#im never going to forget that as long as i fuckin live it is LODGED in my brain

[sanstropfremir]

Since you mentioned Woozi’s Ruby being too short (which I 100% agree with - I have vibed with plenty of songs with weird song structures, but if it’s too short to even appreciate the song I have a hard time getting over that particular flaw), what are your thoughts on K-pop’s latest trend toward shorter songs?

I’ve noticed a lot of songs lately under 3 minutes that are missing huge chunks of normal song structure (like a bridge, three choruses, etc) without replacing it with anything interesting. Songs that come to mind are Bambam’s Slow Mo, Enhypens Blessed-Cursed, Somi’s Dumb Dumb, etc. Some of them are better than others, and I do think you can do a good short song if done right, but they all leave me unsatisfied at the end of the day so far. The only short song I’ve loved recently was Charli XCX’s Good One’s, which obviously isn’t even kpop. I know Tik Tok and the streaming model are partially to blame, but I’m hoping the trend doesn’t continue because I just don’t think most song writers/composers/producers are able to pull it off in a satisfying way.

i hate it, bring back the five to seven minute epic, no more of this pathetic streaming optimized bullshit

ok but actually i do agree with you, my main problem with songs being under three minutes is that they usually aren't able to pull off the satisfaction that comes with a traditional song structure. i did actually go through my spotify liked songs from the last year and make a playlist to see if there were any patterns in terms of date songs were released or artist or whatever and honestly there aren't really any in the 30ish kpop songs i dumped in there. so obviously there are a fair few that i really like, notably:

changmin - chocolate (2:52)

boa - nega dola (2:56)

boa - woman (2:50)

skz - god's menu (2:48)

luna - madonna (2:51)

shinee - superstar (2:55)

shinee - closer (2:43)

nct 127 - baby don't like it (2:39)

nct 127 - sun and moon (2:39)

the rose - candy (2:45)

the rose - red (2:56)

woosung - hangover (2:27)

chungha - killing me (2:44)

kangta - maybe (2:46)

onlyoneof - gaslighting (2:49)

monsta x - one day (2:26)

monsta x - someone's someone (2:21)

kang daniel - waves (2:45)

woodz - sun or suck (2:50)

to name a few. some of these frankly it's a CRIME that they're so short (sun or suck, baby don't like it, sun and moon, candy, one day, woman, killing me), and some of them are the perfect length (waves, maybe, chocolate, closer, superstar). but even with most of these i still feel like they're too short. i often like to luxuriate in songs so i will play stuff on repeat regardless of length, but my favourite songs tend to be those in the upper three minute to four minutes long, because there's just more time for it to be. if done well obviously a short song can get there (i agree about good ones, that's a great song), but a lot of them either feel like they're rushing or like they're just empty all together. i'm not really being very sophisticated or official about my terminology here but i like a lot of space in my music? at least the stuff i listen to on a daily basis. tvxq's before u go (4:33) is probably one of my favourite songs of all time and most of my top listened of 2021 were between 3:45 and 4:30ish, with a couple five-six minute outliers.

it isn't really that hot of a take but i do think streaming has fucked up the music industry significantly. aside from the abysmally low royalties issue, the whole obsession with numbers and charts and whatever is just so so toxic and unindicative of the actual appeal of a song, especially within the kpop sphere. i also think tiktok is a fucking blight and is giving people brainrot and it's also really fucked with the whole streaming thing. i too am very much hoping the trend doesn't continue, but it could very well be an extended turn back to song lengths to pre-1970. for most of the first couple decades of recorded sound songs have been under three minutes; i distinctly remember a lot of 50s jazz standards and motown songs being two-three minutes. however, these are all still following standardized song structures and honestly, i don't have the same faith in producers nowadays as i do in jazz and motown musicians.

[border-spam]

Leech Lord - The writing’s on the wall

Here we go, folks. Heavy time. Big one.

Tonight was just them, happy in the afterglow of laughter and far too much to drink. That calm quiet that falls with trusted company you can be at ease around. It was nice.

She'd assumed he felt the same way from the barely audible whistle of his breathing to her right. Figured that he was relaxing too, enjoying the dull heat of wine numbing his joints and their usual simmering pain. It was good, it felt right, until the peace was interrupted by the clink of his glass as he shifted, and the hoarse, strained whisper of -

" You're gonna leave one day, I know you will. I'll chase you away. You'll get sick of having to deal with me just l-like everyone does."

The groggy cloud behind her eyes dissipated instantly as his threat landed like ice-water, and she clumsily sat forward, wineglass dangling from her loose hand as she stared at him in confused disgust.

" What?... What are you talking about.”

“ Don't put that shit on me, Troy. Don't... don't even fucking dare try to drip feed that self hating poison into who I am. God, what is wrong with you? "

He didn't meet her eyes, still staring at the glass in his hands as he hunched in his seat, like he was about to crumble into himself. Looking somehow so much older and so much younger than she knew he was - like a child carrying the weight of the world. He mouthed something, then stopped. Started again, paused again. Reconsidering what he'd been about to say as his brows furrowed and lips tightened into a grimace.

Chasing what he wanted to express to her, grasping at it futilely, trying to find the right words and stumbling. Same self made snare as usual, tightening around his neck. The same trap he always set for himself, triggering as he stepped blindly towards it.

He sunk a little lower into himself as he wilted under her disgust, hair falling forward and blocking the shame burning across his face.

" I... I'm sorry, Sei. "

By @godkingsanointed​

???: She just drives me fuckin crazy man! She just- UGHH 

??: She's like fire. 

???: Yeah, a hot headed little- 

??: NO. Can keep you warm, safe, give light to see by. But if you don't treat it with respect, it you think that's all it's for, try to contain it, you'll be burned. 

???: I don't think that's all...  I-I respect her!!!! I can't believe you're taking her side in this!" 

??: No sides. Just something to think about. 

???: Ughhh, screw this! 

(Sounds of a door slamming shut)            

(A few moments of silence) 

??: I know...He's gunna burn her out. All of us.  

(Ding of a voice message being received) 

???: Thanks. For listening. 

??: Ha..we got him thinking. 

By @hieroglyphix​

S: Wh- Ven?! what the fuck are you- how the fuck did you get in here? 

V: Aw c'mon Sei, is that any way to treat a guest? I get that you're a bigshot s-saint and all but c'mon-- 

S: Last time I checked, people who break into other people's houses are considered burglars, not guests- and get your fuckin' feet off my desk!

V: Hey now, just cause I broke in doesn't mean I stole anything. Im more of a buddy, paying you an....impromptu visit! Yeah! 

S: ( sigh ) God, forget the semantics of it all, what the hell do you want? 

V: It ain't about what I want, I came here 'cause of what you want. 

S: ...Pardon? Oh God, tell me this isn't some kind of-

V: Waitwaitwait it ain't like that, S-Sei, you know i don't run that way anyhow. I came because you need a s-sign. 

S: ...A sign. 

V: Yeah, a sign. s-see, I know what you're planning on doing, I've seen it all laid out in the path ahead of us. But you're draggin' your feet too damn long, and it's only gonna get worse from here. so Sei, listen to me, I'm your sign. Get the fuck out of here, and don't look back for nothin'. 

( silence )

S: So, let me get this straight. You broke into my house, just to....tell me to leave?

V: Well when you put it like that it doesn't sound super great, but...yeah.

( silence ) 

S: Who else knows about this? 

V: Only me, and I ain't about to rat on you. I don't blame you for wanting out, things....well, between you me and the floorboards, things ain't gonna get any better around here. 

S: ( deep sigh ) Good God... 

V: Look doll, I ain't here to force you into a decision, and I won't judge you for not leaving. I'm just tellin' you which way the wind's blowing. One friend to another. 

S: Right. 

( uncomfortable silence )

V: Well, you think on what I said. I've gotta get home to my brother, it's spaghetti night. 

S: Try not to let anyone see you on your way out, the last thing i need is more brainless gossip out on my hangar. 

V: Heh. Not like they caught me on the way in, not exactly the sharpest tools out there. Anyway, nighty night Sei.

( the maglock doors hiss open )

S: And Ven? 

V: Yeah? 

S: ...Thanks. 

V: Don't mention it. 

[end echo log]

I’m just a bit shook up…” her voice cracks as she mutters. “He said some stupid shit tonight, bout how everyone leaves him and he knows it’s..” she sighs, letting her head drop to face the table with a weak shrug.

“Stupid as in.. it got to me. He ever say anything to you that’s just.. you know it’s off? I sometimes think it’s me..”

JK waited patiently, wanting to reach out and rest a hand on her shoulder but not quite knowing if that would overstep their tentative friendship as it formed.

“…that I’m going crazy and feeling things that aren’t real, overreacting…” she pauses, swiping her auburn hair back from her forehead, thumbing at her temple as she lets her eyes stare unfocused at the wall behind their shoulder.

JK grunts thoughtfully, then shakes their head a little, their mask tilting downwards as they rumble out a huff of air. “He’s… talking a lot more recently, yeah, bout things no one asked.”

They empty the bottle in a deep dreg, and lower it carefully to the table in front of them, spinning it slowly on its edge. “Like he’s replyin’ to a question that was never said, and he’s pissed about it. Gets snappy at nothin’. Gets angry at nothin’. I don’t say things, I just listen. He likes when you just listen, I think you know that too.”

She nods, watery eyes looking up at them through her thick eyelashes.

“It’s just, the thing’s he’s saying now, this last year?” JK glances to their side again, towards where Troy sleeps.

They turn back to Seifa and reach out then, touching a finger against her forearm as it rests against the table, happy to see she doesn’t flinch away even though she’s hurt too. Proud that though she’s struggling to hold back tears that swell along her lash-line, she’s still listening to them. Really listening, like what JK thinks matters.

“It’s the same kind of things axe-hands I knew in the clan would start to say before they’d go wrong. Harsh things to themselves, about themselves, about how others were seeing ‘em. I don’t like that kind of talk much either, I’ve seen where it goes. People start doing that and they aren’t themselves for much longer. Become the same thing they were worryin’ everyone already saw them as.”

They turn the bottle to its side, idly twirling it with their index finger, only the hollow grind of the glass on the table filling the silence.

“I’ve seen him goin’ the same way. Same way they did, and I don’t know how to stop it, I’m not good with..” they gesture at the bone-white mask still marked with that crumbling splash of old rust-red blood, pausing to collect their thoughts. “..Not good with talking the way it would help. Saw him hurt acolytes the last few months. He used to just grab, threaten…”.

Their leg bounces beneath the table, nerves firing haphazardly as they swallow down the frustration lodged between their teeth. “Now he grinds. Cracks their bones in that metal fist. Not enjoyin’ it, not laughin’, but doin’ it anyway. He smells like bitter antiseptic sometimes, and I think he’s takin’ things out on himself where he figures we won’t know, under the steel.”

“I don’t think he is well. Inside him. None of us are here, lady. We’re all broken a little, but we learn how to live with it. It’s that or die. He doesn’t know how to do it. We gotta…”

“… we gotta watch out for our brother”.

By @godkingsanointed

He'd dare let venom drip about Seifa around them, and Troy knew from the palpable atmosphere change that it wasn't going to be swept under the rug. He would have crumbled, he would have backtracked into sickening apologies, but after the grilling Tyreen had already given him? How helpless and powerless he already felt, child was the straw that broke him.

He span on his heels to face them, spinal implants flaring and eyes all cruel angles and rage. It only took one or two stalking steps for them to be at odds face to face, not that he was sure what he'd do when he got there.

"The fuck was that pal?" He seethed, letting jaw plates click and flicker. They didn't seem intimidated, too full of fury to even care.

"Ungrateful. Fucking. CHILD. She made you, made both of you. Without her, you'd be skag shit right now." They paused to look him up and down before continuing. "Instead of a shit eating skag."

His reaction was instant, flesh hand snapping forward to grab at the decorative chains around their neck he'd gifted them, pulling them close. "You fuckin-" he choked, mind clouded on what to do. He wanted to smash them to bits, he wanted to pull their fucking head off, but he had enough control yet to hesitate.

"If you wanna spar big man, let's go. You know the rules." They spat. They'd set out a few of them a couple of months back, not really thinking it would come to it, more so sharing a part of clan life so he felt included. Clan members could fight out frustrations, as long as it didn't go so far as to lose a body for raids or hunting. No using the prosthetic, no hitting Troys left side, no weapons. That was what they settled on, and now staring him down? They didn't like the idea of fighting him, of fighting any family. Never had. But if he refused to talk and instead was intent to act like this? They could find some satisfaction in landing a hit or two. 

Mention of that past conversation seemed to snap him out of it, hitting home just how far JK was willing to take this. They didn't care about title or siren status, as far as they where concerned this was a family matter. And as far gone as he was, Troy had no intention of full on brawling with family. He pushed them away as he let go, face burning in shame and frustration as he backed down. 

"Not worth my fucking time..." he mumbled, storming away and letting a metal fist impact a wall as he went,one final show of force.

They stayed put after he was gone, head tilted back and taking deep breaths as they steadied themself. Seifa...didn't need to know about this. She hardly needed defending and she'd scold them for almost coming to blows over a few nasty words but...They couldn't have just bitten their tongue either. 

Ven - "I mean boss, have you considered ever actually thinking about what you want?" 

Troy - "..." Troy - "...Everything. All the time. I want e-everything. Everything. Everything I see, all the time. The way you love Eli, and the way he smiles at you and it's real 'cause he knows how to love, I want that."

Troy - "...I want it, and how Sei puts her arms around all of you and never me but she looks at me and I feel s-something but I don’t know how to say it in words, I want that."

Troy - "...I want Jak-Knife and the way their mask a-and their face - both of them are beautiful and better than anything I can pretend I see in a mirror and I want everything all the time, Ven, and I don't even know if it's me that's actually wanting."

Ven - "Right..." Ven  - "...Ok bud, so first of all, I'm going to get us some drinks..."

By @godkingsanointed​

-- Uroboros log - M0noli7h / S0litar3 prsnl e-dev com msg log //Private Line - SAVED-  blame=GKT -- Machina: So Adalphus is where you’re saying is the best bet.  Aurum: Simple logic. Close enough to Pandora for you to still perform your role, far enough from.. well. What you need to be far from.  Machina: Feels apt somehow, ending up wasting away on some off-world base. Never did belong here, huh. Aurum: A feeling I understand better than I’d like. Regardless of our personal opinions you’ve been one of the few colleagues I’d describe as competent, A’Rosk. It’s a reassurance to know you aren’t abandoning your position.  Machina: Mutual on that, Sol. Staying on isn’t by choice though. I’m sure you know that too. You remember Fragor.  Aurum: I remember what was left of her absolutely ruining a pair of Ausler dress shoes, yes. You’re going to be hounded. You know that. Machina: I know that, I’m just praying it will be gently. The Crusaders are under Troy, and Troy..  Machina: I Machina: I trust Troy

Aurum: That’s your prerogative, regardless of how stupid. Machina: Thanks, you nasty shit. So you’ll manage the fund movements once I’m out, keep the flow going to the accounts I gave you? Aurum: Yes, yes. Not exactly work deserving of my touch, mind you. Junkers leave residue. I prefer to keep my hands clean, Seifa. I’m sure you appreciate that, considering this deal.  Machina: Ohhhh absolutely. You scratch my back, I’ll stab yours.  Aurum: Cute. I’ll manage your assets this side, and my little history with those slag shipments to Elpis will remain off your people’s raidar. Machina: That they will. Solomon, much as it pains me to say this, it has been a pleasure. Thank you. For.. for everything.  Aurum: Not needed, Seifa. It’s just good business. [end log]

[bennifits]

How about a reader that’s from some place really cold, (I was thinking Alaska maybe)and has a lot of cold weather dogs,and they invite the misfits to stay with them for awhile?

A/N: im getting metal gear solid flashbacks. this may be long. gonna try something new and do a group thing :))) then individuals :)))

S/O Who Lives In Alaska.

Misfits/Context:

You asked what?

To go to Alaska?

Ryan thought it was a great idea

Everyone else thought not

“I love Y/N but Alaska is fucking cold”

But somehow everyone was shoved on the next flight over.

You couldn’t pick them up at the airport because you lived far out of the city and you were very busy. So they had to get a taxi/uber to get there. 

You lived in a lodge that was owned by your parents quite cozy and hospitable and the gang was feeling wholesome there.

Fitz:

Cam: *camera zooming on him* Guess we’re going to Alaska then.

Comes out for breakfast the next morning and everyone is staring at this massive bear that’s on the backdoor step

Everyone is freaking out because you’re still asleep

“Someone get Y/N” 

So he goes and gets you

“Is that fat fucking bear back again?”

You promptly get out of bed and do this

“That bear comes every once and a while and tries to break into the house for food. So lock the doors that lead outside”

His name is Winnie apparently. 

He’s apparently very tame and doesn’t attack, if you’re lucky he’ll let you pet him sometimes.

Human food is drugs for animals so you also tell them to not leave any food outside.

He’ll never forget you driving down the drive way to show them around your hometown and that massive bear comes pounding towards the car to say goodbye.

Swagger:

Cam: How are you doing Swagger?

Swagger: i’m high from the plane ride, i’m cold, i can’t feel my toes, i’m on the other side of the fucking world where my girlfriend lives and i’m cold. 

Cam: You said it’s cold twice

Swagger: i know.

Genuinely scared that bears will kill him

But then sees your 50+ dogs and calms down a bit

Then you have to teach them about what to do if they encounter a bear and he’s terrified.

You invite him on a hike for some one on one time.

You bring a gun.

Which you know, is normal. 

Then you all encounter some tracks, the 4 dogs you brought with you didn’t like it so you tell them all to turn back.

Then comes the howling of wolves.

“No, fuck this shit we’re going home”

He doesn’t really go outside much after that.

But enjoys the trip never the less.

Zuckles:

This boy is Australian. And we aussies have very few places to experience snow

So you can bet at the first sign of snow he fuckin jumped into it and got his clothes wet

Now he’s even more cold.

At least the rental car had good air conditioning

“IS THAT A FUCKING BEAR CUNTS?!”

Legit wants to size up a bear, but that could be his stupidity or the fact that he’s possibly drunk or high.

He underpacks warm clothes so you end up taking him shopping.

Toby:

You invite her to experience something really magical. 

From your balcony on the second story, you call her up a little after sunset and pass her a gun scope.

A few hundred feet away is a herd of bison migrating

She’ll never forget that.

Inutt:

“Babe can we go dog sledding?”

You then teach them all how to dog sled

Piling one or two people at a time on a sled each and having races up and down a frozen lake.

That was definitely something he wouldn’t forget.