#oh god this is going to be sooooo oh the misery huh

[wretchedwitchpussy]

s2a1 arcane has me sick frothing puking crying sobbing. caitvi jayvik divorce season. jesus cult leaders and fascists. everyone's sexy. EVERYONE'S SEXY. hextech abominations. arcane corruption. the animation. THE ANIMATION OH MY GOD. circles and cycles and death and rebirth and light and dark and blood vs found family motifs. oh my god put me down i'm going to be SICK

[madrone33]

Sooooo. Just listened to the Original Broadway Cast Recording. I am. Sad. And happy. Idk it's a very confusing emotion, but if you know Hadestown, you probably know exactly what I mean.

Anyway! Here's my reaction to that. Uhhh very VERY long post. As in 3.5k words. I... apparently made a lot of rambley notes and reactions and observations lol.

Whatever. I wrote it for me, and am deciding to post it here because I can. And also because @musical-theatre-gay asked me to tag them when I finally listened to it. So uh, here it is lol.

Also, I'm typing this up at midnight (why do I do this to myself) so if there's any typos, uh, no there aren't :D

Road to Hell

The trumpet thingy lez goooo

Huh, Hermes’ voice is more… is it weird to say gay? Or... black. Idk I’ll find a better description later lol. It’s gonna take some time to get used to the different VAs.

Oh new spoken lines!

The clapping is less like a real crowd for some reason?

Oooh new verse?

Huh, so in this one, it’s more explicit that they’re gods. The other one was a bit more just- metaphorical allusions to it.

Hades is introduced here? Huh!

Lol this Hermes seems more flamboyant.

The ensemble gets an introduction? Cool.

Music strips back; nice. Oh this is a different introduction for Orpheus! He’s already working on his La la la song? Wait did Hermes just say he was friends with his mum? And his mum’s a muse? So Orpheus has a lore reason to be into music here, huh.

Eurydice is introduced here?? Wow cool! I knew who it was as soon as he said “come on in from the cold” lol.

Nice high note!

Any Way the Wind Blows

Oh! New song!!

The ensemble always has such pretty harmonies.

Huh, the seasons are more absolute, foreshadowing how Hades calls Persephone back earlier and earlier leaving no autumn; and she probably rushes to leave for the surface more abruptly as well, coming back with “a suitcase of summertime” and skipping spring.

Eurydice’s VA has less of an accent, and almost sounds more polished? Less rough or smth?

Oh wait these are the lyrics from that song near the end when Orpheus and Eurydice are renewing their promises to each other. “Any way the wind blows.”

“Whether weather” I like that.

Wait, am I tripping? There sounds like there’s multiple girls singing. Are they the Fates? Ahhh I can’t tell who’s who RIP

Oooh I love the riffs on “any way the wind blo-o-ows.”

Is this song going to replace the one she was introduced in originally?

That little piano trill is from a later song, and I can’t remember which, but it is giving me Bad Vibes, I don’t trust it.

Oh huh, Hermes and Orpheus have an actual relationship in this one?

Come Home with Me

Another new song!

Lol Hermes being Orpheus’ wingman.

OMG LMAO. “Bro, listen, don’t come on too strong.” “Ok, yeah, yeah, gottit.” One second later: “Come home with me-”

The ensemble backing his words. Bro you are coming on REAL strong rn lol.

Hermes is probs face palming in the back.

XD omg I love her. The way she twisted that from “play the lyre” to “a liar and a player.”

Awww Hermes is such a wingman.

Spring as in the season but also mending Hades’ and Persephone’s relationship!

Aw no, Eurydice, I know it sounds like he’s crazy, but bro is SMITTEN. Put him out of his misery and give him a chance lol.

Wedding Song

A wedding song 👀??

Yo wait this tune is the one Hades and Persephone sing in, uh, Chant I think? But a more happy version!

Also these lyrics with the river and wedding band become callbacks in the last duet song when they renew their promises!

I like Orpheus’ voice!

These are some bold promises there, Orpheus. And we see later how he can’t really keep it.

Awww he sounds so bashful and shy. Also, Eurydice, I get that you’re not an artist, but as an artist, you can’t ask us to show our first drafts!! That’s like, super awkward and embarrassing putting us on the spot like that lmao.

Oooh we’re getting the La la la’s here! It’s always so pretty.

From her reaction, I’m guessing something physically happened? Did flowers spontaneously bloom or something? Does Orpheus have superpowers? Or was it just a feeling of pure wonder and happiness from all the amazing harmonies?

Him constantly embarrassedly and almost defensively saying the song’s not finished is so relatable tho.

Oh she’s enabling him in making the song! She’s not bitter and disillusioned about it yet.

Her joining in on his hopeful promises.

Epic I

Ah, here’s Epic I! I'd wondered about that in the original.

Oh? The La la la’s aren’t an original melody? It’s an instinctive one?? Hermes, spill the tea.

Yo we’re getting this tune??? The one that Orpheus uses to convince Hades at the end!

Is it just me, or are there not a lot of rhymes in this verse?

It was Hades’ and Persephone’s song???? Damn.

It’s kinda funny; this Orpheus’ speaking voice is higher than the first, but his singing voice is rougher. At least to me lol.

Livin’ it Up on Top

Huh this is a different start.

Omg EPIC: The Musical has taken over my brain. Anytime I hear the word “Waiting” I just-

Persephone’s VA in this is surprisingly similar to the other one!

Lol I’m always down for some Underworld/Hell/Death jokes.

Hmm with Eurydice’s added songs, Persephone’s line of “Who says times are hard” is almost mockingly blase, kinda showing her privileged worldview.

Dance break! This is even more of a party song than the first version lol.

There’s more interjections during Orpheus’ speech.

Wait, is that a lyric change, or am I remembering wrong? I think in the first version it was “May the world we dream about be the one we live in now” and now it’s “To the world we dream about, and the world we live in now”?

All I've Ever Known ("In spite of herself...") (Intro)

An interlude?

Hey, this is the thing Hermes says in the last song after Eurydice is gone! The “he could make you see how the world could be in spite of the way it is.”

All I've Ever Known

Smooth transition!

Oh ok cool, we still got this one!

This song is a lot more sweet here, with the previous context.

"I don't wanna go back to the lonely life!" Ahhh her high note!

Why is Orpheus such a… disney princess? Y’know? Like, he’s singing to birds and trees, saying he always knew his beloved before he met her, has a personal backing choir, a muse as a mother and a god as a guardian, and intuitively knew Hades’ and Persephone’s ancient melody. I mean I��m not complaining, but it’s kinda funny how magical girl he is in this version.

These are some weird note progressions on the violin or viola or whichever it is. It’s almost a pretty tune, until it goes slightly minor or off key or something.

Oh no not this part! These promises they can’t keep.

But then she leeeeeaves!

Way Down Hadestown

Those are some ominous strings and piano.

New verse?

The wall is mentioned this early?

Huh, Hermes is singing this part with the “everybody hungry”? I could’ve sworn it was Orpheus in the other.

I like how it goes from “chromium throne” to “thrown to the bottom.” I just really like homophones, ok?

Ooh! An awesome bass voice is an awesome bass voice.

"Kinda makes you wonder how it feels..." Eurydice, noooo.

A Gathering Storm

Another new song? Is that an organ? It’s so cool.

Wait, no I know those choir harmonies… I’m getting “Eurydice leaving” vibes, is that right or…? And also, I think they sang the “Any way the wind blows” tune?

She sounds so resigned now, damn.

I never actually put together that Hades calling Persephone back early had a bigger impact than just on their relationship, that the consequences on the wider world triggered the winter that made Eurydice so desperate for material safety.

Ohhhh! So THIS is why Orpheus is so determined to finish his song!!

Oh no Orpheuuuus! I know the song is super important, I mean, it does bring back spring and fall, and it’s literally what gives you a chance with Hades, but you wouldn’t need that chance if she hadn’t left/died! Focus on your WIFE.

But also, the creative tunnel vision is so real lol. Who needs food and sleep when you’re in The Zone, amirite?

Epic II

This tune again! I… don’t think this is in the original either? The lyrics are unfamiliar.

Since Helios is sometimes literally just the sun, the way the lyrics say “he thinks of his wife in the arms of the sun, and jealousy fuels him” makes it sound like Persephone’s having an affair lol.

"With doubt that his lover will ever come back" Oooh. As in; Doubt comes creeping in?

Wait no, I’ve heard this “the River Styx is a river of stones” part! Did I just completely forget that first part, or was it changed?

But I don’t know this part?? Is it just switching back and forth?

The La la la’s come back!

"The pickaxe flashes; the hammer falls [...] and drown out the sound of the song he once heard" I love how the pickaxe and working sounds of CHCK and HOOH literally drown out the sound of the song.

Chant

Ayyyy. It’s Chant! I love this one! Wonder if they’ll have changed anything…

Yo there’s an Orpheus interlude? This is a different version of the La La La’s as well. Huh.

Oooh, the key change thing there to transition back into the main tune was cool.

I knew those “Ooooohhh”s were from something dire!

Oh not the callback to Eurydice asking “Is he always like this?” the first time they met!

A new Eurydice verse too? Will it replace the other one, or just add to it?

It’s darkly funny how almost petty Persephone and Hades’ squabble seems now, and yet the ripples from it spiral out to create devastation.

Orpheus having trouble on second drafts? Mmm relatable fr fr.

Orpheus is trying to fix the problem at the source, but he’s neglecting the deadly symptoms in the present.

I still love the overlapping melodies.

Oh, poor Eurydice.

Her verses are changed. Interesting. She’s less accusing and bitter towards Orpheus than the original.

Yo wait they get stolen from? Who tf did it, I’ll throw hands rn!

And now she gets caught in a STORM?? Gods, she just can’t catch a break, can she?

Those high notes!!

Oh Persephone’s verse has changed too?? Wait, it’s focused on the people on the surface now, instead of the way they met? … Not sure I like that they cut that, but I guess the change does make sense with how much they’ve focused on the deadly winter here.

Hey wait, there was no Hermes line of “They have this fight every year!”

Hey, Little Songbird

Eugh. This song is still creepy as fuck.

Oh wait, was it a metaphorical storm Hermes was talking about, last song? And this is the storm?

Don’t do that. Don’t call her a canary.

Orpheus is burying himself trying to fix Hades’ relationship, while Hades is over here ruining his.

Huh, there’s no rattlesnake sound.

When the Chips are Down (Songbird vs rattlesnake...") (Intro)

There’s still the shaking chips sound in this one tho.

When the Chips are Down

Oh, that talking part was split from the bulk of this song?

Ngl, I lowkey don’t like the Fates just because… they make the story the way it is lol, but by god, their harmonies are so fire.

Gone, I'm Gone

She sounds more disbelieving and breathy than the other one, which was more resigned and choked out quickly.

Wait for Me (Hey, the big artiste...") (Intro)

That coin bag sound. RIP.

Ouch. Hermes is being pretty cold here. I mean in the original it was fine he was so casual, 'cause he was basically just the narrator, but now with added context of their relationship, it’s kinda mean.

Bro why is he being so… mocking??

Wait for Me

Oh that was split off too?

Ok, so I know she didn’t actually die in this version, it’s just a metaphor for her death, but Orpheus saying “I’m coming too” when going to the Underworld is a metaphor for dying is kinda, uh. I mean you can see how it sounds, right?

Also, why is “Wait” always so freaking sad in the musicals I listen to??

Oh, new part? He’s confronted by… I’m guessing either the Fates, or the workers stuck in Hadestown. I'll go with workers for now.

Omg he’s using the La la la tune as almost a shield and protection and- is he converting the workers?? Holy fuck is he literally a disney princess? Now this is some quality addition shit!

Lmao. The “don’t give your name, you don’t have one. And don’t look no one in the eye” is still funny.

Ok, but the way the whole ensemble is singing “Wait I’m coming with you” makes me think that while Orpheus is singing to Eurydice, the workers are singing to him, following him and the hope he brings.

This new end part is so good!

Also, I love the way the tempo goes back and forth between Orpheus’ slower, more drawn out parts, and Hermes’ faster ones.

Why We Build the Wall

Oh, this guitar intro is new!

God, those low notessss.

Cult shit fr fr.

I read somewhere that they keep adding and building the call and response verses on top of each other, just like the bricks on the wall, and I love it so much.

Why We Build the Wall ("Behind closed doors...") (Outro)

Huh, they’ve split this part from the last one too.

"Step into my office" "And he closed the door behind. Now a lot can happen behind closed doors" God, that sounds so creepy and ominous.

Lol, Persephone.

Our Lady of the Underground

Oh hold on. That piano trill is here? But surely it must come back sometime again later in a worse situation.

Ooh she says “Step into my office my office” like Hades did just before!

Drug dealer Persephone is here lol.

My gal has an underground club XD

Oh I think that “Tell my husband to take his time” line is new.

Way Down Hadestown (Reprise)

Huh, it's called reprise instead of II

New lines?

Oh wow, that puts new meaning on how Hermes told Orpheus he doesn’t have a name.

“Hades laid his hands on ya.” I don’t like the way that’s said.

Ohhh like the River Lethe!

Oh DAMN. She’s forgotten her name?? This reminds me of Spirited Away.

They did a fantastic job making the workers sound so exhausted and resigned.

Flowers

New song!

“When he laid me out.” Ew wait what?

Hold on, Eurydice! Orpheus is coming! Oh, wait. But he fails… Fuck.

Oh no she can’t even remember him!

Come Home With Me (Reprise)

Another new song!

OMFG IT’S A REPRISE THINGY OF THE SONG WHERE THEY MEET! BECAUSE THEY’RE MEETING AGAIN!

AH SHE REMEMBERS HIM!

“You heard?” “No.” Oof.

AHHH NO DON’T BLAME YOURSELF I MEAN IT WAS ONLY PARTLY YOUR FAULT HADES WAS BEING A DICK.

He waaaalked all that way ahhhh.

Ohhhh it was the River Styx (aka the dead souls?) that met him in that earlier song!

Papers ("You're not from around here, son...") (Intro)

Ohhhh fuuuuck. Hades is here.

New song. New song where Hades and Orpheus meet. Omg shit.

Oh Persephone’s here too!

Hermes bringing back the lyrics from that one song near the start!!

Ahhh he’s standing up for himself and Eurydice! Fuck off Hades.

OH FUUUUCK. ORPHEUS DIDN’T KNOW.

“It isn’t true.” Oh shit that line means so much more now.

People aren’t property, asshole.

Papers (Instrumental)

An instrumental? Huh. Wonder what’s supposed to be happening on stage rn.

Nothing Changes

Another new song!

The Fates? Amazing acapella harmonies, but bad advice and I don't like. For some reason, it reminds me of the Diamonds’ songs in Steven Universe. Or the Sirens’ song in Ulysses Dies At Dawn.

Did they sing “That’s the way the river runs” to the tune of “Any way the wind blows”?

If it's True

More new songs!

Oh Orpheus…

No, don’t lose hope! Don’t stop believing!

WHAT! NO WAIT DON’T LEAVE!

Wait, did Hades actually physically beat Orpheus up?? Or does he mean metaphorically beaten?

YESSSS. WORKERS STAND WITH HIM!

Oh now Hades’ later line with the “every coward’s brave with a crowd” makes a lot of sense.

Yessss Orpheus. See through the lies. He sounds so hurt and tired and still determined and Not Giving In.

HELL YES! STAND UP FOR EACH OTHER!

RIOT! RIOT! RIOT!

How Long?

These new songs are killing it, I can’t wait to see what this one’s about-

Oh Persephone and Hades song!!!

She refuses the wine! And remember before, Orpheus had said she’s “blinded by a river of wine.”

Yo she’s standing up for them!

Ahhh so this is why Hades later says “Since my wife is such a fan.”

He sounds so tired, damn.

Oh, he’s using her metaphors!

DUET!

Chant (Reprise)

“Is it true?” Omg it’s happening!

HA! THAT NOISE IS A RIOT, HADES!

Are these new words? I can’t remember if I’m just forgetting how the original goes.

Yeah, they don’t sing the “One, two, is it true?” part in this, huh.

Yesss. Raise your heads.

“Why do we turn away” part reminds me of one of the songs in My Heart Says Go for some reason.

Ohho you’re gonna regret ordering him to do that, Hades.

Epic III

Here we go…

Lmao. Hades being the most unimpressed audience member.

Oh, wait, I think these are the lyrics from earlier. I wonder if they’re still gonna do the original verse too.

Ah the La la la’s!

HA. Yeah I bet that surprised him.

The overlapping harmonies are soooo prettty!

I’m glad they kept these verses.

The way Orpheus uses “Keeps his head low” for HADES instead of the workers!

Did they change it from “with his hat in his hands”?

Omg Hades sung it too. 🥺

And now they’re all singing it together!

Epic III ("They danced...") (Instrumental)

New song!

Ayyyy his song worked! He fixed it!

Hey, I wonder if any of those different La la la’s were from his second draft.

Promises

Another new song?

He finished it <3

Yes! Leave! Don’t fucking look back!

Wait no, is this the song where they renew their promises?

ANY WAY THE WIND BLOWS.

Damn, Eurydice is so much less bitter and hurt in this version.

"If we can do it, so can they!" Ooof. Well now Hades can’t really let that happen, can he?

Omg the DUET!

AHHHH IT’S LIKE THEY’RE DOING WEDDING VOWS.

“And keep on walking come what will” WAIT FUCK NOOOO.

Word to the Wise

A new intro part to this song?

“Can we go?” Aww he sounds so hopeful.

“... I don’t know.” Shit.

The “chips are down” tune!

Why. Fates, just- Why.

The FUCKING PIANO TUNE. I KNEW IT.

His Kiss, the Riot

Yikes. That’s some eerie strings right there.

“The riot starts.” … yeaaaah. Um. If I say I’m sorry, will you let them go without a fuss?

“All my children came here poor, clammering for bed and board [...] Who makes work for idle hands?” Hades. Bro. You are not the good guy here.

Bro. BRO. You don’t have to do this. Just- just don’t do it. Why. Is this really necessary??

"Doubt comes in." Noooooo. Whyyyyy.

Wait for Me ("If you wanna walk out of hell...") (Intro)

New song.

The fucking piano tune.

“You won’t be hand in hand.” Nooo, not bringing back those lyrics!

“It’s a trial” nah Orpheus has got it right. It’s totally a trap.

Nooooo you caaaan’t!

Hermes are you fucking lying.

Wait for Me (Reprise)

OMFG DO NOT. DO NOT BRING THE WAIT FOR ME BACK. DON’T DO THIS TO ME.

Oh god. All the workers are all watching them too.

YO. YO THE FACT THAT HE SAYS IT’S TIME FOR SPRING. AND THEN NEX FALL. AS IN. THERE WILL BE A SPRING AND A FALL. HE’S NOT GOING TO CALL HER BACK EARLY!

“Wait for me?” “I will.” AHHHH, they’re using that tune!

Omg they sound so hopeful. This is too much. I can’t.

The River Styx again!

The harmonies are just- so good. But I know IT DOESN’T WORK.

EURYDICE IS SINGING THE THING ORPHEUS DID WHEN HE CAME DOWN.

Doubt Comes In

Oh god I’m not ready. Fuck.

This chromatic violin shit is creeping me out. Reminds me of Agent Smith's theme in the Matrix.

Not the La la la’s! He’s singing it like a touchstone but it WON’T WORK AHHH-

FUCK OFF FATES! LEAVE HIM BE FOR ONCE!

NOOOO DON’T DOUBT ORPHEUS!

“Who am I to think that she would follow me into the cold and dark again” OMG NO ORPHEUS BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! BELIEVE IN HER!

KEEP SINGING! YOU’VE GOT THIS! BUT I KNOW YOU DON’T! FUCK!

Ohhhh he means a trap in that way. Well ok then NO IT’S NOT A TRAP.

HADES YOUR FUCKING MIND GAMES HAVE BROKEN HIM! FUCK YOU!

“I used to see the way the world could be! But now the way it is, is all I see.” NOOO HE’S LOSING HOPE! BBY DON’T LOSE FAITH IN THE WORLD!

SHE’S RIGHT BEHIND YOU! PLEASE! YOU’RE NOT ALONE! LISTEN TO HER! OMG PLEASE!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. FUCK.

THE SILENCE. I HATE IT.

“... It’s you.” NOOOOO

“... It’s me.” NOOOOOOOOOOO

“Orpheus…” “… Eurydice!” I can’t. I can’t. I CAN’T.

Road to Hell (Reprise)

NO ADS! YUS!

THE FUCKING PIANO I KNEW IT. I KNEW IT WAS BAD NEWS. FCUK THIS SHIT.

Hermes sounds like he’s boutta cry. Fucking most relatable thing ever.

“To know how it ends, and still begin to sing it again as if it might turn out this time” is the definition of insanity. We’re all insane here.

“Anybody got a match?” Wait wait was that Eurydice??? Is that a flashback or Eurydice down in Hadestown?

“He could make you see how the world could be in spite of the way that it is” Ahhhhh but he’s lost the ability to see it himself I’m fucking sad.

Spring. He did it. He made spring come back. And Eurydice can never see it. *cries*

The harmonies.

We Raise Our Cups

Oh wait, there’s one more song?

Damn. Living It Up On Top but sad.

Shit. Poor Orpheus. Bro’s gotta be fucked up.

… Ok but now I’m just thinking of an au where he does a Wait For Me III and actually does, uh. Y’know. And then it’s Eurydice and Orpheus down in the Underworld together, side by side in the mines, keeping each other’s memories intact and forcing the whole place into reforms by- idk fucking Unionising or some shit. Sheer fucking willpower and stubborn ass love saves the day. Let me have my delusions.

The harmonising is so goood.

Damn. Goodnight o7

... I’ll probs have to re-listen sometime again with lyrics. Fuck me.

I finally listened to Hadestown! 🎉

Starting with the Original Cast Recording, ‘cause might as well do it in release order. Loved it! Groovy music. Snickered. Cried. Wrote down my reaction as I went, so if you're chill with rambled thoughts and observations, here you go lol

(Soz for any typos, I was touch typing most of the time, and I've edited it but probs missed stuff)

Road to Hell (Live)

Oh it’s JAZZY. Huh. Didn't expect that, but I am living.

I like how at the start they’re simulating a train’s chugging.

Those call and response harmonies tho *chef's kiss*

Kinda reminds me of Udad.

Oh that’s Hermes!

“It’s a sad song” he says, while singing the boppiest of bops.

I like that “suitcase full of summertime” line.

“About someone... who tries.” Oho, we’re gettin into it now! *rubs hands together*

Also, I completely get now why Jorge said that first draft of EPIC: The Musical Hermes was like Hadestown.

Livin' It Up on Top (Live)

That’s a smooth transition👌

Persephone’s voice is really cool. Kinda rough texture?

Oh I didn’t realise Persephone and Hades would be having a turbulent relationship in this.

Oooh Orpheus’ voice is smooth.

They’re all so happy huh. Welp, you know there’s gonna be a crash in their future.

Orpheus seems really grateful for Persephone’s... graciousness? When he said that she'll always fill their cups and they'll raise them to her and stuff. Theory: either she’ll have a soft spot for him later, or he’ll feel betrayed and blindsided by the more cold side of her later.

All I've Ever Known (Live)

I don’t know anything about Eurydice, but is this her song?

Ah yeah Orpheus is singing, so it must be.

Oop. Foreshadowing.

Way Down Hadestown (Live)

Hermes is back!

“Bored to death” HA

“Graveyard” wow the puns/metaphors are going hard XD

I can’t tell who’s singing lmao. This is like when I listened to Hamilton for the first time. I’ll need lyrics, or familiarity RIP

The coins as the percussion/tambourine is a nice touch.

Hades’ voice is DEEP.

They haven’t mentioned gods yet, I don’t think? Just the Fates, right? It sounds more like a mining operation metaphor for mythos right now, hmm.

Epic II (Live)

King of diamonds and spades - like the playing card suits, but also like the mining operation.

It’s the La la la la thing from Wolfy’s animatic! Almost. A different rendition - I bet I'll hear that later 👀

Why is it called Epic II? Where’s 1? Am I missing something?

Chant (Live)

Oh they’re doing overlapping meodies!!

Ah wait this is Eurydice now, gotta go back a few seconds to catch that. I keep getting her mixed up with Persephone 😅

Oh now we’ve got Eurydice and Orpheus relationship troubles? Huh, I kinda assumed they’d be the perfect couple till her death.

And a semi callback to her song, nice.

Hay Little Songbird (Live)

DAMN his voice is deep!

Is this Eurydice??

Is- Is Hades seducing her? To work for him of smth? Ummm.

Not the canary!

That shaker sounds like a rattlesnake, and it does not bode well for a little bird.

When the Chips are Down (Live)

Oh hey I was right! It is a metaphorical rattlesnake!

Does she choose to go to the Underworld of her own volition? I thought she like- died.

Gone I'm Gone (Live)

She does??

Ouch. She sounds so resigned.

Is this a metaphor for her starving to death? Oof.

The harmonies!!

Wait for Me (Live)

“Six feet under” oh yep.

“Lay low, stay outta sight” - getting Hamilton's Stay Alive vibes.

“Don’t look back” ah. FORESHADOWING.

Ohhh the River Styx being a high wall is so smart!

“And don’t look no one in the eye” I must be too deep in the Odyssey related fandoms, because I'm seeing puns where there are none lmao

The HARMONIES!

Poor Orpheus, but I mean, he was kinda being a bit… naive? If he didn’t prepare for winter and just went off in his own head to make songs?

Why We Build the Wall (Live)

Free from who?

Enemy? 👀

(Yes, I'm aware I'm being led into asking all the questions he wants me to ask, but in my defence, it's very effective.)

Oh huh. Wasn't expecting it to be poverty, tho maybe I should've.

Him calling them “My children” plus the chanting is uh. Why does this sound like cult propaganda?

His voice sounds like the Ozymandias poem guy.

Also giving Frollo “She ran, I pursued” vocal vibes.

“Behind closed doors” - ominous.

Ha! Ok nice subversion.

Our Lady of the Underground (Live)

Persepone is a drug dealer XD

That’s a strange note on “there’s a crack in the wall”

Oh no, am I supposed to remember all these band member names? *crying*

Way Down Hadestown II (Live)

Bringing back motifs I see.

The pickaxes as percussion is cool.

Oop, Eurydice is getting a bit of a wake up call.

Chant II (Live)

Ooooh does the ‘backdoor’ Hermes meant, mean that Orpheus doesn’t have to ‘die’ to get there? ‘Cause he didn’t sign anything, which is a metaphor for him not actually being dead in the myth, so he can still leave.

“Hungry for the underworld” - the pomegranate?

And now Eurydice and Orpheus are singing half the La la la la tune each as if to each other from across the Underworld!

Ooh I LIKE those slant rhymes! "Young man, you can strum your lyre, I have strung the world in wire."

Oh this is where Orpheus sings his plea!! I know this is a thing because of Udad's Underworld Blues lol.

Epic III (Live)

The harmonies 🥺

Oh! It’s that part from Wolfy's animatic :O

I’m tearing up bro.

Just thinking that Eurydice was so upset with Orpheus for focusing on writing his song about Hades and Persephone, but it's that very song that is giving him a chance to sway Hades' mind. But on the other hand, if he'd focused less on the song, he never would've had to use it, y'know?

Word to the Wise (Live)

Ha the Fates(?) doing Hades’ inner monologue like, yeah bro u screwed yourself.

Uh oh this is probs where Hades comes up with the ultimatum. Wait no don't-

His Kiss the Riot (Live)

Those strings are creepy.

Belladonna? Oh the poisonous flower.

Did he call Orpheus the Jack of Hearts?

That acordian is awesome.

Fuck, I knew it.

He sounds like the guy who does the creepily ominous monologue in Micheal Jackson's Thriller.

Promises (Live)

Oh huh. It’s my theory from the 2nd song but it's Eurydice feeling betrayed that the world isn't always plentiful and not Orpheus?

Those strings are gorgeous!

Oh! A duet!

When the couple actually works out their shit:

“I do” omgggg!

KEEP WALKING. DONT LOOK BACK.

Wait for Me II (Live)

Aww that’s nice. Persephone and Hades are gonna try too!

Oh no not the “wait” like in Hurricane-

Doubt Come In (Live)

Oh noooooo

KEEP GOING. JUST KEEP GOING. SHE’S WITH YOU

OH NOOOO DON’T FALTER

LISTEN TO HER! HOLD ON! KEEP GOING!

... Oh god

Road to Hell II (Live)

NO THERE'S A FUCKING AD

Hermes sounds so sad but resigned. Like, 'Oh well. I knew it would turn out like this, but I'd hoped.' Which like. SAME.

The instruments stripped away so it's only silence and one voice is so good.

I can just imagine Orpheus collapsed shell shocked on stage as Hermes not unkindly pushes him to go on.

That reprise and ending is so fucking good AHHH omg no regrets. Some regrets. Whatever, it was good.

... Time to listen to it again with lyrics :D

And then I'm gonna listen to the Original Broadway Cast Recording!

[tellywoodtrash]

bade acche lagte hain 2 30.08.21 lb

this better be worth the time i'm not using to watch my hotass korean show (Mad Dog) or i'm gonna get captain holt lvl of huffy.

entry of nakuul sir to sad khnh heartbeat theme to establish sadboi credentials.

damn, ib camera work really did the most to make him look taller and more imposing huh? dude looking kinda puny here.

chick he's here to meet for...... breakup/goodbye/whatever looks suitably apologetic for the misery she about to cause.

he's promising this woman (vedu) that he'll accomplish something (oooooooooh mystery, but lbr, it's prolly that he'll move on/get married or some such shit) by agli baarish. seems like a weird way to establish a deadline, what with climate change and our weather patterns being totally fucked up, but.... ok whatever works for y'all.

music has transitioned to prem's tune from dum lagake haisha to REALLLLLLLLLLLY drive home point ki THIS IS A GOOD MAN WITH LOTS OF HEART, HE IS WORTHY OF TRUST THIS SOFT MAN. he better be coz i've put up with 3+ years of him playing an absolute demon, so........... i deserve this.

ok some creep is chup ke taking video of them. ok??? they're just standing a very respectable distance apart and talking very calmly. what's the point of taking video of that????

oh god samajh gaye na ki achcha aadmi hai, itna bhi don't beat us over the head with his niceness.

anyway, phir se resolute vaada has been delivered that he'll fulfill her wish by next year.

vedu going in for grateful feelsy hug but weather is cockblocking.

ofc he is a manic pixie baarish enjoyer. pft.

vedu like yeah ok mereko pneumonia nahi chahiye and peaces out, while sir vows internally his ek tarfa pyaar will last all life. yeah, let's see, bro. let's see.

video lene waale creep ka creep boss decides to hang on to that totally fucking non-controversial video as blackmail material. ok?????? such low stakes bs i swear.

1 saal baaad......... ram has upgraded to shiny silver shoes. guess he's been pandemic shopping for absolute nonsense things to just feel something on the inside, like the rest of us,

his friend/chamcha/whatever is asking him about the promise he gave vedika a year ago, and there's something about behen ki engagement, while ram is too busy snacking. same, bro, same.

his delhi waala asst introduces himself as varun and ram's like.... i'll call you tarun, i call all my assistants tarun. um ok wtf????? you can't be arsed to just remember the names of ppl who work with you????? ALSO IT'S JUST ONE LETTER DIFFERENT, YOU CAN'T REMEMBER THAT AND CALL HIM BY HIS GIVEN NAME????? GOD. I HATE RICH PPL.

backstory time; vedika went and married someone else, and wants her brother in law to marry ram's sister shivi. ok idgi, ismein itna bada promise waali kya baat thi???

anyway sadboi ram is like oh it's gonna be sooooo great, it'll be me and vedu, pandit hoga, dj hoga, ppl will come and dance and celebrate.... but it'll be someone else's shaadi. and i'm totallyyyyyy fine with that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

friend/chamcha is like........ ummmmm ok sus, but whatever, i don't have the mental bandwidth to delve into this, so come let's do some random comedy. (which still isn't nakuul's strength. he only works when he's playing straight man to shenanigans happening around him, than participating in it himself.)

blah blah meeting time, where he throws around lotta buzzwords and jesus christ, i am so glad i don't have to sit in corporate meetings anymore.

character exposition time from chamcha to new asst varun/tarun: ram is best dealmaker businessman ever, a hypochondriac, insomniac, has sabse bada dil, loves his family beyond all else, and is a foodie extraordinaire. wow what an innovative and never seen before type of character played by nakuul mehta.

varun/tarun is asking chamcha friend what hopes he has for ram's life and future and like........ who are these ppl who think about their bosses like this? like, i don't give one flying fuck about my boss's life outside of work hours; as far as i'm concerned, they go back and lie in their coffins like vampires, till it's time to rise and make employees' lives difficult again.

anyway chamcha friend is like my friend is a lost child and i just want someone to help him come home. man fuck off, this dude looks perfectly sane and sensible and like he has a handle on all the shit in his life, so fuck off with this infantalizing bs. he doesn't need some woman to "fix" him.

moving to some college debate class where a chick is raving about mumbai ki baarish being an ~~~~~emotion~~~~, and like..... dude, have you seen your city's infrastructure????

the gen z college audience is like snapping their fingers to show agreement, and omg lol whutttttttt??????? is this a real thing young'uns do these days???? can't wait for when this gen reaches parliament.

priya is sitting in this class (evaluating/auditing it?) and scoffing at this trite romantic bs and gotta say she's a WHOLEASS MOOD.

snotty backbenchers are judging her (the new eng lit teacher.) whatever brats. focus on your snap streak or reel transitions or whatever it is that you kids these days care about.

passionate rain loving girl is like EXCUSE YOU MAAM WITH THE ROLLY EYES DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY BASICASS BAARISH LOVING PERSONALITY and priya's friend is like oh god don't start, they're just rich spoilt kids...... priya is like, if they're rich and spoilt, they're not kids, and if they're kids, they shouldn't be so spoilt..... logic is shaky but passable, but this isn't going to execute well sis.

priya destroys this pluviophile college crowd with her middle class logic and rationality and they cannot seem to handle the realness, coz they all like...........

cut to ram wanting pakode coz its thundering. casually skipping over fact that he just got a 400 cr deal signed in that meeting. pft.

cut to snotty kids bitching about how priya is pakau coz she's 32 and single and is "frustrated". because.......... we can't give ourselves orgasms????

anyway priya and her friend roll their eyes at the kids and their belief in "true wuv" as they discuss friend's divorce case and alimony issues, with patented balaji heroine dukhiyaari theme music in bg.

kids following her and saying the only man in her frustrated life is her autowaala. and honestly lemme tell y'all, that's the only reliable man needed in life.

priya's brother is ram's sister shivi's ex and he's depressed about her engagement to someone else and she has to go to some bakery to cheer him up or something.

shivi is in a snit about wanting last minute vegan cupcakes and not liking any of the shoes she has at her disposal, while ram tries to talk sense into her but..... ok i think i just don't care about ppl who are rich AND young. their issues are extra unworthy to me.

ram like she wants leather shoes and vegan cupcakes???? make it make sense, pls. he's right and he should say it.

anyway i think priya's fam runs the bakery snob sister wants her cupcakes from.

priya surrounded by a buncha lovelorn idiot siblings and is the only voice of sense here.

ram is calling to order the vegan cupcakes which should have no anda no sugar no maida and he's like what's even in these, hawa????

priya is like yeah these are our special ameeron ke chonchlein waale cupcakes with extra hawa, thanks for asking.

some bantering and bickering about him being kind of a rich dumbass and her totally not here for that bs.

lol he's like can i have a normal non healthy waala cupcake and she's like ok these are all the flavours we have, and he's like is there an "all in one" type, and she's like "nahi, aaj tak kisi ne itna laalach nahi kiya." lmaooooooooooooo.

before hanging up he asks if it's raining in mumbai (he's in delhi) and she's like oh great another fucking one of these baarish loving freaks.

omg one of his..... brothers???? is that ponky fellow from naagin 5. he has done cupcake pickup (800 cupcakes fit in in the trunk???? huh), one of which ram swiftly shoves in his gaping maw.

priya's siblings trying to keep her in the bakery after closing time, idk for what joy; while ram obsesses over gaadi ka ac not cooling enough and his eyes being red or some such...... idk man, i really don't care for rich ppl's problems.

he's switching out his silver shoes for gold ones. ick.

chamcha friend's name is adi and his wife is calling and she's mad and ram has been put on video call to cool her down. post hanging up, some stupid haha wives suck, they only feed you tinde kinda bs jokes.

priya is getting little toooo worked up over this romantic baarish spiel. sis, it's not thaaat deep. chill.

adi making some jab teri shaadi hogi jokes and ram gets all smiley sad again with khnh sad tune in bg.

priya ka bhi koi past heartbreak trauma ubhar aa raha hai and like...... get therapy sis.

ram ka car breakdown. rickshaw lena padega.

guess who else is standing on same street, cussing at the rain, and has her hand out for an auto.

she gets the auto first and he's standing outside haggling saying he'll pay double triple and all (they can't see each other coz she's lowered the rain shade on that side) and auto waala is like fml i hate my job i just wanna go home.

auto starts to drive away when priya hears ram lamenting ki meri behen ki sagaai hai yaaaaaar, and stops the auto to let him in, but his friends hailed another cab or something by then and he heads towards that.

precap: ram rushes in saying omg everyone must be waiting for meeeeeeee and i delayed the function, while engagement is full on going ahead without him only. priya's brother asks her how she felt about some maitreyi didi marrying her ex bf and she's like idgaf. shivi seems to have run away and come to priya's house (i guess back to her ex?) and ram's mom proposes priya and him get married. phew. too much information in 30 seconds.

[dotthings]

SPN 14.20 HOLY F*CKING I AM BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS HERE THAT WAS A GOOD. And a great set-up for S15.

*SNAPS FINGERS*

Let me try for some coherency. I scribbled watching notes.

Cas. :( Well I am not a bit surprise he’s not own with this. I don’t see how else he’s supposed to feel. Or how else Dean would feel. Or how Sam would feel. Sorry if TFW is so inexplicable to some people but they’re all making perfect sense to me. It’s sad but they make sense.

That Dean and Cas argument with Sam in the middle like :0 :| poor Sam, poor poor Sam, imagine having to watch all this intense Dean and Cas, he hates it when they bicker, and this is a real argument. 

“I know how much he meant to you. He meant a lot to me. But that isn’t Jack any more.” So there it is, the truth beneath Dean’s walls he put up. None of this is because Dean is cold or uncaring. He is, however, still very angry and still (thinks) that he has to kill Jack. The place Dean lands with Jack in this ep also doesn’t surprise me because I been knew and that makes sense too but it also makes sense that right up the line, he’d think he has to kill Jack and follow that anger. This is an extraordinary situation in fact. Even though TFW have been faced with not-versions of themselves before, they’ve never killed another family member while in that state. And I think Jack’s escalating danger levels in this ep pretty much vindicates why someone might think he has to be killed...even though Jack isn’t evil or malicious still (more on that in a moment).

“Nerds.” “Takes one to know one.”

I was just talking about this about Dean. About his facades and how he used to mock nerds and geeks--still does even now--but is actually the biggest geek and I love that Sam calls him on his nerd qualities. His nerd traits. WHAT HAVE I BEEN SAYING.

So nobody at all can lie any more and the world, as a result, starts tearing apart at the seams. Look SPN, when I said I wanted more emotional honesty...lololol that’s not what I meant. Some lies are necessary.

Oh my god it’s God. Hi, Chuck. (I was spoiled for this, it was still really fun when Chuck just popped up in the alley).

“Jack. He’s a problem.” NO REALLY I HADN’T NOTICED YOU DON’T SAY

Cas was going to see about the cage in Hell. Was he thinking he could put Jack in it?? Was that his alternative to just killing him? 

Jack visiting his grandmother and she calling Jack out on the fact that he lied to them. Oh snap, Jack. You’re sick of all the lies but you told one (for a kindness). Some lies are necessary. You lied to people too.

This episode has some realness here about what holds society together and different types of honesty. Lying is wrong...except 100% blunt honestly all the time would be a complete disaster and there are some lies we need to tell for the sake of kindness, for community, for forgiveness, or it all will fall apart. Which lies are too far and which are necessary. Can a lie hurt but also be for a kindness and be necessary? SPN has had its main characters lie for years. They lie with credit card scams so they can pay for gas and food and lodging. They lie about who they’re secretly working with behind each other’s backs. All of Team Free Will has lied to each other. Kept things from each other. It doesn’t go well for them. Yet here’s an ep showing that some types of lies are necessary as part of the fabric of society.

Dean is sooooo done with God’s bullshit I am laughing. This is also really subversive because yes we love Chuck and his guitar. Chuck singing Fare-thee-Well. Chuck as a likeable (if irresponsible deadbeat dad) figure on SPN. But how benevolent is he actually? And they don’t have time for a song right now, they just don’t.

Team Free Will are still speaking to each other after Cas stormed out. That’s a good sign!

“I built the sandbox. You play in it...but when things get really bad that’s when I step in.”

Uh...kinda. Sometimes, Chuck. Yes he’s intervened a few times. He put Sam and Dean on the airplane. He put Cas back together more than once. He stepped up when he needed do about Amara at the end of S11. So maybe a C+ on actually being there in a pinch.

“Jack is apocalyptic.” Which--self-evident right there in the ep, thanks, Chuck. Oh and can we stop pretending Jack isn’t incredibly dangerous at least? Oh he’s not just dangerous he is world-endingly dangerous. Note I rooted for Jack to be okay, and want him to be saved, but the situation is what it is right now.

It made a lot of sense to spec based on the ep title Chuck was going to show up to intervene and stop TFW from having to kill Jack, and I’m sure with a reference that blatant in that title, Dabb knew that would be the assumption. It made sense. The overturning of that is interesting here. Chuck didn’t show up and didn’t show up and when he finally does it’s to hand them the weapon to destroy Jack. Which at this point in the ep I’m still wondering--but it could be a test. Let’s see what happens.

Oh. Whoever shoots the gun, what happens to the target, happens to them. Aaaand we’re back to Dean with a self-sacrificing plan.

Damn Cas is so damn salty still about the Dean-in-the-box plan I love it. He hates that plan. Now he’s extra special plus cranky because he’s looking now at losing Jack and losing Dean simultaneously. I’ve talked a lot in my posts about Cas’s big love for both Jack and Dean. This is diabolical. Cas could lose them both with one gunshot. Of course he doesn’t want his son to die...but he doesn’t want Dean to die. Save Jack...means saving Dean too. 

I really loved this Sam and Dean scene and while Cas doesn’t get to verbalize what’s going on in his head, Sam certainly gets to vocalize what Sam’s thinking. “I’m the one who brought him back. He burned his soul off to save you and me. You want me to say I’m okay with losing you and losing him all at once. I can’t do that. I’ve already lost too much.” MIC DROP SAM WINCHESTER.

“I don’t feel anything.” There’s the crux of the Jack Problem. He intellectually understands what’s “good” and what’s “bad” but he doesn’t, in his own words, feel it. He’s the most powerful being on the planet and he’s completely hollow inside, lacking true empathy, lacking instincts, strong attachments, an innate sense of right and wrong. That’s...really terrifying. It’s really not at all hateful to Jack to comprehend how scary that combination is. “I want to love you back, it’s just I can’t.” 

This is. Damn. We saw AU Cas in ep 300, what happens when Cas never learned to access his emotions. As an angel, our Cas was taught that emotions were bad, they were a weakness. He was taught not to heed them. To control them. To never be led by his heart or his feelings. But instead of heeding that, Cas led with his whole heart, he often drowned in his own emotions, overwhelmed by them. He has intense attachments and pain and loneliness and fear and even moments of peace and joy. He feels it all. He’s the most feeling angel to ever feel, and how painfully on point is it that his son is now...emotionless.

“You’re my favorite show.” Wow it got super meta in here, Chuck.

“Why does it always have to be on us,” wonders the tormented characters. “Because you’re my guys!” gushes the enthusiastic Winchester fan, God.

I feel so called out right now. I do. While I am certainly in the camp that feels that too much torture porn angst without hope is a weaker story, like many fans, there is a certain catharsis and satisfaction in watching our favorite characters suffer and triumph and keep on going and not let the suffering defeat them.

In this ep Dabb is taking that idea and expanding it out to a walking talking metaphor, embodied in Chuck, who turns out to be a toxic wielder of suffering for his own amusement. Tying to Jack’s lack of emotions, Chuck seems okay with others suffering. It’s not that he lacks feelings, because he gets something from watching these “characters” suffer, but he’s lacking in empathy because he doesn’t seem to care that they’re suffering and in the world of SPN these are not characters, these are real people he’s jerking around making them dance to his angst-buttons for his own enjoyment.

Cas still is clinging on to hope that Jack can be fixed and my heart hurts for him. At this point, I’m still hoping Jack can be...but it’s not looking good.

Jack kneeling in front of Dean to be killed. Because while he’s dangerous, no he’s not evil or malicious. “I understand. You were right all along. I am a monster.” This is just...really sad. I’m sad.

Oh, SPN, you tried so hard, but I never thought Dean would be able to pull that trigger. Also the tragedy of Dean--he didn’t hesitate because Dean had a sudden revelation he wants to live so he’s not going to seppuku the problem after all. No, it’s because he just couldn’t do it to Jack in the end, to his son, who had earned his love and his trust after a rough start. Dean understands that this Jack isn’t the Jack he recently knew and Dean also understands how far gone Jack is and how dangerous. Yet he still can’t do it. This makes perfect sense to me. I could also see how he might have pulled that trigger (and that would have been horrible and it would have hurt Dean so much...and I don’t just mean because of the magic ricochet of that gun...it would be too much. And...it looks like this ep agrees with me on a textual and meta-textual level. Uh-huh.)

"This isn’t how this story is supposed to end.” Chuck, our author, isn’t enjoying the fact that his characters are doing things he didn’t plan on and didn’t intend (which happens during the creative process).

“Pull the trigger and I’ll bring her back,” Chuck offers. “No.” says Dean. “My mom is my hero and I will miss her every day of my life but she wouldn’t want this.”

And then Sam goes OFF. “over and over and over again...losing people we love.”

“This isn’t just a story. This is our lives.”

I am LOVING THIS. I actually clapped my hands with meta-ish glee. 

THE CHARACTERS ARE REBELLING AGAINST SPN’S OWN RELIANCE ON MISERY PORN AND I AM LIVING.

This is so self-critical. On a story/character level, this is amazing for Sam and Dean, who are defying fate, refusing yet again to be jerked around by a cosmic puppetmaster. Sam goes as far as defying the idea that they don’t deserve to be happy. Not in so many words. But he is flipping off the concept that all they are good for is suffering AND I AM SO PROUD and I think Dean gets it too but oh my poor Dean was just willing to commit seppuku and while Dean is rejecting being puppetted around, not for anyone, not even to save Mary, I don’t know if he’s at the place where he sees it how Sam does--that screw you, I don’t deserve to suffer like this open defiance. 

So Sam shoots God. lololol for a hot second there I thought Sam was going to kill God and welp that would have been a plot twist but no, just a flesh wound so Sam is wounded too.

Chuck’s not thrilled his favorite human pets aren’t playing along for his amusement.

“Story’s over. Welcome to the end.”

LIGHTS OUT.

Well. God was the big bad all along. GOD WAS THE BIGGEST BAD OF SPN ALL ALONG.

I was hoping Jack wouldn’t have to die. At least none of his dads had to kill him and the set-up with Jack landing in The Empty seems like he’s not gone forever. WHAT DID BILLIE MEAN “WE HAVE TO TALK.” About what. What is going on.

WHAT IS HAPPENING

IS THAT LA LLARONA

THAT’S BLOODY FREAKIN’ MARY

HOLY CRAP THE SOULS OF THEIR EARLIEST CASES ARE RISING FROM HELL

ALL THE SOULS ARE RISING FROM HELL

WE ALL SPECCED HEAVEN WOULD BREAK AND THE SOULS IN HEAVEN WOULD GET LOSE AND INSTEAD IT WAS ALL THE SOULS FROM HELL THIS IS AWESOME

SAM AND DEAN AND CAS!! TEAM FREE WILL ARE BACK TO BACK TOGETHER IN THE DARKNESS SURROUNDED BY ZOMBIES I WISHED FOR A MOMENT LIKE THIS FOR YEARS. TEAM FREE F*CKING WILL. ALSO A FINALE THAT HAD ALL THREE OF THEM UNITED. THANK DABB.

[heauxadamas]

“But Mom!” Part 2

The redhead stares at her phone for a solid five seconds after the call has been dropped. She’s sure that was Beca. She said she was a DJ and…

Her voice.

How fast she talks.

Her rambling. Oh god, her rambling.

She can’t get Beca’s voice wrong. She’s sure of it.

She was snapped out of it when Aubrey put a hand on her shoulder and looked at her with eyes asking if she was okay.

“Bree, that was Beca… Beca met Charlie.” Chloe said slowly as if she was still trying to convince herself that she was right.

Aubrey stops pacing and holds Chloe by her shoulders, “What do you mean she met Charlie, Chloe? She told you she was Beca?”

“No! But I know Beca’s voice, Bree. I just know it.” Chloe’s eyes were teary and Aubrey didn’t want to argue anymore. “Okay okay. But let’s go look for your little boy first.”

“You’re right.” Chloe starts walking when Aubrey stops her.

“What are you gonna tell her, though… if it’s really her?”

“I don’t know, Bree. I guess she needs to know the truth.” Chloe sighs and starts walking off again.

Beca kept walking around the beach. She went back to the restaurant, she went to the kiddie play area, she went to ask for help from the concierge, and for a moment, she decided that it wasn’t her problem and headed to the path which was near her place.

At the back of her mind, she couldn’t just abandon the kid. So when she was about to turn around, she saw Charlie talking to a couple probably a little bit older than her.

She heard him saying “I’m so hungry.”

Which was definitely her cue to grab the boy. “I’m so sorry about him! He gets hungry all the time. Forgive me.”

The woman smiles sweetly at Charlie and glares at Beca after whispering “Did you just lose your child?”

Beca rolls her eyes at this and kneels so she could be face to face with Charlie. “Buddy! You got me all worried! Why’d you run off?”

Out of nowhere the boy starts crying and Beca was already wiping the tears away from his eyes “Hey hey, what happened, young man?”

“I’m… so… sorry… m-mommy was… m-mad… she never shouted… at m-me before…” Charlie explained in between his sobs while his face was in between Beca’s hands.

Beca carried the 5-year-old boy and pats his back so he would stop crying. When he leaned on the crane of Beca’s neck, she whispered, “You know buddy, your mom was just worried. Losing someone you love is really hard. And your mom really loves you. I promise, when she sees you she will just hug you. She won’t get mad. She’ll hug you and kiss you and tell you that she loves you. So let’s go looking for her, okay?”

The boy pulled his head back and looked at the brunette who was smiling sweetly at him. ”Okay DJ.“ The boy nods and leaned again to hug her.

The DJ grabs her phone from her back pocket using her right hand and shoots the mom a text.

‘Hi! I found Charlie. He’s already fallen asleep though. I totally forgot that he isn’t my kid and tucked him in my bed. I’m checked in at Lux… Uhm it’s in the South Ari Atoll? Just come by the concierge and I’ll tell them you’re looking for Charlie. - DJ who DIDN’T kidnap your adorable kid’

They were back in their hotel room hoping that Charlie might have gone there. He’s a smart kid after all. When they got to the door, Chloe’s phone buzzed.

"She found Charlie, Bree! Look.” The redhead flashes her phone to the blonde.

Aubrey couldn’t exactly read the message so she took the phone from the redhead who’ started walking around saying, ”This sounds a LOT like Beca. I can hear her saying this, Bree!!! Can’t you?”

The blonde couldn’t deny that it does sound like her midget friend. The number looks too familiar. And well… she did receive the e-mail Beca’s sent to everyone. And she may or may not have been the one to convince Chloe to spend a vacation here. She may or may not have been continuously talking to one gorgeous brunette who happens to be way taller than Beca.

But Beca wasn’t supposed to meet Charlie until after she sees Chloe. She ruined this whole thing. What on earth will she tell, Stacie?!

“You have to be the one to pick him up!“ Chloe snaps Aubrey out of her misery.

Thinking quickly (and hoping not to spoil the plan only she and Stacie knows of) she said, “That can’t be Beca.”

“How are you so sure?” the redhead challenges her.

“Chloe, Charlie’s home screen wallpaper is you! Even just a dash of red hair would have immediately caught Beca’s eye you know.” Aubrey says confidently, not a sound of doubt in her voice.

The redhead starts sobbing for the nth time that night. “You’re right. I completely lost B-Beca.”

Aubrey scanned Chloe’s key card for her and guided the redhead inside while patting her back. “Okay, you should rest. I’ll go get Charlie, okay?”

The redhead nods and went to the bathroom while her best friend left to go fetch her son. She turned on the shower and got in. She couldn’t help but think about what happened five years ago.

The Bellas had just won the Worlds and Chloe was really looking forward to this. She swore to herself that she’d finally kiss Beca after it was announced that they were the champions. She’s been wanting to do that for sooooo many years since their first ICCA win together. But no, because Beca ran off to Jesse and kissed the hell out of him.

It’s the Worlds though. Jesse isn’t here. He hasn’t been around for 6 months, thanks to his internship in New York. They’re pretty much broken up, right? So Chloe had a one track mind. She’d kiss Beca tonight.

But none of that happened. Because Jesse was there in the backstage.

And Beca ran to him as soon as they heard the announcement. Chloe didn’t see them kiss.

But she ran to him. Again. Beca chose him. Again.

Chloe got off the stage with the Bellas and drunk herself to death during the after party. She didn’t see Beca the whole time so she ran off with the first person who hit on her.

It was three weeks later when the Bellas’ graduation came and the afterparty was the biggest they had since their win in the worlds.

Chloe was wallowing in her room holding on to a stick showing so much positivity, when Beca came inside to check in on her.

"Chlo?”

She didn’t answer.

“Chloe… there’s something… Chloe I’m in love with you,” the brunette laughs breathily “God I was so stupid. I’m so in love with you, Chloe Beale. And you’re in love with me too, right? I know it.”

The redhead finally had the courage to face her. “You don’t… you don’t love me, Beca.“ And starts walking out of the house.

That was the last time they saw each other.

Aubrey walks out of the hotel room quickly calling Stacie. “Stacie, thank God! I thought you were already flying out here!”

Phone Conversation Stacie: No! My flight’s in 5 hours. I’m at Dubai’s airport now. What’s up? Aubrey: Okay so here’s the thing. Chloe, Charlie and I were lounging on the beach when Chloe and I both fell asleep and Charlie, I assume ran off. Stacie: You lost Charlie?!!! Aubrey: Let me finish!!! Stacie: Oh, I will. Aubrey: Stacie!!! Stacie: Okay go on, go on! Aubrey: So I don’t know how it happened, exactly but when we woke up Charlie was missing and we called him and he was with Beca but I think he ran away because Beca called us again through her own phone and told us that Charlie ran away but she promised to look for him. Chloe couldn’t speak and Beca just dropped the call but she found him and texted us again that she did. Stacie: Okay breathe… BUT Chloe can’t see Beca!!! Charlie shouldn’t even be in the picture!!! Yet. I mean I love that kid but I don’t know how Beca would respond to all of this. Aubrey: I know… What do we do? Stacie: Okay. Hold on. I’ll call Beca check in. And fish some info. If she really has Charlie, you’re gonna have to get someone to pretend to be his nanny or his mom and get her to pick him up from Beca’s. If it’s not, just go grab him yourself. Aubrey: That’s… not a bad idea. Stacie: I know. Aubrey: Okay, thanks Stacie. I’ll see you tomorrow. Stacie: See ya. Aubrey: Oh hey, Stace? Stacie: Yes, babe. I miss you too. Aubrey: Love you. Let me know about the call, okay? Stacie: Yes ma’am. Love you.

Yeah, they’ve been dating for a while since Chloe, Aubrey and Charlie decided to drive to Houston to see NASA. Chloe begged for Stacie to keep Charlie a secret from the rest of the Bellas and promised that she’ll help the brunette woo her best friend (even there was no wooing needed anymore). 

So she picked up her phone and dialled her tiny brunette friend who was already in Maldives. 

Phone Conversation Beca: Conrad? Don’t tell me there’s a problem. I’ve already had enough for one day. Stacie: No, no. I just wanted to let you know that I’m stuck in a 5-hour layover here in Dubai. Beca: You could’ve texted you know? Stacie: Yeah, yeah. So what’s your problem? Lay it all on me. Beca: There’s this kid who hit me with a beach ball and he’s in my bed now. He’s annoyingly endearing. Tell no one, but if I have a kid, I wish it’d be more like this one. Stacie: Really? Beca: Nope. Stacie: Give that kid back, Beca!!! Beca: Yeah, I’m just waiting on the supposed mom. You know she’s really irresponsible. It’s been more than 10 minutes and she hasn’t replied. Like, what on earth? Stacie: Calm your tits and take care of that kid. Send me a photo! Beca: Sure sure. Let me know when you land here. Stacie: Bye Beca!

As soon as she hung up on Stacie, she took a selfie with the kid and sent it to the taller brunette with the caption, “Don’t show this to anyone. I think I could kidnap this kid.” Stacie replied with, “Redhead huh ;) No wonder, Beca.” and told Aubrey that Beca does have Charlie.

The DJ couldn’t help but scoff at Stacie’s reply and couldn’t help but think back to the redhead that’s been occupying her mind every dull moment she has.

She remembered sitting on the steps of the Bellas’ House beside Jesse. The guy’s bags were all packed and he was just there to say goodbye. Beca broke up with him that day. Told him that things really wouldn’t work out with the long distance thing.

“You know you can tell me, right?” Jesse says quietly.

She just looks at him with confusion and as if her face says it all, he spoke again. “You love me… but… you’re not in love with me. At least not anymore.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Beca growls at him.

He just smiles. “Aw come on, Becaw. It’s fine. You might not have figured it out yet but you will. Someday. Trust me, I saw this coming a loooong time ago and I’m just thankful to have been loved by and to have loved you.”

“You. Are. Such a weirdo.” The brunette girl looks at him with confusion but hugs him anyway.

He hugs her back so tightly and he promised that they’d keep in touch after 2 months because he needs time to move on. She was thankful enough that Jesse wasn’t mad at her for giving up on their relationship.

It was 5 months after he left that Beca realised that she’s been in love with Chloe all along. Jesse was so supportive of this whole ‘Bhloe’ thing which was why he promised Beca that he’d be there during the World’s. They’d be able to catch up but most of all, he’d be able to help organise a huge date for Chloe right after they bag the championship.

So as soon as they were announced the winner and a candid group photo was already taken, Beca ran off to the backstage where Jesse was holding a bouquet of sunflowers. Flowers that Beca was supposed to give to Chloe but when she looked back, all the Bellas were already off to the party and Beca literally had no idea where the party was.

Honestly, it was absurd because she should have at least been invited! Sure, she hasn’t been paying much attention if the girls weren’t talking about the Worlds’ Competition itself, because god forbid, she was too busy planning the big Chloe surprise.

She tried ringing all the Bellas’ but she figured everyone were too wasted after calling them three times each and Chloe five. So she looked at Jesse, “Let’s just go to the place and eat the food ourselves.” So they went on the date with Beca sulking and Jesse comforting her. Beca was so mad at the Bellas’ about the whole no-invite-thing so she and Jesse drank their asses off themselves. She crashed in Jesse’s hotel and left early in the morning to go to the house they rented for a week.

Nothing happened. Their friendship was purely platonic this time around.

She came home to “Hey Shawshank where were you last night?” and she couldn’t believe it they didn’t bother asking her during the party? But she decided to let it go when a certain redhead came in with a hangover, hugging her from the back.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t get to pick up. I lost my phone for a while and when I found it… I was gonna call you but it died.” she kissed Beca on the cheek and walked to her room without another word.

All her anger was thrown out the window (obviously not having spotted the hickeys trailing Chloe’s neck). So that’s when she decided to just confess everything that she felt for the redhead during the Bellas’ Graduation Party.

"Chloe… there’s something… Chloe I’m in love with you,” she laughs nervously “God I was so stupid. I’m so in love with you, Chloe Beale. And you’re in love with me too, right? I know it.”

When the redhead finally faced her. She was surprised to see her crying. She didn’t know what to expect. “You don’t… you don’t love me, Beca.“ were the words that came out of Chloe’s mouth and she was frozen in her place.

She watched Chloe leave that night and that was the last time they saw each other.

*DING DONG*

She was snapped out of her reminiscing by the sound of the doorbell. When she opened the door, she was met by a black haired woman with glasses. “Hi. I’m here to pick up Charles?”

“Um… you’re the mom? I’m sorry… it’s just that..” Beca hesitates. Charlie is a redhead. And it’s CharlIE not CharlES!

The woman bows her head down. “No, I’m actually the nanny who lost him. His mom told me to come pick him up… I really didn’t mean to lose him…” she starts to cry.

‘Crap.’ “Ohh hold on. Can I see an ID please? Also can I take a picture of you?” Beca was being extremely over protective of Charlie and if it weren’t for the willing wannabe actress that Aubrey came across, she would’ve been busted. So the woman showed her an ID and willingly had her photo taken and Beca gave her Charlie who happens to be a heavy sleeper even if he was being picked up and carried and passed to another person.

She quickly texted Stacie, “I might have given the kid to the real kidnapper but here’s her ID and a mugshot of her.”

The taller brunette laughs at how protective Beca was being. Seriously, where did Aubrey get this ‘nanny’? When she got the text from Aubrey with a selfie, “Can’t believe the midget gave the kid to a random person so easily.” She replied with a screenshot of Beca’s text with the ID Card and the mugshot.

Both women laughed at their tiny brunette friend. And both secretly wished that Beca was indeed Charlie’s other parent. Things would be so much better and everyone would be happier.

If only.

A/N: You guys are so fucking cute so I decided to continue this. Lol. Also, I like Staubrey lol. Feel free to let me know what u guys think! Also, I’m writing another bechloe fic, it’s Doctor, We Need You. You can check it out here. 

Quick Links: Part 1, Part 3, Part 4

[poekeyalmighty]

Time Travel on Graham Norton

Youknow, call me crazy, but sometimes I fantasize about time-travelling onto a nightshow, like Graham Norton’s in..let's say 2005.

The audience's mind will be erased afterwards and they can only take 3 words of wisdom home with them on a sign (to avoid large changes to the future but to encourage a small change in their behaviour.)

Emma (that's me.) and several celebrities will then sit on the couch and spoil little secrets (not too much, as I said, everything needs to be erased again) about the future.

They can invite anyone from any year, but it is very expensive. The more they reveal, the more it costs to erase the minds afterwards.

*It'll be like:*

Graham: Sooooo..today, ladies and gentlemen, the celebrities on the couch will be Miranda Hart and Richard Ayoade. Áááánd we have someone from the year 2018, oh véry exciting! Let's give them a welcoming applause and let's start the show!"

*everyone sits down*

Graham: 'So..welcome everyone, I have to say, Emma, judging from your shoes, I see our horrible Ugg-trend won't last long, ihihihihihi. Ohh just kidding, there's probably still some around. They'd be antique! Hah hah. Okay..now..let's start with the question we're all curious about...what is the future like?"

Emma: "Eh..well..not that great. Or..well..it depends on which side you are, who you voted for."

Miranda Hart; Oh gód I knew it, there's going to be a war!"

Emma: "Not in my year..not yet...but the presidents are fighting and threatening with nuclear weapons.."

Richard:"Youknow, it's funny...we've all been excited about you visiting, but I'd rather have you leave now.."

*everyone laughs*

Graham: 'Is the American president still Bush?'

Emma: "Oh no...oh, wait, ofcourse..2005..eh..then I guess I first have some good news..'

Graham: Thank god, I thought my show had paid a lót of money for some depressing nightmare..."

Emma; "It gets more depressing towards the future, but the president in 2008 is pretty good. People like him, ánd...."

Miranda Hart: 'And it's a woman?"

Richard: "She said "him"..."

Miranda Hart: 'He could be a transgender, couldn't he?"

Graham: 'Will the both of you shut up, she'd going to say it.."

Emma; "Well..it shouldn't be that big of a deal, but it is pretty cool. He's black."

Richard: 'I always knew I was going to make it big! So I'm going to be president huh? What about that, Graham? Take that Miranda Hart!"

*everyone laughs*

Emma: "His name is Obama, his wife is called Michelle, she's going to help kids exercise more and eat healthy. And-

Graham: Sorry to interrupt, but I just háve to ask..how do the Harry potter books end?

Emma: 'Oohhh I can't tell you that! Not even with mind-erasing!"

*Audience boohs and groans*

Emma: 'I'm sorry, I can't. But I can assure you there'll be 7 books...and the last book will be mindblowing and awesome and it'll have nearly anything you could've wanted."

Richard: 'It's good to hear that the tragedies will only be aimed towards ús and not the book-characters..."

*audience nervously giggles.*

Miranda Hart: 'Can't you just put us out of our misery? What is it...will there be murders..will the Queen die?"

Emma: 'Oh..no, the Queen is still alive. But you guys will leave the EU, now you remind me of it.."

*Miranda Hart gasps*

Graham; We will leave the EU? But why? And what about Scotland and Ireland?"

Emma; 'Scotland will have a referendum to leave you guys, but they'll stay..'

Miranda Hart: "Jesus.."

Emma: 'Haha, but that's not the worst. Oohh..I feel bad, you guys don't want to know this..aahh.."

Richard: 'Be honest, will I be forced to become a stripper? Is that it? *audience laughs* Will this beautiful body be sacrificed to dance in glittery latex to fix the debts of Great Britain? Will it-''

Emma; "Noo...Richard..Oh..okay, I'll tell you. After Obama's second term..there'll be two people that run for the presidency. A woman and a man. The woman will be the most popular, but the man will be chosen by electoral college. And the man is someone that many people don't like."

Miranda Hart: "Bush reruns?"

*audience laughs*

Emma: 'I'll give a couple of hints. He's never been in politics before, he's a bigot and racist and very orange..."

Richard: Sounds like a provoked and angry and sudden racist Arnold Schwarzenegger? Sudden racism aside, that'd be awesome."

Miranda Hart: Is it-?'

Emma: "It's not Pauly D from Jersey Shore, hah hah..."

Miranda Hart: Who?

Emma; 'Oh...eh..no one, nevermind. It's from a show...in the future.."

Graham: Emma, whó. is. it?!"

Emma: 'He has very large towers....golden towers.

Graham; 'Is it a king?

Emma; 'Nó, he had an American show..he used to fire people."

Richard; I don't know who this is...but it sounds bad.

Emma: 'He goes like this *makes face and gestures with hands* 'All Mexicans are rapists.they bring crime and drugs."

Miranda Hart: 'Who the *bleep* says thát?! Are you serious? No, for real...áre you?

Emma; 'Yes. He used to organize beauty-pageants...he has a-"

Richard: 'Oh don't you dare telling me it's Mister Trump.”

*silence*

Emma: I-

*Graham gasps and holds the cards against his face*

Emma: It ís Donald Trump.

*Audience nervously giggles, but also looks panicked. Graham twists and turns on his chair while he looks up to the ceiling and Miranda Hart shakes her head with an open mouth and holds her hands up in the air.*

Richard: "Well..Graham..you certainly got what you paid for...this is more of an information-bombshell-moment than you could've ever wanted.."

Miranda Hart: 'And is he doing something to the Mexicans..youknow..setting rules or anything, against them?

Emma; 'He tried to ban all muslims from going in and out the USA...but that didn't last long. And youknow..the usual stuff you'd expect from him.."

Graham; I’m seriously struggling to continue the show here..jeesh..those Americans huh?

Emma: Well, you guys will have Boris Johnson..”

Miranda: ‘Hihi…”Johnson?”

Richard: ‘Don’t tell me he’s a unexperienced racist too..”

Emma; ‘Graham, pour everyone another drink. And get me another few glasses of water. This is going to be a long night.”