#harry and louis are not immune to any of it

[sunshineandlyrics]

hello :) could you maybe explain a little bit how dan wootton blackmailed louis?

ugh sorry for taking a while to get to this. The problem is I feel like the only two ways to answer this are by spending a week and a half of full time labor sifting through old posts and evidence to get every detail right and lay out an airtight case, or to halfass something very serious, and so I felt a little stuck. So since I can't seem to find a good halfway point, apologies but here is the half assed version, if you want to get into it more I invite you to do your own deep dive or talk to other people, but here's how I remember things. Louis has almost never on video explicitly said things about Larry not being real and/or anything negative about fans and their theories (mostly the opposite), up until the last couple years when he obviously decided to make a major change he didn't talk about Freddie much at all let alone saying he was his kid, honestly not that much about Eleanor even; except for in two major interviews with Dan Wootton, each of which lined up with a serious traumatic Tomlinson family event that they managed to keep out of the tabloids until the very end (Jay's illness and Fizzy's struggles with substance abuse). After the fact of those events a lot of small things that didn't make sense at the time came together to look very much like Louis traded those interviews (and those answers) for having his family's private matters kept private. Story trading of this kind is a publicly known real thing that happens, and there were various clues that suggested he was being leaned on about those stories to lend legitimacy to the idea that it was something that happened in these cases. Given what we know about Dan Wootton and how he operates even before the recent flood of information and even more now, I think it's more than likely that he has been holding the threat of outing Louis (as he has done to many other public figures) over his head for over a decade, and has used his family's tragic struggles to get Louis to dance like a fucking puppet for him and I will REJOICE at his downfall when it comes whether it is now or 20 years from now... because someday it will, he has made too many enemies to stay above it forever

[thenightling]

Interview with The vampire season 2, episode 3 review

What's maddening about this episode is how much they get right while also sprinkling in such a mess. Again we are reminded that someone wants to buy this triptych art piece that Louis didn't even know that they were selling and this mysterious buyer is using a middle man. I'm calling it now, the buyer is probably Marius. And now The Talamasca has finally made its appearance. I'm actually amused that the showrunner calls them the supernatural Men in Black because that's how I used to describe them as a teenager and I felt my description was woefully inaccurate but I'm amused by the concept, even though that seems to be what Winston is doing with The Ghostbusters in the current film franchise and I think they might be doing it better. Did you catch the Talamasca agent's name? Raglan James AKA The Body Thief who wants to run off inside Lestat's powerful, immortal body. The flashback of Armand meeting Lestat is maddening. I get that it's from Armand's point of view and he's very bias against Lestat but Some of it is so painfully out of character for those of us that love Lestat. For example, it was Nicolas who came up with the Theatre of The Vampires out of the theatre that he and Lestat worked at when they were mortal. Lestat would have thought it was vulgar, he wouldn't have come up with it. And why would Lestat seduce Armand to learn how to read minds and use telepathy? These things came innately to Lestat in the books. It was Armand who tried to seduce Lestat and at one point tried to blood r8pe Lestat and Lestat beat the crap out of him for it. I also noticed this episode had the weird addition of vampires with seasonal allergies. Why? Vampires are supposed to be immune to things like that. And vampires with moles all over their groin. Again... why? Whatever happened to Anne Rice's vampires having perfect skin? Why add these weird details? Armand conjuring fire in his hand like a video game sorcerer was just plain cheesy. The "Fire gift" (pyrokinesis) worked more like Stephen King's Firestarter, not Harry Dresden on a bad day. Also this was an odd thing to do with Armand, that he was ready to execute Louis. Armand never had any intention of killing Louis in the book and the main reason he wanted Claudia dead was to have Louis's heart to himself, what she did to Lestat was just a convenient excuse. Also does anyone else notice a weird theme of ableism this season? Last episode it was "How can he hunt if he can't see?" so a vampire's head was bashed in. Now a rule about not to make a child into a vampire has "Don't make someone a vampire if they're crippled." Why the Hell not? Most physical disabilities are corrected with vampirism in Anne Rice's novels and if they aren't the vampire has heightened senses to compensate. This strange ableism is an odd, recurring theme, almost as annoying as the excessive and unnecessary smoking. Another odd detail, with the theatre of the vampires, why does the human victims dragged out on stage all say the same "Line" without deviation? It's not an act so why do they all say the same exact thing? Wouldn't there be variety like "Help! This theatre is actually a cult!" or "This is not an act! These people are cannibals!" or "These are REAL vampires!" or "Where the f--k am I?" This is surprisingly unrealistic and draws me out of the story that each victim says the same thing when they stumble out on stage. Finally, it's becoming more and more obvious that the first season was supposed to tell all of Interview with the Vampire and they decided to stretch it out because now it's waring thin. You can FEEL the padding now, it might as well be a CW show.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Jeremy Kohker at ProPublica:

The billboards have popped up along both Interstates 55 and 170 around St. Louis. They’re along I-70 between Columbia and St. Charles, in central Missouri. And there’s one across from a shopping center in Cape Girardeau, along the Mississippi River in the state’s southeast corner. In fact, as the Nov. 5 election approaches, motorists can see the billboards all over Missouri.

Each one spreads claims designed to undermine support for an abortion rights amendment that was placed on next month’s ballot through the state’s initiative petition process. Some billboards warn voters to “STOP Child Gender Surgery,” even though the amendment doesn’t mention gender-affirming care. Other billboards say it would permit abortions in the ninth month of pregnancy, though a state appeals court ruling in a case challenging the wording of the amendment’s summary on the ballot said that was not true. Missouri’s abortion law, which bans nearly all abortions except in cases of medical emergencies, with no exceptions for rape or incest, was put into effect in June 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Amendment 3 would enshrine reproductive freedom in the state constitution, nullifying any law that restricts abortion before fetal viability, typically around the 24th week of pregnancy. The amendment would also safeguard other reproductive rights, such as access to in vitro fertilization and birth control. Polls show the measure is likely to pass — a recent survey showed 52% in favor and 34% opposed. But abortion opponents, saddled with poll numbers that show their argument is losing even with the state’s largely conservative voters, are taking steps to undermine support for the amendment. “Abortion rights are broadly popular all across the country, even in red states,” said Matthew Harris, an associate professor of political science at Park University, just outside Kansas City. “If you’re going to lose on the substance of that issue, you sort of have to try to make it about something else.”

The opponents have poured about $1 million into a late-hour misinformation campaign that has paid for radio ads and at least some of the billboards. The goal appears to be to sink the effort, or at least to try to redefine what it means to support it. Among the biggest contributors are John Sauer, the Missouri solicitor general from 2017 to 2023 who has served as a lawyer for former President Donald Trump. Sauer, who has a long history of anti-abortion activism and represented Trump before the U.S. Supreme Court in his immunity case, has put $100,000 into a new political action committee — Vote “No” on 3 — that is funding many of the billboards, according to campaign finance reports. Sauer did not respond to voice and text messages to his cellphone. The PAC’s treasurer, Jim Cole, a longtime official with Missouri Right to Life, declined to comment.

Opponents are trying to capitalize on polls showing that Missourians oppose gender-affirming medical care for minors, which is already illegal for transgender children in the state, and allowing athletes to compete outside their birth gender. By combining the issues, political observers say, opponents are banking on confusing voters and building a broader base against the amendment. The anti-transgender messaging in Missouri is part of a national trend, where Republicans are leveraging cultural issues like transgender rights to rally conservative voters in the 2024 campaigns.

Opponents are also strategizing about next steps if they lose at the ballot box. They are ready to shift their efforts to a more receptive audience: a state legislature dominated by deeply conservative politicians who have frequently acted against public opinion.

The Missouri General Assembly has a history of using “ballot candy,” where lawmakers add politically charged language they support to amendments to undo voter-approved measures that they don’t like. Some legislators have vowed to keep on fighting the abortion-rights amendment if it passes. In 2018, for instance, voters overwhelmingly approved the Clean Missouri initiative, which aimed to reform some of the worst abuses of legislative redistricting. Two years later, Republican lawmakers introduced new ballot language that reframed the issue, focusing on minor ethics reforms while quietly seeking to reverse many of the changes in the Clean Missouri initiative. That repeal effort narrowly passed.

A similar tactic is evident in Missouri’s Amendment 7, which the legislature placed on this year’s ballot. While it is dressed up as a measure to ensure that only U.S. citizens can vote, something already required by law, its real impact would be to ban ranked-choice voting in the state, a move strongly supported by Republicans in the General Assembly.

[...]

Those leaders this year tried to limit the ability of citizens to file amendments to directly change the constitution. Republicans wanted to include ballot candy in the measure that would have added unrelated issues about immigrants voting and foreign fundraising. But that measure went down to defeat after an all-night Democratic filibuster. “Missouri voters don’t love the idea of government interference generally, but at the same time, they support conservative principles,” said Beth Vonnahme, associate dean in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and professor at University of Missouri-Kansas City. “So when you have a candidate who’s advocating conservative principles, they win. But when you have amendments that are progressive but focus on government interference, they also tend to do pretty well.” Before the abortion amendment made it on the ballot, it survived a number of legal challenges. In September, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled 4-3 to keep Amendment 3 on the ballot, rejecting claims that the initiative failed to list all laws it might affect.

Opponents of Missouri abortion rights amendment (Amendment 3) are highlighting blatant lies about the referendum on billboards and social media, such as falsely claiming that abortions would be permitted post-fetal viability willy-nilly (ballot measure limits it to fetal viability) or that gender-affirming care would be legalized for trans minors (Missouri bans gender-affirming care for trans minors), in a bid to tank Amendment 3 at the polls.

See Also:

The Advocate: Missouri billboards falsely claim abortion referendum involves 'child gender surgery'

[acesofspadess]

Family Values

a/n: Louis and Harry are baby girl in this

summary: what happens when your family questions your love

It all started in 2011….

“Lou this is about to be the biggest project we’ve worked on.”

You were a family friend of Lou’s and even though she was almost 11 years older than you, you were like sisters and both pursued your careers in hair styling.

“I know but we can’t let them know that. Just act like they are the least of our problems.”

The two girls heard crashing footsteps and the door bursting open. “Are we in the right place?” the first boy asked. “Where supposed to be getting our hair done.”

“Yeah you're in the right place. Come sit.”

“I'm Harry and this Louis.”

“Y/N.”

Through the following years you grew close to all of the boys, but especially Harry and Louis and everyone saw it. It was never spoken upon, just glances between the three of you never going unnoticed. It wasn't until the band went on ‘break’ did conversations start to arise.

“Do you want us the way we want you?”

You knew the ‘larry’ subject was a sensitive topic, purely because management wouldn't allow it. You never understood how they could try and prevent these two wonderful souls from loving who they wanted. 

“We can’t make anything official yet, but I promise, when the time is right.”

Now 5 years after the break, you Louis and Harry were in a committed relationship. You were all doing your own things as of right now. Harry had just started his second tour and Louis was a year into his tour. You were now a designer for Dior.  Before you went official, you would head back home for the holidays to see everyone in your family, reunite and be a ‘proper’ family. But now, it was like walking on eggshells. It wasn't that your family didn't ‘like’ the boys per say. It was the simple fact that there were two of them. You were immune to the questioning glances when one of you would give another or both a kiss, but this Christmas was a whole different story.

You were all sitting around in the large living area of your parents house. The fire was crackling and snow was falling outside, it was the perfect picturesque christmas, until your mother decided to speak up. “You know I used to not understand why you had to pick two boys, but I guess it's so that you can have more children. Maybe they'll have some more common sense, At least you picked two successful boys.'' She laughed quietly at her ‘joke’ and while the majority of your family snickered with her, you, Louis, Harry, and Lou whose family was also there, weren't. “Excuse me, what did you say!?” you were pretty level headed, never one snap when someone attacked you, you simply shrugged it off or spoke to them calmly so as to not escalate the situation anymore.

But this outburst made every mouth close, you were sure you could hear a pin drop. “For one, they have names, Harry and Louis, so stop pretending like you don’t know them. I truly can't believe you, say all you want about me, but keep them out of your mouth. They are nothing but kind to you, they bring you flowers and gifts every time they come, or when Lou and I visit when they can't. What is truly so different in our relationship than you and Pa's? What if there's an extra person? We love each other, just like you and dad. We cherish, and adore, and respect, and make each other the best versions of ourselves, just like you and dad.” you weren't crying. You thought that if this day ever came you would. But you all saw it coming. You had told the boys every time you visited they didn't have to come because something always happened. But they persisted.

“Seriously, y/n. You couldn't have just picked one, the one without the kid.” any hint of the Y/N they knew before was gone, all you saw was red looking at your father. “I cannot believe you just said that. Louis is the best father I know. Way better than you. I don't know what is going through your sick and twisted minds, but we won't be around to find out. We have been nothing but kind and understanding of the difference of our relationship and how it might affect others, but - god- i cannot believe this is what it turned out to be.”

You worked your way out the living area and towards the front where everyone's bags were, wondering why Harry, Louis, and Lou were still in there.

Both boys stood up after you stormed out the room and decided now was the best time to speak. “You may not like our relationship with your daughter, or niece, or cousin, whoever she is to you; but that should never get in the way of your relationship with her.” Harry spoke as he grabbed Louis' shaky hand. “We ask her to come, to try and show you that we can become a family. Never again try to contact her, or any of us. And never again, do I want to hear you say anything about Louis and his fatherhood.” He knew if he said more he would never stop. He looked at Lou who seemed ready to go and walked out to where he knew you would be.

The drive to the hotel after dropping Lou off was quiet, as was the journey up to the room. It was only when they were in the confines of the hotel room did you start to cry. Two warm bodies caught you as you sank to the floor. “I'm sorry,” you repeated over and over again. You wished you could wash away the words your parents spoke to them. “You have nothing to be sorry for.” Louis kissed the top of your head to seal in his words. “Their actions and words do not define you. We love you.” Harry knew exactly what you were thinking. Louis' phone started ringing and when he checked it, it was Liam. They had given Freddy to Liam while they were away as his mom was no longer in the picture.

“I'll call him back later, it's okay.” but you shook your head and wiped your tears. “Answer. It might be Freddy.'' When he clicked accept on the facetime call you saw Freddy closest to the screen and Liam and his son, Bear, behind him. “Hi lad.” The instant joy that was in his voice as he saw his son made you smile and you and Harry quickly moved into frame. “ hi love.” you smiled and waved watching freddy almost drop the phone but Liam catching it. “Who is that Freddy? Say hi.”

“Hi mumma.”

And it seemed everyone froze. You watched Liam do a double take, Harry's arm squeezing your waist a little tighter, and Louis, who had tears in his eyes. The three of you had always talked about what you and Harry would be to Freddy as your relationship blossomed around the time he was born. Freddy had already been calling Harry, Papa H or H, which he had you to blame for calling him that one time as a joke. But he had never said anything about you. 

You all figured it was because he did have his mom until he no longer needed her and she left the picture. You came to realize that Freddys brain was now recognizing you as mom because you were a constant in his life. Or he was just confused.

“Hi Freddy. What are you doing?” you moved on as if nothing happened simply taking it as a slip up. “We're drawing.” His mixed accent of Louis and you and Harry made you smile. “What are you drawing lad?” It was Harry's turn to get over his initial shock. You watched as Liam told Freddy to get his drawing as he looked at the camera with a look you all picked up on as ‘what the fuck?’ Freddy came back into frame with his picture.

He started pointing out who was who and when he got to the brown skinned stick figure (which made you chuckle) he said it again. “And that mumma.” This time everyone knew it wasn't an accident. “That's your mum lad?” Liam asked, still seeing you three in shock. “Yeah, that's Y/N. She's mummy cause I love her and she loves me.” you practically melted and smiled so hard your cheeks hurt.

When the call ended you made Harry and Louis pack their stuff as you wanted to go home and cuddle with your family. And that you did. When Liam opened his door a day later Freddy came running into your arms.

[fluffytuffles]

Litsy’s Jellicle Family Headcanons

A few disclaimers before we get into this:

These are based on my experience and opinions after seeing the tour in May 2021. I’ll include a cast list at the bottom if you’re interested. Most of these were approximately formed at the time (I recently reread my thoughts from immediately after seeing the show), but are being finalized and articulated over a year later, so some of it is a bit more recent.

Obviously I went into seeing the tour already with strong opinions and ideas from the 1998 film, so as long as those weren’t contradicted by the tour, or the tour inspired new ideas, I’ve often defaulted to my original ideas. So this is mostly to compare the two productions to each other in terms of my thoughts on the relationships between the characters.

You are not immune to backstage shenanigans.

I’m picking and choosing which “chorus cats” for featured performers are included in the canon.

I didn’t include romantic relationships unless they resulted in a child.

I’m gonna go through the 1998 headcanons pretty quickly because I’ve shared these before.

Feel free to ask questions if you have any, I’d love to share more thoughts and discuss!

1998 film family tree headcanons:

Old Deuteronomy and Grizabella are the parents of Macavity, Munkustrap, & Rum Tum Tugger. They are former mates; she left the tribe when their sons were still young. They still resent her for it by the time of the canon Jellicle Ball.

Macavity and Demeter are the parents of Plato. Mac and Dem were never mated.

Munkustrap and Demeter are the parents of Jemima. Munk and Dem are mates. Munk is also a father figure to Plato.

Coricopat & Tantomile are twins. They have no other family in the tribe.

Exotica Wallflower is Cassandra’s mother. She is also mates with George, but George is not Cassandra’s father.

Gus is Asparagus’s father.

Asparagus and Jellylorum are the parents of Tumblebrutus, Etcetera, & Pouncival, who are littermates. Asparagus and Jelly are mates.

Jennyanydots is the mother of Bombalurina.

Skimbleshanks’s deceased sister was the mother of Mungojerrie & Rumpleteazer, who are littermates. He took them in when their mother died, as their father is unknown.

Skimble and Jenny are the adoptive parents of Mistoffelees and biological parents of Electra. Skimble and Jenny are mates.

Jellicles with no blood/familial relationships in the tribe: Alonzo, Bustopher Jones, Victoria.

2021 tourverse/revivalverse family tree headcanons:

Old Deuteronomy is the father of Macavity, Rum Tum Tugger, and Munkustrap. They are half-siblings.

Macavity and Demeter are the parents of Plato. Mac and Dem were never mated.

Munkustrap and Demeter are the parents of Jemima. Munk and Dem are in a relationship but not mated.

Bombalurina is Demeter’s mother.

Coricopat & Tantomile are twins. They have no other family in the tribe.

Gus is Peter’s father.

Peter and Jellylorum are the parents of Tumblebrutus. Peter and Jelly are mates.

Skimbleshanks adopted Mungojerrie & Rumpleteazer, who are not littermates and whose biological parents are unknown.

Skimbleshanks & Jennyanydots are in an open, unmated relationship, and are the adoptive parents of Pouncival.

Jellicles with no blood/familial relationships in the tribe: Alonzo, Bustopher Jones, Cassandra, Grizabella, Mistoffelees, Victoria.

VISUAL REFERENCES

TOUR CAST LIST

Alonzo (Vinny Andaloro); Bombalurina (Chelsea Nicole Mitchell); Bustopher Jones/Gus/Peter (John Anker Bow); Cassandra (Lexy Bittner); Coricopat (Taylor James Rosenberger); Demeter (Lauren Louis); Grizabella (Tayler Harris); Jellylorum (Kayli Jamison); Jennyanydots (Michelle E. Carter); Macavity/Plato (Aiden Pressel); Mistoffelees (Paul Giarratano); Mungojerrie (Max Craven); Munkustrap (Nick Davis); Old Deuteronomy (Indalecio de Jesus Valentin); Pouncival (Dominic Fortunato); Rumpleteazer (Elana Valastro); Rum Tum Tugger (Zach Bravo); Sillabub (Brianna Kim); Skimbleshanks (Christopher Salvaggio); Tantomile (Alexia Waites); Tumblebrutus (Sean McManus); Victoria (Hyla Mayrose Perillo)

[hl-obsessed]

(that annoying anon truly woke up on the wrong side of the bed today like jc what's their problem? also how are you not answering their questions? you definitely are.)

i have no idea honestly 🤣

some people i think just are like that and it has nothing to do with how they woke up. i am irritated today aslo fow the way i woke up, but I'm not projecting it on other people do i?

and first ask was not precise enough. it was right after i rebloged Louis opening for oasis post so i didn't really think that they might have mean post with 3 notes i made days ago.

second ask i suppose should have sounded like 'bringing people on stage like Niall and Harry has' which i read without that has and it was written as 'being'??? (idk if i don't understand something, you can explain it better to me, why you would go straight to hate? some people are awful really)

but point in both of them stands. singing with other people, opening for them, and colaborations it does not fucking take any value form the artist. and us wanting them to do that things doesn't fucking mean our fav isn't enough for us??? where people take interpretation like that from???

also if someone tries to win an argument no matter what they will try to catch any ounce of something that might even slightly prove thier point 🤷🏽‍♀️

also i'm very immune to hate and i love fighting people like that so it's isn't hurting me at all.

but it's insane people think it okay to send messages like that with intention to hurt somebody since lot of people is very affected by hate like that. wtf wrong with people

they definitely need more love and positivity in thier lives and to look at things from the other side

[1ddiscourseoftheday]

🐻 Tues 3 March⚡️

The extended cut of Louis' video trilogy with Charlie Lightening was released, along with a short behind the scenes of the viewing party and a longer video showing the Q&A from that day. The extended music video tells the story of a young man in an illicit relationship who is trapped working for a ruthless money hungry older man who tells him "I've known you since you were a little kid," won't let him leave the job and when he wants to tells him he'll destroy him if he tries and "you better wear the fucking mask." The character is ultimately able to escape (with his secret love) by pretending to drown, in a shot echoing a very similar one in the Lights Up video. Louis is visually linked to the main character both by being conspicuously dressed like him in one segment and by a scene where he and the couple turn into each other and back multiple times. The main character escapes with his lover because he was underestimated (and underrated.) It's a lot. The Q&A is real good too.

Today in Niall Announced we have: a livestreamed album release party in Los Angeles (12 March) and a London listening party (5 March), Niall will be at both and there are giveaways for tickets, and a Today Show NYC concert St Patrick's day that's a lot right there sir but never mind all that just yet- today is Spotify singles!!! Out midnight! (But lbr already out on twitter etc.) He did an acoustic version of No Judgement AND A LOVER COVER! It's him and Fletcher dueting on Lover (Taylor Swift) and the fans are wild for it!! Of course the single itself is the main excitement but a close second is that Niall and Fletcher are touring together and could, conceivably, do the song every night if they chose, and given that it's Niall as opposed to like Harry for example, I think there's a real good chance that could happen so cross your fingers I guess? And while you're crossing things, the HBWW song of the day is Cross Your Mind and the lyric is "love the way you hurt me and it doesn't even cross your mind," and Niall is wearing a truly remarkable iridescent purple suit in today's Niall Storm segment ("it's cloudy today! partly!")

There's video up now of the Harry/ Howard Stern interview, but just little snippets that the show thought were the best parts, surprise, I don't necessarily agree, but they're good, Harry looks sweaty but cute, and also today we learned that they considered "Harryweenie" for Harryween but decided against it (gonna guess 'they' here translates to Harry going Harryweenie!! Let's call it that!) We got a few unseen pics from the Lights Up video shoot (Harry lying on the beach getting sand in his hair!), but still no director's cut, SIGH. I know I know we already got a director's cut today I shouldn't be greedy, but I do want that one also an awful lot.

And a German podcaster posted a pic with Liam who he says he met today in Berlin! Some doubt this and think (based on his look) that the picture is from when he was publicly there last month which does make sense though...

[tiktaalic]

the truth is that nothing shapes you like being into one rpf conspiracy theory fandom at a young age. having spent my teen years in the trenches of the hell hole that was the 1d fandom has formed me like nothing else. it made me completely immune to literally any other conspiracy theory ever. I read the byler powerpoint eating popcorn and laughing and remembering when a larrie dentist made a post about how they could recognize louis’ dental structure on harry’s hickey. or the plush bears that send secret code messages to fans. nothing else will ever compare

WHAT IF. you went to the dentist. and they were a larry.

[daisiesonafield-blog]

ATTENTION everyone attending ‘Love on Tour’ ST LOUIS on Sept 15 2021

COVID-19 protocol:

EVERYONE must wear masks for the entirety of the show, at all times inside the venue and while standing in any admission lines.

You must provide proof of COVID-19 immunization OR

Provide proof of a negative COVID-19 diagnostic test within 48-hours prior to entering the venue. At-home rapid COVID-19 tests will not be allowed.

Acceptable vaccination proof includes: original vaccination card, a printed copy of the vaccination card or a digital copy (photo of card on your phone).

Also, bring appropriate ID matching the name on your COVID-19 documentation.

You will NOT be allowed into Harry’s show (regardless of age) without proof of vaccination OR proof of negative COVID-19 test. Yes, even if you have a ticket.

For more details click here.

General admission (Cherry or Watermelon pit tickets):

Fans may begin lining up at 7 a.m. the day of the show at the 14th St. entrance. 

No overnight camping allowed.

Door opening times:

Doors open at 6:30pm. Show starts at 8PM.

Here are some policies to keep in mind:

No bags are allowed: not even clear bags, purses and clutches. Diaper bags and medical bags will be allowed

Banners, signs and flags no larger than 12" x 24" in dimension are allowed. They cannot be attached to a pole/stick.

Professional cameras, that is, cameras with a detachable lens, are prohibited at all events.

Enterprise Center is a cash-free facility.

For more details and a complete list of prohibited items click here.

Merch Shop & Vaccination Discount:

Fans can shop early for mech in St Louis in front of the T-Mobile entrance of Enterprise Center from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Tuesday Sept 14 2021 

Masks required while shopping.

All purchases must be credit card only.

Get the COVID-19 vaccine and receive $10 off merch:

COVID-19 vaccinations available on-site. Schedule your appointment now with @CVSPharmacy: http://smarturl.it/LOT-CVS-StLouis 

Please bring your ID & if applicable, insurance card. If you’re under 18, you will need a parent or guardian to sign the consent form.

Those already vaccinated can show proof for $10 off merch as well

Merch will be available on the day of the show in front of the T-Mobile entrance of Enterprise Center from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. (Sept 15 2021).

Details here and here.

[non-binharry]

THANK YOU. it’s getting so ugly! not to be all “you are not immune to propaganda” but so many people don’t realize how unconscious biases work. people can’t even tell the difference between criticism and straight up character assassination when it comes to harry. and on that note, if anybody on here followed users that casually hated louis in any way, they’d be branded as toxic and condemned without question. only hate towards harry is tolerated, and it’s getting increasingly transparent.

having a favorite isn’t the problem. criticizing either of them isnt the problem. but a LOT of people need to take a step back and realize the enemy isn’t a closeted artist who wants a career in a homophobic industry. the real world isn’t twitter.

it's the way people don't even know the full scope of what goes on behind the scenes but will immediately peddle an interpretation of events that makes harry out to be selfish, inconsiderate, money/power hungry, disingenuous, etc. literally based entirely on their own bias and perception of who he is and it's like... why does it have to be like that? if this is someone you love then why are you immediately assuming the worst of them instead of accepting that you literally only know what is presented to you and cannot make a judgement of his character based on that. this is presented as FACT and pushed over and over and over again, time after time, if you entertain it you'll eventually start to believe it until it gets to a point where you're beginning to believe he's an asshole and a bad person too.

[artificialqueens]

Fool for You (Crygi) - Frankenvenus

After realising she has fallen for her straight best friend, Crystal’s therapist recommends she write her crush love letters. So instead of communicating her feelings, she scribbles then down and slips them into Gigi Goode’s locker.

A/N~ I hope you like this cause it took forever. I finished it super late at night and I did read through it twice but I apologise for any errors.

Crystal stormed her way into her therapist’s office, throwing herself onto the pink sofa that she sat and rambled on for an hour and a half every week. Her therapist looked at her bemused as the blue-haired girl uttered the words, “I’m in love with my best friend.”

Her therapist, Widow, huffed out a sigh, placing her clipboard down on the coffee table in front and pushing her glasses slightly down her nose, “Well. That’s a common issue for young queer folks like yourself.”

Crystal groaned and rolled over, displaying her puffy eyes and messed up bangs, “But I thought I was immune to it.”

Widow chuckled slightly and leaned towards where Crystal lay, brushing her hair from where it stuck itself in her lip gloss, “Do you need to rant to me about it? You know that’s why I’m here, sweetie; to listen.”

The young girl groaned again before sitting up, straightening her back and recounting the events of her day.

It had started off a normal Thursday. On Thursdays, she would usually peddle to her best friend Gigi’s house before school began so they could scribble down fake absence notes for phys ed, then Gigi would hop on the back of Crystal’s bike and they’d cycle the last half mile to their high school. It was routine for them. Never weird, never crossing any lines. It had always been the two of them, best friends, since middle school. So when things shifted, it took Crystal by surprise.

“I wanna do something different today instead of just sitting in the library until Phys Ed ends. I’m sick of the librarian shutting us up. We literally aren’t even loud,” - Gigi had said, fixing her dirty blonde ponytail in the school bathroom mirror after the bike ride messed it up.

Crystal had agreed with her, before asking her if she wanted to try something new. Although Gigi was her best friend, she hung out with the stoners whilst Gigi hung out with the high-fashion Instagram girls. The dirty blonde had never tried weed, and Crystal never offered - but today she did, and Gigi was eager.

The two of them snuck to the abandoned bike shed at the back of the school, covered in ivy with smashed windows. It was a spot that only Crystal and her friends Daya, Daegen, Lux and Tiff knew, so Gigi was curious to see it.

“This is so cool,” Gigi had gaped, finding a spot in the corner while her friend rolled her a joint. Crystal had to assure her multiple times that they wouldn’t get caught, but Gigi didn’t shut up until the sizzling rice paper was placed in her mouth. The older girl talked her through how to inhale it properly, and soon enough Gigi was coughing the smoke into the air.

“Can you feel it in your chest?” Crystal had asked, and when Gigi nodded, she said, “Good. That’s how you know it worked.”

They sat there, minds foggy, trying to hold conversation despite their thought process and immediate short term memory being cut off every few seconds. At some point, their pinkies intertwined, followed by the rest of their fingers. And then, Gigi was nestling her forehead into the crook of Crystal’s neck. That’s when it all tumbled down on the latter.

The contrasting feeling of the coldness from Gigi’s skin against her own warm, buzzing skin sent jolts of emotion through her, and the gentle brush of Gigi’s wavy locks against her jaw caused her heart to squeeze itself in a way that was unfamiliar to her. It didn’t seem too serious to Crystal whilst she was still in her high, but when the effects of the weed began to fade by fifth period, the sudden feeling of need for her best friend’s touch remained in place.

Her mind kept travelling elsewhere during fifth and sixth period, which happened to be double Spanish. Jaida had to pinch her multiple times, bringing her back down to Earth. Jaida didn’t question Crystal’s behaviour too much though, because the latter wasn’t usually focused in Spanish class anyway, and that’s why she was failing.

Gigi had debate team practice after school on Thursdays, so instead of going home together the same way they would travel to school, Crystal biked alone. She had her earplugs in, blasting Clairo like usual and wondering what the hell it was that she felt today. It wasn’t until ‘Sofia’ by Clairo came on did everything click in her mind. Something about the lyrics ‘Standing here alone now, think that we can drive around, I just wanna say how I love you with your hair down’ made her realise that oh, she wanted to be able to call Gigi her own, and not just platonically. Then she almost crashed her bike.

She swerved into a fire hydrant, gratified that her bike sported thick mountain bike wheels to soften the hit. Luckily, she didn’t fall off - she just got a fright. She decided to walk her bike the rest of the way home, which thankfully wasn’t far.

When she reached home, she spread herself across her bed and allowed herself to make connections that she should’ve made before. Why else could she never take her eyes off Gigi’s plump lips? Why else did people at school assume they were a couple because they were so touchy all the time? Why else did she feel such tremendous jealousy whenever Gigi showed even the tiniest bit of romantic fondness towards someone that wasn’t her.

Her mom knocked on her door, reminding her that she had her therapy appointment in an hour, and that led back to the present.

“That seems like quite the epiphany,” Widow smiled warmly, passing Crystal a tissue box when tears began to spill over, “Normally falling for a long-term best friend is something that you realise over time, but not for you apparently.”

“I think maybe I’m just an oblivious fuck,” Crystal sniffled. “But even if I realised it today, years ago, or tens of years from now, she still wouldn’t like me back.”

“Well, I’m not your friend’s therapist, but we can’t be so quick to assume.”

“Once you see the girl, you’ll know. She’s a hardcore ten. I’m a five, at best.”

“Crystal, remember what we went over…” Widow began, and the blue-haired girl finished the sentence.

“…Instead of self-deprecation, tell yourself you’re the best person ever, no matter whether you believe it or not - yeah, I get it,” Crystal rolled her eyes, “It’s just hard when you know it’s not true.”

“Well, I have a little tip I give my clients when they’re in a similar situation to you. The whole unrequited love thing,” the older woman got up from her seat and walked towards a cabinet, pulling out a packet of fresh, plain envelopes, “I usually tell them to write their crush love notes. It’s up to them whether they send them or not, or whether it’s anonymous or not, but they can be very therapeutic when needing to express bottled up emotion. Do you see where I’m coming from?”

Crystal raised a brow and tilted her head to the side slightly, the hint of a smile on her lips. She actually didn’t mind the idea.

“That’s actually super cute,” she giggled, taking the stack of envelopes from her therapist, “Thank you.”

.

As soon as Crystal got home, she sprinted to her room and grabbed an old notebook from the back of her stationery drawer. It was a plain A5 paper notebook, but spread across each page was a ginormous red opaque One Direction logo. Crystal had got it for Christmas about a decade ago, but it had only been used a handful of times for random sketches and one draft of a Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles fanfiction.

She grabbed an ink fine-liner from her art pot which she would normally use for her pointillism artwork and began the first letter.

You don’t know who I am. Well, you do but like, not who is writing this. I hope you aren’t scared or anything - cause that’s the last thing I wanna do. I promise I’m not a freak. Well, I sorta look like one but, I know you aren’t one to be bothered by that kind of thing. It’s beautiful, you know. The way people look at you and assume you’ll hate them for who they are cause you’re so pretty and popular, but then you’re just as wonderful on the outside as you are within. That look on your face when you meet a new person drives me nuts. The way you look like you’ve swallowed the sun. Radiant. Always.

Sometimes I wish I could just tell you how I feel about you to your face, but I think you might faint out of disgust. You do that a lot. I sound like a stalker, but I promise I’m not. I think I’m just smitten.

She finished the letter, reading it over to make sure her handwriting looked unrecognisable. Although Gigi wasn’t the most observant person, she and Crystal were so familiar with each other that she was bound to notice her unique handwriting. She also made sure to spray it with an old perfume that she never wore, so Gigi wouldn’t connect their scents. Gigi always made comments about how she loved Crystal’s perfume, so the blue-haired girl had to take precautions. Her strong scent of cocoa and vanilla was bound to rub off on the paper, so she sprayed it with a men’s cologne that she had likely shoplifted years prior, spraying it onto the paper from a distance.

Although Widow had given her the option not to post the letters, Crystal felt like the weight of her crush wouldn’t be eased unless she actually posted it. So, she placed it into the envelope and slipped it into Gigi’s locker the next day at school when the blonde wasn’t around, her heart pounding in her ears with anticipation and verve.

She sat through her first class of the day, social studies with Daya, desperately trying to take her mind off the painful wait. Daya ranted to her about dinosaurs and how everyone’s perception of how they looked was wrong, but Crystal hardly paid attention. She would nod every so often, just so Daya wasn’t insulted, but she wasn’t really in the conversation.

After social studies, she shared a free period with Gigi. She made her way to their meeting spot in the library after the bell dismissed them from their first period, and sooner than she would’ve liked, Gigi was marching across the library towards her with the smuggest grin on her face.

“Oh my God Crystal Elizabeth you will never guess what I just found in my locker,” she squealed as quietly as possible, sliding into the seat opposite Crystal’s.

“What?” Crystal raised a brow, her mouth full of skittles. Now here was the hardest part - pretending to be shocked.

Gigi reached into her blazer pocket and pushed the familiar envelope towards the older girl, who plastered a confused look on her face. The dirty blonde gestured for her to open it, so she complied. She pulled out the letter that was already likely covered in her own fingerprints and unfolded it with a faux-expression of excitement.

“What the fuck is this?” she chuckled, trying to suppress the shake in her fingers as she held the letter.

“A letter. From a secret admirer,” Gigi beamed, placing her beautiful shaped chin into her palm and flashing her angelic white teeth. Wow, Crystal was more whipped than she thought.

“This is so dumb,” she lied blatantly, and to her surprise, Gigi frowned.

“You think so? I think it’s so sweet. And shit… whoever wrote it has a way with words,” she exhaled, tugging her plump, peachy lower lip between her teeth.

Crystal’s breathing hitched and she felt her skin redden. She assumed Gigi would find it painfully corny, but it seemed like she felt the opposite. The blonde promptly took the letter back from Crystal’s grasp, taking a look at it once more. The older girl wished she was imagining the blush that began to cover Gigi’s face, but it was definitely there.

“I hope they write again. I wanna play Nancy Drew,” Gigi smiled sheepishly, taking Crystal’s hand suddenly, “Will you help me, you know, try and crack the code?”

“Sure!”

Fuck. Crystal felt like Hannah Montana.

.

They spent Saturday together, drinking on Crystal’s roof and gossiping about their own respective friend groups, however, the conversation kept moving back towards the letter. Gigi was conflicted on whether or not she knew the person, but her repetitive use of he and him pronouns when she referred to the secret admirer caused Crystal’s blood to simmer.

When Gigi left the next morning after spending the night on Crystal’s couch, the blue-haired girl was quick to begin her second letter.

I hope these letters haven’t made you uncomfortable in any way. The look on your face when you read it tells me they haven’t though. What I want to tell you though, is that I’m not what you think. I hate to disappoint you, but I’m not a boy. I’m a girl. I don’t know if you like girls. If not; I’m sorry, but if you do; so do I. I like you a lot. All I want is to make you smile.

She spent Sunday at the skatepark, smoking with Daya, Daegen, Lux and Tiff, before slipping the note into Gigi’s locker first thing on Monday morning. The two of them, as well as Gigi’s friends Nicky and Jaida, all shared music class first period of Mondays. Whilst Crystal was pulling her viola out of its case, Gigi suddenly began dangling the envelope in front of her nose.

“Another one!” Gigi grinned, her voice cracking with adorable excitement. She took a seat beside Crystal and opened it. “I haven’t read it yet.”

Crystal watched her friend’s face with anticipation whilst she read the letter aloud, quiet enough that surrounding people wouldn’t hear. Gigi’s eyes widened as she read it over, and her grin faltered into an unreadable expression.

“What does it say?” Crystal questioned nervously.

“The person who wrote it isn’t a guy,” Gigi sighed, scratching the top of her head, “It’s a girl.”

The tanned girl pursed her lips, not knowing what to say next.

“Wow, uh. So… what do you think about that then?” she queried stupidly.

“About what?”

“You know… a girl liking you…”

The blonde crossed her legs and looked away from Crystal, “A pair of tits isn’t gonna stop me from loving this girls way of words. The anonymity is sexy. I should’ve known a man wouldn’t have the mental capacity to do something so romantic.”

This could not be real. Crystal felt like she was lucid dreaming.

“So you like… girls?” she pressed.

Gigi turned to her with a glint in her eye, “No gender or sex will stop me from wanting to kiss someone pretty.”

Oh.

“What? Are you homophobic or something?” Gigi added, and Crystal simply laughed.

”As if! Have you seen me? I think I should get ‘flaming lesbo’ tattooed on my cheek. I just didn’t know about you…” Crystal rushed out before she could even think about it. Never did she think she would come out in that way. In her mind, for most of her life, she had anticipated coming out in a very deep, emotional way - likely crying on Gigi’s bed. This was nothing of the sort.

“You’re a lesbian? Wow. I should’ve known,” the blonde simpered, and Crystal shoved her shoulder playfully.

.

When my therapist recommended I write these, I thought it would help me get over you, but fuck I think I’m falling harder for you. That floral outfit you wore yesterday was so cute. When you walked into class, it lit the whole room up. You truly are God’s favourite, huh? Just kidding I don’t believe in God, but whoever sculpted you took their time.

“Crystal look at this one! This is the most poetic piece of artwork I have ever read,” Gigi gaped, rushing towards Crystal after the latter had waited outside her human biology class for her.

The older girl took the letter and read through it, biting hard on her lower lip whilst Gigi watched with a smile, “It’s cute,” she said.

“It isn’t just cute! It’s… beguiling!”

“Do you even know what that means?”

The blonde groaned as they began to walk through the hallways together.

“I think you’re jealous because no one is writing you captivatingly beautiful love letters.”

Crystal shrugged and continued walking, eventually bumping into Daegen and going for a much-needed smoke. The blue-haired girl didn’t want to come off as cold to her best friend, but she feared that if she said too much, Gigi would make the connection. She smoked in silence, allowing Daegen to rant about her weekly argument with Daya that would likely be resolved by Friday. Occasionally she would nod, but she kept quiet.

It was surprising to Crystal that Gigi appreciated the letters so much. She thought the blonde would find them creepy and stalker-like, and perhaps fear for her own safety, but the opposite reaction was apparent. So now Crystal didn’t know what to do. Gigi was falling for her words, but she didn’t know it was her.

Apparently Daegen had been saying something because suddenly the girl was snapping her pink acrylic covered fingers in front of her eyes.

“Are you listening to me, Crys? I asked what you were planning on doing for Halloween this Friday?”

Oh. Crystal had almost forgotten that she had been working on her Corpse-bride inspired Halloween costume since July, putting her entire soul into the concept and causing her fingers to bleed with the many late nights of sewing layers of tulle. Everything with Gigi must have been really getting in her head - so much so that she forgot about the object of her whole summer.

She was too old for trick or treating now, unfortunately, but she had been planning to have a small get-together (edging on a party) with her remote friend group as well as others. Gigi had promised to attend, after spending the last two Halloweens with the popular kids getting shitfaced at college parties.

“Don’t you remember? I’m throwing a party. My dad is out of town for work and my mom is spending time with our grandma. The house will be empty,” Crystal grinned, puffing a cloud of smoke into the air.

“Crystal Lucia Elizabeth throwing a party? Who would’ve thought,” Daegen smirked, “Is Geege coming?”

“Yup,” Crystal said, her smile faltering slightly as she popped the ‘p.’ Daegen didn’t press on, so soon they were both putting their cigarettes out and heading to their next class.

Word of Crystal’s Halloween party spread like a virus, and the prominent conversation around the school was what everyone was wearing. Thankfully for Crystal, most of her friends were art kids, so instead of wearing a slutty (insert random occupation) costume, they’d all be wearing actual thought-out looks.

At lunchtime, Crystal and Gigi sat under the bleachers together, sipping Yakults and talking about their days. The blue-haired girl asked Gigi what she’d be wearing to her Halloween party, but the blonde wouldn’t tell her.

“It’s a surprise.” her eyes were glinting smugly. Gigi was a seamstress, and everyone knew it. She would create intricately designed, beautiful outfits and sell them to big names on Instagram. Crystal often wondered why she hadn’t just dropped out of school, considering it seemed like she had a strong career set in stone.

But oh boy, Crystal knew whatever it was that Gigi was planning to wear would sweep her off her feet. Figuratively and literally - she was quite clumsy.

.

I can’t wait to see you at the Halloween party tomorrow. I know you’re going to look ethereal. You always do. It’s so hard to look at you without kissing you. I don’t know why I would ever think you would kiss me considering I’m not even half as pretty as you, but I will continue to manifest it as long as you’re in my life. I think I love you.

“She said she loved me in yesterday’s letter,” Gigi shouted through the wind, holding onto Crystal’s waist tight as the latter peddled through the neighbourhood.

“Do you love her?” Crystal replied, thankful that her friend was unable to see her expression at that moment. She couldn’t think straight with Gigi holding her in that way.

“I mean. I guess I have to talk to her face to face. For all I know she can’t speak for shit in real life. She said she’s going to your party tonight. Maybe all will be revealed…”

Crystal breathily laughed out a response as she turned into the school gate. She knew she wasn’t ready to come clean yet. Gigi would simply have to wait another day.

The day passed in a blur. The girls skipped Phys Ed as per usual, but instead returned to the library again for extra revision instead of going back to the bike sheds to get high like last time.

Friday night took a painfully long time to come, but when it did, Crystal could hardly breathe the entire day. She managed to flirt her way out of sixth-period history so she was able to speedily bike her way home to make a start on her eccentric Halloween makeup. People were set to begin arriving at 9 pm, and there wasn’t much preparation to be done aside from throwing a couple of fake cobwebs around the place and placing stacks of red solo cups on the kitchen counter. Her makeup would take at least an hour and a half, so as soon as she got home she took a five-minute shower before beginning the look.

She painted her entire body a silvery grey before carving out strong cheekbones with black paint, giving her an undead appearance. She shaped her brows in a way that would make her look constantly mournful. She slipped her dress on, threw on four different silver necklaces, pulled her voluminous black wig over her head, and clipped the vail to it carefully. After admiring her masterpiece through her phone camera for a few minutes, the doorbell rang. It was Lux and Tiff, who had texted to say they were arriving early.

“Oh my God,” Crystal squealed as she opened the door, revealing the two girls. Both of them were dressed in beige prison outfits, and it quickly clicked to her that they were supposed to be Alex and Piper from Orange Is the New Black. “Lesbians, I assume,” she grinned, but the two girls in front of her were too busy gaping at her own outfit.

“Wow. You are Tim Burton’s wet dream,” Tiff said, pushing past Crystal and entering her home.

“No, I’m not. I’m not white, remember,” Crystal joked.

Lux had brought her large overpriced speaker to blast music. She heaved it into the living room and plugged it in, immediately starting to blast Stupid Love cause she was that girl.

Luckily for Crystal, her neighbourhood adored her. Her street was predominantly old women, but instead of constantly yelling at Crystal for dressing slutty, partying and smoking weed on her roof, they would simply envy her recklessness.

After an hour of pre-shots, people began to arrive. Most people brought their own alcohol, but it was clear that many of them were already drunk before they even arrived. Crystal remained in the foyer, leaning against the wall, singing along to Lux’s music and answering the doorbell whenever it rang. Every time the ringing echoed across the house, she’d subconsciously pray Gigi was on the other side, but for the first two hours, it never was.

Nicky, Jaida and Gigi all arrived at once, and Crystal felt herself get cotton mouth for a second when she looked over them all. Nicky was dressed in a basic white gown with her blonde hair down, however, she was absolutely drenched in fake blood and she wore a small prom queen tiara and sash. It was obviously a Carrie cosplay, and Crystal adored it. Jaida had her entire body painted green and wore a black catsuit over it, cosplaying as Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy.

Crystal complimented their costumes first, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Gigi. Her Halloween costume wasn’t as bold as they had been in the previous years, but there was something about it that took Crystal’s breath away. The blonde had her hair down and curled in smooth waves and she was wearing a loose white dress with a victorian-Esque corset pulling her waist in impossibly tight. She had dripped wax below her eyes, giving a crying illusion, and her makeup was a shimmery purple, making her look angelic. Yes - that was her costume - an angel. Strapped across her back was the largest pair of faux feather angel wings Crystal had ever seen. They were reminiscent of the ones a Victoria’s Secret models would wear, and they shimmered under the moonlight.

“Holy fuck…” Crystal blurted, before squeaking slightly.

“I know right? They’re so fucking heavy,” Gigi giggled before hopping in and air-kissing Crystal on each cheek, “You look so good, girl.”

“Thanks,” Crystal smiled, deciding that she would no longer be taking doorbell duty. She wanted to enjoy herself, so she walked through to the kitchen where Daya was doing body shots with some guy she had never seen before and promptly decided to join her.

Every so often, she would catch Gigi dancing and knocking things over with her wings. She didn’t mind if Gigi ended up shattering a vase. She would glue up every fragment of china for her.

After her second shot, Crystal made her way to the living room with Daegen to observe people’s dancing, and that’s when she saw them.

There was this guy from Gigi’s geography class that she never shut up about. His name was Toby, and he was one of those ‘hipster boys.’ He was a self-proclaimed feminist but probably cried about rejections from women on the internet. Every time Crystal saw his lanky frame enter a room, she felt sick and fantasized about decking him. There was something about him that was just so irritating to her, and every time he stuck his tongue out at her friend or wiggled his eyebrows like a fucking loser, Crystal wanted to cave in on herself.

And there he was, in her home, dancing with her best friend to ‘If You’re Too Shy’ by The 1975, grinding against her cause her angel wings were too large for the roles to be reversed. Gigi was biting her lip and grinning wide - evidently drunk - and she flipped her hair and bounced to the upbeat synth. Nicky was cheering her on from the couch, and Crystal wished she could just shut the party down. So much for Gigi falling in love with her words? Now she was grinding over some flimsy incel that looked like he would have to be pegged by a woman in bed.

It only got worse from there. The blonde caught Crystal’s eye and she walked up to her slowly, her hand still intertwined with Toby’s. Her words were so slurred that the older girl almost didn’t catch them, but she heard Gigi say: “Hey Toby was wondering if your bedroom was free? All the other ones are occupied but I’m desperateeee.”

Crystal had to hold back the mouthful of vomit threatening to spill from her lips. Gigi was so incredibly drunk, and it seemed like Toby was sober, so the entire endeavour didn’t sit right with her at all. She mentally cursed herself for being so generous, because before she could even register what she was doing, she was pulling a small key out of her bra and Gigi and Toby were rushing their way upstairs.

“Fuck, Crys. Have some respect for yourself,” she mumbled when she was out of earshot from her friend. Decidedly, she made her way to the garden where she knew Daegen was smoking with Tiff. She had to ease her mind.

.

“Fuck, Goode, you’re so hot,” Toby grunted, carelessly pulling Gigi’s wings off her arms. Gigi’s mind was hazy and she couldn’t think or speak properly, so she wasn’t able to tell the boy that the wings were handmade and extremely fragile.

“Thanks,” she slurred as he began to undress her, “Wait.”

“What?”

“Let me try and find a condom.”

She hopped off Crystal’s bed and somehow managed to find her way to her friend’s chest of drawers. She found panties and tampons among many other things, but she couldn’t find a condom. She reached the final drawer and frantically poked around for one. Then she grabbed something, and suddenly she sobered up.

It was a red A5 notepad with a black swirly binder. On the red cover, Gigi spotted five faces; Zayn, Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis. She chuckled slightly, before opening the notebook. Her heart dropped. If the familiar 1D watermark print paper wasn’t enough to make the connection, the titular scribble saying ‘Love letter for Geege draft’ at the top sealed it.

“Are you okay, Gigi?” she heard Toby ask from the bed.

The blonde paused and furrowed her brow, not sure what to do next. “Um. I can’t do this. Sorry.”

“But it was gonna be so good… You look so fine…” “Not tonight, Toby. Sorry.”

Her tone was serious, and Toby knew not to cross her. The boy watched as she pulled her dress and wings back on, and squinted his eyes when she saw a small red notebook in her hands.

“What’s that?” he pressed.

“Get out. Crystal wouldn’t want you in her room.”

After muttering a few disgusting insults under his breath, he left the room, leaving Gigi alone on her best friend’s bed with an overwhelming amount of thoughts.

Downstairs, Crystal had a growing concern as to where Gigi was, because she swore she saw Toby leave with another girl on his arm. Instead of being petty, she decided to be a good friend and creep up the stairs. To her surprise, her bedroom door was wide open. Upon entering, she realised it was empty. And then she saw the small A5 One Direction notebook wide open on her bed, and knew it was time to shut the party down.

It didn’t take more than fifteen minutes to get everyone out, but she was still met with groans of annoyance due to it only being little after midnight. Daya stayed back to help Crystal clean up, but the blonde knew something was wrong.

“Crys? What happened?” she asked, placing a hand on the girl’s shoulder. Her other hand was occupied with a large bin bag filled with chip packets, put-out cigarettes and paper cups.

The small motion of comfort caused Crystal to break down, tears tumbling down her cheeks and creating streaks in her white face paint. Patches of caramel skin showed through as she cried more and more.

“No one… touched you… did they?” Daya questioned, dropping the trash bag and wrapping her arms around her friend’s waist.

“No,” Crystal sobbed, “I don’t really wanna talk about it. I’m fine. I just have to figure out a couple of things.”

“Do you need me to stay over?”

“No. It’s fine. I need some alone time.” The house was back to its usual state after twenty minutes, then D aya’s Lyft arrived and she left. Crystal found herself in front of her vanity, scrubbing at her face with cotton pads in an attempt to remove her many layers of makeup. She turned on her ‘Sad Girl Hours’ Spotify playlist whilst she cleaned herself up and continued playing it when she slid into the bath.

Gigi knew.

She couldn’t even think about why Gigi was snooping about in her drawers, she just knew that Gigi knew. Gigi finally made the connection. Crystal’s mask of hiding behind her romantic words was gone. There was no coming back from this. Part of her wanted to slide her body down the white acrylic bathtub surface, submerging herself in the water and remaining there until her lungs couldn’t function without another breath.

Instead, she simply sat there, neck and below beneath the steaming water, eyes shut. Her mind swarmed with escape plans. Would transferring to another school be worth it? Her current school was the best in the district. Should she give it up merely to run away from her problems? Should she face the issue head-on and talk about it with Gigi? Yes. Will she? Absolutely not.

She clambered out when the steam from the water began to make her dizzy. She straightened her blue hair every morning, but it had returned to its curly, frizzy state when it became dampened by the water. She rang it out into the sink using a hand towel, droplets of water falling from her naked frame. Everything was calm. The only thing that could be heard was the occasional sniffle - for Crystal was still crying sightly.

But, like all things, the peace came to an end when Crystal heard a clattering noise come from her bedroom. She yanked a towel from behind the bathroom door before hesitantly making her way back to her room, gasping when she saw someone climbing through her window. Instinctively, she grabbed a tennis racket that was hanging in the corner of her room.

“Jesus Christ - put that down!” the intruder gasped, and Crystal realised that it wasn’t an escaped prisoner coming to steal her and hold her captive in their trunk - it was Gigi.

Part of Crystal wanted to hit Gigi across the head with the racket painstakingly hard so the blonde’s memory would be wiped, forgetting the humiliating events of the day, but instead, Crystal just placed the racket down and covered herself tensely. She was still in her towel, and her hair was still dripping down her shoulders. She likely looked a mess, but it was too dark to notice.

“It’s almost 3 am…” Crystal whispered. Although she didn’t ask anything, it was clear her statement meant ‘why are you here?’

Gigi’s eyes trailed over to the blue-haired girl’s bed where the notebook still sat. Crystal had been afraid to touch it.

“Listen, if you’re going to ridicule me, do it on Monday, cause I’m too tired for this-” the older girl began, but Gigi stepped closer towards her.

The blonde had removed her costume and had her face now bare of any makeup. She was just stood there in black sports leggings and a pink sweater that was three sizes too large, swallowing up her slender frame. Her hair was damp and now in plaits, and her eyes were as puffy and tear-stained as Crystal’s, yet somehow still so beautiful.

“I’m not going to ridicule you, Crys,” she whispered, “I just wanna know… Was it you all along?”

Crystal didn’t wanna say it. Her body had never burned so bad, despite being bare and dripping with water. It was impossible to look Gigi in the eye, so instead, she looked at the gathering dust on the floor, gulping instead of responding.

“Answer me, Crys.” - she was getting closer.

“I don’t know if I can- if I can say it-” Crystal stumbled, her voice cracking under pressure.

Gigi stepped into Crystal’s bubble suddenly, reaching for the latter’s shaky hand. She took it in her own and pressed a soft kiss to it. “Don’t be scared to talk to me. We are best friends, remember. We vowed to always be transparent with one another - so I need you to tell me.”

After too long, Crystal finally met Gigi’s sparkling blue gaze. She swallowed back yet another lump in her throat before nodding. “It was me. I wrote them. All of them.”

The older girl swore she heard Gigi’s breathing hitch, but if the blonde was shocked in any way, she didn’t show any sign of it.

“I wanted to believe it was you, but when you seemed so disinterested in the letters, I began to question it. I never knew that you could write in such a way, Crys,” Gigi smiled sadly, reaching over to catch a tear spilling from Crystal’s eye with her thumb. The touch seemed to burn, sending electrifying sensations through both of them. “Did you truly mean everything you wrote in those letters or was it all a big joke to make me feel special?”

Crystal gasped slightly and furrowed her brow.

“Gigi Goode… You are special. When we got high during Phys Ed and you were all touchy I- I realised that I liked you. Even though it hasn’t been long since I realised it, I know my attraction to you has been there from the start. It started to become impossible to be around you without telling you how I felt, so I wrote it down in letters and hoped I could send the feeling away.”

Crystal was crying now - hard. She was a crier, and everyone knew it, but there was something about the quiet whimpers escaping her lips at that moment that took Gigi off guard.

“I wish you would’ve told me but, I can’t blame you. It’s terrifying,” Gigi sighed, stepping even closer. “I can’t even begin to explain how those letters made me feel, Crys. They made me feel like I hold some significance in somebody’s life. That someone might want me. That I am good enough for someone. You made me feel all that.”

In a bold move, Crystal was reaching towards her friend and tucking an escaped wisp of blonde hair behind her ear, “I can’t imagine a world where you aren’t good enough, Geege.”

“Your letters made me feel so loved,” Gigi sniffled. “Do you love me, Crystal?”

Crystal parted her lips, her hand still lingering by the side of Gigi’s face. It was a make or break moment.

“Yes,” she breathed, and then Gigi was leaning in.

The blonde paused before their lips could meet, looking for a sign of approval in her friend’s eyes. Crystal nodded, and that gave Gigi what she needed to finally press her lips against the former’s frown. They instantly became so content like that, lips moving together so perfectly like they just fit.

It was so gentle, to begin with, Crystal’s hand barely touching the side of Gigi’s face - but then the blonde’s fingers grabbed the top of Crystal’s arm, pulling her closer and prying her mouth open with her tongue. Their lips shifted clumsily against each other, but it still felt so right. Crystal tasted like teardrops and pineapple juice, and Gigi tasted like mint.

As the kiss became more and more heated, Crystal figured out what to do with her free hand. She took Gigi’s hand and led her towards the knot that held her towel together, staring at the blonde with dark, lustful eyes.

“I want you,” Crystal said, like it was a promise, “I need you.”

“I’m yours,” Gigi replied, pulling the knot loose and watching as the towel dropped by Crystal’s feet, showing off tanned curves glistening in water drops, begging to be marked.

They pulled one another in once again in a knee-weakening kiss, their noses colliding with each other as the passion fogged their minds. Soon, they were falling onto Crystal’s bed, and Crystal was watching whilst Gigi undressed herself in front of her.

“Promise me we’ll do this, and then we will talk everything out?” Crystal asked whilst Gigi was pulling her leggings off.

The blonde pressed a gentle kiss against Crystal’s cheek before whispering, “Of course. I love you.”

While Crystal watched Gigi hook a naked leg over her own, all she could think was: Widow VonDu needs a pay rise.

[tonio-dawson]

No Judgement (2/2)

Part 1 here.

A/N: Not a usual storyline. Sorry if you guys don’t like this!

Summary: Y/N works as a lawyer and having a relationship with Antonio could get you into trouble.

=====================

Opposite attracts, they said. So, despite your differences, you two ended up dating anyway. It’s a long road, but after six months of going on casual dates, you both decided to be in a committed relationship.

The relationship does not win the popularity votes. It was shocking to everyone. None of your friends saw it coming. Colleagues, from both sides, are totally against it - they think that you and him are playing for “the other side”.

But you don’t care. Somehow, it works. Even with non-stop debates and arguments, you make it work. The great thing about those arguments - it never affects your relationship at all. You both can be tough critics to each other, but it doesn’t stop you to admire each other too. You know that he’s great at what he does: catching criminals and protecting the city, albeit the team’s debatable methods. Antonio admires how you always stand up for the innocents, to seek justice on a broken system.

He also knows that you’re very selective on who you represent. Most of your clients are corporations, fighting over trademarks and intellectual rights dispute. But you also take smaller cases, usually involving youth around the neighbourhood. Those who got in trouble over small things and don’t have anyone to look out for them. You make sure they get fair trials. 

So, when you told Antonio who you’re going to meet this afternoon, he is very surprised.

“Louis Garrison?! I thought you’re not taking cases involving gang members? Don’t tell me you represent him.” he raises his voice.

“I don’t. I am merely consulting on the case. Harry, my best friend, his firm is representing him. They want Louis to make a deal with the DA testifying against his boss but he’s getting cold feet. As I’m more familiar with how the DA deal works, I need to convince him.” you explain.

“And let me guess, he’s gonna walk?” Antonio asks, rather cynically.

“Why are you so cynical? It’s my job to ensure that the DA holds their part of the bargain. Unlike some half-ass promise you guys always give out at the precinct.” you snap back, “And he is NOT gonna walk, I never believe in the full immunity crap, you know that.” usually your boyfriend gives you a hard time by saying ill things about the police, but not this time.

“I know I said ‘no judgement’ when it comes to our cases. But babe, the South Side Gang are murderers. So I do get to judge over your safety.” Antonio replies, full of worry this time.

“Yeah I know, among other things. Louis is getting charged on distribution though, the DA could charge him with narcotic-induced homicide. So, we want to stop the distribution altogether by going after the big guy.” you reply.

“But you know it’s dangerous, right? That his gang is capable of murder?” Now Antonio put this ever-so-worried look that you never saw before.

“Hey, it’s gonna be fine. The gang maybe is, but not Louis. I’m meeting him at a restaurant and there will be plenty of security.” you hold his hand. He takes it and place a kiss, “I am just saying, be careful.” his raspy voice gets you to a very safe place every time, you pull him into a hug. 

The meeting with Louis runs rather smoothly. Louis has a bad experience with his cousin making a deal with the police that doesn’t stick, hence his hesitation. But you convinced him that the DA is different than the police, that lawyers do everything with paper trails so there’s no way around it. The meeting is almost over when you see Antonio comes through the restaurant door, approaching your table, looking rather upset.

You can sense trouble is coming but don’t know what it will be, so you are staying calm. “Louis, remember that I’m on your side. Here’s my card and if you have any question-” before you can finish your sentence, Antonio interrupts. “Hey babe, what are you doing here?” Antonio smiles and kiss your cheek and conveniently flash his badge on his belt when ducking down.

Louis looks very confused. “Wait, you say there’s no police?” He stands up and walks right away. “Y/N say sorry to Harry. I’ll take the full sentence.” he leaves in a hurry.

“No- Louis, this is not what it looks like, there’s no police at all!” you rushes off to follow him. But Antonio grabs your arm and stops you. Louis quickly disappears.

“Antonio, what the hell?!” you walk out from the restaurant and let Antonio follows you, you don’t want to make a scene inside the restaurant.

So in Chicago chilly winter, you are at it with Antonio, “Babe, listen to me-” he starts to explain himself.

“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?” you scream, furious.

“We just got a lead that Louis is a suspect for a murder in Pulaski last night. He’s a murderer and I can’t let you anywhere near him.” He quickly explains hoping that you’d understand.

But instead, you’re fuming, “Oh, God. This is why I hate the police so much. How many times do I have to tell you, it’s innocent until proven guilty, Tonio?! Right here, right now, I can disprove your ‘lead’.” You take a breath and yell at him, “Harry was up ALL NIGHT with Louis, trying to convince him to show up to this meeting that you just blew up!” You’ve had many arguments with him, but you’ve never been this angry before.

Antonio looks confused, as the lead puts a car registered under his name in the murder location.

“But the his car was used to-” he tries again.

“Well he does not drive his car, does he? His driving license got suspended last year, so he’s been renting out his car. You didn’t do your homework, detective?!” you scream so loud your voice is cracking. 

The fact is, Antonio runs out so quickly the minute Louis’ name pop up during the investigation. Kim has taken down him as a suspect list when pod camera reveals the people inside the car. No Louis, of course. Antonio was so worried over you, did not even check his phone before entering the restaurant.

“Don’t fuck me up with this.” you shake your head, “You know why I care so much about this case? It’s because the narcotics have been flooding the streets. Lots of kids went to ED because of it. So I want the entire distribution to stop. With the way I know best.” your eyes filled with tears but you try to hold it. It’s anger, disappointment, and sadness, mix into one.

You spent a good time of your life in an orphanage, Antonio knows this. And this is what drives you to help out teenagers and kids who got in trouble because they just did not know any better. Antonio drops his head, knowing how big of a mess he just created.

“Babe, I’m so sorry, I’ll fix this.” Antonio pleads.

“No. I will fix this. You’ve done enough. And if I find out that you are anywhere near Louis, we are DONE. I mean it. And you know how much I hate threats, but there you go, Detective Dawson.” you walk, leaving Antonio.

Antonio knows he’s in trouble when you call him Dawson. But Detective Dawson? It’s the first time he’s hearing this, it means double the trouble. And he does not know what to do this time.

You have not been returning any of Antonio’s call for a week and you haven’t speak a single word to him. The only text you sent was, “Is Leo really your CI?” which you got a ‘yes’ reply along with three paragraphs of apology and questions when can he see you again.

By now, the problem has actually been fixed. Not long after the incident, you came clean to Louis about having a relationship with a detective, but assured him that you never talk about cases as you maintain your professionalism, besides it’s also against the law. Harry found out that Antonio once helped out Leo, who is Louis’ cousin, from getting jammed up by patrol officers. Because of that fact, Louis trusts you and Harry again. He has decided to work on the deal with the DA.

But you’re still angry with Antonio. For fucking things up. For not trusting Louis. For not trusting you and Harry. 

You haven’t been yourself lately, so Harry comes by to your place to check on you. “Hey, how are you doing?” he asks, you just shrugs your shoulder and give him a small smile. After a long pause, he continues, “You know, it’s Antonio who gave me information about Leo.”

“I know.”

“You know that he’s been contacting me three times a day now, asking when he can meet you.” he continues.

“I know. You don’t have to answer him.” you say.

“No, the thing is, I want to answer him. I want to tell him that you’re over it. Hell, we are over it, Y/N. Louis is gonna be okay and you know that. So I want to tell him that you both are okay and things can go back the way they were.” 

“Uh-huh. What do you want?” you know when Harry beats around the bushes, he basically wants something from you.

“Antonio’s downstairs. Said that he wants to drive you somewhere. With me too. At least let him try?” he asks, “Yeah sure, whatever.” you sigh.

You see Antonio for the first time in a week now, you just realized how much you miss his face. But you still give him the cold shoulder, “I’ll take the back seat.” 

The road becomes familiar after 20 minutes of driving. And you know where you are now. It’s the orphanage home that you spent time growing up. You still visit the place once a year. 

“Look, this is not me trying to win you back. But I just want you to show you something.” says Antonio before getting out of the car.

You are greeted by Mrs. Hudson who immediately hugs you, “What a lovely surprise, Y/N! Christmas comes early, I guess?” she smiles and looks at Antonio, “And Detective Dawson, to what do I owe the pleasure?” your eyes look at her and Antonio, confused. 

“Nothing, Mrs. Hudson. I know it’s Friday night and you have movie night with the children, right? So I bring extra snacks and sodas if you let us three join you?” he asks. “Of course! You’re always welcome whenever.” says Mrs. Hudson.

“How did you know..?” you’re still confused, Antonio and Harry quickly disappear to move the snacks and drinks from the car. “Detective Dawson helped us to rebuild the basement here, you know the fire from 8 months ago? His sister and the house were the one responded to the call.”

You remember there’s a small fire there but you were told the damage isn’t big and no one is injured, so you did not visit them right away and only sent some donations to Mrs. Hudson.

Mrs. Hudson leads you to the common room, with all the curtains closed and a bed sheet used as a big screen, it looks like a mini cinema. They throw all the cushions on the carpeted floor and all the children sit down. Harry loves children so he blends right in with them, cracking jokes and playing with them. 

While you sit at one corner and Antonio joins you.

“How come you never told me about this? You know I grew up in this place.”

“I don’t know. I never knew how to bring it up.” he scratch the back of his head, “And these are the kids you’re trying to protect, right? I want to show you how you’ve been cleaning up the street, your way. We got a call from the DA, they warrant all of our surveillance and wire tap request on Louis’ boss. It’s just a matter of time and he’ll be behind bars. And these kids, well, hopefully they will grow up without drugs on the street. So, we celebrate with them tonight.” he raises his eyebrows, slightly anxious, looking for your approval. 

What Antonio doesn’t know is that Mrs. Hudson has explained how Gabby and him have helped her the past few months. Keeping the kids busy and away from drugs - whether it’s movie night, or boxing class, or cooking, or art. “Detective Dawson and the fire house have been volunteering their time here, doing all sorts of things,” said Mrs. Hudson earlier, “And Harry told me that he is your boyfriend? You better keep him, hon.” she grins before walking away.

The kids are enjoying the snacks and giggling with Harry, you smile at the scene. You look at your boyfriend, you haven’t spoken a single word but your eyes have gotten soft on him.

He takes your hand, “Part of my job is to judge people all the time. During interrogations, takedown, and even when questioning a witness. I’m sorry for judging Louis just by looking at his rep sheet. I’m sorry for not trusting you with your job. I should’ve not interfere, I should have known better of you, and Harry.” he says softly.

“You know that you said that this isn’t about winning me back? I think it actually is.” you smile at him.

“It’s for the kids. But I don’t care, I’ll take the win either way.” he hugs you and you hug him even tighter, you’ve missed his scent and his warm body, “Yeah right, I’ve missed you.” 

“I’ve missed you more. Please don’t be this angry again. I almost died this week not hearing from you.” 

“Don’t be so stupid next time.”

“I’ll learn from this. I promise.” he kisses the top of your head.

You spend the rest of the night at his embrace, his arm wraps around you the whole time, he doesn’t let go until your body gets sore. He doesn’t know how to express how sorry he is, so from this day on he’s going to make you feel that he’s got your back, no matter how different you are in your two worlds. 

[the-original-b]

Burned by Olympian Fire: the Horrifying True Story of the Demon Core

In 1942, a collection of the world’s greatest minds pooled their intelligence and creativity to bring the world into a new era. They called this undertaking the Manhattan Project. The end result: three spheres of metal small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, light enough to carry, and disturbingly warm to the touch.

These scientists stole the secret of fire from the gods, and looked to use it as a weapon with which to smite their foes. But they didn’t truly understand what it was they were doing—they merely knew how it worked and what it did.

This is the true story of two scientists, human error, and a fourteen pound ball of weapons-grade Plutonium.

The First Sphere—made of Uranium and fitted into the device code named Little Boy—claimed the lives of 20,000 soldiers and over three-to-six times as many civilians when it detonated above the city of Hiroshima on the morning of August 6th, 1945.

The Second Sphere—made of Plutonium and rigged to a device they called Fat Man—took the lives of 75,000 people when it detonated over Nagasaki just after noon on August 9th that same year.

The Third and final Core—the one this story is about—was supposed to enter a third device meant to be intended for another Japanese city but never did since Emperor Hirohito announced his surrender on August 15th. The core remained at the then-secret Los Alamos Laboratory where, unlike its siblings, it would educate rather than destroy.

But like its siblings, the Third Core would claim the lives of innocents.

Allow me to backtrack a little to shed some light on how these nuclear devices worked:

The massive explosions for which Fat Man and Little Boy are infamous only occur when a nuclear core goes critical. This was achieved in these devices by using explosives to compress the core into a smaller volume and artificially simulate critical mass. This allows the fission reaction responsible for the release of vast sums of atomic energy to sustain itself and compound, ultimately resulting in archetypal mushroom cloud explosion for which the devices are known.

Since the Third Core was never installed in a nuclear device and detonated over Japan, physicists working at Los Alamos decided to see just what it took for such a device to go critical. They deduced that a sufficiently dense reflector can be positioned in such a way that the neutrons flung off by radioactive materials during natural nuclear decay would be sent back into the material to careen into more of the atoms and split them, sharply reducing the amount of fissionable material required to achieve a critical state and foregoing the need for explosives.

Even though detonation of the radioactive material itself might not occur in all cases, a radiation pulse probably would (which we can all agree isn’t great).

Physicists at Los Alamos engaged in a series of near-criticality experiments that used neutron-reflective materials placed around the weapons-grade ball of Plutonium left over from the Manhattan Project to see just how close they could get it to critical without killing themselves or everyone in the building. Again, I’m confident in saying that probably isn’t the best thing to do, and I’m not alone in saying so. It’s been reported that Physicist Richard Feynman compared the experiments to “tickling the tail of a sleeping dragon.” But the experiments continued despite the very real danger of being cooked alive by a blast of Godzilla breath.

And that’s exactly what happened to scientists Harry Daghlian Jr. and Louis Slotin.

Daghlian’s Dance with the Demon

On August 21st 1945, Haroutune “Harry” Krikor Daghlian Jr. was running a criticality experiment with the Third Core. He was placing Tungsten Carbide bricks around the Core to see how many of them and in what orientation it would take to reflect enough neutrons back into the Core to achieve criticality. With the help of a device similar to a Geiger counter, he got close enough to criticality with his stack of bricks that he decided to stop his experiments.

This should have been the end of it. He probably should have left it well enough alone and had a beer with his homies after a hard day of flirting with nuclear disaster. But Daghlian was curious.

And we all know what curiosity does to cats.

He returned to his assembly alone that night for another test. Just as before he arranged his bricks in such a way that his device told him brought the Third Core to near-criticality. As he was placing one last brick in his assembly, his device told him the Core would go critical if he continued. He listened to his device, and cautiously began removing the final brick.

But then he dropped it.

The Demon Core woke the instant the brick hit the assembly. It went super-critical and flooded the room with blue light and a wave of heat. Daghlian reacted quickly, knocking the brick to the floor with his free hand. But the damage was already done. You’re probably one google image search away from scarring your retinas with what that hand looked like, but I’ll advise against that.

Imagine wrapping your hand in a fresh cast, then placing a chunk of raw hamburger in your palm. That was his right hand.

Daghlian had absorbed—in that split second—a fatal dose of radiation. Twenty-five days after the incident, Harry Daghlian fell into a coma and died at the age of twenty-four, resulting from severe radiation poisoning. But Daghlian wasn’t the only one in the building that night. A security guard, Private Robert J. Hemmerly, was seated at his desk reading the newspaper. He died 33 years later of what was determined to be radiation-induced leukemia. At the time of exposure, Hemmerly was 29 and the father of two.

Why radiation poisoning is the most f#@ked up way to die

Ionizing radiation like that emitted from the Demon Core that day destroys cellular structures. At extreme levels: bone marrow dies, the immune system fails, organs and soft tissue begin to decompose. And then the subject dies in a matter of days to weeks.

At more moderate levels, the cellular damage might not make itself known for years or even decades, but may show itself in the form of cancers or other maladies.

Either way, it’s safe to say it’s not a good time.

During the 25 days following Daghlian’s costly mistake, his colleague Louis Slotin reportedly spent several hours a day at his bedside, comforting Daghlian as acute radiation poisoning slowly and painfully killed him. If only he knew he would be there not even a year later, in the exact same hospital, suffering the exact same fate.

Slotin’s Screwdriver Slipup

By 1946, Physicist Louis Slottin had taken over the criticality experiment group. Although the experiment was moved to another site, the nature and danger of the experiments remained unchanged. Despite the still-present threat of being microwaved by a ball of radioactive metal, and warnings from more seasoned colleagues, Slotin continued along Daghlian’s path.

On May 24th that year, Slotin was conducting another near-criticality experiment with the now-infamous Demon Core, replacing the tungsten carbide bricks with a pair of beryllium hemispheres and lowering those halves until there was only a sliver of space separating them. If the hemispheres connected, the neutron reflection would be total, and a self-sustaining reaction would rouse the Demon again.

Slotin was reportedly brash in his experimentation, performing this experiment without any fail-safes designed to prevent the beryllium hemispheres from connecting. Instead, the local expert-among-experts would simply hold onto the top hemisphere bare-handed and lower it onto the core with the blade of a flathead screwdriver to get that much closer to criticality. Slotin had reportedly done it this way dozens of times before without incident.

On the afternoon of the accident (spoiler alert), Slotin was running the Screwdriver experiment just as he had so many times before as seven other colleagues observed.

The screwdriver slipped.

The instant the hemispheres connected the Demon Core went super-critical, flooding the room with its deathly blue glow and other-worldly wave of heat before Slotin could remove the top hemisphere from the assembly and silence the Core again.

According to physicist Raemer Edgar Schreiber who was in the room that afternoon, Slotin’s first words after the incident were, quote:

“Well…

that does it.”  

Louis Slotin reportedly absorbed an absolute lethal dose of ionizing radiation. He died nine days later of acute radiation syndrome at the age of 35, at the same hospital as Harry Daghlian, of the same cause, from the same Plutonium ball.

The demonstration that killed Slotin was supposed to be the Demon Core’s last, and it was. Instead of being destroyed in a test detonation over Bikini Atoll as originally intended, the Demon Core was melted down and redistributed among the rest of the United States nuclear stockpile, where its ultimate fate likely involves one of two outcomes:

It may be safely decommissioned in accordance with such initiatives as the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaties (START I and START II), or

It may be loosed on some other unsuspecting city and, like its siblings in 1945, carve its mark into history forever.

Further reading:

Youtube The Demon Core The Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing Levels of Radiation

[gstqaobc]

The Royal Fascinator Friday, May 01, 2020 Hello, royal watchers and all those intrigued by what’s going on inside the House of Windsor. This is your biweekly dose of royal news and analysis. Reading this online? Sign up here to get this delivered to your inbox. Janet Davison Janet Davison Royal Expert

Sophie: The royal who ‘just gets on with it

She has been packing groceries in recent days, volunteering at a kitchen and talking to paramedics. There hasn’t been much fanfare around her actions in support of those working in the battle against COVID-19 — but then again, when Sophie, Countess of Wessex, does her royal business, that’s the way it tends to be. “Sophie does everything very quietly, partly because the media don’t follow her obsessively as they do with William and Catherine and partly because the things she does aren’t necessarily very glamorous,” said Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, via email. That’s exactly what the Royal Family needs, Seward suggests: “someone who just gets on with things regardless of the attention they receive.” Seward likens Sophie, who joined the Royal Family when she married the Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, in 1999, to her sister-in-law, Princess Anne. Seward said given that Anne is nearly 70, she thinks Sophie “will take over from her as being the hardest-working royal. [Sophie] approaches her role in an unfussy way and just gets on with it.” That low-key approach has not gone unnoticed by her mother-in-law. Sophie “goes about her duty diligently, quietly and without a great deal of fuss, and for that the Queen adores her,” said Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent, Katie Nicholl, via email. “They are very close and spend a lot of time together when they are in Windsor, and the Queen loves riding with her grandchildren James and Louise.” It’s a closeness observers say goes back years. Sophie’s arrival in the family came in the wake — and in some ways the shadow — of Diana, wife of Edward’s older brother Prince Charles. Some saw Sophie as a new Diana, Seward said, “which of course she wasn’t.” “She hated the comparison as she knew she never would or should try to live up to it.” Louise's birth in November 2003 was difficult, as Sophie almost died as a result of blood loss. “People saw how much the Queen cared about her, visiting her in hospital, which is unheard of,” Seward said. “Gradually and without being pushy, she became the Queen’s closest companion — they share a love of military history and a wicked sense of humour.” That’s not to say it’s all been smooth sailing for Sophie. After her marriage, she continued in her career, but quit as head of a public relations company in 2001 after embarrassing comments she made were secretly recorded by a tabloid reporter posing as an Arab sheik and published in the News of the World. Seward suggests the Queen remained supportive of her daughter-in-law, and ultimately decided it would be better if Sophie and Edward worked as full-time royals. “Ever since then, Sophie has appeared looking glamorous when needed and workmanlike when needed.” She has visited Canada several times, sometimes with Prince Edward, sometimes on her own. The last visit came last fall, with two low-profile days in Toronto. Much of the time was spent at Toronto Western and Toronto General hospitals. She talked with critically ill patients and showed a "great warmth" and a "real, genuine skill in listening," Kevin Smith, president and chief executive officer of the University Health Network, said at the time. With turmoil and uncertainty in the upper echeolons of the Royal Family these days —  Prince Harry and Meghan stepping back to seek their independence, Prince Andrew stepping back amid controversy over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — questions have arisen over just how the House of Windsor will approach the future. Some suggest Sophie will find herself in a more prominent role. “We are already seeing Edward and Sophie doing more to support the royals and I think that’s going to be the case moving forward,” said Nicholl.

Royal birthdays — pandemic-style

T(The Duchess of Cambridge/Kensington Palace via AP)In any family, birthdays can come in bunches. For the Royal Family, there’s a real run of them in late April and early May. And this year, the pandemic has been reflected as some members of the family marked their annual milestones in recent days. Queen Elizabeth's 94th birthday was acknowledged more quietly than usual. The gun salutes that normally sound on April 21 were called off, with the Queen feeling they would not be appropriate at this time. Photos released to mark Prince Louis’s second birthday on April 23, taken by his mother, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, showed the happy, colourful and messy aftermath of fingerpainting rainbows in support of the National Health Service. Other birthdays right around now include Louis’s sister Charlotte, who turns five on May 2, and their cousin, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, who will be one on May 6.

Harry and Meghan and the media —  again

Prince Harry and Meghan may be looking for a new life in Los Angeles, but some old issues appear to remain top of mind for them.The couple, who stepped back from the upper echelons of the Royal Family a month ago, caught observers somewhat off-guard the other day when they sent out a message saying they would no longer be co-operating with four British tabloid newspapers.It prompted some to wonder about the timing of the announcement, coming as it did during the pandemic, when such an issue might take a back seat to concerns over how to battle the coronavirus.Harry in particular has had a raucous relationship with the media, and the couple has also taken their battle into the courts.A few days ago, the first court hearing in a privacy case brought by Meghan against a tabloid for printing part of a letter to her father began at the High Court in London.Papers submitted in court included details of text messages Harry sent to Meghan’s father.The whole media swirl prompted Jonny Dymond, the BBC’s royal correspondent, to ask, “So will the real Duke and Duchess of Sussex please stand up?“There is the couple who provoke such sympathy in the court papers published today,” Dymond wrote recently. “And there's the couple who think now is the right time to exercise their quarrels with the bestselling papers of the nation that they have departed from.”

��Royally quotable“

As we approach World Immunization Week, I wanted to recognize the vital and urgent work being done by so many to tackle the pandemic; by those in the medical and scientific professions, at universities and research institutions, all united in working to protect us from COVID-19.”— 

The pandemic prompted Prince Philip to make a rare public statement on April 20. The 98-year-old Duke of Edinburgh, who has had a keen interest in science, has rarely been seen in public since he retired from public duties in the summer of 2017.

Royals in Canada

(Bill Croke/The Canadian Press)Princess Anne has been having something of a moment lately — or maybe several moments. One came late last fall, prompted by the feisty portrayal of her in Season 3 of the Netflix drama The Crown. And right now, the all-business, no-nonsense only daughter of the Queen and Prince Philip is the cover story for Vanity Fair.

But rewind 49 years, and Anne had her share of moments, too, some of them coming in Canada.

Much media attention was focused on the 20-year-old when she arrived with her parents to mark the 100th anniversary of British Columbia’s entry into Confederation.

As much as Anne was the focus of anticipation and attention during that trip in early May 1971, her royal duties were rather routine, even a bit mundane.

“Princess Anne made no official statement at the unveiling,” the Globe and Mail reported on May 5, after she officially opened Canada’s newest national park, Pacific Rim on Vancouver Island. “Her only function was to pull the cord that removed the flag from the rock face to unveil the plaque.”

Later, the Globe reported, Anne told the park superintendent “she was much impressed by the beauty and the picturesqueness of the park region.”

Our friends at CBC Archives have taken an in-depth look at the tour that took the royal visitors to Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Williams Lake and Comox.

Royal reads 1.Prince Harry has told friends he misses his life in the Armed Forces. [Daily Telegraph]

2. Harry has also looked back on his time as a child, recording a special messageto celebrate the 75th anniversary of a book he and others loved in their younger years: Thomas the Tank Engine. [CBC

]3. King Henry VIII might not be the first person you think of as inspiration for how to live in self-isolation, but maybe he could offer some lessons on how to find comfort in quarantine. [The Guardian]Cheers!I’m always happy to hear from you. Send your ideas, comments, feedback and notes to royalfascinator@cbc.ca. Problems with the newsletter? Please let me know about any typos, errors or glitches.

[larryfanficwriter98]

Two

{Fake It Until You Make It Real.}

Well....I had seven chapters finished, but as my readers from my other story know I have a terrible habit or rewriting an entire chapter in just one night because of ✨inspiration✨ and 🌈self-doubt🌈. So just know what was once chapter three is now chapter two because my brain hates me.¯\_(ツ)_/¯

After Louis texted him the first time after their lunch, they haven't stopped texting except for when Harry slept, and Louis slept. They were currently talking about plausible backstories to make this believable. Luckily, they had Louis' every other free weekend to use as a cover up and Harry's odd hours to use as well. They then came up with their anniversary date, which was July 19 right after summer vacation started. They've been together for fourteen months going on fifteen, but despite that they've only seen each other a handful of times due to work, kids, and their busy lives. Once they work out the finer details it would be believable, but for now it will work.

From: Harry What's your ring size?

Louis pulled his eyebrows together as he stared at the text before sending a reply.

To: Harry Why?

From: Harry Your engagement ring silly. I can't have a ringless fiancé, a nice, cute boy might get the wrong idea.

To: Harry Like a supermarket engagement ring?

From: Harry No Lewis. A real ring. A real show stopping stone. A real every kiss begins with K jewelry piece.

Despite the conversation Louis couldn't help but laugh as he sent a reply

To: Harry I'm cool with any ole supermarket ring

From: Harry I still need your ring size either way so....

To: Harry 7. Also, not every kiss begins with K. Some begin with a slap.

From: Harry Kinky. Tell me more. 👂👂👂

To: Harry You're lucky I have a class in 5 otherwise I would.

From: Harry Lol damn. Have fun teaching Shakespeare

To: Harry It's not Shakespeare. It's Cinderella.

From: Harry Rodgers and Hammerstein's?

To: Harry Is there any other version?

From: Harry Good man.

Louis locked his phone and looked up surprised to see Zayn sitting across from his desk.

"Oh, good you've noticed me." Zayn said

"You could have spoken." Louis told him as he set his phone down on the desk, "how long have you been there?"

"Long enough to know you have a secret boyfriend you haven't told me about. I get not wanting to tell Freddie or even your family, but me? Is it new? Is that why?" Louis hesitated; this would be the perfect chance to tell Zayn the lie that he has had a boyfriend for the past fourteen months. Or he could tell Zayn that it wasn't like that at all and he was reading the situation wrong.

"We both haven't told anyone anything. He has a daughter that goes to this school on the other side of the building, so it makes things delicate." Louis said

"Okay I get that but why not tell me? How long has this been going on?"

"Fourteen months." Louis said not meeting his best mate's eyes as he stood up and grabbed a stack of scripts

"Fourteen months?!" Zayn shouted, "you've been seeing someone for fourteen months and you haven't said anything."

"He's a doctor, he works odd hours and so we only see each other a few times a month. Look we can talk later alright."

"I want to meet him."

"Later. I have a class arriving soon so leave." Zayn opened his mouth to probably argue but the first student entered so Zayn huffed and left the room making Louis sigh in relief. Louis grabbed his phone and sent a quick message to Harry asking if he was free sometime this weekend to meet Freddie before he locked it, silenced it, and placed it screen down so he wouldn't be distracted. Come lunch Louis checked his phone to see a message of Harry.

From: Harry Yes. I'm off today at 5 until Sunday afternoon.

To: Harry Wanna come over Saturday for pizza and Monsters Inc?

From: Harry Uh... yes! Count me in. Should I bring juice boxes? Candy? Snacks?

To: Harry NO!

From: Harry How else am I going to get your son to like me!?

To: Harry The normal way? With time?

From: Harry BORING! I'll see you Saturday! What time?

To: Harry Say four-ish?

From: Harry I'll be there.

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

Harry spent Friday after work at different toy shops trying to find the perfect toy for Freddie. He kept asking Louis what Freddie liked on disguise of needing to revise on TV shows little boys tend to like more than girls just in case. Which he did. He knew everything about PJ Masks and Bluey and Puppy Dog Pals. He knew about the animated Star Wars shows boys like and he was prepared with wrestling moves should it come down to it. However, having an awesome toy to give to Freddie wouldn't hurt his chances. He had been trying to be mindful that Louis lived in an apartment, but when he saw it, he knew it was meant to be. It was the last one in stock and it had been on sale, not that he would have cared anyway, but still it was a sign. So, he bought a few things to go with it then headed to checkout. He kept what he bought a secret and come Saturday Harry headed to the apartment complex. When he got there, he allowed himself to grimace only once inside of his car. Afterwards he schooled his features and stepped out locked his car three times just to be sure as he headed to the apartment building. The front door was held open by a large rock and the tiled floor was peeling but Harry ignored it and head up to the fourth floor to room 5D and knocked on it. He knocked on it while staring behind him at an old man sitting in a rocking chair with his front foot wide open watching him. He was only there for a few seconds before the door was pulled open revealing Louis.

"Is he alive?" Harry asked instead of greeting Louis like he had planned.

"Yes, though I never actually see him move but I see him gone." Louis said amused

"Right. Sorry. Hi."

"Come in before you get nightmares." Louis said pulling him into the apartment that matched the rest of the apartment complex except it was obvious Louis had done what the apartment manager allowed him to do to make it better. There was new paint on the walls and the floor had the new faux wood flooring probably replacing the tile that seemed to be all over the complex, "Freddie is in his room picking out his favorite toys to show you."

"Perfect. Do they have names?"

"Some of them though they change every other month."

"Got it. I bought him something by the way."

"I figured you had a scheme behind your questions. How big is it?" Louis asked folding his arms as Harry who shrugged

"I can carry it no problem."

"That doesn't tell me anything. Will it be in the way of my perfectly made walkway of toddler toys?"

"Yes, but it has a storage compartment."

"Will it be able to fit through the door once its constructed when we move?" Harry looked at the door then back at Louis and shook his head, "then no."

"What if I promise to be the one to take it apart and put it together?"

"Even tonight because you know he'll want it built."

"Yes, I promise."

"Fine. After pizza." Harry grinned following Louis to the couch, "just so you know don't be offended if he suddenly gets shy when he sees you. I never brought anyone home, so this is new to him."

"Relax I have a way with kids. You'll see and if it turns out he is immune to the Styles magic I have the toy as a backup."

"So, you are bribing my son."

"Call it what you will we are having Harry and Freddie bonding time while he loses every important piece as I build him his toy."

"That is probably accurate." Louis said amused, "How do you know so much about toddlers? You mentioned you didn't see Maddie much as a baby due to school and work and they moved here what...three years ago?"

"Yeah, just about. I work in a hospital. I see toddlers a lot when families visit loved ones and I occasionally work in the pediatric ward. Plus, I love kids. Always wanted a big family." Before Louis could reply Freddie came into the living room hugging the superhero chutes and ladders board game close to his body. Freddie climbed onto Louis' lap making shy eye contact with Harry before he turned away only to look back at him again a few seconds later.

"Hi Freddie." Harry said gently, "I'm Harry." He said leaning into him briefly teasingly making Freddie smile as he leaned away. "I bought you a gift." That had Freddie's attention

"You did?"

"I did. Your papa says it has to wait until after dinner though. Do you by chance have something we can do to make the time go by faster?" Harry asked innocently

"Maybe."

"Well, if you...by chance...have chutes and ladders anywhere in your collection...just know it's one of my favorite games ever."

"It is?!"

"Of course, it is!"

"I have it!" Freddie said excitedly as he handed Harry the box

"And it has superheroes?! That's so cool!" Harry said enthusiastically as he knelt on the floor at the coffee table, "Wanna play with me?"

"Yes!" Freddie quickly scrambled off of Louis' lap and knelt beside Harry and helped set the game up handing Louis the wolverine character and taking the Spiderman character for himself. Harry took the Iron Man character before they closed the box and set it to the side and Louis knelt down across from Harry as he grinned at him. Throughout the game Harry kept asking Freddie about his toys and how Nursery was going and his favorite tv shows. Louis watched his son completely fall in love with Harry over the course of two games that Freddie won without any help from them.

"Do you want to see my train collection?" Freddie asked after he helped put away the game

"Of course, I want to see it." Louis watched as Freddie grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him to spare room that was once Louis' office that had been turned into Freddie's toy room. Harry grinned as he looked back at him waving his fingers before he turned into the small hall. They were gone only a few minutes before the pizza arrived. After tipping the deliver guy he headed to the kitchen and set the pizza and cheese bread boxes down grabbing some plates. He made Freddie a player with two of the smallest slices of pizza then a thin slice of cheese bread. He set the plate on the coffee table with his refilled cup of juice then he made Harry a plate of the two biggest slices and two things of cheesy bread. After Harry's he made his own and called the boys for dinner, they left a minute later with Freddie telling Harry the story of Operation Patching Patches which was his teddy bear that had a huge hole in the stomach that had been sewn closed with a scrap of fabric.

"Papa didn't do a very good job, the stuffing still falls out, but Papa always told me it's the thought that counts so...that's why I have a jar full of stuffing."

"Well, you know Freddie I sew up open cuts all the time. I can fix Patches if you want me to."

"Good luck he doesn't let anyone have Patches." Louis said handing Harry his plate and a beer bottle

"Thank you and I won't have to have him. I have a sewing kit in my car." Freddie sat in the middle of the couch making it clear he expected to sit between them. Harry didn't even raise a brow as he sat beside Freddie on one end of the sofa. Even Zayn tells Freddie to scoot over and Zayn adores Freddie, it took Louis by surprise for a second before he sat on the other end. Harry and he locked eyes over Freddie and grinned before Louis turned on the movie Freddie picked out earlier.

***********

Louis laid on the couch watching as Harry, with Freddie in his lap more often than not, built the train track table. Harry had endlessly amount of patience for Freddie's curious mind and was gentle when explaining why Freddie couldn't do some of the things however, he did let Freddie screw in the screws tightening them quite a bit when Freddie was putting the screws on the other side. There were many photos and videos on Louis' phone of them together and a part of him wished in that moment that Harry was his real boyfriend, and he was meeting his son for the first time because they were ready for that next step in their relationship. He knew Harry wanted to try for something real together, but their relationship will have always started as a lie no matter where it led.

Shaking that thought out of his head he watched as Harry turned the table right side up. They finished the last few steps before they were opening the bags of tracks, cars, buildings, and other things that came with it. Once the city and tracks were built Harry pulled out the conductor hat and placed it on Freddie's head and gave him a whistle that Louis most definitely did not agree to.

"All aboard!" Harry and Freddie shouted before Freddie blew the whistle and they both made arm movements before Harry tapped the train with his finger and the train headed down the hill. By nine, an hour later than usually which Louis will regret in the morning, Louis sent Freddie to bed and tucked him in. Freddie was asleep before Louis closed the door.

"You are his new best friend." Louis said as he walked over to Harry who was putting the toys away with a grin

"Really? So, you think he likes me?"

"He didn't sit on Uncle Zayn's lap until two months after meeting him." Louis said as he took the whistle, "this is reserved for your house."

"Nope. Freddie will be upset if he realizes his whistle is gone." Harry said taking the whistle and putting in the storage bins the table came with. After dismantling it Harry and Louis moved it into the toy room then they sat on the couch, "I promise as soon as we have a solid timeline, I will take you out to a real date if you'll accept it. I really wish we'd have met in the shops or something. Maybe the park on a day I had Maddison. I wish this were normal."

"Don't worry so much about it. Did you want to discuss that? How we met?"

"Yeah, we probably should. Where do you picture meeting me?" Harry asked

"My dream meeting place is an adult toy shop." Louis said watching as Harry's eyes widen before he turned red and laughed, "I'm serious. I always imagine what if I met my husband as we are picking out adult toys."

"We can't tell our family that." Harry said laughing as he laid his head on the back of the couch, "my poor mother...all I'm picturing is telling her how I met my husband as we picked out adult toys and her dropping her pearl necklace on her vanity."

"Vanity!? Your mother has a vanity?" Louis asked

"It was her mother's. Moving on. Pick something else."

"I'm not sure. Where do you think we'd meet?" Louis asked looking at Harry

"Something fun. Unique. Different. Oh, I know. I cut you off." Louis laughed

"Then I stole your parking spot for the deli shop you cut me off to get into."

"And I cut you off in line."

"And bought the last thing of chicken."

"Then invited you over for a home cooked meal."

"With chicken?" Louis asked as he laughed

"With chicken." Harry promised grinning, "I made cheese and broccoli stuffed chicken with lemon roasted carrots and homemade rolls."

"Oh, that does sound good. Damn I missed out on a good date."

"How about you come over my next day off with Freddie and I make it for you two and Freddie can see the house? I work four am through four pm Monday through Wednesday then again on Friday and Sunday. You can come over Wednesday or Thursday?"

"That sounds good. If you're too tired Wednesday just let me know and we'll come Thursday."

"Great. I should go. Thank you for letting me meet Freddie. He's a great kid."

"Thank you. I'll walk you to the door." Louis followed Harry to the front door before opening it for him, "See you in a few days?"

"Yeah of course. We'll talk tomorrow?"

"Yeah." Louis smiled as he slowly closed the door behind Harry then bolted it and locked it. He checked on Freddie before he headed to his room to get ready for bed after a long day.

[dogsliampaynedoesntinstagram]

US touring will be interesting to watch. They are projecting to vaccinate ~100 million by late spring/early summer. So if they’re going for herd (which is roughly 70% of the pop.) do tours start with COVID still present but not overwhelming the health system. Does Europe do that strategy as well or do they go for a higher percentage to try and eliminate transmission. Also do large cities by default get herd sooner because access to vaccination is easier

I agree that it will be super interesting, but I think you’ve missed an important point.  At the moment there’s no evidence that any of the available vaccines could offer herd immunity.

At the moment the evidence is just about whether the vaccine stops people from getting ill or very ill.  People might still get the virus with the vaccine, and still be able to pass it on, just not get as sick.  In order for a vaccine to provide herd immunity it needs to stop people getting the virus, not just stop people getting sick.

So there’s two questions the first is will the vaccine provide immunity to the virus and not just the disease (with a crucial subquestion - and when will we know). And the second question is - at what stage will government’s start to end restrictions (with a crucial subquestion - will touring start as soon as possible).

The first question is unknowable, although I’m super intersted if anyone has found some good questions about the subquestion.  For the second question I think the answer to the subqeustion is yes and the answer to the question is that governments in rich clusterfuck countries will open up once the elderly and clinically vulnerable have been vaccinated.

There’s another question - will people come, particularly if it becomes clear that the vaccine only protects from the disease and not the virus?  Will people be prepared to go back to venues?

 The last I heard the UK’s plan was to vaccinate everyone by the end of April.  But the government also planned to have a track and trace system in England - so that can’t be relied upon. There are so many unknowns, both in what hte virus offers, and how good systems of delivery are. 

I’ve seen some speculation that the size of the venue will matter - ie Louis’ tour is more likely to happen than Harry’s.  That’s not what I’ve seen from places that has opened up.  Basically I don’t know anywhere that has distinguished in venue sizes that are over 1,000.  The dynamics may be different if the virus is still circulating, but I can’t really see why.