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alotofpockets · 1 month

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Hard launch | Florence Pugh x Singer!Reader

Where you and Florence hard launch your relationship and your new album

A/n: faceclaim for this is Florence as Taylor Swift and Reader as Gracie Abrams

Marvel masterlist | Words: 2.6k

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Over the past few months you have been all over the world. Your world tour started out in America and after a little break, you had continued to the European leg of the tour. While you loved touring, performing, and spending time with your fans, you craved the feeling of home.

There were multiple places in the world that you called home. But only one of them was a constant, and you were about to walk into her arms, as you turned the keys to open her front door.

As soon as you opened the door, your girlfriend was in your arms. “Hi baby, I’ve missed you so much.” You whisper into her shoulder as you hold her close. “Why didn’t you say you were coming home today? I would’ve picked you up.” Your girlfriend had been at a couple of your shows, but since she was on set for most of your tour, your schedules didn’t often line up.

You still had a few shows left in London, but you had the weekend off before you were performing 6 shows at Wembley. “I wanted to surprise you.” You leave your bags at the door as she pulls you into the home. Both your jobs required you to be in different parts of the world often, that’s why you decided that instead of moving into one of your houses, you just moved in together and kept both your places. Meaning that you shared her home in London, and yours in Los Angeles.

After catching up for a bit, during which you lay cuddled up together on the couch, you told her you had really missed her food, with all the simple and easy meals you had during the tour. “Well, I was planning on filming a Cooking with Flo, so you are in luck, my love.”

She was getting the ingredients laid out, while you set up her camera for her. You had been there from the start of her Cooking with Flo series, where she would film little videos on her phone and post them to her instagram story. You had been in London for work when covid hit, and you weren’t able to travel back to the US. There weren’t a lot of people that you knew who lived in London, except Florence who you had met a couple weeks prior, you shot her a message and moved in with her the same week.

The difference a couple of years could make. The two of you went from strangers, to roommates, to best friends, and finally to lovers. Florence her cooking show had also expanded. No more wobbly iPhone uploads to her Instagram story, but proper camera setup on a tripod and streaming the show live on YouTube.

“You know how I’ve been having special guests on the show?” You nodded. Even when you were away you kept up with her cooking videos. “Would you want to join me tonight?” The two of you kept your relationship away from the public, though many people had their suspicions, neither one of you had ever spoken out about it.

That’s why Flo fully expected you to say no to her questions, but you surprised her by saying yes. “Really?” She asked excitedly. “Yes really. We can give them a little teaser for what’s to come, right?”

You had been working on a new album, where you wanted to put focus on what fame had been like for you. The way that everything you did was criticised by the media. That had been one of the reasons that you and Florence kept your relationship away from the public.

Over the years you have hidden not only your relationship, but also parts of yourself. When you were younger it felt like something you just had to live with now, but you didn’t want to anymore. You wanted to be yourself and not care what people thought, and your next album would be the first step.

“Alright, ready to go whenever you are.” Florence says once she has checked everything over one last time. “Yeah, let me just finish this post and then I’ll be ready.” Your girlfriend walked over and leaned on your shoulders and watched you write the little caption you were giving your post from the last show.

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y/n_y/l/n just posted

y/n_y/l/n: Thank you to everyone that came out last night, it was an honour to play in front of a crowd like you! I can't believe we are nearing the end of the European leg, this tour has been amazing so far, and that is all thanks you x

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You put your phone away and set up the laptop for the livestream. A little countdown started counting down a minute while Florence got ready behind the kitchen island. You turned on the camera and waited to the side waiting for Florence to introduce you.

The countdown on the screen ticked down and Florence got ready to start. “It’s Cooking with Flo, bitches! Today we’re joined by a very special guest. You’ve been asking for this for a while now, and I have finally convinced her to join me. Please welcome Y/n to the show!”

You stepped up beside her. “Hi everyone! I’m so excited to be here.” You spoke nervously. Florence chuckled lightly, you were used to performing in front of thousands of people, but standing in front of this camera got you nervous. “I am so glad you’ve finally agreed to come on the show. Do you want to tell them what we’re cooking?”

“Yeah, for sure. We are making truffle pasta with one of Florence's own recipes today, and I for one cannot wait to try it.” Florence laughed, “But before we get to that part, we will show you exactly how to make it.”

Florence explained every step to the camera and you followed her lead on what to do. The conversation flowed easily between the two of you, the familiar banter making it feel like it was just another evening at home. A sense of familiarity you’ve been missing so dearly while you have been on tour.

She handed you a whisk and told you to mix up the ingredients you had just put in the bowl to make the sauce. Out of the two of you, Florence was definitely the one cooking most of the time, she was amazing and you were.. Well you were nearly decent.

“Careful there,” Florence teased, “we don’t want the sauce all over the kitchen.” You laughed at your hand covered with the sauce, because it had definitely gone over the edge of the bowl. “No? I thought you were wanting to redecorate the kitchen. This seems like the perfect colour for the walls.” You joke back.

While your cooking and playful banter went on, the chat was blowing up with comments. Many of them were excited about seeing the two of you together and noting the chemistry that was evident on the screen.

You stayed on the easy tasks while Florence did all the hard work, but neither one of you minded, you were just enjoying the time you were able to spend together.

With the pasta and the sauce presented on two plates, you thought the dish was done. “It smells so good, I cannot wait to taste it!” You already reached for a fork, but Florence stopped you. “Hold on, it’s not done yet.” She grabbed a truffle and the grater and got to work.

With the most serious expression, Florence delicately shaved the truffle over the pasta, her concentration made you giggle. “What’s so funny?” She asked with a raised eyebrow. “It’s just that you look like you’re performing surgery on that truffle.” You have to try hard to hold back your laughter.

“This is art, okay?” You don’t just throw truffles around.” You burst out laughing, unable to contain it any longer. Her serious tone combined with the silly way of putting on the truffle fully sends you over the edge.

“Hey, this is important stuff!” Florence tried hard to stay in her serious character, but failed as she watched the tears spring in your eyes from your laughter. “Truffles are a very delicate matter!” She got out through her own giggles.

You doubled over, clutching your stomach, and before you knew it, you had collapsed onto the kitchen floor, laughing uncontrollably. “Oh no, we’ve lost her!” Florence exclaimed, setting down the truffles on the counter to check on you. “I think I've broken Y/n.”

Florence always had the ability to make you laugh, but right now she got you so far that you could barely breathe, and the tears were streaming down your face. Florence snapped a quick picture before turning to the camera again. “Don’t worry, I will share that with you later. Now, let’s try this pasta.”

You stood up as you were wiping your tears. “Wait for me! I wanna try.” Both of you take a bite at the same time. “Oh my god, this is so good!” Florence smiled proudly. “You heard it here first, people, you can even impress mega pop stars with this meal, so try it out at home.” You rolled your eyes playfully, “Food easily impresses me, but you should definitely try this recipe, because this was delicious.”

“And that’s all we have for tonight. We are going to enjoy this meal and soon Y/n will head to Wembley for her final shows of her Europe tour. Thank you for watching, and I’ll see you next time!” You both wave to the camera before it shuts off.

“I’ve missed you so much.” You say as you walk into her arms. “No one can make me laugh as much as you do.” She held you tight while telling you she missed you as well.

"I can't believe we did that. The fans are going to lose their minds." Florence says as she walks both your plates over to the dining table. You smiled, feeling a warmth in your chest as you looked at her. "I think we just gave them something to remember." Florence smiled and leaned in to kiss your cheek. "And this is just the beginning, my love."

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florencepugh just posted

florencepugh: An all new Cooking with Flo out with special guest Y/n Y/l/n! Watch how she takes a break from her tour to spend some time on my floor 😂

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y/n_y/l/n: In my defense, the floor was very comfortable

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Your next few shows in London were incredible. A sold out Wembley night after night, was something you didn’t even dare to dream of a few years back. But now you were playing your sixth and final sold out Wembley show of this tour.

Nervous was an understatement. You had announced things on tour before, but this, this was something on an entirely different level. While your piano was being set up on the stage you talked with your fans.

“Most of you have been with me for a very long time, and have stuck with me through the many changes I have gone through as a person and with my music, and that is something I am eternally grateful for. The support I get from each and everyone of you, is what gives me the strength to evolve.”

While you were still nervous, you also felt a sense of serenity. The fans in the stadium were excited even when they had no clue what was coming.

“Growing up in the spotlight for me came with a lot of negativity. Something I haven’t spoken about often. It has made me hide parts of my life, parts that no one should have to hide.”

You didn’t think you’d get this emotional, but you had to wipe a tear that had started rolling down your cheek.

“I decided that I no longer want to hide these parts of me to make other people happy. I am the one that should be able to share my happiness, and that is something I’ve been working on this past year. I’ve taken a deep dive into what fame has been like for me, the struggles, and the things that I’ve had to hide away.”

You paused for a moment, taking in the crowd that was listening to your every word. The people that have allowed you to continue to make music. The people that loved you unconditionally, no matter what the media had put out about you. The people that have defended your honour again and again.

“All of that, I’ve put it into something that I am very proud of.” The noise of the crowd grew with anticipation. “And I cannot wait to share it with you… so I won’t! New music coming soon on my next album "The Secret of Us.”

The screen filled with the announcement and the crowd went insane. You stood there basking in the love the fans were throwing your way. The clapping didn’t stop for minutes. You sat down on the stage, looking up at the audience with tears in your eyes.

You got up again, because you weren’t done yet. “And if you’ll let me, I would love to perform one of the songs from the album for you tonight.” You smiled as they cheered even louder.

“This song is called Close To You, and it’s one of the most meaningful songs I have ever written. The reason that it is so meaningful is because it’s about someone who means the world to me. This person has been so supportive of me throughout my career, they are a big part of my happiness. The things I want to let you be a part of from now on.”

There really was no turning back anymore, that made you extra nervous, but also excited, you didn’t want to turn back, you only wanted to move forward.

“Performing this song with me tonight, as well as on the album, is my girlfriend Florence Pugh. Please welcome her to the stage!”

You watched as she walked onto the stage in her yellow dress, a big smile on her face as she waved to the crowd who was loudly cheering.

You started playing the first chords to the song as Florence made her way to the microphone stand that was just placed next to your piano for her.

I don't got a single problem with provocative See the bodies, how they burn, it's just the way it is Smoky, dark, crowded room, I need nothing Under pink light in June

You start singing, while making eye contact with your girlfriend, who started strumming the guitar.

I was so cool, but then, all of a sudden You saw me look at you Florence joined you in the next verse, like you had practised so many times.

I burn for you And you don't even know my name If you asked me toI'd give up everything To be close to you

The two of you continued singing until the final verse. It was just you singing the final part.

You should be mine for life, I'll be signing Every dotted line Chemical override, ultraviolet You could be mine tonight

The crowd went absolutely crazy and you could not believe that you had just done that and gotten instant support from thousands of fans. Florence looked at you with nothing but pride as she opened her arms for you.

You hug her, “I am so proud of you.” She tells you loud enough for you to hear over the cheering. In response you grab her face and place a kiss on her cheek. “Thank you.” With tears falling down your cheeks you turn to the audience and wave and thank them too.

Florence left the stage again and you continued performing the rest of your set like nothing happened, though internally you felt amazing.

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florencepugh just posted

florencepugh: Incredibly proud of you, always. Thank you for letting me be a part of this amazing album, I cannot wait for the world to hear your briliance.

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After a couple more songs you closed off the show by thanking the fans over and over again. “You’ve made this tour incredible, I will never forget the memories we’ve made here. Thank you!”

The moment you get backstage, Florence flies into your arms. “You did it, my love!”

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y/n_y/l/n just posted

y/n_y/l/n: What a way to end this leg of the tour. I am incredibly thankful for all of your support, and cannot wait to share my new album with you soon! And Florence, thank you for being my biggest supporter though it all 🫶🏻

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florencepugh: So proud of you 🫶🏻

fan1: New music and a new favourite ship? that was not on my bingo list

fan2: The hardest of hard launches

fan3: AAAHHHH

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y/n_y/l/n_updates just posted

y/n_y/l/n_updates: Y/n and Florence Pugh after performing their love song from Y/n's upcoming album.

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fan1: They are so cute!

fan2: I want what they have

fan3: So happy she finally doesn't care anymore. All the best to them

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#florence pugh #florence pugh x reader #florence x reader #florencepugh #florence pugh imagine #marvel x reader #mcu x reader #marvel imagine #mcu imagine

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kookslastbutton · 7 months

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Those Eyes Chico ༓ myg (m) | Teaser

✒ Summary: As the new marketing director for Min Yoongi’s upcoming D-Day album & tour, you’re expected to bring your expertise to the table. This shouldn’t be a problem—you’re the best in the business and you’re used to drawing a strict line between your professional and personal life. But what happens when the lines you’ve fought to keep as separate blur for the first time?

pairing: idol!yoongi x plus size!poc!reader

genre/AU: angst, fluff, smut, slow-burn, coworkers2friends2lovers, winter setting, forbidden love?

word count: tbd, 835 for this teaser

warnings: oc is 28, Yoon is 30, oc is not originally from South Korea, oc has light brown eyes, swearing, mentions of alcohol consumption, mentions of anxiety, panic attacks, body insecurities, fear of being blacklisted, emotionally restrained Yoon, mentions of smoking, unstable parental relationships, conservative parents, mentions of therapy, mentions of dating scandal, eventual sexual content, and more specific warnings per chapter.

now playing: Sweet Dreams by The Last Shadow Puppets

a/n: Okay this has taken over six months to release but it's finally beginning and I am super excited to share! 🫣 I am low-key terrible at choosing a proper teaser so hoepfull this works haha. ANYWAY, this series is dedicated to my wonderfully crazy friend and beta, Gloom @theuselessdaydreamingidiot, and to all our fellow Yoon lovers bc we miss our sweet man SO MUCH 🥺 Enjoy! 🥰 Also huge thank you to @itaeewon for designing this beautiful series header! Love it!!

Series Masterlist

“Did you get the files I sent to you?”

The woman nods her head in affirmation while sweeping a few pieces of her long, silky hair behind an ear. To strangers, she appears to look about 24 which is only four years younger than yourself but nonetheless she’s the same age as you. Hei-Ran is her name, meaning “graceful orchid” according to Korean translation.

Hei-ran is one of Hybe’s newest hires and based on her experience, a near perfect fit to being South Korean boy group Tomorrow X Together’s new marketing manager. Until about three months ago, this had been your job.

You never imagined giving up the position after three years of working in the role. But with December right around the corner Hybe had other plans for you.

"Graduated summa cum laude with a bachelors degree in BTech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a MBA in Marketing from NYU Stern. You worked two years as a brand manager for U.S record label Atlantic Records immediately after graduating, and are now working at BigHit Music as a marketing manager for TXT including liaison with their global marketing team.”

You recall PD Bang’s voice vibrate in the back of your mind from mid-August. You thought you were called into his office to discuss details of TXT’s latest promo, so having your resume read back to you was a sweeping curve ball. Your determination must have far exceeded the heaviness you felt in your chest because before you knew it you, you were shaking hands with your boss in acceptance of your role – the new marketing director for Min Yoongi’s upcoming D-Day album & tour.

The tedious knot that’s formed in the nape of your neck reminds you that as surreal as the situation might be, it’s undeniably real.

Months spent drafting a comprehensive marketing proposal for D-Day; often until the wee hours of the night, inevitably takes its toll on even the mightiest of warriors. An entire new team of fifty people, all of who you’ll be in charge of orchestrating for the next eight months, doesn’t provide much to relief either.

You’re excited nevertheless. Working with one of the most respected artists in the music industry is an opportunity you couldn’t let slip by, especially since the album’s rock-inspired genre aligns closely with your own music taste.

“Thank you so much for helping me get settled __,” Hei-ran’s gentle voice returns you to the present. “I appreciate the time you’ve taken these last few months to train me despite the tight deadlines you have.”

Smiling, you shake your head. “It’s no problem at all and if there’s anything you need in the future, feel free to give me a call or stop by my office.”

“On the 16th floor right?”

“1656A. Take a left off the elevator and walk to the end of the first hallway. The door on the right is mine.”

Referring to any room on the 16th floor as your own is something you don’t take lightly. For one the offices are double the size of any other office spaces in the building. Yours in particular has a giant skyscraper window draped with heavy white curtains. Secondly, the floor above is the 17th floor which is exclusive to Hybe artists only.

"How's the proposal coming along, by the way?" Her curiosity is palpable, genuine in its nature. You’ve always appreciated that in an individual.

“It’s done,” you respond. “Only thing left to do is to prepare for our meeting with C-suite executives next Monday. It’s nearly perfect as is, but the presentation could use a bit of refining in terms of organization.”

Hei-ran is silent for a moment longer than usual before her next inquiry, which is undoubtedly the question on both of your minds. “I can't help but wonder what it'll be like to meet him for the first time,” she muses.

You don’t bother asking for clarification on who the “him” is; you’re already well aware that it’s Min Yoongi. The same subject has managed to intrude your own thoughts more and more as the date of meeting him draws closer. It's peculiar honestly, considering you’ve encountered him before. Granted, it was only a small handful of times the hallway, both heading in opposite directions. Min Yoongi typically greeted you with a hoarse 'Good Morning' those instances, along with a curt nod of his head. You would nod back with a brief 'Morning' yourself. Deep down you feel he'd make a quality friend, though it's only a premonition. It’s not like you actually know much about him beyond those small exchanges.

"I'm not sure what to expect, honestly," you admit. "I imagine it'll be similar to previous professional collaborations—composed, focused, and intense. D-Day is poised to become a global sensation for the next year, so it's going to need our full, undivided attention."

Hei-ran gives a knowing nod. “Good luck __,” she wishes you well as you head towards the elevator doors. Breaks over, back to work.

a/n: Chapter one will be released soon 🙃 Thanks for reading the teaser!

Masterlist | Requests: closed | Taglist | Fic Recs

no reposting, copying, or translating my work– © kookslastbutton

#yoongi angst #yoongi fluff #yoongi smut #yoongi x reader #yoongi fanfic #bts fanfics #bts fanfic #bts angst #bts fluff #bts smut #bts scenarios #fic:thoseeyeschico #kookslastbutton

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youremyheaven · 1 year

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butterfly motif 🦋& vedic astrology

ive wanted to exclusively dedicate a post towards the use of the butterfly motif in pop culture, so here it is!! i think butterflies have had a re-emergence in fashion in the last few years and im here for it!!

🦋 as i've mentioned in many other posts, the nakshatras closely tied to using this motif repeatedly are the pisces rashi nakshatras of ubp and revati along with punarvasu nakshatra.

Revati moon, Rihanna wearing butterfly eye lashes.

Venus exalts in Pisces and ive noticed that these natives are often drawn to Venusian aesthetics and imagery.

Rihanna at a Savage x Fenty show. You cannot tell me this isn't reminiscent of the Birth of Venus and the colour scheme is super Venus coded as well.

UBP sun Lady Gaga wearing butterfly face paint. she has often gravitated towards this motif over the years.

here she is in a blue butterfly dress

idk about you but when i see wings, i think butterfly 🦋. hence why this look is here 🤭😌

yet another lady gaga butterfly lewk

2. bella hadid for Swarovski. bella has ketu in ubp and girlie is obsessed with butterflies 😍

3. kendall jenner, ubp moon wearing a butterfly print dress

4. emrata, also ubp moon wearing a butterfly print dress

5. urfi javed, an indian entertainer who has ubp ketu wearing an outfit with a butterfly motif

6. dua lipa, punarvasu moon and known for her butterfly obsession wearing a blumarine butterfly head to toe lewk

7.brie larson ubp asc wearing a winged dress

8. sarah jessica parker is ubp sun & venus with revati mercury atmakaraka and this is a vvv iconic look from sex and the city

9.bella hadid had an nft thingie and the teaser(?) for it depicted her as a cyborg in a pool of water with butterflies. couldn't get more pisces coded than that tbh

10. queen latifah, ubp sun with those butterfly tats. ive noticed a lot of pisces girlies specifically choosing blue butterflies over any other type👀

11. halsey, punarvasu moon and has a butterfly tattoo!!

12. mariah carey, i mean we all know the OG iconic butterfly top moment but here's an underrated lewk from this punarvasu queen who also has an album titled Butterfly

she also has a perfume line called Lollipop Bling that's packaged like this:

13. Kendrick Lamar's to pimp a butterfly

he has mercury and mars in punarvasu. jup in revati atmakaraka and ubp rahu. lamar has implied that the title alludes to the nature of celebrity and how something free spirited and beautiful can be so violently controlled. again, VERY pisces coded.

14. brand new eyes by paramore

hayley williams, who is the lead singer has revati mars amatyakaraka.

15. dolly parton has a very very famous song called love is like a butterfly, she has punarvasu mars conjunct saturn. look at the lyrics of the song, only a cancer girlie would go so soft like this 🥺

Love is like a butterfly

As soft and gentle as a sigh

The multicolored moods of love are like its satin wings

Love makes your heart feel strange inside

It flutters like soft wings in flight

Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing

Dolly also has a perfume called "Tennessee Sunset" and its packaged like this:

16. alexander mcqueen, the fashion designer had ubp sun and used lots of winged imagery in his work

17. vincent van gogh, revati sun ubp venus and mars and punarvasu rising has a series of paintings called butterflies. i personally associate whimsical art with both pisces rashi and punarvasu. ill make another post some day but the impressionist movement and even the surrealist movement were vvv influenced by these two placements.

18. Papillon 1973

its based on the true story of henri charriere, who is played by steve mcqueen in the movie. not only is the movie called papillon (french for butterfly) the character also has a butterfly chest tattoo and steve mqueen has ubp sun, revati venus atmakaraka and punarvasu rising

19. silence of the lambs<3

one of the most iconic movie posters of all time features a moth. this moth also plays a key role in the movie and is a major motif.

the book on which the movie was based was written by thomas harris, who has a revati stellium (sun, jupiter & ketu)

20. SPOILER ALERT!!

in the movie corpse bride, the titular character dissolves into a bunch of butterflies at the end of the movie

corpse bride is played by helena bonham carter who has ubp saturn and ketu in revati

21. Kali Uchis, punarvasu sun often uses butterfly imagery

This photoshoot was conceptualised and shot by the South Korean photographer Choi Gi Seok who has purvabhadrapada moon (0 degrees pisces)

His work heavily features butterfly imagery ;

XxxxxxX

my own take is that, since pisces is the final rashi and the point of "absolution" it represents the end of chrysalis, when all elements have come together to create transformation; in pisces there is nothing left to do, but seek liberation from these cycles (its purpose is moksha,after all) and dissolve entirely into the cosmic ocean.

a butterfly is a beautiful symbol, representing not only the death of the creature that inhabited the cocoon but also reminding us that that death is necessary because only then can something as beautiful as a butterfly emerge from within that womb. the womb is the source of creation but you're not meant to stay there forever, that's not just stagnancy, that's death. birth is a painful process because you're leaving behind the only place you've ever known but you have no other option so you must be brave enough to face it.

this brings us to the connection of punarvasu nakshatra to butterflies. punarvasu's deity is goddess Aditi who is creation itself; she is the cosmic mother, she created this universe. in pisces, you seek liberation from the cycles of life but in punarvasu, life, the universe, creation itself takes place. thus it represents the butterfly emerging from the cocoon to claim its identity as a butterfly because the life it led before that was a non-life, it wasn't yet a butterfly, it was a non-being. goddess Aditi embodies infinite space and primordial vastness. what better way to represent the cosmic abundance than with a symbol like a butterfly? 🦋you cannot ask who created you because you are your own creation

“Once upon a time, I dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was myself. Soon I awaked, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.”- Zhuangzi

xxxxxxx

that's it for now but i'll keep updating as i find more examples💛i hope this was interesting<3

#vedic astrology #astrology notes #sidereal astrology #vedic astro notes #nakshatras #astrology observations #astro notes #butterfly #butterflycore #astroblr #astro beauty #astro community #astrology #butterflies #monarch butterfly

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temptaetions · 2 months

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the gentleman ✯ s.cb [teaser]

✯ synopsis: when your father is indicted on money laundering and running ponzi schemes, your safety is at stake - especially when the responsibility of paying his debts now falls on your shoulders. ✯ genre: semi-mafia au (?) | crime au | forced proximity ✯ pairing: hitman!scb x ex-chaebol!fem!reader ✯ word count: 2.2k [full fic: tbd] ✯ rating: 18+ MDNI ✯ warnings: this is going to be very dark in theme. mentions of violence, fighting, blood, brutalization, weapons. extensive lore about reader and cb. eventual smut. do not read if these things make you uncomfortable. thanks. ✯ what to listen to: diary - alicia keys, tony! toni! toné! & jermaine paul | is this love - äyanna | that's you - lucky daye | more to be added. ✯ estimated posting period: august 22nd, 2024. subject to change.

You never envisioned this life for yourself. The paranoia in your throat took a different meaning, the fake names you gave at restaurants and clubs no longer hiding much of your identity. Your private life, protected by a cloak of practical invisibility, was stripped away from you. Your face that was once hidden away in only photo albums in your family home was now plastered across every newspaper in the city, with headlines screaming of your father's betrayal.

You could no longer cower in your father's shadow, enjoying a quiet life behind the scenes. Enjoying the small allowance he shelled your way once a month for your luxuries – which you always just shoved into a savings account you barely touched. Your full-time job was enough to get you by, you didn't care much for the flashy life your parents thrived in. It was non-negotiable for you – your parents had promised themselves they'd always keep you out of harm's way. Every friend, boyfriend, even professors – they were thoroughly scoped out by their security team, and if they didn't fit the standard? They'd disappear.

It wasn't much different than your day-to-day life, though. You'd gotten used to taking the subway, long abandoning your father's private cars to and from work. You always carried mace with you, because being a woman in this world is hard enough. You never went anywhere without being on full alert, so nothing really changed. Unless you count strangers whispering about you on the train. Or waitresses treating you like the scum on their shoes, or bartenders eyeing you before turning the volume on the television up, your father's case being announced on the news.

Your coworkers gave you dirty looks, and you could hear a few of them muttering about you around the water cooler in the break room. You could feel their eyes as you took a tea bag from the communal coffee station, scoffs of you being cheap slipping past their lips. Your ears burned in embarrassment, your head hung lower in shame every time you heard something about yourself that just wasn't true. You weren't a spoiled rich girl, playing pretend in a corporate world, buying your way to the top with daddy's money.

They had to know that, right?

It didn't matter now, though, because it was four in the morning and you were sitting in the corner of a surprisingly quiet barbecue stall in the market – unemployed. Your meat was burning on the grill, but you found yourself poking it into a perilla leaf anyway. Your beer was long flat, warmed by the heat of the fire. Sighing, you shoveled the wrap into your mouth before putting your hands in your lap, the chopsticks smearing ssamjang on your grey slacks.

You didn't care about the aunties staring at you from their cashier's stand, you didn't care about the fly circling your side dishes as you picked a piece of pickled radish out of the dish and shoved it into your robotic-like jaw. Nothing really mattered anymore – your father was on trial, your mother fled the country. You'd lost your job, your friends, and the only sense of security in your life – your identity, the one built away from your parents' fortune.

There wasn't much left to cry over anyway.

Taking a final sip of your beer, you turn off the gas and begin to stack your dishes neatly. The aunties are watching as you take a chili and dip it in ssamjang, ripping the stem off before standing up and hiking your purse over your shoulder. You bite into it, walking towards the cashier's stand with your wallet in your free hand.

"Aunties." You murmur around a mouthful of chili, and they just nod with a grimace on their face as they turn the tablet for you to swipe your card. You bow at them, a mumbled thank you before turning on your heel and maneuvering your way through the jumbled stools.

You can hear them whispering about you as you walk out onto the street, your tired shoulders sagging as you stumble to the entrance of the market. Stomach turning as you reach the local tech shop, you see your father's face plastered across all the screens. You wince at the sight, your father's eyes looking slightly sunken in – the skin of his cheeks bruised and cut.

You can only assume how they're brutalizing him.

The walk to the subway is quiet, despite it being Saturday morning and the clubs are barely closing. You can see a few stragglers still teeming with adrenaline as they hop around the street, egging their friends on to eat steaming hot tteokbokki and fishcakes before they head home. You smile to yourself, sadly at that, knowing that you'll never know what that's like.

The subway car is nearly empty as you barely make it in, two small groups of men, a single woman and a pair of young girls seated on the opposite end to you. The girls are dressed in casual clothing, bags of convenience store snacks gripped in their fingers as the two younger men make eyes at them. The smiles are shy, but it doesn't distract you from taking in the other men. Their eyes are burning holes into the train car's windows, not once daring to look at one another. Or anyone else, for that matter.

Your inhibitions are higher than usual, and you're well aware that it's fully because of the Ponzi scheme your parents were puppeteered into. People now knew they actually had a daughter, the speculations of your existence confirmed the moment your father was put in cuffs. Closing your eyes, you rest your head on the cool metal of the train car, hoping to reach home sooner than your usual hour commute. Not that you had anywhere to be this morning, anyway.

Sighing, you hear the girls giggling as a lower voice begins speaking to them. Peeling an eye open, you can see how he's got one of the girls' hair twirled around his finger. You snort inwardly as the train slows to a halt, announcing the stop before yours. The girls tumble off, the man in tow with a few of his friends. You hear something about a club still going hard at this hour, and an invite from the girls to their apartment for Soju bombs and snacks.

Leaving you, the other woman, and the older men in the train car. Your first thought is to subconsciously tuck your hand into your bag for your pepper spray, but you decide against it as you slump further into your seat. The car is uncomfortably quiet, nothing at all like the usual commutes. Then again, you're never here this late.

Or early, you suppose.

You can feel the car start to slow down, and you sluggishly sit up, waiting for it to stop completely before standing. Your heels were digging into your ankles, the new pair you'd bought months in advance for a promotion you were expecting. Never put all your eggs in one basket, though, because now you're both out of a job and three hundred dollars. Scoffing to yourself, you move to stand in front of the doors, the cold air rushing in as they open. You bow your head at the woman and group of men, who have gathered behind you, before confidently walking towards the stairs.

You can hear the men disperse behind you, two of them turning left while the other takes a right. Still, heeled footsteps linger behind you, before you can feel a presence directly next to you. You glance at her out of the corner of your eye, your arms instinctively crossing across your chest as you begin to take two steps at a time.

"You're Colette, right?" You hear her speak behind you, and you try not to freeze as the name courses through you. It was a pseudonym you'd used at a club a few weeks before the news of your father's involvement in the embezzlement of the city was uncovered. You don't respond, and you can hear her chuckle. "Or is it Maggie? Perhaps, Jeannette?" Your shoulders are beginning to tense as you reach the platform, quickly making a left turn to go to the bathroom before you feel her hand circle your wrist, tugging you close to her before your cheek meets the cold wall of the subway station. "Helena? Pirou, or maybe it's Belle? Which is it? What name are you going to sully in honor of your father this time?" Her growl is nothing like you'd ever heard before, and you can feel your heart pounding in your chest as you feel something metal press into the small of your back. "We know who you are, and your father owes us money. You'll take over his debt, won't you, princess? Gonna save Daddy, right?" The tone is mocking, making your throat constrict in fear as she pulls you into the ladies' room. The door shuts heavily behind her, the gun she was pressing into your back now visible as she pushes you to the floor. Your purse empties its contents as it slips off your shoulder, and she snorts at the container of pepper spray that rolls at her feet. She kicks it, the container hitting your shin as you scramble away from her. "D-Do I know you? Who are you?" "You sound stupid." She groans irritably, a click of her tongue as she scans all your items on the floor. Dollar store lip gloss, a few loose bills, and the Dior wallet your father had given you for your twenty-third birthday only a month before. She picks it up, pulling it open and fishing everything out. Your identification card is slotted between her fingers, a smirk on her glossed lips as she holds it up. "Gangnam high rise, huh? Must be nice, living off money you didn't see a drop of blood for."

She chucks the wallet on the floor, wiping her hand on her jacket as if disgusted by your things. You're surprised you're not in tears by now, but you're sure they'll flood in once you're in the faux-safety of your apartment. Squatting next to you, she taps the butt of her gun against your temple softly, before her nails scrape your scalp, tightly pulling at the roots of your hair as she pulls your head to her lips. "I've got eyes everywhere, Y/N. You can't run, and you certainly can't hide. I'll be gracious and give you one month to give me the money your father owes me, and if you can't?" The muzzle of her gun traces your jaw with a featherlight touch, before tapping your chapped lips. "You'll be a good girl and get me my money, won't you? You don't want Daddy to live with the guilt of killing his only daughter, do you?" She lets go of your hair, reaching into her suit jacket to pull out a card. She flicks it at you, watching as it sinks onto your blouse. "Report to this address in three days. At night and alone, or I'll make sure you never see the light of day again. Got it?" You nod quickly, and she flashes you a gentle smile. "I really hate to do this, but business is business." She almost sounds apologetic. Almost.

Turning on her heel, she exits the bathroom, and you can feel your meal crawling up your throat as you drag yourself to the nearest stall. Your head barely makes it into the toilet bowl before you empty the contents of your stomach, your shaking hands struggling to hold the edges. You don't know if it's adrenaline or anxiety coursing through you as you begin to scramble, tucking everything back into your purse before spotting the bent card next to your pepper spray.

Breathing in deeply, your trembling fingers reach for it, the gold ink flashing in the fluorescent light.

Jung Wheein, COO

TripleM Enterprises

010-6789-8212

Her smiling face is printed in the corner, and she seems angelic. She seems like she'd give you a ride home if you missed your bus, or she'd let you borrow her lipstick in the powder room. She looks like she'd be the type to let you borrow her hottest club dress and pay for a hotpot date, like she'd definitely key your boyfriend's car if he cheated on you.

She doesn't seem like any of the terrorizing ways she presented herself, much less like she was running a mob-like operation behind the doors of what you recall being a non-profit charity for the elderly citizens of Seoul. She doesn't seem like someone your father would owe money, and you can feel a bit of skepticism creeping into your brain as you stand on weak legs. Turning the card over, you see an address scrawled in blue pen.

1230-95, Geumsan-ri, Sanchang-myeon, Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

Trembling, you stand on your fawn-like legs, hoping not to succumb to the bile crawling up your throat. Your hand reaches for the door of the bathroom, only for it to be pushed into you as a group of women barges in. They're dressed in all black, masks covering the lower half of their faces as they file in, circling around you. The one holding the door waits until the last one files in, seemingly holding it open for you. Her eyes twinkle with a hint of something and you feel her fingers grab for your hair, pulling you back in as she speaks quietly. "It's just business."

author's note: the full fic was originally meant to be posted on changbin's birthday, because he's my ult bias and my bf (real). however, i overbooked myself and since i start school again in about a week, i will have to spread this out a bit. i also know that a few people are awaiting the next installation of the spellbound series, and i promise we are working on it! this being said, happiest 25th birthday to my lover 🩷🐷🐰 and i hope you all enjoy the teaser (and fic, soon!)

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earthtoharlow · 1 year

Text

Flashing Lights

Jack Harlow x SingerOC

Series Masterlist

8) Every Kind of Way

“Maryse, I love how hard working you are but are you seriously writing another song this close to the deadline?”

Maryse was currently in the studio working on a new song. The last couple days she’s locked herself up in the studio and played every single track over and over again making sure it was perfect. This was her debut album and she had a lot to prove.

“Yes, CoCo. I promise this is the last song. Besides, I'm almost done with it.” She replied before picking up her guitar and strumming chords.

“Ok well, while you continue writing more love songs about Jack I’m going to draft up your schedule for the next couple months.”

Maryse rolled her eyes and continued harmonizing to herself. She didn’t even want to think about how busy she was going to be. TV appearances, photoshoots, magazine interviews, private concerts, listening parties, signings, tour rehearsals and it all ended with performing at the Video Music Awards and then going straight to the world tour.

Pushing that to the back of her mind she thought about her feelings for Jack. CoCo was right, she was writing a lot of love songs for him, half of which wasn’t going to make the album.

She had never liked someone this much. Music was her only source to express how deeply she feels for him…other than telling him of course.

Just as she was falling into the rabbit hole of thinking about Jack, he texted her asking if he could stop by the studio to show her something he was working on, Maryse immediately told him yes.

He arrived 20 minutes later with his laptop in hand. “Hey, babe.” Jack said walking over to where she was sitting on the couch, plopping down next to her after giving her a kiss on the forehead.

Butterflies swirled in her stomach as he sat close to her, it amazed her how she still felt nervous around him, months later.

Putting her guitar down, she sat cross legged and gave her his full attention.

“I’ve got this song I’ve been working on and I’m pretty sure I’m going to make it my second single off the album.” Jack said as he fumbled around with the keys on the laptop. Maryse could tell he seemed nervous to show her.

“Well, I’m excited to hear it!” Maryse wasn’t lying with that statement. Jack had been pretty secretive when it came to this album, not telling her much about it.

Jack bit his lip right before he pressed play. “Promise me you’ll give me your honest opinion, okay?”

“I promise.”

Jack took a deep breath and pressed play.

I been a (G), throw up the (L)

Sex in the (A-M), uh-huh

(O-R-O-U-S, yeah)

And I can put you in (first class, up in the sky)

A huge smile creeped on Maryse’s face as she heard the sample. She couldn’t believe it as she nodded her head and sung along. As the song came to an end the smile never left her face.

“So, what did you—“ Jack couldn’t even finish what he was saying before Maryse reached over and wrapped her arms around him, words coming out in a squeal

All Jack could do was laugh as he wrapped his arms around her. “So you like it?”

“Are you kidding me?! I fucking love it!” She could see Jack immediately relax at her approval.

Letting out a happy sigh, she continued. “One of our first conversations was you telling me about how much you loved Fergie as a child and now you’re sampling one of her biggest tracks, I’m so proud of you.” Maryse told him honestly.

Jack's face warmed when hearing her say that, dropping his head shyly.

“Thanks, M. When I was recording this I was telling the whole room it was a hit, but no one seemed to believe me.”

“Well, no offense but they’re idiots.”

Jack bumped his shoulders against hers as they both laughed.

Maryse perked up with an idea. “Prove them wrong.” Jack raised an eyebrow confused. “Prove who wrong? And how?”

“Post a teaser of First Class on Tik Tok and see how the world responds to it. When it goes viral, like I know it will, your team will be eating their words!”

JACKHARLOW

liked by summerwalker, lifeofmonet, dojacat, champagnepapi, neelamthadhani,urbanwyatt, druski, chloebailey and 967,456 others

jackharlow: First Class out NOW!

view all 12,567 comments

user: AAAAAAAH

user: maryse is so gorgeous

user: ��

user: you made this song for the bitches!!

user: sweet sweet sweet semen is crazy

lifeofmonet: no free promo!

user: 🤣🤣🤣

user: wait is that maryse in the song saying “I am”

user: FINALLY

user: classic already

***

Jack rushed around the hotel room ignoring the laughs from Urban who was sitting in the corner of the room rolling a joint.

“Dude, you’re sunburned BAD!”

He groaned at the reminder. He had spent the weekend in Turks and Caicos with Drake recording music and jet skiing which left his arms and face red as a tomato. The sun was never on his side.

Jack had just stepped off his private jet having taken a red eye to New York. Maryse was having a private concert for her fans to celebrate her album that was coming out in a few weeks. He wanted to surprise her since she wasn’t expecting him back in town for another day.

The show starts in an hour and Jack still needed to find something to wear, if he didn’t leave in the next 15 minutes. He was going to be late.

Quickly deciding on a pair of cargos and a hoodie, Urban and him rushed to the venue hoping he would make it in time to wish Maryse good luck.

Because of traffic he wasn’t able to surprise Maryse before she got on stage. The show was about to start in 5 minutes. The stage crew was making sure the microphone and instruments were in the right place as the DJ played the last song. Jack pulled his hood over his head so he didn’t draw too much attention as he and Urban made their way to the friends and family section.

Once in his seat he greeted Doja and Saweetie as they were both shocked to see him there.

“Maryse ain’t gonna be able to focus when she sees your sunburnt self in the crowd!” Saweetie said jokingly, Jack just rolled his eyes as Doja and Urban laughed around him.

“NYC! Show some love for Maryse Monet!”

***

Maryse was doing her vocal runs to herself backstage while she mentally prepared herself for tonight’s show. This was going to be the first time fans, friends and family were going to hear the new music from the album, needless to say she was nervous. And she wished Jack was there. She hadn’t heard from him much today, too busy in the studio with Drake.

Noticing she was nervous, Coco placed both her hands on her shoulders.

“You’re going to kill it tonight. Like you always do. Just take a deep breath.”

Maryse took a deep breath and simply nodded. She checked her phone once more seeing if Jack messaged her, frowning when she saw no new messages. Luckily she didn’t have time to harp on it as the DJ introduced her to the crowd. Taking one last deep breath, she walked on stage.

The crowd screamed in excitement as Maryse walked on the stage. Maryse kept her outfit casual as she wore a red mesh top with a long orange jacket and denim shorts. Her long curly hair flowed down her back.

The nerves immediately went away as she saw the sold out venue, smile spreading across her face.

“If you guys didn’t know, my name is Maryse!” She paused as the crowd cheered louder

The opening chords of Focus started playing as Maryse placed her mic back on the mic stand. As she began to sing she couldn’t help but smile as the crowd swayed and sung along to every word.

After about 5 songs, Maryse grabbed a drink of water from the side of the stage as a stagehand adjusted her mic and placed a stool down.

As she sat back on the stool she looked up and waved to Doja, Saweetie. “I have some friends here tonight, hey Doja and Saweetie!” She laughed as the crowd screamed, trying to catch her friend’s attention. Maryse squinted a little when she noticed Urban sitting next to them as well. Smiling to herself, thinking Jack must have told him to come since he couldn’t be there himself.

“Ok, y’all I got one more song tonight for you. But I have a question, how many of y’all are in loooove?” She asked, putting emphasis on the word love.

Maryse nodded at the cheers from the audience. “Falling in love is so scary, but you know what? It’s one of my favorite feelings in the world. I think I might be in love too.”

The crowd cheered loudly at the admission, some even cheering Jack’s name. “This next song is called Every Kind of Way.”

The crowd was silent as she began singing. It wasn’t until she got to the chorus when she started to feel chills. Glancing up in the friends and family section, that’s when she spotted him. Jack was standing behind Doja, towering over her because of his height.

They both locked eyes. All her focus was on Jack now. It didn’t matter that they’ve only been dating for 4 months. She knew for certain that she loved that man. It was like she was speaking to him as she sung.

I wanna love you in every kind of way, I wanna please you, no matter how long it takes, If the world should end tomorrow and we only have today, I'm gonna love you in every kind of way

Tears were threatening to fall as she sung those words to Jack. A smile creeped on her face as he blew her kiss in greeting. The smile on Jack’s face widened when he watched her pretend to grab the kiss he blew, kissing it and placing it in her pocket.

She loved him, and couldn’t wait to get off stage and tell him.

***

Maryse was fidgety with excitement when a knock sounded on the door of her dressing room, rushing to open the door she couldn’t hide her disappointment when it was just CoCo.

“Oh, hey.” Opening the door wider to let her manager in.

“Okay, rude. Jack will be here in a second. I'm just grabbing my laptop that I left.”

Just as she was about to apologize for her reaction, there was another knock, but this time they didn’t wait for her to answer the door.

The man Maryse wanted to see walked in. Jack stood at the door after closing it, holding his arms out for Maryse to jump in them.

“I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU'RE HERE!” Maryse squeaked, face buried inside his neck. Jack squeezed her tightly, before walking them both to the loveseat. He leaned forward and kissed her, moaning into her mouth.

Their legs and arms and mouths became two missing pieces of a puzzle, fitting together effortlessly.

The chair was small and cramped.

It’s perfect.

“Oh, this is my que to leave.” Coco said leaving the dressing room.

Jack and Maryse didn’t even hear her, too wrapped into each other.

Pulling away, Jack spoke first. “You did amazing tonight. The crowd loved you.”

Love.

There goes that word again.

Maryse watched with a smile as Jack rambled about the show, and the songs she performed.

“Hey, Jack?” Maryse said, interrupting him.

“Hm?”

“I love you.”

Jack froze at the words. Maryse was praying that she didn’t just fuck things up.

“I know, it might seem too soon but—“ It was Jack’s turn to interrupt now, but this time with a kiss. Both of their hearts were beating out their chest.

“I can’t remember what it’s like to wake up and not have you be the first thing on my mind. Every morning, I roll over and check and see if you’ve called. I wanted you to be mine the second I laid eyes on you at the Grammy’s.” He told her.

Maryse was looking at Jack with so much love and appreciation that it made his chest hurt. The smile on her face was beautiful, he thought to himself. The tears that were streaming down her cheeks were beautiful. She was beautiful and so was her love.

“I love you, Maryse Monet.”

Maryse exhales a soft breath and leans in slowly gently pressing her lips to his.

“I love you so much it feels like a constant flow spilling into my soul.”

She pressed another kiss to his lips, feeling speechless. This kiss was filled with tenderness and affection. It felt like an unspoken promise that she was his now. Forever.

Maryse pulled away, wiping the tears that fell from Jack’s face. “You know this means you’re stuck with me.”

Jack couldn’t help but laugh at that.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

It was silent for a moment as Maryse rested her head on his chest.

"Also, you look like you got in a fight with the sun."

Jack groand as Maryse's giggles echoed through the room.

***

An: OUR BBS ARE BACK!!!! sorry this took so long, I've been busy but next update won't take that long I promise

Tag List:

(message me if you’d like to be added or removed)

@heavyhitterheaux @hoodharlow @neon-lights-and-glitter @babiefries @toocriticalharlow @mace23477 @jackmans-poison @dstark-0706 @harlowsbby @itsyagirljaz @leftapricotprofessorlover @ilyangelsxo @comehomeimissyou @minkookie95 @harlowcomehome @jackharloww @w1ldthoughts @hufflewhore128

#jack harlow #flashing lights #Jack Harlow x oc #jack harlow concepts #Jack Harlow x black oc #social media au #Jack harlow reader

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alovesreading · 2 years

Text

Masterlist

last updated: 05/01/2024

Please do not repost any of my work anywhere. All of these are purely fictitious and for entertainment purposes.

You can also read on Wattpad: -alovesreading and AO3: alovesreading

If you want me to tag you on any future fics, send me a message :)

Happy reading!

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Matty Healy

Chicken Shop Date

Matty Healy x Reader (f) | You and your best friend Amelia came up with a very simple idea of taking celebrities on awkward chicken shop dates, and somehow, it’s managed to become both of your jobs. In the past, you’ve found sitting across from some of the biggest stars on the planet and eating chicken nuggets easy. But then Amelia manages to score you a date with the man who you’ve been obsessed with since you were nineteen; Matty Healy.

Instagram AU |

Be My Mistake

Matty Healy x Reader (f) | Under the influence, Matty makes one of his biggest mistakes which ends up with him losing you. And now there’s nothing more to do, other than deal with the heartache and pick up the pieces.

Read here

You Go To My Head

Matty Healy x Reader (f) | The plans that Matty has arranged for you to celebrate your first Valentine's Day together are out the window when he becomes ill, but staying in to take care of him doesn't mean the day is ruined. And you assure him of it by saying those words he hasn't heard you say before.

Read here

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Alex Turner

Constant Repeat

Alex Turner x Original Character (f) | Having worked at Focus Creeps for a year, Ella knows that as a production assistant and part of the crew, there’s one important rule: don’t interact with the talent unless it’s needed. But once she meets Arctic Monkeys, and the recording of the music videos for their upcoming fourth studio album starts, the band seem to become her exception. Not only because they treat her more like a friend than just someone else they’re working with but when Alex continuously makes her blush with his flirting, so enthralled by her that he forgets he’s got a girlfriend, Ella finds herself growing closer to him. As videos are filmed, wrapped and edited, the friendship lines become blurry. Situations unfold, secrets are told and others are kept under lock and key, but how long can Alex and Ella endure being stuck in each other’s minds on constant repeat.

Teaser 1 - Teaser 2 | CR Playlist - Ella’s Playlist

Extras (blurbs)

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George Daniel

Nice Kind Of Messy

George Daniel x Reader (f) | Your friends set you up on a blind date, one that you aren't really looking forward to at all but when you find George Daniel there waiting outside the restaurant, there is no doubt it'll be a date to remember.

Read here

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Ross MacDonald

Quarter Past Midnight

Ross MacDonald x Reader (f) | Thanks to your best mate, you’ve found yourself welcoming the New Year at a party one of her bosses is throwing at her new house. Since you stepped foot in the place, your only plan has been to spend the night dancing and drinking with your friends. But it all changes when you find a certain bassist looking at you from across the room. And as the night progresses, and a few kisses are shared, you seem to agree on the fact that you’re leaving the party together.

Read here

‘tis the damn season

Ross MacDonald x Reader (f) | Christmas has been your favourite season since you met Ross MacDonald back in Year 9 when you had just moved to Wilmslow, coincidentally on the same road as him. He becomes your very best friend for the rest of high school, but when that ends, life happens and you just can't stop it. And life is certainly cruel to you and Ross. Every December is a reminder of it, somehow always bringing a chance to ruin things even more. After so many mistakes, how can you get back the times you've always cherished with the silly boy with the dimpled smile?

Part 1 | Part 2

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435 notes · View notes

commajade · 1 year

Text

kibum fucking did it again that teaser video was incredible he's a genius. this mv is gonna be sooooo good. people have been begging for sm to have the promotional shoot and mv have the same concept for ages cuz what used to be surprising and cool got old and felt arbitrary. everything key makes is so cohesive and connected and well thought out and so distinctly key he's a genius.

key's early career image was all about being shocking and standing out and being able to look good in anything because he has style and star power. and at the same time he was the multi-lingual multi-talented one from the start even if he wasn't recognized for it yet, he's always been about adaptability and being global in an organic connected way because he genuinely has in interest in places that speak english and japanese.

he came back from the military a lot more mature and more interested in ordinary people and being relatable and honest and down to earth and it shows in every single career choice he's been making. i live alone and his return to amazing saturday in conjunction with his viral live broadcasts and news stories about his gardening made him a household name in south korea like he had never been before, even at shinee's peak mainstream popularity in 2013.

and now he just wrapped up a fantastic and mainstream popular and critically lauded retro trilogy of albums that show everyone exactly what he likes and what he's capable of. from art direction to costuming to performance to promotion on variety shows he absolutely nailed it. so of course he comes back now with an extremely down to earth relatable feel-good pop song trying to give comfort to his new bigger audience as they live their ordinary difficult lives. he's shown korea through variety exactly how hard he's worked for so many years and how he still keeps moving forward despite the entire industry tending to cycle out and replace idols who are much younger than him.

it's just so perfect! it's definitely influenced by bss's fighting in the office setting and theatricality but he adds the city dance scenes that remind me of in the heights, a musical he starred in. his performance skills were primary in the retro trilogy but here his acting and storytelling skills are at the forefront. it's cute and well made and a little quirky and fantastical in a way only key can even think of.

#key

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vaporvipermedia · 2 years

Text

“My heart cannot wait until I see your face again”

Name: Kei Yoshihiko

Stage Name: KEISHI

Age: 18

Birthday: Sept.30

Height: 5’6

VO:

Rina Satō(JP)

Anna Graves (EN)

Singing VO:

Ms. Ooja(JP)

Taeko Ohnuki(JP)

Likes: Songwriting, directing, making close bonds

Dislikes: Being alone for a long time, Escalators (after an embarrassing incident that happened)

Favorite Artists: SUZY, Ms. Ooja, Ladies Code

Favorite Food: Tempura

Least Favorite Food: Oysters

(She tried them at an event party she went for her company and immediately ended up sick from the taste. Having her live stage appearance to be pushed back until she felt better)

Idol Division: Ramshackle Division

Idol Group: N/A

Position: Soloist

Background:

Kei was a young child actor at seven who starred in mystery/detective shows. She was mostly casted in side character roles until she finally became a main role in a show called “Give It Your All Tamiko-San!” A mystery show with a bit of magical girl elements. She also sang and wrote lyrics for the show's opening “The Lead to Your Heart” which gained a lot of love and popularity. According to old fans of the show, it was extremely catchy and even played on several radio news sessions just because it was that well liked.

Kei was taken aback by this praise for her song. By then, he was just a well known enough actor but now to the world he’s a natural born singer. He started to wonder if this was truly a path he should go down on. And after the final season of “Give It Your All Tamiko-San!” he finally had an answer.

Not only did she pursue becoming an idol but she also trained under NRC for two years. Eventually becoming a soloist at the age of 16 with her first solo mini album “Open Shut Case”. The whole concept of the albums’ meaning is that no matter what your love for her is very clear. An open and shut case if you will- ok imma shut up now

TRIVIA:

Kei is a soloist who has mostly jazz-like and casino-vibes songs

He often gets invited to be the MC of some award shows for other idols, announcing the winner of each category

Has a YouTube channel that shows what happens behind the scenes of her music videos and mostly does livestreams to talk to her fans

Still keeps in touch with his old actor crew and often goes on lunch dates with them

Used to have a old channel that was dedicated to her acting profession but decided to make a new account for a fresh new start

Often gets asked to sing her old show’s opening for nostalgia sake

Had a whole ARG as a teaser for his up and coming comeback as well as new mini album based around city-pop music

Is friends with @oseathepebble’s Tsukiko in the idol AU and usally hangout away from cameras

Kei’s fandom called themselves “Scenes” before Kei could come up with an official name. She thought the name was cute and decided to make it official when she decided to post on Magicgram on stage with a crowd behind her the caption is “scoping out the scene!” (@twst-vampire came up with the suggestion)

Kei’s favorite song is Love Space by Tatsuro Yamashita, and often finds herself listening to it from time to time in order to help her insomnia and just help herself settle down when work gets too stressful.

Reblogs > Likes

#twisted wonderland #twst oc #oc #twisted oc #twst #my artwork #twst idol au #idol!kei #idol au #kei yoshihiko #KEISHI #THIS TOOK FOREVER NGL😭

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writingmochi · 11 months

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ｌｏａｄｉｎｇｉｎｔｅｒｆａｃｅ．．．

you have reached year 2

lissie: greetings, visitor! this is your flight director speaking~ welcome to the two-year anniversary of this blog (freaking awesome if you ask me). thank you so much for reading, indulging, and/or interacting with this blog, me, or my works. the sentence before cannot describe the gratitude i'm expressing towards all of you. this is a yearly recap for me and maybe for new visitors who come to know what has happened on this blog for the year.

before we get to it, i'm doing a survey to get to know my audience better (and more research). if you have spare time, do fill in the survey so that i get to know more about the visitors, the works, and the audience on tumblr in general! (average time is around 3 minutes~)

survey link! (survey closed)

leggo!

all research done (read: works written and released)

troubled pixies | txt's taehyun (2 parts; 52k [novel])

smirch episode 2: jay | enhypen's jay (27.4k [novella])

isobel | txt's soobin (43.3k [novel])

pizzeria run | enhypen's sunoo (17.9k [novella])

total: 4 works (1 two-shots, 3 oneshots) and 140.6k words written

all the navigators connected (read: mutuals i got within the year. check last year's recap if you didn't find yours!)

@it-rains-blue (via @itz-yerin)

yerin! the other biggest bamtori i know here! gosh i hope you're doing well irl and online... hope for the best for your confession cafe >> check it out folks @the-love-cafe

@heart2beom

hey jazmine! i notice you haven't posted in a while now. so i'm hoping your doing okay, okay?

@tyunlatte / @wave2tyun

alex! if you are lurking, i hope you're doing so good irl! live your life for the best (edit: alex's back!)

@lovejoshua

1/6 angels: ilem istg! hi! you've been like one of the constant presence when i check the discord server. hope you treat yourself well!

@junniieesbby

2/6 angels: whenever i see a heart, it always reminds me of you, angie. i think you're busy currently, so the best i can say is that hope you have a good rest cause you need it and always hydrate ;)

@hanniejie

3/6 angels: hey lex! i just saw the band au teaser on your blog and i wanna punch myself for not noticing that sooner! /j hope you have a great time writing that one :D

@txt-yaomi

4/6 angels: sof!! i gotta have to consult you more for street spirit cause just the way you work with the album for angel is just *chef's kiss*

@talesofyuan

yuan~~ ngl i can't wait to read your kei lovesick series (tho i'm hoping to staying loyal to yixiang) can't wait to see more of your &team fics. check the blog out for &team content, folks!

@choistick

5/6 angels: saph !! thanks for the tag and hope your hiatus is treating you well~

@robin-obsessed

6/6 angels: lee~ i've just seen that you also like riize like akfjbaieufiw okayyyy i hope you have a good day/night whenever and wherever you are!

@dido-of-the-endless

hi nida! tbh you have so many side blogs i'm confused in which one you post your writing (so i'm tagging your main account). feel free to consult me if you have any wips you wanna let out lmao >.< n thanks for joining the txt hub server, i won't know you if not from there...

@pyeonghongrie (via @pyeonghongrie-main)

rie! thank you so much for letting me in the cult (mueheheheh) and hope we can interact more here or on the server

@aduh0308

welcome to the roster, ada! thanks for letting me join the soobin collab and nice to see you!

director's journal entries (read: all the rants i have thought out the past year. some are genuine, some are sarcastic):

wow… i freaking broke tumblr huh

i shouldn't have been too ambitous fook me

bruh my body's crumbling…

i swear i hate college for not allowing me to write

i broke tumblr twice w/ a txt fic alsnskdams

tumblr can’t handle things :(

is my mind running too fast or is it just harder for people to understand me? annoying much…

i’m literally a step away from going out of the kpop fandom. this kind of fan behavior is sickening

^ and the fact is: i’ll probably survive

kinda wish someone could appreciate my writing just like i do for other people here

is there something wrong with how i write asks? i should have put more tone indicators…

the desire for me to revert back to web 1.0 is crazy. like, me owning a blog? ughh yes pls!

i’m getting freaking frustrated!!!

AGGHHHGHHHHHHHH

… will i ever … :")

*queue yoda's voice* you pushing back more wips i see

how the fuck have i made fewer works yet the wc is 20k away from last year's result? (166k for 12 compared to 140k for 5 works)

^ it's quality over quantity now darling

^^ and the fact that the year 3 count will get higher because of the fics you've delayed

notable moments from the past year

established @a-dream-bookmark, a rec blog + kpop writer & reader network

reaching 200!

started writing for ateez!

joining @kflixnet, @k-labels, and @cultofdionysusnet networks

what’s next?

lissie: if you haven't seen it, i'm starting a new big-scale series called terra incognita for enhypen's jake, do check it out if you like cyberpunk, or dystopian fics! also, i an doing the wips that i promised will be released this year (will prioritize evaluation and subterranean homesick alien first)

lissie: once again, thank you so much for following me on this journey! cheers~

#the voyage: year 2 #milestone of the moon #announcement from the moon

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rimouskis · 1 year

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okay here are ALL the other music rec asks, all in one post!

@paintingtheice asked: song recs! the whole Commie Cowboy album by Pink Williams is great, but I Don't Know About You is one of my favourites! along that line, Draft Dodger Rag by Phil Ochs always makes me giggle :D

ahh I've seen this musician on tiktok!! I haven't heard the full album though, thanks for reminding me. I enjoy the old-school-country, political edge to it. bringing that political edge in, here's some music from 2016: "aquarius apocalyptic" by stop light observations

Anonymous asked: living room floor by sammy rae and the friends for the song game!!

nice, light instrumentation, unique voice. I like it! in return, I give you: "atomized" by andrew bird

Anonymous asked: this is about to be a mouthful but i’ve really been loving “rage against the dying of the light” by the world is a beautiful place and i am not afraid to die

loving the song name and band title, haha. and I like the groove of the song, too! it makes me nostalgic for this band, who my sister and I first found back when I was in high school: "bang bang" by hippo campus

@entzleboffin asked: Music rec: frown by mxmtoon. This song is such a bop

This is sweet! it actually reminds me of some of the kpop I used to listen to? saccharine, sweet, boppy. it's a feel good song, so I'm going to give you MY feel good song in return: "good news" by MUNA

Anonymous asked: For the music ask - Jailbreak by Thin Lizzy?

omg more 70s rock. delightful! here's some modern rock... "dim the lights" by mitchell martin.

@jayyynine asked: Song: tighten up - the black keys

I love the black keys! I hope you like this song in return: "strange" by stuck on planet earth

Anonymous asked: For the song ask - Never Say Never by Romeo Void. :D

this is so cool! I've never heard of this song or band. can I give you some laura jane grace in return?

Anonymous asked: Lol I’ve actually wanted to ask about that for a bit. I really loved 32 Days by Numblife from one of your edits and i wanted to ask if you got any recommendations

ooo thanks! that was from the teaser vid I made for my fic TKK. I hope you've gotten the chance to listen to both the playlists for TKK and its sequel. they both have more... thematically similar songs? but I love 32 days, it has such a unique sound. if you want similarly dark... this is less rockish, but still an intense song, I'd go with "parasites" by san fermin

...actually I'm going to give you two recs. here's the second one:

Anonymous asked: The Lathums - The Redemption of Sonic Beauty <3

this song was pretty!! in return, here is: "are you wanting it all" by youth club

#warning: this post is long lol #thank you everyone! I tried to tag ppl who asked but tumblr was being wonky

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ecl1pse · 8 months

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TEN LEE THE ARTIST U ARE!!!

ngl just from the film teaser he released last week i got so excited to hear the full songs. nightwalker was soooo good. definitely in the lines of what key & taemin have done by playing a villain in their solo releases, but still a progression of the sound ten has had from his dream in a dream / new heroes days. ngl ido prefer nightwalker over even birthday. his music so far has felt more like pieces for him to showcase his dancing w occasional singing portions, which was fine, he IS one of the best dancers in the industry. but i've felt like his amazing singing is often overlooked for how much improvement & capability he has shown both in wayv's discography & the nct year-end projects over the years (his high note in the round&round bridge is still one of my favorites in probably all of nct's discography).

ten can be as much of a capable singer as he is a dancer is he's allowed to be, he's just emotive when singing & i really feel like this album shows that.

water is definitely my favorite song in the album, this was pulled straight out of the clubs in 2003, it's something that would've been an absolute hit in méxico & probably all of latinamerica imo. he did this for meeee!! thanks king.

on the other hand dangerous sound like something pulled from the 2003 anglo-saxon clubs. there's a over all very 2000s feel in the album, but mixed with a modern production imo.

while i would love for any of the b-sides to be performed alongside nightwalker, i think the one thay will be mainly promoted is going to be on ten, not only because it's a callback to his artistic name, but also the other song in the mini album with a modern feel aside nightwalker + plus it has such a good beat that it's bound to have a really good choreo (im thinking something very bouncy, fast & very hard for fans to replicate lol).

shadow is probably the song that aligns mostly with what he did with birthday albeit a little more melancholic. i love the little touches of the acoustic guitar that have been nearly all the songs across the album, it really seems to link them in a story.

we all know sm loves to add at least one ballad to their artists' repertoire, lie with you seems like the closest thing ten will have to one so far & it's honestly really fitting with how deceptive the song is. it comes off like such a cute lovey-dovey song -- until you pay attention to the lyrics. in the verse he's trying to pay nonchalant & make his lover believe it's ok if their relationship wont last & just wnhoy it for what it is, & then the chorus starts & he lets out just how much he also wishes it would all last for him. even the track video also being so cute serves to confuse us into thinking this is a short but very cute love story.

as you probably can tell, i really enjoyed this mini album. honestly, i kinda wish it were a full album so we got a fuller story cuz i'm sure there's a clearer through line than what i'm reading as of now from the few listens i've given it today. the sounds ten explores in this mini are sooo up my alley, like u dont understand, this kinda sounds like my childhood??? yet it doesnt sound like any song in specific that i can clearly point out the influnces, they're just blended really nicely to me. i havent liked a mini in a while like this, like enough that im probably gonna buy it even tho im supposed to be saving money. its a 10/10 for sure!!!

#ten i wanna kiss u on the mouth this mini was so delicious!!!!#i hope he has full promotional schedule #everyone has to hear these songs #ten #nct

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juhaknyeonism · 11 months

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I've seen a lot of people disappointed with taemins teasers and while I agree with it to an extent I wanna give kind of a different view I'm having

this feels a lot more like taemin (the person) instead of taemin (the idol). while I personally haven't been watching a lot of the work taemins been doing solo the past few months, I've seen people notice that he seems to be kind of sullen these days. with the album being called guilty, it makes me think that it's just about how he feels about having to put his career on hold to do service. if I'm thinking correctly, he may have been the longest working idol to do his service last essentially. pretty much every other 2nd gen male idol did theirs way before him and even 3rd gens getting to it now. going 13 years (2008-2021) is kind of insane for industry male idols.

but even besides that, I think guilty is kind of his key word this year. maybe he feels guilty for his service hiatus, maybe he feels guilty that he can't perform to the standards either he has for himself, or fans have for him. maybe he's just feeling something.

I will say SM sucks at promotion and they've never been good with hyping up things that they should (did y'all know that chanyeol has a single out and also the nct new team released a pre-debut song?) and releasing like 40 images over 4 days is like... what am I supposed to see here? HOWEVER... like I said, the pictures feel very much like it's just lee taemin. that's just a guy doing everyday guy things, not an idol in a photo studio. I think knowing the album title and seeing how domestic but... kind of sad, the teasers are, that this comeback is going to be raw for him.

now I do say all of this with the assumption that he had a hand in his album concept production. I'm also saying this with blatant criticism of SM. SME knows how to make music; they know music production incredibly well, but management and marketing? non existent.

anyways, I'm excited to learn more about the comeback but I agree the teasers and hype right now ain't it

#lee taemin #taemin #shinee #yeah i just needed to get this out there

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what-if-nct · 11 months

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hellooo today's reminder is one: key and renjun hiking together what is this friendship I'm obsessed i need to see so much more of it and two: hosh and taemin doing the god of music challenge which. whom should I be jealous of, my husband or my son? I'm gonna go with husband because they probably filmed him doing taemin's challenge on the same day and that means he's heard the song already and i NEED it to come out asap because the teasers look SO good. also i was thinking about it and i realised this will be taemin's first solo album since he was discharged, which is i think nearly two years ago now. I'd expected they'd have him on his insane promo schedules instantly, but it looks like they've given him time to prepare, and i know there's a lot of his own input in his music and i absolutely can't wait because i feel like this will be the spiritual successor to criminal and idea in a way that advice just wasn't

also re: k pop fans being annoying. i saw a reel that explained it perfectly yesterday. i can't find it anymore but it was basically this girl saying k pop is so fun if you ignore all the 14-year-olds who think it's a lifestyle. like i have silly little photocards in my phone and i giggle about grown men cheating in games and when I see my bias with my friend's bias, I'll send it to said friend saying "us". and honestly she's so right, k pop is super fun if that's as much as you immerse yourself. I've been very careful to avoid any and all drama for a while and I'm having a blast

I really wanna know more about Key and Renjun's friendship it feels so random like key being friends with Ten, of course that makes sense they're the same person. But I need key and Renjun to have a cute little show together I need to see their full dynamic. Aww, your family has come together, and Taemin was so cute and looked so happy. Oh wow yeah he's had a pretty long break before any solo activities of course the shinee comeback had to come first. But I'm glad he had such a long time to prepare and I am so excited to see and hear everything it's going to be amazing. Also wayv's newest track video is sooooo good, like Wayv has never disappointed they just give us hit after hit and I can't wait for the main track mv. And Riize!! I knew I'd love it but I really love it and Taro clearly already my son, Anton my new son. But Sohee, like it's hypocritical of me to say he's too young when I've dated someone his age, it was horrible and I'd never do again, younger is not safer learned that the hard way I still can't accept what happened but none the less Sohee, all I can say is he has my undivided attention. Someone said he looks so 2nd gen and he really does.

Yes! Like I was a 16\17 year old kpop fan but I don't remember us being this horrible. And they're so puritanical it's ridiculous. There was a video and it was saying all the things that were apparently banned as a kpop fan, being over 25, being delusional for fun and saying an adult idol is sexy while said adult idol is being sexy. Cause you're sexualizing them. I want all kpop fans to remove sexualize from their vocabulary cause they don't know how to use it properly. It's wild an adult can't find another adult sexy. Also pretty sure most of bts is 30 or will be 30 soon. Jin and Yoongi are actually older than me. Hell Taemin is older than me by a few weeks. Like kpop isn't even a hobby, it's genuinely just an interest it's not serious at all. Just silly fun. Ignoring everyone under 22 is the best bet and won't lead to a headache.

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placegrenette · 1 year

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So apparently Ninety One’s new single, from the long-delayed second album, is coming out tomorrow. Today, their time. (Today, my time, too, now. It took a little while to write this.) Which means if I’m going to contribute any observations about the pre-release build-up -- and, really, if I��m not going to, then why does this Tumblr even exist? -- might as well do it now.

To be honest I’m feeling a little curmudgeonly about this set of teasers. They are very much dependent on Ninety One’s own history, as opposed to being dependent on Kazakhstani history: self-referential Easter eggs. It feels a bit like loremaking for the sake of loremaking, digging further down in the rabbit hole for the sake of keeping Eaglez in. Which is unfair on my part, admittedly: generally when the guys try to say that they’ve got something on their minds, there’s no real downside to taking them at their word. So let’s see what they’ve got on their minds, shall we?

Although I should add: by “they” I mean not just Ninety One themselves but also Askhat Bayanov, who directed all four of the teasers (and the music video for “Why’m,” and most if not all of the ARTJAQ videos, if I recall correctly), and his chief henchpeople, Nurila Shakirova (and her cute cat) and our beloved Nurs Bazarbay. I’m betting whatever video comes out tomorrow, this trio will have directed it as well.

So: each teaser was preceded with pictures of a card for each member, with text. (Ace, Alem, Bala, ZaQ.) The text in each case isn’t clearly related to each member: it’s all somewhat abstractly on the theme of growing up and finding yourself and keeping in touch with the inner child (yes, really) and continuing on the journey of self-discovery. And text and video both come with an accompanying date.

youtube

First up: accompanying date is 1 Sept 2015, debut. At one point Ace wipes dirt of a copy of that terrible early photo of all of them wearing sunglasses that accompanied the infamous Radio Liberty piece that is the reason I’m here, pat yourself on the back, Radio Liberty, I guess. Then there’s a quick cut to a shot of burning wood that’s from the “Why’m” video -- hence my pointing out Askhat Bayanov’s involvement up top: he’s reflecting too, in a way. And then Ace picks up a key, and just when I think my favorite group is going to pay tribute to my other favorite group by reenacting the video for “The Chaser,” he catches a glimpse of his aged self in a shard of glass and skitters away in horror.

My personal, backed-by-no-evidence theory is that each teaser is inspired by that member’s personal source of angst. For Ace, who’s simultaneously the most practical member (the one charged with figuring out production schedules and procuring offices) and the most likely to embrace esoteric theories, the fear is of growing old without growing wise: time has passed, but all it’s done is cover what knowledge he might have in dust and grime, he’s no closer to figuring anything out, the key doesn’t lead him anywhere. But the feather accompanies him back from the dream world to the waking world, and allows the possibility of keeping the wisdom he’s gained.

And the bird has fled the cage! When I initially saw this I figured Juz Entertainment was the cage, but given the date (and given that we’re about to refer to Ninety One leaving Juz in the next teaser), I’m now wondering if debut itself was the act of leaving the cage: the time when Ninety One had to collectively break out of the strictures of traditional Kazakhstani manhood and define their work for themselves, even in the face of opposition.

(Obviously one possibility is that the feather represents Eaglez, but that feels like too much of a sop to fans, I’m hoping not.)

youtube

Date: 11 March 22. Now the four birds have fled the cage we all thought they were fleeing. Meanwhile, Alem starts in a bathtub listening to a phone ring, as he did in “Why’m.”

He then wakes in a moonlit room and, accompanied by “eMoji,” finds three flowers in vases labeled B, Z, and A. He picks up the Z flower and brings it to the sink, and through his mirror he somehow sees ZaQ agonizing in front of a wall covered with papers. More phone ringing! Only now Alem’s in his “Kaytadan” jacket. When he picks up he gets a dial tone. And the phone booth is from Pacific Bell, somehow? I wish I could submit this teaser to the back of 2600 Magazine.

Okay, so: in “Why’m” Alem went into the pool of water and ZaQ tried to save him; at the very end of the video we saw Alem come out of the bathtub -- the only even mildly hopeful ending of that video’s five mini-stories. Now ZaQ’s the one in trouble, and calling, and Alem can’t connect with him. It would make sense if Alem, who’s consistently presented as the most caring and softhearted of the four, feels angst over not being able to help when his bandmate might be suffering. The “Kaytadan” reference might be there just because they could, or it could be, combined with the date, a suggestion that Juz-era Alem was less equipped to be helpful to the others.

youtube

The date is 21 December 2020, which the Q-pop Discord says is the day the “Oinamaqo” video was released. And I wish I had a translation of them talking about “Oinamaqo” so I can give you a better idea of why that video among all the others might be meaningful.

We start with a closeup of a nineteenth-century painting I can’t identify. Bala’s leafing through a book when he hears the other three talking -- but they disappear when he tries to take their picture. Scary whispery music plays, and then “Synbaim.” The lights go out. Bala lights a candle, and then looks through a boarded-up window (another “Why’m” reference) to see himself in his “Aiyptama” outfit, watching Peter Pan. Let’s go with the obvious interpretation: Bala is afraid of getting trapped in his youthfulness, of not being able to connect with the three older members the way they connect with each other.

youtube

Date: 5 August 2020, the day AZ left. When I saw that that was the date on ZaQ’s teaser, of all of them, I said, “That is perhaps some salt.”

One bit of background I haven’t talked about much because, again, I haven’t been able to comprehend enough: apparently AZ has been making publicly reconciliatory noises towards Ninety One, saying he’d work with them again given the chance. This has apparently inspired Eaglez to flood both his and Ninety One’s Instagrams with comments amounting to GET BACK TOGETHER PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE OH PLEASE. Regardless of any personal animosity that may or may not have developed (AZ was apparently also public about being miffed at not having been invited to ZaQ’s wedding), getting him back into the fold would be logistically difficult: if they’re four co-CEOs of a company, would that make him their employee? I don’t think it’s happening, in short. I think naming his departure as an important date in their development is a big honking neon sign saying it’s not happening.

Anyway. Papers on the wall, papers on the desk. Mel of @qpoptranslations says that the words painted on the wall papers translate to “to come back” (clearly, another Infinite shoutout) and “open it.” “Drift” plays in the background as ZaQ taps, frustrated, with his pen on the desk. Yep, not being able to write sounds like it would rank pretty high on his list of fears. We see the fit Alem witnessed earlier. Then he’s alone in a white room with cameras. “Name?” asks a disembodied voice. “ZaQ.” “Name?” it asks again. He answers, “Dulat,” this time, and that doesn’t satisfy it, as it keeps asking “Name? Name? Name?” over and over again. We see a phone hanging off the hook, a figure in suspenders walking away from the camera (if that’s supposed to be AZ, again, salt), and a candle blowing out. ZaQ starts chanting his “Bata” rap to himself. The chanting gets louder; papers circle around him as did the horses in the “Bata” MV. Then he opens his eyes and he’s with the other three, and everyone is wearing colorful sweaters. We see the cage from Ace’s teaser and the moon from Alem’s, and Alem is holding the feather. (So he was able to reach ZaQ after all? Through the power of music! Er, lyrics!) Then everyone looks at the camera, assuming the poses they hold on their respective card fronts, while what is presumably a snippet of “Gap” plays. (I don’t love it, but you know me, I’m going to say I don’t love it and then play it 300 times.) So it seems that ZaQ’s fear would be losing his creativity and sense of self, although I’m not sure if the cameras are meant to represent general scrutiny of celebrity or be more of a political statement.

There’s a final video, but it’s just them standing around a literal blank canvas and adding the Ninety One logo and the word “Gap.” But since I’m overthinking this anyway, I’ll add that in that final video, Ace provides the stand and Alem the actual canvas, and then they largely stand back as ZaQ and Bala color in the logo, as if to hammer home the idea that each of them has something to contribute.

So what does it all add up to? Again, there’s a cranky temptation on my part to call it indulging Eaglez like me in our desire to read the tea leaves, so we’ll all feel accomplished for having done so, and meanwhile be on tenterhooks until “Gap” drops. I guess the question is: what are they saying for themselves, as opposed to for us? Anything? I wonder if there was something cathartic in filming these, in putting a portion of their actual angst (if I’m right) on camera. As if they had to get all that symbolic mess down before they could be in a position to present something new.

It’s been a while! Over six years between full albums, and over a year since they left Juz, and six months since they started teasing the damn thing. They’d be only human if they felt the pressure. Whatever the album actually is -- and y’all know I’ll be here to record my reactions to it, however belatedly -- at least we’ll all be done with the waiting.

#ninety one #come find me eaglez

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straykats · 1 year

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kat talks: 5-star

tldr; it did not take long at all for this comeback to grow on me i love it so much. i find that with most new songs my first listen is always very apathetic and/or ??? LOL and there exists only a small handful of songs that i immediately was like oH MY GOD (this is across all artists i listen to) but yeah i always forget that when listening to new music and i think this comeback is the first time i fully acknowledged that my first listen is rarely (and doesnt need to be) instant likesies. theres a lot of small bits throughout the album that remind me of other songs (not a bad thing, just smth i noticed i kept noticing?). topline, dlc, the sound and time out were/are my favs hehe (update: relistening to the album again and collision and fnf are creeping up to my favs too help)

hall of fame

okay im pretty sure i've heard this in my brief listen before but i also dont remember it at all

i cant describe it but that alien-sounding melody actually has me seeing like a weird alien brainwashing thing

WHOS FUCKING-- WAS THAT JEONGIN??? AT 1:24???? that was so pretty i want that framed

during hyunjins bit i got weird b me flashbacks??? i dont think it sounds similar but my mind immediately went 'b me !!'

jesus felix

the moon landing audio is such a cool inclusion,,, 5 star,,, hall of fame,,, a star/celestial body themed comeback,,,,

s-class

okay wbk i was so confused the first time round but its grown sm on me

i LOVE the power of the opening

the cartoon boing/spring sound and (its not but) the tom and jerry running sound hehe

this song definitely sounds.. grand? and wide? and a good title track

"[im] up above the world so high" nice nice twinkle twinkle reference hehe

i absolutely love jeongin's bit in the bridge and i love the choreo of it too

item

i love the game sounds they use in this hehe

seungmin's prechorus reminds me of smth but i cant place what it is

felixs ... tone? like? the voice he uses???

hyunjin/changbin bit in the bridge >>>>> i cant explain it but it sounds so good

super bowl

the instrumental at the beginning took me by surprise.. i also am sitting ehre trying to identity the?? The Sound. digital/synth. like the almost cowbell almost snare one. ive replayed it so many times.

i thought this when i first heard it (while doing the dishes lol) but is this song all in english?

whats that sound between 'have a bite' and 'make it mine'

screams TFDGVJABVAD the whisper im sorry i cant do it HAHAHAHAHA

topline

to be mad honest i was SO excited for this based on just the teaser

'we skedaddle intoxicated razzle dazzle' best line fr

okay ik i didnt say much for this one but its one of my favs

underground rebellious kinda vibes i love it (i described that wrong but i have a very specific img in my head)

dlc

im trying to play this on the pino and its driving my nuts but in a good way

the 'amudo moreuge' line throughout the entire song is so [deep breaths] like i cant explain it but it BUT AHHHHHH (fun fact for any pokemon people LOL the song oracion has the same kinda thing in it. idk what to call it.)

oh i LOVE love the piano during the second verse AHHHHHHHHH not gonna be able to replicate it but thats okay

the song/chorus has a.. an urban tropical feel? like it's ALMOST something you would hear with a tropical background but smth about the key, maybe, plavces it instead in an urban setting at night (bc lyrics) and seems kinda bittersweet

THATS WHAT THE AMUDO MOREUGE LINE DOES it adds such a sad kinda tired/resigned feel to the song which is like. on one hand the lyrics are so 'lets dance like crazy without a care in the world' but on the other hand the song feels so lonely and kind of. 'don't worry about me, i'll manage my sadness alone'??? like, 'let's have fun together but i'm really sad even though i'm smiling' kinda thing ARGHHHHH

get lit

seungmin's line rmeinds me of smth ARGHH its another skz song i know that for sure but i cant remember which one (ngl a lot of the songs in this album have parts that remind me of another kpop song,,, one of the above reminded me of nct but icr which song)

oh wait i think its my pace @ seungmins line

the instrumental would be so cool for mashups etc

wait one of the lines is 'today im so cocky' which is interesting bc theres a previous line (sueprbowl?) thats about not being cocky or smth HMMM i would revisit but tbh i cbb rn rip

collision

tRUMPETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT... i think

trumpets reminded me of maknae on top and this song also suits jeongin's voice sm i love it here

oh??? the ringing at the end???

fnf

this REMINDS ME OF SMTH TOO an dits not kpop

but i do really like it

'ashes up in the sky' ,,,, thinkingthinkingthinking

this feels like the opposite of time out and idk how to explain it

lix singing !!!!!! i love it sm

WAIT THSI ONE ACTUALLY REMINDS ME OF B ME wait no or is it levanter

the flaura and fauna line also reminds me of venom

both of the above points refer to the melody ,, seungmin's venom prechorus "cant escape-" and then it jumps The Other Song which i cant figure out what it is AHH

was that an eagle did i just hear an eagle

the minho/chan ending is so <3 <3 <3

youtiful

the muted piano i [crying] also almost gives me knnw vibes

'must be an oracle' ????? trying to understand this. like. it must be predicting smth,, but what,,, 'look at the stars fall / they leave the sky, goodbye' which part of this is the oracle i-- ad oracle as in like a person or a message but either way

if anyone covers this song please use a xylophone or marimba hehe would be so <3

oh i can see this second verse being animated so beautifully

why did changbin singing at the end make me so incredibly soft

the sound

okay this song has been out for ages but i think the only thing i said about it was smth about the bass and also how it sounds like a 'final stand' kinda song

okay ngl i liked the jpn lyrics better for the chorus oopsies im sorry

the piano sounds so RAW like the ringing of it the way the key falls and the mallet hits the string like you can HEAR it like thats exactly how it sounds when you play that high on a piano and also like. imo i notice the sound more on older pianos and just bc of that personal association (???) this song gets a bit sadder

adding to the 'final stand' feel is the police sirens in the chorus

time out

i just love this song sm man like idk what to say at this point

OH IT REMINDS ME OF A DEEMO SONG AHHAHA WAIT LEMME FIND IT // this song omg i've never thought about it before but listening to time out just then, i literally went 'you ready?' and then i was like WAIT THATS A DIFFERENT SONG

this song would be such a fun end-of-concert/encore song woah

yeah no i really dont have much to say i just love this song sm

#kat talks 5-star #the time out/mili/deemo connectoin is gonna make me laugh everytime i listen to either song now #hm i feel like i didnt do much commenting on overall songs/the overall album sorry lol

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