#van doesn’t know why she’s still here? too bad! you get to be functionally immortal!

[novelconcepts]

Mari looking SO excited about the rifle. There’s a universe where she got to be huntress AND cook, and she is THRIVING.

[tothedarkdarkseas]

The way Vampire AU has taken off has really warmed my heart! So many great thoughts all round. I sent you some elaborations on my own personal headcanons for it as a submission, just for the fun of it. Enjoy!

Hi! I got your submission last night and read over it-- it's very elaborate, you've clearly put a lot of thought into fleshing this AU out and it sounds like a ton of fun. I know you mentioned at the end that you had no intentions of writing it because you're busy with other fandom projects, but I'm sure there are many who'd be interested in reading your ideas if you ever decided to make a sideblog for it. I'll post your submission for others to read below a cut here so that the post won't be too long on the dashboard, and I'll reply to some of the specifics underneath!

Yes! I have so many more thoughts on a vampire AU, I figured it would be easier to put them in a submission. Hope you don't mind.

The concept is just so fascinating to me, because so much of it lines up perfectly with the character dynamics we're given in the canon, and what doesn't has the potential to expand on and explore those dynamics in a really interesting way.

I agree 100 percent about the tone it would have to be written in. An actual brooding, dark prince Murdoc type of thing wouldn't work for me. (Murdoc would try to play up that persona, but in reality, he'd be far from it.) In my mind, the tone would be half What We Do In The Shadows and half Being Human UK. Four misfits living in a mouldering mansion somewhere, getting on each other's tits - but deep down they've got each other's backs. There's a bond, even if they can't quite explain what it is.

In my mind the bloodlust would function as an addiction. Murdoc is no Mother Theresa but he's not comfortable with indiscriminate murder either. (Guilt and self-loathing is not a good combination in Murdoc.) Knowing there is no in between for vampires - you can't have a sip here and there, it's abstinence or nightly slaughter - he stays teetotal from blood and tries to channel his desires into other addictions instead. Any and every addiction, really. Drugs, booze, sex, theft, you name it. Which is how he comes to be doing donuts in a stolen car in a Tesco car park, at the exact same time Stuart Pot is making a midnight run for condoms and Tango.

I picture Murdoc's turning of Stu would be this confusing moment that even he can't fully explain, so he's always switching his story about it. One day he'll say he didn't want to deal with the police, another day it'll be vampire enforcers he was afraid of - "total killjoys, they'll bung you in a blood-filled coffin for a hundred years over the TINIEST infraction". Other days he comes close to admitting he felt guilty, that he flipped out over the idea of killing someone after all, when he's dedicating all his energy to avoiding doing just that. Sometimes he just calls it a moment of madness.

But in every vampire movie, there's that moment. The moment where the newly-turned vamp rises from the grave as this beautiful unearthly creature of the night, and I mean . . . this absolutely would be Murdoc's experience of it. He's almost convinced himself there aren't real vampires like that, that it's all Hollywood bollocks, and then Stu rises up in front of him like some black-eyed, blue-haired god, and the part of Murdoc that isn't utterly gobsmacked by it can't help resenting the little sod for making it look so easy. Murdoc likes to take the piss out of him and claim he's like one of those Lost Boys California pretty boy vampires, but he's jealous really.

I imagine Murdoc would be similarly mercurial about how he was turned. There's always some hyperbolic story about it, designed to paint Murdoc in the best light. Sometimes he was the premier occultist of his day. Sometimes he sold his soul to the devil for immortality. Sometimes he was turned by a beautiful vampire seductress, who was bitter he broke her heart. It's all bollocks. The truth is definitely something less glamorous, and I would imagine actually much sadder as well? I'm not sure what, but I'm picturing something like Murdoc's father being some small-time occultist who sold his son to vampires, or maybe Murdoc was working some menial job and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe he was turned by some vampire who would have drunk him dry, if Murdoc hadn't fought him off. Or maybe it's a bit of mystery, like the mystery of his mother in canon. Someone did this to Murdoc, someone made him what he is, but he has no memory of it. And all the different stories are actually partly a coping mechanism for that, as he tries on different explanations for size. (It would also explain why he would refuse to abandon Stu after turning him. Because navigating this new reality alone is something he wouldn't wish on anyone, even some dumb kid.)

I think the supernatural element would also be a great way to expand on and deepen Murdoc's relationships with Russell and Noodle. In supernatural fiction there are always two types of beings that hate each other. Usually vampires and werewolves, but often vampires and ghosts too. As, obviously, vamps can't drain ghosts, and they spend their lives running from the guilt of all the people they've killed. Ghosts are a constant reminder of that - and of the afterlife they both fear, and resent that they were denied. I can picture Russell maybe helping Murdoc exorcise the ghost of Hannibal or Jacob, and that's how they meet. (And why he has more patience with Murdoc than most. He's seen him at his most vulnerable.) Noodle would be great as a vampire hunter too. Her dynamic with Murdoc would be fraught as on the one hand, she respects Russell and venerates him for his connection to the spirit world, so to a certain extent anything he says she'll try to respect. And Murdoc is supposedly reformed, and she has moments where she even almost quite likes him. But her instinct is not to trust him. Her instinct is to put him down, and they both know it. As much as he battles his bloodlust around her, she battles her urge to put a stake through his heart, Van Helsing style.

Finding out he turned someone would be a MAJOR ruck in their relationship. But I think Murdoc would use 2-D to convince her and Russell to stick around - because he turned him, but it wasn't like he was chowing down on the lad, it was practically an act of charity, really. Practically an act of atonement. And if they both leave now, Stu is only left with Mr Bad Influence Murdoc Niccals, to teach him how to be a vampire, and restrain his urges and whatnot. And Murdoc has never been much good at all that AA, 12 step stuff, so unless they WANT poor sweet Stuart Pot to wind up spending eternity as some kind of crackhead . . . it would be a kindness to him, really, to stick around.

I could not agree more about how Murdoc turning Stu would mirror their Phase Two dynamic, with Stu literally having become "the thing Murdoc turned him into", and resenting that. But also, having moments of perverse gratitude for it? Stu is vain, and vampire Stu would be gorgeous, which I reckon he'd love. And though I think he'd hate that his normal life of footy with the boys and Sunday dinner at his mum's was over, I can also imagine him feeling this whole new world has opened up in front of him, something most people aren't special enough to gain entry to. And he likes that.

I can even see the fame thing and the band happening. Music would be a great, healthier way to channel the urges he can't act on. And I can see Murdoc agreeing. Admitting that he's been playing in bands for years, because it's actually a great cover for a vampire lifestyle. Being nocturnal is practically a prerequisite, when you're a rock star, and you can get away with looking all kinds of weird when you're in a band, because people just chalk it up to the aesthetic. Still, until he met 2-D, none of the bands he'd been in were actually any GOOD. 2-D reawakens his love of music, the same way he is the turning point for Murdoc's career in the canon.

Vampirism would also be a great way to explore Stuart's flaws. His vanity is an obvious one, but I can also see him avoiding his family and not letting them know why he'd disappeared for years. Just too self-absorbed to appreciate the harm it's caused. I can also see the pill problem happening as he imitates Murdoc's habit of abusing substances to try and blunt his bloodlust. I can imagine him saying stupid stuff like "you never even took me to the hospital!" and convincing himself he experiences phantom headaches, because he doesn't want to admit he's becoming just like Murdoc, actually. He tells himself the pills are medicine and he really needs them, and it's not the same at all.

And I can see him getting too carried away with his lusts, and having several near misses or disastrous incidents where he brings girls home and loses control of himself. Where Murdoc jumps in and saves it from getting too out of hand, but at the same time exposes how he's basically been stalking Stu "for your own protection", with a side of decidedly voyeuristic intentions. Stu has . . . strong (and somewhat confused) feelings about this.

I think Murdoc would be the same trouble magnet in the vampire underworld that he was in the criminal one. Feelings about Murdoc range from "this unwashed oik should NEVER have been allowed to become one of us" to "I WILL STAKE MURDOC FAUST NICCALS IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO". Murdoc would definitely continue his streak of petty crime any time he entered the hallowed halls of the vampire hoi poloi. He'd be pilfering left and right. And I can't imagine he'd ever kowtow to the aristocracy, which, in a subculture as obsessed with class as vampires . . .  yeah, he's insolent, to say the least. And they hate it. They just hate Murdoc, generally. I imagine 2-D might consider crossing over to the dark side to join them, to spite Murdoc, before eventually he realizes that - amazing as it sounds - even Murdoc has higher moral standards than these people. Maybe he's better off with the devil he knows.

I love what you said about Murdoc and Stuart being hung by the same rope, for all eternity. That's exactly the dynamic I think a vampire AU would bring about. I also think Murdoc being Stu's vampire sire would be interesting in the romantic sense, as part of them would always second guess if that was the reason for the bond they feel. Are they developing feelings, or is all of this just the blood bond? I can imagine Stuart hating his own inability to judge why he feels so drawn to Murdoc, and I can see Murdoc trying to convince himself any possessiveness or pride or protectiveness he feels over Stu is just what all vampires feel when they turn someone. (Even though it's not.) It would be a potent brew.

Anyway, this was long but I will never have the time to actually write this (I have five WIPs in other fandoms already) so I thought I'd let it out somehow. Thanks for giving me the space to talk this over!

(If anyone wants to run with this and make something of it, by the way, have at it! Just credit me somewhere for the idea. That'd be good.)

This was quite a ride! I love the idea of Stuart Pot's mortal life ending when he's mowed down in a Tesco car park buying condoms and Tango. It's cruel to say it's what he deserves and frankly the complete antithesis of the whole conflict I'm begging for, but... it's what he deserves. I'm also very intrigued by the angle of treating bloodlust as an addiction: it could theoretically be overcome, but practically speaking, rarely is. This makes it easy to see how Murdoc spins off into such a cartoonishly extreme life of debauchery. I love the bit about Murdoc changing his story of what happened, both the night he hit Stuart and his own origin-- the difference being that Stu does know what happened to him, whether he ever chooses to believe Murdoc's ever-shifting justifications for it or not, but no one can ever really know where Murdoc came from except himself. I definitely agree that the truth has to be less glamorous, less thrilling, less worthy of tales and legends. I like Stuart and Murdoc best when they are not men born into greatness nor men born for greatness, not inherently, and I love the private grappling with the belief that they are special and the fear that they probably aren't. Your explanation of the foil-like dynamic between vampires and spirits/ghosts is interesting, I don't know if that's an established piece of vampire lore or if that's your own invention, but I think it's a really solid one. I don't know if I've truly seen those two creatures explored in a world together with such a direct emphasis on that ghoulish ecosystem, so to speak.

And, well, I'm quite predictable but I'm ready to invest $5k in a full novel exploring Stu's estrangement from his family and friends following the transformation, the psychological toll it takes to choose-- though he may feel he has no other choice at all-- to abandon those relationships, how his own descent may mirror Murdoc's as he shelters himself in chalk-tablet excess and a vibrant, at times frightful carnal life to distract himself from the guilt. I'm dying to see how he could approach mending those fences again after years away. It isn't something one sweeps under the rug, isn't something that he can make amends for. This sort of thing shatters a family, and in my imagining of Rachel and David, it certainly shattered his. This kind of permanently-marred family drama really captivates me and is something I don't think we should shy away from in stories about addiction, and it would be fascinating to explore the human element of that against the metaphorical monstrous one.

I love what you mentioned about the "blood bond" and how it factors into the pull between them they're too unsettled to really name. This adds an extra layer of confusion, as you say, and better justifies why they find themselves orbiting each other, pretending there's a blood-coloured chain tethering them and ignoring the heavy weighted padlock in the middle that pulls them down, down, down. I've spoken a lot on this blog about why Stu is participatory in the relationship when he dislikes Murdoc in such a profound way, and while I absolutely never tire of the messy, bleak human weakness and ego of that, it would be quite special to explore that with something that almost feels like an excuse for Stu, a macabre justification entirely out of his hands; it gives him permission to be part of this broken spiral and absolves him of the responsibility of acknowledging his choice. I'd like to think he still lives with it, as Murdoc does too, but they may appreciate the safety of the smokescreen as much as they struggle to see through it.

Thanks for sending me your ideas, I hope other readers will enjoy seeing your elaborations, and if you're having fun thinking about these two goons I'd encourage you to consider making a blog. Sometimes you get lucky and draw in people who are incredibly kind!

(Lastly, unrelated fun fact about vampirism in my life: my first job was playing a vampire at a haunted amusement park. Our "Scare Zone" was designed as a junkyard taken over by a vampire gang, and I was the "queen" with a throne made of old tires. It was... a fun job and also not a fun job, haha.)

[vyrerus]

5.2 Story Impressions

Spoilers ahead for 5.2 MSQ and Ruby Weapon sidequest.

Well, a new ultima weapon huh? How’d they pull that one with the heart thingie from the first one? I guess maybe with Proto-Ultima parts and such from Azys Lla? Like that capital ship is still there stranded, but I’m sure they sent some dropships back to the homeland, maybe?

Ah yes, I’m the only one who can stop it, despite knowing quite intimately that Estinien was capable of destroying its prototype single handedly. I bet if they’d get him to team up with Gaius and Raubahn, and idk, fucking pull Merlwyb and Mistbeard out of retirement... bring Kann-e-padjali lady and her brethren as healers. Yeah, you can get it down. It’s not like it can temper people. You don’t even gotta wrangle the new primal task force, hot highlander knight and Fordola or anything. Jeez!

Ok fine, I’ll fight the FF7 reference... AFTER I GO CHECK ON THE MSQ!

Ok, they’ve got the right rock now, they’re certain. The shape kinda reminds me of a Soulstone from Diablo 2. It’d be much more realistic to assume video games from the past influence video games of the future, but I like to think this is another shared cross-culture humanity tale, like The Flood. Soul stones man. 

Hmm, Alisae is all, “I hope you don’t have to make a choice between fighting the ultimate weapon and helping out here.” Hmm, either it’s a one off plot joke or foreshadowing for whenever we get to fight Emerald Weapon. I’ll go with the latter. 

Everybody mad that crystalline catboi ain’t been sleeping... but do ya think they’re also making him bathe? Does he even sweat and get stinky anymore, being half golem? 

I wonder what the response was for, “Why not Alphinaud?” Hmm, maybe Mattoid can tell me.

Chap with an axe beat ya to it, huh? *flashback to Heavensward* Yeah, we in for some bullshit. I just hope this set of bullshit doesn’t involve Alisae getting shot with a poisoned arrow.

I kinda wish the WoL had called out the Ardbert puppet body for what it was, right then and there. If Elidibus couldn’t beat us in Zenos’s body, then he sure as hell can’t beat us with an i80 weapon. I know the masses are dumb, but c’mon, we’re the savior, and they all know that the bodies of the old First WoLs were stolen and Sin Eater’d, explain and relate it to that. Just drive the puss from the wound now. Oh jeez, of course we’re not going to do what we should do... it wasn’t in the script.

Huh, does the purple bun insinuate that the pink haired bun is dildoing herself with her staff and imagining that it’s the WoL >__> now I feel bad for not paying super hard attention to these Buns when I did the MSQ. I blame Emet Selch for stealing the show from every zone! Except like, Lakeland.

Hmm riddle of the Sphinx? But that’s not a Sphinx.. it’s a wolf, owl, snake thing...

Hmm was this ancient Bunny lady with the echo a WoL of the past or were they a person strong in the Echo raised to the station of an Ascian? Like did they help to create the Ronkan civilization? I have many questions!

Aww, Runar is sad... but also hey, this moment has a lotta meme potential if you’re perverted and shipping your WoL with Yshtola.

I thought you were supposed to be good at this... actually I never thought you were good at this. Like, the first time we met you said you didn’t mean any harm, but you lead me on a chase and attacked me with swarms of gargoyles ya white robed wimp! Get out of that body and fight me like a SORCERER OF ELD!

Ryne thinks the Tempest is otherworldly hehe. Cute kid. :) 

Wheat is sharp? How I be feeling it through my full metal gauntlet? :O Holy shit what are the people’s stomachs like on The First?!

Uriangesus! Uh oh, his soul be straining... Thancred’s too. Oiiiii veiiiiiii

Awww, sad lonely immortal whale :( I wanna give him a hug.

I just got told to go quietly... but I don’t care enough about Ryne or think she’s cute enough to actually sway me... oh well, fishing trip with the other old men.

Aww man, another remix for Sastasha.

My friend said I should do this dungeon with Trusts, but I still don’t want to use Trusts.

Sea mobs and other shenanigans. Seems like a pretty cool place. Huh, the Sahagin are turning crystals into animals... seems like we’ve found the mother load. Should be able to get that rock to work right now!

Sahagin Queen is Thicc. I said this. I got no comms because of saying this. Q.Q

Hmm, so according to these holograms they had to do what they made the beastmen tribes do for the first rendition of Extreme primals back in the 2.1+ days. Does that mean these fellows who designed Hydaelyn designed her to specifically rip out Zodiark’s heart, as to not kill the original Elidibus( you know the whole, her attack enervate the target, sundering it rather than destroying it that Emet Selch was on about)? Hmm.... is the WoL the original Elidibus or Venat? Will Yshtola ever get his thing working, or does it only respond to the WoL?

Hmm ok, so we’re not technically tempered? but what is the blessing of light exactly then? And how does Elidibus expect these WoL Juniors to ever even want to kill us? Hmmmm, I don’t think they really thought this plot thread through.

Another silently nodding joke. Teehee.

Man, it may be because I’ve been awake for 26 hours due to work, and a meeting at 12, but it really feels like the game is telling me to take a break too! I guess RL me fits right in with all these busy body heroes after all!

I feel like it should be Cyella that shows up, but I understand they had to make it any of the NPCs because of the playerbase nature to only do one job/role and not do any of the sidequest. At least they let us pick!

Zenos having a dream while robed dude with Asaheeeee or whatever that little bimbo’s name was that was Yotsuyu’s half brother’s voice muses about what that means. Mutters stuff about Emet-selch. There were a lot of Emet-selch name drops this patch.

Ok, time to finally kill Ruby Weapon.

Oh, that was easier than expected, but I still got killed by the quicksand. Whoops. 

Also holy shit, did the pilot go crunchy crunchy for that to happen?! I mean I love callbacks to Nael, but holy shit... will I still find out who the pilot was?

Aww, Au Ra orphans. Raens at that. Huh. Daddy van Baelsar... huh... well he is certainly manly enough.

When’s Cid gonna cough up blood?! I was worried for nothing!?

Ok time to do Eden... *looks at clock* nevermind. It’s time for work again. Being a functioning member of society while trying to maintain my some semblance of my hikikomori habits is hard. And my old raid lead has is already beating Savage without me now too. OTL Well, I’ll have more time to work on my Sarg character, so there’s that. 

[amisbro]

JoshuaxEiji read fan mail

It was a quiet day for a Monday in the HEAVENS home and as Joshua was sitting in the commons room he heard a knock at the door Joshua:  Coming right there! (Joshua makes his way to the front door and he sees a gentleman from Japan Post standing on the other side) Postman:  Good Morning Curtis-san!  I have a bag here with some of the recent fan mail that HEAVENS has been getting.  Where would you like me to put it? Joshua:  Just give it to me and I’ll be sure to deal with it accordingly...I think I know just the person to help me read some of the letters too! Postman:  Would that be Eiji? Joshua:  It would be...I’ll put this bag right near the coffee table and get Eiji to come on down so we can go through some of these Postman:  Alright well here you go and take care Joshua:   Thank you.  Let’s see what goodies the Angels sent us this time around...but first I must go get Eiji from the Garden (Later that day) Eiji:  So this is our mailbag?  Pretty big don’t you think? Joshua:  I said the same thing but hey...we get to read Fan Mail now!  I’m used to this on my own but this is for you all?  Alright...let’s get it started then! (Joshua opens up the bag and immediately he and Eiji are floored by the sheer volume of letters and goodies in the bag...suffice to say when they got it open they didn’t know where to start!) Eiji:  Uh Senpai Joshua:  Okay...I’m Jealous Eiji:  Why’s that? Joshua:  Cos my bag is never this full! Eiji:  Ah well I’m sure it will die down over time...shall we get started then Joshua:  Definitely (Joshua takes a few of the letters out of the bag and places them on the coffee table.  He double checks them to make sure they were for Eiji since that is whom he is sitting with for the day) Joshua:  Ooh looks like we got some good choice mail here...let’s see first letter (Joshua opens up the first letter and reads it aloud to Eiji) Joshua:  Dear Mr. Ootori I recently started listening to your solo called “Dreamer” and it helped me out of a slump I was in.  I was dealing with a depression and because of this had some thoughts of ending my life after personal and family issues made it hard to get through the day.  Because of your song it helped me become a happier person and now whenever I hear it I am reminded of how you helped save my life and my family wanted you to know they are very grateful for your song and all future songs you produce. Joshua:  Doesn’t have a signature but I think this is interesting that your song did this for this fan.  From what I can tell they are from outside of Japan so we have our first international letter out there.  Thoughts? Eiji:  Depression and even anxiety is never a fun thing.  I have never dealt with it myself but I have known people that have and because they didn’t have a positive outlet they did some bad things to themselves or others.  The fact that my song helped this person out is a great pleasure for me and I hope that in the future we can produce more songs that are uplifting to them and others around the world Joshua:  Very good...next letter actually comes from in the country so this should be interesting Joshua:  Dear Eiji-kun I wanted you to know that I saw you at a recent meet and greet but was too shy to come up and say hi.  Its not often that I get to see a celebrity that I admire and respect so I didn’t go up.  I hope that you along with HEAVENS have a very long career and I hope the next time that I get to see you I can get over my nerves and say “hi” Joshua:  Turns out none of these have signatures but do you know of this person? Eiji:  Actually I think I do and it was an event while you were away.  We had Nanami helping us and it was actually a lot of fun.  My solo session was amazing because I got to meet personally some our female and male fans and when I actually saw this person I wanted her to come up but she was shy and I think the group setting didn’t hep.  If you give me the person’s address when this is over I’ll send them something nice I promise Joshua:  Will do!  I think I got time for one more letter on my stack and then I think you found one for the group so I’ll go get Eiichi and company when you read the letter if need be Eiji:  Already took care of it and they will be down in a minute.  Let’s get to this final letter though Joshua:  Assertive...I like it!  You been hanging out with Camus lately? Eiji:  More Captain Munakata...good guy and taught me about taking control in a very calm manner...I still have some Camus influence though too Joshua:  I can tell...on with the letter! Joshua:  Dear Eiji O. I read recently in an interview that you did that working with Tokiya was a nerve-racking experience.  I’m planning to start my own career and my manager actually wants me to do a duet with a veteran much like you did with Tokiya.  What advice would you give in this situation and best of luck to you and HEAVENS. Joshua:  Having spoken with Ichinose-san myself I can tell you he doesn’t think he is a “Vet” because he told me in a conversation (and I’m allowed to talk about it) that he feels he still has a lot to learn and in some ways he wants to learn from you personally.  That aside what advice would you give our friend here? Eiji:  There was a bit of a misquote.  Yes there might have been a bit of nerves at first but I got over them when I saw how he was and we started gelling from the start.  I will tell you personally that I was nervous when I heard he might have had to quit STARISH because I didn’t want that and while he and my brother didn’t get along well at first I think things are starting to get better.  Otoya being a buffer between them is really helping and they will be an interesting tandem in the future. As for advice:  Try not to think of yourself as the rookie and if this person is someone that you look up to Joshua:  The writer of this letter actually does mention its someone they respected as a performer so I wanted to make sure that was put in Eiji:  Then the best advice is to try and go in thinking your are on even footing.  Its something that I did with Tokiya and I hope after all is said and done we get to sing together again in the future. Joshua:  Well you do have “Maji Love Kingdom” coming up but I think you want something before that.  I get that and I hope that you get to have that op before the big day in 2019!  Is HEAVENS on their way for the final letter? Eiichi:  We are here Joshua...fire when ready and we shall answer to the best of our ability Joshua:  Alright Dear HEAVENS I recently heard about how your first group single in Japan (Immortal Inferno) made the Oricon charts at #3 two years ago and bought the single for myself.  Not only was the song a very powerful one but Kira’s open for HEAVENLY PARADE was arguably the most “fun” I have heard come from him since I started following you guys when you were a trio and before the UtaPri awards Eiichi:  Oh this is an interesting letter...continue Joshua:  With the Triple S behind you what are your plans for the foreseeable future and what would you do if Shining ever forced you to either put up your future as a group or Joshua’s contract to force him to go to Shining Agency in a contest? Eiichi:  THIS...is an interesting letter and I know it was picked by Eiji for a reason...but I’m not going to answer it but I think Van might have some things to say so I’ll let him Joshua:  Mr. Kiryuuin I give you the floor Van:  The first thing for us in this year is to get out and get ourselves visible again to the public.  “Play time is over” as our Leader in Eiichi would say so we have been working hard to get ready for concerts coming up and as a matter of fact I believe we are booked for your Valentine’s Day concert this year...that should be fun! Joshua:  You are and the fans I know will love to hear that! Van:  Now as for this issue of “What would we do if Shining forced a contest where this or that happend”...we do what we know we have to!  We fight for our existence and we would fight to keep you.  I don’t think ,and I think I am speaking for everyone in this room, that if you were forced to leave us from a loss in a contest or if we had to disband this world would be better for it. HEAVENS is not like the groups I have seen come and go before.  I might be a baseball fan but I’ve been to farewell concerts when groups disband and they are the most heartbreaking thing ever.  If we ever had to disband because of a condition in a contest there are a lot of people both in this country AND outside of Japan that would be very sad and I know from what we heard that they would be devastated if you ended up leaving us to go work for Shining.  Not to say you don’t have friends there but Eiichi has said this numerous times and you are family here! Kira:  You have become an integral part of how we function and when we go to your concerts we see the work you do for your fans and we want to keep you happy.  To do that we would fight tooth and nail to make sure that your happiness and that of our Angels is kept.  We might not have the best win/loss record against STARISH but if there is one thing I know, Eiichi and Nagi know and the “New Four” know its that if that time came where its win or lose our careers and/or you...that’s not a fight they want to make cos we WILL win that one because this family WILL stay together! Joshua:  WELL...I hope friend you got the answer you want out of that and by looking at the clock on the wall...its time to go but what’s say we do this again and maybe next time we get Nagi to answer some fan mail? Nagi:  YAY! Joshua:  Well that settles that and until next time friends my name is Joshua Curtis and as we like to say around here ALL:  MAY YOUR DREAMS REACH THE HEAVENS!!! Joshua:  Good day everyone!

[ms-m-astrologer]

Transiting Venus enters Scorpio

November 7 - December 1, 2017

During my secluded rural youth, we knew of only one color of topazt:

Now that Mars and Mercury have entered their detriment signs (Libra and Sagittarius, respectively), it’s Venus’ turn! Astrologer Isabel Hickey wrote, “Venus in Scorpio or in Aries is not happily placed for the animal self (Mars) overpowers Venus.” Later on (in her book Astrology: A Cosmic Science) she elaborated, “Venus cannot function well in a domain ruled by Mars, for Mars is everything that is aggressive, forceful, and outgoing, while Venus draws to herself through the power of love. She represents the attraction principle while Mars represents the repulsion principle.”

In other (and less potentially insulting) words, Venus’ main “job” of attraction malfunctions in the Mars signs, in which actively going after what we want is the task. Similarly, Mars (how we assert ourselves based on getting what we want) isn’t comfortable in Venus signs, where it must lie back on a divan and allow things to happen.

We also need to keep in mind that Venus is still in her “Lucifer-direct” phase - i.e., she’s placed earlier in the Zodiac than the Sun. That position makes her desirous of covering up her true feelings, in order to fit in better - and right away we see how that could go awry in resentful, vengeful Scorpio. Our ability to “shrug off” disappointment is still there, just more difficult to perform.

Venus in Lucifer-direct mode is also highly idealistic. People with this natal placement (raises hand) “are often involved in promoting new values, ideals, outlooks and ways of life created or exemplified by others.” (Michael R. Meyers, link here.) Look at my beloved Keith Richards, who basically infused himself with Chuck Berry guitar riffs! Unfortunately, this idealism when filtered through Scorpio will give us an “all or nothing” attitude - which is an impractical way to navigate through life.

How will this affect the typical Venusian domains of money, beauty and artistic expression, relaxation, and romance? The transit lasts only 25 days, which doesn’t seem like enough time for a lot of damage. The danger would be more in having a kind of “scorched earth” tantrum - in the heat of the moment, destroying everything.

Money: Scorpio isn’t the kind of sign that spends lavishly. I don’t think we’ll be in any hurry to start the holiday gift shopping, much less go overboard with it.

Beauty: This transit is actually perfect timing for a makeover!

Arts: Also will benefit, from the deepened and intensified emotions. We don’t want lightweight, flimsy music (for example), we want full blast. (My own favorite way to purge myself is loud music.)

Relaxation: This is difficult when the Scorpionic refusal to let go blends with the Venus tendency to hang on. It’s almost as if we don’t trust ourselves or the world enough to ever relax. (Is this Alastor Moody’s natal Venus, I wonder?)

Relationships: Perhaps some pressure to commit before we really want to, or to “prove it.” Grrr. This isn’t a very manipulative sign, but it can go to extremes. On the other hand, if everyone is ready for the next step….

Celebrities with Venus in Scorpio: KEITH RICHARDS, Leonardo Di Caprio, Jodie Foster, Mahatma Gandhi, Bill Gates, Vladimir Putin, Jay-Z, Jim Morrison, Bruce Lee, Drake, Hugh Jackman, Snoop Dogg, Steven Spielberg, Marie Curie, Denzel Washington, Marie Antoinette, Ava Gardner, Gordon Ramsay, Serena Williams, Ralph Fiennes, Sigourney Weaver, Agatha Christie, Paul Klee, Martin Scorsese, Voltaire, Patti Smith, Neil Young

Wednesday, November 8, Pallas Rx/Taurus opposite Venus/Scorpio, 2:06

This is especially directed toward our artistic self-expression, if we have any. If we don’t feel we have the “right” mentors, this could bring about the “scorched earth tantrum” I warned about. On the other hand, if we’re pursuing an artistic path that isn’t right for us - it happens - this opposition may give us the nudge we need to change course. With so many of these Venus/Scorpio transiting aspects, the Moon involves herself (butts in?); the potential impasse may arrive on the 9th, when Moon/Leo turns this into a very temporary fixed t-square.

Planets/Points affected lie between 1:06 and 3:06 of the fixed signs Taurus*, Leo*, Scorpio*, and Aquarius*; and between 16:06 and 18:06 of the mutable signs Gemini*, Virgo*, Sagittarius*, and Pisces*.

Monday, November 13, Jupiter/Scorpio conjunct Venus/Scorpio, 7:20

Well, gosh, this is just about the Holy Grail, isn’t it?! The one aspect we all crave! If it’s affecting you, do enjoy the good vibes; if it’s goading you, well, control yourself - the vibes will fade all too soon. The day before this conjunction matures finds a supportive Virgo Moon sextiling both planets - a memorably good time with friends, perhaps.

Planets/Points affected lie between 6:20 and 8:20 of the signs Taurus*, Cancer, Leo*, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Aquarius*, and Pisces.

Thursday, November 16, Neptune Rx/Pisces trine Venus/Scorpio, 11:28

I really prefer this trine to that conjunction - even with the addition of unrealistic and lazy attitudes. “Issie” wrote about this natal aspect, “Neptune does not operate directly on the physical plane, so this aspect is not much help materially. A spiritual blessing not always recognized by individual to whom material things are important.” All of our Venusian efforts - art, beauty, relationships - are elevated and sanctified by Neptune. This will be especially evident around 06:00-08:00 UTC, when the Moon in Scorpio joins in.

Planets/Points affected lie between 10:28 and 12:28 of the yin signs Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces.

Sunday, November 19, Ceres/Leo square Venus/Scorpio, 15:48

The weight of family obligations is heavy. In the US, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, and it’s one of the more notorious holidays for enforced familial bonding. I have to ask - if you don’t enjoy it, why are you still doing it? We don’t have any obligation to make ourselves miserable! Considering that this square also carries implications of low self-esteem, we may want to spend time with congenial friends. In the immortal words of Lucy Van Pelt, “Just because you’re related to someone doesn’t mean you have to like them” - or even have them in your life at all.

Planets/Points affected lie between 14:48 and 16:48 of the fixed signs Taurus*, Leo*, Scorpio*, and Aquarius*; and between 0:00 and 1:48 of the cardinal signs Aries*, Cancer*, Libra*, and Capricorn*.

Tuesday, November 21, Pluto/Capricorn sextile Venus/Scorpio, 17:33

Pluto rules Scorpio, and this sextile/nudge it makes to Venus can take on a cold and calculating quality. Conversely, we might just have a lesson about what love really is. Issie describes these planets’ interactions as “the choice between self-indulgence and self-mastery.” The sextile gives the opportunity to “purge the individual of possessiveness and selfishness.” The Moon is in Capricorn and brings the lesson home, particularly strongly on Wednesday.

Planets/Points affected lie between 16:33 and 18:33 of the yin signs Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces.

Wednesday, November 22, North Node/Leo square Venus/Scorpio, 18:59; South Node/Aquarius square Venus/Scorpio, 18:59

In his book Yesterday’s Sky, Steven Forrest describes “the possible projection” of a Venus-Nodes conflict as, “a judgmental ‘sour grapes’ bitterness or a blindly one-dimensional kind of worshipfulness and longing.” That sounds particularly like an awry Venus/Scorpio to me. His advice to people is to “actually make grown-up love work.” On the heels of that Venus-Pluto sextile, we know how to pull this off.

Planets/Points affected lie between 17:59 and 19:59 of the fixed signs Taurus*, Leo*, Scorpio*, and Aquarius*; and between 2:59 and 4:59 of the cardinal signs Aries*, Cancer*, Libra*, and Capricorn*.

Friday, November 24, Juno/Capricorn sextile Venus/Scorpio, 21:41

Not a bad time at all to tie the knot. The urge is to be half of an officially sanctioned relationship, ‘til death do we part. If you’re in an established relationship, enjoy! If you’ve just started out together, think about the long-term - what will you and your partner have to do, to have this kind of partnership for yourselves? And if you’re all alone in the world (raises hand), go for the Juno as “protector of the powerless” and Venus/Scorpio as secret generosity: go out and find a “kids’ Christmas wish list” and play Secret Santa. (My grocery store always has a Christmas tree with gift tags - now that my own children are adults, who don’t have kids, this is how I can still experience some of that “childhood holiday delight.”)

Planets/Points affected lie between 20:41 and 22:41 of the yin signs Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces.

Sunday, November 26, Chiron Rx/Pisces trine Venus/Scorpio, 24:21

We may be more likely to “feel” this one late Monday, when the Moon/Pisces conjuncts Chiron and trines Venus. It has a strongly redemptive flavor. Remember that Chiron is the “wounded healer” - it deals with its own wounds by helping people in similar circumstances - and that Chiron is in Pisces, where Venus is exalted. There’s also some “doing it my way” energy, some resistance to being forced into societal constraints - the trine makes that easy.

Planets/Points affected lie between 23:21 and 25:21 of the yin signs Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces.