#i am vibrating with excitement about the next episode I cannot wait for everyone to channel their anger into this rp

[swordscleric]

Now that the big flaming button has been pushed, I wonder will this lead to a reverse-Bard’s Lament; wherein the party yells at each other but grows closer as opposed to losing someone for a while

[konpithepuppy]

[TRANSLATION: POTATO 06.2021]

7 MEN SAMURAI

Proofread by aji10647731 (Twitter)/ @janiappend

Scans not mine

Neither an English nor a Japanese native speaker

Feel free to correct me, thanks

DEGREE OF LOVE

Measuring the degree of love they have for their partner in quiz format. 2 questions that test their relationship and 1 original question for each pair, can they match their answers with each other!? (Interview was done around the 1st 10 days of April)

NAKAMURA REIA x YABANA REI

BEING PIXELATED IN A STREET INTERVIEW?

Yabana: The interview this time is for us pair to match our answers. There are 3 questions in total.

Nakamura: Let us answer after "go". The first question is, "What is the best memory of us two?" Ready, set, go..."my sister..."

Yabana: "Going to an instrument store..." It is clear that we are completely talking about different things (LOL).

Nakamura: Mine is about my sister giving Yabana a jersey. My sister likes Yabana and she gives him advice through me. She gives advice like, "His hair is long, it is better for him to cut it. His hairstyle in summer 2 years ago is good." (LOL).

Yabana: Also, she said, "He always wears shabby sweatshirt," so I received a brand new jersey from her through Reia (LOL).  What I was trying to say earlier is the time where the 2 of us went to instrument store to see some bass.

Nakamura: We also did that! After buying the bass, I got it painted by Yabana's father. But, since we both talked about family members, I wonder if this is partially correct (LOL).

Yabana: Let's perfectly match in the 2nd question. "Describe your relationship in one word." Ready, set, go..."a bad companion!"

Nakamura: "Boyfriend-girlfriend!" We didn't match again (LOL).

Yabana: We often talk but we usually endlessly talk about things that won't do any good, right? That is like being bad friends having fun.

Nakamura: We talk about things like our fave musics or fave manga. Our hobbies match.

Yabana: It's just that there is no substance (LOL).

Nakamura: No matter how late at night it is already, Yabana plays with me when I invite him in a game, so I think our relationship is like a boyfriend who cannot refuse to his girlfriend's invites (LOL).

Yabana: I see. Well, playing a game late at night is also a bad thing so this means that this is also partially correct...(LOL).

Nakamura: Right? (LOL). We are at the last question now. "If you are called for another street interview for a television show, are you going to do it?" Ready, set, go..."I won't do it!"

Yabana: "I will do it!"...we didn't match (LOL).

Nakamura: Well, when Yabana appeared in the street interview for 「Getsuyou Kara Yofukashi」, I asked the manager, "Can I also do an interview like that?" And then, I was told, "No, you can't," by the manager.

Yabana: Really? (LOL)  I also contacted the manager before the filming just in case, I asked if it's okay to take an interview. And then, since the manager said it's okay, it was a chance to advertise 7 MEN 侍 in a television!

Nakamura: It seems like it is okay for Yabana to do it, but not for me (LOL). But I have a feeling that I want to be on an interview too. Oh, well, next time when the 2 of us got interviewed, I think let's do the interview where I am the only one being pixelated.

Yabana: That's probably suspicious in the contrary! (LOL)

SUGETA RINNE x MOTODAKA KATSUKI

THE PERCENTAGE OF WATCHING EACH OTHER'S TV SHOW APPEARANCES IS?

Motodaka: Our best memory, huh.

Sugeta: Rinne thought of something!

Motodaka: Well, let's say our answers. Ready, set, go!

Sugeta: "When we welcomed Reiwa!"

Motodaka: "Sexy Zone's..." Ah!! Wait, that's my answer too! (LOL)

Sugeta: You're  trying to talk about Sexy Zone, right? (LOL) Is it about a concert tour?

Motodaka: Yup. During Sexy Zone's concert tour, only our hotel room was the Cinderella-like (LOL). We were ojousama-like.

Sugeta: That also crossed my mind!

Motodaka: But if we talk about something special, it is definitely the moment where we welcomed Reiwa.

Sugeta: We went to watch a late-night movie, and since it will be Reiwa very soon, we spent time together. When it became 12 midnight, we went," Ye~y, It's Reiwa now~!"

Motodaka: That was special.

Sugeta: I took a screenshot of the time "0:00" that was displayed in my phone.

Motodaka: For me, I recorded the memory of us when it turned 12 midnight that day.

Sugeta: That was nostalgic~!

Motodaka: The next one is to describe in one word our relationship. Shall we it say at once!? Ready, set, go!

Sugeta: "Consultation partner!"

Motodaka: "Comrade!"...Aah (LOL).

Sugeta: When Rinne is not interactive, right? You always try to symphatize with me.

Motodaka: It is a situation where I'll be made to ask, "Did something happen?" You are little bit annoying type of person (LOL).

Sugeta: Fairly, I am easy to understand.

Motodaka: That makes me slightly sullen (LOL).

Sugeta: What do you mean by comrade?

Motodaka: After we each did different projects, we end up in the same unit.

Sugeta: I see. The 3rd question is about how much we watch each other's tv appearances. Let's answer in percentage. Is that good? Let's answer it?

Motodaka: Ready, set, go..."80%"!

Sugeta: "90%"! That was close ~! Rinne records the quiz shows every week. Since I also want to try appearing in tv shows, so I watch shows that I have the possibility to appear in. I almost watch all of the shows where Katsuki appear too.

Motodaka: Me too, more than the shows where I appear, I overwhelmingly watch more shows where Rinne appear than mine. But I can't watch it in real time so I answered "80%".

Sugeta: Rinne watch the shows multiple times because Rinne loves appearing in shows.

Motodaka: I watch shows where I think I did good in recording.

Sugeta: Certainly! I think if I'm not in good shape during the recording, I will not watch it that much. By the way, I still watch my appearance in 「SASUKE」until now (LOL). Everyone watched it during the rehearsal for ARASHI-san's concert, right?

Motodaka: That was exciting~!

Sugeta: I watch with my family Katsuki's appearance in quiz shows. When Rinne got the right answer even though Katsuki didn't, I noisily go, "Why didn't Katsuki got it right?" (LOL).

Motodaka: That's natural for a quiz show. It's tough but that's my fate...

SASAKI TAIKO x KONNO TAIKI

CLEANING AFTER TAIKO CHALLENGE...

Konno: Our best memory, let's say our answers after the go signal! "Fireworks in Odaiba."

Sasaki: "Amusement park!" Ah~that one~ (LOL). The one where we watched fireworks!!

Konno: That was around 4-5 years ago already, right?

Sasaki: That was close to the end of summer.

Konno: Yabana, me, Sakuchan (Sakuma Ryuto) and you (Taiko) were there.

Sasaki: The fireworks were really beautiful. We could see it from the restaurant. Although it is a beautiful memory, it didn't come to my mind~!

Konno: Well, the amusement park is also a good memory. (Takahashi) Yuto and (Iwasaki) Taisho were there too. Everyone went to places like haunted house, it was really fun~(LOL).

Sasaki: There was a collaboration with 「Kurosaki-kun no Iinari ni Nante Naranai」right at that time. I wanted to ride Kurosaki-kun's gondola no matter what so I rode the ferris wheel around 3 times. That was fun~.

Konno: Next, "Describe in one word your relationship." Ready, set, go..."close friends!"

Sasaki: "Consulatation partner!" Well, we said 2 different things but they mean the same thing.

Konno: Yeah. Since we are always together, our trust with each other is not just on the shallow level.

Sasaki:  Even the things that I can't tell to other people, I talk about those with Konpi (Konno). I generally give positive advices to Konpi. When he consults to me saying, "I want to try this but...," I reply, "I think that's great." I think that we won't know the result until we try it so it is better to freely do it.

Konno: For the last question, with the theme that's only for us 2, "What is the best Taiko Challenge episode?" Let's match our answers time.

Sasaki: Okay. Ready, set, go!

Konno and Sasaki: "Shampoo!" Ye~y! (High five)

Konno: That is a masterpiece.

Sasaki: It has the most number of likes and plays.

Konno: The one with cola is also good but if it's the best, then it's gotta be the content with shampoo.

Sasaki: The content with cola became known but even I myself think that the content with shampoo is a masterpeiece. I planned that 2 weeks before the filming. I thought that I'll do that on my birthday. And then, Akarui Tonikaku-san did that in the variety show.

Konno: What a timing (LOL).

Sasaki: I was troubled, "Uwa, seriously! It overlaps with my plan!", but since I wanted to do it so I took the risk and did it.

Konno: Well, that is the best. I like the part where you poured the water to yourself, but what happened to your room?

Sasaki: It got wet. In Johnny's stages, when we use water, the water flows into the orchestra pit (a space that is lower than the main stage), but in my house there's no such system like that!

Konno: AHAHAHA!

Sasaki: That's why with a drainer similar to the one used in cleaning the windows, I cleaned the room by making the water flow into the veranda. Cleaning the mess afterwards was miserable (LOL).

RECENT HAPPENINGS

Sugeta Rinne: I can now do 70kg of bench press! I thought of doing a bench press that is about my weight, but I am happy that I was able to do 10 more kilos from my weight. Since I still do 3 reps x 3 sets, so I want to increase the number.

Motodaka Katsuki: There are also 4th year undergraduates in the graduate school seminar. It was my first time meeting them recently, and I feel excited that they're my juniors. Until now, there are seniors that I am close with, but I don't have a junior who is close with me. I wonder if they'll be close with me!?

Nakamura Reia: My dad gave me the latest game console for my birthday. The controller is amazing that the vibration changes when the character is walking in grassy place and when the character is walking in soil. I don't have that much games for it yet but I want to play with it a lot.

Yabana Rei: A little while ago, I went to watch Rinne's 「Hidamari no Ki」(the show ended) in Osaka. I wasn't able to go in Tokyo shows but it was really popular so I really had to see it. I also watched Sexy Zone's concert the next day, it was a fulfilling trip.

Konno Taiki: When I'm at home or when I'm on the move, I only listen to western music. In someway or another, it looks like I have a phase for Japanese music and western music, and now I am into western music. I keep repeating the songs that I like more than broadening the songs that I know. There are a lot of songs by male artists [that I listen to].

Sasaki Taiko: I have fully mastered the stores in the suburbs of Tokyo that sell in large quantities!  Depending on the store, the proportion varies and that excites me~. For example, 800 yen for 24 bottles 500 mL of water, there are great deals and it is super fun. I also bought toilet paper that I split with my friend.

[jimlingss]

Brass & Strings [8]

Episode 7 - Episode 8 - Episode 8.5 OR Episode 9 Words: 4.8k Genre: Fluff, Humour (?), Slice of Life, Music!Au, College!Au Summary: Have you ever wondered what happens to the mean girl after high school? Where do they go, where do they end up? More importantly, what happens when they get mixed up with the classic nerd that's always too nervous to answer 'no'? Things become a lot more complicated when Kim Namjoon encounters you. They dub you as 'bat-shit insane' and you're not ashamed. 

Cr.

Miss. Song is a person who’s had many career changes, from being a ballerina to a musician and now into a teacher. She’s the type of professor that college boys thirst after and girls admire. The lady exudes a sexy pureness, a mix between cute and sensual, that even you cannot rival with. Each movement she makes is with grace and her smile is always gentle, making it hard for others to decline her. “Jennie, Rose and Jihoon. Could I speak to you for a moment?”

The concertmistress immediately carries her belongings to the front podium, joined with the flutist and viola player. “Is there something wrong, miss?”

She smiles. “Well, I was wondering if you three were interested in attending a business party in the next two weeks and play as a quartet. It’s a charity event, created by a close friend of mine and they’re looking for some performers for the evening. Of course, you’ll be compensated for it.”

The three of them exchange a variety of looks from surprise to joy. “W-we’d love to!” Rose almost bounces up and her grin spreads into her cheeks.

You scoff, picking up the pace with shoving your belongings into your bag. “Are you okay?” Namjoon tips his head to the side, observing your scowl. He’s standing by your desk, waiting for you to finish. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m dandy.”

It was always the same.

String and woodwind players receive opportunities most frequently. They’re fought for and provided numerous scholarships, recognized in the industry. It does cause the section to become more competitive but it was still better than the treatment brass and percussionists receive. The entire backbone of the orchestra is often disregarded.

The pretty instruments are the flutes, the violins, the piano. Those are the things children want to play and adults want to listen to. No one cares about french horns or the timpani, god forbid the tuba.

“Oh, you too, Y/N!”

“What?”

Miss. Song waves you over and you’re paralyzed, mid step out of the door. “I did say a quartet after all.”

Namjoon smiles and nudges you forward. You go stumbling towards the group.

Your expectations have shattered right in front of your eyes.

“You did hear, right? Would you be interested in participating in this event? I understand if there are other responsibilities you have to meet. I won’t hold it against you if you refuse.”

“I-”

“But a tuba?!” Rose whips her head back to the professor. “That-...that’s not even supposed to be in a quartet!”

Jennie frowns and shakes her head. “Rose.”

Miss. Song simply giggles behind her hand and her cheeks naturally flush. “In a proper string quartet, there isn’t supposed to be a flutist either.” The flute player promptly quiets down and focuses on the floor in embarrassment. The music professor looks over to you. “I’d love it if you could join us. These three need a bass instrument. I know violin, viola, flute and tuba is a very unconventional combination but I’d think it would be very interesting, wouldn’t it?”

Jihoon stares at you, the male waiting for an answer with the teacher. Rose doesn’t make eye contact and Jennie tries to smile in politeness. You turn your head slightly to the only other person in the room, Namjoon, who is waiting by the door.

The harpist is staring at his phone, scratching his head innocently. When he realizes you’re gazing at him, his irises flicker upwards and the corners of his lips upturn, dimples creasing into each side of his cheek. He stiffly waves his hand and then blinks, motioning to the people behind you who are waiting.

You inhale a huge breath, trying to fight down the excitement. “Yes.”

“Good.” Miss. Song scrunches her shoulders in a chipper manner. “Try to get along ladies. Jihoon, you too. The performance will be in two weeks.”

//

“It’s happening!” Your arms are in the air and you scream towards the sky, up to the azure shade that is not covered with one single wispy cloud. “I’m so fucking happy!”

Namjoon would usually tell you to quiet down, that you’re drawing too much attention but this time, he allows for a moment of glory, not caring about how you’re leaning close to him.

“Congratulations.”

“I thought this day would never come...for tuba to see the light of day…” It’s a tad bit dramatic but it’s been a long time since you’ve felt this adrenaline coursing through your veins.

You knew beauty was fleeting. After a few years, the suitors and dates you have will disappear, no longer chasing after you but someone younger with more energy. The money and shopping is only temporary satisfaction, an escape from your real problems. It was music that would last, your instrument that would stick by you, the passion that you would always have.

But for countless nights, you asked yourself if anyone would even want you. If anyone would want your instrument. Would they even desire to hear you play a note?

“I’m so happy, I could kiss you, Namjoon!”

He scrunches up his nose, looking away from your cheesy grin. “Good luck.” He feels genuinely thrilled. There was always something about the way you loved music, talked about it and how your eyes glittered that made his own chest squeeze. You weren’t just a conceited part-time sugar baby with shopaholic tendencies. There’s so much more.

Namjoon feels privileged to see this side of you.

“I wish I could be with you.” He confesses and then backtracks when the implication of his words hits him. “I mean...play with you, like in the quartet.”

“Maybe someday.” You wistfully breathe out. “A duet?”

The boy pushes up his glasses and nods, hoping for such a day to arrive.

//

Unfortunately, things don’t go as smoothly as you imagined them to be.

“I’m not playing with her. No. I can’t.”

“Pft. Then I’m not playing with you either.”

Jennie sighs in exasperation, standing between you and Rose. “Come on, guys! We have to work together! Let’s just put aside the past and build the path towards the future-”

“How could you even say that?!” Rose sobs out, holding her flute away from you. “She’s the one who scratched me all up, remember? I was assaulted!”

You roll your eyes, preparing to put your brass instrument back in your case. “You’re the one who started that fight. Who are you to talk about assault?! Don’t you dare make up lies!”

“You’re the-”

“I fucking-”

Jihoon who’s holding the neck of his viola slowly steps away, considering the prospects of bolting out the door and never returning. Jennie looks back and forth throughout the argument and she tries her best to resolve the issue but it escalates and she screams- “STOP IT!”

“This is a professional setting! We are working towards becoming professionals and there is an event coming up really soon. We haven’t even practiced for a full minute yet. Please, stop being childish. If you two won’t work together then you both should leave and stop disrupting!”

There’s a full minute of silence.

Jennie exhales, having used all her courage to interfere.

After an exchange of looks…

“I’m not leaving.” “Neither am I.”

The concertmistress props her violin to her shoulder and chin, holding up her bow. “Good.”

Practice doesn’t go by too horrifically. Ten pieces are chosen, some that are relatively easy and others that you’ve played together in the orchestra before, merely rearranged for four instruments. The flute and violin intermingle with the main melody while the viola dances in the background, adding a deeper layer. But your music professor was right. Without the tuba, it wouldn’t be balanced. There would be no one there as the backbone, to support the rhythm and let the vibrations boom across the walls and against the floor, to truly let the music sing.

“That was great.” Jennie compliments and you would have to notably agree. It’s an unusual combination but one that works. “But I think we could fix up this part. Y/N, you should play that in a higher octave, maybe with an accent?”

“I disagree.” The others look at you with raised eyebrows, a baffled expression for immediately rejecting the idea. “I think we should keep it and just try it in molto vivace.”

“O-okay.”

Rose pipes up, “I think that’s a bad idea. You should just listen to-”

“Let’s just give it a try.” Jennie interjects before another argument can occur. “Very lively and faster….”

Everyone picks up their instruments, correcting their posture. Rose lifts the flute to her lips and shoots you a glare while you ignore her, focused on the black and white score. Jihoon and Jennie place theirs on the juncture of their shoulder and chin, lifting up the bow.

Claude Debussy’s String Quartet in G Minor rearranged version begins again.

The violin strings are pulled in harsh but powerful motions, tuba booming next to the fluttering flute that spirals notes through the air. It grows intense with each rise of crescendo, each sharp breath inhaled to support the melody, fingers dancing across keys and fingerboards until-

Snap.

Everyone freezes.

The music dies out, the note that was supposed to be played isn’t and you crane your neck around. Jihoon’s eyes double, Rose gasps and Jennie has become pale. “Your violin!”

“This was all your fault!” Rose screams at you, whipping her head back to Jennie. “Are you okay?! Is your hand hurt?!”

“I-I’m fine.”

“How is this my fault?” You put down your tuba, shuffling your music sheets. “It’s just your E string that snapped. Doesn’t it happen all the time? If your hand isn’t hurt then there’s nothing wrong.”

The flutist screeches horrifically in your ear, making you wince. “How could you be so heartless?!”

It’s exhausting. As much as you wanted to showcase your playing, grab onto the opportunity, the people that you’re working with makes you feel like you’ve never left high school.

You glance back at the violinist that you despise and she is still staring at her precious instrument. Jihoon gulps and Rose is confused on what to do. You exhale a long breath, concluding that your fellow classmates are idiots and useless.

Why do you have to do everything around here? Goddamn.

“Fine.” You can already imagine what Kim Namjoon would say and do in a situation like this.

“What are you doing?” Jennie sniffs as you tug her upwards.

“We can’t practice if your string’s broken. I know a place where we can get it fixed...for free.”

//

Jennie has done nothing wrong to you. It’s fairly irrational of you to hate her so much but there’s something in the way she presents herself towards the world, like a perfect angel who has no flaws. She is never angry, never displays sadness or heartache, an ounce of jealousy or envy. The violinist is a robot who only smiles. She’s practically the Mary Sue in the flesh.

It rubs you the wrong way. She’s kind, generous but not genuine.

“Thank you for helping me, Y/N. I really appreciate it.” She carries her case in both hands, humming with the corners of her mouth lifted. You don’t respond, pushing your Gucci sunglasses closer to the bridge of your nose. “I’ve been playing since I was ten years old, which is a decade now. Any string snapping has only happened a few times, so, I was really startled.”

You brush her off coldly, “cool.”

“How long have you been playing for?”

“Long.”

“Oh.” Jennie nods her head and her modest skirt swishes with every stride. “You’re very good, Y/N. I admire your abilities and technique. Was there any reasons as to why you chose tuba?”

“No.”

“I see. I think tuba’s a really nice instrument, a pleasant brass sound. It looks heavy though. Is it?”

“Yes.”

There’s a minute of quietness, where the bustle of the streets and cars driving past screech louder than the concertmistress’ mumbles. You thank Heaven and Earth that she’s stopped trying to make conversations and her yapping mouth has shut tight. Every second of being in her presence is torture in itself. But then-

“If it’s not too rude, Y/N...Can I ask where are we going?”

You don’t answer her, turning the sharp corner before you’re abruptly pulling open the glass door. “Get in.”

She ducks her head. “Thank you.”

With the built up rage, you unleash it on the desk bell, spamming down the muscle in your finger as rapidly as physically possible. The obnoxiously silvery sound hurts your ears but you ignore the pain. “Will you shut up already?!”

Yoongi growls out at you, swiping at the counter and stealing the bell away. “I’m standing right here! God, Y/N! What is wrong with you?!”

“If you were faster at customer service then maybe I wouldn’t have to press the bell.”

“Are you fucking serious? What do you even want from me?! I’m not here to give you any cash and you’re a disturbance to my workplace.” His frown doesn’t deter you and when he leans in close, you don’t flinch away. “The boss will fire me because of you.”

You scoff, crossing your arms with indignation. “I’m here today as a customer, dumbass.”

“What?”

The pretty girl in the frilly skirt that pools past her knees and coral smock top is revealed when you step aside. Her brunette hair, tucked behind her hair, shines in the light and she politely smiles. “Hello.”

“Uh….” Your cousin blinks for a mere moment before he clears his voice, lowering it from the yelling pitch to a deep timbre. “Hello. What can I do for you?”

Jennie sets the case in front of him. “My string accidentally snapped. I was wondering if you could repair it for me?”

“Yeah, sure.” He takes it and opens it up. “I’ll see what I can do. It probably won’t take long.” As she begins to pull out her wallet, Yoongi stops her. “It’s on the house.”

The violinist blinks twice. “Are you sure?”

“It’s no big deal.” He shrugs, “should take less than ten minutes... I don’t see why not.”

“T-thank you.”

The two of them stare at each other. You only realize that no one’s moving after browsing the valve oil on the shelf for a minute. “Are you going to get going or what, Yoongi?!”

//

The weeks of practicing pass by quickly. In between your classes and the fun outings, you’re honing your skills and rehearsing the parts. The four of you work decently together if Rose isn’t shooting you glares and Jennie doesn’t piss you off. Your professor also passes by a few times, expressing her excitement and enthusiasm for the upcoming event.

“What are you doing here?”

Namjoon rubs his eyes and he melts into a sheepish smile. “Oh, I was just working on some stuff..composition homework...your science project...are you done?”

“Yeah..” You slowly hitch your thumb to the door. “I was about to head back.”

The harpist throws his backpack around his shoulders and he nods. “We should go together then.”

In the chilly night, the taller man walks in time with you, matching footsteps. You tilt your head up to him, staring at his profile. “Hey, Namjoon.”

“Yes?”

“It’s really late out. Didn’t your classes end hours ago?”

He coughs. “Yes.”

You hum, lolling your head to one side as your brain begins to crank. “If you were doing homework, then why did you go into the practice room? And what were you doing standing out in the hall?”

The college boy scratches the back of his neck and his cheeks bloom in a hue of rose but you suspect it’s from the frigid air nipping at his skin. “T-the library is too crowded. I thought it would be better for me to concentrate somewhere quieter. I was about to leave too when you left...so yeah.”

“Oh.”

“How’s practice? Is it going well?” He asks you in curiosity, “are you ready to perform?”

“It’s going okay. I think we’re ready. It’s not as horribly as I thought it would be.” At the same time as he answers ‘that’s good’, a strong gust of wind smacks your figure. Your grip accidentally loosens and the binder of sheet music drops to the concrete. “Dammit.”

You reach down to grab it and Namjoon does too, making you both bonk heads. He lets out an ‘ow’ and you hiss at him, capturing the object again. The only reason you don’t yell at him to watch where he’s going is because he’s Kim Namjoon. If it were anyone else, you’d lash out.

“Here.” He clutches onto your other hand that’s curled around the handle of your tuba music case. “Let me carry it for you.”

“It’s fine! I can carry it myself-”

The words die in your throat when you realize how serious he is, without the usual smile or bright eyes. He stares at you in complete earnestness - expressionless - and you’re baffled he could make such a transformation. You blink twice to make sure you’re looking at the same clumsy and innocent college boy. “Let me help you. Rely on me.”

There’s a bit of silence before you give in. “It’s really heavy.”

The corner of his lip tugs into a smirk. “I can handle it.” He takes the case and suddenly the immense weight is lifted away. The soreness in your shoulder is alleviated, the aches in your arm is soothed. Namjoon smiles and he fakes a gasp, lighting up the mood again. “Woah! It is really heavy. Twenty pounds, right?”

You scoff, feeling thankful that he’s back to the person you know - silly and awkward, pure and naive. “You want me to take it again?” Your arms curl around your binder.

“No. It’s fine.”

“Pft. At this rate, people will think I’m making you carry my things around like a slave.”

The harpist shrugs and he lightly but purposely bumps into you. “They can think whatever they want. I don’t care.”

For a second, your heart flutters.

And you put a hand to your chest, shocked that your soul’s able to be moved. For one, you thought your heart had been turned into concrete. You’re also amazed that it’s Namjoon. It’s not a wealthy, lonely woman who would whisk you away on rendezvous, or the hundreds of attractive people on your contact list that you know who would drop to their knees for you.

Nope. Out of everyone, it’s Kim Namjoon, resident nerd and harp player.

“You’re such a sweet and nice boy, Nams.” You throw your arm over his shoulder, leaning on the man and standing on the tips of your toes to accommodate for the height difference. Your finger casually pinches his cheek. “I could eat you right up! Your future girlfriend is going to be so lucky!”

He giggles and shakes his head. “I doubt it.”

“Why?”

“I’m so clumsy, if I don’t break their belongings, I’d probably accidentally break him or her.”

“Nah.” You ruffle his head of messy locks. “They’ll look past it and see your kindness. Either they’ll be lucky or they’ll use you. But fear not! I’m here. L/N Y/N will be here to protect you from any witches, foxes or douchebags!”

Namjoon grins. “Did you just refer to yourself in third person?”

“Yes.”

The university grounds are connected to a popular hangout avenue, rather convenient for college students to find study spaces and places to eat. At this time of night, however, all of the stores are closing and there are only a few lingering people around.

You stifle a yawn behind your hand and he notices. “If you want, you can stay at my place tonight. Uh- but o-only if you want of course. I won’t force you!”

“I know you won’t.” You laugh into the cold air. “But won’t your back hurt? That couch of yours isn’t comfortable.”

“I’ll be okay.”

You smirk at him, eyes going half-lidded. “We could share the bed, you know. Get a little close and...personal? What do you say, Nams? Up to play some games with me?”

Namjoon nearly combusts right then and there at your suggestive tone. His entire face becomes a tomato shade and he’s flustered, mouth opening and closing like a fish. “Uhh….”

“I’m joking! Calm down.” A huge smile appears as you smack him, stopping in your steps at the bus stop. “I’ll just catch the bus. It’s coming in a minute anyways and it’ll take me right back.”

“You want me to go with you?”

“Are you my father?” You put your hands on your hips, grabbing your case back from him. “You really think I’ll be kidnapped or something? If I punch them once, they’ll die. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay.” Namjoon smiles and he begins to back away. “Call me if something happens?”

You wave at him, chest feeling warm. “Alright.”

//

There’s something not right.

Jimin knows it. It’s under his nose as well, like an itch he can’t scratch. He doesn’t know what it is but he knows there’s something there. These days, he feels like a father, waiting for his teenage son at home with crossed arms, knowing the other man is up to no good.

“What time is it, young man?” Jimin pouts, feet apart with his shoulders. “Where have you been going these days? You don’t even call home or text me?”

Namjoon downcasts his head, quickly slipping off his shoes. Jimin keeps going on his rampage, “you just bailed out on our movie night! I got popcorn too! Now guess who had to eat three bags of popped popcorn?! Me! I feel like butter is leaking out of my pores!”

“Sorry-”

The man’s eyes widen and he drops his arms. “Did you have a date? No..that can’t be it. Are you sick?”

“W-Why?”

Jimin points right at him. “Your face is really red.”

“Uh…” Namjoon begins retreating down the hall. “Nothing happened!”

The door slams a second later.

Jimin groans, truly feeling like a parent. Except, the last time he checked, he didn’t birth out such a big son.

//

The black dress hugs against your curves, modest and business professional, excluding the slit on the side that adds a bit more character. Rose and Jennie stand beside you, Jihoon next to the concertmistress as all of you look out. It’s a charity event with middle aged individuals conversing, hands holding onto champagne glasses. The children giggle, playing hide and seek as a group behind the room’s magnificent white columns.

Surprisingly enough, of all the affluent people around, you don’t recognize any of them. If you did, you’d have to ignore them anyways. No one of status ever wants to be known for having a younger entourage on the side as a stress reliever.

The evening has settled in with all the guests present. “Are you ready?”

You glance over at Jennie who’s holding her violin, wearing her own white gown. Jihoon in a bulky suit, borrowed from his father and Rose is in a teacup dress that’s a darker shade of grey.

“Ready.”

All four of you take your seats, turning the page to the first score of the night. The violin and viola are propped on their shoulders, flute held up high into the air and you put your lips against your brass instrument, kissing the music notes as it leaves the bell. A joyous emotion is conveyed through the melody, the whistle of the violin, the sonorous sound of the viola, the graceful humming of the silver flute and the hearty buzz of your own brass tuba bleeds together.

Some people whirl around with smiles, listening while sipping on their drinks. Other couples begin to dance and children marvel at the golden and silver keys, joining in steps with their parents. The strings, resounding woodwind and the low timbre of your own instrument intertwine together for harmonious melodies to bouncing jingles.

It goes even better than practice. You become focused on the quartet, your partners and the audience is forgotten in the background. The little trance you’re in is interrupted by the standing ovation and Miss. Song’s humongous grin. But as you look up amongst the crowd, you swear you find a broad back and dark strands of hair poking up...a dimple marring their cheeks.

“Y/N?”

“Sorry. What?” You peel your irises away to Rose and she coughs awkwardly.

“I was just saying how..you’re not so bad, Y/N. A lot more bearable when you aren’t trying to be a bitch.”

“Uh-huh.” You roll your eyes. “You’re still just as bad.”

The flutist’s jaw drops and you laugh. Jennie tries to appease her friend and Jihoon giggles to himself. The quartet has a few photos that are snapped from the photographer and after another hour of playing, each of you head off on your own, networking or nibbling on some refreshments at the table.

You try to find the dimpled stranger again but the person has disappeared in front of your eyes.

//

It’s cold and the lampposts barely light up the sidewalk. You wonder if you’re going crazy, rejecting an offer to be driven back with the others, leaving your instrument with theirs to be shipped to the school. You don’t even know where you’re going or what bus to take but-

“I knew it!”

He visibly jumps from your voice and cranes his neck around. “Y/N?” Namjoon laughs nervously, “what a coincidence.”

The pair of you both are fully aware this was no coincidence. Especially since the venue is essentially in the middle of nowhere and in complete isolation.

The muscle in your cheek jerks when you try to repress your grin. You saunter up to him with arms behind your back, a slight skip in your stride before you gleam up at him. “What are you doing here then?”

“Nothing. I was...taking a walk! Yes, taking a walk!”

“You walked...an hour away from campus?”

“Yep.”

“You’re a bad liar, Nams. Did you come to see me?” You put your hand over your chest, gasping dramatically. “How did you even sneak into the event? Wasn’t there only exclusive invitations? Did you climb over the fence?”

“I-....”

The last bus of the night pulls up at the stop and the harpist doesn’t waste a chance to get on, making you scan your pass and follow right behind him. He plops down to the second last seat at the back and you slide beside him. There are two other people around, each with earbuds in, listening to their music and not paying any attention.

Namjoon doesn’t speak a single word, obviously embarrassed with the way he tugs on his stiff suit and forcing his eyes not to wander to the slit in your dress that reveals more thigh than he’s ever witnessed before in real life. He attempts to focus on the sceneries out the window but it’s pitch dark. He can’t see anything for shit.

You scoff when you realize Namjoon won’t say anything and you shift closer.

The harpist shifts away. You lean closer to him. He moves again.

“Will you stop that?!” You bark out before roughly taking his arm, lolling your head onto his shoulder. You use his shoulder as a pillow to rest on. Your eyes flutter shut and the frown slowly fades away. “Stay still.”

Namjoon’s irises flicker to your drowsy face and he relaxes his limbs, allowing you to lean on him. “It’s comfortable.” You murmur past the seams of your lips, exhaustion washing over you. Rehearsal, playing for three hours and socializing with other professionals has left you drained.

The harpist inclines back into the seat, letting the nervousness and tension leave his body. He stares down at your open hand in your lap, the palm that faces upwards. His own fingers twitch, as if an instinct overtakes him to twine his fingers through yours. But he resists.

“No one’s ever really come to a performance...just to see me.”

It’s softly spoken to the point that Namjoon would miss it had you not been beside his ear. It’s been three stops and five blocks since you’ve last spoken. He thought you were asleep already.

“I wished my parents would but when I saw you….Namjoon, it made me happy.”

He gently brushes away a hair that’s tickling your nose. His pupils center around the pink petals of your plush lips and he swallows hard. “How is it possible that you can make me feel so happy?”

It’s a mindless ramble, one where you don’t even realize you’re saying. It feels like you’re balancing between the dreamworld and reality, letting your tongue tumble. Except, it’s not a dream.

Namjoon hears all of it.

“What are you doing to me?”

[betweenthepage]

Mini Book Reviews

I let myself fall waaaayyyy behind on reviews so what I’m going to do is compile them all here by making them shorter than usual, and more to the point.

Mild spoilers ahead! (all pictures belong to me unless stated otherwise)

Illuminae, Turtles All the Way Down, Madness, Welcome to the Dark House, The Last Magician, Not If I Save You First, The Cruel Prince, The Diviners, Daughter of the Burning City reviews!

Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

I had high hopes for this, and truth be told, I wasn’t let down...but I wasn’t too impressed either. I think what really threw me off was the format of the book. I liked it at a glance and thought it was really impressive and creative, but reading it? It kept me distant from the story. It took me a while to read it (almost a month). The story and writing were great. I wasn’t TOO invested in Kady and Ezra until more towards the end of it. I wish we could have seen more of their personalities (like in the beginning where they were being sarcastic and stuff) since most of any interaction with those characters were “reports.” I did like the plot twists in the story. I didn’t see some of them coming and was pleasantly shocked. It might have taken a good while but I really liked Kady by the end of the book. BUT THEN I FOUND THAT THE SECOND BOOK IS TOLD IN DIFFERENT POVS??? I’ll probably read the next one but I’m not in any rush for it.

4 out of 5 stars from me.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

John Green is a hit or miss kind of author with the masses ever since TFIOS. Personally, I like him. I like his writing. TATWD was a bit deceiving from the synopsis. I expected a bit of a murder-mystery vibe from it, but instead I got more Looking for Alaska vibes (which is my least favorite Green book). I absolutely loved Aza and was impressed by how real her anxiety and OCD felt. I also was impressed by her and Davis’ relationship and how it played out. Not everything goes as planned and not everything goes the way you want it to. I was disappointed in the outcome of Davis’ dad though. Like I said, I expected murder-mystery vibes. I was also put off by how....smart EVERYONE sounded. And yeah yeah, kids, teenagers, adults, etc., can and DO sound smart on a day to day basis. According to my teachers, I am one of those people. But I still use slang, I still say stupid things. The teenagers in this book had very little moments where they SOUNDED like teenagers. I mean there were PAGES BEYOND PAGES of Davis going on and on about space and the sky AND. I. WAS. BORED. WITH. IT.

To be honest, this would have sat better with me if he didn’t throw in the “missing rich parent of cute boy I used to hang out with” thing. It would have been a great book on someone dealing with OCD.

The last pages are what really saved it for me. Don’t get me wrong, there were some great moments and characters (cough Daisy cough), but the last pages are what really felt like John Green, what really got me feeling the feels. They spoke about life, and how it moves on, the good and bad, and everything in between. Those were amazing. It left you with a good taste in your mouth and a bit of an out of body experience (in my case anyway.)

3 out of 5 stars.

Madness by Zac Brewer

I actually got an arc of this but never got around to reading it until recently. I’m glad I didn’t dive in (I was a big fan of Uncle Z’s Vladimir Todd books soooo). I opened this book during a bad mental episode and it helped me a lot. It was so amazing to see the downfalls and uplifts of Brooke, as well as the people around her. Her best friend, whom she calls Duckie (and is gay JS), is someone I hope we all find in our lives. He was a loving supportive friend, as well as a guide without being to cliche.

Speaking of cliche...this book had some. I have yet to read a book about suicide/depression without some (okay a lot) of cliches in it. I’m sure you can imagine it, so I won’t go on about them. The book started off dark, and went on in a realistic way about coming back from the point in your life where you don’t want that life, to being okay with opening your eyes in the morning and finding that you’re living another day.

Through the climax of the book, some very dark stuff happens (can’t say I didn’t see it coming) that leads to a surprising ending. I love the ending because it’s not something I would have done. This book brings hopes, second chances, and more.

4 out of 5 stars.

Welcome to the dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz

I’m just going to be honest and say I was disappointed with this. I was expecting so much more, and got a cheap knock off out of those expectations. The characters were two dimensional, a lot of their personalities and motives felt fake, and the writing was boring. This may be because I’m VEERRRYYY picky with horror novels, but I doubt it. I was anticipating so much more from this author, but alas, it fell short. So short in fact that I just googled what happens in the second book because I knew I wasn’t going to read it.

I did, however, like some of the horror elements to the book. The characters worst fears and how they played out was pretty creative.

2 out of 5 stars.

The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell

I AM KICKING MYSELF FOR THIS ONE.

I’ve been seeing the book around for a bit, always picked it up, and continued to leave it. Finally, I took the plunge and bought it. WHY DIDN’T I DO IT SOONER.

Time travel related in anything is sketchy and--in my opinion--hard to make sense. Lisa Maxwell made it simple, to the point, and very efficient. The main character Esta is very likable, kick ass, yet not superhuman. Which I like. I couldn’t help getting attached to almost everyone Esta met, and feeling more and more excited about the story as it progressed. The way the magic worked was simple and clean, everyone had their own talents in one way or another. The plot was well driven, the writing even better, and I know I said it but, THOSE. CHARACTERS. And that ending? Broke my heart, had me shocked, and most importantly, had me screaming for more. I cannot wait for the second book.

5 out of 5 stars.

Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter

I love Ally Carter. She’s a great writer, and I’m always happy with her stories. So I was so excited to get an ARC of this book. Reading it on the other hand? I wasn’t happy with it but I also wasn’t disappointed. It starts off great, setting a tone for the story with ups and downs and some background information on how the main character got to where she is. But then the story...just lacks depth. Everything is see through, I’m never really surprised, and I’m left wanting something more out of it. I did like the characters personalities and the location of the book. It made for numerous interesting scenes and I actually learned a lot from some of it (apparently many things can kill you in Alaska).

Overall it wasn’t bad, some great high points, but not her best.

3 out of 5 stars.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Oh boy do I have some issues with Holly’s books. I’m always left wanting so much more with her stories (usually the stand alones) so I wasn’t too sure about this. Regardless, that cover had me hooked so I bought it. In the past, i enjoyed her writing but was never impressed with the overall story. Boy oh boy did that change here.

Immediately I liked Jude. I liked that she had inner turmoil over feelings for her adoptive family and home. I liked that she stood up for herself despite being kicked over and over again. I liked her demeanor and outlook on things. But what I really liked? Her courage to become the villain in the eyes of those around her, including her family.

And her family? God, I was so conflicted. On one hand, I liked her adoptive family because they cared for her and her sisters. On the other, I couldn’t get over what had happened to her biological family. It left me feeling confused, much like Jude, about my feelings towards these people. Props to you Holly for that one. By the ending, I knew what was going to happen, which is okay because my imagination was in no competition with the actual story.

I’m mad I have to wait for the next book. Let the conquering begin!

5 out of 5 stars.

The Diviners by Libba Bray

This book was a bit slow for me. I think what threw me off was the slang used (based off of 1926 NYC) and the constant...niceness that vibrated from Evie. At least how I read her. But more so Evie’s slang. Kind of annoying. I liked Evie though, she was brave and wanted the glamorous things in life. And while Evie wasn’t a terrible character, I wish we could have gotten more of the secondary characters. Specifically Sam, Theta, and Henry. Their back stories were so interesting and really had me wanting to know more about them. The overall story wasn’t bad, but I did see a lot of it coming. Libba’s writing was great (besides the slang...I just can’t). Though I’m not in a rush to read the second book, I will be picking it up at some point. Hopefully more of the secondary characters will be added.

3 out of 5 stars.

Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody

UM HELLO, WHY IS EVERYONE SLEEPING ON THIS BOOK??? It was so good! I liked the main character and her family so much! I had such a soft spot for them all.  

I’m such a huge fan of circus/carnival themed books so of course I picked this up. Though the story doesn’t completely center around the circus, I do wish we learned a bit more about how it works. You know, the magic behind it.

Sorina--who is an illusionist--was a likeable character with a very soft side. Some of the people around her were very “business first” (especially her adoptive father, Villiam) but she wasn’t. I really liked that. Most main characters are very, “I’m tough as shit, except for some things” which is totally cool, but boy was it so refreshing to see someone so emotional. Could be because her family kept getting murdered but whatever.

Some downfall to it was that I saw the identity of the murderer coming from the first murder. Didn’t see the other thing with her illusions coming though (which, if you read the book, you know WHO I’m talking about. And while I love the character, idk how to feel about the feelings between the character and Sorina). Another downfall was Sorina’s attitude towards becoming proprietor of the circus. She kept putting herself down and comparing herself to others, never really letting herself take a chance at trying it. There were numerous times that proved she could be a great leader, if she only tried. BUT, she was very insistent (from the first page actually) that her family would always come first. And as a leader, she would have to put the circus first. And I LOVED that about her. family first, always. 

Another great thing about this book? Many characters were a part of the LGBT community. Some preferred men, others women. The main character was bi and, this part was a bit murky, but I’m pretty sure the love interest was demisexual (which I hope he is, because that would be great). 

4 out of 5 stars from me.

[thecitruslife]

Are You The New Energy In The Room?

Are You The New Energy In The Room? Do you have a fresh energy perspective?

It’s raining and storming Spirit Sorority! And as some of us know, storms and rain are mother nature’s way of cleansing the earth. So if you hear some lighting crashing or thunder rolling, feel free to turn down your volume and maybe even absorb some that natural energy. Thanks for joining me on this episode of Get Back To Your Truth—A podcast that will help you to set fire to the decaying aspects of your life so you can go from ashes to phoenix with your host, intuitive health rebel, energy worker, and medium, Angela L. Montanez. 

For those just joining the podcast, I am an intuitive health rebel, yogi, energy worker, and "mediyum". I help you to set fire to the decaying aspects of your life so you can go from ashes to phoenix. I am also a fitness fashion style blogger at BasicBitchStyle.com where I highlight minimalist Fit Fashion and I am also the founder of TheMediYum.com where I help my Spirit Sorority to align their minds, bodies, and souls. 

Speaking of energy, today’s podcast is entitled, Are You The New Energy In The Room? A Fresh Energy Perspective. And it’s so aligned that I am doing this podcast in the middle of a storm with lots of natural energy. I know I have been the new energy in the room PLENTY of times and have been part of the latest trend or what sells as well. 

But let’s dive into this deeper……

When you are the new energy in the room, other healers and intuitive’s LOVE you. You become the next best kept secret. You are everyone’s go-to “Mary” for channeling’s, healings, etc. But wait, just don’t have any major problems see. Because if you have too many, the new energy becomes stagnated with dense worldly issues and is no longer the new energy in the room. You’re no longer popular. There is no longer a fresh energy perspective. This may be the point you realize you are not in the “in-crowd” of certain groups within your spiritual community anymore.  I have seen this dynamic play out in churches as well as intimate spiritual groups. And if you are spiritually or energetically gifted within their scope of what is deemed as a spiritual gift, then you are definitely the new and most popular energy in the room. 

As we all know, we are still human so we create groups and boxes and we separate based on “vibrations” or spiritual “levels.” Someone in our group may mention a new healer, medium, or other intuitive and we shrink at the idea of trusting our soul with someone outside of our group unless it is referred by someone we love and trust despite the fact that this could very well change our lives. And yet still, we want to change the world. HOW? Even within the darkness, we are lighthouses so even those of us that may have more dark than light need to be shown ways to lighten up. And this doesn’t make you unworthy of anything or bad or wrong whatsoever. It simply means you have been stuck in the dark mayer of the dark places in your life for far too long and you need help to “lighten” up. 

We see this play out in relationships as well. And I cannot judge because I have done this myself and sometimes it is necessary for your growth to experience this path of yours in this fashion. You are with a guy or a girl that you know is the wrong fit. You go to one, or more, psychic(s) and they describe another individual that you know very well. Perhaps the two of you are friends. They say, “this is the one.” So you dump what you perceive as the zero to get with the soul-mate hero. And then the next several months are either hell or just really crappy. Now, many of you have had success with this path but many have not. I speak to those who have not had success and here is why. The “zero” love of your life provided something on a physical, emotional, or soul level that the “hero” soulmate may provide later on in life but he or she is not at the place yet. The “hero” has not done enough self-work to date to be everything you would hope or desire in a soulmate where the “zero” perhaps has gone through some really intense shit in their lives and they have grown in some aspects of wisdom, which may or may not affect their decision making skills cause we all know some really wise souls who make the poorest decisions. So the “zero” is feeding us and we are feeding them and they are providing what you would deem an even exchange of energy. And the “hero” has not gotten to that place of deep self-work as of yet but over time they may surpass the growth of the “zero.” 

Now here’s the big million dollar question, “Do I wait for the “zero” to become the “hero” or do I take the current “hero” and endure all the growth markers to come? And the answer is, that is up to you. Why? Because you decide what you want to put up with. Sometimes we are not done learning the lesson from the “zero” and we stay there to continue to feed what is being fed to us when no one else is feeding us. The lesson, in these situations, will always come with a rude awakening that you must feed yourself and stand in your power and it may take time to get to this point so until then, they get fed by what is offered since they feel no love exists. And what about the lesson for the “hero?” The growing pains anyone endures is not only difficult for the owner but for the supporter as well. If you want to support this individual through the growing pain time and you feel like the exchange of energy and love is worth it, by all means, run to your soulmate. But if you feel like you have work to do, they have work to do, and there is just not enough of “me” yet to assist you, keep it casual and friendly. Focus on you. And become your hero. 

And so we can go back and forth like ping pong balls trying to exist and breathe and surround ourselves with new energy, which was someone else’s old energy.  And we are excited with the new energy in the room. If you find that you are the new energy in the room, here are three things I would advise: 

Tread lightly cause energetic waters run deep and if you don’t know how to swim while holding others up, you will sink, drown. 

What do I mean? If you are enduring a struggle in supporting yourself emotionally, spiritually, or even physically, and you are trying to support others in a similar capacity…guess what? Someone is the life raft in this situation and if you don’t know how to support yourself and someone else, you will sink fast. 

2. Create solid boundaries

Write it out. Spell it out. Speak it out. Color it out. Draw it out. Act it out. Make it the most imprinted line in the sand. And make sure you are solid emotionally and physically before you commit to supporting one or more people, especially as the new energy in the room because if you don’t know how to conserve yourself, you will get zapped. 

3. Take time to pray, meditate, and do some research about ways that you can conserve your energy and what tools others are utilizing in the light work they are doing. This has helped me to decide which tools and methods work for me and which do not. Practice makes better. 

In Conclusion, 

Just know Spirit Sorors and warrior souls that as the new energy in your small group, workshop, retreat, and even in your programs, if you are an entrepreneur, that conservation, boundaries, and energy clearing and cleansing are vital in staying fresh, having vitality, and being able to support others on your journey as a light-worker and healer on this earth. 

As Always, Stay Strong. 

Smooches!

Angela L. Montanez