#i took nary a photo or video

[thundergrace]

Got to witness Jibo be whatever they are and see whatever they have going on this year in person! (x)

[almostyours]

click  to  help  palestine.    purchase  an  e-sim  for  gaza.    support  gaza  municipality  funds.

ÆNGELS  OF  THE  SEASON  계절의 천사들  is the pre-debut project created in 2018 to introduce the concept and the members of MIGHTY  DEVIL’s newest female trio,   hiræth  히라스.   this ambitious but unique project consisted of three individual and lore-heavy films,   two unique tracks from each member,   photo exhibitions,   small theater shows,   and limited edition merchandise leading up to the group's official debut.

this project not only introduced the members’ styles and visuals to the public,   but also emphasized their unique identities and sound through individual films that gained attention due to their distinct and eerie plotlines.   each member was revealed under a seasonal full moon before debuting as a full group of three under the full moon of the autumn season.   this approach started on JANUARY 3 and continued until the group's official debut on OCTOBER 24 of the same year,   gaining significant attention domestically,   charting on digital platforms despite being mere debuts,   and earning a solid and loyal fanbase of angels who became fascinated by the lore behind their concept,   as it seemed the members were luring the listeners to join their "cult" of self-acceptance,   love and anger through the feeling of hiraeth.

initially planned as a group of four,  former member and leader NARI was removed near the end of summer when her true nature as a bully was revealed to the public.  her removal led to her complete disappearance from the industry,  and neither the members nor their label have mentioned her since.

despite not participating in any music shows for undisclosed reasons during the period of their debuts,   promotions included content such as performance videos,   small theater concerts that were sold out within hours,   and photo exhibitions set in gangnam-gu,   seoul,   along with limited edition merchandise and photobooks.

hiræth made their official,   and very awaited debut with their successful and critically acclaimed promotional single SOLAR  ☼  SYSTEM on OCTOBER 24,   earning them their first win as a group,   the title of MONSTER ROOKIES,   accolades and victories from prestigious award shows and critics.

ANGEL OF THE SEASON: YVAN is the debut single album released on JANUARY 2, 2018 as part of MIGHTY DEVIL’s project,   ÆNGELS OF THE SEASON.   it was released on the first full moon of WINTER 2018 to showcase YVAN with two tracks and the film titled ANGEL OF THE SEASON: WINTER.

★   .   THE  TRACKLIST

GLASSY

블루 노스탤지아 BLUE NOSTALGIA

★   .   THE  PLOTLINE

WHO AM I?   the angel of winter, born from a snowflake under a moonless sky in the first plane of your world, celestia. you are new and inexperienced, perhaps a little hesitant while at the palace, and that’s what makes everything more fun, even if it means you doing things over and over. after all, you will never experience repercussions if something ever goes wrong.

LOOP?   you think you are no longer inexperienced and innocent, so you strangle your old self and lay them to rest in a pretty casket, dressed in a white and pristine gown. you hold a personal funeral for your old self every single day, repeatedly closing the casket whenever they awaken to your smiling self. one day, you gaze down at your smiling and innocent self surrounded by beautiful flowers and daisies, and you were devastated. why won’t you just leave yourself alone?

FORBIDDEN FRUIT?   your forbidden fruit is the strawberry, something you didn’t realize until you took the first bite in the comfort of your bedroom, away from anyone's eyes. you were upset when you liked it, but also confused. why did you eat it? would it be silly to say that the seashell told you to do it?

AM I PERFECT?   someone who calls themselves as the palace’s headmaster wants to see you perform. you are not perfect, but you’re enough. now do it, again.

PRINCIPLE?   you are enjoying your time here, but you can only hope this is not everything that is. you want more.

MY COLOR?   your color is green, only displayed in the skirt of your uniform, but you find comfort in the color blue as you learn more about yourself.

ANGELS?   none that you remember. you didn’t see the face of the angel that was being scolded by the headmaster... and there’s something telling you to meet one on the rooftop of the palace.

WHAT DO I CONVEY?   you are happy and excited. you are warm despite being being born in winter. you mean well. but you are also scared. you are cold, you are cruel, but you are trying your best.

END CREDIT?   you are wearing white when opening the entrance door of what you call home to walk into the dark. you are opening up to darkness despite your pristine persona, because there’s more to celestia, it seems.

★   .   THE  NOTES

yvan wasn't open about their identity yet, so they were referred to as she/her.

their debut was very well received and celebrated, but there were some critics stating that the songs chosen for their debut didn't do them justice as someone known as a powerhouse vocalist.

due to idols' fascination with covering this song, their b-side track BLUE NOSTALGIA continues going viral every now and then—a humorous twist since it was heavily criticized when it was first released.

they co-wrote GLASSY with fellow member kaia, who contributed to the songwriting for both tracks.

WINTER'S FILM was an energetic and very fun video to re-watch, but it wasn't until SPRING'S FILM was released that angels and netizens started noticing connections between the two. this is where theories began to emerge and WINTER'S FILM's views skyrocketed.

during one of their few theater shows, yvan was seen wearing a skin-colored patch across their arm, raising questions and concerns from fans. they claimed that they were simply covering up a tattoo, but years later, it was revealed they didn’t have a tattoo to begin with. this remains a mystery among angels.

MIGHTY DEVIL released the pre-order link to the limited physical albums of their debut when the ængels of the season era was just around the corner. yvan's single album was the third best-selling album from the ængels of the season series. since it was a limited release, these copies are now quite expensive.

★   .   THE  MERCHANDISE

MINYV, mini plush toy

WINTER TAP, both normal and mini keychain

TAROT DECK: WINTER

ANGEL OF WINTER: ACT III, photobook

ANGEL OF THE SEASON: POPPY is the debut single album released on MARCH 31, 2018 as part of MIGHTY DEVIL’s project, ÆNGELS OF THE SEASON. it was released on the first full moon of SPRING 2018 to showcase POPPY with two tracks and the film titled ANGEL OF THE SEASON: SPRING.

★   .   THE  TRACKLIST

INVU

플라스틱 캔디 PLASTIC CANDY

★   .   THE  PLOTLINE

WHO AM I?   the angel of spring, born from a daisy under a sky with three moons in different phases, in the center plane of your world, the otherworldly terra media. you are the personification of a perfect angel: disciplined, grounded, a believer in celestia’s doctrine, and bitter. does anyone know that “mother” personally stopped you from indefinitely cutting out of your perfect and beautiful loop to fall into temptation?

LOOP?   you've been repeating the same actions over and over, and now that you're aware of it, it troubles you deeply. but what else could you do at this point? perhaps your life has always mirrored the ballerina trapped in the toy box by your window—an enigmatic presence that speaks to you when you're alone, much like listening to the cassette tape that evokes memories of a better time, one that may never have truly existed, so you keep rewinding and rewinding instead of moving forward. 

FORBIDDEN FRUIT?   your forbidden fruit is the apple, which you ate with delight when someone placed a shiny one on your plate during a fancy banquet dinner you attended. why did you eat it without feeling guilty? is it because a voice through your headphones reminded you of how good sin tasted? does that mean you've sinned before?

AM I PERFECT?   the headmaster applauds every time you perform for her. you are perfect, yet you aren’t content. perhaps you never will be, so keep at it until you're much better.

PRINCIPLE?   you are angry and bitter, but after all this time, you still believe in love. 

MY COLOR?   your color is blue, visible only in the skirt of your uniform and the ribbons in your hair. yet, it's the purple of the crocuses you tend in celestia's garden that truly makes you feel at home.

ANGELS?   you don’t remember; you barely pay attention to anyone, instead reminiscing over things that may have never happened.

WHAT DO I CONVEY?   you are grounded, tranquil and eerily quiet. you are also exhausted and bitter. you’ve accepted it, everything, but that doesn’t mean you’re content with your doctrine.

END CREDIT?   you are on the palace rooftop, gazing up at the dark and moonless sky, reminiscing about the days when you could witness different moon phases back home. you aren’t even surprised when another angel, dressed in a dark green skirt, joins you up there.

★   .   THE  NOTES

her debut was very memorable due to the stark contrast of her title track against the girl crush craze prevalent at the time. to this day, everyone agrees that INVU is one of the strongest solo debuts in the industry.

poppy produced PLASTIC CANDY by herself and still refers to it as one of her best works to this day.

SPRING'S FILM was applauded for its beautiful and eerie plot, despite its dreamy and tranquil-like visuals. her acting and dancing also received high praise, attracting many choreographers to recreate the contemporary piece of the choreography. INVU recently has gone viral, leading to the creation of a tiktok dance for it by a popular influencer because the original choreography was never intended to be tiktok-friendly.

poppy wasn't the biggest fan of INVU, though, and this is something she revealed yeaaaaaars later when the song suddenly went viral.

everyone and their momma's know the INVU hand sign, though!

poppy's single album was the second best-selling album from the ængels of the season series. since it was a limited release, these copies are now expensive.

★   .   THE  MERCHANDISE

MINPY, mini plush toy

SPRING TAP, both normal and mini keychain

TAROT DECK: SPRING

ANGEL OF SPRING: ACT II, photobook

ANGEL OF THE SEASON: KAIA is the debut single album released on JUNE 28, 2018 as part of MIGHTY DEVIL’s project, ÆNGELS OF THE SEASON. it was released on the first full moon of SUMMER 2018 to showcase KAIA with two tracks and a film titled ANGEL OF THE SEASON: SUMMER.

★   .   THE  TRACKLIST

SINGING IN THE RAIN

멜로디 MELODY

★   .   THE  PLOTLINE

WHO AM I?   the angel of summer, born from a seashell under a sky with a crescent moon, in the bottom plane of your world, the normal but abstract terra. you are what they call a rebel, always longing to go past the rules and see more outside the wall they've built around you. you have lost focus in celestia and are mostly interested in what lies beyond. is it because you believe and know you and others can do more than do the same thing over and over?

LOOP?   you've embraced the loop for so long that you've grown bored of it, which has made you rebel and change aspects of yourself because, in the end, everything will go back to zero. but you don’t want to continue living that life, no?

FORBIDDEN FRUIT?   your forbidden fruit is the watermelon, which you happily ate when it was presented to you. this is something you wanted and needed to do, just as you needed them to sin, too.

AM I PERFECT?   the headmaster labels you as a lost cause. no matter how many times you perform for her, it’s never enough, and she makes you do it again until your body gives out. she has no idea you do everything perfectly when you're doing it on your own and for yourself, not for others.

PRINCIPLE?   you have faith in escaping from celestia. you believe in creating a new world where you can define yourself without someone dictating how you should behave and live. but you couldn’t do it alone.

MY COLOR?   your color is red, seen only in the skirt of your uniform and the faint crimson tint lingering in your hair. but why settle for red when you can be pink?

ANGELS?   many, but only two catch your interest: one who peeks through the door when the headmaster scolds you, and another who pricks her finger with a thorn while both of you tend to the garden of celestia together. eventually, you find your way to talk to them.

WHAT DO I CONVEY?   you're energetic and eager for more, which is both thrilling and daunting.

END CREDIT?   your angels have listened to you, and now the three of you discuss your future, despite how scary it may seem.

★   .   THE  NOTES

kaia was credited for both of her songs as a songwriter and composer.

the title track SINGING IN THE RAIN was one of the most popular releases during its release period due to its quick-on-its-feet composition, which attracted many people who weren't yet aware of the project to give them a listen. some say the song missed the potential to showcase kaia as an exceptional rapper, but others enjoyed it for her charisma and vocals.

#POPSENSATIONKAIAISBACK trended on twitter for a whole day.

SUMMER'S FILM's gained widespread attention as fans began theorizing about its content, especially after realizing that it portrayed kaia as the one who had been tempting and leading yvan and poppy into rebellion against celestia through seashells and headphones. this newfound understanding led to a significant increase in views and discussions surrounding the film and the other's.

kaia's single album was the fourth best-selling album from the ængels of the season series. since it was a limited release, these copies are now very expensive.

★   .   THE  MERCHANDISE

MINIA, mini plush toy

SUMMER TAP, both normal and mini keychain

TAROT DECK: SUMMER

ANGEL OF SPRING: ACT I, photobook

ÆNGELS OF THE SEASON: HIRÆTH is the debut single album released on OCTOBER 24, 2018 as part of MIGHTY DEVIL’s project, ÆNGELS OF THE SEASON showcasing and debuting the highly anticipated female trio hiræth, consisting of the revealed members KAIA, POPPY, and YVAN. it was released on the first full moon of AUTUMN 2018 and includes four tracks: the title track, a promoted b-side, an intro, and an outro. it is considered one of the most impactful debuts by a rookie girl group.

★   .   THE  TRACKLIST

DEAR YOU

SOLAR  ☼  SYSTEM

누구 WHO AM I

DEAR ANGEL

★   .   THE  PLOTLINE

you three were born representing different principles that the primal woman has: faith, love, and hope, but you didn’t know this until the angel in red told you. you three had to become one and create a new life once you’ve accepted said characteristics, both good and bad. but it was hard to accept that you weren’t as innocent as you thought you were, no?

you believe in yourself and in your dream, but faith without action is simply wishful thinking, and faith without hope is simply daydreaming. you needed poppy and kaia.

love is harsh and requires faith and hope to thrive. while love can endure cruelty, it can also be manipulated into evil. to flourish, love must be bolstered by faith and hope. you needed kaia and yvan.

there is nothing to hope for when one cannot find faith or determination– and love, both for others and for oneself. you needed kaia and poppy as much as they needed you.

anger, however, is what prevents them from fully trusting each other. they trust you, then they don’t, and the cycle repeats. this frustration intensifies within yourselves, reflecting on your "past" and the pressure to be flawless despite past mistakes. but beneath it all, this anger, opposing love, also complements it. anger is love unfulfilled; it is love misguided. it is passion.

and the truth is, they needed anger—they needed anger to yearn for them, for its fervor to guide them to the core of their entire existence: the oppression of celestia.

because you don’t need celestia. you don’t need heaven. you don’t need anyone trying to define you as someone you’re not. what you need is self-thought and self-love, and the only way to nurture that self-love is to reconcile with yourself, integrating every aspect of your being into one, even if that means giving into anger.

under the moonless sky of celestia, the three of you conjure a full moon by uniting your principles as one, discovering safety, comfort, and mystery in its glow as you flee the palace. venturing through dense woods, you set forth to explore a world beyond heaven and can only hope some will follow your lead to start all over, but on your own terms.

★   .   THE  NOTES

near the end of summer, a statement was released announcing nari's removal from the group due to allegations of bullying, leading to her sudden disappareance as an artist in the industry. to this day, no one knows what happened to her. their label later issued another statement, requesting that no one discuss the matter further, as they wished to continue hiraeth as it was. angels and knetizens respected the label's request, as they did not support nari's actions when evidence was being shared around by an anonymous twitter user.

the group revealed their name during a press conference before releasing their debut album. after introducing themselves, they talked about their excitement of their debut, their involvement in the album, their intricate concept, and also announced the name of their fandom.

While DEAR YOU is the track introducing you to their life in celestia, DEAR ANGEL is the one bidding it goodbye as they enter a new timeline and plane, but now on their own terms—hence the contrast between the two tracks. just imagine they say angels instead of cupids.

everyone thinks of them when someone mentions the title ROOKIE MONSTERS due to receiving many accolades and acclaim with this album alone. some angels even feared that nothing was going to ever top this project.

promotions were similar to their debut, but this time they performed on various music shows for five weeks, receiving their first win for SOLAR SYSTEM and ten more wins, along with two triple crowns. additionally, their promoted bside, WHO AM I, won against their title track once.

the three of them were heavily involved in the tracks, with poppy gaining the most attention as the composer and the one speaking the lines of the intro DEAR YOU as everyone loved the little notes she came up with to introduce them as a group. to this day, these notes are still adored and brought up when talking about fun-produced songs. angels are still waiting for them to release the full version of it. poppy and kaia were also praised as composers of the outro.

and yes, everyone at ditto entertainment totally regretted losing them three. #EVERYONEPOINTANDLAUGH

in addition to their performances of the single album, their rendition of SNSD's INTO THE NEW WORLD at sbs gayo daejeon, aimed at reintroducing themselves to netizens and other idols, was one of the most talked-about moments of the era since their live vocals, angelic visuals, and chemistry on stage garnered significant attention, cementing their stay in the industry with a bright future ahead.

angels also theorized that their performance of that song was a way to introduce their angel personas to the idol world. everything is a theory to them smh.

ængels of the season's single album was the best-selling album in the ængels of the season series. being a limited release, these copies are expensive but still affordable.

★   .   THE  MERCHANDISE

MINYV, MINPY, and MINIA, mini plush toys

WINTER, SPRING, and SUMMER TAPS, mini keychains

ÆNGEL TAP, mini keychain

THE ÆNGEL BOOK, tarot deck holder

ÆNGELS OF AUTUMN, ACT ?, photobook

[whitedragoncoranth]

Kirathian Dragon Ieesha

Introducing Ieesha to Earth

How did I introduce Ieesha to the public? Well... it actually wasn't that difficult. My dragoness - with her forty meter long golden-bronze body and wings - was already a very gentle creature by nature; she already broke all the tropes as it were. She wasn't aggressive, except for when it came to protecting me from harm. She didn't kidnap princesses or hoard treasure; ideas which she found alarming and absurd; instead, she loved knowledge and books. Like dragons of fantasy, she did breathe fire--but she herself explained that there was no magic at all with that; it was a biological process, glands in her throat producing a kind of biological napalm-like spray that she could expel, which then ignited on contact with the air. She and I took lots of photos of just her at first; how she spent a day. We took photos of her sleeping on the fleece pile that was her bed, stretched out, or pawing at the air in dreams. We took photos of her waking up, all bleary-eyed, photos of her having an omnivorous breakfast to show she wasn't strictly a carnivore, and then more pictures of her reading a book with her reading machine, then still more of her tinkering in her lab with her telekinesis, Ieesha the scientist. Later, we went outside and then it was pictures of her being silly, and frolicking in the grass, or fields of flowers. Snoozing gently on a beach even as curious children ran up and tried to touch part of her. Pictures of her laying very, very still, swamped with puppies and kittens.

The high-definition video of her talking to herself in her native tongue - cheeping, chirruping, birdlike, with nary a snarl or roar to be heard - blew up the Internet. The next video - of her speaking her alphabet and then singing a simple hatchling's song - made the linguists flip out with excitement. Was any of this staged or set up? No. The pictures and videos we took together of her were all real. What humanity saw of Ieesha... was just who she was: a gentle giant, a "soft" dragon who curled about her human rider so gently at night, tucking him 'neath her wing, nuzzling his face, singing gently. Being a mammal helped, for she had the right facial muscles to smile without showing teeth, not to mention her expressive midnight-blue eyes.

Of all things, the image which secured her future on earth was one of her crying, tears running from her eyes, down her snout. She'd been thinking about her parents, missing them terribly, and of course the thoughts led to her silently weeping. I'd taken a last photo before moving to comfort her as the Observers took a final photo of us together, me holding her head in my arms as she wept. The world embraced Ieesha and she and I paid back that kindness in full, working as ambulance, disaster relief, and search and rescue for anyone and everyone, no matter what country.

[taags-old-account]

Since everybody is being angsty, I have taken it upon myself to create some found family fluff:

Roadtrip AU

The Guardians go on a crosscountry roadtrip for funzies and roadtrip shennanigans ensue.

Douxie's driving, and everybody is kinda scared of him driving. Though everybody doesn't want to tell him that they will drive because they don't want to hurt his feelings.

Jim is backseat driving because he remembers the Driving-Off-A-Cliff-Incident vividly.

Krel basically took a van and tricked it out with Akaridion tech so it can fit everybody comfertably. Also there is an insane amount of safety procecutions in place.

Steve declares himself Lord Of Snacks. And makes sure everybody has the snacks they want. Everybody is thankful.

Toby is videoing everything for the youtube channel (Cause that AU can tie in with this one) or just for the memories.

Despite Krel's and Douxie's protests; Claire is the DJ. She actually does a really good job at it! mixing all the music styles into one really cool playlist.

Eli is in charge of the roadside attractions. There's a lot of stops that are cryptid realated. By the end of the trip, everybody thinks that Claire isn't the only monsterfucker there...

Aja decides that she should be in charge of the money. Which works out quite well! to be a queen one must negotiate the importance of expanding one friend's rock collection.

Zoe takes over the driving when the others finally convince Douxie to stop the caffine induced madness and actually sleep. Everybody feels safe (which is a terrifying concept) when Zoe is driving.

Nari likes all the scenery, looking out the windows and watching in awe. (Which is really cute)

Archie normally travels from person to person, getting all the cuddles. But when Douxie gets off the wheel, they cuddle and fall asleep together. There happens to be a series of photos of those two cuddling...

Despite everybody's protests. Douxie does drive the tricked out van off a cliff once.

[nctharu]

nct 127

haru’s relationship with the nct 127 members ｡ﾟ･ 

taeil 

- he is pretty chill with haru

- mostly because he worries she feels overwhelmed being the youngest and getting so much attention but it doesn't mean he loves her any less though

- he lets her do whatever she wants (unless its something that can harm her)

- if she ever feels down or goes through her depression he doesn't over protect her, but lets haru come to him if she wants to talk to him

- watches her with the biggest eyes and makes sure she takes care of herself, eats, sleeps

- she adores him so much and she loves how patient he is with her because she feels like she can be a burden at times

- taeil warms her heart

- haru appreciates him so much and comes to him for whatever

- he once caught her watching videos of him singing, and she still does

- haru stays a lot in her studio so taeil visits her and checks up on her

- he’s also one of the only people with the pass code to her studio

johnny

- these two are just everything

- the first time they met he took her under his wing

- 100% her dad

- she was so shy and petite, he basically adopted her

- he always has an eye on her because she becomes distracted very quickly

- johnny saw haru grow up and it makes him cry every time he thinks about it

- her personal body guard

- if anyone touches her, they're done

- picks her up whenever

- he is the first person in the “hows ruru” squad, including jaehyun, yuta, lucas, and haechan who basically let each other know when they feel somethings up or when they think she’s going through a tough time

- johnny always tries to get her out of the house since she’s such a homebody

- for haru, she looks up to him so much

- she steals a good 80% of his hoodies and t-shirts

- she always tries to protect him but she’s short

- they always have a good time together and he has slowly gotten her out of her shell

taeyong

- haru’s mom- thats it

- haru randomly stares into his eyes

- you can always find them giving each other small massages whether its in there hand or back

- she really admires him and how hard he works

- but she hates when he overworks himself :(

- they always talk to each other and there is never a day that passes where he doesnt ask her how her day was

- he is on full protective mode when they are out

- he always has her hand in his

- when they first debuted haru would miss a few meals and ever since then taeyong would make sure that she’s eating enough

- he always knows when somethings wrong

- theyve done many vlives together where they paint and draw, its super cute!

- taeyong and nari have such a heartfelt relationship that its hard to fit into such a short space

yuta

- he is whipped for her

- part of the “how’s ruru” squad

- he always wants her near him and when she is she’s just wrapped in his arms

- they are always hugging, holding hands, with consent ofc

- yuta is also very protective of her

- i mean she’s on the shorter side and haru is naive, she will believe anyone

- haru feels safe with all the members but if she had to, she would run to yuta for protection

- they take so many pictures of each other

-  haru is seen jumping on his back in a few videos 

- and yuta doesn't mind a bit

- she was learning a bit of japanese but yuta found out and insisted on teaching her himself

- anime buddies

doyoung

- haru is just a great human and naturally everyone is attracted to her personality and that is doyoungs case

- you would just want to take care of her and thats why he has this motherly nature towards her

- he always nags her about cleaning her room and taking care of herself

- whenever they are eating together he places more food on her plate regardless of what she says

- and he makes sure she eats it

- truly though, they are really close

- they have a closer relationship off screen then on screen

- there are a few photos out where they are hugging each other

- but she also stresses him out

- she clowns him a lot and gives him gray hairs

- she’s his second child

jaehyun

- SIBLING GOALS

- they arent the bickering type but more of the soft type

- freely he givers her all of his shirts and hoodies

- has hidden her wallet several times so she cant pay for things

- the softest hugs!!

- haru’s always seen poking his dimples

- jaehyun’s also part of the “how’s ruru” squad

- always has an eye on her

- one of the members that call her rue or ruru

- she sleeps with the teddy bear he gave her a year after their debut, it goes everywhere with her

- he is teaching her english with johnny and mark and they love hearing her talk

- even more when he hears her speech impediment

- his heart flutters so much!

- roommates for quite some time

jungwoo

- best friends

- she loves him and his energy so much

- whenever she notices her speech impediment and stops talking, hes right there to tell her to continue

- they are super close and always there for each other

- they do a lot of skinship

- haru thinks that he’s so soft and clings onto him whenever she can

- they take naps together during the day

- they have these small little “dates” where they go get ice cream from this small place during the darkest times of the night

- its only for them jungwoo says

- they make fun of each other

- a lottt

mark 

- they honestly act the same age

- mark and haru are very lowkey but have a timeless friendship

- he sometimes comes into her dorm and sings songs together

- at first though, they were awkward

- but now they just vibe and neither of them have to say a thing

- they really love each other but never say it

- he got so excited when he was able to take her to vancouver

- he lost her in a store though until he heard her name over the intercom

- she was so sad when he graduated from dream, she cried for days

- they have so much in common

haechan

- they play around and roast each other all the time but he never brings her speech implemented up

- he would hurt anyone who brings it up rudely

- also part of the “how’s ruru” squad

- they have a two sided friendship though

- they could be beating each other up or they could be cuddling 

- haechan is one of the main reasons why she is more outgoing

- haru is innocent and sweet but when she is paired up with haechan she’s another person

- he drags her out to meals and makes her pay for them

- but then later he stuffs a few bucks in her bag/wallet

- they deeply care and love each other but they will never say it to each other

- he always brings up her height lol

MASTERLIST 

[bernadettekazmarski]

Gather Sweetness

Many bees were gathering sweetness in the autumn asters on a warm, sunny October morning, all going about their bizzyness with nary a discouraging buzz among them.

Gather Sweetness Together Gather sweetness together. Many bees were gathering sweetness in the autumn asters on a warm, sunny October morning, all going about their bizzyness with nary a discouraging buzz among them. I took a bunch of photos and a couple minutes of video just because, then edited it down and added a friend’s music. I hope it’s relaxing and enjoyable.

[ikesenhell]

The Unknown

Again., Chapter 13–a collaboration by myself and @a-shout-to-the-void​ AKA Vaya. You can find all other IkeSen works of mine here, and Vaya’s here. NOTES: None this time.

It took a couple favors to pull together the gift. Mercifully, Shingen didn't ask. He’d heard. Slowly, Kenshin filed all of the clippings and pictures and minutiae in a small folder and tucked it under his arm, donning his best black suit for the funeral. He also brought a small satchel of baby things--a sort of christening gift for a child he’d heard about and hadn’t met.

He’d been in their shoes. He knew how well it hurt.

The funeral was brief and well-attended. Flowers littered the casket. Well-wishers pulled together in a quiet line to give the grieving couple their condolences. The baby (scarcely a month old, by the looks of him) started fussing. Fortunately Kenshin was next in line.

“Here,” he murmured, taking the infant from his mother. “I’ve got it.”

Williams gave him a relieved, worn smile. “Are you sure?”

“I’m certain.” He bounced the boy in his arms. “You’ve enough to worry about right now. I brought you something. What’s his name?”

Ieyasu fixed him with a baleful stare, but the baby hushed and curled against his chest.

“Mitsunari,” she murmured. “His name is Mitsunari. We’re calling him ‘Nari.”

“Nari is a good name,” Kenshin agreed, offering her the satchel. “Here. For you and your husband.”

Ieyasu took the bag with a murmured thanks, flipping it open to find a thick supply of toys, diapers, and the folder. As soon as they parsed the contents, Williams teared up and hid her face in his shoulder.

“Thanks,” Ieyasu managed through gritted teeth.

“It was nothing,” Kenshin answered. “Think nothing of it. If you need me to take Nari for now and sit behind you so you have a minute, consider it done.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“He’s fallen asleep, so I may as well.”

They didn't protest. Kenshin took up a spot behind the two and settled into an armchair, watching over the infant as he slept.

---

They spent their leave mostly looking after the ever-growing ‘Nari. He smiled like his father, big purple eyes flashing, his dark brown skin and dark hair so much like his mother that Ieyasu called him ‘Sunshine’ sometimes. When he slept, the two of them parsed through Mitsunari’s things in deathly slowness and figured out what best to do.

It was on one of those nights that she found the letters.

“Yasu?” She called, sitting at the familiar desk. “Come here. These are all addressed to us.”

Ieyasu crept into the room, brows knit. “What are?”

“Letters?”

Williams waved one at him. Sure enough, there it was, written in Mitsunari’s curving hand. Ieyasu cracked it open.

My dearest love,

You’re not paying attention to me right now, and I’m the happier for it. I know that sounds strange. It’s a little like watching a van Gogh painting in motion; like the whole of Starry Night twisted and shifted into life, the nest of your hair become the swirling stars and her body the curving grass.

I probably won’t share this with you--it’s not nearly as pretty as you both deserve. I could watch you for hours. I just might.

Sometimes now I have sympathy feelings when I watch you kiss her. Not pains. You’re kissing her neck right now. Your mouth is slightly open and your breath hitches when you ride your hips upward into hers, and I can feel the way it would drag were you on my neck instead. I wish, sometimes, that I could watch the way you looked at me when you have me where you like.

I would suggest taking a video, but I know that would embarrass you, and she’d likely say something about ‘evidence’, and I’d get terribly distracted by it anyway. Maybe part of the golden mystery is the mystery itself, though I doubt very much that I would ever grow tired of even the most quantified of your expressions.

God, I love you both.

It just struck me as I’m watching you now how your shoulders scallop and curve as you hold yourself. It’s like watching the shift of a tectonic plate--the whole world of my heart moves when you do.

I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.

The paper cracked as Ieyasu gripped it tighter. “Are they all like this?”

“I think so,” Williams murmured, opening another. “There are hundreds of them. This is what he was up to all those nights…”

He had to set down the letter before he destroyed it in his grasp, clutching his knees instead. What was he supposed to say? How could he even speak into reality the rage and love and sorrow and desperation swelling in his chest? “How could he say this wasn’t as pretty as we deserved?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered. “It’s beautiful.”

Ieyasu clenched at the air and rose, swinging his fist at nothing. Silence greeted him. “I think I need to go for a run.”

---

Kenshin came over sometimes. Mostly it was to help around the house; having a third person was something they’d grown used to in the years gone by, and now it was more needed than ever. He helped shift furniture and watch Nari and sometimes stayed for dinner late into the night, the quiet more comforting without tears in the void.

“Does it ever stop hurting?” Ieyasu asked him one night, still spinning his fork around on the empty plate.

The other man paused. Sometimes, when he was taken just off his guard, Ieyasu could see the sorrow hanging close to the surface. He was beautiful (not just handsome, beautiful), but sad, too. Those ocean eyes held an well.

“No.” Kenshin hesitated once more. “No, it doesn’t.”

They fell quiet again. At last he pushed back his icy blonde hair and sighed. “It doesn’t hurt the same after a while. At first it feels like burning, like you’ve swallowed lava and you’re just waiting for it to settle somewhere less painful, like if you just drink enough the burning will stop. Eventually it does, but the scald of it is still there. Some nights I’ll wake up and call for her. It’s been nine years. I keep thinking I’ll stop doing it. I never do.”

“I don’t--” Ieyasu inhaled sharply. “I can’t live like that.”

“You do,” Kenshin said, simple and clear. “You will. You’ll learn. Every day you’ll wake up and wonder how you manage. Every night you go to sleep knowing you did, somehow. It hurts forever--just differently.”

---

In the blink of an eye, Nari turned two. His second birthday party was a whimsical affair, with streamers and party hats and great mylar balloons all around the apartment. Ieyasu and Williams spent the morning whirling through the place, arranging and rearranging until they were satisfied that everything was presentable. And, of course, that everything was just out of reach of the toddler.

“That should do it!” Williams moved her hands away from the end of the streamer that was now securely pinned to the wall. “How does it look?”

Ieyasu leaned against the counter, arms folded. “It’s a two year old’s birthday party. Not everything has to be perfect.”

“But is it?” She insisted with a grin.

Ieyasu rolled his eyes. “Yes. Of course it is.”

In a few quick steps her arms were around him, and she pressed a quick kiss to his jawline before bouncing away again. “You picked up the cake, right?”

“Yes,” he grumbled. “Do you want me to check the fridge for it? Might’ve run away.”

“That would be great!” She sang. “What time is it?”

He checked his watch as he popped open the fridge. “Its uh--about one-thirty. Why?”

She flew back into his line of sight. “We should probably wake up Nari around quarter to two--oh, Yasu, he’s going to love this.” He glanced at the frosted behemoth taking up an entire shelf in the fridge. He’d ordered it from a bakery a few blocks north; they did custom cakes and were almost too thrilled over the thing. Iced giraffes covered the pastry, grinning up at him with goofy expressions.

“Please explain how our son’s favorite animal became giraffes,” he grumbled, swinging the door shut. “What’s so great about giraffes?”

“I think he became obsessed after Kenshin called Shingen one,” she commented lightly. “You know. Just fixated.”

As if on cue, their doorbell rang. From upstairs came the telltale shriek of an over-excited toddler, the pitter-patter of footsteps letting them know that Nari had escaped the allegedly ‘baby proof’ bed once more. Ieyasu muttered something about lying manufacturers and headed upstairs as she went for the door.

“Well, hello!” Williams gave a mock curtsy at the door. “You’re early.”

“Hello yourself.” Kenshin stepped through the door, a coat with a thick fur trim slung around his shoulders and a bag in his hands. “You told me two. I figured you might need help. Shingen couldn’t make it, but sends his regards.”

“Shinshin!” From atop the steps came a delighted scream. Ieyasu moved the baby gate just in time for Nari to toddle down the stairs, arms outstretched. “Shinshin!”

“Goodness!” And Kenshin swept the baby up into his arms, bouncing Nari into his elbow. “And you’re getting big! How tall are you now?”

Nari puffed himself up proudly. “Big!”

“Of course you are,” Kenshin chuckled. “Soon enough you’ll be as big as me. How old are you now? Can you show me?”

The baby held up two fingers. Williams giggled and leaned into Ieyasu, watching the other man head into their kitchen. “They’ve bonded, haven’t they?”

Ieyasu studied the odd pair with a slight crease between his brows. “Yeah. They have.”

“I don’t think I mind it.” She nudged him gently. “Do you?”

Did he mind it? How could he mind the way Nari smiled when Kenshin swung him around, or the way the boy giggled whenever Kenshin asked him a question? How could he mind at all when his son was so happy—

Only a vision of his husband gave him pause. Mitsunari, holding their son in his arms. Mitsunari, cutting the cake. Mitsunari, standing with Ieyasu and Williams as they took photo after photo of their little boy having a ball.

“I don’t know,” he said finally. “I just—I don’t know.”

[brokehorrorfan]

Event Report: Rhode Island Comic Con 2018

Rhode Island Comic Con takes place in the smallest state, but the show gets bigger every year. Its seventh incarnation took place November 2-4 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, the Dunkin Donuts Center, and the Omni Hotel in Providence, RI. While the congestion of people between buildings during peak hours is seemingly unavoidable, this year's updated layout across the three locations (all connected to one another) proved to be the best use of space yet.

When not browsing the massive vendor room full of cool geek memorabilia, I spent a good chunk of the weekend in the two panel rooms at the Omni, listening to various celebrity guests discuss their storied careers. Between the gregarious speakers, the considerate fan questions, the enthusiastic hosts (some of whom were celebrities themselves), and the overall energy of the convention, every one one of the eight panels I saw over the course of the three days was supremely entertaining. The first one I attended was with Tim Curry, who received a standing ovation from the adoring crowd, moderated by voice actor Charlie Adler (who worked with Curry as the voice director on The Wild Thornberrys). Curry proudly remarked that it has been almost exactly 50 years since he started his acting career as part of the original London cast of Hair in 1968.

Although a 2012 stroke left the beloved actor in a wheelchair, Curry is still quite sharp on the microphone. The audience went wild when he briefly broke into his sinister Pennywise voice from It as well as his smashing accent from The Wild Thornberrys. When asked about his thoughts on the new It, Curry defiantly responded, "I didn't like it very much." He shared anecdotes about many of his beloved roles, including The Rocky Horror Picture Show (his favorite scene is the floor show, "Because it was all about me. It was very sexy!"), Clue, Legend (for which the makeup took 10 hours to apply the first time), Muppet Treasure Island, and even The Worst Witch (he admitted to getting so drunk on an actress's homemade gin that he later had to re-shoot his big song). He also revealed a few fun facts, such as how he was almost in Alien as John Hurt's chest-bursting character, Kane, which is what eventually led to him being cast in Legend. "I just thought Ridley Scott was the most amazing director," he remarked. He also loved the script for The Silence of the Lambs and was interested in the role of Hannibal Lecter.

Four members of the Loser's Club from It (2017) - Jack Dylan Grazer (Eddie), Chosen Jacobs (Mike), Wyatt Oleff (Stanley), and Jeremy Ray Taylor (Ben) - reunited for a panel that evening as well. The young actors noted that they had immediate chemistry upon meeting before filming and that they are very similar to their characters, which was apparent during the Q&A as well. The camaraderie is palpable when the friends interact with one another with youthful exuberance. Everything except Taylor watched the original It before filming, although he's now coming around to horror movies. Although they were unable to speak much about It: Chapter 2, which just wrapped production, they noted how surreal it was to meet their older counterparts. Friday evening concluded with a rousing screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show featuring a shadow-cast by local favorites RKO Army.

I anticipated kicking off Saturday with an Elvira panel featuring the Mistress of the Dark herself, but Cassandra Peterson was unfortunately feeling under the weather and was forced to cancel. Thankfully, the session's guest host, Brian O'Halloran (Clerks), was willing to become the subject of the panel instead. He discussed working with Kevin Smith at length. They are mere weeks away from shooting the new Jay and Silent Bob movie, which he promises will be fun and cameo-heavy. Not unlike his character from Clerks, an audience question about Star Wars sent him on a humorous tirade about the franchise. His personal top three Star Wars movies may surprise you: The Empire Strikes Back, Rogue One, Solo.

It was fun to see Danny Trejo - known for playing tough guys in the likes of Machete, The Devil's Rejects, Desperado, Heat, Con Air, and Sons of Anarchy - cracking jokes and being so jovial during his panel. "I play a badass, but I’m not," he remarked as he recounted some of his surprising upcoming projects: the live-action adaptation of Dora the Explorer, a comedy titled Grand-Daddy Day Care, and an AMC sitcom, Food & Familia. He shared stories about the conception of Machete, which dates back to Desperado and then Spy Kids, the time he autographed a living tortoise in tribute to his Breaking Bad role, and his recent branching out into the food (with his Trejos Tacos restaurants) and music (with his newly-launched label, Trejo Music) industries. Perhaps the most interesting moment, however, was when he shared the story behind his signature chest tattoo, which involved being worked on by the same artist in three different prisons after being arrested for armed robbery at 14. It's truly inspiring to see how he turned his life around.

The Office reunion panel with Kate Flannery (Meredith) and Creed Bratton (Creed) was among the most highly-attended of the weekend. It took place in the smaller of the two panel halls, causing a long line of fans to be turned away. Those who were lucky enough to make it into the at-capacity room were treated to a lively conversation that was as funny as watching the show. Flannery was vivacious, while Bratton, true to his character, was dry and straight-faced. In addition to recounting their favorite moments in the series' nine-season run, they expressed their willingness to return for a Christmas special or other such revival if the writers can find a way to make it work and the rest of the ensemble cast is on board.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show panel was an unexpected highlight. Barry Bostwick (Brad) and Meat Loaf (Eddie) needed no moderator; they were old friends having an open conversation with one another. The first 20 minutes were essentially a comedy routine, with Meat spinning a fictitious story about the origins of his stage name while Bostwick occasionally interjected with a question or a dry quip. There was nary a mention of Rocky Horror until they opened up to the crowd for questions. When asked about screenings during which the audience talks back to the movie, Meat was brutally honest: "I wouldn't go to that to save my life." He went on to say that he loved seeing fans dress up, but he found it disrespectful to the movie and those who worked on it to speak out during screenings. Bostwick was quick to add that he believed such screenings are why the film has had such longevity. Meat also relished the opportunity to roast the audience. The actors' remarkable rapport caused the panel to go long, but, since it was the last of the evening, no one seemed to mind.

Rhode Island Comic Con put together a worthwhile after-party on Saturday night. After 90 minutes of DJ Darth Fader spinning music, dancing, cocktails, and mingling with some of the celebrities in attendance - including James Murray (Impractical Jokers), Joey Fatone (Nsync), Bam Margera (Jackass), Bai Ling (The Crow), and Spencer Wilding (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) - it was time for Epic Rap Battles of History. The creators of the viral YouTube channel, Peter "Nice Peter" Shukoff and Lloyd "EpicLloyd" Ahlquist - took the stage to perform many of their fan-favorite rap battles live, full of energy and the occasional prop. They performed such favorites as Goku vs. Superman, Rick Grimes vs. Walter White, Terminator vs. Robocop, and Zeus vs. Thor, in addition to medleys with verses from various battles. They occasionally invited fans on stage to perform verses, and in the middle of the set they made their way into the crowd to perform a few songs, including a freestyle created on the spot by audience suggestion: Spider-Man vs. Christina Aguilera. Although they haven't released a new video in nearly two years, Shukoff and Ahlquist clearly haven't missed a beat. They concluded their hour-long set by revealing that they have a new video featuring Elon Musk coming in December.

Sunday kicked off for me with a panel featuring Impractical Jokers' James "Murr" Murray and Nsync's Joey Fatone. While no one was entirely sure what to expect, it was a standard - but highly entertaining - question-and-answer session, with Fatone essentially serving as moderator and occasionally offering his input. Fatone first bonded with the Jokers over their mutual love of Superman. He quickly befriended the gang, then appeared on the show before becoming the host of the Impractical Jokers after-show, After Party. Murr teased the upcoming Impractical Jokers movie, which is due in theaters next year. He said that it's a road movie, with a scripted beginning and ending, but the rest of the film features the guys pranking one another around the country. While Fatone revealed he makes a cameo in the film, Murr told the crowd that it features "the most embarrassing moment of my life," which left him in tears. He also shared plenty of fun stories from the show, including showing off his driver's license photo with no eyebrows.

Later in the day, the Stranger Things panel with David Harbor (Hopper) and Noah Schnapp (Will), and moderated by Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), capped off the weekend on a high note. They have one week left of shooting the hit Netflix series' third season. They were unable to speak much about it, but Harbor called it "the most Spielbergian thing we’ve ever done," while Schnapp remarked, "It's even bigger than season two." Harbor revealed that we'll see more of Hopper's backstory as a Vietnam veteran and a New York City police officer, while Schnapp hinted that there may be a love story between Will and Eleven. Hopper also discussed his titular role in the upcoming Hellboy reboot. Filming in Bulgaria proved to be difficult, and the three hours of make-up each day wasn't a lot of fun, but he promised lots of practical effects and a storyline that would be closer to the comic on which its based. He also shared a funny story about a run-in with a wild bull during shooting.

In addition to the numerous celebrities mentioned above, Rhode Island Comic Con's exceptional guest list included Hayden Christensen (Star Wars), Gwendoline Christie (Star Wars), Kiefer Sutherland (The Lost Boys), Jason Patric (The Lost Boys), Lance Henriksen (Aliens), Tom Felton (Harry Potter), Natalia Tena (Harry Potter), Zachary Levi (Shazam), Tom Welling (Smallville), Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville), Alan Tudyk (Firefly), Finn Jones (Game of Thrones), Billy Boyd (Lord of the Rings), Tony Danza (Who’s the Boss?), Levar Burton (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Michelle Trachtenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Dylan McDermott (American Horror Story), Michael Rooker (The Walking Dead), Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead), Laurie Holden (The Walking Dead), Jenna Elfman (Fear the Walking Dead), Zach Galligan (Gremlins), Morena Baccarin (Deadpool), Ice-T (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Billy Zane (Titanic), Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Jason David Frank (Power Rangers), and many more.

Although all comic conventions have slowly become more of pop culture expos and celebrity autograph shows over the years, Rhode Island Comic Con stays true to its roots by inviting many comic writers and artists. This year included Deadpool co-creator Rob Liefeld and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman, among others. I had the pleasure of meeting Eastman, who graciously signed one item - complete with a quick sketch of a Ninja Turtle - for free for everyone throughout the weekend. He was very personable, striking up a brief conversation with each fan who waited in line. In addition to dozens of comic creators, aspiring artists were invited to have their portfolios reviewed.

While the headlining guests were the main attraction at the Dunkin Donuts Center, I was very excited to see an It (1990) display, curated by John Campopiano, writer-producer of the upcoming Pennywise: The Story of It documentary. The crown jewel of the collection was one of Tim Curry's actual, screen-used Pennywise costumes, of which fans were allowed to take photos, but he also had many editions of the film and Stephen King's novel from around the world, among other memorabilia. I was disheartened to hear, however, that two props were stolen from the booth during the event, and as a result the collection will no longer be displayed at conventions. I hope the missing items surface, because the display was a real treat for Stephen King fans.

Impressive costumes - from movies, TV, comics, anime, cartoons, video games, wrestlers, pop culture figures, and mash-ups - could be found walking around the showroom floor throughout the weekend, but many of the best cosplayers competed in a costume contest on Sunday evening. Everyone's efforts were extremely impressive, but the cosplay celebrity judges ultimately awarded the winners in three categories. Eleven from Stranger Things (complete with a Demodog) won for beginners, a group dressed up as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers villains shared the prize for intermediate, and a female Pennywise from It (2017) was selected for the master class. But it was a couple dressed as The Sorceress and Battle Cat from Masters of the Universe who were awarded Best in Show. It was a fun way to end the weekend.

In addition to the celebrity guests signing autographs and taking pictures, celebrity panels, cosplaying, and hundreds of vendors with anything a pop culture nerd could ever want, Rhode Island Comic Con includes exclusive merchandise, fan panels, film screenings, geek speed dating, kids activities, live tattooing, and more. It's impossible to experience it all in one day, so I recommend springing for the weekend pass when next year's event rolls around on November 1-3, 2019.

Click here to see all of my Rhode Island Comic Con 2018 photos.

[tkmedia]

Williamson is USMNT's late bloomer making up for lost time

9:15 AM ETPatience is an attribute that can both help and hinder a player. Careers are short, so there is value in constantly pushing for more minutes and more responsibility. Standing still can waylay a career. But there are moments when it helps to bide one's time, lay a foundation of work and shore up weaknesses in one's game, which can then result in success down the road.Throughout his career, Eryk Williamson has had to navigate this duality, although you would never know it watching him now. With the Portland Timbers, Williamson has become a mainstay in midfield, providing a valuable link between the defensive-minded skills of Diego Chara and the more dynamic play of Diego Valeri.The 24-year-old has now parlayed that into his first forays with the U.S. men's national team. Last Sunday Williamson made his international debut, helping the U.S. to close out a 1-0 victory over Haiti in the Gold Cup. He followed that up with his first start in a 6-1 win against Martinique, showing well in midfield and adding an assist on Miles Robinson's goal.But Williamson has been anything but an overnight success. Along the way he's learned that even when he's pushing for more, there are no shortcuts, and that means there are moments when he needs to bide his time."I think we get caught up in the bigger picture a lot of the times, especially as athletes. 'I want to be where Tyler Adams is. I want it to be tomorrow'. But there's so many steps," he told ESPN. "You're talking to the Tylers, you talk to the guys and it wasn't one day where, boom, you flip a switch. It's chipping away at it every day, and I think that's the mentality we have here . One day at a time and make sure I can put myself in the best position."- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only) - Don't have ESPN? Get instant accessWilliamson claims to have been pretty easygoing growing up. It was only when he got older that he seemed to be in a rush. But his mother, Nicole Brisco, who raised Eryk and his three siblings on her own, isn't buying it."Eryk was very impatient. He always wanted something to happen right away," she said to ESPN. "I noticed when he tried out for the first year for , and he didn't make the national pool, he wanted to give up soccer. It just tore him apart. And I just said, 'You've got to be patient.'"She adds with a laugh, "I guess he eventually got there. But that was the roughest trip back home from Pennsylvania I've ever had to do in my life. I don't know who cried more. I think I did."Williamson did indeed get there, although there were some blind alleys that he went down. A native of Alexandria, Virginia, he stood out in the talent-rich area of the DMV. His time at D.C. United's academy, as a youth international and at the University of Maryland had him pegged for great things. This was a player who could do it all in midfield, be it carry the ball into attack, set up scoring opportunities, as well as defend, giving him a distinct profile among American midfielders.Then his career hit a wall. A trade for his Homegrown rights from D.C. United to Portland in 2018 was expected to provide an opening to take the next step in his career. Instead, Williamson found himself stuck with Portland's reserve team. A loan spell that same year with Santa Clara in Portugal was hoped to provide some additional playing time, but resulted in him playing nary a minute in six months. Upon his return to Portland, his prospects didn't improve all that much. While he was handed a smattering of first-team minutes, he largely remained outside the reckoning.2 RelatedIn the view of Portland manager Giovanni Savarese, he saw a player in Williamson that wasn't doing everything that he could."I think when you are so talented, things are so easy, and you can get by with the minimum," Savarese told ESPN about Williamson. "You're still very good, but I don't want the minimum of you. I want the best of you."It was in that period that patience proved to indeed be a virtue for Williamson and forced a reexamination of his approach to his career. Rather than focus on the broader picture of what he didn't have or why he wasn't in the lineup, he put his energy into the little steps that it took to improve his game."For me, was an eye-opener," he said. "I think once I got back from there, it was, 'This is what I need to go out and do every day.' I got into a routine of: Can I be the best player on the field? Can I set the goal that Gio was going to come up to me and say, 'Yes, you're the best player in training this week, this month.' I took that into 2020."What emerged was a motivational mosaic. Williamson went down to Costa Rica for the 2020 preseason determined to leave Savarese with no choice but to put him in the lineup. He studied more film and took advice from the likes of longtime friend Jeremy Ebobisse and Chara. He began to feel more confidence from Savarese as well. The goals then expanded, from being the best in practice to getting into games, to influencing games, to excelling.Then the pandemic hit, and the league was shut down.Eryk Williamson has made a strong first impression with the USMNT, making his senior international debut at the Gold Cup. John Dorton/ISI Photos/Getty Images"I started the year so well, and then I thought all that preseason, all the work, the video, all the little technical things I was working on was all going to waste," he said.Another emotional hit came when his grandmother, Aileen Ford, died that April. The two were close, with Ford among Williamson's go-to supporters when times got difficult."They had such a great relationship," Brisco said about her son and mother. "Eryk doesn't talk about a lot of stuff like that. But I really think that that really pushed him last year, and he really, really came on."Savarese isn't sure what changed, but when Williamson returned for the MLS Is Back Tournament (which the Timbers won) he looked like a different player."I think something right in the pandemic clicked," Savarese said. "It's like something he understood. 'This is what I'm missing. This is what I need to do.' Then when he came back from the pandemic I was like, 'Wow, he got it.'"

The beautiful game lives here. Unlock world-class coverage of top leagues, tournaments and teams. Sign up now to stream soccer on ESPN+SATURDAY, JULY 17 • Club Brugge v Genk (2.30 p.m. ET) • NY Red Bulls v Miami (7 p.m. ET) • Cincinnati v Montreal (7:30 p.m. ET) • Columbus v NY City (7:30 p.m. ET) • Toronto v Orlando (7:30 p.m. ET) • Philadelphia v DC United (7:30 p.m. ET) • Nashville v Chicago (8:30 p.m. ET) • Colorado v San Jose (9 p.m. ET) • Vancouver v LA Galaxy (10 p.m. ET) • Portland v FC Dallas (10:30 p.m. ET) • LAFC v Salt Lake (10:30 p.m. ET) Williamson was soon borderline irreplaceable, but that was by no means the end of his arduous journey. Called into the January camp, an ankle injury slowed his progress. U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter cited that as a big reason why U.S. U23 manager Jason Kreis left Williamson off the roster for the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament. It was a move that raised eyebrows from the moment it was announced, and given the way that team struggled in attack, there has been no change in the sentiment that Williamson would have helped a side that ultimately failed to qualify for Tokyo.But Savarese's observation that Williamson made things look so easy is revealing, almost as if there was trust that needed to be built up over time that he was giving his all, as well as an understanding of which buttons to press and when."I think you have to get to know because he's a very smart kid, very clever," Savarese said. "You need to make sure that you have a good conversation, for him to understand what is asked for him to do. You need to create a relationship, you need to understand what he's capable of, you need to understand the moments to push him a little bit more."By then, Williamson had learned to be able to handle the snub, and how to move on from it. The style that Kreis' team played is similar to Berhalter's and added to his experience in January. That made coming into this camp more seamless."Just figure out what is being asked of me and what I need to do to be into a team knowing that there's so many different ways to play in this midfield," Williamson said. "And there's so many competitive players that I'm competing against. So it's just a lot of what's being asked and also taking what I'm doing in Portland and my skill sets and transferring it into performances with a national team."Now Williamson has found some equilibrium in his career. He's still ambitious, but knows to keep his focus on the present. Is there some regret that this realization didn't come earlier? Williamson muses that if it had maybe he would have broken through when he was younger, but also notes, "Maybe I needed to shape myself as a pro."The reality is for some players that light of doing the little things never turns on. For Williamson, it's now illuminating the way to a brighter future. Read the full article

[somethinglacking]

Cruel Angel’s Thesis Chapter 12

Rating: Explicit Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Category: F/M Fandom: Mystic Messenger (Video Game) Relationship:707 | Luciel Choi/Main Character Characters:707 | Luciel Choi, V | Jihyun Kim Mary, Vanderwood 3rd, Jumin Han, Zen | Hyun Ryu, Yoosung Kim, Jaehee Kang, Main Character, Rika, Saeran ChoiUnknown | Ray

Nari stood there looking over her very convincing new birth certificate, passport, and photo ID trying to tell whether it was actually forged. Nari knew her boyfriend too well to know he wouldn't just forge a document, no he had gone all out. Now she was Lois Lane, and him Clark Kent which given any other situation she'd laugh at the humor. Nari pinched the bridge of her nose and inhaled sharply before shooting a scolding look at Saeyoung, who visibly flinched, and lowered his eyes. "So basically you committed identity theft... Saeyoung what the literal fuck?" Nari sighed tossing the passport back to him. "I can't use that!"

"Look, we are trying to stay three steps ahead of Saeran, and we have my agency to worry about. I wouldn't ask this of you if there was another way to keep you safe." Saeyoung tried to reason looping his arms around Nari's frame pulling her close. She sighed resting her forehead on his collarbone deeply inhaling his scent.

"Just how legitimate is this identification?" Nari mumbled and he let out a breathless chuckle. Saeyoung rubbed his nose into her head in slow circles as his hold on her relaxed. He breathed in her cherry scent for a moment.

"I might have hacked into some government systems I shouldn't have." He admits causing her to whack him upside the head and glare daggers at him.

"Jesus, Saeyoung!" Nari hissed as he smiled at her causing her to frown. "Don't look so impressed with yourself! My god!" Nari scolded and his grin widened.

"I love you," Saeyoung told her pulling her tight against him. "I've never been scolded about hacking before." He then explained and Nari snorted.

"That explains why you're such a brat about it." She teased and he took a dramatic inhale of breath.

"Take that back!" He demanded to blow a raspberry into her neck causing her to wiggle and squeal.

"NEVER!" Nari declared and he started to assault her side with his fingers.

"I don't even want to know..." a third parties voice spoke up halting the couple's actions.

"Madam, what do we owe the pleasure!" Saeyoung basically sang to the older man releasing Nari from his grasp. Nari stumbled for a second to the amusement to the others, glaring at her boyfriend.

"I'm here to pick up that passport, so I can catch my plane." Vanderwood sighed as Saeyoung nodded walking into his workroom. "Look, Nari, are you positive about this. I will not go easy on you. I'll work you until you can't move, and possibly vomit."

"I'm positive. I'm tired of being a damsel in distress." Nari assured the older agent who nodded.

"You've got guts, I'll give you that." Vanderwood nodded as Luciel waltzed into the room.

"Here you go, Max. E Pad from Baltimore! Seven grinned handing Vanderwood his new birth certificate, photo ID, and passport. Vanderwood cocked an eyebrow reading the identification over before sighing.

"What kind of name is Max. E Pad? Don’t you have any sense of maturity Zero Seven?" Vanderwood complained causing Nari to smile and bit her tongue to hold back her laughter.

"If you want a say in you're next name, you hack into the government yourself." Saeyoung shrugged and Vanderwood scowled.

"Wait, just how legitimate are these?" Vanderwood questioned and Saeyoung beamed a smile.

"100% legitimate because I plan on taking down the agency while we are away." Saeyoung's tone was serious even if the shit eating grin never left his face. Nari looked at the men and saw the scowl on Vanderwood's face deepen.

"You're a damn fool... But do you think we could do it?" Vanderwood questioned and Saeyoung nodded.

"Are you saying you'll help Vandy?" Seven was beaming and bouncing in place.

“You realize if our lives will be in danger if the agency catches wind of this,” Vanderwood informed the younger agent and Nari frowned.

“Is it hard to leave the agency?” Nari questioned and both agents turned to her.

“Usually the only way out is death.” Seven explained and her frown deepened.

“what makes you want to take down the agency anyway?” Vanderwood inquired.

“The reason I joined was that of a lie. I have no reason to stay. Plus the longer I dick around with the agency the more danger I put Nari in.” Seven explained as Nari rested her forehead on his shoulder. He smiled sadly brushing his fingers along the length of her hair. Vanderwood looked the pair up and down contemplating his options.

“What’s the plan?” Vanderwood finally agreed and Seven chuckled slightly.

“It'll take time for me to hack into the mainframe and gather evidence to blackmail the boss with for our release. If he still refuses after that I make every detail public with would mean the end of the entire agency. So either he lets us go quite or we make a fuss. Either way, I fully intend to walk away smiling.” Seven explained to Vanderwood.

“And what do you need from me? No way are you offering me a new identity without some sort of payment.” Vanderwood accused and Seven nodded beaming his shit eating grin toward the older agent.

“You’re going to deal with the boss, and cover for me. You’re also going to make sure he does not find out about Nari. I do the hard work and all you have to do is tell a couple lies.” Seven explained and Vanderwood looked at him in a deadpan kind of way.

“If that’s all it’s a deal. If we fail…” Vanderwood trailed off looking toward the woman latched to Sevens side. “We are as good as dead, her too…”

“I’m not scared of death Vanderwood. In my profession, I probably witness more death than either of you. I could be an asset if things go south given my medical training.” Nari informed the oldest male.

“see, isn’t she cool. All geared up and ready to go down fighting!” Seven chimed planting a kiss on her head.

“As long as you know what you’re getting yourself into Lady. Let's hope Seven doesn’t fuck up until I have a chance to properly train you.” Vanderwood sighed. “Seven, marry her. You won’t find another woman as insane as her. Well, I have a flight to catch. I’ll be waiting for you Nari.” With that Vanderwood didn’t wait for the others to speak and made a hasty exit.

“right I have a flight in twelve hours,” Nari mumbled.

“And I catch my flight five hours after that. I'll be right behind you.” Saeyoung assured her wrapping himself around her. She hummed pressing herself close to him feeling content.

“I love you, Saeyoung,” Nari whispered and his arms tightened around her.

“I love you like the moon loves the stars,” Saeyoung assured her placing a kiss on her forehead and her giggles as he continued to kiss every inch of her face.

“You know…” Nari started and Saeyoung hummed urging her to continue. “If we do end up being killed, I can honestly say I died to have no regrets.” Saeyoung looked over her face locking his eyes with hers.

“I’m already too deep into you. My one and only love. I love you. I love you.” Saeyoung felt his tears escape him as Nari smiled up at him wiping her fingers under his glasses to catch the drops.

“I feel like we will have a happy ending, so no more tears until than, okay.” Nari chimed offering him an assured smile. He nodded leaning in to capture her mouth under his. Nari returned his affections enthusiastically.

He was the first one to pull away and looked shyly of to the side as he cleared his throat. Nari smiled at him finding his shy side too cute. “Are you done packing?” He changed the subject.

“other than the things I need to survive the next twelve hours,” Nari assured him.

“If you forget anything we can just pick it up once we get settled…” Saeyoung assured her looking at her softly.

“So where are we going?” Nari inquired and he smiled with a shrug.

“I own a place in the states, it pretty secluded up in the mountains.” He informed her and she chewed on her cheek thinking.

“Just how soundproof is it, are we going to bother Vanderwood?” Nari than have him a sly grin and he choked on his spit.

“How can you say things like that so easily. You have no shame.” His cheeks were tinted pink as he glanced at his lover from under his eyelashes.

“It’s amusing how shy you are about the subject, but when it comes to actually doing the deed you’re so confident,” Nari explained and he placed his hands in his jean pockets and chuckled.

“It's just weird hearing a girl be so open about it… it's not like… erm, I’ve never talked or joked about it, but it’s usually with Zen or Yoosung. You know boy talk.” He explained as his ears started to feel warm.

“Girls talk and joke about it too. Everybody likes sex, and I could tell you every physical and psychological benefit of it if you’d like. Use big doctor terms and such.” Nari continued to tease him and he rolled his eyes.

“I’m feeling a little warm… I’m going to go get a drink, would you like anything?” Saeyoung offered to change the subject.

“I’m good.” Nari beamed a knowing grin as he made haste toward the kitchen.

Nari raised an eyebrow as her phone pinged from the couch. She walked over and gathered it seeing a chat room had been open while they were talking with Vanderwood. Nari opened the chat room and read it thoughtfully as Saeyoung wonder back into the room completely composed again.

“V's moving and the rest of the RFA is headed over to help pack. Wanna go?” Nari asked and Saeyoung thought it over.

“Uh, yeah! Let’s get this show on the road!” Saeyoung cheered walking toward the garage.

Nari found herself leaning against V’s kitchen counter chatting ideally with Jumin and Jaehee while sipping at some fancy red wine that had been offered to her. Her eyes kept drifting toward the living area cluttered with convinces where her boyfriend was chatting admittedly with Zen and Yoosung while V was the only one doing what this little RFA meeting was for. Packing. Nari sighed placing her near empty glass on the counter and walked toward V.

“Put me to work.” Nari smiled helping V place various items into the current vox he was packing.

“Could you start wrapping and packing the kitchen?” V asked with a grateful smiled.

“Sure. Want me to get the rest of them to work?” Nari suggested eyeing her cheeky hacker across the room teasing Yoosung.

“Naw, let them be. It’s been a long time since we've all been together in such a relaxed atmosphere.” V informed her and she smiled.

“I BETTER SEE YOU ALL HAULING ASS AND HELPING PACK IN THE NEXT THIRTY SECONDS!” Nari yelled startling everyone. They all gaped at her except Saeyoung who smiled fondly at her. “DID I STUTTER? GET YOUR ASSES INTO GEAR!”Even Jumin didn’t waste any time collecting a box to pack item within. Nari smiled looking at a baffled V and winked.

“Man, Nari’s actually scary!” Yoosung whispered to Seven who snickered working on bubble wrapping objects.

“You haven’t seen scary yet Yoosung,” Nari warned walking by stopping for a second to place a kiss on the Saeyoung head and ruffled his hair before continuing to the kitchen. Zen made a gagged sound that was silenced by Nari's glare and Seven smirked at Zen earning his own glare from the rising starlet.

Jumin and Jaehee where wrapping up the dishes as Nari waltzed in as placed a stack of boxes beside them. Jumin smirked at her while she grabbed the items he wrapped and placed them in a box neatly.

“I must say I’m impressed.” Jaehee giggled dealing with the silverware.

“This is the reason we all came here in the first place. V’s too nice say anything.” Nari shrugged eyeing the three in the living room as they whispered to one another while hasty packing boxes as if a fire was lit under their asses.

Much later that evening Nari found herself curled up in a ball on the corner of V's couch. She could feel the tears escape the corner of her eyes as her body shook uncontrollably.

“I think I broke my girlfriend?” Saeyoung yelled out the other watching Nari snort as her laughter doubled.

“She's not broken, she’s drunk,” Jaehee assured the redhead.

“I'm not even sure how I got this drunk. Gah! What is life, what is my life.” Nari whined between giggles wiping her eyes looking at Saeyoung with watery eyes and a drunk blush across her features.

“She’s cute even when drunk.” Zen assessed and Nari snorted rolling her eyes.

“Yoosung's passed out in the bathtub,” V informed the group walking back into the room.

“Well, now we all have a pee buddy!” Nari chimed before focusing on her half-empty glass. “why does this taste so good!”

“You see my sweet darling drunk girlfriend, Jumin heard that I the great god Seven-“

“PRAISE GOD SEVEN!” Nari cheered nearly spilling her drink. Everyone laughed as Seven carefully took the wine glass from her and set it down out of her reach.

“Boo! Whatcha do that for?” Nari pouted as her already glassy eyes watered.

“I believe Luciel, of all people, just cut you off,” Jumin explained with a slight chuckle.

“Man, let her drink she’s having fun.” Zen protested slightly slurred himself.

“You're not the one going home with her,” Lucile explained and watched Jaehee blush and look down at her own wine as if it was the fascinating thing in the world. “Jaehee where the hell DID your mind just go!” Luciel gasp in mock shock before chuckling at her fiercely blushing face.

“Places it shouldn’t have,” Jaehee admitted anyway still staring at her wine as the group hooped with laughter.

“What no way! You'll do something shady. Nari, babe listen men are wolves!” Zen gasped dramatically while Nari mumbles out “it's not like I'm little red riding hood." and Luciel rolled his eyes having fun being the only sober one in the room. He kept watching Nari carefully studying her as she became more and more intoxicated.

“Sounds like your jealous Zen.” Jumin mocked him earning a glare from the actor and some protests and some back and forth name calling.

“play nice children.” V actually said it which sent Luciel into a fit as Jumin gaped at his friend slightly scandalized.

“Can’t I just finish what’s left in the glass?” Nari ignored the goings around her, eyes still fixated on the half-empty glass.

“Sure if you describe me in three words!” Luciel teased and Nari frowned at him.

“An utter Annoyance.” Zen barked out and Seven covered his heart as if it was the greatest compliment while making kissy faces at the starlit.

“Not that Helpful.” Jaehee than chimed in and Seven gasped.

“I god SEVEN defender of justice keeper of the peace is always Helpful!” He protested.

“Absolute Cat Abuser.” Jumin than added taking a sip of his wine cocking an eyebrow at the hacker.

“I asked her, not for the entire room to roast me.” Seven half whined with a chuckle.

“Imaginative self-expression.” V than add and everyone made a sound of agreement.

“Clearly there are many words to describe you, Saeyoung Choi. But if I had to pick three-“ Nari paused making a stupid drunk face and held up four fingers which earned another round of laughter. “My three words would be ‘my beautiful disaster’”

Saeyoung looked at her slightly mystified as the room went quiet. Once he processed her words he felt his face heat up and he swallowed thickly as he let out an awkward chuckle. “Nari, baby, you’re way too drunk. We should be going. Being the defender of justice that I am I cannot allow a lady to make such a fool of herself hahaha.” Saeyoung babbled out scooping her up in his shoulder and made haste to the door despite her protest and attempts to free herself from him. “catch the rest of you on the flip side.” He offered a peace sign and shut the door.

Saeyoung practically threw her into the passenger's seat. “who lit your ass on fire?” Nari asked now slightly pissed. Saeyoung slipped into the driver's seat and hit his forehead off the wheel.

“Whoa! Careful are you trying to give yourself a concussion?” Nari barked and Saeyoung turned his eyes toward the woman seated beside him. Her glassy honey brown eyes, dilated pupils, the alcohol in her system causing her face to adore such a pretty blush.

“I love you,” Saeyoung told her and she stopped her fussing and looked at him. He smiled as he saw her cheeks pick up more color and a smile slowly spread across her face. She leaned in toward him and a grin spread across his features as he finished closing the space between them.

Nari was drunk, she tasted sweet like the wine she had been downing all night. Her usually shy kiss was sloppy and her fingers curled into his unruly red mop of hair. Saeyoung groaned finding this kiss intoxicating none the less as he leaned on to her and half crawl a top of her as his tongue licked her lips. She gasped out a tiny moan that sent a shiver down his spine as he invaded her mouth. She was sweet and the kiss was wet and desperate.

Then there was a knock on the window. The two over them parted and looked at one another wide-eyed as there was another tap on his tinted glass window. Nari giggled looking above herself at the window in question.

“what are you guys, sixteen. Jeez, stop making out!” Zen yelled at the car causing both of them to crack up. Saeyoung shifted himself slightly to start the car and roll down the window.

“Is there something you needed Zen?” Seven asked still atop of Nari who was hiding her head in his should laughing.

Zen sighed looking in on the scene “I was wondering if you’d give me a lift home.” Zen explained averting his eyes from the couple with a slight blush on his cheeks.

“Now why would I give a drive to an absolute cock block?” Seven questioned the actor who gaped at him and Nari smacked him on the head earning a protest and chuckle from the hacker.

“He’s drunk too. Zen get in we'll take you home.” Nari decided to earn a pout from the man above her as she wiggled trying to push him off despite the hackers protest about being a taxi. “You’re the only sober one, which means you drive drunks home!”

“fine dude, get in.” Seven agreed sitting himself back behind the wheel. Nari righted herself giggling as Zen slide himself into the backseat.

“I drank too much. My skin is going to suffer tomorrow.” Zen complained as Seven put the car in drive and pulled away from V's loft out in the middle of nowhere.

“actually wine is good for your skin. Actually, the wine has a lot of health benefits! Actually, it can help your immune system!” Both men looked at her. “what I am actually a doctor!” both men chuckled muttering Actually at her and she stuck out her tongue.

“Than why does liquor make you so hot?” Zen inquired removing his jacket and Nari laughed.

“It’s normal to feel warm because liquor stimulates a part of your brain called the hypothalamus.” Nari trailed off.

“And the Himalayas, is what now?” Zen asked mispronouncing the word

“hypothalamus,” Nari repeated the word. “It’s a part of the brain regulates basic human functions, like your body temperature, hunger, hormone levels, and of course, your sex drive,” Nari explained.

“You’re wasted yet yammering out doctor lingo?” Saeyoung asked in disbelief.

“I was drunk most of the college. I wrote many exams still drunk from the night before.” Nari explained as she sat back in her seat yawning. “but I'm sobering up.” And her eyes drifted close.

“It’s your stop,” Saeyoung informed the half-asleep actor after what felt like a few minutes. Both Zen And Nari sat up blinking a few times. Zen yawned and hawked around for another moment before removing him from the back seat.

“thanks for the ride Seven, let her get some sleep yeah?” Zen smiled and winked closing the door and stumbling toward his front door. The two left in the car waited and mocked as Zen struggled to unlock his door. Once he did and it opened he flashed them his middle finger before staggering inside.

“T minus five hours until I have to be at the airport,” Nari mumbled looking at the time and turning on the radio. Saeyoung smiled and swatted her fingers away, connecting to his blue tooth playing his most current playlist on his phone.

“And five hours after that I’ll be on a plane. Less than twenty-four hours we'll be together again if there are no delays.” He assured her and she hummed relaxing against the leather seat.

“It’s just going to be so weird being alone with Vanderwood. I mean he barely makes eye contact with me, let allow the five times he actually talked to me directly. I get the feeling he doesn’t like me, but tolerated me because of you.” Nari half complained to Sevens amusement.

“He likes you, don’t worry. As for the eye contact, you’re beautiful and he is rather shy when it comes to women believe or not.” Saeyoung reassured her and she hummed and drifted off to sleep.

[mokkoriness]

ROCK AND READ 070 - Hiroto Interview

Return To The Roots, From Zero

Taking the occasion of their 10 year anniversary in 2014, A9 (“Alice Nine” at the time) had parted from their company at the time, and pushing that even further this year, they have achieved true “independence”. Just like the hands of a clock come to a full circle, last year they did their 12th anniversary live with the idea of returning to their roots, and in January of this year, they are making a new start from “zero”. For Hiroto’s first appearance in this magazine in a long time, we did the photoshoot at his roots, a place related to HIDE.

2017 has become a year where the band actually returns to their roots and starts again from zero. You started your own company and do everything yourselves from management and such.

Hiroto: Yes. Because it really is the five of us restarting. Right now there are many things we’re doing for the first time, so everyday the members are all fighting as one. Thinking about it now, when we had just parted from PS Company, the company that we had been indebted to this whole time, we still hadn’t started from zero. Right after we left the company, in order to start activities again we moved on forward while receiving the support from the staff members around us that we had trusted. But after trying things that way for half a year, it didn’t really work out well. Honestly, the past two years up until now was the most difficult time for us. The roughest time for us was when we were making “LIGHT AND DARKNESS”, which we released last year.

It’s as if the situation the band was in was “darkness”.

Hiroto: Yes, it really was. It was really painful during the making of it. But the light was the tour that was to come after that. The fans were waiting for us. What we made just following the path that was lit up by that one ray of light was this album.

So it’s a title that reflected the mentality of the band.

Hiroto: That’s right. Then when we went on tour, the downtrodden feeling that was in the band really lightened up.

Meaning the tour had swept away the darkness?

Hiroto: That’s right. Although we had the resolve to keep on going on with this band and all decided to leave PS Company, after going independent, I think what made it painful for us was our own fault for not being able to fully stomach that we had to do this and bear all the responsibilities ourselves. So the time for us to start from zero came when the five of us all took equal responsibilities, just like when we had first started the band.

Since you had returned to the roots after leaving PS Company, was the 12th anniversary live done with the concept of also returning to your roots musically?

Hiroto: That was the idea. As a clock does a full revolution after reaching 12 and starts over again, we decided to do a live where the songs were limited to the songs we did in our first year. When we did that, our situation really had done a full revolution and we had returned to the start. It was a coincidence.

Meaning you ended up predicting your own future.

Hiroto: It was just a coincidence though. But that’s scary thinking about it now (laughs). But while that was happening, at the beginning of Spring last year we had received a phone call from Ken himself, inviting us to his live event “PARTY ZOO”. From the latter half of last year we have been appearing at many events, and we’ve gotten more and more invitations to appear at events.

You’ve already appeared at a few events right from the start of this year.

Hiroto: We have. Ever since we did the 2-man show last February with Plastic Tree, we’ve gotten more and more offers to appear at events. It seems like up until then, everyone thought that A9 was a band that didn’t appear at events. But as soon as we appeared at events, thankfully, more and more people have been reaching out to us. We also have been scheduling things so that we can appear at events.

Was that the kind of feeling that was in the band since last year?

Hiroto: Honestly, it has been that way ever since around the 8th year of the band. We had just finished our first show at Budokan, the band had overcome its first challenge, and the 10th year anniversary was in sight.

There was this theory at the time that PS Company wanted to avoid events with bands not from within the company.

Hiroto: That’s right. That’s true and after we left PS Company, we wanted to appear at many events. And so many things happened last year that we were in no state to do the tour that we usually do in the latter half of the year, so I think that it was a good thing we were able to perform at many events, both for the band and personally.

Before we further on the conversation, I’d like to ask you to look back on the 12th anniversary live. What was it like?

Hiroto: Before we did the live, I didn’t think that we would be trying so hard to match the feeling of the visuals from early on. But we had just started making preparations around the time we released “LIGHT AND DARKNESS”, and that was a time when we were the least decorated. It was a time where we did things like playing in casual clothing, trying to change the formation of the members on stage or having a two-part live. For us, those were very new things. But we realised that it wouldn’t be very persuasive if we were to do the 12th anniversary live like that. So instead we decided to go all out and had our outfits made based on the outfits back then. When we were getting fitted for the outfits, they were made so well it made me think “They went all out!”. After that when we went to do the photoshoot for the artist photos at Hamamatsu, when we had the heavy make-up with our outfits, we were like “This is pretty cool though?!” (laughs). It was from then that all the members got into it and were like “Let’s keep doing this!”. Since we were going to go all out with it, we prepared the songs trying not to change the arrangement as much as we could. And since we were going that far…we wore school uniforms just like the one in the music video when playing “Shunkashuutou”, just as we had done during the encore of our very first one-man tour final at Shibuya AX.

The now legendary school uniform performance, right?

Hiroto: We really decided to go all out.

So that was the members’ idea.

Hiroto: That was originally Saga’s idea, and we did it without having any tell us to (laughs). Since it seemed like people wouldn’t expect those guys who just released “LIGHT AND DARKNESS” a few months earlier to do something like this, when we went out on stage in the school uniforms, we got some high-pitched screams for the first time in a while.

(laughs). As we were able to see A9 in school uniforms and watch a nostalgic performance, the live was very well-received.

Hiroto: Lately, more and more juniors have been saying to us “We used to copy your songs”, and we have also been told things like “I was just a junior school student back then, so it was my first time seeing those songs live”. So in that way, it was a live that connected the past and present. It’s the same for us too. We also played a song called “Honjitsu wa Seiten Nari”, a song that we had only performed around twice back then. I remember the scenery from that time. I had slept overnight at the recording studio and my body was attacked by ticks so the company got really angry at me, and I kicked every electrical pole on the way back home. I did the live that day remembering even this sort of insignificant thing. Those memories came back to me as I played the guitar. And after reading the letters I got from fans, it seems like there were many fans who, like me, were watching the live with those kinds of memories.

So what have you gained from doing the 12th anniversary live and returning to the start point?

Hiroto: I recalled the things that I was thinking back then and my feelings back then, so personally, gaining that was a very big thing. It made me remember what the members were talking about at that time and with what kind of feelings we had doing lives back then, so that has become my source of power. Because ever since the band formed, we’ve not really looked back and kept on running forward. Returning to our roots at this time finally made me understand what position we were in. It’s like using Google Maps to check your location; we checked to see where we were standing. That was the 12th anniversary live. That’s what I think about it now.

What was it like when you left PS Company?

Hiroto: I had quit high school…… and before that I had just started a part-time job and until A9 left the company, I’ve not really stopped. I’ve also not experienced not having anything in my schedule, so right after leaving the company, I think that I was confused by the whole situation and didn’t understand what position we were in. I moved forward while trying to find out where I should be, or what I should be doing. I feel that during that live, it was the first time that where I was at was actually the place I was supposed to be at.

And then after finding out where you should be, there was “PARTY ZOO”, the live event you participated in. I think that this was an event where we clearly understood where the band A9 should be.

Hiroto: That’s right. The impression I got after the first day was over was that at the place we should be, we have to stand on stage at least understanding a little bit about our strengths, or we wouldn’t stand up to the competition. On the first day, we had returned to casual outfits on stage.

You also did a setlist mixing in some new songs from “LIGHT AND DARKNESS”.

Hiroto: Yes. We stood on stage as the A9 of the last 1 to 2 years. But…… it was no good. Like “This is not it”. Ken even said to us “A9 are boring!! Why don’t you use your strengths?!”. Miya (MUCC) also said something similar.

What did you think, after hearing those opinions?

Hiroto: I thought that we actually don’t know ourselves. We had received feedback from the “LIGHT AND DARKNESS” tour, so we did a live with our recent selves and added the energy that we had when we first started. But that was not enough. We weren’t up for it with the things that we had just recently gained.

How did you interpret the words that you weren’t using your strengths?

Hiroto: Even if we were to have the faintest idea that that was the case, bands want to use their most recent selves. We had the intention of giving our all and trying to balance that with what was expected of us. There is absolutely no way that we could compete with MUCC with the “Fire Level 1” that we had just learned. We learned this firsthand on stage on the first day. Since we weren’t used to appearing at events, we had no clue as how to compete there. Ken talked a lot about the feeling that we give off when the five of us are on stage. I thought that our greatest strength was those things people kept saying about us ever since we started; that we were in a good way, playboys, or hosts with a prince-like feeling.

Didn’t many people say things like that or “Those guys only have good looks!” when you first started? How did you react to that?

Hiroto: At the time, I hated it. That’s why as a reaction to that, the album jacket for “Alpha” was a photo of us from the neck down.

So you made another full revolution at “PARTY ZOO” in regards to looks. When your seniors questioned what you would do if you didn’t use your looks.

Hiroto: Yes. In a strange way, we started worrying about our age.

What?! Really?

Hiroto: I think that It’s because we were worried about our age, we dressed in a casual style on the first day of the event.

You wanted to appear in a style that would suit your age.

Hiroto: We thought that it was better that way. We thought we should appear in that style because it was an event that many people would be attending. But we were wrong. That’s why we underwent major changes at “PARTY ZOO” in Osaka (laughs). First of all, we were dressed from head to toe in white. We also changed the setlist to do song that were our popular songs. When we did that, the reaction we got was completely different from the first day, and we were finally able to compete. Also, having done things like that, it felt like people were finally starting to notice.

That A9 is Alice Nine.

Hiroto: Right. I think about that every time we appear at events. That people actually don’t know that. I think that there were many people who didn’t notice on the first day of “PARTY ZOO”. That’s why at Osaka, Show had said “We’re A9. We used to perform under the name Alice Nine”. Then there was some murmuring in the crowd (laughs). That’s why we’ve made it a point to say that. After that when we played at an outdoor event called “Visual Festival 2016”, we played in the same outfits as the 12th anniversary live and mainly played those old songs. After the first song ended, the fans that were there to see the younger bands were still seated. But learning from the response we got on the first day of “PARTY ZOO”, when we said “We used to play as Alice Nine”, the people who were sitting suddenly stood up. They had fully understood.

So you even had to return to the start at events too.

Hiroto: That’s right (awkward smile)

But had your seniors not given you advice at “PARTY ZOO”, then the idea of wearing all white outfits…….

Hiroto: Wouldn’t have come about. We had worn the white outfits that was from the time when we did our comeback live, as we had to wear that for the projection mapping. But as expected, this was us. When “PARTY ZOO” at Osaka was over and I was looking at all the bands’ outfits in the dressing room, I did certainly think that there weren’t many bands that suited this kind of look. I thought that our strength was being able to wear something like this. Also, what made me think it was great that we played at “PARTY ZOO”, was the importance of creating a stage together with BAROQUE, MUCC and AKi (SID), bands who were already there when we started. I think that it’s because we spent 2 to 3 months discussing this we were able to come together. The same goes with Ken. Because we were able to connect with him on stage, I feel like our connection with him has gotten deeper.

And then you appeared at “VISUAL JAPAN SUMMIT”. You played this event wearing the all-white clothing too.

Hiroto: Because of what happened at “PARTY ZOO”. Since we were playing the main stage, there was no other choice.

Apart from A9, you also appeared in X SUGINAMI, and played as HIDE. But actually before that, you played as a guitarist for Toshi’s solo stage. Your roots can trace back to HIDE. It really is a mysterious phenomenon, where after going back to your roots, events led you to perform at “VISUAL JAPAN SUMMIT”. It’s almost as if HIDE is guiding the way.

Hiroto: That’s the only way I can see it. First, SUGIZO has suggested to me that I play guitar for Toshi’s solo project, and so I first played for him in the Summer of 2015. That was when I first met Toshi. The reason that I’m doing music is because of HIDE. So I was playing HIDE’s part next to Toshi. I was so nervous and scared, it was the first time that during rehearsals my hands froze. I could only play about half of it. And then on the last day of rehearsals, we all got some private feedback sessions. That’s where Toshi said to me “You’ll be fine. You’ve played plenty of shows up until now, right?”.  And that’s when I wasn’t “Hiroto”, but I had returned to being that kid who had received a huge shock from HIDE. Only then was I able to play properly during the actual show.

You also returned to your roots with Toshi (laughs).

Hiroto: That’s right. That’s what I had done before “VISUAL JAPAN SUMMIT”. Even after doing the live with Toshi, there were things that I had personally been thinking about, so I said to Toshi “I’m going to write you a letter so please read it”. He said to me “Okay. I’ll be waiting”. After that I didn’t have the opportunity to meet him, but I was finally able to give him my letter at “VISUAL JAPAN SUMMIT”. Toshi did laugh about it though, like “You really did write me one!”. I had handed him my letter one and a half years laters, but talks of doing X SUGINAMI came 4 days before the actual show (laughs).  A week before that Miya had called me, asking “Hiroto, can you play X songs?”.

Playing with Toshi led you to X SUGINAMI.

Hiroto: Yes. Just around that time I had strained my back, but by some miracle I was able to stand on stage. But looking back on it now, last year I played as a support musician for Toshi, and now this year the band was invited to “VISUAL SUMMIT JAPAN”. So I thought that this must be something, and thinking that we had no choice but to do this, we played at the event.

You completely transformed into HIDE.

Hiroto: On that day, the same goes for me of course, but the make-up artists and whole team was really into it, so I turned out looking that way. When I watched footage of it afterwards, I did look quite like HIDE (laughs). I’ve never copied HIDE or copied his movements, but once on stage, I was moving quite naturally. I realised that after all, my roots are HIDE. Even if I didn’t think about doing it, it just came to me naturally. It was really strange. Even on Twitter, I received messages from people who didn’t know A9’s Hiroto, saying “It was as if HIDE was there”. I’m also a fan, so I was really glad to have fans who came to see the event of the real X JAPAN think that way of me.

And because of that, now we’re doing a photoshoot at a place related to HIDE?

Hiroto: That’s right. Actually, up until now I’ve never actually voluntarily gone to HIDE’s grave. He’s the reason I’m doing music and because he’s the person that changed my life, at first, I couldn’t accept the fact that he had passed away. That’s why I didn’t want to go there. But right after the entirety of “VISUAL JAPAN SUMMIT” had ended, I suddenly made up my mind that if I was going to go visit his grave, this was the time, so I went to HIDE’s grave without even going home. And perhaps that’s when I first accepted the fact that HIDE is no longer here, and I was overcome with tears. After visiting his grave I went to Miura Coast, and the sky was dyed bright pink. After that I had received an offer to appear in “ROCK AND READ”, so I asked if we could do the shoot at Miura Coast. It’s really great weather today. I went to visit his grave after the photoshoot. I was able to visit with my emotions in order. I thought that I was finally able to accept HIDE’s passing.

I see. So this was the year 2016, where you were able to experience returning to your roots in many different ways. And in 2017, you will be releasing your first new single as A9, “MEMENTO”.

Hiroto: When Saga had first brought the demo, I thought that it was a song jam-packed with all of the experiences we had in 2016 via live events or meeting new people. When we see the people we met while doing events next, we would knock them over with this song. That’s the kind of feelings this song was made with.

It seems like this song will go down well at lives, but it’s a song that changes pace quite fast it could make your head spin.

Hiroto: That’s right. We want to avoid approaching things in the so-called “tried and true” way. Both in terms of our looks and songs. Before we knew it, that’s what we were avoiding. And we had no idea that we were doing that. Many times it’s not our intention but it ends up being that way. That’s why I think we have more songs that are “in the middle”. But to reflect the things that we did last year, we are competing with “MEMENTO”.

So to you, who has retuned to the roots, what kind of year do you think 2017 will be?

Hiroto: I still don’t know. From recalling our roots and starting point, we were only finally able to understand our position. During the latter half of our time with PS Company, I think that we spent a lot of time being self-conscious and forcing ourselves to be more grown up, and even though that’s not who we were, we thought that we had to do things more logically, now that I think about it. I get the feeling that I was suppressing my truly wild side.

So what kind of person is the real Hiroto?

Hiroto: When I was a kid I had a lot of ups and downs. I had really bad mood swings. When I was feeling down I felt really down, and when I was feeling good, I felt really good. But by being like that, there was a time where it was really tough as I couldn’t communicate well with the people around me. So thinking that it would be impossible for me to be in a band like this, I fixed my character. But right before that I had met the A9 members. They were people who could forgive me, a person with all these ups and downs. And now we’ve come this far. As we’ve returned to our roots this time, I feel like I have released this part of my true self.

And you stopped trying to fix your character?

Hiroto: Yes. And now restraining it becomes more and more ineffective (laughs). Though I’ve become free, there are still some things I need to do about that. However, even if my true self has been unleashed, I think that the people who think that these ups and downs in my emotions are, on the contrary, interesting, will help me. Especially the members and the new team of staff that are supporting us. In these last six months, I’ve really been full of gratitude towards these people.

What do you think you would like A9 to be from here on?

Hiroto: Speaking in extremes, I would like for A9 to be able to continue on. Now we have made another start with a new team, and I would like to declare that a one place we will head to is a special place called Nippon Budokan. Rather than saying I want to show people the stage there, I want to create it together with everyone. I think that if we do it, the moment will come where we even meet those people who have parted ways with us. I want Nippon Budokan to be that kind of place for us. Also, this was something that was said to me by my junior. When we were talking about bands disbanding, he said to me “For the sake of the [Visual-kei] scene, A9 is a band that I don’t want to go away“. I wonder what kind of future lays ahead for a band that has been doing this for 10 years and is now exploring a new path. I get the feeling that the influence we will have on those around us will be great.

Certainly! I think that A9’s success will give the next generation an indication of what to do.

Hiroto: By watching how we fall. That’s why I want to keep hanging in there and move forward. It will also be the sake of those people who keep on going on too.

[mystic-messenger-writing]

Hey I just came across your blog and I wanted to say that you're so kind. Also can you write something in which RFA + V and Saeran react to a MC who knows a language apart from Korean and English and they also teach their child that language? Hope it's not to pressurizing. Thanks Xx

I really love this request a lot my friend!! I only know English and some French and Japanese but this request has inspired me to get back into languages so thank you for that! I’m also a sucker when it comes to adding the RFA and friend’s children (I used pre-existing names for the kids too please let me know if you’d like me to take them off!) so this one turned out kind of long sorry! But thank you for the request and I hope that you enjoy!! ^^

Yoosung

The first time you told Yoosung that you were fluent in another language, his eyes lit up with admiration

He knew from taking some foreign language classes in school that learning a new language was difficult

So when you fluently talked in your other language, Yoosung clapped his hands with excitement

He said that the both of you knew more then just Korean, with you knowing your other language and Yoosung self-proclaiming that he could speak animal

When you and Yoosung had your son Byul, you were eager to teach him more then one language

Yoosung had to tell you that your son needed to learn Korean first then he could learn more languages since Byul was still a toddler

So when Byul was old enough, you would spend nights with him teaching the little one a new language

Yoosung joined in and made colorful flashcards for his son to help him with his studies

Every time Byul would get a correct answer, you and Yoosung would clap your hands with over-exaggerated excitement while Byul smiled brightly at his parent’s encouragement

Soon enough you, Yoosung, and your son Byul all fluently knew another language thanks to your help, both boys feeling a sense of accomplishment while you felt happy to teach them

Zen

When you first told Zen that you were fluent in another language, he just smirked and said that he already knew you were smart

You sometimes translate Zen’s interviews from Korean to the other language you know for people who speak that language, making a lot of thankful fans

Zen totally brags to all of his co-workers how amazingly talented his wife is and how you know more languages then just Korean and English

He loves it when you speak to him in your other language as Zen tries to learn it himself

When you and Zen had your son Jun-Ho, you both agreed that when he was old enough he should be fluent in multiple languages

Jun-Ho ended up being an extremely introverted child and had problems speaking Korean let alone another language

Zen’s fans often intimated the poor little boy as he thought he could never be as good as his father

When you learned this, you gave Jun-Ho lots of encouragement and eventually taught him your other language

One night, Jun-Ho proudly said a short sentence in the other language to his father as the little boy’s eyes gleamed with pride

Zen picked up his son with one arm and exclaimed how proud he was of Jun-Ho as Zen reeled you into an embrace with his other arm

You, Zen, and Jun-Ho were soon known as a family of talent and not just because of Zen but because of the variety of languages you three knew

Jaehee

Jaehee found out that you were fluent with another language by accident one day

The two of you were having a conversation whenever you accidentally said one of your sentences in another language

Just as you covered your face with embarrassment, Jaehee casually replied back in the same language

You would always forget how talented she was when it came to knowing languages but Jaehee playfully scolded you for not telling her sooner since this was exciting to her

Whenever you and Jaehee adopted your daughter Min-Ji, the two of you were eager to teach her multiple languages

Since you were completely fluent in the other language, Jaehee wanted you to teach the tiny girl whenever she was older

It turns out that Min-Ji was an incredibly smart girl and picked up on the other language that you and Jaehee spoke at times

With your help, Min-Ji was fluent in another language whenever kids her age were still struggling to learn Korean, something that both you and Jaehee couldn’t be prouder of

You, Jaehee, and your daughter Min-Ji would spend family nights learning new languages and while it may seem strange to others, the three of you wouldn’t want it any other way

Jumin

From a very young age Jumin himself had to learn a diverse set of languages to make it in the business world

He knew how strenuous and time-consuming mastering foreign languages were so when he heard you singing a song in another language, Jumin was quite impressed

Jumin wasn’t that familiar with the language you knew so sometimes he’d bring you into the office with him if an investor only spoke that language and used you as a translator

He wanted to learn the language you knew himself so you taught him and in no time, Jumin was fluent in that language

So when you and Jumin had your daughter Nari, Jumin immediately wanted to teach her multiple languages but you had to slow your husband down since Nari wasn’t even one year old yet

But Nari was like her mother and father, she quickly picked up on Korean and with your help, she started learning the language you knew

Since Jumin had to spend much of his time at work, he rarely got the chance to teach his daughter new languages, breaking his heart

One night, Jumin came home from work early to find you and Nari reading a story book in another language

Jumin quickly pulled out his phone and took a shaky video of your daughter slowly reading a few sentences in the other language

You and your daughter turned around when you heard Jumin clapping his hands as he presented Nari with a tiny cat plushie as a gift for her advanced learning

Jumin picked up Nari as he kissed your cheek, he was excited to brag to all of the other businessmen about how talented his family is

Seven

With all of his witty knowledge, Seven had learned plenty of languages throughout his years

So when Seven found out that you spoke another language besides Korean and English, this boy was hyped

When Seven realized that he knew the language as well, the two of you would have secret conversations in public, especially during RFA meetings confusing the heck out of everyone

The two of you would randomly start talking between languages, Seven even taught you more and soon enough you became fluent in tons of languages

When you and Seven had your son, Sae-yoon, the two of you were excited to teach your son all kinds of languages

When Sae-yoon was older, Seven made his son a robot dog that barked out different languages to teach his son

You had to get rid of the robot dog whenever it almost burned your son’s fingers off with its flames for getting a phrase wrong

So then you decided to take it upon yourself to teach Sae-yoon different languages since Seven was usually busy with work

You created little games to play with your son to help him memorize vocabulary words but Sae-yoon seemed to learn better when his father joined in the game as well

Soon enough you, Seven, and your son Sae-yoon were all fluent in multiple languages as you became the known as the family that would confuse the heck out of you when speaking

V

When V first found out that you could speak multiple languages, he told you that he already knew that you were talented

Since he travels a lot for his photo shoots, V would ask you to come along with him to help him with the language barrier

During your free times when the two of you traveled together, you would teach V the other language you knew

V was genuinely thankful that you would be willing to teach him new languages and would show his gratitude in any way possible

When you and V had your twin boy and girl, Yeoung and Ha-yun, you two wanted to teach your children new languages early on

V would be patient with the two little ones since he knew the difficulty of learning new languages

He’d use photos to help associate Yeoung and Ha-yun learn vocabulary words and V would give them kind words of encouragement whenever they learned a new word or phrase

When V wasn’t around, you would teach the twins by speaking the language, they would always be impressed that their mother was that skilled

You and V would always take time during the night to spend family time together with the twins and taught them new languages

The night would typically end with V laying on the bed with Yeoung and Ha-yun wrapped in his arms and language notes scattered around

You, V, Yeoung, and Ha-yun ended up being a family of many talents with all four of you having a vast knowledge of languages

Unknown

Saeran had some knowledge on other languages but he’s never been completely fluent in any of them

So whenever you tell him that you’re fluent in another language besides Korean and English, he acts unimpressed but he secretly admires you for it

You make Saeran agree to spend more time together by studying a new language together

Since Saeran was a quick learner, it only took him a few months to fluently speak another language thanks to you

When you and Saeran had your son, Jin-Ki, Saeran didn’t care whether his son would learn another language or not

But you wanted to encourage Jin-Ki to learn at least one other language and when he was old enough, you started teaching him

Saeran would quietly observe you teaching the little boy a new language, with you cheering loudly every time he pronounced a phrase correctly

Seeing you two have so much fun made Saeran a little jealous so he would sit down next to the two of you and start teaching his son

Jin-Ki loved adored it whenever Saeran did anything with him, especially when he praised his son so Jin-Ki would try his best when Saeran was there

Saeran noticed this and gave Jin-Ki a small smile and ruffled his hair while giving him encouragement making his son ecstatic

You, Saeran, and Jin-Ki all became fluent in multiple languages and gave you three some much needed family time together

[junker-town]

The Bulls are a piggy bank, not a basketball team

Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

We have that and more in Thursday’s NBA newsletter.

Blog a Bull has a striking analysis of just how much cash the Bulls have stockpiled since beginning the current rebuild during the 2017 NBA Draft. Per the analysis, the Bulls have taken $14 million in cash considerations in trades with other teams, more than any other team. The next team on the list, the Sixers, who came in with a glut of extra draft picks following The Process, took in about $3 million less.

The argument is that the Bulls have selfishly focused on accepting cash as compensation for trades helping other teams shed guaranteed salary. Rebuilding teams do these kinds of trades all the time -- in fact, it’s a hallmark of a good rebuild to use the resource of cap space to gain assets while preserving future cap space for when it’s needed to turn competitive. But good teams target players and picks in those deals. The Bulls have been happy chasing cash.

Cash doesn’t help the team: it helps the investors. In this case, it helps Jerry Reinsdorf. Given Reinsdorf’s resistance to paying luxury tax even when the Bulls are competing for titles, and given the enormous profitability of the Bulls, the cash essentially becomes straight profits. When the Bulls sell a second-round pick, or help the Rockets cut salary for only cash considerations, that doesn’t help the team at all. But it lines Reinsdorf’s pocket.

The analysis also shows that the Bulls have kept total payroll very low (negating one of the benefits of rebuilding, which is the ability to use excess salary cap space to add assets) and that Chicago has been derelict in adding extra draft picks during the rebuild. Basically, the Bulls’ idea of a rebuild has been to be bad and profitable.

Because the front office is really good on the draft, Chicago is poised to emerge from its rebuild soon. But it could emerge in a stronger position if only it’d spend like a normal big-market NBA team. Alas ...

‘That Man Has Too Much Energy’

In a column celebrating Doc Rivers claiming he quit on Donald Sterling six days into his tenure as Clippers head coach -- Sterling vetoed the J.J. Redick sign-and-trade for unknown reasons, Rivers quit, the deal went through, Rivers came back with nary a report leaking out -- there’s a remarkable addition to the Kawhi Leonard quote canon.

From Arash Markazi in the L.A. Times:

[Steve] Ballmer, Rivers said, has “been phenomenal to work with. He’s got more energy than anybody needs. After Kawhi signed, we had this meeting and Ballmer walks in punching the air and making all these sounds and Kawhi, who doesn’t say much, leans over and says, ‘That man has too much energy.’”

You don’t know the half, Kawhi.

Links

Matt Ellentuck on Aces vs. Mystics being the best possible advertisement for the WNBA.

Kyrie Irving’s face is broken again. It’s an analogy for the fact that Society trying to get in and shut down his Galaxy Brain. Save Kyrie at all costs!

I wrote about the hilarity of the first team punished under new, stricter tampering rules being the team that already has Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Veggie burgers are taking over the NBA.

Are ... the Bulls going to make the playoffs?

Kevin O’Connor’s players ready to make a leap.

Hope you kept your Houston Rockets Ryan Anderson jerseys because he’s back!

Kevin Clark walks the audience through the newest batch of Markelle Fultz videos. I’m so glad Magic fans are there to pick up the mantle carried for so long by Sixers fans.

And finally: KEEP GOING, BUDDY.

Be excellent to each other.

[kaneda18]

Sekiro has inspired me in a few different ways beyond its brilliance as a video game. It inspired me to write poetry again, to fold origami again and to try and learn Japanese again (third time lets go). In addition, Sekiro has piqued my interest in a few areas that I didn’t know that I had an interest. To be honest, Sekiro has reignited my interest in Japanese culture and history. One of those areas where I’ve found an interest is Sakura trees.

In Sekiro, sakura trees are found in two locations. There is a tree in Mibu village, and there are multiple trees in the Fountainhead Palace. There used to be a tree in Ashina Castle (brought down from Fountainhead Palace) but some petty vandalism saw to that trees demise. Initially I noticed the trees, admired them for appearance, pondered their roles in Sekiro’s story and went on my way. And on subsequent play throughs I got used to them and wandered past with nary a thought.

https://gfycat.com/jitteryrawhorseshoebat

However, in the meantime I discovered a book, Cherry Ingram by Naoko Abe. It tells the real-life story of Collingwood Ingram, an English man who cultivated sakura trees prior to World War II, and who was instrumental in reintroducing many varieties back to Japan post World War II. There’s much more to his story and Abe-sama does an excellent job of telling the story. After reading this book, I learned lots about sakura trees. Namely, how many different varieties of sakura trees exist. There are hundreds. And eventually thoughts drifted to Sekiro, and the sakura trees in the game. Beyond them being sakura trees, which variety are they? Or are they stock sakura trees? I tried to find that out.

There were some problems with this quest. Namely, I am not an arborist. That being a tree expert, in layman’s terms. So, with that in mind I did my own research before asking some people with knowledge on the subject to help me. Let’s look at my own attempts first. I took a lot of photos of the trees, the Mibu sakura and the Fountainhead sakura’s. To take the pictures I had to kill the enemies around the Mibu tree until they stopped respawning. This was followed by spending a lot of time looking at said photos and comparing said photos with each other and real life sakura trees.

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Both the Mibu and the Fountainhead trees share similar flowers and similar branches, so alike to the point they are pretty much the same type of tree. Which makes sense. Mibu Village is the last point of contact prior to going to Fountainhead Palace, and at some point the people of Fountainhead returned to Ashina so they could have easily brought down a seed or a sapling with them. This happened with the tree that was once in Ashina Castle. The main difference between the trees is that the Mibu tree is riddled with growths and fungi while the Fountainhead trees are not. This may be a consequence of the Mibu tree not having any dedicated gardeners to keep it clean, and the fact the tree is slumming it down below while the Fountainhead trees are in the heavenly realm, with lots of clear-headed folks surrounding them. Also, some of the trees in Fountainhead appear to be younger than the Mibu tree,

but these Fountainhead trees appear to be older. These trees also look to indicate how old the Mibu tree is, having similar growths, but without the fungal growth and extensive knotting.

The flowers on the trees, well, they aren’t the clearest up close. They are rather blurry. Trying to identify these flowers is a bit of a lost cause. If I squint I can maybe, perhaps see five petals to a flower but ultimately it’s a guessing game. Colour wise, again, I could guess white to pink but more on the white end of the spectrum but that may just be a matter of lighting. What’s far easy to identify is the branches. The flowering branches. These are drooping, weeping even. And there it is.

The sakura trees of Sekiro are based on weeping sakura trees. These are few weeping sakura’s. This tree is from Saikoji Temple in Gifu Prefecture,

this tree is from Fukushima,

and these trees are from Kuon-ji Temple,

and here are is the Mibu tree,

and here is a Fountainhead sakura.

Each and everyone of them a weeping sakura.

While reading about weeping sakuras I found out a few things. One, they can be long lived. At least two of the trees mentioned above have lived in excess of five hundred years. Sakura trees in Sekiro are Everblossoms. They live for an extraordinarily long time, barring outside interference. Two, without proper care they are prone to pests and infection. Hence the Mibu tree being in such bad shape. Three, the Gifu tree has “many big knots on the stem”. The Mibu tree and the older Fountainhead trees seem to have these as well. Weeping blossoms seem to occupy spiritual spaces as well, such as temples and all the sakura trees in Sekiro have some link to spiritual concepts (life, death, rebirth). Whenever dragonrot is cured there is a burst of sakura petals. Upon resurrection after death there is a burst of sakura petals. In the Purification ending, when Sekiro ends his life to save his lords there is a burst of sakura petals. As a disclaimer, I will say this can be applied to almost any sakura tree. The place they hold in Japanese culture is one of mortality. Their blooming is new life, their transient beauty of their time here and then their death when the petals fall. This was co-opted in World War II in order to convince lots of young people to give their lives in a war that devoured a great many lives but now sakura trees have left that symbolism behind and that’s for the better.

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As mentioned before, the flowers in game aren’t great for identification. In fact, they look awfully generic. And they pretty much are. Remember when I mentioned I’m not an arborist? Well, I took my question to some people who know far more than me (many thanks to the people over at r/marijuanaenthusiasts), and it turns out, yup. Beyond the trees being based on weeping sakura, there’s nothing much more there. No identifiable species, no specific variety. A weeping sakura base and nothing more. In fact, one of those responses mentions that some of the tree bodies in fact look more like Oak trees than sakura trees.

Would I have liked there to be an actual variety to tree to have been used? Yeah. Regardless, I had fun with this. Not every quest needs a conclusion. Fun can be had on the way. I’ve learned a lot of trees, Japanese culture and a man who played a massive part in saving a wonderfully beautiful line of trees. I also got to look at a lot of gorgeous sakura trees while I was researching this, got to admire the quieter moments of Sekiro even more and learned of some amazing temples in Japan.

https://gfycat.com/oldappropriatecassowary

Lovely stuff.

Sekiro and the Sakura Trees #sekiro #shadowsdietwice #sakura #cherryblossom #trees #flowers #fromsoftware #game #videogame #gaming #ps4 #blogging #writing Sekiro has inspired me in a few different ways beyond its brilliance as a video game. It inspired me to write poetry again, to fold origami again and to try and learn Japanese again (third time lets go).

[eclectictrek]

SWCP 2017 Day 5: Land’s End YHA to Porthcurno   May 15th

Don’t Mess with the Effing Adders

Good advice, yes?

I had a classic full English breakfast at the Youth Hostel, before hitting the trail just after 10 am. Maybe smaller portions than most B&Bs, but perfectly reasonable. The differences from the Elmscott Farm YHA where I stayed last year were interesting. There I picked up the bed linen when I checked in and had to put it on the bed myself, and food was entirely self-catered: they sold you the food, but you had to cook it and clean up afterwards. This was more like a small hotel, except none of the rooms were en suite, and there were warnings against leaving anything electrical plugged in overnight.

If you’re just joining me, this Youth Hostel was just south of Cape Cornwall, and I had several miles to go to actually reach Land’s End. Anyhow, I had a little backtracking to get to the trail, then follow it down the bottom of the Cot valley which had various remains of old tin mines. Water power was important for the mines before steam power, and continued through their history, particularly for the crushing of ore. When the trail reached the coast, it crossed the stream on a small bridge and stayed low for a while, passing one gaping mineshaft into the hillside, before following a zigzag up to the top just short of Gribba Point. Here there were warnings against disturbing the endangered Choughs: don’t get off the path, don’t even stop on the trail while passing through the prime nesting area, as they might take offence. The Cornish Chough looks much like other midsize blackbirds except for striking red beak and legs. I kept an eye out but saw nary a one, this day or any time this hike. Well, I might have seen some at a distance such that I couldn’t make out the red…

The day was dreary and overcast, but pleasant walking for the moment. On the low clifftops, I walked through pastures with scattered gorse, and faced another boulder scramble. By 11:15, the path had descended nearly to the “beach” (jumbled stones up to 3 feet across) to cross a stream on a bridge that was basically a heavy plank; this was below the village of Nanquidno. A bit further, I saw a most remarkable sign: “Please Keep Out, Adder Breeding Habitat.” As I say, sounds like an excellent idea, “Don’t mess with the effing adders.” Distressingly, I didn’t take a picture of the sign, although there are plenty of pictures on the interwebs.

Within an hour, I was looking down on a real beach, Gwynver Beach with Sennen Beach beyond stretching around Whitesands to the village of Sennen Cove. Land’s End was not far beyond, but out of sight. At moderately high tide the two separate beaches are separated by a rocky stretch below Escalls Cliff, but at low tide you could probably walk on sand the whole way. The trail stays just behind the beach, and once past Escalls I took the option to walk on the beach and avoid the dunes and soft sand.

In Sennen Cove I stopped at the first food stand that offered pasties. I couldn’t believe I had been in Cornwall for 5 days without having one! This example was nothing to brag about, and there were probably better ones quite nearby, but it was a relief. Then I found a bench and changed my socks, and stopped at another stand for ice cream, Moo Maid honeycomb again. On the eastern end of town, an odd circular building stood above the small harbor: a “Capstan house” from which boats could be winched out of the water. Now it was a very pleasant shop with local art, jewelry, and maps. I bought a pendant for Kat, took some pictures -- and freaked out when I couldn’t find my trekking poles. I thought I’d left them by the entrance, but no! I backtracked through the town – not by the ice cream stand either. All the way back to where I’d changed socks, and there they were, leaning against the bench. The walk through the town was flat, so I had just forgotten them, but I would need them soon.

Leaving town, I had some climbing to do – not much, as this stretch never got above 250 feet. But I did see a group of climbers on the cliff edge near the path. The low overcast hid the clifftops in the distance, and in the mile to Land’s end, the weather turned nasty. I got my rain gear on just in time for a real downpour with a driving wind. By the time I got to Land’s End, I couldn’t even see Long Ships Lighthouse a mile and a half offshore. The upside was that I got to hear the foghorns…

I stepped into the Last And First House restaurant and gift shop and bought some post cards, a tea towel and salt & pepper shakers for Kat, all with images of the famous milepost. By the time I came out the overcast had lifted enough that I could barely make out Longships, although not to get a decent picture. Then I went on to the Land’s End “theme park”, including that milepost sign with markers for New York and John O’Groats. Having reached Land’s End was a major landmark for this hike, but the ambience was a letdown. The Cape of Cornwall had been more attractive scenery. American readers may not be so aware of the emotional resonance of this site, the westernmost point of Britain, but it did have a pull for me despite the clutter of shops and “attractions” like the 3-D Shaun the Sheep Experience. As the Kents say in Cornwall from the Coast Path, “This is where Cornwall ends and the rest of the world begins.” There are races and less formal traversals from here to the northeast corner of Britain at John O’Groats; by road it is 838 miles or more, while hikers take advantage of some of the National Trails including a portion of the SWCP for a total of over 1200 miles.

The actual route of the SWCP through the Legendary Land’s End ® complex was not clearly marked, and the bad weather made things worse. The trail guide indicated my way south went past an odd tourist/children’s farm called Grebe Cottage (hey, I stayed at Old McDonald’s Farm last year). Soon I was on an actual trail again, looking down at some rugged seashores and listening to a second foghorn as I rounded Gwernup Point to have a view of Nanjizal Bay and Pordenack Point. The rain had let up, and it was a pleasant walk with views of the rugged coastline. The path had a couple of diversions for landslips, one rather dramatic – the trail was still there, but eroded and undercut, and temporary fencing diverted walkers away from the edge. Somewhere along here I noticed a sign for badger setts. Hmm, don’t mess with the effing badgers, either.

I stopped around 3 pm to take some video of waves crashing against the rocks below, and then passed another mine shaft into the hill side, before descending to cross a stream above a pebble beach, Nanjizal Beach. From the bridge I took a video of the stream, and at the end you can see a very narrow gap eroded in the cliff beyond the beach, a tall thin window extending almost to the sloping surface above. The feature has the delightful name “The Song of the Sea Cave”. Does the wind through this gap sing impressively? Did the stream contribute to this strikingly narrow arch, or was there a fault in the rock? The cliff line behind the beach lined up with the narrow vertical gap beyond. A little further I took a picture looking back at the valley that is scarcely recognizable, but shows steps leading down to the footbridge, and some old stone walls just past the path.

Still the wind was enough to make the waves impressive to a landlubber like me, and I took more photos and video. A little after 4, I passed some odd day marks: a red and black cone near the path, positioned so that if from the view of a ship the red cone covered the black one, that ship was abound to crash on some offshore rocks. Then I was approaching Porthgwarra with a very narrow but deep beach, and an odd cave visible in the far cliff. When I descended to the village behind that cliff, it turned out the “cave” was a passage cut through from the village to the cliff for access, used by fishermen.

Less than a mile from there brought me to another valley descent, and an approach to “St. Levan’s Holy Well”. There is supposedly an ancient chapel here, and the trail was diverted because of conservation concerns for the site. From the far side I climbed down to have a look, and saw nothing but a jumble of rocks, but Porthchapel Beach below was very pretty with more waves crashing against rocks.

Then I was approaching Porthcurno, my destination for the night. The trail went right by the famous Minack Theater, but it was too late to go in to see it. I decided to cut inland by road to my B&B, the Sea View, rather than taking the trail down to the beach and then roads back uphill. This entailed maybe a half mile by road, with light rain. When I reached the inn a little after 5, I knocked on the door, but no response. Knocked again, waited for a while, chatted with a fellow guest who was just leaving and who speculated that our host was at the pub down the hill. I called Kat, chatted for a while, and then the proprietor came out; she just hadn’t heard me. I ended up going down to the aforementioned pub for supper; can’t recall what I had, but it was good.

So, just over 12 miles hiking (11 officially) for the day in 7 hours, but with lots of stops to watch the waves. About 2580 feet elevation gain, up and down those same 250 feet over and over. A dreary day, but pleasant all in all.

[un-enfant-immature]

Facebook pivots to what it wishes it was

In Facebook’s dreams, it’s a clean and private place. People spend their time having thoughtful discussions in “meaningful” Groups, planning offline meetups with Events, or laughing together in a Facebook Watch party.

In reality, Facebook is a cluttered mess of features that seem to constantly leak user data. People waste their time viewing inane News Feed posts from “friends” they never talk to, enviously stalking through photos of peers, or chowing on click-bait articles and viral videos in isolation.

That’s why Facebook is rolling out what could be called an “aspirational redesign” known as FB5. Rather than polishing what Facebook was, it tries to spotlight what it wants to be. “This is the biggest change we’ve made to the Facebook app and site in five years” CEO Mark Zuckerberg said to open Facebook’s F8 conference yesterday.

  The New Facebook

Most noticibly, that starts with sucking much of the blue out of the Facebook interface to making it look sparse and calming — despite a More button that unveils the social network’s bloat into dozens of rarely-used features. A new logo features a brighter blue bubble around Facebook’s distinctive white f, which attempts to but a more uplifting spin on a bruised brand.

Functionally, FB5 means placing Groups near the center of a freshly tabbed interface for the both Facebook’s website and app, and putting suggestions for new ones to join across the service. “Everywhere there are friends, there should be Groups” says the head of the Facebook app Fidji Simo. Groups already has 1 billion monthly users, so Facebook is following the behavior pattern and doubling down. But Facebook’s goal is not only to have 2.38 billion people using the feature — the same number as use its whole app — but to get them all into meaningful Groups that emblemize their identity. 400 million already are. And now Groups for specific interests like gaming or health support will get special features, and power users will get a dashboard of updates across all their communities.

Groups will be flanked by Marketplace, perhaps the Facebook feature with the most latent potential. It’s a rapidly emerging use case Facebook wants to fuel. Zuckerberg took Craigslist, added real identity to thwart bad behavior, and now is bolting it to the navigation bar of the most-used app on earth. The result is a place where it’s easy to put things up for sale and get tons of viewers. I once sold a couch on Marketplace in 20 minutes. Now sellers can take payments directly in the app instead of with cash or Venmo, and they can offer to ship items anywhere at the buyer’s expense. By following Zuckerberg’s mandate that 2019 focus on commerce, Facebook has become a viable Shopify competitor.

If Groups is what’s already working about Facebook’s future, Watch is the opposite. It’s a product designed to capture the video viewing bonanza Facebook observes on Netfli and YouTube. But without tentpole content like a “Game Of Thrones” or “Stranger Things”, it’s failed to impact the the cutlural zeitgeist. The closest thing it has to must-see video is Buffy The Vampire Slayer re-runs and a docuseries on NBA star Steph Curry. Facebook claims 75 million people now Watch for at least one minute per day though those 60 seconds don’t have to be  sequential. That’s still just 4 percent of its users. And a Diffusion study found 50 percent of adult US Facebook users had never even heard of Watch. Sticking it front and center demonstrates Facebook commitment to making Watch a hit even if it has to cram it down our throats.

Not The Old Facebook

The products of the past got little love on stage at F8. Nothing new for News Feed, Facebook’s mint but also the source of its misinformation woes. In the age of Snapchat and Zuckerberg’s newfound insistence on ephemerality to prevent embarassment, the Timeline profile chronicling your whole Facebook life got nary a mention. And Pages for businesses that were the center of its monetization strategy years ago didn’t find space in the keynote, similar to how they’ve been butted out of the News Feed by competition and Facebook’s philosophical shift from public content to friends and family.

  The one thing we heard a lot about but didn’t actually see much of was privacy. Zuckerberg started the conference declaring “The future is private!” He spoke about how Facebook plans to make its messaging apps encrypted, how it wants to be a living room rather than just a townhall, and how it’s following the shift in user behavior away from broadcasting. But we didn’t see any new privacy protections for the developer platform, a replacement for its Chief Security Officer that’s been vacant for nine months, or the Clear History feature Zuckerberg announced last year.

“I get that a lot of people aren’t sure that we’re serious about this. I know that we don’t exactly have the strongest reputation on privacy right now, to put it lightly” Zuckerberg joked without seeming to generate a single laugh. Combined with having little to show to enhance privacy, making fun of such a dire situation doesn’t instill much confidence. When Zuckerberg does take things seriously, it quickly manifests itself in the product like with Facebook’s 2012 shift to mobile, or in the company like with 2018’s doubling of security headcount. He knew mobile and content moderation failures could kill his network. But does someone who told Time magazine in 2010 that “What people want isn’t complete privacy” truly see a loose stance on privacy as an existential threat?

Interoperable, encrypted messaging will boost privacy, but it’s also just good business logic given Zuckerberg’s intention to own chat — the heart of your phone. Facebook’s creepiness stems from it sucking in data to power ad targeting. Nothing new was announced to address that. Despite his words, perhaps Zuckerberg doesn’t aspire to make Facebook as private as he aspired to make it mobile and secure. 

Wired reported that Zuckerberg authored a strategy book given to all employees ahead of the IPO that noted “If we don’t create the thing that kills Facebook, someone else will.” But F8 offered a new interpretation. Maybe given the lack of direct competitors in its league, and the absence of a mass exodus over its constant privacy scandals, it was the outdated product itself that was killing Facebook. The permanent Facebook. The all-you-do-is-scroll Facebook. The bored-of-my-friends Facebook. Users were being neglected rather than pushed or stolen. By ignoring the past and emphasizing the products it aspires to have dominate tomorrow — Groups, Marketplace, Watch — Facebook can start to unchain itself from the toxic brand poisoning its potential.