#he has t boy swag and you can’t tell me different

[chronicrabbit]

Ok, but

Imagine Gareth getting ABSOLUTELY FED UP with watching Eddie and Steve moon over each other, convinced that it’s hopeless and completely oblivious that their feelings are, in fact, 100% mutual.

So he hatches a plan to, let’s say, hurry things along.

It’s a Hellfire Night. All are in attendance in the Wheeler’s basement, including- of course- Steve Harrington himself.

The ex-jock had finally quit pretending he’d rather be elsewhere, allowing himself to watch the session unfold with obvious interest.

It was hard not to be interested in Eddie’s narratives.

They were playing a one shot as Eddie’s larger campaign was still in the works.

Their party had just stopped off to rest in a tavern and stock up on supplies, the perfect place for Gareth to put his plan into action.

“I’d like to look for some company for the night,” he stated, fixing Eddie with a smirk.

As expected, Eddie didn’t so much as blink as the rest of the party burst into giggles, leaning over the table with a smirk of his own.

“Very well. Roll perception for me.”

Gareth does, proudly calling out a 17.

Eddie nods.

“You glance toward the mostly empty bar where the barkeep is pouring a glass of fine wine for a fair elven maiden. Her hair seems to glow a pale golden hue, and-“

“Tell me about the barkeep. What does he look like?”

Eddie’s eyebrows quirk, the first sign that he’s maybe catching on to Gareth’s intentions.

Still, he continues on.

“He’s… a half elf with dark hair and eyes, and a pale scar bisecting his face.”

“Is he handsome?” Gareth presses, earning a further raised brow from Eddie.

“He’s a half elf,” the DM replies dryly.

Gareth grins.

“I approach the barkeep with a charming smile, leaning on the bar and tossing down a couple gold pieces from the pouch on my belt.

“A flagon of mead, if you please.”

Gareth attempts to school his expression into something flirtatious.

Eddie snorts but pulls himself together fast, falling into character with the ease and practice of a master.

“That’s a rather bold display of wealth, hero. You should be cautious lest someone try to take that from you,” he says in a smooth tone.

Steve straightens in his seat, his interest very clearly piqued.

It’s almost too easy.

“Is that a threat?” Gareth says in a low voice, his smirk widening.

Eddie presses a hand to his heart, feigning very mild offense tinged with amusement.

“Not at all. Simply advice. This is a dangerous town after all.”

“Pity,” Gareth shrugs, leaning his elbow against the table and meeting Eddie’s gaze dead on.

“I wouldn’t have minded a threat from one as fair as you.”

“Roll charisma,” Eddie orders, eyes twinkling with mirth as Gareth snatches up his d20 and shakes it in his fist.

He can see Steve from the corner of his eye, doing his utmost to look unaffected, but Gareth could tell he was some sort of flustered if the way he was shifting restlessly in his seat was anything to go by.

Delightful.

Gareth takes in a breath before he looks down at his die.

“Nat 20, baby,” he announces much to the wild amusement of the party.

Eddie raises his hands to cease the excited chatter, leaning in on both elbows to meet Gareth’s gaze with a positively sultry look of his own, large eyes half lidded, bottom lip caught between his teeth.

“Would you not?” he questions with a mockingly innocent tone, tilting his head so his dark curls fall down over one shoulder.

“Threats are not typically well looked upon unless you have a- heh- preference toward punishment.”

As Mike and Lucas snicker, Gareth watches Steve.

His cheeks are tinged a noticeable pink, his eyes glued to the carpet beneath his shoes as if it’s suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.

Can’t have that.

Gareth decides to up the ante.

“And what if I do? What advice have you for that, fair one?”

Eddie eyes him up and down in character, leaning in even closer until he’s inches from Gareth’s face.

“The barkeep looks you up and down consideringly. He seems to like what he sees as he slams down your flagon of mead and pushes it and your gold over toward you.

“I would advise you finish your drink and head up to your room for the night,” Eddie finishes with a sly and salacious smirk, taking hold of Gareth’s chin with his calloused fingers.

“I’ll find you when I want you.”

And there it was.

Steve Harrington’s breaking point.

Steve stands quietly from his spot in the couch, muttering a quick excuse before rushing up the steps and out of the basement.

No one else seems to notice but Gareth.

It’s not long after Steve’s hasty retreat that Eddie calls for a break, everyone dispersing to seek out snacks and bladder relief.

Gareth makes his way upstairs after relieving himself, intent on rewarding his hard work with a slice of Mrs. Wheeler’s chocolate cake when a sound from outside catches his attention.

He approaches the window overlooking the backyard, slowly pulling the curtain aside to see…

Steve Harrington pinned against the side of the house with an armful of Eddie, their mouths connected in the most aggressive kiss Gareth has ever seen.

It looks like they’re trying their damnedest to eat each other, Eddie’s hands tangled in Steve’s hair, Steve’s shoved up the back of Eddie’s shirt.

Gareth holds back a snort at the loud thump that sounds as Eddie shoves his thigh between Steve’s legs, the ex-jock’s head smacking against the side of the house as he lets out a low groan.

With a self-satisfied grin, Gareth pulls the curtains closed once more, slices himself a nice big piece of cake, and trots back down the stairs to the rest of the party, pre-preparing an explanation for what exactly was keeping their DM.

The End 🖤

~Rabbit 🐇

[tjkiahgb]

Episode Recap: 3.20, “We Were Here”

Guys, I’m sorry. I know the whole idea is, oh, tjkiahgb does his funny little recap and makes his jokes and all that.

I don’t know what to do about this episode.

I feel like this recap is just going to be a bunch of screencaps and me writing “I’m emotional!” underneath each of them. I’m going to have to do 15 paragraphs on Celia in a dinosaur costume just to have anything to say.

Alright, well, let’s see if I can pull myself together long enough to do this.

OH MY GOD, IT’S THE LAST “PREVIOUSLY ON ANDI MACK” WE’RE EVER GOING TO SEE. I NEED TO LIE DOWN!

Okay. I’m back. Let’s try this again.

For the last time, our episode begins at Celia’s house.

Celia’s all packed and ready for a trip. She gives Bex her orders and lays down the law.

Bex is like, come on, mom, you know we’re going to have a party.

And Celia’s like, yeah.

Consider this my wedding gift.

Celia departs for places unknown and...

OH NO IT’S THE LAST TIME WE’LL EVER SEE THE INTRO! HELP MEEEEE!

At Bex’s, Andi and Bex gather supplies for the party.

Bex is like, oh thank God we still have those. It’s not a party until the cheaply made SWAG sunglasses make an appearance.

They start making a list of the essentials for a party: food, balloons, glow-sticks.

Bex says she’s been meaning to get one of those. So, wait, she doesn’t already have one in the apartment’s emergency preparedness kit? What happens if there’s a natural disaster?

Bowie wanders in and they let him know there’s going to be a party. Bex and Andi start wondering what they’re going to wear to the party. Andi runs off to decide, but Bowie holds Bex back for a second to talk to her.

Bowie goes to retrieve a letter he brought in from the mailbox.

But, more importantly:

THE CAT! An appearance in the finale for The Cat! He’s been here since season one, he deserves it!

Bowie tells Bex there’s a situation. Andi has received a letter from SAVA.

The two wonder about the letter. Acceptance letters usually have a lot of paperwork and such in them and arrive in bigger envelopes. Rejection letters, on the other hand, are usually just a piece of paper that says “Thanks but no thanks.” on it.

They worry about how sad it’ll make Andi if it’s a rejection letter, and don’t want to ruin her night with that possibility, so they decide to keep it quiet for now.

Then Andi appears and Bex sits on the letter. Andi tells her she found something for her to wear, so Bex gets up and Bowie jumps on the letter like it’s a grenade.

Once he thinks the coast is clear, he gets off of it, but then Andi appears again and Bowie crumples up the letter in his hands to hide it and does this completely natural thing...

Oh, don’t mind me, just listening to my hands.

Andi tells him she picked out something for him to wear, too, and runs off.

Bowie examines the state of the letter.

On the bright side, if it is a rejection letter, you can always say this is how it showed up and trash SAVA for lacking the decency to take any care in mailing their letters. I mean, if this is how they mail stuff, imagine how little care they show in other places! Who would want to go to such a school anyway, right?

That night, everything is in place for the party.

Bex comes walking down the stairs in her wedding dress, which looks nice but feels impractical for a night of partying.

Andi tells her how beautiful she looks.

There’s a knock at the door. Andi lets Bowie in. He’s wearing his father’s tux.

Andi starts up some music and invites the bride and groom to the floor for their first dance.

And-- oh GOD it’s the song from the first season.

Well, we’re six minutes in and I guess this is going to mark the point of the episode where I start going under and just never recover.

The party is in full swing now. Cyrus finds Buffy watching Marty from across the room as he chats up another girl. Cyrus asks her if things are still weird between the two of them but she doesn’t know. He asks her what she would like things to be like between them.

Buffy feels that Marty doesn’t like her anymore. Like like. Cyrus doesn’t believe that’s true, but Buffy says Marty said it himself.

He’s like, you’re really going to believe the word of a known liar like Marty? If he’s so honest, what’s his last name? And don’t you dare say Fromdaparty.

Then TJ walks in and Buffy’s like, perfect timing, let’s get off my thing and onto yours, Cyrus.

And TJ’s like...

*waves in goofy*

And Cyrus is like...

*waves in goofy back*

Look, in fairness, there’s no way to wave enthusiastically without looking goofy. That’s why we invented that like, hand up thing, where you just put your palm out and hold it there for a second. But that’s for business scenarios and not parties. You’re at a party and see the boy you’re crushing on, you do a goofy, enthusiastic wave. It’s how it goes.

Then Kira walks in and the atmosphere instantly drops.

If some random kid came running in and shouted that they found a dead opossum on the floor of the bathroom, it could not have made the mood in the room worse. There’s a non-zero chance it could’ve made things better because at least we’re wondering where the opossum came from now.

Buffy assures Cyrus that the reason TJ is hanging out with Kira is not because he likes her, but he doesn’t agree. He thinks that ship has sailed.

So Buffy and Cyrus commiserate, both thinking they’ve lost their opportunity to get their man.

Later, Kira and TJ watch from the sidelines as the others dance.

How did Cyrus take and pass a dance class and get worse at dancing?

Kira asks TJ why he doesn’t want to dance. He says he just doesn’t want to.

Kira notes Cyrus dancing and starts to laugh.

TJ’s like, what’s so funny? Kira says look at Cyrus.

TJ’s like, yeah, he’s great, but Kira’s still laughing at him. TJ tells her she can’t do that -- laugh at someone for their dancing. Kira’s like, you thought it was funny. TJ’s like, no, I thought it was fun. There’s a big difference.

So, Kira’s like, okay, here we go again.

She says that if she made him pick between her and Cyrus, he’d pick Cyrus. TJ’s like, the fact that you’re even going to the place where you’d think of making me pick proves how wrong this all is.

Kira says that answers her question and exits the party.

The party continues on.

Electronic music starts, the lights go down, and the dinosaur descends the staircase.

Nice to get one last sentence in before the end where I can write what’s literally happening on the screen, take a step back and go, what the hell did I just write?

Everyone gathers round to watch the neon dinosaur dance. They chant “Go Andi! Go Andi!”

Then Andi shows up.

Their next guess is Jonah, but then he shows up, too. He couldn’t find the dinosaur costume because it had been stolen by the mystery dancer.

The music ends and the audience cheers for the dancing dinosaur, who finally reveals herself, ripping off her face mask like a Scooby Doo villain.

Everyone gasps. They’re like, uh oh, the party police are here and they showed up in a T-Rex costume for some reason.

But then Celia’s like...

Everyone wants to know what Celia’s doing back. She’s like, well, I got four hours out and realized I’d rather be attending one of these parties than on a vacation somewhere so I turned around and came back and snuck into the house through a second story window so no one would see me and inflated this dinosaur suit and put it on and waited for the right music to start and shut off the lights and came downstairs and performed this dance routine. Was it worth it? I spent the whole four hours on the way back practicing that “No parties, just kidding” thing.

And everyone’s like, yeah, it was alright.

And Celia’s like, okay, cool.

She’s like, I’m glad I tried fun. And then she walks off and that’s the last we ever see of her. From strict mom to dancing grandma in a dinosaur suit. What a ride. I hope she enjoys her vacation.

Later on, TJ has gotten on stage with a piano. He starts playing the intro to “Born This Way”.

TJ, NO! We don’t have the money for the rights to that song! Are you crazy? Can I interest you in some generic production music that can be purchased for a tenth the cost? Maybe something in the public domain? How about we all sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”?

But it’s too late. TJ, to celebrate his liberation from Kira, elects to come out to the entire party by showing he knows how to play the gayest song of all time on the piano by heart.

The whole party is like, oh, this is nice. He’s playing some music. And then Cyrus is like...

SURPRISE! I have a microphone and this is a performance now!

Amber starts singing, too. TJ calls up Jonah and/or Bowie to get on stage and provide some guitar, but then Bex is like...

SURPRISE! I have a guitar and I know how to play it!

Jonah and Andi get on stage and get thrown mics.

Buffy grabs a mic and joins in. The entire cast can sing! It’s a musical miracle.

Cyrus joins TJ on the stage and they sing together.

Bowie at some point also wandered up with his own guitar and joined Bex.

Everyone performs in the song, except for Marty, who just kinda sings from the sidelines like, “Eh, this is nice but pop’s not my genre.”

The song comes to a finish.

Everyone celebrates how good that was despite it never having been rehearsed.

A gosh-dang musical miracle, I tell ya.

Later on outside, Jonah finds Andi and tells her he has something for her. Andi immediately panics. Jonah reassures her it is not one of his famous terrible gifts, like the piece of rice with Andi’s misspelled name on it. He asks if that was the worst present ever.

Jonah says this isn’t a present anyway.

He found their bracelet. The one thought lost for so long. Well, he didn’t find it.

Oh, Judy Bartholomew, you never cease to impress!

Jonah offers it back to Andi, who promises to make it disappear forever. But Jonah says, he actually wanted to know if he could keep it. It’s a great bracelet and he’s always liked it.

Andi puts the bracelet on him. She wonders what things would’ve been like if they’d met when they were older and more mature.

Well, older, at least.

Back inside the party, Buffy finds Marty at his usual party position, hanging around the food table. She starts reenacting the conversation from their first meeting. They get to the “eat a live frog” bit and Marty can’t continue.

Buffy tells him that she didn’t think that. She found him funny. Marty warns her that she is dangerously close to complimenting him. She tells him it was a compliment.

Buffy wants to try having a conversation to see if they can. So they ask each other how their day was and both agree they had fine days. Marty asks her what the next step is and Buffy decides the next step is to leave.

Buffy heads outside, but Marty chases after her. He says he thinks he messed it up and wants to try the straightforward thing again. He tells her to go first.

Yep, that’s straightforward. Marty compliments her on how straightforward it was. Buffy tells him that’s all she wanted him to know, in case he ever changes his mind about liking her, but Marty’s like...

He goes in for a kiss.

They smile at each other and head back into the party.

Cyrus, meanwhile, heads to the backyard where he finds TJ sitting on...

T H E   B E N C H.

Cyrus asks what happened to Kira. TJ says he poured water on her and she melted. Boy’s dropping Judy Garland movie references now. Really laying it on thick.

TJ says Kira’s not a nice person, but Cyrus reminds him people used to say that about him, almost verbatim.

Cyrus says he knows that, but there are things he didn’t know, like that TJ played piano. TJ tells him his mom is a piano teacher. Cyrus didn’t know that either. TJ promises he’s not that mysterious, just ask him anything.

TJ panics. He’s like, oh, you went right for the kill shot. He doesn’t want to say what his name is. He says there are only like five living souls on this planet who know what TJ stands for, and they are all of Kippen blood.

TJ’s really digging himself a hole here with Cyrus. The more you sell the mystery of this, the more a kid like Cyrus will want to know.

“My name’s only ever been said out loud once before, by the doctor who filled out the birth certificate, and then he disappeared, never to be seen again! Mythology says that my name used to be sung by the Sirens, who’d use it to lure unsuspecting sailors to their dooms! Legend says there’s a secret cave in the Gobi Desert, and that if you shout my name into it, a trap door will open revealing billions of dollars in hidden treasure! So surely you must understand, I can’t possibly tell you what it is.”

Cyrus says if he doesn’t learn what TJ’s full name is, he will literally die of curiosity. Now faced with the impending death of his crush, TJ realizes he must make the ultimate sacrifice to save his life and tell him what his name is. First, he swears him to secrecy. Cyrus swears.

TJ tells him his parents were way into music, so they named him after their favorite artists:

This is where I’d make a joke like, “It could’ve been worse, they could’ve named him...” but I don’t have a way to finish that sentence. I guess like, Beethoven Mozart, so then he couldn’t even use his initials or they’d be B.M.?

You know, though, it’s such an odd name, it becomes immediately endearing.

To Cyrus as well. They didn’t come all this way, accepting each other through everything, to be stopped in the finale by bad dancing or weird names.

TJ says his grandparents stepped in to intervene. They were like, this is preposterous and we’re not going to spend what short time remains of our lives on so many syllables! He’s TJ!

TJ asks if there’s anything else Cyrus wants to know and then he makes just the ever-so-slightest of hand movements toward him and I’m telling you right now, I don’t know if I will ever be okay watching this.

I’m serious. I don’t know when I’ll be able to watch this scene and see that hand movement and not get emotional. Definitely not now, and I can’t imagine anytime soon.

Cyrus sees his hand. He asks TJ is there’s anything else he wants to tell him.

TJ asks Cyrus if there’s anything he wants to tell him.

They grab each other’s hand.

And both let out this nervous exhale.

And they hold each other’s hand and smile at each other as the screen fades to black.

Just the two of them, together, in their own little world.

I get that people might have wanted more, more words, more actions, and I don’t necessarily disagree. I don’t think there’s a hypothetical version of this scene that has more and is bad or anything.

But, in my opinion, I think this is brilliant. In its subtlety and in its simplicity, this is one of the sweetest, most graceful, most touching ways I’ve ever seen two people express their affection for one another. That they’ve been through so much, and that they know each other so well that they can just look at each other and only need to say yes to tell the other one all they need to know, to tell each other everything? I’m not going to label two middle schoolers as “in love” because, look, they’re kids and it’s middle school. But what I will say is this: that’s what love is. When someone knows you so intensely and so intimately that you don’t have to say it. When all you have to do is look at someone to know. It’s a connection that goes beyond words. It’s beautiful.

Or, in other words, I’m emotional!

Later, after the party has ended, the GHC, Jonah, and Bex and Bowie hang out in the backyard, reminiscing.

Andi shares a picture of the GHC starting second grade.

From the day they met.

Buffy remarks how they’re still together after all these years. And Cyrus says they always will be. And Andi says...

They’re like, uh oh. Andi says she wants to show them something and leads them to Andi Shack, which has been stripped clean.

They ask why, and Andi tells them she doesn’t need the Shack anymore. She needs a studio because she got into SAVA, which makes her parents very happy, but bums out Cyrus and Buffy. They’re happy for her, but...

This is going to change things.

Bex remarks how a lot of life has happened in Andi Shack. We see some nice clips from over the years, and, if you liked those, you can see more clips by purchasing previous seasons of Andi Mack on your preferred streaming platform. (And coming to Disney+ this Fall!)

Bex tells Andi how proud she is of her and they hug.

Bowie hugs her, too, and tells her she’s going to do great things.

And then, like responsible adults, they decide to go clean up the house. We’ve all really grown so much, haven’t we?

Andi regroups with Cyrus, Buffy, and Jonah. Cyrus says they should be mindful of the moment because after this, we’re all going our separate ways. They all yell at Cyrus for this.

Andi reassures them all that no matter where they go or what they do, they’ll always be a part of each other’s lives.

And then they do this weird sort of group imagine thing where they actually manifest images of the future.

Where they’re all like, doing adult things, but also, still look like children? It’s, um... it’s a little odd.

But I’m going to retain my positivity and head for the finish line.

Andi asks Jonah to take a picture of the GHC standing together as they did on that first day of second grade. Then, Cyrus drops a Winnie the Pooh quote: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

The four share one last group hug.

Andi asks if they’re all going to meet tomorrow at The Spoon, and they agree.

Each one hugs Andi one last time before exiting.

Andi watches them leave, then heads inside Andi Shack to put up the pictures. She smiles and walks out.

And that, my friends, is a wrap on Andi Mack.

This isn’t goodbye -- I’ve got a little more stuff planned -- but I think this is probably the thing that will be read by the most amount of people familiar with my blog, so let me just say this here: if you’ve read any or all of my recaps, or even if you’re just reading this one, thank you. I have loved writing them and I have loved being a part of this fandom, and I appreciate all of you who took the time to be a part of it with me.

This show and this fandom have been such an amazing experience for me, and it has brought me so much joy this past year and a half. So, once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

I will truly never forget it.

[fandomoblivion]

Ella Enchanted (part one)

Fandom: Stranger Things season 3

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Reader

Summary: (Y/N), also known as Nine, was a girl being experimented on all her life by the Hawkins Lab, conditioned into following every command her brain heard. She managed to escape the lab, with the help of her little sister Eleven, and was taken in by Hopper. Now, it’s a year later, and the three of them are a happy family. She just got her first job, where she works alongside Steve “The Hair” Harrington… who her father doesn’t much like.

Warnings: Swearing

Word Count: 1,570

Notes: Part one! Here we gooo!

prologue

“Bye Hopper!” You called, giving the old grump sitting in his Lazy Boy a kiss on the top of his head. 

“Bye, Kid. Be safe.”

“You know I always am. And please, don’t spy on them all day.” You said, referring to El and Mike, alone in the bedroom the two of you shared.

“Eh. No guarantees. Have a good first day.”

“Thanks.” And, with that, you were out of the house. You didn’t know how to drive yet, so you had to leave extra early to be able to walk all the way to the Starcourt Mall, where you’d be on your feet for a couple more hours, before walking home again.

This was your first day at the ice cream place, and you were psyched to say the least. Your uniform was in your bag so you could change there--no way in hell you were walking over wearing it, listening to your Walkman and excited beyond words to start being a normal teenager.

When you got to Scoops Ahoy, you walked up to the girl who had previously met when your boss interviewed you. Her name was Robin, and she greeted you with a kind smile. 

“Hey (Y/N)! First day, right?” You just nodded, still not super comfortable with human interactions yet… even though you were about to work in customer service. “Well, I should introduce you to our shift partner, Lord Himbo himself, Mr. Steve Harrington.”

The shudders behind her opened, revealing a guy with very… tall hair. He had on a wide smile, which dropped when he saw your face. He replaced it quickly, though, and Robin didn’t even seem to notice. You for sure did, though. 

“Hi there. Steve Harrington.” 

“I’m (Y/N).” You said quietly. You held up your bag with the uniform in it and asked, “Is there a…” 

“Yeah, there are bathrooms in the back,” Robin replied. You thanked her, went, and got changed. 

And your shift had begun. Honestly, it was pretty easy. Robin and Steve worked like a well-oiled machine, you could pretty much sit back, watch, and take notes in your mind. 

When your shift was almost over, you and Robin were at the counter together, making awkward small talk, when a boy with dark hair came up and rang the bell repeatedly, continuing after you had acknowledged his presence. He looked familiar, you just couldn’t place the face.

Robin sighed. “Hey, Dingus! Your children are here!”

Steve opened the back window. “Again? Seriously?” The boy said nothing, and just hit the bell again. “Alright, come on. Don’t let people see you.” Steve said, ushering them into the back. 

“Hey! Mike!” You said cheerfully, smiling at him. He just looked at you and gave an awkward smile.

“Steve sometimes likes to use his privileges here to help his friends that are like eighth graders for some reason.” 

“Yeah… that’s my little sister’s boyfriend.”

And things were back to normal, until the lights flickered and went out a few minutes later. You jumped slightly, remembering all the times lights flickering were associated with otherworldly things. You had to remind yourself now, that these lights were just lights. 

“That’s weird.” Steve mumbled. He went and flicked the light switch, but nothing happened. 

Robin crossed her arms. “That isn’t gonna work, Dingus.” 

“Oh really?” Steve asked, before flicking the light as fast as he could. 

“I don’t think they’re turning back on.” You whispered, hugging your arms to yourself.

Steve groaned and put his hands on his hips, assessing the situation. “Alright. You guys can go home, if you want. Shifts are almost over, I can cover until we close.” 

“Hey, thanks, doof.” Robin said. You nodded in agreement and went into the bathroom to change with Robin. “So, how was your first day?” 

“Good.”

“You’re not much of a talker, are you?”

You shrugged. “I talk when I want.” 

“Do you want a ride home? If all the lights are out, it’s gonna be a difficult walk.”

You shook your head. “That’s alright.” 

Robin laughed. “Nah, come on. Let me give you a ride home.” 

Your brain went fuzzy, as it did whenever you heard a command. You couldn’t think or do anything, and you heard the words “Okay, thank you,” come out of your mouth. 

When you two finished changing, you bid Steve farewell, and Robin drove you home. It was a nice drive. She mostly talked about the mall: what to expect from the job, how to read different customers, the works. When she dropped you off, she made a joke about you living in the middle of nowhere. You did your best to laugh.

“Thanks for the ride.”

“Don’t mention it.” Okay, you wouldn’t. “I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

---

The next day was the same. You walked to work, changed, and tried your best to help out. Steve tried flirting with different customers, but the uniform, along with the cocky personality, set him back far too much.

Just as another pretty girl walked away, giggling to her friend, Robin opened the back window and slid a whiteboard into view. You walked over from the corner to see what it said. It was a T-chart, with “YOU RULE” with an empty column under it, and “YOU SUCK” with five tally marks.

“And another one bites the dust,” Robin said, drawing another tally mark. Steve just scoffed. “You are oh-for-six, Popeye.”

“Yeah, yeah, I can count.” Steve retaliated.

“You know that means you suck.” You said, laughing.

Steve glared at you. Robin laughed. “Exactly!”

“Yeah, I can read too!” He huffed.

Robin put the whiteboard away. “Since when?” 

“It’s this stupid hat. I’m telling you, it’s totally blowing my best feature.” 

You paused. “Which is…?”

“My hair!”

“Yeah, company policy is a real drag.” Robin said, leaning through the window. You moved to stand next to Steve, so you were all around the window. How cute. “You know, it’s a crazy idea, but have you considered telling the truth?”

“Oh, you mean that I couldn’t even get into Tech and my douchebag dad’s trying to teach me a lesson, I make three bucks an hour, and I have no future? Hm? That truth?

“People don’t always like the truth.” You said, knowing from your stupid curse.

“Ah, shut up.” Steve groaned. Damn it. You hated it when people said that, because you couldn’t talk until they left, or until you were told another command. El used this tactic whenever the two of you would fight, since she couldn’t really leave, you couldn’t talk. 

“Hey, twelve o’clock.” Robin said, pointing behind the two of you. You looked behind you, at the cash register, and a group of pretty girls were walking up. 

“Oh shit. Oh shit. Okay, uh… I’m going in. And you know what?” Steve took off his hat and threw it at Robin. “Screw company policy.”

“My god, you’re a whole new man.” Robin said sarcastically. You quickly went and joined Robin in the back, watching Steve with her. 

“Ahoy ladies!” Steve yelled, making the girl in front yelp. “Didn’t see you there! Would you guys like to set sail on this ocean of flavor with me? I’ll be your captain. I’m Steve Harrington.” The girls laughed nervously. You and Robin just watched in awe. “Can I get you guys a little taste of the Cherries Jubilee? No? Anybody? Banana Boat? Four people, four spoons? Share it in the booth? Anybody? It’s hot out there!”

Robin rolled her eyes and added a seventh tally to the board. 

The girls just laughed and walked away. Steve groaned, running his hands over his face. “Damn it!” He said, joining the two of you in the back. “What’s wrong with me?” He asked, looking at you.

Robin laughed. “Yeah, (Y/N), tell him what’s wrong with him.” 

Your brain went fuzzy and you heard yourself say, “You hold yourself to a standard you can’t meet.” 

Steve looked surprised and Robin snickered. “Shit, too real.” Her head perked up when she heard the bell being rung by a customer. “Be right back, guys.” She left the two of you back there, alone for the first time.

“Sorry.” You said.

“Nah, nah. I did ask. I’m just… Where do I know you from? Did you go to Hawkins High?” You shook your head. “Do you have a sibling at the middle school? I might have seen you.”

“No. Do you?”

“Well, no, but I have a friend who goes there. I don’t know, maybe I might have seen you while dropping him off.”

“My little sister’s dating Mike Wheeler.” You said, remembering that Steve took Mike into the back room the previous day.

“Mike’s girlfriend… El. Wait, El?! Your sister is Eleven?!” You nodded. “That’d make you one of the-”

Robin opened the window. “Hey, dingus, there’s a girl here who you might have a shot with.” You looked up and saw a girl walking in. Oh, you understood the joke. She’s in middle school.

“Ha ha. Very funny.” Steve said, rolling his eyes. Robin shrugged and closed the window. There was a long pause. “Are you?” He asked quietly. You held out your wrist reluctantly. “009.” Steve read to himself. “Fuck. You got out?” You nodded. He let out a breathy laugh. “Shit. Well then,” he said, drawing up two chairs to the little table back there. “Tell me your story.”

Fuzzy mind.

---

TAGLIST

@alina-margaret . @almostsecretmusic . @american-duchess . @anamcg317 . @annaewww . @blackandwhiteimagines . @bubblegumcat229 . @bucky-newtlock . @canny1902 .  @christinawxxx . @cosmickha0s . @creativedogs . @darkcrystal-wolf . @decaffeinatedtachycardia . @djisprobablydead . @eyeballtoes . @fandomsstolemylife00 . @fredweasleysupportgroup . @ggclarissa . @ginger-swag-rapunzel . @gracelynns . @grippleback-galaxy . @gruffle1 . @hananabee . @harrys-kiwi . @heavenlyholland . @hellhoundschewtoy . @in-my-dreams-2000 . @lilyhw1 . @mackycat11 . @megsell99 . @metuel18 . @morganmindflayer . @phluffyphantom . @potterhead-witch . @pppsssyyyccchhhiiiccc . @princessrow12 . @queen1054 . @rainbowmarta . @sheridans-dynamos . @thecaptainsgingersnap . @thegloryofliterature . @thoughstofaredhead . @ucantknowmeyet . @whataloadofmalarkey

[sortasirius]

"The Future” cleared my skin, watered my crops, and added ten years to my life.

You guys.  If you had told me six years ago when I started watching Supernatural that we were going to get to this point, I wouldn’t have believed you.  First and most importantly, I think this episode takes us out of “what if Dean and Cas were pining for each other” and places us pretty firmly in the camp of “they ARE pining for each other, but will they wake up and see it??”

Also shoutout to this writing team.  Man do we have some incredible writers (I’m lookin at you, Dabb, Perez, Yockey, Glynn,and Berens).

Now, I could tell that my boi Dean was getting a little ~angsty~ about the fact that Cas wasn’t calling him back, so I was a little surprised that Cas just kinda swags into the bunker like nothing’s happened.  And, of course, my sweet baby angel Sam is like “yay welcome back Cas!” and angst ridden married man Dean is like??????  U didn’t call me back?????????

As someone who is extremely dramatic™, I highkey relate to Dean, because even though I take three days to respond to texts, doesn’t mean anyone else is allowed to.

So, Dean does what any respectable drama queen would do, and he stomps off to his room (and we’ve all done this in hopes that the person we’re mad at will come talk to us.)

And of course, Cas does, and I really thought it was going to be a one and done kind of “I don’t want to get into emotional honesty with you, Cas so I’ll say it’s okay and then just ignore it.” But my homies Glynn and Berens are not playin around.

*John Mulaney voice* Whoa what the fuck is this?????

This is like........literally unbelievable. 

It shows us two things.  First, and most obviously, Dean made Cas a mixtape.  Now, we can unpack the importance of music and romance all day, but I think it’s especially important to Dean.  Hell, when Dean first meets Jo he starts singing the song she played on the jukebox in the car.  Music is so important to Dean, and the fact that he was share something like this with Cas?  Also just how important Zeppelin is to Dean.  We know from season 5 that his favorite song is “Ramble On,” but he probably agonized over what these tracks were.  And the fact that it’s on a cassette tape?  I don’t really feel like it needs explaining how this means he feels about Cas.

Secondly, it means that there’s tons of shit that goes on offscreen between the characters.  At some unknown point, Dean gave Cas this mixtape.  What did he say?  Surely they were alone when he gave it to him, I feel like its a little too girly for Dean to give to Cas in front of Sam.  How did Cas respond?  What was the m o m e n t like writers, tell me!!!

Bruh.  Even when Dean is pissed as hell at Cas, he’s not going to take back this gift that he gave him.  I’m weak.

Also, Cas is extremely relatable by trying to give back something that clearly means so much to Dean to get Dean to talk to him.  Who among us has not done the same???

Look at this s h o t.  They’re almost touching but they’re not but you can kinda tell they want to??  Am I watching a fanfic unfold in front of my eyes???

The emotional honesty is s t a g g e r i n g.

?????????  Long gone are the days where everyone says everything’s fine and moves on.  Gone are the days of “no chick flick moments.” These boys will be honest with each other, chick flick moments be damned!!

This is literally out of a fic.  I’m convinced I have read this in a fic.  The writers are writing in fic tropes in CANON.

I’m YELLING.  This is fanfic come to life.  You can’t convince me otherwise.

The way Cas looks down as he says it??  How close they’re standing to each other??  The way Dean writes it all off by saying he needs a beer???

Seriously though, this writing team has changed the landscape of the show, especially in regards to Dean and Cas’ relationship.  And I’m not saying that in a hyperbolic way.  This is a different show from season 8, a different show from season 11, even.  To me, it’s less about a “oooo will the writers lead everyone on with a Dean/Cas moment??” and much more about the honesty that Dean and Cas are sharing.  We’re past the whole Cas is just useful to Dean because he’s an angel, the writers are focusing on their relationship because it’s important, and I think that’s the beautiful thing that comes out of hiring queer/queer positive writers and letting them tell their stories.  I feel like, since Dabb took over and could bring his team of writers on, moments like this feel so organic and natural.  This doesn’t feel forced, it doesn’t feel like fanservice.  It feels like Dean and Cas, like a tiny little glimpse into their lives, how they relate and talk to each other.

The mixtape scene (as it shall be known here) is quiet, simply shot, and beautifully written.  It shows the honesty of two people who care more deeply about each other than almost anyone else, and the fumbling, awkward way they try to navigate these feelings.

I love this scene, it may be my favorite in the entire show.

[sugarwaterradio]

Meet the Women Shaping Southern Hip-Hop | Momentum

(dramatic music) (hip hop music) I feel like southern rap got a whole lot to do with the music today. Right now the spotlight is on the girls in the South. Being in a male dominated scene is one of those things where if you don't have tough skin, and if you don't mind being left out, you know, it would get to you. Because I identify as a woman, there's so much stuff that I get told that I'm not supposed to be doing. I'm gonna do it ten times harder, just to spite you. When a strong woman is in the building, the presence is felt. (moody music) (background rapping) (piano music) I write my own raps and they be real. If it ain't what I'm going through, it's what someone close to me going through, and it's pretty much, why people can feel you know, my lyrics and understand. You know, everybody can't live the perfect life, because life's not perfect. My name is La Chat and I'm a female rapper from Memphis, Tennessee and I been rappin' forever. (rap music playing) I used to do a lot of talent shows and a lot of people love me doing talent shows and Juicy and them end up sayin' Hey, Chat, we want to sign you. I say, y'all want to sign me? He say yeah, so I came along we did the Hypnotinize Mind. "Chickenhead" was the first platinum song that came out of Hypnotize Mind, period. The first video that was playing in LA. The first song on the radio that was played in LA. Chickenhead, and it went platinum. And that was really my breakthrough, my debut. I was one of the rappers that I never feel like I had to show my body to make it, you know. Like I said, my name is La Chat, you all can Google me. I always wore the big, baggy clothes, always wore the T-shirts, always wore the hats everywhere, because I wasn't selling my body. I'm selling music, I'm not selling body. I'm not looking for no dudes, I'm not looking for no girls. Nobody can never say, ooh, look at that, they always say have you heard La Chat? Ooh, she's bumpin. You ever see they tell DJ Paul, where did you get this girl from? You know my lyrics is like, you can't be writing lyrics, and I'm like yes, I am. You know, I'm from Memphis, so to me, I'm like the lyrics weren't very impossible. But you know, people that don't know me, the streets, and Memphis life is like where this girl et this stuff from? The hardest thing I had to do in life was walk away from Three 6 Mafia Hypnotize Camp. The money wasn't adding up, you know, to what I thought it was supposed to be. I decided I wanted to do my own thing. You know, well, I said it's time for me to be Chat. Yeah, people, just up north and they ain't even from the South, they sound like Southern rappers. In our way, we love it. It don't get no more rhymin' no more guttery, no more Southern than this. Like I say, you hear it in my voice, we are Southern. (laughing) We got golds, we got tattoos, it's the real Southern truth. (hip hop music) I was a mystique, I wore a mask. Nobody knew who I was. They couldn't touch me. I was surrounded by dudes that called themselves 666. I'm Gangata Boo, southern female hip hop pioneer. My first song with the group was a solo song, that's how dope I am. Memphis artists can rap if I gotta beat and I studied that, I practiced that all the time. I practiced making my voice clearer. I practiced being very detailed in what I say. I practiced how I deliver the word. Being a fuckin rapper, from Tennessee, without no fuckin platform is not the easiest thing. So the resilience, you know, the discipline, the moving with finesse, the swag, and the not giving a fuck, being original. I think that is what has helped me. No one even sounds like their own borough, their own city state, whatever you call it because they adore and admire our town. Instead of me being bitter about it, like a weirdo, I embrace that shit, because I've never changed my shit. I don't compromise who I am at all. And people will try to make you do that in order for you to get ahead a little bit faster. But I'm not willing to do that at all. I'm bbymutha and I'm a female rap artist from Chatanooga, Tennessee. I had my second set of twins, I moved into my grandmother's house and my grandmother had like, dementia. So I was having to help take care of her and I was at home all the time, by myself, with my grandmother and two newborns and my older two kids. So I started writing and seeing what I could come up with, and it was like the only thing keeping me from going crazy, a little bit. I can be who I am and I can be proud of being where I'm from and everybody wants to sound like they're from the south, anyway. Chat would get on, you sent her a track and she would eat it up and I respect that. I respect people that can really do what they do. My rap style, I think I'm very graphic and I'm really into like painting a story, and like using different metaphors to kind of like explain simple situations. To make them more colorful. I'm inspired by of course, La Chat and life in general, inspires my music style, my rap style, my creative style. I just think a lot, so my music is a product of all of my thoughts. (hip hop music) Yo, you can't give your pussy to a nigga who not used to gettin pussy, because that pussy gonna be everybody's business. You can't sell dope to these niggas, because they broke and they snitchin', got some niggas with some straps up in your business. You can give your pussy to a nigga who not used to getting pussy When I was put in Muthaland, I originally wanted Rico Nasty on it, but she was touring. Me, Rico, and Chat are mothers. Music is supposed to heal people and make people feel good. When I go in a group and I'm having a bad day, I want to make myself feel good. I want something where when I listen to in the studio, I can listen on the way home and say, wow. (chill music) My name is Rico Nasty. I am 21 years old. I am a rapper. I am a mother and a director and a producer. I would go to school, typical, I'm around guys, they're freestylin', we freestylin' together. I jump in it. Boom! I'm freestylin with the guys. I knew about bbymutha when I was a regular person. I listened to bbymutha, I still listen to bbymutha. Like, I knew about bbymutha when I was in the tenth grade. She is dope and she's a mother, so that's inspiration in itself. My mom listens to La Chat, a lot of fire producers come from the south. They always do. When I was in Memphis, it was very eerie, but it was fire. I come from a very dark area, too. But all in all, when you go to places like that, where it's really rough, and it's dark, it be some of the brightest, happiest muthafuckas there. They just like positive vibes because they be around so much negativity. A lot of girls out here who are really fire and that's really what win my heart over. It's the originality and the sound, you know. You being yourself. I meet you in real life, and it's not an aesthetic on Instagram. It's like that's really how you talk, that's really how you dress, that's really how you call some bullshit out. Women have children and rock the shit out they lives and not care about what people have to say about them. About them raising their kids, like the confidence that it takes to be a mother, that shit is very inspiring. (rapping) Yeah. There are a lot of southern females that don't get the props like they deserve. You know, Gangata Boo before me, and then I came along and this my sister, I love her. I told y'all we argue, we love one another. But we never got to fight, we never get in each other's face. I feel like female rappers absolutely support each other. There is a group of us. If you don't play, you gotta play with the boys. You gotta be rappin harder than the boys. We the type of mothafuckas where we don't like anybody to step on our toes. We don't like anybody to get in our way of what we want in life. I think what's helping change is that we're finally starting to see, like hey, look at these guys. Like they're blowing up fast as shit, we should do the same. If we put each other on, instead of being so damn intimidated. . Read the full article

[woildismyerster]

hiya! love your writing, but i need more marwan fics!! would you be able to write a oneshot where y/n is friends with the mathletes but marwan is like awkward and blunt around her and she thinks it’s cause he hates her but it’s actually that opposite?? thanks hon!! xo

“That’s not right,” you said, glancing up from your phone.  “The third problem, I mean.”

At the front of the room, Marwan paused.  He looked back at you, then at the series of math problems he was solving on the board, and scowled.  “No, it isn’t.”

“It is,” you insisted, and the other Mathletes scanned the problem too.

After a second, Tyler made a sound of realization.  “She’s right, dude.  You got the math right, but didn’t add ‘c.’”

Marwan scowled, but corrected the mistake.  “Why is she even here?  This is a Mathletes practice.”

“Because I wanted to hang out with my boys,” you said, eyes on your phone again.  “If they’re in Mathletes practice, I’m in Mathletes practice.”

“If you joined the team, it would make more sense,” he griped.

Kevin slung an arm around your shoulders.  “You don’t need to join to hang,” he promised.  “You’re the mascot.  And what a mascot you are, babe.”

You laughed.  “Besides, I’m here for you guys.  Not for the math.”

“Then don’t correct my work.”

“Then don’t mess up your work,” you snapped back.  “But if you really want to get problems wrong, be my guest.”

The room fell silent, aside from the squeak of the whiteboard marker.  After a pause, without turning around, Marwan broke the tension.  “Do the rest of them look right?”

The three of you okayed the problem set.  Marwan only thanked the boys directly, but he shot a quick, curt nod your way.  You had to fight back a scowl, but it was victory enough.

“Kev?”

“Yeah?”

You bit your lip, hating that you were about to ask, but feeling like you ought to.  “Should I stop crashing at your practices?  Like, is that inappropriate?”

“No, why?”  Kevin had been brainstorming a rap for the creative aspect of some presentation, but he dropped the notebook to pay better attention to you.

“Marwan -”

“Oh,” Kevin said knowingly.  “Is my boy giving you grief?”

You snorted.  “No - well, yes, but I hardly care.”

“Then why are you asking?”

“Because if it’s an actual problem, I don’t want it to become a big thing.”  There was always something with Marwan, at least when you were around.  You weren’t a member of the Mathletes, so you shouldn’t be at practices.  Of course you liked that book/movie/song; everybody did - how predictable.

“Marwan likes you,” Kevin assured you.

“He doesn’t act like it.”

“He’s got the social skills of those aliens in Galaxy Quest.  He also has the loyalty of them.”

You gave a half smile at that.  “If only he had the charm.”

Kevin laughed.  “He does when you aren’t there.  He just doesn’t know what to do with you.”

You didn’t really believe Kevin about Marwan liking you, but you decided to keep going to Mathletes practice.  That was his problem - you wouldn’t stop hanging out with people who did enjoy your company because of one person who didn’t.

Y/N:  pro-tip:  making a sign that says “I’ll take you to your limit if you show me your end behavior” does not go over well with parents at your competitions

Marwan:  you didnt

Y/N:  look over here

Kevin:  turn around and show my parents.  theyll love it

Marwan:  jesus christ Y/N.  we cant take you anywhere

Y/N:  

You weren’t that picky about homeroom t-shirts - you would hardly wear it, and it wasn’t like you felt all that attached to yours - but you would die before letting the winning design have SWAG written on the back.

Yours would have to be better.

Everybody in the class had been given a paper with the outline of a shirt on it, and all of you were supposed to spend homeroom brainstorming class shirts.  It was stupid, it was a waste of time, and you threw yourself into in wholeheartedly.  

“I heard that Cunningham’s class is putting his face on their shirts, Andy Warhol style,” you commented to nobody in particular.

It seemed, of course, that Marwan was the only person to have heard.  “Probably because the girls all have crushes on him.”

“Maybe,” you admitted.  “I would wear a shirt with his face on it.”

Marwan rolled his eyes, writing your graduation year on his shirt design.  “Of course you would.”

“He’s funny, and he’s smart.  That’s the best combination.”

“Not because he’s attractive?”

You shrugged.  “It doesn’t hurt.”

A girl near you agreed, and you shot a triumphant look at Marwan.

“There are plenty of smart, funny guys that don’t get put on shirts,” he countered.  “You can’t blame me for thinking that was the entire point.”

“And you can’t assume that I’ll have the exact same thought process as every other person!”  You grabbed a colored pencil and started coloring, perhaps more violently than necessary.  “You and I hang out all the time, and regardless of what you think of me, you should know that I’m a little less shallow than that.”

“Sorry,” he said softly.

The rest of the period passed with neither of you talking, but it only made you angrier.  There was nothing wrong with thinking someone was attractive enough to be on a shirt.  You felt no shame about that.  That being said, you wouldn’t wear a shirt if you didn’t like the person on it.  How low was his opinion of you?

“Y/N, your shirt -”

“What?”  You snarled the word, and there was a second of intense satisfaction when his eyes widened.

“I just - I wanted to tell you that it was a nice design.  I’d vote for it.”

“Oh.”  You grimaced, more at yourself than at him.  “I - thanks.”

“Marwan, I need immediate help, and you are the only person who I can ask,” you said seriously.

Startled, he pocketed his phone.  “What is it?”

“Should I wear my reindeer pajamas for Pajama Day, or the pumpkin ones?”

Marwan had looked ready to leap into action, which was commendable, but now his shoulders drooped and brow furrowed.  “I thought this was an emergency.”

You snorted.  “It is, dummy.  This is probably the most serious decision I’ll make in my entire life.”

“It’s November.  Neither one is in season,” he said.  

“Marwan, I swear to God, if I can’t count on you -”

“Pumpkins,” he decided.  “Pumpkins are better.”

You tapped your temple.  “A Halloween man.  I like it.”

He sighed, but it was half a laugh.  “I can’t believe I thought you had a serious need.”

“Don’t belittle what I see as serious,” you said.  “I helped you guys come up with rhymes for the talent show, and you only got to perform the first three seconds of the rap.  I spent hours on that.”

Marwan’s feet shuffled, and you knew that you had him.  “We don’t talk about that.”

“I do,” you said with a grin.  “And I always will.  You guys are losers.”

“Losers that you hang out with.”

“At least I have cool pajamas.”

That afternoon, you cautiously turned to Marwan to see if he wanted to be your partner on an assignment.  He met your eyes, and promptly turned around to partner with somebody else.

Kevin:  not gonna make it today, srry

Y/N:  illegal

Kevin:  my parents invited family friends over without telling me

Tyler:  you know they told you

Tyler:  you just didn’t listen

Marwan:  this myth has been busted

Kevin:  Tyler is one to talk

Kevin:  he was invited over

Y/N:  I L L E G A L

Y/N:  whats the point of seeing the movie if half the group cancelled?

Kevin:  seeing the movie, you psycho

You scowled at your phone.  You knew Kevin was right - if you cancelled now, even with a good reason, it would look like you just didn’t want to hang out alone with Marwan.  Sure, that was the truth, but Marwan was the douche canoe.  You didn’t need to stoop to his level.

You showed up at the theater to wait for him, half expecting him to be the one that doesn’t show up.

Maybe he was assuming the same thing, because he looked exhausted when he saw you standing by the entrance.  

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood: you could antagonize Marwan all evening, thereby rationalizing his obvious dread, or you could make this as easy on him as possible.

You took the one less travelled by, though you couldn’t be sure that it would make any difference.

You grinned at him, pushing off the wall to meet him halfway.  “Good thing we didn’t buy tickets online, huh?”

He blinked at you, and though he didn’t smile outright, the tired lines around his eyes receded some.  “Seriously.  I’m not surprised Kevin bailed last minute - he’s the worst, and we knew what we signed up for - but Tyler is usually better than that.”

“Pretend we did buy them online - who would you have wanted to give the extra two tickets to?”

“I don’t know,” he said.  He held the door open for you on the way in.  “I might have just tweeted that I had extras, and let people fight for them.”

“Right,” you snorted.

“What?”

“Do you really think that people would fight over tickets to see 2001: A Space Odyssey?”

“It’s a classic!”  He said the words as though they were sacred.

“That doesn’t make it good,” you argued.  

“It’s the greatest movie of all time!”

You raised your hands in surrender.  “I know it’s great - but since when have classics been good just because they’re classics?  I’ve watched plenty of things just to be able to say I’ve seen them.”

Too your surprise, Marwan gave a hesitant nod.  “Yeah, maybe.  This isn’t the type of movie Cady and Aaron would go to on date night.”

You looked around at the people walking in with you: nerds and old people wandered around the lobby, buying tickets and snacks.  “How romantic.”

Marwan gave a snort of laughter, and you counted it as a victory.

“Besides,” you continued.  “I’m not sure I’d want to play third wheel to them in a movie like this.  I don’t know if they make out in theaters, but I don’t want to see if they do.”

“You wouldn’t be a third wheel,” he said, taking two tickets from one of the workers.  “I’d be here.”

You looked at the tickets, surprised.  “I was going to pay for mine.”

Marwan froze, a deer in headlights.  “It’s no big deal.”

It was a big deal.  Friends don’t buy friends movie tickets without talking about it, not usually, and you and Marwan were hardly friends at all.  You were acquaintances.  Colleagues.

“I’m buying the snacks, then,” you declared.  Marwan smiled, and it seemed like he had won ground you hadn’t realized was up for grabs.

“I can’t believe you eat before the movie starts,” you hissed.

“I’m hungry,” he said, and punctuated the words by eating a handful of popcorn.

“It’s half gone!  I’m going to starve.”

He rolled his eyes, lips twitching into a smile.  “Fine - I’ll go get a refill.”

You settled back into your seat, sipping at your drink while you watched a pre-preview segment about building the sets for some action movie starring Tom Cruise.

“Hey.”

You glanced into the row behind you, and were confused when you didn’t recognize the person speaking.  “What?”

“Do you and your boyfriend always argue like that?  You’ve been fighting about whether water is wet or not for fifteen minutes.”

“It isn’t!  Liquids make things wet; they aren’t wet themsel - wait, he’s not my boyfriend.”  You frowned at the person.  

The unwelcome commenter smirked.  “Sure looks like he is.”

“I think I would know if I was on a date,” you countered.

“You’d think he would know if he wasn’t.”

When Marwan came back, you side-eyed him.  He brought back two popcorns, and when you raised an eyebrow at him, he shrugged.  “I ate most of the one, so I got you your own.  You don’t have to share it with me.”

You took it from him, stomach kicking.  He bought your ticket, and now he bought you snacks.  Marwan didn’t like you, and you thought that you knew that, but it was hard to hate him back when everything seemed skewed.

You should punch that person in the face.  There was nothing more confusing than people calling reality into question.

You had been planning to take the bus home, but Marwan insisted on driving you.

“You never know what kind of creeps are out at night,” he reminded you.

“Us, apparently.”

He was a cautious driver, and sometimes your hands itched to take the wheel.  “I’m getting you home safe,” he said through gritted teeth.  “If something bad happens, it’s my fault, and that’s not okay.”

“I won’t blame you,” you said, a little touched.  Then, when you decided that you were too touched, “I’ll be dead.”

“On second thought, you can take the bus.”

“On second thought, I’ll stay.  I’ll make you stew in your hatred all night long,” you shot back.

He glanced at you for a second before looking back at the road.  “I don’t hate you.  It’s, like, mild annoyance at best.”

You frowned.  “That sounds fake, but okay.”

“Wait - do you seriously think that I don’t like you?”

“I don’t think; I know you don’t like me,” you said.

Marwan gave a bewildered laugh, and you thought of what the person in the theater said.  “You haven’t been so wrong in your entire life.  Seriously, the opposite thing is true.”

“Opposite of hating me?”  You scoffed, putting on a high pitched croon.  “So you loooooooove me?”

He didn’t say anything.

“Marwan, that isn’t funny.  I already knew that you weren’t funny, but this -”

“I’m not joking,” he mumbled.  

You tried to swallow, but your throat wouldn’t work.  “Still not funny.”

“I just - I don’t know how to talk to you,” he said with a grimace.  “I mess it up every single time, and I know where I mess up, but I have no idea how I get there.”

“Usually by talking.  In general, really.”

“Y/N,” he said.  “I’m serious.  I really like you.  Like, everything about you, all the time.  Even the stupid things - I wouldn’t change any of them.  I’m not good at showing it, so I usually ignore you, but I do like you.”

“So act like it,” you said, and cringed.  “Sorry, that was mean.  But if you like me, and I think that you hate me, that’s probably a good reason to change what you’re doing.”

“What would you recommend?”

“Say, ‘hey, Y/N, when I act like a jerk, it’s because I want to hold your hand.  That, and I’m allergic to saying nice things.’”  You grinned at him when he looked at you again, but it was cautious.  These were unexplored waters, and the two of you had been bad enough at navigating the known territory.  “Say, ‘Y/N, I’m sorry that there was a misunderstanding.  Now that we’re on the same page, please help me figure out what to say if I’ve messed something up.’”

“Okay,” he said.  “Y/N, I like you a lot.  I want to hold your hand.  I want to go to movies with you, and I want to see you places without thinking I should leave before I start World War Three.”

“Okay,” you echoed.  “Marwan, I like you a little bit, sometimes.  You can’t hold my hand yet, we can go to movies, and you should talk to me when you see me.  If you can act like an actual friend, we’ll see about the holding hands.”

He smiled, and you wondered how you had ever thought he hated you at all.

You didn’t start liking Marwan immediately, just because he apparently liked you.  That would have been unrealistic after years of assuming that the two of you were probably in the middle of a nemesis origin story.  You were pleasantly surprised to find out that Marwan was on the same page.

He didn’t invite you to go stargazing, but he texted you to look outside when he knew Mars was going to be there.

He didn’t try to ask you out on study dates, but he partnered with you in class assignments and stayed after school to work on them.

He took things slow, and he slowly improved.

Marwan:  i cant believe youre crying during Wonder Woman

Y/N:  i cant believe youre on your phone during class

Marwan:  its homeroom

Y/N:  shes such a good person

Y/N:  and Steve Trevor deserved better

Marwan:  because he’s smart and funny?

Y/N:  bc hes super hot, actually

“You have glitter in your hair,” Marwan said during Mathletes practice.

“Yeah,” you said with a sheepish grin.  “It turns out that I’m ‘not responsible’ and ‘have trouble using materials the way they’re supposed to be used.’”

Kevin reached over and ruffled your hair, sending a shower of glitter onto the floor.  “I’m not cleaning that up,” he said.

“You’d better,” you warned.  “You did that.”

“Not my glitter, not my problem.”

You grimaced at your shoulders.  “I’m like a disco ball.  Anybody have a flashlight?”

Tyler laughed.  “How fast can you spin?”

“It’s all over your face,” Marwan said with a wry grin.  “You look like you went clubbing.”

“Ah, my cover is blown.”

He leaned in and frowned, trying to wipe it off your face with his fingers.  “Jesus.  This isn’t coming off.”

“This is my new look,” you said, ignoring the stares from Tyler and Kevin.  

“As good as it is, you should probably go shower.”

You shouldered your backpack, sighing.  “I know.  I just thought I’d hang out with my boys.  Later, losers.”

On your way out, you heard Kevin ask what all of that was about.

“I like her,” Marwan said, a smile in his voice.  “And I think she might like me, a little bit.”

You told Marwan that you wanted to take it slow, and you stood by that statement.  You hadn’t wanted to throw yourself in headfirst.  That being said, you also wanted to kiss him, so his willingness to be just friends was infuriating.

When he took you to see another movie, you wished he would offer to pay for your ticket.

You wished that he would eat too much popcorn, and that you could tease him about it.  

You wished that he would hold your hand during the movie.

After it ended, while he drove you home, you wished that he would have trouble watching the road because he wanted to watch you instead.

“Marwan?”

“Yeah?”  He checked his blind spot before changing lanes, jaw sticking out a little while he moved.

“I like you a lot.”

He grinned.  “I like you a lot, too.”

“I want you to hold my hand,” you said.

“Right now?  I’m trying to get you home safe, Y/N.  Like I said before - I won’t let anything happen to you -”

You leaned over and pressed a tentative kiss into his jaw.  It had still been jutting out, and the sharp angle of it softened in his surprise.

“Pull into a gas station or something,” you said.  “I want to hold your hand.”

There was nothing cautious about his haste to pull over, and there was nothing weary or nervous about the smile on his face when he did.

[ted-hyung]

as a b1a4 supremacist, what do you think one should do to get to know them? i only recently kind of got into them because i didnt really know them until sandeul released his solo album

that’s CNU, btw, used to invent long hair before nuest ren or seventeen jeonghan.

also used to rock hipster glasses before it was cool. kang daniel the shoulder gangster? idk her. it’s CNU.

anyway.

where should i start? BUT a major note to take about B1A4 is they went from this:

(RIP FASHUN)

to this:

hallelujah. read more here.

listen, friend, i go way back with B1A4. i literally cried watching this subbed video lmaooo skip to 43:40.

it’s from MTV MATCH UP B1A4 X BLOCK B eps 8. rip me wyd. let’s talk about B1A4 and block b. they were the shits back then yo. 2011 was their debut year; two boy groups from unknown agencies tackling two different genres and images and MTV GOD BLESS MTV GAVE THEM A MATCHING VARIETY SHOW. you can watch B1A4 cuts here and you will see the legendary dread!zico tryna to win over gentle jinyoung-hyung and FAILED BIG TIME who’s crying with me.

block b will always hold a place in my heart. do you know who invented hep hap? it’s block b. their “new kids on the block”, “welcome to the block”, and “blockbuster” albums have no fault. none. but then they’re hep hap no more and i lost them.

B1A4 KOREAN DISCOGRAPHY + PERSONAL SONG REC, from latest to newest. i believe you can find the newest albums on SPOTIFY JFC why can’t day6.

LET’S FLY (2011): please listen to “only one” lmao. “only learned the bad things” was so, so, so sweet for my skinny freshman ass. i love it.

IT B1A4 (2011): lbr “beautiful target” was the best. watch them grow from you zoom zoom my heart like a rocket to CNU’s iconic everybody say la la. also “chu chu chu” was super chill. “fooool”? you’d find yourself singing along upon first listen.

IGNITION (2012): EVERYTHING IN THIS ALBUM BUT THE TITLE TRACK AKA MY HYUNG JUNG JINYOUNG’S FIRST TACKLE ON PRODUCING GEMS. also sandeul has a solo track here TITLED “CRUSH” GO FIND IT NOW.

IGNITION SPECIAL EDITION (2012): “baby goodnight” is so iconic i’m still side-eyeing newer idols who aren’t singing it to the camera while they’re preparing to go to sleep LMAOOOOOOOOO.

IN THE WIND (2012): yes they graced us BANA with 3 albums back in 2012. “TRIED TO WALK” HANDS DOWN ONE OF THEIR BEST SONGS. TOP 5. i’m the president of na honja ireoke opening line. i have a shrine for that line. the most impactful opening line of all songs, korean or not. amen. listen to all tracks please please. you’ll find the B1A4 distinct flavor on “what do you want to do”. like. go. now.

WHAT’S HAPPENING (2013): B1A4 wore fancy stuffs during this promotion. me ghosta. but DO YOU LIKE BALLAD? “good love” had me on the floor. then i read the translation and i died.

WHO AM I (2014): jesus lord and savior. this album. jesus f christ man THIS ALBUM. LISTEN TO EVERY SINGLE THING HERE PLEASE. “baby” further wow me about baro’s voice. “too much” WHICH IS SANDEUL + GONGCHAN’S DUET? fuck lmao we’re talking about heartbreak here and mine’s bleeding whenever i listen to “too much”. “DRUNK WITH MUSIC” tho. wow CNU-hyung. killed. this. concept. i can’t. you’re lying if your shoulders aren’t moving along and if your head isn’t nodding along. it’s THAT good. you’ll feel the swag. seriously.

SOLO DAY (2014): summer means “solo day”. period. it’s my summer jam. it should be YOURS. “drive” is so so so good. it has asphalt in the lyric. honestly do listen. also if you’re JYP stan do realize B1A4 had collaboration with min and suzy and in this album, sunmi. awesome.

SWEET GIRL (2015): oh my girl visual slash vocal slash handsome girl jiho is in the music video for the title track “sweet girl”. life’s good. in “wait” BARO IS SINGING I REPEAT BARO IS SINGING AND BANA prolly cried everywhere. and jinyoung wailing i can’t stop thinking about you girl everyday, everyday? LMAO BYE.

GOOD TIMING (2016): “a lie”, undoubtedly quenched BANA’s thirst after one whole year. have you watched “a lie” live on music shows? if the ‘touch my cheek tell me i’m not lying’ isn’t the best point of all dance point then idk what to trust. yes, i’m that supremacist LMAO. “crushing on you again” is so sweet, so very winter season love song aka B1A4’s very own color. they should be dubbed as winter season kings because their releases during fall/winter (in the wind, who am i, good timing) are the be(a)sts. “nightmare” paved the road for winner’s “really really” LMAO i’m joking. but not really. i mean baro and mino are practically brothers. “in dreams” sounds so fucking dreamy, like i said, totally winter season love song. “i’ll find you��� makes me long for someone it shall inspire y’all. “together” is the one last song that leaves you wonder if these singing strangers are really worth our money and time and dedication and the answer is YES BECAUSE B1A4 RECORDED THIS SONG WITH KOREAN BANAS. jesus.

okay.

it’s july 2017. my bro baro is acting in a drama now. sandeul, your man, has collab with a starship kid. does it mean we’re going to have another winter season album? i’d say amen.

bonus: this is my fave pic of them.

if you’ve heard of it jinyoung is a composer. he’s well noted by other idols and important people in the industry lmao. he also acts. wow. i don’t follow girl groups, but LMAO THIS SONG? “AT THE SAME PLACE” MADE BY JINYOUNG HELPED B1A4 TO GET MORE RECOGNITION. this time i gotta thank mnet for the opportunity. and for the girls who were so sweet fangirling towards my hyung jung jinyoung.

listen to my ult oh my girl’s “one step two step” here and say yes that you can hear jinyoung’s magic there. i’ll just link to the BEST FANCAM EVER.

HERE’S THEM SINGING THE LEGENDARY SONG THEMSELVES:

AND JINYOUNG COMPOSED THE NEWEST GIRL GROUP BOP “DEEP BLUE EYES” wow my hyung shall be crowned as THE PRINCE OF GIRL GROUP BOPS. like.

i cry a lot. but promise this is the last time. i cried watching sandeul’s music video for his solo debut “stay as you are” but y kno it already. help my bro reach 1 million views before a year please.

fun fact: been with them since 2011. never got into shipping business, just here purely for the music and the people. they’re like friends that i’ve known for a long time; we don’t necessarily stay in touch but i always think of them fondly, y feel? i find new friends as i get older every year, yet i’ll always be the first to congratulate them if they reach another milestone in their respective lives y kno? moral of this story: don’t ship for a long lasting stanning TROOLOLOLOLLOLOLO.

this is comprehensive.

i hope i helped.

everyone please have a good weekend.

[weapon13whitefang]

Liz Talks TWD 8x01 [Possible Spoilers]

So I went back and rewatched S08E01 and here are my few opinions on some things that caught my eye or that went through my mind. Keep in mind, these thoughts will be all over the place because I have so many things in my head.

But before I really get into that, let me just say that – for the 100th episode – I wasn’t too impressed. Now that’s not to say this was a bad episode. No as a story piece it was pretty good. It set up the top half of TWD and seeing all these different factions come together was needed. My favorite line was “I got your back” and the guy goes “you just met me” (or something like that) and I was happy because THAT is an important message in the show. Right next to “It’s not about you”.

And why is that important? Because later – in the next episode preview – we see Tara say “we have a job to do” and Jesus goes “we’re not here for revenge”. Each character has a motivation for why they’re fighting Negan. Whether to protect family, themselves, the future or whatever. And each fraction – Kingdom, Alexander, and Hilltop – have a different person they stand for (again either for themselves or for Maggie or Ezekiel or Rick). And hell some of them don’t even know what they’re fighting for, but they’re there and they’re gonna fight.

This season is called All Out War. A war doesn’t have to be just about what’s happening physically. In fact, a war can also mean what’s going on inside ones self. When people go to war, they start out one way. In the beginning of a war you see boys. By the end of a war, you see men with troubled or peaceful faces. War happens to the body and the mind as much as on a battlefield and I think that’s a big thing to keep in mind for this season and for each character; what is their own war and how is it going?

But anyway, the reason I wasn’t that impressed with this episode is that I was… Bored. Like the first half of the episode, until they drove the vehicles to the Savior Compound, I was bored. Because as someone who writes scripts and who studied scripts and film, I understand what’s going on and I just find it frustrating. What’s happening is the setup. We are setting up the season. We are setting up what’s going on and whose with us. We have three fractions vs one giant fraction. Rick and Maggie and Ezekiel’s team VS Negan’s team. We have the three fraction coming together and meeting for the first time and it’s one of those “hi nice to meet you this is awkward but I guess we’re partners” moments one might feel in high school or college when you have to partner up with someone you’ve never once talked to or even paid attention to. It’s awkward and uncertain… But this time you’re partners to survive in an apocalyptic world war of survival… No pressure.

So we have this set up happening… And that’s so boring. I’m not saying it isn’t needed! By God no, it’s needed. We can’t just suddenly be standing in the middle of the battlefield with Rick and Maggie and Ezekiel screaming orders while Negan is laughing and yelling about his dick (btw that scene was stupid but I laughed a little because JDM gets all the stupid lines) as he swings Lucille around. I mean I get that… They could do that but it wouldn’t work as well and all the crazy shit happening at once could leave people just as confused as it not happening at all.

But here’s the thing… They’ve been setting up this war since the beginning of Season 7 with Abraham and Glenn’s death. And it was topped off with Sasha’s death at the end of last season and Shiva coming into save Rick and Carl. I mean we’ve been ready for this war since season seven… More build up is… It’s kind of getting ridiculous at this point. It’s frustrating because I REALLY DO GET WHAT THEY’RE DOING but I do not like it because I’m getting tired of all this stacking and building. I love this shit but after a whole goddamn season of it, I’m just… I’m done.

But that said, I get it and I’m like “fine, fine okay whatever” right now. And when we see Negan step out of the Savior compound, I wasn’t as bored. Because now we were getting something fun. Negan’s swagger wasn’t as… Swag. He actually was slowly showing frustration because his call out plan didn’t work. Gregory didn’t come through because everyone had fallen behind Maggie (for the most part anyway) and Jesus. Gregory (Fuck this motherfucker by the way) was a useless trump card for Simon and Negan… Same with Eugene and Sasha last season. Negan is losing his trump cards slowly. Which THAT I found fascinating and fun to watch. Little by little he’s getting picked away.

Anyway, my main thought on this episode – my overall feel – is that it could’ve given us a lot more. I get building up the theme and the season. I get that they’re waiting to give us something big to chomp down on. But I need them to at least give me some meat on this pile of ribs because a girl can only lick a bone for so long you know? That’s my frustration with it. Not the episode itself. Not the storytelling device that it is. Just the lack of more.

And a lot of that might be that it’s the 100th episode. Episode 1 gave more than the 100th and that’s just kinda like “wtf”. Yes I know it was a brand new show back then. But that’s an excuse more than anything to me. I’ve seen this show give us amazing over the line episodes. This was a chance to do that while also setting up the season. They could’ve used next weeks episode as the kind of extra build up. That would’ve been more satisfying for me personally. You can still build up without taking away from the hype.

That said, I don’t hate this episode at all. The first part bored me but overall I liked seeing the visions of Old Man Rick (I don’t wanna call it future Rick or daydream Rick or whatever because that whole set up didn’t feel like a daydream or future view but more like a hallucination but not… So I’m just calling it a vision and Old Man Rick). I’m also laughing because people pointed out that older Judith’s eyes went blue from the brown they were when she was a baby and also wondering if that’s because Rick’s eyes are blue and Shane’s eyes were dark brown and Lori’s eyes were a very light brown and this is part of Rick’s vision that Judith is fully his child instead of falling on that belief that she’s Shane’s daughter. Either way, it made me kind of laugh but also go hmm.

I also liked the shot for shot image of Carl mimicking Rick in Season 1 and then Rick turning to see a young woman zombie with her face ripped open and wearing a light bathrobe and looking just like Summer – the little girl zombie Rick kills in the first season that was played by Addy Miller – only older. Was curious and looked her up on Twitter and sure enough, she’s the walker we see walking to Rick and Carl. Very very nice touch and that made me grin!

Eugene getting cut off was kind of deserved. I mean I believe he’s just grabbing information and playing a part because, hey, Eugene is good at that kind of shit like he did against Abe and his old crew. But I still think he’s being a real big piece of shit coward and needs to be SIT THE FUCK DOWN from time to time.

So no I didn’t hate this episode. Just got a bit frustrated with it.

Now for some fun little TD shit because I gotta nudge the water sometimes. I’ll probably do this any chance I can. Because I like TDers. Most of them have been nice to me and I find their metas fascinating sometimes.

Ticking clock noise in this episode and in next weeks episode and lots and lots of clocks.

Here’s a little fun nudges I wrote awhile back dealing with the trailer that I think is important for us to note. This is talking about the trailer In the trailer, we have the beating of an instrument in a sort of tribal-like setup. I found out from a friend – who is more musically trained than I am – that the instrument is most likely what is called a clave. AKA those wooden stick instruments a music teacher gives young kids to teach them how to learn music rhythm, to keep a beat. Since music is important, I decided to look into the clave. I did some research. Probably not needed and probably a bit excessive, but blame the scriptwriter in me. I found a blog that talks heavily about the clave and the first thing it discusses – besides telling us that the clave looks like a hot dog without the bun… So a hot dog – is that the clave “also refers to the 2/3 or 3/2 rhythmic glue that holds all the different polyrhythms together. You hear the rhythmic pattern and sound in all Cuban music, most Puerto Rican salsa, and a great deal of African music as well… The hardwood sticks have a sharp, penetrating sound that can be heard even over a large orchestra of loud, blazing horns.” (x) I found this information fascinating. As I said, trailer music I number one on the list of three important things in a trailer. That is because music – as well known – sets a mood. It sets a rhythm for the chosen images and cut-list of the trailer. A good example of how music can set a trailer is the infamous “Scary Mary” trailer (x) that can be found on Youtube – turning Mary Poppins from the whimsical musical and into a horror film. Simply by changing the music, they had an outline for a way to choose clips and make it seem that the classic Disney film Mary Poppins was instead a horror thriller. It’s still the same story, but the change in music makes it a whole other level of cinematography. That in mind, why the clave for this trailer? My thoughts go first back to the line “…The hardwood sticks have a sharp, penetrating sound that can be heard even over a large orchestra of loud, blazing horns.” Which is true. From 0:41 to 2:14 of the AMC posted trailer (x) we can hear the clave being played alone. No other instrument is with it. The music is the only clave’s being beaten to different rhythms to create a single sound/song. As rick begins to talk at 2:14, the clave’s – even muted, are not blocked by Rick’s speech. From 2:14 to 3:04, Rick’s speech is undertoned by the clave’s… This is important. This music – this instrument that can even be heard over larger sounds and can penetrate through it all – was chosen for a reason. What reason? Well, in my personal opinion, because it sounds like a clock and it sets up a feeling of anxiety. Also, according to my research and stated in the website above, the clave was created when slaves – who missed music – took two cuban carved pegs – pegs made to hold the ship together since nails were very expensive back in the late 1400s – and beat them together and discovered their sharp sound. “The Aricans started fashioning these pegs into smooth, round sticks that could be used as rhythm instruments.” (x). This sound also – to me – gives the whole things a sort of tribal feel. It makes me think I’m off running with a tribe. It’s like I’m on a hunt… And that’s what is happening. There is a hunt going on. Negan vs Rick. I mentioned that the clave also sounds like clocks. Like clocks ticking away. This show does love its time and clock. A ticking of a clock symbolizes many things. In media, it is often like that old saying “the clock is ticking”, meaning “time is running out”. This could be someones clock is ticking away to their death. A good example I like to use is ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN and how Charlie the Dog has a watch that represents his time on earth and he’s told his watch has stopped and meant his time is up. The clock stopped ticking for Glenn and he was eventually lost… Now it doesn’t all mean bad. “The clock is ticking” is also a saying that yes, your time is up. But that doesn’t mean your time is up in a bad sense. It could also symbolize an approach of someone or something. And since season 8 is supposed to be about the war with the Saviors (so it seems anyway), then the ticking clock sound can mean the time of approach of the war. A ticking away of a clock is also used in media to give narrative tension. To me – personally – we do get this. There’s something tensing about hearing the clave’s beat away like a clock. Like we’re Captain Hook and we hear the clock of the crocodile coming to get us. A post by Julie Eshbaugh gave the best example of explaining this tension. She said the ticking of a clock creating tension is a simple concept. And the concept is that “a certain task must be completed by a certain deadline or the character will fail and suffer the consequences of that failure… The addition of a ticking clock instantly creates increased tension. A challenge may feel relatively easy to overcome if time is not an issue. But take away the luxury of unlimited time and you immediately turn up the heat on your characters.” (x) Team Family is out of time. Negan has rallied together his Saviors and rallied Jadis with her Scavengers (a union that may have its own ticking clock hanging over it; a ticking bomb clock with how bull-headed Jadis and Negan seem to be just from their last seen exchange) and they have to rally together their plan of attack or risk their loss.  The clock is ticking on the approach – on the drop – of the war.Now as for that little bit of Team Defiance / Team Delusional in me that likes to peak out? Well, maybe this is the ticking – the final tick-tock – of Beth’s approach to team Family. She’s been linked with clocks and time before. Wouldn’t surprise me if this ticking clock was Beth’s clock ticking over team family… But again, that’s just me being a speculator.

The Weird Al song made me so confused/baffled, but @dynamicsymmetry pointed out how it’s interesting they used a Weird Al Song for a background song. Because a Weird Al song is a cover and a distorted version of an original song. Another One Rides the Bus is a parody of Another One Bites The Dust. He takes the songs and basically rewrites them with a new feel. The parody song resembles the original but it’s been altered to give a whole new mood. And to me, that’s kind of a good example of what they did with WHAWGO because they gave us this feel of a funeral for Beth but the feel was wrong because it was actually supposed to be a feel for Tyreese. See what I mean? Now of course not all music relates to Beth but Sunny pointing that out made me kinda pause and nod because yeah lol

Carl left a sorry note. Which can also be a nudge to Beth wanting to leave a Thank You note at the funeral home.

Carl talking about them needing hope because without it everything else isn’t enough. And I find it fascinating that it’s CARL that’s talking about Hope while driving around in the damn Phoenix van. I once said I think Carl is going to have a hand in finding Beth again and I still believe that if she’s gonna come back y'all.

[youngandhungryent]

Lil Berete Is A Toronto Star In The Making: On Smoke Dawg’s Legacy & International Success

Hip-hop culture comes from grassroots beginnings and it’s a tradition that’s carried on through the generations. Creating music has always been a platform for artists to tell stories that reflect their own otherwise-silenced communities.

Lil Berete’s no different in that sense. The 18-year-old rapper from Toronto’s Regent Park is making waves on an international platform but the inspiration comes from the life he lived in Toronto’s housing projects. His debut project, Icebreaker put a spotlight on his name as he detailed the paranoia, fear, and betrayal of growing up in Regent Park. “Run a milli up, yeah, I count it how I live/ Keep a semi tucked ’cause they don’t want to see me rich,” he raps off the top of his latest project. “I can’t trust a soul, I ain’t ready to go.”

The rapper has been in and out of Toronto in recent times, since signing to U.K. label New Gen — a grime focused branch of XL Recordings. Icebreaker was recorded across Toronto, Los Angeles, and Paris but issues with the city’s authorities have also played a factor. Police have shut down his concerts and Toronto’s housing projects sent a letter to his mother’s house threatening to evict them if he didn’t stop recording music videos in his neighborhood without a permit. His latest video for “Chase Cash” with Deno was filmed in Ethiopia.

Lil Berete chopped it up with HNHH this summer and he got candid about Regent Park, the Toronto – U.K. connection, the late Smoke Dawg’s legacy, and more.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

HNHH: What type of music did you grow up listening to, both during your time in Guinea and Regent Park, and how did it help mold the way your career is going right now?

Lil Berete: When I was younger, my hood was a place where people we’re up to date on everything. They were always listening to the [latest] music coming out before other people. Akon, T-Pain, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and all those guys. Back in the day, I used to just sit and watch BET.

I’m trying to bring the old school type of rap back into the game but I can’t just do it right away because nobody feels you on your first try unless you do it five times. I’m doing what people like right now. Later on, I’m gonna be doing what influences me and what I used to listen to and what I’m comfortable making. 

With Icebreaker and this follow-up project on the way, you mentioned that you’re experimenting with more international sounds. Are we going to see you go into the lane of what you want to do more?

You guys are gonna know me more once I drop my album. There’s rapping, rockstar type music, there’s R&B, grime rap, different types of styles. Once you memorize how to sing and use afro-beats and do that hip-hop shit, you can do anything in the world. There are artists right now that people think are the best in the world but probably can’t go make a song for international people, for African people. 

There are a lot of similarities between the UK and Toronto right now. Working with artists like Nafe Smallz and signing to a UK label, what is the connection between the two places? Music or otherwise?

The swag. The wordplay. People in Toronto like to mumble rap, that fast type of shit. That’s the same thing UK people do but we rap about different shit. They talk about their lives and the struggles that they’re living that are different than [ours]. For us, we have different laws. People go to jail for a burner for two years but for them, they get ten years for a burner. We have different ways of explaining ourselves. With the type of lifestyle I live, the only way I can explain myself is slap on [some] auto-tune, get a beat that will put me in my zone and just go on it. You can’t just play regular rap shit and tell me to go on it. That’s not me. I like to show people what I live so people understand me. 

That’s an interesting part of your music. For me, your music wasn’t something I found on blogs, it was more word of mouth because that’s what the young boys are listening to.

That’s because the young boys see me in the vids. They don’t see me with bent knees or fifty-thousand dollars in cash. They can’t relate to me if they see that. If they see a kid wearing regular clothes in videos, not showing racks, not doing the most, they’re like “Yo, I can relate to this.” Other people say, “I got this, twenty thousand this, blah blah blah,” but it’s all cap. With the shit I spit, I’m talking about my dead homies, metro housing trying to kick me out, trying to get out the hood. That’s why kids feel me. That’s why they listen to what I say and they come up to me and appreciate me. 

People are getting that inside look to Regent Park and the struggles of being a young black man in a city like Toronto. I wanted to talk to you about the video that went viral last summer with the jaywalking and getting that letter from the Toronto housing people.

That letter didn’t hurt me, it just showed me “Don’t take too long to get out of here.” How do you just send a letter to a kid that your own kid listens to? I’ve had cops tell me their kids listen to me. They’ve told their kid that they’ve arrested me. These guys feel cool doing shit to me because of who I am. I can’t live like a regular guy anymore. When they sent me that letter, I got amped like “I’m different, I’m the only guy that got this. Why did I get this? Because I’m doing good.” They’re telling me I can’t shoot videos like “Where do you want me to go?” I can go on the block and shoot videos. They are telling me I can’t shoot videos in the hood. What do you want me to do? Go to a public place somewhere I don’t even know, I never grew up in? When I’m explaining my story in my hood, and other kids see that, it motivates them. I’m not in a white neighborhood talking about the struggle. I’m in the jungle talking about the jungle.

That’s why I was laughing too. I don’t make music where I’m talking about murders. I make music where shit already happened and I’m telling you how I feel about it or how it really went down. I don’t just say anything in my songs. If you compare my rap to people who used to rap in my hood back in the day, these cops just don’t want to see me win. They are trying to bully me.

I feel like that’s a common struggle with a lot of Toronto rappers who rap about their reality. When booking shows, do you find that it impacts your ability to make money in the city?

If I knew rapping like this would get me canceled from shows, rapping like this would get cops investigating me every day, I would’ve just been a singer. But I also have that mentality where I don’t give a fuck what anyone says, I have a story to tell. If no one’s gonna say it then I’m gonna say. Every other rapper from my hood is a rapper, like straight rap. I think I’m the only one that sings and tries to do something different. On some Juice WRLD-type shit. My first show with Juice WRLD, they canceled me. Rebel [Night Club]. I don’t know why they canceled me. It’s probably because someone was at the show that they didn’t want me to run into.

I have no charges, never got caught with anything in my life. Every charge I have is probably from when I was sixteen or seventeen so you guys are gonna hold a grudge on something a sixteen-year-old did when he was younger and didn’t know better? I’m trying to do better and get my money. I’m doing shows to get money, I’m not selling drugs, and you guys are trying to cancel that. That’s why young rappers go crazy. I’m not even famous. I’m just a little bit popping and cops are doing this. I’ll quit rapping and say fuck it. That’s why young black people in Canada, America and other places in the world that have talent don’t get to speak. They feel like if they rap, it’s gonna be worse. Music should make you feel better. When I listen to my own music, sometimes I cry because I feel what I’m feeling. 

I apologize if it’s a sensitive topic but I want to ask you about Smoke Dawg. It’s been a year since his passing and I was wondering if you had any thoughts you wanted to share about his importance to Regent Park or your career.

He’s a good man. I couldn’t feel how he feels because I wasn’t at that position but now, I’m at that position so I get the way he used to move and not come to the hood a lot. It all makes sense now. You can go crazy off the people around you. People don’t think of it like “You’re the next artist, you’re the gold of the hood.” They think of it like “Oh we have a star, we have to protect it. Anyone who talks shit has to get it.” When your friends are on that type of mentality, it’s hard to stay on your rap shit. You’re thinking “if they’re street, I’m street too.” But if the people around you are thinking “Yo, we got to go to the studio every. If we’re not getting booked for the club, we’re not going,” it’ll be different. Smokey was a big influence in the rap game in Regent because he was young, he had swag, he knew what he was doing, and he was different. He doesn’t rap like anyone from Toronto. He has his own voice. When I see that he’s from Southside– if a Southside guy can do that and rap, I think I can do it too. So, I went to the studio and started recording.

Is there a part of you that feels like you’re carrying the torch in a way?

I’m forever carrying the torch. My hood, Regent Park is the torch. Regent Park is forever out there. Even if it’s Smokey or other rappers that passed away from the hood, I’m still carrying people’s torches. Point Blank, Sick Thugz, all of those guys. It’s because of them I’m in the position I’m at right now. If they weren’t rapping, I don’t think I’d be rapping right now. I’d be in the streets doing whatever I’d be doing. There’s a couple of hoods where there are no rappers because everyone grew up being a crazy kid doing whatever they wanna do. My hood grew up with people that wanted to rap and had the talent and had a sense of humor and had a mentality to get out of the hood and not stay doing this forever. Once Point Blank set a trend rapping, those guys made it far, so Regent always has a path to success for us. If I’m in the neighborhood and my OG’s never sold dope before, I’m never gonna sell dope in my life. If my OG’s never rapped in their life, I’d never rap in my life. This neighborhood is full of talent and supports music. The only person on top of me was Smokey. It was a good feeling actually having someone on top of you. You could go to them for advice no questions asked. I think the lifestyle gets to a lot of people’s heads and they go crazy. I haven’t gone crazy yet but the lifestyle I’m living, I like it, but sometimes you get post-traumatic stress and shit. You start overthinking. That’s when you have to travel. That’s what makes your music better.

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[thevhenan]

Mass Effect Andromeda Impressions/Adventures #2:

Everything under cut~

Up to getting Jaal and then finding the scientists. 

I have pictures!

I was thinking about going through the whole story in these but that is A LOT of work so I'll cut it down to the interesting bits of my journey.

First off, I want to say even though I'm playing Female Ryder people weren't kidding when they said Male Ryders VA sounded like a clone of Nolan North. HOLY SHIT. I mean, I kind of heard it in the trailers but it wasn't until I seen some gameplay I was like WTF. I mean, just give Male Ryders VA half the jobs and Nolan the others and we'll have that voice everywhere (even though Nolan is almost everywhere in the first place). Speaking of which, is it just me or this NPC an actual clone of default Scott? Just different hair. MY BROTHER IS AWAKE GUYS. 

At first I had an 'off' feeling about the Initiative/Jean Garson. It felt... kind of propaganda-y. Sanctuary in ME3 if you will. I'm hoping she won't be a villain esp. because her VA is trans but another part of me thinks in might be an interesting twist. At least thinking she might not be dead and maybe there is some sort of conspiracy there. I don't know. I get like there is more to her story.

The animations aren't nearly as bad as people acted like they were. They even have some good animations *gasp*. Of course the ones people nitpick are the only ones I've seen that are pretty bad but that's it. I also think a lot of the 'problems' stem from the eyes which is a lot less noticeable if you picked a preset that is asian/doesn't have big eyes/brown eyes. Other than that the graphics are way better and most of the animation isn't even that bad. I have faith that the longer the game is out the more that is patched. Take DA:I for example, I don't even think most of those animations needed to be patched but they did it anyway.

I like the Tempest but I think I would have preferred stairs as opposed to ladders... Ladders wouldn't have been so bad if you didn't auto climb them.  Kind of messes up the flow? The see through floor is pretty cool though although I almost had a heart attack the first time. I also like that the crew has bunk beds  and stuff, makes it feel more natural and the board they talk on is a cute touch. Also, I know we have a lift but I rarely use it because??? I don't know.

THE PYJAK IS SO CUTE AND YOU GET BANTER FROM THE CREW. 100% worth it if only for him (yes I decided that the pyjak is male). I loved how he was in one of the crews bed. Best boy ever. 

I so far really like the worlds (only been to two playable areas) they are so pretty but so far I prefer not having the Nomad.  I don't know, I like not having to worry about air/enviorment just enemies and CHARGING INTO THEM YEAHHHHHHH. Anyway, kind of wish the Nomad could climb for days like the Mako but hey, at least it doesn't take fall damage.

Some of the side quest are really fun. I think with the scanner you can do more mystery solving so it allows for a lot of options. Kind of reminds me of the Batman games in that aspect. 

I'm really interested in Alec's story which makes me infuriated because all those memory fragments are in places I can't reach. CURSE YOU GAME. My completionist ass upset. 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the addition to the codex where it not only tells you your relationship with your crew and decisions regarding them but your more major decisions and your personality!!!! Tbh the personality system seems a little Myer Briggs to me. Like, Head vs. Heart is T vs. F and Formal vs. Informal is P vs J. I'm an INFJ so unsurprisingly I'm heart and formal. I didn't even really want her to be that formal but Idk myself seeped in? That or I just think being polite to new species and people is the way to go. I'm personally pretty formal until I know you well enough. It's more...safe?

I really like the Sudoku type puzzles. At first I didn't understand but then I was like 'oh this is sudoku'. It might be a little much for regularly doing it but you don't have to do it that much so I'm fond of it.

My opinions on companions/others currently:

Cora: I LOVE HER. Tbh I thought she'd be more cold and closed off but she's not, which is good. Of course being cold at first isn't bad either. Like, that's how I am but she's a lot warmer than I expected. She's serious but warm, I like that. I especially like the kind of inside joke between her and Ryder at the beginning about Dragons. Hey, talk about dragons when we first meet and you have yourself a friend for life. 

Liam: I figured he'd be really friendly but man, Liam is just the best. You instantly feel bonded with him (and Cora!!). I don't know why the hell people keep comparing Vetra and Jaal to Garrus when Liam is more like him than either. Hell, I knew that going in. I mean, Liam is for sure more optimistic and 'I LOVE EVERYONE' (though apparently he doesn't like Vetra very much???). Still, former cop CHECK, techie CHECK, designated bffl CHECK. Like? IS it because he's human? Okay internet. I mean in all honesty I wouldn't compare any of these new squadmates to older characters but if you had to Liam would be more like Garrus than any other. Vetra shares the sister thing with Garrus but that's literally it. Off on a tangent. Still, Liam is great and I'm such a sucker for his accent. Could hear him talk all day. Please, talk all day Liam. Narrate my life.

Vetra: OF COURSE I LOVE VETRA. She has a certain swag about her especially when you first meet her you are like SMOOTH, NICEEEE. I mean, okay I suppose you can compare it to when you first see Garrus in ME2 (but that's it okay and I'm done talking Garrus!!!). She is a little closed off and I like that. She's really cool. Unfortunately I still don't feel like I know that much about her besides she's a smuggler and cares a lot about her sister (and her sister is really cute!). Anyway, her and Jaal are leading my 'who I should romance' poll in my head. I don't know, I guess I'll decide after both their personal mission. Right now I feel like I know Jaal better even with him being closed off a bit. I also wish during one on one convos you could see her eyes better :/. It seems like in cutscenes you can but when you are just talking to her it's harder to see them. I WANT TO SEE YOUR PRETTY EYES. And sorry, I'm being weird and creepy. I'll stop.

Peebee: I like her lots. I didn't know if I'd really like her voice at first, same with Cora but once I talked to them in game I was in love. EVERYONE HAS SUCH NICE VOICES. Her voice really fits her. I like her personality a lot but she still is still pretty secretive along with Vetra. Can't wait to know more. I do think Ryder and her would get along and do get along quite well because they both love exploring. I really am into their interactions so far.

Drack: Okay, I admit I was a bit skeptical about Drack. Like look, I'm a Krogan fan but I know Grunt and Wrex and a lot of Krogan we've encountered were quite similar (the males at least) and I was hoping Drack wouldn't be just a copy. He's pretty wise and cares so much about his grandaughter. It's ridiculously sweet. And yeah, he's still pretty combat heavy but that's what I expected. Anyway, I was hoping he wasn't  just another stale stereotype and so far he's exceeding expectations so I'm happy and really like him.

Jaal: He's as great, I was a bit nervous he was over hyped but he really is great. I'm really interested in him and his culture and everything. The interaction between him and Ryder is top notch and I feel the chemistry so right now he's a front runner for me to romance. I mean, look at my favorite romances and it's really no surprise I like him. He has a mysterious type air that I'm all about and Angara have such interesting eyes! I just got him yesterday so his personality hasn't settled as much as the others but basically, he's worth the hype to me (though I do think the people wanting to f him right off the bat were a bit much but hey who am I to judge). I got to know him and I like him.

Suvi: She's so dreamy even her voice *sigh*. She kind of has a voice that has a dream like quality like Solas' voice (whether you hate him or not he has a dream like voice, you can't deny it it's likely done on purpose because the fade and such). She's also so cute and a scientist and religious. She makes me think if Josie and Leliana from Dragon Age had a baby she would their offspring. Yeah, needless to say can't wait to romance her. I'm not going to do it this round because personally  don't feel like she fits well with my character as Vetra and Jaal do but I'm for sure going to role up a cute lady to romance her. She's so happy and loves her work and exited and perfect jaodlkjaodad. Yeah, she's my type.

Gil: I REALLY like Gil. They did a good job with making likable crew omg. He reminds me of a mix between Alistair and Dorian from Dragon Age. That'S MY JAM. Having a lack of m/m romances is horrible but ya'll Gil is the shit and I don't appreciate people saying he's 'uninteresting' and 'bad romance'.  I just really like him a lot and it was so fun playing poker with him ^^. I feel bad because the codex said I 'lied' about cheating but TBH they made me do it in the first place. I wouldn't have done it if I had the choice. I didn't lie. I just didn't tell the truth. That's the thing about poker anyway, right? God, I feel bad now.

Lexi: HER VOICE YA'LL. I feel like she's the new Seth Green of the series. The celebrity that will stay through the whole series (if there is one). Also, the fact that she and Joker are not interested in the main character and like someone else. EDI for Joker and Drack for Lexi. Anyway, I like her and if I didn't like her her voice is enough. Still, she's fun to talk to so far.

Kallo: He's a cutie. I'm really happy for him. Don't know wtf there is going on with him and Gil but w/e. He's a good pilot. Not too much of an opinion yet because I don't feel like I got to know him as much unfortunately but I'm exited to learn more about his personality!

Options so far (That I can think of):

More Emotional, More Formal

Cares about Dad (took heart options when it game to Alec)

Told truth to Scott about dad, lied about Andromeda Okay to be fair though I figured we'd get it better by the time he wakes up and I don't want him to lose hope after telling him his Dad died. I want him to pull through and you pull through with hope. I didn't want to lie and I kind of wish there was a third option because I didn't want to say ‘IT'S SUPER HORRIBLE LOL’ but I didn't want to say ‘IT'S AMAZING’ either. Just like 'We hit a few bumps but we're on our way to making it better'. Maybe the truthful option said that but it didn't seem like that from the text.

Lied to Gil about cheating  (look above to see explanation)

Set up Science outpost Female Ryder is all about the science, Liam and Vetra said science and Science will help more in the long run and help the people that are already here that are suffering.

Set the guy who 'committed the murder' free This was a hard one and I forgot his name so forgive me. But bottom line, he didn't do it. Whatever his intentions were he still didn't actually commit the crime. I do think there should have been punishment but he didn't need life or be executed because of something he didn't actually do.

And that's it so far! I'll give more thoughts later.

[catherinejimenez]

2016: ON THE TOP OF MY LIST

Last year, I’ve watched more than 10 Korean dramas and there’s this 4 particular dramas that really catches my heart.

Disclaimer: This blog post might contain spoilers so if you haven’t watched the dramas that I will be mentioning here, I hope you can forgive me :)

W-TWO WORLDS

Synopsis: W-Two worlds is a fantasy-romance about a man and a woman living in different worlds. Yeon Joo is a doctor living in the real world and her father is the author of the most popular webtoon, W. And Kang  Chul is the lead character of that webtoon. Things becomes complicated when Yeon Joo’s father decides to kill Kang Chul and Yeon Joo gets pulled into the comic world and met Kang Chul.

I was able to watch this drama because of a friend who keeps on telling me that there’s a drama that she’s really into. I wasn’t interested at first because I’m still not yet done with Game of Throne’s season 4. But after few weeks of convincing me, I started to watch the drama and the story began.

It wouldn’t be much to say that it was love at first episode for me with W. The first few episodes of the drama were good but a little dy. But after few more episodes I started to like W. It’s a great fantasy story, a lots of twist and turns. You can’t never be comfortable because you just never know what’s going to happen next. I love the whole concept of a character having to learn he’s from a work of fiction. It’s unbelievable and devastating for the person involved.

What I liked about W-Two Worlds?

Aside from the drama’s bold storytelling, the execution of the two worlds is really my favorite. A serious kudos to the whole production team,because they managed the transition of the two worlds so skillfully.

A cute OTP. Yeon Joo and Kang Chul is really cute together. They can turn the serious scenes into romantic one real quick. One of my favorite scene of them is during the time that Yeon Joo confessed her love to Kang Chul. Before, Yeon Joo randomly says those words to him but he’s not affected at all (It’s her way to go back to the real world). This time, it’s different,  he got swayed by Yeon Joos confession.

Overall, W-Two worlds was fun and crazy ride. With action packed fantasy story. It’s highly recommended if you’re a fan of those kind of genres.

MOONLIGHT DRAWN BY CLOUDS (LOVE IN THE MOONLIGHT)

I have to tell you this guys, I really really love this one. Seriously. This drama reminds me all over again why I fell in love with traditional dramas. It wasted no time in grabbing my heart and hold onto it really tight for the entire 18 episodes.

One of the things that comes to my mind when I think of MDBC, aside from Park Bo Gums sweetness, is that this drama is really well made. From the execution of scenes to the delivering of lines, everything.

Yeong (Park Bo Gum’s character) was my favorite among the cast of the show. Yeong’s character is full of charm and you couldn’t resist it I’m telling you. One of my favorite scene of him is during the confession and first kiss on Episode 7. The way Yeong approaches into confession and eventually to his first kiss scene to Ra On got me so kilig. Ugh. This boy makes my heart wobble, seriously. Another one is in Episode 14, when he comes face to face with Ra On in the secret meeting place. I won’t forget his “I will never forgive you” line before walking to Ra On and grabbed her in his arms. I never thought those words could be so romantic. I still haven’t moved on from that.

If there’s a leading man who’s really charming and handsome there should be a better half who has the same characteristics as him which really suits for Kim Yoo Jung. She’s one of the child actresses who’s really grown up so beautiful and talented. I can still remember her, portraying the role of young Yeon-O in Moon embracing the sun (which is my all time favorite drama). I really like Kim Yoo Jung as Ra On, she’s really natural. She’s funny without looking like she’s trying hard. Kim Yoo Jung consistently looks like she’s being herself.

The cast really suits the drama. Aside from the leads, Kwak Dong Yun really catches my attention. His cool but caring friend role is loveable (I’m so kinikilig while typing this one.) Special shout out to the Princess and Master Jung’s loveline. I also enjoyed their love story, even though it’s mostly played for comedy afterall, they are the reason why Ra On and Yeong met.

GOBLIN: THE LONELY & GREAT GOD

Goblin made me speechless and fall in love in less than a few minutes. As someone who watched many dramas and (I can say) can predict almost everything that’ll happen next, this drama made me laugh, cry & cringe when I didn’t expect I would.

Synopsis: Goblin is about a general way back in Goryeo, who got killed out of jealousy by the King. Because of his desperate wish for revenge, God gave him the chance to become goblin, a creature with immortal life and superpowers.

Goblin is really unpredictable. This drama made me cry, laugh out loud, cringe (Paulit ulit ako haha) and so much more. This drama caught me offguard. It’s so fun to watch and that’s not even all. It makes you think about so many things especially God, good and bad, death, your deeds, you past and so on. It’s really a drama for everyone. It has everything you could wish for: Romance, comedy, poetry, drama and so much more. There’s something about this drama that was really addicting.

Why I like Goblin a lot?

Aside from the unique pairing of Goblin and Eun Tak, the bromance between Goblin and Grim Reaper is really enjoyable. The way they annoy each other is such a riot. Lol One of my favorite funny moments of these two is when they are trying to learn how to use cellphone. Deok Hwa, a younger servant of Goblin, told them the basics on using phone. He said, they should go first to the appstore to download apps then suddenly Goblin started to wear his coat. I was laughing so hard during that scene.

Goblin and Eun Tak’s loveteam is a breath of fresh air. It’s an unusual pair because of the age difference but the chemistry of the two is really cute.They’re not the typical clingy couple but there’s something in them that will make you love them.

Grim Reaper and Sunny’s amazing lovestory. I really love the concept of their relationship. Grim reaper being innocent about impressing girls is so adorable. I think fellow KDrama fans will agree on me that they are another example of second lead syndrome. I seriously hoped that they could make another drama together.

 WEIGHTLIFTING FAIRY KIM BOK JOO

One word to begin with….. Sweeeeg!

Synopsis: Kim Bok Joo is a weightlifting athlete in a sports university. Her seemingly ordinary life becomes interrupted as she reunited with her elementary schoolmate, Joon Hyung who’s currently an athlete of the swimming team.

WLFKBJ possibly one of the underrated dramas last 2016. I love almost everything about this drama because it really shows the charm and trials of the youths. I seriously wish I could just fill this blog post with only heart emoticons. This drama makes my heart so full and I’m loving it so freaking much. WLFKBJ feels so raw, real and beautiful with more resemblance to life and less of fiction. From the moment I saw the preview online, I felt like this show would really fits my taste.

Here’s the main things that made this show works for me:

The people and stories feels real and relatable. While dramaland is full of shows with fantastical and unusual set-ups, this drama’s charm lies in just how ordinary it’s setting is and how ordinary its characters are.

Lee Sung Kyung as Kim Bok Joo. Oh my God I love her. At first I will admit that I found Bok Joo’s acting a bit exaggerated and her body movements so unnatural but once I accepted that Bok Joo really is a person who walks weird and who really couldn’t help crumpling her face into a pout on a regular basis, I grew to love her. I seriously can relate to Bok Joo, from dealing with self-image, to crushing on boys, to finding meaning in what she does. Maybe because Bok Joo is relatable, I often find myself in her.

Nam Joo Hyuk as Joon Hyung. I Honestly prays to God to have my own Joon Hyung. I just love how he cares so much for Bok Joo even before they become a couple. Which leads to my next favorite thing, Joon Hyung Sweetness. I love it. I love that Bok Joo doesn’t need to be anything or anyone other than herself, to inspire this kind of loyalty, affection and head-over-heels love from him. The two of them shared an amazing amount of chemistry in this show. The skinship feels so natural and easy, I feel like they’ve cuddled a lot before and I’m completely blown away. These two is consistently cute together.

The Friendship of Bok Joo, Seon Ok and Nan Hee.I love that no matter what came between them, they remain as good friends. I seriously can see my friends on them. (Shoutout to my squad. Love you. Ewww Haha) So endearing and yes, full of SWAG!

So far, WLFKBJ is my most loved drama. I don’t know when will I get over because it only sets another standard for me to look at on the coming dramas this year.

The Dramas that I’ve mentioned above is highly recommended I’m assuring you all you won’t regret watching them.Goodnight, Good Morning and SWEEEG!

[ginnyzero]

Completely Harmless Ch. 43

Completely Harmless An SSO SilverGlade Re-imagining Story (Or Fix it Fan Salt fic) By Ginny O.

When Lily and her friends wanted to buy horses and were directed to the Silverglade Manor and its myriad of problems, they didn’t expect to start a revolution. They were just a bunch a stable girls. Completely harmless. Right?

A/N: Things are only canon if I say they’re canon. Pre-Saving the Moorland Stables compliant for the most part. Posted in its entirety on my website. Posted in 2000 to 4000 word bits here. Rated T for Swearing Word Count 177,577

Chapter Forty-Three The Harp.... Lyre of Aideen. Shibby?

Linda woke Lily early. Long before the sun was up. “Come on, we have to go.” She whispered and shoved cocoa and toast into Lily’s hands. Lily groaned. It’d been a late night. Didn’t Linda remember that?

Lily’s horse whuffed and huffed as she got him ready. She patted his nose. “I’m sorry, boy. It has to be done.”

He nuzzled her in understanding. She gave him an extra carrot for putting up with this nonsense.

She and Linda rode to Firgrove. The hooves of their horses clopping dully in the early morning air. They didn’t go into the village proper, which was impossible since the gates were closed for the night still. Instead, they turned up a path that went towards a mountain pass. But they didn’t stay on the zig zagging track for long. Instead, Linda urged Meteor past a large pine tree and onto the grass where there was no path. But if Lily tilted her head and squinted her eye, she could see that there was a flat section that could be a path. No one used it, so it wasn’t worn down.

They had to turn around another copse of firs and continued upwards. There was a pass and around them in large piles were sleeping wolves. The horses lifted their hooves and gently set them back down very carefully. They turned into a shallow basin and inside was the primeval tree that Lily had seen during the trail ride.

“Almost there,” Linda whispered.

Lily reached up to try and touch one of the lights. It slipped through her fingers, brighter in the darkness of the early morning.

Another path led over the bowl again though it wasn’t easy to get over it. They had to walk the horses. And a path led out to a jut in the mountain that overlooked the Silversong River and the Hollow Woods. In the distance, the castle was nothing but a big blue shadow like the mountains.

They stood on the edge of the jut.

“This faces west,” Lily hissed.

“She rode from West to East,” Linda murmured.

“Talk about an opposite,” Lily mumbled.

“Shhh,” Linda gestured.

The sun broke over the mountain behind them and touched the mountains in the distance.

Lily strained her ears and almost didn’t hear it. She hit record on her phone just in case. But she shut her eyes to listen more over the sounds of the wind, the sounds of the early morning birds, as if they were delivered directly to her ears and no one else’s, the sound of harp notes. She hummed along as the same refrain repeated over and over.

The notes died.

Lily opened her eyes to find Linda staring at her.

“Perfect pitch,” Lily explained and turned her phone off. “Maybe it got my humming. Did you hear it?”

“Yes, it was beautiful.”

“The beat seems off though,” Lily murmured. She shrugged. They’d have to figure it out later. Her stomach growled.

So did Meteor’s.

Linda laughed. “By the time we get down Ma Anna’s shop should be open.”

“Good, we can have something more than toast!” Lily half-smiled. “Isn’t that right, Meteor?”

Meteor nodded rapidly in agreement.

They turned off going back down. Lily took a picture of the tree as they did.

Ma Anna’s pastry shop was open and they both got thick slices of Zebra Cake and more Cocoa to wash it down. By the time they were done with that, the transports were up and running so they were able to take a ride to Fort Pinta and hop a bus to Jorvik City.

“Um, can we stop at the party supply store before the museum,” Lily asked Linda with a wince. “Rainbow Week almost ended up a pastel pink disaster thanks to Loretta.”

Linda widened her eyes. “You guys pulled out all the stops. I don’t even want to know where you got the money.”

“Ask us no questions and we’ll tell you no lies,” Lily intoned. “I think you underestimate how much we were able to toss into a pot to get it going. Especially after we covered the Bulldogz share. The event paid for itself and gave us a kitty for this one.”

Linda blinked. “You all tossed money into a single pot.”

“Yeah, part of Club dues. You are paying us to help around the stable and the gardens. So, we take part of that money and put into the Club pot as dues. Then out of those dues we can contribute towards oh, group trail rides, or doing events like Rainbow Week.” Lily shrugged. “We haven’t had a lot of time to do trail rides or train the horses because we’ve been so busy.”

“Well, once we get things settled down, hopefully after the Midsummer, what is it you’re calling it, Midsummer Beach Party?”

“Right, it’s the Midsummer Festival over in Moorland, and the Fort Pinta Beach Party. But we’re going to expand it to make the Beach Party county wide and let Moorland keep the Midsummer aspects of it.”

“Have you talked to Tim about this?”

“Tim?”

“Tim Hooper, he runs the Beach Party as part of the Fort Beach Association.”

“Oh, him, I forgot about him.” Lily rubbed her forehead. “We were going to talk to him about Rainbow Week but then it slipped our minds. No. I haven’t talked to him.”

“He lives here in Jorvik City.”

“And he runs the Fort Pinta Beach Party because why?”

Linda shrugged.

Lily rolled her eyes. “Well, store first so I can see what’s available in ‘beach’ themes. Then I guess we can pound down his door to invite him to this afternoon’s meeting and then the museum. If it’s not too much of a bother.”

“You’re not a bother, Lily.” Linda grinned. “This is exciting. I’ll be documenting it for Jorvikgram.”

Lily groaned.

“You’re going to be a celebrity.”

The store had plenty of decoration types and Linda got plenty of pictures, even insisting that Lily pose among some flowers. “It’s trending.”

Lily did it to make Linda happy. She got her own pictures of the decorations that might fit the ‘beach’ theme.

They found a place to have a snack, and then went and knocked on Tim Hooper’s door. (Phone directories were wonderful things.)

Tim ran his hand through his long hair as he yanked it open. “Yes?”

It was obvious he was not expecting company, and college age.

“Tim Hooper?” Lily asked, just to make sure.

He grinned. “Shibby, that’s me.”

“Right,” Lily breathed. “Um, Tim, so, I’m Lily and I run a riding club in South New Jorvik County and the presidents of the other riding clubs and I are having a meeting this afternoon about the Midsummer Beach Party. As you’re part of the Fort Pinta Beach Association and do the Beach Party there. We’d like to invite you to this afternoon’s planning session.”

“Swag as, that sounds dope,” Tim said. “I’ll be there.”

“Right, the Silverglade Council House. Um be there, or be square?” Lily said tentatively.

“You’re a total tall tree, I’ll be there. Shibby!”

Lily nodded, eyes wide and a smile pasted on her face. “See you then.” She turned around and gave Linda the widest eyes she could. What the hell was Tim on?

Linda shrugged.

The door closed and Lily glanced over her shoulder. Tim was back inside.

“Okay, what drugs is he on? Is this just another Jorvik thing?”

“Tim is in a class of his own.”

“Just wow,” Lily breathed. “Wow.”

Linda giggled and they got on the tram to go to the Museum.

The Museum coordinator wasn’t precisely convinced that it was for a good cause. Linda had to bring up the Baroness’ name several times for him to let them take the harp out of storage. They had to find it among the boxes and medieval saddles and pottery. It had its own specially shaped case. He admonished that it was fragile.

Lily double checked the case over and satisfied it was sturdy, she saluted the museum coordinator with it. “We’ll take good care of it.”

But by the time they got to the bus, Lily was fuming.

Linda gave her an odd look.

“This isn’t a harp, it’s a lyre,” Lily hissed at her.

“It’s a type of harp.”

Lily sighed. “Well, you can’t keep the strings taut all the time. It will warp it. And gut strings depend on tension and thickness to make different sounds.”

Linda stared blankly at her.

Lily muttered under her breath. “And it doesn’t have any pins. This is going to have to be done string by string, by hand, presuming the gut is any good at all.”

Linda blinked.

“This is precisely why I never went into music,” Lily continued to mutter. “All the tuning and retuning.”

Linda ventured a question. “You were into music.”

“I was,” Lily said. “Music and travel most of the time don’t mix when you’re learning.”

Linda nodded not at all understanding.

“Too many teachers. Too many different styles of teaching. It gets too frustrating.” Lily wrapped her arm around the case.

“So, you’ve played string instruments.”

“Guitar, mandolin, um, viola, the idea is the same but in modern instruments, the length of the string also determines the tone of the note.”

“Lisa plays a guitar.”

“It’s not a one to one curve you know,” Lily said. “I’m going to have to play with it and,” she shrugged. “The Weeping Widow might not get her waking up right away.”

“Once you have the hang of it, and I know you’ll get the hang of it. We’ll be able to help the Weeping Widow and she can help us find out more about Lisa and Anne.” Linda nodded her head. “I have faith in you, Lily.”

“Any reason she wants me to do it, and not you. You’re the Soul Rider.”

“I don’t know. Healing is more Lisa’s thing. She was the first Soul Rider to awaken in this generation and bond to her horse.”

“Starshine. How is he doing?”

“Better. He misses Lisa. He’s annoyed that Elizabeth doesn’t want to believe him. I think he’s going to kick down her door.”

“I’d um, pay to see that.”

“Maybe Melissa will catch it on video,” Linda grinned.

“So, who awakened next?”

“I did,” Linda said. “The Moon circle is always second according to my reading. While the Stars have the power to Heal, the Moon has the power to see the past and the present. You don’t need still waters, but the mirror fountain at the garden will help. My visions have been clouded of late. I wonder if it’s Garnok interfering.”

“Or the future isn’t as set as they’d like you to believe. We all make choices. Our choices make us who we are and the intent of those choices matter too.”

Linda nodded. “That’s wise.”

“Harry Potter.”

Linda laughed. “You and your group have all this knowledge from the oddest places.”

“Okay, so Lightning is what? Defense.”

“Defense and offense. Alex has an ability called Soul Strike and she can make wards and shields.”

“And then Anne can travel to and from Pandoria, I think that’s what Alex said.”

“Yes, she can open and close the gates of Pandoria. We all manipulate Pandoria’s energy in different ways you see and for different purposes.”

“And too much Pandorian energy in the mundane world is bad.”

“It’s what changed the Jorvik Warmblood Sports and the Jorvik Starter Ponies to be what they are today.”

“I don’t think we’ve ever gotten really wild to see them.”

“They also can hide themselves if they want,” Linda said and sighed. “They don’t have to change to their true forms if they don’t want to do so. They only reveal themselves to those they trust most. It can take time to form that bond.”

The bus rumbled to a halt outside Fort Pinta.

“It is way past my lunch time,” Lily said.

Linda agreed. So, they made a bee line for the Fort Pinta café. Pia waved at them.

They both had lunch and Linda took a transport back to the winery taking the precious lyre with her with promises of research into the care and tuning of it for when Lily returned.

FOR THE ACCOMPANYING IMAGES PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE MY WATERMARK AND CONTACT INFORMATION. THANK YOU. I get it. Some of you might get excited and want to see this stuff in the game, especially the clothes, tack, and pets. However, the only way I want to see this in the game is if I get paid for it. If I see it in the game and I’m not paid for it, there will be hell to pay. You think I’m salty. I’d be angry. Personally, I’m not going to send this info to SSO. If you do, leave my contact information there! Don’t give them any excuses to steal.

Now, I’ll know you haven’t read this note if you leave me comments about how ‘salty’ I am about the game and if I hate it so much I should do something else. I am doing something else. It’s called Mystic Riders MMORPG Project. Mystic Riders however is a very baby phase game. You can check out our plans on the game dev blog. (Skills, Factions, Professions, Crafting, Mini-Games, 25+ horse breeds!) If you know anyone who would be interested and has money or contacts about game making, direct them to the blog.

[curtisthompsonie]

one styles his Big Island

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one styles his Big Island posted first on http://www.localvideopros.com/ one styles his Big Island published first on http://localvideopros.blogspot.com

[dicedumpling]

//Back from the con. Full experience under the cut.

Thursday: We checked into the hotel. This was the first time we've ever gotten a hotel for Megaplex since we actually live relatively close. But it was totally worth it. The actual organization for pre-reg pick-up and non pre-reg was kind of chaotic, but we got it none the less. The roomie was trying to work on their fursuit half the night, but we still managed some decent sleep. Friday: So this is where things got weird. I got groped. This is the very first and only time this has ever happened at Megaplex for me and boy did it throw me for an unpleasant loop. I'll start at the beginning of the day. So the roomie still wanted to work on their fursuit and I wanted to go wandering around the con. Therefore, I went by myself. Also this was the first time I'd ever worn make up at this con. I'd gotten this super sweet purple shade that I thought looked cool on me and I was getting non-stop complements for it. Which made me really happy because I can't have my pink hair at work anymore. Everything was cool at first. I was running into con friends, was getting some sweet con-swag and commissions, and then I saw someone I'd seen for the last 4 cons now. So I was excited. Hey, it's my friends who are always friendly and sometimes share booze! I ran over, started talking to them.. and the first thing he does is reach over and touch his finger to my lips. "I LOVE these lips." He proceeds to wrap his arm around me, and as he keeps talking.. he keeps reaching down to rub his hand against my ass. NEVER has he done this before. I don't know howto react so I kinda just... stand there and take it and try to play it of as though nothing is wrong. He keeps asking me where my 'other half' aka my roomie is, and when I tell him they're up in the room working on their fursuit...he assumes I'm alone there. But then it gets worse and he asks me twice if I want to come to his room for harder drinks and 'to go for a ride.' Again I played it off and told him: "Nah, I'm good." After which he picks me up with one arm and I just kinda... laugh it off even though I was nervous as fuck. He tries to introduce me to some of his friends and at this point I'm trying to get away from them. As I excuse myself, he leans down to kiss me. I awkwardly move my head and he winds up kissing my glasses... to which I nervously laugh and go "That was my glasses." He apologizes and goes in for ANOTHER one. So I manage to turn my head and he catches my cheek instead. I finally manage to get away, and I hide for a little while with an artist I got a commission from. He tries to convince me to go to con security..and I'm just so busy freaking out that I can't do anything but stand there with him and chat for a bit. After that I decide to do some retail therapy and I head over to the Hyena Agenda booth to get t-shirts for my roomie and myself... and the guy comes back. He wraps his arms around me from behind and.. honestly I don't even remember what he said. I think he was asking me what I was buying. But the girl behind the booth thought we were dating I guess until he finally walked away and I admitted to her that I wasn't okay. She also tried to convince me to go to con security. I was just so nervous and afraid of being out there alone at that point that I got my shirts, went back to my room, messaged another artist friend about the situation as well as telling my roomie about it, and after a stress nap, the roomie went downstairs with me to finally talk to Con security. That was the most stressful day for me. But the con staff listened to me, promised I'd be left alone... and I did not see this guy at ALL for the rest of the con. Which was a relief. I kept seeing the girl he was with, but I didn't see him. We spent half of the rest of the night in Karaoke and then I went to the 18+ Ladie's panel, which was a lot of fun. Saturday: Luckily not much happened today. We went shopping, kinda waddled around, hung out with some friends, and ended the day in Karaoke where I kinda sorta got a little smashed. Which made everyone sound better lol Sunday: We went shopping. I managed to network with one of the dealers so I may or may not be working with them next yer to give them a little bit of help. Which will be awesome. I also helped another dealer get his Con shirt since he hadn't been able to leave the booth basically the whole time he'd been at the con. (That was an adventure. They'd already closed down the con store so I had to track people down for it. Especially since I had cash so they didn't have to do anything more than take the $20 and hand me the shirt.) We pretty much ended the day with the Puppeteering 101 panel, which was super fun and awesome. I wish more people had gone to that. Hotel rating: This hotel did NOT like us. It was pretty obvious from the way they treated some of us, as well as the fact that on one of the days, they had work going on IN the artist alley that pretty much chased a lot of people out of there. They didn't know how to keep it cold enough for the fursuiters and really only have a couple of areas cool enough that they wouldn't pass out. (in fact, someone DID pass out in the fursuit picture) It was also very awkward to have all of the day guests who weren't with our con wandering a round, shooting us all dirty looks, and hearing some of them making nasty comments at us. I didn't enjoy that at all. AND THEN THERE WAS PARKING. Those who had BOUGHT rooms couldn't park half the time. Security claimed there was no overflow parking...and it was just overall super hectic. The location also kinda sucked. You had to drive a ways in order to get to any of the food options around you. And honestly... the hotel food was not only expensive, but sucked hardcore. I was glad the roomie and I had been smart enough to bring sandwich stuff to live off of for the whole con. (Even though I had some complaints about how the con itself was run last year, last years hotel was much better. The full buy-out was fantastic, and they kept it cool enough it in all of the rooms so that the suitors wouldn't die. They had enough parking for the guests staying in the hotel and they also had overflow parking right across the street.) Con Management rating: *deep breath* Where do I begin? While I am VERY grateful and happy about how they handled the groping situation (I mean hell, the guy even kept checking on me to make sure everything was alright and nothing else had happened), other things... kinda left much to be desired this year. For example: The placement of the headless lounges. BOTH headless lounges, you had to walk outside to get to. While it was smart to have one next to the main hall (which was in the farthest building), the other one was in the building: The Tower. So the Suitors had to walk outside, through a restaurant or buy the pool, and crossover into the other building. Also, the fact that we were spread out into three different buildings was... quite odd. This might not actually have been management's fault, but the overall placement of things was a bit strange. I WILL Applaud them for corralling all of the baby furs in the farthest building for their panel, after some of the things I heard happened last year. Let's not let this turn into Rain Furrest. (AKA the con that was shut down primarily because of bad Babyfur behavior) Here's to hoping that next years will be a little bit better.

[cynthiajayusa]

TLC: From Top to Bottom

TLC never had to go chasing their gay fans – we came to them. And not just because “Waterfalls,” one of pop history’s most prominent HIV/AIDS-awareness anthems, made a generation of LGBT people more sexually responsible, or because “Unpretty” affirmed you’re fine just the way you are. Ever since their debut dropped in 1992, the self-proclaimed “prissy tomboys” – nobody could wear condoms quite like Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas – led us all to embrace our own crazy, sexy, cool selves, gender norms be damned.

But when Lopes, the trio’s swagging rapper, was killed in a car accident in 2002, T-Boz, 47, and Chilli, 46, took a long break from the recording studio to tour and pursue solo ventures. Now, 15 years post TLC3D, and thanks to a Kickstarter that funded the project, one of pop music’s flyest girl groups is taking their final bow with their self-titled fifth studio album TLC and opening up to their gay fans.

And no, they didn’t just stick to the rivers and lakes they’re used to. During our nostalgic and, ahem, educational interview, TLC talked about how “No Scrubs” gets the queers “crunk”… and, you know, just casually reminisced on that time they got schooled on what it means to be a top and a bottom.

Have you ever been to a gay club when “No Scrubs” comes on? Because you’ve never seen anything gayer or more inspiring.

T-Boz and Chilli: (Laughs)

Chilli: You know what’s funny? One of my friends works for VH1 and, oh my gosh, it’s hilarious. He’s gay and I’m the only girl who could be his play girlfriend he tells me, and he always sends me – and, I mean, he just sent one the other day – video of when “No Scrubs” comes on, and he’s like, “Chilli, I love you!” And he’s singing and showing me everybody singing. It is crunk!

So, I take it you’re aware of your LGBT following?

T-Boz: Oh, very aware. Very, very, very! The thing I love about our fans is, we’ve grown with them and they’ve grown with us. Some of them have kids now, so we have generations there. But, yes, we are very, very, very aware of the community, honey, ’cause all of our friends let us know. I love it!

When did you first know you had a gay following?

T-Boz: I did a party around (1994’s) CrazySexyCool and that was one of the best parties I hosted. I learned so much! Like, I didn’t know there were certain terms and stuff! They hooked me up with a lot more knowledge of stuff that went on than I really realized. I was like, “Ohh?!” It was just such a free, fun party. No judging. No anything. It was just one of the best environments I had ever been in, so I thought that was cool. So, probably around ’95-ish when I was really aware.

What did you learn about the gay community that night?

T-Boz: I learned what a top was, a bottom was. And versatile! (Laughs) I learned all of those terms! I was like, “Oh my god – this is so cool.”

Chilli: Oh, Lord. Oh, Jesus. I wasn’t at that party!

Sounds like you really missed out, Chilli. When was your gay awakening then? Ha!

Chilli: (Laughs) I don’t know why I feel weird saying it now, ’cause you already said it! The bottom part. And you know… the top. I keep laughing!

Ha! Moving on to the new album: Which songs on it do you hope become gay club anthems?

Chilli: It’s funny that you kind of break it down like that. But really and truly, for me personally, I just kind of feel like when we make our songs, we make them for everybody. I mean, everybody. So, you never know who’s gonna like what the most. I guess we’ll find out in time by what song really speaks to whomever and what’s the most popular one that’s being played at certain clubs. It’s kind of harder to gauge that one for me.

T-Boz: I think “Perfect Girls.” The three I’ve heard mostly from my gay friends have been “Perfect Girls,” “Scandalous” and “Start a Fire.” Those are the top three. But I think “Perfect Girls” has a message that’s been universal no matter what sex you are – anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t love themselves from the inside out or have a goal they’re trying to reach but can’t ’cause they’re looking at people who they think are perfect. But there’s no such thing!

What do you remember of the LGBT community’s response to “Waterfalls” when it first came out?

T-Boz: We did a campaign for Pfizer, and there was a new cocktail out. We did seminars and it was really cool because we let it be known that there was a new drug from this company and it could help HIV/AIDS patients. They would come up to us; they felt like we were their voice. It was such an epidemic at the time, so they just felt like we were speaking for them.

Chilli: It was basically about bringing more awareness (to it) because nobody really talked about it. It was kind of just hush-hush, even though these things were happening. It was like, “People are getting sick, they’re dying and nobody is really talking about it much.”

T-Boz: People even said they thought about committing suicide and it helped save their lives. We started really seeing the seriousness of it, especially when we did charity events. We got a lot of calls for charity events for AIDS benefits, so it started making a really big difference. We basically got one of our wishes through that song, because we always wanted to help change and save lives.

Gay icon Bette Midler covered “Waterfalls” a few years ago – what was it like hearing her rendition?

Chilli: That was an honor. It was an honor because she is legend, oh my god. That’s legendary right there! And not only that, but she contributed to our Kickstarter campaign. We were shocked. We couldn’t believe, like, ‘Bette Midler?!’

During “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Tatianna showed some TLC love when she did T-Boz drag. Did you tune in for that?

T-Boz: (Laughs) I absolutely saw it and I loved it! I put it on my page; I reposted it.

Chili: I don’t think anybody ever has (dressed up as me). Maybe I’m boring! I’m no fun, I guess. (Laughs) I just got the long, wavy hair. And I don’t hardly wear any wake up, so I don’t think I’d be a fun person to dress up as, is what I’m thinking.

T-Boz: Yeah, I’ve seen T-Boz drag more than once, actually. It’s cool to see different renditions of myself. It makes you go, “Oh, that’s how you see me!” (Laughs)

What do you remember from RuPaul’s visit to the set of the “No Scrubs” video in 1999?

Chilli: I remember the first time I saw him – and at first I didn’t know even it was him because he wasn’t in drag! He was just walking around with no makeup and it was so funny. But then, when he smiled, it was like, “Oh, that is RuPaul.” You know that smile anywhere. And he was so sweet too. And really tall! (Laughs)

T-Boz: He just came to show love. He was just there to support us, which I thought was awesome. That was it. He was just showing love.

At the start of your career, you rocked a tomboy look. How intentional was your subversion of gender? And what did that do for your lesbian following?

Chilli: This is how we looked at it: We call ourselves “prissy tomboys” ’cause we’re super girly, but we’re tomboys at the same time, so we felt like we represented all the girls who did not feel comfortable wearing a tight dress. We represented that crew. Then lettin’ everybody know you don’t have to wear a tight dress to be sexy – it’s the attitude. So, even though we had baggy clothes and all that kind of stuff, we were still feminine, So, again, whoever gravitated toward that and felt comfortable, we helped them feel more comfortable. That’s how it was, because we didn’t wanna wear tight dresses! We still don’t really like dressing like that.

Did your style give the ladies the wrong idea – that you were lesbian? What do you remember of those rumors?

T-Boz: I got most of it! They was always after me, child! (Laughs) All the lipstick lesbians – everybody! Child, I got everything. But that doesn’t bother us. Ultimately, no matter what your sexual orientation, we were standing up for anybody that felt like they didn’t fit in. We were letting them know you can still be sexy in boy clothes, you can rock this, you don’t have to be naked or half-dressed. You can be yourself and be just as fly.

As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. Reach him via his website at chris-azzopardi.com and on Twitter (@chrisazzopardi).

source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2017/07/26/tlc-from-top-to-bottom/ from Hot Spots Magazine http://hotspotsmagazin.blogspot.com/2017/07/tlc-from-top-to-bottom.html

[demitgibbs]

TLC: From Top to Bottom

TLC never had to go chasing their gay fans – we came to them. And not just because “Waterfalls,” one of pop history’s most prominent HIV/AIDS-awareness anthems, made a generation of LGBT people more sexually responsible, or because “Unpretty” affirmed you’re fine just the way you are. Ever since their debut dropped in 1992, the self-proclaimed “prissy tomboys” – nobody could wear condoms quite like Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas – led us all to embrace our own crazy, sexy, cool selves, gender norms be damned.

But when Lopes, the trio’s swagging rapper, was killed in a car accident in 2002, T-Boz, 47, and Chilli, 46, took a long break from the recording studio to tour and pursue solo ventures. Now, 15 years post TLC3D, and thanks to a Kickstarter that funded the project, one of pop music’s flyest girl groups is taking their final bow with their self-titled fifth studio album TLC and opening up to their gay fans.

And no, they didn’t just stick to the rivers and lakes they’re used to. During our nostalgic and, ahem, educational interview, TLC talked about how “No Scrubs” gets the queers “crunk”… and, you know, just casually reminisced on that time they got schooled on what it means to be a top and a bottom.

Have you ever been to a gay club when “No Scrubs” comes on? Because you’ve never seen anything gayer or more inspiring.

T-Boz and Chilli: (Laughs)

Chilli: You know what’s funny? One of my friends works for VH1 and, oh my gosh, it’s hilarious. He’s gay and I’m the only girl who could be his play girlfriend he tells me, and he always sends me – and, I mean, he just sent one the other day – video of when “No Scrubs” comes on, and he’s like, “Chilli, I love you!” And he’s singing and showing me everybody singing. It is crunk!

So, I take it you’re aware of your LGBT following?

T-Boz: Oh, very aware. Very, very, very! The thing I love about our fans is, we’ve grown with them and they’ve grown with us. Some of them have kids now, so we have generations there. But, yes, we are very, very, very aware of the community, honey, ’cause all of our friends let us know. I love it!

When did you first know you had a gay following?

T-Boz: I did a party around (1994’s) CrazySexyCool and that was one of the best parties I hosted. I learned so much! Like, I didn’t know there were certain terms and stuff! They hooked me up with a lot more knowledge of stuff that went on than I really realized. I was like, “Ohh?!” It was just such a free, fun party. No judging. No anything. It was just one of the best environments I had ever been in, so I thought that was cool. So, probably around ’95-ish when I was really aware.

What did you learn about the gay community that night?

T-Boz: I learned what a top was, a bottom was. And versatile! (Laughs) I learned all of those terms! I was like, “Oh my god – this is so cool.”

Chilli: Oh, Lord. Oh, Jesus. I wasn’t at that party!

Sounds like you really missed out, Chilli. When was your gay awakening then? Ha!

Chilli: (Laughs) I don’t know why I feel weird saying it now, ’cause you already said it! The bottom part. And you know… the top. I keep laughing!

Ha! Moving on to the new album: Which songs on it do you hope become gay club anthems?

Chilli: It’s funny that you kind of break it down like that. But really and truly, for me personally, I just kind of feel like when we make our songs, we make them for everybody. I mean, everybody. So, you never know who’s gonna like what the most. I guess we’ll find out in time by what song really speaks to whomever and what’s the most popular one that’s being played at certain clubs. It’s kind of harder to gauge that one for me.

T-Boz: I think “Perfect Girls.” The three I’ve heard mostly from my gay friends have been “Perfect Girls,” “Scandalous” and “Start a Fire.” Those are the top three. But I think “Perfect Girls” has a message that’s been universal no matter what sex you are – anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t love themselves from the inside out or have a goal they’re trying to reach but can’t ’cause they’re looking at people who they think are perfect. But there’s no such thing!

What do you remember of the LGBT community’s response to “Waterfalls” when it first came out?

T-Boz: We did a campaign for Pfizer, and there was a new cocktail out. We did seminars and it was really cool because we let it be known that there was a new drug from this company and it could help HIV/AIDS patients. They would come up to us; they felt like we were their voice. It was such an epidemic at the time, so they just felt like we were speaking for them.

Chilli: It was basically about bringing more awareness (to it) because nobody really talked about it. It was kind of just hush-hush, even though these things were happening. It was like, “People are getting sick, they’re dying and nobody is really talking about it much.”

T-Boz: People even said they thought about committing suicide and it helped save their lives. We started really seeing the seriousness of it, especially when we did charity events. We got a lot of calls for charity events for AIDS benefits, so it started making a really big difference. We basically got one of our wishes through that song, because we always wanted to help change and save lives.

Gay icon Bette Midler covered “Waterfalls” a few years ago – what was it like hearing her rendition?

Chilli: That was an honor. It was an honor because she is legend, oh my god. That’s legendary right there! And not only that, but she contributed to our Kickstarter campaign. We were shocked. We couldn’t believe, like, ‘Bette Midler?!’

During “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Tatianna showed some TLC love when she did T-Boz drag. Did you tune in for that?

T-Boz: (Laughs) I absolutely saw it and I loved it! I put it on my page; I reposted it.

Chili: I don’t think anybody ever has (dressed up as me). Maybe I’m boring! I’m no fun, I guess. (Laughs) I just got the long, wavy hair. And I don’t hardly wear any wake up, so I don’t think I’d be a fun person to dress up as, is what I’m thinking.

T-Boz: Yeah, I’ve seen T-Boz drag more than once, actually. It’s cool to see different renditions of myself. It makes you go, “Oh, that’s how you see me!” (Laughs)

What do you remember from RuPaul’s visit to the set of the “No Scrubs” video in 1999?

Chilli: I remember the first time I saw him – and at first I didn’t know even it was him because he wasn’t in drag! He was just walking around with no makeup and it was so funny. But then, when he smiled, it was like, “Oh, that is RuPaul.” You know that smile anywhere. And he was so sweet too. And really tall! (Laughs)

T-Boz: He just came to show love. He was just there to support us, which I thought was awesome. That was it. He was just showing love.

At the start of your career, you rocked a tomboy look. How intentional was your subversion of gender? And what did that do for your lesbian following?

Chilli: This is how we looked at it: We call ourselves “prissy tomboys” ’cause we’re super girly, but we’re tomboys at the same time, so we felt like we represented all the girls who did not feel comfortable wearing a tight dress. We represented that crew. Then lettin’ everybody know you don’t have to wear a tight dress to be sexy – it’s the attitude. So, even though we had baggy clothes and all that kind of stuff, we were still feminine, So, again, whoever gravitated toward that and felt comfortable, we helped them feel more comfortable. That’s how it was, because we didn’t wanna wear tight dresses! We still don’t really like dressing like that.

Did your style give the ladies the wrong idea – that you were lesbian? What do you remember of those rumors?

T-Boz: I got most of it! They was always after me, child! (Laughs) All the lipstick lesbians – everybody! Child, I got everything. But that doesn’t bother us. Ultimately, no matter what your sexual orientation, we were standing up for anybody that felt like they didn’t fit in. We were letting them know you can still be sexy in boy clothes, you can rock this, you don’t have to be naked or half-dressed. You can be yourself and be just as fly.

As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. Reach him via his website at chris-azzopardi.com and on Twitter (@chrisazzopardi).

from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2017/07/26/tlc-from-top-to-bottom/ from Hot Spots Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.tumblr.com/post/163454451845