#literally watch the new song be the one mh worked on

[liesyousoldme]

ft ice spice. she is hyping an artist her nasty ass bf made disgusting comments about. this is so.. beyond tone deaf i am just…… sad i am SAD. i’m assuming we’re finally getting hits different on streaming but at what fuckin cost

[frostedcats]

mh could you write please a platonic L or Near (whatever you feel more comfortable with) X reader? like how it would be to be close friends with them and what type of activities they would like to do with you or little gestures that show they care 🦈

I LOVE THIS IDEA SO MUCH WHAT. I decided I love this idea so much that i wrote smth for both Near and L. I m not sure if what i wrote is somehow lore accurate or not, I wrote it for fun 🤷‍♀️. Just so yk I didn t really write that much about them.

(Sorry if it took a lot to respond I have no idea when you send that rqst)

Hope you enjoy this!

《¤~☆L&Near☆~¤)

I feel like both of them would make mean comments all the time, indirectly calling you stupid. At first they wouldn t really care if you took them seriously or not but they would slowly start to sugar coat the comments if they care enough about you. If the relationship aged they would stop sugar coating the mean comments knowing you don t get offended by them anymore, and you would be taking them more as a joke.

They both are scared to show their emotions, so if somehow you see another side of them, other than the indifferent one, you re lucky.

At first Near would stare at you and analize all your moves. L would do that too the only diffrence being that L wouldn t give a shit if you caught him staring and Near would be really carefull to not get caught.

Near dosen t like physical touch at all, so as soon as he got comfy around you he would probably start tugging on your arm to show you stuff and get closer to you, literally into your personal space. I m pretty sure L dosen t like the touch of another person either but he would get into anybody s personal space just to annoy, intimidate or disturb them.

《¤~☆Near☆~¤》

Near is most likely protective of his toys not letting anybody near them. With that being said, if he asked you to play with his toys or didn t start throwing a tantrum if you touched his toys, he cares about you a lot.

At first, Near is the kind of person to watch you talk and not really take part in the conversation, or start it, although he will try to start a conversation or keep it going if you don t say anything, ONLY if he likes you.

Near isn t the kind of person to go out of his comfort zone even if it s for a case. He dosen t like trying out stuff or meeting new people, so, if you ask him to do something new or try something, he would usually refuse, unless he trust s you.

《¤~☆L☆~¤》

Just like Near is protective over his toys, L is "protective" over his sweets. I think everybody has said this and i will say it again, he dosen t like sharing his sweets. Alright, if we are talking about somebody he works with, yeah, he would probably share but not always and only if the other person insists. Buttttttt (🍑) if he considers you a friend he would insist on sharing with you.

Honestly I think L is a little emo. So he would totally make you a playlist of some shitty songs he likes. (He made one for Light and Misa for sure) (Source: trust me bro) (i was the ceilling, dw, i wouldn t lie 💕)

Talking about his past would be a really big step. If he talked about his past w you, you better take good care of the poor guy cuz he actually trust s you a lot. (That would be the case for Near too but I m way too lazy to go back to the first part)

L dosen t sleep much, we already know that. But, did you know we usually feel sleepy around people we are comfy around and we trust? Now that you do, imagine a sleepy L hitting his head on the desk bcs he finally felt comfy enough to actually sleep. (He would probably ask you to watch him untill he falls asleep 😭)

《¤~☆~¤》

Thank you sm for the rqst! I found it really intresting!

[farty-city]

inside bo burnham review no one asked for

i enjoy other peoples commentary and i was writing down my first thoughts anyway so here it is

inside

first song/intro song

i like the phone screen on him, very reflective of how we have had phone screens on us

“roberts been a little depressed” osnskjdnfs

they were right “daddys made you some content so open wide” hjbfafn

intro

oh my god he looks awful

but like in a cute way

maybe

healing the world with comedy (second song)

the canned and queued laugher no exactly… is it a symbol or is it just funny.. who's to say. 

it think its a good first song, establishing he knows what he is doing is kind of useless 

“the indescribable power of your comedy”

he looks like marc maron rn

i like the synthed voice and synthesizer

the jesus allusion … yeah

“i'm a special kind of white guy”

this feels like he knows how he is perceived by fans.. Make happy was too much

his fucking dancing fksjdnfksj

i think he did a good job looking manic

the lasers lmao

Side 1

Bo made a huge gamble releasing this like,,, what if you just stumbled upon it and this was ur first introduction to him..

I bet its like when i comment dumb things on instagram comments and get that rush of hehehehe

NO NOT BO DEVELOPING BILLIE EILLISH VOWELS

Also this is exactly what he wanted like,, he just wanted to make his things and not deal with the crowds so..

To think i was like finding scraps of him performing at largo and stuff and now,, so much content

life imitates art

the way he's literally what he wrote hgbkdf

there is no authenticity with cameras

suicide ?

 facetime with my mom tonight

the blue light.. Yeah

o hblue like sad

i don't know how i feel about the electric music but i guess its no different than whatever else i listen to

this is sad wow

still catchy etc

side 2

i wonder if here will be any fart jokes

that is how the world works (songs)

the huge mess and then him in a sweater

this is reminiscent of that walmart muppets

he became tim minchin with a sock puppet

the “yes… yes sir” stoppp 

jkgdsnfijwkensfosnf

qbejfnjne

nerjgnoejns

bo making a political statement and a metaphor for activism and then making it weirdly kinky

brand consultant (bit)

man bun

i have to believe he filmed it with the beard because quarantine vibes and also bc he was tired of being seen as a child

white womans instagram (song)

i did not like that intro

BO AND GLASSES THANK GOD

the daisies wow just wow

underwear

“white womans instagram” or “bo burnham becomes a girlboss”

i like that he didn't lose his cadence like the way the rhymes are you can still tell its him

i don't get the mom part sorry

is it like how people are very superficial but also very personal on their instagrams

this part was legit sad

side 3

i wonder how he felt with cameras constantly on him

Although this is the point hes trying to make

lol seinfeld moment (bit)

unpaid intern (bit and song)

“barely people somehow legal” was so smooth woW

omg he was scatting

he was a man who would scat

oh my god what great news

the react clip omg

i cant believe he did that oh my god

observation/critisism and response to the “can anyone shut the fuck up” 

and as i realized what he was doing he was like “i have this need for everything i make to have a deeper meaning” oh my god

now the question is how long will this go on?

jeffrey bezos (song)

idk its catchy

and then theres him like sleeping and talking which kind of is part of the jeff bezos song

bug eyes salamanders hehe

sexting (song)

i do believe this is just a silly song 

the earrings tho omg

sounds like post malone hbkjdsnfskj

idk its still about like intimacy in quarantine and that stuff..

the knife (bit)

i know hes copying like other youtubers but like,,, what

stuck in a room (song)

the intro is very funny and relatable

classic bo i love it 

i will say this special has been more reflective but i suppose it has to be

“look whos inside again”

i like the end too, this is all a fabrication

this is the clip where hes staring at the projection of himself from his old youtube videos which is sort of more like an ending to the “stuck in my room” song

 sorry (song)

i love the 80’s style music and its like zumba

oh this is like an apology song

“father please forgive me for i did not realise what i did, or that id live to regret it” what a catchy line

i would say this is another more “classic” bo song where its self aware and funny

“my closet it chalk full of stuff that is vaguely shitty” 

camera falling

this deserves its own bullet because its silly

i'm turning 30 (bit and song)

i remember him talking about this on a podcast and like,, damn i didn't know this also happened LOL

i really like how he did the lighting 

“stupid fucking ugly boring children”

suicide talk (1)

this is interesting i like the use of the projection

this is something that could never have happened onstage

just like with the it being projected on him

i guess it could but it would have to be done differently and probably hed have to make it funnier to make it more engaging

intermission

i just checked this is about the halfway point.. Mh

i don't wanna know (song)

“i thought it’d be over by now”

i wish this was longer but i kind of like how its just a little snippet and then the cut

video game (bit)

“i guess i’ll cry again”

“is the dude big or is the room small” lol

hm depression

 feelin like shit (song)

ohh the lighting is fun again

this is the tone shift i suppose

the feels like supalonely and the new kind of music

atl

:(

panic attack 

everything all of the time (song)

feels like brandon rogers 

i enjoy this

this feels like “welcome to youtube” grew up

“a little bit of everything all of the time”

“apathys a tragedy and boredoms a crime”

ok olivia rodrigo

finishing the special (bit)

these feel like diary entries but as standup

interesting choice

jeffery bezos (2)

Why the seaweed suit

Where did he get that

the digital space (bit)

suit up, gather what is needed, and return to the surface

damn

pirate map anfdkjfnskjd

this was so stupid (affectonate)

that funny feeling (song)

the campfire vibes 

kenny loggins

i don't get it..

is it about childhood, is it about the present?

i think its talking about the end of content? 

“the end of culture”, to quote make happy

change and not liking it 

“we were overdue, but it will be over soon”

if the second half of the special is like a panic attack this song is like a momentary pause before it gets worse

“so ive been working on this special”/breakdown 

this was .. uncomfortable and genuine which i'm sure is why he kept it

all eyes on me (song/rant)

another sad thing to watch.. damn

me trying to tell if the audio was from make happy

i think he was trying to make it as if the audio was from make happy 

this feels.. familiar

and obviously that is the point

“come on in the waters fine”

the use of autotune during the talking part... yeah

sad that he was gonna make another special… and it would have been totally different than this

i’ve decided i like the homage to make happy

It feels like hes made peace with it

the montage of him waking up and the “i think i'm done”

and then of course the ending where he's watching it over to remind us that its all fabricated

possible ending song/ “i promise to never go outside again”

ngl he looks good in the shirt with the haircut hehe

which i feel like is what he wants up to notice

and then like not think after we saw all his breakdowns

“i want to hear you tell a joke when no ones laughing in the background”

i really like the medley

Final thoughts

I want a blooper reel, but this doesn't seem like the kind of special

I also wonder if the songs will be on like apple music, but again, doesn't seem like the kind of special

I'm happy for him, he got to be honest and open and show us the sort of panicky stuff

this self aware comedy is exactly the stuff that i think will be making a comeback in the next decade.  John better be pulling up with more deconstructed comedy. 

I hope this has given him peace

[redxblueihateloveyou]

i saw this tweet https://twitter.com/_omigashh/status/1365170181148798976?s=21 and i was like ???? what do you think about this?

Lol we’ve discussed it before, it’s the same one thing each time. I wish they would find something else, cause I feel like we’re walking in circles in this blog already and I’m having trouble finding previous asks xD. Haha I love the first personal interpretation with the “what she really meant”, that’s how the wrong info spreads.

And no, that’s not what she meant. She said “if it wasn’t for the swimming, they probably wouldn’t become friends bc of their different personalities”, which in no way means that the only thing Rin likes about Haru is swimming [sending you to this post with all the real proof] and vice versa as some of them say and if you don’t see that this ain’t true, you’ve watched smth else.

As I’ve said before according to their logic all ships are invalid in this case, cause “if it wasn’t for basketball / volleyball / ice-skating / mutual goal of becoming heroes, etc they all wouldn’t be friends”. Also since when different personalities in a ship discard the ship? Cause all the canon ships have opposite attract thing going on and been doing just fine, thanks. As people in life. Cause I don’t know a person who would want to date yourself tbh.

Haru said the Sousuke reminds him of Rin a lot and in books Sousuke described as Rin’s alter ego. He also reminds Rin of his dad. Of course, they’re on the same wave, of course, they undestand each other the best. I understand myself the best. Makoto is Haru’s shadow, his whole life is based on following him, he literally has no personal dreams or whatever since the moment he met him, Haru in the books literally cringes since he just repeats what they do, even if he just goes for a run [here are all the direct, unedited, original quotes]. I do not know Makoto’s true identity, sometimes I think he’s Haru’s ghost.

And I agree with her statement. And no, she didn’t mean it in a romantic way as mh fans still think after all this time AND all the CANON that happened and what Haru said out loud. She is a well known hardcore Rinharu fan, who like me “can talk about these two forever” and writes random short stories about them and also, man, they’re literally in her every work. LIKE JUST KNOWING THIS, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND, SHE DID NOT MEAN IT LIKE THAT.

I know this would be painful for this person to hear, but if she read the books and watched the anime Makoto’s personality and his attitude towards life, they do not inspire Haru... he’s just not a fan, to say, to soften the blow. He very much appreciates and loves him as a friend, but he does not respect his way of living, even comparing him to a sticky fly (A FLY!), who has nothing else to do, but stick to somebody else. They said zillion times, the reason Haru admires Rin is not bc of his swimming, but because of the way he lives. Rin is free, Rin is “vibrant”, he compares him to a strong vivid red flower among the other peasants. If Haru is canonically Rin’s shining, Rin is more like Haru’s sun tbh.

Also I have like a whole book of what Utsumi and the crew said about Rinharu being a couple, but they’re still running around with this one thing for 7 years. Like do you have anything else? Like literally... anything? It’s 2021 and each time the interpretation of that interview is getting wilder and wilder lol. Let’s just, let’s please quote the real things, I’m begging you. Like one anon said, pls seriously, I understand if mh is your thing, but let’s not be too blind. Stop running around with the only quote you have and twist it.

I also have ships that are not canon, but I do not try to prove that they are, I try to prove why I ship them and why they are better then canon in such cases.The truth is in Free! from the beginning they never wrote anyone besides rinharu as romantic relationship, it is what it is. That is the anime and books fact. If you think that Makoto is “a better match” for Haru (god forbid tbh), that’s your preference, but lets not write what’s not there. It’s like each new season/movie/drama/story is out creators write things black on white, but someone is still like “it ain’t canon, it just ain’t, I haven’t seen this”. Who the fuck after everything that happened thinks that Rin have ROMANTIC feelings for Sousuke and Haru for Makoto?! (I’d understand the other way around maybe, but NOT THIS!). I’m serious... as in okay, you can prefer your ships despite everything, it’s a free state, but you can’t think so... like for real, after everything that Rin and Haru said themselves... or do they think everyone is under imperius curse casted by Rinharu fans and it’s all just a HUGE lie? :D 

ALSO WE’RE IN 2021! I THOUGHT THIS WAS NOT THING ANYMORE. AS IN ARGUMENTS LIKE WHO IS THE REAL DEAL (not which ship is better..psst, its rinharu still). THEY WANT TO “TRAVEL THE WORLD TOGETHER AND BE IN ONE BE TOGETHER” AND SWIM IN ALL KIND OF TOURNAMENTS NOW THAT THEY’RE TOGETHER, LEAVE THEM BE ALREADY PLS SERIOUSLY. THEY JUST WANT TO BE TOGETHER... IT WAS LITERALLY THEIR DREAM. AS IN THEY BOTH WANT TO BE WITH EACH OTHER AND THEY MAKE EACH OTHER HAPPY. I KNOW YOU’RE OBSESSED WITH MAKOTO FOR SOME REASON, AND YOU THINK HARU IS HIS ONLY OPTION AND THAT’S YOUR REASONING, BUT HARU’S ALSO A PERSON. WITH HIS OWN WISHES. SO PLS CONSIDER IT, TOO. HE’S ALSO NEVER BEEN HAPPIER AS HE WAS DURING THAT NIGHT TRIP, SO PLS CONSIDER THIS, TOO. ALSO PLS CONSIDER THE WHOLE FREAKING ANIME.

♫ let it go, let it go ♫ (I fucking hate this song, but pls lol)

[signetxego]

The twst dorm leaders playing gbf, purely for meme purposes, something i spent too much time on. below the cut for long post.

Riddle

⁃ Rank 101

⁃ Plays casually but consistently, riddle is a perfectionist and wants to make his teams good, but he’s also realistic and pragmatic. He knows he’s a busy guy, and can’t join trains all day to bust up all his grids at once

⁃ The type to focus on one team at a time based on a predetermined order. Probably not in a crew (if he is, it’s just him, Cater and some of Cater’s friends) so he doesn’t worry about guild wars and building his teams based on that.

⁃ f2p, he’s responsible with his money. probably mains light since he likes the comfort of a high hp pool + stamina, and the typical light play style is reliable and safe.

⁃ Has only recruited one eternal—funf. Her voice probably drives him up the wall, but he likes the security of her heals to his light team. Is planning on 5*ing her!

⁃ favourite class is doctor. Practical, and he won’t admit it but sexy as fuck

⁃ He plays for the gameplay rather than the story/characters, the one exception is sandalphon, who he is incredibly fond of!!! he reads stories if the plot interests him, however, and if he’s got some spare time.

Leona

⁃ Rank 1

⁃ Leona doesn’t play he’s in it like a collecting game and so ruggie can use his randomly lucksacked mlb shiva as a support summon

⁃ like vil, plays on roulette season

⁃ reads some stories, but on ruggies account bc he cba to unlock them himself

⁃ ruggie made a joke about leona being percival ‘if he lost his sense of honour’ which made leona go and read the dragon knights stories

⁃ bruh he fucking stans percy so hard after reading between frost and flame but he won’t admit it

⁃ frequently throws money at the game just because he feels like pulling in gacha. ruggie is crying. leona don’t buy the scam star draw set you don’t even play the game please

⁃ is always really lucky in gacha

Azul

⁃ Rank 200

⁃ Only started playing recently, but was determined to catch up to Idia and become the best player so he got the twins and some poor unfortunate souls to help him grind and pay his way to instant victory

⁃ Doesn’t care for the plot, is purely driven by competition and wanting to have the best grids at any given time. Mains water for the Octavinelle Aesthetic and bitches about having to play the summer cagliostro crit setup to compete with other elements.

⁃ Likes quatre because they are both driven purely by spite and revenge, and is desperate for him to get a rebalance so he can run him w/ a clear conscience

⁃ Also likes Six, probably cried like a bitchboy during seeds of redemption which is to this date the only story he has read but you didn’t hear it from me

⁃ In a crew with idia and is waiting to overthrow him as captain

⁃ Has a weird spreadsheet showing exactly when to cast a status effect for it to land with the highest success that’s virtually unreadable to anyone aside from him

⁃ Plays chaos ruler as default bc he thinks it looks cool

⁃ sparks for the weapon rather than the character

⁃ hates farming for mats and gets the twins/his slaves to do his dailies when he’s busy a lot of the time god i wish i had slaves to farm ubaha host mats for me rn

Kalim

⁃ Rank 50 but his grids are the best of anyone in the game bc haha money go brrrr

⁃ He is cursed with bad gacha luck, and managed to deck himself out with the sexiest primal grid possible (puts idia’s to shame) thanks to jamils help, and a lot of money spent on trying to get Vikala’s ssr (before realising the spark function existed...)

⁃ He doesn’t favour any element, because he likes all the characters! He has a soft spot for Anila and Vikala though, since they’re so adorable and fun!

⁃ Doesn’t play seriously and mostly just reads the stories, idia wants to cry when he sees his fire grid with four flb ixabas going to waste

⁃ He likes Sarasa, and thinks she’s really funny, so when he does play it’s mostly grinding to recruit her!

⁃ Actually likes Vyrn and doesn’t find him annoying! has actually read the main story.

⁃ solos as soon as he has 300 crystals, he literally can’t save, i hate it here

⁃ his favourite class is lumberjack, but he hasn’t unlocked it yet ;-; ccws are hard to forge for rank 100 and below ;-;

Vil

⁃ Rank 25

⁃ seasonal player, shows up for roulette season and then leaves

⁃ downloaded the game because of the pretty art and the cute character designs, but can’t be bothered to learn how to play—he’s a busy man!

⁃ Europa was his first SSR and is still one of his favourite characters, she’s so pretty! He also loves michael and gabriel, and would start playing properly if they became playable mark my words

⁃ won’t admit it but probably wants belial to smear his makeup a little

⁃ kinda a basic bitch, has only read the wmtsb series cried at the ‘i’ll be waiting’ scene

⁃ criticises the fashion choices of every character he pulls, summons included. Won’t go into raids if the boss is ugly.

⁃ Does his makeup with zero playing in the bg and once parades lust...

Idia

⁃ Rank 275

⁃ that insane player who has soloed faasan hl in every element, has all the eternals 5*ed + the sexy blue skin, and all the evokers

⁃ a legendary figure in the community

⁃ plays as tormentor in every team bc he’s that bitch and also has a damascus knife mh for every element even if he doesn’t always use it

⁃ is both serious abt gameplay and the characters, watches all the gbf channel episodes and keeps up with news

⁃ was probably in a gbfvs tournament

⁃ his favourite character is caim, who reminds him of ortho with his childish innocence! Second is Nio, who is quiet and cute! He’s fond of a lot of characters though, like esser, funf, ferry and narmaya.

⁃ Strictly plays with his faves, but his grids are so good that he manages to make any setup meta.

⁃ Has siero scratcher ptsd bc it didn’t give him his third flb blue sphere but got tempted with it so. many. times.

⁃ Is in a guild w/ azul and ortho + some internet friends and if anyone doesn’t meet the gw quota in a day he screams at them w his hair all red and angry

⁃ owns the gisla body pillow.

⁃ He mains all elements. He has a primal whale grid for every element. His favourite to play with is probably wind, because he thinks it has the most flexibility in its play style. Hes a little mad that winds evoker is not as good as most of the others...

⁃ Idia: “i play for strategy” also idia: ‘gets fraux before alanaan bc the waifu is too strong’

Malleus

⁃ Rank 200

⁃ he can’t play, he’s just been farming tiamat omega raids daily since the games launch

⁃ he downloaded it to get closer to lilia, who is really *really* trying to teach him how to play with... little success

⁃ Still, he doesn’t give up!

⁃ Used his free gold bar uncapping a celeste horn

⁃ forgot to collect his free eternal

⁃ used parazonium as skill fodder (dw malmal i did the same and i live with the guilt)

⁃ uses auto select for his grids

⁃ lilia is crying in the background and often steps in to make the grids himself, but malleus always accidentally deletes them...

⁃ his favourite character is vania, she reminds him of lilia! and also, himself, in a strange way...

⁃ he also likes song, and has worked very hard to recruit her! he almost cried reading about how she was ostracised in her village for her talent at archery, and how lonely she feels, even in the eternals.

⁃ whenever the characters give him a seasonal message, he cries

⁃ gives valentines/white day/christmas gifts to every single character he has

[i-really-do]

I want to get back into writing and what better way to start with my guilty pleasure Yu-Gi-Oh 5D’s? I’ll be adding new one shots or whatever from time to time. I hope you have as much fun reading as I have writing.

Enjoy!

Prompt: Person A is a customer who is obsessed with the way Person B, a barista at a local coffee shop, makes their pumpkin spiced latte every morning.

By @olicitytropes

Don’t throw me away 

Every breath she took built small clouds around her face. She put her scarf further up her face. It was only October and she already felt the ice creeping up her bones. Every autumn she promised herself she would go back to Italy. At least for a week. And every winter she barely scraped by.  Her nose hurt when she sniffed. She could imagine how she looked. A woman tucked away under a jacket and a coat on top of that and a scarf which hid nearly her whole face. Her hands were in some thick cloth gloves. They made her hands at least 2 or 3 sizes bigger. And she had boots that reached all the way up to her knees.  The siberian marcher. That was her nickname every fucking winter. What can you do when you are used to much gentler autumn and winter days. In Italy winters meant 10 degrees plus not 30 degree minus.  Cordelia let out a deep sigh and regretted it in the next second. Her lungs filled with the icy air and it burned her inside out. The urge to cough rose quickly. She held it back. The burning cold air wobbled inside of her. Finally she caved. The coughing got so bad she had to stop on the street and just let it out. It felt like minutes until she could walk again. With her gloved hand she smeared across her face. She could feel all sorts of sticky stuff. Disgusted with herself she wept everything on her coat. But she could still feel something on her face. So she kept rubbing until she was certain it was gone.  Well as certain as someone with near frostbites could be.  She put her scarf back on and kept walking. The only good thing about this freaking weather was she could get any hold drink and not feel bad about the few bucks. Especially now shortly before Halloween she could get all the pumpkin spice latte. The barista was a nice plus. Just thinking of him made Cordelia a bit warmer. His hair was the best of him. It had the same orange colour as literal pumpkins and it was so messy. It didn’t seem like he ever combed it. She really wanted to touch it. A smirk formed under Cordelia's scarf. But she would have to be fast, because the staff would change in a few minutes. Reflexively she looked at her wrist. Her watch was buried under a ton of clothes. Forcing another sigh down her throat she began to walk faster. Finally she reached the entrance. There was barely anybody in there. Just the barista, his blonde coworker and two coffee drinkers who practically lived in their newspaper. Cordelia pushed the door open. The bell above made a faint tingle. The baristas were in the middle of a conversation and Cordelia nearly felt rude for interrupting it. When they heard the bell both turned and put on their best customer-is-always-right smile. Other than the forced smile you would never guess that they had been here the whole night. Well maybe they weren’t but the shop had insane operating hours so she just assumed.  “Oh wow did we get hit with a cold front in the last hour?”, the orange haired barista jocked. Cordelia never learned his name. 

Well, you could warm me up.

With a crooked grin she shoved the scarf a bit down. The warmth of the store burnt on her ice cold skin. “I can’t help it, this weather is a serious threat to my health”, Cordelia's voice was throughty and she sounded like a kids cartoon.  Both baristas looked at Cordelia as if she summoned an ancient marshmallow in front of their faces. She tried her best to clear her throat.  “Anyway”, said the orange haired man, “ehhh, you get a Pumpkin Spice Latte, right?” 

Yeah, I’m THAT basic.

 Cordelia noded. She didn’t dare to say another word. “Coming right up!” She moved over to the blonde one and paid for her drink. While she paid with her card, which she had already prepared, she spied over to the other worker. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, but whenever he prepared a drink he put a tiny bit extra effort into it.  The way he slid across the floor to get the cup was the best and worst part of her day. Best, because she got to see him. Worst, because this was literally a highlight.  With a raised eyebrow the blond man looked down on her. He was at least one head taller than her. The man towered over her and everyone else. She didn’t notice the look he gave her, her attention still rested on the orange haired man.  If Cordelia had any guts she would ask for his name. But Cordelia didn’t have those. Instead she just starred.  As he poured the drink into a plastic cup the pumpkin scent filled the room. Everything got soaked. She unconsciously bit her lip in anticipation. Other than him working there was no sound or at least no sound which Cordelia paid any attention to.  The man turned around for a second, smiled at her and looked at his co-worker. She couldn’t place his facial expression. Was he pleading? “Say you don’t come from here, do you?”, the blond man’s voice took her out of the trance she basically was in. It took her a few seconds to register him. “Mh, eh no I-I grew up in Italy”, the stupid stammering came back. It always did, whenever she got surprised. She made a fist with one of her hands, well she tried to, but the cloth was simply too thick. Her fingers barely touched each other. “Oh, Italy! Never been there. How is it?” “A lot warmer, but not as friendly as here.” A smile formed on his face: “So why do you torture yourself in this weather?” 

Because I REALLY want to get into the pants of your co-worker.

 “At first studying, and now work. Beggars can’t be choosers”, she shrugged. “Well it’s nice to have such loyal customers especially at this hour”, the orange haired man walked over with her pumpkin spice latte in his hands. In his other hand he still had the pen.  “You really don’t have to write my name on the cup. I mean”, she gestured around, “who else could be getting a latte right now?” “Haha, it’s basically muscle memory at this point. Besides, Cordelia is a beautiful name.” 

Show SOME guts!

 She smiled at him brightly.  At this point she would always run. How often was she at a similar point? Maybe a dozen times. Nothing would ever change. She would walk out that door. Not a tiny bit closer to learning his name or anything about him. Cordelia would always stay the same. Except when she didn’t. “Say, I never asked for your names. Would you mind telling me?”, her voice was shaking a bit. But she did it. She asked THE question.  Both looked surprised.  “Sure, I’m Jack and this is Crow”, the blonde one spoke.  Crow looked, smirked at her and his eyes seemed bigger than before.  “Jack, Crow”, she nodded at both of them”, the morning is a pleasure with baristas like you. See you tomorrow.” As a farewell she held the cup high and cheered to them. In the next second she pulled the scarf up her face and walked out the door.  Just as she was walking out the next shift walked in. Cordelia stayed and held the door open. It was a red haired woman and a black haired guy with yellow streaks. She always wondered if they were coloured or natural. Both smiled politely. Their eyes were nearly closed and the woman yawned while she walked to the back of the store.  Behind Cordelia she could hear Jack and Crow whispering. She could not make out the words. Cordelia didn’t look back. If the next shift was already there she had to move it. Otherwise she would come late to the morning huddle. And her boss was always pissed when he had to wait for someone.  With big steps she made her way through the people who slowly emerged from their hibernation.  ------- A big sigh left her lips as she finally dropped into her office chair. Cordelia was tempted to kick off her shoes and call it a day. But it was barely 9 am.  She made it on time. But she had to run a few meters and that really sucked all of her life out of her. Her only saving grace was another co worker who came in late. Otherwise the boss would have roasted her.   As she sipped on the latte a loud gurgling noise came from it. The smell of pumpkin vanished completely. Now only the stench of plastic remained.  When did she drink all of that? Disappointed she put the drink at the edge of her desk. The cleaning lady was going to come through any minute and she was nice enough to throw it away immediately.    Without looking Cordelia pulled out her laptop, started it, put in her headphones and put on her reading glasses. Within seconds she was working on some numbers. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she entered new numbers and deleted some old ones.  This was her zone. She could work for hours like this. The time would fly by and then she could get home, shower and- “Excuse me.” Cordelia nearly jumped out of her chair as a hand tapped her shoulder.  

Motherf-

 She pulled on the cord and her earphones popped out. The music was faintly hearable. Some stupid love song was playing. The cleaning lady looked at her a bit frightened. With a sharp breath Cordelia let go of the tension and she hoped it would be done soon.  “What is it?”, the words still came out harsher than she wanted. She formed a smile, but it felt fake so she quickly dropped it. “I-I just wanted to ask if you saw the message on the cup”, the cleaning lady held the empty cup up. 

Probably my name, you…

 “What message do you mean?” The cleaning lady smiled at her. “You might want to keep it.” Before Cordelia could protest the cup was shoved into her hands and the lady scooted off.  “Okay what’s so special?”, she murmured to herself. As she turned to the message she saw there were two lines.  The first one was short and the second one long.  Cordelia’s eyes got wide. Within seconds her face turned red she could feel the heat that suddenly radiated from her cheeks. And a small giggle escaped her lips. The best present of the year. And she nearly threw it away.  Without thinking she pulled out her phone. Her fingers were slippery and she had to double check the number on the screen.  She quickly saved the number and let the phone slip into her pocket. Right now she couldn’t text. Her boss was pissed enough as it was.  But lunch was coming quickly. With a big stupid grin on her face she returned her attention to her work. At some point she started to hum and time didn’t move quite like it should have. ----- Once it was finally time for her lunch she slumped back. Her earphones already laid on the table and her glasses joined them after a second. She practically threw them.  The last 3 hours felt like a whole work week. The time barely moved, because she was very deep in her thoughts and still managed to look at the clock every other second.  Her work was boring as always. The thing that occupied her mind was: What would she write?  “Hi” ?“The frozen italian girl here” ?“Could I come over and you warm me up?”  So many possibilites to fuck this up.  Her coworkers dissolved around her. Nobody stayed in the building. Everybody went out. Well everyone except Cordelia. Slipping into her 2 layers was too much of a hassle for a 45 minute break.  She pulled out her phone and nervously tapped on it. The screen looked like a disco. Going on and out in seconds. She still had no idea what to write, but she didn’t want to wait any longer.  Well, she could simply call.   An evil grin spread across her face.  

Why not go all in and make a video call? What’s the worst that could happen?

 She pushed the images that crept into her mind down way down. If that should happen she would need to find a new coffee shop. Or even better a new place to work. But she was pretty certain that wouldn’t happen. At least she hoped.  God what was she thinking? Cordelia had made up her mind and walked into the bathroom. Fixed her hair and got rid of some slightly smeared makeup. Next she scouted a nice spot where she wouldn’t be bothered.  She decided on one of the break rooms. It had a nice painting on the wall.  

Maybe he will think I have a life outside of the coffee shop and work. Haha. Who am I kidding?

 With one last exhale she started the call.  Ringing once Ringing twice Ringing th- “Give me a second”, that was Crow’s voice followed by some rumbling. Nothing could be seen on screen. After a few seconds a light flashed across the screen a strand of his orange hair came into frame.  “I didn’t expect a video”, his voice was barely audible but he sounded impressed. Well at least that’s what Cordelia heard.  She just smiled awkwardly at the camera.  Crow pulled something over his head and then he finally picked up the phone.  He looked more sleepy than a few hours ago. His hair was tangled and messier than before. But his smile was still the same. Bright and crooked. For a second she felt her cheeks getting all hot again. “Were you not afraid you could see...you know?”, he walked around the room and kept looking away from the camera. There was some noise in his background, but Cordelia couldn’t hear anything clearly. “Well if I had seen HIM, I could have easily decided if we should skip the dating part and go straight to…” 

WHAT THE HELL JUST FELL OUT OF MY MOUTH?

 Cordelias hand went up to her face and she covered her mouth.  WHOOPS. Crow’s end was silent, but his phone shook violently. The background noises were dead as well. “If you are cursing at me or something, I can’t hear you, you are muted.” In a split second hell broke loose on the other end. Cordelia looked unsure. She couldn’t make out a single noise. After a few moments it got quiter. There was laughter. So many different people laughing.  

Oh no.

 Crow came back into frame. In his eyes were tears and he still was shaking from all the laughter. “Well, eh, I don’t mean to brag but.... I’d prefer we don’t skip the dating thing, because man....” He wiped a tear out of his face. “If you don’t take her I’ll do it!”, a voice from somwhere in the background shouted. “Shut up”, Crow looked away from the camera, still laughing. “So what do you say?”, he asked Cordelia. Cordelia suppressed a grin as she answered: “Coffee?” The smile on his face froze a bit and he looked like a wet cat. “Geez, that was a joke.” He immediately sighed with relief: “You’re a little jokester, he. I know a comedy club. I might get us tickets for this weekend.” “Sounds good” “Perfect! Let’s meet at the Greenhill cinema. Do you know where that is?” “Sure. See you.” “See ya” The call ended abruptly. Cordelia bit on her lip. That was way different than what she had imagined. Way better... “Task failed successfully”, Cordelia giggled at herself.

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

Well there you have it. My first one shot in FOREVER. (literal years) I would be very happy to hear your opinion! Thanks for reading. 

Notes:

Yeah Jack is pretty ooc because he is ACTUALLY useful working. That's what AU's are for.

[khaotungsfirst]

Haha yeah, when I read the norse mythology book all I could imagine of as Loki and Thor was Hiddleston and Hemsworth 🤣 As for DW audiobooks, the official company and website that works on them is called bigfinish, if it helps! They do physical orders and digital downloads. DW is their main focus, but they do audibooks for a lot of other shows too. A good portion of them are older UK shows, but I've seen them do things for Pathfinder and Star Trek before now too - CC 🦊

Ooh, those books sound really interesting! I totally forgot Call Down the Hawk released this year, and I'm really liking the sound of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe! 🥰My reading year wasn't as productive as I hoped it would be either, but a few I enjoyed out of what I read was Misery by Stephen King, Thrawn Ascendancy by Timothy Zhan and Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden. I was in a big reading slump for the first half of the year so missed out on a lot of reading time, ha 😅 - CC 🦊

Yesss buddy watch along for TGCF after cultivator reveal is a-go! I'm excited! ❤️New Legends of Monkey is so good! It's really funny at times too, and the characters are really loveable 😊I dunno how NZ show based on a Japanese show based on a beloved Chinese story works so well, but it does! I wish more people watched it because it's just such a fun little show that's enjoyable to watch - CC 🦊

Haha, no the gushing is good! Yibo is a good person to gush about too. I still haven't really recovered from his Versace on the Floor performance and it's been ... how long now? 😂 I also love the video of him trying to cook the chicken and just struggling. We've all been there! I actually think he's probably my favourite out of the whole cast too, really. I can really appreciate someone whose not afraid to be themselves even in a tough industry like the one he's in - CC 🦊

And for today's question! What character in MDZS do you feel you'd get along with the best / be the best of friends with? And which one do you think you'd struggle to get along with? - CC 🦊

Thanks for the tip! I’ll def be checking it out! It’s actually fascinating how many more dw adventures are out there, I feel like if you only watch the show (as I did) you barely scratch the surface because the potential for more stories is so great. 

Oh I know the feeling. I think I’ve been in a reading slump since like June 😩 and now with the untamed i have literally zero motivation to get back into it even though there are so many books waiting to be read on my tbr help!!

But yes!!! tgcf buddy watch/read!! (where do i actually watch it? 😅) i’m excited!!! and what is new legends of monkey actually about? i feel like i would like it but i need a bit more info 😄

oh god the versace on the floor performance.... U G H !!!! that song made into my spotify top 100 because of him 😅 and yes the chicken cooking video askdhfkdgd okay maybe there’s ONE thing he isn’t good at and that’s cooking 😂😂

to answer your question: i hate to say this but i’m pretty sure that i unfortunately would not be besties with neither lwj nor wwx. i feel like lwj’s demeanor is way too cold and would come off as rude or arrogant the first time i would meet him. like i’d try to make small talk and he’d be like “mh” or tell me off for not following the rules and i’d be like nope i’m outta here 😂 like i’m very self conscious and often think other ppl don’t like me so lwj would definitely give me that feeling. and wwx would drag me into so much trouble and my anxiety can’t stand that. i don’t like to do stuff that i was told not to do because i get nervous and wwx would definitely be the type of friend to talk me into it so no thanks 😂 i think i’d get along super well with jyl or lsz. like they’re both nice and chill and i feel like they’d be amazing friends to just hang out with and talk to. i’d probably also have a good time with nhs (cloud recesses nhs at least) cause i feel like he’s always in a good mood and it’d just be a really fun time to be around him. 

someone i probably would not get along with as well is jc cause... dude is too emotional for me. like i’m not very good at being emotionally supportive..? that sounds so bad lmao but i mostly just don’t know what to say when someone is crying or mad so yeah.. i couldn’t do shit for him as a friend and i’d feel bad about it so it’s probably best to just avoid becoming friends in the first place (even though he desperately needs more friends!!!) 

what about you? who would be your bestie?

[queenismykween]

Watched Toy Story 4 again and made a super long list of moments that I noticed and loved. MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!! And hey, look, another cute picture of Woody holding Forky.

(Tom Holland and Chris Pratt in a movie together!? Sign me up! *after seeing trailer for Onward*)

The orchestra at the beginning with the castle! The whole score was nostalgic!

Nine years ago… (has it been that long?)

Barbie. (It was good to see her, lol.)

Operation Pull Toy! (Jinx between Woody and Bo. All the times they talk in sync is adorable and I had to list it.)

Bo pulling on Woody’s hat.

Bo: Billy! Goat! Gruff! Woody: You never told me they had names. Bo: “You never asked.”

Barrel of monkeys (callback to first movie) on Bo’s staff.

Woody thinking about getting in box with Bo (WHICH HAPPENS AT THE END OF THE MOVIE)

You’ve Got A Friend In Me. (Awww)

Andy’s new look! What a precious bean!

Toy Story 3 scene with Bonnie 😭 in the flashback

Bonnie’s name under Woody’s boot

(Oh, Woody, you’re okay to be a leader, even though Dolly took over) 

Buzz’s concern for Woody because Woody hasn’t been chosen for playtime for 3 days now.

Sheriff Jessie

Chair: Your first dust bunny! What are you going to call him? *Thumper. Tumbleweed.*

Dolly: Can’t you see I’m threatening everybody?

(Dolly, Woody cares about Bonnie too!)

(watching Bonnie cry cuz she doesn’t want to go to kindergarten.. of course Woody had to come with her!)

The two mothers!

Vivienne is a cute name.

Woody literally helps create Forky by giving Bonnie the materials! He is a dad!

Bon nie (under Forky’s popsicle feet)

Bonnie: This is Forky! Ms. Wendy: Hello Forky, I’m Miss Wendy. (I love it when teachers do that for their students)

Bonnie: I finished Kindergarten! (just after orientation, lol)

Bonnie’s love for Forky is my love for him.

Forky freaking out in the backpack. Both of them freaking out, actually.

Woody: Bonnie made a friend in class. Rex: Aw, that’s nice, she’s making friends already! Woody: No, she literally made a friend.

Forky: Trash?

Everyone: Hello, hi! Forky: Ah! *falls over and his eye pops out and Woody fixes it for him*

Forky kept running to the trash and Woody kept grabbing him.

The way Woody holds Forky! Like he’s a baby!

Woody: She had the biggest smile on her face when she played with Forky! *talking about Forky when he watched Bonnie play with him* #emotional support spork)

Woody: We gotta protect him! *Forky yeets himself in the trash*

Babysit him!

Woody kept throwing him on the bed continually every time he jumps in the trash. Woody cuddling against Bonnie.

Forky asleep with a paper on top of him in the trash.

Buzz: He’s quite a handful!

Woody grabbing Forky and freezing with him while Bonnie plays with them.

Tossing the trash can out of the RV.

Forky kept running from Woody.

Woody using his pull string as a lasso to grab Forky.

Randy Newman song!

Buzz noticing how tired Woody is and asking if he’s okay. Want me to take the next watch?

Buzz: The little voice inside me? Who do you think it is? Your inner voice advises you? *pushes button on himself*

Forky: I am not a toy. I’m a spork! I was made for soup, salad, and maybe even chili and then the trash. I’m litter! FREEDOM!! *flies out the window*

Woody: *out of the RV* Forky, where are you!? Forky: *face first in the ground*

The way Forky waddles, falls, then starts waddling again. Woody drags him on the road.

Forky: Carry me? Woody: No.

Woody: Happy memories for the rest of her life! Forky: Huh, what?

Fixing his pipe cleaner hand.

Forky: Wasn’t that annoying!? Woody: Thank you!! *about Buzz when talking about events from the first movie*

Forky: Useless? Just like me! Trash!

Forky: You mean she thinks I’m warm and cozy and squishy?

Forky: I’m Bonnie’s trash!

The way Woody holds Forky like a baby. (The sneaky music from Toy Story 2. I heard it!)

Forky running across the road to get to Bonnie.

Woody recognizing Bo’s lamp

Forky: Friend? Woody: A friend is like you and me! Forky: Trash? Woody: Yeah? #friendship goals

Second Chance Antiques. I finally get the name.

Forky shouting Bo’s name.B B B B B Bo!

*when Woody and Forky are hiding and Benson is pushing the carriage* Forky: Is that Bo? *screams when Benson turns his head*

Woody: This is Forky! Forky: I’m trash!

*Benson drops Woody and Forky in the carriage*

Forky: *in the carriage* Mh, what service.

Woody made in the 50’s. Cool!

Forky: Wow, you need to fix that! *about Gabby’s voice box*

Forky’s oblivious smile as the dolls surround them.

Gabby: Stop him, please. *haha, same*

Woody: Forky, we gotta get outta here! *holding his pipe cleaner arms as he runs away*

Old Lady: Nobody buys the toys anyway. *wink* (I think that’s true. All those creepy dolls..)

Jessie: Maybe we should’ve gone with the fork. Buzz: The spoon is safer. *cut to Bonnie holding a spoon*

Bonnie: There’s only one Forky! yep

Dad: Let’s go look outside. Maybe he fell on the ground.

Buzz: We should’ve guarded the utensil.

Buzz trying to assume being the leader.

What would Woody do?

Buzz flying!! Then falling with style on the ground.

Woody on the swing as Harmony pushes him. So cute.

The girl holding Bo, picks up Woody and ahhhh! My heart!

Woody and Bo trying to hug but it’s awkward.

More jinxing!

Woody: Well if it isn’t.. Bobby, Gus, Lefty?

The grape soda cap the sheep found! Clearly from Up!

Bo: Don’t stare. Giggle McDimples: I’m totally staring!

(He’s a cop! *Giggle about Woody*)

The Carls, the high fives and the one in white not getting a high five!

Carl: Way to beat the odds, soldier!

*Carl in white lingering as Woody doesn’t give him the high five*

Bo: You have a little girl? *when Woody tells her about Bonnie* 

When Woody tells the story of Bo and her lamp in Molly’s room. Oh, Woody! My heart!

The twirl hug!

Forky: When’s Woody coming back? *soon Forky*

Gabby: It’s tea time! Forky: Woo hoo! What’s tea time?

Forky: *helping Gabby with her tea skills* Little higher, stick out your pinky. *teach me, Forky*

Forky’s hand on top of Gabby trying to comfort her, then derp.

Gabby puling Forky in her lap.

Forky: I’ve known Woody my whole life! 2 days!

Ducky: In a galaxy far far away!

Buzz: *putting his helmet on and Duckys foot getting stuck*

Bo and her arm and screaming with Woody as he accidentally yanks it off.

Woody trying to grab Bo when she uses the sticky hand.

The lovesick look on Woody’s face.

(The ship it truck. We all drive it)

Buzz: Good work, inner voice!

Bo: Buzz? *as Woody talks about who’s left in the gang*

Buzz: Moving buddies! Woody, it’s Bo Peep!

Buzz’s button getting spammed as they roll down the roof. (probably a callback to Toy Story 2 when Zurg repeatedly spams the other Buzz’s button. Rex: But Buzz is in peril! *B B B Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!)

Rex: The panic is attacking me!

Buttercup: We could frame dad for a crime and get him in jail!

Bonnie: Can we leave a note for Forky? *awww*

Jessie: *after busting the tire with a nail* If you get my point! (point! Probably from Toy Story 3)

Pixar ball from upper view when Bo and the gang get in the shop.

Bunny: Who will Bonnie love more? Say me.

Bunny: All six eyes looking in my soul. *as they wander around the store*

*Your Forky* *to Woody*

Buzz: We can handle a cat.

Bunny and Ducky: Is that how we look in the inside? So much.. Fluff.

Forky trying to brush Gabby’s hair with the wrong side of the brush.

Forky: Such lovely hair.

Woody holding the phone with that look on his face. *he’s frozen there as a lady looks around*

*scene from the trailer with Ducky and Bunny* Buzz: We’re not doing that!

*she goes home* Giggle: Where is this going!? (She’s in bed and.. *screaming*)

Buzz: How do we get that key?

Forky: Woody’s back!? (Forky’s so excited.)

Tin man! Remember him from the Pixar Shorts or the brief moment in Toy Story 2 when Ham is clicking through the channels really quickly?

The bisexual lighting in the room in the “club” (if you want to think of it that way.)

Duke Caboom: Billy, Goat, Gruff? They’re my girls! *Woody rolls his eyes*

Duke Caboom: That toy sounds like a complete idiot! *about Woody*

Duke Caboom: It’s a commercial! It’s not real!

Duke Caboom: Be who I am right now. (really profound)

Duke: Yes I Canada!

Woody: How did you get the key? *flashback to Buzz and the others as they get the key, where the old lady places the key right in front of them* Buzz: It was very difficult!

Woody: You can’t teach this old toy new tricks.

Woody: I saw your lamp in the window and I thought you might be inside.

All the lamps and chandeliers were pretty.

Forky giggling which leads to Woody finding him in the box.

Bo: Wait, it’s an actual fork? B B B B Bo?

Bunny: I’m too cute to die!

Woody holding Forky like a weapon.

*Forky crying for help* Woody!

Shh, it’s okay. *Duke to his bike*

Woody’s determination to get Forky.

Woody: Because it’s all I have left to do! I don’t have anything else. (that made me cry)

Woody: It’s called loyalty.

Ducky: You’re crazy. *to Woody after they fight*

Woody: I don’t leave toys behind. Buzz: And he left me behind

Buzz didn’t want Woody to go back in the store.

Woody using the red pencil as a weapon.

Woody: I’m not leaving without Forky.

Gabby: Being there for a child is the most noble thing a toy can do. Proudly watching him grow up. *about Bonnie to Woody* Helping her when she needs it most. All I want is a chance, for just one of those moments. I’d give anything to be loved the way you have. Woody: Just leave me Forky.

Buzz: Bonnie will realize her backpack’s missing. Bonnie: Nope!

Buzz:  *after spamming his button and is about to be put away* Your backpack’s in the antique store, let’s go! (Haha, wonderful!)

Bo: *about Woody’s determination/loyalty* You gotta love him for it. 

Bo to Bunny and Ducky: We’re going back. We just got here! 

(Woody’s voice box being removed! So significant to me!) 

Gabby: My little utensil. 

Forky: Goodbye Benson! He is terrifying! 

Forky being happy for Gabby as the moment between her and Harmony is about to happen.

Forky: No no, Woody look! It’s happening!  *after Gabby is thrown in the box* Forky: Oh, I’m gonna cry. 

Forky and Woody being sad when Gabby is rejected.

Forky: What is a merry go round? Woody: It’s the spinning ride with horses and lights. Forky: You mean a carousel?   

Woody taking his hat off in sympathy for Gabby.

Bo and Gabby having a sense of understanding despite once being enemies.

Forky upside down in Bonnie’s hand.

Forky: He said to meet us at the carousel! The spinning ride with lights and horses! Woody told me so! 

The baby carriage knocked over and Benson was inside. The lady who found him screamed, lol

The whole GPS thing. (Like driving the pizza planet truck from Toy Story 2!)

Duke smacking in the target face first.

The gang taking over the RV.’

The little girl who’s lost, poor thing. She was so cute.

*as Mrs. Potato Head and Trixie mess with the wires* Cop: Pull over! Bonnie’s Dad: I can’t, this is a rental!

Lost Girl: *to Gabby* Are you lost too? I’ll help you. Can you help us? *to the security guard*

The female security guards helping to get the family together.

The happiness of reuniting a girl with a toy.

Three police cars following the RV.

Bonnie asleep the whole time while the RV is controlled by the toys.

Buttercup: Dad’s totally going to jail! Forky spamming the lock button.

*the kiss could’ve happened with the Ferris wheel in the background! But I’ll take a hug*

The callback to the scene under the car in the box between Bo and Woody at this moment.

Buzz: *as Woody walks up to him sadly after leaving Bo* She’ll be okay. *pause* Bonnie will be okay. (BUZZ!! How he understands Woody is so admirable!)

Buzz: Listen to your inner voice.

My heart!! That final shot with the original gang..

Woody giving Jessie his badge.

Everyone hugging Woody and then Woody and Buzz hugging. And then Forky hugging Woody. It killed me inside. (I’m crying.)

The way Woody chases after Bo on top of the carousel.

Forky: Does this mean Woody’s a lost toy? Buzz: He’s not lost anymore. 

Buzz: To infinity.. Woody: And beyond. *last lines of the movie*

The end credits. (comes in four parts.) Bo and Woody rigging the ride so all the toys are won. Plush Rush. Heck yes.

Duke: Do you really have laser eyes? Bunny: Yeah. Duke: Woah.

Buzz: How was present and explain!? *to Jessie when she returns from 1st Grade with Bonnie* Hamm: You mean show and tell?

Forky falling in love with the knife at first sight. The whole thing with Jessie introducing Knifey to the gang was like the beginning of the movie with Woody and Forky.

Forky: Unique, beautiful toys. Knifey: How am I alive? Forky: I don’t know. 

(Combat Carl were voiced by an actual Carl.

And those are most of the moments that I personally liked in chronological order!

 I’ve noticed that a lot of people were more satisfied with Toy Story 3 as the conclusion to the movies, but I loved what this movie had to offer. 

I didn’t mind Buzz being the comic relief in the movie, nor did I mind Ducky and Bunny. I wasn’t looking forward to Ducky and Bunny entirely because of the trailers, but I enjoyed them. 

To me, there was the matter of Dolly treating Woody a bit differently when he tries to handle the toys and when he does sneak off in Bonnie’s backpack to kindergarten with Bonnie. She assumes the role of leader and is a tad bit annoying to me. But it was short-lived, so I’m okay. 

Another moment is when Bo gets upset with Woody after he screws up the mission. it was a minor setback, and I think she overreacted. Same with the fight as everyone leaves Woody behind to fend for himself as he goes back to the antique shop. But those were the only things, so overall, this movie is one of my favorites and I’d love to see it again! Go ahead and judge these moments for yourself. Maybe we’ll have different opinions and views but it’s okay. Everyone’s opinion is valid.

[lothiriel84]

Only last night I found myself lost (by the station called King's Cross)

Here follows another of my long rambling travel blogs. You have been warned. 

Saturday 8th September

It’s fair to say that I have a complicated relationship with Stansted Airport; on the one hand, it’s my default gateway into the UK (I’ve only ever landed at Gatwick Airport exactly once, and of course Edinburgh Airport on my one trip to Scotland). On the other hand, it’s stupidly far from London, and I’ve been seriously sleep deprived every single time I set foot in it. (Oh, and there’s also that one time when I actually missed my flight, but let’s not dwell on that.)

Still, it’s been way more fun than it had any right to be to stand on the train platform right outside the airport, and watch the music video of Single-Bilingual by the Pet Shop Boys on my phone. It’s quite a silly video, and it’s actually been filmed at Stansted Airport. I hadn’t been this much into Pet Shop Boys’ music on my previous visit, or, you know, at all; now they’re probably my favourite musical group, and a brilliant sountrack to my trip on top of that.

But I’m digressing. The thing is, rather than going straight into London from Stansted, I took a train to Cambridge instead. As it turns out, Cambridge is relatively close to Stansted, and as I had recently watched (and fell in love with) James Ivory’s Maurice, I was really looking forward to seeing one of the main locations of the film/novel. Given how I was planning to go on the Ghost Bus Tour in London that same evening, I was on a rather tight schedule; still, I managed to visit King’s College and its chapel (which is one of the locations where Maurice was filmed), and Queens’ College with its Mathematical Bridge. 

After that, I had to rush and take a train to London; and as it happened, my train arrived into King’s Cross station, which is not only the title of a Pet Shop Boys song (yeah, I’m going to bring up PSB a lot throughout this post, I’m not even sorry), but also the location of a statue dedicated to Sir Nigel Gresley, of Infinitely Bad fame. 

In the end, @smegandtheheads and I both succeeded in reaching Northumberland Avenue on time for the first Ghost Bus Tour of the evening (sorry again, Lizzie, for making you dash all the way there at such short notice). Neither of us had ever been on that specific tour with Peter Davis as the conductor, so it was quite brilliant; Peter is such a sweetheart, and terribly funny on top of that. Here’s a picture of the man himself, looking as if he’s some kind of ghostly gentleman. (Sorry.)

On a side note, I’m absolutely sure he added the final “Get out of my bus” specifically because he knew Lizzie and I were on board. I really can’t wait for the re-release of the old Monster Hunters episodes, and the new ones to follow.

(Peter also hinted that there might be a fourth season in the cards, which would be absolutely amazing.)

I was really quite tired after that - not only I had had very little sleep prior to, or even during, my flight, but I had been carrying my cabin baggage on my back all day long, both in Cambridge and in London. I’m so glad I eventually decided to accept when Lizzie invited me to join her and her boyfriend for dinner, along with their podcaster friends. I had such a fantastic time listening to Max talk about all of Definitely Human’s past, present, and future projects - including the Monster Hunters re-release, which is probably the one I’m most excited about at this moment in time. 

(Well, that, and the final few episodes of The Infinite Bad. I’m so going to die before it’s over, the one thing that still needs to be seen is whether that will happen out of dread, grief, or both of those things at the same time.)

Anyway, for those of you not in the know, The Monster Hunters is an absolutely brilliant comedy/horror podcast, set in swinging London in the early 1970s; written by and starring Peter Davis and Matthew Woodcock, featuring (among others) the incredibly talented voices of Simon Kane and Laura Marshall. All existing episodes will be re-released under the Definitely Human label, each one featuring a short commentary from the creators themselves; there will also be additional Patreon-exclusive content, and new episodes coming up in due course. 

(And, well, sorry Max if I sounded much more excited about MH than any of the other projects you’re currently involved in, but I’m so grateful that DH stepped in to make the rest of series 3 happen, and so much more.)

Sunday 9th September

Sunday was a rather quiet one, as I was still tired from the previous day. Passing through Brixton I accidentally discovered they have a David Bowie mural there, which I hadn’t known in spite of having very nearly walked past it on two previous occasions, and it was a nice surprise to find out. 

Eventually, I did reach the Festival of the Great North Wood in Sydenham Hill Wood, which I think I had previously heard about from one of Carrie Quinlan’s tweets. It was a relatively small event, but they did have a few birds of prey on show, including this lovely little chap.

They also did guided walks through the wood, and it was lovely to be able to join one of those. Our guide talked us through the history of that particular wood, and the railway that once ran through it; it was quite nice, even more so as I do tend to spend quite a lot of time in parks and green areas whenever I’m in London.

After that, I headed to Crystal Palace Park, which is not very far from there. I had already been there before, but it’s always nice to see those big dumb Victorian dinosaurs loitering in the shrubbery.

Monday 10th September

After spending quite some time on Google Maps trying to work out whether it made any sense to attempt a day trip to Ottery St Mary (for much obvious Cabin Pressure reasons) or anywhere else in Devon, I had eventually settled for Dorset as a much more feasible option. Quite apart from some rather specific associations that I’m not going to mention here, Poole was the perfect place for a Jurassic Coast boat trip; and given how the stunning Durdle Door is quite a difficult place to reach, that was the next best thing, at least as far as I am concerned. 

The coastal cruise, sailing from Poole Quay, allowed a really stunning view on Poole Harbour and Old Harry Rocks; and after a brief stop at Swanage Pier, it circled back, giving us passengers another chance to admire the chalk cliffs on our way back to the quay. 

Once back on dry land, I went to visit Poole Museum, and also stopped by an old sweet shop which somehow reminded me of Carolyn Knapp-Shappey. It’s even called Truly Scrumptious, which is - an interesting coincidence, I guess?

And then, back to London, where I had a bit of a random walk, ending up in the approximate spot - facing the Palace of Westminster across the Thames - that is featured at some point during the music video for West End Girls. Which I then proceeded to watch on my phone. (Nothing to see here, guys - just a completely normal human being, doing completely normal stuff. Yep.)

Tuesday 11th September

Having worked in a mail centre for a little over two years, I thought it would be fun to go and visit the Postal Museum, even more so as they give you the option to ride the Mail Rail, which was basically an underground railway used to move mail between sorting offices. The museum was nice, and the ride was quite cool, albeit rather short.

On my way back to my hotel I made a detour to St Pancras Gardens, where the tomb of Mary Wollstonecraft is, and also that rather curious landmark that is the Hardy Tree. Plus, I very cleverly accidentally located the Mornington Crescent underground station, which is apparently the subject of a game I literally know nothing about, save for its name. 

In the evening, I went to the first preview show of An Execution (by invitation only), which was the actual reason why I was in London in the first place. I will probably try and write a proper (-ish) review as a separate blog entry at some point; for now, suffice to say that it was weird and brilliant in equal measure, with quite an unusual set design combined with decidedly intense performances from all four actors. 

(The cast included Simon Kane, Tom Lyall, Greg McLaren and Shamira Turner. I assume most of you will at least be familiar with Simon’s voice as featured in John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme; as for Tom Lyall, he played a rather magnificent Oberon in last year’s Mighty Fin musical A Midwinter Night’s Dream, as well as the delightfully over-the-top boss of a record company in The Devil Gets All The Best Tunes.)

After the show, I took a detour in order to get a few pictures of the Post Office Tower (yeah, I do realise it’s mostly referred to as the BT Tower these days, but to me it will always be the Post Office Tower of Monster Hunters fame) and King’s Cross too, despite having already been there on Saturday. 

(Sir Nigel Gresley still hadn’t turned into a mass of writhing hands, which I decided to take as a good sign. I still hadn’t listened to the episode of The Infinite Bad which was due to be released the following day, which definitely had me screaming at the unexpected turn of events. Well.)

Wednesday 12th September

As I was planning to go to the Wellcome Collection, I decided I might as well have a walk through Regent’s Park first. The weather was a bit changeable, and it even rained for a bit; still, it was nice, and I accidentally stumbled upon the Frieze Sculpture 2018, which included some rather curious works by contemporary and modern artists. The malevolent looking penguin was quite a treat, giving off such powerful Infinitely Bad vibes - though there were no carcasses of supernatural stags knocking about, much to everyone’s relief.

(On a side note, how long has the Wonderpass under Marylebone Road been there? I’m pretty sure I’ve been in that area at least a couple of times before, but I might have simply failed to notice it, I guess?)

In order to gain further dread, I then proceeded to visit the Teeth exhibition at the Wellcome Collection; it was a must see for a fan of The Infinite Bad, and I had been hoping to be able to just sit outside the exhibition area afterwards, and listen to the new episode. As it turned out, data roaming was just awful inside that building, and as it was getting late I was forced to postpone the listening. 

(Which I then ended up doing whilst packing my bag for my flight back home, much later that night. Not exactly ideal for such a detail/reveal-packed episode, but still.)

That evening I went to the second preview show for An Execution (by invitation only); it was still as good as the first time around, with the added bonus of a rather - shall we say, interesting? - poem about a spider, which had apparently been added in the space between the two shows. 

And, well, that’s it for me this trip, I guess. Or, rather...

Thursday 13th September

As it turns out, there’s about one thing that can make a forty-five minute walk to Victoria Coach Station at four in the morning marginally more bearable, and that’s listening to Pet Shop Boys’ music. 

What is rather less pleasant is having your flight departure delayed by over an hour - though thankfully with us passengers already boarded, or I would have literally fallen over - because they had taken too long to load the baggage onto the plane, and the flight plan had expired. Which, I’ll admit, is an interesting piece of information for a Cabin Pressure fan, but it doesn’t quite help when you’ve had no sleep and there’s no way you can actually manage to doze off on one of those contraptions that Ryanair insists on calling a seat. 

(Arthur, dear heart, as much as I adore you, could you please stop referring to takeoff delays as ‘brilliant’? And we didn’t even have Monopoly to play, such a shame.)

[ichigoreiyo]

Taggy

I was tagged by @varrix, @absolute-eruri-trash and @shippingeruri and I’ll answer all of your questions in this post in the order I mentioned your names.

Thank you for tagging me!

The Rules:

1. Always Post The Rules

2. Answer The Questions Given By The Person Who Tagged You

3. Write 11 Questions Of Your Own*

4. TAG PEOPLE*

*I’m not going to do these.

VARRIX: 

Holy moly @varrix-senpai tagged me, but I’m pretty sure she accidentally misspelled the name of the blog she actually wanted to tag, but I’ll take this opportunity. Lmao. Sorry and thank you, senpai. (At least I can feel fame for some minutes, because it’s like senpai noticed me.)

1. Best day of your life

The best is also one of my worst days: The day a letter from university arrived and it read I got accepted to Art Academy. I was so happy, I was close to tears, because it seemed I was good at something I live for. Art has always been the thing in my life I could die for… I was so happy and excited, my hands were shaking non-stop and I could hear my blood rushing through my veins in my ear.  But no one close to me was happy about the news. Neither my family nor my “friends”. Everyone told me I couldn’t do it, because I’m not good enough to become an artist. I cried the whole night, because my love for art died that night.

Another amazing day was yesterday, when my county’s parliament approved same-sex marriage. My friends and I celebrated that day way too hard and I feel like shit today.

2. Earliest childhood memory

When I was three, my late dog entered my room at night and shat onto my lego bricks because he hated me… No shit!

3. Most stressful experience

See above. And everything related to physical exercise. I’m so lazy, even a sloth is more active than me.

4. Most relatable quote

“Some men just want to watch the world burn.” I’m both, the men and the world and everything just burns and is consumed by those flames of hatred.

5. Scariest movie you’ve seen

I’m a slut for horror, thus I can’t give a proper answer to this question. I’ve seen to many films, I guess. But a film that was really scary, because it showed the reality so brutally was “Earthlings”, but it’s worth the watch.

6. Person/people who restores your faith in humanity

My best friend, who’s always there for me, listens to me and supports me as much as she can, although it has been a very rough time lately and literally everyone who’s trying to make this rotten planet a better place.

7. Something you could literally kill for

Some time ago, I’d answer “art”, but at the moment it’s just “getting healthy”. And Pizza. I love pizza so much.

8. Most beautiful person you’ve ever seen

Does Erwin count…? No. Damn. I dunno. There so many beautiful people out there I’d consider as “beautiful”, regardless on gender, skin colour or age.

9. Any phobias?

Too many to list them. Stupidity is one of them.

10. Place you feel most safe at

My bed. I truly and deeply love my bed. If I could I’d marry it right away.  Maybe I’m object-sexual?

11. Last thing that made you laugh to tears.

Earlier this month, my dog and I walked around a little lake, that was full of algae. The surface was completely covered in a very thick and slimy layer of green algae, which totally looked like a new-mowed meadow. All of a sudden, we could hear a frog croaking in the reeds on the opposite site of said lake and my dog, not the smartest one, went berserk and jumped in front of me, thinking the cover on the lake was some safe lawn. I’ll never forget his panicked face when he realised, he wasn’t landing on grass and I ended up cracking up with laughter after I rescued him…

ABSOLUTE-ERURI-TRASH:

Thank you so much, you cute thing! Have a lovely ghost hug: You can’t feel it, but it’s there!

1. What’s a game you used to love when you were younger?

Err, Super Mario, but I never finished any of the games, because I was just too stupid not to die a million of times.

2. What’s your favourite drink?

Non-alcoholic: Mineral water and cola once in while. Alcoholic: Vodka, Gin and Rum. Gin Tonic is my current fave.

3. Tell me about the best vacation you’ve ever been on / your dream vacation.

I don’t have money nor am I in the mood to think about vacation at the moment, though I want to travel to Australia and Japan within the next three years and hope the trips will meet my expectations.

4. What was your favorite subject at school?

History and psychology.

5. Tell me about your most horrible school teacher.

All most all of my Art and English teachers were horrible. Only one art teacher told me I was good at art and helped me with getting better, the others only told me not to waste my time with trying to draw, because I couldn’t draw for shit. But the English teachers were way worse. I wan’t even able to write down one sentence until I was 16 y/o and attended an English course of a native speaker who taught me how to write and speak within a few days. Lmao.

6. What did you want to be when you were younger?

A forensic doctor. 

7. Did you ever have a “crazy” hair colour?

Nope. I have red hair and I think that’s crazy enough.

8. Do you read fan fiction?

Is water wet? Better ask me if I do anything different.

9. Why did you decide to join Tumblr / to create your first Tumblr account?

Eru/Ri was the reason. I was a fan of S/n/K since late 2009 or early 2010 and shipped the Eru/Ris the moment I saw them. I don’t know, but I clung to the vets so much, because I never liked the kids. But I eventually decided to join after I read Sable’s and Skull9′s Eru/Ri djs in 2016. They kinda motivated me to join and constitute to the fandom.

10. Tell me about one thing that’s on your bucket list.

Scuba diving. I already went sky diving and experienced the feeling of flying through the sky, now I want to learn about the opposite.

11. Do you like horror movies?

s. above. Yes.

SHIPPINGERURI: 

Thank you so much for tagging me and asking these interesting questions, my dear.

1. Your role in school: Are / Were you the class clown? The bully? The loner? The diva? Let us know!

Ohhhh, I started as a loner and ended as a loner, but from the 7th to 10th grade I was like one of the cool kids, because one of the cool ones was sat next to me by the teacher and we got quite close after a few days and remained good friends until the end of school. That “cool kid's” clique was pretty cool, to be honest. Most of them were intelligent, funny and chill, okay, some were shit, but I really enjoyed their company.

Ah, and I can be a diva. If I don’t like something I’m not afraid of speaking up my mind and that causes some problems once in a while.

2. If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be and why? (Can be in the present or something from the past.)

…way too many things. 

3. Which book / movie / tv show / game have you read / watched / played multiple times?

Book: Harry Potter and various books by Stephen King like “IT”. I used to read those books when I was a child and they still give some nostalgic feels. Movie: The Dark Knight and Requiem for a Dream. Two of my fave all time films. TV Show: Mh… No, I’m too lazy to watch shows and I haven’t seen most of the popular shows yet. Game: Pokémon! I’m one of those old uncool farts who still plays Pokémon. 

4. What is the most important thing or person in your life at the moment?

My bestie. She’s the best friend I could imagine and supports me so much. (s. above) 

5. Do you let creators for your fandom(s) know that you appreciate their work? If yes: How? If no: Why?

Yes, I usually comment on their work on twitter. I used to reblog their fan work with my old blog on tumblr, too, but I try to keep this one clean now. Also, I often recommend artworks or fics to my Eru/Ri friends - and believe me, I like lots of works and creators in this fandom.  I also recommend works of people I’m in row with and that’s many blogs. I think it’s important to support each other, regardless on our personal disagreements.

6. Have you ever sent anon hate? If yes: Why?

Nope. (Okay, I recently sent one ask to @erurilicious, but hey, she knew it was me right from the start, because I even told her I was sending an anon ask to her. Lmao. It was just for fun, but I’d never seriously sent one to someone, because I know how shitty I feel when I get one.)

7. Are you happy with your current occupation? If yes: What are you doing? If not: What would you like to do / be instead?

Nope. If I could I’d rather win the lottery than doing anything to earn money.

8. Have you ever created something for your fandom (art / writing / video / etc.) and haven’t published it?

Oh, a lot. Naked Erwins, ugly Erwins, even uglier Levis, fucking Eru/Ris, weird looking Mikes, strange Hanjis,… And the Pornstar!Erwin fic…

9. What’s your attitude towards pineapple on pizza?

There’s nothing wrong with pineapple on pizza. Pizza comes in so different shades of beauty and all of them are tasty. Stop pizza-shaming!

10. What’s your ideal mix of genres for a fanfic?

I don’t care for genres… so… It depends on the plot and setting.

11. What’s your favourite song at the moment?

Call of Silence

Haaaaah, hope you liked my answers to your very interesting questions! 

[im-abanana]

“Caged Hearts” ch.5

Hey people, guess what? I am not dead! Sorry for the LONG wait, school intership and tests killed me without any mercy... but ehy, I’m back now and stronger than before (I guess?). In the next days I will post the third chapter of “The Forbidden Fruit”, don’t worry about it. Enjoy this chapter!

This AU belong to @king-branch, credits to them.

“Branch...? It was really you, you are the guy who sang with me for all this time!? No way!” Poppy literally jumped on the grey Troll after just a moment of thinking, almost not believing it, holding him tight and hugging him with all her strength. That male, that grumpy and aloof creature right in front of her, was the reason she held up to her bright colors: for all her life she had always been living in that nasty shop with her kind, everyday; even if Poppy was in a small cage, she felt happy enough to have faith and to eventually plan their escape, and she had someone to talk or have fun with. But when the Bergens took her away from her father, her subjects, her friends, her class... the Princess' whole world just fell apart in a single blink, nothing mattered anymore, she was done. For a single instant, she almost gave up and decided to stop fighting once and for all. What was the point, by the way? She was alone in a cold and isolated room. All by herself. Who would have listened to her songs, her happy shouts or cries? “You helped me, Branch! You helped me getting my hope and my happiness back!”.

But when Poppy almost felt the greyness curling up around her shaky limbs as a venomous snake would with a defenseless mouse, Branch's beautiful voice echoed in the room and gave her hope back, along with her happiness and determination to escape from that captivity. She was surprised to see that the guy in front of her, which seemed to be the saddest and angriest Troll ever, was capable to share and spread positivity, even if not on purpose.

Branch immediately shook the pink Troll off, discreetly pushing her away from his chubby form, not really wanting that kind of touch from another one, not even from the Princess. “Get off, Princess. I didn't help you at all. Someone who has no happiness or hope in his heart can't help someone else finding them.” the grey male grumpily explained, crossing his strong arms and looking around with the corners of his light blue eyes: finally the Trollstice came, and now families, friends and lovers were reunited for one single day. Parents were hugging their beloved kids, who were very small... after all, Branch himself was bought (all alone) when he was just six years old, after his grandma's death and after becoming grey and paranoid: yup, his price literally dropped because of that detail, just 50 fucking golden coins. Who would want a sad and aggressiveTroll, after all?

Kids just had to grow up faster tha normal, and take care of themselves completely. No alternative, no other choice.

But the Trollstice meant something else too, something really bad but inevitable; visitors: all the Bergens in town would watch them from outside the big cage and choose the smaller ones, buying them for their own children or for themselves, just to find happiness from their singing. The truth was hard to accept but Branch, who wasn't a deluded, did: the Trolls had no truce, no a truly calm moment in their miserable pet-life. The grey male hated that, he hated that so much, more than the electric collar he had around his abused and bruised neck.

In that exact moment, a huge and pimply hand opened the cage and went straight for one of the baby Trolls, still in her parents' protective arms, grabbing the little girl for the short hair and trying to separate her from her mum and dad. The baby screamed desperatedly and tried to break free, reaching for her broken mother and father with her tiny arms. Her loud cries caught the attention of everyone, who just watched the scene with sad and sorry eyes. But not Branch, he literally snapped. Those ugly and stupid monsters had no right to tear families apart even during that thay, it was so unfair and selfish!

“We aren't pets. We aren't pets. WE AREN'T PETS!” the grey Troll repeated and screamed with rage, running towards the intruder and showing his sharp teeth, jumping up and sinking his fangs into the flesh of the Bergen soldier, shaking his head fiercely, trying to hurt that disgusting beast as much as he could and tasting the gross blood in his mouth.

The ogre-like creature let out a painful yelp and immediately dropped the poor and scared kid, that landed safely into her mother's hair, and violently threw Branch against the metallic bars of the birdcage. Then, after grabbing a strange remote control from a nearby table, he pressed a black button with a green finger. “This was the last time, filthy grey Troll!” the guard screamed, enraged and vengeful, shocking the black haired guy and raising the voltage consistently.

The shock was immediate and ruthless, but for the first time in his life Branch let out a piercing scream, collapsing on the hard ground once again while the electric waves were still torturing and burning his tense limbs. They wanted to kill him this time? Had he gone too far that time? He tried to pull the collar with both hands, but in vain: it was safely tied around his neck, it couldn't be removed.

Ten seconds, fifteen seconds, twenty seconds, and the pain still wouldn't stop and leave him alone; on the contrary, it increased exponentially. The grey Troll's owners punished him pretty often, it was true, he was a rebel after all and needed to be tamed. But the punishments lasted three or two seconds maximum, he couldn't even breathe right now!

“Stop! You are killing him!” Poppy angrily shouted, breaking the thick silence, her pink eyes incredulous and her form almost paralized. How... how could they do something like that!? Of course, she knew the Bergens were heartless monsters who used them as mere pets... but murdering another creature like that? No, she couldn't let them, not under her watch, not under the Princess' watch! “Dad, we must do something to help Branch! He is gonna die if we just stand here!”.

Before Peppy could even speak or think about a reasonable solution, another female and pretty creepy voice yelled a furious order to the insubordinate guard: “You, soldier! Stop what you are doing to that male Troll right now, in the name of King Gristle Jr.! That sample is our sovereign's personal property and part of a new breeding program, drop the remote control immediately, it's the royal vet who commands you!”.

Something happened, and the excruciating pain vanished. Branch gasped for air, coughing out and trembling a little, pretty terrified about what just happened, his heart racing as a galopping horse and almost jumping out his aching chest. He felt a rather gentle hand picking him up from the ground and checking him, and the survivalist used his own black hair to protect himself and curl in a little ball, also trying to see who was holding him with such a cold and professional touch. It was Chef, his old nemesis.

“Mh, everything seems quite fine. Time for you to change the diet, little Troll.” Chef declared after a few minutes of observation, touching Branch's belly and evaluating his tough body structure. The survivalist just let her do her job, too traumatized to react or trying to bite. “More meat and fruit for the male, he needs proteins and vitamines. No sweets, he's fat enough already. And for the female...” the vet said, pointing at Poppy and looking at her with severe eyes. “More fruit and cereals, she needs a lot of carbohydrates. And a few sweets and chocolate won't hurt, she needs energy to form pods. Take her right now, we'll put them both in the same cage for the next weeks, and we'll see if they'll make pods.”.

“Making pods with...!? Dad, what does that mean? What are we supposed to do? What happens if we don't make pods?” the pink Troll asked, very agitated at the moment, tensing up slightly when another hand grabbed her and lifted her from the cage. That was new for the Princess, she heard about it of course, but didn't know what to do. “Dad! Guys! What's gonna happen to us?”.

“Poppy! It's gonna be ok, sweetie! Don't do anything you don't want to do, we'll see each other soon!” Peppy tried to say and comfort, running with difficulty towards his poor daughter, before the prison was abruptly shut once again in front of his old and worried eyes.

Poppy found herself in a bigger cage full of good food, fresh water and even some dumb toys to play with (a little shiny ball, a rope and a sqeaky toy, nothing interesting really), the sweaty hand squeezing her finally letting go and putting her down. Next to her, hidden in the nearby corner, there was Branch, who looked at her with an enigmatic and scared expression.

“We'll escape from here. They can't control us forever.” their eyes seemed to shout as they looked at each othere. “We are going to be free. Two minds work better than one.”.

[alittleranting]

Barista in Love (6/13)

Chapter 6

(Jae's POV)

Your phone vabrited in your pocket, you took it and read:

                                              [Y/N]

[Y/N]:

How's it going?

I got you an apartment.

Now you just need a job.

Thank me later. :DD

 Jae :

Just as annoying as I imagened it...

 Wow really? I don't even know how to thank you. o:

Leave that to me, I'll get a job. Monday's going to be my first day. I feel it.

You stop texting, when someone talks to you:

"Who are you texting? Is it Haru?"

"No Bob it's my roommate."

"You know my name is not Bob." He pouted at you.

"Yes dumbass I know but I already told you why I call you like that."

"Can we please continue? I want to go home as soon as possible." That was Wonpils forth sentence since you met up 2 hours ago and it sounded as annoyed as always.

"Sorry Wonpil. OK Jae have you finished your part?"

"Yea almost done. I just need to research the last point. You can go if you want to."

"Nice. Come on Sungjin." Wonpil ran off.

"Wonpil wai-... Oh ehm... ok see you on monday."

"Sure. Bye bye Bob." You watch Sungjin catching up with Wonpil and laying an arm aroung him. Still wondering if they are a couple or if they are just that type of close friends your pen slips through your fingers.

"Damn, where is it." You look around and stand up bumping into someone.

"Oh sorry, I-"

"You were looking for this." The guy handed you your pen.

"Oh yes, thanks. Hey you're Brian aren't you?"

"YoungK"

"YoungK?"

"Yes, it's YoungK not Brian."

"That literally doesn't make sense."

"Whatever. Where's Haru?"

"Haru? I don't know. At home I guess. Why do you ask?"

"She told me to meet her here at 4pm. Couldn't find her and you two always hang together. Thought I ask you."

"Oh ok. May-"

"YoungK there you are. Oh and hi Jae." Haru ran towards you and Brian.

"You actually call him YoungK? Why are you two even hanging out?"

"Hanging out? Dude we have to do our project together. Who the fuck hangs out in the library?"

"Ok, point for you. I got to go. Have to search for a part time job. I guess."

"You need a job? I work at a grocery store and we could need another helping hand." Brian literally safed your ass.

"You serious? Nice, todays a good day. Got an apartment, a job, finished my project. I actually feel fulfilled. Soon I maybe even have a new girlfriend." You smiled brightly, grabing your stuff and leaving.

(Haru's POV)

Dumbfounded you stood there your eyes follow Jae. He already got an apartment? That's great... Isn't it? And what does he mean by soon having a new girlfriend? It's just one day but it feels like he's slipping through your hands. Is it possible to keep your best friend or is [Y/N] going to change everything? You weren't sure and you definitly hadn't anything against her, she was nice but... you just had the feeling that things were going to change.. Was it good or bad? You couldn't tell yet.

(Jae's POV)

You took the bus back to [Y/N] and sat down, you plugged your earbuns in and listened to your favorit song. You open WhatsApp.

                                                         [Y/N]

Jae:

Told you I'm going to get a job, I got one!! :DD

Also, I'm on my way back home.

[Y/N]:

Oki. I'll have tea waiting for you. (:

And I already got the rental contract here you literally just need to sign it!

Jae:

Nice. Be there in no time. ♥

'Fuck... Why did you send a heart? Oh whatever, she's cool, she'll not think to much about it. I'm sure.' At least that's what you thought. You send Haru a massage and asking her for Brian's number so he could tell you more about the job. She quickly answered you and you texted him too. After a while he actually sends a massage back with details about your working place. It was about 20 minutes away from university, made it 30 from your new home. You'll do the morning shift because Brian got the one in the evening. Wow.. that means you have to work 3 hours before you have classes and 2 after you get off. That's going to be new.. and exhausting but you really needed the money. Hopefully you could effored the apartment [Y/N] got for you. You were at your bus stop and got out walking the few meters to the apartment building.

([Y/N]'s POV)

A-a heart? He sends me a heart. OMG OMG don't panic what does that mean!? Does he like me? Is he just friendly? Does he just kind of write like that? Aaaargh!! OK calm down, I'm not going to send a heart back, that would be weird. Maybe I'm just going to ask him when he's here. Let me make some tea, it'll not take him long to arrive here. As the water is boiling you hear someone knock at the front door. You let Jae inside and smile a little awkward.

"So... You got your project done?"

"Yes, everythings done." He smiled warmly at you. He must be glad it's over.

"Here your tea and the contract." You hand him a cup and slide the papers over to him. While he read you search for a pen.

"OK, sounds good. So where exactly is that apartment?"

"Next door." You answer nonchalant while handing him the pen.

"Next door? Wow ok, can we like.. see it?"

"Sure, but don't be disappointed. It looks just like mine." You let him into his new home and looked around. It was so empty, you vividly remember the bright red leather sofa that Lisa loved so much or the monstrosity that occupied most of the livingroom which Mr. Pree called his scratching post. You got kind of sad.

"I'm going to miss them.." You mumbled almost not audiable but Jae catched it.

"You're going to miss whom?"

"The couple who lived here before. They moved in a month before me and now they are gone... I should stop I'm getting sentimental."

"Gone.. wow you sound like they died. But I guess you were close and it's weird not to have them as your neighbors anymore. I hope I'm a decent replacement." You chuckeled.

"Don't worry, I really like your company. So... should we move your things over here?"

"I don't have furniture. But I guess we can move the cartons over here so it doesn't look like a mess in your apartment."

"That's what I wanted to hear." You stick your tongue out and receive a playful hit on your arm. You two scoot all his belongings over to his new apartment and then sat again on your sofa.

"Can we just leave my things in there?"

"Sure, no one is going to rent it, it already is yours. We'll go to Mrs. Yoon as soon as possible and then it's settled."

"OK, and how am I going to get furniture?"

"By buying it?"

"Haha very funny. You know what I mean."

"Mh I don't know. Ask some friends if they have old stuff or so. I mean we can look for cheap stuff for the beginning. I'm even willed to help you out with some money to buy a mattress." Jae hugged you tight.

"You seriously are the best. Why couldn't we meet earlier?" You just laugh and melt into his embrance.

"You wanna eat something?" His scent was nice and you two still hugged. You just hummed in respond.

"Something special for the lady?"

"How about I just cook some spaghetti and tomato sauce for us?"

"Sounds good. Do you have wine?"

"Actually yes." 30 more second pass when Jae asks:

"So.. are we eating today or what? Are you going to let go of me?" You stumble back totally dumbfounded because you clung to him like a koala.

"I'm sorry. Just desperatly needed a hug."

"Just call for me anytime if you need another one." He cooed and you blushed.

While you cook your thoughts trail off like they do so often....

'I really want to hug him again. And kiss him... his lips must be soft. Why am I even fantasizing, we still barely know each other. Is there perhaps something like love at first sight? No.. you really don't believe in such kind of things... or do you?'

[photodustorg]

ILONA NELSON: THIS WILD SONG - MICHELLE HAMER

This Wild Song is a long term project by artist and curator Ilona Nelson which sees her creating photographic portraits of Australian female artists and transforming them to become a part of their work. Over the coming months, Photodust will feature portraits and interviews from Ilona Nelson’s ongoing project.

Michelle Hamer photographed by Ilona Nelson for This Wild Song

Michelle Hamer maps contemporary social beliefs, fears and aspirations through text, signage and urban environments. Her hand-stitched and drawn works sit being 2D and 3D objects and are based primarily on her own photographs, translated predominately by eye. Familiar and often ironic the works capture in-between moments that characterise everyday life. The boundaries and barriers that Hamer explores oscillate between fast and slow; past and present; personal and political and become markers of rarely captured but revealing moments in time.

Ilona Nelson: How do you describe your work to others?

Michelle Hamer: With images! As much as I love words with visual art they (or I?!) are limited.

IN: Do you have a preferred medium or use whatever is needed to express your ideas?

MH: The materials, ideas and my personal limitations all intertwine with my work. I fell into doing hand-stitching, specifically on perforated plastic because I had to spend most of my time lying down. The integral strength of the plastic and ready availability of wool matched my own physical limitations. More recently I’ve been using ink on paper and working with barrier tape and construction/debris mesh and I see my practice evolving as these other choices emerge.

IN: How do you begin new work?

MH: Sometimes I have a specific idea I want to research, like my recent interest in language around conflicted border zones, other times I’m reflecting on images I’ve taken and a series emerges. My work mostly begins with photographing something I glimpse on a journey. I carry a small camera with me everywhere. My phone is also full of notes. I collect lists of words, phrases and ideas surrounding the images and text I’m exploring.

IN: Do you tend to work in series or do you see your body of work as a continuation?

MH: Both. I work in series but each series is also a continuation. Recently other people have begun to re-curate works of mine from varying series and that in turn opens new ways for me to consider what I am exploring and emphasises for me just how much I am obsessed with the same ideas over time.

IN: What attracts you to your subjects?

MH: Usually there is both a strong personal resonance and a commentary on contemporary social beliefs, fears and aspirations.

IN: What processes do you use to bring your ideas to life?

MH: I go through my images many times, ordering and sorting and printing the ones I’m most drawn to. I then spend hours considering which may work as individual pieces and together. I returned from my last research trip with 5000 images. I had been sorting them into 5 broad themes but the more I go through them the more I find a particular line I need to follow. I have many ‘middle of the night’ notes on the issues I’m considering.

I broadly mark up the plastic with a Sharpie and then work with a colour A4 image beside me for reference. I usually start by stitching something reasonably large, simple or the text because it makes me feel anchored into the piece. The small details, which sometimes involve different wool for each stitch, are usually the last to be resolved.

IN: What do you use as reference material?

MH: My own photographs, screenshots, conversations, email subject lines - usually language or signage within my environment.

IN: Are you conscious of the meaning of the work initially or do you work intuitively?

MH: Often I’m literally moving (driving) when I see something to photograph so that’s a split second intuitive

decision but by the time I’m creating I’m conscious of the meaning, at least on some levels. More meaning may emerge during creation though.

IN: Do you aim to create the finished piece exactly as you envisioned or enjoy allowing it to develop organically?

MH: I’m usually working from a photograph so I have a fairly strong idea of the work but because of the limitations of working with grids and readily available yarns how I balance the colours and image resolution are decisions made through the process.

IN: What’s your favourite colour to work with?

MH: I sometimes have favourite wools but not necessarily colours. I do a lot of roads and I had a favourite ‘road wool’ which unfortunately is no longer produced.

IN: Where do you create?

MH: On the home/studio floor and couch.

IN: Do you have a studio ritual to start the session?

MH: I don’t.

IN: What’s your favourite music to work to?

MH: I used to listen to music when I worked in architecture but with my art, I have to watch TV series’ or listen to podcasts. The narrative seems important but I’m not sure why!

IN: Do you enjoy coming up with titles?

MH: For series I really do… less so for individual works.

IN: What’s your favourite part of creating?

MH: The moments when there is no pressing admin and nothing else exists except for the making.

IN: What advice would you give to your emerging self?

MH: I still feel like I’m emerging. I think that I increasingly believe it’s important to not be scared to keep digging to expose yourself and what you truly need to express.

IN: Have you ever worked with a mentor?

MH: I would love to have a mentor. I had some incredible tutors and peers in architecture who are the closest I’ve had to mentors, some still give me critical feedback which is invaluable to my practice.

IN: How do you alleviate the down times?

MH: Being in the ocean and remembering that it’s part of the process.

IN: What defining moments have you experienced within your practice?

MH: Realising that I had to create and then that it could be a marker of time. I didn’t set out to be an artist but it is a part of me.  

There have been some exciting moments like having my work shown on a billboard in Times Square and being shown amongst artists I had long admired from afar at the NGV and at TarraWarra Museum of Art.

IN: What is the most memorable artwork you have seen and why?

MH: Way too hard to answer overall but most recently ‘The Enclave’ by Richard Mosse at the NGV, it is hauntingly beautiful and complex. It sits in the uncomfortable territory of the everydayness of war. It doesn’t shy away from either the joyful moments or the devastation.

IN: If you could ask any artist any question, what would it be?

MH: I would ask Mosse if he is exploring any personal trauma through his work and does he have, and if so how does he deal with survivor guilt?

IN: What’s next for you?

MH: My next body of works will reflect on my time spent in the Middle East and on the US/Mexican border. My show ‘There are no words’ continues to tour regional galleries.

Please visit This Wild Song to view more interviews with Australian women visual artists.

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