#went with the mostly green ones in the end ehehe

[vilcade]

Sugo in 2112 || PP SS Case 2: First Guardian

[whirlybirbs]

I remember before I got into tcw I didn’t really get all the Rex hype but a few episodes in and I was a GONER and now your Rex Drabble and one shots are s e n d i n g me

✩   –   REX/READER   ;   RAIN

pairing: war correspondent!reader x captain rex

a/n: thinking about my boys before shit hurted! ehehe!

“I’m soaked.”

The makeshift shelter is already sagging beneath the weight of the rain that pummels them on the small, unnamed Outer Rim planet. 

Before the clouds had gone jet black and before the skies had opened up, Rex had marveled at the lush green jungle they’d dropped into — seemingly uninhabited, except for the flora and fauna. The marvel quickly turned to irritation, however, when Skywalker ordered they fan out and push through the jungle. 

Best to try and reach the Separatist outpost by sundown.  

But sundown had long came and went — and between the rain, the vines, the humidity, the entirety of the 501st’s Torrent Company was just glad to rest. 

You find them well past midnight; you’d been stuck trekking along in the middle of the herd of troopers as per HNN correspondent arrival protocol. Sans your gear, and your handy broadcasting droid B9-99, you dart in and out of the tents scattered about the jungle trail as you try to find the company in question. 

When you do, there’s a slight wave of greeting that ripples through the muggy tent. All in all, it’s a miserable sound.

“Hell, you’re all in a mood.”

You wring out your hair, peeling the soaked poncho from your shoulders as you plop down in the dirt beside Echo — across the small latern's light, Fives is trying to open a tube of meal paste with his teeth. “Can y’ blame us?”

No. Not at all. 

You frown, not only at the struggle, but the color of the tube. 

“What flavor?” you ask.

“Bantha,” he grits, moving to pull the plastic with his morals, “My last one. Why?”

You’re quick to rummage in your own pack, flipped off your shoulder. You dig through your own assortment of protein replacement meals, tubular in shape and packaging for ease of transport. 

“Trade you for a nuna flavored one?”

Immediately there’s a scoff from Jesse and Kix. Your mouth falls open in faux-shock. The roguish smiles on the faces, if you weren’t starving for something not-nuna flavored, would have been endearing.

Echo shakes his head beside you as he cleans his visor with a stray rag from his belt. “Gotta do better than that.”

“Nuna?” Fives finally opens the tube as he speaks, “You drew the short end of the stick on that one, sweetheart.”

“Yea, well,” you scoff, zipping your pack shut and pushing your hand through your hair, “They didn’t really gimme a lot of choices when the threw me into a war zone. I mean, if I had it my way, I woulda picked the 104th...”

Another round of low whistles and laughter. You grin. Fives rolls his eyes and mirrors the bright expression. 

Better now. Not as miserable. 

“Speaking of dashing leadership,” you ask slowly to the amusement of the troopers around you, eyes darting around the crowded tent, “Where’s the Captain?”

“Helping put up shelters,” Kix supplies as she leans back on his medic pack and crosses his arms, intent on getting some shut eye, “You know him.”

You curse lightly, and without a second thought, throw on your poncho. Fives raises a brow. “I’ll go find him. If anyone will trade for nuna flavored meal pastes, it’s Rex.”

The reasoning is enough. The lot of them know you and the Captain are friends. The word is loose in definition, mostly because even Echo knows the way you two look at one another borders on something a bit more sticky. Gooey, even. 

Cap’s got it bad for the pretty little news anchor. 

You swing your pack back over your shoulder as you pat Echo’s pauldron and duck out of the tent, ushered out by Jesse’s good natured cry of good luck. You realize quickly that you need it — the downpour hasn’t let up, and the only thing illuminating the jungle trail are the passing headlamps of troopers moving supplies through the camp. 

It is odd to hear Rex before you see him — objectively speaking, he should sound like every other trooper out here, but... You know him well enough to note the inflections, the tone, and the bitter misery in his voice, all from being caught helping shinies pitch tents in the middle of a damn monsoon. 

You can barely see three feet in front of you, and you grip your poncho tightly around your face as you near. 

“Rex!” you nearly holler over the rain; it prompts the blue and white jaig eyes on his helmet to turn owlishly to you — and you greet him with a quick jut of the chin. 

Wordlessly, he steps away from the project and gestures towards a tent below a low hanging tree — but before you can move towards it, his voice crackles from his helmet with worry. 

“Everything alright?”

“Yea,” you nod, speaking up, “M’ good.”

He nods — and then he plants a gloved hand on your back as you weave towards the tent. Once inside, you exhale and pull your poncho hood down with a pained look. If you weren’t soaked before, you sure are now. 

Rex pulls the tent flap closed behind him, and you listen as his voice warms when not shielded by his helmet.

“I hate this planet.”

You laugh. You ask, with a playful tone: “Who made you babysitter?”

Rex exhales into a chuckle. Then, he drops his helmet on the supply crate by the door and leans against it, legs popped out as he crosses his arms. The Captain’s eyes flick across your face as he smiles, and you can’t help but laugh when his brow climbs his face.

“What’d you come botherin’ me for, huh?”

“To make sure you hadn’t drowned in your helmet yet,” you chirp, moving to lean against the crate next to him, “I checked in with Torrent. They said you were helping pitch tents, so... I figured I’d rescue you.”

“Oh, I see. You see a little bit of action in the field and think you’re ready to make rescues, then?”

“Shut up,” you snort, shouldering the trooper.

“Callin’ it as I see it s’all.”

“The second reason I came to hunt you down,” you wave a finger, “is because if I eat one more nuna food paste packet, I think I might walk into the jungle and never come back... and I know that’s a lot of paperwork for you, so I —”

Rex shakes his head again; the grin digging into his cheeks is shadowed by two days of stubble. Stark against his blonde hair, he looks the part of a dashing Captain — especially when he tosses you a look and speaks slowly. 

“You knew I’d trade you for the bantha pastes.”

He’s amused. Not so grumpy, and definitely not looking as dreary as he had when you’d first pulled him from the rain. 

Worth it. 

Even if you were soaked.

[alfredo-kesmann]

WIP ask game!

My Italian ass is asking for "Ci sarà", but my angst heart beats for "Solitaire". I don't want to be greedy, so let's pick Solitaire.

Unless...?

Thank you so so much for asking, and I'm sorry for reponding so late! The reason for this is mostly that I actually finally got inspiration for Solitaire again after you send me this ask, so thank you for that! I'll give you little snippets of both WIP's, because greed sometimes is good (namely when it motivates me to finally work on WIP’s). 

So, first things first: Solitaire.

You're absolutely, completely right about the angst. The entire plot is Martín angst, I'm not even kidding. The general outline is that it forms a series with Fear and loathing/ Now I see, I see it for the first time, which is about Andrés in the Mint realising he should never have left Martín but accepting that it is too late now anyways. Solitaire is to be Martín's experiences of the Mint heist and the time afterwards. The title is taken from MARINA's song by the same name, and although it only is vaguely is inspired by the song, I want to match the vibe I get from it: a supposedly beautiful life that actually is just... loneliness and tears. A ‘we could have had it all’ and ending up with empty hands. 

I only have a few paragraphs jotted down yet, though, because I find it one of my hardest WIP's to work on: I want to show a canon compliant Martín, and I want to accurately portray the way he feels like a victim, even if he isn't truly one. I want to correctly talk about his mental ilnesses (I am guessing at least depression and narcissistic personality disorder, though I’m not planning to label them in the story), but I am no psychologist. I started this WIP around March or April and I suppose I am now more sure about what I'm doing, and now the words are (finally) slowly flowing. 

That being said, enjoy these little snippets:

“Andrés was like a poisonous drug, flowing through my veins and cutting off any necessary blood supply, but it felt so exquisite, like a breeze in the warmest summer day."

[....]

Martín sat in the middle of broken glass, a reflection of him in more than one way, and cried until breathing was getting hard and his eyes were red and dry. 

[...]

The two of them had become so intertwined that sometimes it was difficult to see which one of them was dead and which one of them was still living.

[...]

The television only showed static now, ever since he had thrown an empty bottle of vodka towards it. ‘Don’t shoot the messenger’, went the saying, but Martín hadn't been able to think straight after he had heard the news. In a way the image was fitting, because Martín’s life had become static too, ever since that horrible day.

[...]

But now he understood Andrés’ romanticizing of the death, for his best friend had lived his whole life knowing he would take his own one day. And he had wanted to make his final show grand, he had wanted a last standing ovation, one that deafened his eyes, before the red curtains closed forever. Martín also knew that Andrés would dissaprove of the method he was contemplating, in his sad little flat, a simple shot instead of blazing guns. So he put the velvet box back and instead took a bottle of vodka in hands, waiting until a better idea came to mind, waited until he had a plan, ignoring how those were harder to come by now Andrés wasn’t with him anymore.

Now, Ci sarà is practically the polar opposite of Solitaire: it's pure and unadulterated fluff. The only thing they have in common is that they both are named after a song and both get too little of my attention ehehe oops. I have no idea where I want to go with this story, whether to make it a one shot, or something more. I think the latter, though.

Basically, I had been studying (very) late and it was around 3AM. I was listening to a music playlist when Ci sarà came on. It is one of my favourite Italian songs (though honestly I love anything by Romina Power and Al Bano) and yes I know, I know, my music taste is just as basic as Andrés de Fonollosa's. I, myself realised that exact fact then as well. So, I thought: what if this would be the song for Berlermo's first dance at their wedding? The song just makes me so happy in an undescribable way, and since feelings are always much stronger deep in the night, I felt so incredibly happy and in love listening to it, in the middle of the night, at a volume that was a little too loud. This resulted in me putting the song on repeat, and trying to describe that feeling I had felt. So in a way, ci sarà is a writing exercise. 

The plot thus far basically is Andrés being overwhelmed by happiness during his wedding dance with Martín (and everyone is alive and happy). Because as much as I love making him suffer in stories, I also like writing his strangely soft side around Martín. I might write the entire wedding and also the proposal, because I have ideas, especially for the latter (Andrés had been planning to propose for months, then Martín is the first to ask him. Andrés is divided between tremendous frustration and great happiness, but obviously says ‘yes’; that’s also why I imagine that they both take the surname ‘Berotte-de Fonollosa’). 

So, here some snippets (I couldn’t choose so it’s slightly more than ‘some’):

They were spinning, whilst the music was swelling, and it was dizzying Andrés. One step back, to the side, close, one forward, to the side, close, an endless repetition. Martín spinning him around and pulling him in his arms again. Their friends all singing Ci sarà, all wearing white clothing and pearly smiles, the adoration clearly visible in Martín’s eyes, how beautiful Martín was looking in the suit. No, not just Martín, his Martín Berotte-de Fonollosa. They were turning again, his husband’s -he couldn’t believe it, his husband’s- warm hand burning on his waist, then on his right cheek, only shortly and suddenly the refrain started and Martín was singing too, albeit softly, yet it’s still too loud in Andrés’ ears. Everything is so loud, so bright, so vibrant. It’s all so pure, and he’s drowning in love, with the sun shining brightly as if it was God’s blessing of their union, the perfectly green grass as nature’s wedding gift to the new spouses. 

[...]

Andrés manages to spot his hermanito in the choir made of bank robbers, he’s holding hands with his wife and Paula and he looks so happy and carefree. He has finally accepted Andrés’ relationship, he had even been the one to walk Andrés to the altar, and the things Sergio had told him then were still going through his head.

The butterflies in Andrés’ stomach were taking him over more and more, he is growing dizzy and dizzier. All this love, he has no place for it, it is seeping through his veins, bursting out of his fingertips like rays of sunshine, out of the fingertips that are currently in Martín’s hand and on his shoulder. Andrés knows that he hasn’t had much to drink yet, but he has never been more intoxicated, intoxicated on this eternity captured in less than four minutes. Martín is turning them again, leading him gently, keeping him steady. Martín is there for him like he has always been. And now it’s finally right, it’s finally the way it should be, the other ring on Martín’s hand. Finally, he has married his last spouse, it’s finally the one who he was meant to be with. Finally, finally, finally.

[...]

Andrés feels like he is flying, like his feet aren’t touching the floor anymore. The two of them form a leaf in a strong summer wind by the blue sea, slowly going upwards in an intricate dance, but they’re also so much more. They are the wind and the sea, the entire universe is drowning in their love and they are drowning in the universe. It’s all so much, so so much, yet so small. There is no Berlín, no Palermo, no monastery, no friends forming a choir, no wedding cake, it’s just Andrés and Martín Berotte-de Fonollosa, and their love for eachother. 

[...]

Andrés is oh so dizzy with happiness and love, and then he feels it, wet on his cheeks, rolling over his lips, Martín’s hand gently sweeping the oceans welling in his husband’s eyes away. He wants to open his eyes, but he can’t and he doesn’t need it anyway, he already knows what Martín’s soft smile would look like. When Martín kisses him again, softly cupping his cheek, Andrés realises his husband had been crying as well, their tears mixing together like everything between the two of them always has, the way they’ve always been. Like so many of their clothes, their ideas, their furniture, their past and future, their personalities, their love. They have always been intertwined, it just took Andrés a while to see. 

[...]

“I can’t believe you cried,” Martín said as he giggled, truly giggled, and Andrés thought it was somewhat comparable bubbles coming to the surface in a fishing pond, and then decided it was a stupid thought because nothing can compare to his husband. Andrés can’t help smiling. “You were crying too, mi marido,” he says softly, the quip in there lost, replaced by pure adoration. He takes Martín’s face into his hands. “Today was my last wedding, I know it for sure. No one else has ever made me feel like this.” And normally, Martín would have joked that he must had said that to all of his wives too, but he didn’t. Instead, his hands mirrored Andrés’, softly stroking Andrés’ cheekbones, which were still wet with tears. Their lips met without any of their usual aggression and hunger, and maybe this kiss was even more important than the one after the exchanging of vows, for Andrés just had made a promise that was much more meaningful. 

Thank you again for asking, I hope you liked these snippets! I might or might not have just started another WIP based on the season 5 trailer, so I have no clue when these two will finally be published. 

[hollowisthyname]

🖊 Onyx!

I am. so sorry. I have been writing this for over a month at this point I think?? I've got a lot on this character but I'm not good at writing it down, so..... ah. yeah :') hopefully I got enough in this to justify the wait, but either way let's go!!

[as per usual, infodump under the cut]

TW // brief mention of suicide in the paragraph where I explain how they died, mentions of death throughout (ghost character, kinda hard to avoid)

Onyx Hart: ghost, performer, and excessive flirt. they are extremely fun to make up stuff about, especially bc they're one of my only extroverted characters. I have so so many ideas for them and they're one half of the third "cannon" pair of characters ("pair" meaning they have backstory together and I associate them with each other so it's easier just to think of the two of them as their own little group. the other two are Marcel and Sorrel, and Cory and Rhys).

they have black hair that goes down to a little above their shoulders and then flips out (think Kokichi, but slightly less drastic), and the.... sides? of their hair, like the parts that go in front of your ears or something, are much longer than the rest of it, about to the middle of their chest. their skin is v pale bc they're kinda anemic and don't spend much time in the sun, and their eyes are really bright green and reflective like a cat's. they've got freckles across the bridge of their nose and they kinda glow. I don't have all the details of their outfit worked out yet (bc I just changed it a bunch ehehe) but their general style is v punk. ripped denim stuff, chokers, pins, etc. they wear mostly dark colors but with bright accents, it's extremely cool :] the kinds of clothes they wear for performances are..... very different. their color palate for shows is black and gold, and they wear a lot of flowy stuff- silks and whatever makes them look extra cool flying through the air like they do. it's definitely fun to watch, but they're actually pretty hard to get around in. Onyx is not a fan.

so. ah. for all I've thought about this character, I don't actually have a backstory for them fully formed or written out at all. I know some basics- performing has always been a big part of their life, of course, but the reasoning for that varies. they come from a family of acrobats, they ran away and joined the circus, they were recruited by Lavka very young..... so many possibilities. so instead of trying to decide on one now, let's skip to the part I know more about!! enter Lavka, the ringmaster :D

very brief explanation of Lavka: fallen angel/deity, amnesia, still powerful and malicious enough that he decides to create a.... what do I even call it? magic circus thing??? and it traps people or he kills them or something. it's bad but very cool. think of him as like, a siren, but tall and with a lot more eyes.

the thing about a circus is, you need acts. and Onyx is the star of the show. Lavka went around recruiting people to work for him and thought they'd make a good central act. they were great, and the two of them worked together for a while. aaaaand.... that's as far as I've gotten :') I have virtually no concrete story for them, and seeing as the thing that would probably prompt them to leave the circus is meeting another of my characters and I've been avoiding deciding anything for that..... yeah.

it's the same thing for how, exactly, they became a ghost. they died by suicide during a performance, but I don't know when, how, or why. gotta work on that but I'm awful at backstory and I can't always think abt it without triggering myself :') I think my brain lets me create either a personality or a backstory for a character and. not both hgdf

however!! this brings us to their personality, which I somehow completely forgot to do earlier even though I've come up with much more for it than the backstory!!!! I said extrovert and flirt already, but I don't think that encompasses just how good they are at talking to people. hardly anyone could work a crowd the way they do- Lavka and Marcel can both be good with people as well, but they all do it in very different ways. Marcel becomes whoever people want them to. Lavka radiates power and charisma. and Onyx is just impossible to look away from- they're always doing something, and it's always flashy and spectacular and amazing to see. even when they're not performing, there's just something kinda irresistible about them. they're also a very good liar, which- esp when combined with Marcel's ability to completely change how they act at the drop of a hat- has gotten them into some. situations (it's gotten them out of them too, though, so it kinda evens out) Onyx is the kind of person who will push themself past their limits to keep up appearances and please everyone. and once they can't take it anymore, they completely shut down. they'll shut themself off from everything and everyone until they have the energy to go back to acting the way they always do in front of people. usually when this happens they go completely nonverbal, and are very easily overwhelmed. it's a stark contrast from how they usually act, and they only trust a handful of people enough to actually interact with them when they shut down. most of the time around people they're constantly being charming and performance-y, but when they're just with close friends they chill out some. they're still p energetic most of the time, and they love pulling pranks on.... everyone (especially Elis, and Cory's their partner in crime for pranks) but they're not trying to make everyone love them all the time. they have HEAPS of anxiety btw, they might be great with people but that doesn't stop them from worrying that no one likes them. they're very much a people-pleaser and have trouble saying no and setting boundaries, but at the same time they have no problem with confronting someone they don't like or who hurt anyone they care about. (it seems contradictory but it's not I promise)

and then we have their whole story with Everest. I think I explained this before but I'm not sure and you've probably forgotten by now, so basically: I came up with an Onyx-centric "au" where Onyx is one of two humans from a human world to get transported into a magical one. and from that came Everest, complete opposite to Onyx and their best friend. Everest is also mostly not included in my main story bc he's my newest character and I don't have as much about him, but he's cool and I love their whole opposites-attract dynamic. I really don't have any more backstory for this version than I do for the main one, and I'm kinda wavering between the two of them running away and getting transported together, or them not knowing each other before getting sent to the magic world but ending up in the same place and becoming friends. anyway that whole thing is kinda confusing but v fun!!

now it's time for a list of facts that don't need whole paragraphs!!

- Onyx knows sign language p well bc of going nonverbal a lot (they all have to so they can talk w Rhys effectively, this is my explanation for them lmao) - they really want to perform with Elis (they have wings, great for acrobatics stuff) but Elis absolutely hates the idea - I originally came up with them for a. wattpad applyfic. absolutely fucking amazing reason I know - they're just transparent enough that it's kinda unnerving but you wouldn't really know why unless you knew what you were looking for - various other species ideas for them are selkie and nine-tailed-fox spirit - Onyx's pronouns are actually they/it and a lot of neopronouns but I usually just use they/them bc I either forget or worry abt being judged (for absolutely no reason lmao)

a moodboard I made for them!! I need to remake it bc I figured out how to make them better but I still really like how this one looks :D

[lunarianborn]

☾  @roseofbaron​:   aloe, belladonna, chrysanthemum, gladiolus, hydrangea, lavender, magnolia, oak, sage, zinnia  ☽  BOTANICAL HCS  :  accepting

aaahh a true bouquet !  watch me doing all of these I haven’t replied to yet because, one i’m thirsty for more chances to throw hcs at the dash, two the meme is good and all the questions are pretty interesting, tysm <3 

belladonna :   how does your muse respond to silence ?   do they take comfort in soundlessness ,   or seek to fill the void with noise ?  

He responds to silence quite well and always seemed to do as such, he enjoys peace and quiet and always did ever since he was a child. Having been raised inside a king’s castle must have been quite the experience for him, as a kid -- for it would rarely be completely silent and quiet as an ambience. Between meetings, feasts, banquets and all ceremonies and occasions pertaining to a monarch’s life, and Cecil growing up there from the very start, I can’t imagine him having the chance to enjoy silent spaces much; still -- !  his bedchambers reside on the west tower, the highest of the castle, away from sources of noise. It’s quite the solitary place too, away from the main halls, engulfed in silence basically all the time; having been its resident from childhood, Cecil grew to tolerate the tranquility it could offer him - while studying, while reading or thinking, or even practicing with his sword.

I’d call it comfort, simply because that’s the way he always lived. This doesn’t mean Cecil doesn’t enjoy the lively atmosphere a mundane / royal life could offer him, but being the reserved and quiet person himself, I see him enjoying peace more. 

chrysanthemum :   how does your muse express romantic love ?  how do they feel about love as a concept ?  

If Cecil represented a romantic concept, I’d say he could as well be courtly love personified. And I know it may sound boring and oh so called for, but I MEAN. He’s Cecil. A knight in a medieval setting who is feeling, at first, that he cannot be with the girl he loves for whatever reasons, that saves her life and rescues her from her kidnappers, to swear unending love by the end of the tale. A classic, Cecil would be a classic haha. So, I guess the term courtly love partly fits him.

By courtly love, though, I don’t refer to the literary or epic kind; he’d simply find love as a form of pure devotion, not assuming control of his heart in an impetuous or rebellious way -- which is nice regardless, he’s a kind type of lover, courteous indeed. For example, when he used to be a Dark Knight, he was not expected to stay with the one he loved; instead of rebelling against such rule, he simply accepted it, bowing his head for the ‘greater good’ and for peace and in the name of traditions; BU,T in his heart, he was still in love. And the feeling is there to stay...

Canonly, by what Kain says in the novel, actually, it seemed Rosa was the one to take the first step, when she started ‘looking at Cecil in a way she never did’, presumably when they were young teens. Cecil, at some point, with age, did come to realize he too felt something more for her; the curious thing, though, is that they never actually confessed. Maybe, true courtly love would have the knight confessing his passion, but Cecil doesn’t. He misses the chance and things get worse when he gets knighted a Dark Knight, at 15yos, the age where Baronian kids seem to reach adulthood officially. No, he kept the true nature of his feelings for himself, despite the truth being rumored and known. Kain knew it, Rosa’s mother suspected it, everyone could have seen it.

So, in these terms, it’s safe to assume Cecil keeps being the soft-spoken, tranquil lover. He doesn’t reveal his feelings if not at the very end, because he fears what it’d mean for the other’s reputation and honor -- those are pretty important things, for he would not tolerate himself or his love to be cause of pain or struggle. And so, being the reserved kind, he’d resort to subtle ways to express love, to court someone. Lingering gazes, gifts, to try and spend most of his spare time with them... you know he’d try to play or sing something, he’s no bard but he is the type.

Love is devotion and its shades and sides to permeate his life. Love for his partner, for his home, for his child, and for his brother too, nonetheless. He commits to it and seeks to protect it at all costs, sometimes even resulting as a bit oppressing -- but he’s on the purest and best intentions whenever that happens. Love is bliss. For someone who believed all his life to having been abandoned by his family, he finds the concept of love to be light incarnate too. After all, hadn’t his father loved him so, he wouldn’t have never become a paladin eheh

gladiolus :   describe a moment from your muse’s life that they will never forget.

One moment he’d never forget must definitely be the day when he officially went from being a squire to a knight. The same ancient trial all boys of Baron, while hoping to enlist into its military ranks, must partake at the coming of their 15th birthday - the same one Ceodore insists being part of, despite his title as prince. The task is not as simple as one would believe, especially for a kid so young and barely skilled with the true art of the sword: he must enter a cave, grab the so-called Emblem of Knighthood inside, defeat its guardian and emerge victorious, a true knight to Baron.

No child is told of said guardian though, it usually being a big sandworm trained to react and attack whenever anyone is about to pick the emblem. And, even better, no kid is told the famous emblem is nothing more than a mummified rat’s tail.

Eager to prove his worth, Cecil waited for the fated day with high expectations and premises, only to almost risk his life against the sandworm. He doesn’t remember much of that fight, but he does recall the final blow at the beast’s hellish muzzle and the initial disappointment in finding the tail; but the moment he returned home, to be officially and solemnly invested a knight by the King, -- ceremony followed by a banquet and feast, as tradition commands, especially for residents of the castle -- everything changed.

It was a big deal. The boy that always felt a foreigner, one of the very few lucky one to have been granted so much for so little in return, does finally feel part of the city, of its community and its military ranks. Plus, his adventure in the cave was a good story to tell companions and friends !

hydrangea :   how much does your muse value communication in their relationships with others ?  are they prone to being misunderstood ?

Quite a lot, but he wasn’t very skilled with words when very young. He got better as years passed, but his character too didn’t make things easier; he thinks communication is the basis of every sane and good relationships. Even in-game and ‘in-novel’, with Rydia, the first thing he does, when fleeing with her to Kaipo, is to try and communicate. To console her, to cheer her up the best he could -- despite the child’s reluctance and silence.

Even as king, he found the importance of communication to reign over mostly all of his relationships -- from work, to family. I’d say his toughest challenge on that front came from his son and his character, his ideas and projects for his own future; while on a side it makes him happy to see Ceodore growing up so sure of his own thoughts, despite his title and familiar ties, it also pains him to not being able to speak as much / of what he’d like to him (heart-to-heart types of conversations, I mean - in the novel, Ceodore admits he never saw his father weak or tired, and that they never talked much of very personal matters).

I don’t think he would be easily misunderstood though. He learnt how to act as a leader early on, and the role only got enforced once king. He is supposed to be clear, and he’s supposed to be listened to, especially when his role(s) demands him to be.

lavender :   how easy is it to gain your muse’s trust ?  once their trust is broken ,   how might one go about mending it ?  

It’s quite easy, honestly. He tends to see the brightness and positivity in everyone he comes to know - especially during his journey, and tends to form bonds of trust when felt or necessary. It’s not that rare, honestly, the only true exceptions come from individuals who are obviously ill-mannered or plain evil and suspicious !

And it takes a lot to break his trust. Overall, he’s a very pure man, trying to find light even when it is scarce indeed -- he’s a good man. When Kain does take the last Underworld’s Dark Crystal to give it to Golbez, everyone in the group starts doubting him again. And yet, Cecil doesn’t give up on him  (and remember it’s the second time he gets ‘betrayed’ -- although the novel explains what is really going on inside Kain’s head, and by that point, he was just acting as a bait...)  and tries to think of why Kain had “betrayed them again”. He even omits to tell Giott of it, in fear Kain would have been branded a traitor and sentenced.

“Cecil told him everything. Of how they had successfully reached it [the Crystal], and of how Golbez had appeared to rob it. He never mentioned Kain’s involvement. Although he had betrayed them, he still believed there was good in Kain’s heart. He considered him a friend nonetheless, and believed the darkness to have gained control of his mind, back in the cave. He didn’t wish for him to be called and considered a traitor.”

magnolia :   describe your muse’s relationship with nature   &   the natural world. 

It’s ironic, because Cecil -- hadn’t his parents died before having the chance to meet and raise him like they partly did for Theodor, would have grown up in a small woodcutters-like village amidst the forests next to Mysidia. Baron too is surrounded by green plains, lakes and rivers, it’s beautiful to see - truly, but he didn’t have much time or dedication to spare to the city’s surroundings. As a child, perhaps, he could have hoped to train or venture outside the city’s walls more often. Since a chocobo forest is nearby, I like to think Baron youth do actually learn to ride the birds out in the open, where there’s plenty of space and green to practice.

Being son of Kluya, the very Lunarian who introduced magic to humans, I think Cecil was born with a natural aptitude for magic; his legacy as a knight didn’t allow him to put those hidden qualities into any practical use, and the few white magic spells he knows as a Paladin are, also, rather weak (which is, ironically, the complete opposite of Golbez’s case). To hone one’s own magic, the user has to have a connection with the natural world, which is the primary source of energy needed to cast spells. This is why I think, albeit having little chances and few true opportunities to venture outside for leisure - Cecil has a subtle, inborn link with nature (as many mages do too) and would find great pleasure in nature and its joys.

oak :  who would your muse consider the strongest person they know ?

I believe he’d see Cid as one of the strongest people he’s ever known, even before the whole ordeal narrated through the game and his ‘sacrifice’ could be the nail sealing the whole deal, here. Having been raised without true parental figure, it is easy to understand why a child like him could have found comfort and warmth in such the extrovert man -- Cid acted like a father to him and never truly stopped, haha, he’s even there offering moral support (and some doses of panic too) when Cecil is literally becoming a father. Despite Cid having a family of his own, and a daughter too, he showered Cecil with attention and affection, like a true father would have...

I could argue Cecil did see a rather strong presence and soul in the late King of Baron, for very similar reasons. Minus the affection part (due to maybe king’s duties, prejudices, Cecil being a ward and not the UMM probably-long-lost-son-of-the-king’s-teen-crush, not officially at least) I believe, the two men are seen both in the highest regards from the man, he would manage to choose one between them. They both possess a spirit of sacrifice for the greater good, admirable values (till Cagnazzo enters the stage, at least) and morale, and both served as cardinal points for Cecil’s growth and childhood.

sage :   what is your muse’s legacy ?   what do they want to be remembered for   &   what might they actually be remembered for ?

Cecil is such a humble man, I doubt he would ever think stuff like ‘ah yes, and I’ll do this so that everyone will remember me for it’. But for everything he has accomplished and done for Baron, for the one he loved and from himself too, it is inevitable his name will long keep ringing in bards’ songs and in his people’s tales long after his life is spent. His legacy is Baron itself. The restored town, with its ancient monarchy and the promise of the star not being threatened anymore by the ambitions of a wicked Lunarian. His is a legacy of bountiful peace and prosperity, worthy of his courage and of all the pain he had to endure because of it.

Cecil also carries the hopes and dreams of his other people, the Lunarians. He incarnate all that is good and hopeful in such a difference race, not to mention - with hi brother, he is in fact the incarnation of their union (after all, Lunarians saw humans were still developing and growing, and felt their technological prowess and knowledge could have altered their natural evolution and development if forced upon them through cohabitation -- so they never truly invaded Gaia and remained on the artificial second moon, promising to find a way to coexist together only when humans would have reached their same intellectual level.)

He wouldn’t want to be remembered anyway else. He’s a brave knight, a loyal friend and a just king. It may not seem as much, but it is plenty enough for one of the savior of the star, haha! Which is also the cause of such big expectations being placed on Ceodore’s shoulders so early on too... it’s sad to think about, actually.

zinnia :   how has the loss of fallen comrades and/or loved ones affected your muse ?  has it taught them anything or given them any new perspectives ?

I think the losses made him more aware of the big role he had to, willingly or not, play for the salvation of what he held dear, and of the star. From the King being made puppet of a hellish demon, his body tossed unceremoniously in a hidden room on a mocking fake throne... to Yang and Cid temporarily disappearing and being believed dead... the twins turning into stone to save the other’s life... Tellah, but also the found truth about his father and mother’s deaths (novel explains that, for the longest time, Cecil believed to have been abandoned in the woods as an unwanted child... it’s heartbreaking, really, for he is sure of it and even says he doesn’t blame his mother for it. When he finds out she died of childbirth he is devastated also for having thought such a thing about her...) all shaped him into the rather firm young man he is by the end of the story.

And while not a loss per se, Golbez leaving the star to join Lunarians in the sleep and Kain disappearing for almost 15 years after the events of the game also happen to be strong moments for Cecil as well -- yes, almost as strong as true deaths would impact him and his psyche.

The sheer fear of losing his family and friends shapes him to the point he straight up refused at first to have the girls, especially Rosa, follow him back on the moon. The love for what he cannot ever afford to lose is what brings the light in his empty husk, during After Years, to defend Rosa and Ceodore before his ‘shadow-dark-knight self’. The tragedies, the scares and the moments of grief he lived through did make him a more responsible individual, a better fighter and even a more devoted man than he who was already; simply because that’s his entire world, and to know of his loved ones being safe is his true main concern...

[yamithediaperdork]

He’ll always be her baby (Legend of zelda)

It was a warm summer day when Link made his way back to the kokiri forest. Instead of returning to the past as Zelda had wanted, he stayed in the future to help her and after 2 years of hard work the kingdom was back to normal more or less and Link was actually betrothed to the princess. In a odd way that was part of why he was going to the woods today, he wanted to get the blessing of his semi mother Saria about the union. (Link of course knew that Saria wasn't his real mother, but having raised him from a baby, and changing his diapers all those years, she certainly qualified in Link's mind.) Just how long she HAD been changing his diapers was a sore point for the hero of time, as he'd been a total failure at potty training till he was 7..And even then had still been fighting bed wetting until a few weeks before he'd started his quest. (actually when Saria had run up to talk to him that morning she'd been coming over to see if he'd kept his bed dry.) Today however such thoughts were pushed out of his mind as he left Epona at the entrance of the forest and left the horse go and do whatever it did when he wasn't around, as the beast got uneasy around all the kokiri who crowed it not used to seeing horses. Saria was waiting for Link with a smile on her face even as she tried to resist the urge to introduce Mido to her fist, a familiar urge of course but one that was winning as Mido whined on and on about how he had wanted to hang out with Saria. "I'm just saying, he shows up here acting like some sorta big shot and well..I'm a big shot too!" Mido whined. "..Mido you guarded part of the path to the forest temple. Link saved the world from Gannondorf." Saria pointed out, rolling her eyes. "exactly! I was a big help!" Mido huffed and puffed out his chest. "Mido?" Saria said and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Go home before I have to give you anther black eye please." Mido huffed, but stormed off, muttering about how he was leaving because HE wanted to, as Link came into view. "There's my little guy!" Saria coo'ed and held open her arms for a hug. "Heh..not so little anymore Mom." Link said, bending a knee to get down so she could give him a big hug, both of them smiling. "Hush now, you're not too big I can't still take you over my knee." Saria scolded playfully and reached around to give link's bottom a playful swat. Link played along and winced. "oh nooo, not a spanking!" he chuckled, then got back up and as they headed for Saria's house instinctively reached out and took her hand, with her leading the way. 'amazing how after everything I've been though, and how much i tower over her she can make me feel like a Lil kid again with such ease.' Link mused to himself. 'amazing how no matter how old or big he gets, Link's still such a little guy.' Saria mused. Of course from her Point of view, while she knew that link had saved the world and was a very capable fighter.. she mostly interacted with him when he came home due to the limitations of her race. Thus she knew him best as a silly big goofball. "So, what brings you around? the carrier you sent just said you had important news for me." Saria said as the made it into her home, and Link dropped his travel bag. Now more indoors though Saria noticed that link frankly smelled, though anyone who'd ridden all day on a horse was expected to have a certain funk to them. "Well see-" "Hold that thought. somebody needs a bath." she said and held her nose, but smiled. "uh..oh yeah..ehehe..Guess I am a little ripe." Link said sweat dropping. "I'll just go hop in a river and-" "No need! I finally broke down and got a tub installed in the house." Saria said, grinning ear to ear. she had been the first to semi get indoor plumbing (well OK, it just went out a tube to a ditch behind her house) and was now the first with a indoor tub.. and looked proud as heck about it. "Oh neat! I bet Mido is turning green with envy!" Link chuckled and Followed Saria up the steps. "oh you know it. he tried to get one for his house but couldn't get the sage discount.. then he spent like a week running around in the tall grass trying to find rupees. by the time he got a tub installed it was barley big enough for him and he was too pooped to complain." Saria snorted, then added "Watch your head Linky, the second floor is more my height." Link had not forgotten that fact, as he was already hunched over but smiled at the warning. "Thanks mom. heh.. maybe I should just start crawling when on the second floor." he joked. "...don't offer something that adorable up if your not gonna do it." Saria said with a wink and a smirk, then lead link to the bathroom. Looking at the toilet and the tub in the bathroom, link tried to hid his disappointment as neither was terribly big but then again they were made for Saria's size. "You'll have to activate the fire spell runes to warm up the water, and that'll take about 10-15 minutes depending on how hot you want your bath." she said and nodded to the markings by the tub. "Uh..thats gonna be a problem.. had to use up alot of my magic getting here, ran into some left over moblins." Link groaned. having to take a bath without being able to lay down unless he wanted his legs over the side of the tub as it looked like, and now a cold one was NOT going to be fun. "well I guess I can stay inhere and warm it up for you." Saria said and smiled, then noticed the look on Link's face. "oh don't give me that! I've wiped your poopy butt, you don't got anything I haven't seen before!" she scolded, hands on her hips. "I..well..uh..Just.." Link whined and squirmed. "Pffft..Your too easy. I can just get the tub filled for you and then leave the room while you get naked and soak. just don't take so long that you need me to warm the tub up Little guy." she said laughed. "...that wasn't funny!" Link huffed and looked pouty. "Yes it was and you know it." she laughed. after scrubbing himself clean and draining the tub, Link had to admit he felt like a new man and as he dried off he went to grab his clothes.. only to notice that they were gone. 'I swear..she's like a little ninja.' he though with a sulk and wrapping the soft towel around his waist Link made his way downstairs. Saria was sitting at her table, enjoying a glass of berry juice and having a mischievous look on her face. "I don't suppose you know where my clothes are do you mom?" Link asked sarcastically. "well if i had to guess, some kind and wonderful lady who fancy's herself your mom thought what good would it do to have you go and take a bath if you were just going to put on your smelly clothes afterwards, and talked Mido into washing them in exchange for a date at some point." she said and sipped her drink. "whattt? why would you go on a date with that little twerp?" Link huffed then shook his head. "And what am i suppose to wear while i wait for doofus to finish washing and drying my clothes?" he added. "...I had assumed that you had packed a change of clothes." Saria said, then got a sheepish look on her face as Link blushed and looked at the ground.  "Notttt so much huh?" "I uh.. brought extra rations of sweetmeats and those pastry's you liked.. and a few health potions.." Link said in a small voice. "Well uh..it's not like i just have clothes in your size laying around here..well, mostly." She said and rubbed the back of her head. "..Mostly?" Link asked. "Welll uhhh..know it's been awhile since you spent the night..but if you had ever decided to..I wanted to be prepared for my little bed wetter." Saria said and quickly took a drink of her juice as Link put two and two together. "Moooom! I've told you! I'm notta a bed wetter anymore!" Link huffed as his cheeks turned crimson. "well you should be thankful I thought you were, or you'd be going around naked till your clothes are cleaned." she said matter of fact. "...so my choices are..walk around in the buff, or waddle around in a diaper?" Link asked, putting a hand to his face. "Mmmmhmmm. Your choice though Lil guy. like Mommy said, you don't have anything she hasn't seen before." Saria said sweetly. "...what even is my life anymore?" Link groaned. In the end Link decided that wearing the stupid diapers couldn't be worse then going around naked, but made it clear that A) he'd be pampering himself, and B) it was JUST to cover his junk up, he wouldn't be using them. Saria had just smirked and gave a little wink, as if to say 'whatever you say' and after getting out the thick massive cloth diapers for link, and the huge diaper pins, let him head back up the stairs by himself to put himself back in diapers. she had tried to offer him the green plastic pants that she had gotten him as well, but he'd turned those down since that would of just been needed if he was gonna soak them, and she decided not to press the subject. Discarding the towel, and laying out the diapers, Link stared at them for a few seconds..then a few more till actually five minutes had passed, trying to figure out just HOW to do this. "good grief." he muttered to himself. "I can solve puzzles in dungeons while being attacked by monsters but not figure this out? how hard can it be?" Ploping his butt down on the thick cloth and tugging it up and reaching for a pin, he found out it could be very hard as he jabbed his thumb with the end of the diaper pins over and over, cursing softly at first but by the fourth time he started to let out a loud curse. "Son of a mother-" he growled onto to be cut off by Saria downstairs. "Language little man!" she called up. "..Brisket eating weevil." he huffed and took a second to suck on his poor thumb to ease the pain, before realizing just how that HAD to look. Finally getting the diaper pins in, though being careful not to stab himself yet again, Link stood up and smiled, proud of himself for having figured the stupid thing out even if the diapers were sagging on his hips. Waddling due to the thickness that kept him for getting his thighs to close together, link came down the stairs just beaming with pride. which as Saria turned and looked, made her break out into a big grin of her own, he just looked so damn proud of himself for figuring out how to get a diaper on. then she spotted his thumb, wet with drool and the red marks on it and came over. "oh link! your poor thumb! why didn't you ask for help?" she asked, and as the padded hero blushed and squirmed, she wiped his thumb off then gave it a kiss. "there, all better! she coo'ed, kissing his boo boo better just like she used to. "Uh..thanks mom.." Link said in a sheepish tone and Saria caught herself. "Oh..yeah..ehehe..Guess kissing it better isn't really a thing anymore..force of habit." She said and rubbed the back of her head, now looking sheepish herself. Link went to tell her that it was OK, when his diapers slid down from around his hips and landed on the floor around his ankles. "..Maybe mommy should help you with your diapers after all." Saria said, covering her mouth and trying hard not to laugh as Link just stood there, mortified. Saria was a little bit worried about Link as she got him to lay down on the floor. He seemed out of it and with a distracted look on his face started to suck on his thumb, just nodding and helping her however she asked as she adjusted his diapers, getting them on much tighter this time, though they still seemed to sag a little. "Link? sweetie? Mommy thinks you should wear the plastic pants to help keep your diapers from falling off again, is that ok?" she asked in a sing song voice, rubbing link's tummy and tickling it a little just like she used to do when he was 5. Link giggled and coo'ed a little and nodded his head, drool coming down his chin. getting a cloth and wiping his chin, Saria then unfolded the plastic pants which had honestly set her back a little bit and frowned. till now she hadn't actually looked at them, having just assumed they would be as she had ordered and was dismayed to see a row of  white ruffles on the butt. 'oh, he's going to just LOVE this.' she thought dryly, suddenly glad he was still in baby mode. getting the plastic pants over his feet and ankles, and down his legs Saria called out to link to lift his hips, and when nothing happened she tried a different command. "Butt up." automatically Link's hips lifted and she got the plastic pants (or what that panties with the ruffles she wondered) around his hips and smiled as they were nice and tight and would clearly keep link from accidentally flashing anyone again. Helping link sit up he giggled and took his thumb out of his mouth, clapping happily..then seemed to freeze and looked around the room, then down at his crotch and then over his shoulder at his butt. "...explain. Now." he whined and squirmed, looking around for something to cover up in. "You went baby brained after flashing mommy and uh, with the plastic panties on your diapers won't fall down again!" Saria said quickly. "...and the ruffles?" Link asked, though his annoyed tone had shifted to almost a whining tone by now. "Not my chocie! Honestly i never looked the plastic pants over and just assumed they didn't have them." saria said and after a beat. "but they do make your butt look cuter." "Moooom!" Link whined and crossed his arms, his bottom lip sticking out. "Oh don't be such a grumpy Gus..unless you wanna go for a nap." Saria said as a joke but then noticed how link just huffed and looked away. "...do you wanna go for a nap Link?" "I..ngh.. I am tired.." Link said in a little voice. "of course you are. you rode a long way here, battled some mean old Moblins, and then all of this mental stress. How about I set you up for a little nap, and I'll wake you when your clothes are ready?" Saria asked, and ruffled link's hair. Link let out a cute little gurgle as his hair was ruffled and leaned into it, making Saria mentally gush. "I..that sounds good mommy." Link said, almost in a babyish tone. rolling over onto his side and then making use of a nearby couch to get out, Saria was trapped between gushing and laughing at how frigging cute he looked with his puffy ruffled diaper butt pushed out, then he was toddling unsteadily as he headed for the stairs. "Easy there link, I bunched up the diaper more then you had it so it's a bit thick-" Saria started as Link yelped and landed on his padded rear with a crinkle. "er.." Link blushed and rubbed the back of his head, then slowly made his way to his feet again and paused for a second. "er..Mommy..could you maybe.." he asked, holding out a hand for balance. Saria smiled and rushed over, helping him make his way to the stairs where he used the railing to help himself up the steps but as they got to the second floor both of them paused. "..there's no way your gonna be able to crotch down and keep your balance up here." Saria said. "...Yeah I know." Link whined then looking around, as if to make sure only mom was gonna see, he got down on all fours and started to crawl. standing behind him and watching him crawl Saria had little hearts in her eyes, this was just too friggen adorable! With his fat diapered bottom swaying back and forth Saria easily caught up to Link and getting him into her bedroom she toyed with trying to get him into his old crib. then looking at his size, then at the crib, knew while it would be cute as fuck there was just no way Link would be able to get a good sleep in the tiny thing (and there was a good chance he'd break it getting in anyways) Thankfully her bed was MUCH bigger then she really needed as she was prone to tossing and turning, and had a bad habbit of leaving things on the end of her bed rather then putting them away so Link barly was able to fit as he crawled under the blankets and rested his head. adjusting the blankets herself Saria leaned down and planted a smooch on Link's forehead and noticed that he was squirming and looking around a lot. "what's wrong Link? do you need to use the potty? want a bed time story?" she asked. "I uh..well..it's 'brassing." Link mumbled, and turned to hide his face in her pillow. "...More embarrassing then having me diaper you?" she asked with a smile. "..Do you..uh..maybe still have..one of my old soothers?" Link asked, though he kept his face in the pillow so Saria wasn't sure she heard him right at first. "..heh. well I think so.. let me go and check the box where i put your old baby stuff." she said, in a amused tone while link whined but let out a soft 'kay.' She found the pacifier, with relative ease, the large yellow nipple was dusty though as was the green lip guard so she took it to the bathroom to wash off before coming back with it for link. she also left the box of baby items out on the off chance maybe after his nap link would wanna play with his old rattle or blocks. (Sadly his old stuffed deku scrub had fallen apart with age) "open wide lil man." She said in a sing song voice holding out the pacifier for her big baby and link opened up for her like the good little boy he was. she slip the paci in and smirked as he instantly started to nurse on it, his face bright red but smiling behind it and he closed his eyes and snuggled into her pillow. within seconds the little cutie was asleep, and Saria briefly wondered if she should of asked what the big news was before putting him down for the nap, but figured that could wait for later, and just tip toed out of the room, shutting the door as quietly as she could. The end

[amwritingmeta]

MCM Comic Con London

Heyyyy, my loves!

I went to my first ever Comic Con on Sunday. I know! First ever?? How could this be? What did you make of it? Did you hug a Storm Trooper? Did you get lost in this huge enormous vast building with huge enormous vast rooms filled with huge enormous vast groups of people? Did you pet the TARDIS? Did you meet RAPUNZEL? DID YOU SEE DEADPOOL?? DARTH VADER?? Did you make a friend? Did you dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?? Do tell!!

Alrighty, then! (I’m afraid I’m going to prove a huuuuuge disappointment) (but there’s Misha panel commentary further down m’kay?)

So, here’s what I learned about myself from visiting Comic Con: I like small, intimate spaces with assigned seating.

Yeah. I know. Told you that you’d be disappointed. 

It’s basically why I haven’t been to Comic Con before tbh. I knew I’d enjoy milling about and looking at merchandise and graphic novels and oh the fan art and seeing the TARDIS (I did see her but I did not pet her) and R2D2 (he moved around and talked to people and everything) *feelings* and passing Darth Vader in the hallway (true story) and just being in a space filled with people nerding out together like YES. My heart was very full. 

But.

(oh here it comes)

My nerdy heart is pretty much sequestered by SPN. While I enjoy the original Star Wars very, very much because epic (obviously) and have enjoyed Doctor Who (on and off) and while I’m a big GoT fan (yes I shall remain so thanks to the books never mind what they did on those final two episodes of the show but also do not get me starts on what they fucking even DID) and I fucking love Disney and anime and animation of any kind, and have a huge respect and interest for the artistry of graphic noveling, that’s just not my world. 

(I do want to start reading graphic novels though and I’ve been so close to ordering the BtVS ones but... anyone have solid suggestions or advice on where to start, hit me up in DM) (I’ve read a few where the art has been unspeakably gorgeous and just mh!)

But because I’m not deep in anything even approaching a multi-fandom attitude, they just don’t grab at me, you know?

So though I’m so fucking happy that I went - truly am (and nope I did not dress up and though I know I’d enjoy it because who wouldn’t enjoy dressing up as Kahlan from Legend of the Seeker? End of the day, the dressing up is more fun when going with a group of people...) (anyway) - it’s not quite my cuppa. That being said, if Misha comes again next year *dirty* then I’m there. I mean, it’s one tube ride from my place. How the fuck could I not? 

Okay, before those three sentences make me say things I’ll regret in the morning, let’s talk about The Panel!

I’m actually going to open with something that Misha kind of threw out there in the middle of the panel because it made me so excited: he may direct in S15! Ahahahah yes please! I really hope he gets to!

Now, what else?

Highlights for me were:

Him talking about the fandom in his warmest tones, which is something he does on the regular, but he spoke of the positivity of the intensity of our community and how he thinks it’s been really cool to be a part of it and to do charitable work together (hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours and millions of dollars into worthy causes over the years, so kudos, guys, kudos) It’s a wonderful, surreal phenomenon. *his words* *and so very true* (and we all know this is how he feels, but it’s always lovely for him to restate it)

Ruth sending a video message and prompting Misha to talk about when Amara carved the I Am Coming message into Cas’ chest (and Misha thinking Lucifer carved the message and promptly dismissing us correcting him) *snortlaugh* Has everyone heard this story? Because I actually hadn’t. That Misha was making corresponding noises and facial expression to really convey the message and the only thing was that the top brass at the CW were conducting their yearly set visit and were, in fact, standing at the monitor watching him. *MCM audience laugh track* *aw Misha*

Talking about how close the cast is and how much they enjoy JiB, and how they laugh themselves into shape in the Green Room every year. Admittedly the six pack is a lie, but the aching stomach muscles are a truth. *not jealous because the rest of us are having Just As Much Fun In Our Corner* >.>

When asked what he’ll miss most about the show: the fun they have on set and the people, including the crew, since they all know each other so well and have grown up together. But also he’ll miss the Supernatural community. He knows it won’t go away immediately, but, as these things go, it will dwindle. He’ll miss the fire and intensity that is there when the show is on the air. 

Which is fair, because there will be a dropping off, there will be a slowing down, it’s inevitable, but I honestly can’t see this family ever just dispersing entirely. And I almost wanted to get up there and suggest to him that they consider keeping the JiB torch burning, because giving this community of ours a few set points of warmth each year where people (if they so choose) get to interact with them while also getting to reunite with people we don’t otherwise get to see often and to have those points of warmth to aim for and gather around is a sure-fire way to keep the flame alive. Right? I’m not expecting them to continue doing the con circuit because omfg no, but to have one or two points a year...

Anyway.

Misha trying to do a Scottish accent makes him sound like a leprechaun with a lisp. *ehehe*

Misha telling us that the writers gave them the option to draw out the story for another two-three seasons, or land it in one kick-ass final season, and they all chose one kick-ass final season, which makes me so happy for them, that they get to finish strong and on their terms. It’s so well-deserved.

(I think I’m just going through the panel moment-by-moment at this point) (the panel was apparently the highlight)

Him talking about The Adventurous Eaters Club - the cookbook he’s writing with Vicki that I cannot wait to read, tbh, because I do believe kids often say no at the dinner table because they’re trying to stay in control of the situation, rather than them not really wanting to eat, and as a grown-up, recognising this and relenting control and allowing them free reign to be a part of building their dinner from the ground up and getting them excited about food and understanding the process of actually creating a meal is so damn healthy. Well, if that’s the objective of the cookbook! Just what I’m taking from the premise, but, hands against heart, I adore them both.

Talking about his favourite vehicles for Cas and saying that he’d love for Cas to get a smart car and squeeze Sam into the passenger seat and omfg PLEASE yes. *the imagery is so  e n t i c i n g*

Going full-meta and talking about Cas’ travails going to get the fruit of life without his wings in S13, looking up a flight on Expedia, sitting squished into the middle seat, saying no thank you to food, getting through customs with that bag of fruit, probably getting held up. (quite impressive actually because this happened more than a season ago and clearly he’s given the story gap some thought) (and he remembers) (astonishing) 

*^^^ sarcasm, guys* *sarcasm* :)

If Cas gets to be happy, he will die (my addition: unless he’s, you know, human) :P

Cas’ wings are rainbow (and I’m immediately thinking of them almost like peacock *shhhh don’t even start* feathers that shift tone in the light so that they shimmer rather than are divided up into single colour feathers in a rainbow pattern) (wow I took that seriously af) (but mh gorgeous wings!)

Maison is a goddamn rockstar. *not literally but internally* :)

Okay, so that’s the panel done. And dusted. *sparkly*

And then I met up with a friend of a friend who I’d actually met briefly at JiB - her name is Katie - and I stood in line with her as she waited for Misha autos and I met the loveliest Scottish bloke named Oliver, mostly because I desperately needed to charge my mobile and just said out loud “Does anyone have a mobile charger” and the blessed man turned around and said “Yes, I have one”, so he lent me his mobile charger and was gushing over his photo-op with Misha (it really is the most adorable photo ever) and Oliver was entirely flustered with happiness and just *my heart strings* and then he fucked off and didn’t come back for his charger! 

He just disappeared! Without as much as a by-your-leave!

So we waited. And waited. It was terrible. Having to stand there. Not knowing. Okay, kidding, but we did wait and wait and tried to look for him, but he just didn’t come back.

But just now, ten minutes ago, he followed me on Twitter!! I just accosted him going OMG IT IS YOU IS IT NOT! Do I have your charger?? And it is he and now I don’t have to have a guilty conscience anymore, though I did ease it by thinking that he was the one who literally effed the fuck off and didn’t return. Anyway. What drama, huh? Guess that’s Comic Con, for you. And I got to add the resolution! *sweet*

It was a grand old indoor day and then we went down to the river for food and lots of alcoholic really-really-tasty beverages and good company. 

The End.

[blogaboutmusic]

all the playlists !

did this a while ago, but my spotify changed so much that i decided to do it again, and also because i have a lot of new followers! thank you & thank you if you follow my playlists! Be sure to check the list out bc i have a playlist for almost every genre & mood!

● ✧･ﾟ*✧･ﾟ* existential crisis:  everything i have that is sad ● 2019 ; letz getit: music i discovered so far in 2019 / music that is important to me in 2019 ● 20(18)GAYTEEN: every album that came out in 2018 (at least of artists i like) ● 20(19)BITEEN: every album that came out in 2019 (/artist i like :) ) ● 5sᴏs ; complete: i think the title says it all ● ａｌｉｅｎｓ: a mix full of alt. songs. dope. 10/10 recommend to aliens ● all of it ; alternative ?: stuff that is alt but not quite, pop punk but not quite, rock but not quite, etc! ● all of it ; emo music: EVERYTHING YOU NEED. EVERYTHING SAD. EVERYTHING ANGRY. EVERYTHING GUITAR. pop-punk punk-rock emo/rock indie/alternative ● all of it ; k-pop: all the k-pop music that I listen to, stuffed into one mix. ● ᴀʟʟ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ʟᴏᴡ ; ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ: all of all time low’s music ● angry k-pop bops: a playlist that was inspired by district 9 of stray kids ● autumn, baby: perfect songs for fall! ● back to the future: idk some albums that i love listening to that go really well together ● bandito tour ; twenty one pilots: a playlist for an upcoming concert ● b͓̽a͓̽n͓̽g͓̽ ͓̽c͓̽h͓̽a͓̽n͓̽: a playlist for my bias of stray kids! ● ʙᴀɴɢᴛᴀɴɢ sᴏɴʏᴇᴏɴᴅᴀɴ ; ʙᴛs: all of bts’ music in one playlist ● best intro's, no argue: okay but really 505 is one of the best songs ever don’t fight me on that one ● bi bops: actually it doesnt matter if you’re gay, straight, pan or bi, these all work. just bops. ● b-sides, : songs i tend to forget about because i mostly listen to other songs on the albums... but they deserve the world so there you go ● 𝖇𝖎𝖙𝖊 𝖒𝖊: kinda angry, kinda alternative. ● bon voyage: i listened to this a lot when i went to paris and when i have to travel a lot. travel worthy. ● bop that Bussy ; emo version: FAV EMO JAMS AND BOPS AND BANGERS ● bring me the horizon ; complete : all of bmth’s music ● bts amsterdam 13.10.18: SETLIST ly tour amsterdam but also europe. i miss them a lot & wanna thank them for one of my best nights ever

● calm my anxious ass: what i need when i’m breaking down & alone again ● chanyeol (っ◔◡◔)っ: a playlist for my exo bias, mostly english sung songs though ● chilly billy doobop: so nice to have as background music or for when there’s a friend over. just ever so fckn CHILL ● classical // piano: classical music, mostly piano ● current mood: songs i’m probably listening to right now (lmao still) ● daniel james howell: a playlist for my fav youtuber!!! ● daydream: my playlist with music that makes me dream for a better version of me ● ᴅᴀʏ6 ; ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ: every day6 song ever. stan talent stan day6 ● death / school mix: songs about dying & other relatable stuff for school, ha ha ● dizzy tummy: stuff i listen to strolling through the city or being in a specific trainride ● dope on a rope: no, this isn't a playlist for the growlers' song, it's old beats. ● emo & alternative: sum emo tunes! totally random *insert that one crazy emoji with the tongue out* ● energize this tired bub: upbeat tempo music that really energizes me ● energetic appleflap: playlist for a friend (that i have crush on) ● eɴᴛᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴛᴏᴜʀ ᴡᴀᴛᴇʀᴘᴀʀᴋꜱ: music i  listened to before & after my waterparks concert + every waterparks song ever & the setlist ● ᴇxᴏ ; xᴏxᴏ: exo complete. please give us a ot9 comeback ● exploring: stuff i have yet to listen to ● fᴀʟʟ ᴏᴜᴛ ʙᴏʏ ; ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ: all of FOB’s music. can you believe i’m still emo trash? ● frickity freck!: fresh alt-ish music ● fuck me up: a ReAlLy gOoD aLterNaTiVe / IndiE / eMo playlist? ● funky dunky business: the bass in these is mostly really mcflipping good ● geez, morty: playlist for fake friends ● ɢᴏᴛ7 ; ᴀʜɢᴀsᴇ: all of got7 their music ● ɢʀᴇᴇɴ ᴅᴀʏ ; ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ: all of green day aka my fav band their music ! every.thing. ● grrr. : just metal and grunge. heavy shit ● guitars: really good guitars like guns ‘n roses & beatles and just guitars that i love??? ● guns  n' roses setlist: setlist g ‘n r Europe 2017 ● halsey: indie artist, all her music in a playlist ● happy vibes: music that makes me smile!! ● hoe anthems (k-pop ver.); k-pop bops that make me go wanna hoe the heck out ● homework // calm: music i listen to when i make homework ● hug me pls: acoustic songs i wanna listen to while cuddling ● i’m a mess: a good, short playlist i- lol- unironically made when i discovered Michael Clifford had a girlfriend lmao i hope theyre happy they deserve it ● i, an intellectual: a nerd: music from movies and series i really dig ● interactive introverts: music they played and i listened to before interactive introverts ● jae = bae: this one goes out to jae, guitarist and vocal legend in the band day6 ● jazzin' away: jazz, my friend. ● j-pop ; rock 'n soul: my favourite j-pop songs!! yes, that includes all one ok rock songs. ● journal writings: i attempt to keep up a journal. this gives me vibes. sometimes a bit more uptempo, but mostly a bit softer ● judith.eliza: for a friend ● jughead's tape: for jughead jones, of riverdale ● just guitars, nothing else.: just acoustic guitars of some of my fav songs, really good for while studying i think ● k-grooves: korean r&b and indie ● k-pop ; essential jams: my favourite k-pop songs, which are quite a lot! ● k-pop ; girls: all my girl groups’ music ● k-rock ; you make myday: all my favourite k-rock songs, yes that includes every day6 song because they are just that good sorry ● last young renegade tour: music i listened to before & after my all time low concert + the setlist ●  letters to you: songs that made me think of my crush. i think people can realate? ● let there be luf: some new alt, sum songs about love ● lilacskyjimin ; fav: playlist for a friend ● lone hours: in: feeling lonely? we do, too, dont worry. youre not alone. ● mama: stuff i grew up with / stuff my mother and i both like ● marina & the diamonds: apperantly she’s only called marina now? one of the best female singers i know, indie as f*ck ● ᴍᴇᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ; 5sos:  playlist for the 5sos concert, setlist and the songs in between! ● micmicbudgee ; fav: playlist for a friend ● mom jeans, tired eyes: mostly 70s and 80s BOPS ● ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴀ x ; ᴍᴏɴʙᴇʙᴇ: all of monsta x’s music in a playlist ● muse ; complete: all of alt rock band muse their songs ● my chemical romance ; complete: emo rock band mcr all of their music ● my youngblood chronicals: alt rock songs. the reason why i’m still fighting ● nederlandse bodem: my favourite Dutch songs! ● ɴᴇᴏ ᴄᴜʟᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴛᴇᴄʜɴᴏʟᴏɢʏ ; ɴᴄᴛ: nct complete, in a playlist ● nienisneckdeep ; fav: playlist for a friend ● nights: songs i like to listen to before going to sleep ● noa.myg: fav: another playlist for a friend ● non-english bops: jewish, french, spanish, swedish, irish and celtic music like omnia (which is partly english but i think it fits here so tough luck) ● one ok rock ; complete: one ok rock is a japanese rock band that sings in english in their latest work ● ᴘᴀɴɪᴄ! ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅɪsᴄᴏ ; ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ: all of panic! at the disco’s music in a playlist ● paramore ; complete: paramore was a punk rock band with a female singer, and now they make alt rock ● paris: a playlist for a city that i miss, a time that i miss ● ᴘᴇɴᴛᴀɢᴏɴ ; ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ: aka all of k-pop group Pentagon their music in a playlist ● pizza punk: waterparks, neck deep, with con and music like that. perfect for skating eheh ● power vocals: beautiful voices ! voices that make me jealous ● problems with sleeping: lovely alt songs, some of them are about not being able to sleep ● queen discography: you know that movie, bohemian rhapsody..? ● rad activist shit: end gun violence. black lives matter. abortions should be legal, pedophiles and rapists should not be able to walk free. oh and love is love, get over it. angry songs, songs about revolution. ● rainbow: love songs, some sad (rain), some ever so happy (sun). together they make a rainbow ● red hot chili peppers: the red hot chili peppers are rock band and if you dont know them, look them up!! ● revolution radio 2017: music i listened to before & after my green day concert + the setlist ● rev up my spaceship, bois: modern hard rock in a playlist! ● sad boi o’clock: another sad playlist, you can never have enough of these ● sᴀʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ; sᴇᴠᴇɴᴛᴇᴇɴ: seventeens (k-pop) complete music discography ● skylinn ; khaleesiqoyi: first playlist i made for a friend: my best friend ● slytherin headgirl: this is what the people in slytherin listen to, i swear ● socrates would deffo stan: indie and alt, only for intellectuals (i’m just kidding) ● soft; rock™: soft (old) rock ● soft; k-pop: for if you wanna weep along with exo, bts,, etc ● soundtrack of my life 🌙: the basics to my music ● space jams 🚀: most songs are about wanting to run away, perfect for when you’re in space ● spoopy rave: i secretly listen to this through the year, idec ● starry skies, snazzy beats: mostly cute beats, perfect for studying or staring at the sky ● sᴛᴀʏ ; sᴛʀᴀʏ ᴋɪᴅs !: all of stray kids songs, go stan them already and please stay ● stranger things: songs that give me a stranger things vibe ● supernatural ; rock & grunge: stuff Dean Winchester would listen to, blue oyster cult, aerosmith, black sabbath, stuff like that ● tae tae: a playlist for v of bts, one of my biases ● the 1975: an alt band, latest work: an brief inquiry into online relationships ● the neighbourhood: very chill music. kinda rap, kinda alt ● these physically turn me on: really, really good songs, or nice vocals, idk how to explain ● tits out for harambe: the closest thing i have to pop music / rap i guess, with khai dreams, frank ocean, childish gambino, ari, troye, ya know ● tokyo: a playlist for dreaming about the feeling of a city ● travel back in time: 50s, 60s music, stuff i listen to with my grandpa but also alone cuz its fun ● twenty øne piløts ; complete: all of twenty one pilots their music ● underappreciated alt songs: alternative songs that i think deserve (even more) hype! ● waterparks ; complete: nice new pop punk band that deffo has a lot of talent! ● when the week ends: a mix for the weekend ● wubbalubbadubdub: old bops that make me forget about my sadness ● year in review: 2018: music i discovered in 2018 / music that was important to me in 2018 / songs that came out in 2018 ● yoongi: songs where you can sing yoongi really clearly and songs that make me think of him ● you’re making me feel miserable: songs i listened to after i confessed to my crush and he turned me down sksksksk

please reblog, it helps my blog a lot, tysm

[1358456]

Review Response, June 9-15, 2019

Once again, I wasn’t at home yesterday so this got delayed, and once again that 1 day delay doesn’t change anything whatsoever.

... And whatever the hell happened to the horizontal line breaks?! Now I’m just manually making those lines with - like a sucker...

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

Destiny #006

1) Oh shit I finished the chapter so quickly it felt like it only lasted a couple minutes (though I know it’s a lot longer, I just got too eager). In any case, I was super excited to see White in this chap! I can’t wait to have her and Black interact, I absolutely love the way you write them (just like with Ruby and Sapphire kek). Speaking of Ruby and Sapphire: the jealousy from Sapphire’s side was on point! And I cannot wait for Sapphire’s reaction to Ruby’s answer. Btw nice sort of cliff hanger on that one. And tbh I have no idea what Ruby would say. I feel like he might say no because of Sapphire and the whole mega stone or keystone thing whatchamacallit, but again I’m not sure. Also, no? Blue answer your calls from Red? He’s worrying about you, love. All you need to do is answer and boom! On your way to happiness! Well. Sort of. I guess. Baby steps. But anyways, Dia’s (and Pearl’s no kidding) was adorable. And it made my little shipper heart happy, so kudos to you for that. And also I think it was great how you wrote Platinum as still polite yet attached; regal even when literally lying unconscious a couple minutes prior. It was so like her, and it still amazes me how on point you write these characters. Though admittedly Blue is not how she is in the manga (but that’s sort of the whole point, so like that’s what’s ideal). And so although you stay true to their personalities, it’s also great that you kept in mind how things would affect certain people and changes they way they behave in accordance to that. So kudos to you for that too. Also, definitely NOT going to be happy meeting Peter again in this story. I know it’s going to happen, but I can only hope that the guy spying on Blue (whom I assume is Peter) will not do anything to her, and if so isn’t revealed as Peter. Simply because I just don’t want to put up with his douchebaggery. Oof my reviews are long, but I get so caught up in it that I can’t help myself. Thank you again.

I do like writing with Black and White. But unfortunately, they are just 2 of MANY Dex Holders, so they won’t be getting as much focus as you’d like, especially since they’re particularly high on my Preference List. Damn. That said, when there’s one, there’s always the other with these two. Inseparable!

Indeed. All Blue has to do is answer Red’s call and everything becomes just fine. Another parallel to Legacy, if you will. In Destiny, Blue ignored the calls out of her fears and thus sh*t happens. In Legacy, Blue answered the call, and thus she was able to attain true happiness! But Destiny is the “mid-point” between SA and Legacy. The “mid-point” of the pairing shift. Blue’s progression towards Red has to be a gradual one.

Oh, Platinum. She must always retain her elegance, even if she had just gotten absolutely stomped a minute prior. That’s what makes her... her, you know?

Blue’s character traits of melancholy and depression (when alone) is mostly canon, but her steps towards rampancy is a... personality extrapolation given the canon. If she was to be pushed a certain way, how would she react? That kind of thing.

I’m loving your long reviews! But I do notice that it’s been a month since you started Destiny, and this is chapter 6. Out of 43. ... Hmm...

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

Wings #001

1) Hello, hello! Right from the start, this story was surprising to see since I remembered that you said that you didn't like these sorts of high school AU things. I've only seen bits and pieces of this story being mentioned, but I didn't expect this sort of thing! The start was amusing; I found it funny how Y was paying attention to the way she looked, but by the end, I understand y now, and I feel sorry for the poor chap that ruined her reputation already.

Hey, you started on Wings! Yay!

Yep, I absolutely detest high school AU stories. But only because they’re all mostly the same thematically. Wings aims to avoid every single one of those common themes.

1) Self insert: I am not putting in “myself” with a disguise of the main character in a high school AU to “relive” high school but with my desired outcomes. No. Y in Wings is nothing like me. In fact, I’m basing Y’s aggression based on a web comic series I’ve seen years ago. And my high school “outcomes” were mostly identical to my desires anyways, so... meh.

2) Unpopular girl main character: My understanding of the main characters in “those high school AUs” is that the girls are always like timid and unpopular and gets bullied by the “pretty and popular” mean girls until the main character eventually triumphs once the “popular guy” falls in love and... blech. ... What do you think will happen in Wings if the “pretty and popular” mean girls were to bully Y? Yeah. Wings is nothing like those types of stories.

3) Romance: Y doesn’t give a f*ck about love in Wings. Some “cute popular” boy makes a move on her, she gives him the finger and then walks away. The end.

4) “(Name) is a normal girl attending high school and-”: ... Y is not normal. Yes, she wants a normal high school life, but literally right off the bat, I smashed that wish because Wings cannot be remotely similar to any of “those high school AUs”.

And on and on.

I’m glad you thought it was amusing! Wings is intended to be purely for fun. Especially later on as more shenanigans happens.

... But I’m curious that you’re leaving a GUEST review, instead of the signed one, currently with the ID of... er... ... keyboard mashing. Hmm...

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

Wings #002

1) It's nice to see the Kalos group coming together! I still haven't finished reading the XY arc of the manga, but it's nice to see Y and Shauna's interactions. I like how you gave a brief insight to Shauna's life in her middle school years; getting bullied sucks, and it must have been hard for her if she prefers to be friends with someone who is viewed negatively and lowers her own reputation down, rather than increasing the chances of getting bullied again. Maybe I'm just overthinking this, but it's still nice! And for X...dang, I feel sorry for him...salt and pepper in his eyes and mouth? That was extreme. Overall, a pretty great chapter! It was amusing from the way X and Shauna unintentionally contributed to lowering Y's reputation in her classroom, and to watch Y beat up intimidating students was funny to imagine.

Yep. Y and Shauna will be one of those “BFFs”, but... not really like those. I have to retain Shauna’s canon personality, which is a bit... sarcastic? So she’ll have a more “cool” friendship with Y instead of those “omg hug” types or whatever. F*ck those.

Hmm... Shauna having a bad middle school experience is not really intentional, but it does make sense, if you think about it like that. But it could also be that Shauna just finds hanging out with Y to be amusing.

X getting salt and pepper poured into his face is LOOSELY based on what I went through in high school, where some prick randomly poured a packet’s worth of salt on my head (getting all that damn salt out of my hair took absolutely forever), and so I took revenge by emptying at least 30 packets of salt and pepper into a sheet of paper and then pouring all that into his hair the next day. So... poor me, poor that kid, and poor X. Hehe.

Oh, there will be more instances of Shauna inadvertently worsening Y’s reputation, with real and fake stories. But Y won’t really mind since it’ll already be too late. There’s no turning back with her reputation now.

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

Wings #003

1) Like a bolt from the blue, it's time for a (ratherlatethanintended) review! I really missed the way you write and how you describe everything in detail. Really helps me visualize everything! I know that's the point of writing, but your writing style is effective since I tend to zone out whenever I read something too long. Plus, the way you have each chapter structured keeps things interesting. My interest in piqued with each passing chapter! I'm thoroughly enjoying this story so far.

Okay onto the chapter itself! I like how Grace is supportive of Y's choices even when her daughter's being really violent in school, though perhaps it's because Grace was a delinquent herself when she was younger? Maybe?

And the way X behaves and reacts whenever Y is around is both amusing and sad. Very traumatic for him I'm sure. I do hope that his and Y's relationship as friends improve as chapters go by.

Faitsu and Crystal finally appears so I'm happy about that! I hope more familiar faces appear soon! Speaking of which, I felt like the teacher at the end of chapter 1 could turn out to be someone we know, but I don't know if that's just me. (It's not at all possible due to your preferences, but I keep thinking it's Green, even though he's in the void of nonexistence.)

Getting decked in the face by a soccer ball...hah. What a way to meet your future teammate! ...assuming she ends up joining the soccer club that is.

Overall, a great chapter! I like how lively everyone is, even the nameless students!

Ehehe... thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying this deviation of a story of mine. After all, I’d never make another high school AU, ever, and this is the only one, so... it’s quite the deviant.

My thoughts on Grace is that she’s kind of a cool mother. ... Though I think that’s more... er... non XY arc. Hmm... Well, like mother like daughter... right?? Hehehe...

Oh, X and Y will be GOOD friends as time passes! Can’t have Y stressing out the poor boy, now can I? He will certainly prove to be a good supportive friend, though... not physically supporting (later on).

Faitsu and Crystal (and Black, technically) have appeared! More and more familiar faces will appear and be mentioned as time passes, of course. In fact, most everyone will be in Wings. Red, Blue, Gold, Crystal, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Black, White, Faitsu, X, Y, Sun, and Moon! ... Even Sword and Shield, if Wings lasts long enough. ... So... no, Green is not in Wings, since he has been banished into the void for eternity.

Yep. Decked in the face. And bloodshed. Real hard to get by ONE day without bloodshed, eh? Hehehe.

I look forward to seeing your review for the 4th chapter!

[pretty-idol-hell]

PriPara Summer Tour 2017: Osaka-pu!

I went to the Tokyo Live as well two weeks ago but I didn’t feel like talking about it as much. But I will now in comparison haha.

Wrote all of this on my phone last night but held off from posting it because I figured Tumblr wouldn’t do the cut right on mobile. Hopefully it’s not too jumbled.

When I got my ticket I originally thought I might be in the 2nd row. BuT it turns out I am dumb and can’t read because it said second FLOOR haha. But you know, that was good, because it was raised and I could see the whole stage this time. (The floor below was all the same and people were standing so I still probably wouldn’t have been able to see.) In Tokyo I could see like… a small keyhole window of the stage if I stood on my toes. Here the worst I had to deal with was the guy who wore Pikachu ears the entire…. time… but anyway!!!

This one was also better than Tokyo because the middle talk sections were a bit more polished. I feel like they took a few ideas they had then and ran with them.

For example, in Tokyo they teased about how iRis members voice the managers (Shion = Punicorn, Mirei = Chupe, Dorothy = Pitsuji) but this time they actually did a whole segment on them. Chupe was interviewed about what he thought of Osaka-pu, and Reona’s translation included that he wanted to see “the yellow guys over yonder”. (The Minions across the street at Universal Studios Japan oh lord haha.) Punicorn did a perfect impression of eating hot takoyaki. And Pitsuji’s Osaka-themed question was “Express your love for Reona!” The meaning of this was not clear until the Azuki got into an agument with the Pitsuji plushie as Dorothy. Reona: “Wow Dorothy, your Pitsuji impression is so good!”

There was also a totally new segment in Osaka after Yui, Michiru, and Nino introduced the merch. Yui suddenly tells Michiru and Nino to buy time as she runs off the stage. One of them suggests they should do “manzai” (if you don’t know what that is, remember Serenon from Pretty Rhythm) and the crowd is like “YEAH!!!” and then they are like “No it’s not a good idea to do it for real this time.” The way they said this strongly suggested any of the following is likely true:

1.) They actually planned to do manzai.

2.) It went really bad in practice.

3.) They decided never to do it again.

4.) I am totally sure that’s what happened.

So Yui finally comes out again pulling a similar cart she did in the Pokkaido episode filled with a big bag of rice and a blow up bale of hay. Nino in character takes the rice away from Yui. They mention the whole cart was full of rice but it was too heavy to pull so they went with the pool toy. Hahah. So! Yui announces they are giving away free rice to 5 people in the audience, call 5 seat numbers and tell them they can pick it up in the lobby. As far as I know those people got to take home honest to god giant bags of rice.

So about the actual performances.

Wasuta was the opening act both times! In addition to Just Be Yourself they also covered Let’s Go PriPara and Hello Hello Friends. No original songs. They are cute but I don’t have a favorite so I never know what color to use. The one wearing purple said she was from Aichi so I changed to purple though.

Okay sorry I am going to keep referring to the main voice actresses mostly by their character names sorry. I DO know they are real people with lives outside of PriPara, but they were in character for this show. (…also I don’t know their fan nicknames.)

Everyone who was at the Tokyo one did the same songs they did in the afternoon performance in Tokyo. Except for one big change. Non Sugar did not come to Osaka… but instead we got Falulu to conplete Tricolore. So instead of Sugarless Friend we got to hear Mon Chou Chou. And instead of Kono Uta To Mareihi and Jun Amore Ai we got to hear NEO DIMENSION GO AHHHHHHHHHHHH they went right into it from Mon Chou Chou and my mouth dropped. Mirei got to sing her movie song so I should have figured but it took me totally by surprise. (Haha I just realized in writing this that there was one less song so that’s where the Yui rice thing came in probably haha.)

I don’t know what Falulu’s outfit was supposed to be. It was this red and white thing that Falulu the anime character has never worn before. (Maybe it was made for the Christmas Live or something.) Yui’s CR looked even better than I remembered. Her outfit is the only one that really, truely looks just about as good as the arcade haha.

Yui seemed really nervous during her solo though. I don’t remember if she was last time. She’s so good though. Towards the end they threw out balls with signatures on them or something while singing the Idol Time ED, and she like… either threw it to the wrong place or hit someone or someone because she was like “UaWah!” into the mic as Yui during the song IT WAS SO CUTE hahah. I hope that makes the DVD.

Nino kinda had a difficult time as well. She was the only performance with back-up dancers. But I mean, I would be scared to be on the stage alone for my first performance too so I don’t blame her. (She said later that Nino was unlike any character she had ever voiced before and she was worried about being able to make it to the end! ) I think she also sung the least too… um, for the three new girls they didn’t lip-sync totally, but they did the thing where they just play the song and they sing along when they can. This is not uncommon. Dancing and singing at the same time is damn hard. I get it. I still enjoyed their performances a lot. 

But they made it super obvious by having Yui and Nino shout out “Making Drama Switch On!” while the song vocal track was still playing and I couldn’t help feeling kinda bad for them… Oh well.

The senpais were all singing live though, I am pretty sure. SoLaMi Dressing sang a couple songs with a live band even!!! They are so good ahhh!!!!

About colors for the new girls, the consensus seems to be that Yui is yellow, Nino is green, Michiru is purple. I wish Yui could be pink, but that is Laala… so…

Michiru seemed slightly sassier than last time. I guess she realized at the Tokyo one that her character is really popular hehe. Both times she was very DEKIRUDEKIRUDEKIRU never breaking idol character.

Everyone was super happy to be in Osaka. Especially Mirei, since Osaka-pu is her territory. SoLaMi Smile also performed Triangle Star in Osaka-pu in the movie and now they got to do it for real!!! This lead into a conversation about how this is their first live concert since becoming Kami Idols, and as they hugged each other the camera panned to show Dressing Pafe (PARTICULARLY DOROTHY) looking very sulky hahahah ha ha.

Shion was happy to perform with Dressing Pafe since she hasn’t been on the anime much (well she is, just in a more “lovely” form as she described it [Punicorn]). This lead to Dorothy in character complaining and tsun-ing about Shion not being around.

Dorothy also totally forgot they performed recently in the Pendai episode and Reona corrected her gently. Every time I see them Dorothy is always messing her speech up and Reona is correcting her/calming her down and it never looks staged AT ALL.

Yui was also super happy to be in Osaka since she is from Kansai originally and it was her dream to return to perform. She said our “CHIKUTAKU CHIKUTAKU” was better than Tokyo’s eheh. (…Truth is it’s probably like half the same people though hahah.)

But you know what we didn’t do better at than Tokyo? Keeping those damn watermelon beach balls in the audience during Tondemo Summer Adventure. They kept getting hit back to the stage. Dorothy and Reona kept flopping over on them and throwing them back in WHILE STILL SINGING hahaha before Reona gave up and threw one of them backstage.

One of the biggest highlights both times was everyone singing the Idol Time ending as a finale. It’s definitely the best anime ending I think and makes an amazing live song because you get to “WAKU WAKU” “CHIKU TAKU” “SAIKOU NA HAPPY!!!!!” I want them to record the all character version...

I still have kind of mixed feelings about how I feel about real life idol concerts haha. But moments like that do make it seem worth it.

[manabingu]

Just a lil side story from Metrocon~*

Just felt like telling it even if it’s just silly. I just wanna have it mostly so I can remember it ;w;o it’s special to me anyways.

So during Metrocon I actually got very little sleep on Friday and Saturday XD tbh hehe. The reason being I was preparing a gift for Takanori cuz he was going to Otakon this year & because the dates of Metro & Otakon were too close I couldn’t make it to meet him... (again....I missed AX too). Anyhow I was slightly bummed out. But I’m happy I am the type of person who is kind to everyone at cons. From fellow cosplayers,VAs, vendors & security I just try to spread some goodness whenever I attend conventions. 

So for a few years now I met this really nice vendor named Kevin. He apparently is LA based originally but he attends all the major cons around the U.S. I can’t remember the exact year I met him but we have been friends for a few years & he remembers me every time he goes to Holiday Matsuri & Metro. We bonded over our love of jrock & he is super cool & kind. When I joined Anime Idol he always rooted for me ^_^ & he wished me luck before the show & enjoyed hearing about it afterwards :)! So this year I casually asked him if he was going to Otakon cuz he knows I really like TMR & always tells me when he’s coming to the U.S. so I can meet him. He has actually hung out with Takanori & knows him so I was hoping he could pass on a simple hello for me. But I saw this as a chance to let Takanori know how much his music has helped me. It literally saved my life & dunno when I’d meet him. So it was kind of a now or never moment for me tbh.

Anyhow I ask him  he said yes he will be attending. And I politely ask if it would be ok if I wrote Takanori a letter of thanks for being a positive influence in my life. This year I made a new friend thanks to ExAid Abridged who speaks fluent Japanese & I could have him translate my letter. So I told Kevin that I could have the letter printed & translated in Japanese so Takanori could read it better without needing a translator. And Kevin said sure, he will be happy to help deliver the letter! And I think I had a small heart attack ;w; because he ACTUALLY said yes to this. Normally I thought the reaction would be “I dunno he might be busy with his commitments & such  I was FULLY prepared for rejection cuz I know that people are busy & I would never force something that was impossible y’know? I have the ULTIMATE respect for fellow artists. But yeah I got emotional & happy & I hugged & thanked Kevin. And after having such a good show tat morning at Anime Idol, AND having Steve Blum compliment my Ginga costume, that was like the best Friday ever (besides meeting Dan Green last year). So that night I rushed back to the hotel & I stayed up till like...2 or 3? Because I was on Discord with SpecialForm12 writing & translating my letter to Takanori. It was WAY harder than I thought tbh...like...how does one tell their biggest idol everything you want to express in a short letter? And like, SpecialForm was SO sweet, he refused to sleep till the letter was done, he stayed with me & that really made me feel very grateful to have him as a friend. I need to repay him for this ;w;o

So next morning on Saturday, I give the letter to Kevin & thank him again. Even though I expressed a lot in my letter, I didn’t think it was enough, so I kindly asked if I could send him fanart too? And Kevin said sure! As long as I gave it to him before the Dealer’s Room closed on Sunday. So that Saturday night, I spent like another 500 hrs trying to figure out what to draw Takanori. Honestly it was between his Undercover 2 outfit cuz its one of my fave concerts & his Vestige PV outfit cuz I love that era. In the end I went with the latter on whim cuz it was super late. I wish I could have drawn it digital but I had no access to a printer by Sunday. So I used the colored pencils I always bring on my trips. And drew something. I wish I had actually done this weeks ago but I had no idea Kevin was gonna say yes to all this ;w;o so I was taken by surprise. Anyhow below, you’ll see the final product. It’s not my best work but hopefully when Takanori returns I can have something better ready.

I gave him the pic on Sunday & I thanked him a bajillion more times for doing this for me. Because I know he didn’t HAVE to, but this was a gesture of kindness. Kevin knows how important music is to me. And I told him “Kevin you’re my hero right now! Thank you!” He was very moved eheh. And he said “Hey, would you like me to bring you back something? Like new merch from TMR?” and I think I did a QUADRUPLE take when he said that to me. I wasn’t expecting ANYTHING like that, honestly I just wanted to send him a present XD! And I was a mess eheh QwQ I said “Umm! I wouldn’t object to it! Like, I just wanted to give him a gift! But IF it was possible, I wouldn’t care if it was big or small like a sticker or something, I would be fine with that!”

Kevin gave a little laugh while he was putting away my letter along with my fanart on his backpack. He said he’d try to bring back something & if he could  and if he could get a pic of Takanori with my gifts, he would do so as well. Needless to say, that was the cherry on top. So after giving him one final hug before the Dealer’s Room closed, I bade him goodbye. He said “ See you at Holiday Matsuri! And if anything comes up, I will have one of my staff see you at Holiday Matsuri in my place so don’t worry!”

I am so happy. Even though I missed Takanori singing SKILL with JAM Project, (which a I mentioned previously was THE dream collab I always wanted) I am so happy that because I am gregarious, compassionate & respectful at cons. It helped get my letter safely delivered. I hope I can make a gift for Kevin too because I am SO grateful for this chance. I will never take it for granted. And All I can hope for is that my gratitude reached Takanori. And I will try my best to catch him the next time he returns.  Anyhow that was the story I wanted to share. It’s lengthy & I know nobody will probably read it but I mostly wanted to document important moments to me ;w;o yay.

[nezzfiction]

ENMY Chapter 43 - Blood On The Dancefloor

Chapter Synopsis: The forces of Atlas and Mistral are set to begin their conquest of Vale. The Second Great War enters its next major stage. Meanwhile, Team ENMY are still outlaws on the run. A sudden turn of events will take them into a new swing of things.

Series Synopsis:

Team RWBY is disbanded, and Yang must find herself new allies. For her, that might very well be yesterday’s enemies. Joining up with the likes of Emerald, Mercury, and Neo, the four will comprise Team Enemy.

Links to read the series: Ao3 or FF.net

Or hit the jump below

Blood On The Dancefloor

.

My heart all full of pain.

I would dance and be merry,

Life would be a ding-a-derry,

.

.

Rows upon rows of airships amassed along the airfield. Many of which, in the process of being outfitted and readied for sortie.

It made for an extremely hectic scene with military personnel barking orders, shouting which supplies went where. The mechanics running redundant tests, ensuring the aircrafts operated at optimal for when the promised time came.

Meanwhile, away from the organized chaos, two figures watched the scene from the edge of the strip.

“Amazing, isn’t it?” Adam referred to the platoons of White Fang ready for deployment. Fully-armed with the latest weapons. He took pride in the fact they were no longer the poor, guerilla warriors they once were.

“It is,” Blake agreed. Her focus on a Faunus worker dropping a supply container. A human saw what was happening, and helped him lift it from the other side. “Amazing,” she parroted. “But loud. It’s very loud.”

“This is war, Blake. War on a scale we could only fathom before.”

“The Third Crusade painted a vivid picture I never forgot.”

“This is far more than anything Temujin could have ever mustered!” he pumped his fist. “This here, THIS is what the White Fang should be! A strong people! A proud people! And soon, it won’t just be here. Our brethren in Vale and Atlas will also experience this glory.”

“Right… Well, I’m going into the city. Away from all the noise.”

“I can accompany you.”

“No, thank you, Adam. I’d rather be alone. Besides, Raven would want you to keep an eye on things.”

“Are you sure? At least, let me arrange an escort.”

“It’s fine, really,” she waved. “I just need some time to de-stress.”

Not wanting to hear anymore of Adam’s protests, Blake walked away.

When she neared another hangar on her way out, she paused at the peculiar sight. There were no vehicles or airships here, but something else entirely.

Filed into neat, square formations were individuals carrying swords. This by itself was nothing strange, but what made the picture alarming was who, or more accurately, what they were.

This was the newest Grimm Unit added to Mistral’s military arsenal. Dubbed the Kotengu, they were humanoid at the base. Dark, feathery wings stretched from their backs. Each possessed an angry white masks along with a long, protruding nose. Their blades appeared ceremonial, but no less deadly.

Walking back and forth in front of them, was Raven and another figure.

“Blake,” Raven spotted her. She turned to the Monkey Faunus beside her. “We will proceed as planned, General Saru. Do you have any more questions?”

“Just one, if I may.”

“Yes?”

He was a very hairy man with wild strands growing on all sides of his face. Saru was lanky, dressed in a pressed, military black uniform. His stature a touch on the small side, especially next to Raven, who he had to look up at.

“Why did you choose me? I was just a boot-cleaner before. The army didn’t even recognize me as a soldier in service.”

“Yet, you’ve proven to possess more strategic talents than our best generals. I don’t care what your position was before, or your origins. If you have the ability, I’ll put you where I need you. Now, has all the cleverness you’ve displayed so far just luck or something I can make an asset of?”

“I will serve to the best of my abilities.”

“I know you will,” Raven clapped his shoulder, and strode towards Blake. “I see you left the pup behind. Good. What can I do for you?”

“Nothing, Raven. I was just on my way out and saw…”

“Ah, our Talon Units.”

“It’s still so strange. Weeks ago, they wanted to kill us. And now…”

“So simple, it’s a bit unnerving, isn’t it?” Raven sympathized. “Feels as if they could turn on us at any second. But they’re the allies we need.”

Back when Raven, Adam, and Blake destroyed the Tower of Tamonten, they set free the Grimm that were sealed by the installation. And after besting Kurama, the leader of the flock, in a sword duel—the Grimm swore their obedience under Raven’s command. It was unbelievable, but the evidence was plain to see before them.

“What’s the status on your end?” Raven inquired.

“Our regiment is making final preparations. Adam’s overseeing it. We will be ready by tomorrow morning.”

“Good.”

“So, General Saru will be leading the other regiments? It’s impressive. A Faunus has never held a senior rank like his. Not in a human military, anyway.”

“Besides me?”

Blake blinked. “I mean, besides—”

“The old lady told you, huh? I can’t say I’m surprised. But you are correct. It is an outstanding accomplishment. He’s a little green, but I think I can leave the main units to him. Not bad for someone who used to polish people’s boots. I need to take charge of the Grimm, in any case.”

“I see…” Blake dropped her gaze.

“Having second thoughts about invading Vale?”

“A little.”

“Hmm. That’s what I like about you, Blake. But it’s also what I find most annoying.”

“You’re starting to sound more like Temujin every day.”

“I’ll remember that, Belladonna,” Raven said with a playful edge. “Why do you still wear that bow?”

“Oh, um…!”

Blake reflexively reached the top of her head. Her hands making sure her ears were tied and properly wrapped.

“You don’t have to hide who you are here, Blake. You never will again.”

“I know, I just—” A memory flashed of Yang tying the bow with care. “I keep it for personal reasons. It doesn’t have anything to do with being a Faunus.”

“Really?”

“…It’s not the only reason anyway.”

Raven sighed, but decided to leave the matter alone.

“You should relax more. Hypocritical coming from me, I’m aware. But if you don’t find the time to fit some R&R in, you’ll never last.”

“Funny how you mention that. I was actually on my way into the city. There’s a new book released, and I wanted to pick up a copy.”

“Hm. I’ll leave you to it, then.”

“If you were free, maybe…”

Raven smiled under her mask.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to take a raincheck. Perhaps, another time.”

“Okay,” Blake replied, slightly dejected.

As she was about to leave, Raven drew her sword, and sliced open a portal.

“Quicker than calling a ride. And if I’m not mistaken, that group of ominous soldiers is an escort Adam arranged for you.”

Blake whipped her neck back and saw a squad of White Fang members approaching.

“Eheh…” she chuckled awkwardly, before leaping through the pulsing gate.

…

In the next second, Blake materialized on the sidewalk of Mistral’s downtown area.

It was the middle of the day on a weekend, so all the shops were open and bustling with people. There was barely any room to maneuver herself through the packed streets. And for a moment, Blake entertained the idea of taking to the roofs, but thought it would be in poor taste.

That is, until she saw a number of Faunus parkouring the sides of buildings and along the rooftops. Their tails whipped about back and forth excitedly, while helping them maintain balance. Some executed a few aerial stunts for the fun of it.

The display was found to some’s chagrin, but mostly to other’s entertainment. The runners high-fived a number of passerbys. Humans recorded their feats on their scrolls.

Blake couldn’t help, but feel a little marveled by the scene. She had witnessed Faunus get arrested for such things, much less lauded. Not only that, but these people expressed themselves in a way that was so open and free, which used to be something exclusive to Vacuo. To say it was uplifting for her would be an understatement.

Blake continued to make her way through the crowd, until she came upon a quaint little bookstore that doubled as a café. Her nose perked at the smell of inked paper mixed with roasted coffee. It brought her biggest smile she in a long time.

Within the interior, constructed mostly of dark wood, Blake stepped towards the counter. A Fox Faunus was present to greet her. The girl’s type, she could tell by the ears on the worker’s head.

“Hi, I wanted to purchase a copy of Remnant Gods?”

“Oh, that’s a popular one. The story about ancient deities living in the modern era.” The bookseller plucked it off the shelf behind her, and set it on the counter. “They’re making a TV series of it, you know.”

“Uh, yes. I’ve heard.”

“Right? I’m sure they’ll make a decent adaptation out of it, but I’ll still like the book more, and…” The Fox Faunus’s gaze drifted to Blake’s bow. Then, a knowing smile that communicated something gentle appeared. “I…used to do that too. But I promise you can feel safe here. I mean, just take a look around.”

She led Blake’s sight to the other patrons sitting and reading books. Many of them obviously Faunus from a single glance. It was possible the atmosphere felt so natural, Blake failed to notice.

“One copy of Remnant Gods and a cup of House Coffee.”

“Huh? But I didn’t—”

“It’s on the house,” she winked.

“…Thank you.”

Blake paid for the book and scouted a nice table for herself. The only one available was a four-seater at the corner of the shop.

For a stretch of long, peaceful hours, Blake read her book, while sipping her beverage. The bookseller sometimes passed by to refill her cup. A sardine sandwich was devoured. It felt like heaven to her, and she thought…

Why not?

She unfurled the ribbon from her ears, wiggling and stretching them out. The bookseller was right. It was freeing and safe. And Blake took a deep breath. Her lungs expanded from an invisible grip, as did her heart.

She glanced to the human beside her, reading the same novel. He caught her staring at the cover.

“Good story,” he commented.

“Yes,” she said back. “It is.”

The two nodded to each other, and went back to their reading. A mutual understanding passed with a few simple words.

She realized that this was what she wished for, what she fought for. To simply be without having to fear for her life or discrimination. Such a small and ordinary thing, but so difficult to attain. Blake may not have liked what it took to get here, but she found it impossible to think it wasn’t worth it. She wanted with everything to share this slice of light with others. Human, Faunus, just everyone and anyone.

“Place is filled to the brim. I don’t think—well, lookie over there. Hey, pretty lady.”

Blake peeked her eyes over her book. A girl, possibly a year older waved to her, dragging a small boy behind.

“Um, hi?”

Déjà vu?

“Ya got a nice table all to yerself. Too big fer just you. Mind lettin’ us sit with ya?”

“Inna. Please defer from rude behavior. Person displays isolationist traits. Apology, required.”

“Aw, clam it, Bean. Not everybody’s as sensitive as yer scrawny ass. Plus, she don’t mind. Right?”

Watching the interaction between the cowgirl and the small intellectual brought a small giggle out of Blake. A nostalgic memory surfaced she wasn’t aware she missed.

Yang and Ruby reached out to her once. This time, she wanted it to be her.

“You can sit. I’d be glad if you did. My name is Blake Belladonna,” she introduced herself.

“See?” Inna slid into the chair opposite. “Inna Kao, sharpshooter extraordinaire,” she tipped her hat. “Pleasure is all mine.”

“Grateful. I am Bean,” Bean bowed politely. “Possible obligatory response… Do you truly, not mind company?”

“Not at all,” Blake smiled.

Not today, I don’t.

.

* * * * *

.

In a conference hall held in the highest floor of a secluded keep, the collective leadership of Vale convened about the threats facing their Kingdom.

Long, curved desks cascaded down the circular room. Each chairman had their own assigned seat and nameplate. A facilitator stood at the center podium, tasked with providing order during the meeting. A position that was irreverently proven useless.

“Order! ORDER!” the older gentlemen banged his gavel to no avail.

“We must divert the bulk of our army against Atlas! Diminish their forces before Mistral arrives!” one shouted.

“Ever since Atlas landed on our shores, they have shown minimum hostility towards us! An alliance is in the works. Mistral is where we should take the initiative!” another argued.

“An alliance with Atlas is impossible! We have better luck surrendering to Mistral instead!”

“We should invoke a joint-position of neutrality with Vacuo!”

“They would never believe such absurdity!”

“ORDER! WE WILL HAVE ORDER!”

Ugh… A lone woman groaned on the inside.

Her knuckles pressed against her temple, as she wore an expression of disinterest. Not that the plight the Kingdom faced bored her, but the government that run it were horribly conflicted.

What am I even doing here?

I should do something.

Say something.

But I doubt anyone could get a real word in edgewise, in this mess.

She removed her spectacles and pinched the bridge of her nose.

I wasn’t always like this.

I was a Huntress—am a Huntress.

I’ve fought Grimm the size of mountains. Monsters that could flatten the world!

Please, please let a Grimm attack right now…

For the love of—

“Would the Acting Headmistress of Beacon like to offer her word?” a man suddenly voiced.

Glynda slid her glasses back on and stared at the one who casted her into the spotlight.

He was a tall, skinny man. His wardrobe was of a formal renaissance style. A tailor-made waistcoat and long sleeves to match his extensive arms, with a bit of flourish at the end. His hair was blonde and stringy. And he wore a rather wide-brimmed hat, lending his appearance to a scarecrow.

“Straw,” Glynda muttered under her breath. Resigning herself to having to speak, she took a stand. “I have nothing to add to the current discussion.”

As she was about to sit back down,

“Surely, the Acting Headmistress of Vale’s most esteemed battle academy has something to contribute. A reasonable strategy that we could all agree on? Otherwise,” Straw gave a showman’s chuckle, “we’d all in good likelihood, defeat each other before Mistral or Vale have their chance. And you, so rarely, make an appearance at these meetings. We would be so grateful for any sort of counsel.”

Glynda threw the man a hateful glare, as her jaw tightened, and then loosened.

“We could arrange our armies in a position that force Atlas and Mistral’s armies to meet. The more instances we can create, the better our chances.”

Loud murmurs erupted between the chairs. Some of the voices wanted more elaboration, while others were appealed by the merits. Although, most were unwilling due to an obvious flaw in Glynda’s suggestion.

“You want us to withdraw from the northern front?! And we would have to retreat far southwest to put that plan into action! The lands we would be giving them for free! Part of the capital city would be surrendered for nothing!”

The one vehemently protesting was Cardin Winchester. When his father was abducted during a backchannel with Atlas, the boy replaced his father’s chair. He belonged to a faction that advocated a more aggressive defense.

“If you feel so disinclined towards my advice, I feel no real need that you should listen to it. You’ve never listened, when you attended my classes before. I only voiced my thoughts by request.”

“We don’t need any stall or wait-and-see tactics! Vale needs to strike decisive blows against its enemies!”

“No!” yelled another. “Because we have the home-field advantage, we should aim for a battle of attrition!”

Endless debate exploded once more, as Glynda took her seat.

After an hour passed, the meeting was called for a brief recess.

Glynda strolled to one of the keep’s balconies to get some fresh air. The view was nice, trees and woodlands as far as the eye could see. If she squinted, she could make out the faintest lines of Vale’s buildings.

“I wasn’t sure you were going to attend, Glynda,” a voice sauntered from behind.

“Oh, Straw. Why pretend I actually had a choice, when the Chairmen threatened to take Beacon’s seat away if a proxy didn’t show?”

“Now, now. I may have had to exercise some legal bureaucracy to get you here, but I truly value your opinion.”

“Is that so?”

“Oh, it is. Have you listened to them? So fractured and divided. They needed to hear an impartial voice. A clever idea, by the way—to play Atlas and Mistral against each other.”

“As if you didn’t come up with something similar. Or have you forgotten so much after leaving the school?”

Straw chuckled with fake embarrassment.

“I was never a good teacher. Not like you, or Peter and Barty. The gift of passing wisdom eluded me, as well as utilizing it. Ozpin said as much.”

“Ozpin trusted you.”

“Heh, yes,” he rubbed his hands. “You still believe that, do you?”

“I don’t believe he trusts you anymore.”

“No, I meant, you still believe the man is capable of trust? Ozpin believes in no one, my dear Glynda. I may be a fool, but I’ve realized that much over the years—serving him, championing his cause. The Wizard lies.”

Glynda eyed him with scrutiny.

“Salem?”

“Oh! No, my dear! I may despise Ozpin, but I would never defect to the Witch’s side. Such an act of idiocy is a feat, even I would never flirt with. No, no. Rest assured, my allegiances are entirely my own.”

She eased, but only a little.

There was a time in their lives, when Straw worked as part of their inner circle. A trusted fellow guardian of Remnant. If Qrow was Ozpin’s second, Glynda and Straw were a close third. But that time had long passed. Back when the man was still a professor at Beacon. Not the pompous aristocrat he was now.

“Where is the bird, by the way? I neither detect the scent of stale whiskey or hear the steps of a bumbling inebriate, so I can only guess he is not here.”

“Maybe, you scared him off. You have a way of doing that.”

“A shame. I had prepared an honorary seat for him and everything. I suppose, I just look absolutely foolish now. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Not really. Qrow’s always been skilled at hiding from meetings. No matter how important they may be.”

“So, he evades even you?”

Glynda blinked.

She was reminded of how often Straw liked to play the fool, while masking his actual intelligence. He poked and prodded, shaking small hints and clues out of trees. It made it easy for him to learn what he needed. Exposure was often among people’s deepest fears.

“‘The left hand knows not what the right does’, indeed,” he joked. “Once more, I’d like to take this opportunity to express thanks for your attending. The chairs may have disagreed with your proposal, but the idea is planted. I shall make sure the seedling bears fruit. What would you say to a concaved formation? We could even leak the opposition’s positions to each other.”

“Was that your plan all along? To use me to push your agenda?”

“You give me far too much credit, Glynda. I merely thought it was an inspired idea.”

“…”

“Our armies could use a leader of your caliber. Would you not consider postponing the revitalization of the school in lieu of defending the nation it resides in?”

“I’m averse to war.”

“Tsk tsk tsk. Such a shame. The other professors have joined the effort. Teachers from Signal Academy, as well. Why, just last week, the previously timid lion and his daughter’s team answered the call, ready and willing.”

“…!”

“Ruby Rose,” Straw toyed with the name on the tip of his tongue. “Daughter of Qrow Branwen and Summer Rose. I’ve heard nothing but magnificent things about the girl, but she does require some further tutelage, does she not? Someone who knows the way to show her the way…”

“I respected you once,” Glynda said with disdain. “But now, you’re nothing but a conniving coward.”

“I say again, Glynda. You give me far too much credit. I only wish I was half as clever as you accuse me to be, truly I do.”

Straw started his way back to the conference room, a short spring in his step and a light song on his lips.

“If I only had a brain~♪”

.

* * * * *

.

At a certain dance club in Downtown Vale, the next band for the night was about to perform.

Crowds herded toward the stage. A lot of them drunk and, or otherwise. Most had come just to attend this specific live. The band was new, but the music they played made for a unique experience.

As they finished setting up, Junior whispered to the vocalist.

“Do you think you guys could maybe…tone it down a bit tonight?”

“…”

*Sigh* “Just something to consider…” the club owner groaned, as he began speaking into the mic. “Alright, guys! Our next band is the one you’ve all been waiting for! Give it up for E.N.M.—”

Mercury started the intro guitar riff, midway through Junior’s sentence. An act that got the audience cheering, and the club owner scrambling off stage. Him and many of his men created some distance between the crowd, careful of what might happen next.

For the first few seconds, there was nothing but the reverberation of guitar strings and some audience members whooping. Then, Emerald grasped the mic stand.

“Yeah, here we go for the hundredth time. Hand grenade pins in every line.

Throw ‘em up and let something shine. Going out of my fuckin’ mind!

Filthy mouth, no excuse! Find a new place to hang this noose.

String me up from atop these roofs! Knot it tight so I won’t get loose!”

As the song went on, Neo joined with the bass and Yang on percussion. And the more Emerald belted out lyrics, the more the demeanor changed in the audience.

They began moshing violently, with no sign of control. Fists were thrown into the air and into the person next to them. Beer bottles were shattered on people’s skulls. It wasn’t long until the dancefloor turned into a free-for-all slugfest. The madness increasing as the song played on.

Junior could only watch the spectacle in horror. His frail hope was there wouldn’t be too much damage to his establishment this time around…

…

…

After the concert finished, and the club was closing up, Yang planted herself in a stool by the bar.

“Hard strawberry sunrise,” she ordered.

The drink was set in front of her, like she usually had it.

Three weeks had passed, since Yang’s team left her home in Patch. As unlikely as residences came, Emerald managed to acquire a place to live above Junior’s dance club.

Their being there worked for a multitude of reasons. They bargained a good renting rate because they were “friends” with the landlord. No one asked too many questions about people in such an establishment. The place was a great hub for information gathering. And they could find under-the-table work whenever they needed to.

And rarely did they ever, because of the team’s new alternative occupation. Ironically, a way to hide in plain sight, came in the form of hiding in the limelight. Few suspected an international team of outlaws to be a rock band of the same name.

Yang emptied her glass.

“Another one.”

When the barkeep brought her the second, Emerald came and sat in the seat beside her.

“You’re drinking acid.”

Yang swirled the contents of the glass and took a sip.

“Mud.”

“…”

“Snake oil.”

“It’s not working, Em.”

“Damn it!” Emerald banged the table, swiveled, and leaned against it.

“Your Semblance just doesn’t work on people, who’ve been exposed to it enough. Why the obsession with improving it, anyway? You never cared much about it before.”

“It used to be the ace up my sleeve. Now, almost every hard-hitter we meet’s gonna know how I sharp my cards. Still a few tricks in the bag, should the worse ever happen, but it’s only a matter of time till, well…”

“Hm. I guess, but I never banked too much on your Semblance. If you ask me, I thought your shotcalling played the biggest for the team. We complain, but me and Merc don’t really mind doing the heavy lifting. And then there’s Neo to reinforce. Our current setup’s pretty solid.”

“’Why change what’s not broken?’” she grumbled, while resting her chin on the table. “But it’s also true we’ll be broken if we don’t change…”

Emerald stewed in her problem for a while. She didn’t want to admit it, but it was more than efficacy that drove her new desire for improvement. It was also a matter of pride.

The team leader hardly failed to notice the rest of her comrades growing stronger by the day. Yang had incurred a significant penalty, but attained an infinitely deadly Semblance in return. Combined with his new Talarion, Mercury became a small army unto himself. And there was little need to mention what Neo brought to the table.

Only she, Emerald felt, was falling behind. Not to mention, she was the leader of this band of uniquely powered individuals. As such, the urge to keep standard burned hot in her stomach.

She especially saw her shortcomings in the battle against RNJR. Towards the tail-end of the fight, her Semblance was producing diminishing returns. Emerald became an area of liability at one point. It also proved ineffective against Qrow, Ruby, and Ren from the outset. Of which, would hardly be the last opponents she would ever face with specially keen perception.

If things continued the way they were, she was afraid her Semblance would turn her into a one-trick-pony, if that at all.

So, she set herself to practice. Every concert was an opportunity to train effecting multiple targets, over a longer timeframe. She tweaked their nerves, sent them into an emotional euphoria. Removed any inhibitions they had, while dialing their hormones to a hundred.

The only problem was, she merely expanded on an “outdated” skill. The number, speed, and length were never the issue, but the potency. For all her efforts, she could not force hallucinations on a person, but suggest them. And they never worked well against those already adapted to it, or aware.

Emerald bit her thumbnail in vexation.

There has to be a way.

I just haven’t thought of it yet.

On Neo and Mercury’s approach, the barkeep prepared a root beer float and club soda.

“Criminals, Mercenaries, Soldiers, War Heroes, Criminals again, and now Musicians,” Mercury listed off. “Our resumes just keep getting longer and longer…”

“Personally, I liked it better when you were just criminals,” Junior parked beside them, and knocked back a shot. “At least then, you didn’t destroy my club almost every other night.”

“You make more lien back on the drinks alone.”

“I have to go out and buy brand new furniture and equipment—every time. It’s annoying.”

“Buy more durable furniture.”

“I. DID. Freakin’ maniacs still break everything. There’s a table stuck in the ceiling. The ceiling!”

They all looked up and saw a table dangling from the roof by its leg. A few of Junior’s thugs were trying to use ladders that were too short, while climbing on top of each other.

“It’s like, how did it even get up there? So, the durable furniture causes even more damage!”

“Buy cheaper furniture.”

“You’re just full of brilliant ideas up there, aren’t you?”

“It’s one of my charms,” Mercury toasted.

A voice came over from one of the thugs guarding the door.

“Hey, Junior. Someone’s here to see you.”

“Is it the interior designer?”

“No. Someone else.”

Junior groaned something incoherent, before knocking back another shot, and storming off.

As Mercury was taking a sip of his club soda, Emerald whispered in his ear.

“Fizzy piss water.”

“Gmph—!!” *Snort!*

“Yes! I did it! I freakin’ did it!” she claimed victoriously.

He coughed, trying to ease the liquid out of his nose.

“Em,” Yang caught her attention, while handing Mercury a napkin. “I think you just made him laugh. It wasn’t cause of your Semblance.”

“……Oh.” Emerald toned down. “Yeah, figures.”

“Look, if you really want to bring a bigger threat to the team, why don’t you put some more brawn on those brains? Or you could sharpen your shooting. It doesn’t have to be your Semblance.”

The other girl only groaned at the suggestion.

“Maybe I should go through a Semblance Trial too. Concentrated Dust and Bane can be expensive, but it’ll be worth it if I don’t die.”

You shouldn’t do Bane. Bane is bad.

“I know, Neo. But what choice do I have?”

You will die.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence. What makes you so sure?”

You are weak.

“Thanks.”

Your will is strong.

“Thanks?”

But your body is very weak. So, you will die.

“Great.”

Black blood will sploosh everywhere. From your ears and eyeballs.

“I get the picture. Must be why you’re such a great artist,” Emerald sighed.

Neo handed her a quick doodle. The graphic nature of it killed any remainder of the idea. At the same time, Junior returned with serious intent.

“Just got word on the weapon tech you’ve been asking me to look into.”

“You found Masa?!” Yang almost jumped from her seat.

“Yeah, you know how the professors at Signal went to join the war?”

“Uh huh.”

“Apparently, Masa Moon was lying low in the academy’s basement, working as the school’s weapons tuner. Looks like it was kept pretty hush-hush, most of the staff didn’t even know. But when they left, she came up for air.”

“Awesome! We should leave when we can.”

“‘When you can’, better be right now. A few big players just put out a gag and bag contract.” Junior showed them a sheet of paper he was handed, detailing the bounty for Masa’s capture. “A lot of my ‘business rivals’ want to get their hands on her too.”

“That’s a lot of zeroes,” Emerald whistled. “The whole underground’s a nasty hive. I know you two are partial to Masa’s prosthetics, but is it really worth the trouble to go after her?”

“She’s worth it, Em. If anyone can help me build a weapon to overcome my handicap, it’s her. Plus, she should be able to help you too.”

“Yeah? How?”

“When I had my Semblance Trial, one of the…things—manifestations of my soul or whatever— They mentioned Masa. Said she did something with my Semblance? I can’t remember. The point is, I’m pretty sure she’s not just a really good weapons tech. There’s something about her.”

Masa is very smart.

Too smart.

““Neo?”” Emerald and Yang turned to the small girl.

I saw it.

Masa is special.

Shiny.

“O—kay. I guess that’s good enough for me,” Emerald pushed off the counter. “Junior, we’re borrowing the Malachites. If this is as hot as it sounds, we’re gonna need some extra wet hands.”

“Oh, alright. Sure you don’t want any more muscle?”

“What, like your thugs? They’d just get in the way. I’m not paying for them.”

At hearing the statement, every pair of red glasses turned, but had nothing to retort.

“No! Not them. I meant,” *Ahem* And Junior kind of postured himself.

“…? I’m waiting.”

Yang rolled her eyes.

“You mentioned some of your business rivals were going in on this. Think you could tag along, lend us a hand? If we get Masa, maybe she can craft your boys some new heat.”

“Hell, yeah! I mean—only cause you asked.

Just let me go grab my bat.”

.

.

.

NOTES

-Saru’s character is based off Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

-Straw’s character is based off the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz. “If I only had a brain~♪”

-The crazy mosh thing is based off dance mania/hysteria, which was a psychogenic phenomenon. People danced until they starved or collapsed from exhaustion. And of course…mosh pits.

-The song ENMY intro in Junior’s club is Bleed It Out by Linkin Park. I’m partial to the song’s intro, sue me.

-People have been asking me about bumblebee for some reason? If it ever becomes canon, I’ll be happy. If it doesn’t, there are no expectations. Just cause this fic has YangxNeo doesn’t mean I dislike bumblebee.

I think that’s about it for everything relevant. It’s come to my attention (and my partner telling me) that I may have not explained some things. I’ll try to get to them. Message if you want to ask something, like usual.

As always, thank you for reading!

See you in the next chapters!

[littletornviolet]

92 Truths

rules: once you have been tagged you are supposed to write 92 truths about yourself. at the end, choose 25 people to tag!

I have a backlog of these things I need to clear but I’m gonna start with the most recent and work backwards. Thanks for the tag @somethinglikefangirl !!

LAST… [1] drink: jasmine tea (drinking it at the moment).  [2] phone call: my mum, to ask her to pick me up from the train station.   [3] text message: my sister, about phone chargers.  [4] song you listened to: give it to me - agust d (i’m drawing at the moment so i’ve got a playlist going!) [5] time you cried: i cry very easily so i don’t even know anymore... sometime this week?

HAVE YOU EVER… [6] dated someone twice: no (i mean i’ve never dated so).  [7] been cheated on: see above. [8] kissed someone and regretted it: see above, again. [9] lost someone special: in a few different ways, yes. [10] been depressed: i don’t think so.  [11] gotten drunk and thrown up: i drink very infrequently, and i don’t plan on ever getting drunk (i enjoy control too much for it ahaha).

LIST 3 FAVOURITE COLOURS: (this was hard? because it depends on the situation but...) [12] mint green [13] sky blue [14] honey (so sort of orangey-yellow?)

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU… [15] made new friends: yes!!! it’s my first year of uni so i’ve met some new people.  [16] fallen out of love: with things, but not with people.  [17] laughed until you cried: probably. my friends get very loud when we’re together.  [18] found out someone was talking about you: no? or at least not maliciously.  [19] met someone who changed you: not really.  [20] found out who your true friends are: ohhhhh boy yes. don’t stay friends with people who constantly insult your other friends and put you down, people. it’s not fun.  [21] kissed someone on your facebook list: no. 

GENERAL… [22] how many of your facebook friends do you know in real life: almost all of them. i’m very selective about my fb friends.  [23] do you have any pets: we have a heck ton of fish that splash around in a pond right under my bedroom window.  [24] do you want to change your name: this is a complicated story which i do not have space for here. in short, yes, but only because it already got changed.  [25] what did you do for your last birthday: had a really nice sit down lunch with a bunch of my friends! [26] what time did you wake up: woke up at 8AM, didn’t get up until about 10AM.  [27] what were you doing at midnight last night: finished watching brooklyn nine nine with the siblings and then went on tumblr.  [28] name something you cannot wait for: to find out what i’m good at? i guess. a lot of things.  [29] when was the last time you saw your mother: five minutes ago.  [30] what is one thing you wish you could change about your life: this is hard because everything has led to this point? but at the same time there’s so much that could be different. who knows.  [31] what are you listening to right now: arabella - arctic monkeys.  [32] have you ever talked to a person named tom: yes.  [33] something that is getting on your nerves: my ridiculous procrastination habits, people who walk slow when i’m trying to get to uni, people who don’t take off their bags on public transport. i have so many gripes.  [34] most visited website: tumblr, facebook, my uni’s student portal x_x [35] elementary: is this the american equivalent of primary school...? a tiny local one in my neighbourhood.    [36] high school: went to two! first one was local and really sportsy (which i am not. at all.) and the second was more academic.  [37] college: it’s in the city, so it’s a bit of travel, but it’s super pretty and prestigious and all that. worth it.  [38] hair colour: black, but it’s got brown streaks in it at the moment which i’m planning to re-dye in about a week.  [39] long or short hair: i want to get a bob but my hair is difficult -_- so it’s just past my shoulders.  [40] do you have a crush on someone: i get crushes on everyone it’s ridiculous.   [41] what do you like about yourself? i care about people!  [42] piercings: none :( sensitive skin.  [44] nickname: people either go mum/mother, or mich/michi.   [45] relationship status: single. [46] zodiac sign: virgo [47] pronouns: she/her [48] fav tv show: i forgot everything i have ever watched. at the moment, b99, the first two seasons of sherlock, and i realise i never watch tv lol.  [49] tattoos: none! maybe someday.  [50] right or left handed: right handed! my left is basically useless for things that do not involve music. 

FIRST… [51] surgery: none! potentially one in the future for the jaw.  [52] piercing: none.  [53] best friend: i’ve never been clear on how to tell my best friends from my close friends?? [54] sport: dance (ballet and jazz). i’m really bad at sport don’t even get me started.   [55] vacation: probably china, or this little seaside town i go to with my family.  [56] pair of trainers: no idea, i would have been a tiny child. 

RIGHT NOW… [57] eating: chestnuts. [58] drinking: jasmine tea (still).  [59] i’m about to: finish this, and maybe go for a walk if it doesn’t rain.   [60] listening to: save me - bts [61] waiting for: me to get my act together and do my readings.  [63] get married: not in the foreseeable future, no.  [64] career: something in law! hopefully to do with human rights or discrimination, but i’m mostly interested in criminal law (which everyone says to stay away from ahaha).  

WHICH IS BETTER… [65] hugs or kisses: i’m kind of forced to go with hugs here.  [66] lips or eyes: on myself, eyes, on other people, both! [67] shorter or taller: ooooh probably taller.  [68] older or younger: doesn’t particularly matter.  [70] nice arms or nice stomach: i have a thing for arms, but honestly don’t care?  [71] sensitive or loud: i’m a really quiet person, so it really depends on the person.  [72] hook up or relationship: relationship for me.   [73] troublemaker or hesitant: situationally dependent. 

HAVE YOU EVER… [74] kissed a stranger? no. [75] drank hard liquor? yes?  [76] lost glasses/contact lenses? i sometimes put my glasses down in the bathroom at night before bed and then i forget where they are in the morning and panic.  [77] turned someone down: yes.  [78] sex on first date? no.   [79] broken someone’s heart? i don’t think so?  [80] had your own heart broken? not broken but maybe lightly dismantled.  [81] been arrested? no. [82] cried when someone died? yes. [83] fallen for a friend: yes? kind of. 

DO YOU BELIEVE IN… [84] yourself? not as much as i wish i did :( [85] miracles? most of the time no, but only because i haven’t seen anything miraculous happen.  [86] love at first sight? i think it’s sweet, but i’m not sure it’s ever going to happen to me.   [87] santa claus? i’m not sure i ever did.   [88] kiss on the first date? potentially!  [89] angels? no, but i hope. 

OTHER… [90] current best friend’s name: staying silent on this one.   [91] eye colour: dark brown (very typical ehehe).  [92] favourite movie: the lord of the rings trilogy! in terms of things i have watched recently, logan made me so emotional :( i have also now forgotten everything i have ever watched. 

tagging!  @psyraah @trepidationchance @kpop-eh-trash @6e-ez @luwuket @taichou-kun @skribblindaydreamer @callmesoupy @asschillea (i don’t have anywhere close to 25 people to tag. only if you want too *finger guns my way out of the room*)

[cloudmonstachopper]

Life post!

Because I haven’t done one in a while and gOSHDARNIT today was such a good.

First, I suppose some general updates:

Teaching: overall, good. My kids are stressing me out a bit. I just laid in my bed when I got home yesterday it was so bad. (My boss told me it’s time to breakout the hardass hat and make them watch as shit hits the fan bc they aren’t doing the work when they miss days so that’s the gameplan I guess.)

Classes: my theory class is actually pretty good! I’m enjoying it. My TAship class is fun, we basically have workshop/gab sessions, and the last few times we’ve shared activities which is REALLY GREAT. My teaching lit class has been really great (if easy on the actual materials bc it’s a bunch of stuff I basically did as prep for the TAship) and pretty fun to talk about.

Professional: teaching... see above. Publications, haven’t heard back from the superhero one in.... a ..... while.... (I’ll wait til this quarter dies down before I email the editors again). I’m also reviewing a book - I’m trying to make my way through reading it chapter by chapter, and taking summary & commentary notes for myself throughout this quarter, then during break I’ll review those and actually WRITE the review. The book so far has been really interesting, I like it.

Skating: yes, this now gets it’s own category. Shhh you love it. I managed a solid 5 laps around the rink!! No wall, no falls, no close-calls! Also no breaks. Just five consecutive laps. Amazing. I also!! Managed to get two or three tiny stops in! Still not proper stops, really, but it’s a start, and I think it’ll be good. And, of course, as you have seen from my recent posts, I NOW OWN MY OWN PAIR OF FIGURE SKATES. (And a pair of green gloves, tie-dye soakers, and swirl green guards. The guards are scented. Like Lysol. No one knows why, but I love them.) Ended up running me a bit more expensive than I originally planned B U T it was worth it. Should take me, if I keep going once a week regularly, about 2-3 months to break them in (and I’m going to help break them in by wearing them around the house in the guards a bit, to help loosen them up). Very exciting. I’m using an old rolly backpack for my skates (bright purple! I’m very colorful when it comes to skating apparently lmao I also wear my neon orange gay visibility beanie when I’m on the ice) and it’s working out really well.

General life: Mostly just because I wanna tell y’all about today. Today I hung out with C basically ALL DAY LONG. And we MOSTLY DID NOTHING. I really needed that break. I’m slightly paying for it now (I have a lot to try to do tonight and may end up pulling an allnighter) but it was reasonable. We went and got my skates, and accessories, went back to her place, made slime (IT’S WEIRD AND I LOVE IT we’re gonna make a fluffier batch next time ehehe it’s so good for stimming), went out to eat, killed another hour or so, then went to the public skate!!! WHERE THE RINK. WAS NEARLY COMPLETELY EMPTY OH MY GOSH and the ice was so smooth ahhhhhhhh it was beautiful. Today was a good day. Now to work until it’s not today lol.

Anywho, that’s pretty much my life update. I feel a LOT better after spending the day like....... relaxing. I really needed it. (Also: I can bend over at the waist and put my fingers down on the ground flat, tho not my palms YET, and I can touch fingers behind my back on one side!!) I think all this exercise, and being focused with the skating, has really helped with depression and moods and stress - I’ve been stretching a half hour every morning just about, and then an hour of workout almost every evening (with skating hopefully every saturday now!). I’m excited next time B comes with us to skate, I can show off my SWEET BOOTS N BLADES <333

Life is good. Even when it seems like shit’s hit the fan.

[micaramel]

Artist: Davide Stucchi

Venue: Sundogs, Paris

Exhibition Title: 2546/9728

Date: July 6 – September 8, 2019

Click here to view slideshow

Full gallery of images, press release, and link available after the jump.

Images:

Images courtesy of Sundogs, Paris

Press Release:

Alessandro Bava: I mistook the working title—Arrivo del trasloco—as a nod to Loredana Berte’s great album, Traslocando, instead it is the title of a painting by Giorgio de Chirico. So I started thinking about the interviews in which Loredana speaks about her visits to the White House when she was married to the tennis player Björn Borg, how she often mentioned having to move apartments and how that is a traumatic experience for her.

Davide Stucchi: I’m happy to be misunderstood. I wish Arrivo del trasloco was a single on that album… making use of the same piazza-related metaphor of the void. The title of the painting is easily misinterpreted. It’s not sure whether someone is moving in or out, has the truck just arrived or already finished unloading? The questions of transition and displacement are essential for the exhibition. By the way, I nearly dyed my hair in Loredana’s current china blue last month, but then I went for green. Three days later I shaved my head.

A: Loredana Berte’ and De Chirico… what a fun couple! I can think of more than one way of placing them in the space-time continuum. I read that De Chirico, who was a friend of Filippo De Pisis, spent some time in Ferrara after World War I., where he met Carlo Carrà, together they started the Pittura metafisica movement. He spent a lot of time at De Pisis’ family home, who, inspired by his visits to the Surrealist ateliers in Paris, had turned one of his rooms into a ‘salotto metafisico’—a room entirely covered in aluminium foil and decorated with hanging paper-mâché fish! Obviously I had to think of Andy Warhol’s silver room… and the FACTORY! In the 1980s, Loredana Berte spent time at the factory and met Warhol. He directed the music video of Movie that was released on her Made in Italy album. Now everything is a factory! Everything’s a salotto metafisico! Warhol’s silver room also moved locations a few times… traslocando!

D: Giorgio moved twelve times. He arrived quite late at his famous studio apartment at the Piazza di Spagna in Rome. That’s where I saw Arrivo del trasloco for the first time. Talking apartments: There is a tricky thing about Sundogs’ exhibition space. It looks like it belongs to a different building than the rest of the flat. From the outside, it has a different facade. I know someone who/that asked me not to reveal their secret but since ten years they’ve been collecting the keys to each of the spaces where they’ve exhibited their work. By now, they must have a whole necklace of keys…

A: Good metaphor for life! It’s all about collecting and losing keys! Didn’t Kippenberger say, if you have a key, just use it. My favourite thing about Sundogs, from what I can gather from the pictures, is the grey-ish wall color… but let’s not talk about the space! For once, I don’t feel like discussing architecture. How did you travel to paris? And what about the art? Did you make everything on site?

D: Let’s talk about me! I brought myself to Paris by train and I was accompanied by three bags. I was worried that everything wouldn’t fit.

A: Eheh! How are u feeling right now?

D: Packed, not ironed.

A: Mood! And how do you feel about Paris? What’s your fantasy?

D: Her mess!

A: That reminds me of the paradigmatic battle between LVMH and Hermès a few years ago, when the megacorporation attempted a hostile take-over of the historical family business.

D: Recently, my boyfriend of many years moved (trasloco!) out of our shared house. Which, in terms of timing, is weird, because I had planned this to be the theme of the Paris exhibition long before. So I’ve collected little things from my ex and asked him to organize them in some old Hermès boxes, which I brought to Paris. It was a two-way exercise, one in composition and the other in the absurdity of creating a hierarchy between memories, affects and time, by assigning different values to the objects that are mostly trash. I see them as personal little monuments or amulets, futile like a mandala. Obviously, the piece is called Her Mess.

A: I love that you speak about your boyfriend! He works in the fashion industry, so by including some of his things and, like you’ve done it in the past, making work that references him, you’re not only addressing personal affection or a poetic gesture, it also implies a critical re- flection of that industry. I often think about all the queer creative power feeding this machine, and the huge gap between how fashion is represented, often using working class aestethics, and how it’s consumed. But going back to the title of the show, in the end you chose to use the building’s door codes, there’s an inherent violence in how intimate spaces like homes become quasi-public and productive like an art space; on the one hand these spaces tend to function like public rooms for specific communities which is great, on the other you’re giving away the keys to the place. Will people visit at night?

D: They will come at any time of day! But good that you’re mentioning light conditions. Be- cause the exhibition has many diaphanous layers. I’ve used, for example, translucent fabrics and made display boxes with plexiglass. There are different “opened packagings” that make an appearance, some with goofy anthropomorphic posture. This is all to talk about a skin-like nakedness, which isn’t only a way to fetishize openness or even vulnerability, but more to highlight the theatrics of the private and the collective experience of intimacy. The boys told me a good mnemonic tool to remember the door codes, they’re both crosses and the second one starts with 97, which was a great year for music, movies and fashion, and ends with 28, which was a great age for Robbie.

A: Didn’t he change address all the time growing up?

D: Yes, his family moved a lot! Whenever they’d go somewhere new, all their belongings would be packed in boxes and labeled “personal effects”. Seeing all their belongings labeled as such, as “effects”, he couldn’t wrap his head around the meaning of the term. That the mov- ing had created an “effect” on them personally. Or understood as a verb, as in to bring about something, an execution of something, deeply personal. Effects are, of course, also used in the theatre—lighting effects, spectacle effects, and so on.

A: That’s interesting, let’s consider the exhibition as a spatially multi-layered, time-conscious staging ground. Cross-eying hexagonally forward and back!

Alessandro Bava is an artist and architect and lives in Naples. He is one of the sundogs.

Davide Stucchi (b. 1988, Italy) lives in Milan. His work was exhibited at Taylor Macklin, Zurich (2015); Sant’Ilario Pavilion, Genoa (2015); Museo d’Arte Contemporanea Roma, Rome (2014); Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, curated by Kari Rittenbach, Nora Heidorn, Mira Asriningtyas Turin (2018); Armada, Milan (2017), Quadriennale di Roma (2016). He was a co-founder and co-director of the project spaces Full-Fall and Gasconade. He is our suncat.

Link: Davide Stucchi at Sundogs

Contemporary Art Daily is produced by Contemporary Art Group, a not-for-profit organization. We rely on our audience to help fund the publication of exhibitions that show up in this RSS feed. Please consider supporting us by making a donation today.

from Contemporary Art Daily http://bit.ly/2Tavkx6

[mothra-against-all]

Part 26: III) Twins

“Well,” Battra relays a message to his sister, “whatever it was I killed it. The first MUTO connected with me as well.”

“What? He did?” Mothra responds. “I tried contacting you but was cut out completely.”

“He wanted to speak privately,” Battra says mockingly. “Tried to convince me to join him. I did find out that Gojira’s attack was pretty effective though, seems to have wounded him pretty badly.”

“Hm,” Mothra begins, “well, I’m glad to hear things went well for you.”

“Eh, about that.”

“Oh, I know,” she replies quickly. “You’re injured, not unexpected. I’m coming to get you, it’s too dangerous to leave you alone.”

“What about meeting Solomon and the others?” Battra asks.

“It’s unnecessary. I’ve told them what they need to know.”

“Which is…?”

“The locations of four of Red’s particularly dangerous creations.”

“Guess I’ll be sitting out for this hunt,” Battra says regretfully.

“I’ll bring you back to Gojira’s island, the radiation should help you heal faster.”

“And you?”

“I’ll stay with you,” Mothra replies. “As much as I’d like to help, leaving you alone is far too risky.”

“Sorry,” Battra says glumly.

“Don’t be, you’ve taken out two beasts many times your size just recently…” Mothra pauses. “I haven’t said this before--I should have--but I’m glad you returned brother.”

As Mothra flies to Kazakhstan, Solomon, who had previously met up with Anguirus and Rodan in South America, redirects to the Indian Ocean. Anguirus and Rodan, meanwhile, continue to make their way through the Amazonian jungle, searching for two of Red’s MUTOs that Mothra detected. The search isn’t easy, with no psychic powers of their own, and only occasional vague directions from Mothra, who is otherwise occupied, their search is mostly visual. The difficulty of the hunt compounded as the sun set and darkness spread across the jungle. Not wanting to stop, or truly having any choice, the two Kaiju press on despite the loss of light.

Their efforts soon pay off as Rodan, flying high above the canopy, spots a figure moving on the horizon. Pointing Anguirus in the right direction, the two prepare themselves for combat as they approach.

As they close in on the creature, it turns toward them before making a low, barely audible hum. As the call subsides, a second creature rises from the trees beside the first.

The low light of the moon reveals the creatures to be identical in almost size and shape. Bipedal, and around 10 meters shorter than Anguirus, they sport turtle-like heads, backs covered in thick, matted fur, and long tails, each ending in a sharp stinger. A closer look reveals that the two creatures, while sharing most physical traits, differ in skin color, one being a bright green, the other a dull rusty hue.

Rodan flies over top of the twin monsters, who open their mouths to unleash a short range spurt of flame. When that fails to make impact, the rust colored beast leaps into the air, trying to swing its pointed tail at the pterosaur. Rodan easily avoids the attack.

The green monster ultimately seems to decide against fighting the flighted attacker and sets its sights on the grounded Anguirus. The spiked reptile, more than prepared to join the battle, waits patiently as the beast dashes forward.

Both Anguirus and Rodan spend a few minutes simply dodging their opponents attacks, which neither of them struggles to do.

“For MUTOs, these guys don’t put up much of fight,” Anguirus says.

“Yeah, I’m done messing with them,” Rodan replies as he enters a steep dive above his opponent.

Shrugging, Anguirus goes on the offensive as well, rolling into a ball and barreling into the green creature. Falling onto its back, the beasts moans quietly, but quickly manages to regain its footing.

A short distance away, and Rodan scratches at the face of the rust colored twin with the claws on his feet before flying out of its own attack range just ahead of its retaliation.

Anguirus’s enemy leaps back to its feet and charges forward, holding its tail over its shoulder. Watching carefully, Anguirus avoids the incoming stinger and grabs the tail. Clenching his fist tightly, his claws dig into the muscle. Pulling hard, he flips the monster onto its stomach then jumps into its exposed back. Twisting his own body around, dozens of sharp spines from Anguirus’s back pierce the matted fur and skin of the green monster. The monster tries to turn its head to face its aggressor, but Anguirus flips back around and clamps his jaw over the neck. The small amounts of blood leaking from where his spikes and claws have impaled the creature already burn his skin, the twin monsters are MUTOs afterall, so the plasma in their bloodstream makes it dangerous to attack directly. Instead of biting down hard enough to break the neck, and risk burning his mouth, Anguirus instead channels his unusual freezing ability. The heat of the MUTOs nuclear heart makes the task of freezing it to death difficult. Anguirus expends every ounce of energy he has to make sure the beast is dead.

The rusty MUTO, meanwhile, is now releasing bursts of flame in quick succession at Rodan, trying to  prevent him from using another diving attack. The beast’s attack, however, doesn’t have the range or power to deter Rodan. Diving again, Rodan gets a brief opening between the creature’s attacks and as he flies over he expels all of the highly flammable gas stored in his body, but does not ignite it. Instead of climbing to altitude again, the pterosaur skims the treetops, keeping his speed as high as possible, and for good reason. The MUTO turns quickly, and opens its mouth, as soon as the tiniest hint of fire comes from its mouth, the air around it erupts in an enormous fireball. The shock-wave alone knocks Rodan out of the air, and shatters the green MUTOs frozen body. The section of jungle where the rusty twin once stood has been burned away, and all that remains of the beast are burning chunks of flesh.

Ears ringing to the point of deafness, Rodan stands up on unsteady feet. He slowly makes his way over to Anguirus, who’s lying on his back blinking back the bright afterimage of the explosion he was unfortunate enough to have looked towards.

“Can you walk?” Rodan asks through their psychic link as neither of them can hear at this point. “We should get outta here, too much radiation after blowing that MUTO up.”

Anguirus grunts, summoning the energy to stand. “And who’s bright idea was it to blow up a MUTO like that?” he asks the flying reptile.

“Eheh...pretty strong for a Kaiju huh?”

Anguirus rolls his eyes, “Let’s go.”

Series Index