#i always wanted to create and perform and imagine and make cool things

[mageofcolors]

personal rant incoming

[mirai-e-jump]

Uchusen Vol.186 (Autumn 2024) Kamen Rider Gavv | Detail of Heroes ft. Main Cast Interviews (other pages and translations below)

Publication: October 1, 2024 (between episode 5-6)

Chinen Hidekazu (Shouma)

"Which shows from the Kamen Rider series have you seen?"

Chinen: From my generation, I watched "Kamen Rider W," "OOO," "Fourze," and "Wizard." I've been watching "Kamen Rider Zero-One," a masterpiece by Director Sugihara, who also directed the pilot of Gavv, and recently I watched "Kamen Rider Den-O" for the sake of studying.

"Who would your all time favorite Rider be?"

Chinen: Including OOO, I like alot of them, but lately I've been particularly fond of Den-O. It was really amazing to see each of the Imagin's personalities being performed by Satoh Takeru-san, the lead actor. The theme song is good too. I listen to the OP every episode without skipping it.

"Please tell us about the time of your audition for Gavv."

Chinen: We were put into pairs, one would play a role reminiscent of the food lover Shouma, and the other played a cool role similar to Hanto. During the first audition, I made a mistake. When I was supposed to do a performance where I entered the room from outside, I mistook the door for an outward opening one instead of an inward one, so I kept trying to pull it when I should've been pushing, and it ended up making alot of noise. I also heard the Producers laughing because I was having trouble getting in, but when I finally did, I continued the performance as if nothing had happened. Thinking about it now…��I guess maybe that feeling of disconnect was also linked to Shouma's.

"We're sure you must've been quite flustered at that time"

Chinen: I was really flustered because of that (laughs). I was panicking quite abit because it wasn't an act, I really made a mistake. Still, I thought, "I've come this far, so let's do this!," so it might've been a good thing that I was able to accept it and give an earnest performance.

"How were you informed that you had been chosen?

Chinen: One day, my manager called me and said, "I need you to come to the office after work." I went to the office thinking, "Maybe they're upset at me for failing something?," but they said, "We have a report. We're disappointed to tell you that the final audition for Kamen Rider is no longer available." I was frustrated because I thought I had been rejected, but I still said, "I understand, I'll do my best next time." At that exact moment, the staff came through the door and shot off party poppers. That's when I asked my manager, "This isn't a dream, is it?" I pinched myself just to be sure (laughs). Even though it hurt, I couldn't believe it, and when I finally became aware of it, I felt like, "I'm the happiest guy in the world right now!"

"How did you inform your family?"

Chinen: I immediately called my mother about it. She said, "Hide, will you be okay with having the lead role?" Ever since I was little, I always said I wanted to one day play the main character in Kamen Rider. Both my mother and father supported this dream and saw me off to Tokyo. However, I really didn't think it would come true, and I think I was more worried about whether I'd be able to play the main character in such a big title before I was happy.

"Please tell us your impressions when you learned that Gavv was a Kamen Rider with a sweets motif."

Chinen: I received the proposal at the same time I was chosen to play the lead role, so that was the first time I learned about it. My first thoughts were, "A sweets Kamen Rider?" and "What will the gummies be like?" I didn't immediately understand the concept. It was the same kind of impact I felt when I first saw the orange and armor motif of "Kamen Rider Gaim." Still, when I read the proposal, it was very original and interesting. I could really feel the passion of the creators in wanting to create such a hero needed in the era we live in. I thought, "I want to be that kind of hero, and I also want to do my best!" I was impressed by the way the Rider's design incorporated gummies and potato chips, and I thought, "The person who thought this up is a genius."

"What's your absolute favorite form?"

Chinen: As of right now, it's Zakuzaku Chips. I'm a big fan of dual wielding swords, as I often use dual wielding characters in games. Also, I like the jagged potato chips on its eyes. From a distance, doesn't it look like Kamen Rider OOO? I like that about it too.

"Due to the complicated background of the character, we feel that Shouma, who you're playing, requires difficult performances. What kind of orders did the Director give you?"

Chinen: Director Sugihara said, "While he is a young man, I want him to retain a part of his innocence," and that, "He's friendly, but there seems to be a wall between his heart." He said, "He has a bright side and a dark side that he doesn't show others. I hope you can show us how well you can switch between those two personalities."

"Shouma's upbringing is one thing, but it's also cruel that the enemies he's fighting against are his family."

Chinen: Yeah, I personally think it's so cruel, that I pity Shouma. It's a harsh story for a show that's meant for small children to watch. I personally feel like it's mentally draining to play the role of blood related brothers fighting against each other as enemies. What's more, there's no escape from that fate. However, while the story and Shouma's circumstances are hard, the eating of sweets and poppin scenes help soften the situation. The gap between those scenes gives more depth to the hard story. I also try to be conscious of this when I act differently.

"It seems to strike a good balance between the poppin imagery and the hard content."

Chinen: Some fans predicted, "Is it going to be a show like Gaim?," when they saw the official announcement before the show aired. Kamen Rider productions that start out appealing to the "pop" part tend to have harsher developments (laughs). I myself don't want it to be too serious, so through trial and error, I'm still trying to figure out how to make the "pop" in Gavv stand out.

"The role sounds like a pretty high hurdle to clear."

Chinen: Still, I think it was the same for my seniors who performed in previous Riders. I believe that it's Kamen Riders who overcome their troubles, conflicts, and ordeals.

"How was filming for the transformation pose?"

Chinen: The pose was decided on three or four days before we started filming. We agreed on it through discussions among myself, Action Director Fujita-san, and Director Sugihara. In the first episode, there was no proper pose, as the transformation was done during a pinch, so the pose wasn't done until episode 2, but the transformation scene in the first episode was also very cool. Shouma's body slowly changes, and at the end, we get a closeup of his face and Gavv's mask, but he doesn't change all at once, leaving the eyes unchanged. It was very cool, and I was trembling by the way they showed the expression in my eyes until the very end! This is a special version that's only found in the first episode, so I hope you'll watch it again.

"We think that there'll also be action scenes before the transformation, but what about you?"

Chinen: The action is alot of fun……that being said though, I struggle with it quite abit. Action isn't just about being good at punching and kicking. I have to make the action visually appealing. Despite all that, I of course have to put my feelings into it. Fujita-san was by my side the whole time, and Gavv's Suit Actor Nawata Yuya-san was also always near the cameras, and he was very helpful and gave me advice like, "You did it this way before, but why don't you try it this way?" Also, I practice kyokushin karate, so that might be why I was praised for my kicks. So, when it came to direction, we also had an increase in kicking scenes. Over the next year, I'd like to improve my action skills more.

"How was post recording?"

Chinen: It was my first time, so it was much more difficult than filming. Director Sugihara spent alot of time with me for episodes 1 and 2 in particular, since they're the ones the viewers would see for the first time. After that, Director Sugihara gave me some advice. Shouts like "Hah!" and "Tah!" tend to become monotonous as it goes on, so he said, "I want to see some variation." He recommended the game "Street Fighter" as a good reference. I wrote down the shouts I thought were good in a memo and did them my own way. Naturally, I also referred to the shouts of my senior Riders.

"What's been your most passionate scene so far?"

Chinen: It would have to be the transformation scene in the first episode. Until then, the wind had been blowing so strongly, that it was like a cloud of dust, but it stopped right as it came time to do my performance. Thanks to this, we were able to shoot the cut where the wind makes Shouma's hair rise up and reveals his eyes. I also talked with Director Sugihara about it, saying, "It's a scene where the wind was on our side."

"How's the teamwork with your costars, Hino Yusuke-san and Miyabe Nozomi-san?"

Chinen: Both of them are usually friendly, but when they get in front of the cameras, they quickly switch into their roles. They're the type of people who can clearly switch on and off. Not just for Shouma, they're also my own reassuring friends.

"We were told that among the three of you, Chinen-san's plays the role of the funny guy, while Hino-san's the straight man."

Chinen: Sometimes I'll derail the conversation or make bombshell statements (laughs). Each time, Hino-san puts us back on the right track. Miyabe-san watches from a slightly removed position, but will sometimes react.

"By the way, Chinen-san, what's your favorite sweet?"

Chinen: It's gummies, naturally! However, since I'm from Okinawa, I'd also like to promote "chinsukou" and "sata andagi" (laughs).

"We'd also love to see those two appear as Gochizou."

Chinen: Will they appear?! It seems like they'd be limited to Okinawa. Of course, I'd be happy if they come out, but for now I'll just hope for it within my heart.

"Finally, please give a message directed to all the fans of Gavv."

Chinen: The story of Kamen Rider Gavv began with a young man coming from another world to the human world. I hope that you'll pay attention to how Shouma meets unique friends in the human world and grows. Especially the bond he has with his mother, family bonds is one of the themes, so if possible, I'd like you to watch it with your loved ones. If you watch it, you'll definitely want to show your love and respect to your parents. I'd like to make this a show that you can support throughout the year. I hope you'll pay attention to and enjoy the activities of not only our cast, but also the Gochizou. I look forward to your support throughout the next year!

Hino Yusuke (Hanto)

"Have you watched the Kamen Rider series?"

Hino: I have an older brother, so we had alot of transformation belts from "Kamen Rider Kuuga" and other early Heisei series at home. In terms of my generation though, it would've been "Kamen Rider Den-O." After that, I watched "Kamen Rider Kiva" and "Kamen Rider Decade."

"Who's your all time favorite Rider?"

Hino: I watched it with enthusiasm, so it'd have to be Den-O. When I was in elementary school, I commuted to school by train and was once stopped by a station attendant when I tried to walk through the ticket gate with the pass for the transformation belt (laughs).

"Did you play the role of Hanto during the audition?"

Hino: I also played the role of who I later found out was the main character, but in the end, I was frequently assigned the role of Hanto. Still, I thought his character had a cool position when they explained him to me, so I wasn't sure if he'd fit with my everyday self.

"How was it when you learned that you had been chosen?"

Hino: I was shocked because I wasn't expecting to be picked. The way my agency informed me also startled me abit. I was so happy and shocked, that I was in a state where I couldn't think straight for about five minutes.

"Did you contact your family right away?"

Hino: I was told it was okay to contact my parents as soon as I could. My mother cried and was delighted. Hearing my mother's tearful voice on the other end of the phone caused me to cry as well. My father never seemed very interested in my work, but when I told him that I had passed the audition, he exclaimed "seriously?!" in the loudest voice I had ever heard (laughs). It made me really happy when I heard that. My father's always worrying about me. I started this work when I was in high school, but was told, "You're a student, so your priority is your studies and to then go to college." However, my work became so busy, that it became difficult for me to attend college, and my parents were constantly worried about me. That's why I think I was finally able to reassure them by passing this audition, and it's a new starting point for me as well. In this day and age, TV dramas that run for a year are rare, so I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate in one, and I'll do my best this year without forgetting to keep my mind fresh.

"What was your first impression when you read the script?"

Hino: When I first heard about the motif, I thought, "What would a sweets Rider be like?" I think everyone's first guess would be a poppin, cute hero. So, while yes, the designs give off a cool, cute and modern feel, the story is very dramatic. The lives of Shouma and Hanto, who I play, will gradually overlap, and many other appealing characters appear, which always makes me wonder what will happen next. I myself look forward to the next script whenever I receive one. How will Hanto become a Kamen Rider, and how will he relate to Shouma after becoming one? I hope that you'll look forward to that.

"Did the Director give you any orders regarding your performance?"

Hino: I was told, "It's good to be more flexible." There's the way he approaches people with his fake smile when he's a freelance writer, and his "I'll crush you" anger when he confronts a Granute. It didn't matter what others would think, he told me, "I'd rather you vary his strengths and weaknesses so that he looks like a different person." At first, I thought Hanto was a cool character. It certainly looks that way when compared to Shouma and Sachika, but there are surprisingly few scenes resembling that in the show, it's more like he's clumsy around people. The Director raised the mood of my first appearance scene, up to the point where it felt like a silly older brother had appeared. That part changed the impression I had when I first received the script considerably.

"We have the impression that freelance writers are prone to being disliked, as they're always snooping around and are persistent in pestering the main character."

Hino: While I can't speak for myself, Hanto himself is a character who's teased during the show, so he's the most lovable character. He acts with conviction, and I think that's what makes him so cool, but he sometimes ends up getting nowhere, so he gets teased. And yet, when he's teased, he'll get angry and say, "Don't screw with me!," but he doesn't deny it (laughs). The reason Hanto's slowly becoming more like that may be due to the fact that my own character is starting to come out. In this sense, I feel that the synchronization with the role has risen. This way, Hanto's character has a wide range, so I'm able to play him rather freely.

"After this, Hanto reaches a major turning point when he becomes a Kamen Rider, so did you switch up your performance there?"

Hino: For Hanto, it's not so much a situation where his fate has taken a turn for the worse, it's more like his connection from the past has further unfolded. That's why rather than switching between before and after he becomes a Kamen Rider, I tried to separate his role as a freelance writer from his desire for revenge against the Granutes. To tell you the truth, after I learned about Hanto's early life, I tried to avoid "seeing" his family as much as possible in order to understand his loneliness alittle better. That's why when he confronts the Granutes, I think his eyes are pretty much burning with anger. It is of big help for him that he's surrounded by cheerful characters like the Gochizou and Sachika.

"How was the first transformation scene?"

Hino: Before his first transformation, another major event happens to Hanto which leads to him becoming a Kamen Rider. With the power he's acquired for the first time, Hanto's first transformation is a scene where he shows the anger and hatred he's been holding onto for such a long time towards the Granute. Trying to convey those emotions through my performance was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I think that Valen's transformation itself was also unrefined, unlike the image of a perfect hero with overwhelming strength. Still, he's unrefined but works as hard as he can, so I'd be happy if everyone who watches the show can feel that there's a cool feel to him. In a scene where "tears" are an important point in the direction, I was so emotional, that tears genuinely ran down my face as well. I still remember this because it was a moment when my emotions and my performance matched up.

"As Hanto, did you feel like he reached the climax from the earliest stage?"

Hino: No, no! This isn't the end of his story! (laughs). I'm sure there'll be many more climaxes from now on, and I'm personally looking forward to them.

"What did you think of Kamen Rider Valen's design?"

Hino: There was more chocolate than I expected (laughs). Despite that, it's cool. I also like that Valen is a "helmet type," while Gavv is a "mask type."

"By the way, Hino-san, what's your favorite sweet?"

Hino: Chocolate of course!

"Do you have a favorite secondary Rider from previous Riders?"

Hino: It's Kamen Rider Zeronos from Den-O. I love his "I'm pretty strong!" catchphrase! In terms of actors, I like Yoshizawa Ryo-san, who played Kamen Rider Meteor in "Kamen Rider Fourze." When you're that cool at giving a performance, you can't be beat. Director Kamihoriuchi previously told me that when Yoshizawa-san was told to "do something like this," he instantly made it his own performance instead of following instructions. He also said, "His ability to adapt was exceptional." It made me want to be an actor like him. He's a respectable person.

"We'd like to see a catchphrase from Valen as well."

Hino: Yeah. He currently doesn't have any lines that he's always saying, but I'll try to bring out Hanto's human appeal while standing beside Shouma, the hero from another world.

"Do you want to film some action of yourself before transforming?"

Hino: Action is fun! I do voluntary training on a daily basis together with Valen's Suit Actor Kaji Kotaro-san, Gavv's Nawata Yuya-san, and everyone else on the Action Team. The day before an action scene is set to be filmed, they would assist me in practicing for it. With the exception of impossible scenes, I've been challenging myself to not use a stand in.

"How's the teamwork with your co stars, Chinen-san and Miyabe-san?"

Hino: We get along very well. They're both really adorable, but they're professional actors who are reliable on set. In a good way, we're rivals and friends. I hope I can build a better relationship with them from now on.

"Not long ago you said, "It might be his own fault that Hanto's become a character who's teased," but is Hino-san himself a character who's being teased?"

Hino: Basically, I play the role of responding to Chinen-kun's jokes (laughs). However, including Miyabe-san, when the three of us are together, I sometimes play the role of a fool, and will often be the one saying, "Hey, cut it out~." That's the way things usually go. Just so you're aware, I am the oldest (laughs).

"And now finally, please give a message to all fans of Gavv."

Hino: For me, Kamen Riders are the heroes I've dreamed of being since I was a child, so I'm very happy that I'm able to be involved in this historic series. Over the next year, I'll do my best to meet and exceed everyone's expectations with sincerity, and without forgetting my original intention. I look forward to your support!

Miyabe Nozomi (Sachika)

"First, please tell us about the time of your audition for Gavv."

Miyabe: I'll be honest, the audition was a disaster. The audition script contained several assignments, each being individually numbered. At that time, act 2 was a fainting performance and act 3 was a conversation between two people, and even though I thought, "I absolutely have to pass!," I was so incredibly nervous, that I ended up doing a fainting performance for act 3. The other actor spoke to me according to the script, and that's when I realized, "This is wrong!," but it was too late. The final audition didn't go well either. The Director told me, "Act like an aunt from Osaka," but I wasn't confident that I could pull it off, and that's when I became depressed and thought, "This is a lost cause." In spite of all that, I was surprised that I was chosen.

"How did you receive the report that you had been chosen?"

Miyabe: After the audition, my manager called me to come to Ginza. As I headed there and thought, "I wonder if they're upset about something?," they messaged me with, "Take a selfie with your phone." I didn't understand what they meant and was like, "Eh? Did I gain weight or something?" but then I got a message saying, "You passed the audition." It seems that the selfie was to document me going from freaked out to smiling. I had never been so emotionally moved as I was at that moment. This video captures a memorable moment in time, so I hope to be able to release it in some form someday (laughs).

"Have you watched the Kamen Rider series?"

Miyabe: I have a younger brother who's eight years younger than me, so we watched "Kamen Rider Drive," "Ghost," and "Ex-Aid" together. After I passed the audition, I watched "Kamen Rider Gotchard" in order to study.

"We're sure your brother was happy to know that his sister was going to play a role in Kamen Rider."

Miyabe: I still haven't told my brother yet (at the time of this interview). I was given the okay to talk to them about it, so I did contact my parents right away. I plan on surprising my brother by not telling him until the official announcement.

"What were your impressions of Gavv from reading the script?"

Miyabe: Each and every character has a story to tell, so I thought it was a production that'll keep you interested even early on. That's why I can never wait for the next script. I'm sure all the viewers feel the same way.

"Did the Director give you any orders regarding your role?"

Miyabe: Along with Shouma's Chinen-kun, Director Sugihara gave us acting lessons even before filming began. Each time, I was told, "Cheerful, cheerful." It was required at the auditions, so I always try to have the cheerfulness of an Osakan aunt and the kindness that seems to embrace everyone. Sachika is a gyaru president, but I've personally lived a life with no connection to gyarus. I also wasn't the type to stand out in class. That's why after I was chosen for this role, I learned to be more like a gyaru by listening to songs with a cheerful tempo, reading gyaru magazines, and watching official Youtube channels and TikToks.

"What does Miyabe-san think a gyarus mind is?"

Miyabe: I wonder…….No matter how difficult a situation may be, you can always think, "Well, I'll figure it out!," and in a positive sense, I think it's important not to "overthink" things. A friend of mine often says, "Keep a gyaru in your heart,” and I thought it was a very good saying. Thanks to those words, I'm now able to have a gyaru named Amane Sachika reside in my heart.

"Playing the role of Amane Sachika is also a "transformation" for Miyabe-san."

Miyabe: You're right! There's quite a gap between myself and Sachika, so I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that it's a transformation for me. I've never played a role so different from my own self before, so it's fun (laughs). It's not just acting that I enjoy, but also doing alot of research for the role.

"Did you also make your hair blonde for the role of Sachika?"

Miyabe: I did. I've always had black hair, but I bleached it three times to make it blonde. At first, every time I looked in the mirror, I was like, "Who are you?" (laughs). Still, once I got used to looking at it, I started to see myself in photos as a different person from who I used to see when I had black hair. Sachika also wears heavy makeup, so you might not even notice me when I walk down the street during my private time. That's why I'm thinking of wearing colored contacts and false eyelashes in my private time so people will notice me (laughs).

"Sachika isn't a fighter, but are there any plans for action scenes?"

Miyabe: There are no particular scenes set for me, but I was once allowed to participate in an action session. I didn't do very well at the time, but I'd be happy if they could prepare some action scenes for Sachika too! Since I went through great lengths to appear in Kamen Rider, I'd like to try my hand at action.

"Would you like to transform into a Kamen Rider like Shouma and Hanto?"

Miyabe: I'd like to do that too! Recent series always have female Kamen Riders, and my dream is to be one of them. However, Sachika's a woman with a strong heart, so even if she can't transform, I'd like to use the strength of her feelings as her "weapon."

"Miyabe-san, which Rider do you like more, Gavv or Valen?"

Miyabe: That's a tough question! (laughs). Gavv's a Rider from another world, so he's incredibly strong, but when he's alone he usually ends up in a pinch. And since Valen's the one who helps him, it's like they're one and the same. So, I guess I'd go with both.

"Have you ever directly seen the Kamen Riders on set?"

Miyabe: They're so cool! Being able to see those forms up close and personal will definitely motivate me for the next year. Before I entered this set, I thought the camera work was what made the action so powerful. Naturally, there are scenes like that, but the action itself is very powerful. When I watched episodes 1 and 2, I was surprised to see that the scenes that were already powerful without CG were even more powerful with CG.

"Were there any other spectacles unique to tokusatsu heroes?"

Miyabe: The Gochizou are made by using both props and CG, so during filming of the CG scenes, Chinen-kun talks to Gochizou that aren't there. I thought that kind of performance was difficult. Still, Sachika doesn't know that the Gochizou exists. She also doesn't know about the Granutes, or that Shouma and Hanto are Kamen Riders. They're so close, yet she only knows about Kamen Riders through gossip. I can only imagine what would happen to Sachika if she knew of the Granute's existence. She might want to try to get along with them instead of fighting. Of course, she'd become angry if someone she cared about got hurt by them.

"What's been the most impressive scene up to episode 5?"

Miyabe: Sachika runs a general store, so she and Shouma do alot of jobs together. I enjoyed the scene where they were handing out flyers to advertise the ramen shop. I'm looking forward to seeing what other jobs they do in the future. I also like the scene in episode 3, where Hanto comes to Hapipare and Sachika pokes him with a toy. I thought it was a good representation of their relationship. It's not that Sachika can't read the room, as when she has to do something, she'll do it, but the mood of the place comes first (laughs).

"Hino-san himself said that Hanto's a character that everyone teases."

Miyabe: Hino-kun himself often makes the set feel more relaxed when he's teased. I also mess around with him alot (laughs). It's kind of easy to tease him, almost like there's a sense of security and that it's okay to tease him. He's the oldest out of the three of us (laughs). Chinen-kun lightens up the mood with his interesting remarks, like when he says, "That's one way of thinking about it!" Once Hino-kun gets into it, it becomes really noisy. We screw around when it's time to screw around, but we're very serious when we have to face our roles. They'll suggest things like, "Let's try this here," or "Let's practice this alittle." I'm glad that the three of us will be together on this set for a year.

"Miyabe-san, what kind of sweets do you like?"

Miyabe: I like plum types of sweets, like crunchy plums and dried plums. On days when we have filming, I'll stop by a convenience store and buy one of those before heading to the set. However, the makeup artist pointed out to me that I should be careful not to eat too much, otherwise my face might puff up (laughs).

"And now finally, please give a message to the fans of Gavv."

Miyabe: Kamen Rider Gavv is poppin and cute, and I think it's a show that'll be easy for all kinds of people to relate to. I really hope that people of all ages will watch it. Since I'm also "armed" with a gyarus mindset, I'll do my best to cheer up tons of people. I look forward to your support over the next year!

[uknowme-not]

More than friends - Seungmin 3/8

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Seungmin x Afab Reader (Roommate AU)

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: After you and your roommate keep cockblocking each other, a growing desire to release the tension comes up when hearing what he was up to in his room.

𝐖𝐚����𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Nickname (princess), Swearing, Teasing, Voyeurism, Masturbating, Cock riding, Nipple play, Unprotected sex, Cockwarming, Creampie,

𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩: 1.7k

𝐌𝐃𝐍𝐈 𝟏𝟖+

Ever since you started University there was always this one boy in your class.

His name was Seungmin.

The two of you were quick to befriend each other when you discovered he would be your dormmate.

You two are always teasing each other, competing, and overall, wanting to be better than each other. And sadly, that doesn’t apply in class, but also at home when in the kitchen or trying to choose a Netflix film to watch.

The WORST thing you guys love to do though, is ruin each other's dates.

How did it start? Well, Seungmin decided to bring a girl over when you wanted a peaceful night. So being the tease you are, you started filling Seungmin’s head with some lies. “I bet she was dared” “Are you sure you know the difference between a fake and a real moan?” “Are you sure it isn’t too soon?”

Little did you know, that was enough for his performance anxiety to go through the roof.

Ever since then, it's been a constant battle to cockblock each other. With him turning up to your dates, to you showing childhood photos.

“Wait for me here” You smirk at your fling.

You were at a party and this boy with pretty freckles wouldn’t stop staring at you. His name was Helix? Felix? You wouldn’t know because In a moment of passion (and a moment of wanting dick) you invited him to yours.

You sat him on your couch after an intense make-out session. Going to your room, you get changed into something more “comfortable”. By the time you got out though, you saw Seungmin on the couch with a smug face.

Seungmin looks you up and down, and you cross your arms.

“Looks like another ran away” He smirks.

You roll your eyes sitting next to him on the couch. “How long will you cockblock me for?”

“Let me think…until we graduate” he responds cockily.

You sigh, stretching your back on the couch, letting your crop top ride up.

Seungmin stares at your skin, his eyes staring you down before he gets up, “I need to study.”

You roll your eyes, watching him leave. “Nerd” you yell out, staying on your phone as you decide to enter your own room.

After a few episodes of some Netflix show, you finally brought yourself out of your room. You walk outside to the kitchen to get a cup of water when you hear a faint grunt.

“Y/N”

Did you hear that right?

Following the sound, a small smirk appears on your face. You both were, sadly, a bit desperate to get some but after all this time, you never thought Seungmin would sink as low as this. And sadistically, all you wanted to get was revenge for ruining your opportunity to get your needs met.

Intrigued by the sound, you enter Seungmin’s room swiftly.

Seungmin groans softly as he gives in to the tormenting pleasure on his desk chair. His hand moves swiftly on his cock, imagining it's you beneath him. Despite knowing better, he can’t help but fall deeper into the twisted cycle of lust and denial.

The sounds of Seungmin’s pleasure grow louder, more desperate. His moans mix with the rhythmic sound against his skin, creating an erotic symphony that echoes through the room.

His eyes remain closed, lost in the throes of pleasure, as he feels the cool air brush against his sweat-drenched body. You stare at his chest, surprised by how toned it is.

Did he start going to the gym?

His moans intensify, fueling the desire that now borders on obsession. His palm gripping deeper, seeking release from both pleasure and torment.

Watching him jerk off to you only made you feel wetter. You couldn’t take your eyes off him. The sight of Seungmin's vulnerability, coupled with the heat of your shared arousal, makes it difficult for you to resist. His body trembles lightly as he nears climax, unaware of the silent spectator in the room.

Watching as he nears his release, you decide to make your presence known. Edging his desires. “Thinking about me?”

Seungmin’s eyes snap open, his heart racing from the unexpected interruption. A mix of anger and arousal surges through him as he recognizes the voice. "You... You're not supposed to be here," he manages between ragged breaths as he moves his hand away.

“Oops, did I disrupt something?” You tease. A chuckle leaves his lips as he catches his breath.

“Is this payback? I’m sorry for cockblocking alright” he mutters to you, trying his best to cover himself.

You notice how hard he still is and chuckle a bit yourself. “Continue, don’t let me stop you”

“You’re joking, I'm not going to do that” Seungmin’s voice cracks, betraying his growing desperation. But despite his protests, he can't tear his eyes away from you.

You move yourself behind his chair, massaging his shoulder. You watch as his breath rags. “Please?” You ask softly, watching as precum leaks from his tip

Seungmin’s breath hitches, his hands shaking as he fights against the onslaught of need. The question looming over him, coupled with the sight of his own arousal, pushes him to the edge.

As you continue to massage his shoulder a small groan leaves his lips. He can't resist any longer. With trembling fingers, he reaches down to touch himself, his heart pounding in his chest as he finally gives in to the pleasure.

“Doing so well for me” you praise.

“You're not supposed to do this," Seungmin groans, his hips jerking in rhythm with his touch. The sensation is too intense, and he can feel the familiar tightening in his stomach as he nears climax.

“I just want to help you out” You smile dumbly, letting another grunt escape his mouth.

"Fuck," his fingers moved faster over his swollen tip. He tries to focus on anything but the pleasure that's building up inside him, but it's impossible. Every time he thinks he's about to climax, guilt gets in his way.

Noticing his trouble you lean over, whispering in his ear “Pretend that’s me you’re in.” A small chuckle escapes his throat, his mind reeling from the unexpected turn of events. He starts to imagine it-his cock inside you-and that does it. His body bucks violently, and a loud groan leaves his mouth.

“You're a fucking tease," Seungmin mutters under his breath, his hands shaking as he tries to clean up himself.

“You know you like it” You smirk, walking to the door.

You feel a grip on your hand.

Seungmin kisses your fingers and holds them close while he looks into your eyes. “Let me make you feel good too” He smiles, kissing your palm. "It's the least I can do”

You could feel the desire growing in your panties as your thighs rubbed together slowly.

He pulls you onto his lap, his hands moving up, his fingers tracing the outline of your waist. The fact that he is actually touching you after months without feeling anyone, you couldn’t help yourself but grind on his lap from the emotions.

The sensation of your body against his sends shivers down Seungmin’s spine. He tries to maintain control, but it's becoming increasingly difficult. His hands roam over your hips, feeling the heat between you two.

His hand slowly wanders underneath your skirt, rubbing circles on your clothed clit before moving your panties to the side.

A soft moan escapes your lips as he feels your soaked arousal. Seungmin leans in closer, his lips brushing against your ear. "You like that, huh?" He smirks, his voice husky with desire.

You move your hips upwards, giving Seungmin an opportunity to enter if pleased.

He notices, moving his hand between your legs. He gently parts your folds, revealing your slick entrance. He teases you, circling his finger around your entrance before finally lowering your hips, and pushing his shaft inside you.

“Fuck!” You gasp as you sit on his lap.

Seungmin’s eyes lock onto yours, filled with a mix of lust and challenge. He starts to thrust slowly, feeling the tightness of your body around his cock. His other hand moves up to grope one of your breasts, pinching your clothed nipple roughly.

He removes your top, seeing your breast bounce in front of him as you ride on his cock.

Seungmin groans, his eyes practically devouring your body. He picks up speed, thrusting deeper into you with each passing moment. His free hand roams over your breast, pinching and pulling on the other nipple. "You're so fucking tight,”

Whimpers start to escape your lips as he takes you hard and fast, the chair shaking from your pace on his shaft. His hips moved against yours with every thrust. "I can't wait to fill you up,”

You clench around his shaft, riding his cock with a growing desire. "Been- waiting- so long-” you breathe.

His body tenses as he feels your inner walls clenching around him. His grip on your hips becomes rougher, making sure he hits deep inside you. "You're killing me," he pants out, his voice rough with lust and anger mixed together.

His lips tangle into yours as his kisses grow more desperate. One of his hands slides down between your legs, his fingers finding their way back on your clit, rubbing it softly. "I want to feel you cum around my cock.”

A loud moan escapes your lips as your back arches. You clench on him as you mumble, drunk on desire “So close-“

"You feel really good," Seungmin murmurs, his finger picking up their pace. "Cum for me princess”

You clench tightly as waves of pleasure flow through you. A breathy moan escapes your lips as he helps you ride out your pleasure.

“Fuck," Seungmin groans, his hips jerking forward as his own climax arrives inside you. Your hips bounce softly, milking every last drop of pleasure from your body. He presses his lips against yours, sharing an intense moment.

As your speed slows down, you find yourself panting on his lap, his shaft still deep inside you. You rest your forehead on his shoulder as he kisses your head, stroking your hair softly.

“It’s been a while hasn’t it?” He chuckles.

“Maybe if you weren’t cockblocking me for the past few months” you pant softly.

He caresses your cheek, moving your face to look at him as he kisses your lips.

“Well, it was worth it don’t you think?”

You nod softly, enjoying the warmth of his body.

© uknowme-not 2023 - copying, translating and/or stealing my work is prohibited ♡

[infamous-if]

Sorry, this one's a bit of a criticism, I think it's weird that punky, aggressive Seven chose to be in (what I chose to be) a folk band at the start, like I get that we're besties but this is very much not her aesthetic or performance style

Picking to be a folk band actually makes a lot of things a little weird through the game, like why is G, famous rockstar, invested in a band that's so wildly out of her genre? Why do we have a song with a sixty second drum solo? Why are we playing electric instruments?

Basically I think there are too many genre options at the start and they don't really make sense with how the rest of the game is written assuming you're a rock band of some stripe. Like, a hip-hop group, an EDM group or a synthpop group probably wouldn't have a guitarist or a live drummer at all.

I really enjoy the meat of the game and all the relationships and drama, but the like, knowledge in the back of my head that I picked to be a folk band makes a bunch of later context come off pretty strange and I think that streamlining the genre choices down to genres that would have electric guitarists, live drummers and drum solos would be a fix for this.

I mean, I get it! And I thought of that too while writing the initial demo, but honestly, it's just one of those things meant to be customization purposes and to add to the details of story. It's what people want out of their play through. I could've easily made MC's band a regular rock/punk band and called it a day, and I know other band IFs did that for the logical part of it, but I don't want to. I like seeing the different combinations and what people create. It's more for people to add in what they want and to imagine their story as is. Does it make sense? Not always, but it can easily be explained as a fusion or any other explanation people want to use.

I think the problem when you advertise a story as slice of life in general is that people expect 1000% realism in a way they don't with any other genre, but I don't really want to be limited to that. I mean, in reality, there are many things that would be different if I was going for complete realism, but I'm not. This is very much a dramatization haha

It's not much of a big deal, in the context of the actual story, and also, it would be pointless for me to really hone in on streamlining the genres because you can type in your genre anyway? I think if it does bother you, I would recommend doing a type in or just going the traditional rock/electric route. Or just type in the genre you think best reflects the story, that's why it's there!

Plus, I do like having a diverse selection of genres just to show that theres more genres out there than just rock when it comes to bands and band stories. It also helps build the MCs background in the eyes of readers (their choice). I know a few readers who have typed in their own genres and write lyrics in their native language, which I think is really cool.

I'm limited to how much I write and can code. Realistically, I could've added variables and changed the instruments/positions of the band members to correspond with the genre...and I'm almost unhinged enough to consider it...but nah lmao not now, at least.

Sorry that it ruined the experience a bit! But I'm likely not going to change that ^^

[1000sunnygo]

The Three Captain's Interview (2021) Part 2: Mayumi Tanaka as Luffy & Namikawa Daisuke as Kidd - Translated

The ask I received got deleted, I'm sorry! 😩

I've decided not to half-ass it, here's the remaining part of the interview with Namikawa san and Mayumi san's answers.

👒 : Tanaka Mayumi (Luffy)

🌷 : Namikawa Daisuke (Captain Kidd)

+ Kamiya Hiroshi as Law (already translated, check here)

-

Q. How did you feel when you got the role?

👒: I was mostly indifferent, as the work (the manga) itself was unknown to me back then. In retrospect, I think it was for the best. I mean, if you know it's a deeply beloved work, you'd feel greedy, won't you? That's why I passed the audition without feeling nervous. Looking back now, maybe it matched Luffy's freedom.

🌷: I remember vividly. Among the eleven rookies with more than 100 million bounty, Kidd's was the highest. I had a clear image of the voice that would express Kidd's powerful appearance, but I couldn't imagine myself playing the role of Kidd. So, I didn't know how to do the voice. I kept thinking about it while recording. I still have a hard time doing Kidd's voice, but it was even harder back then than it is now.

-

Q. Did you have any specific thoughts or feelings while playing in One Piece?

👒: In One Piece, there is the unshakable pillar called 'Eiichiro Oda' , but it's not enough to rely on him. I want people to think, "Wow, One Piece really is amazing" when - including myself, all the individual creators' imagination, music, scenarios, and everything else come together! We'd like to continue to create moments in anime that surpass the original manga.

🌷: Many One piece fans would say it's "fire" when expressing their opinions. Thinking about what makes them feel fired up, I can clearly see it in the scripts. The lines of a good scene are spread over several cuts. I feel that the timing; or rather, the process of speech delivery is given a high importance. So, in pursuit of an impact on the audience, when the scripts says "haah?" I myself try to stretch it with "HA~aah??" - to make everyone feel even more fired up.

[T/N: The Japanese word used was "hot", while "fire" expresses a different type of feeling, I think it works as a closer substitute.]

-

Q. Impression of the character you're currently playing?

👒: Someone who accepts his weakness, says "I can't" when he can't do something and then relies on his friends, and never wavers from the freedom of doing so.

🌷: He's surprisingly kind and considerate of his crew mates. He'd often say "Let's go!" and bring along some of them, but that's not because he's afraid. I interpret it as saying, "I'll protect y'all no matter what, so let's enjoy the thrill of going ahead together!"

-

Q. Thoughts on Mayumi Tanaka's Luffy?

🌷: Unwavering...isn't he? The story moves on, but the same old Luffy is always there. Regardless of the state you're in while watching anime, you can always relax and enjoy One piece. I think this is where Mayumi san's Luffy comes off as an undisputed champion. It's quite difficult to keep things the same for decades, so I have deep respect for it.

-

Q. Thoughts on Daisuke Namikawa's Kidd and Hiroshi Kamiya's Law?

👒: Some voice actors separate their personal lives from work, but those two are as transparent as I am! It doesn't have to do with their roles, but that makes it comfortable to work with them, so I enjoy it a lot.

🌷: Law looks cool, but he has his passionate sides; he has the calm aura, but he also becomes emotional. You need to incorporate a variety of elements to express those subtle ups and down in a Law-like manner, so I think it's an incredibly difficult role. That's why I think Kamiya kun puts a lot of thoughts and efforts in his performance.

That said, I can't help but feel a storm of jealousy regarding their rankings in the worldwide popularity poll (laughs). Law was in top 5, and Kid was 23rd. Even though they don't have the same screentime frequency, they were introduced at the same time, yet the difference was so big... Like, I understand Law's charm, but it was frustrating!

-

Q. Do you think it's possible to win against Kaidou?

👒: Of course, it's possible. But the absolute winner has to be Tesshô Genda (Kaido's voice actor). I don't think I can compete with that deep voice.. Well, I'd win though (laughs)

🌷: I want to believe that Kidd wouldn't lose his heart over his defeats. He doesn't intend to be beaten by anyone.

(T/N: Fun fact, Mayumi Tanaka doesn't read the manga. She only learns the manga's events when she reads her script. Sanji's actor Hiroaki Hirata does the same, and he admitted that he doesn't know much of the parts of story where sanji is absent.)

[plandthealguidebooktranslation]

Azran Legacy Guidebook: Page 102

Previous Page: Page 101

Experience the feelings behind the main theme.

Ever since the first game, Tomohito Nishiura-san has been creating the beautiful soundtrack of Professor Layton’s adventures. And for this game, the main theme was written and sung by Miho Fukuhara-san. We asked them both about how they feel about the final result.

TOMOHITO NISHIURA

A composer working for Level-5 and director of the sound team. Has been a member since the beginning and has worked on many projects. Loves lighthouses.

Working on composing for Hershel Layton’s final chapter

As the the final part of this second trilogy, what was the work flow like?

Nishiura As always, we started by reading the rough scenes but the process was easy this time.

It was easy to make?

It was the final part of the adventure, which in a way, made thing easier. It was easy to understand the direction of the story, which is why I say it was easier. While reading the script, I was thinking, “what do I want to make (of this)?”

“A cool main theme”

As the last chapter, the adventure was able to be made without any major changes. The live performance of the theme for “Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy” that plays in the title was fitting for the final adventure, it was very cool.

Nishiura Thank you. When composing “Layton” series ‘main themes’, I want to make music that people will say “what on earth is this game”, upon hearing it for the first time, and make them curious. That’s why, I don’t know how to say it, but the (piece’s) feeling of identity is important. The main theme must be made with that feeling. It’s the opposite of composing, say, a map theme, where you have art or scenery to think of.

So you compose map themes by imagining the location’s atmosphere?

Nishiura That’s right. This time, during development I was able to tap on the actual map and saw there were a lot of moving objects on the screen.

There is, right?

Nishiura How do I put it? It feels like it was made very thoroughly. I wanted to go above and beyond with the music and sound of the locations, so that the player could to feel the atmosphere of the location. We used specific sounds and sound effects to express such as temperature and atmosphere. I think game music helps us think about these sorts of things. Of course, the game was also enjoyable to tap around on.

I thought “Azran Legacy” was the best “Layton”

For certain, having played it, there is even more depth depth, it feels like every aspect seems to have been carefully considered.

Nishiura I’m glad you feel that way.

Everyone in the Layton Team think this work was special… Nishiura-san, when you played it yourself, how did you feel?

Nishiura That’s right… When I saw the credits, I remembered all of the series up until now, one by one, and I found that really moving.

(the interview continues on next page)

-

First time listening to Nishiura-san’s original piece The first time I heard it, I put myself in the sound of the melody. Like I was travelling in an airship. Some travellers were leaving, and new ones were arriving. I imagined the image of a big airship, as the melody played.

Scenario and lyrics The key words for the song were “a new journey is beginning” and “setting out on a journey”, a very positive message, I think. I read the script, and then also wrote parts which included imagery relating to Emmy’s state of mind.

シナリオ と作詞のこと また新しい旅が始まる、旅を始める、というのが私の中でもキーワードだったので、凄くボジテイプなメッセージかあるなと思いました。 シナリオを読ませてもらい、レミの心境をイメージしながら重ねて書いている部分もあります。

"そこいると" 感じれ音楽 と 音そそして主題歌への想い

1 作目からすっと、レイトン教授の冒険をその美しいサウンドで表現してきた西浦智仁さん。そして今作の主題歌を作詞し、歌い上げた福原美穂さん。お 2 人が最後の冒険に込めた気持ちを伺った。

TOMOHITO NISHIURA レベルファイプ所属の作曲家・サウンドディレクタ ー創立時からのメンバ ー でもあり、作品の多くに関わってきた。灯台を愛する。

工ルシャ ー ル・レイトン最終章の作曲に取い組む

今回は、セカンドシーズンの最後のピ ー スであり、最終章にあたる作品ですが、制作はとのような流れで?

西浦 いつも制作は、初めに大まかなシナリオをもらって読むところから始まるんですが、今回は作りやすかったです。

作りやすかった、ですか。

西浦 やはり最終章となる冒険なので、ある意味では王道ともいえる物語なんですよ。だからこそ、冒険の流れがわかりやすい。だから作りやすいんです。シナリオを読みながら、この作品が「何をやりたいのか」がわかるんです。

カッコよマ追究すメインテ ー マ

今回の冒険は、最終章たからこそブレがなく作れたんですね。それ���しても、タイトルで聴ける「レイトン教授と超文明 A の遺産のテ ー マ」の生演奏は、まさに最後の冒険にふさわしいカッコよさでした。

西浦 ありがとうこさいます。「レイトン」シリ ー ズにおける「メインテ ー マ」の作曲に関しては、初めて聴いた人がこの曲をきっかけにして、「いったいどういうゲ ー ムなんだろう」と、理屈抜きに興味をひかれてしまうような音楽を目指して作っています。だからなんとも言葉にはできないんですけど、この自分の感覚はすこく大事にしていて。メインテーマに関してだけは、その感覚だけを信じて作っていくんです。絵や背景を考えて作っていく、マップの音楽を作るのとは逆ですね。

マップの曲は、その場所の空気感なとを想像して曲されるということでしようか。

西浦 そうです。今回、開発が進んでいって実際のマップを触れるようになっていく中ですこく感じたのですが、画面内にとても動くものが多いですよね。

そうなんです!

西浦 なんというか、丁寧な作りを感じたんです。だからこそ、自分もいつも以上��音楽と音でその場所を表現することで、プレイヤ ー がその場の空気感を感じられるようにしたかった。具体的な音は効果音、温度や雰囲気は音楽という感じで表現しようと。こういったことって、ゲ ームの音楽だからこそ考えることだと思うんです。ゲ ー ムはやはり、触れて楽しむものなんですよ。

最高の「レイトン」だと思った『超文明 A の造産』

確かに、実際に触って遊んでみたことで、深さかさらに増したような、隅々までこだわり抜かれた贅沢さのようなものを感しました。

西浦 そう感じていただけたら、嬉しいです。

それだけレイトンチ ー ムの皆さんにとって特別な作品だと思うのですか・・・西浦さん自身は通して遊ばれてみて、どんなお気持になられたかお聞かせくたさいますでしようか。

西浦 そうですね・・・。やつぱりエンディングロールを見ていたときは、今までずっとシリーズを作ってきた思い出が次々によみがえってきてしまって、やはり最後はうるっときてしまいました

西浦さんの原曲初めて聽いて 最初に聴いた時、メロディの旋律に乗っている自分がいました。 旅を続ける者を乗せる飛行船。 とこかで降りる旅人もいれは、新たに乗船する旅人もいる。 大きな飛行船の様なイメ ー ジ、メロディに包容力を感じました。

[k1ranishf4]

It is 8am, I haven’t slept at all and most likely have all qualifications needed to be declared clinically insane.

BECAUSE WHAT THE FUCK MAN??!,!!?!,!,!,!, KXKKSOZLSKXJDLZKSNICUEJSPMWOZHC

I’M GONNA FUCKING KMS AT THIS POINT

*GOOD OMENS 2 SPOILERS BELOW*

It all started so nicely; the first 30 seconds or so literally showed us Crowley when he was still an angel, happily creating the stars and the galaxy and being so proud of his work to the point where he couldn’t even stop smiling like an idiot.

And Aziraphale was with him!! Aziraphale, who fell in love with Crowley even before Earth itself was created; Aziraphale, who couldn’t take his eyes off of Crowley for even just one second while the other was rambling about the stars.

It just got better and sweeter after that, I literally couldn’t stop thinking about how they definitely seem like an old married couple to bystanders, especially whenever they bicker back and forth!

Not to mention their familiarity. You could tell back in season one that those two have known each other for a really really long time and it just got more obvious with this season.

Their mutual pining was also painfully obvious, as always, but this time it really punched me in the guts. I kept coming back to tumblr every now and then when I needed a giggling-and-kicking feet-break while watching and obviously saw a few posts and gifs. Which didn’t exactly help my kicked-puppy-phase. I’ll come back to this later.

Anyway, I’m also hyperventilating about the “One cast-out Prince of Heaven was already bad enough” or something along those lines and was like “ARE THEY INDIRECTLY CONFIRMING THAT CROWLEY WAS THE ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL BEFORE HE FELL???” Because the way I see it, the answer seems to be yes.

Muriel basically said “I don’t have the clearance to show you these files, I’m really sorry” and Crowley just— the fact that the files can only be accessed by angels of higher status tells enough for us to know, but then again, I could be reading way too much into it and all of that could be something else entirely (which I highly doubt, but we saw that literally anything can happen).

Another thing that I absolutely loved was Saraquael’s floating wheelchair. It looked so cool, to be honest. I also liked that they decided to have a disabled angel, instead of going with “yeah, they’re all at peak physical performance”.

Coming back to the Idiots in Love, I honestly thought that it was hilarious of them to stick their noses into other people’s love lives, yet they’re blind/mute/deaf/whatever you want to call it when it comes to the both of them. Loved how two mere humans had to talk sense to a literal demon.

The Kiss. Oh, the Kiss. That broke me. I was worried at first when Aziraphale came back to the bookshop after his little walk and talk with Metatron and was actually shocked to find out that my anxious worry was right. Angel comes back with a two meters wide smile plastered on his face and suddenly starts talking about Heaven again.

That definitely hurt Crowley on an indescribable level. Imagine most of the current problems in your life have been solved again, you’re daydreaming about a lovely dinner at the Ritz with the love of your life and have (some of) your precious, peaceful and fragile existence back when suddenly all of your hopes and dreams get crushed by the very person that you love because they can’t help Heaven’s brainwashing and their own righteousness.

Imagine them happily talking about the very place that you were cast out of just for daring to question or even make suggestions for God’s Great Plan. Yup, definitely sucked for Crowley. I believe that in that moment, when he kissed Aziraphale, he was hoping to finally open the angel’s eyes and make him see and understand what Crowley truly meant.

He just wanted to be away from everyone and everything and have his love by his side, just like he always had been.

But Aziraphale didn’t—couldn’t!— understand that. He was losing his faith and frankly, I still think he does, but deep down, there’s this something in him that sees the good in everyone. Especially Heaven, because God and the angels are supposed to be the good guys here! Hell is obviously bad and evil, and so are demons, then Heaven must’ve been better!

He’s loved Crowley for as long as Crowley has loved him, but in that moment, he saw his chance to possibly make a change and had to take it. He doubted this decision, obviously!! But he also knew that change was desperately needed, even though he seemed to regret his choices and even considered just going back to Crowley.

Crowley, on the other hand, expected Aziraphale to immediately turn down the offer and when it was clear that he hadn’t, he tried to convince Aziraphale of just calling everything off. He waited outside by his car, because Aziraphale always came back after arguments like this. He came back when Crowley had asked for holy water, despite being against it. He came back when Crowley had offered to run away together multiple times during Armageddon. He always returned to Crowley despite his own opinions and Crowley thought that this might also be just like those times.

Except it wasn’t. He got another “I forgive you” and watched the most important person to him step into the elevator to Heaven. The bookshop was in the hands of a stranger and their countless ‘dates’ became just another thing in the past.

He was lonely again, just like he had been when he had fallen and this time, there didn’t seem to be a solution to his loneliness.

It was absolutely fulfilling to see Beelzebub and Gabriel get together and be happy and I was desperately hoping that we’d see the same with Aziraphale and Crowley, but it was just wishful thinking.

At this point, I think that Neil Gaiman just took everything he saw on Tumblr and Twitter and said “let’s put all of this into the second season, but with extra angst in the ending.”

Which is incredible!! But it still hurt my soul and I’m gonna be thinking about this until we hopefully get a season 3.

It’s 9am now, I’ve been typing this for an whole hour and am incapable of forming any coherent thoughts. If something else should come to my mind, I’ll post it after finally catching some Zs.

[cyanide-sippy-cup]

Middle of the night but I gotta talk about some frustrations. 'Cause you know what pisses me off? The mainstreaming popularization of punk. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing it become more popular and I love seeing people discover themselves and the culture. I mean, I got into it from a young age with RATM, for crying out loud.

The problem is that when something becomes more and more popular, you get a lot of... unsavory types. And I'm not even talking about the Tiktok punks that do it for the fashion and the "cool factor" (ignore how punks weren't considered cool and actually disregarded and disrespected as a group of "radicals" and "unsightly" which is what makes punk punk to begin with) and talk about "posers" but then the moment you ask them about their favorite local band or even their opinions about the BLM protests or Drag Queen Story Hour the real them *cough* bigot *cough* comes out. I'm talking about how everywhere you turn, there's an increasing erase of the culture and history, and it's turned into yet another thing for cis white people to use to make up for their lack of culture.

Punk is based in queerness and blackness. Period. That is an undeniable fact. It is a culture started and rooted by black musicians which then bled into the equally black queer community. It is impossible, when you go through the origins, to separate the three. From the fashion to the music, we owe everything to them.

And it's just like what happened with the gay community. A massively marginalized group, technically allowed to live in society but not allowed to be our true selves. And then, like, you have super famous and historic movements lead by black activists through the 60s to 80s. And progress is finally made. Huge celebration. We're finally allowed in public, we start appearing on TV again. But then fast forward to modern day, and white people, like we've always done, we get our grubby little paws on it. And we scrub at it in all the soap we can until any instance of black or brown is gone. And then we claim it as ours. Everybody acknowledges where it started, but nobody celebrates it. In fact, we put down black people in our community. We appropriate their culture and their language, because stealing your voice is actually our way of celebrating you so you should be happy. We make movies of those movements, and we erase any evidence of them ever having been there.

And it's relatively the same thing here. The more mainstream it gets, the more people are doing it to be performative, the more we erase and cover up the "unseemly" history that makes it so beautiful in the first place.

And, like, I'm white and I'm pissed/tired. I can't imagine how black punks feel. Cause, like, think for a minute. Some group decides they want in but they don't like how it is, they want it their way. The "correct" way. So they begin to "kick out" everybody who they don't want, appropriate everything they like about it, and rewrite and recontextualize the history that made it. Isn't that, like, the textbook definition of fascism? The whole thing we're trying to take down? Like come on.

And to the white punk/gays who read this and got confused or upset. No, I'm not saying there aren't any white punks. No, I'm not saying there weren't white gays from the get go. Nobody is saying you can't be white and punk. The point of this post is, just, be a good person. Respect, acknowledge, celebrate the culture that created this thing we love. The gay community that we know is specifically a product of blackness and black efforts. Stop appropriating them, start learning how to celebrate them properly.

[gallawitchxx]

weekly tag wednesday thursday!

oooh baby, look at all the hotties that tagged me to play yesterday: @darlingian @creepkinginc @suzy-queued @metalheadmickey @too-schoolforcool @lingy910y @crossmydna @sgtmickeyslaughter @iansw0rld @juliakayyy @thisdivorce & @energievie !!!! THANKS HOTTIES! how fun!

how is your day going?: so far so good! i honestly laid in bed for hours this morning - much longer than i intended to. but i think that's fine!

are you okay?: life has been super whumpy lately & i haven't been riding the waves all that gracefully. but yeah, i'm okay! this too shall pass.

what is your favourite shade of your favourite colour?: i don't really have a favorite color, but i love turquoise that's more blue than green.

are you single?: i am Very Married!

are you happy about that?: yeah! my wife's the best! we have our shit, like all couples do, but i wouldn't be who or where i am today without her. i'm very lucky.

what age do you feel in your brain?: oooh... 970?

do you feel like the good times are behind you or ahead of you?: both! past, present & future good times for me, bayybeee!

do you have a best friend?: many! but in the traditional sense, yes. i have two besties who i've known since childhood & it's a blessed miracle that we're still loving up on each other after all of these years.

did you have a childhood pet?: i had fish & a couple of cats!

do you sing or whistle around the house?: oh, i was literally just singing take me or leave me from rent (both parts thank you very much) while doing the dishes! so yes! my wife & i also are constantly making up dumb songs lolol.

do you light candles or incense?: yes yes both! more candles now, but incense when we used to *gasp* smoke weed inside hahahalksgjsl. but now we're strictly backyard stoners, so the candles work just fine. plus, i have tons of witchy candles too that i'm always working with for spells & such.

are you busy Friday night?: no? lol. what day is it? we have some weekend plans, so a friday night in sounds grand!

if you were a circus performer which act would you be in?: probably a fortune teller (typecast), but i think in another life, i'd want to be a trapeze artist & swing from the rafters!

what is your favourite outfit?: oooh this one's easy! a white mock turtleneck, my black Wildfang overalls, and sneakers!

what's the last thing you created?: i'm working on a writing project for work & still attempting my end of the Having a Ball collab with @callivich (hi calli, ily calli, thank you for your patience calli), but i suppose the last thing i created was this art of mickey's booty.

what is your favourite fic or book of all time?: it might need an update, but my forever favorite book is a tale of two cities by charles dickens. my favorite fic? shit that's hard. eerrrrmmmm - i truly cannot answer this, sorry lolol.

what are you looking forward to?: by this time next month (plus a few days), i'll have hugged all of my favorite people! HOW EXCITING FOR ME!

what can put you immediately in a better mood?: a movie night with the pals! a play sesh with my pup! a smoocherooooo.

do you like hugs?: love 'em! c'mere! let me squeeze you round the middle & bury my nose in your neck!

what is something you wish people understood about you?: oooh. um, i think that because i'm pretty positive all the time, people don't think to check in on me & see if i'm doing ok? this isn't a plea by any means lol - i'm good! - but it takes a lot of effort to keep a good attitude when the world can be so harsh. also! i'm a witch! don't mess with me! *wink*

tagging @heymrspatel @howlinchickhowl @whatwouldmickeydo @whatthebodygraspsnot @milk-o-bitch & @squidyyy23 - who may not ever see this, but who i almost put down for favorite fic! (i'm DAD's #1 stan!) & who i miss every day of my life! if you don't want to play, that's cool! imagine we're laying together in a field of green, looking up at a clear, sunny sky. ily.

[diggitydoggo]

A peek in the Tammi-verse

While I usually get requests to make other variants of Tammi, this is the first time I've been asked to make Tammi's from the TADC AUs people have created! So I thought I'd not only share them here but also give slight insight as to what I had in mind for how my little tamagotchi dumbass fits into both universes. (That being said I'd like to apologize in advance if I get anything inaccurate. I know a lot of time and effort goes into making these AUs and I am a dummy that can get things wrong and is kinda new to the TADC AU rabbit hole.)

Freakshow AU by @hootbon

So I genuinely couldn't decide what kind of performer she would be so I stuck her in a booth of shame prize booth. I figured since she has no performance skills whatsoever this was her way of compensating when she arrived. After probably being berated and called a failure. Besides who doesn't like winning prizes? (Also idk if they even accept money but I thought the name sounded cool)

The Amazing Digital Fightclub AU by @burrotello

This gal is loosely based off spiders hence the four arms. I just knew I wanted her to have them. I think making her outfit was my favorite part of this! I wanted to keep her skirt but also didn't know how well that would fit into a boxing outfit until it hit me. Make it transparent! That always looks more athletic....right? I can also imagine her keeping her "Anime video-game goofiness" as I like to call it as every time she lands a hard punch, little emoji faces pop up. Almost as if they're taunting her opponents for getting hit.

I was originally only gonna do the one drawing but then my brain said "NO WE'RE MAKIN' STATS!"

I tried really hard to make sure everything made sense to the universe (again I'm terribly sorry if anything is inaccurate)

Also might've used Smash Bro's as slight inspiration for her moveset

Well this was a lot of fun to do! These AU's are really creative and fuels the character design nerd in me cause HOLY SHIT BOTH AU'S LOOK AMAZING! I WOULD KILL TO HAVE KEYCHAINS OR PINS OF THESE GUYS!

Thanks to these tiktok users for requesting the AUs

[nerdzzone]

Eyes Open Wide

Summary: After spending their lives as ‘just friends’, Chris and Madeline decide they want to be more.

Part of the Back To You series

Note: I think this is probably one of my favourite chapters so please let me know what you think about it!

-----

March 2011

To say that Chris was confused would be an understatement.

He tried to focus on the rhythm of his footsteps and the sound of his feet hitting the sidewalk beneath them, but nothing could pull his attention away from the thoughts bouncing around his mind. He knew he didn’t have long - the show ended almost fifteen minutes ago and he’d promised to meet her in the lobby not long after - but the theatre had felt suffocating and he needed some fresh air if he had any hope of making sense of his thoughts.

He was in love with Madeline.

The realization had hit him as he watched her float across the stage earlier that evening. It was her first performance as one of the American Ballet Theatre’s principal dancers and he’d been bursting with pride from the moment he walked into the theatre before the show. When she came out on stage and he felt his heart swell at the sight of her, he’d thought maybe it was just that - adoration and admiration that she’d achieved what she’d been working so hard for - but when the feeling seemed to grow and the endearment he felt seemed almost overwhelming, he couldn’t shake the idea that it was more than he first thought.

At the start of that year he’d decided to take his personal life more seriously. He didn’t want any more messy flings or casual relationships, he wanted to find someone that he could share his life with and start a family with. That decision had made most of his romantic endeavours pretty unsatisyfing so - if he was being honest - his first thought was that he was just a little too sexually frustrated. Madeline was beautiful and the years of intensive dance training had left her with a very toned and tight body and even though there’d never been anything but friendship between them he was still a man and would’ve had to be blind to not notice how attractive she was. He assumed that the way she stretched and pliéd across the stage in her skin tight leotard was just too much for him in his pent up state, but by the time they reached the intermission and he had a quiet moment to catch his breath, he realized that what he was feeling was deeper than just an attraction.

He was in love.

It made perfect sense and as the idea began to take root in his mind it seemed so obvious, but he couldn’t figure out why something that had been so clearly in front of him for most of his life could be so blindsiding.

They’d always had a connection. They seemed to understand each other in a way that no one else did and he found that time with her always kept him centered. He favoured her opinion above almost anyone else’s and he knew that he’d always been a little too protective of her as the thought of anyone causing her any kind of pain got under his skin in a way that few other things could. He’d always told himself that it was just brotherly affection, but now that the thought of it being more had slipped by whatever defense mechanism his brain had created to protect the status quo of their relationship, it was undeniable.

There was nothing brotherly about the way he wanted her or the visions that were playing through his mind like a torturous slideshow. Visions of her curled up on the couch pressed against his side. Or of his arm resting around her waist, letting everyone know that she was his. Or of her stretched out in his bed, tangled up in his sheets. His imagination was running wild and he was grateful for a distraction when he reached the florist that he’d spotted on his way to the theatre earlier that day.

The feel of the door’s cool glass window under his hand as he pushed it open helped snap him out of his thoughts as he focused on the current task he faced. Putting his feelings aside, she’d nailed her performance. He knew that she could be her own harshest critic and he knew that she’d put a lot of pressure on herself as it had been her first performance in such a leading role, but even though he’d had the distraction of wrestling with his feelings, Chris knew without a doubt that she’d performed flawlessly. Flowers seemed a little overdone and far less than she deserved, but Chris made sure to pick out the best bunch of roses he could find before a quick glance at his watch had him practically running back to the theatre.

Hey! Where are you? I hope you didn’t leave without saying goodbye!

The text came in from Madeline just as he was opening the door to the lobby, but he heard her calling out for him before he had the time to answer. He turned towards her voice and felt his heartbeat stutter as he caught sight of her standing with her parents, her tights and leotard changed for a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt despite the stage make-up that still graced her features.

“I guess you guys beat me to the flowers,” Chris observed as he walked over to their group, gesturing at the bouquet already in her arms. “But you were so good, I had to get you something.”

Any progress he’d made with gathering his thoughts was shattered as soon as she’d flashed him a smile as the pure joy on her face almost knocked the breath right out of him. He stood stunned as she handed the flowers that she was already holding over to her mother and threw herself into his arms. The feel of her wrapping herself around his waist and the familiar smell of her favourite hairspray pulled him back into the moment as she spoke.

“Thank you,” she murmured against his chest, lingering in his embrace for a moment longer than he would have expected, but not nearly as long as he would have liked before she stepped away and took the gift from his hand. “Did you like the show?”

“I loved it! You were amazing!”

“You really thought so? I was so nervous, I was worried the audience would be able to see how bad my legs were shaking.”

“Nah, you looked like a total pro.”

He could see her practically melt with relief at his assurance, but as she threw a barrage of other questions at him about what he thought of various moments of the show, Chris came to another realization. 

It wasn’t the time to share his feelings.

When he’d first accepted how he felt, he’d had a desperate urgency to tell her. He needed to know if she felt the same and the thought of how much time they’d wasted if she did filled him with panic. He didn’t want to waste another minute, but as he stood in front of her and soaked up her bubbling excitement, he knew it wasn’t the right time for the conversation he wanted to have. 

That night was about her and her accomplishments and he didn’t want to steal even a spec of her well-earned spotlight. 

There was also the chance that his confession wouldn’t be very well received and he didn’t want anything to put a damper on the triumph she was feeling or the gleeful smile on her face. So, he shelved his racing thoughts for the time being and answered all her questions - doing his best to convey just how incredible her performance had been - until a happy sigh fell from her lips.

“I’m really proud of myself…”

The words were soft - almost like she was afraid to admit it - and Chris rushed to agree.

“You should be,” he insisted as her parents echoed his sentiment. “You deserve this and we’re all really proud of you.”

“Thank you, Chris.”

Her eyes grew glassy as she spoke and as she looked up at him from under her dark, painted lashes the words ‘I love you’ were on the tip of his tongue as the feeling welled up inside him the same way that it had when he was watching her on stage. He had to practically bite his lip to stop the confession from slipping out and he was grateful when her dad’s voice pulled Madeline’s gaze away.

“What are your plans tonight, Chris?” Greg chimed in. “We’re going to get some food if you’d like to join us?”

It was a tempting offer, but while Chris was eager to spend as much time with Madeline as possible, he worried that he wouldn't be able to keep his newfound feelings under wraps if he lingered too much longer.

“I wish I could, but I’ve gotta leave early in the morning so I should probably have an early night.” It wasn’t entirely a lie, but even though he did have a flight to catch he knew that sleep wouldn't be coming easily with all the thoughts bouncing around in his head. However, he turned his attention back to Madeline as he thought about when he would next be able to see her. “We start filming The Avengers in about a month. If I’m back in town in a few weeks, could we hang out before then?”

The question caught Madeline off guard as she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

“Of course,” she assured him, her tone making the words sound more like she’d intended to say ‘duh’ than the polite words she’d chosen. “I’ll probably have rehearsals or training, but I’ll be here.”

“Great,” Chris smiled, pulling her into another hug. “Congratulations, Maddie. I’ll see you soon.”

He felt Madeline’s arm that wasn’t holding her flowers slide back around his waist and squeeze him tight. It took more strength than he was proud to admit, but he eventually managed to pull himself away from her and say goodnight to their little group before dragging himself towards the door, feeling like he was leaving his heart right there in Madeline’s hands.

-

April 2011

Something was wrong with Chris.

Madeline didn’t know what it was, but there was something strange about how he was behaving.

Even with their busy schedules, they usually checked in every couple days. It wasn’t always a full conversation, but they would regularly exchange texts even if it was just mundane things or silly comments about their day. However, since Chris had left New York Madeline had barely heard from him. He always answered her messages eventually, but sometimes it took him several days and he hardly ever initiated a conversation.

She knew it was weak evidence which was why she hadn’t brought her concerns to anyone else, but she had a feeling in the pit of her stomach that something was bothering him - something that he didn’t want to talk about - and his behaviour when he arrived at her apartment once he returned to New York did nothing to ease her worries.

“Hi,” she smiled, opening the door. “You’re early.”

“Yeah,” he nodded as he dropped his bag by the door and strode into the living room. “I was gonna check in to my hotel, but I wanted to come here first.”

The nervous energy radiating off of him had Madeline on high alert and the way he began pacing around her living room only added to her tension.

“Is everything okay?” 

Her question caught Chris’ attention, but didn’t stop his movement and she snuck past him to sit on the edge of her couch.

“Yeah, I think so,” he nodded when he finally paused and shoved his hands in his pockets as if he was trying to make himself as small as possible. “Well, I hope so. I mean, everything’s fine right now, but I hope it stays that way.”

His anxiety was obvious and had Madeline’s stomach in knots as she hoped that she would be able to offer him some kind of comfort once he finally got whatever was clearly bothering him off his chest.

“You’re making me a little nervous, Chris,” she informed him gently, not wanting her concern to add to his stress levels. “Do you wanna tell me what’s going on?”

His only acknowledgement of her question was a firm nod before he returned to his task of wearing a hole in her floor with his pacing. Knowing that it was often better to give him the space to gather his thoughts than to hound him for answers, Madeline simply watched patiently for a few moments until he paused again and lifted his eyes to meet hers for the first time since he’d arrived.

“Are you seeing anyone right now?”

His blunt and seemingly out of nowhere question left Madeline even more baffled than before as she struggled to make sense of all his odd behaviour.

“Like, romantically?”

“Yeah, like a boyfriend or whatever.”

“No,” Madeline shook her head. “I’ve been spending almost all my time training since the fall when I heard that the principal dancer spot was up for grabs and then when I got it, I wanted to make sure I really proved myself. I haven’t really had time for dating.”

It was more of an in depth explanation than she thought Chris might have expected, but she was too busy trying to puzzle out what could possibly be going on with him to worry about being concise.

“Okay, great. Well, that’s good.”

His shoulders dropped in relief, but his words seemed to be said more to himself than to Madeline and she was growing desperate for some answers.

“Why? What does that have to do with anything?”

Her question had Chris stopping in his tracks as he scoffed out a laugh.

“A lot, it has everything to with this conversation we’re about to have,” Chris informed her, taking in a deep breath before finally blurting out what was really on his mind. “Because I’m in love with you.”

His words hung in the air between them as Madeline sat in stunned silence. 

She’d wanted to hear those words for so long. She’d spent so many years wishing for it to happen and spent countless hours daydreaming about it, but now it was happening she was so shocked that all she could do was stare at him with her jaw hanging open. There was a flicker of excitement somewhere deep in her stomach, but she’d managed to get herself so convinced that it was an impossible reality that the doubts immediately crept in and her blood ran cold.

“Is this a prank?”

The anxious look of anticipation on Chris’ face shifted into one of shock.

“What?”

“Did Scott put you up to this?” Madeline questioned. “Because it’s not funny, Chris.”

As the potential humiliation hung above her, Madeline felt tears well up in her eyes. Chris must have noticed them too as he suddenly moved from where he’d seemed to be frozen in place and rushed to sit beside her.

“No, I promise that’s not what’s going on,” he assured her. “I haven’t told anyone about this, I didn’t wanna tell anyone until I know if you’re gonna turn me down or not.”

Suddenly unable to meet his eye, Madeline looked down at her lap as she nodded her head, needing a moment to process what he’d just told her.

It felt unbelievable. She couldn’t help but wonder if she was dreaming. Or if maybe she’d slipped on her way to the door to let him in and she was currently hallucinating due to a head injury. Because both of those theories seemed more realistic than the thought of him actually confessing his love for her.

However, as he slid his hand over to rest it on top of hers, the warmth of his touch had her unable to deny it was real. She hesitated - still uneasy and worried that she’d misunderstood - but as she thought back to the look of tortured apprehension on his face as he announced his love, she knew there was merit to what he was saying. 

As she took a moment to steady herself, she flipped her hand to press her palm against his and relished the strange yet comforting feeling of their interlaced fingers before lifting her gaze to meet his.

“I’d never turn you down,” she admitted, the shake in her voice giving away her nerves. “Because I feel the same way.”

His eyes widened and she imagined that the expression of shock on his face probably mirrored her initial reaction as it looked as if he hadn’t expected her to reciprocate her feelings.

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Madeline nodded, the corners of her lips lifting into a smile as the reality of the situation began to sink in. “I’ve been in love with you for a long time. A really, really long time.”

The sound that fell from Chris’ lips after hearing those words could only be described as a giggle and he hung his head for a moment before collapsing back against the cushions behind him. The anxiety he’d felt when he entered her apartment had clearly shifted into relief and his hand slipped out of Madeline’s grasp as he lifted it to rub his face before flashing her a grin.

“Oh, man,” he chuckled. “I really thought you were gonna laugh me right out of here.”

Madeline shook her head, almost offended by that assumption.

“No way. Even if I didn’t feel the same way, I would never have laughed at you or let it come between us.”

“Yeah?” Chris smirked. “So why did you never mention how you felt?”

The question earned a laugh and a shrug of Madeline’s shoulders as she knew the point he was trying to make.

“Because I was worried you would laugh at me and it would ruin our friendship,” she admitted. “But you never gave me even a hint of a sign!”

“Neither did you,” Chris pointed out. “But I really only had this epiphany a few weeks ago on your opening night. If you’ve felt like this for a while, I dunno how you’ve handled it because I felt like I was gonna explode tryin’ to keep it in.”

“Yeah, I noticed from the way you just barged into my apartment like you were about to tell me you murdered somebody or something,” Madeline teased, but as Chris chuckled and the sound caused a familiar fluttering in her heart, it also had the knots tightening back up in her stomach. “So, where do we go from here?”

“Well,” Chris shrugged. “I’d really like to take you on a date.”

The ear to ear grin that his suggestion put on her face had Madeline’s cheeks starting to ache in the best possible way and she wondered if she should pinch herself to make sure that she wasn’t dreaming.

“I’d really like that too.”

“Tonight? Do you have any rehearsals?”

“No, I don’t. I’m free tonight.”

“Perfect,” Chris nodded, as he quickly pulled himself off of the couch until he was standing in front of her. “I’ve gotta go check in and all that, but I’ll pick you up around six?”

Madeline nodded as Chris held out a hand to help her to her feet before pulling her in his arms. The energy between them was still a little uncertain as both of them tried to get their minds around the revelation that they’d had, but they took a moment to enjoy the calm they felt as they stood wrapped up in each other’s embrace. However, much sooner than Madeline would have liked, Chris dragged himself away and with the same chaotic, hurricane inspired energy that he’d entered her apartment with, he shouted a goodbye and disappeared as fast as he’d arrived.

-

Madeline spent the rest of the afternoon in a daze.

She’d felt almost giddy when Chris had left, but the more time that passed the more her doubts began to take over again. She couldn’t shake the thought that somehow she might have misunderstood him. That she would open the door to greet him later just to find out that she’d gotten it wrong and he hadn’t meant what he’d said. That still made more sense to her than the fact that after the years of pining away for him, she was finally getting what she’d always wanted.

It didn’t help that she was going through the turmoil alone. 

She’d debated calling Scott for some kind of explanation or guidance, but if Chris was telling the truth about keeping his feelings to himself then she didn’t want to be the one to break the news. She also debated calling her mother, but she knew that there were no secrets between her and Chris’ mom and she didn’t want the news to spread before they’d had more time to figure out what was going on. So, she persevered with nothing but her own thoughts and tried not to let her anxiety ruin the moment that she’d been waiting for since she was old enough to realize the depth of her feelings for Chris.

By the time he buzzed her apartment and she was headed downstairs to meet him, she was shaking with nerves. However, the comforting familiarity of the smile on his face as she walked out of her apartment building’s lobby helped put her at ease.

“Hi,” he greeted her, pushing away from the wall he’d been leaning on as soon as he saw her. “Wow, you look amazing.”

His words filled her with relief as she’d spent more time than she wanted to admit agonizing over her outfit. She’d been tempted to message him to find out more about their plans, but her fear that he’d come to his senses and cancel completely stopped her from picking up the phone. She’d eventually settled on a short white dress paired with sneakers to keep it casual and a light coat to keep her warm in the evening spring air.

“Thanks,” she matched his smile. “I wasn’t sure where we’d be going so I was worried that I’d be overdressed.”

“No, definitely not. You look great.”

There was an air of awkwardness between them that Madeline wasn’t used to with Chris, but the edge of nervousness in his voice had her relieved that she wasn’t the only one thrown off by their new dynamic. Desperately trying to remember how she used to act around him, she slid her hands into the pockets of her jacket as she fidgeted under his gaze.

“So, where are we going?”

Her question seemed to snap Chris into action as his eyes left her outfit and lifted to meet hers.

“How does Italian sound?” He asked. “I made us a reservation, but if you’re in the mood for something else then I can think of something else.”

“Italian sounds perfect,” Madeline assured him. “Can we walk or should we get a cab?”

“We can walk,” Chris shrugged. “Shouldn’t take long, if you don’t mind.”

It was strange how - despite knowing each other their entire lives - their earlier conversation had suddenly left them with the social skills of two people meeting for the first time. 

Madeline was used to Chris showing up at her apartment and demanding that she accompany him to whatever restaurant he’d been missing while he was out of town. He always made her walk regardless of how many hours she’d spent dancing that day or how sore her muscles were and she usually complained the entire time - whether it was three blocks or ten - and made fun of him for being too cheap for a cab despite his new life as a Hollywood superstar. 

Now, they seemed to be walking on eggshells around each other. Madeline was determined to break the ice, but she cringed at the first question that came out of her mouth as they made their way down the sidewalk.

“It’s really warm today, isn’t it?”

They were far beyond talking about the weather, but Madeline couldn’t think of anything else to say that wasn’t a long rambled list of questions about how or why he’d suddenly decided he was in love with her.

“Is it?” Chris smiled. “After being in L.A. for the last few weeks, it feels like it’s freezing here.”

“I forgot that you’re a California boy now,” Madeline teased. “But compared to a couple of weeks ago, it’s really warm here now.”

“That’s the nice thing about coming back to the East coast,” Chris mused. “I prefer somewhere with actual seasons.”

“Me too. I couldn’t live in L.A. with its endless summer.” Madeline’s observation didn’t draw much of a response from Chris and her stomach started churning as a silence fell between them. They made it another block before Madeline couldn’t take the awkwardness any longer and blurted out another question. “Chris, this is weird, isn’t it?”

Biting her lip, she looked up at him and braced for him to breathe a sigh of relief, agree with her and take back everything he’d said, but his response was far different than she anticipated. His eyes widening in surprise, he quickly shook his head.

“No, no, it’s not!” His insistence felt forced and untrue and a sigh fell from his lips. “Okay, it’s a little weird, I’m sorry. I just really didn’t expect today to go the way that it did, I didn’t think this far ahead.”

Madeline knew that Chris wasn’t always as confident and self-assured as the persona that he tried to present to the world, but his shyness in that moment tugged at her heart. They were in it together now - both of them had said things that couldn’t easily be taken back - and they had to muddle through the mess they’d created as a team. Their walking had slowed when she’d put forth the question, but feeling a sudden rush of courage, she slipped her hand into his.

“I wasn’t expecting any of this to happen today so I’m definitely a little shocked by it all,” she admitted as they settled back into their pace. “But I think we just need to relax. We’re just hanging out, right?”

The fact that their hands were now clasped as Madeline leaned against his arm made it clear that it was a little more than that, but she felt Chris’ shoulders drop as his tension eased and he squeezed her hand as he nodded his head.

“Yeah, you’re right,” he agreed. “Sorry, I’m just tryin’ to quiet all the noise in my brain.”

“You don’t need to be sorry,” Madeline assured him. “Trust me, I get it. I spent most of the afternoon trying to convince myself that I hadn’t hallucinated our entire conversation.”

She heard a soft chuckle slip from Chris’ lips and the sound had her unable to hold back a smile.

“I don’t blame you for that one, it was a little more chaotic than I’d planned on it being.”

“Oh, really? Did you have some big romantic plan?”

“Nah, I didn’t really have any plan at all,” he admitted. “Every time I tried to think about what I would say I got so nervous that I didn't think I’d be able to do it at all, but I thought even if I was just winging it I would have been able to come up with something better than what I did.”

“To be honest, I don’t think it would have mattered how you told me. I would have been shocked either way,” Madeline admitted, hoping that a reminder of her own confession would put him at ease. “I really have felt the same way about you for almost as long as I can remember, but I never thought you’d think of me that way.”

Chris led her around a corner and onto another street as he glanced down at her, his eyes skimming over her face as if he was searching for any sign of a lie.

“I can’t wrap my head around that,” Chris mused. “It never crossed my mind that you might already feel the same, I thought I’d have to convince you to give me a chance.”

“I guess I got a little too good at hiding how I feel, but I never wanted to make you uncomfortable.”

“Well, that’s much more respectable than my strategy,” Chris commended her. “Bursting into your apartment on the edge of a panic attack and practically screaming it at you could have definitely made things uncomfortable.”

“I dunno, I’m pretty used to your dramatics by now,” Madeline teased. “And one of us had to take the plunge so I’m glad that you told me despite the slightly insane delivery.”

There was a smile on her face as she spoke, but as Chris chuckled and led her around another corner with the assurance that they were almost there, her smile faltered slightly.

“Chris, I only know one Italian restaurant on this street and it’s way out of my price range.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Chris shrugged. “I asked you out, it’s on me.”

“It does matter though,” she insisted. “Captain America isn’t out yet, it might be a total flop and I don’t want you to be in debt because you took me out to dinner.”

She tried to keep her tone light and teasing, but she couldn’t deny the twinge of guilt in her stomach. Her promotion had come with a decent pay rise, but being a ballerina hadn’t always been a particularly lucrative career and living in New York had always been expensive. Restaurants like the one they were walking towards were not somewhere she would usually even consider dining and she didn’t want Chris to waste his money just to impress her.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” His words were laced with sarcasm as he bumped his hip against hers. “But even if Captain America flops, I can afford one dinner here - especially if it means making a good impression on you.”

He shot her a wink that had her cheeks heating up and silenced her protests as he opened the door to the restaurant. She watched as he discreetly gave his name and followed him as he was led to a table near the back, choosing to sit with his back to the door to hide his identity if anyone happened to notice them. From her seat, Madeline had a good view of the place and - food aside - she could see why it was as expensive as it was. With the exquisite decor and impeccably dressed waiters, she knew it wasn’t the type of place that they usually went to and while it was unnecessary, she was touched that Chris was putting in so much effort to make it special.

Chris ordered a bottle of red wine for them to share and Madeline glanced over the menu, trying her best to ignore the prices. She didn’t want any further protests about the cost to be taken as doubt of his financial security and when the waiter returned with their wine and to take their orders, she picked a pasta dish in the middle of the price range to avoid the argument that she knew would ensue if she went for the cheaper option of a salad.

When they were finally alone once again, Chris raised his glass.

“Cheers,” he smiled, waiting for Madeline to copy his action with a smile of her own. “To new beginnings.”

Clinking their glasses together as they toasted before taking a sip, Madeline let the rich, full-bodied wine float on her tongue for a moment before letting his words segue her into the question that had been on her mind all afternoon.

“Speaking of new beginnings, we’ve established that I’ve been pining away for you for a long time,” she started. “But you said you had an epiphany just a few weeks ago so I guess I’m just wondering what sparked that?”

“I don’t really know,” Chris admitted. “It just hit me when I was watching you dance. I think I’ve been in love with you for a long time, but I was too stupid to see it.”

“You’re not stupid, it’s a complicated situation.”

“Yeah, but you’ve always been super important to me,” Chris continued. “I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting to figure it all out and things were different between us even when we were kids. I was always making sure that Ma invited you to everything we did because I just felt this need to be around you and it hasn’t ever gone away. I think about you all the time and you’re always at the top of my list of people I want to see. I can’t believe it took me so long to figure out why.”

He looked a little sheepish as he finished talking, but his words had Madeline feeling so full of love that she thought her heart might burst.

“I’ve always known we had something special,” Madeline agreed, reaching out to rest her hand on his where it rested on the table. “I think that’s why I was too scared to tell you how I felt in case it ruined our friendship. I was so worried that you’d be creeped out and I’d lose you forever and being your friend seemed better than nothing.”

“That’s not gonna happen,” he assured her. “Even if this doesn’t work out, I think we can be mature enough to stay friends.”

“I hope so,” Madeline smiled. “Because you’re, like, my safety blanket. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Chris nodded, but as he flipped his hand to intertwine their fingers again as they had earlier that day, Madeline noticed a worried look had crossed his face.

“I have to leave soon though,” he reminded her. “I’d love to stay longer, but I’m leaving at the end of the week to start filming.”

“I know, but that’s okay,” Madeline shrugged. “I’ll miss you like I always do, but maybe I can come and visit you? May and June are a little busy for me, but I could probably come for a weekend and after our June performances wrap up then I’ll be free for at least six weeks.”

She’d already thought about it as she was getting ready for their date, but a blush rose on her cheeks as she realized how eager sounded. Chris, however, didn’t seem to notice as her words softened the anxious tension in his jaw.

“Great, that sounds perfect. I’ll check my filming schedule and we can make some plans, I might be able to sneak back here for a few days too.”

It was comforting to know that Chris was as desperate to stay connected as she was, but the way his brow stayed furrowed as if he was deep in thought told Madeline there was more he wanted to say. She rubbed her thumb against his skin and waited to see if he would come clean, but after a few more moments of silence she tentatively prompted him to open up.

“You look worried.”

He seemed a little caught off guard by her observation, but after another moment of thought he let out a sigh.

“I guess I am,” he admitted. “You know how anxious I was about taking on the role of Captain America and a lot of that was because of some of the less positive ways such a big role could change my life. If we give this a shot then you’ll be dragged into it all too.”

Madeline felt a pang of relief that his concern wasn’t due to any second thoughts and shrugged her shoulders.

“I don’t care about that. I’ve already kinda been dragged into it with the fans you have now. They’re always curious about who I am or fishing for information because they assume we have some kind of history together. I can handle it.”

“But it could get a lot worse so I get it if you want to take some time to think it over.”

“I don’t,” Madeline insisted, her voice firm and leaving no room for him to argue. “I don’t need any time to think this over, I’ve been thinking it over for years. If you want this then so do I.”

“I do want it,” Chris assured her, squeezing her hand. “But if it gets too much at any point, you’ve gotta tell me.”

Madeline nodded and promised she would, but she was relieved to see their food arriving at the table and used the interruption to transition the conversation to things that made Chris look less stressed.

They talked about how excited he was to get back to work, she gushed about how thrilled she was to complete her first set of performances as a principal dancer, they chatted about their families and what everyone was up to and by the time they were done eating the awkward tension that had hung around them at the start of the date had vanished completely. Time flew by as they were wrapped up in each other as it always did when they were together and it wasn’t until they were walking with their arms linked back to Madeline’s apartment when they broached the subject of what would happen next.

“Thank you for dinner,” Madeline murmured, leaning against him for warmth in the cool evening air. “I appreciate you taking me somewhere so nice, but I hope you know me well enough to know that I don’t need fancy restaurants to impress me.”

“I know,” Chris nodded. “I just wanted to do something kinda special to mark the moment.”

“That’s really sweet,” Madeline smiled, feeling a twinge of nervousness as she forced the next words out of her mouth. “I found a really cute place the other day that’s a little more our style so maybe I can plan our next date?”

“Sure, how about tomorrow?"

His question had the breath she’d been holding - braced for the rejection that she couldn’t shake away her fear of - puffing from her lips with a laugh.

“Tomorrow?” She giggled. “Aren’t you supposed to play it cool and wait at least three days to text me again?”

“I think we’re a little past that,” Chris chuckled. “And we’ve gotta make up for lost time so I’m free tomorrow if you are.”

His eagerness was encouraging and considering he had to leave at the end of the week, Madeline was happy to make the most of the time they had.

“I have training tomorrow night,” she informed him. “But I’m free in the afternoon if you’re okay with a lunch date.”

“Absolutely,” he agreed with no hesitation. “I have no plans for most of the time I’m here so I’ll take as much time with you as you’re willing to give me.”

The sincerity in his voice had Madeline melting with relief as she felt the same way. Their new situation still felt so precarious - as if it could all be taken away any minute as fast as it had happened - and she felt the urge to stay close to him even more than she usually did.

“Perfect,” Madeline smiled as they reached her apartment building and their goodbye loomed over them. “The place is close to the dance studio, but I’ll text you the address in the morning.”

She slipped her arm away from his to reach into her purse for her keys and couldn’t help but wonder how the night would end. She was hoping desperately for a goodnight kiss, but as she lingered by the door waiting for him to make a move, she quickly began to lose hope.

“Well, thanks again,” she smiled, feeling the earlier awkwardness creeping back in. “I had a really nice time.”

Chris flashed her a smile of his own and she felt her heartbeat pick up speed as he moved closer towards her. She was sure that it was the moment she’d been waiting for, but disappointment washed over her like an icy cold wave as he murmured a soft ‘me too’ and pulled her into his arms for a hug.

-

By the time Madeline got to the dance studio the following evening, she was feeling disheartened.

She’d had another wonderful date with Chris and everything seemed to be going well, but he’d left her at the door of the studio with nothing but a hug once again. Other than the new addition of handholding, the shift in their relationship really wasn’t that noticeable and Madeline couldn't help but wonder why - if he was in love with her - he wouldn’t be as desperate for more as she was.

Her heart felt heavy in her chest as she went through the motions of changing from her date clothes into something more appropriate for the hours of dance ahead of her and she was relieved that she’d be able to bury herself into something that always helped clear her mind. Nothing helped her escape her problems like going through the familiar motions of ballet until her muscles were burning with exhaustion.

However, the deep sigh that fell from her lips as she pushed open the door to the studio she’d be training in that night hindered her attempts to run away from her troubles as it drew the attention of her friend.

“Hey,” Heidi called over from where she was stretching across the room. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” Madeline nodded, walking over to join her in front of the mirror. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

It was a simple question, but it left Madeline feeling very conflicted. She felt like she was in desperate need of advice and keeping Chris’ confession to herself for the last twenty-fours had been a struggle, but she also didn’t want to share the news if it was all about to crumble out from underneath her. She debated her options for a brief moment before the clear concern on Heidi’s face won her over and she began to spill her tale of woe.

“I’m okay,” she assured her. “But I went on a date today, and last night.”

Heidi bit back a smile as Madeline’s vague explanation had her raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, that totally explains why you look like someone just ruined your life.” Her tone was sarcastic, but Madeline wasn’t entirely sure she was wrong. “Who was your date with?”

“My friend Chris.”

There was a moment of silence as Heidi gave Madeline a very suspicious look before posing another question.

“Your friend Chris? The one that most people know as the actor Chris Evans?”

“Yep, that’s the one.”

“Oh my god, Maddie! Good for you, he’s seriously hot!” The enthusiasm in her response had a reluctant smile sliding onto Madeline’s face despite the turmoil she was feeling. “But I still don’t understand why that news has you looking so sad…”

“It’s gonna sound so stupid when I say it out loud,” Madeline warned her. “You’ll think I'm an idiot.”

“I won’t, I promise.”

Madeline bit her lip as she leaned into the stretch she was doing, hoping to hide the rising blush in her cheeks.

“Because he hasn’t kissed me yet.” She blurted out her explanation, but quickly followed it up with a rundown of how their dates had come to be to give Heidi a little more context before she got to the root of what was bothering her. “It just feels like nothing has really changed. Our dates were nice, but nothing we didn’t do as friends other than a little extra hand holding. It seems weird.”

Taking a moment to take it all in, Heidi nodded understandingly until she lifted her shoulders in a shrug.

“Maybe he just wants to take it slow? You know, maybe he doesn’t want to make any big moves and really cross that line until he’s really sure that he’s figured out his feelings.”

“I think that’s what I’m worried about,” Madeline admitted. “He sounded so sure of himself when he told me how he was feeling, but he did say he only realized a few weeks ago so now I feel like he’s changed his mind after spending time with me.”

“I bet that’s not the problem,” Heidi insisted. “It’s not like he’s never spent time with you before, he already knows you pretty well.”

“Exactly, what else would he need to figure out?”

“I don’t know, but it’s a big step to cross that line and really become more than just friends. He could be following your lead and waiting for you to make a move.”

As the idea had Madeline’s stomach twisting in knots, her brow furrowed with displeasure.

“Why would he do that?”

“Well, he already put himself out there by sharing his feelings in the first place, right? Maybe he’s waiting for you to make the next move to show that you’re really on the same page.”

“But I’ve already told him that we’re on the same page and that I’ve been in love with him for years.”

“Yeah, but showing is different to telling,” Heidi pointed out. “When are you seeing him again?”

“Tomorrow,” Madeline sighed. “And probably on Friday too, but he leaves Friday night to start working on his next movie.”

“Okay, so when you see him tomorrow why don’t you kiss him and see what happens?”

Again, just the thought of being so bold had Madeline almost overwhelmed by anxiety.

“Because, what if I try and he just pushes me away.”

“I have a pretty good feeling that he won’t, but if he does then at least you have your answer,” Heidi shrugged. “Then he’ll leave to go back to work and by the time you see him again the dust will have settled and you can pretend it all never happened.”

Madeline swallowed hard as she blinked back the tears that were suddenly swimming in her eyes. It felt like an all too real possibility and she wasn’t sure it was something she could handle.

“That would break my heart,” she admitted. “I love him so much.”

“I know, sweetheart, and if it happens I’ll be here for you,” Heidi assured her, pulling her into a hug. “But that’s, like, the worst case scenario. I’m almost a thousand percent sure that he’ll be all over you once you give him the green light.”

Her confidence in that statement pulled a giggled from Madeline as she felt some of her tension ease. It did seem a little unlikely that Chris would have changed his mind so quickly after he seemed so sincere when he told her how he felt. Their dates had gone well - there were no major hiccups or issues that should have made him backtrack - and the fact that Heidi didn’t seem to think she should give up and run away had her feeling slightly less hopeless than she had when she’d arrived in the studio.

Once her feeling of dread had been dampened and the other dancers arrived, Madeline let herself get lost in their training. She pushed herself until there was no room in her mind to think about anything other than the task at hand and the time away from her thoughts left her with much more clarity. Heidi was right. She needed to have a little faith in Chris’ feelings, but making a move and being rejected was better than letting him leave town with everything still feeling so uncertain.

Heading back out the door of the dance studio, she felt far more centered than she had when she’d arrived and she had a fierce determination to end her date with Chris the next day with more than just a hug.

-

Staring at the woman across the table from him, Chris felt like a complete idiot.

He couldn’t believe how blind he’d been for so many years or how it was possible that he hadn’t realized what had been right in front of him for his entire life. Every smile, every giggle, every happy sigh that fell from her lips had his heart fluttering in his chest and it left him stunned that he hadn’t let himself fully appreciate all the warmth and joy she brought to his life. She’d been with him through the tough times when he struggled in auditions and felt like his career was going nowhere, she’d been there for his parents’ divorce when his whole idea of his perfect family was shattered, she’d always been a source of calm when his anxiety reared its ugly head. She was the person he went to when he needed to feel safe. She understood him better than almost anyone outside of his family. He really couldn’t believe that it had taken him so long to understand the depth of his feelings for her.

He was also still scratching his head about how he got lucky enough for her to feel the same way. He thought there were two options when he got to her apartment earlier that week - she would either completely reject him and want nothing to do with his newly discovered feelings or be neutral and willing to be convinced - but he didn’t even entertain the idea that his admission would be met by Madeline’s own confession of love. She was funny, kind, intelligent, feisty and absolutely gorgeous. She was passionate about her goals and dedicated enough to be achieving some of her biggest dreams before she was even thirty. He had no idea what he’d done to be worthy of her love, but he was grateful to have it and willing to do anything to show her that she wasn’t making a mistake by giving him a shot.

Because he was completely head over heels for her.

Everything about her seemed to stoke the new fire that was burning inside him and her flirtatious mood was driving him wild. Maybe it was the cocktails she was sipping on or just the comfort they’d slipped into after their first couple of dates, but she couldn’t seem to keep her hands to herself. They’d always had a very physical relationship - all their time spent together as kids had shattered some of the spatial boundaries that many adult friendships had - but there was something different about it after what they’d both shared and the way she kept rubbing her foot against his leg under the table was proving to be very distracting. 

However, her tactile mood did put him at ease. He’d been dying to kiss her since the moment he’d stormed into her apartment, but he was worried about pushing her too far too fast. He knew it was quite a bomb that he’d dropped by announcing his feelings so out of the blue and he didn’t want to overwhelm her. The lingering fear of rejection was also a contributing factor because it had taken more courage than he thought he had to confess how he felt and if Madeline had just been swept up in the moment, but turned him down when he really tried to make a move then he wasn’t sure he could handle the pain that would cause him.

He knew he needed to seal the deal before he left - especially since he didn’t know exactly when he would see her again - and the affection she was showing him was giving him the confidence he needed to finally cross that line.

It wasn’t until they were walking back towards Madeline’s apartment that Chris felt the nerves begin to creep back in. He’d been so close to breaking through that last line between friendship and more when he’d dropped her off at the dance studio the day before, but he’d chickened out at the last minute. He was determined not to make the same mistake again, but he could feel the anxious thoughts creeping into his mind.

“So,” Madeline interrupted his thoughts as they turned onto her block, arms linked once again. “What time is your flight tomorrow?”

“Late afternoon, I think.” Chris sighed as the thought of leaving her now had him feeling quite morose. “But we could get breakfast if you’re not dancing?”

“No, I’ll be dancing in the afternoon so that’s perfect.” 

The way she squeezed his arm a little tighter as she spoke had him looking down at her to see her gazing right back up at him. 

“What?” He asked, a soft smile sliding onto his face.

“I don’t want you to go…” Her words were soft and her eyes widened as they slipped out of her mouth as if she hadn’t meant to say them out loud. “I mean, I’m so happy for you and excited that you get to work on such a big project, but I wish you’d be closer.”

“Me too,” Chris agreed. “But we’ll make it work.”

“But they film lots of movies in New York, I don’t understand why they can’t just film it all here instead.”

The pout that slid onto her face earned a chuckle from Chris as they stopped outside her building.

“I dunno either, but I don’t think I have quite enough sway yet to get them to change it for me.”

“Can’t have the Avengers without Captain America,” Madeline pointed out. “I think it’s worth a shot.”

She slipped away from him to dig through her purse for her keys and Chris immediately missed the warmth of her body against his. As their goodbye drew closer, he knew what he needed to do, but the doubts in his head were holding him back. He felt frozen where he stood with his hands in his pockets until he noticed her watching him - keys in her hand - with an expectant look on her face.

Moving closer, he slipped his arms around her as he had at the end of their previous dates and he felt her tense slightly before she lifted her arms, wrapping them around his neck to pull him close. She felt so good, she smelt good, everything about her just made him want her more and he leaned back enough to glance down at her. It seemed the expectant look on her face had shifted into disappointment and that had Chris unsure of his next move. The hug was lingering, dragging on longer than seemed reasonable and he knew he had to act quickly, but in his panic his insecurities took hold and he felt his earlier bravery slipping away.

He dipped his head, aiming to press a kiss against her cheek, but a shift of her head had him catching the corner of her lips instead. Even that was enough to have his heart racing, but as he tried to pull away, he felt Madeline’s hand on the back of his neck holding him in place.

“Please…”

It was hardly more than a whimper, but Chris knew what she was asking for and the simple word filled him with courage. He needed no further prompting to lean back in and press his lips against hers and her immediate response pushed any doubt from his mind. 

Feeling a spark seemed like such a cliche, but it was really the only way Chris could think to describe the moment. The rush of love and desire he felt had his grip tightening on her waist as her hand slid up to his hair as if both of them were desperate to be as close to each other as physically possible. He felt consumed by her like he would crumble if she ever pulled herself out of his arms and when she broke the kiss to catch a much needed breath the sight of her slightly swollen lips had him unable to resist diving back in for more.

Neither of them were sure how much time had passed as they stood on the doorstep of her building completely lost in each other. The need to stay connected had them both too wound up to even think of walking away, but as Chris struggled to find the willpower to force out a ‘goodnight’, Madeline had another suggestion.

“Do you wanna stay here?” She asked as she fought to catch her breath. “If we’re meeting up in the morning anyway you may as well save yourself a cab ride.”

Her reasoning had a smirk sliding onto Chris’ face, but he was too relieved by the offer to make fun of her ulterior motives.

“I like the way you think. I’d love to stay.”

Madeline flashed him a grin before stealing another quick kiss and slipping out of his arms. She found her keys on the ground where they’d slipped from her hands in their frenzy and hurried to unlock the door, leading him through the hallways until they reached her apartment where they spent the rest of the night exploring all the things they’d missed out on in the years they’d wasted pretending to be just friends.

-

Next

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[mahou-furbies]

Alright here's the results for the 2024 Precure Hopes and Predictions!

Q1: Hopes for the theme of the season?

Technology/games. Or more likely: science?

Military, video games

Technology / Gaming

Computers and/or bugs

Video games/Tech

the arts (both performing and visual)

Seriously hoping for creating things as a theme

Art theme! Or something winter-related (a precure team located in Hokkaido? That would be so cool!)

I would like a season based on a combination of gemstones and popular hobbies like arts, sports, and science. It can have a moral theme of "finding your inner sparkle, your one true talent."

I've always thought that season-based characters (spring, summer, etc.) were really fun, with lots of possibilities as far as power and design go! But it would be harder to have a sixth ranger, and we've just had a 4+1 season, so I'm not too hopeful… I guess I'd like a story around art (like, each of the girl represent a certain form of creativity?) We've had lots of cures who were artist of some kind, but their interests are rarely reflected by their cure powers!

someday i want a 4 seasons precure

Flowers

I hope for flowers theme or elementals but i think it will be idols or fashion

Insects would be fun! (ladybug lead, butterfly and honeybee Cures. Moth midseason!)

Carnival.

Cars and racing, fairy tales (specifically Peter Pan), music and dancing

We never had a proper fairy/fairy tale season, so that!

Fairy

unlikely but aliens would be fun

cats/felines + lolita fashion + fantasy

Pirates

Mythology

Gemstones

Sports

Q2: Predictions for Cure theme colours?

Standard pink/yellow/blue to follow the pattern Hugtto set

please please please don’t go back to pink/blue/yellow

Ideal - Pink/Yellow/Green/Blue or White; Realistic - Pink/Blue/Yellow/Purple

Pink, blue, yellow, purple

Pink, Blue, Yellow, Purple, Red

I want a blue and a pink at first, then green and yellow (maybe also purple) but I am sure it will be pink/blue/yellow again

Pink, Blue, Yellow, Purple maybe, No green lol

Pink, blue, yellow, purple, maybe green?

I'm kind of curious, since Toei got pretty original with the colour scheme this year… My guess is, either they'll go for something super conventional like Healin Good or Delipre, or they're going to keep their "unique color scheme" streak.

Similar to ALaMode it can be the standard trio (PBY), followed by a red and purple duo, and later joins a vibrant green.

pink, blue/teal, purple, black/white/grey would be super cool!

Pink, Orange, Green, Yellow, Blue, Purple

Pink - Blue - Red - White (midseason)

Pink, Red, Purple

Pink, blue, green

Pink, red, white, and purple

White, orange, indigo, green, red, teal

dark pink/red, blue, and gold (later cures would be green, purple, and black/white/grey)

For gaming: the usual letter button colors (red green yellow blue) For science: uhh, def needs a Cure Combust thats red. I imagine her having a combo attack with a blue cure that makes blue fire.

Pink leader (current season was too revolutionary, time for Toei to get back to a safer structure), a yellow/orange, a blue one, a mixed weird color joining mid-season and hopefully a green cure

for aliens green orange pink

Green pleasssse (probably pink for the main Cure)

We've gotta get at least one green cure right?

Two colours for each Cure.

Q3: How many Cures do you expect there to be at the start?

Q4: Any other thoughts?

Hopefully there'll be more than one villain active at the same time, Hirogaru Sky was honestly kind of disappointing in that regard (it does not help that the first villain's debut came with a fart joke).

I'm fine with another pink, yellow and blue Cures, but please, at least try to make them different by using different shades of said colors. There are so many, don't settle for the most basic color palette.

If it doesn't happen, I could always make fancures instead.

I really want a cure who becomes an engineer of some kind in the epilogue. Specifically a girl becoming an engineer

I am sure it will not be what I want XD but precure prove me wrong this year!

I would love unique flower motifs for each cure. All of the possibilities!

Mythology would also be a fun theme, but the Tropical team had a phoenix and so did Cure Wing, so they would probably try to space that out.

The cures' designs would be based on wild cats and domestic cat breeds: maine coon, norwegian forest cats (e.g cure forrêt), serval, jaguar. There would be a cat goddess (who could possibly also be a precure)!

Male Cure, Twins as cures, a disabled cure, a chubby cure, and a cure of color (like Elena)

I think it'd be neat to have the main trio be required to transform together as a call-back to Black/White, Bloom/Egret, Melody/Rhythm, Miracle/Magical, and Macherie/Amour, plus to keep celebrating 20 years of Precure

they will go back to pink/blue/yellow

i want scifiesque magical girls i feel like theres been lots of fairytale themeing recently and i want something very different also the idea of the midseason cure being the pink one amuses me greatly

I want more boy cures

A male lead, preferably voiced by Yuki Kaji

Please, no babies, not another one…

Random list of elements that (I think) haven't been done that much in a precure season: 1) Have cures be siblings/give a significant role to a cure's sibling. 2) Have characters actually be in a romance! I know precure has a young demographic, so romance isn't exactly important, but it's a bit tiresome how many precure romances tend to be unresolved crushes that are dragged throughout the season! I don't care if it's girl/girl, girl/boy or boy/boy, it would just be nice to see characters confess to each other and have their relationship build from there throughout the story. 3) I know there have been debates on relationships between the cures and the villains, how redeemable the villains are, how much the cures should be concerned about them, etc., but I'd like Toei to play on that dynamic more. Maybe a villain questioning their allegiance, or even turning out to be a mole for the good guys! Or on the opposite side, a cure joining the bad guys willingly, whether misguidedly or to become a mole themselves! 4) Fun stuff with the mascots! The mascots are a family! A mascot is a family member of a cure (don't ask me how that works!) Secretely-a-villain mascot! Mascot who is reluctant in their role and a bit cranky! 5) Families and non-magical friends being a relevant part of the cures' life. To be fair, it has been done several times, but it's always nice to see. 6) Boarding school!

Thanks to everyone who took part, reading these was super fun. Let's see if anyone got it right! (though you only get half of a point if the pink-blue-yellow prediction turns out right lol)

[mk-wizard]

Top 10 Things that need to change in today's media for it to get better

1- Let go of ideas that are just not working and do so with grace. - I am not going to judge anyone, big or small, for having trouble letting go of a project or idea because I've been there and done that. Sometimes, I still do. We get attached to our ideas and become emotionally invested in them after all. However, sometimes, the best thing you can do for a story is to call it quits if there's just no way to make it work. More importantly, you have to do it gracefully and take it as a learning experience. You are not a failure as an artist. If anything, it takes a big person to let go of a bad idea. A lot of studios would benefit from this practice.

2- Have actual fun when creating something. - Creating a new show, film, comic, etc. should bring you joy and a sense of fulfilment because every work of art is an extension of your heart. Don't just create something with the hope of being famous. In fact, that should always come second. Instead, focus on making a great work of art and makes you feel great even if it isn't perfect or "cool". It's yours. If anything, that is the kind of media we need to see more of.

3- Focus on the quality of the art. - This isn't to say that you shouldn't your best foot forward. ALWAYS put your best foot forward. ALWAYS put effort into what you're doing because every time you do, it's a performance so give the audience a show they'll applaud you for. In fact, many of my favourite films, shows and comics were of genres that were not cup of tea, but they were so beautifully done, I loved them anyway.

4- Let imagination be an escape from reality. - There is nothing wrong with touching real world topics or having a fictional world mirror the real world or real world elements to an extent. However, there is everything wrong with forgetting that a fantasy is a fantasy. It's ok for it to focus on escapism, imagination, the magic and not even hint at real world politics, social issues or problems. Imagination is supposed to the one place where real world problems don't matter and don't exist, and that's a good thing.

5- Normalize creative freedom. - Pardon my bluntness, but I think following "rules" when it comes to art, comics and anything fictional is ridiculous. None of it is real and all of it is kind of weird when you stop and look at it. I say, be brave, be original and embrace the weirdness. Writing new weird stuff is a lot of fun and from what I see, audiences love it. Checklists and rulebooks be damned. Write what comes naturally to you because when it comes to art, natural beauty shines.

6- Love the audience as unconditionally as you want to be loved. - In the war between artist vs. audience, there are no winners, so let's stop it. Creators are nothing without their audience and audiences need art. There is only one kind of audience at the end of the day which is the audience that is willing to see what you've got. Everything else about them like their gender, race, colour, religion, politics, lifestyle, etc. are details and do not matter. What matters is that they love what you do and seem to love you, so love them back. Let's all love each other again, be kind to one another again, and support each other again even when we mess up.

7- Normalize beauty again. - And I don't just mean physical beauty though we need that to make a comeback too because beauty shaming is just another form a body shaming. I mean beauty in the way the characters act. Can we bring back heroes who are positive, real healthy friendships, romances that last for life and showing there is value is uplifting, fun and happy stories and characters again? Everything is so dramatic, angsty and nihilistic now. There are too many great TV series I stopped watching because the plots because too much and the characters became too unlikable. I mean, you wouldn't bake a cake that's unlikable on purpose, so why are making characters that are unlikable on purpose? Being the person who stays positive and smiles in face of adversity is badass too.

8- You don't have to be the first. - You know the old saying "there doesn't have to be a first for everything"? Well, I'm going to flip that saying slightly into "you don't have to be the first at everything". It's ok to write another magical girl anime, another superhero film, another World of Warcraft inspired story, another adaptation of a famous fairy tale or book, or even make a reboot of another media. Focus on making the best version you can instead. Being the first is cool, but being the best is wicked and that's what people truly remember.

9- Laugh at yourself. - We're all human here. We mess up, we make mistake and sometimes, we make films, comics, shows, etc. that flop. And that's ok. It's just fiction. If anything, have fun with how bad it is like RoboCop 3 did or how even Terminator 3 parodied itself at times. Don't take failure so personally especially when it comes to art because even bad art is still kind of fun. People like laughing at it, so laugh with them and just take note of what didn't work. It happens.

10- Don't give up. - Not everyone strikes gold with their first piece. In fact, for many people, it took a couple of tries and their biggest project ever was going in the background for decades. I should know because I walked in those shoes. My current comic is decades worth of writing, rewriting, reinventing and more. The point is that you keep trying, you keep putting yourself out there and you keep making great art, and you will make it. Remember, the entertainment industry is not a contest. It's a marathon. You only really lose once you stop running, so don't stop now.

Anyway, I hope my list reaches out to people and makes a positive impact on the media world because I do think we can get back on track. We all fall off the wagon sometimes and the media is not the exception.

And it's ok. Sometimes, we just need the right push to get back on.

[exrankluck]

Dear Vocalist Unlimited Veronica Translation — ゆくすゑ [track four]

disclaimer: this is 90% AI-generated transcription and translation, some things might be inaccurate or awkward.

ディア ヴォーカリスト Unlimited エントリーNo.5 Veronica / モモチ (CV: 豊永利行)

- Drums: YAMATO (CV. Shunichi Toki)

- Guitar: OHGI (CV. Makoto Furukawa)

- Bass: AMA (CV. Kengo Kawanishi)

- Keyboard: SHIZURU (CV. Yoshitaka Yamaya)

[Shizuru]

Shizuru: Really? If you say so, I'll try to think positively.

Yeah, that's right. The recording is scheduled to start around next week.

No, the release is in the fall.

But, as always, we don't know a lot about the schedule until the results of the Survival are out.

Yeah, sorry for the inconvenience.

But, since we're here, I'll talk to the office about the additional performance we discussed earlier. If possible, before the end of the year.

Mm, okay. See you then.

Shizuru: Now then... Hm?

Shizuru: Moshi moshi.

mmc: Ah, moshi moshi, Shizu-kun?

mmc: Sorry for calling so late.

mmc: I heard you got a call.

Shizuru: Oh, mhm.

Shizuru: It's just a confirmation call. About the recording.

Shizuru: Is it okay to stick to the schedule as planned?

mmc: Yeah, that's the plan.

mmc: Ah, by the way, I sent you demos and some other things.

mmc: Did they arrive properly?

Shizuru: Yeah, they did, they did~

Shizuru: I haven't checked it thoroughly yet, but it looks super cool again this time. I'm looking forward to it.

Shizuru: Anyways, let's keep the reservations for all the studios that we have on hold.

mmc: Mm, thanks. Oh, by the way…

mmc: We haven't been able to meet for a while, and I haven't had a chance to say it, but I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your piano recital last month, even though you invited me.

Shizuru: Don’t worry about it.

Shizuru: In fact, I haven't even thanked you properly yet. You sent me flowers again this time.

mmc: It’s nothing. It was just a small gesture.

mmc: I heard this time was a great success too, I'm glad!

Shizuru: Yeah, thanks to everyone. Actually, I got a request for an additional performance.

mmc: Wow, that's great~!

Shizuru: Well, there's also Veronica's new song, so it's not official yet. But if you can come next time, please do.

[02:35]

AMA: Whoa!

AMA: Y-You scared me.

AMA: If you're back, let me know…

AMA: No, I wasn't sleeping. I was listening to music with my earphones on.

AMA: Um, speaking of which, Veronica's recording session is starting next week, so I wanted to listen to the demo again while I can.

AMA: Mhm, I think it's going to be a great song again.

AMA: I still don't really understand what he wants to express with this song.

AMA: Yeah, it’s difficult.

AMA: Both the music and lyrics that Momochi-kun creates are all...

*shiny sfx flashback*

AMA: How about… Huh, Momochi-kun.

mmc: Ah, it’s Akkun~ It feels like it's been a while since we last met!

AMA: Yeah, I was away from Tokyo for a while for a photo shoot for my photo book.

AMA: And, the release this time went well too.

mmc: I see, you're still busy as usual. Good job.

AMA: Guren Shinjuu seems to be getting good reviews.

AMA: As expected of Cheers.

AMA: Momochi-kun likes Japanese (wa) rock music. That’s good to know.

mmc: Hehe. Actually, I was quite hesitant this time. There were also discussions about the image, and even if Kataridori was popular, I don’t want to make Veronica's image too rock-like.

AMA: I see. Veronica is versatile, after all.

mmc: Mhm, that's right.

AMA: Um, I've been wanting to ask for a while…

mmc: What?

AMA: Is there a model (muse) for Momochi-kun's lyrics? Not just for this new song, but in general…

mmc: Why do you ask?

AMA: Just curious. Especially with lyrics about women, I wonder how you write them.

mmc: No, there is no model. It’s all in my imaginary world.

mmc: But don't you think it's ideal?

AMA: People like this…

mmc: Yes, that's what I'm aiming for.

mmc: I hope people who hear it, like Akkun, imagine all kinds of things.

mmc: Because songs that end after just one listen are boring, aren't they?

*shiny sfx flashback* [AMA]

AMA: The title track is still easier to understand. Momochi-kun is probably singing about the feelings of a certain woman.

But with this song, I really don't understand anything.

I might be able to understand the way Momochi-kun builds up the song by listening during the recording, but I still can't figure out what the theme of the song is.

No matter how much I think about it, I still don't understand. But I think that's what Momochi-kun is aiming for - not to arrive at a definitive answer, but to purposely avoid it.

Thanks to that, I've been in a state of constantly thinking about this song since the other day.

Yes. Well, that's true.

I think Momochi-kun is amazing. He doesn't talk much about himself, but I know that much.

Thinking about it, this song is like Momochi-kun himself. Even though I don't know anything, I find myself drawn to it.

Oh no, I ended up talking about work again.

We decided not to talk about work, didn't we?

It’s me who doesn’t like it.

Let's just be together here as lovers, not as manager and artist.

[07:06]

mmc: Yeah, that was really good! Can I get one more like that?

Ohgi: But I think it was a little boring. This current version is better.

mmc: Yeah, don’t worry. You could even make it more emotional or intense.

mmc: Okay then, thank you.

Ohgi: Good job.

Ohgi: Huh? Where's Momochi-kun?

AMA: Probably taking a break or on the phone.

Yamato: By the way, nice job with the "Ohgi" move!

Yamato: That move today didn’t go smoothly in the past, right?

Shizuru: Yeah, and he even made a request.

Shizuru: Isn't it unusual for Momochi-kun to do that?

Ohgi: Hah, it's just a coincidence.

Ohgi: What I’m doing isn't any different from what I’ve done before.

Ohgi: I guess it's like predicting what Momochi-kun will do and watching his reactions.

Ohgi: That method has caused a big mess in the past.

AMA: But that’s not a bad strategy. Ohgi did nothing wrong.

AMA: It was my fault for doing something unnecessary and causing a bad atmosphere.

Ohgi: Akkun covered for me, but in the end, the third generation was not called up.

Yamato: After all of that, we’re still somewhat recognized, especially Momochi-kun.

AMA: I hope so. Everyone did their best this time too.

Ohgi: I'm sure it'll be okay. The fact that we've come this far is proof of that.

Shizuru: Yeah, we can be confident.

Shizuru: We have achieved our goal too.

AMA: Goal?

Shizuru: Well, isn't it just the five of us who can embody Veronica's world?

Shizuru: No one talks about the first-generation anymore.

Yamato: That’s true~ We are the strongest team capable of embodying Mr. Veronica's world.

Yamato: So lets keep doing our best from now on!

Ohgi: Let's do that.

Shizuru: Hey, hey, isn't this the time to do that thing we talked about before?

Yamato: I was thinking the same thing. In that case, let’s do it!

[09:36]

AMA: Now then…

mmc: Hm? …Huh?!

Shizuru: Ah, Momochi-kun, you finally came back!

mmc: I-I'm surprised. Everyone was still here!

mmc: I thought everyone had already left. N-No way.

Yamato: No, no. Actually, we were waiting for you, Momochi-kun~

mmc: Eh? Me? Um... What?

mmc: ?! Are we having an after-party now or something?

Shizuru: Ah, there was actually talk of having a party to celebrate, but, well, the song isn't finished yet.

mmc: Eh? Ah… nevermind.

Ohgi: Our recording is done for the day, but your recording isn't finished yet, Momochi-kun. When everything is really finished, we should have another party.

AMA: Let's have an after-party again with everyone.

Yamato: Yeah, let's do that. Let’s do it!

mmc: Mhm, I definitely think that's a good idea. Hahaha…

mmc: Anyways, everyone worked hard this time.

mmc: Now it's my turn to work hard.

mmc: I'll make sure both songs are the best new songs ever, so look forward to it!

Yamato: Of course, I'm super excited~!

Yamato: So, let's call it a day and do our usual thing.

AMA: That's what I was waiting for.

AMA: Momochi-kun, you know what to do?

mmc: Oh, I see. Got it! I understand, we’re doing it here?

Ohgi: Now then, Momochi-kun, please take care of it.

mmc: Alright~ Ehem… Then let's go, Veronica! Ei ei oh (cheer)!

all: Oh (cheer)!

Shizuru: Alright. With this, there's no doubt that this Survival was a huge success.

mmc: Well, that goes without saying, hehe~

*ゆくすゑ (yukusue) - fate; one's future i.e. “what lies ahead”

[pandemoniclucio]

Could you do hcs for the M6 + Valerius with a tiefling MC? Yknow, brightly colored skin, horns, tail, sharp teeth, all that? How'd they react if someone started saying things about their appearance? Im a nerd and like dnd and other fantasy games/settings so I like to imagine fantasy races being in The Arcana universe, just being a little rare. Love your stuff by the way!

Thank You! Sorry if this came out later than expected, I was writing exams.

The Arcana HC #14

I know nothing about Tieflings, when I think of them I think of Nixie from All For One. I'm not gonna lie this was a bit of a challenge for me since I have some writers block.

I don't know if The Devil counts as part of the Infernal Legacy trait, so assume there are Demon Lords.

Asra

They knew that there were still some people in Vesuvia who would be opposed to you, so they tried to avoid them as much as possible and always had a retort if they ever commmented about them, but was beyond disgusted when someone said something about you.

It was the city's resident loud-mouth, so once people saw Asra step towards them, they all left.

To make the fool pay for insulting you, they put as many hexes and jinxes on them, while he

To make Asra's job easier, Faust eventually wrapped around the offender, tightly, but not enough to cause any serious damage.

Once they let them go, they go to comfort you by taking you back to the shop for some tea.

They tell you that they'll cast spells, encahantments & etc, to make sure they don't harass you again, then proceeds to tell you about all the qualities good & bad that they love about you & that they don't care about your appearance.

Nadia

She has always known that not many people are accepting of other species and has had to help resolve some of these conflicts in Pakra, but Vesuvia was relatively peaceful, so she was absolutely appalled that someone would say that about you.

You and her were entertaining and mingling with visiting royals, nobles and Nadia's family, when a young royal made their comment about you.

As soon as Nadia heard that she stopped playing her instrument and calmly walked over to the royal, before glaring daggers at them before trying to give a good slap to their face, but was luckily held back by her siblings, so all she could do was shame them & put them under room arrest.

She was even considering letting Chandra to attack them for her, which Chandra would have done but decided to help hold Nadia back from trying to beat up the fool.

She grabs your arm & takes you with her to the gardens, where she got the staff the set up a luncheon just for the two of you.

Once she seems to have cooled off, she tells you about her plans to create a better environment for non humans, than tells you that she loves you.

Julian

He has travelled to many citites and knows from experience, how some people treat Tieflings, Vesuvia was relatively better, but he expected something to happen sooner or later, but was caught completely off guard when someone commented something about you, specifically.

You two were having your usual round at the Rowdy Raven with Malak, when a loud drunk insulted you, the whole bar went quite., while Julian was fuming as he got closer to the drunkard.

Julian's performance was enough to convince everyone that there was probably a reason he was put on Wanted posters. He berated & used medical threats on them. The patrons even joined in, removing the drunk from the bar & kicking them to the streets.

Malak, during Julian's threats, was just emphasising how painful all of Julians threats would be.

When the drunk is gone, you two go back to you're booth, while he asks if you're alright before getting a last drink for you both before heading to the docks.

When you get to the docks, you both take a seat by the ledge, where Julian begins to recount marvelous tales about Tieflings then about how you beat the Devil. before telling you that some people won't change but it's best to ignore them, before gently kissing you & leaning against you.

Muriel

He thinks everyone, except for evil people, should be treated with respect, he could relate to people being slightly intimidated by you but this was another level of low.

You two were walking into town to quickly collect some supplies when a gossip started loudly stating their comments.

Muriel isn't a fan of violence but he was considering it, luckily he didn't have to do much. One glare from Muriel was enough to get them to back off.

Innana also noticed the tension in the air and joined Muriel in the art of glaring at the offender and posse, but with an added bonus if teeth and snarls.

He pulls you protectively into his side before leading you & Inanna to a secluded pond in the forest, where you both sit for a while before he breaks the silence.

He apologises that there isn't much he can do, but eventually oulls you into a hug , confesses his love & care for you, then kisses you, which causes you to tackle him to the ground to continue kissing the snuggling.

Portia

She has heard stories about how people treat Tieflings, but has never come across any problems until someone commentated on you.

You two were about to leave for port when a passenger coming off another ship commmented about Portia, that made her scoff, but when they said something about you, she was about to lose it.

She immediately called them out, demanded everyone to stay out of it. She then proceeded to switch between insulting the offender and bragging about how amazing you are.

Pepi just snuggled around you while it happened and hissed at the person when Portia let them go.

When she's done, she gives you a great bear hug and tells you that everything they said was wrong and that they didn't know what they were the scum of the earth.

She eventually leads you back to the ship's kitchen, where you & her prepare some goods and dinner to eat later on.

Lucio

He knew from battles that Tieflings were great at fighting & since he grew up in a warrior clan and made a deal with the Devil, he respected Tieflings & didn't understand why people hated your kind, but this comment just made his blood boil.

You were both at a market place, to collect money for a job you both completed, when a passerby commented on your appearance.

You swear if it wasn't for the fact that you were in a public area and this person clearly wasn't wanted, Lucio would've killed them, but decided to settle on woulding him, deeply.

Melchoir and Mercendes, comforted & tried to protect you by snarling at anyone else looking for a fight, while Camio was busy trying to claw the offender's eyes out.

When he's done, he decides to take you for a ride to a secluded hot spring he heaerd about where you both could set up nearby, while comforting you about the incident.

He thought it best that you were relaxed when he tells you how much he cares for you and that he would hunt down anyone who hurt you.

Valerius

He didn't have any problems with different species, he just hated specific people and most of his hate waas directed at the person who dared comment such rubbish about you.

You two were on a visit to a reknowned Winery when one of the other guests rudely commentated on your apearance.

He has never been more pissed in his life, but instead of losing his temper at the person, he kept his cool while he insulted and threatened to throw him in jail, calmly.

He then proceeded to make this person's visit a nightmare, when he managed to convince the other guests that the offender was some sort of criminal.

Once he was done tormnenting your bully, he comforts you, by giving you the best luxury experience at the winery and spoils you with picnics galore

He tells you that you are amazing and despite his earlier reservations about you he's grown to love you, regarless of your race, and promises to send guards fot anyone who dares to insult you again.

To anyone wanting to request anything, expect it to be delivered a bit late or until 30 November or 1 December since my exams end.

[doomandgloomfromthetomb]

Sonic Youth - Fowler's Live, Adelaide, Australia, February 22, 2008

Starting in 2007, Sonic Youth started performing Daydream Nation from start-to-finish — and in early '08, the band took the whole thing down under. Though fans (and the band itself) may quibble, the 1988 LP had grown in stature over the years, earning a rep as the band's towering "masterpiece." My personal opinion changes from day to day as to whether it's their "best," exactly ... but my personal opinion is always that Daydream Nation is a fucking sweet album. Right?

In my interview with him a few years back, Steve Shelley talked a bit about how it all came together:

The ATP folks started this thing called Don’t Look Back, where bands would play classic albums live in their entirety. They asked us for a while, “Hey you want to do Daydream Nation?” And the answer was always like, “No thanks” [laughs]. But they kept offering a better and better payday and finally it was like “OK, we’ll do it.” But that meant we had to go back and learn it. The mix of that record is such a mesh of things that we had to remix it and put Thurston in the left side and Lee on the right side so they could learn their distinctive guitar parts. We really had to go back and figure out what exactly we did. It’s weird, but I enjoyed that that process a great deal.

So how does Daydream Nation hold up onstage almost 20 years after it was first unleashed upon the world? Very nicely. As Steve suggests, this is a faithful rendition of the album's 12 tracks; they're sticking to the script for the most part (they did not fly out Mike Watt to re-create his grouchy voicemail message on "Providence" though! That would've been cool.). But there's a certain magisterial quality to this Adelaide performance; less frantic and feral than it was back in the day, but with an added confidence and style. This is the band that also made Murray St. and Sonic Nurse — and you can sense that SY has figured out how to make Daydream's transitions ... not exactly smoother, but more elegant? Something like that. I like it, I think you'll like it, too.

Anyway, I was stuck in traffic around sunset listening to this recording recently and my mind started marveling at the weird collective energy and built-in trust that fuels a freeway. Hundreds, thousands of total strangers somehow in silent agreement (grudging, yes) that, yes, this is how it works, this is the direction we're headed in. A utopian interstate? Haha, sure. Of course, a traffic jam filled with pollution-spewing vehicles is far from a good thing. But that energy is worth considering, maybe. If we can make such an unlikely system work, imagine what else we could make work, something with far more positive vibrations. What does this have to do with Daydream Nation? No idea. But that was my own personal daydream.

Bandcamp | Merch | Concert Chronology