#melody lau

[manyfandomocs]

OC Introductions

Alright here's some new OCs plus a bonus one that conceptualized as I was writing these out whoops (and I'm gonna tag @daughter-of-melpomene since Dolly knew about a little about Aimee and gave me literally all 4 FCs for the 911/911 Lone Star ocs)

OUAT

Aimee Grimard (Charithra Chandran FC), Gabriella Lang ship. Known as Elisabeth Barbot in the Enchanted Forest, her father was a merchant that angered the Evil Queen and her home was burned down and his ship was lost at seat. They had to move to the countryside and work on a farm, where she explored in the woods and found a deserted castle where she met Suzanna. In Storybrooke, she lives and works on the docks, helps out at Granny's and does storytime sometimes for Mary Margaret. When the curse is broken, she remembers Gabriella but Gabriella doesn't remember her

9-1-1

Rowan Buckley (Jake Borelli FC), Josh Russo ship. A cousin to Maddie born a year after Daniel, he also wasn't a bone marrow match. So when his parents died and his aunt and uncle took him in just after Daniel passed, he was also sworn to secrecy to never talk about him. He and Buck weren't very close when they were young as their parents focused more on Rowan as the replacement son for Daniel and Rowan was always very unsure how to be around his cousin, Maddie was pretty much their in between. When he was 18, he left home to go to college for pre-med (inspired by everything that happened with Daniel) and moved to Los Angeles, only really talking to his parents and occasionally Maddie until those talks stopped too. Then when he transfers hospitals, he meets Firefighter Buckley for the first time in years.

Kaeden Duan (Harry Shum Jr. FC), Evan Buckley & Eddie Diaz ship. Born and raised in San Francisco, he spent most of his childhood raising his little sister since their parents weren't around like, at all. She lived with him as soon as he was 18 though he was training to be an EMT at the time. Then Alyssa got into college in LA and he moved with her, which leads to him meeting the 118

9-1-1: Lone Star

Mariana Diaz (Jaina Lee Ortiz FC), Marjan Marwani ship. Though her brother Eddie was always her hero and she missed him while he was in Afghanistan, she knew he was having problems. Especially after Shannon left him and Christopher. So, she encouraged him to leave Texas. Screw their parents. And Mariana, she threw herself into her work after that. Fighting fires, that's what she was good at. And then Owen Strand calls her. Her captain knew him and when he was looking to rebuild the 126, he recommended her transfer. So she accepted.

Melody Lau (Melissa O'Neil FC), Paul Strickland ship. Ever since she was young, Melody knew she wanted to help people. But her family couldn't afford to send her to college so, she looked to the police academy. She passed with flying colors, her only issue was getting employment. Melody started applying anywhere she could, and Austin was the only one that accepted with enough time for her to move. She quickly became friends with Carlos Reyes, and soon meets the 126

The Bright Sessions

Lucas Bramwell (Cody Christian FC), Caleb Michaels ship. A Class B, Level 6 Atypical, he has the ability to control plants. He's been with Dr. Bright for about six months now after being recommended by Agent Green, he does go to school with Caleb but neither have realized the other is an atypical or a patient of Dr. Bright's as he typically stays away from sports and they only share a couple of classes. After he meets Chloe when he's touring her college, he slowly gets more involved in what the AM is really doing and with Caleb

Aurora Decker (Danielle Campbell FC), Samantha Barnes & Mark Bryant ship. A Class C, Level 8 Atypical, she has the ability to turn invisible. She's a recent patient of Dr. Bright's after she saw her ad, Aurora has always had a hard time controlling her ability which has caused her to have problems in her job. She meets Sam with Dr. Bright's plan to sneak into the AM and they grow closer while on the road trip to look for Mark.

Billie Foster (Alexandra Daddario FC), Robert Gorham Damien ship. A Class A, Level 5 Atypical, she has the ability of clairvoyance. An older patient of Dr. Bright's, she's helped her get her level down a lot and while Billie probably could get away with stopping her sessions, she's almost afraid to for reasons she doesn't say. She meets Damien when he's waiting around after her session to see Dr. Bright and though Billie didn't like him at first, he kept finding her and talking to her

Laurence Mercer (Tyler Hoechlin FC), Robert Gorham Damien ship. A non-atypical that works for the AM under the name Agent Poirot, he gets moved from DC to Boston to work with Agent Green and through that he unintentionally meets Dr. Bright. But it's through an accidental meeting with Chloe at a coffee shop that he ends up meeting Damien, who initially dislikes him and Laurence tries to keep a distance, but it doesn't quite work for the two of them

[goldfades]

weee need Luka dad! x reader!!!!🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

Your daughter is dramatic. Luka swears she gets it from you, but you know better—she gets it from him. It’s in the way she stomps through the house in her light-up sneakers like she’s got somewhere urgent to be, the way she argues with her father like a seasoned lawyer, her little brows furrowed in defiance, hands on her hips.

Most of all, it’s in the way she throws herself onto the couch now, spine melting into the cushions like she’s just been dealt the worst hand life has to offer.

“We have to go,” she says, voice lined with desperation. “Mama, we have to.”

She looks at you with those wide blue eyes, Luka’s copy-and-paste, but softer, rounder—more dangerous. She knows how to use them, too, lashes fluttering with the kind of precision that makes Luka grumble under his breath about how unfair the world is.

You humor her, pushing her curls away from her face. “Go where, baby?”

She gasps, appalled that you don’t already know. “To see Sabrina Carpenter!”

Your lips twitch, but you hold back the laugh, nodding along like this is Very Serious Business. “Right. Of course.”

This is her thing right now. A month ago, she wanted to be an astronaut. Two weeks ago, she was practicing her model walk in the hallway mirror, demanding that you and Luka call her Gigi Hadid. And now? Now, it’s Sabrina Carpenter. She’s been watching music videos on repeat, humming melodies under her breath, twirling around the kitchen like she’s waiting for someone to roll out a red carpet.

You turn to Luka, who’s sitting at the kitchen island, scrolling through his phone, blissfully unaware of what’s about to hit him.

“Baby,” you say sweetly, watching him glance up with suspicion. “Wanna take your girls to a concert?”

Luka squints. “What concert?”

Your daughter, already exasperated, huffs loudly. “Sabrina Carpenter!”

Luka blinks, expression blank. You swear you can see the loading symbol in real time. “…Who?”

Your daughter’s jaw drops. “Daddy,” she whispers, horrified. “How do you not know?”

He shifts uncomfortably, looking between the two of you like he’s just realized he’s outnumbered. “I—what? I don’t know her! What she do?”

Your daughter gasps again, clutching her chest like he’s just struck her down. “She sings Feather!”

“That’s supposed to mean something?”

Your daughter turns to you, pleading. Luka looks at you, helpless. And you? You’re just enjoying the show.

You let the silence stretch for a moment, just to watch Luka suffer. He looks between you and your daughter like he’s missed a crucial piece of information, like maybe he should know who Sabrina Carpenter is but has somehow failed a test he didn’t know he was taking.

“She’s a singer,” you finally say, taking pity on him.

“Uh-huh,” Luka nods, still clearly confused. “Like…Taylor Swift?”

Your daughter lights up at the name drop. “Yes! She opened for Taylor! But she’s also her own person, Daddy.”

Luka scratches his jaw. “So she’s like…baby Taylor Swift?”

Your daughter makes a sound so offended, so deeply wounded, you have to bite your lip to keep from laughing. “Daddy, no! She’s Sabrina! You have to know who she is!”

Luka looks at you for help, and you shrug, enjoying this way too much. He mutters something in Slovenian under his breath, rubbing a hand over his face like this is somehow harder than an NBA game. “Okay, okay,” he sighs. “You like her, you want to go to her show. When is it?”

Your daughter is already scrambling for the iPad on the counter, fingers flying across the screen as she pulls up the concert dates with the urgency of a stockbroker watching the market crash.

“She’s coming here next month!” she announces proudly. “And we need to go.”

You expect Luka to hesitate, to ask more questions, to try and find a way out of this. But he just looks at her—his little girl, the light of his life, the tiny human who has him wrapped around her tiny little finger—and sighs in defeat.

“Okay,” he says, nodding. “We go.”

Your daughter shrieks in delight, launching herself at him, her little arms barely making it around his broad chest. Luka catches her with ease, lifting her up like she weighs nothing, pressing a loud kiss to her cheek.

“You’re the best, Daddy!” she beams.

Luka groans dramatically. “I know, I know.”

But you? You know this is just the beginning. Because Luka might have agreed, but he still has no idea what he’s signed up for.

That night, after your daughter is asleep, you find Luka on the couch, scrolling through his phone with a deep frown.

“Alright, what’s wrong?” you ask, plopping down beside him.

“I look her up,” he says, turning his phone to you. Sure enough, Sabrina Carpenter’s Spotify page is open, her discography in full display. “I don’t know a single song.”

You press your lips together to keep from laughing. “You could’ve just asked me, you know.”

“I try to learn!” he says, exasperated. “So I don’t look stupid at the concert. But all these songs…‘Feather’? ‘Espresso’? What is this?”

“They’re hits, baby.”

Luka narrows his eyes. “She sings about coffee?”

You snatch the phone from his hands and press play. Instantly, the opening beats of Espresso fill the room, bright and bubbly, and Luka’s face twists like you just gave him a pop quiz in a language he doesn’t speak.

“This?” he points at the phone. “This is what she loves?”

You snort. “Luka, she’s six. She thinks Bluey is the height of emotional storytelling.”

Luka exhales loudly, dropping his head against the back of the couch. “I’m not ready for this.”

You hum, settling against him. “You weren’t ready for Barbie either, but you ended up loving it.”

“That was different,” he argues. “That was a movie. This is a concert. A bunch of screaming kids. Loud music. And you know what’s worst?”

You raise a brow. “What’s worst?”

Luka gestures vaguely. “She’s gonna want merch.”

You bark out a laugh. “You mean like the five different Luka Dončić jerseys she owns?”

He glares at you. “That is different.”

“Is it?”

Luka groans, rubbing his temples like he’s already exhausted. “I just—why can’t she be into something normal?”

You tilt your head. “Like basketball?”

“Yes!”

You smile. “Luka, she already loves basketball. But she also loves pop music, and Barbies, and dressing up, and changing her mind every two weeks. That’s the fun of being a kid.”

Luka sighs, but you can tell he’s softening.

“And,” you add, nudging him. “You love making her happy.”

That gets him. He grumbles something under his breath, but you see the fond smile tugging at his lips.

“So,” you tease, “wanna hear Feather next?”

Luka groans, but he doesn’t stop you from playing it.

And as much as he pretends to suffer, you don’t miss the way his foot starts tapping along to the beat.

[temis-de-leon]

You just have to keep trying

Characters: Mammon x gn!MC

Main Masterlist

C/W: first kiss. There's alcohol involved, but they're both completely conscious about what they're doing. OOC I think, but I'm literally half-dead from sleep right now

A/N: I'm planning on trying to post something else this weekend. This is just a sleep-deprived little treat <3

.

The night had been frantic, although MC doubted they would remember half of it in the morning and caring seemed useless; despite the sweat, the loud cheering, and the music piercing their eardrums, their smile was wider than ever before. They’d never felt happiness so pure in a long time, maybe ever, and if their heart dared beat any harder, it would surely come flying out of their chest.

Not even their fingers behaved properly, seemingly too eager to touch, grab and never let go and, judging by the neediness in Mammon’s embrace, it appeared he felt the same. Both of them were trying to absorb as much as possible from the other.

Did he always smell this good? His perfume had almost worn off, but the essence was still there and, after such a long night full of drinks and cocktails, he’d gained a certain sugary scent mixed with the bitterness of human alcohol.

“Now you can enjoy the party too!” all the brothers had said hours ago while presenting the obscenely wide selection of bottles.

And enjoy MC did.

They were about to enjoy it again, actually, with their bones vibrating to the rhythm of the music and their breath shattered in excitement, when Mammon suddenly put his hands on their shoulders and stared at them. His cheeks were blushed and his eyes showed softness, something only they were allowed to see, and, adding that to the affection with which he was rubbing circles into their skin, MC was finding it extremely difficult to breathe properly.

“So…” he started, his whisper barely audible under the synthetic melody from the dancefloor. They nodded encouragingly, urging him to keep going. “Did you like it?”

“Did I like it? Hm, let me think…”

“C’mon, don’t be like that!”

MC chuckled at his feigned exasperated expression, mindlessly giving themselves the freedom to intertwine their fingers behind his neck. Mammon dropped his hands in return and hugged their waist to bring them closer. Leaning in and showing him just how much they had liked their first kiss was a strong temptation, but the need to tease him was way more powerful.

“I give it a solid 8 out of 10” they finally said, exaggerating an academic tone to make the joke clear. He gasped in surprise and MC fought hard to hide their smile. “Might’ve been better if we weren’t interrupted”

Which was completely true.

The music had been nothing but spectacular the whole night and their feet already hurt from all the dances they had shared with all of their demon friends in those long hours, especially Asmo, so of course it was fate that the Avatar of Lust would be the one to open the storage closet door just in time to see his older brother finally asking MC permission to kiss them after a heartfelt declaration of love.

“Damn Asmo…” the demon muttered under his breath. Then, turning as fast as a switch, he hid a cheeky smile under a hand and dramatically rolled his eyes, as if doing MC an immense favour. “Let’s have another one, then”

“You can only have one first kiss with someone, dummy” they chuckled, taking a strand of his hair between their fingers and wondering if they really cared about the specifics.

“Then we start over”

He broke the contact between them, leaving MC cold and lonely despite being a mere metre away in a storage room with no open windows or AC.

“Listen well, human!” Mammon exclaimed in a theatrical tone, one hand to his chest and the other gesturing elegantly in the air. “I am the Great Mammon, Avatar of Greed, and I was wondering if you could… maybe… y’know, like, let me give you a kiss…?”

MC’s eyes were open wide in surprise, but still, their smile occupied half of their face. They launched forward while laughing in delight and excitement, landing on his lips but unfortunately clashing their teeth together.

“OW!”

“Well, that was a straight 5”

“It was your fault entirely, idiot!”

“Let’s try again, then”

There was a beat of silence where, they could swear, both of their hearts stopped at the same time. Multicolour lights drew the outline of their faces from underneath the door and the music made the glasses on the shelf tremble, but MC couldn’t stop looking at him.

“Maybe this time I have to be the one to do it” they muttered, their focus shifting completely from his blue eyes to his partially opened lips. “It’s obvious you’re awful at it”

.

.

Taglist: @ilovecandys2010  @ollieoven @kingofspadesdelusion @whimsybloom

[winchesterwild78]

A Soft Goodbye

Master List

Characters: Jensen x reader

Warnings: Loss of a pet by euthanasia

A/N: This past week has sucked. I had to write this to help process my grief. We came home Monday and our sweet dog was in distress. We got her at 6 weeks old and she was almost 16. We took her to an emergency vet and they explained there was nothing they could do. She had undiagnosed cancer that had spread to her brain. I was angry because we took her to the vet regularly for checkups and yearly physicals. The emergency vet explained the cancer was very aggressive and that’s why it wasn’t detected. Needless to say we had to make a decision. I held my sweet girl in my arms even after her last breath. My heart is so broken, so writing helps. I did change her name, because every time I wrote my baby’s name I cried.

To anyone who has lost a fur baby I am so sorry for your loss and I’m here for you. I hope this story helps a little.

MDNI 18+

The hum of the set faded as I finally stepped into my quiet house. Flickering porch light, familiar creak of the door. "Willow?" I called, the sound swallowed by the stillness. Usually, she'd be a furry blur, tail wagging a welcome. Tonight, silence.

I found her curled in her bed, breathing ragged and shallow. Her eyes, usually bright and full of mischief, were clouded with pain. Panic seized me. Fifteen years – she'd been my constant, my shadow, my confidante.

"Jensen," I mumbled, my fingers flying across my phone screen. He answered on the second ring, his voice warm, a stark contrast to the icy dread gripping me.

"Hey, everything okay?"

"Willow… she's… I think she's really sick. Can you… can you help me get her to the emergency vet?" My voice trembled.

"I'm on my way."

He arrived in minutes, his presence a solid anchor in my swirling fear. He gently scooped Willow into his arms, her small body limp against his chest. The drive was a blur of red lights and choked sobs, Jensen's hand resting reassuringly on my knee.

At the vet, he carried her inside, his strength a stark contrast to her fragile form. They whisked her away, and a nurse led us to a small, sterile room. Jensen followed, his hand finding mine, his grip firm and comforting.

The vet's words were a hammer blow: "Inoperable cancer… spread to the brain… quality of life…"

The world tilted. I stared blankly, the words echoing in my ears. Jensen squeezed my hand, his eyes filled with a shared grief.

"We need to make a decision," the vet said softly.

Time dissolved. I crumpled, a broken doll, falling into Jensen's arms. He held me, his shirt becoming a damp canvas for my tears, his voice a low, soothing murmur, repeating words I couldn't quite grasp.

"It's okay," he whispered, "It's going to be okay."

But it wasn't. It couldn't be.

The vet returned. "Have you decided?"

"Yes," I choked out, my voice barely a whisper.

They brought Willow back, her eyes dull but still holding a flicker of recognition. I held her close, her fur soft against my cheek, whispering all the things I'd never said enough.

The needle pricked, and I talked, my voice a broken melody of love and goodbye. Her head rested on my chest, her breaths slowing, then stopping. The vet confirmed, and I sobbed, a raw, primal sound of loss. Jensen held me, his arms a safe haven in the storm of my grief.

Leaving was agony. I handed Willow to the nurse, her small body weightless in my arms. Jensen thanked them, his voice thick with emotion, and guided me to the car.

I collapsed, half in, half out, my body wracked with sobs. He was there, instantly, holding me, whispering words of comfort, his presence a balm to my shattered heart.

The next few days were a blur of tears and emptiness. Jensen was there, always. He brought food, sat in silence, listened to my rambling stories about Willow, and held me when the grief became unbearable. He was a constant, a steady presence in the chaos of my loss.

In the midst of the pain, a realization dawned. It wasn't just the on-set chemistry, the easy laughter, the shared jokes. It was him. His unwavering kindness, his quiet strength, his genuine empathy. In the face of my deepest sorrow, he'd shown me the true depth of his character. Jensen Ackles wasn't just a charming actor; he was an extraordinary human being, and I was beginning to see him in a whole new light.

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[yuujispinkhair]

Sukuna gave up on love years ago. But somehow, your eyes and your smile are all he can think about. -> This is part of my Blog Anniversary Event. A sweet anon requested the song "Lovebug" by the Jonas Brothers.

Pairing: Modern!CEO Sukuna x Reader (female) Genre: fluff Word Count: 700 Warnings: Mentions of alcohol. Sukuna and Reader meet as business partners, and feelings spark between them. All characters are of age. Minors don't interact.

God, it's ridiculous!

Sukuna slams his vodka glass down on his desk, laughing and shaking his head. He isn't a sentimental person. He isn't one of those fools who let their emotions get the better of them. He knows love is more trouble than anything else, and he isn't chasing it anymore. He decided years ago to stop doing that. No, Sukuna hasn't been looking for love for a long time.

And yet, all it took was one business phone call followed by an afternoon and a dinner spent with you, and now he can't stop this weird feeling from spreading through his chest. He sees your smile even when he closes his eyes. He still smells your perfume even though it can't linger on his skin after such a short moment of holding your hand and bringing it to his lips to kiss it.

It is highly ridiculous. And irresponsible. And foolish.

He swore off love. Swore off everything that could tear down his walls. And he is good at this, brilliant even. No one can see beneath Itadori Sukuna's mask of arrogance and indifference!

And yet your eyes looked at him with that knowing look. As if you could see right through him. As if you knew.

You treated him differently than the others. Your eyes didn't stray to his expensive watch or his car keys. You didn't order the most expensive meal off the menu when he said he would pay. You didn't act mysterious or slutty or any of those other things the others did, who were always so calculating, so desperately trying to fit into the image of the perfect doll, not realizing that it only made them seem fake.

There is nothing fake about you. You didn't hold back your laughter during dinner. You didn't worry about smearing your lipstick while eating. Your makeup was light, and the eyeliner applied a bit crookedly. It made his heart do a flip somehow. You didn't shy away from sharing a huge dessert with him, smiling and rolling your eyes in pleasure at how delicious it tasted. He had chuckled in genuine amusement and joy when you pushed a spoonful of ice cream towards him, telling him he simply had to try it.

So light. That's it. He feels so light when he is around you. It's as if all the small and big stresses of his busy CEO life just vanished into thin air, and instead, the sun is shining on him, and he can breathe in clear, fresh air.

He catches himself smiling as he thinks of how you snorted with laughter about one of his dry comments. Usually, none of those women laugh about his humor. And it's not just that you think he is funny. You replied with the same humor, making him laugh too.

He sighs and turns off his computer. It's late at night. Time to go home and get some rest. But not before he grabs his phone and types a quick message to you, thanking you for the lovely evening and wishing you a good night. He only hesitates for a small moment before he adds, "I would like to see you again. I know a place with even better dessert variations for two."

He is surprised by the smile he spots on his face in the mirrored walls of the elevator when he receives your reply, telling him that you would love to share a dessert with him again.

A catchy love song starts playing on his drive home. The type of song that Sukuna usually finds annoying and which would lead to him changing the radio station. But not tonight. Tonight, he lets it play, and maybe he hums a bit in tune with the melody. Maybe he feels a little fluttery sensation when hearing the lyrics about freshly found love.

Maybe all he can think of are your eyes and your smile and how good it felt to sit there with you and talk and laugh and not even realize how many hours had already slipped by, so caught up in his conversation with you. So caught up in your eyes.

He isn't someone who catches feelings easily. He thought for a long time that he had managed to become immune to all of this.

But does a man who is immune to falling in love hum along to a stupid catchy lovesong? Does a man who gave up on love smile to himself while he pictures your laugh?

Maybe the lovebug bit him after all. And maybe he is glad it did

Thank you so much for participating in my event! I hope you enjoyed this little story!! I am swooning so much thinking about spending a flirty business dinner with CEO Sukuna aww!!

Comments and reblogs would be sweet!!

[fayewongfuzao]

[TRANSLATION] Faye Wong in real life is unexpectedly funny (A Day Magazine 2024)

by NY C.

Faye Wong has always been a mysterious figure to the public. We all know that she has a heavenly singing voice but we have never had a grasp on her private life.

This is not only because Faye Wong lives a low-key life, but also because of her introverted and aloof personality. She never likes to reveal herself, she doesn't even talk much, and she always gives people a quiet and ethereal feeling. However, Faye Wong actually also has a very playful and cute side, and her humorous moments make people love her even more.

Faye Wong back in the day even told an obscene joke on a TV program

No one probably ever thought that they would hear a dirty joke from Faye Wong in their lifetime!

When Faye Wong appeared on "100% Entertainment" in 2005, she said she loved "collecting jokes" and was asked by Little S [Dee Hsu] to tell a joke on the spot. After sharing two cute "corny jokes", Faye Wong said: "A fortune teller said to a lady, 'Miss, you are unlucky, you are wearing a bad omen (sounds like a bra).' The lady said, 'Then can I take off the bad omen?' The fortune teller said, "No, even if you take off the bad omen, you can't escape life's [two big breasts]."

After saying that, not only did everyone in the studio laugh, but the hosts also praised Faye Wong for being so cute. However, the innocent Faye Wong still asked, "Was that funny or not?" It turns out that the heavenly queen, who is full of aura on stage, is just a gal who likes cracking jokes off stage.

Only said a few words in an acceptance speech but has a sense of humor

When Faye Wong stood at an awards podium, she seemed to have a magical power that made her extra cute and funny. At the Taiwan Golden Melody Awards one year, Faye Wong won the Best Mandarin Female Singer Award. As soon as she stepped on the stage, she was asked by the audience and the presenters to "say a few words."

Faye Wong said in her speech: "I know that I can sing, so I give full recognition to the Golden Melody Award judges for their recognition of me. Thank you."

Her super confident and straightforward speech is really missed these days. On the other hand, it would be difficult for modern Hong Kong singers to have such a cool attitude!

The outspoken Faye Wong repeatedly teased Jacky Cheung and Takeshi Kaneshiro

Faye Wong, who has a straightforward personality, has also caused interesting awkward scenes for her partners on the awards stage.

In 1995, she and Jacky Cheung were presenters at the Golden Horse Awards. After his opening remarks, Jacky Cheung started to go off script and [jokingly] said that he was in a bad mood because he was nominated for an award that night but did not win. I thought that Faye Wong would say something to comfort him, but instead she said, "I'm sorry, but this award still has to be given out. And it's not the first time you've been "hit" [setback] like this, is it?" Faye Wong is probably the only one bold enough to openly ask "The God of Songs" Jacky Cheung such a question!

On another occasion, Faye Wong and Takeshi Kaneshiro paired up to present an award. Takeshi asked her if she knew the blockbuster art film that year, but Faye Wong said, "Which one? I really don't know." Takeshi Kaneshiro was stunned for a moment.

After Takeshi explained that it was he who starred in "Tempting Heart", Faye Wong said, "I think that's a good title for a movie. It's called "Tempting Heart", so the audience is moved by you… But the problem is, the judges weren't moved." A blunt line of teasing. How could Takeshi Kaneshiro, who has always been shy, respond?

The so-called "coldness" is just Faye Wong’s protective camouflage

In fact, in private, Faye Wong's personality is very straightforward and cute. Her close friend Carina Lau once shared that when they would sometimes make special appointments to meet, they would just sit in a quiet daze and it wasn't awkward to not say anything.

The reason why such an interesting gal is called "cold" and "mysterious" is probably because she was born in an era when "superstars" were popular. A heavenly queen like her had to maintain a sense of distance in order to allow fans to fantasize.

In addition, when living in the entertainment industry, if the person reveals too much, they seem to become uninteresting. Then the public no longer wants to pay attention or discuss them at all. Therefore, Faye Wong's aloof image is likely just a protective camouflage for her in this circle.

(SOURCE)

[sunnysaystuff]

written for @saintcursemicrofics april prompts

prompt : 2. letters

words : 745

rating : G

title : silver eyes

this ac inspired me so much the full thing is ermm...1.5k...sooo...I truncated it,...,,,,. fic incoming. is canon compliant !! features Mary post obliviation

1982

.

Mary sits at her boyfriend's marble kitchen table and takes out a pen. It's a lazy afternoon on a drizzling Sunday, and Mary's mind is cloudy. There's something on the tip of her tongue—a name. She's been having strange dreams lately: a pale face; silver eyes. Wild hair. They have met before, Mary and this girl. But she cannot remember when.

Mary thumbs through her book, doodles on her napkin as she sips her coffee. Smoke curls and hisses softly from the open drink, and she inhales. Mary looks down at her napkin and sees—a figure with long, curly hair. It's Mary. And she holds a stick in her hand—what is it?  The doodle's aimed it at—Mary's eyes widen. Pale face. Wild hair. Mary hadn't even noticed herself drawing the girl.

Strange.

Mary finishes her coffee and stands to go toss the container in the garbage. She grabs the napkin, too, and considers—she turns around, and slides it into her back pocket.

1983

.

Now the birds chirp melodiously and the trees' leaves have greened. Mary is near the same as she was in that past drizzling fall, although she's recently sans boyfriend. Except…the dreams have gotten worse. More intense. Each night, she's plagued—a burning house; green lights. A shout: "Marlene!" She has never known anyone named Marlene, but it is undoubtedly her screaming that name.

And she still sees silver eyes; a pale face. This girl has no name, but she haunts Mary's sleep.

Mary laughs with a red-headed girl, runs with a freckled one—Marlene. The girl with the silver eyes dances in her dreams, even laughs. But Mary doesn't know her. She doesn't think she ever did.

1984

.

Winter sinks its teeth into autumn and Mary knows the pieces are going to fall into place. Mary likens her memories to a million-part jigsaw puzzle, of which she has maybe seven components. That's no deterrent, Mary resolves, as she collects more. She's taken to putting sticky notes on the wall opposite her bed in her flat when she wakes up from her dreams—she doesn't have much up; she forgets almost everything by the time she reaches her notes and pen:

Silver eyes again. Can't reach.

I'm going to kill her.

Red hair. Her eyes are green.

Beard and spectacles.

They don't make much sense to her either. 

On a crisp morning, Mary wakes up with a name on the tip of her tongue and a pen in hand. She scrawls on a neon sticky note in jagged marks and rushes to eat her breakfast. She's late for work.

Before Mary leaves, she sticks the note onto her dresser drawer. She's already forgotten what she wrote—but she's going to remember. She's going to remember.

Innocently, it waits for her. Just five words.

They're dead. They're all dead.

1985

.

July 31st, Mary sits up in the middle of the night, cold and panting. The moonlight streams through her window and casts a shadow on her face as she reaches for her notepad. It's become almost routine to scribble these nonsensical fragments of thought down. Today, her fragment is He's five today. She would have been so happy. Mary's no idea who he is, but she thinks she can vaguely remember—a tuft of dark hair. A soft coo. He's an infant, and he's also five. Five months?

Mary shakes off the speculation and sticks this note above her bed. Where there was once four or five notes opposite her, there's a wall of thought that stares her down, intimidating in the moonlit gloom. She's almost glad for its presence—the more she thinks of this strange other world, the more she dreams of it. The more she dreams, the closer she gets to unravelling these visions at their center.

1986

.

It has become clear to Mary that she does not just see images of a world of her own creation. She has eyes that rip two spyholes into the fabric of another life. Sloping fields and laughing skies and imposing towers and grand staircases that all somehow feel like home. Mary pines for it, this life. This warmth. She wants to take out her skeletal, neglected hands and claw it away from this other Mary, this lucky Mary who got flickering fireplaces and ancient towers and bright silver eyes that met hers. She feels the ache of want beating in her chest, and it hurts.

So Mary sighs, takes out her pen, and writes a note.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Nightlife 5

Warnings: dark elements to come. Proceed with caution.

Note: I know what you’re thinking, why the fuck are you doing this? Well, you wanted bouncer Lee and I did too. Also, short!reader, not sorry.

Walking home from the library, you find yourself checking over your shoulder. Each set of headlights has you envisioning the bronze corvette, every shadow of a passerby appears first as Lee's broad silhouette. Your eventual arrival is a relief, but not for long.

You look at your phone as it vibrates. You clutched it the whole way home. You see Lee's message floating below the time. 

"Sup?" Raquel asks as she lazes on the couch.

"Oh, just studying," you answer as you take off your shoes, "feel better."

"Feel like shit," she answers without looking up from her cellphone. "Want some pizza? Was gonna order from Guillaume's."

"Hm, not really hungry," you shrug and your bag slips down to your elbow.

"Fine," she replies glumly, "guess I'll just get a small."

Your phone buzzes again and you quickly forget her disappointment. You flit by the couch and pause at the end. Should you tell her about Lee? She knows more about guys than you.

Your embarrassment gets the better of you. It's obvious you're stupid about boys but admitting it is too much. Besides, she's your roommate, not your friend. Her 'friends' were nowhere to be found when she was drunk at the club.

Your kick yourself back into step and retreat to your room. You shut the door and throw your bag on the bed. You open your messages and skim Lee's texts. Asking how studying went, how you're doing. 

You type in a response, not much different than what you told Raquel. You set your phone on your desk and change into a pair of pj's: polka dot shorts and matching tee. You grab your cell and hop on the bed, dragging your bag closer to take out your laptop.

You turn on the 00s teen drama you ever been binging in passing as your phone rumbles in your hand. You lau back against your pillows. 

'Lazy night, I like it.'

'Class tomorrow. Should settle down.'

You send your evasive reply and turn your attention to the dramatic argument between the sophomores played by thirtysomethings. It isn't long before another text shakes your phone.

'Too bad. Was hoping for a call.'

You stare at the message. You want to say no but you don't want to be rude. You don't answer as you languish in indecision. 

A new text comes in before you can come up with a response. 

'Just a short call. To say goodnight. I had such a nice time today.'

Shit. You don't know how he's persuasive even through text. The walls close in as you desperately search for an easy way to let him down. You got nothing.

'Alright.'

You regret your acquiescence as soon as you hit send. You blow out a heavy breath and look up at the ceiling. You could've just said you're going to sleep, you could lie. No, you've never been good at that.

Your phone chimes with the usual melody of a video call coming in. Huh? You assumed he meant phone call, not seeing you. Oh geez.

You sit up and hit pause on your laptop. You fumble to answer the call and the image of yourself in the corner shows only the top left portion of your face. You pull the phone back and center yourself in the small box, only then taking in the sight of the man that takes up the bulk of the screen.

Lee smiles at you through the camera, "hey, little darling, don't you look cozy."

You blink and give a nervous chuckle, more a rattle in your throat. You gulp as you notice the bareness of his shoulders. Eek. He can't be…

"Like the color of that shirt, can I get a look at all of ya?"

"Um, I don't know," you adjust your grip on the phone, "I…"

"Come on, I'm sure ya look scrumptious, sweet thing."

You tug on your lip. Your head is empty. Painfully so as your heart hammers in your chest. Facing him through a lens is somehow just intimidating as in the flesh.

“Errr,” you glance around cluelessly.

“Go on,” he urges, “just wanna see ya.”

You clamp your mouth shut as an icy wave rolls over you. It’s okay. It’s no big deal. Just your pajamas.

You climb off the bed, jostling the phone and you set it on the desk, leaning it against a book as you back up. You squint at your image in the frame as Lee hums in approval. He adjusts his phone, giving a small peek of the hair along the top of his chest.

“You look delicious,” he purrs, “ain’t you so cute.”

“Thanks,” you reach for the phone and quickly focus the camera on your face.

“The way you lookin’ right now, makes me wanna come over and… snuggle ya,” he smirks, “you’re such a sweet girl, huh?”

You don’t know what to say. You rub your lips together nervously and tug on your ear. He groans again, the image on his end shifting subtly.

“Or you could come over here, hm?” He drawls, “sneak up here, climb in next to me…” his voice grits as the camera shakes, the image of him blurring. “Wouldn’t you like that, sweetheart, you could get on top–” he drones as the angle changes and you see how his shoulder moves, his arm in a steady motion. Oh my, what is he doing?

“Lee?” You squeak in horror.

“I can’t help myself, this is what you do to me,” he growls, “the way I’ve been thinking of you all day. What if I just came there and crawled up on ya–” he nearly chokes, “tuck into you. Bet ya nice and tight–”

“Please, Lee–”

“Say it again, blossom,” he groans.

“Lee,” you beg.

“Mmmm,” his hand falls down, taking the phone with it. 

Suddenly, the screen dims but you can still see shapes through the shadows. The silhouette of his dick as he strokes it, his thick fingers squeezing tight as his voice rumbles in the air. You’re too stunned to say a word, to hit end. You just gape and watch him play with himself.

“You see what you make me do, little darling,” he snarls, “you got me–”

He chokes and spasms, rubbing his cocks as he stammers out a splintered moan. You see the eruption from his tip and hear the slickness as he spreads it up and down his length. You squeal and cover your eyes at last. You’re absolutely humiliated.

“Lee!” You exclaim as you peek through your fingers.

He sighs and fixes the camera, turning it back to his face. His skin is shiny with sweat and a lock of hair hangs down his forehead. His cheeks are ruddy and flushed from his excitement. 

“I hadta, sweet thing,” he growls, “if I didn’t,” he clears his throat, “I woulda had to come over there and do more.”

“Wh-why… Lee, I… I gotta go to sleep. Please. I got class tomorrow,” you plead.

“Mmm, such a good girl. I’ll dream of you,” he says, “hope not too much, the way you got me right now.”

“I’m sorry, I gotta be up early,” you murmur, hoping he’ll let you go. 

“It hurts, blossom, how much I want you.”

“Mhmm,” you look away from the phone, “I…good night.”

He lets out a long exhale, a thick gristle catching in his throat, “night, darlin’. Now don’t you be touching yourself. You save that for me.”

“Lee, I wouldn’t–” you bat your lashes in shock.

“I know, sweet thing, I know. I’m just teasing. You sleep tight.”

You hit end in hopes he doesn’t notice your frown. You throw the phone away from you and plunge onto the bed. You hide your head under the pillow and squeal. You can’t believe what he just did and you’re terrified of what he might do next.

[mittenk1tten]

Gaze smp Branzy Pronouns & Genders

requested?: yes!

Pronouns

circe/cirque , muse/music, sangui/sanguine, devote/devotes, affe/affection , Hea / Heart , di/dice , luck/lucks , bett/betting , red/redstone , bun/bunns , stem/steams, bake/bakes, marsh/mud , gnarl/gnarled , fea/feast , weep/willow , sect/secret, pop/pow , fight/flight , club/clubs, clu/clubs , spae/spades , dia/diamond , calii/calliope , Mau/mauve , Phlo/phlox , pop/poppies , tick/ticket , smoke/shimmer , smo/smokes , smo/kes , shae/shade , hea/storm , carni/carnival , carni/heart , link/lung , flood / fill , sh /shh , sol/lace , sil/lence , dart/dash , punc/chure , masq/arade , vel/vetine , shae/share , wail /woe , woe/woes , ring/rings , bunk/bunker , char/lae , char/latan , stepp/stirr , blood/hound , cat/kit , bake/baked , loss/lost , wander/wandering , sol/solem, nyct/nycto, lau/laurel , rive/river , lull/bye , fae/fade , cilng/grasp , re/peater , rae / stohn , depths/dark , shimmer/shine, oce/cean , lil/lily , belle/donn , sh❣/h❣r , h❣/h❣m , sh♡/h♡r , h♡/h♡m , 🍰/🍰, 💟/💟 , 🫀/🫀 , 🫁/🫁 , 🍎/🍎 🍏/🍏 , 🥀/🥀 , 🎴/🎴 , ♥️/♦️ , 🥘/🥘 , 🎵/🎶 , 🎪/🎪 , 🎲/🎲 🥀/🎲

roule/roll/roulettes/rolls/rouletteself

rue/bee/bees/rubys/rubyself

fla / flan / flanders /fieldself (based off of poppies & the poem Flanders field)

Carniheart

A gender related to carnivals, casinos, lifesteal hearts, the hearts card & your heart and the kick that almost reached the heart upon the first death.

This gender feels like the gush and rush of consuming a heart, the spinning spirals of the bigtop and the rush and adrenaline that pumps through your veins. It's the shuffling of cards across a table and the sound of electric lights under a roulette wheel. It's the drumroll at the start of the act that slows and starts to pick up with your heartrate, that thumps and thuds into a crescendo until talons pierce over your heart, almost rooting past your lungs into your heart.

Starglossic

A gender tied to a fascination with the night, it's deity and lipstick/gloss.

This gender feels like the smooth feeling of putting on lipsticks/gloss and taking long walks in the night, staring at the stars in the swirling nightsky above. A longing to reach and connect with a deity of the night yet you never reach out towards it. It feels like the smear of stardust across your lips as you take a deep breath and start your nightly activities.

Bramblesnatchic

A gender tied to the Bramblesnatch swamp of Gaze smp.

This gender can feel like the hot swamp air and the bubbling lava beneath the marshgrounds, like gnarled trees encompassing colorful buildings. Baking within these houses to the faint melody of a siren, her voice too far to lure but close enough to carry through your windows. The rustle and bustle of feathers in the wind and the haunting squeaks of a bat emerging within the depths of the night. Though despite it all, you are comfortable in this hauntingly eerie woods.

Carniheart - x -- x -- x -- x -- x -- x -- x

Starglossic - x -- x -- x -- x -- x -- x -- x (little out of order)

Bramblesnatchic - x -- x -- x -- x -- x -- x -- x

[manyfandomocs]

The AUs ask game for Melody and Paul? <3

Coffee shop AU: Who is the barista, and who frequents the coffee shop? Melody is for sure the barista and Paul is the one that frequents the shop

Highschool/College AU: Who is the straight-A student, and who’s the backrow slacker? Melody is the straight-A student and Paul is the jock that pretends to need tutoring

Rivals to loves AU: Who takes their rivalry seriously, and who is half in it just to push the other’s buttons? Paul takes it seriously and Melody is half in it just to push his buttons but Paul is still the one to confess first

Enemies to lovers AU: Which one switches sides? Raised as a villain Melody would switch sides

Soulmate AU: Who is eager to meet their soulmate? Who absolutely does not want to meet their soulmate? Melody is eager for her soulmate, Paul does not want to meet his soulmate

Single parent AU: Which one is the single parent? (Alt. if they’re both single parents: Which one is open to starting a new relationship from the start? Which one is never planning on finding love again… Until they meet the other and are instantly smitten?) Single Parents Melody and Paul where Paul was not planning on dating again and Melody was very ready for a new partner orrr Single mom Melody and her very helpful and handsome neighbor Paul

Doctor AU: Which one is the longsuffering doctor? Which one is the patient? I mean, Melody wanted to be a doctor so. Doctor Melody and patient Paul for sure

Bodyguard AU: Who is the bodyguard? Who are they protecting? Which one is secretly pining for the other? Bodyguard Paul protecting Melody who just reeeeally wants to get with him

Pirate AU: Who is the pirate? Who is the member of the royal family who did not sign up for this? Pirate Melody Pirate Melody Pirate Melody (Paul is also a pirate but for a different crew)

Childhood best friends AU: Which one was super obviously in love with the other the whole time? Who was oblivious until they were older? Paul in love with Melody but confused about it because of his transition but Melody is oblivious and also in love with Paul forever

OTP AU ask game

[cocrante]

#13 Bed Sharing

[flufftober 2023]

note: initially, there were two other oneshots on the list (found family - confession), but let's say I had already written a little something about them and for this occasion I'm exploring different scenarios to decide whether to incorporate them into the fanfiction or not :)

tag: @choicesprompts

THE FOOD WAS EXQUISITE, and so was the wine. If he continued to indulge him with all those aromas, flavors, and sugary phrases while serving, he would never be able to tell him "no". Not that this was a bad thing after all, he didn't just want to give him that feeling of control over his life, he hoped to continue to be wrapped in that subtle veil of mystery that still surrounded him, even though it seemed to be getting thinner, and his defenses were slowly coming down.

Maybe it was the wine that was dulling his senses, making him feel lighter, exposed, vulnerable. But in that house, in the company of his lover, there were no dangers. It was fine like this, he could handle another glass of wine, paired with the delicate fragrance of the new dish he had served. The steam tickled him, the spices were a sensual delight that enveloped him with every bite, and the meat was among the softest and most delicate he had ever tasted. The man sitting in front of him had truly peculiar manners, but when he entered the kitchen, he transformed every ingredient into a symphony of flavors, carefully layering and pairing them, creating a story on his palate. That evening, he was tasting the symphony of winter. Assuming winter had a melody or a taste. The only taste that came to Neuvillette's mind when thinking of winter was sugar, but these dishes were all savory, warm, and comforting foods. It was the flavor of people at home, wrapped in blankets as the night descended outside. He would never get enough of those dishes, of the food that left him feeling content and elated. Yet, happiness wasn't solely a result of those dishes, but also of the company and complicity that had developed with the man who had prepared them. During daylight hours, it seemed impossible to him that an old man could still experience such emotions, thinking they were a privilege of young boys who experiment with their peers. He had already had his dose of adventures, he was no longer a young and inexperienced boy. His life had been generous at times, and those memories were just that: memories. So why, in the evening when that man was at home, did he feel like he was burning as if he were a third of his age? He still felt like a schoolboy dealing with his first crush, with the only difference being that there were no more mysteries, and everything was clear now. It was tender of the man giving him a second chance, giving him a new love, more warmth, and kindness that he believed would no longer be a part of his life, nor would he have to deserve them anymore. Hoping deep down that it wasn't too hasty to think this, but he felt genuine feelings for the man who had reignited his life. It was probably too early to talk about love, even though perhaps it was so for the other, but for Neuvillette it was romantic affection. At the moment, it was all he could grant and give, and he knew that Wriothesley was fine taking it slow. Both were no longer young, his man also had a daughter, and they had their fair share of youthful escapades. So what was wrong with taking it all lightly? And enjoying the simplicity of their relationship.

Smiling, he reached out his hand, intertwining his fingers with those of his lover. "Thank you for inviting me" Neuvillette said, gazing affectionately at the man. "You are and will always be welcome" he replied, playing with his fingers as well. "Did you enjoy it?" he asked, noticing that the plate was practically empty. "It was all delicious. How do you make everything taste so good?" he inquired, even though he didn't think he'd get an answer. However, Wriothesley smiled. "Honey makes everything better" he stifled a laugh. "Honey?" a note of incredulity escaped his lips. "Yes, sir" he confirmed. "It draws out the subtlest aromas and nuances of the herbs" he explained, closing his hand over his companion's as if it were a treasure chest closing around its treasure. "It's also an excellent carrier for them, it moves through the meat fibers more gracefully than salt" he continued, although his attention was on the man's hand, caressing the delicate skin with care and attention, leaving Neuvillette only time to breathe with desire, biting his lips still flavored with the taste of the meat. That man enchanted him with every move, word, gesture, he was speechless in his presence, and it wasn't the wine's fault. Whatever he asked, he would have answered yes. "I hope you have some room left for dessert" with that sentence, Neuvillette was brought back to reality. "If you don't mind, I wanted to experiment a little" he kissed his hand, taking his leave for a moment, disappearing into the kitchen, leaving him alone at the table to compose himself. He nervously passed his hands over his cheeks, which felt warm and undoubtedly embarrassed. That man knew exactly what to say and do to have free access to both his heart and soul. He was succeeding, but Neuvillette wasn't stopping him. He wanted to play that masochistic game of languid glances, caresses, and small provocations as well. Although between the two of them, he would certainly be the first to give in, not that it was a bad thing. Many times, Wriothesley had told him that in life, everyone deserves a second chance to love again, and he said it himself, even though he was a divorced dad with a job that occupied most of his life. Yet, he was giving himself a new chance to love and be loved. It shouldn't be the opposite for Neuvillette either. But sometimes, the guilt for a nonexistent betrayal devoured him, still too bound and tied to the shadow of the man who had filled his past. He was caressed by that sweet memory, it wasn't wrong to turn the page. It was right to seek refuge, comfort, and even new love in the arms of others. At the end of that thought, the chef returned to the table with two delightful white plates, each holding a fragrant little cake topped with a whole peeled pear. It was interesting, certainly delicious. The knife sliced through it as if it were made of foam, and the taste of the wine in which the pear was soaked didn't diminish its sweetness but rather enhanced it. And the cake on which it lay wasn't chocolate as his eyes had deceived him, it was something else, sweet, aromatic, fruity—a spice he couldn't quite grasp. After all, he barely used the supermarket's rosemary; everything else was alchemy. But that delicious cake spoke for itself. If winter had a symphony, it was enclosed in those dishes, and if love had a taste, it was encapsulated in the tenderness of that little cake.

After the delicious dinner, he helped him clear the table even though Wriothesley had told him there was no need, but he felt obliged to lend a hand. In the kitchen, washing the dishes, they had fun like two children, playing with the foam and the splashing water droplets. The dinner had been perfect, the company even better, but everything has an end, and so did this magical evening.

"Maybe it's the wine speaking for me, but I feel intoxicated when I'm in your company" Neuvillette laughed, holding his hands, just a few steps from the front door.

"If you're so intoxicated, why don't you stay with me tonight?" Wriothesley murmured, moving closer, playing with those fingers he wanted to feel on his cheek.

"It's only a few steps, I can go home by myself" he smiled, secretly wanting to stay and remain there forever.

"I would like you to stay" he kissed his wrist, his eyes never leaving the man's.

"Are you perhaps taking advantage of an old drunk gentleman?" he laughed to himself, drawing near and pressing himself against the body he was now desiring and burning for, suppressing a sigh when the man's lips touched the hollow of his neck. "I could and I'd eagerly do so" he replied to the teasing, moving his lips up to his ear. "But I just want you to stay" he whispered, making himself let go and taking him by both hands, kissing them like lovers do. "You're being unfair" he complained, eager to have those lips on his skin and feel his flesh against his. "You're right" he smiled, aware that he had dared too much and had also aroused himself. "As punishment, I'll keep you in my bed, so I can be embraced by the most beautiful man in all of Paris and the rest of the world" he caressed his face, adoring that so resentful and frowning expression.

"It seems like a victory for you rather than a punishment" he grumbled, playing along with their absurd game.

"Do you agree to stay?" he asked with a candid and hopeful voice, playing with the fingers of his lover's hands. Neuvillette bit his lip, knowing he couldn't deny anything to the man who had managed to capture his heart. "I agree to stay" he granted, moving closer to give him another kiss, and then another again.

[CONTENTS]

chapter 1

chapter 2

chapter 13

↬ masterlist

[jasminelyoko57]

Melody in the Dark (TVB Jade subtitles ver.)

𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃!! 𝕎𝕖 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕌ℕ𝔻𝔼𝔸𝔻!!

The HK VAs of UNDEAD:

Eddie Li Chun-yin (李鎮然) as Sakuma Rei

Domanic Chan Cheuk-chi (陳卓智) as Hakaze Kaoru

Gil Kwan Ning-kiu (關令翹) as Oogami Kouga

Ricky Lau Yik-hei (劉奕希) as Otogari Adonis

[appears]

25th Anniversary

Faye Wong: Eyes On Me (1999.02.24)

While I'm not much of a gamer now, I used to play video games a lot when I was in grade school, and my top two favorite game franchises of all time also reflect two of my favorite video game soundtracks of all time: the original Spyro the Dragon trilogy, composed by Stewart Copeland (and famously, tragically, never officially released in either physical or digital format until very recently), and Final Fantasy VIII, composed by the prolific Nobuo Uematsu, who wrote the music for the Final Fantasy franchise in whole or in part through Final Fantasy XI.

Besides the gorgeous orchestral arrangements that make up the bulk of the soundtrack's sprawling four discs, there was also a notable vocal version of the central love theme. The central romantic story line in FFVIII was a notable game-changer for many young people who might not have found any reason to play video games before, bringing in many new players who would grow up to help expand the demand for alternative gaming, so its importance cannot be understated. The love theme between the characters Squall and Rinoa (and Laguna and Julie/Raine) was sung by ultra-popular Hong Kong-native Faye Wong, one of the most well-known figures in Asian pop culture at the time. Besides a storied career in films, Wong also had a history in popular music, having recorded several of her most well-known albums throughout the 1990s. I'm not sure how Uematsu was able to snag her for this soundtrack, but it created that delightful moment when the perfect song meets the perfect singer. "Eyes on Me" was released in Japan in February 1999, about two weeks after the release of the video game, and is a sweeping love ballad expanding upon the themes heard throughout the game, notably with cues like "Waltz for the Moon" and "Julia" (in fact, Wong is singing as the character Julia in the game, who is confessing her feelings toward Laguna during a performance). Wong's voice is lithe enough to keep the song light and sweet, rather than moody, which is perfect for the tone of the game, which is exciting, occasionally dangerous, and sometimes sad, but never dark or grim. There are many beautiful instrumental iterations of this theme throughout the game, but the song plays in its full vocal glory only twice: once toward the back half of the game, and again with an expanded orchestral arrangement upon the game's completion. They're all fantastic.

The single's c/w track is "ACACIA no Mi," a ballad composed by Jim Lau, this time sung in Mandarin. It's a pretty, though somewhat anemic, slow number that fits the mood of the disc, but of course comes nowhere near the grace and beauty of the A-side. The single finishes with the instrumental version of "Eyes on Me."

The single came in standard 3" mini-disc packaging, with the lyrics and credits written on the back of the cover. Not surprisingly, this song ended up being one of the most popular video game songs of all time, second only to Hikaru Utada's "Hikari," written for Kingdom Hearts. It hit #9 on the Oricon chart, which was also pretty impressive at that time for a song from a video game. The entire soundtrack to Final Fantasy VIII is incredible and merits many more words of analysis and praise, but this post is just for the game's most well-known song -- the four-disc soundtrack proper was released one week later. Like the rest of the OST, "Eyes on Me" has aged incredibly well, and still sounds as beautiful as the day it was released, a testament to both Faye Wong's impeccable vocals and Uematsu's bottomless capacity for moving melodies.

Catalog Number: TODT-5271

[ginevrastilinski-ocs]

Glee OCs Masterlist [A-K]

Name: Alaska Devon

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Noah Puckerman

Quote: And you know damn well, for you I would ruin myself a million little times.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Madison Iseman

Name: Audrey Clay

Pronouns: she/her

Story: The Band And I

LI: TBD

Quote: Love yourself, girl, or nobody will.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Barbie Ferreira

Name: Benjamin Evans

Pronouns: he/him

Story: Untitled

LI: TBD

Quote: Any you've got a smile that can light up this whole town.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Kit Connor

Name: Carina Fabray

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Rachel Berry

Quote: The very idea that you're too kind, too sensitive, too emotional, too enthusiastic, too loving is bat-shit preposterous.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Aimee Lou Wood

Name: Chrissy Chamberlain

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Tina Cohen-Chang

Quote: I've been so lucky, I am the girl with golden hair.

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FC: Peyton List

Name: Christine Schuester

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Coming Of Age

LI: Finn Hudson; Quinn Fabray; eventual Quinn Fabray & Sam Evans

Quote: I am holding my loneliness and she is a teenage girl with puffy eyes, and I love her more than I have ever loved anyone.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Maisie Peters

Name: Connie Sanchez

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Edge Of Great

LI: Marley Rose

Quote: It's not what you lost, it's what you'll gain, raising your voice to the rain.

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FC: Madison Reyes

Name: Cosette Chamberlain

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Cooper Anderson

Quote: Please don't ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognize everywhere.

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FC: Tilly Keeper

Name: Dahlia Jones

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Brittany Pierce

Quote: She was sunshine, I was midnight rain.

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FC: China Anne Mcclain

Name: Dorothy Berry

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Mercedes Jones

Quote: I'm so tired of being the girl I am.

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FC: Emma Mackey

Name: Dulcie Klempt

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: TBD

Quote: The seats are empty, the theatre is dark. Why do you keep acting?

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FC: Kristine Froseth

Name: Ellie Duke

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Coming Of Age; [Multi]

LI: N/A

Quote: When you grow up, you should be just like you.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Abby Ryder Fortson

Name: Elliott Walker

Pronouns: he/him

Story: True Colors

LI: Rory Flanagan

Quote: I want to be great or nothing.

Pinterest: X

FC: Tom Holland

Dance Team: Charlie Fenlon - Duncan Dayrell - Gigi Collier - Hannah Gloss - Lau Reed - Louis Aster - Rosamund Gaulett

Name: Emmett Dove

Pronouns: he/him

Story: Untitled

LI: Waverly Jones

Quote: Even in my worst times you could see the best of me.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Nicholas Galitzine

Name: Garreth Duke

Pronouns: he/him

Story: Coming Of Age; [Multi]

LI: Emma Pillsbury

Quote: Be the reason someone feels welcomed, seen, heard, valued, loved and supported.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Paul Rudd

Name: Honey Hayes

Pronouns: she/her & they/them

Story: The Band And I

LI: TBD

Quote: I am bitter. I am seventeen. I am searching for the exit.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Sophie Thatcher

Name: Jake Berry

Pronouns: he/him

Story: Untitled

LI: Blaine Anderson

Quote: Be gentle with me. I'm more delicate than I look.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Felix Mallard

Name: Jean St James

Pronouns: she/her

Story: The Rose Song

LI: TBD

Quote: How silly of me to forget that I am the love of my life.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Olivia Rodrigo

Name: Jennifer Glynn

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Linda Berry

Quote: How can I ask anyone to love me when all I do is beg to be left alone?

Pinterest: TBD

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Name: Kathleen Bao

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Artie Abrams

Quote: Just because my dreams are different than yours doesn't mean they're unimportant.

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FC: Lana Condor

Name: Kaylee Hummel

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Sam Evans

Quote: Gonna find the strength, find the melody, 'cause you showed me how to do it.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Danielle Rose Russell

Name: Kipp Hudson

Pronouns: he/him

Story: Untitled

LI: Noah Puckerman; Brittany Pierce; endgame Mike Chang

Quote: Mother says I was a dancer before I could walk. She says I began to sing long before I could talk.

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FC: Milo Manheim

[darkdevasofdestruction]

Chapter 10 - Dearly Departed

"Hao!" Lau smiled. "I haven't expected you could dance with such grace, little Fox Fairy." the man teased her as he played idly with the material of her silk sleeve.

"I've been pestered with dancing lessons since before I could even walk." Katrina joked lightly, continuing to play around to the melodious sound of the zither strings. 

"Western dances are much different than our own." he mused, taking out his fan and unfolding in elegantly. "In England, the focus is on the harmony between the two dancers. In the East, however, the focus is on the Beauty alone." he continued, barely hiding his vague smile. "I must say, Huxian, that you do attract the looks of every man in the room. Perhaps I might need to call you now Fenghuang, the Vermillion Bird herself. "

"Now, now, you're just flattering me, little dragon." she reached out her hand to his own, revealing the dragon tattoo going up from his palm, across his forearm and to his elbow. 

"It is not flattery, but the truth." he rose her chin up with the tip of his fan. "Now then, won't you thrill me with the sound of your voice? Ran Mao praised you a lot to me these days."

"Only if you accompany me, Lau, otherwise, I might be too bashful to perform, all alone." she played coy with with, skittering around in short and elegant steps, like a wild goose taking its flight.

"I will, if you agree to do me a favour." he turned around abruptly. "Of course, I will make sure to pay you back tenfold for your kindness."

"A few days ago, we discussed the possibility of being in mortal danger because of my supposed other-wordly beauty - And now, you are deliberately sending me on an errand?" Katrina grinned, silently stepping being the man, and standing on her tippy-toes, she reached out her arms around his neck, placing her chin on his shoulder. "If my golden dragon promises to watch over me with his protective Eye of Heaven, then I suppose I could indulge in fulfilling a quest for thee."

This lonesome cup of wine The beginning of spring poured at the top The gentleness in my drunken trance Accompanies me again

Lau's voice, softer and more tender than anything Katrina's heard before, felt like honey mean caressing her soul oh so gently as he sang a melody in his native tongue. Were it not for Ran Mao introducing her to this song prior, she would have had no idea of the tragically sorrowful undertone of it, for his voice was that soothing to the ear.

The piled worries blurred I watch the years come and go The reason of my pain each night Are worries that I had once forgotten

Though broken and with a heavy accent, lacking the smooth melodicity that Ran Mao previously displayed as she taught her this song, Katrina, in a tone much higher than ever she sung before, thrilled the tune of a tragic love story. She was never allowed to sing before, and with how she always kept her voice low and soft, she dearly doubted that she had any such affinity. She still doesn't think she's a great singer - Ran Mao is a fantastic Soprano. The first time she hear the woman sing, Katrina started crying, feeling her heart throbbing with emotion and impress for the first time in her life. It was a revelation.

This poem left behind I tear through the paper window Imagining your shadow Wrapped in my yearning

To think that Lau, also had such a tender voice... She wondered what it would be like, falling asleep to him humming a lovely tune. She'll have to try that out. Lau turned to gaze at her, an empty smile like that of a snake painting his features as though he was a nobleman at a banquet, courting the princess. Though the man attempted to reach out and hold her hand to dance, she playfully twirled around, looking like a beautiful peony. 

This once continuous string of love Cannot be locked away forever Now we have turned into Forgotten matters of the past

Katrina continued to dance like a pretty fairy, imitating every move that Ran Mao taught her, to Lau's tune. - Every joint had to move with precise accuracy and discipline, to counter every slow move with a faster one. And smile. Smile, for you are most beautiful when you smile, when you are filled with joy.

Look at the person in the mirror, bright red face turn thin Look at this love and hatred, old and new Look at the lamp bright as the day, with tears drenched Look at who arranged to meet after nightfall

Now standing in front of him, Katrina mimicked the Beauties painted on decorative scrolls, in those coquettish positions, and sang every word like a poem, just like those wonderful ladies at a Peking Opera. Though there was no such thing in England, the many ladies that Lau has in his underground business were so talented and kind with her, so understanding and patient teaching her.

"Fènghuáng, Fènghuáng, wǒ de Huánghòu." the man hummed, gently holding her delicate hands. "Is this how you became the Queen's Fox? One woman, brilliant and talented above all - Such can only be not a human, but a Fox Spirit."

"Oh, no, nothing of the sort! I'm just smart, you see?" she smiled softly. "I had no idea I could even sing. It's all thanks to Ran Mao and all the other ladies you sent to accompany me. Truly, thank you. These days have been the happiest I've ever been."

"Women are supposed to be happy and indulge in their passions." Lau leaned down, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Alright, you flatterer. Tell me about that mission, and I'll tell you what my reward should be, for me to agree to it." though she couldn't see the blush on her face, she could feel the warmth rising.

"Wonderful negotiator, little fox." he hummed softly. "Are you familiar with the concept of a pleasure house? Not those filthy brothels that Englishmen frequent, those are filth." Katrina looked up at him, blinking in confusion and urging him to carry on. "My ladies only entertain the elite; First, with their high caliber art and intelligence, and only further, if they wish, with their bodies. As you already suspect, it's al a rouse for information gathering."

"And you want me to act as a courtesan?" she asked simply.

"Higher. The highest one can get in the hierarchy. The more unreachable and mysterious, the more wanted." he continued. "I have this... Rather pretentious and capricious client that has been upsetting my girls, you see. He comes into my home, though complains that my ladies aren't worth his money, because they are from the East. And I, my darling, want to put an end to my girls' sadness and extort every bit of information that a person of his status can have."

"A'ight, sound like a deal. I'm in. I just have to be pretty and wait for him in my room, yes?" she nodded, agreeing with the plan.

"Attract his attention first. Dance and sing on the stage, do what you like best - You will attract all eyes on you regardless." from his sleeve, he took out a veil, placing it over half of her face; A beautiful pink, sheer and delicate with fragile golden thread. "Nobody will recognise you."

"I see. Blessing the audience with the Phoenix's song. Very well, I will do that..." the woman looked up at him with a smirk; Her gorgeous green eyes only highlighted like gems with the soft red makeup and the gentle eyeliner. "I want you to sing me to sleep."

Lau's eyes opened wide in surprise for a few seconds, before he started chuckling. "Hao! I shall do as you wish... Wǒ měilì de mu lan."

Just as promised, the next evening, Ran Mao, acting as Katrina's maid, took care of her; She did her hair, her make up and dressed her up in the most beautiful outfit. Lau was patiently waiting in the corner of the main room, drinking a little wine, watching the graceful dance of the flower fairy, her lovely melody harmonising perfectly with the flute and the zither. As he expected, men were looking away from the girls serving them, their eyes lingering lecherously on the new lady so different than all the others; Red hair like the feathers of a Vermillion Bird, eyes of the most gleaming green. A foreigner, singing Chinese songs with such an adorable accent. Surely a maiden pure such as herself would be everyone's first target to taint. 

As she finished her enchanting performance, she did a pretty courtesy and followed his sister to the assigned room for her, where she would patiently wait and drink her tea, gossiping with the other woman until the victim would enter her room. It took a while for the said man to walk over to the matron and request the performer with the carmine hair - And oh, how much he had to pay for such privilege! After all, not just anyone can afford to even look the Empress in the eyes, let alone speak to her.

Finally, with an exorbitant amount of money given to the pleasure house, the matron guided the man up the stairs, to the luxury suite of the mysterious lady. As the door was opened, Ran Mao scurried away, just outside, clinging onto her brother's arm, ready to attack when given the signal.

With the veil off and a demure smile, Katrina looked up at the new-comer... Only for a terrified shock to wash over her. "Wh-What are you doing here?!" on the other end of the door, Lau rose a quizzical eyebrow - Did Katrina know this client?

"So this is what you've been doing since you left? Living off as a cheap whore?" Katrina felt her body and mind frozen with terror. "We invested so much money and time into an ungrateful child who ruined everything. What will Edgar say when I tell him his fiancee is a filthy slut who sells her body to the highest bidder? Have you forgotten that you were only worth your virginity? Redmond's family is rich." was it due to past trauma of her scolding, or the image of her being ritualistically sacrificed by her own parents, that she was unable to move even a single inch of her body, nor utter a single word? "Useless child. Why did you have to be born a woman? All you're good for is being traded as a pawn. Status and money."

Katrina almost felt her body trembling with guilt and remorse - What was going on? Why was she unable to react in anyway? This wasn't her - She was reactive, she was a fighter, she spoke up and defended herself. Why can't she do it now? Why isn't she shouting for Lau? Why is she doing anything at all?!

"You're going home right now." her father's strong and fearsome voice made her cringe fearfully. "You're old enough now. Edgar is finishing college in a few months, and when he's done, you're going to marry him." he ordered sternly. "You do know what will happen after that, don't you?" the man huffed, roughly grabbing his child by the arm and harshly dragging her up. "You are going to pop children until you have an heir, and the Viscount's wealth can be divided to us after your sudden and unexpected death."

"Edgar wouldn't do anything to hurt me! He's a gentleman! He's always been very nice to me!" the vibrato of her voice wasn't missed by her father. "Let me go, I'm not returning home! That's not my home, and it never was!"

"Stupid little whore." a small squeak of pain followed by a loud thud was heard, as Katrina's father towered above her, strangling her. "You just had to bring us trouble, didn't you? You're not even worth as a sacrifice. Your mother was wrong, they all were. You're not worth a thing. No demon would ever bother showing up for a filthy wench like you!" no matter how much Kat struggled to free herself of his grasp, how she clawed at his hands, feeling the blood drench her skin, it was to no avail. Was he trying to kill her now? Or was he trying to make her faint and kidnap her home?

Just as Katrina's vision was beginning to blur and darken in the already dimly lit room, the door was slid open and the barbarian was pried off of her. Despite vertigo having captured her senses, she could feel Lau's arms wrapping protectively around her, and Ran Mao's silhouette was standing protectively in front of them, shielding the two with her two chui maces. She was ready to strike. Hard. "Wait, don't kill him!" the red head cried out, grabbing the attention of her lady friend, who could only look in confusion at her. 

"He hurt you." Ran Mao spoke in a mellow voice. "A cat's job is to eliminate rats."

"He's my father." using Lau's shoulder for support, Katrina managed to stand up. "The disgusting client that you wanted to get rid of... Is Duke Raymond, the High Court Judge." she gingerly placed her hand over her neck, feeling great discomfort after being choked like that.

"Not only do you collude with these filthy chinks, but you let that bloody ching chong yellow bastard to fuck you. You couldn't get any lower than that, even if you wanted to." the duke spat on the ground, raising his sleeves up. "Home. Now."

"And people actually question why I ran away from home." Katrina scoffed, and in a rush of fury, she snatched one of Ran Mao's chui mace and hit her father in the head. His eyes rolled in the back of his head and his balance was thrown off. "I already am home." she hit him again, sending him toppling to the ground. "Now die and beg for forgiveness to my brother for killing him." and thus, Katrina maced her father's head until it looked like spilled porridge.

"That's enough." swiftly, her lady friend grabbed the weapon away and threw it away, pulling the red head into a strong embrace. "It's okay. You're safe now. Mou mantai. Don't worry." gradually, Katrina's heavy breathing began to even out in Ran Mao's considerate hug, her mind calming as her hair was being pet. "I'll take care of you. Let's go home." 

Ran Mao didn't give Lau any second to speak, as she dragged Katrina to the carriage and the three of them left for their home. She was taken to her room, where her friend brought over a pretty, thin long sleeping dress for her and shamelessly undressed her, only to stop upon seeing the faded wounds left on her body. She sat on the edge of her bed, her finger tips gently tracing down her skin, making Katrina shiver a little, great shame overwhelming her not from being fully exposed as God left Eve in Eden, but for anyone seeing the flaws of her skin, the discipline and threats inflicted on her by others. "Monsters." she heard Ran Mao grumble, her brows furrowing a little. "Anyone who hurts a woman is a monster." she said, hugging Kat's head to her chest, caressing her hair like a mother would comfort her child. "I will protect you. Jiějiě."

For once, Katrina actually knew what Ran Mao meant. Thought she couldn't quite understand Chinese, she did pick up on enough words in the week spent in the den, after all, and learning poems and songs did help a lot. Ran Mao, who was barely a year or so younger than her, was calling her big sis.  "Xièxiè, wǒ kě'ài de mèimei." somehow, hugging her supposed little sister from a completely different family reminded her of that warm feeling she always had when her older brother hugged her.

It was always such a comfort, seeing his tender smile and his warm words as she held her crying little form after a bunch of harsh scoldings and disciplinary physical tactics to forever damage her body. Didn't they know how important a woman's body was? Her husband could refuse her, if he saw her scars and thought she was ugly. Although... With the Baron having almost killed her in a ritual, and that sadistic Derek being unhinged... It only got worse. If she ever does live past the age written in the book and she has the opportunity to marry Edgar, she truly fears he might end up rejecting her, and she will end up like a discarded broken porcelain doll.

With Ran Mao having taken care of her wounds, fresh or old, she showed a small smile before leaving the girl alone to red in her bed. Incense sticks and fragrances were helming her relax, and the sweet peach wine, along with some sweets were enough to make her feel as if she belonged. She felt comfortable and welcomed, the likes that she hadn't even felt at the Phantomhive manor, where the only saving grace was Sebastian, with whom she played a constant tug of war game, though sometimes, even that became exhausting. It wasn't as though a human could keep a demon's attention for too long, and there was only so much one could play games, before they became predictable.

Whether she lives a long life, or a short one, Katrina wanted to experience all the things she could. It wasn't a smart idea, trying to do everything at once, knowing full well that she might end up screwing everything up anyway. A single girl, barely of age, left to fend for herself in a vast and cruel world. Left to learn everything to survive. A little girl, so terrified of death, that she wants to live ten lifetimes in a few months. How much more tragic can it get, she wondered. What a pitiful existence.

"I wonder if I should write a new iteration of the Ballad of Mulan, in which she actually ends up killing her father." Lau's familiar voice garnered a chuckle from the girl who lazily turned her head to look at him. He, too, was wearing only his sleeping clothes, much lighter and more comfortable.

"That would make for a most dishonorable and highly criticised piece of writing. You wouldn't make much profit out of it. Especially by Confucian ideology." the man, also, chuckled at her reply before unceremoniously letting himself fall on his back on the bed, stealing a few pastries from the tray and dragging from his pipe and letting out a puff of smoke, before offering it to the girl.

"What...? I don't smoke."

"But did you try?" of course, she shook her head. "Give it a try."

"You're a bad influence on me, Lau. You're trying to make me take up vices." she joked, gingerly taking the pipe from his hand.

"I don't see you opposing me too much." he grinned, pulling her into his side, her head resting back on his shoulder. "Careful not to drag too much, you'll end up choking." as if he predicted, she ended up doing just that. Lau chuckled, patting her back. 

"Well, that was a mess." when she stopped coughing, she tried again, but she felt a little confused. "What am I supposed to feel?"

"Nothing, from a single try. Just a few more and you'll feel brand new." he assured her playfully. "Mou mantai, I'm here, aren't I? I know when to stop you."

"Fine, fine." she huffed. "Sorry for overexaggerating today. I forgot that you wanted to interrogate him. I let my emotions dictate my actions."

"Now, now, what are you apologising for? Silly girl. The Phoenix doesn't bow down in front of anyone." he chuckled, watching the soft puffs of opium dissipate into the air. "Thought you might want a little distraction after I put you through all that trouble. Feeling any better?"

"I... I'm not sure. I think so?" she looked up at the ceiling, attentively following the swirl of smoke. "I think I... Feel nothing at all."

"Hao!" he exclaimed. "Now, to turn that blank slate into happiness!" perhaps she wasn't realising it herself, or her brain processed it as normal, but she was smiling, and the look in her eyes was glazed over, as if she was feeling a child-like euphoria, like a little one being gifted a toy for the first time. He brought her into a comforting half-embrace, her head resting on his chest, just under his chin. His hand was gently caressing her body, as if to sooth her into a deep sleep. Lau kissed the top of her head, smiling as he heard a cute little giggle, and as he promised, he would sing her to sleep.

She is lightsome as a startled Phoenix, And he, as graceful as a roaming dragon; Her lovely complexion outshines the autumn chrysanthemum, Whilst his radiance surpasses the springtime pine.

She is as nebulous as the moon concealed in light clouds, Gracefully gliding, as snow spun by a flowing wind. He is gazing at her from afar, She shines like the sun rising above the rosy mists of dawn; Observing her close by, She is as luminous as a lotus emerging from clear ripplets.

��•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

When Katrina woke up, there was no sign of Lau ever being there, though she knew she hadn't hallucinated. Regardless, it was time to return home, and when she did, the Undertaker greeted her with a strong embrace, swinging her around until she got too dizzy to protest. "How come whenever you go somewhere, you return with new injuries, you pitiful girl?" he sighed as he poured her some tea.

"Ah, right, about that..." she lowered her collar, showing off the hand prints on her neck. "My father tried to kill me last night." Undertaker's jaw dropped in shock. "Let's just say... The Queen is going to need a new High Court Judge soon."

"You know you got yourself in huge trouble, didn't you?" Katrina sheepishly scratched the back of her neck. "Didn't I warn you that the Queen likes fox-hunting? With hounds?"

"I overreacted, I know, okay? I got angry, I was terrified!" she rose her tone without realising, only to quickly return back to her seat. "I'm sorry for shouting. I didn't mean to." she muttered, looking away in shame. "I was just... Scared, okay?"

"You are getting reckless, little fox. I hope, the next time I see you, you won't have become the Queen's door mat rug." the poor man must have gotten a century older just by having her to worry about.

"The book didn't say the Queen would kill me." she muttered. "Though, even if that did happen, it wouldn't surprise me. Frankly, I don't think anything would."

"You seem to be in a particularly tragic mood. What ever could have happened?" the man asked, munching on a dog biscuit.

"I just had the best week of my life. With Lau and Ran Mao." she admitted. "I... I was... Happy." she smiled a little. "I guess I just got scared of dying so much... I got scared of never being able to feel this good ever again." her bottom lip trembled a little as she shifted her gaze towards those glowing eyes of the mortician. "I just realised how terrified I am of dying in a few months, without having lived at all." a broken sob escaped her throat.

"If I didn't know I would die so soon, it would've been fine. I'd have just... Died! Like... Like falling asleep - It's fine! But the knowledge that I... That life can just be ripped away from you so unfairly... So cruelly... Not having the chance to live out your aspirations, get a job, fall in love, marry, see the world, have fun with friends, try out new things, learn new languages, cultivate yourself -- What is the meaning of life, if not, to be lived?" she quickly wiped away the tears drenching her cheeks. "I had no room to make mistakes of my own, no room to be wrong, to fail, to grow. Everything I did was dictated by others, as if I'm everyone's marionette on a string, and occasionally, I get a glimpse of the real world and what it's like to be proactive and live out the choice that you make, be them wrong or right, or even neutral -- Only to be strung up by the neck again, and forced in my birdcage."

"You have been living in a mortician's parlor shop for months, yet death petrifies you to the core. My sweet little thing." the Undertaker knelt in front of her, his hands cupping her face. He carefully wiped away the tears, urging her to look at him. "Don't worry. I won't let you die. I promise." he smiled playfully. "Besides, I've got a little surprise for you. A three week trip on a cruise, first class tickets. How's that for an adventure?"

"Are you implying there's anything, at all, that might make being stuck on a luxury boat for almost a month... Exciting?" the mortician smirked widely, cackling.

"Don't you know, dearie, that the most bizarre of things always happen in places seemingly ordinary."

With the Easter holiday in full glory, the Campania cruise began, and the two enjoyed themselves in lavish luxuries for three straight days - Though, who paid for all this, or how was it paid, was still a mystery to her. Regardless, she accidentally met up with Viscount Druitt around one of the dinners, and they had a light conversation, mostly about Edgar and his time at Weston.

With those three days passing, Undertaker taught her a most ridiculous slogan and quite the hilarious pose, that of The Phoenix, he says - If Lau were to see her pretending to be one, he would laugh at the coincidence. 

The complete flame in our chests shall not be extinguished by anyone. We are... The Phoenix!

Perhaps she should have chosen death, instead of this humiliation. "Wonderful as always, darling!" he mocked her, only to wrap his arms around her and twirl her around, fixing her jaw to look in a certain direction. Undoubtly, Ciel and Sebastian were going through the same humiliation she had gone through. Without any bit of shame, both the mortician and his apprentice laughed mockingly at them. "To think you'd ever do something like that!" Undertaker was crying of laughter by now. "Saying THE PHOENIX!!! with such a serious face - Ahahahaha!"

"I thought I was ridiculous, but you -- Both of you -- Hilarious!" Kat also giggled like a little brat, making the young Earl yell at them.

"While it's lovely seeing you - What exactly are you doing here?" Sebastian eyed the two of them with a fixed, empty gaze.

"We're working. Sort of. Mostly him. I'm here to have some fun and help out if needed." Kat shrugged her shoulders carelessly.

"Yes, yes, exactly, that's why my pretty fox is dressed so cutely." the two simultaneously did a cute pose, making the two cringe. "The hospital is a regular customer of mine."

"We're investigating the illegal human experimentation going on here. Do you know anything about the revival of the dead?" Ciel asked firmly. 

"Revive the dead? Ha! What a joke. Is it tied to that mass-buying of slaves from East End?" Ciel nodded at her. "Let's see, let's see... Ah, of course!" Katrina grinned mischievously. "Payment first."

"Yes, how about you do that pose once more?" as if on cue, someone else actually did said pose, with no shame at all. It was the Viscount.

"Sorry, I arranged to pose in my own style. Aren't I so gracious, little kitten? If I knew you'd be here, I'd have told them to let you choose your own posing style also!" Aleister went over to the lot of them, clinking his empty glass with the two new-comers.

In all that commotion, with Druitt getting uncomfortably close to Ciel and claiming that Doctor Ryan could fix the boy's eyes... Kat could only start suspecting that there was more to the Revival of the Dead rumour than she knew. "Huh? Where's Undertaker?" the red head panicked a little, realising that her companion had but disappeared.

"It's starting!" Aleister pointed to the respectable looking doctor on the stage. "That's the founder, Ryan Stoker." before he presented himself, he also did the Phoenix pose, before speaking of the Aurora Society's plan of complete salvation of mankind through medicine.

Respectable doctor, Katrina thought - No, not at all. With the way she was cringing, she felt like skinning herself alive. "We will now show you, ladies and gentlemen, the fruits of our complete salvations of mankind through medicine!" the helpers brought a coffin on stage. They took of the lid, revealing a beautiful young lady, just Katrina's age. Very much dead.

"No way..." Katrina's mind went into a state of panic and alarm, watching the girl that could as well have been her, laying so peacefully on that coffin. Unconsciously, she grabbed Sebastian's hand for comfort, unable to shift her gaze from the lady.

"Margaret Connor, 17. The young lady lost her life at an early age due to an unfortunate accident. It is truly pitiful. An accident that should not have happened. Her death did not only put her, but also, her family's hearts into bad health." Kat watched Margaret's parents weeping, heartbroken, griefing. She felt her own breathing going in disarray. Was this what Undertaker wanted to show her? That reviving the dead was possible, and that, should she die, he could just as easily bring her back to life? Impossible! It can't be! It really can't!

Though Sebastian didn't wish to speak, as to not draw attention to them or disturb the display and speech, he intertwined his fingers with her own, squeezing her hand lightly. "Is the body real?"

Ciel asked. Katrina nodded, knowing from experience, whilst Sebastian approved, from his smell. "The smell of death is so intense that it's causing my nose to twitch."

"Well, ladies and gentlemen! I will show you the power of medicine! Complete salvation!" they applied some electrodes around the skin of her chest area, which they powered with electricity. 

"Frankenstein's Monster and his Bride...?" Kat managed to mutter, looking in complete confusion. 

"Come! Rise from Death! LIKE THE PHOENIX!" Katrina's body almost felt like giving up, watching the body of Margaret slowly raise in a sitting position, her shoulders slumped and heavy. "Take a look! With our medicine, we can even overcome death!"

"She's not alive. She's not alive. She's not bloody alive!" the red head kept repeating, watching in horror as the cadaver of Margaret, being embraced by two happy parents, opened her mouth wide open and took a large bite of her mother's shoulder.

With the tragic event unfolding before their very eyes, everyone fled the scene in complete chaos and disarray. Revealing from their disguise, Sebastian threw his butter knives at the cadaver, hitting her heart - But she still got up. "What on Earth is she?!" Ciel gasped in disdain.

"I'm sure I stabbed her in the heart. It is a being that I do not understand." Sebastian confessed, watching the cadaver stand up.

"Idiots. Both of you." with lethargic steps, Katrina stood in front of a feral Margaret. "Oh, Margaret, Margaret, ever the unfortunate. I am sorry this happened to you - And can only hope that I won't end up like you. You really creeped me out, you know? Poor girl." she shook her head, and in one swift move, she cut off her head in the middle, destroying her brain. Her body slumped motionlessly on the ground. 

"So... The brain...?" Ciel guessed right.

"It is not the heart, but the brain that is the core of any living being. Common misconception, I know. The basic idea is that, if the heart doesn't pump blood to the brain, it dies - But her brain is already dead, you see? The brain works with electric impulses, and those electrodes were put on her heart and brain. The brain dictates the activity of every part of the body... So..." the woman used a drape to wipe the blood and filth off her sword, looking with worry at the two. "Mary Shelley's book became reality, and Doctor Frankenstein brought to life her creation... Though, the monster could speak eloquently, at least. That is, however, not possible, no matter how far medicine goes. I don't think even supernatural magic can reverse death."

Out of nowhere, a Shinigami using a lawn mower appeared to collect the souls of the deceased, complaining that Margaret was already long dead - Though he was surprised that someone guessed so shrewdly the means of defeating the undead. This Shinigami was called Ronald Knox, and he already knew Sebas-chan and Katrina thanks to the gossip of Grell. Awful way to be known.

Unfortunately, the Shinigami also don't know any details about this mess, though they had reports of corpses whose souls had surely been collected, moving around. As the trio were ready to move away and investigate for themselves, Sebastian found himself with his face almost mowed off by the Shinigami. "Are you crazy?! We've got dead people roaming the place, and you're trying to attack the living?! If my unfortunate premonition comes true, and there actually are a bunch of dead people brought on this accursed ship, then a demon is the only thing that could keep the living people safe!" Katrina yelled at the obnoxious brat, only to see the weapon being pushed further close to the demon's face.

"Nahh, can't do that. Shinigami can do the same thing, and better, missy." Ronald smirked wickedly. "If administration gets wind of there being a demon on the board, you betcha they'll be going - Aren't you just hiding the fact that you let the beast snatch all the souls away? - Dontcha think that those kinda false accusations will get me into a looooot of trouble? And I'll totally pass on overtime! So, won't you just vanish?"

"Are all Shinigami screwed in the head, or is it just the reason you and that Ophelia-wannabe get along?" Katrina looked at him weirdly, only to get tugged on the sleeve by the Earl.

"We'll go on ahead! After you're done playing, hurry up and follow me!" Ciel ordered his butler, dragging the Duchess away.

"Will he be alright? That weapon is really nasty." she asked, but Ciel didn't seem to care much. He knew Sebastian wouldn't let himself just die, especially to some lowlife Shinigami.

The Earl got her all the way towards the lowest levels of the ship, where they met not only Lizzy, but Snake also - Silly girl followed them with a piece of cake. He told her to go back to her mother, Aunt Frances, because it was dangerous, but it was too late, another undead already found them. With Ciel only having his pistol, he couldn't use it carelessly. As the undead tried to attack Lizzy, the Earl brought his fiancee away, as Katrina slashed his brains out. Perfect sync. 

Only for Snake, who became the Phantomhive's new servant, showed them that the sigil of the Aurora Society was printed on a shit ton of coffins, being hung everywhere, left, right and center. If those things escape, they are screwed. 

Never mind.

They managed to claw their way out of those coffins.

"We have to get the hell out of here. Now." Katrina and Snake were the first to react, grabbing and pushing at the two younger ones to escape - But they were flooding the exit also.

"Snake, take Lizzy to the top of the luggage, quick!" Ciel instructed his servant. 

"Go up, too. I don't want you to alert them with the gunshots." Kat pushed him away, getting in an offensive stance and slashing away at the approaching undead. "They stink so bad!" she whined comically.

"You work in a funeral parlor, why are you complaining about the stench?!" Ciel scolded her.

"Vixen, come quickly while we restrain them! ... says Oscar." Snake was bent down from the top luggage, offering his hand to her.

"I can't. I have to keep them away from the crates. If they managed to get out of the coffins, with how many they are, no doubt, they could end up destroying the luggage and ambush us." she pointed out. "Snake, don't let your snakes bite them, they might get sick. They only stop when you destroy their brains."

Katrina continued to step around, making sure to make some noise with her echoing heels to confuse the undead. Ciel quickly picked up on what she was trying to do, so he shot his gun in the opposite direction - Only to gasp, seeing that none had reacted at all, and their theory went down the drain. "Katrina, they can't hear either!" the boy shouted at her, seeing her alarmed expression. She was almost trapped.

"Then how are they following us?!" she yelled back, a little annoying that now, of all times, she had to wear a cupcake dress. She should have worn her work clothes - Maybe that way she would have been more agile and fast. Damn her stupid mind.

From the other end of the corridor, the undead there kept biting and scratching and their luggage, and nothing that Katrina did could hinder their obsessive attention from destroying that crate. She only got heavily surrounded. "I'll definitely protect you, no matter what happens!" she heard Ciel hugging Lizzy protectively, bracing for the impact of the crate falling down.

"How admirable, Young Master." Sebastian's amused baritone voice called smoothly through the chamber. "That's how an English gentleman is supposed to be." the butler's mock-praise earned a bratty comeback from the Earl as Sebastian quickly killed some of the undead closer to the red head. "And so I should be also, following my Master's suit." the demon picked her up in his arms, leaping away from the abominations as he placed her in a safe spot. "I, also, protect My Fair Lady." his eyes turned fuchsia, rejoicing in the way his kitten's face burned pink like a pretty flower - He could feel how entraced she was with him, even after spending days away with other men.

"Don't just stand about - Clean them up already!" Ciel yelled at his distracted butler, who simply smirked, unwilling to look away from that cute and innocent expression he managed to get out of the little Duchess.

"As you wish." 

Like a blood-thirsty beast, unhinged, lusting for blood, the demon unleashed the second death upon the abominations roaming the earth without a soul. Snake was shocked at what he was seeing, Lizzy was disallowed to look at the carnage being done in front of her, and Ciel was reliving past traumas still haunting him.

But Katrina was different. 

Splattering crimson, a dancing demon, with a wicked grin on his face and glowing eyes, ripping away at rotting flesh, drowning the place in darkness and sin.

For the first time in her short life, Katrina felt her whole body glowing aflame, and her heart was pounding shamelessly against her chest. Katrina felt arousal, watching the gleeful demon massacre and destroy away at the human husks of what once were living beings that threatened their own.  Why did she feel so attracted to that smiling face, so innocent and pure, painted carmine with the blood of the deceased, as though he did nothing wrong in the world? Why was she pulled towards him, unable to escape the magnetic force?

She could marry Edgar, who was treating her so tenderly. She could continue courting with Lau, who was understanding her like no other, and making her happy. Hell, she might even end up coercing Charles Grey into a most flirtatious teasing dance.

So why, oh, why was she so smitten with an immortal demon, a sinner, a being incapable of feeling the way the heart of a mortal human does? Why was she so taken with a man she could never have? Why was she so hopeless? Was it because she was young and inexperienced, that her heart still managed to dictate her feelings, and ration was often overwhelmed by the overflowing emotions?  No matter how many scientific or logical reasons she made up - The truth still remained - That no other man could make her heart beat the way he does.

After changing his gloves, Sebastian was allowed to help Ciel and Lizzy of the luggage, before returning to Katrina, who was still awkwardly sitting there, in a mesmerised trance. "My Lady, I wonder, what could have caused you such distress? Have I not promised to keep you safe?" he asked in a low voice, whispering in her ear.

"Oh, Sebastian, if only you knew. I fear that not even a demon can save me from this mess." she smiled, bittersweet, craving his touch some more after he helped her down, her heeled boots staining crimson with the pool of blood.

"Be as it may, you must be greatly underestimating my skills, My Dear Lady, and of that, I am greatly saddened." Sebastian lightly teased the woman, though he could see the half-hearted and empty replies and smiles were caused by deep worry.

"It is not your skills that I am underestimating, but my situation that I am overestimating." she chuckled softly, stepping back to the group.

"Katrina, you work with the Undertaker. Did you have any idea of this? Why are there so many of these things on the ship?" Ciel asked, only to receive a negative answer.

"Beats me. I wish I knew. Undertaker never really mentioned anything about reviving people - We just did autopsies and such, you see. But, uh..." how could she explain she was away, studying at an only-boy college, and had no idea what her own master was up to? "I knew that this hospital bought a lot of slaves - He and Lau both told me briefly about this - But, uhm... That's as far as my knowledge goes, unfortunately." how could she tell them that she feared Undertaker's obsession with the cycle of life and death got her worried?

"I propose that we ask him." Sebastian threw a few knives in the direction of the hiding, terrified doctor Ryan.

"I-It's not like that! That was an incomplete-complete salvation and -- I didn't plan on reviving them in this unhealthy state... Please listen to me, I'm in a hurry, and... Ouch!" the demon, with a smile on his face, immobilised the doctor, hindering his escape.

"No need to be hasty, there is plenty of time until we reach New York, so we'll listen to your story leisurely." the demon threatened so beautifully. "What is it? I already cleaned them all up, so..."

"It's not that!" Ryan snapped at him. "This ship has the latest gigantic voiler with a reciprocating steam engine installed at the center. This place is divided in two sections, the boiler separated them." he continued. "In other words, this ship is divided into a front and a stern - There are TWO freight storages!"

"Please, for the love of - Don't tell me you have more of these freaks stored up in the front freight storage. Please, I beg of you, don't say that." the red head pitifully whined.

"... Ten times as many samples as there were here." the somber answer earned different reactions.

"TEN TIMES AS MANY?!" Ciel was incredulous, Lizzy was depressed, Snake was stunned, and Katrina started laughing almost hysterically.

"I can't believe I'm going to be ripped apart by a bunch of zombies!" she cackled, almost as maniacally as the Undertaker. "Well then, time to get killing~!" she did a weak peace sign. "I need to find Undertaker and that stupid Aleister. I hope they're fine." she muttered to herself.

"Well, this turned into something unpleasant." Sebastian declared with amusement.

"Do you think 'unpleasant' covers it? Even one of those monsters is a hassle... Imagine tenfold!" Ciel grumbled. "Sebastian, go ahead and take my aunt and the others to a safe place."

"What are you going to do?" the butler asked.

"We'd just be a burden. I also have a gun, Katrina has her sword, so we'll be okay for a while. Come back as soon as you're sure they are safe." Ciel ordered the demon, who sprung away, out of sight. "Well then, how about telling me everything? And be brief, because I'm not very patient." with the doctor tied up with a snake, and Ciel's gun at his temple, he was forced to confess all he knew.

He spoke of some kind of machinery that exposes the undead to a special kind of supersonic waves, and it's supposed to inactivate them again. This machine is his his room, first class. "I don't believe that one bit." Katrina huffed.

"Wh-What do you mean?! We tested that, it works!" the doctor defended himself.

"It hardly has any logic to begin with - I get why it's the brain you have to destroy to stop them - But the truth is... No matter the electric voltage you shock the brain with, it won't create an undead capable of... Everything these freaks have been doing; So, naturally, I don't believe that machinery is going to work in stopping them." the red head cut him off harshly. "I would much rather want to know about Aurora Society and why the hell were you so obsessed with resurrection. Is it a religious thing, like Jesus, or what?"

"Regardless, take us there." Ciel ordered, and the doctor took them towards the stairs of the boiler room.

Ryan Stocker confirmed Katrina's theory with the electric current in the brain, and Ciel was left to believe whatever he wanted - Whether the electricity could truly have such an effect, it was up to him to believe whether it was true or not.  He said that a company called Osiris, rumoured to be working on a new drug, bought the technology behind the Complete salvation thing.

Once they reached the turbine engine room, Snake released the doctor as a human was approaching, and with the PHOENIX pose forth, they became friends, and he guided everyone towards the elevator.  In the Second boiler room, they were comforted with the company of more living people, only for a powerful shock to shake the whole ship horrifically, making some of them fall to the ground.

"What was that shock just now...?" as Ciel asked that question, the wall surped and waterfalls of water began flooding the place; the alarm was blaring loudly, announcing the water tight doors closing. "LIZZY, KAT, HURRY UP, WE'LL BE LOCKED IN!" Ciel cried out as the elevator man helped Ryan and Snake to the other side of the door before it continued closing.

"Worst time to wear a heavy dress!" the girls' heavy dresses weighted them down even more, being soaked to the bone, and no matter how much Kat kept dragging and pulling at Lizzy, they were still too far away from the door. "LIZZY!" Ciel cried out desperately, and in a fit of madness, he leapt to stay with his fiance

"You are one crazy little man." Kat found herself laughing weakly.

"CIEL, WHY?!" Lizzy wailed, crying desperately, unable to cope with the idea that the boy she loved so much was facing almost imminent death, just because of her.

"I promised I'd protect you at all costs!" the Earl declared sternly - What a beautiful love story, Kat thought, smiling at how sweet those two are. "Snake! You guys go on ahead!"

"I CAN'T LEAVE YOU BEHIND - SAYS EMILY!" Snake was pounding on the door.

"Don't worry, we'll escape via the duct! Your friends can't be soaked in cold water for too long, right? Go!" Ciel ordered his servant.

"Smile! Vixen! Keats will guide you through the duct! We'll meet up later - Says Emily." Snake yelled, before he, too, departed.

"Yeah, I'll definitely see you later!" Ciel thus grabbed his fiance's hand strongly - He looked at the duct, before frowning with worry at the two girls, soaked to the bone and barely keeping themselves standing up straight, all because of those heavy dresses that were hindering their chances of survival. They were already trapped there because of those garments - Like hell he would allow them to die because of a stupid thing like a clothing item.

"Take off those clothes, now!"

Was Ciel beginning to take over Sebastian's reverend persona?

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[writingalterras]

One Song for Every OC Tag

Thank you @rickie-the-storyteller for tagging me!

Rules; Assign a song that fits the vibe of your OC.

A few of my OC’s originated from music I was listening to at the time, so this should be very fun.

Lord Valthoraxe - Once Upon A Time… A Monster (King Stephen)

Valthoraxe is a broken creature, who has gone through more pain and trauma than any of us could even fathom imagining going through. He’s mentally snapped several times, and has become a monster the world bows before in fear. This song portrays everything I could connect with him, with a perfect title to match. My book is his story, the story of how a great person descended into madness, rose to tyranny, and eventually fell. In the land of Alterra, there was Once Upon A Time… A Monster.

Sir James Honorborn - Sicilian Defense (Rok Nardin)

James is a very mysterious person, who seems like just another goofball side character, but is actually a terrifyingly powerful and immortal master of the arcane, with several spells that have taken him several centuries to write. This song has the same otherworldly charm I imagine him to have, while eventually rising to an energetic and powerful level.

DiamondMan - Selenica (King Stephen)

Diamond is one of the heads of NOVA, specifically NVO, and is a main character of the book. Diamond is actually based on another character from a very close friend of mine who is working with me on the sci-fi aspects of the story, so this song was chosen by him. In his own words, “It fits my character perfectly.”

The Heads of the NOVA Corporation - Virtual Armageddon (Kings & Creatures, Brandon Lau)

NOVA is the primary Sci-fi faction in my world, with 9 people leading it. NOVA is a problem solving company, be it inter-galactic travel through the complex NOVA-Gate Network of wormholes, to the hired extermination of hostile lifeforms. While being a neutral entity that’s held very highly in the public eye, it is also a machine of war that is ruthlessly efficient. This song captures the power and threat brought by it’s autonomous forces run by a nigh-sentient AI.

Melody - Absolute Territory (Ken Ashcorp)

Melody is just a fun little character I thought up, while listening to music and thinking, that will never appear in the final book. I went into more detail about her in a previous post, but in short; She is a half-elf shunned by her race and ends up making a deal with the tyrant, Lord Valthoraxe, for a set of magically enhanced clothing. The outfit vastly amplifies her magical abilities by syncing it up with whatever song she’s currently listening to. Naturally, she prefers to be listening to energetic and powerful songs that pop out, and this one in particular matches her new found self-confidence.

I’d love to write down more characters, but I currently only have the one wip, and these are the only fully fleshed out characters I have so far.

This was a lot of fun, I’ll be tagging these wonderful people to play along as well;

@orionsworldbuilding, @hayatheauthor, @author-a-holmes, @shiversdownyourspleen, and @raventsurara