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equallyshaw · 11 months ago

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to regain what once was | oc hughes sister x hughes brothers.

background: Abigail 'Abby' Marie Hughes - now known best by her stage name: Gail Marie is a 21-year-old professional theater actress, having been performing professionally since she was 7 years old in Toronto, Ca. After Jack and Luke followed Quinn to Michigan she ventured off to NYC to live with her grandparents, which was supposed to only be a temporary summer stay, for an intensive she'd book a year prior. After that, she booked a chorus role in Annie the Musical, then booked youngest Fiona in Shrek! the musical in the NYC run before landing the pristine role of 'Matilda' in Matilda the Musical. Therefore, her grandparents took the initiative of becoming her legal guardians in order to keep her in NYC and her pursuit of claiming Broadway by storm. All the while, her brothers never dared step out of their hockey gear and come support her, as she had back in TO as much as she could in between her hectic schedule, student by day; and professional by night. So when the drafts came and went, as well as debuts came and went, she stayed in New York not daring to celebrate them when they hadn't been there for her. What hurts the most is that she yearns for the way they speak about each other in the media as well as how her parents spoke about them, because that's all she wanted more than anything in life.

Yes, I know the queen ellen and jimmy would never allow this but this is obvious fiction.

italics are flashbacks. Non italics takes place after the passing of their grandfather, unless otherwise marked. little brother is translated to, ach sheli.

warnings: swearing, family member passing.

word count: 7.8k.. longer than i anticipated lol

After:

It was not always like this, Gail thought as she swirled around her pre-show honey lemon tea. Peonie flowers stood tall on her dressing room counter, freshly delivered before the show by her now-late grandfather. She winced biting back tears as she thought about the past week and all that it had entailed; fights, tears, slammed doors, breakdowns, and broken hearts. Five individuals had come back into her life right as it was truly becoming special, though warranted; she absolutely hated having them in her home. Her home which had been for some time now, was with her grandparents. It was never with the home she was born into, never with those siblings and doting parents who spoke highly and sweetly about one another in the media. It was never with those who had never reached out to her on her own milestones and wins, never those who came to see her wished her happy birthdays or cheered her on when she learned how to skate, or the ones that let her score on them over and over again before she realized she hated the sport and everything that came with it. She hated the sport of hockey for taking away her brothers, and her supposed best friends, hated that it took away her parents, and hated that it had stolen everything she had known. She lost her childhood to the sport and her family.

The Hughes family sat around, listening to the will being spoken out loud. It was a bright and sunny, cool 75-degree day in New York City. Gail stared at the brown wooden desk in front of her, her leg shaking up and down like a manic. Her mind raced with thoughts, raced with notes from the night before, and raced with the last few fleeting moments she had had with her Pa. She hadn't heard her Ma call out for her, "Gail!" Her grandmother said from across the table. She swallowed, looking around at who was supposedly her family, and then she looked towards the lawyer. "You are left with 45% of..." She tuned him out and waved her hand not caring to listen. The meeting came and went, Gail the first one out of the room. She pushed the door open to the law office and took in the fresh air of Greenwich New York. She sighed, running her hands through her dirty blonde almost brunette hair. The past month had been hell. She'd lost her out on a leading role that she had worked her ass off in auditions and callbacks, one that would have surely set her up for a Tony nomination, she had lost out on a role in an upcoming musical movie and this. This. She'd lost her best friend and Pa, her most trusted and adored father figure. "Sweetie." She heard Ellen walk out of the law office reaching for her daughter, but she quickly moved out of reach. Ellen had been having a hard time coming to terms with how distant she was being towards her and the rest of the family. It was hard for the family to come to terms, and accept that Abigail was no longer Abigail, and she was no longer a pushover. "Its fine Ellen." Jimmy said walking out, and the two of them plus the brothers watched Gail begin to walk down the street.

_ Ellen, Jimmy, and the brothers had just arrived at The Hughes estate in The Hamptons. Gail was nowhere to be found, as she had been in the middle of a matinee when she got the call that her Pa was growing fainter. "Do I fly? Do I drive?!" She said as she whipped off her wig, wincing at the glue tearing off. "You can drive." Her Ma answered, and Gail quickly went to call her longtime boyfriend, Nick. She made it three hours later, her leg fidgeting up and down like a manic. "He's gonna be there." He reassured her over the course of the ride, but she had a hard time believing it. By the time she had made it to the estate, she didn't bother to look in the direction of the three boys who were out on the lawn chatting. She jogged inside the house, whipping open the door and trying to see if she heard any voices. "Ma?" She called out, walking into the kitchen. Luckily that's where her grandmother was, along with Jimmy and Ellen. "Ma." It felt like the world fell off her shoulders, seeing her grandmother. It felt like Ellen had been hit by a freight train. "Gail." Her grandmother said wrapping her arms around her granddaughter, "Pa is upstairs." And now it was Jimmy's turn to feel like he had been hit by a freight train.

•

Gail hummed, warming up her voice, going through her pre-show rituals. She hadn't been this nervous for a show in years, but there were a few people here tonight that hadn't been since, it's honestly too sad to think about how long it's been. She heard a knock on her door, "You good G?" She heard her co star, Casey question as he leaned against the doorframe. Gail nodded, saluting him with a smile and the mug of her lemon honey tea. "Break a leg." He called out before he ran off for places. She set down her mug, looking at herself in the mirror and did a once over, before deeming that she looked good.

She made her way out of her dressing room, and walked down the hall, the wooden floorboards creaking beneath her. She continued her pre-show hum and made her way to her place for the top of the show. She looked up at the ceiling, saying a little prayer towards her Pa, and then closed her eyes. The music began, and the crowd immediately relaxed and clapped along to the beat.

•

"Gail?" Ellen asked for confirmation and the girl nodded. "How long?" She questioned, and Gail genuinely had to think about it. Ellen could tell it had been for some time, "About 8 years." Gail responded, and Ellen sniffled. "So much has changed." She hummed, and Gail snickered. "You could say that Ellen." She snapped, and Ellen quickly looked towards her. "Why are you calling me that?" She questioned and Gail rolled her eyes. "You think that after you dumped me at Ma and Pa's house 10 years ago that I'd still call you that? You think I'd call you 'mom' when you sure as hell haven't been one for over 10 years?!" She questioned, "You dropped me off and never looked back. Too worried about their precious careers?! What about me? What about my career Ellen, huh? What about me, what happened to me!" She said raising her voice, both of them shocked at the words that were coming out.

Ellen stood up as the peanut gallery listened intently from beside them, "You forgot about me, your daughter, incase you forgot!" Gail said through strained tears. Ellen felt her own tears begin to form but was subdued due to anger.

"You think I don't regret it? Do you think I don't regret not being more involved? Y-" Gail cut her off, "You signed the papers! You're the one who signed your rights away!" She said fully screaming now. "You think I don't know? You think I don't know what you guys did?" She said furiously in a strained voice. "You think I wouldn't hate the very people who brought me into this world, only to get rid of me when I didn't follow in your footsteps? You think I would have sat idly by?"

•

Gail and Casey walked toward one another before turning towards the audience, as they performed their second-to-last duet - crazy rolling. The two ended on a high note, holding one another in their arms, and were met with enormous cheers and claps. They had no time to spare and were quickly off the stage. Quickly changing for the finale, the two took a brief moment with one another before getting to their spots. "oh my god Gail!!!!" Casey said bringing her in for a hug, realizing just how emotional she was. She was on the verge of tears before their final duet, which would result in her character's death. It would also be her final performance on this stage with this incredible cast and crew before she headed off to a faraway place and one that held such promise for her and her career. "You're gonna absolutely kill it Gail, I promise." Casey encouraged as he pulled away to embrace a tiny bit. She nodded, not looking at him directly. "No need to cry now." he teased and she giggled, knowing she was about to sob on stage. She nodded, looking up at Casey and giving him a smile. "Thanks for being the best partner this run." she beamed and he smiled widely, pulling her in for one last run. "Now move so I can fix my makeup." she joked, pushing him away. He playfully saluted her before running off to the other side of the stage, for his final position. Casey walked on first, as Gail followed suit into their positions. The opening music for the reprise of your song, began.

"Look at me Satine..why else live for love?" Casey spoke, as Gail began to sing. She turned a bit, looking back at Casey and felt the tears beginning to fall. Casey gave her a look of encouragement and gloom while staying in character.

•

Gail turned towards Ellen and everybody else who stood there stunned by what she had to say, "The minute you walked into my house, the very home that I have grown up in the past 10 years, yo-you act like nothing has changed. You act as if I am still the 10-year-old little naive Abby! Im not and haven't been since you put me on that train and never looked back." Gail said through stubborn tears, feeling her heartbeat thud in her temple. Ellen went to say something, but Gail held her hand up. "You act like this prodigal mother and parent in the media and in life, but you- you and him are so far from it." She finished, walking out of the living room away from everybody.

•

She jogged onto the stage, hugging Casey tightly at the top of the stage, before taking their bows. Casey stepped in front of her, bowing and earning a chorus of applause. He turned back towards her, holding out his hand and she smiled widely taking it. He took a step behind her, letting her have this moment. This will never get old, she thought. She bowed, giving a kiss to the crowd before bowing once more. Gail stepped back, connecting her hands with Casey and another actor, and they all did a bow together. Casey and David who plays the Duke in the show, pushed her in front of them once more for her to have a moment with the crowd. A Producer on the show walked out from left stage with a bouquet of roses and Gail quickly brought her hands up to her mouth in shock. She clasped her eyes shut, feeling tears rush out. "Thankyou!" She sobbed, pulling the producer in for a hug. Turning back to the crowd now, Gail placed a hand on her chest saying the words 'thankyou' to the crowd over and over again, and then towards the cast. She shook her head when the director came on stage with a microphone and desperately tried to flee toward the rest of the cast who only shook their heads.

"We have been incredibly lucky to have Miss Gail Hughes grace our stage for the past year, putting everything that she had into every performance. We couldn't be more thrilled and excited, to see what she has been tirelessly working on and prepping for. It'll be a joy to watch her from this side of the pond, gaining the hearts of each person to see her do what she does best. Gail, good luck on your next journey and break a leg!" the director said and she smiled widely, pulling him in for a hug. She waved a bit more to the crowd, and then the curtain came down.

•

"You knew Q?" Jack questioned after Ellen and Jimmy explained everything. Once Gail had left the house with Nick, the two were swarmed with questions from Jack and Luke. Quinn shrugged, and their parents turned towards him. "You knew?" Ellen asked and Quinn nodded timidly. "Wh-when?" Ellen asked, and Quinn smiled. "When she was nominated for her role in Matilda at the Tonys. She was 13 at the time, but she knew who her parents really were. Grandpa and Grandma." He responded, and Jack began to pace. "And then, she said in an interview with Andy Cohen that they were her parents, not you guys. She said that she had been living with them for years at that point, that was I wanna say in 2020 before Covid. But she said that she hadn't seen you guys in years. Then everything clicked." Quinn expanded and Luke's mouth was agape. "You didn't want to say anything?" He asked stunned. "You guys don't know the full thing." Jimmy said, and Jack was furious.

"What the fuck?" Jack said walking into the connected living room, hands dragging through his semi long locks. "In order to benefit her career and her future, she came to live with grandma and grandpa. It was meant to be temporary as we got you boys settled in, and then things just worked out the way that it was and, then she got Matilda and we couldn't take her away. She needed to stay." Jack cut her off, "You shipped her off in order for you guys to focus on us? What kind of fucked up shit is that?" He asked, angry.

Jimmy held his hand up, "We did it to benefit all of us. And grandma and grandpa welcomed the idea and believed in it enough to do it." Jimmy explained, and their grandmother shook her head. "Don't Jim." She began, and all the boys whipped their head towards her. "You did what you believed to be best for her, but you really didn't know. You didn't know that she needed her parents. But why wouldn't we say yes? What would happen to the life she had just begun to build herself? What would happen? We couldn't let her passion, talent and love of theater go down the drain to watch pucks after school." She paused beginning to walk out of the kitchen, "If you think we welcomed it Jim, you are mistaken." She finished before disappearing upstairs to check on her husband.

•

As soon as Gail exited the stage, she turned towards a few of the ensemble cast members who had become close friends the past year and pulled them in for a huge hug. "I can't believe it's over." Gail sobbed as the other girls wiped their tears. The girls and Gail, slowly made their way over towards her dressing room. "One last post show picture!" Martha one of the dancers gushed, and Gail giggled softly. She sat down in her chair as a hair and makeup artist, came behind her and gave Gail a small frown. "Don't you start crying Matilda!" She scolded causing the room to laugh. Matilda slowly began to take off her wig while Gail took off her jewelry. "Oh can you grab my phone, Marie?" She questioned and as soon as Gail turned on her phone, she was flooded with messages. Her brothers and her now had a group chat, and they texted her during the intermission and now after the show finished. "Im gonna kill them!" She growled, and then showed the girl's the pictures they had taken throughout the second act. "I even told them, they couldn't do that!" she mumbled, texting them back. She then texted Nick, that in 30 minutes that he could bring her brothers and parent's back stage. In the meantime, she'd be doing her rounds of goodbyes.

Around 45 minutes later, Gail walked back to her dressing room and heard the familiar laughter of her brother, Jack. She walked through the doorframe, and everybody's heads turned towards her. She saw flowers in her dad's arms as well as Quinn's. "Oh my goodness, you didn't have too!" She said bringing her hands to her chin in surprise. "Ofcourse we had too!" Quinn grinned, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, to which she turned into a full hug. "You absolutely killed it dog." Jack smiled widely, pulling her in for a huge hug. "Thankyou." She smiled, and then turned towards Luke still surprised by how much taller he was. "Amazing, amazing job." He smiled pulling her in for a bear hug. "Thankyou." She beamed. Her parents brought her in for hugs and then found her spot next to Nick's, as it was second nature. "You make your rounds?" he questioned looking down at her, and she nodded feeling tears prick her eyes once more. He noticed and placed a soft kiss to her temple, and he could feel her relax a bit. "Are these from grandpa?" Luke asked softly, and she nodded. "He would send them every week when he came for the Sunday Matinee, and he made-made sure to do one for my final performance." She said through tears, looking at the grand bouquet of peonies. "They're gorgeous." Ellen smiled, "He gave me my love of peonies at a young age, and he's never let me down all these years." She hummed thinking back to all the times he had waited for her in the lobby after every show he had come to. His matinee show was a tradition he started dating back in 2012 with Annie. "He started to bring them with Annie, every week when he'd come for a matinee, even through Covid he came." She said smiling softly and looking at the flowers. The Hughes family all looked at one another, and again realizing just how much they'd missed out on her life and blossoming career.

•

Gail sat outside on the private beach, that lined her grandparent's backyard. Her knees were pulled into her chest, as she looked out over the Atlantic Ocean. She hadn't been up here since she took a week off back in March for a small vacation. It had been four months since then, and it seemed like a lifetime ago. Between auditions, workshops, and every show she did during the week it seemed like a blur. She didn't hear footsteps behind her, but she felt the sand that lightly brushed her as somebody came up behind her and sat down next to her. She looked over, not believing her eyes. Her eyebrows creased, "Quinn?" she questioned softly, and hearing her say his name for the first time in years made Quinn's eyes swell with tears. "Hey lovie." he whispered, and pulled her in once he saw tears swell in her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her, as he pulled her into his chest. He silently cursed and berated himself, as he thought about how much of a coward her was for not reaching out to her. She had Instagram, he knew where she lived most of the time and could always contact their grandparents. "Im sorry." He said as his voice cracked, and she sobbed even harder. "Im sorry I never said anything, im sorry I never reached out. Im sorry I let you down when you didn't deserve to be. You didn't deserve any of this, and I hate myself for allowing all of this to happen." he said through tears. Gail cried harder, into his chest as she heard the words she had begged the universe since she arrived at her Grandparent's house. "Quinn." she said softly, she pulled a bit back to look at him. She placed a hand on his cheek, trying to get him to look at her. "I don't think I can ever forgive myself, Gail." He sobbed, clasping his eyes shut. Hearing those words, broke her heart.

"Quinn." she said softly again, and he reopened his eyes. She swallowed, "I have hated you and the three of you since you didn't come to my first opening night. I have wished you three nothing but pain and loss because that was how I took it as a child. A fucking child, who all she wanted in the whole world was her brothers again. Yet, she never got them. She got brick walls, unanswered birthday messages, no invites to the lake house, and congratulations on my own milestones as a child." She paused ripping her hand away from his cheek, and Quinn swallowed tensly. "I have waited for those words since I was 12 years old...but now? I deserve a whole hell of a lot better, than that. Than this. You expect me to forgive so easily, after being ghosted all these years? My life and childhood have never been mine and now that im an adult? That's mine, all mine. My peace and healing do not deserve to be rocked because somebody wants to be a big brother now." She paused once more standing up. "I expected way more from my best friend growing up, but I've learned to live with disappointment because I was given disappointment from a young age." Gail finished before beginning her descent down the shoreline. Quinn watched through bouts of sobs, that ripped through his whole being.

•

Before Final performance. (August, 2023. One month after passing.)

"So..this is you really leaving?" Jack questioned softly, as he and his two brothers walked into the NYC apartment that she had shared with Nick the past year. Gail nodded, as she finished taping a box shut. The brothers couldn't believe that she was finishing her run in New York, and then heading out to West End to begin production in Hadestown. She would be originating the role of Eurydice in the first run in London, from February 2024 through August 2024 with the possibility of an add-on of dates. "Yeah, it's been a long time coming actually. We've been itching to get out of here for a while, and then London opened up and we couldn't jump at the opportunity quicker." She smiled as Nick smiled from across the room. "Oh wow." Luke said. Jack and Luke had been hoping that they could have built a relationship with her while they were in Jersey. "Yeah." Gail said awkwardly, "Congratulations though. You're gonna do amazing." Quinn encouraged and Gail gave him a small smile. "Well uh, did you guys get the tickets I sent over?" She questioned, picking up her glass of ice water. The brothers nodded, "Good good. They were hard to get so im glad you guys can come." She said with a grateful smile. "Anybody wanna get some pizza? Could use a break." Nick interrupted and Gail gave him a thankful look, and the brothers nodded. "Good, know a spot just down the street." Nick beamed, grabbing ahold of Gail's and then they were out.

•

It was only a few days later when their grandfather passed. Gail had been asleep on the all-year-round porch couch, with Nick. Ellen came down frantically, and Gail knew as soon as she was shaken awake, that she knew the reason why. She quickly cried out, as Nick sat up and pulled her into his chest. Ellen found Jim in the kitchen, as they listened to their daughter - who really wasn't their daughter in a way - cry out bone-shattering cries. The three brothers all made their way downstairs at the sound of her cries and then found their parents in the kitchen consoling each other. Gail stood up pushing herself from Nick and wrapped her arms around her self. Trying to give a slick of comfort to herself. Nick placed a soft hand on her arm, but she pushed him away. "NO!" She screamed, anger flaring from her. Nick took a step back, not appreciating the look of hatred in her eyes. But he knew it wasn't personal. Gail flung open the door that led to the kitchen and living room and hurried past her siblings and the parents she no longer considered hers. "Ma!" She called out, jogging up the stairs, and looked for her Ma. "Gail dear!" She heard from Ma and Pa's room. "Don't go in the extra room please, don't go in there." her Ma whispered, as she pulled the dirty blonde to her chest, who at this point she considered a daughter. Gail sobbed into her Ma's arms, as her Ma continued to whisper those few words. She didn't need the young girl to see her father figure being transported away from the place that they had called home for over ten years now, and one that she considered her childhood home.

•

Gail had been outside on the swing for hours that her Pa had put up as soon as she came to stay with them, all those years ago. She swayed slowly as the wind came off the ocean, with much curiosity and bitterness. Her brothers and parents had watched from the living room with her Ma and Nick, for hours now. Waiting for her to come in and say something, or grab something to eat. But she sat there, much to their dismay. "Im going out there." Jack announced as he stood up, annoyed at the fact that nobody had attempted to get her inside, besides Nick who failed miserably. She wouldn't let him five steps past the door. Jack opened up the door and shut it as softly as he could. Gail turned her head to her side but did not look back to see who was there. Wary footsteps came toward the girl, and Gail looked up as Jack came up next to her. "Hey, Gail." He said softly, and she sighed turning to look back at the pool, garden, and the ocean just past their white gate. "Can I sit here?" He questioned, to the spot next to her on the ground. She didn't give him a response, which he took as a win.

"Do you wanna know when the first time we noticed you weren't there?" He questioned, looking at the girl. She did not respond, and to be frank she could give two shits. "Well, I was 15 and Lukey was 12. You would have been 14, and finishing your run with Matilda. Lukey fractured or broke his finger, I can't quite recall and I remember watching him go down from the bench, it was a little scrimmage we were doing with some of the neighborhood kids and the first thing that Lukey said to Ellen was, "Where's Abby?" and he kept repeating that, even as we brought him home. All he wanted was his sister, and to be honest- so did I. I wanted you to be there because I wanted somebody to give me a hug and remind me that Lukey was going to be ok. I had to settle for Q who just so happened to be visiting from Vancouver. But all Lukey wanted was to hear your voice, and to reassure him that he was going to be ok. He never said it nor any of us did, but you were all our favorite sibling. You were our sister, whom we wanted to protect. We still do, but he wanted his favorite protector and the one person who knew exactly what to say. And when Ellen went to call Grandma, she was already calling Ellen. You had cracked your head open, after falling on some ice in Manhattan." And now all Gail could do was flash back to that moment, when it had happened. She didn't remember the ambulance ride but she remembers waking up in the children's hospital with her Pa, who was holding her hand, and her Ma was outside calling Ellen. She remembers crying out for Ellen, all she wanted was her mom in that moment. All she wanted was her mom, dad and her brothers telling her that she was going to be ok. That her 9 stitches on her temple, were gnarly and that they had had many over the year with out her. She remembers vividly crying into her Pa's arms that night, wishing that she was with them. But she knew deep down, that she was with her grandparents for a reason. Her parents no longer wanted her, she thought for the first time that night. For the first time in a year and a half, she felt abandoned by her parents and her brothers. She no longer felt welcomed or loved by the ones who gave her her name, and existence in this world.

"That night I wept. I wailed and I sobbed and I screamed to the universe, in that exact living room." She began turning towards Jack, who now had looked at her. "For the first time that night, it had sunk in that my own parents and brothers had abandoned me. They had cast me aside because I didn't skate or play hockey. For the first time, I felt as if I had no family of my own. It was the first time that Ma and Pa had become terrified, and believed that I was never going to calm down. Which believe me, in that moment of realization I believed I would never stop crying, or screaming. But do you know the first things you said?" She paused, waiting for a response. He shook his head and she made a tsk noise. "You said and I quote, "Do you wanna know when the first time we noticed you weren't there". The first time are the two key words Jack. It took you over a year to realize that I was gone, missing.!" She screamed at the now frightened boy. She stood up, "For over a fucking year, I waited for two birthday wishes, I waited for a phone call or a response to the messages I sent through grandma and grandpa!" She screamed again, and Jack felt tears sting his eyes. "And YOU! YOU don't get to cry!" She screamed, lowering her face towards his, as he wiped away his tears. "From what I recall, YOU were the selfish one! You were the selfish one who made us move!" She screamed at him, and the peanut gallery inside were frozen in their spots listening to her. Jack continued to look at Gail, with his features full of guilt. "I hate you Jack, I hate you! I hate you for making them give me up! I hate you for asking to go to Michigan! I hate you I hate you I hate you!" She screamed as her chest rose up and down, quickly. Rather too quickly for Jack's liking. "You did this Jack, all of it." She finished, before making her way toward the gate door and she was off to the beach.

•

Gail stood at Laguardia Airpot with Nick, and the two were saying goodbye to her family and a few of their friends. Jack was the first one to pull her in for a hug, whispering a few words of encouragement. Luke was next doing the same and lastly, it was Quinn. Quinn pulled her in tightly and whispered, "You're going to do amazing Lovie, we can't wait to hear all about it." and then the two pulled away. Next was Ma, and Gail had been dreading this moment, "I love you so much Ma." She whispered through tears and her Ma sniffled. "I know sweetie, Ill be over as soon as I can." Her ma whispered back. She pulled away a few inches, and her Ma pinched her cheek just a bit and then kissed her forehead. Next was Jim, who pulled her in for a bear hug. And for the first time since she was a child, it felt warm and inviting. "Break a leg, Gail." he hummed causing her to smile softly. "Thankyou, dad." She responded before pulling back and then shifting towards Ellen. Jim wiped away a few tears, as Ellen pulled Gail in for a hug. "Im gonna miss you so much sweetie, I'm always here if you need anything." Ellen spoke softly and Gail nodded, "Thankyou, Mom." she whispered back and Ellen's heart broke at the word. Ellen sniffled, pulling back to look at Gail. She placed a soft hand on her daughter's face, and Gail nodded through tears. To which Ellen broke down, she pulled her back in tightly, and now both females were crying. Jim looked towards his boys who also had tears in their eyes, as they watched Gail and their mom hug. "I'd like for you and dad to visit as soon as you can, I'd love to show you London. It's quite the city and - and I'd love it if you two could come for my opening night." Gail said softly and Ellen nodded profusely, she'd be doing everything in her power to be there and would make sure her sons would be there as well. To hell with the season, Ellen would argue. "We'll be there, I promise." Ellen said as they pulled away, and Gail nodded. Before Gail could step away, Ellen wiped her daughter's tears and Gail sniffled. "Well, uh we should be going." Gail said looking back at Nick and he nodded, "Have a safe flight!" sounded around them as the two waved one last time. Nick took ahold of Gail's hand as he rolled their carry on suitcase and her carry one bag into the airport.

•

Last but not least, it was Luke's turn to attempt a breakthrough for Gail. Nick was currently loading up their car, getting ready to go back to New York. She was currently standing at the edge of the backyard, looking out at the waves coming in. She did not know when she'd be back, and was savoring each and every moment she got with the ocean. Luke stepped up next to her, and Gail looked up at the tall giant. She caught his eye and she quickly looked away, swallowing hard. They stood there in silence, and for some odd reason, she felt as if she had to be the one to say something first. She looked up at the curly-haired boy and hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Ach sheli." she began with an old Hebrew nickname she used to say as a child. He looked down at her, and she saw the instant tears in his eyes. "Lovie?" He questioned softly, and she couldn't take it anymore. She pulled him in for a hug, and he stood there stunned for a brief few seconds before wrapping his arms around her. The two of them sobbed with one another, holding onto each other for dear life. Jack was not wrong about Luke having once felt that way about Gail, and how she was everything and more he looked up to and looked to for everything he did in life. "I know I should have said something, all of us should have. I know they'll never be an excuse for what we did, ever. Truth be told, you should never forgive us because of what we did. We turned our backs on you when we should have fought them to bring you home. Even if you would have been home 2 weeks out of the year, we should have screamed and jumped and thrown every tantrum under the sun to bring you home. We should have brought you home, and we didn't. We passed up every opportunity to do so and ignored you for years because we were cowards and naively thought you were better off without us. Nobody to bring you down or take time and attention off of you." he paused sniffling, as she sobbed into his chest. "You deserved so much more, and im sorry none of us ever said a thing. We knew it to not okay, but it was our fault for not saying anything. You don't know the number of times we begged mom and dad to bring you home. And them never listening, and us not understanding why, so we fought even more." she pulled back, "Wait what?" She questioned softly and his eyebrows crinkled, "What?" He questioned back. "You-you guys fought? But why didn't you call me back? Why didn't -" Luke cut her off by pulling her into his chest again, "Because we were stupid, we were young and so immature, that we didn't think twice about calling back. Like I said, Jack and I specifically were idiots. We should have said something, we should have. And im sorry we did not." He said wiping his tears away, and she pulled back looking at the grass beneath them. She pulled back completely, her arms coming to her chest. She looked up at Luke once more to find him staring down at her, "I - I have to go Luke." She said stepping back and then began her way towards the car where Nick was waiting. Luke watched her go, feeling his chest ache as she walked out of not only his but the rest of the family's life once more.

•

It was a week later, when she heard a knock at her and Nick's Condo door. She stood up from the couch, and made her way over and without looking through the peephole she swung her door open. She did not expect to see Ellen and Jim at her door, let alone a week later. She swallowed harshly, and felt tears begin to sting her eyes. "Hi Gail...can we talk for a bit?" Ellen asked hopeful, and Gail breathed in heavily before opening up the door further. The two walked in, inspecting the industrial-looking two-bed room and two-bath condo in lower Manhattan. "We uh, we thought we'd come by before the reading of the will tomorrow." Ellen announced and Gail shrugged, heading over towards the kitchen to make another coffee. "What's with all the boxes?" Jim asked looking around the living room. "Oh. Im uh, Nick and I are leaving for London in about a week. My final performance is two days before that." She said and the two of them were confused. "Ive taken a lead originating role in London, rehearsals start in a month and then premiere in the new year." she explained with a slight shrug. Ellen and Jim looked at one another, "Would you like any water, tea or coffee?" Gail offered and the two shook their heads. Gail nodded, adding some creamer in her cup and headed towards the small den, off from the kitchen and living room. "SO, what can I do for you guys? she questioned, sitting on the plush chair that stood next to the window. "We uh wanted to come by and talk, we never really got a chance while up state so we wanted to check in with you." Jim said and Gail nodded. "I uh I am not sure where to start but we want to apologize to you. We know there will never be enough words or the right words to truly say how much guilt and regret we feel. We knew how much the boys missed you as kids, and for awhile there we thought it would get easier not having you there with us. We truly believed that at the time it was the right call, I know your Ma would agree. The original time period we sent you was what you needed to grow your craft, but you should have come straight home after that. Or one of us should have come to stay with you for your runs. To see you this weekend, so broken and so angry and full of hatred broke my heart. And as a mother, you never want to see your child feel that and especially not have it be directed at them. Im so sorry sweetie." She said beginning to cry, and Jim quickly put a hand on her back to comfort her. Gail felt herself begin to feel bad and did not like the fact that she was crying in front of her.

"If we could go back and change things we would, we would do it in a heartbeat." Jim said and Gail nodded. "Yet it doesn't change the fact that you weren't there and you didn't know how much I needed you. I needed you and you weren't there. And I wish you could go back and change what you did, you betrayed me and gave me up when you didn't have to!" She said growing irritated, "You didn't have to sign guardian rights to them!" She added setting down her coffee on the table before her. Shaking her head, she stood up and stood in front of the window. She heard Ellen sob quietly as guilt, and despair coursed through the older woman. "My childhood as never mine. It was taken away early on and now, this is my time. I have healed from many things but I still have so much to sort through still, and heal from it." She paused turning around and facing them. "And as much as I hate myself for saying this, but I think I need you guys to heal that part of me. Heal my childhood wounds that haven't been fixed because I needed you guys with me to do it. Even if it's from half way across the globe." She finished and Ellen quickly stood up to hug her daughter. Gail was stunned for a brief few seconds before returning the hug. A few seconds later, Jim stood up and Gail quickly opened up her arm for him to join. Pa would be incredibly happy, Gail thought.

•

The next few months were hard work, but in the end they would prove to be worth it. Her brothers and her had a heart to heart before she left for London. They added her to the brothers only groupchat and the family one, and had plans to come out to London before the show ended next August.

February 10th, 2024 could not have come quick enough Gail thought. Now here she was backstage getting ready for opening night, in her dressing room. She could not wait for the audience to see the show, it was truly one of the most magical casts she had been a part of in her career thus far. She knew for certain that Nick, Ma and her parents were there, and she was incredibly happy that they were there, to begin with. They had kept their promises to come.

The lights went out and Gail felt like she could finally breathe, as she leaned into her costar and love interest in the show. The two of them hugged one another as the curtain closed, and she felt bittersweet tears fall. "You okay?" He questioned as he heard her sniffled and she nodded. "Yes and no, but it's the first show that my Pa hasn't been at and it has really sunk in now." She said through a small chuckle. Her costar pulled her in for another hug for some extra comfort, before the two of them were heading off stage to get their hair and makeup off. As soon as she entered the dressing room, she saw a grand bouquet of peonies sitting in front of her mirror. She let out a small sob, as her hair and makeup artist came to help her take her wig off. "You okay Gail?" She questioned pulling the girl in for a hug, somebody had gotten her peonies and she wasn't sure who.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she stepped into the lobby and was met with many cheers by some family and friends of the cast, and the cast members themselves. Her understudy came up and hugged her tightly. She was grateful to have this particular actress understudying her because she knew the show was in great hands. "Oh my god, thankyou!" She said taking the bouquet of roses into her hands and hooked them into the crook of her elbow with the other bouquet. "Thankyou for a fantastic first show, it was such an honor to do it alongside you guys." She beamed looking around at the cast. After a few minutes, all of them began to disband and make their way either out of the theater or towards, their loved ones.

Gail looked around for her family and was shocked to see big foot with curls standing there. her eyebrows creased when she recognized the two others who were standing with her parents and Ma. Luke noticed her first, his face lightening up which caused everybody else to turn towards her. She brought a hand to her mouth to cover her shock. "Oh my god, hi!" she said as she was pulled into a hug by Jack. Nick took her flowers from her, and Luke pulled her in for a hug. Next was her dad, mom, Ma, and finally it was Quinn. "Oh my goodness, not more flowers!" She said taking them from her Ma. "We had too! We couldn't come empty-handed." her mom mused. "Im still trying to figure out who might have sent these, there was no note." she said referencing the peonies. "It was us." Jack spoke up and her eyebrows furrowed, "Wait! But don't you guys have games...." She trailed off remembering. "That's why I saw posts saying you guys were going to be absent for a week.. I should have known!" She said realizing that they had taken time off to see her show and spend a few days with her before flying back out. "Ofcourse we had to see you perform Gail, we've missed out on way too many openings and closings, so we had to be here, and with Nick's help, we were able to get tickets." Luke said and she turned towards Nick who only shrugged. She turned back toward her family, something she thought she would never call them again.

She never thought she'd be standing in the same vicinity of them again. Yet, here she was and she was truly grateful. She couldn't believe that they had gotten this far together, and only wished her Pa was there to witness it all in person.

@gailmarie: to the one that helped make all my dreams come true, to the one that came to my matinee each week and to the one that made me a Hughes- Thankyou for everything my Teo.

89.2k likes, 1.4k comments.

oh my god.....if you've read this till the end I love you 🫶🏻 pls like and reblog if you enjoyed, it would mean the world !!

also this has been sitting in my drafts for a month now, and thought it would never see the light of day lol

#luke hughes #quinn hughes #jack hughes #new jersey devils #vancouver canucks #nhl #hockey #hockey blurb #hockey fic #nhl fic #nhl imagine #nhl blurb #hockey imagine #luke hughes fic #jack hughes fic #quinn hughes fic #quinn hughes imagine #jack hughes imagine

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woso-lover234 · 9 months ago

Text

Matilda’s platonic fic- TikTok

TIKTOK- Caitlin foord

Siri voice- seeing what time sunny falls asleep after being given heaps of chocolate before training

Siri voice- 6.40pm: dinner + bets placed

A few of the girls were sat around the table eating dinner as Caitlin interviewed them one at a time

*"lani what time do you think sunny will fall asleep tonight?" Caitlin asked and Alanna thought for a second

"7.40 she looks exhausted" Alanna said as she pointed to sunny (the camera followed) who was basically falling asleep where she sat*

Caitlin next decided to ask the Matildas captain Sam Kerr

* "Sammy what time do you think our sun bun will fall asleep?" Caitlin asked and sam laughed

"She's gonna be out by 8.00 I reckon" she said confidently*

Caitlin then ventured over to Kyra and Charli who were sat together around a table and were giggling like children

* "what time do you reckon sunnys gonna pass out?" She questioned as the two girls shared a look

"I reckon 8.07" Kyra said and Caitlin nodded

"Very specific" she said and Kyra nodded which caused all of them to laugh

"8.20" Charli said after a while of thinking*

Caitlin spotted macca and signalled for her to come be apart of the video

* "macca what time do you think we'll loose sunny tonight?" Caitlin asked

"Well when you say it like that it sounds like she's dying!" Macca exclaimed and then they both burst out laughing "I reckon 8.40" she nodded

"High expectations then" Caitlin laughed*

the last person Caitlin wanted to interview was mini

* "mini what time do you reckon sunny'll tap out and sleep?" Caitlin asked and mini sighed

"If she's not asleep by 8.30 bring her to my room and she can sleep with harper" mini said "but hopefully considering she looks like she's about to doze off she'll fall asleep at 7.58" mini finished*

Siri voice- 7.00pm: she went for a shower

*sunny walking into the bathroom*

Siri voice- 7.20pm: she came out of the bathroom looking more awake and with more energy 🙄🤦‍♀��

*sunny coming out of the bathroom looking hyped*

Siri voice- 7.30pm: finally got her to atleast lay in her bed 🙄😭

*sunny laying in her bed with her phone in hand looking more exhausted than when she got out the shower*

siri voice- 7.35pm: dance break because she saw an edit using 'strawberry kisses'

*sunny standing on her bed with her phone in hand as she dances along to the song and mimics caitlin at one point from when nikki webster sang for the matildas on stage. when tbe song ended sbe flopped back down on her bed*

siri voice- 7.40pm: shes struggling to keep her eyes open and has watched this video 5 times now but is not giving up. this kid 😭😂

*sunny laying down with her pillow laying flat and holding her phone*

siri voice- 7.43pm: disaster strikes

* sunny falling asleep with her phone in hand before she drops it and it lands on her face and she almost starts crying*

siri voice- 7.47pm: moved into my bed for some cait cuddles

* sunny laying next to Caitlin and cuddling up to her as Caitlin runs her fingers through the girls hair*

Siri voice- 7.50pm: isn't fully asleep yet but is close

*sunny still cuddled up to cait with a bit of caits hoodie in her grip*

Siri voice- 7.56pm: is finally asleep

*still cuddled up to Caitlin with some of Caitlin's shirt in her hand but with her mouth slightly open*

Siri voice- next day: 7.10am

* "mini how do you feel that you were the closet? Do you think it's them mum instincts?" Caitlin asks before pointing the microphone in minis direction

"Well I kinda just took a wild guess but I knew she wouldn't last long she was so exhausted- SPEAK OF THE DEVIL!" She exclaimed as sunny walked through the door looking way more energetic than yesterday

"Mini!" The teen yelled as she ran and jumped into her mother figures arms

"That's it for today folks" Caitlin said turning the camera to herself breifly*

#woso imagine #woso #matildas #caitlin foord #mackenzie arnold #kyra cooney cross #charli grant #katrina gorry #harper gorry #sam kerr #steph catley #alanna kennedy

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come-see-our-show · 2 years ago

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Now that it’s been a week since I've watched Roald Dahl's Matilda: The Musical, here are all my thoughts (as someone who loves the musical and played Bruce once):

THE BABIES SINGING IN THE OPENING NUMBER WAS THE CUTEST SHIT I'VE EVER SEEN

The cast was INCREDIBLE!! Emma Thompson was terrifying! Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough were hilarious! Lashana Lynch was so endearing! AND I WANNA SEE ALISHA WEIR IN MORE STUFF BECAUSE SHE ATE IT UP

I want to give credit to the makeup team for Trunchbull's makeup because even though I knew it was Emma Thompson, they did such a good job of realistically transforming her into someone else. Her appearance wasn't a joke in the same way that it is in the musical. Her character in the stage version is definitely pretty misogynistic and transphobic because they play into her masculinity by having a man play her. Here, it's just a way of adding to her character, but it isn't what makes her scary.

All of the changes worked so well in adapting it for the screen. It wasn't just a copy-paste (couch cough everybody's talking about jamie) Examples of the changes that really worked:

Getting rid of Michael Wormwood. It makes sense since the Wormwoods clearly hate kids.

Giving Lavender a pet newt (very Chekhov's Guncore)

Including telekinesis throughout the whole story instead of just showing it a few times in the 3rd act. This includes Nigel asking Matilda if she has TK, Matilda messing with the doors in the cake scene, exploding the chokey, THE FUCKING CHAINS

Having the Spain news earlier in the story, causing a catalyst of events. Matilda is enraged, she sings I'm Here, she explodes the chokey (which was BONE-CHILLING), it gives Trunchbull a reason to make more chokies, and now Matilda is so emotional that she can take her powers to the extreme with the chalkboard and the chains and throwing Trunchbull out the window. All of this gave much better pacing in the story and made it all connected.

Having more scenes outside of the classroom (the cake scene and The Smell of Rebellion) and putting Ms. Phelps' library in her car. It's quirky and also gives them an excuse to put the storytelling scenes in pretty locations.

Giving Ms Honey a bike while her co-worker had a car, foreshadowing her being poor.

Putting Matilda's bedroom in the attic made so much sense because the Wormwoods obviously did the bare minimum for their child.

The students' drawings in Ms Honey's cottage

SO MANY FANTASY SEQUENCES! BRUCE!! WHEN I GROW UP!!! QUIET!!!!

All of the kids were so adorable (and ridiculously talented!)

The storytelling sequences!!! Interweaving it with the real world worked so well, like Matilda making it a real story for school but also clearly using it to cope. And putting them in a real circus made me more empathy for the Honeys, which lacked in the stage version because it always felt very thrown-in to me. Like, I genuinely got nervous during the stunt with the dynamite. It also made "I'm Here" even more emotional. Carl Spencer was amazing as Magnus and I teared up a bit. Also the parallels of I'm Here vs My House, helping Matilda put the pieces together.

The new song wasn't my favorite but it was a really nice finishing touch. Even though the circus at the school didn't logically make sense it was so fun

The only things I disliked: I wanted more of the already incredible stuff. More of the Wormwoods, who were absolutely hilarious, especially Mrs Wormwood. I really missed "Loud" (though removing it helped with the pacing). I wanted a bit more of Bruce (they didn’t give him the high note in Revolting Children 😭), and I would've liked Ms Honey to be a bit more affectionate with Matilda.

Anywho I want snort this movie like cocaine

#summer says stuff #matilda the musical #matilda 2022 #matilda musical #roald dahl's matilda the musical

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air-rising · 1 year ago

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New ellie and daan articles 🥹 can you post it please

Google translated as per usual.

’Ik ga waar zij gaat’

Liefde tussen Daniëlle van de Donk en Australië-ster Ellie Carpenter overstijgt alles

'I go where she goes'

Love between Daniëlle van de Donk and Australia star Ellie Carpenter transcends everything

Daniëlle van de Donk (r.) straalt op de foto met haar geliefde Ellie Carpenter. De twee kunnen elkaar zomaar tegenkomen als opponenten op het WK.

Daniëlle van de Donk (r.) shines in the photo with her beloved Ellie Carpenter. The two can just meet as opponents at the World Cup.

Het was een geweldige shock voor Australië, donderdagavond in Brisbane. Waar niemand rekening mee had gehouden, geschiedde. De Matildas, outsider op het eigen WK, werden in Queensland pootje gelicht door Nigeria (2-3), waardoor plaatsing voor de knock-outfase een zware kluif gaat worden. Daniëlle van de Donk voelde een paar duizend kilometer verderop in Wellington met haar vriendin mee.

Natuurlijk had Van de Donk na de Australische nederlaag een vreugdesprongetje kunnen maken. Tenslotte: de Aussies zijn net als Nederland een kanshebber voor de wereldtitel. Maar zo zit Van de Donk niet in elkaar.

It was a great shock for Australia, Thursday night in Brisbane. What no one had taken into account happened. The Matildas, outsider at their own World Cup, were lifted in Queensland by Nigeria (2-3), making placement for the knockout phase a tough hit. Daniëlle van de Donk felt with her friend a few thousand kilometers away in Wellington.

Of course Van de Donk could have made a leap of joy after the Australian defeat. Finally: the Aussies, like the Netherlands, are a contender for the world title. But that's not how Van de Donk works.

De liefde voor haar Ellie overstijgt het WK. „Ik hoop dat mijn vriendin ver komt”, zegt de verliefde Oranje Leeuwin na terugkomst uit Wellington, waar Oranje en de Verenigde Staten een waar spektakelstuk hadden opgevoerd. „Natuurlijk wil ik dat. Ellie heeft er keihard voor getraind. Zij is net terug van een kruisbandblessure.”

The love for her Ellie transcends the World Cup. 'I hope my girlfriend gets far,' says the Orange Lioness in love after returning from Wellington, where Orange and the United States had staged a true spectacle. “Of course I want that. Ellie trained hard for it. She has just returned from a cruciate ligament injury.”

Ellie Carpenter is mateloos populair in haar geboorteland. Op vijftienjarige leeftijd maakte de rechtsback haar debuut voor het nationale elftal, een jaar later was ze de jongste deelnemer aan het olympisch voetbaltoernooi. De vonk tussen Carpenter en Van de Donk sloeg over in Frankrijk, waar ze samen uitkomen voor Olympique Lyonnais.

Ellie Carpenter is immensely popular in her native country. At the age of fifteen, the right back made her debut for the national team, a year later she was the youngest participant in the Olympic football tournament. The spark between Carpenter and Van de Donk spread in France, where they play together for Olympique Lyonnais.

In de armen sluiten | Closing in the arms

Ze konden elkaar een paar weken terug in Sydney nog even kort in de armen sluiten, vertelt Van de Donk, die in de uren na het duel met de VS een ware hit was op social media vanwege de zwarte badmuts die ze de laatste paar minuten van het duel moest dragen.

They were able to embrace each other briefly a few weeks ago in Sydney, says Van de Donk, who was a real hit on social media in the hours after the duel with the US because of the black swimming cap she had to wear for the last few minutes of the duel.

Voor aankomst in Nieuw-Zeeland verbleef Oranje negen dagen in Sydney. „Daar hebben we elkaar nog een uurtje kunnen zien”, zegt Van de Donk. Carpenter was op doorreis naar Brisbane, waar de Australische selectie haar tenten heeft opgeslagen. „Ik moest allemaal spullen voor haar meenemen, proteïnes en zo. Het kwam toevallig zo uit dat we elkaar konden treffen. Hoe kort ook, ik was hartstikke blij om haar te zien.”

Before arriving in New Zealand, Orange stayed in Sydney for nine days. 'We were able to see each other there for another hour,' says Van de Donk. Carpenter was passing through to Brisbane, where the Australian selection pitched its tents. “I had to bring all kinds of stuff for her, proteins and stuff. It just so happened that we could meet. No matter how short, I was very happy to see her.”

Staan vol achter ploeg | Are full behind squad

Het is dat Van de Donk zelf actief is op het WK, anders had ze alle duels van haar geliefde op de tribunes gezeten. „Ik vind dat ze ook een heel leuk team hebben. De mensen in Australië staan als home country vol achter de ploeg, de stadions zitten vol en breken records. Daar moet ik ook achter staan. Maar dat had ik vorig jaar op het EK ook bij Engeland. Die zijn ook op de juiste manier aan de weg aan het timmeren. Nou, dan heb je mijn support al. Want ik wil het vrouwenvoetbal ook alleen maar verder helpen”, meent Van de Donk, die na haar loopbaan het trainersvak in wil. „Sommige trainingspapiertjes heb ik al.”

It is that Van de Donk herself is active at the World Cup, otherwise she would have sat all the duels of her lover in the stands. “I think they also have a very nice team. The people in Australia are full behind the team as a home country, the stadiums are full and break records. I have to stand behind that too. But I also had that at the European Championships last year in England. They are also working on the right way. Well, then you already have my support. Because I only want to help women's football further,” says Van de Donk, who wants to enter the coaching profession after her career. 'Some training papers I already have.'

Daniëlle van de Donk in haar outfit van het Nederlands elftal. Dinsdag wacht de groepswedstrijd tegen Vietnam.

Daniëlle van de Donk in her outfit of the Dutch national team. The group game against Vietnam awaits on Tuesday.

Afgelopen zomer bezocht Van de Donk voor de eerste keer het land van haar vriendin. „Dat was na het EK, uiteraard met zijn tweetjes. Ik had een hele goede reisgids aan haar en heb hele mooie dingen gezien. Zelf komt Ellie uit het binnenland van New South Wales, op vijf uur rijden van Sydney. Ze woonde er op een boerderij en weet zelfs hoe je slangen moet killen. Verder was er daar helemaal niks te doen. Gelukkig wonen haar ouders nu in Sydney.”

Last summer Van de Donk visited her girlfriend's country for the first time. “That was after the European Championship, of course the two of us. I had a very good travel guide with her and saw very beautiful things. Ellie herself comes from the interior of New South Wales, a five-hour drive from Sydney. She lived there on a farm and even knows how to kill snakes. There was nothing else to do there at all. Fortunately, her parents now live in Sydney.”

"’Ellie woonde op een boerderij en weet hoe ze slangen moet killen’"

"'Ellie lived on a farm and knows how to kill snakes'"

Elke dag contact | Contact every day

Natuurlijk heeft ze contact met haar vriendin. Elke dag. Ze gunnen elkaar sportief het allerbeste, weet Van de Donk: „We willen allebei dat de ander ver komt. We kunnen elkaar pas in de finale tegenkomen. Wat een finale zou dat zijn.” Niet ondenkbaar: ze zouden elkaar in het veld zomaar kunnen tegenkomen. Van de Donk, stellig: „We gaan niet voor elkaar uit de weg. Oh nee, we gaan er gewoon vol op. Honderd procent.”

Of course she has contact with her girlfriend. Every day. They wish each other the very best sportingly, Van de Donk knows: “We both want the other to go far. We can't meet until the final. What a finale that would be.” Not unthinkable: they could just meet in the field. Van de Donk, firmly: “We do not shy away from each other. Oh no, we're just going full. One hundred percent.”

En na die, vooralsnog imaginaire finale, zal het vast wel goed komen tussen de tortelduifjes, vermoedt Van de Donk, die zich wellicht ooit nog eens met haar Ellie in Australië zal gaan vestigen. „Het zou kunnen, maar niets is zeker. Het is best gek. Ik denk nu eigenlijk: ik ga waar zij gaat. Ze is een stuk jonger dan ik, dus ik denk dat zij langer blijft voetballen. Uiteindelijk zal ik dus wel mee moeten. Zo staan we er eigenlijk beiden in. Of het nou Australië wordt of Nederland, of van mijn part Italië, we zien het wel. Als we maar samen zijn.”

And after that, for the time being imaginary finale, things will probably be fine among the lovebirds, suspects Van de Donk, who may one day settle in Australia with her Ellie. “It could be, but nothing is certain. It's pretty crazy. I actually think: I'm going where she goes. She's a lot younger than me, so I think she keeps playing football longer. So in the end I will have to come along. That's how we both are in it. Whether it will be Australia or the Netherlands, or of my part Italy, we'll see. As long as we are together.”

#ellie carpenter #danielle van de donk #OL feminin #auswnt #nedwnt

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the-blossica-fan · 20 days ago

Note

Greetings!

Actors Au Schneider interacting with Schneider (ehhh just have either her be alive miraculously or this is before she disappears).

What are your headcanons for Sonetto and Schneider for actors AU? Either as a pair or individually is up to you!

Whats the tea between Arcana and Constantine?

Ill guess the seasons for the actors au are the patches, and the mysterious narrators are like the mysterious voices that appear in the beginning of eps. Grandpa and Grandma could be old famous actors (maybe the Grandpa was the narrator in Disco Elysium since Ive heard his voice has been compared to that game) or related someone in the cast!

Hello again, Comrade!

Schneider talking to AU Schneider could probably happen after the storm, a surprising apparition of another - less healthy and tired looking - Schneider was quite a surprise, and naturally both wanted to see each other.

AU Schneider is healthier and more active than Canon Schneider due to their difference in pasts, but still maintains that similar personality trait that characterizes them. This didn't last long, as the others, but Schneider was able to leave this alternative universe in peace after knowing her family is safe, even if not in the world she comes from.

Canon Schneider: Is My Lord alright?

AU Schneider: "My Lord"? You mean Vertin? Yeah, she must be spending time with her girlfriend

Canon Schneider: Girlfriend? Is she dating Sonetto?

AU Schneider: Nah, Sonetto is dating me

Canon Schneider: What?

As for Sonetto and Schneider, it's not that long of a story actually.

Sonetto used to study with Vertin and Mesmer Jr in the same class and held nearly the same activities, when it comes to filming, she's quite camera shy.

One of the most extroverted ones is Schneider so she always ended up helping Sonetto during scenes, trying to get her to crack open that shell. One would say they're complete opposites, which is why they somehow attracted each other.

They're not dating per say, it's that stage where they both know but haven't been able to give that step further, either for outside reasons or simple nervousness.

Sonetto is definitely more shy than in the series, though she does develop alongside her character. This is her first time actually acting, unlike some of her classmates (Matilda is pretty experienced in this field due to her family name but ofc, they're just acquaintances) and she's very, very nervous, which prompts her to often make mistakes

Meanwhile Schneider is not necessarily new but she's not been in the filming industry for long, she's slightly older than Sonetto after all. She knows some stuff and decides to help a fellow.

Gotta say, Sonetto did have a crush on Vertin a while back

How do I explain Constantine's and Arcana's relationship... It's complicated.

They're friends and have been for a while, they were one of the first members to be cast and have had enough time to connect. And by friends I mean frenemies who got it for each other but will not admit it.

They're their biggest supporter and hater at the same time. Saying they're enemies is getting rid of every friendly interaction they had, saying they're friends is a bit too little but saying they're lovers is quite the lie.

It's... Complicated.

Smoker grandpa and Sarcastic grandma ate quite a famous couple the directors had to beg for them to give their voices for the series. They're married and have children who are older than half of the cast, who already have children, they are grandparents after all. None of their children actually act on R1999, they truly enjoy the series but only they are a part of it

The narration happens at the start of a chapter or during a change of scene, offering more information on the background of the characters and current situation. The narrators also have a part to play on separate projects (Like Three Doors, for example) but they gain relevance as a storyteller for the series.

#reverse 1999 #r1999 actors au #I have remembered too little #Schneider fell first in case you're wondering #and Arcana and Constantine having to explain their relationship like some sort of FNAF lore video #it has so many ups and downs you can see them drinking beer together then aggressively fighting each other #to then having a romantic moment #and then fighting again before drinking beer #Smoker grandpa is how i know the guy and I refuse to call him otherwise

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isleofdarkness · 1 year ago

Text

A knock on the door wakes Facilier at three in the morning- it's the early years of the Isle so not as dangerous yet, but still dangerous enough that no one, not even Hades, would go out after dark unless it's an absolute emergency. So he gets up, looks out the peephole. No one there.

The knock comes again. And it comes from very low down. As though whoever's knocking is very small. He opens the door, praying he's wrong and he's not gonna find a tiny child at his door at three in the morning, but that hope gets him nowhere.

On the step is a child- no, a toddler, maybe nearing the tail end of those first few years but still very much a tiny little toddler- with blue curls in sweet little pigtails, big blue eyes staring up at him nervously, an old stuffed dog clutched to the front of her pink nightgown, with no shoes. She wiggles slightly, thumb worrying over her bottom lip as though she means to put it in her mouth but is trying to refrain.

"Doctow Faciwiew?" Oh gods, she's still at the stage where her l's and r's turn into w's. And her voice is so small, so shy-

He's only known this tiny child for two seconds, but he knows he's not going to let anything happen to her.

He kneels down and gives her his kindest smile. "That's me. And you are?"

The child squirms again. "M'name's M... Matilda. But I don' like it."

"Okay. How about I call you Matti?" The child, Matti, nods, some anxiety leaving her tiny face. "Pleased to meet you, Matti. What brings you here?"

"You own the school?" He was the principal, yes, but Dragon Hall didn't enrol students until they were at least five. She's definitely far too young for school. Still, he nods. "Wanna learn to read."

He didn't know what he was expecting, but it definitely wasn't that.

"You want to learn to read?" Matti nods. "Have you asked your parents?"

Matti nods again, brow wrinkling unhappily. "Madre says I don' need to learn to read, but I wanna know stuff an' she won' teach me and she says we need to mind our own... bizz-ness. And we got into a big fight and I don' wanna live with her anymore." Those big eyes went back to his face, tears beginning to glitter in them. "I'd rat'er die."

Oh gods.

He knew that most on the Isle, those who were already having children, were poor parents. He'd even stepped in and taken a few under his wing. But somehow, hearing those words from such a young child shocked him. He felt as though she'd dumped a bucket of ice water over his head.

He doesn't doubt her. "Alright, Matti. How 'bout you come in? You hungry?" She nods. "I'll make us a midnight snack and then you can get some sleep. In the morning, we'll get everything figured out. Don't you worry. Everything's gonna be okay.

#descendants #descendants au #isle of darkness #original character #descendants oc #maverick mim

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misszura · 1 year ago

Note

I know you’re obsessed with Heathers musical so here is my idea you can share if you want to:

On derry school is gonna be a drama play, it’s the Heathers. Your Jane really love it and hopes she’ll get heather role and signs in not knowing Henry signed in as a joke.

When the teacher called in every kid that signed in, she saw him there and said to herself “god not this asshole again” and you know what’s more funny? Jane got heather role and Henry JD.

It’s my idea but I’ll leave it on you :3

Ok, i have like 3 other asks to answer (one is from 2 years ago, the person will be so stunned when I’ll answer…) but you’re tickling my brain with my obsessions, so here I am.

I mean… I don’t think it’s in character to play in a musical (and in a more me opinion : please people, don’t make teenagers play Heathers… dead girl walking dudes…)

Anyway, who cares about characterization tbh ? And chronology ? (first heather’s musical was like in… 2009/2010) (I do) (I like really are)(but I love play around with ooc)

That would be beautiful. (This is the promotion poster or something, I just wanted to try something)

Henry would never willingly play in a school play, even less in a musical, but when Jane got in, he said no guys was allowed to play her boyfriend, so he joined. He hated everything of that. Playing a guy who hasn’t a mother and has daddy issues ? That’s so unrealistic. Even more knowing the guy’s mom left because of the dad’s abuses… nonsense 🙄

Anyway, he was a good JD, surprisingly, he can sing. People fought for him to abandon the musical, i mean, he isn’t really popular… a bully with anger issues shouldn’t be allowed in school fun.

(First, the infamous open the door from meant to be yours, second is from dead girl walking (2) I mean, it’s obvious tho… the 3rd, freeze your brain and the last is in fight for me)

They changed their minds. Mostly the girls. Henry Ace ass wasn’t ready for the waves of fangirls coming from everywhere, the guy was just a jealous boyfriend, and ended up somewhat popular. His fav song of the musical is our love is god, and to play around, he sings it with Jane even after the last representation.

Jane tried only because she liked musicals. She thought she’d had a figurative role (she hoped saying « why don’t he date me » in beautiful) but ended with the main role.

(First one when playing dead girl walking, drunk Veronica sneaking in JDs bedroom, second Veronica who doesn’t know how to react when her bff fall in Heathers trap in candy store, 3rd you’re welcome. Last one, Veronica at the end. You’ll forgive the colors, I love how it turned out.)

They took off her glasses during the « makeover scene » in Beautiful, because you know, when you want to show a girl makeover in cinema (and musicals) you take off her glasses and put down her hair. It was Hard for Jane, since she can’t see shit without her glasses. She didn’t expected being able to be Veronica, but loved the experience. She loves the song you’re welcome, Ram and Kurt were lovely during the rehearsals, and were fun to be around (I know. If we’re talking about earlier heathers, it should be Blue and not You’re welcome. Well, I said fuck chronology, I prefer You’re welcome.) but her fav song to play was Fight for me.

Never mention dead girl walking in front of any of them. (Btw, did you hear the dead girl walking sang by ladybug and Luka ? Dude, it’s gold. I love them)

She would have loved playing Matilda (and being Matilda) in another school musical, and maybe it will happens. Henry in another hand said he would never do it again, even if she had to kiss a boy on stage. (But god… dead girl walking)

#it 2017 #henry bowers #it stephen king #fanart #it fanfiction #Toziette #It x Heather #drawing #heathers #heathers au #veronica sawyer #jason dean #Jane Tozier

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maybeimamuppet · 1 year ago

Text

matildamas day 9: "date" night

hello everyone!! sorry about another late upload today i had a crazy day of work lol. but everything is done so from tomorrow on all my posts in theory will actually be a bit earlier!! hope that kinda makes up for it :))

couple of quick tws for safety for this one:

single use of a swear word

discussion of past abuse/neglect

otherwise please enjoy!!

—————

“Are you excited, darling?” Jenny asks as Matilda looks out the train window on their way to the city. Matilda smiles before she even turns to see her, but she looks her way with an eager nod. Jenny smiles back. “What are you wanting to do most?”

“Bookstore,” Matilda answers before Jenny even finishes her sentence. Jenny chuckles.

“I am too.”

They continue chatting about what they’re most looking forward to during their weekend in the big city before they return home. Neither of them have any desire to live any closer to the metropolitan area, but an occasional visit is fun.

Eventually, the polite but hard to understand voice announces their stop and they hop off the train with their bags. Jenny flags down a cab to take them to their hotel to drop their things off before they go exploring.

She didn’t splurge that much.

Or so she tells herself when she sees the massive building the cab pulls out in front of, with a green awning overhanging the entrance which is literally made of gold. Matilda looks around like she’s just walked into another universe, and Jenny can’t quite contain a similar reaction. Neither of them ever quite anticipated setting foot in a place like this.

A bell boy comes rushing up when called by the doorman to take their bags to their room. He loads them onto a cart and goes strutting off ahead of them while Jenny and Matilda step into the lobby in awe.

“Holy shit,” Matilda whispers to herself. Jenny gives her a gentle whack on the back of the head, but truth be told, she had the same words running through her head. “We’re staying here?”

“Two nights,” Jenny confirms. Matilda looks around. Red ribbons hang above the elevators, a large garland dangles from the huge, marble front desk. Fancy looking people in fancy looking coats mill about, chatting amongst themselves or sitting on the plush green sofas with magazines or newspapers. Wreaths hang from every support post, and an absolutely massive Christmas tree nearly touching the ceiling towers over all in the center of the room.

“Whoa.”

“Whoa indeed,” Jenny chuckles. Matilda frowns suddenly. “What’s the matter?”

“How much did this trip cost?” Matilda asks softly, looking up at her with worried eyes.

“No amount you need to concern yourself with. It took some careful budgeting, but this is something we can afford occasionally. Very occasionally.”

Matilda still looks worried, but she trusts Jenny. Eventually her little brow unfurrows and some of the tension leaves her shoulders. She squeezes Jenny’s hand gently, and Jenny squeezes back.

“Let’s hurry or we’ll miss our show!” Jenny reminds her. Matilda brightens, any hint of worry totally gone. She rushes back towards the door, lugging Jenny behind her.

Another cab takes them to the theatre, and they have a similar reaction to the lobby there. They get their programs and go find their seats. Matilda reads through each of the actors’ and crews’ biographies carefully as she waits for the show to begin, munching casually on her sweets Jenny bought at concessions. Jenny smiles as she sees her legs kicking just a little, her little button-up boots not even brushing the floor.

Eventually the curtain opens and the overture begins, so Matilda puts down her playbill and focuses in on the actors on stage. Jenny was a little worried, given their history, about how Matilda would react to Annie. But she still remembers the day as a little girl her father took her to see the same show and how much she adored it. Of course, that was before anything. But Matilda smiles at the orphans interacting and looks perfectly pensive during Maybe.

Jenny finds herself watching her daughter more than the children on stage. If you’ve seen it once, you’ve seen it a thousand times, she tells herself. She gets the important bits. Matilda giggling at Annie stealing away in the laundry, her scowl at Miss Hannigan trying to lie her way out of yet another potential scandal, Matilda’s wide eyes as the young actress practically belts the roof off the theatre during Tomorrow.

“Is it over?” Matilda asks sadly when the lights come back on and the curtains draw shut again.

“No, darling, it’s just intermission,” Jenny chuckles reassuringly. “It gives the cast and crew time for any bigger set and costume changes, and to take a little break before they keep going.”

“Oh,” Matilda replies. “I was going to say, that would’ve made a very unsatisfying ending.”

“Indeed it would’ve,” Jenny chortles.

As it turns out, she had no reason to be worried. Matilda watches with a near-concerningly vengeful smile, on the edge of her seat, as the villains get their comeuppance and Annie gets to live happily ever after with Grace and Mr. Warbucks. She holds her playbill tightly to her chest and follows Jenny sadly out of the theatre when the curtain call ends and the lights come up for the last time.

“Did you enjoy it?” Jenny asks, bracing a bit against the cool winter air blustering against them as they set back off down the sidewalk. Matilda nods pensively. “You’re awfully quiet.”

Matilda looks up at her briefly, and then back ahead of herself. “I don’t understand it.”

“Understand what?” Jenny replies.

“Why she didn’t run away earlier,” Matilda says quietly.

“Well, she had all the other orphans to take care of. If she was gone, who would’ve taken care of Molly?”

“But she is gone by the end. She got placed with Mr. Warbucks. She had to leave the other orphans all by themselves before the president saved them.”

“That’s… true,” Jenny replies. “Well, you saw what happened when she tried to live on the street. It was a very difficult era in history for a lot of people, and she lived in a very dangerous area.”

“…Is it terrible I wish I had been an orphan sometimes?” Matilda asks softly.

Jenny is quiet for a moment, listening to their boots clacking along the pavement together, one set quieter and more rapid. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Really?” Matilda asks. She frowns. “But you are an orphan.”

“I am,” Jenny agrees. “I think everyone in an… unfortunate situation, wishes things were different for themselves and their loved ones, even if to other people it might seem grim or like it would be worse.”

“Did you ever try to run away like Annie?”

“Heavens, no, I wasn’t brave enough for that,” Jenny replies immediately with an almost-shocked laugh.

“But maybe you would’ve found your Mr. Warbucks,” Matilda says sadly.

“I did,” Jenny replies. “It just took a while.”

“You did? Is that how we can afford the hotel?”

“No, Matilda, I’m talking about you,” Jenny laughs.

“Me?”

“Do you remember what I told you on your birthday?” Jenny asks. Matilda nods. Jenny should’ve known. She’s starting to think Matilda has a photographic memory.

“You’re rich because of me, even if it isn’t with money,” she responds. “Even though we do have money, too.”

Jenny laughs again. “Exactly. Being a millionaire might be nice, especially back then, but I have my own someone who turns my skies to blue, and has me wrapped around her little finger.”

Matilda smiles up at her and sings a little bit of the chorus to I Don’t Need Anything But You. Jenny smiles.

“You have a beautiful voice. You’d play a good Annie,” she says.

“You’d be a good Grace,” Matilda replies.

“Really?” Jenny asks in shock. Matilda nods confidently.

They continue walking in silence for a while. Eventually Matilda quietly pipes up, “I’m glad you’re not a millionaire.”

“Really?” Jenny asks. “Why?”

“I don’t think you’d be as nice if you were bald.”

Jenny laughs so hard they nearly have to stop walking so she can catch her breath. Matilda looks confused, but she doesn’t say anything else. Eventually, they come to their destination. Jenny wouldn’t admit it, but it might have been the sole reason they chose to come to the city instead of taking their mummy-daughter weekend somewhere else.

“Oh my goodness,” Matilda whispers as they step into the huge bookstore.

“Oh my goodness,” Jenny echoes. The worn wood shelves seem to stretch for miles, nearly floor to ceiling, winding like a most fantastical maze throughout the large building. A huge Christmas tree made of books sits in the middle, rings and rings of volumes winding around themselves up and up and up with a staircase spiraling around the outside so people can climb up and peruse. There’s even little benches scattered nearby on the ground for folks to just sit and read.

Matilda takes off ever so carefully towards it, rushing up the stairs to the tippy top of the tree as fast as she can. Jenny follows her, much slower, and with many more pauses for breath. Matilda stands on her tiptoes to see which book gets the honor of being on the highest point. “A Christmas Carol,” Matilda says with a giggle.

“Fitting.”

“It is a very good book,” Matilda says.

“It is. One of my favorites,” Jenny agrees.

“Mine too,” Matilda says with a smile. She gently brushes her fingertips over the cover before she shrugs and starts rushing back down the spiral staircase. Jenny sighs and lingers for a moment to rest her head in her arms on the railing in exasperation before she follows her, huffing and puffing all the way once again.

She’s pleasantly surprised to find Matilda waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs instead of having rushed off to peruse the aisles upon aisles upon aisles of wonderful tomes they’re surrounded by. Jenny wouldn’t have blamed her, but it is nice not having to chase her sprightly six-year-old through a maze of bookshelves.

Matilda actually takes her time with this bit. She takes Jenny’s hand and leads her to the aisles that catch her eye, slowly meandering up and down, eyes scanning the titles and the covers. Occasionally she pauses when she sees one she recognizes or she’s read before, and runs her finger over the spines.

“Oh, I’ve been wanting to read this for ages,” she says eventually when they get to the Dickens section. They both have a particular weakness for a good Dickens novel. She looks up at Jenny. “Can I get it? Please?”

“Of course, love. Get whatever you want,” Jenny says with a smile.

Matilda’s eyes brighten and she suddenly starts rushing about like a woman possessed, grabbing book upon book until Jenny can barely see her beneath the tower of novels in her arms. How does she have the strength for that?

“Just remember we have to be able to get them all back to the hotel,” Jenny reminds her. “And back home on the train.”

“We could send some home in the post?” a little voice suggests about three-fourths of the way up the walking stack of books. Jenny grabs the top few until Matilda can see and gives her a warning look. “Fiiiiine.”

With Jenny’s help she manages to pare the books back until she only has about ten. Some stay, some get replaced with others, but the first one, The Signal-Man, is the one definite keep the entire time.

Matilda proudly carries her stack of thick, heavy books up to the check-out counter and deposits them on the desk with a heavy thud. The cashier slides the stack to the side and almost jumps in surprise when she sees Matilda there. They glance between the small child and the large books a few times before they start scanning the barcode on the back.

“How old are you?” they ask Matilda curiously.

“Six,” Matilda replies, lisping a little bit around her missing front teeth. She scowls. She believes Jenny when she says she’s adorable with or without teeth, but she misses being able to properly speak.

The cashier’s eyes widen and they look to Jenny, who simply shrugs, but smiles proudly too. “Her brain’s about twenty years ahead of the rest of her. She’s read more than me.”

“Right on,” the cashier says. “What’s your favorite?”

“Oh, Dostoyevsky is fascinating,” Matilda says immediately. “But learning the Russian was tricky. Dickens is a classic, and lately I’ve been quite into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Oh, and everyone loves Agatha Christie.”

The cashier simply blinks at her. Matilda smiles and rests her chin on her folded hands on the counter.

“I like Shakespeare, myself. My roommate put me onto Hamlet last week, I’ve scarcely been able to put it down.”

“Oh, Hamlet is wonderful,” Matilda agrees as she watches her books get carefully put into a paper bag. “I read Romeo and Juliet a few years ago and it was fascinating, but it seems such a cliche now. And Mummy won’t let me read any more until I’m older.”

“…You’re six, you said?”

“Mmhmm,” Matilda hums with a nod. “Well, nearly six and a half.”

The cashier nods with raised eyebrows. “Right. Well, here’s your books. Hope you enjoy them.”

“I will,” Matilda promises in complete sincerity.

“You’ll have to come back and tell me what you think of them sometime, eh?”

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll be back,” Jenny says, the first she’s spoken in a while, as she had been watching their entire interaction with an amused smile.

“You’re welcome any time. You lot have a Happy Christmas,” the cashier says.

“You too,” Jenny replies.

“Thank you!” Matilda echoes as she takes the heavy bag off the counter and starts waddling out of the store.

Jenny follows and hears the cashier mutter, “Six. Blimey.” under their breath. She smiles proudly and follows her daughter back out into the cold December evening.

Another cab takes them back to the hotel, and they get to see their room for the first time. Their bags await them at the foot of their beds, and Matilda gives each a thorough round of jumps to test that they’re up to snuff.

“Alright, little monkey, that’s enough,” Jenny says after about the twentieth bounce. She’s starting to get dizzy watching her go up and down and up and down and- “Before you fall off and bump your head. Come get ready for your bath.”

“Okay,” Matilda says, jumping down and heading over to her. Jenny tenderly undoes the red ribbon tying part of her hair back and slips it out, folding it neatly and leaving it on the dresser for another day. Matilda roots through her suitcase for her hairbrush, and Jenny carefully detangles her hair before sending her off to wash up. She unpacks in the meantime, putting toiletries on the dresser and their clothes in the drawers.

Matilda comes back in a thick, plush robe that drags on the ground. Jenny laughs when she sees just how much of the fabric hits the floor. “There’d better be another robe in there, missy.”

“There is. Do we really have to go back home?” Matilda asks, flopping onto her bed and only tipping her head up to look at Jenny.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Jenny chuckles as she prepares herself to go get cleaned up herself. “But I’m sure we’ll be back sometime soon.”

“Lavender would love it here,” Matilda says.

“I’m sure she would,” Jenny says. Part of her is already internally screaming at the mere idea of trying to wrangle the hyper girl in a nice hotel like this, especially since Lavender has a remarkable ability to enact the same tendencies in Matilda. Regardless, Matilda is right, and they are best friends. It’s only natural for children to act like children. “Maybe we’ll show her someday.”

Matilda smiles and flops back onto the cushy bed. Jenny goes and showers, and returns to a child already dried off and in her pajamas, her wet hair brushed out and waiting to be styled. Jenny does her own and braids Matilda’s down her back.

“I’m hungry,” Matilda says softly as she ties the elastic band onto the end of the braid.

“I am too,” Jenny hums pensively. The last real meal they had was tea on the train, and neither of them have eaten anything at all since the sweets at the theater. “Shall we see about room service?”

“What’s that?”

“It’s where you call down an order to the kitchens and they make food and bring it to your room for you. Serve you in your room,” Jenny says.

“We can have dinner in our pajamas?” Matilda asks eagerly. They usually eat dinner before showering at home, so they still have their clothes from the day on. Jenny chuckles at her eagerness to do something so mundane.

“We sure can. What would you like?” she says, grabbing a menu off the nightstand and handing it to her.

Matilda decides on some macaroni and cheese off the kids menu, and Jenny thinks a salmon filet with some vegetables sounds divine in that moment. She uses the phone on the other nightstand to call it down, and Matilda waits at the door with all the eagerness of a child waiting for Santa.

The person who delivers it jumps a bit when a small child yanks the door open practically before he can knock. Matilda takes the food with a, “Thank you!” and closes it behind her as she rushes towards the bed Jenny is sitting on.

They both smile at their plates as they see the divine looking food. Matilda happily tucks in, and offers Jenny a bite of her mac and cheese. Jenny does the same with her fish, and they have a peacefully quiet meal.

After that is bedtime. Jenny is worried Matilda is so wound up by the events of today that she may never sleep again.

“Why don’t you pick one of your new books and come read it to me, hm?” she asks as a beginning strategy. Matilda roots through the bag and returns with, shockingly, not the Dickens novel she’d been so desperate for.

“I want to wait until I get home,” she explains.

“Ah,” Jenny says with a nod. Matilda settles on her bed next to Jenny’s and opens the book. Jenny gets under the covers in her bed and takes a deep breath as she rests her head on the pillows. She listens to Matilda’s elegantly lilting, yet still adorably childish voice as she reads aloud to her.

But something still feels wrong. Matilda pauses partway through the second chapter and sheepishly asks, “Mum, can I sleep in your bed?”

“I was just about to ask the same thing,” Jenny says, popping one eye back open with a smile. She carefully scoots over and pats the empty space on the bed next to her. Matilda beams and leaps across, tucking herself in next to her and opening the book back up.

She continues to read until her eyes get too heavy to keep open. She carefully marks their place and leaves the book on the nightstand. Jenny turns off the lights while Matilda adjusts herself to be lying comfortably.

“Goodnight. I love you,” Jenny whispers, gently kissing Matilda’s forehead.

“Goodnight,” Matilda echoes. “And I love you every day. Not just tomorrow.”

“Every day,” Jenny replies with a smile. Matilda tucks into her chest and they both drift off to sleep with a smile on their face.

—————

thank you for reading!! hope you enjoyed!

#matilda #matilda roald dahl #matilda 1996 #matilda the musical #matilda 2022 #matildamas #matildamas day 9

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ketho484 · 1 year ago

Text

Hi! I know I have many stories to finish, but I saw this AU and...it was something I wanted to write about. I got permission from @venomous-qwille to write this. I call it Star on the Stage.

AU belongs to @venomous-qwille

🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧

Chapter 1: A new home

The rain poured down on the windows of the car as they passed more and more buildings. She looked out the window with an empty expression as she watched the buildings go by. The car radio was playing some popular music as the two of them silently drove to the edge of town.

Y/N and Stella Williams, cousins in the same family. They'd left the courthouse just ten minutes ago, Stella's parents having lost custody of their daughter due to how neglectful they were of her. Y/N was the only member of their family willing to take her away, so with Stella's things packed in their car, they drove on the dark, rainy road to take her home.

Y/N was really worried about her, though. Before the trial, a psychologist had given her a quiz to measure her mental health. On top of mild depression to couple with the autism she was diagnosed with as a toddler, this kid had developed Reactive Attachment Disorder from the neglect she suffered through. They knew helping her would be an uphill battle, especially when she refused to talk to anyone or let anyone touch her. Still, they weren't going to give up, not by a long shot.

"…So…" They spoke up "…You excited? We're gonna grab pizza for dinner to celebrate your new home"

Stella didn't answer.

"Yeah. It'll be great. You'll get a whole new start at home. The best part is that I don't just live with great uncle Harry, but also a group of robots. They could act as your teachers" Y/N said with a grin as they pulled up to Little Caesars Pizza "Stay in the car, okay?"

Stella nodded and just kept looking out the window as Y/N got out of the car. Once they went inside, Stella reached into the backpack she had kept in the front with her, pulling out a big stapled piece of paper, a script for her upcoming play at the community theater. She was playing Matilda in the Matilda musical, one of the few plays that had primarily children in the cast. She started looking over her lines, reading them out loud to herself before singing the reprise of the song 'I'm a miracle'.

"My mummy says I'm a lousy little worm.

My daddy says I'm a bore.

My mummy says I'm a jumped-up little germ,

That kids like me should be against the law"

The more she sang, doing a surprisingly good British accent, the more tears came to her eyes. It was uncanny how this musical reflected her old life.

"My daddy says I should learn to shut my pie hole.

No one likes a smart-mouthed girl like me.

Mum says I'm a good case for population control.

Dad says I should watch more TV"

Stella looked up to see Y/N heading back to the car with two pizza boxes. She put the script away and zipped up her bag as they got into the car, handing her the boxes to hold in her lap before they started the car again.

They drove for quite some time before they left the city, heading several miles away from it. The car ride was silent save for the radio playing. When they finally parked, they were at a big place. Looks like Stella's new home was a converted old mill, one with a lot of wide open space for a kid like her.

Outside the front door, waiting on the porch, was what looked like a robot. It was tall and thin with yellow and gray coloring. It wore a dress shirt, embroidered apron, and two toned striped pants. On its right hand was a yellow evening glove, and around its neck, just under the shirt collar, was a ribbon with two silver bells tied like a loose bow tie. His head looked like a sun with nine rays poking out of its head and a pale yellow moon on the left side of his face. His pale blue eyes stared at them as Y/N got out of the car and ran to the porch with the pizzas. Stella simply started getting her bags out of the car.

"Sol!" Y/N smiled at the robot kindly "You think you can help her bring her stuff inside? She may not be able to carry it all"

"Sure thing!" The robot called Sol responded with an almost forced kindness to his tone before running out into the rain to help Stella. Good thing he's pretty waterproof

Stella saw him approach, backpack on her back and two of the four bags she packed in her hands, and she immediately froze when he smiled down at her. She was the kind of person who could smell a bad person from a mile away, and he set off many of the alarms in her head. With a loud whimper, she ran past him with the bags in hand, which he paid no mind to as he grabbed the remaining luggage and closed the car door before heading inside before he could get too soaked.

The inside of the house was almost surreal. Stella looked around and saw memorabilia from all kinds of movies and TV shows and fairground attractions she'd never heard of before, from posters to merchandise, this place was full of it and very big. Stella looked around the sitting room she'd walked into and spied someone on the couch as she set the bags she was carrying by the door, just in time for Sol to grab them and take them all upstairs. The person on the couch looked very similar to Sol, but also very different. He had a different feel to him, which became even more apparent when their eyes met.

This man was just as tall and slender as the one she ran from, though his color scheme consisted of blue, white, black, and pink. He had a white moon on one side of his face, the other side dark blue to give it the look of a crescent, two lighter blue circles under his black eyes that bore magenta irises almost creating the appearance of rosy cheeks, though his mouth having sharp teeth was definitely questionable on if he was good or bad. He wore a pink shirt that had a low V-cut collar, one that seemed to drop off after tightly stopping at his wrists. He also wore blue pants that held a constellation pattern on the bottoms, black leather boots with a bunch of belts, and big bottoms to make him taller than he was. A magenta leather jacket with black, spiked cuffs and black shoulder pads was draped over his shoulders, giving it almost the feel of a Japanese samurai, and a blue hood rested over his head with a fluffy white trim. He was holding a book he had been reading, specifically the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, his lanky legs in a crisscross position on the couch.

The two of them simply stared at each other, Stella tilting her head in curiosity. The robot mimicked her movement, which surprised her a bit. Slowly, she started approaching him, so he put a bookmark into his book and set it down. Unfortunately, this would not be a formal meeting just yet as Y/N called out to Stella from the other room.

"Stella! Come get your pizza before it gets cold" They called out

Stella turned to the call and sighed, but gave the moon man a little wave goodbye before leaving the room, which left him quite stunned. This kid had almost approached him. Y/N had warned everyone that a new addition might come to the house and that she might be really shy, but she tried to approach him. She must've had to work up a lot of courage in order to do that.

Stella followed the voice to what looked like a fairly rustic kitchen that seemed to be themed around the 70s. She sat down at the wooden table in a hard wooden chair, which was surprisingly comfortable, and was given a plate of pizza by a hand that wasn't Y/N as they sat across from her. Stella followed the arm to see who it belonged to.

Next to her was another robot, one who had an almost monochromatic yellow color pallet. He was roughly the average height of a human with seven sun rays poking out from behind his curly, strawberry blonde hair. He had a face similar in detail to the dun man that brought her bags inside, but he had rosy cheeks and a human shaped face. He wore a baggy pink shirt and black sweatpants that were tied tightly at his waist and ankles. He looked down at her with his pale yellow eyes and smiled before backing away from her. Stella just stared at him, tilting her head curiously as Y/N gave him a big thumbs up, which he smiled at warmly. Stella then turned and started eating.

Dinner between the two humans was completely silent. Nobody said a word. Stella only ate what was on her plate before silently waiting for Y/N to finish their food. Once they were done, they took her plate, and she got up. The human headed sun held out a hand for her to take.

"I can show you to your room if you'd like" He said in a soft tone, likely trying not to scare her

Stella looked down at her feet for a moment before grabbing his shirt sleeve. Not exactly his hand, but close enough. She followed him up the stairs and to her bedroom, where Sol was currently fixing up her bed. The sight of him made Stella scared, causing her to hide behind the robot she followed. Sol looked up and grinned.

"Heya, Sunspot!" Sol greeted brightly "You taking her to bed?"

"Just bringing her to her room" Sunspot responded "She doesn't trust me enough to tuck her in. Seems like she's wary of you too"

"I guess so" Sol said with a sigh before heading to the door

Stella immediately ran into her new room and crouched behind the bed before peeking up and watching the robots leave. She then came out and looked around the room. Unlike the rest of the place, which had been covered wall to wall with lost memorabilia, the walls of this room were completely bare, painted white. All of the furniture was made of spruce wood while the floor was more of a lighter oak wood. The sheets and pillows on her new bed were plain white. The room was a blank canvas for her to paint a picture into, though she couldn't do it today.

She started digging into one of her suitcases and pulled out some pajamas before changing and climbing into bed, leaving her dirty clothes on the floor. She started humming to herself, a few tears trickling down her cheeks as she tried to get herself to fall asleep. Today had been so overwhelming for her, from her losing her parents and getting adopted by her cousin to moving into a house filled with lost media and big robots. It was so much to swallow all at once, so she cried. Her humming devolved into silent weeping.

Tomorrow is another day…

#Fanfic #OC #FNAF #Ghost in the machine AU #GITM #Star on the Stage #SOTS

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normalaboutdntm · 1 year ago

Text

Signed programme from the London concert of Death Note the Musical ^.^ It reads right-to-left so this is the front cover!

[ID: a black programme which reads Death Note the Musical In Concert above the show's logo of an apple resting on an open Death Note. Ryuk's silhouette can be seen in a reflection on the apple and while the writing in the notebook isn't fully legible, one can tell it's the rules of using the Death Note. At the very bottom in small text it says copyright Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata Shueisha, Horipro. There are five autographs in golden sharpie. End ID]

They started selling autographed programmes on Saturday at the Lyric for not much more than the non-signed ones. I can't read the handwriting very well but I'm pretty sure they're signed by Light/Joaquin Pedro Valdes, Rem/Aimee Atkinson, Ryuk/George Maguire, and Misa/Jessica Lee. This particular programme is also signed by Sayu/Rachel Clare Chan, as I met her at stage door and she happened to have a pen. :) I really wish I'd thought to bring one so I could have gotten L/Dean John Wilson's autograph as well (I'm not sure why he didn't sign the programmes - maybe because Carl Mann also performed the role?) but you can't win them all I guess.

More described images of the programme and commentary below the cut. I am only including the "articles" so to speak and excluding the actor bios/ad pages because I don't have it in me to type up every bit of information in here. If you would like to see the extra pages and are willing to write image descriptions, DM me.

[ID: a text box that says "Welcome to Death Note: the Musical at the London Palladium! Tonight, we invite you to immerse yourself in the gripping world of Death Note, a story that has captivated hearts globally. With mesmerizing music, stunning performances and thought-provoking themes, our talented cast and creative team will lead you through a thrilling journey of morality, power and justice.

"As we make history at the iconic London Palladium with what will be the first ever English language performance of Death Note, we thank you for joining us on this unforgettable adventure.

"Prepare to be spellbound as the curtain rises, the music swells and Death Note unfolds before your eyes. . .

"Enjoy the show!

"Carter Dixon McGill Productions"

After the text box is a rehearsal picture. Light sings wearing a backpack and two femme actors who are also singing stand in profile next to him, holding books and wearing backpacks as well. Someone stands behind JPV almost completely blocked by him. End ID]

Two things to note here: the use of the manga font and the welcome message that specifies the Palladium. The rest of the programme mentions both the Lyric and the Palladium, so I'm not sure if the absence of the Lyric here is a mistake or if they wanted to preserve the original intent of the message, which is that the first performances at the Palladium were a really big deal.

[ID: A rehearsal pic of Light holding up the Death Note while L, Ryuk, and other cast members look on. A text box says " A message from Horipro, the original producers of Death Note: The Musical.

"The project to adapt the internationally acclaimed manga Death Note, published by Shueisha and created by Tsugumi Ohba (original story) and Takeshi Obata (illustrations), into a musical, began in 2011. Composed by Frank Wildhorn, who has collaborated with our company on numerous productions since Jekyll & Hyde in Tokyo in 2001, and directed by the renowned Japanese director Tamiya Kuriyama, Death Note: The Musical had its world premiere in Tokyo in 2015. Since then, it has garnered passionate, enthusiastic fans and has been performed multiple times in Japan and South Korea.

"Currently, HoriPro is presenting Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and School of Rock in Tokyo. Over the years we have had the pleasure of bringing numerous wonderful works born in London, such as Mary Poppins, Matilda and Billy Elliot, to Japan. It brings us immeasurable joy to now introduce a production originating from Japan to audiences in London.

"To everyone witnessing the start of Death Note: The musical as it ventures into the world, we express our heartfelt gratitude.

"We hope you enjoy the show!

"Yoshitaka Hori, HoriPro Group Chairman, President & CEO" End ID]

[ID: the panel from the manga of Light's heart attack. Text box that says, "Death Note Between Entertainment and Culture by Filippo Cervelli

"When Death Note originally appeared as a manga in 2003, it took its audience by surprise. The story of the genius high-school student Light Yagami chancing upon the magic titular Death Note, giving him the power to kill everyone on the planet just by writing their name on its pages, was a compelling tale interweaving magic with the urban Tokyo everyday environment. Dissatisfied with the judicial system, Light takes the matters of justice into his own hands, placing himself above the law and embarking on a journey to purge the world of evildoers. From this enticing premise Death Note then evolves into a psychological thriller, epitomised by Light's cat-and-mouse battle with his main antagonist, the brilliant and mysterious detective L. The numerous panels alternating the two characters playing mind games against each other, brilliantly written by Tsugumi Ohba and vividly drawn by artist Takeshi Obata, have left a long-lasting impression on the manga's readers. And yet, together with the compelling drama and carefully crafted dialogues, Death Note also struck a powerful chord in its audience, because no reader could remain insensitive to the simple yet fundamental question it asked: "What would you do if you had the power to change the world?" end ID]

[ID: the manga panel where Soichiro has just fired an empty gun at Light in the car and Misa and Light both look terrified but relieved. There are two pull-out quotes that say "Death Note has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the bestselling manga of all time" and "Death Note has successfully shown that manga aimed at 'kids' can treat very serious matters, too." The rest of the article reads: "Not only was Death Note a successful story, the context of its publication was conducive to its great impact. Japan's comics industry is heavily focused on serialisations in dedicated magazines, of which there exist a plethora, divided by frequency of publication (weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc.) and genre. Death Note was in fact published in weekly instalments in Shonen Jump, Japan's most popular and iconic manga magazine which, in its 55 years of history, has published global hits such as Jojo's Bizarre Adventures (1987-2004), Dragonball (1984-1995) and the more recent Demon Slayer (2016-2020) and One Piece (1997-). While the popularity of Shonen Jump contributed to the visibility of Death Note, it also placed the story in an unusual context. As the above examples show, Shonen Jump is famous for action, comedy and sports manga catered to an audience of mainly adolescent boys. Although the categorisation does not of course preclude readers outside of this demographic, Japanese magazines do take their target audiences into serious consideration when choosing their contents. It was therefore striking that a manga not based on humour, romance or battles, which focused instead on murder and psychological thrills, could find a space among the pages of Jump. However, this supposed misplacement worked in the manga's favour, inducing in readers a sense of wonder and curiosity towards a new publication that seemed so different from its neighbours. In the end, with a serialised run of three years (2003-2006), later collected in twelve volumes (plus one with extra contents), Death Note has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the bestselling manga of all time. It has successfully shown that manga aimed at 'kids' can treat very serious matters, too.

"Beyond the numbers, Death Note has left an indelible mark on contemporary Japanese culture. Its great success solidified the reputation of Oba and Obata as one of manga's most appreciated duos, who later produced other hits such as Bakuman (2008-2012), which takes an insider's look into the world of manga publiishing in Japan, and Platinum End (2015-2021), a fantasy manga following the stories a group of contenders who are granted angelic powers in a race to become the next God. Death Note proposes a protagonist who chooses to fight for his values in a society that does not seem to give any solid models of prosperity and fails to ensure individual happiness. While Light's motives might be despicable, his actions ask fundamental questions about right and wrong and about what justice really means, which may not find immediate answers. This is possibly Death Note's deepest strength.

"All these factors have assured Death Note's success. While the original manga is read avidly around the world even today, 20 years after its original serialisation began, the story has also been expanded and adapted into various media. Together with the animated series following the original story, a live-action film version was released shortly after the manga's conclusion in 2006. Split into two parts, the films starred internationally renowned Tatsuya (Battle Royale) and Ken'ichi Matsuyama (Norwegian Wood, Gantz) as Light and L, respectively. The films, featuring a different ending from the manga version, enjoyed such popularity that they spawned a spin-off film in 2008, L Change the WorLd, focusing on the titular awkward and brilliant detective. In 2016, another spin-off film was released. Titled Death Note: Light Up the New World and set ten years after the confrontation between Light and L, it imagines a new case in which six new death notes have appeared. Filmic adaptations have also crossed Japanese borders, with a US-produced film released by Netflix in 2017. The film transposes the story to an American high school setting, changing characters' names accordingly. The TV format has also proved particularly fruitful for Death Note, with the story adapted into a series of 11 episodes in 2015, featuring in the role of L Kento Yamazaki, known to Western audiences as the lead in the Netflix show Alice in Borderland.

"With countless adaptations to other media, including novels, videogames and trading card games, Death Note's cultural impact is still strong. Together with reading the original manga and watching the various cinematic versions, London audiences now have the possibility to enjoy the musical adaptation of the manga series, adding another precious layer to the multimedia experience of this staple of contemporary Japanese creativity.

"Filippo Cervelli is a Lecturer in Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature at SOAS University of London." End ID]

This is all I can manage tonight. . . I'll be back with more later.

#death note the musical #death note musical #joaquin pedro valdes #dean john wilson #my post #death note

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