#the songs title is so lit ik

[straykats]

kat talks: 5-star

tldr; it did not take long at all for this comeback to grow on me i love it so much. i find that with most new songs my first listen is always very apathetic and/or ??? LOL and there exists only a small handful of songs that i immediately was like oH MY GOD (this is across all artists i listen to) but yeah i always forget that when listening to new music and i think this comeback is the first time i fully acknowledged that my first listen is rarely (and doesnt need to be) instant likesies. theres a lot of small bits throughout the album that remind me of other songs (not a bad thing, just smth i noticed i kept noticing?). topline, dlc, the sound and time out were/are my favs hehe (update: relistening to the album again and collision and fnf are creeping up to my favs too help)

hall of fame

okay im pretty sure i've heard this in my brief listen before but i also dont remember it at all

i cant describe it but that alien-sounding melody actually has me seeing like a weird alien brainwashing thing

WHOS FUCKING-- WAS THAT JEONGIN??? AT 1:24???? that was so pretty i want that framed

during hyunjins bit i got weird b me flashbacks??? i dont think it sounds similar but my mind immediately went 'b me !!'

jesus felix

the moon landing audio is such a cool inclusion,,, 5 star,,, hall of fame,,, a star/celestial body themed comeback,,,,

s-class

okay wbk i was so confused the first time round but its grown sm on me

i LOVE the power of the opening

the cartoon boing/spring sound and (its not but) the tom and jerry running sound hehe

this song definitely sounds.. grand? and wide? and a good title track

"[im] up above the world so high" nice nice twinkle twinkle reference hehe

i absolutely love jeongin's bit in the bridge and i love the choreo of it too

item

i love the game sounds they use in this hehe

seungmin's prechorus reminds me of smth but i cant place what it is

felixs ... tone? like? the voice he uses???

hyunjin/changbin bit in the bridge >>>>> i cant explain it but it sounds so good

super bowl

the instrumental at the beginning took me by surprise.. i also am sitting ehre trying to identity the?? The Sound. digital/synth. like the almost cowbell almost snare one. ive replayed it so many times.

i thought this when i first heard it (while doing the dishes lol) but is this song all in english?

whats that sound between 'have a bite' and 'make it mine'

screams TFDGVJABVAD the whisper im sorry i cant do it HAHAHAHAHA

topline

to be mad honest i was SO excited for this based on just the teaser

'we skedaddle intoxicated razzle dazzle' best line fr

okay ik i didnt say much for this one but its one of my favs

underground rebellious kinda vibes i love it (i described that wrong but i have a very specific img in my head)

dlc

im trying to play this on the pino and its driving my nuts but in a good way

the 'amudo moreuge' line throughout the entire song is so [deep breaths] like i cant explain it but it BUT AHHHHHH (fun fact for any pokemon people LOL the song oracion has the same kinda thing in it. idk what to call it.)

oh i LOVE love the piano during the second verse AHHHHHHHHH not gonna be able to replicate it but thats okay

the song/chorus has a.. an urban tropical feel? like it's ALMOST something you would hear with a tropical background but smth about the key, maybe, plavces it instead in an urban setting at night (bc lyrics) and seems kinda bittersweet

THATS WHAT THE AMUDO MOREUGE LINE DOES it adds such a sad kinda tired/resigned feel to the song which is like. on one hand the lyrics are so 'lets dance like crazy without a care in the world' but on the other hand the song feels so lonely and kind of. 'don't worry about me, i'll manage my sadness alone'??? like, 'let's have fun together but i'm really sad even though i'm smiling' kinda thing ARGHHHHH

get lit

seungmin's line rmeinds me of smth ARGHH its another skz song i know that for sure but i cant remember which one (ngl a lot of the songs in this album have parts that remind me of another kpop song,,, one of the above reminded me of nct but icr which song)

oh wait i think its my pace @ seungmins line

the instrumental would be so cool for mashups etc

wait one of the lines is 'today im so cocky' which is interesting bc theres a previous line (sueprbowl?) thats about not being cocky or smth HMMM i would revisit but tbh i cbb rn rip

collision

tRUMPETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT... i think

trumpets reminded me of maknae on top and this song also suits jeongin's voice sm i love it here

oh??? the ringing at the end???

fnf

this REMINDS ME OF SMTH TOO an dits not kpop

but i do really like it

'ashes up in the sky' ,,,, thinkingthinkingthinking

this feels like the opposite of time out and idk how to explain it

lix singing !!!!!! i love it sm

WAIT THSI ONE ACTUALLY REMINDS ME OF B ME wait no or is it levanter

the flaura and fauna line also reminds me of venom

both of the above points refer to the melody ,, seungmin's venom prechorus "cant escape-" and then it jumps The Other Song which i cant figure out what it is AHH

was that an eagle did i just hear an eagle

the minho/chan ending is so <3 <3 <3

youtiful

the muted piano i [crying] also almost gives me knnw vibes

'must be an oracle' ????? trying to understand this. like. it must be predicting smth,, but what,,, 'look at the stars fall / they leave the sky, goodbye' which part of this is the oracle i-- ad oracle as in like a person or a message but either way

if anyone covers this song please use a xylophone or marimba hehe would be so <3

oh i can see this second verse being animated so beautifully

why did changbin singing at the end make me so incredibly soft

the sound

okay this song has been out for ages but i think the only thing i said about it was smth about the bass and also how it sounds like a 'final stand' kinda song

okay ngl i liked the jpn lyrics better for the chorus oopsies im sorry

the piano sounds so RAW like the ringing of it the way the key falls and the mallet hits the string like you can HEAR it like thats exactly how it sounds when you play that high on a piano and also like. imo i notice the sound more on older pianos and just bc of that personal association (???) this song gets a bit sadder

adding to the 'final stand' feel is the police sirens in the chorus

time out

i just love this song sm man like idk what to say at this point

OH IT REMINDS ME OF A DEEMO SONG AHHAHA WAIT LEMME FIND IT // this song omg i've never thought about it before but listening to time out just then, i literally went 'you ready?' and then i was like WAIT THATS A DIFFERENT SONG

this song would be such a fun end-of-concert/encore song woah

yeah no i really dont have much to say i just love this song sm

[kyupidos]

11/04/23’s delivery 🏹✉️ twisted wonderland

because it’s such a pretty nightヽ( ･∀･)ﾉ_θ彡☆Σ(ノ `Д´)ノ,ヽ( ･∀･)ﾉ_θ彡☆Σ(ノ `Д´)ノ ;; summary. ‘the moon looks lovely tonight, doesn’t it?’

characters. pomefiore : vil schoenheit ( separate ) ;; romantic . 🖇️ tags. reader is gender neutral ( you/your ), reader is yuu, pre-relationship, romantic fluff

📡 _a/n. one final halloween themed post before my normal posting.. anyways woo, haven’t posted in a minute. ik i said i would get to those part two-ers, but i ended up thinking of this first..bare with me now, i’ll get to it ( also apologies if the wording doesn’t make sense i was half asleep listening to malice mizer )

v. schoenheit

— under the light that refracted into marvelous colors of warmth, reds and purples, through the stained glass pane that overcasted the both of you, vil held your hand tenderly, leaning down slightly just to kiss it with all the same care he had been giving you since your dancing had begun. a mere slow twirl it had started as, before as the music continued on but instead more fast paced, and you’d began to quicken your synchronized dancing to fit. you could only be thankful that you listened to vil’s advice to work on your footwork, otherwise you’d surely have broken an ankle by now. you couldn’t help but think of how beautiful he looked, though, even if you were already all aware of his outstanding beauty just from his title as pomefiore housewarden, in such a costume that though you were dressed similarly, couldn’t help but make you feel just made him stand out in such beauty all the more despite the apparent anonymity behind it.

— a masquerade ball, crowley had been planning for it thoroughly apparently, a fun after-party event of sorts to halloween week. you were masked and your appearance was hidden by your outfit, but you quickly found that even despite the circumstance, vil was quick to be able to find you among a crowd, even if the crowd was full of people wearing fits that hid their identities to near a t. though, it wasn’t like you could say you didn’t recognize him either, when you first saw each other by the table where some were sat, the two of you included, enjoying the feast that was prepared. that much was all that was necessary for vil to politely request your hand in dance, you quaintly accepting his outstretched hand, moving to a quiet corner of the ballroom to dance peacefully to yourselves.

— when it came time for everyone to take their masks off, vil huffed and carefully strung you along outside, a beautiful area as you stepped down the staircase, passing by marble pillars, the music still playing now muffled, though audibly blending into a slow romantic song, as the housewarden gently took you by the waist to bring you back into position to dance, the night sky brightfully lit by stars and the full moon and the pitter-patter from the nearby overtly extravagant granite fountain soothed your nerves from your tension about messing up. you weren’t sure how vil interpreted this dance to a song of love, but perhaps he was thinking the same as you—though you couldn’t quite tell, because unlike you, vil had yet to unmask himself despite the fact you were well aware of each other’s identities at this point.

— though even despite, you could tell, perhaps by a gut feeling, that his eyes were focused on you, and only you, as you danced, and with every step you took you moved slightly further and further away from the indoors of the masquerade. you stood right in front of the fountain, now, and slowly your dancing came to a halt. the song had yet to end though, as despite its muffled sound it was still loudly played through the speakers, and you could tell it was still ongoing, perhaps only halfway through its run time. even so, vil stepped a bit away from you, disappointing you almost from the loss of warmth, though he still held onto your hand the same way he did when he invited you to dance in the first place. slowly, he took off the mask that hid his face, and finally you were greeted with his striking purple eyes that were in fact still laid on you.

— when he craned his neck slightly upward to get a view of the sky, you followed suit to match his line of vision, the moon’s light shining on you both in a similar fashion as the light that shines through the stained glass pane once had, but now a stream of white light instead framed your face, and as vil sneaked a glance in your direction as you were still focused on the beauty of the moon, he couldn’t help but seem it fitting, for someone who’s beauty was as endless and bountiful as yours. his stares did not go unnoticed by you, though, a light blush dusting your face at the thought of his gaze on you, though you tried to keep your eyes on the sky above as to not make the situation awkward. perhaps you could not interpret his thoughts, but as you stared at the moon, you couldn’t help but recall a saying from your world that you were sure didn’t exist in twisted wonderland.

— you hummed as vil readjusted his hold on your hand, intertwining his fingers with yours for it to become a proper hand hold. when you finally collected the bravery to turn to vil again, he was still gazing at you with a look you couldn’t quite place, but if you had to give it a word, you’d say infatuation. you were making eye contact now, and you couldn’t help but feel a tug on your heart as your eyes flitted away again, focusing on the moon’s reflection in the waters of the fountain in your nervousness. you took a breath in and recollected yourself, focusing on the warmth from the hand vil used to grasp at your own, and turned your head slightly to motion to vil your thoughts, as though you weren’t sure if vil’s thoughts were similar to your’s, you still couldn’t help but let it be known even in a roundabout way like this.

— “the moon looks lovely tonight,” you coughed up, “doesn’t it?” the blonde let an air of approval escape his lips, and you knew immediately he had a different understanding of your words( but you still savored it when he agreed, “it does, and it captures you perfectly.”

[sadbarrett]

i was tagged by @lovestreett to share my lockscreen n the last song i listened to, thank u!!

i’ll tag @a-saucerful-of-sins @mon--miel @headleygrange n @gimmeeshelter ! sorry if u’ve been tagged already!

[koshirulynn]

-The musical connection-

Royal kingdom AU- Ike eveland x afab!reader fluff

-The musical connection-

In where,you are an unknown princess who performs in the apple garden till sunrise not knowing that someone was listening to your graceful melody.

(This is just for fun,do not take this seriously and to the included streamers,lmao I'm sorry if you read this)I hope you enjoy! I will only being doing a part two depending on your liking and request!

The subtle breeze was refreshing as it hits your face.Your body seated on the wooden bench of the enchanted kingdom's garden.

You were playing the lyre while humming.Your fingers brushing off each string. The wooden instrument was rested on your lap as you played it. The song you were playing was about the stars never connecting the way you wanted which was a metaphor of you will never get everything the way you want in the end.

The garden was truly enchanted.The illuminating lanterns lit up the place,the greenery and flowers surrounded the area and many different statues of animals and historical people scattered beside the plants. There were fireflies during the darkness of the day.

It just turned midnight a few minutes ago and you still were enjoying the scenery of the apple garden.The garden was named after the legend of 'Adam and eve'. Regardless of the title,the place was still your favorite area of the whole kingdom.

You were staying for the next month before leaving to go home to your family's kingdom.

As the song ended you sang the last words of the song that hurt you from within.

"You were my only wish that I could never have"

You kept on humming the next song while playing the Lyre.Playing till sunrise.You were enjoying yourself and didn't realize that a prince was listening to you from above.The garden of apple was located beside the castle and by chance,one of the prince's bedroom had the greatest view of the enchanted yard.

Chuckling at his desk.Sitting at his desk with the window wide open to hear your lovely tune.He could see your shadowy figure on a bench. Ike rested his head on his arms smiling at how one can make such alluring music.You encouraged him to write more stories,you were mysterious and flourishing as an individual.You fed his curiosity each night.

Your performance only lasted till the sunrise was visible.Once Ike saw your shadowy figure leave,he would plop himself into bed.Finally sleeping after listening to you for 6 hours straight. Although it was long,he didn't mind being sleep deprived. His sleeping schedule was already ruined by his friends. The royal brothers,Shu and Mysta,the sunning prince,Luca and the prince of voices,Vox.They would randomly come over to Ike's castle to hang out and such.

He found himself wondering who you were and what your appearance was.Your voice was so captivating and the way you played the lyre.

Daydreaming at the dining table,Ike didn't realize that his father was requesting his attention. Until he smashed the chalice a bit too hard on the table.

"Ike,I have been talking to you."The king's stern voice intimidated the prince in the slightest.

"yes father,I apologize for daydreaming,what were you saying?"Ike's attention was now to his father.

"It's okay my son,now as I was saying,you shall be appointed to choosing someone to marry in two months."Everyone else at the table was at shock.Princess Ivy chocked on water as the news was announced.Her maids rushed in to help her.

"You will become the new king of this kingdom Ike and your sister will be attending banquets and royal balls as well."Their father continued.

"nearly all the kingdoms and even the Oceanic kingdoms will be ready for the next generation to take over!"The queen was ecstatic towards this.

The siblings felt mixed emotions about this especially Ike.

--

Luca,Mysta,Shu and Vox came over to Ike's kingdom wanting to hang out even though it was 9pm. But really,they wanted to talk about the marriage arrangements. They all were in Ike's bedroom. With the awkward silence surrounding them.

"so,we all are getting married?"Luca tried to start up a conversation while he played with the fluffy blue plushy that was on Ike's bed. All nodded in agreement except the brothers.

"We don't know who is getting the throne yet"

"pfft wait what if Mysta got married to princess Mika or Ivy"Shu joked and Mysta slapped the back of his brother's head. Shu was now groaning at his brother.Ike was lost in his thoughts,not even being his protective self when it came to his sister this time.

"something must be on your mind?"

"to be honest,everyone has something on their mind."Many sighs came out from the group.

"we should just sleep this out"Everyone agreed on it,making their way to the guest rooms because Ike's room was really just made for one person.

--

Ike still couldn't stop thinking about you.You were on his mind ever since his father had dropped the news bomb on him.He didn't know why he felt the connection but he just needed to get to know you.The bi-haired prince couldn't help it.

He was going to meet you tonight.

--

You were wearing a simple baby blue silk dress with comfortable flats and a white cardigan.As it was nearing to summer you didn't need to wear such heavy attire.

Arriving at the garden of apple,you started playing your lyre once you were seated on the bench you usually sat on. You smiled as you felt the sense of relief when your hands retracted back onto your beloved Lyre.The garden was so peaceful and the arch around the bench had Ivy's wrapped around it.

The song you played was by your younger brother Uki Violeta,it was named 'deja vu'.You missed your little brother even though he didn't miss you as much.

'One who will be chosen must become divine

Channeling the power of the universe inside

I've been blinded by

The clear vision from the other side'

A single tear rolled down your cheek as you sang the lyrics of the song that your younger brother had composed.You quickly smeared the tear away not wanting seen sad. You were home-sick in a way but you wished to stay for a bit longer.

You trailed off the song mid way because you were thinking about Uki and your parents. Not noticing the figure slightly leaning on a tall bush that was beside the bench you were at.

"You missing someone?"The unfamiliar voice scared you a bit but you composed yourself to not feel fear.

"I presume so.."You wiped off the tears that was trailing down your cheeks.Turning to where the voice was. The shadowed figure was coming towards you,sitting right next to you where you could see his face.

It was prince Ike,who won a national literature award and is known widely for his novelty as an individual.Is pretty popular within the princes and princess's liking.

Ike was shocked,you are gorgeous,your purple hair and up close,hearing your voice was much more soothing than far away,audible.Your features,you just were enchanting.You were radiating.

"Your highness,is it not too late for one to be out?"Your confused look made him chuckle.You were just so adorable.

'how cute' The prince thought to himself.

"I should be the one asking you that"He was casually talking to you which made you feel a bit more comfortable.You grin at him.

"I'm sorry if I was too loud"

"No bother at all,your melody is lovely m'lady"Blushing as that he used a nickname for you.You decided to act on.

"thank you darling"You implied with an over exaggerated voice,playfully putting your Lyre aside while getting up and doing a curtsy at him. He laughed at your childish behavior.

You sat back down beside him and giggled.

"So may I ask of your name?"Ike asked you. Thinking to yourself how he didn't know of your existence.You were the princess of the Starlight kingdom.

"My name is y/n"You didn't tell him your last name because you didn't want him to treat you any less or more because you were at the same status as him.

"Hmm well you know my name"He chuckled awkwardly as he remembered that he would have to chose someone to marry in two months.You noticed the change of tone in his voice and debated on whether you should asking what was bothering him.

You chose not to ask him as a sign of respect.'It could have been person'You thought to yourself while you both look at the glowing fireflies and stars.The sky was pitch black but you could see many shining lights up there,it reminded you of home.

As time passed by,you and Ike got to know more about each other.Talking about the most random-est things ever.His company was comfortable and he thought the same of you.He asked if he could try out your Lyre and surprisingly he was alright at it.You taught him how to play better and he quickly understood what you advised him.You guys were enjoying yourselves in the garden till the bright orange sun was visible from the silver lining of the horizon.

"I must go now prince Ike"You declared and he frowned knowing that he should get going as well.

"Can we meet again tomorrow?"The tired prince questioned you.You gave him a thumbs up before saying your farewell.

--

You and Ike met up at midnight ever since then.Ike found himself falling in love with you.His thoughts leading back to you.He always found himself thinking about your laugh,your music and the moments you both shared together.

Ike totally forgot that he would have to choose someone to marry in two months but that two months then turned into one month.All his friends noticed how smiley Ike had gotten ever since that night.This made them question him.They were at the point where Mysta and Shu were bugging him about it.Even then the voice prince was curious about it.

Everyone was hanging in Luca's place today.They had a plan to pin Ike and find out what was the source of his happiness.

"Ikeaaa why are you so smile-ish latelyy?"Mysta inquired the bi-haired prince.

"It's none of your business Mysta"Ike pouted jokingly while he continued to write his draft novel at Luca's study desk.

"Yeahhh Ike we all want to know why you are so happy lately"Luca pushed on.Ike was starting to get annoyed and stayed silent.He wanted to keep you a secret from them because he didn't want them to steal you away from him.Jealousy.

"Come on we just wanna know,Is it a girl?"Vox teased not being serious but Ike stopped writing,face flushed.Taking a deep breath,Ike tried rejecting the idea but Mysta was sitting beside Ike on the bed.

"IT'S A GORL"The fox like boy exclaimed in excitement.

"knew it.Where is my sword Luca?"Shu's smug signature expression showed.Ike was in shock that his friends would bet on this. Luca bit the inside of his cheek and gave Shu the sword that was located beside his desk.

"so who is the lucky maiden?"Vox's eye brows were wiggling up and down,interested into the topic now that someone from the opposite sex was involved.Leaning in and changing his position on the bed.

"It's none of your business"The blue haired one hid his face in his arms not wanting to talk to them about you.Him wanting to keep you a secret was a mission failed. Once Ike said that they all started whining and groaning at Ike.Begging for him to just tell them.

'I shouldn't have camee hereee'

"fine,fine,fine,fine"Ike silenced the rest of the group.

"her name is y/n"He sighed in defeat telling him everything except your appearance. Ike didn't know about your personal life really so when the boys asked him about it,he just shrugged.

"wait isn't there a princess called y/n?"Mysta asked to which the rest agreed except Ike.He didn't know that you shared the same name as a princess.

"Yeah-princess of the Starlight kingdom.She's the older sister of prince Uki but I think she isn't taking the throne for the Starlight kingdom because she is said to be attending balls like Ive,Voxanne Lucy" Luca explained.

Ike was still questioning if you were the princess of the Starlight kingdom because it would have been a 'low chance right?' He was asking himself how come he didn't know the existence of that kingdom.

"They aren't that well known because the Starlight kingdom was located up there"Vox pointed at the sky.

"Oh yeah but I heard that was a myth"Mysta crossed him arms.Everyone explained their theories but Ike stayed quiet.

--

As the boys continued to talk,the sun started to set and hours became minutes nearing midnight.It was then too late for Ike to come back to his kingdom.Missing a day from meeting up with you wasn't a problem however.You were going to leave today.You couldn't bare to tell Ike.You knew he would forget you anyways.

You were in a rush as that your mother had sent a letter to you regarding the repositioning of who will be taking the throne.Your younger siblings were the right age for the throne as well as yourself but you felt like your heart belonged else where.

Taking the special route to your palace was not so difficult if you memorized the star alignments.You studied this ever since you were young and your siblings had to as well.You have 2 younger brothers who were rightful to the throne.Yet you felt like your younger brother Uki will take the throne.He told you that he was gay and you felt very proud that he told you this.You would have to talk to your parents if they did not agree to your brother's likings.

Supportive as you were,you felt like a horrible person because you were going to leave prince Ike alone without notice.

-time: 01:23 am-

You were already at the door of the meeting room.You had already set your horse pixie aside before coming in.You smiled,making your way over to your younger brothers to hug them before your mother and father.

"Sister we missed you"Your youngest brother Sirius yelped as he hugged you tightly.

"Heyy bitchh,I missed you"Uki's calm voice made you feel welcomed home once more.He whispered the last bit before departing the hug.One you hugged everyone,you sat down at your seat.

"I came here in a rush,shall we start the discussion?"You questioned with a more serious tone than usual.

"You will be attending balls and such just like the other princesses and Uki will be crowned.Don't worry Sirius,you will be attending balls just like your sister next year."Your mother was straight forward.You assumed that this was going to happen.Uki looked at you with a horrified expression on his face and you nodded.

"mother and father,may I talk to you for a bit in private."They didn't mind such so they agreed in so.Both Uki and Sirius went out of the room and when Uki was passing you he whispered 'thank you' before leaving the room.

You felt like they wouldn't mind in making arrangements influencing Uki's sexual orientation. Once the door was shut,you looked at your parents and decided to be straight forward.

"now what is it our precious daughter?"Your mother asked with delight in her voice.

"Uki is gay and I know that you may be shocked about-"You were then cut off by your own father.

"Oh we know,we already set up many different princes who are within the same range such as bisexual,pansexual and homosexuals."Your father laughed as you showed an expression of relief that you wouldn't have to fight with your own parents.

"Did you know that your mother is Bisexual,she taught me about these things when we were your age"You mother giggled at your father's boast about her.

"Yes honey,we knew that your baby brother was gay because I mean it wasn't difficult to define"Your mother shrugged.

"well,we will see you during dinner our precious daughter hehehe"Both of your parents laughed as they left happily.You were left in sock but then you suddenly rushed over to Uki's room.

Opening the door without knocking,you saw Uki and prince Fulgur 'hanging out'

"Bitch,they already know you're gay and they have set arrangements already"You laughed as you them alone,closing the door.Making your way to your room

You only really act like that around Uki because why not.You were tired from your trip down in the Quillides Kingdom.Missing the golden eyes of Ike eveland. You really wished that you would see him soon.Plopping yourself on your bed,sighing.

With each hour passing,You craved to see him.As you thought of him,you heart pounded and your stomach was full of butterflies.You needed him.You missed many things about Ike,you missed playing for him the most however and couldn't bear to see the Lyre without remembering him.It was painful.

--

It was already the next day and Ike was wondering if you were in the garden when he wasn't there.He felt bad that he wasn't able to notify you that he couldn't make it that one day.

Hours..

Days..

weeks..

He wanted to see you but couldn't,he was stuck helping with the preparations for his ball. He was too tired that he couldn't go to the garden at all.The ball was less than a month a way. Ike was too tired at 9 pm that he would fall deep asleep in his comfortable bed while cuddling his fluffy light blue plushy.His friend's would be attending his ball and likewise Ike would be attending their ball too.

Helping with the food preparations and choosing on what will be present on tables of the ball.There was so much to the preparations.He missed you so much,all that he could think of during the night is you.He would cuddle his plushy in bed and hoped that you were safe and eating well.

As each night passed without you,he realized how much he needed you in his life.He missed you playing the Lyre in the garden.Listening to you play just filled his heart.He missed you too dearly but he was too tired to see the stars in the garden once more.

--

It was the day before the ball and Ike decided to go to the Garden of apple.It was only 10pm and he didn't expect you to go be there at the garden at all.He never heard your melody after the day that he didn't go to your special meet up place.

He was sad.A wave of melancholy feelings engulfing him as he remembered your first meeting and all the moments you both shared together.He wasn't crying but single tears were rolling down his face.He missed you so much that he forgot the way your voice sounded like.

"You missing someone?"You teasingly say leaning on the same tall bush that he was leaning on when you first met him.You smiled and sat beside the prince you longed for.

Sitting down,Ike pulled you by the waist and hugged you tightly.his head rested on your shoulder.

"I presume so"He chuckled as he pulled away after staying in the position as you enjoy each other warmth.`You cupped his face and laughed at his teary expression.You found him so cute.

Forgetting everything around you,you leaned in and kissed him.You felt like time stopped,your arms moving on his shoulders,he was kissing you back.He placed his arms around waist once again.

The fireflies were visible,just like the stars.This was something you both didn't want to forget.The day that you met.It felt ethereal.The night was yours and the day was his.Knowing this,you both were complete.

--

Departing again for a few hours,Ike felt like he had betrayed his kingdom for you.Although he wanted you,it felt illegal.His ball was in less than 24 hours now.

He still didn't know that truth.You were going to surprise him.

--

An hour in the ball,many princesses were here.They were here to impress prince Ike and his friends.You assumed they were the ones with the white suites and different ties.They looked very charming however you just wanted to see your prince.

You wore a beautiful baby blue dress,it was comfortable and stunning.It wasn't too much but it wasn't too simple either.Your hair being styled too.

You had your most expensive Lyre in your hands.Standing on the stage,playing the melody you wanted.Ike's father had asked for you to personally play your Lyre for the entrance of his son's ball a week before the ball in secret.Ike still hasn't came down to the ball room.You were waiting impatiently while your fingers laced over the stringed instruments.

"Here thy prince Ike is here!"

You played the melody strongly,the entrance music that was requested.Prince Ike entered the room wearing a white suit and black shirt,a tie that had gold essence and gold pieces decorated around his attire.The gold matched his glasses.

Smiling at his guests that filled the room,many princesses from far and wide.He saw a familiar purple haired girl,someone who he didn't think would be here.Ike was shocked to see you here,holding your Lyre in your hand,still playing the melody with strong passion.You already knew the song by heart and once you realized he was looking at you.You couldn't help but smile at him.

Even just hearing the melody you played,he knew it was you.The musical connection.

"y/n violeta"

--

Tbh im really tired and I apologise for any mistakes I made within this post. Its really long and I want to work on other things too^¬^sorry for the wait and the mistakes

[marybethsjournal]

Fare You Well, Dear Sean

Summary: Karen finds out what happened to Sean in Rhodes

Pairing(s): Sean Maguire x Karen

Warning(s): kidnapping (Jack), major character death, religion talk, reference to vom!t, vague thoughts of suicide, super vague implication of pregnancy(?)

Word Count: 1749

A/N: To the anon that asked for Karen x Sean fluff, this is not it lol. Yours is coming, but this is just pure sadness

Also, here’s the link to the song from RDR2 that inspired my title: https://youtu.be/S5N-nLY32KA

ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29829786

Today was absolute chaos. It had started out normal enough. Karen had woken to Sean shaking her wildly just like she always did when he actually made himself useful and went on a job outside camp. He thought she cared so much about what he was doing for the day. He hadn’t gotten the hint that she didn’t care. Well maybe she cared just a little… but not much! She knew that he wanted her to be impressed and think that he was some sort of hero, but Karen had a strict rule against getting impressed by stupid men. Especially stupid men named Sean Maguire.

“Miss Jones! Wake up and give your suitor a kiss goodbye!”

“In your dreams, Sean.” Karen mumbled, opening her eyes and swatting her hand at him.

��I always was told I’m a dreamer. My da-”

“No, not today. Too early.” Karen cut him off. Sean’s face fell for half a second, barely detectable, before a smile was plastered on his face again.

“You’re right, it is early. You know what they say, though, the early bird gets the worm! Sad to say that my worm-” Sean was going down a path that Karen did not like the looks of.

“Sean! That’s disgusting!” Sean laughed, glad he was able to get a reaction out of her. Any attention from Karen was good attention, at least in his mind. 

Karen patted the ground next to her, signaling for him to sit. “Where you boys off to today, then?”

Sean's face lit up as he sat down next to her, happy to be able to tell of the important job that he was going to go on today, “The Grays need security so naturally they called upon Dead Eye Maguire. Nothing gets past me! I could do it by myself, you know, but I decided to let Bill, Micah, and Arthur on the job. Poor boys needed something to do.”

Karen rolled her eyes at the inflated story Sean just told, but upon hearing that Micah would be there, she felt her instincts screaming that this job wasn’t such a good idea. All of Micah’s plans were terrible, truth be told, but Dutch thought differently, for some reason. “Be careful, alright. I don’t trust Micah as far as I can throw him.”

“Ahhh he’s a bastard but he ain’t got nothing on ol’ Sean Maguire. Don’t you worry your pretty little mind about that.”

Karen sighed, remembering that anytime she expressed any concern, Sean’s ego grew. “Forget I said anything.”

A silence, neither particularly comfortable or uncomfortable, grew between them. Karen thought that for once, maybe Sean was just going to leave her alone and go on about his business. But then he wouldn’t be Sean.

“Can I have my kiss now?” Sean puckered his lips and leaned forward. Karen could hardly find it in herself to not slap him.

“Hell no. Go bother someone else.” She tried to shoo him but he wouldn’t leave, not that she particularly expected him to.

“I know you love me, you should just stop fighting and admit it. I’m irresistible”

“I wish I was resistant to you” 

“You’ve got to stop wishing such pain onto yourself,” Sean paused for a second before remembering something that he apparently deemed far more important than further pumping up his ego. “You feeling better today?”

Karen sighed. No she was not feeling better, not at all. She’d been feeling worse and worse every day since she had first fallen ill a little over a week ago. She appreciated Sean asking but didn’t feel like worrying him (and she especially didn’t want to confide in him about what she thought may be causing his illness). “Maybe a little. I’m fine, I promise.”

“Karen, you puked on my shoes last night.” Sean pointed out. 

“Ugh, okay, maybe I’m not fine, but I will be. I’ll be alright, Sean.” Karen’s tone grew softer at the end.

“I’ll pick you up some cola syrup in town. Maybe that’ll help?” 

“That’s not gonna make me kiss you, Sean.” Karen teased.

“I know. Just want to help, is all.” Sean took Karen’s hand and ran his thumb over her knuckles. “Cause I love you, I really do.”

Karen sighed, feigning exasperation. “Oh alright, come here, you.” She pulled Sean in for a quick kiss. It lasted no more than two second but it was more than enough to make Sean happy.

“See everyone, she loves me!” Sean yelled way too comfortably for Karen. He was practically floating on air, skipping across camp. 

Sean had already gotten up onto his horse before Karen yelled back at him,”I do not, you ass!”

Several hours later, the whole gang had turned to chaos. Something had happened to Jack, he was nowhere to be seen. Karen had thought woefully that when no one was watching, maybe he had tried to go swimming in the lake and had drowned. The thought sickened her. But soon enough, Kieran came forward and said he had seen some men come by and had thought they were coming for a meeting. Since no meeting had taken place, it was then assumed that someone had taken Jack. Karen hoped against hope that he was safe.

Karen, trying desperately to comfort Abigail, barely noticed when Micah, Arthur, and later on, Bill returned to camp. And she certainly didn’t notice that Sean didn’t join them. It wasn’t long after Bill returned, however, that Reverend approached her, a solemn look in his eyes.

“Miss Jones, I need to take you somewhere private to talk.” he grabbed for her hand.

“Are you crazy, you drunk bastard? Jack is gone! We all need to help look.”

Reverend’s face changed to a look of pity, which made Karen’s heart sink. She didn’t know what had happened, but something was terribly wrong.

“You’re right, we need to look for Jack, but I still need to talk to you first.”

“Alright.” Reverend led her over to one of the far sides of camp, next to a wagon. Karen grew more uncomfortable with every passing second

“Karen,” Reverend started, “The boys went into town to see the Grays this morning.”

“I know that already!” Karen interrupted impatiently.

“It was a setup. They shot Sean.” Reverend bowed his head.

“Well where is he? I’ll go to the doctor to see him, right now. I’m sure he’ll want to see me.” Karen rambled quickly.

“No, you don’t understand. He um, well he passed. Bill told me earlier and said there was nothing they could have done.”

Karen backed away from Reverend, her hands shaking. “No, no. That-no” She didn’t know what else to say.

“I’m really sorry, we all cared so much about him.” Reverend awkwardly hugged her. She normally didn’t like physical affection, but she didn’t want anyone to see the tears that were streaming down her cheeks. This couldn’t be happening. Sean hadn’t done anything to deserve this. 

“Bill buried him, nice and proper, he said. I’m going over there now. Couldn’t read him his last rites, but hopefully I can still pray over him for a safe journey to Heaven. I’ve got to at least try. I’d like for you to come along, if you can find it in you.”

“Of course I can find it in me!” Karen cried.This was her last chance to say goodbye and there was no way she was going to pass it up.

Reverend helped Karen up onto the wagon and they went on their way. They sat in mutual silence, save for Karen’s soft crying, for most of the ride. Karen didn’t feel up for conversation, understandably. 

When they were getting close to Sean’s final resting place, Karen finally broke the silence. 

“God, I hope he didn’t hurt for long.”

“Bill said they blasted a bullet straight through his skull, so I’m sure he died immediately. Didn’t see it coming.” Reverend responded, without thinking much over how his words might impact Karen.

“Oh my god don’t tell me that!” Karen sobbed, placing her hand over her face.The sentiment made her feel sicker to her stomach than she already had been that morning. This had to be the worst day of her life, no contest.

“I’m sorry Karen-”

“I think I’m gonna be sick” 

“Hold on, we’re almost there.” Reverend assured her.

A moment or so later, they arrived at a little patch of grass, shaded by trees that overlooked Flat Iron Lake. 

“Sean! No no no!” Karen jumped off the wagon and ran to the grave before the horse had made a full stop. She collapsed in front of the grave and cried harder than she had ever remembered doing in the past.

“I know it’s hard, but he’s in a better place now.” Reverend said in an attempt to console her. “You think?” Karen asked between broken sobs.

“Yes, I really do.” Reverend told her, kneeling down and patting her on the back.

Karen, while sitting through Reverend’s prayers for Sean, recalled how poorly she had treated him. She was the worst girlfriend, or whatever she was to him, in the world. No sooner had Reverend said “Amen” before she looked at the cross, which had Sean’s name engraved on it and began rambling.

“I’m sorry I called you an ass. I really didn’t mean it, I swear. I love you, I can’t believe I didn’t tell you, God I’m so fucking sorry.”

“Karen, he knew. If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that he knew that.” Reverend assured her genuinely.

“You promise?” Karen looked back at him, her eyes full of tears and puffy from crying.

“Of course. He’s probably watching over you right now. And I think he’d want you to be strong.”

“I don’t want to be strong. I want to be with him.” In fact, the last thing in the world that Karen wanted to be was “strong”. She was pretty sure she didn’t even have it in her.

“Here, Bill found Sean’s satchel. You can keep it if you like.” Reverend picked up the small bag from the other side of the tree and handed it to Karen.

Karen's hands shook as she opened the satchel. Inside was a wad of money, a half eaten chocolate bar, an unfinished letter he’d written to her that was dated back when he had been taken prisoner by Ike Skelding’s bounty men, an Emerald ring, and the Cola syrup he’d promised her that morning.

[tyongf-nct]

ohhh you bias haechan and jaemin too? that’s nice >.< different questions then: whats your favorite song? (titles and/or bsides) and do you have any favorite gg? - 🌈

oof 😩 i have SO many favorite songs, especially for nct alone, so i’ll just pick a few that come to my mind first (in no particular order)

cherry bomb

baby don’t stop

baby don’t like it

love talk (eng version especially)

simon says

the 7th sense

dream launch

chewing gum (it’s a classic what can i say)

my first and last

we go up

jopping (IK THIS IS SUPERM BUT ITS LITERALLY LEGENDARY AT THIS POINT)

the entirety of the we boom mini album

also the entirety of neo zone but love song, elevator, and not alone are my favorites atm

and lit rally so many more but i deadass love like all of their music 😂

as far as girl groups, i have listened to plenty of the big three, but blackpink are the only ones i really know the members and watch a ton of their content. i will literally riot if they do not get a full album comeback this year i stg YG

[autobahnmp3]

for the kpop group thing: oneus and onewe!

[ if i’m familiar ] - onewe

favorite member if I have one i don't have a favorite im a very very new fan kfdhjfdg

favorite song(s) rain to be, orbit_, universe_ (rly the whole latest album i listen to it from start to finish and on repeat and i rarely do that with albums)

why I don’t stan (yet) / if I want to sooo much content and groups and sooo little time :( i do want to get a bit more familiar with them but i can't force it. there's some groups where i'll mostly listen to their music rather than other content and i think that's ok :)

question for veteran fans what's an episode of a variety show they've been on or some other content that you loved? [ if i stan ] - oneus (i didn't know if i should pick this or the 'if i'm familiar' set of questions but i'll try this)

favorite member / bias line hwanwoong and xion. why? dunno but hw is a monbebe and i just relate hffkdgdf

which member I’d fight (& why) seoho bc i think he'd be up for it

favorite song(s) LUNA, valkyrie (i was a lil obsessed with it for a while), LIT, shut up 받고 crazy hot, to be or not to be (first song and mv i listened to/saw), incomplete

favorite thing about the group vibes?????? idk what else to say i just like their vibe a lot :')

something i’d like to see from them for their company to not fuck up their health!!!!!!!! for them to be happy and healthy. other than than i'd like to see things they want to do, ik they fought for luna to be the title track and that turned out SO good it was probs my fave comeback of 2021 in general so just lay it on me whatever they do next

[nytcap]

Press preview for Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock & Roll by j- No Via Flickr: The Metropolitan Museum of Art April 1, 2019

A groundbreaking exhibition presenting a spectacular array of iconic instruments of rock and roll - "one of the most influential artistic movements of the 20th century and the objects that made the music possible" - go on view at The Met on April 8, through September.

“Rarely Seen Guitars, Bass, Drum Kits, Keys, and Horns from More than 80 Renowned Musicians Celebrate the Unique Role of Instruments in Rock.” Christie's and Sotheby's must be kicking themselves for missing out on what surely would have netted them millions in auctioneer's commissions, if placed on the market instead of donated to a museum.

On April 1, the press was treated to a preview of the show, teased with what many of us thought to be an April Fool joke: appearances by musicians Jimmy Page, Steve Miller, Tina Weymouth, and others.  Nope, it wasn't a joke. Towering over the packed hall were Greco-Roman statues of (appropriately) shamelessly full-frontal nude men and ladies, lit by sunlight streaming through the skylight and floor-to ceiling window.  

Typically, for rock & roll, the start was delayed, but eventually out strode those very rock stars. Remarks about the year-long labor of putting together such a monumental exhibition were made by museum staff and a rep from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, who sponsored the exhibit.  Following brief, anecdotal remarks from the Led Zep guitar god, the original Space Cowboy, Steve Miller, gave a long walk-through about putting the show together, as well as much technical tidbits that no doubt flew way over the heads of all who are not guitarists themselves. He also promised that he would be working with the Met to improve their music-hostile acoustics.  Talking Head and Tom-Tom Clubber Tina Weymouth read from a very long essay by a Catholic priest about, basically, the importance of finding your own rhythm.  The audience perked up from nodding off completely, when she worked in a quote of the title of TTC's "Happiness Can't Buy Money", which, given the head-nodding, hardly anyone present was familiar with, despite it being one of her biggest hits.

After the formalities, there was a completely unexpected solo performance by Don Felder on his truly iconic (sorry for the overuse of this adjective, but it's true) double 12- and 6-string white guitar used on just about every performance of  "Hotel California" the Eagles ever gave. video links: https://flic.kr/p/2fpobAn https://flic.kr/p/2eiqZpW

Room after room featured worshipful displays of performance setups, surrounded by walls completely covered - like my teenage bedroom - with concert posters from back in the day when those were actually serious works of art (not to mention when rock stars were accomplished serious musicians and composers, unlike the majority of today’s autotuned stars who can’t play anything, drone over lifeless iMac-generated beats, and require an entire village to compose and score their songs).

As a strictly Ibanez person myself, I was disappointed to see the only representative of my (let's face it, budget-minded) brand, was one donated by Joni Mitchell.  I can only hope that it was used on the two or three songs of her's that I like.

The exhibition begins with Chuck Berry's  ES-350T (1957) electric guitar, which was used to record "Johnny B. Goode"; followed by Lady Gaga's custom-designed piano; Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Texas Flood" composite Stratocaster "Number One"; the guitar that Keith Richards is known to have used when the Rolling Stones appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1966;  Flea's "punk" bass used throughout RHCP's career, and Jimmy Page's dragon-embroidered costume, which he wore during Led Zeppelin's live performances from 1975 to 1977.

In addition to Prince's iconic gold 'love symbol' guitar, included in the exhibit is the Purple One's 1980s "cherub" suit, and the famous "disappearing" Tele-style H.S. Anderson Mad Cat guitar he played on his 2004 show-stopping, jaw-dropping solo during the all-star tribute performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” for the induction of George Harrison into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  A performance which provides a perfect bookend to Hendrix's "flaming" finale, opening for The Who.  OK, blue-eyed soulsters, lemme see ya top this! Boom. https://youtu.be/6SFNW5F8K9Y 

The remains of Kurt Cobain's Fender used on Nirvana's In Utero tour are on display, which he destroyed upon spotting Eddie Van Halen (another renowned guitar killer) in the audience.

Wall cards accompanying many of the instruments testify to the comradery among musicians in that so many classic instruments were passed from one to another out of respect for their craft and contributions, as well as collaborations that led to technological advances, e.g. Keith Emerson and Robert Moog, Les Paul with Gibson guitars, and Todd Rundgren's restorations for Eric Clapton and others.

*view many more photos at https://flic.kr/s/aHskTsXCvJ 

And no history of electric guitars would be complete without the reverse-strung Stratocaster that Jimi Hendrix performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" on at Woodstock, as well as at the Monterey Pops festival, AND the shard that is left of the Strat that he incinerated at Monterey Pops.  

A bit of trivia that was new to me was that the reason so many early guitars had hideous pale yellow finishes was because it looked better on television in the days of black & white.  Many musicians had theirs repainted after color tv came in in the mid-to-late 1960s.

Axes from other rock stars of note include The White Stripes' Jack White, Gerry Garcia's singular "Wolf" Irwin, Bo Diddley's candy apple red hambonin' "Twang Machine" self-modified box Gretch, Cheap Trickster Rick Nielsen's insane 4-bodied Hamer, many from Eric "God" Clapton, Ravi Shankar's sitar, Muddy Waters' "The Hoss" blood red Telecaster, the original and hugely influential erotic gospel axe-shredder Sister Rosetta "rock me" Tharpe (whose modified light Les Paul Gibson was later copied for Jimi Hendrix, The Who, AC/DC, and the Allman Brothers), and of course, the Beatles.

All together now: in one photo, appearing for the first time, the signature guitar used by Elvis Presley, flanked by those of George Harrison, and 50s rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson.

Drums and bass take a back seat (beat?) in the show, as do keyboards and brass, but still, respect is given with displays from notable kits from Keith Moon, Patti Smith's clarinet, the Mellontron used by the Stones on "2000 Light Years from Home" (which, for you youngsters, was an analog keyboard-operated instrument that played acetate taped notes recorded from any source, including human voices, used heavily by late psychedelic bands like Tangerine Dream and Genesis, and even a band that I was in [dating myself]), Louis Jordan's alto sax, Ray Manzarek's organ used on the Door's ""Light My Fire", Keith Emerson's knife-embedded "raped" Hammond organ and massive Moog synth, B-52 Kate Pierson's Farfisa organ (I stupidly sold mine for a mere $50, to buy drugs, of course) and a gold Steck grand piano used by pioneering rock pals Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard.

The exhibit's promo postcard features Joan Jett's guitar "Melody Maker" girl power guitar, which remains an important part of her onstage (& offstage LGBT) identity.

Creators and innovators of amps, pedals, and effects like feedback, distortions, fuzz, wah-wah and sequencing, were almost totally absent, despite their overwhelming influence on the development of rock.  No Ike Turner, Link Wray, Dick Dale, or any surf guitar innovators whatsoever. No Frippertronics or Enosification. Then again, the absence of any mention of sex and drugs in a show about rock stars is pretty glaring, also.

Contemporary rock is mostly absent, as is most post-80s, save Cobain and White and an obviously egregious curatorial plug for St. Vincent, who seems to be way out of her league surrounded by Clapton, Townsend, Beck, Hendirx, and Page.  And aside from Joe Strummer's Telecaster, with it's duct-taped strap and Jett’s Melody Maker, punk is not represented here at all, either because it was not deemed part of rock and roll (Johnny Rotten famously declared that punk was meant to be the death of rock and roll, but admitted that it failed by actually reviving it) or deemed unworthy. Or maybe they simply could’t afford to give up their instruments. But being enshrined in the Metropolitan Museum, though, would not be very punk, now would it?

#MetRockandRoll #guitar #rock #rockandroll #musician #musicalinstruments

[oneustual-moving]

for your most recent ask game! this is obvious but oneus! and perhaps onewe if you’d like?

ANON THANK UUUUU I AM HOLDING HR HAND. also omg honored and obsessed that its “obvious” to ask me abt oneus now. this is my legacy and i am 100% okay with it thabk u. i’ll do both weus though bc i do love them both !!

onewe:

do i stan them? yes ALMOST !! | only for the music | attempting to | no

i already know so much abt them i just need to Officially stan whatever that means. but im just not as familiar w them as i am w oneus atm!! but their music is everythinf and theyre so good and funny and talented :,)

who or what caught my attention: 100% harin i watched an mv and was like Who Is The Drummer….. him <3

why i want to stan: i already love their music & the members & like its oneus’s brother group so its about time

what i already know about them: debuted in 2019 !! oneus’s brother group. theyre under rbw they have 5 members. yonghoon (leader & main vocal) harin (drummer) dongmyeong (keyboard) cya (bass & rapper & maknae) & kanghyun (guitar). theyre a band not an idol group. dongmyeong is a minute older than dongju. (ik a lot of like Basic facts just i have to get into the members & behind the scenes stuff yknow !!)

current fave member: YONGHOON LISTEN 😭😭 in ‘i will debut’ when they were busking in busan & his mom showed up and he started crying and then went up and sang to her i got so emotional it was soooooo 😭😭💗💗 him……

question for veteran fans: what series should i watch to get to know them more ?? like behind the scenes or variety stuff!

———

oneus:

do i stan? yes | only for the music | attempting to | no

i mean…….. [silently stares at my pfp & my url & my pinned & my carrd & the intro to oneus carrd i worked on for days]…. yeah lmao theyre my ult bg (like other than mx since mx will always be no1 u know how it is). anyways stan oneus theyre the best 4th gen bg full stop and theyre way too underrated

• my bias & wrecker: KEONHEE & DONGJU MY BELOVEDS 👫👫 also seoho is probably my wrecker I Think He’s Neat

• first time i heard of them: hmm end of december i think ?? jami texted me like “u should check out this group” and i was like “oho okay”

• when i became a fan: i liked them from the get go bc ‘come back home’ made my brain melt, but i got Super into them after i saw ‘no diggity’ like a week after it came out. i was just so impressed that they made a song that was noisy but also rly good

• fave&least fave title track: fave is ‘to be or not to be’ 100%… least fave UMM 😰 ‘twilight’ maaaybe?? i still love that song SO much but it’s in between ‘valkyrie’ and ‘lit’ which are both better than ‘twilight’ imo

• fave&least fave bside: wtf. i cannot choose. fave bsides are tied between ‘lion heart’ ‘stand by’ & ‘rewind’. also ‘youth’. but literally every oke of their songs is so good so i cant decide. least fave ?? 😭😭 i’ll just say ummm ‘white night’ ig since i like their other slower songs (‘red thread’ ‘blue sky’ ‘kiseki’) more

• fave&least fave mv: ‘TO BE OR NOT TO BE’ (shouting from the rooftops). listen. u give me vampires plus some fun little violence out of nowhere plus seoho being chucked around right before he belts and then keonhee in a crown, of course its gonna be my fave. least fave is uhhh ‘valkyrie’ ig since it’s not as fun as the other ones

• fave&least fave album: fave album is ‘devil’ omg. “this album is for everyone who is called a ‘devil’ by society” okay keonhee just say its for the lgbts. also it’s the longest album. and for leadt fave im gonna cheat and say ‘no diggity’ since it was just two japanese versions and two instrumentals and no new songs >:3

• a concept i wish theyd try: i ?? honestly have no clue? like theyve done fantasy (valkyrie twilight tbontb cbh), theyve done chill/softer concepts (aswe), theyve done scifi kinda (black mirror) IDK!! they can literally do whatever they want and i’ll be along for the ride idc at this point bc its just oneus yaknow. maaaybe more greek mythology related stuff so i can do my greek myth final on them :|

• what i like most abt them: honestly offstage theyre rly humble and chill. like the one behind show they did where they just sat and made bead bracelets w the mc for 15 minutes and just like didnt try to overact for the camera and they were just vibing ?? perfect. theyre so funny and incredibly talented its insane. ik i say they dont have any bad songs but like they literally do not imo & i could listen to them constantly (& i do) even though they dont have a ton of music compared to other groups. also them being underrated and a smaller group means the fandom is relatively normal and its much easier to not feel like ur going insane when interacting w other tomoons lmao. also since they are a nobody group, all their albums on depop and stufd are rly cheap. shoutout to the person who sold me ‘lived’ album for $5 plus shipping yesterday

[confu-xion]

Quit

For some reason I love putting titles on my personal posts and for this one I couldn’t really think of one, so its the song I’m listening to right now. I didn’t post yesterday because I got caught up, However when I did have some time to think to myself It was late at night and I was hella drowsy with sleep. All i can remember now (next morning) is that I was filled with hate and I don’t want to go back. I also couldn’t help myself and did a lil check up on the person and saw they’re still using tumblr regularly and for some reason that kinda angered me a lil more, like did I mean that little to you that my absence has no affect on your life? Also ik this person is speaking to my other friends, because no one really knows whats going on between us so I get told things cos no one really realises what it tells me. Also its been just over a week since all this started and its been exactly a week since any communication. At this point I do feel like this will be the end of this. Im also prraaayyyyyyiiingg I get into the course I want so I can get tf outta here and start my life elsewhere. 

In other news I was browsing tumblr and got inspiration for a painting, and I feel like something just lit up inside me, ngl I’m still lonely but I can do this. I need to stop eating my feelings and really busy myself. Im feeling quite hopeful and i think this is all I have for today. 

[newcatwords]

book review: “Kanaka ʻōiwi methodologies : moʻolelo and metaphor” (part three)

“To further complicate the issue, if the generally accepted term for ‘map’ is palapala aina and the whole crux of my thesis statement is that ancestral Kanaka did not have maps before contact? how do I as a scholar writing journal articles solely ma ka ‘olelo Hawai’i begin to explain Kanaka ‘mapping’ practices once I have openly acknowledged that ‘palapala ‘aina’ insufficiently describes Kanaka ways of locating ourselves? Another dilemma is selecting an ‘olelo Hawai’i term that approximates the notion of ‘performance cartography’ while taking into consideration that ‘ho’ike honua’ (to show the earth, performances related to the earth), a logical option, is already more commonly translated and understood to mean ‘geography.’ Thus, before I can even begin my discussion about performance cartographies and Kanaka ‘mapping’ practices, it is necessary for me to define the ‘olelo Hawai’i terminologies that I will be employing. This additional layer of research would not be as complicated if I were to write in English. Of the terms ‘geography,’ ‘map,’ and ‘performance cartographies’ perhaps only ‘performance cartographies’ would need to be defined for my English readership.”

She provides an excellent short literature review of Hawaiian scholars and some of the ways that they take a Hawaiian approach to their work:

“Kanaka academics - including but not limited to Isabella Abott, Naleen Andrade, Nanette Judd, Lilikala Kame’eleihiwa, George Kanahele, Jonathan Osorio, Abraham Pi’ianaia, Noenoe Silva, Haunani-Kay Trask, Sam No’eau Warner, Kerry Laiana Wong, and Kanalu Young - are notable Kanaka pioneers in their respective academic fields. Each of these scholars have been able to fuse the ancestral wisdom and knowledge systems of their kupuna with their fields of expertise in the academy, thus demonstrating the relevance of ancestral practices and understandings in a modern context.

In  recent years, Kanaka scholars, writing ma ka ‘olelo Hawai’i and in English alike, have incorporated various techniques to indigenize methodological approaches within the academy. Scholars such as Leilani Basham, Kahikina de Silva, and Keawe Lopes have used mele as the foundation for their thesis statements and methodological approaches. In some cases these scholars have used the first line of a mele as the title of each of their chapters. Sometimes authors purposefully begin each of their book chapters with a poignant mele as a foundation for the rest of the chapter. In other cases, key lessons learned from a mele serve as the research methodology for their scholarship. Other Kanaka scholars such as ku’ualoha ho’omanawanui and Alohalani Brown are known for their scholarship based on mo’olelo, whereas Kekeha Solis is well known for his use of ‘olelo no’eau (proverbs) as a methodological approach. Another common methodological device is to weave metaphors throughout scholarly publications (see the chapters by Goodyear-Ka’opua, Saffery, and Vaughan in this book series). Still others allow the ‘aina to speak for itself through ‘olelo Hawai’i place names and ‘olelo no’eau related to place.”

“...these and other Kanaka scholars are demonstrating the germaneness of ancestral knowledge systems in a contemporary context.”

“The complexity of Kanaka thought embedded in ‘olelo Hawai’i adds another layer of kuleana for the Kanaka scholar. Inasmuch as Kanaka research is often conducted in communities and for communities by those with kuleana to those very communities, sometimes it takes a community to complete a research project. Our work is often strengthened by the collective knowledge, skill sets, and experiences of others.”

“Because overlapping and intersecting meanings are celebrated in Kanaka knowledge systems, the Kanaka scholar often has multiple layers of information to consider when reading ‘olelo Hawai’i literature or listening to oral histories.”

she then lists and defines the main elements of her methodology:

Community of Scholars Methodology: this seems to me to be similar to the “community of practice” concept, informal and formal, ongoing collaboration with one’s fellow researches because you’re all invested in the work all of you are doing and you help each other.

“Hale Naua (House of Wisdom, Temple of Science)”: a historical institution from Kingdom times.

Papaku Makawalu Methodology:  “In this ‘methodical presentation of a holistic preview of the Hawaiian universe,’ scholars deconstruct layers of embedded meaning. [9] This is accomplished by examining oral and written ‘olelo Hawai’i histories collaboratively and through close observation, especially by capturing images in the form of digital photographs.”

[9]: http://www.edithkanakaolefoundation.org/current-projects/papaku-makawalu/

Sense Ability Methodology (made up of nine methodologies - the senses):

“As a Kanaka scholar, I have a deep appreciation for close observation when conducting research. Like contemporary scientists, ancestral Kanaka formed hypotheses and conducted extensive investigations to acquire new knowledge or refine previous knowledge. Through close observation, ancestral Kanaka were able to make many breakthroughs (e.g., non-instrument navigation, pharmaceutical remedies, astronomic observations) that are only now being acknowledged and validated by the scientific community.

In recognition of the fact that my kupuna were stellar observers and scientists in their own right, I too rely heavily on the use of my ‘sense abilities’ or the use of my senses as a methodology for comprehending the world around me and examining my research topic rom multiple perspectives. I recognize at least nine sense abilities that I believe all Kanaka are born with: sight, listening, taste, touch, smell, na’au, kulaiwi, au ‘apa’apa’a, and mo’o.”

Sight: “’Ike means ‘to see’ and ‘to know’; the sense ability of sight assists us in comprehending visual clues. Kanaka navigators, for example, describe how the sight of certain birds provides clues about the location and proximity of a landmass.”

Listening: “Because we as researchers may learn a great deal by listening to others, especially elders and master practitioners, the sense ability of listening is commonly used in indigenous communities as a methodology. Researchers often conduct interviews, both formal and informal, and transcribe what they hear. Linda Smith refers to a form of informal interviews as ‘kitchen table discourse.’[10] In this interview style, although the researcher has a research goal in mind, he or she does not prepare a preset list of formal interview questions, but rather the inquiry is organic in nature, driven by the course of the conversation.

In more traditional contexts, sense abilities involve a lifetime of learning gleaned through conversations between apprentice and master. These conversations are particularly important for apprentices learning and ancestral practice such as lomilomi (massage), navigation, or hula. Their conversations with their mentors are built on mutual respect, trust, and admiration and may continue for the duration of their lives.”

Taste: “Yet, at times, something as simple as tasting a new variety of limu (seaweed) may lead to an epiphany. A researcher might taste the limu to better understand a mele written by his great-grandmother about the delicacies of her ancestral homeland.”

Touch: “Touching the actual documents written by one’s ancestors or by highly respected Kanaka scholars who have long since passed can serve as an inspiration for contemporary scholars who are eager to piece together knowledge of the past.”

“Similarly, mele and other forms of Hawaiian poetry such as ‘olelo no’eau may speak to the characteristics of winds and rains. However, only when someone actually travels to that place and experiences the winds and rains of that location will she or he truly understand the mele. The first time I traveled to Kohala, Hawai’i, I vividly remember my astonishment at the strength of the wind. However, after recalling the song ‘Maika’i ka Makani o Kohala’ (The Wind of Kohala Is Good), I was reminded that Kohala is a place noted for its strong winds.

Field researchers might have similar experiences. A few years ago, a kupuna explained how he had found a small stone along a path in Kahakuloa. He then looked around and placed it on a groove on a much larger stone along the path; the smaller stone fit perfectly. The kupuna explained that the small stone once held the light that lit that path at night. For me, being able to see and touch both stones was an awesome feeling because it reminded me that, as I walk on the landscape, I am walking in the footsteps of my kupuna.”

Smell: “Just as the feel of the wind on the skin jars the memory and recalls times past at certain locales, so too can certain places be noted for their scents. Maui residents sometimes use scents, both pleasant and unpleasant, as landmarks. I can think of two places on Maui that are known for their stench. One is in Pu’unene where there is an open ditch for irrigating the sugar plantation. Another is past Waihe’e Valley near Camp Maluhia where there is a pig farm.”

Na’au: “The sense ability of na’au honors our intestines as the center from which our instincts and feelings emanate. Sometimes researchers instinctually sense danger or know the answer to a question they are seeking simply because of a feeling in their na’au.”

Kulaiwi: “The sense ability of kulaiwi values our longstanding relationships with our ancestral homelands. It appreciates the unique local knowledge systems that we refine over generations by residing on the same lands. It honors the fact that within the Kanaka community there are subcommunities of people who have developed local practices and knowledges that differ from those of Kanaka residing elsewhere in the pae moku. A quick survey of lo’i kalo (wetland taro gardens) throughout the pae moku indicates that kalo farming practices vary from place to place depending on resources, topography, and climate.”

Au ‘Apa’apa’a: “The sense ability of au ‘apa’apa’a honors Kanaka methods of timekeeping such as our moon calendars. This method is an ancestral science and intelligence gathered by observing the life cycles of living organisms and other timeless constants in our natural environment.”

Mo’o: “The sense ability of mo’o is based on knowledge systems created and refined over thousands of years. It acknowledges the Kanaka community as a whole for technological advances such as the creation of fishponds, lo’i systems, and non-instrument navigation. It is an understanding that the knowledge we create today serves as a legacy for succeeding generations of Kanaka.”

Serendipitous Methodology*

* this is not one of the sense abilities. this is the last methodology Oliveira discusses in this chapter.

“Another methodology that I have sometimes encountered while conducting research is what Kanaka scholar Kerry Laiana Wong refers to as the ‘serendipitous’ method. [11] In this approach, information that the researcher is seeking exposes itself suddenly and unexpectedly. I have engaged in numerous conversations with fellow colleagues who believe that their kupuna guide them as they conduct research and then reveal the answers that they have been seeking. Although I do indeed believe that my kupuna have guided me in directions that I did not have the cognitive capacity to dream up for myself, I also believe in Oprah Winfrey’s assertion that ‘there’s no such thing as luck. It’s preparation meeting opportunity.’ For example, the sun, moon, and stars rise and set every day, yet many of us do not know how to harness this knowledge to navigate across the Pacific Ocean because we have not been trained to do so. Similarly, I can think of several examples during my genealogical and archival research when the answers for which I was so desperately searching had bee right before my eyes. It was not until I was prepared and able to recognize the answers that I finally understood that those very answers had been there all along.”

that’s it for the list of methodologies. there are a few quotes i’d like to highlight from the conclusion:

“What might my kupuna have done to solve this same problem given the resources available to them in their time and environment?”

“Like the unseen nutrients that enter the stream through ‘auwai, some impacts made by contemporary scholars enrich the ecosystem of Kanaka knowledge yet remain undetected by many.

Other impacts such as the publication of peer-reviewed journal articles and books may be more visible indicators of the advancement of Kanaka scholarship within the academy. When I first attended the University of Hawai’i at Manoa in the early 1990s, only two Native Hawaiian professors, Haunani-Kay Trask and Lilikala Kame’eleihiwa, were published book authors. The Hawaiian language program was a section within the epartment of Hawaiian and Indo-Pacific Languages and Literature. The Center for Hawaiian Studies comprised four offices withi nthe chool of Pacific Islands tudies. Much has changed over the past two decades. Today Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language and Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies are companion programs within the Hawai’inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge. The Hawaiian studies building, built in the late 1990s is bursting at the seams. And more than a dozen other Native Hawaiian academics have published books on various topics related to Kanaka knowledge. [12] Each scholar’s contribution to the field is like a source of water originating from his or her place of strength on the landscape and flowing into the larger body of Kanaka knowledge. This stream of knowledge is enhanced and enriched by each contribution.”

[10]: Smith, Linda Tuhiwai. Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. London: Zed Books, 1999.

[11]: Wong, K. Laiana. “He Hawa’e Kai Nui a Kau Ma Kula.” Educational Perspectives 37, no. 1 (2004): 31-39.

[12]:

Aikau, A Chosen People, A Promised Land: Mormonism and Race in Hawai’i.

Andrade, Ha’ena: Through the Eyes of the Ancestors.

Beamer, “Na Wai Ka Mana?: ‘Oiwi agency and European Imperialism in the Hawaiian Kingdom”.

Goodyear-Ka’opua, The Seeds We Planted: Portraits of a Native Hawaiian Charter School.

ho’omanawanui, Voices of Fire: Reweaving the Lei of Pele and Hi’iaka Literature.

Iaukea, The Queen and I: A Story of Dispossessions and Reconnections in Hawai’i.

Kanahele, Ka Honua Ola: ‘Eli’eli Kau Mai.

McGregor, Na Kua’aina: Living Hawaiian Culture.

Meyer, Ho’oulu: Our Time of Becoming: Collected Early Writings of Manulani Meyer.

Oliveira, Ancestral Places: Understanding Kanaka Geographies.

Osorio, Dismembering Lahui: A History of the Hawaiian Nation to 1887.

Silva, Aloha Betrayed: Native Hawaiian Resistance to American Colonialism.

Tengan, Native Men Remade: Gender and Nation in Contemporary Hawai’i.

“Ka ‘Ikena a ka Hawai’i: Toward a Kanaka ‘Oiwi Critical Race Theory” by Erin Kahunawaika’ala Wright and Brandi Jean Nalani Balutski

As the title states, this is a Kanaka ‘Oiwi Critical Race Theory. Just read the chapter!

part four to come!

back to part two

back to part one