#truth or dare: dylan style

[wolfawaycamp]

Alternate Truth or Dare "Truth" scene, because Emma's question in-game was super boring. She could've come up with something shippy for that, surely.

🐼 I had a million different ideas for this and maybe I'll write them out someday, but for the sake of brevity, here is (1) slightly shippier version of Emma Mountebank's infamously boring 'truth' question! Thanks for the ask :)

The warm smoke of the campfire mixed with the earthy scent wafting off of Lake Septimus’ surface makes for a nice, comfortable atmosphere for the Hacketteers’ last hurrah around the firepit.

Ryan can appreciate the sentimentality of it, as he had built up a nice camaraderie with these (mostly) strangers, but of course Dylan had to be Dylan and throw a Truth-or-Dare-shaped wrench into things. Ryan’s already nervous enough, what with Chris freaking out and demanding they stay in the lodge with all of the escapes locked as if there’s some wild animal on the loose.

To Ryan, the only thing worse than being attacked by a savage bear or feral hog is exactly what Emma is doing to him right now: putting him on the spot. “Ryan — truth or dare?”

He weighs his options.

Truth — knowing Emma, she's probably going to ask something nosy like "What were you and Chris talking about in his office?" which is annoying but ultimately uninteresting. Easy, painless, and forgettable.

Dare — she's going to make him kiss someone. Sure, he could be a killjoy and say no, but he's already on thin ice with this crowd and he's not so much of an asshole that he's going to ruin everyone's fun by refusing a dare. Besides, he knows it's either going to be Dylan or Kaitlyn. He can handle that. They're both attractive, and they both clearly have a crush on him. But what if she makes you choose? nags a voice in the back of his mind, and that gives him pause. Because — because if he's forced to make a choice, people are going to make assumptions and tease him and Dylan — or Kaitlyn — mercilessly about it for the rest of the night. Truly a fate worse than death.

He goes with the safe option. "Truth. I'm an open book."

"Okay, okay. Let's get right down to it." Emma narrows her eyes suspiciously.

"Let's do." Ryan makes his best attempt to match her energy. He’s sure he looks as terrified as a first-time camper during opening week.

"What were you and Dylan doing when you two snuck away from Mandatory Movie Night last month?"

Fuck. That wasn’t part of the script.

"You left the lodge after Mr. H told you not to? What a little rebel!" Abi blurts out in mock surprise.

Ryan rolls his eyes. "No, we...we went upstairs. Wanted to get away from the kids. Nothing really happened. We just talked."

Somehow, he’s forgotten that the other person in question is sitting six feet away from him, ready to call him out on his bullshit. "C'mon, tell them the rest of it,” Dylan encourages, taking another sip of his beer.

Betrayal. Ryan really was an idiot to think he’d get out of this one so easily. "Whose side are you on, man?"

"Well, obviously, as the one who's laying down the law here, I'm on the side of the truth!" Dylan responds matter-of-factly.

Emma, who’d been watching the exchange and quietly enjoying the drama, leans in. "What are you hiding from us, you mysterious bad boy?”

I’m really not beating the ‘brooding loner’ allegations, am I? "First off, never say that again." Everyone is staring at him in anticipation, except Dylan, who’s looking away and visibly trying (and failing) to maintain his poker face while reveling in Ryan’s discomfort.

Ryan sighs. "We also…might have found some vodka and drank it. But we were just drinking and chilling like we are right now. Nothing to write home about."

“Vodka and chill, huh?” Jacob waggles his eyebrows suggestively.

“No,” Ryan responds, trying to sound as unbothered as possible. Unless you count Dylan acting serious for more than ten seconds as ‘chill.’ 

In all honesty, they didn’t do anything crazy. They'd started that night sharing childhood camp stories, and it had eventually turned into deep discussions about their fears, their dreams, and their plans for the future after camp, but the other counselors don’t need to know every detail. Ryan had seen Dylan in a different light since that night and they’d grown closer from it. That moment is special, and Ryan intends to keep at least some things between himself and Dylan.

Nick takes a break from basking in the warmth of the campfire to speak up. "Ugh. Boring!”

"On the contrary. My curiosity's been satisfied." Emma is staring at Ryan with an unnerving grin plastered onto her face. In the firelight, she almost looks like a demon. “Thank you for sharing.”

Jacob isn't having it. "No way. That can't really be it. Dylan?"

Ryan shoots Dylan a look that hopefully screams “save me.” Dylan obliges. "No, no, I'd say he's off the hook. That’s all she wrote. Scout's honor." He holds up his hand and crosses his fingers.

"Doesn't that mean you're lying?" Jacob presses.

Kaitlyn responds to Jacob’s comment with derision, "No, dumbass, that's only if he does it behind his back where we can't see it. Duh." Ryan stays silent, letting the two bicker amongst themselves. At least they’re not all still staring at him with those creepy fucking smiles.

"Children! Settle down!" Right on cue, Emma turns everyone’s attention back to their favorite social punching bag. Well, second favorite to Jacob. "Your turn, Ryan." She’s still grinning. She genuinely looks pleased. It wasn’t just some juicy gossip she wanted from Ryan; her goal was to make him uncomfortable, and he played right into her trap perfectly.

Scanning the rest of the group, he sure does feel the discomfort; half of the counselors are giving him and Dylan knowing glances, while the other half look deeply disappointed with his answer. Well, too bad. He’ll let them speculate.

Ryan finds his victim. “Kaitlyn. What d’ya say — truth or dare?”

As she ponders the question, his eyes catch Dylan’s and he can’t help but wonder what would have happened had he chosen ‘dare.’ 

[angelthecat153]

Dylan x reader camp crush part 9

y/n's POV

it was cold at night but luckily we had the campfire on "new idea" Dylan said getting everyone's attention including me "party game" Dylan said making everyone groaned except me "come on people we might never see each other tonight let's make some memories" he said obviously not wanting to forget good times at the camp "well what do you have in mind" me and Kaitlyn asked him "how about the ultimate game of secrets and lies truth or dare but Dylan's style" he said and i was starting to regret coming to the party because everytime i play there is always fighting and drama but i stayed there because i don't wanna be a party pooper "ok house rules are someone asked you truth or dare then you choose and then you do and there's no ifs ands or buts" and that means i can't leave "so like normal truth or dare" Kaitlyn asked him "yes" he said answering her question "so we can like make people kiss" Kaitlyn asked another question which was obviously for dare "if they choose dare yeah as long as everyone consents of course" he said answering another one of Kaitlyn's question "cool beans" she said not making sense "i mean keep it in your pants until it's your turn but-" he got interrupted Kaitlyn "well who does get to go first" she asked getting very impaitent "well it's house deals so Abigail truth or dare" he said and i got happy when i didn't get picked first "um truth" she said

Dylan's POV

this made it much more easier "really dodged a bullet huh all right here goes" i said smirking "have you ever slept with anyone" i said while smirking again "oh uh" she said while stammering but she got interrupted "hey take it easy man that's too far" Ryan said and i got really anooyed because i wasn't finished "come on i'm not finished" i said still getting annoyed "have you ever slept with anyone at this camp" i asked her "no nope sorry" she said saying the truth "allright Abi it's your turn" i said offering her a turn but it took her a while "oh my god Abi just pick someone" Kaitlyn said getting very impatient ""ok um i don't know" Abi said not knowing who to pick "ugh ding ding ding to late my turn" Emma said obviously going to pick someone "Ryan truth or dare" Emma said smirking "dare" Ryan said obviously going in for a dare "ok Ryan you're dare comes with a choice" she said smirking "can she do that" y/n asked "i can do whatever i want" Emma said smirking again "and i dare you to kiss either Kaitlyn or Dylan" that really got my attention but i don't really know how i feel so i just went with it

Y/N's POV

are you fucking kidding me why would Emma do that she already knows i like Dylan "wow i mean i guess both is off the table" Ryan said sounding a bit unsure on who to kiss but i was on the breaking point of tears falling out of my eyes "sorry i don't make the rules" Emma said putting her hands up in surrender "i mean you literally just did but o let's do this" Ryan said having a moment to think about it "Dylan let's go" Ryan said and obviously Dylan went up and kissed Ryan others were cheering except Abi,Nick and Kaitlyn because they felt bad so i just had tears rolling down my cheeks and ran off because things got really intense for me back there

Kaitlyn's POV poor y/n i feel so bad for her "hey has anyone seen y/n" Jacob asked realising she wasn't here with us "she ran off crying" i said getting a bit pissed off "why" Nick asked "because she ran off crying when Dylan kissed fucking Ryan" i said answering Nick's question "i feel bad for her" Abi said feeling a bit sympathetic for y/n and of course we stopped asking about y/n but the look on Dylan's face was guilty realising what he did to the poor girl and when Abi and Jacob ran off upset Emma went to look for Jacob and Nick went to look for Abi "let me go find y/n" Dylan said looking off to find the poor girl

Dylan's POV

damn it i can't believe i made y/n cry but i had to do the dare and to be honest i didn't know how i felt about the kiss but anyways i heard sobbing so when i got closer it was y/n crying in tears and swearing to herself which made me heart broken "y/n" i said rushing over to her and wrapped my arms around her but she pushed me off "fuck off Dylan" she said still in tears "look to be honest i didn't know how i felt about the kiss" i said awkwardly "clearly you looked like you enjoyed kissing him" she said crossing her arms at me "i didn't know how you would feel but i felt pretty guilty tbh" i said in an honest voice "maybe i overreacted" she said looking away "you didn't" i said using my hand to turn her head and look up at me "i like like you y/n" i said confessing to her "i like you to Dylan" she said and i put my lips on hers and it was a way better kiss then kissing Ryan and after the kiss we smiled at each other but we heard a noise so i just grabbed y/n's hand and started running with her hand in mine but we didn't dare turn back we were out of breath by the time we got back both Ryan and Kaitlyn looked worried and Kaitlyn walked up to us "shit are you ok you 2 look like you ran for your life" Kaitlyn asked concerned "we did" y/n said scared so i held her hand "are you 2 a couple now" Ryan asked "if we want to we can" i said clearly getting annoyed "so will you be my girlfriend" i asked and she nodded yes and we gave each other a sweet kiss the kiss lasted about 5 seconds and we saw Abi come back out of breath and we all rushed to her

[m0chaminx]

Ryan Erzahler | Always You

*•.¸♡Request : Oh ok so can I have Ryan Erzahler + “It's was always you.” prompt

*•.¸♡Prompt : 47 "It's always you"

*•.¸♡𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 : plot divergance, reader has tattoos, drinking, canon angst

*•.¸♡Paring : Ryan Erzahler x GN!reader

*•.¸♡𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙮 : A game of truth or dare goes sour for one half of the group, but thank the gods, yours goes amazing

*•.¸♡words : 1.7k

The moon cast a glow over the camp, and the fire illuminated everyone's faces. You sipped on a beer, scrolling through Dylan's phone as you looking for music.

Dylan clapped his hand, the attention now on him. "Okay! New idea. Party game!" Dylan shouted, bored of watching you scroll through his phone. The group huffed, wanting to relax for the night. "Come on, people, we might never see each other again after tonight! Let’s make some memories!"

“Well, what do you have in mind?” Kaitlyn questioned, tossing the empty bag of Butterpops to the side.

"How about the ultimate game of secrets and lies," Dylan proposed, holding his beer in his right hand. "Truth or Dare, but Dylan style. Okay, so house rules are, someone asks you a truth or dare. Then you choose, and then you pick the next person. There’s no ifs, ands, or buts.”

"So regular truth or dare?" You asked, sipping from your beer bottle.

"Yes, but Dylan style," Dylan countered.

"They're the same thing-"

"Y/N, just leave it, you really wanna fight Dylan in a stubborn battle?" Ryan chuckled, nudging his shoulder against yours.

"Thank you, Ryan, and give me that," Dylan snatched his phone from your hands, moving to sit back down.

"That was a dig at you by the way," Ryan pointed out, spinning the bottle between his hands.

"You really wanna fight Dylan in a stubborn battle?" You mocked, pulling a face at Ryan. Ryan rolled his eyes, trying to cover his smile by drinking his beer.

"Back to the task at hand... we can, like, make people kiss?" Kaitlyn asked drawing the attention back to her.

“If they choose dare, yeah. As long as everyone consents... of course,” Dylan confirmed nodding in agreement.

“Cool beans," Kaitlyn shrugged trying to contain her smile.

“I mean, keep it in your pants until it’s your turn, but…” Dylan teased.

“I mean, who does get to go first?" Kaitlyn asked.

"Well it's house deals, so..." Dylan trailed off looking around the fireplace. Dylan clapped his hands together, turning to the other logs. "Y/N truth or dare?"

You thought for a moment, leaning back on your hand. "Truth, start simple," You stated taking a sip of your beer.

"Alright fair," Dylan nodded. Dylan bit his lip as he searched for a question. "Have you ever... slept with anyone?"

"Yeah," You said quickly, sitting back up.

"Didn't even hesitate," Emma noted, with a teasing smile. "Care to elaborate?"

"Are you allowed to do that?" You asked.

"Yeah," Emma confirmed. "Girl or guy? And if you've slept with multiple, who was the best?"

"Well, the first time was a girl so already expectations were high," You joked, sipping on your beer. "That's it, I have hopes for someone else, but I'll see how the night goes." 'ooh's and teasing remarks sounded from the group, trying to get you to spill. "Alright, alright, you've bent the rules enough. Nicki boy..."

You placed your empty beer bottle down watching Nick's head snap up to you, his eyes widening. "Uh, truth," Nick stuttered.

"Alright, moving completely off that subject, is everyone at camp aware, that you don't have an Australian accent?" You asked, watching the group erupt in yells of disbelief.

"Oh my god, no, obviously," Nick sighed, wiping a hand on his forehead. "I'm from New Zealand, just FYI."

"You just like to start wars don't you?" Ryan whispered to you. You smiled at him and took the beer from his hand. "Hey-" You took a sip before passing it back to him.

"Okay, okay Abi," Nick called setting the chatter down.

"Uh, truth," Abi said slightly nervous.

"God you're all so boring," Dylan mumbled resting back on his hand.

"Abi, do you think I'm attractive?"

"Oh, never mind," Dylan whispered.

"Oh uh, yeah," Abi turned red as she stumbled through her words. "Yes, I uh, think you're attractive." The group cheered as Abi finally admitted part of her crush on Nick. "Okay, my turn. Alright okay, um..." Abi thought for a while, Kaitlyn telling her to just pick someone but Emma lost her patience and jumped in.

"Ugh! Ding, ding, ding, too late," Emma declared. "My turn. Ryan truth or dare?"

"Dare, gimme what you got," Ryan stated enthusiastically.

"Okay, Ryan. Your dare comes with a choice."

"Can she do that?"

"I can do whatever I want," Emma disregarded Ryan's question, continuing with her dare. "And I dare you... To kiss... Either Dylan... or Y/N."

"Wow... I mean... I guess 'both' is off the table?" Ryan questioned trying to get past the choosing part.

"Sorry- I don't make the rules," Emma shrugged holding her hands up in defence.

"I mean you literally just did, but okay, let's do this," Ryan sat for a moment, looking at the two; but he already knew his answer. "Y/N? If that's cool with you." You gulped, slightly shocked at his choice but nodded anyway.

Ryan put his bottle down and leant towards you. You brought a hand to rest on his cheek, and Ryan stared at your lips. He gave a final nod and you pressed your lips together. Ryan moved his hand to rest on the top of your thighs as your lips slowly moved together

You slowly pulled apart and Ryan slowly drew his hands back. Dylan and Jacob were cheering and the others had smug smiles on their faces. You quickly took your hands back and spun away from him; your face bright red and a smile tugging at the corner of your lips. Ryan turned as well, his face heating up slightly a small smile growing also. 

The game continued for a while; Jacob jumped over the fire pit, Abi had to quick draw Emma, Nick dared you to show your tattoos, Kaitlyn had to reveal her dream job then it came back to Emma's dare.

Kaitlyn asked Emma, who picked dare. "Emma you have to kiss... Jacob... or... Nick," Kaitlyn played out. You chuckled quietly to yourself, thinking Emma will go straight for Jacob.

"Well then..." Emma paused, drawing out her tone.

"Um, uh... sorry Nick, this is not even a dare obviously I got this-" Jacob tried saying.

"Uhhh... I don't know if that's a good idea-" Nick went on.

"I chose Nick," Emma finally said. The chatter dropped and the only thing that you could hear was the cracking of the fire. You glanced at Ryan who looked back at you in just as much shock. Emma pushed herself up, walking to Nick who was shuffling awkwardly.

"Em? Seriously?" Jacob scoffed. Emma sat across Nick's lap. Instead of a short peck, or even a quick kiss, Emma grabbed his neck and started to make out with him, tongue and all. "Guys!" Nick ran his hand up Emma's back, giving as much as he was receiving.

Abi cringed, shrinking in on herself. "Oi knock it off!" You shouted noticing them ignoring Jacob's yells. The two detached, "What the fuck Emma?"

"Thank you, Nick," Emma smiled. You looked to Abi, who still curled in on herself.

"Hey," Ryan whispered, placing his hand on yours. "Breath." Ryan slipped his hand into yours, which was clutched in anger. Emma mumbled something to Abi and she quickly walked off, tears already forming in her eyes.

Jacob stood up, towing over Nick. "You like kissing my girlfriend, asshole?" Jacob spat.

Nick looked down, unable to meet Jacob's eyes, "It was just a game-"

"Hey, I'm nobody's girlfriend," Emma reinstated. 

Jacob held his hand out, his anger flowing over. "The fuck it was. 'Oh, it was just a game'! Yeah, the fuck it was man!" Jacob stormed off, walking in a different direction to Abi.

"Jacob, grow up!" Emma called after him. An awkward silence filled the air as everyone tried not to look at each other. "Well, I guess I should probably... go after him. You should probably go find Abi." Nick sighed and went in the same direction as Abi and Emma went after Nick.

"So anyone wanna play Parchisi?" Kaitlyn asked once the air cleared. You, Dylan and Ryan, looked at her with wide eyes. "What?!"

"I'm actually gonna run up to the lodge and grab my phone. Hopefully, it's fully charged," you smiled pushing yourself up from the log, and brushing your pants off.

"I'll come with you," Ryann insisted, passing his beer to Dylan. "We can use my torch." You nodded and motioned him along. Ryan pulled his phone out, turned the torch on and guided you both to the lodge. "You alright? You seemed kinda mad back there."

You huffed as you walked up the lodge stairs, "Emma knows damn well Abi has a thing for Nick, and Nick has a thing for Abi. And somehow Emma making out with him will suddenly make that better? Or that will kick-start them being together? It's just stupid."

Ryan chuckled softly. "Yeah I get that, it was kinda dumb. Here hold this," Ryan held his phone out, and you quickly held it to the door lock. Ryan pulled the keys out, unlocking the wooden doors. "M'lady," Ryan smiled presenting the open door to you.

"Why thank you, kind sir," You teased with a smile. Ryan laughed, and you handed him his phone back. You walked to Mr H's office and you grabbed your phone from the side table. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Shoot," Ryan nodded, standing in the doorway.

"...Why did you kiss me?" You asked, sitting against the table.

"What do you mean?" Ryan chuckled.

"I thought you, Dylan..? I don't know, don't worry about it," you brushed off, pocketing your phone and tuning for the door.

"Wait, wait, you thought I'd choose Dylan over you?" Ryan questioned. You nodded, pulling your lip between your teeth. "You know I've liked you since like, the beginning of camp if I was gonna kiss anyone it's you... It's always you." 

You left out a breath you didn't know you were holding in, a smile tugging at the corner of your lips, "...So ...If I asked to kiss you now, would you?"

Ryan smirked, staring at your lips. "Well... you'd have to ask to find out," Ryan teased, looking back at your eyes.

"Ryan Erzahler, will you kiss me?" You asked, threading your fingers through the loops in his belt.

"You used my last name, that's kinda hot," Ryan smiled moving his left hand to rest your waist, the other on your cheek. He pulled you in, kissing you again.

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[urfavbooblover]

Alright soo im not good with requesting but could you do headcanons or one shot with ever you prefer with kaitlyn ka x non male reader Maybe something like they confess in truth or dare and it's just really sweet and stuff and also it's alright if you don't do it no pressure of course! I hope you doing amazing byee:)

Hey! Thanks for the request!! I was already planning on writing for Kaitlyn, so it’s really nice someone finally requested something for her and I hope you enjoy reading :))

Truth or Dare || Kaitlyn Ka x female/non-male reader

Warnings: just fluff

(remind me if I missed any)

- The quarry: masterlist link -

Y/N’s pov:

It’s the last day at the Hacketts Summer Camp for us supervisors today, so we all decided to hang out at the Bonfire.

I sat next to Dylan, due to us having a great friendship. He’s like a best friend already, I’ll surely miss being around him.

He’s also the only one knowing about my crush on Kaitlyn. He is always trying to encourage me to tell her, but I just don’t wanna make a fool out of myself by confessing, I mean there’s no way she likes me back.

As we were enjoying ourselves, sitting around the fire, just talking about random stuff, with stolen drinks from Chris Hackett and some nice snacks, Dylan suddenly spoke up.

“Okay! New idea! Party game! Let’s play some Truth or Dare!”

Everyone sighted, obviously not being really convinced, but Dylan just chose the excuse of us maybe not seeing each other again, so we eventually gave in.

He started to explain his game rules, of his own style of playing, before we started with him picking his first victim.

He turned to Kaitlyn, with a smirk across his face. I gave him a glare, already knowing what he’s up to. “You’re making me question our friendship right now.”, I whispered jokingly to him.

“You’ll thank me later.”, he whispered back.

“So… Kaitlyn. Truth or Dare?”

“You know what. I’m gonna be no coward tonight, I’m picking Dare.”, she said, after thinking about it for a bit.

“Well then, I dare you to kiss someone of your choice in this group!”

A frown formed on my face, mentally trying to prepare for the next moment. He’s really so sure, that she also likes me, so of course he thinks she’s gonna pick me, but I doubt that, it’ll just hurt, seeing her kiss someone else, that is not me.

“Are you for real?”, she complained, regretting her decision now. “Go on! There’s no turning back now!”, Dylan exclaimed, with a laugh he couldn’t hold in.

She didn’t even look around, she immediately got up, making her way over to a specific person. And that person is seriously me.

My eyes widened and I got more nervous with every step step she walked towards me. She stopped right in front of me, as I looked up at her.

“Do you mind?”, she asked. Her voice low and full of flirt, as she hold her hand out for me take.

So I grabbed it, while she pulled me up. We were so close, I didn’t even get to process the situation, cause of her connecting our lips without hesitation.

I kissed back passionately, cupping her face gently. Her hands rested on my waist, soft lips moving against mine without a break.

We didn’t stop, till we got interrupted by loud coughing. Right… the others are also still there. The kiss let me forget about everything else.

“You guys are really cute, but I think you should continue this somewhere else.”, Emma said, a proud smile plastered on her face. Does she somehow know I like Kaitlyn or what?

And just like that, we moved back to sit on the tree trunks, continuing to play a little more. After our really tensioned kiss, it was kind of awkward. Well just for me…

The rest of them didn’t think much of it, but what about her? She constantly glanced at me, her expression not being able to read.

But she picked out of all people here, me. Maybe I should really shoot my shot before we leave.

After a while we stopped playing and everyone started walking back to the lodge. I followed after them, but was stopped, due to someone grabbing my arm.

I turned around, my eyes meeting Kaitlyn’s. She slowly let go of my arm, before starting to speak up.

“Y/N, we need to talk.”

I exhaled loudly, nodding my head. I know exactly what she means.

“You’re probably wondering why I picked you out of everyone. But the answer is I wouldn’t just choose someone random, the kiss really meant something to me.”

I looked down at the ground, taking a moment to process the words that just escaped her mouth. “Kate… are you trying to tell me something?”

She sighed, taking my hands in hers. “Well, I wanted to tell you for a long time, but I was too much of a coward for it. The thing is… I like you Y/N. A lot actually.”

I pulled her closer with our connected hands, so our lips were only a few millimeters apart. “I wish you would’ve told me before we would have to leave so soon. Man, I like you too Kate.”

“I know, I know. But you could’ve done the same.”, she chuckled, as she couldn’t hide her genuine and bright smile.

She suddenly placed a kiss on my cheek and then teasingly next to my mouth. I didn’t even think about it, I just pressed my lips on her own.

I felt her body stiffen, as I grabbed her by her sides, pushing herself against me.

The kiss was demanding and forceful, sliding my tongue against her lip to draw it between her teeth, treasuring the small moan it coaxed from her.

I soon wrapped my arms around her, gliding them down her back, when we pulled away from each other to catch our breath.

She pressed her forehead against mine, her breathing heavy. I let out a proud chuckle, from getting her all flustered.

Kaitlyn’s cheeks only turned rosier and she quickly let go off me to hide her face in her hands. “You’re making me look so embarrassing!”, she exclaimed in a muffle.

“You look cute! There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”, I said, removing her hands, when I immediately was greeted by her beautiful eyes, getting lost in them once again.

“Y/N? You okay?”

“Huh? Oh! Yeah.”, I answered, acting like I didn’t just completely zoomed out. Now I am the one who’s embarrassed.

“Y/N?”

“Hm?”

My attention went back to her, afraid of her serious expression. She didn’t say anything for a while. It was dead silent.

“Is there something bothering you?”, I asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

“No, it’s just…”, she shook her head, fiddling nervous with her fingers. “Does this mean I’m your girlfriend now?”

I stared in shock for a second, before clearing my throat. “Do you really think we wouldn’t be together after confessing to each other of what?”, I sarcastically spoke, with a smile starting to form on my face.

“I just wanted to be sure!”, she defended herself, not being able to keep her laughter in.

I decided to go in for a big hug, shutting us both up. “I’m glad you’re finally mine.”, I whispered, placing a kiss on her head.

“Me too.”

[chezzywezzy]

Yandere Ryan Erzahler (2/6)

Word count ; 4.2k

*Edited:3

Ryan and I watched from the sidelines as everyone else conversed. Nick and Jacob were fighting over 'Peanut Butter Butterpops', a brand that rang a bell. Emma had brought a gun back with her for bear-protection, so the pair decided on a good ol’ shoot-out to decide the owners. I was still groggy, so I leaned against Ryan’s shoulder again. He didn’t have any complaints, since he was scrolling on his phone aimlessly.

Generic pop music began emitting from Dylan’s phone. Nick and Abby finished setting up the campfire. And, lo and behold, the other three returned. Except Kaitlyn won the bag somehow. Go her. Both boys were incredibly dejected.

The sun had set, and the full moon was high in the sky, illuminating us more than the fire itself. I finally at up properly when Dylan suddenly clapped his hands together. Everyone had beers except me, so I just occasionally stole Ryan’s. All of the conversations dispersed and we focused on the man.

“Okay! New idea. Party game!” Some groans echoed, nobody seconding the idea at first. “Come on, people, we might never see each other again after tonight! Let’s make some memories!”

“Well, what do you have in mind?” Kaitlyn inquired.

“How about the ultimate game of secrets and lies,” Dylan pitched. “Truth or Dare, but Dylan style. Okay, so house rules are, someone asks you a truth or dare. Then you choose, and then you pick the next person. There’s no ifs, ands, or buts.”

“So, like, normal truth or dare?” I quipped, causing some of my friends to snicker.

Dylan’s face flushed. “Uh, yes.”

“So,” I could tell from Kaitlyn’s expression she had something devious up her sleeve, "we can, like, make people kiss.”

“If they choose dare, yeah. If everyone’s down for that, obviously.”

“Cool beans!”

“I mean, keep it in your pants until it’s your turn, but…”

“So, who’s going first?”

Dylan glanced around the fire place. “Hm. How about you, Kaitlyn, since you’re so eager to make everyone smooch?”

Kaitlyn shrugged. “Sure, I’m down. Truth.”

“Bo-o-oring,” Jacob complained, but Dylan hushed him. 

“It doesn’t have to be.” Dylan scanned her face, and the woman waited patiently with a coy smirk. “…Alright. Kaitlyn. Which of the councilors do you want to have sex with?”

The woman’s smile dropped, and everyone around the fire place cackled. Kaitlyn huffed. “You know that’ an unfair question, right? Everyone’s all coupled up.”

“Actually,” Dylan retorted, "none of us are. That includes you, Jake. Sorry to break it to you, bud.”

Kaitlyn sighed, rubbing her forehead. “Geez… So, I’ll give you all my reasoning behind the choice. Nick and Abby might as well be married by now. Jake’s too obsessed with Emma and Emma’s too obsessed with herself. Ryan and Y/n obviously have a thing going. Maybe friends with benefits, I don’t know. So that leaves you, Dylan. I’d have to choose you.”

Ryan was tense, like always. I nudged him playfully. I was the only one, other than Dylan, who was satisfied with the answer. Actually, Dylan wasn’t even satisfied.

“It’s not about what the right answer is. It’s about what your answer is. Come on, give us something juicier than that.”

“Yeah, Kaitlyn. You don’t have to be shy. The ladies love me,” Jacob jokingly bragged.

Kaitlyn shook her head. “Fine. You want a real answer? Y/n, probably. Ryan’s the lovesick puppy out of the two. And, uh, you’re super nice.”

“I’m not a lovesick puppy —"

“I’m flattered, Kaitlyn!” I grinned, cupping my cheeks. “I never knew you swung that way.”

Kaitlyn scoffed. “Okay, okay, moving on. Ryan. Truth or dare.”

Ryan seemed a bit peeved at the ‘insults’ thrown his way, and he shrugged. I placed my hands on the log and watched him expectantly. He sent a glance my way, having made his decision. “Uh, dare. Let me have it.”

Kaitlyn clasped her hands together in excitement. I noticed that everyone else, minus Nick and and Abby, had mischievous expressions. “Per-r-rfect. Just what I was hoping for. Ryan, I dare you to choose who to kiss out of Y/n and…” Her eyes flitted around the circle. She knew damn well it didn’t matter who else chose. “Emma.”

Ryan paused momentarily, and his complexion darkened. He still appeared as stoic, but I couldn’t help but wonder if he harbored a secret crush for Emma from the way he seized up. I stared at him expectantly. 

“Um, uh…”

“Tick tock, Ryan. We don’t have all day,” Jacob said in a sing-song tone.

Ryan sighed. “Yeah, uh, Y/n. If that’s okay.”

I was still turned to him, but I’m pretty sure my brain short-circuited. Ryan turned to me, intensity swirling inches dark orbs. Everyone was staring intently and my heart was thumping loudly in my chest. His Adam’s apple bobbed. His hand came up to my cheek, stroking gently. I craned my neck up toward him, gulping just as much.

His gaze flitted to my lips one last time before he close to distance. I could tell how nervous he was as his lips pressed against mine. Our noses brushed against one another, and I expected it to be a short and simple one, but he didn’t pull away.

I was only vaguely aware of our surroundings. Dylan and Kaitlyn were having a field day, their cheers overpowering the music. I was about to pull away, but the moment our lips parted, he came back for more. Instinctually, I reciprocated, still shocked by his decision. I was in a total daze when I realized Ryan pulled away, the warmth of his hands and lips leaving me.

My mouth went dry and I stared at him, completely abashed. I was sure my entire face was darkened with a blush, and Ryan didn’t seem as embarrassed or uncomfortable as I thought he’d be. The intensity in his eyes… maybe I was overthinking and assuming, but it was almost like he wanted to kiss me, and not just because of a dare.

“Damn, Ryan, that was hot!” Jacob hollered. “So, who next?”

Ryan gulped, and I scooted away, but only an inch. His eyes flitted back to me, and there was something accusatory behind it. I noticed his hand was also residing on the log. “Um, Abby. Truth or Dare.”

Abby, jumping, became incredibly nervous. Her answer was almost instant. “Truth.”

Ryan hummed and nodded. “Well… since there’s clearly a theme… uh, have you, like, had sex?”

Abby seized up, flushing. Kaitlyn was quick to hop to her defense about how intrusive it was, but Dylan and Jacob both agreed it was a fine question to ask. However, Ryan quickly reworded the question to ‘had sex at this camp.’ Abby quickly declined that, and I noticed that Abby sent glances to check if Nick approved that. It wouldn’t have mattered if she was a virgin or not, in my opinion.

“Um… ah…”

A minute later, Abby still hadn’t chosen someone. “Oh my god, just pick someone!” Jacob exclaimed irritably.

“Okay, okay! Um… I don’t know,” she conceded, clearly too anxious from the former question.

“Ugh. Too late. Ding ding ding!” Emma interrupted. “My turn! Y/n. Truth or Dare?”

I was caught off guard, officially zoning back into the conversation. I was still so caught off guard from the kiss I shared with Ryan, since I’d never even considered him as more than a friend. He was the same, though, right? If he had a crush on me, it would be obvious. Right?

“U - uh, dare,” I stuttered.

Emma giggled knowingly. “Great! See, Abby? The game isn’t too hard. Y/n, I dare you to kiss either Ryan… or Dylan.”

I was terrified she’d stop at Ryan. Ryan was watching me expectantly, and I sent him a smile. Jacob made a sarcastic comment about how great Emma was at playing matchmaker, but I brushed it off. I gulped again, staring at Ryan. However, all my anxiety washed away as my gaze landed on Dylan. He was grinning like the genius himbo he was.

“Uh, Dylan.” 

Ryan’s mouth twitched, but I couldn’t tell if it was a positive or negative reaction. I rose to my feet, and I heard Kaitlyn gasp quietly. I rose to my feet and walked over to the boy. He seemed to not care in the slightest as I leaned down, only momentarily pressing my lips to his.

I separated and went back to my seat. I distanced myself from Ryan, too worried to meet his gaze. Should I have just chosen him? But I didn’t want to give him the wrong idea. He’d just chosen to kiss me out of convenience. I was probably mentally blowing this out of proportion way too much.

“I did not see that coming, honestly,” Dylan commented.

Silence fell over the camp counsilors, and I was about to choose, but I realized they were all looking at Ryan intensely. I glanced at him, realizing he had a firm frown planted on his face and his brow were furrowed. My heart was beating disproportionately, and instead of calling attention to the sudden awkwardness, I continued.

“Emma, you haven’t yet. Truth or Dare?”

Emma let out a surprised ‘oh!’, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Well, I don’t see why not dare.”

Jacob was staring at me intently, and I picked up what he was putting down with ease. “Well, I dare you to kiss either Jacob or…” My eyes glazed over the group. “Nick, I guess?”

Nick paled. “Uh-h-h, I don’t know if that’s a good idea —"

Jacob laughed haughtily. “Uh, sorry Nick, this is not even a dare. Obviously, I got this —"

Emma grinned coyly. “I choose Nick.”

Silence fell over the campers. I could tell Abby was fuming. Or about to cry. And Jacob was the same. The atmosphere completely changed, and everyone, minus Dylan and Kaitlyn, were unhappy. Emma sauntered over the Australian man, pulling him up by the collar and kissing him.

We all expected it to be short. However, Emma turned it into a full-blown make-out. Jacob called out for them to stop. However, he suddenly burst.

“Guys. Guys!”

Emma finally pulled away, and Nick didn’t seem pleased. She even planted one extra on him, and that was enough to unleash the dam. Nick couldn’t even meet Abby’s eyes. Emma, as she plopped down on the log, made a snide comment to Abby. Jacob was now pacing around hopelessly.

Abby rose to her feet and stalked off. Emma was somehow surprised. “You like kissing my girlfriend, asshole —?”

“It was just a game —“

“The fuck it was. The fuck it was, man!” Jacob raged, but he turned away. He also left. My jaw dropped, and I reached beside me for the sake of receiving Ryan’s comfort, but he violently tore himself away. As things unravelled around us, my attention returned to my best friend.

He was glaring at me. I couldn’t recall a single time I’d ever seen him so angry. He stood abruptly, and his pacing was fast. The game had obviously ended, and I couldn’t help but chase after the man. Each person had gone in a completely different direction, and the group was separated. I didn’t care, though, because Ryan was clearly upset about something.

I lost complete sight of him, because Ryan had longer legs and had broken out into a run at some point. My heart bounded in my chest out of fear, because he’d completely strayed from the path. We were in the middle of woods, and I could only rely on the distant crunching of leaves.

The forest finally fell silent, and shivers rolled down my spine. I stopped, trying to hear anything. The crickets were deafening, almost, but then I heard a distant curse and something cracked. I once again took off in that direction, although I made sure to keep quiet.

I finally emerged into a small, woodland clearing. Ryan was in the center, sitting on a broken stump. He was hunched over, away from me. His foot was thumping up and down on the grass while he was muttering furiously and incoherently. In his hand, he had some damp bark. He kept cracking it over and over until portions were but dust.

He dropped the bark altogether, reaching into his pocket. This was when I finally emerged, my shoes squeaking against the tall grass. He peered at me in the darkness, his handsome features illuminated in the moonlight. I’d seen him annoyed. I’d seem him depressed. I’d seen a wide range of negative emotions, but never had I seen him so pissed. I gulped and kept walking toward him, worried he’d storm away if I didn't reach him.

Luckily, he didn’t move. And he didn’t say anything, either. He just watched as I approached, a frown firmly planted on his face. I stopped in front of him, gazing down at him. I pulled at my shirt anxiously.

“Uh, Ryan… what’s wrong?”

He rolled his eyes and stopped looking at me. “What’s wrong, she asks. Isn’t that the question of the fucking day.” I frowned, moving to place my hand on his shoulder. However, he pulled away. “Don’t touch me.”

“I… don’t get it. Were you uncomfortable by the dare? You didn’t have to kiss me. You could’ve kissed Emma —"

“Of course that’s what you think this is about,” he muttered. “God, I’m stupid for thinking you’d understand.”

“Just stop.” He rose to his feet, suddenly towering over me. I didn’t take a step back, though, instead grabbing onto the front of his shirt to keep him from escaping. He grabbed at my hands tightly, but made no attempt to pull himself free. “Stop pretending you like me more than him. You’ve made it loud and clear.”

“Ryan, you’re my best friend,” I soothed desperately. “You can tell me what’s bothering you —"

“Bull shit. You like him, Y/n. You’ve been hanging out with him all, uh, goddamn summer. You have a crush on him and it’s obvious —"

I scoffed, tugging him closer by his shirt. “You mean Dylan? You can’t be serious, Ryan. I just chose to kiss him so I didn’t make you uncomfortable —"

“What are you talking about, Ryan? We work together. Of course we’ve talked before. He’s my friend. Besides, what does it matter? I don’t have a crush on him, but why would you care? Just tell me what’s wrong —"

Ryan grabbed my shoulders, glaring angrily at me. I was caught off guard completely as he leaned down and pressed his lips against mine again. Except this time, it wasn’t for a dare. My breath caught in my throat as I stood there, letting him kiss me. My grip on his shirt loosened.

Ryan pulled away, and as frustrated as he still looked, there was something else in his eyes. I blinked at him in confusion, too taken aback to truly digest what had just happened. I opened my mouth, placing my hands on his chest. 

“Don’t you get it, Y/n? I like you, dumbass,” Ryan huffed. “But clearly, you, uh, don’t feel the same way.”

“I - I’m sorry, Ryan, I didn’t know —"

“Of course you didn’t.”

Ryan suddenly pulled away, and I was left with no choice to follow him. He seemed to know the way back to the campground. I was still frightened of the woods, so despite the revelation, I attached myself to his arm in hopes of feeling safer.

“Ryan,” I suddenly spoke, and I felt his eyes watch me carefully. “Maybe when we get home, we can just… go on a test dater something. I - I’ve just never thought about you that way before. Not in the rude way, because you’re my best friend and I love you, but —"

Ryan’s sigh interrupted me, and I gulped nervously. “Y/n it’s fine. Maybe I overreacted… Just, uh… think about it. Please?”

I nodded and sent him a sweet smile. He seemed calm and complacent again, his shoulders lowering. He walked closer to me. It was a nice moment since, at least now, I din’t have to worry about romance with Ryan. We were just normal. We were just… walking through the woods… at night… all alone…

Crack.

I wanted to freeze and question what I’d just heard, but Ryan pulled me along. There was something slightly more urgent in his pace. However, I heard more nature noises as we progressed further through the woods. And then, we heard it. A deep, low growl that almost sounded human.

Ryan tensed, and we both froze, peering around the pitch black wilderness. The campfire couldn’t be too far away, and yet, whatever animal was in pursuit was hot on our trail. Ryan grabbed my arm and pulled me closer, taking up a protective stance. His frown returned. No words were exchanged, because we both realized a bear must’ve been close, although I’ve never seen one in person.

Suddenly, a growl sounded from right next to us. 

“Run!” Ryan boomed.

He pushed me forward just in the knick of time, because something leapt at us from the trees. A scream bubbled in my throat as I turned and stumbled away, only to see a maroon, fleshy beast tackle Ryan to the ground. My throat burned from how harshly I cried. It was like my like flashed before my eyes as the monster tore a large chunk from Ryan’s shoulder.

The moment the monster was done chomping on my best friend, I dashed up to him. It had hopped away, taking large chunks of his flesh with him. The monster was boney and yet seemed to have the strength of a thousand men. It almost seemed as though it was a human being stripped of all its skin, as its muscles flexed. And yet, its fangs glistened in the moonlight as it stared at me predatorily. Its hand and feet were that of a beast’s; long, sharp, and capable of tearing me to shreds.

I grabbed Ryan’s arm and tried dragging him away. The beast was watching in mock amusement. My blood ran cold and yet adrenaline coursed through my veins. Ryan was heavy, especially when he was unconscious, and yet I tried to pull him in the direction of camp the best I could.

I was suddenly tackled, a large weight forcing me to abandon Ryan. The monster rolled over me, and I realized the only thing I could do was run. Otherwise, we’d both die. I panted furiously, scrambling to my feet. The beast also recovered, jumping at me. I stumbled back, and it went skyrocketing past, giving me the chance to make a run for it. 

A gunshot suddenly rang out. I screamed again, and I saw the monster had been shot by a stranger. Probably a hunter, from his attire. I knew I needed to run, though. I had  to get back to camp. We had to call an ambulance.

I made a mad dash through the woods. I screamed again, but I still had to steady my breathing. I hopped over a branch. I kept running, tasting a mixture of tears and sweat dribble down my nose. I passed a late boulder. 

I tripped suddenly, having forgotten about the small cliff I’d passed on the way here. Dirt coated my entire bodice, and I heard the monster jump down. A scream bubbled in my throat as I rolled just in the knick of time. It came crashing down beside me, letting out an oddly humane yelp. I pushed myself to my feet and kept running. I didn’t have enough time to escape up a tree. I’d just get grabbed.

The monster groaned, and I suddenly stopped. I passed another large rock and I snuck unto it. I pressed my back to it and slid to the ground, as to minimize my size. My heart was thudding in my chest, and I was terrified the beast had the ability to hear it. 

The monster had clearly fixed itself right up. I heard it standing on the rock above me, panting and growling furiously. I made the mistake of looking up.

I was so terrified that I had become paralyzed. Peering out over the rock above me, standing on its own two feet, was the monster. It was watching the forest. Waiting for me to reveal myself. Its mouth was wide open as it huffed. It sneezed loudly, spit and blood flying from its fleshy form. It was covered head to toe in sticky blood.

I flinched when a large droplet fell from its cheek, landing directly on my cheek. I almost flinched. My lips were quivering. My eyes were shut. Oh, god, I was going to die, wasn’t I —

The monster suddenly leapt from the rock, bounding into the wilderness at top speed. I finally felt like I could breathe. The only problem was that it had ran in the direction of camp, at least where I thought it was. I had to return to Ryan. That hunter… he surely could protect us.

I shakily rose to my feet. My entire body was covered in dirt and sprayed blood. I climbed over the hill and went back the direction I came in. A sob threatened to release, but instead, I hiccuped quietly. I was so very out of stamina, though. My legs were shaking. I placed my hand against a tree to stabilize myself. 

I suddenly heard the loud pounding of footsteps. I was about to scream, but when I peered over my shoulder, Dylan emerged from the darkness.

“Dylan…!” I cried, going for him immediately. The gun was slung over this back, so he easily welcomed a hug with open arms. As he stroked my hair, concern laced in his features, I stuttered further, "Ryan…! He was attacked by some monster! And - and there was a hunter - and…”

“Y/n, Y/n, breathe,” Dylan said. “You’re safe now. But if Ryan’s in danger we have to go find him.”

“Yes, yes! Let’s go!” I agreed eagerly, pulling away. I was a little light-headed and stumbled, but Dylan grabbed my arm. 

“Wait, it’s dangerous. You should go back to the camp —"

“No, Dylan, I can’t. I have to make sure Ryan’s okay —"

“Okay, okay! Just stay, uh, alert,” Dylan caved instantly. “Let’s go.”

I urgently tugged on his arm in the direction I came from. It was crazy to me, that not even ten minutes ago, Ryan had confessed. And now was bleeding out because some supernatural… thing had attacked him. He could be dead right now, and could have no idea.

We trotted through the wilderness. We paused simultaneously, though, as up ahead we heard something dragging through the shrubbery. Dylan quietly pulled the gun out, and as we entered the clearing, I gasped.

Dylan held the gun up threateningly. The hunter from before was dragging Ryan’s struggling and conscious body. “Hey! Get the fuck off of him! Yeah, you heard me!” Dylan threatened.

“Stop! Drop him or h - he’ll shoot!” I shrieked.

The hunter looked up. However, he continued dragging Ryan. Who was fighting the hunter, and when his eyes landed on me, that even fueled him further. Tears sprouted in my eyes once more and I cowered behind Dylan, clutching his waist.

Dylan gulped, repositioning the gun. He brought his eye up to the aim, and only then did I realize the hunter was coated head to toe in blood. All I could hope was that it wasn’t Ryan’s.

Ryan pushed at the man, suddenly full of energy, when he realized Dylan wasn’t planning on shooting. I squealed when he suddenly bit the man’s hand. He screamed at the top of his lungs. None of us could’ve predicted that he would shoot off his own finger.

He dropped Ryan entirely and made a run for it. I finally felt safe enough to emerge from Dylan, running and collapsing next to Ryan. He propped himself on one elbow, his sweat glistening in the moonlight. He was panting profusely, terror prevalent in his gaze.

His free arm grabbed me and pulled me closer. I bit my lip as I pulled Ryan to sit up against me, and once I did so, I ran my fingers through his hair. Dylan ran up to us, gun still. Poised for any other predators. “Ryan, oh god… I’m sorry I had to leave, b - but it was going to kill me —"

“Y/n, it’s fine,” he grunted. “Are you hurt?”

I chuckled dryly. “You’re the one with a missing shoulder, and yet you ask me if I’m hurt?”

Dylan tapped his foot anxiously. “Guys. I hate to break this up, but, like, there’s something out there and dudes covered in blood. We have to head back.”

“Oh, thank god,” I groaned. I tucked an arm underneath Ryan’s arm pit. The one that was uninjured, of course. Dylan was still on guard, but he offered Ryan a hand. We were able to get him on his two feet and, slowly but surely, headed back to the campfire.

[lysol1201]

🎀Not Quite Harry Styles🎀 - Lucifer x GN!Reader

This will probably be a lot more entertaining if you're a Harry Styles stan <33

This small writing piece is based on and uses the lyrics of "You're Not Harry Styles" by DYLAN.

Word Count: 1441

++++

The main problem with dating the Avatar of Pride was just that. He was the Avatar of Pride. As much as you loved him, you couldn’t help but occasionally feel that maybe he took more pride in himself rather than taking pride in you.

You knew he loved you, you were sure you felt it. But sometimes, the way he acted, the way he held himself, the high horse he rode on, just pissed you off. Nobody would ever dare to try and talk back to him though about his arrogance.

You weren’t just a nobody though. You were the one dating The Avatar of Pride. You were far from a nobody. If anyone was going to knock him down a notch, it would be you.

So there you sat, absolutely annoyed with his smirk, that look on his face where he feeds off of the embarrassment of others by knowing he was better. He was always like this during student council meetings. He was seeming to find pride in the fact that he could easily surpass his brothers’ skills. Boy, was that just infuriating.

“Lucifer, can you just stop for one second?” You spoke up over the arguments of the brothers, wiping out the noise and the smirk off of your petty boyfriend’s face. “I get that you’re the Avatar of Pride or whatever, but if you can for at least one measly second actually be able to control your sin like your younger brothers, that’d be awesome.”

The way everyone’s jaws dropped. Including Diavolo’s. Lucifer’s face held indifference but you were able to notice bewilderment and confusion, as well as a small tensing of his jaw. The only person without a shocked or confused expression was the one and only Barbatos. He looked smug with that smirk. He knew this day would come, didn’t he?

“Darling, what are you-“

“You know what I’m talking about, Lucifer,” You rolled your eyes, interrupting his words that were already coated with annoyance and irritation. “We’ve talked about this before.”

“We don’t have to talk about this here, love,”

“I think we do since every time I’ve spoken to you about it in private it seems to change nothing,” You spat back. At this point, you could notice some snickers, smiles, and phones out from the brothers, documenting this by either burning it into their brains or using their phones to have it digitally remembered. “Sometimes, I need you to have less pride in yourself and more pride in others. Pride in your brothers. Pride in me.”

“Love-“

“You can say you have pride in us, but apparently not enough to actually show it. Not prideful enough to show us off like how you love so dearly to show yourself off-“

“That’s enough, MC, we’re leaving now,”  Lucifer rose from his chair, a loud squeak coming from its movement. It seemed unusually loud than usual, but it could also be from lack of sound as the room remained so dangerously quiet. 

He went to walk towards you to grab your wrist when you pulled away from him. You stood up yourself to face Lucifer and look him dead in the eyes. He was not amused. His pride was crumbling and you could tell. That was your goal though. No time to start to feel guilty now.

“Is that a symptom of being gorgeous? Your pride?”

Everyone seemed to look very puzzled by your words. It almost felt like it took a turn. Yet, the tone of your voice and the expression that lay on your face showed that you weren’t quite done yet.

“Whatever happened to being modest? Hm? I know it exists in you, you just have less control in your sin than you take pride in,” You continued. “I want you to try to take pride in your brothers. I’d also love it if you would maybe take pride in me every once in a while. But to you, I’m an overly emotional, easily replaceable, overthinking dumb human who never got their shit together, aren’t I?

“MC, you know that is far from the truth,” Lucifer’s expression changed to a form of hurt. This time it wasn’t really his pride that was hurt, but his heart. Did he really make you believe that’s how he felt about you? He loved you so dearly. Did he not express his pride in you enough? Perhaps he didn’t. 

“I know you would think that you could do better in so many situations,” You let out an annoyed chuckle, the words flowing out of you without a second thought at this point.

“But you must have hit your head too hard when you fell from Heaven, ‘cause you’re not quite Harry Styles.”

Suddenly, you heard thuds. The phones that were once recording had fallen onto the floor. Gasps and heavy breathing filled the silence in the room. Yet, that stupid smug look on Barbatos’ face never truly faded away. And no one dared to intervene. 

Lucifer’s expression was perplexed. Puzzled. Unsure of whether he was hurt or angry. Possibly both. Most likely both. 

His eyebrows furrowed and he let out a huff from his lips, “I’ll be taking my leave.”

With that, he stomped away, still with perfect posture, and disappeared so fast that you didn’t even get a chance to comprehend what you had just said.

Everyone looked at you. Stared at you. Unsure of what to say. But you all knew what they were thinking and what you had to confirm with him. “I have to follow him, I’m so sorry,” You quickly muttered, and ran out to follow him. By the time you left the doors, he was nowhere to be found.

++++

“Lucifer?” You knocked on his bedroom door as you heard the music play from beyond it. “Lucifer? Love? Can you let me in please?”

Some of the things you said you knew had to be said. But maybe bringing up his Fall was a bit too much. As well as comparing him to a human celebrity he probably didn’t even know.

You waited outside the door for a small bit. Hoping if you waited and gave him time to think he’d let you in. Luckily, you were right, since not long after you heard the door unlocking. You quickly opened it, seeing him sitting on a seat next to his bedroom fireplace sipping on some demonus on ice. He didn’t dare to look at you.

“Lucifer, I want to apologize,” You went straight to the point, standing a good distance away behind where he sat. “Although I do believe in some of the things I said needed to be said, I know I went too far in the end. I was going through a wave of emotions and I didn’t think before I spoke. And I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” He responded fairly quickly, his voice being low and having slight roughness to it. He cleared his throat before he continued. “You were right with most of what you said. I need to learn how to spread out my pride. To control it better and to not pretend that I can control it the best when it is clear that it gets to the best of me,” He explained, bringing relief to your heart. “But,” He said, setting down his glass, standing up, and turning to face you. He took a couple of steps toward you and slipped a small smirk on his face. 

“Do you really think this Harry Styles you speak of is better than me?” Lucifer slowly chuckled. “I decided to do some of my own research. You may find him appealing but I can assure you,” He leaned in closer to you, taking position next to your ear, and began to whisper. “Can this man, you speak so highly of, pleasure you the way I am capable of? Is he truly such a higher being in your eyes?”

You were close to shivering at his words, but knowing his upset and stoic mood was replaced with something more playful, you decided to tease back. You placed a hand softly onto his chest and pushed him away slightly to have him look you in the eyes directly. “Darling, can you promise me that you will not be upset with my next words?”

Lucifer raised an eyebrow at you and stayed silent for a small second to think. As fast as it came, he stood up straight and gave you a simple nod. “Okay.”

You smirked and wrapped your arms around his neck, biting your lips in anticipation of your own next words. “God’s favorite is definitely Harry Styles.”

[babygirlizz]

Movies and TV shows of 2019

Okay so a couple or few years ago I did a review of movies that had released that year because I was super into movies that year. I am still into movies, but I have been watching a lot more shows this year. So, I will be reviewing movies and tv shows. Furthermore, I will be including stuff released this year, that I found this year, or that has a new season this year. Basically just anything that I have loved this year. Also, I don’t feel like ranking, so no particular order. Also, SPOILERS AHEAD - if you see a title of something you have not seen, and don’t want spoilers, please feel free to skip that section. Also, some of these I haven’t seen in a hot minute so if I get a detail messed up, we won’t speak on it. And finally, trigger warning - if you have struggled with sexual assault and may have an issue reading about it, either skip this post entirely or skip over the review of “Unbelievable.”

MOVIES -

1. After

I have been waiting for this since middle school. I read the after books on wattpad because what teenager in love with harry styles didn’t. Now I will be real with y'all. The acting could use some work in specific scenes, and some of the actors aren't MY favorite picks for certain roles, but I’m not gonna hate on actors. Ok so, Tessa (Josephine Langford) is an incoming freshman in college and is rooming with an upperclassmen, Steph (Khadijha Red Thunder) who has a friend named Hardin (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin). Steph wants Tessa to branch out and do new things, so she invites her to a party, where they play the stereotypical games, and thats when Hardin is kind of dared to make Tessa fall in love with him. ALSO, Tessa has a high school boyfriend named Noah (Dylan Arnold). She starts seeing Hardin, her boyfriend finds out, she falls in love with Hardin, and finds out it was all a dare. Buuuuuuut, pLoT tWiSt he actually loves her.

2. Avengers: Endgame

Ok listen, Infinity War was heartbreaking bc Bucky duh, but y'all are really gonna take Tony (RDJ) and Steve (Chris Evans) away from me? Shut up. Still, this was a really good movie and I’m not just saying that because I’m a marvel hoe. FRICK Thanos and thats on Ant Man. Thats literally all I have to say.

3. Annabelle Comes Home

I am a whore for scary movies. I love them so much and this one was *chefs kiss*. I love Mckenna Grace, she's such a good young actress and she fits so well in scary moves. There’s not much to say about the plot in this one, and ya really need to see it. Also, Bob (Michael Cimino) is so heckin cute what the heck.

4. Let It Snow

Ok this is a lot to unpack so grab ya snacks. Let’s talk about couple number 1 (of 3), Tobin (Mitchell Hope) and Angie (Kiernan Shipka) who are best friends. Tobin is in love with Angie but doesn’t know how to tell her, and gets lots of unwanted encouragement from his best friend Keon (Jacob Batalon) who just wants to throw a heckin good party, is that too much to ask for? So Angie gets invited to a party by some cute guy, JP (M and Tobin is jealous but goes with her anyways and they steal a keg for Keon’s party and run from the scary hosts of the party and end up stranded in a church after his car spins out of control. They finally make it to the party and kiss on the roof with the waffle town sign shining bright behind them. NEXT - we have Julie (Isabela Merced) and Stuart (Shameik Moore). This is kind of really cliche with the whole “he’s-famous-she-doesn’t-care-he-finds-that-attractive-lets-fall-in-love” aspect, but its also hella cute uwu. They meet on a train and the train stops so they go eat at the waffle town and go sledding and do a bunch of cute coupley shit. His manager comes to get him and basically tells her that nothing will ever really happen between them and he leaves. Then, he shows up at the party and they fall in love. NEXT- we have Dorrie (Liv Hewson) who is a lesbian that constantly struggles with the gay panic. Her best friend Addie (Odeya Rush) doesn't help much either because she's having her own relationship problems. Dorrie works at Waffle Town and when she's working the girl she's talking to, Kerry (Anna Akana) comes in with her dance team, and she's not out of the closet. A bunch of shit goes down, but they end up together and Dorrie learns that she’s worth more than she thinks and that’s all that matters. Also, Billy (Miles Robbins) and Tin Foil Woman (Joan Cusack) make wonderful additions to this movie.

5. The King

First of all - Timothée Chalamet and Robert Pattinson in the same movie? Sign me the HECK up. But they’re also historical, frick yea. Not too much to say about this movie other than it’s good. Super graphic (don’t watch if you don’t like decapitation lol) and super long, but good nonetheless.

6. Falling Inn Love

This movie is super freaking cute. Gabriela (Christina Milian) decides that she needs a change and enters a contest to win an Inn in New Zealand. She wins the Inn and is shocked when she realizes the Inn needs a LOT of work. She goes around town to get stuff to fix up the Inn and constantly runs into Jake (Adam Demos) and they have this flirty but we don’t like each other relationship, but then ya know, they fall in(n) love. 

SHOWS -

1. The Society

I could talk about this show for hours, literally. I love it so much it’s insane. Ok, so lets start from the beginning. A town called West Ham is being plagued by a disgusting smell. Due to this, the town decides to send busloads of teenagers to the mountains while they try and resolve the smell situation. All of the teenagers fall asleep on the bus and wake up to the announcement that they had to go back home due to road blocks. When they get off the buses, its late and no one is there to pick them up. They think that it may just be a sense of miscommunication, so they head home, only to find that none of their families are there, and they can’t get ahold of any of them over the phone. They finally decide to investigate and find that all exits out of town are completely blocked off. They then decide to find a way to survive without their families. This causes a lot of tension within the town including the death of a main character. This shows also includes gay representation!!!! This is my favorite couple, Sam (Sean Birdy) and Grizz (Jack Mulhern). Sam is deaf and gay and his brother, Campbell (Toby Wallace), makes fun of him for both reasons, and when the whole issue with the town happens, he believes he will never find love because he doesn’t think anyone else is gay, until Grizz comes along, and tries to learn ASL and loves him for him.

2. Roswell New Mexico

Alright, to be completely honest, I did not want to watch this. I have no idea why I just didn’t. I saw an edit on like instagram or something of the couples in the show and I was like, alright I can give it a chance. And spoiler alert I loved it. The series starts off with Liz Ortecho (Jeanine Mason) comes back to her hometown of Roswell around the time of her the anniversary of her sister, Rosa’s (Amber Midthunder), death. She gets pulled over on her way in and the officer that pulled her over was Max Evans (Nathan Parsons), who has had a crush on her since they first met, and just so happens to be an alien. After Liz gets shot in her families restaurant, Max uses his healing powers to save her, but leaves behind a hand print on her that makes her suspicious. She continues to investigate until he tells her the truth. She also finds out that her sister was actually murdered, and has the same hand print on her that she did when Max healed her. Turns out, his sister, Isobel (Lily Cowels) killed her, but it was actually another alien possessing her (which they didn’t know was possible when she killed her). When they landed on earth they also landed with their “brother” Michael (Michael Vlamis) who starts off the series with an on and off relationship with Alex (Tyler Blackburn) and I love them together. Alex is the son of one of the guys trying to find and take down the aliens and he also went to war and lost his leg. Anyways, towards the end of the season Alex starts seeing Maria (Heather Hemmens), which is a couple I don’t really like, but also bi representation is good! Anyways I don’t really wanna spoil this one too much I just love it a lot.

3. Elite

This is a show that came out in 2018, but they released a second season this year. All I’m saying is please watch the original version, not the dubbed over version. Elite is a spanish show about a few students that get a scholarship to the private school after their school gets demolished. This shows is in the fashion of present and past which includes a lot of flashbacks leading up to the the murder of one of the students. My favorite part of this show is the relationship between Ander (Arón Piper) and Omar (Omar Ayuso). Ander is the son of the head of the school and Omar is the brother of one of the students that got a scholarship. Not only are they of different socioeconomic status’, but Omar is also Muslim, and his family would not approve of him being gay. He finally finds the courage to tell his family, but thats not until season 2. Also, his sister Nadia (Mina El Hammani) falls in love with the “bad boy” of the school, Guzmán (Miguel Bernardeau) and starts going against her parents wishes as well.

4. The Umbrella Academy 

Y’all mind if I confuse y'all real quick. So, a bunch of women all of the sudden give birth out of nowhere at the same time even tho none of them were pregnant? Yea I know weird. Anyways, so this dude tries to adopt as many of them as possible and ends up adopting like 7. They all have powers and they try and stop the apocalypse. That’s literally all I can tell y'all. 

5. Unbelievable

I swear I didn’t mean to get y’all upset right now. This show made me angry and sad and so many other feelings all at once. So the show beings with a girl named Marie (Kaitlyn Dever) getting raped in her home. When she reports it, they can’t find any evidence, as he cleaned the apartment and made her shower. This mixed with the fact that she struggles remembering parts of her experience (which is common with sexual assault), the police don’t believe her and force her to retract her statement. This in itself is awful, but they also charge her with false statement, which adds on to the fact that people already believe that she is a liar. Years later, two female detectives, Karen and Grace, piece together rapes in their precincts and once they find the rapist, they find Marie’s picture in with his belongings, proving that she was telling the truth the entire time.

6. Sailor Moon

I just got into anime and all I have to say is that I love this. That is all.

[buzzdixonwriter]

CASTLE KEEP: An Analysis

Few movies resonate as deeply with me as Castle Keep.

It is truly sui generis.

It’s a deceptively simple story: In the waning days of WWII, eight walking wounded American soldiers occupy a castle in Belgium, a token sign of force as the war rages past them. The castle belongs to a noble family who owned it for generations and stocked it with a vast collection of priceless rare and irreplaceable classical art. The current count wants to keep his castle and his collection intact, but he also wants a son to carry on the family name and tradition. He is, unfortunately, impotent. And even more unfortunately, the castle is located in the Ardennes forest, on the road to Bastogne…

Now, those raw elements are more than enough to fuel a perfectly good run of the mill WWII movie, with plenty of bang-bang-shoot-em-up and some obligatory musings on the meaning of it all.

And I’m sure that’s the way they pitched Castle Keep.

But director Sydney Pollack and screenwriters Daniel Taradash and David Rayfiel (adapting the eponymous novel by William Eastlake) delivered something far more…well…phantasmagorical is as apt a way of describing it as any.

Because despite being solid grounded in a real time and a real place and a real event, Castle Keep moves out of the realm of mere history and into a much more magical place.

Not so much fact, as fable.

And as fable, it gets closer to the Truth.

. . .

Before we analyze the movie, let’s set the contextual stage.

First off, understand the impact WWII movies still had on audiences of the 1960s and early 70s.

For those who lived through the war years, it occurred scarcely more than 20 years earlier, a period that seems like forever to teenagers and young adults but flies past in the blink of an eye when one reaches middle age and beyond.

Not only were WWII movies popular, they were relatively easy to make.  A lot of countries still used operational Allied and German equipment up through the 1960s (Spain’s air force stood in for the Luftwaffe in 1969’s The Battle Of Britain), and for low budget black and white films or pre-living color TV, ample archival and stock footage padded things out.

Most importantly, WWII was a shared experience insofar as younger audiences grew up hearing from their parents what it was like, and as a result there was some degree of relatability between the Greatest Generation and their children, the Boomers.

But the times, they were a’changin’ as Dylan sang, and the rise of the counter-culture in the 1960s and the civil rights, feminist, and ant-Vietnam War movements (and boy howdy, is that a hot of history crammed into one sentence but you’re just gonna hafta roll with me on this one, folks; we’ll examine that era in greater detail at some point in the future but not today, not today…) led to younger audiences looking at WWII with fresh eyes and to older film makers re-evaluating their own experiences.

So to focus on WWII films of the time, understand their were 3 main threads running through the era:

The epic re-enactment typified by The Longest Day (1961), The Battle Of The Bulge (1965), Patton (1970), and ending with A Bridge Too Far in 1977

The cynical revisionism of The Dirty Dozen (1967), Where Eagles Dare (1968), and Kelly’s Heroes (1970)*

The absurdity of How I Won The War (1967) and Catch-22 (1970)

Castle Keep brushes past all those sub-genres, though it comes closest to absurdity.

. . .

While released in 1969, Castle Keep started development as early as 1966 (the novel saw print in 1965).  Burt Lancaster, attached early on as the star, requested Sydney Pollack as director.

Pollack, an established TV director, started making a name for himself in the mid-1960s with films like The Slender Thread and This Property Is Condemned; he and Lancaster worked together on The Scalphunters prior to Castle Keep.

While his first three films were well received, Pollack’s career really took off with his fifth movie, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? and after that it was a string of unbroken successes including Jeremiah Johnson, The Way We Were, The Three Days Of The Condor, Tootsie, Out Of Africa, and many, many more.

In fact, the only apparent dud in the barrel is Castle Keep, his fourth movie.  

Castle Keep arrived at an…uh…interesting juncture in American (and worldwide) cinema history.

The old studio system that served Hollywood so well unraveled at the seams, the old way of doing business and making movies just didn’t seem to work anymore.

Conversely, the new style wasn’t winning that many fans, either.

For every big hit like Easy Rider there were dozens of films like Candy and Puzzle Of A Downfall Child and Play It As It Lays and Alex In Wonderland.

As I commented at the time, it seemed as if everybody in Hollywood had forgotten how to make movies.

It was a period rife with experimentation, but the thing about experiments is that they don’t always work.  While there were some astonishingly good films in this era, by and large it’s difficult for modern audiences to fully appreciate what the experimental films of the era were trying to do -- and in no small part because when they succeeded, the experiments became part of the cinematic language, but when they failed…

Castle Keep is not a perfect film.  As much as I love it, I need to acknowledge its flaws.

The Red Queen brothel sequences feel extraneous, not really worked into the film.  Women are often treated like eye candy in male dominated war films, but this is exceptionally so.  Brothels and prostitution certainly existed during WWII, servicing both sides and all comers, but the Red Queen’s ladies undercut points the film makes elsewhere.  

Their participation in the penultimate battle shifts the film -- however briefly -- from the absurd to the ridiculous, and apparently negative audience testing resulted in a shot being inserted showing them alive and well and cheering despite a German tank blasting their establishment just a few moments earlier.

Likewise, an action sequence in the middle of the film where a German airplane is shot down also seems like studio pressure to add a little action to the first two-thirds of the movie. 

Apparently unable to obtain a Luftwaffe fighter of the era, Pollack and the producers opted for an observation aircraft, then outfitted it with forward firing machine guns, something such aircraft never carried.

Once the airplane spotted the American soldiers at the castle, it would have flown away to avoid being shot down, not return again and again in futile strafing runs while they returned fire.

It’s action for the sake of action, and like the Red Queen scenes actually undercuts other points the film makes.

. . .

But when the film works, ah, it works gloriously…

Pollack used a style common in films of the late 1960s and early 70s:  Jump cuts from one time and place to another, with no optical transition or establishing shot to signal the jump to the audience.

Star Wars brought the old school style of film making back in a big way, and ya know what?  Old school works; it was lessons learned the hard way and by long experience.

Still, Pollack’s jump cuts add to Castle Keep’s dreamy, almost hallucinogenic ambiance, and that in turn reinforces the sense of fable that permeates the film.

For as historically accurate as Castle Keep is re the Battle of the Bulge, as noted above it is not operating in naturalism but rather the theater of myth and magic.

Pollack prefigures this early on with a dreamy slow motion sequence of cloaked riders galloping through the dead trees of the Ardennes forest, jumping a fence directly in front of the jeep carrying Major Falconer (Burt Lancaster) and his walking wounded squad.

It’s a sequence similar to one in Roger Vadim’s "Metzengerstein" segment of 1968’s Spirits Of The Dead, and while it’s unlikely Pollack found direct inspiration from Vadim, clearly both drew from the same mythic well.

The sequence serves as an introduction to the count (Jean-Pierre Aumont) and Therese his wife (?  Niece?  Sister?  Nobody in the movie seems 100% sure what their relationship is, but she’s played by Astrid Heeren) and the fabulous Castle Maldorais.

The castle is fabulous in more ways than one.  While the exterior was a free standing full scale outdoor set and some large interior sets were built, many of the most magnificent scenes were filmed in other real locations to show off genuine works of art found in other European castles.

This adds to the film’s somewhat disjointed feel, but that disjointed feel contributes to the dream-like quality of the story.  

. . .

As mentioned, Maldorais is crammed to the gills with priceless art, and the count doesn’t care who prevails so long as the art is unmolested.

The same can’t be said about Therese, however, and as the film’s narrator and aspiring author, Private Allistair Piersall Benjamin (Al Freeman Jr.), notes “We occupied the castle.  No one knows when the major occupied the countess.”

The count, as noted, is impotent.  To keep Castle Maldorais intact for future generations, he needs an heir and is not fussy about how he obtains one.  Therese’s function is to produce such an heir, and if the count isn’t particular about which side wins, neither is he particular about which side produces the next generation.

Despite being the narrator and (spoiler!) sole American survivor at the end of the film, Pvt. Benjamin is not the focal character of the film, nor -- surprise-surprise -- is Lancaster’s Maj. Falconer.

Falconer is evocative of Colonel Richard Cantwell in Ernest Hemingway’s Across The River And Into The Trees, in particular regarding his love affair with a woman many years his junior.

Falconer wears a patch over his right eye, the only visible sign of wounding among the GIs occupying the castle.

Several military movie buffs think they found a continuity error in Castle Keep insofar as Maj. Falconer first appears in standard issue officer fatigues of the era, but towards the end and particularly in the climactic battle wears an airborne officer’s combat uniform.

This isn’t an error, I think, but a clue as to Falconer’s personal history.

An airborne (i.e., paratrooper) officer who lost an eye is unfit for combat, and if well enough to serve would be assigned garrison duty, not a front line command.

Falconer figures out very early in Castle Keep the strategic importance of Castle Maldorais re the impending German attack and very consciously makes a decision to stand and fight rather than fall back to the relative safety of Bastogne.

Donning his old airborne uniform makes perfect sense under such circumstances.

If the count is impotent invisibly, Falconer is visibly impotent -- in both senses of the word -- and sees his chance to make one last heroic stand against the oncoming Nazi army as a surer way of restoring his symbolically lost manhood than in impregnating Therese.**

. . . 

Before examining our focal character, a few words on the supporting cast.

Peter Falk is Sgt. Rossi, a baker.  Sgt. Rossi’s exact wounding is never made clear, but it appears he suffers from some form of shell shock (as they called PTSD at the time).

He hears things, in particular a scream that only he hears three times during the movie.

The first time is after an opening montage of beautiful works of art being destroyed in a series of explosions.  When a bird-like gargoyle is blow apart, a screech is heard on the soundtrack, and we abruptly jump cut to Maj. Falconer and Sgt. Rossi and the rest of the squad on their way to Castle Maldorais.

For a movie as profoundly philosophical as Castle Keep (more on that in a bit), Sgt. Rossi is the only actual philosopher in the group.  His philosophy is of an earthy bent, and filtered through his own PTSD, but he’s clearly thinking. 

Rossi briefly deserts the squad to take up with the local baker’s wife (Olga Bisera, identified only as Bisera in the credits).  This is not adultery or cuckoldry; Rossi sees her bakery, knocks, and identifies himself as a baker.

“And I am a baker’s wife,” she says.

“Where’s the baker?”

“Gone.”

And with that Rossi moves in, fulfilling all the duties required of a baker (including, however briefly, standing in as a father figure for her son).

The baker’s wife is the only female character who displays any real personal agentry in the film, Therese and the Red Queen and her ladies are there simply to do the bidding of whichever male is present.

This is a problem with most male-oriented war films, and especially so for late 60s / early 70s cinema of any kind; for all the idealistic talk of equality and self-realization, female characters tended to be treated more cavalierly in films of that era than in previous generations.  Olga Bisera’s character appears noteworthy only in comparison to the other female characters in the movie.

Pvt. Benjamin, our narrator and aspiring author, is African-American.  There is virtually no reference made to his race in the film, certainly not as much as the references to a Native American character’s ethnicity.

Today this would be seen as an example of color blind casting; back in 1969 it was a pretty visually explicit point.

Again, it serves the mythic feel of the movie.  At that time, African-American enlisted personnel would not be serving in an integrated unit.

While Castle Keep never brings the topic up, the film -- and Pvt. Benjamin’s narration -- indicates these eight men are bottom of the barrel scrapings, sent where they can do the least amount of damage, and otherwise forgotten by the powers that be.

With that reading, Benjamin’s presence is easy to understand.  As the apparently third most educated member of the unit (Falconer and our focal character are the other two), he probably would not have been a smooth fit in any unit he’d been assigned to.

Whatever got him yanked out of his old company and placed under Maj. Falconer’s command probably was as much a relief to his superiors as it was to him.

Scott Wilson is Corporal Clearboy, a cowboy with a hatred of Army jeeps and an unholy love for Volkswagens.

Volkswagens actually appeared in Germany before the start of WWII but once Hitler came out swinging those factories were converted to military production.  Nonetheless, the basic Beetle was around during the war, and commandeered and used by many Allied soldiers who found one.

Clearboy’s Volkswagen provides one of the funniest bits in the movie, and one that plays on the mythical / surreal / magic realism of the film.  Clearboy’s obsession is oddly touching.

Tony Bill’s Lieutenant Amberjack tips us early on to the kind of cinematic experience we’re in for.  Under the opening credits, Amberjack is asked if he ever studied for the ministry; Amberjack says he did.

“Then why aren’t you a chaplain?” -- and Amberjack bursts out laughing.

Amberjack does not go with the others to the Red Queen -- “That’s for enlisted men” -- and while he enjoys playing the count’s organ, by that I mean he literally sits down at the keyboard and plays music.

But as we’ll see, Castle Keep is not the sort of movie to shy away from sly hints.  Amberjack’s specific “wound” is never discussed, so it’s open to speculation as to why he’s assigned to Maj. Falconer’s squad.

(Siderbar: Following a successful acting career, Bill went on to produce and direct several motion pictures, sharing a Best Picture Oscar for The Sting with Michael and Julia Phillips.)

Elk, the token Native American character in every WWII squad movie, is played by James Patterson.  Elk doesn’t get much to do in the film, though Patterson was an award winning Broadway actor.  Tragically, he died of cancer a few years after making Castle Keep.

Another character with little to do is Michael Conrad’s Sergeant DeVaca.  Most audiences today remember him for his role in Hill Street Blues.

Astrid Heeren (Therese) gets a typically thankless role for films of this type in that era.  She possessed a beautiful face that’s so symmetrical it gives off an unearthly, almost frightening vibe.  A fashion model in the 1960s, she appeared in only four movies -- this one, The Thomas Crown Affair, and two sleaze fests -- before quitting the business.

As noted above, no one is ever quite sure what her exact relationship to the count is.  Towards the end it’s speculated she’s his sister and his wife, but since the count is impotent, does that really constitute incest?

Whatever she is, it’s clear the count considers her nothing more than an oven in which to bake a new heir, and in a very real sense she possesses less freedom and personal agentry than the ladies of the Red Queen.

At least she survives at the end of the film, pregnant with Falconer’s child, led to safety by Pvt. Benjamin.

Finally, Bruce Dern as Lieutenant Billy Byron Bix, a wigged out walking wounded who is not a member of Falconer’s squad.

Bix leads his own rag tag group of GIs, equally addled soldiers who proclaim their newly found evangelical fervor renders them conscientious objectors.  They wander about, singing hymns and scrounging for survival, until the penultimate battle of the film.  

Falconer, trying to recruit more defenders from the retreating American forces, dragoons Bix and his followers into singing a hymn in the hopes of luring some of the shell shocked GIs back to the keep.

Bix agrees -- and is almost immediately killed by a shell, not only thwarting Falconer’s plan but also raising the question of whether this was divine punishment for abandoning his pacifist ways, fate decreeing Falconer and his squad must stand alone, or pure random chance.

Dern, as always, is a delight to watch, and he and Falk get a funny scene where they argue about singing hymns at night.

. . .

So who is our focal character?

Patrick O’Neil was one of those journeymen actors who never get the big breakout role that makes them a star, but worked regularly and well.

He worked on Broadway, guest starred on TV a lot, starred in a couple of minor films (including the delightful sci-fi / spy comedy Matchless), but spent most of his movie career supporting other stars.

Castle Keep is his finest performance.

He’s supposed to be supporting Lancaster in Castle Keep, but dang, he’s the heart and soul of the film.

O’Neil plays Captain Lionel Beckman, Falconer’s second in command, a professor of art and literature whose name is well known enough to be recognized by the count.  

Besides Falconer, Beckman is the only character explicitly acknowledged as having been wounded; this is revealed when Falconer mentions Beckman won the Bronze Star (the second highest award for bravery) and the Purple Heart.

Beckman is enthralled by Castle Maldorais; he and the count strike up a respectful if not friendly relationship.

He sees and appreciates the cultural significance of Castle Maldorais’ artistic treasures and futilely tries to share his love of same with the enlisted men.

He also understands how little Falconer can do at the castle to slow the German advance, and makes the entirely reasonable suggestion that perhaps it would be best for the squad and the castle to retreat and let the treasures remain intact.

Lancaster reportedly wanted to make Castle Keep a comment on the Vietnam War, but the reality is there’s no adequate comparison.

History shows the Nazis were a brutal, aggressive, racist force determined to conquer all they could and destroy the rest.

Beckman is not a fool for wanting to spare the castle and its art, and that’s why he’s vital as the film’s focal character.

He sees and feels for us the horror at what appears to be the senseless waste about to befall the men and the castle.  His voice is necessary to express there are ideals worth fighting for, and there are times when not fighting is the best strategy.

But Maj. Falconer is shown as a good officer.  While he maintains an aloof attitude of command, he’s interested in and concerned about the men under him, he’s willing to be lenient if circumstances permit, and he keeps them openly and honestly informed at all times of the situation facing them.

He figures out the meaning of the flares seen early in the film, anticipates what the German line of attack will be, but most importantly realizes more will die and more destruction will occur if the Nazis aren’t resisted.

He and Beckman’s difference of opinion is not simplistic good vs evil, brute vs beauty, but a deeper, and ultimately more ineffable one over applying value in our lives.

Falconer and Beckman represent two entirely different yet equally valid and equally human points of view of when and how we decide to act on those values.

Falconer by himself cannot tell the story of Castle Keep, he needs the sounding board of Beckman, and only Beckman can bridge the gap between those opposing values for the audience.

. . .

Before we go further, a brief compare & contrast on an earlier Burt Lancaster film, The Train (1964).

It touches on a theme similar to Castle Keep:  As Allied armies advance on Paris, the Germans plan to move a vast collection of priceless art by rail from France to Germany.  Lancaster, a member of a French resistance cell, doesn’t see the military value of stopping the train, but when other members of his cell decide to do so in order to save French culture, he reluctantly joins their efforts.

The film ends with the train stopped, the French hostages massacred, the art abandoned and strewn about by the fleeing Germans.  Lancaster confronts and shoots the German officer responsible then leaves, dismayed and disgusted by the waste of human life over an abstract love of beauty.

The French resistance fighters who died trying to stop the train did so of their own fully informed consent; they knew the risks, we willing to take them, ad faced the consequences.

The civilian hostages massacred at the end had no knowledge, much less any say in the reason why their lives were risked.  Lancaster, in successfully derailing the train to prevent it leaving France, also signs their death warrants when the vengeful Nazis turn on their victims.

The Train proved a critical success and did well at the box office, yet while it raises a lot of interesting points and issues, it ultimately isn’t as deep or as humane as Castle Keep.

The Train ends with a bitter sense of futility.

Castle Keep ends with a bittersweet sense of sacrifice.

. . .

All of which brings us to the screenplay of Castle Keep, written by Daniel Taradash and David Rayfiel off the novel by William Eastlake.

I read Eastlake’s book decades ago and remember it to be a good story.  

The screenplay kept the basic plot but built wonderfully off the complexity of the novel, reinterpreting it for the screen.

It’s one of the few cinematic adaptations of a good literary work that actually improves on the original.

Taradash was a classic old school Hollywood screenwriter with a string of bona fide hits and classics to his credit including From Here To Eternity (1952), Picnic (1955), and Hawaii (1966).  He also scripted the interesting misfire Morituri (1965), about an Allied double-agent attempting to sabotage a German freighter trying to get vital supplies back to the fatherland.

I suspect Taradash was the studio’s first choice for adapting the book, and as his credits show, an eminently suitable one.  

But when Pollack came on as the director, he also brought along David Rayfiel, a frequent collaborator with him on other films.

Rayfiel’s career as a screenwriter was shorter than Tardash’s but more intense, vacillating between quality films and well crafted potboilers.  Rayfiel and Pollack doubtlessly shaped the final form of the screenplay, and despite what appears to he studio interference, turned in a truly memorable piece of work.

As I said, Castle Keep is truly sui generis, but there are other films and screenplays that carry some of the same flavor.  

The Stunt Man (1980; directed by Richard Rush, screenplay by Rush and Lawrence B. Marcus off the novel by Paul Brodeur) bears certain similarities in tone and approach to Castle Keep.  It represents an evolution of the cinematic style originally found in Pollack’s film, now refined and polished to fit mainstream expectations.

True, it has the advantage of a story that hinges on sudden / swift / disorienting changes, but it still managed to pull those effects off more smoothly than the films of the late 1960s did.

As I said, some experiments work…

Castle Keep’s screenplay works more like Plato’s dialogs than a traditional film script.

Almost every line in it is a philosophical statement or question of some sort, and underlying everything in the film is each character’s quest for at least some kind of understanding if not actual meaning in life.

As noted, Sgt. Rossi is the most philosophical of these characters, though his philosophy is of a far earthier, more pragmatic variety than that of the count, Falconer, or Beckman.

All the major characters have some sort of philosophical bent, even if they’re not self-aware enough to recognize it in themselves.

The dialog is elliptical, less interested in baldly stating something that in getting the audience to tease out its own meanings.

Pollack directs the film in a way that forces the audience to fill in many blanks.

Early in the movie, Falconer and the count find themselves being stalked by a German patrol.  They take refuge in a gazebo, duck as the Germans fire the first few shots --

-- then we abruptly jump to the aftermath of the firefight, with Falconer and the count standing over the bodies of four dead Germans.

Falconer, seeing they’re all enlisted men, realizes they wouldn’t come this far behind enemy lines without an officer.

There can be only one destination for the officer, one goal he seeks…

Pollack then visually cuts away from Falconer and the count to Therese in the castle, but keeps the two men’s dialog going as a voice over.

In the voice over, we heard Falconer stalk and kill the German officer as he approaches the castle…

…and without ever explicitly stating it, the audience comes to realize the count and Therese are not allies of the Americans, that they are playing only for their own side, and that their values are alien to those of both the Allies and the Germans.

The count is using Therese -- with or without her consent -- to produce an offspring for him, and if the Germans can’t do the job, let the Americans have a go at it…

This theme provides an undercurrent for Beckman’s interactions with the count.  Beckman would like to believe the count’s desire to keep the war away from Castle Maldorais is just a desire to preserve the art and beauty in it, but the count’s motives are purely selfish.

He doesn’t desire to share his treasures with the world but keep them for his own private enjoyment.

The works of art are as good as gone once they pass through Castle Maldorais’ gate.

Later, at the start of the climactic battle for the castle, the count is seen guiding German troops into a secret tunnel that leads under the moat to the castle itself.

Falconer, having anticipated this, blows up the tunnel with the Germans in it.  Through Falconer’s binoculars, we see the Germans shoot the count in the distance, his body collapsing soundlessly into the snow.

A conventional war film would show his death in satisfying close up, but Pollack puts him distantly removed from the Americans he sought to betray, and even the Germans he inadvertently betrayed.  

It shows him going down, alone, in a cold and sterile and soundless environment, his greed for beauty scant comfort for his last breaths.

The film portrays the Germans as mostly faceless, seen only in death or at a distance, rushing and firing at the camera.

The one exception is a brief scene where Lt. Amberjack and Sgt. Rossi patrol the forest around the castle.

Amberjack, playing a flute he acquired at the castle, catches the attention of a German -- a former music student -- hiding in the nearby bushes.

The unseen German compliments Amberjack on his playing, but says if he’ll toss him the flute he’ll fix it so it plays better.

And the German is true to the word.  Unseen in the bushes, he smooths out some of the holes on the flute and tosses it back to Amberjack.

Amberjack thanks him --

-- and Sgt. Rossi shoots him.

“Why did you kill him?” Amberjack demands.

“It’s what we do for a living,” says Rossi, ever the philosopher.

. . .

Castle Keep isn’t a film for everyone.

It offers no pat answers, no firm convictions, no unassailable truths.

It’s open to a wide variety of interpretations, and the audiences that saw it first in 1969 approached it from a far different worldview than we see it today.

It isn’t for everyone, but for the ones it is for, it will be a rich meal, not a popcorn snack.

Currently available on Amazon Prime.

  © Buzz Dixon

  *  I’d include M*A*S*H (1970) in this group even thought (a) it’s set in the Korean War and (b) it’s really about Vietnam.  Except for the helicopters, however, M*A*S*H uses the same uniforms / weapons / vehicles as WWII films; for today’s audiences there’s no discernable difference from a WWII-era film.  It was a toss-up between putting this in the cynical revisionism or absurdity class, but in the end M*A*S*H is just too self-aware, too smirking to fit among the latter.

** Falconer’s relationship with Therese and (indirectly) the count and the castle also harkens back to a 1965 Charlton Heston film, The War Lord, arguably the finest medieval siege warfare movie ever made.  Like Falconer, Heston’s Norman knight must defend a strategic Flemish keep against a Viking chieftain attacking to rescue his young son held hostage by the Normans; complicating matters is Heston’s knight taking undue advantage of his droit du seigneur over a local bride which leads to the locals -- whom the Normans are supposed to be protecting from the Vikings -- helping their former raiders.  Life gets messy when you don’t keep your chain mail zipped.

[franziskabranch-blog]

All You Want To Know About Getting Music On The Internet

As hip-hop continues to evolve as a genre, categorizing sub genres by sound or location is turning into a increasingly more troublesome activity. Rock was not with out its triumphs in 2016, nevertheless. Bob Dylan received the Nobel Prize in Literature There was something ironic in Dylan's triumph, in that Dylan's influence shouldn't be as strong as it as soon as was. Common music could have outdated literature as a cultural affect long ago, however different genres have supplanted rock, folk, and blues. Dylan's Nobel Prize win additionally felt like a belated shot in a tradition struggle that ended way back—anyone who does not suppose Dylan's music needs to be taken critically is rightfully dismissed as a crank. In a 12 months by which pop music—from Robyn to Ariana Grande—was making a powerful assertion, singer Héloïse Letissier, who performs as Christine and the Queens, arrived from France to continue the dialog about gender and id on Chris. On Would not Matter"—over daring poppy '80s drums and sparkling synth—Héloïse bravely addresses the pressures of the masculine gaze, suicidal thoughts, and the character of relationships and faith. It's a heavy and vital dialog to be having—particularly in a song full of as a lot buoyant French enjoyable as this one. On Facet One our Kate strikes a deal with God, throws her sneakers in a lake and poses as somewhat boy driving a rain machine. Turn over, and she or he's drowning, exorcising demons and dancing an Irish jig. All this to a soundscape that employs the shiniest synthesised studio toys the Eighties had to supply within the service of one women's unique but utterly English musical genius. Pay attention again to the delirious cacophany of 'Working Up That Hill', and it appears like God struck that deal.

A examine out of Finland additionally looked on the emotional properties of music and its impression on memory formation, but with a twist. It compared how music impacted the reminiscences of those with musical backgrounds versus those without Those with a musical background did higher on the memory tasks if neutral music was taking part in, reasonably than pleasurable music. The opposite was true for those with out musical backgrounds. The conclusion drawn here is that pleasurable music was too distracting to individuals with musical backgrounds. In essence, their brains had been too busy analyzing the music they enjoyed to form new reminiscences. Whereas these and not using a musical background had been reacting to the positive feelings inspired by the pleasurable music, which helped them enhance their quick-time period reminiscence. Now, you recognize, when you think about that jazz is great American music, it has been four or five a long time, I believe 1963, since jazz received record of the yr for Grammy presentation. I imply, that's astonishing to me. So perhaps there's a beacon of light now that has been shined upon us to perhaps make folks look a bit of bit more deeply into what artwork is de facto about. What it means. And I'm so pleased that Herbie won this record as a result of it was the only jazz report nominated for record of the year. Simply earlier than his tragic dying in a airplane crash in Madison, Wis., in late 1967, Otis Redding had accomplished recording (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay", perhaps his biggest track and the first document to ever develop into a posthumous No. 1 hit. Was Otis Redding pondering of Vietnam? We'll by no means know for sure, however he'd agreed to journey to Vietnam to entertain the troops shortly before his passing. Frank Free, an data specialist at USARV Headquarters at Long Binh in 1968-69, admits that he gravitated to music that expressed emotions of craving and loneliness, and that Redding's portrait of the lonely wanderer resting by the ocean watching the solar go down in (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay" perfectly captured that feeling. For many people, our taste in music is an integral a part of our identification - so much in order that, to a certain extent, what we hearken to is who we are. The songs of our youth, heard a thousand times, fill our headspace with stray lyrics and infectious grooves, creating a filter for the way we see, hear, and perceive the world from then on out. And whereas some have a much less aware, more natural approach, others actively draw boundaries between the music they settle for and the music they deny - and by extension, the people associated with these musical cultures, as effectively.

Earlier than the pc age" musicians caught with a given music genre. If you have been asked to group the different musicians in particular categories depending on their musical expertise, it was very straightforward to do. That is now not the case. Genres in at the moment's music are blurred as the modern musicians" match totally different genres. Currently, it's not uncommon to discover a musician singing hip-hop and but playing within the R&B type. Some musicians have even gained awards in music categories they are not famous for. For example, Nelly, who is understood for R&B, has won a rustic music award. Due to the limited confinement of the completely different music genres, the music world has become confused and it's virtually unimaginable to tell the specific style that a given musician engages in.

Artistic Commons is a system that lets you legally use some rights reserved" music, movies, photographs, and different content material — all at no cost. CC gives free copyright licenses that anyone can use to mark their inventive work with the freedoms they need it to hold. As an illustration, a musician might use a Inventive Commons license to allow individuals to legally share her songs online, make copies for mates, or even use them in videos or make remixes. For extra data, go to our Be taught More page.

Romantic music (c. 1810 to 1900) from the 19th century had many components in widespread with the Romantic types in literature and portray of the era. Romanticism was an inventive, literary, and mental movement was characterised by its emphasis on emotion and individualism in addition to glorification of all of the previous and nature. Romantic music expanded past the inflexible kinds and forms of the Classical period into more passionate, dramatic expressive items and songs. Romantic composers similar to Wagner and Brahms tried to increase emotional expression and www.audio-transcoder.com power of their music to explain deeper truths or human emotions. With symphonic tone poems , composers tried to tell tales and evoke images or landscapes utilizing instrumental music. Some composers promoted nationalistic pride with patriotic orchestral music inspired by folk music The emotional and expressive qualities of music got here to take priority over custom.

[gothify1]

Welcome to #WhoWhatWearing , a series in which we highlight you, our stylish community of readers. Each of the following looks came straight from a photo you tagged us in on Instagram. Want to be featured next time? You guessed it: Use #WhoWhatWearing on the outfit posts you want us to see. I’ll admit that I am dubious at times when it comes to opting in to the latest trends. For me, the long-term unsustainable impact of keeping up with season after season of the newest It items—or the fact that some trends aren’t practical at all—makes it harder to hop on the bandwagon. Nevertheless, as I scrolled through all the spring outfits our readers tagged us in, I couldn’t deny the truth that not all trends are created equal; some  really are worth embracing. Our readers have proven that some of spring 2020’s biggest trends are not only easier to style than one would think but also that some of these are—dare I say—easy to wear in the coming season and beyond. So ahead, you’ll find the trends our readers love the most and their tips for pulling them off flawlessly. On Kat Hsu: Orseund Iris Velvet-Trimmed Cotton-Canvas Bustier Top ($685); Mejuri Locket Necklace ($100); Prada Re-Edition 2000 Nylon Mini-Bag ($725) As we roll out of our state of hibernation, it looks like the boudoir styles aren't staying in the bedroom   come spring, and honestly, we’re here for it. But I promise editors aren’t just clamoring for corsets, garter belts, and slip dresses. As Who What Wear reader  Kat Hsu told us, “I love pairing lingerie pieces for a casually sexy just-threw-this-on ensemble.” But if you’re intimidated by the look, Kat suggests pairing your lingerie-inspired piece with “similarly colored trousers for a clean, monochrome look accentuated by a colorful touch like a bright purse or fun earrings.” On Kat Hsu (left): & Other Stories High Rise Jeans ($79) and Tube Tank Ivory ($195); On Kim Seidensticker (right): Orseund Iris Ribbed-Knit Corset ($175); Agolde Criss Cross Upsized Jean ($188) Still not convinced to take that bra out on the town? Let Kat's twin and fellow Who What Wear reader,  Kim Seidensticker ,  show you. As she told us, “I think lingerie-inspired pieces are so fun to style for spring. I like to style them with oversize blazers or wide-leg trousers for a look that is a mix of masculine and feminine.” Meaning you, dear reader, can also pull off this look come springtime. All you have to do is style it in a way that works for you. On Daniela Moreno: Salisa Blazer02 ($215) and Trousers05 ($179); Margi Gaba Moo Bag ($249); Missoma Gold Roman Arc Coin Necklace ($180) While suiting has been a thing for a moment , something about the trend for spring feels, well, groundbreaking. Daniela Moreno backs us up on this sentiment, professing, “I love wearing light and neutral-toned suits in spring because it adds a bit of masculinity to the season's trends that tend to be floral dresses.” On Niki Mallikarachi: Frankie Shop Single Breasted Cropped Blazer ($139) and Tie Cuff Trousers ($109); Nike Air Force 1 Shadow Leather Sneakers ($110) Suits truly are spring’s most versatile trend, and no one makes that case quite like Niki Mallikarachi . She explains, “I am into suits for spring because they are so easy to put together effortlessly and can be dressed up or down depending on your mood!” Business casual or polished, you can’t go wrong with a suit for spring. “Suits are the perfect piece to add into your wardrobe for spring. They are the gift that keeps on giving,” Chiara Perera professed to us. No truer words have been said, but it must also be noted the versatility of this trend isn’t limited to how you approach styling; there’s a whole world of colors and prints you can cop to take part in this trend. And if you’re unsure what type of suit is for you, take a cue from Perera and try a pinstripe suit this spring. It’s a surefire way to pull off the trend. On Allison Romero: LPA Top 532 ($128); Zara Flared Pants ($50) For those of us living in colder climates, the best thing about spring is being able to peel off the heavy layers and swap them out for lighter fabrics. But no matter where you live, high-shine satin is a fabric anyone can get behind for spring, and Allison Romero agrees. She stated, “ I live in a climate that’s warm year-round, so silky satin pieces are some of my favorite ways to transition into spring and give my closet a little refresh.” On Sarah Butler: Fabiana Filipi; Chloé Small Aby Lock Bag ($1547) “Shiny satin fabrics are my go-to for elevating a spring outfit,” says Sarah Butler . “Whether it is a satin top, slip dress, or trousers, the luxe fabric always has a sophisticated vibe, which I love. To keep the look feeling refined, I opt for solid colors over patterns in this fabric,” she explains. Satin for spring is a no-brainer. On Francesca Carolina: Dazie Nicolina Backless Top ($50) and Nicolina Slip Skirt ($60); Senso Brooklyn Sandals ($199); Dylan Kain The Linda Bag ($168) Don’t get it twisted: If  the S/S 20 runways taught us anything, it’s that black and white for spring can be bold. From stripes to polka dots , we’re fans, but you don’t have to just take our word for it. Francesca Carolina told us, “ I love black and white for spring because it’s such a crisp look. It also means you’re not limited to your accessories!” Whoever said black and white were boring clearly didn’t see our readers' outfits. On Hannah Hill: ASOS Check Wrap Dress ($54); Steve Madden Kagan Ankle Boot ($60); Jacquemus Le Chiquito Leather Mini Bag (sold out) If you’re still not convinced about black and white for spring, look to reader Hannah Hill  for inspiration on how to pull off this color palette for spring. She states, “Black-and-white prints are versatile and chic, but don't be afraid to go for bold silhouettes with asymmetrical hemlines and perfect puffy sleeves!” It doesn’t get more fun for spring than mixing in colors and various hemlines to take the classic palette into the new season. On Meeka Hossain: Misha Giulia Blazer Dress ($260); Schutz Analeah Boot ($295) Green for spring? I can hear your eyes rolling. Despite it being slightly cliché, from its previous iterations of pistachio on the runway to mint for this season, this color in all its various forms clearly hasn’t stopped growing on us. If you’re not sure how to embrace mint green for spring, Meeka Hossain ’s tip for adopting this color is to add edge by pairing opposing colors together. “Toughen up the dreamy mint hue by adding a contrasting color like black,” she suggests. On Chainky: Gimaguas Ona Top ($108); Dal Hae The One Choker Necklace ($156) “You can never go wrong with green for spring,” Chainky told us, and we have to agree. But don’t feel tethered to adopting mint as the only hue to try for the season. You can still ride the trend’s wave by playing with other shades of green this spring. Ultimately, it comes down to the color you feel the freshest in, and according to Chainky, “this particular shade of green has a tropical vibe that brings some heat.” Who wouldn’t want to add a little tropical heat into their lives? At some point, you’ve probably already encountered former versions of this  bag trend.  T hink back to the  Fendi Baguette  or  Dior Saddle Bag . A nd while these bags aren’t going anywhere this spring, you can expect a shift to a more individualist approach to this trend. As reader Leena Ha told us, “I love ’90s shoulder bags for spring not only because of how practical they are, but they add some class to my otherwise grungy style.” Whether you’re like Ha and choose to adopt the trend based on your approach to style or you opt for a labelless version of this trend, the best thing about  ’90s shoulder bags  is that it is something you can incorporate into your life on your terms. On Tash Baker: Lacausa Long Sleeve Crewneck ($77); Flash Eva Pearl Sleeper Hoops ($249); Jurate LA Necklace ($124); Bonito Golden Layering Necklace Trio ($215) What makes a trend truly viable is its ability to be rebirthed, re-worn, and reincorporated into our lives. The ’90s shoulder bag embodies that. It’s been popular before, it’s popular now, and it will probably be popular again, so even if after getting to the end of this story you’re weary of trends, this may be the easiest one to adopt because it's the perfect combination of timeless and wearable. Next: These Are the Biggest Spring 2020 Trends, Period

[dustedmagazine]

Richard Osborn — Endless (Tompkins Square)

A student of the late, great Robbie Basho, Richard Osborn was compared favorably by the latter to John Fahey and even Basho himself. Like Fahey and Basho, Osborn practices the minimal solo guitar art form known unfairly as American primitive. I say unfairly because the terminology obfuscates the daring adventurousness of the music Osborn produces. Primitive suggests something underdeveloped or lacking in finesse, yet nothing could be further from the truth. After many decades outside the limelight, it’s a pleasure to have him redress the balance with Endless, by my reckoning only his second bona fide solo album. 

Critics call this style of restrained, fingerpicked solo guitar work primitive due to the music’s sparse nature — solo guitar sans vocals or other adornments — and because of its apparent origins in the depths of America’s Appalachian hinterland. But this seems harsh, especially when one considers the reverence in which we here in the UK — and Europe in general — hold our purveyors of ancient folk music. Some may not like it, but I have rarely seen it disparaged as lacking in depth or sophistication. Then again, we’re an old continent, and so it seems that the Appalachian tradition across the pond is viewed as the little more than the first fitful stabs at what would become the supposedly more venerable rock and Americana vernaculars. But listen to Richard Osborn (and John Fahey, Robbie Basho, Jack Rose or Sandy Bull) and any notion that this music is primitive is quickly shown to be nonsensical. Whatever its origins in unassuming rural communities, this is a guitar style that abounds with lush detail and with its gaze fixed firmly outside the supposed simplicity of where it began.  

Despite that rant, however (and apologies for my passion), there remains a feeling that American primitive is a genre beamed from another era, be it the depths of the past or a brief hippy flourishing around 1967 (Jorma Kaukonen surely owed a lot to John Fahey and Robbie Basho). James Blackshaw has spent the last decade or so trying to bring this rural form into either alt-rock popularity or avant-garde respectability, arguably without success. Aside from the dense, drone-heavy majesty of Pelt, American primitive remains a cult form, even as it traverses the music of icons like Dylan and Young, or crops up in the disinterred masterpieces of Townes van Zandt or Songs: Ohia. Is Endless the album to reverse a trend towards much-appreciated craft but cruelly undeserved semi-obscurity? Probably not, but if anyone reading this is untraveled in the ways of this genre, here is a place to start, and if you’re lucky, Rich Osborn might even be hitting a venue near you. With Basho, Fahey and Bull long gone, that in itself elevates Osborn to heights I doubt he ever expected.  

Beyond the obvious American references, where Endless shines is exactly in the way Osborn throws off the undeserved primitive tag: as an admirer, nay, a student, of the great Indian sarod player Ali Akbar Khan, Osborn throws the strong connection between this supposedly American music and the traditions of India into sharp relief. All of the giants mentioned above found a common language in the likes of Khan and Ravi Shankar, but Osborn makes it most fervently clear on tracks like “In a Monastery Garden,” “Still I Will be Merry” and “The Open Road,” especially the latter with its undercurrent of insistent tablas. Osborn’s guitar doesn’t just trace fingerpicking motifs through the air, but also chimes with reverberant drones, as he gives full flourish to his obvious technical dexterity. 

Elsewhere, Osborn casts his net even further, in a sense, with the luxurious “Breton Fisherman’s Prayer,” a gentle, sung ballad that captures the seafaring traditions of the west of France. Having grown up in Brittany, I can attest to the song’s authenticity, as it gently rocks between sea shanty and folk ballad. Throughout Endless, Osborn’s skill on the guitar is evident, but it’s the subtle emotion of tracks like “Breton Fisherman’s Prayer” that give the album its real strength.

As a disciple of Robbie Basho, Richard Osborn, with Endless, is not going to enable American primitivism to shake off preconceptions and become one with the folk traditions of so many countries, including its own. Instead, the album is a comfort, the work of a man who has seen it all and continues to strum, pluck and caress his guitar even as time devolves around him. I don’t think it’s an essential listen, but Endless carries the beauty of a hundred lands within it. So maybe it is.  

Joseph Burnett 

[screw-your-self]

3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 42, 44, 45, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55, 61, 62, 65, 67, 68, 69, 71, 80, 82, 85, 87, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96,

3- my eyes are blue 4- I dont mind my name , i just hate meeting a lot of people with the same 5- taken for the last 17 months to my amazing boyfriend 6- my personality - shy , irritable , strongheaded 8- Currently on the lookout for a car so dont have one yet.9- i shop at cotton on, factoire , warehouse, supre , boohoo , jayjays 10 - My style? i dress for comfort , i love skirts and dresses and heels but my main go to is a good hoodie and a pair of leggings or jeans.11- uhhh favourite social media probably twitter 12- my bed is a double , probably should invest in a queen when the boyfriend and i move out though i take up a lot of space since i sleep on an angle.13- I have a full sister (23) , a step brother (25) , step sister (21) and another step sister up with the angels (23) and im 19 :P16- I dont have a favourite makeup brand , i like dont even wear makeup 99% of the time.17- uhh i shower when i need to , i mean if im not working i dont really do anything to stink but yeah if i work everyday then i shower everyday.18 - fav tv show - Teen wolf , Greys Anatomy , Orphan Black , Scandal , there is so many i could never choose.19- my shoe size is a 7 so 38 in European and idk what in US20- im 153cm tall so i think thats 5″3?22- i dont go to the gym , i have a good figure already 23- my dream date , i dont have one i just like a good night cuddled up in bed watching netflix 26- i sleep with 5 pillows , two on each side of the bed and one in my arms 27- my job is at hoyts , i work as a cinema attendant so i clean cinemas or i sell tickets and candy.29-  worst thing i have ever done... cheated on my ex when playing truth or dare with some friends. 31 and 32 - i like to keep my future children names secret so i shall not say my three favourite girls and boys names.33- fav actor , i like johnny depp but the lastest pirate movie he did terrible34- fav actress , i like no one sorry35- celeb crush is dylan o’brien or holland roden36- i dont have a favourite movie 37- i used to read a lot but not anymore , my favourite book though is looking for alaska by john green40- ive never been to the hospital for myself apart from being born42- im supposed to take medication daily but i do not do it44- my biggest fear is dying from drowning since i cant swim very well45- i want 2 kids48- i dont have a role model i choose not to look up to anyone.49- i went through my conversation with my boyfriend to find a recent compliment but i can only find him calling me cutie 50-  last text i sent was good morning text to my boyfriend52- dream car is a nissan GTR53- my opinion on smoking is that its disgusting55- i dont really know what my dream job is anymore61- i have never peed in the woods no62- no i dont watch cartoons65- i wear a top and underwear to bed67- hoobies are photography , modelling, sleeping , watching movies68- i can not draw69- no i dont play an instrument 71- i dont like tea or coffee80- biggest pet peeve is talking with mouth full i hate seeing food like that in someones mouth.82- fav icecream would be chocolate85- my shirt im wearing is motley crue from their world tour 87- im a shy person 91- no i have never been high and never will unless its from meds when giving birth. 92- ive been drunk once93- last thing i ate was biscuits 94- i hardly listen to music to have a favourite lyric right now 95- summer all the way, i hate how cold it is in winter.96- i like the blue skys and sun being out during the day but im more of a night owl so night time. finally finished :P

[1dhomeroom]

Harry Styles didn’t just become a rock star – he always was one

Let’s stop pretending that boy bands and rock bands are direct opposites.

Harry Styles has undergone a radical transformation. Say goodbye to the manufactured, sweet-cheeked pop baby of yore, and say hello to the authentic rock star of tomorrow. This is the narrative the vast majority of coverage of his debut, self-titled album (released today) will offer you.

The New York Post led with how “Harry Styles went from teeny-bop to classic rock”, after “years of being cooped up in the cage of One Direction”, leading to a shift in “the teen-girl hysteria” that followed 1D “like a screeching shadow.” The Daily Mail quipped that he has moved “in a very different direction”, while Metro agreed the album is “a definite departure from his One Direction days.”

“One Direction’s fans have grown up” NME wrote, and “Harry’s music has too.” Buzzfeed announced that “Harry Styles Isn’t Following The Pop Star Playbook”, while Stereogum headlined their review “Harry Styles, Prince Of Pop, Takes A Stab At Rock Stardom”, opening with “Here’s a sign of the times for you: The most famous member of the world’s leading boy band is trying to become a rock star”. The Telegraph’s review found the departure so stark that it offered the following intensely patronising speculation: “It is so old-fashioned it may actually come across as something new to its target audience. After all, most One Direction fans wouldn’t even have been twinkles in their parents’ eyes when this kind of ragged confection was all the rage.” Because, tragically, society has still not discovered a way to make music from the past available to modern ears.

Of course, there is some truth in the observation that this is not a One Direction album. More relaxed, dishevelled and playful than any One Direction product, Styles experiments with a diverse range of influences on this debut, and lyrically, you can absolutely tell that these are the most sincere words of a 23-year-old, not an experienced adult songwriter trying to get inside the brain of a teenager.

But fans of the band will see this album as a natural next step for Styles after One Direction’s increasingly classic rock-influenced songs. After their first two albums, Up All Night and Take Me Home, the band began to become more guitar-heavy and nostalgic: established publications were outraged that Midnight Memories’ lead single “Best Song Ever” dared to reference The Who, while the bands final two albums – Four and Made in the AM, are packed with varied rock references, particularly songs on which Styles has a writing credit, even if more traditional music press insisted the albums remained “bubble-gum”.

Harry even chose to play one of these One Direction tracks on his Today appearance this week, Four’s “Stockholm Syndrome”, which takes the experience of being taken hostage as its central (potentially problematic) conceit. It’s a favourite amongst fans who never thought they’d devote themselves so sincerely to a boy band – “Baby, look what you’ve done to me.” It sounded complimentary to the songs he played from the new album “Carolina”, “Sign of the Times” and “Ever Since New York”. For me, “Sweet Creature”, the second single from Styles’s debut, is a natural extension of One Direction’s “I Want To Write You a Song” and tracks co-written by Styles, “If I Could Fly” and “Walking in the Wind”.

In terms of music, then, Harry hasn’t made as radical a departure as many suggest – so why is the predominant narrative still one of an aspiring rock artist desperately hoping to shake off his pop past? Certainly, he’s long looked like a rock star – always the most androgynous and bohemian of his bandmates, experimenting with floral suits, women’s jeans and heeled boots. Pictures of the four boys together sometimes seemed as though they were taken in an alternative universe where Marc Bolan had accidentally stumbled accross Take That on the red carpet. He single-handedly brought back the pussy-bow, for God’s sake. He’s always had the charisma of a rock star, the mystery, the mischievousness, and the style of a rock star.

Styles is, in fact, very much the traditional rock star – his very appeal may be due to the fact that he is the most traditional one we’ve had in years. Like McCartney, John Lennon, David Bowie, Jagger, Marc Bolan, or Kurt Cobain, Styles is creative, interested in fashion, androgynous, boyish and followed around the world by a stream of enthusiastic fans, who are mostly young women. Like boy bands past and present, the rock canon is littered with pretty boys with ambiguous sexualities engaging in over the top homosocial bonding on stage – Harry could not tick these boxes more enthusiastically. Harry Styles didn’t just become a rock star overnight – he always was one.

The boy band is still often seen as the antithesis of the rock band, despite their many cultural similarities in terms of audience and marketing. In fact, bands like The 1975 and Blossoms are exploiting those overlaps by positioning themselves somewhere between boy band and rock group. But the boy band remains dismissed and derided while rock groups are mythologised and worshipped as art.

One person who seems less interested in this particular narrative is Styles himself. In his Rolling Stone interview, Styles said of One Direction, “I love the band, and would never rule out anything in the future. The band changed my life, gave me everything.” He went on to celebrate the young women who have supported his career. “Who’s to say that young girls who like pop music – short for popular, right? – have worse musical taste than a 30-year-old hipster guy? That’s not up to you to say. Young girls like the Beatles. You gonna tell me they’re not serious? How can you say young girls don’t get it?”

In a small cinema in Notting Hill last night, Styles hosted an intimate screening of a new documentary, Harry Styles: Behind The Album, for a group of fans from One Direction’s golden age. After introducing it, he stayed to watch from the side-lines. The hour-long film is a striking look at the last year or so of Styles’s life, including clips of him drinking and swimming in Jamaica, lounging around in Hawaiian shirts snoozing in the ocean on a surfboard; shots of his much-discussed haircut of 2016; an impressive Bob Dylan impression; and several minutes devoted to Styles’s bromance with his guitarist Mitch Rowland, with clips of them flirting and exchanging guitars and declarations of love. (The album’s executive producer, Jeff Bhasker, told the New York Post of Rowland, “He’s kind of like the Keith Richards to Harry’s Mick Jagger. That type of dynamic between the lead guitar player and the singer needs to exist for the type of music Harry wants to do.”)

About 15 minutes in to the documentary, we cut to black and white clips of One Direction playing their biggest stadium shows, while Harry reflects on the strangeness of the narrative being imposed upon him. “When you leave a band – a boy band – you feel like you have to go in a completely different direction, and say, ‘Don’t worry everyone, I hated it, it wasn’t me.’”

He pauses and smiles.

“I loved it.”

Cheers erupted from the fans in the row in front of me.

“And I don’t feel like I have to apologise for that. I never felt like I was faking it.”

Perhaps the main thing that separates Styles from some of his rock counterparts is his enormous respect for pop music, young women, and the extraordinary dynamic that can emerge between an artist and their fans. Whether this is a calculated fan-servicing move or not – it’s one that critics should aspire to.

“The thing with the band,” Harry continues in the documentary, “was that it went so well, from the start, that it almost felt like everything had to get a little bigger each time. I think at some point it’s quite stressful. There’s only so high you can go, at some point you’re not going to make that expectation. Going out on a high and now feeling like I’m starting afresh, I came to terms with the fact that that was so great, and if I never get to do that on that level again, that’s okay.”

Styles has confronted the fact that the sweaty combination of youth, beauty, hype, and sheer devotion that propelled him and his bandmates to ridiculous levels of fame is unsustainable. To keep moving forward, he knows they had to change. But changing, for Styles, isn’t a simply clean break. And it doesn’t involve discarding, rebranding or disowning the people who helped him get where he is.

Harry Styles is out now. Harry Styles: Behind The Album is out on Monday on Apple Music.

http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/music-theatre/2017/05/harry-styles-solo-one-direction-rock-pop-boyband

"I loved it." ... past tense