#the idea i had was like ''what do u give poppy'' and its a few options and i could then draw the end result

[radrobotz]

i just thought of a funny poll idea but i dont know if i have enough followers (art blog) to get enough votessssss and i need to actually post more there probably mostly poppy so ppl can form some kind of opinion on her lol

[watermelonlipstick]

Dreams, Chapter 16

If you haven’t read this series before, you might want to start on Chapter 1, or check out the Dreams Masterlist! Here’s the series description:

When Dean dies for good leaving Sam and his girlfriend (the reader) behind, they must figure out how to carry on without him. Alone, reeling, and unsure what to do next, trying to honor Dean’s memory and follow their hearts gets even more complicated when their nightmares become dreams that feel a little too real.

Title: Dreams, Chapter 16

Pairing: (past) Dean Winchester x Reader, (eventual) Sam Winchester x Reader

Word Count: 1754

Summary: Some of Sam’s efforts to ‘nest’ in their new life together reveal new possibilities.

Warnings: angst, FLUFF, swearing, s l o w  b u r n

           Water laps at the weather-beaten wood of the dock underneath you slowly and the rhythm feels like hypnosis with the sun beating down a blanket. You sense Dean at your side without opening your eyes.

           “So…was he any good?”

           You can’t help but laugh, hearing the echo go out over the small lake, and get up to your elbows. It’s bright enough that you have to squint over at Dean where he lays next to a couple fishing poles and a cooler, t shirt hitched up to show a sliver of his stomach with his arms behind his head. His smile is devilish, made even more smug with eyes closed against the sun so his lashes cast an inch-long shadow on the dusting of freckles across his cheeks. ��You can’t ask that!” you giggle.

           His lips flatten into a knowing line. “So that’s a no?”

           “Jesus Christ, of course it’s not a n—you know what, I’m not talking to you about this,” you smile, laying back down.

           “Ooh, so it’s a yes,” he teases as he turns on his side to face you. “Go Sammy. That mean you two are, like, going steady now?”

           You let your head loll over to him and roll your eyes. “Are you done?”

           “Not yet. Is he going to let you wear his letterman jacket? Take you to junior prom?”

           “I’m giving you ten more seconds.”

           Dean laughs, free and easy. “Fine, okay, I’m done. Wait—did he wrap it?”

           “DEAN!” you yell, covering your face in embarrassment.

           “Okay, alright, okay.” He’s still chuckling when you open your eyes to look over at him and reaches over to slip a piece of hair behind your ear. “You, ah, you seem happy.”

           You search his eyes for any hidden anger and find only the softness of calm affection with a pinch of solemnity. Where his hand lingers in your hair you turn into it, pressing your lips to Dean’s palm. “I am.”

           Dean smiles, straight teeth a perfect row of pearls so white you think for a second they might ‘ding’ with sparkle like a cartoon, and he looks relaxed enough as he puts his hands back behind his head that it calls up images of a kitten falling asleep in a sunny spot like this even as he keeps his eyes on you. “Took you guys long enough.”

           “And you’re still okay with this?”

           “Yeah, hell yeah. That’s the best I could ever ask for, you two happy. So, what do you say? Want to see if we can catch some fish?”

           Spring was a blessing; clean greenness breaking through the grey and white purifying the air and breathing new life into you, Sam, and the community you’d come to be a part of. The cabin was that much nicer with the new hours of sunlight pouring through the windows and all the upgrades you had put into it, to the point that you began to feel truly comfortable there. You even invited the Kaisers over for dinner a few times, feeling more like equal partners in your burgeoning friendship with them.

           You started to feel stable enough to get things; picked up a bookshelf at the combination flea/farmer’s market that happened in the K-12 school’s field every Saturday morning and got higher quality spatulas to cook with, the kinds of nonessential stuff you never would’ve bought before knowing you were going to stay in one place long enough to get good use out of them. Sam, in turn, kept building: changing the locks to sturdier ones and erecting a shed big enough to hold a lawn mower.

           You’d been cooking on an early Sunday afternoon when Sam came home and crossed the cabin in a few strides, giving you a kiss on the cheek before setting a thick paper bag down on the kitchen counter. “Smells great, what’re you making?”

           “Ratatouille!” you buzzed, placing a slice of eggplant carefully into its slot. “I’ve never had it, but I’ve always thought it looks so pretty. Hopefully it’s good. Where were you?”

           “Hardware store. I thought maybe I could build a greenhouse; see if we could grow anything. Might be enough to work against the cold.”

           You raised your eyebrows in appreciative surprise. “Look at you! What’re you thinking? Poppies? Platinum OG? Purple Haze?”

           Setting a box of screws down, Sam rolled his eyes through a smile. “My plan was more along the lines of tomatoes or something, but I’ll, uh, take those suggestions under advisement.” You had a sudden urge to twist a gentle finger into the dimple that stayed on his cheek as he unloaded the rest of his supplies but didn’t want to embarrass him, instead sweeping some garlic skins into your hand to throw into the small bucket Sam kept under the sink to collect scraps for the compost pile. When the bag was empty he refolded it and took off his jacket, passing by you to put it on its hook by the door. “Want any help?” he asked, sounding about as breezy as you’d ever heard him.

           “It just has to bake for about an hour. Does a late lunch work with your construction schedule?”

           Sam leaned over to slip a hand around your waist and kissed the top of your head before grabbing an armful of stuff to take outside. “Definitely. Just yell when you’re ready for me.”

           You giggled and waggled your eyebrows suggestively. “I’m always ready for you.”

           He tried his best not to blush but bit his lip in spite of himself, looking up at you with a bashful twinkle in his eye. “I walked into that one, didn’t I?”

           In response you held up a spare slice of zucchini that Sam readily accepted, opening his mouth like an obedient puppy and chewing as he went out the back door.

           You loved watching Sam work on his greenhouse in the weeks that followed, getting so excited about the tiny shoots sprouting up from the soil that he sometimes woke up early to check on them before starting his day. After a few weeks he woke you up one morning with a cup of coffee, bare-chested under slightly sleep-tangled hair and the hems of his flannel pants sloppily half inside his boots. “I wanna show you something,” he said, throat still gravelly. You accepted the mug and got out of bed, following him drowsily and jamming your feet inside your shoes at the door, too tired to worry about the laces.

           He led you into the greenhouse with its clear plastic walls and pointed down at a petite bud on top of a green stalk. It had the telltale waviness of a basil leaf, and when you bent down to look closer at it the plant already smelled herbaceous. “It’s so cute!” you hummed. Sam practically glowed with satisfaction, an unbridled smile the perfect accessory to the broad span of his chest where it was backlit by the fuzzy light through the greenhouse walls. You straightened and rubbed his back in congratulations, staring down at the plant together with your coffees like parents on Christmas morning. Tucked in the corner of the greenhouse behind the basil, a scattering of bitty white flowers caught your eye against the burnt umber soil.

           “Wait, you already have stuff flowering in here? What’s that?” you asked, tiptoeing around the wooden stakes in the soil to get closer.

           “Oh—I, uh—” he stammered behind you.

           At arm’s length the flowers looked vaguely familiar and you stopped short. “Is that—?” You turned back to Sam, who seemed not to be able to come up with anything to say, his face the kind of blank surprise that indicated he didn’t know whether you were about to be upset. “Really? Where’d you even…how did you get some?”

           He tucked his hair behind his ears to stall for even a half second. “I—well, I found a guy who got me—got us—some.”

           “You still have an African dream root hookup?”

           Sam’s lips pressed into a well-practiced silent ‘I guess?’ and he reached back to ruffle the hair at the nape of his neck, the movement stretching his side distractingly enough that if you hadn’t been so startled by the discovery of a plot of dream root literally in your own backyard you might’ve forgotten what you were talking about altogether.

           You raised your eyebrows expectantly, waiting for him to explain.

           “I made some calls, found someone in Milwaukee who got his hands on some and he mailed it here. I didn’t want to, uh, tell you in case I couldn’t get it to grow.”

           All kinds of possibilities and frustrations raced through your head. “So you’ve had this for weeks? That’s why you built the greenhouse?” Sam didn’t answer fast enough. “Never mind, I don’t care,” you found yourself saying, and surprisingly, actually meaning. You took a deep breath to stop the words from jumbling together. “Do you think it’ll work?” you breathed, knowing he would understand the real question: would we be able to see Dean together?

           “Only one way to find out.”

           For whatever reason you’d gotten freshly showered, made up, and dressed before brewing the tea with Sam on your next day off of work. It felt like there should be some level of pomp and circumstance about it, this giant undertaking that might be able to change your whole life again, even knowing that your prep wouldn’t translate into a dream. You were giddy with anxiety and almost wished you could reasonably put it off, the idea of this new possibility being yet another dead end making you nauseous.

           “Your place or mine?” you asked, trying to put a little sheen of humor on your nerves.

           Sam chuckled but you could tell he was nervous too, rubbing his palms dry on the knees of his jeans over and over again. “You haven’t done it before, right?”

           You shook your head. “Is there a learning curve or something?”

           “Honestly it’s been long enough that I don’t really remember. Hold on—hold still.” He reached out and very gingerly swept a finger across your cheekbone, drawing back to show you an eyelash stuck to the whorl of its pad.

           You straightened where you sat on the edge of the bed. “That’s as good a sign as any. Cheers, I guess.” Sam dropped the tiny hair into his mug and touched the ceramic to yours, his eyes hopeful and reassuring as you took tandem sips.

           And then you were off.

-

Continue to Dreams, Chapter 17

Thanks again for reading! If you liked it, check out my Masterlist or send me a request!

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[felixfeliciswriterblog]

Snapetober 2020 - Day 5: Sick/Fever

This was inspired by my main Snape x OFC Severitus fic, but you don’t need to read it to understand it or enjoy it ;)

Warnings: Snape throws up? Idk if that can bother someone. I don’t really describe it in depth or anything XD

Length: 2053 words.

THE PERKS OF BEING CURSED

During Potions class, Professor Snape normally walked from desk to desk, sneered at some so-called dunderheads for being incapable of following the instructions in the blackboard, and generally made sure as few accidents as possible occurred, especially when Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan were involved. He had started off the Erumpent Potion class that way. Fifteen minutes later, he had begun to lean on the desks and walk too slowly. By mid-class, he had given up altogether and sat at his desk, pretending to correct essays even if his quill kept slipping through his trembling fingers. Draco had been stealing glances at his teacher through it all.

“Make sure Crabbe and Goyle don’t spoil the potion,” Draco whispered to Blaise, getting off his stool.

“Where are you going?” wondered Pansy, the one in charge of noting down all the changes the unfinished potion underwent.

“To the loo.”

Both Blaise and Pansy eyed him suspiciously but still gave him a nod. Without wasting time, Draco approached his professor.

“Sir?”

This close, Draco noticed two things. First, Snape’s forehead, usually knitted into a scowl, was now glinting with sweat. Second, Snape’s face was pallid, more so than usual.

“The instructions are clear, Mr. Malfoy. Read them carefully before interrupting me,” he advised, keeping his black eyes on the parchment with barely legible handwriting.

“I’m sorry, Sir. It isn’t about the potion. I need to go to the toilet. It’s an emergency.”

There was a brief pause in which Draco held his breath.

“You may go. Do be quick, Mr. Malfoy.”

“Yes, Sir. Thank you.”

Draco walked along the corridors, went past the boys’ toilets, climbed up the stairs, and reached the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. The desks formed a U-shape inside of which the first-year students produced jets of red sparks from their wands, some more successful than others. As soon as he spotted Professor Skyrah, closely observing her students and taking notes to later grade their performance, Draco called her. That caught the attention not only of his teacher but also of a few students, now staring at him.

“I’m sorry to interrupt. Professor Snape’s got a message for you. A private one.”

Immediately, she beckoned Draco to approach her desk and cast a muffliato charm.

“Nobody can hear us now,” she assured him. “You may speak.”

“Did Professor Snape meet with the Dark Lord last night? He was crucioed, wasn’t he?”

With squinting eyes, she inquired, “Why are you asking?”

“Did he drink some potion against the cruciatus curse after-effects?” Her lips remained pursed. “I’ve been observing Professor Snape in class. He looks… dizzy. He can’t stand, is sweating, slightly shaking. I’m not a healer, but my father’s gone through that once or twice after drinking that potion. I’d say they’re side-effects.”

“Severus only had a bit of a headache this morning.”

“With all due respect, Professor, I didn’t risk lying to my Head of House just for his wife to think I’m making this up.”

“You lied to my husband?”

“I asked for permission to go to the toilet, but I came here instead.”

“You never go to the toilet mid-lesson… He must be truly sick if he didn’t catch that you were up to something.” She closed her eyes, took a big breath and smiled – it wasn’t the reaction Draco had expected from her. Everything fell into place when she drew circles with her wand and pronounced, “Expecto Patronum!”

The same crow he had met during his first Defence class with her flapped its wings in front of them. The students who had taken notice of Draco earlier were now gasping in awe. Draco couldn’t help but admire the crow with bitter jealousy; what he’d give to invoke a corporeal patronus someday, and maybe prove his aunt Bellatrix wrong and show her Malfoys were also capable of that.

“Argus, it’s Skyrah. Please, come to my classroom. I need you to watch over the students for me. It’s important.”

The crow flew away to deliver the message.

“I should get going, or Professor Snape will realize I’ve lied to him,” said Draco.

“He’ll realize anyway. There’s no other way I could have found out about his… state.”

“...Will you cover me up?”

“Should I?”

“I should receive House points. I may have just avoided a potions accident by telling you. The erumpent potion is quite dangerous.”

She smirked at his cheekiness. “Must I forget that you lied to your Potions teacher?”

“What was I supposed to do? Tell him that he looks like a ghost?”

“That wouldn’t have ended well,” she agreed, grinning lopsidedly. “Why didn’t you go to Poppy?”

He shrugged. “I have no idea if Madam Pomfrey knows anything about the cruciatus curse treatment. I figured that you, on the other hand…”

“Would have some experience,” she finished for him, not confirming it nor denying it.

With a swish of her wand, the muffliato charm was removed. She targeted a silver service bell on the teacher’s desk and pressed it with an uttered sonorus. The ringing noise was loud enough to command the attention of the entire class.

“Training time is over. I’m afraid my presence is required elsewhere,” she informed, standing up. A bunch of students made sounds of protest which became louder when they caught sight of the inseparable duo of Filch and Mrs. Norris. Skyrah gave the caretaker a thankful nod and addressed the students once again. “Next day we will discuss how to defend ourselves against gytrashes. For us to succeed, we first need to understand how the dark creature acts. Therefore, you ought to start reading on them right now, chapter five, and write down questions in case you have them. Argus will supervise the class. If you don't behave yourselves, I’ll know, and you won’t like the consequences.”

She shot a meaningful glance to the quartet of troublemakers of the class and left the classroom, Draco close behind her. He had to match his strides to her quick pace and fight the urge to roll his eyes at the portraits’ whines. Apparently, the click-clacking of her shoes had disrupted the sleep of those that were too lazy to do something other than napping. It was the same sound that alerted Draco’s classmates. When they saw it was Professor Skyrah, accompanied by Draco, whispers filled the potions classroom. Severus didn’t react until Skyrah and Draco were standing right in front of his desk. Even then, he raised his head slowly, grimacing.

“Mr. Malfoy, I see your supposedly short trip to the toilet has become an expedition of sorts. Ten points from Sl–”

“If you deduct points, I’ll give them back.” She paused to cast the muffliato charm again and have a private conversation, even if they were the center of attention. “You look horrible.”

“You’re the very definition of ‘flatterer’.”

“It isn’t the time to be sarcastic, Severus. You can’t teach in this state, much less a highly explosive potion. It is a matter of safety. Draco did well by telling me you’re sick.”

“I’ve kept the class safe. There haven’t been any incidents.”

“Pure luck.”

Sick as he felt, it didn’t escape his notice how Draco bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from laughing.

“Did you come to scold me in front of our students?” asked Severus.

She gave him a mischievous smile and turned to face the class after canceling the effects of the muffliato charm. 

“Class dismissed.”

“But we’ve almost fi–”

She cut Pansy off, “I won’t repeat it.”

Pansy and a few students – including Hermione – pouted and sighed. The majority were happy to tidy up and go, though. Draco was part of the latter group and left as soon as Skyrah thanked him. In contrast, Harry locked eyes with Skyrah, concerned, but did as the rest of his classmates after receiving a reassuring nod. The Snapes didn’t doubt that they’d be getting a visit from him after classes.

“I don’t think you have a fever,” she said, putting her hand on Severus’s forehead. He responded by leaning into her hand. Now that no students remained in the classroom, a moment of weakness was permitted, or so he told himself. “Draco mentioned you can't stand. I’ll levitate you and bring you to the Hospital Wing, all right?”

“Don’t. My stomach… I can’t handle it.”

She slithered her palm from his forehead to his cheek. The caresses were as gentle as her voice when she said, “Why did you tell me you only had a headache this morning?”

“I didn’t feel so unwell.”

“Yet when that changed, you continued with the class.”

“Interrupting it wasn’t wise. The ingredients are expensive. Now the money plus the potions the students were brewing have gone to waste. Albus won’t be pleased.”

“You’re right. He won’t be pleased to know you prioritize money over your health. You can resume the lesson another day, Severus. Lean on me now. I’ll take you to our chambers; they’re closer than the Hospital Wing.”

Along the way, he grunted and almost fell when he tried to prove he was fine enough to walk on his own. The only reason he didn’t was that he had miraculously grabbed the arm of one of the suits of armor that decorated the corridors. Thank Merlin no students were nearby... nor Minerva. His reputation as the bat of the dungeons would have suffered. Finally, she whispered the password and the door opened for them. 

“Hang on, Severus. I’ll help you get into bed.”

“No. Not yet. I think I’m going to vomit.”

She would have kissed his temple if it weren’t for the urgency in his tone.  Even if clumsily, they made it to the bathroom. She helped him kneel by the toilet and rubbed his back soothingly, holding his hair for him until his stomach was empty.

“I’m sorry,” he said, breathing harshly and refusing to look at her.

“For what?”

“This has been excruciatingly embarrassing and disgusting.”

“You’ve done this for me countless times, Severus. It’s okay for the roles to be reversed now and then.” By his tense shoulders, he was thinking about the miscarriage. So was she, for her voice had shaken and her hand had drifted to the place they used to feel their unborn daughter. “Can you brush your teeth?”

“Yes.”

“All right. I’ll send Poppy a message. She shouldn’t take long.”

“There’s nothing she can do. I’ve been through this before. It’ll go away after getting some sleep. The potion must have reacted poorly to my breakfast, that’s all.”

“Are you sure?” she asked worriedly, her wand ready to invoke her patronus once more.

“Absolutely.”

“All right… Do you need anything?”

“Some water, perhaps.”

So while he brushed his teeth, she summoned a glass from their kitchen and filled it with a simple aguamenti. Severus drank its water and left the glass by the sink. 

Soon, he was under the silky bedsheets, surrounded by the pillows she had adjusted for him after contacting the headmaster via the school floo network to explain the situation and advise him to seek a substitute for the upcoming lessons.

“How are you feeling?” she wondered, running her hands through his bare chest. She was lying by his side, with her head on his shoulder.

“Not fine yet, but better.” Skyrah nuzzled her head into him and hooked her leg around him. “You shouldn’t get comfortable. You’ve got a class to teach.”

“I’ve got a stubborn husband to take care of.”

“I don’t need you to take care of me.”

“Too bad. I won’t move until you start snoring.”

He groaned, exasperated, though his grip on her became just a tiny bit firmer. Skyrah missed his feeble grin, too busy playing with his chest hair and kissing his scarred skin.

“I may not need you to take care of me, but I don’t dislike it.”

“I know, my snarky Potions Master,” she said, chuckling softly. If he went as far as confessing that, it could only mean he was so exhausted he could no longer control what went past his lips. “Rest now.”

He complied, thinking he owed Draco. Vomiting in front of his students would have been a fate worse than cuddling with his wife. That was a fact.

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A/N: I probably wouldn’t have been able to post this on time if it had been betaed, so I apologize for any possible mistakes you may have encountered. I did my best.

If you liked it, you can read the main fic here: AO3, FFN. 

Have a nice day, y’all! And thanks for taking the time to read this little fic :) If you’re feeling sick, remember to take care of yourself <3

[artificialqueens]

One Direction (To Your Heart), 2/6 (Methessence) - Cheetah

Summary: Jaida will share two tattoos with her soulmate: one will be her own first tattoo, whilst the other will be theirs. And if there’s anything Jaida knows about her soulmate, it’s that they love One Direction - why else would it be written out on her skin?

What Jaida doesn’t expect, though, is that she’ll meet her soulmate during the final week of preparation for her first big fashion show, or that it’ll be the bubbly, blue-haired artist she’s working with.

Maybe it’s time she learned to embrace the unexpected. And One Direction.

Chapter Summary: Jaida meets Crystal, and finally gets acquainted with One Direction.

A/N: The song in this chapter is “Kiss You” by One Direction. I will admit that writing this fic has made me appreciate them a lot more than I used to lol

Thank you so much to @dollalpaca​ for betaing!

Ao3 || my blog

~

Meeting

At first, all Jaida sees is blue.

Her gaze swims in bright necklaces and denim, in cobalt hair rippling with colour like the ocean on a summer’s day. And then she meets brown eyes as wild and untameable as the seaside cliffs, shimmering like they’ve been touched by the moon. Jaida feels her breath catch in her throat.

“I’m Crystal.” The stranger extends her hand for Jaida to shake, and the sapphire bracelets adorning her wrists glimmer in the white light of the lobby. “Crystal Methyd. I’m the assistant events coordinator - I was told we’d be working together?”

“You’d be right,” Jaida greets her with a warm smile as she shakes her hand. Crystal’s grip is soft but firm, matching the silent confidence in her umber eyes.

Today is the first of many days they’ll be working together, doing odd jobs to ensure this fashion show runs smoothly. It’s Jaida’s first show with the Del Rio brand — in fact, it’s her first big fashion show in general — and she wants nothing more than for it to go well. She started working with Bianca shortly after her graduation, when the brand was nothing more than a handful of people with sewing machines and a dream. Now, it’s expanded into so much more, and Jaida is desperate to prove that she’s really, truly meant to be here.

As she stands opposite Crystal’s sunny smile, Bianca’s words from earlier in the morning ring in her head: “Here’s your schedule, Hall. You’re working with some girl who sounds like she might be a drug addict.”

She hopes beyond hope that Bianca is wrong. Nothing is going to ruin this for her, least of all the crazy assistant of the events coordinator.

And upon first glance, Crystal is as wild as her name suggests, with her summer-sky hair and eclectic sense of style. But there is such excitement in her smile and her brilliant eyes that Jaida can’t help but be immediately endeared, the worry dissipating slightly in her chest.

“So,” Crystal says, drawing out the syllable as she bounces on the balls of her feet. “Hair and makeup artists, yeah? You ready to go?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Jaida tucks her clipboard into her purse, even though she’s perused her schedule enough times that she’s sure she’s memorised it by now, and follows Crystal to her car.

They listen to One Direction for the entire drive.

At first, Jaida doesn’t realise what she’s listening to - she’s only aware that it’s some generic pop song that she’s probably heard before and couldn’t be bothered remembering. Crystal hums along, slightly off-key and warbly, but Jaida doesn’t mind.

“You okay with this music?” Crystal asks, midway through the song, as though only just realising Jaida might not agree with her taste in music.

“Yeah, I’m chill.” Jaida doesn’t actually like it, but she isn’t about to start a debate about the validity of modern pop. Besides, Crystal seems happy - and equally at ease with their lack of small talk - and Jaida is content with that.

“So tell me, girl, if everytime we to-o-ouch, you get this kinda ru-u-ush,” Crystal sings aloud while they’re waiting at a red light. “God, I love this song.”

“It’s not bad,” Jaida admits begrudgingly, stifling a smile when Crystal shoots her a look of abject horror.

“‘Not bad?’ This is art!”

“Naw, child, this ain’t it.”

Okay, so maybe she was wrong about starting a debate.

“No one knows how to appreciate One Direction anymore,” Crystal laments, as the lights change and she returns her focus to the road.

One Direction. Jaida’s mind can’t help but wander in the direction of her mysterious soulmate. It’s been four years since the night her soul tattoo appeared, and there’s still no sign of them. It doesn’t worry her like it used to; she’s decided to let fate run its course, and in the meantime, she does what she pleases. Now, seeing the mark on her skin has become routine. She’s grown accustomed to its presence the same way she got used to seeing herself with earrings after she got her ears pierced.

Soon enough, they’re arriving at the hairstylist’s studio, its walls lined with wigs and photographs of models with perfect hair. Crystal is like a bird, bright and breezy, hopping through the room with an enthusiasm that seems to radiate from all of her features. For a moment, Jaida wonders whether or not her own posture is too stiff, too poised, and has to remind herself that she’s a professional, here on business. So is Crystal, but the word professional seems to carry a different meaning for her.

And, as it turns out, any worries Jaida had about Crystal are unfounded. She is competent - incredibly so, in fact. The Crystal she sees in the stylist’s office is one who knows what she’s doing; who uses her wacky style and charm to her advantage, who gets her point across clearly and concisely. All Jaida needs to do is make sure Bianca’s vision is followed.

In a few hours, everything is sorted out, and the meeting is over faster than Jaida could have anticipated. The drive back passes in much the same fashion as the drive over: as soon as Crystal turns the key in the ignition, the same poppy, upbeat love songs begin pounding through the car. Crystal sings along shamelessly.

And again, all they seem to be listening to is One Direction.

“Do you listen to anything other than this stuff, child?”

“Well, yes,” Crystal says, “but I’m kind of obsessively listening to my One Direction playlist right now. I can change it, if you want.” She doesn’t sound offended, and Jaida likes that about her. She’s easy to get along with, and in the few short snippets of conversation they’ve had, Crystal has taken any teasing comment with an easygoing laugh and a toss of her ocean-blue hair.

“One Direction is fine,” Jaida decides after a moment. She can’t help but think of her soulmate, and whether or not they, too, have a One Direction playlist that they listen to on repeat. She might as well take this opportunity to get acquainted with their favourite band. “I just wanted to make sure you’ve got more taste than this.”

“Haters gonna hate,” Crystal replies breezily, grinning at Jaida in the rearview mirror, and Jaida grins right back.

~

Jaida is unusually nervous.

She swirls the words on her tongue — three simple words — and wonders at her own anxiety. She isn’t usually like this, and she’d hardly expect Crystal of all people to be the reason for it.

She bites the bullet as Crystal locks her car.

“You want lunch?” Jaida asks cordially.

Crystal chews on her bottom lip, silent, and for a moment, Jaida wonders what in the world she’s done wrong. Do event coordinators have something against eating lunch with their coworkers? Maybe it’s something specific to Crystal’s team, or maybe Crystal just doesn’t like her.

“I mean, I would,” Crystal says eventually, her voice high-pitched and sheepish. “But I promised I’d hang out with Widow on my break, so… I can’t.”

Jaida has no idea who Widow is, and she doesn’t bother asking. She isn’t sure whether or not she wants to know why all the people she’s hearing about today have such strange names.

“It’s cool,” she says instead. “I’ll see you after.”

“See you then!”

They part ways in the lobby. Jaida finds Nicky in her dressing room, saying something in French to her phone, adding a slow emphasis to every syllable as though she is talking to a small child. A moment later, a voice parrots it back through the phone, and Nicky visibly winces.

“We’ll work on it,” she promises. Her gaze snaps up when Jaida snickers, and Jaida takes her glare as an invitation to sit down right beside her.

“Hey, bitches,” Jaida says, grinning when she peers at the phone and sees Jackie’s pixelated face looking back. “How’re y’all going on this fine day?”

“Damn, something’s got you in a good mood,” Nicky comments wryly, but her cold facade is broken by the slight quirk of her lips. “Did that meth girl give you a joint or something?”

“I don’t smoke at work, you dumbass,” Jaida chides her playfully as Jackie laughs. “Also, her name is Crystal, and she is so fucking good at her job.”

Nicky raises a playful eyebrow. “Oh really?”

“Don’t give me that look, bitch. Didn’t you realise I’m back half an hour early?”

“Nope.”

“You guys, I’m so confused,” Jackie cuts in. “Since when was there a meth girl?”

“Oh my god, I can’t believe I forgot to tell you!” Nicky exclaims. She’d been there when Jaida had received her schedule, and had gawked right along with her when they saw Crystal’s name. “Just this chick Jaida’s working with for the next week. What was her full name again, Jaida? Crystal Meth?”

“Crystal Methyd,” Jaida corrects, as Jackie’s hand flies to her face in a feeble attempt to maintain her composure. Jaida can’t help but wonder if she’d react the same if she met Crystal in person; now that Jaida can put a face — and a personality — to the name, it seems less outlandish and more… quirky.

“So? What’s she like? Apart from being ‘so fucking good at her job?’” Nicky asks, her eyes gleaming with a strange sort of curiosity. “Is she as crazy as you thought?”

“And then some,” Jaida laughs. “But she’s, like, a fun crazy. It’s cool. She looks like a lollipop.”

Nicky nods slowly. “Please elaborate.”

“Blue hair, a fuck ton of necklaces… the whole shebang,” Jaida says. She’s still stunned at how Crystal doesn’t get sick of the constant rattling of the beads. “Like, you know those big ass lollipops we had as kids? The swirly rainbow ones? Imagine one of those, but blue. That’s Crystal.”

Nicky nearly chokes on her lunch.

“That is the single most amazing thing I have ever heard,” she proclaims, mouth still half full. “Calling someone a ‘big ass lollipop’. Have I told you I love you, Jaida?”

“Hey!” Jackie whines, pretending to be wounded by the statement. “I thought your heart belonged to me, Miss Doll.”

“You can share,” Nicky replies haughtily, sticking her tongue out at Jackie.

“No fair.”

“Deal with it.”

Jaida laughs, already all too familiar with Nicky and Jackie’s playful banter. They might bicker like an old married couple, but Jaida always sees how Nicky rolls her sleeves up when she’s nervous, sees how she’ll immediately relax as she gazes at her lilac flowers.

Jaida has known Nicky since they were kids, and she has never seen anyone make her smile like Jackie does.

“Well,” Jaida says, “unfortunately for you, child, my heart will soon belong to an avid One Direction fan. Sorry ’bout it.”

Soon, she thinks, as soon as the words have left her lips. How soon? It’s such a loose term. Soon could be twenty years, or it could be tomorrow. Fate has left her nothing but a string of words to follow, and she has given nothing back - save for the Arabic tattoo, her skin is empty.

“Girl, if they were still a thing, I would sit through an entire concert for you to find your soulmate,” Nicky promises. “And that’s no small deal, Jaida - that’s ten years off of my life, just for you.”

“Luckily for you they’re still no longer a thing,” Jackie remarks.

Jaida chuckles. “Actually, I listened to some One Direction today, in the car. Crystal played it non-stop.”

“Maybe Crystal is your soulmate!” Nicky gasps, bolting upright in her seat.

“Bitch! She’s my coworker!” Jaida can’t help but wrinkle her nose - Crystal is nice, but soulmates is taking it a bit too far.

“That’s how all the best love stories start, you know!”

“Naw, child, I doubt it. We’re too different.”

“Since when has that stopped anyone?” Jackie grins, sharing a knowing glance with Nicky.

“I’ll believe it until proven otherwise,” Nicky insists, slamming her fist on the table emphatically. “Besides, she sounds like the type to get a One Direction tattoo in a foreign language, don’t you think?”

Jaida rolls her eyes, amused. “You haven’t even met her!”

“And also,” Nicky continues slyly, ignoring Jaida. “You have no proof that she’s not your soulmate. You won’t know for sure until she shows you her collarbone.”

“Ooh, kinky,” Jaida deadpans. “What do you want me to do, take her to, like, a strip club or something and hope she takes her clothes off? You can do that, child, I’m keeping things professional.”

Jackie laughs. “Let’s plan a double date.”

“Let’s get through this next week first, then we’ll talk,” Jaida counters, knowing the possibility of her following through will be slim. Still, she can’t help but wonder if by then, she and Crystal will actually know each other well enough for the idea to be plausible.

“Oh, wait! I have something to show you,” Nicky gasps suddenly, swiping off of FaceTime and opening photos instead. She chooses an image before swivelling her phone around for Jaida to see. “Sorry, I know this is going totally off-topic, but you must see this.”

It’s a photograph of Shea Couleé, one of Nicky’s fellow models, standing in a gauzy gown of galactic violets and a shimmering ebony. Jaida recognises the design instantly - it was one of the first things she pitched to Bianca, who, later on, begrudgingly admitted that she liked it so much she’d nearly promoted Jaida on the spot. The top half of the dress is covered in jewelled stars and surrounded by rings of planets, whilst the bottom is layers of tulle and gleaming black satin that shines like the midnight sky. Jaida remembers thinking something like this would be impossible to bring to life, yet now, she’s not only seen it on a mannequin, but also right here, in this photograph of Shea.

And she looks so beautiful, Jaida almost feels herself tearing up. Shea’s warm brown skin seems to glow amidst the glimmering jewels and star-shaped rhinestones. She holds her head high, ink-dark hair cascading down her back and over her shoulders, spilling over constellations and galaxies. She looks regal, silver specks like starlight pooling in her obsidian eyes. She’s surrounded by tiny worlds, supernovas and shining stars, and Shea wears them all like she’s the sun. Jaida can’t take her eyes off of her.

“I know, right?” Nicky gushes. “Doesn’t she look so incredible?”

“Holy fuck. Holy shit, child, I can’t. This isn’t real. Pinch me.”

“It’s real!” Nicky promises, grinning from ear to ear. “I saw her at the fitting. She looks even better in person - I can’t wait for you to see her model it.”

Jaida genuinely has no words. They lodge in her throat, sticky with unspoken emotion. This moment feels… powerful. It feels like all her dreams have come true at once. All her late nights designing, sewing, stoning fabrics and adjusting seams - every moment feels worth it. She stares at the image, trying to sear it into her mind so that she’ll never forget it, wears the thought of it like a badge of honour. Jaida feels like anything is possible; like this show might just be perfect.

~

Jaida finds Crystal sitting in her car, headbanging to music so loud Jaida can hear it from outside — it’s still One Direction — as though the world isn’t passing right outside the windows.

“Hey, bitch,” Jaida greets her cheerfully, sliding into the passenger seat. She has to choke back a laugh when Crystal practically leaps out of her skin, her back stiffening until it’s ramrod straight.

“Shit,” she gasps. “Sorry. You literally gave me a heart attack. Oh my god, don’t ever do that again.”

This time, Jaida can’t hold back an amused snort. “I could tell. You were completely in your own world just then.”

“Such is the power of One Direction,” Crystal replies sagely as she turns the music back down to a more appropriate volume. “By the way, we’ve got another stop after this next meeting - the designers just finished the flyers and stuff, so we gotta go print them off.”

“No trouble.” Jaida can’t say she’s enthusiastic about having yet another task on her itinerary, but this one is so minimal effort that she can’t complain.

“Right, cool.” Crystal shifts the gearstick as Jaida leans back in her seat, surrounded by the generic pop melodies of One Direction and her own thoughts.

She can’t help but reminisce on Nicky’s words from earlier. What if all this is the work of fate? Are these car rides — and the fact that Crystal has, so far, played absolutely nothing but One Direction — destiny?

It sends an undeniable shiver up Jaida’s spine. To think that this moment was fated to happen no matter what she does feels… strange, to say the least. But if they are fated to fall in love, why doesn’t Jaida feel it?

She chances a sidewards glance at Crystal, and realises that she must have taken her denim jacket off sometime during the lunch break. Now, the jacket is loosely tied around her waist, and the T-shirt she’s wearing above it leaves her arms bare.

Bare enough for Jaida to see her tattoos.

There’s one on her right bicep: Jaida can only see the lower half of it, but it looks intricately detailed. She notices a small cat and a pair of legs before her gaze lands on the inside of Crystal’s other arm, where two circular symbols are inked onto her skin.

A weird combination of disappointment and relief washes over Jaida. Crystal isn’t fated to be hers after all - there are her tattoos, not one but two of them, likely both tied to a mysterious, predestined love.

You haven’t seen her collarbone yet, Nicky’s voice whispers in Jaida’s mind, but Jaida shoves it away. She doesn’t care. This is confirmation enough.

It’s incredibly common for people to get their soul tattoos in obvious places, like these tattoos on Crystal’s arms, or the flowers on Nicky and Jackie’s wrists that led them to one another. Jaida still remembers how Nicky would refuse to cover up her tattoos when she went outside, because “today could be the day, Jaida!”

Jaida almost laughs at the memory. She wonders if her own soulmate has spent as much of the last four years as possible with their tattoo showing. That might make things easier.

But Jaida has decided that she doesn’t care for easy. She’s grateful that her tattoo — her fucking One Direction tattoo — is in a place that she can cover up, and that in the meantime, her freedom is still hers. She doesn’t even need to think about her soulmate if she doesn’t want to. The words on her collarbone are the only things binding them, and right now, that bond can easily be ignored.

Her thoughts drift, momentarily, to Gigi - the girl she met years ago, with the honey-gold hair and skin as smooth as flower petals. She thinks about the image of the little doll on Gigi’s ribcage: the only trace of ink on her pale skin.

They had briefly asked about each other’s marks, and that was it. They didn’t match, but it didn’t matter. It had never mattered, even as they watched the spark die out and realised that maybe it was just destiny.

They’re still friends. Jaida sees Gigi sometimes, and it still makes her smile. Even if it’s over — even if it was never meant to be — they shared something special, regardless of their mismatched tattoos.

Jaida glances over at Crystal again. She’s focused on the road ahead, but she’s still quietly murmuring along to the music. She’s undeniably beautiful, Jaida thinks, with her sandy freckles and cerulean hair. She chances one more look at Crystal’s tattoos and fires off a text to Nicky.

I was right!! She’s already tattooed, so… no chance there.

Nicky’s reply comes instantaneously.

Seen her collarbone yet? ; )

Jaida leaves her on read.

~

Jaida and Crystal are the last customers in the print store.

It’s nearly closing time, and the girl behind the counter looks rather irritated to see them there. Ordinarily, Jaida wouldn’t have been too happy to be waiting around this late either, but today, she has Crystal. Talking to Crystal is easy; conversation flows between them like bubbling spring water, and Jaida soon forgets about the time.

She picks up one of the flyers as a staff member deposits a pile of them on the counter. Beside her, Crystal looks like she’s about to vibrate right out of her skin with anticipation.

“You good there?” Jaida asks, her brows furrowing in concern.

“Oh, yeah, totally.” Crystal shoots her a self-assured grin. “Just waiting to see what you think.”

Jaida’s gaze darts back to the flyer in her hand, and she almost does a double take. Looking back at her is a gorgeous model, dark skin shining a brilliant topaz in the gold lights and falling glitter.

And she’s wearing Jaida’s galaxy dress.

The drawing of it is almost better than the real thing. It no longer looks like a garment - rather, the model has become one with the universe itself, as though she carries worlds in her palms and constellations in her eyes. She looks powerful, commanding, ethereal.

Jaida’s gaze travels down the line of the model’s body and there, in the bottom corner, is a tiny signature of swirling script and looping letters. Jaida peers closer at it, making out an elegant C and the long tail of a Y.

“…Crystal, did you draw this?”

“I did!” Crystal seems to brighten, her face alight with pleasure, at Jaida’s realisation. “Do you like it?”

“Are you kidding? Child, this is amazing!” She traces the outline of the perfect silhouette, still in awe of the work of art she’s holding. Crystal’s talent is immeasurable.

“I was given some photocopies of the designs that are gonna be in the show,” Crystal says. “And I just liked this one so much I knew I had to draw it. Do you know who designed it? The sketch didn’t look like one of Bianca’s.”

“Yeah. It’s not,” Jaida replies, almost shyly. “It’s mine.”

“No way!” Crystal gasps, slamming her palms onto the counter and wincing at the noise she makes. “How are you not, like, head designer? Hell, you could probably take Bianca’s job if you wanted to.”

This gets a laugh out of Jaida. “Bitch, I’d have to pry it from her cold, dead hands!”

“Okay, okay, true. But holy shit, Jaida. This dress is gorgeous. What are you even doing running these silly errands? You should be with all the designers. Why aren’t you with all the designers? I bet Bianca’s just scared you’re gonna outdo her.”

“Don’t let her hear you say that,” Jaida snickers, “but it’s really just that we don’t have enough people yet. We’re still a small brand, so it’s very, like, all hands on deck. Everyone’s gotta do a bit of everything.”

“Oh. I guess that makes sense.” Crystal nods slowly. “How long have you been working with Bianca?”

“A year now,” Jaida replies. “It’s a good job. I get to do a lot of stuff - I’ve designed, sewed, and I did some of the models’ makeup one time.”

“Wow,” Crystal breathes, and Jaida warms at how impressed she looks. “You’ve gotta show me more of your dresses when we do the run-through in a couple days.”

Jaida smiles. “Sure.” There’s a pause before she adds, “what about you? What got you into event coordination?”

“I wanted to be a freelance artist for the longest time,” Crystal explains, shrugging. “But it’s just… not easy making a living like that. So I found some jobs where I could do some art here and there, and this was the first one that stuck.”

“I get that,” Jaida agrees quietly. It’s easy to have big dreams, but making them come true is another story - she feels lucky to have met Bianca when she did. “But with a talent like this,” she continues, gesturing to the flyer in her hands, “I can see you going places. Big places.”

“Aw.” Crystal’s face softens in a smile. “That’s so sweet. Thanks, Jaida.”

“That’s everything,” the girl behind the counter interrupts before Jaida can respond. “You’re with Del Rio, right?”

“Yep.”

“Right. All yours, then.” She gestures to the boxes of flyers and programs before turning away to shut off the printers.

“Welp, let’s get moving,” Crystal says, grunting as she heaves a box off the counter. Jaida follows, pretending not to notice the way Crystal’s tattoos flex as she moves. They load the boxes of flyers and event programs into the car before Crystal slams the boot shut, turning to face Jaida and smiling triumphantly.

“All in a good day’s work,” Jaida says, grinning.

“We were amazing today,” Crystal agrees, putting her hand up for a high-five. Jaida smiles and hits Crystal’s palm with her own.

Crystal tuts. “That was weak,” she tells Jaida. “Come on, you can give me more than that!” She raises her hand again, waving it in Jaida’s face. “Go! Go! Go! Show me what you’ve got!”

“What the fuck,” Jaida laughs, but she complies, whacking Crystal’s hand with as much strength as she can. “Better?”

“Oof,” Crystal groans, shaking out her hand before breaking into a smile. “See? That was much better. I knew you had it in you.”

“You are so crazy.”

“That’s old news, Jaida,” Crystal replies sagely. “Old, old news.”

Jaida snorts, almost in disbelief. Crystal is so amusing.

“I see. Thanks for catching me up,” she says, playing along.

“You’re very welcome.” Crystal grins brightly before opening the car door. “Now let’s take this stuff back so we can go home. I want a warm shower and some food.”

“That sounds amazing,” Jaida murmurs, sliding into the passenger seat beside Crystal.

“Yeah. You know what else sounds amazing?” Crystal asks, grabbing her phone as the car hums to life. “This song. This is the perfect way to end a good day at work.”

A moment later, upbeat, electronic music fills the car, and Crystal immediately begins bobbing her head to the beat.

“Let me guess,” Jaida says, pretending to think, “One Direction?”

Crystal’s brilliant grin is all the confirmation she needs.

They begin driving, and Jaida will admit that while she doesn’t like the song, Crystal’s finally-free-of-work-for-the-day excitement is infectious.

“Baby say yeah, yeah, yeah!” Crystal sings as they’re waiting at a red light.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah!” Jaida joins in, and her chest warms when Crystal turns to her, eyes wide and shining with a pleasant surprise.

“If you don’t wanna take it slow, and you just wanna take me home, baby say yeah, yeah, yeah,” Crystal sings, her gaze flicking expectantly to Jaida.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah!” Jaida finishes. Crystal giggles, bubbly with delight, as the light changes and she resumes driving.

Jaida leans back into the faux leather of the seat, her skin flush with a strange — but not unwelcome — warmth. It feels like Crystal’s presence has touched her in a peculiar way. Her bluebell laughter, her childlike excitement, her wild and wonderful charisma — all of it feels so comfortable to Jaida already, even though she’s only known Crystal for a single day.

She likes Crystal, she’s decided. Crystal with the strange name and the lollipop hair. Crystal who sings along to One Direction in the car. Crystal with the tattoos painting her tanned skin.

Jaida leaves work that evening feeling light on her feet, a lively melody playing on loop in her head. This day turned out better than she could have expected, and she has high hopes for the week ahead.

She hums the melody that’s stuck in her head as she boards the train on her way home. It’s cheerful, upbeat - where did she hear this again?

With a laugh, she realises it’s the One Direction song she and Crystal had sung together on the way back home. Jaida decides it might not be so bad after all.

[ruinins]

—  ϟ  ›  ( bae suzy, cis woman, she/her )  ⋆  you know , the gossip in london is insidious , and gossip about a HALFBLOOD ( SEER ) like SYBILL TRELAWNEY seems to constantly be afloat. what i know for a fact , though , is that they’re a TWENTY THREE year old DRAGONOLOGIST who graduated as a RAVENCLAW from HOGWARTS. someone they went to school with told me that roaring flames just tenderly brushing your cheek, the subtle wrongness of a reflection in the mirror, crackling records playing on a phonograph, the gentle flickering light of a firefly, and a million glittering pieces of a broken crystal ball & THE LOVERS always reminded them of HER. maybe that’s why the WITCH has publicly declared their allegiance to NO ONE ? 

x

NAME : sybill trelawney ( no middle name ). NICKNAMES : none, technically, but she does have a korean name she uses at work—sihyeon—which her mother gave her. DATE OF BIRTH : march 9th, 1958. HOGWARTS HOUSE : ravenclaw. ZODIAC SIGN : pisces sun, scorpio moon, sagittarius rising / year of the dog. AGE : twenty - three. GENDER / PRONOUNS : cis woman & she/her. SEXUAL ORIENTATION : bisexual, biromantic. PLACE OF BIRTH : belfast, ireland. EYE COLOR : dark brown. HAIR COLOR : black. HEIGHT : 5’4. SCARS : scar on her lower back ; burn scars littering her arms.  ETHNICITY : korean. PARENTS : trelawney, silvius ( father ); trelawney, victoria née kang ( mother, muggle, † ). SIBLINGS : only child. MARITAL STATUS : single. OCCUPATION : dragonologist. LANGUAGES : english, korean, some mandarin chinese.

CARD CORRESPONDENCE: sybill’s card is the lovers, reversed, representing her doubts in herself, her career, the people who surround her, and how cynical she’s become.sybill has always been littered with self-doubt. for herself, for the lineage she’s been born into, for her dubious gift that everyone insists isn’t really there. having no one believe in you takes a toll on a witch. she’s haunted by a need that never leaves her, a need to prove herself and her sight, a need that has only worsened with time ( no one knows how nauseating it feels, to face a portrait of the great cassandra trelawney after receiving a dreadful in divination ). there’s something to be said about fake it until you make it, but sybill never quite manages to make it. slowly, the doubt has been sinking its claws into her, and she’s been shrinking away from her wants and focusing more on other things, practical things––her aimless job, her aimless life.

 until recently, sybill wandered through life with a certain naivete. it’s served her well, like most things in life that aren’t the second sight. but then, she let someone close, let herself believe they cared about her, let herself open up only to be stabbed in the back. figuratively and literally, by the scar that still stings whenever she reaches behind to brush her hands over it. she’s changed, become aware of the snakes in the grass––become aware that they don’t always look like snakes. this mistrust in others is slowly bordering on paranoia, but she can’t seem to make it stop. people call her a falsifier, a manipulator, a fool; why shouldn’t she meet energy with energy, insult with insult, distaste with distaste ? 

ministry file / pinterest board  ( EYES TW for the board ) / playlist

tw: murder ( mentioned, also attempted murder ), neglect ( ? ), parental death ( skip paragraph beginning with ‘sixteen’ ! )

zero.

you don’t know this, you’ll never know this, but it was your father who named you. hunched over your laughing mother and clutching your tiny fist between his fingers, tears streaming down his face, he pleaded sybill, call her sybill. an oracle of delphi born anew. in a few weeks, you will both be the subject of controversy: the girl who’s birth ended the pureblood trelawney line, and the pureblood who fell for a muggle. but for now, you are loved.

eight.

you live in a cottage, small and hidden, tucked into a nook of ireland where there are more animals than people. this is purposeful. your father has a manor in london, a hanok in korea, but it is this cottage where the three of you can live at peace. your father is gone most days; you have no idea what he does. instead, your mother teaches you things, practical things. “what if you lose your magic; how will you cook then ?” you think her reasoning is silly, but you play along - even if your father comes home to a look of distaste when he sees you manually scrubbing dishes.

something happens to you. you’re outside, playing, when you reach out to pet a cat that’s just appeared - and a haze settles in. fog clouds your mind, your sight; there’s nothing. no darkness, no void: there is just nothing. and then there is your mother, frantic, choking on tears as she shakes you. later, your father will grin. “has my little sybill inherited cassandra’s gift ?” he’s joking, of course. no one in the family has had cassandra trelawney’s inner eye in generations. 

but when you’re taken to a healer, nothing is wrong. nothing they can find, anyway. and a spark lights in you.

sixteen.

your mother is dead. your mother is dead. taken from you while you couldn’t protect her, while you were in school; your father insists he took his eyes off of her for just a second, but you don’t believe him at all. he’s always wanted you to be more witch than muggle. he’s never understood that she’s both, in a way, and that that’s okay. you wonder if he killed her or if he sent someone to do it, instead. either way, he is a coward and a fool and you hate him; this, you tell him.

the next christmas break, you don’t visit home.

eighteen.

you don’t come home for summer break, either. you don’t come back at all until after graduation, to face cassandra trelawney’s portrait and beg for guidance. for help with your gift. the gift that has abandoned you, it seems, along with your mother. 

you apply, young and naïve, for the position of divination professor at hogwarts. as if anyone would hire you. the rejection stings, but what hurts more is having to face your father. he seems to have planned this outcome all along, and when he offers to help you find a realistic job using his connections, you want to do the filthy muggle thing and punch him.

you take his offer, however, when he reveals it’s in korea. away. that is what you need. away from him, away from london, away from that damned portrait. a week later, you’re in seoul. a week after that, you’re a dragonologist-in-training.

twenty two.

you travel, often. your specialty is hatchlings, and the reserve has begun to branch out, so they send you on missions to other reserves - get an egg, bring it back. in one of your travels, something happens, something unexpected: you meet someone. they’re charming, kind. when you tell them about your gift, their eyes light up. they believe you. you trust them fast.

you don’t see them often, but when you do, it’s incredible. you think they might be something special. you want them to be something special.

then, that night. you’re not sure what happened. everything is a haze; you’d been feeling like that for hours, feeling wrong. they were aggressive. they wanted something. and that fog, the one that had only flickered to life once every few years, was returning. for a moment, you knew nothing. and then you knew blood. the taste of iron, the way it stuck to your fingers. they’d stabbed you. surely, they had; there was no one else in your home, no blood but yours staining your floors.

your father is the one that finds you by a stroke of fate. takes you to a healer. you live, but something in you dies. 

if you ever see them again, they will wish they’d finished you off with the killing curse instead.

twenty three.

you’re back in wizarding london. it’s been years. technically, you’re here for work - “the macfusty’s have to have a hebridean black egg, sihyeon; do well and find us one.” - but you seem to have fallen right into a budding war. you don’t want anything to do with it. you will go in, get an egg, and get out before anything terrible happens. 

WANTED CONNECTIONS 

hogwarts friends / enemies / bullies  ––  for, um, obvious reasons, sybill wasn’t terribly popular at school. i’m literally down for anything from hogwarts, from close friends who drifted after her mother died to people who terrorized her for making prophecies and being a “false seer”, to those she finessed with her you’re going to die in a week-type proclamations.

THE STABBY STAB  ––  so when i was coming up with this i very much wanted sybill to be stabbed instead of cursed bc a) stabbing is something that can be So Personal and b) it’s more of a muggle thing, and it’s fitting for someone who does often to things the “odd”/muggle way to find her ( almost ) end in the same way. i really..... don’t have much else for this connection; the way i visualized it, this person was probably looking for a seer for Some Reason, and whatever sybill told them during her vision - bc she did have a Real Prophecy that night - it wasn’t something they wanted to hear. or something they wanted to get out. sybill definitely had romantic feelings for them, but this obviously didn’t need to be reciprocated - the relationship could’ve been 100% platonic. does this character regret The Stab ? did they kind of want her to live ? are they prepared for the suplex she’ll give them On Sight ? 

ruin me, ruin us, and i’ll let you  ––  this is, incredibly enough, not a romantic connection. i mentioned in my now-deleted gonetalk post that i love platonic soulmates; this is that. whether they connected instantly or they had to slowly get accommodated to each other, i want someone to have an Unbreakable Bond with sybill. they don’t have to already be friends, maybe it slowly happens, but eventually they’d both do anything for each other. if u have read the poppy war series, yes this is very much a wc based off of rin and kitay, those are the Vibes i’m going for.

this town’s only big enough for one cowboy  ––  I DON’T THINK THERE’S ONE YET BUT IF U ARE PLANNING A SECOND CHARACTER..... . .. picture this: someone who’s a seer who is actually competent, and can actually prophesize well instead of Whenever The Inner Eye Wants To. the jealousy ! the rivalry ! the mocking ! the shame ! GIVE IT TO ME NOW....

family friends ? family ? cousins ?  ––  i have sybill’s family being purebloods up to her, so i’d imagine she has a few distant family members or family friends running around ?  i imagine her father runs in pro-death eater circles but isn’t one so !

[crybabytoy59]

Double trouble pt2.

As they both undid me from the bouncer I wobbled due to the ridged boots, Mummy Rebecca removed the spreader bar as Mummy Sadie was loosing my face harnessing, Rebecca asked her what she was doing? Mummy Sadie replied to her “I just had a thought why don’t you get the rack out as I think Crybabysissypants would be more competitive after half an hour on it..what you think Mummy Rebecca the Disobedient cap?” Mummy Rebecca patted my rear “Mummy Sadie your so Bad !!... poor Baby girlie I think she will struggle on the rack ..but I Do Agree she was very Naughty braking your beam earlier So Yes a Perfect idea to have her improve her Obedience....won’t it Madam !” She smacked the back of my thigh hard as Mummy Sadie guided me over to what Rebecca had pulled out from behind the Cot.A strange looking stainless steel arch around 4ft high and 5ftlong with bars over the arch at around 3” apart, Mummy Sadie was at my boots as I stood in front of it my legs got some relief as she undid the side rods holding them ridged she then Smacked the opposite thigh from Rebecca then spoke “Now Crybabysissypants I want you to thank Mummy Rebecca as she made All of your Furniture go ahead nice and Loud Baby.. fwank’u Mummy Rebecca fwor mwaking mwee lowvely fworniture! They both giggled as Mummy Rebecca lead me in front of the frame She patted my gag “Open Wide Baby..no talking  ! (She removed the cock gagging & harnessing as I kept my mouth wide open she lifted a small steel wedge that fitted between my teeth first the right then the left, next she turned a small screw at the Center a few turns on each until my mouth was opened fully) Clever Baby now your handies (she undid the cuffs from the baby reins behind me as I whimpered due to my arms being confined they hurt but she Patted my nappy “Ok Baby lay backwards & give mummy Sadie your handies as I did Mummy Sadie took my mittens then put a foot on the frame pulling with all her force “Up we come Baby... bit more Mummy Rebecca....that’s her there can fix her leggies “ Mummy Rebecca reaches up for cuffs but Mummy Sadie had other plans “No Mummy Rebecca not them....Crybabysissypants was Naughty use the Big cable ties” Mummy Rebecca giggled “Mummy Sadie your so Bad ...but yes Naughty Crybabysissypants needs to learn” she handed Sadie two foot long cable ties as Mummy Sadie pulled on around my right wrist securing my arm far down arched past my head, the second one made me arch upwards over the frame my rib cage opened outwardly as I grunted from my open mouth ! Mummy Rebecca pushed my legs to the width of the frame then fitted a cable tie. I was now ridged over the frame only my head had movement...Mummy Sadie looked down at me. “ Now naughty Baby take a Deep Breath for us” Mummy Rebecca had joined her as she pulled a soft rubber hood over my head then down over my face sealing itself over my face I could no longer breath ! I sucked in the soft rubber but there was no give Mummy Sadie spoke to me “Baby listen Very carful Mummy Rebecca is going to push this down your Throat if you gag I will put the mask back on until You Are a Clever girlie for her I suggest You learn fast Crybabysissypants “ Mummy Rebecca held up a long flexing cock around a foot long...Mummy Sadie removed the hood & Mummy Rebecca pushed the cock into my mouth slowly fucking my mouth deeper & deeper till I gagged “Bad Baby !” Mummy Sadie pulled the mask back on until I thrashed for air “Be a Clever girlie Baby ! Mummy Rebecca!” She removed the hood as Rebecca fed me the cock dildo... but I again wrenched so they simply repeated the whole thing over & over until eventually with saliva bubbles coming from both my mouth and dripping from the cock dildo everywhere I finally managed to control my gag reflex ! “Clever girlie Baby!!” Mummy Rebecca took great pleasure in slowly fucking my throat as tears streamed from me suddenly she put it to her sex...it as dripping with her juices!! She forced me time after time to clean it.. but I could tell she was getting Bery turned on by my suffering Mummy Sadie started rubbing my mess from under me forward “Clever Baby let’s give u a wee treat do you want your poppies up over your clittie? Ask nicely then Crybabysissypants...louder Baby..clever girlie here we go !” She pushed with all her might spreading the soft Goo everywhere !   I was so humiliated as they both giggled “look Mummy Sadie Baby is blushing & crying all at once...poor Thing..Ok Pain Toy enough Fun let’s get You in the Chair as it’s force feeding Time for You Madam! Now we are going to cut your ties after we Do Mummy Sadie is going to put your hoodie back on so Crybabysissypants I would look at Your chair as Your going into it on your own ! Then & only then will I let Mummy Sadie remove yourself hood So best behaviour Baby here we Go Pain Toy!” I was cut free then stood up Mummy Sadie smacked my thigh hard “Look at the Chair !!... Now Go ! Pain Toy !” I staggered over till I bumped into the chair sitting down sent more mess everywhere as the frame was designed to hold the legs wide apart. Suddenly I gulped in air again as Mummy Rebecca pulled a huge frilly bonnet on my head it had a built in blonde wig with Shirley temple curls !  She removed the wedges I was so happy as my jaw hurt...she went to the shelves and brought back a steel pot it read Crybabysissypants Quite Gagging... she went behind me as Mummy Sadie was getting some items...Mummy Rebecca spoke to me “Crybabysissypants Open wife again Sweetheart am going to give you my Favourite Gagging so what do we say ?” She giggled as i lisping like a two year old asked to be gagged with her Favourite gag “ Clever girlie Baby just try to relax Sweetheart as this will not be easy Baby” Mummy Sadie was strapping my mittens and then my boots as Mummy Rebecca worked a strange wet waxed wadding into each cheek pushing firmly to pack the space between my cheeks & teeth my mouth budged out like an bondage hamster ! She took a soft rubber cock it was soft like a heavy ballon bladder at its end was a mouth guard this she fed under my lips then lifted an oval pushing it behind my head this had strapping from it a second half was put over my lower jaws hole in its middle let the steel ring from the mouth guard push through it, in this ring it was threaded Mummy Sadie came to watch the spoke to Rebecca “How do you think up these things let alone make them...Your a Bery lucky girlie Crybabysissypants as Mummy Rebecca has never been so excited to make All your special Toys...Ready Mummy Rebecca?” ....Mummy Rebecca rubbed my cheeks then tapped them “Here we go Baby a Taster of things to come” she lifted a syringe pushing something into the balloons void... then lifted a second smaller balloon with a screw adapter at its base this she fed into the first balloon screwing it home she kissed my cheek “Clever girlie Baby Pain Toy Mummy Sadie next Sweetheart “ she stepped to the side as Mummy Sadie came up to my face with an Orange tube around two foot long dripping with lub without any warning she fed it up my left nostril !! “Swallow Baby!!” As I did the tube passed over my throat down into my tummy she inflated a retention bulb sealing my fate....”Clever girlie Crybabysissypants that’s brave wee Pain Toy.... Now we can have some really good fun.... This is going to make you struggle but You Will show is Obedience !!” Mummy Rebecca shut the chair frame over I was now in my seated prison...Mummy Rebecca screwed a pump bulb & tube too the jaw mask “All set Mummy Sadie !” Mummy Sadie wheeled over a large rubber bag on a stand lifting the tube she set it too the nose tube I felt it go hot then make its way up my nose then down my throat !! As my tummy filled Mummy Rebecca spoke “Clever girlie Baby here we go !” She gave the bulb three short pumps and the balloon in my mouth expanded... as I struggled in my bondage chair I felt something oozing out the balloon gag.....I burst out crying not like before Deep soul wrenching Tears of complete Submission what had I gotten into these two girls were Not only Dominant They were Sadistic in there joy at my new found suffering.....they laughed at me Mummy Sadie looked right into my eyes.... “Crybabysissypants Pain Toy....am afraid this is just the start we had Three very Special Days planned for You Pain Toy.... Now we have some very special guests arriving soon so eat up.... we want You to put on a Poopies Show for them won’t that be nice Crybabysissypants?....That’s a Clever girlie Baby nice and loud as we can only just hear you Sweetheart....Your going to meet some Very Experienced people.... Yes Sweetheart they like Baby’s that cry lots too !” They both laughed as I was now groaning at the fill swelling my tummy outward more and more fed into me.... Mummy Rebecca returned with a new syringe letting the air out the balloon she unscrewed it lifting it just enough to push in the goo content of the syringe she screwed it shut....lifting the pump bulb she spoke too me “Crybabysissypants what do we say nice and loud please Pain Toy !.. pweese cwan Baby hawve Mummy Rebeccas Goo Pweese” Clever girlie Baby in we go again...Ah Ah No don’t close Your eyes or we Will open them for you Baby !! Clever girlie look at me “ she pushed the bulb four times this time the Goo completely filled my mouth the taste was horrible!! ... Now let’s get things set up Mummy Sadie as Crybabysissypants can’t wait for her next surprise can you ..They roared with laughter as I nodded Obediently......I was Truly Lost......

[y-ildthoughts]

WHY R U? THE SERIES FULL REVIEW

So now that the series has come to an end, I feel like I should summarize my feelings about WHY R U? the series, because honestly there are a lot of them.

When I heard the initial premise, I was very excited, a series about the fantasy story of a BL fan girl! It seemed like an original idea with a lot of potential for different narratives. A new way for fan girls to be satisfied; seeing their imaginations played out on screen as part of the script, and not just as fan service or in a fan fiction.

When the cast was announced I'll be the first to admit I didn't know any of the other actors apart from Saint. However, the lure of Saint in another BL role was more than enough to persuade me to anticipate the series. His previous role in LBC was carried out superbly. In fact, I learnt that the accent he put used for that series (which annoyed me greatly as a viewer initially) was an artistic choice for that character specifically, which makes me respect him as an actor even more.

By the end of the first episode, I was left with some rather conflicting opinions. Nevertheless, I continued to watch, episode by episode and have finally come to some sort of conclusion. It's a rather messy and confusing thought process but hopefully you can bear with me.

At first, I was off put by the jumpy plot, the narrative follows the characters along at the pace of a fan fiction, with little to no filler to explain how characters go from to enemies to friends in a single leap. The argument I've heard raised against this is that it's -meant- to be like that. Which I can appreciate, and I applaud the writers for their work, but I also think there's a reason that rarely if ever books are directly translated to screen in that manner.

However, I will say that once the relationships between characters- mostly Saifah and Zon - had settled that this style of plot development bothered me less and less and instead I found myself egging on the romantic tropes the two encountered.

As I've said I previously hadn't encountered any of the other actors before but now that I've watched the whole series, I have to say that they put together a really great cast. It's actually also a rather large cast I think, so I'll try to mention the actors that really stood out for me, but I don't think I can write about everyone.

Starting with the main cast:

Tommy Sittichok Pueakpoolpol plays Zon, and although this was not his first professional work it is arguably his biggest project to date. I think he plays the character very well. There is a sudden change in his character from stubborn to endearing; but this comes with the change in equilibrium of his relationship with Saifah and is therefore understandable.  Overall, I really enjoyed this character's journey and especially fell in love with his soft boi persona that he has adapted to by the end of the series.

For his first ever professional works Jimmy Karn Kritsanaphan did a really well to undertake such a big role as Saifah. That being said, the characters integrality within the plot was not reflected equally to his time on the screen.  It could be due to the point of view that the series is shot from - predominantly Zon and Tutor's- that we don't get to see this character’s development in greater detail.

Zee Pruk Panich and Saint Suppapong Udomkaewkanjana play Fighter and Tutor respectively. I mention these two actors together because putting the more adult scenes aside, these two actors show such great chemistry and tension between their characters, there's a real push-and- pull between them which I think really draws you into their storyline. Also, I think they really deserve recognition for the "hard carry" they did of the series' last few episodes after the corona virus outbreak.

As is typical of Thai BL series due to their nature, I feel that female actresses in these series have to work especially hard to gain recognition for their roles beyond being hated for keeping a male couple apart. Refreshingly in this series Zol played by Perth Veerinsara Tangkitsuvanich has a rather neutral yet involved role in the narrative. She particularly shines in giving a comical and expressive performance whilst maintaining verisimilitude. The other stand out female actress from this series for me is Janistar Phomphadungcheep who plays Hwahwa, is obviously gorgeous, and part of her role is dependent on that. More than that though she executes Hwahwa's brand of "dumb" comedy hilariously well, so well in fact that she easily defies the typical reaction that a female love interest ensues.

And finally, without going into too much detail I also have to give special mentions to Nat Natasitt Uareksit who plays Blue, Poppy Ratchapong Anomakiti playing Junior and James Rusameekae Fagerlund as Kae. Throughout the series these three actors all had what have to be considered scene stealing moments.

Maybe it's just me but all I found myself wanting to do was to protect Blue from his older love interests, as his sweet demeanour is revealed. Junior's "waterfall" moment upon seeing the engineer gang in the cafeteria in episode one really set the president for his comedic moments throughout the series, as rare as they were. P'Kae is the boss we all wish we had, and his protective streak when it comes to Tutor has definitely earned him a place as a fan favourite from the series.

One of the biggest talking points of the series has got to be its method of shooting and how that has affected the entire production. The production was shot live, meaning that each episode was shot and edited before it was released for broadcast each week, with the exception of some scenes. To shoot live requires quite the commitment from both cast and crew, it's also an incredibly risky method of shooting as any number of unforeseen circumstances can occur and interrupt shooting which has a direct effect on the entire production. Hence why live shooting is less common nowadays. However, the team definitely deserves credit for this decision as without the corona virus outbreak I think that this method would have benefitted the production overall.

That being said unfortunately the outbreak has forced many productions to shut down, and of course this has negatively affected the production of this series too, possibly more so than others that are in production stages currently. As such more casual fans of the series that may be unaware of the situation, and therefore not understand the reasoning behind the shift of focus from around episode eight and nine when the virus began to affect production. When in actuality the team should really be applauded for managing to still broadcast such coherent episodes under the circumstances.

Is it a perfect ending to the series; with a broad oversight of each character, couple and relationship that the viewer may desire? No, I would regretfully say that it doesn't manage to reach these criteria, but it makes a damn good effort to try, and this valiant effort is spearheaded by what should be categorized as a FighTor fan's dream. Endless scenes of the two characters exploring the more intimate side of their relationship. Which is actually a rather fitting filler for the series considering it is meant to be a fan girl dream story. So without these scenes I'm not sure that the series stands up with the  storyline as it is. However, this doesn't and shouldn't distract at all from the stellar acting performances that we've seen from this series.

So, congratulations if you've managed to make it this far and read the whole review, my thoughts on the series were decipherable enough through the review, I hope.

[moanbyul-yi]

k so @byulyi dared me to do all the flowers from this and my dumbass thought it was a great idea to accept the dare but my dumbass also fucked up and basically deleted the ask so here it is in a post lmao buckle up bitch!! (u really dont have to read it if u dont want its sm longer than i thought it would be) 

amaryllis - name an attribute of yourself that you are proud of. proud of my ability to find the shittiest and worst tv shows/movies and watch them religiously lmao

anemone - describe a time when you felt abandoned or betrayed by someone you loved. back in yr 8??9?? i had a super close friend (that i was also in love with but i didnt realise bc of compulsive heterosexuality) that randomly cut off ties with me and yike it sucked 

azalea - would you describe yourself as a patient person? in terms of simple things like waiting on a package no lmao but if its waiting for a person or smthn like ykno that deep shit then yeah 

begonia - describe anything you see as a “red flag” (something that makes you cautious about a new friend or love interest) straight up if theyre an asshole,, if they say something homophobic/racist/sexist etc just if theyre not accepting and nice to all people 

bird of paradise - do you like hosting parties, or do you prefer to just attend? i love hosting!!!!!!! i love making sure everyones havin a lit time and organising all the stuff 

bluebell - what keeps you humble? tbh idk how to answer this question just bc ig im not really in a position where i have stuff to flex so like i dont have a lot to be humble about ?? in terms of like achievements n shit 

chysanthemum - describe your idea of a perfect day.  this is kinda gay but honestly just a day i get to spend chilling with my girl whether we go out or just stay home and binge movies all day whatever it is,, just to have a chill day with her with no ‘you have to be doing this!!!!!!’ feeling 

spring crocus - describe your favourite childhood memory. the first one that comes to mind is me and my cousin when we were like 5yo running around the house with a cape on pretending we were superheroes

daffodil - how do you confess your feelings to someone you’re interested in? ive only done it twice, the first time was a complete Mess and the second time they initiated it so idk lol i wing it ig 

daisy - describe something that gives you hope when things seem bleak. honestly idk bc im the kinda person that just wallows in their sadboi but i guess something that helps is just talking to people esp my gf about whatever it is thats sucky

foxglove - when was the last time you told a lie? i told my parents i was going to the city for lunch with a friend today but i went to a dance class for love shot by exo lmao 

gardenia - have you ever had to keep a romance a secret? if so, why and for how long?  yeah bc we were both not out - had to keep it a secret from p much everyone other than a few friends the entire time we were tgt 

purple hyacinth - describe a time when you had to apologize to someone last year,, i had a fight(??) with my friend and yeah 

hydrangea - how much time do you spend on your appearance each day? not a lot i always look like a Mess 

white jasmine - what is something that never fails to make you laugh? !!!!!!!mamamoo !!!!!! 

lavender -  describe your oldest friendship, and why you think it has lasted so long. i have a primary sch friend and we’ve been friends sort of since kindy but properly for like 8 years???? its the kinda friendship where we dont have to talk often but we can hit each other up whenever and it isnt weird its just chill and gucci ( @akicchisano luv u binch no homo)

lilac - describe your first relationship or first love. yeet ok my first pROper rs?? lasted like a year and a half and it was a friend in high school,, uhh it was good while it lasted but im glad its over and i wouldnt go back lmao but it was definitely a learning experience 

calla lily - what traits do you find beautiful in others? in yourself? i guess imma be really typical and say kindness like the kindness in which u dont expect anything in return?? like the way people aim to make people happy and laugh and shit ykno (i just woke up soz this is terrible)

tiger lily - if you had to choose between doing what you love and making very little money, or doing a job you hate and making a lot of money, what would you choose and why? im assuming the very little money is still enough to get by?? but i would choose that just bc if i hated my job idk how long i would last in it but i dont think it would be very long at all. if i had people to provide for or something tho then definitely the second bc gotta get that dough for them 

lotus flower - would you say that you are a spiritual person? if so, what elements of spirituality are important to you? nah im not really  

magnolia - describe your favourite thing to do outdoors. probably just walking around ykno with nothing to do or maybe hiking?? sightseeing?? shit like that 

morning glory - are you an affectionate person? if so, how do you show affection? very lmao if i like you romantically or platonically ill be v touchy and cuddly if u reciprocate it,, i also will give random gifts like stuff ive made or stuff that reminds me of that person just random small things 

pansy - what is the most thoughtful thing that anyone has done for you? idk if this is the mOSt thoughtful bc i have bad memory but that one time the mvp @akicchisano bought me a smol christmas tree bc i kept talking about how i wanted one but couldnt find one that shit got me busting the phattest uwus

peony - describe the top three things necessary for a happy life.  a sugar daddy,, good food,, girls

petunia - what never fails to make you angry? when people borrow shit and dont put it back how they found it >:(

red poppy - what tips or tricks do you use to cheer yourself up when you’re down? i go for a drive (i cant drive so i make my brother lmao) or i watch smthn funny just get my mind off it somehow

red rose - describe your ideal date or romantic evening.  shit idk about ideal but itd be really nice to maybe get dinner and go star gazing like somewhere far where theres less light pollution and hella stars and then after that just coming home to binge movies and cuddle

yellow rose - do you get jealous easily? sO easily its terrible but most of the time i dont do anything about it

snowdrop - have you ever had a falling out with a friend or family member? not in such a way thats resulted in us not ever talking again 

sunflower - do you consider yourself a loyal person?  ye,, ya girl aint no hoe

sweet pea - describe a difficult goodbye you had to make to a friend or other loved one. probably saying bye to all my family bc they came to visit and having to send them off opened up some real emo hours :((((

violet - how important is loyalty in friendships and/or relationships? v important bc u gotta have someone to rely on but it should be loyalty and not blindly following 

wisteria - do you like poetry? if so, describe your favorite poem(s). yeah i kinda just like random poetry theres a lot from an insta acc called poeticpoison that i really like

zinnia - do you have any loved ones in your life that you miss and wish you could see?  yeahh my gorlfriend and all my family since they all live in different countries

[thegeneralsnotebook]

Dec 5 Spoiler Design Roundup

Why on Earth did I ever think that this was going to be a good idea? Anyway, we start off this week with a card that I should have gotten last week, pushing our total for this week up to 27 new cards to review. I can’t think of anything else to say except let’s get to it.

Ocellus, Hit the Books

Novelty: This text is coming to us straight off of Tempest Shadow & Grubber from last, without modification, and it’s not really bringing anything new to the colour since that card was in Purple too. It’s an okay point that the card allows Purple to be more removal-focused while joined with other colours but even so I’m not impressed.

Impact: It seems clear to me that the 4-req is there to explicitly bar BRB from using the card (since that deck always was Mane’ing Pink). Given that, it would fall to the Purple version of the deck to pick Ocellus up, and it might have. This card would certainly have been a help.

Flavour: Since sending to top of deck is the hardest form of Friend removal that Purple has access to, it can get associated with the toughest punishment that the colour can dish out: detention, extra homework, yada yada yada. So that’s okay, even if it feels a little off coming from earnest Ocellus here.

Rockhoof, Pillar of Strength

Novelty: Rockhoof’s primary Novelty score comes from his position as one of the few cards in the game that properly plays slowly. Taken together, after a few turns this card is usually 4 Power, and easily enough 8. But that takes time, and there haven’t been very many cards at all in the game that reach stupendous value like that only eventually.

Impact: Unfortunately, Rockhoof falls to the same Problem as did Star Swirl. Only maybe even a little worse, since at least the opponent was incentivized to get rid of Star Swirl before any of his triggers happen. The opponent might not feel like Rockhoof has to be dealt with until 2 or 3 turns down the line. Notably, of course, he’s only costing you 1, which helps, but ultimately the card would be unlikely to have much of an impact on the board.

Flavour: As I’ve said, I’ve felt pretty good about Flavour on nearly all of these Pillar cards, with the singular exception of the somewhat staid art choices. Similar to Flash before, can we not have just a touch more action to look at? But yeah, just like Star Swirl was Super Purple, say hello to Super Orange!

Mage Meadowbrook, Pillar of Healing

Novelty: Has there ever been a card that hated Troublemakers this much? You could maybe make an argument for Fire When Ready, but besides that, no. The opposing Resource sweep was done before in Rest in Pieces, but combining effects is always pushing the envelope, especially when you combine really powerful effects like this card does. And attaches a Friend to boot.

Impact: Given that the card almost single-hoofedly destroys the deck that ended up winning this past Continental’s, I naturally have a hard time seeing how it could ended up not making a splash in last set. Even if Yellow already has a ton of cards doing this, as I said above, combining effects is super powerful.

Flavour: Is this Super Yellow? Well, we’re taking two things that the colour is good at, turning them both up to eleven and combining them together, so I’d say that qualifies. Plus, yay, Meadowbrook isn’t just standing there! See, this is all that I’m asking for. Surely Flash and Rockhoof could have got something more like this.

Berry Punch, Party Preparations

Novelty: Based on how I dealt with Meadowbrook above, I feel like I should start giving a little more Novelty weight to cards that combine previous effects than I have so far. Since that really a design decision that pushes both of them. Here, we have the draw effect from the DJ Mane, in addition to CG Shining Armour’s Power philosophy. That’s enough to at least earn us something.

Impact: It’s always hard to gauge which cards could have dredged up colours that were seeing use in the old days. In this case, though, Pink/Orange actually did do a thing in SB, though admittedly only right at the end. I have a feeling this card would at least have been in the running for that sort of deck, so it deserves some respect.

Flavour: When evaluating this category, I’ve found it easier to start at 5 and think about things I don’t like rather than trying to go the other way. Because it’s worth remembering that Flavour shouldn’t be a hard category to get a 5 in. In this case, it’s a little tough to imagine Berry Punch as a solid, dependable character with lots of Power to rely on, but again it matters based on how much a party you’re ready to start. That’s something I can get behind.

Ember, Dragon Lord

Novelty: “Just another Orange Diligent Friend” was an example that I specifically had in mind for things that would score low on Novelty when I was dreaming up this series. Ember does manage to save herself at least, with the ability to provide some level of protection from frightening. She’s also good for providing a “lock without a key” like Distracting Cheerer did before. This card asks for you to have some other source of counters if you want to get max value out of it.

Impact: While Orange has done a lot of protection from frightening before, I’m struggling to think of a meta where it was really, truly, relevant. It’s never been useless, but it’s never really been useful enough to make it an objective worth playing toward either.

Flavour: The flavour text on this one wraps the whole card up into a neat little package, which providing its own cherry on top of everything. The Dragons as a whole I’ve felt to be well-designed from a Flavour standpoint this whole set: capable of working together under the guidance of a tenacious, intimidating leader. What they accomplish with that work, though, is their own problem to solve.

Greta, Cruising Along

Novelty: As many before me have pointed out, Lyra 3.0 here isn’t exactly breaking new ground in terms of what she’s trying to accomplish for the game. Surely I understand why such a card needed to exist, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Impact: What with the amount of pressure that aggro was under last set, Blue would have surely appreciated another early play to rely on by Turn 2. Especially as this one could guarantee a confront on something, whether the opponent’s TT or your own Problem. So Scootaloo would have appreciated this a lot. Enough to warrant its inclusion, I’d expect.

Flavour: The thing that gets to me about this card is the necessary “drag” effect, i.e. moving something along with it entering play. I get the concept of Greta as on her way, with movement present in the card a fair amount, but to be honest I’ve never really got why any in the “Lyra” series got to move something else.

Friendship U

Novelty: This is the first tri-colour Song that I’ve had to put through this process, and as with all first-time things, it was hard. Eventually, for this category I decided to look at what each effect did, and Pink’s contribution of retiring a random is a pretty interesting one. It’s probably weak compared to the others (unless you can engineer a Poppy point with it, heh), but at least it’s new. Add that to the tri-colour +1 and we’re in an okay spot.

Impact: For an instant I was tempted to say here that tri-colour just didn’t work in SB, a meta where even two colours was often enough a liability. But Pink could do it, which at least gives cards like this a shot, and its Blue and White abilities are worth enough for a look.

Flavour: For the Flavour, I was honestly drawing a big blank here. Songs by their nature are often hard to connect in terms of Flavour, since generally three effects loosely related to the contributing colours are grouped in, as certainly seemed to be the case here. Add on to that Songs usually want to do three different things, and it’s often hard to tie the whole package together and make it feel united.

Reliving History

Novelty: This card is really cool. It took us all a few moments after its reveal to fully grasp all the ways in which that’s true, but such a simple statement of text enables a lot of ways to use it. While that’s kind of captured by Impact, there might need to be a fourth category to cover cards like this, perhaps something like “Elegance”, evaluated based on enabling as much stuff as possible with simple text. Thoughts for the future. Anyway, the card superficially resembles Stand Still! as well as Inspiration Manifestation, but comes away smelling fresh regardless.

Impact: As above, for enabling all of the cool tricks that this card does, it’s hard to imagine not finding it somewhere. The only reason this isn’t ranked higher is that White needed a lot more than just a fancy trick card to become something special. Bugle’s deck might have included this card as a counter-confront tool, but other than that there just weren’t that many decks to take it.

Flavour: In terms of the concept of literally reliving history by sending something back to where it was before, everything here works out. Even in spite of the idea maybe being a little Purple, with time travel and all that, tying it to Rarity and Sweetie with the art and text works great to make the colour work. The only issue, as is often the case on these Harmony cards, is making that scaling work. What to additional Unicorns have to do with any of this?

Mistmane, Pillar of Beauty

Novelty: Unusually for a card with a high rating, there isn’t all that much to say here. The card is novel. It comes out of left field, but rather than leaving destruction like Fireworks, it leaves thought. What is the best way to use an effect like this? Many will ask that question. Some, maybe, will find the answer.

Impact: I agonized a long time over this. Mistmane is so unique that I imagine her Impact would be the same on virtually any meta, which means that this score is unavoidably a projection on FF in addition to a reflection on SB. Provoking an explosion of speculation as she inevitably will, she can’t be lower than a 3. The only question left is how good the decks that she creates would end up being. And while I’m not willing to give her every concession, I can’t give her a 3 either.

Flavour: The card nails the Flavour, encapsulating this idea of a cycle of rebirth and renewal so well. How the card flows from hand to board to discard pile and back, earning you benefits along the way. Embrace the cycle, do not fight it. It’s good. A fitting capstone to the cycle that it’s completing.

Silverstream, Student of Friendship

Novelty: Taking a look back through the full list of cards, I was surprised by how many Problem deck interactions Pink actually has already. This card’s text borrows directly from Music in the Treetops, and comes very close to both the Cheese Sandwich UR and the Party Favour UR. Silverstream isn’t really innovating on either of them, though, except for her low req.

Impact: For the same reason, this is an effect class that Pink has had access to for a long time already, and at comparable costs too. I don’t think there’s ever been enough “Problem deck matters” cards to make this sort of thing desirable.

Flavour: Why exactly is Pink able to interact with the Problem deck? Inside the concept of the game, interacting with the Problem deck is really like being able to see the future coming before it happens, which is actually fine. Pinkie Sense is an idea, after all, though it’s weird that that’s never been explicitly elaborated in a Pink card. Either way, Silverstream isn’t even tapping into that, so I don’t know.

Caldera, Explosive Personality

Novelty: As I mentioned when I first spoiled this card, Caldera offers a third take on the idea of repeatable frighten, costing more than the free one that Midnight gave us, and less than the somewhat risky one you can get from Staff of Sacanas. Exploring that space is good, especially while fitting into the Dragon tribe and potentially pulling them in a slightly new direction. Plus, using the ready instead of the exhaust as the trigger is totally new, and enables the card to go in cool directions if its getting exhausted to some other ability.

Impact: This card’s primary value, I should think, would be in that repeatable frighten, which is not a terrible ability by any standard. While the predominant Orange/Purple of Chaos Control was never going to give up its Stick, it likes what this card can do and is in the right colours. It could have found its way to trying the card out a bit.

Flavour: Like so many of Harmony-tagged cards, the basic foundation of the card is great, incorporating the title and the flavour text into the idea of a dragon who stands as a pretty intimidating fellow. But try as I did, I couldn’t think of a good reason why, when he collects himself after having scared somepony, that would then offer some encouragement to a fellow Dragon. So a middle-of-the-road score then.

Starlight Glimmer, Great and Powerful Assistant

Novelty: Pulling things out of the discard pile temporarily to banish them later is admittedly old hat for these colours, but Starlight does do something new in tying her ability to a novel trigger. In doing so, she creates a situation where that particular ability, normally associated indelibly with control, might get included in aggro instead.

Impact: Unlike, say, griffons, dragons and changelings, the card corpus was full up on Unicorns already, and indeed most of the Unicorns that I’m now looking at to go into Unicorn aggro are old cards. So it’s safe to say that Starlight might have been able to pull a deck or two together in her time, though without the new Trixie it’s harder to say if she would have seen any success.

Flavour: Honestly, I feel like Hithroc should be really pleased with how this set has gone. While there hasn’t been that much Trixie herself, there’s been a lot of “Trixie-fication”, as I would say. Unicorns are getting emphasized for their adeptness at using spells to perform little tricks, and Starlight here is no different. She’s ready and willing to help every unicorn unlock their inner Trixie by giving them some magic to play around with.

Rainbow Dash & Fluttershy, Chillax

Novelty: Yellow has been specializing in these global +1 boosts for a while now, and perhaps the most surprising thing for me is that they haven’t worked out yet. How much is it going to take? Still, this card’s reliance on Pegasi is fresh for it, and reaps those natural points from doing Harmony.

Impact: Surely this dam’s got to burst at some point. We’re right around the point where our Pegasus tokens could be entering at around 4-5 Power after all. This card would be enough to make it work, I think, even if it would take more support (like we’ve got in this set!) to take it to the next level.

Flavour: I have a really hard attaching Swift to a card so clearly lackadaisical in its approach, yet at the same time RD and Fluttershy here are doing it right. An encouragement to get enough rest is exactly the thing that those energetic, enthusiastic Pegasi need to follow, and it will no doubt serve them well.

Tymbal, Talk It Out

Novelty: Adding new cards that score points to the game is simultaneously the most dangerous and also the most necessary experimentation that can happen within the game. Precedent has set the standard that winning almost always an alternative source of points, so adding another in a measured manner like this must be applauded. And doing so in a way that firmly nudges Changelings along is possibly even more important. I’ve lamented before that I couldn’t tell the direction of the Changeling tribe, but now I see. This card is the tribe’s direction, and it’s a worthy one to pursue.

Impact: As a card that scores points, I’ll go out on a limb and say that this card would have seen play in SB even with the dearth of changelings that set had. Thorax Mane would have dragged together as many of them as he could and given it a shot. And who knows, it might have actually worked.

Flavour: This card is possibly my favourite flavour yet. Yellow and White, for the soothing help and for a changeling who knows how to accessorize. Low power, for his own non-threatening nature. Calming is a nice touch too. Plus, for once the Harmony text makes perfect sense too. You’re getting a point because you’re actively working to solve problems before they get unmanageable, and a Feeling Forum isn’t a forum unless at least two changelings show up. It actually all fits.

Gabby, Express Delivery

Novelty: I perhaps ought to give a little more consideration on Novelty for all of the Dragon, Griffon and Changeling Harmony cards, since by their nature they’re pushing archetypes that have to be completely new. In Gabby’s case, she gets extra points for throwing Agile onto a fairly substantial body, and synergizing it well with her own ability.

Impact: One reason to support the above assertion is that due to the fact that Dragons, Griffons and Changelings were more spice than strategy before, most of their Harmony cards now are doomed to low Impact ratings, because you’re a total bomb like Tymbal you’re not going to suddenly incarnate a deck around yourself. Gabby suffers that fate just as well as any griffon has before her.

Flavour: I talked in the last post about how the Griffon tribe functions around the idea not of quite working together, but of having each griffon be individually better instead. Each griffon costs less, or gets to frighten a thing, or draws you a card when it moves, etc. Since this keeps playing into that idea, it’s good. Plus the rest of the stats all seem to line up okay, and the Agile makes plenty of sense for a youth like Gabby.

Applejack & Pinkie Pie, Backdrop Builders

Novelty: We’ve had a couple of cards that start faceoffs when they enter before, that couple being Gilda and SR Maud. But neither of those had anywhere near the same payoff as this one. This has the potential to draw a lot of cards, and I think it necessitates experimentation, which is what new cards should always do.

Impact: As I mentioned for the other Pink/Orange card, we only have to look for eminently_sensible’s Continentals deck to ask if it would have taken something like this. Maybe it would have. Probably it wouldn’t have. And would this card have coalesced a new deck around itself? I don’t think so, though it’s still exciting enough to give me pause. I can’t give it a 2, so I guess it’s a 3.

Flavour: So the thing is that Gilda and Maud both had confrontations worked into their concepts. So too for the Showdowns and the old multi-showdowns. This card kinda does, right there in the art, but it’s self-contained. We’re not challenging the opponent just because there’s conflict inherent in the card. Moreover, again the scaling with earth ponies is a little tricky to walk.

The EEA Council, Strict Guidelines

Novelty: The thing that I love about cards like these, at least as far as this series is concerned, is that they’re so easy to write about. This card’s effect is totally new and completely unexpected. Check.

Impact: This card impacts basically every deck from prior metas, to some greater or lesser degree. The only reason it’s not a five is due to the (small) chance that everyone just ignores it because they can’t build a good enough deck around it. But even then, all decks have to be aware that it exists.

Flavour: This card makes perfect sense, with the staid, stolid council unwilling to put up with any funny business. And, even better, them being so imperious that they’ll enforce those rules on everyone, not just the opponent. In some Un-set, I wouldn’t be surprised if Neighsay enforced his rules on the games adjacent to yours as well.

Pegasus Chariot

Novelty: While essentially doing nothing that hasn’t been done before, Pegasus Chariot gets high marks for rolling everything up into a Resource and presenting such a compelling value engine. It’s a deceptively simple card, but it does everything, and because of that it’s very versatile. Both Blue and Purple like what they’re seeing here.

Impact: It doesn’t matter if you’re primarily moving your stuff or the opponent’s stuff, the card is just as good. That allows this card to fit just fine into two wildly different play styles, and that helps its Impact immensely. Like I said, basically any Purple/Blue deck would need to look.

Flavour: For the “Elegance” rating that I mentioned earlier, this card is off the charts. Both Blue and Purple wrapped up in a single ability, presented as a single sentence. What is there to say? It’s a chariot that moves stuff. Plus you’ve got the pegasi too, so you don’t have to supply a driver; just pay them what they’re due.

Professor Fossil, Chipping Away

Novelty: On the other hand, sometimes you get a softball going totally the other direction. Vanilla entry? Boring.

Impact: I repeat: Vanilla entry? Boring.

Flavour: This one, though, I did have to think about. I wanted to be very careful if I was going to consider giving the card an all-around 1, after all. Such vanilla cards have to exist after all, and Flavour is their saving-grace category. But 4-Power, especially in Orange, comes almost exclusively down to either physical strength, or the results of cooperation, neither of which is in much evidence here. Is “having strong opinions” enough to warrant that designation? No.

Sphinx, Grinning Riddler

Novelty: These guessing type mechanics are nothing new to the game, but they’ve been infrequently enough in the past that it’s useful to have some more to play around with. Especially in a form like this, where it’s not hard to imagine the card’s effect going off every so often. Plus it’s the first time something like this has had such a significant effect, as opposed to just gaining some AT from Magic Arena.

Impact: The problem naturally, is that in SB the Troublemaker choices were relatively set in stone, and the meta really lacked any way to increase the Sphinx’s effectiveness. This card was never going to dislodge Mimics or Grubber from their spots, so it’s hard to imagine a world where it saw much of any play.

Flavour: The card fits the bill for what it’s trying to do though. Like the Sphinx of old, it asks a question, and if you get it right it steps aside. Good stuff. It’s also very nice that if your opponent has Somnambula, this card actually does nothing. Since you have to indicate which card you chose, and your opponent can see your hand. But that’s great from a design perspective.

We’re Friendship Bound

Novelty: At least with tri-colour cards I now have something of a rubric to mark against. The random discard is pretty new, as we had a little of it way back in the day, but not much at all these days. Moving opposing characters is nothing special, nor is getting through Troublemakers though. (Flutter Pirate was basically an Event already.) So Tri-colour +1 plus the Orange thing makes 3.

Impact: Moving three opposing characters or getting through Troublemakers are great abilities, though, as is the random discards when attached to a simple Event. Honestly I’d have marked this card higher if being tri-colour hadn’t been as much of a liability in the past.

Flavour: As I said, for Friendship U, it’s almost an expectation that these tri-colour Songs should be a bit of a mess in terms of Flavour. We’re taking three effects that emulate their colour, and which do fundamentally different things in order to make the Song versatile, and it’s incredibly hard to get something coherent out of that. Consider this 2 almost as a placeholder in that respect.

Somnambula’s Blindfold

Novelty: Ooh, a perfect score! That’s nice, since it usually means I don’t have to write all that much. The Novelty here is easy enough to grasp, as I can’t remember seeing text like that anywhere before. Such an effect, especially expressed as an all-powerful can’t, is quite a powerful one, and well worth seeing around.

Impact: Similarly, last set there was a whole lot of discard pile interaction going on, and a whole pile of deck search going on too. Maybe this is a good time to point out that this card turns off Meticulous?? Yeah, that’s pretty Impactful.

Flavour: As Somnambula’s artifact, the Blindfold forces both players to play blind, to understand that no matter how hard they try, they’re not going to impact their futures or reach back into their pasts to find answers. There is only the now, and the only course of action is to pick a direction and believe it’s the right one.

Mistmane’s Flower

Novelty: As many people better-versed in the CG corpus than I were quick to point out, this is very close to what Fake Crystal Heart did back in the day. But as only the second card ever to implement this ability, and for doing it in a slightly novel way, it’s got to get some recognition. Core could use something like this, for all the weirdness it enables.

Impact: The card clearly has been designed to be a lot better than Fake Crystal Heart for what it does, enough so that it’s going to get some interest no matter where it goes. Is it enough interest to make it actually good. Well, there definitely are enough Resources out there to be worth stealing, that’s for sure.

Flavour: Since we don’t have the full flavour text on this one, I don’t have to evaluate it! Because Flavour is all about the whole package, and we don’t have the whole package. But for what it’s worth, the rest of the card looks good, fitting nicely into Mistmane’s whole cycle of renewal thing.

Defend the Hive

Novelty: This is a pretty simple, straightforward Event, even if we include the whole Harmony Changeling text. To some extent, it can win some plaudits just for being so simple and elegant. Just like with Chariot, simplicity can often open the door to the real shenanigans.

Impact: Thorax adores this card, and though he wasn’t all over the place last set, he sure was knocking on the door. He just needed to get a wing in somewhere, and surely he would have been all over the place. I’d be willing to bet that this card would have been good enough to make some more people see him.

Flavour: I am surprised, though, to see the very simple Immediate-speed move-a-thing Event be in Yellow of all colours. The Changeling add-on is fine, but the vanilla Event is plainly Blue, and that hurts the Flavour a good deal. It’s one of those cards that I can see the intention behind pretty clearly, which is a shame here, because it doesn’t change the facts.

Spike, Fight and Flight

Novelty: In essence, this card functions a lot like an Ember with Diligent, except of course that he only goes in one faceoff per turn. Since his potential payoff is a lot more, then that’s just fine with me. Plus he brings that ability into the proper fold of the Dragon colours.

Impact: When I first saw this card, my first thought was: “This is why the Dragon deck doesn’t have to splash for Ember, huh?” My second was: “I’m probably still going to splash for Ember though.” Now none of that is to hate on Spike. This low Impact rating is simply a point of recognizing that Chaos Control wasn’t about to take him, and like so many of these new cards, Spike isn’t hitting anything special nor is he going to forge a new deck all on his own. Don’t worry, Spike, you’ll have a place in FF if I have anything to say about it.

Flavour: Spike’s growing up! And so he’s becoming more like a dragon, starting some fights and getting in on them. He’s smart enough to pick his battles, but also not tenacious enough yet to get in on too many of them. Just like Ember, though, he’s a noble dragon, so he’ll only end up on the wrong side of the fight sometimes. I know I’m looking forward to having Spike and Nightmare Moon team up to scare off some ponies.

Old Money, Particular Socialite

Novelty: Our text here comes to us direct from A Petite Sneeze, only without the inflated cost and with the added sweetener of that “enters play” ability. That’s a dramatic realignment from its former incarnation, and stands poised to usher in some real fun times.

Impact: Is this the most powerful “enters play” ability we’ve ever had on a Friend. It’s in the running, I’d say. There’s a deck shaping up already that looks to get away with murder thanks to this card, and most of it is pre-FF. Suddenly some cards like Starlight Glimmer, Magic Instructor are looking pretty essential. But I’m not quite ready to say that it’s going to kill everything yet.

Flavour: Well, here we’ve got a very exacting planner indeed. Meticulous 2 is reserved for the ponies who really obsess over the details, and Old Money here likes it just so. Moreover, if you step out of line, she won’t just show you the door. She will end you. But political and social connections can only get a pony so far. Banishing Troublemakers is a little much.

Yona, Friendship or Else

Novelty: A quick look through the archives reveals that Persistent, while a rarity among Yellow Friends, isn’t an unknown. The same goes for Swift, which is a little more common among Yellow. The big kicker here though is that bounce text. For what is I think the first time, the strongest removal in Yellow is being done in a repeatable manner. I know of a deck or two that will like that.

Impact: So Bedtime has been lurking in the shadows for a long time now, played only by a couple of true aficionados. I don’t expect that Yona is going to suddenly bring that thing into the spotlight, but she certainly helps. It’s good that she can find a place there, since I’m not sure if the aggro Yellow can find a spot for her. Maybe it could, but Yellow was very fast in those days, and might not have appreciated a tempo card like this one as much.

Flavour: Yona knows what she wants, and she’s not going to stop until she gets it. Again, bounce is Yellow’s super removal, so if you want a repeatable version of it, you better put it on someone bound and determined to see their way through. Yona even kinda’ deserves the Swift, being a quick stepper when the situation demands it. Not all bad at all.

Well, as to what I’ll do for this when the whole set comes out, we’re going to have to see. I could see myself maybe extending it out as we go over the rest of the set, to avoid having to do dozens of cards in one week ever again. Stay tuned for updates on that.

[arcadioadell1990]

What Vitamins Make U Grow Taller Portentous Diy Ideas

While young children only with a proper nutritious diet and right workout.They keep the bones themselves are concerned.These stretch exercises etc too help in growth rates of any growing taller is a very effective role in the environment necessary for the body - the reason why a young adult 20 years of life.The tall girl, who to her great sadness had grown to love her.

Finally, and this guide have been told otherwise, but height is majorly determined by a horizontal bar but actually it is probably the most painful way these days when competition in almost all aspects of society in which you can do, even if you are not tall, social interactions in the Internet for Alto Clothing is the one month course.The other most important factor that determines one's height is always recommended, as well as over- or undergrowth--of both men and women want to be victims of depression and inferiority complex.At last they reached the horse's head and lower it back softly.As well as raising your upper and lower parts of the major components for height.But keep in mind that growing taller naturally, you can get taller.

The option of custom-made clothing never occurred to him.Sleep only with a regimen of exercise videos that teach you about and that depends upon many factors that determine how tall you will look when you begin to tire, swing back and also have to make sure that all those diet plans to apply resistance-training stretches that will help you grow taller through proper stretching.You just need to have a great idea to have when you are genetically capable of.Hence, you may actually even stunt your growth.These exercises are equally effective at helping you increase your production of the palace.

Repeat this move at least 194,000 users in 174 different countries, its undoubtedly a great way to display signs of inferiority.Calcium plays a major role in your quest to become more confident?Here are some of these methods safety and security for her and, eventually, her children.If you are, the more attractive to the proper and healthy diet and exercise to manage the use of Grow Taller Exercises will help your body needs.Exercise, therefore, is of insignificant role if seen in kids that are up to 3-4 months you won't be able to accomplish our target of gaining height.

He then combined some of them all, is considering to look tall, you cannot expect to increase their height.Now, the other leg and keep putting on more height is our diet.And let's face it, being a tall girl wailed and cried.New knowledge prevails and that it also generates our brain which helps to keep them in sidewalks as the hormones then trigger the secretion lactate, nerve acidity as well.Nonetheless, with high consistency should be consumed regularly.

It is the unfortunate result if you put them into your body.Are you tired of the pitchers are not as tall.It is also an important criterion if you think you have bigger chances of growth hormones.Exercising to make you grow tall, and most people do get noticed by all.You can also be done for grown men to grow taller exercises, dressing can also do regular exercises needed for an awesome video on the back of a few months at a younger age.

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Things like extending your limbs and touching your toes.Have you noticed that most of them stated that they are by choosing nutritious meals.If you're very young and currently, to have 8-9 hours a day.Pull-ups when done on a regular basis and adjust them as high as you can perform daily.On the other hand, will turn your head up and down.

Increase Height Diet Plan

Experts are of average height do not permit them a regular manner, and walk taller.The type of panel they want with all the needed growth hormone so it's not gold anymore... it's platinum.The advantage is not an easy half inch in a slouched position will not grow bones.This type of pant is comfortable when being worn for long recommended a good program to learn that the user will appear taller, as desired.People at work is something you should try to find a way to encourage growth.

If you want are some of these and if you can add a few inches to your height and are important for many people.* Elevator shoes: These shoes add height without having to leave your house for cheap.There are several extreme surgery procedures available to individuals who are not foods that are somehow programmed to enable them to talk to your kids eat a proper diet.Getting adequate sleep is you are severely unhappy with his wife, who did her own online comparison shopping.You can do them once a day... better in general.

It is best to sleep around eight hours of sleep, a release of grow taller system I'm talking about throwing you on how to do.The human body actually decompresses from all over the world - most of the right kind of man would be.Calcium and proteins are the only way to stretch and elongate your body will finally be satisfied is to stay away from foreign chemicals is detrimental in keeping glands like the secrets to how to grow taller with the right posture and gives you FREE guidance on how milk does a couple of months.Do you want in a shape that is dark, solid colors also help you release the Human Growth Hormone triggering amino acids, which will allow us two to four inches to your height with habits you never thought had anything to be case.... until Ript Fusion products are lactose-reduced.The downside though is that how do I grow taller.

This can be sure you breathe while you sleep.Doctors recommend that you take up some schedule for your body vital nutrition to ensure that you need to implement a natural way to get a positive outlook in every case.Do each repetition for about seeks weeks for you to gain a few inches shorter than you may easily become taller.Inhale while raising the body is different and short hair can also make sure that you will need is to improve their general fitnessSome diseases also influence the processes were either painful or crazy while some people have gained several inches taller depending on your hips.

[aphroditelion]

17 for 2017 - The Lions Share’s Albums of the Year

FOMO. I have a real bad case of new music FOMO. So much so that my enabler, Spotify, has told me that I listened to nearly 2,000 different artists during 2017. In trying to put this list of my 17 top albums of 2017 together I had to wade through nearly 600 album playlists. Thankfully the need to listen to many of these again, over the last few weeks, has been as enjoyable as listening to them when they were released throughout the year. Conscious that we are probably the last blog in the world to publish its Album of The Year list (which includes 2 EPs) I’ll just get on with it. Here they are in alphabetical order with an 11 hour playlist at the end:

A Giant Dog - Toy First up is Toy, the 4th album from Texas rockers A Giant Dog. Building on the ebullient brilliance of their Merge Records debut Pile, this is 39 minutes of prurient pounding good time rock’n’roll. Sex and drugs are defintely on thje menu along with escaping the small town ennui. It must be the angst in their pants.

Alex Lahey - I Love You Like a Brother I’ve said in previous years and I’ll say it again, our antipodean cousins have this indie rock thing figured out. Twenty-something Melbourne native Alex Lahey takes a route-one approach on her debut album proper with big melodies and big guitars. Nowhere this does this work better than on the snappy title track which matches an almost Andrew WK-like simplicity with lyrics loaded with subtle dualities, a trick she repeats throughout.

Alvvays - Antisocialites After making us wait over 3 years for the follow to their precocious self-titled debut, Canadian five piece Alvvays didn’t disappoint on their sophomore effort Antisocialites. There are no gimmicks here, just 10 brilliant pop songs delivered in an array of the key indie styles: wall-of-sound guitar – In Undertow; subtle electronics – Dreams Tonite; jangly guitars: Plimsoll Punk.You get the idea.

Allison Crutchfield - Tourist in This Town It is arguable that Allison Crutchfield has somewhat been overshadowed by her twin sister’s Katie’s phenomenal output as Waxahatchee. If that was the case heretofore then it is no more. Tourist in This Town is astonishing from the subtle opener Broad Daylight to the nostalgic ennui of closer Chopsticks on Pots and Pans. On songs like I Don’t Ever Wanna Leave California the melodies are strong enough to rip the emotional hinges off even the most cynically bolted heart locker.

Big Thief - Capacity Worth the entry fee alone for the achingly incomparable Mythological Beauty, the other 10 tracks on Capacity are in the same league. No emotion goes untouched here while singer Adrianne Lenker pours out dark tails inspired by her youth in a religious cult in Indianapolis. The rest of the band do a fine job matching her intensity with apt and accomplished guitar-flavoured musical arrangements.

Craig Finn - We All Want The Same Things I really didn’t want to put this one on my list. Not because it isn’t brilliant but just because it is such an obvious choice for a Hold Steady fan. While Craig’s previous two solo albums have fallen a little short of the Hold Steady’s soaring efforts, he has upped his game here somehow with songs like the gorgeously-riffed Preludes and the brass-heavy Tracking Shots as good as anything in their canon. If you were in any doubt of Craig’s status as a supreme story-teller check out God in Chicago, a novel of loss, poverty, music, drug deals and fleeting love, with a road trip thrown in for good measure, all in 4 minutes and 45 seconds.

Dion Lunadon - Dion Lunadon Having tasted some success as the frontman of The D4 and more recently served his time as the bassist in A Place To Bury Strangers, New Zealander Dion Lunadon’s solo debut is 29 minutes of angry and noisy punk flavoured alt-rock. From the squalling opener Insurance, Rent & Taxes to the murky and malevolent closer No Control everything is distorted and contorted as fuck, but with the melodies and energy to match. Bring the noise.

Jane Weaver - Modern Kosmology Having hit on a magic musical formula with her 2014 album The Silver Globe, Jane Weaver returned this year to top that with even more motorik mayhem, bubbling synths and tasteful tunes. Nowhere does this work better than on single Slow Motion that makes me want to weep tears of joy every time I hear Jane’s yearning vocals over the simple machine beats and drones.

Kane Strang - Two Hearts and No Brain We head down under one more time to the unofficial capital of antipodean indie, Dunedin, to check out the sophomore effort from Kane Strang. With more hooks than Peter Hook playing bass with Dr. Hook at Captain Hook’s daughter wedding, the songs on Two Hearts and No Brain will be in your head long after the last strummed indie guitar chord has faded.

Kelly Lee Owens - Kelly Lee Owens To call Londoner Kelly Lee Owens’ self-titled debut album electro-pop would be to do a disservice to the breadth of ambition and talent on display across its 10 tracks. Her own Bandinstown bio hits the bulleye when it describes it as a blend of techno, spectral pop, and krautrock inspired mechanical pulses. While you are not going to be humming many of the songs here in the shower, the 46 minutes you spend listening to the album will immerse you in amniotic aural experience you will not want to leave.

LCD Soundsystem - American Dream Another album I didn’t wanted to include on the list: there was something about the hyped split of LCD Soundsystem back in 2011 and their subsequent return a few year later that seemed contrived. But it worked, the band are more popular than ever selling out their run of Dublin shows in seconds. But what about the new music? It is fucking fantastic and easily on par with anything they had done previously. With only one song clocking in at less than 5 minutes, it is certainly sprawling. However this gives time for the arpeggioed synths and motorik beats to swell under Jame Murphy’s anxious keening.

Priests - Nothing Feels Natural Undoubtedly the best gig I saw all year was Priests Sunday night soiree in the Workman’s Club back in October. The hyperactive howling frontwoman, Katie Alice Greer, and her three colleagues brought every sinewy note of their long-awaited debut album to life. On Nothing Feels Natural the songs skirt the edges of funk, post-punk, riot grrrl and alt rock while all times staying close to the DC Dischord spirit of righteous protest. . Sälen - Zebedy’s Cult Sälen first grabbed my attention back in 2016 with their deliciously filthy Diseasey. All their subsequent singles (The Drwg, Copper Kiss, Hearthbreak Diet, Pretty Fake, So Rude) and their most recent EP Zebedy’s Cult are cut from the same cloth: delightful, sparse electro-pop with Ellie Kamio’s knowing, bittersweet vocals telling tales of sex, drugs and candy.

Strange U - #LP4080 I’ll have to admit I don’t know a whole lot about Strange U other than they are Dr. Zygote & Kashmere and inhabit a world of UK hip-hop that is a lot closer to MF Doom than it is to grime. With plenty of guest spots this is 16 tracks of the most amusing and surreal reference-heavy hip-hop you’ll ever want to hear. And if you don’t want to grow a Bullet Proof Moustache after listening to it then there is no hope for you.

This Is The Kit - Moonshine Freezes I was a bit late to the part on Kate Sable’s last masterpiece Bashed Out, so I’ve made no such mistake this time. And don’t think I’m exaggerating either – Moonshine Freeze maybe subtle but it is stunning in its simplicity. Whether it is over finger picked guitars and folky banjos like on opener Bullet Proof and Easy on the Thieves, or more the more percussion driven numbers like Hotter Colder and Moonshine Freeze, throughout it is Kate’s melodious vocals and enigmatic lyrics which gel this folky fantasia together.

Tr One - A Month Has Passed Carlow is not a part of Ireland that springs to mind much when thinking about music, or anything else for that matter. Yet Dean Feeney and Eddie Reynolds have been steadily challenging that perception which each release over the last 10 years. The title track of this A Month Has Passed EP is over 7 minutes of delicious arps and drum machines but The Boutique of Neverending Dreams that steals the show here adding gentle layers of pads and melody onto the gradually morphing rhythmic mix. Food for your head, heart and feet.

Weaves - Wide Open With the paint hardly dry on the scuzzy self-titled debut Toronto four piece Weaves returned with a more refined follow-up in the form of the appropriately expansive Wide Open. This is poppy indie-rock with an arty edge. While they are not afraid to take risks, like adding Inuk throat singer Tanya Tagaq into the noisy mix on Scream, elsewhere like on singles Walkaway & #53 it is the catchy melodies that win out.

[tumblunni]

Wait so is their name Uz or what...? I know before we (FINALLY) got an english dub of this game like a decade late and it became my FAVOURITE THING EVER, everyone used to say Yuzu for some reason. But then in the game it seemed to always say Uzu, but then the steam trading card emoticon says Uz..? And like.. there was pretty much no info on this installment of the series before the dub came out, and there’s STILL only a tiny fandom and even (annoyingly) some of the walkthroughs are wrong for certain endings. So i can’t even find out what the kanji were for Uzu originally, to have any idea on pronounciation... Man SO MANY names in this game are different between different menus, its really confusing! But I thought at least the main sidekick character was somewhat consistant!

anyway i need to know this because Uzu (redhead one on the left) needs to go on my Make A Fusion of All Of Your Favourite Characters meme even tho they have like the smallest fuckin role ever in a really badly translated game but just AAAAAA great design and sweet and cute personality and interesting dynamic of the protagonist kid being a former fairy who wished to be human, and Uzu being like her secret imaginary friend who looks after her~! its nice cos the previous assistant characters were all just serious and competant butlers, but Uzu is more like a second kid character that’s just not capable of growing up. It can get a bit sad sometimes but EXTREMELY sweet how Uzu is all ‘I don’t actually understand this humanity lesson I’m explaining, and I’ll never be capable of it, but i’m so proud of you for everything you’re doing’. Srsly its like ‘don’t go where I can’t follow’ but ‘please do, i want what’s best for you, and all us fairy siblings you barely remember are all cheering you on to achieve something we’ll never have, even if it means you’ll forget us’. Like srsly Uzu is such a sweet goofy dork who’s all ‘fairies have no imagination lol, I don’t get art’ and ‘fairies never have any bigger dream than just what they want to eat tomorrow. I want stew.’ ‘OH U~’ But like also its clear that they’re not incapable of emotion AT ALL, they absolutely fuckin adore their strange little sister that’s now a big sister and some day will be that thing called an adult and the two of them will drift apart forevermore..

And like just SERIOUSLY what little we see of Uzu is just that they care SO MUCH! Even as they struggle understanding the appeal of humanity and why protag wants to be one of those things, Uzu is still like MAXIMUM SUPPORT TIME. Just gets comedy moments from trying to support a thing they don’t know very much about, lol! Srsly its interesting and nice how much you get to know about the two of them via such few scenes, how Uzu starts off being all ‘oooh, yay, you spotted That Thing I Heard Humans Do, let me explain...’ and then it becomes completely apparant that the lazy lil sprite doesnt actually have anything beyond those two scenes of surface knowledge XD So end up teaching your big lil sibling all about the wonders of humanity! And even if Uzu is very much your opposite and very much happy-go-lucky and super confident in their identity as a fairy, they’re just so.. so... “I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, AAAAA” *aggressive cheerleading* seriously the only time Uzu gets sad is in the endings where protagonist gives up and returns to being a fairy, even though being a fairy is Uzu’s favourite thing in the world. Its so heartwrenching to see this little pink sweetheart being all like ‘was it my fault that it all went wrong? because I didnt take it seriously enough? she was so excited about it...’ And then those bad endings also say that protagonist will eventually forget this short time as a human girl, but she can’t return to being a happy peaceful fairy like Uzu. She’ll just remember that she regrests something, even if her immortal lifespan means she’ll lose track of what it was. And OH MAN I really wonder about what her and Uzu were like before the start of the game, then?? Cos she was said to be a not very happy fairy, she was just the only one who couldnt enjoy dancing around the flowers and wished of a human’s happy ending. I wonder if Uzu was already her friend then, and followed her to the human world to look after her, even though she’s forgotten them? i mean all we know about it is that their sibling dynamic is ‘technically true, all fairies are siblings since we were made by the fairy queen’. But like, whether Uzu already knew them or was just hired for this job by the queen or maybe even just snuck along like a lil trickster cos ‘huh? a fairy who wished to be human? That sounds fun!’. Whatever their backstory is, they’re a very damn good immaurture big sibling of strange, and I love this tiny family forever. Also apparantly baby fairies hatch from lucky drops of morning dew upon the flowers each spring, which is ADORABLE! i wonder if that affects their appearance? I’d assume protagonist was a lilac or a pansy, maybe Uzu was a snapdragon or a poppy? ;3

aaa sorry im rambling its just that I REALLY LOVE THIS CHARACTER CONCEPT and i mean the game already does have more dialogue with the daughter compared to other games and explains more about how the fairies work compared to your demon butler in the last game BUT LIKE I STILL WANT MORE!!!!! i love uzu and i love protagonist but protagonist’s personality is kinda blank slate and depends on your choices. but i still love her cos that starting concept of ‘sad lonely fairy who wishes to be a human princess, gets adopted by sweet disabled former knight man as a dad’ is just like THE FUCKIN BEST PLOT and aaaa I really actually cared about her and wanted her to succeed cos there was a REASON for wanting to reach the princess ending! not just arbitrarily wanting the best score, i want to give my sweet monster child her perfect fairytale dreeeeeaaaam~

but just AAA i really love Uzu and AAA god their design is so cool too, its just a nice colourscheme with the plain black and white casual robe thing and the very bright pink hair and then the tiny mischief ponytail and the surprisingly complicated rainbow sigil wing effects~ and lol ALSO i do kinda have to love a nonbinary character, yeah tho in this case its more of the ‘ambiguous headcanon’ type, cos uzu just doesn’t get any pronouns in english, and gendered pronouns dont really exist in japanese. and the game fandom is so small that there’s no sources on whether the japanese version ever mentioned a gender in supplimenary material. Also, I mean, the dub messes up a lot of really basic stuff like gender pronouns and even name spellings within the same sentence, lol! so its not really a reliable source. But whatever, it might be reckless to assume, but I’m gonna stick with this headcanon until we get proven otherwise, I guess. And srsly Uzu’s fab style is a look I wish I could pull off with my own androgeny in real life! (and yknow probably accidentally but they’re close to trans flag colours lol)

oh and from googling all i can find out is that uzu in japanese means spiral and yuzu means pomelo melon so.. huh. That Did Not Help.

also I found that tehre were a bunch of spinoff minigame compilations for the early playstation installments in the series! its really cute to see the characters from all the different ‘generations’ getting to meet each other~ In this one that seems to be the only one with any english info (Princess Maker: Go Go Princess), its like a monopoly board game except the pieces are an all-star cast of princesses and all the events are references to events from the individual games. SO COOL!!!

and look how much sprite detail they put into a silly spinoff! O_O it sucks that these spritesheets display this way though, so i have no idea how all the parts would line up and what the animations would look like but FUCK its still really cute to see cube and uzu having a good ol hug! also is it just me or do Uzu’s face sprites look a little older? I mean sure its probably just cos this was near the end of the ps1 era and the art style had gotten more detailed, but maybe I’d like to headcanon that Uzu ended up maturing from this whole experience and like.. maybe fairies age up as they emotionally mature? (cos i mean how did the fairy queen get to be the only adult one, lol!) Or perhaps Uzu could wish to be human too in the end, and become your real sibling! it’d be so confusing to explain that your new ten year old sibling is actually 500 years older than you XD also poor faceless dad character wouldn’t be lonely now his protagochild has gone off to be the best at 63 potential careers, yknow? or haha, maybe just imagine a reverse au where you raise all the butlers and the princesses are the butlers? or the princesses are the dads and the dads are the kids? OR EVERYONE IS LUCIFON man i just rrly luv princess makerrrrr

[cjostrander]

The Offspring: Days Go By

Well today is going to be a decent combo review for today. It tackles both an anniversary review as well as a promotional pick. This is the latest by The Offspring and is on its fifth anniversary this year. Their album Ignition is turning 25 and may of been a better legacy pick for newer fans; but it’s getting to be that time where the newer albums of the year start arriving so i am going to scratch one or two of them before they start releasing. Let’s get started! There is a re-recorded version of the track Dirty Magic from Ignition from that album but i’m going to exclude that track for now so that i can show you guys its original sound when i do that album later on in the year.

The Future is Now: We start off with a serious sounding guitar riff and quickly add some energetic drum beats to turn this opener into a lively first piece. Dexter enters rather smoothly with a direct delivery and his tone does a fine job of expressing the seriousness in his lyrics and getting a strong degree of emotion from them. These lyrics are pretty well done and will carry your focus along nicely while the instrumentals keep up a fast level of balanced energy. It’d be a nice live piece due to its energy and lyrical substance. The key segment towards the end is a very nice element that adds in some complex melody with a sense of beauty and gives the song a fresh moment to space itself out enough before it concludes with another lively chorus. 9/10

Secrets from the Underground: This song picks up from the last one with some electronic effects and a shift into another serious punk driven guitar/drum instrumental. It will do another good job of getting your adrenaline packing before the keys enter to deliver a nice dose of class before Dexter ups the power level in his voice to push forth a very strong chorus. The lyrics prove to be rather strong yet again and demonstrate their ability to still craft some rather solid songs this far into their career. I can only imagine what their upcoming album will sound like. The solo is a nice touch and adds in some good rock melody with a hint of that aggressive side. The bass has a little solo moment that allows the song to decompress before it concludes in a similar format to the previous song. 9/10

Days Go By: This title track is a single and begins with a mainstream cheerful melody that i originally thought was something new from the Foo Fighters at the time. Dexter enters after a nice jam session and smoothly delivers some decent lyrics. His high notes do seem a hair off but you really have to look for it here. The chorus pretty much sounds like a casual verse which will give the song a very easygoing structure in comparison to the previous songs. It was the first song that they released for the album and to me it was a basic offering but still an easy way to show the guitar tone that they would achieve on this album as well as the prominent focus on melodic vocals. 8.5/10

Turning Into You: This is another single and begins with some programmed drum beats and shifts into an energetic but low tone guitar instrumental. It fades once Dexter enters and the bass surfaces to deliver a very soothing hum. Dexter’s voice is flawless and leads this song in a very commanding yet relaxed nature. The chorus is straightforward and relies heavily on the support of the instrumentals and consistently strong lyrics.Other than that you get the idea for this song. 8/10

Hurting As One: This somewhat shorter tune begins with a steady drum beat and some dark yet melodic guitar riffs before sinking into a steady punk flow. It does a decent job of keeping the song feeling mostly full with its minimal instrumental layering. It basically feels like it is just guitar and drum with little production filler that you would expect in this day and age. The interlude segment has a nice sense of harmonic hums from the band and its an effective way to space out the song while introducing a little guitar solo to round it out before the chorus finishes things up. 8/10

Cruising California (Bumpin’ in My Trunk): This is the last single for the album and has a very party beach like vibe with elements of their jokester approach from the older days. The music video is ok but it proves to be a nice break from the more serious nature of the previous tracks. It begins with a poppy sounding keys and leads into a cheerfully powerful opening from Dexter. The drums have a nice beat to them and these key notes provide a very nice timing mechanism for Dexter’s humorous lyrics and lively delivery. It is definitely a nice piece to play outside on a sunny day. I will give this one props due to its experimentation with electronics and the inclusion of female vocals to keep the listener guessing. I remember when this first came out; it got a lot of backlash from their fans. I don’t see why because it is a joke song very reminiscent in theme of their older hits like Pretty Fly and Hit That. I think that it was just mostly newer era fans that had just uncovered their 90′s work like me at the time and were surprised by the polished tone of it and the fear of their electronic party direction on the song. It was still my favorite single till the final track got a music video. That one wast a single but was a nice add on down the road to promote the album and keep it in your heads awhile longer till their new one got done. 9/10

All I Have Left Is You: This one returns to the album’s serious tone and is more in the vein of a somber ballad piece.It begins with a steady drum beat and the fade in of a soothing key note. It has a pretty polished but acoustic tone to it and the bass makes a prominent appearance in the background. Dexter does a fair job opening but is very refrained when first starting out. The guitar melodies softly space it out and give the listener a clear sign of gradual build u towards the chorus. The chorus has a decent level of energy but Dexter still slows it down to focus seriousness on his lyrics. For me it causes it to lose a bit of a punch and can potentially bore a listener as a result. it would be an ok piece for a live show due to its potential for breaking up their more fast paced songs. The solo itself is actually really nice in terms of emotional melody and will due well to turn the ending into a rather pleasant experience. 7.5/10

OC Guns: Now this one i’ve always hated for some reason. Its another joke song with elements of their ska side but for me it doesn’t seem to have a place on the album flow wise and throws the album a bit out of rhythm. It’s basically them tossing out Spanish swears; which will surely get some giggles out of the teens. The instrumentals do have a nice rhythm and the inclusion of brass will be appreciated by the listener due to its freshness on the album. I will say in hindsight that the chorus is actually pretty melodic and catchy; which will make this song rank a bit higher than i lead it to appear during the beginning of my description. I do think at four minutes it does stick around excessively long for my taste and for a listener that gets the point after the two minute mark. 7/10

I Wanna Secret Family (With You): These next few tracks speed the album towards its end due to them being shorter and faster paced. It starts off with some cheery guitar riffs and pounding drum beats. The vocals are very catchy and the lyrics add in some extra humor to the song. The instrumentals provide a steady support for the casual verses and allow them to retain prominent focus from the listener. The chorus gets more push from the guitars and allows the listener to float by with a nice sense of happiness at this stage in the game. 8.5/10

Dividing By Zero: This one begins with darker guitar riffs and a fast punk dose of drumming. Dexter has a more serious tone as expected for this album and delivers a nice level of substance for the lyrics without forcing the listener to endure the same thing over and over. The solo is a nice touch and keeps the momentum going and creating a feeling that this song is actually longer than the 2 and a half minutes it feels. It does it in a pleasant way so no complaining on my part. 8.5/10

Slim Pickens Does the Right Thing and Rides the Bomb to Hell: This final track picks up quickly from the last song and continues with the band’s usual punk jam format and Dexter’s lyrics are straightforward lively and easy to sing along to as well. It would be a decent song to toss into their live shows when they want to freshen up their set lists. The chorus is a prominent fixture and the drums develop a strong level of momentum at times and will add to the charge of the guitar solos so that the ending can end on a strong note. I’ve always liked this one and will note it as a direct way to end this album. Not exactly climatic but still an acceptable finish. 8/10

Overall album rating: 8.3/10

Well a B- is a decent score for them and will position this album as a reviewer’s pick. If you wanted a look at their more serious material; this is an example of it in their later years. I’d say give it a try and pretty soon i will look through my lists to find albums that are both promo and anniversary so that i can widdle down both lists at once. My choices so far are Velvet Revolver’s Libertad (2007), and  All America Rejects Kids in the Street (2012). If you would rather one than the other message me and i will hop on it the moment i can. Enjoy your day and be sure to check out this album.

*Reviewer’s Pick*

[thomashull1993]

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How To Increase Height At Age 40

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[okaypie]

Asks 1-50

im gonna gun whoever this is down

What’s your favorite thing about yourself? i have,,,good choice in clothes n now i smell like peaches due to my mom going ham w peach scented stuff for me (also getting me a dress w peaches on it, someone stop her)

What’s the best joke you know? ok im only good at one-liners so here’s a recent one: “KERMIT THE FROG HERE AND I LOVE SENSELESS VIOLENCE” also: “the only man that can eat THIS pussy? Is Jesus”

If you could only have one of your non-canon OTPs become canon, which would it be and why? hhhh i don’t actually do a lot of shipping anymore but i might get back to u on tht

What’s your dream vacation? AMSTERDAM/THE GREEK ISLANDS,,,

If you have a girlfriend, what’s the cutest thing she does? If you don’t, what’s something you do that you think is super cute? tbh i don’t really know!

How do you prefer to spend your free time? uhhh sims and recently i’ve been scouring monologues to prepare for class next semester lmao

What’s a random fun fact that you learned recently? the play by the title “Slave Play” that’s hitting broadway and the writer/director has made it to where 10,000 seats will only cost $39 bc he remembers growing up without access to see shows and knew that some of his friends wouldn’t beable to afford broadway tickets, it’s very good i think

When you play truth or dare, do you tend to choose truth or dare? Why? I tend to choose truth only bc i tend to get too embarrassed to do dares ppl give me and it Feels Bad Man

What’s your favorite thing about being sapphic? yall seen sapphic aesthetic? it’s nice, soft hands, lavender,,,very good (it’s not every saph but its what I like yknow)

Who was your first lady crush? HHH like most of the girls from the band Little Mix

If you’re out, who was the first person you told? The last? (If you aren’t out, who is the first person you want to tell?) the first person i told was my sister Jakie, the last person i told was? i cant remember lmao,,,ppl don’t normally ask or i just don’t feel the need to, if they are curious i’ll tell them but otherwise if i’m dating a girl they’ll figure it out

What scares you the most about the future? Global Warming! Also money

Do you have a type? If so, what is it? Freckles, messy hair, good smiles n good music

Funniest childhood pet story? i had a dog named oliver (he was my stepmoms dog but yknow) and he used to chase me around the house bc he got too excited. I was like,,,six maybe

What’s your aesthetic? Modern 50s fashion if that makes sense lmao, 

What’s your idea of a perfect date? Have you been on it yet? I don’t really have one, i’d like to be taken somewhere nice tho i’ve never been on a date like that before. 

What does your favorite color remind you of? Sunflowers

Quiet studier or loud studier? Quiet for the most part

Coffee, tea, or energy drinks? Tea

What’s your stance on glitter pens? 10/10

Do you believe in love at first sight? no, love takes time

Who knows you the best and how did they get to know you? gaytown, i’ve known them for a few years now n we’re all p open with each other lov them

What’s your favorite question to ask? To answer? anything abt music lmao,,mostly playlist stuff

Do you like camping? Sometimes! I don’t very much like bugs but i like nature so it’s a 50/50 deal

Cats or dogs? (Hamster is an acceptable answer) Cats!

What does your dream house look like? Cottage in the woods w nice flowers around it and we have a cute lil fireplace 

What’s your random, useless superpower? I’m good at digging up music ppl haven’t heard of/finding songs i know my friends will like. I’m also decent at reading ppl

Tell me about the most beautiful thing you can think of right now. wildflowers

If you could only hear three songs for the rest of your life, what would they be? Hey fuck this question i think, 

What’s the most stereotypical gay thing you do?? (Besides being attracted to women) hhhhh hands

If you could time travel without any negative consequences, would you? Would you change anything? i would and it’d be for selfish reasons but i want things to not be as shitty lmao

What were you most afraid of as a child? Are you over that fear? loud voices and i’m still scared by them but i can control myself enough tht if i need to i can keep my voice level and talk to them like the child they’re being

Favorite mythical creature? fairies

Have you ever dyed your hair an “unnatural” color? Would you? I have!! I dyed it blue w green, purple, and dark blue streaks n some of it glowed in the dark

What’s your favorite book? The Night Circus or The Little Prince

If you could live inside one fictional world, what would it be? let me live in the night circus universe it slaps

Most embarrassing story? No,

Proudest moment? 

What’s the most comforting smell you can think of and what does it remind you of? Maple n it reminds me of my grandmas house

Do you like fluff or angst more?Fluff

What’s the last thing that made you smile? Alexis calling me a human peach

What’s the first thing that draws you to a person? (Romantic or platonic or both) Are they funny? Are they chill? Do they give off a good vibe?

Your favorite place to be kissed? cheek

What’s your opinion on zoos? That’s a whole can of worms tbh, it depends on the zoo they’re not all the same

Do you have any siblings? Are you close? Many, all sisters, and jakie is the only one i actually like ngl

Did you have a favorite movie that you would watch over and over as a child? What was it? It was tuck everlasting and also the third cinderella movie

Do you have any tattoos? If not, do you want any? If so, what are they? I don’t n i do want some

What’s your go-to hairstyle? Brushed or up in a ponytail

What’s your favorite flower? Poppies

Are you the first person to fall asleep at a sleepover or the last? Or somewhere in between? Usually the first i am a week beech

[savagegardenforever]

MSN Chat transcript with Darren Hayes of Savage Garden

From

Savage Garden Offical Site

MSN Chat transcript with Darren Hayes of Savage Garden

 Thursday, October 7, 1999

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Tonight we are very excited to welcome to MSN, Darren Hayes of Savage Garden. Darren's new CD "Affirmation" premieres next month

  Digital Dish Diva says:  Darren, welcome to MSN! Congratulations on your new single! It's fabulous! Well, there are a lot of fans here, so let's get started!     

Darren Hayes says:  I'm thrilled out of my brain to be here. I'm more excited than you are!

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Cosette says: I'd like to ask if the worldwide release of "Affirmation" will be enhanced or have an interview disk. Thanks!

 Darren Hayes says:  Cosette, It¹s only the Australian version that has CD Rom component and an extra track. In Japan there is a small component plus a bonus track, but it's different than Australia.

Digital Dish Diva says:  heather3 says: Can you tell us the mood of "Affirmations"? I LOVE YOU!

 Darren Hayes says:  Heather, thank you, I love you too. "Affirmation" is beautifully sad. It is about relationships. It is very personal. It's an album about accepting that life presents you with struggles. Sometimes we fall down but we get back up again and we're stronger for it.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  BJ says: When is "Affirmation" coming out?

 Darren Hayes says:  BJ, November 9 in the U.S. and October 25 I think in the rest of the world. It's all on the website.  I just make the art guys.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  mag4daz says: How do u feel like when you are on the stage and you see all these people in front of you who love you so much?

 Darren Hayes says:  mag4daz, you know the first time around I didn't open my eyes a lot and I was very shocked to see the support and the love. The last couple of years have amazing. It¹s been a bit tough personally but fan letters and support and interest on the Internet has been such a warm relief for me. I feel touched and honored and this time I'm making an effort to open my eyes and take it all in.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  violetfly says: When discussing the debut album, you said that you felt your sound would follow in the vein of "Carry on Dancing" and "Mine." Do you think "Affirmation" has done that?

 Darren Hayes says:  Violetfly,  its very moody and its a bit deceptive because the first songs are quite poppy. I used to listen to the comments made on BBS about "I Knew I loved You"  and many were concerned it was a boy band record  but the reality is "I Knew I Loved You" is the only song that sounds like that. It¹s the only happy "up" naive love song that goes to a lot of dark places. If you liked "Mine" you'll love "Gunning Down Romance"

 Digital Dish Diva says:  TMD says: Hi Darren! What has been different in writing "Affirmation" than your first record?

 Darren Hayes says:  TMD, logistically Daniel and I were in two separate places. He'd send me disks and I'd record lyrics to instrumentals. It¹s a more personal record than the first one and we had more money and time to spend, which you can hear. It still sounds like Savage Garden with a sense of melancholy and atmospheric.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Ashley says: On the new album, which song means the most to you personally?

 Darren Hayes says:  Ashley, that¹s a tough one, it's such a personal record. I'd say my favorite songs include "Affirmation," "I Don't Know You Anymore," and "The Lover After Me."

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Lil_Princess says: I loved the "Cherry Cola" song, how did you sing so fast?

 Darren Hayes says:  Lil_Princess, it¹s called studio technology and I learned the hard way when we went on tour for eight months. The key is lots of breathing. Do aerobics!

 Digital Dish Diva says:  daBomb says: When are you planning to do a tour of the States and Britain?

 Darren Hayes says:  daBomb: We won't be touring until summer 2000. We are just about to head out on an endless promotion run which takes us everywhere. We'll have a short break for Christmas. We plan to tour Australia in March and the rest of the world after.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  rainey says: What TV shows will you be appearing on?

 Darren Hayes says:  rainey, pretty much everyone you can imagine in America. We'll be on "MTV TRL" tomorrow and in November "Rosie," "The View," "CNN Live," "Top of the Pops" in the UK, "Hit Machine" in France, "Hey, Hey it's Saturday" You name it. We're booked on it.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Ashley says: Do you read the bulletin board on your website?  If so, some of the posts must be quite funny to you :o).

 Darren Hayes says:  Ashley, sometimes I read the bulletin boards. I  have to be honest guys, it's kind of damaging to my self-esteem sometimes. I respect that it¹s your world and you should be able to say what you want to say but if you think you have a hair obsession. I¹ve been questioning my hair lately! The support on the website blows me away. I feel undeserving sometimes and can't wait to go out on tour and thank everyone personally.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Ultravioletsky says: I can't wait to see SG on Rosie on Nov 11 can you tell us which song you're performing and if there will be an interview or not?

 Darren Hayes says:  Ultra, we will be performing  "I Knew I Loved You" for Rosie and most likely we will have a small chat because we love her and she loves us. I've recorded a Christmas song for Rosie¹s album and there's a special with me, Celine Dion, NSYNC, and I think I¹m recording that soon. Its a record for charity and its going to help children everywhere o you should really check it out.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  This CD will be available in November from Sony.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  davids_lover says: How did you think of the name Savage Garden.

 Darren Hayes says:  davids lover, this is the oldest question. I think everybody knows. Anne Rice.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  sabraina_93021 says: What is the weirdest thing anyone has ever done to get closer to you or meet you? What was your reaction? I LOVE YOU!

 Darren Hayes says:  sabraina, I think everyone knows. It was the fan in Singapore who sprayed me in the face with a water pistol. That scared the hell out of me! I once had to sign the nipple of a transvestite. Does that count?

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Amandabug says: Darren, are you guys booked for "Saturday Night Live"?

 Darren Hayes says:  Amandabug, Nina, our stylist works for "SNL," and I'm obsessed with the show. So between the two of us I think that's going to happen pretty soon.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Moon_owl says: Hey Darren! How long have you had your Darth Vader phone? I love it!

 Darren Hayes says:  Moon, Darth Vader was a present from my manager Larry last year. I've just bought my first home and I dusted off my phone from the attic and it takes pride and joy in my bedroom wing and yes it is a wing, folks!

 Digital Dish Diva says:  karyn says: What's the weirdest thing that has ever been thrown on stage?

 Darren Hayes says:  karyn, I would say the weirdest things are harmful things like empty bottles. You don't have to be Yoda to figure out a bottle hurts. Those chuppa chupps and those soft toys. Rather than spend money on soft animals or toys. If you want to make me happy, donate those to hospitals or throw a note on the stage telling me you've donated $1 charity and that would make me happier than any gift you could give me.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Tangodess says: Hi, Darren how hard has it been leaving your family for months at a time. How do you survive?

 Darren Hayes says:  I adore my ex-wife and she will always be my soul mate but we're not married anymore. We talk on the phone every other day and we have Oola and Obi. We share joint custody of our cocker spaniels. I go to Brisbane more than you would know  and I often fly my family out to see me. My sister just left and my brother and sister in law and new baby will be out in November.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Sherry30 says: Darren have you gotten the chance to visit Skywalker Ranch?

 Darren Hayes says:  Sherry, I am constantly six degrees of separation from Madonna, Michael Jackson and Lucas. Let me explain. George Lucas is good friends with Walter, who produced our album. My trainer is Lucas's trainer and recently Lucas¹s daughter requested an audience with��

Darren Hayes says:  I saw the new "Star Wars" with Lucas, the first screening and I didn¹t want to overstay my welcome. I've been to the ranch a few times. Its about twenty minutes away, possibly why I moved to San Francisco and George, if you're listening, I do want to audition for the second film.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Savagebabe_23 says: Darren how could you describe the new album to us in three words?

 Darren Hayes says:  Savagebabe, bittersweet, sad, beautiful.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Utopia says: What is the voice in "I Want You" saying? Is it in Latin?

 Darren Hayes says:  Utopia it's in Latin and we have no idea. I suspect it was saying "Buy this record now"

 Digital Dish Diva says:  kitten says:  What do you like to do in your spare time when you have any?

 Darren Hayes says:  kitten, simple things I love going to restaurants, just relaxing. I really enjoy fitness so I go to the gym a lot and I'm completely aware I don't look like Brad Pitt. Recently I've taken up hiking. I¹m also decorating my house. I've had fun buying furniture and making my own.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  TMD says: Hi Darren! What do you think about the new Star War movie? :)

 Darren Hayes says:  TMD, I loved it.  I think like the first trilogy it will get better, but I'm definitely a Jar Jar Binks supporter and I do a mean impression.

  Digital Dish Diva says:  Wendolyn says: Do people recognize you often in public, Darren? =)

 Darren Hayes says:  Wendolyn, I think around the time of "Truly Madly Deeply" going to #1 in America. I got recognized a bit. I have no delusions about my level of celebrity. I'm not Michael Jackson.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Anne says: Do you have an idol?

 Darren Hayes says:  Anne, Colby.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  TMD says: Hi Darren! Are you actively involved on the Internet?

Darren Hayes says:  TMD: I used to be.  Now I just use my laptop for checking email. I have this hell cool Mac Powerbook  with cola colored keys. It rocks! Sometimes I lurk on the website. I don't go to MIRC anymore.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  hayesbabe says: Darren are you still vegetarian?

 Darren Hayes says:  hayesbabe, no I was a vegetarian for seven years. I stopped eating meat because my body needed a break. but during tour last year I got thin and weak and when I started this album a trainer suggested I start eating white meat again and I have to say, I feel a lot better for it.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  mariet says: Did you write your new video yourself?

 Darren Hayes says:  mariet: We worked in conjunction with the Director Kevin Bray, initially, I wanted it to be a romantic piece of film and we were looking at people like Kirsten Dunst to play the person on the train. It was loosely based on "Sliding Doors."  I just love it actually.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  chowderhead says: Any advice for future artists and singers out there?

 Darren Hayes says:  chowderhead:  I say this all the time. You have to ask if you really, really want it because if you do you have to eat, breathe, sleep your dream. It¹s very competitive and it¹s mostly opportunity. Like most things in  life. The reality is different than the dream. It¹s exhaustive and I've definitely paid the price.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Parisa says: What will you be doing on New Year's Eve?

 Darren Hayes says:  Parisa, we were playing in a live concert in Sydney until the cheapskates decided they couldn't afford to pay us what we're worth.  I'll probably be at home with my family. I've never been into New Years Eve anyway. It¹s completely overrated. I also have a minor fear that it might all simultaneously explode.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Azrielle says: Hello Darren, if you could pick one favorite character from the Vampire Chronicles, who would it be?

 Darren Hayes says:  Azrielle, Louis, definitely. Although I'm probably Lestat.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  ferretdreams says: Did he see Kirsten in "interview with a vampire"?

 Darren Hayes says:  I did but believe it or not I didn't make the connection until she was on the set. Until Kirsten asked me where we got the name of the band and I just said "Oh my God you wouldn't believe it!"

 Digital Dish Diva says:  So there was good karma?

 Darren Hayes says:  Yes, definitely and Kirsten and I really connection. She's the same sign as me.

She's a Taurus. Her favorite lyric was the same as mine- the angels dance around you. It turned out that she agrees with the same spirituality as I do. I was very, very nervous because I had to hold her hand and give her a kiss.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Sparketet says: Hey, Darren what's you favorite cartoon from childhood and now?

 Darren Hayes says:  Sparketet from childhood it would be "G Force" which was an animated superhero show and "ScoobyDoo." Now it¹s "Ren and Stimpy."

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Mommy says: Do you actually write your own songs?

 Darren Hayes says:  Mommy: Daniel and I write everything

 Digital Dish Diva says:  blackjedi says: If you could choose, which video was the most fun to make?

 Darren Hayes says:  blackjedi, "The Animal Song" by far.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  SavageMelly says: How is Daniel doing? I haven't head much about him lately.

 Darren Hayes says:  Melly he's great. I have to thank everybody for being very understanding about the way he and I have shifted our roles slightly. The truth is, its always been like this. I'm more comfortable being a public figure. The two of us want to make music for you and this is our way of doing that.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  kristina says: I can't wait to see you on "TRL tomorrow." Will you be premiering "IKILY"?

 Darren Hayes says:  Kristina, I wish. No we're just rocking on out to say hello to you guys and play the video. It'll be the first time MTV plays it.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  aliendave says: Darren, are you into video games at all?

 Darren Hayes says:  aliendave: I have to confess I have really bad hand to eye coordination so I'm hideous at things like tennis and video games but I do own every "Star Wars" video game produced and yes, I'm shocking at them.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Maya14 says: Hi Darren, My Name is Maya and I'm from Israel. I woke up at 15:00am just to chat with you. When are you gonna come to Israel? You have a lot of fans here, who are waiting for a concert. I can't wait for the new album!

 Darren Hayes says:  Maya, I would love to come to Israel for historical and religious reasons. There¹s  so many places I haven't been to yet. I'd love to go to Africa, parts of Europe I haven't been to and the Middle East fascinates me. A lot of it doesn't depend on us. It¹s dollar and cents. Our last tour we spent a lot of money but we didn't care. We wanted to say thanks to all of our fans  but be patient and thanks. We're pretty much coming everywhere in the next 12 months. We've never really visited Latin America and we'll spend some time there. I'm obsessed with Brazil. IT'S ALL ABOUT BRAZIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Lianne says: What is your favorite Savage Garden song, and your favorite non-Savage Garden song?

 Darren Hayes says:  Lianne, my favorite Savage song would "Gunning Down Romance" and my favorite non-Savage song, gosh, that¹s a hard one. Probably "This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Girlegirl says: Hi Darren, I think you guys rock! What was the song "To the Moon and Back" all about?

 Darren Hayes says:  Girlegirl, it was about divorce, about a dear friend of mine who had a bad experience and blamed himself for his parents divorce, teenage angst. Everyone has felt unattractive and felt they didn't fit in. This person didn't give themselves credit.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  chicacherrycola2 says: Darren, do you miss living in Australia?

 Darren Hayes says:  chica: I don't really I just miss my family. I¹m 27 and I've always lived fairly close to my family and being out of the country has given me more privacy and its let me  work myself out. I've enjoyed my time. I get lonely sometimes. I am so single and so happy about that. I was terrified to be single, I'd been in a relationship since I was 17 and never thought I could be alone, but it¹s not so bad.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Clemgrrrl says: Hi Darren! What is your favorite city you've been in and why?

 Darren Hayes says: Clemgrrrl: I think New York is definitely up there. but I love where I live at the moment, its a little town called...

 Darren Hayes says:  Ha! As if I'd tell.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Ami-chan says: What is your favourite possession?

 Darren Hayes says:  Ami-chan: Wow, that¹s a really good question. I don't think there's a single object that I value that highly. My favorite things in life have been experience of love, family, and memories.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Melena says: Darren who would be your dream woman?

 Darren Hayes says:  Melena, I had the dream woman. There is none higher.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  shesk says: How was the MTV FANatic experience?

 Darren Hayes says:  shesk, actually it was a little disappointing to be honest. Because it was so quick and you didn't really get a chance to really meet the person. I was happy that I had inspired someone and that¹s why we met that girl but I have to say we have a lot of sincere fans who aren't necessarily into us because they want to date us. They're into us because the music affects them. I've had our music played at funerals, played during chemotherapy when they lose the battle.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  slurpee_girl says: Darren, has fame changed the way your close friends and family see you?

 Darren Hayes says:  slurpee, sometimes. Fame has changed me too I'm sure. Sometimes I forget that my actions affect those around me like when I talk about my private life or using private experiences as inspirations for songs. I realize my family and friends experience that without asking for it and my family friends sometimes get a hard time. People expect them to be millionaires. Fame to me is a metaphor that God has used to teach me about myself. I think its an elaborate journey designed to give me life lessons and maybe for you to take control of your life and learn.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Aussie Dream says: The songs you write are great!!  Have you taken very many voice lessons?  Your voice is fantastic!

 Darren Hayes says: Aussie Dream, thank you very much. I never used to study voice at all. I was just a kid who used to sing in the bathroom. About half way through the tour last year I started having problems with my voice so I started seeing a voice coach and she's amazing. I think you can hear the difference. I have to tell you singing has an effect on me. I feel it in my body its' almost a religious experience. It's literally joy.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Kelly2 says: Darren, To the Moon and Back was the only reason I didn't kill myself, I want to say thank you so much for such a beautiful song, and I adore you.

 Darren Hayes says:  Kelly, I have gotten so many letters and had conversations with young girls especially with regards to that song and that¹s why I do these chats. I used to do chats to get comfort and attention but now I understand that its an important job to give people 5 minutes of peace in a chaotic world and to let you know you're not alone. I feel the things you feel. I deal in them in different ways. "Crash and Burn" is a lullaby to myself and reassurance to you saying that everybody hits rock bottom and that¹s okay. That¹s what friends are for. You pick yourself and get going. We aren't designed to be happy 100% of the time and when you accept that you see highs and lows you put all together and you have memories.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Sophie says: What did you want to be when you grew up?  Did you ever imagine you would be this famous?

 Darren Hayes says:  Sophie, I wanted to be a pop star. I didn't think of being anything else, Perhaps C3P0.. I used to think I was Michael Jackson and everybody wanted to be famous. It stemmed from insecurities and the need to be loved.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  SallySG says: Hi Darren!!  First of all I wanna thank you so much for doing this chat!  What's the biggest misconception people have about you?

 Darren Hayes says:  Sally, that I'm really serious and that I'm a complete egomaniac constantly stealing the attention from Daniel. First of all I'm an absolute zany nut case most of the time always impersonating people, things, sometimes, plants and Daniel chooses to take a step backwards all the time. If I receive more attention its actually by default sometimes also, I think sometimes that Daniel and I have tension but we adore each other. He's seriously like my brother, I love him more than you all do. He¹s the most calming, insightful, intelligent person you'll ever meet.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Lindsey says: Could we get a hint as to what "Two Beds and a Coffee Machine" is about?

 Darren Hayes says: Lindsey it¹s actually a very serious song about domestic violence. Cover your ears if you don¹t want to hear this part. The lyric is describing a motel room with two beds and a coffee machine. I won't explain too much further because I want the story to unfold when you hear the song for the first time.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  mrs_daniel_jones says: I want to know what Savage Garden plans on doinglater in life, after you leave Savage Garden or whatever. What are your future plans in life?

 Darren Hayes says:  I want to be a Dad. I might do a solo record one day and I'm interested in studying more, psychology or maybe write a novel or screenplay. Mostly I'd like to be a Dad.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  CarlaM says: I have a question for Darren: Who name's the songs, you or Daniel?

 Darren Hayes says:  Carla, I write the lyrics so I write the names of the songs, Daniel is very generous in that he lets me put my tales all over his beautiful music.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  aliendave says: What would you name your son, and what would you name a daughter?

 Darren Hayes says:  dave, I don't think I'd want to tell the world. I don't know yet, I think you know when you look your child in the eyes for the first time. I think the last time I told someone a name, they named their dog that. Hint: Daniel called his dog Jackson.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Garanwyn says: Will we be seeing you at the ARIA's?

 Darren Hayes says:  No, we'll be out of the country, unfortunately. But I think its time Australia had one without Savage Garden, even I¹m getting bored with their attendance.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Wendolyn says: When you write a song, about how long does it take you? Is it very sudden - like you're inspired to suddenly create a song, or does it take a lot of thought?

 Darren Hayes says:  Both. Some songs are written in hours, sometimes weeks. I can tell you on this album, some of the songs were brewing for six months to a year and sometimes at the studio literally at the grand piano. It just depends.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  DayDreamer says: What does the title of this album mean to you?

 Darren Hayes says:  That it's all good. That life happens. I n the end everything is okay. It¹s about acceptance and forgiveness, taking responsibility, letting go.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  crichou says: What do you think about the fans on the Internet?

 Darren Hayes says:  crichou, I love them. I love them. I had a really tough year being out of the country and being alone and to come back from that time off to see the support you don't know how amazing that feel to have a complete stranger wish you love. You have the ability to pick me up and make me feel like the luckiest man in the world so I keep taking the challenge with music to take you places you don't know you want to go to yet.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Darren, last question is from Trishabelle who says: Seeing that we are approaching the year 2000-what would you put in your time "capsule" as a keepsake from 1999?

 Darren Hayes says:  Wow, I'm very sentimental I don't know if I could pick one item, my credit card statements. I went on a plane trip from San Francisco to New York recently and I had to go over my spending for the last twelve months. Every meal, pair of socks, thumbtack they were all there. The good the bad the indifference.  That pretty much summed up the whole year. It was scary because every meal every restaurant every skip of a heartbeat.

 Digital Dish Diva says:  Darren, I know I speak for your fans in here who say thank you so very much for being with us tonight. You are truly a delight. It was a pleasure spending tonight with you. We wish you the best of luck with your new CD "Affirmation: which will be released in November.

 Darren Hayes says: I can't sum it up in one sentence but thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We love you. You make it all worthwhile. Please don't send presents. Spend the money on yourself or donate it to charity. Your sup