#ghost is very happy with its violin

[anakahaia]

Inktober 2024

Day 30: Violin

[musicalmoritz]

Nene’s Music Taste

I was trying to learn more about Nene’s canon taste in music, which she describes as “enka songs about cursing your ex-lover.” Most fans seem to think she’d either enjoy pop or goth music and, while she could certainly enjoy more than one genre, I wanted to figure out what songs she would realistically be listening to. Here is what I learned (Nene enjoyers, get your pens out)

Enka is a Japanese music genre that dates back to the 1950s. It somewhat existed before that in violin music and later with guitar, but the 50s was when the style really came into its own. It maintains elements from traditional Japanese music and is often used in karaoke. The themes are similar to American blues music, lots of talk about heartache and the struggles of life. Alcohol, love, death, and the weather are frequent subjects of enka songs. It declined a bit around the 90s due to younger audiences not being able to relate to the lyrics but it had a revival in the early 2000s (which is the period I suspect Nene would enjoy, as that is the music she would’ve likely heard growing up). Music artists tend to get creative with this genre, there are many enka songs that involve rap as well as elements of tango and jazz

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find many sources that gave lyrics translations for the songs recommendations I found, due to the genre not being popular in America (I hate us😒) but I did find an article that had a goldmine of song recs!! “Japan’s Top 50 Bestselling Enka Songs” by Daniel Morales, if anyone wants to check it out

I was trying to find some songs to add to my Aoinene playlist but sadly I didn’t have a lot of luck. If there happen to be any enka music fans reading this who also like Aoinene I would love your recommendations. Here’s what I did find though (all of these are from the list cited above):

“Tearful Love” by Yashiro Aki. Yes, I did mostly pick this one because of the name but it is an angsty love song, very much Nene levels of dramatics

“Crimson Karma” by Segawa Eiko. A star-crossed lovers song, Aoinene certified levels of angst

“But It Would Be Nice If You Came Near” by Toshi Itō and Happy and Blue. The singer in the song blames themself for their bad luck in love, more Nene vibes

“Solo Journey to Michinoku” by Yamamoto Jōji. A song about a person wishing they could’ve died with their deceased lover. Could be Aoinene in the Ghost Hotel au or during the Severance arc. Orrrrr by the end of the manga if Nene doesn’t survive

I would also recommend Saburo Kitajima, I can’t remember if he made it onto the article or not (I found his name through Wikipedia, along with the history and qualities of enka music I described before), but I listened to one of his songs on Spotify and ya’ll…my ears have been blessed. Will definitely be checking out more of this genre

[desmorotu]

lasko’s playlist ⭐️ (a glimpse)

˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷ for @morgansplace !!!

☆ lovesong - adele (lasko, despite already having a partner and is able to express how he feels freely to them, is still a hopeless romantic. he often feels a pit in his stomach when thinking about love, and this song conveys precisely how he can feel. he enjoys humming the melody and tapping his foot to the beat + has cried to this song just because 💀)

☆ i’m not okay - JVKE (he loves the piano!! he is a sucker for a good, heart aching melody that can bring goosebumps to his skin. he doesn’t particularly relate to the song per se, but he does agree with the message that it is okay to not be okay.)

☆ life eternal - ghost (he thinks about his partner when this song plays :p. he really enjoys the choral elements to it! damien’s been introducing him to different kinds of music and lasko is experimenting with ghost currently. he bobs his head to the beat and enjoys dramatically staring out the window when it’s nighttime. he’s witnessed damien screaming these lyrics at the top of his lungs.)

☆ closer - nine inch nails (gavin showed him this song LMAO. despite being shy about the lyrics when listening around other people, when he is alone he is definitely jammin’. he actually enjoys the suggestive lyrics a lot, but he will never admit it to the others. he lip syncs and looks in the mirror while he does it to make sure he looks “attractive enough.” not even his partner knows he does this yet.)

☆ singularity - bts (after having looked up the english translation, he feels a deeper ache when listening to it. he relates deeply to these lyrics, acknowledging that he oftentimes puts others way before himself and, just as in the song, “buries his voice” in fear of rejection. he loves taehyung’s deep vocals and prefers listening while driving because he seeks the vibration of the bass.)

☆ like crazy - jimin (lasko may or may not have gone down a bts rabbit hole at some point—but this song hits him to his core. it’s in a way that he can’t explain, but goosebumps take over his skin and he has to stop whatever he’s doing at the moment to listen and appreciate in its entirety. he was very happy when his partner told him that it was on their playlist after listening to it with them :3)

☆ sure know something - kiss (lasko’s an avid kiss enjoyer—i won’t be hearing any protests. he likes listening to this one with his partner and breaking out of his shell for a moment to dance along with them :). he likes the bass and paul stanley’s voice could “bring a grown man—yes, that grown man is me—to his knees.”)

☆ you know me too well - nothing but thieves (he heard this from another person’s car radio while stopped in traffic and he shazamed that shit. he loves the sensual vibe and, if he ever decides to make a sex playlist, will probably be putting this song on there.)

☆ sway - michael bublé (he fuckin LOVES the entirety of this song. he dances with his partner to it and often enjoys watching them dance to it by themselves. his mouth is always agape, eyes wide and looking desperately in awe. he loves spinning them around and seeing the mischievous glint in their eye. he regrets not ever picking up an instrument, but he would pick up a trombone or violin in a heartbeat if given the chance.)

☆ dancing queen - ABBA (this motherfucker IS the dancing queen even though he is no longer seventeen. he always smiles his biggest when he recognizes the familiar melody and lets himself dance to it even if there are people around. even in the most subtle of ways like walking to the beat or swaying his body, he cannot stay still with this song on. his partner likes to play it when they’re walking through the doorway as an “intro song.”)

refer to lasko’s playlist cover at the bottom!!

˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷

okay omg i hope you like it 💔 more songs from my playlist that give lasko vibes this time. these are just my opinions + headcanons ! i tried really hard with this but sometimes i’m really bad at words so i’m sorry if the descriptions are repetitive :(. again, if you want to see more, let me know!! i personally love content like this and i’ve was actually really inspired by morgan’s OC icon post :3 it was SO COOL

k bye 💟

[tetsunabouquet]

Can you write a headacanons of Carstairs Fam? Where they have one more child beside Mina and Kit? 🤍

-Considering Mina as kidnapped when she was young, I imagine Jem would be even more vigilant when they have their third child. -Which is also why shortly after their third child as born, they adopted a puppy of a big breed so it could grow up into their guard dog. -Their guard dog acts like the dorky side-kick to Irene whenever Ty is coming over. It was very amusing to watch Irene teach their dog some basic hunting skills with an expression that seemed to say, 'Just how stupid are you?' -Kit remains protective older brother towards the two. Precisely because his father failed him, Kit's fearful of all things that could go wrong and just wants them to grow up happy. -Their third child is obviously yet another nod to the people they lost. They decided that it would be named Henry if it were a boy, and Charlotte if it were a girl because they really were like parents to Will, Tessa and Jem. -Both Kit and Jem have allowed Mina to do their hair and paint their nails, with Tessa just watching on incredibly amused. If there is one perk about the advancement of beauty products and hair accesoires in the modern era, its certainly this if you ask Tessa. She made plenty of pictures to ensure she remembers these moments forever. -Tessa became quite the photo-taker. Because her first family already died of old age, she knows the heartbreak what's going to await her once they died of old age, so she tries very hard to enjoy the moments whilst they last and prepare herself for once Jem and the kids are gone. -With Kit being a Herondale, he ended up being recruited for his school's soccer team even though he doesn't really cares for the sport. He honestly sees it as a way to have more time to socialize and learn how to be more like a British teenager. Somewhere, a certain Ashdown boy is incredibly jealous, but Kit remains unaware. -Kit always plays soccer with the Lightwood-Bane boys whenever they're coming over. -Mina as an older sister and middle child would generally be the one to explain what Kit, Tessa and Jem think whenever they try to tiptoe around their fears temming from their various traumas in a language the little one can understand. She really takes after Tessa's mature and wise nature and understands why they can sometimes act overprotective or seem to fear things like interacting with the Fair folk. -Because Mina was so young, she doesn't remember being kidnapped and has no reaction outside for the strange urge to start crying when someone brings it up. Kit is very grateful that she doesn't remember it. -Speaking of memories, something Kit would frankly like to forget are the lyrics to Baby Shark. He had to sing it so often to Mina and the baby, that he can sing the entire song even years later. He really hopes Jem was right that all children's songs blurr together through the sands of time. -Whilst Kit and their youngest isn't too musically inclined, Jem was happy to take notice that Mina enjoyed listening to the violin, and learnt her to play when she was old enough. -The Herongraystairs family have attended many a violin performance at the local music theater showcases where young talent would perform. One time, Jem could have sworn he saw the fleeting ghost of Will watching Mina's performance from the back of the theater. -Obviously that wasn't the only time where Will's spirit has been spying on the Herongraystairs family, as he watches over them all the time.

[voidwritesstuff]

To Make It Work.

Cw: heavy self deprecation,heavy self hate and loathing. Hiraeth is deeply traumatized.

Summary: Hiraeth confronts Samael about his courting methods to see if theres any truth to them.

->Part of Against Creation AU. Happens a bit (..decades?) after genesis. Against Creation AU Belongs to @alexatheris-44

Its been a while now. A very Long while.

Gifts left at the door,mysterious love letters sent to their human home. It all beared the Mark of the lord of blackstone keep. From the finest,most heavenly flowers to the most radiantly Burning gems of the underworld,they were clear indicators of interest.

But they all seemed..too perfect

Everything was so...fairy tale like. It was hard to not be distrustful towards it 

Hiraeth didnt want to get her hopes up.

Horsemen dont get happy endings.

Yet here she is, walking down the halls of the Keep. Soft,windchimes of steps that echo down the suffering,soot covered halls with grand vitrauxes of scorching Orange and blinding yellow. Each bit of rust colored light that fell on her white hair made it seem like she had locks of Fire.

Her head is hung low not out of modesty And elegance but because her mind is heavy with worry. The dread and pain that sinks her heart to tartarus, tears that fight so hard to not spill beside her black mask and white mourning veil. She is soft,meek,like a ghost- just like when she was a kid.

Dont draw attention to yourself,not the slightest of interest.

The mighty pale rider enters the throne room,where samael sat with a cup of wine and a disgruntled look of annoyance to his servants.

When his firey eyes lay on the pale Lady walking down the red carpet that took to his throne,his gaze softened to molten lava. Centuries old wrinkles,built into his stoney face, smooth into finely cut stone. His heart warms,his wings folded into themselves as he wants to be welcoming. A clawed hand dissmisses his servants that fly out of the room with haste.

He saw Ataraxy walk towards him like a bride on her wedding day. He could hear the organs play softly,the accompanying violin and the drumming of his dark heart.

--Ah,Pale rider-- Samael smile was big and toothy, maliciously charming yet the fondness was so unmistakable

She doesnt answer, which doesnt sit right with him. So he tries again.

--What brings you here?

He doesnt adress her by any of her titles, genuienly curious if not excited. But the sound of the Burning candelabra and the roaring of the hellscape fill the lack of reply.

Finally does ataraxy reach the throne. Samael bends down like a dog trying to nuzzle its owner,his worry works hard to be shown on a face that would rather remain hidden behind a façade of kingly superiority.

Hiraeth quietly takes off her mask. She holds it like a sacred cross, and her eyes are glistening with warm tears.

-- If youre playing with my heart, please dont. -- a string of a voice,a child hiding from mortal danger.

Disconcerting. Utterly disheartening. All color and warmth drains from the demons face as he leans closer,the wine is forgotten and left somewhere as two clawed hands reached for the lily of the Valley that stood before him with her head bowed in fear.

--i would never -- samael was adamant as he spoke. -- Was it one of the gifts? Did you not like it? Did one of my servants said something? Just give me the name and ill have their heads cut off-!

--Horsemen dont get happy endings-- Hiraeth cut through the lords heated mind like a cool Knife of a thousand blizzards-- I am not afforded that luxury

She sounds so vengeful,so resentful. She tenses like a coiled spring or a gun ready to be Fired.

But then her body relaxes, losing all sense of alertness yet still so weary.

-- Its just...-- Hiraeth could no longer hold in the tears. They flow like thick waterfalls with no rainbows to adorn them-- nobody has ever liked me that way. Ive never been enough to anyone, so why would you choose me? Im nothing special..never been. Maybe never Will be.

Samael felt his heart break a little. --You were chosen as a horseman- There is no way you are not-!

--i chose to be a horseman because I knew that nobody should pay the Price of our existance,my existance-- Hiraeth was crying unconsolably yet her voice was so dry-- not because I was somehow better..

--Being merciful as part of a species known for ruthlessness And blood lust counts for something-- samael insisted-- you are special,Hiraeth. So very special. Perhaps nobody has appreciated this before,but I do.

--Why?--She cleaned away her tears with her hands. Her hair began to come undone from its thick braid and began to fall messily around her like a silken garb coming undone at the seams-- if this is a plot of some kind save the honeyed words, just dont.

--Just hear my words-- The lord began to grow exhasperated. His hands were twitching and dying to get their grasp on the horseman-- I have been enchanted by you,utterly so. By the kindness of your heart,and the softness of your soul-- a claw began to push away the strands of hair and another dried her tears. Ataraxy cant help but lean into the touch,a touch so kind she hasnt experienced since she was a kid.

From a shy touch meant to comfort, Samael goes to scoop her up and bring her to his face.

--My species is known for deceit,Just like yours is known for killing-- He said softly,a voice like the rumbling of a half away volcano-- But just as you are the exception for your kind,so am I. I know not how to show properly that my intentions are true,but if my Word is of any value...I do mean them.

Hiraeth just cries, though once mournful and deeply laced with hurt..now they are of relief and joy. Finally she is chosen...

--Thank you...

--No need...how couldnt I love you?--His suaveness means to cheer her up. A clawed hand cups her face...she is so small.. 

--Youre too sweet

--Never,not for someone like you.

Samael pressed his forehead against hers. He is so warm,so warm.

--I like you too,by the way-- Hiraeth answered. Her hands press to his face,and slowly his lips pressed to hers. Her cool touch to his warm skin is nice, another kiss to share.

Louder are actions rather than words so maybe its not about the gifts and compliments but rather the moment of a kiss and a touch that is so careful like hes holding brittle glass. Samael is convinced that if he touched her wrong,she would shatter in his hands.

--I promise now, that I'll never use you. I vow and im willing to swear on my power and riches that my intentions with you are pure.

He wouldnt say this. Not to anyone- But he realized now that Hiraeth was desperate for confirmation. And to get through all that despair he had to be clear as stream water, and use what he valued most- Aside from her heart.

--Alrighr..I get it--Ataraxy giggled and brought him closer. His warm breath melted away centuries old Ice that gripped her pained heart.-- We'll make it work..

--But of course.

He holds her closer. He wraps around her like a cocoon, he wanted to make her feel safe. He wanted her to shine and be as sweet as ever,he would do anything to protect her and lift her up so she can be the best of herself...

Virtue meant nothing to him but he knew how much it meant to her. And for her he would do anything. Burn the world,give the world to her. Lift her up to the heavens with pride and show to God himself that this nephilim is worth more than anything sacred or holy- The only hallow being to ever walk this earth was her

So yes,they'll make it work. He Will make it work.

[mar3ggiata]

professional help, c.10 preview.

simon riley x original character

abstract: hey this is Jude. you doing alright? you'd never guess who I saw! anyways, I'm almost happy in this chapter and then I'm angry again. I've been angry my whole life guys I swear. also, had a special someone with me that night, can you guess who my passenger princess was?

trigger warnings: violence, sexual assault, mentions of rape, trauma, sexual themes, swearing, use of alcohol and drugs.

song to listen to when reading this: Come a little closer, Cage the elephant.

Her eyes lingered on 'The Pilgrimage' which she kept as a souvenir from her Sherlock CIA experience with the Arash case. She fished out a lighter from her bag and opened the book in front of her. She liked reading it, she enjoyed it. She had never been much of a religious person, though she was raised catholic. She respected the idea of faith, how it guided people, how it made you feel less alone. She had a thought. A tiny one. A sneaky suspicion. The little urge to lurk. It was a little lightbulb moment, a cinematic sequence in which the music stopped and then violins started playing as she began to think.

'Hop in? I need to talk to you'. Her eyes were even a prettier colour in this light. They looked translucent. Her skin was shining and golden under the sunlight. 'Can it wait?' He tried to avoid getting in the car with her. Deeply unprofessional. Where did she want to take him anyway, couldn't they talk in his office? What was it she wanted to tell him. 'I'll take you back here when we're done, just a little ride’. She wasn't giving up. Am I being fucking kidnapped by you, Jude? Most guys wouldn't really complain to be honest, but still…

She turned towards him before he had a chance to open the door. 'I'm very sorry you had to witness that, I truly am.' She blinked a few times trying to hide her embarrassment. She messed up all her chances to get him to listen to what she had found now. 'It's fine', he said. His voice was soft. His hand was on the door handle but he wouldn't open the door yet. 'Okay… I'm sorry either way I shouldn't have… done all this.'

taglist:

@ghostlythots @sweetfemmefatal @natxpat @chavarriakeren647 @ravenmoore14 @farther-than-pleiades @internallyscreamings @hwromi @atoxicrat @cuti3maddi3 @deafeningkittenblaze @its-celeste @serene-hills @lexidoll12 @poohkie90 @lunatiquess

@warmedbythebody @katzykat @iristhemuse @azkza @keiraslayz @abbyandermine @jennyjencakes @dest-nai @corset-briefs @nutze-kekse @ilytsukiw @b3anspr0ut

@pondsblog @missyouzoe @fallenkitten @bigauthorrascalturkey @bethtay @angelynn-nicole @starluv @stargirlisworld @giyuuslittleslut @impossiblecupcakelight

@rkrivees-blog @ghosts-hoe @kam1snotverysmart @gauky76 @freyjaaasstuff @spicyspicyliving @scottpilgrimvsmyfists @courtney0-0 @shinchanboi @darling006 @my-therapist-hates-me

[the-fengverse]

Deena HC's that are stuck in my head so I'd thought I'd share:

She's Aro/Ace

Between the time of Ulzar and N1, she was in a deep coma

She likes music but hid it from the N1 gang bc she thought it was silly

Ira helped her realize she shouldn't hide her passion

Her stage name used to be Divine Daffi

She used to play many instruments

Now only rarely plays her violin

A little after Zariya arrived, Deena took her out in her airship to see the sunrise during which she played her violin for Zari

Her N1 team (During Novi's journey): Polentina the Polenblom, Squeakers the Cheekmunk, Eepy the Leafegg

Her N1 team (Once the Guild is founded): Polentina the Polerina, Fluff the Dandemill, Red the Lantora, Eepy the Floreus, Squeakers the Hoardent, and Rose the Lagorove

Her N:E team: Flo the Bloomriol, Mint the Foreer, Tulip the Mantrass, Spike the Sikipha, Sage the Raksuma (Cosmic)

Sage was added after Zari chose Noki at the start

Later adds Petal the Florozard after the Extinction-Project sidequest

is friends with Boscage

Visits Hilda every month

Had Novi promise to watch over Zariya

Later had Carlos promise as well

Was very close with Carlos before his death

Is constantly 'haunted' by Carlos' ghost

Traumatized after watching Carlos then Lucifer die

Deeply advocated for SCI

SCI rep

Has been with the Guild since its conception

Fakes her death every few decades and rejoins a few months later under a different alias to not arouse suspicion

During the time she is 'dead' she hides with either Hilda or Luke + Oliver

15 years after, she still misses Carlos and Luci

'youngest' Grandmaster out of her, Xanders, Edward, and Carlos

Tried talking sense into Lobo back when he was Guildmaster but it didn't really work

Little sister figure to Ulzar

Adopted little sister to Novi

Ever since Ulzar helped her see that she can be her own self, she's wished for an end to His legacy

"I may be scared, but I'm standing my ground! After all, isn't standing my ground what you always wanted me to do...Father?"

After seeing how happy Novi + Ellie were with Luke, she wished she had her own happy family

bad with technology yet is surprisingly a good airship flyer

Baking used to be a hobby before the sun left

Knows about Vados thanks to Ellie's help

Knows Sign Language

Was helping learn Luke sign before she died

Knew she would die long before the Bunker Incident

Zariya's secret mentor

"I will risk it all and give my very life to you, if it means the Sun has a chance to rise again"

"I can't remember the me I used to be"

She is on VERY thin ice with Amelie

"All I want can't be, but still I pray for a break in time,"

Has a picture of Baby!Zariya with her hidden in her cloak at all times

"Everything is on the line, Carlos! Everything is on the line because she is Aurelia's last hope for the Sun's return and she doesn't know the truth..."

"I see Them for what They truly are... Yet, it is They who reminded me of my beating heart,"

"I can't love her the way I want to, Carlos, but I can love her as I always have -from afar,"

"Soon, she will see Them for who They really are, and until then, I will guide her as best a I can,"

Has a framed photo of her and Carlos in her office

Her office is a a bit small but she makes it work

On the bright side it has a nice window and she has lots of plants in it

Her office is very feng shui

All SCI Tamers are sent her way when joining because the Guild doesn't want to deal with them

[hartshorn-and-isinglass]

I always know I need these concerts, but damn... given how the last couple of weeks have been going, Spouse and I definitely needed a brief weekend jaunt away from our jank-ass apartment, our massive to-do lists, this weird little town, the cat (lol we love her, I swear), and the endless stream of bad news. I'm sad we can't do all three of the "Four Nations, Three Divas" series but I'm glad we got to do one, at least.

This concert program is ostensibly based around the soprano Elisabeth Linley and functions as a snapshot of the London music scene in the mid- to late-1700s, which was quite a cosmopolitan place. England at this time is trying to ignore French tastes to varying degrees of success, but there's a demand for Italian opera and imported Italian music masters, and there are a lot of prominent German and Austrian musicians visiting and living in the city.

Music history classes are often centered around the biographies of particular individual composers, which is great for a close look at the development of an artist over the course of their life but sidelines the connections between different musicians that forged the musical style of a given place and time. I love the idea of a concert program that highlights those connections between artists of a particular era and place. I am amused though by how the ghost of Mozart hovers in the periphery of this program, via his friendships with J. C. Bach and Joseph Haydn, through his jam session with Thomas Linley the Younger (and Linley himself being referred to as "the English Mozart"), and also through Johann Peter Salomon, who had invited both Haydn and Mozart to London but only got Haydn because of Mozart's untimely death. I feel that absence of Mozart in this concert more than I do the presence of Elisabeth Linley, but that's my bias.

First up was a young Mozart's arrangement of J. C. Bach's Concerto in G major. I've usually heard it with the keyboard part played on a piano; hearing it with a harpsichord makes it sound older, but also even sweeter (it's already an adorable bonbon of a piece). I feel like maybe Olivier was trying to temper some of the sweetness with a little sass for the Mozart vibes, and I'm not sure if I prefer that to just letting it be sweet and tender. I also don't entirely trust my own perceptions here, as I was still coming down from the adrenaline dump of being late and having to do the Walk of Shame in front of all the musicians on incredibly loud floorboards.

Next was Pascale Beaudin in the spotlight with a scene from Handel's opera Semele. Because I was late, I likely missed the context for including extracts of this in the program (Holy fuck, I still feel SO. BAD. About that.) Handel's very limited run of Semele lands a little earlier on the timeline than the rest of the pieces featured, but the somewhat-scandalous plot of the opera resonates with the somewhat-scandalous love life of Elisabeth Linley herself, so that's my guess. Pascale is such a blast to listen to in person. Also, like... I don't normally do this but I need to shout out that! dress! she was wearing with the Empire silhouette and the distressed lace skirt, all in black--amaaaazing. It made my little Goth heart so happy. High-five for joining me in wearing the wrong decade to these concerts!

Third was J. C. Bach's Quartet in C major for flute, violin, viola and cello. The flute/string quartet format without continuo is not a super popular ensemble configuration, but J. C. Bach and Mozart both wrote for it. To me, those pieces feel like peak galant style, simple and clear. The flute does a lot for that effect, I think, just because of its ability to cut through the timbre of the strings. Spouse mentioned to me that he's always really happy when they can pull in Charles Brink on flute--I was a little surprised to hear this from him, although perhaps I shouldn't be? I guess you're in Flute Gang for life, lol.

Thomas Linley the Younger's "Tune, Philomel" is the piece in this program that's completely new to me and it has been an earworm in my ear ever since this performance! I am apparently a sucker for 17th and 18th century English songs (you don't say, Marve...) and I. fucking. love. this piece now. It's like freebasing the English countryside in a song and Pascale sang it with all the ebullient enthusiasm of Show White romping through an apple orchard, birds and rabbits following her. Why is this like catnip to me. (Thomas Linley the Younger, btw, is Elizabeth Linley's brother, a violin prodigy and composer who tragically died very young. This was clearly a musically gifted family but they had an asshole of a Stage Dad. Another Mozart parallel.)

After intermission (which I ended up spending entirely on the art displays and meeting the artists) was a second aria from Semele, "Oh Sleep Why Doest Thou Leave Me". Another song that is evocative of something pastoral, and it has a sweet innocence to it--although given the plot of this opera it's hard not to be like, "girl, RUNNNN" because you know what's coming.

Last on the program was Hadyn's Symphony #98, one of the 'London Symphonies', notable for being written in the wake of Mozart's death. The second movement is strikingly Mozart-esque, borrowing from his Coronation Mass and the Jupiter Symphony for a moving and hopeful tribute to a friend and beloved colleague. The twist here is that this is the symphony arranged down for four strings, flute, and keyboard by Johann Peter Salomon, the German violinist and impresario. In this form, it takes on an entirely different character from the large orchestral setting, becoming more intense, more personal, allowing the small ensemble to play with timing and rubato more than a large group would. Olivier was straight-up channeling Salomon here, leading with the fiery gusto of a concertmaster plus the entire first violin section. Ironically, I think the second movement lost a bit of its tenderness in this pared-down version but gained something a little more bittersweet. With the frolicking fourth movement, they really played with the timing to the point of comedic effect, much to the delight of the audience.

Okay, I have written far too much on this and I gotta finish unpacking. But seriously, go listen to the Four Nations Ensemble either out in Hudson or in NYC this spring. Go in my stead!

[sethlawliet]

Spill or Drink with @TheRoom1314 . . .

1. making their struggles as meme and then keep laughing about it day by day, trust me.. it will never gets old.

2. recognize your own limits and respect theirs. Avoid overextending yourself, even if you want to help, and be okay with saying no when needed.

3. hey, baby. i had a wet dream of you last night.

4. $3

5. ice floats on water because it is less dense than liquid water. when water freezes, its molecules arrange themselves in a structured pattern that creates empty spaces, making ice lighter for its size. this lower density allows it to stay on the surface instead of sinking.

6. 他在演讲中已经把意思表达得很清楚了，但后来又补充了一些不必要的内容，结果画蛇添足，反而让人困惑。

7. maybe, zhang hao? because i want to be surrounded by cool and cute boys. (his group)

8. “leave me” ahh shit because she is hospitalised and overdosed with pills and almost die. aha! basically, she said she pushed me away because she don’t want me to wait for her because she’s sick wtf.?

9. drink (lazy)

10. check the picture above!

11. 10000000000/10. thanks!

12. my very own girlfriend.

13. anything good, but not toxic for sure. 🤗

14. why did the peanut get a job? bcs he was nuts about work! 🥜

15. “LOL I STILL REMEMBER WHAT YOU DID”

16. i’m happy (when im stress)

17. controlling my stress, anger, or in short—my emotions.

18. i think jimin?

19. being subtweeted by my own lover lol

20. not yet.

21. maybe with deng wei, because he’s simply hot that’s all?

22. anger issue? silent treatment? and pushing people away.

23. my girlfriend. (kidding) maybe ugh.. fried chicken.

24. i would, because i am domhetnsa

25. that girl.

26. wang yibo? simply because my brother used to date a wang yibo then bro gets jealous? of me? then caused our bond shaken.

27. my girlfriend! uhh, probably just cuddling all day and eating cookies together.

28. fox! because i heard they’re sly and very charming.. like me.

29. learn to love, because i’ll make sure what i’ve learned is for love.

30. take a look above!

31. zhou ye!

32. my girlfriend, maimai, deng wei, and neo!

33. i have.

34. @jhujingyi

35. yiran, i think? (THIS QUESTION IS SO SIMILAR TO THE PREV)

36. into it, wildflower, yad, mala, i let the world burn.

37. the hamster with violin and ribbon 🎀

38. yuan, zhudan jie, little hao, xiaotingie and ningning

39. physical touch because i love to kiss my girlfriend

40. i’ll chase them no matter what

41. hungry asf

42. not really, just being funny or easygoing!

43. of course, the toxic one. any kind of rp that involved with toxicity.

44. the way she handle me, and the way she continually telling me that i worth everything. never give up on my negativity.

45. i don’t remember? drink.

46. “you’re my boyfriend, of course i’m worried.”

47. at first i thought she’s someone hard to interact with, but then after getting to know here these days, i know that she’s a very fun person and cheerful! she’s positive too of course. and neo’s mama!

48. ghosting people???

49. i do, i asked them to break up when i have a sick relationship too back then.

50. they raised their voice on me.

[twinhood-2dot0]

More J-Pop :P

Yep, doing this again. I've discovered so many more songs that I wanna share.

Yorushika/ヨルシカ

Yorushika has become my favourite band in the past few... months? idk when my last post was. The vocalist is awesome and I really love their guitar and piano instrumentals.

Parade/パレード - I discovered this song yesterday so I haven't had the time to look into the lyrics yet. Will update when I do. I really love the instrumentals though. The violin is just awesome, and like in every other song, the piano is perfection. This is from the album That's Why I Gave Up On Music though, so it's sure to have deep lyrics, since the whole album is telling a story

Algernon/アルジャーノン - The music video doesn't have translations :(, so I didn't look into the meaning of this song either, but the music video looks awesome.

The next few songs I don't have too much to remark upon. (yet)

Say It./ヨルシカ- Okay I haven't looked into the meaning to most of these lmao. Gotta get on that. Has great guitars though.

Ghost In A Flower/花に亡霊- Awesome piano and guitar.

Setting Sun/斜陽

Spring Thief/春泥棒

That's Why I Gave Up On Music/だから僕は音楽を辞めた- Title track from the album. The album tells a story (that I haven't read yet) that concludes with this track. I especially love the piano-guitar duet after the opening verse, it's just, wow. Suis (the vocalist) did an exceptional job on this track, and lyrics are also just so good. The music video is just too good and you should read the lyrics so I'm dropping the youtube link for this one.

Also an English translated version by Rachie because she did a great job on it.

Minami/美波

Another artist I've come to adore very recently.

DROP - Just sounds really good. Will update if I look into meanings later, goes for every song I don't remark upon here.

Waiting For Rain/アメヲマツ- Words cannot express how much I love this song. One thing I really love about Minami is how expressive their voice is, and that is exemplified in this song. She explained that she did intend for this song to be conveyed through feelings and emotions more than words, and I think she succeeded in that. The lyrics are also awesome, the music video is awesome, the instrumentals are eargasmic. Music video for english translation and awesome animation.

Crying For Rain/カワキヲアメク- The first song I heard by Minami. It also does the same, being very expressive. It's the opening for an anime called uh Domestic Girlfriend. Not gonna be watching it purely for how weird the name itself is, but the song is awesome. As far as I can tell, no relation with Waiting for Rain.

Lilac/ライラック- The depressed gamer in me is in love the lyrics of this song, and the music lover in me loves the instrumentals. Seriously, just read these lyrics.

"Life's rough, Life's tough, It would be great if life could be as simple as a video game. There are even futures that I would like to bet on by pressing the A/B buttons."

yikes that's ugly, not doing that again.

"Life's rough, Life's tough, Genuinely, staying alive would be easier if life's a video gameThen a life where you can change the course of your future using A,B keys would exist."

The instrumentals are deceptively happy.

Monogatari series

It's an anime series I've heard good things about but haven't watched yet. Looks pretty long, but the songs are tantalizing. These songs are uh very cutesy and upbeat in a way I can't explain why I like it.

Chainsaw Man

One of my favourite anime as you already know. The S1 of the anime has 12 episodes, and it also has 12 ending songs. Anime usually have 1 for each season but they went above and beyond. I dislike metal, but I do like insanity so, despite that, I still love most of the tracks here for the sheer insanity. But Time Left by ZUTOMAYO and Chainsaw Blood are still my favourites tho. And can't forget KICK BACK, it's such a banger OP and the opening animatic itself is awesome with its foreshadowing and cinematic references. You can read more about what I think of KICK BACK at Alia's Corner.

Heh I just realised how ridiculous Chainsaw Man looks with chainsaws sprouting out of his hands and head and... a formal shirt and pants and a tie.

Song from Your Lie In April. Just sounds really good.

A jem from Attack On Titan that I somehow overlooked.

I hit the audio limit, damn you Tumblr, why you gotta make this so hard?

Anyways, you can sort by newest and see my newer favourites. Some particular standouts are 色彩/Color by yama, 三時のキス/idfk by Rokudenashi/ロクデナシ, again by YUI, 君のことじゃないよ by ZUTOMAYO, NIGHT DANCER by imase, Massarana Daichi by Higuchi Ai, from the same album as Akuma No Ko, the ED song for AoT Final Season Part 1, the two Natori songs, Overdose especially, Asphyxia, Kyouran Hey Kids!! by THE ORAL CIGARETTES and No Title by Reol.

Watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood now, you can read what I think of it in my page, and also updated my AoT thoughts.

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb: Middle school is hard—add a deadly embarrassing family and a huge secret, and it's nearly impossible. An Addams-esque family faces a perilous plot in this energetic, spooky middle grade mystery. Molly Dade has big problems. She's got an important violin audition coming up, she's been paired with her nemesis for a group project, and she's struggling to hide a life-or-death secret from...well, from everyone. It wasn't long ago that the Dades were just a regular Maine family living in their reportedly haunted house in the local cemetery. But then Molly's mom and twin brother Marty were killed in a freak accident. And Molly, her older brother Timothy, and her father became the town's newest bereaved family. Except Mom and Marty are still very much present. No one knows why, but Mom is now a ghost and Marty is a poltergeist. Oh, and there's also Molly's younger sister Dyandra, who is a zombie. Keeping all this supernatural stuff a secret from everyone is hard work, especially when the dead (undead?) members of the family still want to participate in things like the Parent Teacher Association meetings or come to the (very public, very potentially embarrassing) school concert. When Dad's new cemetery assistant seems to know the Dade family secret, Molly and Marty worry about the future of their family. And when Marty begins to regain his memories of the explosion that killed him and Mom, the twins realize that the situation might be even more grave than they thought. Someone might be after the Dade family—but who? And why?

Review:

Getting through middle school is hard enough but having a very strange family is definitely going to make it harder. Molly Dade loves her family but its not like other families, her mom and twin brother Marty were killed in an accident and are now ghosts, her older brother Tim and Dad and her are all regular humans... but then Molly’s younger sister Dyandra is now a zombie and to throw in the mix, they have a new spooky assistant to the family who may or may not be a vampire (yet to be proven) named Mr. Bones. Strange things begin to happy to Molly when she is paired up with her nemesis for a group project on top of her important violin audition.... and things begin to get dangerous as something or someone is after her trying to get her. Molly and her family have to figure out who is after them and stop them before it’s too late. This was such a fun middlegrade Addam’s Family-esque read featuring a fun cast and it really was a cute read. As a fan of the Addam’s family and fun quirky books, this one definitely hit the spot for me. Molly’s got a lot on her plate, from auditioning for a spot she wants, working on school projects, and trying to keep her family safe despite the fact that something else might definitely be going on with her, she has to find a way to work it all out before it’s too late. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book for fans of quirky families and fun mysteries!

*Thank you Disney Hyperion and Melissa de la Cruz studio for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[serzhantkris]

Haunted- 7

Summary: He knew, from the moment he found her there, bathed in the glow of fire, that she would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Damon x Reader

Masterlist

Taglist Open

Word Count: 2344

Violin music wafted softly through the air, weaving between Caroline’s voice, booming from the microphone, as she introduced the pageant contestants, and the polite applause that followed each. Elena squinted against the sun, frowning as she scanned the crowd.

“Have you seen Jeremy?”

She turned, finding Matt at her elbow, looking defeated. “He's probably up there with the escorts,” she said. “Have you seen Stefan?”

“No,” Matt said, resting his hands at his hips, dejected. “Caroline told me to find the escorts but he isn’t here.”

Elena frowned and dug her phone out of her purse. Matt licked his lips and scanned the crowd. “I take it he hasn’t told you about his nightmares? Where he, uh, kills you?”

“What?” Elena nearly dropped her phone as she tapped out Jeremy’s phone number. Matt turned his back, hustling to the stage to take Jeremy’s place as Caroline descended the steps.

“What the hell? Where are Jeremy and Stefan?”

Elena shook her head, the phone pressed against her ear.

Caroline closed her eyes, taking a breath, and when she opened them, was startled to see Damon marching his way toward them. “Uh-oh,” she said, tapping Elena on the shoulder. “Trouble at ten o’clock.”

He was breathing, hard, through his nose, his tie disheveled. One hand pushed through his hair, and he kept looking around the expanse of guests around them.

“What happened to you?” Caroline crossed her arms, peering at him with suspicion. “You look like you saw a ghost.”

“I did,” he bit back, not bothering to look at her.

“Jeremy isn’t answering. Matt said Jeremy’s been having nightmares about killing vampires, and he’s been hiding it from me.” Elena sighed, dropping the phone from her ear. “I should call Stefan-“

“Don’t bother,” Damon was already pulling out his phone, taking steps back from the girls. “I’m on it.”

“I have a bad feeling,” Elena said.

“I said I’m on it.”

Elena and Caroline exchanged glances as Damon wove back through the crowd, towards the lower landing.

“Please don't tell me that you've roped Jeremy into a world of crazy.”

He could hear noise on the other end of the line. “Like I had a choice?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, switching the phone to his other ear. “Curing your girlfriend so she can have babies and grow old and die. By the way, I was just wondering, you haven’t happened to see Y/N lately, have you?”

Stefan sighed. “You saw her.”

“No,” Damon snapped, his free hand pressing against a tree, holding him up. “I ran into her. Yes, I saw her! She’s here, and you didn’t tell me?”

“I thought it was better if you found out on your own.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s exactly what I wanted. Finding out Y/N is alive wasn’t good enough, finding out she’s here, in Mystic Falls, where- in case you forgot- Jeremy Gilbert is actively slaughtering vampires and you’re helping him-”

Stefan paused. “He won’t hurt her.”

“You’re damn right he won’t.” The wood groaned under the weight of Damon’s grip. “If he goes anywhere near Y/N-“

“Relax, Damon. The girls are keeping an eye on her, too.”

“Why would they do that?”

“They don’t trust her. I don’t know if I do either.”

“Really?” Damon snorted, rolling his eyes. “She’s not a threat-“

“We don’t know that,” Stefan said. “Why do you think she’s here, Damon? A happy reunion? Who do you think told her about the cure?”

Damon swallowed, not answering.

“I’m almost done here. I gotta go.”

***

The mansion windows muffled the sound of celebration outside. The music, the cheerful voices, the happy laughter, was all lost to this side of the glass panes.

It was a beautiful house. Whoever lived here did so well- everything was pristine and white, not a speck of dust to be found, so immaculate that it could very well be the case that no one lived there at all. From the top of the stairs, you could see the foyer, with its tiles shining in the sun; that is, you could have seen it, if your face weren’t buried in your palms.

The red silk of your dress trailed over the top step like blood, pooling at your bare feet. Your shoulders shook, and it was a feat to remain sitting at all.

“Seems Cinderella has lost both her shoes.”

You looked up, feebly trying to wipe the tears from your cheeks. Your shoes dangled in front of your face, and the smiling man at the other end of them stepped carefully around the pool of your dress to sit beside you on the steps.

He sat the shoes down somewhere behind you, resting his elbows on his knees. “Never took you for much of a cryer, love.”

“Typically not,” you said, leaning back to get a better look at him. “Nice suit. You clean up well.”

“We both know I always look this good,” he said. “I take it you saw Damon.”

“I did.”

“And it didn’t go well?”

“It didn’t go at all, really.” He hummed low in his throat, and rested a hand on your knee. “I- ran away.”

“And Elena?”

“She’s here. With Caroline. I take it Stefan and Jeremy didn’t show?”

“They’re otherwise occupied,” he said.

“Why aren’t you with Caroline?”

“Thought I’d check in first,” he said. “Make sure my favorite undead drama queen was doing her job.”

A dry laugh filled your chest. “Klaus, you flatter me. I’m your ‘favorite undead drama queen?’ I should tell Rebekah on you.”

Klaus grinned, standing up and extending his hand to you. “Don’t waste your whole day, love. Plenty of dances to be had, and vampires to be… protecting.”

You nodded as Klaus pulled you to your feet. “Thinly veiled threat noted.”

“See, that right there,” Klaus pointed his finger in your face, still smiling. “Is why you’re my favorite.”

***

It only took a few minutes to find them once you’d collected yourself. The crowd was spread out, thinner, most of them on the dance floor, others in little groups at tables or lingering on the grass. They occupied the stairs, the lower landing by the pond- Caroline was walking with Klaus, and you tore your eyes away from them to look for Elena.

Damon stood up from his chair, frowning, as Tyler approached. He was watching Shane, as the professor sat beside the werewolf- Hayley? Tyler fixed his jacket, following Damon’s eye.

“How do those two know each other?”

“They don’t. Paranoid much?”

Damon frowned. “The Council just got burnt to a crisp. Some mysterious Hunter just blew through town and this guy just happens to know everything about everything. Yes, paranoid.”

Elena was standing near the dance floor, talking to a guest. You wove through the crowd toward her, gently side-stepping any and all moving figures, not touching a soul as you passed, as though you weren’t there at all.

“Hey,” Elena turned toward you as you approached, seemingly thankful for your presence. “I thought you left, is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” you breathed, smiling, but Elena’s expression of concern remained. “I’m great. Needed to, uh, use the girl’s room. That house is huge-”

“You saw Damon,” she said. Your smile vanished.

“That obvious?”

“I saw him, too. You haven’t seen Stefan, have you? I’m getting worried.”

“What? Oh, no, sorry. I take it you called?”

“Damon did,” she said, crossing her arms. “Jeremy isn’t here or answering either. You think maybe something happened?”

“I’m sure they’re fine,” you said, shrugging. “Sometimes we have to remember that not everything is a crisis, you know?”

“Yeah,” A nervous chuckle passed through her, and she scratched idly where her braid met the back of her head. “You’re probably right.”

“Elena?”

“Yeah?”

You paused, looking toward the pond where you had seen Caroline and Klaus. “I like you. You’re really nice.”

“Oh,” she said. “Thanks.”

“I’d like us to be friends. Maybe once we find the guys and everything sort of settles down, we can, I dunno. Hang out?”

She nodded, her smile turning genuine. “I’ll take you up on that.”

Damon strode out of the mansion, determination in his step. He’d found out what he needed to know, had gotten his hand on Professor Shane just enough to squeeze a drop of information out of him.

It came down to Bonnie. They needed a spell to get the cure, once they found it, one that only a Bennet witch could perform, and only Professor Shane could help Bonnie get her magic juiced up.

Go figures.

Damon scowled as he descended the stairs toward the stage. He spotted Caroline, walking back toward the stage to announce the winner of the pageant- and you and Elena, exchanging enthusiastic words. He faltered, only for a second, and started pushing his way through the crowd.

“And then, get this, he jumped in the lake, with all his clothes on and everything-” Elena stopped mid-sentence as a hand rested gently between your shoulder blades, causing you to jump.

“Excuse me, ladies,” the voice in your ear made your blood run cold, and your back stiffened, despite the gentle, calming fingertips laid carefully on your spine. “May I borrow her for a moment?”

You spun, intending to push him away once more, but Damon caught your hand and held it, tightly, a serious expression on his face. Something dropped the wicked words in your throat, as Damon guided you carefully toward the dance floor.

“Damon-”

“Shh,” he said, pressing a finger to his lips. “We need to talk.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“You made that pretty clear,” he said, wrapping your hand in his. The other pressed lightly against the small of your back as he started swaying. “It’s more of an ‘I talk, you listen’ situation, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“And you made that clear, more than once.” There was nothing to rescue you from this. If you hit him, pushed him, called him names or slapped him across the face, it would make a scene, and then there would be a messy clean-up afterward. “What do you want?”

“Stefan said you’re looking for the cure.”

His words startled you. You had been expecting some sort of heart-filled apology, some sort of silver tongued attempt to gain your forgiveness, but he had jumped right over the huge elephant in the room and gone straight for your gills. “What if I am?”

“How did you hear about it? ‘Cause, see, the only person I know who also knows about it, who isn’t myself or my brother, is a little hybrid named Klaus. Sound familiar? About ye’ tall, British accent, huge tool?” his eyes flickered sideways and you followed his gaze to where Klaus was standing near the tables, idly sipping at a glass. “And, sweetheart, that is not the safe way to go.”

“And you are? You’re safe?”

Damon was quiet for a moment, his lips pressed in a thin line. “I know you don’t trust me,” he said, his eyes dropping to the space between your feet. He turned you in a circle, pulling you closer to him. “And you have every right not to.”

“You’re damn right I do,” you said, pushing against him just enough to put space between your bodies. “I don’t trust Klaus, either.”

“So why are you helping him?”

You stopped dancing, stepping out of Damon’s arms. He didn’t try reaching for you. Didn’t try to stop you from moving away. “Because I can’t help you.”

You turned your back on him, moving toward where Elena-

Was gone. She had vanished from the spot. You cursed under your breath, looking through the crowd for her, but she was nowhere to be found.

“Where’d she go?”

Damon was beside you, hands in his pockets. Truth be told, he didn’t trust himself not to reach for you when you were this close- but other things were more pressing, more important, more urgent.

“We need to find her,” Damon said, glancing sideways at you. “Quickly.”

You wasted no time with words, scouring the crowd as it began to thin out, nearly tripping on your heels. You tore them off- for the second time that day- and shoved them at Damon, moving as quickly as you could without moving at an unnatural speed.

You found her, beyond the house, standing with Stefan. They were facing each other, his hands roaming over her face and shoulders as though searching for injury. The smell of blood grew stronger as you made your way down toward them, and when Elena turned toward you, you could see the gauze patch on her neck.

“What the hell happened?”

You slowed to a stop as she peeled the gauze away. “Jeremy happened,” she said. “He attacked me.”

“He’s getting stronger,” Stefan said. “Killing vampires, it makes the compulsion to kill them even stronger.”

“Tell me Jeremy hasn’t been with you this entire time,” Elena whipped her head toward him. Damon had made his way down the hill after you, watching from a distance, still holding your shoes, and exchanged a look with his brother. “Tell me that you haven't been making him kill vampires, Stefan.”

“We need the map to get the cure.”

A wounded expression slammed onto Elena’s face, and she took a step away from Stefan. “If getting my humanity back means stripping Jeremy of his, then I don't want the cure.”

You looked away, your eyes inadvertently landing on Damon. He was watching the ground, giving them a moment of peace, but he felt your eyes on him.

“Elena can stay with me,” you offered, once more trying to keep Damon out of your eyesight. “Until we get this under control. She’ll be safe, you guys can, uh, can come and go, you know, whenever. Keep tabs.”

Stefan raised his chin, considering it, and Elena looked to him as though she were going to ask permission, but didn’t. She simply nodded, picking at the bloody gauze in her hands. “I’ll pack my things.”

@navs-bhat @allinhishands @suspiciousmuffin @lordofthunderthr

[waiting-on-a-dream]

𝙰𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 (𝙷𝚊𝚔𝚞 𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗)

"A second interrogation?" Haku asks calmly from his seat, hands laid out flat on the table non-threateningly.

With the other prisoners, Haruto is always secretly on edge, as if they might attack him at any moment. But with Haku, he somehow knows the boy isn't interested in resorting to violence. Or maybe Haku just wants him to think that. Being a guard is exhausting.

"I watched your music video, and now I have more questions for you."

"Ask away."

"Have I ever told you how much I love your cooperation?" Haruto sighs in relief, throwing his head back until it rests against his chair.

"Is that one of your questions?" Haku asks blankly.

"Nope. I'm just voicing my gratitude," Haruto chuckles.

Haku doesn't seem to know how to respond to that, as he stays quiet.

"Question 1, tell me about your brother."

"That's not a question," Haku pipes up. Because he's so smart.

"Just answer," Haruto sighs again in defeat.

"He's talented. He plays the violin very well."

"And you play the piano?"

Haku nods. "Yes."

"Did you and your brother play duets a lot?"

"I enjoy practicing with him, so yes."

That explains the duet in his music video then. "What else can you tell me about him?"

"He's weird," Haku looks down at that.

"How so?" Haruto perks up, interested.

"Well, he isn't very good with people. He doesn't know how to talk to them. Though they're often approaching him because of his talent."

"Does he rely on you to talk to them for him?" Haruto tilts his head, still curious.

"He usually runs away and waits for me to apologize on his behalf for being unsociable," Haku replies without blinking an eye.

"Does that bother you?"

"Not really. I just don't want him to be uncomfortable."

"You really care for him a lot, huh?" Haruto chuckles.

"He's my precious little brother after all," Haku's face remains impassive. But his words say a lot in of itself.

"That's good to know. Tell me about the school you attended before this. It was a prestigious music school if I'm not mistaken?"

"Yes, its called Maestoso Music Academy. I'm taking a course for a piano degree there."

"Your brother studies there as well, I assume?"

"Yes, he's taking a course for the violin."

"Ah. What's the environment like?"

"It's...competitive. Everyone is good at what they do, whether through hard work or a natural-born talent, or both."

"Did you make any friends there?" Haruto pauses. He can't imagine Haku befriending anyone besides the brother he dotes on so much.

Haku pauses as well, as if he needs a moment to recall. "Yes. I made two friends in my class. We would often study together."

"Were they friends with your brother as well?"

"He had his own friends from his course."

So they aren't (so) co-dependent as Haruto thought. Wait. "Were any of them too competitive with him? A bad influence on him perhaps?"

"Not that I know of," Haku blinks.

Haruto decides he can rule out Haku's brother's friends as potential victims. Maybe. "Alright, last question. If the world were to end tomorrow, what would you do?"

Haku contemplates the question for a moment. "I'd attempt to play a really difficult piano piece."

"That makes sense. And if you get it right?"

"That would be impossible to achieve within one day. But hypothetically, I'd die happy," Haku blinks, a ghost of a smile on his face. Is he smiling just thinking about it?

"Life goals, am I right?" Haruto grins.

"..I guess so," Haku's blank expression returns.

Haku has the same expression all the time. Its no fun.

"Thanks for answering my questions. Your interrogation is done."

[arisuinhell]

Halloween special 👻

Putting this up a day early!

Happy Halloween! Let's see what some of the AiB crew are up to!

Characters: Arisu, Chota, Karube, Niragi, Last Boss

Warnings: None

Arisu 🎃

He spends the day trying some new DLC on a zombie game until it's time to go and see the guys.

He forgot to get a costume, he had the intent but.. yea. So he panics and manages to find some weird mask he got from a convention and an old tshirt with holes in it.

Spends the rest of the night getting roasted by Karube for his lack of effort, but he has fun anyway.

With you, its probably horror movies and pizza. If you're feeling adventurous you might go to the arcade but the bed is comfortable and its busy outside.. If you got really bored you'd probably paint little ghosts on his face whilst he's engrossed in a game. He doesn't care as long as you're happy.

Trick or Treat?

"..what's the trick?.. I just wanna see first before I commit.. "

Karube 🎃

Of course this big kid has gone all out and is throwing a party at the bar. It basically looks like a haunted house with the amount of decorations he put up. No costume? No entry! You think he'd go through this effort, including a special drinks menu just for people to turn up in casual clothing? (Looking at you Arisu..).

He thought for a long time about his outfit, eventually settling on being the devil. It's gonna take a very long shower to get that red paint off.

If it's just the two of you, you can bet he's planned an extravagant date night. Horror themed resturant, scare maze.. You want to stop by that bakery and get all the Halloween donuts? Sure thing, anything for you!

Trick or Treat?

"Trick 😈"

Chota 🎃

This poor guy cannot catch a break. He has to sit and listen whilst his mother explains the horrors of Halloween, how it's a gateway to hell and how he absolutely should not participate in anything glorifying the day.

He smiles like the good son he is and walks with her to the church, declining her offer to spend the evening praying for sinners.

He turns up at the bar without a costume but don't worry, Karube had planned for this so he's presented with three costumes to choose from and settles for some Kamen Rider get-up.

Spending halloween with you would just be at home carving pumpkins and watching spooky cartoons. All soft and cute activities.

Trick or treat?

Treat, please!

Chishiya 🎃

Not participating. What do you think he is, a child? He has better things to do with his time, and that time is currently being wasted by treating the idiots who got too drunk at parties and (his personal favourite) a guy that got stabbed though the hand whilst carving a pumpkin. He had to try really hard to not tell him that's exactly what he deserved.

If you were important to him and he wasn't working, he might tolerate one or two decorations in the house providing they are gone by the morning, and if you insist in baking spooky cookies for him, fine, he'll have one. Just don't expect much more than that.

And don't even think about putting those cat ears on him. Seriously, put them down.. Stop it. He will scratch.

Trick or Treat?

"Is the treat you leaving me alone?"

Niragi 🎃

Why wouldn't he love Halloween? 1000's of girls in Shibuya dressed as nurses?? Absolute dream. He'll spend an hour drinking on the street with some friends before heading to some high-class bar in Kabukicho where lonely, rich housewives in rabbit and cat costumes will more than welcome his advances.

His costume? Just fangs. That's all he needs ;)

Halloween together? If you dress up, he will too, he's a sucker for couples costumes. Just don't wear anything too skimpy, that's for Niragi to enjoy only.

You'll spend the evening at a club, unless that isn't your sort of thing, in which case you can spend the night at home eating candy and maybe later you can show off that outfit~

Trick or treat?

Do you really have to ask? 🔪

Last Boss 🎃

Get out your tiny violins because this guy is spending it alone. He doesn't actually mind because it gives him a chance to catch up on some reading. He'll probably pick some kind of short story collection, or maybe Poe..

He liked halloween as a kid when he'd dress up with his friends but it stopped being fun when they moved away and he became quite shy.

What if he wasn't alone? You're spending the night watching true crime documentaries, because what's more horrifying than the atrocities caused by the human race? You sit quietly and carve pumpkins, his being the best, and then just sit in blankets and talk about anything that comes to mind. Cute & wholesome.

Trick or treat?

..treat?

[pa-panda-heroes]

Gimmie (a man after midnight)

Dabi x Female!Reader [NSFW] Songfic

Song: Abba - Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie!

Aha, I had a lot of fun writing this but it’s not quite what i envisioned, so I hope it turned out okay! :’>

Minors, DNI! Go. Away.

Warnings: alcohol, hookups, slight degradation, choking—Dabi’s belt, anyone? ;), unprotected sex, vaginal penetration, spanking, fairly rough sex ig?

Words: 2,739

Half past twelve And I’m watching the late show in my flat all alone How I hate to spend the evening on my own

You groaned, sprawled out across your sofa and terribly bored. You worked your ass off all week just to go out and have some fun with your girls over the weekend. But alas, they canceled on you, saying they were “busy” doing “adult things” and having “responsibilities.” Bleh! What the hell! You even text a few others not initially involved in your plans, but they let you down, too. That was fair, though. Your invitation was definitely last minute, so you couldn’t blame anyone.

Your eyes dart to the clock. It was still pretty early in the night, half past midnight. Your eyes narrow. You’re an adult, you’re fully capable of going out on your own, right? You wouldn’t look like a poor soul with no friends... right? Fuck it. You’ll leave your apartment all alone and gloomy, but who’s to say you won’t come back not alone?

You bolt off the couch so quickly you nearly lose yourself and slam into the floor, but you recover and make a run for your closet. You had your outfit planned out three days ago, so the agony of looking for what to wear and trying on who knows how many outfits and discerning what paired with what was already over with. You dress quickly and throw on your preferred method of makeup before doing your hair as you pleased for the occasion. You hum at yourself in your success and head out, heading to your previously chosen club.

Autumn winds Blowing outside my window as I look around the room And it makes me so depressed to see the gloom

As soon as you walk in, the air is dense and brimming with smoke and moisture. It’s darker than you expected, although the neon purple, blue, and red lights flashing all around you stood out more this way, looking more pleasing to the eye as a result. The music thrums loudly in your ears, the bass kicked up nearly to a teeth-chattering degree. The violin you could hear through it all sounded intense and emotional, the entirety of the song upbeat and fast and so adrenaline-inducing for your current emotional state.

The mixture that was your boredom and gloom followed you as though it were your shadow itself, trailing behind you with every intention to lunge out and strangle you as you passed through dancing and grinding bodies. One couple was more than happy to let you join between them. For a smooth, lascivious moment you did, letting the male stranger grab onto your waist and grind against you, his (apparent) girlfriend following suit at your front, but you decided alcohol would be a good start first.

There's not a soul out there No one to hear my prayer

Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie a man after midnight

On your way to the bar you just happen to glance through the crowd and meet the gaze of mesmerizing turquoise hues, captivating eyes which stood out like iridescent glimmers in a sea of pitch black after the sun hid itself away. Your step slows as you hold your gaze firm, your own smirk a clear contrast to the stoic features of his own. Bland and non-contorted as his face may be, you tell by the dark, predatory glimmer to his eyes that you’ve caught his attention.

Your favourite drink is ordered and fully downed in no time before you slither back into the cluster of sweat and saliva in favour of dancing your worries away.

Won't somebody help me chase the shadows away Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie a man after midnight

You bounce and move your hips with the music all by your little lonesome in the crowd, others in a situation similar to yours. Try and find those turquoise masters of your captivation as you might, the fiery enigma you saw earlier was nowhere to be seen.

You bite your lip and pout as you carry on your merry way. What a bore you think this night has ungraciously become, your hopes of finding a good time dwindling away like dust in the wind! You almost consider going back to your previous “dance buddies,” but before you can even stop dancing, hands slither onto your hips and torrid breath teases your ear.

“Lookin’ for me, doll?” you hear a smoky, smooth voice purr, and immediately you’re weak in the knees.

You jut your ass out against him, closing the already bare-minimum space between the two of you, courtesy of the stranger himself. “You tell me,” you tease, grinding against him and realizing he’s wearing a massive belt, and your mouth waters. “I’m just lookin’ for a good time.”

Take me through the darkness to the break of the day

A chuckle erupts from behind you, slow and sure, one of the hands on your hip slithering up your waist to ghost over your tit. “I think you’ve found it,” he whispers to you, a call for sex and detachment as his hand - much larger, lither, and bonier than you anticipated - roams your chest freely. He’s careful not to catch the staples holding together the flesh of his hand catch on your clothes where applicable.

It’s clear he’s not playing around, though it doesn’t matter, because neither are you.

You giggle and reach back around for his hair as he moves in sexual tandem with you, while your fingers glissade through strands of pure abyssal silk and latch on. “Do tell,” you taunt, grinding particularly slowly against him and trying to reach for his thigh with your free hand. You can’t help the bratty smirk that parts your lips.

“Here? Really?” he asks, though it’s clearly rhetorical. “You want other people to hear me tell you how I’m gonna pin you against a wall and fuck that tight pussy ‘til you can’t walk, do you?” His voice is deep and low, haunting, and appearances be damned. You’d fuck him just to hear his voice alone.

A shiver wracks your body, much to his pleasure.

Movie stars Find the end of the rainbow with a fortune to win It's so different from the world I'm living in

The stranger’s hand dips down and finds its way up your skirt, giving your asscheek a tight squeeze. “Wonder what they’d say if they heard me tell you I’m gonna wrap my belt around that pretty little neck so tight, I won’t even have to touch you to make you cum.”

“Oh, fuck.” The hiss that comes out of you is laced with a clear moan, and you bite your lip, the growing wetness devouring your lacy panties making itself fully known to you when your cunt clenches around nothing. “Hey, you got a name, stranger?” you breathe, resisting the urge to clench your teeth when his lips find your neck.

“Just Dabi,” you hear him mumble into your skin.

Oh, like the Dabi? The villain Dabi? The Dabi who could very well burn the place to the ground in a matter of minutes and laugh it off like he saw some corny joke graffiti’d on a sleazy bathroom stall?

Oh. Well, alright then. You’re not bothered by it. Seems like he actually just wanted a good fuck and who were you to blame him for it?

Tired of TV I open the window and I gaze into the night But there's nothing there to see no one in sight

“I’m y/n, but feel free to call me whatever the fuck you want.” You sigh, leaning back against him.

Dabi chuckles at you, finding what comes off as a willingness to please quite delicious, if he were being honest. “Let’s head out, then.”

“Patience is not your virtue, is it, Dabi?” you jive at him, the clear pinch on your ass telling you the comment was not appreciated. You giggle at that. “Alright, follow me?”

You grab his hand and drag him through the other patrons, walking by a particularly heated makeout session on the way out. You’re pretty certain the exit you take is supposed to be an emergency exit, but you don’t much care, and it’s not like going through the door set any alarms off or anything.

As soon as you’re out into the cold air he spins you around, quite aggressively stealing away your lips in a loveless kiss and feeling you up like his life depends on it. Your squeak is swallowed right up and you latch onto the lapels of his jacket. It’s now you realise his upper lip is too soft to even be legal, the scarred and marred lower lip, held together by hot staples, is so rough and hot. Fuck, what you wouldn’t do to feel the conflicting textures between your legs.

There's not a soul out there

Your tongue toys with his - rather, your tongue is toyed with - as his hips grind against your pelvis, the clear outline of his hard cock prominent against your clothed cunt, bringing you enough friction to moan unabashedly into his mouth. Dabi’s hand grabs onto of your hair and tugs your head back to break your lip lock with him so that he could plant hot, slow open-mouthed kisses and sucks all along your neck. Oh, the hickeys you’d have to cover up for work.

You sigh and bite your lip. Ignoring the hard concrete clawing away at your back while you fumble with unclasping his belt (you hoped his talk from earlier was bite and not bark), you try to free his dick from its denim confines, only for your hands to be swatted away.

“Hey,” he growls at you. “I didn’t say you could do that.”

“Who said I needed permission?” you sass, egging him on. Oh, you should’ve known better. Your mouth always got you in trouble no matter what aspect of life.

No one to hear my prayer

You hear him click his tongue at you before he spins you again, this time shoving the front of your body against the wall. One of his hands grabs the belt do your skirt and yanks your ass toward him, the other hand pushing forcefully at your neck, your cheek against whatever building lies in front of you. “Who said you could do whatever the fuck you want, brat?” Dabi snarls at you, and you gulp. The villain is quick to unfasten his belt and unzip his jeans to let his cock spring free, before your skirt is thrown over your hips to expose your favourite lacy panties, and Dabi lets out a low whistle, pulling them to the side and exposing your dripping cunt to him. “Not bad, y/n.”

Biting back sass, you instead jut your ass out against him.

“And you said I was impatient,” Dabi goads. “Here you are, drooling and ready for me to fuck you into next week, eh?”

Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight Won't somebody help me chase the shadows away

Your resistance dies as you try to glare at him. “Shut your trap and fuck me already!” you hiss. “...or are you all bark and no bite, Dabi?”

A hard slap smacks into your asscheek and you yelp, though the soft kneading of the flesh pulls a whine out of you.

“Keep this up and you won’t cum, doll.”

“Hey-“

Dabi plunged his cock into you without warning, sheathing himself straight to the hilt in one push of his hips, and you gasp, not having the opportunity to adjust to his size or the piercings adorning his dick.

“Dabi, fuuuck.” Your fingernails claw at the concrete, sure to scratch them up and end up in plenty of tears down the line, but you don’t care. The barbells of his piercings and the utter girth of his cock fill you up so full you almost feel like you’re going to split in half. “So big...!”

“Real fuckin’ wet for me, aren’t you?” Dabi slowly draws his hips back and quickly fucks into you again, drawing a gasp from you as he then sets a steady pace thrusting into you. “And tight-“

You keen as his hips piston into yours repeatedly, one of his hands firmly grasping your hip enough to leave bruises, and you hear an unknown metal jingling about, though you realise exactly what he’s done when you feel tough, cool leather wrap around your throat. Your cunt clenches at the implication his belt brings. Dabi is quick to notice and leans down toward your ear to utter a single, gravelly word: “Slut.” He thrusts into you especially hard and fast as if to prove his point, and you cry out when he hits that spongey spot, your throat dry. You can hear the lewd squelching and erotic song of skin slapping against skin.

Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight Take me through the darkness to the break of the day

The belt tightens around your neck so much that it deprives of you enough oxygen to reach utter bliss as he pounds into your cunt, your cheek getting scraped up from the friction of the concrete wall. Any attempt you make at saying anything amounts to nothing as you begin to feel lightheaded and filled with pure ecstasy, your eyes trying to roll back into your head and drool creeping out the corner of your mouth.

A choked gasp comes out of you when his hand smacks at your ass cheek again, then again, then again, slow kneading of the flesh following thereafter and lulling the sting away. You moan loudly at his ministrations, nearing the height of bliss. “What, are you a painslut, too?” he jabs, though you can’t respond, and so he does it again, coaxing a cry of pleasure and pain out of you and tears into your eyelids, threatening to overflow and stain your cheeks. Another slap has you cumming on his clock with little warning, Dabi’s groan behind you mixing with your mewls and squeals. “Fuck!” you hear him curse, and he doesn’t stop fucking your poor pussy even after you came down, throwing you into a state of whiny oversensitivity.

“Too mu-uuch!” is all you can manage through the hazy fog of bliss.

Dabi doesn’t seem to care and keeps pounding into you anyway, though he does go for a change in scenery as he pulls you upright by tugging back on the belt around your neck, pulling your back to his chest and giving him room to slip his hands to your cunt. You cry out and squirm when his digits begin rubbing fast circles on your clit, your fingers instinctively flying toward the belt and clawing at the leather as you gasp and keen away. Squirm and wiggle as you want, he holds you tight. Tears run down your cheeks and pressure in your abdomen builds, threatening to break away like a damn and letting the flood crash through. You cry out his name, though it only seems to egg him on and he pounds into you faster, fingers still abusing your puffy clit. Head foggy and mind hazy, you orgasm again already, and your cunt squeezes his cock again, clenching repeatedly as if to milk him for all he’s worth and coating him in your juices.

Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight Won't somebody help me chase the shadows away

Dabi lets out a string of curses and loses the rhythm of his hips, his grunts fucking music to your ears. Begs and pleas filter out of you for no apparent reason as his hips keep slapping against yours, your sobs and moans filling the alleyway and reverberating off the walls.

“Fuck! Shit, shit, shit!”

Your clenching cunt hugging onto him like it does sends Dabi over the edge, and he cums inside of you, milky hot cum coating your fleshy walls, eliciting a blissed-out sigh from you as he finally stops fucking into you.

The pressure on your neck is alleviated and you fall back against him, legs weak and head spinning. Dabi nuzzles your ear with his nose, one hand still cupping your pussy and the other gripping your tit.

“Whaddya say we head back to my place, y/n?” he croons.

Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight Take me through the darkness to the break of the day

[anotherghoul666]

Ok, but why does the Turisas Rasputin cover slap so much? I might have to add them to the playlist of bands to look into when I finish my hyperfixation

Because Turisas are one of the greatest, most fun folk metal bands that have ever existed. When you combine their vibe with 70s disco, and you let Mr. Olli Vänskä unhinged-violinist-extraordinaire serve you with a violin riff straight out of a 70s porno, you get PURE GOLD. Legit, this song live turns even the hardest metalhead into a disco-head for 4 minutes. It turns the moshpit into a folk dancing / russian dancing pit, and it's some of the absolute most fun I've had in my lenghty career as a concert goer. I will never forget that pit and it's been almost 10 years since. #core memory!

If you do want to get into Turisas next, if I may serve as a guide since these guys were one of my early 2010s hyperfixation (and yall see how hard I can go in my hyperfications with Ghost, now imagine that but with way less adult responsibilities. I street-teamed for these guys, I hung out with them multiple times, I attended their clinics, I attended some of the recording of an album, I have a tattoo, like. Yeah I used to go way harder when I was younger XD) : - they released music between 2004 and 2013 and it sounds very much "of its time" in terms of the late 2000s to early 2010s folk metal boom, if that's something that even matters to you. I say this cause metalheads will know exactly what Turisas sounds like before they even have to listen when I say this, I don't know what your music taste is like tho so it might mean nothing? xD

- I advise doing the discography in order, which would be: 2004's Battle Metal, 2007's The Varangian Way, 2011's Stand Up And Fight and leave 2013's Turisas2013 for last. People often have the reflex to go for the latest release of a band; DO NOT DO THAT WITH TURISAS, it'll make you dislike the band. 2013 was very weird, it's a strange project with some good but mostly a whole lotta Bad and some more What The Fuck Was That. Stick to the first three and only if you're really in love and crave more material, try 2013, otherwise, leave it alone.

- if you can't commit to 4 albums, the one album that's essential listen is The Varangian Way. Take an hour of your day, have the lyrics out, and prepare to Feel Shit. It's a concept album about the Varangian Guard (if you like history like I do this might tickle you hard) and it follows a band of vikings and their descent from the north down to Byzantine. This album is a cornerstone of the folk metal genre which shaped it going forward and spawned a million and one immitations who never came close to this. It's grandiose and theatrical and I have both laughed out loud and sobbed to this album. Please do the entire album in one go, don't fragment it into singles and playlists, it's a concept and it flows and it needs to be whole. The other albums you may pick out singles for a playlist a bit more but Varangian deserves to be heard the way it was designed.

Happy exploration, if you do listen to them eventually please come back and let me know what you think! :D