#polaris musical shenanigans

[polarisbibliotheque]

Silly writer things and some musical ramblings

*sigh* just a little silly writing update to you all before I come back with serious stuff, shattering whole worlds, making you cry over feels for these unhinged half-demons,

I 100.000% blame my sister for throwing me back into my Richie Sambora crush and I must warn you all it will show in the next things I write for Dante - we'll have 'you yee'd your last 'haw' silly red devil in these premises soon enough and I regret nothing.

Though Dante will be more like this, probably

Before you guys ask, it's the Bon Jovi docuseries. I first listened to them when I was 6 y/o, probably, and Livin' on a Prayer was the first song I felt things I didn't even know I could feel with music. I saw Richie singing and playing, bam, love at first guitar chord.

Plus, Wanted Dead or Alive is one of Dante's life anthems, he would sing and play it 10/10 dressed like Richie, I'll die on this hill. I'll leave you with the video that made me go "I wanna be a badass guitar player someday":

(and some of my music ramblings under the cut for those interested in it, feel free to not read it but give the video a shot! Seriously. It's a very long ramble, though you might learn a thing or two on music!)

OK! MUSICAL SHENANIGANS!

Little disclaimer: I'm just getting back to it, so sorry for blabbering about this here - I kinda need an outlet and I have no one else to talk to about all this. Music has been my best friend ever since I was a kid and I had to muffle it for a very long time in my life, I'm just now coming back to life and it feels amazing!

I had piano classes at school, but I always wanted to play and learn things that weren't quite in the curriculum...

Hence why I got used to watching videos and observing musicians extensively. It's kinda creepy actually

So, Richie has a triple neck guitar here, first time I ever saw one. The first neck, I think it's something close to a mandolin, second neck a normal 6 strings guitar, third neck a 12 strings guitar - basically, 2 strings instead of just one like a regular guitar. The 12 strings is the one that gives Wanted Dead or Alive that cowboy feels to it.

Now, that behemoth of a guitar must weight a fucking ton. My normal, 6 strings stratocaster already weights like hell - don't ever be fooled by those guitarists manhandling their guitars around like nothing 'cause those things are heavy - imagine a triple threat like that. No wonder he plays most of it sitting down.

Hence why Dante can play and wield Nevan like it's made of cardboard, it's his demonic side showing, that showoff

Another thing to note, is that when he gets his electric guitar, his strap is adjusted so his guitar isn't super low on his body... And he doesn't look like young Beatles with the guitars on their chests. He looks cool, I can play my guitar like Richie and I'll be cool, 'cause I CAN'T for THE LIFE OF ME play with my guitar almost on my knees. I personally find it easier and better to play like he does.

My arms aren't that long, I'm pocket-sized, thanks Richie for avenging me back in the 80's and looking cool regardless.

And size has nothing to do with it, 'cause this man is big - and I say that by his hands. My main pet peeve with guitarists worldwide: men have big hands and can wrap them easily around the guitar necks and play 5 finger chords using their thumbs like it's nothing.

Not exclusive to men, though: my sister can do the same, but she doesn't play anything. Blessings were wasted on her :')

Nevertheless, I love watching guitarists hands and how they do stuff: how they hold their picks, how they play the notes, how they move their hands. Richie has wonderful hands and hand movements, and there's a lot to learn there by carefully watching him play.

For instance: I can rest assured I'm not learning alternate picking and training to play faster wrong, 'cause Richie rests his pinky finger of his rhythm hand on the guitar while picking the strings and it's exactly what I naturally do.

I can ditch all those "5 things you're doing wrong when playing guitar!! Avoid this!! Bet you're doing the 3rd example!!" videos, 'cause if Richie Fucking Sambora plays like this, then I'm not doing it wrong, just differently. It gives you some reassurance if you don't have a teacher or if your teacher is an asshole.

I hate people who put so many rules in music. I'm kinda like Barbossa, the Code (theory) is more of a guideline than rules set in stone, anyway. I'm learning theory, but I personally believe the ~feeling~ is more important

One thing I always do, is watch where they play on the fret and their rhythm hand movement, and I managed to figure out some songs I had trouble with just by watching them playing live.

Figured out the C9 chord while watching this video of Richie and "why isn't he playing the C chord that I play when I learned this song?" because the man knows best and taught me a thing or two I didn't know ;)

Hahahaha so, my fellow musicians, I do this with all instruments. I learn the chords, but I always watch thoroughly various videos of the guys who made the songs playing live so I can double, triple, quadruple check if I'm doing it right or how to get unstuck in a particularly annoying part I cannot figure out for the life of me.

You know those videos people make of musicians playing live on social media? Currently I'm getting a lot of Nameless Ghouls on my instagram hahahaha and said videos are WONDERFUL to watch hands and learn. I have a hand issue

And I'll end this on: Richie's ragged voice singing his part of the song at the end does things to me. Sorry Jon. But Richie snatched my heart right then and there.

I hope you guys who were patient enough to read this learned something from it and NOW I shall go write a little more and go to sleep, 'cause it's almost 2 a.m over here and I think it's showing :)

[neoncityrain]

So we know Pol plays guitar, but what are his favorite songs to play? Has he ever written any of his own before?

YES!! ok so let me preface this by reiterating that hes WAY too anxious to ordinarily share his music with anyone. like, to a WILD degree. he straight up will not play guitar if he knows someone else is in the house. after the death of his teacher he becomes so withdrawn with it that he will literally hide out in the woods to play before daring to have an audience. so does he, polaris, the boy whos so hard on himself for every failure, like soft and gentle music?

(art by moss for our splatoon shenanigans♥)

NO polaris' favourite music to play is stuff thats DIFFICULT. he loves to have a chance to genuinely go all out and forget when he makes mistakes! not having others around usually can help with that, but eventually he gets comfortable enough around muenos too.

i also like the concept of him having made this song (and, by extension, the battle theme version of this song that ill only publically post snippets of atm) when he was younger. he loves making music, its something hes passionate about! unfortunately he feels deep shame in BEING passionate about it, though.

[foxfiregalaxy]

Akeshu Fanfic Recs ♡

All I have done during this quarantine is eat, sleep, and breathe akeshu. Amidst powering through Persona 5 Royal I have read so much fanfiction. I always love when people give recommendations so I thought I would too! Be sure to read tags before you read in case one of these fics has something you’re not comfortable with. (I’ll also probably make an nsfw list later because I’m bored and I’m thirsty apparently) Enjoy! 

New game + by Tayani

I feel like I shouldn’t have to recommend the epitome of akeshu culture but here it is. NG+ is one of the best fics I have ever read. It’s Akira restarting the game with all his memories in tact from the previous run. It’s beautifully written with peak Goro representation and it’s absolutely amazing. Its a long one with a roller coaster of emotions but its worth every second. 

Yesterday’s Protagonist by valiantarmor 

This IS IT YA’LL. This is the fic that officially turned me into a goroboi. Takes place past vanilla p5 where Goro lives and Akira reunites with him several years later. A beautiful fic where both boys heal their past scares and grow to love each other. God I love this fic I couldn’t recommend it more. 

L’appel du vide by Xov  (not completed) 

Another time travel fic because apparently we all like to see Akira suffer. Akira’s past and future haunt him. Its hard to describe this one but its very well known in the akeshu fandom. Its wonderfully written and I feel like the impending doom I feel at each update will kill me BUT I recommend it immensely. 

Hungry Thirsty Roots by coolkidroland

Au where Goro has a palace and Akira is desperate to help him. Some of the other thieves are not necessarily on the same page. Side of makoharu. One of the first fics I’ve read and the characterization ya’ll the CHARACTERIZATION is amazing. 1000/10.

Several people are typing... by Txbris (not completed)

This one is still updating but its amazing! A chatfic that takes place during p5 and is heading towards the events of royal. Its hilarious but also emotional and I jump at every update. If you love desperate pinning Akira then click away. 

this account’s tweets are protected by alsahm/benetnash

A twitter fic told in tweets! Akira has 50000 private accounts and is obsessed with feathermen fanfic writer, murderless crow, who has some secrets of their own. Amazing fic that has me dying of laughter multiple times. Yet it had a lot of lore??? Incredible, read it! 

Kintsugi by Daughterofthewest/Ethereally

Occurs post the events of vanilla p5 where seeds of mementos open up and the phantom thieves are back to close them. Akira enters the velvet room only to see Lavenza and Goro. Goro is his new attendent. Good old emotional/slowburn/redemption fic that had me weeping at 3am. 

Polaris by pastel_didactic

Au where the Phantom thieves are wanted criminals who take out big baddies irl (no personas). Goro is a detective who despite trying to catch the famous criminal Joker, catches feelings for him instead. I love this fic, its one of the top ones I reread from time to time. Does have a fair amount of violence though so read the tags just in case! 

Home is where the heart is by sinnamon_nerd (not completed) 

Fem! Akira fic where she returns home and has to deal with the scrutiny from her peers. Luckily she runs in to a familiar face with an undercut (hngggg goro with a undercut kills me). Its such a sweet, adorable fic and each update warms my heart. The vibe of Akira’s hometown is so quaint and Goro is mad pinning. 10000/10 perfect for keeping warm during this quarantine

Shuake’s first lovers holidays series by yukari 

Two one shots that take place after p5r. Just sweet fluffy fics about Goro making a split decision to see Akira in his hometown on valentines day. So fluffy and soft I love these fics. 

Bona fide villain? by mar (gloomy ghost)  (not completed) 

Sort of character study of Goro that takes place during p5. A redemption arc for Goro which also includes him having a palace. Wonderfully written and really looks into Goro’s character. 

Customer Connections by Chummy/Hator (not completed) 

Starbucks au full of memes and a SHIT TON of overworked employees. I LOVE Goro in this fic, he’s a mood. Highly recommend this one especially, if your an overworked gremlin like Goro. 

The Great Birthday Massacre of St. Valentine’s Day by papersandals

The PTs throw an incredibly last minute birthday party for Akira. Goro is not amused by their shenanigans (neither is Akira). Funny, cute fic where Goro and Akira get their revenge on their stupid friends by having their own party. 

The Next Time Around by chashmish

If you like pain then this fic is for you. I struggled to like this one at first but I’m so glad I finished it. Alternate au where Akira goes to his friend Ann’s wedding in Venice where he runs into his ex Goro Akechi. The scenery is beautiful and the characters are beautiful. Its just beautiful.

and without knowing I feel asleep by joshriku

Goro is a tired boi and he takes naps on Akira’s shoulder. Soft fluff 

Normalcy (and how to be happy without it) by the_pen_dragon

Goro cannot cook worth a shit. Akira still loves him. 

orange ball of love by venusbot

Ren cannot cook worth a shit. Goro still loves him.

A study in distress by Xov 

Everything by Xov is TOP TIER. College au where Goro and Akira have been friends for years and Akira has a crush on Goro. He tries to avoid him because he believes its unrequited. Akira’s an idiot. 

Flashing lights by navibot

Goro learns to open up and Akira is here to listen. 

An unexpected friend by kougayon 

Goro adopts a puppy while Akira is gone on a business trip. Morgana is not amused. 

(You Play me) like a fiddle by Lia404

Goro plays the violin and Akira plays the guitar. Akira really wants Goro in his band. (Full of musical pieces which I love!!!!) 

[freewheelshippin]

30 utapri questions!

Thanks @dekiaibadchoices​ for the tag, this was an awesome way to wind down after a ton of nonstop busy busy busy!!! (and thanks for tagging this blog vs the general utapri one so i can REALLY gush LOL) Here’s the OG meme! 

1. Your best boy?

BANANAMAN RAN WHO ELSE  

2. Your least favorite boy?

“least favorite” implies dislike which...not true! truthfully it’s much of HEAVENS by nature of ‘I haven’t spent as much time getting to know these characters so I don’t really know who they are.’ (though I already know I love to go for drinks and snacks with Van hehe) i do like all of HEAVENS quite a bit from what i’ve seen so far but that affection has not had time to ripen! 

3. A character that you never thought you would love as much as you do now?

mnmnj ranran tbh 

4. A character you can relate to in any way?

I can’t answer everything with Ranmaru but like. His ambition, straightforwardness, and how the soul and spirit of music motivate him to move forward beyond a tough past are things I same hat so much ;; But HONESTLY I also relate a lot to Masa and Tokiya, especially in their moments of self-doubt and dramatic commitment to to their art? 

5. A character that you think deserves more love?

Oh, Cecil, without a doubt. He’s such a resilient, committed, and open-hearted cutie and gets really shafted by canon tbh. Which makes it harder for everyone to see what a great boy this sweetie is! But I appreciate how Shining Live has given him some room to have really cute and standout moments so everyone can love him more but okay like, give me more Ceci and Ran palling around I love him most when they’re up to shenanigans 

6. A character you would want as your partner?

well we’re posting this fuckin here so you all fuckin know (im very embarrass rn i can barely say it lmao) 

(for the record i would also very much like to be friends with reiji and syo, they are cool people i think i’d get along with! and i know myself, if i knew otoya or masato IRL i’d just be like ‘well. that’s my son now’ and basically appoint myself their tough big sis-type-friend lookin out for them lol) 

7. A character you would want as your mentor/senpai?

I would swallow a pinecone before I called him ‘onii-san’ but teach me how to network kotobuki-senpai 

(No, like, forreal, I suck so, so bad at a ton of stuff Reiji is aces at, and I respect the hell out of his *waves* general everything and skilll navigating the industry. Since I’m a goofy, jokey, overenthusiastic teacher for work a lot it’d be nice to be on the receiving end of all that energy! and be a fucking decent kouhai that isn’t so horribly unappreciative of all his hard work and good cheer ) 

8. Your favorite ship?

shut your whore mouth i dont have the marbles to write it out 

(tbh it’s also Haru/Tomo, I just feel so much more romantic chemistry between those two than Haru and any of the boys u___u  Friends’ selfship stuff goes without saying, haha, and ngl I’m kind of About a Ren/Van rivalry hatemance? can i call it a kismesis thing? it’s a kismesis thing.) 

(actually no I think I’m just a member of the “Ren Fucks and sometimes it’s Hatesex” club) 

9. A character that you want to cosplay/have already cosplayed?

I had plans to cosplay Ranmaru a couple months ago bc it’s really not much of a stretch for my wardrobe, haha, but I dunno about that anymore! Part of it was wanting the Euphoria of looking like a tough, twunky, princely anime character but tbqh I’m already that every day of my life so 

I suppose if you were to pull my leg I’d go for cosplaying Van, mostly because I wanna try that mullet on for myself. 

10. Favorite side character?

TOMO!! LOVE U BITCH WHEN WILL I HEAR U SINGGGGGG 

11. Your favorite solo song?

god this is horrible how can I decide??? so many good ones??? I think it’s a draw between Top Star Revolution, No. 1, Brand New Melody, Wild Soul, Seien Brave Heart, and Junketsu Nara Ai ~Aspiration~ ??? 

12. Your favorite duet song?

HMMMMM again too many good ones. Three-way tie between Haru Hana, NorthWind and SunShine, and Original Resonance! 

13. Your favorite trio song?

Ahhh Dream More than Love is really nostalgic bc it’s the first Utapri song I really loved, but i gotta be real. It’s just Egoistic. There’s just no getting better than Egoistic 

14. Your favorite group song?

mmmm i’m be basic. Poison Kiss 

15. Your least favorite song?

I love Ai and Shouta Aoi’s incredible voice but......I’m really not a fan of super slow, overly-saccharine songs. u__u so A.I. really, really doesn’t land with me, much less so than easygoing (like Knocking on the Mind) or somber (like Winter Blossom) songs. 

16. Your favorite singer?

ranran...it’s always ranran...

(I do also adore Natsuki’s and Camus’s voices! I tend to like deeper, richer vocal qualities, but you just can’t beat Ranmaru’s subtle growls and high-energy rock!!!! <3) 

17. Your favorite group/trio/duo?

god what combo of these idiots DONT i love? I could watch Reiji prank and tease Ranmaru all fuckin day, and I also really like it when Ran’s at his most ‘tuff big bro-y’ with, like, Ai, Otoya, and Cecil!!! but honestly I do like how the Ran/Masa/Ren trio isn’t so straightforward and is more or less held together by a thin string of professionalism, there’s something i appreciate about not forcing ppl to just bury the hatchet and be Perfect Friends but you all can still care about each other? (Ranmaru needs to be nicer to them still but...) 

i need to suggest one that isn’t ranmaru centric fjdsioafjsa i fuckin love Soccer Buds (otosyo) and I loooooove it when Otoya and Cecil are good to each other!!! 

18. Your favorite member of Starish?

they’re all my favorite but if you REALLY had to make me pick.....Masato, probably, haha. I just...if you take yourself too seriously and care so much about everything but still know how to be Nasty how can I not love you??? 

19. Your favorite member of Quartet Night?

what do you fuckin think, hoss 

20. Your favorite member of Heavens?

I mentioned earlier I don’t really know Heavens well, so ofc this is all liable to change! But off the bat I love what a conniving yet wholesome bastard Eiichi is and Van is just the kinda guy I would rib and pal around with IRL!! 

21. Your favorite seiyuu/voice actor?

Ahhh that’s tough! I love all these goofbags, and Tattsun really is just so cool and makes music I’m pretty about. But I think I gotta give it to Suwabe, his performances are always so him but still pretty varied, and how can you not adore a man who loves his chihuahuas that much??? 

(if i’m being 100% honest Tattsun lost points bc he voices my absolute least favorite character in granblue ffjsfjisda) 

22. Favorite Drama CD?

HMMMMMMM see as a certified Giant Tool for Everything Mecha and silly and extra, I enjoyed the hell out of Polaris, but it really suffers from a lack of Ranmaru in my humble fuckin opinion lmao. So even though I’m not one for pirate stuff most of the time, I gotta give it to Pirates of the Frontier!! I really loved Ranmaru and Otoya’s dynamic in that one, and Camus was juuuuust the right amount of shitheel, too. 

I haven’t heard the whole thing but that thing from Egoistic where Natsuki squeezes Ranmaru to death and Eiichi’s just like ‘WUAHAHAHAHAH’ is also the mcfuckin best. 

23. Your favorite shining live card?

CAN’T PICK 

HOW COULD I POSSIBLY PICK?????????? LIKE??? I love the fucking dumb, dumb, dumb ostentatiousness of Evil Villains, I LOVE a good heel, and I also worked so so hard to t1 that event and had a lot of fun doing it!! But also, I just love his big smile and all the energy and mixed prints from Fortune and Prosperity, and it was literally the first time I ever got the exact card I was rolling for in a gacha on the last pull I had left!! (He also came home during a time I was really going through some shit, and ngl it rescued me a little bit!) but AHHHH Soulful Bass also came out right around my birthday, I love all the textures in the outfit and it’s generally the most My Aesthetique thing Utapri has ever released!!! And god, I just love it when he’s so confident and in his element like this, it sets me on FIRE to see him light up the stage wurghjgfj ;___; They all make me just want to HUG SO MUCH ARGGHHHHH 

24. Your favorite song beatmap?

Ahhh I think Shining Live really has great beatmaps across the board so that’s a tough pick! Almost all of them are super fun in their own way, but I think I gotta hand it to Wild Soul, Top Star Revolution, and Innocent Wind! 

25. Your least favorite song beatmap?

A.I. u__u Sorry, Ai...it’s just not fun for me.

26. Black Deja Vu or White Gravity?

Actually I’m really glad for this question bc I’ve been so busy lately I hadn’t given myself the time to really check them out! checking ......... 

and yep. Black Deja Vu. (I mean...Ranmaru is on it, haha.) But I’m so about this. Love this heavier sound and all these harmonies, this is so juicy. (White Gravity also absolutely kicks ass though!! I’m really liking that voice group, it’s making especially good use of those higher registers!) 

27. Utapri merch that you own/want?

Honestly I don’t have much u__u Not a lot of Utapri merch is my thing...you know? I’m mostly shopping for Ran merch if I’m getting any, but I’m very picky about how he gets drawn? Keeping his toughness and a particular clothing style about him is so essential, haha, and barely anything hits that sweet spot for me. But I will say I adored the whole ‘My Favorite Things’ series, and if I had the budget and space atm I’d love to get some of the Ran goodies from that line! 

28. How did you get into Utapri?

I first heard about it through some acquaintances from cosplay before Quartet Night was a thing. It didn’t appeal enough to my heavy metal ass to make me drop everything and try it, but I did have an interest in it I couldn’t explain and I’d always intended on trying it out. (especially after I got into Love Live and idol anime for a bit.) But it was Shining Live that got me! And I really only downloaded Shining Live because I was super exhausted after a business trip, didn’t want to leave bed once I got back home, and just wanted to sink my teeth in something new I could enjoy for hours while lying down, haha.  

29. A set theme in shining live that you want to see in the future?

This will surprise nobody, but something tougher. More rock, more punk, more metal. I want all of them in studs and spikes and leather, and I want less polish. More rough! 

I’d also love a wrestler set complete with who’s-a-heel-who’s-a-face but that’s a pipe dream and a half, lmao. 

30. Why do you love your best boy?

Oh boy. 

I think he’s this powerhouse of a human bean who can face a ton of pain and meet it with a big middle finger. And that middle finger is chasing after ambitious dreams, of spreading the power and soul of the same music that made me who I am and influences so much of my work, but also being ... you know, smart about it? He’s an idol because like, sure, maybe it’s not the OG dream, but you can’t dream if you’re dead, and you also deserve to give yourself a life and platform to share some of who you are, and you can do a lot of good with that, too. (And I won’t lie, I respect the drama of a man who takes his hair that seriously and commits so hard to the aesthetic he wears fuckin mismatched contacts i just. charm point ) 

But at the same time....I don’t know, this might sound presumptuous, but. I think. I just think he’d think I’m as neat as I think he is. I’m an ambitious, passionate person, too, and I also furiously stick to my ideals, and I also love the same kind of soul of music he does. I lean a little more metal than I do rock, but I think that’s nice, like sharing it has that ‘alike but different’ kind of familiarity and novelty all at once. Sometimes it’s tough sharing just how deeply rock and metal have sculpted me and my artwork (and therefore my career), bc it’s so deeply personal to me, and sometimes there’s weird elitism/misogyny/racism to deal with, too. But. The way he talks about rock, the way he describes the passion and how it transcends identity and is just a pure rush of power and sharing your feelings..................it just feels like he Gets it the same way I do. Just that unspoken, burning passion and understanding. I know it sounds weird to feel that strongly over just a music genre, but I just vibe with how to him, it really isn’t ‘just’ a music genre. I feel more accepting of myself for it, and I’d like to think he’d be real proud of himself for that.  

And listen, like....I’m very sentimental, but I really don’t like saccharine, flowery, romantic kinds of affection to be lavished on me. Just be straightforward but also a little tsun about it fjdsjfas and ..... those are the kind of feelings I can accept. And that’s the way Ranmaru is, and it’s also grounded in the kind of reality that I don’t like to be swept away from. He’s just so cool and hardworking and unwavering in his passion, it makes it easier for me to do the same despite all the bumps in the road. This got real long but Ran’s a cool dude, haha, I got a lot of positives to say. 

Anyways, I never tag folks for these things, but I love seeing everyone’s answers! If you see this and wanna fill it, feel free to count this as a tag from me :) I know this got real long, but with 30 questions how could it not haha? Thanks for reading and sticking around! 

[polarisbibliotheque]

random useless fun-fact from my writing

Since I recently posted Chapter 6 of Survivor's Blood, the Leon Kennedy x Reader longfic I hadn't updated for a year, I've been watching the RE4 Remake playthrough 'cause the game is too heavy, my PC can't handle it and I haven't been able to face my fears and play the original RE4 yet because of fucking chainsaw man, he scares me

And hopefully I'll be able to finish this longfic soon because I already have the whole plot, I just need the time and health to write it :')

What made me want to write it was, how did Leon go from wholesome bleeding heart of a cinnamon roll in RE2 to fucking brick-wall of a man with a humor to call him Dante's lost cousin in RE4. "Oh, it's Special Agent training" - I wanna know what that training was! I wanna see his PTSD! I wanna see him going from a boy to a whole man!

Hahahahaha amidst all of that, there's also the fact that he's a 90's teen/young adult. Meaning: 90's music. And, for whatever reason, my mind IMMEDIATELY attached Leon to one of the most iconic songs from the 90's...

In my mind, young Leon loves frying to this song on the dance floor, after drinking just a little more than usual, in order to deal with his demons and forget the horrors for a little while. It's his "shut up this is my song" moment every time it plays - and I will never not imagine that.

So, it's bound to happen in Survivor's Blood. Hahaha that's the post. The song and the thought that inspired me to write a whole ass longfic with Leon: I just want to write a scene of him dancing to this song eventually. The whole fic is just an excuse.

I mean, he's gotta have a little fun sometimes, poor guy.