#listening as a polish person is so fun cause i can understand bits and pieces of the russian dialogue

[not-equippedforthis]

media that changes its theme tune style according to the episode my beloved

[charmed-asylum]

RUMOR HAS IT

DARK STEVE ROGERS X OC MINI FIC

Reqested by  @sage1998c request: Hi I was wondering if you would please consider doing a dark Steve high school au story starting Kat Graham as the main oc/face claim. I would really appreciate it if you would think about it.  

WARNING: ALOT OF CRAZY SHIT!!! I never did a dark fic I am going to miss a few but let start with the basics NO ONE UNDER AGE OF 18 SHOULD READ THIS. BLACK MAIL/ SEX/ YANDRE/ RECORDING OF SEX WITHOUT SHARE AGRREEMENT/ ETC ETC

 SUMMERY: Life was perfect for American boy, aka Steve Rogers. Great friends, hot cheerleader girlfriend, love and adore by everyone. Everything was perfect till senior year when Angelina came around and an anonymous gossip column, Rumor Has It, threatening to expose everyone's dirty laundry. 

~ MASTERLIST~ 

SNEAK PEEK // Angelina OC 

TAGGED: @geralt-jaskier20 @hypersonicxd-blog @muralskins @readermia @muralskins@david-winters-93@alagalaska @SAGE1998C

Thick FOG COVERED Rear WINDOWS of his navy blue 1967 Chevy Camaro. A deep moan came from his mouth as he digs deeper into her wet centerfold. His colossal hand holds tighter to her tiny neck, trying to take all his thoughts else were. “OHHHH FU FUCK. HARDER,” Jane shout from behind his thick fingers. His eyes squeeze tighter; he was close still but so far. Think think think of something Peggy beast No. Jane wet means you sure hit new heights with her. She is enjoying it. He opens his ocean blue eyes and gazed back at Jane; her back was arched, moving closer to his cock. Trying to get more. Greedy bitch. 

He couldn’t wait until he was destroying her. By the end of her fifth orgasm (pushing her fourth ), she would know to never mess with him again. She ends this fuckin blog once together. Finally, end his bad luck streak. All this was messing with him mentally and psychically. Maybe after this, he can finally get in with Angelina. Fuck now; she was a piece of art. Body carve from god himself. He thought Peggy was an angel, his perfect dame, but then Angelina came back into his life. Right when he needed her. It’s been forever since he saw her. Just then, Jane let at whining cries for him. That and imagining it Angelina and her virgin pussy finally help him release. God, that’s it, he thought to himself. It has been happening a lot. Lately, he felt he was in love. He knows it even though he is young. No matter what it is, he was thinking about her. He can’t sleep, eat, think.

Whenever he had a chance to stop thinking of her, it’s about this FUCKING BLOG. RUMORS HAS IT. STUPID SHIT! It already got a few of his friends, and even though he is unstoppable invisible. His fears he was going to be next. That’s why Jane has to be the person behind it. No one else knows Thor secret besides him, Thor and his family, her, and that child’s family. So stupid. So Thor was involved in an accident and drunk and got a child in a fucking coma. With one peek at the camera, he stares back at the feedback, good he is still out of frame. 

Jane utters another whimper. Almost there, he thought to himself. Jane’s sparkling baby pink cat claw nails scratch deep into his pecks and across his ample shoulders. The sight of her nail polish reminds him of a dress Angelina once wear. The last time he saw her, matter of fact, was 12 years ago. She was only three years younger than her. He can taste the chunky chocolate chips that melted into the cookies. He can hear the playful voice she uses when she would pretend to play house. He was daddy, and she was mommy. No matter what he did, she always looked up at him like he was god-like. He was the only one who could ever make her feel safe. Even as a weak, pathetic boy like him. Maybe she was that high he felt once and had been trying to get ever since. He can remember like it was yesterday when they share their 1st kiss. She wanted it; she kisses him sweet dreams of a cloud 9 type of kiss. He would have relished that kiss if he had any common sense instead of screaming around like an idiot. He accidentally pushed her away and made her hurt herself. Even though he was the cause of that pain, it was him she looks at to save her. Make her feel better. Fuck, where did that pretty brown eye with pink tails in tutu little girl go? 

She turns into a fuckin unstoppable beast, a storm of everything that drove him crazy. Everything he saw was wrong with the world. Still, he wanted more. Man, he had to get Jane to understand she was messing up his chance to be with his little angel. God’s gift to him for what he has done what he has accomplished. 

“OH STEVEEEEEE” Jane shouted, her legs clenching tight around Steve waisted her mouth in the notch of her neck. Five 

“I told you I could make you come at least five times. Having the best sex you ever got, huh. Tell me I’m better no one can ever fuck you. Not even your stupid boyfriend, Thor,” Steve said breathlessly.

Jane nods and whimpers softly. It’s you. 

“A no. Doll, I need you to shout it louder for the camera,” he whispered into her ear.

So far into her sexual bliss high, she did not hear him say that but instead agree with him. 

He smiles, now holding the camera close to her wet fold. Jane lay back, eyes close, dazed. With a flash, her eyes peak open to see the phone filming her. She pushes up only to be pushed back down with one finger by Steve, still holding the camera. One hand holds down her arms above her head. A Pitch of Steve’s sweat drips onto her.

“Come on, Jane Baby. Say hi to the camera. Man, I made many sex tapes, but you are the first girl I made come without much effort. That is how much of a gold digger slut you are. Your boyfriend hasn’t even cleaned out his locker, but you are already begging to suck my cock. Tiss. Now now, what are we going to do, huh? One-click, and this goes quicker than one of your rumors. By the time you get out of this car, everyone will know what a dirty slut you are. No more Thor, no more ivy school options. The only thing you can do is give yourself to homeless people. Right, where you belong” Steve chuckle watching Jane cry, begging him to stop. 

“But why Jane baby, you were holding me with an iron fist singing my name to the high heavens. Haha, you bitch. It would be best if you had someone to teach you—the right way. Don’t worry; I do that. Mmm. Would you like me to show you the right way? Show you how to be a lady, not trashy dirty whore” He said, proceeding close, sniffing her dark locks. Could Angelina still smell like sweet sugar and honey? Wonder if she uses a different shampoo than whores like Jane or Peggy. I bet she sounds different too. 

“Please don’t. Do this I. I. I do anything. Please don’t post the video,” Jane said between each sob. Her tiny wrist was starting to burn from the tight grip. 

“Oh, no amount of tears or begging to go to stop me. No. You are going to shut up and listen to me bitch. One-stop your blogging, shut it down, and then redact it all. I don’t care what you say, but you end this shit. THEN you’re going to be Thor’s slave. Do whatever he wants behind closed doors, and in front, you will hold tight to his arm to every court hearing throughout the trials. I don’t care if you miss school; I look or hear you miss anything. I’m posting this gem here. Understand,” He said, tilting his head to the side.

“Bu Bu bu it was not me I not the person behind it. I promise I got mad at Thor yes, he was flirting with girls at all the games. But I promise Steve I never do that. But I admit it if that what you want me to do,” She said, crying with chubby tears. He looks deep into her eyes, trying to see if she was lying. Maybe she didn’t. She was like him in a way, using Thor to better herself. He loosens his hold but remains on top. He savors this for future use, but he won’t tell that. Yet. No, he was going to have a bit of fun with this one.

“Not enough. Huh, I guess that’s bye-bye to a bright future. Or else. You come here and show me just how much you want me to keep this little homemade video a secret. Huh. Make it quick. I got a date with destiny, or should I say, little angel. Remember, you use those pearly whites teeth, or don’t swallow all of it up. Bye-bye future, “Steve says with a huge grind and dark eyes darker the midnight sky. 

[evendeadlmthehero]

The Five Year Promise: A Night to Forget (1/10)

Summary: Y/N Stark, 20 year old superhero, makes a promise with a 16 year old Peter Parker after being cheated on, that if she hasn’t found love in the next 5 years, they’d finally go on a date. Then the snap happens. Y/N is gone and Peter isn’t.

Warnings: NSFW, swearing, angst

The Five Year Promise Masterlist

Part 2

2016, After the events of Civil War

“Harry,” you moaned as your nails scratched the surface of the skin on his back. Your toes curled as you were nearing the end.

You don’t know how this all started. All you know is that you and your boyfriend, Harry Osborne, were getting ready for your 6 month anniversary dinner at the most exclusive reasturant in New York.

You were wearing a red dress and apparently Harry had a fetish for red dresses. So here you are, makeup not as polished as it looked a few minutes and hair looking dishevelled.

“Patience babe,” Harry spoke as his eyes were screwed tight, thinking about the pressure between his hips. “I’m almost there.”

Your legs felt numb and you knew you were close. You were almost at climax before the door of your room was opened abruptly, making you quickly push Harry off you and dive under covers.

“I-,” Peter started, his face turning beet red as he realised what was going. Your hair was messy and both you and Harry were panting. It didn’t take a genius to guess what you were both up to. “Y-your Dad, Mr Stark, left to-to-“

“Fuck off Parker,” Harry cut him off, standing out of the bed in all his naked glory. “Can’t you see that we’re busy?”

Peter’s face went a darker shade of red, giving you a quick glance. You swear you could see his eyes glistening with tears but before you can make out exactly what it was, he quickly left the room, slamming the door with him.

Harry let out an infamous smirk, before turning around to you and walking towards you. “Now where were we?”

He leaned down to kiss you on your lips but you quickly moved your head to the side, causing him to kiss your cheek instead. “No Harry.”

“What do you mean no?” Harry scoffed, his eyes filling with rage, before realisation. He let out a bitter laugh before facing you. “Are you serious? You’re mad because I told Parker to fuck off?”

You got out of the bed and begun dressing up, picking up the shirt from the floor. “You have to be soft on him, he’s like a little boy. My dad is in love with him, he’d kill you if he found out you were rude to him.”

“He’d also kill me if he found out I’m fucking his daughter but that’s not stoping me,” Harry laughed, expecting a laugh from you, but it didn’t come out. You let out a sigh, shaking your head at his vulgar words and lack of respect for your father.

“Oh come on Y/N it was a joke!”

You rolled your eyes at him, wearing your shorts and hanging your red dress back in your wardrobe. “I’m going to go check up on him. One, to make sure he’s not crying because of you and two, to make sure he doesn’t tell dad what we were doing. He still thinks I’m a virgin.”

“Peter’s scared of me, of course he won’t tell,” Harry scoffed at you, watching you tie your hair up into a bun. “I mean he’s just an intern. I’m Y/N Stark’s boyfriend. He isn’t that important anyway.”

You let out a snort in your head at the comment. No one but your Dad and yourself, as well as some of the Avengers, knew who Peter Parker actually was.

“My Dad likes him more than he likes you,” you commented, turning around to look at him. “I’m going to check up on him.”

“Fine,” Harry spat out, getting up from your bed. You watched as he angrily put his suit back on. He chucked his tie around his neck and frustratedly shook his head at you.

“So much for 6 month anniversary. Go have fun being a fucking baby sitter.”

He looked at you one last time before leaving your room, slamming the door shut. You let out a sigh, closing your eyes for a minute.

Harry didn’t like Peter and vice versa. Harry was mad that your dad liked Peter more and Peter didn’t like Harry because he bullied the little kid and always made out in front of him with you to gross him out.

Or at least that’s why you thought Harry did it. The reason why Harry really did it is because he could sense that Peter had a crush on you so he did it to piss him off. And every time he did it, Peter would storm him, making him smirk in victory.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y, where’s Peter right now?” you asked her.

“In his room Ms Stark.”

You turn around, open the door of your room and leave, walking towards the direction of Peter’s temporary room that was set up just to make sure his Aunt really believed this is an internship.

A couple of months ago, Peter was found by your father and bought in to fight the other Avengers who had gone rouge. You were first apprehensive, with him still being a teenager, but then you remembered when you discovered quantum technology and fought in the battle of New York at 15 years old.

You were able to harness quantum particles into bands that you wore around your wrists to shoot energy blasts as strong as Wanda’s energy blasts. You then figured that if you put bands around your ankles, you could use the power and pressure of the energy blasts to fly; similarly to your father.

Your suit was inspired by Black Widow’s suit, because you loved her. She was like a mother figure to you, only tied to Pepper who took care of you 24/7 and called you everyday. Natasha inspired you a lot, as she was the first female avenger and always gave you advice and girl talk.

She loved you like you were her own and you loved her due to the lack of mother figures in your life. But during 2006 to 2012, you had gained two mothers and you were estactic.

However, instead of having your suit black, you made your suit white with blue outlining (because you loved Kim Possible as a child and her look in her movie). Your alias that people had created for you was Quasar, which you thought was an ugly name but got used to after a little google search on what it meant.

Peter was fanboying the moment he met you, but not as much as he did when he met your dad. The boy lacked a father figure and used your father as the missing piece. And you couldn’t blame him, you knew exactly how it felt.

You finally make it to Peter’s door and knock on it carefully. “Peter?”

There was no reply so you let out a sigh. “Peter listen. I’m sorry about Harry. He can be a little rude and aggressive sometimes.”

“Then why are you with him?” You heard a little voice say behind the door.

You’re quiet for a secound, angry at yourself for letting Harry make Peter this upset. “Maybe when you’re my age, you’ll understand what love can do to you.”

The moment that left your lips, the door was pulled open and you were greeting by a tearful Parker boy. “Love? Is that what you call that between you guys?”

“Peter-“

“You mean when he forgets your birthday on the Y/B/D. Or how you don’t like those fancy restaurants he takes you to, you like Y/F/R. Or how- how sometimes you don’t like wearing revealing clothing because of your scars, but I guess he doesn’t mind as long as other boys don’t perv on you!” Peter rambled, his face getting redder by the minute.

At first, you were shocked he knew those things about you, with the last thing being the most personal. But then you saw the look on Peter’s face and realised this little kid saw you as a sister, and he just wanted to best for you. “Hey Peter, how about we go inside your room, yeah?”

Peter took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, before swallowing nervously.

“Yeah,” he replied back in a tiny voice, wiping his tears with the sleeves of his shirt. He then moved to the side, letting you in his room.

You walk in, seeing posters of Star Wars and lego pieces scrambled on the floor. You smiled in your head, ‘classic Pete’, you thought.

You sat on Peter’s bed, nodding at him to come over. Peter stares at you for a while, thinking how beautiful you are. How smart you are. How funny you are.

He remembered the day he met you. He had landed down at Germany, where he’d soon fight Captain America. But before he did, he heard a knock on the door of his hotel room.

And there you were, with a beaming smile he’d never forget. You dressed up in a black leather jacket, sunglasses on your forehead and black jeans accompanied by black combat shoes. You were wearing a dark red singlet with a matching lipstick. To Peter, you were absolutely breathtaking.

“Hi, I’m Y/N Stark,” you stuck your hand out at the Parker boy while he looked at you dumbstruck. Because you were Y/N Stark.

Y/N Stark, named the top ten most hottest female celebrity in the world.

Y/N Stark, the girl everyone spoke about at his school.

Y/N Stark, the girl who discovered how to harness Quantum energy into bands, making her just as powerful, if not more, as Thor the god of thunder himself.

Y/N Stark, now standing outside his door with a smile on her face like it was nothing. “I-I- shit your Y/N Stark.”

And then you giggled. That kind of giggle that made Peter blush. That kind of giggle that made Peter realise he was going to lose his sanity with you around.

And now you were sitting on his bed, with his tear blotched eyes looking at you apprehensively. “C’mon spidey.”

He let out a little smile at that nickname before sitting beside you, his muscles a little tense. You laughed at him, hitting his shoulder playfully.

“Relax I’m not going to scold you.”

Peter let loose a little bit, but he was still tense. How could he not be? He just revealed the things he knew about her. Were you weirded out? Scared of him? He didn’t know and that had him panicked.

“Pete, I want you to know that you mean a lot to me,” you begun. Peter’s heart quickened at your words, but his body turned cold as he heard your next words.

“You’re like part of this family and I know family look out for each other. But Harry is good. He’s nice. And I know you two don’t get along. But that’s because he’s mad that dad likes you more,” you chuckled at that. “But I really like him Pete. I love him. And I hope you two get along one day because you two both mean the world to me. You’re more than Spider-Man and he’s more than the tough guy act he puts out..”

Peter sighed, looking down at his palms. He gave you a little nod, making you smile at him. He hated that he couldn’t tell you how he felt. He hated how there was an age gap between you two, and how you saw him as a little brother.

He wished he was older. Maybe, just maybe, he would have a chance with you. And if he did have that chance, he’d treat you like an angel. He’d treat you how you were meant to be treated and not like how Harry treated you.

Like a little token to show off to paparazzi and keep his little Osborn name in the news.

“Good night Pete,” you whispered as you got up from his bed, walking over to his door. Before you opened, an uncomfortable look plastered itself on your face. “And Peter?”

Peter looked up from his hands to look at her.

“Please don’t tell Dad what you saw?”

And in that comment, Peter felt like absolute shit. Like you only came here to make sure he wouldn’t say a word to her father, not because you actually cared.

‘Why would she care?’ He thought in his head. ‘She’s Y/N Stark. She’s a daughter of a billionaire, dating the son of another billionaire. I’m a kid who can’t give her what she deserves.’

“Yeah sure,” he replied instead, giving you a small smile. You smiled back, giving him one last look before leaving his room.

Leaving Peter on his own.

Taglist:

@kissingtrutharchives

@autobotgirl15-blog

@clockblobber

@im-a-stranger-thing

@isabella-bby

@spidermansmj14

@benevolentgemini

@jonsnowdoesknow

@fangirlingonrhys

@trenchcoatedwhiskers

@spxcekru

@platonictrashh

@misswritingintherain

@itsbebeyyy

@xs-hoodie

@callmedaddys-blog

@fangirling12566

@editsbyjenny

@bubblegumholland

@hollandinq

@lordofthunderthr

[regrettablewritings]

Podcasts, Youtubes, and TV Shows to Distract Yourself With Because Why Not, and Also Because I Wanna Blab About Some of These

Since I can’t go to work and horrify my coworkers/make them realize I’m a mess and/or nerd by telling them about the type of media I’m into, I’m foisting my recommendations on all of y’all who choose to read this. I frankly do not care how many people have actually heard of these things because I’m also sure there’s plenty of people who, like me, are very slow and oblivious to entertainment, or who have heard of the property but were never that convinced.

Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts

Type: TV series

200 years after a mysterious yet earth-shattering event, much of humanity has taken to living beneath the surface in communities called burrows, wherein life goes on, if effected somewhat by the bizarre fauna that exists above them (referred to as “mutes”, short for “mutant”). One burrow girl, Kipo, founds her world turned almost literally inside-out when she finds herself not only separated from her father and the only world she’s ever known, but on the surface, no less. What ensues is her trying to find her way back home with the help of a stony-faced little girl with a massive chip on her shoulder; a music enthusiast and his literal gadfly friend; and some . . . unusual allies that only an oblivious optimist like Kipo could make. All to a kickass soundtrack, a beautiful backdrop of art, and a world where animals have basically evolved into gangs under a looming threat known as Scarlemagne. If you can’t already tell, I love this series to bits and now is the perfect time for people to get into it and encourage another season of it. Just . . . don’t think too hard that whatever happened to cause the Event in the show happened in October 2020 . . .

Available on: Netflix

My Dad Wrote a Porno

Type: Podcast

This should go without saying, but this podcast is definitely meant for more mature audiences. Or somebody with a strong stomach. Not that it’ll always be easy to tell with the type of content this series gives. When Jamie Morton’s father handed him his manuscripts for his self-published books, he had no idea he was being given a pinnacle of a polished turd: It was erotica. Really, really, really bad erotica. But the ear’s trash is the heart’s pleasure with this bad girl, as Jamie enlists the company of friends Alice and James to provide commentary on “Rocky Flintstone”’s series Belinda Blinked, a drama chronicling the sexcapades of Belinda Blumenthal as she climbs the ladders (and men and women) both in and out of the cut-throat world of pots and pans sales. What follows is a goldmine of awkward metaphors, strange bedmates, and just an overall stampede of whiplashing events that somehow exceed expectations. Listen in if you dare . . . And make sure you’re in good company for it. Fun Fact, though: Daisy Ridley, Ben Barnes, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Michael Sheen, Mara Wilson, Elijah Wood are but a few well-known fans of this series! Nobody is safe . . .

Available on: Wherever podcasts can be found

Lore

Type: Podcast

Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction. And what better way to be reminded of that, then to have the dulcet tones of Aaron Mahnke tell you about the lighthouse incident that the 2016 movie The Lighthouse was loosely inspired by? Suffice to say, this podcast could also be interpreted with some advised discretion, but definitely in a way that’s different from My Dad Wrote a Porno. In the centuries humankind has existed, we’ve managed to create a menagerie of beasts, both fictional and in ourselves. Lore explores all the many different kinds of events and persons and creatures we have to offer. In any given episode, we could be talking about anything from the bizarre story of a lady who convinced 18th century physicians that she was giving birth to rabbits, to something more disturbing like the life of H.H. Holmes. Or something as relatively innocuous as the relationship between gremlins and flight. Regardless of the subject, however, you’ll definitely walk away knowing something new, if bizarre. And perhaps slightly terrifying.

Available on: Wherever podcasts can be found

The Amelia Project

Type: Podcast

Congratulations: You have been made aware of The Amelia Project. If you’re not interested in this, exit the page. Now. If you continue, there’s no unhearing it. Good choice! A new interest awaits. If you don’t enjoy it, please consider the whole thing a hoax. Okay but in all seriousness, there’s no way to do The Amelia Project justice in just a simple description. The plot sounds quite simple, really: People want to disappear and start a new life, The Amelia Project is there to help – with a price. And that’s if you can actually get a hold of them! What really makes the show, however, are the people and the writing, and I’m not just talking about the almost childlike Interviewer with an obsession for hot cocoa. I’m talking about the clientele: I’m talking about the macabre-obsessed theme park owner who’s out for revenge; the cult leader who’s in way over his head; a Santa impersonator stuck in a miserable marriage with his own manager; an actual podcast character trying to outrun his creators. And obviously this would all be nowhere without the spectacular writing! I really can explain this series without blabbing on and potentially spoiling things; The Amelia Project is an experience!

Available on: Wherever podcasts can be found

LegalEagle

Type: Youtube channel

To be frank, I just like learning for the sake of learning, even if I may not always necessarily understand the topic or have any plans to use it in the foreseeable future. The big difference here being that at least this channel makes learning about the law fun and breaks it down. Headed by a certified lawyer (because what an age we live in, where professionals actually take time out of their lives to teach us common folk), there’s a multitude of series D.J. Stone uses to help break down the complex world of law, from reviewing the realism of procedural favorites (Law & Order, The Good Wife, HTGAWM, etc), to analyzing real-life situations, to even watching childhood media that has nothing to do with the law and determining how much money, say, Willy Wonka would owe in a lawsuit. In short, it is one of my worst subjects done in one of my favorite ways to learn! Plus, Stone hates business students and is perfectly willing to poke fun at law students so it’s all fun, frankly.

Available on: Youtube

Nando v Movies

Type: Youtube channel

Sometimes, movies are bad. Sometimes, they’re good. And sometimes, they could use a few adjustments in hindsight. Especially the nerdier movies where the directors may or may not have tried way too hard or way too little. And that’s where Nando comes in: Whether it’s explaining why a different villain might have worked better for a hero’s origin story movie, or analyzing how one seemingly small adjustment could’ve potentially made more sense in explaining characterization, this channel is always providing a new perspective on a movie or show you’ve probably seen and maybe weren’t necessarily too pleased with. (Or maybe you were – I enjoyed Justice League okay but I love the version he rewrote more.) Oh, yeah: Sometimes he does rewrites of movies or even series. So if you’re anything like me and you’re way into that, this is a channel you don’t want to miss out on.

Available on: Youtube

DEATH BATTLE!

Type: Youtube channel

Does anyone remember Deadliest Warrior? No? . . . How about that one time during lunch where you and your friend got into it over who would win in a death match between Superman and Goku? Good news: A buncha geeks did the math for you and have come out with the results! Specifically, hosts Wiz and Boomstick have analyzed the weapons, armor, and skills of each combatant in every episode, resulting in an ongoing series of absolute nonsense and satiation of bloodshed. The description is admittedly nothing crazy, but the amount of detail applied is honestly where it’s at: From calculating how loud Black Canary’s screams are to approximating Scrooge McDuck’s speed (I’m not kidding you), there’s actual thought put into the characters being assembled and how they might fair with their respective combatant. And it all comes together for an actual fight, often animated but always amazing. So if you’ve ever wondered if Thor could beat Wonder Woman, or if McGruff the Crime Dog stands a chance against Smokey the Bear (I’m…I’m being honest), then this is the show for you!

Available on: Youtube

Sideways

Type: Youtube channel

If there is music in that movie or show, it will be analyzed to a degree that, unless you’ve been trained in music, you would’ve probably never thought about. There isn’t necessarily much rhyme or reason to Sideways’ videos in terms of themes beyond music, but really, must they? Is it not enough that this man is screaming to the internet these wack and awesome trends he’s noticed in certain pieces associated with movies and musicals and the genius behind them? Could life not just be him explaining the symbolism of the instruments associated with the Crystal Gems of Steven Universe, or breaking down the cultures explored by way of the Black Panther soundtrack? Also, here’s a fun drinking game: Take a shot every time he mentions leitmotifs or the Dies Irae.

Available on: Youtube

Craig of the Creek

Type: TV show

In the woods of suburban Maryland, there exists a kid’s utopia: A place where horse girls are free to roam the fields, where a boy can be a king of garbage, and where children travel the sewers completely unsupervised. That is, until the dinner horn rings; then they have to go home until the next time they can return to The Creek. The show focuses on one specific trio (Craig, JP, and Kelsey) as every day, The Creek (and their own childish naivete) brings them new hijinks to experience. There’s a blissful lightheartedness to the show, in addition to a lot of creativity that feels like it was ripped straight out of your own imagination as a child (robots made from cardboard boxes, building portals using lights, etc). But beneath it all, there’s something just plain wild brewing. I don’t want to spoil anything, but CotC has some G-rated GOT shit going on the further along the series goes and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds!

Available on: CN app, wcostream.com

And that’s probably enough for now, I think. Lemme know if you want any other suggestions, or how you’re findin’ ‘em if you take any of them up! Stay safe, stay healthy my dudes!

[bastillewolf]

The Grand Tranquility Hotel (II)

Pairing: Alex Turner/Reader

Summary: An eccentric hotel owner and an inquisitive writer find solace in each other when they both seemed to be at the edge of rock bottom.

Notes: Most chapter titles are indeed going to be the song titles from TBHC. Hope you enjoy!

Let me know if you’d like to be added to the tag list.

Chapter II - She Looks Like Fun

She’d picked out a darker dress with a wavy skirt. Something comfortable, yet still classy. She could almost imagine her mother squealing with joy, because up until a few months ago she would’ve never worn anything like this.

Her mother used to reprimand her for it, because she’d always said that her legs were far too nice to be covered up by trousers or any of the sort. And if she was being honest, her legs did look rather nice. She’d actually shaved, while it was still the cold season. A season where shaving legs was not necessary. She felt a sense of pride. It quickly simmered down.

She hated the fact she couldn’t tell her mother these things anymore. She supposed that wearing skirts and dresses was her own way of dealing with things. Trying to rid of the guilt of having been gone for so long to find work in all sorts of places. Not calling enough. Skipping holidays and family meetings. She was grieving, and though there was probably some psychological explanation for everything she was doing, she really didn’t care enough to find out.

She was still adorned with her grandmother’s watch, possibly the most valuable family heirloom in her possession. Perhaps not so much in price, because the gold needed a good polish and there were enough scratches and dents to tell a tale of a lifetime or two, but it sure meant a lot to her emotionally. It was the only thing she had left of her mother. And any time she felt a wave of anxiety or couldn’t catch a night’s sleep, she listened to the soft ticking of the seconds hand. It reminded her of where she was, what she was doing, and that everything would be fine. As she now didn’t feel the anxiety anymore of dining all by herself. Because in a way, her mother was with her.

While exiting the room, she didn’t stop to think about the sinister half-opened door at the end of the hallway and quickly made her way downstairs. It was a bit before seven o’clock.

The dining room was really something else. It was a grand open space adorned with golden chandeliers and tables with pristine white napkins on shining plates. It was a symmetrically satisfying sight to behold, and she felt out of place to take a seat on any of the luxurious furniture. She wondered if they were actually expecting a grand feast soon or simply out of their minds. She presumed it was the latter.

When Nick thought enough time had passed for her to take in the spectacular view, he cleared his throat. It made her jump and though it amused him greatly, he quickly apologized. “I’m very sorry ma’am, but I’m afraid all the tables are reserved for our other guests.”

She grinned at him. “Ah, I see. That’s very unfortunate. I suppose I’ll just sit on the floor, then.” When she moved to swat some imaginary dirt away from the varnished wooden surface and was about to sink through her knees, Nick hurriedly stopped her. “Actually, I just got a message through that a reservation has been cancelled. No need to sit on the floor. Now, if you’ll follow me, miss,” he politely sputtered. She could see the relief washing over him when she stood again, and she only now figured it probably would have been a sight to see a guest sitting on the floor because a waiter had jokingly told them all the tables were reserved.

“What a shame they had to cancel their reservation, this table has such a good view,” she told Nick, as he held a chair out for her. He’d seated her beside the central window, overlooking the great view of the well-kept gardens. She spotted Matthew in front of a big fountain, who was struggling to control a rearing horse and she swore she heard Nick sigh and mutter “idiot” under his breath. She decided not to comment on it.

A figure appearing beside Nick made her turn back. “I think I’ll take it from here,” he said, offering a smile to Nick and then to her. Nick nodded, his eyes not leaving the unruly horse. “If you need me, I’ll be right outside,” he muttered, before taking off.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, miss. My name is Jamie, and I’ll be your chef for the time you’ll be staying with us,” he told her. He was adorned in a black kitchen uniform, not a crease or spot to be seen, with a leather apron tied around his waist. His hair was slicked back, in a similar fashion to Matt’s, styled to the sides and back from where his hair parted. He had a kind twinkle in his eyes yet seemed a bit on the awkward side judging from the way he fumbled his hands a bit much. “It’s nice to meet you too, Jamie,” she replied kindly, “I was wondering what the menu is like for today? I fully understand if it’s a limited one, seeing as I’m presumably the only one staying for dinner tonight.”

Jamie’s eyes widened, almost as if he remembered what he was supposed to be doing. He quickly sprinted off and was back in almost the blink of an eye, in his hands a neat menu card. “My apologies. I’m not used to serving people,” he explained, “I used to only be at work in the kitchens and send my own servers out with plates, but since we had to make quite a few cuts…”

She had been intently and quietly listening as to not snap him out of his ramble out of her own pure curiosity to know more about the hotel, but unfortunately, he caught wind of what he was saying out loud and paused mid-sentence. “Anyways,” he cleared his throat, “I can make you anything you’d like. Even if it’s not on the menu.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to bother you with that,” she told him, “I’ll see what the menu has to offer.” “Miss, you could never be a bother,” he replied, a slight blush dusting his cheeks. Her lips quirked up.

“Alright, how outrageous would it be if I asked you to make me a cheeseburger?” He laughed, “That would probably be the least outrageous request I’ve ever gotten from a guest, miss. I’d be happy to.”

As he was about to turn, she continued, “Have you had dinner yet, Jamie?” He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. “No, miss. I usually eat after all the guests are done along with the other staff.”

“Will you and the rest of the staff join me, then?” She wondered. “I don’t think that’d be very appropriate, miss,” he replied shyly. “I insist. I feel like an idiot eating dinner all by myself in this huge room. Please?” She added and tried her best to look as miserable as possible. Jamie looked inflicted, his eyes darting to the entrance of the dining room for a moment as if he was checking to see if no one had heard him when he agreed.

It didn’t take that long for Matt and Nick to show up and take a seat at the table, and though they looked as if the horse had given them more trouble, their frowns quickly turned upside down when they heard Jamie was making cheeseburgers. “I’m starting to like you more and more by the minute,” Matt told the smiling woman. “Thank god, I wouldn’t want you to spend dinner while thinking of me as bad company,” she replied. “Like I already told you, miss,” Jamie said as he set plates of cheeseburgers and chips on the table, “You could never be a bother.”

Conversation was made considerably easy given the fact that she was talking to staff she had only just met, but she was glad they felt comfortable enough to let their guard down around her. “So, what do you do, if I may ask, miss?” Jamie asked. “Enough with the ‘miss’, Jamie. You can call me by my name,” she answered, “and I’m a writer. At least, I try to be.” Nick, who was chowing down a burger, looked up in interest. “Really? Written anything I know?” Matt smacked him across the head. “Speak with your mouth empty, you’re talking to a lady here.”

She laughed, “That’s quite alright. I really haven’t published anything yet except for the article here and there, but I think I’ve recently stumbled across an idea for a book.” “That’s great!” Matt commented, “What’s it gunna be about?”

She hesitated a moment before answering. “I was hoping to write about the hotel, actually.”

They all froze in the spot. She’d expected this response when she’d formed the plan to invite them to dinner and was about to elaborate when she realized it wasn’t just what she’d said that was the cause for their sudden discomfort.

“What’s going on in here? Having a tea party, I see?” A deep voice grumbled from behind her.

Turning around, she was faced with the sharp features of none other than Alexander Turner.

When she had read about him in the papers, she’d always imagined a much older man who was going to retire soon now that his hotel was bankrupt, trying to save his last bit of pocket money. The person in front of her, was the complete opposite of what she’d expected. A young, lean man dressed in an expensive-looking blue three-piece suit was staring at her with striking chocolate brown eyes. His hair was slicked back and his face clean shaven, defining his jawline and cheekbones in an impeccable way. He was an intimidating figure to say the least, and it seemed as though everyone at the table, save for Matt, had shrunken into themselves a bit.

“Miss asked us to join her for dinner,” Matt responded coldly, his hard gaze unwavering. She had to admit that she admired his boldness in this moment. This was not the same Matt who had given her a ride and had been dining with her just now.

“Ah, of course,” mister Turner replied smoothly, “allow me to introduce myself, my name is Alex Turner. I’m the owner of this establishment.” His hand took hers. “It’s nice to finally meet you, miss.” And he kissed it courteously, making her skin tingle. “And you can call me Alexander.” His eyes shot up to lock with hers and she was completely entranced.

“Nice to meet you as well, Alexander,” she managed to reply, as he slowly dropped her hand. “I was just asking your staff more about the hotel. I’m rather interested in writing a piece about it.”

“Ah, a writer then,” he said as his sharp gaze flickered over said staff. “I hope they haven’t told you too much about the hotel. Wouldn’t want to share our best kept secrets, now would we?” The underline of his tone was threatening, and she was almost worried she’d gotten the guys into trouble, when Matt spoke up, “Oh, I wouldn’t worry too much about that, mister Turner. I’m sure those secrets will unravel themselves when the time comes.”

The silence that followed could’ve been cut with a knife as Alex’ eyes turned cold. “I’d like to have a word with you when you’re done, Matthew.” It was all he said before storming out.

Matt sighed. “I’ll best be going, then.” And quickly followed after him.

“What was that about?” she questioned. Nick shook his head, “They’re always this dramatic.”

In the small office behind the entrance desk, Matt leaned against the doorpost as Alex filed through some paperwork. “I don’t tolerate backtalk in front of our guests, Matthew. You know this,” he said, not bothering to look up from the unorganized mess of files.

“She’s our only guest, Alex. You should take it easy for a little while. You know, come and stay with us.”

Alex rolled his eyes at the remark.

“But really though, what did you think of her?” Matt continued.

Alex looked at him and Matt saw a familiar twinkle in his eyes, one he hadn’t seen for a long time. “She looks like fun,” he simply responded.

[rattmemes]

Beetlejuice: the Musical OBCR Starters! ACT 1

((>>act 2<<))

all changeable titles/pronouns will be in [italics and bracket!]

PROLOGUE: INVISIBLE

“ in times like these, we have no words, we only have each other ” “ we only have each other ” “ today we come together to mourn ” “ scripture tells us: “sorrow not, for we do not walk alone” ” “ sorrow not, for we do not walk alone ” “ you’re invisible when you’re sad ” “ clocks tick and phones still ring ” “ the world carries on like mad ” “ the world carries on like mad, but nobody sees a thing ” “ nobody sees a thing ” “ whispering behind their hands, lost for kind words to say ” “ nobody understands, and everyone goes away ” “ nobody understands ” “ everyone goes away ” “ grownups wanna fix things, when they can’t it only fills them shame ” “ they just look away ” “ is it being greedy to need somebody to see me and say my name? ” “ seems when you lose your [mom], no one turns off the sun ” “ folks carry on, that’s that ” “ holy crap, a ballad already? ” “ such a bold departure from the original source material! ”

THE WHOLE BEING DEAD THING

“ hey folks! begging your pardon! ” “ hey folks! ” “ begging your pardon! ” “ ‘scuse me! sorry to barge in! ” “ ‘scuse me! ” “ sorry to barge in! ” “ let’s skip the tears ” “ let’s skip the tears and start on the whole, y’know, being dead thing ” “ you’re doomed! ” “ you’re doomed! enjoy the singing ” “ the sword of Damocles is swinging ” “ if i hear your cell-phone ringing, i’ll kill you myself ” “ the whole being dead thing! ” “ death can get a person stressed ” “ we should have carpe’d way more diems, now we’re never gonna see ‘em ” “ we should have carpe’d way more diems ” “ i can show you what comes next ” “ don’t be freaked ” “ stay in your seats ” “ don’t be freaked, stay in your seats ” “ i do this bullshit like eight times a week ” “ so just relax, you’ll be fine ” “ drink your fifty-dollar wine and take a breath ” “ welcome to a show about death! ” “ you’re gonna be fine on the other side ” “ DIE! YOU’RE ALL GONNA DIE! YOU’RE ALL GONNA DIE! ” “ i’ll be your guide to the other side ” “ oh, and full disclosure: it’s a show about death! ” “ everybody gets on fine here ” “ everybody gets on fine here, like Rodgers, Hart, and Hammerstein here ” “ the women’s bathroom has no line here ” “ just... pee where you want! ” “ you’re just gonna love the folks here ” “ yes, i know you’re woke, but you can take a joke here ” “ i do, like, a TON of coke here ” “ nobody is bullet-proof ” “ “i work out! i eat clean!” jesus, pass the Dramamine ” “ jesus, pass the Dramamine ” “ time to face the brutal truth ” “ we’re all on a hitlist ” “ might not live ‘till christmas ” “ choke to death on Triscuits ” “ hey, that’s just statistics ” “ take a little break here ” “ kinda like a wake here ” “ the scenery is fake here ” “ there’s a giant snake here! ” “ how you doin’? not good! ” “ seriously though, this is a show about death ” “ death is taboo, but it’s hardly something new ” “ there’s nothing medical professionals could do, ‘cept maybe just bill you ” “ if you die while listening to this album, it’s still gonna keep playing ” “ there’s no destiny or fate, just a terrifying wait filled with people that you hate, and on a certain date, the universe kills you ” “ that’s the thing with life: no one makes it out alive ” “ toss that body in the pit ” “ gosh, it’s awful, ain’t it tragic? ” “ blah blah bible jesus magic ” “ when you’re dead, who gives a shit? ” “ pilates, no more yoga ” “ namaste, you fuckin’ posers! ” “ from the cradle to cremation, death just needs a little conversation ” “ i have mastered the art of tearing convention apart ” “ how about we all make a start on the whole being dead thing ” “ god, i hope you’re ready for a show about death! ”

READY, SET, NOT YET

“ look at this crib ” “ look at this crib, in all of it’s glorious antiquary ” “ every curve and surface speaks to me, saying pamper and spoil me, sand me and oil me; come on ” “ i know to the untrained eye it’s boring ” “ nothing’s a chore when you’re restoring ” “ apart from frustration, pain, and financial drain, it’s fun! ” “ why do you polish your crib when you don’t have a kid? ” “ even if you did have a kid, this crib is too precious for placing a baby inside it ” “ it simply exists to remind you your sense of perfection is just a reflection that you are not mentally prepared to make room for a kid ” “ why don’t you live? ” “ just make a start ” “ are you willing to take the next step? ” “ ready, set - ” “ look at these jugs! ” “ amazingly glazed and terracotta-ery ” “ i took some clay and made you pottery ” “ the world will never wreck you, i’ll protect you in a mother’s embrace ” “ why can’t you see that ceramics is simply a manifestation of [motherly] panic; by making a baby that’s breakable aren’t you creating a way of translating the terror of making [maternal] mistakes into clay, hiding away so you don’t have to face being a bad [mom]? ” “ that’s what you’ve done, ___ ” “ here we stand at the end of a 10-year plan ” “ a house, a yard, a minivan, a baby should be next ” “ together let’s leap off the cliff, fall forever, then smash to bits ” “ trapped in a terrifying viper pit ” “ trapped in a terrifying viper pit of diapers and regret ” “ are we willing to take the next step? ” “ ready, set - not yet ” “ why rush? ” “ soon enough our hopes and our dreams will be crushed ” “ but not yet ” “ not now ” “ we can’t start a family in a house with creaky floorboards ” “ you are absolutely right, let’s add it to the list ” “ with the cracks in the plaster ” “ the wi-fi should be faster ” “ this sofa needs a castor ” “ the bathroom’s a disaster! ” “ what about global poverty? ” “ what about world peace? ” “ then there’s the whole darn economy ” “ the whole middle east ” “ we should learn mandarin ” “ yeah! or spanish at least ” “ no habla espanol, dos cervezas por favor ” “ and that’s all we got, and that’s not a lot ” “ do we want a bilingual household or not? ” “ so let’s go slow, no breaking a sweat ” “ what’s the point of having children if we’re drowning in debt? ” “ see, i wasn’t kidding, it’s a show about death! ”

THE WHOLE BEING DEAD THING PT. 2

“ ready? okay! ” “ hi! i’ll be your guide! i’ll be your G-U-I-D-E to the other side! ” “ don’t go to the netherworld ” “ netherworld? ” “ did i say netherworld? never mind ” “ jesus, i can’t spell ” “ he’ll be your guide! ” “ let’s all get naked! ” “ let’s all get naked! eh, worth a try ” “ what is happening?! ” “ i understand that it’s a lot to process ” “ the good news is you and our spouse died in your own house ” “ that gives you clout ” “ that means the two of you should stick around ” “ lucky for you i dropped by ” “ yeah, you seem like nice guys ” “ a little on the pottery barn and dry white wine side ” “ as for me, i’ve been scaring for millennia ” “ i’m the bio-exorcist giving houses enemas ” “ push out all the breathers so you can breathe easy ” “ just stick with me ” “ i’m like a ghost zombie jesus ” “ ghost zombie jesus! ” “ i do it for the love of it. money? ah, who gives a shit ” “ i think we’re a perfect fit, c’mon let’s make out a bit ” “ it’s the perfect day to die ” “ it’s the perfect day to die, ‘cause this guy happened to be passing by ” “ to give you control of your soul ” “ to give you control of your soul for the whole being dead thing ”

DEAD MOM

“ hey [mom], dead [mom] ” “ hey [mom] ” “ i need a little help here ” “ i’m probably talking to myself here ” “ i gotta ask, are you really in the ground? ” “ i feel you all around me ” “ are you here? ” “ i’m tired of trying to iron out my creases ” “ i’m a bunch of broken pieces, it was you who made me whole ��� “ i’m a bunch of broken pieces ” “ it was you who made me whole ” “ every day [dad’s] staring at me, like all “hurry up, get happy” ” “ move along ” “ forget about your [mom] ” “ [daddy’s] in denial, [daddy] doesn’t wanna feel ” “ [he] wants me to smile and clap like a performing seal ” “ ignored it for a whole, but [daddy’s] lost [his] mind for real ” “ you don’t believe the mess that we’ve become ” “ you’re my home, my destination ” “ i’m your clone, your strange creation ” “ you held my hand, and life came easy ” “ now jokes don’t land ” “ no one sees me ” “ nothing seems to fit ” “ are you receiving? ” “ i want something to believe in ” “ take me where my soul can run ” “ i’ll be in my bedroom, wake me when i’m twenty one ” “ won’t you send a sign? ” “ i’m running out of hope and time ” “ a plague of mice, a lightning strike, or drop a nuclear bomb ” “ no more playing [daddy’s] games ” “ i’ll go insane if things don’t change ” “ whatever it takes to make [him] say your name ”

FRIGHT OF THEIR LIVES

“ okay, listen up, i’m not gonna lie; right now you couldn’t frighten a fly ” “ you ever stop to ask yourselves why? ” “ both of you are super polite, middle class, suburban, and white ” “ well, all of that is finished tonight ” “ take your places ” “ i want scary faces, now go! ” “ bigger! ” “ further! ” “ harder! ” “ not bad! ” “ i want scary faces, now go! bigger! further! harder! -- not bad! ” “ sever a head, preferably someone you know ” “ look at me, i’m so scary! ” “ don’t be so vanilla, would a little anger kill ya? ” “ c’mon drop your panties i’m trying to fill you -- with wisdom and skill ” “ and the instinct to kill ” “ again, we do not want to kill anyone! ” “ fine, but somehow, someway, you gotta make ‘em see ya ” “ i’m talkin’ jumpscares, the jerky japanese ghost-walk ” “ learn how to throw your voice! -- fool your friends! -- fun at parties! ” “ now THAT is cool! i wanna do THAT! ” “ whatever it takes to make ‘em go crazy ” “ raising the stakes by punching a baby ” “ scare ‘em away till they break ” “ they’ll be quaking in fright ” “ you’ve got some evil deep down inside you ” “ put all the farmer’s markets behind you ” “ you’ve gotta work, gotta haunt till it hurts through the night ” “ give those guys the fright of their lives! ” “ let’s start with things that you hate ” “ hate’s a very strong word ” “ perhaps when people are late ” “ or getting pooped on by birds ” “ no, what fills you with rage? ” “ what fills you with rage? ” “ being mean to a pet ” “ chefs who use too much sage when they make beurre noisette ” “ over-glutinous food ” “ when kids call me dude ” “ oh, i find that so rude! ” “ well, there’s lots there to use ” “ take a deep death and give me your best primal scream ” “ [weak, lame scream] ” “ that was brilliant! ” “ try it again, maybe this time pretend like you mean it ” “ [lame scream but deeper] ” “ that was even better! ” “ i want freedom ” “ to get my freedom i need to get a living person to say my name ” “ i know that beggars can’t be choosers, but do they have to be such losers? ” “ both of them are deathly dull and lame ” “ why God slash Satan did you send these bed wetters? ” “ even, like, a tax attorney would’ve been better ” “ somebody with gravitas, somebody to fear ” “ excuse me, ___, we can kinda hear you ” “ yeah? well that was a soliloquy, so you’re the one who’s being rude ” “ turn all the lights on ” “ dress like a baby ” “ ___, i don’t even -- no. ” “ get your heads in the game ” “ let’s hide their phones! ” “ screw their phones! ” “ ugh, these dopes are hopeless ” “ how will i ever survive? ” “ unless they get the fright of their lives ” “ yes, we’re feelin’ it! ” “ they gotta get the right of their lives ” “ we’re scary, very very scary! ” “ they’ll never get the fright of their lives ”

READY, SET (REPRISE)

“ that needy pervert was right ” “ if we want our house back, we have to fight for it ” “ how? no one can see us! ” “ we’re ghosts, damn it! let’s haunt this bitch! ” “ oblivion calls ” “ we might as well walk through some walls ” “ i’m sure we can haunt our own halls ” “ we’re ready as we’ll ever get ” “ i gotta get right outside my comfort zone ” “ we’ll rattle chains and, i don’t know, just wail and moan until they go ” “ ready, set let’s oooOOOoOooOooOo [ghost noises] ”

NO REASON

“ the universe is more than just space with no end ” [sung] “ la-la-la-la-la! ” “ just think of the universe as a female best friend ” “ hey, universe, what’s happening girl? ” “ oh nothing. just running the world ” “ you’re on the right track, [girl], i got your back, [girl] ” “ i’m helping you grow ” “ think positive, act positive, you are a child of the Earth! ” “ life coaching! nailing it! ” “ time to take command you dictate the hand the universe deals ” “ look, science makes no sense; who needs evidence? ” “ go with yours feels ” “ i’m like a radio tuned to the stars ” “ i found my frequency, crystals speak to me ” “ what are they saying? ” “ buy more crystals ” “ everything, EVERYTHING, happens for a reason ” “ be a beacon of light in the world, put a little alright in the world ” “ there are spiritual guides above, look up and see ‘em ” “ perception is reality ” “ just listen to the melody the universe sings ” “ everything happens for a reason ” “ gee, i hate to break it to you: the universe is just the contents of time, matter and space ” “ ninety-one billion light-years across and the Earth’s a small place ” “ good people die in famine and wars ” “ the pacific islands are sinking, but negative thinking is hardly the cause ” “ you think life is all unicorns and rainbows ‘cause you’re bored ” “ positivity is a luxury that few can afford ” “ we’re gonna die, yes you and I, in meaningless and alone ” “ no no no! no! ” “ one day you may wake up alone ” “ your husband and his boyfriend bought a boat and then they sailed away to Rome ” “ that’s specific ” “ so you cry yourself to sleep in deep despair, talking to the walls ‘cause there’s no one there, and you have to buy a cat ‘cause that’s your last chance to have a family ” “ take it from me, your aging ass will have to believe that everything happens for a reason ” “ put some more fun in the world, a little “I AM STILL YOUNG” in the world ” “ be prepared to take your eggs and freeze ‘em ” “ is this still about me? ” “ sounds like terrible things can happen ” “ because the universe is random ” “ yes, but, random for a reason ” “ no reason ”

INVISIBLE (REPRISE)/ON THE ROOF

“ you’re invisible when you’re me ” “ there’s no one to see my truth ” “ if they could look up they’d see: hey! somebody’s on the roof! ” “ god, it’s mortifying, what’s the point of even trying? ” “ now i’m trapped with no escape ” “ banished! disavowed! i vanished like a cloud of dirty hipster vape ” “ i vanished like a cloud of dirty hipster vape ” “ nobody said life’s fair ” “ guess they will never see the demon who isn’t there ” “ whoa, what have we got here? ” “ by the time you read this, I, ___, will be gone ” “ there’s nothing for me here ” “ i’m alone, forsaken, invisible ” “ that makes two of us ” “ who the hell are you? ” “ can you... see me? ” “ yeah...? ” “ you can SEE me! ” “ I’M GONNA HAVE A NEW BEST FRIIIIIIEEEENND! ”

SAY MY NAME

“ you could use a buddy ” “ don’t you want a pal? ” “ yes i do! yes i do! ” “ the way i see, your [daddy] should be leaving and you should stick around! ” “ and kill him! ” “ ... what? ” “ nothing! ” “ don’t end yourself, defend yourself ” “ [daddy] is the one you should maim ” “ together we’ll exterminate, assassinate! ” “ the finer points can wait ” “ first you gotta say my name! ” “ go ahead and jump but that won’t stop [him] ” “ here you got a solid plan B option ” “ i can bring your [daddy] so much pain ” “ all you gotta do is say my name ” “ just say it three times in a row ” “ you won’t believe how far i’ll go ” “ i’m in the bench, but coah, just put me in the game! ” “ i don’t know your name ” “ well, i can’t SAY it ” “ how ‘bout a game of charades? ” “ yes, let’s play it! ” “ close, but no ” “ wow, i’m impressed ” “ all you gotta do is say my name three times ” “ three times in a row it must be spoken, unbroken ” “ you’re so smart, a stand-up bro ” “ i’ll think about your offer, let you know ” “ i prefer my chances down below ” “ being young and [female] doesn’t mean that i’m an easy mark ” “ i’ve been swimming with piranhas, i don’t need a shark ” “ yes, life sucks, but not that much ” “ be a doll and spare the lecture ” “ i’m offering you a full-time specter! ” “ are you any good? ” “ you bet’cha! trust me, baby! ” “ really, it’s a flattering offer ” “ don’t you wanna see [dad] suffer? ” “ i think i’d rather just jump off ” “ i may be suicidal but ___, it’s not as if i’ve lost my mind ” “ so, playing hardball, huh? you are tougher than you look ” “ just wanna make sure i know who i’m working with. go any references? ” “ ___, there you are! ” “ get away from [her] ! ” “ this is a dangerously unstable individual ” “ ___ is sexy! ” “ ___ is smart! ” “ ___ is a graduate of Julliard! ” “ [he] can help, we found [him] on yelp ” “ our troubles all ended on the day that we befriended ” “ every word is the truth ” “ what the heck was that? ” “ so violating! ” “ there you go, kid, couple of five-star reviews ” “ that was possession ” “ any ghost can do that in less than one lesson ” “ pretty much any ghost’ll do, sure ” “ then, ___, what do i need you for? ” “ woah, woah, woah woah woah! hold up! ” “ hold up! i’m your pal! ” “ they’re sweet, but i’m a demon straight from hell ” “ i know, i went a little hard on the sell ” “ we’re BF-F-F-F’s forever! ” “ what? he was already dead ” “ we don’t need that demon ” “ together we can make a grown man weep ” “ we got a dinner date to keep ” “ okay, so what’s the plan? ” “ [he’s] gonna freak when we possess him ” “ i’ll lead that lamb to slaughter ” “ yeah, i got game! ” “ i’m gonna make [him] say my name ” “ not running away ”

DAY-O (THE BANANA BOAT SONG)/ACT I FINALE

“ what’s going on ___? are you alright? ” “ i don’t -- i dont know what just happened ” “ ___? do you need to lie down? ” “ what is happening to me? ” “ work all night on a drink of rum ” “ daylight come and me wanna go home ” “ stack banana till the morning come ” “ wait, why aren’t you dancing? ” “ it’s like i told you, ___, this house is haunted, and the ghosts who live here want you OUT ” “ who wants bacon? ” “ no! no! i’m a vegan! ” “ shut up, you moron! don’t apologize, we’re gonna be RICH! ” “ a genuine haunted house? it’s a goldmine! ” “ these ghosts are gonna make us a fortune! ” “ no! you’re supposed to be scared! ” “ there’s one thing that can still stop [him] ” “ ___, no! you don’t know what’ll happen! ” “ i can’t keep living like this! ” “ oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! i’m so glad you changed your mind! ” “ you are never gonna regret this! ” “ we are gonna make such a great team! ” “ give me just... one... more... ” “ it’s SHOWTIME! ” “ it’s our house now, kid! ” “ looks like we’re not invisible anymore! ”

[mind-writing0]

~Chapter 11~

They were all conveniently stashed in the dining room when the alarms went off

Piercing and non-stop, these blaring sounds went on around the Selected, shocking them into dropping their forks.

"To the back of the room, please, sirs!" King James ordered, his tone demanding yet understanding. He grabbed his wife, Queen Diana, around the waist and moved to a corner.

Prince Roman stood up, along with the other Selected, their silverware clattering onto plates of half-eaten food. His eyes met Virgil's, but only for a second, as he was not the one the prince was in search of. He saw Patton, paralyzed in terror, and stepped off of the platform intended for a royal family. Roman went over to him and grabbed his arm, pulling him along, the look in his eyes urgent yet comforting. Virgil felt his stomach tense, both from the intensity of the situation and seeing Roman's immediate reaction.

A few of the young men also had to be pulled along, and they were obviously too terrified to be in such a position for long. They finally got to the corner, a clamor of loud noises all around them. The butlers had pulled metal blinds over the windows, and it sounded as though heavy objects were being thrown at them.

"Sorry, sirs, we do have a bit of a...rebellion...as I am sure you've heard." The king stated, still clutching the queen even though she seemed fine.

The initial shock had faded, though the noise of the intruders still rang. Roman was seen talking with one of the other Selected, as he was making rounds, and he soon came to Virgil.

"Are you alright, my dear?" He asked in that odd English-American accent of his. No one really talked that way except for him, and Virgil wondered why he chose to speak that way if it wasn't learned.

Virgil didn't even mind being called my dear in that moment—he was too concerned with the sweeping relief he felt. "Yes," He replied tensely, then he waited a moment to muster up the courage to continue amongst all the shouting. "I—I wanted to thank you. For the jeans. And not kicking me out? If you're not...I don't know. I'm really sorry..."

Roman nodded, his hands behind his back as he looked both professional and lost in thought. "I can see why you did it, now. It did seem rather improper, in hindsight, though it does make a funny story. Perhaps we could tell it one day, lacking the intensity?" He sighed and looked down at his well-polished shoes. "Who am I kidding? You always seem mad at me...if it wasn't for your seemingly average caste and political standing, I could pinpoint you as one of them." He nodded towards the door, where there was more banging and yells.

"I'm not mad," Virgil said immediately, "and I'm definitely not a rebel. What's the deal with them, anyway? Like, do you guys know what's going on?"

Prince Roman nodded and looked over at his parents cautiously before continuing. "Well, in all honesty, it appears there's two very different types. Father won't listen; he claims they're all the same, but I believe there's two groups. One is the Northern rebels, they are less brutal. In my theory..." he looked around again. "I think they're looking for something."

Virgil gasped at the sudden idea of what secrets this palace could hold, and the idea of this group fighting to find them. Or they could just be petty thieves, though there could be a safer way of stealing riches. "What do you think they're looking for?"

"I'm not sure," Roman whispered, "but it is rather frustrating to be done with an attack and walk into your room being a wreck. You have no idea how many cameras and scripts I've had to replace."

"Cameras and scripts?" Virgil grinned, glancing over at Roman out of gratefulness of having something normal to talk about.

The prince blushed, "Yes, I'm interested in photography and theatre. Laugh all you'd like."

"No, I think it's cool. Most of the lower castes don't get to have interests; they just study what they're born into."

"Oh," Roman stopped in his thoughts, his eyes screaming guilt.

"Yeah..." Virgil shuffled awkwardly. This was one of the reasons he could hardly stand the idea of having a relationship with the prince. While they did get along—aside from some issues with Virgil's temper—how were they supposed to get along on politics from two very different viewpoints. Think of politics..."What's with the other group? Do you know what that want?"

Roman looked more tense than before, and Virgil had the urge to switch back to the scripts before things got more intense than what was going on outside. "Well...the other group is the Southern rebels. I believe they are only here to cause destruction, but they shouldn't be so quickly dismissed. They...they kill people, Virgil. I—I've only seen bits and pieces, but...it's horrible. That's why I believe this attack shall—should be credited to the Northern rebels. If the Southerners were responsible, there would be gunshots, and the Northerners never kill."

"Oh," Virgil said simply, his stomach sinking. "I didn't realize..."

"It's alright," Roman replied, though it wasn't. "If any of the rebels are after anyone, it'll be the royal family. I am in much more danger than anyone in this palace." His voice tried to remain smooth, but it cracked as if he were about to cry or have an anxiety attack. "Though I must remain strong for my country. As an old leader once said, 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself'."

Virgil nodded, though he had no idea where he had heard that. All history lessons seemed strain or censored, even if that seemed ridiculous. He briefly remembered a tattered history book from when he was little. His mother kept it locked away, but Virgil got to it somehow. He was punished for the secrets he learned, though he hadn't learned much.

"You seem awfully quiet, my d—Virgil." Roman corrected, "Would you prefer for us to put these troubling thoughts aside for now?"

"Yeah," Virgil agreed, and he couldn't help grinning at the way the prince spoke. "So, how have you been handling the other Selected?"

"It's been alright," Roman commented, looking anywhere but at Virgil. "If you consider not arranging any dates in the hopes of ignoring them until they go away alright."

Virgil laughed, a surprising sound to hear amidst such a situation. "Well, I had a suggestion on how to start. My other friend, Lance, is really nice. He likes Cuban culture and comedy, and he's a talker, so you mostly just have to listen. Go ahead, Roman." He patted the prince on the back, but he had stopped cold in his tracks. "What's wrong?" Virgil asked.

"You called me Roman. Just Roman, with no prince or Your Higness beforehand." Roman muttered.

"Oh, sorry! I didn't mean anything by it." Virgil replied nervously. Weren't people, like, burned at the stake for that?

"It's alright, Virgil." The prince said, "I actually quite like not being addressed as royalty for once. It makes me feel like...like we're really friends." Then he walked off, to talk to Lance or someone else, before Virgil could say anything else.

The attack didn't continue on for much longer. The shouts ceased and the doors were eventually opened by a nervous maid. "I'm very sorry, please don't mind the mess."

"Nonsense," the king muttered, and Virgil couldn't tell if he was dismissing it out of kindness or mumbling annoyances.

They were all let out, and the Selected headed upstairs to their rooms. Many were surprised and upset when they saw the damage, and Virgil thought that maybe he was the only one Roman told of the different types of rebels. Though he had only just grasped the concept, he could already tell by the side effects that this was the Northern rebel's responsibility. When he opened his door, his room was wrecked. Pillows unstuffed, suits thrown out of the closet, books with pages ripped out strewn across the floor. Virgil's flustered maids were apologetically cleaning up. The black haired boy knelt down to help.

"Oh, no, sir, you don't need to help." Romelle pipped up, picking up some books.

"Don't make a big deal out of it," Virgil smiled at her. He had to be a bit gentler with her, as she seemed more fragile than the others. "It is my room, after all."

So they cleaned for a while, occasionally making small talk, though they never delved too personally into any of the stories to be kept a secret. After about an hour and a half, there was a knock at the door.

"Oh, no." Romelle whispered as Virgil answered it.

Roman stood at the door, his arms crossed. "Sorry," he held his arms at his side. "That was improper. I'm just a little upset, considering they took my Wicked script. Why would they even need that? Oh, well. Has everything been alright around here, fixing everything?"

"Yeah," Virgil replied, "I only really have a few books and stuff that needs fixing, they ripped—" he looked around at his maids, all of which were attentive to the point of eavesdropping. "They caused some damage. Hey, Katie, would you mind getting us some tea? Allura and Romelle can go with you, and you can take your time."

The maids, immediately sensing the request behind the words, giggled as they left. Virgil rolled his eyes with a smile, "Sorry about them. They're crazy, but I like them."

"Yes, they do seem like a characteristic bunch." Roman noted, his tone surprised as if he'd never seen a server with a personality before.

"So," Virgil, out of habit, sat at his new piano bench. "What are you doing here? Did you find something new?"

"How rude!" Roman said, "Can I not simply see my best and only friend?"

Virgil grinned, "I guess so." He looked down at the piano. "I could play a song. I know how to sing and play a lot of instruments, but that's pretty much it."

"Still fascinating, nonetheless..." Roman muttered. "Speaking of you being my talented and special friend, I wanted to arrange something." He moved to lean against the closet door.

"If it's another date—"

"No, no. I've learned my lesson. But I do believe it would be much more efficient and fun if we had a symbol, like something we do when we need to talk."

"A symbol?" Virgil asked, trying not to laugh as he shuffled through the palace's hand-picked pretentious music sheets. What was this, elementary school?

"Like, running a hand through my hair—no, that's too common. Pinching my cheek? No, that looks odd—"

Virgil interrupted his brain storming. "How about pulling on your ear?" He asked jokingly.

Roman looked as though he'd came upon a brilliant solution. "Great idea, Virgil! See, that's why we're friends. Okay, I regret to say I must go speak with the other Selected. I hope to be pulling on my ear soon." He winked with a small bow, then glanced for a moment at the purple and black swirled rose sitting solemnly in its vase. Then he left, and Virgil was left grinning when his maids came in with tea.

~~~~~~

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[jackalopingintothevoid]

(by @jenny-calendar)

“Are you going to talk to me about it?”

Giles leaned heavily against the closed door, looking down at his shoes. He’d polished them himself, of course, and it hadn’t escaped his notice that Ripper’s own sneakers were scuffed and worn, and he hated that every single thought in the last few days had somehow turned into a thought about Ripper. Thoughts about Jenny, even, and what she must think of him, carrying on like a complete buffoon every time the boy gave him lip—

“Rupert,” said Jenny. She sounded reproving, but she also sounded a little worn out.

Giles looked up at her. “I don’t know what to do,” he said helplessly. “I feel utterly adrift. I have made all my decisions over the last twenty years in an effort to not be that man—”

“Boy,” said Jenny.

“He’s not—”

“This isn’t a problem you can solve until you’ve stopped blaming yourself,” said Jenny, looking steadily and quietly at him.

“Maybe it’s not a problem that needs solving,” Giles snapped, a bit too loudly. Jenny gave him a pointed shh look, and he lowered his voice; he didn’t want the children overhearing. “I am not—I am not—I cannot be in the wrong,” he forced out, and was horrified to hear that he was crying. “I am—he was—he was foolish, stupid, reckless—”

Jenny stepped forward and stepped into his arms, pressing one hand against his chest, fingers splayed. “He follows his heart,” she said.

“Always,” said Giles.

“And you don’t do that anymore.”

“People got hurt, last I followed what I wanted to do,” said Giles, sniffling in a thoroughly un-Watcherlike fashion. Under normal circumstances, he’d never have let Jenny seen him cry, but these were the farthest from normal circumstances one could get, and—her hand, right over his heart, made him foolish, stupid, reckless. “People still get hurt,” he mumbled, touching Jenny’s face, thinking of Eyghon rotting through.

Jenny leaned into his touch. “People choose what they do,” she said. “You weren’t the only stupid teenager who raised a demon, Rupert.”

“I was training to be a Watcher, I should have known—”

“Known what? Known better?” Jenny scoffed. Then, stepping away from him, she began to gracelessly tug her sweater over her head.

“Jenny,” said Giles, blushing furiously. “Is now really the time—”

“For a man who prides himself on his maturity,” said Jenny from inside the sweater, “you act remarkably like that twenty-something out there,” and finished pulling it off, tossing it to the floor. “Did I ever tell you,” she said, twisting the corkscrew at her navel, “about how my piercing got infected?”

“You wear that to work?” said Giles, bewildered. “I’d thought that was just a stunt you pulled to get me into the lab.”

“It was,” said Jenny, “and that’s beside the point.” She looked remarkably comfortable in only bra, skirt, and clunky heels; the multiple levels of unprofessionalism boggled the mind. “When I was nineteen,” she said, “I got this—this call, from my dad.”

“You have a dad?” said Giles stupidly. Jenny gave him a look, and he coughed. “Right. Sorry. Carry on.”

“I don’t talk about him much,” said Jenny. “I mean—you know that, obviously, because I’ve never brought him up till now, but—I grew up around a lot of cousins and got kinda passed around from family to family. I caused a lot of trouble for people, and I liked it, because they ended up unofficially casting me out as soon as I was heading off to college. And then out of the blue my dad calls me to tell me he’s calling on behalf of the family. Because they need someone expendable—someone who they don’t mind dying—to watch Angelus, and they figured I might listen to him if he gave me some speech about family.” She laughed a little bitterly. “I grew up around Angelus,” she said. “He shadowed every single fucking thing I did, and they were asking me to throw my life away to watch a master vampire eat rats in a sewer. So I said no.”

“Jenny—”

Jenny held up a hand. She wasn’t looking at him. “And then my dad showed up in person,” she said. “He said they were going to ask me again, eventually, and next time I had damn well better say yes. He said I was selfish and stupid and I didn’t understand the value and importance of family, and that something as important as this was wasted on someone like me, and then he just—” She tipped back her head, smiling with the tired remembrance of one no longer invested in the situation. “Left,” she said. “Haven’t seen him since.”

“Oh,” said Giles, and reached out to her. She took his hand.

“But what I’m getting at is that it ate me up,” said Jenny, and her voice trembled. “I always wanted—parents. My mom was sporadic and my dad was never there and as a kid, to hear that my dad thought I was this self-centered airhead, it was fucking devastating.” She smiled a little bit. “So I pierced my navel by myself, and of course it got infected,” she said, “and I ended up having to go to the hospital, because I had been trying to attend all my classes and keep the injury clean and stay on top of all my responsibilities while it felt like my world was crumbling to bits. I had to let it heal before I could get it pierced again.” She looked up at him. “And you could say that our situations were totally different,” she said, “and you wouldn’t be wrong. But what I’m getting at is this: I was hurting, and I didn’t want to think about it, and I was so, so convinced that nothing bad would happen if I didn’t think about it. It wasn’t malicious, it wasn’t out of stupidity, it was because I was so damn lonely that I couldn’t even conceptualize the idea of reaching out to someone.”

Giles took her other hand. She smiled a little. “It doesn’t link back to me,” he began.

“It does, though,” said Jenny. “Because you were hurting, and you were dealing with it as best you could. It’d be different if you were yelling at the kid who was still summoning demons for fun—and hell, I might even yell at him too, a little—but you’re not. You’re hurting someone else who’s hurting just like you.”

It surprised Giles that responding “he’s not like me” didn’t feel quite so natural anymore. “Jenny,” he said instead, gripping her hands like a lifeline, “if he—if he is blameless—”

“I’m not saying he’s blameless,” said Jenny with a surprised laugh. “Summoning Eyghon is an idiot move. I’m saying that he knows he’s not blameless, and he’s chosen to deal with that guilt in a different way than you.”

“You don’t understand,” said Giles quietly. “Had I met you, at that age—” He swallowed hard, looked at her small hands in his. “I’d have never gone back to the Council,” he said. “I would have run away with you and never looked back, and it seems as though that’s exactly what he’s doing.”

“And that’s a bad thing because?”

Giles looked up at Jenny, shocked and appalled. “It is my responsibility,” he said. “I was born into it. The fact that he might never truly accept—”

“Maybe he’s never gonna be a Watcher in the sense you think about,” said Jenny, tugging a hand free to straighten his glasses, “but he braids Buffy’s hair and he makes sure Xander’s eating and he helps Willow with her homework. He doesn’t keep these kids happy while he helps save the world, Rupert, he helps save the world so he can keep these kids happy.”

“It’s selfish,” said Giles, his voice shaking. “To love.”

The easily calm expression on Jenny’s face flickered into something horrified and sad. “Oh,” she said, in this small, broken voice. “Oh—baby. Oh. No. Sweetheart,” and then she pulled Giles into her arms and wouldn’t let him go for ten minutes.

It was super fun to talk with Ripper and Jenny about their alternate Scoobies. Ripper had pictures of them on his phone, and stories to go with them, and the way he talked about Other-Buffy and Other-Willow and Other-Xander made Buffy’s chest ache. She wanted Giles to talk about them like that, all show-offy and proud-dad with a frankly boring amount of pictures.

Well. Boring to some people. Not boring to Buffy, especially when she saw Other-Buffy had a very similar sense of style to hers. True, the jeans-and-jacket vibe wasn’t exactly the in thing right now, but then that probably had to do with the whole Kids-From-The-Future thing. “I like her boots,” Buffy observed.

“Oh, those,” said Ripper disparagingly. “I got demon blood on them one time and she never let me hear the end of it.”

“You drenched her entire outfit in demon blood, Ripper, I feel like she was being generous complaining about only the boots,” commented Jenny, snagging a handful of chips from the jumbo-sized bag Ripper had somehow managed to sneak in. “Ooh—tell them about that one time with the sea monkeys!”

“That—no,” said Ripper, scowling, and lobbed a pen at Jenny, who giggled and ducked. “No. Fuckin’ hell, Janna, do you get off on makin’ me squirm?”

“I mean, that sounds about right,” said Willow unexpectedly, then blushed a furious red.

Jenny fell out of her chair laughing. Ripper was grinning too. Buffy felt a little disloyal to Giles, but she liked seeing a version of him that was—happy, she realized. Ripper was happy. And not in the nervous, wary way Giles was happy, even when he was around Ms. Calendar.

As if on cue, Giles and Ms. Calendar exited Giles’s office. Giles looked a little wrung-out, and Ms. Calendar (who had her sweater on backwards) had this kind of shell-shocked expression, like she’d figured something out and was just now trying to wrap her head around it. “Hey, I, um, Rupert and I are gonna be having a longer talk,” she said. “Janna, Ripper, if it’s okay, can you both stay with one of the kids? I think we need to work some stuff out.”

“Don’t break up with him,” said Jenny suddenly.

This was such a surprising thing to come from Jenny (Buffy wasn’t exactly sure who had punched Giles, but judging by the way Jenny had been looking at him through most of the briefing, she’d have bet an exorbitant amount of money on mini-Calendar) that everyone went dead silent, Giles included.

“I’m serious,” said Jenny, a dull flush in her cheeks. “He’s a piece of work, but…he’s gonna be worth it.”

Ms. Calendar gave Jenny this amused, knowing look. Jenny glared. “I’m not planning on it,” she said. “I love Rupert very much.”

This was surprising too. Probably not as surprising as it should have been, giving the unholy amount of face-sucking that Buffy had walked in on over the last two weeks, but—Giles and Ms. Calendar were in love? For real in love? Enough that Ms. Calendar, queen of avoiding feelings, would straight-up say it in front of everyone?Buffy exchanged a shocked look with Willow and Xander, who looked just as stunned as she felt.

“Oh,” said Giles, who looked a complete and total mess. What had happened in his office? “Jenny—”

“Don’t say it just yet,” said Ms. Calendar, giving him a small, tired smile, “we need to have a real conversation about your concept of what is and isn’t selfish before things go any further.” She tucked her arm into Giles’s, then kissed him on the cheek. “No patrolling tonight,” she said over her shoulder, “not if you don’t want to.”

The weird part, to Buffy, wasn’t that Ms. Calendar had given them an order. The weird part was that Giles didn’t say a word about the importance of patrolling, or how vampires were at their strongest on Wednesdays, or any of his usual Watcher stuff. He just leaned a little on Ms. Calendar and turned her face into her hair, letting her lead him out of the library.

[fly-like-a-grayson]

New in Town Pt. 1 (Connor Murphy x Reader)

A/N: This us gonna be a series. It’s going to have all the DEH characters, but the like relationship part will be focused on Connor and the reader. Also, an apology if Connor is OOC, this is my first time writing him. Oh aaaaand I got the title from John Mulaney and I’m done rambling. Thank you for reading!

Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Make friends, it will be fun. New town, new school, new people. It’s a great opportunity.

Your mom’s words echoed through your head as you walked into the highschool of your new town. What a lovely way to spend your senior year, in a new town halfway across the country from your old home. But hey, you were an optimistic person, so maybe you should listen to your mom. Maybe one friend will change how the rest of the year will turn out. Maybe you can change someone’s year and tell your children one day that you helped someone for the better. Or maybe you were just being too ambitious.

Plus, how would you find people with interests like yours? You weren’t exactly hip with the kids, as your mom put it. Weird trivia and pieces of information were your forte. You were a knowledge sponge, but not like academic. You could tell someone how many types of lettuce there are, how many countries in Africa, how big each of the great lakes were. Weird stuff that meant almost nothing to anyone else, but everything to you. You were lucky enough to find a small group of friends who dealt with your random facts and actually listened when you would go on a tangent. How would you find that here? You had to find that group of weirdos where everyone in that group was just a little gay, some way more than others.

You decided on one person, you would approach one person as yourself and if that was a complete fail, you would try to fit in. But the real question was who, who would you subject to the torture of knowing the real you? Maybe that girl with the guitar case, oh wait, she’s in the band at school. Aren’t band kids like a close knit group? No doubt she would tell her friends about the weirdo she met before school started. Maybe the kid with the cast and the blue striped polo? He looked like he was an easy person to talk to, but just then some dude with glasses started talking to him and the poor kid looked like he was about to explode. Maybe your personality was a bit too much for him, and he wasn’t alone anymore. You had to talk to someone who was alone, didn’t need to embarrass yourself in front of two people, now did ya?

As your eyes scanned over the crowd, like Terminator, they landed on some kid walking out of the school building. Why would he be walking out of the school 5 minutes before the bell? Maybe you should go and find out? So, that’s what you did. You fast walked to the person as he turned the corner to the side of the school. When you got there, they were smoking a cigarette, that has to not be allowed. But the calmness of him made you assume he really didn’t care. Now that you were closer to him, you could actually get a look at him. He had fair skin and fluffy looking brown hair. Oh, and his nails were painted black. Nail polish! That can be your opening topic, ask him about what nail polish he uses! It’s genius!

So, you took a deep breath and walked over to him. He didn’t seem to notice your presence, so you decided to clear your throat. He flinched and looked at you with a slightly angry face, but you thought nothing of it. Maybe he just had RBF or something. After a few beats of silence, that’s when you went in with your question, “What kind of nail polish are you wearing?”. He didn’t respond, just kinda stared at you.

Realizing you weren’t going to get an answer, you pressed on, “Is it Wet N’ Wild’s Black Creme? It’s cheap and you don’t seem like the kind of person to spend a lot of money on nail polish. Not to say that you look cheap, it’s just… well, maybe you don’t mind splurging on nail polish. So maybe it’s like OPI’s Black Onyx, but that’s still only like 5 dollars, or maybe it’s 8. I guess it depends on where you go, tax and if you have coupons. Do they make you pay more in each state? I’ve never done that, but I also don’t travel a lot. I have a big family so it’s hard for all of us to go somewhere enjoyable-”

“Do you know how to shut the hell up?”, he interrupted you.

Oh crap, you screwed it up. Maybe you should try to fix it, how do you fix it? Don’t say anything yet, you gotta think this over. Be precise with your words and you’ll be fine, “My brother says I don’t know how to, he might be right. Judging by this conversation, he is right. My mom says not to listen to everything he says because he isn’t really a good person, but he’s alright by me. And-”

He cut you off again, “Look, I’m trying to smoke here and you’re fucking it up for me.”

“Oh, yeah. I’m sorry.”, you stuttered out, “I’m just new and stuff and I wanted to talk to someone and you seemed nice and I guess it was my fault to assume and I’m sorry.”

“Oh, you’re new? Couldn’t tell,“, his voice was laced with sarcasm, “Word of advice kid, if you want friends at this school, stay away from me. I’m a freak and the moment someone sees you talking to me, they’ll dispel you.”

You huffed, he didn’t seem bad, he was just annoyed with you. Not like that’s anything new. But an idea popped into your head. You placed your backpack on the ground and rustled through it, looking for a blank piece of paper and a pen, or any writing utensil.Once you had found it, you then tried to find a place to write. You chose to write on the dark brick wall, which caused your writing to come out sloppy. You read over it to make sure the boy could read it. You were satisfied with it, so you gave it to him. He reluctantly skimmed the paper before crumbling it and speed walking away.

What was it? You didn’t put anything rude in the note, right? All it said was that by writing on the note you weren’t technically talking to him and that you wanted to know his name. Guess he wasn’t one for loopholes, oh well. You can’t win them all, or in your case can’t get everyone to like you. Guess the universe didn’t want you and that kid to be friends. You sighed as you made your way to your first class of the day, psychics. Not your favorite, but you can’t control what classes you take. Your mom controls all of that. Not that she’s controlling or anything, you’re just so indecisive that you wouldn’t get the forms done until the next school year.

Anyways, you made your way to your classroom, silently hoping to see that boy again. As fate would have it, you and that boy had the same first period. He had an empty seat next to him, but you still wanted to play it casual, not that you could be casual anymore. You kinda ruined that chance when you rambled about nail polish to him. Oh well, you still decided to sit in a chair close to his but far enough away to make it seem like you didn’t care he was sitting behind you. He still didn’t notice your presence, that carelessness will get him hurt one day. Like he’ll fall down of something, not get hit by a bus.

The bell blared, signifying that the first class was going to start. Your teacher, who had on a smile ear to ear, walked to the front of the class and told everyone to get in their seats. Then the dreaded thing happened, “We are blessed enough to have a new student in our midst. Y/N Y/L/N, would you please stand up for the class.”

Well, who were you to say no to this lovely lady who wanted you to stand up in a room of judgemental teenagers! But, you knew you had no choice, so you did as she requested. You slowly rose from your seating position as all heads turned to you, oh great.

“Ms. Y/L/N, would you like to introduce yourself to the class?”, she asked, but again it was another demand.

You mulled over what you were going to say for a moment, until your mouth started to pour out words again, “My name is Y/N, but all of you already know that. I moved here, but you all know that anyway. There’’s nothing extraordinary to say, I have a large family. We aren’t like the size of the Duggars but there’s a lot of us. My mom says she loves all of us but sometimes I think she doesn’t like the oldest of my family. She loves the younger children, but that’s common for families. I understand it though, I like my younger siblings more than my… older… ones.”, you trailed on until you noticed that some girls were snickering at you. Your face burned bright red as you slowly sat back down.

The teacher smiled just as brightly as before, “Welcome to our school, Ms. Y/L/N.”

The rest of the class period went by in a daze. You still felt the embarrassment of before surrounding you. You met one person and scared them off and managed to be laughed at all in 20 minutes. Wow, this school year is going to be great.

[anyway-i-love-vanderwood]

Harvest Moon AU - Zen Heart Events

Black Heart Event

Time: 12PM-6PM; Any season but Winter

Weather: Sunny

Location: Aurora Lake

[You walk into the bottom section of Aurora Lake, which lies south of the Moonlight Mine. Zen frequently can be found practicing the guitar by the lake’s shores, and you walks in on him doing so. He does not notice you at first, and you watch him practice while musical notes appear above his head.]

Zen: They think I’m crazy. ♪ My heartbeat goes up. ♫

Zen: Words cannot express my love for you! ♫♪

Zen: Did you – ack!

[An exclamation point appears above Zen’s head, and he stops playing as he notices you.]

Zen: <MC>, I didn’t see you out there! How long have you been listening?

Zen: …A while, huh? Well, I understand. It’s hard to ignore my alluring presence!

Zen: What brings you this far out of town? 

> [Choice 1] “It’s beautiful out. I wanted to take a walk.”

Zen: Ahh, isn’t it, though? The sound of the wind, the song of the birds, the smell of the flowers drifting on the breeze…

Zen: It’s enough to make a man feel alive, isn’t it?

Zen: Whenever I visit to the lake, I remember why I moved to Mystic Valley in the first place. The fresh air has a way of making my soul feel… clean.

Zen: I always come out here to practice. Would you like to listen for a while? I’ll play you something a bit more polished.

[You nod and walk over to sit by Zen. Go to [A]

> [Choice 2] “I wanted to see you, my darling Zenny-zen♥”

(Zen blushes)

Zen: Hahaha, wow! Are you a fan?

Zen: Jeez, I’m so lucky… someone as cute as you was looking for me?

Zen: Well, come on over. I’ll play you something a bit more polished.

[You nod and walk over to sit by Zen. Go to [A]

> [Choice 3] “I was headed to the mine, when I heard you playing…”

Zen: I guess you’d have to pass me if you wanted to get there, huh?

Zen: I’m surprised you go in there… but I guess there’s stuff you need in the dirt. Ores for your tools, minerals to sell…

Zen: It’s filled with monsters though, right? I hope you’re careful.

Zen: I’d hate to see someone as cute as you end up in the clinic.

Zen: How about you take a break and listen to me for a while? I’ll play you something a bit more polished.

Zen: Back-breaking labor can wait a few minutes, right?

[A]

[Zen plays another song, musical notes appearing above his head as he strums. When he’s finished, he looks to you.]

Zen: That’s one of the first songs I learned how to play. What do you think?

> [Choice 1] “It sounded really nice.”

(Zen +200)

Zen: Thank you! I practice every single day. I have to, if I’m ever going to be a success.

Zen: Well, at least…

[Go to [B]

> [Choice 2] “That’s one of the songs in the musical Dandelion, right?”

(Zen +500)

Zen: You’re right! It’s the opening number! Wow, how did you know?

Zen: You must really like musicals.

Zen: It’s always been my dream to be in a production of Dandelion. Or… well, any musical really, haha.

Zen: Singing, acting, being on stage – it’s my dream. And every day, I’m out here practicing until I can make my dream come true.

Zen: Well, at least…

[Go to [B]

> [Choice 3] “That’s not really the kind of music I like…”

(Zen -200)

Zen: O-oh, ahaha…

Zen: It’s from a musical, but I guess that sort of thing isn’t for everyone.

Zen: They’re what I love, though. Musicals.

Zen: There’s just about the singing and the dancing – I feel like you can really feel the heart and soul that the actors put into the production.

Zen: Well, at least…

[B]

Zen: That’s what I tell myself when it seems hard to keep going.

Zen: The road to stardom isn’t an easy one, and I’d be lying if I said it never got rough, but…

Zen: It’s a small price to pay for your dreams, huh?

Zen: I figure you’d understand, given that you took over that old farm-plot and all. It can’t be easy, and it also can’t have been a popular decision among your friends and family.

Zen: I mean, who decides to drop society and run off to become a farmer, anyway?

Zen: --Ah, sorry! Don’t take that the wrong way. I meant it as a compliment.

Zen: My family… wanted me to be plain. Dull. Boring. To just follow along with the crowd, and to be exactly like everyone else.

Zen: I know what you’re thinking! With a face like mine, how could I be destined for anything but show business?

Zen: …But, to them, what was most important... was being normal.

Zen: So anyone who forges their own path and carves their own destiny like you... well! I think that’s a pretty admirable person.

Zen: Anyway, sorry for keeping you. I’m sure you’re busy.

Zen: Come see me any time, okay? ♥ I’m always happy to have an audience.

[end]

[The rest of the Heart Events are under the read more!]

Purple Heart Event

Time: 12PM-6PM; Any season.

Weather: Sunny

Location: Aurora Lake

[You walk into the scene to find Yoosung standing by the water along with Zen. They seem to be in the middle of a conversation.]

Yoosung: In the beginning, you used to come out with me every weekday after practice! Then, it started being every other weekday…

Yoosung: And now that Rika’s gone? You never help me with the Community Center! If I didn’t know better, Zen, I’d say you didn’t care anymore.

Yoosung: But that can’t be true, right?

Yoosung: Of everyone in this town…

Yoosung: You’re the person… who still dreams the most about the day when everything is finished and you finally have an auditorium to perform in.

Zen: That’s true, but…

Yoosung: But what? But you’d rather not get your hands dirty and instead let me do all the work?

Yoosung: Is that it?

Zen: No!

Zen: Yoosung, do I seem like a lazy guy to you? It’s not that at all!

Zen: It’s just…

Zen: V already… told us to stop working on it. And he has the deed - without his approval and that damn cat-mayor’s permission, we can’t even think about opening the building!

Zen: Yoosung, I want a stage more than I want to keep breathing.

Zen: But we can’t do anything until we convince the two of them! Otherwise –

Yoosung: I thought you liked breaking the rules!

Yoosung: Liked flouting authority, liked proving that everyone else’s opinions didn’t matter! When did a stupid piece of paper start scaring you?

Yoosung: How are you going to get famous if you don’t have a stage to play on?!

Zen: …

[The two of them finally notice you, and sweat-drops appear before both of their heads.]

Zen: <MC!> God, you really have a habit of walking in on things, huh?

Yoosung: U-uh, hi, <MC!>

Yoosung: I’m sorry, Zen and I were just… talking about the old community center…

Yoosung: You know, that big old ruined building a bit north of the bakery?

Yoosung: Back in the day, Rika, V, Zen and I used to have all of these plans of fixing it up and using it to hold town-wide events like classes, art-shows, and, y’know, plays…

Yoosung: Things that might encourage more people to live here and help the townsfolk connect with each other…

Yoosung: But all progress has stopped, and the woodwork has been left to rot.

> [Choice 1] “Do you want help fixing it?”

(Zen +500)

[An exclamation point appears over Yoosung’s head.]

Yoosung: What, really? Is that a serious offer?

Yoosung: Yes, absolutely! It honestly gets really, really, really depressing working on it all by myself!

Yoosung: …So depressing that I sometimes skip out on it and play video games instead…

Yoosung: Come on! I’ve hauled the tools up there already, and I brought a cooler full of soda, too!

Zen: W-Wait!

[Question marks appear above Yoosung and your head.]

Zen: Er, well, I guess I can take a break from practice, too…

Zen: Let’s go buy a pack of beer, though. You can’t drink soda when you’re doing construction work!

Zen: That’s just lame.

Yoosung: That… kinda doesn’t sound safe?

Zen: Oh, come on, it’ll be fine. It makes things more fun!

[You walk off screen with Zen and Yoosung. The screen goes dark, and when it comes back, the clock has been set to 6PM and you’re outside the community center with Zen and Yoosung. You can control your character now, but if you talk to them before leaving, you get some unique dialogue.]

Zen: Don’t worry, I’ll get him home. Jeez, he really can’t take his booze, huh?

Yoosung: Zen, your hair is so pretty and your skin is so soooooft… I want to wear it…

[end]

> [Choice 2] “You should probably just let it collapse. It’s kind of ugly.”

(Zen -500)

Yoosung: It’s, it’s not ugly!

Zen: It kind of is…

Yoosung: That’s only because no one will help me fix it! It’ll be like a beautiful butterfly coming out of its cocoon when it’s done… you’ll see!

[A sweat-drop appears over Zen’s head.]

Zen: Look… if it means so much to you, I can come help for a little bit.

Zen: But we have to get V to agree to the repairs. Okay? Otherwise, I’m just going to spend my time practicing.

Yoosung: You know he’s never going to agree to that…!

Zen: It’s our best shot. There’s no way the mayor will intervene; that guy doesn’t care about anything other than cats and money.

Yoosung: Sigh…

Zen: Hey, maybe one day one of your chickens will lay a golden egg and we’ll just be able to throw tons of cash at Jumin.

Yoosung: That’s geese, and I already tried that!

Zen: …What.

Yoosung: Yeah! The wizard on the hill said if I got a goose and did the macerana in front of it while balancing a melon on my head and jumping up and down, it’d lay a golden egg after a month!

Yoosung: But it didn’t work!

Yoosung: Maybe I didn’t do it right...?

Zen: S-seriously, kid…

Yoosung: Anyway, let’s go!

[Yoosung and Zen walk away, but Zen stops by you before he goes off the screen.]

Zen: Sorry <MC>, I won’t be able to play for you today.

Zen: It might be a lost cause, but Yoosung is my friend. I have to help him out occasionally or he gets pretty hard to deal with.

[end]

Blue Heart Event

Time: 6PM-11PM; Any season.

Weather: Sunny

Location: Meteor Hill Peak

[Meteor Hill is where the Wizard 707 lives – and it’s also the best stargazing spot in town! When you enter the area, the camera pans up to Zen standing by the very top of the mountain, and you walk up beside him.]

Zen: Oh, hey there, <MC>…

Zen: Sigh…

[Choice 1] “You look sad. What’s wrong?”

Zen: Sad? Hmn. I suppose I am a bit gloomy, but nothing is wrong, don’t worry!

Zen: It’d be crime against the world itself if anything bad happened to me. ♥

Zen: I was just thinking about some things, that’s all.

[go to A]

[Choice 2] “That’s not a very energetic greeting.”

Zen: Haha, sorry, you’re right.

Zen: Hey there, <MC!>

Zen: Is that better?

Zen: It’d be horrible for me to deny you my beautiful, smiling face. Though… isn’t there something tragically beautiful by a gorgeous, sad man under the stars?

[A laughing face appears over Zen’s head.]

[A]

Zen: Anyway, the sky is so clear tonight… why don’t you join me?

[You walk up and sit beside Zen, and he turns to face the sky once more.]

Zen: Looking at the sky makes you think, huh? About how small everything is, how tiny and insignificant we are compared to the stars…

Zen: Yet, we humans have managed to touch them, haven’t we? We’ve launched rockets to the moon, we’ve made telescopes that can see distant planets…

Zen: And through art and literature, we’ve managed to, as a species, achieve heights that our ancestors could only dream of.

Zen: Beautiful paintings. Music that can move you to tears. Acting that takes you into another time, another place, that’s so convincing that it makes the characters appear real.

Zen: We’ve made light of the constellations; we ourselves have become stars.

Zen: Sigh…

Zen: Do you ever think about how the people that might be watching the same sky as you? People you’ve left behind, people who might not even remember that you exist…?

[Choice 1] “I do.”

Zen: You should tell me about them sometime. I’d love to hear about the kinds of things you think about in the darkness of the night.

[Choice 2] “I don’t.”

Zen: No? That’s probably for the best. It means that you’re not chained by your own regrets, that you can face the present without looking behind you.

Zen: Myself, on the other hand…

Zen: …

Zen: I’ve left a lot of people behind over my life.

Zen: My friends. My… family.

Zen: They didn’t believe that I could amount to more than a “pretty-faced, shallow thug”, so one day, I – I got on my motorcycle and just drove. And drove. And drove until the city was behind me, and all that I could see, for miles and miles, were green, rolling fields.

Zen: I didn’t have a lot with me. I only brought my jacket, my guitar, and a small knapsack filled with some of my clothes and my wallet.

Zen: I started living simply, just playing and singing in towns. I’d buy a bit of food - whatever I could afford - with the tip money…

Zen: And then I moved on.

Zen: I don’t know what I was looking for.

Zen: I don’t know if I was even looking for something, in the end, it was more like… it came looking for me.

Zen: Have… I ever really told you about Rika?

[You shake your head.]

Zen: Well, I came to Mystic Valley on a rainy day in the summer. It was pouring, I was soaked through, and I didn’t have enough money to stay anywhere. But! It was warm, so I thought, oh, I’ll just find someplace to wait out the rain and just sleep outside.

Zen: Hehe, can you imagine that? I was kind of like the prince of the forest in those days… sleeping under the open air. It was nice, sometimes.

Zen: I mean, sometimes it wasn’t, but look on the bright side, right?

Zen: Anyway, you know how the restaurant has that great porch? Well, I took shelter under there, and since I was bored, I brought out my guitar and started playing.

Zen: After a while… someone came out and saw me there, dripping on one of the chairs and playing away without a care in the world.

Zen: It was Rika.

Zen: She was astounded. She told me my music was the most beautiful thing she’d ever heard, and she dragged me inside to introduce me to V. And V, that guy could really fret up a storm, you know? He got me a change of clothes, something warm to eat, and he also offered me a place to stay.

Zen: Free of charge. What a guy, right?

Zen: Anyway, they were both so excited. They asked me a million questions about myself – who I was, where I was from, what I was doing out here – and when I said I wanted to be in show business, Rika said…

Zen: “V! Let’s let him play here! He’ll bring in customers!”

Zen: …Those were really fun days… the restaurant was packed whenever I’d play. Everyone was laughing… I brought smiles to all their faces.

Zen: Even that damn mayor came out of his ivory palace to listen. Haha.

Zen: We’d even talk about how, when the community center was all fixed up, I’d even be able to put on plays… I could have a whole theatre-troupe, and achieve my real dream of telling a story on stage…

Zen: …

Zen: …But… that all stopped when she died.

Zen: V just… retreated into himself.

Zen: He didn’t… ask me to stop playing, really, but whenever I tried, I just remembered when Rika and V used to be there at the counter laughing, and…

Zen: After she was gone…

Zen: …

Zen: It… made me think of my parents…

Zen: And how they said everything about me was just temporary. My pretty looks, my hopes and dreams –

Zen: “Why on earth would you want to be an actor, Hyun? Even if you do make it, which you won’t, people will forget about you as soon as someone new comes along. Why not do something that’ll make a permanent difference in the world?”

Zen: And – even though I didn’t want to – when I remembered them smiling, I asked myself…

Zen: Did… I really leave anything lasting, even when people loved me?

Zen: Because in the end, those smiles disappeared.

Zen: And now, I’m nothing.

[Choice 1] “You’re not nothing!”

Zen: Haha… That’s sweet of you to say, <MC>. And it’s not really fair of me to whine to you about all this; you do keep visiting me. You are a fan. And please, believe me, I appreciate your support more than you know.

Zen: When you smile at me…

Zen: When you look at me as I’m playing…

Zen: When you visit me, day after day, and sit beside me by the lake…

Zen: I really… feel it. How much I love this place. How much I love being able to touch people with my voice.

Zen: I want to be heard, <MC>.

Zen: I want to be listened to.

Zen: I want to tell people the things they need to hear, the things that will make them smile and laugh and feel like the world is alright.

Zen: I want to be the light for those who are struggling.

Zen: I want to show them there’s something worth fighting for!

[go to B]

[Choice 2] “You should keep trying.”

Zen: Keep trying? I’m not… sure what I’m trying to do anymore.

Zen: What did I think would happen…? I ask myself that all the time. I feel like such a wash-out. Do I really have any actual talent? Part of the reason I wanted to be an actor was because women kept telling me that I was so beautiful I sparkled, and that I ought to be on the stage, but –

Zen: I don’t want to be looked at because I’m pretty; I wanted to be looked at because I have something to say!

Zen: Something for people to hear!

Zen: Something that, when people listen to it, makes them feel!

Zen: I want to make people happy!

Zen: I want to make people smile!

[go to B]

[Choice 3] “Why don’t you go back to the city?”

Zen: That’s a fair question to ask. If I want to make it big, then playing in a small town probably isn’t the best route to that, right? Abandoning this place, going back and trying my hand at the theater business…

Zen: It makes sense. But. Something about that – I just can’t do it.

Zen: Mystic Valley has its problems; but it gave me a place to call home when I couldn’t find one anywhere else. Rika, V, the entire town – they liked me because my talents brought them joy. It wasn’t shallow, it wasn’t just because of my appearance…

Zen: They heard something in my voice that they loved. Not my face; my voice.

Zen: For once, I felt like I was heard. And now? I want –

Zen: I want people to judge Mystic Valley not by appearances, but instead by its heart!

Zen: I want everyone to remember what’s so good about this place!

Zen: I want to put it into a song, put it into a story so I can convey it to them, what I feel! And to help them remember how they felt, once!

[B]

Zen: I want - !

Zen: …

[Zen stands up, and then exclaims to the sky - ]

Zen: I want everyone to feel like they can wish again!

Zen: What am I doing, sulking up here on top of a mountain? Man – what have I been doing all these months?

Zen: Playing by myself in the woods, waiting for people to stumble across me and discover me because I’m too afraid of bringing pain rather than joy with my work?

Zen: What the heck; that’s dumb!

Zen: You know what, <MC>? I’m going to march right down to the bar and tell V, straight up, that he needs to let me play there again!

Zen: We need to hold concerts there again!

Zen: Sure, something bad happened, but we can’t be sad forever!

Zen: Sure, the town is having trouble, but –

Zen: There are beautiful things out there, waiting to be seen!

Zen: Like me! Like you! Like the stars – I want everyone in this town to remember that they can be happy!

[Zen pants, and then turns back towards the path leading down the mountain.]

Zen: <MC>, thank you! I feel like I’ve been born again as a new man.

Zen: It’s gotten so dark, so please, let me walk you home. After that…

Zen: I’m going to go talk to V.

[The scene ends with a heart appearing over your head and you walking back down the path with Zen. After this, Zen’s schedule will change, and he’ll start routinely playing at the bar.]

[End]

Green Heart Event

There is no event at the green heart level, however to see the final two heart events, a token of affection must be given in the form of a ‘heart gem’ to the object of your affections. This makes the relationship ‘official’, and the rest of the town acknowledges you as dating your chosen candidate.

Zen: Is this – is this for me?

Zen: Really? Really, really – you’re giving this to me?

Zen: <MC>, I could kiss you! Can I kiss you? I really want to kiss you!

Zen: Goddess, you have no idea how many times I’ve imagined this happening. You confessing your love to me... and then me sweeping you off your feet and carrying you off to the moon!♥

Zen: Ahh, I’m happy! I’m so happy! I want to go tell everyone that <MC> likes me!

Zen: Me~♥ Me~♥! I’m the luckiest guy in the world!

Zen: <MC>, let me take you on a date today! Anywhere you want; my treat!

Zen: I’ll do anything at all for the cutest, sweetest person in the world.

[Hearts appear over the both of your heads, and the scene fades to black. When it comes back, you’re standing outside of your farmhouse, in the evening, with full energy.]

[Note: After this heart event, if you interact with the ‘journal’ in Zen’s room, it’ll be filled with love poems and sonnets.]

Yellow Heart Event

Time: 8AM-4PM; Any Season.

Weather: Any

Location: Meteor Hill

[You walk onto the screen to find Zen in front of the door to the Wizard’s house. When he hears you, he turns around and an [!] appears above his head.]

Zen: <MC!> Just the person I was hoping to see!

Zen: This has to be fate. Come on! Let’s get our fortune told together.

[You and Zen walk into the tower… Where you’re greeted emphatically by 707, whose voice resonates through the house even though you can’t see him initially.]

Seven: Ooohh!! What’s that, I hear? Is someone knocking at my door and summoning me, the magnificent wizard Seven-oh-Seven?!

Seven: Well, actually, you didn’t knock, which is awfully rude.

Seven: How about you try that again?

[Zen turns to the door, and though he doesn’t leave, he knocks on it.]

Zen: Is that better, oh Great Wizard?

Seven: Much, thank you!

[Seven suddenly appears, sliding down banister the spiral-staircase which lies in the center of the ground floor. When he lands, he poses and sparkles.]

Seven: What can I do for you, humble children of men? What great secrets can I reveal; what darkness needs to be banished with the unrelenting force of light?!

Seven: Tell me, oh noble petitioners, so I may aid you in your quest for glory!

Zen: Pffthaha… I just want the usual, Seven. Though I was hoping you could have a two-for-one special? See, I have my partner here, and…

Zen: Well…

Zen: I’d like our compatibility rated.♥

Seven: A compatibility rating? Oh joy!

Seven: And may there be joy to you both! At least, if the stars will it.

Seven: Sit down, then! And present your offerings, so I may be compensated for my just and true work.

[Zen walks up to Seven.]

Zen: Here you go, pal. Fresh from the supermarket.

Zen: I got you two packs since there are two of us.

Seven: Ah, the sweet nectar of life! The ambrosia of the gods! Liquid manna straight from heaven –

Seven: PhD Pepper!

Seven: This will do. Now, we’ll begin!

[You and Zen sit together in front of Seven’s crystal ball, and he walks on the other side, beginning to make hand gestures. The screen darkens a bit, and the blips of Seven’s dialogue get a different cadence.]

Seven: Now, let us peer into the future…

Seven: The future of you and Zen…

Seven: Abra-cadabra, alakazam, make me more than what I am, show me the heart of the golden land…

Seven: Bim-bam-boom!

Seven: . . .

Seven: The stars… have spoken…

Seven: Hyun Ryu…

Seven: <MC>…

Seven: Ah, what happiness is this…? It’s so profound, I can almost taste it.

Seven: Yours is a relationship that fills the other with love.

Seven: Stability. Support. Inspiration. You work harder for the sake of the other, and through that work, you both make the world a better place.

Seven: Wherever you go, your love will plant the seeds of new beginnings… not just for yourself, but for those around you.

Seven: Yours is a love that will touch others who view it. And it will be viewed by others!

Seven: A life of seclusion, of being a recluse… is not an option to you. And neither do you want it to be…

Seven: Because through being seen, you’ll ultimately make others happy.

Seven: You see each other for the beauty in your spirits…

Seven: Ahh, it makes me jealous just to look at you!

Seven: If I had to give you a compatibility rating…

Seven: It would be the fluffiness of a rabbit’s fur! Very soft, very nice, would definitely pet again!

Seven: (Though, it’s nothing compared to my beautiful Elly!!)

[Seven’s blips turn back to normal, and the screen lightens again. A heart appears over Zen’s head.]

Zen: Hear that, babe? We have the wizard’s blessing!

Zen: This is such great news!

[A heart appears over your head.]

Zen: Thank you, Wizard! I’m in your debt.

Seven: I can only tell you what the stars have been telling you all along. But, you are welcome!

Seven: Now go! Be free! Be happy!

Seven: And sing of your love, to anyone that’ll listen!

[You and Zen walk out, but the camera lingers on Seven for a final line before going dark.]

Seven: Heh-heh-heh… he’s going to be unbearable from now on. Oh well! That’s for the rest of the town to deal with.

[End]

Pink Heart Event

Time: 6PM-12PM

Weather: Any

Location: Señor Saguaro (V’s Restaurant)

[This heart event is preceded in the morning by you getting a letter. It’s from Zen, saying that he’s set up a special concert at V’s restaurant… and he’d like you to attend! You can walk in any time after 6, and the event will be triggered.]

[Zen is on the stage, and the camera follows your character as you walk up and take a seat at one of the tables near the front. Zen doesn’t stop playing, and finishes up the song before addressing the audience – which is pretty large. Larger than any of his performances so far.]

Zen: Thank you all for coming out here tonight. It really means a lot to see so many faces out in the crowd!

Zen: Especially those of you who are smiling and in love.♥ That’s my favorite kind of expression in the world!

Zen: …I’ll be honest, in the past, I sometimes hated looking at couples. There’ve times when I’ve been jealous of other’s happiness...

Zen: Times when I’ve been sad and confused about what to do…

Zen: And times when I’ve just wanted to give up and say, ‘you know? My dreams aren’t worth it!’ but, in the end…

Zen: There was someone beside me who told me to keep trying.

Zen: There was someone beside me who kept pushing me to succeed.

Zen: And that, my friends –

Zen: Is our local farmer, <MC!>

Zen: Everyone give <him/her/them> a round of applause for being a stellar member of the community, an excellent human being, and, dare I say it –

Zen: The best partner a guy could ask for.

[You blush as the crowd reacts in various ways. Some laugh, some clap, and some shake their heads because Zen’s kind of a moron.]

Zen: Anyway, this goes out to you, babe.

Zen: …I really, really love you.

[Zen begins to play another song – which is a finished version of the one he was singing in the very first heart event - and the screen fades to black after it’s completed. When it comes back into view, you and Zen are standing outside of Señor Saguaro, and it’s very dark.]

Zen: Thanks for coming tonight. I really appreciate it.

Zen: And, uh, sorry for gushing about you in public there, I just really couldn’t help myself.

Zen: …So… I’ve, uh. I’ve been talking to some people in town.

Zen: And – uh. We petitioned Jumin…

Zen: And while he’s still saying that we don’t have the funds to make progress on the community center, he did say that he has some pretty big rooms in his manor that we could use to practice, and, well.

Zen: Maybe put some small shows in, too.

[Choice 1] “That’s exciting!”

Zen: Isn’t it? A place to work that isn’t out in the middle of the woods! It’s like a dream come true.

Zen: Jumin says he has some props we can use, too!

[go to A]

[Choice 2] “Maybe Jumin’s not totally heartless after all.”

Zen: Pft, I wouldn’t go that far, he said he’d want some of the proceeds from the show to go to the town coffers.

Zen: …Though, on second thought…

Zen: I guess… he probably would use that money to help the town, huh?

[A sweatdrop appears over Zen’s head.]

[A]

Zen: Anyway, I’d really love it if you came to some of the practices.

Zen: Maybe… you’d even want to try acting yourself?

Zen: No pressure! But… it’d mean a lot for you to be there.

Zen: I’d like you to see how far I’ve come.

[A heart appears above both your heads, and then Zen leans in and kisses you.]

Zen: …Thanks for being you, <MC>.

Zen: Shall I walk you home? I think it’d be a good way to end the night.

[Another heart appears over your head, and you and Zen walk off together.]

Marriage:

After seeing Zen’s final heart event, you can propose to him using a Prismatic Letter Opener, which is a longstanding tradition in Mystic Valley. A few things change after marrying Zen. He moves in with you, and he’ll practice on your farm instead of going out to the lake. He and Yoosung also start working on the Community Center as part of your daily routine. Zen also will write you letters that you can find on your night-stand in the evening, telling you how much he loves you and appreciates you.

After marriage, an event chain is unlocked with V and Jumin regarding the community center, and that starts the post-marriage content of fixing it up.

[modelronpagame]

Knack 2 | E.ve | Trial 1.2 | Re: A lot

Ooooo… Mickey sure did say that huh! And Koharu sure knew where she got that idea from to double it up… right? Not to mention Kaise backing it up, right away pinning Koharu’s name onto the originally vague accusation. If he hadn’t been sweating bullets before he was now. He really didn’t need Koharu tearing him a new one when he just didn’t want to go through evidence with only one suspect on the list, more suspects means a more open mind right?

Yeah.

Totally.

The openest of minds, also the denial that a chaperone could even do such a thing definitely helped his decision to try and pin it on someone else. Hehe. E.ve could feel himself shrinking just a little bit, especially because of the tension that the kitchen knife probably couldn’t cut despite its presence (Thanks Red) but maybe Koharu’s knife sure could. Specifically because it would cut him. Into tiny pieces. Out of anger.

Yaaaaayyyyy….

Not to mention there was Kaz’s remarks which contradicted something he though, or rather was told. Postmortem makes a lot more sense though, and suddenly no more worries about that! He sure didn’t know a lot of those medical terms Kaz listed out though, instead choosing to just let out a low whistle trying to recall half of what had been said. Did anyone really know other than Kaz himself? Well, if they did they sure weren’t letting E.ve know. At least not the big terms part.

Rowena’s words too. They didn’t really help it not being Kimura at all, given nail polish and the blanket being brought up again. Yikes!

“Uhhhh… Well the blanket is actually Koko’s, unless someone else swiped it from her room. And yes, Koha. For a moment I put your name on the table, ‘cause it was weird to hear you had a key to her room. I looked through your room, and I didn’t see nail polish or anything that’d tie you to this. Though you having a knife does make me uneasy-- it’s bigger than the kitchen knife used to stab Yuu. I doubt she did it so. Let’s stop bringing her up thankies!”

The damage has already been done E.ve, even now. The Evil Seed Of What You’ve Done… Germinates Within You.

Nervous, E.ve chose to stay quiet for a few moments as he kept listening, and listening. Yes, yes. The blanket. Yes. And the Yuuna volunteered to die… yes y--  Oh wait. Huh.

“UWOH! Hey hey! Okay so. Yeah. Basically??? She didn’t volunteer. Someone totally approached her about it though I think. I remember, Yuuna like… She said she wouldn’t fight back if someone asked to kill her or something??? I thought it totally fucked at the time. And. It’s still fucked actually. Super messed up even since... You know.”

Pausing he frowns as he crosses his arms in thought. That didn’t quite make sense. What was he missing? Whatttttt was it? The note in Yuuna’s hand… Oh!

“There was a note in Yuu’s room too, saying her note at the scene probably would have a hint. That section was probably…” Tapping away at his device to access the note he read it word for word.

“”I also feel like I should give you a hint. But in the end, all I can do is keep looking backwards, searching for that one section of my life that will give me a revelation.” Maybe that’s what it was? The fact she wouldn’t fight is a clue in of itself or something… Like being approached and told someone wanted to kill her? That explains why she managed to read not one, but two notes. Like seriously. Who gets to write notes before they die?” Yuuna apparently.

Spit balling and coming to a solid conclusion was something E.ve was good at. Unless he didn't really want to. In this case? He really didn't want to. Seriously. Someone killed! Scary stuff. 

Or maybe it was the sense of bringing up evidence and having realizations that made him feel like a protagonist he hated more. The sense that part of him? Was enjoying this entire mystery scheme, the bizarre practicalities and demands. It felt like a video game. It was almost fun, in a really twisted, morbid sense. Maybe he could kind of understand--

No, that's not what E.ve's here to think about. Figuring this out to avoid whatever sick punishment the mascots could make up for failure was more important. That was for certain. They couldn't fail, or. They could since there was two tries apparently per killer, but he didn't want to even think further on that... Someone killing twice? What the fuck...

Kei's words swiftly pulled him outside of his thoughts however, something he could say mindlessly! Perfect!

"Ok sooooo. Yeah. You're totally right, going off the last list though? The only two suspects it could be-- and one has been for sure crossed out considering nothing really ties to her-- are still Koha and Koko. Koko's wife Rumi was at the bottom three of the list the last time, and before that? Bottom five. Sure Koha's person is the very bottom, but I'm not feeling it for reasons I've stated."

Man he really hated to say that. But instead of addressing that fact he cleared his throat and glanced around.

"Did we mention the tripod yet? There was a tripod in the studio covered in paint that apparently scratched up the door in the cafe. Anyone know why that would be a thing...?"

[ismael37olson]

On and On and On It Goes

I've been watching a lot of film noir lately, to get me in the right mindset for polishing Sweet Smell of Success. A few things I've noticed -- in almost all of them, there's a fundamentally corrupt, or at least unfair, world as a backdrop, almost everything happens at night, and there's usually a moment in which an otherwise innocent person makes the fateful decision to also lie, cheat, or otherwise manipulate. All those thing are present in Sweet Smell. And the cultural backdrop is almost as vivid a character as the four leads. For a while, mid-century, Americans devoured gossip about famous people more ferociously than at any other time before or since. Sure, that's always been a part of our culture, but there was a "Golden Age." The story of Sweet Smell of Success is a very personal story, among just four people, of love, jealousy, greed, and ego. But underpinning the story is a moral and structural underbelly that makes this story unique, exploring the freaky barter system that fueled those mid-century gossip columns. That system is the "Underworld" that our heroes must learn to navigate. And it worked like this: Say you're a 1950s press agent. You make money by finding clients to represent, they pay you a regular fee, and you get them mentioned in the newspapers; and the best mention of all is one of the nationally syndicated "Broadway" (i.e., New York) gossip columnists. The king of those was Walter Winchell, only thinly veiled as the character J.J. Hunsecker in Sweet Smell of Success. The price of getting your client mentioned favorably in a gossip column is a nasty, preferably scandalous, or at least witty, piece of gossip about someone else. You rat somebody else out, your client gets the prize. Or the way Sidney and the other press agents explain it in our show:

Sidney: A press agent works for a client. Press Agents: Yup! Sidney: A press agent likes to eat. Agents: You bet! Sidney: The client says, “Get me in J.J.” Agents: J.J.! Sidney: The press agent feels the heat. Agents: Ouch! Sidney: J.J. says, “What’ll you give me?” Here's where you crawl like a bug... All: Just give him dirt, Make it hurt, He gives your client a plug.

Just listen to J.J.'s secretary Madge take his calls:

Madge: (answering the phone) J.J. Hunsecker… Press Agent: Madge, any space tonight? Madge: Depends on what you got. Press Agent: The Democratic presidential nominee? Madge: What did you find out? Press Agent: Tell J.J. his divorce papers are sealed. Madge: (To J.J.) Adlai Stevenson's divorce papers are sealed. J.J.: Why? Madge: (To Press Agent) Why? Press Agent: Give me time -- he'll mention the Blue Angel? Madge: Find out more and J.J. loves the Blue Angel. (picks up another line) J.J. Hunsecker…

And the result sounds like (also quoting from the show):

Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers packing 'em in at the Persian Room ... Those rumors about Lena Home just won't quit ... Grace Kelly, fresh off High Noon, making yet another married movie star regret he ever said love, honor and oh the hell with it … Advice to a certain polo-playing playboy after the brawl at P.J. Clark’s last night. Learn the difference between men and pigs. Pigs don't tum into men when they drink … Talking of tippling: Dean Martin confessing at The Stork Club that he sees a psychiatrist once a week to help him stop drinking. It's working. Every Tuesday from three to four, he stops drinking ... Item: Libby James, TV glamazon, at Toni's Caprice with married Wall Street biggie. She's learning the hard way that girls get minks the same way minks get minks ... Question in Washington: Will Truman resign before he's impeached? Treason's never a pretty picture ... Ava Gardner is finding out that when hubby Frank Sinatra sends her flowers for no reason, there's a reason ...

That's the universe in which our dark, fierce, adult fable takes place. I keep thinking about that famous review quote of the original Pal Joey in 1940, "Although it is expertly done, can you draw sweet water from a foul well?" Yes, you could in 1940 and you can now. It makes me think of a conversation I had last night at rehearsal with Matt Pentecost, who's playing Sidney for us. We've both seen the movie, and Matt was feeling a little unsure since he was going in a somewhat different direction than Tony Curtis did. Matt's Sidney is not irredeemably sociopathic as he was in the film; this Sidney is more needy and weak. He's not fundamentally evil, just without any discernible moral foundation, like no one ever bothered to teach him the basics of right and wrong. In the film, Sidney is as big a monster as J.J. is. In the show, Sidney is just a two-bit hustler, trapped by his ambition and his lust for power. But unlike the film, the stage musical allows Sidney some flashes of self-awareness which arguably make his tragedy even worse. The difference, of course, is the music. In the film, any emotions these broken people felt were fully submerged, subtextual. But because music is an abstract language, it conveys emotion more powerfully than words can, and so the musical theatre is an inherently emotional storytelling form. Sweet Smell of Success as a musical can explore those dark, complex emotions directly, and a song like "At the Fountain" can give us empathy for a character like Sidney that wasn't possible in the movie. Here's a piece of Sidney's big Act I solo, the introspective "At the Fountain," in which he ponders his luck at becoming J.J.'s new best friend...

Hey Sidney, you finally found some luck... You've always been an also-ran Just racing for a buck; A guy with a smile, A way with a word, Quick with a joke We've already heard. Y'ever hear the one about Lana Turner? Sittin' at the soda fountain, Dreamin' her soda fountain dreams? But there was something he could see For just a moment; It's like he saw inside of me What's really there – What I was, What I am, What I'll be… Maybe I'm at the fountain, Maybe I'm at the start; It's time to step up and drink And not even think; You don't have to think to be smart. Sometimes the perfect timing Feels like a work of art, 'Cause it can bring you your break And answer the ache; He offers, you take The part...

More so than the movie ever does, this helps us understand why Sidney goes along with everything J.J. wants. That's some really strong character writing from lyricist Craig Carnelia, and coupled with Marvin Hamlisch's lush, soaring music, it's a powerfully emotional moment. It's almost impossible not to feel something for Sidney here. And then he destroys some lives.

And that's a big part of what makes this moral thriller so much fun. If you're not careful, Sidney will charm you too. I guess it's sort of like The Music Man, only this time the scoundrel isn't just ripping off honest small town people using their kids as bait; this time, somebody's apt to get killed. I realized as we've worked on this show that the central conflict of the show is not exactly what it appears to be. The real conflict isn't about jealousy or power; it's about empathy. J.J. and Sidney are so broken, so damaged, they can't imagine how someone else feels, they can't put themselves in someone else's shoes. And that makes it really easy to destroy people. Recent brain research suggests that if a child doesn't get enough physical affection in the first years of life, they won't properly develop the pre-frontal cortex in their brain, the area which controls empathy. J.J. and Sidney aren't just cruel; they're incapable of feeling empathy. In the original short story, Susan says to Sidney, "We love each other in a way that you and J.J. could never understand." She's absolutely right. There's so much complexity and depth to these characters, and the writing is exceptional. Our music director Jeff Carter calls it the "wittiest and wickedest" book he's ever worked on. And then there's the amazing music and lyrics... And this superb cast of ours...! You gotta see this show. It's genuinely extraordinary, a real roller coaster ride, and when will you ever get another chance to see it...? Long Live the Musical! Scott from The Bad Boy of Musical Theatre http://newlinetheatre.blogspot.com/2017/05/on-and-on-and-on-it-goes.html