#it needs to be somber… but it also needs to have this like upbeat tone

[purplepeptobismol]

Aight y’all… im gonna be honest….

I don’t have a song to put on the IWMOY playlist that matches the ending of chapter 6….

SO IM OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS!!!

[alexissara]

Quick Review: Stray Gods

Stray Gods is among the rare, the few, the musical video game. This is a visual novel/musical that reinvents Greek myth and provides a modern story about reincarnation, trauma, pain, murder, mystery and romance. The games gameplay is very simply put, making choices, there isn't more to it then that but the choices feel impactful.

I played one run with my GF and my Metamore romancing Persephone. After that run I did listen on youtube to more of the outcomes and possibilities [in particular the rest of the Freddie romance] but have not replayed it or anything like that. I feel like I got everything I wanted from the game with just that alone but maybe one day I'll revisit. We had a play time of roughly 8 hours but a lot of time was us talking over choices together or on a pause menu the game is fairly shorter than that if your playing it solo. Especially if you just lock in on one person you wanna grab romantically. Even more so in further playthroughs where you aren't going to need to ask as many questions.

The games music is good but I don't think there is a lot of stand out banger songs. Like I am not really belting these songs out in my head or wanting to rewatch the song over and over like with many other musical moments in animated series or from proper musicals. I really love You and I (Reprise) and that is the one song that atm has returned to my head. I think a large part of why the songs aren't super sticking with me though is that the tone of the songs are mostly more somber and mellow where I prefer a more action packed or upbeat song from my musicals. I do think the songs can feel a little weird because their designed in pieces to fit together by player choices but when you listen to them on the soundtrack they do pretty much all clear.

The queerness in Stray Gods is better than average, a progress pride flag exists in Freddie and Grace's room but that flag is a generic pride flag not putting a particular label on Freddie or Grace's sexuality. As far as I can tell no character uses any labels one can assume Grace is bi in so much that she can romance 2 men and 2 women but perhaps they want you to self insert your sexuality into her. Still it would have been nice to talk more about sexuality in this game especially when talking about passing down Eidolons and stuff. Perhaps it's too messy of a topic but it was something in my head. We do some a touch of unavoidable queerness with Persephone having a past lover who is a woman who as far as I know is not at all optional to miss. That said Freddie's feelings for Grace are pretty unavoidable but I know straight people aren't very smart so I do think they could somehow miss it. The game also sadly lacks polyamory despite being about Greek gods and that not making any sense.

Overall, I think the game is really well voice acted and good experience. I recommend listening to a song or two online to see if the music clicks with you because you probably won't want to play the game if you don't enjoy that since it's the main event. It's a fun time with a good cast and fairly simple. The story can get fairly dark with suicidal ideation, PTSD, Abuse, etc all being themes but for me they were all handled well but perhaps that was how we handled choices. I really like the game overall and I will probably be on the hunt for Grace X Freddie and Grace X Persephone art for however long people keep drawing it.

If you enjoyed this review feel free to check out my Patreon or Ko-fi for more stuff like this.

[starryjkoo]

I just wanted to come and quickly post about how much Closer Than This means to me 🥹

What I truly appreciate about CTT is that it’s a song that’s slightly more upbeat, cheerful, and lighthearted yet still a warm and comforting reassurance to always be there. The first time I heard it I couldn’t help but smile so big. Literally every time it comes on my playlist I still just can't help but get the biggest smile on my face. It just feels so nice to be able to smile like that just by listening to a song. That's the sort of love and warmth Jimin is able to imbue into his music.

It’s definitely been tough missing them and my emotions have been incredibly heavy watching everything around their enlistment, so I just really needed something like CTT. Not sure how to properly explain this but a song like this to me is also a reminder not to take everything so seriously, to lighten up and enjoy the moment. It just makes some of my endless little worries feel smaller and less significant.

But it also reminded me how Jimin told us to smile and laugh a lot the day he enlisted and not to cry.

I think he really, truly meant those words and that’s exactly why he released a song like CTT. To think he was genuinely so concerned about ARMYs being sad he released a song designed to make us smile and feel a bit lighter. I think the lighter tone is very intentional compared to something that feels a bit heavier and a little more somber like Letter. I don't know, Jimin is truly the sweetest, most thoughtful human being. I just love him so much and CTT is always going to be a bit special for that reason. I hope we can somehow manage to bring him some comfort and maybe even a smile right now too 💜

[jasper-the-menace]

whoops you already got that last one Flight Potion: What constitutes a superpower or unusual ability in your world?

Potions-Themed Ask Game

Flight Potion: What constitutes a superpower or unusual ability in your world?

Kephea

Being a priest involves having a god literally show up and choose you, often once you're an adult. If you're not into that, you can definitely tell them to fuck off, but most Kephean city-states are super into that and most people grow up as polytheists (though often with a family or racial patron deity). Even rarer is a priest being chosen by a god who doesn't normally take interest in the race in question, such as Tios (the god of love, passion, pleasure, and marriage who favors satyrs) picking a harpy (regarded as aloof and favored by the god Rys) for a priest.

Orphics are pretty common, as most people know a little bit of magic just to make their day-to-day lives easier, but sometimes someone will be born with much stronger magic than usual. This is not something tied to bloodline, but rather regarded as a twist of fate, a blessing of a primordial or titan, or a case of "sometimes shit just happens". Two people with very little inherent magic could give birth to the Kephean equivalent of Superman without any warning. Likewise, two powerful Orphics could have a child who can't magic their way out of a box. Elemental bias for Orphics is also not direct, as you could be born and raised in a water-based city by water-aligned parents but still be more proficient with earth magic just based on who you are and how you handle things.

Demigods (the children of a god and a mortal) are pretty uncommon, even bordering on rare, because the gods have been busy as of late and haven't had time to have and raise their own kids. This is seen as a sign of dire times ahead, with the gods focused on something big instead of focusing on the mortals.

And that's not even getting into the daimones, but I can go on about those individually if anyone's interested.

New Capenna in Blood and Songbirds

Like most planes in the Multiverse, New Capenna doesn't get a lot of planeswalkers. In canon, the only planeswalker who's from the plane is Elspeth Tirel, who was actually raised in an Old Phyrexian mental facility down on Old Capenna rather than being from the city of New Capenna. In Blood and Songbirds, the only other planeswalker from the plane is the cephalid Lena Maise, who is growing up in the Obscura family.

Magic not based on Halo (the juiced essence of angels, who have now all left New Capenna) is tricky. Some families rely on Halo-based magic more than others, but there's also variation in magic used in those families.

For instance, the Brokers rely on Halo for their travel magic, but they don't need it for their contract magic. The viashino of the Riveteers don't need Halo for their fire breath and magic, but they need it to power their tools for building things up or tearing them down. The Cabaretti, despite using Halo as a party drug, are actually in the best place post-Halo-exhaustion: their druid magic has been used by them since well before the city's founding. The Maestros do a lot of sneaking and murdering, relying less on magic and more on skill. The Obscura's divination abilities aren't Halo-based either, but a fair number use Halo to enhance the accuracy of it.

Healing magic as a whole seems to be directly tied to Halo, but there are many variations on traditional healing magic on this plane.

But let's talk about the planeswalkers of Blood and Songbirds and what they bring to the table.

Mathias Markov, later called Mathias Maestros: Song magic from Innistrad, which has a vastly different vibe to the song magic of the Cabaretti. Innistradi song magic features more choir-like elements, more hymns to forgotten gods, more somber tones than the upbeat party music used by bards such as Kitt Kanto. Shield magic that he learned from Falco Spara, the founder and leader of the Brokers, so that he could use it to protect himself and others during all of the weird stuff going down. Psychic powers inherited from his Markov bloodline, giving him more headaches than anything. Vampirism and demonic influence due to his half-vampire half-demon nature, with the bonus ability of being able to survive by feeding on more than just blood. Metamagic in a limited, sensing sort of way.

Tibalt, later called Tibalt Maestros: Torture magic, both physical and mental, his Innistradi specialty. A great amount of fire resistance and fire magic that puts even Ob Nixilis to shame. Committing to the bit.

Jaren Rakdoson: Earth magic is his number one type of magic, with his spark making it almost effortless. Limited metamagic and animism, being vaguely aware of the Worldsoul of New Capenna and Ravnica, but nowhere else. Healing and energy transfer, mostly used to benefit mortals and angels. Mild demonic influence and Rakdos party tricks designed to terrify and intimidate, though he doesn't use those as much as Ritter thinks he should.

Ritter Rakdoson: Mind-influencing magic, particularly involving mounted animals such as griffins, rocs, and horse-shaped creatures, is his specialty. Though he did also use it to take over and control an archdemon in earlier chapters of Blood and Songbirds, drawing on Rakdos tricks that make betrayals the funniest shit ever. This effect continued even when he got to another plane because of how much he's trained it. Like his twin, mild demonic influence and other Rakdos party tricks are in his magical tool belt.

Working together, Jaren and Ritter can create and control rideable earth creatures that are like horses made of stone. Without Ritter, Jaren's half would run out of control and do more harm than good, while without Jaren, Ritter wouldn't even be able to start.

Lena Maise: Like most Obscura, she specializes in divination. Unlike most Obscura, she can use information from other planes that she's visited to enhance those divinations, often being able to predict when a planeswalker will arrive to the plane - though no one believed her before all of this started. Now this little kid is feeling smug because she was right.

Aminatou: It's everyone's favorite fate-altering eight-year-old!

Danae: Hailing from Theros, this siren also specializes in song magic. Unlike Mathias and the bards of New Capenna, her songs are often hymns of love and praise towards her patron, Ephara. Her songs sound best when sung by multiple people, which is difficult for her to do on New Capenna, as she's the only one who can carry those tunes. Her song magic also keeps you stuck in place so you have no choice but to listen to her diss track.

Petha Mazat: Hailing from Ravnica like Jaren and Ritter, Petha's specialty is in transmutation magic, the changing of forms. She's technically a Simic hybrid, even at her young age, but her base elven form is still recognizable. She's got cool-ass gills, too. And she's more than happy to turn people into toads if they start talking shit about her planeswalker friends.

Scrat: A lizard-like kobold from a plane no one's heard of (cough, he's technically a D&D crossover character from Eberron), Scrat specializes in the wild randomness of impromptu artifice. Need something jerry-rigged? Scrat's your kobold. Need to change how Broker communicators work? He's got a screwdriver out already. Need a small bomb to walk into a horde of enemies? He's got six in his pocket, as a matter of fact. He terrifies and confuses everyone except for Ziatora, who is more than happy to have this tiny viashino-like creature among her Riveteers thanks to his strange techniques.

Vasca: An eight-year-old minotaur from Zendikar, Vasca's power is simple: Super strength. Despite being nowhere near fully grown, she can already tussle with New Capenna's rhox and ogres and come out the victor (even though she's only tussled with Perrie so far, and he doesn't want her to get hurt). While plenty of New Capennans are strong, Vasca's level is definitely going to get well beyond them.

Trey: Another Theros planeswalker, Trey is a teenaged centaur whose magical specialization is calming everyone down. Despite coming from a Pheres band, he's learning diplomacy so he can help plenty of people. Green-based calming magic isn't common on New Capenna, so he's hoping to expand his practice into other, similar types of magic.

As you can see, a lot of the magic the planeswalkers know are common on other planes, but almost completely alien to New and Old Capenna alike. Especially the four older planeswalkers, who have had time to get good at their specialties and start to branch out.

Thanks for dropping by!

~Jasper

[comidyye]

ranting about my ryou bakura playlist <3

in terms of artists i think ryou would really like mitski,, hmm Evanescence??? he would really like old obscure creepy vocaloid songs. i dont have much 2 say 4 genres ,, just generally angsty sad slower songs remind me the most of him, But def some more ramped up angry songs too !! he deserves them !! Talking about specific songs and lyrics ↓ (lotso text)

"Please believe me when I say I've poured my whole past down the drain, say that a second chance is a chance I can take! But I can't make amends for things I can't remember, I can only say I'm sorry and occasionally pray..." (Half-Decade Hangover - Will Wood) "But I'm losing myself, and I'm afraid you're gonna lose me too. This magic keeps me alive, but it's making me crazy! And I need to save you, but who's going to save me? Please... forgive me for whatever I do." (Remember You Omnichord - Trillian) "Something dark is following me here without a trace... Is it real? Or in my head? I guess I'll find out when I wake up back home or dead. (THATS SUCH A BANGER LINE) ... With a piece of my mind as I'm caught, intertwined, Between the roads, of what's modern or old..." (Into the Pit - DHeusta & Dawko) [ oh fandoms colliding ! the song fits too well i Couldnt resist ] " 'You're not like me! I'm not like you! I'm not who these things happen to!' And that's exactly what you say before they do!" (BAD LUCK! Jhariah)

"There's a ghost, in my home! But it's better than being alone... Yes, my house is haunted! That's the way I want it!" (Ghost - nelward)

"My thoughts are filled with cruel intentions! Maybe my conscience is possessed! It's no use I can't control it! Maybe it's a sign not to quit.." (Bad Blood - Creature Feature) "I'm just a side character to your main spotlight... ...You'd be nicer to me, If you saw the true me, But you won't get woke to that 'til I'm gone." (Side Character - Cloudfodder) going more in depth with these songs:

The entirety of PHANTASM - JACK THE STRIPPER (( heavy cw for suicide )) heavy bakura vibes, the way it references the horror genre so much and casually referencing (( suicide ) with such an upbeat tone, very much reminds me how even though how we usually see bakura so happy or just goofin off and stuff , but Really the entirety of his story and what's going on with him is ... Really sad. I think it was someone else on tumblr? it was someone somewhere that pointed out hey 'freeze your brain' Reaaly matches ryou. and they are SO right! How both of the characters switch between schools constantly. And how both of their moms died. both of which are explored in that song, and also its just generally sad and angsty !! "Forget in six weeks, you'll be back on the road! When the voice in your head, says you're better off dead!"

Also the entirety of Ugly Story - Phemiec (( thank u homestuck if only for this persons music) reminds me very much of bakura's and yami bakura's dynamic. Ryou is being controlled and used when he doesn't want to be "I might be a killer but one day I shall be queen, and put an end to slaughter... In someone's spider web, or net I could be caught... But I'm too bitter, better off alone, guess I forgot..." Also generally sad and somber (this song is a duet i imagine between ryou and his yami .. ) "A parasite needs a host- I'm only trying to do what is best for us! Well I never asked for this, I never wanted this! All that I want is some time to myself! ...I'm just just reminiscing, (Just STOP reminiscing!) I just want you here with me! (I just want my privacy!) God, can't we just get along? (God, won't you LEAVE me ALONE!)" (Evelyn Evelyn - Evelyn Evelyn) (highly recommend <3) other songs of note that are so made for him Familiar Haunt - RL Another Song About Ghosts - Joy Again Exorcism - CreepP, Lollia (!!!!!) What The Water Gave Me - Mishkin Fitzgerald Watch Your Back - Junie & TheHutFriends Friends. - Omori (also some other omori ost songs, esp ones associated with basil Because they are so the same.)

In all i love him and only wish the best for him. im going to explode the millennium ring for traumatizing him : o) Also.. i have a yami yugi (season 0) playlist ill probably also do this for <3

[delivermytuneo6]

The Role of Music Cover Page Design in Your Music Career

In the ever-evolving music industry, branding is everything. One of the most essential elements of branding for any artist or musician is the music cover page design. This piece of art serves as a visual representation of your music, identity, and creativity, and it can make a lasting impression on potential listeners. Your album or single cover is often the first thing people see when they come across your music on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or SoundCloud. With millions of songs being released every year, standing out visually can help draw attention to your music and potentially lead to more streams, shares, and fans.

Why Music Cover Page Design is So Important

Your music cover page design is more than just a decorative piece. It's a visual representation of who you are as an artist and what your music is about. The cover needs to communicate your musical style, genre, and emotions to attract listeners before they even press play. For example, a minimalist design might convey a sense of elegance or introspection, while a colorful and vibrant cover could reflect upbeat and energetic tunes. The goal is to create something that resonates with your audience, speaks to the tone of your music, and piques curiosity.

In an era where people often judge music by its cover, a well-crafted design can significantly impact how your music is perceived. When artists release singles or albums, the music cover is often the first thing that grabs attention. It’s the first visual interaction your audience will have with your music, so it needs to be something that stands out among the crowd.

How Your Music Cover Relates to Song Lyrics

When you're designing a cover for your music, it's essential to keep in mind how the artwork and your lyrics work together. The design should not only be visually appealing but also align with the themes and emotions present in your songs. In fact, understanding how to make song lyrics that reflect your story or concept can influence the entire direction of the design.

For example, if your song talks about heartbreak or longing, your cover might feature somber tones, a desolate landscape, or a minimalistic design that evokes the feeling of loss. Conversely, a song about love or celebration might be represented with vibrant colors, joyful imagery, or bold patterns. The key is to create a cohesive narrative between the cover and the lyrics, ensuring that when a potential listener looks at your cover, they have a sense of what they can expect from the music itself.

Moreover, a strong cover design can enhance the experience of listening to your music. A listener may feel more connected to the emotions behind your lyrics if the cover reinforces those feelings. A cover that perfectly complements the mood and message of your song can help forge a deeper emotional connection with your audience.

Using Your Music Cover to Promote Your Spotify Playlist

For many independent artists, Spotify playlist ideas can be a powerful way to reach new listeners. Whether you’re curating your own playlists or contributing to others, having an attractive and professional-looking cover can make a big difference. Playlists on Spotify often come with featured images that appear alongside the tracklist, and the right artwork can be a huge draw for potential followers.

When curating a playlist or promoting your own music through playlists, take the time to create a cover that not only reflects the genre or theme of the playlist but also your personal brand as an artist. This ensures that people are more likely to engage with your playlist, ultimately leading to more visibility and streams.

Striving for the Top: The Quest for No. 1 Spotify

Every artist dreams of making it to no 1 Spotify. Getting to the top of the Spotify charts takes more than just great music—it requires savvy marketing, a dedicated fanbase, and a strategic approach to your music's presentation. The visual aspect of your music, including your cover design, is a huge part of that strategy.

A stunning cover is an essential marketing tool in getting noticed by Spotify's algorithm, playlist curators, and even potential fans. Curators often choose tracks for playlists based on their overall visual appeal and branding, not just the music itself. If your cover stands out and has the right aesthetic, it's more likely to be noticed by those curating playlists, which increases the chances of your music reaching a broader audience.

Best Spotify Playlist Names and How They Complement Your Cover Art

While your best Spotify playlist names are a key element in attracting followers and listeners, your cover art is equally important in completing the visual identity of the playlist. A catchy playlist name might spark interest, but the right cover will encourage listeners to engage with your content and listen to the full playlist.

For example, if you're creating a playlist called "Late Night Vibes," the cover might feature moody lighting, cityscapes, or other visuals that align with the quiet, introspective mood of the music. This pairing between a compelling name and an equally compelling visual identity is crucial in making your playlist stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Conclusion

In the music industry, the music cover page design serves as much more than just a piece of artwork; it’s a reflection of your artistic identity and a marketing tool that can help propel your music to new heights. Whether you’re designing for an album, single, or playlist, the cover should align with your lyrics and overall theme, offering listeners a visual entry point into your music. From attracting listeners to achieving success on platforms like Spotify, a well-designed cover can be a powerful asset in your musical journey. So, whether you're aiming for no 1 Spotify or creating best Spotify playlist names for your fans, never underestimate the importance of a well-crafted cover that complements your music and enhances your brand.

[jcmarchi]

The Importance of Background Music and the Benefits it Offers  - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/the-importance-of-background-music-and-the-benefits-it-offers-technology-org/

The Importance of Background Music and the Benefits it Offers  - Technology Org

There’s no denying the importance of music in the life of the general person. It has the ability to change mood, affect mental state and provide energy. It can be a way to make you more motivated, to soothe your worries, and help you get through difficult times in your life. Music can create beautiful memories and serve as a means of self-expression. With so many advantages to listening to music, there seems to be no reason why you shouldn’t have background music on basically all the time. Let’s delve a little deeper into what makes music such a force for good on a day-to-day basis.

A turntable – illustrative photo. Image credit: Travis Yewell via Unsplash, free license

Podcasts 

Having a podcast allows you to develop your own voice, start conversations, and address topics that are important to you. Listeners can’t see your face, so your format should be engaging enough so that the audience remains engaged even in the absence of a visual medium. Go to MelodyLoops to discover the best royalty-free music that can help you send your message across more effectively and drive up the engagement of your listeners.

The music will also dictate the atmosphere of your podcast, depending on the themes you’ll discuss. Are you looking for something relaxed and jazzy, or would you prefer something that sounds darker and more mysterious? You must also think about what your designated audience is more likely to respond to, depending on demographics.

When picked correctly, the music will also add to the entertainment factor and might even promote brand recognition. The people who listen to your podcasts could start associating certain sounds or melodies with you, providing you with increased visibility.

Videos 

You have the visual medium to rely on with videos, but that doesn’t make it sound any less critical. In fact, choosing the right tunes can legitimately make or break your video, and it should be employed to enhance the general message of your video. Now, the best type of song is one that is in tune with the message you’re showing, as having the two clashes will impact the general atmosphere. Informative videos go well with soft, ambient music. It should remain in the background and never cover the voiceover.

However, if you’re talking about something fun based on entertainment, you should go for something more upbeat, such as funk or groovy vibes. Topics such as fashion or lifestyle go well with pop, indie rock or rap, depending on the topics you cover. To find the best tunes, you just have to think of the message you’re trying to convey. Of course, if the video deals with several different topics and atmospheres, you’ll probably need many other songs as well. From confidence to hope to sadness, happiness, victory and excitement, there’s a song out there for any mood.

Films 

Films are well-known for their use of music, and many soundtracks have become famous. Many music lovers actually enjoy listening to original scores as their own separate genre since the music is often incredibly evocative and beautifully arranged. Music sets the tone of movies and provides viewers with a subconscious effect. It offers additional input apart from the visuals and dialogue, allowing audiences to interpret scenes differently.

Music helps deliver those scenes that viewers love so much, such as plot twists, epic battles, anticipation and suspense, much more effectively, and adds weight to every scene. Thematic development is also easy to achieve since many tunes can be built on themes. For instance, a character can have a particular theme, and then, as they evolve throughout the story, the music evolves as well to become more somber or lighter.

The pacing and dynamics, showcasing a different time period, location or culture, as well as making the scenes stick together and creating a more cohesive motion picture, are all possible and more believable thanks to music. In the case of cartoons, Mickey Mousing is one of the most well-known techniques. The technique, that has been used for several decades, refers to matching music with the movements on the screen.

Studying 

Can music actually help you study and learn more efficiently? Some would say yes, while others claim that they can only truly focus when they work in complete silence. Studies show that music can indeed help you become more productive by improving your mood and helping you relax. Banishing these negative emotions naturally gives you more energy and mental fortitude to focus on the tasks you need to accomplish.

Since studying can be pretty stressful, managing and even controlling that panic can make the learning outcomes more successful. Many people find that they end up having trouble focusing, especially if they have to study intensively and for long periods of time. Music can also help in that regard by allowing the brain to absorb the information more efficiently and consolidate it. It can also improve your attention span and reasoning skills so you can come up with answers based on the information available to you.

However, you must be careful that the music you use doesn’t end up doing more harm than good. For instance, it could distract you and cause you to procrastinate. Generally, very fast or loud music can make it more challenging to concentrate, but some people find that mellow lofi or classical is not engaging enough, and their mind drifts away to fill in the blanks. For some, listening to music they’ve never heard before can be helpful because their well-known favorites cause them to be more likely to want to sing and dance. Others notice that new, previously unheard songs cause them to pay more attention to the music rather than their tasks.

In conclusion, music is crucial for life, and people use it daily for their work, either during production or to manufacture the finished result. If you discover that music helps you as well and allows you to become more productive, optimistic, and to be able to overcome the hurdles of daily life more efficiently, it would be a pity not to use it. From filling the silence in podcasts to helping you ace your exams and creating pacing in movies, there’s nothing music cannot do.

[fatuismooches]

Hello!!! May i request how the habingers men act when they are drunk? How will the reader will take care of them? If you are not taking requests im very sorry you can decline my request

Imagine the Harbingers when they’re drunk. 

Pierro is even more somber when drunk. It’s not like he does it on purpose, it just sort of happens. He does like to drink some wine to relax after many long days of work, but the idleness somehow always causes his mind to wander back to the old days, to before the Fatui. And he thinks. He ponders a lot and reminiscences about the past, how things could have been different. He has always been left alone with these wandering thoughts until you came along.

Don’t let the melancholic tone steer you away though. When Pierro drinks, he’s usually alone, but that’s not to say he doesn’t want you here. He’s been alone for as long as he could remember, even lonelier after the fall of his homeland. It was just natural for him to be this way. Having you there makes him unsure of what to do because he doesn’t want to make you sad, but please reassure him. Lay your head on his chest and put your hand on top of one. Tell him it’s okay, and it will always be okay, that you want to be here for the good and the bad, through everything. He’s silent, but Pierro appreciates your kindness so much more than he lets on. You don’t need to do much after that because your mere presence and warmth are more than enough for him as he strokes your hair until you fall asleep in his arms.

Dottore has a varying amount of emotions when he’s drunk. It really depends on which segment you’re talking to. The younger segments tend to get more argumentative with each other. The older ones are more mature and handle it better. With the younger segments, they’re a lot to handle, even more so when drunk. You’ve witnessed them throw stuff at each other, hurl some nasty words (about other people as well), and generally be gloomy at the end too. They can be immature and hotheaded compared to the older, calmer segments, but it’s honestly quite funny to witness. They just say the darndest things with the most humorous phrasing, sometimes gossiping about that one Harbinger who always cuts their funding. Thankfully, it doesn’t take much to placate them. The moment one of them starts to get pouty, you simply usher them into your embrace, successfully shutting him up. This has a domino effect, and soon you have a bunch of clones on your shoulders, hogging your lap, even against your legs. 

Though, don’t expect the same outcome with the older clones, especially Omega and the original Zandik. Zandik has had his body modified to the point where such drinks do not have much of an effect anymore, and Omega is just… well, yeah, it takes far more than that to bother him. Zandik does not care for nutrition in general, much less alcohol, so you’ll rarely ever catch him drinking, but on the occasion you convince him to have a drink with you, he wouldn’t mind too much. It’s not as though he hates the taste. Though, a lot of it goes untouched because he tends to ramble on with his research and breakthroughs instead of drinking, so most of the time he ends up taking care of you.

Columbina gets even more clingy when drunk, if that’s even possible. While that aspect of her doesn’t change, she suddenly gains a lot more vigor. Normally she’s calm, eerily so, but it seems like the alcohol brings out a lot of laughing. The Fatui don’t know which side is scarier. She also has a very high tolerance and the recruits always watch in amazement as she downs bottle after bottle. She’s also the kind of girl who insists on refilling your drink. There’s not much you can really do than other go with her flow. 

She’s very upbeat and giggly when drunk. Tugs you to your feet and twirls you around, giddily humming and swaying around with you until she dramatically falls back so you could catch her in your arms. Columbina has so much energy when inebriated that you wonder how she does it. But, always be on guard with this girl. She will stop all of a sudden, and then fall asleep and literally crash on top of you. The first time she did that you nearly had a heart attack as both of you were now on the floor, her body completely sprawled out on top of you. And she did not budge one inch. So you were stuck there until the next day when you woke up in the afternoon with her now in another weird position. But hey, there are not much people who have the opportunity to see the third Harbinger like this.

Capitano doesn’t drink very often. He sees it as unnecessary and more of a distraction from his duties than anything else. Even on the rare occasion he drinks, it’s not much to look at. The liquid just disappears behind the ever-present darkness that his helmet brings. You can’t see any blush, any smiles, any hazy eyes, nope. He has a high tolerance for quite literally anything so seeing him drunk is a tall order. If by any chance he does get drunk, which seems really impossible, Capitano gets a bit more clingy. When sober, although he does give a good amount of affection, it’s still a bit of a struggle for him. Because really, him? Of all people? Being soft? It’s still surreal to him and he’s still adjusting. 

But on the rare occasion he’s tipsy, there’s a chance of him desiring such fondness, both giving and receiving. Normally, when sober, he gets a tad bit embarrassed and awkward when you shower him with love. But when he’s drunk, he’ll welcome it a lot more. Just silently though. He’ll always be a quiet man. He’ll return the favor with a strong embrace. He likes to hold you in his lap with an arm around your waist. For some reason, he likes to tilt the cup to your lips as if you can’t drink it yourself. He doesn’t really need to be taken care of, but it’s still cute nonetheless. Capitano prefers if you don’t bring up this experience. He’s honestly a bit mortified you saw him in such a disgraceful state. (You and Dottore definitely worked together to make this happen. There was no other way.) Then again, don’t get your hopes up too much. Your man is resistant to possibly every force in Teyvat.

Scaramouche doesn’t care much for alcohol. He is a puppet after all. The drink has no effects on him. And the taste doesn’t do much for him either, as he says it himself - he enjoys the taste of bitter tea far more. But, if you do manage to convince him, with all of his reluctance, he can’t deny that some sake and cherry blossom viewing is pretty nice. Although Inazuma brings up some distasteful memories for him, he can’t deny it’s beautiful. Kunikuzushi doesn’t talk about it, but he does have some warm memories regarding the drink. Sometimes, his family, his friends from all those years ago, would drink alcohol in celebration. The young puppet would watch in fascination and down all the bottles while his friends lay passed out in amazement. So really, despite all of his moaning and groaning, he won’t mind. 

Even though Scaramouche doesn’t actually get drunk, you like to think he does from the way he acts around you. You have a tendency to drink more than you can handle so that you could see Scara reveal his secret affectionate side. Whining and slurring your words results in a lot of grumbling and eye-rolling from your lover, scolding you for your recklessness. But no one would ever believe you as he begrudgingly guides you to his lap, confiscating the sake cup. Rearranges his legs so you’re comfortable. Strokes your hair and brushes it away from your face, drunk on you. But then of course pinches your cheeks, earning a squeal and a few curses from you. After becoming the Wanderer, the taste is unsettlingly comforting for him. Perhaps because it was one of the things that began to connect you with him. Even if you can’t remember him anymore, he still likes to go to that same spot to enjoy some sake and the view.

Sandrone isn’t very much of a drinker. It distracts her from her work, and she’d much rather enjoy some tea and sweets too. So, it is going to be a long and arduous wait to see Sandrone drink, much less get drunk. That is until you recruit some of your favorite robots to oh, just innocently put a few drops of alcohol in her cup instead of tea. Luckily enough, she sips it without a thought. After all, there was no reason to be suspicious. She programmed these robots to obey her. The only thing is that she programmed them to listen to you too.

Please stop her from working. She’s been trying to unscrew this bolt from a robot for the last ten minutes and she still hasn’t realized she’s using the wrong screwdriver. Some Automatons may need to be enlisted for help but just get her away from that and into a chair. Sandrone huffs and puffs with a blushing face about how she’ll get revenge on you later, but you can’t really take her words seriously when she’s leaning on your shoulder so cutely. Her coat is off and her porcelain arms are intertwined with yours, her way of “punishing you.” You strive to get her tipsy more often in the future. At least she actually takes breaks that way. You’re so glad Sandrone built a Kamera into some of her creations because damn, it was really useful right now.

La Signora is a chatty drunk. She has the tolerance of a normal person, getting drunk after a good amount of refills. Many times she drinks to relieve some stress, as you have to listen to her complain about all the useless recruits and how unreliable her subordinates are most of the time. She always tells the best stories when drunk, always going into depth about how stupid this person was and how this person did that. It’s best not to interrupt or console her yet. She just wants to vent her frustrations right now.

How to take care of her? Just be a good lover by keeping her glass filled, her lap warm, and her boredom away. With all of the fuss she makes, she ends up winding down by the end of it to thoroughly enjoy your presence. Rosalyne gets very comfy during these sessions - hair flowing free from its usual bun, mask and makeup off, a silky nightgown adorning her body. She is a very tall yet soft lady, so her lap is much more suitable for sitting than any old chair would be, she tells you. Signora likes to have a firm grip on you, her hands playing with your hair as she swishes around the alcohol, her legs entangled with yours so you could not leave. Her voice tipsy and a bit slurred she’ll ask you about your day, what’s been going on, how she misses her lovely butterfly dearly. Anyone besides you would be shocked to know how sweet Rosalyne is as a partner. Experiencing love and loss changes a person more than what they show. So really, taking care of her means letting her take care of you.

Pantalone is a flirty drunk who has no problem telling you exactly what he thinks, very unfiltered. He is quite a charmer when sober, but alcohol turns up the flattery a hundred times more. A lot of times, the two of you have drinks together late into the night, after he is finally done with his paperwork and whatnot. Usually, it’s paired with an exquisite dinner. Of course, he only purchases and drinks the most expensive and delicious kinds of wine of course. Whenever he buys a new brand, he always does the same thing though, which you gladly welcome. Pantalone makes you take the first few sips, asks you how it is, and then kisses you to try for himself. You always playfully scold him but you can never be mad at that devilishly sweet smile.

Pantalone actually likes to be pampered and taken care of when he’s drunk. Brush his hair out, help him bathe and slip into his robes, tuck him under the blanket with you. More specifically, he likes when you read to him. While he can handle his liquor well enough, when he gets overly drunk, he gets quiet. You never pry into what exactly he thinks about, but after being with him for so long you can gather that he’s remembering his childhood. So, although his weight may crush you a bit, just let him lay on your chest for a while, stroke his hair while you talk, and take his glasses off once he’s asleep.

Arlecchino is a lightweight drinker. No one has ever seen her drink and it is because of that. She would rather die than have anyone witness her being drunk. She has only a few weaknesses, the most out-of-place ones being you and alcohol. Normally you wouldn’t mind, but it gets to be a bit awkward when you’re drinking and she’s just there with her cold hard coffee. Even during a relationship with you, she’s still adamant about not drinking. Arlecchino is serious about not appearing vulnerable in front of you. She doesn’t want you to think about her any differently. 

She’s super observant too, so there’s not really going to be a chance of swapping her drunk. Perhaps if you beg and plead with her she could have just a cup with you. It is endearing to see her so unguarded and cute in front of you, but her lack of tolerance ends up cutting the quality time you have with her. There’s really not much you’re going to do when she’s drunk. Arlecchino tends to hiccup when drunk along with some intoxicated mumblings. Generally, she falls asleep rather quickly, so just cover her with a blanket and make sure no one enters her office. Otherwise, they’d have to die.

Childe is a happy drunk with a good amount of tolerance, so it’s a bit hard to see him actually get drunk, but it is certainly possible. He is instead the kind of person who tries to convince you to drink Fire-Water with him because he enjoys your drunk blabbering. He loves to bring up the things you said while drunk to embarrass you. While drunk he loves to chat and catch up with you, but he also tends to challenge you to drinking competitions (he has a competitive streak after all, always up for a contest) which usually ends up with you passed out and waking up the next morning to Ajax making breakfast (donning an apron if you’re lucky.) Though there have been times when you’ve been blessed to see a red-faced, drunk Ajax.

It would be funny if he was a fighty drunk. The kind of drunk who suddenly wants to spar with you out of nowhere. Wants to go to the Golden House with you but he can’t even make it halfway, literally about to make both of you fall from how much he’s clinging onto you. Though, it’s not too hard to take care of him, if you’re okay with a dozen smooches to your face and a lot of whining. He is incessant with his cuddling, arms tightly bound around you. It takes a lot of persuading to let him release you. What he would appreciate is a nice home-cooked meal at this point, especially if it's Snezhnayan. He’s the one who usually does all the cooking, so he’s actually really grateful when you make something for him. The only problem is that when he’s drunk, he wants you to feed him. After that, the only plan of action is to comply with his demands for cuddling in bed. Somehow, you still fall asleep after him because Childe refuses to slumber before you. Zhongli has dropped him at your house quite a few times so you’re used to the routine by now.

[milktea067]

Can I request for Sunnydrop x Tsundere animatronic reader? Where the reader is cold towards him but secretly likes him then by accident she spits out that she likes him.

Ofc!!!

Not proofread very well! I hope you like it!!

Sunny drop x tsundere animatronic reader!! Gender neutral!

Warnings:mentions of unexplored feelings/mentions of frustrated reader/mentions of a little angst/mentions of embarrassment (I personally get really upset when I get embarrassed so just in case anyone who reads does too I made it a warning! :))) ))

———————————————————

God, he was annoying. Constantly poking at you and complimenting your color and design, asking if you wanted to watch a puppet show with him or even make one with him.

You were made to keep children interested in playing at the daycare, keep them away from each other if they ended up in a little spat or a small fight.

This was also the reason you had such a cold demeanor, you were meant to comfort but also control. You needed to control your feelings….but he made it so hard when he constantly showered you in attention.

Attention and affection…made you feel…weird. You liked it, but at the same time it made you feel…well…you didn’t know. You weren’t sure if you liked it or didn’t like it, but whatever that strange feeling was, it scared you.

“Hey!! Y/n!! Do you wanna hang out after everyone leaves?! W-we can play with the shape blocks! O-or even do some arts n crafts! I-I have some extra supplies left from the crafts the kiddies were doing today! We can play with those!” He said, bouncing excitedly back and forth.

“No. I have to go and get something repaired today. I don’t have time for arts and crafts, sunny.” You said, turning your back to him in hopes, incredibly intuitive as the sun was, he couldn’t sense your rising nervousness.

The sun was visibly and audibly upset. You could tell even with your back turned.

“B-but! You got something repaired yesterday! A-and the day before that!” He whined, metal shoulders slouching in defeat.

It was true, you had been using that excuse for about a week straight. You couldn’t just outright say no to him, it would make your semi-cold heart feel bad if he cried like he did when the children ran away.

“I-I just have a lot of things I need repaired okay?! I’m sorry I’m always broken! I can’t help it!” You said, beginning to feel a little bit of frustration tug at your metal insides.

Sun whined more, not liking that you weren’t around much, but also not liking that you seemed to be upset, and he was the reason.

“I didn’t mean it like that y/n! I-I know we all get busy sometimes! It’s just…I don’t like it when people ignore me…” the bright, enthusiastic robot said, his voice low and sounding almost heartbroken.

God, this was hard. You never meant to hurt him. You loved him. Knowing that you were making him feel this way, sent your already overthinking mind into a frustrated frenzy.

You loved the way he was so kind and gentle with the kids, his soft hugs always being something you desired, but your pride always got in the way.

You loved his big smile that went so well with his bright, upbeat personality. He was always so kind and enthusiastic, how could anyone hate this amazing creature.

“I’m not. Ignoring you.” You said, hissing through your teeth. You could feel your resolve begin to faultier and crack when his usually happy expression flinched at your harsh tone.

“I-I’m sorry that I don’t make you happy, y/n…I-I try my best…m-maybe we can play another day…? You’re not very happy…and I don’t wanna make you more sad…” he said, turning to face away from you.

That, and his somber, defeated tone of voice finally broke you. You could barely live with him being sad, but him being sad and thinking you didn’t like him? Or he didn’t make you happy? You could NOT live with that.

Before you even knew what you were saying, your mouth opened and months or frustrated feelings poured out. It was an accident, you never meant to spill your insides out for him to see. You weren’t even sure if you were ready for it yet. Weren’t sure if you even believed you could actually feel like this for someone.

“Y-you…you think you don’t make me happy…?” You started, the lovable robot turning to look at you. But before he could say anything you continued. 

“Can’t you see it? I’m surprised it’s not super obvious! I love you! I-I love your stupid adorable smile, that never fails to make me feel loved whenever you look my way! The way you get along so well with kids makes me feel strange! I-it’s like I want you to treat me just as special as you treat them! B-but every time you try, I get this strange feeling in my programming!” You yelled, to busy ranting to realize his smile had returned and he was practically bouncing with joy.

You..liked him? This whole time, he thought you just didn’t like being around him. Always rushing off whenever the two of you were alone, using a variety of different excuses to get as far away from him as possible. Like saying you had to charge even though you just got out of a charging booth, making up stories of how you had to have maintenance work done day after day, and now it all made sense.

After about two minutes into your rant you felt his arms fly around you, squeezing you tight. You had wanted to stop and run away a while ago, but this was an accident, and you would be damned before you ran away from a mess you made.

“Awwww! Y/n!! I-I love you too! Why didn’t you tell me! I could’ve made you something to make you feel better!” He said, holding onto you like if he let go, you’d disappear right in front of him.

You didn’t have a blood stream, or a heart, but If you did you would be certain that your heart would be pumping the red liquid at 200 mph.

“O-oh! Oh! Speaking of making something, I did! I-I was gonna give it to you tonight because…w-well…I made it so you would hang out with me…” he said, leaning over and sticking his arm behind his curtain before pulling out a piece of your favorite colored construction paper.

“I’m not very skilled with a crayon…s-so I had the kiddos help me! I even recruited some of the best little artists!” He hummed, handing you the paper. “I hope you like it!”

Slowly looking down at it, you saw a drawing of what looked like to be you and sunny holding hands, a rainbow behind you along with some glitter glue and cotton balls for clouds, and at the very bottom, in big rainbow colors and sunny’s messy handwriting read.

“Be my very best friend? :) “ 

If you were able to cry, you were sure you would at that moment. He had worked so hard, and it was all for you.

Don’t worry, you two became best friends from that moment on.

And so, so much more. 

Tag list!: @spaceshippsed

[titanicsimp]

Hello there! What would be some of the AOT boys' reactions to stumbling upon their crush (reader) playing the piano? Maybe something like Claire De Lune? It can be in the canonverse 🤗 thank you so much!

Also I just want to say that your writing is incredible, and you write all the characters SO spot on! Keep up the great work! 💕

Thank you so much for your kind words, I’m really glad I can do the characters justice!

I’m an absolute uncultured swine when it comes to music but I did some research so I hope this is what you wanted 🥰🥰

AOT men walking in on their crush playing the piano (includes; Eren, Armin, Jean, Connie, Levi, Erwin, Zeke, Reiner, Porco, Colt)

cw: none

a/n: This got kinda long so I put it under a cut!

Armin Arlert

Arabesque, No. 1 in E major by Claude Debussy

The soft notes of the piano fit well with the polished corridors of Mitras palace, and Armin couldn’t help but be drawn in by the sound. The music was gentle yet upbeat, a stark contrast with what had just been discussed in the dreadful meetings he had to attend.

A smile graces his face when he cracks the door of the music room further open, finding you at the seat of the piano. You look beautiful, your lips curved up slightly as your fingers dance over the keys. You look content, lost in your own happy tune, and Armin can’t help but be relieved that you have found a moment for yourself. He doesn’t want to interrupt, he just wants to stand and listen to you play, leaning against the doorway. He lets his head fall back against the frame and closes his eyes, letting you carry him away to a world of wonder through the music.

Eren Yeager

Metamorphosis: Three by Philip Glass

Eren had been surprised to be woken up by music. He shuffled over to the room where the sound seemed to originate from, only to find you. It almost seemed like you expected him, your gaze pointedly meeting his before you returned your attention to the piano. Eren did not have a lot of sense for music, but he could tell that your talent deserved much more than that run down thing.

“Bit somber, isn’t it?” He comments but you shake your head.

“Not necessarily, listen.”

He moves closer as you continue playing the song, and soon he finds out why you wanted him to listen. The somber tones get shifted to louder, more excited ones, giving the tune a more hopeful feel to it. He looks at you as you guide the music through its ups and lows, and a shiver runs over his spine every time he catches your eye. It’s like you see through him, he’s always felt that way, that’s why he took a liking to you to begin with. Though you aren’t telling him it explicitly, he understands what the song means for both of you.

Jean Kirstein

Liebestraume S541/R211: No. 3 Nocturne in E flat major by Franz Liszt & Jen�� Jandó

Jean had just been wandering around, lost in thought, when he heard someone playing the piano. None of the scouts played piano as far as he knew, making him wonder if it was perhaps a Marleyan making use of the music room. He was pleasantly surprised to find out that you were the one playing. Your eyes closed, focusing intently on the tune of every key your fingers hit. Though he could watch you like this forever, he needs to come closer. “Wow.”

“How come you never told me you play piano?”

He smiles when you look up at him bashfully. “It had been so long, I wasn’t sure if I could anymore...”

“It sounds amazing, you have talent.” Jean tells you and comes to stand next to the piano.

You continue playing under his watchful eye, a smile playing at your lips. He enjoys the song, and jokingly starts ball dancing by himself, commenting that beautiful music should be danced to. You chuckle at him clumsily dancing with the air, your chest warming at the sight.

Connie Springer

Forever, forever by Keiko Matsui

Connie can’t help but feel slightly offended that you never told him, but as he watches you play from the open window, he can’t stay mad. He pulls himself up on the frame, startling you when he drops into the room. Throwing his hands up, he grins. “Sorry.”

You shake your head but smile, returning your attention to the piano. Slowly, you pick up the song again, and Connie makes sure to listen closely. The tune feels loving, and a blush graces his cheeks as he hopes that perhaps it’s him you are thinking of while playing.

“Can I sit with you?” He questions softly and you nod your head.

Seeing your face from so close as he sits on the bench with you makes his heart skip beats. It’s nice to see you so content, it’s the only way he wants you to be.

Levi Ackerman

Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy

Levi was determined to find out where you sneaked off to while you should be cleaning with them, glaring at the thought of how he should scold you for it. When he found you, the infall of sunlight playing so beautifully across your skin, sweet notes resonating throughout the room, he stopped in his tracks. Levi has a great appreciation for fine, sophisticated things, and you playing the piano with the sun setting behind you must be the epitome of it.

Your eyes widen when you realize he’s there, your hands stopping their movements. Levi scowls at you. “Keep playing.” He tells you commandingly.

Worried that you’ll be punished more severely if you don’t, you start again. You had thought he would be furious to find you slacking during cleaning duties, but as soon as you continued playing his face turned soft. He enjoyed it, taking a seat in a vacant chair and even leaning back slightly. As he listened to your song, he could imagine himself doing this more often, hearing you play and seeing you so delicately working the instrument, perhaps with some tea next time. It was alright that you snuck off this time, he supposed, hiding his smile behind his hand as he was glad he didn’t have to scold you.

Erwin Smith

Nocturnes: No. 1, Molto Moderato, in E flat major by Frédéric Chopin & John Field

It was rare to find a house with luxuries at this area, never mind one that has been abandoned and probably raided countless times. As you run your hand over the dusty piano lid, you wonder if it could possibly still work.

Erwin had just entered the room when you have propped the lid up and sit down on the piano bench. His eyes widen when you start playing a tune, one that for some reason sound familiar. You smile, playing more excitedly. “Seems like it has survived fairly well.” Some of the notes aren’t what they used to be, but it’s a miracle nonetheless.

The more the song carries on, he realizes where he’s heard it before. A friend of his father played the piano and he had played this song before. His admiration for you had already been great for the longest time, but this just increased it even more. Erwin had been no good at instruments himself, yet you played like it was your second nature. He makes a plan for himself to find a piano when the two of you return, wanting to hear more of your hidden talent.

Zeke Yeager

Gnossiennes |-||-||| (1890) by Erik Satie

People rarely came to this part of the wing, and since Zeke’s usual spot was closed off, he decided to go have a smoke on the balcony of the old music room. When he heard someone entering, he observed curiously, watching you sneak in. You pulled off the cover of off the grand piano, letting the sheet fall to the floor. He took drags from his cigarette, narrowed eyes watching your every move from a distance. It was always nice to see you, but what were you doing here?

You play some notes, testing yourself before you take a deep breath. Zeke’s cigarette drops from his lips as soon as you start playing. You carry the tune flawlessly and even he can tell its brimming with emotion. Where the hell had you been hiding this talent?

He listens patiently till you finish your song. He isn’t the best at judging emotions, but from the glances he catches of the side of your face, it seems that you are pouring your frustrations into it.

When you finish, he walks in, closing in on you from behind and putting his hands on your shoulders. You recognize who it is instantly as he leans forward, the scent of smoke carrying from his lips.

“It’s not fair to keep a talent like this hidden.” His hands rub at your shoulders and you feel pride swell in your chest. “Dedicate a song to me?” He asks playfully.

Reiner Braun

Nuvole Bianche by Ludovico Einaudi

Reiner feels ashamed that he didn’t know when he walks in on you playing the piano. He looks away in embarrassment when your eyes catch his. “Excuse me.” He says, already turning back to the door.

“Reiner!”

You stop playing. “This... it’s a new song I’ve learned. Can you stay and tell me if it sounds right?”

He turns back to you, your face showing that you are being earnest. Nodding his head, he strides over to you.

You tap the spot on the bench next to you with your hand and he sits down with a tiny smile.

You go back to the beginning, turning your sheet music accordingly. His gaze goes from your face to your hands as you play. Your fingers move over the keys so lightly, and something about it just makes him want to hold your hand. He holds himself back, not wanting to mess up the beautiful song you are creating.

When you are done, you ask him what he thought. “It was beautiful.” He tells you, beautiful like everything else you do.

Porco Galliard

Prelude in G minor Op. 23/5 by Sergei Rachmaninoff

Porco expected to find some stuffy man playing the piano, which is the case at most of these ‘prestige’ events, but instead he found you. “What the fuck?”

You shoot him a glare, trying your hardest to stay focused on your play. “Don’t throw me off, asshole.”

He doesn’t want to throw you off, he’s just baffled. It’s astounding that the same person who throws him in the dirt during every training is the same as the polished one he sees in front of him right now. From the way you play, there’s no doubt that you must have been doing this for a long time. He vaguely remembers you telling him that you used to take piano lessons, but he had no idea that you now did it professionally. As he watches you play, your eyes cast down to the keys and fingers moving across the length of the board at a rapid pace, he has to admit there’s something charming about it. He grins to himself, the night will be far more entertaining and pleasant on the eye than he had expected.

Colt Grice

Rêverie by Claude Debussy

Colt at first thinks he must be dreaming. The music, your radiant face, it fits right in. He’s not though, instead he has just stumbled onto yet another trait that makes him love you more. You take tiny glances at him as you play and he can tell you are happy he’s here. His palms feel sweaty and his cheeks heat up as he realizes how perfect of a moment it would be if he confessed his feelings now. If he could, he would blurt it out, but he can’t. Instead he continues watching you, building the courage inside him bit by bit.

Noticing that you are cracking your neck quite often, Colt comes over to stand behind you. He’s gentle as he touches your shoulders, seeing if you don’t move away from him before he massages your sore muscles. Little sighs pass by your lips as you continue playing your song, letting your head fall back when it’s finished.

“Thank you, I’m not used to playing for longer times anymore.” You sigh, putting one hand over his.

He flushes at your touch. “You play beautifully, so thank you for letting me hear it..”

[number5theboy]

Favorite song montages/music scenes?

Oooohhhhh, love this. Because I’m on a roll, I made this another list, a top ten one, just so I don’t go overboard. I really looked at this as the scenes as a whole, rather than me liking the song or the scene individually. There are songs from the soundtrack that I love way more than some on this list, but didn’t think that they worked as well with the scene they’re in as the ones that did make the list. Without further ado:

10. I’m a Man (S2E2) - Diego & Reginald Fight

I just like how the aesthetics of this fight and the vibes of the song play perfectly together. It’s a more laid-back song than most fight scenes we get, and the line ‘I’m a man, yes I am, and I can’t help but love you so’ played over Reginald, who is demonstrably not a man and definitely doesn’t love Diego gives it such an almost sarcastic tone, like Reginald is toying with Diego.

9. Exit Music (For a Film) (S1E7) / All Die Young (S1E9) / Hello (S2E5) - Group Montages of Sadness and Change

I couldn’t decide between these three, because they all basically fulfill the same function in the narrative, showcasing different characters at low or turning points, and the mood of each song just hits perfectly. The way ‘Exit Music’ ramps up to Vanya’s guilt over killing and the confirmation that Leonard is Harold Jenkins. How ‘All Die Young’ is upbeat yet melancholic as nobody but Vanya truly is at their lowest at that moment, but you feel the arrow being drawn to the inevitable conclusion to this whole mess. And ‘Hello’ hit so much harder than it had any right to, it have the Swedes some dimension, but also the interplay of music with the funeral and the siblings’ big decisions, Vanya trying to confess to Sissy, Klaus going back to his cult, Allison telling Ray the truth, Diego and Luther burying the hatchet. It’s the perfect mood for it all, and the idea to use a Swedish cover is absolutely brilliant by the music department.

8. Soul Kitchen (S1E6) - Klaus & Dave in Vietnam

The Doors and Vietnam of course perfectly fits, but using the Doors to soundtrack a gay Vietnam romance??? Awesome. I’m usually someone with an ear for lyrics rather than the music, because I just know more about it, so I like it when the lyrics match up, but in this case, I don’t know any of the lyrics. I just like the mood the music creates. It’s a club in Vietnam and they’re not dancing to a club song. I like the rift between image and sound, and the sound still creates such a charged yet comfortable atmosphere.

7. In the Heat of the Moment (S1E5) - Five’s life in the apocalypse through the years 

The fact that Noel Gallagher’s snooty singing and borderline meaningless lyrics fit this scene so perfectly is a minor miracle, but they do. The na na na nas coming in with the image after the counting in before the song quiets down just to soar again over Five’s struggles. And it’s also not a song that sounds strong, that is technically perfect, it never quite reaches grandeur, and I don’t know why the atmosphere it creates goes so hand in hand with decades in an apocalyptic wasteland. And the irony of a song about having someone by your side over excruciating loneliness. Also the lyric ‘you better learn to fly ‘cause they’re gonna point you up at sky’ objectively goes harder than Noel Gallagher lyrics should.

6. Stormy Weather (S1E8) - Allison drives through the rain to find Vanya, haunted by her past actions and flashes back to when she rumoured her daughter

It’s just the perfect soundtrack to Allison’s backstory with her powers, and the fact that it’s sung by Emmy Raver-Lampman herself adds a dimension to it. The entire scene is centered around her voice, you hear her past rumours, you see her tell a story to Claire, then rumour her, and she is singing in the background. It intertwines scene and soundtrack on another level, and I love it. The combination of the sad lyrics but the more upbeat instrumentation, and how they carry into her memory........so good.

5. Shingaling (S1E4) / Pepper (S2E8) - Drug Trip Scenes

TUA has two scenes where people are tripping on drugs, and I cannot choose which one I like more. The mood for weed chocolate vs the consciousness-warping FBI drugs is so drastically different but the song choices are so perfect for both. Hazel and Cha-Cha dancing high off their asses to Shingaling, which is a chill but fun song as they commit arson, coupled with that green colouring and fun shot set-ups. Truly exquisite. Vanya getting nightmare visions in the FBI building, with the weird, disconcerting energy and lyrics of Pepper blasting, and the second-best use of scene switch at the drop that this show has pulled off this far. Stupendous.

4. Run Boy Run (S1E2) / Never Tear Us Apart (S1E2) - Five pushes his powers and lands himself in the apocalypse, where he finds his siblings’ bodies

These scenes are SO good. So good, and it’s because the music is the driving force of the emotion in that moment. Run Boy Run has exuberant energy to underline Five’s excitement as he’s testing out his powers, but it’s also somber and dark and swells at the chorus, which leads to the best scene-switch at a song’s drop in the show. The moment where Five lands in the apocalypse as the chorus becomes grand and he looks around, panicked, and when he runs frantically back to the Academy with the claps and percussion in the background? I get chills every time, and the lyrics make it, I think, the definite Five song as it pertains to his character, his characterisation, his arc, as running, in many different interpretations, is one of the key themes to Five for the entire show. The relatively short scenes really hammers in the tragedy of Five being ripped from his home at such a young age, and it gets underlined with Never Tear Us Apart. I put it with Run Boy Run because they fit together, but Never Tear Us Apart is heart-wrenching in itself. Just the imagine of Five searching through the rubble for his siblings, his small frame stumbling through the ruins, with Paloma Faith giving it her all in the soundtrack, and this heavy bass really banging us over the head with the heaviness of the situation. It’s great and sad and both scenes are carried as much by the soundtrack as they are though Aidan Gallagher’s acting.

3. The Phantom of the Opera Medley (S1E1) / I Think We’re Alone Now (S1E1) / Sister of Pearl (S2E7) - Character-establishing Montages

I am a sucker for this trope, of characters being characterised through a song playing, and TUA pulls it off so well. Phantom of the Opera shows you what the siblings do and where they are at in their lives perfectly, telling you so much with so little. It’s a great introduction and using the Phantom of the Opera, with the idea of Vanya being the phantom, the mysterious musician constantly belittled and underestimated (this is generalised, very much so, but it fits) that lashes out at some point because of the abuse they suffered, is genius also because it combines different themes that you can set the Hargreeves to. I Think We’re Alone Now is about personalities, of who these siblings are if nobody’s watching. I don’t think I need to sing its praises, the scene has become iconic for a reason, it’s memorable and creative. And the music choice, a pop song that they could have listened in their youth, with lyrics that are eerily prophetic, is so good. And Sister of Pearl is the long-awaited addition that introduces Ben’s character, and the music is sweet and fun and him messing around in the world, all giddy and a little goofy, fits with the whole theme of dancing like no one is watching. All three are so amazing at characterising the different Hargreeves.

2. Istanbul (Not Constantinople) (S1E1) - Five fights the Commission agents at Griddy’s

Okay, but what is better than a musical sequence that characterises a sibling? A musical sequence that characterises a sibling that’s also a fight scene! I’m not going to be long about this one, because I wrote 500 words on why I think Istanbul (Not Constantinople) is a brilliant scene just yesterday, you can find it here if you scroll for a bit. It hits so many sweet spots. It re-contextualises Five and adds several dimensions to him. The fight scene is brutal but the music is happy and fun. The song is thematically relevant to the scene and the character and what this scene is trying to accomplish, namely making clear that this kid, who looks like he did at age 13, is not the same as he was, and never will be. Again, go to that other post, I couldn’t stop gushing about how excellent this sequence is, because I really love it, but Season 2 brought along another that I love even more.

1. The Order of Death (S2E6) - Five arrives at the address Reginald sent them, and watches on as his siblings slowly join him one after one

I genuinely don’t know why this one resonated with me so much. I just like the cold but melodic 80s synth together with the cinematography. Every single shot is so good, Five looking up at the looming skyscraper, him climbing the stairs, pushing the button with the use of negative space to show his loneliness, until he gets into the elevator where his siblings come to him. And the music is so fitting, for the scene, but also for Five as a character, it’s a song that works well for him. The rhythmic thumping of ‘this is what you want, this is what you get, this is what you want, this is what you get’ is so dark at second viewing, because this is what Five wants: to talk to Reginald, with the support of his siblings. And what is it he gets? What is the consequence of his actions? His existence gets wiped from history. The music is tense, in anticipation of what comes next, and fits perfectly over these wide establishing shots and their harsh lighting. I can’t pinpoint why I like The Order of Death more than any other musical sequence in the show, but I do. It is such a small, yet perfectly executed scene, and it hits some emotion within me, even though I can’t really articulate which one it is. Intrigue, probably, mixed with dread and a hint of sadness because now I know how this enterprise ends, and it’s not well.

[clovermunson]

1,11,48 for Roxie and Emma please! 💛

every time I get an ask for Emma, I’m reminded that I need to hurry the hell up and get her new profile done😂

but thank you for the ask, Al!🥰❤️

1. What’s a unique skill they have? Is there any reason why they can do it?

Roxie: a unique skill that Roxie has is just basically everything that comes along with her vampirism. there are different strains to it, and hers just so happens to give her some pretty unique abilities like slightly heightened senses, the ability to change her eye color from a a sapphire blue to an icy blue-grey, stuff that would otherwise be unnoticeable to the untrained eye.

Emma: Emma’s unique talent is being able to sense the emotional atmosphere of a room, whether everyone has a sad and somber, upbeat, or solemn tone, she can always detect it and act accordingly to it.

11. What is their dream pet?

Roxie: she would definitely own an Abraxan or two if she ever had the land to keep them on.

Emma: probably Hippogriff to be entirely honest. she loves how they’re prideful but also very protective.

48. How dramatic are they?

Roxie: not really dramatic at all, she’d much rather get to the point and skip the theatrics of something. in the rare case that she is dramatic, it’s only to be funny.

Emma: most people would say Emma is very dramatic. others would say she isn’t. Emma herself would like to think that she isn’t, even though she is just a little bit dramatic.

send an oc ask!

[the-writer-needs-to-know]

Dialogue Tags (Cont.)

When to Use Dialogue Tags

Many struggle with when to use dialogue tags. When there are only two people speaking, they don’t really need to be used except to first establish the speakers. Normally, if the conversation is long, I’ll add a reminder dialogue tag to reestablish that character as the speaker so the reader doesn’t have trouble following the conversation. When three people or more are speaking, it’s better to establish who’s speaking at most times. However, if person 1 talks, person 2 responds, (person 3 says nothing), and person 1 replies, person 1 does not need to be reestablished.

Sometimes, even if it is two characters, there will be a long paragraph or multi-paragraph break between the dialogue. This is when one should add another dialogue tag to state who is speaking. A second one is unnecessary.

For action beats, it’s better to use them for importance to the scene, and they should be used as sparingly as any dialogue tag. You may use them for description, but it’s normally better to use them rarely.

My Personal Style

My way is... kind of a mix of all three methods I discussed. I have a list of a few synonyms I use rather than said on a normal basis, but most conversations I write use “said” at some point, and the rest of the dialogue tags are mostly invisible words. Occasionally, I’ll use a unique synonym I don’t normally use, or I’ll use a descriptive or scene-building action beat.

Normally, I use the following synonyms (note: I normally write in past tense, so all of the following are written in it):

1. Stated - For a flat statement, especially used to imply the character’s tone. As the character’s voice are established, I use this less for those who normally speak flatly and more for the characters who are generally upbeat and happy.

2. Replied - I use this for a kind and casual reply from a character. This is a response to the original speaker’s statement or commented.

3. Asked - I use this for most questions, especially if they’re polite and casual.

4. Questioned - A more interrogative version of asked, normally directed at another character.

5. Wondered - A less interrogative version of asked, sometimes not even directed at another character. 

6. Responded - This is another version of replied. I use it when the character’s response is more somber or less kind.

7. Answered - This is a general statement of response for when a question is asked or a character is addressed.

8. Added - Sort of like replied or responded, but it’s a not a response so much as an addition. It’s further emphasizing what another character said, or it’s adding to the discussion.

9. Commented - A general expression of someone stating something, especially if it’s an observation. Normally, I use it in a light-hearted way, but it’s also fun to use it to accuse another character. Something like “you’ve been awfully quiet”.

For every 4-9, there is 1-3 or “said” in my writing.

[glumvillain]

GlumReviews #5

Stepping further into the darkness we find our journey landing us on July 18th, 1980. The release of Joy Division’s second and final studio album.  Those not familiar with the band history should be aware that this album was released 2 months after singer Ian Curtis’ death. 

By this time in music history the world had witnessed the folly of mankind as societies collapsed and transformed due to economic or social woes.  This is some of the first popular music that was perhaps the most honest as it could be, it didn’t lie to you, there was no promises of a better tomorrow, your future prospects will be dried up by the time you’re old enough to manifest them.

Curtis’ lyrics pull no punches about the dour and hopeless experiences of the human condition.  The music itself is a sparse backdrop to his narration. Definitely not an album you come strolling into looking for a good time.  Although I read previous reviews saying it was danceable music so what the %^&* do I know.

1. Atrocity Exhibition

The album opens with a tribal-like drum lead, beginning a relentless journey through the tortured mind of Ian Curtis. Random sounds and textures fade in and out, building to add a layer of menace to the overall tone. The lyrics, stark and crushing. “All the dead wood from the jungles and cities on fire/ Can’t replace or relate can’t release or repair.”

2. Isolation

A synth heavy turn-around from the intro song, something a little more cozy, but in contrast of the upbeat sounding song, Curtis goes on to sing “I’m doing the best that I can/ I’m ashamed of the things I’ve been put through, I’m ashamed of the person I am”.  The theme of--yes Isolation is heavily present throughout the album as it feels this entire album was recorded in the vacuum of space.  Sterile and cold.  Almost empty.  As mentioned before Curtis pulls no punches with his lyrical content but the rest of the bands playing feels like an exercise in taming that overwhelming emotion that Ian constantly struggles to keep in.

3.  Passover

As a pretty empathetic person it’s difficult to read his lyrics at times because they are just so brutally raw and negative.  Most people don’t talk this way for fear of alienating people, but the way he sings it, how it’s sung. You just feel the exhaustion of a world beating down on you. The music is simple, but it serves a perfect device for him to convey his message of “This is the crisis I knew had to come/ Destroying the balance I kept”.

4.  Colony

In reading some interviews from Joy Division, when asked to explain the lyrics to his songs, Ian says that it was simply up to anyone’s interpretations what his lyrics meant.  And I can really respect that, because for one it makes it easy for me sound like I may actually know what I’m talking about here.  But really it allows the listener to make something personal to their own experiences, I’d offer mine up but this album is dreary enough.  It really feels as if Ian is just in a completely different band from the rest of his bandmates as some of these compositions don’t really match up with the vocal moods. 

5. Means to an End

Now with the previous song in mind, this is where I feel they all align in ideology or mood.  As previous bands I reviewed, Joy Division seem to have a distinct style that made them stand out from a crowd of hundreds of bands in the same position as them. This is that sound and it embodies everything perfectly. Vamping lyrics, a hopeful hopelessness in the sound but it’s all just the soundtrack to the deteriorating condition of someone whose experienced too much loss to really muster up the energy to keep fighting. 

6. Heart and Soul

“Existence, well what does it matter?/ I exist on the best terms I can”.  And this album is just full of these strikingly dark and beautiful lyrics. The song itself, which was brewed with a punk backbone, but lacking the power of rage, it’s chill mood music and again such simple arrangements carrying Ian’s haunting singing.  A steady groove of vamping lyrics and regretful self-loathing. 

7.  Twenty Four Hours

Another staple sound for goth bands of this era is the chorused bass sound heavily present here and I love it. One of their more energetic songs for Ian to brood over. According to interviews with Joy Division, Curtis’ bandmates wish they would have noticed the signs pointing to his untimely demise sooner.  Furthermore also saying they’d never really paid attention to the lyrics.  Because I mean.....it doesn’t take a scholar to read between the lines of the massive monoliths Ian Curtis was constructing to doom and gloom. And I got all this from wiki so if you wanna read up more about it I suggest starting there and digging through their sources provided.  Invoking a gloomy Jim Morrison, this song is a pretty standard experience with Joy Division by this point in the album but the stylistic changes are welcome to break up any monotony you may be feeling.

8. The Eternal

A very somber song encased in synth pads and dark gothic piano.  Painting the picture of a funeral, of going through the motions of death and loss.  These are probably some of the saddest, depressing songs I’ve ever heard in a row.  Not being said to take away from the album.  If you ever wanted to hear what a normal person sounds like, I think Ian Curtis is that voice, just a young man lost in a gigantic world, suffered from epilepsy and battling depression amid a dissolving marriage. Being hoisted on-stage where he would be victim to his seizures.  Even in wanting to shout his pain to the world, he was made to suffer.

9.  Decades

The album closes with a realization of sound.  A beautiful piece of music as they abandon almost all instruments in favor of cold, lifeless synthesizers.  and they play with Ian’s voice so beautifully in this moment.  Alot of these songs play as if they’re being sung by someone dying on the side of the road.  Watching a world pass them by, counting up all the regrets and eventually having to let go. 

This was not an easy album to review as it took multiple listens to really get it to sink in, perhaps I’m not at the darkest moments of my life, but I empathize deeply with Ian’s thoughts and emotions.  Through the research and listening of this album I do feel a bit of sadness for him, and thankful that such a record exists of such a HUMAN take on the world and music. I find it really hard to rate because of how relentlessly depressing it is at times, does that take away or add to the experience? I guess every listener will react differently and perhaps if you’re one of those people who needs sad music to get through difficult times, this could serve as an important piece of music to you.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

I decided that the depressingly real aspect of it only adds to the experience.  While not exciting in terms of a party or dance record, it really does serve as an important document to mental health and the struggles of depression. I’d be hard pressed to say I’d revisit this album again. But I’m glad to have discovered it and really gave it a chance to grow on me. 

[thewolfisawake]

Since I’m in this brainrot alone, of course I’m just gonna end up thinking of a Hypmic AU with muses and their friends because I’m trash like that. Anyway, to avoid spamming my discord with the ideas, I’m just writing it on here. So a couple muses and those from @arcxnumvitae and @shxtteredillusions​.

Starting with Kesil just because he honestly doesn’t fit with the rest. His actually came first as I thought of him with his friends from a different platform. He would be rolling with his delinquent/probably doing some illegal shit friends. Their style is more like MTC with the rough and tumble, down and dirty sort of thing. His MC name is actually Shinigami because I gotta stick with his ‘thing’ no matter the AU! I do not know what his mic nor speakers would end up like. I think most of his themes are related to him as a killer as he in this verse likely only learned and became good with a hypmic just because it’s the only weapon he could have. I mean...he probably could sneak one regardless but since most weapons were phased to mics, he probably learned. His rap ability would probably be something like Death Reversal, basically he could deny himself or his comrades of being knocked out as it fits with his actual ability of death force manipulation. Of all the guys I think he’s most like, it’s probably Rio as I don’t feel he’s overly expressive. Not because of lack of feeling but just that cool under pressure sore of thing

--

Anyway onto the Bastion Kids because they’re my faves to mess with

Ofc Lucien’s the easiest to think of this crap for. I do not have a MC name because unlike the creators, I have shame. But probably something wolf related. I feel his mic would be pretty old so look like a carbon microphone (because I think I’m funny) and be pretty simple. Don’t know what his speakers would be like. I think his themes are actually rather mundane when outside of battle. But in battle, cutthroat bastard. He’s like absolute annihilation of his enemy, his words are like the maw of a beast, he’d rip you to shreds. His ability is Cornered Counter, basically as his energy dwindles, his attacks get more powerful. Basically you gotta be decisive with him because the longer he lasts, the more dangerous he is. So obviously his is most like Samatoki’s as it fits his aggressive tone and no back down attitude. 

I have a feeling he probably pissed off the Party of Words and thus if they had the chance to deal with him, they would’ve. Maybe he and his fam had differing views as to how to take this change in the world. I feel like he preferred the old ways but had to adapt to using a hypnosis mic in order to survive. And survive he did. 

Katarina’s was somewhat easier to do because she’s very clear in her presentation. I debate if she’d just straight up use her name or if it’d be something like Prima (either by itself or being Prima Donna), something denoting her regality. Her mic is likely a stand one fashioned like crystalline ice. Her speakers kind of hard to describe other than like a metallic feminine figure that kind of looks like a warlord, armed to the teeth with swords. Her themes are of betterment of the state of her surroundings, how she’ll change it with her own hands and utmost confidence of herself. Her rap ability I am still working on since while the idea currently works with her actual ability...what it ends up doing runs counter to her personality. It’d be called Dazzle and would basically redirect an opponent’s attack to someone else. However the issue is Kat can’t choose who it goes to. Since there’s not much I can draw from with the ladies of hypmic, I would go with CL for her sound although I found Chanmina while searching and thought this hits me for Kat. But if I had to choose a character, it’d be Ichijiku.

 I actually think her mother might’ve been a good soldier for the Party of Words but then she kinda sorta ended up falling in love with the enemy. Whoops. Except like the Party of Words didn’t know she did (supposedly). And so she left and went to be with Kat’s dad, who was a resistance member but wasn’t able to use a mic. So Kat is like the kid that was like...y’know we could live in peace if we’re not super oppressive. I feel like Petra taught her how to rap as it’s the only viable weapon for Kat so that’s what she uses. 

Crowe’s is a pain because he’s a pain. I don’t have a MC name either maybe Shadow? Too basic? I dunno. His mic either a headset or futuristic kind of shades he wears. I’m sure everyone finds it odd. His speakers look more like cameras and briefcases with like a dicey looking umbrella. It’s huge frickin’ homage to spy stuff y’all. And you’ll figure out the function of them when he turns his speakers on you. Electric volt briefcases, umbrella gun, that kinda stuff. His themes are pretty pessimistic, the secrets of others, the ability to get his hands dirty and what those dirty hands can and can’t do. His rap ability I feel would be based on his gorgon blood so likely named such (Gorgon) or Eyebite and would work where he paralyzes an opponent from taking their turn. Who I draw most for him is actually Jakurai although obviously his voice is no where as deep. 

If there had to be a traitor, it’s probably Crowe. He isn’t particularly happy about it but at the same time, it’s not like he’s brave enough to deal with his overlords. Not when he knows the things they COULD do. Or maybe he’s doing spy stuff on Chuuoku and is in a continuously perilous position but can’t or won’t talk to anyone about it. Basically he still has his paranoia but for a different reason. 

Hmmm Taylor’s giving me a lot of problems because I just can’t pin down a lot for her. I don’t have a name for her nor any idea what she’d go with. Maybe something food based? The only ones coming to mind are Red Velvet and Matcha. Her mic? I think she’d use a hand held mic. Kind of like the ones you do karaoke on in terms of shape. Her speakers? * confused noises * Her themes mmm....I think hers are rather upbeat although not without bite! Her rap ability still eludes me. If I’m thinking of sound, I would put it as something like Calliope although again her words are lighter than hers. 

I feel like Taylor’s family ended up with her parents not surviving the war and thus was left with Rhett to try to keep his siblings from being separated from him. She didn’t view a need to learn how to rap--after all a lot of the population doesn’t seem to--but her mind was changed after being kidnapped for ransom and subjected to the effects of a hypnosis mic. She ended up saved by then then ragtag kids and wanted to learn so that she was never in that position again.

Hooo boy, Emil has that instinctual attention to tone shift going mad. Oh god. I do not have a MC name for him either. I feel Prince would be far too on the nose. So something else. I think he’d have a stand mic, I think his would be like I think it’s a certain kind of ribbon mic? Like this? Makes me think of like old school announcers that fits with his lively personality. I feel like his speakers would be more like ice fragments that feels like they should be falling but don’t. His themes are like half light-hearted and inviting, about having a good time with others. But the other times it’s about masks and charades. He is the kind that has that tone drop and you can tell it’s another ‘presence’ to Emil. One that is vicious and will have you sinking. His rap ability is Frostbite, which would essentially have any battle of his become a race against time. His ability starts sapping the energy of his opponent and of course if they drop...it’s game over for them. His sound when light-hearted is more like Hifumi in like vocal tone but with Ramuda’s flow. Yet I feel like the perfect sound for his is Gentaro’s verse in Stella (Emil, I hope you know you are the biggest pain in terms of style) in terms of like how he sounds in alternating between cutting and light. 

I feel like his mom had stayed in the Chuuoku under the Party of Words but had seen Emil’s dad while outside of the ward. And then she fell pregnant and was in love with Emil when he was born despite him being a son than daughter. And when faced with either handing Emil over to his dad or leaving Chuuoku, she chose the latter. This was her baby. Emil had grown up with both but his mom passed away...his father suspecting it to be Chuuoku’s doing, moved away far from the ward. However Emil grew curious of the hypnosis mic that his mother had used when she was alive and so he ran off near Chuuoku, where he met a...unkind mentor (basically his grandma in normal verse stuff) that did teach him but did affect his candor. 

Cipriana I have also am having some trouble thinking things of. I do not have a MC name but I think it’d be cool if she chose one that’s like...reclaiming and being proud of her ‘runt’ status. Also am not sure about her mic. I think she’d have a handheld one though. As her mic, maybe they’re in the shape of spools with like threads all around and at least one connecting her her mic. Her themes I feel would be a bit like that somber hope? Like it sounds a little sad but it’s ultimately about a better day eventually. Which contrasts to how she is in a battle as I imagine she is very loud in presence since this is more or less a fight and she isn’t getting knocked down again (her mindset of chasing down Lucien absolutely frightens and intrigues me). I just thought of her ability being like By a Thread, where she essentially she cannot be ringed out and can be a little harder to knock out. Her set up kind of makes like a net or wrap around her to keep her from falling (also makes her look like a doll in some aspects, oooh callback). I think of her sound very much like Nemu. 

I do not know how she runs in this story except maybe that she was normal and just simply ended up in the whirlwind of hypnosis mics. Although sitting here now, I’m thinking if Arsenio had a mic and had used it against her--since it’s basically inflicting psychic damage--on her even though she didn’t have one (which is illegal btw). And Vini had it with his shit and used his own and having the same mindset as in her original verse, she actually took one of their mics and used her words against Vinicio, still causing their original rift...just worse. A lot of the same plotting from there maybe? Eventually she meets the rest of the kids.  

Aspis has been rather hit or miss. I am still thinking on his MC name but Yaksha has been in there. I am thinking of his mic to be handheld and I can’t think of anything particular for its design. I think of his speakers looking like demon masks with the speaker part within the mouth. It’s kinda intense looking especially since you know he’s so sweet. Gotta keep his contrasting aesthetic somewhere. His themes are usually about mundane things as well. Musings about those of his past and present. I feel he’s the least biting towards others in battles? Like a lot of battles are attacking something about your opponent or about one’s own ability. I think Aspis would rely less on tearing someone down. Not saying he can’t but I feel like it’s gonna be a bloodbath if he does. His rap ability would be called Katashiro, where he links to another person (usually an opponent) where when he is injured, that damage is shared between him and the opponent. Which coupled with his odd endurance, could drop whoever he linked with before he falls. If I think of his sound, I think of Kuko’s flow but also Ichiro’s lyrical way.

I feel like Aspis gonna have all the crap things of being a war orphan for himself. Pretty self-reliant and not one to take help because he kinda doesn’t know how to. But I think music saves him, I think Daza might be a DJ who even if she didn’t have a mic, she got him understanding of flow and the like. And it was just a comfort for him. She probably helped him obtain a mic. And he was friends and the like with Yukina until she went with the Party of Words. 

Aya’s is like Aspis’ hit or miss in terms of what I can think of. MC names are harrrrdddddd. I feel like her mic I alternate between it being the kind you see a cabaret singer use or a handheld. Maybe one of the first that does both??? I can’t think much in design other than ‘shimmery.’ Not like gaudy but like you watch her move or light hits just right and you see it shine...like her. Her speakers looks more like a theater. With like velvety curtain backdrop and everything. And her attacks look pretty until they hit you. I’m thinking like razor flower petals sort of thing. Her themes...mmm, I feel like overall it’s just ‘pop-y’ and light. It’s nothing like her battling. I feel she just sounds pleasant but then has some serious cutthroat bars. Despite this, I think of her rap ability being Renewal, being able to make others’ attacks stronger and cutting the damage they take. Super supportive skill which she probably took a while to figure out about. I actually found her sound while looking at other stuff. Which I think is Jeon Soyeon easily. 

Also not quite sure where she would be in the story other than I think Meg would’ve procured her a mic for her protection. And I think she cultivated her rapping to have a rap ability. And I feel like Meg was worried about it and wanted Aya away from eyes that would witness it. Because although it has no offensive power for Aya herself (at least not that anyone’s made her come to that point), it is useful for like...a team or ally situation. So useful for the Party of Words and what Meg wants to avoid. But she can’t really stop Aya from doing what she wants with her mic. 

[crackedoutgiraffe]

The Stars in Your Eyes

THIS IS PART 2 OF TO THE MOON AND BACK

Part 2: Chapter 1 Part 2: Chapter 2 Part 2: Chapter 3 Part 2: Chapter 4

A/N: I’m starting a one-shot “series” based off of songs, send me a message with any songs you want to see! Send me an ask or message if you want to be on the taglist. Also, S12 E13

Warnings: Fluff and Angst

Word Count: 1,282

2/14/2017

This morning was like any other, the only thing that set it apart was the date. It was valentine's day and Reid wasn’t there. He told you he was going to see an Alzheimer’s specialist in Houston. He left you alone with his senile mom.

You tried your best to understand what he was going through. Hotch and Morgan had both left within six months of each other. It hurt the entire team but Reid took it the hardest. Morgan partly named his son after Spence and then left. Hotch and Jack went into protective custody when Scratch escaped from jail. The team gained two new members, neither bad, but they weren’t Morgan or Hotch. 

You were laying in your bed awake when your alarm went off. Groaning you pulled the covers off and placed your bare feet on the cool hardwood floors. You changed into a pants suit and made your way to the bathroom. You brushed your hair, your teeth, and put on a little bit of makeup before heading to the kitchen for coffee. Diana was still asleep on the couch so you got your coffee and slipped out before she could wake up. You made your way to the parking lot and started your car. The drive to work was boring, Reid had always made them more exciting. He would tell you a joke only you would get or a fact that was kind of scary, but you felt safe. 

The elevator brought you up to the sixth floor, dinging to tell you your day was just starting. JJ, Penelope, Luke, Prentiss, and Rossi were all standing around in the bullpen when you came in.

“Sorry I’m late,” you smiled as you set your bag down at your desk. They all seemed to shift their feet around. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Prentiss was quick to answer. “We are just doing paperwork today, why don’t you go home and take care of Diana?”

“Emily, are you sure?” you went to grab your stuff again. 

She looked around the group with a nervous look on her face, “Yeah, Reid would kill us if we made you stay.” They all seemed to fake smiles, but it was a day off and you were going to make the best of it.

“Thank you,” you grabbed your stuff and headed back to the elevator. You had a smile on your face the whole way home. There was one detail that you and Reid left out when you told the team Diana was coming to live with you. Reid hired a caretaker for her who could come when you were at work.

You hadn’t had a day off in a while so you had no idea what to do. There was only one thing you were sure of, you needed to go to the drugstore. You stopped at a CVS and bought a pregnancy test. It wasn’t the first time you’d bought one so you stayed calm the whole time. The only reason you bought it was because your period had been two weeks late. You had made a list of the causes and this was the easiest to cross off. 

When you got back to the apartment, you b-lined to the bathroom. You followed the directions to a t. While it was processing you sat in the corner and thought about how your life may change in the next five minutes. The timer on your phone snapped you out of your trance. You felt like you were floating as you walked back to the sink. 

Two lines. There were two lines. You, according to the pregnancy test, were pregnant. You made the decision in a split second that Reid was going to be the first person you told. 

***

The rest of the day was incredibly boring. All you did was clean and worry. No one had called you, at all. At around 6, you had had enough. You called JJ, whose phone went to voicemail twice before she finally picked up. 

“Hey, how’s it going?” you kept your voice happy and upbeat.

She let out a long sigh before finally speaking, “Y/N you should come back,” she took a long pause and you didn’t breathe the entire time, “it’s Spence.”

“What happened?” you pressed the phone between your shoulder and your ear while you grabbed your stuff. 

“We’ll tell you when you get here,” she sighed.

You started your car and put the phone on speaker, “ok, bye JJ,” you hung up. The frustration that overwhelmed you was immeasurable. You banged against your dashboard and let out a loud scream before putting the car in drive and heading back to Quantico.

When you got there you took the elevator up. The entire time you could feel your heart beating in your chest. The doors opened and you nearly started crying. The tone of JJ’s voice didn’t meet the sight you saw when you stepped out. Everyone was standing outside of the elevator’s. You noticed the somber tones and the meticulously placed FBI jacket on Reid’s hands.

“What’s going on?” you asked as you stepped out of the elevator. “Spence?” 

He looked down at the floor with a guilty look on his face. 

“He got into some trouble in Mexico,” Prentiss started. “They believe that he murdered a doctor named Nadie Ramos.”

“Oh my god,” you felt light-headed and nauseous. 

“We know you didn't do anything wrong,” JJ explained.

“But I should have told you guys I was going there,” Reid apologized. “I never... never imagined in a million years it would have turned out like this.”

“No one thought that this could have happened,” Prentiss stepped in.

“Look, you're not in this alone anymore,” Walker’s voice was very calming. “Ok?” 

“No secrets,” Rossi added.

Spence smiled, “deal.” 

“My turn,” Garcia interrupted. “Come here, you. Oh, my God. Your color's better. All I had to look at was that mug shot, and it had me really worried.”

“Yeah, we all were,” JJ added.

“Glad you're back,” Prentiss placed her hand on his shoulder. 

“Me, too,” Spence turned to look at you. “How's my mom doing?” 

“She's fine,” you answered. “You don't need to worry about her, I promise.”

“I can't help it,” he smiled. “Can I talk to you?” he stared at you and waited for you to respond.

You nodded, “of course.” The two of you walked farther down the hallway for some privacy. “I’m so sorry,” you wrapped your hands around his neck and started to cry.

He laid his head into your shoulder, “I should be the one apologizing.” You let him go from the hug and wiped your tears. “I should have told you,” he frowned.

“No, all that matters is that you're safe,” you placed a quick kiss on his lips.

“I  won’t have much time here so I need you to know that no matter what happens I love you,” he smiled.

“I love you too,” you gave him another hug.

You felt a hand on your shoulder and looked up to see Rossi, “I’m sorry guys, it’s time to go.”

“I love you,” Reid shouted again as he was escorted away.

The tears rolling down your face prevented you from saying anything more than a whisper, “I love you too,” you muttered out. It was hard to watch your husband being dragged away but Luke came over and gave you a hug. JJ drove you home and made sure everything was ok before she left. The first thing on your mind was that you didn’t tell him about the baby. You decided that it was for the best, he didn’t need another thing to worry about.

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