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book--brackets · 4 months ago

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Note: Good Omens is by both Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, it just doesn't fit in the character limit lol

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (2011)

The circus arrives without warning. No announcement precedes it, no paper notices plastered on lampposts and billboards. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.

Within these nocturnal black-and-white-striped tents awaits an utterly unquie experience, a feast did the senses, where no one can be lost in a maze of clouds, meander through a lush garden muse of ice, stare in wonderment as the tattooed contortionist folds herself into a small glass box, and become deliciously tipsy from the scents of caramel and cinnamon that waft through the air.

Welcome to Le Cirque des Rêvez.

Beyond the smoke and mirrors, however, a fierce competition is under way—a contest between two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood to compete in a “game” to which they have been irrevocably bound by their mercurial masters. Unbeknownst to the players, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battles of imagination and will.

As the circus travels around the world, the feats of magic gain fantastical new heights with every stop. The game is well under way and the lives of all those involved—the eccentric circus owner, the elusive contortionist, the mystical fortune-teller, and a pair of red-haired twins born backstage among them—are swept up in a wake of spells and charms.

But when Celia discovers Marco is her adversary, they begin to think of the game not as a competition but as a wonderful collaboration. With no knowledge of how the game must end, they innocently tumble headfirst into love. A deep, passionate, and magical love that makes the light flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

Their masters still pull the strings, however, and this unforeseen occurrence forces them to intervene with dangerous consequences, leaving the lives of everyone from the performers to the patrons hanging in the balance.

The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss (2007-present)

My name is Kvothe. I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. You may have heard of me.

So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature--the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man's search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (2015-2016)

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. . . .

A convict with a thirst for revenge A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager A runaway with a privileged past A spy known as the Wraith A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman (2001)

Days before his release from prison, Shadow's wife, Laura, dies in a mysterious car crash. Numbly, he makes his way back home. On the plane, he encounters the enigmatic Mr Wednesday, who claims to be a refugee from a distant war, a former god and the king of America.

Together they embark on a profoundly strange journey across the heart of the USA, whilst all around them a storm of preternatural and epic proportions threatens to break.

Scary, gripping and deeply unsettling, American Gods takes a long, hard look into the soul of America. You'll be surprised by what - and who - it finds there...

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer (2012-2015)

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman (1973)

Westley ... handsome farm boy who risks death and much, much worse for the woman he loves; Inigo ... the Spanish swordsman who lives only to avenge his father's death; Fezzik ... the Turk, the gentlest giant ever to have uprooted a tree with his bare hands; Vizzini ... the evil Sicilian, with a mind so keen he's foiled by his own perfect logic; Prince Humperdinck ... the eviler ruler of Guilder, who has an equally insatiable thirst for war and the beauteous Buttercup; Count Rugen ... the evilest man of all, who thrives on the excruciating pain of others; Miracle Max ... the King's ex-Miracle Man, who can raise the dead (kind of); The Dread Pirate Roberts ... supreme looter and plunderer of the high seas; and, of course, Buttercup ... the princess bride, the most perfect, beautiful woman in the history of the world.

S. Morgenstern's timeless tale--discovered and wonderfully abridged by William Goldman--pits country against country, good against evil, love against hate. From the Cliffs of Insanity through the Fire Swamp and down into the Zoo of Death, this incredible journey and brilliant tale is peppered with strange beasties both monstrous and gentle, and memorable surprises both terrible and sublime.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (1964)

Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last!

But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life!

The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare (2010-2013)

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (1990)

The world is preparing to come to an end according to the Divine Plan recorded in the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (recorded 1655). Meanwhile, a fussy angel and a fast-living demon have grown fond of living among the earth's mortals for many millennia and are not looking forward to the apocalypse. If Crowley and Aziraphale are going to stop it from happening, they must find and kill the Antichrist.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman (2002)

In Coraline's family's new flat there's a locked door. On the other side is a brick wall—until Coraline unlocks the door . . . and finds a passage to another flat in another house just like her own. Only different.

The food is better there. Books have pictures that writhe and crawl and shimmer. And there's another mother and father there who want Coraline to be their little girl. They want to change her and keep her with them. . . . Forever.

#best fantasy book #poll #the night circus #the kingkiller chronicles #six of crows #american gods #the lunar chronicles #the princess bride #charlie and the chocolate factory #the infernal devices #good omens #coraline

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tainted-liquor · 1 year ago

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'Make it Awkward...⋆｡°✩

E1610!Miles Morales x BlackFem!Reader Ingredients: Sugar, Kisses, n a lil bit of smiles! TWs: Awkward teen love like rlly rlly awkward W/C: 1.8k A/N: SZA Inspired fic ❤︎!! another cute lil req from my 100 special!

You and Miles had developed a sturdy friendship in middle school, with you always being hyped up as the "art kid" in each of your classes. Initially, he was a little bit bitter because he didn't really understand what the hype was all about. He could draw, and he could do it just as good as you. Which, granted was indeed true, but your work felt like something out of a Van Gogh discography. Each and every one of your paintings and drawings almost looked like there was a filter over them, like something out of a flurry dream that evoked nostalgia and warmth in whoever seemed to view them. To say he was inspired by you was an understatement, he wanted to drown himself in everything that was your talent.

But as time passed and spiders bit, you two grew apart from each other on account of him semi-blowing you off for Gwen. You stopped hanging out slowly, he began to drop art and pick up a sudden interest in physics and inter-dimensional travel, and even got...meaner? The kind and innocent kid that once was Miles suddenly became jumpy and antsy. You thought that you two had something worth way more than any other friendship you had, but one day shit just shifted into complete, and total, awkward silence. But as time heals all wounds, you slowly began talking again at the top of this month, right before your summer came to its close.

Miles quietly hummed along to the steady bump of the music in his headphones, nodding to the rhythm as he began illustrating a head in his sketchbook. As 'Les' By Childish Gambino slowly fizzed out and the electronic chords of 'Awkward' By SZA became known, his sketch started to warp a little. He didn't necessarily remember how or when, but he noticed his sketch become a lot less androgynous and more familiar, with twinkling brown eyes and thick curly hair becoming more detailed with each pencil stroke. It took him a while to realize, but eventually, he had drawn...you. Down to the finest details as well, your smile lines and your perfectly sculpted Nubian nose.

What he hadn't anticipated was filling up the next 2 pages of his sketchbook with both your face and the signature crochet fingerless gloves you wore during the winter. What initially was just a warmup while waiting for you to arrive at his house turned into a full-blown drawing session with you as the muse. You weren't even there and he still had drawn you 100% accurately from memory. He sighed as his playlist continued to play out a steady stream of nothing but SZA, leaning back in his chair as he stared up at the ceiling before he heard a knock on his room door. "Ah-Come in!" he yelped as he quickly put away his sketchbook, swapping out the pencils and paint markers for paintbrushes and canvases.

You gently pushed open the door, showing Miles your painted tote bag full of art supplies, such as watercolors, charcoal, oil paints, three palettes, and various paintbrushes. "Hey, Miles! Sorry, it took me a lil bit...that fuckin' line in the art store was INSANE" you chirped as you slowly entered Miles's room and set down your bag. You placed your shoes in the corner of his room before walking over to sit on his bed. He pulled off his headphones, gently placing them on their stand before spinning around in his indigo desk chair. "That's fine! Don't even worry about it I know how full them stores get" he shrugs as he grabs his Bluetooth speaker from off his shelf, motioning for you to follow him as he stacks the canvases and art supplies in his hands.

"C'mon, there's not enough space in my room for two people to paint," he explains as he climbs the stairs up to his apartment roof. You followed closely behind him, setting up the art supplies as he fidgeted with his speaker. You lean back against the wall as you sit on the concrete roof, taking in the pretty sky as you sketch out some buildings and a landscape on your canvas. "So how's summer for you, huh? What's her name...Gwen was it? How'd things go over with her?" You ask as you begin to add minor details to your sketch. Truth be told it ate you up every single time he would mention her in your past conversations, with you having a small...thing for him that grew over time.

"Oh! Uh, Gwen...yeah. Things went south, we don't really talk anymore..." He shrugs as he rips the plastic off of a rather large canvas. You nodded slowly, indicating that you were hanging on to his every word as you cracked open a fresh bottle of paint thinner, pouring it into a small glass cup before coating your brush in the clear mineral spirit. You slather a couple of shades of deep blue, rusty orange, bright magenta, and off-white on your paint palette as you work to form that beautiful 'sunset gradient' on your canvas. He connects his phone to the small black speaker, his playlist resuming quietly in the background. "But how's your summer been?" he asks as he mirrors the process of sitting beside you and leaning against the wall.

"My summer's been fine actually. Nothing too eventful, no trips or nothing, just taking a couple...ahem...adventures!" You explain as you recall how you nearly got in trouble with the police for trespassing in various abandoned locations for funsies. Miles gives you a playful side-eye, looking you up and down. "You sound a lil sketchy...what did YOU do this summer?" he chuckled as he began sketching out some scenery and what looked like the early stages of a body on his canvas. "Shhhh, your dad's a cop" you giggled as you picked up a smaller brush, filling in the buildings and scenery in your painting. You both chuckled at the slight confession, looking ahead of you so you could get an accurate view of what you were currently painting.

You took a small glance at what Miles was currently sketching, getting a good look at the faceless humanoid figure sitting cross-legged, with an unidentified object that vaguely resembled a pencil in her hand as she drew on her...face? Eyeliner maybe? You hummed along to 'Supermodel' By SZA. You held up your canvas closer to Miles's canvas, analyzing the difference in art styles. Yours was much more realistic, and heavily influenced by the world around you with your unique play on your color palette. whereas Miles was more stylized and thought out, the colors remaining true to their actual hue.

"What do you think this needs more of?" you ask as you tilt your canvas towards Miles. He thought for a moment, tilting his head slightly so he could thoroughly analyze the painting. "More shine to the light sources maybe? Like a soft glow!" he beamed as he pointed towards the canvas with the opposite end of his paintbrush. You nod with your signature full smile, smile leans indicating your raw and unfiltered joy. Miles's eyes lingered on you for a couple of seconds before he madly swiped away at his canvas, seemingly blocking out more details with darker shades of watercolor.

You spent the next four hours, yes, four hours giggling like children as Miles sang along terribly to some of the songs on his playlist, starting a mini karaoke session on his roof with the both of you. It began to get cold and dark, so you decided you would pick up the canvases again after going inside to get something to eat. He grabbed his speaker and supplies, leaving his large canvas on the roof of his building before disappearing through the door to his apartment complex. You stuffed most of what you wanted to bring back down into your bag, before deciding to look over at Miles's painting. It looked exactly like you, but you were younger.

You remembered that damn scrunchie you had locked on your wrist, your favorite dark red satin scrunchie that went perfectly with your uniform. You shifted slightly to get a better angle of the canvas, watching as 8th grade you sprung to life in the form of doing your eyeliner on the bathroom sink. Miles had been there with you, watching as you painfully kneeled on the edge of the sink and leaned hazardously close to the mirror. You smiled softly to yourself as you noticed each beauty mark you had perfectly positioned on your face, from each scar to every minor indent in your smile. You chuckled quietly before swinging open the door and bolting down the stairs, straight to Miles's room.

And there he was, viciously fucking up a cup of noodles like someone would take it from him at any moment. "Damn, is it good? it ain't goin' nowhere now..." you joked with wide eyes as he gestured to an identical cup cooling off by his mini desk fan. You ate alongside him in silence, not really knowing what to say to each other. "I see you're still painting like in middle school...?" he states, referring to your distinct blurred style of painting. "Huh...Oh! Yeah, haha. I miss middle school kinda." You shrug as you sit the cup down on the side of his desk.

"Really? I always thought you thought I was a lil annoying back in middle school. I think you were my quietest friend ever" he joked as he finished his cup, dunking it in his trash can. "Huh? I literally thought you were the cutest thing ever! If I thought you were annoying I would've told you!" you stated with a small chuckle. Miles seemed to think for a moment, pausing as he processed the first half of your sentence. "Wait, you thought I was cute this whole time?" He asked with wide eyes. "Yeah! I was quiet cuz I didn't wanna fuck anything up! I think I had the fattest crush on you!" you laughed as you realized he thought that YOU thought he was annoying this whole time.

He gawked for a minute, his jaw slacked and eyes even wider than before. "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?" he semi-shouted as he began pacing around his room. You could only laugh, saying "We were like 10 and I didn't know if you would've liked me back." He looked at you as if you had 2 heads, going on some long rant about how he always thought you just weren't interested or thought he was annoying. You silently got up from his bed, walking over to him and stopping him entirely.

Miles looked at you with a rather confused and amused expression, probably still processing the fact that you openly admitted to liking him in middle school. But nothing in the world could have prepared him for the delicate kiss that you placed on his lips. He eagerly closed the space between the two of you, wrapping one arm around your waist almost by instinct. You pulled away from him after what felt like years, muttering a small "Who taught you that?"

#atsv #across the spiderverse #into the spiderverse #miles morales x reader #miles morales #earth 1610 miles morales x reader #earth 1610 miles morales #miles x reader #miles molares #1610 miles morales #earth 1610 miles fluff #miles morales 1610 #1610 miles x reader

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after-witch · 2 years ago

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A Fool’s Game [Yandere Chrollo x Reader]

Title: A Fool’s Game [Yandere Chrollo x Reader]

Synopsis: It’s the last day of the life you and Chrollo have enjoyed so sweetly for some time now. It’s a shame you don’t even know it’s the last.

Word count: 2536

Notes: Yandere, toxic relationship, future kidnapping

It’s a shame. A damned shame. A crying shame, really, if he were prone to the weakness of tears in anything but the most drastic of situations. Maybe this will be one of those situations, after all. He’s not sure yet, and dwelling on it will only make it harder for him to confront.

He bears such a heavy burden, and you don’t even know about it.

This day… is the last day that he’ll be able to enjoy the sweet, domestic bliss of normalcy with you.

The last day that you will wake up him with kisses on his cheek, softly crooning his name in a singsong lilt; the last day he will get to see you flit about the apartment kitchen in the brightly colored apron you’d excitedly picked out to wear while you did chores; the last day you’ll love him purely and sweetly as you do now.

Because at the end of the day, you’re going to be abandoning the life you’ve built for yourself and leaving with him.

He’s held out for as long as possible. Really, he muses, you ought to be grateful that he was able to curate this domestic scene for as long as he did.

There were a few bumps along the way, but not many. Nothing that wasn’t smoothed over with kisses and smiles and reassuring words.

You always got sad when he had to leave for his “work trips.”. But he kept in touch through phone and even a few gift deliveries that had you gushing when he called in the evening, profusely thanking him for flowers or a meal from your favorite cafe.

But things change. There’s no denying that his latest plan will take him away not just for days or weeks, but months. He can’t bear to be apart from you for that long, and the only solution is painfully clear: it’s time to pop the bubble and move on. And the Phantom Troupe’s schemes, great and small, can’t be paused. Even for you, sweet creature that you are.

This will hurt. No doubt about that. But, he will recover from it--and in time, he’s sure, so will you. In the meantime, he can admit how awful it will be to see it end. There’s a certain softness that he’s come to enjoy from it all. It’s been like a vacation, some dreamy soft vacation that has given him something irreplaceable.

A taste--however brief and bittersweet--of a quiet life with you.

“Now that that’s done,” you say, softly, mostly to yourself, as you tuck away the last of the dishes--and Chrollo can’t help but think how pointless it was to let you waste time on that chore; it won’t matter, come this evening. “We can get going.”

You move quickly, like water, depositing your apron on a hook by the stove and slipping on the flower charm necklace you’d laid out on the couch, followed by a soft cardigan in a shade of muted pink. You’re talking all the while, but he’s not listening to the words. Only the sound is important. The ordinary rise and fall of your voice, calm, expectant…

He watches you quietly from the kitchen table, nursing the last drops of coffee you’d made for him that morning, dutifully poured into what had become his favorite mug at your apartment. The mug was only lukewarm now, and his palms missed the heat.

“Chrollo?” You spin around. The smile on your face was enough to light up a room. “Did you hear me?”

Chrollo smiles, and shakes his head.

“My apologies, dear. I was too dazzled by your smile to pay attention.”

Your lips quirked into a teasing pout, and you shook your head.

“Well, I was saying, don’t forget to wear good walking shoes, because you know how busy the sale gets. Unless you’d rather stay home while I go alone?” You don’t mean it, but something about the suggestion makes him move.

He’s off the chair before he even realizes he’s doing it, walking quickly up to you and pressing his chest against your back. He rests his chin on your head, letting his body slow down as the apple sweetness of your favorite shampoo tickles his nostrils.

“You’re awfully snuggly this morning.”

You turn yourself around in his embrace, and rest your head against his shoulders. “Buuut… if we want to make that sale, we need to get going.” You punctuate your words with a teasing poke to his chest, and his lips form the perfunctory frown that you’ve come to expect. The song and dance the two of you have perfected in your time together--argumentative teases, comfortable and snug.

Soon, the arguments wouldn’t be teasing. There would be no dimpled grins. Only anger and hurt and, he thinks, a healthy dose of fear.

He sticks his hands into the pocket of his trousers as you grab your purse and give your hair one last check-over in the mirror that he’d carefully, on your orders, hung in the entryway. Your keys sat in the blue fishbowl that you’d found during one of your Saturday shopping trips.

He remembers that day clearly, the way your eyes lit up at the brightness of the blue glass, the way you’d begged him to carry it home for you because-you-know-I’ll-just-drop-it. And once the bowl had been safely deposited on the end table by your door, you’d breathed a sigh of relief and snuggled up to him. He received a kiss for his troubles.

You have no idea, as you step through your front door and wait for him with keys in hand, that it’s the last time your fingers will ever dip, carefree, into that treasured bowl; that it’s the last time you’ll ever leave the threshold of your apartment… of your own volition, that is.

You poor thing.

“Oh! Oh, Chrollo! Look!” Your grin could split your face, if such things were possible, as you point towards the menu hanging in the back of the coffee shop. It’s all handwritten in chalk, probably changes every few days to suit the ever-revolving tastes of the customers. Just the sort of place you love.

Chrollo merely glances at it, not caring about the finer details of the smeared chalk words. Instead he focuses on you, on every micro-expression. On the way the finger you pointed with is painted a sparkly blue. He’ll have to remember to pack some nail polish in your bag, though you likely won’t feel too concerned about such things for a long time.

“Mm? And what is it I’m supposed to be seeing, love?”

You sigh, put-out, but not meanly so--you were never mean to him. Never nagging, never cross. Today you settled for a sort of breathless exasperation, like you couldn’t believe he wasn’t seeing it.

“They have lavender coffee. Can you believe it?” You’re practically giddy, almost hopping on one foot. “I can’t wait to taste. You have to try mine, okay? Since I know you’re going to get your usual.” You elbow Chrollo and he tries to match your grin with a smile, but it’s hard going.

Just a few more hours, that’s all that’s left…

“Ooh!” You stand on your toes, craning your neck as you re-read the menu. “Maybe we should split some pastries, too? Will you eat some if I get them?” Your voice raises higher, no doubt excited over the sticky pastries visible in the case just ahead.

The man standing in front of you in line looks back for just a moment, and rolls his eyes as he returns his gaze to the front.

His eyes would look lovely on a platter, Chrollo muses. But no. Such things couldn’t happen here, in this carefully preserved moment in life. After the thin glass of this life with you is broken, however, is another thing entirely.

Chrollo watches as you hum and debate over what to get. Your finger taps your chin. An exaggerated affected gesture, but one that he has come to love about you.

“Order whatever you like, my dear. My treat today.”

Your eyes light up and you squeak, of all noises. He has to force himself not to sigh in thick indulgence at the sound.

And when you reach the cashier, he listens carefully as you rattle off a fairly large order of coffee and pastries. You always wanted to try one of anything new, especially if Chrollo was the one indulging you and you didn’t have to worry about your budget.

It’s fine, normally, but a bit of a hassle now. He has to take mental notes. After all, he’ll have to account for the pastries and caffeine in your stomach for the events that are sure to come later today.

“Isn’t the sunset beautiful?”

Chrollo hums, but he’s not looking at the sunset. He’s looking at the way the reddish light of it plays off your hair, your skin, your eyes. He’s looking at you. Every inch, every detail.

There’s a bit of pink frosting stuck to your lips. He should kiss it off before it’s too late.

For now, you walk home, side by side. The sounds of the city fade away, replaced by the repetitive noise of your neighborhood. Kids playing. A radio, distant.

And your voice, chattering, about nothing in particular.

“Chrollo?”

He hums again.

“Thank you for taking me out shopping.” You smile, like a sunbeam. “It’s been a while since we had a full day out like this, hasn’t it? It’s a real treat.”

You laugh, and glance down for just a moment as you smile.

It’s true. It was a treat. A day together, doing all the things you loved. Shopping and pastries, chatting, indulging.

You deserved it, after all. And so did he.

You gently lean against him as you continue to walk, holding onto his arm. He lets you press your body against his. You’re soft and warm. The weight of you is familiar. Sometimes, when he was feeling particularly silly and you were in a lighthearted enough mood, he carried you home after a day of walking and shopping and treats.

He might have liked to do that today, but you insisted on purchasing some larger items, which you dragged behind you in a rusty wagon. You’d spotted it a few weeks ago near a dumpster and insisted on taking it home for shopping trips.

“Anything for you, my love,” he says, quietly. More somber than he meant to.

You glance up at him for just a moment. But you just smile softly.

He uses the moment to pause and lean down, pressing a gentle kiss to your lips. The frosting is stale and sticky.

Your hand is on your hips, a sure sign of impending doom.

The shopping bags the both of you had brought in are carefully set on the table. Though, Chrollo thinks, it’s a shame that almost none of what you bought today could come along. It was mostly decorations for the apartment, after all. A new rug, a painting by a local artist, some decorative figurines. Too impractical and delicate to travel with--but maybe you could keep the painting.

You’re not focused on unpacking the bags, though, which is unusual for you. Instead you’re standing in front of the couch, watching him with a determined look on your face.

“All right! That’s it, mister. Time to fess up.”

Chrollo barely has time to raise an eyebrow before you’re climbing onto the couch, straddling him. You smell of perfume and pastries and faintly, of sweat. Outdoor markets always did tire you out.

You hop up onto the couch, facing him on your knees, and place your knees on either side of his hips to get comfortable. Your arms wrap gently around his neck, and your breath is still sweet with sugar and cream. The smell contrasts beautifully with the pout on your lips.

“You haven’t been yourself all day. Soo… what’s wrong?” The words are sweet and light.

You noticed. Of course you did. You always noticed the little things about him.

And here, on the last day of your ordinary life, you were worried about him. How sweet. How kind. How adorable.

If only he could live forever in this moment. But ah, fate is not so kind to him, is it? It’s best not to dwell on it, especially when there’s so much to be done, and so much to be said.

For instance, he still has to get the handcuffs out of his duffel bag, just in case you prove too troublesome to leave without a fuss. He still has to mix together the tincture Shalnark gave him, to keep you calm, if you get too hysterical even for the cuffs.

When he doesn’t answer, the last bit of teasing in your eyes fades away, replaced with a warm, inviting worry. You tuck a stray bit of his hair behind his ears, the ghost of your fingertips tickling his scalp.

“Chrollo? Is it something serious?”

You lean back, and your delicate hands move to his chest, playing with the fabric of his shirt while you wait for him to open up to you.

He always does. But this time, it will be the full truth.

Well--you have always said you wanted to know him. Be careful what you wish for, and all that.

He sighs, leaning back into the couch. His chin tilts up until he’s staring at the ceiling of your apartment, something you’d fought and scraped for, something you’d proudly decorated with his help. There’s a blurry vision of your head cocking to one side as he thinks--he hates to see that particular tic of yours go, it’s one of his favorites.

His voice is short and cold and to the point, like the final click of cuffs around your wrists.

“It’s very serious.”

Your back straightens, and he looks away from the ceiling to meet your eyes. Your eyes are wider and worried. Your eyebrows are furrowed.

“What is it? Are you alright?” Your voice is breathy, soft, anxious. “You can tell me anything, Chrollo. You know I’m here for you.”

And you are, aren’t you? With your kind expression and your desire to return his own generosity towards you. For every time he helped you through a pinch, you were there to lift him up through his troubles, though they were often shallow and created by his own hand, all ways to bring you closer to him.

He commits this expression, this moment, to memory. It’s the last time you’ll look so sweetly worried at him, he thinks. For a long time, if not forever.

He gently grasps one of your hands in his, and you let him, sliding your fingers over his in a familiar gesture. His fingers tighten. He doesn’t want to let go now.

“We’ll be leaving tonight, my dear. And there’s so much you need to know first.”

#yandere chrollo #yandere chrollo x reader #yandere chrollo lucilfer #yandere hunter x hunter #yandere #afterwitch writes #chrollo: how can I make this all about me

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fingertip-kisses · 2 months ago

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I’m signed up for one sad soup and spice girl romance. Please go read The Beast of Hadingley Hill by @squigg-les.

Juliette remembers her nanny’s stories. When she was six or seven years old, her nanny would comb through her curls and tell her about her hometown; the warm breeze, crushing waves and what it’s like to plunge under the saltwater. Little Juliette could not understand how longingly her nanny talked about swimming in the ocean. How there is nothing that saltwater could not solve. It sounded magical but in a good way rather than the trap they are in. Her nanny whispered, “The waves would marry you, my little Jule. It would wrap you in its arms and love you every bit.”

———————————————————————

That was the last time Juliette believed anyone could love her. She quickly learned how to be hated and abhorred. Afterall, Juliette was a bright child, perhaps too bright for her own good. Little Juliette wondered how anyone’s skin would crawl by looking at her when no one looked at her long enough. Glimpses were like daggers and barbs finding their ways under her skin despite of being covered from head to toe. She made sure to cover anything that could be her. She used to go to bed in her veils and gloves hoping she could become her second skin. She’d imagine her life as veils and gloves would be much lovelier, being touched and caressed everyday.

————————————————————-

Once she was considered old enough, a line of suitors started. Juliette could not sleep the night before thinking about meeting her ‘true love’. She tried to imagine him and their first meeting. What would happen? Would he steal her breath away? Would he hold her hands and tell her that he loves her? Would the barrier disappear? Would the barrier disappear and free everyone? Would he free her from everyone who looks at her like an abomination?

Day after her first sitting, Juliette found herself without a lady in waiting. Lying in the middle of the destroyed room, Juliette wanted to be carried out of the palace with all her destroyed furniture. She wanted to be far away from where she is something that needs a royal command to be loved. Barely gazed at, Juliette sat through boys gritting their compliments at her. Her musing the night before was unnecessary. What she should have worried about was how to hold herself in one piece while sitting across from her suitors. She made back to her room because that was the only thing she could do. She didn’t remember exactly but she remembered a woman’s shriek among the sound of her room being destroyed. And Juliette could not have shrieked because last night she wasn’t a girl but a thing that deserved a name; a beast. A thing that deserved hatred.

————————————————————-

Juliette built a routine for her new ladies in waiting and herself. There is no befriending or instructions until Juliette unveils herself. Some left right away, either by themselves or carried out. Some stayed but never too long. None of them deserved Juliette’s attempts to be honest. Still not sure how to communicate her care for others, Juliette’s kindness was overlooked, wasted on the undeserved bunch. Whatever language Juliette spoke with embarrassment, Mallory understood. She understood every syllable and every dialect.

Mallory didn’t just stay but made a new life in the castle. Mallory made it her job to make sure Juliette was taken care of. Yes, it is the lady in waiting’s duty to do so but anyone who saw Mallory with Juliette can tell that that kind of gentleness is not a duty. If anyone witnessed them in private, when the storm rages and rages around Juliette, they would believe that magic is not just in the barrier but inside of it. When Mallory laid Juliette’s head down on her lap, what can it be but magic? What can it be but magic that centers Juliette.

She thinks the whooshing of silence heard from her right ear on Mallory’s lap is the closest thing she will get to the ocean. Her nanny used to make the sounds of waves crashing. Born with the barrier, Juliette never knew what the world can offer. But again, if Mallory can hold the ocean under her skin, what could the world possibly offer Juliette? The very ground under her feet becomes more stable and the sunlight that lays on her skin doesn’t inspire her own horror. Juliette is more eloquent with her love and care. It still comes out in a rush sometimes but she is more confident in voicing her care for Mallory. Juliette is a fast learner and this too, she excels. Juliette wants to be fluent in loving and maybe if she can take Mallory out of the barrier, she can even imagine loving a suitor. Whatever it may take, Juliette would do it with every bit of her for Mallory.

#the beast of hadingley hill #tbohh

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nesiacha · 4 months ago

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Reflections on the Comments of Maximilien Robespierre and Manon Roland on Condorcet

Nicolas Condorcet (1743-1794)

A long time ago, I found on the excellent site Les Amis de Robespierre what Madame Roland and Robespierre thought of Condorcet. Here is the link: Les Amis de Robespierre. I will translate the thoughts of the different protagonists from this article and give my personal opinion.

Robespierre's Opinion on Condorcet: Condorcet and Robespierre often attacked each other on the issue of war in 1792. Robespierre said about Condorcet’s articles that he knows "nothing worse and more treacherous." After the arrest of the Girondins, when Condorcet fled, Robespierre apparently said, "This coward Caritat, who, like his friend Brissot, fled national justice, and who no less deserved it," and "The coward Condorcet began to fear the responsibility for his liberty-destroying impostures." A few days after the last statement, Condorcet died, either by suicide, from understandable stress, or, some say, possibly murder (I personally doubt the third hypothesis, but I mention it nonetheless).

In his speech on May 7, 1794, when Robespierre spoke about religion and morality based on republican principles, he released new cutting remarks against Condorcet: "A timid conspirator, despised by all parties," and whose writings are described as "the treacherous jumble of his mercenary rhapsodies." Such violent and cutting words against Condorcet. Yet, on the insult of cowardice, someone else who was initially allied with Robespierre before becoming an enemy would join him in this term.

Manon Roland's Opinion on Condorcet: The woman who was called muse of the Gironde had harsh words for Condorcet in her memoirs. She described him as "weak of heart and health," and added, "A brief note on Condorcet, « whose spirit will always be on the level of the greatest truths, but whose character will never be above fear." She concluded about him, "Such men should be left to write and never employed."

My Reflections: I thought these were heavy words. Of course, Condorcet also said very harsh things, and it must be said that my boundless admiration for him when I was very young (especially since the activist he was for gender equality could only please the future feminist in me) was greatly tempered when I read his equally cutting speech about Robespierre. Speaking of Robespierre in this way: "He talks about God and Providence; he calls himself a friend of the poor and the weak; he gets followed by women and weak-minded people. He gravely receives their adoration and homage, disappears with danger, and is seen only when danger is past. Robespierre is a priest and will never be anything else," I need not say more about what irritated me when he spoke of women this way. Firstly, there were many politically active women who did not follow Robespierre or necessarily the ideals of Condorcet. Should we, for example, speak of Albertine Marat who declared to Alphonse Esquiros, "She then spoke to me about Robespierre with bitterness. 'There was nothing in common,' she added, 'between him and Marat. Had my brother lived, the heads of Danton and Camille Desmoulins would not have fallen.'" Even if I slightly disagree with this part that if Marat had survived, Danton's head would not have fallen (Danton being a very corrupt character and Marat starting to doubt him greatly, especially according to the excellent biography of Danton written by Frédériche Bluche), we are far from admiration for Robespierre from an important revolutionary activist like Marat's sister. And this is just one example among many. We can profoundly disagree with men and women for their political convictions, but what makes feminism and above all gender equality is not imposing a woman's way of life, whether it be thoughts or convictions. I will make a provocation by paraphrasing Voltaire to transpose what I mean: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Although personally being cowardly, I would not do it to the death, this exactly reflects what a feminist person should be. And clearly, Condorcet did not respect this part, which makes his conception of gender equality totally imperfect (to put it mildly) by lumping many women together with Robespierre's speech and mocking their political convictions. I feel with him that as long as these women were in agreement with him, it was acceptable, but as soon as they had different political convictions, he cataloged and despised them.

However, do I agree with what Manon Roland and Robespierre said about him? Is everything to be discarded from Condorcet?

Regarding Robespierre, let's not forget that he was an adversary of Condorcet, so it should be taken with a LOT of caution. And let’s not forget that when Robespierre made his speeches, he himself committed acts that can be easily criticized.

Regarding Manon Roland, let’s not forget that Condorcet had positions that were quite difficult to situate within the Girondins and Montagnards split. The group we will call the Girondins did not like to be called that way, and there were more political dissensions between them, and Condorcet did not share all the positions of the Brissotins. So, her words should also be taken with some caution, and she too has things to be blamed for.

But let’s think, would a coward have moderated his criticisms on the moderation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the Constitution of 1791? Because he publicly showed strong criticism.

He was a fervent opponent of the death penalty and stuck to his principles to the end. While some Girondins tried to spare Louis XVI not out of abolitionist conviction or royalism – most were republicans, including some before their time, like Manon Roland – but to not further legitimize the day of August 10, 1792, Condorcet voted against the death penalty out of conviction, whereas Robespierre, who had been an opponent of the death penalty, voted for the death of Louis XVI, rejecting the reprieve. However, he also felt that Louis XVI’s high treason deserved an exemplary punishment, being one of the few to demand that he be condemned to the galleys. He also advocated very early for the rights of Black people. Furthermore, what hastened Condorcet’s end was his condemnation of the arrest of the Brissotins – although his end was accelerated by the fact that he fled, which led to his death sentence in the summer of 1793. To my eyes, a coward would not have condemned the arrest of the Brissotins publicly. He would not have voted in contradiction to his own camp for his convictions (on this point, there is a certain parallel to be made with Robespierre facing the Constituent Assembly of 1789-1791, as Robespierre often intervened against a large majority to make his political ideas and those of so many others triumph).

Of course, I find it unfortunate that in popular culture, Condorcet is often forgiven for his mistakes because he also made mistakes that endangered the French Revolution, particularly the question of war, or what he said about women when he attacked Robespierre. His Panthéonization, for me, is deserved given that he, along with others, advocated generous ideas, and in his biography by historian Antoine Resche, “a public instruction project which, if it was not taken into account under the Revolution, laid the foundations of the school as it has been conceived since the Third Republic, that is, necessarily widespread education, by degrees,” but it is unfortunate that popular culture forget, especially Louis Michel Le Peletier, who proposed a mixed, free, and compulsory primary project defended by Robespierre. When speaking of revolutionaries defending the rights of female citizens, Condorcet is highlighted but not Charles Gilbert Romme, Guyomar, Charlier, and many others. Even more so, we forget revolutionary women like Théroigne de Méricourt, Pauline Léon, Claire Lacombe, Simone Evrard, Albertine Marat, Marie-Anne Babeuf, and many others, as the list is long.

In conclusion, what do I think of Condorcet now that you know that my admiration for him as a teenager has long been greatly tempered and that he is not among my favorite revolutionaries? Well, I still have a fondness for him, a recognition, and a admiration for him like for other revolutionaries, including Manon Roland and Robespierre, although they are not in my top 20 either and not my favorites characters of the frev. They were, fundamentally, complex people caught in a complex period who made, of course , grave and even unforgivable mistakes, but as was said on Tumblr, faultless revolutionaries are quite rare ( (even if there are people in my eyes who are indefensible or rotten like Fouché, Carrier, Tallien, Barras, Charles X, etc.) especially during these during this hellish period of civil war, external and former leaders like Louis XVI who betrayed his people or émigrés who were ready to do anything to destroy the necessary gains of the revolution. . And they are still considered today in a period that is a victim of a black legend that must be constantly combated .

P.S : Forgive me is there was an article Tumblr about what said Manon Roland and Robespierre about Condorcet I checked but I might have missed it

#frev #french revolution #robespierre #manon roland #condorcet

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joshym · 1 year ago

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“all of you is accepted and celebrated here”

my inbox is ALWAYS open. don’t ever be afraid to reach out.♡

my blog is a safe place for everyone. no hatred or bigotry of any kind is welcome here.

❊click here if you’d like to join my taglists!❊

𖥧᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘᠃𖥧𖥧᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘᠃𖥧𖥧᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘᠃𖥧

(☀︎-smut) 18+ ONLY

(☾-fluff)

(⭒-angst)

requests are currently open!

Watch Me ☾: Josh x f!Reader

You love getting to support Josh in all of his pursuits, but sometimes your anxiety gets the best of you. And knowing this, he finds the perfect way to use music to offer you comfort in a particularly anxious moment.

No Hands☀︎: Josh x f!Reader

Your little game works out exactly in your favor.

•Part 2 ☀︎ & now it’s his turn.

Lilac Moon(wip)☀︎☾⭒: Josh x f!Reader

You left everything behind to make music.

Your band is struggling to make it, you're struggling to make it.

That is until one day, you meet the singer of the band that inspired you to chase your dreams. And not only do you meet him, but he wants you to go on tour with him and his band.

You happily obliged, though you were not prepared for the whirlwind of emotions and love that awaited you.

This tour will change everything for you.

Lets Share☀︎: Danny x f!Reader x Josh

You’re undeniably Danny’s but, he doesn’t mind sharing.

Release☀︎: Dr. JMK x f!Reader (coming soon♡)

Your body is far too tense these days. A massage from the best of the best is just what you need to remedy it, although his measures are bit...unconventional.

Le Morte d’Arthur(wip)☀︎☾⭒: College AU Jake x f!Reader

It all began with a passion for literature. What was once a dream to walk the halls of the University of Michigan is now a reality.

You thought you were prepared for everything.

A new town, a new school, a new way of life,

but what you were not prepared for...

was meeting the enigma that is Jake Kiszka.

Bloodstream(wip)☀︎☾⭒: vampire!Jake x f!Reader

This is a very special collab with @jakeyt 🤍

Folklore. Stories passed down through generations. Imaginations run rampant with their tales of sorcery and the supernatural.

But for Tommie, it was different. Somehow it was more. She had become transfixed by a local legend - one that told of an unlawful love affair between a witch and a vampire. To Tommie, it was an alluring tapestry woven with threads of forbidden love and timeless secrets. Yet something about it felt strangely familiar to her-but why?

It was only a story. . . wasn't it?

Prettiest in the Morning☀︎☾: Jake x f!Reader (request)

Jake is worth being late to work for.

Muse☀︎☾: Jake x f!Reader (request)

Your struggling artist is desperate for some inspiration.

Why Don’t You Make Me?☀︎ ⭒: Sam x f!Reader

You learn what being sassy with Sam leads to.

Lets Share☀︎: Danny x f!Reader x Josh

You’re undeniably Danny’s but, he doesn’t mind sharing.

GVF poetry:

pieces inspired by the boys, the band, & the art they have gifted us. 𖥸

Josh

Jake

Danny

Sammy(coming soon♡)

𖥧᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘᠃𖥧𖥧᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘᠃𖥧𖥧᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘᠃𖥧

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murfpersonalblog · 6 months ago

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IWTV S2 Ep3 Musings - Armand & Lesmand & Nickistat (Spoilers)

We got the Armand backstory! 😭 The first half of this ep had me screaming at my screen, cuz Armand's a effing LIAR; I was rolling! 🤣

We were already told 1000 times by Assad & Sam that Armand's trying to make himself seem as sympathetic as possible. That is SUPER important, cuz although he's my favorite book character, Armand is a effing MENACE in IWTV, TVL, QotD, and TVA.

Ok, they've clarified my confusion about the weird 1556 date, cuz it implied that Armand MET Lestat in 1556, which is entirely wrong.

So I'm glad my suspicion/hope was correct, that the date was out of context. 1556+239=1795, which tracks with what Les said in S1.

So Lestat met Armand ONE year after becoming a vampire. (No wonder AMC!Armand dish-ragged him, LOL!)

No duh, if you've only been a vamp for a EFFING YEAR. (I looooove the Time-stopping Gift! So happy to see it used again--the horses are especially impressive.)

This seems like Armand's taking Marius' place as Lestat's mentor (Armand WISHES, lol). And it's kinda smacking of narcissist!Lestat using him then dumping him once he'd learned what he wanted, like Daniel & Louis implied later in the ep. (He even grabs Armand's hand & drinks w/out asking; mighty bold! Ok sure, he kissed it first, but still!?) But their dynamic is SO different in the books.

I have a looooot of issues with AMC!Magnus.

Excuse you!? Language! 😤

Armand wanna be called "Daddy" so bad. 😂

BULL.

EFFING.

CRAP.

AMC/Armand officially butchered how awesome Magnus was--he was never a Child of Satan/Darkness, or in a coven--he was a human alchemist who STOLE the Dark Gift from Rhosh's fledgling Benedict!

That means nothing, if you don't explain that Lestat is Rhoshamandes' great-grandson, and that Magnus was a WIZARD. 😒 And Armand said Les' turning was "MAYBE" a horror show? 🤨 How does he not know, if they were so close? 🙄 And how would he have even known Magnus was his Maker?

Oh no. "Come to me" was ARMAND'S theme the whole time!? 😱 Thanks, I hate it. 😭😂

LESTAT SAID KISS MY ARSE!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I mean, I would, too-the CoD/S lived like bums! The reason Magnus was so friggin rich and had all that money he gave to Lestat was strictly cuz he WASN'T a penniless bum like the other coven vampires--he hid himself away in his TOWER. (If we don't get the Lesmand tower scene Imma be so mad.) He had no Maitre/Master.

NGL, I expected the Children of Darkness/Satan to be WAY filthier. :P

So Armand really IS Indian then? As in Roma/Ukranian/Russian?

Sadly, they didn't speak on Lestat's Harlequin mask being Blackface. But woah. "Dervish" as in Muslim ascetics & mystic dancers? So was 1700s!Armand Catholic or Muslim? Is that what he thought of Lestat back then? Or what 2022!Armand thinks of him now? If the latter, Armand converted to Islam....WHEN???

Armand glossed over EVERYTHING that went down with Nicki. He seems to imply that Les got with Nicki AFTER they met, which is beyond untrue. (And not a word about Gabrielle being there for all of this mess--MIGHTY SUS.)

We know Lestat loves his gay panicking needy alcoholic bottoms.

THE FRENCH GIRLS ARE FIGHTING.

Oh lovely. More racists--I'm not even surprised; I never liked Nicki in the book anyway; bye Felicia. 🙄

Iiiinteresting way AMC/Armand gave Nicki's abduction. (Again, no Gabrielle--MIGHTY SUS!)

And LAWWWWD, lemme find out Armand was telling the truth abt him & Les knocking boots in their theatre box on some exhibitionist kink while vamp!Nicki mean-mugged from the orchestra. 😭

So Armand's still to blame for Nicki's death, but not cuz of the darkness of "self-loathing," but jealousy cuz Lesmand were an item? BISH PLEASE! 🤣

(TBF, Loumand still blames Lestat, saying he "abandoned" Armand & Nicki & the coven. Which...is not entirely true. Lestat gave Nicki the Theatre, but didn't want to be part of it or Armand's coven, so he left with Gabrielle, but still kept tabs on everyone via Eleni. So whatchu mean??????)

LOUIS SUICIDE WATCH, stop playing with me, AMC! I want to see these vamps greet the sun and "taste the fire"! (And they had the NERVE to put the commercial break there; I see you, AMC.)

They were SHOWING OFF Armand's Fire Gift in this episode--oh yeah, Louis DEFINITELY got it from him; I'm convinced now. (I'm still waiting to see if Santiago has it, too; I hope to god not though.)

Lestat was a MENACE! XD "It's a fallen tree." What a brat!

The Lesmand eye-f**kery was INTENSE--Samothy was serving~!

Don't you DARE tease me like that, AMC! YES! I want 2022!Lestat in that Dubai penthouse by the end of this season, PLEASE. 🙏🙏🙏

What does all that say? Looks Latin or French? And WTF is Armand doing biting himself? (Reminds me of Louis with Jonah.)

This is why I'm convinced that the whole "Rashid" ruse in S1 was strictly for Armand & Dan's benefit, cuz in QotD Armand specifically said Daniel was the only mortal who knew his name & lived.

Chile, this episode was A LOT, and that was just the first 20 frikkin minutes, wtf.

#interview with the vampire #iwtv season 2 spoilers #the vampire chronicles #the vampire armand #the vampire lestat #iwtv tvc metas #must see tv #the hype is real #lestat de lioncourt

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gotafewtricks · 1 year ago

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dear my new fav kiri writer,

if you saw the le sserafim collab (kiri's hot, fite me), you know that romance dynamic where it's like idol x fan but the idol is the fan's bff and the fan (who has big crush on idol to the point they buy ONLY merch of them) has no clue said idol is their friend (and the idol's real struggle of "do i tell them i'm idol or i just watch them be an absolute dork at simping me") lmao

if you can pull it out of a hat, i'll love that lol

★ I'm (maybe) fearless

Really? I'm pretty honoured. I wrote like, two sentences with her and you already like my interpretation of Kiriko? Honoured <33 Anyways, YES, mhm—I have seen that! I've been meaning to play around with this dynamic, anyways :3

I could see Kiriko as a popular singer and dancer; though, I could also see her as a YouTube personality as well. I'll settle with a singing Kiri for now :3

As a vocalist, Kiriko had to work her way up to the top. It was rather difficult having to hide all of that at first; knowing damn well how it would affect her life outside of the showbiz. Scheduling was something she'd worry herself to death over; knowing that her easygoing personality wouldn't fair well with having to keep up with dates, knowing the promises she's made to her friends back home, and her fans.

Being a close friend of Kiriko was such a rewarding experience—you knew how determined she was at her job, with clearing out the yakuza scum of Kanezaka. You'd worry about her often, with how it may even take her a few days, to weeks, or even a month to get back in touch with you. You understood that those were times where she was busy with the Hashimoto; as it wasn't just tiring, exhuasting local work. She has explained to you about their, the Hashimoto's, extensive relations with other criminal organizations around Japan.

Though, what you didn't understand, was that Kiriko wasn't just occupied with beating up some petty criminals in her absence.

As much as she hates to lie, she knows that she cannot be visible as a pop star. Not only she would become a much bigger target, she already keeps her work more on the downlow with the Hashimoto—and, even then, she is recognized as one of the heroines of Kanezaka. Alongside with the reputation of her mom being a formidable foe with the blade, and her dad being a known weapons-maker... it makes the girl's head hurt having to process what'll happen.

You were a huge fan of Kiriko's idol persona—really, really huge. Photocards upon photocards would be decorated with cute stickers, slid inside holographic heart sleeves to add to your ever-more growing collection. It'd embarrass you if you actually tallied the amount of money you've spent.

You were there at the beginning of her career, finding her randomly by chance whilst refreshing your recommended feed. Taking a listen to a few songs she was cast in, and you were automatically hooked. Either it was just her energy, voice, looks... everything about her was just something, someone rather, that you could find some ultimate comfort it.

Although, you were not on the verge of it being a disturbing obsession—as you were rather worried about your favourite idol. You'd understand if she had to post something about taking a brief hiatus, as you'd imagine yourself being so, so exhausted being in such a position. There was just something so relatable with her that makes you connect all the better to her—she just really felt real.

Often times, many people would put up a fake smile; a façade, in front of fans that only like them because of a shared attribute. Either just appearance or that "Ah, yeah, you sound good!" aesthetic, you were glad that you saw the girl on stage and acting like herself. There was such an energy would would always be commented on in interviews that the idol would have, and you always wondered how she was always so energetic.

Maybe she was an incredible actor, you'd muse.

The thing you hated most, though, was not being able to watch any of the videos as soon as they'd drop. You knew to not disturb Kiriko by messaging her during important missions, but you can't help but send her some screencaps of some really adorable pictures of your favourite idol, now, can you? Kiriko would laugh whenever you'd complain about how she always has to go out whenever there were tours going on.

Kiriko, at first, would be extremely flattered. She does have a crush on you, and has had one for a while, but she didn't want to ever complicate things.

Seeing you gush about her idol career, and how you related so much to this celebrity—and how you loved literally everything about her, Kiriko couldn't help but feel just oh-so flustered over... "Heh, wow... my crush likes me?"

There was something that Kiriko did take notice of, and it was with how you phrased everything that she did appreciate. Not just the compliments, and even if you did just praise and praise her vocal talent, perfomances, and looks—there was something that Kiriko did enjoy listening about, and it was how you really felt, in comparison. Because, all-in-all, Kiriko loves her fans. Every single one of them.

If she could sign autographs all day, if she could talk to everyone at a meet-and-greet, if she could spend hours and hours rambling at panels and conventions—oh, she would. She adores how she was able to build up such a community, and how it thrives off of interaction. Not just from her, but how everyone else is just so supportive. It really makes her feel like she is doing so much more for not only just the town of Kanezaka, and not just for Japan—but for the countless, countless others out there in the world.

There was something special, though, with being best friends with a fan.

You'd talk to her about a new single release, talking about what your interpretation of the song was. You could easily tell that it was experimental, as the lyrics were not written by her herself—rather, someone else. Her phrasing would have more wordplay—her cadence would've been more casual and loose, to reflect on her more teasing, playful nature she likes to exhibit on-stage. You'd explain, with stars in your eyes, about all of those little details you've noticed.

Kiriko would nod along, affirmingly so. It's not like she's had to be in the studio, recording for hours and hours at a time to get the perfect take—having the mixers work at the vocals and instrumentals.

It took Kiriko a long while to think about this, but she finally did come up with a way to express her view, and to finally fess up to you.

Kiriko wasn't one to lie, as it made her feel dirty. Obviously, she does have a trouble-making stream to her name—running around the streets of her hometown whilst trying to get to the bakery first-thing was something she'd always get motherly chided for. As with her career, she felt like she really had to tell someone. It wasn't illegal for her to be an influencer, but it felt like she was lying to her best friend—lying to you.

She didn't know how you'd react. There was a surprising amount of comfort she did feel whenever you'd talk about her idol persona, considering you didn't blindly just love the music and her looks—rather, her personality, and how real and tangible she felt. How she was able to make such a committed, compelling fanbase that you were proud to be apart of, and to contribute to it. With everyone else having nothing but praise for the young rising star, Kiriko would be a bit scared at the fact of someone only liking her just due to a shallow reputation.

Though, over the course of this life, she felt both fulfilled in not only receiving the love of many others; but giving it all back in her work. Either with her songs, or some pest (Hashimoto) control, she's in debt to all of her fans. She really couldn't thank them enough.

As her heart drew heavy, the worries increasing everyday, she just might as well spit it out. With your concluded reasoning, Kiriko thought that you'd understand why she had to keep it a secret—obviously—and not go around telling anyone else. She knows about the industry, and how celebs with lovers are treated, so she just needs to be careful—teetering across those rules.

Whilst the two of you were together out at night, hanging out behind the arcade—per usual—you offered Kiriko one of your earbuds. It was playing one of her songs, and you were bopping your head to the rhythm; whispering the lyrics to yourself.

"Do you want to know something?" Kiriko would then ask, and she immediately felt her heart thump. Just being close to you already makes her feel so, so anxious; it felt as if she wasn't a pop star, and wasn't an expertly-trained ninja—just a little schoolgirl again.

With a hum, you'd turn your attention to her, adjusting your position on the ground to be more comfortable. With your legs in the right spot, you then settled down. "Yes? I'm sorry, this song is so good."

With a laugh, Kiriko would reassure you that it's okay. God, how she loved just seeing you so happy, and with how she was able to leave such a positive imprint on you with her hard work—it felt as if you were her world. Her everything.

"Eh, don't worry." Kiriko's little chuckle was contagious, as you smiled as she gestured her hand towards you. "There's something really funny about this track, actually. I'd be surprised if you didn't already know it; you nerd."

You two then continued on with your banter, and then you listened to what Kiriko had to say about the song. After a moment, the chorus came on, and then Kiriko started to explain her thoughts out—her voice in that tender tone, reserved for the ones closest to her.

"The lyrics were actually written for someone in particular. There's a theory floating around that it's for this idol, or for this other person but..." She'd then laugh, tucking her hair behind her ears. "Pay more attention to the words. You're smart; you can figure it out."

The chorus was then explaining about the singer's love for their best friend, and with how everything matched up so perfectly—the vocalist musing about past childhood memories, talking about certain interests, and explaining their want to fully express yourself... you blushed. You looked up at Kiriko, she was wearing a smirk, and then down at your phone at the song currently being played. You didn't want to just assume it was you, as you didn't want to embarrass yourself, but-

"I dunno if you know their name or not, but they do look awfully a lot like you. Maybe I should make the two of you meet, huh?"

#overwatch x reader #ow x reader #kiriko x reader #kiriko kamori x reader #idol kiriko #kiriko yamagami x reader #x reader #gn!reader #gender neutral reader #kiriko x gender neutral reader #req #reqs open

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gettinshiggywithit · 2 years ago

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hiiiiiiiiiiii jayaaaa~ poppin in with a req if that's okay 👉👈

if you're alright with it may i please request fluffy hcs of dazai, atsushi, chuuya and ranpo taking care of a sick reader? if i've requested too many characters you can get rid of some of them, just do whatever suits you best :)

if you do choose to write this please take your time and take care of yourself, no rush at all!! and one more thing!

~ dia 💜

!In Sickness And In Health!

scenario:-dazai, atsushi, chuuya and ranpo and poe~ taking care of a sick reader!

Pairings:- dazai x gn!reader | atsushi x gn!reader | chuuya x gn!reader | ranpo x gn!reader | poe x gn!reader

Genre:- fluff!

Type:- headcanons

A/N:- DIAAAAAAAA OMG HIII (lets pretend i wasnt talkin to you like a literal second ago😭) i hope you like this and i did you justice! Also i kinda added poe i hope youre okay with that?also thanks for gettin me outta my writers block!

AND NO im proud of YOUUU!

Get well Soon Babes!

Atsushi

I think atsushi would be concerned.

Like depending on what it is you have I think how concerned he is would vary,but he’s still worried

He just wants you to be okay….

Would ask kunikida to take the day off or at least some of the day,to take care of you.

Until you’re better enough to do things on your own that is

Kunikida obliges because,honestly lets be real,atsushi’s already stressed tf out,and he knows that letting the boy worry on the job wont help anyone.

Honestly at first,atsushi’s surprised kunikida agreed so easily,but doesn’t question it!

He rushes home with some of your favourite snacks and surprises you.

I think that since he has healing along with his weretiger ability,he may not get sick as easily?

Or at least if he did,he’d be able to get better a lot faster.

So he’d gladly cuddle up to you if you needed him

buddy aint listening to your protests.

“but ‘sushi,you’ll get sickkk!!!”

“don’t worry y/n ill be fine” *le crawls into to bed and cuddles you*

Would ask kunikida to make you some oden if you liked it (dazai volunteers when kunikida says he’ll do it right after his paperwork,to which kunikida responds by whacking him{dazai} and immediately getting on it)

The rest of the agency would help atsushi with his nerves when he gets back to work

The boy’s just scared okay🥺

Basically,best boy all the way.

I mean its atsushi what did we expect?

Dazai

Honestly,I think he’d be more competent that we’d give him credit for.

We all know dazai’s not actually dumb or a fool.

He just acts like one!

So when you get sick.he knows exactly what to do!

He’ll roll over on bed one morning and when he sees you sick his joke-y morning musings become serious and he gives you one last cuddle before getting out of bed to make you some okayu (rice porridge, a rather simple dish of rice, salt, and water.) and asks you to eat it

He knows its not the best tasting thing ever,but tells ya that it’ll make you feel better

Dazai Wouldn’t be worried to leave you to go to the agency,he’d rather skip work but kunikida be kunikida-ing😔🤷🏻‍♀️

He does call to check in though!

But serious calls are made privately of course(God forbid kunikida sees he can actually be serious for stuff like this and{tries to make} makes him just as serious about agency work )

He would DEFINITELY tell kunikida that he’s just goin to check on you and leave during the day.

Does he know you’re perfectly okay?yes. does kunikida know youre perfectly okay? No~

And He’s gonna capitalize on that fact~

Wouldn’t be as physical as atsushi would be,but would eventually just say ‘fuck it’ and be snuggly if you want him to be

anything to skip work! (and spend time with you ~)

I think atsushi would be sent over by kunikida to make sure he isn’t killing time.

Atsushi doesn’t snitch obviously! But he isn’t exactly the best liar

Dazai Calls kunikida the next day saying he got sick~~

Kunikida obviously comes by to make sure that this little shit isn’t bullshitting his way out of work again!

Is honestly surprised when he find dazai actually sick.

Dazai.who has NEVER gotten sick…. Goddamit

Crafty bastard

Wait I meant, your crafty bastard

Gets atsushi to bring shit over, snacks, drinks,medicine. Anything! (how can he go get it??? He’s sick toooooo)

The poor childdd isn’t gonna turn dazai down,even though he knows he’s full of shit

Ah just you,your crafty boi and the microbes that got you sick <3

Happy recovery!!

Ranpo

Ranpo,ranpo RANPO

Foodie supreme

I think he’d definitely have some ‘get well’ foods he’d get for you and him to try!

Would he be as dotting as atsushi or as concerned as dazai? Probably not.

Buddy knows you can take care of yourself,sick or not.

But if you asked him to cuddle he wouldn’t be that opposed to it…he would be cautious tho.

Expect for him to sleep on the couch or anywhere away from you

Its nothing personal,he just doesn’t want to get sick.

Losts of take out

I think ranpo knows to cook a little but honestly,he’s not bothered.

He just orders take out! Different hot and soothing foods! He’s make sure youre fed (him too,aint no way he aint getting at least a piece of the stuff he’s ordering!)

At one point when kunikida hears that he’s just been ordering take out the whole time,he himself comes over and cooks.

So does yosano! Dazai offers but he downright rejects him! (oof big yikes)

He’d contemplate askin yosano to make you better,but decides against it…

Honestly,ranpo wouldn’t be bad if you were sick. He’d just be a bit clueless at time.

Don’t worry! Fukuzawa and kunikida and yosano (mainly) are always there to help!

He tries his best and whenever he does anything he’s honestly so proud

Slay babygirl slayy

Chuuya

MY MANSSS

Chuuya would be doting on you,calling to ask if you were okay and making sure you have enough of anything you need.

Mans is takin care of you,what can I say~~

Chuuya is quite responsible and really knows what he’s doing so he’d have the best doctor(or just your doctor if you wanted) to treat you and make sure you’re on the right track to recovery!

He’d take a day,or at least half-day off work if you needed him,but if it couldn’t be avoided,he’d send one of his subordinates to check on you.

Maybe someone youre more familiar with if you asked?

Is he scared of getting sick?

Not necessarily,he jus cant afford to get sick…

His job is pretty demanding,so he might sleep away from you if youre contagious…

But he’d still take care of you,cooking for you whenever he could and making sure youre all comfy.

If he does end up getting sick from you,he wouldn’t really be mad.

Would prolly beat himself up for bein careless(not for you to hear ofc) but in the end you ride out the sickness together!

If he catches something different to you?

He’s self isolating.

Different apartment.not risking giving it to you!

He honestly just wants the best for you and would do what he had to to make sure that you did.

Now back to if you were sick with him (like a similar illness )

He’d stay in bed with you if you wanted.

King of cuddles honestly.

I can only describe him as tiny but mighty

But he’d make sure you got sunlight and were active at least a little.

You’d do little couple-y things

Cooking together,little crafts

Even readin eachothers fave books!

He definitely makes it as bearable for you as possible.

Lucky tbh :’)

EDGAR ALLAN POE

Hehehehe

Poe with a sick s/o?

Amazon prime? Try Anxiety Prime!

Buddy’s doing everything he can!

Calling doctors,buying medicine,snacks,stuffies anything to make you feel better!

Heck,he’d write you a story to travel into if you were feeling down in the dumps too!

Buddy’s just trying his best tbhh

Oh and KARL

karl is 100% gonna be there to cuddle you when poe’s not around

Karl is his eyes and ears!

Would he be opposed to being close? If you were contagious? Perhaps.

But he’d prolly even wear a hazmat suit and cuddle you if you wanted!

Either that or he’d just take medicine to make himself immune and cuddle you!

But if youre down really bad he’ll prolly stay on the couch or in the extra room.

Would sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor if you needed supervision or if you wanted him close.

He doesn’t mind!

Poe just wants the best for you and he’ll do anything he can to make you feel better.

If he gets sick too,he doesn’t mind.he’ll just hop into bed and get comfy with you.

Poe’s quite a tall fella so he’ll be able to wrap you in quite a snuggly hug! (he is 6 feet after all! If youre taller than or as tall as him, its still work!)

He has snacks around for when ranpo comes around so,regardless of if he restocks or not,you’ll have enough snacks for when youre sick.

Has separate colour coded pill boxes for the two of you and reminds you to take em daily.you do it together!

He’s be great honestly~

But then its poe,so whats new ey?

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rmstitanics · 7 months ago

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List 5 topics you could talk about for an hour without preparing any material.

With Malice Toward None: a Musical of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. I’ve been developing this musical since summer 2020. With Malice Toward None focuses on exploring the mental health struggles that Lincoln experienced during his presidency. The musical is narrated by Robert Todd Lincoln, who recalls the storyline’s events with complete omniscience while at the 1922 Lincoln Memorial dedication. Relevant themes for the show include mental health, public history, teams that become brotherhoods, compassion, the stages of grief, leadership, and a bunch of other concepts that I’ll probably end up yapping about on here at some point. Orchestrally, the show can be described as “if Les Misérables, Hello Dolly, and Evita decided to have a threesome in my brain”.

all of my original characters. seriously. I have SO MANY OF THEM that I’ve developed over the years, mostly for historical fiction. 😭 the ones that are living rent free in my head the most right now are Anastasia Andrews-Ismay (the human personification of the Titanic), Lieutenant General Ethan Clay, and Dr. Constance Pierpont Morgan. Honorable mention goes to my Star Wars OC Shi’al Valorum 💅 if any of these muses seem familiar to you then we’ve probably either been in a discord server together or you’ve somehow stumbled across one of my roleplay blogs.

the rms titanic. literally EVERYTHING about this ship and her sinking is my Roman Empire. I’m particularly fond of yapping about Captain Smith, Thomas Andrews, Wallace Hartley, William Pirrie, J.P. Morgan, or any of the officers — but if you get me talking about the vilification of Bruce Ismay by the sensationalist yellow press in the aftermath of the sinking, then I WILL NEVER SHUT UP.

star wars. my first exposure to the Star Wars franchise was when I was a sophomore in high school and I got to see a screening of A New Hope where the soundtrack was played by a live orchestra. suffice to say, this altered my brain chemistry and I’ve never been the same since. I’m a Prequels girlie and Jedi apologist to my CORE; my favorite characters are probably Yoda, Dooku, Mace Windu, and Bail Organa.

film and tv soundtracks. …the fact that I once did a TWENTY FIVE MINUTE LONG presentation on the film score for Titanic (1997) should tell you everything that you need to know about this silly fixation of mine.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: ghost hunting, tarot cards, classical music, Taylor Swift, creative liberties taken by Lin Manuel Miranda for Hamilton, historical fiction as a genre in an era where media literacy is on the decline, Antebellum America, the Great Triumvirate (Henry Clay, John Calhoun, Daniel Webster), the Lost Cause of the Confederacy, and public history.

TAGGED BY no one. I stole it from the for you tab LOL

TAGGING: @viellohi, @the-rmstitanic, @man-i-dunno, @allysah, @charmwasjess, @quicksiluers, @aceofthyme, @tipsywench, @macaron-n-cheese, @meerawrites, @elisabeth515, @its-rmstitanic, @mattaytchtaylor, @tommy-288, @chamberlainswifey, AND YOU.

* make a separate post. do not reblog.

#I’m going to start doing dash games on here and I figured this would be a perfect one to get us started 💅#dash games

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eyesaremosaics · 1 year ago

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When Dora Maar died on 16 July 1997 at the age of 89, few people seemed to notice. It took the French newspaper Le Monde – in her home country – 10 days to publish anything. And when journalists did cotton on, they didn’t seem to think Maar was the story. The New York Times called her “a muse of Picasso” and the “principal model for many of his so-called weeping women portraits in the late 30s and early 40s”. The Independent, while admitting that Maar had been an artist in her own right, suggested that she would nonetheless be “remembered as the most poignant of Pablo Picasso’s mistresses”.

Forget that she’d also been a major surrealist photographer, one of the few women in that circle, and that she was still painting into her 80s. For critics, she was Picasso’s Weeping Woman – the eternally spurned mistress and muse. Maar herself bitterly resented being regarded as a sort of art-world Miss Havisham, the subject of someone else’s picture. “All [Picasso’s] portraits of me are lies,” she once said. “Not one is Dora Maar.”

Not before time, the Weeping Woman is having the last laugh. After a spell at the Pompidou in Paris, a major retrospective is heading to London’s Tate Modern then Los Angeles. The largest exhibition of its kind yet staged, it features nearly 300 objects: photographs, photomontages, advertising mock-ups, self-portraits, watercolours, oil landscapes and still lives. Few of these objects have been exhibited before, and certainly not on this scale. The sense is of a curtain being pulled back. Forget those Picasso portraits: here is how Dora Maar actually wanted to be seen.

Born Henriette Théodora Markovitch in Paris in 1907, to a French mother who owned a fashion boutique and a father who was a Croatian architect, her upbringing was multicultural. The family relocated to Buenos Aires when she was three, and she spent her childhood shuttling between Europe and South America, taking her first photographs on the sea journeys between. She trained as a painter in Paris, but found herself drawn to photography in the 1920s, becoming friendly with Henri Cartier-Bresson and Brassaï.

“She was very ambitious,” says her biographer, Victoria Combalia. “She wasn’t sure which direction she was going in, but she had such energy.”

In 1936 she met Picasso, and seems to have decided that the painter, nearly 30 years older, was her next project. The story of the encounter that turned them into lovers has been much mythologised. Legend has it that Maar sat in the famous literary watering hole, the Cafe les Deux Magots, playing a game where she stabbed a knife between her fingers to excite Picasso’s attention.

Whatever the truth, Combalia suggests that the striking thing is the way it suggests that she, not he, was in charge. “She wanted to seduce him, I’m sure. The whole scene with the knife is like a sadistic joke, almost a performance.”

Yet the balance soon tipped the other way. Picasso was also having a long-running affair with Marie-Thérèse Walter, which he refused to break off. He seems to have taken a perverse thrill in making Walter and Maar compete for his affections, describing a story where they came to blows in his studio as “one of my choicest memories”. Having initially painted Maar as a nymph or a bird, his portraits begin to show her in tears, notably the excruciating Weeping Woman (1937), now in Tate’s permanent collection, in which she seems to dissolve before our eyes.

Maar’s own artistic response is similarly hard to look at, though in quite different ways. A painting of hers from the same year, The Conversation, shows her and Walter sitting next to each other, almost in mirror image. Walter looks out, passive and inscrutable; Maar has her back to us, face hidden.

Yet while the relationship was emotionally punishing, it was productive. 1937 was also the year that Picasso painted Guernica, and Maar – as well as teaching him darkroom techniques – agreed to photograph the process of its creation. Indeed, it seems likely that his decision to depict that particular atrocity came from Maar, who was far more politically engaged. Not only does its style – severe black-and-white, almost photographic in its pitiless detail – borrow from her work, she actually painted a small section of it.

“He trusted her,” says Tate Modern director Frances Morris, who interviewed Maar when the latter was in her 80s. “As much as being a sexual or emotional relationship, it was a collaborative one.”

When their relationship finally fell apart in 1945, Maar was devastated and suffered a brief breakdown, intensified by the death of her mother. The guilt-stricken Picasso helped her buy a house in Provence, where she spent an increasing amount of her time. Catholicism began to occupy her life; rumours circulated – fanned by her former partner – that she’d gone mad, or become a recluse.

The truth is different, Combalia says: Maar kept making art, producing textile designs and devoted more time to painting. She also travelled, and continued to exhibit through the 50s and 60s. It’s also not true that she abandoned photography, as some claim. Though she made fewer photographs after the break with Picasso, she continued to experiment, crafting a late series of photograms (photographic prints made without a camera) in the 80s, as if reconnecting with her younger artistic self.

Maar never regained the profile she had experienced in her 20s, yet it’s wrong to say she disappeared. It was a slow withdrawal, and came about largely because Maar wanted to focus on her art. “In letters she writes, ‘Well, I don’t want to be social, I want to do my own thing. I have to paint,’” says Combalia

Morris, who visited Maar at her apartment in Paris in 1990, agrees. “It was an artist’s home. Every surface, every wall, spoke of that. There were easels and lots of canvases in her studio, covered in polythene. She was still working.”

What was Maar like to meet? Morris laughs: “When she answered the door, I thought at first it was the maid, this little old woman.” But she was soon struck by Maar’s forcefulness. “She was terrifically strong, you could see that. I think that’s what it was, in a way: making art was more important to her than how she was perceived.”

“She was very curious about the world,” Combalia adds. “She was always asking me what I was doing in Paris, what the name of my boyfriend at the time was. She loved gossip.”

Despite Maar’s talents being overlooked during her lifetime, Combalia believes we should be grateful that we can see so much work, and that so much of it is so good. “She really deserves to be known. We owe her that justice.”

#dora maar #pablo picasso #surrealism #1930s #1940s

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cherrylng · 7 months ago

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Muse Retrospective Interviews [STYLE Series #004 - Muse (August 2010)] - Matthew Bellamy (July 2003)

“A person's life is made up of things on various levels, including the past, and I think the music that is born from the unification of these things can be said to be the purest form of expression.”

After the chaos caused by their debut with “Showbiz” and the success and breakthrough of “Origin of Symmetry,” the three members of Muse have finally been able to sit down and work on a new album. This is an official interview conducted in London just before the release of the album. The interview was conducted with Matthew, Dom, and Chris individually, in that order, and their confident attitude is well conveyed.

Interview and text by Kaoru Abe

Matthew Bellamy “The last two albums and the time spent on them have been a journey for me, so I thought it was time to punctuate and take a break.”

London, July 2003. The intense heat wave, later dubbed “the most destructive weather disaster in European history,” affected the UK, which does not need air conditioning, and even Muse's private studio, which was designated as the interview site, was in no condition for a proper talk unless all the windows were fully open. Despite this, Matthew Bellamy appeared with a cool face and was in a completely relaxed mood, playing his old piano mischievously during a chat before the interview. There was none of the tense atmosphere that I had felt when I interviewed him in London two years ago, nor was there the sense of innocence that I had felt on my first visit to Japan, but rather, there was a smooth, freshness of heart that had been peeled off.

The studio, located in a quiet residential area of East London, was a converted flat that no one would have guessed was owned by Muse, and it exuded a sense of everyday life that was far removed from his rock star image. When we entered the studio, I honestly could not believe that this was where the basic idea for “Absolution” was born, but Matthew's words, as he began to talk to us from his comfortable position on the old sofa, told us that a flat state of mind for the three of us was the key to the album's production. The fact that the interview took place in a private studio was also a factor and a smart move on the part of the band, as it allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of how the making of the album began with a return to their pre-debut selves.

The idea was born in the studio, and the album was then brought to fruition while traveling to studios in Ireland and Los Angeles, and through the whole process, the band seems to have untangled itself from the tangle brought about by its busy and extraordinary schedule. And when those tangles are completely untangled, the completed “Absolution” will naturally become close to the soul of Muse and to Matthew's soul. In this sense, it is self-evident that the album takes on a more personal color, both in terms of the band and Matthew, as evidenced by Matthew's fast-talking and eloquent words.

—The 2-CD “Hullabaloo Soundtrack” consists of the B-side collection of the singles released last year (2002) and the live performance. What was the meaning behind the subtitle “soundtrack”? Matthew: I named it that because the live part is the soundtrack aspect of the live DVD “Hullabaloo - Live at Le Zenith”. The DVD is sort of like a documentary film about Muse, a live band.

—Did you feel like you were resetting your mind by putting together the “past” of your B-side collection and the “present” of your live show? Matthew: Between “Showbiz” and “Origin of Symmetry,” I had been working nonstop, with no personal time at all, and at some point I realized that the two albums and the time spent on them were a journey for me. I felt it was time to hit a punctuation point, and that a new approach was needed, so I took some time off before moving on to the third album. So, as you say, the time leading up to the third album was a turning point for us.

—The double A-side single “Dead Star/In Your World�� (2002) marked a transitional period for the band. Matthew: I would say it was more a part of the live DVD than a transitional period. We knew beforehand that those two songs would not be on the third album.

—I found it surprising that you covered “Can't Take My Eyes Off You” (by Frankie Valli) in “Dead Star/In Your World”. Matthew: We have released covers of “Feeling Good” (Nina Simone) and “Please Please Please” (The Smiths) in the past, but we have definitely dared to take songs that are different from our own musical style, including this one, in order to do something that Muse cannot do. By doing so, we may find a new direction, and there is a possibility of doing pop music in the future, so the covers are more of an experiment than just enjoying our favorite songs. Incidentally, “Can't Take My Eyes Off You” was inspired by a TV show called “Re:covered” (BBC Choice), which featured covers and original songs.

“My songwriting process starts with the sound first, then the lyrics, then the title, and so on, but I usually write down bits and pieces of phrases that come into my head, rather than being influenced by the sound.”

—The downloadable single “Stockholm Syndrome” is the prologue to “Absolution.” Why did you choose the title of the song, which is a self-brainwashing mental situation for the weak? Matthew: My songwriting process starts with the sound first, then the lyrics, then the title, and so on, but I usually write down bits and pieces of phrases that come into my head, rather than being influenced by the sound. In the case of “Stockholm Syndrome,” the title came from the overall picture of the lyrics, a kind of contradictory mental situation in which one is in an oppressive environment and yet feels a sense of happiness, but I did not want to give it a very specific meaning. So, depending on the listener, it could be taken as social oppression, domination by God, and relationships between humans. …… I did not want to give a specific meaning to the title. For the writer, it is just a vague image (laughs).

—What did you have in mind when creating the sound for “Stockholm Syndrome”? Matthew: I think it is basically a traditional rock track, but I was conscious of the dynamic changes. I think we were able to deviate from the typical rock flow by not softening it up at the chorus and adding a more intense rock element. In that sense, it might be similar to a “New Born”-like development. It's like a tsunami that crashes down with more waves on top of it.

—The recording of the album “Absolution” not only took a long time, but was also recorded in different environments, in England, Ireland, and Los Angeles. This must have kept the inspiration fresh. Matthew: The production started in this studio (the band's private studio). After we had the basics down here, we flew to Ireland, where we recorded strings and other orchestral sounds. I was actually under a lot of stress when I was working in London, so I went to Ireland for a change of environment. Unlike London, where there are many people, including people I know, there is really nothing around the studio, so I was able to concentrate on the music and work on it in a more personal time frame. We recorded the drums in a swimming pool, and since the place itself was like a farm, we experimented with sounds using farming tools that were lying around (laughs). After that, we flew to Los Angeles for mixing, where I was able to record some nice vocal harmonies. I quite like it myself, but don't you think it's good too? (laughs)

—As a lover of “Pet Sounds” (Beach Boys), I was also impressed by the exquisite harmonies. Matthew: That analogy is funny (laughs). I'll tell Chris later because I like him. We actually recorded it in the same studio where “Pet Sounds” was made. Maybe it's because we recorded it in the same place…… We may indeed have something in common in that eerie atmosphere (laughs).

—What are the musical benefits of having two opposite production environments, London and Ireland? Matthew: When you work in one studio all the time, you get too used to the sound. When you listen to the finished product again, it sounds monotonous or …… Even if you think the sound is good there, it often sounds boring when you play it in another studio. In that sense, it made a lot of sense to change the location. If the concept or structure of an album is focused on one thing, it is possible to settle down in one studio, but for an album like this, which is a collection of various themes, I thought it would be better to record in different places to give it more diversity in many ways. I thought it would be possible to add diversity in many ways if we recorded in different places.

—Regarding the diverse themes of the album, did the timing of its production coincide with the attack on Iraq by British and U.S. forces have any influence? Matthew: The songs themselves were mostly written before the Iraq war, so it didn't directly affect me, but the timing of the production coincided with the war, and I often witnessed massive protests at the time. So I think it affected my mood. Even though the song was already written, it gradually took on a different meaning. When the lyrics happened to coincide with the social situation of the time, the meaning was pulled toward that feeling…… That said, I never intended the songs to have a political meaning. This album focuses on feelings and moods, so for example, it depicts things like our own helplessness and the misuse of faith.

—Is this feeling or mood reflected in the title “Absolution,” which means “absolution”? Matthew: The powerlessness and misuse of faith that I mentioned earlier makes up about 40% of the album, and the other 60% is more personal. The (Iraqi) war also gave me a chance to think about the atmosphere of the times that it created, and it made me think that the trivial things around me were very valuable…… In retrospect, perhaps I was explaining the chaos within me by making music. The process of giving an easy-to-understand narrative to what I was feeling was the making of this album, and in doing so, I wanted to show that there are more important things in the world than what we see on a daily basis. It was also a very valuable experience for the band to be able to do that.

“I feel spiritual when I'm playing the piano, and when I'm playing the guitar, I feel like I have some sort of animal instinct within myself.”

—I think the persuasiveness of the musical narrative has been deepened by giving order to the chaos, not by expressing it as chaos, but by giving it a counterbalancing order in the form of a melody. I think this was also a major change this time around. Matthew: I think it was a very natural change for us, not a conscious one. First of all, by not doing anything for a while after last year's Reading Festival, we got ourselves back to where we were before “Showbiz”. When we started the band, we were just making music and playing for ourselves, but as we started to release our work, and as it was accepted by more and more people, not only the situation around us changed, but we changed as well. I think “Origin of Symmetry” was a clear representation of the chaos that came with such a change. This time, we had no schedule at all, and the time we spent on making the album allowed us to feel very free. We were able to change ourselves again and face the music with a fresh mindset, as if we were starting a new band. In fact, the last few months we have been living the kind of life that most people would do at home, and it has been a great opportunity for the members to get to know each other. So if there has been a change in our sound, it is because we have changed.

—It's a real “New Born” feeling. Matthew: (laughs) You could say that.

—As for Matthew himself, it seems that you have become more active as a pianist as well as a guitarist. I have heard that you have a lot of respect for (Sergei) Rachmaninoff, but was he a big influence on the piano you played this time? Matthew: Originally, I had in mind the piano sounds of early to mid Romanticism and early contemporary music (Franz Liszt and (Sergei) Prokofiev, for example), but in “Butterflies and Hurricanes,” I wanted to mix the dynamics of a piano concerto with those of a three-piece band. By doing so, I think we were able to express the strength of the emotional impact.

—What is the difference between a guitarist and a pianist in your mind? Matthew: I'm not naturally one to settle on one thing, so I tend to sing, play guitar, and play piano (laughs). But I have to do this and that, so I guess I'm at an average level in all areas now (laughs). When I play the piano, I feel spiritual, and when I play the guitar, I feel aggressive, like I have some kind of animal instinct. Interestingly, the moment I move to the piano after playing the guitar for a long time, I feel as if I am in heaven. I can write a song within two or three minutes of playing the piano, but on the other hand, when I play the piano for a long time and then move to the guitar, a tremendous amount of energy wells up from within, and music is born from there as well.

—The music of Muse, which burns from within, seems to give solid form to something spiritually formless. Matthew: I don't often listen to what I make myself, but when I listen to other people's music and watch them play, I feel a sense of security, or at least a good sense of certainty, about my own music. Maybe that's why I continue to play music. The reason I like classical music so much is that no matter how long after a composer's death, the music remains strong. In that sense, I feel a spirituality in my music, and that is something I would like to continue experimenting with in the future.

—What you just said reminded me of the words of the American writer Don DeLillo (“White Noise,” “Underworld,” etc.), who said, “The deeper you go into expression, the more naturally you are led back into your own consciousness.” Matthew: That is an interesting point. Especially in this case, it was a good opportunity for us to reevaluate ourselves and accept where we are now while making the album. I don't really know how we've changed. I can't remember what I was like before, so I can't compare it to what I am now (laughs).

—As for who you are now, I overheard it during the chat before the interview, but how does love influence the album? Matthew: There are a few songs that do. For example, “Falling Away With You” is about the chaos of love, but in a good way. And “Endlessly” is a straightforward love song.

—You never wrote a love song before? Matthew: I tried to write a love song around the time of “Showbiz,” but “Endlessly” is the first proper love song I've written (laughs). Even with previous songs, even though they had elements, they weren't all love songs.

—Finally, what does the album title “Absolution” mean? Matthew: Actually, I was more conscious of the meaning of “purity” than “absolution”. A person's life is made up of things on many different levels, including the past, but I think the music that comes from bringing those things together is a pure form of expression. I don't know how other people see it, but that's how I feel.

—I am looking forward to seeing how this work will be expressed in a live performance. Matthew: I already have a lot of ideas, and I would like to do something involving animation at some point. The first step would be to make a video, and then build the stage from there. I think it would be a good idea to include other musicians, such as a choir, and I'm looking forward to it myself.

Dom's interview

Chris' interview

#Matt Bellamy #Muse #Absolution era #smol meerkat #my scan #translation #STYLE Series #STYLE Series 004

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krp1x1finder · 1 year ago

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discord kpop 1x1 rp search

heyooo! i’m yumi, age 23, they/them! i’m currently lf a few krp/kdrama partners, preferably within the age range of 19-23+! it’s safe to say that i’m open to any pairings such as mxm, fxf, poly, and trans/non-binary characters, oc x oc (faceclaims ok!) - i will say that i do have a preference for writing masculine characters and will often default to that unless discussed.

my writing style is always mirrored, so don’t be shy if you’d like to write with me in any way, shape, or form! my preference tends to lean towards novella and advanced lit (comfortably up to 500-1k or more) with present or past, third-person narratives. i have some writing examples i can send your way if you’d like to see them before committing to rp with me! i typically want to strive for quality over quantity.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ PLOTS : regarding plots that i enjoy tend to lean super heavily into the human condition (any variation or avenue of slice of life, modern aus), very lightly toeing into supernatural with succubuses/incubus or angel/devils, fallen angel concepts, and “darker” themes. some examples would be religious trauma/historical themes, substance abuse, violence, heavy angst, etc.

i also really enjoy media-based or established works of fictions like ao3, video games (the last of us, detroit become human, etc), films, and kdramas (strangers from hell, all of us are dead, the glory, bloodhounds, and more).

i’m totally interested in including nsfw into our rps aswell, though i tend to write my characters as versatile switches and would prefer if my partners were flexible and willing to collaborate to make it fun and comfortable for both of us. i will send a kink list to be as transparent as possible, or you can view that on my carrd alongside other in depth info here!

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ MUSES & GROUPS : i’m open to a majority of groups including, but not limited to the ones listed below! regarding muses, i’m very open-minded and flexible and will include some examples of those i muse the most. the starred groups are the ones that i muse very heavily for currently:

☆ aespa : winter / karina / ningning

ateez : wooyoung / san / yunho

enhypen : jay / heeseung / jungwon / jake

☆ exo : jongin / sehun / chanyeol / baekhyun

le sserafim : sakura / chaewon

☆ nct (all subunits+wayv) : taeyong / yuta / jaehyun / jeno / mark / donghyuck / jaemin / xiaojun / kun / yangyang

oneus : seoho / keonhee / xion

☆ onlyoneof : nine / love / mill / rie

p1harmony : theo / intak

☆ seventeen : jeonghan / jun / seungkwan / vernon / joshua / minghao

☆ stray kids : minho / hyunjin / han / bangchan / jeongin

tempest : hanbin / taerae / hyeongseop / hwarang

☆ the boyz : sunwoo / hyunjae / juyeon / jacob / eric

☆ txt : soobin / beomgyu / taehyun treasure : asahi / jihoon / hyunsuk

☆ xg : jurin / chisa

☆ zb1 : jiwoong / hanbin / matthew / taerae

solo artists : woodz, dpr ian, jackson wang, and more . .

(these aren’t including my ships, but you might be able to get hints from who i bolded - don’t be afraid to ask for clarification though, i’ll definitely mention them once we connect).

please prioritise discussing triggers and preferences within the RP. they will always be stated by me during plotting as well. my triggers are only detailed self-harm/gore that goes alongside it. i’ll let you know if I’m uncomfortable at any point otherwise.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ MISC. NOTES : the most important part of this i would like to make sure is noted is that writing won’t always be a priority for me as i have other hobbies and responsibilities that tend to take up a lot of my free time too. i work two jobs while also taking classes from my university and gaming. i’d appreciate and prefer partners that don’t mind gaps of time between responses and won’t spam or pressure me to be quicker. i’ve had some bad luck with rp partners that don’t understand that and overstep boundaries. i will end the rp if it gets excessive. however, i’m very chatty and enjoy making playlists and pinterest boards alongside our rp au’s so it’d be cool to have partners open to that sort of connection. i’m always down for friendships outside of our rp too so the gaps of time don’t feel awkward or stilted.

if all of this sounds good to you and you’re interested in getting to know me as a potential friend or likewise to write, don’t hesitate to interact with this post on here, directly message me, or head on over to discord and add me; my username is gyumie. ♡

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