#her cover made me go check out the original song lol

[idontwantthisbull]

so i wanted to add to your Linkin Park post, it gets a bit long so sorry about that LOL but I thought about it a lot last night and I wanted to at least share it somewhere

I like Emily, her singing is powerful and I think that all of the songs they've released together so far SLAP

on the controversy, tell me honestly, do you think they're really gonna risk their reputation and everything they've built in the name of Linkin Park by not doing proper checks on just who the hell they're hiring?? no because that'd be fucking stupid and it wasn't a split second decision 💀

And all the fans that are saying it sounds bad when she sings original songs live- ITS ALL TUNED A STEP HIGHER TO MEET HER VOCAL RANGE

that's why it sounds wierd, not because it's bad or she can't sing but because yall are expecting a carbon copy of Chester, it's throwing people off that it's higher than the studio version

and while they're working with what they've got, they're also looking after her and protecting themselves in the long run by NOT damaging her vocals making her sing outside of her abilities to try and resurrect something (and there are examples in other huge metal bands who tried to make replacement singers sing out of their range and the singer got so much shit for sounding bad when frankly it wasn't their fault for burning out, they physically cant do it)

and I get it dude, in my mind, it looks like Linkin Park and it sounds like Linkin Park but I can't quite put it in the same bubble as Chester's work

it's like a separate band or an extension and I think that a lot of people need to take a step back and think "if I heard this from a new band, would I like it?" and it's fine if not, no ones making you listen to it, just pretend it doesn't exist

but if you would and you're just mad it's not Chester, SEPARATE IT DUDE

if it makes you feel better to think that Emily's Linkin Park is a different band from Chester's Linkin Park? DO IT!! You can enjoy both, that's okay!!

And if you're saying "but what about playing live" pretend it's just a really uncanny cover band and you'll have so much more fun, there's too much hate in this world man, yall need to chill out

Absolutely right and another thing I’ve noticed is this: listen to how she sings in the first livestream. She’s a bit pitchy, occasionally off key, and overall sometimes I found myself going “something is off”

And then listen to some of the concerts since. Distinctly on key more, clearly more of an even tone, and overall, a better sound

It’s because she sounds like herself.

To me, during the livestream, she was trying to sound like Chester. She was trying to hit his notes, and going against what she practiced and trying to sound like him. There’s definitely a shift during the livestream concert where she starts getting more comfortable as she starts sounding better. During each subsequent concert, she starts sounding more confident, more relaxed, but more importantly, like Emily, not Chester.

I think her trying to sound like Chester put people off of her on that livestream, even Chester’s mother described “hearing her screeching her way through a song” before stopping. Because she commented crimes some people will never forgive her for: she wasn’t perfect immediately, and she wasn’t Chester.

I genuinely hope that one day each and every one of her haters will come around and realize that they made a mistake. Because for me, every time I hear her sing, I swear I can hear a part of Chester in her. It’s not exactly a carbon copy and I don’t want it to be! If Linkin Park wanted someone to sound like Chester, they would’ve hired the singer from their tribute band, Hybrid Theory. But to me personally, they’ve sounded exactly like Linkin Park since The Emptiness Machine and I think Chester would be absolutely thrilled that his legacy was being carried on through Emily.

[buttercream-princess]

Playing The Game

Summary: Y/K and Dean have been secretly enjoying a friends-with-benefits arrangement for some time now, relishing in the pleasure and excitement that it brings. But when Dean unexpectedly reveals his feelings about someone else while under the influence, Y/K is left reeling and wondering where their relationship truly stands. Y/K must decipher between her newfound emotions and unspoken desires what she really wants: lust or love?

Word Count: 9k

Warnings: Whole lotta’ ANGST, little bit of fluff, swearing, sexual objectification kink, SMUTTY AF, unprotected sex, quickie, public sex, unholy dirty talk, NSFW, interactive

DISCLAIMER: Every original Harry Potter characters in this story is 21+. My Hogwarts stories are always and only written as a university universe with grown ass characters.

Notes: This one has been sitting in the drafts for awhile. I’m thinking of turning it into a 5 part series because I’m too attached to this Dean at this point (Just like Y/K lol) - he’s so cheeky, I love it!

*Gifs and images were not created by and do not belong to me. All rights go to owners and creators!!

(Not edited | proof-read)

_______________________

You sleepily reach for your phone underneath your pillows and sit up against the bed frame. 

You check your notifications; still no text from Dean.

Tired and irritated, you let out a groan of frustration and slump back underneath your covers. All you could think was how much you missed him, it was an unfamiliar feeling borderlining on uncomfortable. You never ached for a response from him, since you always had access to him. You were each other's person, but that now seemed called off. It felt almost unfair how easily he was going on with life without you.

It was a long night of tossing and turning, you were unable to get any sleep. Once the birds began their routine songs at dawn, you knew there was no point in trying to get some shut eye, class begins in a few hours.

You couldn’t even think about studying today, you were bitter and strung up. It was all his fault. If he just reached out to you, that would’ve put your racing thoughts at bay. At this point, even an emoji text would’ve been fine. But no, he was radio silent.

Your argument aside, Dean ghosting you was so out of character for him. Dean always made sure to check in with you, you guys were basically joined at the hip. You and Dean have been good friends since your first week at Hogwarts University. You took up the Magical Fine Arts class as an elective in the 1st year. It was Dean who asked you to be his model for the end of year project, to which you agreed to and along the way, you found yourself spending more time with him than you were studying. Dean was funny, charming and adventurous, just your kind of fun. It seemed he had a strong liking for you too because over time, the two of you were inseparable; wherever you saw him, you were always by his side and vice versa. 

But over the last summer, your relationship with him developed into something more physical. It started platonic and friendly but as the semesters passed, your body couldn’t deny his sex appeal anymore. One night at your studio dorm after 2 and a half bottles of red wine, you were both wasted and bonding over your love of muggle music since the both of you were half-blood. That night you went from bestfriends to lovers in private and there was no looking back.

You both agreed to keep it under wraps in consideration of not rocking the boat that was your friend group with Blaise, Lee and Alicia. The odds of awkwardly tinting the group dynamic with your situationship was too much to take a chance on. So for the sake of secrecy, all emotions and entanglements was off the table. It kept your friendship balanced. It was simple and you liked it that way. 

As for Dean in the bedroom, he’s incredibly cocky and is well aware of the power he has over you. Although you’ve never casually talked about your attraction to him, he remembers every moan and moment of begging that left your mouth while he turned you out. He always finds a way to remind you just how needy you are for his dick. Most late nights you’d get a text from him, saying, “Can’t sleep. Come over.” and you already knew what time it was the second you got the notification.

Hooking up with him had become a weekly - almost daily ritual so you didn’t usually approach Dean for sex but by now it had been close to three weeks since your last conversation with him and you were almost feral for his face between your legs. He would never go this long without asking you to come over, it was so unlike him. 

There was once a whole month where you couldn’t get off eachother. You’d get a quickie in before and between classes, in any private room you could find in the castle. The astronomy tower, the room of requirement, the House Elves restroom. Even in Filch’s office once, which you left in absolute shambles, even staining his desk with dry cum - from the both of you. It was hysterical when he reported the scene in the great hall during dinner. You and Dean forced back fits of giggles with mouths full of food, knowing it was you two who defiled his office while everyone else in the hall was completely oblivious. Sneaking around with him had its benefits, one of them being you had a massive secret that only you and Dean shared, as if it was an inside joke that only you and your favorite person knew the origin of. You could call it special. Sure, hiding the truth sometimes felt like a burden but most times it felt electrifying.

While Dean was AWOL, something fierce was brewing in you this morning. You didn’t want to admit it to yourself but you were edging on desperation. You were fine with not hearing from him the first couple of days, you figured he was just busy. But once you saw him actively going out his way to dodge you, that was all your mind needed to start jumping to conclusions. 

Why was he ghosting you? Did he not wanna hook up anymore?  And if so, why? 

You blankly stare at your phone while your mind wanders off and pictures all kinds of scenarios for his weird behavior.

You recall the last time the two of you spoke, a late night from a few weeks ago….

________________________________________________________

3 Weeks Ago…

Everyone had just sat the OWLS exams and it was finally done with. This year's OWLS was making up for 40% for your final grade of the semester, the stakes were high. It even ripped Granger a new one. And if Miss Know It All is anxious about a test, you should be terrified. Which of course, everyone was.

Yet somehow you came out the other side of the exam alive, along with your friends, and what better way to celebrate the end of a stressful and anxiety producing test than to get absolutely wasted? 

That’s exactly what you and your friends did. Lee and Alicia went off to Hogsmeade bar to celebrate, but you, Dean and Blaise was too tired from a long day of studying to make the trek to town so the three of you shared a bottle of Don Julio in the Griffindor dorm kitchenette. The night was still young and you spent it vibing to music, taking shots and swapping scandalous stories that were only for your friends group ears. It was always good times when you linked with Thomas and Zabini, the three of you were the bestest of bestfriends. You all just naturally clicked with each other and could yarn for hours, which was something worth looking forward to in your day. The night was going good and your stomach was in pain from how much the boys made you laugh, but along the way, the three of you landed on a subject that would change the trajectory of your relationship with Dean…for the better and worse.

“Can we please talk about Fred and Angela? I’ma be all the way real, Fred is punching hardddd man.” Dean exclaims.

Blaise lets out an annoyed moan and perks up from the bench, throwing his hands in the air.

“Finally somebody fucking said it!”

You smirk and raise your glass. Angela Johnson is an etheric goddess walking amongst mere wizards and witches. And Fred is…well, he’s Fred Weasley. Nuff’ said.

“Right?! I’ll bloody drink to that.” You throw back the rest of your mug only to have a few drops hit your tongue. Time for a top up. You scoot off the kitchen top and walk to the fridge, getting some soda to mix with your tequila.

“Look, I love Fred. He’s my best mates brother, Maker bless Ron - the little shit. But how Fred even got a chance with Angie? That’s surely one of Hogwarts greatest mysteries and this school’s packing loads of them cunts.” Dean voices.

You chuckle while fixing yourself a drink, listening in on the boys being messy.

“I’m saying, like? He don’t even know what to do with that, he can’t handle all that.” Blaise says, reeking of jealousy. It was hilarious, you couldn’t hold back the giggles.

“No Weasley can handle a baddie, let alone a black goddess like Angela.” You chime in.

“Exactly. He needs to go for someone like Luna or Pansey, someone in his lane! No offense to them but that’s more Fred’s avenue. Not Angelina Johnson for Merlin's sake!”

You gasp, followed by a chortle. The gossiping behaviour between these two grown ass men was worse than you thought.

“Oh my god Blaise! I know you did not just say that! Not too much on Luna now, that’s my girl. I love that little weirdo.” You insert, jokingly death staring down Zabini. He stares back at you with knitted brows, challenging you. After a few seconds, he blinks and child-like laughter echoes throughout the kitchen from the three of you, laughing at the silly game.

Then Dean loudly clears his throat. 

“No but listen, on the topic of Angie…I mean, shiettt, put me in coach. I can handle that.” Dean lowly blurts amongst the laughing. 

Silence falls in the room, especially from you. You go mute, processing what he just said.

Blaise snorts.

“I mean you know what I mean? She need someone equipped for the job.” 

Blaise daps Dean up in agreement. Both the boys cackle.

Your eyes unintentionally squint and you clench your grip on the bottle of liquor, completely thrown off guard by Dean’s comment. He sure knew how to get a raise out of you. You could hear he was joking, but still, your body reacted on its own accord, knotting up your stomach. You loudly puff out a sigh and plop the bottle back on the bench with a bang. 

“Fuck, that was loud. My bad.” You stifly apologize. 

“You’re alright.” Dean replies.

“You were saying?” You ask, then clear your throat.

Of course you didn’t want him to. But a sabotaging part of you wanted to see how far he’d take it. 

“Look, Angela’s a ten outta ten. Peng as fuck, her body is crazy, and she’s got great banter. I’m first in line when she drops the dead weight that Fred is.”

Wow. He’s playing with fire. You couldn’t believe he’d froth over Angela like that right in front of you. It stinged to say the least.

The two boys cheer glasses and talk more about their thoughts on the couple.

You stir your drink, quietly wheezing to yourself hysterically. Nothing about what Dean said was funny to you, you just couldn’t believe the sheer audacity of him gawking over Angela whilst you were in the room, drunk or not. 

Dean glances over to you with the utmost cheeky smirk, cocking up a brow. He was doing it on purpose and it was some kind of emotional torture he wanted to commit to you.

Why was he doing it? What is he getting out of this shit? you thought.

A smug look was locked on his face as he listened to Blaise carry on, but his gaze was focused on you. He watched you closely, seeing if he’d you’d give him any reaction at all, all while stifling back chuckles. Your silent rage of envy was amusing to him it seemed.

As Dean's eyes lingers on you, you feel your cheeks heat up in embarrassment and anger. You take a deep breath and try to compose yourself. You remind yourself that this is just Dean being his usual flirtatious self and that he probably didn't mean anything by it. But it still hurts and there was no refusing that.

You take a long sip of your drink, trying to distract yourself from the uncomfortable tension in the air. Soon the boys stop talking and you can feel Blaise and Dean's eyes on you, waiting for a response. But you don't give them the satisfaction. Instead, you change the subject.

"Talking about the Twins, did you guys hear about the prank that the twins pulled on Filch last week? Filch went off his head, it was hilarious!"

Blaise and Dean both laugh, relieved that the tension has been broken. They eagerly listen as you recount the details of the prank, and soon enough, everyone is laughing and joking again.

The rest of the night you barely spoke. You chuckled here and there, showing face in front of Blaise. But you were distracted, lost in intrusive thoughts. You couldn’t shake off Dean’s opinions about Angela. You were salty as fuck, so by the time it hit 2AM, you bowed out. 

“As much as I’d love to stay up with you guys, I need to sleep. OWLS kicked my ass. I will see you wonderful people tomorrow.” You slide off the bench and grab the Tequila.

“Yeah shit, it’s almost 3. I’ll head too.” Dean checks his phone and stands up.

“Fair. But first, cuddle before bedtime.” Blaise drunkenly pulls you into a tight hug and pecks the top of your head. Blaise is the biggest softy, you had no idea how he was sorted into Slytherin.

“Okayyy mummy. Night Blaisey. Love ya” You tease, squeezing your arms around him.

“Night bub. Love you too.”

You pull away and head for the dorm hallway. The two boys hang back and say their goodbyes. You soon hear Dean catch up behind you, following you to the dorms. It was a quiet stroll to the rooms. There were many things you wanted to say but your pride had a tight muzzle on your mouth.

Dean breaks the silence, “He’s a good one, that Blaise.”

“Yeah, he’s the best. Love him.”

The rest of the way to your room was silent. You pass the corridor to the men’s dorm but he stays on your route, following you to the women's dorms.

You scoff. 

If he thinks he’s getting some tonight, he’s got you all the way fucked up. You don’t mention him following you though, you figured you’d pop off at him in the room. And boy, was he in for a storm.

Dean laughs, catching your attitude. But he doesn’t say a word because he knew you wouldn't turn him away, you never do. Usual overconfident Dean behavior.

You were steaming all the way up to your door. Your blood wasn’t boiling, it was burning. You were contemplating blowing your cool and letting him have it right now and here out in the hallway. You couldn’t understand in the moment why he had you so vexed over banter but you didn’t care, you were hurting and he needed to know. But instead of blowing up on him, you decided silence was the best treatment to handle Thomas. 

You huff back the emotions that were flooding to the surface, your face was heating up with rage - tears were sure to follow soon. You just needed to get inside your room before you let it all out. 

You take your keys out of your jeans pocket to unlock the door and place the key to the hole but it doesn't budge. Your hands were shaking and you were on the verge of crying out of pure frustration. You already had a mountain of unexplainable feelings that was rocking your shit, this stupid key was just the cherry on top. Pursing your lips together, you swallow back the rogue wave emotions on your heart while staying faced to the door. You couldn’t let Dean see just how miserable you were over something so minor and stupid.

He closes in behind you. The warmth of his breath tickles your skin as he bends down and leans his chin in the crook of your neck. 

“Give it here you goose.” He chuckles.

Taking the keys out of your hands, he unlocks and opens the door on the first try. You grumble cuss words under your breath. Even when helping you, you couldn’t stand him. Not right now, everything he did irked your soul. 

You step into the apartment and head straight to your kitchen cabinet. There was a heavy weight of feelings on your chest and drinking it away was the only option. Yes, you were already drunk, but definitely not drunk enough to forget how crossed up he has you.

You slam open the kitchen cupboard door, grabbing the biggest cup you own and quickly fill it up with the Tequila in your other hand. Dean closes the door behind him and walks over to you.

“Woah there, fairy. I think the only thing you need to be drinking right now is water.”

He grabs the bottle and glass out of your hand, chucks the alcohol in your cup down the kitchen sink and fills it with water from the sink.

“Oh, so now you know what I need?”

He turns his head to you, furrowed in brows and squints his eyes. He studies your face, the way he looks at you makes you feel exposed. He knew what you were poking at, he could read every subliminal between your words.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I just don’t want you to wake up with a hangover in the morning.”

A soft friendly smile forms on his lips, which only riles you up more. Can he not read the fucking room? 

“Yeah well, maybe I like waking up with hangovers.”

He snorts and turns off the tap, walking back over to you with the glass of water.

“Maybe you do. Looks like I’m learning something new about you everyday, beautiful. Drink this.”

You place your hand on your hip and stare back at him blank in the face. You weren't doing anything he wanted you to do.

“No, you drink it. And choke for all I care.”

You turn on your heels and head to the bathroom with the bottle of Don Julio still in your hand. He chortles, amused.

“Only if you’re the one doing the choking, baby.” 

You grunt at his chirpy attitude, absolutely done with how witty he is. Usually you like it, he always says the right things to make you swoon over him, but now it was just ammo to get under your skin.

You turn on the showers, letting it run hot to steam up the room. As you undressed, you couldn’t help but feel stupid for letting Dean get to you. You take a gulp from the bottle.

With every clothing piece you took off, memories of him kissing that part of your body flooded your mind, accompanied by visuals of him doing that to Angela. It was tormenting. You take another sip from the bottle.

You step under the streaming water, letting it wash over your face. Finally, the tears fall. It felt good. You knew you were crying over something so silly but you didn’t want to compartmentalise, the only way you were getting through this was by letting yourself have a sook and feel everything, something you never did when it came to Dean. Feeling anything emotional towards Dean was something you put off limits from the beginning of your situationship with him, it kept your feelings safe in case things got ugly between you two. But now you were feeling the burn of setting that rule in the first place.

As you stood under the hot water, you let your mind wander. You thought about everything that had led up to this moment. You thought about how you and Thomas had started off as friends, and how things had escalated so quickly. You thought about the passion and the intensity that you had shared, and how it had felt like nothing could ever come between the two of you.

But now, as you stood there alone, you realized that things were different. You couldn't ignore the fact that Thomas had been with other people and could be hooking up with other girls right at this moment, and that he might not have been as committed to you as you had thought, even if it was just friends with benefits. You couldn't ignore the feeling of betrayal that had been gnawing at your heart since you had found out how he felt about Angela.

When you began hooking up with Dean, you had no idea it would cause so much pent up frustration and desire in your body. Sex would help release this energy from the system, but there was an emotional side to things that had you questioning everything. Surely after some time, you began to ask yourself:

“Do I have feelings for Dean?”

Just hearing those words in your thoughts made you angry.

“Fuck!” You yell, “What is wrong with you?!” you ask yourself in frustration.

How could you let it get this far? How could you let Dean work his natural love potion on you? You thought you were better than this. Better than all the other girls who fell for his stupid addictive charm.

Three knocks tap on the bathroom door.

“Are you okay?” Dean asks, concern in his voice.

“Yes.” You sniffle.

You see him in the reflection of the bathroom glass, taking off his clothes and shoes, all he was left in was a singlet and boxers. He walks towards you and opens the shower door and leans his arm up against the shower frame. You face towards the shower head, not giving him any form of attention.

“The waters getting out.” You protest.

“I don’t care. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Hmmm.”

He pulls his singlet over his head, tossing it aside and kicks off his briefs, stepping into the shower and closing the door.

Tears were still streaming from your eyes, you stood underneath the flush of the water. You didn’t want to let him see you in tears. A few painful minutes go by and you hesitate to tell him off. Although you were mad with him, you loved sharing showers with him, it was one of the few intimate things that you did with him that wasn’t sex.

You sniffle and clear your croaky throat, it was a dead giveaway.

Dean steps closer under the water, saying a wandless spell to the soap, which placed a dollop of cleanser in his hands. He places both hands on your shoulders, lathering up and covering every inch of your body with the suds.

Dean dials down the water temperature and makes it a sweet warm stream and sways you by your waist from under the water. 

He was smooth, even in instances like this. He didn’t need to use spells or charms, he just intuitively had a way with you that always got to your core. He observes you, adjusts his approach and works his magic on you. 

“Y’know,” He pulls the hair in front of your face behind your neck and plants a soft kiss on your shoulder, “You’re allowed to tell me when I fuck up.”

“Huh?”

“I know I said something that made you uncomfortable, you can tell me.”

You turn your head to look at him, surprised by his admission. He was usually so confident and self-assured, it was refreshing to see him vulnerable like this.

“I just don’t know what to say,” you admit, feeling ashamed of your own emotions.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he reassures you, “We both can just be silent for all I care. I just want you to know that I’m here for you, always.”

He leans in and kisses you gently on the lips, his arms wrapping around you in a comforting embrace. For a moment, you allow yourself to be held, to feel safe in his arms. But then reality hits you like a ton of bricks.

You push him away, suddenly feeling claustrophobic in the small shower space.

“No, you’re not here for me. That’s not what it felt like when we were with Blaise,” you accuse him, the anger rising up in your voice, “You just want to keep me around for when you’re bored or lonely. You don’t actually care about me.” you exclaim, accidentally revealing your resentment.

Dean looks hurt by your words, but he doesn’t back down.

His hand slides up from your thighs to your waist.

“I knew something was wrong. You don’t have to act with me. Just tell me what I did.” He calmly says.

His touch goes over your stomach, just above your nether regions, but he doesn’t go further, Dean knew to be gentle with you in the moment.

“Forget it. I’m just trying to shower.” You say, pulling away from his grasp, retreating back to icing him out

He goes to speak but he pauses, you could see on his face that he was calculating his next words. Lost in his thoughts, he says a spell to the body wash again and goes over his body.

You lean against the shower wall, arms crossed, bottle still in hand and looking up to the ceiling. Tears still falling from your eyes disguised as droplets of shower water.

Dean grabs the bottle from your hold and pulls you into the water with him, tilting your head up to his.

“I wasn’t born yesterday and I know you weren't either, so there’s no point in either of us playing dumb. I’m sorry– please believe me.”

You clench your jaw.

“About what?”

“What I said about Angela. It was stupid. I only said it to get a rise out of you.”

Is this shit a game to him? Your emotions just a ploy for him. And for what? Just so he can feel better about himself? You wanted to hear an apology from him but you didn’t expect it to come with the harsh reality of the situation.

“You’re right, it was stupid. I don’t care though.” You lie through gritted teeth, “What does it matter? You were only speaking your truth.”

“That’s the thing. I wasn't. I was saying all that shit just to get a reaction outta’ you and it was beyond wrong to do that. You don’t deserve that.”

You meet his eyes, he looks completely sincere and open but you quickly look away, feeling a small sob build at the bottom of your throat. The liquor had taken over your emotions and was ready to let it all pour out.

“Why Dean? What's the point?”

“I don’t know. I guess I thought if I said that, you would’ve said something, anything. Maybe I just wanted to hear you claim m—”

“No, Dean. You didn’t hear me. What’s the point of us?”

He stares into both of your eyes, trying to figure you out. Under his gaze, usually you would melt but right now, all you felt was a sense of grief. 

“Right…oh, righttt.” He sternly responds.

He loosens his grip on you and tilts his head, squinting his eyes and licks his bottom lip, a grim smile forms on his lips as he starts to sarcastically laugh. 

“Oh. Message received.”

He leans down and places his lips on your forehead, chuckling against your skin while giving you a kiss then exiting the shower, taking no time to dry himself with the towel from the rack. 

“When you’re done with whatever this is, let me know.”

You stand there, feeling a mix of confusion, anger, and desire all at once. You can hear the sound of the bathroom door closing as Dean leaves, and you're left alone in the shower, still processing everything that just happened.

You take a deep breath and turn off the water, stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel from the rack. You take one last chug of tequila before placing it on the sink. As you dry yourself off, you can't help but feel disappointment. You didn’t know what you wanted. You were torn between giving him the cold shoulder, letting him feel your anger or to give in, let him right his wrongs and lay up in his arms where you wanted to be. 

You swipe your hand across the foggy mirror above the bathroom sink and look back at your reflection, red eyes and puffy eyelids from crying. You knew what the reasonable thing to do was but somewhere deep down, you knew this was an internal issue. You longed to be consistently chosen, whether you wanted to admit it or not, it was an inner turmoil that you had and Dean just happened to be the person who you wanted to act on it. It was unfair to him to put him in such a position without him knowing, but you wanted him to just know what you wanted and to provide it instantly. It was selfish of you but you couldn't help it.

The bitter truth stands - he’s wasn’t your boyfriend, you weren’t in a relationship with him and he wasn’t officially yours. How could you possibly ask him to do boyfriend things without actually being your man. Which posed the next question:

“Do I want to be Dean’s girlfriend?”

You wince again at the intimate ideas flooding in. But the wonder stayed with you this time, replaying back memories in your mind of Dean’s beautiful smile before he laces you with kisses all over your face. You wanted that, all the time. You wanted him all the time.

You finish drying off and walk to the bedroom, still lost in your thoughts. As you approach the bedroom door you see Dean sitting on the edge of your bed, scrolling through his phone.

He looks up as you enter the room, and his expression softens. "Hey," he says, patting the seat next to him. "Come sit."

You hesitate for a moment before taking a seat next to him. He puts his arm around you and pulls you close, and you feel a sudden rush of warmth.

"I'm sorry for how I acted in the shower. Actually I’m sorry for everything," he says, his voice gentle. "I didn't mean to upset you, I was acting out of line this whole night. I just wanted to make things right."

You turn to look at him, and his eyes meet yours. You can see the honesty in his stare, and you feel yourself start to soften. Just as you open your mouth to apologize, he speaks.

“And look, if you don’t want to be around me right now, I understand. I’ll leave-”

He goes to stand up but you pull him by the hem of his shirt. By now you were more wasted than you anticipated and didn't want to be alone with your intrusive thoughts.

“No. Stay.” You slur out.

Relieved, he sits back down and looks at you in silence for a few moments, a flicker in his eyes.

“God, look at you. You’re so cute.” 

He squeezes your cheeks between his hands once before getting up from your bed and walking towards your drawers, opening them and shuffling clothes around. 

“What are you doing?”

“Pyjamas. It’s time you go to bed, you.”

You giggle burp. You didn’t want to go to sleep, you still wanted to talk about your feelings to him. But for some reason you found it endearing he wanted to put you to bed without sex being in the context.

Dean picks out a set of comfy clothes and walks back over to you.

“Up.” He orders you. Your towel drops to your feet and he fits your shirt over your head then continues to dress you in your clothes.

“Somni Modus (Bedtime mode).” Dean says a wandless spell which dims the lighting, lights the candles, puffs your pillows and pulls back your covers. You crawl to your side of the bed and Dean joins you on the other side, pulling the covers over you.

He leans on a pillow and props himself up on an elbow, facing you, watching your dizzy drunk self get comfortable in bed, cuddling a small pillow. He smiles, looking at you in awe. You roll over and feel the urge to pour your heart out to him, 

“I probably wouldn’t say this to you when I’m sober but I think I-”

He cuts you off.

"Darling, you’re way too intoxicated right now. I promise we can talk more when you’re in the right state of mind. Just come and find me, and I’ll listen, okay? But for now, you need some rest.”

You pout, slightly saddened. There were still some things you wanted to get off your chest. But you don’t argue with him, your eyelids was feeling heavy and the room was spinning the more you tried to stay awake.

Dean tucks you in and kisses your forehead, then heads towards the door.

As he's about to leave, you reach out and grab his hand. "Please don't go," you say, looking up at him with pleading eyes.

He pauses, then smiles softly and sits back down next to you, pulling you into a soft embrace. "I won't go anywhere," he says, stroking your hair, "I'll stay here with you until you fall asleep."

You feel a wave of gratitude wash over you, and you snuggle closer to him, feeling safe and protected in his arms.

As you drift off to sleep, you realize that maybe, just maybe, everything will be okay with him after all.

______________________

Currently…

That was the last you heard from Dean. Your memories of the night had a few blanks, considering how much you drank, though you definitely remember how you felt. You spent many days, wracking your brain over why the night panned out like that and why he would promise to listen to you if he was just gonna ignore you in the first place. 

You decided when you fully woke up, that was it. No more using your voluptas wand (Pleasure wand) and pretending it was Dean. You needed an explanation, a good fuck and to be on talking terms again and he was the only person who could give it to you. You flicked open his school schedule on your phone, which he had previously sent you so you would know his free periods for quickies or some head in the Elf janitor closet. You two were just that ravenous for each other.

You scrolled to his classes for the day and saw that he had a morning quidditch game against Slytherin. Dean had to be already up at the field, stretching and preparing for the match, he was an early bird. 

You stand up from your bed and commit to your decision. You take a brisk shower and dress for the occasion - not showing too much so it shows you mean business but leaving out a little skin for a subtle hint of slutty to show him what he's been missing. Perfect.

It was a cold lengthy walk down to the Quidditch field. No one was awake except for the winter birds, owls and the sun kissing the sky with orange hues. As you neared closer to the male Quidditch changing tent, you went over in your mind exactly what you were going to say to him.

“So, no text? No. That’s lame. Okay, so when were you gonna tell me we weren’t doing this anymore. Ew! that too mushy for 5AM in the morning ,Y/K.” You thought to yourself.

Every sentence that came to conception only made you sound needy and that you wanted him more than you were willing to let him know. But you missed him badly, and you wanted him again for crying out loud! it was the truth. Him finding this out was a risk you were gonna have to take.

You stop out the front of the tent opening and release a big heavy sigh.

“Here goes nothing.”

You lift up the material of the tents doors and see the man of the hour. Butterflies swarm your insides. This had to be the first time you’ve ever felt anxious around him.

“Dean?”

He pauses his stretching and turns around. His beautiful cinnamon brown eyes travel from your legs, up to your eyes. He starts walking over to you with rush in his step.

“Right, so I don’t what’s happening between us but I–”

“Well, look who decided to come around.” He finally speaks.

Dean grabs your face into the palm of his hands and pulls you into a haste kiss. His tongue took no time finding yours. The tense from your body drops as you find yourself seeping into his pull, right where you want to be.

The feel of lips and touch felt like feeding an addiction you’ve been weaned off for eons and you’re getting a much needed hit again. But you still had questions. You pull from his kiss and ask away.

“First of all, why didn’t you hit me up? And ignoring me?”

“I was waiting.”

“For?”

“For when you’d make the first move.”

Your mouth opens wide as it forms into a smirk. From the sounds of it, he wanted to be chased by you. So the man has emotional needs and wants besides getting a load off. Who knew? 

“Dean Thomas playing the waiting game? Seriously?”

“Oh shut up. I missed you.” he gives you another deep kiss then comes up, “That’s the last time I’m waiting for you to make the call. You almost drove me mad, woman.” his hands slides underneath your skirt and palms your ass cheek in his hand.

You press your body up against his, feeling his member already bricked up. And just like that, gasoline was thrown into the fiery tension between you two like it never left and it felt like pure electricity.

“Please tell me you didn’t jerk off. I want you at your best.”

“Like I said, I was waiting for you. Nothing can satisfy me the way you do.” He says, his lips trailing down your neck, leaving a trail of kisses and bites.

You moan in response, feeling the heat rising between your legs. You pull him closer, your hands gripping his biceps tightly.

“We’re gonna need to have a serious talk but I need this first.” You breathe out as your hand slips down to his 9 inch member over his shorts while his hands explore your body.

“Of course. We can talk things over. Do me a favor first, pretty girl? bend over.” He takes your hand, spinning you around and positions you over the stacked bat trunk. You oblige to his request and bend over the case, exposing all of your sex to him.

Dean wastes no time, pulling up your skirt and pulling down your panties, revealing your wetness. He smirks at the sight, knowing he's the only one who can make you this soaked. He takes a moment to appreciate the view before teasingly running a finger over your folds, making you gasp.

“Please, Dean. Don't tease me. It’s been too long, I can’t wait anymore” You moan out, your body trembling with need.

He chuckles and slides a finger inside of you, pumping it slowly. He adds another finger, hitting all the right spots. He was pumping your pleasure button to new highs, making you buck back against his long strong fingers. You can feel yourself getting closer and closer to the edge, your body starts to shake.

“Dean baby, I'm gonna cum.” You whimper out, unable to hold on any longer, and just before you feel the eruption of bliss, he pulls out.

He places a kiss on the back of your neck, “Wait for me baby. I know you miss it.”

And just like that, Dean’s Gryffindor jersey shorts and briefs drop to his ankles, you feel his member hot and hard rubbing against your ass cheeks. He takes his time and slides the tip down between your cheeks, against your asshole, to your hungry flesh. He pushes in slowly and immediately you feel the evidence of his absence. His size hurt like hell but it hurt so good, it already sent you over the edge into climax.

“You kept it nice and tight for me baby, hmmm?”

He dips in deeper, filling you up wholly, hitting your pleasure spot at the back of your pussy, driving you wild. You were gushing all over his dick yet as he pulls back, you feel the friction of your walls wrapped around him like a fitted glove, as if your pussy was designed just for him to fuck in.

He holds the hem of his shirt through his gritted teeth so it didn’t block the view. He wanted to see every motion of your needy cunt taking him whole. He paces himself while adjusting his tip at your entrance again. The tension and anticipation between the two of you was thick and vicious. Both of you knew what was about to go down, once he starts stroking, it’s game over for your precious walls. 

Leaning down to you, he grabs a heap of your hair and twirls it in a fist, pulling your head back so his cheek was gashing against yours while he busts his first thrust into you, making your body jerk in intense euphoria. He goes again and again, until he picks up a rhythm. Your bodies rub together in heated unison, stimulating your senses to the nastiest levels possible, as he shoves kisses to your mouth, sucking on your tongue and leaving sloppy kisses on your cheeks and ear, thirsting for your affection. With every stroke, you’re sent into an oblivion of pure ecstasy.

Muffled grunts and mumbles of pleasure was all you could hear. It was killing Dean not to talk his shit. He’s a vocal lover, he knew all the right things to say that would brings out the animalistic freak in you. But in this tent, soft moans and whispers was all he could give you.

You rock your core back against his length, making him damn near lose all control and grip your hips with a tight hook as if he was cautiously trying to steady you. Throwing it back on him was a dangerous game, the control you had over him in the moment was unbearable. He desperately slows down his rhythm, nears your ear and mutters through his breath, “Oh, so you wanna play like that, huh?”

A devilish smile grows on your lips and you catch your breath in the quick spell he’s giving your walls. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” You cluelessly respond.

“You know exactly what you’re doing.”

He pants on top of you, nestling his face in your hair, taking in your scent and licking up the droplets of sweat on your back.

“Two can play that game, sweetheart.” He mumbles into your skin.

 A half smile forms on his lips as he slams back into you. He chuckles as you begin to lose it under him again, the sight of your unraveling was pure entertainment for him. He was well aware of just how good he puts it on you.

He stands up and spreads your cheeks apart while observing the view.

“I love seeing your pretty pussy take this dick. Why’s that pussy so good, hmm?” He grunts out.

Dean halts and draws back so only the tip is in.

“I said, why is that pussy so good?” he squeezes your face between his hand and turns your head to him, making you look up at him in the eyes as he rams in and out of you, leaving you silently gasping for air. Rolls of the orgasms he gave you just moments ago were still coming over you.

“I think I need to fuck you before every match.” 

He picks his pace back up, filling you entirely. Bending down, his lips swipe across yours, teasing your desperate mouth.

“I bet you’d like that. Wouldn’t you? Tearing that pussy up every game.”

You look back to find his eyes piercing into yours as he strokes you down. He had you exactly where he wanted you: under him, stretched and slutted out. He was driving you insane.

You moan in response, feeling his wood flesh you out like there was no tomorrow. The idea of being fucked by him every match was both exhilarating and dangerous. You knew it would be hard to resist him before every match, knowing he had pent up aggression for the quidditch field. It was intimidating how easily he dominated you like this. But right now, all you could think about was how good it made you feel, being his little cum bucket.

“Yes,” you gasp out, “I want you to fuck me every game.”

“That’s what I like to hear. You always spread your legs for me like a good fucking whore, no matter the time or place.”

His features soften and his eyebrows furrow in. He closes his eyes and crashes lips to yours, groaning in your mouth. His strokes deepened inside you to the back of your walls, he wouldn’t dare to pull back a single inch, he wanted to feel all your tightness around him. You clench your pussy lips as he rests balls deep inside you, the pleasure mixing in the pain of his shaft hitting your cervix sent you over once more. You bend further across the trunk, trying to process all the sensations he was giving you, shying from his stroke.

Dean pulls you back, burrying his cock deeper than he was before. You whimper through another nut with teary eyes and slippery sweat all over your body. There wasn’t any words you could fathom that could explain the bliss he was fucking into you. 

“Don’t run, baby. Be a good girl, take it.” he whispers, watching your face go through levels of rapture.

He pauses and strokes one more time, steadying himself before giving you another row of toe curling plows. Retracting out and immediately ramming right back in. He continuously rips into you, not giving you a single moment to gather yourself. 

“Take it. Take all this fucking dick. I missed this pussy too much. I missed you so much baby!” 

His voice cracks into a deep tone, moaning out all his nasty thoughts to you, “You feel so good, you always do. My pretty little whore.”

And just like that, hearing him talk nasty to you sparks the freak in you to life. You start fucking him back, applying all the pressure to his cock.

“Yes baby. I’m a fucking whore. I’m your whore.” You screech out.

You were gone, completely lost in the heat of passion. Dean bought out filthy taboo in you that you didn’t even know had a place in your desires.

“Use me like a fucking toy. I’m just an object for your cum. Nut inside me.”

“Oh fuckkkk.”

His cum shoots against the back of your core. As much as he tried, he couldn’t hold back the roaring moan that left his mouth. You felt his load fill you to the brim as it oozed outside your slit and down the back of your thighs.

“Damn girl, what the…fuck. I haven’t nut that good in a minute…” He weakly pants, his body going limp against yours.

You tiredly chuckle, too exhausted to try to speak, basking in all the high sensations still running through your body.

He doesn’t pull out, he smiles and moves the strands of hair that were slicked against your face behind your ear.

“So that’s what you like? Being my toy?” He inquisitively mumbles between huffs, leaving soft pecks against your bare skin.

You freeze in embarrassment, wanting to hide from his grasp and gaze.

“Oh my g- I don’t even know why I said that. I say stupid shit when we fuck.”

“Well hold on now, who said it was stupid?”

You cover your face in embarrassment with your hand. Sure, the thought of him using you like a fleshlight is enough to make you cum from the thought alone but you couldn’t admit that to him, that was sensitive information for only you, your toys and your spank bank to know. Plus, it would only make him more arrogant knowing how much power play gets you off.

“If you’d allow it, I think you’d make a perfect beautiful tight toy for me.” He caresses your thigh,  soothing over the indented marks of his fingers from digging into your skin.

He brings your hands from your face as he hardens inside you, already ready to make a slut out of you again.

You gasp and look at him with widened eyes. “Already?” 

“Baby, you actually feel like heaven…can you blame me?” He tilts his head and smiles that cocky all knowing smile.

“You’re such a slut.” you laugh off.

“That makes two of us, sweetheart.”

He gives you a kiss accompanied by slow strokes. You coo from the soreness of your walls being worn out but you ached for another round, his sex was a pleasurable craving you would never get enough of.

From a far distance, you can hear a crowd of people chatting and laughing. 

“Fuck. Shit. What time is it?” Dean abruptly tugs his full length out of you, pulling up his shorts.

“I’m not sure? I lost track of time ages ago.” You frantically look around you and over the trunk for your underwear.

Dean helps you look around and remembers he put it in the pocket of his shorts when he was undressing you.

“I think you’ll be needing this.” 

He gets down on his knees and helps you put the panties back on, wiping his cum away from your thighs with a gym towel from the equipment basket. He slows his pace when he draws his touch up to your hips. You raise your brows, wondering why he stops rushing.

“Dean?”

He lays a kiss on you clit against the fabric and looks up at you with bright eyes and a smirk, caressing the back of your thigh.

“You free after the game? I have a feeling I’ll be needing to use my toy.”

“What? You ask now with people right outside? You know you can just text me after the game.”

He stands up and pulls you by your waist into him.

“I could, but I wanna hear you say it.”

He bites down on his bottom lips, waiting for the magic words. You antsily look at the exit of the tent, ready for players to start rolling in at any moment.

“Dean! They’re right outside.”

He raises his brows, not budging to let go of you. Either he didn’t give a fuck that anyone knew you were fucking or he was just that naturally bold and stubborn. You were sure it was the latter. Either way, you couldn’t resist his charm.

“Yes, I have a free period after your game to fuck.” You submit, coyly smiling and rolling your eyes.

Satisfied, he presses his lips against yours. “Good girl.”

“Okay, now I’m leaving.” you say against his kiss and step away to head for the exit.

“Yeah, get of here ya’ weirdo! Why are you in the male changing tents anyways? Pervert!” He exclaims loud enough for even the people outside to hear.

You halt and turn back at him in disbelief, breaking into laughter.

“You’re fucking annoying, you know that?”

“You love it.” He chuckles and gives your ass a quick slap.

You scoff. Before you could give a proper reply, the male cohort of the quidditch team enter into the tent.

“Morning Dean…and Y/K?” Ron approaches.

“Left my phone in the common room last night. Good thing Y/K is like totally obsessed with me and knew I had a game this morning.” Dean jokes, mimicking an American valley girl accent, “She came and dropped it off for me first thing.” he shoots you a wink as he makes the sneaky innuendo.

The balls on this guy. Unbelievable. You had to admit, it was fucking sexy though.

“Well that’s the last time I do that. I’ll just let the house elves take it to lost and found next time.”

He laughs. “That’s fair. Thanks anyways bro.”

Bro. Oh he’s really selling it, this guy needs an academy. You’re aware he’s only showing face but for crying out loud, it’s too soon, his cum is still warm inside you. No matter the fuss though, it’s him who’s gonna be moaning baby when you ride the brakes off him later.

You look once over at Ron then shoot Dean a thin lipped smile.

“Don’t mention it, bruv. Just focus on winning, we don’t need any more house points to Slytherin. Knock em’ dead.” 

His brow cocks up as he squints, catching all the shade you’re throwing his way. It was written all over his face, he didn’t like that. 

“Cheers.” Ron exclaims with a big grin.

You turn on your heels and make for the exit. The way you keep up antics to hide your affair in front of others was Oscar worthy at this point. Although it kept things on the hush-hush, it was exhausting. But my oh my, did Dean hate it. He was a poor example for a fuck buddy. He talked a good game but at the heart of it all, he was sensitive, needed reassurance from time to time and to be claimed out loud. If you knew what it would take for him to stop ignoring you, you would’ve acted on that weeks ago. At least that was the one thing you had over him, you knew Dean Thomas’s secret longing to be wanted and loved. 

As selfish as it was, now that you knew his little secret, you now have the upper hand over this situationship. He’s not the only king of hearts anymore; you’re right besides him, sitting pretty on the throne for the queen.

As you leave, you raise your skirt higher, leaving a little cheek out and sway your hips as you exit, giving Dean a cheeky tease. Just enough to make him stiff in his shorts and sexually frustrated. You glance back and see Dean adjusting and tucking away his wood. Laughter erupts from you as you walk out the tent, it was actually hilarious how easy you make him fold.

You were sure you’re gonna catch some heat for it later.

But now after this morning, you realized you like how vexed he gets from your stunts of the need for attention.

Well, solely because it makes him fuck you harder.

[greenscreen-dress]

Vocalsynth doodle page!! I haven’t doodlepaged in ages!!! ^^ Started off with No plan, Song of Eared Robot came up on the playlist so i drew Tetobot, then i just kept going w the singing robots bc they’re the miracle cure for my artblock apparently. Only stopped bc while drawing Po-Uta I made the “mistake” of listening to his demo song and after that I was too busy sobbing /pos to pick a new synth :’D

If the colour saturation is Way Too Much on any of these uuh blame my computer screen, as always it tells naught but lies but I’m too tired to doublecheck on my phone x). Also i might go back n shade some of these properly, so if i do i’ll tweak the saturation while I’m at it ^^;

Closeups, rambles & more song links below the cut! 

Kasane Tetobot from the absolute banger Song of the Eared Robot

Tetobot SV design attempt, it has potential but i’m too attached to the clunky charm of the OG ^^. Mostly listened to this UTAU cover while drawing her, but everyone should check out this masterpiece by suzie with the SynthV VB

Miku go ooeeoo. No comment no thoughts head empty just :D

THE GUYYYY :’) if he looks like he’s crying it’s bc i was, see above :D (also suffering bc his hair shape was a pain to draw but MOSTLY bc of the gorgeousness of Humansongs... & then Circus’s banger Right As Rain... and then The Surface by Eggtan which i just discovered today, so nice to find a new original song & it’s so prettyyy... i’m getting sidetracked)

...Girl if someone stuck me in a trenchcoat long jeans knee-high boots and a SCARF as my default outfit my character item would be ice cream too. o7 for the blue boi, I don’t think i’ve ever drawn Kaito before and that absolutely has to change. Also TIL how to draw fans i guess!

Heehee hoohoohoo the sillay the child the creatura the Otomachi Una. Wanted to see if i could doodle her delightful deviantart OC-lookin design off by heart and I think i mostly got it right? The only major thing i forgot were the horns on her hat, & she felt so wrong once i noticed that i had to add them ^^; I love her somuch :D

Ogh dingus fcuk it’s 1:30 a.m uuuh whoops i go zzz now. The art creativity juices are there, mainly i don’t drawn bc I just take so LONG to get Literally Anything Finished, even a doodlepage like this takes me 7+ hours so i just. don’t sit down & draw if i know it’s gonna eat up my entire day lol. SCHREEPTIME. NOW. :D

[andromeda-nova-writing]

Willingly Within Your Grasp

Vampire! Ayato x Fem! Witch! Reader

Summary: A Witch brought in by fellow practitioner Thoma to help protect the Kamisatos from other Vampires and Vampire hunters who wish to see them fall. Originally met to be around Ayaka ended up with Ayato being the one who keeps her close

It’s the day after an incident outside the home had occurred where neither Ayaka, Thoma nor the reader had been nearby when Ayato had been attacked. The Reader has pulled Ayato aside after picking up that he had been wounded upset at what had occurred.

Words: 2,312

AN: @milkstore you just had to encourage my vampire brain rot lol. Thank you for reading over the fic for me. I appreciate it. You gave such a good idea with it being spooky season. This fic is T-rated. Typical vampire behavior. Mentions of blood and animal death. Implied sexual content at the end. If any of that makes you uncomfortable please check out my other Ayato fic. It's much more wholesome.

2 a.m. The Witching Hour, when everyone that should be asleep is. Where those who are at home are tucked tightly under their covers peacefully dreaming with no worries about the things that go bump in the night. For most households, this was true. Other homes were empty with their inhabitants focused on protecting those who lived in peaceful ignorant bliss. And within the walls of the Kamisato Estate, only those who were permitted with the knowledge knew why the Kamisatos were up moving around. 

"Keep it moving boys. That deer was supposed to be here an hour ago. Thoma has been waiting there for a while now.” Y/N told the workers that were moving a live deer that had been tied up into the estate. “I expect next time to be much quicker.”

This was as far as Y/N could enjoy working with the live animal that came into the estate. It was best not to look any in the eyes as they would soon become lifeless and drained of blood with the rest being used for various potion ingredients. Depending on the animal, its meat would be cooked and served to many of the daytime employees who just thought that the Kamisatos preferred any meat to be the freshest to have the highest quality. 

The only animals to enter and exit freely with no worry were two familiars, a dog, Thoma’s, and a raven belonging to Y/N. They too were making a return. The dog carried a small basket on their back filled with mosses that were only found on the tops of canopies of the trees in the nearby forest. The raven landed on a rail singing a sweet song that to anyone else would sound like nothing.

Y/N bent down detaching the basket off the harness that Thoma’s dog wore. She peered inside of it with a quick glance before shutting it and bringing the basket underneath her arm. “No need to apologize, this is plenty for what we need.” She spoke to her raven first.

Y/N gave the dog a quick pat on the head. “He’s in the kitchen. Thank you for your help. You’re dismissed.” Off went the dog happy with the praise received, ready for the next task.

“And you. Any other things you saw on the flight over?” Another bird song. “That tree was standing upright just a day ago. And you say there were sword marks and a silver arrowhead close by. Odd. I’ll have it checked by someone for anything else. I’d like you to take a look for anything else suspicious as of late. Be back in an hour. As long as everything goes to schedule I’ll have your favorite snack soon enough.” Y/N sent off the bird before making her way back inside.

The night air was always nice to feel on the skin knowing that nothing out there could bring her any personal harm. One of the things she enjoyed about working with the Kamisatos. Her talents were wanted and not feared like they would have been if she were to work alone. It made the indoor air of the estate more inviting instead of stiff like her old home had been.

Y/N bowed her head seeing who faced her. “Miss Kamisato. How has your night been?” she greeted.

“It’s been lovely. As fun as the summer festivals have been, I've missed the long nights.” She spoke back lively as ever. “And I do distinctly remember asking you to stop calling me Miss Kamisato. That feels weird from you.”

“I’m sorry Ayaka. A force of habit knowing how many vampires prefer to be addressed. Most aren’t as pleasant to be around unlike you.” She spoke truthfully. “I shall be making that cream today for your next daytime appearance. Shall I make you extra? It would be nice to shop around and help to keep up appearances.”

“I would like that. You should come with me. I heard about a dress you were eyeing a week ago. Maybe this shop will have something for my tastes as well.” Excitement over the trip radiated off of her. If it wasn’t for her fangs that showed through her smile you would have no idea she was a vampire.

“That would be fun. Were you heading out for a walk by any chance?”

“I was. Care to join?” 

“Please don’t leave the grounds for the night. I was informed of some worrying things in the forest. A tree was downed and had remnants of sword marks. My raven saw a silver arrowhead as well.” Her words were laced with concern, never happy to make reports like this. It always was worrying with the fact no one else but who was up on the night shift was to know for certain if the Kamisatos were vampires or not.

Ayaka frowned. “And the moon looked so lovely tonight.”

“If it makes you feel any better, the deer was just brought in. If you get to the kitchen now Thoma is sure to give you the first glass before anything gets bottled up.”

“I think I’ll do that. Better than any mock version you could come up with. It satisfies thirst but it's not the same.” With that, the two girls made the walk over to the kitchen.

It was good that Ayaka preferred animal blood. Luckily, or unluckily depending on who viewed it, never having human blood before made it to where her tastes were much more reasonable. It kept her innocence as a nice young lady helping to keep the public doubting any claims she was a vampire. To them, she was just normal all be it a normal person with slightly colder hands.

“No fair!” She complained seeing her brother drinking a fresh glass. Clearly the first on his way back from the kitchen.

Ayato laughed. He held up the glass with his left hand. “It’s the second. I had Thoma set aside the first for you already.”

She eyed her brother suspiciously for a second before deciding he was telling the truth. “No work before your glass is finished,” Ayaka told him before leaving to get a glass herself. 

“Y/N is there a reason you’re staring? I don’t recall you being so openly enamored by my presence.” 

“Take your jacket off.”

He almost choked on his drink. “Blunt now are we? I’m flattered by the speed of what things you’d like to get done but this is a hallway with no privacy.” 

She rolled her eyes. "Not for those reasons. Keep it up and we can talk about that silver arrow that must have been shot at-"

"Understood. To my office then."

It was a short walk to his office. He had opened the door letting Y/N in before entering the space himself shutting them in the room. Her basket had already been shoved against the wall of the room. Y/N already had her eyes closed drawing symbols in the air and mumbling out incantations in an old dead language Ayato couldn't recognize. As she worked on her spell, the entrances into the room, door and windows, began glowing a deep purple. On the final word of her spell with eyes glowing entirely that same magical purple around the room, it stopped. It appeared as if nothing happened to anyone else.

"It's been a while since you let your magic consume you that heavily," Ayato commented, placing down his glass on the table.

Her eyes had returned to their normal appearance. "I wouldn’t have to if it weren't for you. The words won't escape this room now unless we wish to speak of it ourselves. The estate's seal has been reset as well to fix any weak points in any barriers. Nothing can happen that I won't be aware of. Including the comings and goings of someone not bringing a guard with them. How you found a weak spot baffles me."

"It seems I should hire a better Witch then." Off came his jacket.

"Too bad I'm the best Witch in Inazuma. Now will you tell me why you left alone or at the very least why you didn't tell anyone you were hurt?"

"I was looking for something and who am I to worry you over nothing."

"It's not nothing. You know that. You know silver could kill you."

"I was only grazed. It's a surface-level injury." With his jacket off and sleeve rolled up revealing his right forearm it was clear to Y/N how slowly the injury was spreading. It was indeed appearing to be surface level to his eyes but not to a trained Witch.

"Sit. There's silver in your arm. You must have been downing so much blood trying to heal from that." Her voice was slowly switching from being one of the few people who could tell Ayato what to do with genuine worry.

"Only slightly more than normal." He was following her directions, beginning to treat the situation as seriously as she was. To an extent. 

With Ayato sitting down in his normal spot behind the desk, the only place Y/N could think to work without interrupting her skills was right next to him on the desk. She felt as if she was finding herself there too often nowadays. She held his forearm against her lap keeping a steady eye on the wound. 

Her other hand was waving over the wound while she began mumbling through a different set of incantations. Fragments of silver were being pulled through the wound where they had lodged themselves into his skin. He winced finally letting himself fully feel the pain of what he had been going through for the past day. 

Y/N brought her hand up with silver Fragments floating in the air circling around her hand. With another minute of incantation, they burst into flames changing form from an object to a plasma to smoke before disappearing altogether.

Her eyes dropped back away from that all-powerful purple once again. The only thing not leaving her eyes was the rage that had taken form as she was casting. “You are a buffoon!”

“And I love you too.” 

She was unphased by his common statement of affection and let go of his arm. “If I didn’t figure it out sooner it would have killed you. That arrow had a spell cast upon it as well. It was to crawl through your veins before reaching your heart. I wouldn’t have been able to do anything to help you after that.” Y/N held in any shake of her words able to mask them with having performed powerful magic moments before. She turned grabbing the glass of blood that had been left on the desk half finished, offering it to him. 

He took the glass frowning at what had excited him earlier. It wasn’t enough now. “Good that I have the best Witch in Inazuma to care for me.”

“You can’t insult my skills then compliment me the next minute. Just drink. I’ve done what I can. You have to heal on your own now.”

He obeyed downing the rest of the glass not caring for its taste any more. “I didn’t mean to offend. I’ll be sure to let you know if any encounter like that happens again. I’m not trying to worry you.” He placed the glass aside away from the desk.

“And yet you do.” She kept her eyes off the man in front of her looking elsewhere.

Ayato grabbed her hand placing a kiss on the back of her palm bringing her attention back to him. “You know,” another kiss, “I’d heal faster with some blood.” His fangs brushed against her skin. What a tease. 

“I gave you blood.” She closed her eyes doing her best from giving in. Ayato, now he was easy to remember he was a vampire. He acted much more like one.

He stood up still holding onto her hand. With his height being taller than her no matter if she sat on the desk. A kiss on the cheek before whispering in her ear. “You know what I’m asking.”

A gasp and a swallowing of her breath. “I’ll have some sent here. I have work to be done.” He was trailing soft kisses down towards her neck. 

“It can wait. There’s a more important matter that needs your attention.” The first of many kisses on her neck

And she had gone from Witch caretaker to willing prey for Ayato again. An act she had commented with him countless times before and would continue to do. He had her caged between his arms and the desk once again. She welcomed it leaning into his touch.

His fangs entered her neck drinking up her blood. The taste sweeter than anything he could get from an animal or some other human. Her blood was all he needed. He took a break licking up any drops that tried escaping. “Sometimes I think you enjoy this more than me.”

Emotions were on full display. “I don’t know what makes you think that.” A steady voice was such a lost cause attempting to maintain.

He moved his lips away from her neck admiring the bite marks from his fangs. Waiting out for a response that won’t take too long. He drank too slowly to have her worry about the thought of blood loss. That wasn’t nearly enough for either of them but the stand-off between them was part of the fun.

"Ayato." She spoke softly. The way his name rolled off her tongue was perfect.

"Yes."

"That spell," the one she had cast earlier blocking any sound from escaping the room, “I only have it last one more hour. Whatever we plan on doing, we should hurry up with it.”

He wasted no time before sinking his teeth back into her neck pleased with what was to happen next.

[tearlessrain]

Tagged by @dingoat (thanks!!)

3 ships

okay so this is going to be 100% ocs but right now

My Sith Warrior Kalarros and @darth-bagel's smuggler/crimelord Sylvas. look it's basically just canon at this point, I love these two, I love their relationship. it could be argued that it's not really romantic, they're both married to other people and have a few other relationships (all consensually to be clear, they're not having an affair they're both very poly). Sylvas's husband was actually the one who originally set them up for some bdsm shenanigans (because honestly the only reason Kalarros isn't a pro dom is it's never occurred to him to charge for it, and said husband is also a Sith who'd considered Kalarros a friend for years prior to that and trusted him to look after Sylvas and treat them well) and they clicked spectacularly and developed a strong bond over the years. At this point they're so entwined with each other's stories that I've pretty much abandoned my original canon for Kalarros because it's just vastly improved with Sylvas in it lol. they've stuck by each other through some rough times on both sides and consider each other much more than casual play partners by now.

Khatte and another of Bagel's ocs, their bounty hunter Liz. honestly these two are just a lot of fun and kind of happened by accident, we had minimal involvement in this they just decided to develop a mutual crush and now Khatte has firmly entered his femdom era. it honestly wouldn't have worked pre Alliance era, Liz has zero tolerance for his bullshit and Khatte is significantly better at keeping his bullshit in check with some legitimate therapy under his belt. It's fairly casual but probably one of the healthiest relationships he's ever had just because he knows she won't settle for less and he likes her enough to meet those standards. what can I say, Khatte's type is people who could kill him and Liz's type (at least when it comes to men) is "extremely competent but also kind of pathetic" so of course they saw each other and instantly had to fuck.

taking an abrupt turn from SWTOR into BG3, my Durge (or half of my Durge) Ryldimar and @elaphaemourra's Tav Dragonfly. listen I did not particularly even like Durge as a concept until these two happened. [SPOILERS REDACTED I FUCKED UP SOME PEOPLE I TAGGED HAVEN'T PLAYED DURGE YET]

First Ship

I'm honestly not sure? technically this might also be ocs, because I was writing original fiction before I ever got into fandom spaces and even then I've never really actively shipped canon characters from other media that much (I passively ship a lot of things but I don't get that invested yknow?). so it's probably Talon and Iadra, my gryphons from a fantasy thing I started writing in high school and have been continuously developing for the last fifteen years or so. Talon is actually half gryphon, in this world gryphons are shapeshifters and are capable of both assuming a humanoid form and interbreeding with that planet's closest human analog (and also humans, theoretically, though I'm unclear on whether any of them have gotten to earth and tested that, the worldbuilding kind of got away from me and it's a beautiful mess now). gryphons bond for life the way a lot of predatory birds do and these two are completely devoted to each other, and also they have the fun aesthetic element of Talon being about 1/3 Iadra's size when she's in gryphonic form (due to an Incident™, he lost one of his wings years ago and it caused him to be stuck between forms, so he mainly looks like a slightly feathery Guy with a singular wing. about what you'd expect of an oc I made in high school but I love him okay).

Last Song

uuuh the Ken Theriot cover of The Witch of the Westmereland I think.

Currently Reading

honestly I have not been doing a lot of reading lately (been meaning to get back to it but yknow) but I'm in the middle of The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey

Last Film

OG Star Wars, couple days ago my internet went out and that was one of three movies I happen to have on my hard drive (take a wild guess what the other two are)

Currently Craving

Salmon chirashi. I literally always want any iteration of raw salmon combined with sushi rice. fortunately I'm refilling my meds in a few days (to be clear the meds are unrelated to my love of salmon, there just happens to be a really good sushi place within a block of my pharmacy so I get chirashi whenever I need to pick something up)

tagging (only if you want to!): @elvhenyoung, @elaphaemourra, @mercurypilgrim, @darkshadeless, @vampiraptor, @reucrion, @artpigeons, @chaoticspacefam

[bluecoolr]

The NO-SKIP Albums: A Tag Game 🎶💖

rules: share the albums that you can listen to nonstop. those lightning in a bottle-albums that scratch ur brain just right. every single track, an absolute banger. u could not skip one if u tried. no notes. stunning, show-stopping, immaculate. ur no-skip albums.

🔎 bonus & optional (but imo, v fun) rules: 1) add a track rec for us to listen to! AND 2) share ur favorite line(s) from that track! 👀

Thank you so much @ace-of-hearts-and-spades @ventiswampwater and @visceravalentines for tagging and thinking of meeee! 🥹💕

No pressure tags: (if you've already done it please ignore me 😅)

@goldrose-star @ajarofpickledtears @probably-a-plant-thing @mintgalaxia @slaasherslut @madbadash @the-pinstriped-hood

1. Glass Houses - Billy Joel

This was one of the first records I bought with my own money.

Check Out: You May Be Right

You may be right I may be crazy Oh, but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for

2. Bram Stoker's Dracula Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

I have this on CD lol. This is very special to me because this is one of my favorite movies ever, and a college friend gifted it to me when she had to move cities. I put it on while reading because the vibes are just delectably evil and eerie 🖤

Check Out: The Beginning

This plays throughout the opening scene of the movie and is just deliciously dark, the swelling crescendo with the choir and sinister whispering gives me goosebumps everytime. It's also perfect for imagining your oc's going through their villain/corruption arc hehe

Check Out: Love Song for a Vampire - Annie Lenox

This track walked so Christina Perri's Thousand Years could run. But seriously, it's such a bittersweet song. The cover by Collin Rae? Ray? I forgot his name is also good.

Oh, loneliness, oh hopelessness To search the ends of time For there is in all the world No greater love than mine

Just PINING. SO MUCH PINING.

3. Gone Now - Bleachers

I don't know what it is about this album, but something in it just scratches my brain right. The sound is very synth-y, but there's a lot of sax and sample overlays that I really like. The whole theme is about death and dissatisfaction with where you are at the moment.

Check Out: Everybody Lost Somebody

I think pain is waiting alone at the corner Tryna get myself back home, yeah Looking like everybody Knowing everybody lost somebody

4. Hozier - Hozier

Need I say more? Zero thoughts when this man comes on for real.

Check Out: In A Week (please for the love of god listen to it)

And they'd find us in a week When the cattle show fear After the insects have made their claim After the foxes have known our taste I'd be home with you I'd be home with you

Check Out: Work Song (cliché but self-explanatory I guess)

I just think about my I'm so full of love I could barely eat (HRRRRGJHKHKK HELLO???)

and

When my time comes around Lay me gently in the cold, dark earth No grave can hold my body down I'll crawl home to her (sobbing actually. Help.)

5. Wasteland Baby! - Hozier

Every song is good but this line from Would That I is just 🤌🏻✨️

I mean?!?!?

True that love in withdrawal was the weeping of me That the sound of the saw must be known by the tree Must be felled for to fight the cold Fretted fire but that was long ago

Anyway, that's it. Thanks for listening to me ramble 🫢😚

[lagtrain]

what are some of ur fav vocaloid producers and/or songs that use unique tuning rather than going for a more natural human-esque voice?

ANON HI HI HI ILY!!!! im so glad u sent this ask :)))))

im putting the recs under a readmore bc it got really long loll

ok so first up is producer recs!

Syudou- syudou is the producer who directly inspired the post i made about tuning (which is im assuming why u sent this ask lol)! the way he tunes vsynths for his songs tend to be very high-pitched as well as somewhat soft and quiet, which i absolutely adore. however, his unique tuning can be pretty offputting for some people (cough cough the insane amount of hate ive seen for jackpot sad girl & usseewa voca versions cough cough). if youre looking for good, unique tuning id defo say check out his stuff if u havent! specific recs are cute na kanojo and jackpot sad girl

Guchiry- guchiry is one of my all-time favourite producers, and has some of the most unique tuning for vocaloids ive heard. guchiry also usually goes for a high-pitched sound, but it's in a very different way. honestly, the way he tunes is kind of hard for me to describe?? idk... its definitely the type of vocals that a human could never replicate (this is proven by the fact that there's almost no human covers of guchiry songs LMAO). plus the way he tunes works extremely well with the intense, fast-paced instrumentals he usually goes for. honestly you'll just have to take my word for it and check out his stuff. specific recs are vanish and orthodoxia

Ayase- ayase's miku is one of my favourites ever!!!! he, like the two producers above, opts for a tuning in a higher range. there is also a soft quality to his mikus that i think is really nice. the thing that makes his tuning really unique is the fact that he leans into the robotic-ness of vocaloid! this style of vocals works so unbelievably well with the chill, electronic style of instrumental he often uses, and makes for some incredible stuff that human vocals just cant capture. specific recs are cinema and ghost city tokyo

sasakure.uk- if you thought that ayase embraced the robotic sound that vocaloids can produce, sasakure has practically buried himself in it! i think that sasakure's work is most notable to me for the fact that (in my opinion) his instrumentals stick out more than the vocals? and not in a bad way! not at all! its just that the way he tunes his vsynths is in such a fashion that they feel like part of the instrumentals. like, instead of the music feeling like it's a vessel for the vocals, the vocals instead blend into the instrumentals in a really unique way i havent heard with many other producers? the way sasakure tunes and uses vocaloids is something so distinct, and something that can really only be done through the medium of vocal synthesizers. specific recs are amara and future eve

Hiiragi Kirai- hiiragi takes flower, a vocaloid i find already sounds pretty unique, and goes fucking crazyinsane with her!! his flower tuning is so unbelievably cool and unique, ive srsly never heard someone use her in a way like he does. he makes her voice sound intense, harsh and growly which is seriously soooo sick :D flower's harsh vocals paired with the often intense instrumentals creates a vibe that's almost impossible to replicate with human vocals (the only covers i can think of that have managed to be on par with hiiragi's originals is ado's bocca della verita & loveka). specific recs are bottom and autophagy

Maretu- 😁😁😁 do i really have to say anything here. maretu perfectly utilizes the robotic sound that miku can produce, and makes her sound incredible with the chiptune & rock instrumentals he uses!! the vibes in maretu's original songs are so fucking good and ive (afaik) yet to find a cover that's on par with his og stuff. listen, you're asking for vocaloid recs on the maretu blog, this is a given. specific recs are koukatsu and white happy

specific songs recs now yayyyy!! im just gonna list the songs and give little blurbs abt them :-)

im not sure exactly how much this counts as unique tuning, but im putting it here anyways... the way miku and meiko are tuned here are different to how ive often heard them sound before, with a bit of roughness to their voices that you can only get via a vocaloid

really cool high-pitched tuning that expertly blends miku's & kafu's vocals! the vocals also work perfectly with the spooky vibes the rest of the song has! if you like this you'd probably also like unfriendly hater, which doesnt stand out quite as much to me as being unique but is still equally as good

i fucking love this song sm... miku's vocals are so robotic (i feel like ive used that word a lot...) which works suuuuper well with the instrumental and, with my incredibly limited knowledge of kagepro, works really well for ene's character!

the sheer insanity of this song can really only work with vocals provided by a vocaloid. listen to it and try and tell me that a human's vocals could improve on this... you cant (also pls listen to the song bc its really good)

p.h is an INCREDIBLE song, and it has such wild vocals. somehow seventhlinks manages to make flower sound more unique than she usually does, and it creates such a cool vibe for the whole song!

[caramelmochacrow]

happy birthday yuka! (hope she and esora enjoy the view!)

(rambling under the cut because the tags cannot contain my love for them--)

the flowers are there for a reason not just bc roses mean romance and yuka is compared to a sunflower. those roses are rosebuds and they mean pure and lovely (w red ones) while the sunflowers are dwarf sunflowers and they mean adoration and love. i chose those because the roses are like how their love is pure and lovely yk? how pure this moment is of esora just. looking at yuka. the sunflowers are bc of esora comparing yuka to them and how esora is looking at yuka w so much love and adoration it's cute ok?

the outfits are from the esora birthday drawing and this is a follow up to it! i was supposed to make a comic but i dont have time so i'll tell u how it was supposed to go: they finished the ferris wheel ride and esora wanted to show yuka something on top of the rooftop of a nice tall building. when they arrived it coincidentally (esora asked the staff) fired off fireworks at the exact moment yuka went close to the railing to see the view. yuka was surprised and turned to look at esora to ask her abt the display only to see her abt to take a picture of her.

also yeah esora hasnt taken the photo in the drawing, this is at the moment she is about to do it but still looking at yuka, taking in the beautiful she had so perfectly set up. the firework behind yuka is supposed to make her look like the sun is right behind her or she is the sun herself, it makes it look like she is the center of attention and that she deserves all of the adoration and love esora is giving her. (also because the sunflowers are looking right at her)

something about how yuka always captures the greatest moments around her of landscapes and the things around her but not herself, so esora choosing and trying to capture hers is like she's saying "you deserve your best moments to be seen as well". or something.... i DONT KNOW!!!

the flowers being around and the whole composition is inspired by yuhki kamatani's work on shounen note and our dreams at dusk! i recommended checking our their work! it's so good especially if you love visuals! (their work is so beautiful...)

another thing that inspired this drawing was the last scene of my summer with you (a manga by nagisa furuya!) where one of the main characters takes a picture of the other without him or with him knowing (idk it's been a while) behind this pretty view. the manga actually inspired me a lot when i read it to draw yukaeso related stuff (mostly because of the summer focus nothing else) so i felt it was right to put a reference to it in this drawing!

the flowers were taken from pictures and ripped out to be used for the drawing yes. was it worth it? yes. would i do it again? yes very much.

i chose fireworks NOT because of the fact esora has this weird thing of being gay when there are fireworks but it just makes sense to watch a firework display after a ferris wheel ride, you know? (i wanted this to originally be the trope where one of them will say "look at the beautiful view!" and the other, looking at them, will say "yeah it is" but EUGHGHGHHHG I GOT EMBARRASSED AND I DIDNT WANT TO DRAW A COMIC WHERE EVERYTHING IS HIGH QUALITY--)

also another reason is because in ao to natsu (original not yuka's cover) there's a firework sound effect in one part of the song and since yuka covered it it made sense to make a reference to it as well!

i learned a lot on how to choose colors and stuff with this drawing, im proud of it! (i have yet again evolved my drawing abilities w yukaeso lol--)

if i wasnt so busy with school, i couldve made the comic but this drawing says everything and what i wanted to capture, you know?

[cleoselene]

tagged by @emmaswanned

Last song: "BODYGUARD" by Beyonce is what is currently playing

Favorite color: green mostly but also like. Cubbie blue.

Currently Watching/Reading:

watching: it's baseball season so I'm back on that mostly. However I am watching Lost for the first time, but I need to pick it back up. Got delayed in continue for really uninteresting reasons, but i got Hulu and so I can pick it up. I watched nine episodes and I like it!

pretty much all I ever read is the news, and my subscription is to Washington Post, but my friend Slim (he of the "not in Fall Out Boy, but did do an freakin' amazing blues cover of Taylor Swift's 'Mean' you shoud listen to it" fame on my blog) wrote a poetry book and he hasn't gone to press yet but hesent me the pdf. It's beautiful. Slim is a beautiful soul. the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back if you asked. Don't know if I've ever known a more genuinely generous soul. And he's talented as fuck! Check out his two original EPs they're on all the streaming services, he is Slimtronic 5k. Here's his cover of Taylor's "Mean," everyone go listen! He asked me what Taylor song he should cover and I thought long and hard and decided this had to be it, because he is the type of person to say "why you gotta be so mean?" because he's all about the love and kindness. Like, Dude from Big Lebowski vibes.

been obsessively listening to COWBOY CARTER. DAUGHTER is the one that destroys me. When she goes into that fuckin operatic voice? I had NO clue Beyonce had that kind of high voice in her. her singing and speaking voice too has always been this throaty, deep voice. To hear her suddenly break into Italian on a totally different octave than we've ever heard from Beyonce was MIND BLOWING. I got all goose-bumpy. Plus I loooove the Willie Nelson cameos hahah he is so clearly stoned out of his gourd. "Go find yourself a jukebox, thank yoU!"

watched the 9 part Turning Point Cold War doc on netflix, it was excellent. Then I watched the 9/11 one made by the same people and i felt like that one actually skipped a ton of important events? It wasn't as good I didn't feel

Relationship status: i am retired

Sweet/savory/spicy: savory though as middle age happens and perimenopause continues... the sweet tooth my mother promised was coming has kind of hit

Current obsessions: my vinyl collection. New music the theme for March and April! I cannot wait for TTPD, I feel like it's going to be what I wanted Midnights to be ut who know? Just excited about it. Again, baseball started this week so the sheen hasn't worn off there.

Last thing you googled: 'Three Dog Night wiki' lol I have three dogs (little ones at least) sleeping in my room. it is a three dog night. Did you knwo the name of that band comes from olden days when inns used to rent out dogs to sleep with on cold nights? So a "three dog night" was an exceptionally cold one since you needed to rent three dogs to sleep with you and keep you warm

tagging @sylvieons @an-ivy-covered-summer

[cyonofgaia]

EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT! - New Song Remix/Cover for Magolor Epilogue!

I'm excited to announce that after my C-R-O-W-N-E-D cover I'll be doing a cover of the final boss theme of Magolor Epilogue - "Mistilteinn, Tree Crown Without a Ruler". There's gonna be some new stuff - new samples, new leitmotifs, and overall a remixed experience inspired by Light MetaS.

The music video will once again feature artwork by me, done in Inkscape. The thumbnail is made by me as well, just to give you a peek at what things could be possibly like for the music video.

Stay tuned on my YouTube channel for more information!

Frequently asked questions:

Will it sample anything?

Yes, but I can't say which. I might experiment with other vocal samples for a unique experience.

Will it be faster than the original song?

Yup, somewhat. I might go for a faster tempo, but it might be a bit slower than my C-R-O-W-N-E-D cover.

Will there be new leitmotifs?

Yeah. For now, I can say it's gonna incorporate the Team Kirby Clash Deluxe & Magolor's leitmotifs as per usual, but I might throw some more in.

What are the inspirations for this remix-cover?

The original song itself, composed by Hirokazu Ando (who holds a lot of my favorite Kirby music lol)

Light MetaS's remixes, especially the Morpho Medley ones. Please check them out as well.

Ironmouse's Hollow Hunger cover somewhat motivated me to start planning out a new remix like this. As always, I appreciate her song covers and that's what kinda influenced me to continue making music.

[shinygoku]

Please Please Me (1963)

Part 1 in the CutCat Reviews Beatles Albums series, and what better place to start than the beginning?

Dang... they were sure Baby Bugs back then!

I ain't yet listened to every song on this here album, so this'll be interesting and strangely new, haha (Though I should disclaim that I'll be listening to the highest quality versions I can find on YT, so some will be innately more advantaged than others)

SIDE ONE

I Saw Her Standing There: One, Two, Three, FAUWH!! While part'a me raises eyebrows at "Well she was just 17, and you know what I mean" part (which is also somewhat mitigated by their own youth at the time! lol), the rest is such a fun, high energy bit of Rock n Roll that I enjoy this quite a bit, and it makes a great energetic opening to the album to boot!

Misery: A sad song set to jaunty music, if I didn't understand English I'd prolly miss that detail XD - Though I defo prefer said upbeat instrumentations to the otherwise kind of stock breakup song

Anna (Go To Him): Ahh, our first cover! Not keen on their harmonies here, something sounds Off. The song itself is fine, but as they didn't write it I won't be going into much about the words :P

Chains: Harmonica! Another cover so I'm gonna skip the lyrics, but the instruments and harmonies are on good display here~ I'm sorry to say I didn't notice it was George on vocals until I checked though, sorry! ^^;;

Boys: Ringo's turn with a cover!! He puts a lotta energy into this, and I like that they didn't change it to Girls or something instead lmao - His range works well for this, there's great guitar and Paul screaming in the background too, but the lyrics themselves don't stick in my mind much, it seems to be mostly "Talk about Boys, [Yeah Yeah Boys]"

Ask Me Why: We leave the sea of Covers for this side, for a lot of stringing out single words lmao, it kinda feels like an inverse of Misery, being much lower key but being Glad, though again the lyrics ain't really making a strong impression on my memory so when I get to the next side I doubt I'll be able to recall it well

Please Please Me: NOW WE'RE TALKING, BAYBEE! The words may be cheeky and arguably shallow, but it's got such energy and rhythm that I really do feel motivated to stand and move in response! The instruments all do a strong job here, and I think I actually first heard this as an instrumental and knew I needed to check it out more lmao. I can't think why Love Me Do got the #1 and this didn't, man!!

SIDE TWO

Love Me Do: I do not care for this song! Objectively it has a lovely bass, nice steady drums and impressive harmonica. But URGHHHH I cannot stick the vocals saying such inane, repetitive words! I feel like this is the only Beatles song that Beatle Haters hear, and form their entire opinion on. I can't fathom how it reached a #1 slot, other than it having been an exceedingly slow period for Tunes, or maybe the mouth organ really WAS that novel?! But when playing the Number Ones CD I always, always skip it, and even the newest version with the Now and Then release fails to win me over. And Ringo ain't even the drummer here!!

P.S. I Love You: Really benefits from following LMD, lmaoooo. It's a nice little tune with some instrument I can't identify (castanets?). I feel like From Me To You kinda does the long distance thing better, but there's a nice rhythm and harmonies that make this pleasing. It's also not Ringo drumming, again - no offence to Andy White, but y'ain't one'a the Lads! :T

Baby It's You: We're back in the Cover Realm. This song is nice. When I first heard the "Cheat" I thought they were saying "Shit" though, which I think woulda made it better XD ...15 mins after listening to it I have no memory of how it sounds :v

Do You Want To Know A Secret: In original and George territory! Gotta say the "secret" was extremely predictable :P The music is perfectly nice, but it doesn't strike me as Beatles Standard, ya know? That applies to a fair few on this album, not just this, but it's now that I really Am Thinking it ^^;;;

A Taste Of Honey: Cover! Less to say! They do good! When I listen to it my brain tries turning it more into a meme song, like it goes "A taste of Honey! Tasty!!", so idk what that says about the song itself but it's not the most glowing of reviews lmao

There's A Place: Ahh, the last Original on this album~ Sounds oddly modern in the sense of maladaptive daydreaming...! They really WERE ahead of the time (or having a Mind Palace is old as Hunter Gatherers maybe, both work lol). It's another inoffensive but hard to really talk about number, musically.

Twist And Shout: I've been pretty Cool to all the covers here, but this is quite the exception, and OOOOH IT'S SO RAAAAW (Infamously so, we all know John had to save this one for last as it shredded his vocal chords somewhat!). Another one that actually makes me Move, which is impressive, and it closes the Album on a very strong note~

CONCLUSION

Best 3: I Saw Her Standing There, Please Please Me, Twist And Shout

Blurst 3: Love Me Do, Anna (Go To Him), Baby It's You. [To be honest I kinda wanna put LMD here three times instead, but myeah]

Overall Quality?: It's Decent! In the context of it being their debut album, it's more impressive, but knowing how much the songwriting and music would develop does rather cast this in a long shadow. My 3 faves here are also the only ones* that got Red Album remasterings by the looks of it, and I sure see why they were chosen over the rest (*Though Love Me Do's omnipresence baffles me!)

🪲🪲🪲🪲

Neeext Time on my Bug Music reviews, we shall be With The Beatles ;3c

[queenoftsage]

['Diva Dance Comes on in Minute 3:20 if you're the type who skips to the point.]... So... Because I was looking for videos to give me that serotonin boost, I went deep into FailTube. I don't know why all of a sudden my algorithm started to recommend me people analyzing this one girl who was able to sing the 'Diva Dance' song from that fun movie from 1997 [yeah I have to give the year out, so some of you babies can look it up. Also I have provided the scene here. Hopefully it works for everyone.] . [fun hyper fixation thing coming up... read at your own risk. No TW... unless operatic singers make you sad then... I guess don't read.]

So anyway... A few notes on this song. [The Diva Song.... That is the 'original' song added to the end of the legit opera song the alien Diva sang. It's attached to it. You have to see the scene to know which one it is. But yeah...]

It was 'purposefully' made so that 'NO HUMAN' could sing it. And while that's not at all true. They could sing it, but obviously it doesn't sound the way it does in the movie, because obviously the voice was modulated to sound 'Out of This World'. This character here only has this one scene, so she had to make an impact. She's supposed to be a DIVA. An Interstellar DIVA who has the most beautiful voice ever, obviously.

Throughout many years, after 1997, there have been many many renditions of this song. And the few singers who have tried to tackle it and tried to sing it, have not really failed, but have tried their hardest to make it sound the same or like they can achieve it. While they may have achieved some notes, most if not all, have failed in some parts where the song reaches some crazy changes in the notes.

Fastforward to TODAY, and the girl that covered it on TikTok and YouTube and made her rendition go VIRAL. WHY? Because... Well... Just take a look at this rendition, by the beautiful singer. Her name is Ñusta Picuasi, and she's from Ecuador. Like I have said, many an Opera singers have tried to replicate the song. Heck, even the lady that sang it originally cannot sing it so perfectly. You can tell they struggled in some of those combinations of notes.

This is Ñusta: [please turn on your sound, if you haven't already. Hopefully you've seen the original I posted here too.]

So in conclusion, and this is my personal opinion, I am by no means a professional at singing or know shit about it to be clear. However, this is how I think she achieved it. SHE SIMPLIFIED!!! No for real. She knew the limits of her voice, and because she knew, she used those limits and ACHIEVED the impossible. I mean, I hear a lot of people saying this song is impossible. And in my mind I was always like... Well... DUH, it's got some computerized elements in it, of course it's going to be hard. And well, that was the purpose of it... But... uh... Ñusta just said... 'Uh... Not on my watch. Check it out, it's so easy to SING... "

and just like her... I'm like.. "Pheeeewwww..." you're right. You're so right. lol.

BEAUTIFUL.

[lobster-tales]

Beat the Daylight

Sequel to Face the Noise, an Arcane Rock Band AU

Rating: M

Chapter 3: The Lunch

Summary: Jinx gets distracted at work || Mel surprises Caitlyn

This work is available here on AO3. Chapter 1 Chapter 2

Jinx had her own private studio.

Silco reserved it for her, a haven where she could work at her own pace. Of course, she redecorated, covering the walls in graffiti, upgrading her equipment with various modifiers. Papers lay in an organized tornado around the room, covered in half-written lyrics and neon doodles. She had toys, too, mostly figures from different anime, a few stuffed animals. They helped with the writing process, so she could use them to act out different scenes, plan music videos. But only one was untouched. Her favorite, the plush shark sitting beside her computer.

The shark was a gift from Silco: he used to stop by the studio frequently to check in on her, listen to her songs and praise her talent. But work stole his time now. The stuffed shark was a solution, with cameras installed in the glassy eyes: one even glowed amber like his own. Jinx had lovingly called him Fishbones, and always greeted him when she entered. She didn’t mind the lack of privacy: she had no secrets to keep. In fact, it was reassuring, knowing Silco could see and hear her.

“What’s on the agenda today, boss?” she said, knowing she wouldn’t receive an answer. Jinx threw down her duffle bag, the spray paint cans clinking as she did so. She yanked open a desk drawer, filled to the brim with lollipops, and popped one in her mouth as she considered her equipment.

At first, writing and mixing came naturally, like breathing. The producers would send her barebone songs, with basic tracks and lyrics, and Jinx would modify them, tweak the words, add in new beats and sound effects until they were her own. She never got along with her audio engineers, with a few ending up in the hospital, so Silco made an exception for her. He allowed her to work alone, even without Sevika to hover over her.

The isolation used to be motivating. But recently, burnout had eaten away at her. Jinx skimmed her emails, noting the gradual escalation of urgency from her producers. Her quota was fast approaching, and she wasn’t even close to meeting it.

Jinx closed her laptop, muttering to Fishbones, “Well, maybe if you sent me a song that didn’t suck, I could get some fucking work done.”

Instead of focusing on a new single, she pulled up a series of original tracks. Jinx preferred making beats over anything else, even over singing. Her new obsession was taking Ekko’s singles and remixing them, over and over again. Improving them.

Ekko was her only real competition as far as the charts were concerned. Media and fan accounts alike pitted the two against each other, ironically unaware of their shared history. Maybe it should have bothered Jinx, but it didn’t. It felt like a game, like the type they used to play. Before things changed. Before she changed.

Her attention jerked back to the task at hand. She was stuck on this one measure, the same rhythm over and over again. Something about it bothered her, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She tried accelerating it, then slowing, changing the notes. But it never felt quite right.

Her phone vibrated: a welcome distraction. It was a text from Margot. On breezing through their prior messages, Jinx remembered drunk texting her last night. Well, maybe not ‘drunk’ texted: more like ‘tipsy-and-bored’ texted.

2:36 AM

Jinx: How’s the tour going?

Now

Margot: It’s ok. Almost at Demacia. Finn is annoyed lol

Jinx couldn’t help but grin. Finn was one of Shimmer’s investors, and would have been the top artist if it wasn’t for her. He resented playing second, especially to someone with only two years of fame under her belt. He was never nice to Jinx, and she returned the favor.

Jinx: What now??

Margot: Last time he played here, it was sold out. Rn, tickets at 60% venue capacity.

Jinx snorted a laugh. Her last and only tour had been a chaotic mess, mostly her own fault. She started late nearly every time, changed the song order on her sound and stage management team. Yet, every show was sold out. Sounded like Finn had no such luck.

Jinx: LOL. Did he change his routine at all?

Margot: Ugh, no. I told him to but you know how stubborn he is.

She giggled to herself, but cut it short. Fishbones loomed in her mind, his embroidered teeth bared. His voice was an exaggerated mimic of Silco’s. She’s not your friend, Jinx. She’s being nice because she has to be.

“I know!” Jinx growled. “I know,” she repeated, moreso to convince herself.

Jinx used to spend a lot of time with Margot and Finn. They were the youngest of Shimmer’s board, so when Jinx wanted to go out, get shitfaced and dance til dawn, Silco assigned those two to go with her. But despite their youth, they were both still nearly a decade older than Jinx. Finn mostly spent his time sulking in the corner booths, tattooed arms draped over scantily clad fans. Though he never bitched about it in front of Silco, he bitched everywhere else. But not Margot. She knew to keep her mouth shut.

In fact, Margot never acted like she was being held hostage. She was the only one, other than Silco, who treated Jinx with respect, who actually listened and responded to her. That’s why it was so easy to forget that she was just a coworker, Shimmer Entertainment’s publicist, and that she was just doing her job.

Jinx’s phone buzzed again.

Margot: He’s also pissed about the Hex Records thing.

Jinx: ??????????

Margot: You haven’t heard? Medarda’s starting a Piltie label.

The text was followed by a link to a post. Jinx usually avoided social media. Between the haters and blindly adoring fans, there was nothing for her there. But when she opened the app today, the feed was flooded with chatter about the new label. On reading further, it looked like Medarda had new talent lined up, though she was being characteristically mysterious about their names.

If Finn was pissed about this, then Silco was probably furious. He hated competition. Over the last few years, a few labels had tried to make their mark on the metroplex. Most were spineless and easily intimidated, but the brave ones always ended up bankrupt, or burnt to the ground.

The only reason Ekko had escaped was because Medarda protected him. She was the only one who could go toe to toe with Silco, and they had battled it out for years politically. But now with two companies and her senate responsibilities, she’d be spread thinner. Jinx wondered how long it would take for the cracks to form, how long Ekko could stay safe, not to mention these ‘other artists’.

Jinx scanned the posts, wondering if there were any leads to the new talent. She clicked on one video that said, Hex Records's New Drummer?? When Jayce took his seat at the drumset, she hurled her phone at the wall, shattering it.

She didn’t care, she shouldn’t care. But despite it all, the thought of being replaced fucking hurt. Especially being replaced by someone so inexperienced.

The desk drawer creaked as she heaved it open. Four more brand new, unopened phones clattered against the wood. Silco was always prepared. She transferred her information within a matter of minutes, and checked the app again. Ignoring the Hex Records hype, she breezed through her private messages. Mostly fans, haters, a few artists looking for collaboration.

Then a message from Lux.

Jinx did a double take, unsure if it was really her. She clicked on her name, and was met with a clean aesthetic and inspirational quotes. Lux stood out in every picture, effortlessly radiant. In one of them, she stood beside a guy their age. His hair was nearly the same shade of blond, bangs swept across his face, strong eyebrows, strong jaw. He reminded Jinx of those boy band leads. Even just looking at his stupid, perfect face pissed her off, so Jinx went back to read Lux’s message.

Lux: Hi! Not sure if you remember me, but we met at the charity gala last night? I know you’re probably really busy, but do you want to hang out sometime? :)

Lux had messaged her the morning after they met. No hesitation, no guilt. Not that there was anything to feel guilty for: their almost kiss was just that, almost. But Jinx wasn’t used to people reaching out, especially with what seemed to be sincere intentions.

Fishbones flickered in the corner of her vision, the deep voice echoing unnaturally, She could be yours, you know. The boy is nothing. I can make him disappear, Jinx, all you have to do is ask.

Jinx never kept secrets from Silco. He told her before that he would give her anything she wanted. But this time, an instinct warned her. With his resources, who knows what kind of havoc he would wreak. And even if it all went well, Lux would always feel like a toy, like her shiny new obsession. Her light would be forever stained by their darkness. It felt wrong.

So she closed the app without responding. Jinx sat in her silence for a moment, blocking out the shark’s whispers. She pulled up her texts again.

Jinx: When are you coming home?

Margot: Soon, kid. Soon.

                                                       ☆ ☆ ☆                                                         

The rest of the product launch was a blur of excitement. Vi and the Kiramman family were able to bypass the crowd and meet their friends backstage. In typical older sibling fashion, Vi swept Ekko into a crushing embrace, while Jayce did the same to Caitlyn. During the congratulations, Caitlyn kept an eye on Viktor. He barely spoke, but his earlier demeanor seemed to have lightened. Maybe the performance helped.

They were only permitted a few minutes before Mel entered, suggesting her investments go network at the afterparty. Vi and Caitlyn decided not to attend, since Vi had an opening shift and Caitlyn had promised to call Sky. On the way out, a server ran up to Caitlyn and passed her a note.

Caitlyn,

Meet me for lunch on Monday

M. M.

The message was cryptic, unnecessarily so considering Mel could have asked her in person moments ago. Then again, Mel was known for her dramatics, so Caitlyn begrudgingly accepted.

Caitlyn spent the rest of the weekend trying to get her investigation together. If the local government was corrupted, then she would have to bring a solid case to the federal one. She scoured for articles, pictures, anything she could use as evidence. But Silco’s publicists and lawyers had carefully wiped everything from the internet, and though she still had access to the police files, there was nothing substantial there, either.

She was feeling discouraged by the time Monday’s lunch came. Mel listed no address or time, so Caitlyn arrived at her office at 11:45 AM.

Despite being a senator, Mel chose to forgo a public office, instead hosting her dealings at her private one. The building was like a museum, layered with tasteful art. Caitlyn examined the pieces as she waited, fending off the receptionist's offer of various treats and drinks. At least Mel could never be faulted for being inhospitable.

Mel finished her last meeting and welcomed Caitlyn, in no rush to leave. The room was like the rest of the property, covered in paintings and sculptures. Caitlyn examined a decorative folding screen with a dragon design. She let out a short chuckle when she read the Chinese characters that lined the fabric: pretty, but nonsensical. Someone had ripped Mel off, though Caitlyn would never tell her for fear of embarrassing her.

Mel asked her if she wanted anything to drink, water or wine, and Caitlyn, not eager to imbibe on a Monday at noon, accepted the former. Caitlyn sipped, watching as Mel fussed around her desk, reorganizing the already neat stacks. She seemed uncharacteristically nervous, though Caitlyn had no idea why. Caitlyn asked, “Did you want to go somewhere or?”

“Yes, we will,” Mel said too quickly. “But first, I’m expecting someone to join us. I do hope that’s alright.”

Fear surged through Caitlyn: was this another of her mother’s schemes? A trap, ensnaring her in an “I told you so” lecture?

Her face must have been transparent, because Mel reassured her, “Not Senator Kiramman.”

The receptionist popped in. “He’s here, Senator.”

“Thank you, Elora.” Mel nodded towards the screen. “Caitlyn, can you do me a favor and stand behind that divider? I want your presence to be a pleasant surprise.”

Immediately, Caitlyn was on edge, though she felt she had no reason to be. Knowing Mel, this was probably some overcomplicated scheme to surprise Jayce. So Caitlyn obeyed. When she was in position, the door opened, and she heard the thump of several pairs of footsteps.

“Come in,” said Mel warmly, though she received no response. “Welcome, all. Would you or any of your friends like a beverage? Some wine, scotch?”

A deep voice answered, one that Caitlyn recognized from press appearances. Her blood ran cold as Silco said, “Scotch for me. They’ll have nothing.”

Panic overcame Caitlyn, but Mel spoke coolly, with the same practiced politeness she used to address everyone. “Oh come now, I would hate for any of you to be uncomfortable. Especially when you already feel so… tense.”

Caitlyn fought through the fear: how many pairs of footsteps? At least six or seven–far too many for a casual lunch meeting.

As if coming to the same conclusion, Silco said, “They were just leaving.”

“If you insist,” Mel said, cheerful.

The footsteps shuffled again. Silco murmured, “She stays.” One of them must have remained.

“Very well.” Mel called, “You can come out now, Caitlyn.”

Embarrassment overtook her fear, rooting her to the spot. Anger too, at being used. Mel had put her in a dangerously vulnerable position, without her consent. She wanted to tell her off and storm out. But Caitlyn fought through the emotion, sought understanding. Mel had invited her to protect her. She trusted Caitlyn, knew she wouldn’t blow up like Vi or Ekko, or do something impulsive like Jayce. And despite the deception, Caitlyn couldn’t abandon her. She couldn’t let Mel face him alone. So she emerged.

Silco’s bodyguard, a large woman, scowled at her, teeth grit so that she could see the slight gap in the center. Caitlyn recognized her: while researching for Powder’s case, this woman had appeared in multiple photos. Her presence elicited a strong reaction from Vi, who explained that the woman used to be close with Vander, before betraying him years ago and joining Silco. Fuck, what was her name?

If Silco was startled by Caitlyn, he didn’t show it, twisting his mouth into a grin instead. “It seems the tension is mutual.”

Mel poured the scotch for him: Caitlyn had never seen her make anyone a drink, especially not in a business meeting. If that’s what this was. “I’m a senator, Silco,” said Mel. She didn’t look at Caitlyn, didn’t acknowledge her quiet frustration. “I make enemies every day. That’s why it’s so important to keep an ally in my back pocket.” She held out the drink, waiting for him to come grab it.

Silco swirled the glass as he took the seat across from Mel’s desk, sprawling in the chair as if he owned it and everything else in the room. “So. Why did you invite me here?”

“Because you were coming anyway,” she said. “To intimidate me. And I thought the least I could do was be hospitable.” She let the words sink in: her sparkling water hissed as she poured it.

So Vi was right to be worried. Mel knew that Silco would come for her, and rather than wait for him to attack, she set up her own ambush. Caitlyn’s shock was overtaken by admiration.

Silco seemed to share it as he said, “Intimidate you. Why would I ever do that?”

Mel said, “You. Tell. Me.”

A rumble came from Silco’s skinny throat, and Caitlyn realized he was laughing. Not a mocking laugh, a respectful one. He took a long, languid sip from his scotch, before beginning. “We’ve worked in opposition for years, Mel. Ever since you took office, you’ve been a thorn in my side.”

“A fact that I take great pride in,” she said, toasting him mid air.

“But you know you’ve gone too far this time.” He spoke with a deep, slow drawl. Caitlyn had seen videos, interviews of him before, but he was so much more sinister in person. It wasn’t so much the way he looked. His presence carried a weight with it. An unsettling cloud.

He said, “Politics is one thing, but our personal projects are another. Hextech and Shimmer have only thrived because they were in separate industries. Nothing must disrupt that delicate balance. You understand, of course, as a capitalist.”

“You’re a capitalist, too,” she said, grinning like this was a game. She was playing the part well, even though her fingers clutched her glass too tightly. “Aren’t we supposed to like competition?”

“Come now, Mel.” His tone lacked Mel’s playfulness. “Even if I let this go, allow you to operate, you cannot compete with me. Jinx’s singles have outsold every one of Ekko’s, and I doubt your new mystery talent can compare to Finn’s years of experience.”

When Silco said Powder’s stage name, Caitlyn jolted, though she didn’t mean to. A rush of fury ignited her: how could he act so casual? When he was the one who took her, stole her. She clenched her fist involuntarily, drawing the attention of his bodyguard. The woman pulled back her patterned poncho to reveal a holster and gun. Caitlyn forced herself to be calm. She regretted not wearing her own concealed carry. To be fair, she didn’t think she needed it for what was supposed to be a goddamn lunch.

Mel asked, “How is Finn’s tour, by the way? Sold out shows, every one? And you know, I haven’t seen any new Jinx content in months. When exactly is her new album coming out?”

He had been sprawled on the chair, but now leaned forward, baited into ire. His scarred cheek contorted with a grimace. “Watch yourself, Medarda. I didn’t come here to be insulted.”

“No,” she acknowledged with a graceful nod. “No, you did not, and please know that I understand your concerns. And…” She set her water on the table, her ring clinking on the glass as she did so. “I believe I have a solution, if you’re willing to hear me out.”

“... I’m listening.”

Mel said, “Instead of competing in the charts, let’s settle this once and for all. I suggest we have a contest: your artists against mine. We’ll televise it, and put it to a public vote.”

It was simple, but apparently effective, because once Silco processed the information, he scoffed in amusement. “This is just a game to you, isn’t it?”

“I heard you liked games,” she said.

He purred, “You heard right. What do I get if I win?”

“Mmm, perhaps a cash prize, some exorbitant amount. We can negotiate the particulars later,” said Mel. “So start thinking about what you want.”

“No. If I’m putting Shimmer’s reputation on the line, I need to know the risk.”

Mel laughed, a short, bright sound. “What risk? You’ll have the nation watching with bated breath. The publicity alone is worth it.”

He mulled it over. “We both know Jinx will win.”

“Alone, perhaps. Which is why I was thinking we might make it more interesting.” Her smile was no longer easygoing, but sly. “I also heard you used to be in a band. Wouldn’t it be appropriate for your heir to follow in your footsteps?”

Caitlyn held her breath. The subject had always been a sore spot for Vander and Benzo: they rarely spoke of The Hounds, and never mentioned Silco’s betrayal. She couldn’t imagine how Silco would react.

But he smiled. A slimy smile, but pleased all the same. “A good old fashioned battle of the bands. You’ve outdone yourself this time, Mel.”

“So you accept?”

Silco shifted in his chair, swirling what was left of his drink. “I’ll have to speak to my shareholders.”

Mel bowed her head, draping her fingers against the desk. “I expected as much. But I do hope you’ll consider it.”

“Trust me, I will.” He downed the last of the scotch before standing. The bodyguard jerked as he did so. “Thank you for the invitation.”

“You won’t stick around for the meal?” Mel asked, though she clearly knew what his response would be.

“I’m not hungry.” Silco gave the bodyguard a quick glance. “Come, Sevika.”

Sevika. That was her name. Caitlyn was sure to commit it to memory.

The room lightened when he left. The weight of his presence was gone, replaced by the friction between Caitlyn and Mel.

Mel cleared her throat. “Before you start, allow me to apologize for blindsiding you, and know that I appreciate your flexibility.”

Caitlyn scoffed the word out. “Flexibility! As if I had much choice!”

“Keep your voice down,” Mel said, obeying her own command. “At least until they’re out of the building.”

“Why? So you can keep playing your little power games? I’m not your pawn, Mel!”

“I know,” Mel sighed. “I’m sorry, Caitlyn, truly. All I ask is that you give me the chance to explain myself.”

Caitlyn stewed, unsure what to say next. So much had happened in so little time, and she needed a moment to process. But then her stomach growled, betraying her.

A tiny smile pulled at Mel’s mouth. “But first, we should go. I don’t know about you, but I’m famished.”

[maester-of-spreadsheets]

Okay yes

You know what sure let’s do this on a Friday night (going from least to most)

One of Those Nights - somehow I can’t bring myself to make jokey jokes about the Sewol ferry song

Wild side - I don’t know her. Literally this Japanese release somehow passed me by? And I haven’t absorbed it into my personal lore

Queendom - this isn’t even a good red velvet song. Like in general.

Umpah Umpah - absolutely no one in canon is having this type of fun

Peek-a-Boo - oh this comeback ruled but frankly the song and especially music video have way more to do with Claudeline

Happiness - way more appropriate as a komm süsser tod end of the world song than anything else

Bad Boy - I think Loumand WANT to project this kind of languidly sexy toxic relationship vibe but uh.

Be Natural - The soft beige pillow of their releases (probably because it was rushed to cover various scandals lol)

#CookieJar - I guess repeatedly saying “hash tag cookie jar :)” gives “electronic mailbox” a bit

Birthday - other songs on this list sample classical music in a more compelling way

Russian Roulette - Putting this one right in the middle because it feels like it COULD fit whatever he had going with Lestat or Daniel but will see (also if you’re new to kpop or this group I’d genuinely recommend being the song you check out because it’s lethally catchy)

Dumb Dumb - Cringefail Loumand initial flirting hours!

Sappy - has that horn part that makes no goddamn sense and is probably even more jarring than fake memories

Power Up - this video kinda implies cannibalism. Can’t really put it lower than this

Ice Cream Cake - the song and video are sooo subtly menacing. I don’t know how to explain it but it feels like you’re about to turn a corner and encounter a movie monster

Chill Kill - samples movie soundtrack sounding string instruments but more importantly it’s literally about a person who kills good vibes while somehow being sexy about it

Really Bad Boy - oh my god he’s a really bad boy he’s a really really really really bad boy!!!! You’re a bad boy and you’re bad for me you’re a bad boy and you’re bad for me you’re a-

Rookie - and we’re live! Produced by the theatre des vampire! Take one! [the most grating shit you’ve heard in your and somehow you go back for more]

Zimzalabim - literally about hypnotism. And throwing yourself over the flat earth for some reason?

Automaric - the vid is so vampire coded I wouldn’t be surprised if the OG iwtv movie was on the moodboard. Everything is so moody and shadowy and yeah they’re pretty but made to look as unsettling as possible. Also the scene with them sitting in front of tons of untouched food is very “how many courses are there going to be????”

Psycho - probably would have been on the playlist if the Spotify version wasn’t missing the SYNTHS THAT BRING THE SONG TOGETHER??? Anyway- no one asks- why did you say Bad Boy didn’t fit the vibe even though Psycho is in a very similar vein? Is it because the Favourite (2018) was definitely on the MV mood board? Is it because it also draws on classical music sounds? Is it because Armand is the original visual? Well yes but also the lyrics are about how toxic and beautiful the narrator’s relationship and how people just don’t GET IT and how the two of them WILL BE OKAY all somehow delivered like a mantra someone makes through gritted teeth. I love this song so much maybe I’m just lying to myself and it’s only ranking so high because I listened to it all the time while wandering graveyards during the pandemic um

Feel My Rhythm - has a video centered around paintings and a sound built around a Bach sample. In my playlist I mentioned that the hihats sound like they want you dead and I was right. But also the whole song kind of has the desperate energy of Psycho dialed up to eleven. It clings to that Bach sample with all its worth and it always sounds like it’s going to descend into chaos but even at it’s weirdest it still holds on the beat. Just barely. Makes you kind of wish it would while you admire that it doesn’t. Or something.

Red Flavor - is blood, duh. But also wow does this song feel sad while sounding so upbeat. The lyrics go back and forth between metaphors about forbidden fruit and openly pleading for reciprocity in a relationship. There’s also a [over used internet word alert] liminality to the video where the characters seem to have one foot in the past and one in the future. But it also has the lyrics’ fear of being totally vulnerable all the time so it throws absurdities at you like a watermelon having a conversation with a watermelon. The song is bursting with emotion, but also holding itself back too. You can surrender to the way this song is trying to invoke the nostalgic hope you might have felt when you were young and optimistic (and that might include mourning the person you used to be). Or you can just see it as a fun song to sing along to on the radio (do people even listen to the radio anymore.) it’s fine! It’s all FINE.

Lying by the pool like “what if I ranked every red velvet track by how Armandcore it is”

[horsesarecreatures]

Had a long talk today with one of my former trainers. She is an exercise rider that also takes her own ottbs and student’s ottbs to the Retired Racehorse Project every year and has been pretty successful.  What she told me about Unbridled’s Song is this: his offspring did have a low durability ranking, but a large part of that probably had to do with the fact that he was huge at 17 hands,  passed on his size, huge horses mature more slowly, and they were almost all raced at only 2 years old. When the trainers did wait a bit longer, the horses did a lot better, and this includes Cannoli’s 17.3 hand sire Graydar, who had 5 wins in 6 starts, always placed, and didn't race until 3. Side note, I was told that Cannoli was 15.3 hands, but I think he’s actually in the 16 hand range. Chip was 15.3 and he looks taller to me than Chip. He’s not quite as tall as Indy who is 16.3 hands, though, so I’m guessing he’s 16 hands. 

All in all, her experience was that while the young Unbridled’s Song descendants are injury prone, once they mature it’s not an inherent chronic issue, and she’s known the majority to be sound riding horses once they retired. Now, this doesn't necessarily mean anything for Cannoli since even though he is getting the absorbable implant surgery with a much better outcome than the screw insertion surgery, the findings on his radiographs were deemed to be abnormal by my vet and the UPenn vet, so it’s harder to predict if it will be successful on him as well. But I’m feeling more hopeful that he can at least attain pasture soundness. 

The situation is stressing me out, though. The problem is that the nuclear scintigraphy + ct scan + bone cyst surgery + hauling are obviously quite expensive. There is money in the estate account that I am entitled to that would cover it, but I still can't settle the estate and get that money until the estate income taxes are paid, and they are not. What happened was that after pervy Rob the accountant made the bizarre remark to me, I did decide to switch accountants. It sounds awful, but I regret it because this new guy started but is not motivated to finish. The estate has been on hold for literally months now. I check up on it every week and the guy is just like, “Oh yeah, yeah, I’m on it” when he isn’t. But what am I going to do. Unfortunately, due to the labor shortage, there are a lot people getting away with absolute laziness because they know they have no replacements. It’s a problem that I’ve also had with the probate lawyers and building contractors. Never would I have predicted that after 3 years the estate still would not be settled. I may have the time and motivation to get things done, but unfortunately it’s not one person job, and I can't force others to work on the same timeline as me.

I don’t regret getting Cannoli as rescuing a horse was on my horse-related bucket list anyway as well as starting a project horse, and while I didn't initially consider him a real rescue, in light of what has been learned about Another Spin I now do consider him “rescued from the rescue,” even though that was not my original intention. It just would have been a lot better if this had happened in three more years. But, he is my buddy now, and I am learning a ton about thoroughbred rehab lol. 

[holidaywishes]

Back to Sleep

  Requested: 👍

  Summary/Request: Can I request an imagine for Matthew Tkachuk?? Based on “back to sleep” by Chris brown 😍

  Warning: fluffy smut, the tiniest bit of fluff

  Author’s Note: I have a lot of feelings about this request lol. First, I originally thought that this was from the song prompt list but it’s not, which is totally good no sweat but I just had to double check. Second, I’ve never heard this song -- the last song I listened to from Chris Brown was Five Hours with Deorro and that was only because it came on when I was looking for hype music when I was going “clubbing;” remember those days? Yeah, me neither. Anyway, the next feeling is that when I looked up this song, I don’t know what i was expecting but I was expecting a) to find the cover as him with a baby or b) for this song to have the lyrics “fuck you back to sleep” but that’s on me lol. Because of all these feelings, I’m not sure how this imagine will turn out -- I predict it will be relatively short and maybe just completely smut? Yeah, that seems appropriate to me. It’s very, very, short. Shorter than I intended to be honest but it’s all smut so there wasn’t a lot that was going to happen anyway. Enjoy, anon! Thank you everyone for reading the junk that I put out there, it means a lot! Stay golden, loves! <3

  P.S. I think I will have this song stuck in my head for days because of how many times it played on repeat while writing this 😬😬

  masterlist

  the other masterlist

xx

Matthew’s P.O.V

  You thought you’d get back into town earlier but there was a weather warning and the plane couldn’t fly for a couple hours

  “Sorry, babe,” you texted (Y/N) when you realized how late you’d be, “I know I said that we’d hang out tonight but the plane got delayed and we won’t land in Calgary until like 2 am”

  “Maybe I can meet you at your place?” she sent back

  “That would be nice but I’m gonna be really late...”

  “Don’t worry!” you could practically hear her giggle through her screen, “I’ll take a nap now and then head over in an hour. I know where the key is”

  “Okay,” you smiled to yourself, “I’ll see you when I get home”

  “I’ll wait up for you 😉”

  “You don’t have to”

  “I know. I want to. I wanna welcome you home properly”

  “Look forward to it 😜” you put your phone away and dropped your head to the back of your seat. The longer you sat around the airport, waiting for the warning to lift, the more you got increasingly agitated. “Hey do we know anything yet?” you asked Sean and Marky

  “Nope” they both mumbled. It was another two hours before the team even boarded the plane and another 20 minutes after that until the plane actually took off. When you finally got home, it was 3 in the morning and you were hoping that (Y/N) hadn’t waited up for you; walking through the door, you smelled pizza that she must have brought over from her place and warmed up in the oven but you weren’t hungry, you just wanted to get upstairs to sleep.

xx

  You made your way to Matt’s house around midnight, carrying a frozen pizza with you so he had something to eat besides chips or pretzels when he got back. Once the pizza was done, you took a slice for yourself and flipped through Netflix for a while before settling on the Office; if for nothing more than background noise. After a handful of episodes, you looked at the clock and noticed that it was nearly 2am and Matt still wasn’t home, so you started to clean everything up, keeping the pizza out in case he wanted a bite to eat before you made your way upstairs; you couldn’t stop your heavy eyelids from closing and you eventually drifted off to sleep. It wasn’t until you heard shuffling around you that you actually woke up

  “Who’s there?” you whispered, hoping that it was just your boyfriend but fearing the worst

  “Sorry baby,” Matt returned, “I didn’t mean to wake you. Go back to sleep”

  “I’m awake. I was awake” you lied

  “No you weren’t” he laughed

  “I’m awake now” you giggled before getting onto your knees and making your way down to kiss his neck as he sat at the foot of the bed

  “Go back to sleep, (Y/N)” he whispered

  “No,” you smirked, kissing his ear in the process, “I wanna welcome you home. I haven’t seen you in sooo long”

  “We’ve both got early mornings tomorrow” he smiled

  “I can’t sleep now,” you whined, “you’re here and you look so handsome with your hair all tousled like that” your hands roamed around his waist to undo his belt, letting your lips glide across his skin until he turned his head around, giving you the lustful look that always started a fire in your stomach. He smirked before moving his finger underneath your chin, bringing your lips to his so he could kiss you slowly, your hands still stationed on his waist until the kiss got too intense and he turned around, pushing you back against the mattress; pulling away to grin at your neediness and trace his fingers down your body

  “I love your skin,” he whispered and you giggled, “I love your body”

  “Mmm” you hummed as he began kissing your collarbones, his hand finding its way into your panties as his fingers hesitated over your clit

  “Relax, baby” he hummed back, his free hand pinning your body down by your chest and you took a deep exhale, “let me take over”

  “Matty...” you whispered before seeing him looking up at you, smirking at you and, as if by mind control, you dropped your head back onto the mattress while his fingers quickly pumped and curled inside of you. “Oh god,” you moaned, “oh fuck, Matt, shit” his ministrations were quick and you reached your first orgasm faster than you expected. He hovered back over you, kissing your nose before you pushed off his pants with your feet, laughing when you both forgot that he hadn’t taken his shoes off

  “Oops” he chuckled, quickly sitting up and throwing off his shoes before you pulled him back to you, capturing his lips in a sloppy kiss

  “Fuck” you cried out as he thrust into you without warning, the bed beginning to squeak as his speed increased, “slow down, baby, fuck” you were already breathless when you forced him onto his back and began to ride his length, slowing down the pace enough for both of you to feel pleasure

  “Shit,” he growled, “baby you look so good riding me”

  “Mmmm, fuck Matt” you whimpered

  “Fuck”

  “Fuck” you repeated back to him, his hands gripping your hips to quicken your pace and you reached your second climax, riding him until you felt his legs shake; he rolled you onto your back and brushed your hair out of your face

  “You’re beautiful” he smiled

  “I love you” you smiled, pecking his lips before he leaned back down

  “I hate that I woke you up”

  “It’s okay, Matt” you giggled

  “Let me fuck you back to sleep, baby” he whispered in your ear, kissing your neck as his hand drifted back to your core

  “I’m already exhausted” you joked

  “Then this won’t take long” he teased, circling your clit before you brought your hand to his member, stroking it quickly until he let out a guttural moan

  “Does that feel good baby?” you moaned

  “Fuck baby” he panted before you lined him up with your entrance, letting him ram his hips into yours. It didn’t take long before he was trembling above you

  “Ready to sleep now baby?”

  “No” he said breathlessly

  “What?” you chuckled

  “I was supposed to fuck you back to sleep, this wasn’t supposed to be the other way around...”

  “You did, babe,” you smiled, wrapping your arms around his neck, “I’m ready to sleep, I’m ready to cuddle”

  “Okay one sec” he said quickly, jumping up to grab a damp cloth before coming back into the room. He cleaned you up and got you a spare set of PJ’s before hopping under the covers and wrapping his arms around your waist. “I love you” he whispered close to your ear

  “I love you, too” you smiled to yourself

  “Can we do this every time? I like you riding me,” he laughed, “gives me a bit of a rest”

  “How about we trade it up. Sometimes, I’m on top, other times, you’re on top. How about that?”

  “Sounds good to me.”