#velvet king of america

[bilehwit]

Just read your Bilehwit Au on Ao3 and was greetes by the amazing ref for the lamb here on tumblr!

And yes i absolutely love it when people explain clothing choices in character design especially since you wrote Lamb culture is based on the Old English pls do ramble 🙏

Well hello!! This my first ask from someone I've never met before, so I'll ask you to please be patient with my wild trails of thought.

This will be a long one, but I'll focus on two main outfits - the daily wear and the ritual outfit, as they have the most symbolism.

The easiest one is obviously the leaf outfit - cute, I love it so much!

The leaf was chosen for its symbolism in English mythology. The tree itself is well beloved as a symbol of strength and a symbol of fertility - acorns are often depicted as lucky, and an oak full of acorns is a good sign of fertility!

I also chose oak because I think they're very beautiful trees - they can live for up to 1,000 years, and they can grow to 30 meters wide in their leaves. That's amazing to me. They also smell nice, and I remember climbing them when I was little, so it's nice to share the oak with my lambsona.

Next, let's talk about the sacrifice outfit - it's oddly bridal, no?

Well it's intended to be!

The use of white/silver to denote Purity is an old concept, but white wedding dresses in England were only truly popularised after Queen Victoria wore the colour to her wedding - previously a mourning shade.

I chose silver satin as the fabric, and a simple design, as I wanted a bridal look but also something that felt sleek and pure. Bilehwit is a virgin (virgin sacrifice in all ways) and it's a cruel trick to play.

Also, Shamura in my fic struggles to see/differentiate between objects, so having an all white lamb made it easier for them to stay focused.

So while this outfit feels bridal to us, the symbolism in fic is more that it was easier than dying fabric, just raw spider thread spun into a dress.

Shamura did make the veil themself, though, for reasons you will see later ;3

Now, we get to the heavy hitters! First up, the daily outfit.

Now, Anglo-Saxons were all about those layers! So this outfit actually has more layers than you'd even think.

Under the base dress is a thin cotton chemise, or under dress, made to soak up the oils of the skin and sweat, changed most often. Bilehwit would use these as pyjamas in the summer months, too, to keep cool while covered and decent.

The next layer is the linen, with the thin dark band. This would be a slightly tighter layer to the body, and would be long sleeved to offer protection from the sun and the cold. Linen would be the lighter colours, as they'd be protected more, and linen was used as a middling layer to hold heat in winter. Air would be trapped between layers and keep people warm, and also it protected them from any scratchy wool. The woven ribbon at the bottom is decorative.

The next layer is my favourite. This is the red layer, the thicker dress, made often from wool or from linen again. This is made from wool, using a technique called naalbinding, which is what the Anglo-Saxons would have used, as they didn't knit like is common today.

Anglo-Saxon embroidery and weaving was actually really well known in Europe for its fine work and was gifted to Emissaries and Kings. The weaving and sewing business in England went hard as hell, and it's where most people would be employed for personal use or as gifts.

The embroidery of flowers on the cuffs of the red dress, as well as the colar, are those of Achillea millefolium, or 'Red Velvet', flowers. These tiny buds are native to Europe, western Asia and North America, and are small blooms that self seed and explode into colour. I chose them after seeing the flowers on a sketch, and decided that I had to include them.

Red in flower language is always to do with romance and passion. I wanted Bilehwit to show that desire, as they are a hopeless romantic at heart, and they also just feel a deep-seated loneliness that they want filled. The red flowers are the only flowers they've ever been given, and they've spent hours tracing the embroidery threads and staring silently at the sky.

The final apron layer is just that - an apron. It's a thin, boxy piece of fabric that is played on top to ensure the front of the dress stays somewhat clean, and there is a secret pocket behind it that they store honey-sweets in for children (and themself). Just a length of plain cut cloth!

Tied together with a woven belt, this outfit is my second favourite - I love every detail, and when I can talk in fic about it, I will spend thousands of words trying to detail what it means to me, and probably failing.

The final outfit now, one that definitely won't be seen in fic for a good long while - the Fancy/Ritual set.

Look at ittttt ahahahahagahqabqgagagquipqguqugjv

Okay, keysmash over, serious time!

Now, this outfit is interesting, because not only does it have embroidery and styles of old English culture, it also has mixes of Indian influence too!

"Well, that's random to add," I hear you murmur, and you're right. Why would I add that?

Well, because originally I was going to make Narinder have a more Egyptian vibe! I thought; ah, perfect, he'd do great as a Sphynx cat, the Egyptians loved those cats.

See, as it turns out, Narinder is actually a Sanskrit/Hindu name. It's a form of the name Narendra, a masculine name that means "Lord of Men". It's a very formal name, and one I immediately knew I had to switch things around for.

Following this, I was also able to determine the domains and cultures of each other Bishop, by tracing back names and meanings! That's a whole other post I fear.

Back to the dress!

The outline is far more recent than Old English, medieval style dresses, and that's because, uh... I wanted it. (This one is not very historically accurate. Forgive me.)

I wanted a mix of English style embroidery and Indian embroidery styles. Will come back and edit in which style I went with specifically, but I wanted the ritual set to be a touch more dedicated to Narinder, with darker colours, and more Indian fusion embroidery.

The black is velvet, the red is silk, and the white is linen - why? Again, it looks cool.

I can't lie, I have very little explanation for this besides the fact it looks bangin'.

But yes!! That's all my explanations at this current point in time for outfits! However, if you have any further questions, please ask away, and I will happily detail everything and anything about my AU and fic! Thank you for joining me on my rambling!

[rhapsodynew]

#classic rock news

#new music

A book with memorable graphics of legendary bands. It is being prepared for publication.

Only 500 copies – such a limited edition will be released the book “Rock Visions: Rock 'N' Roll Graphics From The Print Age”, which is a collection of memorable artifacts of twelve famous rock bands and performers of our time. In this list: Alice Cooper, David Bowie, Elton John, BAD COMPANY, JOURNEY, KISS, LED ZEPPELIN, PINK FLOYD, QUEEN, THE ROLLING STONES, STEVE MILLER BAND and THE WHO.

The book presents their graphic legacy – from original tour programs, backstage passes and concert tickets to T-shirts, posters and record covers.

🌧 It's time for November Rain. November will delight us with a lot of good music. Courtesy of UCR News

November 1st

• The Cure – Songs of a Lost World ❤️

• Elvis Costello – King of America and Other Realms (6CD box)

• T. Rex – Bolan Boogie: The Best of T. Rex (2CDs or 2LPs)

• Todd Rundgren – Arena

Warren Haynes [Allman Brothers Band] – Million Voices Whisper

• Weezer – Weezer (The Blue Album): 30th Anniversary Edition (3CD set) ❤️

November 8

• Beach Boys – The Beach Boys' Christmas Album

• Hawkwind – Doremi Fasol Latido (multiple format reissue, including 3CD/2Blu-ray deluxe box)

• Neil Young – On the Beach

• Paul Carrack [Squeeze / Mike + the Mechanics] – How Long Has This Been Going On?

• Pete Townshend [The Who] and Rachel Fuller – The Seeker ❤️

• Rick Wakeman – Yessonata

• Steve Perry [Journey] – The Season 3 ❤️

• Talking Heads, Talking Heads: 77 ( 3CD/Blu-ray или 4LP

• Widespread Panic – Hailbound Queen

15th of November

• Black Keys – Ohio Players (flying double act)

• Bryan Adams – Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 2024 (3CD/1 bLue-ray box)

• Burton Cummings [Guess Who] – Some good moments

• Don Henley – Creating the Perfect Beast (original 40th Anniversary vinyl edition)

• George Harrison – Life in the Material World (original edition of the 50th anniversary vinyl record)

• Iron Maiden – The Mighty Slave (original edition of the vinyl record with zotrope for the 40th anniversary)

John Cale [Velvet Underground] – "The Academy is in Danger"; Paris, 1919: Luxury Remastered Edition (VP)

• Linkin Park – From Scratch ❤

November 22nd

• Allman Brothers Band – Final concert on 10/28/14 (3 CD sets) ❤️

• The Beatles – American albums of 1964 in mono format

• Kan–Kan lives in Kiel, 1977

Chicago, I live at 55

• Don Henley – I Can't Stand Still; Cass County (Multi-voice editions)

• The Doors – The Doors 1967-1971 (box of 6£) ❤️

• Judas Priest – Rock and Roll: the anniversary edition for the 50th anniversary (in English) ❤️

• Motley Crue – Dr. Feel Good: Deluxe edition for the 35th anniversary of the group (set of 3 CD) ❤️

• Neil Young – On the Beach (opposite)

• "Smashing Pumpkins" – Aghori Mhori Mei (VP)

• Marilyn Manson – "One Murder under God" ❤️

U2 – How to Disassemble an Atomic Bomb: 20th Anniversary reissue (CD; limited edition super deluxe 5CD or 8LP box; cassette); How to Disassemble an atomic Bomb: Re-assembly edition (extended digital edition)

• Van Zant [Lynyrd Skynyrd/.38 Special] – Always look up ❤

November 29th

• Eric Clapton – Crossroads Guitar Festival 2023 (4CD/2 bLue-ray set) ❤️

• John Wetton – Concentus: The John Wetton Live Collection, Volume 1 (10CD box)

• Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes – Concert at the Capitol Theater, Passaic, New Jersey - December 30, 1978 (series of 3 albums, including yellow marbled edition; Sovenoman Zandt)

• Status Quo - The Path to Glory (reissue in summary, including a limited section of "Autographed Vinyl Records")

• War - CD Collection 1977-1994 (set of 4 CDs)

• Wilco – Hot Sun Cool Shroud ("Cold Sun")

🤘 New U2 track

The song "Happiness" was written during the session for the Irish rockers' 2004 album "How to Disassemble an atomic Bomb" and was included in the new album "How to assemble an atomic Bomb again" along with the Wound inspired songs "Rural Mile" and "Your Photo (X + W)"

The upcoming album will include new, previously unreleased songs found in the session archives of the original album. It will be released on November 22 in the room with the main version of "How to disassemble an atomic Bomb"

Tool Group announces the first ever all-inclusive "Live In The Sand" festival featuring Primus, Mastodon and others

Festification and Tool are pleased to announce the holding of the first ever "Tool Live In The Sand" festival at the luxurious five-star Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Royalton Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from March 7-9, 2025. "Tool Live In The Sand" will bring Tool fans from all over the world to the island

At this unique event, which will be headlined by Tool. There will be two nights featuring some of the most iconic and influential rock bands in the world, including Primus, Mastodon, Eagles Of Death Metal and Coheed And Cambria. The stars also include King's X, Fishbone, Wheel, Cky, Moonwalker, and longtime Tool collaborators Alex Gray and Allison Gray join as special guests.

Scorpions announce a concert in honor of the band's 60th anniversary in their hometown with Judas Priest

The legends of German hard rock Scorpions will celebrate their 60th anniversary on stage with a big concert in their hometown

The "60th Anniversary — Homecoming" event will take place on July 5, 2025 at the Heinz von Heiden Arena in Hanover and will include performances by special guests, including Judas Priest

Recall that as part of the celebration of their 60th anniversary, the legends of German rock will also visit Las Vegas

THE NEW CONCERT ALBUM TEARS FOR FEARS

Songs for a Nervous Planet is a live album that includes four new studio tracks, as well as live recordings by Tears For Fears during the tour and in their best moments. The album includes live versions of such hits as "Shout", "Head Over Heels", "Everybody Wants To Rule The World", "Mad World" and others. Covering all periods of the band's existence from The Hurting to The Tipping Point and beyond, this album will take you on an incomparable sonic journey, which is the Tears For Fears concert and their career to date

[north-wilkesboro-moonshine-cave]

Every Current Formula 1 Driver But I Decided They Were All Bugs

No Thoughts, Head Empty, Only Insects I Enjoyed From My Single Entomology Class Several Years Ago. Sorry to folks from outside the states. Most of these are like. my local critters.

Max Verstappen - Appalachian Jewelwing, Calopteryx angustipennis I have no reasoning behind this one. He just gives me the vibes of a damselfly kinda man.

Sergio Pérez - Synoeca Cyanea, a species of warrior wasp, or just the Synoeca genus again, literally no justification besides he's on the dark blue team and I just really like these wasps. Please read the Synoeca wikipedia page. they are SO cool.

Lewis Hamilton - Violet Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa violacea fashionable! cool lookin bee!

George Russell - Blue Hawker, Aeshna cyanea

Charles Leclerc - Cattle Killer/Cow Killer, Dasymutilla occidentalis (letting my south midwestern hick jump OUT here. most folks call em velvet ants)

Carlos Sainz - Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta

Lando Norris - Walker's Cicada, Megatibicen pronotalis this is NOT meant to be a drag I actually love these freakishly loud animals but he just gives bright green cicada energy.

Oscar Piastri - Green Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa aerata cop out? yeah. good bee and something that feels correct? yes.

Fernando Alonso - Mourning Cloak, Nymphalis antiopa i love these fuckin bugs. absolute freaks of nature. they live for like a full year and they're always wandering around and getting up to something. plus they're very distinguished.

Lance Stroll - Common Buckeye, Junonia coenia I'm not even gonna elaborate on this one.

Valtteri Bottas - Eastern Cicada Hawk, Sphecius speciosus I just think they're neat!

Zhou Guanyu - Ebony Jewelwing, Calopteryx maculata blatant favoritism here. The ebony jewelwing is perhaps my all time favorite bug from home :) (its also v stylish)

Esteban Ocon - Chinese Mantis, Tenodera sinensis a noble creature that frequently scares the life out of me when i find one outside my window. Why the fuck are you so long. I appreciate u anyway.

Pierre Gasly - European Field Cricket, Gryllus campestris he just *feels* a bit crickety. Idk what to tell u man.

Kevin Magnussen - Halloween Beetle (or in America, the Japanese Lady Bug), Harmonia axyridis the most determined little bastard in the animal kingdom. They WILL get into your apartment through that microscopic sliver in the window.

Nico Hulkenberg - Green June Beetle, Cotinis nitida idk dude he just serves local scarab

Daniel Ricciardo - Black-And-Yellow Mud Dauber, Sceliphron caementarium im sure you are all noticing how much i love wasps by now. i was SO brave not making this a wasp only post. if ur american and a hick (hey girl(gn) hey) you'll know these guys From Constantly Being In Your Car's Inner Workings

Yuki Tsunoda - Bullet Ant, Paraponera clavata tiny but mighty!!!!! (short king solidarity)

Alex Albon - Great Black Wasp, Sphex pensylvanicus yet more blatant favoritism for my faves. Yes this post is so i can assign the williams boys and zg my fave types of local bugs. Anyway. this is one of the best wasps in the world. if u see her irl please stop for a moment to appreciate her. she's usually a docile species but she is very big and i love her. (good hunter too)

Logan Sargeant - Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis the ultimate late spring and all of summer insect of america. voted america's sweetheart of every local body of water eight millionth year in a row!!!! one of the best dragonflies in the country and i am serious!!! if u live in north america this summer, find a LAKE, a POND, A RIVER, perhaps even a CREEK!!!!!! A POOL WILL EVEN GET YOU! you'll find these folks. at current you might catch mating flight season!!! anyway. these are crazy good hunters and they're a beautiful little baby blue shade. anyway. logan and the rest of williams should go huntin for these when he gets back to florida. think it would fix em.

[1mlostnow]

𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠!

Hello! I’m Evan and this is my intro post (the third one, I redo them a lot).

[spotify] [poetry insta] [wall of text] [tone tag list]

I’m a guy, I use he/him, and I’m queer :3

I am a minor!!! Anyone can interact but I’d prefer that if you’re 18+ you don’t do asks or DM me.

EvanRadio : @evan-radio - Tune in!! ★

Writing and poetry : @1mfoundnow

House MD ask blog (Stevie) : @head-of-forensics

House MD ask blog (Gabi) : @plastic-surgeon-gabi

•☆•

•☆•

•☆•

Some basic information ⇨

Blue text is primary information or things I’d like to bring attention to, highlighted headers refer to the entire section (ie : My Resume)

I absolutely love nicknames, you can call me Ev or something completely different.

Obviously no discrimination of any kind, cringe culture is dead and I’d love to learn more about anything you know about.

Please please please interact. Feel free to do asks do anons reply to my posts, anything really. For the most part I’d prefer if you didn’t DM me just because those situations tend to be uncomfortable for me, but if you really want to, go ahead

ALSO I don’t get out a lot and I love interacting with people :))

If you wanna read any of my writing/poetry, it’s posted on my IG which is the same as my tumblr :333

I love my mutuals to death and I mean it when I say you’re my friends ♡︎

I do appreciate it if you could use tone indicators with me, but you don’t have to!

Uhh some assorted facts -> mbti : intj-t, I’m a Leo (idk the sun and moon stuff), I’m from America, more specifically the Midwest (CDT time zone)

Typically online from 8AM-1AM CDT but this fluctuates and will change soon.

My Resume ⇨

★ CEO of Losers Inc.

★ Weird kid since day 1

★ I’m a professional ghostbuster

★ Supervillain (for the outfits)

★ Midwestern Cowboy (fun, not cop)

★ OG test subject (I was in a jar with sticks and leaves and a few holes in the lid)

EvanRadio Tunes ⇨

AJJ, Arctic Monkeys, boygenius, Bright Eyes, Bug Hunter, Cage The Elephant, Car Seat Headrest, Crywank, David Bowie, girl in red, Gorillaz, Green Day, Hospital Bracelet, ICP, Lemon Demon, Lord Huron, Los Campesinos!, Modern Baseball, MCR, Pat The Bunny, Radiohead, Rex Orange County, Ricky Montgomery, Tally Hall, Tame Impala, TFB, The Lumineers, The Neighborhood, The Smiths, The Velvet Underground, TV Girl, Vundabar, Weezer, Will Wood, Will Wood and The Tapeworms, Wingnut Dishwashers Union, and more.

A Guide To Tags ⇨

#evan speaks -> I am very chatty. I love to talk. One day I’ll drop the 50 random drafts // #evan rants -> I love to talk about things that upset me. This will often be politics but it varies // #evan draws -> my art!! I draw and do digital art // #evan writes -> self explanatory, I write some stuff. I post it on my ig too if you wanna see that, it’s the same as my tumblr // #evan can’t vote -> strictly for politics, I am a minor but i encourage everyone to vote if they can // #i love my mutuals -> I love my mutuals :3

Hobbies ⇨

★ I occasionally crochet

★ I love to read and write

★ I play the alto sax in marching band

★ I love art

★ Music <333

Shows and movies ⇨

Supernatural, Sherlock, House MD, Dead Poets Society, My Babysitters A Vampire, Ghostbusters, Velvet Goldmine, The Truman Show, Goonies, Stand By Me, Scooby Doo, Homestuck, Hannibal, Saw, Good Omens, IT 2017, Over The Garden Wall, and more.

Kinnie List ⇨

★ Sherlock Holmes -> Sherlock

★ Castiel -> Supernatural

★ Steven Meeks -> DPS

★ Richie Tozier -> IT 2017

★ Teddy Duchamp -> Stand By Me

★ Truman Burbank -> The Truman Show

★ Egon Spengler -> Ghostbusters

★ Rory Keaner -> MBAV

Primary Fandoms ⇨

Supernatural, DPS, Sherlock, Homestuck, House MD, Ghostbusters

Some other facts ⇨

- I love my car #TOMATER supremacy

- I like to do little drawings sometimes, especially of my mutuals

- Once again I love my mutuals so much

- Richard Cameron Defender for life

- I change my blog theme frequently

- I have adhd

- if u ever draw anything for me I’ll love u forever

- THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING (6x20) IS THE BEST SPN EPISODE AND YOU CAN FIGHT ME ON IT

- I have a tendency to see notifs and forget to reply so if that happens just @ me, I promise I’m not ignoring you

Drawings from ping!! ⇧

Drawings from me ⇩

A note ⇨

Intro post will likely be edited often as well :))

Dead Poets Society ⇨

@pingunaa @ghostboyhood @wordssricochet @meekspeaks @lv3buzzz @yourfavvgal @poetsinnyc @apparitiongnostic @asclexe @lefthandedspaghetti @midwest-quill @notcatseatheadrest @wilsons-three-legged-siamese @de4d-poet-kisser @alightelixe

𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧, 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.

[insomniakisses]

Thanks to Cowboy anon we managed to brainstorm some superhero aus.

- Mamamoo -

Solar as Gamora

Moonbyul as Star-Lord

Wheein as Mantis

- Dreamcatcher -

Jiu as Hela

Sua as venom

Siyeon as Agatha

Handong as Blackwidow / Nat

Yoohyeon as Kate Bishop

Dami as Maria

- Blackpink -

Jisoo as Captain American

Jennie as Iron Man

Rosè as Wanda / Scarlett Witch

Lisa as Bucky / Winter Soldier

- Red Velvet -

Irene as Nick Fury

Seulgi as Dr Strange

Yeri as Quicksilver

- Itzy -

Yeji as Captain Marvel

Ryu as Spider-Man (1)

- New Jeans -

Minji as Spider-Man (2)

Hanni as Spider Gwen

Danielle as Spider-Man (3)

- Twice -

Nayeon as King Valkyrie

Sana as Loki

Momo as Thor

Jihyo as Hawkeye / Clint

Mina as Vision

Tzuyu as Mighty-Thor / Jane Foster

- Black Swan -

Fatou as Falcon (later Captain America)

-Stray Kids -

Changbin as Hulk or Drax

Han as Deadpool or Spiderman

Bangchan as Captain American or Daredevil

Hyunjin as Agatha or Blackwidow

Lee Know as Iron man

Felix as Thor or Quicksilver

Seungmin as Dr strange

I.N as Hawkeye

[whereismymonsterlover]

AAAAH my pinterest keeps giving me the perfect black butler content.

HOW PRECIOUS AND CIEL CODED IS THIS?! Little Lord Fauntleroy was a children's novel published in America in 1885 (you know, the year Ciel's life went to shit) and tells the story of Fauntleroy (meaning 'child of the king' a pampered, spoilt boy) living in new york after his father passed away (#cielcoded lmao) and then inheriting his grandfather's earldom back in England. are you kidding me, why is it so perfect. The illustrations for this book are all so precious and remind me of Ciel.

Also, the book inspired a ridiculous style of boy's suit called the Fauntleroy suit which was an open velvet jacket with matching knee-length trousers, tights and a huge blouse with an even bigger ruffle collar or bow. These young boys look ridiculous, bless them. I could never wish this on Ciel, it's hideous.

Imagine your mum sends you out with your play date in THAT and you find your friend is wearing a normal suit.

[mayamidnightmelody]

Avengers: 80s

If the Avengers were reimagined as an 80s flick, it would be totally rad! Arnold Schwarzenegger, the king of muscles, wielding Mjölnir as Thor with a totally tubular mullet and some killer shades 😎. He'd be like, "I'll be back… for Asgard!"

Raquel Welch as Black Widow would be fierce and glamorous, rocking high-waisted leggings and neon leotards, all while kicking butt with her martial arts skills. She'd have that sultry 80s vibe and killer hair flips. She's the femme fatale we'd all want on our team.

Burt Reynolds as Iron Man would be the epitome of cool. Picture him in a slick red and gold suit, complete with a chest plate that shines brighter than his smile. He'd have that swagger and charm, saying stuff like, "Hey, babe, wanna check out my suit's turbo boost?" 😏

Clint Eastwood as Nuck Fury (Nick Fury's 80s alter ego) would be the tough, no-nonsense leader of the pack. He'd have that Clint squint and a cigar hanging from his lips as he strategizes how to take down the bad guys. "Make my day, Loki!"

Robert Redford as Captain America would be the all-American hero, donning a spandex suit with the stars and stripes proudly displayed. He'd embody that 80s wholesome goodness, fighting for truth, justice, and the American way. "Let's do this, team!"

Vincent Price as Doctor Strange would bring a touch of mystery and intrigue to the team. He'd rock a velvet cape and mystical amulets, delving into ancient spells and mind-blowing illusions. "Enter my realm of magic, if you dare!"

Together, they'd form the ultimate dream team of the 80s, saving the world from gnarly villains and looking totally rad doing it. With their powers combined, they'd be unstoppable! Imagine the epic synth-pop soundtrack and the flashy special effects. It would be a blast from the past that even Doc Brown would approve of! 🌟

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

SPACE TRUCKIN' IN THE SCI-FI SUPER-SEVENTIES -- "LOVE MACHINE" EDITION.

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on the Love Machine: a George Barris custom van of the late 1970s (with model). It was reportedly also made into a Hot Wheels toy, but quickly pulled from shelves when parents complained.

MINI-OVERVIEW: "It could surprise no one that George Barris, Hollywood’s King of the Kustomizers, was a leading player on on the themed show-rod scene. His Love Machine, built on a 1966 Dodge Tradesman chassis, cashed in on the ’70s custom van craze with a revolving bed and red velvet everywhere, and the plastic model kit version horrified mothers across America. In 1977, Barris repackaged his creation in red, blue, and silver as the Super Van, and it still exists in that form today."

-- MOTOR CITY GARAGE, "Five Fabulous Hot Rod Show Cars that Defied Taste and Logic," posted on November 26, 2016

Sources: www.pinterest.com/pin/182325484905847424 & Flickr.

[mogwai-movie-house]

The Best Album Per Year for Sixty Years

No-one asked for it, of course, but I do like making lists, so here's me pondering what have been the best Long Players in the album artform the past 60 years. I originally tried to keep it to just one per year, but many years that proved impossible: when listing multiple albums I have tried ranking them with the one I feel narrowly edges out the others first, and I use lower case to indicate an album that is not at the same level as others on the list but was the best I've heard from that time.

Feel free to have fun with the list and make up your own.

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

1962 Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan 1963 The Freewheelin' - Bob Dylan 1964 another side of - bob dylan 1965 Highway 61 Revisited - Bob Dylan 1966 Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys / Blonde On Blonde - Bob Dylan / Revolver - The Beatles 1967 Magical Mystery Tour - The Beatles / The Velvet Underground & Nico / Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme - Simon & Garfunkel / Safe As Milk - Captain Beefheart 1968 Astral Weeks - Van Morrison / The White Album - The Beatles / Bookends - Simon & Garfunkel / We're Only In It For The Money/Lumpy Gravy - Frank Zappa 1969 Let It Bleed - The Rolling Stones / Abbey Road - The Beatles / In A Silent Way - Miles Davis 1970 Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel / Plastic Ono Band - John Lennon 1971 Imagine - John Lennon / Blue - Joni Mitchell / What's Goin' On - Marvin Gaye/ 2 - Moondog 1972 Exile On Main Street - The Rolling Stones / Discover America - Van Dyke Parks / Clear Spot - Captain Beefheart / Ege Bam Yasi - Can 1973 Raw Power - Iggy And The Stooges 1974 Blood On The Tracks - Bob Dylan 1975 Horses - Patti Smith / Discreet Music - Brian Eno / Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd / Velvet Donkey - Ivor Cutler 1976 The Ramones - The Ramones 1977 Low - David Bowie / New Boots & Panties - Ian Dury / Marquee Moon - Television / 77 - Talking Heads 1978 Music For Airports - Brian Eno / This Year's Model - Elvis Costello / Third (Sister Lovers) - Big Star / More Songs About Music & Food - Talking Heads 1979 Unknown Pleasures - Joy Division/ Fear of Music - Talking Heads / Into The Music - Van Morrison / Sheik Yerbouti - Frank Zappa / Rust Never Sleeps - Neil Young 1980 Remain In Light - Talking Heads / Closer - Joy Division / One Trick Pony - Paul Simon / Common One - Van Morrison 1981 Faith - The Cure 1982 Thriller - Michael Jackson / 1999 - Prince / 4 - Peter Gabriel / Too Rye Ay - Dexys Midnight Runners / Big Science - Laurie Anderson / Nebraska - Bruce Springsteen 1983 Swordfishtrombones - Tom Waits / Murmur - R.E.M. / Hearts & Bones - Paul Simon / Off The Bone - The Cramps 1984 Purple Rain - Prince & The Revolution / Hatful Of Hollow - The Smiths / Various Positions - Leonard Cohen / Reckoning - R.E.M. / The Unforgettable Fire - U2 1985 Don't Stand Me Down - Dexys Midnight Runners / Rain Dogs - Tom Waits / Around The World In A Day - Prince & The Revolution / Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega / Hounds of Love - Kate Bush / Hunting High & Low - A-ha 1986 Parade - Prince & The Revolution / So - Peter Gabriel / The Queen Is Dead - The Smiths / Graceland - Paul Simon / Steve McQueen - Prefab Sprout / Blood & Chocolate/King of America - Elvis Costello 1987 Sign O The Times - Prince / The Joshua Tree - U2 / Strangeways Here We Come - The Smiths / Actually - Pet Shop Boys / Tango In The Night - Fleetwood Mac 1988 Irish Heartbeat - Van Morrison & The Chieftains / Green - R.E.M. / Viva Hate - Morrissey / The Serpent's Egg - Dead Can Dance / Surfer Rosa - Pixies / Naked - Talking Heads / Introspective - Pet Shop Boys / I'm Your Man - Leonard Cohen / Blue Bell Knoll - Cocteau Twins 1989 Disintegration - The Cure / Technique - New Order / Doolittle - The Pixies / Oh Mercy - Bob Dylan / Avalon Sunset - Van Morrison / Rei Momo - David Byrne / Behaviour - Pet Shop Boys / Candleland - Ian McCulloch 1990 Extricate - The Fall / The Good Son - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds / Songs For Drella - Lou Reed & John Cale / Jonathan Goes Country - Jonathan Richman 1991 Screamadelica - Primal Scream / Achtung Baby - U2 / The Bootleg Boxset - Bob Dylan 1992 It's A Shame About Ray - The Lemonheads / Henry's Dream - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds / Automatic For The People - R.E.M. / Good As I Been To You - Bob Dylan / The Future - Leonard Cohen 1993 Debut - Bjork / Dubnobasswithmyheadman - Underworld / Exile In Guyville - Liz Phair / Neroli - Brian Eno / Come On Feel - The Lemonheads / Zooropa - U2 / Vena Cava - Diamanda Galas

1994 Selected Ambient Works Vol. II - Aphex Twin / Toward The Within - Dead Can Dance / Let Love In - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds / Dummy - Portishead / Autogeddon - Julian Cope / Vauxhall & I - Morrissey 1995 Anthology - The Beatles / The Ugly One With The Jewels - Laurie Anderson 1996 Boys For Pele - Tori Amos 1997 Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space - Spiritualized / The Boatman's Call - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds / Time Out Of Mind - Bob Dylan / Vanishing Point - Primal Scream 1998 Up - R.E.M. / I'm So Confused - Jonathan Richman 1999 Play - Moby / I See A Darkness - Bonnie Prince Billy 2000 XTRMNTR - Primal Scream / All That You Can't Leave Behind - U2 / The Marshall Mathers LP - Eminem / Kid A - Radiohead / KY - Lemon Jelly 2001 Vespertine - Bjork / Love & Theft - Bob Dylan / No More Shall We Part - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 2002 The Eminem Show - Eminem 2003 Room On Fire - The Strokes / The Man Comes Around/Unearthed - Johnny Cash / The Wind - Warren Zevon 2004 Has Been - William Shatner / How To Dismantle An Atom Bomb - U2 / You Are The Quarry - Morrissey / The Milk-Eyed Mender - Joanna Newsom / Smile - Brian Wilson 2005 Another Day On Earth - Brian Eno / Le Fil - Camille 2006 Modern Times - Bob Dylan / Surprise - Paul Simon / Love - The Beatles 2007 for emma, forever ago - bon iver 2008 vampire weekend - vampire weekend 2009 No Line On The Horizon - U2 / The XX - The XX 2010 show me the face - michelle gurevich 2011 Angles - The Strokes / So Beautiful or So What - Paul Simon 2012 Life Is People - Bill Fay / Old Ideas - Leonard Cohen 2013 Comedown Machine - The Strokes / Crimson Red - Prefab Sprout 2014 Ghost Stories - Coldplay / 1989 - Taylor Swift 2015 ★ - David Bowie 2016 Lover, Beloved - Suzanne Vega / Stranger To Stranger - Paul Simon 2017 American Dream - LCD Soundsystem / antisocialites - alvvays 2018 music for installations - brian eno 2019 weezer (teal album) - weezer 2020 rough & rowdy ways - bob dylan 2021 happier than ever - billie eilish 2022 dragon new warm mountain i believe in you - big thief

[romanceyourdemons]

i deeply enjoyed david cronenberg’s psychological thriller a history of violence (2005). conceptually, the film reads as a spiritual successor to david lynch’s blue velvet (1986) and an answer to martin scorsese’s goodfellas (1990), films that, like this, superimpose two of the most fundamentally all-american literary worlds, the world of the white picket fence small town and the world of noir-inspired east coast organized crime. as in blue velvet (1986), this film depicts an exaggeratedly innocent small town, with a copland-esque score and cronenberg’s visuals further developing the sense of secluded, venerable, trustworthy cleanliness he used for the stephen king small town in the dead zone (1983). just as goodfellas (1990) uses the brief glimpse of this kind of town to indicate its uniquely romanticized take on the american dream, so does this film use a brief glimpse of the kind of world of crime built up in goodfellas (1990) to indicate its own romanticized take on the american dream. in both cases, two distinct, familiar, and usually utterly segregated romanticized visions of all-american life, and the associated views of masculinity, are laid side by side for the audience’s view. however, whereas both goodfellas (1990) and blue velvet (1986) present the world of noir and the world of the white picket fence as so utterly distinct that the portal between them can only be traversed by one person, this film shows these two legendary, mutually incompatible americas—the america you are supposed to want and supposed to find emasculating, and the america you are supposed to be forced into and supposed to find titillating—coexisting in compartmentalized cognitive dissonance in the film’s characters. the film has two sex scenes between viggo mortensen’s ex-hitman character and his small-town wife; the first (literally) fetishizes the innocent apple-pie high school experience, and the second fetishizes the violence and danger of the world of organized crime. despite their apparent polar differences, both worlds center around clearly parallel fictions of masculinity, where the specter of homosexuality looms large and the capacity for violence is expected—demanded—even though actual displays of violence are met with horror, disapproval, and punishment. due to the messier connection this film presents between the worlds, it does not have the clean, portal fantasy-like ending of blue velvet (1986) or goodfellas (1990); at the end of the film, all the characters are uncomfortably aware of how tenuous and unreal their beloved american dream worlds are, and have no choice but to steel themselves to return to the dream. i deeply enjoyed the story, style, and presentation of a history of violence (2005), and i would highly recommend it

[cosplayinamerica]

King Jaffe Joffer from Coming to America Cosplayer @standoutcosplay Photo @brilanimagery

There are MANY funny stories with this costume. You rarely see this cosplay, so people freak out when they see it. It's like EVERYBODY'S favorite movie. I get so many people yelling out quotes from the movie like "MY SON WORKS" to "WHAT IS THAT... VELVET ???". Another cool story is that I ran into other characters from the movie like Randy Watson and Hakeem in the McDowell's uniform. We instantly became friends and a cosplay group

Cosplay is literally MY LIFE!! I would do it even if there are no more conventions. I have been cosplaying for over 17 years. I am a Renaissance man, so I love being creative and seeing what I can come up with. I love the smiles on people's faces when they see my cosplays. They tell me that my cosplays make their day and that's my number one goal in cosplay. To inspire and see how many people I can make smile.

I came up with the idea of cosplaying King Jaffe Joffer from my favorite movie Coming To America. At the time Black Panther was coming out and I decided to make the cosplay for the premiere. My cosplay brand is Stand Out Cosplay, so I gear my cosplays to more nostalgic characters people rarely see!

[therecordchanger62279]

The 10 Most Influential Debut Records of the Rock Era

It's been, oh, at least three days since I posted a list, so I thought it was time for another one. (I have a list-making gene - which, unfortunately, takes up far too much of my time. But if I don't make the list and post it, I begin showing signs of emotional stress because my brain becomes overloaded with pointless minutiae, and I need to empty it - much like the trash on a computer. Otherwise, my brain begins to operate more slowly, and I'm unable to download my thoughts into words and deeds. The little wheel in my eyeball just goes round and round. My head begins to smoke, and my wife has to unplug me, and call tech support.)

In any case, this is a list I don't actually recall ever seeing anywhere else. I was thinking about how important it is for any musical act to make a great debut record, and if you manage to accomplish that, how incredible that record must be to actually influence or change the direction of popular music your first time out. It would be far more difficult than, say, hitting a grand slam walk-off home run in your first major league at-bat.

When I began compiling the list, I was thinking first about the most influential records ever made, but not many of them were debut records. There are countless lists of influential albums out there, and many more lists of best debut records. But both at once? So, I compiled a list that I think is pretty impressive dating back 60 years - although this list ends with 1980. By then, I think most, if not all popular music's worthwhile changes and growth had happened or had been set in motion, and from that point forward, regression set in. We've reached a point now where there's nothing new under the sun, and we are devolving our way to some landfill in New Jersey keeping company with six-pack plastic rings, and styrofoam cups.

The list is in roughly chronological order, and I'll add a few comments after each in an effort to defend my choices.

Meet The Beatles - The Beatles (1964) Not technically their debut, you scream? Well, I don't live in the UK. This was the US debut record, and I would argue that if The Beatles had never made it in America, they would've come and gone like last week's latest Rap sensation. This is ground zero, and I'll accept no substitutes.

Freak Out - The Mothers of Invention (1966) Even today, it's hard to wrap your head around the fact that a record like this existed in 1966. It opened up the whole world of record making to the avant-garde, and a whole new audience. No restrictions. No rules. From that day forward - bring it!

The Velvet Underground and Nico (1967) Do I really need to argue The Velvets influence at this point to anyone?

Music From Big Pink - The Band (1968) Eric Clapton left Cream because of a Rolling Stone review, and this album. Back to basics. You could argue it was the first "Americana" album long before they had a name for it.

Santana (1969) America and most of the world had not heard anything before like this marriage of Rock, Jazz, and Latin music, and it was there as if it was the most natural thing in the world - and maybe it was.

In The Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson (1969) The invention of Progressive Rock, and the influence of Folk, and Classical on the sound of Rock thereafter.

Black Sabbath (1970) The invention of Heavy Metal, and the importance of riffing, and a noise like laying down on a railroad track with a train bearing down on your exploding head.

Horses - Patti Smith (1975) Poetry fused with Rock 'N' Roll wrapped in a feminist sensibility, and an attitude that if you aren't saying something important, why speak at all?

Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols (1977) Some would argue The Ramones debut mattered more, but their debut was largely ignored except by critics, and the NY club crowd. It was The Pistols that fired the Punk shot heard 'round the world. Rock's last gasp, and then there was.....

The Sugarhill Gang (1980) The single, Rapper's Delight was released in the late summer of '79. If they had not followed up with a full-length album, it might've been viewed as a novelty hit. Instead it was the birth of Rap which would eventually overwhelm Rock as the most popular music of the day.

[grandmaster-anne]

Family milestones through the years

Country Life | Published 14 September 2022

1920s

• Winston Churchill described ‘an air of authority and reflectiveness astonishing in an infant’ when Elizabeth was only 2½

• In 1929, she appeared on the cover of Time, which reported that the Duchess of York’s preference for the colour yellow for her daughter’s clothes and the decoration of her nursery had set a trend across America

1930s

• George V (‘Grandpa England’) dies on January 20, 1936. Unable to face ruling without Wallis Simpson by his side, Elizabeth’s uncle, Edward VIII, submits his abdication on December 10, before broadcasting his decision to the nation the following day

• The first Pembroke Welsh corgi, Dookie, arrives at Royal Lodge in the summer of 1933, bred by Miss Evans of Rozavel Kennels in Reigate. He was later joined by Jane

• On her fourth birthday, Elizabeth receives a pony from her grandfather. In 1932, the people of Wales build Y Bwthyn Bach (the Little House) for her—it still stands in the Windsor grounds

• In early 1933, a new governess arrives: Marion Crawford (‘Crawfie’). She remains until her own wedding in 1947, shortly before Elizabeth’s

1940s

• In 1942, her father shows her the royal racehorses in training. After patting the King’s Derby runner, Big Game, Elizabeth doesn’t wash her hands for the rest of the day. A horse of her own comes in the form of a wedding present from the Aga Khan and her racing colours of purple body, scarlet sleeves and black velvet cap—the same as her father’s—are registered in 1949

• April 25, 1942: Princess Elizabeth signs up for war service

• August 25, 1942: Prince George, Duke of Kent, Princess Elizabeth’s uncle, is killed in a flying accident over Morven in Scotland at the age of 39

• November 1943: the Daily Mail reports that Elizabeth had hunted with the Garth Foxhounds and the Duke of Beaufort’s Hounds ‘in accord with the general policy of making her life as “normal” as possible’

• In 1947, she attends her first Opening of Parliament

1950s

• August 15, 1950: Princess Anne born

• March 24, 1953: Queen Mary dies

• November 1953: the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh embark on a 43,618-mile tour of the Commonwealth that lasts until May 11 the following year

• October 1955: Princess Margaret ends her relationship with Group Capt Peter Townsend

• February 1957: the Queen endows the Duke of Edinburgh with the style and title of Prince

• December 25, 1957: the first Christmas Message is broadcast on television for the first time (it was live)

• 1958: Prince Charles goes to school

1960s

• The birth of Prince Andrew represents the first child born in a ‘family on the throne’ since Princess Beatrice in 1857

• A photograph taken by Prof John Hedgecoe at Buckingham Palace on June 22, 1966, serves as a model for sculptor Arnold Machin. It has now been reproduced more than 200 billion times on currency and stamps

• Princess Margaret (1960) and Princess Alexandra (1963) are married at Westminster Abbey

• In 1960, it is announced that descendants of the Queen who did not bear the title HRH and females who might marry would henceforth carry the name Mountbatten-Windsor

• The State Opening of Parliament is televised for the first time in 1966

• The Duke and Duchess of Windsor attend the unveiling of a plaque honouring Queen Mary in 1967

• In 1969, an all-party commission of MPs is set up to look into the Civil List allowance—its report comes in 1971

1970s

• In 1970, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Capt Cook’s voyage, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visit Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. Three months later, Fiji and Tonga declare their independence

• From 1970, Prince Charles and Princess Anne have increasing public roles

• In 1970, the Queen unveils the second portrait of her by Annigoni

• That year, the Queen grants a Royal Charter to the Jockey Club, the first governing body of any sport to be accorded such an honour • The committee reviewing the Civil List reports in 1971 and increases the Queen’s allowance from £475,000 to £980,000 per year (it hadn’t been reviewed since her accession). There is no allowance for her personal use. In 1975, it’s raised to £1.4 million

• The Duke of Windsor dies on May 28, 1972—the Duchess stays at Buckingham Palace for the funeral. Prince William of Gloucester, the Queen’s cousin, is killed in a flying accident

• The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh celebrate their silver wedding anniversary in 1972. At a lunch to mark the occasion, the Queen says: ‘I think that everybody will concede that, on this of all days, I should begin my speech “My husband and I”’

• On November 14, 1973, Princess Anne marries Capt Mark Phillips in Westminster Abbey—the first time a member of the Royal Family has married a commoner (it’s also the birthday of Prince Charles and the Archbishop of Canterbury)

• In 1974, a kidnap attempt of Princess Anne is foiled. The Queen’s uncle, the Duke of Gloucester dies that year

• In 1976, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon announce their marriage is over—they divorce in 1978

• In her Silver Jubilee year, the Queen travels 56,000 miles around the South Pacific and to 36 counties in Britain. Her Jubilee Appeal to ‘help young people help others’ raises £16 million

1980s

• In 1980, more than two million people line the streets of London to see the Queen Mother pass on her way to a service to celebrate her 80th birthday

• On May 15, 1981, the Queen again becomes a grandmother, when Princess Anne gives birth to Zara

• In 1982, Prince Andrew takes part in the Falklands War

• On July 9, 1982, the Queen awakes to find Michael Fagan in her bedroom

• The Waleses’ second son, Henry (Harry), is born on September 15, 1984

• In 1986, Prince Andrew marries Sarah Ferguson—a ‘breath of fresh air’—in Westminster Abbey and becomes The Duke of York

• That year, the Duchess of Windsor dies and is buried with her husband at Frogmore,

• Also in 1986, the Queen becomes the first British monarch to visit China—crowds welcome ‘the English country female King’

• Princess Beatrice is born on August 8, 1988

• The Princess Royal and Capt Mark Phillips separate in late August 1989

1990s

• Princess Eugenie is born on March 23, 1990

• On a state visit to the US in 1991, the Queen becomes the first British monarch to address Congress

• The end of 1992 brings some good news as The Princess Royal marries Commander Tim Laurence in Scotland

• In 1994, The Prince of Wales appears in a frank—and ill-advised—television interview with Jonathan Dimbleby, in which he admits adultery

• In October that year, the Queen becomes the first reigning British monarch to set foot on Russian soil

• The Duke and Duchess of York are divorced in May 1996

• When on holiday in Mustique in 1998, Princess Margaret suffers a stroke

• In 1997, extension work begins on The Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, tripling its size

• Prince Edward marries in St George’s Chapel, Windsor (June 19, 1999)

2000s

• It was an eventful time in 2000: Princess Margaret celebrated her 70th birthday, The Princess Royal her 50th, Prince William his 18th and, on August 4, the Queen Mother her 100th—she’s one of 12 centenarians to get a card from the Queen, but hers was the only one signed ‘Lilibet’

• As part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002, the Queen dines at 10, Downing Street with the five living former Prime Ministers who had served under her: Tony Blair, John Major, Margaret Thatcher, James Callaghan and Edward Heath • Lady Louise Windsor is born on November 8, 2003

• Prince William graduates from St Andrews University on June 23, 2005

2010s

• Prince William marries Catherine Middleton in Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, and is created Duke of Cambridge

• The Queen’s first great-grandchild, Savannah, the daughter of Peter Phillips, is born on December 29, 2010

• The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have three children: Prince George is born on July 22, 2013, Princess Charlotte on May 2, 2015, and Prince Louis on April 23, 2018

• In 2015, changes are made to the order of succession to give female children an equal right to come to the throne

• On May 19, 2018, Prince Harry becomes Duke of Sussex and marries Meghan Markle and, on October 12, Princess Eugenie marries Jack Brooksbank. On May 6, 2019, the Sussexes welcome a son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, and, on June 4, 2021, a daughter, Lilibet Diana

• On January 31, 2019, the Queen surpasses Eleanor of Aquitaine to become the longest-reigning female ruler. Eleanor (1122–1204) was Queen Consort of France and England and Duchess of Aquitaine for 66 years and 358 days

2020s

• Princess Beatrice marries Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on July 17, 2020

• Prince Philip dies on April 9, 2021

• Elizabeth II celebrates her Platinum Jubilee in June, 2022, with a four-day national holiday

[orlaite]

80s pls !

1980: Cruising dir. William Friedkin

1981: Blow Out dir. Brian de Palma

1982: The King of Comedy dir. Martin Scorsese

1983: Rumble Fish dir. Francis Ford Coppola

1984: Once Upon a Time in America dir. Sergio Leone

1985: Ran dir. Akira Kurosawa

1986: Blue Velvet dir. David Lynch

1987: The Last Emperor dir. Bernardo Bertolucci

1988: The Adventures of Baron Munchausen dir. Terry Gilliam

1989: Mystery Train dir. Jim Jarmusch

[tfc2211]

Play ▶ Alternate Takes and Demos

Elvis Presley - Viva Las Vegas (Take 2) Louis Armstrong - St. Louis Blues (Alternate Take B) Frank Sinatra - Melancholy Mood (Alternate Take) Johnny Cash - Big River (Alternate Take) Bob Dylan - Just Like a Woman (Take 4) The Beatles - Sie Liebt Dich (Stereo Mix) The Rolling Stones - Curtis Meets Smokey (1966) The Byrds - Eight Miles High (Alternate-RCA Studios Version) The Velvet Underground - Who Loves The Sun (Alternate Mix) The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations (Alternate Edit) Love - You Set The Scene [Alternate Mix] The Jimi Hendrix Experience - If 6 Was 9 [Unreleased Alternate Recordings] King Crimson - Moonchild (Take 1-2019 Mix) Rory Gallagher - Sinner Boy (Alternate Take 1) Van Morrison – Wild Night (Alternate Take) The Kinks - This Time Tomorrow (Alternate Take, 2020 Mix) The Beatles - Norwegian Wood (Rare Bootleg) Bob Dylan - It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry (Take 8 Complete) David Crosby - Guinnevere [Early Demo] The Allman Brothers Band - Midnight Rider (Alternate Mix) Traffic - Light Up Or Leave Me Alone [Alt. Mix] America - A Horse With No Name (Alternate Early Mix-Morgan Studios) Neil Young - Midnight On The Bay (4/14/76) Antonio Carlos Jobim - Brazil (Alternate Take) Duke Ellington - Ko-Ko [Alternate Take] Otis Redding - Pain In My Heart ( Previously Unissued Take) Gram Parsons - She (Alternate Version) Fleetwood Mac - Like Crying (1969 Alternate Version) Tim Buckley - Song To The Siren (Take 7) Canned Heat - On The Road Again (Alternate Take) Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady (Alternate Mix+Take) Curtis Mayfield - Pusherman (Alternate Mix) Jimi Hendrix - Pali Gap (Alternate Mix) The Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar (with Eric Clapton) The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset [Session Excerpt-Backing Track Take 2) The Beatles - I'm So Tired (Take 14) Simon & Garfunkel - The Sun Is Burning [Alternate Take 12] John Martyn - Solid Air (Alternate Take 2) King Crimson - Cadence & Cascade (Greg Lake Guide Vocal) Traffic - Rainmaker [Alternate Track] Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Human Highway The Band - Up On Cripple Creek (Alternate Take) Leonard Cohen - Passing Through (Take 9-Alternate Lyrics) Elvis Presley - In The Ghetto (Take 1) Miles Davis - Le Petit Bal (Take 1)

[breezybangtanbebe]

대취타 :Daechwita

Chapter 1: 하나

3.9k words

The rowdy group of high school students breaks through the doors of the museum into the sun.

"Alright, class! We meet back here in 2 hours. Do not be late" the exasperated teacher huffs as the students push past him.

He shakes his head in amusement as he watches his students disperse onto the courtyard of the campus.

One student lags, still transfixed by the ancient exhibits within the dark museum.

"Jungkook...are you coming?" Mr. Miller calls to the boy from the doorway.

Jungkook squints his eyes to read an inscription labeling an artifact.

"No, I think I'll hang back and check out the exhibit some more. Is that ok?" He turns his head.

Mr.Miller frowns. He knows Jungkook isn't the least bit interested in the exhibit. But he also knew that since transferring to a new school after a nasty divorce, Jungkook wasn't too keen on socializing with his classmates. He was going through a solitary brooding phase that Mr. Miller had to respect.

"Sure. Just be sure to be back on the steps in time to catch the bus at 4." Mr. Miller says before exiting the museum completely.

Jungkook sighs in relief at finally being alone. The museum was crowded at all, it being a weekday and near its closing time. So Jungkook enjoyed the free reign of the place as he strolled around with his hands in his pockets.

He found himself drifting towards an area marked off, a new exhibit that had yet to be opened to the public.

The sign above the area read "Daechwita: wars of the original clans: a South Korean exhibit coming soon."

"Hmm..sounds interesting..." he says to himself.

The entrance was marked with thick velvet rope clasped at both ends of the golden stands. Jungkook looked around curiously in search of any museum staff or security before ducking down and under the velvet barrier and into the exhibit.

"Wow..." Jungkook exhaled as his eyes circled the room full of artifacts such as authentic armor, scrolls of thick-lined calligraphy, war drums, and other instruments, tiny monitors playing recorded footage of the royal palaces of former south Korean kings.

It was a cultural overload.

Jungkook was indeed Korean, but since he'd spent the majority of his life in America, he hardly knew anything of his culture aside from the small glimpses he got when he visited his grandparents in Busan.

Jungkook walked deeper into the room until he reached the back wall decorated with tattered photographs and fades silk garments.

His eyes were drawn to one photograph, in particular, a king and what appeared to be his two sons. Beneath the grainy portrait was an enormous sword encased in a glass display.

It was beautiful, the blade thickness and black as onyx, stretching out to nearly match Jungkooks wingspan. The pommel was pure gold and on the handle, an inscription was carved neatly in Hangul.

"호랑이 송곳니"

Jungkook leans closer to see if he recognized any of the symbols, his hand touching the glass display unconsciously.

"Ya!! Don't you read?!!"

Jungkook jumps at the sound of a voice and whips around to face an elderly man in a navy blue jumpsuit.

Something about the man sends a sense of familiarity over Jungkook, maybe his tone and demeanor reminding him so much of his father and grandfather. He had a mop in one hand and the handle of a large bucket in the other, a deep scowl wrinkling his aged features.

"Sorry! I'm sorry, I was just..."

"Trespassing? Defacing museum property? Putting fingerprints on my glass??" The older man trudges forward, making Jungkook step aside. He sprays a blue liquid on the display and swipes vigorously until the glass is crystal clear of smudges.

"I was just trying to read the words on the sword." Jungkook mumbles.

"You shouldn't even be in here boy. Didn't you read the sign?" The elder hisses.

Jungkook frowns and looks back towards the display case.

The old man looks him over and rolls his eyes.

Picking up his glasses that sat on his neck on a chain, he places them at his nose and leans forward to read the inscription.

"Y..you're Korean?" Jungkook stutters with a tone of interest.

"No I'm Norwegian, shut up I'm trying to see.." he snaps, making Jungkook stifle a giggle.

"holang-i song-gosni...." the old man says out loud slowly. Jungkook blinks up at him in expectance.

"Oh, you want me to translate it too??" The old man grunts.

Before Jungkook can respond, he speaks.

"It means 'the tigers fang' "

"Cool...." Jungkooks eyes widen as he redirects them to the photograph.

"And who are they?" Jungkook points to the sepia portrait.

"Aish...you're kidding me, right? Why not wait until the exhibit is open to ask all of these questions? I have a job to do now, get going." The old man attempts to usher the boy away from the wall but has no luck.

"If you don't know then you can just say that.." Jungkook shrugs, side-eying the old man with a smirk.

"Who says I don't know? This is my culture! My ancestors. Of course, I know. "

"Prove it. Tell me who they are." Jungkook tilts his head stubbornly.

"It's not that simple, I cant just tell you who they are without telling the whole story. And it's long and I doubt you want to listen to it."

Jungkook regards the old man for a moment and to his surprise, he plants himself on the floor and crosses his legs pretzel style.

"Oh, no..what are you doing? Get up.." the old man grumbles

"I have time and I'm sure you don't have anything better to do." Jungkook grins.

"As a matter of fact, I do. It's called my job!"

"Tell me the story and I'll leave. I promise. You can summarize." Jungkook shrugs innocently.

The old man sighs and looks towards the exhibit's entrance then back at Jungkook.

"What the hell? I'm due for a break anyway...."

The old man huffs as he eases himself down to the floor next to Jungkook.

He clears his throat.

*******************

Long ago.

When ancient practices and modern technology were on the bridge of convergence...

there was a King...

Min Yongnum.

King of the Holangi Province and highest-ranking member of the Min Clan. Yongnum was a just and benevolent leader, deeply loved and respected by his people.

But peace among his land was short-lived in his reign when an opposing clan from the south set out to expand their claim over the four provinces.

War and bloodshed consumed the peace, leaving many households without fathers and sons drafted to fight under the name of their king.

Heads of their enemies hung like lanterns around the outskirts of the kingdom as a warning to any clan who considered challenging the fury of Holangi and her people.

And after 10 years of fighting, after hundreds to thousands of lives lost, and alliances were formed, King Yongnum and his men proclaimed victory over the enemy clans and maintained power over the vast land.

But unfortunately, due to the balance of nature, there was a cost to pay for victory.

With very few men to tend the fields and livestock, a time of famine seized the land, making it nearly impossible for the people of Holangi  to survive.

Fortunately, as the lone tiger would in the harshest of environments, Holangi prevailed and rebuilt anew.

As time pressed on to age the resilient leader, new death was on the horizon and Yongnum knew that his time as King would eventually set as the sun did.

So he decided it was time to create an heir.

The King chose a wife whom he loved and set out to extend his bloodline.

But after many years of disappointments and heartache, Yongnum grew desperate and sought out alternative methods to bring life to the baron valleys of his queen's womb.

Some practices were very modern and common.

While others were considered to be extreme, outdated, and unorthodox.

One of which he received from a spirit worker tucked deep within one of the oldest villages on Holangi land.

The king was told to embark on a journey into the wilderness to find the deity responsible for his clan and his kingdom's invincibility to seek her blessing in exchange for his show of bravery.

The tiger god herself, Holangi.

Many legends spoke of the majestic beast living high in the snow-capped mountains, or deep through the deadly jungles and beyond civilization. But there were very little stories of the god coming in direct contact with man where she let them survive to tell of it unless under dier circumstances.

It was said to be suicide to seek the beast, but Yongnum was desperate.

After trekking through the wilderness for weeks, the king found himself weakened and famished. He had caught zero glimpses of the enormous feline, but his will was stronger than his doubt. But unfortunately, his body was weaker than both.

Yongnum reaches the peak of the highest snow-capped mountain, trudging weakly to peer over the edge and take in the view over all of the provinces. It was truly a magnificent sight to behold.

He drops to his knees and directs his eyes to the bright sun above him, sending a plea of mercy to any god that would listen. But they fall on deaf ears as does the King.

His face pressed against the thin layer of snow, he's barely aware of the padded footsteps approaching him.

His eyes open and his shallow breathing hitches when sees the massive pair of claws only inches from his face.

Yongnum looks up and gasps at the sight of the most beautiful white tiger he had ever dreamt of seeing. She towers before him majestically and fierce, the wind of high altitudes blowing through her thick mane of striped fur.

Her tongue dashes out to lick over her whiskers as she stoops her head to lock eyes with the king, her cerulean irises connecting with the mortal's soul.

And from a place Yongnum cannot see, a voice speaks to him.

"You have shown great bravery seeking me out young king. I am impressed...."

The smooth feminine voice fills every corner of Yongnum's mind.

"....I am aware of your desires as I am privy to your sins. But I will choose to grant your prayers in exchange for your sacrifice...."

"...in the womb of your queen lives a son. He will be the greatest King to ever sit at the throne of this province. But you will suffer a great betrayal and great loss before this can come to be. Are you willing to suffer for the longevity of your people so that your son may rule them?"

Without a single bit of hesitation, Yongnum answers.

"Yes."

A low growl of acknowledgment grumbles from the deity's throat and the tiger bows her head.

"So be it. Now go." She says and as suddenly as she appeared, she vanishes on the icy breeze over the cliffs of the mountain.

Yongnum returns to his kingdom to find his wife caressing her protruding torso with tears in her eyes.

"Our prayers and your efforts have not been in vain my love." She whimpers as Yongnum pulls her into his embrace.

Months pass and Yongnum is pacing furiously just outside of his queen's private chamber.

Thunderclaps and lightning dances across the sky, still not drowning out the sounds of his queen's wails of agony.

This went on for what felt like hours until there was silence and the rhythm of the king's heart faltered at the absence of his wife's voice.

A shrill cry filled the chamber, making Yongnum sprint from where he stood pacing from just beyond the entrance.

He bursts into the room, his eyes widening at the graphic scene laying before him.

"Your majesty." The midwife steps to obscure the king's view of his wife. She bows her head and gazes up with somber eyes.

"The queen. She suffered a great loss of blood and I regret to inform you that she didn't survive the birth...My deepest condolences..."

Yongnum's chest caved at the midwife's news and he's frozen.

His queen. His love.

She was gone.

"....great loss...."

"Is this what the deity meant?" Yongnum thought to himself.

"...and what of my son?" He manages to say after a few moments.

Wordlessly the midwife steps aside, allowing the king to approach the bedside was a chambermaid sat with her arms engulfed by a large stained cloth from elbow to elbow.

Two tiny voices of different tones coo in tandem and the king gasps.

"Two.....I have two sons?"

The king's eyes widen at the sight of two tightly swaddled newborns with fair skin and distinct wisps of hair as white as snow.

"Twins your majesty. Blessed with the crown of the moon. A good omen. A blessing." The midwife says softly. She takes the slumbering infants from the chambermaid and hands them carefully to the king, who's eyes are filled to the brim with tears.

Bittersweet emotions overcome him as he gazed into the faces of his offspring, then to the still form of his beloved covered by the bloodstained fabric in an attempt to preserve her dignity.

In a matter of minutes, he has lost his queen, the love of his life...but an overwhelming sense of hope and joy flourishes within the king's heart.

And so King Yongnum cradled his two sons against his chest, the future of the royal bloodline sleeping soundly in the crooks of his arms.

Min Yonghwan and Min Yoongi.

The Princes of Holangi.

19 years later...

The sun was high in the sky as she ran on light feet through the field. The tall grass tickled her ankles as the wind of her sprint blew the fabric of her dress up against her legs.

She giggled with excitement when she glanced over her shoulder, spotting the dashing young man galloping after her.

His long white mane stretched out in his wake as he inches closer and closer to his prey.

She squeals when a quick hand reaches out and grasps her skirt, pulling her back into his chest. He embraces her tightly, panting hard against her windblown hair.

He plants a soft kiss to her nape and lets his lips linger on the curve of her ear.

"Caught you," he says, the sultry tone of his voice bringing chills down the girl's spine.

"It would appear so my prince" she responds with a smile. She turns her body to face him, not even attempting to escape his interlocked hold on her waist.

"What do you intend to do now that you have me?" She looks boldly into the boy's eyes, her bottom lip grazing her teeth at the heat in his gaze.

An elated smile spreads across his face, exposing the gums of his teeth just a bit as he leans his head down.

His lips press firmly against hers and she sighs in content at the feel.

Although chaste, his kiss held a deeply sated undertone of gentle need and adoration that lingered on the girl's lips as he pulled back.

"You shouldn't ask me questions like that Princess.." he murmurs, his lips a hairbreadth away from hers.

"Why? Afraid of what you might say?" She whispers.

He rubs the tip of his small nose against hers and she smiles.

"More of what I might do.." he says dryly, pulling back from her completely to look up at the sky.

He squints as he gauged the position of the sun and sighs bitterly.

"We should start back toward the palace." He says, looking over his shoulder and beyond the horizon of the knee-length grass field.

"Ah yes, you have your commencement to get to." She clicks her tongue.

He looks back to her face, sighing in appreciation of her soft delicate features.

Her wide brown eyes, her long and thick onyx hair, her smooth skin, and rosy lips.

Areum was the embodiment of beauty, given her namesake, and the young prince was completely enamored by her presence.

From the tender age of 7 when her father, a high ranking member of the neighboring Han Clan, would bring his daughter to Halgoni to meet with the King to discuss matters beyond the children's understanding.

She was bossy, tenacious, and bit rough around the edges. But one thing, not one would deny was her beauty and magnetic energy.

To know her was to love her.

And Yoongi did just that.

He tightens his hold on her hips and squeezes her waist possessively.

"Or we could just stay here. I could skip the ceremony and perhaps answer your question. But not with words.." Yoongi grins mischievously as he attempts to go in for another taste of her lips.

But Areum has other intentions.

She smiles sweetly, her eyes downcast to his lips the closer they drew to hers.

"Perhaps. Or..." Areum murmurs.

Yoongi releases his hold on her hips and reaches up to cup her face when...

She slips past him and turns around, walking backward with a daring look in her eyes.

"....you can race me back to the grounds and I actually show you that I'm still the fastest between the two of us." She grins cheekily and turns with the fabric of her skirt bunched up in her fists to give her legs more leeway.

He shakes his head in amusement at her challenge but he can't resist as he breaks into a swift jog that leads into a full-on sprint when he underestimates her speed.

The commencement ceremony was the mark of passage for the boys serving under the King's rule to emerge as men and take their place among his court, swearing to devote their lives and protection to the throne and crest of the tiger.

This was a very important day.

At least to most...

Yoongi stumbles as he rushed towards the training grounds. He glances around as he adjusts the band at his waist to secure his ceremonial robe and reaches up to ensure every strand of his long hair is tucked away.

The long line of young men standing at attention in the middle of the courtyard acts as a cover for Yoongi to scurry behind in an attempt to hide from the prying eyes of his father and other royal figures in attendance.

One of the young men in line spots Yoongi tiptoeing behind his human shield and sucks at his teeth in disproval before looking ahead patiently.

With finesse, he slides in to fill a small gap between two familiar faces and assumes the proper position with his shoulders squared and his hands clasped tightly behind his back.

"Cutting it a bit close, don't you think?" The young man to his left whispers out of the corner of his mouth. The man to his right chuckles under his breath.

Yoongi doesn't respond to Hoseok or Namjoon, making them both chuckle softly just as their teacher saunters through the large doorway of the dojang.

He walks down the steps, scanning the lines of highly trained young men, his students, speculatively until his feet meet the dusted ground.

"Your highness! Noblemen of Holangi and royalty of neighboring clans. I thank you for your presence in today's commencement of the next line of Halgoni stripes. These young men have trained diligently in leadership, integrity, strength, intelligence, and combat for 4 years. Today marks the final step in becoming true men in eyes of Holangi. "

As he spoke, Yoongis mind began to wander, effectively drowning out the usual introduction of the commencement.

The ceremony proceeded, each graduate earning their silk bands embroidered with the crest of Holangi in varying colors assigned according to ranking. Black being the highest.

Yoongi steps forward from the line and bows to his Sabonim, accepting his black band wrapped around the matching scabbard sheathing his sword, designed specifically for him.

The scoffing young man from before glowers in envy at the sight, his eyes flitting to the sidelines to spot the King beaming with pride as Yoongi accepted his stripe.

"Now First to demonstrate his adequacy....the one who has shown a natural affinity for the combat who remains undefeated amongst his classmates...."

"Prince Yoongi. Step forth."

Yoongi steps forward confidently, bowing to his teacher again and then to the audience. When he arrises his eyes lock with a particular raven-haired Princess sitting on the first row, nearest to his father and adjacent to her father.

Yoongi shoots her a subtle wink before walking to the center of the square, making her blush internally.

"And the opposing student who will demonstrate his adequacy is..."

One after one, a man stepped up to challenge Yoongi, all succumbing to his speed, strength, and skill.

All the while, at the end of the line, bitter eyes filled with contempt observed Yoongis agility and natural talent for combat. He seethes with envy, every snow-white hair standing on end at the sight of his younger brother. But he was not intimidated.

Prince Yonghwan knew his position. He was the heir to the thrown, having been the older of the two by a few minutes. It didn't matter if his younger brother surpassed him physically because whatever Yonghwan lacked in comparison, he made up for in cunning.

Another opponent falls to his knees, panting from exertion at the end of Yoongis bamboo staff.

The prince drops his weapon and steps forward to extend his hand to the defeated challenger and aids him to his feet. They bow to each other respectfully and step away, Yoongi to his corner of the square and the challenger to fall in line amongst the rest of the defeated.

Yonghwan sniffs and rolls his shoulders in preparation, knowing he was next to face Yoongi in a match.

Just as he moves to step forward, King Yongnum stands from where he sat at the sidelines, effectively making every man and woman in attendance focus their attention in his direction.

Yoongi drops to his knee along with the other students and their teacher in a show of respect.

Yonghwan is the last to kneel, his expression marred with confusion as he lowered his body.

"You all have shown great skill and adequacy. I am filled with honor to witness the future of our kingdom's protection. You should be very pleased with yourself. This completes our ceremony and I look forward to seeing you all tonight at the celebration of the newest line of our guard. Thank you." The king tilts his head at his bowing subjects.

He shoots a look of indifference towards his oldest son as he turns to leave, being closely followed by his guard and a few members of the royal court.

"What?" Yonghwan says to himself.

"He.....ended the ceremony...before.."

He turns his head as the rest of the graduates rose to their feet, cheering and congratulating each other happily.

Yonghwan blinks dramatically as he searched the small crowd of men until he spotted the bright blonde crop of hair among the sea of black. Yoongi grinned with pride and joy as he bowed and shook hands with the other men.

".....he knew Yoongi would defeat me. So he ended in the ceremony before I could challenge him..." Yonghwan admits to himself.

The realization hits Yonghwan like a wave and he clenches his fists as he turns to exit the courtyard, tearing the red silk band from his head.