#lush tunnel of love

[wallflowerglitter]

Love Boat Bath Bomb, Cherryish Body Scrub, Tisty Tosty Bath Bomb, Unicorn Horn Bubble Bar, Height Of Enlightened Expectation Bubble Bar Melt, Tunnel Of Love Soap

[ktempestbradford]

I have been on a Willy Wonkified journey today and I need y'all to come with me

It started so innocently. Scrolling Google News I come across this article on Ars Technica:

At first glance I thought what happened was parents saw AI-generated images of an event their kids were at and became concerned, then realized it was fake. The reality? Oh so much better.

On Saturday, event organizers shut down a Glasgow-based "Willy's Chocolate Experience" after customers complained that the unofficial Wonka-inspired event, which took place in a sparsely decorated venue, did not match the lush AI-generated images listed on its official website.... According to Sky News, police were called to the event, and "advice was given."

Thing is, the people who paid to go were obviously not expecting exactly this:

But I can see how they'd be a bit pissed upon arriving to this:

It gets worse.

"Tempest, how could it possibly--"

source of this video that also includes this charming description:

Made up a villain called The Unknown — 'an evil chocolate maker who lives in the walls'

There is already a meme.

Oh yes, the Wish.com Oompa Loompa:

Who has already done an interview!

As bad (and hilarious) as this all is, I got curious about the company that put on this event. Did they somehow overreach? Did the actors they hired back out at the last minute? (Or after they saw the script...) Oddly enough, it doesn't seem so!

Given what I found when poking around I'm legit surprised there was an event at all. Cuz this outfit seems to be 100% a scam.

The website for this specific event is here and it has many AI generated images on it, as stated. I don't think anyone who bought tickets looked very closely at these images, otherwise they might have been concerned about how much Catgacating their children would be exposed to.

Yes, Catgacating. You know, CATgacating!

I personally don't think anyone should serve exarserdray flavored lollipops in public spaces given how many people are allergic to it. And the sweet teats might not have been age appropriate.

Though the Twilight Tunnel looks pretty cool:

I'm not sure that Dim Tight Twdrding is safe. I've also been warned that Vivue Sounds are in that weird frequency range that makes you poop your pants upon hearing them.

Yes, Virginia, these folks used an AI image generator for everything on the website and used Chat GPT for some of the text! From the FAQ:

Q: I cannot go on the available days. Will you have more dates in the future? A: Should there be capacity when you arrive, then you will be able to enter without any problems. In the event that this is not the case, we may ask you to wait a bit.

Fear not, for this question is asked again a few lines down and the answer makes more sense.

Curious about the events company behind this disaster, I took myself over to the homepage of House of Illuminati and I was not disappointed.

I would 100% trust these people to plan my wedding.

This abomination of a website is a badly edited WordPress blog filled with AI art and just enough blog posts to make the casual viewer think that it's a legit business for about 0.0004 seconds.

Their attention to detail is stunning, from how they left up the default first post every WP blog gets to how they didn't bother changing the name on several images, thus revealing where they came from. Like this one:

With the lovely and compact filename "DALL·E-2024-01-30-09.50.54-Imagine-a-scene-where-fantasy-and-reality-merge-seamlessly.-In-the-foreground-a-grand-interactive-gala-is-taking-place-filled-with-elegant-guests-i.png"

"Concept.png" came from the same AI generator that gets text almost, but not quiiiiiite right:

There are a suspicious number of .webp images in the uploads, which makes me think they either stole them from other sites where AI "art" was uploaded or they didn't want to pay for the hi-res versions of some and just grabbed the preview image.

The real fun came when I noticed this filename: Before-and-After-Eventologists-Transformation-Edgbaston-Cricket-Ground-1024x1024-1.jpg and decided to do a Google image search. Friends, you will be shocked to hear that the image in question, found on this post touting how they can transform a boring warehouse into a fun event space, was stolen from this actual event planner.

Even better, this weirdly grainy image?

From a post that claims to be about the preparations for a "Willy Wonka" experience (we'll get to this in a minute), is not only NOT an actual image of anyone preparing anything for Illuminati's event, it is stolen from a YouTube thumbnail that's been chopped to remove the name of the company that actually made this. Here's the video.

If you actually read the blog posts they're all copypasta or some AI generated crap. To the point where this seems like not a real business at all. There's very specific business information at the bottom, but nothing else seems real.

As I said, I'm kinda surprised they put on an event at all. This has, "And then they ran off with all our money!" written all over it. I'm perplexed.

And also wondering when the copyright lawyers are gonna start calling, because...

This post explicitly says they're putting together a "Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory Experience" complete with golden tickets.

Somewhere along the line someone must have wised up, because the actual event was called "Willys Chocolate Experience" (note the lack of apostrophe) and the script they handed to the actors about 10 minutes before they were supposed to "perform" was about a "Willy McDuff" and his chocolate factory.

As I was going through this madness with friends in a chat, one pointed out that it took very little prompting to get the free Chat GPT to spit out an event description and such very similar to all this while avoiding copyrighted phrases. But he couldn't figure out where the McDuff came from since it wasn't the type of thing GPT would usually spit out...

Until he altered the prompt to include it would be happening in Glasgow, Scotland.

You cannot make this stuff up.

But truly, honestly, I do not even understand why they didn't take the money and run. Clearly this was all set up to be a scam. A lazy, AI generated scam.

Everything from the website to the event images to the copy to the "script" to the names of things was either stolen or AI generated (aka stolen). Hell, I'd be looking for some poor Japanese visitor wandering the streets of Glasgow, confused, after being jacked for his mascot costume.

HE LIVES IN THE WALLS, Y'ALL.

[shallowseeker]

Truth & despair *COMPLETE*

"The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable."

Synopsis:

With Cas gone, Jack vanished, and Dean in turmoil, Sam turns to therapy to cope. His search for answers leads him to the bunker’s surveillance footage, where he uncovers startling evidence that casts doubt on Dean’s account of Cas’s death... and Dean's sanity. Determined to restore a semblance of normalcy, Sam gets them back on the road. But their case takes a terrifying turn when Chuck appears with a chilling revelation: the universe is targeting them in a deadly Final Destination-style game of fate. As Sam grapples with his own fears and a world seemingly set against them, he clings to the hope that reuniting his fractured family will be the key to overcoming their darkest challenges. Maybe once they’re all back together, they won’t need therapy at all.

---

Focus: Supernatural post-15x19 fic, TFW grieving badly, Bad therapy attempts with Mia Vallens, False memories, The Shadow is in love with Cas, Jack and Amara are AWOL

Characters: Dean/Castiel, Dean & Sam, Sam & Dean & Cas & Jack, Eileen Leahy, Mia Vallens, Chuck Shurley, Becky & the Rosen-Baron fam, Donatello Redfield, The Empty, Amara, Jack as God, Rowena MacLeod, Sam POV and Sam is blessedly annoying

Content warning: Major character death (Castiel), poor coping mechanisms (Dean), and encroachment of personal boundaries (Sam). Eventual happy ending.

Updates every weekend!

Proofread by @minalblood & finished for @tenderthunder

❤️

///

Ch 01: (~4200 words, ~17 minutes) - In an attempt to tackle his grief, Sam rifles through the bunker footage to track down Cas’s last moments. The footage leaves him with more questions than answers.

//

Ch 02: (~5700 words, ~23 minutes) Mia admonishes Sam for his breach of boundaries, and Dean suffers his first meltdown.

//

Ch 03: (~5200 words, ~20 minutes) Sam leans into unhealthy coping mechanisms that nearly get them killed.

//

Ch 04: (~4700 words, ~18 minutes) Snapped out of Chuck’s grand finale, Sam and Dean wonder what’s next.

//

Ch 05: (~5250 words, ~21 minutes) In need of Becky Rosen’s laptop, Chuck and the Winchesters track her to a safe house in the recesses of the Wallowa Mountains, Oregon. En route, the roadways are riddled with mysterious sinkholes. Dean admits he’s drawn to them.

//

Ch 06: (~7500 words, ~30 minutes) - Chuck shows his true colors, but Dean’s the real problem.

//

Ch 07: (~7200 words, ~28 minutes) - Dean takes a leap of faith. Sam follows.

//

Ch 08: (~7100 words, ~28 minutes) - Sam and Dean tunnel their way into The Empty. It's not empty.

//

Ch 09 (~ 6200 words, ~25 minutes) - Unable to rid Castiel of the cooling Empty gunk, Sam and Dean transport him back to the Barons’ house and attempt to free him.

//

Ch 10 (~ 6200 words, ~25 minutes) - Hoping to track Jack and Amara, Team Free Will returns to Washaway Beach to perform a potent locator spell.

///

Ch 11 (~8000 words, ~32 minutes) - Sam and Chuck crash-land in a lush landscape and run afoul of Amara. She taunts Sam, promising that Jack will never return, at least not of his own free will.

//

Ch 12 (~10800 words, ~43 minutes) - Jack's got everything he needs right here. Why would he ever leave?

//

Ch 13 (~8000 words, ~32 minutes) - Sam awakens in the shallow waters of Washaway Beach...alongside the prone body of Jack Kline.

//

Ch 14 (~10200 words, ~40 minutes) - Maybe Sam can't fix everything. Maybe that's okay.

//

Ch 15/ Epilogue (~17000 words, ~68 minutes) - Then, Dean welcomed Cas back from The Empty. Now, they deal with the fallout.

[insom-nom-nom-niatic]

2 Of A Kind Ch. 3

CHARACTERS: Troy Otto X Fem Reader

WARNINGS: It's made for FTWD so you should know the basics. +SMUT (read at your own risk. I'm nobody's mom) +Fem receiving

There may or may not be a part 4... need to see how people feel about it. ALSO! Shoutout to all the GIF makers out there for giving me so many options and I love you all... I still feel the need to use the same one repeatedly, but you all help me fight that urge!

This is made for THIS anon request!

Chapter 1 Chapter 2

“Can I help you with that?”

Troy’s eyes grew dark, feeling his senses begin to tunnel into her and her alone. The woman merely smiled, adjusting herself under the blanket to the side. Her cheeks burned with a fury of confusion and anticipation as she stared back into the blue eyes watching her. “I mean-” Troy shuffled his feet lazily towards the right side of the mattress, closest to the woman. “You helped me so it’s only polite of me to offer my assistance. That is - if you want me to help. Not to be frank but, I could do a bit better than what you were doing.” Troy cocked his head to the side with a crooked smile when the woman scoffed exaggeratingly at his remark. It had been some time, if ever, that anyone had made him feel like this.

Powerful.

“Come’er,” She whispered to him, a voice sending shivers down his spine, but Troy followed her order. The mattress slunk down from his weight, dipping the two into one pothole in the middle. Her fingers ghosted over his hand, the wound on it open to the warm air. His eyes flinched at the sting that rang up his extremity as she placed the hand to her lips, gently kissing the inflamed skin while looking up at him through dark eyelashes. with a twist of his hand, Troy caressed the woman’s cheek, feeling the heat radiate from her dewy skin. Their eyes never broke until Troy lowered his gaze to her lips, softer than he thought they’d be, swiping one calloused digit across the delicate flesh.

With a smooth lick of his lips, Troy initiated the kiss. Pressing his flesh upon her own, feeling her warmth and hearing the ever-so-silent moan that escaped her lips against his. He thought about going slow. He thought about taking it easy with her and not being so forceful, but the sound she made turned him into something more than he thought he was. Deepening the kiss, Troy licked at her bottom lip begging for permission.

Denied.

He could feel her lips pull at the sides, smirking against his touch. This was a game.

A hand found its way to the base of her neck, his fingers dancing along her spine until she felt his way into her hair. Troy took a handful of lush locks, pulling it into a fist. Her body began to arch as her neck pulled back just enough to gain his awaiting tongue entry. His body began to barrel over her as she was lost in the feelings. She wasn’t one to ever relinquish control… yet, here she was. Allowing a stranger control over her body, and she liked it.

As Troy’s tongue ventured into the walls of her mouth, his free hand found its way up her chest, burning fingerprints into the skin he began to expose. With one final nip to her bottom lip, Troy backed away, his lips at least. His eyes regained control again, watching her once-hardened eyes turn soft and needy. The look she gave him through those dark eyelashes gave him the feeling of warmth… possessive… needed.

Fully collapsing into the soft sheet below, the woman gave up her fight. His touch felt too good to push away.

Watching his head dip below her chin, she felt his lips once again burn into her skin, just below her collarbone. His tongue swirled with small suctions traveling lower and lower. His nimble fingers pulled the blanket she was hiding under exposing both breasts to his full view. Troy glanced up, his fingers pinching the sensitive skin of her nipples.

He wanted to see her face as she let him do everything he wanted.

He wanted to see her vulnerable. He wanted to see her as his.

After a little while, he couldn’t take it any longer. Seeing her skin raised in goosebumps and her nipples formed into full points, Troy replaced his fingers with his lips. He hadn’t thought he had an oral fixation before, but the way his cock begged for his lips to have her, any part of her, was beginning to make the brunette re-think that. Her voice jumped when he sucked in a breath against her, biting harder than he had before. Her fingers weaved through the curly locks on Troy’s scalp, tugging ever so much with each moan that escaped her. Troy hadn’t realized that his hand had already found her most sensitive region until she shook under his grasp.

“Wait-wait-wait-wait!” She exclaimed, her fingers lifting his chin to look back at her. “If you’re going there, then I need something other than ‘fuck-boy’ to scream. So what’ll it be?”

Troy smirked, a devilish smirk, with one arm under his weight to keep him raised above her form. The hand that was at her core swiped the saliva from his lips before ghosting down her body, once more resting where he could see a glint of her slick dripping from. His eyes watched her skin react to his touch the entire time, her scars rough and coarse before his fingertips met more soft skin. He thought about toying with her, prolonging her wait for any form of identity of him, but he wanted to hear his name echo on those walls just as bad as she wanted sweet release.

“I’m Troy.”

As soon as he spoke, Troy delved two fingers into her core. Her hands fisted into his hair as he did so. He watched as her entire body arched from the mattress and her lips enchanted the delight of moaning his name. Enjoying the sight before him, Troy watched as she came to orgasm. His digits glided in and out of her sodden core, stretching the walls of her pussy farther with each spasm she had. As she began to clamp down, his thumb rubbed circles through her clit, only causing even more mess as she finally climaxed with a squirt of fluids soaking the bedding below her sweat-slickened skin.

She was a mess, a hot uncontrollable mess as she came back down from her high. She had completely forgotten she was even in company until she felt one strong arm tighten over her belly and soft curls itch across her cheeks. Troy knew she needed a little time, so kept himself busy making bruises to last her a few days on her neck. Once he felt her heart rate slow against his touch, he pulled back to look upon the magnificent work he had done. One arm, again held him up as the other moved slickened hair from the woman’s face. His eyes peered over her lips as he sucked his bottom lip between his teeth to keep from dazing before meeting her watchful gaze.

“I suppose I should thank you.” She spoke quietly, much softer than normal. Her mouth upturned into a shy smile before turning to look at the ceiling. Troy chuckled tenderly. This woman wasn’t at all who he thought she would be as he peeled back layer after layer.

“There’s no need, I’m here to help, ma’am.”

Troy rolled over to the edge of the mattress, swinging his legs over the side. He didn’t want to overstay his welcome so he figured it was off to the couch for another night. Then, a soft touch wrapped around his wrist.

“Why are you leaving? Did I-”

“I didn’t want to overstay or put you in a position to ask me to leave.”

Troy looked back at the woman from over his shoulder. She sat where he had left her, trying to hide her modesty behind entwined arms and legs. The look she returned was not one that he had assumed he would get. Her coy smile beckoned his feet to not move. Her eyes were like a siren making any thought he had of leaving melt away.

“I’m grateful, I truly am -” her hand that was on his wrist weaved through a belt loop, tugging at the fabric, “- I need more, Troy. And given by how tight those pants have gotten, I think you need more too.”

[last-words-ofashootingstar]

The Garden

Chapter One

❥Prince!Park Seonghwa x fem reader

☆ feat. ateez, tomorrow x together, and others

➯a/n: i've had this idea in the drafts for a very long time and it's gone through a million iterations of characters and love interests and something about hwa in the skirt and sword clicked in my brain. i'm still recovering but this idea hit me hard and fast so i decided i'd put something out. i promise i'll stop starting new stories 😭 (shoutout to my gf again for helping this come to life)

✃"I will give you the happy ending you've always wanted."

✫彡wordcount: 2.7k

(✯◡✯)genre: historical fantasy au, drama

ಠ_ಠwarning/content: mentions of violence, anxiety, and loved ones passing, briefly proof read

⁂taglist: @stvrfir3 @tunaasan

MATURE UNDER CUT MDNI

𖢌

I hope this letter has found you well.

   The wheels crunch the gravel road. Horses hooves clap against the ground loudly. The waves crash just feet way. The sounds echo through the carriage.

I know it's short notice.

    The sun is casting down from a clear sky. The grass is healthy, green and lush. The ocean is vast and blue, foam from the waves clings to the pure white sand.

Taedemere is in jeopardy. We are at war. Lord Hwang declared it silently.

  It was a bumpy ride. A long one. But you don't seem to mind. You keep your sisters entertained and keep your brothers minds off of the impending war. Doing so, you can almost manage to distract yourself from your own future.

He's already posted spies. Spies in the castle. Gods knows how long they've been here.

  "The dragon fell from the tower. It's shrieks echoed through the kingdom!" You read with enthusiasm, looking at the twins who look back with wide eyes.

It's not safe for them here. We had to sneak them away through the tunnels.

  "Did the prince kill it?!" Seunghee asks, holding tight to your skirt. "He must have," Soojun is entranced by the story, "right?"

There was an attempt on my life. An attempt on the girls in the garden. Another on Kai and (Y/n). They are everywhere.

  You launch forward and scream, spooking the girls back into Kais leg. He's holding back a laugh as he pats their heads. "The dragon soars up from the fog, the princes sword still lodged into its scaly side!"

They are threatening us with no words at all. Lord Hwang is coming for the Taedemere crown.

   "Must you scare them with such stories?" Yeonjun sighs as he tugs the young girls back up to the seat, sandwiching himself between them and his brother.

You must forgive our absence. I have to keep the crown secure until we have a more solidified plan.

   You simply ignore him, "the creature perches itself on the ledge, it's jaws reach for the prince. He backs into the wall and draws his dagger. 'Foul demon! I send you back to hell!' he yells as he dives at it. They tumb-"

It's time.

  The carriage halts. You snap the book shut and lean back to get a look out of the foggy window. Yeonjun slides into the seat next to you and does the same. Kai strains his neck to look out of the window behind him.

Take care of our children. Our future.

  The gates are iron, shining like they were scrubbed everyday. The castle beyond them seems to be endless.

-King Choi Seungcheol

  As the gates open, you can feel your heart beat in your ears. Seunghee climbs on your lap and peeks out of the window, her eyes widen with every second she inspects the castle.

   Yeonjun seems to notice your dismay as the carriage grows ever closer.

He can feel it to. The feeling that your future is being written in stone with every inch you grow closer.

"When I last saw him," he hesitates as he gets your attention. "Prince Seonghwa seemed to be the same. He hasn't changed, he's still your old friend."

  You manage a nod with a small smile, and although he can tell it's forced; it helps comfort him. It doesn't comfort Kai, however. He never liked the idea of you marrying someone so far away. He still doesn't. You're attached at the hip.

   Everyone knows Choi (Y/n) doesn't want to marry for security or position. You made it very clear. It's a miracle that you've been able to avoid it this long. You figured if you put up enough of a fuss, your oldest brother would simply give up. But you are equally stubborn. And now he's King.

  A loud horn startles you, and you instinctively pull Seunghee closer. Your breathing hitches until you realize it's just the castle welcoming your entourage.

   As you come to a complete stop, all of your demeanors change. Yeonjun wipes his caring expression away and straightens his back. Kai lets go of Soojuns hand and fixes his blouse. The twins try their best to hide their awe at the beautiful and vast architecture.

And all you can do is hide your growing anxieties with a polite smile.

  The door squeaks as it opens. Yeonjun is the first one to exit. Soojun eagerly follows, and Seunghee is right behind her. The remaining siblings can hear the fuss from the bystanders outside.

   The middle siblings sit silence for a moment before he speaks up. "You don't have to be afraid."

You look up and let the faux smile fade the second you see his sincerity.

  "Don't I?"

  "No."He shakes his head. He's sure. His sister has nothing to be afraid of. Because- "if that Prince hurts you; I'll be the one to personally whip some senses into him."

You can't help the small chuckle that leaves your lips, and motion for him to leave the carriage first. He does, leaving you alone for a single moment before someone peeks in.

  "Your highness?" You smile at the man in uniform, standing slowly.

  "So impatient," you roll your eyes playfully and take his hand as he helps you step down. "Thank you, Yeosang."

  He bows slightly before leading you to your place in between your brothers and sisters. Your eyes are still adjusting to the bright light, but you can see the large doors open in front of you.

Yeonjun kneels, Kai follows his lead, you follow his, Seunghee following you; and Soojun stands upright just staring at the royal family until you notice and pull her down by the back of her neck without even lifting you head. You can all hear a small snort of laughter, and Yeonjun worries your family managed to already offend them until the King speaks.

"Please, rise."

The Choi family does so and Yeosang, the knight, steps forward. He bows deeply before turning to the siblings. "The Prince Choi Yeonjun. The Princess Choi (Y/n). The Princess Choi Seunghee. The Princess Choi Soojun. Huening Kai."

A man steps up from behind the other family, introducing them like Yeosang had just done for your family. "His Royal Majesty Park Kyujun. The Prince Park Seonghwa. The Princess Park Bongcha. The Princess Hayoon."

Your family bows, greeting him in unison, "Your Majesty." Yeonjun continues. "Thank you for your hospitality, sire. We are forever grateful."

Your eyes are fully adjusted when you rise from your bow. The king is older than you remember, but it has been a long time. Princess Bongcha has grown so much that you briefly wonder if you've found yourself time-traveled. There's an unfamiliar little girl beside her. The prince, your fiancé, has changed just as much as you have. You contemplate if he even remembers you. But those wonders are cleared when he addresses you directly.

"Princess (Y/n)," he has a bright smile and dark hair, that much has stayed the same. "Your highness," you smile back and lower your head.

  Whispers echo through the crowd that's held back by the guards: and it's becoming hard for you ignore them. You wrap your arm around Soojun when she cowers closer.

   "Please, come," King Kyujun motions for you all to follow him, and you gladly do.

    It's been a long journey, but it's only just begun.

𖢌

  King Kyujun leads the Choi family down the great hall and they can't help but marvel in its greatness. To the twins, it's a new world to be explored, coming up with their own stories that go along with the stain glass windows. To the older siblings, it brings back memories of childhood, a time when they didn't have such worries that plague their minds these days.

  Yeonjun can remember his first kiss behind a delicately painted pillar during the dead of night. Kai can remember learning a dance with his mother in this hall, the feeling of belonging. (Y/n) can remember running away from the tutor with Seonghwa beside her.

  As you look over to him, you notice it. "You still have that goofy smile," you've dropped the titles and politics. You're just a girl reunited with her child hood friend and fiancé. "I though you may have outgrown it."

  "I'm starting to think I may not," he laughs a bit.

   "I'd hope not. It's one of your few redeeming qualities," you joke, hiding your smirk as you look up at the new chandelier you pass under.

   He feigns a gasp, a hand on his chest. "I'll have you know that I have many good qualities."

  You hum, turning to him, "such as? Sparring with a squirrel?" He slaps a hand over his mouth to swallow his laughter. Your laughter rings free in the empty hall.

   "That squirrel was a menace! It startled me!" He argues in a low voice. "It had no right jumping next to me like that," he says with an exaggerated frown.

   "Unnie!" Soojun hollers, catching your attention quickly as you see that your little sisters have fallen behind. You make your way to them quickly, scolding them that they shouldn't yell in the presence of the King. "Look, Unnie," she points as she ignores your scolding.

  Your heart speeds before it stops abruptly, face to face with the intricate stained glass window. The sun shines through it, casting colorful lights on you all. It's a beautiful collage of colors. Every tiny piece is fit together perfectly to tell a story.

   You flinch when a hand is placed on your shoulder. The King apologizes, retracting his hand. "You probably don't remember this..." You shake your head and look back to the art. "I remember, sire."

He sighs deeply, and you can feel his energy apologizing even if he says nothing.

    "Come on, there's food waiting." The twins cheer quietly, following the King to the room where everyone else has vanished to.

    Seonghwa joins your side and looks at the window, basking in the colored light as he looks over the picture for what must be the millionth time. In his lifetime, he hasn't been able to find a single flaw.

  He looks down at you. Your skin is painted in a range of blue and yellow, pinks and greens. There's a patchy scratch on the majority of your cheek that's slipped his notice until now. Your eyebrows have screwed themselves up and your lip quivers.

   "Don't cry," he was essentially begging, "please, don't cry, (Y/n)."

You sniff in response, rubbing a stray tear away from your cheek. It's silent between you as you have a staring contest with the glass. "Fuck," you mumble as tears start to fall more often. "Ah, (Y/n)," he coos, moving to block your view of the heartbreaking image.

"I... It's just, I haven't seen them since they passed, Cheol put away their portrait... It breaks his heart to see them, but it breaks mine not to. I almost forgot what they looked like."

He doesn't say anything, simply opening his arms and letting you fill them. After so long, it feels the same. You're still shorter, but you've both grown. He's still strong, but now you caught up. You still turn your head to the left and place it on his chest. He still wraps one arm around your back and places the other on your shoulders. After all these years, you remember how secure he feels when your arms link around his waist. Even with the time that's passed, he can recall the fact you love when he rubs his thumb over your shoulder.

So much has happened to each of you and yet you both still have memorized each other's hugs. You used to be each others safe place. And though you're older and have met again in such pressing circumstances, it remains the same.

"Your highness," the familiar voice is just loud enough to startle you. "Yes, Yeosang?" You questions calmly, and it's a stark contrast to Seonghwas glare at the man. "Your brother asks for you, ma'am." You nod to dismiss him, and turn back to Seonghwa when he's gone.

"How do I look?"

"Look like you've been crying."

You tut your tongue and gently slap his shoulder with the back of your hand. He smiles as you do. "It'll be okay," he assures you as he fixes a stray from your neat hair, "it's dark in the dining hall."

He takes your hand and pulls you away from the image of your passed parents lazing in the garden.

𖢌

His footsteps are heavy. He's forcing his breathing to be slow. His heartbeat is going wild as he gets closer to the Kings quarters.

He steps in front of the guards and they knock on the double doors. "Prince Yeonjun, your majesty!" The Kings response is muffled by the walls, but clear enough for the guards to be confident in opening the doors.

Yeonjun steps in and looks over his shoulder as the doors close behind him, anything to keep his eyes away from King Kyujun. The doors slam shut and he finds a tapestry to inspect.

"Please, sit." He follows his voice and finds himself sitting across from the King on the large balcony, a round table littered in papers separates them.

"Thank you, your Majesty," he eagerly takes the wine he offers, hoping it would soothe his dry throat. He can't remember being so thirsty before the King called for him.

"How do you find your quarters?"

Yeonjuns lips are still occupied with the glass when the man speaks up, and he takes his time before speaking shortly. "Very nice, sire. Thank you."

"And your siblings?"

"I'm sure they're adjusting well, sire. We thank you, again, for your hospitality while we discuss our plans."

When he finally has the courage to look at the man, it calms his nerves. His crown is gone. His blouse is astray. His nose and cheeks carry a rosy hue from the frigid weather. He looks much more human.

"This is, of course, why I've asked you here."

"Of course."

Kyujun leans back into the wooden chair and lets out a sigh. "Once (Y/n) and Seonghwa are married, we will put our combined efforts against Lord Hwang. He's a vicious man," he tuts his tongue, annoyed at the mere mention of the Lord of Kherhai. "I've heard of the attacks on your family. I'm sorry for you loss and... rest assured, we will not let anything happen to you at this court."

    "Thank you, sire."

   "Your sister," he hesitates just a bit, "I've looked into quite a few people to help her plan the wedding. They'll meet with her tomorrow. I know she doesn't agree with the circumstances, but that doesn't mean it must be unpleasant."

   "I'm sure she will appreciate it, sire. She's been hesitant to do any planning on her own."

   Kyujun nods in response. He already knows this. He's kept close tabs on his only sons fiancée.

   "Sire, may I ask when the wedding is supposed to be taking place?"

"This week, if all goes well. Lord Hwang is no doubt sending men this way as we speak to get rid of the rest of the Choi family lineage." Kyujun doesn't seem to notice Yeonjuns pained expression, and if he does: he doesn't say anything about it.

   He, instead, hands the young man a map of Kherhai: diving head first into strategy.

𖢌

[eddiestightywhities]

TID-BIT TUESDAY AS WIP WEDNESDAY

tagged by lovelies @inell and @daffi-990—thanks my dudes! you can find inell's here and daffi's here. mine is from my shot!eddie fic which doesn't yet have a title. it's a bit of a stream of consciousness, and so somehow felt right to be written in 2nd person? so, weird POV let's go!! lol

.

You reckon your knees are about to buckle, and you think of Johnny Lawrence sweeping the leg—and you'd maybe laugh at that if your face hadn't stuck when the wind changed, just like your mamá always warned you it would.

Then, you…

Then you don't know shit.

There's nobody taking swings at you. No skirmish. No fist fight. In fact, the only thing fighting you right now seems to be gravity—and whatever’s trying to take you out this time around.

There's this intense, incessant ringing, and you guess it must be in your head with the way it's resonating between your ears; a channel of piercing surround sound, deadening everything else to only muted reverberation. Your vision’s blurring, too, like someone swapped out the moisture in your eyes for your father's tequila, and it's giving you a watery sort of tunnel vision, everything now hazy and unfocused which is freaking you the fuck out and the only thing you can see clearly is—

Him.

He's here, yet all the way over there. Standing tall, directly opposite you, but looking small, somehow, and he's blank-faced, at first, but then cast with this look of revelation that's straight out of an old painting from the Getty museum you both took Christopher to a little while back; like God just took him by the shoulders and said This is how the world really works, Evan—and Caravaggio, or Bosch, or some other old painter dude has captured it in rich oils on expensive, stretched canvas. And you—you'd hoped he'd never find out, didn't want him to have knowledge of any of this shit. Not this, never this.

Then, like clockwork, you're looking at his mouth that is so, so red, which is—that's not right. Even if his mouth is always red, and pouty, and lush, it should never be this red. It's too red. Too, too red. Too much of that bright red that's splattered carelessly across his pale face. And it must be seeping into his skin by now, through his pores, and has to be be in his mouth, and you're wondering if it's warm on his tongue? Wondering if he likes the taste? But then you baulk at the idea because fuck, no, it shouldn't—he shouldn't be having to—and it's frightening him, you can tell, can see the fear blooming in his eyes, his features starting to contort in slow-mo, and oh—shit, shit, shit—is he hurt? All that red, and he’s—no, wait, hang on, he's, he…

Is it blood?

All that blood.

God, you need to get to him so you can—can see, can check him over. You have to get to him, right the fuck now, make sure he's okay and help him if he isn't. And you're trying, you're trying so hard, trying really, really hard, but you can't—can't seem to get to him, can't seem to manage it, can't get your legs to move and oh, yeah, that's right, they're about to give out from under you, remember, Eddie? And you need to breathe, in and out, but you're not sure you remember how, so you start to panic instead—only it feels weird, the fear, your fear. Too slow, and too quiet, and how is a person expected to hyperventilate if their breath is so shallow that it's hardly there at all? And you're thinking about how you don't know what will happen if all this dread has to stay stuffed inside of you, if it can't escape via too-fast half-breaths and shaking hands, and you feel like an African worry doll that somebody stuck pins in; full of holes, so full of holes. Except your holes are bullet holes, and holes of your heart, the ones you got as a little boy that your mamá and papá and the world put there. And all the stuffing's falling out of you, now, and you don't know how to shove it back in ‘cause you have no idea how the hell it ever fit inside you in the first place. And you're scared, too, now, terrified, actually, but you still need to move because you have to get to him, fuck! You need to fucking get to him and wipe all that awful blood off his lovely face, and check if he's hurt, and put your thumb to his pulse point and tell the both of you that everything is gonna be okay—except it isn't okay, is it, Eddie? Because—because he could be hurt. Is he hurt?

Is he hurt?

Dios mio, you have to get to him. Because You need him to be okay. Because he has to be okay. He has to be. Has to. Has to. He has got to be okay because it's him, it's him, it's him, and everybody needs him. Christopher needs him, and—and you need him, dammit.

Oh, God.

.

tags below the cut, play or nay:

@rosieposiepuddingnpie @sortasirius @angela-feelstoomuch @woodchoc-magnum @kitteneddiediaz @watchyourbuck @treasurehuntbuck @colonoscopys @wildehacked @shitouttabuck @lamardeuse @exhuastedpigeon and anybody else who wants to do the thing xp

[thegamingcatmom]

how do you think the denalis would react if the reader sneakily got a tattoo? If it was of their initials or their symbol would the reader get out of trouble?

Do you think MC has a death wish?

...

Jk. 🤓

(Bish will do as she damn well pleases, tyvm.)

(...And pray to God her wives are in a forgiving mood.)

(Better to ask for forgiveness than permission anyway, right?)

(...Right?)

(👀)

.

.

.

Tanya Denali:

*affectionate* excuse?

her darling did what?

don't get her wrong

ofc her mate is allowed to, yknow, be her own person and stuff

she'd never forbid her precious girl anything

unless it's dangerous ofc

or foolish

or reckless

(or doesn't 100% match up with what she has envisioned)

(jk jk)

(or not)

(she can be a bit...overbearing, at times)

so, yknow

all things that she associates with getting a tattoo

how foolish

how reckless

how dangerous

she just doesn't understand why her darling would want to tarnish that perfect skin of hers

and risk it getting infected

or worse

why must this world be so cruel?

why is-

...wait

*stops her ranting because that eyesore starts to look familiar*

is that-

*recognizes the eyesore as their family crest with the first letters of their names (T, K, I) wound around it most artistically*

...

that's-

...acceptable

(she´s already obsessed)

just this once

(also because her letter comes first, as it should)

don't get used to it though

(how about "Tanya" for a next tattoo? quite a nice ring to it, if you ask her)

...

excuse her-

*proceeds to drag MC away to a place where she can thoroughly inspect the eyesore*

yknow, just to make sure it looks...as it should

no infections or anything

that´s her job, after all

ensuring the safety and well-being of her coven members

especially her mate

she´s just the best leader, is she not?

and the best mate

so very...thorough

Kate Denali:

unlike Tanya, recognizes what the tattoo is meant to represent immediately

...

are you kidding her?

...

how fucking awesome is that??

she loves it

especially the way the "K" wraps around the other two letters, partly covering them

(besting her sisters in everything, it seems)

(who´s the top dog now? 😏)

she can´t get enough of it

(she just wants to lick-)

also because she kinda thinks of it as war paint

MC strutting about, showing off her clan as well as her wives like a true Warlord

her little warrior

(so hot)

also because MC´s now literally saying "I belong to Kate Denali"

(so.fucking.hot)

...fine

and to her sisters

but still

(the "K" covering the other letters is all she needs to see)

she fucking loves it

in fact

she already has an idea for the next tattoo

"If lost return to Kate the Great"

don´t that sound nice?

...

...fine

"Kate the Great" will do too

...

...fine

she´ll also make do with "Kate"

...

oh CMON!

(this world is cruel)

Irina Denali:

...

oh...honey

what is she to say to that?

has her sweet baby become a punk now??

did Kate encourage her??

(she wouldn´t put it past her rowdy sister)

they´re going to have a serious conversation about this

what´s next??

a piercing??

one of those dreadful tunnels??

green hair???

not on her watch-

*sees MC blinking at her with those big innocent eyes*

...

*sees MC pouting at her with those lush lips*

...

*sees MC looking all hopeful, most proud of her newest...addition*

...

sighs

she just can´t deny her Angel anyth-

...hold on

*squints*

...is that-

her name??

well, the first letter of it, but STILL-

that´s-

oh...darling

what an honor

her sweet girl putting herself through agony, just for her??

...well, and her sisters

BUT STILL-

she´s a (huge) sucker for symbolism

to see her name, even if it´s just a part of it, forever engraved into the skin of her darling mate?

she´s always known their love for each other is as timeless as their existence

but now it has been visualized

not that she needed any kind of "proof"

she gets to look at her darling mate every day, after all

that is all the proof she needs

but this? it´s just...different

also because others will know as well now...

(not that anyone with eyes would ever doubt it...or dare question their love)

she´s speechless

truly

.

.

.

Thanks a lot for your ask! 💋

.

.

.

EDIT:

The sisters would be most accepting, btw. (Not that they have a choice, lol.) In case anyone has doubts about that.

They might feel a bit smad about it first because MC got a tattoo in secret though. Like, MC should know (and she does) that she can talk to them about anything without fear of getting judged.

Ultimately though, they´ll accept her choice. ✌️

...After some sighing, crossing their arms, muttering under their breaths probs, lol.

[crazysodomite]

I think we should turn the idea of living vehicles into a speculative biology fiction. A universe where flocks of airplanes rule the sky and trains dig and burrow through tunnel systems and cars speed in the lush meadows. Peace and love on Planet Earth. Being a mechanical engineer in this universe technically makes you a biologist btw

that sounds fun ^_^ i was just thinking of turning an electric train into a creature

[starkraivennemad]

What You Ask For

"I'm SO BORED John. I need something!" Sherlock whined.

“I know luv, headed for the Tube now. Maybe I'll find a murder to entertain you.” John chuckled at the drama. It had been a few of very quiet weeks at home, he knew his husband was at wit's end. 

"Promise?" Sherlock almost sounded hopeful that he would.

"Promise!" John grinned and rang out as he beelined for the train.

As if rush hours on the line are not bad enough, John left his headphones on his desk and of course, he’s now sardined against the doors. Any chance of feeling the air conditioning is close to nil against the crush of bodies at this point and he just prays he’s not a soggy mess when he  finally disembarks.

Because naturally it's rush hour, but the train is crawling...

To the side is an older woman with enough Aquanet in her hair, that if they actually wanted to hive there, he seriously doubted bees could have penetrated the hirsute turban.

And oh, bloody hell already!!!!

Did this guy next to him pour every ounce of cologne in existence in a tub and immerse his entire body in it?

Gee-shush!!

Pinching the bridge of his nose while trying hard to keep his eyes from watering from both toxic scents, he faced the door to stare down into the long expansive blackness of the tunnel before the next stop.  The immense dark was very fitting to his mood indeed.

It's rush hour - RUSH already!

Looking for any distraction to try to pull his mind out of its funk, he notices a tall, dark-curly haired woman in shades in the glass' reflection. He could just barely make out the shape of her eyes behind the dark lenses, but couldn't really see them. She made up for it by having beautiful lush lips, emphasized the more with whatever gloss she was wearing.  They looked as though she drank water not even seconds ago and I all but expected an errant liquid drop to fall. He couldn't tell if his sudden thirst was for this unseen water implied or for the lips themselves reminding him of the cupid bow lips of his love waiting for him at home, providing that implication.

Nope, definitely reminding me of your lips.

He smiles thinking of his husband as she seemingly stares straight ahead, but can't tell if she's really staring ahead or doing the non-dance, all commuters without personal diversions do of looking at anything, but seeing nothing. It's a lovely few minutes of I'm looking at you, but I'm not looking at you to while away the time as he thinks all the things we wants to do with his husband to entertain him.

Come on train!

As if hearing his plea, the train is speeding at its normal pace after the next station.

Yes! Nothing but one more stop between me and kissing you.

As the train is pulling into the station, she slowly lifts her shades and stares up quizzically. It was her, at first what the...? rapidly increasing to OH MY GOD, expression that finally made him stop looking at the reflection in the glass and actually through the glass itself. Her confusion then shock is rapidly matched by passengers waiting on the platform as the train starts to slow. Mesmerized by their expressions, his  mind does not fully register the crimson streaks snaking their way down the panes. 

As the train jerks to its stop, the bloody body that suddenly slides from the curved roof of the train, and is caught on God only knows what to now dangle hideously in front of John just as the doors open. It sets off screams inside and out of the train that get his full attention.

The front of the skull was slowly turning towards him and with a slow sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach, that had nothing to door with the bloody horror dangling before him. John realized he recognized what was left of the face attached to it.

You've got to be bloody kidding me!

John suddenly understood why Sherlock grinned at murder scenes his own phone is in his hand dialing without a thought.

Universe is rarely so lazy - careful what you ask for, indeed.

His husband’s melliferous voice teases as he answers “You better not be…..”

“Sherlock!” John speaks over him. “Our former client is dead. Get to Baker Street station NOW.”

[danmat6288]

Prince Mallow, Representative of Nimbus Land, in the Flower Kingdom

Continuing his journey, which began in the Beanbean Kingdom, to explore the rest of the world and its variety of cultures, Prince Mallow traveled past the Rose Way region of the Mushroom Kingdom and crossed the border into the Flower Kingdom. There, he was greeted by the friendly local Poplins, the spiral-striped patterns of the petals in their flower caps reminding Mallow particularly of the more circular striped patterns he'd seen on the mushroom caps of Rose Way native Toads.

Mallow met the local prince, Florian, who was more than happy to meet another mutual friend of the Mushroom Kingdom's Super Mario and Princess Peach, who allegedly, among other friends, saved Florian's kingdom from a hostile takeover by Bowser and his troops. While Mallow had gotten to know Bowser on a more personal level when the two along with Mario, Peach, and the star-possessed doll Geno teamed up to defeat an even greater foe; he understood that the Koopa King was ordinarily a hostile conqueror who was frequently at odds with the likes of Mario and Peach. As such, he said not a word to counter any bad thoughts Florian had of Bowser, despite having seen some of his more redeeming qualities, as he understood fully that Florian wasn't really wrong.

Mallow enjoyed exploring the kingdom and its locals, as well as learning about its vast ecosystem of different forms of flowers and how they shaped the culture around them. He explored a diverse land of open planes and lush forests with refreshing waterscapes, fluffy cloud regions that reminded him of his homeland (albeit much pinker), hot desert dunes with reminders of an ancient civilization, and even a deep fungal forest full of old mining tunnels and a burning lava bog around a dormant volcano. All of these surrounded a beautiful archipelago that acted as the hub of Poplin community life.

The Nimbus prince partook in local entertainment and music activities, tried the local foods, and even did some adventuring alongside Florian with the Flower Kingdom's regional power-ups and badges. Mallow's favorite badges are the ones that improve jumping skills, as he loves the feeling of being able to jump as great as Mario. Mallow and Florian happily continue to keep in touch and maintain relations between their respective kingdoms.

[msweebyness]

Miraculous Barbie: Ondine’s Swan Lake

Please enjoy the second part of my Barbie movie adaptation series, with Ondine as the lead dancer! @imsparky2002 @artzychic27

"You're braver than you think."

CAST:

Ondine Rivas as Odette

Lê Chiến Kim as Prince Daniel

Missy Rutherford as Lila the Unicorn

Caline Bustier as The Fairy Queen

Gabriel Agreste as Rothbart

Lila Rossi as Odile

Denise Cabello as Carlita the Skunk

Simon O’Connor as Ivan the Porcupine

Anais Ackerman as Erasmus

Arturo Rivas as Odette’s Father

And so our story begins…

Long ago, in a faraway kingdom, in a peaceful village there lived a beautiful maiden. Her name was Ondine, and she was the daughter of the village baker. She was known through the village for her fiery red hair, gemlike teal eyes, and the fact that she was an exquisite dancer!

Ondine, however, was a sweet, quiet and rather shy girl, content to keep to herself and assist her father in the bakery, dancing around the kitchen with a smile on her face. She also happened to be quite athletic, loving to swim and run…but always by herself.

Her father, Arturo, sometimes worried about her and would suggest every now and again that she attend the dances that took place in the village. But Ondine would think of everyone there staring at her and she just couldn’t do it.

Not far away, in the palace of the kingdom in which this village laid, lived the energetic, adventurous, and rather strapping Prince Kim. He was always up for a challenge, loving to be told he couldn’t do something just to prove the person wrong. He loved to hunt and explore the wilderness around him…but not without reminders from his mother, Queen Mai, that he would soon need to choose someone to marry and rule by his side.

Back in the village, Ondine was content with her peaceful, quiet life…but that life was about to change. One fateful day, while Ondine was laying out the day’s inventory, she couldn’t believe her eyes when a unicorn ran right by the bakery’s window, chased by several villagers with weapons. Afraid they might hurt the beautiful creature, Ondine followed close behind.

But the unicorn was clever and escaped her pursuers several times, even using a stray ax to cut a rope around her neck short. She then proceeded to take off into the forest, with Ondine being compelled to follow her, partly because of the rope still around her neck, which could cause trouble.

Ondine followed the unicorn to an old fallen tree that led into a waterfall, and rushed to help her when she slipped. But the unicorn got back up and slipped through a passageway behind the falls that she opened with her horn, giving the redhead a look that said “Well, are you coming?” Hesitantly, the girl followed just as the passage slipped closed again. She emerges from the stone tunnel in a clearing in the midst of a gorgeous and lush forest, by a crystalline pond.

Ondine heard alarmed winnying and came upon the unicorn once more, and sure enough, the rope still tied around her neck had gotten stuck in some tree roots. Spotting Ondine, the unicorn asked in perfect English if the girl planned to just stand there gawking or help her, shocking Ondine. But nonetheless, she went to look for something sharp to cut the rope.

Ondine comes across an ancient tree, and sees something shimmering in its trunk. She gets closer and sees that it’s a beautiful crystal, which she goes to pull out to cut the rope. She is able to pull it out easily, to the surprise of her unseen observers, a skunk named Denise, a porcupine named Simon, and the Fairy Queen, Caline.

Ondine returns to the unicorn, who is shocked to see her holding the crystal, as the fairy queen and the animals approach. Ondine apologizes and tries to return it, but Caline tells her the crystal belongs to her now and that they’ve been waiting for her for a long time. She also thanks her for helping the young unicorn, whose name is revealed to be Missy. She then scolds Missy, reminding her that she knows better than to venture into the realm of humans, as a creature from the Enchanted Forest can be killed by one. Missy apologizes but states she had thought she might be able to find something to defeat someone she calls “Bird Brain”.

Caline then goes on to explain to Ondine the importance of the crystal she holds. She tells her how, many years ago, her cousin Gabriel had lived peacefully in the Enchanted Forest with her and the other magical creatures. But when the time came for her uncle to choose his successor as the ruler of the forest, he had chosen Caline over Gabriel. Furious, Gabriel left the forest...only to return years later with his daughter, Lila, in tow, now a master of dark magic. He began taking over parts of the forest, with Caline's attempts to force him to leave proving futile. Many of the Forest's bravest elves, including Simon and Denise, banded together to try and confront him, but were transformed into common forest animals and forced to build his new, dark palace.

Caline then tells Ondine that as the one who freed the crystal from the tree, she is destined to overcome Gabriel's dark powers and save the forest from certain destruction. But the very thought of taking on a dark sorcerer and being responsible for saving an entire realm, and summarily letting all those people down, terrifies Ondine and she wants to return to the village, sure that this must be a mistake, disheartening the Enchanted Forest creatures. But Missy can sense that the Fairy Queen sees something special in the redhead, and decides to go after her.

As they are walking back towards the entrance, Missy gives Ondine a very...eccentric and unusual pep talk, but some of her words are solid, and she assures Ondine that she can tell the girl is a lot braver than she believes herself to be. But at that moment, two enormous, dark birds swoop down from the sky, before transforming and revealing themselves to be Gabriel and Lila.

The two mock Ondine about how she could possibly be the hero of the forest, before Gabriel asks Lila if she would like a new feather pillow. He then uses his dark magic to transform Ondine into a swan!

Before he can do any more damage, Missy rams him with her horn, allowing Ondine to fly away. She meets again with Caline, who presents her with a crown that contains the magic crystal, which will protect her from Gabriel's dark sorcery. It's then that Gabriel reappears, confronting Caline and demanding she hand over the magic crystal, but the Fairy Queen refuses. Gabriel tries to attack Ondine with his magic once more, but the crystal serves as a barrier. Frustrated, he retakes his bird form and flies away with Lila, who complains she didn't get her feather pillow.

Ondine asks Caline if she can change her back into a human, but sadly the Fairy Queen's powers are not strong enough to do so. Like with Simon, Denise and the other elves who were able to escape Gabriel's palace, Caline is able to change her back into a human, but only until the sunrise. At daybreak, she will change back into a swan, the same as the elves transform back into animals.

Ondine resolved that there must be some way to defeat Gabriel, and Caline tells her that the answer lays in the Book of Forest Lore, which can only be opened by the bearer of the crystal. Missy volunteers to take her to the book, which Caline explains is guarded by an…eccentric troll named Anais. She gives the two a magical leaf to serve as a key to the book’s vault and sends them on their way.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Kim is supposed to be preparing for the ball his mother has arranged, inviting eligible young ladies from all across the kingdom, while all he hopes is that maybe he can at least form something of a real connection with one of them. He also knows that the best season for hunting will soon pass...

Back in the Enchanted Forest, Ondine and Missy reach the entrance to the forest vault, and use the leaf-key to enter. They enter the massive library, and are greeted by Anais, who is excited to have some company for the first time in ages. Unfortunately, the library is quite messy, and the three spend all night searching for the Book of Forest Lore, and Ondine changes back into a swan at daybreak.

In Gabriel's dark palace, Lila complains that she has nothing to wear, even as she combs through her scores of jewelry and dresses. As Gabriel paces the room deep in thought, she asks why he can't simply destroy Ondine, seeing as 'any old human could do it!' Gabriel then realizes that now that Ondine is a creature of the Enchanted Forest, not even the crystal’s magic can protect her from a human! And so he puts a plan into action…

The next evening, when Kim is out riding and hunting in the woods, he’s led by the biggest eagle he’s ever seen into the Enchanted Forest, when he spies a gorgeous swan flying through the air, though he doesn’t see the eagle pursuing it. But as he readies to take the shot…he can’t, mesmerized by the lovely creature. And it’s a good thing, because as the swan lands, the sun begins to set, and the bird transforms into the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen in his life. He approaches her, surprising Ondine, who asks how he got into the forest, adding a hasty “your highness” to the question. Kim is surprised she knows who he is, and Ondine explains that she lives in the village. Well, she did, before, you know…

Angry that his plan failed, Gabriel swoops down as Ondine is explaining everything that’s happened to her to Kim. The prince angrily calls Gabriel out for trying to use him to kill the girl, to which Gabriel scoffs and goes to attack him with magic, but Ondine steps up to shield him with the crystal. Gabriel goes to attack again, but is distracted by a screeching Lila, who is in the midst of being bombarded by some of Denise’s skunk friends.

Ondine and Kim begin talking and a crush is quick to develop on both sides as she shows him around the Enchanted Forest. He comes to see her for the next few nights, the two discovering they have quite a bit in common, such as a love for athletics and similar, goofy senses of humor. On one night he comes to visit, the elves even set up a romantic picnic for them, leaving both flustered. On this night, he asks her to come back to the palace with him, where she’ll be protected from Gabriel, but Ondine explains that she has to help the creatures of the Enchanted Forest. He understands, but invites her to attend the royal ball in a few days, to which she agrees. Before he leaves, Ondine asks him to tell her father that she’s alright, and he promises to do so.

Kim arrives at the bakery, but finds Arturo isn’t there. The local cobbler explains that the man is out looking for his daughter, and Kim asks the man to send the baker to the palace once he returns, and the cobbler agrees.

Back in the forest, Anais has finally located the Book of Forest Lore, and brings it to Caline and Ondine. Reading it, they discover that the bearer of the crystal can defeat any evil magic when joined with one they truly love, and who loves them in return. The Enchanted Forest creatures rejoice at this, as everyone could see the sparks flying between Ondine and the prince. However, the book also says that if the one the bearer loves swears love to another, the crystal’s power will be lost.

And so the magical creatures prepare Ondine for the ball so as to ensure Kim will pledge his love to her. Ondine doubts this will happen, as Kim is the prince while she is a mere baker’s daughter, but Caline reassures her that she is beautiful inside and out, and gifts her a gorgeous dress for the ball (Odette’s Ballgown). Ondine is also nervous because she has never danced at a royal ball, and a few of the elves demonstrate, with Simon doing a lively river dance and Denise a vivacious salsa number. Ondine herself performs a gorgeous ballet dance with all the elves, that they all assure her will be perfect!

However, just after this, Gabriel swoops down and abducts Anais, carrying them away to his castle, along with the Book of Forest Lore. Having used too much of her magical powers, Caline is unable to stop him. Having transformed back with the sunrise, Ondine, Missy, the elves and the Fairy Queen make their way to Gabriel’s castle to rescue Anais.

Reading the Book of Forest Lore, Gabriel discovers the crystal’s weakness, and devises a plan to trick Kim into professing his love to Lila in place of Ondine, by way of a magical necklace that disguises his daughter as the one the prince truly loves, i.e. the redhead. Anais angrily declares that his plan won’t work, prompting Gabriel to transform it into an inchworm.

Outside the dark palace, Ondine and her companions devise a plan to rescue Anais. Ondine flies to the entrance near the roof, with Missy and the enchanted elves providing cover and diversion for her. There are a few close calls, but she manages to get in and save the transformed Anais, who explains Gabriel’s plan to everyone. Ondine resolves that she must go now, regardless of the dangers, if she’s to have a hope of saving everyone. If Kim sees her as a swan, he’ll realize he’s been tricked, and they’ll still have a chance! With that, Ondine leaves for the palace.

That afternoon, Kim is waiting for Ondine at the ball, his parents eager to meet the girl that’s captured their adventurous son’s heart. It’s then that Gabriel, having spelled himself to look like Arturo, arrives with the disguised Lila, and sure enough, Kim sees Ondine in her place when he looks at her, and takes her to meet his parents. Lila is a surprisingly good actress, and is able to imitate Ondine quite convincingly.

With that, Kim takes to the dance floor with Lila, with Ondine, in her swan form, having just arrived. She desperately tries to get the prince’s attention, but Gabriel uses his magic to shut the windows, keeping her from entering.

Overhearing Kim ask the disguised Lila if she would consider being his bride, Gabriel approaches the two and asks the prince if he truly loves her. Believing the girl he speaks of to be Ondine, he answers wholeheartedly that he does. Outside the ballroom, the real Ondine collapses as the crystal is stripped of its power. It’s then that Gabriel removes the enchantments on himself and Lila, revealing the horrible truth. Kim demands to know what he did to Ondine, with Gabriel sneeringly answering that he himself doomed the girl when he swore his love to Lila, who mockingly asks when they should have the wedding, before leaving with her father.

As the sun sets, the unconscious Ondine returns to her human form, Gabriel stealing the crown from her cold forehead and presenting it to an eager Lila after he removes the crystal. He affixes the crystal to his collar and prepares to destroy Ondine. Only for Lila to call out for him just in time to dodge a strike from the prince’s sword. Gabriel shatters Kim’s sword with his magic and mocks the boy as the Enchanted Forest denizens arrive, pulled in a coach by Missy. Caline assures the distraught unicorn and elves that Ondine is still alive, sending her magic sprites to retrieve the girl as Kim distracts Gabriel.

Gabriel fires a spell at the prince, who ducks behind Lila, causing it to hit her by mistake, transforming her into a pig! Lila begins to throw a fit, but Gabriel leaves to pursue the coach with Ondine, telling Lila to be quiet for the first time in her life. They flee for the Enchanted Forest, but Gabriel crashes the coach. He demands they hand Ondine over to him, but Missy, Denise and Simon step up to shield her. Caline tells him to leave Ondine alone, as it’s her that his fight is with. Gabriel agrees and the two engage in a battle of magic, which ends when he transforms the Fairy Queen into a mouse! Missy and the two elves try to fight back, but he easily repels them.

Just as Gabriel is again about to blast the sleeping Ondine with his magic, an arrow stops him in his tracks. As the dark sorcerer prepares to deal with Kim once and for all, Ondine awakens and sees the prince in danger. She rushes to help him, drawing Gabriel’s attention, and Gabriel sends his dark magic towards her, only for Kim to try and shield her, knowing she no longer has the protection of the crystal, sending them both to the ground, their hands clasped together.

As Gabriel prepares to destroy them, the crystal around his neck begins to glow brightly, the same color as when it was used by Ondine before, revealing that its power isn’t gone, reawakened by the love between the swan maiden and the prince and their sacrifice for one another. Gabriel is overwhelmed by the magic of love within the crystal, and loses his dark powers. His castle crumbles and all of his evil spells are undone. The elves regain their original forms, along with the Fairy Queen. Life and light returns to the entire Enchanted Forest, as Ondine and Kim awaken in each other’s arms, the curse on the girl lifted. Relieved that their ordeal is finally over, the two share a kiss.

Two years later, the entire village is celebrating the two’s engagement in the Enchanted Forest, and Arturo asks the prince a very important question: How many layers for the wedding cake?

And they all lived happily ever after! (Except for Gabriel and Lila, who spent the rest of their lives as cuckoo clock birds!)

Spread your wings and fly! Leave your thoughts in the comments and reblogs, and watch for the next installment!

[hilson-song-otd]

Hilson Song otD | Day 17

The Carpal Tunnel Of Love by Fall Out Boy

——————————————————————————

LYRICS:

We take sour sips from life's lush lips

And we shake, shake, shake the hips in relationships

Stomp out this disaster town

You'll put your eyes to the sun and say, I know

You're only blinding to keep back what the clouds are hiding

And we might've started singing just a little soon

We're throwing stones at a glass moon

Whoa

We're so miserable and stunning

Whoa

Love songs for the genuinely cunning

Whoa

We keep the beat with your blistered feet

And we bullet the words at the mockingbirds singing

Slept through the weekend and dreaming

Of sinking with the melody of the cliffs of eternity

Got postcards from my former selves saying how've you been

We might've said goodbyes just a little soon

(Stomp out this disaster town)

Robbing lips and kissing banks under this moon

Whoa

We're so miserable and stunning

Whoa

Love songs for the genuinely cunning

Whoa

We're so miserable and stunning

Whoa

Love songs for the genuinely cunning

Oh

It was ice cream headaches and sweet avalanche

When the pearls in our shells got up to dance

You call me a bad tipper of the cradle

Tired yawns for fawns on hunter's lawns

We're the has-beens of husbands

Sharpening the knives of young wives

Take two years, and call me when you're better

Take teardrops of mine, find yourself wetter

Whoa

We're so miserable and stunning

Whoa

Love songs for the genuinely cunning

Whoa

We're so miserable and stunning

Whoa

Love songs for the genuinely cunning

——————————————————————————

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Do You Still Love Us? (short story)

The tunnel entrance was black as a starless night, gaping and lifeless and dreadful, a stark contrast to everything around it–the twittering of birds in the distance, the soft lush grass that flowed softly against the warm breeze, the colourful flowers that sprouted all-year long among the fields.

Tigerdawn couldn’t stop staring at it, imagining how much worse it must be on the other side. The fur lifted along her spine. If she felt this scared just from staring at the entryway, what must it be like where Mouseshell was? How much worse must her little sister’s fear be? Her father’s?

She wished she could have convinced him not to go, but she knew there was no stopping him from making sure that Mouseshell was safe. A large part of her missed him, but there was another part that was glad Mouseshell wouldn’t be alone. With Applesting, they were terrified for his safety and missed him every day, but they knew that he loved them, were able to tell him how much they loved him before he left. But Mouseshell…their last moments together had been so vicious.

So much time had passed since she had died, even longer since Mouseshell. Yet there were times when the pain was as fresh as if it had only happened yesterday. They had discovered a lot of things in their time in the Stars. The fact that cats could still have kits after death in the Dark Forest, that cats in StarClan could send blessings to keep those kits well-protected.

Tigerdawn didn’t know if her sister had had kits. She didn’t even know if she was still…but she sent blessings anyways, just to be safe. Though the family never really talked about it, she was sure that they did the same.

It was okay for cats in StarClan to visit the Dark Forest, now. To have kits of their own, or to just see their lost loved ones…

Tigerdawn lifted a paw, poised to step forward, but she couldn’t move beyond that first motion and remained still, frozen.

“What are you thinking? Get away from there!” 

Tigerdawn whipped her head around to face her other sister, Ivypetal, who was hurrying across the meadow towards her. 

Tigerdawn lowered her paw. “I…I just…”

“You were going to go through!” Ivypetal’s tone was furious, but there was a deep terror that flashed in her eyes. “Why would you want to go in there? In that place?”

Tigerdawn shrank into herself, despite her large size. “I only thought–”

“That you would what? Visit her? Ask her how she is? She tried to kill you! Or have you forgotten that?”

“Well, you killed her!” Tigerdawn snapped, and immediately regretted it. Ivypetal’s expression darkened, and her face contorted in grief for a moment before she forced it away. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

“You’re right,” Ivypetal sighed. “I did kill her. To protect you,” she added with a growl. “So maybe you should say ‘thank you’!”

Tigerdawn ducked her head. Her eyes flicked back to the tunnel entrance, lingering. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I just…I thought…I don’t know. I don’t know why I still care so much after it all.”

Ivypetal’s gaze softened. She pushed through the remaining distance between them and pressed herself against Tigerdawn’s chest. “Because she’s our sister, and we loved–love her. Even if…Even if she doesn’t love us back.” She lifted her head and met Tigerdawn’s eyes. “You just…” Her voice quivered. “You just wanted to see if she loves you again. But...Please don't do that again. I don't want to lose my only sister I have left to that awful place."

Tigerdawn gasped, the lump in her throat so strong it nearly suffocated her. She dug her claws into the ground, trying to keep steady as she swayed and tried to breathe. 

Slowly and gently, yet firmly, Ivypetal stirred Tigerdawn away, and they staggered, using each other as support, until the tunnel could no longer be seen and they both collapsed onto the floor, still holding each other close until finally Tigerdawn could breathe again and she blinked a few times, trying to focus. Ivypetal looked to be in just as much distress. But she, too, blinked the tears away and gave her sister a weak smile. Her ears flicked at the sound of a squirrel chittering nearby. “Wanna hunt?” 

Tigerdawn smiled back. “Maybe we could just stay here for a little bit longer.”

Ivypetal pressed her nose against Tigerdawn’s cheek. “Alright.”

It wasn’t long before the soft breeze and even breathing–and previous stress–caused Tigerdawn to doze off. She snored gently, little breaths that stirred that grass against her muzzle. Watching her, Ivypetal couldn’t resist a glance over her shoulder, to where they had come from. To the tunnel she could no longer see, to the place beyond it, where her sister and father were.

Does she still love us? She couldn’t help but wonder.

=====================

--Since it's been a while since I've said it, to be clear a StarClan cat cannot have a kit with another StarClan cat in the Dark Forest, they only can if the other parent is a resident or Dark Kit.

--Ivy didn't mean to kill Mouseshell and still feels bad about it to this day. But it had to be done.

[ravenclawwitchc]

Endless Summer

One side dies, the other lives on for a long time, but with a happy ending. (Maybe?

In the afternoon, Kudo Shinichi and Mouri Ran attended the funeral of Mrs. Hope. At the time of her passing, she tightly held the pocket watch bestowed upon her by her husband on their wedding day and the cross medal earned by her son. All the inhabitants of the island surrounded her, including her husband and son. Time, ever flexible, reversed her body to its most exquisite state in memory—her white hair turned black, wrinkles faded away, and the bronze pocket watch regained its smoothness. Her parting words were, "I have no regrets." Ran leaned over the edge of the bed, her petite hand gently resting upon the rigid fingers of the departed, silently offering her blessings.

A reunion banquet ensued following the funeral as the sun slowly ascended towards the east. Shinichi and Ran graciously obtained leave, promising to arrive a little later. While the adults collectively hurried to the other side of the island to greet the newly arrived neighbors, these two children, hand in hand, clumsily ran towards their secret hideaway. They had made distinctive markings on the parchment map they had prepared a few days earlier in the courtyard.

Skipping through a lush expanse of wolf-tail grass and prickly juniper bushes, adorned with the resplendent blooms of the Endless Summer hydrangea, Shinichi narrowly avoided a face-to-face encounter with a swooping black-backed albatross. Fortunately, his companion courageously shielded him. After a hesitant circling, the albatross soared away, its wingbeats lost amidst the symphony of birdsong.

Looking up at the majestic creature, they watched it ascend higher and higher, riding the sunbeams that filtered through the foliage toward the island's edge. With a shared glance, they promptly followed its lead.

"Hey! We found it! It's right here!" Pushing aside the final obstruction, a towering leaf, a golden sandy beach emerged before their eyes, devoid of coarse gravel. "See, Ran? I told you, you wouldn't get lost if you followed me," the young boy exclaimed playfully, casting a proud glance at their intertwined hands, his sun-kissed face graced with a smile.

Ran squeezed the boy's hand firmly, observing the momentary quirk of his features, and narrowed her eyes with a playful smirk. "It seems that Conan is indeed more reliable than Shinichi, isn't he?"

During their preparations for the wedding in Hawaii, they clandestinely slipped away, temporarily delegating the various details, such as the banquet arrangements and guest list, to their respective parents. Despite their deep love for each other, marriage remained a weighty topic for these twenty-year-old lovers. They rediscovered the sensations of young romance, realizing their youthful spirits like any eloping couple, hearts thumping powerfully within their chests.

The darkness concealed their blushing cheeks, and they believed in an infinite realm of possibilities for the future, until the woman expressed her desire to return. The man, using getting lost as an excuse, continued to guide her in circles along the highways of Hawaii. Ran didn't believe the reason at all, yet she couldn't resist the fervent and bashful gaze of Shinichi.

"All of that is in the past now. Tell me the truth, though. Weren't you enjoying yourself back then?" The little boy had enough discernment to know when she called him Conan, whether she was genuinely angry or just playfully teasing.

Over time, this topic had ceased to be taboo between them. He smirked, pulling her closer and planting a chaste kiss on her ring finger, his eyes lifting to observe her expression. They shared an unspoken understanding, choosing not to bring up the interrupted wedding and redirecting their gaze toward the entrance of the underwater tunnel before them. "This is it, isn't it, Ran? The dinosaur."

During her childhood, Ran had a phase of being obsessed with dinosaur plush toys. She arranged the stegosaurus, triceratops, and tyrannosaurus rex according to their size, placing them by her pillow. When she passed by classmates in school who fervently idolized the tyrannosaurus rex, she couldn't help but engage in debates, her body bursting with fiery determination, ready to challenge those who dared to comment, "Liking dinosaurs isn't girly enough."

Shinichi was always there to support and cheer her on, unconditionally believing that she had the potential to star as the leading lady in Jurassic World, even when she blushed due to Yukiko's teasing. He would earnestly encourage her; little did they know that this was a prophecy that would be fulfilled in the distant future.

In her thirties, Ran finally had the qualifications to appear in such a production. On the green screen set, she almost burst into laughter due to the actors disguised as dinosaurs around her. No one knew what memories the actress, known for her disciplined demeanor, was recalling. Only Sonoko, who visited the set, worriedly held her hand.

Now they were truly inside the underwater tunnel, a remarkably long passage that no one had ever had the patience to venture to its end. The islanders wondered who could harbor such wild fantasies. Shinichi and Ran simply smiled upon hearing these speculations, reclaiming a semblance of the joy they experienced during their childhood adventures, hidden from Eri.

"Look at this, Shinichi!" The tunnel emitted a faint glow as Ran leaned against the glass, observing the various marine dinosaurs of all sizes outside.

Her gaze pierced through the dense blue of the underwater world. A majestic ichthyosaur gracefully glided by, its streamlined form and translucent body passing effortlessly through the tunnel, akin to a phantom. Yet, the tunnel itself trembled as if acknowledging its presence.

Ran recalled the games she played with Shinichi Kudo during their childhood. They would use the wooden floor as their ocean, maneuvering their dinosaur models to collide with each other. Sometimes her thoughts would wander from the game, focusing instead on the boy across from her who playfully uttered childish remarks. Sunlight danced between his brows and eyes. Now, in retrospect, she felt that her affection for him had extended beyond what she initially believed, reaching back further than their time in New York City.

Her heart trembled, and instinctively, she reached out to the side, her hand being effortlessly caught. She turned her head to look at Shinichi, knowing that he was reminiscing about their aquarium date. He had an unreasonable memory for every occasion when she refused to acknowledge their relationship, playfully keeping a tally for future reference. Truly a child at heart.

As they emerged from the silent tunnel, the melodies of birdsong reclaimed their sense of hearing, bringing boundless joy of life. On their return journey, they attempted to take a different path than before. Guiding their way was a short-tailed albatross, with a slight damage to its right wing and a red string tied to its left foot. As it took flight, the red thread traced a swaying arc, and its white feathers gleamed in the twilight.

Shinichi remembered that the albatross was a friend of the Kasahara couple on the island. He and Ran had dined at their home, where Mr. Kasahara, with his infectious smile, had treated them to ramen, a trendy dish for his generation. Reflecting on their connection with the albatross, they had once been buried together under scorching lava during a volcanic eruption in the Izu Islands.

The albatross led them to the reunion banquet, and the long walk left the two children with sore legs. Ran began to miss having an adult body. The adults on the island had a wicked sense of humor and enjoyed welcoming every visitor with a colorful spray. By the time Shinichi and Ran arrived, the venue was adorned with streamers, and parents, children, couples, and friends were dancing around a blazing campfire.

When the Kasahara couple saw them, the twirling skirts came to a halt, and they asked where they had been in the afternoon. But the two children remained silent, determined to let the mystery of the dinosaurs be something only they knew.

"Who came today?" Shinichi arranged the dishes for Ran. Since his arrival, he quickly became familiar with everything, and after her arrival, he went the extra mile to do all the little things for her. Mrs. Kasahara blinked her deep brown eyes, gesturing for him to look at the couple not far away. Unlike the laughing and joyful crowd, they remained motionless, embracing each other. They formed a silent silhouette as if burning in the midst of the fire.

"Was I like that back then too?" Ran gazed at them, feeling a long-lost sense of embarrassment welling up in her heart.

The encounter with Rose and Jack after their deaths allowed the aged woman to relive her youth, forever staying on that Titanic. Seventeen was the best time in Rose's heart. Many significant events also happened when Ran was seventeen—her childhood friend's disappearance, confirming their romantic relationship and, reunion. Yet, she met Shinichi as a child, as if denying the young adulthood, they were supposed to share after their long separation. Fortunately, Shinichi was understanding of her vulnerability, perhaps out of remorse. He knew the fleeting nature of their reunion, so he refrained from asking.

They brought the chiffon cake back to the yard, filled with Endless Summer, intending to save it for tomorrow or maybe yesterday. As they pulled up the curtains, Shinichi finally embraced Ran affectionately. It was the usual position they always slept in on the small bed, even though she teased his childlike body, unable to do anything. The dinosaur plush toy nestled quietly beside them.

Before going to sleep, they chatted about dinosaurs, hoped for rain the next day, and were reminded of playing It Takes Two by the couple they met today.

In the midst of their conversation, their silent gazes met. Ran thought to herself that life would be better if it only consisted of childhood. They had already spent countless days and nights together on this small island, but it felt too brief compared to her long solitude and his abruptly interrupted life. Perhaps one day, like Mrs. Hope, they would have no more regrets. But until that future arrived, they had unlimited time together.

FIN

[juanulove]

Thots on the new Lana record?

love love it but who is surprised.

i absolutely adore the direction she has been taking since blue banisters of production that is rough around the edges, less cinematic, more raw, more direct, improvisational. it matches the content of her lyrics, finally turning inwards and writing from the perspective of elizabeth (not lizzy) grant. she's already built a whole world in her past albums now she gets to explore the real world.

its her most morbid, one of her creepiest, and definitely the work where she literalizes her subtextual interest in death. its full circle to born to die. she has found beauty in nihilism, or rather, she has come to terms with the LIGHT inherent in death. Death is dark of course, which is why the album's production feels so cavernous and echoe-y (especially in the interludes and Candy necklaces) but the album seems to be her journey into accepting death as a necessarily correlative to life. If one has lust for life, one has to first understand the beauty in death. It is a culmination of that element of her conceptual project.

As usual, the biggest issue with post NFR lana is one of editing. I personally don't mind it, i think it is a reflection of her newfound anti-perfectionist attitude. I am also a devout fan and even her worst song i find enjoyable. But from teh perspective of a music critic, there is a way in which NFR and COCC could be made into an album + deluxe and BB and Tunnel could be made into the same. I think that post-NFR lana is not an album artist but a discography artist. I find the last two albums have very similar formal elements, and by formal elements, i mean her abdication to force. She is letting go of her obsession with form and letting her raw emotion determine the course of her melodies and production. She has always been a figure of dionysian intoxication in her lyrical content, but with this album, she takes that dionysian excess of energy to form, as she unravels the strict apollonian discipline taht marked the multilayered and lush production of her early work. Black bathing suit and its messy percussions was her first foray into that style but Fingertips takes it to the logical conclusion. Total automatic writing in the style of the surrealists. Totally letting affect and memory define the content and form of the song and letting melody and production come later.

It is not what fans of early lana would like her to do but i find it incredibly impressive that she can contineu to experiment with her sound so much 10+ years into her career without losing taht essential lana point of view. that is what i have always loved about her most. how specific yet elastic her perspective can be, and in tunnel she truly pulls taht elasticity to places it had never gone before. She still has songs liek Let the Light In and Grandfather and paris,texas with straight-forward beautiful melodies but it feels all around less grand. less cinematic, less about sending the listener into a fantastical work and more about making the listener confront the real world. She continues to be the queen of melancholy but she is less interested in romanticizing it (dont get me wrong, i still think this is what shes best at) and more invested in finding ways to assimilate it. HEr family seems to be like teh best conduit for it because it confronts her with cycles of life and death, sadness and happiness that are primordial, ancestral and escape the individual. her worldbuilding was always solipsistic and shes finally opening it up.

Great great stuff happening all over.

Rn i probably rank it 4th after UV, HM, BB

[thisworldisablackhole]

Listening Log, May 2024

May has been a good month so far. Some highlights that I've already discussed have been One Step Closer, Like Moths To Flames, and Knocked Loose. I've been getting out of my comfort zone and listening to some different kinds of metal lately, so this roundup is gonna be a bit more varied than normal. Yay.

FFO: SOULFUL INDIE, FOLK ROCK

This has been one of the biggest announcements of the year for me personally. Clairo dropped a new song on thursday accompanying the announcement of her new album, which comes out in less than two months! It's refreshing to see an artist not drag out an album release for half a year. "Sexy to Someone" is such a promising first single. We still get the same lush arrangements of instruments that were utilized on Sling, just with a little more snap from the rhythm section which keeps the song grooving at all times. I was a little surprised to see her move away from working with producer Jack Antonoff, because I think what they accomplished together on Sling was a home run, but Leon Michels seems like a fitting choice to push Clairo's sound in a more soulful direction. I am just so excited for this one, I pre ordered the album as soon as I saw the announcement.

FFO: WIERD DISSONANT POST PUNK AND BLACK METAL

Time for a jarring u-turn. First off, this might be my favourite album cover of the year. The sci fi dork in me make me think it looks like someone standing on the moon and gazing through some kind of portal, which is dope (even though that's probably not what it is). This was my first exposure to Inter Arma, and the turn this album took was so unexpected and fascinating to me. New Heaven starts off with some insanely dissonant guitars before turning into a full on blackened death pummel fest that lasts for the first three songs. Guitars are sharp like razor wire, vocals are low and evil, and thanks to the killer production job, the whole thing just thunders with an atmospheric, dark energy. Fourth track "Endless Grey" begins to slowly transition us to the dark side of the moon with an epic instrumental passage of soulfully dueling guitar leads and plodding, funeral-esque drums. Then the second half begins to get really experimental with it's blend of gothic post punk, post metal and neo-folk. It's truly a journey of an album and one that's most likely gonna make it onto my year end list.

FFO: BLACK METAL, ATMOSPHERIC SLUDGE

Glassing were introduced to me as "similar to Hopesfall and Portrayal of Guilt", which was a description that immediately sold me. Two of my favourite bands which both occupy pretty different ranges of the energy spectrum, with Hopesfall being brighter and more atmospheric, and Portrayal of Guilt being downright dystopian and crushing. The crazy thing is, Glassing actually delivers on both of these promises. A sludgy, blackened low end with dismal, sometimes spooky clean/sometimes shrieking vocals topped by atmospheric, "glassy" yet crunchy lead guitars. Unfortunately, I didn't love the album as much as I love those two bands separately. Some of the songs are a bit too plodding and focus intensive for me, and I was a little disappointed by it's lack of flow in the track list. Some of the songs shift seamlessly into each other, while many others have like 5-6 seconds of silence in between them, which doesn't sound like a big deal, but it throws some speed bumps into the listening experience which remind you that you're about to go through another long tunnel of misery.

FFO: DEATH METAL, HARDCORE, MELODEATH

Gatecreeper, Gatecreeper, Gatecreeper. The black sheep of the modern death metal scene. This band has been criticized for their formulaic take on hardcore infused death metal, but Dark Superstition is a welcome surprise which shakes up the band's meta in the best way possible. This album not only features their absolute crunchiest, chunkiest production to date, but it's also their most melodic. Dark Superstition still packs some blistering heaters, but it also quite often veers into pure melodeath territory with harmonized guitar leads and tonally conscious grooves. I wish they went even further with this sound though, because as much as 50% of this album rules, the other 50% just makes me want to listen the The Black Dahlia Murder to get an even more concentrated dose of melodic guitar work.

FFO: PROGRESSIVE METAL WITH ADVENTUROUS MELODIC PARTS

Hijacking The Zeitgeist is another album that I mostly checked due to the album art, but Exist quickly caught me off guard and captured my heart with this one. Metal which is progressive and whimsical while still firmly rooted in traditions of rock n' roll is always a winning recipe for me. This album is just very focused on sick grooves and even sicker riffs. The songs are memorable and structurally familiar with just enough melodic curveballs thrown in to evoke an emotional connection that will keep you coming back.

FFO: POST HARDCORE, EMOTIVE DISSONANCE

Oberst are a band from Norway who make some very tasteful post hardcore that balances melody and dissonance with a masters hand. Toil is a brilliant array of angular, emotive hardcore riffs, and moody rhythms that will leave you gripping your chest. I haven't spent enough time with this album yet, but I think fans of bands like Birds In Row and Loma Prieta should absolutely adore this. Seems like an album with enough depth and subtle ear worms to really reward repeated listens.

FFO: SLUDGE METAL, ROCK N' ROLL I've known that this band is extremely prolific and successful for years, but I've just never been into sludgy stoner metal enough to check them out. Bands like Electric Wizard and Sleep have always bored the shit out of me, call the cops. Fortunately for High on Fire, they fucking rock. Slowed down Motörhead riffs, killer solos and a gruff yet melodically sensible vocalist who commands absolute control over the mid tempo serpent of the metal world.

FFO: METALCORE, HYPER POP, DEFTONES, ZOOMER BRAINROT-CORE

Last but not least, this new BMTH album was just sprung on us with less than a day's notice. It's no secret that this album has been in the works for a really long time, with some of these singles dating back to 2021, but I don't think anyone was expecting for it to drop like that without warning. It's very on brand though, because this album defies a lot of odds. I'll be honest, I haven't cared about this band since 2010, and I thought amo and That's The Spirit were incredibly boring, so I was not expecting this album to be so much damn fun. The mish mash of genres here just works so well for me, combining hyper pop with metalcore and grungy alt metal. It's like BMTH had a baby with underscores and Deftones. This album is 55 minutes long, but the variety keeps it so engaging. It almost feels more like listening to a playlist as opposed to a cohesive album, which I think was an intentional move to capture the attention of todays society of instant gratification induced brain death. I admit, there's some stinkers on this album. In particular I don't looove the way this band does it's Deftones rip off as it feels more like an unoriginal imitation than a fresh spin. Loathe does that type of stuff so much better. Some of the straight up pop songs were a bit lackluster as well, but when the band hits that sweet spot mixing chaotic blasts of electronic pop with metalcore, it just lights up all the right neurons in my brain. I can see why so many people despise this shit, but I think not being a BMTH fan prior, and thus having zero expectations of what they should or should not sound like really made it easy for me to get into this. Going to be spinning this one for a while.