#i'm not a music know-it-all and i'd be happy to hear other people's impressions

[guujikaroko]

PLEASE go on about genshin characters and instruments and genres 🙏🙏 Totally agree with your Sumeru 4 headcanons! Like as much as I like kpop, I can’t see them being a kpop group

Ok, fine, just because you asked (<- really wanted to do that for a while anyway)!

Since there's so many characters, I'll only do some this round with a little explanation.

Lumine: she's a jazz clarinet! Clarinets have this airy, whimsical sound that just screams "Lumine" to me, but it's specifically in a jazz contest that it reminds me of her. Since I default to Traveler Lumine, I imagine her being a star in ascension in the jazz world, always busking and playing with other famous jazz musicians and befriending them.

Aether: a classical clarinet. I envision the twins mastering the same instrument but going off to build their music careers in different genres. Clarinet in classical music also has an airy quality to it (is the instrument's nature, after all), but the "mood" is noticeably different from a clarinet in jazz music.

Venti: he's pretty much the creator of Mondstadtian music, so he probably knows everything medieval under the sun. But he isn't one to stay complacent either, so along with classical harp, he'd also play the accordion, with is vital for European folk music! I'm sure he's proficient with a ton more instruments.

Diluc: classical violinist. Do you ever look at this man? His face screams "I hate Paganini for what he did to my fingers". Damn near a virtuoso too.

Zhongli: he's not an expert in Liyuese culture, he IS Liyuese culture. I can only give him the erhu. He had all the time in the world to master every piece of traditional music possible and I'm sure he'd be a living legend in the orchestras of today. That being said, he loves trying new things, so I bet he'd dabble on things like jazz erhu too.

Childe: he looks like an electric bass player to me. Now, what genre does he play in is the question... I'm staying with funk for now, but it's subject to change. He does look like he'd dance a lot while playing too.

Ei: she's been disconnected from her people for a LONG while, so I wouldn't be surprised if she only knows gagaku (traditional Japanese music). With that in mind, I'd choose the koto for her.

Itto: unemployment be damned, my boy can play some drums! It's so easy to imagine the whole Arataki gang getting ready to work on a taiko ensemble. But I think Itto would like to try some drum kit too.

Nahida: while the image of her holding a big-ass citar would be hilarious, I think she'd actually be a tabla player. You know what they say about percussion being the backbone of music; Nahida's reliable like that.

Wanderer: Mr. Kabuki over there could have played gagaku in the old days, but I actually think he was more of a singer instead. And, after the Sumeru Archon Quest, he could have picked up traditional forms of Indian singing too. In general, I'll always associate his musicality with theater.

Furina: also a singer. Originally an opera singer, grew tired and overwhelmed by her career and then retired. I think she's a jazz soloist these days, but she doesn't really make a career out of it anymore.

Neuvillette: a very talented cellist, but I think it's more of a pastime for him than an actual career. Otherwise, I can see him as a superb orchestra conductor.

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #227

Today was the day.

I put on my socks.

Then I put on my eyeballs.

Then I put on the first layer of things.

Then I put on the next layer of things:

I don't have a black leather coat; I have a cream-colored knit one. I don't have heavy pauldrons; I have feathers on my shoulders. I don't have a super long sword; I have a super long flute. I don't have glowing mako-colored eyes; I have rainbow-colored ones.

Even in this, it was a lot to endure. I don't really know how you move in all your gear; it must be pretty miserable. I bet you'd be a lot more comfortable in some loose jeans or maybe even sweatpants. And a loose t-shirt, or maybe a loose turtleneck. Something easy to wear, in a space where armor isn't necessary.

In any case, this is what I went to the space in. And I waited in front of the room where the developers would be. I waited for a long time. I passed the time by playing on my flute and singing a little. J was with me the whole time. He helped to keep me level. It's not lost on me how lucky I am to have such a steadfast source of support at my side. I'd do just about anything for him, too, in return. Even someone I know from the internet, @sephiroths-stuff, popped by to keep us company! It was wonderful!

The panel didn't last for very long. But still, for a moment, I locked eyes with one of the three very important people. He gave me a brief nod, I think, unless he was nodding at something or someone else. Lots of questions were asked of these folks; people had many very interesting and excellent questions. It was wonderful to hear them, and it was wonderful to hear their joyful responses; the interpreter did an amazing job. There was a lot of laughter. These very important people... they have some of the most radiant smiles I've seen, and they had answers to the questions that were very well thought out. I was very impressed.

At the end, a handful of people popped by to see them. It was a short line. They wanted photographs and such, and that was pretty neat; they seemed happy to do it. I was also in this line.

Sephiroth. I was remembered. I was remembered from last time. The person I spoke to and handed my first letter and best handicraft to... he remembered me. And he told me so in English. I was awestruck. But I'm not sure how I expressed that; my mind was moving so fast that I could barely even keep up. My hands were shaking.

I had a bag of gifts prepared for you:

It contained a new letter for you, some stuff for the developers, a rolled-up pile of motivational things from the internet (lots of it repeats stuff I already said, but maybe seeing it from other places too will give my voice a little more weight...). All three of my music box papers were in there - the originals that I punched out for you - but no music box; it's fragile and I don't know how well it'll hold up on an airplane trip. I included a tin full of that tea in your favorite scents - vanilla and rose. And, of course, it included the locket I made for you.

Now that these things are in the hands of their intended recipients... I'll show you some pictures. Here:

The folded note contained a bunch of tiny QR codes. I tested them. They work:

Inside the locket is also a tiny Herkimer diamond with a rainbow spark inside; you can almost see it in this photograph, but my camera can't do it justice:

...Tea.

...The music box papers:

...And you'll find the letter contained within right here:

I wanted to include the tree I made in your colors, but I thought twice about it; it's fragile, and might not survive a plane trip.

...It's all in their hands now, along with a plea for you. I managed to squeak out a couple of awkward sentences in Japanese on your behalf. They took the whole bag of gifts. So I guess we'll see what happens. I'll hope for good things. I'll hope for good things...

I left the room. And with my quest complete... I kind of... broke down and cried just a little. Just a little. But my body didn't stop shaking for a long time.

J thought it would be a good idea to get the excess energy out of my body. So he walked me around the complex just a little. And then we went to the place where there was Dance Dance Revolution. And I played two songs on DDR! But I was not used to the metal pad, and my feet couldn't move right in my shoes, and the costume was heavy, and so... I didn't do very well. But I played with a delightful gentleman, and he didn't seem to mind that I wasn't very good. He smiled at me a lot and was very encouraging, and it was wonderful!

...Maybe I'll play on my frankenpad a little when I go home... That'd be good.

Tomorrow, when I go to the place to see the voice actors panel, I will wear normal clothes - my characteristic long cardigan and Eevee hat. My usual cardigan has pockets; I'll be able to bring the plush of you this time without needing to worry about it getting lost. It'll be very good!

For now, we are back at the hotel. I am very tired. But I did the thing. I did what I came to do. This quest is done with.

...Sephiroth. Do you see how loved you are? Do you see that someone out here is willing to do terrifying things for your sake? Sephiroth... do you have any idea how long it's taken me, after the life I've led, to be able to use my voice like this? Do you understand that I am able to be braver than I normally would be, because of you? Do you see the strength your existence gives me? Do you see me crawling up out of the hole that my birth family tried to bury me in, because it is your voice and presence that I am following back to the light? Do you see me, and all the shattered pieces of me that I wove together into a beautiful, kaleidoscopic whole?

Sephiroth. I'm going to beg you to follow me into the light, too, okay? Please.

For now... I guess I'll rest a bit until tomorrow. I found a new flavor of kefir over here that's not at the stores at home - guava!! And I found a kombucha flavor that isn't found at home, too - strawberry!

And I also found this one; this one is flower-flavored. I wonder if you'd like it:

I love you. Please look at the lengths to which I'll go in order to ask you to stay safe, and then please actually stay safe. Promise me, okay?

I'll write again soon.

Your friend, Lumine

[coffeelovesdramasalatte]

LITA Ep 2 rewatch thoughts

This is such a long post bc I included screenshots oops

I forgot to mention it last time but the opening is so catchy!! I also didn't know BossNoeul sang it until I'd already seen the whole show but that knowledge makes it even better :)

Since we're at the second episode, ofc they start us off with a lil recap. I'm happy to see P'Aon again, yay! Also I like the fun background music. Rain is giving inquisitive puppy vibes in this scene and I'm here for it <3 And then P'Aon mentions Phayu and he instantly turns into disgruntled kitten AHHH what a cutie

VERSUS

Also "how do I know your boss didn't do anything weird to my car" oh sweetheart, he already DID something weird to your car, it's all good now

Once again we get puppy!Rain vs. meow!Rain in the next scene (I'm serious, how tf does Noeul fit all this cuteness inside?)

VERSUS

P'Aon looking at Rain's number like it's the Holy Grail PLSSSS

Yassss Rain call your man out!! What have we got so far? Asshole, bastard, unprofessional, pervert - our boy sure has a range of vocab

Loving that weatherperson foreshadowing that Rain's future is about to have some storm-wrought turbulence - I think it's so funny when a character is like "I never wanna hear/see/think/experience X person again" and then one narrative later they take back those words real quick

I'm also a huge fan of the brothers' dynamic! P'Saifah is always down to call his brother a massive simp to his face, but can you blame him when Phayu literally has this besotted look on?

Ok but what happens next is really short but I think quite interesting. Saifah asks Phayu how long he's been single, and there's a long pause where the camera cuts to this look (see below) on Phayu's face. It kind of looks like he's been single for a while, and not exactly by choice - I get the impression he's been hurt in the past or he hasn't found what he's looking for. BUT then it's immediately followed up with Saifah checking in and Phayu saying "I'll tell you when something happens" with a rather gleeful look. He's already expecting Rain to meet his standards and not run away from him!!! I love how happy Saifah looks for his bro too

And then we get Rain channeling some meerkat energy (I know I've said this a thousand times but URGH WHAT A CUTIE). Also Sky's BS-meter firing so high and Rain's voice jumping like 5 octaves has me cackling every time

Actually, this whole section is quite funny - Rain skipping into the middle of the crowd and then immediately getting ready to run when he sees Phayu, and also there's something yellow+blue color-related going on here but idk what it is (it's cool tho!)

Here are the live reactions to Rain grabbing Phayu's arm to drag him away:

Phayu: mission accomplished 😎

Sky: prayin for ya bff 😇

Ple: I want that to be me 😒

Me + the rest of the students: hmmmm 🌈???????

Ok Rain really has a colorful vocabulary and Phayu is apparently is NOT here for it. Also are Phayu's lips magnets to you Rain? You did not have to stick your lips out like that when you're just tryna have a conversation about manners

I also find it very interesting that Rain is the one to pull Phayu along, first into the bathroom and then into the actual stall. On one hand I know he just doesn't want to be found out by other people but I do think it's rather telling that Phayu who is clearly much larger than Rain allows himself to be manhandled so easily.

First lip touch alert!!!

I'm talking about things I only know marginally about here but idk what else to call it so... I've never heard of a person dropping into subspace so friggin fast I mean all Phayu did was breathe on his neck for 0.2 seconds and Rain's goneeee. I was absolutely unprepared the first time I watched this, and even now on my nth rewatch I'm still feeling some type of way

I didn't notice this until someone pointed it out but Phayu does take a second to pull back and check in (peep the surprised eyebrow raise - clearly he didn't expect Rain to be so into it after like 2 seconds, but he's certainly not complaining)

I also didn't notice this before but Rain actually moans here. Very understandable. Also Phayu telling Rain he did a good job? Praise kink activated (Phayu really just awakened things in Rain one after another lmao)

Another entry into the Rain death-grips Phayu library

I'm actually a bit surprised Rain got yanked out of his headspace so fast - no wonder he collapses by the sink. It's good that Phayu verbally communicates with him right after instead of just leaving. Also interesting choice of words here... there def is something hard involved

I am a SUCKER for headpats. Give them all to meeeee

I can't tell if it's just a translation thing, but when Rain curses Phayu when Phayu is leaving, he doesn't immediately use any cuss words. Look at Rain being a good boy even when he's angry <3 Phayu looks SO satisfied lmao

WAIT SOMEHOW THIS FLEW RIGHT BY MY RADAR UNTIL NOW

Fruity siblings alert! Also Sky coming in clutch here. I don't really get why Ple is so insulted tho, she met Phayu for all of one min (tbf I'd probs react that way if I got to experience Phayu's presence irl though)

Cut to Red Blue boys racing heck yeahhhhhh let's go!!!

It's criminal we didn't get to see Rain fawn over Phayu in this racing outfit. He'd come undone like the rest of us

Also Prapai has a really nice smile! another cutie!!

Ok who is doing perimeter security for these races? Two boys with two shared braincells practically wandered right into the crowd with no trouble - I think if Rain hadn't looked so clueless he could've blended right in

I think the camerawork in these street racing scenes is interesting - I can't quite put my finger on it but it feels like there's something different about the technique or lens bc it looks different than other scenes

I feel like this is a good time to tell y'all I love the Fast and the Furious franchise so I'm right at home here

How strong is Phayu? Rain was actually going pretty fast but Phayu didn't even flinch when he barreled into Phayu's chest. Brick wall I tell you

They did the yellow blue thing again!

This must have been HILARIOUS to film like imagine going into work one day and your boss is like ok now spank your coworker and we're gonna record you

So the first couple of times I watched this I thought that Phayu was being unnecessarily harsh to Rain, but I think now I understand that it was to impart the gravity of the situation. Phayu really just wanted Rain to be safe and also his "grow up" comment comes into play later during the convo after Rain misses a deadline

Rain's death-grip on Phayu Counter: 3

I cannot believe this boy just BIT him so hard Phayu's lips bled. Phayu was so into it though lmao - did y'all hear his voice become so soft after the third kiss?

The line above is so funny to me like sir, the only kind of man you are is a capital F Fool-In-Love

Some more yellow-blue for us

Also he calls him P'Phayu here... what a good boy!

We love chef!Phayu in this house!

I love that Phayu has such confidence in Rain's abilities right from the start - this kind of encouragement is so healthy (in the screenshot below, Rain has just said that he wants to create designs like Phayu)

ALL MEN DO IS LIE (exhibit A see below)

PLSSS HE WAS ALMOST SELF-AWARE my dumb lil son

YASSSS YOU GOT YOUR PRIORITIES IN ORDER PHAYU

And that brings us to the end of episode 2! I'm having so much fun with this <3 Hope anyone reading this has a lovely day or night!!

[laiosynth]

MK1 Whiplash AU

yeah, i'll think of anything, won't i....

anyways yes i'm talking about the whiplash with jk simmons. the jazz movie. the parallels between andrew / fletcher and reiko / shao was too much for my brain to handle.

to be truthful, the thought that led to this AU was "reiko would be a fucking incredible jazz drummer i feel it in my soul" and then i thought about whiplash and then i exploded.

so uh. more under the cut?

so to outline this AU:

reiko was orphaned at like 8/9. the foster system is kinda fucked, and he lashes out constantly at the foster parents who try to help him, scared and alone and traumatized from seeing his parents' death. he gets placed in a halfway house for 'behavioral issues' and it just so happens that this halfway house has an old drumkit in the basement. it's somewhat rudimentary, but it has everything you might need.

reiko, with no other option, sits at the thing one night and picks up a pair of sticks laying around. and from then on, that's his outlet. he relies... heavily on it. it's every waking moment that he's not in school or sleeping or eating. he's at the drumset, practicing. playing over the songs in the vinyl collection, playing over the songs in his ipod. every bit of music he can get his hands on, he's playing over it, mimicking what the drummers he can hear do.

the vinyls in the basement are all old jazz. a wide arrangement of it, from blues to latin to bossa nova to new orleans parade, but it's all jazz. that's what he grow up with, on, that's his formative influence. buddy rich, jo jones, art blakely, tony williams-- the drummers on these old vinyls are his heroes.

by the time he's in high school, his 'behavioral issues' have toned down massively-- he is largely fine. as long as you don't separate him from the drumset. he hasn't moved from the halfway house-- protested STRONGLY at being separated from both his drumset and the vinyls. by protested strongly i mean he nearly attacked some people over it.

when he's in high school, he joins the jazz band freshman year. he's in it every year until graduation.

this story starts, though, when a guest clinician-- dr shao kohn-- shows up to work with the band in reiko's sophomore year.

dr kohn teaches at the local community college, but is highly regarded across the country. he's professor of jazz studies and director of the highly prestigious auditioned jazz ensemble at this community college.

upon seeing the INCREDIBLE talent and potential of reiko during that clinic at the high school, shao invites reiko to come join the jazz ensemble at the college. he's young, but if he can make time in his schedule for it next school year, he'd get the chance to really challenge and prove himself.

reiko does. and starting 1st of august that year, he's giving his early mornings and late evenings to rehearsals with this ensemble and individual lessons with dr kohn. he's giving everything he fucking has to this band, and it shows. he's improving at rates he never had before, he's better than most college players doing this for a career.

and shao keeps pushing for more. and reiko keeps striving to fucking give. more, more, better, better.

to be truthful, he would probably be failing all his classes if it weren't for raiden, the only kid other than maybe kung lao who'll put up with him at school. raiden tutors him in the subjects he's falling behind in (all of them really) so he doesn't get held back or something.

all the while, shao pushes reiko for more, better. he's never satisfied, and that is not acceptable in reiko's eyes. he's never had someone he wanted to impress before, an adult he actually cares for the opinion of. and fuck, does he find he cares. he cares a lot. he's trying so hard to meet expectations, he's falling apart at the seams.

i don't know how i'd want this whole thing to end, but. i hate shao and i like happy endings so. shrug.

[nataliealynlind]

queen america sentence starters

episode 5: psychological warfare

"do you know how many times texas has threatened to secede?"

"so important everywhere"

"he has all the vibes of a sash chaser"

"i really hate meet and greets"

"she may seem nice, but that's only because she's good at this"

"she has this ability to make every person feel like she's speaking only to them"

"you will not hang out with that girl"

"she can't keep wobbling around like some baby giraffe"

"when did rich people get together and decide kitchen islands needed to be 30 feet long"

"everything okay? you just seem ... happy"

"she's not the type to change her schedule for family"

"don't let her start messing with your eyebrows or nothing"

"we've been literally telling everyone how you used to work here- you're our claim to fame!"

"they're being really strict with you, huh?"

"i had to get totally naked for a spray tan"

"but on the upside- my ass looks awesome"

"my parents definitely miss having you over for dinner"

"no matter what happens, when all this is over, we'll be here waiting for ya"

"hopefully- hopefully- who knows what'll happen at nationals"

"you should just be so proud of yourself for making it to state level"

"you're late- is there a boy or something?"

"i'm sorry are you under the impression that we're friends who joke about their personal lives with each other?"

"for the record- i'm allowed to be late. you're not"

"are you using the literal meaning of the word science right now?"

"walk across the goddamn room"

"makes it look like you're in a gap commercial"

"you want it to look like you're so goddamn beautiful and graceful that the person looking at you might think they're hearing the music in their head- that maybe you inspired the music into existence"

"maybe you inspired the music into existence"

"however bad you think you are multiply that by three"

"i hate the thought of being stuck on a boat with a bunch of strangers"

"she probably just wants to spend time with you"

"i'd like to put you on a boat where you can't run away from me"

"i really like you... a little bit"

"do i need to explain further or do you still not understand the logic?"

"don't pretend you don't know what i'm talking about"

"this may shock you, but i don't remember every conversation we've ever had"

"those were important conversations"

"you enjoy it too much- until you don't"

"you are such a little idiot sometimes"

"you'd be miserable- all three of you"

"he'd really be a terrible father, wouldn't he?"

"and you my sweet girl, would be a terrible mother"

"like i said back then- people like you and me- not meant for parenthood"

"the yellow's gonna make (name) look like a skinny little banana"

"i know what it is i'm asking why you're wearing it?"

"i don't really drink-"

"well you will tonight"

"the prep schools in dallas played the prep schools in tulsa"

"plus a bunch of us went to camp together"

"you have my full attention"

"okay i'm not that needy"

"we were barely even together to be honest"

"and you didn't try to push her down a staircase- good man"

"it wasn't with the right person, but it's still my kid you know?"

"regardless of what i think of her mother, which is very little"

"you're a very nice man"

"you look terrified- it's okay- this room is terrifying"

"those guys- they look so judgmental"

"who's that pillow for- it's so tiny- why would anyone want a pillow that small"

"let's start over- i'm name- this is my parents house- i have nothing to do with how they decorated it"

"if you need anything- like- at all- call me, okay?"

"it's not like i'd have sex with your dad to get in your head"

"girls do that?"

"she was taking pictures of you and name in the hallway"

"this whole process is crazy- and lonely... we need friends"

"i'm glad i'm not the only one who thinks that"

"to me all of this sorta feels like a vacation in a very different life than mine.

"i'm almost scared to want any of it too bad."

"oh my god i bet you were so cute in your little outfit"

"listen to me- this is a launching pad. you just have to play the game."

"look at 90% of news anchors in every major city. what do they have in common? pageants"

"i'm not good at this stuff like you are. i don't know how to say the right thing all the time."

"i wasn't born good at this- i trained for an embarrassingly long time."

"you'll get better- and then life can be whatever you want"

"oh no i've had 11 shots- this is what i'm like when i'm hammered"

[the-bloody-sadist]

please I wanna hear more about your thoughts on sweet pool, it was such an odd vn to me but at the same time i'm so happy I played it

DUUUUUUDE!!!!!! THAT SHIT WAS SO WEIRD!!! (POSITIVE)

Lmfao so first of all, I'm a huge audiophile (and I say that to mean any audio, most of all voices and VA performances and sound design), and JESUS CHRIST THE CAST THEY GOT FOR SWEET POOL????? HELLO??? God, I adore Youji's VA, and I'll never NOT be impressed by his ability to play both the character for Sweet Pool as well as Doumeki in Saezuru wa Tori Habatakanai TO SUCH PINPOINT ACCURACY....

I'll ramble too much if I let myself. But the ART, the MUSIC, the ROUTE CHOICES, the PORTRAYAL OF CHRONIC DEPRESSION, the HALLUCINATIONS, the BODY HORROR...THE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLS!!!!!!!!! DAMN!!!!! It just had everything I hoped for, EXCEPT FOR LIKE ONE GOOD ENDING WITH TETSUO. CRIES EXPLOSIVELY. COULD I NOT JUST HAVE ONE. FOR HURT COMFORT'S SAKE.

It's been YEARS since I played that game but damn I was fucked up for weeks after finishing all the Tetsuo routes especially, and Sweet Pool I think was the only Nitro+Chiral game where I liked every character's route and enjoyed playing through them. Makoto a bit less so, but he made up for it in the end because WOW WHAT A BANGER on his bad route.

Again, it was my first Chiral game, so everything I played after was like "oh...this is just a copy of Makoto's type in a new setting. Oh....this is the same outcome as Zhenya with a new face. Oh...Chiral just really likes these tropes and uses them over and over again....okay." BUT HEY, I LIKE THOSE TROPES SO AT LEAST THAT.

I think my favorite part about SP though is, ironically, the fake omegaverse rep. Since I'm such a hater of A/B/O, you'd think I'd hate SP, but it's actually exactly what I'd want instead of the real omegaverse stuff I see. Please miss me with that shit on slick and pregnancy and alpha scenting, I want blood and freaky organisms living in your stomach like parasites and hallucinogens from the weird stalker guy at school. IF ONLY ALL OMEGAVERSE WAS PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR! AH....SO SAD.

Anyway, Zhenya had my favorite route at the time I played it (I cannot escape the kidnapping trope...Shiki from TnC was why I played TnC and he's my favorite Chiral character aside from Youji....), but looking back, I think all of Tetsuo's are my favorite, now. Once I got over the crippling depression of how sad all the endings were, I remembered how fucking intriguing Tetsuo's character was to me. I really like the types that are freakishly alien with their emotional expression and you never know if they're trying to hurt the MC or harm him until several layers into the story. And even then, you still don't know, because they just come off as creeps either way. It's terrifying.

I think the only element I didn't like was the fact that made the meat babies and whatever ACTUALLY REAL. I didn't want the supernatural shit or the annoying ass priest or whatever he was (I wasn't listening to DOUKA....DOUKA!!! every scene) confirming the reality of what was going on with Youji, I just wanted the psychological insanity and for Youji to actually be experiencing all this because of mental illness. I just hate supernatural or religious shit in my horror, though, so that's my own pickiness.

ANYWAY. OTHER THAN THAT! Sweet Pool will always stand out for me because it was my first, and it truly disturbed me because I didn't know people could make VNs that catered to exactly what I wanted, and at the time I was a baby to yaoi, so imagine my surprise when I discovered there was a whole world of people making the exact content I thought only I wanted to see.

THERE, WAS THAT ENOUGH OF MY THOUGHTS FOR YOU??? YOU'LL NEVER WANT TO HEAR FROM ME AGAIN!!!

[posttexasstressdisorder]

About That Radio Thing...

A Sort-of MasterPost in Zenith Mid-Century Industrial Design

Every once in awhile I get bitter about what I had thought was gonna be my "happy fun retirement project", because I ended up having to give them all up. I took a lot of really good photos of them in the process of selling them on eBay for literal pennies compared to the dollars I'd spent on them. So at least there's the pictures, and the knowledge.

I'm talkin' about my radios. Radio, real AM Radio used to be so incredible, before it became hate-radio. It was how I heard EVERYTHING first!

The year is 1971. I'm a musical-obsessive 12 year old and hearing Lennon's "Power To The People" come over the airwaves for literally the first time, along with everyone else! It felt incredible! It was how we all connected to the big energy of our time. In a way, it was our internet.

After my sweetie died I wanted to collect radios that I liked, radios with a certain kind of industrial-streamlined deco vibe, and boy I collected. In the span of a couple of years I managed to find/buy a large collection of Zenith radios in particular, along with a few choice others.

The main object of my obsession was the industrial design of most Zenith radios from 1939-1953, the work of one Robert Davol Budlong. His designs speak to me. Seeing the evolution of style from between those two dates is impressive.

So I was all set to enjoy being an old radio guy. Until I wasn't.

There are a lot of reasons the radio collecting thing just decidedly became NOT what I was going to do. First was finding out a lot of the "old radio enthusiasts" are mostly old nazi shits.

I had been excited about living just down the street from a "museum/club" building, but after I actually tried to interact a few times, that pretty much came crashing to a halt.

There was one younger guy who seemed OK, but as for any other interactions, not really. And it coincided with my financial downward spiral in such a way that I had to start selling off what had at least occupied my grieving mind (and eyes).

Eye candy becomes expendable when shit gets real. I ended up having to sell most of the radios. I kept one console, and a couple of small transistors. So I kinda had to grieve not only my sweetie, but the "eye candy" that had occupied me since she died.

Oh, and somehow in the shuffle of this shitshow of life this past 10 years, I once managed to leave the lock unlocked on my (supposedly secure and guarded) storage unit, and thirty of my prize radios and record players were literally wheeled out and stolen. About $2k worth.

And now, I'm too broke to collect a goddamn thing.

But at least I still have the pictures.

That's what started this. Every once in awhile I want to see them. It makes me happy to see all that amazing Budlong design again. Of the ones that worked, I can remember what each one sounded like. I also collected ads for certain models, catalog pages that they were part of, etc. There are posts about that, as well.

So I thought I'd just put all the links to the main radio posts I've made over the last few years, making this a Radio Masterpost of sorts.

Lots of mid-century industrial design eye candy. Yer welcome. Alternately, go to my page and just search "Zenith" or "radio", "radio ads", "catalog", "radio advertising" etc. I don't do the tag thing much, but the search works pretty good on my page, actually.

So yeah, the love affair with radios will stay mine, but it's bittersweet.

AND NOTE: THEY ARE ALL GONE, VERY SOLD. ANY EBAY LINKS ARE LONG, LONG DEAD.

Just search my blogpage to see some more. I'll try to gather all the various links together here.

Here's one last one for today. Another of Zenith's unicorns, the T545: Combination radio and 45-rpm-only record changer, in all its original bakelite splendour. This is another rare bird that, sadly, I only owned for a few months before having to give it up again. I hope the new owner has done the electronic/mechanical restore to it and that lit lives on. To have found one with absolutely no real damage to the bakelite, and brights that are BRIGHT, it's really rare! Feast your eyes.

[musette22]

Hellooo, it's me, I'm alive! Sorry for disappearing again this weekend, I hope everyone had a great one! 💛 Mine was really really wonderful, so, time to overshare because I'm feeling all mushy and tired but happy. These past few days made me realize once again how lucky I am to have so many incredible people in my life 💕 I love them SO much and I'm so grateful they love me too, which sounds cheesy but it's true 😅

I don't think anyone particularly needs these, but I still want to share some of the stuff my friends and family have said and done this weekend just because they're pretty amazing and I kind of wanted to write it down to remember it (I'll put most of it under the cut though, because it got longer than I anticipated. whoops, who's surprised, not me either)

So my friend's little boy, who is three, got a little confused about pronouns while he was chatting away, and accidentally called me a 'he'. His mom gently corrected him like, "No honey, auntie Minnie is a she." And when he asked why, she said "Because Minnie feels like a she. What do you feel like?" And he gave it some thought and said "I think I feel like a he", so she said, "Well, there you go, we'll call you a he then! But if you feel like a she later on, or auntie Minnie feels like a he, then that's also okay. Does that make sense?" And he looked thoughtful for a second, said "Yep", and carried on playing.

Later that day my other friend picked up her almost one year old, looked at his little face and said "I'm pretty sure he's either going to be a construction worker or a drag queen. Maybe both." And then kissed his nose and told him she'd love him regardless of what he'd become.

I was talking to the husband of one of my friends (who is my friend too, but I knew her first), and out of the blue he asked me, "What kind of music do you like to listen to? I know you like Arctic Monkeys, but what else do you like?" So I told him I listen to a lot of 40s and 50s music, among other things, and then the conversation carried on. And then later that night, Billie Holiday suddenly came on, followed by Chet Baker, and it turned out he'd actually made a whole playlist of 40s music because he realised he'd been playing a lot of recent popular music during the getaway so far, and he wanted me to hear something I liked too

At some point I was talking to the husband of my other friend, and when he asked me whether I'd been seeing anyone lately, I kind of shrugged and told him that it isn't really a priority for me right now, that I'm not excluding the possiblity of dating or starting a family, but I'm not actively looking for it either. He just clinked his beer bottle with mine and said, "Cool, that makes a lot of sense. We don't all have to follow the same path in life to be happy, right?" And I was already grateful that he got it, but then he was quiet for a minute and said, "Shit, I'm sorry, I bet you're fed up with people asking you about dating and kids. It's literally no one's business but yours and I'm sure that if you ever want to talk about it, you'll let us know. I won't ask again."

At some point, my friend suddenly dropped down onto the couch next to me, put her arm around me and said "My god, I feel like we've only talked about kids all weekend, sorry about that." So I assured her I didn't mind at all (I adore those kids, I really do), and she was like, "Still, tell me about what you're reading right now, and while you're at it, please show me the cutest picture of Chris you saw this week," and then she spent a while cooing over my boys with me in return.

I was sitting next to my other friends' three year old little girl in the car on put way back from visiting a nearby castle, and she was super impressed and a little overwhelmed in that way kids have sometimes. She kept wondering aloud whether 'the princess' had been at home, and whether, if she'd ever meet her, the princess would want to be her friend. So I told her that of course the princess would want to be her friend, probably even best friends, and then she laughed and said "No silly, you're my best friend" and hugged me, and I kind of melted into a puddle

During brunch today, I was telling a story about how when I was jogging recently, I thought I was being followed by a guy on a scooter, and that I'd stopped to send my mom my location because I was genuinely a little scared. As it turned out, the guy just wanted directions, so I laughed it off and told the story as a joke, but then my brother frowned and said, "No, but it's not okay that you can't even go on a run without feeling scared just because you're a woman", and then told me he read an article recently about the precautions many women necessarily have to take whenever they go out or go on a date, like location sharing, or faking phonecalls, or bringing pepper spray, because we often fear for our safety in a way that men rarely have to. And then he said he'd never realised that before, apologised to me, his girlfriend and my mom on behalf of men in general, and said he wished we'd never have to deal with any of that

I was talking to my mom while we were on a walk, and she told me about an old friend she'd run into recently. So I asked her how they knew each other, and she proceeded to tell me a story about how in the 80s, they used to do sit-ins together to demonstrate for immigrants' and unemployed people's rights. When I asked her if she'd never been worried about getting arrested or anything like that, she just shrugged and said "Not really, because I knew that we were doing it for the right reasons and that was what mattered most."

Anyway, I know they're all little things and they should all be normal things, but I'm aware that they aren't always, or everywhere, or for everyone. And they just made me stop and marvel at how wonderful these people all are, big and small, how comfortable and at ease I feel around all of them, and how amazing it is that they not only exist and work to make the world a better place, but they also care about me in return. Like, not to sound like a hippie, but whoa, I'm feeling a lot of love and gratitude right now ❤️

[necroangelz]

💉 if it's okay :3

I wish to learn more about kin memories & how they work, so I wish to hear yours!! (& maybe if you want, could you explain kin memories please n thank u)

I'm happy to help uu learn more !

heres this neat article i found online that explains what kin memories are (aaand today i learned that there's a fictionkin website WOAH /pos) linkie

tell me if uu want me to explain anything further or summarize the info if uu can't read everything right now ^_^

『 💉 』

a kin memory

along with my kin mems I'll also explain to uu how i got them (⁠｡⁠•̀⁠ᴗ⁠-⁠)⁠✧

( as Hatsune Miku, in a timeline where i was a robot idol )

if uu didnt know: in fictionkin terminology, timeline refers to the past life uu had as that character basically. the word canon can also be used

once, i escaped the studio-compound-apartment where i "lived" (technically it's the location where i was stored by the company that made me) to go on an unauthorized road trip with the other robot idols (vocaloids). i have a LOT of memories about this little event. the first thing i remembered was that i simply snuck out and went on a road trip with kagamine rin and Len. what sparked me to remember this event was seeing this fanart here:

artist unknown, sorry.

it's quite common for kin mems to be sparked by seeing anything related to the character's media, such as fanart.

when i saw this fanart, one could say i felt a strong impression that we went on a road trip, and we were sitting in a car together just like the fanart. at the time i didn't have any sensory memories to go off of, i just innately knew that it happened. (having a lot of mems that are things uu only innately know are fine too! detailed sensory memories aren't necessary to be a valid kin)

eventually i got another memory, can't remember how, and it was mostly visual. (naturally) it looks like a hazy blur when i think about it, but i know what was happening in that memory anyway: it was nighttime and we were at the beach. rin was holding sparklers. there were many of us robot idols there enjoying our night of freedom. i reflected upon the memory further, wrote about it, shared it with some people, and upon further reflection i was able to make it clearer. i got an auditory memory of Rin's laugh and the sound of the sparklers (i also remembered how rin chased me around the beach lol)

last memory I'll discuss: last year i went on a vacation with my family to go swimming somewhere. being in the car with them and the chaos of the trip gave me an impression that robot idols' road trip was also chaotic. after getting that impression i recalled more memories that matched the impression i got (as in, i got memories that were also chaotic)

I'll ramble a bit more about kin memories and my experience with them

i get kin mems through a lot of ways. interacting with content related to the media, like what i mentioned earlier, is one way. there's also listening to music that reminds me of the kin or my past life as the kin (so basically like character playlists lmao) i heard meditation helps people too but I'm trash at meditation so i only tried it like 2 times and it never rlly did anything > <

sometimes mems come to me when I'm not expecting it either. maybe something happens throughout my day, or i just see something, and i recall a kin memory that's similar to what i saw. it's like my brain was "reminded" of the mem

one example of this is when i was outside and i looked up, and the sky was so blue and beautiful, it was a nice day outside, and i remembered playing outside with my friends as sunny omori ^_^

not all memories that one gets will be pleasant. i myself have a few negative memories. if one is distressed by their negative mems, it's absolutely okay, but one must understand that it isn't their life anymore and they have a choice to not dwell on their past life, past mistakes, etc. who they were in a past life does not define them anymore. i used to be very very affected by my negative memories, I'd just be in a slump for multiple days and i won't stop thinking about the mems, but I'm no longer affected by them

so yeah... i hope all of that made sense ahahahahhaa i am not crazy i swear

[erigold13261]

How about Eve or Yinu's mama for the ask game!

-Mama (gonna be honest, I did Yinu entirely at first before rereading the ask lol):

First impression: I was so confused at first on who this is because for SOME FUCKING REASON, I legit though Tatiana was Yinu's mother. Had no idea why, so when I saw her I was confused. But then thought her design was really cool.

Impression now: She is a grieving mother doing everything in her power to give her daughter the best life and make sure she is happy, but she gets so easily blinded by rage she can't see she is hurting her own daughter at times. Also, she's probably overworked

Favorite moment: I LOVE both times she catches Yinu. The one in the beginning and tells her to relax, and the one at the end where she saves her from getting hurt in the fall. (Also just, her in the back of the stage in the shadow, you can't see it in game easily as you are focusing, but if you look at her, she looks so cool!)

Idea for a story: Mama needs to start using a cane after the fall she took during the fight. She has Neon help her learn how to properly use a cane and make it muscle memory, and Yinu and 1010 help decorate the cane to make her feel better about using it.

Unpopular opinion: I do not like it when people draw Mama short. Especially shorter than Papa. I'm sorry but she is tall to me. I know official Metronomik artist draw her shorter than him, and that there is a picture on the wall in Yinu's first collectable with her being shorter than Papa, but I refuse to accept that Mama is anywhere near being short. She's like just a bit shorter than Tatiana and maybe the same height as Eve. She tol.

Favorite relationship: I really only ever think of her hanging out with Yinu, Neon, and/or DJ, but honestly I love the version of her and Papa in my head so definitely those two.

Favorite headcanon: It's silly and has NO basis, but I like thinking she is also part snake, which is why she has a head tail thing. And her heart is a bunch of colored scales. :3

-Eve:

First impression: She seems like a bitch but she is so fucking beautiful and I love how she talks. Impression now: She is still hard to read and to write for, but that is because she is such a complex character with so much depth and I wish I could do her more justice when I draw her and make my own interpretations of her. Favorite moment: I really like her freak out part when she makes a realization Zuke and May formed a bond of hatred against her. Her smacking the Tatiana statue, laughing, and then creating her extra arms with her voice changing, I loved all of that so much! (Also the music at that part is super good) Idea for a story: I didn't really have one before, but now I really want to explore Eve's first time going into her "Diva's Realm," and her just exploring her powers. It's all fun and games until she can't get out of it and can hear her parents calling her name to wake up and she starts to panic and ends up messing the reality around her by accident and scaring her parents severely. Unpopular opinion: I really hate it when people make her overly obsessed with Zuke. Like yes, she was obsessed with him, but when people make her out to be a Yandere or something, I don't like it. Favorite relationship: I love her platonically with Zuke, and the dynamic they can have. I also really like her with Purl. If I had to choose though, I'd think I like the different scenarios and serious moments that can happen between Purl and Eve. Those two have a LOT of problems and can either help or hurt each other without realizing it. Favorite headcanon: Her powers are super weird. She can make temporary real realities and permanent fake realities. Her powers can do some major harm to someone's psyche. Her arms can be fake or real depending on what she needs. Literally she can do so much and is so powerful with her powers to bend the mind and reality around her that nothing would be able to really stop her if she truly wanted to hurt someone.

[themusesof75]

Romance Rectangle

Read at your own Risk

Cleo: You're a royally good monster, and I consider you my friend. You should get what you want.

Clawdeen: Thank you, Cleo. But you and Deuce....

Cleo: Are ancient history. He wants to date you and I want you to date him. I want the monsters I care for to be happy.

Clawdeen: You're secretly a very generous princess.

Cleo: Not so loud, there are ears in the walls. Spectra, I can hear you recording our conversation!

The purple ghost poked her head out of the portrait of the retired teacher, "I am not."

...

Lagoona opens her webbed hands to hug Draculaura.

Draculaura sneers to show her fangs.

Lagoona giggles: cute.

Lagoona opens her rows of razor-sharp teeth with a growl.

Draculaura blinks: Respect. Cute shorts.

Lagoona: Dios Mio, thank you, I love your fishnets.

Frankie: Hi new friend.

Lagoona, Draculaura, Frankie and Cleo laugh over the mess of pizza toppings; fingers trying to crawl away, green bubbles stinking of waste, and no one remembered who thought pineapples were a good idea!

Draculaura: You know I tried garlic once. I actually liked it, before my throat closed up and my skin flaked.

Lagoona: Uggh, I hate flaky skin. I got this moisturizer called Sköll & Coconut. 

Draculaura: That is the only thing that soothes my wings in the summer!

Frankie: Cleo, your earrings look so heavy. You must have strong ears.

Cleo: Okay... Let me do your makeup.

Frankie: Yes, please!

Cleo: Do all non-binary monsters wear makeup?

Frankie: Depends if they like to. I know I do.

Cleo: Hmm. Usually, monsters with too much pep are hiding something, but you're incredibly sincere.

Frankie: You can be really mean, but you can also be really perceptive. 

...

Clawdeen and Deuce sat together in the common-room couch.

Clawdeen: How often did you try to go out with humans?

Deuce: One time when I was nine, I was in Greece, on my way to the family's private island. We took a route through the human's part of the city, I got separated cause I was a kid and I liked walking away. Met some human kids kicking a soccer ball, it was fun, I was getting short of breathe so I took off my beanie so these guys could breathe. You know what they say about sticks and stones?

Clawdeen: They called you names? 

Deuce: Yeah, as they started throwing sticks and stones. And then I turned them into stones.

Clawdeen: Woof. I was at a birthday party when I was a little and had a loose tooth, I could've pulled it out I found out later, but instead puppy Clawdeen chewed on the birthday girl's playhouse. And the magician's rabbit.

Deuce laughed.

Clawdeen: Glad we can laugh about that now.

Deuce: Ghoul, you're going to find a pack and chow down better than ever.

Clawdeen: Yeah, Cleo knows people-err- other werewolves and we're meeting up next weekend.

Deuce: You and Cleo are hanging out. Cool.

...

Deuce: I need a favor.

Cleo: Normally I'd say 'get in line', but go on.

Deuce: Cleo, I need you to only talk about my good qualities. To Clawdeen.

Cleo: What are the bad qualities, Deuce? How you eat with all your mouths open? How you use to pronoun silent Ps? The embarrassing face you make when you're about to-

Deuce: Gods, Cleo, please.

Cleo: You're blushing! You really like her. Cute. I can be discreet.

Deuce: Thank you, all I ask.

Cleo: And let me tell you what you should do instead-

Deuce: I didn't ask-

Cleo: No, listen, I know what she likes to talk about, what music, what food. Oh! Take her to that barbeque place I hated! She'll like the size of the ribs.

Deuce: Wow, you are a good wingman.

Cleo: I know.

...

Draculaura watched Lagoona pound the raw steak with her fists.

Draculaura: I'll repaint your nails when you're done.

Lagoona: Thanks. I keep a lot of remover in the cabinet. I like trying new acrylics I see on Creep-Tok.

Draculaura: I've seen your feed. I'm impressed with the videos where you play two monsters talking to each other.

Lagoona giggled: Fish back home wouldn't act for me so I had to do it myself. But who care, no big deal. They didn't understand why I wanted to come up here, but the gadgets and gizmos up here are great for my film ideas!

Draculaura: I'm pretty good at effects, just don't ask what my secret is.

Lagoona: Tell me what your secret is.

Draculaura: I'm studying witchcraft and I know a spell to add sparkles and filters in real unlife.

Lagoona blinked and slapped Draculaura's arm: Chica, you had me there!

Dracualura: Yeah, I'm a human-mob-riot. So, when can we put this on the skillet?

Lagoona: We let it marinate for an hour, or we forget it in the mini-fridge and cook it tomorrow?

Draculaura: I wanna show you Elissabat boovies. Most monsters don't like black-and-white films but I think you'll appreciate the old-crypt effects.

...

Frankie and Clawdeen hit the eyeball with their tennis rackets.

Frankie: And then, Cleo showed me photos of when she went to Scaris. She's always going to museums, and she's seen so many documentaries! We watched one and it was so depressing my soul will never recover but now I'm inspired to become a doctor in a cave, too!

Clawdeen: Who knew you could be pretty, rich and substantial?

Frankie: Still blood rivers run deep. Under her wraps there are layers to a complicated, fiery, surprisingly sweet ghoul.

Clawdeen shined a goofy knowing smile.

Frankie smiled: What's that smile? It's like your teeth have a secret.

Clawdeen: You sound like you're catching feelings for the Princess of Monster High.

Frankie blushed and kept smiling: Maybe I am. This feels exciting, like moths bursting out their cocoons in my stomachs.

Clawdeen: You have multiple stomachs?

Frankie: Yep, I can show you later.

...

Cleo: It is amazing you'd finished all these books.

Frankie: It's not amazing, they're really easy reads.

Cleo picked up a book about astrophysics. 

Cleo: No, your brain is a treasure trove. And I know treasure.

Frankie: Thanks for saying that but knowing how to build a rocket doesn't help me talk to other monsters.

Cleo: Frankie, have you considered you're not saying the wrong thing but picking stupid randos to talk to?

Frankie: I don't really know the difference. Everyone is new to me.

Cleo: Give that time. Isis knows I've had centuries and still don't know how to treat monsters I care about.

Frankie: No offense, but that is really stupid of you to say. You're a wonderful friend to all of us. You're even a good friend to your ex who was insane to breakup with you.

Cleo sighed: He wasn't totally insane. Could I confide in you why we broke up?

Frankie nodded.

Cleo: Well, the school's Casketball teams plays rival to this pretentious all-vamp-prep school. The captain was talking smack about our mixed species team, and as Fearleading captain I would not let that stand. Since I'm not allowed to bury monsters here, Deuce and I played a prank on their team. The prank went wrong, and a few leeches got badly sunburnt. The headmistress was talking about suspension, and my pharaoh father would've locked me under the pyramid if he heard I was involved. I let Deuce take the whole wrap. He missed a week. The ironic part is I loved him even more for the same reason he hates me now.

Frankie wiped the tear off Cleo's running mascary.

Frankie: You're even prettier when you tell your sad story.

Cleo: Do you think I'm the worse person in history?

Frankie: I think you have competition with dictators, CEOs and clowns.

Cleo laughed.

...

Lagoona and Cleo watch a long, sad romantic tramedy.

Cleo: She really should go with the autistic doctor, they understand her in a way the hunky, angsty garbage-man never did.

Lagoona: If the doctor doesn't take the trip to the moon, then sure. I think I'm catching feelings for Draca-cutie. 

Cleo: Really? She's so cold, even for the undead.

Lagoona: Under that scowl there's a poet, a dreamer, and when I bite her neck, she doesn't ask me to stop. She's a wave of freshness.

Cleo squealed: Ghoul! Your scales are sparkling! I am so happy for you, and you know I have to grill the fruit-bat.

...

Draculaura, Clawdeen and Frankie share their groanwork.

Draculaura: Lagoona is obsessed with me! She keeps sending me bikini photos, liking my posts, texting me every thought in her rainbow head.

Frankie: Oh my Bolts! If you date Cleo's beastie, then when I ask out Cleo when can go on double-dates! Do you like riding unicorns?

Draculaura bites her lip: I don't think I like Lagoona like that. She's cute and fun to fang out with, but I don't miss her when I don't see her.

Clawdeen's ears drooped: I think I get what you mean. Deuce is funny and honest and has made me feel full-moon-good about myself. But I can say the same thing about you ghouls, and I don't wanna kiss either of you.

Draculaura scoffed, Frankie shrugged.

Frankie: Well, I do miss Cleo when we're not together. I feel sparks, like new sparks, when I'm in the same room as her. I believe she feels the same way.

...

Deuce and Clawdeen walk with their cones of eye-scream in the Monster High fields.

Clawdeen tries to think of the right way to tell Deuce she doesn't want to date him. Deuce's snakes eat his eye-scream whole, then they steal Clawdeen's. She laughs while the little tongues lick her claws. Deuce puts his hands on Clawdeen's hips, his eyes meet hers, her smile is shy but her nod says yes. They kiss.

Clawdeen: Huh. Too bad.

Deuce: Okay. Glad to know. Congrats. 

...

Deuce: Clawdeen is a lesbian. 

Cleo: Just because she doesn't want to date you? You of all monsters should recognize bi-erasure.

Deuce: Yeah, I know better. When I kissed that dude Freddie, there were stars in my eyes. When I kissed you, there were fireworks.

Cleo: Of course there were.

Deuce: When I kissed Clawdeen, she was disappointed.

Cleo: Pity. How will someone so gorgeous move on from this hurt?

Deuce: That wolf's got as much honor as she does curls, I'm not worried about her.

Cleo: I was talking about you, Deuce. I'm not worried about you moving on.

Deuce: Thanks. You know, Cleo-

Cleo: I've even found someone new! Frankie!

Deuce: Oh... You and her?

Cleo: Respect nonbinary pronouns.

Deuce: Sorry, you and them? But Frankie is so ...innocent and you're... not.

Cleo: They're so much more.

...

Draculaura hung upside down in her dormroom.

Clawdeen: Whatcha thinking about?

Draculaura: I'm feeling a little guilty about hurting Lagoona.

Clawdeen: You respected her enough to be honest with her. It's better for her.

Draculaura: I think the truth is overrated. I lie about my witchcraft to my father, my coven, so they will stay proud of me. 

Clawdeen: That's complicated. But I can't imagine your family rejecting you for anything. I think how you're learning magic is crazy smart. And it really goes with your effortless elegance thing.

Dracualura chuckles: You think I'm elegant?

Clawdeen: Obviously. 

Draculaura: Clawdeen, you're got something on your nose. Come here.

Clawdeen stepped closer to her hanging friend. Before the werewolf asked what the vampire saw, Draculaura took her chin and pulled Clawdeen into a soft kiss.

Clawdeen: Wow. 

Draculaura: Yeah. I miss you even in the short times you're gone.

...

Lagoona cried on Cleo's shoulder.

Cleo: Dracu-slut-bag couldn't wait a day before walking hand and paw with Clawdeen?!

Frankie: Cleo, I'd appreciate you not calling my friend such an ugly name.

Cleo: Lagoona is humiliated and floundering, your friends will face my fury.

Frankie: Lagoona, I am sorry for your heart, but please know it wasn't personal. And Cleo, please say you didn't mean what you just said.

Cleo: You know I speak my truth.

Frankie: I know you're hot-blooded and sometimes speak without thinking, so I'm giving you the benefit of my doubt.

Cleo: Do not doubt I will avenge this Angelfish's heart. Frankie, you are with us or against me.

From down the hall, Draculaura and Clawdeen held hands. Deuce stood next to them.

Deuce: I can't tell if I'm falling for softer Cleo or if I'm just jealous of Frankie.

Draculaura: I'm not rooting for you on either account. However, I do want my friend to be happy. 

Clawdeen: Love is complicated.

[lastoneout]

which fob song were you thinking of?? for some reason i can’t think of it and it’s driving me crazy also i love the idea behind the post so true <3

Oh, it's "What A Time To Be Alive" from their newest album! I'm literally obsessed with it, it's SO good and I am incredibly impressed that they managed to flip to a completely new genre that's so different from their other music and immediately nail it. (I'd embed it here but youtube is evil and hates embedding so here's the link.)

And tbh, if you'll indulge me, Fall Out Boy really is the band that, to me, most encapsulates the spirit of "we can do whatever we want who cares what anyone else thinks". Like all throughout their music is the theme of how expectations are a prison that destroys creativity and the best way to be free is to say fuck it, and I am so fucking inspired by them because of it.

So really, who gives a shit about consistency or sticking to one style or any of that crap! Be an emo rock band unapologetically releasing a goddamn Earth Wind and Fire song. Switch from western cartoon styles to anime to watercolor to oil paints to whatever. Write books and fanfics and poetry and video essays, draw and make animatics and comics and stickers. Stream video games and learn to sing and drop both on the same youtube channel. Make sad things and then happy things and then sad again. Switch genres from project to project just for fun. Because you might make some truly amazing art when you stop limiting yourself to one style, one skill, one hobby, one anything. Just do what you love, do what sparks joy, let your passion take you wherever it takes you, even if you've never been there before.

Like, that's part of why it annoys me so much when I hear people say they don't like when a band tries new stuff, or they wish they'd just stick to the same kind of music that made them popular. Or when I hear people say this about like, literally any type of artist or creator. You do not have to do the same thing forever. We SHOULD try new stuff and drop the old when we've lost interest. Insisting that artists never do anything new is how we get the 50th Marvel movie that's just the same as the last one, or 20 meaningless live-action Disney remakes, or youtubers or streamers or artists who keep saying they WANT to make new content but they lose their audiences when they do so they just keep chugging along with stuff they've lost passion for.

We should let stuff that was good go when it's time has passed and embrace new things, even if we end up not liking them as much, because we only stand to benefit from it. When we let artists and other creators and OURSELVES go out and try new things we get wonderful new creations, and even when we don't we still grow and will make even better stuff next time. We have to try new things and fail and keep going to grow as people and as artists and I will always encourage that.

That's what Fall Out Boy's music is to me, beyond emotional catharsis. It's a reminder that I don't EVER have to be or make just one thing, and that it's better, I'm better, when I don't let anyone convince me I do.

(Anyway that got long and rambly, sorry. And I know FOB aren't the only artists that exemplify this, but I do love them for really going out of their way to make it clear they aren't going to just do one thing forever. Especially because they're proof when people try new stuff they can make amazing art.)

[ericsonclan]

Hey guys! Remember me? xD

Yeaaah, I was a little busy, school, drawing, work, life in general, but I played TWDG again with my lil' sister and got some questions, I'd like to ask you. If you still take requests, maybe you do a christmas break or something similar ^^

Sooooo, the questioooons:

-My sister and I argued a lot about that fight Clem had with Marlon. We like it, it's just a bit short in our opinion, but my sister always complains about how fast Clem can beat Marlon, like he's some pushover compared to other enemies we encounter in the game (or games in general). And in my opinion, he's got a little handicap there, being at the edge of a real breakdown, a physical breakdown too. It's not really animated, but winning a duel with shaking hands is, eh... hard xD Anyway, my question is, do you think, Marlon would be able to beat Clem in a real fight, when he's got his head in the game? He took to kicks from her straight to the guts and didn't faint immediately, for which I'm blaming the adrenaline, but it's still a little impressive, didn't expect that from him, hehe

-What do you think the Ericson Kid's favorite meals were, before they had to rely on a little bit of soup? Imagine Omar having a real kitchen in there, man....

-Welllll, who do you think would be the most motivated for Christmas? My personal guess is Louis, but also secretly Violet, because maybe she just doesn't want to show how much she really loves the affection they all give each other then...

-When you look at the Ericson Kids, which music genre pops up in your mind? For real, I got a whole part of my Drawing Music Album for each of my favorites, if I don't listen to that while drawing them, I won't ever get it right xD Drew Marlon and AJ the other day and my god, I never listend to Metal for such a long time. That's six hours straight, Sabaton, Metallica, Man 'o War, Metal Covers....

-Rather an awkward question, but my sister wanted me to ask, so here it is - You think there's anyone who doesn't like hot chocolate? Almost all of them are kids, sooo... there's not much chance, but my sister said she can't see Aasim drink hot chocolate for some reason, weird, I know xD

Alright, that's it from me for now!

Wish you all the best and happy holidays! Stay safe!

Our requests are always open and we're happy to answer more questions.

For the first question Marlon vs Clem who would win in a fight: We think that Clementine would still win. We think that Marlon would put up a pretty decent fight but since Clementine has had to experience more life or death situations and has gotten into more fights so she has the skills needed to win.

Oh man Omar with a real kitchen then the Ericson kids would really be having feasts every day.

Let's see favorite meals or food...

Clementine: She loves pancakes specifically chocolate chip pancakes. She could eat those all day every day

Louis: Those PB & J's uncrustables. Definitely not what people would think is rich people food and isn't but Louis loved to buy some and stealthily eating them in his room

AJ: Ants on a log, that snack with celery that has peanut butter and raisins on them

Violet: Chicken nuggets but that's the obvious choice given you can hear about it in the game so we're also gonna add Craft Mac and Cheese. It was one of her comfort foods growing up

Marlon: Meatloaf, specifically his mom's meatloaf. He'd claim it was the best meal in the world and he would be lying if he said he didn't miss it when he got sent to Ericson

Brody: Fruit salad it's something fresh and sweet and she liked switching the fruits ever now and again when it was made

Mitch: Burgers. He loves them especially bacon burgers. He'd punch someone in the face for a bacon burger

Willy: Applesauce he loved it before the apocalypse happened and he was dancing on the picnic tables when he learned that they could use the apples from the apple tree they had to make some for everyone. He also liked those beef sticks that you can get at the checkout at grocery stores he'd scarf those up like there's no tomorrow

Tenn: Peanut butter, banana and honey sandwiches that was his go to and he could eat them for the rest of his life

Omar: Brussel sprouts with candied bacon. His grandma had a great recipe for them and he always wishes that he could make them again some day

Sophie: Grilled cheese sandwiches. Damn she loved that food and she had suggest at one point that they make the trek out to the nearest town in hopes of finding ingredients for it

Minnie: Not a meal but she loves gummy worms and would always be snacking on them while she worked on her music

Ruby: BBQ and all the fixin's. Ribs, brisket, pulled pork she loves it all

Aasim: Lamb vindaloo it was something that he grew up on and his mom always made so it has a special place in his heart

Who's motivated the most for Christmas: Louis for sure he only keeps track of days so he knows when holidays, birthdays and anniversaries are. Ruby absolutely loves decorating and loves all that Christmas time symbolizes. Brody is in a similar vein with that and finds wintertime magical. Violet also really loves Christmas even if she couldn't do much to celebrate it growing up. She'd mainly spend the day with her grandparents and mom and had a small celebration. So she was surprised when Louis brought up the idea that they should celebrate Christmas even after the world had ended but she was glad that he did.

Okay music genres. I don't know if we have specific ones for all the Ericson kids so we might just add a few here for what we associate them with

Marlon: Classic Rock: Queen, The Who, The Doors music like that. To us he just gives those vibes

Louis: Classical music and really soft and cheesy love songs

Ruby: Country Music

Violet: Not a genre but usually quiet or somber music

This is an interesting question I'd say most of all the kids like or love hot chocolate. We agree that Aasim wouldn't be the biggest fan of it but he'd probably drink it around Ruby since she loves it.

Thanks for the ask and we hope you had a safe and fun holiday!

[hopefulstarfire]

I'd like to hear some of your headcanons about Miho and Duke! :D

Ask and ye shall receive buddy!!!! 💖

I'm gonna so some single headcanons for each of them and then ship hcs bc I got fucking brain rot for them.

Miho

Okay in the manga it is mentioned that Miho actually is a student librarian and I fully believe this girl is actually a huge bookworm. She loves fantasy and romance novels and always has a ton of books she loves to reccomend and would be an active part of booktok. She also probably adores shojo manga.

She owns every Bridgerton novel too you cannot convince me otherwise. She binges that show like it's the end of the world. She wants a regency era dress so bad. And a tiara.

Everyone kinda treats her as ditzy but I think she's smart in a lot of things that no one gives her credit for or sees as useful. She's actually really good at literary analysis and she's really good at making her own little knick knacks that make her happy. I think she just gets caught up in her own mind and her own daydreams she kinda just doesn't give as much attention or thought to conventional things or sometimes people's emotions but she tries so hard.

Would probably actually be a jack of all trades in several different areas bc she also picks up on her friends hobbies.

She always wants to go to Build A Bear with her friends so they can make plushies that can be besties.

Got into ttrpgs bc she thought Ryou was cute and wanted to impress him. Stayed bc she got genuinely invested and is actually a very active and dedicated player.

Miho looks like the girl that has the froggy chair from animal crossing in her bedroom. I think she'd love frogs.

She also gives trans girl vibes and I love that for her.

Duke

This boy gets the bougiest cologne he can fucking find and wears it like a badge of honor. Even if he does still dress like he shops at early 2000s Hot Topic.

Duke had to have been a theater kid. Look at him. That kid was Charlie in his middle school production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and now he's got main character syndrome.

I fully believe Duke is like. Nb or gender fluid. Just a vibe I get.

His favorite bonding time is going to drive his buddies to Taco Bell at 1 in the morning for a food run while they're blasting music in his convertible. He just loves the fun aspect of it and then the quality time of going to park somewhere and just sitting out and talking on a spring or summer night when it's warm and the stars are shining brightly.

He's the only one in the friend group who has an A in math like he's the only one allowed to do math.

Has a secret tattoo that only the dnd gang know about no one else is ever allowed to know, it is a secret to be taken to the grave.

Is not afraid to yell self confidence into you.

Miho/Duke (I AM ACCEPTING ANY SHIP NAME NOMINATIONS BC I HAVE YET TO FIND IT AND THEY DESERVE ONE)

They are both poly and established early on its okay to date other people as long as they keep open and honest communication and also they get to help pick out each other's outfits so they look their best.

They are super cuddly all the time like they will be on the couch just sprawled out together or Miho sitting in Dukes lap they just always wanna cuddle.

Miho and Duke doing each others makeup would be perfection.

Their first anniversary Duke takes her to a Bridgerton themed ball and got her the perfect dress and it was the sweetest thing.

All the self care / spa day dates all the time.

They flirt all the time and have cutesy pet names for each other and it's the really corny ones like Dukey-kins and Shnookums.

Matching/coordinated outfits for big events all the time.

They would be the aunt and uncle in the future that show up after a trip across Europe with all the presents and also pick you up after like 2nd period for food and don't take you back to school.

[captainaikus]

Hello, Belle! I'd love to join this matchup event of yours ♡ My apologies in advance if it's too long

I like psychology, science (specifically biology), mythology, music, history, literature, and philosophy. I'm a huge geek when it comes to crimes (whether they're unsolved or not) and just mysterious stuff in general. I mostly watch documentaries (about any topic really), read, study, or simply lounge around in my free time. I admire people who are genuine. I don't have a favorite book since it's difficult to pick, but I prefer fantasy and psychological genres.

On the other hand I loathe anyone who is close-minded and two-faced. It's a big turnoff for me. And I dislike lazy people, incompetence is a big no.

Most people around me say that I'm empathetic so I suppose that's true. I'm a very calm person in general, unless someone ticks me off (I become temperamental if so). A lot of people have called me a goody two shoes (I can see why though and I don't blame them for that). Although I'm an emotional person by nature, I'm still logical and always opt for the most rational choice. I'm keen on self-awareness.

I have many insecurities but if I were to pick one it would be my inner self. Despite being an empath I'm a bit selfish, hypocritical, and self-preserving at heart (though I'm trying to fix those flaws of mine). I dislike that side of me and sometimes I wish I was a different person because of that (and tend to get envious of people who can freely show who they truly are). I have a fear of being judged by others if I show my more ugly and dark side, so I tend to just mask it all with my good traits.

Thank you for taking the time to read this! Once again I'm super sorry since it's so long. I hope you have a great day/night ahead!

Hi little sheep !! ૮꒰•༝ •。꒱ა (i plan on calling my anons that cause ayy non sounds too mechanical from me) And wow - the resemblance I have to this. Honestly, I get where you're coming from with this and i'm happy to know that someone likes watching crime documentaries cause that's something i do in my spare time on youtube (like watching lazy masquerade or coffeehouse crime, i fall asleep when I'm in the middle of a podcast too or just listening to horror/ crime stories ) and apparently it's growing pretty popular now - I match you with Itoshi Rin!

Vibes I get : Competitive and power couple like relationship. Rin likes watching psychological based things when he is off training or on his way home. Secretly thrilled that you like underrated youtubers who talk about crimes and mysteries that are unsolved but he'll pretend that they are mainstream ones and that you just said it to impress him.

Warning : mentions of reader wielding a knife. Entering the house, you could tell something was off. There were times when you had entered a empty house, but the atmosphere had changed- it being more darker as if something awful had happened in your absence. Setting your bag down on the floor, you grab a knife near you walking in the direction of the bedroom where you watched a figure move on the ground covered in a sheet. Flicking the lights on you watched as the figure flinched, hand ready to use the knife. "For fucks sake!" the familiar voice said, making you drop the knife. Hearing the clatter of the metallic object on the floor, Rin turned towards you, his teal eyes squinting at you as a sheet was over his head. "What are you doing home early?" you asked. "I thought you were going to be late?" Clicking his tongue, he sat down on the floor, the tapping away at the screen. Seeing his behavior, you could tell something was off. Not wanting to disturb his peace, getting closer was the right route than prodding him for questions. Hand turning off the light, you kicked your shoes to the side; picking up the knife and placing it on the table, joining him in the dark. Sitting on the floor next to him you watched as his eyes were fixated on the screen before him, the audio of the conspiracy around the Himuro mansion playing in the background. "And I'm telling you that that portal doesn't exist." "Of course it doesn't dumbass." Rin said, brushing his teeth. "Then why did they do it? Do you think some spiritual activity took place there?" you chirped back. "myths, beliefs and fulfillment. Don't you know that?" he asked, wiping his face with a towel and getting under the covers. "Rin." He turned to you, teal eyes blinking boredly. "do you wanna go to the site tomorrow?" you asked. Thinking about it for a bit, he turned his head to the ceiling, hands resting on his chest. "8 pm. It works best at night."

[shxtodxroki]

hiiiii!! I saw your request is open so here I am shooting my shot hehe. I'd love to get a matchup with any male characters, so feel free to go wild with the result ♡

I go by "Angel", she/her, omnisexual, 5'2. I'm not really good at describing how I look, so here 2 pics of me (I don't have any picrew of me, so I hope you are fine with me sending you my real pics 😔👉🏻👈🏻) also, a tmi for today : I'm basically blind on my right eye but I refused to wear glasses on daily basis bcs I think I look better without it 😅

moving on to my personality, I'm an ENFP and a proud gryffindor! 🦁❤ I LOVE to talk, I can't handle silence really well bcs it makes me feel awkward. people's first impression of me are usually "she's a b" or "she is annoying" but most of em ended up loving me after they got to know me personally (RUDEEE 😭) ; anyway I actually have a lot of insecurity about myself and easily got depressed over em, but I love to act all confident in front of my friendsㅡ gotta fake it until you make it I guess 😩

for interests, I love doing tarots, playing text-based games, and listening to disney / musical songs. I also enjoy watching thriller/horror movies, sometimes I got scared to the bones tho 💀

another thing about me is I have a chronic insomnia, my earliest bedtime is 8 am (I know its very unhealthy 😭😭😭) sometimes I can go a day or two without sleep, it's crazy how I'm still alive tbh 🥲

OMG I OVERSHARED DIDN'T I? I'm really sorryyyy, this also one of my bad traits. I tend to overshare my life with anyone and anytime. I hope you don't mind :(

well I guess this is it??? thank you for opening up your matchup request. can't wait to read the result aaaa. have a good daaay 🌸

First of all I want to say don’t worry about oversharing at all, the more you tell me about yourself the better I can make your match-up so all the information you included was super helpful for me actually! Thank you for sending in a match-up request, and I hope you enjoy your match-up below :>

I’d Match You With: 

Denki Kaminari!

Reasoning:

I did a lot of thinking with this one, there were a couple of characters I was considering but in the end I felt like Denki fit the best with you. He loves your bold personality and you share a lot of interests, and overall he’s just really infatuated with you and would be the perfect boyfriend to go alongside you :D

Headcanons About Your Relationship:

- Denki is not a big fan of silence either, it makes him feel awkward so between the two of you you’re pretty much always talking about something, there’s never a moment of silence in your relationship :) He even has a list of dumb quotes you’ve both said to each other in his phone because of how much you both talk whenever you're together lol

- If anyone’s ever rude to you or accuses you of being “annoying” or “bitchy” without getting to know, you Denki will 100% stand up for you! He isn’t letting anybody treat you that way and he will immediately get on them about how you’re an amazing, lovely person, and they’re the ones being rude by judging you without even knowing you personally :)

- Denki knows how it feels to put on a confident face and try to “fake it ‘till you make it”, he has a pretty similar mindset himself actually. So he understands how you feel, and he makes sure you know that when you do need to let down those confident walls and show/talk about your insecurities, he’s more than happy to talk with you, to comfort and reassure you (And he hopes you’d do the same for him in return) <3

- Denki is, like, the #1 fan of Disney songs lol, he loves them just as much as you do and the other students around your dorms kinda hate it lol because they always hear you two blasting Disney music and singing along at like 3am

- Denki’s pretty scared of horror movies honestly, but he can have fun watching them if they’re not too scary, so he’ll watch them with you sometimes because he wants to make you happy :) Plus, even though he's pretty scared, he likes being your big strong boyfriend that can protect you if you do end up getting scared, it helps him ignore his own fears lol

- Denki definitely doesn’t stay up as late as you, but he’s no stranger to pulling all-nighters so usually when the two of you have sleepovers together he doesn’t end up falling asleep until at least 5am because he wants to spend as much time with you as he can :)

- Whenever you two pull all-nighters, though, you always follow it up with lots of naps the next day. Even if you have class, Denki can see you starting to get tired and he wants to make sure that you get some sleep now that you’re actually feeling tired, so the second class ends Denki’s dragging you with him to his dorms and piling blankets on top of the two of you as you cuddle and nap together ^^

- Also, you never have to worry about oversharing when it comes to Denki, nothing is oversharing to him when it comes to you. Like I mentioned earlier, he’s happy to listen to you talk about absolutely anything at any time, so never worry about talking too much or telling him too much about something because he wants to know everything he can about you and your life, he just loves you so much <3

Song For Your Relationship:

Shivers by Ed Sheeran :)