds, Hyperion the light, so on and so forth) but there's also that element of Koios' glory also being female! After all, his only male descendent is two generations removed and what should be his seat of power - Hyperborea - became Leto's the moment she was born there.

In this way, I admittedly find that a lot of comfort in Koios and Phoebe's partnership. There's a lot of respect both ways between them with Koios' respect and regard of Phoebe reminding me a lot of Uranus' original adoration of Gaia (and his return to said quiet, constant adoration after his castration) while Phoebe's overseeing of her mantle being very reminiscent of Gaia's own kingmaking both for Cronus and later for Zeus. For me, theirs is a pair without ego. A lot of the friction and instability in the younger generation of gods comes from the battle between intelligence and power - toes are constantly stepped on, glory is constantly being sought and the efforts made to counteract these moves results in conflict. Koios and Phoebe seem to have it all figured out by comparison. They've both handily passed their mantles down to their children, they've both overseen and instructed them and can rest easy knowing that they will not misuse said mantles and they've both just kind of retired now, content to spend their time in the evergreen Hyperborea, wrapped up in each other's arms like their father and mother before them and like, honestly? Good for them.

[wonmrk]

Inside the studio & you

Dancing the stress away as dino hypes you up and drags your lazy ass to come vibe with him

Dino x fem reader

Slight smut , semi - fast paced

One - shot , no continuation

dino was already feeling all the rythm of the song that was currently playing in the studio. His moves were so precise and sharp. The way his body was moving to the music was so extremely hot. You were laying in the middle of the room looking at him. His eyes were meeting yours a couple time in the mirror , but it didn’t stop him from dancing.

⁃ “Ok get your lazy ass there , time for duo dance.” He said with a smirk on his pretty face.

I started laughing and got up with the help of his hands.

I must admit that I’m not a very good dancer but when it comes to him, I give everything I have. The second I got up; he started moving his hips and slowly pressing his body into mine. He was already so sweaty but still managed to look very attractive…as always. I was slowly following his moves. His hands around my waist, he was enjoying moving me around. This man had the total control of my body. And he knew.

I could feel his warm breath in my neck. He was breathing fast. I could feel his hearts pumping into his chest.

- “You nervous Chan?”

He smiled from behind. He suddenly turned me around and slowly made me fall while he was still holding into my waist.

- “Why would i? I’m the one who got control of your move after all.”

And he did that stupid yet so attractive smile again.

He let go of my waist and went over his phone. He decided to put a way more sensual song on.

We��ve been dancing for god knows how long now, being so immersed into the music and movement I began to lose focus.

- “you ok y/n?” I snap back to reality soon to then realize his face was centimeters away from mines.

- “yep” was all I could say, my trachea was dry but why? Everything felt unreal, never would I have ever thought I would be in this situation with my childhood best-friend, let alone feel these things for him.

- “Dino…”

- “yes y/n?”

- “please don’t hate me after this.”

I leaned in closer and kissed him, I felt his grip on my waist loosen up, his hands made their way to my face as he began reciprocating the kiss soon after.

His delicate kisses soon became eager and lustful, his hands making their way down once again as his right hand went under my shorts and grabbed my ass earning a squeak from my end.

I pulled away and he laughs.

- “I didn’t know you had it in you” the expression on his face emitting smugness.

- “I guess after all these years you still don’t know me!” I said in a playful offended tone and giggled, the giggling came to a stop and it was now quiet.

- “want to continue?” Chan looked at me with hopeful eyes, which I found quite funny.

I smile and began kissing him again, this time, it was passionate as if we were both longing for this to eventually happen.

I grew the courage to palm his hardened dick, making him groan. I untied the lace of his sweatpants and looked at him, he nodded.

I kneel down and pull his sweats down, then his boxers. His cock sprung up and hit his stomach making a slapping sound that echoed.

My eyes widened at the sight but I soon looked up.

- “I don’t have a hair tie.” I smiled sheepishly.

- “I can hold your hair.”

My face became flushed.

I grabbed his cock and put the tip in my mouth, swirling around it with my tongue.

The moans that escaped Chan’s mouth were heavenly to me, I felt as if I was in control.

The more I became adjusted to the length I began taking his cock whole in my mouth while bobbing my head up and down.

He grabbed my head and pushed it down reaching the base, his moans made it obvious that he was soon about to cum.

- “I’m close”

I moaned and he shivered from the vibrations.

Warm fluids began filling my mouth, I looked up and can see the glistening sweat from his forehead, his face contortions from the immense pleasure.

He sighs contently and lets go of my hair, I detach myself from his cock and swallow.

He fixed himself and I cleaned the corners of my mouth and stand up.

He swiftly hoists my waist and pulls me closer to his body kissing me softly. I smile in between the kisses and so does Chan. Our heated kiss came to a stop as the doorknob began moving soon after the door opened.

- “LEE CHAN WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?” It was woozi storming into the dance studio.

- “oh and hey y/n!” he waves at me with a bright smile and I wave back and tried to form the best fakest smile possible.

- “Chan we need you to practice for god of music, now we are next door!” Woozi clapped his hands and left the room.

Chan looked at me and cackled, I looked back at him.

- “you dumbass, we could have been caught!” I cross my arms and looked at him seriously.

He made his way up to me and caressed my face then kissed my cheek.

- “but we didn’t.” He smirked.

- “well I have to go now y/n, how about we repeat this soon?” He kissed my lips and smiled down at me.

- “sure thing.” I giggle and we then walk out the dance studio together.

[chidoroki]

Heavenly Delusion EP10

aka: wild everything

I say this a lot but I absolutely love how expressive this show can be when it comes to their character’s faces and actions. That bit with Kiruko yelling at Maru for repeating the town names in the car was great.

Oh damn, Juichi really does have that #11 tattooed on him though.. his story was true?

It’s nice that he’s giving our duo a ride but I dunno if I trust Juichi completely yet.

We’re not even three minutes in and this episode has such wild animation. I love it.

“Don’t feel up the chest of another man’s woman!” Of course Maru comes in to defend Kiruko.

Yo wait, why does Maru look that good with a wig on?

Yet another abandoned building to explore, hurray.

Okay why the hell is everything freezing over suddenly??

The style looks like it changed a bit, even the lines look a little jagged.

And now there’s no lines on ‘em at all.. it’s weird but I’m really digging the inconsistent style this ep.

Wait, the man-eater has the little keychain Juichi had on his car mirror! Either this monster ate him or this thing is him and I’m leaning towards the latter!

I dunno how or what Kiruko did to counter that freeze attack but that was wonderful!

The half of its body that didn’t get blown up was able to run away though.. that ain’t good.

OHH, the lady couple Juichi was with also had their own tiny red keychain, so the man-water could’ve been one of them actually.

Juichi’s story has to be true if we ran into #9 and #6 now too.

Aw, his son is still alive.

Pfft, Kiruko so tired they fell asleep mid-conversation.

Ah shit, ya knew that cold man-eater was gonna come back.

Hold up, if the cold is following Kiruko and the monster is nowhere to be seen, is the baby the one responsible for it since she’s carrying him?

YUPPPP! Definitely the child’s doing!!

The facility is keeping Tokio locked up a long time, look how much her hair’s grown out.

Aahaha they copied Juichi’s “see you, bye bye.”

Oh? There’s more kids joining the facility now? Where did they come from exactly??

Damn Juichi, you really killed your friend like that? Because of a grudge?

[daxtoncity]

The Cast (PT.1) The Heroes

Itoldy’allIdalreadybeworkingonmoreposts--

ANYWAY Let’s douse off the first burning question that some may have who really don’t know what Daxton is, and that’s, who exactly is HERE??? And I’m gonna break this up as- Heroes Villains Side Characters, who can be either or and I will specify, trust- These will also not be FULL explanations either as I already plan to do full refs paired up with Google Docs dispensing out ALL OF THE INFO OF THAT CERTAIN CHARACTER

Off to the races with these shenanigans of mine, let’s get to the Heroes.

Blade Stryker: The absolute MAIN CHARACTER, the human man donned with the title of Vigilante, he’s the leader of the center attraction that is lovingly deemed the Daxton Hero Crew by close friends of mine, and yours truly. Incredibly kind, selfless, self sacrificial to the very letter, Blade adorns the very nature, the very definition of what it means to be a hero and he has ever since he was young.

Blood: Eccentric, bubbly, high energy and sassy till the grinding end, Blood is a degree of vampire hailing from a Hellish dimension mirroring own our: Bludhaven. Not much is known about him due to his bizarre initial greeting with Blade, all the heroes have gained from his previous life is that he’s a runaway searching for a brand new life, and he bares no desire to return to what he once knew.

Rowan Morgan: The studious, astute and overall genius heir to a monopolizing company, was sadly stricken with a terminally ill ridden human shell, however, not wanting to waste away without living a life that he so wished for, he digitally copied and structured his very life’s essence into binary code, it wasn’t perfect, I mean who could, but with what he could physically provide until his human body gave way, this given code operated through an AI and from that moment on, till being discovered by the brand new duo of Blade and Blood, he continuously improved and built upon a synthetic android chasis that ended up being his brand new body.

Solomon Nazareth: Don’t let the angelic sounding name provide a type of comfort, Solomon is a viciously rude and aggressive cultist, defying the once angelic confines of a heavenly realm called the Valley of Eden, similarly to Blood, he isn’t incredibly open to talking about his past life other than that bluntly admitting to the team that a murder he was rightfully charged for in his divinity struck homage is the main reason why he was shackled in the grandest cell of Nightstone Citadel, a specialized prison meant for even the most dangerous of meta humans.

AND THAT IS ALL THAT I WILL BE GIVING YOU AT THIS TIME, THESE ARE JUST SHORTENED EXPLANATIONS BEFORE GETTING INTO THE NITTY GRITTY OF WHO ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE

BUT NEXT TIME???

An electrokinetic anarchist leader of a militia driven by culling and eradicating humans all together, a vengeful man forced to become mankind’s most powerful weapon seeks for its destruction, and an outlandish but masterful headhunter from amongst the deepest cluster of stars -- The Villains of Daxton City.

[screamingforyears]

IN A MINUTE:

A NEW MUSIC ROUND_UP…

@downhaul are here w/ “SLEEP IN THE SUNROOM,” the latest single from their forthcoming LP titled ‘How To Begin’ (9/20 @selfawarerecords) & it finds the Richmond-based quartet of Gordon Phillips (vox/guitar), Andrew Seymour (drums), Robbie Ludvigsen (guitar) & Chandler Brooks (bass) not boring us by getting to the damn chorus across 2 mins of jangle_punking & REM-esque IndieRawk.

@mo_dotti are here w/ “WHIRLING SAD,” the second single from their forthcoming debut LP titled ‘Opaque’ (9/20) & it finds the Los Angeles-based quartet bringing their Lushly vintage vibe across a blown out 3:45 clip of scrappily swirled, noisily nascent & baby Dino Jr’d AltGaze.

“孽鏡臺 VISIONS OF SIN, MIRROR OF DARKNESS” is the latest single from @rippedtoshredsdeathmetal’s forthcoming LP titled ‘Sanshi’ (9/27 @relapserecords) & it finds the San Jose-based outfit waxing upon a hell housed & vehemently judgmental mirror that “reflects all your earthly deeds & transgressions” across a shape-shifting & full throated blast of deliciously delivered DeathMetal.

“BLOOD ON MY SHOES” is the lead track on @softkillpdx’s freshly dropped (& sneakily deployed) EP titled ‘Roseland’ (@bornlosersrecords) & it finds the Chicago-based duo of Tobias Grave & Nicole Colbath satiating all those melancholically morose appetites across a (just like) heavenly hazed 4:15 clip of synthetically textured, six-string swarming & ghostly harmonious DreamPop.

@thuslovemusic are here w/ “ON THE FLOOR,” the second single/lead track from their forthcoming LP titled ‘All Pleasure’ (11/1 @capturedtracks) & it finds the Brattleboro-based quartet of Louie Racine (drums), Ally Juleen (bass/vox), Shane Blank (guitar/synth) & Echo Mars (guitar/vocals) bridging their sonic gap across a sub-4 min slice of stoically swagged & alt_rocking PostPunk.

[33-108]

"Sophia Divina Alchemical Mother of La Rosa 🌹

(Brief and simple explanation of The Secret Figures of the Rosa Cruz, 1785)

Victor. Arturo. Cabello. Reyes🌹

'God hath put his Tabernacle in the Sun.'

(Psalm: 18:5)

Mother Alchemy Sophia is a way of life that develops through the search for sacred vision and total surrender to the exercise of a purifying Gnosis of ascension of the being transmutable into Solar Gold.

At the end of the eighteenth century (1785-1788) appears in the Alchemical Rosicrucian literature a Rosicrucian Treatise of Hermetic-Paracelsian Tradition in 40 beautiful engravings edited in Altona, Germany-Denmark and entitled=Secret Figures of the Rosicrucians=Geheime Figuren der Rosenkreuzer, aus dem 16ten und 17ten Jahrhundert (Sixteenth and seventeenth century).

Its symbolism is nourished by the millenary wisdom of the thought of the master Bohme and Paracelsus.

(Altona, 1785)

An ancestral and traditional principle of spiritual alchemy is the well-known symbolic and iconographic representation of the substances of the Magnum Opus; represented the body of the Man/Woman and his spiritual environment.

Temple body and laboratory are an integral part of the 'imaginalis world' of the adept.

Now, of course, it is Sophia who embodies Mother Sophia, wisdom and key to the Mystery of absolute transcendence and exposure as a reflecting mirror of the cosmos. In order to transcend and make herself recognizable, Sophia assumes the iconographic appearance of the woman who nourishes and gives life = (metallic transmutation).

But God also manifests Himself in Sophia in light, substance, and flesh.

However, alchemical Sophia turns out to be an active manifestation of the Celestial Dew or female watery substance and spiritual seed = 'water sulfur or divine water' of the Mother = Celestial and Terrestrial Eve and Mother of All Creatures in heaven and earth = (The Heavenly and Earthly Eve, Mother of all Creaturesin Heaven and on Earth).

Feminine aspect of divinity and 'energetic and spiritual irradiation', Adam's matrix of celestial nature for Master Blake.

Sophia=Wisdom of God.

Lunar Sophia surrounded by 12 stars as a representation of the solar aurora that dispels ignorance and nourishes the 'Son of Hermes' from her virginal milk = solar and celestial mercurial water that brita from her breasts.

She is Mother begetter =Mater Materiae and path of Theo-Sophia.

During the 17th century (XVII) the airs of reform lead to the exhibition of spiritual renewal of a millenary tradition of new epoch.

'These millenarian expectations went hand in hand with an esoteric viewpoint that drew on a variety of sources including Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, the Hermetic tradition, Kabbalah and alchemy and was represented by the writings of such men as Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus, Jacob Bóehme and Heinrich Khunrath's. (1)

Everything that emanates from Sophia comes from a single substance.

'There is only one Stone, only one way to operate, only one way to cook to reach white and red, and Everything is completed in one Vessel.'

(Avicenna)

One can begin to understand how in the image appears the Sun with twelve stars crowned by Solar Mercury and Mother of minerals and metals and their raw material. The Star of the Kings from the Orient=La Estrella de los Reyes de Oriente.

The Sun of Justice = The Sun of Justice.

Virgin Sophia=Virgin Sophia who distills virginal milk= (lac virginis)the Dew of May=Spiritus mundi On the upper left we read: God is eternally increado, infinite, supernatural, self-sustaining, existing celestial spirit who becomes in the course of nature and time a visible and mortal Man.

Below = Oculus Divinus per quem Deus vidit i creavit omnia = Divine Eye by which God sees and creates All.

Everything has its end! and announces its beginning. Lumen Gratiae; Ergon sunt duo=Grace, Sympathy, Pleasure of the Light; =Therefore, there are two.

Oculus naturae-Right the Eye of Nature of Heaven by which nature visits and rules the whole earth = Heavenly Eve, The New Birth=Eve Celeste the New Birth.

Earth Eve and Old Birth=Earthly Eve=The Old Birth.

Oh! Man Oh! Man thinks how Nature is a great world and becomes Man. Tinctura Phisica and virginal milk and sweat of the Sun is Mother of 6 Children and is Pure Virgin.

O, Man, see how God, the Word hath become O!Man,look how God, the word becomes Man.

Innocent I received, dammed is he, who doth not believe. =Innocent we recipe.

Condemned is those who do not believe.

Bottom:Tinctura Coelestis='The theory and practice of alchemy were strongly influenced for more than a thousand years by a belief in the existence of a potent transmuting agent, which ultimately came to be regarded as a universal medicine... Elixir vitae... and the Red tincture'. (2)

The Celestial Tincture=(Lat. Tinctura) is based on the theory of multiplication by means of the Philosopher's Stone or Tinctura, for the Master Paracelsus 'Soon after your Lili(tincture)shall have become heated in the Philosophic Egg...

'An adequate manifestation is expressed through harmonic analogy of the ovum philosophicum = philosophical egg that gives life in the womb to the homunculus, nourishing itself with the Divine female breasts = 'Breast Divinus'.

Below left side = ROSA CRUCIS VENITE = Rosa Cruz que Viene.

Videte Videte Videte = Míralo Míralo Míralo Míralo.

Whoever hath eyes to see, can see rightly=anyone who has eyes to see, can see it correctly.

Seek the friendship of Archaeo, the confidant doorkeeper=Seek Archaeo's friendship=the hidden inner nature of a substance=Arkos(Greek=secret), the trustworthy Porter=guardian of the Gate. Above Sophia is crowned by 12 Stars shining the Sun of Justice in the Virgin Sophia.

He has the 'Fire of Aaron' and incarnates in his Divine Breast the high priestly Pectoral and Sacred Urim.

Possibly part of the complex structure of the 'ephod' 12 onyx stones for divination or consultation of the divine will or 'sacred luck.'

(Leviticus 8:8 and Exodus 28:30)

Pondus Naturae = weight, Natural influence.

Under the symbol of the Urim we find the symbol of Antimony.

From her Breast-Sophia emanate two streams of virginal milk that nourish the Homonculus = (sohn = virginal son) or son of Sophia the Son of Hermes.

'Elementus Aquae duplex est datur enim Aqua Communis Philosophorum'. (3)

That Son of Hermes = Unicus Filius and filius Philosophorum is fertilized by the grace of the maternal waters (2 streams) of Sophia that nourish him as a cosmic embryo that begets itself; fertilizing in the sacral uterus.

Omnia ab Uno Omnia ad Unum. The All in One. One in the Whole = 'into bread'.

Fruit verbum Eterniy resides One = The Fruit of the Eternal Word resides in the ONE.

'One is the ALL, through him the ALL, and with him the ALL: if the ALL did not contain ALL, the ALL would be nothing.' (4)

Is and Antimony(antimonium-Element:Sb(Latin:stibium)='universal alkahest'-turns out to be of an animal nature or indomitable and wild spirit='wild spirit', named after the master alchemist Basil Valentine when he saw the monks who died when using the compound='anti-moine'. Antimoine Incarnate Time = antimony incarnates in Time.

According to Paracelsus as 'antimony refines gold likewise refines the body'. We see on his right arm and on his left = Aaron's Breast and Ignis Divinus Naturae = Aaron's chest and Natural Divine Fire.

Below the Son of Hermes appears a circle=Instrumentum Divinum. Fiat Natura=Light of Nature.

From Sophia's breasts come 4 streams = Water-Blood-White-Red. From Instrumentum Divinum come 4 Elements = Fire-Air-Aqua and Earth and below 12 zodiacal circles.

Below Fiat Natura the Sun-Father and Moon-Mother. 7 eagles 7 Lions 7 Crows and 7 spheres.

7 are the natural qualities, 7 qualities of things, 7 active agents, 7 planetary powers in which Wisdom builds its Philosophical Abode. 7 Planets, 4 Elements and 12 zodiacal symbols. Videami ni Collegium Ad Spiritum Santus=Look at me at the College of the Holy Spirit.

Under the Sun the circle of Chaos and 4 Elements.

Many of these shared traits are representative of an explicit worldview of symbols of life and death, three trees the Silver of the Philosophos, Mercury-Salt-Sulfur, the corrosive and the sulfur philosophorum together with Fire that comes out of the water and Celestial water with the AZOTH of 7 Points, represent the hard work of the Theoria Sophists and Practice towards the SILEX the Stone and Rebis='Double Thing'... Dominus providebit Exitus acta probabit.

'If the Principles with which one works are True and the operations are correct, the effect must be true, and no other is the True Secret of the Hermetic Philosophers.'

(Philatheses, Epistle of Ripley, p.VIII)

So Mote it Be!

Sophia Divina Alchemical Mother of La Rosa🌹"

(Brief and simple Explanation The Secret Figures of the Rosa Cruz, 1785)

Victor. Arturo. Cabello. Reyes 🌹

Bibliography:

1. Christopher McIntosh, The Rose Cross and the Age of Reason, p.24.

2. John Read, Prelude to Chemistry an outline of Alchemy, p.12.

3. J.J.Becher, Oedipus chymicus.

4. Codex Marcianus.,Ms. 2325, f.188b.

[deadcactuswalking]

On “Disappointed” by Electronic

I am far from an expert on self-improvement: I feel like no-one can be, and if they say they are, they’re probably not telling you the truth. There is no guide to it, really, and there are a million ways in which someone can “improve” upon themselves depending on who they are, what works for them, etc. The one thing that I find universal in my life and goals as a human being is that nothing is ever more than good enough. I’m constantly “whelmed”, and this is especially true in the recent months where even amidst important and oncoming drastic changes in my life, I find myself just kind of waiting for myself to be ready for that, instead of actually preparing myself. Basically, nothing hits quite the same, and for someone who never grants themselves lofty expectations - quite the opposite - I don’t even feel receptive of or engaged with things I enjoy doing - or have to do - anymore. Surely there’s a word for that.

I could love you, for sure - disassembled ramblings on “Disappointed” by Electronic

The waves of cascading synths that open “Disappointed” amidst Neil Tennant’s heavenly falsetto are really like the gates to a new world I’m not fully able to experience. In fact, I can’t experience it - it’s locked away from me on purpose behind that pumping dance beat, a beat that makes this song seem otherwise simple. It’s a love song about finally finding that special person who just mutually clicks. He’s not disappointed any more - that’s what makes the song so happy… right? Well, probably. Tennant hasn’t said much about the song in regards to what it “means” and frankly, I don’t think it’s that important anyway, because what I get from the song is something that really resonates to that weird state of flux I described at the start.

The fascinating new shining lights teased to us by the atmosphere of the track are wiped away in the cheesy piano line and beat the NME called “half-hearted disco miserablism” (in a review much more negative than this one). Each melodic idea we get from Bernard Summer and Johnny Marr, the duo who make up Electronic, ends up being a frictionless loop, even the rickety guitars and angelic keyboards. Nothing actually feels like anything, it’s a complete drift that mirrors the disillusion, disappointment and disenchantment Tennant professes no longer to feel in that massively infectious hook. The song ends up sounding like an ode to what it begs you to believe it’s not.

Yet despite that, there’s not a pessimistic bone in this song’s body, just a tone of breezed apathy, content with existing in a space that doesn’t really exist. Tennant’s assertions are prefaced with uncertainty - “At the back of my mind, I think I’m winning”, he drones in the first verse, with all of the verses sitting themselves in the present, whilst the chorus flips between the past and future. Time seems to stop itself in a loop for these loops, which means all this direct address is kind of static and speculatory. His yous start to sound a lot like Is.

When I say self-improvement, I don’t mean having a personal trainer or honing a skill - I’m talking about understanding your self better, feeling like you’re putting more value in what you’re doing. Yet this just sets you on route for disappointment - even in times of substantial change, you cannot “create” value, you trade it in. Nothing is immediate and Neil Tennant even seems surprised by how quickly he’s “improving”. Instead of being a love song, what I’ve always taken away from this song is a call to himself. He could love himself, he has to reassert as such, because otherwise he’ll just be trapped in the cycle of disappointment he refuses to believe he’s already in. He’s falling in love with his own ambition and desire to be “better”… which isn’t really being “better” at all, it’s clinging onto the very prospect of it. Since Summer and Marr drift us into aquatic wistfulness for the vast majority of its runtime, this cycle seems like it lasts forever, but it also allows for it to just be a cute love song if you want it to be.

I won’t get into the spiel about how valuable differing interpretations of art are, but it is special that such a song can resonate with me on a really specific level that it had absolutely no clear intention to, in fact the song’s stiff dance-pop groove and cliché synthscape are acting opposed to an alternate interpretation. It seems isolated within itself, but there is one point where the song breaks. We ride into a classic breakbeat backing a staccato piano melody, as Neil Tennant sings: “At the back of my head, I believe what you said”, but what “you” said is never revealed. An awkward pause ensues, almost in preparation for the song to burst, and a barely recognisable yelp from Tennant gets just about one word through: an echoed “dreaming”. The song practically continues as normal after, but with the bridge’s fantastical outburst, it’s hard to think of it as an honest-to-God love song any more, but rather a song that drills its own prophesy of self-love into an outfit set to reject it. From that moment, Tennant admits that internal struggle to believe in the dreams he’s set out for himself, and all that apathy and disappointment, each and every time in that final chorus, overwhelms me.

Despite its limitations, found in its stock production and its lyrical conceit, “Disappointed” ends up feeling euphoric: a dreamscape I can elope into for a brief respite amidst a bleakly underwhelming moment in my life. Self-improvement is a constant goal - Hell, a constant fear - and despite this song’s hyperfixation on Tennant’s feet stepping over some unspecified goal of feeling content, it allows you to steer your submarine far away from that looming human “need” to feel better about yourself. Plunge into bubbling dance-pop joy and escapism with the guy from the Pet Shop Boys for just four minutes, and you’ll be voided of the outside world for one twinkling moment. Or of course, play it on repeat, like I often do, and tell yourself you’re not disappointed at all.

----

“Disappointed” is a single by English alternative dance duo Electronic featuring vocals from Neil Tennant. It was released in 1992 as a promotional soundtrack single from the Ralph Bakshi-directed film Cool World, and peaked at #6 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming their highest-charting hit. Despite brief reunions, the duo have not released new music together since 1999.

[lumenstellaris]

my brother is my mirror, and i am his. aka a look into lumine's perception of herself.

Sometimes, in an effort to escape a thorough scolding from a clearly peeved Paimon, the Traveler uttered these words: "Sorry, there's no Lumine here!" It's become something of an inside joke amongst the most frequent visitors to the Serenitea Pot. Any time the duo returned from an adventure that left the Traveler's clothes looking a little worse for wear, Paimon would have a screech of "LUMINE!" at the ready, while the blonde outlander deflected her companion's scolding with those five words.

But there's some truth to her words. There always is. And no other words have more truth to them than those, for there truly was no Lumine without Aether. It was Aether who found the starchild that would eventually become Lumine, and it was he who consecrated that starchild's existence with a name on its millionth year of existence.

(It was for this reason that Lumine always claimed to be three-and-a-half million years old. Rarely did anyone in Teyvat believe her, but those who did often raised a brow at the mischievous grin playing at her lips. None thus far have asked the starchild for her age, only Lumine. And truly, the existence that is Lumine has only been around for three million, five hundred and seven thousand, thirty years.)

Even with a name, the first thing out of her mouth when she's made to introduce herself is "Aether's sister." Never her own name, partially because Lumine was an existence that only Aether was privy to, and partially because she didn't like socializing much. For the next three-and-a-half million years after they left the nebulous cloud of cosmic debris that served as her crib and their home, Aether spoke for both of them. His words were hers as well, save for whenever he took a lover. Then, and only then, did their sentiments differ.

But then they came to Teyvat, and she who called herself the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles tore the Universe's children away from each other, and forced them into the flesh prisons that the worldly inhabitants called bodies. Lumine slept for five hundred years, and in that time, Aether changed from the kind and caring older brother she'd known her whole life. While she slumbered for five centuries, Teyvat had hurt Aether—and she refused to think about the possibility of her being wrong; it had to have hurt him, why else would he become the cruel and aloof Abyss Prince?

She meant to get rid of the reflective surfaces in her (their—it's hers, Paimon's, and Aether's after all) room. She really, truly did. But the Crux Clash happened, and in the whirlwind that was Inazuma, she barely had the time to look around the Serenitea Pot, much less get to the bedroom and sleep there. Indeed, where sleeping was once a pastime, now it was a necessity. More often than not, she slept in the barracks with the other members of the Resistance. On the rare occasions she slept within the Serenitea Pot, it was on the sofa. And so this would continue until they reached Sumeru—the Traveler crashing onto the couch and sleeping as soon as they stepped foot within the mansion.

Yet it was only after finding a page in Nara Varuna's handwriting that she remembered the mirrors and reflective surfaces, and how she'd come to loathe her reflection in them.

Someone—either Paimon or Tubby, she wasn't sure, but stars bless them both—covered the mirrors with a heavy piece of fabric. That was the first thing she realized after stepping into their room for the first time in months. Still, covering them didn't remove them from the room, so she rolled her shoulders and got to work.

Then immediately got distracted, because the fabric slipped off just enough for her to catch her reflection, and she scowled. It was easier to ignore the yowling void left by Aether's absence when she didn't look at the space he was meant to occupy. She reached over to tug the cloth back over it, before she paused.

Huh. Her hair's gotten longer. With the addition of the Inteyvats in her hair, she wondered if he'd still recognize her when they reunite at her journey's end. She hoped he would.

Before anything else, Aether is her brother. Before she is the Traveler—Honorary Knight, Savior, Captain, First Sage, or even Golden Nara—she is Aether's sister. Surely, despite how much they've changed, they would still recognize one another. At the end of the day, she is but a Traveler looking for her brother.

(Eventually though, she tires of her reflection, and decided that tossing the damned thing out the window was the best course of action. Tubby awoke the following morning to shattered glass and the mangled frame of what had been the mirror in the twins' bedroom.)

TL;DR > Lumine is old, though she won't disclose her actual age unless the right question is asked. > Her identity and self-worth hinged on being "Aether's sister" for as long as they were together. Only in Teyvat was she forced to exist without him, and she often questions her worth as a result. > She despises anything that could remind her of Aether's absence, including mirrors and her own reflection. > Despite the long list of titles and accolades under her belt, she still sees herself as "Aether's sister" first and foremost. Very little can be done to convince her otherwise, or so she thinks. > Since their encounter in the Abyssal domain from We Will Be Reunited, she's begun to doubt her importance to her brother, and in turn, her own self-worth.

[the-messenger-hawk]

Wangnan: *pretending to joke* So when are you going to go out with me?

Khun: I don't know. When are you going to ask me to?

*later*

Ehwa: And you just ran away?!

Wangnan: I didn't expect him to flirt back!

[mountphoenixrp]

Come one, come all! From the woods of Greece, a circus trope comes to the city bearing festivities in the name of Dionysus!

On the weekend of March 16 & 17, a troupe of nymphs will host Fates of Fancy, a circus performance thematically centered around the Moirai! The festival will be held in the open space of the Phoenix University campus and will host a large heated tent for both matinee and evening performances. 

(Please see below the cut for further details!)

While the tent appears large outside, the inside expands even further through a magical spell. Mirroring most circus layouts, the audience circles the middle of the tent. Marble columns wrapped in vines hold the massive tent up. Vines travel all throughout the facility, creating chairs for the audience, rails to travel down the wooden steps, and a barrier between the audience and performers. Grass covers the inner circle, and the different ropes consist of three different types of vines, dependent on which fate the storytelling troupe focused on: leafless for Klotho, flowering for Lakhesis, and wilting for Atropos. The story follows a hero in pursuit of his lover, and in each phase the troupe shows the guiding hand of the Moirai to both the benefit and detriment of the star-crossed duo. With aerialists, clowns, acrobatics, and magic, the performers will keep residents on the edge of their chairs!

But don’t stop there! Additionally, the large main tent will be surrounded by medium-sized, heated tents that provided a variety of entertainment:

Mythical Wonders: In a tent sealed with magic to prevent creatures from coming loose, a strong nymph and no-nonsense centaur manages and oversee a zoo with tamed mythical creatures, including: unicorn/Pegasus, griffin, phoenix, minotaur, Stymphalian birds, and more! The Dining Hall: Once residents enter the tent, they will see seven different food stalls surrounding a large picnic area. The troupe wanted to celebrate the cultures of the different pantheons around Mount phoenix. A stall represents each pantheon, hosting a variety of carnival and festival foods specific to that pantheon.  Sweet Inebriation: While some alcoholic beverages may be served in the dining tent, it would not be a festivity without some of Dionysus’s finest wines! In the energy of partying, drunkenness, and freedom, a band of satyrs perform loud, intoxicating music. If that doesn’t help you unwind, the tables full of overflowing kylikes with Dionysus’s best wine will open your inner dancer! Fated Sight: A change from the wild parties in the other tent, this tent hosts a more quiet and mysterious energy. Behind a variety of curtained stalls, nymphs blessed with skills in divination await you to tell you what the future stores. Come with a friend, your lover, or by yourself, there is definitely much to learn.  Heavenly Reprieve: Only accessible to the gods, the tent serves to give deities a chance for relaxation, away from the presence of demigods. After entering the tent, passing small changing areas for those who need it, the gods will enter a marble bathhouse surrounded by large statues of various Greek gods holding vases that are pouring heavenly scented water into the heated pools. Along the edges of the bathhouse, plenty plates of ambrosia and wine glasses full of Dionysus's best, ready to be consumed.

The event will run from March 16-23 OOC, so please be sure to start your threads or other IC interactions within that time (although you can finish them up at your leisure). Please tag all event posts with "mp; fates of fancy". We hope you enjoy this event!

[cerebrumrott]

Obey Me! Shall we Date?

Brothers and Newly Dateables x MC

Synopsis: Where their pact marks would be and how they would appear...

Lucifer

His mark would appear on your throat. Below the chin and Above the adams apple is where the sigil lies but the patterns and runes that circle it seem to trickle down your throat to your collar bones. Some even tracing up along the under side of your jaw.

You would know the mark appeared here because its his favorite part of you. He would often hide his face into your neck after a stressful day kissing along your jaw, and breathing in your scent.

It's also where his hand would most often lay, whether he be mindlessly tracing patterns into your skin, tipping your face up to his for a kiss, or holding you in place for him.

The mark is gorgeous and intricate. In direct light it appears to be a plain black though every so often it will catch the light just so to reveal the color beneath. A dazzling and heavenly blue.

When your pact mark appears he can barely keep his hands to himself. Most often when passing one another is RAD he will stop you just to take a moment to admire the mark before ushering you on your way smirking as he warns you not to be late.

Mammon

His mark will appear on the back of the neck where the skull meets the spine. Its a small and tight circle almost barely noticeable with it being faded into your hair line.

He is furious at first demanding to know why his mark is so small compared to the others and why its in such a hard to see place. He proceeds to pout to himself muttering about why it couldnt be somewhere obvious like your eyes or better yet in the middle of your forehead!

Once that was out of his system he began to truly appreciate the pact mark. He was the closest to your mind because he knew what you were really thinking sometimes without you even needing to say it. He often finds his hand coming to subconsciously rest on the back of your neck petting and massaging the mark as it also soothed him. Sometimes when he is thinking too hard he will start aggressively petting your head. It was funny the first time but the look your teacher gave you when Mammon accidentally started petting you in the middle of class was less so.

Whenever you wear hoodies or scarves he doesn't hesitate to walk up behind you and pull your hood down saying its disrespectful to cover up his pact mark and that you should be displaying it to the world. One time you shaved out a little triangle at the base of your hair line to fully expose the mark and with your hair tied up high. Mammon was just beaming with pride and joy following behind you like a love sick puppy just to stare at his mark.

Leviathan

When you made a pact with Levi you actually couldnt find it for weeks. You had cheeked every inch of your skin for a mark big or small but couldn't find anything.

That was until one day while hanging out with Levi you burnt the roof of your mouth so bad you thought the skin was peeling off. Levi worried used the flashlight on his phone to look in your mouth and let out of yelp of surprise at what he found. You also panicked thinking your mouth was now beyond saving from an all too hot bite of noodles.

No instead he had found where his pact mark lied. On the roof of your mouth was a relatively large and well detailed sigil and its surrounding runes. Interwoven between these runes were two serpents. The heads of each snake ending by your front canines the tails vanishing where your wisdom teeth should be.

It took you both weeks just to find the mark and even more so discussing why it would ever appear in such an odd place. It was one night during a TSL binge that it hit you. Levi hates touching but he loves talking with you. So of course his mark would have something to do with your mouth and since a mark can't be broken it couldnt go on your lips or near them.

At this Levi brings up the point of why not the tongue then? To that you counter its because he is a shut in and never sees the light of day. You had meant it as a joke but the dawning look on his face made you realize that is exactly why it was on the roof of your mouth.

When he kisses you he likes to drag his tongue over the mark the sensation sending sparks through his body.

Satan

His mark would appear on your outer thigh. This is where his hand would always fall when you both read together in the afternoons, or when you would sit at the table beside each other.

The mark itself is made up of sharp and bold lines that take up a majority of your leg reaching down to your knee and all the way up to your hip. The center of the mark is a deep forest green that fades away into a black. Similar to Lucifer's it too has a duo chrome effect where in certain lighting a vivid green can be seen glittering through the patterns and runes of the mark.

Satan will often find himself staring at you legs throughout the day envisioning the mark beneath connecting the two of you together. Many days he doesn't even attempt to hide his blatant stares as he longs to run his hands over the mark unhindered by cloth. Perhaps later when the two of you are back at home...

Asmodeus

His mark lies above your sternum and your heart. Asmodeus often jokes that it means you are hopelessly in love with him but the truth is that he is the one hopelessly in love. The many nights before you had made your pact where he would just dream of you. His love was not that of lust but of true and honest emotion the likes he had never felt before.

His mark is small, tightly packed in the space on the chest with the most minuscule and delicate details. The shapes and runes take on an appearance akin to that of a rose bush. Beautiful blossoms encased in a myriad of thorns protecting and guarding what lies beneath.

The thorns and vines interlaced with Asmodeus' pact mark when looked at from afar takes the shape of a heart matching the marks on his own skin.

Every time he sees the petals of his mark peeking out from a shirt of yours he can't help the way his heart fills and nearly weeps in happiness. While others may try to claim he is just oogling at your chest you both know its much more than that. Its much deeper than any of that.

Beelzebub

His pact mark is on your dominant hand. He had laughed at the time when it appeared saying it was because he couldn't think of anywhere else to place it but you both knew that demons don't choose where a pact forms. It appears in a place of significance to the both of them.

It took a week before you made the connections as to why it was your dominant hand that it appeared on. Everytime you took a drink or ate you would catch a glimpse of Beels large and chunky pact mark curling over the back of your hand and over your knuckles almost trickling down your fingers. You couldn't help but laugh almost choking on your food at the time as everyone at the table looked to you like you were mad.

Beel was all smiles as you told him about your discovery his cheeks flustered red as he too realized that was indeed a great reason as to why it might appear there. In all honesty he had been truly as clueless as you as to why it was your hand but now. Now it made perfect sense and he loved it so so much.

Beel loves his pact mark with you so much he will often just take your hand in his and press a soft kiss to your knuckles, or when he is feeling mischievous he will take your hand and drag a long lick up your arm before commenting on how delicious you are.

Belphegor

Belphegors mark forms on your non-dominant hand parallel to his twins. Though rather than drift down over the knuckles it instead crawls up the arm towards the elbow. Thin and curling lines make out the shapes of clouds that encircle the runes and sigil of his pact.

You both knew why his mark appeared here and it wasn't simply to mirror his twin much to Belphie's embarrassment. He always held your hand when he napped. It got to the point he couldnt sleep if you weren't holding his hand or petting his hair.

With your mark now on full display he doesn't even attempt to hide his need to hold your hand just walking up to you and taking it into his own even when not looking for a quick nap.

Long after you have gone to bed at night he will crack an eye open making sure you really are out for the night before carefully sitting up to take your hand into his and trace over the patterns there. You most likely would never notice but when his mark hit the moonlight just so. Brilliant white speckles like stars could be seen mixed among the markings.

Interlacing your fingers together Belphegor brings your knuckles to his lips falling asleep with your hand cradled to his face hoping to wake up still holding you.

Bonus:

Diavolo

His mark is the biggest out of all the demons. Shocker. The sigil and runes sit between your shoulder blades and the massive and intricate detailing the sprout outwards from that trails upwards and over yours shoulders and down your sides like a hug from behind. In the light it has a golden shimmer to it giving it a regal apperance.

If you have a pact with Barbatos it connects to his encircling your entire back and upper legs.

The mark appears where it does because that's where his hand is just drawn to rest on you. When he hugs you it presses there to draw you in closer, When guiding you around the castle he places it there when leading you through a door way and into another, even when just standing beside you his hand drifts to settle there.

When the pact mark appears it becomes his favorite place to kiss. Often walking up behind you and leaning down to press a quick kiss to the space regardless of the clothing in the way before smiling at you happily.

Barbatos

His mark appears on your lower back. The sigil and the runes themselves and small and concentrated into your lower back. Though the curling and spiraling patterns that extend outwards from it cover most of your lower back trailing up your spine. It even extends out and down the back of your thighs only stopping when it reaches the back of your knees.

The mark appears pure black to the naked eye but to those with magical capabilities it is a sparkling mixture of metallic blacks and sparkling blues.

If you have a pact with Diavolo the two pacts seem to blend together creating a dazzling shimmering affect of the gold and the blue/black.

He often takes the time just to appreciate the beauty of your pact mark. Asking in a soft voice before pushing up the back of your shirt to run a gloved hand carefully over the lines that trail along your spine and to your lower back.

When it is just the two of you he will place his hand on your lower back and rub small circles against the place where the mark lies reassuringly.

[mirkwoodshewolf]

A heavenly reunion pt. 1; Queen x reader

*Author's note*

This is it guys. After almost 3 years of writing this series it's FINALLY come to the end.  Like all good things, they must end eventually so here it is. The LAST chapter of my Rock Angel series.

I first want to point out the YEARS (except Freddie's death date) DON'T MEAN ANYTHING. I'M NOT TRYING TO PREDICT THE FUTURE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I just picked these random years to represent when the remaining members of Queen will pass, AGAIN THESE AREN'T REAL DATES AND I HOPE THEY AREN'T.

Pt. 2 will be up in just a few minutes so until then, enjoy this first part.

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@waddles03

@psychosupernatural

@ixchel-9275

@simonedk

@queensdivas

@queendeakyy

@queen-paladin

@sparkleslightlyy

@starswin

@labessieisallama

@isabella-bby

@naturalswifty89

@onebigfangirlworld

@ssa-sadboi

@5sos-wdw

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@geek-and-proud

@wormzteef

@bohemiansweede

_______________________________________________________________

*3rd Person POV. June 23rd, 2051*

Rock star, animal rights activist, founder of organizations like ANGELS CURING AIDS, WORDS CAN HURT TOO; Victims and survivors of emotional and verbal abuse, and the ANGELS AGAINST STALKING that helps protect people from violent stalkers. Also apart of charities like the Mercury Phoenix Trust foundation. The Rock Angel (Y/n) Kline had lived a full life.

She continued to tour with Queen as they got many other partnerships throughout the years. But she most enjoyed collaborating with Adam Lambert as he reminded her of him, bright and ambitious just wanting to share his music with the world and he knew he could never fill in Freddie's shoes but he sure as hell made a name for himself in his own way.

She was also a part of the "Bohemian Rhapsody" film that had been made and got to know the actors playing the men that she had grown up with and came to see them as her true family. Ten years after the film released, her own story got to be told thanks to the rights of Paramount and the brilliant mind of Dexter Fletcher, who had directed the story of her boys and Elton John, another one of her dearest friends and mentors.

But now at the crippled age of 90, the Rock Angel now lived in the privacy of her home in London. She was forced to stop touring because just 3 years ago she was diagnosed with a form of dementia.

It was hard on her family and her 4 children and dozens of grandchildren even great-grandchildren to see the once strong woman they had once admired for so long and looked up to as a role model not only in music, but life.

In their current home of London, her husband of over 70 years Jack who had made a name for himself. After the whole stalking incident, Jack joined the ranks of the LAPD. He worked himself all the way to the top and became Chief for over 30 years before he retired by the time he was in his 60's.

He sat there by his wife's bedside stroking her long white hair as she lay there forced into bedrest. She looked up at him and whispered.

"Jack?"

"I'm here baby."

"Where are they? Where are my boys?" she asked.

"Our sons? They're just downstairs."

"No, no. I meant my boys." At those two words, Jack's heart broke as he looked at his wife sympathetically.

"Baby they've—they died. It's been so many years since they all left this world." At hearing her boys were dead, tears fell down her face but Jack held onto his wife and kissed the top of her head. "But I can show you their videos, if you'd like."

"Please. I need to see them. To tell them goodbye." Jack then reached for the I-pad and opened up the Youtube app and began typing in the very song that he knew he would need.

He knew his wife didn't have long and he wanted her to have one last happy memory of hearing the perfect song written by her boys.

Together they held the I-pad and soon the music video "These are the days of our lives" came on.

"Why does Fred look so sick?" she asked worriedly. Jack swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to explain.

"He was suffering from AIDS, and it—really affected him love."

"I wish I could've taken care of him." She said as she stroked the screen every time Freddie came on screen. At the instrumental break as she watched Brian skillfully play the guitar, she smiled and said. "Bri....he was such a good guitar player."

"He was, but nothing compared to you." Jack praised obviously playing favorites. He then took notice of his wife growing tired as the song ended.

It was time.

"It's okay baby, you can rest now." And she did just that. Her breathing slowed right as Freddie spoke the last 'I still love you' line and the video ended. "Goodnight my Rock Angel. Be with your boys once again." He then let out a sob as he leaned against his deceased wife.

At 10:45am on June 23rd, 2051 (Y/n) Kline was pronounced dead at the old age of 90.

Everyone who had collaborated with the Rock Angel or had looked up to her all gathered at her funeral. Close friends and family all came to mourn at the loss of the last of the greatest Rock and Roll singers. She was buried in her birth town of Leicestershire, right next to her real parents.

*My POV*

I felt peaceful. My mind was no longer hazy. I could remember everything once again, but what confused me was where I was. I found myself walking through a long corridor but as I passed a mirror, I stopped and backed up to find a shocking surprise.

I was young again.

I looked to be about the age of 19, when I first met the guys. My hair was in the same long wavy fashion I once had before I cut it. I stroked along my cheek just to see if this was real or a dream, but as I stroked it I found that it was. Suddenly a door opened before me and I don't know why but I found myself walking toward it.

Now I was in what looked like an office with everything you would see. Filing cabinets, a large desk filled with paperwork but what caught my attention was the abacus that stood at the front center of the desk.

"Ahh (Y/n) Kline, please come forward." I turned to see a man around his 60's with short black hair, a grim like face with sharp cheekbones and icy blue eyes. He wore a black business suit and he was intimidating but for some reason I came forward toward the desk.

He sat down and pulled out a file and began reading through it humming to himself then he said.

"Place your hand over the abacus." I looked at it to see that the color code was white and black. White at top and black at the bottom.

"What is this?"

"This shall determine your next step. Just place your hand over it and let fate do the rest." I didn't know what this was gonna mean but again I saw myself place my hand over it and the second I did, it started going frantic.

Moving up and down frantically with no one even touching it. It was mostly balanced most of the way until it finally majority of the counters went white. The man smiled and said.

"Give my regards to those Rockstar friends' of yours. I'll be looking forward to your next concert." He then snapped his fingers and everything went bright.

Next thing I knew, I heard the sound of birds chirping and felt the sun beaming down on me. I was then greeted with wide open fields and a giant house along with several barn-like homes. It was like Garden Lodge and Rockfield farm mixed into one.

As I stood a few feet away from the main mansion-like house I swore from the second window of the white satin curtains I saw movement. I walked towards the house and placed my hand on the doorknob, I paused for a few seconds before I finally opened the door. I walked in and it was exactly like Freddie's home of Garden Lodge.

I walked through the threshold to see the grand staircase to my right, the long corridor ahead of me and the entrance to the living room to my left.

"Hello?" I said as I stood there. It was then I felt something nuzzle between my legs and I heard a meow. I heard it again and I looked down to see a very familiar face. "Hey, Delilah." I picked her up and held her as she purred and nuzzled my face. I scratched under her chin and she lowered her head to lick my hand.

"No it should be more like this." I heard a low, smooth baritone voice say.

"No, no and no Mr. tuxedo! Bernie has it like this and it shall remain this way. He and I are the genius piano and songwriting duo and it'll stick to this rhythm and timing." Another voice boasted out.

Oh my god.....It can't be. I set Delilah down and she took off running up the stairs as I crossed the living room into the parlor where Fred kept his piano to see two men that I had not seen in forever.

"David? Elton?" I spoke up. The two men turned toward me. David looked so much healthier than last I saw him and he looked younger just like me, in fact he looked about the same age he was when he did Live aid as well as working on the Jim Henson project 'the Labyrinth'.

Elton on the other hand looked about the age from when he was first starting off, back before he began experimenting with all the drugs and all that. The vibrant ginger hair but he still had on those flamboyant sunglasses he always loved to wear.

"Is that—really you?" I asked bewildered.

"Oh shit it can't be. The high angel herself, the Rock Angel?" Elton dramatic tone.

"Yes, it's me."

"Ohh darling. Welcome home." David greeted me with a wide smile and open arms as he walked up to me. He embraced me as he chuckled warmly and said, "Did you have a good life darling?"

"Uh-huh. I had the best life." I said, my voice muffled within his blue suit.

"It looked like you did love." We separated and I couldn't help but admire just how healthy he was.

"How have you been David?"

"Much better darling. No more chemo, I can finally breathe again."

"That's good."

"Alright you overgrown smooth talker, let me at her now." Elton proclaimed as he shoved David aside and immediately came up and kissed both of my cheeks before embracing me. "Oh darling we sure have missed you."

"And I you Elton. Life just hasn't been the same without your music."

"Been practicing those scales I taught you?" he asked pointedly.

"Yes, whenever I could."

"That's my girl." He hugged me again and I buried my face into his shoulder.

"(Y/n)?" a choir of voices soon rang up. I felt my heart stop as I lifted my head, not believing what I was hearing. Elton let go of me and both he and David with soft smiles on their faces told me to go and see who it was. The four voices called out my name again.

I crossed through the parlor, ran across the living room until I came to the door and just halfway up the staircase, I felt my smile widen and tears fill my eyes.

"My boys."

"You're finally here!" Freddie proclaimed. My legs raced directly up the stairs and Freddie, Brian, Roger and John all gathered me at the center in a long awaited Queen group hug.

All I felt were arms wrapped around me tightly, kisses all over my head and face and gentle hair and back strokes. I don't even know how long we were in that hug for but I didn't care, all I cared about was the fact my boys were here all together. When we finally separated I finally got a good look at all four of them.

They were all so young and vibrant just like how I first saw them back in concert long before I became an intern, I would like to think they were now the same ages they were when they first played at the Rainbow back in 1974. Long hair and all.

"I can't believe you four are here." I praised.

"And we can't believe you're here. And with your long hair again, was this when you were most happy?" asked Brian.

"If by that you mean when I first became Miami's intern? Yeah, best day of my life. Do you guys hate it?"

"No darling we've loved you no matter what your hair length is." Freddie said as he stroked the ends of my hair.

"I only just hope you didn't bring along any extreme surprises. Belly button rings, more tattoos." Deacy teased me. I chuckled but felt tears fall down my face.

"Aww lovie what is it?" Roger cooed as I felt him rub my shoulder. All four of them looking at me with those concerned puppy dog eyes they all knew how to do.

"I'm sorry. It's just—I missed you four so much." They all awed as Freddie first took me in his arms and said with his head leaning against mine.

"I know darling. It seems like it's been forever since the five of us were together."

"Coming from you Fred you have no idea." I wept as I gripped onto him as tight as I could, burying my face into his long black hair which softly tickled my face.

God if there's anything I missed about Freddie, it was his warm hugs. They were always so warm and inviting, anyone who was lucky enough to be given any sign of affection from this loveable man was considered lucky, and I was fortunate to be one of those people, and now finally after almost 60 years, I was able to feel that affection once more.

We were now upstairs in the master bedroom to do some private catching up.

"Alright sister dear, come here you." Deacy said. I smiled and immediately went into his arms and he embraced me. As all of you know, after Freddie's death, Deacy was the one to take it the hardest. So much so that he hardly played at any Queen gigs except for maybe three occasions then by 1997 he officially retired and no one had heard from him since.

The guys and I respected his decision so in order to make sure he was alright, I kept in contact with Veronica and would occasionally ask how Deacy was doing as well as the kids. I had learned that the two of them had two more kids, Luke and Cameron and the two of them had been successful in their own ways, all of the Deacy kiddies had, especially Luke who followed in his dad's footsteps and played in a band of his own.

In fact with the permission of the parents, I had allowed my nephew Luke to play at a few of my tours, and god just seeing him play reminded me so much of his dad, not to mentioned he looked so much like him.

And it was an honor to play with a second generation of Deacon.

The sad news of Deacy's passing came to Jack and I from Laura on a cold November day in 2035. Out of the two of us, Jack was the most heartbroken because he not only lost a brother but his idol and mentor.

We were invited to the burial by decree of the Deacy clan but I made sure that through some makeup and wigs that Jack and I weren't recognized by press because we wanted this to be private. As Deacy would've wanted that.

"Ohh I've missed you so much (y/n)."

"Not as much as I missed you brother mine."

It was then my attention turned towards the last 2 members of Queen, the remaining members I kept working with till the end. Brian May and Roger Taylor.

Together in our lives after Freddie's death and Deacy's retirement, I had been there for everything Queen got to accomplish, and they did the same for me. In fact it was Brian who bestowed upon me my plaque to be initiated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before I was given my star right above Queen's.

I was also involved with some of the work they did for a little movie called "Bohemian Rhapsody", and they helped become a part of my movie "Set it all free Angel". I first turned my attention to Brian.

It had been almost 10 years since my movie came out and 20 for Queen's film Bohemian Rhapsody. I was in my home studio working on my next upcoming album when I had received a call from Anita telling me that Brian had passed away at the age of 93. It was a peaceful passing so he wasn't suffering or in pain which I was thankful for in a way, he's suffered through so much that if I wanted him to go out, it would have to be peacefully in his sleep.

The world was devastated at losing such an inspiring man. Not only in the music industry, but for his work in astrophysics, as well as the animal programs that he's helped funded and laws he helped raise awareness for.

When he died, I took over the business in his name and within 3 years; I finally helped get laws of abusing, harming or killing animals to be illegal and anyone caught doing that wouldn't get misdemeanors. They would face legal full sentencing of 20-50years in Federal prison. On the night the laws passed and I along with Brian's partnering animal rehab centers signed off on the law, I went to Brian's grave and told him everything.

I immediately glomped him into a hug and held onto his waist tightly. He embraced me back just as tight as I was holding him, me humming lovingly as I buried my face into his chest feeling him stroke down my hair. After what felt like forever, he separated from me and stared down at me with those loving hazel blue eyes of his as he placed both his hands at the top of my head before stroking them downward against each side of my head and ending by cupping my face in his hands.

"I am so proud of everything you've done (Y/n). I saw it all, thank you for continuing my legacy for animal rights."

"You taught me everything I needed to know about being kind and caring towards all creatures, so much so you helped inspire me to do my own animal rehabilitations and rescues. I just—wish I could've been there for you when you......"

"It was beyond your control love. But I didn't suffer. I knew you loved me, and would've done anything to come see me had you known. I never blamed you, so stop blaming yourself." I nodded as tears slipped down my face but with his thumbs he wiped them away before hugging me once more. I felt him kiss my temple before cupping the side of my face once more to kiss my nose.

Even as I got older and we were both in our senior years, he never once stopped with the nose pecks. I smiled and Eskimo kissed him before he pressed his forehead against mine. It was then I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned to my right to see Roger standing before me.

Besides Freddie's death, I think the most devastating thing for me was when Roger died. It was about a year after Brian's death when I had gotten a frantic call from my godson Rufus that Roger had been taken to the hospital because of a stroke. Without hesitating, I got into the car and raced to West London Medical Hospital, where I met up with the Taylor pride.

I was frantic with anxiety and fear that I would lose yet a 3rd member of Queen. Over 48hrs passed when Rog finally regained consciousness and I was sitting right there by his bedside holding his hand. He spoke so softly it was like whispers on the wind and the only thing he wanted to do was go outside.

Reluctantly the doctors allowed it so my godchildren, and his wife Sarina took him out to the hospital garden and allowed me some one on one time with him. But I didn't know that that would be the last time they would ever get to talk to him. The last words he ever spoke to me were and I still remember it to this day, even up here in heaven.

"Brian and Freddie have come to collect me, they send out their love to you and Deacy. Look after the old bastard for us." And I literally felt his life slip away from my hand as he died right there in front of me.

For months I was depressed. I was allowed to go to the funeral and speak my eulogy and I sang at his funeral, this time my own rendition of Phil Collins' song 'You'll be in my heart.' It was also because of his funeral that Deacy and I got even closer than we had in years.

He had secretly gone to both Brian and Roger's funeral but it didn't take till Rog passed for him to physically approach me and we both just wept and cried from losing a father, a brother, a great friend together.

Finally when I finally gained the strength, me and the Taylor children all took a picnic up where Roger was born and just looked out beyond the fields of where his childhood home was and reminisced on all the wonderful memories we had of our father.

And it was from his death I produced my album 'Papa Lion' and dedicated it to him; 'To my Papa Lion, and all the other father lions out there. Keep protecting your children no matter what'.

"You gonna get into these arms or what love?" he asked me. I spoke not a word but felt tears in my eyes as I raced up and buried myself into his neck and dirty blonde almost brunette hair. He held me and spun me around, kissing all over my face humming and moaning lovingly.

When he finally set me down, he cupped my face just like Brian did but he gently leaned forward and very gingerly headbutted my forehead and the two of us nuzzled each other, rubbing our noses together.

Like a father lion and his cub reuniting with each other at last.

I held onto his wrists which still cupped the sides of my face and just allowed my tears to fall out but I couldn't stop smiling.

"I hope those are happy tears." He said to me. I sniffled and nodded.

"Yeah the—these are....ha-happy tears." I choked out.

"You know you don't have to be so strong around me, right lovie?" It was then I just broke down and wept as I embraced him. "Shhh, shh. I'm here my lion cub, I'm here. Papa lion is here." He whispered in my ear.

"God I have waited so long for you to say that." I whimpered out to hear him softly laugh and just hug me tighter.

"Oh my darlings.....my heart.....it's too full!" We heard Fred exclaim out dramatically. We both laughed as I nuzzled deeper into my papa lion's chest, happy to finally be reunited with them.

After finally calming down, we were all just sitting around the master bedroom. I was up against the couch leaning against Deacy's legs as he was currently brushing and braiding my hair.

"So you guys continuing to rock it out here in Heaven?" I asked.

"Don't you know it darling. Every good singer who has helped made a difference comes up here and we continue to live a peaceful eternity doing what we were born to do. Be performers." Freddie stated.

"In fact we just had our concert the other night. We got to perform alongside the Beatles." Said Roger.

"Shut up! The Beatles?!"

"You know it love, Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr." Said Brian.

"Wow, I wish I could've seen it." I said.

"You will darling, we perform our concerts every single night. And it's always a mix mash of artists and bands collaborating together to perform the Greatest Heavenly Rock 'n Roll concert." Said Fred.

"Now that you're here poppet, you'll get the chance to perform with the best of the best." Said Deacy. I was flabbergasted.

"Holy......" I couldn't even finish it because I was just so shocked to think that I would be performing with the greatest artists long before my time and bands I wish I had the chance to record or perform alongside with. The guys all chuckled at me and I said.

"So that's why David and Elton were here."

"Mm-hmm. We're all performing together in tonight's show. Three artists of the 70's decade for the first time ever sharing the stage together." Said Brian.

"Ohh man what people would've killed to see that in person. I mean yeah you guys performed at the same venue like we did with Live Aid or did some recordings together but never all three of you guys on stage at once." I said.

"That's how it works around here." Spoke Deacy as he finished the last strand of my braid. I thanked him and observed the braid he had done and I commented.

"You've gotten better Deacy."

"Laura was good practice. My baby girl always wanted her hair braided."

"She may have gotten that from me, sorry." He playfully scowled at me but I cheekily stuck my tongue out at him. "Say Fred, where's Jim at? I figured if you were here, he would be too."

"Oh that man of mine, he's out tending the garden, come have a look." He escorted me to the back window and there I saw a field of flowers as far as the eye could see.

"Whoa. He's done all of that?"

"Been doing it since 2010 darling. Always a hard worker my husband. When he first came, I was worried he wouldn't like this appearance of mine, after all I didn't have my tache and my hair was much shorter than when I first met him."

"Jim loves you Freddie. He loves you no matter what you'd look like."

"And I did know. Turns out he's got a long hair kink." He whispered to me which made me choke out a laugh.

"Seriously?" He nodded ecstatically and that's when Deacy spoke up.

"We're still here Fred, no need to hear any of that."

"Oh god Deacy don't act so innocent. After all you were the one who wrote a song about pre-ejaculation." Deacy's mouth just gaped before turning stoic, and of course Rog and Bri were laughing their asses off. He turned to me and I shrugged saying.

"He's got a point."

"Okay yeah ha-ha fuck all of you."

"Oh come off it John. We mean no harm by it." Roger teased

"At least it's better than a car fucking song." Deacy fired back.

"That's not funny!" Roger proclaimed.

"It is kinda funny." Deacy sassed back.

"Okay, okay enough both of you. I had enough of your arguments to last an entire lifetime. I don't need to relive it now when I just got here." I stated.

"Sorry love." They both choired out.

"Oh (y/n), I do have a surprise for you though." Brian spoke up. I looked at him and said,

"What kind of surprise?"

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?" He said as he walked right up to me.

"If you tell me, I'll still act surprise." He chuckled and wrapped an arm around me.

"C'mon love, let's head outside." We soon went down the stairs and headed out of the house.

Brian lead me to an open field about a half mile away from the house. There was nothing but green for miles ahead.

"Brian what's this about?"

"You'll see." He then took his index finger and thumb and curled them inward like pinchers before placing them against his lips letting out a loud whistle. We stood there for a moment that was until I heard a bark. A very familiar bark. No it—it couldn't be.

Soon jogging up the hill about a mile away was a German Shepherd. His familiar traditional fur coat shined under the sun as he looked right at me. He let out a couple of barks and soon several more dogs came running up beside him.

They consisted of a golden retriever, 2 pit-bulls, 3 huskies (1 traditional black and white, another grey and white and the last one an auburn coloring), a collie, and 4 Labradors (2 blacks, a tan and one brown).

With each dog that this pack had, I knew every single one of them. I turned to Brian baffled and he just grinned at me before nodding telling me that they were who I thought they were. I turned back around and the German Shepherd let out a bark. I then let instinct take over and ran as I cried out.

"Bucky!" He soon came running after me, as did all the other dogs barking and panting as they all ran down the hill towards me. "C'mon kids! Come on!" I proclaimed. Each dog was running as fast as they could but Bucky and the black and white husky Shasta were leading the pack. "C'mon kids!" Bucky let out some barks as he raced ahead of Shasta and we met half-way.

Bucky leapt with both paws to my shoulders knocking me down onto the ground.

"Ohh Buck. I can't believe it's you! Ohh look at you boy! Good boy Buck!" A second later Shasta came up to me whimpering happily as his tail wagged. "Oh Shasta baby boy look at you! Hi~ Hi baby boy~." Soon enough my entire dog pack was all up on me grunting and whimpering happily as they all began to tackle me, wanting my attention and love.

Now while you all know I've had Bucky and Sammy as the family pets for Jack and the kids. The other dogs have a different story. The two pitbull brothers that I had named Titan and Bear were rescue dogs when I was a part of an actual rescue mission with one of my animal charities in saving dogs from a Mexican dogfight.

Whenever I was free from touring and recording, I made sure they were well taken care of and even let them stay at my home for awhile before they were finally adopted by a good family.

My triple threat huskies Shasta, Maya (the grey and white) and Eevee (auburn) were actually Kelly's dogs. Shortly after she left for college, she wanted to fill her house with dogs so she adopted these three and very often when she would visit or we would visit her, these troublemakers were always there. Sweet and loveable but stubborn little buggers but I wouldn't take them either way.

The Labradors were also rescue dogs that I helped out. The black one Raider and white one Rowdy were just left abandoned tied up in the backyard of their owners homes. The owners had abandoned them and left them for dead in the hottest summer of the year. But thanks to my team we got them out, sheltered and good homes but I occasionally checked in on them since I couldn't let them go.

The brown lab Cleopatra and the other black lab Midnight were once stray dogs till my son Freddie found them and gave them some food and water. Since he didn't have the heart to turn them to the shelter he adopted them. They even started their own little family since Midnight and Cleopatra were mates together and had many puppies together.

And finally the beautiful Collie was Jezebel. Jezebel was something special because she was actually my nana's dog. I hadn't seen her since I was probably five years old, she was already an old girl growing up but from what I remember, she was so maternal with me.

Whenever my nana was busy with something, she knew she could trust Jezebel with me.

After giving every single dog my attention I finally managed to stand up and see all the dogs in my life standing in a row.

"Jezzy, Bucky, Sammy, Titan, Bear, Shasta, Maya, Eevee, Cleo, Midnight, Rowdy and Raider. I don't believe it. Good doggies. My lucky dog pack. I can't believe you're all here. How did you find them all?"

"I was out strolling wanting to observe the stars when I found Bucky and Sammy. They immediately recognized me and just came running right for me. Soon enough they brought me to meet the rest of the dogs you've known and rescued. I was surprised about the collie but I knew she wouldn't be among them if she wasn't a part of your family."

"Yeah, Jezebel was my nana's dog. I called her Jezzy cause I couldn't quite pronounce her name. She was like my guardian dog angel. Always maternal until she passed away of cancer when I was just 5 years old." I walked up to her and pet her head and she leaned up against me. "She even saved me from almost being attacked by a stray dog one summer."

"Well I'm very glad she did." Brian said as he walked up and stroked her head and she gave his hand a friendly sniff and lick.

"And you took care of all of them?"

"Well I'm an animal activist through and through. If Freddie takes care of every cat that comes to Heaven, I thought I should take care of the animals I've grown fond of, but also the animals my little protegee has taken on herself. As well as the family dogs." I smiled and Brian and thanked him with a hug and he gratefully hugged me back.

As the day drew to a close and nightfall came, the boys had escorted me over to the Heavenly Concert hall. If we want to look at it scale wise, imagine it as Wembley Stadium during the time of Live Aid back in 1985. We drove in a royal golden carriage fit only for her royal majesties themselves.

"Wow, it's just like Wembley stadium."

"It is in a way, but it can fit an infinite amount of people. Any and all are welcome to watch us perform." Said Deacy.

"And we won't need to do soundchecks or anything?"

"Nope. This is heaven darling. Up here everything works to the full capacity and capability. No have to worry ever again about sound checks or power outages." Freddie stated. Our carriage soon stopped at the back entrance and the doors magically opened.

I stepped out first followed by Deacy, Roger, Brian and Freddie. Deacy wrapped his arm around me and guided me into the building and the five of us followed the sign down to the basement level where the dressing rooms were.

And it was like they said, I saw dozens of stars with the names of so many artists and bands before and during my time. Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, the Beatles, David, Elton, Led Zeppelin, REO Speedwagon, George Michael, Phil Collins, Bob Dylan, and everyone and anyone you could think of.

"And here we are darling, your dressing room awaits." Roger said as he stood before a red door with a golden star with wings on each side that read in bold black letters my stage name ROCK ANGEL. He opened it up and I was in awe.

Inside was a very large room filled with furniture, a huge makeup station with large mirror decored with lamplights around the perimeter of it.

On the left side of the dressing room were hundreds of different outfit's I've worn throughout the years. Everything was there on hangers along with some of the hats I wore, fedora's, cowgirl, and my famed flat caps of various different colors and styles.

While on the right; I could see just music instruments like the Red Special Brian had made for me up against a special holder up along the wall right by my makeup stand.

"Is this my....."

"Go on and have a look darling." I heard Freddie say in my ear.

"Okay. I finally have my own mall." I walked in and was just in awe at everything. It looked like heaven had taken my master bedroom from my first home I had after becoming the Rock Angel and just put it all here.

I walked inside and said.

"Ooo, very nice shoes." I pointed out on the shoe wrack seeing some of the styles of shoes I've worn. From combat boots, to Adidas', flats, and even the high-heeled boots that Deacy always wore during the 1970's.

"We're glad you like them darling. Why don't you go around that corner and press the black button along the dresser." Deacy said. I walked further in and reached a dresser and found the black button. When I pressed it, a couple of shelves slowly opened up revealing almost every pair of sunglasses I've always worn.

"Oh my god! I've missed wearing these." I picked up a pair of my ray ban black and gold framed sunglasses. "Didn't I make these look good?" I quickly turned to see the guys were gone. "Guys?"

"Over here love." I heard Brian's voice say. I walked towards the right to see my boys standing or sitting along some of the foot stools.

"Oh there you all are. Ohh nice amps." I couldn't help but see the amps up along the wall. "I—I'm just...." Before I could continue a remote was tossed over at me by Roger as he said.

"Before you even say anything else. Type in combination 2-1-2." I muttered the combination to myself as I pressed the numbers and soon the closet before us opened and soon revolving around were various guitars and bass guitars, shelves soon opened revealing several pairs of drumsticks each imprinted with my name on them.

I had no words.

"Umm....this is.....I can't—" I jumped back a bit as the top shelves suddenly opened revealing two different microphones. One was a basic black but it was bedazzled with red gems while the other one was pure gold with golden gems.

"Elton and I had a little hand of having your microphones designed." Said Freddie with a modest shrug.

"I mean....guys this is......unbelievable. And this is all mine?"

"Oh darling you should see ours. It's practically the entire mansion back home."

"Each star that comes here is given the full custom of what they've enjoy back on Earth. And since you've favored how you once had your rotating dressers back in 2011, it's all here for you but advanced into your instruments as well." Said Roger.

"And if anyone has any suggestion like if they're close to another artist, they can submit some suggestions of what should be in said artists dressing room." Brian spoke up.

"Aww you guys, I love you." I said as I came up to them and we got into a group hugged.

"We love you too (Y/n) darling. Now hurry up and get ready, the concert is about to begin." The boys left me to my own business. I walked up to my clothes rack and went through every style and decided that if I was to do my first concert in Heaven, I might as well wear exactly what I wore for my first concert as the Rock Angel.

After getting ready and doing my makeup the same way Freddie had done for me that day in Madison Square Garden, I picked up my Red Special and put it around my neck and left my dressing room.

"The Rock Angel is back." I looked up to see the boys standing across me in front of their dressing room, dressed to the T like they had at the they did at the Odeon theater Christmas Eve 1975. I smiled and said.

"Well look at you guys, it seems like only yesterday I was sneaking my friends into the house while Joanna and Graham were at their Christmas party just to watch you guys live at the Hammersmith Oden theater." I sassed.

"Thank you love, now c'mon time to head to the stage." Roger said. The lads cheered and I followed behind as we all walked back up the stairs and went through the corridors of backstage. Hundreds upon hundreds of artists were getting themselves ready to go up and perform.

I watched as the boys did their typical body warmups to get themselves pumped up when I felt a nudge at my arm.

"You seem quiet poppet, everything okay?" I looked up to see Deacy standing beside me.

"You said anybody whose anybody comes to see these shows right?" He nodded and I said solemnly, "Do....do you think my family, like my mum and dad know that I'm here now? That I'm here performing?" I felt him wrap his arm around my shoulder and he said.

"It's possible. Anytime a new artist or band comes here, it's fully announced far and wide throughout Heaven. So there's a good chance they might be out there in the audience."

"I hope so. I just want to show them what I've achieved, I want them to be proud of me."

"They are poppet. Just like we are." He embraced me in a one armed hug leaning his head against mine.

"I really have missed these moments between us Deacy."

"So have I. And I've got a hell of a lot of comforting to catch up on."

"Well now's a good start."

"Oi you two! Are we going to perform or not?" The two of us smiled as we heard Roger's voice cry out to us. My brother looked down at me and he said.

"C'mon, let's go do our thing." I nodded and we headed towards the guys.

*3rd Person POV*

Once again it was concert time. Every soul that had passed into heaven that was a fan of Rock and Roll or music in general came from far and wide to come to the concert of concerts, even bigger than the Earthly event that Live Aid gave the world.

Generations of artists and musicians that had come from around the world from many different backgrounds came to this very stadium to give the performance of their afterlives. Thousands, almost a million people poured into the stadium as the lights were flashing and doing their test run for each artist that would perform that night.

Soon Bob Geldof came onto the stage and everyone applauded for him.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome once again to the Heaven's Rock and Roll concert." Everyone applauded and cheered holding up signs of their favorite artists or bands that would be performing tonight. "It gives me great honor to announce that we recently were given a new arrival, but I won't give it away on who it is." The audience crowd because they wanted to hear who it was as Bob continued, "I'll leave that to the band who know her best. So without further ado I would like to bring up on stage the first band performance of this evening's festivities. These lads I knew personally and they helped make one of the biggest rock concerts even greater than I could ever imagine. These four individually talented young men rose to the stardom in the early 1970's before exploding into the worldwide phenomenon by the 1980's. Ladies and Gentlemen please bow before her royal majesties that is Queen!"

The crowd roared with applause as Bob left the stage and the stage grew dark. Soon the opening notes for "Now I'm here" began playing and everyone cheered louder as they began clapping in rhythm. Those who have seen and grew up seeing Queen live, knew exactly how to react and behave during a Queen concert and those who got to know Queen up here in heaven got a taste of what it would've been like had they seen them in person with all four of them up on stage.

Soon Freddie's silhouette and voice echoed through the speakers as he began to sing the song. When the song began to pick up, the lights on stage exploded as did fire from the sides of the stage as all four members of Queen were finally revealed to the crowd.

Freddie lead with the vocals and his mates and brothers backed him up on not only the vocals but their instruments, and ever the frontman he was, strutted the stage like it was his as his voice overpowered and reached out into the audience with a force unlike anything.

By the end of the song, Freddie proclaimed into the microphone.

"Thank you! Thank you, good evening everybody!" The crowd cheered as Freddie continued, "Oh it looks magnificent out there tonight. Okay my darlings, right now. Right now, we're going to take you for the first time ever we're taking you all to the battlefield. This is called Ogre Battle!"

The boys continued to play a few more songs like 'White Queen', 'Killer Queen', 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Don't stop me now' and 'Son and Daughter' included with Brian's famous guitar solo giving Deacy and Freddie enough time to change clothes for the next half of the performance. Freddie now wearing the famed black satin outfit with his chest exposed and diamond fingernailed glove as well as the chain glove on the other.

"Yes thank you, thank you very much. Featuring Brian May on guitar!" Brian took a bow as the spotlight shined on him and the crowd cheered. "Now then my darlings, as I'm sure everyone's heard we have a new arrival. A very special girl to all four of us. How would you all like to meet her?"

The crowd roared with applause and soon Roger began doing one single rhythmic beat. Hearing the beat made the entire audience clap in that single beat rhythm.

"She first rose to the spotlight in the summer of 1981. A bright, charismatic young woman whose music has touched the lives of millions. To us she wasn't a shadow of our fame, she was an equal partnership. The like of which we had never knew we could ever ask for. Ladies and gentlemen and everyone up in the balcony give it up for Heaven's very own Rock Angel, Mrs. (Y/n) Kline!"

From up on the catwalk above the stage, the silhouette of the Rock Angel herself came up and it appeared that she actually had angel wings sprouting from her back as she began the first verse of her famed song "Set it all Free".

By the chorus, the screen lifted up and she hopped off the catwalk and gratefully fell from the 10ft catwalk onto center stage playing her Red Special as her boys backed her up as they always did whenever they performed this song together.

And seeing the two artists perform together, Queen and the Rock Angel, the crowd was in pure excitement bouncing up and down and crying out the lyrics to the well known song that the Rock Angel's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

But none were more happy to perform once again than the artists that were on stage. It had been forever since it was the five of them together up on stage and they couldn't help but look at each other. As the guitar solo came up, it turned into a guitar battle between the Rock Angel herself and Brian May which got the crowd really pumped up.

By the end of the song, everyone was chanting out 'Angel! Angel! Angel!'

"Hello Rock and roll heaven how's everyone doing tonight!?" The crowd welcomed her with a roar of applause. "God I can't believe I'm here performing with my boys once again. And right now we'd like to bring out a special guest for this next number." She turned to Deacy who nodded and began playing his bassline for "Under Pressure" which got the crowd applauding louder.

"This man is a well-known legend and the birth of a true 'flamboyant' hard rocker. And a very close friend of mine." Freddie started.

"Six time Grammy award winner, 4 time Brit award winner, actor, musician. Everyone put your hands together for Mr. David Bowie!" (Y/n) proclaimed into the mic.

It was then Freddie and (Y/n) began singing the first part of the song as at the center stage a circular hole began to open and soon rising up onto the stage was David Bowie himself. He wore a royal blue suit with a black undercoat suit shirt as well as the business white shirt. A light blue tie and black shoes.

He soon began his line of the first bridge as Freddie and the Rock Angel backed him up. When the second part of the song came up after Freddie's little vocalization, David gave the gesture for (Y/n) to take the second part of the song. And as she always performed it, she would lowly sing in her alto range before suddenly belting out to the perfect volume as she would hold the note out for as long as she could letting the two legends back her up.

Just like the record Freddie and Roger softly sung the first part of the break, then David came in before (Y/n) belted out the why vocals before the song picked right back up. It was something that could only be seen in Heaven. Three legendary singers performing one song.

David Bowie, Freddie Mercury and (Y/n) Kline the Rock Angel.

The three lead singers stood side by side with each other with David on the left, Freddie in the middle and (y/n) to the right. The three in almost rehearsed synchronicity began to sidestepped across the stage as all three voices blended the bridge that it could give one an eargasm.

Agreeing with each other and knowing what she could do to close the song, both David and Freddie stepped back with (y/n) completely unaware as she just allowed the song to consume her.

At the final note, she let out a proud controlled belt that was first heard at Freddie's tribute concert and it almost seemed like the sun was rising as the stage was lit up in a heavenly glow as she held the note. The entire audience was in an uproar as they gave a standing ovation to the Rock Angel herself.

She turned around and saw the five older men smiling at her and applauding her for a phenomenal performance that they have missed so dearly.

The concert continued as Elton John soon came up on stage and together he, Freddie and (y/n) sang 'I'm still standing' a song that was personal to all three of them in some shape or form but they knew this was the perfect song for them all to sing.

After a few more Queen songs, with the allowance of their beloved Rock Angel since her set was about to come up after theirs, she allowed them to stay and be her band as she would perform her hit songs before the souls of Heaven.

Songs like 'Who I am', 'So good,' 'Bridge of light', 'Rock angel', her rendition of 'Somebody to love', 'We'll be together', and with her boys already up there with her they did a few more duets of Queen songs like 'Friends will be friends', 'Spread your wings', 'Fat Bottomed girls', and 'Jailhouse Rock'.

Finally their time was up and as 'God save the Queen' played through the speakers, all five of them stood side by side each other and bid the crowd a goodbye and thank you.

After watching several performances from backstage, and when the concert finally came to a close it was time for the after party. So just outside in the back a beautiful garden was set up with refreshments and plenty of drinks to fit everyone's needs and all the performers of the night came out to talk amongst one another and to celebrate another well-performed concert.

As well as to welcome their newest achievement.

*My POV*

Oh my god. That was a thrill rush, and now being here at the after party I saw literally everyone. Elvis, Janis, the Beatles, Little Richard, Elton, David, Hendrix, everyone in rock and roll big names were gathered around this beautiful garden.

As I went to go grab some water I felt a hand tap my shoulder and there stood John Lennon himself.

"So you are the famous Rock Angel?" I swallowed my water and was completely star-struck.

"Y-yeah I.....Mr. Lennon I....."

"Please call me John."

"Okay, John. Can I just say.....just between us that you were always my favorite Beatle out of the group."

"Coming from you that's a huge honor. And now I can finally rub it into Paul's face the bugger." I laughed and that's when I heard a female voice say.

"Alright let me at her, where is she?" And there donned with her famous fur coat, tall Russian-like hat and red circular shades was Janis Joplin herself. "And there she is. The one female rocker better than me." She spoke as she came up to me.

"Oh no Mrs. Jop—"

"Ah-ah. Mrs. Joplin is not my name. Call me Janis baby girl." I blushed and she wrapped an arm around me and said, "You know, you and I aren't so different kid."

"How so?"

"Well we both struggled in our families and personal lives, got together with some male rockstars to form a partnership before splitting off to have our freedom. The only difference is, is that I wish I had your strength. I decided to call it quits with heroin being my way to kick the bucket."

"You were someone I did look up to. I mean yeah you had your struggles, but hell you didn't take shit from no one. When conservative minds at the time wanted you to do it their way, you said....."

"'Fuck you. I'm doing it my own way!'" She finished off which made the two of us laugh. "Yah know something baby girl, I like you. Promise me for Lady's night you'll do a song with me?"

"It would be an honor Janis." She smiled and hugged me tightly.

"Alright my darlings, may we have everyone's attention?" Freddie's voice soon spoke up as he was now standing on top of a table. Everyone looked up and as the boys of Queen stood up front Freddie continued, "First of all magnificent show all of you. So cheers my lovely darlings." Everyone of us raised our glasses in the air saying 'cheers'.

"We'd also love to specifically say a wonderful show for our newest arrival," Brian spoke up. He turned to me and extended his hand out for mine. I took it and he gently pulled me up front so that everyone could see me.

"Our beloved Rock Angel herself, (Y/n) Kline." Roger spoke up as he smiled warmly down at me.

"To the Rock Angel!" Deacy stated as he raised his cocktail glass in the air.

"To the Rock Angel!" Everyone choired at me. I bashfully smiled and said.

"Thank you, it was an honor to see most of you perform tonight, and it was great to perform with someone of you once again after so many years. I hope I have the privilege to perform with every single soul here." I said.

We then raised our glasses once more and the mingling and partying continued long into the night.

[lovejustforaday]

Underrated Gems - Amends by Them Are Us Too

Amends - Them Are Us Too

Main Genres: Ethereal Wave, Dream Pop, Minimal Wave

A decent sampling of: Goth Rock, Art Rock, Ambient Pop, Shoegaze, Synth Pop

Covering the Cocteau Twins’ discography recently got me thinking about writing a review for this record.

Them Are Us Too were a dream pop / ethereal wave duo in the 2010s, comprised of vocalist Kennedy Ashlyn and the late guitarist Cash Askew, both of whom also programmed and played synthesizers.

Ashlyn and Askew were active members of both the goth scene and the prominent queer arts culture of the San Francisco Bay Area. The band had a modest following of fans, mostly immersed in those aforementioned niches, along with some online dream pop enthusiasts like myself (though I was sadly late to the discovery).

While the band wore their influences on their sleeves (particularly Cocteau Twins), the duo set themselves apart by the out-of-body magnitude of their sound, and Ashlyn’s powerful, soaring falsetto, making their voice a more resonant counterpart to the wispy soprano vocals of their idol Elizabeth Fraser.

While I never got the chance to see them live, the videos that are up on YouTube demonstrate just how exceptional Them Are Us Too were as a band when it came to reproducing their studio sound in a live performance setting. Suffice to say, Them Are Us Too were truly one of the few acts breathing new life into the mostly out-of-fashion ethereal wave sound.

All of this came to an end, however, when Cash Askew’s life was cut tragically short by the horrible 2016 Ghost Ship Warehouse fire. Cash Askew would go on to join the ranks of other musical and queer legends who were unfortunately taken all too soon from this life.

In the aftermath of Askew’s tragic death, Kennedy Ashlyn took the material they had been working on together and finished the project. This would become their sophomore album and final record released under the band’s name. This was their farewell tribute, beautifully titled Amends.

Amends is a delicate undertaking. An album bedridden by its grief, while also restless from its own waking nightmares. And yet, despite its ghostly apparitions and perpetual darkness, the music is tender, soothing, and utterly human. There is a profound contrast between the warm reminder of a loved one, and the cold emptiness left in their absence, that permeates throughout this record.

The album’s lyrical processing of grief is beautifully mirrored by its musical accompaniment. Iridescent synthesizers create echoing soundscapes with minimalist accents that are then painted over by electric guitar reverb, like crashing waves that wash over painful broken shards of glass bottles to produce smooth, refined sea glass.

“Grey Water” is a dream pop ballad submerged in an ocean of tears. With a heavy heart, this track sways back and forth until eventually spilling over into an unforgettable outro, featuring the grief-striken vocalization from Kennedy Ashlyn reaching impossible highs. As the song closes, it feels as though an entire lifetime of memories has dissipated, dissolving into the sea.

The album takes on a more intense and bitter tone for “Floor”, a relentless ethereal goth rave filled with sorrowful regret, as Ashlyn laments “I should have asked for more” again and again. The drum machine on this track feels as if it’s grinding everything in its path into dust, which becomes the hazy atmosphere that obscures Ashlyn’s vocals as they practically shout into the void.

The nine minute penultimate piece “Could Deepen” is Amend’s most heavenly offering, providing a sense of deliverance from the despair that permeates other songs on the record. The song is in two distinct movements: the opening part is an ambient ascent through what feels like trials of the soul, while the closing part is a dreamy free fall through descending synthesizer scales and a monsoon of echo effects.

The record finishes with the immaculate title track “Amends”, the song most explicitly written to be about Cash Askew. A delicate square wave synthesizer motif repeats in little intervals, pitter-pattering over glossy dream pop guitars, synthesizers, and dejected drum machine kicks and snares. The artistic expression of emotional loss on this song (and record) is already breath-taking as is, but nearly everything that needed to be said is conveyed perfectly in just that final verse where it is made agonizingly clear through lyric and through performance that Askew truly meant the entire world to Ashlyn.

I’d call it heart-wrenching, but that doesn’t really do it justice. What “Amends” does to the listener is it uses a musical tourniquet to squeeze the entirety of the human soul. It captures the immense vulnerability you would feel if someone you loved deeply, someone who emotionally anchors you, was suddenly gone in an instant. The lyrics also brilliantly deconstruct themselves, with Ashlyn openly questioning how it is even possible to write a tribute to someone so important to them as part of lyrics written for their tribute song. “Amends” was my song of the year at the end of 2018, and quite possibly still is my choice for that year.

I think that now is a good time to acknowledge that albums with a primary subject matter of grief are most often exceptionally personal works of art, and should therefore be approached with higher degrees of tact and sensitivity by anyone planning to write a review or assign a rating to such albums.

Likewise I should also say that, while I find this album very beautiful and moving, and have even used it to process my own feelings of grief in the past, that this album ultimately belongs to Kennedy Ashlyn. I never personally met or knew Cash Askew, nor did I even know who she was until after she had already passed away and the album was written.

We may be invited to remember Cash Askew through this wonderful record, and feel some of the weight of her departure in the music, but the many of us who didn’t know her personally will never be able to fully appreciate its depths, and my ability to write a review of the album is inherently limited to an outsider’s perspective. Such is the nature of listening to projects like Amends, Psychopomp, A Crow Looked At Me, and Carrie and Lowell that are primarily focused on the death of a loved one.

But for what it’s worth, I love and cherish this record. Amends is a far too unknown and underappreciated modern classic of the dream pop and ethereal wave genres. Hopefully a day will come when this gets properly rediscovered by the alternative music sphere at large, and Cash Askew will be rightfully honoured as having been one of the most dedicated architects of her craft.

Highlights: “Amends”, “Grey Water”, “Could Deepen”, “Floor”

Note: Kennedy Ashlyn still makes music in a similar genre under the name “SRSQ”, and you should definitely check them out!

[thedevilprobs]

Erratic and somewhat nonsensical notes on my VentoAureo x HNK AU

(Spoilers for JJBA Part 5 and the Houseki no Kuni mangas as of chap.95)

SO a brief preface, the aspect of the houseki no kuni world I'm gonna explore here, and why I specifically chose to AU Vento Aureo of all parts (aside from the fact that it's my favorite part hehe), is the partnership or duo dynamics. As much as the gems (and the bucci gang) operate as a group, there is a great narrative enfasis on exploring the dynamics of two people relationships that is very interesting to me.

That being said, I'm gonna focus on such things for this AU, at the moment the two pairs I got are as follows:

Cinnabar!Fugo x Lunarian!Giorno.

Cinnabar!Fugo just makes sense tbh

Purple Haze can be reinterpreted as the mercury inside Cinnabar without problem not to mention Fugo being the one that stayed could be reinterpreted as Cinnabar being/feeling isolated from the other gems as they both carry that loneliness theme sort of.

Also, both Fugo and Cinnabar are very self depreciating and self critical of themselves.

In the case of Lunarian!Giorno, I chose to make him one because of the ethereal/heavenly theme he has, Giorno also has a very humanitarian personality so making him a character who cannonically is a human soul fits pretty well.

Those aspects factor into Giorno's narrative role of being the paragon of the group. Which connects to HNK, as the gems who go to the moon are inspired, and change, and grow upon experiencing lunarian (and arguably human) culture.

Their relationship would go as follows, C!Fugo would still do night patrols and L!Gio as a sort of rebellion to the moon (also something that mirrors his joining of the mafia, in the sense of following his own beliefs going against society) would go down to the earth at nigh, meeting each other during those times, both away from their respective communities.

That's really all I got from now about them, very fluffy and wholesome both very curious about the other. I imagine C!Fugo is very happy to know his mercury does not affect L!Giorno in reference to the fact that Giorno, in the anime can make animals immune to Fugo's toxins.

Lapis!Bruno x Obsidian!Abbachio

For this pairing I will have to make a very important clarification, Bruno is in fact a lapis lazuli, a choice I made solely on aesthetics as his main color is blue and the golden flakes represent the zippers. Where it really gets interesting is with the mention of this: L!Bruno has a Yellow Diamon head. Not any yellow diamond head but the head of O!Abbachio's lost partner... yellow diamond... head...

As for why I chose Obsidian for Abbachio, it was hard as Abbachio's powers and personality don't have a lot of parallels to any gems that I can I think of, in the end I stuck to Abba's role as a support in the group something that Obsidian, as the weapon maker of the gems, shares with him.

On that note I imagine O!Abba still struggles in battle not recognizing that L!Bruno doesn't have Yellow's speed and throwing way too many blades at him (FYI that's the strategy I came up with the two Yellow, being fast, can consistently attack Lunarians while O!Abba supplies him, this also works bcs of Yellow is a diamond so the highest hardness within the gems).

And just as fluff I'd like to describe my re interpretation inside this AU of the rain scene, which is one very special moment of the part 5 anime. In my AU it would be L!Bruno who steps into de rain as O!Abba watches him, with the powders the gems use removed O!Abba can truly see that his partner is gone as the dark blue make the golden flakes shine even brighter under the raindrops.

This brings closure, for now, to my HNK x Vento Aureo AU.

If you notice anything that might help enrich my work please feel free to mention it

And thanks for reading this <3

[screamingforyears]

IN A MINUTE: // A BUZZ_BIN EXPRESS… // “PROMONTORY POINT” is the final single in the run-up to @old_coke’s forthcoming debut EP titled ‘Seasonal’ (7/28) & it finds the Chicago-based duo of Chris (guitar/bass/vocals) & Ethan (drums) bringing 6 sentimentally huge mins of distortedly stacked, guitar-driven & quietly/loud NuGaze. // Them @slide.philly boys are back w/ a dreamy new standalone single titled “SOMA” (@suburbancreeprecords) & it finds the wholly Philly-based quartet sliding (ayyyeeoo) into the vaporous ether across 5 1/2 mins of heavenly gazed, heavily hazed & softly swoll AltRawk. // @wax_jaw are here w/ a new single titled “THE MIRROR” & it finds the Philadelphia-based quintet of drummer Ian DiBruno, bassist Greg Blanc, vocalist Shane Morgan & guitarists George Fenton/Sean Vannata “melting jaws & breaking hearts 🫠🖤” across 3 mins of low-end driven, six-string surfing & succinctly sassed NuWave.