#especially to the long lost piano player in me

[anths-girl]

I did watch the movie about 647388290283747 times... 😬😬😬

[goodluckclove]

Hey so I got tagged in that OC interaction thing by my colleague @illarian-rambling! I've been wanting to play this for a long time but I was too nervous to jump onto the tags of people I didn't know. Thank you for including me, and introducing me to Elsind. Below the Read More I describe a day spent with her and my boy Scott in Bluerose, Oregon in the setting of Migration Patterns, book two of Songbird Elegies. So minor spoilers not in terms of plot but, like, character development? Maybe?

I tag my dear ones @mushroommanchanterelle @aroaceghosties @lychhiker-writes @ivaspinoza and @cssnder because I feel like literary fiction writers don't get enough love in games like these.

Let's get started!

Elsind Cavernsight is a 20 year old changeling with a nervous disposition and a romantic heart. They can take on any humanoid form they've observed before. In his true form, Elsind is a skinless-looking humanoid with no face, a long tail, and petal-like fins that ring the back of his head. They use the pronouns of whatever form they're in, while using they/them in their true form. When referred to in abstract, she gets Shrodinger's pronouns.

Until she was thirteen, Elsind had a happy childhood and was raised by a single mother in a book shop. However, changelings are a valued commodity in Skysheer. They were kidnapped to be used as the court freak of one Marquis Sunflight - a cruel man who forced Elsind to do many abhorrent things for his 'entertainment.' After five years of this, Elsind managed to run away with a rebel group seeking to overthrow Skysheer's nobility. He now acts as an infiltrator and assassin.

As a person, Elsind might’ve suffered greatly, but she never lost her kind spark or huge capacity for empathy. They love to help people and even if they tend to be really nervous and awkward about it, they seek to make everyone's day better if they can. She's a bit of a chatterbox, especially when things are tense, and cries easily. Though she doesn't necessarily enjoy it, she is a great liar and infiltrator. This, combined with his easily underestimated bravery, makes him quite the spy. Their greatest passion are romance novels. Elsind is an avid reader of all things steamy and decadent. Out of all my characters, they'd be the most likely to have a blog on this site.

Scott Skylark Kaufner is a 31 year old human birthright from the Bluerose Refuge Hub, a witch town on the coast of Oregon. He is intersex, born with Kleinfelters Syndrome, and chose to undergo a masculine puberty and identify as a man. Scott is Greek-Romanian and I think German on his dad's side? I haven't established that yet. But he's a shorty at 5"5, with long and wild black hair and large, dark blue eyes. He identifies as a man, but prefers to dress in loose dresses in fun colors and soft materials. No shoes.

At his best Scott is friendly and talkative, though he tired quickly socially - as much as he tries to hide that fact. He loves the ones closest to him deeply and passionately and he has a tendency to get weird and overdramatic about it. There is an undercurrent of some manic intensity to him that most choose not to bring up and he doesn't seem to notice.

Scott is a bipolar variant birthright, which means he once had the ability to reflect his emotions onto those around him. But after travelling for years to find Eddie, he used his powers so often to get through social situations that they were infected, forcing him to inadvertently control the intentions of anyone that made eye contact or extended physical contact with him. Usually this ended with the person wanting to sleep with him. As a sex-repulsed asexual, this resulted in a rough few years for Scott. The fact that he was unable to see human faces due to the torture of the Eldritch horror trying to possess him did not help.

He's an obsessive piano player since infancy that can't read music but can learn anything by ear if you give him time. He also has perfect pitch but pointing that out embarrasses him. Scott loves the library and thinks that librarians, service workers, and anyone in the medical field are the most important members of society. Especially librarians. He loves reading books of Greek mythology but has a different relationship to them since his upbringing in magic causes him to think most mythological/supernatural things could maybe be true. He also loves a good snack and he's not great with technology but he's really good with Excel.

Their interaction!

So Scott is from a Refuge Hub, which is a type of witch town that houses and supports social services cases and anyone who needs harbor (abuse victims, runaways, children), so his first impression would be regret that they weren't able to help Elsind when they needed it.

She wouldn't need to mimic any human shape if he didn't want to. As long as Elsind could explain that he naturally doesn't have a face and Scott didn't just revert suddenly for unknown reasons, the concept of changelings would be perfectly reasonable to him. Birthrights are naturally nonjudgmental, but he is probably one of the most nonplussed of his kind.

He would definitely show him the library. Very kindly ask the librarians (some of them have known him since he was a child and adore him) where "the most erotic stories were" and smile calmly when they balked at him. Scott would take her to the small bakery in town where they make little cakes and pastries. He would be very insistent on feeding her the tastiest treats he could find, just to make sure Elsind felt taken care of.

They'd talk a lot in the mustard fields outside his childhood home or by the beach. Scott would ask Elsind if she ever got sad pretending to be someone else. If she still had an awareness of who SHE was. He would ask if she knew any fairies or cryptids.

Elsind would probably go home with a lot of books and carefully wrapped treats. Scott would offer him a friendship bracelet. I do not think it would be made well. He's still learning.

Haha that was fun!

[shephar]

Fuck it, I did Persona 5 Boy, might as well do the blue one.

P3 x Genshin.

(I stole the top right quote from spoilers I heard from a book lol)

If I was going to do him being Inazuman I would've called him Makoto, but I chose Minato for the same reason I chose Akira: I like it better.

Under the cut, of course :|

T/CW: Canon-typical death of minors

Line: Joining a team.

"I'll make sure you make it to your destination safely."

Just to get this out of the way: I was going to have him be from Snezhnaya because I think the Cryo nation suits him for some reason, however I realized both he and Arlecchino had relations with the moon so...

He's Arlecchino's older brother, they're twins, not because of the Genshin weird twin theories, but because of the Persona dead twin theory, of how in Portable the Fe/MC is the twin that survives the car crash.

About: Hobbies.

"I quite like playing the piano... Huh? You want me to play for you sometime? I'll think on it."

Minato has a Hydro Vision, which if theories are correct represents having a strong desire to protect that which is important to them. If you beat Persona 3 in any form, or watch the movies, you would understand why he has this type of Vision.

About: Vision.

"It's useful when traversing the desert, and Hydro is an element that has the greatest capacity to heal. If only it could heal internal turmoil."

Minato's weapon of choice is unique in that the player can give him any weapon. In universe and out of universe, this is because he has experience welding many types of weaponry, however his Specialty Weapon (or whatever it's called) is a sword.

This is mainly a reference to in the original P3 he could use any weapon type except for Guns, which is because they were hand guns- literally. In later renditions, he could only use a sword, though.

Side note: his Sword, Lucifer's Blade, heals damage equal to 30% of dealt damage per hit.

About: Flexibility.

"Why can I use any weapon type? I trained to do so a long time ago, flexibility is key in combat, like how you can use multiple elements."

His basic skill is a shield that casts an AoE water attack on surrounding areas. Additionally, he, much like Joker, can use randomly chosen items to induce reactions. This is a blatant reference to the items in the Persona series that the characters can use to do elemental attacks without SP.

However, unlike Akira, he cannot use matches since they're ruined by water, and he doesn't need to use bottled water to induce water. Minato uses a folding fan to induce swirl.

About: Elements.

"I think adding elements to my attacks despite not having an Anemo Vision is quite important, especially if I run into someone with a Hydro immunity and I'm using a Catalyst."

His burst is an all party heal, much like Jean's, except that it negates elemental reactions on the party for 10 seconds. If he's at C5, it adds another 5 seconds and a defense buff.

He's very defense and healing oriented, which makes sense considering P3's final act.

About: Protection.

"I don't need to be protected, but I'd rather not see anyone I know die. Again."

Minato is a five star, naturally. His splash art is him holding a catalyst and spear, a crescent moon of hydro behind him as he looks to be reading his catalyst.

His banner, if this is in the same universe, always takes place 2 before Joker's. If not, it coincides usually with Fatui characters, despite not being a member of the Fatui.

About: The Fatui.

"I don't care."

He first shows up during the Liyue Archon Quest, as a researcher from the Akademiya. He seems to have known that Zhongli was Rex Lapis from the first meeting they had, although the how is unknown.

He then appears during the Inazuma Archon Quest, but only in the background. If the player talks to him and asks how he got to Inazuma he'll say: "I walked."

He reappears later in Sumeru, studying in the Akademiya, then in Fontaine, in the prison for an unknown reason (he got lost).

About: The House of the Hearth.

"It was quite cold when I was younger, but I hope Arlecchino made it a warmer place. Recently, I got an invitation from her to return. Something about a reward for one of the well performing children."

He lacks a Story Quest centered around himself.

About: Arlecchino.

"My sister is... An interesting woman. But I don't think you need me to tell you that."

His Friendship Rank affects his burst, much like how Akira's does. It raises the HP healed when casting his burst, adding an additional 1.5% per each rank.

About: Happy Birthday.

"Oh, it's your birthday? If there's anything you'd like, anything at all, you need only ask, I may get it for you. If I knew it was your birthday, I would have already gotten you something. Apologies."

Extras.

About: You.

"My thoughts on you? You're strong. And... Nice. To be truthful, I lack a sense of justice most people believe I have. I just want those I care for to live, however you'll help anyone who asks. You're none too shabby."

If you put this and the Joker AU together.

About: Akira.

"I think I fought him often, a long time ago. He was a strong opponent, but I won most of our battles, but I was there to train him... There was another guy, I wonder what happened to him?"

About: Tartaglia.

"Huh? Who's that?"

About: Furina.

"She's quite beautiful, truly. However, I can only feel sorry for what she's gone through. I think she should take a nap."

Leaving the team.

"Ahh, I'm going to go take a nap, then."

Thanks for reading this travesty, later 🐊

[forestknifefight]

Blupjeans Week Day 4

Wow, I'm early today. Prompt for today was Duet, and I wanted to be a little emotional with it. Listening to the song adds to the experience, I think.

Also I'm putting this chronologically before that one live show where they go treasure hunting on Davenport's ship.

Everyone is gathered around a record player: a tall, winding gramophone made by Magnus, bespoke for Lucretia following the day of Story and Song. The sound horn of the machine was crafted specifically to look like a floating jellyfish and then painted to look like Fisher. It was a Candlenights gift, and it made her cry so disgustingly that Taako couldn’t take it and had to leave the room while Lup laughed at the display of emotion.

This gift has been of so much use since its creation. Lucretia has taken the time to artifice, from memory, various songs from the Legato Conservatory, so they can all hear the music again.

Especially Lup and Barry’s song.

That’s what has brought them here today, though none of them know it. Lucretia has finally perfected the song, ready to show them all before passing it on to the couple.

Taako, Magnus, and Merle are settled across a long couch. Davenport has settled alone in an armchair. Angus is perched on his knees in the middle of the room. Lup and Barry, both physical and alive, are squeezed into a single armchair together.

Lucretia stands in front of the gramophone, a small black record balanced between her fingertips.

“Alright, Creesh!” Lup shouts from her seat. “Slap that bad boy on that…” She waves her hand in the air. “Thing! And let’s get this party started!”

Lucretia sends Lup a withering stare. “It’s a gramophone,” she says. “You know, you will be so thrilled that I have taken the time to create this.”

Lup mutters two quiet Yeah, yeah’s and turns to Barry with a roll of her eyes. Barry chuckles and presses his forehead against her shoulder.

“Please, get a fucking move on,” Taako says. “I’ve got a date to binge this new Queer Eye show, and I nee-eed to get to that.”

Lucretia lets her eyes slip shut and she sighs. “Fine.” she turns around and sets up the record on the gramophone, slipping it over the pin. She turns the hand crank on the machine a few times, enough that the record will play properly. Then, she drops the needle.

The second the first note passes Lup’s ear, she grabs Barry’s hand and squeezes. The sweet whine of the violin layered over the harmony of the piano is somehow simultaneously ingrained in both of their memories, yet also lost to them. They remember it so clearly, as if it were yesterday, but at the same time feel as though they are hearing it for the first time today.

The crescendo in the middle of the song comes, and Lup’s eyes well with tears. During the small lull immediately following it, the tear slips down her cheek and is immediately wiped away by Barry’s thumb.

The song ends. Lup and Barry look up at Lucretia, who is smiling at them.

Lup takes a deep, shaky breath. “You did this to get back at me for laughing at you when you got this fucking thing, didn’t you?”

[dustedmagazine]

Listed: M. Sage

Colorado musician, artist and educator Matthew Sage produces a unique form of ambient music, one that focuses on personal experience rather than obscure intellectual objectives or new age mysticism. Through both his own sounds and those he curates via his Cached Media imprint his goal is to unearth the beauty within the seemingly mundane. With Paradise Crick, his latest and most fully formed release, he casts his gaze on the great outdoors, envisaging a camping excursion. In his review, Bryon Hayes found that the record was “his most visceral work, as he ornaments his typically ambient palette with an assortment of palpable shapes, colors, and textures.” In addition to making music, Sage also enjoys seeking it out, often from non-traditional sources. For this edition of Listed, he runs down some of the more interesting records that he picked up on recent thrift store diving excursions.

10 recent thrift store finds in no particular order — I hit the flea markets and thrift stores once or twice a month and get weird CDs and cassettes. I like buying stuff that I would otherwise listen to on streaming… or never listen to from these local companies. We have CD players in our vehicles and I listen to CDs a lot driving. Cassettes mainly happen in my office when I am writing or drawing. So… a lot of what I look for is sort of “functional music” that I can do stuff to. I also snag up favorites from bands I love… I found 3 Wilco CDs at one shop last week!

Anyway, here are some recent favs.

Bonnie “Prince” Billy — Master and Everyone

Found in Longmont at the thrift store with the curated CD selection. Long time BPB fan, and I especially like how subdued this one is. Maybe not my all-time fav Oldham out there, but it’s great and the CD is in great shape.

The New American Orchestra — Blade Runner Soundtrack

Found at one of the flea markets in Fort Collins. Maybe the one with the lavender? This is an orchestral adaptation of the original Vangelis score, and it is about as smooth jazz as it gets. Incredible sweeping melodies. This version of “Blade Runner Blues” feels like something hiding on “In a Silent Way.” Ambient jazz for sure.

Chet Baker — Let’s Get Lost

Another one from the Longmont spot. Been obsessed with Chet Baker for a while now in that when I don’t know what I want to listen to, I just throw on any Chet’s greatest hits album and feel content. I love the arrangement on “My Ideal” with the toy piano and Chet’s voice and trumpet.

John Coltrane — The Gentle Side of John Coltrane

Also from the Longmont spot. I, of course, love wailing Coltrane. But I also think his sweet songs are some of his best. “After the Rain” is especially informing some of the arrangement choices I’ve been making on some new Fuubutsushi songs.

Shanghai Film Symphony Orchestra — An Dun (Calming the Emotions)

I buy a lot of random CDs like this, and I can’t remember where exactly this one came from. But yeah, foreign/new age/private press, etc. weird CDs… and most of the time they aren’t great… but this one is very good. When I find something like this that I like I google it later. When I did that with this CD, I found it on YouTube and this is my favorite comment about it: “Whenever I play this on a construction site, at first the guys complain. Then later they thank me for playing it. Saying they've never felt better.” My toddler seems to enjoy it in the car… I do too.

Claude Debussy — Images pour Orchestre. Preludes: La Fille aux Cheveaux de Lin

70 minutes of Debussy from Longmont ARC. Lots of solo piano from Peter Schmalfuss. I like that these recordings feel soft. Sometimes classical piano feels really hard, lots of attack, almost like microscopic. These recordings are more spacious. Chris from Fuubutsushi swears by Ravel, but I am team-Debussy.

Georgia Kelly — Seapeace: Music for Harp

Can’t remember where but found this in Colorado in a stash of pretty heady new age tapes. Later found out it’s a cult classic. It is a self-released one — the album was later reissued on other formats by new age labels — so I love knowing Ms. Kelly herself released this copy into the world and it has since ended up in my possession. The whole thing is on YouTube!

English Meadow: Environments — Environments 1, 4, 12: Slow Ocean, English Meadow, Intonation

I have all the Environments titles on LP and have since started collecting cassettes when I see them in the wild. These 3 are specifically my favorite Environments, so finding them all in one go felt like a thrifting triumph. I feel like English Meadow specifically sounds nice on cassette.

[dancing-to-architecture]

10 of 1001

Today's album: Meatloaf - Bat Out of Hell (1977)

The Loaf arrives!

Now, here is an album cover that I've always thought looked cool as hell since i first saw it in my dad's milk crate full of LPs, but i never got around to actually listening to it (mostly because i was really into the Beatles at that point in time, specifically Sgt. Pepper, incidentally another one of the album covers of all time, and not long after my Beatles phase came the phase i call "the total collapse of my parents' marriage" which led to a distinct and immediate lack of access to any part of my dad's record collection from then on).

Okay, unnecessary family history corner is now over, time to start Loafing.

Right off the bat, before I've even hit play, i have to notice: 7 songs, 46+ minute runtime, which means that the average song length is over 6 minutes. Now, something like this can be as much a positive thing for me as a negative thing.

On the one hand, there's been The Doors' tiresome meandering and King Crimson's acid jazz (in that 'it's about the notes you don't play', and no notes were played for like 3 minutes), but on the other hand I'm also fairly into post-rock and i have, on multiple occasions, referred to a 20+ minute long song by Godspeed You! Black Emperor as "a banger". (Rockets Fall on Rocket Falls is a killer, fight me.) Then i remembered that this is Meatloaf, the King of the Power Ballad, and also that Paradise by the Dashboard Light is roughly 174 minutes long.

Bat Out of Hell-

This intro fucking rules! Goddamn, that piano player should be chained to a wall somewhere for pounding on those keys that hard.

Some really great lines here "nothing ever grows in this rotting old hole/

And everything is stunted and lost/

And nothing really rocks and nothing really rolls

And nothing's ever worth the cost." PREACH.

Man, so much happens in this one song. It's a love song, it's a one night stand song, it's got the sudden and violent death of the narrator/pov character in the opening song of what i was led to believe was a three-album rock opera-lite... Hell, I've written legitimate short stories where less plot happens than within this song.

You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)-

To know me is to know that I've offered my throat to much more dangerous things than the wolf with the red roses.

Kind of a repetitive chorus, but it's only 5 minutes long, how is *anybody* supposed to tell a story in that short of an amount of time? :V

Heaven Can Wait-

So i was *almost* in this play in high school and- oh, this is a different thing.

"And all i got is time until the end of time" is a great line.

Okay, for real, who was the pianist on this album? (Aside: Bat Out of Hell was composed by Jim Steinman, who has *one hell* of a Wikipedia page, and the piano played by Roy Bitten of the goddamned E STREET BAND. Wait, also mixed by Todd Rundgren? Hot damn, no wonder this is like the 6th best-selling album of all time.)

All Revved Up with No Place to Go-

Well that's some Springsteeny as FUCK horns there, huh?

And to be honest with you, Mr. Loaf? No, i don't really know what that's like. Most of the time I'm put into situations with little to no revving whatsoever, and it's infrequent that i really desire a place to go, especially if I'm already home.

The middle breakdown about drawing first blood just feels strange and kinda out of place to me, but i am Not a person who wrote three albums with combined 100 million units sold, so my opinion is just that.

The faster end right after that kicks some ass, though.

Two out of Three Ain't Bad-

Well the title is regarding what might be the most depressing sentiment i can think of.

And then the second verse starts and it stays sad, just in a dramatically different way. Sad in a "okay, yeesh, get over your old flame already, dude, you said it yourself, it's been YEARS" kind of way.

Like Stephen Stills said (7 years before this album came out): "if you can't be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with", because this? just ain't it. Open up your heart a bit.

Paradise By the Dashboard Light- I've heard this song a number of times throughout my life, and i don't think i ever clocked just how insanely horny it is.

I guess i never really thought too hard about the lyrics, mostly because the last time i heard this song it was on the radio and i was still a kid. The baseball announcer part is kinda clever about it at least.

Ellen Foley CRUSHES her part of the duet. It's like the power-belting is a competition between her and Loaf, and she's gonna get that fuckin gold, come hell or high water.

Also just saying, ladies, if you ask someone if they love you, and they say "uhh, get back to me on that one, i gotta sleep on it"? They don't, and they won't. Don't waste your time.

But that last line is still pretty hilarious, all said and done.

For Crying Out Loud-

Okay, if this album and the two after, the trinity of bats into and out of hell, are all supposed to be like one continuous story throughout, then this song's placement right after Paradise is incredibly darkly funny.

Also, do we really need the image of meatloaf's turgid hog ripping through his jeans, twice? in one song?

(It's not so explicit, but you tell me what "can't you see my faded Levi's bursting apart?" is regarding, because while Meatloaf was a bigger dude, i really don't think he's talking about splitting the seam on the ass, and there are definitely other rhymes for "heart".)

Also, another false ending with 3 minutes left in the song. These songs wouldn't be so long if you stopped *trying* to end them and just ended them, man. (I'm being facetious here, but only kinda.)

Overall, a really good album. I can easily see why it sold so many copies, but i was honestly expecting it to be a bit heavier, given how hard that cover art goes.

Favorite Track: Bat Out of Hell! That intro, the economy of storytelling within (it's. so. much. plot!), the piano is on fire, all in all just one (bat out of) hell of an opening song.

Least Favorite Track: initially, i was gonna say You Took the Words, mostly for the repetition at the close of it, but actually sitting down and reading the lyrics to Two Out of Three Ain't Bad REALLY killed that song for me. It is bad, and you should feel shame.

[lunarsilkscreen]

The lost language of Music (and Language)

A friend of mine sent me a series of videos that tied MMO rotations to Keys in popular songs. And I remembered something I read a long time ago.

People today don't speak the same musical language as yesterday.

Classical Music (Before Classical Rock, Rock, Blues, and Folk)

Classical Music was played in an environment where there could be dozens, if not hundreds, of people playing the same constructions.

Think of the Famous Musical Composers; Bach, Mozart, etc...

They didn't have the same copyright laws we do today and it meant that many people all played these compositions all over. No Radio meant it had to be done manually.

Which means more people were attuned to skill differences and a variety of things for each specific piece.

Playing a happy composition fast might be humourous; especially it's a particularly hard piece. Playing a happy composition quickly could also be sorrowful as it "Happened too quickly".

Dragging a piece out could either be humourous or irritating.

Consider one of the famous bits by a composer (I forget whomst) that came on stage and played like an inexperienced hack.

Which would've been HILLARIOUS if the audience paid to see a skilled artist, only to get this. Or if venues had a penchant for sending unskilled piano players to play pieces.

And then he adjusts his seat slightly to the left.

And then the audience loses their mind because they just played the whole piece one key adjacent.

Yeah; Bugs Bunny copied that bit.

Speaking of which; the forbidden key bit also hijacked by Bugs; tying the key to an explosive.

Playing a whole concert with that broken or otherwise "Forbidden Key".

People's ears were tuned to be able to point those things out.

Now; what if we apply these things written language and truth.

What if the "Both Sides" phrase boomers can't ever seem to explain thoroughly meant that; to understand the deeper truth;

You needed to understand the phrase as a truth AND a lie?

An early form of encryption for the social elite.

Take the phrase "Every person wants a partner who is warm and funny"

Does that mean they also want a partner that is cold sometimes?

Does that mean that they want a person who isn't funny? When it counts?

This might be the missing link in our literary education today....

[inkizblog]

im fluent in english and spanish and know some latin remnants which isnt important vut its cool and good for linguistics…also i gaslight people that im french /exag /j

this is long i will reply individually

okay, so in band we basically play our instruments😁😝😁 the ones you usually start out on are flute, trumpet, alto sax, clarinet, or snare drum. im a tenor sax player rn but i started on piano (outside of school) and alto sax in school ^^^^ LUCKY? I WANT THAT BUT I CANT PLAY ANY INSTRUMENT. actually i was oretty good at the flute heh BUT THEN I LOST MY DAMN BOOK

we have to do these concerts… one winter concert and one spring concert ^^^ scary!!! i do not like performances!!! actually idk ive only performed like once. also we were gonna do a play once in our school and i got the lead for act 1 or at LEAST one of the main characters despite wanting a background character AND THEN WE NEVER DID IT AND IM SO MAD???? at tje time though i was probably relieved because i was an ungrateful brat and didnt want the role

there’s like “stages” of band (at least for our school)

there’s the first one, which everyone is automatically in if they joined band. you play like 3 songs ^^^^ not so scary! id maybe survive. also irrelevant but sax is so cool i wanna play the sax

there’s is the second, which is mainly for people who have been doing band for +2 years in our school (or just really good).. you play the three songs from the first stage plus 5 other songs ^^^ a bit complex but ikay!!! kinda like my spanish class!!!!! i probably would survive but SCARECLY. if its about flute that is i cant play any other instrument for the life of me…not even piano

and then there is the third, which is called jazz band. you have to audition to get in, and you play the 8 songs from the other stages plus MORE songs ^^ i freaking LOVE jazz!!!! AUSYGHSHFHF!!!!!!?!!!!!! I LOVE SWING BAND JAZZ AND. SMOOTH JAZZ AND JAZZ CLASSICS AND GRGRGRGEG AND ALSO AFROCUBAN JAZZ?!!? AND MODAL JAZZ AND COOL JAZZ GRGRGRGRG I LOVE MILES DAVIS AND ESPECIALLY JOHN COLTRANE….AND HANK LEVY BECAUSE ONE OF MY FRIENDS GOT ME INTO HIM AND DON ELLIS

i auditioned and got in!! so yippee ^^ congrats! doing what i cant <//3 SIGH…i envy you

uhh chorus is kinda the same except you sing (I THINK) ^^ my friend has that! yeah, basically you sing. idk if she has choir too, or if its the same thing but she definitely has specifically chorus (i remember her saying it, they were doung a frank sinatra song which is cool! i freaking love frank sinatra)

i don’t know much about chorus or the theatre club sadly… 🙁🙁🙁 ^^^ i have two friends in each of those and i am especially jealoud if the theatre kid. she said i give off theatre kid vibes in the best way which is objectively correct btw

-📍anon

so for band you start out with those instruments and only if the teacher is happy with your skills then you get to move on to cool ones like the oboe or the bari sax 👅

I LOVE JAZZ TOO… YOUR SO REAL ON THAT BROSKI ❤️❤️💞💞❤️ and then people have the AUDACITY to say “jazz sucks you are a loser for liking it”

I did a preformabce in theater ONCE because it was kinda a club like thing

I got ensemble and my family got real mad at me because I didn’t get a better role…

pin anon theatre kid CANON ❤️❤️❤️ do you watch musicals

[pianostarinwonderland]

The Bass, The Drum, and The Piano [On The Dynamic of the Octavinelle Trio]

The Octavinelle trio has a really interesting dynamic with each other that captivates many players, myself included. What I always found interesting is that the instruments that they played in middle school can give a deeper view on their relationship. There is symbolism found in the little band that they formed back then, and I want to talk about it and supplement it using dialogue said in the game. 

Before getting into this post, disclaimer that there will be spoilers from Chapters 3 and 4, Dorm Azul vignette, Dorm Jade vignette, Dorm Floyd vignette, Robe Azul vignette, Robe Jade vignette, and Robe Floyd vignette. I will also mention here that I am not a jazz musician nor have I formally studied music theory. The information I’m putting in this post are from other people that I talked to, research that I have done, and my own experiences as someone who took piano lessons so I may be flawed in some areas, and you’re free to correct me or add on any experiences or knowledge you may have. 

If you're here, have fun because this post is going to be a long one. 😇

Because there's a lot to the analogy of the trio's instruments and their relationship, I'm dividing this post into three parts.

Part 1: Floyd Plays the Drums, Jade Plays the Bass, and Azul Plays the Piano

In Robe Floyd story, Floyd tells Kalim about the middle school band that he, Jade, and Azul created. He was on the drums, Jade was on the bass, and Azul was on the piano. Together, they formed a jazz trio. 

The jazz trio is most commonly composed of a drummer, a bassist, and a pianist. Together, they already have the rhythm, the harmony, and the melody. The rhythm can be found in the drums and the bass, the harmony is played by the bass, and the melody comes from the piano. 

First, let’s talk about Floyd, the drummer. The role of the drummer is to set the rhythm and to keep the music on that beat. The drummer also provides excitement to the music by doing fast solo performances on the drums. 

As we all know by now, Floyd is incredibly moody, and this moodiness reflects in his playing. According to Robe Floyd vignette, he would actually speed up the rhythm, which caused Azul to get mad at him.

Floyd: We had our own little trio going, with Azul on piano and Jade on bass. Azul always got mad at me for speeding up the tempo or doing my own thing, though. (Robe Floyd vignette EN)

However, we should not overlook the fact that he is fundamentally meant to keep the music on the rhythm that he sets. He ensures that the melody does not rush or drag. In other words, he keeps the trio, especially Azul, stable. 

The best example of Floyd keeping this stability is the scene in Chapter 3–23, where Floyd accidentally directs a cauldron towards the safe. 

Azul: Floyd! Watch where you’re directing that spell! You’ve aimed right for the vault, you fool!

Floyd: Whoopsie-daisy. Sorry about that.

Azul: No... The door’s damaged! The dial and hinges aren’t shot, are they?! ...Phew. Okay, good. 

Azul: How many times have I told you not to use your signature spell so carelessly?! What will it take to get it through your head?!

Floyd: I said I was sorry, okay? You don’t gotta get all bent outta shape over one little ding.

Azul: You’d have me save my protestations for when it’s completely demolished, then?! (Chapter 3–23 EN)

We all know that Azul lost control of his emotions in this scene because the safe that got hit contains his contracts, which are not invincible. And initially, Floyd seems flippant about that fact. 

But he’s not. If anything, he’s ensuring that the facade of invincibility that Azul worked so hard to build remains. He’s making sure that the performance keeps on going, tries to make sure that Azul isn’t straying away from the tempo of their figurative music that they’re playing for the students of NRC. Remember that Ace, Deuce, Jack, Yuu, and Grim were in that room. He needed to make sure that the act was still up when Azul was nearly ruining it so that their plan can continue to proceed smoothly later on. 

Even outside of that scene, Floyd has also m that things go according to plan, otherwise Azul would get mad. You could see this in his Dorm story. The entire reason why he buys the rights to Sam’s shop is because Azul would be upset with him. 

Floyd: Azul likes these kinds of shiny stones, so maybe I’ll give this to him.

Floyd: Then maybe he won’t get angry that I wasn’t able to get the rights to that drink from the school store… (Dorm Azul vignette part 3 TL by mysteryshoptls)

Sam: Then… the rights to the Mystery Drink that you originally wanted! How about that!?

Floyd: Eh? Seriously? That okay?

Sam: If I can get my hands on that gemstone, then it’s a no-brainer! Here you go, the contract with my signature that signs away the sales rights.

Sam: As long as you have this, my best-selling product, the Mystery Drink, is all yours.

Floyd: You’re really fired up all of a sudden. Is that rock that valuable?

Floyd: …Eh, I don’t really care, and I’d rather Azul not get angry at me, so whatever. (Dorm Azul vignette part 3 TL by mysteryshoptls)

We know that Azul’s anger will sour Floyd’s mood, as seen in Chapter 3–23 after Azul got mad at him, so in this sense, Floyd wants to keep things steady. He wants to maintain a current rhythm that leaves all of them happy and keeps a certain peace. In fact, he even remarks this at the end of Dorm Jade vignette when Jade comes back.

Floyd: Aha. Feels nice now that everything’s back to normal～ (Dorm Jade vignette part 3 TL by mysteryshoptls)

Now, let’s go to Jade, the bassist. The role of the bassist is to play the bass line. Bass lines are essentially the lowest part of the music that contains the fundamental chords of the music. They also provide the rhythm, so Jade and Floyd work hand in hand when it comes to that. But what the bassist does differently from the drummer is that he lays the foundation for the melody by playing the fundamental chords. The melody can do whatever, but it has to be in tune with the chords of the bass line and keep note of the home chord that the bass line sets, in a way guided by the harmony of the bass. Home chord is the most important chord of any piece of music and the chord where the music would resolve to most of the time, the chord where the music "goes home to".

It fits the nickname that Rook calls him in JP: Monsieur Mastermind. The idea that he is the one who plays the fundamental notes in the music would symbolize that he’s the one who lays the foundation of some of Octavinelle’s plans, which may include steering certain people to do whatever it is he needs them to do. You see this in his Dorm SSR when he makes Vil see him as a person that he can use so that he can get Vil to unintentionally promote Mostro Lounge. 

Jade: Vil-san is quite strict with himself, as well as others.

Jade: That is why I believed there was a possibility that he would keep me by his side and not refuse me simply for being from a different dormitory.

Jade: It was critical that Vil-san would see me as someone he could “use.” (Dorm Jade vignette part 3 TL by mysteryshoptls)

Riddle also confirms Jade’s deviousness in Robe Jade vignette. 

Riddle: He is always plotting with Azul. If anything, he has also taken the lead on some of their schemes! (Robe Jade part 2 TL by mysteryshoptls)

Riddle: At first glance, it may seem like Jade defers to Azul and Floyd, but that is a huge mistake.

Riddle: Sometimes he uses them for his own amusement as well. (Robe Jade part 2 TL by mysteryshoptls)

Since Jade also plays the home chord, he is in charge of making sure the melody remembers to settle that home chord. Since he’s also in the rhythmic section, even if the drummer decides to go off and do something exciting, the bassist still keeps the rhythm, reminding the trio of the beat of the music. This could symbolize how Jade is the one who calms down Azul and Floyd or even keeps them in control, which is shown in a few scenes. 

In the aforementioned scene in Chapter 3–23, while Azul and Floyd were arguing, Jade cuts in:

Jade: Okay, you two, settle down. Otherwise, they’ll get away. (Chapter 3–23 EN)

And they do indeed stop arguing because they completely forgot what they were supposed to do: stop Ace, Deuce, Jack, Grim, and Yuu from getting away. 

In Robe Jade vignette, Riddle tells Jade to stop Floyd from interrupting Heartslabyul’s preparations for the freshmen welcome party. 

Riddle: It is because I am busy that I have been searching for you. I need you to do something about Floyd.

Jade: Floyd?

Riddle: He is continuously interrupting the preparations for the Heartslabyul new student welcoming party!

Riddle: We need to follow the procedures and menu set by the Laws of the Queen of Hearts, so…

Riddle: At this rate, we will not finish the preparations in time.

Floyd: Kingyo-chan, where aaare youuu?

Riddle: He's here…! As Octavinelle's Vice Dorm Leader, you need to keep a proper eye on Floyd, do you understand?

Riddle: Otherwise, it will be off with your head, so keep that in mind.

Jade: Well, I suppose we cannot be causing any trouble for other dorms. Understood.

Floyd: Hey, Jade. Have you seen Kingyo-chan? We were playing, but he disappeared～

Jade: Floyd, perhaps you should refrain for now. Riddle-san is quite busy with his dormitory tasks. (Robe Jade part 2 TL by mysteryshoptls)

Last but not least, Azul is the pianist in this trio. Unlike the drummer and bassist, the pianist plays the melody of the music. If you look up the definition of a melody, you’ll more or less get this: The melody is a series of notes that is arranged in a sequence that makes it memorable and musically satisfying. Essentially, the pianist is in charge of creating the sequence of notes in the music, occasionally having to improvise it. It’s symbolic of how Azul is the one who thinks of the plans, such as the plan to counter the Mystery Shop in Dorm Azul’s vignette, the idea on how to make a better moisturizer than Vil’s in Robe Azul’s vignette, and the plan to expose Jamil in Chapter 4. 

Rhythms can be catchy and memorable, but in the end, the part that people will most often remember is the melody of the music. It’s always the one people will sing when they want to sing a certain tune. It’s symbolic of how Azul is always the “face” of the trio. Even going by the rumors that we hear about what the trio does, it’s always “Azul can make your wishes come true”, even though much of the time, Azul gets a lot of help from Jade and Floyd in granting everyone’s wishes. You see this in Robe Azul's vignette, where Azul was brainstorming with Jade and Floyd for a moisturizer that could beat Vil’s. 

Chapter 3 also pretty much exhibits Azul as the person in the spotlight among the trio. He’s the one who announced to the students who lost to him that they’d have to work for him (and for Sea Witch’s sake, there’s a literal spotlight on him that time). He’s the one who Yuu and Grim challenge in a contract. Whenever people are in a battle against the trio, they always talk about Azul’s abilities. 

Ace: How many kindsa magic can this Azul guy bust out?! I call shenanigans!

Jack: Did Azul’s golden contract deflect all of your attacks? (Chapter 3–5 EN, after the battle)

Jack: Argh... I never knew housewardens were this powerful! (Chapter 3–23 EN, after chapter 3–22 battle)

The melody is also the most interesting and entertaining part of the music, hence why it’s the most memorable. Azul represents that entertainment in the trio’s dynamic, and it’s not a secret that the twins stick with Azul because they find themselves amused by him. This is explicitly stated in Chapter 4–26, when Floyd and Azul were describing to Jamil their relationship with each other. 

Jamil: Yet here you are now, presiding over them as housewarden. You have a curious relationship.

Floyd: Y’think? I just do what Azul says ‘cause it’s more fun that way.

Azul: I strongly doubt Jade or Floyd have any binding allegiance to me. This is all an elaborate game of pretend to them. If I made a poor choice as leader—or even simply a boring one, they would turn on me instantly and seize the housewarden seat for themselves. Not that I’d lose if they challenged me, of course.

Floyd: Yeah. We stick with him now ‘cause it’s fun. If it stops bein’ fun, we drop him like a bad habit. Easy. (Chapter 4–26 EN)

Part 2: The Unspoken Parts of Their Dynamic

For this part, let’s take a deeper dive on how much Azul, Jade, and Floyd really help each other. This time, however, this will have less quotations from the canon and will be listing mainly the possibilities of how they help each other based on the instruments that they play. 

I already mentioned that the drums and bass play the rhythm (and bass plays the harmony) while the piano plays the melody. Jade and Floyd being the rhythmic section of the jazz trio symbolizes that they support Azul, who plays the melody. The rhythmic section keeps the melody on a consistent beat so that it doesn’t rush or drag, and if ever the one playing the melody has a memory slip, the harmony and rhythm can help him get back on. 

It’s not a secret that the twins support Azul in canon. They help him with his plans, and Azul relies on them. But aside from helping with the plans, it can’t be denied that Jade and Floyd are Azul’s emotional support. We see this in Chapter 3–33, where Azul further breaks down when Jade and Floyd refuse to help and the latter calls him lame. Notably, this is the scene right before the overblot. (I have more commentary on this moment in this post.)

Azul: Jade! Floyd! Ahhh, you’ve finally come back to me. Would you believe that thanks to these fools, I’ve lost all of my contracts? Which is why I’m going to need your powers now. Come on, give them to me!

Jade: Hold on. Your signature spell is so powerful, it’s impossible to control without a contract scroll. You know better than anyone what will happen if you do this!

Azul: But I lost it all, you see? Everything... Aha ha... AHAHAHA! I’m going to revert back to my old self if I don’t act now! 

Floyd: Y’know, Azul, I never saw you as lame before. But now? The way you’re actin’ is pretty lame.

Azul: Ooohh, is that a fact? I’m just a silly little octo-twerp who can’t do anything on his own. That’s why I’m going to take everyone’s powers. I will rise above your perceptions. (Chapter 3–33 EN)

Something that isn't talked about, however, is how much the twins value Azul. Jade and Floyd may claim that they’re sticking to Azul for their amusement, but they do care about him. You see this in Chapters 3–32 and 3–35, when they realized something must have happened to Azul and when they saw Azul wake up after his overblot. 

Jade: We’d best be getting back, Floyd. If the anemones are gone from their heads...

Floyd: Yeah, I got a real bad feelin’ about this. (Chapter 3–32 EN)

Floyd: Oh, he’s awake.

Jade: Azul, how many fingers am I holding up? 

Azul: Eight...

Jade: Okay. You appear to still be out of it, but I’m so relieved. We were able to stop your blot-induced rampage. (Chapter 3–35 TL by shel_bb)

But aside from those moments, Jade and Floyd probably stick to Azul for one thing: the need to be understood. 

Now, I say probably because we don’t know the extent of how much the twins do value him and why they do so beyond entertainment, at least in the canon. But thinking on the jazz trio dynamic, the bass and the drums are stringed and percussive instruments respectively. As for the piano, it’s both. The piano is a stringed instrument because it makes sound by having the hammers make contact with the strings, and it is a percussive instrument because the hammers hit the strings of the piano to make music. This can symbolize how Azul can connect with both Jade and Floyd. 

Additionally, if Azul is the one playing the piano and thus the melody, he’s playing the part that would not only entertain but would also touch people. 

Music in general has been proven to be therapeutic (so much so that there’s even music therapy). Often, we would say that we relate to certain pop songs because of the lyrics, which almost always make up the melody of the song. But even if the music has no lyrics, the melody can still touch us. And again, it’s almost always the melody that’s most memorable. 

Jade and Floyd aren’t people who are easy to get along with due to how intimidating they are. At least on the surface, this doesn’t seem to faze them, but even they want to be understood as well. And Azul provides that for them. He knows the things they’re good at, he knows how to utilize their talents for certain plans, and they’re always in on those plans because of how entertaining they are. But more than that, Jade and Floyd probably gain a certain satisfaction from having someone outside of their little bubble who knows them. 

Part 3: The Bass and Piano

I don’t intend to promote any ships with this segment, but I do want to focus on Jade and Azul in this part. See, Jade and Azul seem to be closer to each other than Floyd and Azul. While Floyd would rather duke it out, Jade and Azul are the type to scheme and use their words to get people to do what they want. While Floyd is blunt, Jade and Azul aren’t above lying. While Floyd can fly on a broom, Jade and Azul struggle in flight class. 

They also have this neat little similarity where Azul’s current pose: 

Is like younger Jade’s pose (on the left):

Now I want to bring a bit of attention onto the pose similarity because there's speculation regarding that. That was Jade in his younger days, when he and Floyd first met and got to know Azul. And if Azul has a similar pose in the present, there's an implication that Azul followed Jade's mannerisms and/or looked up to him as a model for how to get better, and the habits just stuck as time went on.

This leads me to my main points on this part. If Jade plays the essential chords of the music, which acts as a guide for the melody, and he plays the home chord that the melody also has to settle to, that could symbolize how Azul was guided by Jade and was led to “home” (becoming a better person) thanks to him. 

But it isn’t just Azul following Jade. The structure of a piano is so complicated that they can only be tuned by a professional piano tuner. Because of this, if any stringed instrumentalist has to play together with a pianist, the former always has to tune to the piano since they can afford to tune their own instrument. Even if the piano is out of tune, the stringed instruments have to tune to the piano. 

Now remember that Jade plays the bass, and Azul plays the piano. That would mean that for a rehearsal or performance, Jade would tune his bass to Azul's piano. And this analogy could imply that Jade would follow Azul. Even if the piano would be out of tune, even if Azul would be broken, Jade would still follow him.

Drums don't have to tune to the piano. Floyd can do what he wants, but Jade would stick with Azul.

We do sort of see this in the scene before Azul's overblot in Chapter 3–33, where Jade was telling Azul to stop what he's doing or else he might blot too much while Floyd called him lame. But if you were to ask me what would happen after NRC days, if they have to decide whether to stay on land or go back to the sea, I would answer that Jade would probably go where Azul goes based on this.

Final Thoughts

There’s honestly a lot more that I can talk about with this topic, but this post is getting long. It’s pretty amazing how well thought out Octavinelle’s dynamic is. It’s one of the reasons why they’re so popular. But it’s even more amazing when realizing the writers were thinking of them as a jazz trio, who can not only create and accomplish great things together but also help each other out. 

tl;dr Octavinelle is amazing, their dynamic is so hrrrgduurru it goes brbrbrbrbrbrrr

[480pfootage]

SWSH Characters as Undertale and Deltarune songs

It's very long as I also added a reasoning on why i chose the song but-

I'll be making a youtube video with the songs n also sum small illustrations later probably...

Sonia - Lost Girl or Ferris Wheel Both songs are pretty similar and do play right after each other in the game, but idk they both fit Sonia. A feeling of waiting for someone to come back or to get noticed. Maybe wanting your childhood back to when everything was okay could be like how Leon and her just got further apart from each other as Leon continued being the champion. I know that Sonia is a more upbeat person but eh.

Leon - Song That Might Play When You Fight Sans Alright Toby Fox did work on his battle tower song so- Anyways- The song reminds me of when you’re battling Leon in the champion battle. There’s a sense of “oh shit I gotta win this” but still being playful and trying to give a show of not being phased (and also being cool for the fans watching in the stadium). Also the leitmotif of Papyrus being added in is just mwah. I could pull a lot of connections with Hop and Papyrus so just the connection between them in the song is yeah.

Rose - Wrong Enemy !?

This picture. Just this picture. You silly little fuck, Rose. (Also just wanted to add how Rose gives me Asgore vibes but he will never be as cool or as divorced as him).

Oleana - Attack of the Killer Queen Reminds me of the big battle you have with her to intercept Leon and Rose’s meeting. A sense of urgency and a sense to just make sure the player doesn’t get to interrupt them. Also it gives me of a slowly ticking bomb of Oleana exploding her anger onto u.

Victor - Alphys?? I’m not very sure for Victor tbh. I see him as someone who is shy, doesn’t speak much (haha silent protag), but none of the songs really convey that so he’ll have to be stuck with Alphys. Both him and Gloria are the protags so.. Nothing really canon about them and their pokespe vers…. scary.

Gloria - She’s Playing Piano  I like to imagine her happily (and aggressively) playing piano from inside her home and it can be heard all throughout Postwick

Hop - Field of Hopes and Dreams He is literally a field of hopes and dreams (that you crush). Upbeat sorta song n really gives that hopeful feeling Hop had before going thru character development (and also the admiration for Leon). I almost chose “Bird That Carries You Over a Disproportionately Small Gap” as an analogy for his journey but this song fits more.

Marnie - Spider Dance??? I'm so sorry I couldn't think of one with her. Spider Dance reminds me of battling Marnie n I guess her goal of being champion throughout the game. The little note stairs at the beginning of the song really fit her I think.

Bede - Smart Race or It’s Pronounced Rules Are you telling me this guy doesn’t remind you of Berdley. Especially during Berdley’s “Bluebird of Misfortune” part. With Bede being an orphan and all and also getting abandoned by Rose, he probably just wants validation and to do things right. But also “It’s Pronounced Rules” because the regal vibe just fits him during his snobbish asshole phase

Milo - You Can Always Come Home I would’ve picked “Home” for him, but idk this version speaks out more to me. It just sounds more homely?? Plus the new leitmotifs from Deltarune also add really nicely to it (not to mention I headcannon Milo to be able to play guitar n the little squeaks the guitar gives in this one rlly makes me think of him playing it to his wooloos)

Nessa - Mysterious Place Gives a very watery feel. We don’t know much about Nessa and she’s usually calm (only losing her cool when losing a battle but quickly recovering) so I think it fits. I would’ve chosen “Waterfall” but I don’t really think Undyne’s(?) or the Ruin’s leitmotifs fit her.

Kabu - Uwa!! So HEATS!!♫  I’m very on the nose with this one aren’t I. It just gives very old man vibes okay I’m sorry. Just him sitting in a hot spring with a lil towel on his head and this funky little tune playing. 

Bea - Stronger Monsters The song gives a very fighting game vibe and also the determination Bea has to become stronger. Also I feel like it could go over a training montage of her or somethin (with Machamp definitely in it).

Allister - Darkness Falls The chimes(?) give off a very Allister vibe. The song plays if you choose to give up after dying in Deltarune n I think that really tells of the trauma Al went thru to get his little ahoge ghost powers, though he didn’t give up in the end. Also just want to mention “Ghouliday” for him. Yeah. Don’t ask.

Opal - Oh! Dungeon Chaotic. Scary. @pechadream has inspired me to think of Opal as somewhat like Mettaton. The quizzes, puzzles, and dramatism that these two give are just…….. Yeah. The intensity of this song reminds me of Opal, very pink.

Melony - A Town Called Hometown Melony’s a mom so the feeling of homeliness is just really apparent with her. I like the little sprinkly noises in the song since it reminds me of snow and Melony is an ice type leader n all. Plus the leitmotifs of “Don’t Forget” during the “Don’t forget, I’m with you in the dark..” part in the song just- it’s just Melony and Gordie’s relationship okay- All the unconditionally love even with them arguing, yeah.

Gordie - Dogbass or Death by Glamour Gordie is a very eccentric guy, very cool guy also. Seen by how he backflips n does all those cool gymnastic tricks I think it fits in like a cool entrance song or something lol. Also I can see Gordie just jamming out to the little tune before striking a pose at the end. Death by Glamour is also something I can see Gordie jamming to. He is stirking poses any chance he gets, he is so cool. (also imagining him being dramatic to the song’s drops n stuff are just mwah).

Piers - Susie Includes a guitar, very rock and cool. Could’ve picked Vs. Susie but that has too many instrumentals and would’ve made it “too much work” for Piers. Sounds like a cool hero swooping in to save the day (post-game?)

Raihan - My Castle Town Okay this is probably not accurate at all but it’s my post I get to do what I want. I can see Raihan listening to this as he reads his books n studies about battling and history up in Hammerlocke castle. It’s not really the “battle side” of him and more of him just being him when he’s alone and not having to put up his persona. Also I just really love this song (I was top 1% of Toby Fox’s listeners because of this song on Spotify lol).

[scorchrend]

Hello there please infodump about your blorbos to me, I am willing to know about your blorbos as they sound very fun(I wanna rotate them like the stuff you put in a microwave)

Hi!!!!!!! I'm running to you at full speed. Ok. Ok. Let me introduce. My Blorbo #1.

Euden Dragalia Lost!!

I don't know where to start because I do like being asked specific questions. But. I am skilled. At rambling with no aim. Here we go

euden is my friend he likes cute dragons and he plays the piano and hes been practicing string instruments over the course of the game. his base form tells us he "sounds like hes strangling a cat" but now in his latest alt he says hes gotten really good and wants to put on a concert at some point. he enjoys parties what with the events every two months. hes a normal guy. hes very accepting and when there is a problem, rather than moving to change the person he tries to be accepting of them. he has the fucking weight of the world on his shoulders but hes still so kind. someone get this man a sense of self-preservation. he has a sort of deadpan sassy humor. hes a fucking idiot. hes smart. hes everything. hes nothing. i cant list it all here he is just so important to me.

below readmore is kind of like a dragalia plot synopsis i just kept on typing 💀💀💀 writing this after i finished that i think ive been writing for 2 hours

(written after the readmore: yeah im all talked out for this post but if you have questions i will answer. i want to answer, especially specific questions. it doesnt have to be about euden you can ask me about my other blorbos! )

Euden is the 7th child of Aurelius, the king of Sol Alberia. He is 17 at the beginning of story (about 20 by now since the game's new year events are canonical), and he has a twin sister named Zethia. He is just a regular kind guy. Yknow standard protagonist stuff. This is likely due to him being the self-insert character, what with his name being the player's username. But more on that later.

The Alberian Royalty have dragonblood, meaning they can form pacts with dragons in order to shapeshift into them. You can't succeed the throne if you can't get a pact and shapeshift.

Now Euden over here, he has no interest in the throne. He just wants to enjoy life with his twin sibling and their faerie friend Notte, who they met at childhood. In fact, he's been actively avoiding the Dragon Choosing, so that he wouldn't be in line for the throne and create conflict between him and his siblings.

But unfortunately some shit goes down and the sacred shard (they keep fiends away) in Sol Alberia is weakening, so Euden is tasked to go and get the one from the Mistholt (an old castle in rovetelle forest that was used as the base of the founder king Alberius). You need a dragon to do this. So he goes out, along with Zethia, Notte, and a few friends he picks up on the way, and forms a pact with Midgardsormr, the windwyrm.

This is just turning into a fucking plot synopsis oh my god.

ok whatever. as they exit the mistholt suddenly his dad appears in front of them and hes like "wtf dad didnt u say you were going to the binding ruins" but then something is Very Wrong. Aurelius starts shooting black mana at them and theyre like oh fuck hes been possessed by The Other. The fiend sealed in the binding ruins. lol. uhhhh. long story short the gang loses and oddly the other wants zethia so she goes with him and is warped away and now euden has to go and get her.

i'm skipping over the parts where they chase after zethia and the other but like along this way euden finds out he can have multiple pacts just like the founder king alberius. ok. one of the dragons tried to make euden and his brother emile (6th in line) kill each other but thats a story for emile and not really for euden

Also they met a second zethia some time earlier im too lazy to insert this above but like shes been nudging the party on which way to go

anyways. they make it to the binding ruins and aurelius and zethia are there. theyre fighting!! so euden goes to shield zethia but then aurelius goes like "no!!! wtf are you doing!!!!!!" then theres a cg and BOOM zethia has red eyes shes been possessed by the other. he gets attacked but aurelius shields euden and he fucking dies. (his mana is transferred to his old dragon zodiark :) ) i forgot what was after this. uhhh the second zethia is a projection of mana from another universe and she disappears if she uses too much. but they have to escape so she warps them out then she disappears.

then zethia became the empress and renamed sol alberia into dyrenell because it was the name of the tyrannical empire in the past wow

now euden has no idea wtf to do. then he runs in with valyx (4th) then they fight then he makes his own kingdom from the mistholt— New Alberia.

in between this per chapter there are run ins with eudens other siblings, phares (2nd), leonidas (1st), and chelle (3rd). here comes chapter 10!!!

also its about 1st anniversary! euden is now 18.

anyways they get visions of alberius's fight with the other and apparently he sealed the soul of the other in the royal bloodline with a technique called the blood casket. also the others real name is morsayati. anyways thats why morsayati can body hop. i think they need to be willing but i dont remember

then stuff goes down here and all eudens siblings side with empress zethia so now the story shifts to having to fight all of the siblings.

oh boy. chapter 11 beyond. this is where the writing picks up. it felt like there was a clear change of direction (there WAS a change of direction, literally. the former director stepped down and was replaced by yuji okada from blazegames shoutouts to yuji okada my man) this was very good for euden

anyways in chapter 12 he has a fight with leonidas i know this was important but i fucking forgor

chapter 13. Oh boy. so theres this kid. they help him. he says his name is ed. ok cool. but then the kid starts spouting words. "what if your life was flipped all of a sudden" "what if you werent a royal what would you be"

then it turns out ed is actually the 5th child that none of the siblings ever met. his name is beren.

chapter 14 oh THIS IS MEATY ok theyre finally storming dyrenell. they reach the throne room and. since euden does want his sister first and foremost and is not really in the right headspace he agrees to let morsayati possess him. dude u have a whole kingdom to look after 😭😭😭 whatever. it would be very bad if morsayati possessed him because morsayati would gain access to all of his pactbound dragons. but in comes beren (he can suck black mana for his own power) and mid transfer he just fucking EATS UP morsayati. you had to be there it was hilarious. zethia still on the floor unconscious. they get intercapted by volk one of the agito and uhh idr how this goes but the agito get zethia and go towards north grastaea (alberia is in south) towards grams the holy city. euden and co chase after. (this leaves a power vacuum in dyrenell. the throne ends up with emile)

2nd zethia reappears because the morsayati worldhopping firewall is gone and she joins them. she gets a new name— Zena

CHAPTER 15 this one made me insane. chapter 14 made euden on my blorbo list but this one fucking killed me.

on the path zena gets in close calls but euden goes like "zethia ill protect u" but then zena deals with it just fine and hes like fucking hell euden thats not zethia. she doesnt need you to protect her.

ok so basically the leader of the agito appears. his name is Nedrick (💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀 FUCKING NEDRICK 🤣🤣🤣🤣) and hes like ill take zethia. and theyre going to get the dawnshard for themselves (big power) and he claims that he is the REAL 7th scion. He shows them a document with the royal seal on it and it says euden, the 7th scion, died a month after birth, and after some thing with a some person named Finlorda, a new euden replaced the child.

then nedrick shows that the document lights up in the hands of a real royal. he hands it to zethia and valyx to show. nedrick holds it. and it glows. he hands it to euden

euden is like no way i can turn into dragons. multiple even. i have dragonblood! so he takes it. then it stops glowing. then we get. This

(this was in the files for a while but this was the first time it was used. oh my god euden im so sorry but there will be many more times where this will happen.)

then he gets really fucking mad and they fight and nedrick sweeps euden and they have to warp back to the halidom. the mistholts castle. but zethia doesnt go with them. she says she will stay (she has plans but they are not evident at this point) and eudens like Fuck. I failed her again. when they get back he snaps at his friends (this is the first time hes snapped) but apologizes and goes to his room. he stays there the entire day until zena comes in and smacks some therapy in his face and it works. for now. then he apologizes to his friends and asks them if theyd still follow him, even if he wasnt really royalty. they all go like yeaaah

the rest. i am.... not fucking writing that much but

ch 16 rumor gets out that euden is possessed by the other. he gets turned on by his citizens until leonidas shows up after their fight in ch12 and a character development and fixes everything and gives rations and shit and he handles the castle while euden goes to north alberia to find the truth about himself and meet finlorda who turns out to be the faerie king

ch 18 theres like. mirage and distortion snowy mountains. and euden has visions of his friends abandoning him and his citizens turning on him. he has to be snapped out of it by his sylvan (rabbit ear people) friend Luca and luca goes like "this is the first time ive seen you want anything for yourself. and i want to see you get the truth of yourself. so lean on me more" good shit

ch19 hes revealed to be made from the body of morsayati and dragonblood. then a perfect copy of the dead euden's (now nedrick) soul. this fucks him up good but he deals with it normally now. he goes out into the woods and like. processes it. also mascula and laxi reassure him at the end of the chapter (androids they met in ch11, they share laxi's body)

i have run out of energy but now euden has come to terms with the fact that he isnt the original euden and embraces it to some extent. uhh. and in the newest event where they face off against true bahamut the creator of the world he has this powered up form thats literally made from friendship. its the cheesiest shit ever but dragalia makes it so cool not joking i love it so much. im skimming over that because the event is still on

[cjsinkythoughts]

Ocean Eyes, Cherry Lips, Ivory Keys

Pairing: 40s!Bucky Barnes x Reader

Word Count: 2747

Warnings: Cursing, mentions of alcohol, I think that’s all

A/N: This is a headcanon I’ve had for a while that I’ve been wanting to write about 40s!Bucky, pre-War. I kinda want to write a series about it, so that might happen. For now, enjoy this little tidbit I’ve written, with the prompt of Occasion for HBC’s Lucky in Love Day 18! (This isn’t beta’d so please excuse mistakes.)

He’s something of a celebrity. A living legend. A God amongst humans. Starting as a kid in Brooklyn, his fanbase rapidly grew, expanding to Queens, Manhattan, even parts of New Jersey, just in the past few years.

You don’t get it. So what if he’s got cool blue eyes, soft chocolate hair, and a charming smile? Who cares if he’s got smooth moves and even smoother words? He’s just a man - a human being - with flaws just like everyone else. A talented and gorgeous man, who has all of New York wanting to fall to her knees to please him, but still just a man.

James Buchanan Barnes.

Most everyone knew his name, but there was a lot of mystery surrounding the actual character. 

You just don’t see what all the fuss is about. You’ve never personally met him, or even seen him, but you know people who have. Your friend’s cousin even claims to have danced with him once. Not that that would be hard. You hear he’s never danced with the same bird twice, and, considering most start dancing in their teenage years, that’s a lot of dames.

It’s not that you’re not curious about him - if he’s actually as dashing as they say - but you’re not about to stop your life for him like some of your friends. They’re obsessed with getting his attention. With seeing if they’d be the one. The one to finally chain him down and tame him. The one he’d go steady with.

It feels like that’s all you ever talk about anymore. It was amusing at first, but now it’s just getting annoying. It’s been three years since that day in March of 1938, when your roommate ran into your room, plopping down onto your bed, before ranting and raving about the new ocean eyed piano player at her favorite bar. And since then, he’s been in your life without actually being in your life.

Speaking of, here you are. Listening to Lucy, MaryAnne, and Jean gushing over the man, trying to enjoy your milkshake.

“I heard from Sally that Thomas said that he knew the brother of one of his friend’s in high school!”

“That can’t be true! I heard from Billy, who heard from Martha, who was told by Ben, that he only had, like, one friend in high school.”

“You’re kidding, right? There’s no way a man like that had only one friend.”

“I hear he does boxing and that’s why he’s got a body sculpted like a Greek God.”

“Oh my God! MaryAnne!”

You rub your temples, resisting the urge to roll your eyes as the three burst into fits of giggles. If you have to hear one more word about-

“I heard he’s going to be playing at Georgie’s on Friday!”

Gasps echoed around the table. “No way! Georgie’s?”

You raise an eyebrow, this actually intriguing you. Georgie’s is a popular little hole in the wall, on the edge of being a speakeasy, which doubles as a pub and a dance hall in Brooklyn. It’s one of the best hang outs for kids like you and your girls, but it isn’t very high class. Maybe that’s why it’s one of the best. “Isn’t Georgie’s a little…cheap for him? He’s been playing at the best bars and restaurants for a while now.”

“It’s a classic in Brooklyn. Near his home, probably.”

“Do you think he lives near there?!”

“Ooo! Maybe we could find out!’

You scoff. “That,” gesturing to Lucy with your glass, you take a sip of your milkshake. “Is called stalking, my friend.”

Jean waves towards you dismissively. “I think he lives near Tin Pan Alley. That’s where he plays the most, after all. Georgie’s was probably just an old hang out for him and his pals.”

“Wait, wait,” you shake your head, a thought popping into your head. You turn to Lucy, confused. “How’d you find out he’s playing at Georgie’s anyways? Isn’t part of his whole act not telling anyone where he’s playing?”

Giving you a smirk and a wink, Lucy shrugs. “I’ve got my connections.”

You roll your eyes again, turning your attention back to your milkshake. “So?!” MaryAnne squealed. “We’re going on Friday, right?”

“Hell yes!”

“Absolutely!”

“Not.” You mumble, causing the other three to stare at you incredulously.

“Not?!”

“I’m not wasting my Friday night going to see some fella you all have a crush on. Especially when he might not even be there.”

Your friends groan, exchanging glances. “And what’re you gonna do?” Jean crossed her arms with a pointed look on her face. “Sit down and read a book like you always do?”

You huff. “I like reading, sue me. I don’t get a lot of time to myself. You know that new girl’s been gumming up the works and I’ve had to stay late to fix her mistakes all week.”

“This is exactly what you need, then! Come out, have a drink, jive a little-”

You look up at that, an amused kind of smirk on your lips. “Jive? Me and my clumsy ass?”

You all laugh. “Okay, so maybe not dance, but c’mon! It’ll be snazzy, you’ll see!”

“Fine, fine.” Standing up with a sigh, you collect your things, smoothing down your dress with your hands. “I’ve gotta scram.”

“We’ll see you on Friday, right?”

You give a small smile, shooting them a wink. “I guess I can make it.”

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

Friday comes a lot faster than you anticipate. You dress up; a navy blue dress going to your knees with white, heart shaped buttons and a bow around the waist. The shoes you’re wearing are your nice black and white Mary Janes. Lips painted deep red, and hair pinned back in loose curls, you glance over yourself in a mirror. You’ll admit; you look damn good. You don’t wanna go, but you might as well try to have some fun since you are.

It’s a cool evening, early May meaning the summer humidity hasn’t hit just yet. You didn’t even think about bringing a coat, but you start to regret the decision as you start walking. MaryAnne, who you actually room with, already left, being way too excited to stay put.

It doesn’t take you long - you live on the border of Queens and Brooklyn - but your feet are more sore than you’d like when you arrive.

“I knew you’d come!” Lucy grins, coming up besides you and linking her arm in yours. MaryAnne comes up on your other side and does the same to your free arm.

“Where’s Jean?”

“Where do you think? She already found a Joe to swing with.”

You laugh. “Of course she has! So is your dreamboat here?”

The grins that are immediately on their faces answer your question and they quickly drag you inside.

It’s hot and crowded and dim. Skirts with their beaus, guys with their broads, swinging and dancing to the lively music of the band on stage. Smoke from cigarettes, pipes, and cigars is evident in the air as they neared the bar portion of the building, mixing with the boisterous sound of laughter and chatter.

“Everyone’s talking about it! He’s here, but he hasn’t played yet. We’ve been trying to catch a glimpse of him, but we think he’s in a back room.” The dramatic sigh MaryAnne gives makes you laugh a little.

“Okay, khaki whackies. Let’s get a drink.”

You, just as you thought would happen tonight, are left alone at the bar by your friends who quickly found partners to dance with. A few men asked you, but you have never been a good dancer.

You’re lost in thought, running a finger gently around the rim of your cup, when a voice sounded besides you, pulling you out of your thoughts, a slight rasp to the otherwise mellifluous voice.

“You gonna drink that, doll, or just stare at it all night?”

You raise an eyebrow at the jest, turning your head, only to have your breath hitch. What a specimen. Ocean blue eyes, fluffy brown curls, cherry pink lips. A white dress shirt is pulled over his broad chest, gray dress pants hugging thick thighs, matching suit jacket across wide shoulders. He has a blue, black, and white plaid tie around his neck and you can see the edges of his blue suspenders under his blazer. He’s put together, but it’s nothing special, a normal Sunday best suit, that much you can tell.

“Uh, not all night.” You look back to the drink, before looking at the clock with a hum, tilting your head playfully. “Maybe another hour.”

He chuckles, gesturing for the bartender. “Tell me this, sweetheart. What is a beautiful dame like yourself doin’ drinking alone?”

“I’m not very good on my feet, I’m afraid.” You laugh nervously, taking a sip of your drink.

“Don’t come here often, then?”

“Only for special occasions.”

“What’s the special occasion this evenin’, sugar?”

You shrug. “My friends dragged me here. They’re practically in love with this guy who’s supposedly playing the piano tonight. James Barnes. Have you ever heard of him?”

He chuckles, a grin pulling his lips upwards. “Yeah. Yeah I’ve heard of ‘im. Not a big fan yourself?”

“I’m sure he’s fine. I just don’t understand the fascination with him. Let the man be.”

“I agree.” He hums with a nod, grabbing the glass of whiskey the bartender set in front of him. “I actually know him.”

“Really?” You look at him in interest.

He tilts his head with a smile towards you that makes you melt. “Yeah. He feels the same. He just likes playin’. That’s all. He didn’t want all the attention. He gets enough without that.”

You raise an eyebrow, finishing off your drink. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. I’m Bucky by the way.”

You eye his hand, grabbing it after a second, letting him bring your knuckles to his lips. “Y/N.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, mama.” He shifts his body more towards you, running a hand through his hair. “You said you ain’t fond of dancin’?”

Shaking your head, you quickly defend yourself, “no, no. I like dancing. I’m just not very good. Got two left feet.”

He smirks, tongue poking out to run over those plump lips of his. “Well, with the right partner, it doesn’t really matter.”

“Are you asking me to dance, Bucky?”

“Not if you’re gonna say no.” He responds with a toothy grin, leaning his elbows on his knees.

You sigh and shake your head. “I’m afraid tonight’s not your night, pal. I just can’t seem to get myself in the mood.”

He hums, leaning back. “Is it the music? Too fast for you?”

“I wouldn’t mind if they slowed it down some, I suppose.”

He smiles cheekily. “I can help with that. Hold on.”

You grin at him, nodding. “I’ll be here.”

Watching him stand and make his way over to the stage, you quirk an eyebrow. He seems to know the band well, if the handshakes and the claps on the back have anything to say about it. He says something to the lead, who nods with a grin, shooting him a wink. Bucky laughs, but you can see a tint of pink dusting his cheeks, making you wonder what they were saying.

He makes his way back over as the band shifts tones, the animated swing changing to a slow jazzy number. Bucky beams at you, holding out his hand as he approaches. “Care to dance?”

You purse your lips, narrowing your eyes, but taking his hand anyways. “How’d you do that? Do you work here?’

“Uh…somethin’ like that.” He states vaguely, leading you to the dance floor with the other swaying couples. Pulling you as close as appropriate, his hands resting politely on your waist, he starts moving you side to side. 

“That’s not ominous.” You place your hands on his shoulders, following his lead as you stare at your feet.

He chuckles, hooking a finger under your chin to lift your gaze. “I’ve gotcha, doll. I won’t let you fall.”

“I’m going to step on your feet.” You explain.

“Nah. You’re doin’ great. You just need to get outta your head. Relax a little. Tell me something about yourself.”

You hum. “Like what?”

“Anything.”

“Uh, okay…I have a roommate who is one of the girls who begged me to come, I’m a secretary - I know, boring - and…I dunno. I like reading.”

His eyes lighten at this. “Reading? Whaddya like to read?”

“Different things. Depends on my mood. I’m re-reading The Hobbit for, like, the twentieth time right now.”

“I love The Hobbit.” Bucky grins, making you smile back. “I read it almost as soon as it came out.”

“Me too! I was planning on reading it tonight but,” you gesture around. “Here I am.”

Bucky lips pull up softly, his hold on your waist tightening ever so slightly as he pulls you closer. “Well, as much as I love that book, I’m glad you came out tonight.”

Giving him a little tease, you tap your chin thoughtfully. “Eh…I think I’d rather be at home.”

He pinches your side gently, making you squeal and squirm. “That hurt, sugar. That physically hurt me. C’mon, mama, your gonna say you aren’t havin’ a good time?”

“I just met you ten minutes ago.”

“Well, sweetheart, if you think we’re movin’ too fast, I won’t introduce you to my folks just yet.”

You laugh, blinking up at him. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Buck.”

The two of you rock for a little while longer, before the band stops, announcing they’re taking a break and a special guest is going to play a little something.

“Maybe James Barnes is here.” You say, a bit of intrigue lacing your tone, trying to see through the crowds of people who started gathering around the stage to catch a glimpse of the charming pianist. “I see why he would be over the attention.”

“Yeah.” Bucky sighs, almost sadly, giving you an apologetic look. “Listen, I’ve gotta go work for a bit, but I’ll be right back.”

You smirk. “So you do work here?”

“Um…kinda. You’ll see.”

You raise an eyebrow at his words, but he’s kissing your knuckles and walking away. You frown, but can’t think more on it when three young women are on you, babbling about their dates.

“Who were you dancing with, Y/N? He was cute!”

You roll your eyes, feeling yourself heat up, and not because of the many bodies in the vicinity. “Just…some guy.”

“C’mon, c’mon! We’ve gotta get a good spot to actually see him!”

You huff, letting the drag you through the crowd, shoving their way towards the front just as a familiar deep voice spoke. 

“Thanks for comin’ out, everyone. I hope your havin’ a good night. Let’s get this hop started, yeah?”

Your eyes widen when you finally catch sight of the man sitting at the piano with a polite smile on his features. He catches your eye and shoots you a wink, before his fingers start flying over the keys. The beam that he gets while tickling the gleaming ivories, his azure eyes lighting up, and you can’t fight the smile you get. He looks so relaxed, so invigorated, that it makes you happy just watching him.

“Oh my God! Weren’t you dancing with him?!” Lucy shook your shoulder obnoxiously, but you couldn’t bring yourself to care, mesmerized with the way he played like it’s the only thing he wanted to do with his life. Which, as you remember his words, ‘he just likes playin’. That’s all.’ you figure it is the only thing he wanted to do with his life.

You just danced with James Barnes…and he’s just as perfect as everyone says.

You’re still trying to wrap your head around it, your friends jumping around you, trying to get every little detail of him from you, when your heart skips a beat and your brain malfunctions. Bucky had started up another song, slower and more intimate, and he’s looking right at you. 

You find yourself doing something you never thought you would; you’re swooning over James Barnes, smiling like an idiot, heat blooming up your neck and flaming your face. And yes, he’s just a man - a human being - with flaws just like everyone else. But he’s a talented and gorgeous man, who has all of New York wanting to fall to her knees to please him.

And now that includes you.

[positivityfortoday]

☀ PositivityForToday’s 10K Celebration ☀

There are SO many things worth living for and reasons to smile and be happy! With the help of my lovely followers/friends, I have compiled a list of 1,000 things that make people happy, for my 10,000 amazing followers! Hopefully, this list is able to help you, make you feel better, or give you a reason to smile today! 

☀ 1,000 Happy Things ☀

Seeing cows while driving

Moss on really old fallen trees 

Seeing a lil baby you don't know in public, and they smile at you!!!

Parents doing their kids hair or just people doing someone they care about’s hair

Really ragged old and well-loved stuffed animals 

When the dandelions start blooming

Spring blossom

Daffodils

Bluebells

Sharks

When you're sitting outside your house or something and people passing by wave and say hi

That feeling in the summer when you have your window open and you're listening to your favorite music

When someone does a hobby just because they enjoy it even if they aren't the best at it

Comfort shows and books

People speaking their native languages

When my brother gets something to eat and always gets me something he knows I like

When I finish a crossword 

When I see something that reminds me of someone I care about

Paintings

My best friend (I love her so much shhhh don't tell her)

My dog! I love him 

My little sisters! Adorable, creative, and very witty. I love them

Music! I get the happy shaky feelings and just,,, y e a h/listening to songs

Singing! Especially for band practice!

Sunlight beams in the morning

The moon

Eagles

That feeling when you’re with friends and you’re all laughing so loudly, and you just feel complete

Talking to my favorite people/talking to my best friend

Sunrises and sunsets

Seeing the stars

Cats

Butterflies/Moths

Snails

Warm sunshine

Purple gel pens

Hugs

My children

Sunny days

Beautiful views

Spending time with my family and friends

Playing badminton

Cycling

Playing with little kids

Playing with dogs

Whales

Animals doing daft things 

Talks and walks with my son 

Morning breakfast and coffee 

A good spicy lunch

Laying in my bed at night and just checking on current affairs and news

My boyfriend

My friends 

Art

Owls

Minecraft

Voice acting

Petting my dog

Smelling Flowers 

Feeling a cold thing when I’m warm or a warm thing when I’m cold 

Giving and getting kisses

Random texts from friends

Coffee flavored chocolate 

Singing

Moths with big white wings

Underdone scrambled eggs

A rainy night

Bubbles

That first warm day of spring

Going on hikes

Being outdoors

Candy

Chocolate 

The smell of playdoh 

Taking photos

Getting new clothing 

Candles

Birdwatching

Going on picnics

Writing poetry

Reading books

The holidays

Making people smile/laugh

Coffee

A nice warm blanket

Eating ice cream

Snow globes

Lightning bugs

Flowers after the snow melts

The smell of rain

Sitting on the steps early in the morning

Being the first to wake up

The feeling I get after running

The comfort of a favorite shirt

My girlfriend 

Family

Random acts of kindness

Babies

When I play with my dog by pretending to run at her and she goes crazy with excitement 

My cat 

Rain

Baking

Piano (playing or listening)

Small flowers

Flowy skirts/dresses

Wholesome romances

Hearing a song for the first time and loving it immediately 

Playing my flute

Horses

Listening to vinyls on a record player

When someone remembers a little detail about you

Painting my nails

Doing yoga

Doing exercise

Beating a personal record

Rainbows

Making crafts

Taking a shower after a long day

Going to the zoo

Going on vacation

Being at the beach or near water

Watching Netflix

Going to the movie theatre

Watching a live play at a theatre

Learning something new

Teaching someone how to do something 

Toasting marshmallows and eating S’mores 

Cupcakes

Seeing a shooting star

Taking a nap

When someone compliments me

Decorating my room

Picnics

My favorite band

My favorite celebrities

My favorite actors

Setting a new goal

Collecting rocks

Putting on fresh clean sheets

Seeing Christmas lights

Listening to birds chirping

Giraffes

Camping

Sitting by a bonfire

Eating mashed potatoes

Bullet journaling

Driving in the car with the windows down

Dancing

Looking at pretty pictures

Concerts

Funny jokes/puns/memes

Fireworks

Sparklers

Pretty clouds

My favorite shoes

Getting new art supplies

Making photo edits

Making gifts for my friends and family

Getting gifts from people 

Balloons

Succulents 

Playing an instrument

Drinking a nice cup of tea

Iced tea on a summer day

Eating fresh fruit

Getting my hair braided 

Eating at a restaurant 

Being on a boat

Swimming

Making new friends

Finding an animal in nature 

Pumpkins and pumpkin patches

Carving pumpkins 

Autumn and all the beautiful colors

Acting for theatre

Making video edits

Wearing a costume for Halloween

Dressing fancy

Finding four leaf clovers

Pressing flowers

Scrap booking

Handwritten letters

Stickers

Hummingbirds

Elephants

Eating breakfast 

Gardens

Inspirational quotes

Wearing my favorite necklace 

Baby animals 

Little streams and ponds

Foxes

Sun shining through trees

When it’s foggy out and you can see dew drops on plants and spider webs

Being on a swing

Finally accomplishing a goal you’ve been working on 

When a new season of your favorite show comes out

Doing my makeup

Cleaning and organizing 

Daydreaming 

Taking a bath

Christmas 

Watching funny videos

Wearing sweaters and hoodies

Fuzzy socks

Helping people 

Little figurines and objects

Popcorn 

Brownies

Looking out the window 

Wolves

Opening a window for fresh air

The smell of coffee 

Watching YouTube videos 

Getting a haircut 

Seeing a deer in the woods 

Watching birds fly

Finding shapes and objects in the clouds 

The smell of fresh laundry

When someone tells me something reminded them of me

Stepping on crunchy leaves

Animal crossing

My switch

Softball/baseball

Basketball

Soccer

Seeing cool cars/old cars

Rollerblading

Drawing with chalk on a sidewalk

Going to bed early

Stargazing

Making progress

Checking things off my to-do list

Taking Polaroid pictures

Going for walks

Jogging

Going to the library

Starting a new book

Finishing a good book

Playing board games

Koalas

Slippers

Big trees

Sunlight coming through the windows

Waking up on Christmas morning

Getting book, song, movie, etc. recommendations from my friends

Making music playlists

Finally receiving packages I ordered in the mail 

Baking desserts

When my favorite song comes on

When people make playlists for each other

Finding new characters to ship

Having free time

Sticky notes

Sunbathing

Traveling

Peace and quietness

Alone time

Meeting my step/exercise goal for the day

The people who love me

Soup

Coloring books

Getting into bed after a long day

Pillows

Fandoms

How unique and different everyone is

Getting a lot of work done

Looking forward to my future dream job

Playing video games

Being on Tumblr

Taking time for myself

Practicing self-care

Face masks

Finding money you forgot about

Holding hands

The smell of apple pie

Starting a new tv show

Getting letters in the mail

When the seasons change

Summer

Mugs and teacups

Smoothies

Breakfast food

Disney

Going into the woods/forest

Trying new creative outlets

The smell of sunscreen

Eating the food you’ve been craving

Knowing and feeling that people care

Telling a good story

Laughing so hard can’t stop and your stomach hurts

Late summer nights

Late night drives

Sparkles

Glitter

Listening to people I love talk about their favorite things and what they’re passionate about

Listening to podcasts

Turning up the volume of my music

Putting my headphones in

Blasting my favorite songs through my speaker

People accepting and supporting others for who they truly are

Wearing something cozy

Soft light

Love

Warm weather

A well-rested night

Waking up in the morning and feeling refreshed

Knowing that every day is a fresh start

Well written characters

A book I can get lost in

Sloths

My parents

My siblings

My grandparents

The feeling of sand beneath your feet

Heated blankets

Bagels

Toast

Getting something for free

Samples

Constellations 

Mason jars

Practicing a new skill

Finding a new hobby

Lazy weekends

Mac n cheese

French fries

Having deep conversations with my best friend

New jeans

Going to IKEA

Skirts 

Dresses

Doodling

When other people are happy (especially people I know and love)

Marching band

Sleeping in

Having the day off

Getting new books

Playing guitar

Playing ukulele 

Random compliments

A change of scenery

Cuddling

Waking before the sun is up

Reading old letters

Zebras

Exploring

Building Lego sets

Using photoshop to make edits

Journaling

Walking along the seafront and breathing in time with the waves

A good rom-com or nostalgic show

Writing lists

Pinterest boards

Looking back at my accomplishments

Talking on the phone with a friend or family member

Wrapping presents

A blue sky

Loving someone 

Waterfalls

Washi tape

Penguins

Donuts

The color yellow

Sleepovers

Cooking dinner

Kind gestures

Trust

Inside jokes

Songs that make you feel nostalgic

Seeing other people’s art

Comfy clothes

Wearing pajamas

Calligraphy

When someone calls you by your nickname

Going to Target

The first sunburn of the summer

Ramen noodles

Chinese food

Thrift shopping

Flower fields

Flowers growing in random places, like through a crack in the sidewalk

Writing

Sparkly snowflakes

When it snows on Christmas

Mixing paint colors together

Perfectly shaven legs

Puddles

The color red

Thunderstorms 

The smell of flowers

The ocean 

Adult sized onesies

Driving a golf cart

Fairytales

Cartoons

The color blue

Pasta

AO3

Crickets chirping

Seeing everyone’s houses decorated for the holidays, especially Christmas

Other people sharing what makes them happy

Monkeys

Being understood

When someone texts to make sure I got home safely

Iced coffee

Becoming better at communicating with others

Seeing a friend for the first time in a while

Good morning and good night texts

Drinking a cold glass of water

Deep conversations in the middle of the night

Collecting sea shells

Building blanket forts

Tan lines

Being under lots of blankets

Making better health and money choices

Getting chills from a song even after hearing it countless times 

Liking how I look

Hot chocolate

Finding new music

Buying cute things

Wearing an outfit I really like

When someone tells you how glad they are to be your friend

Gardening

Watching raindrops race down a window 

Trying new food

Finding exactly what I was looking for 

Planning my future

Finding a song that perfectly fits my mood or describes how I’m feeling

Writing little notes to people

When someone tells me I did something good

Eating ice cream on a hot day

Making friends with animals

Going to football games

Seeing people genuinely interested in something

Snow days

The last day of school

Winter break

Spring break

Thanksgiving

New Year’s Eve

Turtles

Sitting outside on a cool summer day

Watching rain

Watching the ocean waves come in

Netflix binges

A new movie release I really want to watch

Driving with a window down for the first time in the spring 

Taking a cruise

Giving helpful advice

Getting helpful advice

Doing a favor for someone who needs it

Someone referencing one of my fandoms or something I love out of no where

Learning and knowing stuff

Doing something physically challenging or scary

Listening to my bedroom fan while I fall asleep

Coming up with a new creative idea 

Finding something I wanted at the store on sale for a good deal

Finishing all my assignments on time or even early

Hugging my dog

Taking my dog for a walk

Teaching my dog a new trick

When strangers stop to say hi to my dog

Listening to audiobooks

The weekend

Finding a new flavor of chapstick

Drinking Kool-Aid, it makes me feel so nostalgic

Watching nature shows on a weekend morning

Watching cartoon shows on a Sunday morning

A good TV show, most likely something I've watched before because that way I know it ends well

A good, delicious comfort meal on a Friday night by myself 

A café in the city centre at noon when it's not filled with the morning rush or afternoon coffee breakers

The stars from my childhood bedroom because they're the brightest here

Listening to my favorite playlist really loud on a long road trip and singing to myself loudly in my car

Having an entire day to myself without interruptions from anyone

Opening the curtains first thing in the morning 

A new jacket

Going to the cinema on a first release day because it's always super exciting and full of people anxious to see a movie they've been waiting for forever

Listening to live music

Riding roller coasters

Going to amusement parks

Lizards

Seahorses

Starfish

Eating fair food

Feeling an instrument vibrate when you’re playing it

Hearing my dog snore

When my dog dreams in his sleep 

Wearing a new piece of clothing for the first time

Feeling the sun on you

Eyes in the sunlight

Seeing city lights

Singing in the shower at the top of my lungs

Looking at someone and them knowing exactly what they’re going to say

Laughing till you cry

Being under a blanket

Going to craft stores

Watching boats

The idea of traveling the world

When my dogs let me lay my head on them

Listening to an old song and having it bring back memories

Candy corn

Crazy socks

Quotes

Fall and the leaves changing color and the crisp feeling in the air

Making snowmen

Making gingerbread houses for Christmas

Making videos with family

Burning a candle

Booping a dog’s nose

Getting letters/notes from people; writing them

Snow globes

Dr. Pepper

Doc martens

Fortune cookies

Potatoes

Easter

Finishing something

Skipping rocks

Warm rain

When someone opens up to you

Finding the right words to say exactly what you wanted

Animal footprints

Eating outside

Fairy lights

The smell of a hotel

Windows

Meeting a new dog

Dolphins

Getting magazines in the mail

Being in the woods as the sun starts to rise and the animals wake up

Warm days

Adirondack chairs

A warm breeze

Clothes and blankets hanging outside to dry

Feeding birds

Aquariums

The color green

Tie dying things

Going to art museums

Going to science museums

New albums from my favorite artists 

Seeing moss in nature

Finding cute little mushrooms 

When a dog wags its tail a bunch and is excited to see me

Playing fetch with my dog

Obsessing over something and having someone to talk about it with

Going on a walk with my best friend and talking about life

Looking at old pictures and reminiscing on good memories

Reading a book that's so good your brain wants to read faster than it can

Laughing with friends about the weirdest things

Being appreciated for doing small things you wouldn't even have thought about yourself because it's something you *just do*

Being creative

Watching animals

A story I can't put down

Stretching

The moment when you listen to a new song/album by your favourite artist

When you're at a concert and anticipating the moment before the band comes out

When at a concert and they play your favourite song live

The moment when someone compliments your outfit 

When you see someone wearing merch of something you like 

Seeing the sunrise/sunset 

Watching the sun rise out of the water or sink down into it as it’s setting

This ecstatic feeling in general when you're just living in the moment with people who love something as much as you do

Hugging my cat and smelling his fur

Listening to my music by myself and singing to it 

Making edits I’m really proud of 

Losing hours in a good book or fanfiction

Writing sentences that I actually like 

My siblings and my parents when they're being chill and funny

Watching my favorite tv shows and movies and yelling about them into the void 

Finding a new good song 

Fresh out of the shower + fresh clean sheets feeling when you go to bed

When I come downstairs in the morning and my dog greets me right at the bottom step with her lil’ tail wagging

Knowing that if I ever needed someone to chat with, someone would be there to lend an ear

Tigers

Lions

When you shuffle your music and the exact song you want to hear plays

When all my family is around the outdoor fire on a summer’s evening

When my nieces and nephews give me squishy kid hugs

Being home alone and being able to cook or bake in the kitchen without disruption

Driving around with a friend in the evenings and just belting our favorite songs

Seaside walks

Disney World

Seeing live theatre

The sun shining on leaves and stone buildings

Dancing when I'm alone

Color-coordinating my outfit

Floating on my back in the sea

The smell of summer nights

The smell of winter mornings

Colorful things/environments

Bunnies

Walking along lakes/rivers/the sea

Spending time in nature

Taking care of my plants

Giving affection to my loved ones

Listening to other people's stories

Reading about people I've never met before or places I've never visited before (especially if they are now just a part of history)

Embroidering

Pandas

Swimming in a river or the sea

Stargazing (my favorite moments usually happen an hour before sunrise)

White-caged-bird

Feeling the breeze when I spin and my heartbeat when I dance for an hour at a time

All the wonderful smells of flowers and colours that nature has to offer

Sharing good laughter with someone

Feeling like I belong

Travelling and discovering new customs of different cultures

Hiking or foraging

That feeling when I'm approaching the end of a really good book and I let myself be engulfed by the fact that it's a unique experience, that I'll never experience as the first time again

Observing my local fauna

Petting and taking care of an animal (double the joy if it is friendly with strangers)

Drinking a good cup of honey tea

Finding a perfume that suits me

Eating something sweet

Enjoying a meal with others

Cat paws tapping on the floor

Dipping a biscuit into tea

Trying to catch leaves falling from the tree

Having sunlight hit your face when you’re napping

Objects that cast a rainbow when the sun shines through them

Seeing patterned shadows

Ambient mood lighting

Sleeping

Wearing jewelry 

Cheese

Playing chess

Fresh air

Going somewhere new

My Mom’s cooking

Being inspired

When someone holding your hand rubs their thumb lovingly in circles

Picking strawberries

Otters

Painting the walls of my room

Wind chimes

Seeing that your favorite people are active online

Finally understanding something you were struggling with

The excitement you get when someone reblogs your writing or art

Getting a new notebook or journal

Appreciation

Validation

When someone tells you they love you and mean it

The smell of freshly baked bread

When my dog falls asleep on me

Making new online friends

Found family

Finishing cleaning my room

When someone lays their head on your shoulder

Doing something right on the first try

Finally sitting down after standing for a long time

Getting goosebumps from hearing or seeing something you love

Seeing a gorgeous view

Loving someone and them loving you back

Freshly baked gooey cookies

When a song comes on and everyone starts singing

When I’m out for a run and it’s hot and it starts raining. Nothing makes me feel more like a human than getting caught in the rain on a run

Swimming in the ocean

When people are talking about something they really love and get carried away trying to explain it all to you

Puppies

Being in the middle of nowhere and actually getting to see the whole sky of stars that you never get to see in a city

Finding people that love the same things you do

 When something silly reminds you of someone you love; like every time I see an orange and green gummy worm I think of my sister

When you’re hugging someone and they squeeze you a little bit before they let go

Weather where you can leave all the windows open in your house

Trampolines

Driving with no destination in mind

Falling asleep to the sound of rain

Hearing other people laugh

Laughing only because you hear someone else laugh and it's just so contagious

The first snowfall of the year

Disney movies

Listening to someone tell stories and they have like 15 side stories in between the main one

Romantic movies

Bubble baths

Smiling between kisses

Wearing sweatpants

A clean house

Pizza

My computer

Cheesy pickup lines

When people tell me they miss me

Cool spring mornings after a storm

My job

Butterflies

New shoes

Oversized shoes

Caramel apples

Volunteering

Meditating

Running my blog

Finding sea glass at the beach

Getting my nails done 

Planning vacation

Hot cider

Telling people I love them

Writing in my gratitude journal

Eating homegrown vegetables, fruit, and herbs

Remembering a good dream I had

Happy endings

Colored pens

Decorating for the holidays

Finishing a really good tv show

Leopards

Summer rain

Thunderstorms where I can just open my window to the full extent and just watch and listen

Calls with my best friend

Seeing a meme and sending it to my friends

Getting an email from AO3

That moment when you get an idea for creating something

Walking barefoot on the grass

Sending thank you notes

Writing events I’m looking forward to on my calendar

Dippin' Dots

Spicy food

Seeing a full moon

Eating cookie dough

Eating seasonal food

Bubble wrap

Going to the car wash and getting rainbow soap

Dark chocolate

Soft blankets

Weighted blankets

Soft drinks with crushed ice

When I get an unexpected phone call from someone I love

Wearing flip flops

Longer daylight hours

Having a BBQ

Frosting cookies

Making cupcakes in the microwave

Watching the Hallmark channel during the holidays

Taking selfies or photos with people I love

Putting on lotion

The smell of a baby’s head

The Office

Online shopping

The smell of freshly cut grass

Surprising my family or friends

Looking at the clock when it’s 11:11

Being productive

Quilts

Doing good on an exam

Someone doing a favor for me (especially when I didn’t ask)

Eating pancakes with syrup

Origami

Sprinkles

Confetti

Waving at people

Giving high fives

Complicated Handshakes between you and your best friend

Naps/feeling well-rested

Eating one of my favorite foods

Hearing good news from/about a friend or family member

Looking at nature (these days it's seeing squirrels in my neighbour's garden and looking at my plants and trees)

When make someone happy or feel like I made a difference (including a satisfied client)

Success (good grades, a gifset that does well)

Hugs from my mom

Learning new things

Chatting with my friends because they’re all amazing people

Group watches of my favorite tv show or movie

That feeling when the house has just been cleaned/when I’m freshly showered

Making jokes/laughing with people

Reading fluffy fanfics

Driving on the road to a destination far away, I love the trip as much as (if not more than) arriving at the actual place

Reading affirmations

Green tea

Getting breakfast or lunch from a nice restaurant 

Learning about topics that won’t benefit me; like Chinese history, geography, ancient flora and fauna, etc. just things that I find cool 

The jokes my girlfriend makes, especially when they’re the same ones she always makes

Stories from the past! Stories from history from people who actually lived through it

Stories in general, just hearing the life experiences of people in completely different positions from me. I love hearing people’s stories

Drawing intricate things, like old buildings, landscapes, and plants

Cooking a nice meal

Grocery shopping and farmers markets especially 

My cat! All of her weird little habits too, like how she stands in front of my feet so I’ll push her where she wants to go 

Botanical gardens

State parks

Museums

Art galleries

Listening to stories my grandparents tell

When people tell me about their life goals and dreams

Being surrounded by the people I love 

Living the best life I can

Partying hard the night away

Daydreaming

Sunflowers always make me smile

Warm tea

Big fluffy clouds in a blue sky

Friendly babies

Hearing a past favorite song

Singing karaoke 

Biking riding

Helping others

Chocolate milk

Sweets and fruits

Having fun doing things I love

Dragons

Video games

My favorite things

Writing

Affection

Exercising

Being on Tumblr

Pinterest

Looking at flowers and plants

Playing with my cats

Chatting with my friends (at the moment it’s through zoom, of course)

Finding new ways to decorate my room

Window shopping

Spending time with my boyfriend

Wearing my favorite outfit/accessory

Eating something delicious

The cool side of my pillow 

Tears of joy

Woodpeckers

Reading poems

Hugging trees

Tree houses

Airstreams/campers

Playing frisbee

Making sculptures

Puppy ears

The first day of spring

The first day of summer

Sending silly photos to my friends

Building sand castles

Winning prizes at the fair or arcade

Marbles

Cacti

Scrolling through my phone

Writing fanfiction

Seeing someone you haven't seen for a really long time

Putting together collages

Printing out photos I love

DIY projects

Sewing 

Crocheting 

Listening to steel drums

Haunted houses

Going through a corn maze

Picking fresh fruit or vegetables

Bubble tea

Starbucks

Dunkin donuts

Disneyland

Disney Princesses

Climbing trees

Finishing errands

Rewatching my favorite episodes

Scrunchies

Milkshakes

Ice cream blizzards

Listening to acoustic versions of songs

Hot tubs

Rubber ducks

Coconut flavored food

Dipping fries in ice cream

Discovering a new type of animal

Seeing hot air balloons

Frogs/toads

Splashing in puddles 

Having plants inside my house

Teddy bears

Iridescent/holographic things

Bird houses

Breakfast in bed

Crystals/gemstones

Ziplining 

Dew drops

Glow sticks

Flower crowns (especially handmade ones)

Spring rain 

Watching other people make art

Lighthouses

Finding heart shaped things in nature

Thinking of getting my own apartment

Coming up with a new recipe for food

Cookbook recipes passed down through families

Bookshelves

Making pretty yogurt bowls

Seaside houses

Flying on planes and being in/above the clouds

Flower bouquets

Looking at and learning about the planets

Fruit snacks

Palm trees

Weeping willow trees

Cherry blossoms

Eating cake

Decorating cakes with eccentric icing designs and colors

Whipped cream

Having snowball fights

Hearing Christmas music

Tattoos

Wearing rings

Green grass

A tidy organized desk with cute desk supplies

My craft room

Hammocks

Little cottages

Cotton candy (and cotton candy flavored things)

Looking at all the paint pallet colors in paint stores

Stamps

Taking silly photos in photobooths

Going to the mall

Making jam, especially strawberry jam

Reading outside

Finding a bird nest and watching eggs hatch

Looking at photos of my family and friends 

Finding old flora and art books

Eating fresh corn on the cob with butter on a summer day

Lily Pads

Icicles

Inner peace

Sitting under a tree

Not having to turn on the light in your room when the sun is shining through

When restaurants have patios you can dine at

Fishing on a pier

Seeing old couples in public

Making gifs

Trees swaying in the wind

Anime

Dying Easter eggs

Laying in the trunk of a car and watching the clouds or stars

Night lights

Flower shops 

Outer space

Kitchens

PB&J sandwiches

Toasted Cheese

LoFi music

Listening to/watching ambience videos

Turtle necks

Peaches

Looking at old maps

Figurines of the earth/globe

Honey and bees

Cheesecake

Seeing footprints in sand and watching them be washed away by waves

Anything related to the moon, stars, and sun

Reading my horoscope (even if I know it’s not real)

Archways decorated with hanging flowers

Yogurt

Pudding

Knowing that I’m not alone

Ancient roman sculptures

Macarons

When someone tells me they care about me

Weddings

Watercolour

Birthday parties 

My brother

My sister

When my dog leaves his bed to lay in the sunlight

Doing mini photoshoots with my friends

Hand making bracelets/necklaces (friendship bracelets)

When someone calls me darling or honey

Love letters

Game night

Skateboarding

Stress balls and squishy toys

Starting something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time

Playing cards

Doing puzzles

Word searches

Kittens

Ordering takeout

Stepping out into the fresh air

Creating vision boards

Getting a massage

Writing positive affirmations

Lunch dates

Standup comedy

Listening to classical music

Nature/animal documentaries

Having someone there to listen to me

Listening to someone when they need it

Accepting myself for who I am

Looking back and seeing how far I’ve come and all the progress I've made

Doing something my future self will be thankful for

Speaking up for myself

Being near loved ones

Finding time for my hobbies

Giving myself time to rest

Saturday mornings

Marrying the one I love

Discovering new things

Going to new cities

My idols

Pastries

Feeling the wind on my face on a car ride

The sensation of music in my ears and like nothing else matters

People who have my best interest in mind

Simplicity

Fulfilling my dreams

Discovering a new ice cream flavor

Knitting

Making myself a priority

Knowing that I am important, and I matter

Thank you all so much for following me and supporting my blog! It means a TON! I never expected for this blog to become popular, especially because I originally started it to help myself get through some mental health issues. I am so happy to be able to share my journey of healing with you all! It means the world to me to help or make a positive impact on even just one person’s life! Each and every single one of you is amazing!! You matter and you are SO important! Thanks again for your everything! Have a great day!!! Sending sunshine your way!! 

[alicemitch09writes]

first love

pairing: Kuroo Tetsurou x reader

summary: You never forget your first love.

author’s notes: This is what prompted the many angst fics to come in my repertoire. I’ll just to slowly transfer some of my one-shots that are reader inserts here on tumblr.

twenty one pilot’s cover of ‘can’t help falling in love’ really helped me in the writing of this fic. It’s a favorite of mine I keep going back to when writing fics. Reader is a musician, who plays the ukulele and violin and at the time when I wrote this (back in 2017), I was learning to play the uke, mostly for fun.

also available on ao3.

disclaimer: i own NOTHING but the plot.

Wise men say, only fools rush in

But I can't help, falling in love with you

 They moved to Tokyo when she was 8.

And at a young age, she was pretty much a timid and shy girl, always hiding behind her parents whenever in the presence of new people, especially when she was being introduced. She wasn't very good with socializing, always wary and scared that she'd make a horrible impression.  And of people, in general. People were generally scary, especially those she was unfamiliar with. She found solace in music, due to her father's influence, who was a music instructor at a university. "When words fail, music speaks." He'd tell her as they played 'Heart and Soul' together on the piano, her mother taking a video of them from the side. And a little while later, by some miracle, she made friends with the local kids – Tetsurou and Kenma. The two were an odd pair, given Tetsurou's loud and mischievous demeanor being a total contrast to Kenma's quiet and well-behaved and aloofness. Still, they were the best friends she could ever have.

 Years passed, and the three were inseparable.

Over time, the two proved to be more trouble than they were worth – Tetsurou, with his never-ending schemes and provocation abilities, and Kenma, with his indifference to the world so long as he was playing his games.

Nothing's changed much of her, other than her ability to keep the dynamic duo grounded. Also, she had her flair for music. Still, she was terribly shy. Though she has a voice, she chose to stick to the background, wanting to be out of the limelight.

Tetsurou would scold her, saying that it was a waste because she had a good singing voice. In which, would make her blush. Kenma would say the same thing even without looking up from his game console. But Tetsurou's words resounded, her heart beating like a drum.

    Shall I stay, would it be a sin?

If I can't help, falling in love with you

   It was the clichest thing to happen – she fell in love with her childhood friend.

She fell for Tetsurou.

For all his cockiness, his mischievousness, his peculiar affinity with cats (ironic that they attended Nekoma), and his atrocious bed hair – she loved it all.

Of course, she'd never tell him.

She doesn't have the heart to.

Neither will she tell Kenma, being the perceptive boy he was.

Plus, she'd have to go against a throng of his admirers (who made up of about half of the female population, by the way). There was no way she had a chance. And besides, who was she to him but his ever dependable, timid and adorable best friend?

When he bought her a ukulele on her 16th birthday – he knew she had wanted to try to play it for the longest time, she knew that it was simply out of friendship.

For a while, she became the volleyball team's manager. And for a while, she was able to play it cool with her feelings. This was okay, she thought, its better like this.

"This is my best friend, (Last Name) (Name)." he says, wrapping his arms around her neck as he hugged her from behind, introducing her to two players from Fukurodani.

The shorter of the two – Akaashi Keiji, smiles. "Nice to meet you, (Last name)-san."

"Oh! She's so cute!" says the loud boy – Bokuto Koutarou. "Are you sure she's not your girlfriend?"

Tetsurou laughed, chin digging into her head. "I've known her forever, that'll be weird."

"Kuroo, you're hugging her too tight." Kenma says with a frown.

Best friend.

That's all she'll ever be to him.

    Like a river flows, surely to the sea

Darling, so it goes, this love was meant to be

   It was rare to find Tetsurou at his lowest since he was usually contented with whatever happened. But they lost, unable to secure a spot at nationals.

So when she found him all by himself at the gym, she knew he needed to be cheered up.

Taking her ukulele from her bag, she started playing. Tetsurou looked up just as she started singing. "You with the sad eyes don't be discouraged, oh I realize" she kneeled in front of him, watching him with careful eyes. "It's hard to take courage, in a world full of people; you can lose sight of it all, the darkness inside you, can make you feel so small."

She continued singing to him, feeling her heart beat faster with every line. It was so hard seeing this down, it was so unlike him. He rested his head on his folded arms, eyes closed as she sang. He always loved hearing her sing.

"And I see your true colors shining through," she wished her words reached him. "I see your true colors, and that's why I love you."

For a moment, she choked up. Not intending to say those words out loud, but they were part of the song, and the way she sang it with so much emotion that the look Tetsurou was giving her made her nervous. His golden eyes stared deep into her (eye color) – filled with so much emotion, but she focused on confusion, probably at why she had stopped.

Regaining her composure, she continued. "So don't be afraid to let them show, your true colors are beautiful like a rainbow."

Tetsurou cracked a smile, reaching out to ruffle her hair playfully. "When did you get so cheesy?"

"And when did you become this uncool?" she teased back, slapping his hand away. "Are you feeling better now?"

Sighing, he leaned his back against the wall, staring at the ceiling. "A little, but thanks for coming after me."

"It's not the end of the world," she tells him kindly. "and after all, there's next year. Right, captain?"

The look on his face was priceless – clearly not expecting that. But their senpai had already decided, Kai and Morisuke were on it too, as was Coach Nekomata – before it broke into a grin.

His grin was the biggest she's ever seen.

     Take my hand; take my whole life, too

'Cause I can't help, falling in love with you

  Tetsurou got mad at her, saying painful words to her face.

Furiously, he turned to face her. She took a step back in surprise, clutching her ukulele to her chest. Then her instrument slipped from her hand, landing on the ground with a loud crack. The words coming out from his mouth were hard to bear, and she could just stand there taking it all in.

He didn't mean it really, but the stress and frustrations were just getting to him. She knew that.

"You know nothing. I never want to see your face again." He seethed.

When all was said and done, he up and left.

It felt as though the life was sucked out of her. She couldn't feel anything, she felt too numb to move. It only came as a surprise that she was still there when she found herself sitting on the ground, rocks digging into her skin.

Picking up her ukulele from the ground, she was surprised to find that it was still in one piece. Except for the scratches on the surface, and crack on the rim of the saddle boards. Funny, they seemed like an allegory.

Despite it all, the pain in her heart and Tetsurou's harsh treatment towards her, she found herself smiling. Hot tears streamed down her face, teeth digging unto her lower lip as if to keep her sobs in.

But the pain of it all was too much, she was only human.

Hugging her instrument to her chest, she allowed herself to cry, sobbing loudly, body shaking violently as her heart broke into smithereens.

    She heard that they had made it to the semi-finals, being one of the top four schools, which shouldn't be a surprise. Actually, it was secondhand information from Kenma. Right after what happened with Tetsurou, she decided to cut ties with anything associated with him, which was basically everything – the volleyball club, Kenma.

It was something she had to – no, something she wanted to do.

No matter how much it killed her.

           "Hey, let's make a little bet. If I win, you go out on a date with me."

"And if I win?"

"You won't ever see me again."

          Gentle strums silenced out the lull machines, the dripping of liquids. Faint scents of flowers and fruits hid the overly sanitized room, with walls too white and dull.

"But I can't help," her voice was quiet, low, eyes transfixed to her fingers on each string on her ukulele. "falling in love," a lone tear slips down her face, though a smile graced her lips. "with you."

In front of her, the television displayed the live coverage of the nationals - Nekoma won against Fukorodani, and then lost to Karasuno.

She smiled, hugging her ukulele as tears slipped freely.

The memory of the bet they made when they were younger came to mind, making her smile. That was such a long time ago, Tetsurou probably forgot all about that just as he forgot all about her.

"Don't worry, you won."

Now you won't ever see me again.

          He was surprised when they came back to school, she wasn't there. She was the first person he looked for since she was absent during the whole finals match. But she wasn't anywhere to be found – not in the library, the music room, the club room.

He had a promise to keep, and an apology to make up.

So it came as a surprise to him when his classmates' expressions turned grim at the mention of her name. Some had begun to cry, some looked away, nothing was making sense.

But one word was clear to him – cancer.

He turned to his best friend, who met his gaze. For the first time in his life, he saw anger in those usually stoic eyes. He knew then that he knew, he always knew. There was also pain, pain for his best friend's condition. And for (Name)'s sake, he decided to keep his mouth shut.

Without a word, he ran, as fast as he can, ignoring the calls from his classmates, teachers, teammates. He had to get to her. He had to apologize; he didn't mean what he said. He wanted to see her, hold her, tell her he was stupid and an idiot-

           But he was already too late.

[kemetic-dreams]

Ragtime originated in African American music in the late 19th century and descended from the jigs and march music played by African American bands, referred to as "jig piano" or "piano thumping".

By the start of the 20th century, it became widely popular throughout North America and was listened and danced to, performed, and written by people of many different subcultures. A distinctly American musical style, ragtime may be considered a synthesis of African syncopation and European classical music, especially the marches made popular by John Philip Sousa.

Some early piano rags are entitled marches, and "jig" and "rag" were used interchangeably in the mid-1890s.Ragtime was also preceded by its close relative the cakewalk. In 1895, African entertainer Ernest Hogan composed two of the earliest sheet music rags, one of which ("All Coons Look Alike to Me") eventually sold a million copies. The other composition was called "La Pas Ma La", and it was also a hit.

As African musician Tom Fletcher said, Hogan was the "first to put on paper the kind of rhythm that was being played by non-reading musicians." While the song's success helped introduce the country to ragtime rhythms, its use of racial slurs created a number of derogatory imitation tunes, known as "coon songs" because of their use of racist and stereotypical images of Africans. In Hogan's later years, he admitted shame and a sense of "race betrayal" from the song, while also expressing pride in helping bring ragtime to a larger audience.

The emergence of mature ragtime is usually dated to 1897, the year in which several important early rags were published. In 1899, Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" was published and became a great hit and demonstrated more depth and sophistication than earlier ragtime. Ragtime was one of the main influences on the early development of jazz (along with the blues). Some artists, such as Jelly Roll Morton, were present and performed both ragtime and jazz styles during the period the two styles overlapped. He also incorporated the Spanish Tinge in his performances, which gave a habanera or tango rhythm to his music. Jazz largely surpassed ragtime in mainstream popularity in the early 1920s, although ragtime compositions continue to be written up to the present, and periodic revivals of popular interest in ragtime occurred in the 1950s and the 1970s.

The heyday of ragtime occurred before sound recording was widely available. Like classical music, and unlike jazz, classical ragtime had and has primarily a written tradition, being distributed in sheet music rather than through recordings or by imitation of live performances. Ragtime music was also distributed via piano rolls for player pianos. A folk ragtime tradition also existed before and during the period of classical ragtime (a designation largely created by Scott Joplin's publisher John Stillwell Stark), manifesting itself mostly through string bands, banjo and mandolin clubs (which experienced a burst of popularity during the early 20th century) and the like.

A form known as novelty piano (or novelty ragtime) emerged as the traditional rag was fading in popularity. Where traditional ragtime depended on amateur pianists and sheet music sales, the novelty rag took advantage of new advances in piano-roll technology and the phonograph record to permit a more complex, pyrotechnic, performance-oriented style of rag to be heard. Chief among the novelty rag composers is Zez Confrey, whose "Kitten on the Keys" popularized the style in 1921.

Ragtime also served as the roots for stride piano, a more improvisational piano style popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Elements of ragtime found their way into much of the American popular music of the early 20th century. It also played a central role in the development of the musical style later referred to as Piedmont blues; indeed, much of the music played by such artists of the style as Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Boy Fuller, Elizabeth Cotten, and Etta Baker could be referred to as "ragtime guitar."

Although most ragtime was composed for piano, transcriptions for other instruments and ensembles are common, notably including Gunther Schuller's arrangements of Joplin's rags. Ragtime guitar continued to be popular into the 1930s, usually in the form of songs accompanied by skilled guitar work. Numerous records emanated from several labels, performed by Blind Blake, Blind Boy Fuller, Lemon Jefferson, and others. Occasionally ragtime was scored for ensembles (particularly dance bands and brass bands) similar to those of James Reese Europe or as songs like those written by Irving Berlin. Joplin had long-standing ambitions of synthesizing the worlds of ragtime and opera, to which end the opera Treemonisha was written. However, its first performance, poorly staged with Joplin accompanying on the piano, was "disastrous" and was never performed again in Joplin's lifetime.[The score was lost for decades, then rediscovered in 1970, and a fully orchestrated and staged performance took place in 1972. An earlier opera by Joplin, A Guest of Honor, has been lost

The rag was a modification of the march made popular by John Philip Sousa, with additional polyrhythms coming from African music.It was usually written in 2/4 or 4/4 time with a predominant left-hand pattern of bass notes on strong beats (beats 1 and 3) and chords on weak beats (beat 2 and 4) accompanying a syncopated melody in the right hand. According to some sources the name "ragtime" may come from the "ragged or syncopated rhythm" of the right hand. A rag written in 3/4 time is a "ragtime waltz."

European Classical composers were influenced by the form. The first contact with ragtime was probably at the Paris Exposition in 1900, one of the stages of the European tour of John Philip Sousa. The first notable classical composer to take a serious interest in ragtime was Antonín Dvořák.

French composer Claude Debussy emulated ragtime in three pieces for piano. The best-known remains the Golliwog's Cake Walk (from the 1908 Piano Suite Children's Corner). He later returned to the style with two preludes for piano: Minstrels, (1910) and General Lavine-excentric (from his 1913 Préludes), which was inspired by a Médrano circus clown

[kozu-chan]

synopsis: keeping up with a society that expects you to be perfect is exhausting in every way possible. you're lucky enough to have found someone who relates to navigate this brutal world with.

content warnings: fem! reader, cursing, insults, bullying if you squint, mentions of insecurity, a bit of fighting, mentions of mental health, and sakusa might be ooc but that's just to make the arguments a little more dramatic.

sour masterlist

growing up, you were a perfectionist. although this wasn't necessarily your fault, was it? at the young age of four, your parents discovered that you were, and maybe still are, gifted with talent for music. this led to years of guitar, piano, violin, flute, singing, and even harp lessons. throughout the years, you went through many concerts and hours upon hours of practicing your various instruments. this led you to attend the infamous itachiyama academy in high school and that was only the beginning of your troubles.

as a perfectionist, you dedicate yourself not only to your music, but to your studies as well. sadly, even you can't manage to balance school, music, sleep, and a social life and one of those things have to give due to your busy schedule, so you sacrifice your social life. sometimes you think that this was the wrong move because that just makes high school practically a living hell for you. that is, until about a week ago.

last week, you had a regular morning. you walk through the halls of your school and people do their best to avoid you, to not get in your way. however, that doesn't stop them from gossiping about you. "wow look at l/n. little miss perfect." "i dare you to talk to her!" "she's such an ice cold perfectionist." "i could never be friends with her. she's too serious." "does this bitch even have a life?" you ignore the comments as you make your way to your first class. sometimes you just want to yell at them to stop talking about you. to tell them how much it hurts you and how being such a perfectionist is exhausting. to let them know that their comments only add to how lowly you think of yourself. that you wish that you had even one friend because you feel so alone.

after school, you spend hours in the music room practicing a song you were thinking of performing, something self-written as a way of releasing your emotions. and once you think your practice is sufficient, you curl up against the wall and cry.

once your crying session is done, you get up and walk back to your dorm. on the way back, you see someone in the gym do an insane serve that slams down that just barely makes it in. you hear a groan of frustration followed by the oh so familiar sound of breath getting shaky due to crying. your gaze follows the sound to see the figure on the floor crying and your breath gets caught in your throat when you realize it's not just any player, but one of the top three aces in japan, sakusa kiyoomi.

"sakusa-san?" sakusa looks at you with what looks like a bit of fear but anger replaces his expression before you could confirm your suspicions. "what the fuck are you doing here? this is a private practice." his tone is cold, firm, and piercing. you could feel a chill run down your spine, but you ignore the feeling because other people, especially your parents, have been on the receiving end on your own tone that sounds just as menacing. the only indicator of crying being the red, slightly watery eyes that you can't help but sympathize with. "what are you staring at?" you snap out of your thoughts to respond to him. "i saw you on my way back to my room. i just happened to see you crying and i-"

sakusa sighs again in frustration. "and you what? just shut up and leave me alone!" "i just know what it's like, okay? you really think that you're the only one who's tired of not feeling good enough? the only one who's cried because you just want to get better but you don't see any improvement no matter how much you practice?" your voice is loud and yet on the verge of tears. you glace at sakusa, who now looks angrier but you don't care. "so sue me if i come off as a ice cold bitch who doesn't talk to anyone because i do anything and everything i can to be perfect even if i always fall short and sue me for sympathizing with you."

the room grows quiet, save for the sounds of your shaky breathing as you try your best to calm down before you actually start breaking down in front of him. it takes another few seconds before sakusa stands up and walks up to you. "l/n, right? yeah well you don't know me and you should just get out of my sight. you shouldn't be trying to get someone to stop crying if you're just going to cry yourself. just relax more." relax more? "that's rich coming from you." you're no longer crying and sakusa stops in his tracks.

"you're telling me to relax more when you don't seem to have any chill... ever. and let's not forget that your crying was what brought into the gym in the first place." you take a deep breath to calm yourself. "so... the gym is like your safe space, right?" sakusa doesn't answer, clearly exasperated and silently begging you to leave. "c'mon, sakusa-san! you can tell me!" you smile a little when he opens his mouth to talk, only to be disappointed by his response. "god, you're such an annoying bitch. go find someone else to bother!" you're disappointed but you're also persistent. after all, you are the one that figures out and teaches all the schoolwork you struggle with to yourself. "if it makes you feel better..." you sigh quietly and contemplate whether or not it was a good idea to expose yourself this much to someone you just started talking to. "if it makes you feel better, my room and the music rooms are my safe spaces." "it really doesn't. if anything, it just makes me feel even more pathetic!" a small smirk graces your features as you realize that you got him. "so this is your safe space? i didn't hear a denial!" sakusa rolls his eyes. "would you shut up already" "not until you admit it." he glares at you and you just look him dead in the eye, causing him to break (probably so you would shut up as he thinks you'll do if he admits it). "fine... the gym is my safe space... that you're encroaching on." you back away slightly because he was right. and you know that you would also be pissed as fuck if someone encroached on your safe space, especially while you were crying. "i'm sorry, i just wanted to help. but, maybe we could be each other's safe spaces?"

you mentally sigh in relief as sakusa looks just the slightest bit more comfortable upon hearing that. "i mean, you know what it's like so... i guess i wouldn't be opposed to that." the two of you give each other a small smile as you sit down a good length away from him. "god, it's brutal out here, huh?" sakusa lets out a small laugh and agrees.

"sakusa, are you really gonna go pro like they say you are?" sakusa looks at you for a second and nods. you even notice his eyes lighting up a little. "yeah, that's what i want. it's what i've wanted for as long as i could remember. i wouldn't work so hard for it and get so dirty if it wasn't my dream... what about you? are you going to become a musician?" now it's your turn to pause. you freeze up. it's been so long since someone's asked you what you wanted. "i... honestly? i don't know what i want anymore. it's been so long since i've been asked what i wanted. it's been so long since someone's seen me outside of the "little miss perfect" that everyone else sees... i don't know." you take a moment to recollect your thoughts. "i just hate the thought of disappointing people that i think i've lost myself in the process. i've been pursuing music for so long that it's familiar, it's instinct, and i can't see myself doing anything else because i haven't done anything else..." your voice gets quieter as you speak. this is the first time you've ever gotten a chance to voice out your thoughts to someone and your own revelations shock you.

"yeah, i think i'm getting there too. losing myself to satisfy everyone while trying to stay true to myself. after all, who am i if not exploited?" it takes a minute to digest the words that were so simple and yet so powerful, the six words that could be used to summarize your entire life. "it sucks, doesn't it? like all i did was try my best, and this is the kind of thanks i get? annoyance and isolation? awards and acknowledges of achievement but at what cost? my social life? my mental health? ... my identity?" sakusa looks like he's going to say something but you shoot him a look and his mouth closes to let you continue. "it's literally so fucking stupid! there's literally no actual reward for me anymore, nothing satisfying. it's all worthless - meaningless, even. sometimes i wish i could disappear..."

a small breath is sucked up and you turn to sakusa. "sorry that was heavy. i've just never had someone to talk to about this. at least not properly."

"i get it. i haven't really had a lot of people to talk to either. at least not that honestly. i'm glad we have each other now, because you were right. it is brutal out here and it's good that we can stick together now."

after that, no one really bothered you anymore and it was all thanks to your new friend and confidant.

a/n: sheesh this is one of the longest things i've written. i really hope you like it and i'm really sorry that i suck at endings!!