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elkiyv · 1 year ago

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my good omens 2 thoughts

yes i am crazy i have been waiting since they announced this and i have gomens has literally carried my mental health since 2019 but i have so many beefs with season 2 which made me so disappointed...

ineffable bureaucracy reveal. (BIGGEST GRIPE) im okay with the ship, i like it sometimes. but the reveal was not it. 0 set up to the 2 of them being together. they gave us a 10 min flashback sequence. 0 retention of their original personalities. 0 consequences for their actions in s1 from our main protags (especially crowley) who willingly gives away ALPHA CENTAURI to GABRIEL whose abuse he never got over. Jim isnt gabriel. Crowley should've been stomping gabriels head in when he got his memories back.

beelz and gabriel were so different during their little montage. i felt like i was looking at 2 different characters. Beelz lost their edge. they were so clean and proper. even the makeup--beelz had smooth skin and perfect edgy girl eyeliner. gabriel lost all mean-ness. where did the two's disgust for humanity go? beez actually liking music? a song about love?! i wouldve been happier if the jukebox was playing the sounds of a metal scrapper instead of buddy holly.

if they drank (WHICH GABRIEL IS REPULSED BY) they shouldve been lapping it like a dog with their tongue with the same unfamiliarity of aziraphale eating for the first time.

the dynamic between those 2 should've been two feral dogs going at each other to contrast the soft azicrow love because azicrow's bosses are the extreme opposites of them. the two of them were ruthless and cruel to the point where they wanted to execute azicrow and burn them out of existence. they give no shits about killing children or people or their own workers. what the fuck. they got off scott free without any punishment for what they did to azicrow in the first season. crowley was traumatised by gabriel and you're telling me all because Jim said he couldn't remember and was cute about hot choco that crowley forgave him entirely as Gabriel and not Jim and was willing to give up his creation to him?! really?

azicrow are the 2 beings who understand true love BECAUSE they were on earth. you're telling me that beelzebub and gabriel spent 4 meetings on earth and suddenly found true love and are suddenly SO SOFT and TENDER. really? REALLY? they antagonised azicrow for 6000 years over it to the point where they stalked them and harrassed them and sent people to kill them. augh. i cant be happy about this even though i do like them. it felt so ooc. I feel like they sanitised these 2. i was so disappointed.

i would've been much happier if the two of them were as ruthless and disgusting as they were in s1 and that they were dismissive toward everyone in the "whatre you gonna do about it losers lol middle fingers up to the posers" and if crowley protested somewhat. but no. everyone was fine with it.

2. Inconsistencies and retcons

there are so many set-ups that lead no where or had not so climatic reveals (the words on the matchbox, gabriel's memory word dumps, crowley suddenly wearing glasses in job) but i saw a post theory thing about it being intentional so im hoping it's real because the reveal of it being ineffable bureaucracy all this time !11!! was not it. it was so bad to me.

the retcon of the azicrow garden of eden meetcute... i refuse to believe neil would do that? i mean i loved the new opening meetcute no doubt, but crowley and aziraphale seem to remember the two of them as angels moment from the job scene where crowley says "im not the angel you knew" and idk... it makes me sad that the eden scene was... done over. it was iconic. it was about aziraphale showing a demon he just met love and kindness. not someone he used to know, who he already liked before.

In Job, aziraphale freaks out about being a bad angel because he lied to gabriel and therefore sabotaged gods bet and whatever. but he's already lied to god directly to herself in eden? why is he only freaking out now?

4. Muriel

i love muriel. but i was wondering the whole time why azicrow didnt just lie to her and say that humans who are standing together side by side and smiling are actually in true love. she wouldve believed it. heaven woulved believed it. azicrow know that they are stupid because they actively manipulate muriel like that by telling her that it takes several days to tell. and heaven was like "ya i knew that".

3. Maggie and Nina

i was really disappointed. i thought i was going to love them. i did not. their scenes made me cringe most of the time and i hated it because i felt like i was watching a wattpad fanfiction instead of tv. nina having an abusive partner also felt like a "ohh her partner sucks so logically maggie is her one true love and choice" thing. it wouldve worked without it. i dont care if it's supposed to be a reflection of the azicrow relationship because i felt like it like a cheap portrayal of aziraphale's relationship to heaven... heaven's abuse was subtle until the end where they wanted to execute him.

SUPER SUPER SUPER hated when maggie and nina confronted crowley about his relationship... and that THAT made him realise his feelings. THESE 2 HUMANS ARE INCONSEQUENTIAL TO CROWLEY. THEY DON;T KNOW HIM. HE DOESN'T KNOW THEM. crowley realising his feelings is such a special moment to his character. it wouldve been so much better if crowley realised it on his own. not his murderhobo bosses ""love"", not these 2 rando humans.

Like nina is fine on her own. but Maggie's cringe dialogue is also apparently intentional based on the 15k word essay theory ive seen. i hope it's real. i do so hope this awful character is an edit from metatron.

like why on earth would azirphale let them touch his books or give his books away for them. GIVE AWAY. not just "look". GIVE AWAY. LET THEM BE DESTROYED. why didnt he just miracle more fucking fire extinguishers???????

4. azicrow kiss

i have religious catholic guilt BUT i felt like aziraphale choosing heaven again was so frustrating as a viewer... because we've already been through this before in s1. he comfortably chose "US". i understand the point of aziraphale thinks he can fix heaven for crowley so the two can be together and i know it is probably in line with his character. but idk for me and my friends it was frustrating tv because there was 0 hints of aziraphale still leaning toward heaven. the emphasis of this season was "WE/US"

plus i HATE that it was driven by maggienina/bureaucracy. I HATE IT. i would be less mad if crowley came to the conclusion himself and did it himself.

"no nightingales" is a smashing line tho. really love it.

5. misc

aziraphales halo bomb thing was also a waste. there were 70 demons only and they already killed a hefty bunched. why couldnt he maggie and nina escape further down the floor or can aziraphale not smite anymore either? can he no longer wield a sword? can he not miracle like a wall in front of them? yes crowley loves rescuing him but aziraphale found it necessary to take action with the halo bomb.. idk it was a lil weird to me--such a huge thing for 70 demons.

6. overall

i liked episode 1-5. i liked the first ep maggienine but after that hated it. i loved jim and muriel. i was laughing every episode. i loved the new azicrow interactions we got to see and the flashbacks were so good. i loved that they extended it so we got to have a deep in depth look of them. the 15k word essay did point out sus things like in 1941 blitz having uncovered windows and open lights etc. so i hope it's real and not just ... unintentional bad writing. i just hated ep 6 with my whole heart. it sours the whole season for me.

#txt

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rodr1cks · 4 years ago

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i was lookin thru that prompt list, and i wanted to know if you could write sumn for 82 (i think?), 98, and 100 .. where greg and holly (i just watched the movie last night and i feel like im already forgetting her name) kinda like go out to the skating rink on some middle school date thing and rodrick and reader have to be there for supervision ?? idk, thats just what i thought up lol, you can make changes to it if u want :D

here we are my love! i hope u like<3

no content warnings: pure fluff with a smidge of angst

“Holy shit, Rodrick!” You gaped at the grandiose estate that towered over Rodrick’s van. “Greg are you dating a royal?” You craned your neck back so you could see the blushing boy sitting in the back.

“Guys just be cool okay, don’t embarrass me tonight.”

“Aye, aye, little captain,” you saluted in Greg’s direction.

Then a young girl with shiny, golden hair was skipping towards the van. She was clad in a pink polka-dotted dress and black high top converse.

“So unfair! I did not look like that at age twelve!” You exclaimed, only half joking. She climbed into the van, seemingly unphased by the unruly state of the backseat. She beamed at you and Rodrick, introducing yourself.

The ride there, Greg and Holly entertained themselves, giggling and smiling the whole way. You were honestly proud of Greg.

Rodrick executed a shitty parking job and the four of you entered Rocket Rollers. Greg was surely having flashbacks to Frank carrying him off of the rink full of his peers, including Holly Hills.

The place smelled like stale pizza and socks and neon lights danced on the walls around you. You were hit with an intense wave of nostalgia as memories of your adolescence flooded back to you. You couldn’t help but smile to yourself.

“Remember when you took me here, Rodrick?”

Warm memories filled his head as they did yours just moments ago.

“Of course I do, I remember practicing how to ask you out in front of my mirror,” He admitted, chuckling under his breath.

“Really?” You found it hard to believe that Rodrick, Westmore Middle’s resident bad boy, had a hard time asking you out.

Greg and Holly were long gone, having already found their way onto the rink. Holly was assisting Greg to the best of her ability, though it seemed she had resorted to dragging the poor boy along the slick wood.

You smiled faintly at the sight. They reminded you of yourself and Rodrick oh so many years ago.

The neon lights faded to a soft blue. The music slowed and softened a bit as a voice came over the speakers.

“Alright fellas, grab your favorite gal and get ready for our first slow song of the night!”

You turned to face Rodrick, “C’mon R, we gotta! Let’s enjoy our little double date!”

“It’s hardly a double date,” he motioned at Holly and Greg, “We’re clearly just third and fourth wheeling.” He might’ve been right. The two youths were holding hands and skating along to the mellow music.

You rolled your eyes at him, making sure to be dramatic about it. “We’re going,” you said definitively. You grabbed his wrist and yanked him along to the skates counter. You also pretended you didn’t see Rodrick’s smile from the corner of your eye.

You both hastily tied your skates and headed to the rink. Both of you were roller skate veterans, having obtained plenty of skill from your middle school careers.

Cool air passed over your face as the two of you glided across the floor, reminiscing happily. You expected Rodrick to have sarcastic remarks lined up and ready to fire, but only silence came from the messy haired boy.

His brows were furrowed and his hand was growing clammy within your own.

What is he thinking about?

You tried to brush it off but your mind was racing, you were assuming the worst.

“Y/n, I-I, uhm,” he stuttered.

Oh god is he breaking up with me? Right now?

“W-wanna get milkshakes after this?” He finished.

Was he kidding, all that tension just to propose a milkshake run?

“Oh, uh, sure, Rodrick,” you were more than confused with his suddenly pensive attitude. His stature was rigid and his deep brown eyes were focused elsewhere.

Anxiety buzzed in the pit of your stomach. You were driving yourself crazy trying to think of what he was actually going to say. Rodrick’s mood had switched so abruptly, you had zero time to process the situation.

The ride to the drive-in was uncomfortable. Rodrick was fidgeting in the driver’s seat, still not speaking.

Greg and Holly were sitting a few yards away on a wooden picnic bench. You could practically smell the budding romance from your spot in the back of the van.

Rodrick had opened up the double doors in the back and laid out a blanket so the both of you could sit somewhat comfortably. You sat with your feet dangling from the van, barely grazing the grass below you.

Mindlessly, you prodded at your shake and ignored the slight chill that bit at your bare arms.

Rodrick noticed your slight shivers and draped his jacket around your shoulders. The mixed signals you were receiving from the boy muddled your mind even further.

“Rodrick?”

“Hm?”

“I feel like there’s something you wanted to say to me earlier.”

“Oh, y/n-“

You cut him off with your blabbering, “Because if you wanna break up with me please just do it okay, because I can’t just sit here and-“

He stiffened and grappled at your shoulders. “Baby, why in the world would I do that?”

“Well you got really quiet and kinda closed off I just thought… y’know.”

Rodricked sighed, and you swore you could see a tinge of pink creep over his cheeks.

“Y/n, I-I was trying to tell you I love you without stuttering for the first time.”

Your jaw fell open as you realized your detrimental mistake.

“But we can both see that failed,” He said, sounding utterly dejected.

“Oh, Rodrick,” you cooed. You slid closer to him, resting your head on his chest. His features relaxed and worry fled from your mind. Rodrick’s hand came up to smooth down your hair gently. He placed a soft kiss on your temple.

“I love you, y/n.”

“Look at that,” you grinned. “You did it.”

You allowed yourself to go completely pliant in his embrace, staring up at the twinkling night sky.

“What do you say we get these delinquents home, yeah?”

also i did not proof read this bye

#rodrick heffley #rodrick #rodrick x reader #rodrick fanfiction #devon bostick #diary of a wimpy kid #requests

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starrygalaxy04 · 4 years ago

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Songs That Remind Them of You (MLQC Headcannons)

Victor

Don't Go Breaking My Heart (Elton John)- Victor is a sucker for romantic-style music, and this song is no exception. He can't help but imagine dueting this song with you whenever it plays softly in the background while he's making your favorite caramel pudding.

Adore You (Harry Styles)- He would never admit it, but this man just wants to shower you in affection. His favorite moments are when he gets to hold you in his arms and he can just gaze at you with the insane amount of joy, admiration, love, and unfiltered affection that only you get to see. He's been searching for you for a very long time, and he's going to cherish every second of being with you.

Still the One (One Direction)- He would never admit he ever listens to this song because like hell is anyone going to find out that he listens to boy bands, but this song's lyrics strike all the right chords with him. He loves the message it sends because its the very message he will always reiterate to you when you feel like you're not enough or he could do better. Its you, its always been you.

Lucien

Dark Side (Kelly Clarkson)- This man has a hard time knowing that you love him and are blissfully unaware of the monster that lurks just below the surface. He often finds himself wondering if you would still love him if he were just Ares, or if you would leave after you found out all of the things he had done for the sake of progress. But every time you wrap your arms around him or smile at him, all those worries melt away because he feels true emotion when he looks at you.

Its Gonna Be Me (NSYNC)- He knows that anyone in this world can have you, and it would kill him if you chose anyone else besides him. So he wants to make absolutely sure that he will never even have to think about letting his beautiful butterfly go. He is forever yours, and you will be forever his, even if it takes an eternity for that to happen.

Line Without A Hook (Ricky Montgomery)- This song mainly applies after Lucien no longer remembers MC, because I feel like it accurately describes how he feels. He knows MC doesn't trust him and is purposefully being distant, but at the same time the feelings that the other him felt are slowly trickling in and before long he's wishing that he could fix whatever it was that was tearing MC up so bad inside. And he knows that as he is, he's no good for you. But that doesn't mean that he isn't going to ignore the voice of reason in his head like the other him did and try his hardest to be what he once was for you.

Kiro

Fight For This Love (Cheryl)- Kiro knows that with him being a huge pop idol that sometimes the pressure gets to you. And he wants you to know he is always there and will be there next to you to fight through the thick and thin. He always wants to be with his favorite person ever, and will do whatever it takes to make sure that you're okay and he can be there to experience everything life has to offer with you, and to assure you that you are worth it.

100% Pure Love (Crystal Waters)- True to the name of the song, everything that Kiro feels (well almost everything, if you get what I mean) comes from the purest parts of him. He always wants you to be the happiest you can, always making sure that you have a bright smile on your face. And he knows what you two have is something people could only dream of, and having you in his arms is the best thing that ever happened since he met you again at that convenience store.

Price Tag (Jessie J)- He knows that when you two are together, nothing else matters. He knows you're not with him just because he's Kiro the superstar, but because he's Kiro. The bubbly 22 year-old who has an affinity for sweets and puppies with an adventurous streak. And he knows that if you two are next to each other, you wouldn't need anything else to have a good time.

Gavin

Treasure (Bruno Mars)- Honey, you are the center of this man's universe. He had treasured you since the first day he laid eyes on you, and wanted nothing more than to be by your side. And now that he is, he is over the moon. He may not be able to shower you in lavish gifts like some of the others, but every single moment you two spend together more than makes up from it, whether its a picnic under the stars or a midnight flight.

What A Man Gotta Do (The Jonas Brothers)- This brings back some of his older memories, back from the high school days. He was so shy when it came to you, and he never even knew how to approach you the majority of the time. So he always watched from the distance, wondering what he could do to get you to notice him. The song allows him to reflect on those cringey memories with a smile, and let him enjoy the fact that you were his, even after all that had happened.

Loving You Tonight (Andrew Allen)- This man can't wait to come home and just lay in your arms, or have you lay in his arms. His favorite moments are the ones of pure domesticity, things he never saw between his mother and father when he was younger. It feels so pure and freeing, and just so right. He loves every moment of it, and wouldn't have it any other way.

Helios

Popular Monster (Falling in Reverse)- While Helios is indeed a person, Helios is somewhat of a character that Kiro is playing. Its the side of him that he can't show to the world. He has killed people to protect others, to protect you, and in that way, he's exactly as the title reads, a popular monster.

Therefore I Am (Billie Eilish)- As Helios, he knows that everything relies on technique and execution, so he has completely shut out emotional functions for the most part, except when he's around you. But because Kiro is such a good actor, its very hard to tell. He knows that he's that bitch, and is not afraid to prove it, being blunt about literally everything. But he also knows that you have the perseverance of a God, to the point that its stupid, but as you build the confidence that comes with the identity of your Evol, he sees you growing in a way that he could have never taught you as Kiro.

Cigarette Duet (Princess Chelsea)- Helios knows that he can't associate with you as much as when he was Kiro because Black Swan is a bitch, but one thing he always wants to make sure is that you haven't fallen down and devolved into bad habits. The one thing that didn't leave Helios was his ability to care specifically about you, and even thinking that you would get into a habit that would harm yourself makes his blood boil. So he always makes sure you've remained drug-free and that you see him just enough that it won't get him in trouble and can give you comfort.

Shaw

No Roots (Alice Merton)- Shaw's idea of you is something much like how Victor saw you in the beginning. Someone who thrust themselves into something way over their head and now had to deal with the consequences of it. The only reason he believed you was because he knew of things (the man has his ways) and decided to help you because he found you just interesting enough that he thought it might be fun. But he found himself envying the fact that you didn't have a past in this world, and that you were free to do whatever you pleased without a reputation preceding you. He didn't like the fact that it caused you pain, but thanks to his asshole of a father the idea sounded a little too good to him.

Sad Girl (Lana Del Rey)- Shaw often found you moping around at first, mourning the fact that you had lost everything. But in the end, he was the one who helped you get over it, getting you back to your normal self. He still catches glimpses of that depressed look in your eyes, and always makes sure to lighten up on the teasing when he does see it. He never got the chance to be a kid and grow up properly, so he couldn't fathom exactly how hard it was for you. But he still tried.

White Tee (CORPSE)- We all know Shaw would be more into the punk style, and his music taste is no exception. He likes listening to mostly emo style music, and dabbles into a little bit of everything when he feels like it. However, this song mixes together his anger at the world for giving him such a shit childhood and the fact that with you he feels like he can start fresh. Because even though everyone else falls into the same category with him, you were different, and he wanted to explore that kind of different.

#mlqc kiro #mlqc headcanon #mlqc shaw #love and producer #mr love victor #mlqc lucien #mlqc gavin #mlqc helios

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ruubles · 3 years ago

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A Bundle of Crimson Roses (Pt.1)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Pairing: Chuuya Nakahara x Reader

Warnings: Alcohol , Cursing , Mentions of Violence , Suggestive Dialogue

Word Count: 6,180

Chuuya’s eyes scanned across the scene unfolding inside the dim lit bar: Their vermilion blue watching as the patrons cheered and drank their sanity away with glasses of liquor. The source of their blissful unrest was a woman, her height far surpassing most in the bar as she held up a glass filled to the brim with what seemed to be vodka. Her smile seemed to radiate light even in the darkened room as she poured some of the liquid from her glass to theirs. A smile as pure as the chill that nipped its way through the skin, weaved in and out of view as she passed along the intoxicating drink to the numerous men gathering around her.

Though Chuuya had been to this bar many times, he’d never once seen a person who even reassembled the one passing along the beverage. Most of the time the bar was quiet and filled with a content array of individuals who sought only to drink away burdensome memories, but with every passing moment the number of rowdy men seemed to grow. The time of ease had passed long before he’d arrived, likely some time before midnight, and as the clock scrapped its way past three no one showed any signs of returning to the way it had usually been. He found it very annoying, his peaceful night disturbed by someone who he’d never seen step foot inside the bar he so often visited.

She was tall, towering over most men in the room by several inches, her height without heels would surely surpass six feet but with the added inches she was a head above all. The brilliant black hair bounced in curls as she swayed to the gentle music flowing through the unrelenting chatter of the men, even from afar he could see how well groomed the tassels of hair that fell across her face seemed to be. He could see why the men in the room had taken a liking to her, she was beyond beautiful in comparison to the woman who usually kept to themselves in the corner of the bar: Much like how he sat now, analyzing the woman who’d started this boisterous night so many hours ago. Even though he’d watched her take many a sip from the bottle in her hand, she showed no sign of intoxication, but with every added bit of alcohol entering her system the deep color of rust gleamed brighter in her eyes.

Looking down at his phone, the screen flickering to light in the palm of his hand, he took note of the passing of time. Nearly an hour had gone by since he’d made his way to the table nestled sweetly into the corner of the room, it was the best spot to sit for observation with a clean view of the entire floor. Several message notifications popped up but none important enough to tear him away from this night: Though he was not nearly as drunk as he’d desired to be, he still wished to eventually reach that point. The events leading up to this desire for a heedless night of drinking were long and tedious: Mori had pushed numerous assignments onto his hands, all of which were to be completed before the days end, thus making for a long strenuous day.

Sighing he clicked the button on the side of the device, its screen dying in the palms of his hand to leave only his own reflection staring back. Tiredness fluttered across his expression as he saw the way bags sat unmoving under his eyes and for a moment he contemplated leaving the bar. Had he gotten a second drink when he finished his first then this thought would be far gone, but with only the lightest bit of fuzz trickling through his mind it seemed to ring in the space between his ears. This night had meant to be calm and allow for a bit of relaxation but as the scandalous men continued to slur their speeches of undying love for the woman, it showed no signs of peace.

His head fell back, red hair falling softly atop the black leather of the bar seat as he watched the ceiling so high above head. Raising a hand he blocked the brightest of lights and focused on the ones that had burned out quite a long time ago: They had worked so hard to brighten such a dim shop and yet they were left for dead. It crossed his mind that maybe this would be himself. Chuuya had dedicated his life to the Port Mafia and continued to work everyday under Mori’s substantial leadership, but when the day was done all he could do was bury his head in a bottle of sweet, crimson wine. If he were to die now then all the work he’d put in would be outshined by those who had worked far less but held more natural talent than he: Though he held no plans to die in the near future.

The sounds of music drifted through his mind, gentle notes of familiar jazz bringing back memories of a life before this: One with friends that he’d thought cared dearly for him. Closing his eyes he took in the lingering smell of alcohol floating through the unending stretch of the bar: The spirituous smell of a strong vodka that likely belonged to the woman he’d been watching for such a long period of time. She’d captivated his gaze by so carelessly being able to move through a crowd as large as the one she’d pulled together with her bewitching beauty. Though the people who’d been enchanted by her seemed to have quieted in the short time he’d been resting his eyes.

Lost in a dark sea of thoughts, Chuuya had been too enamored with his own mind to realize the approach of another person. Their appearance at his table only came to light when, with one swift motion, tore his hat from his head. Shooting up his blue eyes held a threatening glare towards the woman who’d stolen his tattered old hat, her (E/C) eyes meeting his in an almost instant connection of infatuation. Sitting atop her nape of silken (H/C) hair was the article of clothing in which she’d chosen to steal from him.

“If you keep scowling like that then your face might get stuck that way.” She let out a gentle laugh, pulling the hat from her head before using a hand to fix several strands of her untamed locks. Without a second of hesitation she sat herself down across from him, (E/C) eyes lit by the flickering candle in the center of their now shared table. His hat had found its way back atop her head and forced a shadow to cascade down upon her sharp features.

“Who the hell are you.” Chuuya’s voice rose above the gentle jazz still buzzing through the background, deep and clear as he calmly demanded an answer from the woman. His blue eyes that once sparkled with the life of the ocean were now as cold as ice, watching her every movement in hopes of finding the right moment to snatch his hat back. Though the task was simple, he’d much prefer to keep the conversation somewhat civil and not start a fight.

“Just a lonely bar frequenter looking for someone to exchange words with.” Once again she let out a quiet chuckle, hands twirling together as she played with a diamond ring resting upon her finger. Since making her unwarranted appearance she’d been messing with her hands, but it wasn’t until now that he noticed the jewelry twinkling in the candle. “Though I guess I must come off as something far more rude after stealing your hat. My apologies.”

With one swift movement she pulled the hat off her head, holding the rounded black brims in her hand as she ran slender fingers across the snuffed edges. Not many people had enough confidence to steal from another person, especially not from a mafia executive, but she hadn’t hesitated for a single second. Perhaps it could be considered rude or even foolish to approach another person in this way but more than anything it was intriguing. A smile of true temperament spread slowly across her lips, tugging at the corners to form a look of a dolorous sight. Reaching out she offered back his most precious belonging, hand extended in a sign of peace when she’d realized just how truly strange her actions had been.

Quickly Chuuya snatched his hat back, rubbing away flecks of dirt before returning it to its usual spot atop his fiery red hair. The woman watched intently as if to not spark any incentive of harm and the short man seemed to understand as he leaned back, any anger slowly dripping away from his expression as he took a final sip from his now empty glass of fine wine. Its fruity flavor lingered on his lips; Soft and sweet as if filled with memories of delicate feet dancing through vineyards in preparations of a coming harvest. Perhaps it smelled of the same scent that it tasted, but the strong scent of vodka seemed to drip from the woman before him and made it near impossible to distinguish the smell of his wine.

Though it was clear that she had been drinking before finding her way to him, she showed no signs of insobriety. Behind her the crowd of men had begun to fade, one by one realizing the woman who’d been leading the charge of celebration was nowhere to be found. Without their loud, slurred speech the music began to drift through the air and back into his ears. The jazz had stopped and now a classic rock rumbled its way through his mind.

“What makes you think I’ll accept your apology?” He was stern and unwavering as he threatened to form a new feud with her. She seemed so calm even as he laid the threat out for all eyes to see: So much so that she was confident enough for her gaze to finally leave him. With that crestfallen smile falling to her hands she finally stopped the irksome fidgeting of her ring. “This hat is quite important to me and I don’t take kindly to people touching it. Especially not a strange woman who I’ve never seen before.”

“You make a fair point but I have a feeling you don’t really want to be alone during a long night of drinking. What would it hurt if you talked with that strange woman until she became such a nuisance that you killed her?” The comment had come from a strange place, changing the demeanor of the entire conversation with such simple words. For a moment Chuuya’s mind turned towards his former partner: Osamu Dazai, a man obsessed with suicide that it entwined itself into his everyday life. He couldn’t deny the similarities in the way they spoke: Sharp witted with a hint of tease.

“Let’s say I don’t strangle you for touching my hat.” He leaned forward, eyeing her with suspicious vermillion eyes until she finally met his gaze. “What gives you the idea I’d want to spend my peaceful night drinking with another person when I could so easily do it by my lonesome.”

“Is that really what you want? Of course I’d understand, wallowing in your own self pity always makes for a great evening but wouldn’t it be nice to share a glass of wine with a beautiful and mysterious woman.” She reached for his glass and pulled it towards her. Much like she had with her hat, she ran a slender finger across its rim and Chuuya only continued to watch her small movements. A chip on the glass caught her skin and gently cut at her delicate (S/C) finger; A droplet of blood finding its way to the bottom of the glass.

He took note of how she hadn’t flinched, instead watching as she flipped the cup upside down, her drop of blood running down along the side of his glass. “If you wish to drink alone then by all means tell me to go, but I’d truly enjoy it if you’d accompany me to the bar.”

Chuuya watched as she stood up, leaving his glass flipped on the table with her blood staining the clear glass a bright crimson. If it hadn’t been for another droplet of blood rolling from her fingertip and onto the black carpet, he likely could have viewed her blood as the wine that had once filled his cup. She was a moderate height in comparison to the behemoth of a woman who’d been passing out the vodka minutes ago: (H/L) (H/C) hair falling in tassels atop her head and swaying with the few steps she’d taken. It was obvious she wasn’t exactly dressed for the bar, unlike most of the women she wore a pair of patchy black flats and a white pantsuit that was more suited for a day in an office building than a night in a bar.

“Out of pure curiosity, what’s your name?” Chuuya hadn’t expected her to glance back at him. Her brilliant (E/C) dancing in the darkness as she dared to search for something more than the ruthless mafia executive. Perhaps she was wishing for someone like her: Lonesome and willing to take a gamble for a night of forgotten mistakes. Yet he couldn’t allow her to see that part of him.

“(L/N) (Y/N). Though (Y/N) is preferred.” She turned away once again, not wanting to impose herself more on his life than she already had. It was a sweet gesture to not force any questions onto what was already a tipsy man. Chuuya watched her make her way through the floor, dodging the free flying hands of the people still moving about. Eventually she had safely found a spot at the bar with no one sitting even remotely close to her.

Chuuya didn’t care much for small talk, especially when it included a person who’d had the credence to think that he was purely drinking to forget his troublesome day: Though it was partially the reason, he also quite enjoyed the taste of a nice fruity wine. A buzz tore him from his ire thoughts, his phone calling him with the notification of a message bringing the screen to life. Once again he pulled the object from his pocket and scanned over the brief words, ‘Meeting at three tomorrow. Mori wants everyone on time and please don’t show up hungover, it’s an important day.’.

His admiration for Kouyou was not something he hid and he would do whatever she wished of him, but for some reason the message had just irked something inside him. Today, well yesterday, had been yet another important day filled to the brim with banal tasks forced onto him by Mori. Had it been an order and not just a mere request from the older woman then he would’ve obliged without hesitation, but the smell of sweet alcohol called him from afar and pulled his eyes back to the bar. Still she sat alone, glass of wine in hand as another untouched glass sat to the seat to her right.

It was clearly set there for him but he could see several men throughout the bar eyeing the prize as if it were theirs to claim. There was no denying she was a beautiful woman and it was likely the men desired her more than the wine beside her; They were dogs begging for a piece of meat but he was more so a lynx relishing in the blood of its fallen prey. Returning his phone to his pocket, Chuuya left his table and the upside down glass behind to seek after the woman who’d offered a hand of help to those who desired to be drunk on this lengthy night. Any person who attempted to even near her was quickly warned away by his minacous glares.

“I didn’t think you’d actually follow me.” She attempted to hide her smirk by taking a long sip of her wine but the pride was riddling her expression. Chuuya rolled his eyes and picked up the glass, swirling its contents round in round as if the churning water held all the answers he ever wished for.

“The only reason I’m here is for the wine, nothing more.” He put the glass to his lips and took a long sip, the insipid wine running down his throat and bringing a sour look to his face. Rolling his eyes he placed the glass back down and shoved it further away from him. The girl watched him as he did so, though it was clear she had no desire to continue her own glass, took another sip. “That tastes like shit.”

“It’s a clearance bottle from the store down the street. Personally I’d prefer something a bit more… tasteful” Chuuya sat and watched as the woman jumped over the bar, her hand holding her weight as she swung herself across. It was quick and fluid motion that he hadn’t entirely expected from someone like her: She didn’t seem weak but doing something like that was difficult for most normal people.

The barkeep rolled his eyes but still gave her a gentle pat on the head, softly rustling her locks of hair before she tore herself from his hand. “When you disappeared I thought surely you’d have taken one of those men home.”

“As if I’d ever let those buffoons into my pants, I may be a slut but not even I’d go that low.” She retorted with an added bit of arrogance before ducking down below the counter to someplace Chuuya couldn’t see. “Is the password still the same Isaac?”

“Only your first night back and you’re already opening up one of your special finds, if this is what I”m to expect while you’re in town then I might need to stock up.” The bartender squatted down behind the counter and several quiet beeps filled the air before he came back up. Skepticism ran through Chuuya’s mind but before it could cause him to make any rash decisions, his eyes met the bartenders: Tall and lean, blue eyes brilliant as they burned in the dim light, and his long black hair pulled back to show his sharp features. He seemed to always be working behind the counter, serving drink after drink no matter what time of day it was, but Chuuya wouldn’t question it as long as he was served.

As if sensing the unease that laced itself in Chuuya’s brows, the bartender, who’s name he now knew to be Isaac, offered a small bow of his head for respect. It was commonplace for members of the mafia to come to the small bar tucked safely inside an alley and thus the bartender had become somewhat of an honorary member of the mafia. Personally Chuuya had never spoken to him but he did know that Kouyou loved his mijito’s. If she trusted this establishment enough to come here biweekly for such a simple drink then he should have no anxieties himself: Plus if things were to end in a fight he was sure that he could handle his own.

After what seemed an eternity the woman finally arose from the underside of the bar with two fresh glasses in her hand and a bottle of wine in the other. She spun the bottle by its narrowed top and Chuuya could only catch a glimpse of its moving label. It came to a slow stop and his eyes lit up, surprised by the bottle clutched in her deft hands. “A 1985 Leroy Ruchottes, expensive but fitting for a dreary night like this one.”

“Sharing your 1985 with someone you don’t even know.” Isaac huffed before he grabbed the two unfinished drinks, their bland contents going to waste as he poured them down a sink. “You must have gone mental from staying in that barren iceland for so long.”

The woman, (Y/N), rolled her rousing (E/C) eyes and down the supplies in her hands. “Isn’t it against the policy for customers to be behind the bar, Mr.Newton? I wonder what would happen if the owner were to find out that their endearing manager had broken such a simple rule.”

“If anyone were to get into trouble it’d be you.” He huffed in annoyance before turning and making his way across the bar to serve another patron. This left (Y/N) and Chuuya alone, both a bit tipsy from their nights of drinking, but still comprehensive enough to understand how little they know of one another. They were worlds apart but somehow they’d found themselves across from one another: Not knowing why the other had found their way into the bar on this fateful night.

Chuuya watched as she poured the fine wine into a fresh glass for him. Her movements were soft enough to avoid any splashing of the wine, it was as though she’d been trained to do that very thing in an elegant manner. “If I’m splitting a two-thousand dollar wine with you, I’d like to ask a question.”

He raised an eyebrow at her words, not prepared for such a statement but fully intending on seeing where it led. “Continue.”

“What brought you to the bar tonight?”

The question was so simple yet so forlorn with his tale of a despondent day. He didn’t know what exactly to tell the women who brimmed with curiosity at his untold daily life. Once again he was reminded they were strangers, nothing more than passerby in the stream of life, she’d likely never see him again after this night so there was no point in sharing detail. Plus, of course, there were the dangers of sharing any detail of what work he did within the mafia.

“Just needed to cool down.” He picked the glass and spun the liquid round in circles, watching as the crimson tinted the glass. Skepticism laced through his vision in fear of tasting yet another crappy wine from some dollar store. “Though it didn’t go as planned with that outrageous entourage for that tall ass woman.”

(Y/N) laughed, a quiet sound resonating through her throat and filling the air between them. It was filled with the softness of honey and dripping with the warmth of a bittersweet dark chocolate: Perfect and prim. “She has that effect on people.”

“You know her?” Her statement had caught him by surprise. When his eyes had scanned across the room he’d taken note of all those throughout the building but never once had he seen the woman across the counter, so why had she appeared as soon as her friend had disappeared.

“You could say that.” Once again she gave a mysterious answer that hid any truth of what her business inside this bar was. She was generous with her questions to him, wanting to know more of who he was by offering a wine, yet she gave no information of who she was. Outside this bar he had no clue who she was. “So you needed to cool down? What could cause a man such as yourself so much stress that you want nothing more than to get drunk with a beautiful woman at your side.”

“Work is pretty shitty when no one seems to do anything correctly.” Chuuya took a sip of the wine she’d poured for him. It was perfectly chilled as it rolled through his lips and down his throat, the fruity flavor danced across his tongue. He was familiar with fine wines and this truly was one. “How about yourself? At this point you seem to know more about me than I do about you and I don’t think that’s entirely fair.”

“I guess I’m in a similar boat with the work bit. Four years away from Yokohama and my boss wanted me to drop everything to return here.” She took another sip of the wine before putting it down on the counter. Her (E/C) eyes seemed to soften and fill with a tiredness that matched her gruesome words from earlier this night. “Never thought I’d be back here after what happened.”

The last bit was not meant for his ears and he knew that well enough from the exhaustion bushed inside her tone, but he couldn’t just leave it at that. Curiosity brimmed in his head and with the haze of alcohol settling in his mind he couldn’t bear to not ask any questions. “What happened?”

She didn’t respond, eyes glazing in memories that flowed through her thoughts like water. A ring blasted above the music in the room and that was what finally tore her from her thoughts. (Y/N) was quick to answer her phone, pulling it from her white pocket and pressing it to her ear. “Yes sir, I’ll be there within the hour… No there isn’t a need for a car… Thank you, sir.”

“Your boss?” Chuuya took a large sip of the wine as he watched her pocket her phone and gulp the final ounces of her drink. “I guess this is where we part ways.”

“It would seem that way. Feel free to finish the bottle and if Isaac tries to charge you then just remind him that it was a personal bottle.” (Y/N) pushed the bottle further towards him and Chuuya was happy to take it off her hands and pull it beside his glass. A small smile rested on her lips from the sight of her precious wine not being wasted. She gave a small whistle then waved at the bartender, Isaac returning the gesture with a small flick of his hand. “It was nice talking with you…”

Her voice trailed off as she searched for a name she hadn’t been given. “Chuuya Nakahara.”

“Chuuya.” She tested the name on her tongue, its syllables weighed a hefty amount as they floated through the air. With that final call to him she turned and made her way to the door and left him alone sitting on a stool. He could’ve let her leave but it felt wrong to let this end on such a rancorous note.

“You ever steal my hat again I swear I’ll kill you!”

“Promise?”

~ x ~

The table was filled with a quiet chatter as everyone awaited the arrival of Ougai Mori who seemed to be running late this early morning. A meeting this large was uncommon to say the least, Chuuya couldn’t remember the last time that many people had been seated around this large table. Kouyou and he sat at the forefront on either side of where Mori should have been sitting, lining the sides were numerous ranked members within the mafia. What had originally meant to be a meeting among only him, Mori and Kouyou had somehow turned into this situation without his knowing.

Chuuya leaned back in his seat, resting his hat over his face to block the dim light fluttering throughout the room, but yet it did nothing to soothe the knot in his head. After finishing the bottle of wine given to him by the mysterious woman he’d blacked out and the hangover became inevitable. Kouyou had been sure to taunt him from the moment he’d slouched in the chair across from her, but she was kind enough to provide him with a glass of water.

“I hear you had a drinking partner last night, are the rumors true?” Her voice was chilled with the usual icy tone but he knew she meant no harm in her words. It was a procedure for them to keep up a distant attitude when people were around: Being executives had few flaws and having to be uptight during work hours was one of them.

“Partner is a strong word. She disappeared after her first drink and left me alone to finish a bottle.” Chuuya didn’t bother to move his hat off his head, using it as a cover to the prodding light. The whole room was filled with harsh utterance that hurt his all too sensitive hungover self. “Though I must admit the wine tasted great.”

There was no chance for Kouyou to respond as the doors to the room burst open, wide and unexpected to allow a bright light to flood the dim room. Everyone in the table straightened as their quiet chatters fell to a silent void. Chuuya pushed his hat back and leaned forward, hunched in hopes to not lose the little bites of food he’d taken before leaving his apartment this morning. Mori walked with Elise close on his heels, he stayed silent as the short blonde girl tugged harshly at his sleeve. Her pleas to leave the meeting were a screech in Chuuya’s sore head but he had no ability to fight back.

“Good morning.” His words held a bit of joy laced underneath their serious air. “I’d like to thank you all for finding the time to attend this meeting.”

“Did we have a choice whether to attend?” Kouyou covered her mouth with a fan, teasing Mori’s kindness with the jab at his gracious thanks to the people sitting solemnly around the table.

“You always have a choice, but there are no promises saying you wouldn’t have been harmed if you chose not to attend.” It took a minute for him to walk the length of the table but finally his intransigent steps came to a halt and he sat at the head of the table. Like usual his hands adorned deep white gloves, but while they had usually been hidden beneath the table messing with one of his scalpels, they sat atop the gleaming wood as his fingers fidgeted with one another. The small motion tore at most people throughout the table as they realized just how serious this situation must be. “Before we start I’d like to make a few things clear. First off: The woman you are about to meet is dangerous and I am not able to guarantee absolute safety for any of you.”

Curiosity spiked within the room, everyone listening intently as for the first time in years Mori addressed all his high ranking agents in one message. The warning of an incoming dangerous person was intriguing and though a bit worrying they could not fight against his order. “Secondly: Information shared within this room is to remain within this room, if it discovers you leaked any bit of intelligence you will be executed.”

That much was obvious to even those who didn’t regularly attend meetings like this: Information within the Port Mafia was to be kept within no matter the cost. Dropping any bit of intel would result in a severe punishment if not your death. “My final word of warning is only to be heeded for Chuuya. Do not try and ask to change this situation, my word is final.”

“What are you saying boss? It seems like you‘re already expecting me to hate what’s about to happen.”

His laugh was chilling, cold and desolate in the curiosity implicit room. The smile that followed was fanatical as Mori faced down his executive. Though Chuuya would follow Mori to death and further he couldn’t help but question what decision he’d made this time. Kouyou also seemed to be wary of what their leader had gotten them into. Mori was a well thought man but from what he’d said in these few minutes it seemed as though he’d lost his intelligence to a crazed insanity. If not even he could guarantee the safety of those in this room then whoever this woman was had to be someone of high strength.

“I’ll keep this short: As of late, there’s been a drug circulating throughout the underground. One that has the capability of permanently robbing a person of their ability. I’ve brought in an old agent who I’m certain can help us uncover who’s behind this creation of this horrid drug.” Mori’s hands clasped together and sent a sharp clasp flooding through the air, it scraped through every crevice in the room and dared anyone to try and ask a question. He was yet to finish speaking but many people in the room had become restless upon hearing what he’d said so far. “She will be your new partner for the time.”

“With all due respect, I don’t need a partner; I’m perfectly capable of handling this on my own.” Chuuya’s words were held with an air of tempted duplicity: After what had happened with Dazai he wasn’t entirely certain he wanted to be chained to yet another person as a partner.

“You say as much but I’m afraid even your ability isn’t a match for the challenges we are about to face. The agent I’ve called back used to be an executive much like you, ambitious and astute without a will to allow her to back down.” Mori stood from his seat and Elise was quick to push it in, the young blonde seeming to straighten her attitude as Mori’s air changed in a matter of moments. This was serious. “It would do you well to remember that she is of equal rank with both you and Kouyou. She is far stronger than she seems and I assure you that this partnership you will endure will be prosperous.”

His steps held an air of solitude, one after another as he made his way down the opposite side of the table to the large door at the front of the room. Around the table everyone watched his movements, people craned their heads in hopes of meeting his twisted stares to understand what exactly he was speaking of. As of now only two people were meant to talk: Mori and Chuuya. Kouyou understood this and kept her questions closed within herself.

“You said she used to be an executive, what happened? Am I working with someone who’s going to stab me in the back the moment she sees a better opportunity?” If Chuuya had to choose a single standard for a partner it would be that of trustworthiness. He was curious if this woman could live up to what should be such a simple standard, but most seemed to find it difficult to comprehend.

“She received a promotion of sorts.”

“As for the betrayal bit, I could have easily done so last night. Yet I chose to kindly share some of my time with you.” A voice rang through the room, it was softer than it had been hours before. Chuuya was shocked when the woman who’d offered him a bottle of wine stepped through the door of the meeting room: Her white pantsuit had been traded for a black jumpsuit that covered every inch of her form, neck to feet, not leaving any crevice of skin to be seen. She was more rigid than she’d been, her shoulders tense as if relaying a sense of power, but her (E/C) eyed stare was far more gentle. “Did you enjoy your wine, Chuuya?”

“You- you?!” His hands harshly met the long table as he shot from his chair, utter disbelief coursing throughout his body as he watched her stand there. She seemed innocent, holding papers against her chest as Mori placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her to the open seat at the opposite end of the table. “What the hell! You didn’t think to tell me you were a part of the mafia.”

“As of last night I had no information on you or your relations within the mafia.” Mori leaned and whispered several words into her ear, soft spoken so as to not allow anyone else to hear. She responded with a simple nod and a smile twisted its way onto his boss's lips. “When Ogai requested me to return here I was told of our partnership. I’m happy to be working with you, Chuuya Nakahara. May our relations be affluent for both parties.”

This was a different woman than who he’d spoken with at the bar during the evening: She was sharp and witted without a wavering will, just by her earlier stance you could see that she knew she was well-acquitted with strength. It was as though the fun loving lady who’d stolen his hat had merely been a jest. Mori returned to her side and set a plate before her, beside the papers she'd brought with her, its content was a simple slice of cake. Her eyes which held a great deal of softness widened and a smile replaced the confident, thin-lipped look she had.

“You spoil me Ogai! A chocolate cake from Ms.Young’s bakery, how deliciously expensive a treat.” She took a bite of it, eyes twinkling with satisfaction as the treat nearly melted upon contact with her tongue. “Now that I’ve exchanged my pleasantries, I believe it’s time for us to get to business.”

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officialwagnerrant · 3 years ago

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Wagnerrant Review #5 - Not enough Holländer

Work: Der Fliegende Holländer Bayreuther Festspiele Date of performance: 25.07.2021

Team Director: Dmitri Tcherniakov Conductor: Oksana Lyniv With: Georg Zeppenfeld, Asmik Grigorian, Eric Cutler, Marina Prudenskaya, Attilio Glaser, John Lundgren

Trigger warning: S*icide mention, mass m*rder mention.

Review: @dichterfuerstin

Dmitri Tcherniakov’s Der Fliegende Holländer looks more like the latest episode of Netflix Germany’s Dark than like an old sailor’s tale. The audience is presented with the foggy image of a small town. Grey brick buildings, grey pavement, grey streetlight. Just the rubber boots that are part of most of the costumes pay a small tribute to the original setting. Maybe the small town is a fishing village. And just like the sets, the story told on stage has little to do with what’s written in Wagner’s libretto.

It’s a crime story, rather than a mystery. Instead of being a sea captain, the Holländer appears as a man referred to as “H” who according to the writings on stage has a “strange, returning dream”. This dream, or rather memory, is shown during the overture. “H” is shown as a little boy whose mother has an affair with no one less than Daland himself. When her affair is discovered, the village shuns H’s mother to the point where she commits suicide in front of her son. The set is a little too calm for how booming and fast Oksana Lyniv’s overture is, and it’s radically different to what Wagner wrote in his libretto, but it works with the music pretty well during the first two acts. He remembers Daland, Daland has a vague idea who the stranger is. And Mary, excellently sung by Marina Prudenskaya and in this production upgraded to Daland’s wife and Senta’s (Step-)mother, seems to know exactly. She carries the Holländer’s picture around and is visibly scared of him. Add to this the perfectly spooky and mysterious atmosphere. It takes a while for the audience to realise that the “dream” is in fact a memory that the wondering of how much of it is true and what’s going to happen is always prevalent, especially every time the Holländer walks past the house where his mother died.

The characterisations in Tcherniakov’s production are on point. Mary is just strict enough, Georg Zeppenfeld’s Daland is not only audibly full in character, his facial expressions are on point throughout the entire opera. Of course, the modern setting does make him basically trading away Senta more awkward and actually less understandable. Especially since Senta is very young. Daland’s daughter doesn’t seem much older than sixteen thanks to Asmik Grigorian’s brilliant acting. She’s way younger than the Holländer, even Erik seems too old for her. But she’s sassy. She’s impudent, she smokes, she dyes her hair. She isn’t that dreamy girl carried away by the tale of the mysterious dutchman, she rather seems to mock him, and yet falls in love when she meets him in at dinner. Asmik Grigorian conveys all of this not only in her acting but also in her voice. Of course, she sounds older, but it doesn’t matter. The sound is clear, the diction well, and the Festpiel-debut successful. John Lundgren’s Holländer is equally well-acted. Though he doesn’t do much. The Holländer’s a very passive character, spending most of his time watching, and being strange. He constantly seems out of place thanks to his white sweater in contrast to the rather brown costumes everyone else, including Senta, wears. Making the Holländer stand out is a standard decision, but it is very well executed by costume designer Elena Zaytseva. Lundgren’s voice fits as well, apart from becoming audibly strained in act three. He isn’t as booming as most Holländer’s, rather pretty, but that is perfect for this characterisation, where the Holländer isn’t punished for cursing on God but traumatised because he saw his mother getting hounded until she killed herself. He isn’t even a captain, he’s alone. To the end of the opera, a handful of men he met at the pub who listened to him telling his story become his crew and get spared when the Holländer shoots into the crowd gathered on the town square to celebrate. For two hours the audience wonders where the production will lead. Will Senta die where the Holländer’s mother died? Will they die together as it’s written in the libretto? And in the end, it’s a mass shooting and arson committed by the Holländer. Although this ending makes perfect sense for the Holländer the way he’s set up in Tcherniakov’s production, it’s a somewhat disappointing ending. Daland doesn’t even appear on stage. Shouldn’t he have some kind of reaction to the Holländer’s doing? For the first time Grigorian’s acting isn’t sufficient enough for the audience to understand what she’s feeling, the production doesn’t really provide good answers. And while making Mary Daland’s wife made her more important, the character didn’t have enough to do to explain why it’s her who eventually shoots the Holländer and then has to be cared for by Senta. The ending is an ending for a crime story. It’s a thriller, but not the one Wagner intended. For the Holländer, the focus should be a little more on the bond between Senta and the Dutchman. But on it’s own, the story told by Dmitri Tcherniakov is interesting and thought-through.

At least Oksana Lyniv’s conducting stays consistently emotional. The 43-years-old Ukranian conductor makes her Festspieldebut in this production, as the first ever woman to conduct an opera at the Bayreuther Festspiele, and she does it well. She manages to remain unfazed by the many interruptive noises in this production. Be it chairs or tables collapsing in act one, or gunshots in act three, and she’s singer-friendly. Maybe a little too singer-friendly, sometimes the orchestra does seem too much in the background. But overall, she does an amazing job. Her overture stands out the most, but the entirety of her Holländer is nothing short of beautiful. And fulfils the most admirable task of holding orchestra, soloists and chorus together, which is especially difficult this year: Due to the pandemic, half of the chorus acts on stage, the other half sings in the chorus-hall and their singing gets transmitted into the audience via speakers. And somehow this needs to sound natural – and be on time. Lyniv and chorus master Eberhard Friedrich work together well, so the audience doesn’t hear that something’s different this year.

This by the way also isn’t noticeable in the production. Neither does the stage seem empty nor are there six feet distance between every two singers. It’s a standarf production, and just as it’s standard for Bayreuth, director Dmitri Tcherniakov got booed by the audience. Undeserved, it’s a captivating and interesting to watch production, but it won’t make history as one of the strongest Bayreuth-productions either - it just isn’t enough Holländer.

#Der Fliegende Holländer #wagner #richard wagner #opera #opera review #wagnerrant review #not a rant

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red-sector-rivendell · 4 years ago

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media reccs? 👀 since apparently you are a man of good taste?

Wow thank you 😏 I have a masterlist of movies that have changed me I often recommend to people, I'll just copy and paste here with quick synopses lol, it's kinda long. I'm not super great at writing synopses tho so bear with me

Dead Poets Society (1989)

One of my favorite movies of all time and a total classic. It's about a group of boys at a strict boarding school who are inspired by their new English teacher (played by Robin Williams) to think for themselves and chase their dreams. This movie literally changed my life lol

Quadrophenia (1979)

This movie is based off of the story behind the concept album by The Who of the same name. It follow the life of a young man named Jimmy who is in a gang called the Mods. Theres this huge gang war between them and the Rockers (I think that's their name, it's been a while since i watched it) and Jimmy questions his beliefs about coming-of-age and his values in life throughout the film

Cabaret (1972)

Based off of the Broadway musical of the same name, this movie is about a British man who moves to Germany during the beginning of the rise of Nazis. He meets a woman who basically turns his world upside down, and it follows their love affair and sexuality and anti-semitism, and it's hilarious and heart wrenching and a beautiful movie

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

This is a super trippy romance film. Basically in the universe of this movie, theres a technology that is developed that can delete memories of an entire person from your mind while you are in a dream-like state, and the main character of this movie (played by Jim Carrey) decides to undergo the procedure after a bad breakup. Its soooo good I highly recommend this movie

It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)

This is an animated film about a man named Bill who is going through brain cancer. Its told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator essentially communicating everything Bill sees, hears, and experiences. This is the movie that got me into film and it is still a complete masterpiece and one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen

The Dirties (2013)

Loved this one a lot back in high school, it's been a while since I watched it. This is a film made in Canada about a high schooler named Matt Johnson and his friend Owen who decide to make a short film for their class about them killing the gang at their school that bullies them, and things take a dark turn. It's a hilarious movie and hits pretty close to home for me in a lot of ways haha

Logan's Run (1976)

Great movie, pretty cheesy though so be warned. This is based off a book with the same name, and it takes place in the future where most of humanity is wiped out except for a small society that lives under a domed structure. No one is allowed to leave the dome, and to control overpopulation, no one is allowed to live past the age of 30. It's really bizarre but I love this movie

Donnie Darko (2001)

Pretty sure this was Jake Gyllenhaal's first big hit when he was super young (I think he was like 19 in this movie but I'm not sure) basically about this kid, Donnie Darko, who is somewhat schizophrenic and has a habit of sleepwalking. After one particular incident he has a near-death experience and starts seeing a man in a bunny costume everywhere who makes him do weird stuff. Another pretty trippy movie with a crazy ending

American Psycho (2000)

Honestly I'm sure a few on this list you've probably seen (most likely this one included) but I didnt wanna leave any out because they're all so good. If you haven't seen this, it's about a Wall Street executive named Patrick Bateman who is a materialistic phony by day and a serial killer by night. I tried to read the book but the inner dialogue was really hard to get through lmao. Awesome movie though huge recommend.

Clockwork Orange (1971)

Yet another trippy one. And fuck it's been a long time since I've seen it so I might get some stuff wrong here. But it's basically about this serial rapist guy who hangs out with this group of goons and they all like to go beat up homeless people and shit, but the main character gets captured and has to go through reformation therapy to make him a better person. It's an extremely bizarre movie but soooo good and kind of hilarious lol

Creep (2014)

Of course this is on my list haha. If you haven't seen it yet, it's a horror movie about this freelance film guy who answers an ad on craigslist to help a man with cancer film a movie for his unborn son. And shit gets weird real fast. One of my favorite horror movies ever, I wouldnt say it's super scary but it's fun as fuck

Hereditary (2018)

If I'm being honest, I don't like a lot of big movies made in super recent years and especially not horror movies (mostly because they're all cheap cash grabs with no substance) but this one is an exception for me. Hereditary is fucking masterful in my opinion, legitimately creepy as hell and well-produced and well written. To put the plot as vaguely as possible without spoiling anything, it's about a family (mostly the mother) who go through some crazy fucked up shit. That's literally all I can say without giving anything away. Super good flick, big recommend

Gattaca (1997)

This list isn't in any particular order, and I love all these movies to death, but if I had to rank them this would probably be on the lower end. It's not a bad movie, it's still great but it's just not as life-changing as the other ones lmao. This takes place in the future where genetic modifications have progressed to a point where you can modify your unborn child's DNA to have the perfect baby. This has led to, essentially racial bias against those who never had that procedure when they were born. The main character was not one of these "special" children, but he wants an extremely prestigious job which requires that of the employee. Through the film, he is trying to fake his identity and fool the company into thinking he is one of these perfect people. Still a great film

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Johnny Depp, man, he is something else. I LOVE this movie. Based off a true story and a book written by the man who lived it, Hunter S. Thompson, this follows the adventure of the writer and his attorney as they go on a drugged-out, psychedelic romp through Las Vegas with the original intention being to cover a story on a motorcycle race, but things go off the rails as they both terrorize the entire city in a way. Just a fun ride the whole way, a great movie

The Truman Show (1998)

God I'm realizing this list is long as fuck. Don't watch all of these movies, it might take you a lifetime lmao. Anyway, this is a classic Jim Carrey movie and another one you've probably seen. But again, if you haven't, this movie is about a man whose entire life has been fabricated and shot for television without him knowing. Super great, super moving, fantastic film 10 outta 10 I gotta wrap this shit up

A Scanner Darkly (2006)

A lesser known Keanu Reeves movie, but fuck I wish more people have seen this. This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and it's based off a book which is just as amazing. This movie takes place in the near future, where facial recognition technology has progressed wayyy too far, and drugs have gotten to the point of no return. The plot follows a detective who is undercover in a junkie house trying to figure out who is the top of the drug dealing totem pole, but ends up wrapped in the junkie lifestyle a little too deeply. Seriously, I recommend this movie to everyone who asks, it's so damn good

Fight Club (1999)

Another popular one. If you havent seen it, it's based off a book by Chuck Palahniuk following the story of a man (the main character actually doesnt have a name lol) who meets a guy named Tyler Durden who changes his entire perspective on how the world works. They start an underground boxing club together to help themselves and other men blow off steam and get away from the capitalist consumer-centric lifestyle they are forced into. Big twist at the end, great movie five stars on yelp

Harold and Maude (1971)

This is a weird one. Gotta say. It's about a guy in his 20s who meets an old woman at a funeral and falls in love with her. Sounds pretty ok at face value but theres a lot of really strange subplots and a huuuuge twist at the end (one of the subplots being the guy compulsively fakes his suicide to get his mother's attention) big recommend

Polyester (1981)

This one I cant even explain u just have to watch it its fucking bizarre

Fargo (1996)

Ok lightning round on the synopses, this movie is about a man who wants to commit fraud by hiring guys to kidnap his wife so her father can pay them ransom and instead the husband gets the money but everything goes wrong it's really good

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

Another modern movie I actually like, last time I watched this I was on shrooms and it was crazy but it's about this hotel right on the border of california and (Nevada I think?) And all these weird people are staying at it and there are twists at every turn and chris hemsworth is a cult leader in it its great

Memento (2000)

GREAT MOVIE GOD PLEASE WATCH THIS ONE it's about a man who develops short term memory loss after witnessing the rape and murder of his wife AND WHEN I SAY THERE ARE TWISTS LIKE EVERY TEN MINUTES I MEAN IT. The film is chronologically backwards, in that the first scene takes place at the end of the story and works back from there in increments of like 5 minutes. Basically each scene is a segment of time that this guy remembers before his memory loss kicks in and he forgets and FUCK it's so good please god watch it

Almost Famous (2000)

This is another one that would probably be low on my ranking but still a great and fun movie, it's about this kid that wants to write articles about rock stars for the rolling stone (based off a true story btw) and he ends up running away to go ride on a tour bus with some band and gets into all types of shenanigans and its great and sad

Parasite (2019)

Another modern movie I love, fuck this is getting too long lmao. Poor family wants to make money and they hatch a scheme to pretend to be bougie and work for this rich family but shit gets weird and everything goes wrong and it's so good (also literally the only film ever that made me speechless afterwards)

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Pretty much lives up to the hype, I totally forgot the plot but it's pretty damn good I remember that lmao

The Warriors (1979)

Fun movie, theres a bunch of teen gangs in New York and the leader of all of em is like "hey we should rally all the gangs together and fuck up the cops so we can rule this city" but then he gets shot by someone in the crowd and the gang The Warriors gets blamed so the whole movie is them running from all the other gangs so they can get back to home base and it's just an all around fun time movie

12 Monkeys (1995)

THIS MOVJE IS CRAZY it takes place in the future where a virus has almost completely wiped humans off the face of the earth so these scientists send this guy back in time to figure out where it came from so they can stop it from ever happening but obviously everything goes wrong and yadda yadda yadda it's amazing

Waking Life (2001)

Gonna preface this by saying this film is definitely not for entertainment, it's kind of an arthouse-type flick. It's the type of movie you have to think really really hard about to watch. The basic plot is the main character is stuck inside his own lucid dream, and is walking around listening to all these characters in his dream talk to him about, idk like the meaning of life and consciousness and shit. It's really good if you're in the mood for that type of thing.

Okay I'm finally done, you probably didnt expect this but I've been meaning to put my movie recommendations on this blog anyway haha. I deleted some just cause it was getting wayyyy too long. If u want a shorter list I can just give u like a top 5 in DMs but there u go have at it, every movie on that list is a banger I swear

#long post #movies #film #cinema #cinephile #ask #movie recommendations #you have no obligation to read all that #really shows how bored i am that i wrote out this whole fuckin thing on my phone lmao #youre welcome?

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introvertguide · 4 years ago

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Star Wars (1977); AFI #13

In honor of May 4th and the original movie that started it all, the group reviewed Star Wars (1977). Nominated for 10 Academy Awards and winning 6 with one extra special achievement award for Sound, this is perhaps the most highly decorated science fiction movie of all time. The special effects and the music were especially moving making the Star Wars experience something amazing to behold. I was lucky enough to see one of the re-releases in the theatre back in the mid 80s. In fact, I might well have seen the film 100 times over my life. The music might be the most well known soundtrack globally. With inflation, this is the 4th highest grossing film of all time. It is truly a fantastic work and I would like to now spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it. Let me start with the usual:

SPOILER WARNING!!! I DON'T THINK THERE ARE MANY WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THE FILM, BUT FOR THOSE FEW THAT DON'T KNOW, I AM GOING TO RUIN THE PLOT!!! STOP NOW AND GO WATCH IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY!!!

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Amid a galactic civil war, Rebel Alliance spies have stolen plans to the Galactic Empire's Death Star, a massive space station capable of destroying an entire planet. Imperial Senator Princess Leia of Alderaan (Carrie Fisher), secretly one of the Rebellion's leaders, has obtained its schematics (this entire effort was originally a throwaway concept but was completely fleshed out in Rogue One almost 40 years later) , but her starship is intercepted by an Imperial Star Destroyer under the command of the ruthless Darth Vader (acted by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones). The movie is just starting and the odds against the rebels are shown by the scale of the two ships. Before she is captured, Leia hides the plans in the memory of an astromech droid called R2-D2 (Kenny Baker), who flees in an escape pod to the desert planet Tatooine accompanied by protocol droid C-3PO (Anthony Daniels).

The droids are captured by Jawa traders (little shiny eyed beings who are now meme legends), who sell them to moisture farmers Owen and Beru Lars and their nephew Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). While Luke is cleaning R2-D2, part of a holographic recording of Leia starts playing a message for Obi-Wan Kenobi where she requests his help ("Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope!"). Later, after Luke finds R2-D2 missing, he is attacked by scavenging Sand People while searching for him, but is rescued by elderly hermit "Old Ben" Kenobi (Sir Alec Guinness), an acquaintance of Luke's, who reveals that "Obi-Wan" is his true name. Obi-Wan tells Luke of his days as one of the Jedi Knights, the former peacekeepers of the Galactic Republic who drew mystical abilities from a metaphysical energy field known as "the Force", but were ultimately hunted to near-extinction by the Empire. Luke learns that his father fought alongside Obi-Wan as a Jedi Knight during the Clone Wars (another throwaway concept that was eventually fleshed out) until Vader, Obi-Wan's former pupil, turned to the dark side of the Force and murdered him. Obi-Wan presents Luke with his father's old lightsaber, the signature weapon of Jedi Knights. The connection between Darth Vader and Luke's father is explored in depth during the next eight films.

R2-D2 plays Leia's full message, in which she begs Obi-Wan to take the Death Star plans to her home planet of Alderaan and give them to her father, a fellow veteran, for analysis. Although Luke initially declines Obi-Wan's offer to accompany him to Alderaan and learn the ways of the Force, he is left with no choice after discovering that Imperial stormtroopers have killed his aunt and uncle and destroyed their farm in their search for the droids (cue the Academy and Grammy Award winning theme music composed by John Williams). Traveling to a cantina in Mos Eisley to search for transport, Luke and Obi-Wan hire Han Solo (Harrison Ford), a smuggler with a price on his head due to his debt to local mobster Jabba the Hutt. Pursued by stormtroopers, Obi-Wan, Luke, R2-D2 and C-3PO flee Tatooine with Han and his Wookiee co-pilot Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) on their ship the Millennium Falcon. As they reach the planet's orbit, two Star Destroyers try to intercept them, but Han is able to jump to hyperspace by reaching lightspeed.

Before the Falcon can reach Alderaan, Death Star commander Grand Moff Tarkin (Peter Cushing) interrogates Leia about the location of the Rebels's secret base, with the threat of destroying her home planet, and, when she answers that the base is on Dantooine, he orders Alderaan destroyed simply as a show of force. As the group arrives in the asteroid field that now stands in place of Alderaan, Han spots an Imperial TIE fighter and is taunted into chasing it and shooting it down, allowing the Falcon to be captured by the space station's tractor beam. Inside the Death Star, Obi-Wan attempts to disable the tractor beam, and Luke persuades Han and Chewbacca to help him rescue Leia after discovering that she is scheduled to be executed. After disabling the tractor beam, Obi-Wan sacrifices his life in an epic lightsaber duel with Vader, allowing the rest of the group to escape the Death Star with Leia. Using a tracking device, the Empire tracks the Falcon to the hidden Rebel base.

Leia's schematics reveal a hidden weakness in the Death Star's thermal exhaust port, which could allow the Rebels to trigger a chain reaction in its main reactor with a precise torpedo strike. While Han abandons the Rebels after collecting his reward for rescuing Leia, Luke joins their starfighter squadron in a desperate attack against the approaching Death Star. In the ensuing battle, the Rebels suffer heavy losses as Vader leads a squadron of TIE fighters against them, but Han unexpectedly returns to aid them in the Falcon, narrowly managing to save Luke before Vader can shoot him down. Guided by the disembodied voice of Obi-Wan's spirit, Luke turns off his targeting computer and uses the Force to aim his torpedoes into the exhaust port, destroying the Death Star moments before it fires on the Rebel base. In a triumphant ceremony at the base, Leia awards Luke and Han medals for their heroism.

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I want to explain the connection between this movie and the Joseph Campbell version of the hero's journey that so many people have pointed out. This journey starts out with a call to adventure that is refused and then forced (Luke is given an opportunity to leave, he declines, the death of his family pushes him forward, he leaves with his team). Campbell then predicts an initiation that involves meeting a woman and gaining weapons, a meeting with an incredible power, and an achievement of the hero's power (goes to star destroyer, meets Vader and loses Obi-Wan, gains power over force). The story ends with a refusal, a magic flight, a rescue from without, and a hero's return (Luke goes to attack the Death Star, Han refuses and then eventually saves him, and the day is saved so the heroes are rewarded). It is a story that is called the Monomyth and has been recognized in Greek myths that are thousands of years old. It is a good story that has been proven to work and it makes for one of the most enjoyable movies of all time.

There was some negative opinions of the film because it is such a simple old story that became extremely popular and film goers would no longer be interested in intelligent thinking movies. It is kind of the truth because blockbuster summer films are full of explosions. The highest grossing films since then have tended to be highly explosive action films. Films like Star Wars, Jaws, and Indiana Jones are a lot of fun, but they are not super deep. They are easy to understand at surface level, but they can also be interpreted to mean much more significant things. The choice of the viewer about whether the story has deep inner meaning or is just the Odyssey in space is personal and likely colors opinions about how good it is. Some people think it is stupid fun while others have actually formed religions around the idea of the force.

One thing is for certain, the formula worked amazingly well for a large group of people and this made movie producers want to copy it. This is what is generally called a watershed moment because the look of movies changed significantly. There were so many more space operas and they all had that worn post-apocalyptic look to them. Star Wars and Mad Max combined to give a different look of what futuristic was. There was advanced tech in some cases, but there was a scorched Earth that had run out of resources and people suffered. Think about how many movies and television shows there are that have come out since the 80s and combine industrial tech for space and distressed almost Western appearances for the planets. The movie changed the way many people see the future.

One thing that is inarguably great was the score. I am not going to try and describe it with words, I am just going to put links to the different themes here so you can hear for yourself:

Star Wars Main Theme (Full) - YouTube

Star Wars- The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) - YouTube

Princess Leia's Theme - YouTube

Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope (1977) Soundtrack 11 Cantina Band - YouTube

This is somewhat strange for the AFI so I went back and checked, but I believe that this is the only film with a ranked villain (Darth Vader), hero (Han Solo), and theme song (Main Theme). Even if it is somewhat simplistic from some perspectives, the story and the songs and the sounds and the characters speak to those who watch it. Seeing the movie is an incredible experience and I envy those who get to see it for the first time.

I am a big fan of the original Star Wars trilogy and I could completely nerd out going over all of the little things throughout the movie, but this is not a deep dive but instead an overall review. So does it belong on the AFI top 100? Maybe more than any other movie. It is an epic tale that changed the way movies were made across multiple genres. We could probably look at all science fiction films and put them as before or after this one. It is an important piece of American film and (no matter what anyone thinks of the other Star Wars films or George Lucas) it is a masterpiece. Would I recommend it? I cannot say yes enough. It is part of my culture as a California movie nerd and understanding this film is understanding some of the basic knowledge I grew up with. All sticks are swung around like light sabers. If I say "Princess Leia hair," everyone around here knows exactly what I mean. If something is impossible but still needs to be done, we tell people to use the force. I have lived in the Bay Area for 20 years and I can still reference a location by how close it is to Skywalker Ranch were George Lucas worked on movies. Please check out this film and you will know why I am such a fan of movies.

#star wars #a new hope #use the force #john williams #film score #introvert #introverts #movie review #award winning films #special effects

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itfirmokdigital · 4 years ago

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Top Best Tips To Get Yourself Prepared For Learning Piano

Best Tips To Get Yourself Prepared For Learning Piano

Wish to learn piano, prior to beginning to learn piano you should be exceptional with all the things that you would require in your piano learning melodic excursion. In this article, we have covered every single such component and once you have these close by; you will be prepared to start learning piano with complete certainty and the right fitness.

Things You Need For Learning Piano

Prior to beginning to learn piano, you would have to make a few arrangements. A piece of these incorporates the things that you will require.

You can get a conventional piano or a digital piano. Digital pianos are reduced and more affordable. They are most popular for rehearsing as well. To adapt viably, ensure that you get a standout amongst other digital pianos with hammer activity completely weighted keys and other progressed includes so you can learn well.

Piano preparing exercises for the individuals who wish to pick up for a fact of experts.

The complete responsibility for time. Great time the executives programming could be extraordinary assistance in such manner.

In the event that you wish to get familiar with without anyone else, it is ideal to snatch a piano educating media set with books and DVDs.

Having a printer may not be essential yet it very well may be a decent choice for development alongside melodic documentation programming.

Before Purchasing A Piano

Regardless of whether you will be taking exercises on the web or would be going to any establishment teaching piano lessons, you should have one of these instruments at home so you can rehearse exercises well. Without having a piano, you won’t have the option to gain ground in piano.

There are different choices, it is possible that you can get a decent quality stupendous piano which is very costly and may not be a practical decision for all. On the off chance that convenience, value, highlights, and size matter to you, at that point you can preferably get a digital piano.

You can check surveys of some very much named digital piano to settle on your purchasing choice. With digital pianos, you can locate some awesome highlights that stupendous pianos need, for example, changed audio effects, recording choices, and different additional items.

They offer inclination and experience near a fabulous piano anyway for the real experience of piano playing you may get an acoustic instrument if suitable.

How might I figure out how to play the piano without anyone else?

Thus, in case you’re showing yourself how to play, that is the spot to begin.

Acquaint yourself with the piano. Take a gander at and tune in to the center keys, level keys (left dark keys), sharp keys (right dark keys), bass, and high tones.

Realize where center C is.

Get familiar with the essential keys.

Become familiar with the language of music.

Instructions To Teach Yourself Piano In 10 Steps:

Recollect that learning any instrument takes a promise to rehearse routinely. So in case you’re prepared to learn and focused on rehearsing a ton, we should begin!

1. Get A Piano/Find Yourself A Keyboard

The undeniable initial step is to obtain a piano for yourself. Set a spending plan, do your examination on various kinds of pianos, and look on the web and in your locale for bargains.

A few interesting points:

Numerous music stores lease consoles. In the event that you need to lease before you’re certain the piano/keyboard is appropriate for you, this may be a decent spot to begin.

On the off chance that any of your companions or family are engaged with the music world, connect. They may realize somebody biting the dust to sell an old instrument that isn’t getting utilized for half what it would cost emerging from a container.

In case you can’t locate a piano, a console is an extraordinary other option. They’re reasonable, never leave tune, and have heaps of sounds and highlights that can improve your music. A learning keyboard is an incredible device for a fledgling.

These forte instruments light up in a particular request to assist you with learning melodies all the more rapidly. Normally, they accompany books and recordings that will assist you with learning melodic documentation.

Consoles commonly cost not as much as pianos. In addition to the side, consoles never leave tune and occupy substantially less room than a piano will. Wherein, acoustic pianos regularly range in cost from $2,000 to $10,000 or more for some great show fabulous pianos.

2. Train Your Arms And Hands With Proper Positioning

The initial step on the best way to train yourself to play the piano is to guarantee your arms and hands keep up the right-hand position. That is the “C Position,” which is the commonly measured shape they structure when left hanging to your side.

You will likewise have the option to peruse a choice of notes from both the bass and high pitch clefs, and you will have the option to play some basic piano harmonies in the left hand.

It’s a similar position you need to keep when you put your arms and hands on top of the keys. While doing this, guarantee your wrist and lower arms stay straight.

Play five-finger designs everywhere on the keyboard, and in various keys. Utilize a ton of dark keys! First without notes to become familiar with the geology of the keyboard, and afterward with notes utilizing “milestone notes” to discover your direction.

It’s vital to follow the appropriate hand and finger situating since it forestalls dull pressure injury. Additionally, we comprehend that you’d prefer to figure out how to catch on piano quickly, however, know your cutoff points and don’t over-practice.

3. Know Your Notes

Learning piano methods learning another sort of language – that of music. It’s much similar to how you previously took in the letter set, however for this situation, it’s prominent that you’ll retain. With consistent practice, you’ll have these focused on memory soon enough.

A decent method to begin is with the Do-Re-Mi tune (indeed, the one from The Sound of Music). Each of these speaks to a note on the piano, beginning with note C. It’ll assist you with getting the notes’ pitch while additionally realizing which keys to push on the piano.

Do – Note C

Re – Note D

Mi – Note E

Fa – Note F

So – Note G

La – Note A

Ti – Note B

To find C, search for a couple of dark keys (accidentals). Right to one side is C. There are a few Cs on the piano, and they’re generally eight notes (octave) separated.

F is another feature to know the situation of forwards and backward toward the start. It’s the way into one side of a threesome of dark keys. Remembering your Cs and Fs immediately makes it simpler to retain the area of the remainder of the notes.

4. Acquaint Yourself With Sharps And Flats

The dark keys play either sharps (#) or pads (b). They come in either matches or threesomes.

At the point when you see a # on a piece, that implies you need to play the following higher key. A b, then again, implies you need to play the following lower key.

To begin, take a gander at the focal point of the piano. Do you see that gathering of one set of blacks and a gathering of three? That is the place where you’ll locate the center C note.

As referenced over, all Cs appear to one side of two blacks. F to one side of three blacks. In this way, the ones you find in your piano are the Middle C and Middle F.

At the point when you press the dark key right above and adjacent to the Middle C note, it delivers either a C sharp (C#) or a D level (Db). The dark key next to it plays the D# or Eb. With respect to the dark key alongside Middle F, it plays F# or Gb.

Do you see the example now? Continuously recall that dark keys are in every case either sharps or pads, yet white keys can likewise play sharps or pads.

5. Practice Your Fingers

Since you have your essentials down, next is to apply them with your fingers. Along these lines, you can prepare your fingers to know immediately without bumbling. At the point when you are first figuring out how to play the piano, fingering is vital. You should know where your fingers should go when you are beginning to play the piano.

A decent spot to begin is the petascale approach. Since you definitely know at this point where the Middle C is, you can start your finger practice with the C Major petascale.

To start, put your thumb on the Middle C note, record on D, center on E, ring on F, and a pinky on G. Those five notes make up this petascale.

This is one of the most straightforward finger rehearsing methods since it trains up the entirety of your fingers. Presently, you need to begin gradually, so apply the entire note approach (tally four beats prior to squeezing the following key). From here, you can proceed onward to half notes and afterward quarter notes.

When you feel better, you can climb the training stepping stool to taking it two notes all at once. That implies utilizing two fingers since you’ll squeeze two keys at the same time. It’s somewhat more intricate, yet it’ll assist you with planning progressed pieces.

Picking The Right Instrument

Similarly, you can’t play the piano without a keyboard. Be that as it may, what sort of keyboard will you pick? An acoustic piano or a digital one?

Acoustic pianos stand apart as the customary decision, regardless of whether upstanding or spinet, studio or fabulous. They offer genuine mechanical activity, give you more full control of the sound, and produce predominant tone and tone.

So when you press the keys, you can “feel” the little vibrations as the felt hammers strike the metal strings, you can hear the acoustic resonations of the sound, and you can shape the sound with the pedals as a potter shapes wet earth.

In addition, when you play a nocturne by Chopin, you realize that you are playing the sort of instrument that Chopin himself once played, ensuring a more valid and close insight, the sort of melodic experience advocated by acclaimed performers like Josef Lhevinne and Andre Watts.

All things considered, digital pianos offer restrictive advantages that acoustic pianos neglect to give. They are convenient and thin, while acoustic pianos are unpleasantly substantial. Digital keyboards needn’t bother with tuning, which can be costly, and are insusceptible to changes in stickiness.

They highlight volume controls and earphone jacks that prepare you to rehearse in protection without upsetting individuals around you.

Numerous keyboards include recording abilities, permitting you to save and replay your exhibitions, and they may even associate with your PC, empowering you to form unique scores through natural programming like Finale, Sibelius, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

In the event that you had asked me five years prior to picking the better piano alternative, I would have picked an acoustic one decisively. Today, such stubbornness is not, at this point conceivable.

Digital innovation has improved so drastically that except if you intend to be an A-list artist who hypnotizes the groups at Carnegie Hall, your digital choices fill in as a similarly suitable option for your melodic adventures.

OBSERVING STANDARD PIANO TEACHING CURRICULUM

This is the most solid and holistic DIY approach since it holds fast to set up an instructive (“piano educating”) educational program.

In the event that you take this way, browse pillars, for example, Alfred piano techniques, Bastien Piano Basics by Kjos, the Faber and Faber Piano Adventures arrangement, and the Suzuki Method. Most piano educators use techniques like these and all things considered.

Music instruction specialists have built up these strategies, and these acclaimed educational plans have prepared understudies effectively for ages.

Despite the fact that every arrangement will separate itself from the others by some kind of philosophical or instructive subtlety, they all will in general follow a comparative example.

Supplemental yet discretionary assets may likewise be accessible, including books that highlight mainstream tunes, Christian psalms, execution tunes, Christmas tunes, two-part harmonies and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. As should be obvious, this DIY strategy offers numerous assets.

The books in every arrangement may cost you somewhere in the range of $7 to $30 each, however, you might have the option to save some dollars by buying utilized duplicates through locales like Amazon or eBay.

By adopting this standard educational plan strategy, you will get the most far-reaching DIY learning experience conceivable at a sensible cost.

The greater part of these educational plans give accommodating, exhaustive clarifications for significant ideas, upgraded by bright markings and outlines, assisting you with defeating the nonattendance of an educator.

All things considered, you should put forth a concentrated effort tirelessly. In the event that you don’t comprehend an idea, at that point you should fall back on looking through Google or YouTube or finding a gifted artist who is happy to address your inquiries.

SELF-TEACHING, DO-IT-YOURSELF METHODS

These DIY systems for learning piano eliminate the “centerman,” saving you a great deal of dollars while expecting you to practice solid individual assurance.

Spot Piano

You can either fix a spot for your piano practice or might be adaptable to play it anyplace. A fabulous piano anyway would require you to choose a spot for training meetings. It is suggested that you pick a spot brimming with motivation with certain components of nature, for example, little daylight, greenery, and so forth to get a vibe. The digital piano should not be presented to coordinate sharp sunbeams.

Likewise, get piano far from wet conditions and food. Your piano should not be put in a confined forlorn spot. Treat the piano as something typical and helpful in your home.

Get a Proper Bench/Chair

It is truly significant for a piano student/player to sit at the correct tallness. Being agreeable is a huge piece of learning. On the off chance that you are not easily situated, you would not have the option to create musical delightful tones. Get yourself a lasting seat or seat whatever suits you best. It is better in the event that you get a movable seat so different individuals in the house can pick up an advantage from it.

Learn Basics

On the off chance that you have no clue about keys, notes, harmonies, and different components of your piano console; it will be truly hard for you to get a speedy handle on playing the piano.

Prior to beginning your exercises and practice meetings, get a hand on all the essential information and abilities required for playing the piano. Aside from components of the keyboard, find out about hand situating, finger arrangement, and legitimate body act required for playing the piano successfully.

Settle on your Learning Pattern

You can figure out how to play the piano with help of different techniques. You can enlist an expert mentor or can select yourself in an online course. There exist piano instructing foundations and you can go along with one of them.

Additionally, a wide scope of online recordings, DVDs, instructional books, and digital books are currently accessible that give you bit by bit rules for learning piano. Pick a strategy or learning design that suits you best.

Be roused and centered

For any new assignment you start and for any new thing you learn, you should be enthusiastic and centered about it. Taking revenue would make this learning to a greater extent a pleasant than an overwhelming assignment.

Powerful learning could never be as successful as learning with individual premium. Find out on your own and set your own objectives. Try not to contrast your advancement and different companions and associates. Set your own imprints and track your improvement.

Persistence and Time

It is unimaginable to expect to benefit from learning piano in a day and there will be no convenient solutions. Actually, you would have to give time and keep tolerance.

Remember that you would have to rehearse a ton; you will commit errors yet accept those mix-ups as establishments for better learning. Beset up to dedicate a great deal of time, endeavors, and energy and you will see the outcomes.

What is the snappiest method to learn piano?

Set up finger strategy: As conflicting as it sounds, playing a piece gradually can really assist you with learning to play a piece rapidly, and subsequently, can be the quickest method to learn piano. For instance, a piece may include certain themes or topics that are rehashed all through the piece.

Is it difficult to show yourself the piano?

While you may feel that it is difficult to turn into a capable and steady player without forever and a day of costly piano exercises, that isn’t really the situation. With a little information about the notes, keys, and harmonies, and a ton of training, you can instruct yourself to play the piano.

Last Thought

Learning piano isn’t modest; left us alone obvious that you would have to set aside some cash to get the hang of playing this assorted instrument. The main point before you start to learn piano is setting up your outlook and get a decent piano with contact with delicate keys and a pleasant sound.

This instrument would require care, so keep it tuned (for acoustic pianos), clean and abstain from misusing. Practice routinely and work out your meetings as per your arrangements and objectives.

On the off chance that you come up short on these underlying rules, you may wind up having a truly costly melodic toy in your grasp.

#Prepared For Learning Piano #learning piano #piano #digital piano

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sanstropfremir · 4 years ago

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definitionofcasualstan submitted:

Hey, I just saw your review on ep. 3 and goddamn, I am so happy I finally get to read a review from someone who sounds like they actually know what they are talking about. Idk if you watched road to kingdom, but the overall feel I got, was the groups trying to outscream each other with loud performances and every time someone tried something different, they were literally booed off. For eg. Golden child or even the boyz when they did that colab. And kingdom is boarding the same train. Take sf9 in ep. 3. It’s not that I understand performing that well, but them not getting a single vote was really a bit too much. I found their performance easier to follow. They had a clear story, there weren’t too many distractions and the song arrangement was actually pleasent on the ears, not just epic. I think they should have been at least fourth. Does mnet think loud and flashy performances are the only kind people like? I just can’t understand.

Not gonna lie, i was scared for ep 3 too, because in the preview jongho sounded so off key it made me cringe. I don’t how that happened, since the actual performance was great.

Anyway, my rant is over. If you read all the way here, thank you 😅 btw, I watched the s*ju performance and I really liked it. It was simple and well executed.

—

i know you submitted this but i’m just gonna respond to this like an ask lol. don’t worry this isnt even remotely close to the longest rant ive received, thank you for sharing! i did watch rtk but just the stages and not while it was airing, so i have no idea what any of the drama was. i thought there was a fairly good variety of stage themes i’d have to go back and watch them all through again to actually pick out the details and who did what because my memory is a sieve. i do remember that all of those collab stages were really strong so i’m not surprised that the oneus tbz stage ranked last even though it was probably one of my favourite stages.

i also think that to some extent we’re all kind of projecting a bit: there’s only been one full stage so far and there’s already been a fair amount of variety in theme, but not so much variety in aesthetic. also, i just finished watching the full episode and people are really skimming over what i think is the more bombshell ranking: the fucking experts panel! where in the FUCK do they think they can get off putting btob LAST?!? the experts ranking was:

1. ateez 2. skz 3. tbz 4. sf9 5. ikon 6. btob

which i actually think is like, partially close: ateez did deserve first and i think sf9’s stage was worth a 3rd or 4th like i said in my review; it’s a really good stage, just ateez and btob were slighly more polished. but btob last?!?! i’m going to have an aneurysm none of these people are experts i dont care what mnet says. because these performance style stages are stll somewhat of a novelty within the kpop scene it makes sense that the spectacle sells so that’s what mnet is trying to optimize. it sucks, because it really narrows people’s perceptions of what a spectacular (as in spectacle, not as in cool) stage can be. like i said in the replies of hanya’s post here, the ateez stage looks that good not because it was over budget (it definitely wasn’t), it was because they hired a designer that knew what they were doing and likely either had theatre training or is a theatre designer. i’ve been saying this the whole time, but these kpop stages are trying to reinvent the wheel when korea has literally a MASSIVE musical industry they could be tapping for ideas and production staff. also, you can do beautiful and spectacular stages for ballad songs, it happens super frequently in musical theatre. a good example is on s'aimera quand même from cléopatre la dernière reine d'egypte, because even though i dont respect france in the slightest their spectacle musical industry in the 2010s was ANOTHER LEVEL. a love ballad where the dude just flings his partner around the stage attached to a fly harness? incredible. but ballads do actually require the performers to be able to sing and have good stage presence, which is lacking in some of these kingdom groups. also thank you for trusting me burn the floor is excellent and i wish kpop would do more experimental stuff like it, but that might require idols to look unattractive or not show their face so i guess we can’t have that…

#kingdom #kpop questions #french spectacle musicals are really something else there are some really wild ones out there #i didnt link to the lil bio thing i made this round but yes i do actually know what im talking about im a trained theatre designer lol #if you check my 'kingdom review' tag you can see the rest of my analysis for the intro stages and also the dance solo stage #plus i've answered a bunch of questions about kpop related things in the 'kpop questions' tag #i was thinking about doing some retrospective analysis on some rtk stages but i am an adult and im trying to finish my degree show work #so those may have to wait #text #kpop analysis #submission #answers #kingdom asks

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afterwefell3filmsubinromana · 3 years ago

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After We Fell 3| Film-Online 2021) SUB In Română - Filmul descărcare

After We Fell (DVD-Română) Dublat in Română | After We Fell (HQ-Română) (2021) online subtitrat în Română After We Fell [After We Fell] ( FILMUL-ROMANA ) online sub in Romana — After We Fell ( FILMUL-ROMANA ) (2021) Dublat in Româna Regatul After We Fell ( FILMUL-ROMANA ) film sub in romana hd [FILM] After We Fell ( FILMUL-ROMANA ) 2021 Film Online Subtitrat in Românâ

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Publicat: 2021-09-01 Durata de functionare: 108 minute Gen: Romantic, Dramă Stele: Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Chance Perdomo, Carter Jenkins, Kiana Madeira Regizor: Jennifer Gibgot, Mark Canton, Courtney Solomon, George Kallis, Anna Bingemann

POVESTE: After We Fell 3 era in desfasurare la 20th Century Fox inainte ca Disney sa-l cumpere. Acesta este unul dintre putinele filme Fox care continua produsul sub proprietatea Disney. Personajul principal din Guy, Ryan Reynolds a zis ca nu a mai avut o aventura pe cinste de la filmul Deadpool pana acum.

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After We Fell 3 (2021-2021) film online subtitrat – Taking control – Tipul liber: Preluarea controlului. O pelicula unica de actiune, aventura si comedie regizat de Shawn Levy dintr-un scenariu gandit de Matt Lieberman si Zak Penncu cu urmatorii actori principali: Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Taika Waititi. Povestea suna asa: Un tip care lucreaza la banca realizeaza ca este de fapt un NPC intr-un joc video violent, insa in lumea reala. Acesta stie ca tot ce poate sa faca este sa incerce sa termine jocul pentru a se putea salva, inainte ca, contructorii jocului sa il poata incerca. Pentru a face asta el trebuie sa devina un semizeu in joc si are un timp limitat. Vezi aventura acestuia si daca va reusi sa se salveze urmarind After We Fell 3 online subtitrat in limba romana neinrerupt – Filme noi 2021 gratis.

🔮 THE STORY 🔮

Like personal history, other than it is told more “from memory”, for example it truly is the way the individual by and by recalls and feels about their life or a phase in their life, more than the exact, recorded subtleties of that period. Despite the fact that diaries will in general be more emotional than life account works, journals are commonly still viewed as genuine works. Furthermore, there are some fiction works that imply to be the “diaries” of anecdotal characters too, done in a comparative style, nonetheless, they are in another classification from their verifiable partners. A story that happens around the time steam power was first getting into utilization. The business transformation is a typical time setting for steam punk stories, and the steam innovation can regularly be in reality further developed contrasted with the genuine innovation of that time-frame (for instance, Steam Detectives highlights steam-controlled robots). The most quick sort of steampunk subculture is the network of fans encompassing the class. Others move past this, endeavoring to embrace a “steampunk” stylish through design, inside stylistic layout and even music. Sadly, not everything is discovered to be unadulterated and strictly realistic in the film as I Still Believe gets overloaded with a few significant purposes of analysis and execution in the component. In what capacity? Regardless, the film feels somewhat fragmented in Jeremy Camp’s excursion. What’s introduced works (fairly), yet it doesn’t suffer, particularly becausae the Erwin Brothers have a troublesome us in making certain about the correct story way for the film to take. Obviously, the string of Jeremy and Melissa are the essential focal center (and legitimately so), yet pretty much all that else gets totally pushed aside, including Jeremy’s melodic profession ascend to fame and a few of the different characters and their significance (more on that beneath). This additionally makes the film have a particular pacing issues all through the film, with I Still Believe run us of 6 minutes (1 hour and 56 minutes) feeling longer than it should be, particularly with how much story that the Erwin Brothers skip from (for example a few plot pieces/sections are left unanswered or missing).

🔮 COPYRIGHT CONTENT 🔮

Copyright is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the exclusive right to make copies of a creative work, usually for a limited time.[1][2][3][4][5] The creative work may be in a literary, artistic, educational, or musical form. Copyright is intended to protect the original expression of an idea in the form of a creative work, but not the idea itself.[6][7][8] A copyright is subject to limitations based on public interest considerations, such as the fair use doctrine in the United States. Some jurisdictions require “fixing” copyrighted works in a tangible form. It is often shared among multiple authors, each of whom holds a set of rights to use or license the work, and who are commonly referred to as rights holders.[citation needed][9][10][11][12] These rights frequently include reproduction, control over derivative works, distribution, public performance, and moral rights such as attribution.[13] Copyrights can be granted by public law and are in that case considered “territorial rights”. This means that copyrights granted by the law of a certain state, do not extend beyond the territory of that specific jurisdiction. Copyrights of this type vary by country; many countries, and sometimes a large group of countries, have made agreements with other countries on procedures applicable when works “cross” national borders or national rights are inconsistent.[14] Typically, the public law duration of a copyright expires 50 to 100 years after the creator dies, depending on the jurisdiction. Some countries require certain copyright formalities[5] to establishing copyright, others recognize copyright in any completed work, without a formal registration. It is widely believed that copyrights are a must to foster cultural diversity and creativity. However, Parc argues that contrary to prevailing beliefs, imitation and copying do not restrict cultural creativity or diversity but in fact support them further. This argument has been supported by many examples such as Millet and Van Gogh, Picasso, Manet, and Monet, etc.[15]

🔮 ADAPTATION 🔮

Streaming media is sight and sound that is continually gotten by and introduced to an end-client while being conveyed by a supplier. The action word to stream alludes to the technique of conveying or acquiring media this way.[clarification needed] Streaming distinguishes the conveyance way to deal with the medium, as opposed to the medium itself. Recognizing conveyance strategy from the media disseminated applies especially to broadcast communications organizations, as practically the entirety of the conveyance frameworks are either characteristically streaming (for example radio, TV, streaming applications) or innately non-streaming (for example books, video tapes, sound tracks CDs). There are difficulties with streaming substance on the web. For instance, clients whose Internet association needs enough transfer speed may encounter stops, slacks, or moderate buffering of the substance. What’s more, clients lacking viable equipment or programming frameworks could be not able to stream certain substance. Live web based is the conveyance of Internet content progressively much as live TV communicates content over the wireless transmissions by means of a TV signal. Live web streaming requires such a source media (for example a camcorder, a sound interface, screen catch programming), an encoder to digitize the substance, a media distributer, and a substance conveyance organization to circulate and convey the substance. Live streaming shouldn’t be recorded at the start point, however it regularly is. Streaming is a choice to document downloading, a movement wherein the end-client acquires the entire record for this substance prior to watching or tuning in to it. Through streaming, an end-client can utilize their media player to begin on playing advanced video or computerized sound substance before the entire record has been sent. The expression “streaming media” can apply to media separated from video and sound, such as live shut inscribing, paper feed, and ongoing content, which are totally viewed as “streaming content”.

#After We Fell 3 #film-online #2021 #SUB In Română #Filmul descărcare

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ancientechos · 4 years ago

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Shopping Trip!

For @whitherliliesbloom, based on their headcanons on an Illyanaud/Laurchefant double date!

Alphinaud/Illya + Haurchefant/Laurelis ♡ 2109 words ♡ some kinda modern au

This is supposed to be a so-called “double date”, but as far as Alphinaud is concerned, it is merely a regular one. Between Laurelis and Illya.

Haurchefant and Alphinaud simply happen to be there at the same time. Or at the very least in their general vicinity.

The taller elezen doesn’t appear especially bothered by this; he bears his burden of an already concerning amount of bags with unprecedented grace and decorum.

“They look like they’re having fun,” he says with an easy smile once he notices the white-haired elezen glancing toward him. Alphinaud clears his throat.

“I -- yes, I...suppose that is one of the words...that could describe them.”

Laurelis stands in the middle of one of the clothing stores, a veritable pile of dresses thrown over the nearest rack, clearly selected for the lalafellin girl fidgeting demurely in front of her. She holds her most recent pick -- a pale turquoise ruffled dress -- in both hands, holding it out near the shorter girl’s shoulders.

Whilst Illya looks only somewhat uncomfortable with her predicament, the miqo’te has a somewhat pinched, pensive expression as she stares at younger girl and garment with narrowed eyes. Then, abruptly and apparently satisfied, she gives a tiny nod and gently folds the dress before placing it on the ground beside her.

“Don’t I need to try that on first...?”

“Nope! I know you’ll look adorable without even putting it on!” Laurelis’ smile is bright and infectious; even Illya can’t help but let her lips upturn despite her misgivings. “But this...” The pink-haired woman’s voice trails off as she pulls yet another dress from the small pile she’s amassed. “I’m afraid you will have to try this one on.”

She holds it up to Illya briefly, before allowing the lalafell to take the dress from her. It’s a light, checkered thing; Alphinaud can’t make it out clearly from this distance, but it seems to have something frilly or lacy at the front.

After a mild “argument” (”Are you sure this isn’t too much?” “Nonsense! There’s never too many cute clothes!”), the lalafell retreats to the dressing room, defeated, dress in hand.

Perhaps it’s understandable that she should feel anxious. The vast majority of the bags Haurchefant holds contain clothes and shoes...for Illya, after all.

This scene had been repeated numerous times in other stores, with but one exception that had occurred exactly once and then never again, though the memory still causes the hair at the back of Alphinaud’s neck to spike in unease.

Illya had hesitantly peered out of the dressing room, violet eyes glimmering with discontent; she only finally pulled herself out with effusive and exuberant encouragement from her best friend. The sight that greeted the pale-haired elezen had nearly stolen his breath away: the dress Laurelis had chosen for her was the perfect colour and cut, brilliantly highlighting her features and, at the same time, making her look somehow even more lovely than she had mere minutes ago.

His silence had not gone unnoticed. Whilst Haurchefant had quickly offered his own praise, Alphinaud had merely been struck speechless and tongue-tied, as if somehow turned to stone. And the miqo’te had wheeled toward him, eyes narrowed, fluffy tail twitching only once.

“What do you think, Alphinaud? Doesn’t she look beautiful?”

Alphinaud had thought he could catch a hint of an uncharacteristic sharpness in her gaze -- a subtle glare that looked utterly unnerving on the miqo’te. He had cleared his throat, finding the words he needed to curtail his execution rapidly surfacing despite his initial floundering.

“O-of course. She looks beautiful -- absolutely stunning.” He most certainly did not stutter.

The pink-haired woman’s expression had transformed into a beam that could very well rival the sun. “Fantastic! I knew you’d like it.” Giving a tiny, gleeful clap, she had levied Illya with yet another dress, and the bone-chilling moment had passed as if nothing untoward had ever happened.

Alphinaud still occasionally feels somewhat cold, for no discernible reason.

As Laurelis fawns over the assortment of clothes she’s uncovered for Illya to wear and try on, Alphinaud finds his mind wandering. If this is a shopping trip -- and so it appears, as opposed to an actual date -- he may as well do some shopping on his own.

It appears Illya is well and covered in the clothing department, so he supposes there’s room for him to buy something else...

Like, he thinks, as his gaze roves over a nearby store, jewelry.

Illya, being quite modest, doesn’t often afford herself the luxury of pretty trinkets. Almost never, really, and certainly really nothing expensive.

Well, expensive for her. To him, and to apparently the pink-haired miqo’te, it may as well be a drop in the ocean.

The black, lacquered sign gleams at him under the skylights as he approaches. Genuine crystal bouquets. Perhaps not quite jewelry, as he’d initially assumed, but some sort of trinket nonetheless. And certainly nothing Illya would look even twice at.

She does love flowers, however. What ever would be better than an undying, beautifully cut, and vibrant bouquet? Far more than a simple collection of fake flowers...

Or so that’s what he thinks as he peers into the small shop. Behind locked cabinets and displays of glass are numerous attentively arranged crystalline flowers. Some are simply made of nondescript crystal; others, more ostentatiously priced, are labelled to be carved of gemstone.

He’s drawn almost immediately toward a composition of lilies, sparkling in the light. The price on the card beside them would undoubtedly make his girlfriend faint.

“Looking to buy, sir?” The elderly gentleman behind the counter hones in on him almost immediately, attracted by the crispness of his shirt and the stitching of his tailored coat. Evidently the man can smell the bottomless cards stowed away in his pockets.

“Yes, I -- I was wondering, might I have a look at that lily bouquet up there?” Alphinaud gives a nod toward the glass shelves behind the counter. The shopkeep pulls out an assortment of keys from his pocket and begins fiddling with the locks.

“I feel like I shouldn’t even be here.” The light, airy comment nearly startles the long-haired young man out of his skin; he turns slightly to see his other companion, Haurchefant, joining him, bags in either hand. “Are you getting that for Illya?” He leans forward slightly as the older man brings the delicate bouquet down before them, allowing them both to look at it.

“Yes. I think it’s very beautiful. It suits her, don’t you think?” Alphinaud gently brushes a finger along one crystalline petal. It would look quite pretty on her nightstand -- perhaps away from any windows, lest anyone less savoury see it.

“It is very pretty -- ” Haurchefant breaks himself off as the shopkeep reminds his friend of the price. “But are you sure she’ll like it? It is rather expensive, after all...wouldn’t she be worried?”

Though Alphinaud does not think it to be that much of a money sink...he can attest that his love would probably be rather critical of the cost involved. Pursing his lips slightly, he looks away from the diamond lilies. “I suppose you are correct...”

He looks instead toward a series of delicately cut roses, pale and translucent. The price for these is substantially less.

“What about these ones...?”

When he walks out of the store a few minutes later, box neatly wrapped and tied and deposited into a white nondescript bag, he feels quite pleased with himself. Haurchefant had kept up his attempts to dissuade him, though to no avail; this bouquet was, after all, far less expensive than the other alternative. And roses are very romantic. Not to mention these particular flowers are eternal.

Illya might gripe about it, but she shouldn’t be displeased, he thinks.

The girls -- or Laurelis, rather -- have already finished making their new purchases by the time they return to the clothing store, the miqo’te excitedly chattering to her friend about the fine points of matching colours and accents.

________

The restaurant is filled with the sound of soft music and the laughter of children and the other patrons. Their shopping has been deposited in the trunk of Haurchefant’s car -- box of crystal roses included, which Illya miraculously did not notice.

Or perhaps chose not to bring up in front of their friends.

“What are you getting, Illya?” Laurelis asks with a mild quirk of her lips as she flips through her menu. Her expression is furrowed slightly in characteristic indecision, before it lightens. “I think I’m getting one of the burgers...”

“Um...” Illya trails off a moment as she finishes coming to her own decision. “The piping hot chicken wings, I think...”

“Ah -- I-I see...what about you, Haurchefant, Alphinaud?”

Alphinaud shuts his menu before he responds. “I’ll probably just get a coffee and a salad.” He’s typically not too hungry by lunchtime -- even with the walking they’d been doing earlier.

“I’ll likely be getting one of the burgers myself,” comes Haurchefant’s reply, closing his own menu.

It doesn’t take too long for their orders to finally arrive, or perhaps it only feels that way with the light, jovial chatter. Laurelis’ fashion classes are going well, as are Haurchefant’s English courses, and Illya’s shop is of course proceeding swimmingly. The conversation ceases for only a moment as the pink-haired woman fishes out her cellphone.

“I have to take pictures!” she announces. “If -- well, if that’s okay with everyone, at least.” Somehow, she always manages to make the food look even more appetising than it already is in her snapshots.

The wings on Illya’s plate are steaming, the scent of spice nearly overpowering the smell of Laurelis and Haurchefant’s burgers across the table. Alphinaud eyes the lalafell’s meal warily, keeping to his plain and boring salad.

“Oh, may I try one, Illya? They look quite good.” Haurchefant asks. Laurelis’ head nearly whips clean off her shoulders as she looks up to stare at him in what can only be described as abject pity, mouth agape.

“O-of course,” Illya murmurs, gently pushing her plate forward. The silver-haired man reaches to pluck one of the wings off her plate, lifting it to his mouth. He’s hardly even licked it when his eyebrows furrow slightly in consternation.

The brave man does, in fact, manage to take a bite -- and perhaps, it seems, even swallow it, though Alphinaud feels rather too terrified to actually get a good look at his facial expression.

“Well -- that was -- very good...I, ah -- excuse me...”

Laurelis politely slides out of the booth to allow the taller elezen to shift past her, and Alphinaud continues to wonder how he simply doesn’t sprint to the nearest washroom.

“I-is Haurchefant all right...?” Illya asks with wide, violet eyes. Her best friend gives a faint laugh, waving a hand gently.

“Oh, he’ll be fine! I-I think I felt his phone vibrating in his pocket, he m-must have gotten a call or something!”

“I hope it wasn’t anything serious...”

Their final group member returns a few minutes later, though he does not ask to partake in Illya’s dish again, and assures them that everything had gone well with his call.

________

Alphinaud feels a little bad for Haurchefant driving him home, but the older elezen had insisted.

“There’s nothing wrong with friends dropping friends off, is there? You don’t need to take your fancy driver everywhere.”

And Laurelis doesn’t even use a driver despite it well being within her means to. For some ungodly reason, she prefers to walk.

“I can take you home, Illya, if you don’t mind,” Alphinaud says before he steps out of the car. “I have something I’d like to talk to you about, too.”

The lalafellin girl looks a little confused as she blinks up at him. “Talk...?”

“Yes! So -- we can take your shopping to my apartment, right?”

“Oh, sure!” Laurelis wheedles her way into the conversation. “I can help you carry everything up! There’s...a lot, ahah...”

“I’ll help, too.” Haurchefant’s smile is easy and light. “I think you’ll need it.”

Alphinaud staunchly pretends he has not an inkling of what the older man could possibly be talking about, the crystal bouquet weighing heavier than any mountain of shoes possibly could. He only hopes she’ll like them.

#final fantasy xiv #ffxiv #alphinaud x wol #alphinaud leveilleur #haurchefant x wol #illya skawi #haurchefant x laurelis #haurchefant greystone #laurelis thyme #laurelis #illya #haurchefant #alphinaud #w: on our honour #fanfic #mine #other verses #modern au #my writing

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just-a-cheese-stick · 4 years ago

Text

THH spoilers

Naeleon week day 4

Ingame

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ He didn’t know how he got in this situation. Well, he knew, but at the same time he didn’t.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Leon stood there in front of the dead body of his classmate. A classmate whose life he had taken out of pure anxiety. But a life he deeply regretted taking nonetheless.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ His entire body was shaking. Did he really just do that?? This has to be some twisted dream! Right?

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Leon could feel his breathing pick up as he bolted out of the bathroom. He didn’t know where he was going or what he was doing or meant to do.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ He went into his room and locked the door.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ “Oh my god” he muttered under his breath still in shock at what had just happened.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ He needed to destroy any of the evidence first. That was the first order of business.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ At this point, Leon’s anxiety was so high he couldn’t think. Everything that night started to blur together in a frightening haze. So much so that burning his bloodstained jacket, he didn’t even notice the piece that had fallen. The piece that would lead everyone in his direction and ultimately get him killed

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ But he was too panicked.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Finally, Leon made it back to his dorm safe and sound. He flopped down onto his bed and took a second to catch his breath. Only then was he somewhat able to make some sense of what happened that night.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ He killed Sayaka after she jumped at him with a knife out of nowhere. How could he forget? He cleaned the scene of any hints leading in his direction and made a run for it. But even still, his plan was flawed. And as much as he wanted to trust that he’d be safe, deep down he knew. He’s going to be executed.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Killed without getting to listen to music again. Killed without seeing his mom and cousin. Killed without getting to come out as bi. Killed without getting to go through on that music career he strived for. Killed before he got the chance to build up the guts to confess to Makoto. Killed without ever getting to hold his hand or lay with him on a cold day. He would be gone without a second thought.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Tears started to well in his eyes. What about Makoto? He was gonna leave him all alone! They wouldn’t be able to hang out any more. All their chats, all the memories, gone. He would have to leave the one person in the school he cared for the most.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ He couldn’t just leave him alone. Not in this fucked up killing game. But he had to. No matter how much he could try to deny it, Leon would have to die and leave Makoto behind.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ He was determined to leave him with something so he wouldn’t feel as alone. There was so much he still wanted to tell him. He had promised him they’d get out together and play baseball. He was really looking forward to that.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ He looked around the room for something to give him and found a paper and pen. He’d leave him a final note before dies. Just so Makoto knows he’s not alone.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ He got out the paper and pencil and started writing.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ “Dear Makoto,

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Hey man. It’s Leon. I’m probably not going to be with you much longer. I’m so sorry man.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ By the time you’re reading this, I’ll probably have been executed by now.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ But please don’t feel bad. It’s not your fault. It’s mine.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ I’m so sorry dude. The last thing I wanted to do was to leave you alone. But in order for you to stay alive, I’ll have to die.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ I’ve heard of paranormal activity and while I don’t really buy into that, if that’s the case, I’m not leaving your side then.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ I’m sorry man. Maybe in another life.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Thank you for being my friend. I love you.

-Leon”

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ He neatly folded the note and placed it in the pocket of his jacket and went to bed

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Leon never ended up getting to give the note to Makoto.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ He was too panicked at his trial that he was going to die. The note he wrote to the person he loved was forgotten in his mind.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Leon was executed just after. It was brutal and painful.

He was dead.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ But, the note had fallen out of his pocket as he was being dragged away. As the class was walking back from the execution, Taka had spotted a piece of paper folded on the ground.

He picked it up and brushed off the dirt.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ “Has anyone lost a paper?” He asked holding Leon’s note up. Nobody spoke. He went silent as well, still in shock at what had happened. To be fair, so was the entire class. He went quiet again.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ It wasn’t until later that evening when Taka had checked the note for a name or handwriting.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ This wouldn’t have been his first resort since he was not one to snoop into someone’s business, but maybe it was important to someone.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ When he checked the letter, he was slightly suprised. He was expecting maybe a drawing or some homework, but what he wasn’t expecting was for it to be from one of their recently deceased classmates.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ While he didn’t read the whole letter since he didn’t want to invade anyone’s privacy, he wanted to make sure the letter got into the hands of the intended recipient.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Makoto was sitting in his room, still messed up about earlier. He had just watched his best friend get dragged away and brutally killed. Naturally, he’d be a little freaked out.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ A firm knock could be heard at the door.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ “Come in” Makoto said, sounding tired.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎The door opened and Taka had walked in.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎”I found this note addressed to you” Taka said handing the note to Makoto.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Makoto looked at it for a second, confused. But he thanked him.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Taka nodded in response and walked out of the room closing the door.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Makoto opened the note and started reading.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Immediately upon reading the first sentence, he could feel himself tear up.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ Makoto read the note over and over again, feeling tears welling up in his eyes but a smile on his face.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ He wasn’t smiling because his friend was dead, but because it was like getting to talk to him one last time.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ He held the note carefully to his chest almost as if Leon’s spirit was somehow in it.

‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎ “goodbye, Leon. I love you too”

#naeleonweek2020 #ch 1 spoilers #angst #major character death #naeleon #kuwaegi #makuwata #leokoto #leonaegi #sad shit #TwT #Taka did a good thing :D #I got sad writing this #sorry it’s late I was testing for adhd #no results yet :’)

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