#maybe someday: faye

[areseebee]

i love hearing about the derry girls ‘someday’ fic universe. please can i ask more about your original character faye? how did you come up with the character and also what is her relationship like with the other derry girls besides claire and james? 🤗

yes, you definitely can! so for a quick primer on faye (which i pulled from this maybe-kinda-outdated maybe someday masterlist that i put together in 2023):

- faye appears/is mentioned in this short piece of writing and also this one. i also explain some bits about her in this post and this post. - and here's some lovely faye art by @imstressedx

the character originated in collaboration with @derrygirlstrash when we were talking about the maybe someday fic universe back in july 2022 just as i was finishing smoke break. i had just started to think through what the premise of someday would be and was explaining to derrygirlstrash that i saw james as having less-than-serious relationships after smoke break, while i saw erin having one long, very serious relationship. about 20 minutes later derrygirlstrash offered up the idea of faye as one of james's short-term relationships. i loved the idea of faye immediately as i had already been thinking through how erin would feel about the first person that james dates post-smoke break. from there we developed her into a foil to erin - and therefore someone that erin is insecure about because she can't help but compare herself and see all the ways in which they are very not alike.

i think i talk about this in some of the posts i linked to above, but as faye is the person that james moved onto right after the events of smoke break while also being someone who comes across as effortlessly cool, really affable, and is well-liked by their friends/fits in, erin was initially pretty cold to her and they didn't get off on the right foot. by the time someday starts, all that is really in the past and erin really wants to get on with faye like everyone else does, but their dynamic is a little too entrenched and it's hard to move beyond it. which segues into michelle and orla, who love faye! michelle mostly can't understand how james pulled someone like faye (because she's just so obviously out of his league, just look at her) and both her and orla were sad when james and faye broke up in uni, but happy when faye and clare got together ~5ish years later. i know this is still a little vague about michelle and orla, but with faye finally, properly appearing in the next couple of chapters of someday, it'll be clearer how she functions within the group.

thanks so much for asking! i definitely didn't get into absolutely everything about faye here, but i love getting the chance to talk about my fic and will always answer questions about it. all of this has lived up inside my head for so long and i've talked it through with derrygirlstrash so much that i do sometimes have trouble keeping track of what is or isn't known about this whole world, but i love to share when asked. i really would love to write both a michelle/rafael fic and clare/faye fic, both of which would illuminate more about the characters and about the eight years in between smoke break and someday. it's definitely a goal to get it all "canonized" into proper stories for anyone interested in reading more.

[hesitantlyhopefulspren]

Ok. Just finished Cowboy Bebop.

There's a lot to think about.

But first of all can someone explain. WHAT THE FUCK WAS GOING ON WITH ED AND HER DAD. WHAT.

It was cool but WHAT.

[noirgasmweetheart]

Hotel Berlin (1945)

This might be the most underrated War Era movie I've seen yet.

Both the theatrical trailer and the DVD cover advertise it as a corny exploitation movie. It's nothing of the sort. It's as sincerely written and acted as "Casablanca," with far more direct references to the Jewish people, and specific concentration camps.

I legitimately ordered the DVD just to see Peter Lorre as a disheveled angst-ridden scruff-muffin; I had no idea the character was going to be so compelling, or the rest of the movie equally so. Several other characters also exploded beyond the old clichés I was expecting. The movie appears to be building towards a predictable, cheesy love story, but...doesn't. Another character who at first appears one of the most despicable opportunists in the movie...isn't. And the movie's nuanced look at an indoctrinated population being carpet-bombed while their tyrannical, antisemetic leaders flee to save their own skins is uh...timely, to say the least.

I'm sure it helped that I watched this movie during a rainstorm at night, which is the way to watch it. The timeliness of a story about

Spoilers Below!

Faye Emerson deserved that top billing.

According to IMDB, Andrea King was originally to be billed as the film's female lead, with Faye Emerson billed as a supporting character. When Emerson married the son of President Roosevelt, she was given top billing over King, to capitalize on her new fame. I find that ironic, given that by the end of the movie, Faye's character Tilly has, against all odds, proven to be the film's true heroine.

Introduced as a materialistic Nazi informer, dating SS officers and betraying a hiding resistance fighter just to get herself some new shoes, Tilly's reality turns upside-down when she learns that the lover she thought she'd lost is still alive. After an emotional breakdown over what her despair let her become, she defends her boyfriend's mother against a Nazi officer, and delivers the most powerful speech in the movie. It is her character who finally mentions the Jews out loud, after an entire movie and an entire genre dancing around the subject.

I've recorded the scene from the DVD and uploaded it to YouTube:

"Go on shoot me, arrest me, have me killed, I don't care! Why should I. I loved Max Baruch and you sent him to a concentration camp! You hung a sign around my neck saying I loved a Jew! And you paraded me down the street. They'll hang something around your neck someday, and it won't be a sign!"

Corny Romance is Just a Red Herring

My stance that Emersen deserved that top billing in no way negates Andrea King's marvelous performance as the film's faux female lead. Though we are warned right from the start that her character, movie star Lisa Dorn, is a Nazi and a master manipulator, the film plays her as the straightforward love interest for much of the film: helping the hero partially out of the hope that he'll save her in return, seemingly building a genuine admiration for his heroism...then completely subverts expectations by revealing her to be exactly what she she was introduced as: a Nazi collaborator out to save her own skin.

I was genuinely afraid at the end that the hero would find himself unable to shoot her, and we'd see her tearfully declare her love for him, and end with him forgiving her. Not so. She argues pathetically, trying to excuse her betrayal and convince Richter that she loves him, and he doesn't fall for it. Richter sees Sam Spade's "I'll be waiting for you," and raises him two gunshots.

Peter Lorre like we've never seen him before

Okay, maybe we have seen Peter angsting around and wobbling drunkenly a few times before. But this was the first time I saw him directly address the issues that so closely affected him (and his costars of course) in real life.

Peter Lorre died before talk about the Holocaust really became mainstream. But the emotion behind the lines he delivers as the self-hating German professor speaks volumes. The gleeful smile he wears in his first scene, while saying that the bombing is only what the Germans deserve; his bitter sarcasm about the achievements of German science in the concentration camps, and wondering where all the "good Germans" are now; his breakdown when Richter tells him of a mutual friend's murder at Dachau. Much like his frantic escape attempt in "Casablanca," Peter likely didn't have to fish too hard to dig up the needed emotions for these scenes.

This is also the closest I've ever come to seeing Peter cry.

Other PL fans have lamented that his role was too small. I agree that I'd have loved to see a hell of a lot more of Koenig, but it's not like many of the other characters had much more screen time, which all the different storylines running at once. Aside from maybe Helmut Dantine and Andrea King, most of the important characters probably only have a handful of scenes tops.

Edit: That said, knowing he had scenes indicating how he joined the resistance that were cut is very frustrating.

But the fact that Peter's character not only lives to the end as one of the heroes, but gets to read President Roosevelt's uplifting speech to the German people, definitely counts for something.

That speech packed a powerful punch for me, at a time when I sometimes need reminding that indoctrinated civilians in war zones are still individuals, and can't be lumped with their dogmatic leaders. I don't doubt for a minute that President Biden took inspiration from Roosevelt for how to address the Palestinian people in regards to stopping Hamas.

The Fugitive

I suppose I should also mention the film's lead: Helmut Dantine as Martin Richter, the German anti-Nazi resistance fighter who escaped Dachau Concentration Camp. Helmut Dantine played Jan, the Bulgarian husband in "Casablanca." The controlled desperation with which he gambled at Rick's roulette wheel as Jan serves well for his fugitive resistance fighter in this movie. The fact that Dantine was actually imprisoned at Rosserlaende Concentration Camp for his anti-Nazi political activism at age 19 no doubt also helped him in the role.

My only complaint is the makeup and costuming department failing to help him look the part. While Paul Henreid got a scar and a white streak of hair for Victor Laszlo, Dantine is done up to look like a particularly slick, clean movie star, standing out in a cast of disheveled and weary looking people. One could interpret this as a symbolic way of singling him out as the hero, but I found it distracting. I am not throwing shade on Dantine's acting abilities or natural looks, just how the people in charge had him presented.

I'm unsure how to close this review.

It's getting late and I have some more clips to upload, and cake to eat. "Hotel Berlin" is up there with "Casablanca" on my personal list of unironically great old movies. Professor Koenig is on my list favorite Peter Lorre characters, and I have a handful of new favorite actors.

I'll just finish by saying that this guy in the barrette looks noticeably like Robert Picardo, if maybe a "stretched out" version thereof. Voyager's EMH hanging out with a holo-Peter Lorre in one of Tom Paris's noir programs is something I never knew I needed.

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days 2023: Day 7

Whew, what a rush of covers! Let's head towards our second community feature. We're featuring Young Adult novel Wonderwall by O.M. Faye. This cover was chosen for its striking colors and fun visuals; it's a cover that draws you into the story! The fonts also tie into the feeling of the story really well too.

(Wondering about the community features? This year, we're highlighting designers who are also NaNo participants! Read more about it in our main 30 Covers, 30 Days post!)

Wonderwall

Music speaks to us in ways nothing else can. That's always been the case for Isaac Burke. When a drunk driver turns his life upside down in the space of one afternoon, music's the only escape he has. His little brother's gone and all he has left is this undertow of regret. He'd move heaven and earth, he'd do anything, but there's no going back.

Isaac retreats behind walls so thick he's unreachable to his family and friends. But when he moves, new neighbors take him by surprise. If die-hard nerd Barrett's the bulldozer, the first to break through the chinks in Isaac's armor, Barrett's twin sister Avery's the wrecking ball, crumbling every last defense he's got.

Between her fiery spirit, kick-ass moves on a skateboard, and unmatched verbal sparring, Isaac falls and he falls hard. From the bumpiest of starts to the first sparks of a love that will never truly fade, no matter how many years they're apart or how famous he becomes, their's is a tale of star-crossed lovers that one day may just beat the odds.

About the Author/Artist

My dream's to live in a bookshop crowded with dusty paperbacks and dog-eared hardcovers. My only employees would be two aloof black cats. (I'd name one Binx and the other Crowley). Their jobs, naturally, would be to pass judgment on every patron who dares cross the threshold and poke around their stacks. If you're lucky, they might grant you the honor of scratching under their chins.

Maybe someday. For now, I live on a farm with my son, our dog he named Ducky, a few unemployed cats, and a bunch of chickens. And books. Lots and lots of books.

Feel free to follow on Twitter @ omfayebooks!

Cover Design Process

I wanted to reference the 90's as much as possible and it really went from there.

[the-broken-truth]

Alright, two asks in a row! I was reflecting right now, thinking a concept for Female!Björn, or Revna as now we will call her, and I finally thought in one.

Imagine that somehow, maybe a curse from a God/Goddess or even a witch, Björn was cursed and he transform in his female version. Of course, fearing for his life, for his security and for the fact that he have Freya and Kratos along with his brother hunting him (which let’s be honest having those three hunting you separately is a freaking nightmare), he and his family decides to pretend that his name is Revna and she was rescued by him when she was being attacked by a troll, and since she has nowhere to live she is living with his family while he’s on a mission and she helps them around with anything as a payment.

When Atreus started to work for Odin, he meets Revna and he obviously doesn’t suspect a thing but he starts to develop some interest in Revna since she really reminds him of his twin and he decides to confess that he really misses his brother and he wished that they could have a better relationship, he was ready and more than determined to find him and try to make amends. Of course Björn was scared as Hell with that declaration but as Revna he decides to give an advice to Atreus that “Maybe he needs time for himself and I’m sure that he needs to is to you to respect his decision. I’m pretty sure someday he will be ready to contact you.”.

Atreus thanks her and he leaves for his mission and when Björn/Revna goes to have dinner with his family, he tells them what happened. By the way, what would be Thor and his family reaction when Björn turns into Revna? And do you think that Atreus would start to get obsessed with Revna and would start to wish to have Björn back but also get Revna as his sister?

Sorry for the long prompt but now I can’t take this off from my head xD

Broken Truth: Ah, Revna is a rather interesting name, and being the female version of Björn makes it even more interesting. Okay, it was a long prompt but the more information I have to work on it, the more fun it is for me. Now, let the words weave together, my friend, and let's see what I can come up with!!!

[Meeting The Wild Witch]

It was supposed to be a simple mission for Thrud and Björn - go to a witch's grounds to obtain a rare herb that grew there for the All-Father and come back in one piece, Odin had already stuck a deal with the woman and needed someone to pick up what he was waiting for and he chose the son and daughter of Thor and Sif for the task. It was supposed to be simple. Björn and Thrud arrived at the witch's home and knocked upon her door, she let them in and offered them something to drink but they decline per the All-Father's orders; they were not there for ideal chit chat. They left the gift from the All-Father at the witch's table and waited for her to get the object, when she returned with the herb in hand but before she handed it over; she looked at Björn with a raised eyebrow.

"You look familiar, boy." She said as she inched closer to him, "Have we met before?"

Björn responded with the fact this was the first time he had ever laid eyes on the woman but she was still skeptical; something about him was family and she wanted to know what it was.

"From what line do you hail from, Boy?" the witch asked and he answered that he was Thor and Sif's Son but the woman shook her head, "I did not ask the name of your parents- I want to know the names of the woman and male who created you. Tell me, now, and do not lie to me again."

That's when he said it. The words made the witch's face curl with a wicked smile.

"My birth parents are Faye and Kratos," Björn said with confusion in his voice. That's when he was ensnared in a cluster of vines and unable to move regardless of how much he struggled. "What?! What are you doing?!" He roared out.

"I knew I sensed something in you - your father and brother killed someone very close to me and I now have the chance to exact my revenge upon them by taking away something from them!"

"No!" Thrud yelled as she jumped up and chopped the vines away with her sword, freeing her brother, "Björn has nothing to do with Loki or the Ghost of Sparta! He's been living with us for almost a year now!"

"Regardless, he is tied to them by blood and I have the chance to exact my revenge! He will suffer!" The witch thrust her hand in Björn's direction and a blast of purple magi hit him in the center of his chest, sending him flying out of the door, tumbling on the ground before he stopped with a groan and attempted to stand. Thrud grabbed the herb and ran out to see if her brother was alive and he was but was trembling in pain. The witch slowly walked over to them but a cyclone of unkindness surrounded them and teleported the to Asgard before the witch could reach them.

When they arrived, Thor and Sif were on them in an instant and checked to make sure their son was alive and he was but the magic hit him square in the chest and knocked him out could. All they could do was wait until morning to see if he would awaken, but Sif had some words with the witch and warned her to stay away from her son or she was going to show her the power of a goddess.

[From Bear To Raven]

The sun hit the eyes of the occupant of the room, causing them to open but something was wrong and they could feel it. Björn rose from his bed and walked over to the mirror but he felt lighter than he usually did, and his close fit him rather loosely. He took one look at himself in the mirror...and screamed.

He was no longer a he! He was a woman! Long dark brown hair that stopped at the center of her back with paleish tan skin and golden eyes to match; she looked like her mother but with her father's eyes. What did that witch's magic do to him?! Just then, the door burst open and Thrud came into the room with her sword drawn and looked at Björn with narrowed eyes.

"Who the hell are you and where is my brother?! What did you do to him?!" Thrud asked as she inched closer with her sword. Björn held up his arms in surrender and spoke.

"Thrud, it's me, it's Björn! That witch's magic turned me into a female!" Once those words left his...her...mouth, Thrud stopped getting closer and looked into Björn's eyes and gasped.

"Brother, it is you. What happened, why are you a woman?" Thrud asked.

"I don't know, I woke up like this, and I screamed when I found out; that witch's magic did this to me and I have no idea how to change back," Björn said as she looked at her hands.

"We need to talk to Mother and Father. Let's go." Thrud grabbed her ...sister...by the arm and dragged her out of the room to find their parents. Once Sif and thor were found, Thrud explained everything that happened and how Björn was now a female from the magic yesterday. Sif held her new daughter with tears in her eyes and Thor looked shocked.

"We'll fix this, Björn, we will find a way to change you back somehow." Sif promised.

"We can't call her Björn until we find a way to fix this, Sif. We need a new name for her cover." Thor said.

"What about Revna? It means raven." Thrud said as she looked at her parents and new sister. Everyone nodded in agreement. Revna was now a family member until they could get Björn back. First things first, they needed to speak to the All-Father about this.

[The Raven Meets The Archer]

Revna was walking through the All-Father's Home with a raven perched on her shoulder; a gift from Odin and a way to teleport from place to place in case of emergency, she wasn't sure what name she should give the raven but it seemed to be fine without a name. Revna walked into the room and her eyes widened at the familiar sight of a presence - Loki...Also known as Atreus to her or instead to Björn. Why was he here? What was he doing in the All-Father's house and what could they be talking about? That's when Odin noticed Revna, called her over and introduced her to Atreus as Loki f the Jotunn. Loki looked at Revna and smiled at her but it made her shiver; she didn't want to be there but didn't want to be rude before the All-Father.

"You called for me, All-Father?" Revna asked as she looked at the one-eyed man.

"Yes, Revna, I want you to take Loki to wherever Thor is and get Thor so the two of them could go on a mission for the mask fragment," Odin said as he brushed the two of them off before going to do something. Revna looked at Loki and gestured for him to follow her and the two of them left the building.

"So, Revna...you don't look like an Aesir," Loki said.

"That's because I am not - I am a Midgardian. Lord Thor saved me from a troll during a hunting trip while he and his family were passing through; I didn't have anywhere else to go and Lady Sif took pity on me and let me live with them; I help them with their task if they ask it of me." Revna said as she continued walking.

"I like your hair - it reminds me of my brother's." Loki said in a sad voice; Revna was curious and stopped walking to look at the boy before her.

"You have a brother? What happened to him?" Revna asked.

"I was hoping to see him here. You see, Björn ran away from home and was adopted into Thor's Family because they allow him to fight instead of protecting him like he's supposed to be." Loki said.

"You think he ran away because tired of being protected? Maybe he wanted to be a warrior and you just didn't understand that so he found a family that accepted him for what he wanted to do." Revna explained. "But have you seen him here while you have been here?"

"No, I haven't; Odin told e that he is on a mission to look for a Mask Fragment and he doesn't want to see me. I miss him and so does our father, I just want him to know that" Loki said as he looked to the ground.

Revna placed a hand on Loki's shoulder, making him look up.

“Maybe he needs time for himself and I’m sure that he needs to is to you to respect his decision. I’m pretty sure someday he will be ready to contact you.” Revna said with a gentle smile, making Loki smile and nod his head; there was something about Revna that reminded Loki of his brother and he wanted to protect her just like he wanted to protect Björn and he was going to do just that.

That's when Thor saw them and walked over before getting in between them and glaring down at Loki, warning him to get too close to Revna before telling her to go home at that moment. Revna disappeared in a cyclone of unkindness before reappearing in front of the house and exhaled.

'I didn't want to see Atreus but I hope my words got to him and he will leave me alone when I get my normal body back' Revna thought as she walked inside the house. Around dinnertime, Revna sat in Björn's chair - her chair - and spoke about the encounter she had with Loki, he doesn't suspect a thing about Revna being her brother in another body but she did have some words with him. Sif asked her if everything was alright and Revna confessed that Loki told her that Kratos and himself missed Björn and walked him back and she didn't know how to take that.

"Don't think about that Jotunn or the Ghost of Sparta, Revna; once the All-Father gets all the Mask Fragments, he'll send the boy back home and never speak to him again. You just stay away from him, we don't need him trying to take you away from us. We love you, Revna; and we'll get you back to normal. We promise." Thor said as he placed a hand on her shoulder. Revna sild and nodded before the family began eating their dinner; a real family, this is what Revna always wanted.

[arleniansdoodles]

How much is calliope able to tell sindri of the Greek world?

So far, she hasn't really told him a lot about Greece, except that she's from Sparta, and a bit about the creation of humans in Greek mythology XDD I think Sindri's spent more time telling her stories about Midgard, specifically dwarf legends and his memories of Faye!

Speaking of, it's been a while since I shared a snippet of the fic, hasn't it? Below is a little piece of Sindri and Calliope sharing stories; for context, they're at Sindri's hideout in Svartalfheim, and Calliope's been visiting him at his forge just to chat and spend time together :D

“I thought of an old dwarf legend to tell you,” he offered. “Want to hear it?”

“Yes!” Calliope piped. “What kind of story is it?”

He smiled slightly. “It’s about the first ruler of the dwarves …”

Sindri went on to tell her about Durinn, the first dwarf ever created, and how he founded many great kingdoms and wielded the strongest of all hammers. Durinn made many manikins out of the earth, which were given life by the gods, becoming humans. Other dwarves evolved from the maggots that ate the first Giant’s flesh, and they all formed Durinn’s clan.

“Maggots!” Calliope repeated, failing to repress a shudder. “I wouldn’t want to come from a maggot!”

“Then what would you come from?” Sindri asked, amused. “Would you rather be made from the earth?”

“That’s what we say in my homeland,” Calliope said. “The first humans were made from clay. At least with clay, you can sculpt it any way you want!”

That was true. And at one point, Sindri had been just as disgusted by the maggot legend as she was.

He told her a few other stories, having thought up a very short list of all the happy ones, or at least those that didn’t end badly. Calliope hung on his every word, asking questions and poking for more details. Like, what did Durinn do in his leisure time? Did he make weapons like Sindri? Or did he build other things? And the famous alchemist Ivaldi, wasn’t he ever worried about making a mess with his experiments? Did he ever take a break? If his sons were always helping him, maybe that was their idea of family time!

Her chattering drudged up memories of the past – Atreus, around Calliope’s height, pestering Sindri with questions of dwarven history. Sindri saw him in his mind’s eye, perched on the edge of the worktable, idly swinging his feet.

I really wanna see Svartalfheim someday, Atreus chattered on. If its tower ever opens up, will you show me around? I wanna meet all the dwarves and learn their stories!

Sindri shook himself. That time was long past. Atreus finally got around to seeing Svartalfheim, though Sindri wasn’t able to give him a tour. Even if he could, there wasn’t much to show, or many dwarves to meet, given how they’d all shunned him at the time.

Then again … Maybe Calliope wouldn’t mind seeing more of Svartalfheim. She certainly seemed interested in Niðavellir, far below the mountain they stood on. One day, perhaps, Sindri could show her around there.

Calliope eventually grew bored of engraving practice and helped Sindri around the forge instead. Once he finished his current project (a very sturdy shield), she offered to sing the Thrymskviða for him.

Calliope’s music was an entirely different experience from listening to dwarf music. Hel, Sindri was tempted to put it on Faye’s level, and he considered Faye’s voice to be high art in itself. Calliope’s voice was pure and clear, like water from a mountain spring, or the snow glistening on Midgard’s peaks. Her magic lay just beneath the surface, waiting to be used, but she didn’t need it; the story of the Thrymskviða unfolded in his mind like painted murals moving on wooden panels. He saw King Thrym stealing Mjölnir while Thor slept, followed by Thor’s rage, and the Aesir’s meeting to discuss solutions … And the song ended.

Sindri blinked, coming out of his daze. “There’s more, isn’t there?”

“Yes, but I haven’t practiced the next verses as much,” Calliope said, embarrassed. “I didn’t want to mess them up here.”

“Even if you did, I’m sure you’d still sound great. You, uh, you really have a voice.”

Calliope’s cheeks flushed red. “Thank you.”

[askaalaska-vdeppressed]

The Path of Life Is Filled with Zany Bards Ch8

Sooo

Yeah, This is kinda short I had to get back in the groove of writing this story hope you enjoy (also i'll probably update Broken but Golden too as a prize for second place)

Masterlist

 Summer had rolled on steadily week by week. Being farther north meant the heat was not so intense as to cause one to suffer, only discomfort. It was mildly frustrating in a way. The heat was enough to be uncomfortable and make one not want to venture outside of a breezy shaded spot, however it was not reasonably hot enough to use as an excuse. You circumnavigated this as best you could by trying to spend any time you needed to outside early in the morning. Which was how you found yourself creeping up the path to the stables in a barely visible morning light.

A blue calm shrouded your surroundings. Mist or fog rather sat still in the high grass of the fields. Insects and creatures starting there day as you did, proclaiming there songs into the silent morning atmosphere. Swift work was made of extracting two horses from their stalls—the grey draft for yourself and the sassy roan that Faye preferred. You tied them out by the posts and diligently set about bounding them in the leather and wool of blanket and saddle, pondering all the while your new found friendship with Faye.

She was one of Addisons daughters who happened to be near your age. You had found her to be incredibly comforting for a stranger. Addison had scolded her on your first meeting—when she had proclaimed rather bluntly that your coco and taupe colored dress made you look like a molded piece of bread. Her father had just stood there aghast for a moment before beginning to berate her, only for your laughter to cut him off. It was nice having someone say what they truly thought to you with no hesitation. Genuine people had been few in and far to come by in the wealthy circles your family danced in.

You had quickly found a repour with Faye and you ended up giving her the dress as a gift in jest. She had even proclaimed she would wear it someday.

“I’ll save it for something special” she had commented as she had held up the garment. “I can’t save it for your wedding since your already married, but perhaps if we ever have a party” You giggled as she folded the dress to be put away

“You can be the prettiest mold in the room” you retorted.

“Damn right!” She had turned to you, a grin, cheeky as could be filled her face.

Lost in your work and mind you failed to notice the girl sneaking up behind you until two hands gabbed at your waist, causing a curt and clipped yell to pass your lips.

“Faye you-“

“Just making sure you’re awake” She innocently replied, sauntering over to the other side of her horse.

“Can’t have my favorite boss falling off and getting mud in her hair or gasp even her clothes, we only have so much soap in the house.” Caught up in her teasing she had failed to notice you had taken a large flake of hay. Waiting for her to finished before throwing it up in the air and coating her in pieces of straw and grass.

“You little!” She didn’t have time to finish the insult as you hopped on your steed and began galloping away from her. Laughter filling the morning sunrise, as you rode off through the field. The sound of hooves thumping behind you became louder as she chased in pursuit. When she finally was neck and neck with you, you laughed even harder. The straw so thoroughly ingrained in her hair that it clung to her still as the wind whipped it about too and fro.

For just a glimmer of a fraction of a moment you weren’t a wealthy countess, or a reluctant wife or a successful trader. You were just a girl, smiling and laughing with a friend in the morning sun. Just this little moment of carefree splendor, it made you think perhaps that it would all be okay. Maybe not today or the next, but someday it would end up being all right.  You could live with that you supposed.

~

“Y/n I don’ know about this, you know me and I don’t really fit in with these sophisticated types.” Faye had whined in your ear as the carriage pushed nearer and nearer your old home. You had been invited for a party to commemorate the summer solstice by your parents, and you had readily accepted it. Your older sister—who you had not seen in some time—would be in attendance with your first niece and her husband in tow. You had never actually met her husband, you had been away for business purposes, going in place of your father since he needed to be in attendance at the wedding.

Excited at the prospect of seeing your family and new niece, but reluctant to face your family alone you had strong armed Faye into attending with you.

“It’s okay Faye, you won’t have to leave my side. Just sit, look stoic and I’ll answer everything for you, it’s honestly what they would expect from you if you were my real maid.” You had come up with  a simple story to sneak Faye in with you. She was your personal maid—hired by Julian to keep you well and happy while he was away.

Julian

Your mind flicked over to his face in your memory. The bright and striking eyes. The way the light of the morning sun had bounced of his hair the morning you’d said your goodbyes. You wondered what he was doing now? Sleeping in to stay up late for his next performance? Playing merrily in a town square for any who would pass by on the way to there errands? Perhaps he was simply walking in the woods on his way to the next adventure.

Yes you could picture that. The gentle sway in his step as he walked through brush and bramble. The freckles of light plunging down from the tress playing every so carefully with his countenance. Plucking out a tune to keep himself company as he went along. With only the forest and it’s inhabitance as his audience.  And perhaps the creatures of the woods would stop a moment just to listen to him.

It occurred to you that Julian hadn’t actually played for you before he left. For all you knew he was dreadful at it. But, it seemed unlikely to you. Julian just seemed the type to have art weaved in his soul.

During all of your reminiscing your face had gone sour. Deep creases framing your furrowed brows as you stared into the seat of the carriage.

“Are you alright? You look like you want to throw up and scream at the same time?” Faye had asked in her blunt as always fashion. It snapped you out of your mind fog.

“I’m okay, just…” You looked out at the scenery, turning back ever so surely to the moss and greenery you grew up around.

“….missing home I suppose”

[catdotjpeg]

i wasn't able to do this before today because my partner got covid from a coworker and i've been really upset abt it. shit sucks man!

anyway i listened to a bunch of stuff that i don't normally listen to this past month because i did this tiermaker based off the 200 best albums of the last 25 years, according to pitchfork readers and realized there were a bunch of albums i had never heard before, or hadn't heard in a long time. so that's fun. maybe i'll post that here someday. idk! i mean at this point i'm mostly just posting for myself.

list of albums under the cut

1997 diana // brockhampton (alt hip hop)

apollo xxi // steve lacy (pop / funk)

voodoo // d'angelo (neo soul / r&b)

babae // kelady (alt dance / hip hop)

pretty little baka guy // shonen knife (japanese pop punk / post punk)

bitter tea // the fiery furnaces (indie rock / electronic)

love hallucination // jessy lanza (canadian electro-pop / experimental)

choose your weapon // hiatus kaiyote (australian future beats / neo soul)

leak 04-13 (bait ones) // jai paul (english pop / r&b)

hard to please (reprise) // spellling (experimental / progressive pop)

different now // courtney barnett (australian alternative)

seeds // tv on the radio (art rock / electronica)

psycho:logy // shouta aoi (j-pop)

maningen // atarashii gakko! (j-pop)

enknee1 // hemlocke springs (indie synth-pop / bedroom pop)

golden best ~pressure~ // golden bomber (japanese pop punk)

kyotaro&rikuo // kyotaro&rikuo (japanese funk / drum and bass)

flux // poppy (alt rock / grunge)

government plates // death grips (experimental hip hop)

born like this // mf doom (british-american hip hop)

fever to tell // yeah yeah yeahs (garage rock revival / art punk)

earth born // soft ballet (japanese synthpop / new wave)

citrus // asobi seksu (shoegaze / dream pop)

fúzào // faye wong (c-pop / dream pop)

fm! // vince staples (hip hop)

[not-alien-girl-v]

Vampires Will Never Hurt You (Harry Styles)

Chapter 9

⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:*⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

We had made it to his car, which he indeed own, although it was parked at his old apartment with Louis. I supposed he chose to live at our house rather than with Louis because of his vampirism because I couldn't imagine giving up the chance to live in a place like that for some stupid girls.

We hadn't gone anywhere yet, we were just sat parked in his parking garage, with him in the driver's seat and me in the passenger's.

Within a moment, however, he roared the engine to life and pulled out of the dark garage. The time was sometime after midnight, not too late, though.

I plugged the aux cord into my phone, and the song 'The Funeral Party' by the Cure started playing off my playlist.

I only allowed us to sit in a comfortable silence until we got onto a main strip type of road, with bright lights that illuminated the oh so familiar sights of LA, like Taco Bells, banks, 24 Hour Fitnesses, and other places such as those.

"Now tell me, what's really wrong Harry?" I picked at my nails. I'm generally good at this whole 'taking friends away on some impulsive, wild adventure to take their mind off whatever is troubling them', but when you really think about it, Harry and I are essentially strangers who only know one of each other's biggest secrets. I don't know his middle name. He doesn't know my favorite color.

Something about being vulnerable with him in a car with just the two of us made me uneasy. I wanted to get to know him better; I needed to. But that wouldn't come without a little bit of awkwardness.

Harry sighed, but not in contentment. Stress was etched all over his face. He definitely had something on his mind. "It's just- it's all of this."

"All of what?" I asked him, although I had a feeling I knew exactly what he was talking about. I go through it every 50 years or so, whenever I see a happy family with kids or a content old couple.

"This whole live forever or die thing. The fun part wore off a couple of days ago. Now I've been just..." He trailed off but I knew what he meant. I nodded in understanding.

"I get it. What does mortality even mean to anyone, anyway? At the very least, you can plan how you want to go out from the public eye." I tried to make him feel better with my last sentence but he just eyed me strangely. "I mean, if you were mortal, who knows what could have happened. Maybe you'd die in a couple of months from, I don't know, some nasty stomach bug. Maybe they'd find you sprawled out on your bathroom floor, dead, and they'd have to somehow break the news to your fans that food poisoning killed the one and only Harry Styles."

"Ah, I get it now. I suppose that is another benefit. Maybe I can plan something dramatic. Leave people thinking I'm still alive. Start my own conspiracy theory wiki page where people write their insane fan theories," he chuckled like that's something he might actually do, but I knew him well enough to know he doesn't like being the center of attention that much. "But there's still so much I haven't done. What am I gonna tell my mom? My sister? Will I have to leave them behind someday?"

"I totally understand. Trust me, if there's anyone who knows what it's like to have to leave people behind or even worse, lose people, due to this lifestyle, it's me. I've lost countless, some hurt more than others, but after a while, you get used to it," I paused, "and this is your life now. I'm just here to help you through it. If you want to tell your family, it'd be horrible to stop you. And yes, they will die someday. But... if you decide you want to turn them immortal, I want you to know that I'd do that for you."

Man, since when did I turn into such a sap?

"Thank you, Faye, really. But I couldn't do that to them. Just because I won't have a regular life doesn't mean they have to lose theirs. I think I want to keep things as normal as possible for as long as I can. I won't tell them anything until it's absolutely necessary." He loosened his grip on the steering wheel a little and his shoulders released a bit of tension.

"You seem like you have some stories. Who all have you lost?" There it was. The question I was hoping I'd never get asked. As much as I love talking about myself, there are some things that are better left unsaid.

"Um, too many to keep track of. I've been... around. For a long, long time. Plus, I don't really like talking about them. Just ask Donna, she doesn't even know the half of it." I spoke, my voice breathy and quiet. I was surprised he could even hear me over the noise of the engine and the music.

"Oh come on, just tell me about one. It might make me feel better," he pleaded with me, taking quick glances away from the road to meet my gaze.

"Well," I shifted my vision up to the night sky. We were in a convertible, with the hood down. I focused on everything I could aside from Harry, stalling. "The last person I lost, his name was Jesse Kellerman."

"And?" He kept on insisting.

"And? He was mortal. He died. End of story," I rubbed my arms as it started to get chilly.

"Did he know? About all of this?" The car went into a long tunnel and it got darker.

"Yeah. He said he didn't want to be like me. I listened. Eventually, he got older and realized he couldn't be living my lifestyle with me for the rest of my life. So he left. Got married. Had a few kids. Then he died of a heart attack a couple of years ago. I went to his funeral but..." I trailed off. When I realized Harry wouldn't speak until I finished, I continued. "I guess a long term immortal ex-girlfriend isn't something you tell your wife about. They asked me to leave, and I did. I haven't heard from any of them since."

"Faye I-" Harry started.

"No, don't. Trust me, I'm fine, I'll be fine. There's been worse, way worse than him, and I was fine then, I'll be fine now. Although I've noticed, I- I tend to gravitate toward romance, if that makes sense? Like I always feel like I'm looking for it, almost everywhere, yet I almost never get it. I guess it keeps me going. The idea that one day I'll find the right one. It's pretty dumb, being immortal and all I'm looking for is a sappy love story. You'd think in my 500 or something years I'd have things figured out, but, I guess I don't. Not as much as I thought, I guess."

"How about you?" I asked him, fully turning to look at him.

"What?"

"What do you want most? Like in your life. What's the most important thing you want to do?"

"Well, I never really thought about it that much. I suppose I should now, especially since my possibilities have opened up way more." The car came to a full stop at a red light at an intersection. "I want to be remembered."

"By who?"

"Anyone. Everyone. I want people to know that I was here. I want to leave a mark, I guess. I never want people to forget who I am, what I've done. I want to mean something to everyone."

I nodded my head, starting to understand him more. "That's a good thing to live by. And now, you'll have all the time in the world to do it."

He chuckled at that, but this time he seemed genuinely happy about it. "I guess you're right."

"Of course I am. It's about time you start noticing it, Styles." He laughed at me. Something tells me he's gonna be alright.

⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:*⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

[wild-daffodils]

pink, green?

Original post found here

Pink: Which of your characters would become your best friend? I really had to think about this because I wanted to list so many characters and the reasons why. I would really love to be Sullivan or Becca Shelby's best friend. I feel like they would be good to have around in everyday life. Also, Becca Sheby makes the best tea apparently. So I would love to try that! Also, I feel like I would enjoy having a conversation with Astrid and bouncing ideas off of her.- We also are exploring some characters in a Heathers inspired roleplay, so I want to get to know everyone better before I answer this. Also, not my character, but I would love to be Hilan's best friend. -R Faye and Valen I think? I don't think most of my characters would particularly like me so -s

Green: Pencil, typewriter, or computer?

I wish I could say typewriter. That's the dream someday at least for small notes or letters. As a kid, I would use a pen and write in a notebook. Now, besides maybe lists of ideas or small scraps here and there, it's a computer. I love to type-y type and it's so much faster.-R One day I will own a typewriter that I will write on, but for now computer, I like the sounds -s

[areseebee]

In your mind if James and Erin didn’t end up together who do you think would be good for them? Could either be canon to the show or canon in the world you created for your fics.

truthfully, besides each other, i don't think there's anyone canonical who is truly a good fit for either of them! for me i think a lot of that is because the pool of viable canonical romantic interests is small. i mean, could i reasonably see james being interested in a minor canon character like aisling? i guess so! and tbh i have a soft spot for james/david donnelly. i also still remember watching 2x01 in 2019 and being 👀 about dee and erin.

i think it's so fun to play with the “what ifs” but, in the spirit of verisimilitude and keeping true to the characters, it doesn't make sense to me that either james or erin would even come close to ending up with someone else in canon. the world is big! the network of people they would get to know would only grow as they got older, and with that, their serious romantic options.

in my fic world, derrygirlstrash and i have talked a lot about an OC in someday that we developed together, faye, being a good fit for james. i have come to love clare/faye so much that i don't really feel attached to the idea of james/faye, but i do think faye was a good fit for james in a very specific moment of his life in someday. maybe if circumstances had been different, both at the beginning and end of their relationship, they could have stuck it out.

as for erin - i really don't know! i think it would have to be someone entirely new. in someday, i do write her with an OC, liam, with whom she has a long-term relationship through her early twenties, but i don't think that he's the best fit in any timeline. i think erin chose that relationship for so long because it fit within the story she was telling herself about her life, which is often in conflict with what she actually wants. if james weren't an option, i would want erin to find herself with someone who has no illusions about who she is, good and bad, and loves her because of it, who is willing to call her out when appropriate, and supportive of the path she chooses while grounding her through it. and i think they'd have to be someone with very strong ties to northern ireland. i feel like i've just described how i see james and erin's relationship, which is why i think they're a compelling ship to begin with, but if it's not james then definitely someone new who i haven't dreamt up yet!

[aunt-grandma]

What I Listened to in August 2024

1. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT—Billie Eilish

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: BIRDS OF A FEATHER

• Least favorite song: CHIHIRO

2. Younger Now—Miley Cyrus

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Miss You So Much

• Least favorite song: Rainbowland

3. Sincere—Khalid

• Rate: 6.5/10

• Favorite song: Adore U

• Least favorite song: Dose

4. 21–Adele

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Don’t You Remember

• Least favorite song: I’ll Be Waiting

5. Gloria—Sam Smith

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Love Me More

• Least favorite song: Six Shots

6. eleven achers EP—Nemahsis

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: immigrant’s tale

• Least favorite song: suicide

7. Tell Me You Love Me—Demi Lovato

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite Song: Cry Baby

• Least Favorite Song: Sexy Dirty Love

8. Wasteland, Baby!—Hozier

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Almost (Sweet Music)

• Least favorite song: Shrike

9. Snow Angel—Reneé Rapp

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: I Hate Boston

• Least favorite song: Willow

10. Deeper Well—Kacey Musgraves

• Rate: 6/10

• Favorite song: Lonely Millionaire

• Least favorite song: Anime Eyes

11. Plastic Hearts—Miley Cyrus

• Rate: 9.5/10

• Favorite Song: Angels Like You

• Least favorite song: Gimme What I Want

12. Bird’s Eye—Rayvn Lenae

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Love Me Not

• Least favorite song: 1 of 1

13. Calico—Ryan Beatty

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Little Faith

• Least favorite song: Hunter

14. Chaos Angel—Maya Hawke

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Okay

• Least favorite song: Dark

15. hell is a teenage girl EP—Nessa Barrett

• Rate: 6/10

• Favorite song: the one that should’ve got away

• Least favorite song: BANG BANG!

16. Tiny EP—Sifa

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite song: 2009

• Least favorite song: The Truman Show

17. MAYBE SOMEDAY IT’LL ALL BE OK—Clinton Kane

• Rate: 7.5/10

• Favorite song: ONE MORE DAY WITH YOU

• Least favorite song: I WISH I COULD HATE YOU FOR BREAKING ME AND CALLING IT LOVE

18. NOIRE EP—Avenoir

• Rate: 9.5/10

• Favorite song: TRACK 02 (Dangerous Lover)

• Least favorite song: LINK UP

19. Cathexis—Bambi Thug

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Doomsday Blue

• Least favorite song: Bye Boy

20. The Death Of Summer & Other Promises—Etta Marcus

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite Song: Theater

• Least favorite song: Skin Parade

21. Retired from Sad, New Career in Business—Mitski

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Class of 2013

• Least favorite song: I Want You

22. Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land—MARINA

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Venus Fly Trap

• Least favorite song: Flowers

23. IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT EP—Tristan

• Rate: 6/10

• Favorite song: let’s hope i move on

• Least favorite song: Last Girl on Earth

24. Deadpan Love—Cautious Clay

• Rate: 7.5/10

• Favorite song: Bump Stock

• Least favorite song: Box of Bones

25. Lychee—BENEE

• Rate: 6.5/10

• Favorite song: Beach Boy

• Least favorite song: Make You Sick

26. What’s It Like?—Sure Sure

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Sedona

• Least favorite song: Good Thing

27. if i could make it go quiet—girl in red

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite song: Serotonin

• Least favorite song: You Stupid Bitch

28. Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever)—Noah Kahan

• Rate:10/10

• Favorite song: Dial Drunk

• Least favorite song: Your Needs, My Needs

29. Downers Grove EP—Kevin Atwater

• Rate: 6.5/10

• Favorite song: Caleb

• Least favorite song: christopher street

30. Unaired EP—Hozier

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: That You Are

• Least favorite song: Nobody’s Solider

31. This Is How Tomorrow Moves—beabadoobee

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: This Is How It Went

• Least favorite song: Post

32. Emotional Creature—Beach Bunny

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite Song: Weeds

• Least favorite song: Love Song

33. For Lovers—Lamp

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Out On Sunny Sunday

• Least favorite song: Words of Love

34. Underdressed at the Symphony—Faye Webster

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite Song: Underdressed at the Symphony

• Least favorite song: Lego Ring

35. Cape Elizabeth EP—Noah Kahan

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: A Troubled Mind

• Least favorite song: Anyway

36. Inner Light (Phase 1) EP—Kid Bloom

• Rate: 7.5/10

• Favorite song: That’s What Happens

• Least favorite song: How to Breathe

37. <ASSEMBLE24>—tripleS

• Rate: 7.5/10

• Favorite song: Chiyu

• Least favorite song: Non Scale

38. Camp Nowhere—Peach Tree Rascals

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite Song: OOZ

• Least favorite song: papá

39. All The In Betweens—Syd Franklin

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Stay

• Least favorite song: Liability

40. Butterfly Paradise—Jessica Domingo

• Rate: 5.5/10

• Favorite song: Things Unsaid

• Least favorite song: Keep On Loving You

41. The Alternate Ending EP—Liza

• Rate: 5.5/10

• Favorite song: In The End

• Least favorite song: Shades

42. Fantasy Girl EP—Olivia Escuyos

• Rate: 9.5/10

• Favorite song: Change Your Mind

• Least favorite song: Fantasy Girl

43. CHAPTER 4: The End EP—Madeline The Person

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Watercolor Flowers

• Least favorite song: Things I Carry

44. Comedy & Tragedy: Act 1 EP—Catie Turner

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: God Must Hate Me

• Least favorite song: Control

45. Made By These Moments—The Red Clay Strays

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite song: On My Knees

• Least favorite song: God Does

46. eternal sunshine—Ariana Grande

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite Song: don’t wanna break up again

• Least favorite song: yes, and?

47. A Cheetah Hunting In Slow Motion—Chloe George

• Rate: 4.5/10

• Favorite song: Outward

• Least favorite song: Glad You Came

48. War + Raindrops EP—iyla

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Juice

• Least favorite song: Power (I)

49. THE ALCHEMIST—Qveen Herby

• Rate: 5.5/10

• Favorite song: MAGIC

• Least favorite song: MIRROR MIRROR

50. Kansas Anymore—ROLE MODEL

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite song: Scumbag

• Least favorite song: Deeply Still In Love

51. Violence EP—FIGHTMASTER

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Bad Man

• Least favorite song: Hot Shame

52. Freak Show EP—ALT BLK ERA

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite song: Misfits:SOLAR

• Least favorite song: Freak Show

53. Fatherless EP—Cinnamon Babe

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Loose

• Least favorite song: Typecast

54. FAIRY PHONK—Banshee

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite song: SADIST

• Least favorite song: cant get u out of my head

55. MY MASOCHISTIC MIND—Siiickbrain

• Rate: 7.5/10

• favorite song: Idols

• Least favorite song: Three Eyes

56. GOLDEN HOUR: Part.1 EP—ATEEZ

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite song: WORK

• Least favorite song: Shaboom

57. SMITHEREENS—Joji

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: NIGHT RIDER

• Least favorite song: Feeling Like The End

58. Solar Power—Lorde

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Mood Ring

• Least favorite song: The Man with the Axe

59. Every Sun, Every Moon—I’m Glad It’s You

• Rate:5.5/10

• Favorite Song: Lost My Voice

• Least favorite song: Big Sound

60. Short n’ Sweet—Sabrina Carpenter

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Slim Pickins

• Least favorite song: Sharpest Tool

61. 私をしも—mei ehara

• Rate: 5.5/10

• Favorite song: The Night Is Over

• Least favorite song: Next Time

62. Revisit—VIDEOTAPEMUSIC

• Rate: 6/10

• Favorite song: Nomozaki

• Least favorite song: Susaki (Flotsam)

63. Chemtrails Over The Country Club—Lana Del Rey

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Let Me Love You Like A Woman

• Least favorite song: Yosemite

64. Juggernaut:Alpha—Periphery

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Psychosphere

• Least favorite song: The Scourge

65. 21st Century Hippie EP—Bebe Wood

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite song: Timed Test

• Least favorite song: Bubblegum

66. i’m somewhere out there EP—Michael Cimino

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Stay The Night

• Least favorite song: MAKE ME WANNA DANCE

67. OMR—Omar Rudberg

• Rate: 7.5/10

• Favorite song: Que Puedo Hacer?

• Least favorite song: Coast Side

68. Trouble In Paradise—Chlöe

• Rate: 6.5/10

• Favorite Song: Might As Well

• Least favorite song: Rose

69. Eve—Precious Pepala

• Rate: 6.5/10

• Favorite Song: Pls Cheat On Me

• Least favorite song: Bubble Wrap

70. Poetic License EP—Janani K. Jha

• Rate: 6/10

• Favorite song: Library Card

• Least favorite song: Two Roads

71. Deep Love EP—KOIAI

• Rate: 5.5/10

• Favorite song: A New Picture

• Least favorite song: One Way or Another

72. alloy—Mellows

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite song: Candy making

• Least favorite song: himitsu closet

73. Gone—Clyde and the Milltailers

• Rate: 6/10

• Favorite song: Keys

• Least favorite song: Next Year

74. Entropy—DeathbyRomy

• Rate: 6/10

• Favorite song: No Mercy

• Least favorite song: I Don’t Believe in Anything

75. Matriarchy—girli

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite song: Overthinking

• Least favorite song: Feel My Feelings

76. black cat—PISSKISS

• Rate: 5.5/10

• Favorite song: white lighter

• Least favorite song: black cat

77. Love Lies Bleeding EP—Love Spells

• Rate: 6.5/10

• Favorite song: Out My System

• Least favorite song: Someone Like me

78. CHAOS NOW*—Jean Dawson

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: GLORY*

• Least favorite song: 0-HEROES *

79. = —Ed Sheeran

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite Song: Bad Habits

• Least favorite song: Be Right Now

80. I Don’t Know How to Explain It EP—Michael Cera Palin

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: If It Makes You Happy

• Least favorite song: Southern Comfort

81. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah—Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

• Rate: 7.5/10

• Favorite song: Over and over Again (Lost and Found)

• Least favorite song: Let the Cool Goddess Rust Away

82. Western White Pines—Colby Acuff

• Rate: 6.5/10

• Favorite song: Rollin’ With the Wind

• Least favorite song: Boy and a Bird Dog

83. Broom—Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

• Rate: 9.5/10

• Favorite Song: Anne Elephant

• Least favorite song: Pangea

84. How Many People How Many Dogs—Yes Ma’am

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Paradise Lullaby

• Least favorite song: The FTRA Took My Baby Away

85. Anomalies in the oddity space EP—The Poles

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Oddities

• Least favorite song: Space Kids

86. Toy—Patatoi

• Rate:7.5/10

• Favorite song: Shade

• Least favorite song: Vanish

87. Hard Times/ Bad Trips—Pity Party (Girls Club)

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite song: Stuck on u

• Least favorite song: Something bout u

88. Isotope EP—Wasia Project

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: To Get Better

• Least favorite song: Takes Me Back Home

89. Holy Water Branch—Brennan Wedl

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Bag of Bones

• Least favorite song: Mt. Saint Paul

[itsurmove]

●◇●◇Introduction! ○◆○◆

-ken/kenzie, 18, he/him, blk

- probably undiagnosed autistic

-httyd/jttw superfan + dragons as a whole, yugioh (obv)

-jid, faye webster, tyler tc, the pillows, kagamine len

-(breakcore, indie pop?, whatever ! Open to reccs)

-mostly using this to read fics and maybe someday write (if it ever escapes my notes app)

Byf : I easily misunderstand things n might need you to reword it, pls be patient w me n my idiocy

Please don't use they/them on me if you forget my prns! It makes me uncomfortable. I understand if it's a failsafe, but i might just block you if its too much

Dni : <16y/o, Proship, L--i/Sh--acon, yk the deal,

[get-kratioed]

Re-reading this analysis now makes me curious about Kratos' interactions with Grýla; given their shared experience of death from their loved ones (Faye & Angrboða's parents) and similar relationship with their sole family member (Atreus & Angrboða), I can definitely see Santa Monica taking this route where Grýla can mend her relationship with Angrboða in future releases, especially since she and Kratos are going to be a family one day after Atreboða's wedding.

This can happen if Angrboða joins Atreus on his search for the lost Giants in upcoming releases/DLCs while Kratos can stay behind and provide support to Grýla during her grieving process with the guidance from Faye's (+Týr's) wisdom.

Grýla's arc could represent a significant yet minor progression in Kratos' journey of becoming into a benevolent God as Faye knew he would achieve through the principle of "opening your heart" while Grýla slowly reconciles her relationship with Angrboða through the guidance and principle of "being better."

While Kratos facilitated the mending between Grýla & Angrboða, Faye, in understated manner, helped the reconciliation of their relationship by imparting her wisdom to Kratos with the importance of "opening your heart" & "being better," in which, allows Kratos to apply those teachings to Grýla throughout her grieving process combined with Týr's therapeutic methods.

Santa Monica, throughout the Norse era, demonstrated through their portrayal of female characters that women can heal and find healthier methods to navigate their emotional issues with outside help. Change is one of the core themes in GOWR…

Kratos: "Angrboða. You are the last Giant left in Jötunheim?" Angrboða: "No, actually. My grandmother, Grýla, she's um, not really one for visitors, but she's still here. She's helping me forage at the moment." Mimir: "After all you've done, lass, she must be so proud to have a granddaughter such as yourself." Angrboða: "She— She might be. Someday."

Regardless of Angrboða's choice to accompany Atreus on his journey, it's not too late to give Grýla the help she deserves since she too is an victim of Odin's genocide. Tending to Ironwood and its animals, much like nurturing her own grandchild prior to their estrangement, could serve as her therapeutic practice and crucial step to healing, in which (and very likely), could almost parallel to Kratos' tender care for Speki & Svanna (+Fenrir) during Atreus' absence in post-Ragnarök.

Overall, this would be a perfect opportunity to explore Grýla's recovery and her relationship with Kratos for DLCs (or any form of media). If women can achieve fulfillment in the world of GOW(R), then so can Grýla! Both she and Angrboða deverse the chance to heal together after everything they went through.

Maybe one day, Grýla would witness the remarkable achievements of her granddaughter she never imagined from the sidelines. Angrboða defied the expectations set by her prophecy by forging her own legacy as she and Atreus become leaders of Jötunheim, reuniting their people, restoring their culture, and most importantly, she's involved with Atreus' life (which Grýla, especially Angrboða herself, believed she had no part in Loki's prophecy prior to their first meeting) as they build their own family through their mutual love...and following their reconciliation, Grýla would tell Angrboða, face to face, and say "I'm proud of you."

𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍: In Icelandic legends, Grýla and her family have a house pet infamously known as the Yule Cat, who lurks in snowy countryside throughout the holiday season and eats people who don't receive new clothes (or without new clothes in other versions) before Christmas eve.

For GOW, I imainged the Yule Cat was found by Freya (ref. to Freyja's association with cats) and/or Angrboða and were given to Grýla as her therapy pet, and much to everyone's surprise, both Grýla & Yule Cat bonded over their similarities!

Yule Cat tolerates Fenrir, but seems to hate Atreus for some reason much to Grýla's amusement (it tried to eat him alive at one point).

Most importantly, the reconciliation between Angrboða & Grýla (along with Yule Cat's involvement) would benefit Hel in the future. Considering Hel's background in Norse Mythology, she would have the support she needs from her extended family (including Sindri if he and Atreus reconciled), and most importantly, doesn't have to suffer through a similar angst like her parents did. ^^

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐋𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐆𝐑𝐘𝐋𝐀 & 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐃𝐀 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐊𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐒 & 𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐔𝐒

A little reminder that Grýla had never once addressed her own granddaughter's name and instead used "girl" to not only degrade Angrboða but as an attempt to detach herself from her sole family member while keeping her granddaughter at a distance, this familiar dynamic between Grýla and Angrboða closely resembles the relationship between Kratos and Atreus back in 2018.

𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝟗/𝟒/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑: Credits to @/averagehellraiser for the screenshots!

While Grýla had cared for Angrboða from afar, Kratos does the same for Atreus before and throughout the occurrences in God of War (2018). The only difference lies in the death of Angrboða's parents, especially Grýla's son, causing the rift between them at a time when they could have found solace together and healed through their shared grief. By contrast, Faye's death strengthens the bond between Kratos and Atreus, allowing them the opportunity to reconcile their strained relationship.

[krusekis]

Although, a part of me feels if V and So Mi were parents, it would be like Kratos and Faye with V as Faye. Basically this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLVZLBlrUQ4

Unfortunately, I haven't played God of War yet to better compare them, maybe someday though :)

[meteodrives]

i.     sushi  —  cocoon . 

          may you be where you wanted .  oh ,  we talked about it after one or two beers .  [ ... ]  all the worst days are just buried into the snow .  holy water ,  plastic flowers ;  in the end ,  you got just what you were running after .

ii.     cherry tree  —  the national .

          you're sharp alright ,  but no one is asking so leave it alone .  [ ... ]  loose lips sink ships .  don't look at me ,  i'm only breathing .  don't look at me , i'm indiscreet .

iii.     honest  —  the neighbourhood .

          patience ,  test my patience .  if i made it too hard for you ,  maybe you should've changed it .  i hope you find a way to be yourself someday .  in weakness or in strength ,  change can be amazing .  [ ... ]  i wish you could be honest .

iv.     eventually  —  tame impala . 

          if only there could be another way to do this ,  cause it feels like murder to put your heart through this .  i know i always said that i could never hurt you .  well ,  this is the very ,  very last time i'm ever going to . 

v.     black flies  —  ben howard .

          comfort came against my will & every story must grow old .  [ ... ]  maybe you were the ocean & i was just a stone .  so here we are .  & i don't wanna beg your pardon & i don't wanna ask you why ;  but ,  if i was to go my own way ,  would i have to pass you by ?

*      ◞      @shinramade            |​            ♫ !

i.     what once was  —  her's . 

          & now i'm still hangin' on. i was at the end of every tether ,  waiting for what once was .  tell me all the important stuff :  what's your favorite color ?  what makes you so tough ?  please don't let go when you've had enough .

ii.     i know you  —  faye webster .

          i'm here regardless of the pain .  don't ever tell me to go away from you .  when we're old & have to leave the earth ,  i'll still remember all i've learned from you .  i know you .  

iii.     the devil's tears  —  angus & julia stone .

          he offered me the universe but ,  inside my heart ,  there's a picture of a girl .  [ ... ]  & she's as much apart of this broken heart ,  but broken bones seem to mend .  i'll taste the devil's tears ,  drink from his soul ,  but i'll never give up you . 

iv.     reflections  —  the neighbourhood . 

          where have you been ?  do you know if you're coming back ?  we were too close to the stars .  i never knew somebody like you .  [ ... ]  maybe it's a blessing in disguise :  i see my reflection in your eyes .

v.     say yes to heaven  —  lana del rey .

          give peace a chance .  let the fear you have fall away .  i've got my eye on you .  [ ... ]  if you go ,  i'll stay .  you come back ,  i'll be right here .  like a barge at sea ,  in the storm ,  i'll stay clear .