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juliaprecourt · 1 year ago

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Perfect Blue, Black Swan, and Birdman

It is common knowledge that Perfect Blue and Black Swan have cinematic and thematic similarities. I'd like to argue Birdman (2014) shares just as much with these other two films. Outlined below are some of the most notable commonalities.

The Art Imitates Their Real Life:

This is the major narrative device shared by all three films. The protagonists are all artists playing a role in a performance; Mima: a TV actor, Nina: a ballerina, and Riggan: a thespian. They are unaware of how closely the plight of their characters mirrors their own struggles. While pushing themselves to perform better, the line between their reality and the story they are performing starts to blur.

-Perfect Blue:

The Reality:

Mima is trying to make the leap from pop idol to actor. She has a “bit part” at first in the TV show Double Bind, but her manager Mr. Tadokoro campaigns for her to have more screen time. The producers agree, but it involves taking on a role that exploits her sexually. Mima's conflict with her old self and new self tear her apart. Those working on the show around her start getting murdered.

Notable moment: This scene especially highlights the overlap:

Mima is sitting in a chair with the doctor, it appears they are shooting a scene in Double Bind.

Doctor: Can you tell me your name?

Mima: Me? I'm Mima Kirigoe.

Doctor: Okay. And what do you do?

Mima: I'm a pop idol... no, an actress.

Doctor: That must be hard work.

Mima: It's hard, but it's what I chose to do.

We pull back to see detectives watching through a double-sided mirror.

Detective: She thinks she's a new young actress named Mima Kirigoe.

The doctor comes out and joins the detectives.

Doctor: Dissociative Identity Disorder. In other words, "multiple personality syndrome." All those crimes took place when she was some other persona.

Detective: So where's the persona of the original Yoko?

Doctor: Yoko Takakura, the original persona.....is nothing more than a character in a drama for her. Being a "normal" girl... how she was raped in a strip club. Everything happened as part of her drama series. By doing so, she salvaged her heart.

Mima presses her face into the mirror.

Mima: That's right. I'm an actress.

Director: Cut!

The footage rewinds. Mima is sitting in a chair with the doctor, it appears they are shooting a scene in Double Bind.

Doctor: Can you tell me your name?

Mima: Me? I'm Rika Takakura.

The doctor comes out and joins the detectives.

Doctor: The original persona, Yoko Takakura, no longer exists. By killing, and later becoming, her sister the top model, she salvaged her heart.

Mima presses her face into the mirror.

Mima: That's right. I'm a model.

-Black Swan:

The Story:

Thomas: We all know the story: virginal girl, pure and sweet, trapped in the body of a swan (Odette). She desires freedom, but only true love can break the spell. Her wish is granted in the form of a prince (Sigfried). But before he can declare his love, her lustful twin, the Black Swan (Odile) tricks and seduces him. Devastated, the White Swan leaps off a cliff, killing herself. But, in death, finds freedom.”

The Reality: Nina is auditioning for the lead role in Swan Lake, a dual performance as White Swan and Black Swan. In an out-of-character moment, she wins over the director Thomas, and lands the role. A fellow ballerina, Lily, visually similar but a dancer in every way Nina is not, catches the eye of Thomas and to a lesser extent, the man playing the actual prince. Nina isn’t interested in the prince, but it’s still a blow to her ego. At the end of opening night she likely dies of a self-inflicted wound.

Notable moments:

1) In the ballet (but not featured in the film’s adaptation), there is a ball for the prince with all the eligible bachelorettes in the kingdom. At this point, the prince has already met Odette at the magic lake, but before she can arrive, Rothbart's (Evil Sorcerer, the reason Odette is a swan) daughter Odile appears disguised as Odette and tricks him into falling in love with her.

In the film, this is recreated by Lily stepping in for Nina when she oversleeps one morning. She plays Nina’s role beautifully, and Thomas finds himself moved by her performance. When Nina arrives and takes back performing her role, she sees Thomas’s eyes stray from watching her to look at Lily.

2) Thomas shouts this to Nina as she rehearses the finale:

Thomas: The Final Act. Your Final Dance. You’ve tasted your dream. Touched it. Only to have it crushed. Your heart is broken, wounded. Your lifeforce fading. The blood drips. The Black Swan has stolen your love. There's only one way to end the pain. You're not at all fearful. Filled with acceptance. You look down at Rothbart, and then at the Prince, and, yes, up at the audience...And jump!”

This is foreshadowing the finale of the ballet and the events of the film. Nina, in full delusion, thinks she’s tussled with and killed Lily in her dressing room, but has actually stabbed herself with glass. With the shard deep in her own belly, Nina performs the finale, gracefully gesturing to her prince, Rothbart, and her mother, every line Thomas shouted to her all the more true. Then she jumps.

-Birdman

The Reality: Riggan confuses adoration with love, but in many ways so do his fellow actors, all craving a similar validation through acting. Off the stage, their lives are messy, especially their romantic ones. Most off-stage conversations are often philosophical ones.

Riggan's is the least obvious because the source material is lesser known and less developed to the audience, but the story he's performing as a whole doesn't matter so much. Mike even comments in a fit during their first preview about how Riggan's adapted the work. (Riggan is the writer, producer, and star)

Mike: This is Carver, man! The guy lost a piece of liver every time he wrote a page! If I’m supposed to drink gin then bring me fuckin gin! I mean, you fucked the time period! You took all the good lines for yourself!"

The scenes chosen for us to see demonstrate the clear overlap between “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" and Riggan's life.

Notable examples:

1) Riggan’s girlfriend and fellow performer Laura’s character has a monologue in the play:

Laura: In the days before Nick’s depression really started to eat away at him, he had no idea I was pregnant. And I never intended on telling him. I guess we make choices in life, and we choose to live with them. Or not. I didn’t want that baby... Not because I didn’t love Nick. And not because I didn’t love the-- The idea of it. But because I just wasn’t ready to love myself.

Before we see her perform this the first time, Laura tells Riggan she might be pregnant. The second time is after she confirms she is not. Laura wants a baby, but based on Riggan’s reaction he isn’t into it.

2) Riggan (as Ed) barges in on Lesley (as Terri) and Mike (as Mel) in a hotel room. Terri left Ed for Mel and Ed has hunted them down to confront his ex.

Riggan: What's wrong with me? Why do I end up having to beg people to love me?

Lesley: Ed. Eddie. Please... Give me the gun. Just look at me. I was drowning. I was not capable of-- You deserve to be loved. You do.

Riggan: I just wanted to be what you wanted. Now I spend every fucking minute praying to be someone else. Someone I'm not. Anyone…

This scene from the play is portrayed as the finale, and we see it performed three times. Riggan is desperate in his quest for love and validation, unaware that he is searching for it in the wrong places, like chasing after an old lover. It's relevant that Mike is his ex's new lover (in the play). Riggan is envious of him, his acting ability, and the respect and notoriety he has in the industry. Also, how he can quickly connect with his daughter (who Riggan is somewhat estranged from).

In the play, Ed at first wants to kill his wife's lover Mel, and maybe his ex-wife, but in the end he turns the gun on himself. On opening night Riggan uses a real gun and shoots himself in the head.

The Shadow Self:

-Perfect Blue: A pop Idol was something Mima strived to be, but her group CHAM is stagnant. Mima, with the encouragement of one of her managers, decides to change careers to be an actress. It’s unclear how much of it was Mima’s idea, but she commits. Mima privately struggles through this change, and the chorus of upset fans and doubtful industry folks don't help. This triggers Mima’s "old self” AKA "Pop Idol Mima" to start appearing, often during moments when Mima struggles with the sexual aspects of her new career. Pop Idol Mima is forever in her frilly pink get-up from the opening number of the film, frozen in time, perfect and pure. Pop Idol Mima resists and criticizes Mimi’s changes.

It isn’t revealed until the end of the film that Mima’s “shadow” is one of her agents, Rumi. This is in regards to the “Mima” that is communicating to her stalker and controlling the content of the website “Mima’s room.” Together they post intimate details and thoughts from “Mima” herself. The apparition of Pop Idol Mima she sees following her is only Rumi some of the time and mostly is Mima hallucinating in moments of emotional distress.

-Black Swan: It’s not a coincidence that Nina, dressed in pastels and a white feathery scarf, spies a woman on the train who looks just like her, but in black, on her way to the first day of the new ballet season. We are actually seeing Lily (Mia Kunis, a fellow dancer) for the first time on the train, but this is also the moment when Nina sees her first glimpse of "Black Swan Nina", the part of herself that she is not in touch with.

Nina is challenged to find her inner black swan, because as the lead she must play both the white and black swan characters. As she pushes herself, she sees Black Swan Nina inflicting self-harm, on the faces of other dancers or Lily. The lines between Lily and Black Swan Nina are often blurred, but there is doubt as to whether she's even seeing Lily during Black Swan Nina moments.

-Birdman: Right away we hear the gravelly voice of Birdman talking to Riggan, but we don’t know who it is yet. Birdman is the superhero character he is most famous for playing. Birdman berates him over his choice to leave the role behind throughout the film, enticing him to get some plastic surgery, work out, and get back into the suit to start making real money again. Birdman openly acknowledges that he is a voice in Riggan’s head, only physically appearing twice in the movie in moments where Riggan is most in his delusions and imagining he can fly.

The Rival / The Double:

-Perfect Blue: Mima’s rival is mostly her shadow self, Pop Idol Mima. In the acting world, she has no one she is directly competing with. Her former bandmates are doing better since Mima left, and that wounds her, but she is trying to leave that life behind. As mentioned, Pop Idol Mima is sometimes Rumi, who is competing with Mima. Rumi is envious Mima got more famous than she ever did as a pop idol, and links Mima's success with her own, so when Mima decides to leave being a pop idol, Rumi takes it as a very personal betrayal.

-Black Swan: It’s a new season and Lily, a dancer in the ballet who possesses similar physical attributes to Nina but embodies the effortless freedom Nina lacks, joins the troop. Nina has struggled for everything she has achieved. We see how regimented her life is, how micro-managed her eating is, and the physical toll ballet takes on her body. Whereas Lily comes in late and doesn’t need to warm up, even after a night of partying. She climbs up the ranks quickly with her magnetic ease.

Lily becomes all the more a threat when she is made Nina’s understudy. When Nina is late, she steps in and performs both parts in a way Nina could only dream of. Lily catches the eye of the director Thomas and the man playing the part of the Swan prince. Nina is more upset about Thomas, but she is frustrated because she has no chemistry with her prince whereas Lily does.

-Birdman: After Riggan’s co-star gets hit in the head with a stage light (maybe on purpose), Mike, (Edward Norton) is brought onto the project, injecting excitement into the crew and prospective audience. Mike is renowned in the business for eating, sleeping, and breathing “the stage.” Life is a stage to Mike, and he may just be full of shit, but he is what Riggan wants to be seen as.

Mike gets more interested in the project and even helps Riggan punch up the script, but it quickly becomes clear Mike is in it for himself. In the first preview Mike throws a drunken tantrum when Riggan takes away his real booze on stage. During the next performance Mike tries to have actual sex on stage with his girlfriend and has a very real boner for all to see in the last scene. He even steals Riggan's tale of why he's doing this play (a childhood encounter with Carver) and tells it in an interview.

The Antagonist:

Who is pushing our protagonist, and who doubts them?

-Perfect Blue: Mr. Mi-Mania is Mima’s biggest fan. When Mima makes the career change, he does not accept it and is encouraged by the “true Mima”(Pop Idol Mima) to save her from the industry folks pushing her on the new career path and tarnishing her image. He does this by murdering some of the people working around Mima.

-Black Swan: Thomas, the director, would have chosen Nina to be the star if she was only playing the white swan. Nina does sway Thomas to give her the role, but he relentlessly pushes Nina on and off the stage to give him the unrestrained performance he wants for the black swan.

-Birdman: The critic Tabitha Dickinson is the word in theater, with her opinion making or breaking a play. She loathes Riggan for thinking he can just waltz onto Broadway from playing a superhero in order to write, produce, and star in his own production. She vows to write a bad review regardless of what she sees opening night.

The Old You:

Perfect Blue and Birdman are more obviously similar because their “old self” was a very different public persona. Mima was a pop idol, and Riggan was a blockbuster superhero. They were so well known for these roles and the image associated with them that they struggled for their professional peers and fans to see them in a more serious light.

Nina is staying within her profession, but she is trying to make the move from being a girl in the chorus to playing the lead. And this year the lead ballerina must play two characters who are in stark contrast with each other. Nina is perfect for the innocent White Swan, but she must also embody the seductive Black Swan. Her colleagues are doubtful she can play the Black Swan, a temptress who steals the prince away. Her mother also wants to keep her in "White Swan Mode" as a completely codependent child, lamenting "What happened to my sweet girl?" at one point as Nina begins to rebel, exploring independence and sexuality.

-Perfect Blue: Pop Idol to actress.

-Black Swan: Chorus to star / White Swan to Black Swan.

-Birdman: Action movie star to stage actor.

The Death Bow:

-Perfect Blue: Rumi, in full Pop Idol Mima delusion, hunts Mima down to kill her because there can only be one "Mima." After a brutal struggle in an alley, Rumi is stabbed in the stomach by a glass shard while retrieving her wig. Rumi then staggers into the streets and puts her wig back on. An oncoming truck's lights deceive Rumi into thinking she's in the spotlight with all her fans cheering. Envisioning herself as Mima, she joyfully soaks it in, before the real Mima pushes her out of the way to safety.

-Black Swan: Opening night, Nina performs the finale perfectly, but we see in the climactic moment before she dives off stage that the wound she inflicted on herself is very real and all the more fatal because of her strenuous final performance. After she dives onto the mattress everyone rushes to her side to congratulate her. The crowd cheers, and her colleagues come to congratulate her. They notice her injury and are distressed. Nina doesn’t care, she looks up into the stage lights, blissed out, everything goes white. Perhaps she is starting to pass out or die. The cheering continues.

-Birdman: Riggan’s character Ed is in utter despair after breaking into his ex-wife's hotel room and finding her with another man. She says she doesn't love him anymore. Throughout rehearsals, Mike has pressed Riggan for realness, complaining about everything from the booze to the gun on the set being fake. On opening night Riggan has a real gun. Ed is supposed to turn the gun on himself, but Riggan hasn’t made up his mind on who to shoot yet. He feints shooting Mike, then the audience, but he settles on himself. The audience at first is blown away by his performance, giving him a standing ovation only to realize it's very real.

Mortal Wound:

All three protagonists are severely wounded. Nina and Riggan's "mortal wound" leads to their “death bow”, but in Perfect Blue it is Mima's “double/shadow-self” manager Rumi who is deluded in that final moment.

-Perfect Blue: Rumi tries to kill Mima, and stabs her in the side with an umbrella. Mima is only saved after tearing off Rumi's wig. Distressed, Rumi bends over broken glass to retrieve it, stabbing herself in the stomach.

-Black Swan: Nina tussles with Lily in her dressing room, thinking Lily is trying to take over the lead role. They shatter a mirror, and Nina stabs Lily in the guts with a big shard. However, it was all a hallucination: Nina stabbed herself. The show must go on, so Nina finishes the performance brilliantly. We don't know what happens to Nina afterward.

-Birdman: Riggan is supposed to pretend to shoot himself in the play, but on opening night he intentionally uses a real gun. This doesn't kill him, but in the hospital Riggan likely commits suicide by jumping out a window.

Hollowness Of Fame:

-Perfect Blue: The world of pop idols was just as critical of a woman's appearance and behavior as it is for actresses. The constant feedback from the public's expectations of who she is and should be almost causes Mima to completely lose her sense of self.

-Black Swan: All the girls in the troop want to be the prima ballerina and once Nina has this part she sees the dark and fleeting side of this coveted role through the character Beth. The audience wants someone new and fresh and when they are tired of you or you're considered too old, you are quickly cast aside.

-Birdman: Riggan is desperate for public recognition. How he wants to receive it has changed. It used to be through his blockbuster movies, but now he wants to be seen as a stage actor. He values fame over his relationships. In a scene where his ex-wife comes to talk to him about their daughter, Riggan gets sidetracked telling this story: RIGGAN: The last time I flew here from LA, George Clooney was sitting two seats in front of me. With those cufflinks, and that... chin. We ended up flying through this really bad storm. The plane started to rattle and shake, and everyone on board was crying... and praying. And I just sat there-- Sat there thinking that when Sam opened that paper it was going to be Clooney's face on the front page. Not mine.

What Do You Really Want?:

The three protagonists are trying to achieve "greatness" in their career field, but what deeper need is this success trying to fill? What does the character actually want?

-Perfect Blue: Mima wants to find herself.

Mima doesn't start the film wanting this, but when she starts to lose her identity she realizes how important it is to her. The finale scene of the movie catches up with Mima sometime in the future. Her hair is longer and her clothes more fashionable and mature. She has just finished visiting Rumi, who rarely returns to that personality. Two nurses whisper that the person they see looks like the actress Mima Kirigoe, but that she has to be a look-a-like. Mima gets into her car, looks into the mirror, sees her reflection, and to the audience says, "No, I'm real!"

This is a hard-earned moment because Mima lost her sense of self. It was only until her final struggle with Rumi that she realized:

Rumi: We don't need two Mimas!

Mima: I AM MIMA!

Rumi: That's funny! Mima is a pop idol! You're just a dirty old impostor!

Mima: LIKE I CARE! I AM WHO I AM!!

Mima in this moment finally stops attaching her sense of self to her career.

-Black Swan: Nina wants to be perfect.

Nina starts the movie and ends the movie with this desire. When Nina finally ”kills" the part of her holding herself back and finds the black swan, she dances uninhibited and free as both the black and white swan, a performance unmatched. She takes her final leap as the white swan. This may be Nina's last performance because she has severely wounded herself. “It was perfect” is the last thing she mutters. Nina learns, tragically, what it takes to be "perfect."

-Birdman: Riggan thinks he wants fame and adoration, but it’s actually love.

Riggan is addicted to these two things. They are his biggest temptations to play Birdman again. Birdman is constantly pointing out which celebrities are doing superhero movies and how much money they are making. But Riggan resists, hoping to get the fame and adoration he craves through the theater instead, an art much more highly regarded. Before Riggan's opening night, his ex-wife points out that he confuses adoration with love. At the end of the film, in the hospital where Riggan is recovering from shooting himself on stage, he at last has the fame and adoration he was desperate to gain. However, it doesn't heal him because it’s not actual love.

Delusions:

Along with “seeing” their shadow self, each protagonist has another destructive delusion.

-Perfect Blue: The lines between the murders occurring in the show Double Bind and the actual deaths of those involved in the production get very murky. Is Nina dreaming she's killing people or is she actually the culprit?

-Black Swan: Nina’s coping mechanism for the emotional and physical stress she endures is picking and scratching at her skin. As she loses control more and more, her picking becomes more intense and the reality of what's going on with her body gets murky. What starts as a little picking at a hangnail turns into Nina pulling the skin off down her finger. The itchy skin on her back turns into budding feathers. Is she turning into the black swan?

-Birdman: The opening shot of the film has Riggan sitting cross-legged in his underwear meditatively floating. Throughout the film Riggan imagines he has telekinesis, bringing objects closer to him and possibly making a light fall and injure the costar he wanted to get rid of. In one scene he runs off a rooftop and flies away, landing outside the theater. An angry cab driver yells at him to pay his fare.

My Music:

Our three protagonists have and are aware of their leitmotifs.

-Perfect Blue: Mima is going to make a special appearance with CHAM, but before the event she has a shoot with a photographer who presses her into a much more revealing session. This causes Mima a lot of distress, so Pop Idol Mima appears and says she’ll take over. She joins CHAM dressed in her frilly outfit and does the choreography and lip sync for "Angel of Love" (The CHAM song the movie opens with) instead of performing the actual song being played.

It’s a little different from the other two films, but Mima is synonymous with"Angel of Love." It’s also blasted on a boombox when the writer for Double Bind is murdered.

-Black Swan: Nina oversleeps for rehearsal and her mother doesn’t wake her up. When she arrives, she hears the white swan's music playing, commenting to herself “My music?” and is startled to see Lily has stepped in to perform her part. It wounds Nina to see another girl dancing to her music.

-Birdman: After Riggan spends a drunken night on the street he wakes the next morning to Birdman pumping him up. Riggan imagines he’s in a Birdman movie and blockbuster explosions and a giant bird robot appear in the background. He makes it to a rooftop and he cues the music by muttering “Music.” As his overture starts to play, Riggan, lost in his delusions, “flies” off the building.

Who You Could Become:

Should the character fail or lose their way, there is a reminder or warning of what their possible future could look like.

-Perfect Blue: Rumi, a bitter ex-pop idol turned agent who never got over her “failure” to make it to the top. Rumi projects herself on Mima, seeing her as everything Rumi had hoped to be. Rumi takes Mima's career change as a personal betrayal.

-Black Swan: Beth, the former Prima Ballerina whom Nina looks up to. She was Thomas's star, his "Little Princess," but the industry is cruel and women age out of "star" material quickly. Heartbroken by the forced ending of her career and loss of Thomas’ affection, Beth self-destructs.

Nina's mother is another glimpse at her possible fate. Her career was cut short because she got pregnant, but we don't know if she was ever on track to being a star. Nina's mother put all her energy and hope into her daughter's career as a ballerina, but also resents her successes.

-Riggan: There is not a specific character in Birdman who represents the fate that could befall him, but the threat of failure is just as present as in the other two films. Riggan’s play could flop, no one could take him seriously as a stage actor, he could lose all the money he invested, his daughter could lose even more respect for him, and he could become more of a has-been than ever.

A Sapphic Element:

Take this one lightly, but all three have it! Black Swan explores this in much more depth, whereas Perfect Blue’s and Birdman’s have it just kinda tossed in.

-Perfect Blue: During the initial scene discussion of Mima’s career change it starts with a clip of Mima acting. She is in bed, another woman in lingerie crawls towards her, and Mima then anguishes "I can’t do this!”

-Black Swan: Nina has been kept a child by her mother. As she dances the Black Swan more and more, she starts exploring her sexuality. While she is attracted to Thomas, she is also drawn to Lily. Does Nina want to be Lily or be with Lily? Nina even has a wet dream about the other girl.

Birdman: Laura, Riggan’s girlfriend and fellow actor, comments that their co-star Lesley has a perfect ass. After Mike tries to have sex with Lesley onstage, a distressed Lesly is comforted by Laura, who makes a pass at her which isn’t rebuffed.

Some Birdman and Black Swan only:

Birds:

A bit obvious, but Birdman and Blackswan both reference birds in their titles and stories.

-Black Swan: Nina is performing the story of Swan Lake, which is about a pure maiden who is transformed into a swan. Nina can easily play this part; her transformation is in embodying the black swan. Nina begins to have hallucinations that she is physically becoming the black swan throughout the film: pulling feathers out of her back, her legs bending wrong, and her neck growing into the shape of a bird's. When she finally finds the character in her performance, Nina envisions herself growing black wings, the transformation complete.

The narrative embraces the symbol of flight and freedom associated with birds. In one scene Riggen looks to be attempting suicide from the roof of a building, and we see him run off and fly away. He lives in the moment, soaring over the city and touching down in front of the theater. At the end of the film, Riggan does jump from his hospital window, but his daughter looks up to the sky and smiles as if he truly took flight. Also noteworthy: after Riggan shoots himself in the face, blowing his nose off, his face cast looks similar to his Birdman mask.

The Protagonist Catches Their Double Coping A Feel Backstage:

It’s their big night, but the double is having all the fun.

-Black Swan: It’s opening night. Nina and her Prince do an elegant performance together but as soon as they reach backstage the Prince immediately distances himself from her. There is no affection between them. While Nina waits for her next moment on stage she sees the Prince with Lily, and Lily cops a feel of his package.

-Birdman: Riggan is preparing to go on stage. He spies Mike coming to the back of the stage, Riggan’s daughter Sam in his arms. They are happy and at ease in each other’s arms, and they kiss.

Hope you enjoyed my little comparison! Let me know what ya'll think!

Thank you Cal for editing!

-Julia

#black swan #birdman #perfect blue #comparison #Darren Aronofsky #satoshi kon #movie comparison #essay #Alejandro González Iñárritu

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kwispayne · 1 year ago

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The Top 10 Albums Of 2023

Ironically the year that I had my hearing loss start was the year I listened to so much music. Thank you very much bandcamp for providing alot of free entertainment., Hopefully my condition doesn't affect my idiosyncrasies.

A good mix this year and trying to cull anything this year wasn't the easiest. But I think this is the best i could come up with.

And as always, I didn’t hear every album this year, this is my person list and I counted anything released this year.

10. Pupil Slicer - Blossom

With their first album Mirrors, I was hooked with their chaotic blend of abrasive math core and powerful deathcore moments. When I saw the track times on this, I was surprised to see no shorter songs, and this being a concept album, I was expecting something very different and forward thinking. In many ways this is what I thought, but it isn’t complete foreign waters for the band. One of the most interesting things about this band is that they do their perspective genres in such a way, I draw blanks on making comparisons. Kate Davies approach to guitar and the choices she and the rest of the band make are some of the most unique sounds I’ve heard all year. And her vocals are like something I would expect to hear in a mental ward. One of the most exciting bands to come from the UK at the moment.

Genres: Mathcore, Post Hardcore, Extreme Metal, Progressive Metal, Deathcore

Country of origin: England

9. Cattle Decapitation - Terrasite

Their last release Death Atlas just barely missed my list the year it came out, but I knew that it was a modern metal masterpiece and whatever these guys do next would blow me away. And they never fail to deliver. Concept wise and cover art already sold me on this album, with the band taking their misanthropy to knew satirical, creative and sadly true levels, musically this album is technical, progressive, insane and forward thinking compared to their other death metal associates. As always, David McGraw’s drumming is the best in modern extreme metal but the rest of the bands musical ability is just as otherworldly. When it comes to vocals in extreme metal, if a vocalist can do something exciting or different with their voice it always impresses me, but Travis Ryan is something else. His range and approach to this style is unlike any I’ve ever heard and how he delivers his lyrics with his ability to change his voice is thespian level. One of the best death metal albums ever made in my opinion.

Genres: Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Progressive Metal

Country of origin: USA

8. Squid - O Monolith

They made my top 10 with their debut and I knew that these guys had a lot more to offer. A perfect follow up to Bright Green Fields, with amazing songwriting and technical ability, what the album also offers is a more succulent and palatable offering. Not contemporary in the slightest but close enough to be enjoyable by indie heads. Ollie Judge’s vocals on this album are just as manic as ever and some of the arrangements both technical and choice of instruments are mind-blowing. It just proves that modern prog in the UK is as vibrant as it ever was, with these guys, Black Midi & Black Country, New Road being the holy trinity of indie avant prog. I know whatever these guys do next, it is going to be amazing.

Genres: Art Rock, Experimental Rock, Progressive Rock, Indie Rock, Avante Garde

Country of origin: England

7. Good NightOwl - Capital

Financially I haven’t been as generous with artists. So to keep my musical palette fed, I have been searching online for anything free I can download. I have some found some gems, but this is a diamond in the rough (there’s a lot of rough sadly). A one man project, Good NightOwl is a beautiful diverse musical journey. Complex with rhythm, melody and harmony, Daniel Cupp’s vocal and instrumental ability is nothing to be sneered it, with his vocal range being very impressive. Production wise it isn’t the cleanest, but what he is able to create is nothing short of amazing. If you’ve ever seen this guys You Tube stuff, he doesn’t seem to take himself very seriously, but on this album he does add some interesting satirical views on capitalism and consumerism. Good news is that his new album is out at the start of next year, and I highly recomend you give him money to make even more music (and odd comedy).

Genres: Progressive Rock, Eclectic Prog, Math Rock, Crossover Prog, Art Rock, Experimental Rock

Country of origin: USA

6. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - PetroDragonic Apocalypse; Or, Dawn Of Eternal Night: An Annihilation Of Planet Earth & The Beginning Of Merciless Damnation

When these guys released Infest the Rats Nest, I think everyone (especially metalheads) were begging for them to return to this thrash metal style. So thankfully they’ve returned with this sound, but this time it’s proggier and heavier. The talent these guys possess never fails to impress me. The dynamic switch between Stu Mackenzie & Ambrose Kenny Smith’s vocals make this lyrical story of fantasy, environmentalism and apocalypse potent, enjoyable and kind of enjoyably goofy. Also naming your album this title and giving it this artwork, of course I’m going to be interested in this. I hope I am hearing this style from them in the next few years. These guys can do no wrong for me as they are currently one of my favourite bands.

Genres: Progressive Metal, Stoner Rock, Thrash, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock

Country of origin: Australia

5. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - The Silver Cord

A first for my lists. A band releasing 2 albums that both ended up in my top 10 of the years. When I heard that this album was going to be fully electronic, I was overly interested because they did do something similar on Butterfly 3000. But this album is nothing like the fun that that album was. In many ways this album is one of the most musically interesting and lyrical journeys these guys have ever travelled down. From beautiful synth odysseys, fun disco tracks, hardcore big beat moments that wouldn’t feel out of place in early The Chemical Brothers or The Prodigy to some of the most beautiful introspective moments I’ve heard these guys wander down. This album is also oddly presented, as it has extended versions of each track. The album itself is fine as it is, but the extended editions do show us a more experimental side to these guys. (as if they aren’t experimental enough) As I say with each King Gizzard release, I hope that this isn’t just an experiment for these guys, because anytime that switch genres, they usually do better than bands in these contemporary fields.

Genres: Electronic, Progressive Electronic, Psychedelic Rock, Big Beat, Disco, Krautrock, Electropop

Country of origin: Australia

4. Haken - Fauna

There’s a part of me that really just wants to say “business as usual,” but that makes it sound like Haken don’t really swerve too much out of their comfort zone, and with each album these guys have made, it’s been an ever ending musical experience and journey. Constantly moving forward musically, technically and concept wise, these guys just again prove that there are on the best progressive metal bands going to today. Everyone brings their A game, and it contains the bands catchiest, most technical, most oddest and most diverse musical palette these guys have ever created. Quite possibly my favourite album from these guys. I am very much looking forward to anything these guys release in the future.

Genres: Progressive Metal, Djent, Progressive Rock, Eclectic Prog, Experimental Rock

Country of origin: England

3. I Am The Manic Whale - Bumper Book Of Mystery Stories

A band I knew nothing about until my brother introduced them to me, and I’m very thankful that he did. There always seems to be such amazing underground prog bands that are coming out of nowhere these days. These guys are very much in the poppier vein of the prog sound, like a British Spock’s Beard, but there is also the childish nostalgic curiosity of Big Big Train, being a concept album being about storybook like stories the band came up with. Musically these guys are fantastic, with amazing musicianship and complex passages along with great catchy melodies. The band’s strongest force though is vocalist Michael Whiteman who puts on the disguise of an eccentric narrator throughout. Also I love concept albums that bring back themes throughout and this album is full of brilliant moments. I am very happy to have found these guys and look forward to what they will be bringing in the future.

Genres: Progressive Rock, Symphonic Prog, Eclectic Prog, Hard Rock, Pop Rock

Country of origin: England

2. Empire State Bastard - Rivers Of Heresy

Being a fan of both Biffy Clyro & Oceansize, I was over the moon to hear that these guys are working together. I then heard that they were making an extreme metal album, and I was overly curious. While these guys have flirted with heavier sounds in their previous projects, it’s never been this abrasive and caustic. But it’s the insanity that makes this album what it is. Simon Neil’s vocals are the most manic I’ve even heard his contemporaries reach heights of. And thankfully these guys were able to get drumming legend Dave Lombardo to provide a perfect accompaniment to this insanity. Musically diverse, Mike Vennart shows of his multi genre bending talent as he showed on his stuff with Oceansize, but more manic than he’s ever been. I really hope this isn’t a flash in the pan or a one time thing. This is one of the best projects these guys have ever been part of and I’m really hoping to hear more from this project.

Genres: Extreme Metal, Post Hardcore, Grindcore, Art Rock, Experimental Rock, Stoner Metal

Country of origin - Scotland & England

Sleep Token - Take Me Back To Eden

When these guys first burst on the scene, I actually missed their first album Sundowning, but from the singles I heard I did know there was something special in them. So when it came to the follow up This Place Will Become Your Tomb, they decided to tone down the metal and show a softer side, which if I’m being honest, left me wanting more. So on their 3rd album, the guys have decided to become heavier yet at times also softer than they’ve ever been. And this is the sound these guys needed to obtain. This is the sound that speaks to me the most and personally I feel is the most unique and forward thinking sound in modern metal today, which I hope will pave the way for future metal acts. From the introspective beauty to the incredible harsh, this album is an emotional rollercoaster. Musically tight throughout switching from genre to genre, the real highlight is Vessel’s vocals, as he is able to create a complete palette delivering his lyrics in an almost Shakespearean way. At times listening to this I have been close to tears (which was very cathartic after they year I had). I hope the mystery behind this project continues and that these guys revel in the success this masterpiece has given them. A high contender for album of the decade.

Genres: Progressive Metal, Post Metal, Art Rock, Djent, Pop, Electronic, R&B, Experimental Rock, Progressive Rock

Country of origin: England

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worthless-weight-in-gold · 2 years ago

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The Fatal Flaw

a base design i find myself doing a lot when making characters, or picking characters i really like, is powerful characters who have a “fatal flaw” / a specific huge weakness that makes them incredibly easy to defeat if you can use it right

jim’s fatal flaw is his compulsion to play fair games. he’s also just physically weak as hell, like the issue is always that people let him start talking and that’s where it all goes to hell because truly you could kebab this man if you’ve ever tossed a baseball more than 5 feet, but there’s verses where that’s not true so i only count the game compulsion as a FF

daniel’s fatal flaw is inexperience. she doesn’t have the base confidence or hands-on knowledge to fall back on if she’s panicking or slipping, she really has to be in her zone or feel somewhat comfortable in order to excel at what she’s doing

min-jee’s fatal flaw is an inner voyeur. she feels watched at every moment of her life (like, way beyond how much she actually is) and cannot prevent herself from reacting to that feeling. she routinely is on the verge of collapsing and still will make sure her outfit, hair, makeup, posture, everything is perfect. part of her mind is always on “the camera”

porter’s fatal flaw is peace-keeping. he doesn’t like disrupting things, and he will let harmful things keep going if he’s worried that addressing them will break the peace. it turns him into a person who almost only reacts, isn’t proactive, so it’s easy to get him into traps

sanjit’s fatal flaw is codependency. when he’s bonded to someone he adapts their views and morals, but ultimately cares about who he’s bonded to above all else. having any sway over who he’s bonded to is having sway over him

riah’s fatal flaw is apathy. she truly is so detached emotionally from almost everything that she doesn’t have the motivation to truly fight for things, she’s far more likely to just walk away or give up if it ends up with her getting left alone. if you can convince her something is too much trouble, she turns into a non-issue

bruce’s fatal flaw is distrust. having the double life and going through so many hoops to keep his identity hidden takes up a massive amount of time and effort, so he’s always tired and not as prepared for things as he wants to be and playing catch-up. he also, despite being on a team, can be scared into doing things solo extremely easily so getting him isolated and vulnerable due to it is very possible

eun yoo’s fatal flaw is fear. this girl is scared, constantly. whether she’s letting it overtake her or overcompensating with faux confidence or obsessive hard work, she does not ever feel safe and always has some amount of fight or flight in her that makes her predictable and unable to think things through properly

thespian’s fatal flaw is... they’re baby. sorry. they’re just dumb as hell. they trust too easily, they struggle to think ahead, they can be outwit with ease, honestly if they lost their supernatural powers they’d be dead within a few days. thespian’s like an inverse where they’re a character who’s kinda overall pathetic with a Superficial Strength

#q #information | { all muses }

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nekropsii · 3 years ago

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Which character arc in sovereignstuck you worked on/wrote are you most proud of? Which of the other writers arcs are you most excited for ??

Oh, god. This is such a hard question. Some of this shit gets positively thespian. Going to try to avoid overt spoilers as best as I can.

Content Warning: Long.

As far as myself goes… Kankri’s growth has given many issues. He’s not that difficult to write, per se, and it’s not like writing him isn’t fun. He’s just hard to get a good angle with. Character arcs have an angle. There’s no improvement without there being some kind of focus to that arc of improvement. If something is to be fixed, you need to know what there is to fix, and how. What’s the root of the issue, and how do you address it without unintentionally making it worse?

It took fucking ages to find a good angle with Kankri, and when we did find it, it was through an offhand joke. Emotional attachment skyrocketed with it, though, and I personally find it to be a highly satisfying arc. I’m definitely proud of my other work with character arcs, but Kankri’s is the first one to come to mind, and it’s absolutely the most dramatic change I’ve written. As I said earlier, though, it’s genuinely hard to pick a favorite.

As far as arcs from the other writers go…

Emeric’s character arc is genuinely fascinating to me. I’m so fucking excited to see it written out fully. Emeric is such a fascinating character, and it’s really, really satisfying seeing a Bard not get defaulted to a villain role. She’s incredibly complex, and incredibly fun to watch. She’s one of those characters where you think she’d get shafted as pure comic relief, but she’s so much more than that, and I love her. Her battle with herself is one of those that those who have felt neglect can really relate to. Her struggle is a brutal one. Every moment she’s alive, she’s fighting for something, and her efforts are felt. (@unexiled)

Tejuri’s arc is dramatic in ways we never thought it’d be. She starts as an awkward, nerdy, southern troll-Catholic girl with very little self confidence, and the way SVURB makes her confront and challenge herself really makes her blossom into a complete badass, weaponizing other people’s belief in her and her friends in an absolutely catastrophic way. She deserves every victory she gets, and I feel like her humble, clumsy beginnings as a character really help you feel like she’s someone you would have been best friends with in high school. She’s a character where you don’t realize how much you believe in her until you’re actively cheering for her, it’s amazing. She’s a true Rogue of Hope. (@scalematez)

Meenah’s growth as a character and as a person within Sovereignstuck is one that I hope invigorates others just as much as it does me. She’s someone who’s slowly come to realize just how much hurt she’s caused, but she’s so deep in her routines that being a good person is something she has to fight tooth and nail for. She fucks up constantly, but she really is trying, and it honestly hurts to see her fail. She’s battling with the fact that just because she’s trying to be better doesn’t mean people will forgive her for the past. She’s built to hurt people, and she knows she is, she truly believes so, but the blood on her hands is starting to sting. She’s done so much damage in the past, and yet seeing her hurt isn’t even satisfying. Improvement really is Sisyphean sometimes. (@octopeixes)

Kausat’s arc is quiet. At least at first. Most of those who are Voidbound don’t tend to have a very loud, dramatic arc. But you don’t need to be flashy to be interesting, do you? Their story is one of growing into who they are- watching how his arc ties into his status as both a Seer of Life and a Seer of Void is really interesting. Change is an inevitable force of nature. It’s what makes things a tangible concept. Sometimes change is unexpected- mysterious, unexplainable, intangible. Sometimes it’s slow, like the growth of a tree, the decomposition of a body, and sometimes it’s dramatic- lightning striking the tallest construct it can find, an explosion in a lake, so on and so forth. Life, and living, is about change, and acceptance of that change, even if you don’t understand it. It’s the only way to survive. It’s quite an intimate topic, honestly, but rather fun to pick apart. (@santostrife)

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raspberryusagi · 4 years ago

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Since I keep going back to this in my mind, especially after seeing it in-game via screencaps, I’m gonna just type out my thoughts so far regarding a certain Maestro and his controversial “face reveal.”

Spoilers beyond the cut, naturally. Most of my input is based on the contents of the novel since that’s been my main experience with BWW so far (will quite possibly be my only experience with it unless I go watch a playthrough of the game.)

Anyway. Let’s talk about Balan’s “true face.”

As a narrative device, I see why they did it. It’s not especially new, and it tells us about his character when, to who, and why he reveals it. Heck - Lance has a similar reveal to the inhabitants before convincing them that becoming monsters is the best way to protect their stages and Wonderworld. This is, of course, when he reveals his “Rave Cthulu” form as Kylee Henke calls it.

The difference is that in terms of appeal and character design, Lance’s “true form” reveal works. Balan’s comes off as... Weird. I thought I was at least sort of okay with it when I read the novel, again for the narrative purposes it served. It also kinda helps? I think? That my first look at his “true face” was via some collab art Kylee worked on - which, granted, that was jarring too but she drew him well.

But then I saw his face in-game via screencaps.

And what.

The actual.

Frick. Am I looking at?

Like, he’s pretty, don’t get me wrong. And given his connection to Lance, it would make sense that they would resemble one another aside from the stylized proportions and similar tastes in wardrobe.

But like... When Lance revealed his more familiar form, there still was enough resemblance that it isn’t totally out of left field that he’d be The Same Person. With Balan, since we are first introduced to him with the hat on, looking well and properly like the grinning gremlin thespian we all know and love (or not, idk you do you) - which form is also very befitting his sass in the novel, might I add - I don’t know if “uncanny valley” is the correct way to describe the effect/vibe I get from it, but that’s the closest I can get to articulating it.

I think I’ve seen at least one post around suggesting that perhaps the top hat kind of serves as a Costume, like the ones you use in-game? And seeing how drastically they change your appearance in-game, to the point of a kind of shapeshifting? I... Guess? I could see it? I may just have to doodle my way to acceptance of Porcelain Balan as I think I’m gonna call him, or consume enough fan art that depicts the design well until I come around to it - much as I have done in the past with Pokemon designs I disliked at first.

Anyway, thank you if you read through all of this. Hopefully sometime soon I can contribute something of actual substance to the fandom instead of just late-night musings. At the very least some art or such, when I can find a break between work and a longer art project of mine.

#balan spoilers #bww spoilers #balanposting #balan wonderworld #balan wonderland #the adventures of usagi the rambling blogger #long post

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ramblings-of-a-mad-cat · 4 years ago

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Theatre kid Orion anon here, what other characters do you think would be interested in theatre?

As far as MCs go, I just want to once again reiterate because it’s so intensely true about her, that I think Gail Fawley would go into Stage Managing. She kind of has that instinct to lead, she likes to be involved, and she has the level of discipline required. But Stage Management would be better for her than Directing, because she’s not really very in touch with her emotions, not the way Luca is, and Directing kind of gets personal in a way that being strictly in Tech Theatre does not, and I don’t think Gail would be ready for that.

I don’t see Ben being interested in theatre, but I foresee other characters wanting him to get involved, seeing stage presence within him. Penny for example, would push for him to audition for a show. (Hell, I could see her being a major thespian too, actually.) He would have terrible stage fright, but once he gets into the zone, he would shock and amaze an audience with his talents. It would just take quite a bit to unlock that talent from deep within. Cause really, isn’t that the story of Ben’s life? That he’s actually extremely capable, but you’d never guess because he’s so consumed by anxiety?

Merula would absolutely be drawn to theatre because it’s a way to show off, and a way to be the center of attention. Though the “diva” stereotype is far more common in fiction than in actual real life, I will say that there is an unfortunate personality type that sometimes seeks out theatre for selfish reasons, and Merula doesn’t exactly fit the stereotype (That would be more of an “Emily Tyler” sort) I can see her being the villain of a theatre AU for similar reasons. She would do unscrupulous things to get the lead role, and instead get the villainous role. Or else not be cast at all, and be embittered for it. We know she has talent at singing, and given what we’ve learned recently...we know she can act. So it stands to reason that her talent might get her a meaty role or two.

Tulip strikes me as more the type to go into technical theatre. We have no reason to assume that she’s as poor at stage acting as she is at singing, but I could see her getting involved with lighting or sound, and using the opportunity to create some real mayhem - hopefully going for pranks that are harmless and easy to clean up, but you never know with Tulip. Alternatively, I could see her auditioning for a role, but she wouldn’t want a lead. Too much responsibility. I think she’d prefer an ensemble role so she can hang out with her friends and observe the lead actors doing their thing.

I think it goes without saying that Andre would go into Costuming. He practically already has in the canon. As of the recent dating quests, he is designing every outfit that each character wears, not just MC. He’d be a Costume Designer for sure, and a damn great one as well. Likewise, it’s already pretty much canon that Badeea dabbles in Scenic Design. Not just painting, either. She has a mind for envisioning how a set would be built. Diego would go into Choreography, that’s recently been acknowledged but I’ve always felt that’s where he’d be at his happiest. Of these characters though, he’s also the one that I could equally see auditioning for the show.

Ismelda would never go into theatre. Similar to Talbott and Chiara, I think she would actively refuse to participate, refuse the call, never audition or anything like that. However, I do believe she has the skills necessary to be a Dramaturge, if she was ever inclined to pursue that path. She wants to be a Magical Historian, after all, so it would be good practice. Speaking of Ismelda, Beatrice is somebody that I could see auditioning out of curiosity, but I can also see her showing an interest in Assistant Directing. I’m not sure why, maybe it’s just because I associate her with speaking truth to power, and having those kinds of ideas. I guess it would depend on who the Director was.

#HPHM Headcanons #Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery #Ben Copper #Merula Snyde #Ismelda Murk #Tulip Karasu #Andre Egwu #Beatrice Haywood #Diego Caplan #Badeea Ali

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cherrybombusa · 3 years ago

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GROUP TWO - THE SOUNDBOOTH. FAILURE.

PLAYERS:

THE THESPIAN - Dominic Logan. THE SLACKER - Jamie Dyer. THE FALLEN ANGEL - Alice Alder.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS:

- JAMIE FELL 50 FEET FROM THE SOUNDBOOTH’S EMERGENCY EXIT AND BROKE HIS LEG. - ALICE DIDN’T ELECTROCUTE HERSELF DESTROYING THE SOUNDBOARD. - THE GANG USED ALL THREE TRIES IN THEIR PUZZLE AND FAILED. THEY DID NOT FIND THE KEY TO SAVE THEIR FRIEND. - THEY WERE BLAMED FOR THE CANDY GIRL’S SHOW. THIS WILL COME BACK TO BITE IN-GAME.

Setting up for shows had never exactly been smooth-sailing, but with Mac missing for the last ten minutes things were slowing to a halt. Everyone seems frustrated - nobody seems to know where he’s gone… Except for a forgettable boardwalk worker who looks like they’d rather be anywhere else. He says he watched Mac go up to the sound booth across from the Main Stage. Typical musician. Jamie better go drag him back before their set is supposed to start. @indyerneed

Plans between the twins shouldn’t have even really been called plans; plans had the unfortunate chance of falling through. No, when they said they were going to do something, it was set in stone - so when Libby isn’t anywhere to be found before the ribbon cutting ceremony…? Well, it’s certainly grounds to be worried, isn’t it? People are crowding into the area around the stage, but it’s only a moment before one of the Boardwalk workers taps Dominic on the shoulder. Apparently Libs found a better place to watch: from the sound booth across from the main stage. Damn her connections to the Hargroves, right? Oh well. Dominic better go find her before the show starts. @dominiclogan

Alice, Alice, Alice. The Candy Girl’s fascination with the Fallen Angel of the group had rhyme and reason, but somehow it was still a mystery of it’s own. Did she really favor the girl, or did she just have plans for her? Did she want to avenge Alice, or torment her - just like Lux did before she died? Who knows. Either way, when the message came in, ‘I want to meet.’ How could anyone refuse? They picked a time and a place - 7:30pm in the sound booth across from the stage. Her special instructions? “Bring no one.” I guess she didn’t want anyone crashing the little party she had planned. @alicealder

THE NARRATOR: Reunions were supposed to be pleasant occasions, weren’t they? They were supposed to bring feelings of joy, and nostalgia; you were supposed to forget the awkward haze that had plagued your senior year of high school, and pretend like the good old days were actually just that. Good. Absence did make the heart grow fonder and all that, didn’t it?

Though, maybe it’s silly to wonder why this little reunion, in the Sound Booth that towered above the boardwalk, might not be so pleasant. It was only a week ago, after all, that they were all huddled into Harvey’s basement, playing at the whims of a suspected lunatic. Not even ‘a Day in Carousel Cove!’ could smooth over that awkward little blip, could it?

Still, the three of them made their polite, albeit stilted conversation. Jamie laments about being late for his set, and Dominic insists he has to go find Libby… Alice may or may not be wondering what the hell is going on! But the unmistakable sound of the lock clicking in the door behind them should be enough to stop all conversation. Jinkies, kiddos! Wonder what’s in store for you this time.

MAKE A CHOICE: SOMEBODY RESPOND.

DOM: If it had seemed like they’d stumbled into a bad horror movie before, things were apparently only going downhill from here. As if having to make painfully stilted small talk with the two people in this god damn town that he did not want to be stuck anywhere with wasn’t bad enough already, the sound of the lock clicking behind them made his head whip around. “You have got to be fucking kidding me,” Dominic muttered under his breath, heading straight to the door to try the handle -- because maybe, he was just finally going insane and hallucinating the worst case scenario.

THE NARRATOR: A clock in the corner of the room strikes 7:30pm just as Dominic tries the handle - truly, and surely locked - but it’s only the beginning of the panic. It’s time for the festivities to begin - whether they’re all there or not.

Dean Hargrove steps onto the Boardwalk’s stage that’s laid out below them; Lux’s parents entered only a moment after. It really would be a lovely place to watch the show… If the Candy Girl hadn’t had other plans for the gang that day. Hargrove hardly says Lux’s name - hardly gets into his plan to honor the girl with the ‘Lux Lewis Memorial Carousel’ before he’s cut off by a voice they don’t quite recognize. A voice that might just damn them all.

CANDY GIRL: “REST IN PEACE TO OUR DEAR OLD LUX, BUT I HAVE NEWS THAT THE CHERRY TIMES IS TOO SCARED TO TELL! THIS WAS NO SUICIDE. LUX WAS MURDERED. THE QUESTION IS - WHICH ONE OF HER FRIENDS DID IT?” THE NARRATOR: At that moment, a sheet unfurls behind Dean Hargrove, and a projector that’s been crudely wired into the soundboard flips on. The image it casts is a shocking sight to the crowd - you might even be able to see a couple of them wince if you squinted hard enough - but to our little ragtag slice of the gang, the Cherry Bomb logo was all too recognizable. It was a blown up version of her latest issue, and - surprise, surprise! - Lux is once again the star.

What they weren’t expecting, though? The crime scene photos that the projector begins flipping through, one by one.

CANDY GIRL: “AND TO THAT LITTLE GANG! MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE LATEST ISSUE. IT’S FULL OF FUN, NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN IMAGES OF LITTLE LUXIE’S DEMISE, AND A SPECIAL SURPRISE JUST FOR YOU: SOMEONE IS MISSING, AND YOU’RE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN FIND THEM BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE. GOOD LUCK!” THE NARRATOR: It would have been impressive timing if it weren’t so fucking frightening, but at just that moment, their very own issue of the Cherry Bomb slides beneath the door, skidding to a stop, right at their feet.

The cover is collaged with photos of Lux, the inside? Those same crime scene photos. There’s no pictures of her body, of course - that would be crude, even for the Candy Girl… kind of. But images of the blood soaked into her carpet; still pictures of her bedroom, flaunting a life once lived, those are there. A shot of her suicide note, ‘I’m sorry, I love you,’ and all.

And right there, in the middle of the spread, like a centerfold? A note, written in Sharpie - just for the gang, of course!

CANDY GIRL: GET OUT,,, GET OUT, WHEREVER YOU’RE LOCKED!!!! NOT A FAN OF SMALL SPACES?? I’LL STICK YOU IN A BOX. SOMEONE IS MISSING, BUT I WON’T SAY WHO… FIND THE KEY, AND FIND OUT WHO.

YOU MUST STOP MY SHOW, AND YOU’RE ON THE CLOCK! BUT LET TIME RUN OUT, AND THEY STAY IN THE BOX. WILL THE TIDE COME IN? HMM, MAYBE IT WON’T. OR BETTER YET? MAYBE YOUR FRIENDS WILL FLOAT.

DO YOU LIKE IT, FREAKS, DO YOU LIKE MY NOTE? I HOPE YOU DO, BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T! ALL OF CHERRY WILL FIND YOU UP THERE…

AND ALL OF THE BLAME WILL BE YOURS TO SHARE.

THE NARRATOR: Oh...my. Now, that’s a predicament, isn’t it? I suppose we’re at least lucky that the Candy Girl leaves the rules simple, right? Find a key, stop the show, and get out before someone can blame all of you for the horrific slideshow!

MAKE A CHOICE: YOU MUST ESCAPE THE ROOM, BUT FIRST YOU MUST FIND THE KEY. YOU MUST ALSO STOP THE CANDY GIRL’S SHOW… THAT IS, UNLESS YOU THINK THE THREE OF YOU CAN GET OUT BEFORE SOMEBODY FINDS YOU UP HERE.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO STOP THE SLIDESHOW? OR DO YOU THINK YOU CAN GET OUT IN TIME?

THE NARRATOR: Is stopping the slideshow selfish, or noble? It’s not exactly up to me to decide - yet - but either way, with the hell that Cherry has been through lately - and Lux’s parents at that - the town probably deserves this one.

The soundboard had clearly been tampered with long before they found the gang found their way in the soundbooth. There’s wires that have been ripped out and duct taped into new places - there’s a soldering iron off to the side that was still warm to the touch. Whoever did this must have worked quickly… and gotten out right before they arrived. Fucking creepy. It looks like there’s a few ways you can stop the show, though.

There’s always the route of champions - pulling wires until something goes dark. You could look for a power source - it all has to be plugged in somewhere, right? Or… you could just destroy the board.

MAKE A CHOICE:YOU MUST STOP THE SHOW. DO YOU START PULLING WIRES [LUCK], LOOK FOR A POWER SOURCE [PROBLEM SOLVING], OR DESTROY THE BOARD [FIGHTER]?

ALICE: It seemed like the most obvious solution, right? Pulling the wires could, like, electrocute them… right? Then it wouldn't matter if they were caught, because they'd be bacon! Searching for a power source? ...Too long. And they had to stop it some way! “Alright, that’s enough.” And with that… Alice went Wreck-It Ralph on the projector.

THE NARRATOR: It was a crude solution - that much is true - but hey! If it works, it works… And what else could you really expect from Alice? It takes a few minutes, but before long the board is sparking and the projector is stuttering to a halt. They can’t exactly figure out how to stop the music, but, somehow that seems like a lesser priority.

Congratulations! You’ve stopped the show… but you've taken away an option that might have helped you out later. Woops.

MAKE A CHOICE: YOU MUST ESCAPE THE ROOM, BUT HOW DO YOU IT? THERE HAS TO BE A KEY SOMEWHERE, SO HOW DO YOU FIND IT? BY LOOKING FOR CLUES [PROBLEM SOLVING] OR BY TEARING THE ROOM APART? [LUCK]

JAMIE: Jamie gave Alice’s destruction a disparaging look before glancing at the other two. The question of ‘really?’ was dry and all in his eyebrows. He shook his head and started surveying the obvious surface before methodically moving to concealed space, looking for clues that might lead them to the key out of there. “No point in making any more of a mess here if we have to find a needle in a damn haystack.”

THE NARRATOR: Good thinking, Jamie. While he stays focused on the sharpie scribbled riddle in the ‘zine while the other two raid the room for something useful. Not so useful, but strange enough to take note of? A cherry red briefcase, shoved into one of the dusty, storage lockers.

Not only that… but maybe there’s actually more to the note than they thought.

CANDY GIRL: GET OUT,,, GET OUT, WHEREVER YOU’RE LOCKED!!!! NOT A FAN OF SMALL SPACES?? I’LL STICK YOU IN A BOX. SOMEONE IS MISSING, BUT I WON’T SAY WHO… FIND THE KEY, AND FIND OUT WHO.

BUT WATCH OUT, WATCH OUT! YOU’RE ON THE CLOCK! LET IT RUN OUT, AND THEY’LL STAY IN THE BOX. WILL THE TIDE COME IN? HMM, MAYBE IT WON’T. OR BETTER YET? MAYBE YOUR FRIENDS WILL FLOAT.

MAKE A CHOICE: YOU MUST FIGURE OUT THE PUZZLE. GET THE BRIEFCASE OPEN TO FIND THE KEY.

DOM: This was absolutely ridiculous. Dominic was here to see his sister, not play god damn games. Speaking of which -- all that talk about someone being in a box and his sister decidedly not being here continued to ramp up his heart beat with every passing moment. “God damn it -- here,” he paused to lean over Jamie, fingers working quickly to put in the code: 2, 1, 3, 4.

MAKE A CHOICE: WRONG CODE. TRY AGAIN.

ALICE: You know, there were a lot of red flags popping up right now. The threat of a friend (yes?) dying (drowning, she took it? So much aquatic language!) was really just… overdoing it. “Let me try,” she sighed, pushing Dominic away from the briefcase and entering ‘3214.’

MAKE A CHOICE: WRONG CODE. TRY AGAIN.

DOM: They were running out of time and stable nerves. They had to get out of here, they had to find that god damn key and figure out what the fuck was going on here. So, with a last effort, Dominic reached forward again, this time entering 3421.

MAKE A CHOICE: WRONG CODE. YOU'VE LOST ALL CHANCES OF SAVING YOUR FRIEND.

THE NARRATOR: The sound of the clock ticking in the corner of the tiny room is almost ominous as it continues on in it’s effort; keeping a steady beat to their struggle. They’ve lost all hope of saving their friend, but they still have to get out, or they might be framed for the Candy Girl’s little show at the Ribbon Cutting ceremony.

At least they have a few options. They could always try to break down the door - it would take some might, but it’s possible. Maybe. Someone could always climb out of the window, and take the emergency ladder down - it would be easy to let their friends out from the outside! Just watch out. It’s a long fall down if you miss a step.

Or, if they’re really desperate… They could always try to call for help.

MAKE A CHOICE: YOU MUST ESCAPE THE ROOM. DO YOU BREAK DOWN THE DOOR [STRENGTH], TAKE THE EMERGENCY EXIT [BRAVERY], OR CALL FOR HELP? [SURVIVOR]

JAMIE: Jamie stared at the stubborn suitcase only for a single beat, deciding that they were wasting a lot of time. “Yeah, okay. Plan B, I guess,” he said without fanfare, moving to the window and shucking it open. Really, it was the thought of Mac that compelled him sling his leg over the barrier. He wasn’t thinking about how much he wouldn’t have minded a long fall down or how the other two were were probably worth more noble deaths. “I’m gonna try and get around. Wouldn’t recommend looking out here if you don't hear from me in a bit.”

THE NARRATOR: Don’t look down. Don’t look down. It’s nearly fifty feet off of the ground - a single slip might mean a broken leg, but somehow they manage to keep their footing… That is, until they don’t anymore. It’s a split second of hesitation, but they slip, and down, down, down they go! They’re not dead - they know they’re not dead once they hit the ground. Their leg, on the other hand…? That's probably broken. Definitely broken.

Bruised, broken, and thoroughly played by the Candy Girl’s games, maybe this little ragtag slice of the gang wasn’t expecting a rescue… And a rescue didn’t exactly come either. They waited for nearly half an hour - Jamie outside, fifty feet down and trying to scream for help over the music. They were all convinced they would spend the night here - but when the door swings open, it isn’t anybody looking for them out of concern… It’s Dean Hargrove. And he wants to know what the hell is going on here.

Maybe if they had been a little more cunning - maybe if they had made better choices - they might be able to talk him out of his accusations. They might be able to convince him that they weren’t responsible for the cruel show… But it’s no use. The Candy Girl set up the trap, and now they were going to be paying the price. So much for saving your friend.

MAKE A CHOICE: YOU FAILED YOUR EVENT. YOUR FRIEND MAY MEET THEIR DEMISE.

#bio rp #town rp #oc rp #skeleton rp #small town rp #secrets rp #gossip rp #gossip girl rp #90s rp #classic rp #plot event 001.#plot event 001 - the soundbooth.

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mirinda03 · 4 years ago

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CONVENTIONAL FAMILY? Who’s that?

<<<Previous Next>>>

Chapter 17: In which Logan has been permanently traumatized and Roman is a mess

Logan, now permanently traumatized by the dynamic between the elusive Sanders family, got in his car.

Immediately, he turned away from the chaos that was the Sanders house and intently drove away, planning to not come back to the house as long as he could.

Logan was, for all it was worth, a reasonable man. He knew that, logically speaking, he shouldn’t judge the sanders family from one impression.

Then again....

That was QUITE the first impression.

Shaking his head while still keeping his eyes dutifully on the road, Logan focused his whole attention into driving home. He just hoped that his house helped him forget the confusing things he had witnessed. Or, more accurately, heard.

He arrived after a while, parking the car and entering his house.

He noted the absolute silence in the room and almost sighed in relief. But, his sighing was cut short by sounds of roman pacing.

How exactly did Logan know it was Roman pacing?

By the indistinguishable and way too loud stomps the teen did.

Logan sighed, this time from frustration instead of relief. What was it now?

He went up the stairs and was about to knock on Roman’s room when he noticed the door was open.

Logan pushed the door lightly, staring impassively into the room where Roman was.

The teen was stomping, as Logan had deduced, while Princess, the Berry family’s persian cat, simply watched him walk and followed him with her head.

Logan had been opposed to the idea of getting Princess at first, finding an animal to be an unnecessary addition to their family. They DID have the space for a pet, but Logan still found no use to getting one.

But Roman had been stubborn about getting a pet. The boy fought and fought until finally, Logan allowed Roman to get a small pet.

Logan had meant a goldfish or a hamster.

Naturally, Roman chose a cat of all things. He reasoned that Princess (back then a kitten) was small and therefore counted. Logan had been quick to argue, of course, but had found it useless since they had already purchased the cat and the cat food by that time.

The cat in question looked up through wide eyes to stare at Logan. She had grown since they adopted her for sure, but she never quite lost that kitty charm that had drawn Roman in.

Of course, Logan knew the cat’s true nature. Roman might think she was an angel, but Logan had way too many shoes as proof that Princess was in fact a secret mastermind intent on ruining the house’s overal cleanliness.

Oh what a devious monster that cat was.

Logan didn’t let himself dwell on memories of Princess’ many crimes, instead looking up at his still pacing son.

“Roman” Logan said sternly “Why are you pacing around your room?”

Roman looked up, looking like a deer caught in headlight.

‘Not literally of course” Logan thought to himself “He didn’t transform into a deer or gain black eyes or antlers. He’s still very much human’

“Uhh—“Roman started, clearly intent on lying.

Logan was not having it and continued with his impassive look.

After a moment, Roman finally let out a small sigh

“Okay, fine” he said defeatedly “i’ll tell you why i’m pacing around”

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~~•~•~

“Well? Why are you pacing around” Roman’s dad asked, looking impatient after Roman’s dramatic pause for effect

“I’m getting there” Roman whined before clearing his throat “as I was saying, i’ll tell you why i was pacing around”

Pause.

A glare.

“Fine fine” Roman said, raising his hands. After a moment, his expression turned genuinely somber

“There’s this... school play coming up, which concerns me a bit” Roman says after a moment “And I’m also a bit worried about.... Virgil”

Saying his name was always a weird occurrence for Roman. He was so used to the quips and nicknames, but found that it wasn’t appropriate right now. His worry wouldn’t communicate quite as well if he didn’t even call the emo nightmare by his name.

(Roman was, after all, one of the few not emotionally constipated people and he held on to that title proudly)

His father, Logan Berry, did NOT get into the ‘not emotionally constipated’ category

“Worried about Virgil?” His dad asked “Why would you be worried about Virgil?”

Roman sighed as if he were in pain. This conversation was so painfully awkward that he might as well have been.

“I— I don’t know! I just am” Roman said defeatedly “And the school play thing isn’t helping either”

Roman went on

“I auditioned for the school play this year and I got a very big role for a freshman. There’s seniors that auditioned for the role! And still, I got it. It’s a lot of pressure”Roman said, sharing some of his insecurities “and we’re heavily understaffed for the play which means the play might not even happen and if it does, it’ll be a bloodbath”

The last part might have been a bit overdramatic, but Roman did tend to be overdramatic

“Bloodbath?” Logan asked before realizing this was one of the instances of Roman talking metaphorically “As in, it’ll be bad?”

“Yesss!”

“Oh” Logan said neutrally, sounding robotic to Roman “What are you understaffed in?”

“We’re missing backstage crew” Roman said, pouting as he did “you don’t seem too worried”

“Because i’m not” Logan said matter-of-factly “You could ask Virgil to help”

If Roman had been drinking anything, he would have spit his drink like they did in drama shows. Alas, he was drink-less therefore he settled on spluttering wildly

“Vi-Virgil?” Roman said “That gloomy gloom? He wouldn’t go near the drama club in a million dreams. Why would you consider him?”

“Well, I had an... enlightening conversation with Virgil and found out through ‘small talk’ that he was good with tech” Logan explained “Therefore, he could help as the backstage crew”

Roman was ready to laugh, thinking Logan was joking. But one glance at Logan’s deadpanned expression and remembering who he was talking to made him realize Logan was being serious.

Huh.

Now that he thought about it....

“You know what, Pops? That’s a pretty good idea” Roman said with a grin. He remembered the moment he almost had with Virgil and thought that maybe it could work.

“And really, you shouldn’t be so worried about it” Logan continued “The school play is really far away, so you have plenty of time to prepare.”

Roman smiled, knowing this was Logan’s way to comfort him.

His smile was wiped by Logan’s next words.

“And even I appreciate that you’re choosing to start earlier than your peers, you should focus on more pressing matters. Like your math test coming up”

Roman’s eyes widened. Oh shucks. His math test!

He turned away from Logan and sat at his desk, beginning to flip through his notebook with wide eyes.

Logan exited the room, smug that he got Roman to study at last.

The little demon cat followed after him, which showed Logan that he had succeeded even further. Roman would have never been able to focus with Princess on his room.

As he went down the stairs and towards his study to get more work done, Logan felt like the traumatizing events he went through had been pushed aside. He just had to avoid encountering the Sanders and life would go back to normal.

Oh if only he knew that trying to avoid the Sanders was like trying to put out a fire with more fire (something the Sanders WERE prone to doing). It was simply impossible.

Taglist:

@quietmob

@wasinotwantedatthisexactsecond

@approachcape

@brilewblue

@selenechris

@thespian-that-cries-a-lot

@that-weird-kid-charlie

@angst1is1my1aesthetic

@croftersjam15

@cardigancomics

@someonehelp

@avacado-egg

@pumpkin8686

@misterteaz

@sneaky-slytherin

@sophiexteresa

@pansexualpuppet

@wolfricwolfblood

@the-melody-of-eliza

@nonbinary-bitch

@sunshinenotdick

@llilli16

#sanders sides #virgil sanders #patton sanders #roman sanders #logan sanders #remus sanders #janus sanders #LoganDeservesBetter20k #How many people will the Sanders traumatize?#FIND OUT IN THE NEXT EPISODE!#jk just kidding #Roman is a wreck btw #but everybody loves him #especially Virgil

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aion-rsa · 4 years ago

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Oscars 2021 Predictions and Analysis of Frontrunners

https://ift.tt/3s3HJE1

Perhaps the most surprising thing about the Oscars 2021 nominations is how unsurprising they were. There were course a handful of snubs, from One Night in Miami and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom being left out of the Best Picture category to LaKeith Stanfield surprising awards watchers with a Best Supporting Actor nod thanks to Judas and the Black Messiah (displacing Chadwick Boseman from Da 5 Bloods). But by and large? Things proceeded the way prognosticators pretty much expected.

With the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences picks in, we can see that David Fincher’s Mank is the technical favorite with below the line voters, pushing the Netflix deconstruction of Golden Age Hollywood to eight nominations. These include major nods for Picture, Director and Best Actor (Gary Oldman) and Best Supporting Actress (Amanda Seyfried), but also a lot of technical recognition too in Cinematography, Production Design, Costume, and Makeup and Hairstyling.

Even so, the obvious frontrunner remains Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland, a beautiful film that turns the tragedy of the Great Recession into a bittersweet celebration of American Nomad culture. The Searchlight Pictures release garnered six nominations, including Zhao in the Best Director category and another for Best Picture. Zhao’s directing nod, alongside Emerald Fennell for Promising Young Woman, additionally made history with this being the first time two women were nominated in the Best Director category in the same year.

Meanwhile fans still mourning Chadwick Boseman’s tragic loss, as well as celebrating his tour de force final performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, can take some small comfort in the actor being the heavily favored contender in the Best Actor category.

In the end, things proceeded more or less as how the breathless awards race media class hoped it would. All of which raises an interesting question: Will there be any actual surprises then on Oscar night? Well… below is our best, and entirely too early, guess at what will win Best Picture and the other major categories. Be sure to check back here on Oscar night to remind us how wrong we were.

Just for clarity, nominees we want to win will be italicized while the ones we think will win will be bolded. When they’re one in the same, one contender will be italicized and bolded.

Best Picture

The Father Judas and the Black Messiah Mank Minari Nomadland Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7

I’m not sure I can think of a year with a more clear cut and inevitable frontrunner than Nomadland in 2021. There have been other years with dominant frontrunners—almost every year in fact—including several that go on to win, such as Green Book just two award seasons ago. However, there is almost always a counter-narrative that threatens the perceived frontrunner. Sometimes those whisper campaigns unseat the presumptive winner (see La La Land and 1917), and sometimes they don’t. But in the case of Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland there isn’t even a serious challenger.

This in part because Zhao made an extraordinary film which uncannily mixed documentarian filmmaking and its study of real-life American Nomads with narrative storytelling. It’s a trick Zhao has done several times before, including memorably with the Independent Spirit Award winner, The Rider. But here it is done with Oscar favorite in star Frances McDormand, and it draws attention to a whole culture of forgotten (white) Americans. Additionally, Nomadland is opening in a pandemic year where most of the more traditional awards contenders have vacated. The ones that haven’t are mostly being produced by Netflix, including The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Mank. The former might be a real contender for Best Picture under different circumstances, but the Academy is notoriously recalcitrant toward awarding Best Picture to Netflix originals and other streaming efforts. Just ask Roma for more.

Nomadland braved a small theatrical debut ahead of its premiere on Hulu, supporting the theatrical experience during COVID, while Chicago 7 was snubbed a Best Director nomination, suggesting there is some skepticism toward the film among a large wing of Academy voters. Mank, meanwhile, is an acquired taste that appeals to my personal sensibility. But it’s quite cold and less a love letter to the movie industry than a loving middle finger. That fact will probably hurt it in a number of categories, including Best Original Screenplay where it was snubbed today.

Best Director

Thomas Vinterberg, Another Round David Fincher, Mank Lee Isaac Chung, Minari Chloé Zhao, Nomadland Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman

While I would vote another way for Best Picture, I am totally onboard with seeing Zhao pick up the Best Director plaudit. Hers is an entirely unique cinematic voice that has successfully blurred the lines of how narrative filmmaking can be conveyed, and she’s done so while cultivating a great sense of empathy in Nomadland. The picture that finds beauty and resilience in a story that could’ve been a tragedy, memorializing the Americans left behind by the Great Recession.

Her groundbreaking techniques make her stand out in her field. Plus, Academy will be acutely self-conscious this year about the disappointing fact that only one other woman, Kathryn Bigelow, has won a Best Director Oscar. So be prepared for Zhao to make that two.

Best Actress

Viola Davis, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Andra Day, The United States vs. Billie Holiday Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman Frances McDormand, Nomadland Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman

Carey Mulligan is phenomenal in Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman. Acerbic but devastating, guarded but vulnerable, and equal parts righteous and occasionally terrifying, she provides a multifaceted turn unlike anything else we’ve seen from the now twice-nominated actor. Previously she was recognized for her ingénue breakout in An Education, but now as an adult thespian, she’s a true revelation. That narrative will appeal to Academy voters, especially as they tend to favor younger actresses in the lead category. Frances McDormand is a famous exception to that rule, but McDormand has two Oscars already, and one is for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri from only three years ago. Also Mulligan is much more keen on playing the awards season campaign game.

Admittedly, Andra Day won for Best Actress in a Drama at the Golden Globes … but the Globes are always going to be their own thing (ask Jodie Foster for more). And while Day is wonderful in The United States vs. Billie Holiday, that movie’s more meager quality is going to be an albatross.

Best Actor

Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Anthony Hopkins, The Father Gary Oldman, Mank Steven Yeun, Minari

In his final performance, Chadwick Boseman is heartbreaking and utterly riveting. All strained bravado and barely masked desperation, his Levee is cool to a tragic fault in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The film he occupies, based on the August Wilson play of the same name, enjoys its contrasts about Black artists navigating white dominated industries. But while Viola Davis’ charismatic turn is above the title, the B-side to her story as embodied by Levee is where the film’s ghosts wait. And they stayed with me long after the Netflix film ended.

Movies

How Chadwick Boseman Created His Final Performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

By Don Kaye

Movies

Promising Young Woman: Director Emerald Fennell Breaks Down the Ending

By Rosie Fletcher

Boseman deserves a posthumous Oscar for his turn—which would make him only the third performer to win one after Peter Finch for Network and Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight—and he’ll almost certainly get it on Oscar night.

Best Supporting Actress

Maria Bakalova, Borat Glenn Close, Hillbilly Eleg Olivia Colman, The Father Amanda Seyfried, Mank Youn, Yuh-jung, Minari

Conventional wisdom says Olivia Colman will win Best Supporting Actress for The Father. The Academy certainly likes her, having awarded her Best Actress two years ago for The Favourite, and the Academy also has a history of being more lenient on relative back-to-back Oscars in the Supporting category, unlike the historical precedents in the leading actor categories. However, I’m taken by the relative lack of consensus-building around Colman to date. Granted the Golden Globes denied Colman in favor of Jodie Foster, whose performance wasn’t even recognized by the Oscars this year. But the Critics Choice Awards also overlooked Colman while providing Maria Bakalova with a surprise win for Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm.

Precedent should still make me wary of picking Bakalova to win the award. After all, it’s a comedic performance which the Academy usually shies away from. However, this comedic turn was so good, it was able to expose Rudy Giuliani to be a creep with his hand down his pants in front of the world. That will appeal to Academy voters, especially after a year like 2020. Meanwhile my personal choice—Amanda Seyfried’s understated but wholly authentic restoration of Marion Davies’ image after Citizen Kane—may suffer from just a general apathy toward that film’s demeanor, at least from above the line voters. Her snub by her peers at the SAG Awards unfortunately speaks poorly of her chances.

Best Supporting Actor

Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7 Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah Leslie Odom Jr., One Night in Miami Paul Raci, Sound of Metal LaKeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah

Daniel Kaluuya’s performance in Judas and the Black Messiah is a sweltering achievement. With limited screen time—despite being the ostensible messiah of the film’s title—Kaluuya is searing as the Black Panther Party Chairman who created the Rainbow Coalition and was hounded to his death by the FBI through illegal means. I’m also partial to Sacha Baron Cohen’s turn in The Trial of the Chicago 7 where he showed a more sardonic range as a counterculture activist in the Windy City. But even I’ll concede his performance isn’t the one folks will probably be quoting for years to come.

Best Original Screenplay

Judas and the Black Messia Minari Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7

Traditionally the Screenplay categories are where Academy voters tend to recognize the more challenging outside-the-mainstream Best Picture nominees they don’t want to give the top prize to. Ergo, it’s a great place for Emerald Fennell to pick up an award for Promising Young Woman. The movie is too candy colored bleak and light hearted in its tragedies to garner enough Academy support in Best Picture, but its originality will be awarded here.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Borat 2 The Father Nomadland One Night in Miami The White Tiger

I suspect the love for Nomadland will continue in the Adapted Screenplay category with Zhao picking up another Oscar. While the screenplay is quite brilliant, I personally feel the movie’s greater achievement is in its visual storytelling and melding of real stories with a broader fictional narrative. Whereas Kemp Powers’ adaptation of his own play is magnificent. There is a fair criticism to be made that Powers couldn’t fully escape the stageniess of his original conceit about spending a night in a motel room with Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown. But the acute intelligence of his dialogue, and the way it cuts to the tensions of Black responsibility juxtaposed with soft American power, is as potent as it is finally exciting.

Best Cinematography

Judas and the Black Messiah Mank News of the World Nomadland The Trial of the Chicago 7

I suppose I’m predicting a sweep for Nomadland, which in some ways will be earned. In others it may not, such as if Sean Bobbitt’s cinematography in Judas and the Black Messiah.

Best Film Editing

The Father Nomadland Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7

Film editing should be the one category Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 has locked up. With a breathless pace executed in nervy style by Alan Baumgarten, The Trial of the Chicago 7 makes dialogue exchanges out to be as exciting as any special effects-heavy set piece.

Best Costume Design

Emma. Mank Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Mulan Pinocchio

I suspect Costumes will be one area where Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom receives some technical applause by the Academy. However, I think the pastel and historically accurate designs in Autumn de Wilde’s meticulously designed Emma. shouldn’t go overlooked.

Best Production Design

The Father Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Mank News of the World Tenet

The amount of painstaking research and effort that went into so minutely recreating 1930s Hollywood in David Fincher’s Mank is undeniable. While I am expecting largely a shutout for my favorite film of last year, this will be one place where Mank will not go ignored.

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Emma Hillbilly Elegy Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Mank Pinocchio

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom can win for Viola Davis’ immersive transformation into the Mother of the Blues alone.

Best Original Score

Da 5 Bloods Mank Minari News of the World Soul

It stands to reason that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross will pick up another Oscar for the score of Soul, which will also mark the first one for co-writer Jon Batiste. This would be a happy outcome, but if I’m honest the Emile Mosseri score of Minari touched me more.

Best Animated Feature Film

Onward Over the Moon A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon Soul Wolfwalkers

It’s another open and shut year for Pixar thanks to Soul. There’s of course a case to be made for Wolfwalkers, which was a beautiful work of art that’s actually hand drawn. But it’s an open secret that most Academy voters (sadly) do not watch all the animated nominees, and pick solely from the Pixar/Disney catalog. And Soul really is one of the best Pixar films in quite a while so…

Best Visual Effects

Love and Monsters The Midnight Sky Mulan The One and Only Ivan Tenet

There is precedent for the Academy to award less than deserving films in this category simply because the winner is associated with a more popular movie in above the line categories. However, none of the above the line darlings were visual effects heavy this year, and for whatever you might think about Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, there is no denying its visual wizardry is astounding, from the stunt work that sees men bungie jumping upwards to having in-camera effects happening simultaneously in different time streams. So the movie that wanted to “save cinema” may not be entirely overlooked by the industry on Oscar night.

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enbyleighlines · 5 years ago

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Okay it's not a shippy prompt but I would love some bffs nhs&wwx. Maybe a little good natured teasing from wwx about how nhs could possibly fall for his snappy grumpy baby bro?

Yeeeeee yes I love this idea, thank you! Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang’s friendship is so important to me

Oh, and please be aware that there is some suggestive talk in this one

I hope you enjoy!

—

Wei Wuxian was bound to find out eventually. Still, Nie Huaisang feels like the universe could have given them a little more time to prepare.

The two of them are in the middle of enjoying their weekly “Hump Day Ritual.” It involves some wine, reruns of a show from their childhood playing in the background, and a deck of cards. They use the time to catch up, to swap stories about the grind of daily life, and most importantly, to reminisce about the good old days.

In truth, Nie Huaisang should have had plenty of time to prepare. But Huaisang so enjoys their Wednesday evening get togethers, and in their anticipation they had overlooked the fact that this will be their first time seeing Wei Wuxian since they went on a couple of dates with their Didi, Jiang Cheng. Hence, it will mean telling Wei Wuxian about the dates. And Huaisang doesn’t know how their friend will react.

So when Wei Wuxian asks, “What’s new with you?” Nie Huaisang freezes.

There’s a split second where Nie Huaisang considers lying. They wouldn’t keep this a secret forever, of course, just put it off a little longer. But that would be an insult to their friendship.

So Huaisang answers, “Ah, well... I went on a date.”

Wei Wuxian reacts with exaggerated surprise. “What! You went on a date? And I’m just hearing about it now? Is it someone I know?”

“Yes,” Huaisang admits, “It’s... someone you know very well, in fact. Your, uh, Didi.”

“Huh?” Wei Wuxian blinks, his face blank. “My Didi?” It seemingly takes him a moment to process the meaning of Huaisang’s words. And then his mind finishes buffering, evident by the way his eyes nearly pop out if his skull. “You don’t mean... J-Jiang Cheng?!”

“Do you have another Didi I don’t know about?” Huaisang demands.

“No, but— Jiang Cheng?” Wei Wuxian waves his hands in a complicated manner, like he’s speaking gibberish in sign language. “My straight, thick-headed Didi? That Jiang Cheng?”

Huaisang finds themself smiling despite their annoyance. “Yes, that Jiang Cheng.”

“How did that happen?”

And so Huaisang tells Wei Wuxian the story: “I approached him at Jin Zixuan and your Jiejie’s wedding. I told him I had feelings for him, and a few days later, he texted me and asked me out on a date. Two, in fact. One to the zoo and one to a botanical garden.”

“Wait, wait, hold up.” Wei Wuxian holds his hand up like a stop sign. “Since when do you have feelings for my Didi?”

Huaisang avoids looking at Wei Wuxian’s face as they answer, “A while. I think it started in... sophomore year of high school. You convinced me to come watch your soccer game, and I saw him playing for the first time.”

Wei Wuxian does not immediately reply. When Nie Huaisang glances back, Wuxian is just staring mutely into space.

“That was... six or seven years ago,” Wei Wuxian says at long last.

“Yes,” Huaisang confirms.

“Six or seven years,” Wei Wuxian repeats. He sounds absolutely confounded. “You’ve liked my Didi for that long? And you never told me?”

Huaisang winces. This is the reaction that they were afraid of.

“To be fair,” Huaisang says, “I was afraid you would accidentally mention it in front of him. You’ve always been really bad at keeping secrets. Do you remember when we used to go to Wen Ning’s house sometimes, and you’d do that obnoxious nudge-nudge wink-wink think to Jiang Cheng every time Wen Qing came into the room?”

Wei Wuxian continues to stare for a second. But then he recovers, and starts to laugh. “Did I really do that?”

“Yes, you did.”

Wei Wuxian gives another laugh. He doesn’t seem particularly remorseful. Then he says, “But wait. What about Wen Qing? I thought the two of them were— well, not dating, but...”

“Yeah,” Huaisang hums, “I still don’t know exactly what’s going on between them. I think it’s some sort of friends with benefits situation? In any case, yes, they’re still seeing each other. And yes, before you ask, Wen Qing knows that Jiang Cheng and I have been going out on dates.”

“Oh wow, okay.” Wei Wuxian is frowning. “I didn’t take my Didi for the type of guy to sleep around like that.”

“It’s not like that,” Huaisang scrambles to explain, their face no doubt taking on a bright pink hue, “Jiang Cheng has been a perfect gentleman! It’s not— it’s not about sex.”

“So he’s taking you out on dates and then going home to hook up with Wen Qing?” Wei Wuxian shakes his head. “That... doesn’t sound right. Also, I thought Jiang Cheng was straight. I know that I’m still a baby gay, and I don’t have the best gaydar, but I did not ping him as bisexual.”

At that last part, Huaisang shrugs. “We’re still figuring this whole thing out,” they admit, “Jiang Cheng doesn’t know why he’s attracted to me, or if that makes him bisexual. And honestly, I don’t care if he’s still hooking up with Wen Qing. I’ve never been a conventional person, so I don’t mind having a nonconventional relationship. I mean, it’s 2015. Monogamy isn’t the only option. I’m just glad for the chance to get closer to Jiang Cheng. Maybe it won’t work out, in the end. But I want to give it a try anyway.”

“Oh.” Wei Wuxian takes a moment to digest Huaisang’s words. Slowly, gradually, a smile begins to unfold across his face. “Wow,” he says.

“What?”

Wei Wuxian’s grin takes on a mischievous curl at the side of his mouth. “Huaisang,” he coos, “You really like him, don’t you?”

Huaisang rolls their eyes. “Yes. I already told you that.”

“But you really like him,” Wei Wuxian presses, “Tell me, do you like him in spite of the fact that he’s a grumpy troll, or because he’s a grumpy troll?”

Huaisang’s face warms. “I’m not answering that,” they say.

“You don’t have to,” Wei Wuxian teases, “I can see it on your face. You like that he’s a big grumpy grouch, don’t you? That’s right— you always did like tsundere characters the best. So you’re a sucker for that kind of guy, right?”

Huaisang almost aims a throw pillow at Wei Wuxian’s head, despite the high probability that it’ll just cause him to spill his wine all over the couch. Instead, they shout, “Stop it!”

“No, no, this makes perfect sense to me now!” Wei Wuxian spins the wine around in his glass, all while sporting a deviously triumphant smile. “I don’t know why I didn’t guess it earlier. And now I know why you kept coming to my soccer games, even though you hate sports. It was never about supporting me, was it? You just came to gawk at my tsundere Didi.”

“Don’t forget that I can give you the same treatment,” Huaisang warns their friend, “I know who you have a crush on.”

“Yeah, so?” Wei Wuxian lounges back further, not looking threatened in the least. “I’m not ashamed to say I have a crush on Lan Wangji. He’s a talented man. He’s probably got heaps of admirers. But my Didi— you know, my Da-yima used to call him unmatchable? There was this smart period of time when my Da-yima was obsessed with matchmaking. She set Jiang Cheng up on so many blind dates, and he kept scaring all the girls away.”

“Ah, I remember that!” Huaisang giggles, the memories flooding back into their mind’s eye. “Jiang Cheng complained about it nonstop!”

“I know! None of them were stylish ever enough, according to his impossible standards. He just kept critiquing their clothes and makeup, until they went away. Which, now that I think about it, is weird. Wen Qing’s not a fashionista, but he still loves her.”

Huaisang shrugs, not finding it quite so strange. “I mean, her sense of style is casual, but it’s not bad,” they point out, “She knows what looks good on her. But more importantly, she makes it look effortless. Jiang Cheng appreciates understated beauty. His aesthetic taste is real picky that way. He likes a woman to look beautiful, but he doesn’t want her to look like she spends too much time making herself beautiful. In other words, he wants a natural beauty.”

By the time Huaisang finishes their little spiel, Wei Wuxian is arching an eyebrow at them.

“Unfortunately, I can never be that,” Huaisang adds, with no small touch of sorrow seeping into their voice, “In order to keep up the illusion of androgyny, I need makeup and accessories. There’s no telling if Jiang Cheng will still find me attractive underneath the countour.”

“If he doesn’t, I’ll beat him up.”

Nie Huaisang snorts. “I appreciate the offer, but Jiang Cheng won’t be able to help how he feels. Like I said before, I’m just happy to get this chance in the first place.”

“That’s true, but still.” Wei Wuxian puts his wine glass on the coffee table, and adds, “I wouldn’t worry too much, Huaisang. I mean, I once saw Jiang Cheng kiss Wen Qing when her face was all splotchy and snotty from the flu. And I’ve also seen you without makeup. Trust me when I say that your naked face is far prettier than a feverish Wen Qing.”

The mental image of Jiang Cheng caring for a sick Wen Qing has Nie Huaisang smiling. He would have such a concerned face, which for Jiang Cheng means that he would be scowling like usual, with the addition of pain wrinkling the skin around his eyes.

“Oh man, you really do have it bad,” Wei Wuxian says with a whistle, “Look at you, swooning like a schoolgirl.”

Nie Huaisang lightly slaps Wuxian’s arm. “Yes, yes, I’m a lovesick fool,” they whine, digging into their thespian past to amp up the melodrama, “Haven’t you teased me enough, Xian-xiong?”

“No.” After years of friendship, Wei Wuxian is completely unaffected by Nie Huaisang’s little act. “I think it’s cute. Oh— have you ever tried to make Jiang Cheng angry on purpose? Just to see how he’ll react? Be honest.”

“Ah,” Huaisang says, “Maybe... I don’t remember.”

Wei Wuxian gives them a knowing look. “Uh-huh, sure you don’t,” he replies, tapping his nose, “I won’t blame you, if you did. Jiang Cheng can have some really funny reactions. But, of course, I prefer Lan Wangji’s reactions! It’s so hard to make him lose his temper, but when he does!” Wei Wuxian clasps both hands over his heart. “I honestly don’t know why I love it so much. Maybe I’m a sadist? Is there a word for wanting to see your crush angry all the time?”

Huaisang laughs, and immediately reaches for their phone to look it up. A cursory search doesn’t turn up much, however. “It’s probably some kind of BDSM thing,” they decide.

“Probably,” Wei Wuxian agrees, “I’ll keep that in mind for later.”

“Hmm,” Nie Huaisang says.

“Oh!” Wei Wuxian jolts forward. “Oh no, I just realized something.”

Fearing the worst, Nie Huaisang takes a deep inhale. Then, carefully, they ask, “And what is that?”

And sure enough, Wei Wuxian doesn’t disappoint. “You won’t be able to tell me about all your fun sexcapades,” he blurts out, “I mean, you could, but I don’t want to hear about my Didi’s sex life, so please don’t.”

Huaisang is caught somewhere between amusement and horror. “And why is that a problem?”

“Because I bet you’re a real freak,” Wei Wuxian puts it bluntly, “And don’t try to deny it. I’ve known you for a long time. I know you hide a devious mind underneath that timid exterior. I bet you’re even more of a freak than I am. But since I’m probably not going to get laid anytime within the next decade, I was hoping to live vicariously through you, whenever you finally began dating.”

“At least you’re honest,” Nie Huaisang says with a roll of their eyes. They carefully do not deny Wuxian’s claims.

“I guess we’ll just have to keep all date talk PG for now,” Wei Wuxian decides glumly. But, in the usual Wei Wuxian manner, he doesn’t stay down for long. He perks up and adds, “But I’m still going to tease you about having a crush on a real-life tsundere.”

“I know,” Huaisang sighs, “I know.”

#asks #anon #mo dao zu shi #mdzs modern au #anonymous #drabbles #leigh’s writing #sangcheng #wangxian

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haro-whumps · 5 years ago

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Box Boy Meeting Mama

(CW: slavery, dehumanization, creepy + intimate whumper, implied noncon, videorecording, possessive behaviors)

Tag list: @thatsthewhump @whump-it @ashintheairlikesnow @fairybean101 @finder-of-rings @comfortforthepain @shameless-whumper @that-one-thespian @burtlederp @castielamigos-whump-side-blog @raigash @im-not-rare-im-rarr

Part 1

“Mama! Mama!” Ren called to the open front door, bouncing down the steps excitedly.

Their mother was a stunningly tall woman, with heavy brown hair that waved like a product model and a solid, masculine build. Her shoulders were broad, her wrists thick, and she had a jawline that could only be drawn using squares. Although her skin was free of wrinkle or blemish, she could never be described as youthful, her presence heavy and sharp in any room she entered. Her color palette was almost exclusively red, with some black and rare gold, and anytime someone told her that a woman of her size shouldn’t wear high heels, she bought herself a taller pair.

“Hello duckling,” she greeted with a bright smile, hugging her child, the only person in the world who would ever describe her as warm or loving.

“Soren!” they called over their shoulder, only half-stepping away from their mother, “Heel! Position 1!”

Soren had been told he’d be meeting Ren’s mama that morning, and had been dressed up for it, wearing what could only be called a toga and gold sandals that stretched up to his knees. He rushed to them and stood with his feet slightly parted, arms at his sides, spine straight.

“Oh there he is,” she said curiously, eyeing him over as though to judge if his presence lived up to the rumors. He stood close to Ren, nervous around the looming woman, with her sharp eyes and strong arms. Ren was his owner, so of course they could do whatever damage they wanted to him, but they knew that to a whumpee, their mama cut a much more intimidating figure. She could do as much damage with a closed fist as Ren might with a belt. Maybe more.

“You’re right, the short hair really isn’t suiting him,” she commented at length, lifting a lock of Soren’s hair, which now skimmed his shoulders. The products were doing their job. She tilted his chin and her eyes lingered on the birthmark. “But you are a cute little thing, aren’t you pet?”

“Thank you, um, m-ma’am?” he said hesitantly, body tense, and Ren giggled.

“Aw,” Ren’s mama said with a knowing click of her tongue. “Did you call my child ‘ma’am’ and get scolded for it?” she asked with a small chuckle shaking her impressive shoulders.

“Uh--um, well,” Soren stammered, which was too cute, so Ren took pity on him and kissed his pretty temple.

“He’s been perfect, lately; hasn’t messed up since, have you angel?”

“No, Exalted,” he said, obviously relieved that Ren had stepped in.

“Oh, Exalted!” Ren’s mama crooned, “I like that, that’s so classy!”

“Thanks!” Ren said cheerfully, beaming up at her. “The other option is ‘Honored One,’ which I think has a similar ring to it.”

“Good choices, good choices,” she agreed. “Well, off to Sunday brunch?”

“Mm!” Ren hummed. They gave Soren a quick kiss to his cheek, petting his hair in a smooth, swift gesture. “Behave yourself while I’m out, Soren. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

“Have, have fun,” Soren said, glancing between them and their mama, timid around her, but that was fine. If Soren wanted to see Ren as the only safe thing in all the world, that was a-okay by them.

They climbed into the passenger seat of their mama’s red luxury car, one of the smaller ones today, and arranged their skirts around their legs. Best part of skirts: Ren looked phenomenal in them and they showed off their calves. Worst part of skirts: maneuvering in them.

“He really is,” Mama murmured as she started the car with her thumbprint, “That’s your sweet little Soren.”

“I know!” Ren said with a laugh, “I can still hardly believe it sometimes!”

“Well, he seems healthy and whole, at least.”

“Mama! Of course he is!”

She snorted and pinched their cheek, eyes still on the road. “I didn’t say I ever thought you wouldn’t take care of him, dumpling. But you know how those whumpee-vendors can get, sometimes. Every couple of months, it seems like there’s some new scandal that everyone just needs to flood the news streams with.”

Ren sighed knowingly, very put upon. “It’s true. I mean, really, you’d think we’d be past the whole ‘Oh hey let’s lose our shit over this’ phase of whumpees, right? They knew the risks when they signed themselves over, and it’s not like they’re actually people anymore.”

Mama hummed. “Do we want to go for cheese and pasta or are we thinking seafood today?”

“I could go for somewhere with refried beans and pork, if you’re up for it,” Ren stated.

“Oo, fancy today.” Mama threw on her turn signal. “Guaca Maya’s always a safe bet.”

“So, did I not, express, to Soren, enough, that I loved him and liked taking care of him when we were younger? Like, why didn’t he come crawling back to me?”

“Duckling,” Mama crooned, like when they were acting just a little unreasonable about how life wasn’t fair.

“It’s been bothering me since I found him, Mama. I would have forgiven him! He had to have known that, right?”

“Honey, sometimes poor people just… behave in strange ways. They’re not rational.” She gave their thigh a sympathetic squeeze. “The more you try to make sense of them, the more frustrated you’ll get.”

Ren sighed and stroked their brow, probably messing up their eyebrows but ah, such was life. “I know, I know. It doesn’t matter, I have him now,” they said, flaring out their fingers.

“And so cute, too; he’s so nervous!”

Ren giggled. “Oh, oh! Once we get seated I’ll show you; remember how I told you I was buying all those cameras?”

“Oh, that’ll be nice,” she said, parking the car.

They were seated at one of the better tables, the waitress accidentally calling Mama “sir” before she noticed the mixup, and after they’d ordered their food Ren pulled out their phone and tapped through the application, searching for their boy.

“Ha, there he is,” Ren said, holding out the phone screen so Mama could look. “He really likes that balcony.”

“Good thing, too, his freckles are so pretty when they’re dense,” Mama commented, taking the phone in that way the previous generation had, instead of just looking while Ren held it. Soren was seated on a patio chair, plush but waterproof, and was dozing in the late morning sun.

“I’m glad I got him the two in one sunscreen and lotion,” Ren remarked, staring gleefully down at the screen, chin in their palm. Even though it would be fun to poke and prod at the burns, they thought privately. Such things were not meant to be shared with their mama; she would scold them for casual violence.

“You’re such a clever kid,” Mama said proudly, handing the phone back, “Always the most prepared out of all your peers, I don’t know where you got it from.”

“Statistically speaking, probably you,” Ren said, and they both laughed. Brunch went by pleasantly, the two of them catching up on the events of the week. Mama knew a good portion of Ren’s week, since they had kept on delightedly texting her throughout, but it was always fun to eat and chat. Mama enjoyed flaunting her wealth as much as Ren did, and tipped equal to the bill, then drove Ren home.

“Same time next week,” she said before they got out of the car, “But not the week after--”

“--because you’ll be overseas, so we’ll have to videochat,” Ren confirmed, leaning across the consol so she could kiss their cheek affectionately.

“You got it. Alright darling, have a good one.”

“Bye Mama!” Ren called brightly as they got out, and returned inside. Brunch with Mama always left them feeling pleased and calm, and knowing that they were returning to Soren left them positively bouncing, skirt flaring out around their knees. They went to the kitchen to put their leftovers in the fridge,

and their mood turned on a dime.

“What are you doing with those scissors!?” they bellowed, crossing the kitchen in an instant, catching him by the wrist so hard he dropped the blades, their nails pressing bleeding crescents into his skin.

“E-Exalted, I--”

“The fuck do you think you’re doing?!” they yelled, slamming that fragile arm into the pantry door, grabbing him by the front of his toga and lifting, furious, spots swarming their vision.

“Nothing! Please!”

“The hell does nothing need scissors for?” they shouted, their face so close to his that spit flew onto it. “Do you seriously think you can just--”

“Thread! There’s a loose thread!” Soren wailed, free hand desperately pressed against Ren’s chest. They stopped, breathing hard, rage still curling in them but paused, just for a moment. Soren hiccupped on his little sobs and shakily moved his hand to point at the strap of his toga. “T-*hic* There’s a l-loose thread, Honored One,” he said, lifting it so they could see. Thin, unnoticed when the clothing was delivered, hardly even visible without someone pointing it out. “I, I was snipping it. I would never hurt you, Exalted, Ren, please, I would never, I’m not a fighter, I wouldn’t hurt you, please,” his fingers curled in the front of their blouse, “please, never, never. I wouldn’t, Honored One, please believe me, I wouldn’t, I wouldn’t.”

Ren released his wrist, their fingers trailing down his skin and leaving bloody marks. They took a deep breath, and let it out, releasing his toga and lifting their hands to his face, cupping his cheeks. “Oh, baby,” they murmured, trying to calm their heartbeat. “Oh Soren,” they said, pressing up against him, his back flush against the pantry door, their face pressed into his hair. His gorgeous hair, that he wasn’t going to cut. He hadn’t even been thinking about it. His first concern was that Ren thought he would hurt them, use the scissors to fight; cutting his hair was so far from his mind it never crossed it.

They stood there, pressed up against his quietly crying body, for an indeterminate amount of time. They pulled back when they were calm enough, and silently took the thread between their fingers. They leaned down and bit it, snapping it easily, and then kissed Soren’s birthmark.

“Go ahead and clean up the mess you made,” Ren said, glancing at their leftovers, which were now spilled across the kitchen tile. “I’ll go get some disinfectant for your wrist.”

“Thank you,” he said, high and quiet and Ren felt okay enough to smile at him. They kissed his pretty lips, thumbing at the tear tracks, half-dried, and left the kitchen. But not without first grabbing the scissors, taking the blades with them.

#whump #slavery #dehumanization #creepy whumper #intimate whumper #possessive behavior #videotaping #videorecording #pet #slave #lost temper #bbu #box boy #ren #soren #mama #mine #writing

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mitchiemoo · 5 years ago

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Close Up-Part 1 (Johnny Joestar x Reader)

Summary: You are an upcoming, young actress, starring in your first major film. For publicity, the studio suggests you begin a relationship with your co-star, British thespian Diego Brando. Reluctantly, you agree, and soon find yourself at odds with Johnny Joestar, former Hollywood star. After losing his career and the use of his legs, Johnny offers to help you achieve fame but cautions the price. Is it really the fame you want? Or something else?

Warnings: Explicit language

Word Count: 3,539

“Darling, I promise I’ll return. When I do, I will be a true gentleman, one worthy of your affection.” Diego’s eyes gazed intently into your own as he raised your hands to his lips and kissed them.

You gasped and stepped back in shock. “Oh, sir,” you said. “You needn’t earn my affection, for I have already given it to you. If I am to be the wife of a tailor, then so be it. Please stay.”

Diego rose to his feet and gripped your hands tighter. “No, I must go. I shall better myself to provide the life you deserve. My father was a cruel man, who worked my poor mother into an early grave. The day he died, I resolved to never become a monster like him.” His voice shook with emotion and you could hear the desperation in his voice. Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes, right on cue.

“They shall wed me to another man before you return. Search your heart, you know it to be true. What shall you do with your fortune then?”

A shout came from off stage. “Elena! Jonah is looking for you.”

Panic crossed Diego’s face as you snatched your hands from his grasp and turned away. “I’m sorry, I must leave now. Goodbye, Dorian.”

“Wait!” He called after you as you rushed off stage.

“Cut!”

You breathed a sigh of relief as the lights dimmed and the bell rang. It was hot. Oppressively so. Especially in your costume. Sweat soaked the back of your neck and the under layers of your dress stuck to your skin. No wonder Victorian women were so prone to fainting spells. The late 19th century dress you wore was exquisite and you admired yourself in the mirror while wearing it many times. But the skirts were extremely heavy and restricted your movements.

It was a relief when you plopped down on one of the prop couches scattered around the set. The ornate fan your character used in an earlier scene laid discarded on the spot next to you. You opened it and desperately fanned yourself.

“Would you like some water, miss?” One of the stagehands offered. You nodded and wiped at your teary eyes absentmindedly before you remembered you were wearing make-up. Oops. The stylist would not be happy with you.

“Good read today.” You looked up.

Your co-star, Diego Brando, stood in front of you, looking extremely disinterested. He had shed the dark blue coat he wore in the scene and rolled up the sleeves of his plain white button down. It looked like he barely broke a sweat. “Although, you should try to look more devastated. At least you didn’t forget your lines today.”

If he said that to you at the beginning of filming, you would’ve been fighting back tears. Now, you simply brushed it off. Diego Brando was a world-famous actor. He had been classically trained at the Royal Shakespeare Academy and performed in several critically acclaimed plays before his debut on the silver screen at age 19. Compared to him, you were nothing. This was your first major role and the extent of your training was reading Shakespeare aloud for your family as a child.

“Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind.” You said through gritted teeth, picking at the intricate golden embroidery on your dress. The stagehand you sent to find water returned and you immediately began gulping it down.

You were surprised when he sat down beside you. He sighed and ran a hand through his golden blond hair.

“Look,” he started. “There’s a fundraiser tonight at one of the local art galleries and the studio wants us to go together, as a couple.”

You choked.

“Wh-what?” you managed to sputter out.

Diego rolled his eyes. “Don’t get too excited, alright? You’re not my type and frankly, I’m not attracted to you in the slightest.” He continued. “The producers and studio executives think this is a good way to get publicity for the film and help our, err, your career.”

You furrowed your eyebrows. Normally you would be insulted by Diego’s words but if working with him had taught you anything about him, it was his strong sense of pride. Nobody was good enough for Diego Brando, not even himself. Especially unknown, amateur actresses like you.

“How does going out in public with you help me, exactly?” You asked.

“Don’t sound so ungrateful, love. Thousands of other girls would kill to be in your position.” He spat and waved his hand dismissively. “We get photographed together, the press makes a fuss about ‘Diego Brando’s mystery girl’, who she is, where she’s from. The public wants to see more of our chemistry and go see the movie. The film’s a success, you’ll be named one of Hollywood’s most promising newcomers and a few months later, we quietly ‘separate.’”

You looked down at the ice in your glass, quietly mulling over Diego’s proposition. All you had to do was pretend to fawn all over him at award shows and fancy parties, where other famous actors and directors were, and your movie would draw crowds of people? It was too good to be true. The only downside you could think of was spending more time with Diego. Your lip curled in distaste.

“How long would this arrangement last?” You asked, tentatively.

“About six months.” He replied. “Like I said, everybody benefits. You get a handsome bachelor, I get free publicity, and the studio makes a bunch of money. Do we have a deal?” He extended his hand and smirked. You hesitated. Six months for a fruitful career and a lifetime of success? What could go wrong?

You shook his hand and were surprised by how firm his grip was. “Deal.”

“Smart move, darling.”

The bell rang again, signaling the end of the break. Diego stood up and offered you his hand again. You set the fan and empty glass aside and he pulled you up from your seat. “My driver and I will pick you up at 7. Dress code is black tie and please, don’t be late.”

He turned on his heel to walk back onto set. As you followed, you couldn’t ignore the growing sense of trepidation brewing in your heart. What could go wrong?

Shortly after filming ended that day, you took a cab back to your apartment and inspected your closet. Diego specified black tie, which meant a full-length evening gown, gloves, and jewelry. You had a few nice dresses from the department store, three of them full length. Sure, they wouldn’t be as elegant or glamorous as the Dior, Chanel, and Balenciaga gowns you’d see tonight but that just gave you something else to strive for. Maybe next time you would be the one wearing Chanel and turning heads.

You drew a cool bath and scrubbed your face and hair free of make-up and styling products. Of course, you were going to have to reapply them later but for the moment, you felt very refreshed.

Before you left the set that day, you asked your stylist to recommend some good salons in the area. Your hair and make-up skills were limited so you opted to have it professionally done. Diego made it sound like there would be photographers everywhere and you wanted to look your best.

The gravity of your situation didn’t really register until you were sitting in the stylist’s chair and staring at yourself in the mirror, that visceral moment when suddenly every blemish and flaw seemed magnified. Your stylist was a talkative lady with pink hair, but you were only half listening to what she was saying. This arrangement was only temporary, you reasoned, and then you would be free of him. But deep down, you knew you would never really be free of him.

For the next six months, you would be “Diego Brando’s girlfriend” and after you separated, you’d still be known as “that girl who dated Diego Brando” or “Diego Brando’s ex.” You came to Hollywood to make a name for yourself, to be admired for your work, to be remembered as something greater than “so-and-so’s ex.” When you left your hometown to become an actress, you knew the risks, but the rewards were better than any opportunity available there. You were patient, auditioning for minor roles at first and building up your resume until you decided to audition for a few major parts. Just when it seemed like your hard work was paying off, you made a deal with the devil, disguised as a charming British thespian.

“What do you think?” The girl chirped, breaking you out of your thoughts.

She definitely did a nice job. You barely recognized yourself. The make-up was tastefully done and not nearly as caked on as your usual “stage face.” She pinned your hair up in an elegant up do, which brought special attention to your face and kept the back of your neck cool. You nodded approvingly, tipped her well and headed back to your apartment to finish getting ready.

As promised, a limousine pulled up to the front of your building at exactly seven o’clock. It seemed Diego was a punctual man and you had to admit he looked handsome in his gray, three-piece Armani suit. He greeted you curtly when you slid into the back with him and then immediately started dictating how the night would go.

“So, when we pull up to the gallery, there will be a lot of cameras flashing, alright? I get out first, then I help you out, like the gentleman I am.” Diego eyed you in your pale blue dress like a jeweler appraising a gemstone. “You look decent enough, I suppose. I’ll buy you the dress next time although they won’t really be paying attention to you.”

You frowned. “Isn’t that the whole point of this?”

“Relax, love, you have six months to catch their attention.” He crooned. “Just think of this as acting experience. If you want to be as big a star as me someday, you’ll have to get used to the flashing lights, invasive questions, and lack of personal space.”

You looked out the tinted windows at the passing streetlights. You imagined them as eyes peering into the dark leather interior, prying into your innermost thoughts. If what Diego said was true, when you were famous and in the public eye, every move you made was picked apart by paparazzi, who descended like a kettle of vultures. One wrong move and you’d be vilified. If something that was meant to stay private leaked out, there would be an outcry of scandal that could, depending on what it was, jeopardize your whole career.

Another thought suddenly crossed your mind. “Diego,” you said. “Are you going to kiss me?”

He tensed beside you. “Err, probably not. The most I’d do is hold your hand or put my arm around you like this while we’re sitting.” You felt his arm snake around the back of the seat. “Even in my real relationships, I don’t care for too many public displays of affection. I don’t think it’s very professional, really.”

You nodded thoughtfully. “I agree and I feel it’s ‘too soon’ in the relationship to do that. This is our first public event together, after all. Let’s leave them wanting.”

“What’re you thinking?”

“I’m thinking less is more. The press would go wild for a picture of us kissing, especially if we never do it.” You said. “Let’s fuel the fire and make them fan the flames.”

The glow of the passing streetlamps illuminated Diego’s face, casting it in shadow. A glint caught in his eye. “I like the way you think.”

The limousine jerked to a stop and suddenly you were very aware of your department store dress, hand-me down pearl necklace, and $70-dollar hair do. You swallowed and gripped at the small clutch purse you brought. Diego had told you what to do. Smile and look pretty, let him lead you to the door. The hardest part was getting inside. If this was the kind of fame you wanted, you couldn’t let the people and flashing lights overwhelm you.

Diego was a shrewd operator. Every movement he made was calculated and perfected, so it appeared seamless. For you, everything was a blur of faces and cameras and people shouting over each other. You were pretty sure you heard “Diego!” and “Who’s that?” over the commotion. This time, Diego’s firm grip was comforting, and you concentrated on the back of his blond head as he led you down the concrete path.

Your heels clicked on the white marble flooring of the entrance way and you breathed a sigh of relief. Diego let go of your hand and scanned the room. “That went well.” He said. You inspected your palms and saw little crescents indented in the skin. “Do you ever cut your fingernails? They’re like claws.”

“Oi, I clip my fingernails once a week like everyone else. They just grow fast is all.” Diego said defensively. “You have a death grip like a construction worker. Maybe you should’ve done that instead of acting.”

You rolled your eyes and looked around. The gallery was large and open with white marble floors lined with royal blue carpets, and cream-colored walls decorated by avant-garde paintings. A large set of double oak doors was at the end of the room. Fellow guests milled around the entryway in groups, but you didn’t see anyone you would recognize.

“What’s this fundraiser for, anyway?” You asked.

Diego shrugged. “No idea. I just got the invitation in the post and saw Steven Steel’s name on it. Figured it’d be a good excuse to dress up and eat fancy food with other rich people.” Your stomach growled when he mentioned food. The last thing you ate was a handful of blueberries and a soggy sandwich on set that afternoon. You were starving.

He offered you his arm, which you took, and led you through the double doors into the main showroom. You glanced around at the various tables along the floor and spotted several famous faces. The man with the tall silver-blond hair was French actor Jean-Pierre Polnareff and sitting next to him was the famous Egyptian magician Mohammed Avdol. At the table next to theirs was the famous British fashion model Lisa Lisa, impeccably poised and smoking a cigarette in a fancy holder. A few people turned in their seats to look at you and Diego as you passed.

“Ugh, look who’s at our table.” You heard Diego scoff.

You were shocked.

It was Johnny Joestar.

The Joestars were basically Hollywood royalty and Johnny was no exception. Dubbed “Joe Kid” by his fans, Johnny was the face of young Hollywood, an All-American country boy with cute dimples and a youthful face. He made a name for himself playing the righteous young cowboy protagonist in Western action films, the hero who saved the girl and brought justice to a lawless landscape. Everyone knew him and it seemed like his star would only grow brighter.

Until the accident happened.

It was about a year ago. The papers said Johnny was on a walk with his girlfriend one evening when a crazed fan came up from behind and shot him in the back. He lived, fortunately, but was paralyzed from the waist down and would need to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life. The studio abruptly ended his contract and he hadn’t been seen or mentioned since.

“Joestar,” Diego hissed. He pulled out your chair and pushed you into the table before taking his place beside you. The three of you were the only ones there, so far, and Johnny sat across from you in his wheelchair. It struck you how different he looked in real life. His tousled blond hair reached his shoulders now and for someone known for his dimples, it seemed like a scowl was permanently etched on his face.

Johnny sneered. “Ugh, I should’a known you’d be here tonight, Diego. Never could resist an opportunity to boot lick.”

You knew Johnny and Diego had a history. They had been rivals, once, before Johnny’s accident. They competed for roles, awards, and the hearts of beautiful women. Diego held nothing but contempt for his former rival. He claimed Johnny didn’t have a shred of talent and used the Joestar name to get his roles instead of working hard to earn his fame, like he had. “I came from nothing” he was so fond of reminding you. The feeling was mutual, at least from what you read. Johnny once called Diego “a stuck-up prick who should go back to community theater.”

“Who invited you, anyway? I thought it was clear no one wanted you around since you lost your legs.” Diego said.

You bit your lip and looked down at your lap. Should you say something? Diego could be a heartless bastard, you knew that. Honestly, you felt for Johnny. This man had lost everything. What happened was an accident, he didn’t deserve to get shot, no matter how much the media tried to demonize him.

You gently touched his arm. “Diego, dear, be nice.” You implored, batting your eyelashes for effect. “Please, for me?”

Johnny narrowed eyes and turned his pale blue gaze towards you. They were much more intense in person and once again you were aware of how insignificant you were compared to people like him. “Who’s this?”

Diego looked at you with a simpering smile and draped his arm over the back of your chair, like you’d practiced in the limousine. “This is my new girlfriend.” He replied. “Jealous?”

Johnny regarded you for a moment. “Lemme guess, you’re his co-star? What’s your name?”

You told him and reached over to shake his hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Joestar. I’m a big fan of your work.”

You weren’t lying. If any singular actor inspired you to finally move to Hollywood and pursue your dream, it was him. Westerns were far from your favorite genre but if Johnny Joestar was starring in it, you’d drag your family to see it anyway. It was surreal for you to be so close to him.

He nodded politely and shook your hand. You were surprised by how rough and calloused his palms were. “You must be new. I’m not familiar with any of your roles.”

“Yes, this is my first major role. I was very excited when I found out I was going to be working with Diego Brando.” You said. “I’ve learned so much from him.”

“This movie is going to be a hit.” Diego cut in. “Darling, you’re such a captivating actress, everyone will adore you.”

“How long have you two been together?” Johnny asked.

“Two weeks.” Replied Diego.

Johnny went quiet for a moment, inspecting his fingernails intently. “I see,” he said. “Sleeping with Diego is a smart career move. Come up with it yourself?”

An indignant “what” was all you could manage as color bled across your cheeks.

Johnny wasn’t fazed at all. “Listen, I don’t much like lyin’ to people, so I’ll tell you this. When I look at you, I don’t see ‘star material.’ You got a decent figure and a marginally pretty face but nothing about you stands out. They don’t care how good your acting is, it’ll never be good enough for the kinda fame you want. You can be a good actress, but you’ll never be a star.”

You were fuming. Absolutely livid. Who did he think he was? He didn’t know you! He was just bitter. Jealous of the fact that you had a promising career when his ended prematurely. At first, you felt bad for him. Now? You couldn’t even look at him without seeing red.

“You’re better off this way, promise.” Johnny continued, though you could barely hear him over the thundering of your own heart in your ears. “Nobody in this town gives a shit about you when you stop making them money. They’ll turn you out on your back the minute you can’t be their ideal person. The price of fame isn’t worth it.”

You weren’t listening anymore. Any sympathy you had for Johnny and his situation was completely evaporated by the heat of your anger. Diego and the media were right. He was an asshole. Another person to prove wrong. Your movie would be a success. Over the next six months, you’d endear yourself to the public, charm the Hollywood elite and once you secured your place, he’d see how wrong he was.

“Oi mate, you can fuck off.” Diego interjected.

“Eat shit.”

You shot up from your chair and grabbed your purse off the table. “Excuse me, I’m going to the bathroom.” You said quietly, desperately trying to keep your voice from cracking. Your throat felt tight and tears gathered at the corners of your eyes as your emotions boiled over. At least the next time you needed to cry on command, you could think back on Johnny’s words, which still echoed inside your skull. They stung. A lot. And as you hurried through the maze of tables, all you could think about was how true they might be.

This is my first time posting on tumblr and I was really excited to share this! Hope you enjoyed it. My inbox is open so if you have any comments or feedback, I’d love to hear it. Even if you just want to chat, I’d love to get to know the community.

#jjba #jojo's bizarre adventure #johnny joestar x reader #diego brando x reader #johnny joestar #diego brando #jjba x reader #mitchie's writing

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lefaystrent · 5 years ago

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Everyone's talking about Virgil Angst but meanwhile I'm sitting here thinking about Roman because like?? Presumably he's on Broadway right? And to wake up finding you're a known broadway star has to be a dream come true even if it's jarring that suddenly finding yourself so much older. But like Roman has no memories of the years between hs and now. He wakes up, finds he's performing in a show that very day. bUT NOT ONLY THAT, it's a new show, one he's never heard of so he has no lines 1/?

no lyrics, noblocking memorized. And he's expected to perform. So a thespian's nightmareright there. Maybe for extra Angst points the understudy is out sick. Or hejust forces himself to perform, not wanting to disappoint or miss this"chance" to be on Broadway. Either way it doesn't go well and Romanis left with his spirits crushed and still completely lost as to how he endedup in the future. 2/2

Back to theFuture, part II

Fandom: Thomas Sanders,Sanders Sides

Pairings: platonic LAMP

Word Count: 2620

Masterlist Link

_______________________

Roman wakes up with a pillow beingthrown at his face.

“Chop, chop! Time to go.”

Roman groans, “Is it time forschool already?”

The person laughs.

It’s then that Roman realizes thatit’s neither of his parents, nor one of his friends who would sometimes sleepover.

Roman sits up, shirtless but that’susual. What’s not usual is the man fixing his hair in the mirror of a largevanity table.

“Who are you?” Roman asks,instantly suspicious. He snatches up a hair brush that’s lying on the bedsidetable, wielding it like a sword. “Where am I? What do you want with me?”

The man meets his eyes in themirror, sees something funny, and rolls his eyes with a laugh. “Alright, Mr.Big Shot. Save the acting for the stage. We’re gonna be late if you don’t hurryup and get dressed. And Dot will have both of our asses if we’re late foropening night.”

Opening night?

Stage?

Cute guy?

Oh, this had to be a dream.

Roman was good at dreams.

“Very well then. Wouldn’t want todisappoint all of my adoring fans, would I darling?” Roman boasts, to which theguy snorts and tells him to hurry up again.

Roman slips away and finds thebathroom. He’s debating whether or not to snap his fingers and conjure up amagnificent outfit. That is, until he catches a glimpse of himself in themirror.

He screams like he’s in a horrormovie, which maybe he is.

“What—what’s wrong?” the no-nameguy from earlier yells, banging on the bathroom door but Roman had locked it.

“I’M OLD!!!”

He’s over thirty now, and to a guywho was just seventeen yesterday, that’s pretty old my dude.

Frantic, Roman throws open thebathroom door and demands, “What magic did you cast on me?”

“What?”

“My face! Look at it!” Roman screeches,looking into the mirror once again and rubbing at his face as if the signs ofaging would disappear. “I mean, I’m still gorgeous, BUT I’M OLD!!!”

The guy looks at him like he’scrazy, which maybe he is but wow, no need to judge. “Uhhhh, are you going througha mid-life crisis right now? Because can you do that later? When, ya know, wedon’t have somewhere to be?”

“I was just seventeen yesterday,”Roman tells his reflection mournfully.

“Okay, if this is the kind ofbaggage Roman Prince has, remind me not to sleep with him again.”

Roman chokes at that.

“E-excuse me? We did what?!”

“Just cut the crap already,” theguy grunts and leaves. “I’ll be waiting outside,” he calls before a door slamsclosed.

Roman is left alone with hisreflection.

He snaps his fingers, but nothinghappens.

He gives a grin anyway. “Just gottaget into the swing of things is all.”

Roman meets the guy outside. Hedoesn’t bother asking for his name, since it’s not important to the dreamanyway. And really, this isn’t unlike a lot of Roman’s other dreams. Waking upto a cute guy? Check. Performing in a Broadway musical? Check.

Being the headlining actor for saidBroadway musical?

Super big check.

They’re in the theater now, andRoman is smiling and greeting a bunch of people who seem to know him. He goesalong with whatever they’re saying. He runs into the director Dot that theno-name guy mentioned earlier. And somewhat confusingly, he finds his dressingroom. It’s amazing and wonderful and in such detail, and sitting on the chair bythe dressing table is the script they’re performing tonight. Roman picks it upwith a wide grin.

He nearly drops it.

He’s the headlining actor for aplay he’s never even heard of.

Okay. Okay, okay okay.

Roman is in his dressing room—HISDRESSING ROOM ON BROADWAY. This whole place is designed by him to work how hepleases. If he just looks away and looks back again it’ll change—

Nope, that didn’t work. He squintsdown at the font, hoping to place the title.

“A New Lease on Life.”

From a skim through it’s somethingabout a parasitic demon trapped in the body of a magically gifted human?Roman’s character is the parasite.

“I know musicals are weird, butwhat in the name of Julie Andrews,” Roman says to himself.

But this is a dream. It’s okay. Hecan just…get up on stage and have the time of his life!

That’s not how it happens though.They do last minute run throughs. Roman is not magically landing the lines.Hell, he doesn’t even know them! The director yells at him to stop messingaround, and Roman is honestly hurt and disoriented enough to start crying rightthen.

But this is supposed to be hisdream! He can’t cry. He’s a Broadway actor! He’s got this!

Remember when he said ‘he’s gotthis’?

Yeeaaah . . .

The evening is upon them, theaudience files in, and Roman is standing on stage with no clue as to what he’sdoing.

He skimmed the script earlier,curious because usually he couldn’t read things in his dreams. He says thelines he remembers, but he misses a cue, and then the actor who’s playing therole of the character he’s possessing hisses under their breath what his lineis. It’s appreciated, but Roman can’t hear it over the thundering roar in hisears. The audience is waiting for something incredible to happen and Roman . ..

Roman’s waiting too.

This isn’t one of Roman’s dreams.

This is a nightmare.

Roman is a deer caught in theheadlights. He’s sweating and breathing so loudly that surely the audience musthear it. The lights are too bright and he’s standing on the edge of the stagein the middle of what’s supposed to be this sinister monologue.

This isn’t working. He just needsto take a breath, take a step back, listen more carefully to his costar’s constanthissing, and maybe things will get back on track.

Roman’s leg buckles when he triesto move it. He’s too close to the edge of the stage. He thinks for a momentthat he can catch himself, but his palms are slick with sweat and he slipsright over. He lands on his back, the wind knocked out of him, and he doesn’tremember much after that.

He wakes up, not in his bedroom athome but in his Broadway dressing room. Someone’s there, someone that Romandoesn’t recognize.

“Sloan picked up where you leftoff,” she says. She’s looking at Roman with pity.

“Sloan?” he questions. In thedistance, he can hear the muffled noises of the show going on.

She looks pissed off now. “Youknow, your understudy? Maybe if your head wasn’t shoved up your ass all thetime, you’d remember the names of us little people.”

She storms out of the room.

Roman lets his head thump back downon the bench someone laid him on.

He could wallow in his misery. Hecould let this nightmare beat him down. He could curl up and have himself anice cry. Princes are made for bawls after all.

“Sorry, but this prince has toleave before midnight,” he says.

He hops up to his feet. His headhurts and there’s a painful twinge in his leg and arm from where he must havefallen on them. But he can still move. He has to.

Roman turns his back on Broadway togo search for answers.

As he’s walking down the sidewalk,he ignores the busy city life. He pulls out his phone, immediately searchingfor his emo sidekick’s number.

He doesn’t find it.

What he does find though areseveral missed calls from Patton.

“Curiouser and curiouser,” hequotes. He calls Patton up.

“Roman?!” Patton answers after thefirst ring.

“Hey Padré! I hope you’ve got sometime to chat because you will not believe where I am right now!”

Roman was all the way in New York.

That’s a little more than a carride from Florida.

Logan had known that Roman became aBroadway star. He’d even told Roman that he would one day become one, but thatwas back in high school when Roman was an upset seventeen-year-old and Loganwas an eleven-year-old kid who knew too much. The news might have given Romansome form of comfort when he was figuratively down, but he certainly hadn’tbelieved it as Logan foretelling the future.

When Logan woke up as twenty-nineagain—after the initial freaking out period—he decided to contact his friendsto test a hypothesis. He needed to encounter someone who he’d never been affiliatedwith before in his future time, people like Roman, Virgil, and Patton.

Roman was too far off however. Notto mention it’d prove difficult to request a celebrity’s time, one that wasn’tsupposed to know you.

And Logan did doubt that any ofthem knew him. He suspected that he hadn’t been pushed forward through time butreplaced back into his own time, a timeline separate from the past one he’dbeen in. Nothing in his house had changed, no signs of his friends. No texts orcontacts on his phone to match.

So Logan searched for the othertwo. Virgil proved to be all but nonexistent upon his initial online researching.Patton immediately garnered results.

“An advice columnist,” Logan hadsaid to himself, unable to smother down the smile that tugged up his lips.Patton had made quite a name for himself in northern Florida. He’d been hostedseveral times on talk shows and was working on promoting his second self-helpbook that had recently released.

Logan had set off to find Patton,and find him he did.

And Patton . . . Patton had rememberedhim.

And even though Logan felt trulysorry that this disorienting situation caused his friend a great deal ofdistress, he couldn’t help but feel a wash of relief knock into him at the factthat his friend was still his friend. That those memories weren’t worthless ora vivid dream.

And then, once they had workedthrough establishing the existence of time travel, Patton suggests that theothers might be in the same boat.

“What boat? We’re not in a boat.”

“Figure of speech, Lo,” Pattonsmiles a little, despite himself.

If he and Patton are here afterjumping through time, it’s not impossible that Roman and Virgil could be thesame.

“They might not be here,” Logansuggests, swallowing down a sharp feeling of disappointment. “Whatever happenedto us, they may not have been a part of it.”

“Or they might have,” Patton pushesstubbornly. He can see the same hope welling in him, the same selfish desire tonot be alone. “We’re always hanging out together. They might have . . . gottencaught up in it? Whatever it is.”

“. . . and you already tried callingRoman?”

Patton tries all day. Logan wandersthe house a lot, investigating what kind of person Patton grew up to be. It’s .. . interesting to say the least, seeing his friend who had previously been ateenager suddenly as a grown adult, older than himself at that. Logan pondersover whether Patton feels the same amount of puzzlement. Although, Patton doesn’tseem to be interested in much that requires moving from the couch.

Ever since Logan theorized them notbeing friends in this timeline, Patton has become lethargic. Logan is ill-preparedto deal with this kind of Patton.

That night, Logan hears Patton’sphone ring. Logan doesn’t pay it much mind. The phone had been ringing off andon ever since Patton had run away from work that morning. Logan continues to pokearound the kitchen, relishing his normal body and the height that allows him toeasily reach into the tall cabinets.

“Roman?!” Patton screams from theliving room.

Logan immediately abandons any notionof dinner.

“Did he call you?” Logan blurtsout, racing into the room. It’s an unnecessary question, because what elsecould have happened? Patton waves his hand at him to shush him.

“Where are you kiddo? Are you okay?”Patton asks. He clutches the phone to his ear with both hands as if he couldhold Roman there.

Impatient, Logan sits right besidePatton and leans in to eavesdrop.

“Where else would a star like me beother than Broadway?”

Yes, that’s Roman’s proud voicefiltering through.

“Broadway?” Patton repeats, lookingat Logan questioningly.

“He’s in New York,” Logan affirms.

“What is he doing there?” Pattonasks.

“Is someone else there?” Roman interrupts.“You’re talking to someone else when you have me on the phone?”

“Sorry, Ro. I was just talking to—um . . .”

“To?”

“To, um . . . Logan.”

“Oh, well tell that nerd that I’mon Broadway and I’m fabulous, even if I am old now.”

Patton and Logan share a look.

Logan pries the phone out of Patton’shold and puts it on speaker. “You remember who I am?”

“Who? Wait, who’s that?”

“That’s Logey, kiddo.”

“That doesn’t sound like the littletwerp I know. Wait, is he super old now too? Are we all old geezers? Man, thisis a really weird dream.”

“Yes, it’s me. Yes, we’re older,”Logan answers. At least Roman is understanding the situation they’ve beendropped in. “Roman, I need you to answer a couple of questions for me please.”

“If I’m older now, why do I have toput up with more study sessions from you?”

“This isn’t school-related, Roman.”

“Please, Ro. It’s important,”Patton urges.

“Fiiine, if you must.”

“Did you wake up today in anunfamiliar setting with no memory of how you got there?”

“Yeah? Nothing too unusual.”

“How—how is that not unusual foryou?”

“Happens all the time in dreams,duh. Use that big brain of yours, Jimmy Neutron—wait, you’re not a kid geniusanymore. I’m going to have to come up with new nicknames. Not to worry, I’mgreat at improvising!”

Great at ignoring reality as wellit seems.

“Um, Roman?” Patton prompts. “Whatdo you mean by dreams?”

“This isn’t a dream,” Loganpresses.

“What else could it be?” Romanlaughs, and it doesn’t matter that the sound is slightly distorted through thephone. Both Logan and Patton can tell that there’s something off about it.

“Roman, that’s not—” Patton starts,but Logan cuts him off.

“Roman, do you have Virgil’scontact saved perhaps?”

“No, I don’t actually. Weird,right? Oh, I know! He must be hidden away from us in a tall tower in amonster-filled forest. Never fear, we shall rescue our emo in distress!”

Patton bites his lip, staring atLogan. “He doesn’t have his number either? What does it mean, Logan?”

“It could mean that Virgil doesn’thave a phone,” Logan tries, but neither of them buys it.

“Virge . . .” Patton whispers, eyeswelling up.

Logan focuses back on the phone.Roman keeps asking if they’re still there. “Yes, we’re here. And that soundslike an excellent idea, Roman. Why don’t you meet up with us here in Floridaand we’ll brainstorm a plan of action in order to locate Virgil.”

“Can do!”

Later, after Logan has helped Romango over how to book a plane ticket (“No Roman, you can’t just teleport here.Think of this as a . . . side quest, like in the video games you like.”), heends the call and turns to Patton. Patton’s sitting there, arms wrapped aroundhis legs and face buried in his knees.

“We’ll find out what happened tohim,” Logan tells him.

Patton doesn’t respond.

_____________________________

General Tag list: @spectralheartt @a-pastel-pan @notalwaysthevillian @rose-gold-roman @ijustrealizedhowdumbmynamewas @katie-the-noble-fangirl @yourroyalydramaticanxiousness @aroundofapplesauce @merlybird500 @beach-fan @jemthebookworm @whats-going-on-kiddos @randomsandersides @gamerfreddie @unring-this-bell @analogicallythinking @lilygold23 @punsterterry @levy-the-b00kw0rm @tacohippy56900 @accio-hufflepuff-power1 @just-another-rainbowblog @georganabanana @grey-says-heck @crookedlyoptimisticdestiny @thesynysterunknown @idont-know-what-im-doing @idioticsky @fadingglowcloud @whizzie72 @theinvisiblespoon @greyyy523 @opaque-puppet @just-fic-me-up @wowimsogoddamnoriginal @sos-fandoms @loganeatsbooks @trust-is-overrated @theitalianalchemist @im-crunchie @mourning--star @4amanxiety @hogwarts-my-love @enby-phoenix @justanotherpurplebutterfly @internet-or-sleep @absolutesandersidestrash @seaspider10 @nonasficcollection @small-words-to-say @satanblessi @an-absolute-failure @analogical-mess @noisyeggpizzapatrol @hamilsandersfam @cefinitely-rolo @thgjclw @knight-shives @no-no-no-no-6 @savingshae @rabbitsartcorner @buddypallady @midnight-tragedyy

Kid Logan AU list: @under-the-blue-moonlight @broadwaytheanimatedseries @joyful-milkshake-observation @absolutesandersidestrash @midnightmagi @justcallmepancake @nerd-in-space @thestrangedino @deathshadowrules @entitydark @vintage-squid @max-is-tired @deceitfullyanxiousprince @shai-uwu @teacupfulofstarshine @the5thcoy @occasionally-pauciloquent @oakskull @teepee-honesty @mrtacothethird @fandomobsessed-nerd @mychemicalcheezwhiz @that-smol-tired-gay @skittlesun @caterpiller-tea @sanders-sides-rebloger @penguinkool @its-the-cat-queen @liz-a-bell @theresneverenoughfandoms @i-know-im-smart @ever-after-aaa @007ardra @starbucks-remy @lovebug5151 @yyeeeeeeeeett @adoratato @theobsessor1 @soijusthavetoask @ab-artist @always-in-a-fandom @iris-sanders-athena @doing-my-demibest @connors-writing-sux @lizziepopanime @charakitcat @dall-off-weekes @wowimsogoddamnoriginal @sign-from-god-complex @pumpkinminette @cosmic-melodies @sullycreatesstuff @lovesupportandcookies @som3thing-cr3ativ3 @unicornlogansanders @rainysharkfreaklover @potato--justpotato @ghostscantdie @virgilneedsahug @thatonenerdphotographer @the-cactus-lord @cocobearthe4th @neverasherpoetry @midnight--fox @falsehoodx @crazy-rat-man @lokinas @rosiepupper @insert--self--hatred @dorkoverse @herestheanxietea @spirits-in-my-thoughts

#sanders sides #kid logan au #roman #roman sanders #patton #patton sanders #logan #logan sanders #virgil #virgil sanders #platonic lamp #back to the future #Anonymous

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mamacesawrites · 5 years ago

Text

Prince in the Storm: Chapter Eight

Summary: Contrary to popular belief, Virgil was sensitive. Most people saw him as some “spooky, broody dude”, when in reality he was just a private person. Teachers tried to open his mind up with a figurative crowbar. Everyone tried to get him to open up. Well, everyone except his best friend Talyn. They were the only one who understood his personality and inner workings just enough to be his friend. However, they haven’t seen his Marking. No one other than his parents have.

Contrary to popular belief, Roman was sensitive. Most people saw him as a fanciful, dreamy, somewhat egotistical thespian who wanted nothing but to be the best of the best. Everyone cheered him on in his performances. Everyone praised his original works. Anything he made others enjoyed. People would whisper about his Marking, wondering where it was and when he would reveal it. He had a whole circle of friends, yet no one except his best friend Joan understood him. Joan was the only one who saw Roman’s insecurities.

As students of Kingston High School, with zany principals and try-hard superintendents, it is up to Virgil and Roman to stay alive enough to fulfill their destiny. Ao3

Word Count: 2683

Chapter Warnings: None

Prologue, Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Chapter Seven, Chapter Eight, Chapter Nine, Chapter Ten, Chapter Eleven, Chapter Twelve, Chapter Thirteen, Chapter Fourteen, Chapter Fifteen

Bonuses: Immune to Change

Chapter Eight

“Okay class, it’s finally October. Which means it’s Marking Month!” Roman’s history teacher, Mx. Reynolds, explained enthusiastically. “As we reach closer to Samhain-or Halloween, if you prefer-we get closer to the night where it’s customary to expose your Marking. Of course, only if you’re ready. This isn’t something to feel pressured about participating in.”

In previous years, Roman would sigh in a dreamy voice and fantasize about how he’d meet his soulmate. He had written many stories for his classes surrounding his hope about what would happen when he found the one. The person he was meant to be with forever. He didn’t want to be the one to expose first, though. No, not until after he had established himself in his career. He’d always left it up to the universe about when he’d find his true love.

This year, though, he was nearly sure it was Virgil. His nightmares had become more pronounced since their lunch date. Joan had sent him articles about how some soulmates dream about each other if they aren’t agreeing with each other, if they’re at a far distance, or if one of them is in major distress. Was he in distress? Was Virgil? Were they still disagreeing? He thought there would have been major progress since that afternoon.

Roman found himself staying up later every night in thought about this dilemma. He was ignoring his skincare routine. He hadn’t recited his affirmations. He was spending more and more time in the courtyard hoping for the chance that Virgil would show up again. Logically he knew it was ridiculous to be acting this way over a possibility. A tiny likelihood based on articles of questionable sources. Yet no matter what he did, Virgil’s smile made its way into his mind.

What was this ridiculous obsession? It would be easier if Virgil hadn’t been so opposed to learning about his soulmate. It was hard to not be able to speak to him. To simply get an understanding would probably help him feel better. Being able to go up to the dark boy and ask more questions.

He had planned to confront Virgil after school after a week of ignoring him. Not that Virgil was trying to get his attention. If anything, he also seemed to be ignoring Roman. What did it all mean?

Roman tried not to notice other people noticing his inner spiral. He knew he looked like a mess. He knew that’s exactly what everyone was thinking. Especially when he tripped on his lines in the theater club. Roman rarely stumbled on his lines, ever.

Mr. D was extra concerned since they were starting to prep for their showing of Sleeping Beauty. Roman had the lead, so he needed to be in better shape than his normal.

“Roman, could you stay for a bit? I need to talk to you,” Mr. D requested softly as the rest of the club dispersed.

“Uh, sure,” Roman answered warily. He knew he was in trouble. He wasn’t being his perfect princely self. He was failing, all because of Virgil’s stupid-

“I need to talk to you about your performance lately,” the teacher stated matter-of-factly. One thing the teacher never did was beat around the bush.

Being on the stage together, without the roles of teacher and student, felt comforting to Roman. Maybe an adult like Mr. D could help him with his dilemma. They were friends, too. Adult input was best in this situation, right?

Roman ran his hands through his hair, noticing Linda was being very adamant about not calming down. No matter, he didn’t feel like calming down either.

“I-” Roman started. His voice caught. Speaking his thoughts aloud made it more...real. He felt the familiar sting of tears welling up but he would not let them fall in front of someone. Especially a teacher.

Mr. D’s face was soft as he walked up to his student. He laid his hand on Roman’s shoulder. “I’m your friend, Roman. Let me help you. I’m here.”

Roman hung his head down as the words flowed forth like he was a Catholic murderer coming bare about his sins and asking for forgiveness. In short, his words were slow, emotionally charged, and nearly guilt-ridden.

“I think...I think I may have met my soulmate. I’m not sure, though, because obviously the true way to tell is to show your Markings to each other.” Roman watched his traitorous teardrops fall on his red shoes. “I’d confront him, but there’s two things in the way. One,” he looked up at his teacher to see an unreadable expression on the taller man’s face.

“Go on,” Mr. D assured. He pat Roman’s shoulder as an encouragement, though it felt half-hearted.

Roman took a deep breath, “Firstly, I’m a coward. I’m too scared to expose my Marking before I become established in my career. I need to know who I am outside of who I spend the rest of my life with...right?”

A bittersweet smile made its way onto his teacher’s lips. It was almost as if he knew what Roman was talking about. There was a spark of what looked like pride in his green eyes. He took his hand away to cross them; a barrier concealing his true thoughts like usual.

Roman decided to save his questions for later. “Secondly,” he continued, already starting to feel better from the raw honesty, “He told me that he never wanted to know about his soulmate...because he’s seen what happens when you eventually lose them. So I can’t approach him about it, even if I weren’t a coward.”

“Roman,” Mr. D started, “Why do you need to know about your soulmate so bad? What difference would knowing who he is really make right now?” His questions seemed to sound rhetorical, almost.

Roman huffed out a breath. He took a moment to gather a response. “I suppose...not much. Maybe a few tweaks to my planned timeline?”

The teacher smiled, proud that Roman was starting to understand. “Exactly. Our society puts this pressure on us about our soulmates.” He started gesturing his hands as he spoke, just like he did when doing an example piece for the classes. “We obsess over them. It’s a beautiful thing, of course, I felt it when I met mine-”

“You know your soulmate?!” Roman cried. He was smiling broadly, giddy that he knew something else about his teacher.

Mr. D sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance, not particularly at Roman’s excitement. “Unfortunately…” he breathed out.

“Sorry for interrupting,” Roman didn’t really mean it. He was feeling hopeful that he could have his forever human and still have a successful career. If Mr. D could, why couldn’t he?

The now grumpy teacher waved the apology off. “No matter. Why don’t you head home? It’s late. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He seemed to have wanted to say more, but held his tongue.

Roman nodded enthusiastically. He was chomping at the bit to tell Joan and Rachel this new information about the secretive teacher. He just got one of the many, many theories about him confirmed. Maybe gossiping about someone else’s love life would distract him from his own.

He ran into the principal on his way out. “Woah, there, cowboy,” the clashy clad man laughed out as he steadied them. He was wearing an atrocious green scarf with red pineapples that made Roman want to throw up.

“Sorry, Principal Duke.” Roman excused off-handedly as he walked off. He had successfully hid his grimace in response to the eyesore.

When he finally got home, he called Joan to tell them about his conversation with Mr. D. He needed some serious best friend advice. Joan was the best for it, especially since they’d been worried about Roman’s obsession.

A few minutes after he was done rambling about his conversation with the theater teacher, Joan was silent. Then their voice spoke up. They sounded more serious than usual. “I think that you need to confront Virgil. Just for your own good...We’re all worried, and from what I hear he’s also having a rough time.”

Roman groaned as he laid back in his bed. “I know, Joan of Arc, I know. I just wish he wasn’t so Moody B. Moanes.”

Joan snorted, “Make sure you open with that.”

“Thanks, I will,” Roman replied sarcastically.

“Sometimes…” Joan was back to being serious, “Sometimes ya just got to take the leap of faith. I’ll admit, I was curious too. It’s scary, but I’m done waiting for mine to expose themselves.”

Roman gasped, “No…”

“Yeah…” Joan dragged off awkwardly. “Let’s just say don’t freak out about my beanie being gone tomorrow.”

Roman squealed in excitement. “It’s been forever since I’ve seen Smaug!”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” he could practically hear Joan’s eyeroll. “It’s Marking month, ya know?”

The two talked until the late hours of the evening about their soulmate possibilities. They planned on how to get the information out of Virgil. Near two am, the two had come to some sort of settlement about how they were going to handle both of their soulmate predicaments.

Roman grinned to himself, for once looking forward to the paralyzing fear awaiting him in his dreams if it meant seeing Virgil’s face.

---

“Roman? What are you doing here?” Virgil stared at the boy sitting on the bus.

Roman King was on the bus. More importantly, he looked like he had been waiting for Virgil specifically. Virgil was caught off guard. His eyes narrowed in suspicion at the too-innocent-looking theater kid.

Roman moved his backpack so that Virgil could sit down. He put it on his lap to hide his jittering leg, unsuccessfully. “Virgil-”

The emo boy’s incredulous stare must have made Roman pause to change his tone of voice. “Virge, can I call you that?”

Virgil bristled. What did this mean? What was going on? “Yeah, yeah...go on.” He waved his hand forward and leaned back as casually as he could. He put up his confident mask. He didn’t want to scare the boy off without giving him a chance.

The bus doors closed before slowly pulling out of the parking lot.

“I was wondering why you’ve been avoiding me after our outing,” Roman gushed forth. His words spilled outwards in a nervous manner. “I thought we were making progress, ya know? We bantered, we laughed, we...we bonded. I just thought-”

“You thought we were friends?” Virgil raised his eyebrow. He was surprised that Roman had been obsessing over it. Maybe it was because Virgil was dedicated to trying harder in school, or because Talyn was grilling into him deep about his nightmares about the boy in front of him, or because he didn’t want to think much about it-but he didn’t know where this was coming from.

“I-ye-yeah…” Roman’s eyebrows raised in surprise. There was a look in his eyes that Virgil could read easily-anxiety. He immediately felt sympathetic. Whatever Roman wanted to talk to him about was obviously a struggle.

“Sorry, that was harsh-” Virgil put his hand on Roman’s shoulder as the bus hit a bump. He continued in a softer tone of voice, “I’m not trying to avoid you. Am I glad we’ve gone a full week without nearly knocking each other over? Maybe,” he winked at Roman. He loved making the boy blush. It worked to make Roman’s shoulders relax. Virgil smirked, feeling smug at that success. He still didn’t remove his hand.

“The point is...I got a lot going on right now. My uncle is driving the principal up the wall, Talyn’s constantly texting me to get me to- '' It was Virgil’s turn to blush. His voice came out at a slightly higher pitch. “Well, I’ve got a lot. I’m also trying to care more about getting past high school because I promised my dad that I would try harder. I’m still not sure what I wanna do, but…”

Roman covered the hand that was still on his shoulder. “I understand.”

They looked each other in the eyes. Both of their expressions softened. He was glad to not be on Roman’s shit list anymore. If he were being really honest with himself, he was glad the dramatic boy wasn’t on his either. He was going to say more but saw that his stop was coming up. Without thinking he reached over Roman so he could pull the cord to alert the bus driver.

The bus hit another bump which caused Virgil to accidentally stumble onto Roman’s lap. In a moment of wanting to diffuse the tension, and because Roman’s flustered noises were music to his ears, he spoke the first thing that came to mind.

“Well, I guess missing a week of falling with you means I had to fall for you.” He smirked at the blush he had been expecting.

The bus squealed as it stopped. It drew Virgil out of the miniature trance he had created. He hurried off and walked to the doors. He looked behind him and saw that Roman was getting off with him.

The two stepped off of the bus into the chilly October air. His voice was shaky as he exclaimed, “Shit! It got cold quick.”

Virgil laughed. He set his bag down on the sidewalk, shaking his head playfully. He tugged off his jacket and handed it to Roman. “You’re so whiny, Princey.”

“...Princey?” Roman’s voice sounded unsure. He still put the hoodie on.

Virgil’s eyes went wide. I did not. I did not. No, no no I did not. Horrified, his breathing quickened. He felt dizzy. It slipped out. It was like the nightmare’s effects found him in his waking hours. The name he had been only speaking in his dreams had been spoken aloud in the real world.

Suddenly the grey clouds above them started to rain on the pair.

He wrapped his arms around himself. His stomach was twisting with nerves. It was worse now that he was awake. He just exposed himself. His thoughts started to have the familiar tone they had when he spiraled.

Roman reached his hand out to Virgil. His hazel eyes reflected deep concern as he watched Virgil start to panic. “Hey, it’s okay, I don’t mind the nickname. I mean, I call myself a prince all the time in the mirror. Look at me,” he threw his arms open dramatically and winked, “I’m as handsome as a Disney prince.”

Virgil swallowed his nerves. The rain grew heavier, which didn’t help with the nightmare comparison. His stomach twisted harder. His fingers were starting to feel numb. From the cold or his nerves, he wasn’t sure.

Roman grabbed Virgil’s hand gently. Virgil squeezed hard out of instinct. “Hey, why don’t I walk you home so we don’t get wet? Don’t want to look like stars in an emo music video,” he joked. Roman cringed when he noticed the joke fell flat.

Virgil nodded. He agreed he needed to get to the safety of his home. He held onto Roman’s hand the entire way to his house. He figured having company until his dad got home wouldn’t be an issue. He was all caught up on his homework except for the technical theater vocabulary sheet.

He felt calmer as they walked home, though. Roman’s hand anchored him to reality. It was strange how the physical connection spread warmth through his veins despite the cold air.

Maybe this gentle side of the dramatic one was why Virgil’s subconscious built him to be a prince. He did look like a Disney prince. He had hazel eyes that were both intense and soft. His grin was dazzling, and nearly infectious. He was obviously a talented actor to have gained so much attention at his young age. He looked more vulnerable in the black hoodie he was wearing. Virgil’s stomach contracted as he felt butterflies build up inside of him.

They made it to his home and left their bags by the door. He ignored that the unfamiliar ache from disconnecting their hands was right underneath his Marking.

Notes: I will no longer tag for sympathetic dark sides. All sides are sympathetic here unless I state otherwise.

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