#this is from a random old interview with johnny

[godsworstson]

the jackass guys want to bang brad pitt (literally no one is surprised)

[stereopticons]

On This Day in Schitt's Creek...

Well, hello, you! Were you wondering what fanworks were posted on this day in the Ao3 Schitt's Creek tag? Were you looking to read some older fics you missed or perhaps re-read an old favorite? Well, look no further! Each day, I will post all the fics that were posted Ao3 on that date from 2017 to 2024! Give some of them a read and show the authors some love! At the end of each month, I also plan to post some stats about the fics posted in that month.

Multi-chaptered works or unfinished WIPs will be posted on the date they were last updated. All fanworks included in the tag for that date will be included in the post.

2020

Designated Grape [david/patrick, M, 1,097] by bellalafrella

This is my idea of what went down on that car ride back to the motel after Patrick came to get his drunk fiancé from Herb's fruit winery.

Filling in the Blanks [stevie & patrick, M, 4,493] by Aelia_Gioia

A series of random text conversations that fill in some blank spaces.

In Moira Rosé Veritas [david/patrick, T, 2,283] by Aelia_Gioia

After David and Moira sample all the fruit wine, after Johnny and Patrick have a heart to heart, it all culminates in Room 6.

More under the cut!

Morning Rosé [david/patrick, T, 532] by whetherwoman

Somewhere Near [david/patrick, T, 20,777] by alldaydream

Patrick Brewer suffers from amnesia that has erased six months of his life, forcing him to move back home with his parents. No one knows about the life he spent in Elmdale, so he goes chasing after his lost memories there only to end up in Schitt's Creek instead, taken by the handsome owner of the general store he's supposedly never met before. Before 4x07 The Barbecue

sustineo [david/patrick, E, 10,056] by @rockinhamburger

The bad thing about being a world-famous contemporary artist is… actually, there are many bad things. The clout-chasers and users. The frenzied hoards of tabloid “reporters” and paparazzi vultures. The pressure from interviewers, curators, collectors, and art critics to pigeon-hole himself, or, at the very least, be consistent enough for them to do it for him. The neverending demands that he ascribe an approved meaning to his art. The elitist club at the very top of the art world pyramid, which David has never been a member of, what with his postmodern, mixed-media, performance piece style of art that in equal parts seems to shock and disgust and enthrall. Or, an alternate universe where David is a famous, reclusive modern contemporary artist and Patrick is the art critic who is interviewing him about his new exhibition.

Synchronicity [david/patrick, T, 2,966] by @landofsonlali

david and patrick have a conversation after leaving jake's apartment.

2021

[art] The Roses Reunited [david/patrick, NR, art] by @frizzlenox

The Rose family poses for a portrait at the Emmys when Moira is nominated for Sunrise Bay.

Assistant Direction [stevie & moira, T, 2,378] by bigficenergy

Stevie's lazy morning with Ruth is interrupted by repeated phone calls from Moira, who is nervous about her first day of filming the Sunrise Bay reboot and simply must talk to Stevie.

China [gen, G, 300] by Rosey_Peach

Come Away with Me [david/patrick, M, 6,034] by @flowerfan2

There’s a beauty to David that’s hard to define in words. Patrick prefers to tell him with long, slow kisses and the kind of gentle, drawn-out love-making that gets David to drop his defenses. He had sort of hoped that this weekend would lend itself to a night like that, alone in a fancy hotel in the L.A. he had imagined. It’s a lot less likely to happen in their subpar Airbnb. David and Patrick take a trip to L.A. for the Sunrise Bay premiere. It isn’t exactly what Patrick expected.

Free Marcy Hugs [david/patrick, G, 803] by @goodiecornbread

Marcy Brewer is a hugger. So she puts her mom hugs to good use. TW for implied homophobia/transphobia, but no phobic or harmful language is used.

kiss away the pain [david/patrick, T, 1,008] by @lastchancecafe13

“I can’t say that was something I would have ever wanted to see. I know you’ve told me stories but hearing and having it laid out in front of me like that. And he stood there with that smirk on his face--” Patrick's voice trailed off as he pressed a kiss to David’s lips. Patrick's thumbs traced the tear tracks down David's cheeks. He wiped them away before continuing, "I can’t believe after all that that you’re here and you’re so good David. After all that that you were willing to open your heart to me--" Tumblr kiss prompt #39 kissing the tears from someone else's face

Leaning on Somebody Isn't Easy [david/patrick, G, 2,976] by lucianowriter

A Continuation of “Hate To Say That I Miss You.” It’s been three weeks since the phone call and David finds himself single and at a bar where Patrick is. A conversation happens. Will they get back together or is there too much baggage? Based off Ben Platt’s Temporary Love

The Diamond and the Duke [david/patrick, E, 4,005] by asoftplacetoland

Patrick plans a very special roleplay for David for Valentine's Day based on his latest television obsession.

Mine Own Weak Moments [stevie & moira, 6, 3,644] by @treepyful

When her phone buzzed with a silent call for the third time in eight minutes, Stevie debated throwing it out her open window.

The Moira Rose Story [johnny/moira, G, art] by WrathoftheStag

It's the poster for the upcoming, and highly anticipated, Interflix movie The Moira Rose Story.

this is my confession [david/patrick, T, 791] by @blackandwhiteandrose

Patrick finds a way to tell David the things he wants to say before David is ready to hear them.

2022

About a Boy [david/patrick, T, 13,507, CW: MCD] by the_same_but_different

"How about mac and cheese?” “I’m very uninterested in that option.” “RJ.” “Patrick, I’m sorry, but these lunch selections you’re offering me are just…” “Incorrect?” “You said it, not me.” Patrick’s relationship with Roland Moira Schitt Jr over the years. (With bonus audio commentary from David Rose.)

Make a Wish [david/patrick, T, 1,330] by @goodiecornbread

After having a birthday lunch with Stevie, David planned on sitting alone at the motel, smoking weed and eating cake. Then Patrick offers to join him.

2023

Itty Bitty Living Space [david & alexis, NR, 100] by mallpretzles

David is at his wit’s end with sharing 300 sq feet with Alexis.

Wallpaper Whispers [david/patrick, G, 100] by @legalgal421

Patrick takes one last look at his room at Ray’s.

2024

Easy [david/patrick, G, 1,154] by obsessedwithdavrick

David loves his husband and enjoys his Sunday sleep-in. Patrick loves to spoil David. They both are taking time to enjoy their slow time together.

Making Everything Okay [david/patrick, T, 1,064] by obsessedwithdavrick

After many years of marriage, Patrick could pretend to be okay as much as he wanted. But David knew when his husband wasn't okay, and sometimes he just had to be the one to take charge.

oh honey, you can have me when you want me [david/patrick, E, 2,990] by stereopticons

“Such a good little slut.” He gives Patrick's ass a light slap. “So here's what I'm thinking. I think that you put on that dirty little sweatshirt because you wanted me to bend you over this table and fuck you, isn't that right?” David accidentally buys Patrick a joke hoodie. Patrick wears it, to great effect.

Rosewood [david/patrick, M, 40,050] by @beaiola

Inspired by Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. Patrick and David have been friends for years, their bond deep and undeniable, and there's no one whose opinion David values more. So when a new family moves into the neighbourhood, it's only natural that David should turn to his oldest friend for his advice and support as he tries to work out what this could mean for him and his future. Patrick, on the other hand, isn't as instantly taken with Sebastien and Klair Raine but David's sure when they all get to know each other things will be different. But there's no way he could forsee the impact the Raine siblings will have on the residents of Rosewood.

Stats:

No fanworks for 2017, 2018, or 2019 2020: 7 fics/39,238 words 2021: 11 fanworks (9 fics, 2 fanart)/22,254 words 2022: 2 fics/14,837 words 2023: 2 fics/200 words 2024: 4 fics/45,258 words Total: 26 fanworks (24 fics, 2 fanart)/121,787 words

[going-to-ikea-for-the-fries]

Retired!Ghost x Newcomer!Soap - Boxing AU

[MY MASTERLIST]

Rating: G Words: 600~ Pairing: GhostxSoap CW: mention of painkiller addiction and alcoholism, mention of sport-typical permanent injury

Johnny "Soap" MacTavish who has just begun his boxing career, who is aiming for being at the top of his weight class, and is deemed a worthwhile newcomer by fans of the sport.

Soap who rarely loses a match, who never gets KO'd. Soap who has a signature move that everyone knows, a move that kids everywhere like to copy in the school playground.

Soap who earned his nickname from consistently "wiping the floor" with his opponents.

Soap's PR manager, Gaz, who has his work cutout for him because Soap literally never shuts up and talks a lot of crap about other boxers in press interviews and on social media.

Soap who's cocky and challenges everyone and anyone to get into the ring with him.

Soap who challenges the wrong person, a very famous boxer who's known for brutalizing his opponents and putting many legends out of commission.

Soap's manager, Price, who is scared shitless when the other boxer accepts the challenge. Price who knows Soap is too cocky of a bloke to admit he's going to lose.

Price who calls in a favor with Ghost, whom he also used to manage/represent, begging him to mentor Soap for a month, until the date of the scheduled fight.

Ghost who used to be an absolute legend of the sport but vanished off the face of the Earth after he got demolished by that same boxer, who, back then was just a fresh face in the scene, and somehow KO'd Ghost within the first round.

Ghost who got a concussion so bad from that KO that it had irreversible consequences to his physical and mental health and had to quit his boxing career and retire... and ended up getting addicted to painkillers and alcohol.

Ghost who is so bitter from his career loss that he doesn't even keep up with the sport anymore so he has no clue who Johnny is, but who feels like he owes Price a favor, and is surprised to find, in his research, that Soap actually has potential.

Ghost who shows up to observe a training session and starts giving grumpy advice, which Soap, being cocky, doesn't take, seeing Ghost as some random old man who stumbled in and thinks he knows anything (especially because Ghost looks homeless in a dirty hoodie and jeans and shaggy hair/beard + smelling like booze).

Soap who ends up getting suddenly confronted by Ghost and getting his ass handed to him before he even saw it coming, which causes Price (who's in the sidelines) to laugh his ass out.

Soap who looks up at Ghost while on his back on the floor of the ring and, even though he doesn't know Ghost's face, he recognizes his eyes immediately. "Steamin' Jesus..."

Soap who immediately bounces up to his feet and geeks out about Ghost, gushing about how many times he watched him on TV, about how he was a huge fan growing up and had posters of him all over his bedroom walls.

Ghost whose whole shtick was wearing the skull-printed balaclava and the fact that every time he won a match he'd add another skull tattoo to his half-sleeve, until it extended all the way up his bicep into a full-sleeve.

Ghost who earned his nickname because he moved so fast around the ring that he basically danced with his opponents.

Soap who begs Ghost on his knees to mentor him, to teach him all he knows.

Ghost who, for some reason, can't say no...

Ghost who's first advice to Johnny is to "shave that stupid bloody mohawk".

[suffering-and-happy-about-it]

The Genius Florist (Killshot, Part 1.)

Description: The occupation as a member of SAS came along with many restrictions and rules one had to follow to a dot. It could get even more intense for a soldier carrying a lot of trauma and not enough self-love, if any at all. Thank God, this lonely soldier meets a lonely florist one day, and as they say - animals have the best judge of character.

Part Summary: Johnny MacTavish was about to make the most important step of his life and asked one of his best mates and boss to come along. Unexpectedly, the day brings a new hope at rekindling old relationships and making new ones.

A/N: For some unknown reason, my brain blipped and decided to give the reader glasses. It is for you to decide if she's having them on at work only or if she wears them all the time... Or whether she wears them at all. Also, the cover of Modern Warfare 2: Ghost eludes me to believe that Simon likes a cig or two every now and then. I wouldn't assume he's a regular smoker, but he defo likes to light one up when he drinks or feels like there's too much on his shoulders.

Word count: 6.5K

Tagging: x​

Master list: H E R E | Ghost's tapes: P L A Y L I S T

Never in his lifetime would Simon Riley imagine he’d been caught doing this. Frankly, he’d be rather caught dead than doing whatever this was. Deep inside, very deep, he was honoured to be chosen for this opportunity. The main cameraman, Johnny exclaimed jokingly, making Simon roll his eyes. Soap knew he got him hooked right then and there. On the other hand, Simon wouldn't ever imagine Johnny MacTavish getting into a very serious relationship with a Brit; mainly due to Johnny's everlasting ramblings about how the Brits in his unit are the bane of his existence. That changed when Soap met her; a wonderful, smart, and beautiful lass named Cassie. She was, according to her own words, the happiest and luckiest gal in the whole wide world thanks to Johnny.

Sure, Simon couldn’t really comprehend how it was even possible for someone as idiotic as Soap to make such a wonderful woman this content, but he didn’t dig into it much. If anything, it was endearing watching the two slowly fall deeper and deeper into each other. However, in the beginning, Simon had difficult time warming up to Cassie and her presence. By now, he was more or less comfortable around her and accepted her as an extended part of Johnny himself. The lass taught MacTavish how to be more extroverted and slowly let him blossom under her influence. Their happiness couldn't be measured.

He first met Cassie a year back. The night they'd been introduced in a pub was certainly a night to remember. Simon spent most of the time staring into his glass of whiskey, listening to the chatter around him, chuckling under his baklava - the unit members invited were interviewing poor Cassie as if their lives depended on it. Johnny, to make known that he was there for her the entire time, laughed along happily and jumped in whenever the question seemed inappropriate. Johnny's palm ran up and down her upper thigh under the table the whole time. This intimate gesture was saved only for lovers. At first, Simon didn’t overthink it; yet the longer he bore witness to said gesture, the more it itched itself into the back of his head. Needless to say, he was the first to leave that evening, packing his stuff in a rush just so he wouldn’t intrude for much longer.

As he walked home, Simon tried to reflect on what could be the reason behind him suddenly getting so upset over a sign of affection - he witnessed it all the time. Strangers out in public were hugging, holding hands, kissing and always making out. It was easy to dissociate from random strangers. The dissociation became harder the moment it was one of his closest comrades who found his soulmate. The way he talked about her with the boys, the tone of his voice when he called her just to hear how her day was, the newly found glimpse of courage in his eyes each time they were about to enter the battlefield… That was the moment Simon halted and took in a sharp breath.

This, this was the root of the problem, Simon realized. What they had was, to a tee, something Simon longed for in his deepest, darkest fantasies - someone to lean into, someone to laugh about everyday ordinary bollocks with, someone to dance to tacky songs with. Someone to hold, cherish and love for the rest of his life. That one special lass who’d be waiting for him at their apartment after a long deployment. The one who’d love his face no matter how many scars would pile up on it in the coming years. Someone he could cook with, and share his space with without fear or regrets. And maybe even… Simon shook his head. No, imagining a smaller version of himself running around the apartment was a bit too far-fetched, even for him. He could barely imagine dating, so jumping straight to kids was a rather rushed conclusion. This was his little impossible fantasy that was to never come true.

The older Simon got, the louder this longing got - the harder it was to ignore. He wasn’t getting any younger, it felt like he was running out of time. Not ever building himself a proper future was something he thought he was already settled with... But now that MacTavish got himself something Simon would trade his existence for, and it seemed to be working seemingly flawlessly… Why couldn’t Simon do the same? Could he still excuse his loneliness with his work? Hardly, Johnny was making it work even through their occupation. Maybe it was time to pour himself a glass of wine - Simon Riley was unable to start and maintain a meaningful human connection. As soon as he got intimate with anyone outside his unit, all of his alarms started to ring and red flags rose before he and the person got truly intimate. Knowingly, he forbade himself from such a life, mainly due to his duty to the crown. Another fact playing a huge role in all of this was his past and all the demons that refused to stay hidden in the shadows.

Poor Cassie was hot on her heels to bring the boys a pie she baked later in the evening - she approached Simon and apologized for the night before. She didn't know if she'd done something inappropriate to upset him or if she said something wrong... But the pie symbolized a peace offering. The white flag of truce, that's how Cassie phrased it. Poor lass didn't know it was Simon roasting himself mentally. She had nothing to do with his temper or bad mood. If anything, it would've been more appropriate for Simon to bake at least three pies for her. She deserved it more. Each time Ghost thought of this moment, recalling as Cassie watched him with tears in her eyes hoping she'd be forgiven for nothing, he had to smile. He made a new friend that morning. A genuine friend outside the unit - now, Cassie checked on him regularly, always trying to woo super-secret information out of him, something dragging him for a hangout with her and Johnny. Sometimes, Cassie would succeed with extorting the information even out of someone as stoic as Simon was (for example, Cassie was one of the only two people who knew about Simon's soft spot for kittens and puppies), sometimes she'd 'fail miserably', to quote her (she once tried to ask about the type of women Simon was into, possibly leading into setting up a date for him if he wasn't careful enough).

One question still remained - why, for the love of God, was Simon chosen to keep MacTavish company while he picks out the bouquet of flowers for his proposal? Why did Johnny honour him by giving him the position of the cameraman? It was around noon. By this point, Johnny had shoved the diamond ring in Simon's face at least fifteen times. This morning alone. Simon hadn't even bothered counting how many times he saw the small piece of jewellery in the past months during their deployment. Soap kept the ring on him the entire time, telling the lads that Cassie would love the idea of him holding onto the ring during the most intense moments of his life. MacTavish proclaimed this a sign of devotion and love, Riley a sign of idiocy and madness.

“Are you sure we’re heading in the right direction?” - The masked man asked his comrade as he watched him shove the ring back into his jacket. Soap glanced at him mindlessly, looking around for a bit. “Positive, Ghost. My soon-to-be mum-in-law tipped me off to go to this particular shop on this particular day. There’s this genius florist whom she orders bouquets from all the time, said they were the nicest she’d ever seen. Should be riiiiight…” - MacTavish checked his phone again, poking his head around the corner to see if he was right. - “There.”

Both army men stopped in their tracks to look at the flower shop properly. The place looked awfully inviting and sunny even though it was located five minutes away from Soho. This place simply begged for the standbys to look inside and give it a try, it asked to be explored. The shop bore similarity to an intimate greenhouse in the middle of the concrete jungle of London. Ghost immediately noticed that even most people visiting the café on the other side of the street glanced inside the secluded space dreamily. The greenhouse wasn't walled off by concrete, instead, huge portions of said walls were made out of glass, showing the ridiculous amount of flowers, decorations and fairy lights hung all over the interior. Among cut flowers, the shop also offered a fair amount of succulents and exotic flowers delicately placed into either elegant or colourful, almost childish pots. Amid this chaos, there was a desk, a countertop to be precise, with azure colour painted all across it. Name of the flower shop? Rosemary’s. Simply Rosemary’s. Who was Rosemary? No clue.

The two gentlemen entered the shop while chatting, making sure to close the door behind them - the weather was cold and gloomy, and there was this omnipresent darkness even though it was barely 1 p.m. Funnily enough, the mood outside didn’t make it inside in any way, shape of form. The temperature and humidity were taken up to 11 inside the shop, presumably to keep all the exotic plants and succulents in good shape. The cut flowers didn't seem to mind at all, they looked perfectly fresh - as if the florist had just come back from picking them on a meadow.

To be honest, Simon never appreciated places like these. He preferred his shops of choice dark and anonymous, places where no one could recognise him. He preferred to be just a face in the crowd, even though his baklava made him stick out like a sore thumb most of the time. In his eyes, these shops always came across as a tidbit tasteless. On top of that, the mentioned so-called florist genius was playing some tacky 2010s playlist, seemingly grooving to it while walking around the shop, checking on the flowers. - "I'll be right with ya, gentlemen! Just need to find a white ribbon in the back!"

The bouquet on the countertop, of course, Simon assumed. She needed it to finish MacTavish's order - the main skeleton was already being put together with white roses, pure white Transvaal daisies and the brightest lillies Simon ever laid his eyes upon. From the intel he gathered, MacTavish and this mysterious florist spent hours discussing the meaning and design of the bouquet, each flower spelling out different meanings and promises. Promises for Cassie which Johnny meant to keep. What were the meanings and promises? Sadly, Ghost didn't remember a word from Soap's comprehensive speech. Next to the skeleton of the flower, there were also a few decorations laid out as if the florist couldn't precisely decide which to pick. If Simon had to pick, he would go for the small branches spray painted to a subtle silver colour with pears glued on. He'd rather let the florist decide, though.

As Simon wandered off, looking at all the types of succulents, he almost missed a small ball of energy running between his legs. After he looked down and focused on it, he realized it was just a little puppy. A very energetic one... A very happy one, to say the least. "Hey, miss?" - He cried out, catching both her and MacTavish's attention. The moment Johnny set his eyes on the dog, he lowered himself down, letting out a sigh of adoration. The puppy didn't waste a second before running off to Johnny's arms, enjoying all the pets and scratches it got out of him. Simon let out a silent chuckle as he watched one of his best friends mumbling nonsense to the puppy, being enamoured by it. - "Is this puppy yours?" "Oh, yes, I'm so sorry. Does it bother you?" "Not in the slightest!" - Johnny cried out happily, picking the dog into his arms.

Finally, you walked out of the facilities, closing the door behind you, white expansive ribbon in your palm. Seeing that your puppy is in good hands, you knew you didn't have to take it back there just yes. "How can I help you today, gentleman?" - You asked, smiling widely at them. Since this was none of Simon's business, he continued with looking at all the types of succulents Rosemary's had on display, listening to your conversation with Johnny. - "Are we looking for any special flowers? For your mum perhaps? Or something more... Special? For a girlfriend, maybe? I can make it all happen." "Actually, name's MacTavish? The bouquet you're finishing should be the one I ordered a week ago, yeah?" "Is it already 1 p.m.?" - You mumbled back in utter horror, presumably checking your wristwatch. As you gasped and started giggling nervously, it could be heard you were unnerved. - "I'm so sorry Mr. MacTavish. I should've had your order ready, but Bonnie gave me a run for my money earlier this morning. She wasn't feeling too good and I was scared because she's just a puppy... And now I'm just late for everything and looking like a blithering idiot. But yes, this is the bouquet, it should be ready in the next ten to fifteen minutes." "This little rascal gave you that much trouble, eh? Who could be even remotely mad at this little bundle of joy?" - MacTavish continued fluently, lovingly caressing the puppy. - "Also, that works for me, then. Me and the arse over there wanted to go for a cuppa anyway. Now, we have an excuse for it."

"Mhm." - You agreed. - "The café on the other side of the street is a killer. I'd kill for their croissants and chai latté, trust me. You're in for a treat..." - Then, both you and Johnny tailed off the rails, talking about Bonnie and her stomach ache. In the spawn of a minute, MacTavish jumped to your music choice - asking about what were you listening to. With a quiet giggle, you told him it was some mid-2010s band Simon had probably never heard about. "Really?" - John wondered, laughing unbelievably. - "Haven't heard them in ages! Wow, I feel ancient. I used to love them." "Sex on Fire is their biggest hit, in my opinion, but I could name a few..." - That was when Simon turned around to tell MacTavish they should leave you to your work if he wants the fucking bouquet finished today. That was when he first laid his eyes on you. Properly. Without your back turned to him or being hidden away inside the employees' facility.

The was... Something. Something in the way your expression changed as you spoke with Johnny, laughing at his responses. The lights flashing in your eyes revealed all the passion and thoughtfulness that you neatly hid away. Something in the way your body moved on its own as you gestured; Simon liked this part of you. It felt warm, inviting and welcoming, friendly almost... Even though you had never met Johnny in your life, you've chatted about like a pair of old friends. It was the complete opposite of all the feelings Simon's presence evoked. Something so delightful and beautiful about the way you presented yourself, about your hairstyle, the glasses framing your face, the way your working apron sat on your body, showing the white t-shirt tucked under as well as the jeans pants poking from under it. There was a moment when Simon's body forgot how to breathe entirely. The whole entirety of you was absolutely fucking stunning. This was Simon's first impression of you summed up.

That was when you looked back at him, still smiling from ear to ear. The world froze for a second and stopped turning as Simon stared at you intensely, knitting his brows together, puzzled at all the intense emotions tingling and brewing inside his chest. As Simon blinked, he realized you were clearly talking to him. "Are you okay?" - You asked, giggling nervously. This brought MacTavish's attention to Simon as well. John smiled his way, still cradling Bonnie in his arms. "Oh, he does this all the time. Don't worry about it, he's actually a sweetheart." - The other part Johnny whispered to you, making you laugh as you shook your head.

As you watched Simon back, there was something about the intensity in his stare. It was probably caused by his baklava - you couldn't see his expression, therefore you only had to judge his mood based on his warm brown eyes and light eyebrows knitted together. The intensity of said stare was powered by the frame and sheer size of this guy - not that you'd be the smallest bean walking the Earth, but there was something unnerving about the sheer size of his upper body, noticeably his arms. These bad boys seemed like they wouldn't have trouble smashing a pumpkin if he wanted to. And let's not start on his fucking thighs hugged by shabby, comfy pair of jeans. Naturally, MacTavish's 'he's actually a sweetheart' didn't have the intended calming effect.

"I was going to say that we better go fetch that cuppa if you'd like your bouquet done today." - Ghost spoke out finally, praying that his voice wouldn't give up on him now. - "All your bloody fucking blabbering keeps the poor lass away from work." "Oh, you're probably right, yeah." - MacTavish agreed, looking down at Bonnie. Simon heard you chuckle at their friendly banter; the sound made one corner of Simon's mouth twitch upwards. - "Would your mummy let you out for a short walkie with your newest uncle, huh?" - The man mumbled, glancing over at you. Even before Ghost said a word, you could see him performing a well-trained, yet nonetheless impressive eye-roll upon Johnny's words. "I wouldn't entrust this man with an animal. He'll refuse to give it back, he always does." - Simon butted in and gave Bonnie a scratch because she, indeed, was too adorable. You didn't answer Johnny's request, you simply fetched the leash from your backpack. "Bonnie has a great judge of character... Well, better than her mum anyway. I'll let my girly out with you under one condition - you'll stay right in my field of sight so I know she's safe, yeah? Don't forget I have your number, Mr MacTavish." - The last part was said in the sweetest tone imaginable, but your expression was warning Johnny, promising him many consequences in case anything happened to the dog. As expected from a soldier, Johnny saluted you, adding a: "Ma'am, yes, ma'am" before departing by Simon's side.

Around fifteen minutes had passed since the two left you to work - now, both of them were standing outside, at the edge of your vision field hidden away from the other customers. They each bought themselves a hot drink to sip on as they watched over Bonnie being the most adorable and curious little bean. The feelings tightening around Simon's chest were too much to simply breathe through. Even though he wasn't the happiest about this bad habit of his, he was now smoking a cig with his baklava slightly lifted up. Johnny knew better than to look at him, even though there wasn't much to see other than Ghost's lips and his chin glazed by light stubble.

"Did we get it right?" - Johnny wondered quietly, checking the receipt stapled onto a small paper bag he was holding in his palm. Simon glanced over at his comrade, too preoccupied with watching you at work. There was a furrow on your face as you tied the ribbon around the base masterfully, finishing your last touches; to Simon's pleasure, you went for the elegant silver branched, masterfully sliding in one after one, entwining in an enchanting way. Your lips were moving - either you talked to yourself while you worked or you sang along to yet another tacky song on your playlist. "Croissants and chai latté, that's what she said." - Simon let out almost thoughtlessly, being positive this was the go-to order you told Johnny about. Even though he met you ten minutes ago, this piece of information immediately carved itself into the back of Simon's mind.

As the two army men walked inside the warm, fuzzing café, their eyes fell on the menu immediately. There were so many forms of coffee to choose from, and the variety of coffee beans made the choice even more difficult. While Johnny loved coffee, especially the smell of it in the morning, Simon preferred tea. Not that he wouldn't go for coffee every once in a while, but... That was why he stuck to your recommendation. "How may I help you?" - The barista asked, not even bothering to hide that the sight of Simon unnerved her. Nothing to wonder about, Simon gave strong robber vibes to most of the people he met. "Hello. I'd like to order a chai latté, heard a lot of praises 'bout it." - He mumbled loud enough for the lady to head it through the baklava. - "... Actually, make it two. Two large chai lattés and... Are you out of croissants? Can't see them anywhere." "You're lucky, sir. We just finished baking a fresh batch, right from the oven. How many would you like?" "Four, thank you." - Simon ended the exchange, putting the payment on the countertop without waiting for the change back. The barista's behaviour towards Johnny switched a complete 180° - even more so thanks to the cute puppy in his arms. Soon enough, MacTavish joined Simon in the order queue, both men holding a small pink paper with their order summary on it.

"I've never seen you eat croissants." - Johnny remarked matter-of-factly. Simon didn't respond straight away, shrugging his shoulders at first. "It's not for me." - He explained simply. "... Never seen you drink chai latté either. Were you even aware of its existence?" "The florist talked highly of it and I wasn't in the mood for coffee. Also, she let you borrow her dog, figured would be a nice gesture to repay her somehow." - Again, enough of a simple explanation... Except for all the ulterior motives brewing right under the surface. "I see, you're right, as usual. Should've thought of that, mate. Let's hope we got her order right." - Johnny wondered. Simon hummed, not giving MacTavish any sort of an answer. Simon was positive the order was right - the entire conversation you and Johnny had was itched into the back of his brain.

"We got it right, I'm assuring you for the thousandth and last time." "Right, right." - Johnny waved him off, picking Bonnie off the ground - the puppy was now super-dirty and wet since it devoted its energy to running through every puddle in their radius. - "Hadn't seen you smoking in a long time. Something on your mind, beautiful?" "Not much just stressed about my performance." - Simon replied, his tone of voice not giving MacTavish much room for thought. "Hm?" - Johnny wondered. - "As in the tests or..." "I'm a shit cameraman." - Ghost admitted quietly. For a bit, there was comfortable silence between the two old pals before Johnny started snickering to himself. "For all I care, film your devilishly handsome face for the sake of it, I'll be equally happy with simply having the audio. Even just the part where Cassie says yes." "Oh, now you have an idea for what you're gonna get as your wedding gift." "Now I'm scared, Ghost." "Three whole seconds of my face in its full glory, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, won't ever show it to you again." "Well, that's honouring. Cassie will be so jealous, I'll tell you that much." "Awh, no, the bride gets to see my devilishly handsome face anytime she asks me to." "Cheeky little bastard." - Johnny laughed, watching as your palm skillfully wrapped the bouquet into a protective foil. In a few minutes, you were to be done and the delivery would be completed. After this, there wasn't a singular reason Simon could bump into you 'accidentally'. He wasn't much of a flower guy, mainly due to being deployed for long periods of time. If he were to buy flowers, he wouldn't have anyone to ask to take care of them. By all means, these plants would be better off with anyone else than Simon.

"This thing that the bonnie wee lass said stuck in my head." - Johnny admitted suddenly, capturing Simon's attention. Again, he didn't look his way but hummed so MacTavish would know he was listening. - "The puppy is a good judge of character... Better than her mum anyway." "She could mean anything by that." "Do you think someone's troubling her?" - MacTavish wondered out loud. When the florist said this, Simon simply assumed she was making a subtle joke. The connotations Johnny gave to the statement... Was someone troubling you? Was it a personal dispute? Was it a guy that's been bothering you? Or was just MacTavish whisking some drama that wasn't real to begin with? "I'd assume that's not exactly our business, mate. We might be SAS, but that doesn't mean we have to mingle with every personal dispute we come across." - Simon answered after taking a moment to think it through. Johnny nodded in agreement - what Simon said was reasonable. "All and all, the florist was right. The puppy has a great judge of character, isn't that right?" - The last part was meant for the puppy as MacTavish lowered his head, nuzzling its wet fur with his nose. "Now that's narcissistic." - Ghost remarked, amusement clear in his voice. "I'm talking about how it nearly peed your pants with excitement. This little bundle of joy instantly adored you." - Johnny concluded, watching as Simon flicked the cig. - "We should go. The florist seems to be done."

The result was otherworldly. Any woman would be lucky to receive this bouquet - it was done with a lot of care, attention and balance, and even the smallest details bore signs of being masterfully crafted. "How did you manage to craft this?" - MacTavish breathed out in awe, letting Bonnie off the leash - the pup immediately ran to greet you, wettening your jeans in the process. Simon, even though he wouldn't assume himself to be appreciative of any sort of art, couldn't but stare at it. While he let Johnny do the talking, Simon drowned his sight in you and your masterpiece; the way your eyes lit up upon seeing Johnny's reaction, the wave of giddiness taking over you when he started wowing and swing made him smile under the baklava. "A lot of patience, studies, practice..." - You named out, laughing. - "... To be frank, it's just that I know that my art will make someone very happy. I tend to pour a lot of energy into each bouquet that I sell. Maybe a bit too much at times, but the results are always worth the time and effort." "What's the total?" - Johnny asked impatiently, pulling out his wallet. Cassie would be through the roof as soon as she laid her eyes on the flower, Johnny was sure of it. "Well, I did my best to cut on some costs, but it's still an eternal romance bouquet, so... 180 pounds." "Make it 210. Ms Y/L/N... This is incredible. I can see why my mum-in-law talked about you this highly. She's a regular and she insisted that you, and only you, could make a bouquet for this occasion. As per usual, she was right."

"Mums-in-law love to hear they're right, you're on the right track here. Also, that's very kind of her. Might I ask... I don't want to pry, but who's the bouquet for? I might know the lucky gal since you've mentioned her mum is a regular?" - You wondered, counting the cash Johnny handed you. 30 pounds in tips sure was nice... Nothing you'd personally agree with, though. It was sweet that Mr MacTavish was this happy about the result, but this amount was too high for your liking. Yet, when you tried to give the money back to him, Johnny just stubbornly slipped the tip right back to you.

"My fiancé-to-be is Cassie Neil. She's a Londoner through and through, but goddamnit, she reeled my arse right in." "You're joking! No way..." - The shock in your voice was immeasurable as you opened your mouth in disbelief. - "Me and Cass were high school classmates! Until she left to study in France, we'd been best friends. We're still in touch, not as much as we used to be, though. Sometimes, she stops by to say hi, bringing me some of her famous gingerbread. The last time she stopped by, she blabbered about a Scot who stole her heart away. You must be the mysterious man." As you've said, Cass stopped by recently, maybe around a month ago, going off about this Johnny guy whom she'd been seeing for the past ten months. She mentioned that he was military, a part of the SAS - she explained that their speciality is close combat and hostage rescue. Presumably, Mr MacTavish and his buddy were both a part of it... That explained the baklava covering the man's face. "Oh, so you're the mysterious Y/N! My name's Johnny, love, hi. Wondered to whom she brings the best pieces in the batch." "What a coincidence..." - You giggled, your face getting flushed. - "If I'd knew you'd been sent by good old Mrs Neil, I'd give you a discount. I feel so stupid now."

"Nonsense." - Simon suddenly chimed in, making both of you look up to him. It was highly uncommon for Simon to speak out of terms, the self-control coming with a lieutenant position often held him back. If anything, Johnny believed that Simon is more of an 'I'll say my peace after the rest is said and done' kind of guy. - "Your work's valued exactly how it should be. I don't know much about flower arranging, but this is a masterpiece by all means. There is no reason for a discount. We've, ugh... By the way, we've got you something over at the bakery." - The man added, handing you the paper bag. "Um, thank you for the compliment, sir. Wait... Is this what I think it is?" - Excitedly, you accepted the paper bag right out of Simon's hand; when your skin brushed his, he felt a spark of electricity running right through. It left behind a trace of enjoyable tingling lingering on his skin.

You, on the other hand, didn't seem to notice, being over the moon thanks to their generosity. - "Get outta here, you guys are the best. Hadn't even time to order a takeout, so these will come in handy. Thank you so much." "Ghost here said it's for entrusting us with your sweet little puppy." - Johnny explained, carefully accepting the bouquet you handed over to him. Both of you concentrated on the task at hand while still chatting. "If lending you my pup makes you guys buy me lunch each time, you might as well walk her every day." - You chuckled. Bonnie, as if she sensed she was the topic of conversion, stumbled onto the scene and started to nuzzle Simon's boots once more. This time, however, her look of adoration was too much - the man kneeled and started to pet her. You'd both taken note of the action, smiling without commenting on it. - "But no, you might not keep her, Mr MacTavish." "Oh, jobby. I'll try another time then." - Johnny laughed. - "Also, my lass's friends are friends of mine. Call me Johnny." - The man said, offering you his palm. Without too much thought, you shook it.

"Name's Y/N, hi." - You said, still smiling from ear to ear. Then, you turned your attention to Simon since it would be rather inappropriate to just leave him out. - "And you might be?" As Simon looked at your palm, he tried to figure out which name should he give you - Lieutenant Riley? No, that would make him an egotistical jerk. Simon? No, that would be too personal. Ghost was all that remained as an acceptable option. - "Ghost, a pleasure to meet you." "Pleasure's on my side, Ghost. The two of you gotta let me know how it all went. Every last bit of detail, deal? Also, tell Cassie I'm happy for her and send my best regards. This is huge news." "I'll entrust Ghost with showing you the footage. Or stop by myself. He's my cameraman." - MacTavish explained simply, having Simon grunt in agreement. With a quiet 'awwww', you nodded - suddenly, Ghost's presence made a whole lot more sense. The man didn't appear to be comfortable inside Rosemary's, he seemed like he didn't want to be there. The two must've been great friends, then; usually, the cameramen went on to be the best men. "That's nice of you, Ghost. Also, it's assuring to know both Johnny and Cass have the best people looking out for them."

"We should be on our merry way now. You better make sure you're free this time around next year." - Johnny exclaimed, half-jokingly. - "In one year's time to the day, I'm making this lass my wife." "Is this an invitation or a job offer?" "Could we make it both, Y/N?" "That would be great. Can't wait to hear from you! Bye!"

The entire proposal went wonderfully - Cassie's sister came along, and Kyle and Price also took part in it since Cassie wholeheartedly believed that Johnny's unit was like his family and believed this would be simply a "dinner". Simon was smiling under his baklava the entire time, watching both of his best friends slowly becoming a mumbling, sniffling, crying happy mess. Simon filmed the entirety of it, he also made sure he'd have the best angle possible. Of course, Cassie immediately let out a shaky 'Of course, you dimwit' before hugging Soap passionately. Now, all of them were sitting around the table while waiting for their dinner to arrive. Johnny invited everyone for a glass and some food in one of the more expansive spots in London, making sure this would be a night to remember. Cassie and Nelly were all over the bouquet, gushing over how perfect it was.

Ghost was talking to Price, ensuring he wouldn't have time to talk to Nelly. While he adored Cass from the bottom of his heart, Simon was well aware of the reasoning for Nelly joining them - Cassie had been trying to hook the two up for a fair share of time by that point. As soon as Johnny started talking about the florist and her masterpiece, Simon's ears sharpened, and the conversation between him and Price was long forgotten. "Who made it?" - Cassie gushed with adoration, carefully caressing one of the silver-coated branches woven into between the flowers. "A friend of yours worked on it." - Johnny teased, winking in her direction. - "Your mum referenced Rosemary's and once I saw it, I had to give the props. Y/N is a fuckin' genius." - He explained, smiling happily upon seeing Cassie's mouth open wide.

"That explains everything." "Hell yeah." - Nelly chimed in, nodding. - "I remember when she started to fiddle around with flowers back when she and sis went to high school together. Even back then, her bouquets were just... Different. Always hoped the guy I dated would buy me on hers. Hadn't been that lucky so far." - She mumbled, shooting a quick glance over to Simon. As previously, he did his best to ignore Nelly's advances; it almost felt like Nelly was trying to give Simon a tip about how to impress her. As if. "Never got an answer to why that was, though. Y/N can barely keep up a serious face and hates accepting praises and compliments. The only explanation she ever meant was 'It's because I talk to the flowers, and they carry out my best wishes to whoever they are given to', I think." - Cassie sighed dreamily, playing with the engagement ring on her finger. Oh. The way your lips moved gently as you were finishing the bouquet, Simon recalled - you did talk to your flowers. - "Ugh, I awfully miss her at times. Petty she's so reluctant to go out with me lately, we used to be best friends. I'll have to give her a call."

Upon hearing this, Johnny glanced over to Simon quickly, he didn't even need to add anything. ... better than her mum is, anyway. Reluctance to go out with someone you used to be extremely close to even though you and Cass still felt good about your friendship. Do you think someone's troubling her? Knowing Y/N's best friend was safe made her genuinely relieved. Perhaps, there was something about the sentence after all. "We can invite her to our next hangout?" - Johnny offered immediately, having Cassie's face lit up. "You wouldn't mind?" "No!" - Johnny exclaimed. - "The lass seems fun, I already told her that the friends of my friends are my friends too... And I promised that I'd do my damnest to steal her dog away from her, have you seen that bonnie little she-devil?"

As the dinner carried on, the conversation was lively, flowing very nicely. After getting his hands on his glass of whiskey, Simon tuned out the surroundings, to be honest. His brain registered their laughter and chatter, but it felt as if his head was stuck under the water - he was going over Y/N, and he couldn't get her out of his head. Everything about her was freaking Simon out - the sound of her voice, her laughter and giggles, the curve and apparently plushness of her lips. The joy radiating out of her upon watching Johnny in awe. A hint of softness upon realizing why Ghost was accompanying his comrade - a glimpse of interest, he realized as he finished the glass, putting it back on the table. It could be the slight kick of the alcohol or his imagination making it up, but he'd swear he saw a glimpse of interest in your eyes. Pushing forward and drinking some more, Simon's brain kept trying to decipher the throwaway line that could be meant as a joke - ... better than her mum, anyway. It was decided right there and then.

Simon would try his best to create a situation in which you'd accidentally bump into each other just so he could see you again.

[silver-samurai]

[OC INTERVIEW: Eito "V"]

V: ...Are you a fucking badge?

Interviewer: No?

V: *scans* ...............I see. Go on if you must.

NICKNAME:

V will suffice. And, you may have heard of this... "Yurasaka" netrunner or som'thing? That's also me.

GENDER:

Technically cis male, but I don't care too much.

STAR SIGN:

I don't believe in star signs or shit like that, but if you really care that much, I'm a Libra - at least, this is what Misty told me.

HEIGHT:

Never checked and never cared about, but I must be taller than standard oriental people. I should ask Vik.

ORIENTATION:

Males only, better if bottom. Sorry ladies.

NATIONALITY/ ETHNICITY:

Pure-breed japanese, my parents were obsessed with this lineage. Guess I can also be considered half-american by now... Not that I like it.

FAVE FRUIT:

Bet you never heard of Hatsukoi no Kaori Ichigo. You can't find these randomly in the streets of course... Fuckin' rare and expensive, way more than regular fruits. Used to eat tons of these as a kid.

FAVE SEASON:

Between Autumn and Winter. Can't tell why I appreciate the vibe this much.

FAVE FLOWER:

There are too many, no clue. Anything, as long as it doesn't stink like hell.

FAVE SCENT:

Huh... Does the smell of new tech parts have a specific name?

Interviewer: Nope. Is it similar to a new car?

V: Kinda. I know it's a mix of gasses coming from the parts that have been treated, and expand a little over time with heat. Love it.

COFFEE, TEA, HOT CHOCOLATE:

Green tea in particular, but I do appreciate coffee. They can both be rich enough. No sugar of course.

AVERAGE HOURS OF SLEEP:

Mh. 3 or 4, maybe...? Nah, must be less...

DOG OR CAT PERSON:

I have a cat, an old rockerboy and a fuckin' iguana if they both count as dogs.

Interviewer: ...Sorry but, this doesn't answer the question.

V: I know.

DREAM TRIP:

I know of places in north Europe where you can see aurorae... Looks so unreal, yet so fascinating, that I must see that with my own eyes.

FAVE FICTIONAL CHARACTER:

The terrorist in my head wasn't fictional, he'd be the one. Well, Japan has a pretty interesting folklore around youkai... mh. Is the Gashadokuro a "fictional" character?

NUMBER OF BLANKETS YOU SLEEP WITH:

If Johnny counts, 4. If he doesn't, 2.

RANDOM FACT:

I have no idea where my parents were buried. I know that they died and how, but nothing more. I plan to find out, visit their tomb - 'cause I'm sure it's something too monumental to ignore, stare at their awful holo faces and spit on them wishing they can come alive in their damn coffins and die again. Just for the hell of it.

This was kinda funny alright :)

Tagging without pressure: @totentnz, @koda-shoulda-woulda-but-didnt, @vince-linder and anyone that'd like to do this!

[ggitty]

(JN anon) Jimmy and Sheen actually had concession cup versions of half those flavors: Green with Jimmy, Red and Orange for Sheen. Red I think I saw the least; one kid was surrounded by the Green ones. (They actually had the entire movie free on Youtube last month, along Barnyard and some other selected movies.)

Oh yeah, I think the Jet Fusion game had some too. A few of the show's storyboards and production reels were posted to Youtube. (If you heard of Paul Claerhout, who along with Acorn are responsible for the character designs, he has a site where he posted some concept art from Johnny Quasar to Planet Sheen.) For added fun, there's a few JN anniversary VA panels uploaded if you want hear more on what it was like behind the scenes.

It's kinda funny how it sounded, based on the title, that the initial premise was just Planet Sheen, but with Carl and not a show.

Heh, I think mine's was Pokemon. And Looney Tunes.

*nods* New people are expected in older properties, but they gotta have the guidance to keep the image consistent. (I get wanting differentiate though, not always easy. As we've seen with FOP)

According to Acorn on the "karereviews" site, Davis wasn't as involved after the first season because of production with the Ant Bully. Season 1 did feel a bit more down-to-earth compared to 2 and 3. (But yeah, Davis talked about his current field in an interview just last year; it's on Youtube along with a few others he did. There's was one from 2022 where talked about his time with the series and did seem confused as to why a JN reboot failed to go through given the current climate of entertainment [and video games], and how much the fandom has been wanting it for years.)

Sounds like you had quite an eventful day. xD (I already knew about NFL Slimetime having Nick/Paramount characters appearing since they did this type of thing before. I had JUST learnt about Jimmy appearing literally a few days before the date on a repost. Thought it was like, someone's fake wishlist at first until I traced it back to Paramount. xD Boy genius just can't stop winning.)

Lol, if they start suddenly re-airing old episodes or have Jimmy appear in one of those crossover Paramount commercials like Arnold and Dora did under the mask of "we just felt like it", I'd be thoroughly convinced they're in denial. :P

Ah that's good to know! *looks at the movie I downloaded and put in a JN folder*

Oh yeah, I saw Paul's website when I was looking for some concept-art stuff! There were also sketches for the UltraLord spin-off if I'm not mistaken (lore drop indeed lol)

In some universe, we have Planet Carl and probably a shit ton of memes from it I don't even know if it's a win or a loss lol

(oh, the downfall of FOP was hard, painful and dragged on like a bad slapstick joke ")

(and damn I should have watched that interview when I found it before I lost it somewhere in an accidentally deleted tabs folder)

''A WIN IS A WIN'' so to speak lol

Ah yes, “we just felt like it” which translates to “we are testing the waters and teasing the appearance of these franchises in the future, but it's not certain and you haven't seen anything!” hbabhbasd BTW, absolutely random Johnny Quasar render that was found on Unix Window Manager and posted on reddit lol

(runs away from the intergalactic police because he drives a rocket without a license at the age of 10)

[valeriesilverhand]

Ty @zinkleberg for tag <3. 

Tagging @miss--river and @genocidalfetus

NIGHT CITY N54 INTERVIEW

Name?

V, just V. Only somebody who knows me real well gets to call me Valerie.

Nicknames?

Panam calls me, Dust Bunny, Dust Buns… or most affectionately, Beast… Ah Sisterly love…don't ask. 

And of course, Johnny has a long list of em now - Gonkbrain, Chonk (since I eat more than he can) Merc, Floofy, Floof and on those rare occasions when he's in his feelings; Baby Doll, Love, Mrs. Silverhand, and of course; Princess. 

Gender?

Female

Star sign?

October 12th, Libra. A direct quote from my friend Misty,

“You are romantic, imaginative, and focused, and you often brainstorm ideas that will make you successful in life. It is a month of energy, friendship, and affection. As a result of this number, you are logical, realistic, and sensible.”

She forgot, “funny AF,” and “one hell of good shot.” ;-)

Height?

5’10” flat footed, but with heels I'm through the god damn roof. 

Orientation?

Engram rockerboys….

Nationality?

NUSA. American. Born and raised in that California desert.

Favourite fruit?

Fruit? As in the stuff that synth paste is supposed to taste like? I like the watermelon flavor best? Wonder what actual watermelons were like…

Favourite season?

I'd grew up constantly sweaty in tank tops and cut offs… So now I prefer any day I can wear a leather jacket. Bring on the rain. 

Favourite flower?

I'd rather Johnny bring home pizza than flowers… can that be my answer? 

Favourite scent?

Leather, smoke, mezcal or good tequila… oh no… 

Coffee or tea?

Japanese tea. I do like coffee but I have a weak heart… among other things these days. 

Average hours of sleep?

Shit. I have no average. I'm a bit of a binge sleeper… I'll go without much for days and days and then crash for an obscene number of hours. 

Dog or cat person?

Grew up with a stray that wandered into our nomad camp. He was my beloved best friend. Dogs are now a rare commodity in NC, only the richest can afford the fees. Maybe one day though, I'll make it big enough that I can have a dog again. 

Dream trip?

I'd love to swim in clean clear water that isn't contaminated. I've seen photos of a few tropical places that are still preserved… Yeah, I’d like to see that. 

Favourite fictional character?

Just one? I have so many. I'm big retro film buff - love the real old classics my grandparents were into. Some favs of are, Foxy Brown, Ellen Ripley, Tank Girl (Rebecca), Leeloo, Beatrix Kiddo, Imperator Furiosa, and Sarah Conner (my choom, Vian turned me on to her!) 

Number of blankets you sleep with?

⅓ of one because Johnny is fuckin blanket hog. 

Random fact?

Have some informal ballet training passed down from my mother who learned from her grandmother who danced professionally and toured around the country. I like to think the skill keeps me light on my feet and flexible - but Johnny says it makes me look too dainty with a gun. 😡 

(pic credit: Nico | Aquelyras)

[theflyingfeeling]

it's my day off and I have already had one formal phone call and I'm now waiting for my new desk chair to be ready for pickup and I had an exhaustive day yesterday hosting vaalikahvit for five adults, one toddler and two dogs, so may I pleeeeaaaaaasssseeee get to fuck around and imagine blorbo nonsense and draft an AU fic I'll never write because I still haven't made that sideblog for this kinda shit instead of doing anything useful?? 😩🙏

so today I'm thinking of a no-band-AU semi-inspired by this post I made a week ago

in which Olli and Aleksi have recently moved in together in their new fancy house and they're so happy and in love and having a lot of sex (yes this is an important plot detail 🥰)

(spoiler alert: there is no plot. not even a little bit (hence I won't be writing this))

their relationship had a controversial start because they were still dating other people when they fell in love

Joonas is pining for Joel who's in a toxic on/off relationship with Samy

Joel may be struggling with something else too idk haven't decided, but Joonas is there for him always and he loves Joel so so much

as for Tommi and Niko: maybe Tommi and Olli used to be an item at some point, although he's not the one Olli broke up with to be with Aleksi

and maybe Joonas and Niko had something going on but Niko ended it because he saw how in love with Joel Joonas was

so Niko and Tommi have lots of deep discussions about whether it's weird for Tommi to see Olli with Aleksi (not really because it's been a while and he can see how happy Olli is now (way happier than he was with his previous partner))

and about how it is for Niko to see Joonas suffering so much because of Joel (it's hard but there's not much niko can do about it is there)

and yeah they end up spending the night together at some point 👀 they decide to keep it casual and low-key though so they tell no one

eventually it becomes maybe a little more than just friends hooking up but they're still sorta chill about it and it feels very natural (for Tommi it's better than the random one-night-stands he's been having and for Niko it's definitely better than worrying about Joonas all time time)

and yeah, as it is a non-band-AU I've also given some thought to what they all could be doing instead of being in a band (which is my favourite part of non-band-AUs hehe)

first of all, Tommi is a paramedic because I recently re-watched this old interview in which they all tell the what they'd be doing for a living if they weren't musicians in a band and that's Tommi's answer

ngl it would be kinda funny if I gave everyone the occupation they mention in the video but I think 'gravedigger' for Niko would be a tad too gloomy for the purposes of this AU lol, so he's a writer. a struggling one maybe, but still, and he spends a lot of time in his head (very in-character I knoooooooww <3)

Olli is a graphic designer at a... ummm... a place where graphic designers work? idk just some company, he works from home a lot (so that he can have sex with his bf during his breaks)

Aleksi is still a producer, has a fancy-ass studio in the house. Robin is one of the artists he works with, because of course he is

Olli and Aleksi secretly want to ask Robin if he'd be up for a threesome but he's a literal puppy and oblivious and they don't know how to bring it up lol

and maybe Johnny's Aleksi's co-producer and they also fantasize about having threesome with him 😂 sorry yes they are very horny and kinky in this AU

not sure what Joel and Joonas could be doing, but I like to imagine them as co-workers in some kinda music business or whatever. maybe they're also roommates, just to make it extra painful for Joonas 😭 and maybe Joel is a musician on the side (plays covers at bars etc.), because I simply can't imagine him another career than music

(Joonas goes to see his every single gig, sometimes without Joel knowing it)

a random "scene" I've thought of includes Niko and Joonas coming over to test the new sauna at the Matela-Kaunisvesi residence, but because Niko and Joonas feel awkward having sauna together, they end up mixing the pairs and so we have Aleksi and Niko having deep discussions in the sauna and Joonas and Olli talking about sex while waiting for their turn lol (they've been friends since forever and maybe had some experiments together when they were teens so it's very natural for them)

but yeah, the reason why I'm not writing this AU is because I have no clear plot for it 😔 but honestly? sometimes it's fun just creating these AUs and characters in my head 🥺

I wish I could write all these ideas into actual stories but I'm scared of biting off more than I can chew, so I intimidate and overwhelm myself from even giving it a fair try 😭

so that's it pretty much! if anyone wants to help me figure out an actual story idea out of this, you know where to find me 👋

next I think I'm gonna go keep on procrastinating by creating Olli & Aleksi's fancy-ass house on The Sims 4 byeeeeeee

[thebroccolination]

[Content Warning: sexual assault of minors]

There’s a documentary airing tomorrow on BBC2 about the late Johnny Kitagawa and the very open secret of the many sexual assault allegations against him.

For the uninitiated, Johnny was the founder and CEO of what I believe has been the most powerful music agency in Japan’s history. After founding the agency in 1962, Johnny and his sister Mary are known to have pulled a lot of questionable and downright abusive tactics to gain the amount of power J&A has enjoyed over the Japanese media industry.

Since their influence has been waning over the past decade or so, it’s difficult to explain concisely how strong they were, especially in the nineties and early aughts.

Like, companies were forbidden from using the idols’ images without express permission, so magazines would need to publish previews for upcoming issues featuring blacked-out silhouettes of the idols.

The point was to make J&A idols seem more exclusive and distant to augment their appeal, so only when the magazine was officially released were their images uncensored.

And of course, forever looming in the background were the ever-present allegations of sexual abuse by Johnny himself.

This isn’t in question, either. When detailed testaments from teenage boys were gathered and published in a massive expose by a well-known tabloid back in 1999, Johnny sued for defamation of character. Some of the charges—that J&A supplied minors with alcohol and drugs—were dropped. But the court found legitimacy in the sexual abuse charges. (The transcript is available in Japanese online somewhere, but I can’t remember where off the top of my head. I don’t remember if it was ever translated into English, but I’ll come back with a link if I find it.)

[Variety] Johnny Kitagawa: Power, Abuse, and the Japanese Omerta by Mark Schilling

Regardless, an official charge was never made, the public and fandom overlooked this open secret, and Johnny himself continued to live a wealthy and relatively secretive life behind the wall of his talents’ fame until his death in 2019 at the age of 87.

If you’re getting cult vibes from this, you’re drawing some sound conclusions

As an American fan who was once deep in the J&A fandoms of Tackey & Tsubasa, NEWS, Kanjani8, V6, KinKi Kids, etc.…this was a wild place to be in many ways.

From the outside, it’s probably simple enough to look at the facts and understand how clear-cut this is. Fans weren’t ignorant, either, and there was a persistent moral issue in supporting beloved idols while knowing that it led to a known abuser at the top.

And of course, not everyone believed or believes the allegations. Even if tomorrow’s documentary proves without doubt that Johnny Kitagawa sexually assaulted the children and teenagers under his power, there will always be defenders among the fanbase. At the lowest tier of morality, there will always be people whose personal comfort comes first, and rape is a big ole sad face threatening to ruin the flawless facade of Silly Handsome Rainbow Concert Land.

That said, I think what complicated things for a wide swath of the fanbase who did believe the allegations was how affectionately the idols themselves used to and still talk about Johnny. The man’s image for most fans was of an eccentric old man who had an acerbic sense of humor and spoke in random English snippets. “Did you see him?” an idol once asked the audience during a concert. “He was visiting backstage and said, ‘It’s hot out there today. They must be hot, those poor fans outside.’ So he took a box of bottled water and went to hand out waters to people.” Some fans exclaimed in recognition, and the idol laughed and said, “Someone remembers!” Because Johnny himself rarely appeared for interviews and released photos of himself only once every thousand years, the ongoing joke was that hardly anyone among the general public would have recognized this random old man as the mighty mogul of the music world. And because the idols themselves told such quirky stories, many fans chose to take the word of the idols they admired rather than confront the reality in newspapers.

While I lived in Japan, I rarely heard the allegations discussed, and whenever I brought it up among Japanese fans, the atmosphere got awkward and quiet until someone changed the subject. Worse was when I discussed it with members of the general public, many of whom seemed overwhelmingly aware but dismissive. “He’s a weird guy,” an older man once told me wryly. “Everyone knows he’s gay. That’s what they do.”

The subject of Johnny Kitagawa’s abuse is such a wide-reaching and nuanced subject, there’s no way the BBC documentary will be able to introduce Japan’s media culture, the entire J&A system, and the depth of Johnny’s abuse in an hour. But I’m relieved that it’s happening at all because for so, so long, the Japanese media has been unwilling to lose the money-making factory that is J&A by shining a spotlight on Johnny’s crimes, and so the victims of his abuse have been either ignored or reviled.

The thing to remember, I think, is the thing I keep coming back to. The vast majority of these idols joined J&A very young, and many of the older members in their twenties, thirties, and up have no other job experience to this day. Most have no university degree, and some never graduated or even attended high school. This is all some of them have, all they’ve ever had, and the sheer fear of needing to go into the job market at sixteen with nothing on your resume but junior high and “danced behind famous people for three years” in a country as stringent as Japan is unimaginable to me.

(TV Guide’s June 2000 cover featuring the Golden Era of Johnny’s Juniors, most of whom worked so extensively that they were unable to graduate high school or university. In more recent years, the agency has put stronger emphasis on Juniors pursuing their education.)

I don’t follow J&A idols anymore, but I imagine it’s less common today for someone to casually explain that he joined the agency at twelve to help support his struggling single mother and siblings. One of the saddest things I’ve ever heard Takizawa Hideaki say was how happy he was at fourteen when he realized he was among other boys whose fathers had abandoned their families. He grew up in poverty and joined J&A at thirteen, and if I start talking about his history with the agency I’ll never stop. (Thankfully, he and most of his generation have left the agency since Johnny’s death and are pursuing their own paths—though none that I’m aware of have spoken ill of their former boss.)

In the nineties, Juniors slept in two dormitories. Dormitory A was where the Juniors guaranteed to debut slept, and boys in Dormitory B knew it. The most famous boys living in the Kanto region—Takki, Tsubasa, Arashi, Yamapi, etc.—all lived in Dormitory A. After Shukan Bunshun published their expose, the dormitories were permanently closed down.

There’s no way to know what the silenced survivors have been through psychologically. Johnny himself is dead, so closure has to come from allowing the survivors heal however they need to. Japan is notoriously lacking in mental healthcare or awareness let alone compassion for sexual abuse survivors, so perhaps addressing that is the first step so they can find that closure privately.

In any case, the documentary airs tomorrow on BBC2, and I’ll be watching and hoping this is the first step in exposing the crimes committed and opening compassion for the survivors.

[simslegacy5083]

NSB (Straud Legacy) Gen 8 Ep. 99: A Warm Reception in New Appaloosa

At the nightclub after the reception the newlyweds had no trouble getting the dance floor all to themselves for their first dance.

Family and friends looked on as the couple joined hands, swaying to the classic country ballad they’d selected to symbolize their love for one another.

🎶 Better than I was, more than I am, and all of this happened by taking your hand… it’s Your Love, Just does something to me, sends a shock right through me, I can’t get enough…🎶 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AJ4i4S_fP8

---------------------------------------------

Then it was time for everyone to boogey down. Given they were in cowpoke country they had to begin with some classic cowpoke dancing.

For such a large group of casual dancers the music kept them remarkably in sync and everyone had a lot of fun. After a few more songs Jack and Peachy invited some friends to join them at a large table in the back of the club to relax and rest their tired feet.

---------------------------------------------

As they often did when they met someone new, Peachy and the rest of the “Strangerville Four” couldn’t resist telling Jack’s old friend all about their epic defeat of the alien plant monster known as The Mother.

The group didn’t understand Karwan’s laugh or the meaningful look he exchanged with Jack. Karwan explained that his husband’s family had fought a similar battle centuries ago in their home nation and congratulated the men on their own historic victory. As Peachy excused himself to check on a sad looking Fabian across the room, he reflected that alien plant monsters must be a more widespread threat to the planet than he’d thought!

---------------------------------------------

At first, Fabian tried to brush Peachy’s inquiries off, not wanting to burden his buddy on his happy day.

Eventually he admitted that he was struggling in his career as a paranormal investigator. He’d worked hard to gain the license but while he loved the investigative side of things, he’d quickly found that the nighttime hours didn’t agree with him and frankly he scared too easily to enjoy most of his assigned cases.

Peachy was sad for his friend, but quickly told him that he was in a perfect position to help out. His current rank at the station came with a certain amount of influence. Peachy was sure with his good word and Fabian’s work history, he’d be able to get him a job on the force starting at a high level.

A grateful Fabian smiled widely and said a change would be fantastic. Peachy promised to set up an interview for him right after his honeymoon.

---------------------------------------------

As the night wore on the club started to fill up with strangers and unexpected faces from their past.

The first surprise came in the form of another random run-in with Johnny Zest. The immortal comedian recognized Peachy and teased him about having apparently lost his card. Peachy assured him that he would use it one day and rose to the challenge of proving he still had what it took to please a crowd.

Johnny got the manager to pause the music and announce his “special friend” as Peachy strutted up to the open mic and proceeded to improvise a smooth comedy set rooted in the happy memories and silly stories of growing up in a backwoods farm community very much like Chestnut Ridge.

---------------------------------------------

The next special guest to the party was one of Peachy’s famous ancestors. As the hour grew late a surprising number of ghosts joined the living, and Thorne made an unexpected appearance to congratulate his great grandson on his nuptials.

Settling at the back table Peachy introduced him around and Karwan was happy to explain that Jack and he both hailed from the SimNation across the way which had recently become an ally. The former National Leader grew engrossed in Karwan’s outline of the politics of his homeland as well as his and Elevan’s past and present work with the Supernatural party. As the pair wandered off, still chatting, their seat was taken by a very unwelcome face.

---------------------------------------------

Nancy Landgraab settled down boldly between the newlyweds, smiling as if they were old friends. Peachy returned her smile nervously, but Jack couldn’t muster up even a fake grin for the dirty actresses who had cost him his home and his job, no matter how well it all had worked out so far.

She congratulated them on the wedding she had not been invited to and made some references to their current positions at S.I.M.S and on the force to show she was keeping an eye on them. As Nancy wandered back to Geoffrey on the other side of the room, they wondered what to make of her visit.

---------------------------------------------

At the end of the evening Peachy and Jack grabbed some nectar, taking a seat on the back patio and turning the talk to plans for the next day.

August had rented a cabin for the newly married couple, himself, and Paul to go horseback riding the following morning before the newlyweds headed out to their honeymoon cabin at the falls. However, baby Denton’s early arrival left Paul preferring to skip the outing in favor of settling into his new home.

Seeing how well Karwan had gotten along with the brothers, Jack asked if he’d like to take the spare room and join them. Not one to pass up the opportunity for a ride Karwan quickly arranged to do just that and rose with the others to begin the short trek over to their rental cabin up on the bluffs.

---------------------------------------------

Want To See More? View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here

[cleverhottubmiracle]

When you don’t have the time to sit down with a physical book, listening to an audiobook is the perfect solution. And if you want to take your storytelling to the next level, why not try full-cast audiobooks? Unlike regular audiobooks, where you’ll find one narrator, the full-cast versions feature multiple voice actors—each portraying one character—and sometimes are accompanied by sound effects and music to enhance your listening experience.  Whether you listen to a sweet contemporary novel, a fast-paced thriller or a sweeping fantasy, these audiobooks offer more depth to the story, making each conversation or conflict more realistic and dramatic. Here, we compiled nine of our favorite full-cast audiobooks, from the romance and drama of Layne Fargo’s ice-skating romance The Favorites, to the adventure and intensity of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Ready for a completely immersive listening journey? Keep scrolling to see all our full-cast audiobook recommendations.  Random House Audio Narrators: Robinne Lee, Julia Whelan, Oliver Wyman, Jennifer Beals, Pablo Schreiber, Benjamin Bratt, Fred Berman, Ari Fliakos, Judy Greer, January LaVoy, Jonathan Davis, Henry Leyva, Nancy Wu, P.J. Ochlan, Arthur Bishop, Holter Graham, Brendan Wayne, Pete Larkin, Alex Jenkins Reid, Robert Petkoff and Sara Arrington Electric chemistry, juicy drama and soul-stirring nostalgia…this full-cast audiobook has it all. Written like a biography and told like a documentary, this novel follows the rise to fame of the fictional Daisy Jones & the Six—one of the biggest bands of the ’70s, led by the brooding Billy Dunne and the beautiful Daisy Jones. In interview-style chapters, readers are taken along on a gripping ride that chronicles the ups and downs of the world’s most famous rock band and the mysterious breakup at the height of their fame. A dazzlingly narrated story featuring a talented cast of people who embody the characters through and through. What listeners are saying: “I finally got my hands on the audio of this, and it is everything I thought it would be—the authenticity, the intrigue, the drama, the rock n’ roll, the emotion. This is a masterpiece; the six are this story’s life and soul.” Random House Audio Narrators: Christine Lakin, Louisa Zhu, Amy Landon, Elena Rey, Valerie Rose Lohman, Suzanne Toren, Graham Halstead, Julia Emelin, Eric Yang and Johnny Weir An epic romance on ice, Layne Fargo’s The Favorites sparkles through its narration. It is the story of Katarina Shaw, who has dreamed of being an Olympic ice skater for as long as she can remember, and her partner and first love, Heath Rocha. Fans can’t get enough of the super couple as their careers take off and their love story unfurls. Told from multiple points of view (with different narration for each one), including interviews with rival skaters, friends and family for an unauthorized documentary on the couple, this compelling read is sure to enchant. What listeners are saying: “The audio was the best surprise! I would recommend it as one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to. It sucks you in, and with an entire cast of characters, you actually forget you’re listening/reading a book—it feels like a true non-fiction documentary! Brilliant!” HarperAudio Narrators: Jot Davies, Chloe Massey, Olivia Dowd, Aoife McMahon, Sarah Ovens and Rich Keeble In the chilling and atmospheric narration of Lucy Foley’s The Guest List, a glamorous wedding on a remote Irish island takes a deadly turn. Guests gather for the wedding of handsome TV star Will Slater and his magazine publisher bride-to-be, Jules Keegan. But as the celebration gets underway, old jealousies soon bubble up…and eventually turn deadly.  And when the festivities are interrupted by a murder, everyone becomes a suspect.  What listeners are saying: “The voice cast brought the story to life on an entirely new level, portraying each character with such precision. I don’t typically get this excited about audiobooks, but this one was pure gold, and Foley’s writing was simply outstanding.” Random House Audio Narrators: Dominic Hoffman, Dion Graham, Bahni Turpin, Fiona Hardingham, Allan Corduner and Jorjeana Marie Get swept away by magic in this enchanting full-cast audiobook, where love, mystery and adventure collide in an underground world of pirates, painters, storytellers — and, of course, ships. Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont. While in the library, he finds a mysterious book hidden among the shelves. He sees wild tales inside, but what’s even stranger is a recording of his childhood. Soon he uncovers clues that lead him to a secret club where he hopes he can gain some insight. Will Zachary find the answers he’s looking for and understand his purpose? What listeners are saying: “If you like adventures with mystery and romance, I recommend this book. It was a truly good time. The audiobook in particular is fun. The book’s story-within-a-story-within-a-story structure lends itself to multiple different styles of narration and this didn’t skimp on that.” Graphic Audio LLC Narrators: Scott McCormick, Troy Allan, Jessica Lauren Ball, Khaya Fraites, Gabriel Michael, Torian Brackett, Taylor Coan, LaMont Ridgell, Robb Moreira, Laura C. Harris and David Cui Cui Dragons, family drama and simmering romance are front and center in Fourth Wing — the #1 New York Times bestselling novel and first in The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. Violet was supposed to live a quiet life among books, but the commanding general—Violet’s mother — has ordered her to become a dragon rider at Basgiath War College instead. Now, Violet must fight to the top and hope that her enemy, Xaden Rioson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader, doesn’t kill her in the process. What follows is a battle of strength, knowledge, trust and love. In this dramatized audio, you’ll find at least 12 narrators who help chronicle the events at Basgiath. What listeners are saying: “The immersive sound effects, background noises and stellar voice acting made it feel like I was watching a movie in my mind. What made this experience so amazing was how it enhanced the vivid world-building and characters that drew me in the first time I read it. If you haven’t read Fourth Wing yet—or if you’re thinking about revisiting it—I can’t recommend this version enough.” Blackstone Publishing Narrators: Andi Arndt, Hillary Huber, Elizabeth Evans, Brittany Pressley and Cassandra Campbell This gripping novel takes listeners through scandal, betrayal and murder. The story is centered around a group of wealthy and self-absorbed housewives whose sole existence revolves around visits to the Glow Beauty Salon. Shannon was once the queen of Buckhead, but when her politician husband, Bryce, dumps her, replacing her with Crystal, Shannon plans to take revenge. Crystal has no idea what awaits her, while Olivia, who has always wanted to take Shannon’s place as queen, realizes she must be manipulative to do so. And then there’s Jenny, the salon owner who knows everyone’s secrets. Which woman will come out on top, and who will end up dead? What listeners are saying: “One of Us is Dead on audiobook was great and made me realize why people love Jeneva Rose’s writing. This was my first read of hers and it won’t be my last!” Graphic Audio LLC Narrators: Bradley Foster Smith, Christopher Graybill, Eric Messner, Henry W. Kramer, Natalie Van Sistine, Debi Tinsley, Julie Hoverson, Gabriel Michael, Karen Foley, Karen Novack, Melody Muze and Alejandro Ruiz Known for her stunning blend of fantasy and romance, Sarah J. Maas—often called the reigning queen of Romantasy—kicked off her popularity with A Court of Thorns And Roses. This is the first novel in her bestselling series. This version—narrated by over 10 voices—follows 19-year-old huntress Feyre. After she kills a wolf to feed her family, she is kidnapped and dragged to a magical, treacherous land she’s only heard about in legends. Her captor? Tamlin, one of the most powerful faeries. Tamlin is a beast-like immortal, yet throughout her captivity, Feyre begins to see Tamlin as more than a monster. But still, something does not feel right in this enchanting place. What listeners are saying: “As someone who has read the book, hearing the book read by these amazing narrators made the book feel more real! I have listened to almost all the series in the Dramatized Adaptation and I am a huge fan! Kudos to the feeling and care the narrators added to these characters. Definitely recommend. Penguin Audio Narrators: Susan Lyons, Anna Bentink, Steven Crossley, Alex Tregear, Andrew Wincott and Owen Lindsay In this audiobook with six different narrators, Louisa Clark, an ordinary woman, takes a job as a caregiver for Will Traynor, a handsome, wealthy man left paralyzed after an accident. At first, Will’s rude ways have her rethinking the job, but when she learns of his plans to end his life, she reminds him why life is worth living. What listeners are saying: “I listened to the audiobook for this, which was a first for me, but the book was fantastic. I was so charmed! And not just with Lou, but Will, the male lead character, who was a bit much at first. Although, he really grew on me. This one gave me all the feels. Do yourself a favor and read it immediately.” Penguin Audio Narrators: Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer and Cassandra Campbell This version of Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling novel delivers a rich and immersive listening experience through multiple narrators, including the incredible Octavia Spencer, who played Minny in the film. Set in Jackson, Mississippi, in the 1960s, the story follows three strong women: Aibileen, a wise and compassionate Black maid raising her 17th white child; Minny, her strong-willed best friend known for both her incredible cooking and her sharp tongue and Skeeter, an ambitious young white woman determined to become a writer. When Skeeter teams up with Aibileen and Minny to tell the untold stories of the maids, both danger and hope arise due to their secret collaboration. What listeners are saying: “The audiobook is phenomenal with a full cast of characters. It is definitely on my list of top 10 best audiobooks of all time. The characters are unforgettable, complex, and imperfect. This book was incredibly fascinating because the stakes were so high for the maids.” Source link

[norajworld]

When you don’t have the time to sit down with a physical book, listening to an audiobook is the perfect solution. And if you want to take your storytelling to the next level, why not try full-cast audiobooks? Unlike regular audiobooks, where you’ll find one narrator, the full-cast versions feature multiple voice actors—each portraying one character—and sometimes are accompanied by sound effects and music to enhance your listening experience.  Whether you listen to a sweet contemporary novel, a fast-paced thriller or a sweeping fantasy, these audiobooks offer more depth to the story, making each conversation or conflict more realistic and dramatic. Here, we compiled nine of our favorite full-cast audiobooks, from the romance and drama of Layne Fargo’s ice-skating romance The Favorites, to the adventure and intensity of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Ready for a completely immersive listening journey? Keep scrolling to see all our full-cast audiobook recommendations.  Random House Audio Narrators: Robinne Lee, Julia Whelan, Oliver Wyman, Jennifer Beals, Pablo Schreiber, Benjamin Bratt, Fred Berman, Ari Fliakos, Judy Greer, January LaVoy, Jonathan Davis, Henry Leyva, Nancy Wu, P.J. Ochlan, Arthur Bishop, Holter Graham, Brendan Wayne, Pete Larkin, Alex Jenkins Reid, Robert Petkoff and Sara Arrington Electric chemistry, juicy drama and soul-stirring nostalgia…this full-cast audiobook has it all. Written like a biography and told like a documentary, this novel follows the rise to fame of the fictional Daisy Jones & the Six—one of the biggest bands of the ’70s, led by the brooding Billy Dunne and the beautiful Daisy Jones. In interview-style chapters, readers are taken along on a gripping ride that chronicles the ups and downs of the world’s most famous rock band and the mysterious breakup at the height of their fame. A dazzlingly narrated story featuring a talented cast of people who embody the characters through and through. What listeners are saying: “I finally got my hands on the audio of this, and it is everything I thought it would be—the authenticity, the intrigue, the drama, the rock n’ roll, the emotion. This is a masterpiece; the six are this story’s life and soul.” Random House Audio Narrators: Christine Lakin, Louisa Zhu, Amy Landon, Elena Rey, Valerie Rose Lohman, Suzanne Toren, Graham Halstead, Julia Emelin, Eric Yang and Johnny Weir An epic romance on ice, Layne Fargo’s The Favorites sparkles through its narration. It is the story of Katarina Shaw, who has dreamed of being an Olympic ice skater for as long as she can remember, and her partner and first love, Heath Rocha. Fans can’t get enough of the super couple as their careers take off and their love story unfurls. Told from multiple points of view (with different narration for each one), including interviews with rival skaters, friends and family for an unauthorized documentary on the couple, this compelling read is sure to enchant. What listeners are saying: “The audio was the best surprise! I would recommend it as one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to. It sucks you in, and with an entire cast of characters, you actually forget you’re listening/reading a book—it feels like a true non-fiction documentary! Brilliant!” HarperAudio Narrators: Jot Davies, Chloe Massey, Olivia Dowd, Aoife McMahon, Sarah Ovens and Rich Keeble In the chilling and atmospheric narration of Lucy Foley’s The Guest List, a glamorous wedding on a remote Irish island takes a deadly turn. Guests gather for the wedding of handsome TV star Will Slater and his magazine publisher bride-to-be, Jules Keegan. But as the celebration gets underway, old jealousies soon bubble up…and eventually turn deadly.  And when the festivities are interrupted by a murder, everyone becomes a suspect.  What listeners are saying: “The voice cast brought the story to life on an entirely new level, portraying each character with such precision. I don’t typically get this excited about audiobooks, but this one was pure gold, and Foley’s writing was simply outstanding.” Random House Audio Narrators: Dominic Hoffman, Dion Graham, Bahni Turpin, Fiona Hardingham, Allan Corduner and Jorjeana Marie Get swept away by magic in this enchanting full-cast audiobook, where love, mystery and adventure collide in an underground world of pirates, painters, storytellers — and, of course, ships. Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont. While in the library, he finds a mysterious book hidden among the shelves. He sees wild tales inside, but what’s even stranger is a recording of his childhood. Soon he uncovers clues that lead him to a secret club where he hopes he can gain some insight. Will Zachary find the answers he’s looking for and understand his purpose? What listeners are saying: “If you like adventures with mystery and romance, I recommend this book. It was a truly good time. The audiobook in particular is fun. The book’s story-within-a-story-within-a-story structure lends itself to multiple different styles of narration and this didn’t skimp on that.” Graphic Audio LLC Narrators: Scott McCormick, Troy Allan, Jessica Lauren Ball, Khaya Fraites, Gabriel Michael, Torian Brackett, Taylor Coan, LaMont Ridgell, Robb Moreira, Laura C. Harris and David Cui Cui Dragons, family drama and simmering romance are front and center in Fourth Wing — the #1 New York Times bestselling novel and first in The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. Violet was supposed to live a quiet life among books, but the commanding general—Violet’s mother — has ordered her to become a dragon rider at Basgiath War College instead. Now, Violet must fight to the top and hope that her enemy, Xaden Rioson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader, doesn’t kill her in the process. What follows is a battle of strength, knowledge, trust and love. In this dramatized audio, you’ll find at least 12 narrators who help chronicle the events at Basgiath. What listeners are saying: “The immersive sound effects, background noises and stellar voice acting made it feel like I was watching a movie in my mind. What made this experience so amazing was how it enhanced the vivid world-building and characters that drew me in the first time I read it. If you haven’t read Fourth Wing yet—or if you’re thinking about revisiting it—I can’t recommend this version enough.” Blackstone Publishing Narrators: Andi Arndt, Hillary Huber, Elizabeth Evans, Brittany Pressley and Cassandra Campbell This gripping novel takes listeners through scandal, betrayal and murder. The story is centered around a group of wealthy and self-absorbed housewives whose sole existence revolves around visits to the Glow Beauty Salon. Shannon was once the queen of Buckhead, but when her politician husband, Bryce, dumps her, replacing her with Crystal, Shannon plans to take revenge. Crystal has no idea what awaits her, while Olivia, who has always wanted to take Shannon’s place as queen, realizes she must be manipulative to do so. And then there’s Jenny, the salon owner who knows everyone’s secrets. Which woman will come out on top, and who will end up dead? What listeners are saying: “One of Us is Dead on audiobook was great and made me realize why people love Jeneva Rose’s writing. This was my first read of hers and it won’t be my last!” Graphic Audio LLC Narrators: Bradley Foster Smith, Christopher Graybill, Eric Messner, Henry W. Kramer, Natalie Van Sistine, Debi Tinsley, Julie Hoverson, Gabriel Michael, Karen Foley, Karen Novack, Melody Muze and Alejandro Ruiz Known for her stunning blend of fantasy and romance, Sarah J. Maas—often called the reigning queen of Romantasy—kicked off her popularity with A Court of Thorns And Roses. This is the first novel in her bestselling series. This version—narrated by over 10 voices—follows 19-year-old huntress Feyre. After she kills a wolf to feed her family, she is kidnapped and dragged to a magical, treacherous land she’s only heard about in legends. Her captor? Tamlin, one of the most powerful faeries. Tamlin is a beast-like immortal, yet throughout her captivity, Feyre begins to see Tamlin as more than a monster. But still, something does not feel right in this enchanting place. What listeners are saying: “As someone who has read the book, hearing the book read by these amazing narrators made the book feel more real! I have listened to almost all the series in the Dramatized Adaptation and I am a huge fan! Kudos to the feeling and care the narrators added to these characters. Definitely recommend. Penguin Audio Narrators: Susan Lyons, Anna Bentink, Steven Crossley, Alex Tregear, Andrew Wincott and Owen Lindsay In this audiobook with six different narrators, Louisa Clark, an ordinary woman, takes a job as a caregiver for Will Traynor, a handsome, wealthy man left paralyzed after an accident. At first, Will’s rude ways have her rethinking the job, but when she learns of his plans to end his life, she reminds him why life is worth living. What listeners are saying: “I listened to the audiobook for this, which was a first for me, but the book was fantastic. I was so charmed! And not just with Lou, but Will, the male lead character, who was a bit much at first. Although, he really grew on me. This one gave me all the feels. Do yourself a favor and read it immediately.” Penguin Audio Narrators: Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer and Cassandra Campbell This version of Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling novel delivers a rich and immersive listening experience through multiple narrators, including the incredible Octavia Spencer, who played Minny in the film. Set in Jackson, Mississippi, in the 1960s, the story follows three strong women: Aibileen, a wise and compassionate Black maid raising her 17th white child; Minny, her strong-willed best friend known for both her incredible cooking and her sharp tongue and Skeeter, an ambitious young white woman determined to become a writer. When Skeeter teams up with Aibileen and Minny to tell the untold stories of the maids, both danger and hope arise due to their secret collaboration. What listeners are saying: “The audiobook is phenomenal with a full cast of characters. It is definitely on my list of top 10 best audiobooks of all time. The characters are unforgettable, complex, and imperfect. This book was incredibly fascinating because the stakes were so high for the maids.” Source link

[ellajme0]

When you don’t have the time to sit down with a physical book, listening to an audiobook is the perfect solution. And if you want to take your storytelling to the next level, why not try full-cast audiobooks? Unlike regular audiobooks, where you’ll find one narrator, the full-cast versions feature multiple voice actors—each portraying one character—and sometimes are accompanied by sound effects and music to enhance your listening experience.  Whether you listen to a sweet contemporary novel, a fast-paced thriller or a sweeping fantasy, these audiobooks offer more depth to the story, making each conversation or conflict more realistic and dramatic. Here, we compiled nine of our favorite full-cast audiobooks, from the romance and drama of Layne Fargo’s ice-skating romance The Favorites, to the adventure and intensity of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Ready for a completely immersive listening journey? Keep scrolling to see all our full-cast audiobook recommendations.  Random House Audio Narrators: Robinne Lee, Julia Whelan, Oliver Wyman, Jennifer Beals, Pablo Schreiber, Benjamin Bratt, Fred Berman, Ari Fliakos, Judy Greer, January LaVoy, Jonathan Davis, Henry Leyva, Nancy Wu, P.J. Ochlan, Arthur Bishop, Holter Graham, Brendan Wayne, Pete Larkin, Alex Jenkins Reid, Robert Petkoff and Sara Arrington Electric chemistry, juicy drama and soul-stirring nostalgia…this full-cast audiobook has it all. Written like a biography and told like a documentary, this novel follows the rise to fame of the fictional Daisy Jones & the Six—one of the biggest bands of the ’70s, led by the brooding Billy Dunne and the beautiful Daisy Jones. In interview-style chapters, readers are taken along on a gripping ride that chronicles the ups and downs of the world’s most famous rock band and the mysterious breakup at the height of their fame. A dazzlingly narrated story featuring a talented cast of people who embody the characters through and through. What listeners are saying: “I finally got my hands on the audio of this, and it is everything I thought it would be—the authenticity, the intrigue, the drama, the rock n’ roll, the emotion. This is a masterpiece; the six are this story’s life and soul.” Random House Audio Narrators: Christine Lakin, Louisa Zhu, Amy Landon, Elena Rey, Valerie Rose Lohman, Suzanne Toren, Graham Halstead, Julia Emelin, Eric Yang and Johnny Weir An epic romance on ice, Layne Fargo’s The Favorites sparkles through its narration. It is the story of Katarina Shaw, who has dreamed of being an Olympic ice skater for as long as she can remember, and her partner and first love, Heath Rocha. Fans can’t get enough of the super couple as their careers take off and their love story unfurls. Told from multiple points of view (with different narration for each one), including interviews with rival skaters, friends and family for an unauthorized documentary on the couple, this compelling read is sure to enchant. What listeners are saying: “The audio was the best surprise! I would recommend it as one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to. It sucks you in, and with an entire cast of characters, you actually forget you’re listening/reading a book—it feels like a true non-fiction documentary! Brilliant!” HarperAudio Narrators: Jot Davies, Chloe Massey, Olivia Dowd, Aoife McMahon, Sarah Ovens and Rich Keeble In the chilling and atmospheric narration of Lucy Foley’s The Guest List, a glamorous wedding on a remote Irish island takes a deadly turn. Guests gather for the wedding of handsome TV star Will Slater and his magazine publisher bride-to-be, Jules Keegan. But as the celebration gets underway, old jealousies soon bubble up…and eventually turn deadly.  And when the festivities are interrupted by a murder, everyone becomes a suspect.  What listeners are saying: “The voice cast brought the story to life on an entirely new level, portraying each character with such precision. I don’t typically get this excited about audiobooks, but this one was pure gold, and Foley’s writing was simply outstanding.” Random House Audio Narrators: Dominic Hoffman, Dion Graham, Bahni Turpin, Fiona Hardingham, Allan Corduner and Jorjeana Marie Get swept away by magic in this enchanting full-cast audiobook, where love, mystery and adventure collide in an underground world of pirates, painters, storytellers — and, of course, ships. Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont. While in the library, he finds a mysterious book hidden among the shelves. He sees wild tales inside, but what’s even stranger is a recording of his childhood. Soon he uncovers clues that lead him to a secret club where he hopes he can gain some insight. Will Zachary find the answers he’s looking for and understand his purpose? What listeners are saying: “If you like adventures with mystery and romance, I recommend this book. It was a truly good time. The audiobook in particular is fun. The book’s story-within-a-story-within-a-story structure lends itself to multiple different styles of narration and this didn’t skimp on that.” Graphic Audio LLC Narrators: Scott McCormick, Troy Allan, Jessica Lauren Ball, Khaya Fraites, Gabriel Michael, Torian Brackett, Taylor Coan, LaMont Ridgell, Robb Moreira, Laura C. Harris and David Cui Cui Dragons, family drama and simmering romance are front and center in Fourth Wing — the #1 New York Times bestselling novel and first in The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. Violet was supposed to live a quiet life among books, but the commanding general—Violet’s mother — has ordered her to become a dragon rider at Basgiath War College instead. Now, Violet must fight to the top and hope that her enemy, Xaden Rioson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader, doesn’t kill her in the process. What follows is a battle of strength, knowledge, trust and love. In this dramatized audio, you’ll find at least 12 narrators who help chronicle the events at Basgiath. What listeners are saying: “The immersive sound effects, background noises and stellar voice acting made it feel like I was watching a movie in my mind. What made this experience so amazing was how it enhanced the vivid world-building and characters that drew me in the first time I read it. If you haven’t read Fourth Wing yet—or if you’re thinking about revisiting it—I can’t recommend this version enough.” Blackstone Publishing Narrators: Andi Arndt, Hillary Huber, Elizabeth Evans, Brittany Pressley and Cassandra Campbell This gripping novel takes listeners through scandal, betrayal and murder. The story is centered around a group of wealthy and self-absorbed housewives whose sole existence revolves around visits to the Glow Beauty Salon. Shannon was once the queen of Buckhead, but when her politician husband, Bryce, dumps her, replacing her with Crystal, Shannon plans to take revenge. Crystal has no idea what awaits her, while Olivia, who has always wanted to take Shannon’s place as queen, realizes she must be manipulative to do so. And then there’s Jenny, the salon owner who knows everyone’s secrets. Which woman will come out on top, and who will end up dead? What listeners are saying: “One of Us is Dead on audiobook was great and made me realize why people love Jeneva Rose’s writing. This was my first read of hers and it won’t be my last!” Graphic Audio LLC Narrators: Bradley Foster Smith, Christopher Graybill, Eric Messner, Henry W. Kramer, Natalie Van Sistine, Debi Tinsley, Julie Hoverson, Gabriel Michael, Karen Foley, Karen Novack, Melody Muze and Alejandro Ruiz Known for her stunning blend of fantasy and romance, Sarah J. Maas—often called the reigning queen of Romantasy—kicked off her popularity with A Court of Thorns And Roses. This is the first novel in her bestselling series. This version—narrated by over 10 voices—follows 19-year-old huntress Feyre. After she kills a wolf to feed her family, she is kidnapped and dragged to a magical, treacherous land she’s only heard about in legends. Her captor? Tamlin, one of the most powerful faeries. Tamlin is a beast-like immortal, yet throughout her captivity, Feyre begins to see Tamlin as more than a monster. But still, something does not feel right in this enchanting place. What listeners are saying: “As someone who has read the book, hearing the book read by these amazing narrators made the book feel more real! I have listened to almost all the series in the Dramatized Adaptation and I am a huge fan! Kudos to the feeling and care the narrators added to these characters. Definitely recommend. Penguin Audio Narrators: Susan Lyons, Anna Bentink, Steven Crossley, Alex Tregear, Andrew Wincott and Owen Lindsay In this audiobook with six different narrators, Louisa Clark, an ordinary woman, takes a job as a caregiver for Will Traynor, a handsome, wealthy man left paralyzed after an accident. At first, Will’s rude ways have her rethinking the job, but when she learns of his plans to end his life, she reminds him why life is worth living. What listeners are saying: “I listened to the audiobook for this, which was a first for me, but the book was fantastic. I was so charmed! And not just with Lou, but Will, the male lead character, who was a bit much at first. Although, he really grew on me. This one gave me all the feels. Do yourself a favor and read it immediately.” Penguin Audio Narrators: Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer and Cassandra Campbell This version of Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling novel delivers a rich and immersive listening experience through multiple narrators, including the incredible Octavia Spencer, who played Minny in the film. Set in Jackson, Mississippi, in the 1960s, the story follows three strong women: Aibileen, a wise and compassionate Black maid raising her 17th white child; Minny, her strong-willed best friend known for both her incredible cooking and her sharp tongue and Skeeter, an ambitious young white woman determined to become a writer. When Skeeter teams up with Aibileen and Minny to tell the untold stories of the maids, both danger and hope arise due to their secret collaboration. What listeners are saying: “The audiobook is phenomenal with a full cast of characters. It is definitely on my list of top 10 best audiobooks of all time. The characters are unforgettable, complex, and imperfect. This book was incredibly fascinating because the stakes were so high for the maids.” Source link

[chilimili212]

When you don’t have the time to sit down with a physical book, listening to an audiobook is the perfect solution. And if you want to take your storytelling to the next level, why not try full-cast audiobooks? Unlike regular audiobooks, where you’ll find one narrator, the full-cast versions feature multiple voice actors—each portraying one character—and sometimes are accompanied by sound effects and music to enhance your listening experience.  Whether you listen to a sweet contemporary novel, a fast-paced thriller or a sweeping fantasy, these audiobooks offer more depth to the story, making each conversation or conflict more realistic and dramatic. Here, we compiled nine of our favorite full-cast audiobooks, from the romance and drama of Layne Fargo’s ice-skating romance The Favorites, to the adventure and intensity of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Ready for a completely immersive listening journey? Keep scrolling to see all our full-cast audiobook recommendations.  Random House Audio Narrators: Robinne Lee, Julia Whelan, Oliver Wyman, Jennifer Beals, Pablo Schreiber, Benjamin Bratt, Fred Berman, Ari Fliakos, Judy Greer, January LaVoy, Jonathan Davis, Henry Leyva, Nancy Wu, P.J. Ochlan, Arthur Bishop, Holter Graham, Brendan Wayne, Pete Larkin, Alex Jenkins Reid, Robert Petkoff and Sara Arrington Electric chemistry, juicy drama and soul-stirring nostalgia…this full-cast audiobook has it all. Written like a biography and told like a documentary, this novel follows the rise to fame of the fictional Daisy Jones & the Six—one of the biggest bands of the ’70s, led by the brooding Billy Dunne and the beautiful Daisy Jones. In interview-style chapters, readers are taken along on a gripping ride that chronicles the ups and downs of the world’s most famous rock band and the mysterious breakup at the height of their fame. A dazzlingly narrated story featuring a talented cast of people who embody the characters through and through. What listeners are saying: “I finally got my hands on the audio of this, and it is everything I thought it would be—the authenticity, the intrigue, the drama, the rock n’ roll, the emotion. This is a masterpiece; the six are this story’s life and soul.” Random House Audio Narrators: Christine Lakin, Louisa Zhu, Amy Landon, Elena Rey, Valerie Rose Lohman, Suzanne Toren, Graham Halstead, Julia Emelin, Eric Yang and Johnny Weir An epic romance on ice, Layne Fargo’s The Favorites sparkles through its narration. It is the story of Katarina Shaw, who has dreamed of being an Olympic ice skater for as long as she can remember, and her partner and first love, Heath Rocha. Fans can’t get enough of the super couple as their careers take off and their love story unfurls. Told from multiple points of view (with different narration for each one), including interviews with rival skaters, friends and family for an unauthorized documentary on the couple, this compelling read is sure to enchant. What listeners are saying: “The audio was the best surprise! I would recommend it as one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to. It sucks you in, and with an entire cast of characters, you actually forget you’re listening/reading a book—it feels like a true non-fiction documentary! Brilliant!” HarperAudio Narrators: Jot Davies, Chloe Massey, Olivia Dowd, Aoife McMahon, Sarah Ovens and Rich Keeble In the chilling and atmospheric narration of Lucy Foley’s The Guest List, a glamorous wedding on a remote Irish island takes a deadly turn. Guests gather for the wedding of handsome TV star Will Slater and his magazine publisher bride-to-be, Jules Keegan. But as the celebration gets underway, old jealousies soon bubble up…and eventually turn deadly.  And when the festivities are interrupted by a murder, everyone becomes a suspect.  What listeners are saying: “The voice cast brought the story to life on an entirely new level, portraying each character with such precision. I don’t typically get this excited about audiobooks, but this one was pure gold, and Foley’s writing was simply outstanding.” Random House Audio Narrators: Dominic Hoffman, Dion Graham, Bahni Turpin, Fiona Hardingham, Allan Corduner and Jorjeana Marie Get swept away by magic in this enchanting full-cast audiobook, where love, mystery and adventure collide in an underground world of pirates, painters, storytellers — and, of course, ships. Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont. While in the library, he finds a mysterious book hidden among the shelves. He sees wild tales inside, but what’s even stranger is a recording of his childhood. Soon he uncovers clues that lead him to a secret club where he hopes he can gain some insight. Will Zachary find the answers he’s looking for and understand his purpose? What listeners are saying: “If you like adventures with mystery and romance, I recommend this book. It was a truly good time. The audiobook in particular is fun. The book’s story-within-a-story-within-a-story structure lends itself to multiple different styles of narration and this didn’t skimp on that.” Graphic Audio LLC Narrators: Scott McCormick, Troy Allan, Jessica Lauren Ball, Khaya Fraites, Gabriel Michael, Torian Brackett, Taylor Coan, LaMont Ridgell, Robb Moreira, Laura C. Harris and David Cui Cui Dragons, family drama and simmering romance are front and center in Fourth Wing — the #1 New York Times bestselling novel and first in The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. Violet was supposed to live a quiet life among books, but the commanding general—Violet’s mother — has ordered her to become a dragon rider at Basgiath War College instead. Now, Violet must fight to the top and hope that her enemy, Xaden Rioson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader, doesn’t kill her in the process. What follows is a battle of strength, knowledge, trust and love. In this dramatized audio, you’ll find at least 12 narrators who help chronicle the events at Basgiath. What listeners are saying: “The immersive sound effects, background noises and stellar voice acting made it feel like I was watching a movie in my mind. What made this experience so amazing was how it enhanced the vivid world-building and characters that drew me in the first time I read it. If you haven’t read Fourth Wing yet—or if you’re thinking about revisiting it—I can’t recommend this version enough.” Blackstone Publishing Narrators: Andi Arndt, Hillary Huber, Elizabeth Evans, Brittany Pressley and Cassandra Campbell This gripping novel takes listeners through scandal, betrayal and murder. The story is centered around a group of wealthy and self-absorbed housewives whose sole existence revolves around visits to the Glow Beauty Salon. Shannon was once the queen of Buckhead, but when her politician husband, Bryce, dumps her, replacing her with Crystal, Shannon plans to take revenge. Crystal has no idea what awaits her, while Olivia, who has always wanted to take Shannon’s place as queen, realizes she must be manipulative to do so. And then there’s Jenny, the salon owner who knows everyone’s secrets. Which woman will come out on top, and who will end up dead? What listeners are saying: “One of Us is Dead on audiobook was great and made me realize why people love Jeneva Rose’s writing. This was my first read of hers and it won’t be my last!” Graphic Audio LLC Narrators: Bradley Foster Smith, Christopher Graybill, Eric Messner, Henry W. Kramer, Natalie Van Sistine, Debi Tinsley, Julie Hoverson, Gabriel Michael, Karen Foley, Karen Novack, Melody Muze and Alejandro Ruiz Known for her stunning blend of fantasy and romance, Sarah J. Maas—often called the reigning queen of Romantasy—kicked off her popularity with A Court of Thorns And Roses. This is the first novel in her bestselling series. This version—narrated by over 10 voices—follows 19-year-old huntress Feyre. After she kills a wolf to feed her family, she is kidnapped and dragged to a magical, treacherous land she’s only heard about in legends. Her captor? Tamlin, one of the most powerful faeries. Tamlin is a beast-like immortal, yet throughout her captivity, Feyre begins to see Tamlin as more than a monster. But still, something does not feel right in this enchanting place. What listeners are saying: “As someone who has read the book, hearing the book read by these amazing narrators made the book feel more real! I have listened to almost all the series in the Dramatized Adaptation and I am a huge fan! Kudos to the feeling and care the narrators added to these characters. Definitely recommend. Penguin Audio Narrators: Susan Lyons, Anna Bentink, Steven Crossley, Alex Tregear, Andrew Wincott and Owen Lindsay In this audiobook with six different narrators, Louisa Clark, an ordinary woman, takes a job as a caregiver for Will Traynor, a handsome, wealthy man left paralyzed after an accident. At first, Will’s rude ways have her rethinking the job, but when she learns of his plans to end his life, she reminds him why life is worth living. What listeners are saying: “I listened to the audiobook for this, which was a first for me, but the book was fantastic. I was so charmed! And not just with Lou, but Will, the male lead character, who was a bit much at first. Although, he really grew on me. This one gave me all the feels. Do yourself a favor and read it immediately.” Penguin Audio Narrators: Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer and Cassandra Campbell This version of Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling novel delivers a rich and immersive listening experience through multiple narrators, including the incredible Octavia Spencer, who played Minny in the film. Set in Jackson, Mississippi, in the 1960s, the story follows three strong women: Aibileen, a wise and compassionate Black maid raising her 17th white child; Minny, her strong-willed best friend known for both her incredible cooking and her sharp tongue and Skeeter, an ambitious young white woman determined to become a writer. When Skeeter teams up with Aibileen and Minny to tell the untold stories of the maids, both danger and hope arise due to their secret collaboration. What listeners are saying: “The audiobook is phenomenal with a full cast of characters. It is definitely on my list of top 10 best audiobooks of all time. The characters are unforgettable, complex, and imperfect. This book was incredibly fascinating because the stakes were so high for the maids.” Source link

[oliviajoyice21]

When you don’t have the time to sit down with a physical book, listening to an audiobook is the perfect solution. And if you want to take your storytelling to the next level, why not try full-cast audiobooks? Unlike regular audiobooks, where you’ll find one narrator, the full-cast versions feature multiple voice actors—each portraying one character—and sometimes are accompanied by sound effects and music to enhance your listening experience.  Whether you listen to a sweet contemporary novel, a fast-paced thriller or a sweeping fantasy, these audiobooks offer more depth to the story, making each conversation or conflict more realistic and dramatic. Here, we compiled nine of our favorite full-cast audiobooks, from the romance and drama of Layne Fargo’s ice-skating romance The Favorites, to the adventure and intensity of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Ready for a completely immersive listening journey? Keep scrolling to see all our full-cast audiobook recommendations.  Random House Audio Narrators: Robinne Lee, Julia Whelan, Oliver Wyman, Jennifer Beals, Pablo Schreiber, Benjamin Bratt, Fred Berman, Ari Fliakos, Judy Greer, January LaVoy, Jonathan Davis, Henry Leyva, Nancy Wu, P.J. Ochlan, Arthur Bishop, Holter Graham, Brendan Wayne, Pete Larkin, Alex Jenkins Reid, Robert Petkoff and Sara Arrington Electric chemistry, juicy drama and soul-stirring nostalgia…this full-cast audiobook has it all. Written like a biography and told like a documentary, this novel follows the rise to fame of the fictional Daisy Jones & the Six—one of the biggest bands of the ’70s, led by the brooding Billy Dunne and the beautiful Daisy Jones. In interview-style chapters, readers are taken along on a gripping ride that chronicles the ups and downs of the world’s most famous rock band and the mysterious breakup at the height of their fame. A dazzlingly narrated story featuring a talented cast of people who embody the characters through and through. What listeners are saying: “I finally got my hands on the audio of this, and it is everything I thought it would be—the authenticity, the intrigue, the drama, the rock n’ roll, the emotion. This is a masterpiece; the six are this story’s life and soul.” Random House Audio Narrators: Christine Lakin, Louisa Zhu, Amy Landon, Elena Rey, Valerie Rose Lohman, Suzanne Toren, Graham Halstead, Julia Emelin, Eric Yang and Johnny Weir An epic romance on ice, Layne Fargo’s The Favorites sparkles through its narration. It is the story of Katarina Shaw, who has dreamed of being an Olympic ice skater for as long as she can remember, and her partner and first love, Heath Rocha. Fans can’t get enough of the super couple as their careers take off and their love story unfurls. Told from multiple points of view (with different narration for each one), including interviews with rival skaters, friends and family for an unauthorized documentary on the couple, this compelling read is sure to enchant. What listeners are saying: “The audio was the best surprise! I would recommend it as one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to. It sucks you in, and with an entire cast of characters, you actually forget you’re listening/reading a book—it feels like a true non-fiction documentary! Brilliant!” HarperAudio Narrators: Jot Davies, Chloe Massey, Olivia Dowd, Aoife McMahon, Sarah Ovens and Rich Keeble In the chilling and atmospheric narration of Lucy Foley’s The Guest List, a glamorous wedding on a remote Irish island takes a deadly turn. Guests gather for the wedding of handsome TV star Will Slater and his magazine publisher bride-to-be, Jules Keegan. But as the celebration gets underway, old jealousies soon bubble up…and eventually turn deadly.  And when the festivities are interrupted by a murder, everyone becomes a suspect.  What listeners are saying: “The voice cast brought the story to life on an entirely new level, portraying each character with such precision. I don’t typically get this excited about audiobooks, but this one was pure gold, and Foley’s writing was simply outstanding.” Random House Audio Narrators: Dominic Hoffman, Dion Graham, Bahni Turpin, Fiona Hardingham, Allan Corduner and Jorjeana Marie Get swept away by magic in this enchanting full-cast audiobook, where love, mystery and adventure collide in an underground world of pirates, painters, storytellers — and, of course, ships. Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont. While in the library, he finds a mysterious book hidden among the shelves. He sees wild tales inside, but what’s even stranger is a recording of his childhood. Soon he uncovers clues that lead him to a secret club where he hopes he can gain some insight. Will Zachary find the answers he’s looking for and understand his purpose? What listeners are saying: “If you like adventures with mystery and romance, I recommend this book. It was a truly good time. The audiobook in particular is fun. The book’s story-within-a-story-within-a-story structure lends itself to multiple different styles of narration and this didn’t skimp on that.” Graphic Audio LLC Narrators: Scott McCormick, Troy Allan, Jessica Lauren Ball, Khaya Fraites, Gabriel Michael, Torian Brackett, Taylor Coan, LaMont Ridgell, Robb Moreira, Laura C. Harris and David Cui Cui Dragons, family drama and simmering romance are front and center in Fourth Wing — the #1 New York Times bestselling novel and first in The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. Violet was supposed to live a quiet life among books, but the commanding general—Violet’s mother — has ordered her to become a dragon rider at Basgiath War College instead. Now, Violet must fight to the top and hope that her enemy, Xaden Rioson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader, doesn’t kill her in the process. What follows is a battle of strength, knowledge, trust and love. In this dramatized audio, you’ll find at least 12 narrators who help chronicle the events at Basgiath. What listeners are saying: “The immersive sound effects, background noises and stellar voice acting made it feel like I was watching a movie in my mind. What made this experience so amazing was how it enhanced the vivid world-building and characters that drew me in the first time I read it. If you haven’t read Fourth Wing yet—or if you’re thinking about revisiting it—I can’t recommend this version enough.” Blackstone Publishing Narrators: Andi Arndt, Hillary Huber, Elizabeth Evans, Brittany Pressley and Cassandra Campbell This gripping novel takes listeners through scandal, betrayal and murder. The story is centered around a group of wealthy and self-absorbed housewives whose sole existence revolves around visits to the Glow Beauty Salon. Shannon was once the queen of Buckhead, but when her politician husband, Bryce, dumps her, replacing her with Crystal, Shannon plans to take revenge. Crystal has no idea what awaits her, while Olivia, who has always wanted to take Shannon’s place as queen, realizes she must be manipulative to do so. And then there’s Jenny, the salon owner who knows everyone’s secrets. Which woman will come out on top, and who will end up dead? What listeners are saying: “One of Us is Dead on audiobook was great and made me realize why people love Jeneva Rose’s writing. This was my first read of hers and it won’t be my last!” Graphic Audio LLC Narrators: Bradley Foster Smith, Christopher Graybill, Eric Messner, Henry W. Kramer, Natalie Van Sistine, Debi Tinsley, Julie Hoverson, Gabriel Michael, Karen Foley, Karen Novack, Melody Muze and Alejandro Ruiz Known for her stunning blend of fantasy and romance, Sarah J. Maas—often called the reigning queen of Romantasy—kicked off her popularity with A Court of Thorns And Roses. This is the first novel in her bestselling series. This version—narrated by over 10 voices—follows 19-year-old huntress Feyre. After she kills a wolf to feed her family, she is kidnapped and dragged to a magical, treacherous land she’s only heard about in legends. Her captor? Tamlin, one of the most powerful faeries. Tamlin is a beast-like immortal, yet throughout her captivity, Feyre begins to see Tamlin as more than a monster. But still, something does not feel right in this enchanting place. What listeners are saying: “As someone who has read the book, hearing the book read by these amazing narrators made the book feel more real! I have listened to almost all the series in the Dramatized Adaptation and I am a huge fan! Kudos to the feeling and care the narrators added to these characters. Definitely recommend. Penguin Audio Narrators: Susan Lyons, Anna Bentink, Steven Crossley, Alex Tregear, Andrew Wincott and Owen Lindsay In this audiobook with six different narrators, Louisa Clark, an ordinary woman, takes a job as a caregiver for Will Traynor, a handsome, wealthy man left paralyzed after an accident. At first, Will’s rude ways have her rethinking the job, but when she learns of his plans to end his life, she reminds him why life is worth living. What listeners are saying: “I listened to the audiobook for this, which was a first for me, but the book was fantastic. I was so charmed! And not just with Lou, but Will, the male lead character, who was a bit much at first. Although, he really grew on me. This one gave me all the feels. Do yourself a favor and read it immediately.” Penguin Audio Narrators: Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer and Cassandra Campbell This version of Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling novel delivers a rich and immersive listening experience through multiple narrators, including the incredible Octavia Spencer, who played Minny in the film. Set in Jackson, Mississippi, in the 1960s, the story follows three strong women: Aibileen, a wise and compassionate Black maid raising her 17th white child; Minny, her strong-willed best friend known for both her incredible cooking and her sharp tongue and Skeeter, an ambitious young white woman determined to become a writer. When Skeeter teams up with Aibileen and Minny to tell the untold stories of the maids, both danger and hope arise due to their secret collaboration. What listeners are saying: “The audiobook is phenomenal with a full cast of characters. It is definitely on my list of top 10 best audiobooks of all time. The characters are unforgettable, complex, and imperfect. This book was incredibly fascinating because the stakes were so high for the maids.” Source link

[northwest-cryptid]

Didn't think to add this but I kinda want to also say this so here we go:

"Hey I'm too shy to talk to you but I want to include a Native American in my work, what should I do?"

Easy, research! Seriously look us up! Just make sure your sources aren't some random middle aged white lady who thinks we're mystical werewolves or something, as a quick side note that whole thing is still hilariously stupid to me and I won't ever not bring it up because apparently the author interviewed real Native people and then decided to disregard everything they told her because it didn't fit her story, go figure. I cannot stress enough how much better it is if you at least attempt to give us an actual tribe and proper name and such. For the record I speak to plenty of Natives in my day to day life, you want to know what they're named? Like fuckin' Matthew and shit. Lakota people can have many names in some cases; some have names for different things in fact such as ceremonies and nicknames between friends; but a lot of us have very American names. No Native worth their salt is going to get mad at you for naming your Native character Johnny or something, however if you name him "Grey Eagle" I might question where you're getting your naming conventions and in that case you better have a good answer.

"Is it racist to make my Native character have tan/red skin?"

No, simply put it's absolutely not. However I want you to be aware that Native Americans range a lot in skin tone! I often get "you don't look like any Indian I've ever seen" and yea that's going to be the case if the only "Indians" you've seen are from old western movies. I've had Native friends be mistakenly called "African Americans" and I had to mention like "no actually he's just... American American, Native in fact." Some of us are very pale, and some of us are very dark. Most of us have dark hair, and the most mainstream of us have red skin so I wouldn't fault you any for it. Just maybe try to stay away from any racial stereotypes, this is another case of please do your research.

"Is there anything I should absolutely avoid doing?"

I've said it before and I'll say it again, DO NOT BE: Genshin Impact, who directly stated that the Hilichurl are directly referenced from Native Americans, including their "silly dances." DO NOT BE: Until Dawn, who said the words "The Native Americans believed" every two fucking seconds as if all 570+ tribes somehow all have this common unified belief system. We do not; so please actually research what a tribe does or does not value. Even then be aware of our cultures at the very least enough not to insult us by making us to be something we're not.

I cannot stress this last point enough, if you're unsure if something is rude, just don't include it. If you're thinking "I don't really know if this tribe would have Spirit Animals, or how they think about them and how their belief system might use them." Then just don't use them at all. If you don't know something, it doesn't need to be included.

As a general heads up, I'm so tired of Native Americans getting no good representation in media; if you EVER want to make a character in anything you're doing and you want them to be proper Native hit me up. I can gleefully assist you on writing them or actually help you make them Native (at least within the confines of my understanding which means I can assist with making them Lakota, but in that case more power to you for actually giving them a real tribe and history.)

I'm really tired of the horrible representation we get.

I'm really tired of the way we are seen and portrayed.

I'm really tired of how our issues that we actually care about are ignored in favor of the old tried and true "we want our land back" story, which while true; is not at all the only thing we care about.

I'm tired of the narrative that we're a lost cause, that we're not worth fighting for, that we're already dead.

I'm tired of the fact the best representation of us that a friend of mine gave me when I said we have no representation was "there's a Native dude in Mortal Kombat!" OH YEA DUDE THAT'S FUCKING ACCURATE SURE! YEA MY UNCLE ALSO SUMMONS LIGHTNING AND BECOMES A FUCKING ANIMAL!

So yea believe me, you have no idea how cool it is when someone makes Native shit especially Lakota stuff!

One of my favorite artists is edrw and I cannot urge you enough to check out their stuff! Clicking their name there will take you to their deviantart and they do REALLY cool Lakota/Native inspired art.

If you're worried about it being offense run it by me, if you're worried about it not being accurate; I'm here for you fam.

Mitakuye oyasin, my friends.