#lena and lulu

[lena-in-a-red-dress]

What if, after the shenanigans of the super pets are over, Lena takes the evil guinea pig Lulu and brings her home for a life of love and care.

Lulu remembers Lena from their shared time in Lex's lab, but always mimicked Lex's opinion that Lena was weak, and far inferior to Lex's own brilliance. But now suddenly she's in a large enclosure with tons of stimuli and comforts, and Lena is the one calling her by her name-- because Lena actually takes the time to read the tag on Lulu's ear-- and the one taking her out for cuddles and putting her in tiny little sweaters if she thinks Lulu is cold.

And it's Lena who notices the keen intelligence in the way Lulu regards her, and takes it upon herself to create a translator device to interpret Lulu's squeaks into human language.

The first time Lena puts the device in her ear, Lulu stays quiet, even after Lena gets down on her stomach to look Lulu in the eye and say 'hey'. She introduces herself as Lena Luthor, and officially welcomes Lulu into her home-- as if her actions up til now haven't made that clear by now.

When Lulu doesn't respond, Lena sighs and nods. "Okay. I'll come back tomorrow."

Just as she's about to take the translator device out of her ear, Lulu speaks.

"I know who you are."

Lena drops right back down onto the floor, completely invested. "You do?" Lena's gaze brightens, then dims. "Oh. I suppose it makes sense we would have met..."

"Not officially. But your brother spoke often of you."

"He did?"

"You were weak." Lulu's words are blunt, taking little care for Lena's feelings. "Your brilliance foiled by your sensibilities."

Lena's jaw tightens, and for the first time her eyes grow hard when she looks at Lulu.

"And you agree with him?"

"I did." Lulu shuffles the short distance to the glass between them, and presses a paw against it. "Until I unterstood the value of kindness."

Eyes widening slightly, Lena's lips part in surprise. Her gaze grows pensive again. "Do you..." she tries again. "Are you happy here?"

Lulu takes a moment to consider her response. In the end, she gives a little nod. "Yes."

Her needs are met, her mind enriched. She's warm and safe and... yes. Happy.

Lena breaks into a wide grin, her delight palpable.

"But I wouldn't mind visiting your lab every now and then. In a purely observational capacity, of course."

[libraryleopard]

Some books of poetry by Palestinian authors that I've read recently. I'll link to where you can purchase them if you want to support the authors/publishers (once the global strike is over). (Or you can see if your library has them right now.)

The Tiny Journalist by Naomi Shihab Nye (BOA Editions / Bookshop)

Before the Next Bomb Drops: Rising Up From Brooklyn to Palestine by Remi Kamazi (Haymarket Books / Bookshop)

The Adam of Two Edens by Mahmoud Darwish (Syracuse University Press / Bookshop)

The Tent Generations: Palestinian Poems edited by Mohammed Sawaie (Banipal Books / Bookshop)

The Twenty-Ninth Year by Hala Alyan (Little District Books / Bookshop)

Water & Salt by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha (Red Hen Press / Bookshop)

Rifqa by Mohammed El-Kurd (Haymarket Books / Bookshop)

Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear by Mosab Abu Toha (City Lights / Bookshop)

You & Yours by Naomi Shihab Nye (BOA Editions / Bookshop)

[rainbowdress]

here is a cute photo of my cat to break up your feed x

[louisoffline]

RAHHHHH LENAE IS SO CUTE

I agree !!!!! You guys get a little formal Lulu as a treat

[billboard-hotties-tourney]

Okay, folks, the mini-tourney is inching closer to the finals, so I'm going to give a list of the competitors in the Miss Billboard Tourney in order to give everyone a chance to submit more propaganda. The nominees are:

Lale Andersen

Marian Anderson

Signe Toly Anderson

Julie Andrews

LaVerne Andrews

Maxene Andrews

Patty Andrews

Ann-Margret

Joan Armatrading

Dorothy Ashby

Joan Baez

Pearl Bailey

Belle Baker

Josephine Baker

LaVern Baker

Florence Ballard

Brigitte Bardot

Eileen Barton

Fontella Bass

Shirley Bassey

Maggie Bell

Lola Beltran

Ivy Benson

Gladys Bentley

Jane Birkin

Cilla Black

Ronee Blakley

Teresa Brewer

Anne Briggs

Ruth Brown

Joyce Bryant

Vashti Bunyan

Kate Bush

Montserrat Caballe

Maria Callas

Blanche Calloway

Wendy Carlos

Cathy Carr

Raffaella Carra

Diahann Carroll

Karen Carpenter

June Carter Cash

Charo

Cher

Meg Christian

Gigliola Cinquetti

Petula Clark

Merry Clayton

Patsy Cline

Rosemary Clooney

Natalie Cole

Judy Collins

Alice Coltrane

Betty Comden

Barbara Cook

Rita Coolidge

Gal Costa

Ida Cox

Karen Dalton

Marie-Louise Damien

Betty Davis

Jinx Dawson

Doris Day

Blossom Dearie

Kiki Dee

Lucienne Delyle

Sandy Denny

Jackie DeShannon

Gwen Dickey

Marlene Dietrich

Marie-France Dufour

Julie Driscoll

Yvonne Elliman

Cass Elliot

Maureen Evans

Agnetha Faeltskog

Marianne Faithfull

Mimi Farina

Max Feldman

Gracie Fields

Ella Fitzgerald

Roberta Flack

Lita Ford

Connie Francis

Aretha Franklin

France Gall

Judy Garland

Crystal Gayle

Gloria Gaynor

Bobbie Gentry

Astrud Gilberto

Donna Jean Godchaux

Lesley Gore

Eydie Gorme

Margo Guryan

Sheila Guyse

Nina Hagen

Francoise Hardy

Emmylou Harris

Debbie Harry

Annie Haslam

Billie Holiday

Mary Hopkin

Lena Horne

Helen Humes

Betty Hutton

Janis Ian

Mahalia Jackson

Wanda Jackson

Etta James

Joan Jett

Bessie Jones

Etta Jones

Gloria Jones

Grace Jones

Shirley Jones

Tamiko Jones

Janis Joplin

Barbara Keith

Carole King

Eartha Kitt

Chaka Khan

Hildegard Knef

Gladys Knight

Sonja Kristina

Patti Labelle

Cleo Laine

Nicolette Larson

Daliah Lavi

Vicky Leandros

Peggy Lee

Rita Lee

Alis Lesley

Barbara Lewis

Abbey Lincoln

Melba Liston

Julie London

Darlene Love

Lulu

Anni-Frid Lyngstad

Barbara Lynn

Loretta Lynn

Vera Lynn

Siw Malmkvist

Lata Mangeshkar

Linda McCartney

Kate McGarrigle

Christie McVie

Bette Midler

Jean Millington

June Millington

Liza Minnelli

Carmen Miranda

Joni Mitchell

Liz Mitchell

Marion Montgomery

Lee Morse

Nana Mouskouri

Anne Murray

Wenche Myhre

Holly Near

Olivia Newton-John

Stevie Nicks

Nico

Laura Nyro

Virginia O’Brien

Odetta

Yoko Ono

Shirley Owens

Patti Page

Dolly Parton

Freda Payne

Michelle Phillips

Edith Piaf

Ruth Pointer

Leontyne Price

Suzi Quatro

Gertrude Rainey

Bonnie Raitt

Carline Ray

Helen Reddy

Della Reese

Martha Reeves

June Richmond

Jeannie C. Riley

Minnie Riperton

Jean Ritchie

Chita Rivera

Clara Rockmore

Linda Ronstadt

Marianne Rosenberg

Diana Ross

Anna Russell

Melanie Safka

Buffy Sainte-Marie

Samantha Sang

Pattie Santos

Hazel Scott

Doreen Shaffer

Jackie Shane

Marlena Shaw

Sandie Shaw

Dinah Shore

Judee Sill

Carly Simon

Nina Simone

Nancy Sinatra

Siouxsie Sioux

Grace Slick

Bessie Smith

Mamie Smith

Patti Smith

Ethel Smyth

Mercedes Sosa

Ronnie Spector

Dusty Springfield

Mavis Staples

Candi Staton

Barbra Streisand

Poly Styrene

Maxine Sullivan

Donna Summer

Pat Suzuki

Norma Tanega

Tammi Terrell

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Big Mama Thornton

Mary Travers

Moe Tucker

Tina Turner

Twiggy

Bonnie Tyler

Sylvia Tyson

Sarah Vaughan

Sylvie Vartan

Mariska Veres

Akiko Wada

Claire Waldoff

Jennifer Warnes

Dee Dee Warwick

Dionne Warwick

Dinah Washington

Ethel Waters

Elisabeth Welch

Kitty Wells

Mary Wells

Juliane Werding

Tina Weymouth

Cris Williamson

Ann Wilson

Mary Wilson

Nancy Wilson

Anna Mae Winburn

Syreeta Wright

Tammy Wynette

Nan Wynn

Those in italics have five or more pieces of usable visual, written, or audio propaganda already. If you have any visuals like photos or videos, or if you have something to say in words, submit it to this blog before round one begins on June 25th!

If you don't see a name you submitted here, it's because most or all of their career was as a child/they were too young for the cutoff, their career was almost entirely after 1979, or music was something they only dabbled in and are hardly known for. There are quite a few ladies on the list whose primary career wasn't "recording artist" or "live musician," but released several albums or were in musical theater, so they've been accepted.

[waytooinvested]

Forgotten, Not Forgiven - Chapter 16

This and previous chapters are also on AO3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lena arrived early to the Project Atlantis briefing and was idly skimming through the notes she had made in the course of her dream research when she felt a sharp jab in her shoulder.

‘Hey!’

She looked up to find Alex scowling at her, pencil in hand preparing for another jab.

‘You told Kara that she and I should go BASE JUMPING?’

Ah.

Oops.

She raised her hands defensively, fending off another attack even as a laugh tried to climb up out of her throat at the look on Alex’s face.

‘It was a joke!’

Alex huffed. She didn’t jab again, but she tapped the eraser end of the pencil reprimandingly on the top of Lena’s head before collapsing down into the seat beside her.

‘Clearly Kara didn’t think so. She actually wants to do it!’

‘Seriously? She definitely wasn’t just teasing? She loved the rock climbing, but this seems another league entirely.’

‘Well apparently she’s into it, and now I’m going freaking base jumping. Thanks a lot Lulu!’

‘Sorry, sorry… though honestly it sounds like something that could be up your street. Do you not think you might enjoy it?’

‘Urgh. I don’t know. I guess it might be pretty cool. I just feel like I have enough near death experiences in my life without going looking for them.’

‘Mmm… it is interesting that Kara’s so keen though. I think it’s a promising sign after she had that flying memory in her dream, it could mean that Supergirl really is starting to come through. If Nia’s dream work can bring back more of that in a safer way than the Q-waves, everything might start falling back into place. You should have seen her when we went climbing Alex. She wasn’t using her powers, but it felt like they were right there, just waiting to come out. Much as the idea of her throwing herself off high places for fun horrifies me, it might be exactly what she needs.’

‘So what you’re saying is, you did Q-waves, Nia’s doing dreams, and now it’s my turn to suck it up and do base jumping?’

‘Pretty much. Sorry.’

‘Hmph. You are the worst.’

But the declaration was made entirely without venom, and as they slipped further into easy banter Lena wondered fleetingly if the developing dynamic between them was anything like a normal sibling relationship would have been, if she had been lucky enough to have a sister like Alex instead of a brother like Lex.

She found she actually quite liked the idea, and almost wished there had been more time to chat before the others started filing in and the meeting began in earnest.

Once they were all seated Alex took charge as usual, slipping seamlessly from grumpy-reluctant-sister to DEO Director in an instant.

‘Okay people, lets start with this week’s action items. Nia, have you had a chance to float the idea of trying out some dream work with Kara?’

‘Yeah, I’ve been working on that. Since our movie night Kara’s been getting more comfortable with the whole superhero thing, and we’ve talked a few times about it now. I told her a bit about what it was like realising I was the one with powers when we had all been so sure it would be my sister, and how confusing it can be trying to figure it out by myself. I said I wished I had someone to practise with now Maeve and I aren’t on speaking terms, and she offered to help. I’m meeting with her on Friday at her place... I didn’t manage to find a way to suggest that someone else should be there too though, so I thought maybe Alex or Lena, if you’re free that evening you could just happen to drop round to see Kara for something unrelated, then I can invite you to join? Sorry I know it’s not perfect, but I couldn’t think how to bring it up without it sounding weird.’

‘It’s fine Nia, don’t worry. I can do it – I am actually in the middle of arranging something that I should be able to line up to drop on Friday, so that’ll give me an excuse to come over.’

‘Great, thanks Lena.’

‘Is this a Project Atlantis something?’

‘No, it’s personal. It’s… Just something I thought Kara might like.’

Alex raised her eyebrows at Lena, giving her a knowing little smirk that definitely slipped back over the line from professional to teasing.

‘Alright, be mysterious about it if you want to. That works for me anyway, I’m meant to be going out with Kelly on Friday and I’d like not to have to cancel our date night. And this way you get yours too so everybody wins.’

She added this last in such a low mutter that Lena wasn’t sure whether she had been supposed to hear or not. The implication made her stomach lurch, half with embarrassment at realising that the feelings she had been trying to convince herself were just an echo of something long past were clearly visible to other people (or one other person at least), and half with excitement at what this implied about how Kara felt for her in return. Well. How Alex perceived that she felt. Maybe.

It was confusing, terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure, because Lena still wasn’t really sure what she wanted anymore, except that she kind of wanted to kick Alex under the table for stirring up this hornets nest of feelings that was absolutely NONE of her business.

Needless to say she did not kick Alex. But she did shoot off a quick text, under cover of Brainy’s recitation of the predicted outcomes for the various different dream treatment approaches he and Nia had been working on.

Lena : Were you always this much of a nightmare??

Alex: What can I say, you bring out the best in me. Plus you’re dating my sister, so that makes you fair game

Lena: I AM NOT DATING YOUR SISTER

Alex: uh huh

Lena: I seriously can’t believe you just said that

Alex: Someone had to

‘Alex, do we have trouble?’

Alex looked up guiltily from her phone to J’onn, who was watching her text ing with a concerned frown.

‘No, it’s fine. Just- Kara stuff. I didn’t want to put off replying in case she got worried and came to find me.’

Alex very carefully avoided looking in Lena’s direction as she slid her phone back into her pocket, but she gave her a little nudge under the table, and Lena suspected she had not heard the end of that particular conversation.

However, the rest of the meeting progressed along more usual lines, with Alex and J’onn discussing the latest threats they had been facing over the past week that could be helped by Brainy and Lena’s technical support, in the absence of Super assistance. As had become their pattern, they continued workshopping until someone pointed out that it was way past dinner time and Brainy went out in search of sustenance. Then inevitably once the distraction of food arrived conversation start ed veering away from work, until it felt almost like the old days.

Almost .

But of course there was one glaring difference that was bothering Lena more and more every time they did this, as the lines between a professional coalition and a friendship group blurred a little further.

‘This isn’t right.’

She had been talking mostly to herself, but Brainy, meticulously examining an order of wontons beside her, overheard and looked her way.

‘Did you receive rancid chicken? I knew it wasn’t logical to order from an establishment with a one star hygiene rating, but their pork lo mein is so delicious, I allowed the fact to overcome my better judgement.’

Lena put down her chopsticks and pushed the take out carton away from her.

‘Okayyy, that’s not what I was referring to, but I think I’m done eating now.’

‘That’s not how the human metabolic system works Lena. You cannot be ‘done’ eating. It is a process that requires regular repetition in order to maintain functional internal systems and stave off the continual threat of starvation.’

Nia broke in gently before he could explain any further. ‘Uhh Brainy, I don’t think that’s what she meant.’

‘Ah. So you were then simply declaring that you no longer wish to consume the remainder of your chicken due to the high risk of contamination by campylobacter or salmonella bacterium? A wise decision if your gut microbiome is insufficiently prepared for the invasion: I calculate an 18.47% chance that consumption of any one of these dishes could induce vomiting, intestinal cramping and loose stool for a period of twenty four to seventy two hours.’

Around the table everyone else dropped their chopsticks with various noises of disgust, and Brainy looked round at them in surprise.

‘I take it that the rest of you took the precaution of ingesting a dose of an immune booster to deal with any possible bacterial infections, as is standard practise when consuming of food of dubious origin?’

‘No Brainy. That is not ‘standard practise’ in this century!’

‘Sprock. Then you have my apologies.’

Brainy looked crestfallen, and despite appearing a little nauseated Nia gave his hand a reassuring squeeze while J’onn swilled water and Alex spat a half chewed mouthful as discretely as she could into a paper napkin, then turned to Lena.

‘Okay, so now we’re all done giving ourselves some fun food poisoning, what did you mean wasn’t right Lena, if not the food? Did you think of a flaw in the dream session plan that we haven’t accounted for?’

‘It’s not the dream session, it’s this.’

She gestured round the table at all of them with a now defunct chopstick.

‘Kara should be here for this.’

‘I don’t like keeping her in the dark either, but you know we can’t bring her in on Project Atlantis. You’re the one that told us that in the first place.’

‘No, I know she can’t know about the work. But what about the rest of it? Eating take out and sharing stories about our day and dealing with group food poisoning incidents. Those aren’t Project Atlantis things, they’re friend things. And Kara should be a part of that.’

Alex gave her a look that said ‘oh, you are SO dating my sister’ (or at least that’s what Lena took from it), but she thankfully refrained from under-breath-muttering this time and took the point seriously.

‘You’re right, she should be. What would you suggest?’

Before Lena could respond, Nia broke off her whispered reassurances to Brainy and spoke up.

‘We should restart Game Nights. Between Kara disappearing, and then us all being so busy trying to find a cure and keep the city running without Supergirl, it’s been ages since we last had one.’

‘It’s a great idea, but Nia, are you sure? I mean, you of all people have taken on so much already with Dreamer stepping up as National City’s primary Superhero and now working with Kara on top of your regular day job.’

‘I’m sure. Lena’s right, we’ve all been so focused on getting Supergirl back, we’ve forgotten to make time for Kara outside of that. She deserves better than that.’

They all agreed to find time soon to schedule something in, assuming Kara was on board, and then the meeting drew rapidly to a close as everyone went off in search of less potentially poisonous dinner options.

Alex hung back.

‘Hey, Lena? Would you mind staying for a minute to help me with this?’

She gestured at the scattered take out containers and dropped chopsticks, but it was clear that they were just an excuse. Alex wanted to talk about their aborted exchange from earlier.

Did Lena want to talk about it?

Of course not.

It was none of Alex’s business how she felt about Kara, and it wasn’t her place to comment when they had already clearly established that this was a working relationship only.

Except…

She did want to.

She wanted Alex to explain herself. She wanted someone who knew them both to tell her if what she thought she saw from Kara was real, or if it was all just wishful thinking. She wanted not to be alone with this, because all her instincts were tied up in knots and she didn’t trust herself to be rational about Kara on her own anymore.

Besides, who was she even trying to kid at this point? Alex was her friend, and Kara’s sister, and Lena trusted her with this.

Even if she also still kind of wanted to kick her.

‘Do you have trash bags?’

‘Right here – I have the routine down by now.’

Alex pulled out a roll of trash bags from a cupboard and handed one to Lena, then shook one out for herself before broaching the real reason they were still here.

‘So… I owe you an apology. It was way out of line for me to say that in an Atlantis meeting, especially when you’ve made it clear that it’s not my place.’

‘Why did you?’

‘I guess… it feels like things have changed since we first talked about this? Tell me to back off if you want to, but I feel like we’re not just working together anymore. At least on my side, I consider you a friend. And even if you’re an annoying one who conspires to send me freaking BASE JUMPING, I was enjoying feeling like we were just hanging out today. I suppose I got a bit carried away.’

Alex met her eyes, the layer of bravado slipping briefly to leave her looking more unsure than Lena was used to seeing her.

‘Is that… okay with you?’

Lena pretended to consider, drawing it out for the space of a few heartbeats in a small act of revenge for Alex’s earlier jibes, but conceded before the uncertainty in her expression could tip towards hurt.

‘Well. In spite of the fact that you are completely insufferable and have all the decorum of a wasp at a tea party, yes, it’s okay with me. And… I think of you as a friend too.’

She let the sweet moment between them play out for all of two seconds before adding ‘though goodness knows why after what you just pulled in there. If I hadn’t been far too professional to do it in the middle of an important business meeting you would have some seriously kicked shins right now.’

This was punctuated with an only semi-jokey glower over the stack of soggy cardboard she was scooping into her trash bag, and Alex gave her a little acknowledging nose-scrunch in return.

‘Yeah, that’s fair. Even if no one else heard, saying anything in front of the others and in a place where you couldn’t respond properly was not cool, and I am sorry. I’ll keep my big mouth shut in future when there’s anyone else around.’

‘Thank you.’

Alex nodded seriously, then brightened, the same wicked gleam she always got when using Lena’s code name returning to her eyes.

‘HOWEVER. Since there isn’t anyone around anymore, and we have just established that we’re besties now, can I ask you about it? Because I really don’t think I’m imagining things here, and honestly it’s kind of driving me nuts wondering what’s going on.’

Lena hesitated. She had resolved to have this conversation, but now it was here she wasn’t sure how to get started.

‘Has Kara said anything to you?’

‘Not unless you count how fun and smart and kind you are, and how glad she is that you’re her best friend again, and how pretty your red lipstick looks with your dark hair and creamy Irish skin, and if you make me carry this sentence on any further I will have an aneurysm because this is my little sister I’m talking about, and it is SO weird to have to think about you two in that context. So no, technically she has never mentioned you being anything more than friends, but I have been Kara’s sister throughout every one of her crushes, and the way she talks about you, and the amount she talks about you, is on another level. So please just tell me… are you dating my sister?’

‘No, I’m not.’

‘Well why the hell NOT? No offense Lena but you are even less subtle about this than Kara is. Don’t think she didn’t tell me about the Wizard of Oz screening you just ‘happened’ to find right after she mentioned she’d never watched it on the big screen. Or the time you flew her to Broadway on a private jet to see Wicked together just because. Or the fact that you went climbing with her when I KNOW you didn’t want to, never mind all the times you get so protective in Atlantis meetings that you look ready to physically fight anyone you think might put Kara at any kind of risk. You are both completely gross for each other, so what gives?’

Alex didn’t quite stamp her foot but it seemed like a near thing, and if they had been talking about anything but this Lena would have laughed. Instead she rubbed hard at a partially dried puddle of spilled sweet and sour sauce and sighed.

‘It’s complicated Alex…’

‘Is it a closet issue? Because I totally get that. I’ve been there and I know how scary it is, but I really think-’

‘It’s not a closet issue. I have always been discrete about my bisexuality, for professional and family reasons, but I wouldn’t say that I’m in the closet as such, and I have always intended to come out publicly if I ever had something – someone to make doing so worthwhile. I’m not afraid of being out.’

Alex narrowed her eyes, too astute to miss the unspoken implication in her words.

‘But you’re afraid of something.’

‘Yes. I am.’

The admission made her heart pound, and Lena ducked down to pick up a chopstick that had rolled onto the floor to give herself a little breathing room. She had expected Alex to keep pushing her advantage, but she didn’t. She sat down on the edge of the table and waited, giving Lena space to find the words – and the courage – she needed.

‘It’s true. I have… feelings… for Kara.’

It was the first time that Lena had ever acknowledged this out loud, and she rushed on before the full realisation of what she’d just told Alex caught up with her and made her lose her nerve.

‘To be honest with you I felt that way long before we fell out, but she never seemed to pick up on the fact that I was flirting with her, so I accepted she was straight and settled for just being her best friend.’

‘Maybe you were just too subtle – Kara can be pretty oblivious for a smart person.’

‘Alex, I once filled her office with flowers, and she thought it was just a cute friend thing.’

‘Holy shit. Okay, my sister is an idiot, and you are so much gayer than I realised. That’s adorable and it makes me want to throw up. So okay, continue. You’re into Kara. Kara is definitely into you even if she is hopeless at picking up signals, and she is about as straight as a curly fry. So what’s the problem?’

‘The problem is, I can’t act on it. Not now.’

If Lena had expected sympathy from her newly declared ‘bestie’, she didn’t get it. Alex threw a balled up napkin at her and tutted, sounding genuinely annoyed.

‘Seriously? After all this you’re still too mad at her to even entertain the possibility?’

‘It’s not that. Well, not anymore. But Kara only has half the story right now – whatever she thinks we fought about, and whatever she thinks happened next, it isn’t real. I can’t tell her the truth, and I can’t start a relationship with her on a basis of lies. We’ve been there, and it didn’t go well for either of us. So. We are where we are. I love Kara, and I will be her friend. But that’s all it can be.’

‘Oh.’

‘Yes.’

‘Fuck.’

‘Yes.’

Alex ran both hands through her hair, tugging the roots as if she might be able to pull another solution out of her head that way, then dropped them back to her sides with a defeated sigh.

‘Okay. I get it, and you’re right. But FUCK. This is all so messed up. We have got to find a way to bring Kara’s Kryptonian memories back.’

‘I really, really hope we can. But Alex, even if we do I don’t know if anything can ever happen between us. There is still a lot we would need to work out on both sides, and when Kara has the rest of her memories back that will only get more complicated. No matter what happens, I don’t think we’re going to be flying off into the sunset together any time soon.’

‘Bullshit, you’ll figure it out. You just have to keep this up instead of locking yourself away in your ivory tower again when it gets painful. Believe me, Kara will want to do the work. If you show up for it, so will she.’

‘Maybe.’

[catamano]

7:12am - Charlotte

I’m greeted by the scent of baked goods as soon as I enter the kitchen. Emmett must be warming up some of the muffins that his mum gave him yesterday. Everyone’s favorite. The kids will be happy. Maybe Georgia will cheer up.

I don’t know what could be bothering her, she’s been up for less than an hour. She went to bed fairly quickly after we got home last night. I wasn’t able to talk to her about what happened with Nadia’s mum. I know it’s probably not ideal to talk about it before bed or before school, but I don’t have a lot options. It can wait. I’ll figure it out today. There are more important things to deal with at the moment.

“Hey.” My husband approaches from behind, slightly grazing my back with his hand as he passes me. “The twins are on their way down.”

“Okay,” I reply.

He opens the oven and checks on breakfast. “You think they’re warm?” he asks, putting on a bright red oven mitt. 

“I’m not sure, how long did you have them in there?” 

“No idea.” He takes the cookie sheet out of the oven and slides it onto the granite. “Only one way to find out.”

Before I can say anything, he takes one of the muffins and stuffs it into his mouth. He doesn’t bother to remove the paper, he never does. He eats the top of the muffin first and then unwraps it. He gives me a thumbs up and takes another bite. “Want some?” I can barely understand him.

I shake my head. “I’ll get my own,” I say. I’ll let the kids pick whichever one they want first. The twins especially are particular about their baked goods. 

Emmett finishes his muffin and throws the wrapper away. He must’ve done that in three bites. Lena’s baked goods always go quickly. Emmett has tried to mimic her recipes, he can never get them quite right. He arranges the muffins on a cutting board and puts the cookie sheet in the sink.

“How are you feeling this morning?” I was up sick all last night, Emmett was taking care of me. I think we were finally able to go to bed around one.

“Better.” Thank god. I can’t wait to be done with this. I’m already exhausted. I’m worried it’s only going to get worse.

“How’d it go with Peach?” he asks.

“It didn’t.” I hand him his coffee, he trades me for my tea. I don’t know when we started making each other’s drinks in the morning, but now it’s part of our routine. Emmett always takes his coffee the same way: a little bit of milk and no sugar. I don’t add anything to my tea.

“Why not?” He raises his eyebrow.

“She’s upset over something.”

“Upset over what?”

“I’m not sure. She kicked me out when I tried to ask.” I frown. It’s not like her not to tell me. It’s especially not like her to kick me out.

Our conversation is interrupted by stomping down the stairs. “Hey, no pushing!” That’s Lucy. If I had to guess, the twins are probably racing each other.

“I win!” Liam boasts. He usually does.

“Yeah, because you cheated.”

“No I didn’t, you’re just slow,” he laughs. 

“What have we told you two about racing down the stairs?” Emmett calls out.

“Sorry, Dad, we forgot!” Lucy skips into the kitchen, followed by her brother. She notices the muffins on the counter and grins. “Are these Nana’s muffins?”

Emmett crosses his arms. “They are. You can have one if you promise to stop racing down the stairs.”

“Okay! I promise!” She stares at the muffins, looking at each one carefully. “I call this one!” She points to the one with the largest berries on it. “Mom, will you braid my hair?”

“After we eat.” I smile at her. Doing Lucy’s hair is one of my favorite parts about the morning.

“I want this one,” Liam says quietly, gesturing to the largest muffin on the board.

“Let’s wait for Georgia and then we’ll eat, okay?” The twins nod their heads in agreement.

“Hey, Lulu, where’d you get that shirt?” Emmett asks. Metallica. That’s not something I would buy.

Lucy looks down at her shirt and shrugs. “I don’t know, it was in my closet.” Did I do that? Probably. I still have no idea where it came from.

“It’s Izzy’s. All of his shirts look like that,” Liam answers. Okay, that makes sense. Between the two of them, there’s probably a week’s worth of clothes between our house and the Kerrigan's.

Emmett and Liam start talking about his tryouts. He has them again today and for the next two days. We’re all hoping he makes it onto a competitive club team. I just hope the practices aren’t too long if he does make it. They got home last night at the same time the girls and I did. 9:30. Liam fell asleep in the car, Emmett had to carry him in.

The four of us don’t hear Georgia come down the stairs. She silently enters the kitchen and goes straight for the fridge. She’s looking for something, most likely her favorite juice. I’m fairly certain she finished it yesterday. She slams the fridge shut, obviously frustrated. The conversation about tryouts is on hold. Emmett and I make eye contact. The twins are staring at their sister.

Emmett breaks the silence, “Morning, Peach.” She glances at him, not saying anything.

“Someone’s in a bad mood,” Lucy says. Not this morning, please. 

Georgia ignores her as well, now looking for something in the pantry. She sighs, closing the door softly this time.

“What are you looking for?” Emmett asks.

“Breakfast.” She scratches the side of her head.

“You don’t want a muffin?”

���No.”

“Wow, you must be in a really bad mood to not want Nana’s muffins,” Lucy teases.

“Hey, Lulu, knock it off,” Emmett says. 

“I’m not doing anything!” 

“Shut up, Lucy.” Georgia glares at her younger sister.

“Make me.” Lucy smirks. She knows exactly what she’s doing.

“Lucy, seriously, enough,” I say firmly. Before she can contest, I turn to Georgia. “Georgia, you’re allowed to be in a bad mood, but that doesn’t mean you get to take it out on everyone, okay?” Something must really be bothering her. Maybe she’ll talk about it on the ride to school.

“Oh, right, I can’t. But you can.” She rolls her eyes. Is this about the other day? It has to be.

“No. It’s not okay for me to do either,” I respond. I don’t know what else to say. I have to wonder if she’s upset at something or upset at me. Or both. It’s been weird between us since I lost my temper with her. Not bad, but not normal. I thought we were at least okay. I guess not.

“Whatever.” She takes a pear out of the bowl on the counter and leaves the kitchen. That won’t be enough, I’ll make her something and offer it to her in the car. I sigh, it’ll probably be a silent car ride this morning.

“Okay… Does this mean we can eat muffins now?” Lucy asks.

“Sure, go ahead,” Emmett responds. The twins both grab their breakfast and head to the table. I was hungry earlier, now I think I’ve lost my appetite. It’s going to be a long day.

[scotianostra]

On 29th February 1904 the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, opened.

Designed by Bertie Crewe for Thomas Barrasford, the Pavilion Theatre opened at the corner of Renfield Street and Renfrew Street, Glasgow on the 29 February, 1904. It was regarded as luxurious for its time with its decor being described by the owners as “pure Louis XV”. An electrically operated sliding roof ensured good ventilation.

Performances in the early days were mainly variety, melodrama and pantomime. Many of the leading music hall artistes of the period appeared at the Pavilion, including Marie Lloyd, Little Tich, Harry Lauder, Florrie Forde, Will Fyffe, Sarah Bernhardt and a then unknown Charlie Chaplin.

Since the 1930s, the Pavilion began to host pantomimes with top name stars of the Scottish variety scene, such as Harry Gordon and Dave Willis. In more recent times it has produced plays, such as ‘The Sash’ and ‘The Steamie’.

The Pavilion Theatre is now the only privately run theatre in Scotland and one of a few unsubsidised independent theatres left in Britain.

“Defying all the odds, Glasgow’s Pavilion regularly purveys variety to this day. All the more remarkable as it is completely unsubsidised and receives no funding from the Scottish Arts Council and kindred bodies whose thoughts and cash are directed at higher cultural activities. It remains the last stronghold of a long music hall tradition in Europe’s City of Culture owing everything to a dedicated staff and patrons and nothing to the public purse.

With its imposing terra cotta facade, the Pavilion Theatre of Varieties was designed by Bertie Crewe in the grand manner for Thomas Barrasford. The domed ceiling was surmounted by an electrically controlled sliding roof for ventilation. Fine Rococo plasterwork on the circle, balcony and box fronts; decoration executed in pure Louis XV; handsome mahogany woodwork and the marble mosaic floor all lent the 1800 seat theatre an aura of splendour.

No less amusing than the dentist advertising in the Pavilion programme “painless extractions with nitrous oxide for 4/- (20p) or cocaine for 1/- (5p)”, were the press observations on the “fashionable company” which attended the Pavilion’s first house on 29th February,1904. We learn that “among the elite there was quite a preponderance of ladies and gentlemen of quality in evening dress”. Alas, class consciousness and respectability were all in Edwardian Britain!

The ‘forties and ‘fifties saw pantomime runs of sixteen weeks, the happy and hilarious summer seasons were emulated during the 1960s and early 1970s by Lex McLean. Another regular crowd puller to Renfield Street was Jack Milroy.

Lulu from Dennistoun (real name Marie Lawrie) broke box office records in 1975, Billy Connolly, Hector Nicol Andy Cameron portrayed their own distinctive brands of humour while Scottish songstresses Lena Zavaroni, , Sheena Easton, Lena Martell and Barbara Dickson also scored heavily with Pavilion audiences.

It was anything but plain sailing for the Pavilion and there was gloomy speculation of closure after incurring heavy financial losses in 1981. Spared the fate which befell the Queens, Metropole, Empire, Alhambra and Empress Theatres, the 80 years old Pavilion was rescued by James Glasgow and transformed into a modest profit maker. Smash-hit shows with Sydney Devine; spells from hypnotist Robert Halpern; pantomime with Denny Willis, and one night gigs from the foremost modern television entertainers have kept the cash tills registering.

The Pavilion also played a major role in the annual Mayfest – Glasgow’s International Festival of popular theatre, music, the arts and community programmes.

Little altered and virtually unspoilt since its inception, the seating capacity of 1449 is made up of 677 stalls, 341 circle, 413 balcony and 18 box seats. While the stiff shirts in chauffeur-driven cabs have given way to coach parties from the rural areas of Strathclyde and beyond, a policy of providing the best in live entertainment has been pursued consistently. The portents look good for the vibrant Pavilion Theatre of Varieties.”

The Pavillion is, in my view a survivor, even over the past few years tragedy has struck the area with a series of fires.

[eurovision-facts]

Eurovision Fact #444:

More solo artist women have won the Eurovision Song Contest than any other type of act.

Solo act women have won 37 years out of the 67 years the contest has been running. That's about 55% of the total wins. (This is counting Conchita Wurst, and counting Loreen twice for both 2012 and 2023).

Additionally, all four winners of the 1969 contest were solo act women, and Loreen won twice.

[Sources & List of Winners]

Lugano 1956, Eurovision.tv. Lys Assia 🇨🇭.

Frankfurt 1957, Eurovision.tv. Corry Brokken 🇳🇱.

Cannes 1959, Eurovision.tv. Teddy Scholten 🇳🇱.

London 1960, Eurovision.tv. Jacqueline Boyer 🇫🇷.

Luxembourg 1962, Eurovision.tv. Isabelle Aubret 🇫🇷.

Copenaghen 1964, Eurovision.tv. Gigliola Cinquetti 🇮🇹.

Naples 1965, Eurovision.tv. France Gall 🇱🇺.

Vienna 1967, Eurovision.tv. Sandie Shaw 🇬🇧.

London 1968, Eurovision.tv. Massiel 🇪🇸.

Madrid 1969, Eurovision.tv. Frida Boccara 🇫🇷, Lenny Kuhr 🇳🇱, Lulu 🇬🇧, Salomé 🇪🇸.

Amsterdam 1970, Eurovision.tv. Dana 🇮🇪.

Dublin 1971, Eurovision.tv. Séverine 🇲🇨.

Edinburgh 1972, Eurovision.tv. Vicky Leandros 🇱🇺.

Luxembourg 1973, Eurovision.tv. Anne-Marie David 🇱🇺.

London 1977, Eurovision.tv. Marie Myriam 🇫🇷.

Harrogate 1982, Eurovision.tv. Nicole 🇩🇪.

Munich 1983, Eurovision.tv. Corinne Hermès 🇱🇺.

Bergen 1986, Eurovision.tv. Sandra Kim 🇧🇪.

Dublin 1988, Eurovision.tv. Céline Dion 🇨🇭.

Rome 1991, Eurovision.tv. Carola 🇸🇪.

Malmö 1992, Eurovision.tv. Linda Martin 🇮🇪.

Millstreet 1993, Eurovision.tv. Niamh Kavanagh 🇮🇪.

Oslo 1996, Eurovision.tv. Eimear Quinn 🇮🇪.

Birmingham 1998, Eurovision.tv. Dana International 🇮🇱.

Jerusalem 1999, Eurovision.tv. Charlotte Nilsson 🇸🇪.

Tallinn 2002, Eurovision.tv. Marie N 🇱🇻.

Riga 2003, Eurovision.tv. Sertab Erener 🇹🇷.

Istanbul 2004, Eurovision.tv. Ruslana 🇺🇦.

Kyiv 2005, Eurovision.tv. Helena Paparizou 🇬🇷.

Helsinki 2007, Eurovision.tv. Marija Šerifović 🇷🇸.

Oslo 2010, Eurovision.tv. Lena 🇩🇪.

Baku 2012, Eurovision.tv. Loreen 🇸🇪.

Malmö 2013, Eurovision.tv. Emmelie de Forest 🇩🇰.

Copenaghen 2014, Eurovision.tv. Conchita Wurst 🇦🇹.

Stockholm 2016, Eurovision.tv. Jamala 🇺🇦.

Lisbon 2018, Eurovision.tv. Netta 🇮🇱.

Liverpool 2023 Eurovision.tv. Loreen 🇸🇪.

[meatymidnightmultiverse]

For the ask meme. What is your favorite interaction we've had? >:3

Tough question... The old Lulu one was really good, Moira with Claire was fun, Cait and Vi is a classic... But I think I'm going to go with the Lena stuff honestly, even if it is a truly tough choice

[unibrowzz]

The Signs and their Eurovision winners

Here we are again, with just one new name this time, but one for a rarely seen sign for once 👀

♈ Aries: Agnetha Fältskog (ABBA, 1974), Ard Weeink (Teach-In, 1975) Lee Sheridan (Brotherhood of Man, 1976), Elisabeth Andreassen (Bobbysocks, 1985), Céline Dion (1988), Nenad Nakić (Riva, 1989), Linda Martin (1992), Rolf Løvland (Secret Garden, 1995) Katrina Leskanich (Katrina and the Waves, 1997), Nils Olsen (Olsen Brothers, 2000), Sergei Morgun (2XL, 2001) Duncan Laurence (2019)

♉ Taurus: Teddy Scholten (1959), Jacqueline Boyer (1960), Jørgen Ingmann (1963), Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA, 1974), Marie Myriam (1977), Johnny Logan (1980 and 1987), Jay Aston (Bucks Fizz, 1981), Emilija Kokić, Dalibor Musap AND Zvonimir Zrilić (All Riva, 1989), Paul Harrington (1994), Alexander Rybak (2009), Victoria de Angelis (Måneskin, 2021), Oleh Psiuk and MC KylymMen (both Kalush Orchestra, 2022)

♊ Gemini: Grethe Ingmann (1963), Anne-Marie David (1973), Salomé (Spain, 1969), Koos Versteeg (Teach-In, 1975), Kaido Põldma (2XL, 2001), Ruslana (2004), Lena Meyer-Landrut (2010), Eldar Qasımov (Ell & Nikki, 2011), Måns Zelmerlöw (2015)

♋ Cancer: John Gaasbeek (Teach-In, 1975), Toto Cutugno (1990), Amen and OX (both Lordi, 2006)

♌ Leo: Isabelle Aubret (1962), Massiel (1968), Vicky Leandros (1972), Per and Richard Herrey (Herreys, 1984), Bobby Gee (Bucks Fizz, 1981), Marie N (2002), Nemo (2024)

♍ Virgo: Dana (1970), Boško Colić (Riva, 1989), Carola (1991), Fionnuala Sherry and Hans Frederik-Jacobsen (Secret Garden and Co, 1995), Indrek Soom (2XL, 2001), Nigar Jamal (Ell & Nikki, 2011), Jamala (2016)

♎ Libra: France Gall (1965), Udo Jürgens (1966), Séverine (1971), Chris de Wolde (Teach-In, 1975), Smulik Bilu (Milk and Honey, 1979), Sandra Kim (1986), Åsa Jinder (Secret Garden and Co, 1995) Vince de la Cruz (Katrina and the Waves, 1997), Charlotte Nilsson (1999), Loreen (2012 and 2023), Ethan Torchio (Måneskin, 2021), Sasha Tab and Vitalii Duzhyk (Kalush Orchestra, 2022)

♏ Scorpio: Jean-Claude Pascale (1961), Frida Boccara (France 1969), Lulu (UK, 1969), Anni-Frid Lyngstad (ABBA, 1974), Rudi Nijhuis (Teach-In, 1975), Reuven Erez (Alphabeta, 1978), Nicole (1982), Corinne Hermès (1983), Louis Herrey (Herreys, 1984), Tanel Padar (2001), Marija Šerifović (2007), Conchita Wurst (2014)

♐ Sagittarius: Corry Brokken (1957), André Claveau (1958), Gigliola Cinquetti (1964), Benny Andersson (ABBA, 1974), Martin Lee, Nicky Stevens AND Sandra Stevens (all Brotherhood of Man, 1976), Reuven Gvirtz (Milk and Honey, 1979), Mike Nolan (Bucks Fizz, 1981), Charlie McGettigan (1994), Eimear Quinn (1996), Kimberley Rew (Katrina and the Waves, 1997), Sertab Erener (2003)

♑ Capricorn: Esther Tzuberi (Alphabeta, 1978), Gali Altari (1979), Aleksandra Kalafatović (Riva, 1989) Dima Bilan (2008), Salvador Sobral (2017), Damiano David and Thomas Raggi (both Måneskin, 2021), Ihor Didenchuk (Kalush Orchestra, 2022)

♒ Aquarius: Yehuda Tamir (Milk and Honey, 1979), Hanne Krogh (Bobbysocks, 1985), Niamh Kavanagh (1993), Gunnhild Tvinnereim (Secret Garden and Co, 1995), Dana International (1998), Dave Benton (2001), Helena Paparizou (2005), Mr Lordi and Kita (both Lordi, 2006), Netta Barzilai (2018), Tymofii Muzychuk (Kalush Orchestra, 2022)**

♓ Pisces: Lys Assia (1956), Sandie Shaw (1967), Lenny Kuhr (Netherlands, 1969), Getty Kaspers (Teach-In, 1975), Yizhar Cohen (1978), Cheryl Baker (Bucks Fizz, 1981) Jørgen Olsen (Olsen Brothers, 2000), Lauri Pihlap (2XL, 2001) Awa (Lordi, 2006), Emmelie de Forest (2013)

UNKNOWN: Lisa Gold-Rubin*, Itzhak Okev and Nehama Shutan* (all Alphabeta, 1978), Alex Cooper (Katrina and the Waves, 1997)

*I did uncover some information regarding Lisa Gold-Rubin and Nehama Shutan which would make them Pisces and Leo respectively, however I was unable to confirm whether they were the actual Eurovision performers or whether they just happened to share the same names. The lead for Gold-Rubin is stronger... but still unconfirmed 😅

**Some sites list Tymofii's birthday as being in September, however his actual Ukrainian Wikipedia page shows it as February 6th, so that's what I'm going with

Corrections/additional information welcome!

[lena-in-a-red-dress]

Lena & Lulu the Guinea Pig Headcanons

- Lena occasionally takes Lulu into certain board meetings and sits in her chair with Lulu in her lap, just casually stroking Lulu's bare skin like a villain with a fluffy white cat, both her and Lulu glaring down whichever dude is ranting at her until he's too unnerved to keep going.

- Lena working in her lab with Lulu on her shoulder, occasionally collaborating when Lena hits a roadblock. Lena also takes to talking through her projects with Lulu at home, and getting the guinea pig's feedback courtesy of the translator device

- Lulu's resentment of all things Super sticks around a little bit, even going so far as to try and bite Kara when Kara doesn't read guinea pig body language to know that Lulu doesn't want to be touched. Lena has to rush in and be like "whoa, kara, boundaries!" while cradling Lulu against her chest, with Lulu glaring at Supergirl all the while

- until Lena gets into trouble and Lulu and Kara have to team up to save her. When Lulu sees how much Kara loves Lena, and how much Lena loves Kara, Lulu learns to tolerate the Super a little bit better. (Though she still thinks Supergirl is a spineless git enslaved to the amorphous ideal of the Greater Good, like a fool.)

[libraryleopard]

Poetry

Displacement, diaspora, nostalgia, war, and family

Favorite poems: "Upon Arrival," Immigrant," "Dhayaa’," Tu’burni," "Water & Salt," "Running Orders," "Intifada Portrait," "Again and Again," "Ruin," "Newsworthy," "My Mother Returns to Her Childhood Home," "Time Management," "Naming It"

Author is of Palestinian, Jordanian, Syrian descent

[goat-esc-winner-showdown]

ROUND 1 WINNERS

Round 1 Poll 1: "What's Another Year" - Johnny Logan (Ireland, 1980) vs "Arcade" - Duncan Laurence (Netherlands, 2019)

Round 1 Poll 2: "Tu te reconnaîtras" - Anne-Marie David (Luxembourg, 1973) vs "Euphoria" - Loreen (Sweden, 2012)

Round 1 Poll 3: "J'aime la vie" - Sandra Kim (Belgium, 1986) vs "Ein bißchen Frieden" - Nicole (Germany, 1982)

Round 1 Poll 4: "Puppet on a String" - Sandie Shaw (United Kingdom, 1967) vs "The Voice" - Eimear Quinn (Ireland, 1996)

Round 1 Poll 5: "Boom Bang-a-Bang" - Lulu (United Kingdom, 1969) vs "Tom Pillibi" - Jacqueline Boyer (France, 1960)

Round 1 Poll 6: "Rise Like a Phoenix" - Conchita Wurst (Austria, 2014) vs "Toy" - Netta (Israel, 2018)

Round 1 Poll 7: "Refrain" - Lys Assia (Switzerland, 1956) vs "Everyway That I Can" - Sertab Erener (Turkey, 2003)

Round 1 Poll 8: "Diva" (דיווה) - Dana International (Israel, 1998) vs "Satellite" - Lena (Germany, 2010)

Round 1 Poll 9: "Si la vie est cadeau" - Corinne Hermès (Luxembourg, 1983) vs "La det swinge" - Bobbysocks! (Norway, 1985)

Round 1 Poll 10: "Nous les amoureux" - Jean-Claude Pascal (Luxembourg, 1961) vs "Un banc, un arbre, une rue" - Séverine (Monaco, 1971)

Round 1 Poll 11: "Dors, mon amour" - André Claveau (France, 1958) vs "Ne partez pas sans moi" - Céline Dion (Switzerland, 1988)

Round 1 Poll 12: "1944" - Jamala Jamala (Ukraine, 2016) vs "Save Your Kisses for Me" - Brotherhood of Man (United Kingdom, 1976)

Round 1 Poll 13: "Waterloo" - ABBA (Sweden, 1974) vs "Hold Me Now" - Johnny Logan (Ireland, 1987)

Round 1 Poll 14: "Take Me to Your Heaven" - Charlotte Nilsson (Sweden, 1999) vs "Zitti e buoni" - Måneskin (Italy, 2021)

Round 1 Poll 15: "Why Me?" - Linda Martin (Ireland, 1992) vs Ukraine "Wild Dances" - Ruslana (Ukraine, 2004)

Round 1 Poll 16: "Stefania" (Стефанія) - Kalush Orchestra (Ukraine, 2022) vs "De troubadour" - Lenny Kuhr (Netherlands, 1969)

Round 1 Poll 17: "Only Teardrops" - Emmelie de Forest (Denmark, 2013) vs "Nocturne" - Secret Garden (Norway, 1995)

Round 1 Poll 18: "Hallelujah" (הללויה) - Milk and Honey (Israel, 1979) vs "Molitva" (Молитва) - Marija Šerifović (Serbia, 2007)

Round 1 Poll 19: "Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley" - Herreys (Sweden, 1984) vs "I Wanna" - Marie N (Latvia, 2002)

Round 1 Poll 20: "Fairytale" - Alexander Rybak (Norway, 2009) vs "Merci, Chérie" - Udo Jürgens (Austria, 1966)

Round 1 Poll 21: "Fångad av en stormvind" - Carola (Sweden, 1991) vs "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" (א-ב-ני-בי) - Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta (Israel, 1978)

Round 1 Poll 22: "Après toi" - Vicky Leandros (Luxembourg, 1972) vs "Love Shine a Light" - Katrina and the Waves (United Kingdom, 1997)

Round 1 Poll 23: "Dansevise" - Grethe and Jørgen Ingmann (Denmark, 1963) vs "Fly on the Wings of Love" - Olsen Brothers (Denmark, 2000)

Round 1 Poll 24: "Making Your Mind Up" - Bucks Fizz (United Kingdom, 1981) vs "L'Oiseau et l'Enfant" - Marie Myriam (France, 1977)

Round 1 Poll 25: "Insieme: 1992" - Toto Cutugno (Italy, 1990) vs "Everybody" - Tanel Padar, Dave Benton and 2XL (Estonia, 2001)

Round 1 Poll 26: "All Kinds of Everything" - Dana (Ireland, 1970) vs "In Your Eyes" - Niamh Kavanagh (Ireland, 1993)

Round 1 Poll 27: "Hard Rock Hallelujah" - Lordi (Finland, 2006) vs "Net als toen" - Corry Brokken (Netherlands, 1957)

Round 1 Poll 28: "Een beetje" - Teddy Scholten (Netherlands, 1959) vs "Heroes" - Måns Zelmerlöw (Sweden, 2015)

Round 1 Poll 29: "Rock 'n' Roll Kids" - Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan (Ireland, 1994) vs "My Number One" - Helena Paparizou (Greece, 2005)

Round 1 Poll 30: "Running Scared" - Ell and Nikki (Azerbaijan, 2011) vs "Amar pelos dois" - Salvador Sobral (Portugal, 2017)

Round 1 Poll 31: "Poupée de cire, poupée de son" - France Gall (Luxembourg, 1965) vs "Believe" - Dima Bilan (Russia, 2008)

Round 1 Poll 32: "Vivo cantando" - Salomé (Spain, 1969) vs "Tattoo" - Loreen (Sweden, 2023)

[erzulliee]

Jogja dan Hujan Pertama di Bulan September

Jangan lupa follow Wattpad Erzullie ya :)

Babak 1

Masih ku tatap hujan pertama di bulan September.

"Permisi, Mas," ucap seorang gadis manis dengan rambut sebatas bahu.

"Oh, ya, silakan." Aku memberikan celah untuk gadis itu lewat di depanku.

Ia duduk di tepat di kursi sebelahku, menjadi pendamping perjalanan dari Jakarta menuju Yogyakarta.

Sejak kereta api berjalan, tak ada kata yang terucap di antara kami. Aku sibuk menatap hujan di luar jendela, sementara ia sibuk menidurkan diri.

Sejak ia tertidur, muncul keberanian untuk sesekali meliriknya. Takdir memang bajingan. Bisa-bisanya menghadirkan orang asing macam begini. Wajahnya tidak terlalu cantik, tapi cukup menarik untuk terus dipandang.

Perjalananku kali ini bertujuan untuk membasuh luka dari patahnya hati. Namun, September memang unik. Selain hujan pertama, ia juga menyuguhkan pertemuan pertama.

'Seandainya bisa kenal sama dia.' Batinku. Berharap ia singgah sejenak di beranda takdir.

Waktu terus bergulir. Perlahan kepalanya turun hingga bersandar di bahuku.

'Bajigur!' Batinku. Aku takut degup jantungku yang berdebar kencang ini membangunkannya. 'Woilah! Cepet bangun Mbak. Hatiku geter-geter ini hoy!'

Biarpun begitu, sisi kecil hatiku berharap ia terus begitu. Setidaknya pundak pria ini tidak rapuh seperti hatinya.

Tanpa sadar, terukir senyum tipis di bibirku. Hingga tiba-tiba aku merasakan ada air yang mengalir dari bahu menuju lenganku. Ku tatap si manis ini.

'Si jenius! Ngiler anjay!'

Tiba-tiba mata si jenius in—si manis ini terbuka. Ia terkejut dan langsung mengangkat kepalanya. Ditatapnya iler yang berdusun di bahuku.

"Eh sorry." Dengan panik ia ambil sapu tangan dari kantong jaketnya, lalu membersihkan baju dan lenganku.

Aku tersenyum menatapnya. 'Untung manis!' Batinku. "Enggak apa-apa kok."

"Maaf, maaf, enggak sadar saya."

"Kalo sadar mah bukan tidur, Mbak," balasku dengan bumbu guyon.

Ia tertawa. Lesung pipinya membuat senyumnya semakin manis.

"Mau ke mana, Mas?"

"Jogja. Mbaknya?"

"Sama."

"Mau kuliah?" tanyaku

"Emang masih kelihatan kayak mahasiswi, ya?" Ia berpose menempelkan jarinya yang berbentuk huruf v di bawah dagu.

Aku terkekeh. "Iya," balasku.

"Sempet kuliah di sana, tapi udah lulus tiga tahun lalu. Sekarang mau main aja. Masnya mau ngapain?"

Aku tersenyum membuang muka menatap hujan di luar jendela. "Menghapus luka, Mbak."

"Mirip-mirip deh sama aku. Aku main juga karena mau ngubur pilu."

'Jiahahaha menarik!'

Aku menyodorkan tanganku. "Riki." Ia membalas jabatan tanganku. "Lena," ucapnya.

Lena. Seperti namanya. Aku dibuat terlena dengan parasnya.

Lena bercerita bahwa ia suka ayam geprek di Jogja. Ayam geprek di Jakarta terlalu culun katanya. Selain geprek, ia juga suka pengamen di Jogja. Menurutnya para pengamen ini adalah orang-orang yang mencari panggung jalanan, bukan sekadar mencari uang dan tidak bertanggung jawab dengan telinga pendengarnya. Jogja memang begitu, kaya dengan seniman.

"Kalo kamu, apa yang paling kamu suka dari Jogja?" tanyanya padaku.

"Enggak ada," jawabku

Ia memicing. "Kok?"

"Aku juga kuliah di sana. Sejak lulus, Jogja enggak lagi sama. Keistimewaannya ikut terkubur bersama masa lalu. Tempat yang sama, tapi dengan waktu dan orang yang berbeda."

"Nyesek ya ... terus ngapain ke Jogja kalo gitu? Masih banyak kota lain," ucapnya.

Aku tersenyum. Suasana mendadak hening diselimuti dinginnya kereta malam. "Aku butuh luka yang lebih besar untuk menghapus luka di hatiku saat ini. Aku mulai menyadari, bahwasanya sakit hati terbesar adalah ketika kita cuma diberikan ketidakberdayaan untuk duduk sambil menikmati secangkir nostalgia tanpa dicumbu sua."

Lena tersenyum mendengar ucapan ku. "Wih, kata-katanya."

"Setelah lulus, aku sadar. Hal yang paling mahal itu adalah kehadiran."

"Sepakat," ucap Lena.

Waktu yang tersisa kami gunakan untuk saling mendekatkan diri. Menyenangkan rasanya mengenal orang baru.

"Penumpang yang kami hormati, sesaat lagi kereta api Bogowonto akan tiba di stasiun akhir Yogyakarta ...."

Hingga tak terasa kami hampir tiba di penghujung perjalanan. Baik aku dan Lena, kami berdiri. Aku mengambilkan tas miliknya yang berada di atas.

"Makasih." Lagi-lagi ia tersenyum padaku.

"Sama-sama," balasku sembari menyematkan senyum balasan.

Kami berjalan ke depan stasiun bersebelahan. Rasanya nyaman, aku tak ingin jauh darinya. Padahal belum ada sepuluh jam kami saling mengenal satu sama lain. Sepertinya Lena sukses meluluhkan hatiku. Aku jatuh cinta.

"Rik, aku duluan, ya. Makasih udah nemenin ngobrol. Semoga lekas sembuh." Lena masuk ke dalam mobil taksi berlogo twitter sambil melambaikan tangannya padaku. Aromanya perlahan pudar dari hidupku.

Tanpa dosa ia pergi begitu saja. Tak meninggalkan jejak barang secuil nomor ponselnya. Di matanya aku hanyalah sebuah selingan takdir.

Lagi. Aku terluka ditikam anganku sendiri. Lena tidak salah. Aku yang salah karena berharap padanya.

Benar kata orang-orang rupanya. September memang identik dengan hujan. Dengan senyum mendung, aku melangkah pergi. Biar ku anggap semua rasa ini hanyalah bunga tidur semalam.

END

[unfortunatetrash]

Appreciating my LITG MCs tonight because the game doesn't deserve them. :)

1. Penny - 28, artist / Jake & Levi & Talia 2. Valerie - 22, student (astronomy) / Gary & Bobby 3. Cam - 25, musician / Tai & Yasmin 4. Lena - 24, actor / Bruno 5. Aruna - 27, unemployed / Suresh & Finn (& Lulu) 6. Reid - 24, indie book & music shop owner / Lewie