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tenjiiku · 6 months ago

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heaven / au

You thought he was ugly when you first started. No one admits when they find someone unattractive. Something about it being too cynical and mean. And, sure, you heavily subscribed to the notion of objectivity — beauty is in the eye of its beholder. You could get behind that, especially considering that you did not reckon yourself to be the poster child of an ethereal vision. But, simply put, you did not behold him as such for the first few months.

The first few months.

Looking back, maybe you were being too hard headed. Ugly was probably not the right word to use. You didn’t care then, you don’t care now. You don’t care anymore. Frankly.

“Isagi Yoichi,” he introduced himself as — holding a cordial hand out to you as you awkwardly sat at your assigned desk. You didn’t know whether to stand up and shake it, or remain still. You remember making a weird movement as though you were about to get up, but, ultimately, you meet his eyes sitting down — craning your head.

He was not smiling. If anything it looked as though he was forced to introduce himself to you. He was thirty years old, six years your senior.

“L/n Y/n,” you murmured.

And that was that. For the first few weeks.

You still lived with your mother. As a result, you had access to free lunches. The others on your team did not — or, could not — afford such a luxury of having the time to make theirs. So, often, you found yourself going out with them at noon to a nearby hole in the wall place which sold freshly made sandwiches along with other items.

You remember not even noticing Isagi-san’s presence in the group. Not until he waves his hand in front of your face as you blankly stare at the walls covered in the shop owner’s family pictures. They were from Portugal.

“You want anything?” He had asked you.

Shyly, you had responded, “Uhm, no. I brought lunch.”

Isagi-san hadn’t pushed there, which you were relieved of. Making conversation with strangers was never your strong suit. But, once everyone had procured their lunches and you took a step out of the shop, he was right behind you.

You had felt something on your head. It was his hand. In it, a paper bag. Sheepishly, you had looked up and he had gently smiled down at you, handing it over.

“Their banana bread is great.”

Before you could have gotten a word out, he was already with the others.

A few weeks pass. Snow starts to fall. You got into an argument with your mother over your favourite red scarf she donated without consulting you. You ended up buying the same one for double its price, because some idiotic celebrity wore it once during a random November evening — the night of their divorce.

You are a terrible person. You think. But everyone around you thinks you are an airhead who is too stupid to be evil.

“What’s your favourite sport?” Haiba-san, a colleague of yours asks. He is standing by your cubicle, which is next to the personal coffee machine your team purchased years ago (Your office was closed concept, no one could enter without a key card. It is also why many various pictures of Isagi-san decorate a colleague of yours’ desk).

You don’t get the chance to answer. Haiba-san is already talking over you. You let him. You are better than him.

“Yoichi’s crazy about football. It’s an illness,” he jokes. Isagi-san stands a foot away, and your eyes flicker towards his frame. He’s already on his feet, shoving Haiba with a cackle. You let them argue for a while, playing the role of their captive audience. You are quite good at doing so, with all your years of practice.

Until, Isagi-san asks, “Do you play?”

He asks it softly, nothing like Haiba-san. You feel a bit sweaty despite it being below zero degrees celsius outside. Shyly, you shake your head — fearing your voice will crack if you try talking.

Isagi-san hovers, today. He doesn’t leave you to your peace like the day he bought you banana bread.

“Anything else?”

And you don’t know what compels you to answer. During the moment, you’d chalked it up to being too nervous to not give him an answer. Looking back, deep down, you knew you wanted to impress Isagi-san. He looked so interested — but not the way Haiba-san was, for his own self-satisfaction.

“I… used to play badminton… in high-school.” You’d whispered, not expecting any sort of reaction.

Isagi-san’s eyes had widened, and he’d made himself comfortable on a chair outside your cubicle.

“That’s cool,” he says, “You still play?”

You looked down at your lap like an idiot and shrugged your shoulders. You’re dumber than a dog. “Sometimes, when the weather is warm.”

Your petite colleague, Mari-san, interrupts the peaceful silence with an outlandish out of character statement. “I like hockey. Just watch a bunch of big dudes bully each other on ice. Very North American.”

You remember feeling very comfortable that day. That was the first time you felt like you belonged.

It didn’t snow much last year. It concerned you heavily. Was the Earth dying? What was the point of you working? You still had student loans to pay. What would it even matter if you died the next day? Hour? Minute? Second?

Papers drop down onto your desk. You jumped and turned down the audiobook you were listening to: All About Love by Bell Hooks.

“L/n-chan, could you please finish this for me? Please?” Mari-san’s pretty voice and pretty face and pretty eyes plead with you. And how were you to refuse a beautiful woman?

“Uh, sure,” you answered through a mouthful of your burrito. Never mind that it was lunch. You were new here, so you had to make your mark.

Your work extends into the evening. It feels nice, though. You don’t have much plans for Friday night. Sure, you had planned on heading home, taking a warm shower, eating a salad-sized bowl of pasta and touching yourself to a disgustingly cliche erotica — but you could do that any time. Saturday morning, for example.

A hand touches your shoulder. You almost launch out of your seat and hit the culprit right in the face. A familiar grunt reaches your ears. Then your eyes.

“Isagi-san,” you exclaim, “Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry. I got scared.”

He only waves a hand and laughs. You look away, embarrassed. It was a bit ominous with the office lights automatically dimmed.

When he stands back up, wipes the tears that formed in the corner of his eyes and smiles down at you, he only but corrects the way you called him. “Yoichi.”

You didn’t know if it was because of the environment or if it was because you were ovulating, but Isagi-san looked particularly delicious in low lighting. With his sleeves rolled up to expose his forearms, the few buttons of his top undone at the top, and his usually kept hair ruffled after a long, gruelling day of work — you felt your stomach twist.

You feel gross.

“Seems like we’re both stuck doing overtime.” He jokes. You force a smile and internally kill yourself a million times, in a million different ways.

You sense his eyes gravitate to your monitors. On one, you were working on the few files Mari-san requested help with. On the other, a generic Tokyo News Channel plays, repeating the same news over and over again.

“The news?”

“It’s… nostalgic.”

Isagi-san smiles again, and you feel your hands sweat when he drags a chair to sit next to you.

“You’re a strange girl.” He sighs, “Let me help you.”

“I—,” Isagi-san doesn’t let you finish.

“Before the last train leaves.”

You look at him and try to think of any way to get him to leave. But the prospect of going home a little earlier than intended, and smelling his cologne for a while longer were tempting offers, indeed.

“Uhm… thanks.”

It is zero degrees in January and is raining when you leave. It is the end of the World but you run behind Isagi-san who holds your hand through the train station. The red scarf you adamantly refused to get rid of is wrapped around your neck and almost suffocates you from all of the hysteria. But you still cannot help but smile.

“Come on, come on, we’re gonna miss it!” Isagi-san hollers, and you laugh as he drags you as though you are his favourite bag.

He stops near the elevator which takes you up to the platform of the train and pales at the size of the crowd.

“Shit.”

Frantically, you look around, hoping to be of some use. It’s when you notice.

“S—Stairs!”

Isagi-san whips his head around to look at you and grins. Tugging you along, you cannot help but feel oddly giddy that you were of some use to him.

It feels nice. To be heard.

When you finally board the train with four minutes to spare (the conductor deciding to be a bit generous) you practically sink into the first empty window seat you spot. Isagi-san takes the one across from you. You look up at each other, sighing, then laugh.

Isagi-san looks very pretty with tears in his eyes from joy. You think this is the first time you’ve found a man attractive for all he is.

“What are you listening to?”

His voice is the same softness as it was all those months ago. You did not even notice you were still wearing your wireless earbuds. You also did not know why you grew so damn nervous all of a sudden in front of Isagi-san of all people.

“PJ Harvey…”

“An American artist?”

“I… like the melodies.”

He hums. You hold your breath, then you criticise yourself for holding your breath.

“Send me a playlist of her best, you’ve intrigued me.”

You can only nod. When the conductor announces that there is only a minute until departure, Isagi-san gets up and walks in the aisle.

“Get home safe, Y/n.”

Your eyes widen and you cannot help but involuntarily ask him, “This.. is not your train, Isagi-san?”

The man stills for a second. Then he only offers you a smile.

“Ah, nah. I take another line. It leaves in ten minutes. Thought I’d make sure you didn’t miss yours.”

You blink, not knowing what to say. And because Isagi-san is Isagi-san and he knows you and you know him, he takes the initiative to leave for you.

“Goodnight!”

The entire train ride home, you remember murmuring goodbye in twenty different tones, none of them the right one.

It only took you three nights and four days to realise: You think you like Yoichi. You don't think you've ever liked anyone before. There was Yamada-senpai in elementary school, but he made fun of your braces in front of all of his friends and ever since then you've sworn off on ever giving your heart to a filthy man.

You hate yourself. You can't help but say,

“H—Hello!”

When Isagi-san walks in. And he only ignores you. He looks dejected, like he has had a long night. You can only wonder about the possibility.

“Hey,"

Haiba-san thankfully asks the question which forms in your mind when Isagi-san takes his laptop from his cubicle, “Where are you heading, Isagi?!”

“Ah, I have a ton of work to do. Gonna sit in one of the offices outside.”

You think you like Isagi. He won’t spare you another glance.

Two weeks pass by. You tried to convince yourself you don't like Isagi-san. But then he wheels up into your cubicle again during lunch and acts as though nothing is wrong in the universe. You have been thinking about him nonstop for three hundred and thirty six hours and he treats you like you are his favourite bag. Still. Nothing has changed for him. Everything has, for you.

“What book is that?” He asks, eyeing the novel on your desk. You want to bash his skull in.

“Heaven by Kawakami.”

“I’ve heard of this.”

You want to hold his hand again. He picks it up.

“Is it any good?”

You want to stab his leg.

“Uhm, yeah, so far. A bit dark and disturbing, if you can handle it.”

You want to kiss his cheeks.

“Do you mind?”

You want to punch his dad.

“Go ahead.”

You want to never let him go.

The next day, after your spiral, he messages you on your work phone.

>> Ninomiya is terrible.

>> In Heaven.

Your heart races. You read his messages over and over again. You know it's small. You know it's terrible. You know this will hurt you. And it does.

In your eleventh month of working, you eavesdrop on Isagi-san and Haiba-san's conversation. Well, you do not really eavesdrop. More like they have their conversation right in front of your general vicinity. Half of you wonder if they know you even exist. Or, maybe, they care too little about your existence to deem you not a threat to their private gossip.

Isagi-san has a girl he likes.

“I keep telling her, I’m here for her, as a friend, you know. She’s just hung up on him.”

Isagi-san has a girl he likes.

“Still, you shouldn’t be harming yourself by doing this.”

Isagi-san has a girl he likes.

“What’s your opinion, L/n?”

You don't know why you were born this stupid. It was a bit cruel of God to do this.

“I… don’t know.”

Isagi-san is so soft with you. So gentle and sweet. He does not even realise what he's done, “You don’t have any advice?”

You can only nod, “I… wouldn’t know.”

They carry on their conversation. You leave. You don't see Isagi-san the rest of the week, and you are glad you don't.

Come three weeks, you grow anxious. You confide in Haiba-san.

“Where’s Isagi-san?”

“You didn’t know? He’s going to Europe for vacation.”

You don’t know why the news hits you as hard as it does. Why didn’t he tell you? Were you and Isagi even close enough to be considered friends? At times, he could be so sweet — enough for you to think that sweetness was only reserved for you. At others, he could be so cruel, always keeping you at an arm’s length from his life. Were you that untrustworthy to be let in? Were you that inexperienced he thought you stupid to understand? You were six years his junior — but you knew the world. You’ve known about it since you were twelve. Everyone in your life has deemed you dumb ever since you were a child. But you knew what you wanted and how you wanted it — no one in the entire universe could convince you otherwise. Not your mother, your brothers, your friends, or Yoichi.

And maybe that’s why the two of you could never work.

You cried for the first time that year. You have no one left to love. Bitter, cold and alone.

It feels like the End Of The World in July.

#writing #isagi yoichi x female reader #isagi yochi x reader

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ultravioart · 25 days ago

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Sources:

https://x.com/geesegoose_1/status/1846378569439891616?t=1w9lkW4_1xIJ8GdFc44H_Q&s=19

https://x.com/kirikokamoris/status/1846607767269712380?t=9gCdG-jAmnvBAlNV80g_zA&s=19

New overwatch lore came out and if it couldn't get any worse for Pharah, Helix is working with Oasis to enforce the "anticrime-ai-predictive model" in Morocco and its basically minority report... and Pharah still talks positively about Helix so. Genuinely I hate this. My rewrite will take out this horrible portrayal for Pharah(recast her VA NOW and make the VA actually Egyptian or from an indigenous nation that can represent Pharah’s father's side). How do you make Pharah enforce a POLICE STATE with her background. How is that a hero, let alone an optumistic future.

It's also pretty much confirmed the Wayfinders Society was outbought by Oasis for the items the Wayfinders Society uncovered, which implies the Wayfinders Society ISN'T a finding+recovery effort of returning artifacts to the countries of origin, rather, the Wayfinders Society is most likely a "the adventure of finding treasure!!!" WHICH IS SO BIZZARRE CONSIDERING De:Classified mentioned the efforts of returning artifacts to the countries of origin as if THAT'S what the Wayfinders Society is about????

And this now makes sense. Venture is canonically a swash-buckling adventurer, but directly inspired by Indiana Jones-- and the idiots that wrote this don't realize that is PILLAGING and colonizing behavior to STEAL artifacts/treat cultural artifacts like treasure to pillage for. And to use arrow heads as the icon too???? Gross is an understatement. Indigenous people have been denied thier family's works, heirlooms, and artwork bc American museums refuse to allow indigenous people even SEE the items. They are stored away in boxes, collecting dust. It's a disgrace, and I would think since De:Classified mentioned this issue, an optumistic future would work to rectify this disrespect in the story.

It's such an honest let down for Venture's character... I wanted an archeologist that was exited about the HUMANITY within artifacts, and to bring that joy of celebrating culture to expanding Omnic lore. I absolutely did NOT want Venture/Wayfinders Society seeing the artifacts as some simple object exciting to find bc fame, money, or some detached history fun fact-aholic. If it was dinosaur bones, that's totally fine for having it be a "ooo treasure!!!! Did you know? (Insert fun fact)" hype but it is NOT okay to do that with cultural artifacts. For some reason in Overwatch, Greek artifacts have been taken out of Greece and are now in the Temple of Anubis. Venture is pillaging. HOW is that a hero. :/

It's actually super gross that Overwatch portrayed Greece as the 'low tech' map, portrayed it only as the tourist sections (that is not authentic Greek life, plus the maps mix up completely different areas of Greece together) and then not making a Greek hero despite the map and even Greek myth bp theme, and THEN having the gall to make Venture "save the artifacts from Talon bc no one else will!" (with horrible rep of artifact handling and collection mind you) as if the native residents don't exist. WHERE ARE THE GREEK PEOPLE. Did Greece get gentrified by Eastern Europe in overwatch???? Is Greece just a hollow shell of tourist traps bc all the natives left bc of economic disparity after the omnic crisis? (The Phillipines was hit hard, so was Spain and Portugal but they had the wall, so I can imagine Greece was hit hard too)????? That's genuinely so dystopian lmafo

And FYI, irl the British museum still refuses to return artifacts to Greece bc the people in charge ARE racist and think Greeks can't take care of thier own artifacts. So. I can not state how much the Venture comic pisses me off, having a non-native come in, state that no one is there to save the artifacts, and then take the artifacts outside of Greece while mishandling them (you do not drill into ruins, it would shatter terracotta. You do not barehand handle artifacts. Etc.)

Can overwatch make a Greek hero already so I can draw them giving the Wayfinders Society and Talon the middlefinger for pillaging Greek artifacts? Thanks.

Venture Overwatch, I will save you from this bs writting I refuse to have Overwatch's first trans rep be pillaging artifacts they should be PROTECTING.

#/negative #sorry i LOVE THAT WE ARE GETTING LORE BUT #AND BIG BUT #WHY ARE WE WRITING COLONIZER BS AS IF IT'S COOL #I'm tired #overwatch #overwatch 2 #ow #ow2 #text #long text

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anotherbluesunday · 7 months ago

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✨Fic Release: In Technicolor—Ch. 1: Hell in a Handbasket (Pugsley + Cheryl)✨

____________Pugsley/Lee____________

Just past the shopping center that housed the Erewhon Wednesday silently hissed at and Bertie audibly boo'ed was our new school. A glittering beacon of narrow-minded thinking disguised as liberalism if I'd ever seen one, I'd read up on the place. Had Jug and Reggie fill me in on what to expect and it wasn't good.

Insidious racism veiled as social work and fundraisers. Sender students being made into charity cases to make donating families and businesses feel better about themselves while they donate to political campaigns for politicians who couldn't give two shits about the working class. I could see it in the way they looked at us as we pulled up into the student parking lot and hung up the parking permit from the rearview mirror. They were sizing us up. Knew without having to ask that we were from somewhere else. Somewhere where it wasn't commonplace for sixteen year old's to have access to their parents Amex Black card.

Eyes down on the steering wheel for a moment as the girls to our right sat in their brand new canary yellow Jeep Wrangler "whispering" loudly about how dirty the truck was, Bertie reminded me it was only for a year and that chances were not everyone would be as bad as I was making them out to be in my head. Wednesday snorted a laugh from the backseat and I shot her a glance through the mirror saying "Probablemente sean monstruos chupadores de sangre." With a hard reluctant sneer, I forced myself to unbuckle. Grabbed my backpack from the backseat, slipped on my sunglasses, and heaved sigh.

"I can't believe we're actually doing this."

Shrugging her backpack onto her shoulders, Wednesday stood beside me staring at our new prison. "Just close your eyes and count to ten. It'll be over before you know it."

"Promise?"

"No."

Should have known better than to ask. But it made me laugh nonetheless. And that was the only upside here really. I wouldn't be going at this alone. I'd have Wen and Bert and a couple friends if Toni made it through the testing process since her mom made her apply too. We'd be okay. Not great. Not fine. But we'd be okay.

We'll survive.

____________Cheryl____________

Routine on repeat like some b-rate film that used timelooping as a metaphor for repeating the past until the main character righted their wrongs, I put on my morning music playlist as I stepped into the spacious en suite bathroom that had been warmed to seventy-two degrees for me. My shampoo and conditioner never seemed to run out. My bodywash was always in supply. Shaving razors never dulled and toothpaste never emptied paste the halfway point. The only thing I was burdened with was remembering when to restock my skincare items which, even when they did run out, it was never a problem because there was nothing that couldn't be handled with a quick call.

Perfectly controlled and acclimated. It was like a dollhouse inside of a greenhouse.

Everything's monitored and privacy is a privilege.

You missed practice this morning. It was from dad, the message brightening the screen of my phone as I stepped out of the shower. We'll double up tonight's session and split it for before and after dinner.

Staring at the message, I hesitated. Could hear the small scream itching at the back of my neck like nails dragging down the nerves hidden beneath my skin.

I wanted to throw up and I hadn't eaten anything yet.

I'll have homework. I told him.

You can do it afterwards. Slacking off once leads to habitual laziness Cheryl. No excuses.

My stomach knotted. Worked itself up until the familiar aftertaste of vomit ghosted itself on my taste buds.

The cold sweats that came with it.

The dizzying nausea.

Looking at myself in my vanity mirror, I dissected the bags under my dull brown eyes. Examined my hairline to see if it had thinned anymore than what mom had pointed to over the summer when we went on vacation to Portugal. "It must be from the stress. You should sleep more darling" she had said. At least my lashes had grown back after my nervous snap over spring semester.

*IMPORTANT NOTE!: Please do keep in mind while reading that the characters Pubert and Pugsley have nicknames that they go by and will go by for most of the story. For Pugsley, his nickname is “Lee” and for Pubert, his nickname is “Bert” or “Bertie.” Wednesday sometimes goes by “Wen” but I feel like that is a known in the Wednesday fandom but I wanted to mention it quickly for readers in the Riverdale fandom so that they’re in the loop.

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melanieph321 · 4 months ago

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Ruben Dias x Reader - Summary Fling Part 4/10

Part 5 and Part 6 are out on my Patreon for free!

Summary - Reader has landed a research job at a marine biology lab in Portugal. She is, therefore, staying with her sister and her sister's Portuguese boyfriend for the summer holidays. There she meets Ruben Dias who is on vacation with his friends after the 2024 Euros. However, the two meet under the circumstances in which Ruben believes that Reader is a prostitute.

Enjoy ☀️

The University of Algarve housed arguably the best marine biology lab in the country. Although this is where you'd be doing most of your research, it was the marine station, located closer to where land meets sea, that excited you on your first day at work.

"Y/N, you made it!"

You were welcomed to the station by a familiar face, Gavin Phillips, who you met earlier at the Zoomarine. He was the first one to welcome you at the door and made sure to give you a thorough tour of the facility.

"This is where we bring in our samples from the sea. We usually gather the data here before documenting our progress back at campus. And as for you, who's doing your research in marine ecology, I'll gladly let you know that this is where you'll spend most of your time."

It smelled like fish, the whole room did. It wasn't a welcoming smell, however, a smell that you'd have to get used to. The lab was impressive though. You watched how the students, dressed in white coats and sterile gloves, were tuned in as they worked at their assigned stations. They looked busy, but with a loud whistle, Gavin had them all drop whatever they were doing, shifting their attention your way.

"Attention everyone! I'd like to introduce our newest addition to this lab. This is Y/N, fresh off the plane from Sydney, Australia." Collective oh's and ah's spread amongst the students, who regarded you curiously. "Y/N is here to add knowledge to our marine ecology squad, so please, anything she needs, I expect you to assist her with that."

"Thank you Gavin." You said, immense heat patting your cheeks. The students all took their time to greet you one by one. One student was even chivalrous enough to let you use his equipment since yours hadn't arrived yet. It was a great first day, one that got you really excited for the future.

"Ugh. What is that smell?"

You returned home quite early that afternoon. You were excited to show your sister the white lab coat you had been given. However, she couldn't bring herself to be in the same room as you until you faithfully rinsed yourself off in the shower.

"And don't forget to shave your legs!" She shouted. "I'm taking you dress shopping."

It was a nice way to spend some quality time with your sister. The last time you were living together the two of you were teenagers, with zero assumptions and worries in life. Although your sister hadn't changed much since then, her financial status definitely had.

"Here, try this on," She said, passing you another outfit through the dressing room curtains. It was Versace and Michael Kors, all brand names that she was urging you to try on.

"Does it fit?"

"It's too tight." You complained.

"Y/N, it's supposed to be tight. Tight is good."

"No." You pulled open the curtains, showing off your ensemble of stylish clothes. "Tight is painful."

"God, you're gorgeous. You have to wear that out of the store."

"What, no. Maki." It was too late. Your sister was quick to rush over to the counter and pay for your items. You wore it out of the store and shamefully made your way down the street.

"Stop it Y/N, you look stunning. Just look at all the men checking you out."

"I don't want to be checked out."

"No, not even by Ruben Dias?"

She got you there. "Ruben? What about him?"

"Well, apparently he hasn't stopped asking about you since the night you gave him the time of his life."

How could you forget? It was the time of your life too.

"How do you know that?" You asked.

"I dunno, Diogo has been hanging around that Beach Club a lot. It's where famous people like Ruben like to hang out."

"Ruben is famous?"

"Yeah, he's super famous and not just here in Portugal but all over the world.

"Well, what is he famous for?"

"For playing football of course."

"You mean soccer?"

It's not like you didn't know what it was. It just wasn't the most watched sport in Australia, that's all. You had no idea that Ruben was actually a professional soccer player. How impressive.

"He actually just finished playing a major tournament with his country. They got knocked out though."

"Out of the tournament?"

"Yeah, I bet he's totally bummed about it too. You should totally try and cheer him up by sliding in his DM's."

"You think so?" You did have a great time with Ruben, he seemed like such a cool guy. Perhaps it was worth it to shoot your shot?

"Here, let's send a photo of you and have him rate your new outfit."

"What, no Maki."

It was too late. Your sister had already brought out her phone and stepped back to take your picture. You had stopped in the middle of the street, posing against a peach colored wall.

"Yeah, he'll love this." Maki said, inspecting the photo before sending it to Ruben via instagram.

"He's gonna think we're stalking him." You said, resuming your walking. "Not at all. He likes you, I promise."

"How do you even—"

"He replied!"

You rushed to your sister's side, checking her phone.

"So sweet. Ruben rates your outfit as ten out of ten."

"Really?"

"I told you he was into you and look—" Your attention was drawn back to the screen where three dots had appeared in the corner. "He's typing!" Your sister gasped.

The dots were soon replaced by a message from Ruben, asking if the two of you were close to a place called Quarteira. Apparently Ruben was there visiting a friend.

"We have to go. It's only a twenty minute drive from here."

"But, Maki. I have work tomorrow." Although Ruben's offer was tempting, you shouldn't get distracted from what you really came to Portugal to do.

"Come on Y/N, I swear we won't stay long."

"Promise?"

"Through thick and thin." She said, once again urging you to seal the deal with a pinky swear. Once you did, the two of you hit the road, off to meet Ruben and his friends again.

**********************************************

Your heart raced as you walked through the streets of Quarteira, a beautiful city near the beach. It seemed like a nice place for a family vacation as plenty of children were seen roaming the streets eyeing the gift shops along the road.

You were so nervous, but excited to see Ruben again. As you and your sister looked up the address that he had texted you, you were surprised to stumble upon a small villa. Not too extravagant, but actually quite homely looking. You could feel your nerves getting the better of you as your sister rang the doorbell. The door soon opened with Ruben appearing in the frame.

"You guys made it!" He smiled and was even more handsome and charming looking since the last time you saw him. "Please, feel free to grab anything from the cooler. We were just getting started on the grill. I hope you're hungry.

"Yes, starving." Your sister moaned, teasing you as Ruben led the way through the lovely house, overlooking the beach.

"You better not fumble this, Y/N. He is so hot."

"Please, Maki, don't be so vulgar." You said, although you were also thinking it. Don't fumble this. Fortunately the meet up with Ruben and his friends turned out to be a really lovely night. It gave you a chance to get to know him and him you. Ruben was kind and attentive, asking you questions about your stay in Portugal as well as your life back home. He told you about his own life, and his passion for football. And how sad he was about Portugal being knocked out of the European tournament that was still ongoing as you spoke. Nevertheless, you found yourself laughing and smiling throughout the whole night.

As the evening wore on, Ruben even asked if you wanted to stay the night at his place, or in this case, his friend's place. You hesitated, feeling a pang of guilt. You had to work the next day, and you didn't want to be late during your first week.

"I would love to Ruben, but I have to be back early tomorrow," you said, trying to sound casual.

Ruben nodded, understandingly and was actually quite impressed that you were studying marine biology here in Portugal. "No problem, I completely understand. Maybe we can plan another night together soon?"

"I'd love to."

Maybe this was the start of something special. You thanked Ruben for a lovely evening, the two of you saying goodbye with a swift kiss on the lips.

Driving back to Faro with Maki, you just couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement since finding a summer fling had definitely not been on your Portugal bingo card.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

*Part 5 and Part 6 are out on my Patreon for free!

#fanfiction #football imagine #footballer x reader #footballer imagine #football angst #ruben dias #man city #manchester city #ruben dias x reader #ruben dias imagine

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workingclasshistory · 2 years ago

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On this day, 25 April 1974, Portugal’s right-wing Estado Novo dictatorship was overthrown by a military coup by low ranking army officers who had formed the Movement of the Armed Forces (MFA). When officers loyal to the dictatorship ordered the troops to open fire, a mutiny by rank-and-file soldiers effectively prevented a counter-revolution. The events would become known as the Carnation Revolution, as few shots were fired and people adorned troops with red and white carnations which were in season and being widely sold on the streets at the time. The collapse of the regime was then followed by a working class uprising which lasted over 18 months. Urban workers took over their workplaces and rural workers took over land and farmed it collectively. The key factor in the unpopularity of the regime was the long-running colonial war against independence movements in Angola, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Principe which had been raging since anti-colonial uprisings in the early 1960s. After the revolution these former colonies all soon achieved independence. Learn more in our podcast episodes 41-42: https://workingclasshistory.com/2020/08/13/e41-42-the-portuguese-revolution/ Books and other items commemorating the events are available in our online store: https://shop.workingclasshistory.com/collections/portuguese-revolution https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=614851630688056&set=a.602588028581083&type=3

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masonmiamor · 2 years ago

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words and items yet to be filled - - mason mount x reader.

gif is not mine! it’s @canirove gif!

the original post isn’t popping up on the tag so i’m “reposting again”.

this is the link to the first part!

“Are you going to pretend we didn’t have a good time the other night?” asked Mason. His bed hair is in full display wearing a black Nike tracksuit and a pair of sneakers. You stood there in awe, getting deja vu all over again. “No… But what difference does it make?” you said raising an eyebrow and your left hand coming to your hip. He cocks his head to the side and forces a tight smile.

“A huge difference Y/n… You have no idea.”

“Mason, I don't know what else you want from me” you attempt to say calmly, not trying to sound nervous. “I just want to talk, simply talk Y/n. Is that so much to ask for?” his brown eyes plead, desperately just trying to pry you? You knew you shouldn't but reluctantly you nodded, “I don’t know if I'm ready to talk to you. This could go one or two ways Mason, and I'm afraid… I’m afraid to end on a bad note again and that is the last memory and thing I have of you.”

“Let me come inside. And we can just talk, I won't force you to accept anything. I just want to try and amend things. Clear the bad air between us,” Mason promises and you find yourself giving in, how could you refuse this pleading man infront of you? “Okay, but keep in mind I wasn't expecting to have guests over,” you note making him let out a small chuckle but accepting the invite into your flat.

Mason's chest feels heavy and cold as he walks in again after so long. He notes nothing here has changed as much except for new plants and some paintings, including the ones the two of you did while on a beach trip. He finds himself walking around the living room to take any details, he lets out a laugh when he sees the polaroids of your relationship still hung up, concert tickets, the sucker wrappers where he wrote small notes before you started dating, and even the plastic rose that had slight dust on it.

“Along with the necklace you have on, is there a reason why you haven't taken these down?” he asks, you stare at his back feeling caught. “Uhm, no. I guess I forgot to take them down when I packed the rest of your stuff and memory box,” you say. He turns around and flutters his eyebrows confused, “What memory box?”

Again. You feel caught as if you've done something bad. You try to push down the tears and lump in your throat, “I made a memory box after we broke up. It just has small items, letters, photos, the bracelets we got in Portugal, an old CD we found, just some stuff from our happier times when we were together.” You still kept all those things he wanted to ask but didn't because that's just who you were, you kept the small meaningful things with you at all times.

Mason had the urge to see it, wanting to re-live the memories all over again, maybe even for the last time depending on if things don't go as expected. He walks closer to you, and you grow shy and anxious at the serious look on his face, “Can I see it? The memory box?” you nod quickly and dodge to the second bedroom in your flat. While you do that, Mason walks over to the corner again and steals the photo that Ben took after the champion league ceremony. Such a special and memorable night for both of you.

You walk back into the living room seeing him sitting down on the couch, still looking around. “Here we go,” you set down the red box labeled “Y/n and Mason’s Box <3.” He reluctantly removes the lid, but his heart flutters at the stuff inside. He takes out so many pictures and re-reads letters, all while you stood back and let the man you still love go through them. “This hurts one Y/n,” Mason whispers after he read the page where you wrote your ‘Vows to you’ if the one-day marriage did occur.

“I honestly forgot about that one, guess it won't happen, ill get rid of it you-” you try to take the sheet of paper back but he pulls it away from you. “No don’t. Don't get rid of it,” he begs shaking his head. “You envisioned it too? The happy ever afters? The future we would’ve built together?” Mason breaks his own heart by saying.

“Yes… I pictured everything Mase,” you croak feeling your bottom lip quiver. He moves closer to you craving to hug or hold your hand. But before he could, you let go and launched yourself into the familiar muscular body, wrapping your hands around his upper body and hiding your head into the crook of his neck, breathing in the cologne and aftershave. He brings your warm body to his lap, your legs almost straddling him, and his hands find their way home inside your shirt and around your waist.

He hears the pain he caused by the way you sniffle and sob, especially as you've never been the one to cry or show what pain can do to you, it almost felt foreign again to him. All he can think about is you finally in his arms, selfishly never wanting to let go. He rubbed your sides and drew small shapes on your back, while yours remained wrapped around. He wanted to pull you close when he felt you pull back after a while.

“Tell me what I did for you to break up with me. Was I not lovable anymore? Was it something I did, say? Did you just simply fall out of love with me?” you asked wiping the remaining tears away from your face, attempting to compose yourself. His hands still stayed at your sides, “You didn't do a single thing Y/n! And of course, you were and are lovable, I can’t and will never forget what you did for me to bring me to where I am today, only you could do it.”

“I'm trying Mason. I'm trying so hard to move on from us and what we had, but your image constantly appears in my head over and over again, reminding me you're still there. So help me understand mason. We were doing so well, we were happy and stable. Why did you end something so perfect and loving for us?” you cried out.

‘Please don’t move on from me. Don’t move on from us,’ wanted to scream and let out Mason. But he didn’t just stared at you losing his confidence little by little.

Mason let a few tears fall, you had seen him at such vulnerable and down states before but never like this, especially because of you. “I began to compare myself to the people around me, I lost myself once our team began their downfall, it was too many differences to resolve at once, the confrontation scared me and I kept pushing you and everything away because I didn't want to face those challenges. In doing so, I lost you because I began to think I wasn't the person meant for you, I didn't want to hold you back from doing what you loved,” Mason continued, now tugging on the string of his hoodie.

“But you wouldn't have! We could've worked things out! You left so suddenly and expected to be good friends afterwards? The reason I never called or texted back was because I couldn't be friends with someone I deeply love. It was either you were with me or you weren’t. But I wasn't going to make that decision, I could never hold you back from achieving your goals. The number of times I saw photos of you and I wanted to hate you but I couldn't because, at the end of the day, you treated me so well,” you tell him watching as his stare bore down to you.

You could see the pain on his face, his sad eyes, the wrinkles in the outer corner of his eyes, the small vein in his temple popping out, you desperately wanting to be the only one getting rid of it but things weren't like they were and this was the life the two of you created since then. “You don't know how much I’d love to close my eyes and start all over again. There's no way I can forget about you Y/n because it’s you, the woman I love, and the only one who can heal this pain you left inside when you left.”

“I know I fucked up, I live with it because it's me who caused us to be like this, but I can and will change that. We both know deep inside our hearts the passionate love and feeling for each other is still there. The history of two lovers who found their way back to each other,” he says whipping your tears away with the soft pad of his thumb. Your hand goes up and slowly removes it from your face, the feeling of uncertainty coming back, “How do I know you won't leave again? That you do what you did again?”

“You came into my life at such a correct time, and I can't afford to lose you again Y/n. I love you so much to let go of our love that easily and freely. If anything being apart has reminded me of how much you did for me, for us, and I took it for granted sometimes. I was stupid and immature to let you go, listening to others rather than myself who knew deep down what the right thing was,” Mason says interlocking your hands and rubbing his thumbs over your delicate and soft knuckles.

“I promise y/n. I won't leave or lose you again. I can't promise those days where we will have our downs, but I can say that from now on it will be better and have loving days, if you allow me back into your life…” he whispers along your lips after a few moments of stillness, your faces suddenly so close to each other you can see the small scar on his lip and freckles that adorn his skin, the redness on his face, and lashes that touch his cheeks due to his closed eyes.

“You have no idea how good it feels to be back in your embrace Mason. It feels so right and perfect, I almost forgot how your touch leaves a permanent sensation in my skin,” you whisper and surprise the both of you. “I spent almost 9 months without you completely lost and incomplete because I had lost the person who was there to pick me right back up. I can’t deny what I feel because it is so strong and present always, only you have made me feel this way…” you say along his lips watching as he began to breathe in deeper.

This is what you caused him to do…

“I love you Y/n…” he breathes out and closes the small space between you by brushing and locking his lips with yours. He groans at your sweet taste when he kisses you, kissing you slowly yet so passionately it makes your head spin. “Mine, always will be mine,” he growls and pulls you closer by the waist. You gasp and tug at his hair but keep kissing him. You pull away and rest nose to nose seeing him bite his lip with a playful smile on display. “I love you Mason, but please don't break my heart again.”

He holds out his pinky waiting for you to wrap your small one around his, and when you do he declares and seals the promise. Mason knows not everything is yet to be solved but with time and little by little he will prove it to you and demonstrate just exactly how much you mean to him. His chest fills with butterflies when he hears you giggle at his actions which were leaving and plaster kisses all over your face, jaw, and neck.

“God I love you. So beautiful baby…” he compliments causing you to blush. “Stop it, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much,” you say standing up when you feel your legs beginning to tighten and cramp. “Let's bake like old times and then we can head to bed. We have no training tomorrow so I will be able to sleep and make breakfast for you, how does that sound” Mason suggests causing you to stare at him in awe.

“It sounds perfect handsome but, is this actually real? Or a dream?”

“Its very real baby, and get used to it because were forever my MJ,” he says, referring to the spiderman movie. He picks you up causing you to squeal and wrap your legs around his torso, holding onto dear life. He sets you down in the kitchen, watching as you go and look for the required ingredients, after doing so, you tiptoe and give him a chaste kiss, he meets you half way.

He brings you into his chest and dances with you swaying side to side after putting the cookies in the oven. Kissing your temple from time to time and whispering just how much he missed and loves you. You set the table with some glasses of milk and the plate of cookies cheering to your love. Safe to say the cookies were finished in the span of minutes.

After showering and getting ready for bed you gave some clothes for him to sleep. You set the bed and sat down waiting for him to return with some water bottles, knowing the cookies will cause thirst later on in the night. He returns with the two bottles and the red memory box. “I hope we can still add stuff inside here?” he says shyly, his voice filled with nervousness.

“Yes Mase. Anything you want,” you smile at him, and observe when he pulls out the photo from when they won the UCL trophy and places it inside. “When did you-” you say curiously, “I was going to steal it if things went downhill, but since they didn’t… its now inside with other cherished memories we both built together.”

He changes into some plaid pj’s and a tight grey longsleeve that defined his body, his muscles in full view causing you to feel like a innocent schoolgirl again. He lays down and shuts off the lamp, facing you. Mason kisses you fervently once more and brings you closer to his chest, holding the back of your head while he kisses you once more. But you had different plans wanting for him to feel the love. “Lay on my chest, let me rub your back and play with your hair. You deserve well rested sleep.”

“But what about you?”

“I have you back in my arms, that’s all that matters, I sleep better knowing you are…” he wasted no time into laying on your chest snuggling his head closer to your neck and his arm wrapping around your front. He sighs deeply when he feel you small hand guide up and down his back and then play with his har. “Goodnight Mason,” you kiss the top of his head.

“Goodnight beautiful. Sweet dreams.”

#mason mount #mason mount imagine #mason mount one shot #mason mount x reader #mason mount x y/n #mason mount imagines #mm19

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mamaangiwine · 1 year ago

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To Be A Saint's God Child:

Patron Saints as Ancestors

The Patron Saint of Portugal, St. Anthony of Lisbon and The Patron Saint of Hungary St. Stephen.

Most countries, sometimes even counties and towns, have a Patron Saint. A Saint who has been given the task to protect the land and its people. A Saint that our ancestors may have carried with them when they left their homelands.

Within my own understanding this favor, this protection and affection, given to our ancestors by this Saint is extended to their children and their children's children. Making those born under their care akin to god children they have sworn to watch over and provide spiritual guidance to.

It is a powerful and intimate connection that brings equally powerful results while working magic- though, in my experience, results still depend on the Saint's expertise and domain.

However, respect and love is a two way street and if one is to acknowledge this connection, then they must treat that Saint with the same care and veneration one would give an ancestor.

Acts of devotion can/may include:

- Researching the Saint's History and Myths, as well as Folklore from your ancestors' homeland.

- Researching how the Saint is venerated in said homeland.

- Acknowledging their Feast Day through simple prayer or other devotional acts. As well as preparing food traditionally eaten on the day.

- Simple prayers in the language of your ancestors or researching prayers that were written specifically to petition said Saint (sometimes there are even whole chaplets you can pray).

- Researching plants, colors or items connected to the Saint and using them as offerings.

In this way, by acknowledging the Patron Saint as a kind of god parent, we are acknowledging not only our immediate and present connection to the Saint, but also acknowledging their spiritual connection to our ancestors and the ways in which they may have shaped their lives. I don't necessarily think this role is purely extended to those who practiced a strict form of catholicism either. Personally, I feel, the Saint being made the Patron of the land gave something inherent to the land a Spiritual Form it could inhabit. That it gave an already exisisting face to the values and qualities inherent to its people. By praying to a Patron Saint, we are therefore praying to a representitive, and ideal, of those values that may have once shaped our ancestors and their culture. The Saint becomes apart of the land, and likewise aspects of the land are given a conscious form through the Saint. Therefore, we are equally honoring those aspects, and the land they come from, as an ancestor.

#magic #folk magic #spirituality #magic practitioners #witchblr #folklore #ritual magic #wizards #sorcerers #saint magic #christian folk magic #upg #ancestry #ancestor work #ancestor worship #ancestor magic

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bumble66 · 11 months ago

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Chris Evans' potential boyfriends (allegedly based on blind item gossip!)

September 15th. 2023. Only a few days after Chris Evan's alleged wedding, a blind item appeared on CrazyDaysAndNights dot net.

It is about an A/A-list actor who is sometimes a super hero:

A lot of people in the comment section argued that this is about Jeremy Renner. I wondered why and so I did some research about him. On Datalounge dot com and on the forum called LipstickAlley, they argue that he is a gay man who faked the custody dispute with his "ex". It is alleged that she was his surrogate and both wanted to be in the news to get more fame (Shameful!).

However I do not believe that this blind item is about Jeremy because he isn't a "sometime superhero". But you know who is? Our lovely Chris. He was the "Human Torch" in the Fantasitc Four. 4 years later he was "Steve Rogers aka Captain America" and 3 years after that, he replaced Tim Allen as "Buzz Lightyear". So yeah. he is a "sometime superhero" but these days I'm not so sure about the A-list status anymore...

Anyway, I had that thought on why it could be Chris after one person in the comment section gave the following hints:

As this person points out, EntyLawyer who wrote this blind item above, has Hollywood insider knowledge. As a result Enty knew what we from #TeamPR have already concluded: Based on immigration law, a legal marriage was not possible. It is fake. So despite the fact that the blind item appeared days after Chris' alleged wedding, his (PR) girlfriend is after all just a "girlfriend" and not a wife. So this blind item could still apply to Chris.

Based on what the commenter Eenid in the screenshot above implies... Chris, which this blind item is allegedly about, has a "long-time boyfriend he also pays as an employee"...

Possible Boyfriend #1: Mark Kassen

Picture Source: https://archive.ph/e9EPA In this picture you can see that he looks very friendly, soft, fem and adorable. I bet that if he were the possible boyfriend, he'd treat Chris with care and kindness.

Picture Source: https://archive.ph/lpCTK

In 2017, Chris and Mark have both started the political online platform called "A Starting Point". So is he Chris' employee? In this cute picture of them, you can see that he already has way more chemistry with Mark than with his PR wife from "GO Portugal!"

Picture source: https://archive.ph/7yiGn

However, they have already known each other since 2011 when they both starred in the movie Puncture. It adds up with that the person said above. That "A Starting Point" was not their first "joint endeavour" ... ... ...

Picture Source: https://archive.ph/4cxrn

Chris and Mark don't just hang out when it comes to business related stuff. They also hang out privately. Here you can see them both with Chris' brother Scott who is also gay. This was confirmed by Chris when he outed him publicly:

See link: https://archive.is/rFnVI https://www.koimoi.com/hollywood-news/when-captain-america-chris-evans-outed-his-gay-brother-scott-publicly-when-he-was-19-received-a-lot-of-flak-from-his-friends-who-said-i-cant-believe-you-did-that/ My thoughts: On the pictures you can see that every time Mark is around Chris, he seems very happy. Even if it turns out that they are not a secret couple, I hope they will continue to have a lot of fun together... ... ... Possible Boyfriend #2: Joshua Martin Peck (No, not the guy from Drake & Josh)

Picture Source: https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Joshua_Peck According to the "Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki" he was Chris Evans' assistent in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier", "Captain America: Civil War", "Avengers: Infinity War", "Avengers: Endgame", "The Iceman", "Snowpiercer" and "knives Out". See link: https://archive.ph/4BYQg Like the blind item from Enty Lawyer mentioned, he could also be the "long-time boyfriend" Chris also pays as an employee. I think that because on the Lipstick Alley Forum, there have been interesting revelations about the relationship Chris and he have:

A person on LSA said that when Chris had an interview in 2019, he said that Josh was basically his roommate and was living in the family home with Chris Evans' mother Lisa...

In the October 2023 GQ interview, Chris said that he loves to smoke weed. It explains why he needs botox these days. It was also the same interview that had several sentences about leaves, autumn, his beloved dog Dodger, while his PR wife was only mentioned twice. That he "had her for a while" (I think at this point his team still wasn't sure how the PR relationship timeline between those two should look like) and that she reads "energies". So based on that interview, his love for weed exceeds that of the love he (allegedly) has for his alleged wife. So that Josh is a professional weed smoker is therefore probably something Chris really likes. As the user above says... Chris' and Josh's situation could be similar to the one Leonardo Dicaprio and Lukas Haas have (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4864460/Leonardo-DiCaprio-giggles-chased-Lukas-Haas.html)

(BTW: It is public knowledge where he lives but I still didn't feel comfortable to just screenshot it so I removed the name of the town in case you wonder what the pink bars are) A user who is in contact with someone who lives in Chris' Town said that Josh walks Chris' dog Dodger when Chris is away for work in LA and no one ever saw his PR wife from Portugal. There are also other people on X who often claim that neighbours never saw a wedding and that the weather conditions were horrible on that day.

Dodger is Chris' love of his life:

When he was already allegedly dating the PR bride from Portugal, Chris said that Dodger was his long-term partner (No I won't name him as possible bf #3 EW). It demonstrates two things: 1. This PR crap ain't real and 2. That he trusts Josh to take care of Dodger is just heart-warming. I don't think every person is allowed to walk the dawg!

Josh is also not just the personal assistent of Chris when it comes to several of his movies (I wonder now what he is assisting him with...), he also took and probably still takes care of his instagram/social media (Chris has anxiety and therefore doesn't like reading mean comments).

Yes, Chris is very open about his anxiety to the point where he needed a back rub from Scarlet Johanson after a press conference. It is uplifting knowing that Josh shields him from people's opinions online. He is basically Chris' own personal Captain America x3

Source: https://twitter.com/miss_LulaMae/status/1465814040471646216 BONUS BOYFRIEND #3: Sebastian Stan I don't think the blind item refers to him because he isn't employed by Chris but he is still a notable mention. Remember my first post here? One of the info I quoted was from the datalounge thread called: "Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan, did they have a thing?" See link: https://archive.ph/gxXkr

In this thread a user implied that they knew Chris and that he is ashamed of being bi. Some people on datalounge argued that this is the reason why he publicly outed his brother Scott. Because a lot of people assume that if one brother is gay, the other can't be. I encountered this argument too when sharing my arguments regarding Chris' PR relationship with others online. They responded to me that Scott is the gay brother. They really thought that that means that no one else in the family can be gay anymore! Chris you cunning imp! Smart move.

Chris and Sebastian Stan were both marvel stars. Sebastian is the winter soldier... I think... Sorry I actually only like the A-lister gossip. Not the movies. I have barely watched any of them... but I like Guardians of the Galaxy with that gay racoon! Even the general public noticed that he never has great chemistry with his female co-stars:

But when it comes to Sebastian...

"best friends" When it comes to Sebastian and Chris, many people claim they had a thing because of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNHk1PDU1jQ

This youtube video has some interesting comments. I mean the comments which mention the following time stamps in this video:

9:23 5:51 3:37 SUMMARY: What I explained isn't too far off. A Hollywood insider named ShellyT20 said the following stuff she knows from friends that are in contact with A-list celebrities:

Also another gay/bi rumor I found about Chris Evans on LSA during his marvel days:

A lot of people will probably be angry at me for exposing Chris this way but first of all, I only summarize all his gay/bi rumors other people mention. It's not me who wrote all these comments in these gossip forums. Use the search bar of datalounge and LSA to find these specific comments and try to debunk them there yourselves. #DontShootTheMessenger. Also, if it weren't for Hollywood being so homophobic, demanding of bi and gay men to present themselves as stable, heterosexual family men + marriage + children, unless they want to lose their A-list career, I wouldn't have to point all of that stuff out.

Don't let yourself get fooled! How can the industry claim to be pro-lgbt, putting all these fictional lgbt characters in movies, while real life homosexuals are put in their place? And if they refuse, they will be denied A-list movie roles. As buzzfeed journalist Edwin Jusino claimed, Chris and his "wife" are PR. Most likely for Netflix because they debuted their relationship when the second season of her Warrior Nun Show started. Awkward btw but when there are so many gullible people who eat all this crap up without questioning it... how much can I actually blame Hollywood here? Source: https://archive.is/YZlQG

Also message to #TeamPR: Remember who also said for over a decade now that he wants marriage and kids? Toothy Tile. What has happened in regards to that? ZERO. I guess it is the same for Chris. Marvel told him to say this traditional stuff so that the general public thinks he is a regular guy who wants to be monogamous but that's just not how most A-listers act. I recommend watching the movie "Eyes Wide Shut". These parties are for real. Here on my blog, I provided evidence that you, #TeamPR, want to see him married with wife and kids. MAAAYBE your gender expectation, that you have for men, you hating the fact that they are bachelors and like to sleep around... Maybe that is the exact reason why these A-list guys have to go through this crap?

See it for yourselves. This is what some of you say:

(Sorry but that just sounds like sexist men who say they want to see women barefoot in the kitchen)

But then you say: - "Waaah Waaah I don't like this PR. Why does he have to pretend to be married??? waaah waaaah"

Well, and this is also a message to Hollywood and his team. Chris does not look well at all. I don't want to mock his looks but he looks like he aged a decade since this PR started. He looked like death during the ASP video two or three weeks ago. Even Kevin Costner looked better after his divorce! So can we finally stop with this outdated nonsense? Everything above and on my blog in general is alleged based on the screenshots and links provided. I merely comment on what people publicly claim about Chris Evans and his sexuality. You might think this is immoral but so are lavender marriages.

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annaskellington · 13 days ago

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A Recounting of Phantom of the Opera: Middle East/European Tour

Hello everyone!

I had the opportunity to see Phantom of the Opera: Middle East Tour/European Tour 3 different times during its run in Lisbon and I’m here to do a review/recounting of everything I saw on the show that was different from normal and worth noting. This is a mixture of what I saw on stage and my opinions on it. You are valid to have your own opinions and if the show is coming to a city near you, I definitely recommend to check it out!

Keep in mind, this is a non-replica. Stephen Barlow is the director and Andrew Riley did the costumes and set design. I have only seen one other production of Phantom and it was the Italy run they did with Ramin Karimloo, also a non-replica, therefore I use it quite a bit in my comparisons (as well as the original) simply because it’s the only one I’ve seen live other than this one.

Extra details: The chandelier is in the audience instead of on stage. There are screens on the sides of the stage with the subtitles. On the first night, it only had the subtitles, but on the following nights, it also had a house-cam being livestream into those screens. There are two Portuguese members on the cast: Francisca Mendo – a ballerina and Lara Martins – Prima Donna. I mention them quite a lot since they were the main attraction of the performances.

The Phantom - Nadim Naaman

Christine - Georgia Wilkinson

Raoul - Dougie Carter

Prima Donna - Lara Martins

Auction House

There is only old man Raoul, the auctioneer and an ensemble member on stage - the one holding the items. The auctioneer is pointing at the audience when the items are being bided which makes it slightly awkward when you look at where he’s pointing and it is just random audience members. Seeing old man Raoul by himself is also weird for some reason. Overall, the lack of people is really odd during this scene.

Overtude

“A little illumination! Gentlemen!” and then the chandelier just lights its light bulbs and just stays like that for a long while. Nothing is happening. Then finally the curtains open and you see the Hannibal cast getting ready and into positions and then finally, Lara Martins starts singing.

Hannibal

On opening night there was a flub: Christine isn’t on the stage at all for most of Hannibal. When the managers start saying their lines of “Meg Giry, Madame Giry’s daughter, promising young dancer”, Meg starts dancing closer to Madame Giry and she hits the staff on the ground and asks “Christine Daae, where is she?” and Meg replies “I don’t know mama!” which leads to the “Daae? Curious name…”, but Christine only enters the stage much after.

However, on the following nights, it proceeded as normal with “Christine Daae, concentrate girl” to which Meg says “Christine, what’s the matter” and leads to “Daae? Curious name…”.

Think of Me (Carlotta)

When Carlotta is talking to the maestro, Madame Giry goes to talk with someone down from the orchestra which I found really fun. Then the thing that interrupts Carlotta is actually a bucket that falls on the left side. Carlotta throws herself on the ground and just lays face flat on the ground which made me laugh so much, everyone is fanning her and worrying about her. Then, when the ex-owner is leaving and usually would say “If you need me, I shall be in Frankfurt” instead he says “If you need me, I shall be in Alentejo” which got a huge laugh from everyone. Alentejo is an area of Portugal, very beautiful but not touristic at all, probably one of the two Portuguese cast members might be from that area. On opening night, the subtitles had the original line but on the following nights, it had been changed to the Alentejo version. Another big change is Madame Giry is acting much more caring of Phantom and his plans. That woman was giving a performance of a lifetime. When the managers are saying “A full house and we have to cancel”, Madame Giry says “Ler her sing for you” but no one listens to her and everyone is starting to leave as well as the managers, but she hits her staff on the ground and says “Monsieur!” and after a few moments of silence “She has been well taught”.

Think of Me

When Christine starts singing, she’s super shy and everyone starts leaving. All of the cast members start exiting the stage whilst complaining and being angry. When she gains courage, they all start coming back like holy shit, she can sing. They close the curtains behind her as she gets to the Raoul part and when Raoul says his lines, there’s a faint applause being heard and she starts bowing which caused the audience to applaud as well muffling Raoul’s part. This happened only on opening night, other nights the audience was quiet as you heard the fake clapping from the stage. But Raoul says his part like usual, the box he’s in is on ground level so you just see his little head peak out.

Angel of Music

“Rehearsals, always rehearsals” – I love that line from Meg Giry, on one of the nights Madame Giry rolled her eyes at Meg. Fast forward to when the phantom tells Christine to look at the mirror. It looked so spooky. Nadim had his hands on the glass and was really creepily moving his hands and face around. When Christine sings the part where she turns her back to the phantom and turns to the audience, Nadim flinched as well. He opens the mirror like a door and she steps inside.

Title song

It starts spinning and shows the other side of the circle is some stairs going down. When it starts, the phantom is at the bottom of the stairs and she’s at the top. He never really allures her or drags her, he just slowly convinces her to go down the stairs. At one point he’s in the bottom with a blue light and she’s at the top with a yellowish light to show their contrast. When it gets to the ensemble singing “He’s there, the Phantom of the Opera”, the stage rotates once more and turns fully blue. They enter the boat and the turn the smoke machines all the way up. Christine does her high notes sitting on the boat, which is definitely a choice, and goes to show it is prerecorded cause there is no way she would’ve been able to do the high notes sitting down. The Phantom also doesn’t really react to the high notes, he’s focused on rowing the damn boat. So, it comes across as the high notes are simply part of the song and not that he was able to almost wrench the high notes from her voice. He says half heartily “sing, my angel of music” because, again, he's not paying that much attention to her.

Music of the Night

Christine spends the beginning still sitting in the boat. At one point, the phantom grabs his music sheet book and hands it to her and convinces her to open it. She does and is like damn, this is actually kinda good. So, he grabs his cloak and lays it on the ground where she goes and sits whilst reading the book. At the end of the song, they just stare at each other and she leans in for a kiss, but he backs away and sings the last note of the song.

STYDI

He didn’t get that angry, at the beginning he does “throw” her to the other side of the lair where she hands up holding the wall for emotional support. He didn’t crawl around since there’s barely any space, he sings those lines just standing up and covering his face. At the end, he sits back at the piano bench and she hands him the mask and he quietly take it.

Bouquet Magical Lasso

The ballerinas are walking from stage left to stage right where the box 5 sits and they’re being really sneaky and scared going towards it. The first girl gets closer when, FNAF style, Bouquet jumps out and snatches her arm and holds it whilst singing the first few lines. He then steps out, after which Madame Giry arrives and as she says her lines she puts her cane in between them and they start wrestling it for some reason. I too would like to get my ass kicked by Madame Giry but it was weirdly violent for her character. You never see the Phantom and Christine returning.

Notes I/Prima Donna

As the song starts, one of the ensemble members comes on stage and starts sweeping the floor, I love it. When the managers are reading the notes, there are two ensemble members on stage, one of them is trying to take a peek at the newspaper and one of the managers gives it to him so he reads it with other cast member. Not sure why, but cute addition. Whilst the Phantom reads the note, the light inside Box 5 lights up and Madame Giry is always looking at it. When the note reads “leave Box 5 empty” the lights flicker causing Raoul to get closer to inspect. After they read the note, the managers start singing Prima Donna. When Carlotta says “Precious little ingenue”, Raoul goes in her direction to I don’t know, defend Christine or smack Carlotta. Raoul gets close to Box 5 and starts inspecting it whilst Madame Giry is trying to protect Raoul (and the Phantom I guess) and pay attention to the managers at the same time. Raoul eventually looks back and starts singing his lines alongside Madame Giry and Meg Giry, they are forming a little circle on the left. Eventually the rotating stage starts spinning and Carlotta starts walking on it whilst cast members are walking around. They then place some spiral stairs on stage that Carlotta climbs. Then randomly, as we near the end of the song, a pink background drops and petals start falling from the sky. It’s cute, but random, especially cause the ballerinas show up and start dancing but Prima Donna isn’t a diegetic song, the other characters aren’t meant to be hearing it, but maybe in this production Prima Donna is an actual song that they perform? I have no idea and if I think too hard, I’ll get a headache. I just know that when the Phantom says his last threat “So it is to be war between us” – both Madame Giry and Raoul look super spooked out and worries as they run off stage leaving Carlotta alone on stage. The curtains fall behind her and on opening night Lara got a standing ovation.

Poor fool

Carlotta doesn’t “pretend kiss” her husband. She’s doing her “Adieu” note when the husband shuts her up by banging his walking stick on the ground. Instead of kissing, they just snarl at each other. Later on, during “a toad, madame?”, one of the cast members brings the throat perfume/spray for Carlotta, like in the Italy Tour production which serves as an explanation to her sudden toad voice. “She’s singing to bring down the chandelier!” but the chandelier just flashes its lights, doesn’t shake around at all. When the managers are bringing the ballet, one of the cast members is getting a chair to take offstage but ends up in the middle of the ballerinas, so he does ballet with them and the chair is still in his arms, it was actually peak comedy. Also, Bouquet is the actual actor and he’s hanging there and you can see all the wires holding him up, you never see Phantom attacking him so when one of the managers turns to Madame Giry after she gives him the “I told you” eyes, whilst everyone is running and screaming, and says “It’s an accident, simply an accident!”, it actually could be.

All I Ask of You

Christine goes to the stairs and starts using them to go up which is super odd. I guess they’re meant to be a different staircase in the Opera but it’s definitely weird seeing her using the stairs that we just saw the Phantom using to go from the mirror to the lair and now she’s using to go from the theatre to the halfway point which is the rooftop. Which means if she went even higher on the stairs, she would end up…higher than the roof? They sing the first part of the prelude on the stairs. When Raoul says her name the first two times, Christine starts going down the stairs while holding Raoul’s hand, but then the Phantom says her name the third time and she gets really scared and runs through the door that is in the middle of the stairs. She’s gone and the stage starts spinning slowly and you see Raoul take out the box with the ring from his pocket and look at it, then you see him run through the door as well to join Christine. They sing their song on the very tight space that is the top of the dome and instead of kissing, during the instrumental part, Raoul goes on one knee and takes out the ring to propose. She’s super happy and jumping around whilst smiling and then they sing the final bit of the song and finally, at the end, they kiss.

All I Ask of You Reprise

The Phantom shows up and he’s on the lower half of the dome, sort of hard to explain but basically on the ledge of the dome. He sings the song and when Christine and Raoul are singing, Nadim says “No... Please Stop...” in a very painful way, I liked it. He was begging them to stop hurting him. Then he runs away and the curtain falls and the cast members are doing their bows when the chandelier starts flickering its lights and falls in a vertical line. I might be remembering this wrong, but it wasn’t that it was super fast, it was more the fact that it wasn’t slowing down that made me think like wow. But it falls and I would say that ends up maybe 3 meters of the ground, not low enough for people to stand up and touch it, but much lower than I was expecting.

Masquerade + Notes II

It’s set in this hall of mirrors which is quite cute. When Christine and Raoul are singing their part of “secret engagement”, there is a dancer in the middle doing a solo performance and everyone is looking. When she finishes dancing, they all start clapping and scare Christine. Immediately after, it is revealed that there were two ballerinas painted in gold hiding in plain sight holding the candles and they basically jump out of the wall spooking everyone and start dancing. The Red Death costume looks a lot more like the 2004 movie, he shows up on the mirror of the back wall and the wall moves towards the front of the stage before he starts singing. He just goes back through the mirror whilst there is smoke, no special effects really. They remain in the hall of mirror until the end of Twisted Every Way. Funny enough, when Christine sings “Stop it, I’ll drive myself mad!”, Raoul is the only one that gets her a chair and stays, the rest of them just leave. Also, before that, during Notes II, Madame Giry enters the scene with her back turned on the group and looking off stage really disquieted, we can assume the Phantom has just given her the note and when the Phantom is talking about Christine in the note “No doubt she’ll do her best…”, she tries to go to Raoul who has his back turned on her but all of the cast on stage block her path and form a circle around her, really menacing.

Don Juan rehearsal

On opening night there was a bit of a failure on the production team as you could hear in the background them moving the set around. Usually you hear it only faintly, but in this scene, they were switching the hall of mirrors for the stairs with the rooftop and you could hear the sets being moved around. One of the cast members even looks off stage when it gets very loud. On other nights it is not as noticeable. For some reason, when Madame Giry enters the stage alongside the chorus, she brings this stick with a lamp (sidenote: on the second viewing, it was someone else that brough the stick with the lamp, unsure of what happened there). It adds to the ambience. When she says “Can you be certain of that?”, the light starts flickering and they all look scared at it. Also, it takes a lot longer for the piano to start playing by itself. After Piangi fails “those who tangle with Don Juan” for the last time, it takes half a minute for the piano to start playing. During this period, you hear Piangi say “I’m doing my best, but I don’t understand” to which Carlotta replies “Don’t listen to them, Carlo”, right after you hear Madame Giry say “You sang it quite beautifully mademoiselle, I’m sure it will do more than justice to the role” and Piangi says “it is no beauty! No music!” and finally the candles on the piano burst creating smoke and the chorus all raise their music sheets absolutely shaking in their boots and sing the lines correctly. It ended up being more funny than spooky, but the Madame Giry light flickering did add an extra flair.

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again

Yet again, on her way to the rooftop, Christine uses the same stairs of the title track. She uses the door in the middle to access the rooftop but instead of being at the top of the dome where she and Raoul sang All I Ask of You, she is on the ledge where the Phantom sang the reprise. It’s definitely weird that she sings this song on the rooftop and not on the cemetery, doesn’t look like she’s singing about her father at all. But there is some fake snow falling so I’ll take my wins where I can. Trigger warning: suicide. However, when she gets to the ledge, she goes to the very edge and starts looking down almost like she wanted to throw herself off it? In the Italy Tour, they also had Christine doing this but right before All I Ask of You. What is their obsession with having Christine wanting to end her life? It’s a tad weird. Georgia sang it beautifully though.

Wandering Child

The Phantom shows up on the top of the dome, so their positions are switched from what they were in All I Ask of You. Raoul shows up as well on the opposite side of Christine on the ledge. Nadim only says “Come to me, angel of music” once and then it’s just like a full minute of Raoul being like “Leave her! Can’t you see she’ll never be yours!” and Christine looking at the phantom in silence. A tad awkward. Then Christine starts backing away into the ledge and when she’s about to fall, Raoul runs towards her and even the Phantom starts sliding down the dome to get to her. That was cool, ngl. Then when the Phantom is taunting Raoul, Dougie actually starts climbing the dome? Which makes sense why the Phantom then replies “That’s right, that’s right, keep walking this way”, I just found it odd that he was actually going to the phantom. For a moment I thought we would get a fight like in the restaged version, but we don’t. Christine jumps up and grabs Raoul’s pants to pull him down making him almost fall and they run away together whilst the Phantom screams “don’t go, don’t go!”.

Point of No Return

There is a table, everyone. The Phantom starts singing behind the curtain still and Christine figures out it’s him immediately. Which I think makes sense, she’s been hearing his voice for ages. In the Italy Tour production, Ramin was imitating Piangi’s accent and voice so it’s understandable if she didn’t figure it out, but the OG production always had that small issue. However, with her figuring it out super early, she immediately backs away and is super scared of him. They go around the table, Christine always making sure she is far away from him. At one point she turns to Raoul and the managers, but I guess they don’t see her or don’t figure out why she’s scared because they’re just there enjoying the show. They look like that Pikachu :0 image when she removed his hood. The problem with her figuring it out means that the song is no longer sexy nor alluring. The phantom is just singing and she’s scared. After she sings her part of “I’ve decided”, she gets on top of the table and starts crawling all sexy towards him. When she gets to him, she starts rubbing her hands all over his chest and homeboy is stressed. She calmly removed his hood and two police with guns immediately get on stage. On Box 5, Madame Giry and her daughter peak out and are looking really scared for Phantom, they enter Box 5 expecting him to be there and are confused for a moment when they don’t see him which then leads them to look super stressed out at the Phantom (my personal headcannon is that Madame Giry went there to warn the Phantom to run away before the guards could shoot him whence why she looked so scared when it was too late and he was already on stage, she’s also holding Meg to her chest super tightly). Phantom then sings his part and when he reaches the “Anywhere you go”, he removes his own mask very calmly. The only person that reacts to his face is Raoul who is taken aback by it, Christine doesn’t flinch nor move. They don’t have him putting a ring on Christine, but he does go down on one knee. Side note: on the last night I saw it, which is the night I’m unsure if it was Georgia Wilkinson or Bridget Costello singing the role, Christine was fully nodding her head at the Phantom as he sang the All I Ask of You lines, she was fully ready to be with the Phantom and stay with him, she was nodding and smiling which made the Phantom smile as well, I don’t remember at all Christine doing this on the other nights (the nights where I’m certain it was Georgia playing the role). The curtains, however, open to reveal a very dead Piangi with a sword sticking off his chest and everyone starts screaming, Erik looked absolutely devastated at the interruption. The Phantom snatches Christine’s hand and starts running away from everyone just as Raoul jumps from his box to the stage and starts running towards them. They are able to flee, so Raoul picks up the mask and rushes towards Madame Giry who is now one of the few people on stage looking very sad at dead Piangi. Carlotta at the same time comes screaming onto the stage saying to the managers “How could you let this happen” and rushes towards Piangi to cradle his body.

Final lair

Down once more they go down the stairs. As the Phantom finishes his “Why?”, the door in the middle of the stairs (that they used to get to the rooftop) opens and Raoul and Madame Giry step out. At this point I have no ideia how this is possible, I’m going to assume that the Phantom ran with Christine to the mirror and somehow Madame Giry knew about something on the lower floor that had access to the door at the stairs. Much like the Italian production, Christine is wearing the PONR dress during the final lair, unlike in Italy, she doesn’t even grab any sort of wedding dress, it is never explicitly said that the Phantom wants her to marry him (remember, he never gave her a ring during PONR). Christine sings her lines sitting on the boat, much like the first lair she refuses to exit the boat and this is not a Phantom that will drag her or be violent so he just lets her make a fuss inside the boat. During the line “Joys of the flesh” Christine shakes her head and turns her back to the Phantom disgusted.

Raoul randomly shows up on these stairs that we have never seen before that are behind the lair set, I was only able to see these stairs on the opening night when I sat on the left side of the audience, on the other nights those stairs were completely obstructed. Raoul is singing his “Free her!” lines whilst on the stairs still, which is odd like nothing is stopping you from getting down and seeing her. At this point as well, Nadim got absolutely mad man and he was laughing nonstop, at one point he randomly pulls out a knife from his pants. It did not look like a knife at all, I thought it looked like a light bulb and my brother thought it looked like a wand, so do with this information whatever you will. Eventually the Phantom says “Be my guest sir” and Raoul finally descends the stairs and goes to the set. I half expected him to pretend to be swimming before he stepped into the set, since he has to walk on the “water” for a bit, but he doesn’t. He has to pass in front of the Phantom before getting to the boat and he’s so scared and nervous. He hugs Christine and she starts getting the paddles to get the fuck out, but oh no, the Phantom knows his way around a rope, so Raoul gets choked by the rope that the Phantom used to dock his boat. Finally, Christine exists the boat and goes to Raoul and I guess realized that the Phantom has impeccable rope tying skills because she just stares at Raoul completely dumbfounded instead of undoing the rope. Finally, Nadim gets violent. He snatches Christine and pushes her away towards the right side of the stage (Raoul is on the left) so he positions himself in the middle. Fun detail, when the Phantom sings “This is the point of no retuuuurn”, he puts one foot on top of the piano stool and ends up looking like a model taking a very awkward picture. She screams “tears of HATE” on his face so he ends up sitting on the stool and at this point, Nadim is shaking so much. The Phantom is just in absolute shambles.

When Christine sings “You deceived me”, she sits on the stool and picks up the music book, sort of offering it up to him. When he finishes saying “You try my patience”, he snatches one of the music sheets from the book and cripples it in his hand, something he immediately regrets and tries to straighten the music sheet again (fun side note: on the second viewing, Nadim ripped the page out but it fell on the ground so he couldn’t catch it, it ends up looking more violent than it did the other times since it just looks like the Phantom is super pissed). As Christine sings “Pitiful creature of darkness”, the Phantom is trying to fix the sheet and straighten it out again. She puts her hand on his shoulder quite soon and he’s looking at her as she finishes the “You are not alone” part. Christine then gives him a very brief kiss and, after pulling away, starts putting her hand on his scars and trying to look into his eyes – their foreheads almost touching. The Phantom straightens himself before going for a huge hug. She hesitates for a bit, but then hugs him back until the end of the instrumental part. The Phantom uses the discarded knife that was on the stool to cut Raoul’s ropes and, whist screaming for them to go, pushes the boat away. Not before Raoul, who I’m guessing had the mask in his pocket (men’s pockets am I right?) tries to return the mask to which the phantom pushes it away. He then falls on the ground whilst screaming and sees the monkey music box so he crawls towards it and sits crossed-legged on the ground cradling the music box whilst winding it up, he looked so much like a little traumatized kid, like hugging the monkey was a coping mechanism.

The joke, however, was on me because I ended up the one being traumatized since there was no ring return at all. He’s crying and hugging the box and I’m looking around wondering if I’ll see Christine mimicking swimming on her way to the Phantom or showing up on the stairs to drop the ring from above, but no. In fact, there was no ring to be returned since he never gave it to her during PONR. The Phantom just cries for longer whilst the instrumental of the ring return plays out and randomly says the “Christine, I love you” which came absolutely out of nowhere, nothing triggered him to say that. They start singing All I Ask of You and it causes the Phantom to stand up and place the monkey on the stool. When he first heard Christine, he smiled, I think he thought she was coming back for him, but then he heard Raoul and looked really sad. He sings his final line and, where in the instrumental he would usually hide, the Phantom just picks up the music book and looks to the audience while the set slowly slides away from the audience into darkness. We see old man Raoul on the left holding the Phantom mask, we see Christine in the Masquerade outfit on the right holding a ballet pose and, for last, we see the monkey music box on top of the stool. And that’s it.

Opinions

It’s a totally different production and obviously, comparing it to the original will lead to overall disappointment. This Phantom isn’t so much intoxicating and alluring as usual, instead he has a rather more human approach to the matter. It seems like he truly just wants someone to sing his music, he’s in love with Christine, yes, but it isn’t that he’s infatuated – he’s simply in love with the idea that someone so beautiful and talented would care about his art. That’s all very well, but, unfortunately, it’s where the book and lyrics really come to ruin the experience. Some lines that he sings are really out of context in this Phantom – “touch me, trust me” and “joys of the flesh” are some of the examples where they don’t really work anymore. Christine also ends up losing some of her agency when it’s not her removing the mask from him during Point of No Return, but in my opinion, I like that he removes his own mask since this Christine is not really dragged around the way other Christines are. Raoul also played a much more naïve part in this story. It’s not a matter of being mean to Christine or gaslighting her, this Raoul just truly is blind. More often than not when it comes to the Phantom, he’s trying his best to protect Christine but ends up ignoring her in the process, which leaves Christine alone in the matter, needing to fend for herself – which in my opinion is why they had Christine doing what she did before Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again.

In regards to the actors, Nadim is really good but in the Final Lair, he switched too much. He started straight up laughing in Raoul’s face and waving a knife around when, at no point, was he shown to be that sort of angry Phantom. Nadim also has a very sweet voice, he played Raoul for many years and, it’s not that his voice isn’t fit for the Phantom, it’s just hard to explain. His Phantom feels, at times, imitations of other Phantoms without being able to shine on his own. He had really amazing moments, the standout for me being Wondering Child where he truly let his voice shine through and my god, I felt it in my bones. He was screaming out his care for Christine and explaining to her how much she hurt him and meant to him, it was truly amazing. I was able to wait for him at the stage door on my last time seeing it and he was super kind, he thanked us for waiting and apologized for having taken so long (he took about 20 minutes, we waited almost an hour for Ramin in Milan), so I really want to recommend everyone to check his Phantom out and form opinions by yourselves because I think he truly has the potential.

#poto #poto musical #erik poto #poto middle east tour #nadim naaman #georgia wilkinson #lara martins #phantom of the opera #review

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blueiscoool · 1 year ago

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Diver Finds 2,500-Year-Old Disc Used by Ancient Mariners to Ward Off ‘The Evil Eye’

Artifact discovered at Palmachim Beach is a type of talisman sailors affixed to ships for good fortune, Israel Antiquities Authority says.

A rare, 2,500-year-old marble disc used by ancient mariners as a talisman has been discovered off Israel’s coast.

A lifeguard diving off Palmachim Beach discovered the artifact at the Yavne-Yam archaeological site and turned it over to researchers, the Israel Antiquities Authority said last month.

Researchers identified the object as an ancient “eye motif,” known in Greek as “ophtalmoi,” that ancient sailors affixed to their vessels in the belief it would ward off evil, the authority said in a statement.

Archaeologists are familiar with the objects from drawings on pottery, mosaics and ancient coins, and from other historical sources, said Yaakov Shitrit, the director of the authority’s Marine Archaeology Unit.

“This design was common on ships’ bows and served to protect against the evil eye and envy, aided navigation, and acted as a pair of eyes looking ahead and warning of danger,” Shitrit said in a statement. “This decoration is still common today on modern ships in Portugal, Malta, Greece, and the far east.”

The disc is flat on one side and curved on the other, has a diameter of 20 centimeters (7.8 inches), and bears traces of paint forming two circles around its center.

Sailors used lead or bronze nails to attach the discs to warships or merchant vessels, researchers said.

Only three other similar artifacts have been found in the Mediterranean Sea, even though the objects were once common. One was found off Israel’s Carmel Beach, and two were found in the wreck of an ancient merchant ship at the Tektaş Burnu archaeological site on Turkey’s coast.

The Yavne-Yam site, where the disc was found last month, was first settled during the Middle Bronze Age. Marine surveys have found shipwrecks that indicate there was intensive commercial activity in the area in ancient times, with archaeologists uncovering maritime artifacts such as anchors, weights and fishing gear.

Researchers have also found items that were used on ships including a lead cooking oven, grinding stones, stone bowls, storage jars and cooking pots.

The artifacts date a stretch of history covering the Late Bronze Age, and the Persian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, the Israel Antiquities Authority said.

#Diver Finds 2500-Year-Old Disc Used by Ancient Mariners to Ward Off ‘The Evil Eye’#2500-year-old marble dis #talisman #marble #marble disk #ancient artifacts #archeology #archeolgst #history #history news #ancient history #ancient culture #ancient civilizations #bronze age

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princesssarisa · 7 months ago

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My Cinderella Tales From Around the World recap has gone out of order, because I forgot to make this post earlier today. I typed it out this morning, but I was so eager to move on to the English tales and read Geoffrey of Monmouth's King Leir that I forgot to change "Save draft" to "Post now."

The next Love Like Salt tales in Cinderella Tales from Around the World are from Belgium, France, Spain, and Portugal.

*The Belgian versions are very Cinderella-like for the most part. After being banished, the princess becomes a scullery maid in another castle, and she's often given a demeaning nickname, like "Slut-Sweeps-the-Oven" (Vuiltji-Vaegt-den-Oven – the English translation uses "slut" in the old-fashioned sense of "a dirty woman"), "Little Dirty-Skin" (Vuilvelleken), or "Ash-Blower" (Asschepoester), which is a Flemish version of the typical Dutch name for Cinderella.

**She also typically loses a shoe, or in the case of Slut-Sweeps-the-Oven, a shoe, a glove, and a ring, one item at each ball. Although oddly, in that particular tale, when each of those objects fit her, the prince and his mother still don't realize that she was the beautiful lady – just that she has remarkably pretty feet and hands for a dirty servant girl. But one day, some time after the third ball, she hears the queen give her son permission to marry the lady if he should find her, then offers to "fetch her," goes out, and comes back in her finery. Most other versions just follow Cinderella and have her marry the prince as soon as the shoe fits her.

**The older sisters' typical responses to the king's "How much do you love me?" are "as the pupils of my eyes," "as the sun," or "as my life." One version uses "bread" and "wine" like the Italian variants, though.

**One version combines the love tests with the archetypal "father goes on a journey and asks for gift requests" scenario. The king asks each daughter to chose a gift for him to bring back based on how much she loves him. The eldest asks for a golden spinning wheel, because her father is as precious as gold, the second asks for a silver gown because her father is as precious as silver, and the youngest asks for a lump of salt because her father is as precious as salt.

**One version even uses the recurring theme of the disguised princess being beaten and later alluding to it at the ball – a common feature of Cinderellas and Donkeyskins not seen in any other Love Like Salt so far – but the perpetrator is the prince's mother, not the prince himself.

**As implied above, the princess in these versions tends to be merely banished by her father, not ordered killed, and allowed to take her elegant dresses and jewels with her, which she hides in a hollow tree or other secret place until the balls.

**Two versions have her finery provided by a magical old woman, however: one who gives her a magic box to hide in a hollow tree, which will give her finery when she requests it (although the magic only lasts until midnight), and one more in the vein of Cinderella's fairy godmother, who turns a mousetrap into a coach, mice into horses, and matchsticks into footmen, then breathes on the princess's rags to turn them into finery.

*In two Belgian versions, however, the heroine doesn't go through a Cinderella story or get married. Instead, in one version, another king simply takes her in out of kindness, then invites her father to a feast with no salt some time later, while in another, she comes back to her own father's court disguised as a page boy and teaches the king his lesson by instructing the cook not to salt the food at a feast.

*The French versions strongly resemble either Cinderella or Donkeyskin too, as well as more strongly resembling King Lear in some cases than any other versions so far.

**In The Turkey Girl, the king doesn't just ask "How much do you love me?" but like Lear, divides his kingdom among his daughters based on their love. The older two both claim to love him "more than anything in the world," and when the youngest says "like salt," he orders her killed. But a devoted servant – a figure who's a bit like a cross between Shakespeare's Kent and the Fool – secretly disguises her as a peasant girl and finds work for her at another castle. Soon afterward, the elder daughters turn their father out, and the faithful servant finds a small farm where the two of them live. Meanwhile, the princess goes through a Cinderella story, attending three balls, fleeing at midnight, losing a shoe, etc. After she forgives her father, the prince's family overthrows the wicked sisters and restores the old king to his throne, and the servant is rewarded.

**In Marie the King's Daughter, the heroine doesn't claim to love her father like salt, but instead, more like Cordelia, claims to love him just as much as she "ought to love such a father." After being banished, she dresses in a donkey skin and becomes a goatherd. One day out in the fields she secretly puts on an elegant gown she's kept hidden, and a prince happens by, sees her, and falls in love. When she notices him she runs off, losing a shoe, and he finds her Cinderella-style. She then learns that her brother and sister (a rare difference from the usual two sisters) have dethroned their father and locked him in a dungeon, where he's gone mad. Marie insists that her prince wage war to overthrow her siblings, which he does, and Marie nurses the king back to health and sanity. Only then does she marry the prince.

**The third French version is The Dirty Shepherdess (La Pouilleuse), found in Andrew Lang's The Green Fairy Book. Here there are only two daughters, one who loves their father "as the apple of my eye" and one who loves him "as salt." After being banished, she dirties herself because no housewife would employ a servant girl who was too pretty (their husbands might have roving eyes, after all), and then finds work as a shepherdess. From there it plays out like Perrault's Donkeyskin: the prince sees her in her beautiful gown in the woods, falls ill, and asks for bread baked by the shepherdess, and she drops a ring into the dough, which fits only her. In the end her father comes to the wedding already knowing her identity and regretting having banished her, so they joyfully reunite before she uses the saltless meal to teach him what she meant.

*The book includes one variant from Spain, Xuanón del Cortezón, or "Johnny of the Bark." The princess claims to love her father "as bread loves salt," so a servant is ordered to kill her but lets her go. She disguises herself as boy and becomes a turkey herd, but when she's alone in the fields she changes into her own gowns, and one day the prince sees her. He claims to be sick and asks for "Xuanón the turkey boy" to bring him broth, and when "Xuanón" obeys, the prince admits he knows her true gender and proposes marriage. When her father comes to the wedding, he's served a loaf of bread made without any salt, and when he realizes his mistake and his daughter reveals her identity, he instantly dies of joy.

*In the one variant from Portugal, the two older sisters claim to love their father "better than the light of the sun" and "better than myself," while the youngest loves him "as food loves salt." After her banishment, she goes to work as a cook at another palace, but only cooks alone, wearing her own elegant clothes as she does so. One day she drops a ring into a pie, the prince tries it on every lady of the court, and finds that it fits only her. She doesn't reveal her identity right away, but from then on the prince spies on her, and finally sees her in her princess gown. For their wedding, she insists on cooking the feast herself, and of course she invites her father and puts no salt in his food, leading to their reunion.

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