#one day we will see observatories in the same light I think

[wickershells]

Temples of our time: abandoned oil refineries, train stations, cooling towers + power plants, pylons + powerlines, signal towers, closed collieries etc

[valdomarx]

Roy’s first month of managing Richmond, he still wakes up at 4 a.m. every morning. 

There’s no reason for it; work doesn’t start until 8 and he doesn't need to do extra training sessions with Jamie any more. But his body can’t break the habit, so he lies in bed and stares at the ceiling.

4 a.m. is when night is over but morning has not quite begun, when the world is quiet and distant and there is room for thoughts which would otherwise be unthought and feelings which would otherwise be unfelt.

-

4 a.m. is Jamie flinging open his front door with a big grin and a stupid head torch, saying, “Morning coach!” and bounding off with such enthusiasm that Roy has to scramble to keep up with him.

-

4 a.m. is the team finally calling it a night after celebrating a tough win, Isaac and Colin with an exhausted Sam between them, Jan Maas giggling, and Dani coming tearing out of the club yelling “Back to the hoteeeeeeeeeel!” and everyone running joyfully after him. Everyone except Jamie, who is leaning against the wall of the club and watching Roy with a hint of a smile.

“Fucking what?” Roy growls.

“You’re doing good. At this manager thing, I mean. The boys like it when you come celebrate with us.”

-

4 a.m. is sunrise over Richmond Park, the trees swaying in the breeze, deer leaping away in the distance, a blanket of silence muffling London’s ever-present hum of traffic. It is Jamie’s contentment as he runs, the way he springs forward to meet every step, with the rays of the rising sun painting streaks of red and gold through his hair.

-

4 a.m. is the time the team bus breaks down and strands them in a field in the middle of nowhere, and most of the lads are asleep in their seats but Roy finds Jamie sitting a little distance away on a grassy bank, looking up at the sky.

“Proper good view of the stars here, innit?”

Roy cranes his neck to take in the view of bright white points splashed across the darkness. He hums and lowers himself to sit next to Jamie.

“That one’s Rigel.” Jamie points. “And over there, that’s Betelgeuse. About to go supernova and everything. It’s gonna explode and take out everything around it, but after that, it’ll leave behind a cloud of dust n shit which’ll make new stars. Mental, right?”

Roy glances at him sideways. “How d’you know all this shit?”

Jamie shrugs one shoulder. “Me mum used to take me to the observatory as a kid. Said it was good for my cultural development. But I think I just liked the view.”

Jamie is staring up at the stars, but Roy is looking at Jamie’s face, soft, open, and full of wonder.

-

4 a.m. is a stupid time to be doing this. Roy stands in front of Jamie’s door and hesitates before knocking. Who the fuck shows up out of the blue at someone’s house at this hour? But he’d woken up early again and the world had seemed grating, like something important was missing, and almost against his will his feet had carried him here.

He knocks and, much quicker than he expects, the hallway light flicks on and footsteps thump down the stairs. Jamie opens the door fully dressed and wide awake, and beams.

“Morning coach! You want a cup of coffee?”

Roy blinks. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I’m here at this ridiculous time?”

Jamie's forehead wrinkles. "I'm sure you've got a good reason."

“I couldn’t sleep. Can’t sleep, I mean. I still wake up at 4 a.m. every morning."

Jamie nods. “Yeah. Me too.”

"I -" Roy squirms, hating feeling so visible. "I miss this."

Jamie looks up at him, surprised. 

"I miss you."

Jamie blushes, then fidgets with his sleeves. "You see me every day."

"It's not the same though. I miss starting my day with you."

"Oh." Jamie's cheeks are blotched with pink. "We could go for a run together? Do some training?'

It's tempting. Roy could say yes, and they could jog around the park, and it could be like it was before. A little piece of familiarity in a season of changes. 

But that's not what Roy is here for.

"I don't want to train," he says, and Jamie's face falls.

He steps closer, right up to the doorway, a mere few inches between them. He reaches out, stopping himself just before his hand lands on Jamie's chest. 

He looks up, meets Jamie's eye, makes sure he knows what Roy is offering. His hand meets Jamie's chest, solid and warm. "I want something else."

"Oh." Jamie scarcely moves, has to remind himself to breathe by the looks of it, and then one of those soft, beautiful 4 a.m. smiles spreads across his face and he steps back to open the door. "Then I guess you'd better come in."

[therealcocoshady]

Recovery - Chapter 2

Eminem x Reader (Y/N) fanfiction

Summary : Marshall takes Y/N for a drive and they open up about their sobriety experiences.

Tags : mentions of substance abuse

The drive wasn’t very long but it was kind of silent. You did not really know what to say, so you kept to yourself, as Marshall was driving. After a short while, you arrived to some sort of observatory, from where you could see the whole city of Detroit. The view was breathtaking. It was starting to get dark so you could see the lights from the building.

- Woah, you said as you got out of the car.

- Nice, huh ? Marshall asked.

- Definitely better than my room, you admitted.

- It’s one of my favourite places in the city, he explained. When I started recovery, I thought I was going crazy, staying in my house. So I started coming here everyday. Sometimes for twenty minutes. Sometimes for hours. But at least it got me up from the couch and out of the house.

- The city looks great from here, you said. I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.

- It’s not highly touristic, Marshall explained. Not many people know about it. That’s what is so great.

- I have to admit I haven’t explored much of Detroit yet, you said.

- For how long have you been here ? He asked.

- About four years now. I came to get my Master’s degree, as an exchange student at University of Michigan. And then I got a PhD fellowship so I took the opportunity to stay. Plus, I got together with Simon around the same time so it kind of felt like it was meant to be.

- Simon’s your boyfriend ?

- Ex, you quickly corrected. We split up. Actually, he left when I was in the hospital. Hence the living situation with Jamal and Talia, who were kind enough to take me in.

- I see, Marshall said. So he left you because of the OD ?

- Kind of.

Without really thinking about it, you proceeded to tell him about the breakup. Something about Marshall made it easy to talk. He was easy-going and made you feel safe, as if you had known him forever and could share everything with him.

- I really thought we were endgame, you said. We were talking about getting married eventually. And having kids, too…

You stopped talking as you felt a knot forming in your stomach. Simply mentioning your plans of having kids with Simon brought back the memories of the miscarriage. That very event had been the beginning of the end for the two of you. Even though Simon had been saddened by the miscarriage, it hadn’t affected him much. You were the one who gad to deal with the days of bleeding, cramping and crying. You had become attached to this baby and had troubles coming to terms with the loss of this pregnancy. Simon, on the other hand, seemed to be doing just fine.

- We’ll try again, he had said. It happens. Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be, you know ?

Even though you knew he was right, you were hurt. It wasn’t about trying again. It was about processing your loss and grieving. It felt as if Simon had moved on as soon as you’d been told there was no heartbeat anymore. As time went on, you felt unable to talk about your grief, your pain and the trauma. So you started using more and more pills.

- YN ? You heard Marshall’s voice pulling you back to reality.

- Sorry, you said apologising profusely. I got in my head.

- It’s ok. Breakups are hard to talk about, he said. You’re really strong, you know ? With everything you’re going through right now.

- I kind of brought it on myself, you said sheepishly. If I hadn’t been using, I wouldn’t be going through this breakup right now.

- You never know what could have been. You just need to focus on getting better right now.

- Any wisdom to share ? You asked with genuine interest.

In fifteen years of sobriety, you assumed he had gained some wisdom you could use.

- Don’t be afraid to talk. Like, ever. In fact, I think that staying silent and alone with your thoughts makes you insanely more vulnerable and at risk for a relapse. Also, there are thousands of things I could tell you right now, but the only thing that matters is that, as lonely as you may feel, there are many, many people going through the same thing. You are not alone. Your road to recovery doesn’t have to be a lonely one.

He smiled and got closer to you as he spoke. He gently put a hand on your shoulder.

- You may lose people in the process but that doesn’t mean you can’t be surrounded by love and support, he finally said.

You felt a little lump in your throat and, for a second, you thought you’d cry.

- How did you get over the disappointment you caused people ? You asked, looking into his piercing blue eyes.

- By making amends and, mostly, creating new memories with them. The hardest thing for me was letting my family down, especially my children. I missed Christmas with them when I OD’d. I’ll never have that time back. But I make a point of sharing meaningful moments with them now. More than ever before, he said.

- Do they resent you ? You shyly asked.

- I’m pretty sure they did. My daughter is the one who found me unconscious, two hours away from dying. I guess the kids did suffer from my absence. They needed me as a parent, not as a burden. But I’m better now, I’m present and I’m here for them. That’s what matters. It’s in the past, now. What matters the most to me is that they know I love them.

You watched Marshall’s eyes as he gazed upon the horizon. Obviously, talking about his kids struck a chord.

- You seem like a great dad, you said. Your kids are lucky to have you.

- I try to be. To be fair, they’re the ones who are great. I owe them everything.

- Tell me about them, you asked.

The way Marshall spoke of his daughters sparked your interest. The sparkle in his eyes when he mentioned them warmed your heart and you could only hope that, one day, you would be so lucky to have kids you could love as much. Obviously, he loved talking about his daughters and bragging about them. You couldn’t help but think it must be a bit odd for them to have Eminem as a dad, growing up.

You chuckled at the thought of your own Dad, who was so different than Marshall, even though they were about the same age.

- What is so funny ? He asked with a smile. Sorry, I’m such a geek when I talk about my kids.

- No, it’s not that ! You reassured him. I was thinking of my father. I think you’re about his age but somehow you’re… cooler, I guess ?

- You’re only saying that because I’m not your father, Marshall assured you.

- Pretty sure not, you insisted.

After all, you highly doubted that Marshall’s daughters would trade their rapper father for yours. Maybe it was a matter of culture, but Marshall was warmer, more emotionally available.

- Are you close to your parents ?Marshall asked. They must be proud of you, getting your PhD and stuff.

- My mom died when I was two so I don’t have a lot of memories of her. I was raised by my father and his new wife. We’re not really close but I guess you could say they’re kind of proud, you explained.

- Do they know about your OD ?

- No, you admitted shyly. I couldn’t disappoint them like that. How would you react if the same thing happened to one of your girls ?

- I don’t think I’d be disappointed, Marshall said after a few seconds of thoughts. I’d be scared, concerned and, frankly, disappointed in myself if they ever felt the need to hide this from me. My job is to be there for them, come what may. If you were my daughter, I would want you to know that.

- Well, my Dad would never forgive me, you said without a thought.

- I think the forgiveness that matters the most is your own, he pointed out.

Marshall’s words meant a lot to you. Talking to him so candidly felt so good.

- What if I can’t forgive myself, Marshall ? You asked with tears welling in your eyes.

- You can. You deserve to, Y/N. Just because you fucked up doesn’t mean it’s over for you. You deserve to have great things coming your way, he replied as he pulled you in for a hug.

- But I’m a failure, you pointed out. I lied to everyone, I screwed everything up with Simon and even Talia doesn’t trust me anymore. I don’t even deserve you being so nice to me. Why are you so nice to me ?! You blurted out.

A smile started to form on Marshall’s lips.

- Because kindness isn’t meant to be deserved anyway, He said. When I got sober, I had amazing people helping me out. I always told myself I’d do the same for anyone else in need, he explained. And you may think you deserve to have everyone hating you, but the truth is, I haven’t heard anything but good things about you from Talia and Jamal. They love you and they think the world of you. That tells me you’re pretty cool.

You let out a laugh and dried your tears.

- Thank you, Marshall. For everything.

- My pleasure, Y/N.

The two of you kept on gazing at the lights of the city for a while, making small talk. At some point, you found yourself shivering. Marshall offered you his jacket but you felt kind of tired and asked if he would mind driving you back instead. On the way home, you stared at him and realised that, even though you’d just met him, you felt insanely comfortable around him. You were thankful for making his acquaintance. Also, you couldn’t help but tell yourself he looked as good as he was kind - which was saying something. He wasn’t really your usual type but you found him quite appealing. And you started blushing as soon as you realised that you were kind of attracted to someone who was old enough to be your father. You shrugged it off and told yourself that it was probably your vulnerability playing you.

When you arrived at Talia and Jamal’s, he stopped the car and stepped out to open your door. He hugged you goodbye and reached for his necklace before handing it to you.

- It helped me through some tough times, I hope it does the same for you, he said before kissing your forehead.

- Won’t you need it though ? You asked.

- I’m good, he simply said. Take care, Y/N.

You smiled and waved goodbye as he got back to the car. You had no idea as to whether you’d see him again or not, but it did not really matter in this moment. You felt as if there was purpose in the moments you just shared. Even if you never crossed path again, you knew you’d forever be thankful for him. You put the necklace around your neck and entered the house with a smile on your face.

- Well, someone looks cheerful, Talia said as you walked through the door.

- Yeah, we had a great talk, you said. He is very nice. Is everyone gone ?

- They went out to dinner, she said. I stayed so that you wouldn’t come home to an empty place.

- You didn’t have to !

- I don’t mind, really. Plus, I think it’s good for Jamal.

- He loves having you around, you pointed out. And everyone seems to like you too !

- They’re super cool, she admitted. But I can do without the boys’ talk, she added with a grin. Plus, now, I have a live-in bestie ! A bestie with a necklace that definitely rings a bell, she pointed out.

As soon as those words left her mouth, you knew you were in for a long series of questions.

[theofficialastronomy101]

BREAKING NEWS: A Repeating Radio Signal Is Coming From Another Earth-Like Planet, Scientists Say.

The 1st Live Alien Signal Received From Another Galaxy?Scientists have spotted a repeating radio signal from a nearby star system that hints at the presence of a magnetic field around one of its Earth-sized planets, reports a new study. 

Earth’s magnetic field has played a critical role in the survival of life by shielding the surface from the Sun’s harmful radiation and helping to maintain a stable atmosphere that nourishes our biosphere. For this reason, scientists think that extraterrestrial life, if it exists, might also depend on the presence of robust magnetic fields around exoplanets, which are worlds that orbit other stars.

Scientists have previously observed the magnetic fields of giant Jupiter-scale exoplanets interacting with their host stars, as part of a process called magnetic star-planet interactions (SPIs). However, Earth-sized exoplanets give off much weaker magnetic signals compared to gas giants, making it difficult to detect magnetism around rocky worlds. Sebastian Pineda, a research scientist at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Jacqueline Villadsen, an assistant professor at Bucknell University, have spent years searching for these elusive signs of magnetic fields around small planets. Now, the pair of astronomers present unprecedented evidence of repeated radio bursts that may be linked to a magnetic field around the Earth-sized exoplanet YZ Ceti b, which is located just 12 light years from our solar system. 

YZ Ceti b completes an orbit in just two days, which means it is way too close to its star to host life, but this ultrashort year also “makes it a uniquely promising case study for magnetic SPIs,” according to a study published on Monday in Nature Astronomy. It was super exciting to see the radio data sets show this kind of signature,” Pineda said in an email to Motherboard. “We saw the initial burst detection, and immediately went about coordinating observations for additional monitoring, based on the published planet period, since we were looking for something that happens at the same time in the planet’s orbit. Once we had the additional data, Jackie was looking at it, and was telling me: ‘hey, there are similar radio signals here, right when we were looking and hoping to see them,’” he continued. “It was a bit of feverish excitement: ‘wow, we may really have it here!!’ I’m pretty sure I started pacing around, imagining our next steps: alright, we’ve got work to do to really demonstrate this result, with all the implications etc.”

In their hunt for these signals, Pineda and Villadsen focused their attention on short-period small planets, because they might have a more visible magnetic signature as a result of their proximity to their stars. As these worlds hurtle through their orbits, any magnetic field they might possess could interact with the star’s own magnetic field, creating a pattern of radio bursts from the star that can be potentially seen here on Earth. 

The researchers think they might have seen these repeat bursts from the YZ Ceti system, but they caution that it’s not a slam-dunk case. It’s possible that the signals are a normal part of the radio stellar activity of stars like YZ Ceti, which is a slowly rotating red dwarf, which would mean that its emission may have nothing to do with any planets in the system. “There are still too many unknowns about the system, but I’d say we are demonstrating the potential of radio data and magnetic star-planet interactions to lead toward measurements of Earth-sized exoplanet magnetic field strengths—I don’t think we’re really there yet,” Pineda said. “So, we want to continue to monitor the star with the radio observatories, and look for additional recurrence of the radio signals that occur periodically with the same position of the planet in its orbit,” he added. “It can be time consuming and a bit challenging to set up, but that’ll confirm that the radio detections are indeed dependent on the planet, and not something that the star is doing on its own.” If this does turn out to be the first detection of magnetic SPI around an Earth-sized exoplanet, it could help scientists hunt for habitable worlds in other stars. The caveat is that looking for magnetic signatures around rocky worlds in the habitable zones of their stars, where liquid water and life are considered more likely to exist, would be tricky because these planets have much larger orbits. This distance from stars may be an advantage for any hidden aliens out there, but it also makes the magnetic interactions between stars and planets far weaker, to the point that some may not be detectable at all.

However, the new study offers a potential example of the types of signals you might expect to see from a system that contains a magnetically shielded planet that is similar in size to Earth. With time and practice, scientists might be able to zero-in on interesting targets, Pineda said, as part of a wider approach to assessing the odds that life might exist on other worlds. First off, fully confirming magnetic field strengths on exoplanets is a requisite for any broader understanding of habitability,” he explained. “It’s not just a temperature question, but the whole star-planet system needs to be thought about holistically, with magnetism as an important ingredient. “So, if we know these exoplanets have magnetic fields from the SPI work, we can start to think about questions like what are the properties of those planets, and thus how do the habitable zone planets compare, and what are the chances that they too have similar magnetic fields, even if we can’t measure them yet for the [habitable zone] planets specifically,” Pineda concluded. “If you can infer then that a planet likely has its own field, that’s when you can start thinking about whether individual planets are truly hospitable.”

[raparopa]

could you do Tolya Yul-Bataar x Grisha!fem!reader

you walk around the ballroom, you simply trip that someone was holding your waist it was Tolya, you apologize, you seem so nervous to see him but he very kind to you, so you two talk and lots of chemistry together *fluffiness*

(hope you will write it, thanks and have a lovely day)

a/n: I continue the marathon

warnings: alcohol

pairing: Tolya Yul-Bataar x reader

lady tidemaker

I really love the balls that the Lantsov family has always arranged. It was one of the great advantages of friendship with Nikolai, when you can freely have fun and have a good time during noisy holidays; walk the golden halls and dance with the lords or other Grisha.

And tonight was great. Nikolai returned, he was no longer called Sturmhond, he brought with him the Sun Summoner and now we could not sit out in observatory, hiding from Vasily's tyranny.

I grabbed a glass of champagne from one table, looking at my reflection in the cloche, admiring how beautiful my blue and blue caftan looks in this gold madness. The drink was sweet in taste, with small bubbles and a fruity aroma. I greeted and nodded to the Grisha, chatted with Nadia, even got to know Alina better, who turned out to be a very nice girl; I even managed to exchange a few words with Nikolai and scold him for disappearing somewhere for so long and not even sending a message.

I was glad, calm and a little drunk on good champagne. But who cares, right?

I walked around the hall until some lady blocked my way with her huge, pink dress, the train of which trailed behind her like a peacock's tail. I tried to make a clever maneuver so as not to run into this (wonderful) woman, but my legs had already decided everything for me: the heel treacherously slid on the pink fabric of the hem, and I barely had time to squeak something and mentally prepare for the fall as ...

Nothing happened? The only thing I heard was a splash: the champagne from my glass was on the floor.

I could hardly exhale: someone held me by the arms so easily, as if I were a feather. When I opened my eyes, I saw no one in front of me, but the voice of my savior came from behind.

-Is everything all right, tidemaker? - they asked me with a sneer, returning to a vertical position. I awkwardly turned to look at my savior and realized that I was feeling bad and good at the same time.

Tolya Yul-Bataar.

Oh no. Oh no. OH NO NO NO. My heart skipped a beat and then pounded like a drum.

Of course I knew who it was. I saw him and his sister next to Nikolai when they arrived. But close he was... Saints...

-Yes, thank you,- I said, not knowing where to put my hands and an empty glass. He silently looked at me for a moment, and then his smile turned a little sad.

-You got scared? Your heart ... - he put his hand to his chest, on the side of his heart. I blinked incomprehensibly. - Beats harder, faster than before. Are you sure you're alright, torrential? -he said, looking at me worriedly. I wanted to answer him, but his words made me think for a moment, and then my lips stretched into a sly smile.

-Sounds like you've been following my heart all evening,- I teased. Tolya's face fell for a moment, and then he laughed, awkwardly rubbing his neck.

-Y/N. - I said, holding out my free hand to him.

-Tolya,- he answered, shaking my hand. He had strong, but surprisingly soft and light hands. -Very glad to meet you, Y/N.

- Mutually. - I smiled. Why are my cheeks and ears burning so insanely?! - How do you like the evening?

Tolya shrugged.

-Now she has become much more charming Y/N. Even the appetizers are not so terrible. And the champagne is quite good.

I giggled at his words.

- Champagne is excellent. - I answered, twirling an empty glass in my hand. - It's a pity that now the floor will enjoy it, and not me. Thanks to that beautiful lady in the wonderful pink dress. I nodded my head at the culprit of our acquaintance, who now flickered at the other end of the hall.

Tolya laughed heartily.

Saints, are all heartrenders so adorable?

-I think the champagne problem is easy to fix. Unless, of course, the lady will allow me? - He bowed theatrically to me, winking playfully.

-ABOUT! Please! - I waved away embarrassedly. - I'm not a lady at all. Not at all. I doubt that Grisha can even be called a lady. - I justified myself, which undoubtedly amused Tolya again.

-Still, will you allow me to supply you with champagne again?

- How much help in one evening, Tolya.

-I like to help people. Especially so charming. Lady tidemaker.

[misacchilettersoflove]

Under the Stars (Lee x OC)

To those who live Babylonia, visiting the Observatory was one of the rarest things to do since Earth is still being overrun by the Punishing Virus. Yet to Sakimi Keio, it was one of the best places to relax in her rather hectic schedule as a commandant of Red Falcons. A rather rare opportunity for her to stay in the interstellar colony for even a month with her squad.

Sitting by one of the chairs, she looks at the vast stars from beyond- their lights calm her, the silence also starts to cause her to fall asleep, until she hears the door opening, footsteps resounding on the marbled floor. Yet those footsteps were way too familiar for her to even crane her head. A soft smile appears onto her face before finally seeing him in front of her.

“Lee-! Took you exactly thirty minutes-”

“Shut up- I did not take that long this time, I made sure I wouldn’t get lost.”

“Sure, if you say so…” Before a yawn leaves her body, wiping the drowsiness out of her eyes.

“I wonder if I should admire your endless energy or lecture you for your poor time management everytime you’re here in Babylonia. Your squad even contacted me to force you to rest.”

“You know it’s rare for me to even be here- my squad stays on Earth often. I can’t even take a breather there… to even look at the stars and just gaze upon them with nothing else to think about.”

“So you run yourself out just to look at the constellations you can easily look at the database.” “It’s different to look at the actual thing, like they shine differently when you look at them here or just anywhere in Babylonia.”

“You could just ask me to record it for you with my optical lenses… Come on, let us just go back to your squad’s common room.”

“At least give me a few more minutes, why don’t you sit here with me… it’s been so long since we’ve been alone.”

“Because we are busy serving humanity, making sure there will be a future for humanity-”

“What about our future? Can we not have even a little bit of respite? I have missed you- do you not feel the same?” “...”

“Guess not… Let’s just go.” Standing from her position, she starts heading to the entrance of the Observatory. But before she could take another step further, she felt his arms holding onto hers before she felt the tug- pulling her onto his arms. 

“I didn’t say anything because it sounds embarrassing in my head.” “Seriously? You wanted me to head back- so I will head back.”

“Just… Let’s just go back.” Yet Lee does not budge one bit, until she has to face him, seeing his face turning red.

“...”

“Lee? Are you okay? Did your heating component break once more?” “Yes… it’s quite broken.” Her face fills with worry, before her free hand touches his heated synthetic skin. “Do you want me to fix it for you?”

He just nods, before slowly leaning onto her, his lips skimming her own heated ones, a small smirk forming onto his mouth. “Maybe you can- but I think it is an easy fix.” “Easy fix-?” “You know what I mean, you know where this always leads anyways.”

“You mean- you’re horny?” “Don’t say it like that!” “Well suit yourself, my darling Lee.” “Or I can ruin you right here- right now, on Valentine’s Day…” “Here, on the goddamn Observatory-” “Since you love the stars so much… why don’t we make them our witness.” “Tempting offer- but no.”

“Since you’re not even going to sleep… Let me show you the constellations my own way- let me make you tired, while the stars see how much I own you tonight.”

HAPPY LATE VALENTINE'S DAY, MY BELOVED LEE!

-`♡´- I love you so much my babygurl. -`♡´-

My most beloved yumeship- Sakimi x Lee

[afpwestcoast]

The Observatory North Park, San Diego, 12/9/23

Though we were in a different city the setup for this show was very similar to last night in LA: large, ornate theater with a barricade keeping people back from the stage. But this was no impediment to the band torching through a stellar set.

Amanda calls me Tom the Critic because after shows I have a tendency to skip over the OMYGOD THAT WAS AWESOME part and pick nits over minor issues. It’s a character flaw; I’m working on it.

After this show I took Amanda’s face in my hand, looked her in the eye, and said, “Amanda, you know I love you, but I am about to tell you something that you probably thought you’d never hear me say.”

“Oh god,” she replied, bracing for the worst. “What is it?”

I leaned in close and whispered, “Perfect show. No notes.”

“AWWWW!” she said as she melted into my arms for a big hug.

And it really was a truly stupendous show, but even so it came close to being overshadowed by the after party.

Amanda’s sister Alyson (of forced wedding / gross cake fame) was in town for a hematology conference, and her “book doula” Jamy Ian Swiss lives in San Diego, so they were both there.

I convinced them - and Amanda’s brilliant long-time sound guy Dave - to join us for drinks at Part Time Lover, a nearby combination bar and vinyl record store. As we headed out I snuck up behind Amanda and said, “I think I just convinced your sister to come out drinking.” She said, “Yeah, that tracks.”

The place was jammed with a boisterous young crowd when we arrived, but we closed the place down and there hardly was anyone left by 2am.

I got to learn about Alyson’s efforts to cure cancer with targeted drugs and Dave’s work training the next generation of sound engineers. That was lovely, but Jamy stole the show. Or rather, put one on.

Knowing him primarily from his work with Amanda on her book, I thought the magic was a bit of a side hustle. When I asked, “Are you any good?” his look said, ‘I will tolerate that because you are buying me drinks,’ but his mouth said, “I am much better than good.” And then he pulled out a deck of cards and proved it.

I had never actually seen close magic up close, like literally standing next to the magician. Let me tell you, it is quite an experience. You know it’s a trick, you know he’s doing something, but you cannot see anything, which makes you start questioning your sanity. He really is much better than good.

After we closed the bar Dave and Alyson bailed but Jamy soldiered on and we went to an all-night diner where the spirited (pardon the pun) conversation continued until we finally parted ways around 4am. This was one for the annals.

Annotated Set List:

Good Day

Sex Changes

Gravity

Backstabber

My Alcoholic Friends

Shores of California

Delilah (featuring Veronica Swift) Welcome to the Internet (Bo Burnham cover)

Another lengthy intro before launching into a set of new songs, although this didn’t feel like the angsty delay tactic of the previous night but just bringing the audience up to speed on what was about to happen. Mister God

By way of introduction to the next song Amanda said that the friend who was the first person she sent it to when it was finished was in the audience.

“A really dear friend of mine is in the audience tonight … his name is Jamy Ian Swiss and he’s a man of many talents, among them: he’s an incredible professional magician. But he also helped me write a book called “The Art of Asking,” which was kind of a magic trick itself. Over the course of working on this book together he got to know me very very very well.”

And I thought, ‘Oh yeah I need to party with this guy.’

Houdini

Believe it or not, as Amanda was telling the background story of the next song, there was another medical emergency that necessitated bringing up the house lights, same as the previous night in LA. Once again the staff was on it and the band and the crowd were very respectful.

Afterwards Brian said, “It is actually really amazingly rad to have venue after venue’s staff come up to us after shows and go, ‘Your crowd is really awesome; they’re really good people!’”

Whakenewha Amsterdam (Jacques Brel cover)

Another Christmas

Boyfriend in a Coma

The Runner

The Nail (Amanda on synthesizer)

Coin-Operated Boy

“We don’t take for granted that we’ve been a band for 23 years now and without a record out since fucking 2008 and like a thousand people still came to see us play. That does not necessarily have to happen when you’re a band. And so we want to thank every single one of you for just like loving us and believing in us.”

Merch commercial

Astronaut (A Brief History of Nearly Nothing) (Amanda Palmer cover)

War Pigs (Black Sabbath cover)

—

Girl Anachronism

Photo Gallery:

The scene of the crime.

Ready to Rock! (photo by Deanna Aliano)

The Dresden Dolls!

Delilah

Amanda is WAY up on the balcony for Amsterdam

The many faces of Brian Viglione

Merry Christmas motherfuckers

Technicolor Dolls

Beautiful shot of Brian by Deanna Aliano

Big finish!

[zennotixs]

Good morning, my darling. I hope you slept well. This one is not like my usual asks, I suppose, so be prepared--but I figured it was time. You have been taking over my thoughts for days, weeks--every moment I am away from you, I can only feel my mind drift back to thoughts of you, and I can barely stand being apart. With all of this, I find myself wishing you were mine--and that I was yours. Therefore, here I am, to lay my open heart at your feet, for you to do as you please. 

Rot, you are so, so marvelous. You are so sweet and caring, you constantly check in on me and ask questions, you do your best to work hard to get what you want, and so much more. You never fail to make me smile, to cheer me up after a long day--you compliment and uplift me, and you are just as clingy as I am. I feel as if we have so much in common, and you seem to get me in a way that I fail to replicate with anyone else. I find that in the short amount of time we have known each other, I have learned so much about you--and I can only find myself wanting to learn more as time goes on. My shooting star, I feel as if we are star crossed lovers--fated to be, and yet distant. However, I would love to close that gap. You, my shooting star, are someone I have gazed upon from below, adoring your bright light as it calls out to me. Would you let me keep that light for myself? My words craft a humble observatory, allowing me to seem closer to you. They allow me to stand in the light you cast upon me, and yet I seem to never be close enough. If I tried--if I reached out, letting you see the true me exposed by your light, would you still allow me to gaze up at you? I write this letter in the hopes that you feel the same, I suppose. It has been a little while since I have properly written--and I am afraid of being crushed once more, as I was before. Yet, I think I would be willing to try, if you would allow it. What I mean to say is--this letter is my feeble attempt at making another first move. Would you be interested in really going on a date of some sorts, and properly planning that animal crossing one? I really would love to get closer to you, even further than the occasional ask. Perhaps we could chat on discord or in tumblr messages and such too, if that pleases you. I would still like to take it slow--our pace is good, and I would not want to rush anything--but I feel as if we have made it to the next step. What do you think? I await your response patiently and eagerly. I hope you feel no pressure, my dear--answer honestly.  

Good morning/afternoon, my darling.

I feel the same as you. Your letter makes me feel all warm inside, I’m not greatly talented in letter writing and I don’t really do this so please be patient with me! This will be written as a response but I may try my own hand at letters.

Where to start…? You bring a daily happiness to me just by thinking of you and your asks always fill me with joy! I want to learn everything about you - the good and the bad - if you’d let me.

Naturally, I would give you all of my light if it meant you would be mine. I only hope once you know of the real me you do not leave.

I would be interested, in fact I would love that. I am fine with chatting on whichever platform you want. Whatever is more convenient for you, my dear! I also like our small pace as it means it’s a bit more relaxed and less rushed.

I have answered honestly and I apologise for not being able to make the first move. Though I am so, so glad that you did!

[nuri148]

So... I've been a bit MIA bc this past weekend I was in my dear London for the 7th time and omg, it never gets old! There is SO much to see, and do, and discover, and revisit! And this has been the 2nd most eventful London trip ever (after the first one when we were still student-poor and the pound was super high and we crammed so much stuff in it no one believed us it'd been just 3 days.)

The excuse for this trip was concerts- We saw Billy Joel at Hyde Park on Friday and Blur at Wembley on Saturday. Both were great, my only gripe being that BJ didn't play my favourite song of his (The Downeaster Alexa), but he did play Piano Man and we had the surprise of the night when he sang Uptown girl with guest... Joe Jonas. Blur did play all their songs I like and it was endearing to see Damon Albarn being actually moved by being upstage in a full Wembley stadium.

An aside to say that, just like when we went to see U2 at the O2 arena a few years ago, I can only applaud the flawless organization of London transport around moving so many people in and out of venues. You'd think you'd have to wait forever for the tube afterwards, and that you'd travel like a canned sardine, but no, though we moved along throngs of people, we only had a bit of a queue for tapping in into the tube, but the train came right away (past 10:30pm!) and it wasn't particularly crowded. All hail TFL!

From the "typical tourist spots" in the city, my favourite is the Picadilly/Chinatown/Leicester sq./Covent Garden area, and the only that's been a constant on every trip. We returned to Greenwich (we'd gone to the Observatory in 2013) for the Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Maritime Museum, walked around bit the neigbourhood before it opened and, after it, we visited the Queen's House, which we didn't know existed but it was free and I never get tired of visiting palaces, because EveryGirlIsAPrincess and shit. Even me.

Did you know there is a 121 year old pedestrian tunnel under the River Thames? I found out only a few days before the trip, and of course we crossed it. The tunnel south entrance is right next to the Cutty Sark - and we emerged on the north side on a normal neighbourhood on the Isle of Dogs (no, not the Wes Anderson film. It's really called like that). Headed for Canary Wharf, and to shield from the strong midday sun, we cut through Mudchute Park and... found the farm there. THEY HAVE ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS OMG!!! I spent a good while petting and feeding the sheep and goats, god, I love goats! I could have stayed for hours if it wasn't for my poor Husband and his please-can-we-go face. It was the highlight of the trip.

We also went to Battersea Power Station, recently reconverted into a shopping centre. I knew, of course, that the former power station was an iconic building in the London skyline; it's huge and for many years provided a good chunk of the electricity to the city, not to mention its appearance in Pink Floyd's Animals album and films like Children of Men. What I didn't know was that it was also a fucking masterpiece of Industrial Art Deco. And I fucking love Art Deco. Not only that, they have made an incredible, amazing, absolutely stunning job at restoring the building to its original Art Deco glory. The butchers that turned Barcelona's former Arenas bullring into the current pastiche could learn a thing or two from them. The respect for the original building is such that one of the control rooms has been turned into a glamorous cafe, keeping all the control panels at the back; and the bar is like stepping into the 1940s, from the decor to the old furniture, to the design of the coffee cups and the delightful menus mimicking a power plant instruction boocklet. We could've stayed for ages but we had tickets for Lift 109 - a different tour that takes you to the top of one of the chimneys. The tour starts with a gallery about he plant's history and a somewhat silly videomapping with more of the same (cool lights, bad audio, couldn't understand the guy much). Then you take a lift, climb a set of stairs and take the second lift to the top of the chimney, at 109 metres high. The twist is: you don't exit the lift. The glass lift becomes the observation deck. Even with the rain, the views were spectacular, and the wow factor of emerging from inside the chimney is really something new. Price? Ridiculously expensive, but I indulged husband because he indulged me in...

My personal highlight of the trip: we went for Afternoon Tea. But not just anywhere, no. If I was going to do Afternoon Tea I was going to do it with all the glamour that I deserve, so I booked us a table at Fortnum & Mason, no less. Do I need to say I felt like a princess? Everything was just so nice and fancy! The salon is just beautiful, so luxurious but without feeling heavy. The bathrooms had individual fabric towels to dry your hands.

We could each choose which tea we wanted; Husband went for the Afternoon Blend (that's my fic's #8!) and I had the Wedding Breakfast blend, because I hadn't tried it before. It was nice, mild and balanced. They came in this nice china that you can buy on the store first floor for a lot of money.

The food was great as well. The sandwiches were excellent; my favourite was the egg one; Husband preferred the salmon one. There was also chicken, ham, and cucumber. For the scones, I was a bit weary because I'm not a cream lover and the scones I'd had so far tended to fall on the dry side. But, oh my goodness, these scones were absolutely delish, and the cream + jam (or lemon curd) passed so well to them!

The sweets were, surprisingly, the least fabulous of the lot. Maybe it's a matter of local taste vs. my own; the quality and presentation was of course top notch. It could also be that I was already pretty full. I once read an iterview where a chef said something like, dessert is a thing people order when they're not hungry anymore. So it has to be totally scrumptious and tempting and delish to fully please the guest. For me, only one of the five samples filled that criteria, the cream tartlet with a freaking pansy encased in jelly on top. Both the mousses (Earl Grey + bergamot jelly, black cherry) were delicious, but not so much as to wow me. The chocolate cup could've been number one save for the raspberry filling - I love raspberries, but fruit in chocolate is a pet peeve of mine. Finally, the rose eclair definitely ticks the decadent checkbox (anything with rose does, IMO), but it's not a flavour I'm wild about. Much like truffle, to name another fancy eat, I feel it's easy to go overboard with it.

On top pof all that, we visited the Tate Britain and the Design museum, had breakfast(s) at Pret, bought rare-colour M&M's at the Leicester Square shop, walked down Portobello Street Market, visited Holland Park and Japan House and had lots and lots of fun!

[thejennyc]

Day 1 - Sessanta Mid West America Tour 2024

Canadian Rockies to WhiteFish, Montana

Day 1

Truly I would say that my vacation feeling started the night before on April eleventh.

Friends of mine who are well adept at being nomadic travellers, managed to hitch their way out to Canmore - the gods favored them with timing that lined up for us to be able to hang out before I left for a 3 weeks. We broke bread, ate cheese ( the saucy kind) and shared some homemade wine together. It is a blessing to see these wonderful people when we happen to be in the same area. I value greatly getting to be able to spend time with them.

But after socializing, it was time to finalize packing and try to sleep.

I always find it difficult to sleep the night before an adventure due to the energy of sheer excitement. I did manage to get a few hours in but my eagerness had me naturally bouncing out of bed at ungodly hours of the morning.

I use the extra time to treat myself to some self care at my second hand vanity (That I got for free - of course).

The day's agenda for my trip included a pit stop across the border to pick up a few supplies. Then, head to Whitefish to check in to Grouse Mountain Lodge.

And so the Adventure begins!

Grouse Mountain Lodge is part of the pursuit collection thus I saveth the moneyth a-la mouldy purse style.

Along the way the route through BC, in Radium, I saw a lot of big horn sheep. All I could think about was my sister when we were in the Yukon together and that she just really wanted to see one of those curly horned. It looks like She'll just have to sacrifice herself And enjoy some hot spring soaking in radium with me so that she can see some curly horn sheep up close.

I had thought that perchance I may have gotten a photo of them curly cues as I had set up my camera for a time lapse while driving out of Radium.

However of course the camera time lapse snapped intervals rather than video and so this was the best shot I have.

Lesson Learned to not timelapse but video instead.

I was really amused when hitting the border crossing for the United States at how many roaming wild turkeys there were....I wasn't expecting that.

My first stop was in Eureka, Montana to pick up some supplies.

I definitely could feel my muscles clenching over confederate flags being around..

I try to hope that the business i supported were not the ones hanging up that stuff as they share a building, but my intuition has sinking sentiments.

Onwards to Whitefish!

I arrive to the Hotel and check in.

I am blessed with what I see as a lucky room number! Good Juju awaits me on this trip!

Also, holy geez - It's April and it's already Banff Summer Weather here! I think I may have packed clothes that are too warm for this Trip.

No rest for the wicked; for Day 1 I booked myself a seven thirty ticket to a theatre performance put on by the Whitefish Theatre Company.

" Silent Sky - The True Story of Women Who Mapped the Stars."

" When Henrietta Leavitt begins work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, she is not allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who calculates projects in “girl hours” and has no time for the women’s probing theories. As Henrietta, in her free time, attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, she must also take measure of her life on Earth, trying to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love. In this exquisite blend of science, history, family ties, and fragile love, Silent Sky follows the true story of a passionate young woman who must map her own passage through a society determined to keep a woman in her place."

I have to say that I am so glad that I attended this opening night!

I haven't been in a small intimate theatre like that in a very long time. It brought me a lot of sentimental value & nostalgia.

Handmade sets, proximity to the stage, actually painted scenes! At my ownArts institution, a lot of theatre work is being pushed into 3d printing, collapsible sets, or no set or painting at all ; entirely 3d mapping projection. While those in and of themselves have their own values and merits for labour, I really value seeing those old school art forms still existing in theatres. That eople still get to work in those other domains. I know all of it comes down ultimately to money. But they are certainly different feeling qualities to them all.

Honestly, this show was extremely well written. Not just myself, but the whole audience laughed a lot. I was moved to tears several times not just from laughing so much but also because of the deep emotions that were brought up in me. (And you know I hate being emotional public.) Uncontainable public emotions are truthfully one of my gauges for exceptionality in a work. To me, something is so good that I cannot keep my emotions from spilling outward.

I wrote most of this day out by voice to text because the show ran till 10pm. By the time I got back and cleaned up, admittedly, I was very tuckered.

Let's look forward to tomorrows adventures!

P.S I know some of you are thinking "Jen, how dare you travel alone and film and take pictures simultaneously." I'm here to affirm to you that I'm driving and my camera is on the dash or some other location in the car, hands off, recording while I am driving. I am NOT distracted driving. I edit out me being parked to setup an angle to record.

[timeturner-jay]

@doomed-bythe-narrative I come bearing propaganda!

Outer Wilds community, this is a rallying cry! With the two darlings of the competition ganging up on us, our chances don't look good, but let's not go down without a fight - if this is the end of the road for us, let's still do all we can to push onward. Hatchling deserves no less, because they themself would do no less.

To all those who haven't played Outer Wilds: be warned. Everything past this point will contain full spoilers for the basegame. If that doesn't deter you, that's your choice, but please know that Outer Wilds is an experience you can only really have once. It's a game where new knowledge is your reward for exploration, so once you understand what's happening, once all the mysteries are solved, you can never go back. And it really is a very special experience, unlike any other. So be warned - turn back now, or have it forever ruined for you.

If you choose to stop here, just know this: Hatchling truly, sincerely, deserves to win this competition. Struggle as they may, they never stood a chance against the narrative. They were doomed from the very start.

Anyway... Here goes.

What a fate, to be born at the end of the universe. What a cruel, cosmic joke, to have your whole life ahead of you, a future filled with dreams and possibilities, only to have any concept of having a future at all ripped from your hands so utterly.

Hatchling is a young astronaut. Well, they're still a rookie, really - after years of hard work, difficult training and passionately studying and translating an ancient alien language, today is the day of their first solo spaceflight. They are so excited to finally see the solar system. They have friends out there, among the stars - fellow travellers that they want to visit, on planets that they want to see. Their space ship is ready. They only need to get the launch codes from the Observatory, and then it's lift-off.

It's a short walk there, right through the village. They pass by their friends and loved ones, people who they've known all their life, kids who they helped raise, who look up to them. They have a conversation with all of them, and say their good-byes. They probably won't be gone for very long, but you never know - an astronaut has disappeared in space before. Everyone misses them dearly, to this day. No one wants Hatchling to share that same fate, and they tell them to come home safe. Hatchling is still, to some extent, a kid themself, after all.

However, once they get to the Observatory for the launch codes, a statue made by those same ancient aliens whose language Hatchling has worked to translate - the Nomai - suddenly activates, seemingly reading their memories, and nothing is the same ever again.

Hatchling goes to their ship and takes off, but they only get a few minutes to enjoy their first flight in space. Suddenly, there's a bright blue light, a searing heat, pain, and then-

Their memories of that day replay, cast back in time.

They wake up, and it's the morning of their first spaceflight.

This time loop is a cruel one. Lasting only 22 minutes, it replays Hatchling's first steps into space again and again. They take off, reach a planet, study some ruins, perhaps meet a fellow traveller they can share a campfire, some marshmallows and some music with - but inevitably, they wake back up where they started, after such a short window of time.

They already know the launch codes. There's no time for good-byes. They head straight to their ship.

They realise, after a while, what that blue light is. It's their sun. It's going supernova, wiping all of them out in one massive, cosmic explosion.

It's their first day. (It's been their first day for a long time now.)

Maybe, they think, there's a reason why they are reliving this same day over and over again. Maybe they can make a difference. Maybe they can stop this somehow. (They're so young and nobody asked them to, but they take that responsibility upon their shoulders. After all, who else could? In order to stop a time loop, you need to be aware that there's a time loop in the first place.)

They've been translating texts they find in the Nomai ruins. The Nomai were trying to find something called The Eye of the Universe, a signal that was apparently older than the universe itself. They had followed it to this star system, only for the signal to suddenly cut off and disappear; the Nomai suffered heavy losses in their attempt to reach it.

It takes a lot of exploration, and many horrible deaths, but Hatchling eventually finds out that these ancients built something called the Ash Twin Project. A complex figuration of different satellites and devices, all with the ultimate goal of locating The Eye. The Nomai had found a way to send memories and information back in time. 22 minutes, to be precise. That way, they could fire the same probe in different directions countless times, a computer would send the result back in time, the probe would fire again, the collective data would be sent back - and eventually, hopefully, after innumerable attempts that never actually happened, the probe would locate The Eye, without any actual time ever passing at all.

It's a neat and tidy plan, and the Nomai had the technology to make it work. A powerful warp core that would allow the data to be transported. Memory statues the Nomai could sync up with to have their own memories be sent back in time once the project was complete, so they could safely turn the whole thing off without risking an infinite time loop.

But something like this requires an incredible power source. The Nomai had come to the conclusion that the only thing powerful enough to fuel their ambitions would be a supernova. So they created a Sun Station to explode the star.

It would be okay, they had reasoned - the supernova would enable the project to send the data back in time, and once The Eye was located, the memory statues would activate and the Nomai would turn the Sun Station off. No actual supernova would ever happen, in their real perception of time.

So perhaps, Hatchling wasn't chosen for this time loop by some grander purpose after all, but instead by pure chance - but that's okay, because they have a solution now. They no longer need to die horrible deaths. They no longer have to watch their loved ones burn, no longer have to watch the village children die.

They can simply turn the Sun Station off, and everything will go back to normal.

There is hope.

(They die a few more horrible deaths, probably, trying to get there.)

And then, as a reward for all their struggles... They find out that they can't turn it off. They can't turn it off, because it never succeeded in the first place; the Sun Station had failed to induce a supernova. The Ash Twin Project had been put into stand-by mode. The Nomai had died, the the cruel chance of a terrible cataclysm.

But for all these years, the Sun Station had kept monitoring the sun. This star has reached the end of its natural life cycle, the read-outs say.

There is no off-switch to a death of old age.

There is nothing they can do, Hatchling realises. They can't save anyone. Not the villagers. Not their fellow travellers. Not the children. Not even themself.

(It's their first day in space. They're still so very, very young.)

They remember what their friend and colleague Chert told them, some loops ago. That they were observing an unusual number of supernovae in the sky lately.

It's not just their own solar system, Hatchling comes to understand. It's everywhere. The whole universe is dying. There's no way out.

They were doomed from the start.

Their story had already reached its end before they had even realised that it had begun.

In the end, even though the Ash Twin Project had been powered by a natural supernova rather than an artificial one, it had been powered nonetheless, and it had done what it was made to do - it had, in fact, located the Eye of the Universe. Hatchling finds its coordinates where they have sunken to the core of an ocean planet.

They also find the mothership in which the Nomai had arrived here in the first place. It can warp, that's how they used to travel. It can arrive at any destination in no time at all. But its warp core is broken, so if Hatchling wants to put an end to this once and for all and fulfill the Nomai's ancient dream of finding the Eye, they will need to replace it.

They know where a functional, powerful warp core is located, of course.

It's what's powering this time loop. It's what's keeping them alive. Them, and all their loved ones. It's what's keeping the universe on life support, in repeating segments of 22 minutes that no one ever remembers.

There's no point in continuing the loop, no way to save anyone, but removing that warp core must have still been the most difficult thing Hatchling has ever done. Everyone is going to die anyway (everyone has died and died and died again for hundreds of years without even knowing), but it is still Hatchling who has to seal their fate, who has to condemn them to that one, final death.

They take the warp core out of the Ash Twin Project.

The time loop ends, its beating, mechanical heart clutched in the hands of a single, young astronaut.

The trip to the Nomai's ship is a hazardous one, and perhaps in some timelines, they don't make it there at all. Perhaps in some timelines, they simply die before they can see this through to the end, or perhaps the anxiety wins over and they run away (they soon find out that there's nowhere to run to, in a dying universe, and their ship's supplies were only meant for a short journey), and without the warp core to power the loop, that is how the universe ends. Silently, and without witness.

But in some timelines, Hatchling makes it to the Nomai ship, warp core in hand and coordinates in mind, and they make the jump.

And there it is, the Eye of the Universe.

What happens there is strange and confounding. A signal older than the universe itself, it seems to exist in some liminal space outside of everything. Time doesn't seem to really exist, here.

On the Eye, Hatchling finds a forest, and from there, they watch the universe die around them. Supernovae glow and flare like fireflies and then go out, whole galaxies scatter apart like campfire embers.

And then, everything goes dark. And everything is gone.

(Everyone Hatchling has ever known and loved is dead. Are they even still alive, themself? They're not sure, here in this place where time and space are meaningless.)

And then there is a flicker, a spark, a campfire, a familiar melody. They meet old friends, there in that ancient, impossible glade. They're not really there, of course - perhaps they're memories come alive, perhaps they're simply echoes of people who have died, or perhaps it doesn't really matter. Hatchling finds them anyway, and brings them together for one final song around the campfire.

Out of the smoke, new futures form.

And with a conscious observer there to witness them, the quantum infinity of possibilities narrows down and collapses into one.

The last thing Hatchling sees before they die is the beautiful, magnificent blaze of a new universe exploding into being.

But as hopeful of a thing as that is... This future is not meant for them.

Their own universe still ended, in painful and horrible ways they had to relive countless times, and they do not get to exist in this new one. They still died, their life cut so tragically short, and so did everyone they ever loved. Their friends. Their mentors. The villagers who raised them. The children they helped raise.

They all deserved to have a future.

Instead, Hatchling had to be the instrument that sealed their fate. Theirs, and their own, too.

(Hatchling, too, was still so young. It was their very first day. It was their last day.)

All their work and progress, all their struggle and desperate hope, all their self-sacrifice... All in vain, in the end.

They were doomed before they'd even begun.

Doomed by the Narrative: Side A - Round 3

[jdidolau]

153 - 157. ((for this post, the staff's dialogue and captions in square brackets mostly lifted from bts bon voyage season 1 and 4, the latter of which is where i got most of the inspiration for this arc)) (note: O/S = off-screen the small parts in italics are little previews/sneak peeks for future episodes)

PHANTOM BLOOD BON VOYAGE EPISODE 1

DIO Hm? You’re starting the shoot in the car? (Peek) (Peek) Hello~

JOJO Oh, hello! (Peek)

DIO Come to think of it, this will be the first time we’ll be showing our separate apartments, right, Jojo?

JOJO Right! We were both still living in the same apartment last time! Ah, I hope mine isn’t too messy…

STAFF (O/S) So today, we’re leaving on a trip!

[PB is going on a trip!]

JOJO Wow!

(Clap) (Clap)

STAFF (O/S) This trip is special for you both... It’s about to be 3 years since your debut, right?

DIO Yes, that’s right.

STAFF (O/S) You can think of this trip as an early gift for your 3rd anniversary!

DIO Ah...

JOJO Wow!

STAFF (O/S) You mentioned before that you wanted to go on a trip after the tour, just the two of you, correct?

JOJO That’s right.

STAFF (O/S) All the other times, you had managers and staff members to help you, since you went to these places to work. But, since you’re going on a real trip, we won’t be there to help you.

[PB will be 100% independent!]

STAFF (O/S) You have to do things on your own. From buying the tickets, paying for things... This is obvious.

DIO (Solemn)

JOJO (Excited)

STAFF (O/S) You will be doing all that yourselves.

JOJO We’ve never really done that before! (Chuckles)

STAFF (O/S) Of course, the most important thing. The destination... ...will be New Zealand! We prepared an itinerary for you, so you won’t have to worry and just enjoy the trip! You’ll be camping for two days, so you’ll be renting a campervan.

JOJO Oh! Since we’ll be in a campervan, the water will have to be rationed, right? So we won’t have a shower.

DIO Excuse me? (Grimace) (Displeased)

JOJO In the morning, why don’t we wash up in a river, Dio?

DIO (Grimace)

JOJO Just once?

DIO No. I’ll take the shower if you won’t, Jojo.

[But in the end...?]

JOJO Oh, wow, the water is freezing! (Laughs) Let’s wash our faces, Dio!

DIO Ugh...

JOJO Argh! Ahh! Ack! Ahh!

[Two splashes and it’s over!]

JOJO Ah, that’s refreshing! But goodness, it’s freezing!

[Dio touches the water...]

DIO (Grimace) I’m done washing my face too, Jojo.

[A crisp morning in a campervan]

[They’re both in a daze straight out of the van~]

[Just then, a dog comes to visit!]

[Jojo gets a sudden burst of energy!]

JOJO Oh, hello there! (Happy) (Excited)

DIO (Lifeless)

[They have a drink in the sunlight]

[This is what you guys have in mind, right?]

STAFF (O/S) Since you both like rides, we also planned a kart ride down a luge...

JOJO Oh! Like a racing kart? (Excited)

DIO Do we get to drive it? (Interested)

STAFF (O/S) Yes. But you’ll still have to follow the track.

[And that’s how they ended up racing!]

DIO You better catch up, Jojo!

[We’re happy that you’re so excited!]

JOJO Woohoo! Yeah!

STAFF (O/S) ...and also a ride on the Nevis Swing.

JOJO Oh! I’ve heard of that!

DIO Is that the one where you jump off that cliff? What was it, like 130 meters?

JOJO Yes! And you swing back and forth after you jump off! And there’s a bungee jump too! I’ve always wanted to try it!

[And his wish is granted!]

JOJO One, two - Always with you!

JOJO & DIO Phantom Blood!

JOJO WOOHOO!

[A swing ride 160 meters in the air!]

STAFF (O/S) We’ve also planned some more relaxing activities for you two. Like stargazing...

[A beautiful sight at the Lake Tekapo observatory!]

DIO Oh...

[We apologize for the low lighting]

JOJO Ah, it’s not showing up in the photos...

[Jojo starts singing Love, Lively]

JOJO I want to see you... I wanted to see you so much...

[Jojo’s beautiful voice in the midst of a beautiful view~]

[They can’t believe what they’re seeing]

JOJO It looks like it’s CG, doesn’t it? It’s almost unreal.

STAFF (O/S) ...and trekking...

DIO Ah, pardon me... Do you mean up a mountain? (Frowning) (Worried)

STAFF (O/S) Yes, you’ll be trekking up Mount Cook.

JOJO How high is it?

STAFF (O/S) The altitude is over 3,700 meters. But the path is fairly flat, and the trek only takes two hours.

DIO God...

[Already looking tired from imagining it...]

JOJO Dio, if you get tired, I’ll carry you!

[Strong Jojo to the rescue!]

DIO You better. It’s only two hours, right? I can handle two hours of walking.

DIO I regret this~

JOJO But look at this beautiful scenery Dio!

DIO It is quite a view, yes...

[With this scenery and PB, we could go anywhere!]

[They’re rendered speechless at the beautiful landscape]

STAFF (O/S) There’s also a helicopter tour...

[Off they go to see the snow~]

JOJO Oh, wow!

[They eat untrodden snow...]

[...and tumble around in it too!]

STAFF (O/S) ...and fishing as well.

JOJO Oh, I’ve never fished before... Have you, Dio?

DIO (Shake) (Shake) (Solemn)

JOJO We’ll have to do some research on the flight over then! I hope we catch something big!

[Will Jojo’s wish of a big catch come true?]

JOJO (Fling)

DIO Lake fishing is supposed to be difficult.

[They focus on fishing in complete silence]

JOJO We should see the aurora borealis!

DIO It’s the middle of summer, Jojo. We won’t be able to see it.

JOJO Oh, right... That’s a shame... (Sad) (Pout)

DIO Let’s just go on another trip in the winter.

[Kind leader compromises with his member!]

JOJO (Brightens) Really?! That sounds really nice, actually! Ah, but we’ll be staying in a campervan this time, right? But it will just be the two of us? That means we’ll have to drive... (Worried) It would be difficult to drive something that large, wouldn’t it?

STAFF (O/S) The roads will be clear, so you won’t have to worry too much. We’ll send you the route as well.

JOJO Ah, that’s good!

DIO It sounds like it’ll be a long drive, so we’ll swap every few hours, I suppose...

JOJO It should be fun! Like a road trip!

STAFF (O/S) We’ll send you all the details in a bit, but first, you both need to pack. We’ll give you both an hour to pack.

[glenncoco4]

Dad Mode

A/N: Can’t remember if they ever said how old he was but we’re gonna go with 9.

••••

He feels the panic rise with each passing second. Pacing back and forth across the living room, nervously running his fingers through his hair as he tries to come up with a plan to stop the inevitable from happening.

“Babe, relax.”

He stops in his tracks, turning to his wife wide-eyed, flabbergasted at the words that just came off her lips. “Relax? You want me to relax?”

“It’s just a date.”

“Oh, no, it’s not just a date. It’s our daughter’s first date.”

“Yeah, and it’s not gonna be her last.”

“Are you trying to make me have a stroke?”

The brunette huffs a laugh, shaking her head. They’ve known about this date for a week now and somehow her partner’s gone into overprotective dad mode more and more each day. All she can do now is what she does best…calm him down. “Babe, she’s gonna be fine.”

“It’s not her I’m worried about. I know how teenage boys think. I was one of them.”

“Was?”

“Very funny. Why are you not freaked out by this, I mean for all we know the kid is a super douche.”

A  small smile curls at her lips as she steps up to her husband, rubbing her hands across his shoulders and down his arms before taking hold of his hands. “And that’ll be for her to figure out but we can’t stop her from going out with him. You know the more we try to dictate what she does the more she’ll pull away.”

He feels the tension somewhat release from his body at her touch and then completely when his eyes meet hers. His solstice. “I know. You’re right.”

Before anything else can be said, there’s a knock at the door and his head immediately falls to her shoulder. “Do you want me to get it?”

Still resting on her shoulder, he shakes his head. “No, I got this.”

Lifting his head, he takes a calming breath before receiving a quick kiss from his girl and taking a few steps to the door. There’s a knock once more making him turn back to his wife. “He has no patience, I don’t like him even more now.” She takes a deep, calming breath, signaling him to do the same. He does as told before turning back to the door and pulling it open. His eyes go wide in shock once he sees the person on the other side. “Byron?”

“Marty? You live here?”

This is not the 9-year-old he was a big brother to 8 years ago. The kid standing in front of him is his height, chiseled jawline…that frat daddy look. “Yeah, what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to pick up Rosa or at least I thought I was.” His brow furrows in confusion, taking a quick look at the number on the house to make sure he had the right house.

Seeing her husband staring blankly at the person on the other side of the door, Kensi comes up behind him and suddenly realizes why he’s frozen in place. “Byron, how are you?”

“Kensi, hey, I’m doing good. How are you?”

“Other than trying to calm down my husband, pretty good. What are you doing here?”

“I came to pick up-“ The teen stops mid-sentence when Rosa walks into view. “Hi.”

Kensi notices the boy’s eyes light up and that’s when the pieces finally come together. “Come in.”

“Oh, actually, we need to get going. I saw that there’s a large pile-up on the highway and we’re gonna take the longer route to the Observatory so we can avoid any possible accidents.”

A smile spreads to the special agent turned mom’s face. Their girl’s in good hands. “Hear that babe, he’s taking extra precautions.”

“Yeah, he better be.” The shaggy blonde sends the teen boy a fake smile, but it goes unnoticed as his attention is still on their oldest.

Shaking her head, Kensi wraps her arm around Rosa’s shoulders, giving her a quick squeeze. “You better go before he has a stroke.”

The teen meets her adoptive mother’s eyes and smiles. “Thank you.”

Stepping out the door Rosa and Byron share another smile before turning towards the car.

“Bye. Have a good time.” Kensi calls out, curling her arms around her husband’s, taking in this big moment of parenthood but also stopping him from chasing after the kids.

The pair take a few steps before Byron turns around, sporting a charming smile. “We will. I promise to have her home by 10:30 at the latest.”

“Better make it 7:30.” Deeks smiles, nodding his head in all seriousness.

“He’s kidding. Ten thirty's fine. Be careful.”

Before her partner can embarrass their daughter anymore, Kensi shuts the front door before stepping over to the window, watching as Rosa and Byron reach the car and him opening the door for her. ‘Babe, you need to chill.”

As Kensi watches the pair pull off and Deeks stays near the door, brooding, Pilar steps out of the hallway to join her parents with a grin on her face. “Are you still freaking out?”

“I’m not freaking out.” He meets the young girl’s eyes, pouting.

“He’s totally freaking out.”

“Well, then I guess this is a bad time to tell you that I have a date tomorrow with the high school basketball star.”

The blonde’s eyes go wide, feeling his throat dry up at their baby girl’s words. This is how he dies. “What?”

The high-pitched yelp that leaves Deek’s throat and terror in his eyes forces Pilar to turn to Kensi, both unable to hold back their laughter. “You were right…that was fun.”

Shaking his head, he lets out a sigh of relief as he watches his wife and daughter retreat to the kitchen, laughing at his misery. Honestly, he doesn’t care as long as their little girl stays little for just a while longer.

“Come on, dad. Let's nurse your wounds with some ice cream.”

And just like that, everything becomes even more real. Dad.

[pjsk-tts-transcripts]

Episode 2. Scramble Crossing. An intersection in an urban area, with modern buildings 8 to 15 stories tall. There are billboards along the rooftops and on corners. It's daytime, and the sky is clear. There are wide pedestrian crosswalks between each corner.

Saki: I'm going to have to leave you now and go to work. See you tomorrow! Shiho: You're working at the cafe today? Well, take care. Honami: Good luck with work, Saki! Ichika: Bye! Saki walks away. Shiho: She was even more hyper than usual today. Honami: Maybe something nice happened to put her in a good mood? Like having her favorite food for dinner. Shiho: She'd have told us. She's just like a little kid, bragging about having delicious hamburg steaks. Honami: But if that's not it, what could it be? Ichika: I wonder too. Shiho: Well, whatever it is, it's good that she's happy.I'll be going to the music store. Shiho walks away. Honami: I have some shopping to do, too. See you later, Ichika! Ichika: Okay, see you tomorrow. Honami leaves. Ichika: Ah… (Maybe Saki was so high-octane simply because she enjoys hanging out with us?)

Ichika thinks back to visiting Saki in a hospital room. There are 2 beds, each with a curtain and a personal side-table with TV. One of the beds is next to a large window, and light from outside brightens the room.

Saki: Thank you so much for coming all the way to see me, Ichi! Ichika: If anything, I owe you an apology for not visiting more often. Saki: Don't be silly! It's a two hour journey by the high-speed train for you. The tickets must be super expensive I'd feel bad if you were making this long journey again and again I wish I could see Hona and Shiho too, but it's understandable they couldn't make it. I'll just have to put all my energy into getting better so that we can hang out together again! Ichika: … Hopefully that'll happen soon, Saki. I'll be going now. See you later. Saki: Okay, see you! Ichika: Um... Saki: Oh, by the way! Peach Doll cookies from the confectionery at the station make great little gifts. Maybe you can get some to take back with you! Bye, Ichi! Ichika: Saki… Bye. Ichika: (She just wanted to be back with all of us so much. I'm really happy we've got this band going now.)

Miyamasuzaka. A wide brick sidewalk next to a street. There are bushes and trees next to the street, and shops and buildings on the other side. It is bright and clear outside.

Saki: All done for today! Manager: Thank you, Ms. Tenma. Have you noted down what shifts you're available for next month? The deadline's quite soon. Saki: Oh, right… There, done! Manager: The same as this month? Got it. Okay, you take care. Saki: Thank you. You too!

Scramble Crossing. An intersection in an urban area. Saki: Hehe, my planner's loaded♪ I've got band stuff, school club activities, and part-time work. I'm living my life to the fullest! It's just that… Saki thinks back to her time in the hospital. "I…miss them so much." I'd like to spend more time with them. Hmm, a new poster? They must have put it up today. "The astronomical observatory is now open to the public. Witness the wonders of the night sky with family or friends." Saki: This is it! We could stargaze together? Teenage life doesn't get more dreamy than this! SEKAI has all those pretty stars, but I'd like to see the night sky in the real world, too. So where's this observatory… Ah! It's near the station on that trendy street nearby! We could go shopping around noon, then have lunch… It's the perfect opportunity to check out that bakery I read about in a magazine recently! And there's also that art gallery I wanted to go to. But will we have enough time for all that? We'll have to find the time! It's going to be a day filled with memorable experiences! Stargazing at the observatory at the end of that awesome day out will be the cherry on the cake! It's going to be so much fun! Okay, I've got to organize this! We're going to do everything!

Stella After the Rain: Episode 1

Set in a hospital room. There are 2 beds, each with a curtain and a personal side-table with TV. One of the beds is next to a large window, and outside it is dark and raining.

Saki wakes up. "Ngh… Huh? I didn't realize I fell asleep. Ugh, my neck hurts. I must have slept in a weird position. It's raining again. I'm fed up with rain. I hope the weather's nice when my family comes to visit." Saki pauses. "If it doesn't clear up, I won't see the stars tonight, either."

Image description: The 4 star "Rainy Distance" Saki card. Saki sitting up in a hospital bed, staring at her reflection in the dark window.

Saki. "I wonder how everyone's doing. Are they having fun with their classmates? I…miss them so much."

Set in Saki's bedroom. She has orange and pink walls, with floor to ceiling windows next to her bed. She has an end table, a desk, bookshelf, and a vanity. She has photos above her desk and bed, and stars dotted along her ceiling. On the floor, she has a pink, purple, blue and yellow area rug made of circles.

Saki: "Ngh… Wait a second… This isn't a hospital bed…" "Oh, that's right. I'm not ill anymore. I can see everyone again."

There's a knock at her door, and Tsukasa calls in. "Saki! Are you not ready yet? It's good to take care getting ready for the day, but if you take too long, you'll be late!" Saki: What? It's morning? Wh-What time is it?! Oh no… I overslept!

Set in Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy - Class 1-C. The room is filled with wooden desks, and has white walls with large floor to ceiling windows on one side. There is a chalkboard and desk at the front of the room. Saki: Huff… Huff… I… I made it… That was close. If Tsukasa didn't wake me up, I'd definitely be late for classes.

Ichika: Morning, Saki. Glad you made it. You're not the type to oversleep in the mornings, so I was surprised when you messaged me. Did you stay up late?

Saki: No, but I guess I was so caught up in my dream I couldn't wake up. Ichika: What sort of dream? Saki: Well… It was, um… Classmate: Guys, the teacher's coming. Saki: Ah, thanks for the warning! Come on, Ichi! We should return to our seats! Ichika: Yeah, right. Saki: (She'd feel bad if I told her I was dreaming about when I was in the hospital. The hospital was too far for her to visit me often, and she seemed to feel guilty because of that. I don't want to cause my friends any more worries now that I've gotten better. Let's make the most of this day!)

Saki and Ichika start talking after the school bell rings, ending the day's classes.

Saki: Yay, time to close the textbooks and head off to practice! Ichika: Yeah. You're really hyped today, Saki. Saki: I guess so! I almost started the day on the wrong foot, but it's all good now! Besides, today we have a date you-know-where! Ichika: That's right. It's been a while since we last went. I'm looking forward to it too.

They move out to the hallway. The hall has wide windows on one side, with doors and windows into each classroom on the other. The floor is shiny, yellow tile.

Honami: Hi Saki. Hi Ichika. Saki: Honami! It's been a long day at school, huh? Lemme give you a hug! Saki tackles Honami. Honami: Aaah! Careful, Saki. You almost made me fall over! Shiho: Don't cause a scene in the corridor. Saki: Shiho! Don't you worry, I've got a hug for you too! Ugh! Shiho pinches Saki. Shiho: I asked you to cut it out. We've got important plans today, so let's find somewhere out of public sight. Shiho pinches Saki again. Honami: Shiho, maybe you shouldn't be pinching Saki's cheeks. Her face is looking hilarious though… Hehe. Ichika: Haha! Saki, you should see yourself! Saki: I pwomise I won't twy to hug you anymowe, fo let go of my sheeks!

The girls make their way out to the courtyard. It is bright, with manicured trees and flowers. There is a circular bench around a central tree. Ichika: Looks like no one's around. Are you all ready? Saki: Yeah! Ichika: Okay… Here we go!

Set in the School Sekai. The Sekai looks like a classroom, with a chalkboard at the front, and windows on the side. The windows are open, letting in bright light, and the desks and chairs are stacked and pushed to the corners and front, creating an open space. The chalkboard is covered with a handdrawn star chart.

Miku: Welcome back! Luka: Hehe. We've been waiting for you. Saki: Miku! Luka! Thanks for having us! Miku: Always happy to. I see you're full of pep as always, Saki. Ichika: And yet, this morning she almost turned up late for classes. I was surprised. Shiho: What, really? That's unusual for Saki. Honami: You're always at school so early. What happened this time? Saki: Heehee… I fell asleep again right after waking up. Shiho: Okay, that checks out. Saki: Enough about that. I can't wait to show the fruits of our hard work to Miku and Luka! Ichika: Okay, let's get ready to play. Honami and Shiho: Yeah! Saki: (That dream made me break a cold sweat, but I'm fine now. I'm no longer all alone. I'm with my friends. I have to make up for lost time!)

[dourpeep]

IT WAS 2AM WHEN I SENT THAT SO I HELD BACK MY SIMPING FOR COLLEGE ALBEDO A LITTLE. tried not to send all my brainrot so I didn't just send a wall of text into your inbox LOL. Some others I thought of were:

- Mona giving astrology forecasts and compatibility readings in this au and Albedo may have asked her about the two of you

- Going to botanical gardens or museums with Albedo but for some reason it feels like a date even when it didn't intent to be. You tug on his sleeve now and then when you see something he might be interested in or even when it's something that excites you, and Albedo can't help but have a soft look in his eyes that he can share this moment with you! Somehow it results in the two of you holding hands - just so neither of you stray from each other of course - and eventually, intertwined fingers. You hear someone say that the two of you seem like a cute couple and you know Albedo heard it too, but neither of you say anything. You feel his hand squeeze yours a little tighter and respond in kind. The two of you are too embarrassed to look at each other but can't help the smiles on your faces.

- Lending Albedo some of your favourite books for pleasure reading and you've left tiny tabs on lines that you like. Perhaps this is before Albedo realizes his feelings so when he reads particularly romantic lines, he wonders if this is how he feels about you. Or did you mark these pages because you feel this way about someone? His stomach is in knots to the thought that you may be intrested in someone that isn't him and he settles for it just being prose.

WHAT YOU WROTE WAS SO CUTE AAA. THANK YOU FOR SIMPING FOR COLLEGE BEDO WITH ME!!

Tugging his hand and not letting go omg . . . you tend to just intertwine pinkies or play with his fingers absent-mindedly that Albedo becomes so accustomed to it so he starts to offer you his hands without a second thought.

WAIT. I gasped at Albedo being a cuddler. He's a little delirious when he first wakes up but you're so comfy that he hugs you a little tighter, asking if you've slept well. You try to reply while worrying about whether or not he can feel your heart thrumming in your chest.

What if Klee is staying with Albedo one night and the three of you fall asleep cuddled up together. Alice comes back early in the morning before any of you are awake and takes a picture. She sends it to Albedo later and he sets it as his phone's wallpaper.

Albedo staring at your lips winded me, thank you.

YES TO THE SWEATERS. I bet Albedo would have the softest and coziest sweaters too! Imagine it being a little cold out and you see Albedo across campus so you bound over to him and give him a hug. You nuzzle into him and mumble out a little 'hello' and say he's warm. You feel his laugh rumble through his chest while he greets you back, wrapping his arms around you

And I LOVE ALL YOUR HEADCANONS! I believe I found your blog around the time you posted Albedo's snort headcanon and it was too much for my heart!! I held tight to that headcanon and never let go lol. I also thought the science + college headcanons you had of him were really nice despite not being necessarily romantic!

Side note: I looked up that lobster fact and that's so cool!!

The Lobster Fact(tm) is my go-to ice breaker and it always fails. I'd imagine it's normally the same w/ Bedo OTL so sad...not many wish to know about potential lobster immortality.

I'm glad that you love the headcanons though!! I enjoy writing for Albedo so so much as you can tell ehe

That being said--if it makes you more comfy to send stuff in a few bursts of asks, I don't mind :DD I'll answer them as usual nodnod

OKIE DOKIE

-

"...Mona, yes?"

"Ah, I was expecting you to come around sooner or later, Kreideprinz."

Really, Albedo didn't mean to stumble upon the Astronomy major, but for some reason the thought of you has been on his mind and the campus' observatory just so happened to be on the way. With the meager hope that...maybe he'd find some sort of answer (in what, he wasn't really sure himself), there she was.

Luckily, she knew just what he was there for.

The moment that she twirls her hand with a wave, telling him that there isn't anything to worry about, the apprehension creeping within his chest at the thought of seeing you next-

disappeared.

It's not often that he turns to less orthodox methods, but he wouldn't lie. Knowing that--at least in Mona's opinion (which tended to be correct, anyway)--the two of you were undoubtly compatible? Something about how your constellations were intertwined...

In fact, Albedo turns a little theory around in his mind. Though based in old folktales, the idea that you gravitate towards those who are made of the very same stardust as yourself, suddenly made sense.

Or, perhaps he was just being hopeful.

-

Little does he know that you most definitely asked Mona about the same thing earlier that day.

-

AHHHHH BUT OF COURSE-

Any of those kinds of places--Botanical Gardens, Art Museums, Aquariums, Zoos, Museums in general--Any place where you're able to utterly lose yourself in your surroundings and look around in awe, really, are your go-to date outing destination!

Usually, it's just the two of you, maybe with Sucrose or Timaeus if it's for a particular class, as well as the occasional Klee in tow whenever Alice is busy with work.

But in this case, fingers interlocked, it's just the two of you on a impromptu trip to the art museum downtown after seeing a promotional banner about a new exhibit. Once inside, you rush along, Albedo trailing close behind with a light squeeze of your hand. The large area used for temporary exhibits isn't far from the entrance, so it's not long until you skid to a stop.

All along the walls are incredibly detailed oil paintings, the thin layered strokes glistening in the light. Albedo takes a moment to whisper to you about how oil paint works.

Due to the thinness of the paint and it's transparency, light passes through every carefully placed stroke, allowing for a unique sort of depth that isn't achievable with other painting media. You smile, the artificial light of the art exhibit making your features glow and Albedo can't help but wonder if you are like those paintings.

So complex, so carefully created in an image perfected with time. Your eyes search his and you say his name and Albedo clears his throat when he realizes he's been staring.

"Do you like this one?"

Ah, you must've assumed he took a liking to this particular painting.

His eyes shift back to it, taking in the sight of the balance of color, the composition, then back to you. He only stares a second longer before nodding.

Whether or not you realize the view he likes is you is something that he dwells on as you both make your way to the next painting.

-

If you had a penny for every time that someone comments on the way you compliment each other, you'd probably be able to pay off your tuition for next semester.

Okay, perhaps not, but the idea still stands.

You're only just at the end of the art exhibit when the security guard wishes the two of you a lovely date. Something about how young love is something to be treasured, something about how the two of you already seem so natural and comfortable in each other's presence.

Before you can mumble out an explanation, Albedo just squeezes your hand, gentle as always, and smiles.

It's a compliment, right? For someone to see how close you are, even if you really are just friends, is a good thing.

Ignoring the warmth that spreads over your cheeks, you smile and turn your head away shyly. Squeezing his hand back, the thought of what it'd be like if you were together crosses your mind.

-

Just as you lend books to him, he lends books to you. Surprisingly, this time it just so happens to be a poetry book--something that you expressed interest in a week ago but ended up not getting.

Within, he's left colorful notes with his neat, slanted writing.

Short discussions (presumably questions to himself) of what the poet must've been thinking, different possible scenarios, are peppered throughout the book. But one just so happens to catch your eye. Rather than a question, it's a statement. Simple, short, and...sweet.

'You carry the aura of the stars.'

The little yellow sticky note pasted beneath a love poem to the night sky stands out. Suppressing a flutter in your chest, you continue reading through the poem book with a few giggles at Albedo's musings until you find a note with most of the words crossed out.

It's entirely unlike him, the way that the dark ink scribbled over the words, making them illegible.

But at the bottom was a continued attempt--one you presume he was satisfied with by the way it lay pristine on the colorful paper.

'You look. I fail to speak.

Your mind, so brilliant as it is I wish to see behind To further appreciate the one I love.

I can only hope one day you shall let me in, So for now I wait patiently by your side.'

Who could he have written this for? You can't help but stare at the poetic attempt, knowing full well that Albedo seldom does something without meaning.

The book closes and you tuck it back on the shelf to ask about later.

-

AAAAA YESYESYESYES I LOVE THAT CUDDLE PILE W/ ALBEDO AND KLEE

Even though Albedo's a grade A student and certified genius (he's adamant in his denial, shaking his head and mumbling about how he just studies hard), he's not entirely a stickler for rules.

Well, that is, Aunt Alice's suggestion that Klee goes to bed by 9.

Instead, the three of you settle in the common room of Albedo's place in a bundle of pillows and blankets at the demands of a pillow fort.

The tv blinks on accompanied by the near silent click of the remote.

"What should we watch?"

Klee always ends up picking the movie. This time, she wants Alice in Wonderland, commenting on how the bunny is like her best friend Dodoco and the blonde girl on screen is named after mommy. Albedo doesn't bother correcting her, even though he knows quite well that dear, sweet Dodoco is a chinchilla.

Between sips of juice and a few mouthfuls of popcorn, the three of you fall asleep, Klee curled up besides you and Albedo's arm draped over you both.

Even when the sun is up in the sky, you sleep peacefully.

So, naturally, Aunt Alice has a spare key just in case something like this happens.

Immediately she's met with the sweetest view--her two kids (she's practically adopted Albedo as her own at this point) and--

Hiding a cheeky smile behind her hand, Alice can't help but sneak a little closer when she spies the way that you and Albedo somehow gravitated closer, his face buried in your hair and yours resting against his collar. Wedged between you with tousled hair, Klee snoozes peacefully.

She snaps a picture, followed by another, and another, and a fourth for good measures before meandering into the kitchen to prep something for breakfast.

Might as well let her three favorite people enjoy the comfort of sleep for a little longer...

You wake up the moment that Klee wiggles her way out of the blankets, nuzzling against the warmth radiating under your cheek.

Nice and cozy. Smells nice...wait.

Eyes fluttering open, you're met with a familiar birthmark and the nearly gone scent of Albedo's cologne.

You nearly pull away until the arm, now wrapped around your waist, pulls you closer accompanied by a satisfied sigh. Ah. You shut your eyes tight when you realize that Albedo's going to be asleep for at least another thirty minutes, resigning to your fate gladly.

Of course, Alice takes the opportunity to snap a few more pictures when you've finally fallen back asleep.

-

YES ALSO ALSO

Speaking of Albedo and sweaters and warm and also the just mentioned cologne. A little fun tidbit--not only are you familiar with the scent of his cologne because he wears it often, but it (in this au) is actually one that you picked out some time back. You probably were at the store together smelling some of the perfumes when you came across one that you were pleasantly surprised by.

Specifically, something that's lightly floral, a little warm but sweet with a hint of earthiness.

The pros? It fits Albedo perfectly! It also kinda sticks well and his place faintly smells of it.

The cons?? Well...you're embarrassed to say that hugging Albedo tends to drag on a little longer than anticipated because it's just such a comforting scent-

Not because you associate it with Albedo or anything-

Ehe

Man I really went to town again, didn't I?? Well, I'm glad that you enjoy my headcanons :DDD Albedo just seems like such a sweet person??? Like endearing in a way that just is...him. If that makes sense.

Brain go brrrrrr

I'll admit that my favorite headcanons for Bedo are mundane and domestic ones though! Like these! Just the little moments where there's nothing really going on except for him and you and ahhhh yesyesyes

Okay that's all-

[thewertsearch]

Oh my god. And right on the tail of speculating about these kids' family secrets, Nanna - the real Nanna - drops this posthumous bombshell.

Though I suppose that will be up to your Father. Perhaps he will discuss it with you one day, when he and you are ready.

They knew. They knew about way more than just a few stray meteor strikes. They knew - since he was a toddler? A baby? - they knew about Sburb and some of what it was going to do. Dad, what the hell? And you drove off?

[...]John, like you, this book must yet take a journey! Its journey will end on the Final Day of my life[...]

Nanna even knew she was going to die, and how it would happen. That's grim. 

Something else implied here - unless all this was derived from the scrawlings of an infant GG, it looks like there's more than one precognitive at play.

So! Let's see what we can figure out from Nannalore (The Genuine Article). Some is stuff we've already got, but there's some real juicy stuff here too.

A realm of Agents and Exiles and Consorts and Kernelsprites. Of toiling Underlings and slumbering Denizens.

She describes what I imagine are different titles, or different types of creatures. The ones which are new to us are Agents, Exiles, Consorts, toiling Underlings and slumbering Denizens.

I wonder if the imps, ogres and WV fall into any of these categories. The imps and ogres, if I'm not mistaken, have come to John from the Dark Kingdom - maybe they were Exiled.

Not sure about WV. They might not fit into the list at all, as completely artificial life. They might be a 'toiling Underling' - created for a purpose and destined for a difficult life.

Slumbering Denizens give me pause. We know that there's something going on with sleep in this world - John's compelled into it, and GG, who might be getting her information from dreams, appeared in John's dream vision. I have a hunch that Denizen is a title, that GG fits the bill, and that John is well on his way.

A realm where four will gather, the Heir of Breath and Seer of Light, the Knight of Time and Witch of Space, and together they will Ascend.

Alright, I can't wait any more. Let's talk about these Sburb-assigned classes and elements. These kids - in no particular order, I'm sure - are defined in-game as the Heir of Breath, the Seer of Light, the Knight of Time and the Witch of Space.

Let's be honest - Seer of Light is a lock for GG. The story is pretty much screaming that in our face. I guessed that would be her game role a while back, and I'm struggling to think of a scenario where a Seer class exists and she doesn't fit the bill. I guess if John's going to develop similar abilities it might not be a unique power to her, but on the other hand, we don't know if each player's dream powers are the same. John could start dreaming of ghosts and ghouls and awaken as a Witch...

...but similarly, the Witch is almost definitely Rose. The only other player who has anything witchy going on is GG, but if GG is the Witch, what's left for Rose? She doesn't strike me as a Knight. She hasn't done anything Seer-ish. If anything, she's more some sort of knowledge-giving 'scribe' class, with her Sburb tutorial. Unless we're missing a lot of context, Rose is our Witch. She even has an observatory, so she's well placed to wield the Space element.

That leaves Heir and Knight for the boys. There's not much to go on. Dave has the Knight's classic weapon, but that might not mean anything to Sburb. Neither of them seem to have any ties to Time or Breath (which I assume is either Wind, or a 'life force' element a la ‘breath of life’).

I just don't know yet. Let's say John is the Heir, just because Dave has the sword, protagonist John is slightly more likely to have the first class on the list, he's currently reading a book he inheirited from his grandma, and this story loves puns.