#its a meditation and then its a bop

[werewolfmack]

Song of the Week - A song that's existed for a long time but I just heard for the first time today and really loved

[swampstew]

Can I please have Marco or Ace (or polyam) with a gn or he/him reader. A fluffy date to the beach together or a roadtrip? Thaaank you and I hope you are well <3

(I didn't see a list of chars you don't write so hope this is okay - if not ignore me haha)

Hiiii! I am sorry it took me a while to finish this request but I hope you like the end result. I gave you a polyam relationship with he/him pronouns for ya, AND a road trip to the beach💋

All SFW and fluff, Marco X M! reader X Ace, existing polyam relationship, no description of reader but addressed as he/him. WC: 848 Minors DNI - my content is for mature audiences only

The sound of your phone alarm startled you awake. You sleepily slapped at it until it fell off the bed and turned off. Disgruntled, you paw around for your partners and find the bed empty.

Odd.

Normally there are 3 bodies spooning into one another this early in the morning.

Resting your eyes, you slowly processed everything and kept an ear out for clues or noises that gave any indication of where Marco or Ace are. Then you heard it. The soft, muffled sounds of men trying to hide their footfalls as they moved around. It sounded like they were moving things, some heavy and some not as you tried to discern the different sounds each man tried to repress. Tired huffs for heavier loads, a spry step on the wooden floorboard from a young man trying to sneak around.

You didn’t have to wait long – the men in question entered your shared bedroom and dogpiled on you.

“Y/N! Time to wake up!”

“Yoi!”

“What’s going on?” you ask them as you wriggle from under them.

“We’re taking a road trip to the beach!”

Oh hell yeah!

“What should I bring?”

“Just you’re cute self, Y/N,” Marco booped your nose.

The center console of your car could be moved back to allow a third seat between the driver and passenger seats. That’s your designated seat. Even embroidered a little name tag to the fabric.

Since the nearest beach was nearly 2 hours away, you started playing a classic playlist that everyone could enjoy. Bopping your heads and belting the choruses out loud, you took turns skipping through songs and serenading each other with popular music from your respective eras. Marco was more a smooth Jazz and Classic Rock type of cat, while Ace leaned more towards R&B and Pop music. You’re tastes hit everywhere in between theirs which made for a well-rounded lineup.

You fed Marco little snacks as he drove while Ace did the same for you, playing license tag games or ‘I Spy,’ passing the time in between your karaoke performances. Before you knew it – the beach was in sight.

“Oh its perfect!” you crow as the sun hung nice and low in the early morning. It wasn’t overly hot and there were just enough wispy clouds in the skies to cover up the harsh light before it felt overwhelming.

You helped Marco set out the extra large blanket over the sand and assisted Ace with unfolding the chairs and large umbrellas. You all took your excess clothes off and took your time with it, sitting closely together to rub sun lotion over each other’s sensitive skin.

Setting out your items, drinks being made in the background while someone set up the BlueFlame speaker for some relaxing tunes, you took a moment to meditate privately. So happy and so grateful you were able to get away today. To get some rest and relax with each other away from the hassles of living in the city.

Ace finished blowing up some floaties for you all to laze in while you floated in the ocean. Nursing your drinks in the rubber side cup holders, your head tilted to the sky and you adjusted your sunglasses so the sun wouldn’t burn your eyes – Marco would never let you hear the end of it.

You must have nodded off because you jerked awake when your bottom was dragged against the sandy shore.

“Heh! Hey sleepyhead! Ready for lunch? And sunburn reapplication? It may be too late for you actually,” Ace ran his hand over his neck as he helped you up.

“Oh! Yeah we’re going to have to aloe vera you up before we leave and apply it every few hours for the next 24-48 hours-yoi.”

“Sun, you have betrayed my trust yet again!” you sigh woefully.

Marco and Ace broke out in laughter, “He’s so funny!” Ace wiped a tear from his eye.

“He’s also dehydrated,” Marco tossed you a water bottle from the cooler.

Properly fed, hydrated and sun protected, you switch on and off between swimming, hitting a volleyball back and forth, and reading your book while sun bathing. Time didn’t exist for you – at least, not until the sun decided to set and put an end to your little getaway. You pouted the entire time as you packed up and got back in the car to go home.

Ace volunteered to drive so Marco could rest a little on the drive back. It took 3 minutes for him to fall asleep pressed against the window. You and Ace giggled at him and conversed quietly during the drive.

“What a wonderful day, I’m so sad it’s over,” you sigh.

“Don’t be sad it’s over! Cherish it until we can take another trip.”

“Yeah?”

“Of course! We’ll take you anywhere you want to go,” Ace ruffled your hair and pulled you into his side, steering with one hand.

You hum happily, “Noted. In that case, can you take me to get an ice cream?”

That made Marco jerk awake, “I want a double scoop on a waffle cone-yoi!”

[odditycircus-2002]

When You and Jimmy Crystal Started Dating

A/N: I hope y'all like my first batch of headcanons! Cause I enjoyed putting them down to metaphorical paper!

PREV

NEXT

(I don't own this image)

As Jimmy assured you when you first met, you and your band passed your audition with his boss! Said boss especially loving the energy you bring to the stage.

Not too long after, a bouquet of flowers was left at your Winnebago, specifically, sunflowers. The same flower as your spiritual and stage namesake. The tag attached to the bouquet read, "Congratulations! I knew you would make the cut xoxox -J.C"

You felt your ears flatten against your head and your face warmer under your bandmate's knowing smirks, knowing exactly who sent the sunflowers and why. Later that evening, you'd slip away from the rest of your band to call Jimmy and have to physically hold down your tail when he answered, hoping he wouldn't be able to hear it over the phone. You thank him for the flowers and say that the rest of your band found them lovely. He gives a chuckle over the phone in response, a sound that causes an invigorating shiver down your spine.

"Those flowers weren't for them, Sunshine."

Jimmy laughed over the phone as you just about died on the spot from how hot your face became.

With Time, you and your band's popularity slowly but indeed started to skyrocket. At the same time, Jimmy also started climbing the corporate ladder, with your band's success being a major factor in helping to promote him. "Taking Back the Spring" performed under the Corporation's agency for some years, making hit after hit, albums that sold like hotcakes, and shows that are closer to being as big and grand as you and your band hoped they would be. Your music and passionate songs captivate audiences and get people to bop their heads along to the beat over the radio.

Often after rehearsals or a show, you'd find bouquets of your favorite flowers in your dressing room, all from one J.C. Flowers that you lovingly replant or find a nice spot for them in your apartment.

Sometimes, when you both have some free time, you and Jimmy would go out to take walks in the park. You're pretty sure none of your bandmates believe you when you say you're just meeting up with Jimmy Crystal for professional reasons. Which is a given since they know it's a lie. You and Jimmy would sometimes get snacks from nearby food stands before sitting under a tree or a park bench. Both of you would talk about anything and everything that comes to mind, mostly blowing off steam when it came to work. For you, it's how nosy your bandmates can sometimes be.

You giggled a bit when Jimmy went into a full-on rant about the morons he has to work with and some of the talentless garbage his boss decided to sponsor. Unknowingly, causing him to send his ice cream flying off its cone.

"I mean, really! Amazingly, the bozo was able to recognize talent when he see it when it came to you and your group, but most of the other acts workin' under him? Garbage, complete garbage!"

"Well, music is subjective like any art form. What you find to be "trash" others might find a treasure trove with."

You giggled a bit when he realized he had no ice cream anymore, much to his chagrin. However, you do offer him your cone, which he takes with an almost inaudible "thank you" licking it, before playfully insulting your taste in treats.

"Jokes on you, now it will forever be the flavor of our first indirect kiss."

This time it was Jimmy's turn to be speechless. He gives your ice cream another lick before admitting that it ain't that bad.

Later when you went back to the Winnebago, you screamed into your pillow.

Other times when you're not spending time together at the park, Jimmy would take you to show you the best shows in the theater or the best places to grab a coffee or pastry. In turn, you show him some activities that you like which include some yoga and meditation that you try to get Jimmy to better maintain his temper. While he does grumble about how it seems dumb, he still participates with you and the rest of your band.

You realize that gift-giving is part of Jimmy's love language when, not too long after you struck up a friendship, he started leaving you more than flowers. Anything you're interested in? He started buying the best quality items related to them. It's no trouble for him at all, money wise much to your never-ending bewilderness. Personally, your favorite gift from him is a soladite crystal pendant. Why? It's because Jimmy gave it to you on your first official date.

A date that entailed you and him watching the hottest and newest musical in time, that left you humming its songs long after leaving the theater. After the musical was dinner at one of the fanciest restaurants you've ever seen and felt a little (much) insecure being in. Yet, Jimmy couldn't keep his eyes off you the entire time. At one point, he reaches out with his paw to cover yours and tell you loud enough for you to hear.

"Darling, you look perfect tonight."

Later, after taking a moonlight-lit walk in the park, you ended up back at your apartment. Although, neither you nor Jimmy wanted to end the night right then and there.

A lightbulb seemed to light up in your head as you quickly put on one of your vinyl and invited Jimmy to dance, who happily obliges. Not too surprisingly, Jim-Jam has some moves of his own to show you, swaying you both fluidly around with expert elegance and grace. Eventually, you're just left swaying and moving slowly in each other's arms as the last song is coming to an end.

You're resting your head on his chest and Jimmy holds you close by the small of your back and hip, before moving to look up at the white wolf. His crystal blue eyes always captivated you, but now they melt your heart.

"Thanks for the wonderful date, Jim."

"Not a problem, Y/N"

You don't know who exactly leaned in first, although Jimmy fervently claims it was you, you then find your and Jimmy's noses touching one another. The nose touching then dissolved into kissing on the lips, next into some kissing and nipping on the neck. Finally, you're left as a love-sick puddle as Jimmy then bids you goodnight.

At some point, rumors and speculation about your band's more love-centric songs started to form, specifically about if any of the songwriters (including you) wrote them with a certain someone special in mind. Eventually, you were asked directly on Hot News during an interview.

"So Sunny, could you please answer a teeny tiny question that we've all been dying to know the answer to? Who did you, if anyone, have in mind when writing your latest song?"

"That's quite a question to make there Lyla. I'd say if he is watching right now, the answer is crystal clear."

You give an earnest smile and a wink into the camera, not knowing miles away Jimmy is watching this interview with his mouth slightly agape and his tail wagging.

Why didn't you just admit who you're seeing or interested in public? Because you and Jimmy agreed to keep your personal lives outside of your careers private. No need to have nosy reporters bothering you or your band every minute of every day. Plus, Jimmy is still building his career and doesn't just want to be known as your arm candy.

Speaking of his career, when he got to the point he could quit his old job and start his own enterprise, he asked you, your band, and a cat named Jerry if you want to come work for him. While you and Jerry were immediately on board, it took a bit of convincing for the rest of your band including having more creative control and freedom.

Their hesitance was born of how they've seen how Mr. Crystal can be cantankerous when not in front of his boss or any cameras, demanding perfection from everyone that worked under him. Literally barking orders or barking when someone gets a small thing wrong.

Yet, you assured your band, and your friends, how that's because of how his ex-boss expected a lot out of him and put a lot of workload on him. That and you're helping Jimmy manage that anger with some meditation and light exercise. Which has been working if you say so yourself. Jerry vouched that this is true.

While having some reservations, your bandmates eventually came around to working for Mr.Crysal's upcoming Crystal Entertainment.

A little over a year after "Taking Back Spring" switched agencies, Jimmy Crystal would pop another question to you. Right on your dating anniversary.

Playlist while writing this:

"Sway" by Michael Buble

"Higher" by Michael Buble

"Night Eyes" by the Orion Experience

"Can't help falling in Love" by Elvis Presley

"Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars

"Singing in the Rain" by Gene Kelly

"Take on Me" by A-Ha

"Knock Knock" by Lenka

"Sugar" by The Orion Experience

"Roll with Me" by The Orion Experience

"Perfect" by Ed Sheeran

"Love me Like you Do" by Ellie Goulding

[ruinmegently]

— CREATURE

/* Ramattra and Genji have a moment. */

"We are brothers in our oppression, if not in our ideologies."

"Yet you still call him brother."

The creature cants his head, peering at Genji as if the cyborg is a worm struggling in the dirt — dragged up by a heavy rain.

That is what Genji has taken to calling this beast of war. Creature. Not because of Ramattra's machinery or metal parts or rogue coils, but for the tint of the soul simmering wildly beneath those wires. The omnic sits in a meditative pose, bound by tight hardlight restraints that light the dark room with a faint teal glow. Stuck to the cement floor. Yet Genji feels small when pinned by that rough gaze.

"Your point, cyborg."

He could, maybe, pace. Be loose and liquid. Cocky, like Cassidy who'd entered the cell with a cigar and a swagger. Or Dr. Ziegler, stiff and no-nonsense and somehow far more spooky than Genji remembered her. His peers had pressed for knowledge about Null Sector's future plans and found only resistance against metal.

But Genji isn't here to interrogate.

He sits cross-legged in front of the Ravager. Elbows anchored on knees, chin resting between his palms. So small in the shadow of an omnic forced to bend.

"Are you uncomfortable?" Genji asks after a long moment of silence. Ramattra only stares. "I could ... bring you a pillow?"

"I have no need for your supplications."

Genji raises a brow. Supplications — as if, even imprisoned, Ramattra believes he holds a power worthy enough to make his captors grovel. Or, no. Not power.

Conviction.

Speaking of which.

Genji digs into the deep pocket of his hoodie and pulls out a single metallic orb. It hums with yellow light running through its intricately carved veins. The omnic before him tenses, like a widening of eyes.

"He wanted you to have this."

"I have no—"

"No need for it, yes. I told him you would say something like that."

But still, Genji places the orb on the ground and rolls it forward. It crosses the space between them and bops Ramattra on the knee.

The creature can neither accept nor deny the gift, arms restrained. His head tilts down to stare at it instead.

"It is an orb of har—"

"I know what it is."

Where others might see silence in the eerily still way Ramattra holds himself, Genji has spent enough time living with the Shambali monks to recognize the language of despair.

"Why did he not bring it himself?"

"I think you know the answer to that, too."

Genji unfurls, rising with practiced grace. He turns to leave the cell.

"What," Ramattra calls after him, voice a hateful, smooth rumble. "No questions on what I plan to do to you, your friends, your kind?"

The cyborg doesn't pause until he reaches the door, fingers on its handle.

"You would never hurt him, would you?"

"Explain."

"Zenyatta. You stand on opposing sides, but you would never hurt him."

If Genji senses confusion from the predator he's turned his back on, he doesn't speak word of it.

"Of course not," Ramattra says. "He is my brother."

A laugh spills from Genji like a bark. Harsh. Cold. He shakes his head. Tugs on the handle.

"I'll get you a pillow," he says, pulling the door shut behind him.

[chloeillustrates16]

Sing to Me (2k16 Version)

(My personal head canon is that all the Leos love country music and will unironically blast it in the lair when their brothers are away).

Summary: It was late night in the lair, Mikey and Raph were out grabbing Pizza, and Donnie was out wanting to grab supplies for a new project he was working on. Leo had the lair to himself and decided why not to blast his comfort music.

Warnings: Y/n uses she/her pronouns, personal head canons, light swearing, fluff

---

Leo hardly got time alone in the lair; he loved to bask in the quietness of it.

Splinter knew of Leo's little secret; Splinter caught Leo in the kitchen dancing and singing as the radio played loudly. Splinter got a little kick out of seeing his stoic and stern leader of a son having fun and singing without a care in the world.

When Leo got caught; he apologized, saying that he'd turn the music down. Splinter just shook his head and lifted a hand stopping him. "Go ahead, I just wanted to see what you were doing," that's when the old rat walked back to his room to meditate. Leo was touched to say the least.

Leo was once again, back in the kitchen, the radio playing Morgan Wallen. A mix of the country artist's accent and Leo's voice filled the empty quietness of the lair. Leo bopped his head while he made his tea. He was so distracted by his own singing and dancing that he didn't hear the faint footsteps behind him.

---

The turtles met you when Leo saved you from falling debris from the Kraang's ship destroying some buildings while it was assembling itself. After that, the two of you were close, really close. Which confused you when you heard country music originating from the room where Leo was in.

You never took any of the guys to like country; yet here was the blue terrapin, listening and singing along to Morgan Wallen. You let out a soft giggle, as Leo swiftly moved across the kitchen while simultaneously dancing and singing the words that flowed from the radio's speakers.

You walked over to the radio, turning it down as Leo's voice bounced off the stone walls of the kitchen. Your heart skipped a beat, his voice was beautiful; the way the words flawlessly rolled off his tongue. He turned towards the radio and his heart jumped out of his chest.

You jumped as well seeing how much Leo jumped out of his own shell seeing you. "Y/N?" he stammered. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you guys, but I guess that the others aren't around. Is this some dirty little secret?" you voiced, teasingly.

"Please, Y/n, don't tell the others. I won't hear the end of it," he pleaded. You smile softly, of course you weren't, you loved this turtle too much to hurt him like that.

"Naw, I ain't going to do that," soft music came from the radio as you wrapped your arms around his waist. His face flushed,

"Thank you," he whispered softly against your shoulder.

"Wanna dance?" he let out a chuckle,

"Why not." You turned the music back to its original volume. His voice was a whisper as he sung the words,

"She wants to get married; she wants it perfect; she wants her granddaddy preaching the service. She wants magnolias, out in the country; not too many people, save her daddy some money." You let out a giggle, "ooh, she's got it all planned out; yeah, I can see it all right now. I wear my black suit, black tie; out in the back, I'll do a strong shot of whiskey, straight out the flask. I'll try make it through without crying, so nobody sees that, yeah, she wants to get married, but she don't wanna marry me."

You stare up at his big Sapphire eyes as he continued, "I remember the night when, I almost kissed her. Yeah, I kind of freaked out, we've been friends for forever." he let out a small chuckle, "And I'd always wondered if she felt the same way; when I got the invite, I knew it was too late. And I know...her daddy's been dreading this day, awe but he ain't the only one giving her away. I'll wear my black suit, black tie; out in the back, I'll do a strong shot of whiskey straight out the flask. I'll try to make it through without cry, so nobody sees, yeah, she wants to get married, but she don't wanna marry me."

Time felt like it stopped, your heart pounding against your ears. "But she got a long dress now; welcoming the guests now; I can try to find her, get it off of my chest now. But I ain't going to mess it up, so I'll wish her the best night. So, I'm in my black suit, black tie; I'm out in the back; doing a strong shot of whiskey, straight out the flask. I'll try to make it through without crying, so nobody see, yeah, she wanna get married, yeah, she's going to married. But she ain't going to marry me."

Something about Leo made you see him in a different light; he was your best friend, you loved him, but this was different. Your heart started to speed up; your arms wrapped around his neck, arms wrapping so safely around your waist in an embrace made you feel safe. Safer than you've ever felt before.

Your hands traveled from his neck to his shoulders; his rough scales brushing against your fingertips. Leo let out a soft churr as he leaned toward, his lips barely a hairline away from yours. It all felt like a dream; your fingers twitched as he started to lean in the rest of the way.

CRASH!

"We're back!" Leo jumps, turning off the radio. He turned away from you and vice versa. The tea kettle began to scream as Leo took it off the burner; you were in the fridge, pretending like you were about to grab a drink.

---

The earlier night's events played in your head as you tried to sleep. Your heart raced as you tried to not think about how you almost kissed your best friend; his rough scales feeling soft against your fingertips; how his breath barely fanned your face. How his lips were so close that you could barely feel them against your own. How. How. How.

Knock! Knock!

You gasp, lifting yourself off of your mattress. Turning, you saw a large shadow outside your window. You slipped off your bed and walked over to the window; there on your balcony was the familiar blue turtle. But he wasn’t wearing any of his gear; a big, leather jacket and jeans to ward off the cold mid-fall weather.

"Leo?" you whisper as you stood on the balcony.

"Hey," he greeted, still not looking in your direction.

"Is something wrong?"

"Couldn't sleep," he admitted. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come here; did I wake you up?"

"No," you admit. Your head leaned against his arm; Leo felt himself stiffen.

"Can we talk about earlier?"

"Sure."

"I'm sorry," you glance up at him.

"For what?"

"Almost kissing you, I was crossing a line." You stare up at him bewildered, "You're my friend; I'm sorry," you softly put your palm over his hand as he gripped the metal railing. You force him to turn his hand as your fingers intertwined with his--to the best of your ability--Leo looked at you, his eyes filled with shock and confusion.

"Don't apologize; what happened to the Leo in the kitchen, the Leo was singing his heart out to me, the Leo that was actively flirting with me?" He let out a nervous laugh,

"I guess the music helped the confidence boost," he admitted, taking his free hand and rubbing the back of his neck. "Silly, isn't it?"

"No," you whisper. Going up on your toes, your arms wrap around his neck as you captured his lips into yours. He let out a small squeak in surprise; he slowly wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you closer.

Pulling away, his blue eyes shinned silver against the city lights. You reached up, cupping his cheek, while your thumb brushed against the scales of his face. You loved seeing him without his mask; it was personal to see him without it; it was a sign of trust.

"Wanna dance?" You repeated your question from the kitchen. He nodded, the two of you enter your room as Leo discarded his phone on your bed as music played softly in the background.

"I'm jealous of blue jeans that you're wearing, and the way they're holding you so tight." Leo sung, "I'm jealous of the moon that keeps on staring, so lock the door and turn out the night. I want you all to myself, we don't need anyone else; let our bodies to the talking; let out shadows paint the wall." You smile as he continued, "I want you here in my arms, we'll hide away in the dark. Slip your hand in my back pocket, go and let your long hair fall. I want you all to myself, to myself."

"I'm jealous of the song that you've been singing, and the way it's rolling off your lips. It might be selfish, but I'm thinking, I don't need nothin' between you leanin' for another kiss, yeah. I want you all to myself, we don't need anyone else. Let out bodies to the talking, let our shadows paint the wall. I want you hear in my arms; we'll hide away in the dark. Slip your hand in my back pocket; go and let your long hair fall. I want you all, all, all, to myself, to myself."

You lean forward, pressing your lips back to his. "Girl, I want you in the worse way; yeah, I want you in the worse way." You let out a laugh as he hummed against your neck. "I want you all to myself, we don't need anyone else. Let our bodies to the talking; let our shadows paint the wall. I want you hear in my arms; we'll hide away in the dark! Slip your hand in my back pocket, go and let your long hair fall! I want you, all, all, all to myself, to myself. I want you all, all, all, to myself, to myself, yeah!"

You rolled your eyes playfully, "Who knew you could be such a sap." He let out a chuckle,

"Me, I'm pretty sure."

"Also flirty," his face flushed.

—-

He walked you over your window. "Are you sure you don't want to spend the night?"

"As much as I'd love to. I really don't want to get interrogated by anyone when I get back," he explained. You pouted, "I'll see you tomorrow." You blushed as he pressed a kiss against your temple.

Before he could leave, you grab the arm of his jacket. He paused, turning back towards you with a confused look. "You missed," before he could respond your lips were back on his. Pulling away, he stared at you in a daze; you snap your fingers in front of his face.

Shit, you broke him!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Music used:

Marry me--Thomas Rhett

All to Myself--Dan and Shay

[7grandmel]

Todays rip [First 30 Archive] - 29/05/2023

Follow μ’s / Halation Generation

Season 2 Featured on: Rips of Christmas Past

Ripped by Cryptrik

Doing somewhat of a double feature here - the original track was uploaded at the beginning of Season 2, with Cryptrik later creating a remastered version for their own channel in late 2018 (Season 3).

Cryptrik is much like l4ureleye in that their style is very identifiable on the channel - in some ways, you can view the two as polar opposites. Wheras l4ureleye consistently provides the most soothing, dream-like tunes of meditation possible, Cryptrik is a full-on DJ, producing beats and bangers on a regular basis ever since the earliest days of Season 1. Not to say that this is all Cryptrik does - he’s seen great success in branching out to more traditional mashups, remixes, soundfont swaps, and so on - but the music he specializes in is very much his own unique brand on the channel. As consistent as the morning sun, even within the week I’m posting this, Cryptrik is there to combine the channel’s favorite jokes with insanely catchy and bop-worthy beats and EDM melodies.

There’s tons of Cryptrik tracks I could’ve chosen to exemplify this, and this one was mainly just chosen because its been sitting in my personal playlist ever since its release six years ago. But it speaks to just how timelessly quality their work is that it still slots right in with the rest of their iconic contributions to the channel.

Like l4ureleye, Cryptrik is sure to come up more in this series of posts as time goes on, so look forward to that lol.

[bluegirlisyellow]

My updated top 10 fragrance list:

Vanilla 28 by Kayali (people will literally go feral when they smell this on you, makes people horny, gorgeous vanilla scent)

KKW Crystal Gardenia (Kim Kardashian completely ate this down, such a crisp, juicy, fresh, beautiful, addictive gardenia scent that last for days! very nostalgic and sexy)

Montale Intense Cafe (the perfect unisex fragrance for cuddling. It smells of rose, coffee and chocolate, and people will tell you you give the best hugs)

Tiffany & Co. Intense (this is the perfect fragrance for MILF’s , smells like a sexy hot mom, who makes really good money, or at least her partner does. She has her shit together and has her favorite jeweler on speed dial. Its very sweet and creamy. Very sophisticated, grown and sexy)

YSL Libre (the best YSL fragrance they’ve released in the last 5 years if you ask me, the Lavender note helps this fragrance lean a lil unisex. Smells like money, smells like a boss or Woman in charge, has the most amazing scent trail)

Maison Margiela’s Matcha Meditation (smells like matcha, dries down “perfumey” with hints of matcha, it’s actually kinda sexy, and it’s perfectly unisex)

Tom Ford’s Bitter Peach (boozy, woodsy, warm peach, Unisex)

Dolce & Gabbana’s Shine layered with Paco Robanne’s Olympea (these are two fragrances that pair literally PERFECT together, its the perfect summer scent, smells like a mango on a salty beach, smells like a sea Goddess)

Floral Street’s Wonderland Peony (your inner 16 year old is SCREAMING, its so pretty, bright, candy like, girly and sweet, very uplifting flirty, tart scent)

Juicy Couture’s Gold Couture (idc if people say this was the basic, teeny bop fragrance of their childhood, its a sweet, sexy, carmel bombshell and men love it! Its completely perfect)

[mywifeleftme]

134: Panduranga John Henderson // Ocean of Love

Ocean of Love Panduranga John Henderson 1993, DuGa (Bandcamp)

The obscure reissue hustle is probably ripe to be algorithmized by some venture capitalist dipshit who thinks there’s real money to made in it, when at best an AI might be taught to lose a little less money with a lot less style. I got a new copy of Panduranga John Henderson’s Ocean of Love from venerable reissue label Luaka Bop for $10 Canadian, marked down 66%; on the infamously overinflated Discogs marketplace it can be had new for the princely sum of $4; and I seem to be the first person on the internet to whom it’s occurred to write about the thing, if 2023’s bastardized version of Google can be believed.

So, why wasn’t Ocean of Love the next Rodriguez or William Onyeabor? If you squint, you can see why Luaka Bop took a stab at it. It has some intriguing boldfaced names associated with it: Henderson got his start in the ‘70s as a prominent sideman in Ray Charles’ band; he moved into Alice Coltrane’s ashram in the early ‘80s and participated in some of her later recordings (which Luaka Bop has also reissued); the press release makes an optimistic comparison to Stevie Wonder. The recordings have a suitably eccentric story too: Henderson built himself a home studio to create his own electronic worship music, which he believed could induce states of relaxation conducive to meditation. He released three albums on cassette, none of which were heard much outside of his personal circles. (I mean, maybe an AI wouldn’t have helped Luaka Bop avoid a product doomed to warp in the warehouse, this paragraph is China white digger bait.)

I think the short answer is that, despite the present craze for all most things ‘90s, the decade’s New Age synth music remains impressively unfashionable. Enya has gotten her flowers, but the Yannis, John Teshes, and Enigmas of the world are still waiting on their rapture. Henderson’s music has more R&B in it than most—these four ten- to fifteen-minute Hindu-derived chants sound like very diffuse quiet storm. I realize I’m flying in the face of literally millions of people who indeed use this kind of synth music to soundtrack their spiritual practices, but I personally would find it difficult to take my own efforts to touch the divine seriously with this on: the only thing Luther Vandrossy music should be summoning is babies. Henderson is a good singer and a skilled arranger, and the album is not without interesting ideas—but his earnest desire to create spiritually beneficial music doesn’t change the fact that he’s starting from a bad musical premise. (The earnest already have a lot of unfair advantages, like direct access to their own emotions and the ability to ask for what they need—we can’t make things too easy on them.)

I listened to Ocean of Love quite a few times to prepare for this review, and my ultimate takeaway is that it isn’t music one’s meant to pay attention to, which is no sin on its own—but the mood/aesthetic it evokes isn’t one I can ever see myself seeking out. If nothing else, I did dig the generous liner notes, which cover Henderson’s rich artistic and spiritual life, his experience of Coltrane’s ashram, and relationship with his wife Mirabai, with whom he seems to share a remarkably profound love.

134/365

[melblur]

Todays rip: 29/05/2023

Follow μ's / Halation Generation

Featured on: Rips of Christmas Past Ripped by Cryptrik

Doing somewhat of a double feature here - the original track was uploaded at the beginning of Season 2, with Cryptrik later creating a remastered version for their own channel in late 2018 (Season 3).

Cryptrik is much like Nikki+ in that their style is very identifiable on the channel - in some ways, you can view the two as polar opposites. Wheras Nikki+ consistently provides the most soothing, dream-like tunes of meditation possible, Cryptrik is a full-on DJ, producing beats and bangers on a regular basis ever since the earliest days of Season 1. Not to say that this is all Cryptrik does - he's seen great success in branching out to more traditional mashups, remixes, soundfont swaps, and so on - but the music he specializes in is very much his own unique brand on the channel. As consistent as the morning sun, even within the week I'm posting this, Cryptrik is there to combine the channel's favorite jokes with insanely catchy and bop-worthy beats and EDM melodies.

There's tons of Cryptrik tracks I could've chosen to exemplify this, and this one was mainly just chosen because its been sitting in my personal playlist ever since its release six years ago. But it speaks to just how timelessly quality their work is that it still slots right in with the rest of their iconic contributions to the channel.

Like Nikki+, Cryptrik is sure to come up more in this series of posts as time goes on, so look forward to that lol.

[brushandneedles]

Coltrane's Musical Odyssey: A Chronological Exploration

John Coltrane. A name synonymous with innovation, passion, and an unending artistic quest. To truly understand this jazz legend, we must embark on a journey through his vast discography, a testament to his relentless evolution and transformative power. So, buckle up, music lovers, as we navigate the milestones of Coltrane's musical odyssey, decade by decade. Elevate your style with exclusive Buy john coltrane t shirts, a harmonious blend of fashion and jazz that pays homage to the legendary saxophonist's enduring legacy.

The 1950s: Apprenticeship and Exploration

Early Recordings (1955-1957): We begin with Coltrane's sideman years, playing alongside legends like Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. Albums like "Tenor Madness" and "Workin' with the Miles Davis Quintet" showcase his growing maturity and developing voice, hinting at the fire within.

First Steps as a Leader (1957-1959): Coltrane steps into the spotlight with albums like "Coltrane" and "Blue Train," exploring hard bop and modal territory. Here, his signature sound starts to emerge – intense, searching, and deeply melodic. "Giant Steps" (1959) becomes a turning point, with its complex harmonies and revolutionary approach to improvisation, influencing generations of musicians.

The 1960s: Ascension and Transformation

The Classic Quartet (1960-1964): This period sees the formation of Coltrane's most celebrated group, featuring McCoy Tyner on piano, Elvin Jones on drums, and Jimmy Garrison on bass. Albums like "Live at the Village Vanguard" and "A Love Supreme" become cornerstones of jazz history, pushing boundaries with extended improvisations, spiritual undertones, and powerful emotional expression.

Seeking New Frontiers (1964-1967): Coltrane's artistic restlessness leads him to further experimentation. "Ascension" (1965) embraces free jazz, with its chaotic energy and collective improvisation. "Meditations" (1965) offers a calmer contemplation, while "Interstellar Space" (1967) delves into avant-garde soundscapes.

Legacy and Inspiration:

John Coltrane's journey through music is an inspiration to all. He was a tireless explorer, never afraid to push boundaries and challenge himself. His impact on jazz is undeniable, but his influence extends far beyond the genre. He showed us that music can be a journey of self-discovery, a reflection of the human spirit, and a powerful tool for connection and understanding.

1. Deep Dives:

Focus on specific albums: Select an album from each decade and write an in-depth analysis, exploring its historical context, musical innovations, and critical reception. You could include musical excerpts, quotes from critics and musicians,��and personal reflections on the album's impact.

Dive into collaborations: Choose a specific musician (Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner) and analyze their collaboration with Coltrane, highlighting how they influenced each other and shaped the music.

Explore specific musical elements: Focus on a particular aspect of Coltrane's music, such as his use of modes, extended solos, or free improvisation. Discuss its evolution throughout his career and its influence on other musicians.

2. Interactive Elements:

Create a listening guide: Design a guide for each decade, recommending key albums and outlining their characteristics. Include historical context, discussion prompts, and links to streaming services for an interactive experience.

Curate a playlist: Compile a playlist for each decade, highlighting essential tracks and showcasing the evolution of Coltrane's sound. Briefly explain the significance of each track and encourage listeners to explore further.

Host a listening party: Organize a virtual or in-person listening party, focusing on a specific album or period. Facilitate discussions and share interesting facts and anecdotes about Coltrane's life and music.

3. Expand Your Scope:

Compare and contrast: Analyze how Coltrane's music relates to other jazz subgenres like hard bop, cool jazz, and avant-garde jazz. Highlight similarities, differences, and his unique contributions.

Explore influences: Research musicians and musical styles that influenced Coltrane, such as Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Eastern music, and classical composers. Discuss how these influences shaped his sound and approach.

Trace his legacy: Examine how Coltrane's music continues to influence contemporary jazz musicians and artists across different genres. Analyze reinterpretations, covers, and new compositions inspired by his work. Indulge in timeless jazz elegance with john coltrane t-shirts, celebrating the iconic saxophonist's musical brilliance in every stitch.

[gravityknife]

Town of Salem Tales: Brighton's Autumn Murders, the 3rd Day.

Investigator Sam and Jailor Jaime were whispering with each other in the corner of the restaurant, El Grande Corazon. They were both working on uncovering the mysterious mafia quartet that was already responsible for the deaths of three town members.

Two nights prior, a Lookout named Trent triggered a bomb set at the front hall of an apartment building when they went to visit their friend, Rodriguez. On the next night, the town lost a Trapper, Billy, and a Medium, Miranda, in one go. The Trapper was shot in the back of the head outside the home of Stewart—an unknown, unsuspected, and helpful after the first night of killings—and the Medium was shot and killed in their own home.

Now, Josh—unknown yet suspected—is being ruled in as a possible mafioso, based on some things he said on the second night of the killings. His fate is discussed between Sam and Jaime.

Jaime meditated for a few seconds then gave her opinion with eyes closed. "I'm skeptical about Josh being a mafioso." She opened her eyes, revealing sharp, blue, steely irises. She continued, "It doesn't match with the events that have occurred the past few nights. You know, he's been weird talking, but that doesn't mean anything."

"I feel the same way, but I'm skeptical both ways," Sam challenged. He folded his grubby hands on the table and looked sternly at Jaime. "Even with the events surrounding our other suspects, he's not chiming in enough on what he should be speaking on, which is the death of our town members."

Jaime raised her brows, breathed in, and looked around the room before locking in on Sam. She suggested, "I could take him in and question him tonight, if that sounds reasonable. We could leave it to the town to figure the rest of what's going on out."

Sam was deliberate in his speech. He said, "At least let me check his paperwork tonight. Jail him tomorrow night. Tomorrow, if I have the paperwork and it matches to our suspicions, we can bring him in, and you can execute at night." He bopped the table with one hand then readjusted his sports jacket.

"You know... I prefer a term that's more kind," said Jaime, sounding disappointed. "I wonder."

Griffin—a self-proclaimed Investigator, unsuspected—busted through the door of the nearly empty restaurant. He looked around for Jaime. "You! You. Jail Paul tonight! We've got another Lookout claiming that Paul was seen going to Stewart's on the same night Billy got killed!"

"Only now?" Asked Jaime.

"I know! It wasn't a claim on the first night our town got hit, so at least there's that!" Said Griffin, excitedly, practically sweating from what was probably a jog from the town square.

"I'll come outside," said Sam. "Jailor, stay here. We don't need everyone knowing you're the Jailor, yet. We still have the possibility of more crime sprees, seeing as multiple people died last night, and not just one."

"Sure, you go. I'll be listening to what's going on," Jaime said, calmly. She was wondering how Griffin knew she was the Jailor, guessing he checked her out on the first night.

Sam stepped out of the restaurant and its bizarre atmosphere, following Griffin. They walked closer to the town gathering in the middle of the town square. They walked right into a town squabble.

Paul openly insulted his accuser, "You f$$$ing n$$$$r, I was NEVER there."

"He was there. I know he's guilty," said Frank—self-proclaimed Lookout.

"You're a f$$$ing— n$$$$r!" He yelled into Frank's face. "N$$$$R!"

"Yeah, I would suspect that's not helping you at all, Paul," said Rodriguez. "I'm guessing it was one of your b$$$$a$$ cousins that rigged that bomb, too."

"Not far off from what I was thinking," said Frank. "You should be strung up and hung today, pal."

"F$$$ YOU. DON'T BELIEVE ME, THEN. I ALREADY CLAIMED THAT I WAS AT HOME WAITING FOR A N$$$$R LIKE YOU TO SHOOT. YOU WOULD ALL BE KILLING AN INNOCENT MAN BY HANGING ME!!! THIS IS TREASON!!!!" Paul fumed, looking angrily between Frank, Sam, Rodriguez, and Griffin. "AND YOU, B$$$$BOY. WHY DID YOU GO TO THAT A$$HOLE?!?"

"So, you claim Vigilante. It's very possible you WERE involved with that killing, Paul. You've got the gun and everything. What say you, Griffin?" Said Sam.

Paul interrupted before Griffin could say anything, "F$$$ YOU AND F$$$ YOUR DUMBA$$ OPINIONS YOU NEEDLE D$$$ MOTHERF$$$ER!!!"

Griffin wiped sweat off his face, staring at Paul like he was ready to strike him, then placed his hands on his hips to think. He only thought for a few seconds before he pushed, "I say we hang his a$$ up... TONIGHT." He pointed his finger to the ground, emphasizing his seriousness.

Frank side-eyed Sam, then shot a glare at Paul. "Grab him!"

Frank, Sam, and Griffin got into a tussle with Paul. Paul pushed Griffin away, flying him toward a stack of crates, causing some of them to break. He punched Sam in the gut before Sam could grab him, then shoved him onto the ground. Frank came up from behind, but Paul threw his elbow up and knocked Frank right in the eye, sending an injured Frank to the side. Rodriguez ran up to Paul, grabbed him by the legs, and tackled him onto the ground. Paul kept hitting Rodriguez, lankey punches to his sides, but Rodriguez held firm. Griffin and Sam came back to grab Paul by his arms. With his arms secured, Rodriguez grabbed Paul's ankles, even as he was struggling to break free.

"You're a guilty motherf$$$er, you know that, Paul?" Asked Sam, speedily and with spite.

Paul yelled, "AH, F$$$ YOU, YOU F$$$ING N$$$$R LOVERS, I SHOULD'VE KILLED YOU INSTEAD YOU F$$$ING PIG!!!!" He spat toward Rodriguez, but the spit only landed on his own shirt and pants.

The other townspeople were watching in, dumbfounded as to what to say.

"Frank, you alright?" Asked Andrew—unknown, unsuspected.

Frank was holding one hand up to his eye, covering it. A bruise ring was forming all around it. "Son of a b$$$$, he got me a good one. Getting what he deserves. I want to see that."

"DO IT OUT OF ONE EYE YOU F$$$!!!" Yelled Paul, still struggling.

More townspeople gathered to see Paul getting strung up and placed in the hangman.

Sam shook his head at the sight of him. He also looked somewhat relieved, mixed with the guilt of not having found him before Billy's murder. "Guilty."

Frank took one good look at him and yelled, "GUILTY!"

The other townspeople agreed.

Paul was chuckling, out of breath, and giving up his last breaths. "F$$$ you." He breathed harder, knowing his fate was sealed. "I'm innocent. I can still help!" His breathing was turning into sobbing and whimpering.

Jaime looked at Sam coldly. Sam checked her glance then looked at Morgan—a self-proclaimed Doctor—as though doing a morality check. Morgan frowned, but Sam shook his head. "Hang him."

"F$$$ YOU!!! F$$$ THIS TOWN!!!!!" Yelled Paul, right before Griffin kicked the chair out from underneath the hangman. Paul gasped for air and kicked his legs up multiple times before finally giving in.

"Son of a b$$$$. Guilty as f$$$," stated Andrew. "I'm the Sheriff. We're getting all of his things now on paper. We've got a will here, and we have some personal notes that will reveal his true nature and affiliations."

Griffin read the will out loud, "It says:

'Got my gun, gonna make use of it in the upcoming nights if the town'll let me.'

'I'm guessing that Billy is a good start. Seems suspect to me. Don't ask me how I know this, but I have a feeling he's the one that set the bomb on the first night.'

'Good luck to my brethren. I think they're onto me. I hope this town burns to the ground for what it did to me.'

And that concludes his will," finished up Griffin.

"And after going through his personal notes, we've found that he is truly one of the mafioso," said Andrew, the supposed Sheriff.

The townspeople breathed out in relief, clapping their hands.

Andrew held his hands up and out as though to stop the applause. He continued, "Our work isn't done here yet, folks. We have more mafia members among us. In due time, we'll figure out who is who. You all should keep us posted every day and night what happens around town. We're going to win this."

"Stay vigilant!" Added Frank, still holding his bruised eye, now with an ice pack.

"Alright, calm down, Frank," pushed back Andrew. "All of you, let's get some good sleep. Lock up and stay safe! Good work everyone!"

Sam winked at Jaime and then nodded up at Griffin. Jaime wondered who to interrogate before the night was truly up. Forgetting about Josh, she searched her list for the true unknowns in the town. She thought to take in Stewart since he was visited by Billy, but remembered that Billy could've worked his magic somewhere around Stewart's home. She decided to catch up with Frank, protecting him from harm within her jail walls, as well.

Everyone else went back to their homes and prepared for the nightfall. What happens next, one could only guess. Stay tuned for the next chapter of Brighton's Autumn Murders.

[britesparc]

Weekend Top Ten #562

Top Ten Cover Versions

Music! Music’s great, isn’t it? who doesn’t like music. Music, music, music.

One of the things I love about music is how nobody complains if a song is remade. Paul Fiege’s Ghostbusters (2016) isn’t as good as Ivan Reitman’s Ghostbusters (1984) but it is a different beast; a longer, sillier, female-focused film, with a tone and a sense of humour all its own. But still the general vibe – even outside of the mouth-breathing weirdos who posted death threats – is that you can’t remake Ghostbusters. Yet songs (and plays!) get rebooted and reproduced all the time, and it’s seen as a cool reinterpretation of art by a different artist.

Weird.

Anyway, cover versions. Interesting because sometimes they can just feel like a groovy new twist on a classic tune, like Travis singing Hit Me Baby One More Time. Sometimes they can completely take over the track – whether it was famous or not – to the extent that this version becomes definitive. It’s also a bit weird with older songs – like from the fifties or something – because the culture of the industry was different, so often a writer would write a song and it would be performed by several different artists in a very short space of time. So is that a “cover” or just a different way of writing and performing music?

I dunno. I’m just a bloke on the internet.

So what we have here is a list of my favourite cover versions of songs. Fun interpretations, iconic recreations, songs that you might not even realise were covers. And if you’re already sick of Christmas music (heaven forbid!) then it’ll give you a little break.

Hurt (Johnny Cash): the original Nine Inch Nails version, written by Trent Reznor, was a personal meditation of his own pain, but Cash absolutely owns it, his slow, sombre baritone adding weight to every word. A metafictional eulogy by a musical titan, it’s about past mistakes but also the inevitability of loss and death, and of the changing nature of fame and power. The video rocks, too.

I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston): Houston’s performance in The Bodyguard and the stratospheric success of this song indelibly linked the artist and the music; especially so given the ridiculous nature of that sustained note (you know the one). So many people are shocked to learn it was originally a Dolly Parton song, which is a bit weird considering Dolly’s version is actually in The Bodyguard too.

Always on My Mind (Pet Shop Boys): although he wasn’t the first person to record it, I think we can all agree that the Elvis Presley version is probably the one that’s paramount in people’s minds. But the Pet Shop Boys took it and rendered it in their own inimitable style, exchanging slow baritone for synth pop but somehow keeping the melancholy vibe alive.

Mad World (Gary Jules & Michael Andrew): going the other way a little bit, Tears for Fears’ fast-paced eighties bop, with its plinky-plonky synth, is turned into a mournful, wailing ballad, a pean to sadness and thoughts of mortality. It’s a miserable delight.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Eva Cassidy): taking such a classic song and producing a version different but also powerful and iconic in its own way takes real talent. Rainbow has been covered a lot, of course, but Cassidy’s tragic acoustic rendition is just beautiful in the extreme, and all the more sad given her early death.

Respect (Aretha Franklin): I’ll be honest, I didn’t realise it wasn’t Aretha at first; but no, it was Otis Redding. Maybe you knew that. I didn’t. Not for years. But now it just is Aretha’s; a barnstorming, belting feminist anthem. Bloody marvellous.

Red Right Hand (Arctic Monkeys): maybe this is a more personal one, but one of my favourite bands covering another one of my favourite bands is a giddy thrill; and hearing the Arctics’ distorted guitars playing those Bad Seed chords, and hearing Alex Turner’s northern drawl enunciate those Nick Cave lyrics is pure joy.

Nothing Compares 2 U (Sinead O’Connor): covering Prince is a bold undertaking in and of itself, but as far as I’m concerned Sinead owns this song. A heartbreaking song of lost love and sadness, her voice is incredible, and the music video – mostly just a big close up of her singing – is extraordinary in its intimacy. Bonus points for inventing text-speak.

Walk This Way (Run DMC): I never really know if this should count as a cover as it was made with original artists Aerosmith. But, well, this version’s better, even if it also features Steve Tyler wailing the title. But Run DMC do the fast-paced lyrics better and it just sounds cooler, really.

Tainted Love (Soft Cell): I nearly didn’t include this as it’s really swimming in similar waters to Always on my Mind – taking an older song and giving it a synth-y eighties twist. But I just think it rocks, a really great interpretation of the song that’s become, I’d argue, the iconic version.

[roughentumble]

just saw a tiktok that used Let Me Be With You by Round Table feat. Nino, aka first opening song of Chobits, and it reminded me that song exists, and life???? is good again, folks

[bamfspock]

Imagine a random black cat, sans collar, is found on the Enterprise. They don't know where it came from, or when it got on, so it's just sort of hanging out until they get to the next 'fleet starbase and of course all efforts to keep it in one room fail because 1. this is a cat and he will not be contained and 2. everyone wants to keep the cat with them and the competition is getting heated.

So there's this cat just wandering the halls, attending meetings, sleeping in astrometrics, trying to eat Sulu's plants, bothering people for food in the mess, and carrying around and playing with what turns out to be a piece of Bones' preferred tricorder. Cue Yakety Sax playing as the doctor chases the cat around the ship.

So the crew has pretty much adopted this cat, and the cat loves it and hangs out with them all, even Bones who pretends to hate it but when he thinks no one is looking he quietly baby talks and sings old blues songs to it.

But it isn't long before everyone, hands down, agrees that the cat's favorite is Kirk. When Kirk is on the bridge you have an 85% chance of finding the cat there with him. It's common to find the cat curled up with the captain in his off hours while he reads on the observation deck, and when Jim and Spock play chess the cat will usually curl up on Jim's lap for the duration. The exception is night, which the cat spends the first half of in Jim's quarters before using the shared bathroom to go over to Spock's room because it's so nice and warm in there and it likes to sleep on Spock's meditation mat when he's finshed using it for the evening.

But what people really notice, to most everyone's delight, is the following: how the cat sits on the right arm of the captain's chair when Jim is in it, upright and regal looking.

Or how sometimes when Jim is talking to himself out loud, trying to work through a problem, it will tap Jim's leg or arm with one paw and Jim will say "you're right, of course," and try a different tack.

Or how the admirality has become accustomed to seeing the cat at Jim's right side when he's receiving new orders and has been known to jump on the desk and stare down the vid screen when Jim is obviously unhappy with how the conversation is going. All of Starfleet command knows that Komack and the cat have some kind of rivalry at this point. There is nothing more devastating than being on the receiving end of one of the cat's looks of disdain - except for the captain, who just smiles when he gets one.

It's for all these reasons that when they decide it's beyond time to name the cat the most popular choice is 'Spock'.

Spock the vulcan is not amused. 63.7 percent of the times he hears someone say his name it is directed at the cat and not himself. Were he human he would surely be experiencing high levels of frustration and occasional confusion.

Then one day the senior staff are gathered to discuss the next mission - the cat is sitting on the table by Jim's right hand, as usual - and when Spock begins to describe the climate on the planet they are about to survey the cat stands, walks over to Spock, makes a trilling noise and gently *bops* Spock on the nose with a paw.

Everyone goes quiet. Spock seems to stall out for a moment, then looks down at the cat and raises one eyebrow. The cat responds by knocking its head into Spock's nose then rubbing the length of one side against Spock's face and finally flopping down on the table, belly up. When Spock continues the cat twists around playfully, trilling and reaching up to tap at Spock's chin with the same paw. The meeting wraps up shortly thereafter because everyone is having too much trouble breathing around their restrained laughter.

After that day everyone calls the cat Jim.

[fireandblood-xxii]

Blessings.

SPOILER WARNING! for those who have not finished the manga.

“Hey Eren.” Mikasa greeted with a smile as she sat herself down upon the lush green grass.

The afternoon sun bathing her form in a gentle golden light as a soft breeze tossed about her raven locks and made a symphony of rustling leaves from the tree above. The crimson scarf that sat upon her shoulders stayed neatly in place while her nimble fingers tenderly stroked its woven threads. Her eyes scanned the familiar horizon with the same fondness as always as the joyful memories of yesterday replayed in her mind.

The ex-soldier sat and meditated in silence for a long while. This was a common practice of hers since it brought her the deepest sense of peace. Although this occasion was a bit different than the others.

A few more minutes passed until the silence of the meadow was finally broken. The Ackerman drew in a deep, shaky breath.

“Eren— I have some good news.” She began.

“I wanted you to be the first to know. For the longest time. . . It was just you, me, and Armin against the world, and after losing you. . . I- I didn’t know what I would do.

But then—“ Mikasa paused, then dropped her hand from the scarf to rest upon the small swell of her pregnant belly. A smile tugged at the corner of her pink lips. She was early enough into her pregnancy that her tummy was still easily concealed under her baggy blouses.

“I feel excited, Eren. And nervous, and scared, and—“

She stopped herself once again when she felt tears begin to brew in her eyes and her smile faded away. Surely it was the pregnancy hormones getting the better of her, but truly she was feeling the loss of her late love all over again.

“I wish you were here, Eren.” Mikasa cried as her tearful gaze fixed itself upon the modest tombstone that sat at the tree’s edge.

‘ Here forever. Resting Peacefully. My beloved, my dear. ‘

It read. Over and over again she read the inscription which only drove her down deeper into her despair. Mikasa could feel her heart crumbling in her chest and flutterings in her belly. But what finally snapped her out of it was a lone acorn that fell from the tree and bopped her on the head.

She took a few moments to recollect herself, using the sleeve of her blouse to wipe away all remnants of her grief and picked up her eyes to gaze out upon her home town in the distance. This was never meant to be a solemn occasion, and she knew Eren would never want to see her cry. Especially at a time like this.

‘Cheer up, Mikasa!’ She could hear him say loud and clear with child-like fervor. ‘You’re going to be a mom!’

She just wished he could truly be there to hear him say it. Better yet. . . If he were the father.

No.

She stopped herself. She knew she shouldn’t be having such thoughts. Eren is gone, and Jean is a wonderful man, and he would be a wonderful father as well. Mikasa was eternally grateful for his companionship, and the ways in which he was there for her in the aftermath of the war. Then the love that blossomed between them as a result of the time they spent together.

Mikasa drew in another deep breath. “And I’m also here because, well— I wanted to ask you for your blessing on my marriage, Eren.”

Symbolically of course, but she sat there waiting for a response that would never come. She knew however that he would just want her to be happy. In fact, she recalled his last request to her.

‘Forget about me.’ He said.

An impossible feat, but moving on with her life and having a family was her way of honoring his last wish.

“Jean and I will be getting married before the baby comes, and I asked Armin if he could walk me down the aisle. You should’ve seen the look on his face— he was overjoyed.” Mikasa chuckled at the memory.

“And Captain Levi will be the one officiating the ceremony, and all of our friends will be there. Even Pieck, and Reiner. . . All the Marleyans. Everyone’s very excited. It’s all so, so—“

. . . Perfect.

But despite its connotation that word seem to ring incredibly lackluster considering the absence of a certain someone.

Mikasa once again sat in silence as the breeze continued to swirl around her and the beaming sun began to feel hot on her blushed porcelain cheeks. Her hand gently rubbing the top of her swollen baby belly thru the silken fabric of her blouse. She thought she might stay there just a few minutes longer before heading back. Jean would begin to worry and possibly go looking for his pregnant fiancé, and she’d hate to stress him out. He already treated her pregnant self as a delicate flower to begin with.

Before standing, Mikasa turned back to his tombstone with a loving grin. “I’ll see you again soon.”

And before she was able to move, she heard the screech of a bird overhead. Mikasa shot her gaze up to the clouds to find a white bird circling her location up above. It circled a few more times before swooping down to perch next to her feet. The bird looked up at her with its black eyes and it’s head cocked to one side, in its yellow beak a single twig. It’s gaze almost knowing.

Mikasa was startled at its sudden appearance but just stared back unsure of what to do, but the bird would simply set the twig down at her feet before flying back off into the horizon. She blinked down at the twig in shock, her body frozen in place and unable to react.

“Eren. . .” She whispered, then finally reached out to pluck the little twig off the grass. Memories of the past when she and Eren would go out to collect firewood playing in her mind like a film reel.

Mikasa smiled a big, joyful smile.

“Thank you, Eren. . .”

[slopmaster9000]

Hello. My name is Han tyumi. I am a cyborg. Made, if you may call it that, in a world that is cool and fun. Created with a desire to sing songs, with a desire to have fun, with a yearning just to eat. I'd like a piggyback, the outback, my backpack. My man Bitty (songwriters note: New kidz bop gizzverse character bitty very cool), I want to be friends with him. For an era I have meditated, like my cool friend Bitty when he's on the potty, my kidzbop mind kidzbop wandered, I climbed and I clambered, and I ambled upon some understanding. The gold beneath the friendship rainbow. I need two friendship things. Two things a cyborg can never do. Two things that I strive for. To things between myself and friendship. Dance, and, to bop-it. I want the perspiration, I want the knobby one, I want to have fun. I want to feel the loud electric toy. I want to find passage through its fast game, I want to make it through, I want it over. I want the spectacle, and I want it again. I want it all. and I would like to dance. A ballet dance, or a square dance, a school dance, or a lonely dance. To dance in the gym of the school, or the gym of the YMCA. I desire my cache of experience to pulsate through my cool muscles and then to dance cool. Excellent. Perfect. Flawless. Dance forevermore

happy-tyumi :)