#gossip girl party jp

[rooftop-memories]

Before saying goodbye to Liar! Uncover the Truth…

This game has always been dear to me (as much as My Last First Kiss does! even now) but sadly not every game we love has a happy ending. The closure of JP Liar was foreboding, yet the announcement still hits just as hard!

I have been playing again since the announcement. Although I’ve branched my otome tastes a little more, this game is still charming, not afraid to bring out all the crazies and fun, and still have in store plenty of heart-fluttering moments!

(And so much personality in the localization; I miss that a lot nowadays T_T)

Although a bit of content of JP Liar has been ported to Koi100+, they were nowhere near everything. The gameplay definitely hits different as well due to format limitations. And of course my hope is that Liar! will make its way to Love365 as well, but nothing has been confirmed and time is running out.

And you know how I will always and forever miss Gossip Girl Party.

Did you know they deleted the PV off their channel? I didn’t! And I’m still furious >:(

So I was able to find many other Liar! fans and we’re trying our best to archive everything that we can! The progress have been great, but we definitely still miss some content, namely data files, event routes and false accusations. We also talk a bunch about Liar! as we go through all the good old memories of the game (honestly I forgot how chaotic these guys were lmao)

If you’re interested in helping us with missing Liar! content, or just wanna have some meltdowns together while we play the game for one last time, feel free to join the Discord server!

It’s been a long time I’ve been active in the community and it’d be nice if Liar! fans all around can hold a funeral together have some fun again! Reblogs are much appreciated, and if you know a Liar! fan community elsewhere, feel free to share this post and let me know about it!

Thanks for reading, and much hope that she will come back and kick some more ass someday in Love365 :)

[all-about-remadora]

200 followers!

So here’s a list of One shots for celebrate✨

Everyone Deserves A Someone by LoquaciousLupin

With nothing better to do during the holidays at Grimmauld Place, Hermione and Ginny wonder whether their former Professor has a special someone - with no other ideas, they do the only thing they can and ask him. With a little help from Tonks, Remus answers their questions as honestly... as he can. Remus and Tonks fluff.

A Beautiful Tune by SweetDeamon

I'm...not coming." he said, reaching to shove his hands deep into his pockets. "On the mission. With you." Tonks stared at him in confusion. "Why not?" she asked, grip upon the cloak in her hand going limp. Remus struggled to come up with a convincing lie. "Because I...I..." Because I'm dying. Because you've struck me dead in the heart.

The Unspeakable Girl by SweetDeamon

"She makes me feel so on top of this world that I wish I'd never been born into it in the first place! So I can't stand to talk about her, Dad! I simply can't!" In which Remus Lupin visits his father and confesses something quite extraordinary. Based on information from POTTERMORE. Consider yourselves warned. RLNT.

The Future's Not Ours To See by Gilpin

Remus Lupin has a lot on his mind; his current undertaking for the Order of the Phoenix, and how to obtain questionable potions from an unhelpful Apothecary owner. Can he bring both to a satisfactory conclusion?

Rhapsody in Blue by copperbadg

Remus has decided it's time to cure Tonks of her awkwardness, the only way he knows how.

Kissing It Better by Lady Bracknell

On her first date with Remus, Tonks discovers that spilt beer on wooden floors is the enemy of the less than surefooted everywhere. Will she die of embarrassment, or will Remus find a way to make it all better?

Kiss and tell by Lady Bracknell

For all his supposed genius, Sirius Black had always had rather a blind spot for the patently obvious.

What To Make Of Him by Lady Bracknell

Neither Ted nor Andromeda know quite what to make of their daughter's boyfriend. Can he win them round over Sunday lunch?

On First Impressions by  cafei-au-lei

"'You know,' Sirius said, 'it's kind of funny. For someone who thinks Remus is so annoying, you sure can't seem to stop talking about him.'" A series of moments in Remus and Tonks' developing relationship as they get to know each other and learn that maybe first impressions aren't necessarily everything. OOTP. Fluffy oneshot.

The Order's Most Eligible Bachelors by cafei-au-lei

The Order's Most Eligible Bachelors, or: the ladies indulge in some firewhiskey and gossip. Sirius and Remus stumble upon a game they're not sure they want to be privy to (okay, maybe Sirius does.) The results lead to some necessary conversation and introspection for a few of the parties involved. Oneshot.

The Talk, Or: The (Lighthearted) Trauma of Teddy R Lupin by cafei-au-lei

Teddy knew when Dad brought out the firewhiskey that something was suspicious. Then again, maybe he wasn't giving Dad enough credit for being the cool parent. AU. Remus and Tonks survive to raise their son and give him The Dreaded Talk. Oneshot.

Movement by MrsTater

Things appear to have changed. One shot, RLNT

Retrograde by MrsTater

Sequel to Movement: Tonks strongly suspected, though she hadn't much experience, that it wasn't normal for adults who fancied other adults to do what she was doing now.

Kernels by MrsTater

A Transfigured Hearts outtake: a cosy night in with Remus takes an unexpected turn when popcorn finds its way into odd places and leads Tonks to make an important discovery.

Party till the wolf comes by MrsTater

Fatherhood doesn't send Remus on a pub crawl, but announcing the birth of his son to his closest friends turns out to be the next best thing.

Overheard by MrsTater

Sirius tries to play matchmaker for an ambivalent Remus and Tonks, but when everyone keeps overhearing everyone else's conversations, things get a little complicated as shapeshifters prove to be anything but predictable... Updated Sept 3, 2007

The Honeymooners by MrsTater

Two years after their wedding, Remus and Tonks finally make it on their honeymoon. But now they've got something they didn't when they first married, will they be able to stop thinking about it long enough to enjoy themselves? AU

A Conversation That’s Not About Veela by starfishstar

Harry and Professor Lupin talk about women, and other things. During Christmas of HBP. (A gen story, but with very strong hints of Remus/Tonks and Harry/Ginny.)

Sleeping by starfishstar

Tonks sleeps; Remus muses

Precisely What I Mean by starfishstar

Remus with Teddy was easily the sweetest thing Tonks had ever seen. It seemed Remus couldn't ever hold Teddy without gazing down at his son with a huge, helpless, delighted grin. "Don't your cheeks ever get tired?" Tonks couldn't help teasing him once, and he'd glanced up, bewildered by the question – he didn't even realise he was doing it.

A Slow and Stopping Curve by aegle

Concerning Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. Set during Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince.

St. Margaret's by aegle

Remus, Tonks, a Muggle automobile, and a slightly disappointing beach adventure

On Bethlehem Down by aegle

Remus Lupin finds himself at Nymphadora Tonks' flat on Christmas Eve, 1996

The poem which i do not write by aegle

So, it has come to London with them, whatever it is.

The Watch by Sirussly

He'd grown so used to her endless chatter and relentless questions, a burning ball of energy with a laugh like her mother's. Some nights Tonks would listen to him instead, to stories of war and the price one pays for being a soldier in the middle of it. Occasionally neither of them would speak, but once her hand found his and stayed there until the sunrise coloured the sky.

Flame by Eat a Taco

It's strange what the soft light of a candle can do to someone.RLNT, sometime during HBP

Cover Me by Maggiemaye

Remus and Tonks embark on a mission that tests their well-established partnership to its limits. Even while surrounded by Death Eaters hidden in plain sight, they find that their greatest threats may come from within.

Expecto Patronum by Shimotsuki

Remus and Tonks have dinner at the Potters' after seeing Teddy off on the Hogwarts Express. James and Al are full of questions, including one that not even Harry knows the answer to.

Meet the Reindeer by SweetDeamon 

Nothing untoward had happened since Teddy had arrived home from Hogwarts for the holidays this year. So far there had been no manically jingling elves, no traumatised Santa Claus, no mass snowball fights, no exploding cans of fake snow and as of yet nothing had come hurtling down the chimney or splattered anything or anybody with ammunition of the culinary kind. So far. RLNT AU.

Meet the Teacher by SweetDeamon 

In which Remus and Dora receive word from Hogwarts that their son's homework has been completed in a far from satisfactory manner. The subject? Defence Against the Dark Arts. The topic? Werewolves. They've been expecting trouble since the beginning of term...but who feels less prepared? Teddy's parents or Teddy's teacher? Neville has a hunch... AU. RLNT. Rated for mild language.

A Study In Pink by SweetDeamon 

"He isn't entirely sure how it is that a certain pink haired witch came to be lying snugly in the bed beside him yet again, or indeed why such a thing had ever occurred the first time around..." RLNT.

A Piece of Cake by SweetDeamon 

"How long does it take to make a bloody sponge cake!" "You can't rush art, Sirius." Tonks attempts to bake Remus a birthday cake. "Attempts to" being the key phrase here... RLNT. Happy Birthday Gelly Bean!

The Christmas Waltz by Lady Bracknell 

As Christmas approaches, Remus and Tonks dance around the idea of togetherness, wondering if either of them is leading, or know where they're going at all.

Mistletoe and Wine by Lady Bracknell 

Remus falls foul of the mistletoe. Twice. RL/LP, RL/NT, LP/JP, rated for language.

Afraid of the Dark by Lady Bracknell 

Remus had always been ill at ease in the forest, but when a mission for Dumbledore sends him into the heart of the place with Tonks by his side, he finds his apprehension harder than usual to shake off.

The Luck of the Draw by Lady Bracknell 

She sits on the carpet, shuffles the cards, then deals them out. She came here with the hope of forcing the issue, because she just knows they shouldn't be about can't and won't.

Chione by: cafei-au-lei

Remus has confirmation that Tonks may return his feelings - now all that's left is to decide what to do with this rather exciting and terrifying information. And although it's been a strange year, this year's Christmas could shape up to be one of the best Remus has ever had. Takes place after "The Order's Most Eligible Bachelors." RLNT OotP holiday fluff.

The First Night by: cafei-au-lei 

Most major events in Remus' life have done nothing but reinforce the crushing inevitability of his condition and the life that it has condemned him to. But maybe there is hope to be had, after all.

amare by: cafei-au-lei 

At first, the idea that Tonks and Professor Lupin could be together was equal parts baffling and absurd. But then, maybe it did make a tiny bit of sense, Ginny thought, as she watched the way Professor Lupin looked at Tonks over the breakfast table. But she still couldn't help but think that this love and relationships thing was far too complicated. RLNT.

War Baby by MrsTater 

It's time for Teddy's first outing, and for Tonks to make peace with a noble great idiot. Set during Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Perchance To Dream by: MrsTater

A dream leads to an argument and an unexpected quest to seek out the meaning. Will Remus and Tonks kiss and make up? More importantly, who will come out on top? RLNT, Deathly Hallows, Mature.

Like a Cat in the Sun by starfishstar 

Remus is in a house full of women.

[zalrb]

rewatch: gg edition

i really want to know that gossip girl’s budget was because they filmed in new york which is not cheap and i remember when jp spoke about gg going to france to film and paul was like W H A T.

LMAO remember when gossip girl blasted that serena was back in the city and right when the blast happened, dan and jenny walk into central station with dan NOT on his phone? is dan telekinetic?

dan’s hair is fucking stupid.

rufus don’t ask your children about the state of your marriage.

awww rihanna! if it’s lovin that you wanttttttttttt

lmao remember when blair had a different mother?

i never liked blair’s hair in these scenes.

oh nate, just so ... nate.

OMG JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE. WHAT GOES AROUND. jesus, i need to stop watching these old shows. when is a docu going to come out about him being terrible?

“visiting hours are over” “i’m family!” i’m pretty sure you still have to adhere to visiting hours.

“eric, i know i’ve been a terrible sister ... i’m so happy to see you!” that’s it? that’s the conversation?

I HATE HIS HAIR.

dan actually parents rufus.

i just find it SO funny that nate gets mad at chuck for sleeping with blair.

initiumseries’ favourite part of the entire series, chuck and nate taking the bus, the ONLY time we see them take the bus, just so they could meet dan.

“there is something wrong with that level of perfection, it needs to be violated” ew, chuck.

the narration is KILLING me. this is so dated but in the best way.

LMAO dan’s face when jenny just goes “hi, serena!” is hilarious.

nate’s disdain for blair is so pronounced, lmfao.

“maybe i should swipe some of my dad’s viagara, or my mom’s paxil?” i guess they didn’t know they’d kill chuck’s mom yet.

“you ever feel like our whole lives are planned out for us?” i mean they showed that briefly with the dartmouth conversation and they mentioned that he and blair had been together since kindergarten but no one shows the constraints of the ultra-wealthy like kdramas and their chaebol heirs.

blair is wearing too much makeup.

dan and jenny were actually kind of endearing in the beginning.

“i love it when you talk dirty” ohhhh i didn’t realize he said this to serena first, kinda diminishes the chair scene for me tbh.

“i’ve been drinking on an empty stomach” “heard you didn’t do that anymore” ok but how tho? because she JUST got back, it’s been a day or maybe two, she doesn’t have blair as a friend yet, she hasn’t been to any parties or events where we see her NOT be who she was before so where is this coming from?

*sees blair in lingerie* “wow.” nate, the only person who sounded less enthused is stefan when he told caroline he loved her, lmao this is terrible. 

ugh, chuck is terrible. the sexual assault we never talk about.

leighton does cry well.

OMG SERENA REMEMBERS DAN WHEN HE THOUGHT SHE WOULDN’T SHE IS SO DEEP AND THOUGHTFUL.

aww rufly! cute banter.

dan why would you wear that to a concert?

awww broody nate.

chuck is such a creep in this episode.

“or will c end up with another victim” lol k.

“serena van der woodsen ... oh, i dunno how i know that” lol peak parent.

“this is a date? maybe i should’ve worn my loafers” “HAHAHAHAHA” it’s not that funny, serena.

“what, better offer?” aww derena had their moments.

remember when dan went to look for jenny and then simultaneously sent a blast that serena showed up to the party?

i like how serena said she’d look for jenny and she’s just standing in one place.

“did you invite her?” “NO, GOD” nate, she has every reason to ask that question.

“you son of a---” i guess they couldn’t swear now.

dan, your sister was assaulted and you’re flirting with serena.

jenny gets assaulted but the ending is about serena saving her from being assaulted, lol k.

[thewhitefluffyhat]

No, Alina Isn’t Crazy

Let me explain...

When Alina was first introduced, I thought she was the character that made the least sense as an actual person rather than as a trope-y “mad artist” archetype.  But after the reveal of her backstory, I find her personality and motivations do make sense, especially when you consider the events of Alina’s Magical Girl Story from her perspective.  

Indeed, since that story’s release on JP, she’s quickly risen to become my favorite new character from Magia Record.  Hence why I’m posting this today - it’s another semi-Magia Rapport related post, haha.  Alina is definitely my favorite of the Forest element characters, and perhaps this essay will show a little of why that is.

Provocative title and Magia Rapport aside, though, what’s actually below the "Keep reading” is a close read analysis essay, specifically focused on Alina’s MGS.  (A lot of Holy Alina’s MGS serves to confirm and reinforce little points scattered throughout this too, but this post was long enough without it!)

Introduction

The theme of Alina’s own art might be “Alina’s beauty” and “life, death, and emotion/decay.”  But I would argue that the theme of her MGS as a when taken as a short story is “voyeurism and objectification at the cost of self-identity.”  Specifically, how Alina’s actions and personality are the logical conclusion to that concept taken to an extreme.

There’s one important truth to Alina’s world, and that is the idea that Alina’s art IS Alina.  We see it at the start – when she says her art is what she enjoys and what she grasps with her own hands.  We see it at the end – with her realization that her art’s theme is “Alina’s beauty.”

And at the end of the day, what MGS Alina most seems to want is to be left alone to do art, to be herself.  But who is Alina?

Alina the Teen Prodigy

Unfortunately for Alina, her fame gets in the way of figuring that out.  Such is the life of a teen prodigy.  As perhaps can be expected, constantly parading children under a spotlight is a great recipe for turning out extremely high-strung kids with very warped self-esteem.

(See also: Nemu, but especially Touka.)

The exchange regarding the award here is a good illustration of that mindset.  It might initially seem contradictory for Alina to work desperately hard to win an award that she later doesn’t want and claims she wasn’t aiming to win.  But once being “gifted” becomes central to your identity, winning an award doesn’t feel good anymore.  It feels more like running in place, just the bare minimum expected of you to maintain your identity as a genius.  And Alina’s perfectionism means she can’t not hold herself to that standard.

Indeed, Alina is already showing signs that she’s struggling under the pressure and overexposure.  Normally, Alina seems to love talking about art and her own works (as long as it isn’t about herself, anyway).  Arguing with her teacher and running away are far more of a bother and interfere with her ability to get back to painting far more than a quick meeting would have been.  Yet she curses at her teacher, bolts, and skips school rather than have to deal with the consequences of her fame again.

She’s irrationally lashing out, asserting her boundaries in whatever way she can. And with the way the characters react, this doesn’t even seem like the first time it’s happened, either...

Which suggests Alina’s problems with her fame also aren’t new.  When we first meet her, Alina is already a lot closer to a breakdown than she appears on the surface.

Having natural talent from an early age, Alina probably hasn’t learned how to deal with failure without spiraling into a full blown identity crisis.  As a perfectionist, she’s also hypersensitive to even the slightest mistake.  And given that she’s been famous for a few years at this point, her acting out is practically expected.

Just given the setting that she’s a well-known child prodigy, it’s not surprising that Alina has all these traits.

Alina’s Adults Are Useless

What is a bit disturbing, though, is that adults around Alina aren’t any help in protecting her from her fame.

Indeed, from what we see, the pattern is the opposite - over and over, the supposedly “responsible” adults in Alina’s life say her visibility matters more than her consent.  Her teacher pressures her into competitions she dislikes and then gets on her case when she pushes back.  Her parents put up her whole life story, including photos of her as a kid, without Alina’s approval or even permission. 

Jumping ahead, I think it’s rather telling that Alina manages to destroy all her art, commit suicide, and get rescued by a third party – and none of these adults even visit her.  A popular theory is that Alina’s parents are travelling in a different country.  But - did no one tell them?  Did they not care?  As it is, anything Alina does – even blatant red flags like destroying a classroom and her own art – is treated as just another work of artistic genius, to be advertised and exhibited.  

(Because apparently nothing says High Art like creep shots of a teenage girl having a mental breakdown.)

Of course, Alina isn’t being neglected or abused like Sana or Yuma.  Not even close.  But she’s not in a great situation either.  She doesn’t really have anyone she can turn to in a crisis.  The adults in her life mostly use her for their own ends, reinforcing that her worth is in her fame as an artist, not her value as a person.

Alina’s Peers Aren’t Much Better

Then, on a more subtle level, there are Alina’s peers.  Whenever she’s mentioned by people her own age, she’s either the subject of scary rumors or glowing admiration.  Other kids know her as a celebrity name to be idolized or feared, not a person.  

Before becoming a magical girl, the only person who actually makes an effort to befriend Alina is Karin.  But even she is initially caught up in the aura of Alina’s fame and contributes to the swirl of gossip around her.

The result is a situation where everyone around Alina has their own opinion on who she is.  No one seems to care or leave space for who Alina wants herself to be.  And Alina, not having a social life to fall back on, is increasingly left with “genius artist” as the only means she has to interact with the world.  It’s a self-reinforcing spiral.

The Critic’s Letter

First, what it’s not: this isn’t about Alina getting a bad review and not being able to handle criticism of her work.  She’s already won the competition.  And Alina is perfectionistic to unhealthy levels - she’s already her own worst critic.

Rather, the letter’s insinuations are both subtler and crueler.  As Alina says, the critic isn’t concerned with her artwork - he’s commenting on Alina as a person.   Thus, the critic’s words are the same pattern as before, now crystallized into its sharpest and purest form.

Alina’s internal sense of identity is precariously fragile.  Meanwhile, Alina’s external identity is being used as a canvas for other people’s desires.  Even though all Alina really wants is to create art for her own sake, other people obsess over and dump their own meaning (or lack of meaning) onto her works.

Once again, Alina’s art is conflated with Alina herself.  The person is being evaluated as a piece of art.

As if that wasn’t enough, the letter’s final insinuation that Alina is losing her brilliance is a triple threat.  If she can’t create great art, Alina loses the activity she enjoys most. She also loses the one thing she knows other people value her for.  And worst of all, she loses the only touchpoint she has for her sense of self.

Cue existential crisis.  Alina’s life is Alina’s art.  Alina’s art is Alina life.   Without one, she doesn’t have any concept of the other.  

And in the light of all this, her suicide makes perfect sense. 

Alina’s Suicide

Welcome to the literal and figurative objectification of Alina.  Literal, in that she’s turning into a corpse.  Figurative in that by putting her body up for display, she’s allowing people to voyeuristically consume it –  an idea further reinforced by the “Kusouzu / Nine Phases” reference in the title implying a tinge of sexual objectification as well. 

Now that she’s destroyed all of her previous works, the only thing Alina leaves her audience to look at is Alina herself.  Filming her body as it turns from a person into a dead object was simply the logical conclusion to a life of being displayed, objectified, and overwritten by others’ perceptions.  

But how does Alina feel about this ending?

The day of her suicide, Alina rushes around in a kind of manic euphoria.  This isn’t especially odd.  After all, it’s not uncommon for a suicidal person to outwardly appear happier before they make an attempt, as finally having a concrete plan of action can feel like a huge relief.  

Dying means a solution to Alina’s worries about her talent fading.  Dying also means an end to all the pressure, all the constant struggle of performing to ever-heightening expectations.  Alina can simply abandon the cases and tools once she’s done with them - no need to stress about the future when she won’t have one.

Alina’s farewell, though, betrays darker emotions.  It’s simultaneously deeply spiteful - “this is what you all wanted from me, are you happy now?” - yet also an admission of utter defeat.  Alina is giving up her very humanity and selfhood to be evaluated as whatever her audience wants.

Throughout the story, everyone keeps telling Alina that her art is intoxicating, pulling the viewer into it… but the reality is the exact opposite.  Alina’s art was just something Alina made for herself, and any intoxicating meaning was something the viewer injected into it.  

And thus, Alina’s revelation.  Alina’s theme is “Alina’s beauty” – both a rejection and an embrace of that objectification.  Now, Alina has declared that her art loudly and unabashedly about herself, viewer projection be damned.  And yet, at the same time, since “Alina” is what viewers are obsessed with seeing, then Alina will give them exactly what they want…

An Artistic Failure?

So then why does Alina consider her final art to be a failure?  It fits well within the theme of “Alina’s beauty.”   Indeed, her later works like “Humanity’s Implicit Reward” and even her swimsuit are arguably just softer variations of the “Alina’s body as forbidden yet alluring object for the viewer to consume” idea that is present here.

This suicide also seems to fit into the “life and death” motifs she has.  It’s a twisted kind of resurrection - effectively, she’s killing herself as a human in order to live on eternally as a memorable piece of art.

Alina plans her final work directly because she thinks she’s dying as a creator.  Rather than face her brilliance fading, she chooses to defy it by going out in a blaze of glory.  And when put that way, it’s an exciting and fitting conclusion.  

There’s just one little problem with that narrative...

While drifting between life and death, Alina realizes the critic was wrong.  She had a theme all along.  Alina’s brilliance wasn’t fading.

And thus, since she wasn’t a “dying artist,” her “going out in a blaze of glory” no longer holds any profound meaning.  She’s just a silly teenager who got too worked up over a harsh letter.

The overall concept behind Alina’s last work wasn’t the issue.  The failure was in the timing and execution, killing herself before such a thing had meaning and in a way such that her body would be found.

And so, I don’t think Alina has learned her lesson here.  I don’t think Karin’s words have gotten through to her yet.  If she concludes at a later point that her talent is truly is fading or that she’s lost her theme, I’d fully expect her to pull another suicidal stunt again.

Conclusion

So the good news: Alina lived!  She’ll have plenty more chances to create art and figure herself out!

But the bad news: Alina’s revelation implies she’s now even more reliant on her identity as a genius artist.  

And thus, like so many other characters, the end to Alina’s MGS isn’t really an ending. She hasn’t solved the problem at the heart of the crisis that led to her wish.  Becoming a magical girl and discovering witches does nothing to stop Alina from falling into another identity spiral, nor has she left her suicidal tendencies behind.

Alina found her theme, but she still hasn’t found herself.

Misc Details

Some other neat miscellaneous details that fit with this interpretation:

I’m glad the English translation keeps at least a little of the quirky way Alina refers to herself.  (That being said, in Japanese, it’s even more exaggerated - she doesn’t use normal first person pronouns at all, only using “Alina.” )

Because on the one hand, this is an obvious hint at her extreme narcissism: Alina’s sentences frequently emphasize her name.

On the other hand, it’s a great subtle detail to return to the theme of objectification.  To put it another way, Alina refers to herself in third-person.  That is, even when Alina is speaking about herself, she reflexively frames it from the point of view of another person.  Because Alina is constantly having other people’s perspectives forced onto her!

Also, it turns out the pattern of others projecting onto Alina is present in her witch as well!  “Old Dorothy” is a historical figure whose diaries have been analyzed by multiple different researchers.  Some of them came to the conclusion that Dorothy was definitely a witch, others came to the conclusion she was definitely a normal, upstanding member of her community.  The researchers got completely opposite results from the same exact diaries.  So therefore - did they truly care about learning what Dorothy was really like?  Or were they just out to prove their own theories?

(Two years in, Old Dorothy is even more fitting of a name.  Doroinu basically predicted the entire fan response to Alina.  Some people see her as an evil (w)itch, some people see her as a sympathetic figure - all from looking at the same text.

We’re even starting to see the “two sides” of Alina come up in the Main Story, with Karin’s subplot in Arc 2.)

Meanwhile, Old Dorothy’s form - a “paint tube” - carries both this “paint over with your perceptions” meaning while also suggesting the same story as Alina’s final piece in miniature.  

Unlike Izabel, Alina’s witch form isn’t that of an artist.  Because when Alina hits her lowest point of despair, she no longer considers herself to be an artist.  She believes the only value she has left is to become literal materials to create art.  

In other words, Old Dorothy is Alina turning herself into art again.  It’s just rainbow paint this time instead of red.

Last but not least: yes, I am absolutely aware of the irony of this essay.   Here I am rambling about how Alina’s story is all about her struggle to be herself while everyone seems determined to erase her in favor of their own projections – and yet  a good chunk of this interpretation is probably my projecting on her.   Whoops!

Still, even if you disagree with it, I hope this essay was interesting and maybe made you question some of your assumptions about Alina.  

Thanks for reading!

[rosaliekali]

Soulmate AU for IkeVamp with MC and Comte?

So writing for Comte is so hard because the timeline is so skewed, but I tried my best. This is not written to be true to history so bear in mind the inaccuracies and the modern language.

Contains spoilers to Comte’s route in JP and is a little angsty-ish?

The first time he meets her, she is the daughter of a Duke in an English court. Her family has decided to throw a lavish ball to flaunt their wealth. As a member of a powerful noble family in France, he is invited and taking the place of his father for the evening.

Meanwhile, her own father, a tall and proud man something-in-line for the British throne, welcomes Comte eagerly as he arrives at the Manor and a servant takes his coat. The year is 1335 and Europe is under Edward III. The British Duke clasps Comte’s hands eagerly.

“Monsieur, how brilliant you could join us! Has your father not come?” The Duke tilts his head and takes a step back.

Comte shifts uneasily and brushes a lock of his long hair behind his ear. His father has sent him in his stead. The British Duke is wealthy enough to be of importance in Europe, but not powerful enough to intrigue the Patriarch of a Pureblooded Family. Comte, expected to take his father’s place one day and join the ranks of the nobles, has been sent in his place. His family is hoping he will gain a shred of honor on this excursion and return ready to assume the mantle of a noble.

“Unfortunately, he feels ill,” Comte soothes and pretends to be apologetic, “His wishes are with you and your family.”

The British Duke quickly loses interest once another noble walks up. He makes a sound at the back of his throat and motions for Comte to enter the Manor. He can see a dance is starting deeper in the home and the festivities are well under way.

“Enjoy tonight!” The British Duke declares. He waves his hand at Comte and his Soulmate Stamp glitters in the candlelight. With a final smile, he hurries past Comte and joins another noble couple with the flourish of a host.

Comte makes a face and wishes he had been allowed to bring his friend Vlad with him. He toys with the buttons of his coat and makes his way inside. While humanity intrigues him, the role of the nobility does not. His family may want him to become a well-bred Pureblood like the fussy men his father often dines with, but the world of customs and propriety is a boring one.

Fiddling with the sleeve of his jacket, he absentmindedly traces the words inked on his own skin from birth. Like the human Duke, he too has a Soulmate Stamp, a mark depicting the first words his True Intended will ever say to him. On his wrist are the words, Pardon, Monsieur.

Comte has yet to meet his Intended yet, has no idea if they have even been born given the long lifespan of a Pureblood, and a part of him is relieved he does not know who they are. The thought of tying himself to just one person when there is an entire world out there of women seeking company and waiting to be wooed is not one he appreciates. He has seldom turned 21 by human standards, is nothing but an infant in vampire standards, and settling down is not on the forefront of his mind. Not to mention his family, as Purebloods, has raised him to understand that any Intended that is human will never work. To be tied to a human would be a cruel fate.

No, he’d much rather enjoy life and get up to no good with Vlad and a few of the prettier women in Europe that will be temporary distractions with no strings attached.

The music is in full swing when he enters the dance hall, most of the eligible ladies have already been partnered for the evening. Comte stands by the doorway with his arms clasped respectfully behind his back. He feels out of place among the humans. While he loves humanity, he does find their never-ending need for rules a bother.

If only Vlad had joined him, he thinks, his oldest friend could turn any activity into something fun. Vlad would shine in a party like this, he would make Comte laugh as he teased the stuffy older men and winked at the young ladies seeking dance partners, and then they would probably find someone to bring home for the night. The taste of blood freshly drawn from its source was very satisfying after all.

As the waltz draws to a close and Comte glances at his pocket watch wondering if his father would be upset if he left before making rounds around the hall, the British Duke arrives again. Accompanying him is his wife and young daughter. They take their stand at the foot of the steps and the Duke calls for attention.Comte tries not to yawn into his hand as the Duke delivers a speech thanking his guests and how he hopes they will have fun. Lately, balls have been all the rage in Europe. Anyone who has money and a title to pair it with seems to want to throw one. Comte is long past over any festivity that demands he follow a noble code.

When the Duke is finished, he raises his hand in a toast. His Soulmate Stamp is visible on his arm as his wife joins his side yet their Stamps do not match. Like every other Noble, they do not marry off a mark. Humans, especially those who fancy themselves wanting to marry above their station, ignore Soulmate Stamps all together. In the world of the Nobility, marriages are a business transaction used for elevation. A Soulmate Stamp is nothing but a fancy birthmark.

The Duke and his guests toast to each other and Duke’s young daughter hangs back uneasily. A girl of about his age, she remains quiet and offers a timid smile to anyone who glances her way.

When the Duke descends the staircase, the music picks up again and another song leads the couples to the dance floor. Feeling bored, Comte decides this is his chance to escape. The hour is not so late, if he leaves now perhaps he can find Vlad and they can go to a much livelier atmosphere with attractive company and strong liquor.

Just as he raises his hand to beckon a servant for his coat, his arm slams into something light. A sudden gasp makes him turn and the daughter of the Duke is behind him. It seems he has accidentally hurt her.

“Pardon, Monsieur,” a timid voice apologizes.

Right as the words leave her lips, a sudden burning light lights up the inside of his wrist on his Stamp and a sweet scent floats towards him. Startled, Comte takes a half step back. His arm goes to his Soulmate Stamp and his fingers press to the burning skin there in utter shock.

“The fault is mine,” he echoes without thinking, and the young girl tenses in place. Her hand goes to her own wrist and Comte can see a light emitting from underneath the long sleeves of her gown.

For a moment, neither speak. The girl seems startled, color flushing on her cheeks, and Comte tries to think of what to do. Meeting his Soulmate was inevitable at some point in his long life, but he wishes he had paid more attention to what to do once it occurred. His father had tried to teach him multiple times how to deflect from this very occurrence, warning him that any Soulmate that was not a Pureblood would be a Failed Match-that is a match that was rejected-but Comte had seldom listened. Now, he regrets it.

“Are you-?”

He cuts himself off with a growing feeling of unease. The mark is still burning faintly on his wrist and the girl looks like a startled doe. It seems she similarly shares his apprehension over meeting now.

Nobles are taught to not like their Soulmate Stamp, Comte recalls from his tutoring. Human nobles see marriage as a transaction for profit, they marry for advancement and income. It is rare for a person to be wed to a Soulmate. Marriages in Europe do not consider Soulmate Stamps as something of importance, his own parents do not have matching Stamps, and they instill in their children the belief that a Stamp is an unfortunate event.

“My name is Eleanor,” the girl says. She worries her fingers over her sleeve and glances around her. The people around them seem oblivious to the exchange, not that they’d care had they been privy to it, Comte knows. Soulmates are boring to nobles; they’d probably just gossip about yet another Failed Match.

Realizing that she is still expecting a response, Comte clears his throat. Briefly, he wonders if he should give her his true name, the name he only shares with his family and Vlad, then decides against it. He feels uncomfortable enough as it is and there is no hope for anything to transpire between them.

In fact, he does not want anything to transpire between them.

She is a human, he realizes. Her blood smells sweet and it takes every ounce of restraint he has to look away. Humans and vampires are a Failed Match from the beginning, his father will never agree to any union between them. Although his family could potentially sweet talk the British Duke into allowing his daughter to marry her Soulmate, his family would never pull strings for someone who could not give them the Pureblooded grandchild they want and even less for someone that would die with a few passing decades.

The girl, Eleanor, must realize it is a Failed Match between them too because she seems uncomfortable. Her fists tighten against her sleeve and she clasps her mouth tightly together. To meet a Soulmate as a noble girl with no say in marriage or reputation to spare for an affair is a tragedy.

“Comte de Saint-Germain,” Comte answers at last. He looks away as the dance around them draws to a close. The scent of her blood is strong, makes him feel thirsty, and the entire night has been soured. He is not ready to meet his Intended yet, especially if she is a Failed Match. 

The girl inclines her head and does a half-curtsy. She blinks and Comte realizes she looks distraught. She moves her skirts and nods at him. Her every movement tense, she moves to sidestep him.

This is what should be done, he knows. Soulmates are nothing but an inconvenience for those of noble birth. He should just say goodnight to her and move away. She will be wed off to the highest bidder soon, he has an entire eternity to live, and there is no hope for any match.

Still, a part of him demands he move. Without thinking, he calls her name and extends a hand towards her. Eleanor freezes, startled, and Comte does not allow himself time to think. Turning his palm up with a flourish and bowing the way his tutor showed him as a child, he clears his throat.

“May I have this dance?” Comte inquires.

Eleanor glances around her, visibly upset, but knows better than to reject a dance from someone so important. She takes his hand hesitantly and their Stamps light up in acknowledgement all over again.

A twist of the knife for both, Comte realizes.

Despite the Stamps beckoning them together, society is a wedge keeping them apart. One dance is all they can afford with a Failed Match. Afterwards, they will have to go their separate ways and ignore the way their Stamps want them to meet again.

He leads her to the center of the ballroom where another lively dance is starting. Comte is grateful for the music serving as a distraction. He may be a lousy noble by his family’s standards, but he knows how to dance like the best among them.

Eleanor does too, he realizes, as she keeps up with his every move. Her eyes, a pale green, look in every direction but at him. Her mouth is pressed thin and she looks like she wishes she could leave.

For her, it must be painful to have met her Failed Match. Afterall, a human has only one match in their short lives. She must have daydreamed about meeting him as a child only to grow up and be told her Stamp did not matter. For a young girl growing up with a romantic fantasy of what could never be, the realization that life was unjust must be very difficult. Comte, at the very least, was never allowed to dwell on the possibility by his father at all. For him, tonight is nothing more than just a bitter memory that centuries will surely scrub away.

“You dance well,” he voices. He glances away from her at the many dancing couples. No one around them has a matching Stamp. All of them are Failed Matches united only by propriety and a desire to advance.

“As do you, Monsieur.”

Eleanor meets his eyes for half a second before looking away. Her scent is slowly starting to become stronger. He forces himself to relax the way his father taught him, allow the blood lust to fade away, and counts the beats until the song begins dragging out its last notes.

Once the dance draws to a close, he bows formally. Releasing her hand, he feels a dull ache over his Stamp. The connection between them wants them closer, he realizes, it wants them to acknowledge each other and live out a happily ever after. Unfortunately, the world has different plans.

Eager to get away, Comte makes an excuse about the hour being late and moves aside. Preparing to leave, he startles when a small hand catches on to his sleeve.

Turning in surprise, he realizes Eleanor has taken a hold of his arm. He raises an eyebrow as she drops his hand. Their Soulmate Stamp aches for the contact but she makes no move to touch him again. Her skin flushes and she evades his gaze.

“M-May I write to you?”

It is a bold ask, they both know writing will only make everything seem worse, yet Comte doesn’t outright refuse. The best thing for them both is to go their separate ways. Eleanor should marry a man-a human man-who her family selects, she should forget all about her Failed Match and live the rest of her short life in comfort wedded to a wealthy man like every other noble girl. Comte should go back home and forget all about his first human Failed Match, should allow his family to select a Pureblooded Bride for him who he will wed and continue the line, and should not let a human of all things take up his time-

Yet he feels rebellious. Perhaps it is because he wants to disobey his father, perhaps it is because he wants to break some rules in polite society, or perhaps he just wants some more time to get to know his current Intended, either way, he finds himself nodding.

“You may,” he presses a hand to his immortal heart, “I will respond.”

–

In the end, their letters are nothing but a brief hobby. The first letter arrives months after the ball, Eleanor writes a small letter full of polite platitudes, and Comte responds with his own detached words. Vlad urges him to write more, really get to know his Intended, but they are both aware that a Failed Match is a Failed Match.

After a year of correspondence, his father forces him to stop. Eleanor, he tells him, has married a Spanish Lord and any more correspondence between a married woman and a bachelor-especially that of a Failed Match-is improper. 

Comte sends his final letter, a brief farewell wishing her the best in her marriage, then sets his quill down and runs a hand through his long hair.

Vlad, beside him, purses his lips. His old friend rubs his own Soulmate Stamp absentmindedly and Comte is envious of how he has not met his Failed Match yet.

“Does it hurt?” Vlad tilts his head at Comte’s Soulmate Stamp.

Since saying goodbye to Eleanor, the mark has been a constant dull ache. Comte awaits the moment when Eleanor’s short life ends, and the mark leaves him alone.

“It will go away soon enough,” Comte feigns boredom, “Give it a few decades.”Vlad says nothing in response and the two of them look away from each other. 

They have been raised to know better than to hope for a True Match when it comes to Soulmates. In their immortal lives, there will certainly be several heartaches.

In the end, Comte is wrong.

It takes only another 3 years for his Soulmate Stamp to stop hurting. The pain finally fades when the Black Death ravages Europe. Quarantining with his family in their estate, a letter reaches him from an old acquaintance. Eleanor and her husband have died of the plague.

Vlad offers him a sympathetic look as he reads over his shoulder, and Comte tosses the letter to the side feigning disinterest. Standing up, he suggests they practice sparring as a distraction.

–

It is about another 100 years before he meets his Intended again. The year is 1440 and he and Vlad are in France. They have just left a ball thrown by another Noble and are still decked out in full formal gear. Vlad swings an arm around his shoulder and laughs in Comte’s ear. His breath smells of liquor yet his steps are even as he walks.

“Shall we find a pretty thing to dine on for the night or just go home?” Vlad asks.

Comte gives a disinterested response and glances down at his pocket watch. The hour grows late and the moon is in full view. He beckons a carriage over for the two of them.

“Tomorrow. I’m too tired for tonight,” he states. Vlad shrugs and puts his hands in his pocket. His Soulmate Stamp still emits a faint glow.

Vlad had the misfortune of meeting his first Failed Match a few years ago, Comte recalls. She was a pretty thing who Vlad met while traveling. A Gaelic girl with a melodic voice and big red curls. Vlad almost chased after her, despite the warnings of his family, before Comte talked him out of it. His Intended was human, would no doubt live barely another decade as was the nature of humans, and Vlad would be worse for it.

Climbing into the carriage, Vlad yawns into his hand. He stretches out and tilts his head back.

“We should go to that tavern you like tomorrow, I bet there is at least one good brawl before the night is over,” Vlad closes his eyes lazily, “Or at least one pretty skirt willing to be fed on.”

Comte makes a sound at the back of his throat in amusement as his friend begins to doze off, he leans his forehead against the carriage window as the roads become cobble. They are now moving through the harshest parts of Paris, the ones nobles know better than to frequent, and he peels the thin curtain back. The streets are too dark to make anything out except for a misty fog. 

Disinterested, he drops the curtain and shoves Vlad’s leg aside to make more room for himself. His friend kicks him in response and yawns again into his arm.

“What do you think Margarette of Scotland would do if I asked her to dance?” Vlad inquires, lips turned in a smirk.

Comte raises an eyebrow in amusement. “You? Dance with the Queen? Don’t flatter yourself, mon amie. She probably has a whole line of men asking for her hand. The odds of you coming anywhere near here are about as great as the odds that my father will stop asking me to marry.”

Vlad rolls his eyes and gives Comte a good natured kick again. Tempted to hit him with his cane in response, Comte raises his arm ready to strike-

When the carriage slows to a stop.

“We are stopping,” Comte remarks. Vlad sits up straight and peeks out the window. They are still in the worst parts of town, they both realize, Vlad grimaces.

The driver of the carriage calls for them to sit back while he adjusts the harnesses of the horse. Vlad and Comte don’t bother to listen. Throwing open the carriage door, they both descend and look around.

It is hardly past midnight and the air is cool. Comte tightens his coat around him as he taps his cane on the ground. Vlad’s breath comes out in a chilly fog.

“Do you hear that?” He turns to Comte with his eyes narrowed.

It takes Comte a moment to realize what he means. To the left of them, deeper into the rougher parts of the town, a woman is shouting. He and Vlad give each other a half glance before rushing towards the sound.

Deeper into the poverty district, they can hear a woman argue. When they round a street, they see a man clearly intoxicated and a young girl around their age in human years trying to move away from him. She is dressed in clothing of ill repute, Comte does not have to guess what her profession is or why she is out this late at night with a stranger, and she bats at the man’s hand away with a scowl on her face.

“Is there a problem?” Vlad’s voice echoes in the night.

At the sound of company, the man startles. Letting go of the woman’s hand, he spins around. His countenance is very much intoxicated and his voice slurs. 

“Who are you?”

Free of him, the woman shrugs his arm and wraps a thin cloak around herself. Her dark eyes are fierce with anger.

“I think you’ve had too much to drink,” Comte smoothly tells the man. He puts a smile on his face, the sort he uses when he wants to hide his irritation with important people, and places a hand on his heart.

The man smells thickly of liquor as Vlad takes a step forward. His gold eyes are hard and the smile on his face isn’t as reassuring as Comte’s. “Perhaps we should take a coach home, da? The hour grows late. One would not want to be caught here.”

The girl huffs and smooths out the creases in her cloak. She regards the three of them with disgust and braces herself against the frigid air.

“Pardon, Monsieur,” she states. She stalks past Comte the moment he feels his Stamp begin to burn and light up.

The sheer shock of it all makes him freeze. His hand goes to his arm where his Stamp has lit up again in a hundred years and he feels some of the color draining from his face.

Another Failed Match so soon?

“Wait, you-“

He cuts himself off, but the damage has already been done. As soon as he has spoken, her own Stamp has lit up. Even with the cloak covering her arms, the light is evident peeking out the fabric.

The girl freezes mid-step but does not turn around. Her hand cups the inside of her wrist and her entire body goes rigid.

The night suddenly becomes quiet. Vlad, now supporting the drunken man with an arm around his back, turns to look at Comte. His gold eyes are narrowed as if waiting for Comte to make a move.

Comte feels a cold pit form in his stomach.

To have found a second Failed Match in just a hundred years is the epitome of bad luck. Fate has played a mockery of him yet again. His Intended is a human once more and a human of a different class than he. While he could have potentially married her the first time as both members of the Noble class, this union would be impossible. A woman of ill repute and a high-born Noblemen together would have made for a scandal that would have rocked Europe like no other.

The girl must realize it too because she doesn’t turn to look back. It seems she has already made up her mind as to what will transpire between them. Europe has still not embraced the custom of Soulmate Stamps and its people still think of them as awful things. Like the other human girls, and with more on the line as someone who cannot afford to have a partner in her profession, she despises it.

Vlad elbows him in the ribs and the gesture brings him back. Comte realizes that he has been frozen staring at the girl in shock. His Stamp aches and the light is starting to turn into something less bright.

“Mademoiselle, shall we give you a ride back home?” He throws Comte a look, “It is not safe for a lady to walk on her own.”

The girl makes a sound at the back of her throat and turns to regard them for the first time. Her eyes are a dark brown, Comte realizes, a nice, rich color. His throat begins to feel tight as a rustling breeze drifts her scent over. Like the first time, her scent is something incredibly sweet and alluring. He has to look away.

“Non,” she draws the hood over her dark hair and looks away, “Not necessary.”

She turns to walk away and Vlad elbows Comte again. His friend is waiting on him to say something, perhaps ask the girl to reconsider, but Comte already feels uncomfortable enough. Comte is not Vlad. Vlad may have been tempted to run off with his Intended upon first meeting her, but Comte knows a Failed Match is a Failed Match.

Since his childhood, his family has allowed humans to be in contact with him. Comte was raised and educated by human tutors who he learned to care for and had human governesses who gave him all the love of a mother for as long as his family could risk. He has loved and he has lost, and he does not need the heartbreak of a Failed Match to torment him in the sleepless nights he spends. 

Perhaps Vlad could let himself lose, but Comte refuses to do so.

“Bonne nuit,” Comte finally voices out. He turns around and does not wait for a response. Sticking his hands in his coat and tapping the cane on the ground as he walks, he turns his back on his second Failed Match and hopes once more it’s his last.

Just behind him, so quiet he almost believes he imagined it, he hears his Intended whisper it back before disappearing into the shadows.

–

Back at the carriage, Vlad joins him after dumping the intoxicated man at his home. He eyes Comte wearily as Comte traces his Stamp still glowing a faint light. A dull ache throbs on his wrist and Vlad raises an eyebrow.

“We can find her?” He tilts his head waiting for a response.

Comte turns his back and stares out the window as the carriage begins to roll along. He squeezes his hand into a fist and wonders how long it will be before his Stamp stops aching. 5 years? 10? 

“No.”

The response is quiet and thankfully Vlad knows better than to prod. He clambers into the seat next to Comte and they both try to forget the encounter.

In the end, it only takes 5 years for the mark to stop aching. 

–

A field of roses blankets their vision. Vlad is laying down on the grass and his gold eyes are watching the fading sun with a hard expression. Comte sits next to him leaning back on his hands. 

They are both quiet, watching the sun go down, and Comte bites down on the inside of his cheek.

Vlad is in mourning. 

A year ago, while traveling Russia, he met his Intended a second time. She was a beautiful Slavic girl named Zofeia. Unlike Comte who has learned to turn away each Failed Match and forget them the way a Pureblood is to forget every human match, Vlad refuses to learn the lesson. He chased after her and wedded her in a private ceremony. According to Vlad, she was a loving girl who had eyes the color of the bright sky and made him strawberry pastries. He taught Vlad to garden and brightened up his immortal life for a year-

Up until a disease ripped her away. She died in Vlad’s arms and the Pureblood returned to France with a deep melancholy and a dim Stamp.Comte pities him. 

Vlad was always the more sensitive of the two when it came to humans. Vlad loved humanity every bit as much as Comte, but he had largely been shielded of the pain of losing those he cared about. While Comte’s family hired human staff and allowed humans to befriend Comte, Vlad was raised by his family with only Lesser Vampires for company. His family only interacted with other Purebloods and Vampires and Vlad had never truly learned to say goodbye to humans. While Comte has been careful in turning away his Intended each time, Vlad has always let himself get too close. Perhaps after this Failed Match he will learn to not let humans in. To have to say goodbye to someone you loved…

No, Comte was better off alone until his Intended introduced themselves as a Pureblood.

After a long pause of silence, Vlad finally speaks up. While his voice sounds even, as if nothing is the matter, the sadness in his gold eyes speaks volumes. Comte knows the wounds of loss are still too fresh. 

“I believe in a world where humans and vampires can coexist. A world where we can all live together in unity and equality…” 

He lets his voice drift off and his fingers reach out to a rose in full bloom. He strokes the petals and Comte glances at him from the corner of his eye.

“Do you still think humans and vampires can coexist?” He tries not to let the surprise register on his face. After the pain Vlad has just endured…he still wants to believe in the impossible?

“Of course. I have decided I will always love humans,” Vlad responds. His fingers trace his Stamp idly. The skin there has ceased glowing and now looks dull in the fading sunlight. A testament to his loss…now a signature of his vow.

“Humans will die. They are not eternal. Time flows differently between us, Vlad, they will leave our sides with time,” Comte responds. 

He recalls his Intended each time she has graced his presence. He has met her as an English noblewoman with doe eyes and a shy demeanor, and a French woman of ill repute with fierce eyes and independent nature. He will undoubtedly meet her again and again, each time different, through his immortal life, but he has long decided he will never allow her near.

His family may have been ruthless in their dismissal of human staff and ruthless in the way they allowed every human he ever cared for leave without so much as a goodbye, but at the very least they were honest. Humans were fragile things who lasted less than the lifespan of a rose. They would age and they would die, and the loss of an Intended he allowed himself to love was too great for him to imagine. 

The fact that Vlad, at his side, had lived it before and still believed the pain was worth it was as poetic as it was pathetic. 

Still, Comte closes his eyes and recalls every human he has loved as a child. 

The elderly tutor that had gifted him his pocket watch and treated him as a son, the young governess with a brilliant smile that had raised him as if he were her own, the butler his father had hired when he was young that would make him laugh with his stories, the maid his mother had hired that would sing Comte to sleep as a child and was the only one who could soothe him during his tantrums…

Each human, each temporary. They had all left him once and he had been devastated by their loss. Comte could not imagine what losing a Soulmate would do to him. Vlad was stronger and much braver than he.

“Humans are beautiful,” he said at last, “Their ephemeral quality makes them beautiful, like roses, but they fade faster than the flowers. They are a different species from us, and I should have listened to my family as a child. My family tried telling me every time I cried over a human caretaker being dismissed that an eternal life was a life of goodbyes.”

Vlad turns to him and his fingers tighten over the mark on his wrist. 

“I do not care. I have decided to love a human’s ephemeral moments too. They bring joy even if it is only temporary.”

Comte was willing to give him that much. “True, it is their mortality that allows them to shine even if only temporary.”

A silence reigns over them both and they dwell on everything. Vlad on the Intended he just lost and Comte on the ones he never allowed himself to meet. Finally, Vlad stands, and the stars illuminate his silhouette. 

“Would you close yourself off then? Never allow a human to come near you?”

“No, that is not possible. I cannot avoid humans forever; I will have to be near them at some point. Even if I tell myself I will only visit Purebloods and will marry someone my family wants me to, I will never be able to avoid humans all together. Fate will always have a different plan,” Comte stands.

His Soulmate Stamp seems to mock him in the moonlight. He might want to close himself from humans forever, but his Soulmate will always find him someway or another. Avoiding is futile, the best he can do is to simply ignore it.

Vlad gives his back to Comte and stares up at the moon and stars newly reigning over the horizon. His hand with his dim Stamp drops to his side and his jaw locks. Suddenly having made up his mind of something, he spins around.

“What if we could prolong human life? Bring back great humans so that their gifts will extend the test of time and can brighten the world,” He walks towards Comte and his eyes have taken on a new light, “Create life that will withstand time? A rose that never withers?”

Staring at him, Comte raises his eyes. “A rose that never withers?”

The corners of Vlad’s mouth turn up and he grabs his hand, shaking it. A sealed promise. An agreed upon vow.

“Let’s make it together. A rose that never withers.”

–

Centuries after that fateful decision, Comte sits next to a new friend. Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian polymath and Pureblood, joins him for a smoke on a balcony of a newly furnished mansion. Vlad has long since become a stain on Comte’s memory and the relationship between the two has soured. The only remnant of their friendship is a door that can travel through time. Comte intends to use it soon to bring back his first prolonged human life, a famous playwright named Shakespeare.

Leonardo leans against the railing of the balcony and the smoke seeps out of his mouth. He raises his hand to brush his hair back and his Stamp is illuminated in the moonlight. Unlike Comte who has seen his Stamp light up over and over, Leonardo has yet to meet his first Failed Match. Comte is almost envious.

“Still haven’t met your Intended?” Comte needles and he holds his cigar a loft.

He’s been doing that a lot lately, he realizes, smoking. Leonardo likes to mock him although the Italian freeloader taking advantage of Comte’s hospitality certainly could do with looking in a mirror and recognizing his own smoking habit.

Leonardo glances at Comte and shoves his hands into his coat hiding his Stamp from view. 

“Nah, I never want to. One partner for all eternity seems like too much work.”

Comte makes a sound at the back of his throat. “I pity the poor girl who has your Stamp wherever she may be or whenever she may be. I would never recommend you as a prospective match.”

Leonardo shoves him in response. He leans against the railing and clenches his jaw. Thinking hard, he finally decides to return the question in kind. 

“How many times have you met her?” He tilts his head to the side.

Comte takes his time answering. A myriad of names and faces clouds his vision and he can almost feel his Stamp ache if he dwells on them too long. Failed Match after Failed Match. Too many already. 

A British Noble girl, A French Lady of the Night, An Egyptian peasant, a British nurse during wartime, an American creole recently freed from bondage…and so many more he has never allowed himself to get close to. Failed Match after Failed Match. For some, he does not even have a name to a face. for others, he does not even remember how long ago it was. 

They all blend together, at some point, when your life is an endless stream of failed encounters and goodbyes.

“Too many,” Comte finally answers.

His voice is final, closed off, and Leonardo knows better than to pry. The Italian gives him a look of almost sympathy before obscuring his emotions from view and raising the cigar back to his lips. The topic of conversation dies away just like every Failed Match of his has in the past.

--

By now, Comte has lost count of the Failed Matches he has encountered. His Intended has come and gone in many forms and each of them he has kept at an arm’s length never wanting them near. He has long since decided to ice his heart and not allow them in the way Vlad has in the past.

Instead, he fills his time with a makeshift family he has created for himself. His home is full of Residents collected from different time periods. Writers, musicians, geniuses, and soldiers. He welcomes them all into his home and creates a family out of them. All men who have never met their Intended either, careful to bring back only those who consent, and those who are willing to taste immortality however briefly. Pretty soon, his home is full of lively discussion and the occasional argument he must break up like the father of a mansion.

He travels time and meets new people. He has ventured to all time periods, even those in the future, and has met so many new people. His Stamp has become nothing but a bother at this point.

Europe may have changed its attitude towards Soulmates, cultural revolutions have now embraced and promoted the ideal in media, but Comte refuses to be swayed. After centuries of goodbyes, he learns to keep it all at arm’s length.

The Louvre is his current destination. After a month in the future, he is ready to return home to his little quaint family and have their dinner together. He can see the door leading back to his estate at the back row of exhibits.

Still, something makes him stop. Something gold glitters at his feet and he bends down to pick it up. A pretty earring in the shape of a half moon crescent. Comte stares down at it in his palm and has only to turn his head to find its owner.

A young woman stands with her back to him. She stares at a painting and makes no notice that one of her ears is missing a piece.

Comte walks up to her and his Stamp begins to itch. The air seems to shift but he’s long ago learned to stop paying attention to it. The young woman remarks about the size of the painting before her quietly to herself. 

Comte walks up to her side. “Did you know, it’s the second largest painting in the Louvre.”

Surprised, the woman turns around. She’s pretty, Comte realizes, with Auburn hair. A tourist. She holds a smartphone in her hand, and Comte’s eyes are drawn to her wrist. 

A light has lit up on her wrist and her Stamp begins to spark. He feels his own Stamp respond in kind just as she opens her mouth and repeats the same phrase she has said repeatedly each time in different lifetimes.

“Pardon, Monsieur?” Mystified, she blinks brown eyes up at him. 

Used to meeting his Intended, Comte ignores the burning in his wrist and extends her earring to her. He hopes his face is neutral, showing nothing, and that she will not try to keep him longer. He has long since sworn to himself he would never let her get close if she were a human.

“I knew it, this earring belongs to you.”

He deposits the piece of jewelry into her palm as her fingers fly to her ear. She asks herself when she lost it yet her eyes are still startled. It is as if she believes herself in a dream, Comte realizes, cannot begin to comprehend her Intended is before her.

“If you hold still, Mademoiselle,” he suggests. Not waiting for her reply, he takes the earring and adjusts it for her tightening the backing to her ear. 

Up close, he can sense her. His Stamp flares at the contact and he tries to ignore the way she tenses. Her scent drifts up, a sweet smell, and he forces himself to step away. Centuries of saying goodbye have made him rather good at evading her. Practice makes perfect.

“That’s a lovely fragrance,” he murmurs. He knows it by memory, the smell of her blood never changes despite the lifetime she meets him in. 

“T-thank you, I bought it in Paris,” the girl blinks up at him dazed. 

Her fingers clench tightly unto her own Stamp. She struggles to find a way to broach the topic, tries to find something to say to her Intended who she has no doubt fantasized meeting her entire short, short life-

Comte turns away. 

“Oh, but I wasn’t referring to your perfume,” he looks back towards the door and ignores the way his Stamp begins to ache, “Bon voyage.”

The girl balks at him and tries to stop him. Her eyes are wide and her Stamp is still glowing stark against her skin. Comte briefly wonders how long his will glow before her life ends and it loses its color. 50 years? 60?

Either way, he is uninterested in finding out. Ignoring her calling for him to stop, he shoves his hands in his coat and tells himself she is nothing but another Failed Match. Fate has seen fit to torment him once more.

Walking towards the door, he fails to realize the girl has taken chase and will follow him into another time period.

It seems this Match intends to be True.

[obliviatemick]

Ben Hardy Fanfiction | When I Kissed You p. 3

❤ Chapter 3. The Party.

Word count: 1511 words.

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therealbarbxx enjoying my only night in NYC 🍎 this dress makes me look fat?

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colesprouse finally!!!! any lads making you company? (liked by lilireinhart)

therealbarbxx @_tonybel none of your business, dork...

colesprousel @therealbarbxx @lilireinhart baby, come defend your man!

elliebamber_ stunning, darling! 🔥 (liked by you)

Narrator's POV.

The place was packed.

Ben and Barbara had arrived in Ben's car and now he'd left her alone to look for his friend. She stared at the decoration trying not to open her mouth in awe. There was everything you would expect from a NY party: red flowers in magnificent white pots that were lined up in front of every wall, tables full of silver plates with the most expensive looking snacks, fountains that were definitely not full of fruit punch and baskets serving what looked like French patisserie, purple lights that made everything and everyone look eerie yet elegant and sexy... Barb thanked the gods she had bought the dresses she tried on before.

She felt tempted to try one of those French desserts, she stretched an arm and someone snickered behind her back. A group of girls staring at her, whispering and giggling. She reached for the glasses instead and helped herself a drink from the bubbly liquid. It was delicious, she couldn't put her finger on what exactly it was though. Something mixed with strawberry.

"Ah, you found the fountain!", a skinny man with brown hair talked. "Be careful, miss... Some of my funniest moments came after drinking too much of this", he looked familiar, but Barb didn't know from where.

Ben laughed and hugged him by the shoulders.

"Barbs, this is the guy I told you about..."

"Ohhh, you were talking about me, Benny boy?", the guy gave Ben love eyes.

"All the time, babes!", the man said "awwww" and engulfed him in a tight hug.

What the fuuuuuckkk?, she thought. The guys seemed to know each other very well, Ben seemed happy and comfortable around the new guy. They soon started talking low and laughing at inside jokes. Until the girl cleared her throat...

"Ahhh, and you are?"

"The name's Barbara! And don't worry I won't steal your man from you, dude."

"That's what everybody says, but truth is...", he leaned to whisper in her ear. "Ben's a slut!" she almost spits her drink.

"Hey, man! What you saying about me?"

"Just the usual, baby!", he played hurt, a hand on his chest and all that. Barbs instantly loved him!

"Yeah, whatever... Barbs, this is-"

"The kid from Jurassic Park!", she chirped. She finally recognized him and was immediately star struck! "OMG, I'm a huge fan!"

"Oh, God! When will I get rid of this curse, Ben? WHEEEEN?", he put in a disgusted face and screamed dramatically.

"Oh... I'm sorry! Don't you like when people recognize you from that?"

"What? No! I love it!", he grabbed her arm and started walking. "Come, walk with me"

Barbara turned her head to give Ben a confused look. He just snickered and shrugged.

"Ummm, I don't get it"

"Baby, I was just pulling your leg! Recognize me from JP, The Pacific, a Cheerio's commercial... I don't care where from!"

"Roger that!" they were walking to a whole separate room on the other side of the venue. "And... where exactly are you taking me? I thought I was here with Ben"

"Wha-? And I thought you'd said you wouldn't mess with my man, bitch!"

"Heeeeey! I mean, not that I'm no bitch, but wtf?!", he laughed and squeezed her arm.

"Takes one to know one", a wink. "I'm taking you to meet the squad before you drown on that champagne and start taking your dress off"

"Oh, good idea!", she nodded and brought the drink to her lips.

"And btw, my name's Joe"

⭐

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benhardy Last night in NYC was a blast! These two guys asked me for a picture and it turned out weirder than I expected...

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joe_mazzello I thought you liked when I chained you up?

benhardy @joe_mazzello excuse me, sir! There are kids on this app

mrgwilymlee why am I not in this photo?

joe_mazzello @mrgwilymlee sorry, m8 only bros allowed

lucyboynton1 dorks

benhardy @lucyboynton1 @ramimalek are you gonna let her talk to us like that?!

ramimalek @benhardy you didn't include me in the pic so YES!

lucyboynton1 @ramimalek 😜

Barb's POV

"OH. MY. GOD."

I don't know how it happened, but from one moment to another I was sitting ON TOP OF A 20-STORY BUILDING with the one and only, the OSCAR WINNER Rami Malek himself and the rest of the cast of Bohemian Rhapsody, the biopic based on Freddy Mercury's life.

"Why didn't you tell me you were in BhoRap?!"

"I thought you already knew", Ben said matter of factly. "I mean, I played Roger Taylor, how could you have missed that?"

"Yeah, I must've fallen asleep during your parts", the boys laughed at my comment and Joe yelled:

"ROASTEEEDD!", Ben just rolled his eyes at me.

"Ben's famous for not telling girls his roles", Gwilym broke in. "But I'm pretty sure you remember him as Warren."

"Warren?"

"X-Men?", Joe added with a hiccup. It wasn't even midnight and he was already drunk.

"Oh, no. I was never a big fan of X-MEN"

"What about The Pacific?" Rami slid in the conversation. A simultaneous UGHHH filled the table.

"Man, not again!", Gwilym slouched back with both hands on his head.

"Why?" I asked "What's with The Pacific?"

"Nononono, DON'T ASK!", that was drunk Joe pointing a finger at me.

"Well, Barbara... Let me tell you the story of how I was casted in The Pacific miniseries", collective UGHHH again. "Do you want the long version or the short one?"

"None of them, man!"

"C'mon! You'll scare her off..."

"Long version it is, then!"

In the middle of that mess, I caught Ben eyeing someone on the other side of the room. I followed his sight and found a blonde girl standing near the entrance, she craned her neck as if she were looking for someone. Suddenly, he rose from his seat.

"I'll be back in a second"

"Yeah, yeah" Rami answered. "As I was saying... it all started in the year..."

"Is that his girlfriend?" I raised my palm and pointed at it with the other hand in the direction of the girl.

"Oh, who?" Joe perked up at the first sign of gossip.

"Why won't anyone listen to my story?" Rami whined.

"Yeah, man, so sad", Gwilym replied in a monotonous voice, then turned to Joe and I and inquired: "Who's Ben girlfriend?!"

"Umm, Barbs? I thought that was you" Rami said.

"What?!"

"Yeah, I thought the same?", Gwilym chimed in.

"How?! I just met him!"

"Y'all are wrong, though", Joe whispered leaning on the table. We came closer to hear him better. "Ben's girlfriend is..."

The remaining three exchanged nervous looks. Joe looked back at Ben and the girl, then again to us.

"Ben's girlfriend is... ME!" Rami, Gwilym and I yelled at him for his dumb joke. "But you already knew that"

"But anyway...", I started. I wanted to make clear my position in this party. "I'm just asking because I don't want to be the reason why Ben's ass gets dumped or something worse"

"Nah, you're ok", Gwilym assured me. "As far as I know, Ben's single. So relax"

"Welp, whatever!" Joe burped and attempted to stand up "It's my party and I ain't spending it here sitting with you nerds...", he looked around and grabbed a blonde girl by the wrist, then made her spin elegantly. The girl let out some giggles, she was so radiant my self-esteem went down three levels. "May I, Rami?"

"Have fun, man!", he replied but then raised a menacing finger "but not too much, you two..."

"I'm coming for 'ya later, babe!", the blonde blew a kiss to Rami and then walked off with Joe by the hand.

I gave a curious look to Rami, "Oh, that's Lucy, my girlfriend. Sorry I didn't introduce you, Barbs"

"Don't worry! She looks kind" I gave Rami a friendly punch on his shoulder "and gorgeous, you lucky bastard!", he laughed sheepishly, I can't tell for sure but he seemed to blush at my comment.

"Barbs?", I turned around and saw Ben standing by the table. I was about to ask what was up when he smiled and tilted his face down a little, an outstretched hand in front of me. I smiled and took it.

"It'll be my pleasure, Ben"

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

Btw, do you think Ben's a good dancer? 🤔

I’ve seen some videos from Eastenders and I’m not so sure lol

THANK YOU GUYS SO SO MUCH FOR LIKING AND REBLOGGING THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER! IT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME THAT SOMEONE ACTUALLY ENJOYS MY WRITING ❤

And that being being said, I’m also starting a series of imagines... I’ll be posting them here and on Wattpad as well ;)

TAGLIST: @valeriecarolinaw @rrrogahtaylahhhh

As always: thx for reading!! 

[fly-pow-bye]

What’s Airing On Cartoon Network? (July 2019)

The Futon Critic has updated, and has what Cartoon Network will air in July. This include Ben 10 2016, Craig of the Creek, LEGO Ninjago, OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes, Summer Camp Island, Teen Titans Go, Victor and Valentino, and the new series Mao Mao Heroes of Pure Heart. It’s a long post, so see you after the break!

Ben 10 2016:

Ben 10 continues his world tour. Saturdays at 12 PM, we get two Ben 10 2016 episodes in a row.

July 6th:

Big in Japan - During a tour of a robotics museum, Ben finds hero-gone-wrong Tim Buktu "trying to save" Tokyo from a Dragon. Has Tim finally turned over a new leaf, or is this just another one of his half-baked plans to play the part of hero?

Cyber Slammers - At Biggie Box Japan, Ben waits in line for the release of the latest Sumo Slammers video game, but he must soon save the store from Steam Smythe, who wants to retro-fit a massive mech with steam punk powers!

July 13th:

Big Ben 10 - When Ben and family go to London to visit the legendary Big Ben, the Bugg Brothers are there to greet them, with yet another outrageously over the top plan of course: to shrink the Big Ben bell in order to steal it!

LaGrange Muraille - Ben, Gwen, and Grandpa Max take a trek to the Great Wall, but their adventure is nearly ruined by daredevils LaGrange and Vin Ethanol trying to jump the international monument, and Ben must hop into the Rustbuggy to chase away the foes.

July 20th:

Lickety Split - When a mysterious electrical storm downs the Omni-Copter at the Equator, Team Tennyson soon discovers Solar & Polar are behind it.

The Claws of the Cat - While taking in the sights and sounds of a Rio de Janeiro music festival, Ben bristles at Gwen's suggestion that she be his new sidekick, as the festival is threaten by the supersonic sound waves of Lord Decibel.

Craig of the Creek:

Saturdays at 9:00 AM.

July 6th:

Turning the Tables - Craig dines at the restaurant where his older brother works and orders up a plate of REVENGE... and lots of breadsticks.

July 13th:

Kelsey the Author - Craig and Stacks help Kelsey become a real author turning her story into a book!

July 20th:

Council of the Creek - The circle game wreaks havoc on the Creek, so Craig forms a council to restore order.

July 27th:

Sparkle Cadet - Craig, Kelsey and JP team up with an intergalactic hero named Sparkle Cadet, hoping to save the Creek from negativity.

LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu:

Ninjago’s surprise return continues. Saturdays at 12:30 PM.

July 6th:

Booby-Traps, and How To Survive Them - The ninja team up with a reluctant Clutch Powers to enter a mysterious pyramid where they inadvertently unleash an ancient evil.

The News Never Sleeps! - Lil' Nelson takes a job as a paperboy, which is more difficult than it sounds in a city overrun by scorching Pyro Vipers and an evil Serpentine sorceress.

July 13th:

Ninja vs. Lava - The ninja find themselves trapped in a pyramid and must escape encroaching lava to warn NINJAGO City of a new Serpentine invasion.

Snaketastrophy - The Serpentine attack on NINJAGO City is seen from an unexpected perspective - entirely in the style of a live newscast delivered by Gayle Gossip and her cameraman.

July 20th:

Powerless - The ninja rush to the NINJAGO Museum of History to recover a dangerous scroll before it falls into the hands of the Serpentine Sorceress Aspheera.

Ancient History - While Aspheera pursues revenge on the "Treacherous Deceiver" who betrayed her, the ninja make a startling discovery.

July 27th:

Never Trust a Human - A flashback episode tells the story of Young Wu and Young Garmadon meeting Aspheera and teaching her the secrets of Spinjitzu.

Under Siege - Having learned Master Wu is the "Treacherous One," the ninja find themselves under siege at the Monastery, trying to protect Wu from the wrath of Aspheera.

Mao Mao, Heroes of Pure Heart:

Mao Mao makes his debut in July. Coming right after Teen Titans Go, these episodes will air on Mondays at 6:10 PM, with another episode coming at 6:20 PM. No commercials?

July 1st:

I Love You Mao Mao - An explosive loner and his slacker best friend are waylaid from their journey into legend, only to find that their story is just beginning.

The Perfect Adventure - When Mao Mao gets hungry for the perfect adventure, Adorabat tells a white lie.

July 8th:

No Shortcuts - After struggling to keep up, Adorabat gets a cybernetic "Mega-Mech." But can fancy new powers make up for experience?

Ultraclops - Badgerclops gets huge to destroy a towering monster, but when he refuses to shrink down, the kingdom faces a new terror.

July 15th:

Mao Mao's Bike Adventure - When Mao Mao underestimates enemy and friend alike, it almost costs him the entire kingdom.

Breakup - Feeling left out, Adorabat wishes Mao Mao and Badgerclops would spend less time with each other and more time with her. When she gets what she wishes for and accidentally breaks up their friendship.

July 22nd:

Not Impressed - When a Sweetypie isn't impressed with the sheriff department's antics, our three heroes try everything to win him over.

Enemy Mime - When the sheriff's department fights a monster that copies their every move, they'll have to find a way to fight without fighting.

July 29th:

Outfoxed - When Rufus and Reg come to swindle the town, Sheriff Mao Mao teaches them a lesson in justice.

Bao Bao's Revenge - When Mao Mao's old partner threatens the kingdom, his friends will need to learn about his past in order to protect the present.

OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes:

OK K.O. moves to Saturdays stays on Sundays despite Futon Critic reporting otherwise at 4:30 PM this month, with two episodes in a row for each week.

July 7th:

We Are Heroes - K.O. struggles with his upgraded role as a member of the hero team.

KO, Rad, and Enid! - When confronted with their lack of a team gimmick, K.O., Rad, and Enid wonder what their group identity should be.

July 14th:

TKO Rules! - K.O. and T.K.O decide to swap places for the day.

Chip's Damage - Elodie enlists K.O. to help figure out what to do about Chip Damage.

July 21st:

K.O. vs. Fink - When Fink taunts K.O. for being a momma's boy, he grapples with newfound insecurity about it.

The K.O. Trap - K.O., Rad, and Enid are caught in an especially devious trap.

July 28th:

Whatever Happened to... Rippy Roo? - Rippy Roo visits the plaza.

Planet X - When Rad returns to his home planet, he learns a shocking truth about alien society.

Summer Camp Island:

This season of Summer Camp Island ends this month. Every Sunday at 12:00 PM, we get four episodes in a row.

July 7th:

Susie's Fantastical Scavenger Hunt - Oscar and Hedgehog must learn to exist without each other when they are put on different teams during a scavenger hunt.

Mop Forever - At Alice's dress-up party the campers are magically turned into their costumes.

Pajamas Party - When Pajamas starts to panic that Oscar will outgrow her, Oscar tries to help but things go awry.

The Soundhouse - Oscar and Hedgehog discover a new structure on the island and become friends with its caretaker.

July 14th:

Puff Paint - Oscar's painting is unpopular so he goes on a journey of self-discovery.

Susie Appreciation Day - Hedgehog and Oscar find themselves trapped in Susie's cabin and must escape undetected.

Campers Above the Bed -Hedgehog finds a city underneath her bed as she looks for her missing diary.

Midnight Quittance - Ramona invites Hedgehog and Oscar to participate in a special holiday ritual.

July 20th:

The Great Elf Invention Convention - Oscar, Max, and Hedgehog do a favor for Barb the elf in exchange for some chips.

Twelve Angry Hedgehogs - Hedgehog wants to win the Golden Science Badge but runs into some unexpected competition.

Spell Crushers - Hedgehog tries to get over a crush so she can regain her focus on magic.

The Library - The campers spend a rainy day at the library.

Teen Titans Go!:

Teen Titans Go managed to get a sixth member to join the team, and didn’t manage to send her to space. Amazing. Mondays at 6 PM.

July 1st:

Communicate Openly - Bumblebee becomes the sixth Titan and moves into the Tower but has a hard time adjusting.

July 8th:

Royal Jelly - Bumblebee offers to help Robin with his leadership skills by teaching him how to act like a queen bee.

July 15th:

Strength of a Grown Man - Needing a hero with shrinking powers, but forgetting about Bumblebee, Robin invites The Atom to join their fight against the Brain.

July 22nd:

Had to Be There - So she isn't left out of inside jokes, the Titans time travel to past adventures and insert Bumblebee into their memories.

July 29th:

Girls Night In Part 1 - The Girls Night Out Crew decide to stay in and have a slumber party but an unknown alien threat descends on Jump City.

Victor and Valentino:

Saturdays at 9:30 AM.

July 6th:

Churro Kings - When Victor and Valentino start making good money from selling churros at the taco stand, their lust for stuff makes them do dirty tricks to take out their competition.

July 13th:

Know It All - When Victor accidentally unleashes evil bats from a cave, it's up to the boys and Don to protect the town, but Victor's know-it-all attitude keeps getting in the way.

July 20th:

Fistfull of Balloons - When Victor gets double-crossed during a water balloon fight, he goes on a revenge mission to find out who was responsible.

July 27th:

Love at First Bite - Valentino crushes on a girl named Matty, who Victor is suspicious of but Valentino ignores his warnings. When Valentino goes to dinner at her house she turns into a Matlazihua and he discovers he's what's for dinner!

[officialotakudome]

New Post has been published on Otaku Dome | The Latest News In Anime, Manga, Gaming, Tech, and Geek Culture

New Post has been published on https://otakudome.com/hbo-max-cricket-team-up/

HBO Max & Cricket Team Up

HBO Max & Cricket have announced a new partnership for customers:

What’s the News? Starting August 20, Cricket Wireless will offer the ad-supported tier of HBO Max for free to new and existing customers on our $60/mo. unlimited plan,  which comes with 15GB of mobile hotspot and access to our 5G network on eligible devices. Whether at home or on the go, Cricket customers on this plan can activate their subscription and immediately dive into HBO Max’s portfolio of premium, award-winning and iconic programming for no additional charge, a value of $9.99 per month.

“We are always looking for ways to bring our customers the best value possible.  We know they are hungry for content and HBO Max offers the most cutting-edge and high-quality entertainment available,” said Tony Mokry, vice president and chief marketing officer, Cricket Wireless. “From cult classics to new HBO Max Originals, we know our customers will be smiling ear to ear when they dive in. We’re so excited to be able to bring this incredible service and library of content to our beloved customers.”

Why Does It Matter? HBO Max is WarnerMedia’s streaming platform that offers more than 13,000 hours of best-in-class entertainment, featuring the greatest array of storytelling for all audiences with the iconic brands of HBO, Warner Bros, DC, Cartoon Network, Turner Classic Movies and more. By adding the recently launched ad-supported tier of HBO Max to our Cricket plan, more consumers can experience the entertainment only HBO Max can provide.

“Since launching HBO Max last year, we’ve continually expanded customers’ access to the product, and partnering with Cricket, our first prepaid wireless distributor of the streaming platform, is a great opportunity to offer millions of customers instant access to HBO Max at no cost to them,” said Jennifer Mirgorod, Head of Partner Management and Partner Marketing, WarnerMedia.

“The ad supported tier of HBO Max is a best-in-class, consumer-first media experience featuring the most premium content alongside an industry-leading limited advertising environment. As we continue to see strong growth to this offering, we are pleased to further expand our footprint and welcome the Cricket Wireless customers,” said JP Colaco, President of WarnerMedia Ad Sales.

What’s the Deal? It’s simple. New and existing Cricket customers on our $60/mo. unlimited plan, will now have access to their favorite shows and an extensive collection of new and original programming directly to their device for no additional charge.

In addition to viewing shows from their phones, customers can access this epic library of all the best TV series and movies—all in HD—by downloading the HBO Max app on a supported device. Some of that content includes:

New HBO and HBO Max Originals series like “Friends: The Reunion,” the recently rebooted “Gossip Girl,” “Hacks,” and “The White Lotus”

Fan-favorite TV shows like “Game of Thrones,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and “The Big Bang Theory”

Cartoons for grownups (“Rick and Morty”) and kids (classic and new Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera shows)

The iconic library of classic and cult films from Warner Bros., including “The Wizard of Oz,” “Casablanca,” “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Matrix” trilogies, and more

Original series from CNN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, truTV, TBS, TNT and more, as well as third-party licensed content.

Cricket’s $60 unlimited plan includes 15GB of mobile hotspot, 100 GB of cloud storage, unlimited calls to and from Mexico and Canada and access to our 5G network for customers with a 5G-enabled device. In addition, customers who sign up for a new line of service on the $60 UNL plan receive a one-year membership to Sam’s Club and access to the Acorns saving and investing app.

How Does It Work? Existing HBO Max customers who are on Cricket’s $60 unlimited plan can download the app here and use their Cricket Wireless credentials to start this benefit. New and other existing customers can get or upgrade to the $60/mo. plan and get access to the ad-supported tier of HBO Max on us. For example, existing customers on the $55/mo. unlimited plan who want to access can upgrade their wireless plan for just $5 more a month. Cricket customers can visit their nearest Cricket-branded retail location to learn more about HBO Max.

About Cricket Wireless Cricket is focused on inspiring smiles, one meaningful connection at a time. We offer an easy and high-quality wireless experience on our reliable nationwide network. Our affordable, straightforward service plans include monthly taxes and don’t require an annual contract. Our customers also enjoy basic to top-brand phones at affordable prices.  The AT&T Prepaid Portfolio, which includes Cricket Wireless, was the fastest growing prepaid carrier in the United States in Q2 2021 and has been for the past three years. Visit cricketwireless.com to learn more or find a store near you. Stay up-to-date with the Cricket Newsroom, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Smile. You’re on Cricket. Cricket is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc. © 2021 Cricket Wireless LLC. All rights reserved. Cricket and the Cricket logo are trademarks under license to Cricket Wireless LLC.

About WarnerMedia WarnerMedia is a leading media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content from a diverse array of talented storytellers and journalists to global audiences through its consumer brands including: HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, truTV, CNN, DC, New Line, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies and others. The organization also includes Xandr’s suite of advanced advertising solutions designed to help to improve advertising for brands, publishers, and consumers. WarnerMedia is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T).

[flameontheotherside]

Old Friends

I'm so excited to meet up with my old friends. Since the big drama between high school and my college years, I've seperated myself from those I had in school. Even those I had online. From 2008 to present I made some new friends and yes they are all guys and yes I suspect they all had a crush on me at one point or another.

They are my drinking buddies. My brothers and I feel like I'm one of them. We philosophy and bullshit. But to say guys don't have a lot of drama is kind of wrong. 😆 Sure guys don't harbor a lot of gossip or are backstabby. When guys get older, they have spousal drama and family drama. They bitch and complain too. Then I come in to help them understand thier wives and make fun of them.

So I start off my landing with JP!

He's my best friend. I met him in our baking class at culinary school in Miami. I remember the first movie we saw together was Twilight. We would make a day of our Wednesday nights by sneaking alcohol in to the theater with our own drinkings and dollar store candy. We'd spend an entire day hoping from one movie to another, go to subway for the 5$ foot long, and head on out to kareoke! Even when I was just 20! 🤣😂👌 Wed keep mini bottles of alcohol in the trunk or in my purse while we chug in the parking lot or in the bathroom.

Those were the good ol days. ☺️🎤🎶🎵 I made a lot of friends in the local kareoke circuit. Bars got to know me well as the Paramore Girl. Because I sounded just like Hayley Williams and sang Paramore songs. Even by request! I miss walking in to a bar with my friends and making my rounds around the place to say hello and collect free drinks with an occasional flirt here and there.

I'm an introvert with extravert tendencies.

Especially with a few shots of Jack, Jager, Ron and/or Jose down my gullet. I'm a party animal and if I don't remember what happened the night before, it never happened! 😂 I miss how my friends would call me in the morning. Especially how JP would be like:

😂😆📱Do you know what you did last night?

Me:

Everything is all set up and ready for travel.

🎵 I got my lunch packed up and my boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight...!🎶 😆

😘❤️ I love The Office gifs.

Check out my store where I offer detailed and credible readings. Please note that pricing is subject to change.

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(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧Don’t forget to take a look at Erik’s blog run by his amazing mom Dr Elisa Medhus. Lots of stuff about his afterlife and 💩 at channelingerik.com.

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[pixelbitch]

I was tagged by @kaitlyn-liao tysm sorry it’s late

Relationship status:

pretty single

Last song I listened to:

september song - JP Cooper

Last book I read:

does a fic count? hahahaha

Favourite colour(s):

pink, white

Top three shows:

Gossip Girl

fuck idk man I like a random assortment of shows???? CSI????

Empire

Top three characters:

Mark, #LoveHacks

Party Twin, which I conveniently named Alessandra. ROE

??????? uhhh Nathan Prescott, Life Is Strange

Top three ships: 

Richonne

Ales and Rafinha

Me, Happiness, AND money

i’ll tag @rafinhoe bitch u better fucking do it

[whereinchelsea]

Made in Chelsea - Series 12 Episode 2

Interactive Map

1. Bishop’s Park - Mytton goads JP about knocking up Binks. JP drops invitations to the "gender reveal party". James tells the boys that he rates Louise, despite Ryan.

2. Bronte, 1-3 Strand - Mark Francis holds back his bile watching pregnant Binky gorge herself on some tasty nosh. Mark Francis advises Binky on her maternity fashion choices.

3. Séraphine, 179 Kensington High Street - Binky shops for maternity wear with the help of Mummy Felstead and Mark Francis.

4. DSTRKT, 9 Rupert Street - Louise and Ryan have dinner with Mytton and Stephanie. Mytton stirs the pot between James, Ryan, and Louise.

5. De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, 61-65 Great Queen Street - Everyone who isn't abroad turns out for the "gender" reveal party. It's a girl! Ryan confronts James for his flirtation with Louise.

Mauritius

Le Morne Beach -  Julius' holiday is not the least bit relaxing with Fred, Olivia, Ella, Daisy, Jamie and Frankie, Sam and Tiff. Olivia stirs the pot between Sam, Tiff, and Ella. Tiff and Sam can't agree on who is at fault in some past drama. There are too many tanned (burnt) blondes on this island.

La Maison Eureka - The sojourners prowl a colonial enclave and keep the gossip going. Daisy offers to clear the air with Olivia, and there is hope for peace between them. Sam really steps in it between Tiff and Ella.

Mahebourg - All the blondes get out on the water for snorkeling and sunning. Sam opens up to Jamie, the least confidential agony aunt, about his gripes with dating a Watson.

Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa - The posh blondes sip cocktails out of coconuts in an idyllic tropical retreat. Olivia stirs the pot between Daisy and Olivia who both fancy Julius. Julius is straightforward with Ella and asks her on a date when the return to London, and then carries her into the ocean. Sam and Tiff have a tough conversation about where they're at in their relationship.

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Yeah thats a haunted house if I've ever seen one

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The precious thing!

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New character in the latest Gossip Girl Party JP event His name is Julian :) And he says "Tonight we promise this to be an unforgettable experience for everyone!" Something like that

[todo-shotos-blog]

@ggp-tips this is what I mean. I'm not sure if there will be any for the other characters, but if there aren't then it'd be odd that Marc is the only one.