#like how lucky I am to witness this artist

[mimiwrites2000]

Anna you took my breath away ���🥹🥹

Far from the crowd

[anatrik]

First thoughts TTPD:

What a lana x folklore girlie win this issss!

1.Fortnight is about matty?? HAHAHAHA also why did this make me think of when holt was going running with the ladies when he was in witness protection??? Crying. Fav line has to be they were supposed to take me away but they forgot to come and get me. So sad but also so cool in relation to her cancellation/return. 10/10

2. TTPD- not so hahahaha anymore IS THIS ACTUALLY A FUCKING MATTY HEALY ALBUM??? There was a typewriter at the 1975 show she performed anti-hero at? Unless its somehow about harry? Who else is tattooed on her roster??? Or is this about herself? Kinda feel like modern idiots/who’s going to decode is directed at us lol😂 9/10?

3.My boy only breaks his favourite toys- went in expecting mad woman rage. Pleasantly surprised. king of my heart to queen of sandcastles he destroys….DESTROYED ME. Are you fucking kidding me rn? Im caling it. Best song. Im crying at 7.30 am this is not funny anymore. Also THANK YOU FOR NOT SLANDERING DAD. I knew you wouldnt let us down like that. Also the chorus sounds like long story short😭 oh this is so sad. Once i fix me hes going to miss me? He was my best friend?😭 he runs because he loves me? Stopp😭😭 1000000/10

4.Down bad- ….aaaand we’re back to MATTY AGAIN? He does not deserve this spotlight but why are all the song so goood😭😭😭 is this why artists love to date problematic men? It unlocks some extraordinary potential? Crazy crazy girl😭 also stay down (bad) 🤌🏾 shes done it again 10/10 also for personal reasons i will be believing this is about joe in that Tom/Joe/met gala overlap period when she was photographed going to the gym a lot and that this is about all that yearning please let it be about that plesplesplesplesplesples also down bad waking up in blood staring at the sky…like i lost a twin is giving bigger than the whole sky🥺

5. So long, london- so so long long, lon-don DONE? ok miss girl😭 the hoax parallels😭 dont be undoing the song i was going to play at my weddddding what is wrong with you😭 my only one my smoking gun to two graves one gun youll find someone??? Also reminds me of la la land :/ how much sad did you think I had in me? You wrote hoax so a lot ok leave us alone. crying again. 10000000000000000/10 oh lol its a track 5 ofc it is😂

6. But daddy I love him- she really said if you ever liked, shared or even LOOKED at the ‘vivaa las vegas’ memes you cant come to the wedding and shes so real for it. Lfgggg. Ubothered unhinged uhmazing. Growing up precocious sometimes means you still hold on to that princess/quarterback wattpad fantasy AS IS YOUR RIGHT QUEEN GO THE FUCK OFF🥳 100000/10 calling out toxic fandom for the first time and we love to see it🫡 this is suchhhh a happy songggg you deserve ALL the chaos and revelry.

7. Fresh out the slammer- god she gets it. Like sure he was great and he is still my biological father and everything but as a decidedly melancholy person myself who has constantly had atleast one close friend in a deep depression I can see how all that heavy lifting can just get heavy at some point especially when youre a partner and their sole lighthouse in wtv storms be out there buffeting their mental health. Its not for everyone and thats so fair and so valid but so sad as well. 10/10 for the honesty.

8. Florida- she really said girlrot summer🫡 this is the lanaest song ever. So lucky one/nothing new coded. This will be the First song I repeat and then so long london. Aaaghhh how i love a self aware melancholic anxious little superstar. 90283749292/10 thank you for giving florence an entire verse whew. Little did you know your home’s really only a town you’re just a guest in is soooo going on my body forever

9. Guilty as sin?- honestly just fuck if it means we dont have to hear about how desirable ratty healy is man ffs. IThe only reason he looks so hot is bc hes forbidden. You have to trust me on this. He’s sooo mid JESUS. U cant be writing hozier lyrics about a man that hasn’t met a shower😭 1000000/10 writing. -16392992/10 content. Unrequited love/lust truly is the greatest weapon in a poets arsenal bc where is this energy in the joe songs binch?😭 this is such a teen in love with a 26 yo creep who called me so mature for my age mom you just dont get ittt anthem😂😂

10. Who’s afraid of little old me?- is a warning 😂 im so here for it. Like yes I still hate matty with all my heart and soul but yes I agree fans should not be allowed so much of an opinion on another persons life and yes I should be afraid (I am). She said aight love letter era over I AM WRITING YOU ALL HATE MAIL AND I’M HAND DELIVERING IT. Shes sooo done pretending to be the relatable girl next door when she’s anything but and is now reminding us of it and yes yes yessss girl OWN ITTTTTTTT. I’ve been saying for agesssss that there is a darkness under all that sunshine from where she clawed her way to the top and this is sooo vindicating. 10000000000000/10 favourite song ever. Mad woman wishes she was who’s afraid of little old me. I am unwell. I am in love. This is the Taylor Swift i stan. The marketing genius the calculating business woman the puppet master with narcotics in her songs thats why we sing along🫡 she so can handle a dangerous man

11. I can fix him (no really I can)- you cant.

12. loml- ofc. OFC. Its the saddest song of all time. OFC. Fuck offf ughhhh. 😭😭😭😭😭 its giving happiness. Its giving divorce. i am a child of a broken home now and my parents still love each other and hold so much regret still. What do i do with thissss? Im just a little girl taylorrr! 1002380292011010101/10 soo so gooood.

13. I can do it with a broken heart- first of all track 13. Love it. Second of all the upbeat barbieness of it all. Third of all I FINALLY PLACED IT. Shes in her unrelatable era. She is not your girl next door. You will never understand her life. She is as much a phenomenon as a person and we literally only see as much as she allows us to and honestly if i have to get put in my place theres noooo better way to have it done. Im having such a great time actually. 10 BILLION TRILLION OUT OF 10 you tellll em girl you FUCKING TELL EM.

14. Smallest man who ever lived- not going to speculate on who it is bc they clearly had a serious problem and its not a joke but damn :/ thats so sad :/ hope they get help? Didnt expect this to be what the song was about at all?

15. The alchemy- she said TRAVIS IS MY BOY WITH HER WHOLE CHEST😌 10/10

16. Clara bow- did she just name drop herself ? I was so right about unrelatable era. Also the Subtle nod to olivia/sabrina noted and appreciated. Lucky one/castles crumbling (mature version) fr fr. Solid legacy song.

17. The black dog- shared your secrets with and location is the same whiplash as a red rose grew up out of ice frozen ground with no one around to tweet it🤌🏾 joe songs hit so so different 😭😭😭 1000000000/10

18. imgonnagetyouback- the valiant roar was not so valiant and more of a mew i guess. 7/10

19. The albatross- oh this is the ONE. The album defining song for sureeee. Mad woman on coke. A rose by any other name is a scandal???? Thats my religion right there. Little last great American dynasty twist there at the end! Fuck yea. She does reallly try to warn the men in her life have to give her that. One gazillion/10

20. Clearly god has favourites and they are the ppl called chloe or sam or sophia or marcus😭 ALSO this song is about joe for sure. The internet starlet hasss to be delaney rowe!!!! It HAS TO BE. 10/10

21. How did it end?- shes back for the fans😂 plot twist the breakup is with yall🤌🏾 but yesss say it louder! One gasp and then how did it end. So good. 100/10

22. So high school- lmao aristotle grand theft auto ONLYY taylor swift man😭😂 you know what you want and boy you got her🫡🫡 11/10

23. I hate it here- mother’s having a mental breakdown kids yk the drill🤌🏾 10/10

24. ThanK you aIMiee- what better way to say fuck you to a hater than to thank her for jumpstarting your legacy my god!!! She is insane for this. The capitalisation is a bit petty tho ngl. 8/10

25. I look in peoples windows- once again I thank you for the kindness and respect shown to joe. Never doubted you but thank you nevertheless. 10/10 short as nice to have a friend but it didnt need to be longer.

26. The prophecy- its so sad and humbling to see even a woman at where she is having to beg for love bc that literally is the nature of love. Something humiliating, to have to beg for 🤷‍♀️ cards playing out like fools in a fable cursed like eve got bitten. No one writes like her damn. 10/10

27. Cassandra- very madeline miller on this one. Love love loveee modern takes on tragic greek women. 100/10

28. Peter- ah fuck. This one is going to hurt (it did). 1000000/10 my ribs get the feeling she did😭 all her joe related aches are so bone deeeep ugh. Promises oceans deep but never to keep😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 oh god it hurtsss it hurts it hurtss

29. The bolter- curious child ever reviled except by her father wow.

30. Robin- OMG! I needed this song growing up sooo bad. That way to go tiger felt so so warm like running into a kitchen after a day of being in the mud and u tell ur mum the silly things u did and shes genuinely interested and impressed by your smol victories. A bajillion/10

31. The manuscript- postmortem of every ex ever🤌🏾 love it.

[mariequitecontrary]

2024 TF Reverse Mini Bang Memories Part 2

Link to Part 1! I am sharing just a few of my favorite memories of the @tf-bigbang

Let's keep going!

DREAM TEAM 66

The moment I saw @spashahoney's sketch, Team 66 LAUNCHED to the top of my list. I am so lucky to have been matched up with her as my partner!! She is funny, creative, encouraging, and I loved when we fed off each other's energy! I am truly proud of what we created and sincerely hope we continue to work together in the future <3

It was very fun knowing I wanted to partner with her even when I wasn't allowed to say XD

We were a dream team from the start and I'm not afraid to brag about this fact.

We were so chaotic and I had so much fun bouncing around with her talking transformers and about her concept for our collab!

I was also so, so very wrong about how much I planned to write for this fic XD

Either way, we adored what we both had made!

It's also SO TERRIFYING to even think about someone watching you while you write a fic based off of their art XD

It was VERY FUN and I adore my artist <3

Do I completely blame her for my new Optimus/Rodimus obsession? YES.

#BOBACULT

I bought...so much more boba than I usually do because of these people XD Boba Bthursdays and Bubble Tea Fridays birthed an ongoing boba addiction in me that I'm not trying all that hard to fix XD

RP

Getting back into rping! Most importantly starting to rp transformers! I've always been a big fan of collaborative storytelling through roleplay, so am always DELIGHTED to find rp partners to play with <3

I had to pause because of vacations and the bang deadline, but I can't wait to get back into it!

500 Word Writer Awards

We were challenged to write 500 words for a secret prize and suddenly every last block I felt that was preventing me from starting to write DISAPPEARED. I wrote 632 words and suddenly felt like I could do this🙂

I'm very proud of this reward and am keeping it forever.

I'm Easily Baited with Prizes

That was the start of something I kinda knew but FULLY REALIZED over the past few months...that I am so, so, so easily motivated with prizes. It takes minimal effort on the prize giver's part. All it has to be is something you took the time to provide for me and say its mine and suddenly I DRIVEN to complete whatever task is set before me XD

It's pathetic really. But also here are my prizes look at them I worked so hard for them be proud of meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

DO YOU LIKE THEM I WORKED SO HARD FOR THEM! *bright eyes and wags tail*

Friends <3

I made so many friends! Friends to brainstorm with, an ao3 moot, a friend I've entered into a blood pact with, friends I've written together with a sprinting bot, friends to rp with, friends to talk about space robots with and anything under the sun :) I cherish them all so so so much <3

The Great Cicada War

But my friends bullied me :( They witnessed me dealing with probably the most harrowing part of the year...cicada season.

Time of My Life

I hadn't had this much fun in an online community...in a while. The past four months contain precious memories and friendships made that I'll treasure forever.

To the mods, thank you so much for hosting such a fun event! You all put so much work into making this special for us and I couldn't be more grateful to have been a part of this.

To all my new friends, thank you for welcoming me into this space and making me feel like I'm a real part of this fandom! Thank you for being kind and encouraging me when I was down and struggling, and thank you for uplifting and cheering me on when I was proud and succeeding. May inspiration always come easily to you.

Thanks for all the memories! I'll see you soon :)

[thatgirlonstage]

Sometimes I get overwhelmed by how ephemeral most art is. Even outside willful capitalist greed that pulls shows and films from streaming (or refuses to even release them in the first place) and refuses to make video game consoles backwards compatible—even with the best will and effort to preservation in the world—paints and dyes and fabrics fade and degrade over time. Stone and metal statues get worn down. Colors aren’t perfectly replicable on new monitors or with new ingredients. DVDs and CDs and records get scratched. Files lose data. Film gets worn out. Things can’t be copied with complete fidelity to their original — brushstrokes or colors or sound quality will have shifted, even with the most careful effort, even if you are using the same medium (and if you can’t use the same medium, eg digitizing something originally on film, you will inevitably lose some things you can’t get back. Fuzziness and timbre and color quality that artists knew they were working with and whether they leaned into it or worked around it they expected it to be there and their absence will inevitably be felt). Plain text is essentially the only thing that can at least theoretically be copied without any loss of information, but even that is only in theory! Typos and misprints and errors plague any copy. Debates rage over whether something in an older version was an error corrected in a later edition or an intentional choice that got revised for whatever multitude of possible reasons. I haven’t even touched art that is by its very nature ephemeral from the start — live performance and installations made of living plants and art where the whole purpose is watching something fall apart.

Idk. I am desperately and fiercely in favor of all efforts at preservation of art while also being painfully aware of how impossible it is to preserve anything forever. Go to the theatre and feel with your whole heart how incredible it is to witness something that will only be done exactly like this just once, just today, just right this moment, and then it will be gone forever, whether its alterations are obvious or almost imperceptible they will be there. Then expand that feeling to everything you touch and feel at once lucky and heartbroken.

[penncilkid]

Today is March 28th, 2024.

It marks exactly one year since, on a whim, I joined a Discord call. I've referred to it as "Robocop Day" since discovering the date because I joined the call after watching Robocop for homework and decided "Fuck it, if they're still on call, why not join?"

Words cannot properly capture/express how that was one of the best decisions I could've made.

To sit and think about all the ways I have changed for the better in this year is absolutely insane sometimes. I was so nervous to join that night, I barely knew anyone in the Redacted fandom and had barely gotten to know anyone outside of Angie (shoutout to thefablefoxart, go check her out /gen). But in that moment, for whatever reason, my brain was like "Do it. Go join this call. At least give it a try." So I did— And promptly got roped into a multi-hour ramble about one of many Darlin OCs (/lh /pos).

This account would not be what it is without these people. Neither would my art, my writing, my channel, and more. There are so many ways I have grown and so many things I've been able to try in this year of knowing this group of people, and I cannot wait for all that's to come still. So, without further ado, I'm gonna put the people in this group chat on blast (lovingly /lh):

@latenightsleeper: Sleeper Beeper, as Cupid calls you, you are such a force to be reckoned with. You are elusive but nonetheless loved and cherished. You are an incredible storyteller, even if 99% of the time you're simply finding new ways to rip my heart to shreds. I know life kicks your ass more often than not (which is should stop doing, frankly /lh), but I hope you know how important you are to me and how I would rain hellfire at the drop of a hat for you. I've been very lucky to get to know someone like you, and I hope I get to continue gaining your lore, as you put it.

@cashandprizes: Miss Alexis Moonlight, it is no secret how much you have improved my quality of life. Even when you're fussing at me, I know it's out of love and it simply makes me a better person in the long run. Any time spent with you, be it online or face to face, is truly a blessing in more ways than one. I've said before and I'll say it again, you are someone who makes me feel incredibly safe and secured, especially on my harder days. And that is something I will never take for granted. You are such a visionary, even when you don't always give yourself credit for it. I'm always in awe of the things you manage to cook up, regardless of the form they take. I hope that someday I can repay you even a fraction of everything you've done for me.

@mr-laveau: Veau, candidate for the leader of the PK fanclub (alongside Frenchie and Lexi Moon if I'm not mistaken? /lh), it's no secret that I am one of your biggest cheerleaders. And I intend to maintain that title because you are incredible. You are an insanely talented artist, voice actor, and writer, and I don't care anyone else tries to convince you. You are also one of the kindest people I have met when it comes to people you care about/look out for. It's insane for me to think that this singular extended invitation could have allowed me a chance to get to know so many amazing people in the long run. I am so happy to have met you. You have helped me be self-indulgent with the things I make and have pushed me to not only go after the things I want, but be kinder to myself along the way. No amount of words I could give to you will ever encompass all that you mean to me.

And one bonus party:

@wingless-cupid: Cupid, you may not have been there for the creation of this group chat, but you are absolutely a core member of it now. You've been stuck with me for far longer than the rest of these guys, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna pass up on the opportunity to appreciate you and our friendship as well. Life is a bitch to you, but you keep pushing on and I'm so happy to have witnessed it all on the sidelines. Your creativity and execution of such is insane to see in the best way possible. Even if we're threatening each other with violence every other minute, I know that you have my back. And I hope you know I have yours as well.

So yeah. Who is this post for? Mostly me. But I also think everyone I've mentioned is amazing and worth checking out. Thanks for being in my life, guys /pos

[hyunpic]

to my everything: ❣️

hyunjin is like earth, he brings colors to my life just like fields full of blooming flowers. he is like the greens of forests that provide us with something fresh and new when they keep growing. in my heart i am so grateful to being able to keep witnessing what kind of artist he has bloomed into and i only fill up with excitement when i think what he will show us in the future. im sure it will only be things beyond greatness.

hyunjin is like fire. just like when you light a candle and the heat of it keeps u warm. how the fire can be so powerful it heats and lights up cities. just how hyunjin sets the stage to flames when he steps on it. just like how hyunjin is so passionate and hard working on the things he loves to do. the warmth hyunjin brings to me cant be replicated and that warmth that comes off of hyunjin paints a smile on my face even if the day has been long and painful.

hyunjin is like water & air, he is necessity to people around him and the artistry in his veins will never stop flowing just like water. he is always there for you even if u can’t always see him. just knowing there is someone out there who is caring and shaped like love brings me so much comfort that sometimes just looking at him feels like i received the most nicest hug anyone has ever gotten.

i hope that there is only happy and love filled things in hyunjin’s future and i hope to be able to keep walking along him and supporting him and his adventures. happiness is never granted but with hyunjin i know the world will listen and the sun will shine on his path and show only the best things in this world to him and if not then i have a bone to pick with the universe. hyunjin often wonders if he’s deserving enough of the love he gets and that why people love him? i wish that hyunjin would feel loved every day because with a tender and full heart like his, he only deserves to get the same amount if not multiple times more love he puts out. i would also like to ask hyunjin the same question why does hyunjin think we are any of that more deserving of the love than you feel like he isn’t? we love hyunjin unconditionally just like hyunjin is and hyunjin love us just like we are and i don’t think there’s anything that can come between us all. and with all these years going by staying with hyunjin, hyunjin just keeps solidifying himself as this constant force of happiness and inspiration in my life and i feel so lucky to love and have someone like him as my good luck clover 🍀

i have nothing but endless love for hyunjin and my whole world feels complete ever since i found him. so happy birthday to the dearest of them all ❣️

[archiveofkloss]

vogue: “Karlie Kloss and Tabria Majors Discuss the Physical Toll (and Joy) of Motherhood” by Audrey Noble

“Are you by chance part of the mom tribe?” Karlie Kloss asks me over the phone. It’s a natural—even expected—start to our conversation about the model and entrepreneur’s latest campaign for diaper brand Coterie, which is all about celebrating the physical journey of motherhood.

Though I am very much in my single, child-free era, motherhood is something that I hope is in the cards for me. And it is Kloss’s and fellow model and Coterie campaign costar Tabria Majors’s palpable excitement on my respective phone calls with each where they gushed about their little ones that strengthened my resolve to have a family of my own one day. (So much so, that I may or may not have enlisted their help to manifest it for me). Simply put: They love beings moms.

“It’s the greatest experience in my life,” Kloss tells Vogue. “I mean, maybe it’s the hormones, but it just gives me the greatest joy every single day to wake up and have these two little delicious humans whom I just love so much.”

“It’s just crazy to see how much she’s changed and seeing her little personality developing,” Majors says of her six-month-old daughter. “Just seeing her laugh all the time, it just warms my heart.”

The campaign, which debuted in early February, features Kloss (who invested in the Coterie late last year); Majors; board-certified pediatrician Dr. Mona Amin, MD; celebrity nail artist Mei Kawajiri; and influencer Reese Blutstein, sharing their pregnancy stories in hopes of inspiring others who might be struggling with the changes to their bodies—which is a topic that isn’t often spoken about.

Studies show that the rib cage can expand two to three inches and ligaments can stretch between the second and third trimester. According to the Mayo Clinic, the heart pumps 50 percent more blood to nourish the baby, while the American Academy of Dermatology notes that hair loss is prevalent in new moms. When you pair systemic failures in proper reproductive education with societal expectations to look “perfect” 24/7, many might feel confused and discouraged when witnessing their bodies go through major changes.

“You kind of just have to trust the process. I have learned to love and respect my body through this process, and with that comes changes,” says Kloss. “Of course, I have all the things like stretch marks and all the fun post-baby body things that I’m not mad at. They make me who I am, and I’m so grateful for that.”

Pre- and post-pregnancy can be a lonely experience, even if you are lucky enough to have a full support system. Which is why Majors says sharing pregnancy stories is important to help people feel less alone. She tells me about the outpour of love and support from fans over her birthing story has been an emotional, yet beautiful experience. She even recalls one woman messaging her and saying that her story encouraged her to proceed with her own home birthing—something that Majors says she will never forget. “I just thought that was really powerful and inspiring for me,” she says. “That just makes me feel really good that my story could impact somebody in such a way.”

It would be remiss to not acknowledge that the launch of Coterie’s campaign coincidently coincides with news of the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) are considered people, putting the legality of the procedure into question and further harming reproductive health care. The fight to protect reproductive rights is at the forefront during what is shaping to be a contentious presidential election year. These issues are not lost on either Kloss or Majors, who both intentionally pick brand partnerships that not only align with their personal beliefs but can also help make a difference. Both credit Coterie for creating a safe space for women to advocate for themselves.

“[I] hate that our bodies are being policed; I don’t understand how that’s even a thing. It makes no sense,” says Majors. “I think that’s why it's important for these partnerships to happen. [But] even outside of partnerships, you don’t have to be paid to speak up. You should just want to speak up naturally because this affects everybody on such a macro level.”

“It’s an individual's choice if and when they’re ready to become a parent. This is such a profound life change in every way and I think it should be an individual’s choice if and when they’re ready for that,” adds Kloss. “It [has] only reconfirmed my passion and commitment to fighting for reproductive rights, certainly in every state in this country.”

I ask them what’s the best mom advice they’ve received, and both give two truths that could be applied to all facets of life: Trust the timing of the universe and trust yourself. “You just have to learn to roll with the punches,” says Kloss. “Motherhood is messy and amazing. I think [it has] actually been so important for me to be more comfortable with not being able to control everything because that’s just the way it goes.”

“Trust your gut, trust your instinct,” adds Majors. “Especially as a first-time parent, you think that you don’t know anything (and you don’t), but you figure it out as you go along. And even if you didn’t research yourself to death, which I know everybody does nowadays, you will know what to do. You will figure out what to do. Your instincts will kick in, and it’s just a crazy feeling.”

Noted for my future self.

[artzychic27]

Ooh, here's a fun request. Nath of Hearts inviting all his friends to witness hero and neutral kids fight to the death for their amusement and singing "Give the People What They Want".

The arena fell deathly silent, save for the occasional coughs and lingering cheers when the white rabbit came into view. He hopped onto the ledge of the marble balcony that overlooked the arena and hastily unfurled a scroll. Unbeknownst to him, Kim, sitting with his classmates in the row of seats adjacent from the balcony sneakily pulled out his crossbow. Alix promptly smacked it out his hand with her tail.

A bird native to the strange land with a megaphone-like beak perched itself on the ledge, just in front of the white rabbit. “Presenting, His Royal Highness!” The double doors just behind him opened at several card guards trotted through, all adorned with hearts. If the arena wasn’t silent before, it definitely was now. “His Eminence, his Majesty, The Mad King of Wonderland! Kind Nathaniel Wild-Card Hearts, and his esteemed boyfriend, the Fairest of All Lands, Poison King Marc Anciel!”

The Card Guards parted in perfect symmetry to reveal the villainous couple with their arms linked. No one, other than a few of the villains, dared to make a sound as Nathaniel strolled up to the ledge. Giving the Heroic and Neutral students a quick taunting look, he speaks through the megaphone-beaked bird. “You may clap.” The arena burst into cheers and applause as the redhead soaked up the praise. “Okay, that’s enough.” The cheering continued, and he began to get annoyed when no one listened to him. “Enough!” Everyone still cheered. “… CEASE THIS OR I WILL BEHEAD EVERYONE IN MY LINE OF SIGHT!”

That time, he didn’t need to use the bird as his voice naturally projected itself all throughout the arena. It was deathly silent once again.

“Much better,” he chirps before glancing down at the students. “Well, well, it’s true what they say. Heroes truly are idiots!” He and a few others cackle. “You morons should know better than to trust any drinks Alya and my dear bandersnatch serve to you. For all you know, that could have been poison. But! Lucky for you all, I’m a decapitation-type of guy.”

“You’re a demented creep!” Roared a student Jean knew all too well. The crab hybrid stroked the stone-carved hook in his claws and smirked, flaunting the slight chip in his tooth.

Nathaniel countered, “And you have fake tattoos.” He didn’t care to listen to them yell about how no tattoo artist would give a minor tattoos and continued, “Oh, you!” He points to a male student in casual attire with a slight ballet theme. “I almost forgot to even invite you. Who are you again?”

“Your worst nightmare!” He snarled.

The Mad King only laughed. “You’re not a porcupine disguised as a hedgehog!” That’s when his gaze zeroes in on Xavier, trying to go unnoticed along with Lila and Félix. “And, you. Mr. ‘Oh, I’m gonna paint some WHITE roses RED!’” With that, he slammed his fist against the ledge, making cracks form along the surface.

“Dearest, remember your blood pressure,” Marc reminded him as he began seething through his teeth.

He sucked in a breath and retained his regal composure once again.

“Let us go, now!” Louis snarled and bared his teeth. Though, due to him being a poodle hybrid, he didn’t look the least bit intimidating. “You bloody bastard tyrant!”

“You kiss your mother with that mouth?” Nathaniel rolled his eyes, his impatience showing.

“Why are you doing this?!” All eyes eerily zeroed in on Xavier. Everyone knew of his history with the Mad King, so it was strange to see him boldly speak out against him. Many expected the redhead to lash out and order for his beheading… But instead, he just smiled.

He smiled, and said, “Why, Xavier… I thought you’d never ask...”

You're probably wondering what you're doing here!

I bet you're dying to know!

Oops, bad choice of words!

Who's this stylish lad with the regal King gear?

Let me explain before the show, eyes on me!

I am ruler of these masses!

My dead mommy and my dear dead daddy were unfit- Rest their souls, NOT!

The card guards brought out framed portraits of the deceased King and Queen of Wonderland, Maison and Aya. Nathaniel gazed at them fondly for a moment before punching holes right through the canvases.

So, I’ve taken up the mantle!- Prepare to clap!

Invented a game, it keeps me sane!

And allows me to stay on top!

I give the people what they want!

And what they want's a little shocking!

The hero students had the faint suspicion he wasn’t talking about his subjects. Many of them looked like they didn’t even want to be here, no doubt they were forced to attend as react however the king pleased with the threat of decapitation.

The bigger the knife, brings light to their life!

And much to their delight!

I give the people what they want!

And what they want's a fight, HA!

The villains, meanwhile, watched in anticipation as the redhead taunted their schoolmates in a lavish and slightly demented musical number. Perfect for the Mad King of Wonderland. While Jean could appreciate such theatrics, he really wanted to watch his nemesis get what was coming to them.

Kim let out a long groan. “I wanted to see some action!”

“He really likes to hear himself sing,” Alix snarked and eyed the white rabbit with hunger in her eyes, making him scamper away.

Lacey quirked an eyebrow with a faint smile. “Yeah, but he has talent, I’ll give him that.”

“Voice of an angel with the heart of a devil,” Marc cooed.

You see the way the screaming hordes demand it?

This spectacle says, "Disobey me, or perish!"

As I recall, I caught one of you red-handed!

Doing something very bad

Xavier pales as the Mad King locks eyes with him. They were only children at the time, yet he still held that grudge. Suddenly, the audience comes to life once again as the iron gates leading into the arena begin to open. Emerging from the dark depths came a talon-like hand that swiped at the unsuspecting students.

It’s I who shelter them from evil!

Unlike my daddy and my daddy's daddy -it shows which King is best!

Nothing here is even illegal!

We’re entertained, no one complains!

If they want to keep their head!

The heroic students searched in all of their hidden pockets for their weapons, but it seems that the Mad King thought ahead. None of them found themselves prepared for the massive chimera-like monster and hurried to get the students without fighting experience to safety.

I give the people what they want!

And what they want is to feel safe here

The world is dull outside my walls, within is such bliss!

I give the people what they want!

And what they want is this!

I give the people what they want!

I give the people what they want

They obey my crown, my parents are proud, they worship, I provide

I give the people what they want

And they… want you… to DIE!

Buh-bye!

Without warning, the Jabberwock captured on of the students in its gaping maw. It took a moment for that to settle in before the students ran all around the arena, knowing it was fruitless as the Mad King had the whole thing rigged against them.

“Hey, what gives?” Alya asked with a slight pout. “I wanted to see the losers tear at each others throats!”

“Oh, just a little pre-show entertainment,” Nathaniel beamed as he sat at his throne. Marc leaned over from the one he had custom-made for him and kissed his cheek. “Besides, I haven’t fed that thing in weeks.” His lips curled into a smk with each scream of anguish.

@msweebyness @imsparky2002

[harukadrawsthings]

Did you hear about Ash leaving the Pokemon Anime? The new protagonists, Riko and Roy have been revealed.

There's a theory going on about Riko being Ash's daughter, sharing a hair pin and also from Kanto. What are your thoughts on Ash leaving and the theory?

I don’t even know where to start. I’ve cried as I was watching the last episode of the arc and cried again minutes ago. Your ask actually got me spoiled in the middle of the afternoon. At first I was in denial but some seconds later I felt that someone just gave a hard punch to my stomach. I got disoriented for hours because of the unexpected news but I had to watch first the last JN episode AND the announcement right after to really process what you were telling me. I was drawing a sketch because of an illustration that I’m preparing to offer for Christmas to some kids of the neighbourhood, but I had to stop because I was not in mental conditions to continue, without any exaggeration. And thus everything got confirmed. As much trivial it can be such a negative reaction towards a fictional show/character’s disclosure, what’s not trivial is how much of an impact it was to witness the beginning of a journey that would last a quarter of century.

The Pokémon animé appeared in my country in October of 1999 and I was a child in primary school when the first episode has aired on TV. It was how I was first introduced to one of the most influent franchises ever in the videogame and animé-culture world and I was one of those lucky people that could witness in first hand the social impact that it spread to every child of my generation and even early teenagers. I vividly remember the moment of watching in a bulky CRT-style television running late to Professor Oak’s laboratory and choosing Pikachu as his partner. How their relationship started rough, how they ran away from an angry Spearow flock, Ash staring to that mysterious high relief with the three mythological birds and an Arcanine, Team Rocket’s first motto at the Pokémon Center, crossing Viridian Forest and hiding from a Beedrill swarm and having a freshly evolved Butterfree save everyone, how Pikachu learnt to use the Thunderbolt move for the first time, and so on. Everyone at recess was so obsessed about this new show, I remember to circle two school students with Game Boy Color systems connected with a Game Link cable because they were having a Pokémon battle. While it happened in 8-bits we could picture the battle like if it was a TV show episode. Unfortunately, I could only buy my first Pokémon game six years later but in that time gap I collected Pokémon cards, stickers and Tazos (super popular collectibles in the Iberian Peninsula back then and the first years of the new millennium) and these were my first Pokédex; this is how I originally learnt all the names and types of the 150 Pokémon. Closer to the time I could buy my first game, I could experience Pokémon Blue and I remember being obsessed in trying to locate Mew in the game, believing there was a hidden item somewhere in Kanto that could access it.

Ash is directly responsible for my first exposure to a world that would change me forever and contribute to shape me up to the person I am today. He gave me extra motivation to follow an artistic field, contributed to expand my love for videogames, he increased my interest towards Japanese culture, animation, and mangá, he helped me to grow sensibility towards wildlife and nature, he helped me to meet new friends, and he provided me fun and positive memories in these 23 years every time I could catch episodes or movies on TV. He was there at the end of my childhood, he was there my whole teenagerhood, he was there in the start of my adulthood in my train trips to faculty and I could begin watching the series in depth (because I couldn’t have the VHS like other kids and the channel schedule was quite cruel as well so there were a lot of episodes I missed). However, every time I was lucky to turn on the television and see that Pokémon was passing, I knew my morning breakfast was instantly going to taste better watching Ash’s adventures and seeing new Pokémon!

At first, I was very critical about the character. I didn’t like his arrogance and I was finding questionable how much merit did he have to get most of the Kanto badges because he lacked a lot of technical knowledge. Despite of this I admired his bravery, love for every living thing and determination to chase his dreams. Following up over two decades of animated content it’s incredible how much Ash has grown as a Pokémon Trainer and a human being. This fills me with lots of pride and joy and I can only congratulate Ash for all his achievements. I learnt to love Ash and nowadays I’m one of the first people to defend because I equally learnt how misunderstood he also was.

In these latest five years in particular, this boy of Pallet Town has been a vital piece in my life to counter the negative effects of a depression I’ve been going through for a longer period. Today is with great sadness that I learn he’s preparing to follow his lifepath out of our eyes and the TV screen. The most important message he has given me since a child that had freshly learnt how to read is that no matter how many obstacles there are ahead of you, to never give up chasing a dream. This is something I’ll continue to carry on ever after Ash leaves the screens.

I’m still in shock because although I knew this day would eventually happen, I didn’t think it would be now in early 2023. I’ll need some time to digest all these overwhelming news (piled up with Ash and Goh going separate paths*, I still think they could have travelled together). Ash’s departure feels like part of my childhood being taken away or leaving as well and it’s a very stinging feeling. I had hopes for the writing team to explore Ash’s life post-WCS alongside with Goh as they would explore Paldea region but I believe this was already too much for the team to work with. I can’t hide my disappointment for the disclosure that it was decided in the end but there’s nothing it can be done now. I hoped to see more of Ash, Goh, Chloe (I’m very happy she’s now a Research Fellow in the laboratory!**) and even the Cerise Staff or Team Rocket after this, but I believe this is now part of the imaginary of the fans through fanfiction and comic strips from now on. Although Pokémon Journeys is far from being a perfect arc, it’s by far my top favourite ever of the show, introducing us a formula that in my opinion was being so needed since 2006 with the arc happening in Sinnoh region. A world-travelling formula that was giving much more creative freedom to the writers, opening many possibilities with the massive material that exists today in now nine generations of Pokémon games. One of the biggest highlights for me was the creation of Goh as a co-protagonist who I’ll be forever thankful that he was brought to the screens and for also being such an important part to my life in these latest 3 years. He’s sharing a special corner in my heart next to Ash and I’m determined to cosplay as Goh in an event happening in a few months (I’m just waiting for the commissioned wardrobe to arrive). I want to homage one of the best human characters ever written for the show! The Japanese arc might have ended but I’ll still have the Portuguese dub to watch in the incoming months. I can still enjoy Ultimate Journeys for some extra time.

As for the future animé coming once the mini-series end (in March 2023 perhaps?). I wonder if the JN formula is the way they’ll go on this incoming new generation of protagonists and animated stories, I have plenty of questions going in my head, but I’ll leave them for later. Only time will answer them, and I’ll be around to follow what they’ve prepared for us, but I must applaud the studio’s courage to take such a bold decision to change one of the most recognisable protagonists in the history of animated fiction. I think it's quite a stretch to go now on board for that theory when it's not even confirmed if the timeline and the universe is the same as Ash's.

Ash Ketchum will be forever in my heart as a dear childhood fictional character that has given me so many years of joy and it was such a pleasure to walk this path along with him. I’ll miss him very much. I’ll certainly talk about him to younger generations to come. Thank you so much for all the memories and for being a great inspiration to me and millions of people in the world. You’ll be forever a legend and a Pokémon Master Trainer!

I take the chance to inform to all my followers of my Satogou AU that I intend to continue to bring content despite of this unexpected bomb released by Anipoke. As far I still have ideas, inspiration, time and public actively interested to read more stories and interact with them/me, I’ll continue to draw. Right now I feel that I need a good night of sleep because I feel that I was hit by a truck. My spirit needs a long healing as I feel a void inside me like I never had before because of fictional world. Nobody saw this coming and it's definitely not the Christmas season I envisioned. I'm in a genuine state of shock, what a Friday!

(*) - Ash and Goh meeting themselves again in future is something that will happen and no one cannot convince me otherwise.

(**)- It's finally safe to use the headcanon I was pondering to move forward for a long time which is to make Chloe become a Pokémon Palaeontologist!

[gunsatthaphan]

This is a FirstKhao appreciation ask!

cuz they are my beloved I adore them as I never did with anybody else and probably no actors or actresses will ever top them in my mind!

So I just wanted to thank Aof to decide to cast them as AkkAyan cuz no other actors would have be able to be them

And thenk the audience that loved the show so much that they made them an official couple

AndnI just wanna conclude with the fact that they paired up 2 of the most talented actors of GMMTV! how lucky could we be? like objectivly First and Khaotung are 2 of the best the company has, like not to take away to others but they are kinda op together!

they have a talent that is just gonna grow and I cannot wait to see them develop both together but also as individual but I cannot deny that the 2 together are incredible!

that's it thank you for listening to my Ted Talk kiss kiss/jub jub😘

aww this made me smile so much 🥺 thank you for this anon!!!

and obviously I couldn't agree more. they're peaking right now and as a fan, so am I lmao. they deserve it all so much.

I'm so glad they decided to fix them which I think no one was really expecting but yeah. they saw their potential and the fans' overwhelming reactions and said now or never and I appreciate that lmao. they're definitely both in the top-tier category of gmm so to pair them was the power move of the century and whoever was in charge, may you have a long and healthy life dfjkghfl. they've always been amazing individually and in their respective shows but to see them evolve even further as a pair after getting so much recognition has been incredible to witness. they work so well together and even though they're coupled up, it's still amazing to see them shine individually like in MLC which still has me shook to the core because their performance in this show solidifies what truly incredible artists they really are.

and aside from the acting I mean,,,, I don't wanna make this too cheesy lmao but yeah they're just adorable humans and good souls through and through and they're just the type of people I adore and look up to honestly. they're kind hearted and genuine in everything they do and it warms my heart to see that they're getting so much love from all sides because after being in this company for so long, this is finally their time to shine and they couldn't be more deserving 🥺

xxx

[chess-writes]

Break Time

RinneShu

💜 Warnings: nothing severe. Shu is called princess as a joke once or twice, Rinne is a disaster, slight mention of skipping meals. probably ooc

💜 Note: RinneShu has upsettingly small amounts of content. they're so silly. i hate this fic ngl but i love RinneShu.. i'll probably rewrite it or write a new one later

💜 Summary: Rinne makes sure Shu takes a break from his sewing

Shu was quiet, peaceful. He was sewing small beads and embroidery onto Mademoiselle's newest dress. It matched his and Mika's outfits they wore for their song Acanthe. Graceful, elegant, and artistic.

He had been working for hours, losing track of time. He didn't have anything planned that day, and he hadn't skipped a meal, so he saw nothing wrong with working for four hours straight.

He was in the zone, and he refused to let anything he gave to Mademoiselle be anything less than perfect.

He had classical music he had heard in France playing softly, and the room was quiet other than that. Mika was off at a Pretty 5 meeting, and Kuro was with the karate club, so it was just him in the arts and crafts room.

Shu was too in the zone to notice the door opening, and was only pulled out of his thoughts when a loud voice rang through the room, approaching him.

"Kyahahaha!~ Shu-kun! I've been looking for you!" Rinne grinned, coming over and resting his elbow on Shu's head, much to his disdain.

Shu set the needle and dress down, and pushed Rinne's arm off his head. "Amagi, must you be so loud?"

Rinne put his hands on his hips, grinning. "Why so mean, princess? I thought you would be glad to see me!"

Shu stood up and brushed off his clothes before looking at Rinne. "Don't call me that. Why are you here? Aren't you usually gambling at this time?"

Rinne smiled wide and leaned forward to peck Shu's lips. He made a loud and obnoxious "mwah!" sound as he did, and Shu flicked him. "I decided to spend time with you instead!"

"How lucky I am." Shu sounded sarcastic, but he's happy to spend time with Rinne, even if he wont admit it.

"Yep! You're the luckiest man in the world! Now, i'm sure Mademoiselle wont mind waiting a bit longer for her dress!" Rinne laughed again.

Shu wasn't able to reply, as Rinne scooped him up princess style and ran out of the room.

"Amagi!?" Shu cried out as he held onto Rinne so he didn't get dropped. Despite the two being similar sizes, Rinne carried Shu as if he didn't weigh a thing.

"Don't worry, Shu-kun! I wont drop you!" he said as he carried him back to their dorms.

Rinne kicked open his own door, and Shu was glad that Kanata and Hiyori weren't there to witness him being carried like a stuffed animal.

"Amagi, you're a fiend." Shu said as Rinne set him on his bed and sat next to him.

"You love it, kyahahaha!~" he pulled Shu so they were hip to hip and hugged him, glad that Shu was taking a break.

Shu was glad to spend time resting like this. Even if he was rude to his disaster of a boyfriend, he cared for him a lot.

___________

Hiyori and Kanata returned to see Rinne quietly petting Shu's hair as the artist slept.

Shu was unhappy to see the picture Kanata took the next day.

[darks-lair]

Hello. It's (almost) the end of the year, and, like many people, I would like to make a recap of things that happened.

This year... wasn't great. One of the worst years of my life so far. I had to seek refuge from war because some crazy land neighbours decided that instead of developing their own culture, it's better to commit genocide of another culture... for the billionth time.

It's not easy falling asleep, knowing that roughly 140 million people wish me dead based only on my nationality. But even more uneasy falling asleep, knowing all the horrors happening in occupied areas. Knowing, that russians have no valuable goal, coming here to steal washing machines, microwaves, other tech, and to rape women and children.

It sickens me to the bone, seeing how, knowing all of this, some people still see Ukrainians and Russians as "brothers that quarrel all the time", while russians always tried to destroy our culture and language, and do it again now. (Take Executed Renaissance, one of the brightest examples of that– https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executed_Renaissance (page in English); https://uk.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A0%D0%BE%D0%B7%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D1%96%D0%BB%D1%8F%D0%BD%D0%B5_%D0%B2%D1%96%D0%B4%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8F (page in Ukrainian in case you're feeling like Google translating it, because there is SO much more information))

My grandma was a victim of one of many holodomors (голод+мор from Ukrainian hunger+death, death by hunger).

Things they did were horrifying.

It angers me incredibly, seeing how some artists still think it's perfectly fine, adding russian language/translation/characters to their content. I just want to ask "who are you making this for and why? Do you know what most of russians do now?"

Just so we're clear, I give everyone I see a chance. I've seen russians that were absolutely horrified and strongly disagree with what their government does: a russian helped us here with giving some stuff for my younger sister, which I am very grateful for. I've seen russians who learn Ukrainian to watch content that is made in Ukrainian. I've seen russians who strike and destroy valuable offices. People who really wish for a change and do something to make it happen. Because just wishing for a change and doing nothing is supporting the horrible actions. I don't earn much money, but when i do, i donate half of it to the Ukrainian army. I wish for a change, and I do something to make it happen.

If you want to help, I personally donate here=> https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate-en/#donate-army-card-monthly

If you don't have the ability to help monetarily, then simply spreading the word is also great help. Even if you don't have a ton of followers, a share pushes posts with valuable info up in the algorithm.

If you have a question "you already told us about this, why don't you shut up already!?"

I will not shut up until the war stops.

It chased me out of my home, into the environment where people think it's fun to mock someone who just lost almost everything they ever had (globally speaking, in my town's schools Ukrainian children are being mocked on the daily, and that's only the info i got in my town, i have no idea what's happening in other towns and lands). And we're the ones who are having it easy. We kept our limbs and lives. Many people, many children, were not that lucky.

And it is the most horrifying thing i have ever witnessed, and will witness in my life.

I really hope your year was much better that mine.

Stay safe

[fruitlilliie]

bewitched listening party (i<3laufey)

I found Laufey while on tiktok a long time ago before she released music, I knew her because she was a singer/cellist and so was I so I ate up her content. She now has literally the most incredible discography of any newer artist, she has such a unique and beautiful sound like the jazz and orchestral sounds she uses tickles my brain and feeds the part of me that has always loved all jazz/orchestral/choral pieces and performances. As I'm writing this little blurb I'm listening to her new album "Bewitched" and holy shit like seriously I feel like I am ascending while listening to this. I just finished with "While you were sleeping" and it's just indescribable how angelic it sounds. The opening song "Dreamer" started and I just fell over. I was sitting on my floor so it was totally fine but just don't have any perception of what the song will be and then prepare to listen to the entire album (approx. 49 minutes) and you're just going to transform. If you don't like jazz or more classical style singing then gtfo but also come back because Laufey is so amazing that she'll change your opinion. She's always mentioning sunset and that kills me. Love some California representation though but the song "California and Me" just came on and its time for my heart to just fall out of my chest I guess. I know this song very well already as it was released in an EP before the album release. Maybe I am overly emotional about this song because my ex posted it after I talked about how much I love Laufey... but I digress, this song is absolutely stunning. If you have ever felt immense heartbreak hold onto that feeling. If you have ever been on the ride "Soarin" at Disneyworld, imagine the feeling of being on that ride but its like your life X California and Me playing in the background. Now bring back that heartbreak feeling and add it into the mix and that's just like how this song makes me feel just sitting in bed. So I am halfway through the album and I think the most heartbreaking thing she could have possibly done is put the Nocturne (Interlude) right in between "California and Me" and "Promise" (Promise absolutely wrecks me and makes me cry every time its longing for someone you can't have anymore and knowing you shouldn't reach out, you promised, but time moves so much slower without them. How can you distance yourself from someone you love so much, someone you want to spend your life with. "how we didn't say goodbye, just see you very soon" "it hurts to be something its worse to be nothing with you". Like please. Give me a chance to breathe before giving me another gut-wrenching line. She says she'll always lose the temptation of you. "Well never last". She's done the math. WHO HURT HER. Like hello relatable but LORDY. Then we go light bossa nova careless fun song like the variation and just damn TALENT from this girl is insane. Laufey stan for life when can I see her in concert I am itching for a wintertime concert from her. Until then, I'll be daydreaming to her music and living in my delulu world or crying my broken heart out to her sadder songs. Either way, this album is a really beautiful piece of art to the world. Like we are all so lucky to be alive at the same time as music like this (currently listening to serendipity) is being created. "Letter to my 13 year self" is the trifecta perfect addition to this years aim at healing and understanding self and girlhood and life like this song X Barbie X Eras Tour really has made me feel like a human being again. This song would absolutely kill me if I were listening at 13, that age is so horrible and vulnerable and formative like this song would have been such a comfort knowing that it's all going to be ok and not even knowing what "it" is. There so much to learn and to lose and at 13 there's no way to even fathom what on earth will change . Ending this album with Bewitched is beautiful and sick and twisted. Such a heartbreaking album and ending it with a love song pains me but being the title track, shows there's always love at the end.

[another-bts-blog]

Agust D - Day 1 - Chicago - 5/3

Okay okay okay, so it’s been 4 days since I saw Yoongi live in Chicago and I’m finally ready to begin processing the experience. No one asked for this or probably even cares, but I needed to divulge all my thoughts. 

I’ve been going to concerts since I was 13; that’s 17 years of concerts. I’ve seen more bands than I can remember, between the random Friday night club shows and the music festivals and the arenas. I have never, in my entire life, been to a concert like this. I don’t think I will ever experience something like it again, even if I’m lucky enough to see BTS in their entirety in 2025. It won’t be like this. This was so wildly intimate, in not just the scale (Okay, an arena isn’t “intimate” but compared to the stadiums they usually play, I felt lucky to see Yoongi so close), but also the content. 

Where to begin? I’m bursting with pride and love for this man. Chances are you already know his story, so I won’t dwell on that, but I can’t imagine how it must feel for him to stand on that stage and hear thousands of people screaming his name back to him. The smile he had on his face as he held his hands in the air and basked in our shouts of “A to the G to the U to the STD,” felt so triumphant, so pure, so honest. I’ve never seen him look more confident than he did on that stage. Every time he pointed to us and we sang the words back to him, I felt like I too was filled with power, with confidence. Usually, when I go to a show I am in a crowd of strangers who all like the same music, but that night I felt like I was part of a family. I felt like we were all one, one being all there to support and praise Yoongi and to heal from all the things that burdened us. 

I think above all else, that was what this concert was - healing. Not just for us, but I’d like to think for Yoongi as well. I keep describing the way he performs as, as if he were pulling every single syllable out from the core of his being and reliving all those memories, all those moments, that he poured into these songs, and laying it bare on the stage in its raw form for us to see. He raps and sings and moves like he is feeling it all over again, like he has no control, like he’s got this fire inside and if he doesn’t let it out then it’s going to burn him alive. I don’t know how to describe it. Sometimes you see a performer, an artist, a musician, an athlete, and when you watch them partake in their passion it feels like watching someone be consumed by it. They embody it. They were born for this. I like to think with each time he sings Amgydala he is also building new memories, happy, joyful memories of hearing us sing his words back to him, overshadowing the trauma. The way he looked at the crowd as he sang...I can’t explain it. I felt like he was proud of us too. I am proud of us. I am honored for having been able to be part of something that put a smile on his face. Every time he laughed or was shocked or impressed by our cheers, every time he looked around the stadium and let us sing in his place and just watched us, he seemed so happy. 

I’m sure you’ve heard about how the stage is lifted away, how by the end he’s on the ground floor, surrounded by ARMY on the same level as him, or looking down on him from above. How all the close up angles and video effects are no longer, replaced with every single angle presented as raw, unedited footage. I’m sure you’ve heard about how the lights turn on, the music cuts off, and he walks off stage without a single word or look behind him. Honestly, I heard all these things too, even before I got to witness them. But witnessing it was different. The way we all watched him walk away and cheered as long as it took him to leave the stage, so there was not a second where he did not feel our amazement, our happiness, our pride, our gratitude. The way you go on this journey, from the energetic, powerful songs like Ddaeng and UGH and Daechwita and Cypher, to the soft sways of Life Goes On (I cried, you cried, we all cried), to the joys and playful nature of SDL (a song that I wake up playing in my head every day now, thinking about Yoongi smiling and pointing at all of us), to the soulful rendition of Snooze, to the heartbreak of Amygdala...watching him get carried off stage. Coming back out with D-Day, with fire of every color, with passion and power in his eyes, like he’d just conquered everything the world had to offer. To Intro: Never Mind, which I’ll never be able to get over being privileged enough to hear live. To The Last...

It’s one thing to say he strips away Suga and Agust D and is left pure and honest and unapologetically himself, nothing but Min Yoongi stood in the center of this arena under all those spotlights, singing into the mic with his eyes closed like we aren’t even there. It’s another thing to watch it. Usually I leave a concert filled with excitement and an adrenaline high. I feel giddy and jumpy and like I’m about to burst at the seams. For Yoongi, I left feeling thankful. I left feeling privileged. I’ve never been to a concert so honest and beautiful, that made me want to go home and sit down and write 100 books, that made my job feel meaningless because it’s not my passion, it’ wasn’t my dream, that made me want to fight the world and heal it at the same time. This is inspiration. Motivation. I keep describing D-Day, the album, as feeling like this...I don’t know...message? Not just to Yoongi, but to us, to other creators, to the younger generation, to everyone out there who has ever felt the things he’s felt or has this same burning flame that’s threatening to consume them. It’s just, “Look, I did it, I survived, you will too.”

It’s not so scary on the other side. 

[infisonicosm-moved]

I know this is kinda depressing but I get so envious of the boys. They had such a encouraged upbringing, with parents who embraced what made them them even if it wasn’t their niche or interest. They had encouragement at such a pivotal point that they were able to flourish and grow as artists to gain the skills to get where they have today.

I’m not trying to complain or say “woe is me” but I just had a vastly different life and I didn’t have the same opportunities they did in my adolescence. I dreamt of playing guitar but by the time I was allowed to, I was suffering from untreated mental illness and external environmental issues that led to me giving up early on. I decided at the worst time (pandemic 2020) to form a creative project with a friend. When I was attempting to work on this my family was less than supportive. I experienced a lot of things that have affected me long term and don’t have the familial support behind me like the boys did and still do. Now I am still trying to figure my life out on a basic level and have had to again abandon my musical aspirations and projects. I know it probably wasn’t easy for them at all but I just get so envious because I wish I could have had the support they did and the freedom to create and express themselves through their art. I feel like now that I’ve just kept hitting walls and experiencing failures everywhere that it must be a sign to just throw in the towel. I’m sorry to dump on you, I guess it just gets hard. Some days I feel like I can’t even watch videos of the band onstage or listen to certain songs because I wish I could be in their place and it’s just a stupid pipe dream. I don’t know. Please don’t feel obligated to answer this, hope you’re well ♥️

Oh babes I wish I could give you a hug! I've had this same conversation with my friends. Trust me you aren't the only one feeling melancholy about it. I grew up very similarly to you. I wanted to play softball so bad but my Mom wouldn't let me because I had braces, I was bullied relentlessly and didn't have any support from my family till my Mom witnessed me getting harassed one night on the phone.

I hope the boys know how lucky they are. Karen, Kelly, Lori, and Dan raised some amazing kids. I dream of marrying into a family like that and I think that's one of the reasons I feel so drawn to them. They embraced the mistakes their kids made and encouraged them to do their best. I remember watching a video interview with Karen and Melissa and they talked about how Karen forced Jake and Josh to get jobs and they would tell people "Yeah, I'm only here cause my Mom made me.", so while she believed in their dreams, she did want them to have a back up which is a good mama in my eyes.

It's totally fine to be envious of that in my opinion. You're not wrong for wanting support and validation from those who's approval you desire the most. Also, no matter what age you are, you can still achieve your dreams. Don't give up on them! It will happen for you when the timing is perfect!!!!

[bichatonne]

This made me so emotional I don't even know why. Everything in GO is so special. Everybody involved is greatly invested in their art, work and it's so very moving to me. To actors being excited about their character, to author being so open to share with us, to every crew members researching and crafting meticulousely.

To me, this absolute attention to detail is a pure declaration of Love. It must be so much fun and rewarding to see people notice these subtle but so important items or understand those references. Everytime I read something like that, my inside world just expand like a web of new possible interests.

Sometimes I think of the past. Legendary artists that existed before I was born and I ask myself if, for example, people in the crowd of the Queen Live Aid show realized how utterly extraordinary it was. Did people just stop for a moment and tell themselves " I am living History right now " ? Are we really aware of good times before they only becomes good old times ? I really think that this fandom makes its best to be aware. How lucky are we to be able to witness this moment in time where people join their best efforts to create such amazing art ? I'm sure they do that for themselves and the love of a work well done, but they do that for us too ! I do hope they know that we see them and how much we appreciate worship their work.

I truly believe that in 30years Good Omens will still be a example of a high quality TV series that brought people together as a community, that sparked so much inspiration in other artists minds and simply put delicious spice into our daily lives. I cannot wait to read the book and watch the show with my niece, when she's old enough to learn english though.

SFX Magazine Issue 372 - Designing Good Omens ❤ 😊

PRODUCTION DESIGNER MICHAEL RALPH REVEALS HOW THE SHOW’S CENTREPIECE SET, WHICKBER STREET, WAS GIVEN A DEVILISHLY CLEVER UPGRADE FOR THE SECOND SEASON

WORDS: DAVE GOLDER

Invisible Columns And Thin Walls “The new studio is Pyramid Studios in Bathgate – it used to be a furniture warehouse. And unfortunately – or fortunately, because I accept these things as not challenges but gifts – right down the middle of that studio are a series of upright columns. But you’ll never spot them on screen. I had to build them in and integrate them into the walls and still get the streets between them. And it worked.

“There’s all sorts of cheeky design values to those sets. Normally a set like this is double-skin. In other words, you do an interior wall and an exterior wall, with an airspace in between. But really, the only time a viewer notices that there’s that width is at the doors and the windows. So I cheated all that. I ended up with single walls everywhere. So the exterior wall is the interior wall, just painted. All I did was make the sash windows and entrances wider to give it some depth as you walked in.”

GOOD OMENS HAD A CHANGE of location for its second season, but hopefully you didn’t notice. Because Whickber Street in Soho upped sticks from an airfield in Hertfordshire to a furniture warehouse in Bathgate, Edinburgh. It’s the kind of nonsensical geographical shenanigans that could only make sense in the crazy world of film and TV, and production designer Michael Ralph was the man in charge of rebuilding and expanding the show’s vast central set. “I wish we could have built more in season one than we did,” says Ralph, whose previous work has included Primeval and Dickensian. “We built the ground floor of everything and the facades of all the shops. But we didn’t build anything higher than that, because we were out on an airfield in a very, very difficult terrain and weather conditions, so we really couldn’t go much higher. Visual effects created the upper levels.”

But with season two the set has gone to a whole other level… literally. “What happened was that the rest of the street became integrated into the series’s storyline,” explains Ralph. “So we needed a record shop, we needed a coffee shop that actually had an inside, we needed a magic shop, we needed the pub. To introduce those meant we had to change the street with a layout that works from a storylines point of view. In other words, things like someone standing at the counter in the record shop had to be able to eyeball somebody standing at the counter in the coffee shop. They had to be able to eyeball Aziraphale sitting in his office in the window of the bookshop. But the rest of it was a pleasure to do inside, because we could expand it and I could go up two storeys.”

For most of the set, which is around 80 metres long and 60 metres wide, the two storeys only applied to the shop frontages, but in the case of Aziraphale’s bookshop, it allowed Ralph to build the mezzanine level for real this time. According to Ralph it became one of the cast and crews’ favourite places to hang out during down time.

But while AZ Fell & Co has grown in height, it actually has a slightly smaller footprint because of the logistics of adapting it to the new studio.

“Everybody swore to me that no one would notice,” says Ralph wryly. “I walked onto it and instinctively knew there was a difference immediately, and they hated me for that. I have this innate sense about spatial awareness and an eye like a spirit level.

“It’s not a lot, though – I think we’ve lost maybe two and a half feet on the front wall internally. I think that there’s a couple of other smaller areas, but only I’d notice. So I can be really annoying to my guys, but only on those levels. Not on any other. They actually quite like me…”

Populating The Bookshop “The props in the new bookshop set were a flawless reproduction from the set decorator Bronwyn Franklin [who is also Ralph’s wife]. It was really the worst-case scenario after season one. She works off the concept art that I produce, but what she does is she adds so much more to the character of the set. She doesn’t buy anything she doesn’t love, or doesn’t fit the character.

“But the things she put a lot of work into finding for season one, they were pretty much one-offs. When we burnt the set down in the sixth episode, we lost a lot of props, many of which had been spotted and appreciated by the fans. So Bronwyn had to discover a new set decorating technique: forensic buying.

“She found it all – duplicates and replicas. It took ages. In that respect, the Covid delay was very helpful for Bron. There’s 7,000 books in there and there’s not one fake book. That’s mainly because… it’s a weird thing to say, but we wanted it to smell and feel like a bookshop to everybody that was in it, all the time.

“It affects everybody subliminally; it affects everybody’s performance – actors and crew – it raises the bar 15 to 20%. And the detail, you know… We love a lot of detail.”

(look at the description under this, they called him 'Azi' hehehehe :D <3)

Aziraphale’s Inspirational Correspondence “There’s not one single scrap of paper on Aziraphale’s desk that isn’t written specifically for Aziraphale. Every single piece is not just fodder that’s been shoved there, it has a purpose; it’s a letter of thanks, or an enquiry about a book or something.

“Michael Sheen is so submerged in his character he would get lost sitting at his own desk, reading his own correspondence between takes. I believe wholeheartedly that if you put that much care into every single piece of detail, on that desk and in that room, that everybody feels it, including the crew, and then they give that set the same respect it deserves.

“They also lift their game because they believe that they’re doing something of so much care and value. Really, it’s a domino effect of passion and care for what you’re producing.”

Alternative Music “My daughter Mickey is lead graphic designer [two of Ralph’s sons worked on the series too, one as a concept artist, the other in props]. They’re the ones that produced all of that handwritten work on the desk. She’s the one that took on the record shop and made up 80 band names so that we didn’t have to get copyright clearance from real bands. Then she produced records and sleeves that spanned 50, 60 years of their recordings, and all of the graphics on the walls.

“I remember Michael and Neil [Gaiman] getting lost following one band’s history on the wall, looking at their posters and albums desperately trying to find out whether they survived that emo period.”

It’s A Kind Of Magic One of the new shops in Whickber Street for season two was Will Goldstone’s Magic Shop, which is full of as many Easter eggs as off-the-shelf conjuring tricks, including a Matt Smith Doctor Who-style fez and a toy orang-utan that’s a nod to Discworld’s The Librarian. Ralph says that while the series is full of references to Gaiman, Pratchett and Doctor Who, Michael Sheen never complained about a lack of Masters Of Sex in-jokes. “He’d be the last person to make that sort of comment!”

Ralph also reveals that the magic shop counter was another one of his wife’s purchases, bought at a Glasgow reclamation yard.

The Anansi Boys Connection Ralph reveals that Good Omens season two used the state-of-the-art special effects tech Volume (famous for its use in The Mandalorian to create virtual backdrops) for just one sequence, but he will be using it extensively elsewhere on another Gaiman TV series being made for Prime Video.

“We used Volume on the opening sequence to create the creation of the universe. I was designing Anansi Boys in duality with this project, which seems an outrageously suicidal thing to do. But it was fantastic and Anansi Boys was all on Volume. So I designed for Volume on one show and not Volume on the other. The complexities and the psychology of both is different.”