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citadelofswords · 1 month ago

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Fanfic Writer Interview Meme

eh fuck it i'll do this. was tagged by @redtailedhawk90

How many works do you have on AO3?

72 that aren't anonymous. don't feel like going to count the ones that are on anon but that's another 6 or 7? so like just under 80.

What's your total AO3 word count?

297,699 words total. which does include the anon fics since they show up in stats.

Your top 5 stories by kudos:

i've been with you such a long time (you're my sunshine) - good omens missing scene fic from the final episode i published like a week after the season dropped bc that's how you fuck your stats for life

hush hush (we both can't fight it) - penumbra pod jupeter 5+1 times i wrote pre-train from nowhere. it's somehow still the #2 most kudos'd fic in the penumbra tag.

fall to your knees (bring on the rapture) - critical role campaign 1 soulmate au fic. i do still really love this one, actually.

your eyes are swallowing me - jupeter masquerade ball fic. i had no idea this was here, for real.

ecstasies where they forgot to kiss - xmfc alex/armando soulmate au. i still adore this ship, i regularly think about writing something for them.

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

rarely, if ever. i love all my commenters dearly but i'm really bad at figuring out what to say to people that doesn't just feel like a rote copy-paste thank you.

Do you write crossovers?

[stares at my interstitial fic] on occasion

Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

i have tried multiple times and i get extremely extremely stuck on it. maybe someday i'll break past the wall in my brain about it

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

i... wouldn't be surprised if i had but i don't actually know for sure

Have you ever had a fic translated?

yep! two marvel fics and one of my les mis fics. i have a blanket translation/podfic/remix statement on my profile (which i should amend, now that i think about it)

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

yeah quite a few friends at the table fics i've written were cowritten with my girlfriend, actually; but only one of them is on ao3

What's your all-time favourite ship?

it's been a long time since i've had just one. i usually say that tony/ziva of ncis is my All Time Favorite but i'm just not sure anymore.

What's a WIP that you want to finish but don't think you ever will?

oh i have a million of these lol you don't want to see the ashcan folders in my gdrive they're a fucking nightmare. one i wish i would finish is the cassmako post-canon road trip fic. but these days most of my WIPs that i really want to finish are original stuff.

What are your writing strengths?

dialogue. i feel like my best skill in writing is actually playwriting because it's All dialogue but

What are your writing weaknesses?

filling in the details between point A and point B lmfao

What's a fandom/ship you haven't written for yet but want to?

[silently scrolls through my own blog for ten minutes] idk doc a lot of the fandoms i've wanted to write for i've just written for. there's some interstitial stuff i want to get around to eventually but i've already written most of what i would answer this question with. exception being shokal i guess? and then eventually i'll finish the "carrie meets the wktd girls in the summer camp car" fic i have half-written. anyway.

What's your favourite fic that you've written?

ok genuinely i really like everything i've written but the one that suckerpunches me in the goddamn gut every time i think about it is every ghost in me, the interstitial infinity hinamizawa time loop au i wrote where i put shigeo mob kageyama into a torment nexus bc marn put alphonse elric into a different torment nexus and i said "i can make this worse". i have so many bonus scenes for this fic and i STILL think about it.

and if you're the kind of person who hates fun and doesn't think crossover fic is valid, then take these lines of lightning mean we're never alone the cassmako fake dating au

(note: because with all your heart has been semi-canonized i'm not sure i'm counting it as fic anymore, despite it being on ao3. so to my stasto people, it's only not here for that reason. i still adore it and am so so proud of it.)

Tagging: if you read this and it looks fun for you consider yourself tagged. and tag me in your post so i can see

#tag games #i forget what my tag for these things are i so rarely do them #but i do like to talk about myself and talk up my own fic so.

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frodo-with-glasses · 2 years ago

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Discord Highlights: Theodoc "Trotter" Brandybuck

From a discussion on 4/28/23

Windmill to the Stars:

I've heard vague references to a letter Tolkien wrote to a fan (not included in the volume of the Letters) in which he told her that Merry named at least one son "Periadoc." I kind of like it, especially if the "Per" part is related to "Peregrin" or "Periannath"! What do y'all think? Does this go with the other headcanons we came up with about Merry's kids?

InvisibleWashboard:

I can see it! May steal it and replace one of the other son’s names I have in my one-shot about all his babies!

Me:

Merry and Perry 👀

InvisibleWashboard:

It’s maybe a little too cutesy with the rhyming but I kind of like it, not gonna lie.

Windmill to the Stars:

And Pippin's son Ferry

Me:

THE TRIFECTA IS COMPLETE

meg is me:

It's all -erry

Me:

Always has been

meg is me:

You know what must be done now

Me:

It is done

Windmill to the Stars:

Suddenly imagining the next generation in the Shire with Perry and Ferry and the Master of Buckland and the Thain (and idk if Frodo Gardner follows his dad in becoming the mayor of Hobbiton.)

Me:

Okay wait: Is Periadoc Merry’s first son, or is Theodoc?? This is very important to me

Kasey Gondor:

twins

InvisibleWashboard:

Theodoc is for sure the oldest, at least in my head.

Writing Valkyrie:

Theodoc born first by several minutes

Me:

I LOVE THIS TWINS HECK YEAH Poor Estella, her first pregnancy and it's twins LOL 🤣

Windmill to the Stars:

Technically she could have older daughters but yeah I think we said before his sons were first

InvisibleWashboard:

I've always imagined he had a set of twins, but it was the last two kids he had. Estella was like, "We've had a bunch of boys, let me try and give you your Eowyn. One more!" Then it ends up being twins, but they don't know. A boy is born first, and they're like, "Yay, another kid, but this is kind of a bummer because we REALLY wanted a girl." And then, BOOM. Surprise daughter! And Merry is just over the moon

Me:

ACK THAT'S SO CUTE

Windmill to the Stars:

How many sons total does Merry have now??

Me:

Yes X-D

Windmill to the Stars:

I mean he's not gonna beat Sam probably but still

Me:

He has yes amount of sons

Writing Valkyrie:

All of his sons are his.

Me:

This is true! Accurate statement!

InvisibleWashboard:

I have 6 sons, one daughter in my one-shot that I've written. A boatload of kids, but not a cruise ship like the Gamgee's.

Me:

cruise ship 🤣🤣

Writing Valkyrie:

He needs it. They'd sink a boat.

meg is me:

Which of Pippin or Merry's kids (her honorary cousins) do you headcanon Elanor is closest to?

[There was much discussion in response to this question, but I'm cutting most of it for the sake of time lol]

Windmill to the Stars:

Depending on how old Periadoc and Theodoc are they could be closer to Elanor

Theodoc seems like he should be a bit adventurous And Elanor as well, so maybe they bond over that

Elanor moving into the Tower Hills with her husband but they always welcome her favorite cousin Theodoc who brings them gifts from his adventures

Theodoc is borderline a Knight Errant

Theodoc rides horses and boats with equal ease, he has his own nickname in Bree

meg is me:

What is it

Windmill to the Stars:

. . . Good question

meg is me:

and can he ride barrels

InvisibleWashboard:

Yes, this is the important question.

Windmill to the Stars:

Of course he can!

meg is me:

Yisss

Writing Valkyrie:

He teaches little Bilbo how

Me:

Bilbo Jr. WOULD take up boating just to give his poor mother a heart attack

Windmill to the Stars:

Amendment: he has like 5 nicknames in Bree Theodoc becomes actual Trotter

Me:

Minus the wooden feet, I hope??

Windmill to the Stars:

Oooh yes, definitely! 😬

Me:

I mean…it wouldn’t be so bad if Theodoc was born disabled and still had an adventurous spirit. Kinda rad, actually.

Windmill to the Stars:

Ahhh that's true! New hc

[Bonus]

Windmill to the Stars:

I'm getting way carried away with this, Theodoc wasn't my idea

Me:

Theodoc is OUR idea Communism

Kasey Gondor:

Windmill to the Stars is @windmilltothestars, InvisibleWashboard is @invisiblewashboard, Writing Valkyrie is @writingvalkyrie, Kasey Gondor is @captaingondor, and meg is me does not have tumblr :-3

#fig tree discord server #theodoc brandybuck (oc)#periadoc brandybuck (oc)#eowyn brandybuck (oc)#faramir took #elanor gamgee #bilbo gamgee #meriadoc brandybuck #merry #estella bolger #my writing #other people’s writing #lord of the rings #lotr

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stannyramirez · 2 years ago

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not sure if you're aware but jon bernthal stands in solidarity with shia labeouf, the interview they had together "hot ones" was disgusting.

alright, nonny, here i come. more info under the cut and tw: for ab*se.

first and foremost, i wanna say that i had no idea about the content of the REAL ONES podcast until this message. i watched both jon's real ones podcast with shia as a guest and his hot ones episode, though there was no mention of shia in the latter. and, yes, i listened to every last second of the 2 hour podcast. i took notes.

i think "stands in solidarity" is a bit of a strong statement. i think, after watching, that maybe jon and shia are just really good friends, and that jon is empathetic to the flawed human being that shia is. this is in no way an apologetic post for shia, i don't care one way or another about him, but... sincerely, did you watch the podcast?

jon opened a door for shia to talk about his experience, and i don't see anything wrong with that. shia spent the whole two hours apologizing for his deplorable actions and speaking on how he needs to make up for it, how he's going to be 'making amends' for the rest of his life, not only to those he victimized but to the other people his actions affected. i think that takes a lot of balls... to use your voice and actually hold yourself fucking accountable. so, kudos to shia, because i don't see any of these other sleazeball men accused in hollywood coming forward and expressing their regret, expressing how flawed and immature they were when they made their choices, and actively trying to be better people after the fact.

we have to think about celebrity culture and discourse. why do we put these people on such high pedestals? they are people with flaws, people who make mistakes, people who fuck up, people who feel. why do we cancel one celebrity for maintaining a friendship with another after questionable behavior as if that celeb engaged in the behavior themselves? i don't believe in damning someone for being guilty by association, and i have a lot of feelings on the whole issue of cutting someone out of your life based on their past actions. idk anything about shia's previous relationship or the shit he's accused of or where he was mentally, and, frankly i don't care, because -- like he said more than once -- there's no excuse, nothing else matters other than the fact that he did those bad things. but, as a survivor of abuse, i have not cut out the people in my life who remain close and supportive of my abuser. that's just not the way the world works, i'm so sorry.

the entire interview/conversation is one that reveals the many flaws of the egos of men in hollywood, how it's easy to fall into that headspace. never ONCE do either of them make excuses for themselves, never once does jon pardon him or tell him he feels sorry for him or that things should be different. he simply offered a FRIEND a platform to say what he needed to say. i wasn't disgusted by the podcast at all. did shia rub me the wrong way a few times? yes, absolutely, but he's not my friend, and i don't believe any of the content in the episode was problematic or hurtful to anyone. that said, i fully support jon and his work, and i'm not going to stop liking him or suddenly cancel him because he happens to have a friend who's done some shit i don't agree with.

#jon bernthal #shia labeouf #real ones #hot take

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upsidedowngrass · 2 years ago

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Charlotte post NOW (/j only if u want!!)

AHHH charlotte jumpscare!!!!!!!

im not sure what SPECIFICALLY to post abt her bc this ask is a little vague, BUT i do think abt her a lot!!! tho i DO gotta think about her more, she is a WONDERFUL character

bc idk what specifically, my interpretation of her post canon and WHY (also under a readmore because WOW!! i had apparently a lot to say abt her):

i think!!! she is a LOT more mellow after she gets home. like in one 16 after shes respawned its like. she seems to be friendlier? which. i think has to do w like... i dont think she was a bad person really, and i dont think shed been acting Maliciously, but when it came to having friends i think it was really easier for her to genuinely take things as worst as they could be. we dont actually get much of her backstory, so its up to interpretation as to WHY, but i think she genuinely struggled with being distrustful of those close to her. she likes them, that much is clear, but trusting people is a whole other thing

but i think she really DID view her friends as pitying her. as not respecting her, even when they werent Being cruel. they were concerned for her safety, and how her recklessness was affecting her. and i think that can end up walking a line between pity and not wanting your friends to do things that are pretty unambiguously dangerous, and what was very standard friendship ended up feeling a lot MORE like they didnt respect her or her choices

and i think what changes this is that. she DID die. and i think that contextualized for her that her friends werent concerned because they thought she couldnt handle herself, but because they just Generally care abt her yknow? as fucked up as her dying is, i think it did ultimately make her realize that THIS is what her friends were worried about. they didnt want THIS to happen to her, and i think in an odd way? it kinda made her. idk understand? trust? the people around her more. like in a 'oh, people around me dont only care about me for selfish reasons, or cruel reasons. they care because they CARE' way

and i think that, and the fact that she says that shed been thinking about this a lot? i feel like it kinda all forced her to slow down and WANT to talk to the people around her. because shed been pushing them all away because what was the point in talking to them? and i think once she REALLY noticed how amelia was doing, after thinking so much about all this, it kinda MADE her want to amend things. or at the very least, to talk to people more. shes isolated herself long enough, and its now more than ever that she realizes how much others meant to her in the first place.

(i think in some aspects, amelias method of coping also bothered her. amelias coping mechanisms werent necessarily BAD, theyre not good by real-world standards, but given the situation shes in, it was just... once of the few ways she COULD cope. but i think the flaws in this method of coping really came through once airy came back, because in forgetting everything about who she used to be, earth became a very daunting place, but now that airys back, any amount of feeling like home the plane may have unfortunately gained was completely undone. and i think charlotte actually SEES that, and its not the exact same as her own struggles, but i think she WANTS to help amelia, because she of all people knows how the feeling of being isolated, either on purpose or accident, can feel Extremely Awful. that, and she knew amelia before things on the plane got REALLY bad, and she SAW (since ive seen people note that she!!! was watching amelia do yoga w the others) amelia gradually give up, become comfortable, and then LOSE all of that

and i think, at least right before bryce showed up, it felt fucked up that charlotte WAS the only other person from the same world as amelia and theyd!!! never even spoken about it??? (like how she comments that they NEVER told each other their names. which only applies to her and amelia. that statement was intended very specifically towards amelia) and its like. i think it mightve made her a bit 'no WONDER shes not doing well. even if shes trying to act like she is' (which i dont even think amelia is doing to deflect so much as an attempt at 'if i pretend its ok it WILL be ok right?'))

and!!! once getting home i think this would all really lead her to be a bit more patient with others. i dont think the distrust would STOP being an issue, but i think such a terrible experience causing her to completely recontextualize the actions of those around her would actually help, at least a little . i dont actually know if i think shed stay friends w parker and that friend group, but i think theyd at the least keep in touch. parker clearly, even when they were arguing, STILL cared about her, and i think seeing her disappear probably was. a bit haunting, and so i think at the very least hed like to know shes Okay

also whenever people have the characters live together post canon, they only ever include bryce liam and amelia, and i GET why!!! charlotte didnt really interact w them for a looong time. but after charlotte is revived i actually see her as talking with them yknow? i dont think shed stop talking to them again, and i think her talking with amelia was a genuine attempt to help!! so i think theyd stick together. i dont imagine liam actually gets closer with any of the contestants while hes trying to send them home (tho i dont think it worsens substantially either. i think it just sorta. stays where it is? and if he did have notable interactions with any of them, itd PROBABLY be mainly w amelia and bryce, tho i dont think he DOESNT talk to charlotte too! he just has a diff sort of connection w those to, based on the experiences he Shared w them) so i think he isnt SUPER close w charlotte, but i think the others may become WAY closer w her!!! so i think if they all moved in together? that WOULD include charlotte!!! (that, and i think charlotte would also develop a sort of respect for liam . because he kinda DOES display exactly the type of traits she didnt really see people as having!!! going to EXTREME lengths to help people, including HER! so i think shed generally have many thoughts on him)

anyway !!! thats it the point is that as much as one would fuck charlotte up in her own way, i think, similar to how bryce tried to get his life together after he was first eliminated, shed similarly end up having a better ability to navigate social stuff in not such a pessimistic way as before!!!!!

#hfjone #one is a series abt the complexities of isolation man........#how people create it and how people respond to it #i also have many thoughts on what one is abt but . theres such a theme of isolation #(also? its been a longstanding idea ive had that like #charlotte and bryce both mellow out more after one #while liam and amelia both become a bit more easily agitated #NOT that charlotte and bryce wouldnt have their own problems but like #i think BECAUSE these two were in a shittier place that made them rethink stuff #while liam and amelia were doing okay and abruptly had everything ruined #would make charlotte AND bryce actually a bit Better at Navigating things specifically #and i think charlotte and bryce are meant to somewhat reflect back amelia and liam actually #and are meant to show the different ways awful experiences affect people #DUNNO. i think i could put these four on a chart and liam and amelia would be on a diff side from bryce and charlotte #based on the general Way that one affected them #but then liam and bryce would be on a diff side from amelia and charlotte too based on their experiences in a more literal way #if that makes sense #though i think liam AND charlotte ALSO share in their stubbornness and amelia nd bryce in a desire to Let Go of things #so itd be a complex chart #ask

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blankeyescoloredlies · 7 months ago

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😑

I decided to see this guy casually cause I was sick of missing out on intimacy. So connecting with humans on SOME level is better than no level… right?

Well I kinda like him. Idk if he likes me in the same way.

I don’t get how these dudes just be out here not craving love?

Makes me wonder why they don’t feel the same…

And years of deep reflection let me KNOW that their feelings have nothing to do with me and are technically none of my business.

But like maybe their feelings are my business if I’m looking for a partner? Like no man is an island, so we have to care about other peoples perspective and feelings..

Maybe my statement should be amended…. Their feelings don’t matter because I know I need to determine my values and character on my own. When I live in alignment with those things, sure, I can keep an open mind about how I may make other people feel, but I needent worry about other people not liking me… because maybe they just aren’t the people I need to surround myself with then?

It’s just hard to know when to listen to others vs when to ignore.

I think I’m just gonna keep being the best version of myself and have faith in the universe.

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cat3ch1sm · 3 years ago

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Hello my friend!! I know I mentioned doing an Agni and Prince Soma s/o preference headcannons (since their content is so little out here :( ) BUT!!! Could I also request you do a Bard x femreader smut? Or as far nsfw as you are willing to go? And I know you wanted ideas for ‘pet names’ so here’s what I like - babe, love, doll, sweet face (<- I usually call the other person that last one 😂 idk) whenever you have time!! I know you work hard on your writing and I don’t want to rush you at all! Hope all is well :) ✌️

🌲| fucking hell this took ages. im so sorry wtf thank you so much for the kindness and patience<33 for the record this is a request made before my hiatus!

"I'm glad you were finally able to get away from work," you sighed, head resting on Bardroy's chest and his arm around your shoulders. "Really, I don't know why you insist on staying over there- the Phantomhives aren't people I would want to spend time with daily..."

Bardroy chuckled understandingly. "They aren't the most pleasant, I'll admit that. But I've got friends over there that make the time bearable. Pay's not half bad either." He grinned mischievously before going on. "And anyway, the only Phantomhive that I work for is Ciel, and the kid behaves a lot worse than he is."

"Yeah... one can only put up an act for so long," you agreed, tone somewhat wistful. "Listen-" you sat up some, resting your hands where your head was and facing Bardroy, who looked back at you questioningly. "Isn't there any way you could... take a bit more time off? I feel like I'm seeing you less and less during the day, and you don't even stay here with me at night. I don't want to come off as clingy or anything, but I do miss you...sometimes," you added sheepishly, suddenly mortified at your confession.

Bardroy sighed as you laid back down on his chest, bringing his hand up to run his fingers through your hair. "I know, and I miss you too- but I do want you to understand this isn't a job I can just... you know, leave when I feel like it. Believe me, if I could, I'd recommend you to Ciel himself- but unfortunately, that just isn't how it works." Another sigh. "Look, whatever you want to make it up to you, I'm here."

You smiled lovingly up at your boyfriend before looking back down at the bedsheets. "I know you're trying, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate that. I'm just worried that we're missing out on things. We don't go on dates. I see you maybe less than forty-eight hours a week. And we haven't done anything really romantic... in fact, I think this right here is the furthest we've gone." You laughed a little, trying to make it seem like that didn't bother you. However, Bardroy's lips spread into a smirk.

"And how far would you like us to go, pretty?" A bit roughly, he took your chin in his hand and tilted your head up towards his, a sly glint in his eye as his gaze locked with yours. A rush of heat washed over your cheeks as you realized what you'd said.

Your eyes widening, you quickly tried to amend your previous statement. "Of course, I don't mean- it's really no pre-"

"But do you want to?"

You blinked, staying quiet for a minute. You knew exactly what he meant, and despite the little time you'd been able to spend with Bardroy, you knew that he didn't have ill intent. There wasn't a truly evil bone in his body. And you definitely wanted to go further than just the occasional fruitless make out session once every other week or so when you actually got to see him.

You glanced up at Bardroy, wide-eyed but your confidence rising. "Yes-"

The word was barely halfway out of your mouth when he kissed you, making you draw in a sharp breath at the suddenness of it. His hand was wrapped beneath your jaw and chin; his lips were warm and inviting, making it impossible to not kiss him back. His tongue made its way into your mouth, deeper than it ever had before, and your hands came up to cup his cheeks, fingertips running across the rough stubble along his jaw.

Bardroy pulled away abruptly after a few more seconds to peer into your eyes, his stare so intense you felt you would melt right there. "Still not enough, Y/N?"

You were about to answer when suddenly Bardroy's lips were on your neck just below your jawline, the tip of his nose brushing against your skin. Abruptly, he sat up, taking you with him and forcefully adjusting you so that you were sitting in his lap, his legs stretched out beneath you. Suddenly feeling a little embarrassed, you averted your eyes as his head moved down further, tugging down the neckline of your shirt to reach your collarbone. Meanwhile, his other hand slid down your body down to your thighs; you could feel his fingertips gently push your thighs apart and slip beneath your dress; you gave him a furtive glance.

Bardroy, sensing your eyes on him, glanced back up at you with a sly expression on his face and chuckled a little. "Ah, don't give me that look. You were the one talking about how we hadn't gone far enough."

Your face heated up and you turned your gaze to the ceiling, trying to hide your small smile. "Yeah, I know."

Bardroy scoffed good-naturedly. "Just relax for me, alright, doll? I'll make you feel good." With that, he straightened back up to kiss you on the lips and, sliding his fingers into your dampening panties, began to rub your clit gingerly, just barely making contact.

You almost broke the kiss as a pleasured sigh slipped out, you head falling back just slightly, but Bardroy caught your chin again, his lips spreading into a mischievous smile as he kept his pace, making sure he didn't touch you too much despite you occasionally bucking your hips.

"Easy, Y/N... I'm not going anywhere."

You bit your lower lip petulantly, eyebrows furrowing. "Then stop teasing."

Bardroy arched a brow and suddenly pressed harder on your clit, causing you to emit a broken whine. Watching your face flush, he chuckled lightly. "If you don't like my teasing, why are you moaning?"

Your hand came up to cover your face, your lips pressed firmly together. "Stop," you pleaded. You could feel your own slick on the skin of your inner thighs, and it was driving you crazy.

"Mm. So you just want me to go ahead and finger you?" Bardroy queried, fingers rolling your clit in between the tips; you had to struggle to stop your thighs from pressing together.

You hesitated for a split second, but soon you gave in to the increasingly good feeling of his hand in between your legs, your nod barely detectable. Somewhat reassuringly, his free hand squeezed one side of your waist as the other hiked your dress further up your thighs and your underwear further down.

Bardroy slipped a single finger into your entrance, the initial feeling making you wince in discomfort, which he noticed. "If this hurts, you need to let me know, alright babe?"

You nodded again, just trying to focus on adjusting, toes clenching and unclenching as you slowly felt yourself relax enough to allow Bardroy to move his finger.

Soon enough, your breathing began to grow heavy, and he slid a second finger in when he knew it was starting to feel good. Your hands, resting on his shoulders, squeezed them as the sensation grew.

"Please- do you think you could go a little faster?" you asked, lips parted and eyelashes fluttering as your chest rose and fell. The discomfort had faded now, replaced with a growing knot of pleasure that threatened to come undone with every movement of Bardroy's fingers.

"Should I?" Bardroy wondered aloud, curling his fingers and making you gasp. "I certainly wouldn't want you to ruin these pretty panties of yours..."

Your voice was airy when you replied. "Mm- Bardroy, I don't care. Please just go faster."

"Alright, then." He obliged, a smile on his face, and you thrust your hips forward, wanting his fingers to go deeper and whimpering with every pulse.

"Aw- I love the way you look when you do that, love. You know- if you wanna come so bad, you can help get yourself off." Bardroy's other hand left your waist to take one of your hands, guiding it down in between your own legs. Looking down a bit sheepishly, you slowly began to rub your own throbbing clit, gradually picking up speed as you realized how much it added to the pleasure you were already experiencing.

"There you go, love," Bardroy praised you softly as your eyes started to roll into the back of your head, your hips squirming. "Aren't you the prettiest thing, trying to make yourself come?"

You didn't respond, breathing hard as you began to rub your clit more frantically, simultaneously thrusting into Bardroy's fingers as the pleasure slowly began to overwhelm you.

"Bardroy- I think I'm gonna- aah! I-"

"Go ahead and cum for me, darling." Tenderly, he smoothed back a strand of hair sticking to your face.

"Oh- oh, fuck- oh!" Hand still on your clit, you squirted around Bardroy's fingers, body shaking as you did. Your juices spilled down your thighs and dripped down his wrist, you almost in tears as Bardroy fingered you sloppily, whimpering in ecstasy as your high finally came.

After a few more seconds, you had started to relax, and Bardroy gently withdrew his fingers, holding you by the waist with both hands while your breathing slowed. Letting out one last heavy exhale, you allowed yourself to relax, almost exhausted as you melted into his arms.

Bardroy, observing the wetness on his fingers, smirked and turned back to look at you; you were laying back down on the bed. "Hey, Y/N."

You tiredly turned to look at him. "Yeah?"

"Far enough for ya?" His smirk widened.

"Oh, shut up."

#black butler anime #kuroshitsuji #black butler smut #kuroshitsuji imagines #bardroy black butler #black butler x reader #black butler x you #reader x black butler #you x black butler #kuroshitsuji x reader #black butler headcanons #black butler servants #bardroy x reader #bardroy x you

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fem-fatalist · 3 years ago

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You are not pro-life. You are anti-choice.

That simple post where I shared screenshots for abortionfinder[dot]org, a tool to find abortion services by state, is now over 12k notes.

Someone recently shared with me the name of an anti-choice group that was deliberately using progressive and activist language to fight, in their words, “the abortion industrial complex.” I don’t feel like giving them attention, so I won’t link directly, but their website states that they’re feminists LOL.

There is no abortion industrial complex. Such a statement is straightforwardly ripped from “Prison Industrial Complex,” (PIC) which refers to the systemic use of policing, surveillance, and incarceration as attempts to solve social issues, but of course actually results in worsening those issues. The PIC is state use of for-profit prisons, cops stationed in urban disenfranchised schools, corrupt judges feeding youth to juvenile penitentiaries. You can learn more about the PIC here: https://sites.tufts.edu/prisondivestment/the-pic-and-mass-incarceration/

In contrast, there is no state feeder system directing people to abortion services. Clinics are frequently embattled for funds, and basically fight for their existence every day, especially in the US south. If there was such a thing, the Hyde Amendment wouldn’t exist, there would be way more clinics, and my post about abortionfinder wouldn’t have been fucking necessary.

Here’s a screenshot that made me laugh and really illustrates how myopic this group is:

Oh you’ll dismantle abortion you say! And how do you propose to do that?

Framing abortion as something that is to be dismantled, as if it were a built apparatus, is a deliberate obfuscation of the reality.

You can dismantle access, but you cannot dismantle a need.

There’s a lot of fluffy rosy language on their website about being feminists and fighting for equality, empowerment etc etc, but there’s absolutely fuck all about a concrete plan or goal. And zero engagement with the frankly obvious contradiction between these ideals and their politics.

They say they fight against oppression in all its forms, but blithely ignore how blocking abortion access consequently forces people to be pregnant, which the UN classifies as a human rights violation, which IDK SOUNDS PRETTY OPPRESSIVE.

For the record: “Pro-life feminism” is an oxymoron!

The reality is that the vast majority of people are seeking abortions because they do not have the financial and physical resources to support a child. Over half already have a family to support. Many are single parents, or would be if they brought a fetus to term. Childcare is ridiculously expensive in the US. If you’re uninsured, the cost of delivering a baby in a hospital could cost well over $10,000, and that’s if you’re blessed to have no complications. Mental health services in this country are infamously difficult to find and afford as well. Which is to say: the simple existence of a clinic offering abortion services clearly isn’t the fucking problem.

You can dismantle access, but you cannot dismantle a need.

If these chucklefucks were actually invested in reducing the need for abortion, they would fight for things like parental leave, subsidized or free childcare, universal healthcare. They’d organize around shit like raising the minimum wage, or affordable mental health services.

But since they do not, they are not pro-life, because nothing about their activism is centered on living people and their welfare, agency and health. It is entirely centered around eliminating an essential reproductive choice.

#abortion access #abortion rights #pro-choice #pro-life fuckery #reproductive justice #reproductive choice #reproductive freedom #reproductive rights #feminist #feminism

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sydmarch · 2 years ago

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it's about time i write at least some semblance of a review for gadzooks volume 2 rather than continuing to throw out vaguely incomprehensible text posts about it so. here goes

SO it feels weird to say that ANYTHING is better than volume 1 bcus I have such a deep deep love for that album it almost feels like a betrayal. but objectively 2 IS better it takes everything from 1 and builds on it. every single thing caleb releases manages to be better than the last even when the last one has had you for months like "this is the best album in the world". like it absolutely has the same vibes as 1 and feels like how a volume 2 of something should feel yknow but it also feels like. tighter & slightly more cohesive without losing that experimental wandering feeling that 1 had. & I feel like 1 was such a departure from the mother stone and then 2 kind of brings some elements from tms back around like it had those moments that feel dark and sweeping in the way that only tms does.

yknow how people do those web weaving posts collecting artwork or quotes I am mentally doing that w music all the time & it's like this album takes the best of both the previous albums like. touchdown yolk is in between a venn diagram of you're so wonderful and this won't come back. obviously not like its just a mix of them both but like i fewl elements of each in it & like. those are mt absolute big favorites on both albums so of course thay ends up my favorite on this ine. near the end of the album it's like you get the vibes from little planet pig but also for a short time. love how opening with croc killers 2 followed by little lion kind of mirrors the never wet + yesterday will come combo as opening up volume 1. & I've always felt like one of the strongest & most interesting things in his songwriting is the way a song will like go in and out of different parts then bring another part back & loop around and you'll almost forget how the beginning started but then the same elements come back around & thinking about that interview where he says it comes from writing songs mentally while on set so he's not recording or writing them down really just keeping them in his brain for months where they grow and warp & blend and how obstacles and challenges are where creativity really shines through. & I feel like the shanty shine achieves this more strongly than anything since you're so wonderful. (WAIT california also does this extremely well to a smaller extent) but THEN just a few songs later slink on fido does it just as well.

i also love the way vocals are used so many songs out there feel like it's just about the vocals & the music is just there to support it but with a lot of Caleb's stuff it feels more like the voice is just another instrument that weaves in and out, sometimes it gets more focus but sometimes not there will be times where it feels more like strings or drums are the star of the show and I love love love that. makes all of his songs feel so thought out and cohesive and more like the vocals are PART of a song & other things aren't sacrificed for the sake of vocals. so much stuff I'll listen to an instrumental version & be like wait you can't even hear that sound, you never even notice that in the version with vocals, wtf, & wish there was more balance between the two. I feel like his stuff does that balancing act extremely well.

& ik I had previously said idk if croc killers 1 is as strong of a closer as this won't come back but at that time I hadn't realized that the entire last 8 mins of the album was all that song so I'm going to amend that statement. when comparing just the VERY end like final minute of each song's ending twcb will always win out over anything that final minute is like The Finale To End All Finales. to me. I've already talked to death about that so I won't go on but otherwise. yeah croc killers 1 is just as strong an ending if im being objective & putting aside twcb being so special to me personally. OH & I didn't even touch on the more abstract synesthesia stuff like I meant to but yeah it goes back to 2 feeling a bit tighter & more cohesive just looking at what colors tend to pop up like 1 goes through such a journey from skies and grass & light colors to reds & pinks & blacks then to a mix of both & back & forth while 2 feels much more consistently jewel toned. crimsons at the start & orange and green & mostly darker throughout the later songs. while I feel like it absolutely sounds much more like 1 with some of the elements of tms brought back in my minds eye it's colors are much closer to tms than vol 1 which is inch resting. anyway. I didn't even get into lyrics bcus I still feel like I haven't spent enough time with the album in isolation to dive into looking them all up & figuring them out for sure yet.

#ive gotten so many new followers since the last time i deep dived into one of these albums lmao #hi hello here's 900 words of deranged calebposting. it will happen again.#texticles #caleb landry jones #truly no musician is doing it like him i will never get enough of his music

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thecursivej · 11 months ago

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Ooooh is Biden about to rope the repubs into some bipartisan shit? Please do.

What is Republicans huge issue with capping insulin? Truly? Who does it harm? Billionaires still get billions.

Oooooh, how interesting to compare how much perscription drugs are with the affordable care act compared to other countries.

I just know Kamala is getting a leg work out for the years.

HELL YEAH LET'S EXPAND HEALTH CARE PLEASE (me eyeing my parents health insurance expiring when I turn 26)

Ooooh, women's health research?! Okay Jill, get it girl!! That's fucking DR. BIDEN to y'all.

Yes, please crack down on rent increases. I want to be able to move out of my parents house when I graduate (and I'm in motherfucking GRAD SCHOOL).

(Had to pop out so I missed some but here's more thoughts) Who the hell keeps screaming about the U.S. Marine Corp?

MTG Screaming at Biden was a lot dawg.

Mmmm, good use of a pause to establish the importance of his next statement about what his predecessor said in face of a shooting that happened in January in Iowa.

YES. LET US GET UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS PLEASE.

How the hell does taking weapons of war away from civillians an infrignement of the 2nd amendment? Can someone truly explain that to me? I really want to know.

Oh shit, are we about to get a ceasefire statement?

Nope, getting statements about bringing the hostages home (which is fair and needs to be done).

YEAH CAN WE GET AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE!? PLEASE!? Israel DOES have the responsibility to protect Palestinians. The words you're looking for is "Immediate Ceasefire" Mr. President.

We don't just need a fucking pier for humanitarian assistance; we need a GODDAMN CEASEFIRE, JOSEPH.

Netanyahu has already proved that he doesn't give a flying fuck about innocent Palestinians. Telling him to simply "let humanitarian aid through" won't do shit. Why not stop giving them weapons and money?

Okay, two-state solution line, but how about...CEASEFIRE!?

Ayiyi. Now we're discussing Houthis and Iran, but we aren't getting anymore of Palestinian aid.

Is America rising tho? Are we really? Because us 'normal' folk are suffering a lot.

Lets not ban TikTok then, okay? Like, what is China gonna do to influence me that the actions of congress haven't already influenced me on? I'm thiiiis close to anarchy, and not cause of China, Joseph. Because of the U.S. itself.

Oh now we ending cancer? Am I the only one who feels that that came out of left field.

Oh thank god, the end.

I do have to admit that him teasing republicans is fucking hysterical. The callout to Lindsey Graham cracked me the fuck up.

I feel like the soul of our nation is being thrown around like a hot potato tbh.

Ayoo where's Dwight when you need him? Shout out to Scranton, PA.

This congress is making me feel like goddamn John Adams in 1776 the Musical.

They're really about to make me run for fucking office at this goddamn point.

IDK who the woman sitting next to MTG is, but I fucking LOVE her.

We're always too young until we're too old. (Oof, that feels poetic tbh).

I really wish Biden would step back and let a younger more progressive candidate take on the Orange Man(TM). Frankly I wish the Orange Man(TM) was lost in a desert somewhere, but here we are.

CAN WE GET THE WEALTHY PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE IN TAXES LIKE, IDK, YESTERDAY!?

Lots of good rhetoric used in this speech, though. Like damn. It's a lot of good use of audience relation, ethos, hella pathos, and good connections to ALL of the U.S.

Alright. We're done. It's over.

So. As I guessed, there was no call for an Immediate Ceasefire. Disappointing. But not surprising. My major issue with Biden is the ongoing support of Isr@el. Biden MUST call for an immediate ceasefire, otherwise he's completely lost the Arab American vote, and a good chunk of the youth vote (if not a majority/all). I hate that we're having 2020 pt. 2: Electric Boogaloo, and I hate that third party votes will not be counted. I hate this two party system.

But I do believe that this country can be better. I believe this country can be a safe place for growth, creativity, research, a safe place to fucking LIVE. I believe this country can be a better place. And I can't make myself give up on it until I have no other choice.

So, there was that SOTU. It was rhetorically very good, but I find it lacking with a path forward.

SOTU - 2024

Well, I'm forcing myself to watch the State of the Union while I grade speeches, so I figured I'd record my reactions and thoughts here.

Do I hope for the words "Immediate Ceasefire"? Absolutely. Will we get them? Looking at the track record, probably not. But I remain optimistic because otherwise I'd be six feet under by now; ANYWHO here is a list of my reactions/thoughts/general feelings of the evening's watch.

I do want to give a point of clarity: I technically am identified as a democrat; truly, I'm a socialist, but seeing as how the U.S. is stuck in this godforsaken two-party-system, that is where I am. Though both sides have me feeling very french-revolutionary-esque.

Of course the first thing I see if MTG rifling through her purse on screen. I quite literally despise her.

AP is discussing Ukraine's need for weapons and funding; I would truly rather us align with Ukraine than Isr@el. I will stand unapologetically firm for Palestine and Ukraine.

Who is actually in the cabinet? I know Blinken, Garland, and Buttiegeg. Damn, wish he was running again. Would rather have him than Biden.

How insane is it that the Sec. of Defense didn't even let the White House know that he had to go in for surgery because of cancer. Like, that's just bonkers to me.

Republicans truly look like fucking robots right now. No warm greetings, no hellos, simple nods.

Republicans out here wasting fucking time with that impeachment of Mayorkas. Like how about we house the homeless populations with the money they wasted on this circus.

Oh funky fresh look at the Ultra-Mormon(TM) Mitt Romney.

MTG with that stupid fucking MAGA hat on is just... disgusting. Like this bitch is crazy.

Okay Joe, speed it up down the fucking aisle please. I got papers to grade.

Lowkey Joe looks like he might have had a five-hour energy drink with that big-ole look in his eyes.

I do appreciate that Joe still smiles and is kind to MTG. She truly doesn't deserve it.

Okay this is getting just a wee bit too monarchy for me.

MTG holds up a button saying "Laken Riley..." (couldn't read the rest). Riley was a 14 year old girl murdered by a man who was an illegal immigrant of venezuela, and instead of handling this situation with grace, empathy, and love; MTG and others seem to be capitalizing on her death to push their anti-immigration rhetoric.

Okay, cool selfie skills Joe, but let's get on with it.

ALSO HOW IS JOE BIDEN GONNA BE SO IN DEPTH WITH TECH AND "Savvy" WITH IT WHEN MOTHERFUCKER WANTS TO BAN TIKTOK!? Hello?!

BERNIE AND RAPHAEL! I feel like I haven't seen these guys in 10 million years.

Oh thank god we're starting.

Aww the little hand shake thingy he does with Kamala makes my heart happy.

Did Joe just yell "tony"?!

Wow, even got some republicans clapping for him (probs not a good thing but here we are)

Okay, good bit of humor at the top; and a throwback to the 40s. Funky fresh.

Yeah we ain't living in ordinary times for damn sure.

Interesting point of democracy being attacked here in the U.S. AND Internationally. (Mentions Ukraine and Putin; no word on Gaza yet).

Someone busted out a Ukrainian flag and shook it; rock on.

OH SHIT HE GOT MIKE JOHNSON TO CLAP!

Appreciate the insistance that the U.S. won't send troops to UKR.

Good use of Reagan to connect with the Repubs; and compare to the predecessor (aka Tr*mp).

Mike Johnson nodding instead of clapping about the predecessor comment, trying to save his ass in Orange Man's eyes.

Welcome to NATO, Sweden!

If there is one thing that should connect Democrats and Republicans; it's hatred for Putin. Yet there's a mix of Repubs standing in agreement and sitting to back up the predecessor's comment on Putin doing "whatever the hell he wants"

Talking about Jan 6. What breaks my heart? My parents still believe it wasn't an insurrection. Yikes on Bikes for me.

The line "You can't love your country only when you win" hits hard and even got Mike Johnson to applaud in agreement.

Foreign AND Domestic. Need a hefty focus on that with the right-wing republican group (@ MTG, Gaetz, Cruz, etc.)

Discussing IVF in Alabama; good connection to the overturning of Rowe v. Wade. It sucks that Republicans HAVE THE POWER to protect IVF nationally but shot the damn bill down not even a week ago.

ABORTION IS A HUMAN RIGHT. BODILY AUTONOMY IS A HUMAN. FUCKING. RIGHT. (@ The Missouri Senators who support taking away bodily autonomy).

WOMEN AREN'T WITHOUT ELECTORAL AND POLITICAL POWER; WE ABOUT TO TURN UP IN FORCE MOTHERFUCKERS!!! Bring back the strats from the 1900s; time to use our power and go bonkers.

Someone get Joe a glass of water please. Motherfucker looks a bit parched and keeps coughing. I get that when my throat goes dryyy

Can Biden not restore RvW? Can he not by an executive order make RvW the law of the land already?

Revisiting COVID's start from 2020 (Next week is the four year anniversary since the global pandemic).

PFFT idk who just yelled "LIES" but that was comical AF.

Well, the pandemic still controls a big part of our lives... so...don't agree with that shit.

Man, everyone sitting-and-standing must be getting a HELLA calf work out.

Sure, unemployment is down and new jobs are built; but corporate greed is quite literally killing us. Can Congress or Biden do something, damn it?!

Are we beginning to feel it, though? Are we feeling good economics? I doubt we are.

Good job pointing out how both parties have failed to buy american products, but how this admin has established that.

There's a good two rows of Republicans who stand in applause; but the rest just... sit there. Like robots. It's freaky as fuck.

Joe is actually doing pretty great with the flow of this speech. Only a couple of stumbles, but overall pretty gucci. (He'd get a 9/10 on delivery in my public speaking class).

God these fuckers are really gonna make me run for office at this damn point.

Removing poisonous lead pipes... but there's still a water crisis in Flint, Biden. Like, what the fuckeroni do you mean?

Yes, let's invest in family farms; lets stop selling our farmland (especially in Missouri) to foreign countries (@ China buying up TONS of Missouri Farmland).

I love that the UAW president is here, because he straight up is my kind of people. Dude wears eat-the-rich shirts and calls out the unethical-ness of billionaires.

UAW President pointing to Biden saying "It's you!"; nah dawg, it's you Sean.

MIDDLE CLASS DID BUILD THE COUNTRY AND UNIONS BUILT THE MIDDLE CLASS MOTHER FUCKERS!!!

Yes we get back up but right now...we might be getting more french revolutionary-esque if y'all don't stop PLAYING WITH OUR LIVES.

Oh jesus not the 4-more-years chants.

Oh now we talking about the future

YES PLEASE END TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMIES.

Says he's not anti-corp; but points out how trickle down economics has only helped the wealthy.

Yeah, how the fuck does it hurt the wealthy to pay just a weeee bit more in taxes? Like dawg, what are you gonna do with another million? What's the point?

Ooooh is Biden about to rope the repubs into some bipartisan shit? Please do.

What is Republicans huge issue with capping insulin? Truly? Who does it harm? Billionaires still get billions.

#u.s. politics #state of the union #sotu 2024 #election 2024 #joe biden

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zee-has-commitment-issues · 3 years ago

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Young Royals Season 2 Quiz

Young Royals season 2 quiz

Thank you so much for tagging me @macang-world !!!

1. What month will season 2 be released?

My heart hopes for September, but I think it could be December.

2. What episode will Simon and Wilhelm have their first s2 kiss (who will initiate the kiss)?

In episode 2, Simon will initiate. I like the idea of a parallel between seasons. Episode one of season one was the longing and the build-up and episode two was when they gave in. I like the idea of that happening again.

3. How will Simon find out about August being behind the leak?

I'm thinking of a foot-in-mouth situation with August. Like he thinks Simon already knows, so he tries to make amends or something and he realizes a few minutes into his "well-prepared apology" that he has made a horrible, horrible mistake.

4. Will there be snow in s2?

I sincerely hope so.

5. Will there be any physical fight (if yes, who will be involved)?

If anyone fights, it will be August and Simon. Wille might try to break it up and get punched in the face accidentally. Maybe it will end up on the news or something.

6. Will Wilhelm abdicate?

No. At the most, he'll threaten to, but I think it is way too political and way too early in the series.

7. Will Wilhelm make a new public statement about his sexuality?

Yes, but not on purpose. I think the media is going to be really involved this season, and I think it might get twisted. Maybe they ask him something and he answers weirdly, or maybe he doesn't answer at all or takes too long, and they take it as a confirmation of his sexuality. IDK I think they're going to cause more problems this season.

8. Will there be introduced another queer character (can be a s1 character - if yes, who)?

Not for plot reasons. If they mention it at all, it will only be in passing. Maybe trans-alexander or bi Stella or something, but not for the plot.

9. Will Sara become a boarder student at Hillerska?

Yes and August will help.

10. Do we get a forehead kiss between Simon and Wilhelm (if yes, who kisses who)?

Yes, Wille will kiss Simon's head. However, I think it might be sad.

11. Will Simon and the queen exchange any words (if yes, who will speak first)?

Yes, I hope so. I think Simon will try to speak first but the queen will interrupt him (probably with some kind of insult or slur)

12. Will there be clothes exchange between Simon and Wilhelm (if yes, what item)?

While I do love the idea, I don't see it happening. Maybe a scarf, or a necklace, but nothing like a sweatshirt. Sorry. I just don't see it happening.

13. Will Sara speak any spanish?

I honestly don't see her speaking Spanish at all this season. Last season she only spoke it to the horses, not even to her mother and Simon. If she does, it will be to the horses or in a heated argument, but it is obvious that she is trying to distance herself from that part of her life.

14. Will Simon become aware of Wilhelm's anxity?

Yes, 100%. It will be hard not to considering that it is definitely going to get worse this season.

15. Will Wilhelm break the 4th wall at some point?

Yes, he will, but I am still holding out hope that Simon will get the honor this season.

16. Will Alex get some sort of revenge (if yes, how)?

No. I think he's far too kind. We might get him mentioned, or maybe they will be anxious that he'll come back and take them all down with him, but in reality, I think Alexander is done. If he comes back, I don't see him coming back with any kind of malicious intent.

17. Will Erik appear in any form (letter, flashback, etc.)?

I think he will be mentioned, but I don't think we'll get any scenes with Ivar. Unfortunately, I think his purpose has been served, and Erik is gone.

18. How many characters will cry (with tears) - who?

Simon, Wille, Sara, August, and Felice will all cry.

19. Will Simon and/or Wilhelm say 'Jag älskar dig' (if yes, who says it first - will they both say it)?

So Wilhelm will say it first, and Simon won't say it back. Then when he does say it back, Wille won't say it back. I am evil, live with it.

20. How many times will we see Simon eat pasta?

Probably 3

21. Who will have the first kiss in season 2 (named characters)?

Sara and August. For sure.

22. Will Simon and Wilhelm have any PDA (if yes, what kind)?

There will definitely be a hug. I don't know if we will get any more than that, though.

I don't have any mutuals who haven't already done this; I don't think. I just want to tag all of you.

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miyacchis · 3 years ago

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Notes from a Con Man - Musical Great Pretender Stage Report Act 1

This is a bit extremely rambly, but I want to give some description of the distinguishing features of the staged version of Great Pretender as compared to the anime, although my plan is not to give a complete recap of the plot, as I’m sure anyone who is choosing to read this has watched the anime - or so I assume, but you know you do you. I try to control myself and keep it just to what is relevant, but I’m also a wordy bitch and that will never change, so, reader beware, I guess.

The stage is set up with three levels (the stage level, the second floor, and the third floor where the band is). Both the stage level and second floor have a couple of rooms that can be pulled out or opened, and backgrounds are projected onto the set to create different settings. With the exception of the opening theme, which is taken from the anime, all of the music is live, and there’s very good interplay between the band and the performers, and I don’t know if I’d ever been to another show that felt so vibrant/alive/idk?

First, the biggest change made for the sake of clear storytelling on the stage is the addition of a framing device: the plot is conveyed to the audience through Edamura’s (Miyata Toshiya) narration as he tells his story to a prosecutor after the events of LA Connection. The play opens where LA Connection ends with Edamura being questioned at a police station, where it’s clear that he has been attempting for hours to convince detectives to believe the team-confidence-wild-and-wacky-adventures ™ explanation as to how he came to be in possession of a bag stuffed with foreign currency. Detectives are fed up with him and ready to go berniewiththesteelchair.jpeg on his ass. Enter Kitaoji (Kato Ryo), an elite prosecutor who seems to be on track to become attorney general, although it is unclear to those at the police station why he would take interest in Edamura’s case.

Edamura is initially reluctant to open up to Kitaoji (Kato Ryo), certain that he won’t be believed, but after Kitaoji quotes from Shakunetsu (side note: I had no idea that in English Shakunetsu was turned into Die Hot which is an absolutely incredible pun and I really commend the translator), Edamura thinks Kitaoji might be just the person to believe him and help him to make amends to all those he had harmed through his life of fraud. Kitaoji encourages Edamura to start at the beginning and goes to eat a piece of candy, prompting Edamura to question, “What would you do if this simple piece of candy was sold for $5 million?” at which point he begins telling his story, transporting us first to a club in Hollywood where we are introduced to the plot with Sakura Magic and, more importantly, Laurent (Miya Rurika, goddess, dressed devastatingly in green), who is identified in quick succession as a French trader, an arrogant Don Juan, and the “bastard who got me into this mess.”

Edamura bumbles through Laurent’s plot to build hype and clinch a deal with Cassano (Otani Ryosuke) by having Abby (Yamamoto Chihiro) “test” the “drug,” while giving small asides to Kitaoji to explain the main players and reveal to him that this is all a con job, but when Edamura is called to sign the contract to supply Cassano with the drug for $5 million, he flips out, pulls Salazar’s (Mikami Ichiro) gun, and flees the club, without the excuse of believing that he had taken drugs as he did in the anime. It is also not at this point that Edamura makes the connection between Laurent and Kudo and realizes that he’s been set up (Miyata!Edamura is overall a bit less perceptive than Kobayashi!Edamura, as we shall see, although I think this was a function of simplifying aspects of the characters’ interactions for the sake of clarity for the stage).

Kitaoji pops in and out of the story from this point, donning different costumes (an unhoused person, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Razzie from the Shakunetsu series, etc.) to illustrate different aspects of the main characters’ conversations, and he serves as a way to get into Edamame’s head, allowing him to express what he is thinking and feeling as events in the story play out. It is in the metanarrative that we get some of these more comedic scenes, as well as additional insight into Edamura’s character as he grapples with his own identity as a scam artist and the son of a child trafficker.

After escaping Cassano’s henchmen outside the club, Edamura rejoins Kitaoji to ask if he’s following the story so far, which of course he is not (lol), so Edamura dives into how he met Laurent and came to be in LA. From here we flashback three days, joining Edamura and Kudo (Fukumoto Shinichi) in Asakusa as they spy Laurent as a potential mark. Edamura pulls the wallet-switch trick, and this scene generally follows the anime, although parts, such as the scenes showing Edamura selling water filters and Edamura and Kudo being raided by what seems to be the police, have been cut. After realizing that Laurent pickpocketed him and saw through his grift, Edamura quickly follows and catches him as he is about to depart in a cab to the airport. Just a moment to talk about this cab because it was such a cute, clever idea; it was really just a little push car driven by one of the supporting cast, and it can be disconnected in the middle, so as the driver pulls off, the back seat can be left behind, allowing the audience to watch Laurent and Edamura’s conversation as they are taken to the airport.

Similarly to the anime, the successive scenes are nominally delivered in English, so Edamura switches to a dialect of Japanese to represent his accented English, which I mention only because Miyata discussed Edamura’s code switching with Kobayashi (Edamura’s Japanese voice actor) in an interview in vol. 51 of Stage Square and how he was concerned that he might confuse Standard Japanese and the dialect during scenes where he has to go back and forth quickly. Kobayashi reassured him that as he got into the character of Edamura Miyata would naturally fall into dialect whenever speaking to Laurent and Abby, and I’m very biased, buuuttttt throughout the run of the show, Miyata performed this beautifully, and as someone who for several years lived in the Tohoku region, the dialect of which Edamura’s accent reminded me of, his accent made me really nostalgic.

Anywayyyyyy

After Laurent and Edamura bet on the outcome of Laurent’s upcoming “business negotiations” and it’s agreed that they will travel to LA together, the opening theme plays, the main cast is introduced, with Edamura running up and down the set to give a sense of action, the title in massive letters is lowered onto the stage, and we rejoin the main plot with Edamura trying to elude Cassano’s gang on the streets of LA by hiding behind the title. The supporting cast gives us some great background color as like random people in LA, like we’ve got some girls with Starbucks cups, some people breakdancing while simultaneously mugging a Dodgers fan, a skateboarder shouting “STREET”...for some reason. Perfect encapsulation of America *chef’s kiss*

Laurent finds Edamura and tells him to come home because he’s a good boy (😳), and Edamura is then introduced to Abby who, just as in the anime, kicks and knocks him out, after which they collect him and take him to an upscale hotel where Cynthia/Paula Dickens (Senna Ayase) is performing as a jazz singer. Laurent greets her briefly, but we don’t properly get introduced to her character until a later, very frustrating scene, but I’m not going to get started on that yet (it’s not her that’s frustrating, but it’s how they chose to have her and Edamura meet, but anyway we’ll get there). She sings “Summertime,” and it’s a lovely performance; all of her acting choices are very clearly informed by her experience in Takarazuka - she has these really dynamic, almost over-the-top movements and she uses that to her advantage to be one of the more comedic actors - and it’s really entertaining to watch.

Laurent orders them drinks; Edamura has something pink in a little martini glass, and he splutters when he tries to take a sip because he can’t handle his alcohol, which makes Laurent laugh, giving a lot of credence to Laurent’s statement soon after that he derives a lot of pleasure out of toying with naive boys like Edamura who pretend to be tougher than they really are. There’s also some funny adlib with Abby at this point where she gets brought different plates of food like fake fruit on one day and a tower of donuts on another. Laurent explains who Cassano is and the plan to defraud him and gives Edamura a notebook with a fabricated recipe for Sakura Magic, so the notebook is not part of what Edamura prepares himself when he goes later to get himself captured by Cassano to negotiate with him. Edamura has a couple of outbursts accusing Laurent and Abby of putting on airs, pretending to be carrying out justice, repeatedly interrupting the band who give him dirty looks and Shi-won, dressed as one of the saxophonists, loudly blows the saxophone back at him, and this prompts Laurent to be like nah we’re getting too much attention here let’s continue this back at the hotel.

The hotel scene is fairly similar to the anime, but once Edamura is left alone, we get the first instance of him thinking about his family as he reflect on what Laurent had to say about how people don’t always believe the truth that is in front of them as they would rather believe whatever is most convenient. He flashes back to his family going home together after his father finished a case (the hotel room is on the second floor with his mom and dad entering on the stage level; the younger version of Edamura is done in voice over), and of course they seem like a happy family, although it’s interesting that what his dad has to say about ethics was cut from the script. The scene focuses more on Edamura idolizing his father as a great lawyer.

Okay, so we’ve finally come to the scene I absolutely hated and did not think was necessary, after Edamura leaves the hotel room. He is approached by three unhoused persons, one of whom he at first thinks is Kitaoji coming to interrupt the narrative again, but he soon realizes that they are “real homeless.” It was really just a disgusting, cruel stereotype; one of them is playing with a rat they found, another is acting like a junkie, and the ringleader is trying to get money off of him because they haven’t eaten in three days and then they steal his little Toyotomi Hideyoshi figurine and play keepaway with it and don’t stop until Cynthia/Paula Dickens (at this point she’s Paula tho so I’m going to refer to her that way) enters and is like knock it off. So that’s how they meet. Cool. They could easily have come up with something else and they just didn’t.

But, anyway, since he got his figurine back, he explains to Paula that his hobby is collecting capsule toys, and during his explanation, a gacha machine is projected up on the stage, out of which comes Kitaoji dressed as Toyotomi, followed by a bunch of other figures from Japanese history. This part always got a pretty good laugh out of the audience, and I think it was a pretty cute way to stage it. Paula insists they go to dinner together, so she can hear more about Toyotomi, and the capsule toy figurines all follow to a diner (serving “breadfast” 24hrs lol) where Shi-won is dressed as someone named Ricardo. The figurines all start to get drunk, while “Ricardo” fixes Edamura and Paula some tacos; meanwhile Edamura explains that Toyotomi began as a simple peasant, but because of his hard work and study, he was able to climb all the way to the top and unite all of Japan as a powerful lord.

Edamura asks why she decided to help him before and he despairs that he must seem like a beaten dog, but she explains that while she might seem confident, she faces tremendous anxiety getting on stage every day, particularly as she wants to make it big as a performer but can’t expect to get the attention of a label just because she can sing a bit. (In the background, Francis Xavier is completely sloshed and ends up drinking with Ricardo) Edamura suggests that she take inspiration from Toyotomi as someone who was able to trick even his enemies into working with him and represent herself as someone more important than she is to get music producers onto her side. She seems fired up by this proposal, and she says that she’ll follow the example of Toyotomi, “Japan’s best confidence man,” which gives Edamura his own motivation to get back to trying to win the bet with Laurent. He asks Paula to wish him good luck and runs off, and we get the first dance scene with Edamura and a number of samurai as he builds up to confronting Cassano. The scene ends with him running into a video shop, presumably to rent Cassano’s movies.

Laurent and Abby are called to Cassano’s mansion - they argue if Edamura is capable of pulling off a job like this, although Laurent insists that he has a natural talent - but they are certain that he must be dead when they hear from Salazar that Edamura was taken into their custody at the airport trying to run. However, Edamura bursts onto the scene, dressed in a new Hawaiian shirt, and at this point, Miyata looks as though he has been in a swimming pool, but it’s just sweat lmao. Cassano informs them that he’s made a new deal with Edamura for $10 million, and when they ask how, we get a flashback showing how he got onto Cassano’s good side by praising Shakunetsu with Kitaoji, as Razzie, acting out scenes from the Shakunetsu movies on the second floor of the stage. Whenever Cassano hugs Edamura in these scenes, it was really funny because his jacket would get just absolutely covered in Miyata’s sweat just ugh gross lol

Cassano’s accountant joins them and they play out the whole bit about confirming Edamura’s credentials as a pharmaceutical scientist, at which point Edamura finally realizes that Kudo is working with Laurent, when he calls Kudo to thank him for deceiving Cassano’s attorneys. After Cassano has confirmed Edamura’s identity, he takes the crew to his factory and insists that Edamura make Sakura Magic for them right there and then so that they can be sure to properly replicate his recipe. She does this the whole play, but particularly during this scene, you can really see how well Miya Rurika portrays Laurent as always calm and and in control before Edamura but as quietly losing his shit whenever he feels like they’ve been backed into a corner, and we also get some very cute like Laurent clearly being exasperated with Edamura but the two of them starting to be able to play off one another as they convince Cassano that the factory isn’t up to snuff for making Sakura Magic.

They have to clear out because they hear someone coming, but Cassano promises that he will build a new laboratory for Edamura and entrusts his care to Salazar. The police bust in after everyone has left; Anderson does the absolute most to show off to everyone that he’s properly securing the scene, but he’s clearly relieved that Cassano slipped through their fingers once again oh my how does this keep happening oh well better luck next time. We get a proper introduction to Paula and Shi-won as members of the FBI who have come to investigate Laurent and his organization (Paula has changed into this beautifully tailored brown tweed pantsuit and she pulls it off so well), and Paula threatens to expose Anderson’s connections to Cassano if he doesn’t follow her lead.

After the scene in the factory, we return to the present in the interrogation room with Kitaoji and Edamura. Detectives bring Kitaoji additional files on Edamura, asking if the prosecutor has heard of the attorney Ozaki. They inform him that Edamura is Ozaki’s son, and Kitaoji is a bit shocked; he leaves, saying that he will review the files. The detectives collect the money before exiting the room, but not without getting in a dig at Edamura, telling him that he clearly takes after his father. Edamura is stricken by this statement, and the act ends with Edamura battling with this internal conflict.

I don’t think anyone would want to read all of this, but if you have, thank you so much. I hope some of it at least was interesting or informative. I’m going to end there for now, as I’ve already gone on for too long, and I’ll finish writing up the second act in another post.

#it's too long i'm sorry lmao #i have not edited this so sorry as well if there are mistakes #great pretender

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tessisawriter · 4 years ago

Text

Invisible String, Part 1 (Colton Parayko)

Request: Can you write an imagine where the reader is John Krasinski’s [niece] but she’s dating Colton Parayko and like she has to breaks the news and John acts mad or something and scares them but then he says he’s joking and he’s fine with it? Thanks

***NOTE***: I changed some details in the last scene b/c I moved the timeline up from October 7 to September 14.

A/N: I’m back! The protagonist is an OC but I decided to call her Y/N instead of giving her an actual name b/c John Krasinski has nieces and/or nephews irl. I already planned the entire plot but idk whether the series will be 2 or 3 parts—I’ll post an update when I know more. This series takes place from March 2018 to June 2019 and is loosely based on Taylor Swift’s “Invisible String.” Here is the playlist.

Warnings: Six swear words, rough breakup, alcohol, loneliness & homesickness

Word Count: 3.4k

March 21, 2018

You were impervious to the mix of pitying and derisive glances from passersby as you sat on the curb. You knew you looked like a cliché, crying in front of a restaurant because your boyfriend broke up with you on your 22nd birthday, but you didn’t care. One question gnawed at you: how had six words upended your seemingly perfect day and relationship?

Your brain was buzzing with activity, wondering if Max had given you any clues that something was amiss. This morning, you woke up in his Cambridge apartment to him singing “Happy Birthday” while kneeling at the side of the bed. As soon as Max finished singing, he kissed you before grabbing his backpack and hurrying out of the room. That didn’t mean anything, though: Max was one of the only seniors to have the misfortune of taking all morning classes because his major was Theater, Dance, and Media. He was also (as usual) running late.

The rest of the day unfolded like any other Wednesday as you followed your schedule of lounging in bed, studying for an hour, going to the sandwich shop across the street for lunch, and heading to campus at 1PM for your classes. Afterwards, you went back to the apartment to find Max waiting there, already dressed for dinner. You quickly showered, curled your long (Y/HC) hair, and changed into a dark green dress and black booties before taking his hand and going to an Italian restaurant in Boston’s North End.

There were no warning signs at dinner, either. In fact, everything was perfect until you were waiting for the check and Max said with a detached look in his eyes, “I think we should break up.”

You didn’t want to relive what happened next, but the images of you acting like Elle Woods when Warner broke up with her in Legally Blonde popped into your head unbidden. You closed your eyes in humiliation and shame as you remembered Max, the man you dated for three years, abandoning you at the table and fleeing the restaurant. The other customers stared at you, some sympathetic, others scandalized, and the rest in pure shock.

You snapped out of the flashback when you felt a large hand rest on your shoulder. You whipped your head around to find a young man with blonde hair and black rimmed glasses squatting next to you on the curb.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

The panic faded as you took in the man’s features. He was definitely in his 20s, probably a few years older than you, and his blue eyes were filled with concern. Something about that concern, though, made you snap.

“Do I look like I’m okay? I mean, come on, look at me!” you demanded while pointing at your face, which you (correctly) assumed had giant black streaks of mascara on it.

You fully expected the man to walk away and leave you be, but he sat down on the curb instead and said, “My bad, that was a stupid question. I’ve got some tissues if you want them?”

That made your attitude soften. He was only trying to help, so you nodded and he handed you a pack of tissues from his pocket. You smiled at him, took the tissues, and wiped your eyes and face. As soon as you were satisfied that they were clean, you broke the silence. “Thank you…?”

“Colton, and it’s no problem. What’s your name?”

“Y/N.” You held out your hand for him to shake, which he did. After a pause, you asked: “Why did you stop? Surely you have somewhere better to be tonight.”

He chuckled, and the sound of it made your heart flutter. “I was just heading back to my hotel when I saw you, and I figured I’d stop and make sure you get home safe. That is, assuming you live here?”

“Yeah, I live in Cambridge.” As soon as the words left your mouth, you realized they were no longer true, so you amended your statement. “Well, I lived in Cambridge until about 15 minutes ago when my now ex-boyfriend dumped me. On my fucking birthday.”

“Shit, that sucks. I’m really sorry.” He paused before adding, “I’m assuming he isn’t here.”

“Nope. He hightailed it out of the restaurant as soon as he got his credit card back.”

Colton shook his head. “What a jackass.”

“I know, right? I wasted three whole years with someone who not only broke up with me in a very public setting on my birthday, but also couldn’t be bothered to ask where I would go! He probably assumed I’d go to my parents’ house, but still.”

“Your parents live here?” Colton asked as he fished his phone out of his pocket and unlocked it.

“Yeah, right by Boston Common, why?”

“I’ll get an Uber and drop you off before going back to the hotel.”

“Oh no, you don’t have to do that,” you protested while going through your bag for your phone. “We just met! I’ll pay.”

“Nonsense. You’ve been through a lot tonight. Let me take care of it.”

You stared into Colton’s eyes and realized he wasn’t going to back down. It took everything in you to suppress your pride, thank him, and provide the address. Colton typed it into his phone, waited for a moment, and said, “The closest one is around the block.”

“That’s good.” Your burst of energy dissipated as quickly as it came, and you fell silent. From the corner of your eye, you saw Colton open his mouth as if to say something before the headlights of a car momentarily blinded you.

“That’s the Uber.” Colton stood up and offered his hand, and you took it. You couldn’t help but notice how well they fit together as he pulled you up and off the curb, but after regaining your balance, something else grabbed your attention: his height.

“Gee, how tall are you? No one’s ever made me feel like a dwarf before,” you joked as he led you to the car, your hands still intertwined.

He chuckled and opened the door for you. You let go of his hand and slid into the car. After Colton slid in next to you and shut the door, he replied, “I’m 6’6” and no one’s ever made me feel like I’m not a giant before. You’re what, 5’10”?”

“6 feet, actually,” you corrected him. “So, where are you from, Colton?”

“St. Albert; it’s just outside Edmonton in Canada, but I’ve been in the States for a while. I went to the University of Alaska in Fairbanks before moving to, uh, St. Louis.”

You noticed Colton’s hesitancy and the fact that he lowered his voice when saying “St. Louis,” and you were about to ask why when you thought better of it. You were protective of your privacy, too, especially whenever people commented about how funny it was that you shared the same last name as John Krasinski. It wasn’t a coincidence—he was your uncle, and the two of you were extremely close—but you went along with it and never corrected them because it wasn’t their business. So, you let it go. “And what brings you to Boston?”

“Work,” he said before changing the subject. “What do you do? Are you still in school or—”

“I’m a senior at Harvard,” you cut him off. You generally didn’t drop the “H-bomb,” as you and your friends called it, with people you didn’t know well, but this was a special case. Colton just confirmed he was hiding something, and after looking at him in better lighting, his face seemed familiar, which weirded you out. You had to get back on equal footing, and the H-bomb almost always unsettled people.

“Wow, you must be really smart,” Colton said, seeming impressed but unphased. You couldn’t help yourself from raising an eyebrow as he asked, “What’s your major?”

“Government. What was yours?”

“Business administration.”

“Ah.” You fell silent again, this time on purpose, as you racked your brain for where you might have crossed paths with Colton. He wasn’t from Boston, not even close, but you couldn’t shake the feeling that you’d seen him before, and recently.

Colton didn’t let you ruminate for long before reviving the conversation. “What do you want to do when you graduate?”

“I’ll be a lawyer one day, but I have to be a paralegal first. I’m looking for jobs right now.”

Before Colton could reply, the car came to a stop. You looked out the window and saw your parents’ townhouse and your childhood home.Your time in the car had flown by, a sensation you rarely, if ever, experienced. And there was something between you and Colton, a connection you couldn’t quite describe, that made you want to spend more time with him. But your time was up. “This is me. It was nice to meet you, Colton, and thanks again for the ride—I really appreciate it.”

“It’s no problem,” he replied. “I’m glad I found you.”

You were overwhelmed by an intense desire to ask for his number. If only he lived in Boston or somewhere in the Northeast. But he lived in St. Louis, so you moved to open the door, only to feel Colton’s hand wrap around yours and hear him say: “Y/N?”

“Yeah?” You turned around and locked eyes with him. It was like being in a trance, and your heartbeat thundered in your ears.

It felt like years, but it was more like a few moments before Colton let go of your hand. “Good luck with the search. I’m sure you’ll find a good job.”

You wanted to let out a sigh of disappointment, but you just said, “Thanks,” and smiled at him before getting out of the car.

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

The smell of bacon finally lured you out of your bed at noon the next day.

It had been a rough night. The reality of the breakup hit you like a ton of bricks when you rang the doorbell and all but collapsed in your mom’s arms when she answered the door. She brought you over to the couch, where your dad was waiting anxiously. As soon as you sat down, you grabbed your mom and cried for an hour straight as she held you and stroked your hair. You knew Max wasn’t worth your tears, but it had more to do with you. Despite his major, he wasn’t that good of an actor, and yet, he fooled you into thinking he could be your person. You took immense pride in your instincts, but they failed you with Max. How could you have possibly fallen in love with such a heartless person? More terrifying, would you have ended up marrying him a few years down the road if he hadn’t broken up with you?

You didn’t know the answer to either question, so you stopped crying and began venting about how the breakup went down. Your dad almost hit the ceiling after hearing that Max left you at the restaurant, and you had to talk him out of driving to Cambridge to “give that little shit a piece of my mind!” That wasn’t to say you weren’t thinking about revenge, but your dad potentially getting arrested was not helpful. After that, you started crying again, only this time out of frustration, and didn’t stop until you practically passed out on the couch. The last thing you remembered was your parents guiding you up the stairs to your bed.

Thankfully, you had no classes on Thursdays, so you were able to sleep in and be, if nothing else, well-rested. Your stomach rumbled when you smelled the bacon, so you got out of bed and made your way down the stairs to the kitchen, where your parents were sitting at the table and watching the television.

“Ugh, why are you watching the news?” you said as a way of greeting while making a beeline for the bacon.

“Good morning to you, too, sweetheart,” your dad replied. “I’m waiting for the sports report. I missed the game last night and Uncle John wouldn’t tell me the score. He said he’s sorry about, I quote, ‘the scumbag’ and he’ll call you tonight.”

“God, I miss him. And you,” you addressed your mom as you shoveled a load of bacon onto your plate, “are the best.”

“See, honey? I knew bacon would cheer her up,” she said to your dad.

“I didn’t doubt it. Y/N, we have to figure out a time to get your stuff from that piece of shit’s apartment. I’m not letting you go by yourself, but do you want to let him know ahead of time or just show up?”

“Who did the B’s play?” you sat down at the table and changed the subject immediately. You didn’t care about sports, but your dad and Uncle John were major Bruins fans and the mere mention of Max gave you a headache.

“The Blues.”

“Where do they play again?” you asked as you ate your bacon. It had to be a team from the Western Conference, but the only teams you knew there were the Canucks and Blackhawks because they were on your dad’s shit list.

“St. Louis.”

You almost choked on your food. “What?”

“St. Louis, sweetie. You know, the Gateway Arch—”

“Yeah, I know, Mom,” you recovered. “That’s the team Jenna likes, right, Dad?”

“Yes. Shh, here it is!” He didn’t need to tell you twice; you doubted Colton was a professional hockey player, but your curiosity won out as you intently watched the television.

The score flashed on the screen—an OT loss for the Bruins—and your dad groaned. “Ugh, I’ve got to turn this garbage off.”

And suddenly, a few Blues players, including one that looked awfully similar to Colton (albeit without glasses), flashed onto the screen. You didn’t get a good enough look at him to be sure, though, because your dad changed the channel. You let out a noise of frustration.

“What’s wrong, sweetie?” your mom asked, and your dad looked like he had the same question when he turned away from the television.

“I’ll text the scumbag and tell him I’m coming this afternoon, if that’s okay with you, Dad,” you said. “I want to get it over with and besides, I need my laptop and textbooks.”

“That’s perfect, sweetheart. The office doesn’t need me today, anyway.”

“Okay, I’ll be right back; my phone’s upstairs,” you called out behind you as you raced back up the stairs. You did not want to text Max, but it was better than telling your dad that the man he praised for making sure you got home last night was potentially part of the team responsible for his beloved Bruins’ loss.

You locked your bedroom door and grabbed your phone to pull up Google and the St. Louis Blues roster. Part of you thought there was no way a professional hockey player actually cared enough to bring you home, but the Blues being in town and one of its members resembling Colton were too many coincidences for your liking. You tapped your foot impatiently as the phone loaded the roster, and you scrolled through the list until you found a name of interest.

“C. Parayko, 55, R, 6’6’’…”

It cut off after that, so you scrolled sideways to see the other information. It left you without a shadow of doubt, but you clicked on the name anyway to view a picture. Colton’s headshot and full first name stared back at you as if they were looking into your soul.

It really was him. You had to have seen him on the little television at the sandwich shop’s register yesterday.

But what did this information mean for you, really, besides discovering his identity? It was nice to know his full name because it confirmed that he was a real person instead of a delusion your reeling mind made up, but it didn’t change one important fact: you lived in Boston and he lived in St. Louis. Barring a radical change in one of your lives, which you didn’t see happening, that was the reality of the situation. It was time to stop dreaming and confront your immediate future.

You pulled up Max’s number and began composing the text which, after several drafts, read: “I’ll be at the apartment today from 3 to 5. My dad’s coming with me, so make yourself scarce. I want my shit back.”

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

6 months later: September 14, 2018

You were miserable only two weeks after relocating to St. Louis.

It was funny how one phone call could completely change someone’s life. In your case, said phone call involved an extremely attractive job offer with a clear path for advancement within one year. The offers you had received from legal firms in Boston, New York, D.C., and Philadelphia were underwhelming, to say the least, and you were only a week away from graduation. You had already endured a lot of change this year, so why not one more?

After nearly giving your parents a heart attack but ultimately receiving their blessing, you accepted the offer and moved to St. Louis on September 1st. Uncle John had been especially supportive, enlisting Jenna (known by the rest of the world as Pam from The Office) to fly out from L.A. and show you around the city last week. She made sure you knew the ins and outs of the city, which you really appreciated. You also loved your job. You were doing important work every day, and your boss was already hinting at giving you the promotion you wanted.

So, why were you unhappy? It was your social life, or rather, lack of one. You didn’t know anyone in St. Louis, and while your coworkers weren’t mean, they didn’t make you feel welcome, either.

That seemed to have changed earlier today when two of your desk neighbors who were around your age, Harper and Ellie, invited you out for drinks after work. You couldn’t have been happier. You went home after work, did your hair and makeup, put on your favorite royal blue mini dress, and met them at the dive bar you recommended. You were so excited on the way over that you could barely sit still; maybe you’d make friends with these girls and finally feel like you fit in in this city.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Harper and Ellie abandoned you within less than five minutes after two guys came over and asked them to dance. You were now sitting at the bar alone, nursing a cocktail and despairing over your situation.

It was times like these when you thought about Colton. It had been six months since you’d met him in Boston, and you didn’t want to risk looking like a lunatic by slipping into his DMs on Instagram, but you were getting desperate. It was bad enough that being from the Northeast made you stick out like a sore thumb, but the loneliness was eating you alive, and the combination made you feel unmoored. Maybe a familiar and friendly face could change that.

As if God had answered your prayers, you heard a commotion near the entrance. You swiveled your stool in that direction and saw a group of tall, good-looking men in their 20s entering the bar. The tallest one had blonde hair and black rimmed glasses.

It was Colton.

Your brain screamed at you to look away and approach him after he settled in, but you couldn’t take your eyes off of him as he laughed at something one of his friends said. It was as if he felt your stare because he suddenly looked in your direction and appeared to gasp.

It was only then that you turned away and faced the bar, drinking the rest of your cocktail in a few gulps. You were so embarrassed; he probably thought you were a stalker or something. You were about to flag down the bartender for another drink when you felt that familiar large hand rest on your shoulder.

You turned your head and found Colton staring at you, his blue eyes full of incredulity and…happiness?

“Y/N. It’s really you,” he breathed.

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