#evan cannot keep plants alive

[slightly-more-valid-prongs]

evan: *staring at the third plant he’s killed this week* barty: for someone whose last name is rosier, you sure are fucking useless at keeping plants alive.

[the-lady-bryan]

because i’m waiting on the water for my pasta to boil, here’s an idea i had for a fic but haven’t worked on it hardly any not for lack of muse. the muse is there. the worldbuilding has been done to death. i just haven’t the time to add it to the mountain of WIPs I’ve already got going.

so here’s the idea.

It’s a Harry Potter/Hermione Granger Soulmate AU.

The least you need to know: involves Lily Potter being a bamf, pagan god worship, god-like Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, reincarnation, future mind/soul into past self style time travel.

also typos. oh god the typos, but i can’t really be bothered to fix them at this time.

This is gonna be broken up into parts so i’m gonna do a different part per reblog till i’m done.

PART 1:  THE PATRONAGE OF A TITAN

When Lily was a young witch - around 13 or so - her best friend Severus introduced her to some old pureblood traditions (which he and his mother did but hid from his father). She was shown how to worship the old pagan gods. To a muggleborn this was at first not well received, but as Lily had learned in the previous three years not everything about her new world was to be taken at face value. So she endeavoured to learn and not be prejudiced. She had lerned that each witch or wizard who practced the old ways had a patron god or goddess to which they prayed. This was, to her, not entirely unlike the idea of patron saints to whom muggles appealed for strength, guidance, or support. And so this is how she approached this new aspect of her magical identity. Even after her parting of the ways with Severus, she continued to learn and had even begun the practice of honoring the old gods - though she had no patron as yet.

On her seventeenth birthday she had ventured into the forbidden forest, feeling an inexplicable pull on her magic. She found herself in a clearing where there was a pond and a small smattering of trees. Despite it being the dead of winter, the clearing was warm and inviting. There was a fire lit, and an old woman sitting before it. She was naked from the waist up, and her skin sagged and her long hair was thin and silver with age.

"Miss Evans, I've been waiting for you."

"Wh- How do you know my name? Who are you?"

"I was once called the Meter Theon. But in Sparta they called me Meter Megale. My brother-husband called me Rhea."

"You're a titan."

"Yes child."

"I thought you'd be bigger."

Rhea laughs at this and invites Lily to join her by the fire. Lily learns from her that Rhea has come forward as her patron, and tells hr that the old ways are dying. That now across the world only the oldest and strongest still remain. "Zeus and his lot were some of the first to go. But stubborn old Hades refuses to give in. Refuses to give up his post and move on like the others." "why?" "What do you know of the tale of Hades and Persephone, child?" And so Lily tells her the myths she learned as a child pre-hogwarts, and of her research. Of the rites she had read about and so on and so forth. "My siblings and I may have been chained in Tartarus, but we could still see. We could still hear. Mother Gaia still whispered to us in our hearts and Father Ouranous still sang strong in our minds. It always brought me great sorrow to see how my son was treated by his siblings. Given no choice but to rule in a place devoid of warmth and love. Forbidden from walking the land with his siblings and taking part in the wonders that was the growing race of men and their curiosity. Over time many believed him cold and incapable of sharing in what they had. The reality was that he felt everything so much more deeply than they. For it was to him all souls would eventually come. Even those of his brothers and his sisters. But there was one who saw in him the goodness. The kindness and the gentleness that had been hidden by the dark." "Persephone." "Yes. As you mortals are so fond of saying, history is written by the victors. And never has it been more true than in the case of my most beloved son and his wife. Persephone was ordered to wed Hermes, whom she loathed with all of her heart. The night before they were to wed, she fled and went to the only place she knew Zeus's omnopotent sight could never penetrate. She went to the underworld begging sanctuary of Hades, who readily gave it to her. In time they grew close, and eventually he allowed himself to open up to her affection. But rumours of Demeter's search for her daughter told them it would be only a matter of time before those on Olympus realized to where she had fled and Persephone, being posessed of imortality and not a mortal soul, could be removed from his realm and there was little he could do about it. Unless she were willing to bind herself to him in marriage - but because it meant she could no longer return to the world above, to the sunshine and the light, he would not force it upon her. She chose to wed Hades, for her love for him was so great that even the thought of being parted from him brought her great pain. They were wed, and he took her to bed as any husband would his wife. And after, she ate of the pommegranate that would seal her fate. Twelve seeds, she needed to consume.... but the gates of the Underworld buckled and gave way under the might of Zeus and his Olympians. Hermes stole Persephone away after she had eaten only six. The bond to her husband only partially fulfilled. Hades was punished by watching Persephone forced to marry Hermes. But rather than marry the brute she attacked him and took up his dagger, plunging it into her own heart.... For the weapons forged in the fires of Hephaestus were so powerful they could kill even a Titan. Denied the pleasure of watching Hades suffer as his wife was married to the suitor Zeus had chosen, Zeus forbade her soul from ever entering the realm of Hades and bound her soul to mortal bones to be reborn again and again. My beloved son still stands watch, though he grows weaker by the year, in the hopes that now his brothers are long since gone, her soul may be able to pass through his gates and she is returned to him."

Lily is given the choice near dawn to accept Rhea, one of the last of the old gods, as her patron goddess or to refuse and seek out another. Lily accepts Rhea, which causes the old woman to smile and gives her an amulet with strange runes upon it.

Lily wakes in her own bed in Gryffindor tower, finding a delicate locket around her neck. Upon closer inspection, the inside has an inscription - the same strange runes from the amulet Rhea had given to her in what she assumed was a dream... Only to realize when she pulls her covers aside that her feet are smudged in dirt as if she'd been walking outside.

Lily learns as much as she can of Rhea in the following years. When she marries James Potter, she insists that they buy a specific type of wine without telling him why. He believes it is her favorite because she tends to keep a bottle in the house "for special occasions". She plants a garden where every plant links back to her patron Titaness in some way or manner. The night of Halloween, after James has gone to sleep rather satisfied after their own "after party" once they'd come home from Sirius's wild Halloween party, Lily went out into her garden in the wee hours and made her offering to Rhea who, once again, appeared to her. This time Rhea was much more ancient in her appearance, much more haggard. But she was still very pleased to see Lily had done as she had promised and continued to worship her. "You are the last of my acolytes, I am afraid. And when you one day pass, so too shall I." Lily professes that won't be the case. That one day she and James will start a family, and she will make sure that her children honor Rhea just as Lily has done - even if they have to do it behind her husband's back (to many Light families, the "old ways" are seen as dark and are thus shunned and forbidden. Otherwise she would have happily included James in her worship of Rhea.) This amuses the Titaness, but she says that no, it is her time. The age of the gods has finally come to an end. But with the passage of the gods, something new must fill the void. Something new must give mankind the comfort and protection once offered by the old gods. "I have a gift for you, my dear child. As my last priestess, I wish to give you something your husband... unfortunately cannot." "What?" "Try as you might, your husband's seed will never swell your belly. But as my last act in this existence, I grant you a boon. Your loyalty and your love have kept me alive longer than my brothers and sisters. Your love has given me more time with my beloved son Hades, and as a mother who has seen all her other children perish before her, this is a gift that can only be matched by one of equal value." Rhea touches Lily's abdomen and Lily feels a warmth flood her starting from there. Rhea visibly weakens as she is doing this, and the brightness in her eyes fades from brilliant emerald to a dull moss. "What have you done to me?" "My body fails me, but my power will remain so long as you live. I have given you the only thing of value to me left. Treat him kindly, my priestess. He has known so much sorrow and so much pain and yet he remains so pure and full of love." Lily, in disbelief, puts a hand to her adbomen. "How... what...." "Word of advice from one mother to another. If your husband tries to eat him, just paint a face on a rock  and shove it down his throat. My only regret was letting Cronus eat Hades instead of Zeus. If i knew then that boy would be such a hatefull jackass like his father, I'd have thrown him into the abyss myself and been done with him. Hera, too. And Poseidon was on pretty thin fucking ice there by the end."

Lily wakes the next morning in her bed with James, and once more her feet are smudged with dirt. This isn't the first time, so she tells James that she woke in the night for some water and wanted to take a stroll in the garden to look at some of her night blooms. The moment she is alone, she casts a charm and finds that she is, indeed, pregnant. After James has gone to work for the day, Lily prepares a special offering and leaves it in the garden tucked in a little altar disguised as a muggle garden decoration. She thanks Rhea for her gift and promises to show him all of the love and affection she possibly can - for both his mothers.

Lily does not see Rhea again, but she can feel her patron's presence from time to time and finds it comforting.

When Harry Potter is born, Lily silently praises Rhea, thanking her again for her gift and for her patronage and protection, and promises to do the best she can to raise the reborn Hades in a way she would hopefully approve.

They go into hiding, and Lily invokes Rhea's power and protection - not for herself, but for the son the Titaness had given her.

The entire day of October 31, 1981 Lily Potter feels powerful. She feels the energies surrounding her and her family intensify and a feeling of dread settles into her gut. She is reminded of the last time she and Rhea spoke face to face. The titaness had said that her body was failing her, and that so long as Lily lived, so too would the power of Rhea. During the day when she set Harry down for a nap, she prayed fervently over the boy, chanting ancient prayers of protection she had learned over the years. James comes upon her, but does not interrupt and instead waits outside Harry's nursery and listens to his wife's chanting. He slips away when she finishes and hurries downstairs. When they are both in the kitchen later, standing side by side at the counter as Lily prepares Harry's after nap snack and James is fixing himself some tea he quietly says, "I know Harry isn't mine." "What? Where the hell is this coming from? I did not cheat on you if that's what you think." "You got pregnant pretty quickly after Sirus's costume party-" "I did not cheat on you." "then who's the father?" "YOU are you dolt! I... Harry was a blessing! A gift to us for my unfaltering devotion o a dying goddess!" "you're mad." "Call me what you want, James. But I tell you if you were to pull an inheritence test on him right now you'll see he's your son. The night Harry was conceived we had just made love and she came to me and blessed me with our son. Go upstairs and look at him, James. He looks just like you, but with his mother's eyes. That's no glamour. That's no illusion or spell or-" "I know it's dark. I know it's illegal. I saw you chanting over him like some madwoman." "It was a protection chant James! In case you've forgotten we've got a madman after us who wants to kill our son because some drunken blithering idiot said so!"

The the argue a bit more and Lily storms out of the kitchen. After Harry wakes up, James realizes he's been an idiot after watching Lily playing with Harry and goes to apologize. Lily's annoyed with him, but forgives him with a "Besides, you know the wards on this place would have kicked him right out if he wasn't really a Potter you dunderhead."

That night Voldemort attacks, just as in canon. Lily is wearing her special locket that was given to her from Rhea when she accepted the Titaness as her patron. When Lily died, the remnants of Rhea's power was called forth and protected Harry in response to the muggleborn priestess's willing self sacrifice. But it was not enough to stop the horcrux that was drawn to the reincarnation of the god of the dead.

[godlessondheimite]

Tituss Tries To See Broadway’s Biggest Hit (Not Hamilton!)

TITUSS arrives outside the Music Box theatre. The line outside Dear Evan Hansen stretches down the block. 

TITUSS: (to AMY, a teenage girl at the front of the line) Is this the rush line to Hello Evan Ham-Man?

AMY: Dear Evan Hansen? Yeah.

TITUSS: Great.

He squeezes himself next to Amy.

TITUSS: For the life of me I cannot figure out what this show is about. I guess I have no choice but to see it.

AMY: Oh, there’s a summary on Wikipedia...

TITUSS (louder): I GUESS I have NO CHOICE but to SEE IT. (pause) I am AUDITIONING for it.

AMY: Oh! You’d make a good...umm...Alana?

TITUSS: No, honey. I’m going after the title role. Tituss Andromedon does not accept anything less than top billing. Or any other role in any show paid or unpaid. So is this your first time seeing this?

AMY: Oh no. I’ve seen it eighty-seven times.

TITUSS: Bitch, what? Come on, we’re switching. Give someone else a chance, thirsty girl.

They switch spots.

TITUSS: Do you think Evan could be short for Evanescence?  I cannot deal with that basic white boy name. Evanuss Andromedon? Oh, that sounds like Ev Anus...Hm...Save that name for later. 

AMY: Uh...my headcanon is that Evan has a lot of internalized hatred about his name and prefers to go by the name “Jack Crutchie Plumber” because of his deep love for Newsies but he’s never told anyone that before because he’s afraid he’ll be laug--

TITUSS: What the fuck is going on with this show? 

Amy begins to explain. Some time later:

TITUSS: So Evan pretends to  be the dead kid.

AMY: No, he pretends to be the dead kid’s friend.

TITUSS: Why would a ghost pretend to be a dead kid’s friend?

AMY: No, Evan is alive--

TITUSS: I thought he killed himself.

AMY: He tried to kill himself.

TITUSS: And now the dead kids are ghost friends in another realm?

AMY:  No! Evan is a living high school boy who lies about being friends with a kid from school who actually did kill himself.

TITUSS: That’s messed up! That’s almost as messed up as the time I lied about being friends with a kid from school who killed himself. So what else does this sociopathic little white boy do?

AMY: Uh...I wouldn’t call him sociopathic…

TITUSS: Mmhmm.

AMY: Just misunderstood. Anyway, he gets with Connor’s--the dead kid--he gets with Connor’s sister.

TITUSS: Girl, no! For real?

AMY: Er...yeah.

TITUSS: He uses the dead kid’s death to hook up with his sister?

AMY: It’s--it’s more complicated than that…

TITUSS: Oh, I bet.

AMY: Evan’s father left him and his mother’s always working. He had, like, reasons.

TITUSS: We all have our reasons to lie...and fake our deaths…

AMY: Anyway. Um. He does a lot of good things. Like he starts a campaign to plant an apple orchard.

TITUSS: Oh my God, I cannot with this white-ass musical.

AMY: It’s not all white. There’s a person of color character in it.

TITUSS: Let me guess. She gets like five lines, no songs, and everyone hates her.

AMY: I mean...

TITUSS: So he tells a lie and makes his life better? That’s the moral? I can get behind this.

AMY: No, after a while Connor’s family starts getting death threats so Evan comes clean in the most heartwrenching song in all of musical theatre history which started in 2016.

TITUSS: So he announces to the whole Internet that he lies so that the death threats stop? That’s brave. I can channel that bravery. (singing) “Dear Internet! I am sorry I lied to you! I will never lie again! Tears are falling down my face, Internet. Watch my tears, watch my tears fall, tears, tears, tears...”

AMY: No. He comes clean to the family.

TITUSS: Oh. Why?

AMY: Um...because he cares about them?

TITUSS: But they keep getting death threats?

AMY: I guess...

TITUSS: So he doesn’t face any consequences for his actions?

AMY: Like, he feels bad about it...But then everything works out in the end and the apple orchard gets planted so...It’s, like, OK, but it’s not OK. If that makes sense.

TITUSS: Is Alison Ripley still in this?

AMY: Who?

[acekyloren-blog]

Reylo Song Compilation from the Official SW Spotify Playlists + Their Recurring Themes

(A.K.A. More Reylo Receipts, A.K. A. They Couldn’t Make It Any More Obvious)

The two official spotify playlists being discussed: Rey / Kylo Ren

For ease of access, I decided to compile all of the possible Reylo-centric songs that the Star Wars official Spotify has put in Rey and Kylo Ren’s playlists. Many are blatantly referencing their dark/light dynamic, while others are only vaguely referencing what could possibly be Reylo, but could also possibly be referring to other relationships - those songs have been pointed out. I wanted to outline the songs that are clearly Reylo-centric, so I also included the best lyrics to give as evidence as to why that song is Reylo-centric. Beneath the lists are the analyses of these love songs and the recurring themes throughout them from both Rey and Kylo Ren. 

Truth be told, after paying attention to all the love songs in Rey and Kylo Ren’s playlists, I am 98% sure Reylo is now, or will be, A Real Thing. The other 2% is the possibility that it will an unrequited love from Kylo Ren towards Rey, because Kylo Ren’s love songs are so assuredly about Rey (female pronouns, too romantic to be Leia) while there are still a few of Rey’s songs that cannot be 100% proven to be about Kylo Ren. That being said, a large majority of her love songs, as will be discussed, revolve around fighting and conflict - so unless she will have another love interest that is going to be fighting with her in the trilogy, I’d say those ones are at least definitely pointed towards Kylo Ren.

*possibly referring to rey and f.inn, possibly referring to kylo and leia or merely kylo himself > my personal favourites because they just scream reylo

While looking through these lyrics, remember to keep in mind that these songs were specifically chosen to be put in OFFICIAL Star Wars playlists for these characters for a reason. In the order that they were listed in playlists:

Rey’s Playlist

NO ONE - ALICIA KEYS* ( people keep talking they can say what they like // but all i know is everything's going to be alright // no one can get in the way of what i feel for you )

COMPASS - ZELLA DAY* (  if we make it out alive, from the depths of the seas // compass points you anywhere closer to me // where you are, i will be )

COME AND GET IT - SELENA GOMEZ ( can't stop because i love it, hate the way i love you )

LEVELS - NICK JONAS (  so much to discover, please don't stop me now // all this heat keep rising, make you stop, drop, and roll // i’m bottling up the lightning, supernatural )

CAN’T FEEL MY FACE - THE WEEKND* ( and i know she'll be the death of me, at least we'll both be numb // and she'll always get the best of me, the worst is yet to come // all the misery was necessary when we're deep in love )

OMEN - DISCLOSURE ( i'm feeling something, something different //  needed you to show me, without you I am lonely // my mind would rule my heart // i didn't pay attention to the light in the dark, it left me torn apart )

WE FOUND LOVE - RIHANNA ( it's the way I'm feeling i just can't deny //  shine a light through an open door // turn away 'cause i need you more //  we found love in a hopeless place )

BLUE JEANS - LANA DEL REY ( you fit me better than my favorite sweater, and i know that love is mean, and love hurts )

> BATTLEFIELD - JORDIN SPARKS ( i never meant to start a war, you know, i never wanna hurt you // don't even know we're fighting for, why does love always feel like a battlefield // baby, we don't have to fight )

A SKY FULL OF STARS - COLDPLAY ( i don't care, go on and tear me apart //   'cause in a sky, 'cause in a sky full of stars i think i saw you //  'cause you're a sky, 'cause you're a sky full of stars, i wanna die in your arms )

RUNAWAY (U & I) - GALANTIS* ( even if we’re strangers til we die //  anywhere out this place, i wanna run away, just U and I )

SMOKE AND FIRE - SABRINA CARPENTER ( oh, oh, our love is running into a burning building // feel the heat, so we started running // you know you saw it coming, but the memories are still in my mind )

DIAMONDS - RIHANNA* ( you and i, you and i, we’re like diamonds in the sky // i knew that we’d become one right away // at first sight i felt the energy of sun rays, i saw the life inside your eyes )

> WILD - TROYE SIVAN ( trying hard not to fall // leave this blue neighbourhood, never knew loving could hurt this good, oh and it drives me wild // 'cause when you look like that I've never ever wanted to be so bad )

SHUT UP AND DANCE - WALK THE MOON* ( this woman is my destiny // we were victims of the night // oh we were bound to get together // deep in her eyes, i think I see the future, i realize this is my last chance )

OUR OWN HOUSE - MISTERWIVES* ( into my soul you stared and bored down every fear // we built our own house with our hands over our hearts )

> BLOODSTREAM - TRANSVIOLET ( cruel desire, danger in our consequence // hey, you wanna rule the world? outlaw love, make you lose control // cosmic violence, chills dripping like acid rain, keep coming back cause it's you i crave )

> FORCE OF NATURE - BEA MILLER ( i tried to tie my heart down, board up all the windows, oh but it's too late now, i let you get too close // i know i should take cover, hide inside these four walls, but baby i surrender, it all // 'cause you're a force of nature, look at what you've done // i can taste the danger, but i don't wanna run, so pull me to the ground and i won't put up a fight )

Kylo Ren’s Playlist

ANGELS FALL - BREAKING BENJAMIN* ( grey skies will chase the light away no longer // when angels fall with broken wings, i can't give up, i can't give in // when all is lost and daylight ends, i'll carry you and we will live forever, for ever )

DARK SIDE OF ME - COHEED AND CAMBRIA* ( in this cold reality i made, this selfish war machine, oh, this has become hell, how can i share this life with someone else? // i am not equipped to comprehend human rationale, sirius, is this what love is? )

ASHES OF EDEN - BREAKING BENJAMIN* ( i am not worthy of this // stay with me, don't let me go, because there's nothing left at all // will the light begin to pull me to its everlasting will // heaven above me, take my hand, shine until there's nothing left but you )

NEVER GIVING UP - OF MICE AND MEN ( even though i know you want me to, i'm never giving up on you // you'll never know just how hard it is for me to see you this way, it tears me up, drags me down )

> OUT OF TIME - A DAY TO REMEMBER ( i finally found her, and when i did i just couldn't make things right, is this really happening? oh, god, i think i just ruined my life // don't think you've got to go in alone here // you won't see it, but believe me, i need to be right where you are // 'cause now i think that everything's about you )

EVIL - INTERPOL ( when your friends they do come crying, tell them now your pleasure's set up on slow-release // i can take you places, do you need a new man? // you need someone to take you there, sandy, why can't we look the other way? )

THE ANSWER - SAVAGES ( i saw the answer, it was a girl, will you go ask her // love is the answer // to cry about love, to wait for her, to wait for dying, i can't wait )

AT LEAST I’M KNOWN FOR SOMETHING - NEW FOUND GLORY ( i tried so hard to keep you coming back my way, but you don't know the half and i’m the one to blame // i let my front down and i know i will regret it )

> DEAD INSIDE - MUSE* ( your lips feel warm to the touch, you can bring me back to life // feel me now, hold me please, i need you to see who i am // open up to me, stop hiding from me // it's hurting babe, only you can stop the pain // now i've become just like you, my lips feel warm to the touch, my words seem so alive )

ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS - COLD WAR KIDS ( i have been waiting for you to find that all of this could be yours tonight )

BREED - NIRVANA* ( i don't mean to stare, we don't have to breed // we could plant a house, we could build a tree // i don't even care, we could have all three // she said, she said, she said )

> INNERVISION - SYSTEM OF A DOWN ( i have to find you, i have to meet you // i need to find you, i need to seek my innervision // it's never too late to reinvent the bicycle // a smile brings forth energy or life, giving your force, vision )

> SATELLITE - RISE AGAINST ( we are the orphans of the American dream, so shine your light on me // she told me that she never could face the world again, so i offered up a plan, we'll sneak out while they sleep, and sail off in the night )

> BORED TO DEATH - BLINK-182 ( there's a stranger staring at the ceiling, rescuing a tiger from a tree, the pictures in her head are always dreaming, each of them means everything to me // i think i met her at the minute that the rhythm was set down, i said i'm sorry i'm a bit of a letdown )  

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE - POWERMAN 5000 ( are you ready to go? cause i'm ready to go, what you gonna do, baby? are you goin' with me? cause i'm goin' with you // now who's the light and who is the devil? you can't decide, so i'll be your guide )

> A CROSS AND A GIRL NAMED BLESSED - EVANS BLUE ( there’s a pretty girl somewhere, with a pretty name, but i could never let you know how much this means // i swear we'll end this war, cause we both know It wasn't worth fighting for // she said to me i will be driving in the wrong direction, did you ever think that maybe your life is heading in the wrong direction, baby )

Lyric Analyses & Themes

I will now begin to group together recurring themes in Rey and Kylo Ren’s playlists in order to correlate similarities and parallels. This includes well-known themes that may hint towards certain theories, such as Kylo Ren’s redemption, Reylo sharing a force bond, the balancing of the force, and the Gray Jedi becoming canon. To make parallels clearer, Rey and Kylo Ren’s supporting evidence for each theme will be paired side by side.

“THE TABOO RELATIONSHIP”

Some of the songs hint at disgruntled friends or rumours because of a relationship, and the subjects of the song continuing onwards with their relationship regardless of what anybody says or thinks. Alternatively, it also relates to the initial feeling of guilt or shame for feeling as though they are ‘taboo’ or should not be together. This theme is especially relevant to Reylo in that if they were to come together, it would surely cause friction amongst the other protagonists, and initially Rey and Kylo Ren would have likely been confused and unsure about these feelings themselves. 

Rey’s Evidence:

“People keep talking, they can say what they like, but all I know is everything's going to be alright, no one can get in the way of what I feel for you [...] I know people will try, try to divide, something so real.” - No One, Alicia Keys

“It's the way I'm feeling I just can't deny.” - We Found Love, Rihanna

"Trying hard not to fall [...] 'Cause when you look like that I've never ever wanted to be so bad.” - Wild, Troye Sivan

“I tried to tie my heart down, board up all the windows, oh but it's too late now, I let you get too close.” - Force of Nature, Bea Miller

“Hey, you wanna rule the world? Outlaw love, make you lose control.” - Bloodstream, Transviolet

“Anywhere out this place, I wanna run away, just U and I.” - Runaway, Galantis

Kylo Ren’s Evidence:

“When your friends they do come crying, tell them now your pleasure's set up on slow-release.” - Evil, Interpol

"I am not equipped to comprehend human rationale, sirius, is this what love is?” Dark Side of Me, Coheed and Cambria

“I let my front down and I know I will regret it.” - At Least I’m Known for Something, New Found Glory

“We'll sneak out while they sleep, and sail off in the night.” - Satellite, Rise Against

“LOVERS ON OPPOSING SIDES OF THE WAR”

That ever-present Reylo theme that constantly gets mistaken as ‘abuse’. As Rey and Kylo Ren are not in a romantic relationship currently but are instead on opposing sides of the war, this theme touches on the struggle of fighting or hurting someone (or being hurt yourself) for reasons you don’t understand or believe, but have instead been manipulated by outside forces to do so. At this current point in time they are pawns in a war they didn’t start, and I personally believe these songs hint at their growing frustration at this fact. These songs also show the struggle of fighting a war when love gets thrown in the mix to complicate things. Interestingly enough, there are a lot more love songs about fighting or conflict in Rey’s playlist, whereas there are a lot more love songs about redemption or unworthiness in Kylo Ren’s playlist (which will be discussed later). These could possibly be the two prevalent emotions from Rey and Kylo Ren towards their relationship throughout Episode 8.

Rey’s Evidence:

"I never meant to start a war, you know, I never wanna hurt you, don't even know we're fighting for. Why does love always feel like a battlefield? Baby, we don't have to fight.” - Battlefield, Jordin Sparks

“I know I should take cover, hide inside these four walls, but baby I surrender, it all [...] I can taste the danger, but I don't wanna run, so pull me to the ground and I won't put up a fight.” - Force of Nature, Bea Miller

“And I know she'll be the death of me, at least we'll both be numb. And she'll always get the best of me, the worst is yet to come. All the misery was necessary when we're deep in love.” - Can’t Feel My Face, The Weeknd (unsure, this could very well be from Rey’s point of view towards another female character, or from Kylo Ren’s point of view towards Rey)

“I don't care, go on and tear me apart, [...] 'cause you're a sky a sky full of stars, I wanna die in your arms.” - A Sky Full of Stars, Coldplay

“Oh, oh, our love is running into a burning building.” - Smoke and Fire, Sabrina Carpenter

“Cruel desire, danger in our consequence. Cosmic violence, chills dripping like acid rain [...] Hold me, break me.” - Bloodstream, Transviolet

“Can't stop because I love it, hate the way I love you [...] This love will be the death of me, but I know I'll die happily.” - Come and Get It, Selena Gomez

“We found love in a hopeless place.” - We Found Love, Rihanna

“And I know that love is mean, and love hurts.” - Blue Jeans, Lana Del Rey

“Never knew loving could hurt this good, oh and it drives me wild.” - Wild, Troye Sivan

Kylo Ren’s Evidence:

“You'll never know just how hard it is for me to see you this way, it tears me up, drags me down.” - Never Giving Up, Of Mice and Men

“I swear we'll end this war, cause we both know It wasn't worth fighting for.” - A Cross and a Girl Named Blessed, Evans Blue

“Sandy, why can't we look the other way?” - Evil, Interpol

“TWO HALVES OF ONE” & “FORCE BOND”

The good ol’ red string of fate theory, based on the repeated tweets of red strings of fate, and the curious lines in the SW: TFA canon books, script, and official website, that clearly describe how Rey and Kylo Ren’s destinies are intertwined and that they both know they are connected somehow. If you haven’t already been informed of this information, you can watch it here. Basically, the Star Wars website says that a “mysterious connection links the two,” and constantly mentions this “strange connection” throughout the informational images. In addition to this, Rey and Kylo Ren are now being referred to as “two halves of our protagonist” or “dual protagonists” by the writers. This is also connected to the fact that both Rey and Kylo Ren appear to have prior knowledge - at least subconsciously - of one another before meeting in person, such as Rey’s dreams featuring Kylo Ren (though she only realizes this when she meets him) and Kylo Ren’s famous “It is you,” line. They also realize this in the script where it says: “Kylo Ren nearly touches her face... They’re both surprised: they react to a feeling that passes between them - an energy they recognize in each other.” I personally believe that this connection is their ‘force bond’: a unique link between two force users that also allows special telepathic communication of thoughts, dreams, messages, etc. While it was usually known to exist between master and apprentice, two lovers on the opposing light and dark sides of the force, Bastila and Revan (that many have pointed out have parallels with Rey and Kylo Ren), were known to have such a bond. These lyrics heavily hint at intertwining destinies, Rey and Kylo Ren being two halves of one, and the strange, irrepressible connection of what could be a force bond.

Rey’s Evidence:

“I knew that we’d become one right away. At first sight I felt the energy of sun rays, I saw the life inside your eyes.” - Diamonds, Rihanna

“I'm feeling something, something different, needed you to show me, without you I am lonely.” Omen, Disclosure.

“'Cause in a sky, 'cause in a sky full of stars I think I saw you.” - A Sky Full of Stars, Coldplay

“This woman is my destiny. We were victims of the night, oh we were bound to get together [...] deep in her eyes, I think I see the future, I realize this is my last chance.” - Shut Up and Dance, Walk the Moon (sung from a male’s voice about a forthright female, again, possibly still about Rey and another female character, or it could be from Kylo Ren’s point of view)

“You know you saw it coming, but the memories are still in my mind.” - Smoke and Fire, Sabrina Carpenter

“You fit me better than my favorite sweater.” - Blue Jeans, Lana Del Rey

“If we make it out alive, from the depths of the seas [...] compass points you anywhere closer to me. Where you are, I will be.” - Compass, Zella Day 

“Into my soul you stared and bored down every fear. We built our own house with our hands over our hearts.” - Our Own House, MisterWives

“Keep coming back cause it's you I crave [...] Take me, I need you in my bloodstream.” - Bloodstream, Transviolet

Kylo Ren’s Evidence:

“I finally found her [...] You won't see it, but believe me, I need to be right where you are, 'cause now I think that everything's about you.” - Out of Time, A Day to Remember 

“I saw the answer, it was a girl, will you go ask her? Love is the answer.” - The Answer, Savages 

“There’s a pretty girl somewhere, with a pretty name, but I could never let you know how much this means.” - A Cross and a Girl Named Blessed, Evans Blue

“I have to find you, I have to meet you. I need to find you, I need to seek my innervision.” - Innervision, System of a Down

“The pictures in her head are always dreaming, each of them means everything to me.” - Bored to Death, Blink-182

“Don’t you worry about your bad dreams, ‘cause I’m not in them.” - Bad Dreams, Joywave

“UNWORTHINESS LEADS TO REDEMPTION”

I don’t think I need to explain this theme too much, but basically I believe these songs hint at Kylo Ren’s redemption, and how Rey plays a key part in that redemption due to Kylo Ren’s feelings of unworthiness towards her in his current ‘monstrous’ state (however, please do not assume that I think that is her only role in the dynamic). I will not go too much into the specific theme of Rey’s light and Kylo Ren’s darkness in terms of the Force, as I will discuss that and the lyrics relating to that in more detail next. This theme focuses heavily on the workings within Kylo Ren’s own mind, meaning all of the songs will be from his playlist as the best hints at his inner struggle and what causes it would be seen from his own perspective. I think these lyrics are sure evidence of Rey affecting Kylo Ren’s redemption. Kylo Ren’s redemption is also implied throughout his playlist to be ignited by his refusal to continue obeying Snoke’s wishes; but as I discuss this topic separately from Reylo, you can find it in my ‘redemption when’ tag. As mentioned previously, while a majority of Rey’s love songs center around fighting and conflict, this is the theme that a majority of Kylo Ren’s love songs center around instead.

Kylo Ren’s Evidence:

“In this cold reality I made, this selfish war machine, oh, this has become hell, how can I share this life with someone else?” - Dark Side of Me, Coheed and Cambria

“I finally found her, and when I did I just couldn't make things right. Is this really happening? Oh, god, I think I just ruined my life.” - Out of Time, A Day to Remember

“She said to me [...] did you ever think that maybe your life is heading in the wrong direction, baby?” - A Cross and a Girl Named Blessed, Evans Blue

“There's a stranger staring at the ceiling, rescuing a tiger from a tree. The pictures in her head are always dreaming, each of them means everything to me [...] I think I met her at the minute that the rhythm was set down, I said I'm sorry I'm a bit of a letdown.” - Bored to Death, Blink-182

“I am not worthy of this [...] Stay with me, don't let me go, because there's nothing left at all [...] Heaven above me, take my hand, shine until there's nothing left but you.” - Ashes of Eden, Breaking Benjamin

“Your lips feel warm to the touch, you can bring me back to life. Feel me now, hold me please, I need you to see who I am. It's hurting babe, only you can stop the pain [...] Now I've become just like you, my lips feel warm to the touch, my words seem so alive.” - Dead Inside, Muse

“LIGHT AND DARK”

The concept of both light and darkness, and some kind of ‘force’, being mentioned throughout these songs seem to link Rey and Kylo Ren together. The struggle between both the Light and the Dark and finding balance can be seen both in Rey’s playlist and Kylo Ren’s playlist, leaning towards the theory that they will both be the key to balancing out the force in each other. 

Rey’s Evidence:

“My mind would rule my heart. I didn't pay attention to the light in the dark, it left me torn apart.” - Omen, Disclosure 

“I’m bottling up the lightning, supernatural.” - Levels, Nick Jonas

“Shine a light through an open door.” - We Found Love, Rihanna

“ At first sight I felt the energy of sun rays.” - Diamonds, Rihanna

“ Baby I surrender, it all, 'cause you're a force of nature. Look at what you've done.” - Force of Nature, Bea Miller

Kylo Ren’s Evidence:

“Grey skies will chase the light away no longer.” - Angels Fall, Breaking Benjamin

“We are the orphans of the American dream, so shine your light on me.” - Satellite, Rise Against

“Will the light begin to pull me to its everlasting will? Heaven above me, take my hand, shine until there's nothing left but you.” - Ashes of Eden, Breaking Benjamin

“Now who's the light and who is the devil? You can't decide, so I'll be your guide.” - When Worlds Collide, Powerman 5000

“A smile brings forth energy or life, giving your force, vision.” - Innervision, System of a Down

“KYLO REN’S LOYALTY TO REY”

The last little theme I’d like to point out. Though it is another theme that is only prevalent in Kylo Ren’s love songs, it is a theme that is especially important given how it showcases something Rey needs: somebody to stick by her against the loneliness. Somebody who understands her, and who won’t abandon her. These love songs in Kylo Ren’s playlist display his undeniably persistent nature of never giving up on the subject of his love songs. Whether or not Reylo will be canonically reciprocated, I think it is quite obvious that Kylo Ren, at the very least, is very attached to, and loyal to Rey (or will be). The Star Wars informational pictures also suggest this switch of loyalty from Snoke to Rey, as do many of the other songs in Kylo Ren’s playlist that talk of Kylo Ren being sick of somebody’s lies and torture, and rebelling against them (as mentioned before, this is discussed more in my ‘redemption when’ tag linked previously). Anyway, here are the lyrics in Kylo Ren’s playlist that give evidence to this:

“When angels fall with broken wings, I can't give up, I can't give in. When all is lost and daylight ends, I'll carry you and we will live forever, for ever.” - Angels Fall, Breaking Benjamin (nudge: bridal carry)

“Even though I know you want me to, I'm never giving up on you.” - Never Giving Up, Of Mice and Men

“Don't think you've got to go in alone here.” - Out of Time, A Day to Remember

“To cry about love, to wait for her, to wait for dying.” - The Answer, Savages

“I can take you places, do you need a new man?” - Evil, Interpol

“I have been waiting for you to find that all of this could be yours tonight.” - All This Could Be Yours, Cold War Kids

“Are you ready to go? 'Cause I'm ready to go. What you gonna do, baby? Are you goin' with me? ‘Cause I'm goin' with you.” - When Worlds Collide, Powerman 5000

“GRAY JEDI”

As a last hurrah to the end of all these analyses of playlists I’ve listened to for hours on end, here is one of my favourite tidbits of lyrics that I find veeeeery interesting:

“It's never too late to reinvent the bicycle.” - Innervision, System of a Down

In a song that already mentions things like “force” and “innervisions” and seeking someone in particular for these things, this one line strikes me as being very much like Daenery Targaryen’s famous “I’m going to break the wheel” line. My interpretation of this line, in this song, is that it could perhaps refer to Kylo Ren seeking out Rey due to his ‘innervision’ and then both of them ‘reinventing the bicycle’ so to say: reinventing the past orders of Jedi and Sith into a balance of what we know as the Gray Jedi. Of course, this is only one small line in altogether over a hundred songs between the playlists, so it could very well just be something coincidental. I just found it to be a very interesting point I could end my analyses on. If anybody even actually read this far, I tip my hat to you because honestly I just wanted to write my thoughts down in a coherent manner so that I could solidify them for myself - but perhaps someone else might find this information as interesting as I have!

[stevensgrnts]

All the odds!!!

(i already answered 1-20)

21. sandals or shoes

sandals bc its the closest i can get to being barefoot

23. describe your dream date

its so basic but coffee and a movie

25. what color socks are you wearing?

they’re like a purple-y blue with donkeys on them lol

27. do you have a job? what do you do?

no job currently but i’m applying to petsmart and bath and body works.

29. whats the worst thing you’ve ever done?

i accidentally clipped my sisters car :/

31. 3 favorite boy names

Xavier, Alexander, Nikolai

33. favorite actor

chris evans obviously lmao

35. who is your celebrity crush? 

chris evans is a given but also zendaya, sophie cookson, and/or alisha wainwright

37. do you read a lot? what’s your favorite book?

yeah, normally i read a new book every week but i’ve been in kind of a slump but my fave is probably a court of mist and fury or the great gatsby

39. do you have a nickname? what is it?

dingbat, morris (pronounce maurice), mana (bc my nephew can’t say amanda yet), and mandy (which i hate)

41. top 10 favorite songs

thunder by imagine dragons

liability by lorde

 immortal by elley duhe

 heaven in hiding by halsey

 sick of losing soulmates by dodie

 shark by oh wonder

bad habits by the last shadow puppets

in a week by hozier (cherry wine is also a fave)

i wanna get better by bleachers

dead sea by the lumineers

43. what is your skin type?

combination I guess? but it’s mostly oily af

45. how many kids do you want.

none

47. what type of house do you live in?

its a pretty sizable, two story house.

49. what was the last compliment you received?

it was a congratulations for losing 40 lbs

51. how old were you when you found out santa wasn’t real?

HE ISN’T?! jk but i was a pretty hopeful kid that needed that needed something to believe in so i stopped believing a littler older than what’s considered normal. i think i was 11 or 12.

53. opinion on smoking?

not a fan. i’ve lost too many family members to lung cancer due to smoking. i can never tell someone what they can or cannot do but still, it doesn’t mean i have to like it either.

55. what is your dream job?

i would love to be a published author but i’d also love to work in publishing.

57. do you take shampoo and conditioner bottles from hotels.

no, i toss them actually. they strip my hair of it’s natural oils and curly hair is dry enough as it is.

59. do you smile for pictures?

now i do. before i was really self conscious of my gap and i still kind of am but i’m also kind over it.

61. have you ever peed in the woods?

yeah, i’ve also peed in the desert.

63. do you prefer chicken nuggets from wendy’s or mcdonalds?

i’m vegan lol. wendy’s

65. what do you wear to bed?

an over sized t-shirt

67. what are your hobbies?

reading, writing, not reading or writing, going to the gym, attempting to keep plants alive

69. do you play an instrument?

I used to play the saxophone and i really wish i kept with it.

71. tea or coffee

coffee, always.

73. do you want to get married?

I don’t know??

75. are you going to change your last name when you get married?

i wanna keep my last name bc my dad doesn’t have any sons so the name would die with me and my sister nadia.

77. do you miss anyone right now?

my friend alexxus, she went into the navy so I haven’t seen her or heard from her much since march.

79. do you believe in ghosts?

l o l yes.

81. last person you called

my dad

83. chocolate or rainbow sprinkles?

do sprinkles even have a distinguishable taste?

85. what shirt are you wearing?

its a black shirt with skulls wearing flower crowns. i should donate it bc it doesn’t fit anymore but i don’t have many clothes bc most of my wardrobe is too big now.

87. are you outgoing or shy.

definitely shy. i don’t become outgoing until i’ve become comfortable

89. do you like your neighbors?

not really lol

91. have you ever been high?

yeah my sisters bought my an edible for my birthday lmao

93. last thing you ate

a bagel c:

95. summer or winter?

winter

97. dark, milk, or white chocolate?

dark

99. what is your zodiac sign

aquarius 

[tnaog-blog]

Network Update 8/10/17

Doug Clay Elected General Superintendent

Douglas E. Clay is the new general superintendent-elect of the U.S. Assemblies of God, elected Wednesday afternoon subsequent to George O. Wood, who has held the post for 10 years, withdrawing his name from contention.

Information

Greetings from Superintendent Terry Bailey:

Today is my mom’s third anniversary in heaven. If my mom were still alive, she would would be 87 years old today. Mom was godly, stable, and took care of others. She was one of the most godly women I have ever known. She was the stabilizer in our home when I was growing up. As a nurse and person, she was a caregiver who took care of many. I miss her and still grieve her home going. Grief is real.

I have grieved the loss of my mother to Alzheimer's, the loss of both my father and father-in-law to automobile accidents, and the loss of Susan's mother to a massive stroke. I have grieved the loss of friends and parishioners who left this earth suddenly and unexpectedly, without the chance to say a last goodbye. Susan lost her little brother, who was run over by a drunk driver while he was riding his bicycle. Susan and I have also experienced the pain of loss as a result of miscarriage twice, in between the births of Michael and Rachel. Losses are never easy.

However, despite all these various losses, nothing is quite like the grief of a parent losing their child. Nothing can prepare you for the agony you experience when you lose that loved one you brought into the world. Susan's mother never fully recovered from Joseph's untimely death. Parents are supposed to die first. It seems unfair but sometimes life is simply not fair.

About a year ago, Susan and I walked into a home where a son had been found dead by his mother the previous day. The young man was only 28 years old. Those parents were totally heart-broken and our hearts broke with theirs. It was tough and words were not adequate. You cannot explain why. We all cried and prayed together. We were their former pastor but I was so proud of the magnificent way in which their current pastor, Chris Moore, ministered grace and comfort to this devastated family at that time.

Through it all, you learn to trust God through every circumstance of life, no matter what happens. Keep pressing forward and looking upward!

Love and appreciate you much!

Terry G. Bailey

CPCD Exponential Transformation Offering

Tennessee Ministry Network Ministers,

As you know, on Sunday, September 17th, we are asking every church to receive a special offering for Church Planting and Church Development. We, as a Network, are moving forward to plant over 100 churches in the next 10 years and see 300 healthy churches across the state of Tennessee. A goal like this one is going to take a collaborative effort with every minister, church, and section in our great Network. As I look at the dozens of counties and the 71 cities, in Tennessee, that do not have an Assemblies of God, Pentecostal witness, my heart is stirred to plant churches that will be a lighthouse in the midst of darkness. On September 17th, your church will have the opportunity to partner with us in this endeavor. By giving in our Exponential Transformation Offering, you will be "Giving to a Future That Has Not Been Written."  Your church does not want to miss out on this opportunity to give to future church plants! Thank you in advance for giving!

God Bless, Bruce Headley Tennessee Ministry Network Church Multiplication Director

A Vision for 10,000 New Congregations

Church Multiplication Network Senior Director Chris J. Railey announced an audacious goal for the U.S. Fellowship to launch 10,000 new congregations in the next decade, at a CMN luncheon Tuesday afternoon in Anaheim, California.

While the vision may seem outlandish, Railey noted a bold strategy is required to meet the diverse need for instituting churches in rural, suburban, and urban settings.

Read More

Intercessory Prayer

Praise Report: The AIM trip to Colombia went well for Tennessee AG youth. There were salvations (40+ in one service!), Holy Spirit baptisms, and more. God worked in a mighty way through our youth on this trip!

SPECIAL PRAYER: Please be in prayer for General Council, which is August 8-11 in Anaheim, California!

Please pray for the family of Odis "Burl" Cavin, TNAGMN minister and founder of Emmanuel Assembly of God in Knoxville, as he passed away on Sunday. His family needs the comfort and peace of the Holy Spirit during this time.

Pray for Tennessee U.S. Missionary Brooks Till as he jumpstarts the Youth Alive program in Tennessee schools, beginning soon in Portland.

Pray for Jimmy Lee, President Emeritus of Living Free, and Sammy Lee, pastor of First AG in McMinnville, as their mother, Esther Lee, recently passed away. Please pray for the comfort and peace of the Holy Spirit for the family during this time.

Please pray for Bud & Sue Hudspeth, retired TNAGMN minister. Brother Hudspeth is continuing to decline from Lou Gehrig's, and Sister Hudspeth needs strength to continue to care for him.

Please pray for Jason & Tyra Whitehurst. (Jason is a TNAGMN minister.) They left last week to do missions work in Indonesia for two years.

Pray for our youth and kids who have come back from camps this summer, specifically that the seed the Lord planted in them during camp would last.

Please continue to pray for the Lord to heal Loni Dobbins. Loni is the wife of Scott Dobbins who is the Middle Tennessee Executive Presbyter and lead pastor of Bellshire AG in Nashville.

Pray for Julie Headley as she continues to recover from surgery. Julie is the wife of Stephen Headley (lead pastor of Music City Church in Nashville) and daughter-in-law of Bruce & Marsha Headley (TNAGMN CPCD Director).

Please pray for Doak Turner (retired pastor), he has Pulminary Fibrosis in his lungs and he is on some very powerful medication. We need a miracle for him and ask for God's healing power to heal him.

Frank Livesay (dementia), Wayne Adams, Steve & Vada Allen, Bobby & Shirley Bowen (rehab), Gene & Heather Burgess, J.L. Campbell, Virginia Chapman (cancer), Don Churchwell (cancer), Lynn Drumwright, Gaylon & Mary Echols, Chris Evans, Gary Ferrell (cancer), Christy Gaines (cancer), Pastor Noble Gammon, Winnie Grimes, Emily Houser (mother), Pastor Jerry & Roxie Jochem, Pastor Ricky Jones, Kathy Kelly, Pastor Tom Lindberg, Frank & Sue Livesay, Joy Middlebrook (cancer), Pixie Moore, Janett Ogg, Wesley Payne, Wayne Ralph, Rob Ratze (cancer), Tony & Sheri Ray, Margaret Ridley, Pastor Eduardo Rocha, Rebecca Sample, Wayne Simmons, Shirley Smith, Smoky Mountain Dream Center, Mike & Linda Tullos, Larry & Carol Vine, and Jimmy Williams (nursing home).