#what's with music merch having the cooler design on the back of the shirt

[stupidpop]

all you need is of zarz

[0mg-bird]

A Tornado Warning~ T. Owens x Fem! Reader

Summary: Domestic life with you isn’t something Tyler could ever get tired of when you’re practically his twin flame.

Warnings: Language, storms, smut 18+

A/n: Inspired by the Turnpike song above. Read as a part 2 to Sunrise.

Laid back in two cheap lawn chairs, both you and Lilly sit in bikinis and jean cut offs, tanning under the Arkansas sun. Sunglasses on, beers in hand, a small radio on the ground next to your feet, the afternoon was coming on just fine.

Inside, Dani is tinkering with something that makes her cuss every ten minutes. You tried to drag her out for some good ol’ sunny D but she fought you on it.

Bringing a cold Coors to your lips, you finish the last few drinks of it and crush the can, tossing it back into the little red cooler before turning the music up.

When the idea was originally brought up that the sum of you should just buy a house and make it the permanent wrangler camp, it was a big uncertainty. Then you came across the charming farm house and all of you were sold.

The barn was the designated research and tinker area, the camper trailer parked in the driveway was where Dexter stayed when he wasn’t home with his family. Other than that, Dani and Lilly shared the large downstairs room, Boone- who would sleep anywhere- finally has his own room upstairs. Tyler and you slept in the upstairs master room at the end of the hall, and to say the least, you were happy it wasn’t a crappy motel.

You still chased, but it wasn’t life on the road anymore. It was a real career now, not just a hobby job. Your crew was a main source of information to local tech businesses that develop advanced warning signals and bunkers. You raise money for cities hit, get hands on when you can.

The viewers love the vlogs.

You settled into the life well.

The rumble of an all too familiar truck doesn’t even make you open your eyes, not until your sunlight is blocked by the form of your boyfriend.

“What are y’all doin’?” Tyler asks with humor in his voice.

You and Lilly pull your sunglasses down to look at both him and Boone who had just gotten back from town.

“Trying to tan before your big head blocked our UV rays.” You answer smartly.

“Why are y’all oily?” Boone asks, swiping his finger down Lilly’s arm, making her smack him.

“It’s tanning oil.” She scoffs.

Boone wipes the grease on his shirt that says ‘Science Is Fun’. “You sit out here and fry like bacon for fun?” He asks.

“Boone, baby, anyone ever tell yuh it’s a good thing you’re pretty?” You ask, confusing him slightly.

“Whatever.” He shrugs and snags the last beer from the cooler.

That leaves Ty.

He wears a stupid smile at the bikini tied around you. It was apart of the new merch line, which meant it had his face printed all over it.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer.” You laugh, leaning your head back, missing the way Tyler pulls his phone out and does just that.

“What’s for supper?” He asks as you wipe sweat from your forehead.

“I don’t know, what’re you cookin’, good lookin’?” You ask, taking your glasses off and checking the time. You’ve been at it for about two and a half hours, it might be time to call it a day.

Tyler hums. “Cowboy chili?”

You frown.

“Burgers?”

You grin. “Great idea.”

He laughs and shakes his head. “Go wash up and I’ll get it started.”

You stand, kissing him gently quickly. “You’re perfect. Keep acting like this and I might just marry you.” You tease with a wink.

He leans closer, briefly sniffing you. “You smell like coconuts and Coors Banquets.” He states with a smirk.

“I smell like your dream girl.” You state back, poking his chest before you collapse your chair and grab the speaker while Lilly grabs the cooler.

In the shower, washing oils from your skin and lathering your hair, you have a slight tingle in your gut. When you shut the water off and wrap a towel around you, you go to the window and open it up.

Out in the distance, big thunder heads are forming. You grin like a kid on Christmas and smell the air. It’s damp and tangy, rain should be falling in the next hour or so.

Walking into the connected bedroom, you dress in some shorts and one of Tyler’s college tees. It’s when you comb your hair that you look at the framed photos on the wall of the two of you. Rocky, the dog that is still alive and well, pushes open the cracked door and comes to hop on the bed.

“Did Ty kick you outa the kitchen, buddy?” You pout and scratch his head.

He too pouts and rolls over for you to rub his belly.

“Don’t worry kid, a storms coming, ain’t you excited?” You ask, obviously getting no response.

Trotting down the stairs, your phone buzzes in your hand with the first sever thunderstorm warning.

The weather report is on the living room tv where Boone and Dani sit. You sit on the arm of the chair where Boone is.

“Whatcha’ think about it, Tex?” Dani asks you.

You look at the patterns on the screen. “I’m thinkin’ we’ll get some high winds, maybe a barely registered EF1 at most, but the way the wind is shifting, I think it’ll hit back county roads and dissipate within ten minutes.”

Boone agrees with you. “I say we sit back and enjoy this one.”

“I’m with you there, buddy.” You smile, ruffling his hair before getting up.

You head into the kitchen where Tyler is seasoning the burger patties at the island counter. Your hand runs over his back as you pass behind him to assemble the rest of the things needed for a meal.

“Storm’s rollin’ in.” You say with a smile.

“That explains your good mood.” He chuckles, tossing a towel onto his shoulder.

You lay out burger buns and condiments. “I couldn’t ask for better weather, you know that.” You lightly giggle, opening up the pickle jar and eating one.

Tyler watches you with a look of affection, then kisses the top of your head. “Some might say you’re insane, darlin’.”

You finish up your original task. “Only partially.” You say, going to meet him at the grill on the covered deck outside.

He begins to cook up the burgers while you lean against the banister and look out at the cloud covered sky. A light rain is falling now, getting caught in your hair as it blows in.

Most would be inside to keep dry.

Not Tyler’s girl. No, he knows you’d stand in the flat plains and wait for the lighting to come down.

As he flips the patties, you come lean against his back, your cheek against the fabric of his button down as you take in the scent of him.

“You happy?” You ask, making him reach down and hold one of your hands.

“Like this? Yeah…” He says with a smirk. “But what would make me even happier…”

He guides your hand down past his buckle, and you scoff and pull away, slapping his shoulder as he laughs.

“You pig.” You shake your head. “I meant are you happy with life and how you’re living it.”

Tyler stacks the perfectly grilled burgers back onto the tray. “Of course I’m happy. I’m doing what I love, I have a place of my own and a bed that doesn’t creek. Then, I lay next to you at night and always end up between your legs. Life is great.”

You blush and take the tray from him. “Glad there isn’t anything you’d like to change.” You say, turning for the back door that goes into the kitchen.

“Well, I’d change the fact that the crew sleeps under our roof, but life isn’t fair.” He states, following after you.

“It’s their roof too, you can’t just kick ‘em out. What would Boone do without you tucking him into bed?” You snicker.

“Baby, I’d tell Boone to get lost in a heartbeat if it meant it’d just be you and me, doing it in every single room.” He whispers into your ear, causing you to laugh loudly and shove him back.

“Y’all come eat!” You call out loudly to the cree, then turn back to Tyler. “You behave yourself.”

He pulls the finger you point at him, and tucks you under his arm for a moment.

It’s common for relationships to get slow and boring after being together for a long while. Couples don’t try as hard, the spark isn’t the same.

Tyler can’t imagine that, not when you’re the kerosene to feed the flame. He’s so in love with you, he doesn’t even know a version of life where he doesn’t have the dynamic he has.

Gathered around the wood table, all of you chatter about various things. Lilly frowns as she drips barbecue sauce onto the shirt with your cartoon face on it.

Yet another merch item you designed.

It has the words ‘Tex Knows Her Tornados’ printed on it.

You give Rocky part of your burger and Tyler scolds you, saying you spoil him too much. You just glare and say that Rocky deserves some good food too.

Tyler thinks you’re ridiculous.

Country music is playing in the background as all of you move to the front porch, waiting for the sky to come falling down and watching data streams come in. The house is lit up orange with all the lights on, contrasting against the sky. The rain hits harder now, it’s cold as it blows in, making you curl into Tyler’s side.

“You ain’t gonna go dancing in it?” Boone asks you, camera pointed at your shaking frame.

“Hell naw, I’ll freeze my ass off.” You laugh. “How about you drag your pretty self out there? I’ll record you.”

As you reach for the camera, Boone pulls away and retreats.

Thunder shakes, the pang of the thick rain drops hitting the tin roof is almost its own song.

“Come on, Tex, before you get washed away.” Tyler pulls you back inside with the others.

The crew has a grand time with the music playing loudly and the way you have to yell over the storm. The shadow of you and Tyler two-stepping in the kitchen, moves around the walls like a painting.

You let yourself imagine life further as you follow Tyler’s lead. You’ve been with the crew for so long, would you stay with them forever? Would nights continue to look like this if you and Tyler were married? If you had a kid?

That’s a scary thought.

Marriage and babies.

He looks down at you know when he noticed you stopped giggling. “You tired?” He asks.

You simply nod along, not wanting to yell your thoughts out.

He pulls back, announcing that the two of you were going up to bed. They all shout goodnight and go back to what they were doing before, turning the music down a few notches out of curtesy.

You pass your passed out pup in his bed at the top of the stairs where he likes to guard things. He’s fat and happy, you don’t bother him.

All downstairs sounds are muffled as the bedroom door shuts. Tyler kicks off his boots and watches you pull the covers back on the bed. Shimmying out of your shorts, you fully intend on going to bed.

Tyler doesn’t like that idea.

“Do I dare ask what’s on your pretty mind?” He asks, unbuttoning his shirt and unbuckling his belt.

You sigh. “Just thinking about the next five years.”

He shakes his head in confusion. “Why?” He questions.

You just shrug and slide onto the soft mattress. “Why not?”

Once he’s in his boxers, he joins you. “Don’t think of the next five years when we don’t even know what we’re eating for breakfast come morning.” He smiles. Immediately, his hands are pulling you close, his lips are kissing yours smoothly. He pushes your hair out of your face before moving down to your jaw line and neck.

“What has gotten into you?” You laugh as he rolls you onto your back.

“What? Blame the weather.” He grins as he cages you in.

As he kisses you again, hands pushing your t shirt up, you smirk at the need he’s progressing with.

“The crew is still awake.” You remind.

“The storm’s so loud they won’t even know.” Tyler states, moving to kiss your stomach.

Your hands play with his hair, you lay back and listen to the storm crash over the house as he pulls your underwear off and dives between your thighs.

The subtle anxiety of what life can turn in to is gone now as the warm pleasure washes over you from his mouth perfectly against your core. Your head digs into the pillow, you’re biting your lip at the amount of stimulation coursing through you. You pant out, deciding that you weren’t going to be patient all night.

You drag him back up to you, becoming the needy one now. Your shirt is tossed onto the floor, soon accompanied by his boxers. Anywhere you can touch him, that’s where you do. Fingers gripping into his biceps as he pushes into you, you let out a gasp of relief, matching the one he gives.

“Fuck, this feels good.” You praise, hitching your knees up to lock his hips in, pushing him further into you.

As he completely bottoms out, Tyler lets his head drop onto your chest for a moment while he gathers himself. No matter how many time you two do this, it’s still a crazy good feeling.

He slowly kisses your chest, sucking over the curves of your breasts as he pulls almost all the way out, then sinks back into you swiftly.

Thunder cracks loudly, making you yelp in surprise, then laugh. He looks down at you in humor as he adjusts his pace, making it slow and sweet at first, then moving onto more demanding thrusts that make you moan out loudly. He’s trying to hit as deep as possible, but the way you’re holding him close to you is making it hard to focus.

The way your skin rubs against his makes him feel like he’s on fire.

One hand intertwines with yours and he lays it on the pillow, breathing hard as he thrusts against the walls clenching around him.

You squeeze his hand. “God, I love this.” You say with an open mouth.

He proudly smirks. “Yeah? You love when I fuck you so sweetly?”

You groan out. “I just love when you’re fucking me. Doesn’t matter how…or where.”

“Fuck.” He curses, his dick twitching inside of you. He’s stealing your breath for his own now, you think he might just inhale you if he could, given the way he devours your mouth.

His hips rut against you, the tip of him presses against a sensitive spot inside of you that makes your voice break.

“More.” You beg, letting go of his hand and sitting up.

In an instant, Tyler has you flipped onto your stomach, his hands pulling your ass to him. You look back at him as he slides back into your aching walls, softly whimpering as he hits differently.

He pulls your hair to one shoulder, then leans to kiss the bare skin as he drives into you.

You look to the window, the way rain pours down it.

He’s pulling you back to meet his deep thrusts, his head falls back as he gets lost in the feeling.

“You like it like this?” He asks, making you nod feverishly, voice getting raw from the way he’s drawing moans from you.

“Ty.” You call out, gripping the sheets with a smile as you feel your orgasm building

“Good girl, say my name.” He pants, grip tightening on your hips.

“Tyler.” You breathe, thighs beginning to shake.

He knows your body as well as he knows his own, he knows the way your lower lip quivers and the way you get pulses through you that you’re getting close.

He lets out a whine, a childish grunt when he determines he wants to see your face when you cum.

“What’s wrong, baby?” You ask, barely coherent.

He doesn’t answer with words, just pulls out of you and flips you back over so fast, your head spins. Within a second, he’s already back inside of you where he should be, grasping your thigh as he coaxes you further and further to your finish.

“I need to see you when you cum for me, sweetheart. I need it.” He pants, sucking at your neck, hitting all the spots he knows makes your throat go dry.

“Fuck, you’re so hot.” You heave, breathing hard into his hair.

Your toes curl, your hands getting a death grip on his skin. Tyler pulls back to gaze down at you, eyes lit up wide, knowing your orgasm is going to wreck you.

“Come on, cum for me, beautiful. I got you.” He soothes.

One hand on his bicep, the other on his jaw line, you try to ground yourself but the way you’re swept away is out of your control.

“Fuck, I’m so close.” He pants, voice gravely and raw.

Your eyes squeeze shut, the knot in your stomach tight as you finally fall over the edge.

“Ty!” You cry out, the waves of hot arousal finally washing over you.

He strokes your hair out of your face, so close to his own release but guiding you through your own.

You’re coming down with a sob, your bottom lip quivering and your chest heaving as he buries his face into the crook of your neck and fucks you through his own release.

Your head pounds at the overstimulation for a moment, but you’re coherent enough to whisper to him as he comes down from the high.

“I love you so much.” You remind, shaky hands smoothing his crazed hair.

Your swollen lips kiss the side of his head before he turns to meet with his.

“Shit.” He pants into your skin, slowly adjusting his weight on top of you.

Tyler wears the same smile you do, trying to get his muscles to stop buzzing before he slowly lifts off of you.

He looks down, watching as he slowly pulls out of you and sees the mess between your legs. He’s dripping down your thighs, and you’re whimpering that he’s not inside of you anymore.

Pressing a kiss to your knee, he promises to be back in just a second. He cleans himself up, then comes back from the bathroom with a warm washcloth.

Your arm lays over your wide eyes as he cleans the mess gently, the storm isn’t so violent now, it’s settled on a steady rain and softer thunder.

Ty helps you to the bathroom and back, then pulls the covers over the two of you back in bed.

Arm around his middle, head on his chest, you fall into a comfortable silence. His thumb rubs your shoulder, eyes about to shut from the way your warm hand moves to slide up and down his stomach. Then, your loss for words passes you and you’re back to being your normal self.

“You ever scared that you’ll get me pregnant?” You ask, making Tyler’s eyes snap back open.

“What?” He clears his throat.

“You ever scared that you’ll get me pregnant?” You repeat your words.

He tries to find an answer that won’t piss you off, but he isn’t sure what will and what won’t. You know his silence well, so you add onto the question.

“There’s no right or wrong answer, cowboy.”

Ty wraps his arm around a little tighter around your shoulders. “Yeah, sometimes. When we were on the road, I was terrified of it, actually.”

“Really?” You hum. “And what about now?”

He takes in a breath. “Now, I don’t really think about it…I mean, we aren’t doing a lot of things to prevent it.”

You laugh. “The pill thing isn’t important when you have life saving research to do.”

Tyler shakes his head at you. “It made you kind of moody anyway.”

You smack his chest, making him claim he was kidding.

“I guess I could ask you the same question.” He says. “You scared I’ll get you pregnant?”

You move your hand back to its original place on his stomach. “I really don’t know. I mean, we aren’t kids anymore so I guess it wouldn’t be horrible if it happened but…we’re just so busy.”

He agrees. “And we aren’t really married.”

You strain your neck to look at him. “Does that matter to you?”

He looks down at you. “Does it matter to you?”

You hold his gaze, then look away. “I don’t know that either…”

Silence between you, rain above you.

Tyler sighs, letting his thumbs motion on your skin continue despite your goosebumps. “I’m not scared of commitment if that’s what you’re wondering. You want me to marry you? We’ll go to the courthouse tomorrow. You want babies, I’ll give them to you. Anything you want, I promise I’ll give it to you.” He says in such a serious tone, you feel your throat start to swell and your eyes burn.

You smile then kiss his chest. “You’re sweet on me like a bear to a beehive.”

Tyler grins. “I still have no clue what’s coming out of your mouth.”

“That’s okay, cowboy, as long as you can understand me saying I love you, we’re fine.” You say softly.

And you two fall asleep like that, tangled up together. Any movement you make throughout the night, you don’t get too far before Tyler’s gripping you warmly and dragging you back to his skin.

Come morning, birds are singing praise and the wind is gentle. You wake on your side, facing him, legs tangled together. He looks like a puppy when he’s asleep, all calm and soft. The broken morning light paints him a warm golden color, you reach out and push his hair away gently. He stirs slightly, his eyes drag open to see you against a backdrop of a simple shade of blue.

The sky outside the window is clear, you’re looking at him with affection, he wouldn’t want anything else.

“Mornin’.” You smile.

“Good morning.” He says with sleep still in his voice.

[lonelypond]

Parent Trap, Ch. 3

Love Live, NicoMaki, 3.1K, 3/?

Summary: Maki heads to Philly, after some pointed questions from Grandmama Nishikino; Nico seizes the stage; Eli worries.

Another First

Eli hadn’t been sleeping so when Mischa came out and saw her Mama sleeping on the couch again, she curled up against her, humming.

“Nontan?” Eli muttered, but the weight on her side was a light one, “Misha?” Eli was wide awake.

“You have a bed, Mama.” Misha stated.

“I know, baby. I’ve just had to stay up late and I don’t want to disturb your mother.”

“What’s been keeping you away from me, Elichi?” Nozomi drawled, wrapping her robe around herself as she entered the kitchen.

“Well, you.” Eli thought, but she just hugged Misha and yawned, “I’ll be in bed early tonight.”

Nozomi leaned on the counter,“I look forward to it.”

Eli ignored that, giving all her attention to her daughter, “What do you want for breakfast?”

“Caramel popcorn.” 

“Popcorn isn’t breakfast food. How about cereal, that’s crunchy.”

“Okay.”

“Here you go,” Nozomi pulled puffed corn cereal off the shelf, “Put some blueberries in.”

“Good idea, Mom.”

“Thank you, baby bear.” Nozomi winked at Eli, “All my ideas are good ones.”

Eli remained silent. She couldn’t figure out, besides her usual matchmaking tendencies, what Nozomi might be up to. But she needed to know details before she needed to do damage control. But Nozomi, unusually, wasn’t being quick to gloat. Which worried Eli even more.

###

Maki was glad Dia was asleep. The Nishikino matriarch was about to make Dia’s Mama’s life very difficult and Maki didn’t want Dia picking up on her stress.

“So, Maki, why are you suddenly flying to Philly?” Coffee was never just a pleasant drink shared.

“Got a ticket to a concert. It’s the only one I can make. I want to pick up a lot of local history books for Dia.”

“Concert? The symphony? Philadelphia is….” “No.” Maki shook her head, speaking slowly calmly, nothing to see here, “Singer, friend of Eli’s.” “Oh.” The strategic sip.  Maki countered with a glance at the time.

“Thank you, Mama. Dia was very excited about coming here…” Her mother raised an eyebrow, “Has Dia met your new…” hesitation, fraught with meaning, “friend?” Maki shrugged, “We had a casual lunch. She knew a fun place to go skating. The Ribbon downtown. You should take Papa.”

“I’ll be sure to get the details from Dia.” Her mother was really going to interrogate her one year old grandchild for details about Maki’s date. And then the internet. Oh gods, Maki paled, what did you get when you searched Nico? What kind of things did she wear onstage?

“I really have to go.” Maki stood, going to kiss Dia before she left. “I’ll call you when I land.”

Her mother nodded, “Be careful, dear.” “I always am.”

Maki wondered what her life would have been like if she’d been a little less careful.

###

Nico stared at the message that had just pinged in.

M: So, I’m in Philadelphia tonight. But your show is sold out.

Nico snorted. Of course her show was sold out, all the tickets were gone in two hours. 

Another ping.

M: I was hoping you could sneak me in ; )

N: Nico doesn’t do groupies.

M: Does this outfit work? I usually go to symphonies. Then the snap. A short, plaid skirt, textured and torn stockings, the kickiest of designer boots, a cropped NicoNi t-shirt under what looked like a cashmere swing coat. Nico whistled.

“Cocoro?”

“Yeah, sis?” “Find Maki and bring her to the green room. Fast. She looks like this.” Nico handed Cocoro her phone.

“Is she the one with the little girl?”

“Yes.” “Doesn’t look like anyone’s mother.” Cocoro snapped. “Just go get her.” Nico ordered.

Exasperated, Cocoro zoomed out the door.

“And be friendly.” Nico yelled as the door closed. 

Nico leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling, willing herself to focus on the concert, the audience, the fans eager for a Nico Ni knockout show. She could feel the buzz, the call to burst out onstage. She never started late, but tonight, tonight, there would be a slight delay because Nico was going to claim a good show kiss from her newest fan.

###

The screaming. It was everywhere. It was insane. And EVERYONE was singing along with Nico, waving lights, hands and banners in the air. And Nico was a shower of meteors, almost literally, lights and energy and sound making her seem like a series of explosions speeding across the stage.

Maki sat on a stool after trying to keep up for awhile when she caught a glance and a wave in her direction from the star of the show. The nosise and bustle was starting to give her a frowning headache; she wanted to have bought earplugs. She caught glimpses of molded foam in the ears of all the staff. Because they were music professionals who wanted to retain as much of their hearing as possible. And Maki was an idiot fangirl in too little clothing to be warm. She pulled her cashmere coat around herself and watched, unable to look away, from Nico executed sharp and perfect breaking moves in summer beachwear. Constant motion and spotlights must keep Nico warm, because there wasn’t enough fabric to.

Maki zoned out, watching Nico in a detached fashion, as she ignored the blur and bustle around her. And then the stage went black, and the audience was still for enough of a heartbeat to startle Maki out of her fugue state, and then when the NICO! chants picked up volume, Nico was suddenly in front of Maki, hands on either of Maki’s knees, curving upward to smack a kiss on Maki’s lips. Maki fumbled backward and one of Nico’s hands reached around her waist.

“AMAZING RIGHT!” Nico was glowing and shouting and Maki was too aware of all the people rushing toward Nico and crowding both of them. Awkwardly, Maki slid off the stool, into a sweaty Nico hug. And Maki was calm for however many seconds that lasted, but then Nico had her hand and was pulling her toward the stage, and her sister, headset on, was covering her mic to yell things at Nico Maki couldn’t understand. At the edge of the stage, Nico turned to Maki, “Encore. Wait here.”  And then the roar as Nico walked out for another song, Maki, realizing she was on the verge of hyperventilating, turned and sprinted to where she thought the exit to the what must be a cooler quieter hallway would be.

###

Maki paced. She had leaned against the wall, eyes closed, already caught up on her messages, made a sad sounding TWIG post, hummed through the Nico songs she could remember, wondered if Dia was sleeping okay and if she’d missed Maki’s usual bedtime story. All of that and Nico was still somewhere else. So Maki was pacing. And then a door banged open and there was a slightly out of breath Nico, oversized neon pink hoodie over white and pink heart leggings.

“There you are. Nico couldn’t find you.” Nico waited for Maki to finish her circuit and return to where Nico stood. 

“Are you done?” Maki grumbled, then winced.

“Nico’s never really done on a concert tour. Perqs of being the boss.” Nico waved her arms, “Everything is Nico’s.”

“Don’t you eat. Or sleep?” This was obviously going to be  more complicated than taking Nico out after the show to the quirky diner Maki had researched

“Yes, Nico eats. We go back to the hotel. Cocoro’s already ordered enough food for three crews.”

“Oh.”

“Did you want to take Nico out?” Nico almost giggled about how cute it was, but the tremble of Maki’s jaw stopped her and she swivelled into enthusiasm, “That sounds perfect. Nico is starved.” “Really?” Maki’s body language looked less defeated.

“Let’s go.” Nico took Maki’s hand, and with the other, pulled her phone out of the hoodie’s kangaroo pocket, “Cocoro? Nico needs the limo now...and make sure everyone is taken care of…” Nico glanced at Maki as she listened to the reply, “I don’t know when I’ll be back. Don’t worry,” Nico winked, “Maki’s taking care of me.”

“I could call a car?” Maki offered. “Nah, Nico’s driver is used to things and doesn’t mind driving around if there’s no parking. And the sound system is crazy good. We can play anything you like, if you’ve had enough Nico.” Maki, with Nico on her arm giving her the complete Nico charisma package, couldn’t keep the huge grin off her face, “Well, I did sit through an entire concert.” “But Nico didn’t sing your favorite song.” “Huh?”

And Nico, grinning devilishly, dropped her voice and “Stuck On You” echoed through the hallway.

###

The third restaurant/bar that had a kitchen that closed early. Maki had growled and stormed out, Nico had smiled, apologized, and tipped the bartender who had delivered the bad news. Then she’d rushed outside before Maki flipped a car or wandered into traffic...Nico stopped, Maki was standing outside the bar, a couple steps down from the door, one arms holding her coat closed, the other holding a phone she might have been shouting at, but she was looking more like crying than car flipping. 

“C’mon.” Nico grabbed Maki’s arm, pulling her toward the car, “We’re going to grab a couple of the coolest pizzas in Philly, take them back to Nico’s suite, and catch up on Nancy Drew.”

“Nancy Drew?” “CW teen horror with a diversity of brave, pretty people, and a conniving lesbian lovely. It’s fun.”

“Horror?” “Spooky mystery. Scarier than Scooby, but not too gory. Nico and Cocoro watch on the road so we can catch up with Cocoro and Cotaro when we get back home. You like pizza right?” Ah, something Maki could grab onto, “Yes, I like pizza.” “Did you pack pajamas?” “No.”

“No?” That made Nico pause.

Maki twirled a curl of hair into a thin twine, “I mean I brought sweats…”

“Uh huh,” Nico held the car door open, “Nico will grab you sweats and a t-shirt from the merch stash. Fresh off the runway. That outfit is super hot, but doesn’t look curl up on the couch with pizza comfy.”

Maki smiled, finally,  as she adjusted the very short skirt for sitting, “It’s really not.”

###

The pizza was square. 

“It’s square.” Maki said, sitting back from the box, sliding farther back into the corner of the sectional, the lights of Philly bright behind her in the floor to ceiling windows.

“It is.” Nico sat solidly center, setting up her laptop.

“And gooey.” Maki pulled a piece out of the pie, examining it quizzically, “Crispy crust, then cheese, then sauce.” 

“Smells amazing.” Nico leaned down the couch to sniff, then snagged a bite. “Nico likes.” “Hey!” Maki pulled the pizza away from Nico while managing to lean toward her, “My slice.” “Sharing is sexy.” Nico stared into amiable amethyst, trying to keep her eyes off the slightly too tight V neck she’d pull for Maki.

Maki raised an eyebrow, “Leaving enough pizza for your date is sexier.” “Hey.” Nico opened the second box to wave under Maki’s nose, “Nico bought two pies, with the selection of their best toppings. Paid cash.”

“Yeah, good pizza in Philly seems to be a cash only deal. It’s weird.” Maki sat back, pizza gone in three bites. 

“Puts more money into pizza, less money into credit card fees.” Nico started on a slice of her own as Maki grabbed one from the second box. “Philly’s got weird vibes, cool weird vibes, though. All the history stuff adds awesomeness.”

“Yeah, I can’t wait to see the Liberty Bell tomorrow. I told Dia I’d bring her back a lot of books.”

“Nico can make some time in the morning..” “Really?”

“Sure.” Nico wasn’t actually sure Cocoro would agree but the thought of Maki bright eyed and eager wandering historical Philly in search of things to take home to Dia was too cutesweet to miss. “It’s right downstairs.”

“So,” Maki swivelled her way out of the corner, now fully leaning on Nico, “What’s this scary teen show you want us to watch?” “Haven’t you ever heard of Nancy Drew, girl detective?” Maki giggled, “Of course, I have, Nico. But you’ll need to catch me up on the plot so far.” Nico decided she’d had enough pizza and dropped her arm around Maki’s shoulders, encouraging closer snuggling, “Nico is the best at catching people up. So, there’s Nancy. And George, who’s running a diner, and then Bess who’s living out of a van, and Ned Nickerson is working out of a garage and he and Nancy have this relationship that she won’t admit is a relationship and…”

Maki put her head on Nico’s shoulder, still managing to keep a constant pizza chew going, “Where’s the scary?”

Nico leaned over to hit play on her laptop, “Oh, you’ll see.”

###

Voices. Maki must be up. Nico smiled at the memory of an adorably exhausted Maki too sleepy to keep her eyes open through more than one and a half episodes of Nancy Drew. Nico let the coziness on the couch linger for the rest of the ep, but then grabbed a pillow and blanket from her bed and tucked in her surprise overnight guest right where she was. Nico wrapped a robe around her camisole and shorts and stepped into the sitting room. Maki was sitting in the solo chair in the far corner, staring out at the Philly skyscape, mug of something on the table next to her, smiling at her phone.

“No, Mama won’t be back for lunch, Dia. We’ll have breakfast tomorrow. I had square pizza for dinner last night. And cold pizza for breakfast.” Maki waved a slice at the camera. “PIZZA!” came the squeal from the phone, “Mama, want pizza.”

Guess it ran in the family, Nico chuckled to herself, probably best to leave Maki and Dia alone, no telling who else was in on the call and waking up in someone else’s hotel room usually required explanation. Nico ducked into the bathroom.

Dia had been fussy last night, missing Maki. Maki hadn’t missed Dia as much as she feared, but gleamed when Dia wanted to video chat over breakfast. 

“We’ll get pizza for dinner tomorrow, bun.” “NOW.” 

Dia seemed more interested in having pizza than having Maki there.

“I’ll talk your grandmother into pizza for you, all right.”

“Pizza.” Dia's volume was a shout, “And Mama.” “I won’t be back until late tonight, Dia. But I’ll have a bunch of presents. I’ll read you a book if you’re awake.” “Book…” Dia’s face lit up, “Bedtime story.” “Bedtime story for Dia, about the Liberty Bell.”

“Ring!”

Maki laughed, “Let me talk to your grandmother.”

###

A knock on the door. Maki must have ordered something. Maki seemed to be saying goodbye so Nico answered it. A hotel staffer stood, black waxed canvas duffle bag and matching garment bag in hand, “Ms. Nishikino had her luggage sent over.” “Oh, thank you.” Nico was still in her bathrobe, so she took a good look at the nametag, “Nico will leave you a tip when she checks out, Terry.” Nico took both bags, surprisingly heavy. She didn’t hear Maki’s voice so she figured it was safe to speak.

“They brought up your luggage.” “Oh thanks.” Maki bounced into the main part of the sitting room, “I’ll take that.”

“Nico needs a tip.” Nico refused to turn over the garment bag when Maki’s hand closed over hers. “Oh…” Maki seemed confused and reached for a pocket but the Nico Ni pink sketch sweatpants had none. 

“Not what Nico meant.” Nico stepped closer, lips pursed, closing her eyes but not before she caught the flaming blush across Maki’s cheeks. A quick, tingling brush across Nico’s cheek and Nico let Maki take the luggage.

“Did you leave Nico any pizza?”

Maki nodded, not making eye contact.

“Maki?” “‘m sorry I feel asleep…” A mutter, then a sigh, “It wasn’t much of a date.”

“Don’t worry about it. Nico had a great time. I was really glad you came to see the concert.” Nico raised a hand to her temple, “It’s a big change from the first night we met on that balcony, Nico Nico Ni. Nico likes this better.”

Maki, eyes suddenly glowing like Nico had stirred up banked embers, stepped in, one hand sliding around Nico to pull her closer, as their lips fumbled into a demi-passionate melding. 

“Me too. You’re amazing.” Maki whispered, still close enough that Nico wanted to bite forward, “I’d love to come to every concert.” Another kiss, even less breath left for talking, Nico pushed a little, “Free tonight?”

And that broke the spell. Maki stepped back, regret pursing her lips into frown lines, “Evening flight. Sorry, Nico.”

Nico slid her hand down Maki’s arm, until their fingers were intertwined, “Can’t blame Nico for trying.” Maki’s grin gleamed, “Are you planning to monopolize my time from now on?” A quickly stolen kiss as Nico said, “Yes.”

“Good.”

“Hey,” Nico, hand still holding Maki’s, pulled her toward the couch, “If you ever want to come back to Philly and stay longer, we can get a crib in this suite. Probably take a week to really find out what Philly’s best square pizza is. I’m sure Dia’d like a vote.”

Giggling, Maki let Nico pull her into an embrace, her head falling back to Nico’s shoulder, “Sounds like fun. Dia’s first plane ride.”

“Do you really want to go sightseeing now?” Nico whispered in Maki’s ear, fingertips playing with the hair at the back of Maki’s neck. “Nico…” there was a shiver in Maki’s voice so Nico’s lips followed the path of her fingertips.

Nico’s hand was now sliding into the V neck of the Nico graffiti portrait shirt, “You can pick up something for Dia on the way to the airport. My driver knows all the best places.”

Maki slid down the couch, forcing Nico’s hand to linger by her ear, “Nico…”

“Yes?” Nico flipped, so that she had Maki pinned down, leaning in, hovering near enough to lick Maki’s lips if she’d moved her tongue at all. And then in a blink, Maki had surged up, her arms around Nico, lips crashing in a completely unguided, stunner of an amorous explosion.

Another “Nico,” more plea than pleasure.

Maybe Maki wouldn’t be making her flight. Or Nico’s concert would go on without the main act. Nico didn’t really care. Time could stop right now. Maki was melting, hair vivid and sexy as she curved sensuously against the pale neutrals of the couch, and Nico, all Nico wanted to hear was how often Maki could moan her name. No audience had ever hit exactly that tone, that grab, that fuel. A new world, just for Nico. Time to explore.

A/N: Howdy.

[copperbadge]

Answers About Starbucks

goldenmeme replied to your photo “Cover me. I'm going in. [description: the new Starbucks Reserve...”

For reeeaaal. When ours first opened entire families would get dressed up in their Sunday best to go, like they were going to the ballet or something. (Do people still get dressed up for the ballet? I'm old and live in Seattle, where nowadays no one gets dressed up for anything ever. Which made the Starbucks Sunday Best phenomenon even more jarring.)

I’ve never dressed up for anything in my life unless my mother or social convention forced me, so I’m not a good judge :D I’ve gone to the ballet in jeans. But I kind of feel like getting up in a tuxedo or a ball gown and going to a Starbucks Reserve Roastery seems....like an appropriate commentary, somehow. 

kyamdone replied to your photoset “I HAD A VERY EVENTFUL EVENING. I get off work at 4:30 and I had an...”

thats in chicago????? we have that utterly and entirely cursed building In Chicago?????????

Well, it’s cursed now. Back when it was a Crate & Barrel it was...well, it was a Crate & Barrel, so it was faintly evil the way all Crate & Barrels are, but I don’t think it was actively accursed in the way it is presently. And I have nothing particularly against the Bux, I don’t drink coffee so I mostly just ignore it, but this particular Starbucks is Not Right. 

redsector-a replied to your photoset “I HAD A VERY EVENTFUL EVENING. I get off work at 4:30 and I had an...”

...I'm coming down to Chicago this weekend and now I feel like I must check out Asshole Daycare just for the experience.

Be prepared to wait in line. They have a literal Disney-style maze line set up with ribbon poles and a doorman who only lets you in when people leave, and there was a line (ish) on a Tuesday at 4:30pm, so I can only imagine what the weekends are like. 

justgot1 replied to your photoset “I HAD A VERY EVENTFUL EVENING. I get off work at 4:30 and I had an...”

Wait wait wait. You can’t start that strong and then just ... move on. I need more information wrt the evilness of this Starbucks. What is a daycare vibe. Who are these assholes. Let us live through you.

I mean, the assholes are just people who are clueless about how to behave in crowds -- you get that a LOT in Chicago, even amongst people who live in the urban area, because very few people who live in urban Chicago come from an urban space originally. Last year the city literally had to post signs teaching us how to stand on the right and walk on the left on escalators. 

So you have semi-clueless Chicagoans AND even more clueless tourists gawking at everything and stopping at the top of the escalator to fucking have a conversation. Nobody’s being an intentional asshole but everyone’s still behaving like one.  

The daycare vibe of the place is a little harder to explain. It’s kind of like...there’s no guiding force to the interior space, there’s no intentionality to how it’s laid out. There’s no signage, even. There’s just these random spaces within a larger space -- kiosks of merchandise with no cashiers or signs pointing to where you buy the stuff, islands where clearly you’re meant to buy food or beverages but no clear indication of where you order or what’s available at any given space. A woman walked past me carrying a slice of pizza and a coffee, but they weren’t on a tray or a plate or in her hands, they were on a wooden board. The employees wear tan aprons and white shirts so it’s very hard to pick them out from the customers, like visually they’re not distinguished by anything brightly colored. 

There’s just this sense that none of the customers know quite what they’re doing, and there’s no formalized activity, there’s just wandering around until something happens and then you engage with it, which is very daycare-kindergarten-y to me. It’s not helped by the seating areas, which are all weirdly shaped, super low-to-the-ground furniture arranged haphazardly, like children’s desks, and the insane number of high chairs dotted about. You can’t get a seat for love or money but there’s an army of high chairs lined up against one wall. 

algaegirl17 replied to your photo “Cover me. I'm going in. [description: the new Starbucks Reserve...”

My sister works for Starbucks in Seattle. The reserve stores are sooooooo extra. It was so stressful ordering anything but the food was good. And the fireplace made a long flight worth it. But the chairs make no sense. It's like someone who only reads modern design magazines but never tests the furniture.

YES THANK YOU EXACTLY. There is one fireplace in this one but it’s like...in a corner with no seats around it, next to a merch stand? I don’t know why it’s there. 

lololovescheese replied to your photo “Cover me. I'm going in. [description: the new Starbucks Reserve...”

Part of me is like jealous the other part of me is so anxious

Do not be jealous, you are missing nothing. It’s like a place designed to induce anxiety. The music is SO FUCKING LOUD and the space is incredibly poorly designed. It’s not an experience I intend to repeat. There’s apparently a bar where you can get nonalcoholic coffee drinks that taste boozy, but I don’t like the taste of alcohol or of coffee so who gives a shit, and there’s an ACTUAL bar but it’s a nightmare, and if I want a nice drink I can go to any one of ten thousand cooler bars in Chicago. You should not be jealous of anyone in the Chicago Starbucks Reserve Roastery, you should pity us.

memprime replied to your photo “Cover me. I'm going in. [description: the new Starbucks Reserve...”

No way! Last Friday morning the S.O. and I got in no problems. I thought the lines would have died down by now. (Also, let me know what you think about the first floor escalator.)

It’s still super crowded. I mean, I waited for like two minutes, it was exactly enough time to edit those photos and post them, but they definitely still have a doorman and will for a while, I suspect.

The first-floor escalator was there when it was a C&B, so it was fun but not particularly new. My memories are hazy but I seem to recall that the same area had a DOWN escalator when it was a C&B, and I literally could not figure out how to fucking escape when I wanted to leave. All of the up-down movement happens in that one part of the building on every floor, so it’s deeply counterintuitive that you can’t go to that area to get back down to ground level. I had to literally stop an employee and ask them how to get down, and then walk through two lines of people and a seating area in order to leave. If a fire ever breaks out in that building people are going to die.  

[writeyourownlifestory]

L-I-G-H-T-S U-P

Chapters: 2/20 Fandom: IT Rating: M Warnings: No warnings at this time Relationships: Eddie Kaspbrak/Richie Tozier, Beverly Marsh/Ben Hanscom Additional Tags: PunkRocker!Eddie, Writer!Richie, Beveddie!Friendship, No Clown Written by: myself & @ahardlife​ Tag list: @richietoaster, @beproudtozier, @that-weird-girls-blog, @s-onora, @s-s-georgie, @bellarosewrites, @iamcupcakefrosting, @reddieonwheels, @ghostnebula, @madidraw @madi-main, @gazebobullshit, @thoughtfullyyoungduck​

Puff piece writer Richie Tozier is given the chance of a lifetime to interview his celebrity crush: Dr. K, the lead singer of punk rock band, Trashmouth. Dr. K is about to release his first solo album and Richie wants to get all the dirty details. But all is not what it appears to be and the two realize they know each other from a different time, in a different place, when they were both very different people.

Chapter one can be found here

So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings - Caroline Polachek

I get a little lonely Get a little more close to me You're the only one who knows me, babe So hot, you're hurtin' my feelings (woo) Can't deal

Richie had very little idea what he was supposed to be doing.

Okay, correction, he had a decent idea. It was a simple interview. Ask a couple of questions, hopefully, get a couple of answers. It wasn’t being filmed nor were they doing something dumb to pass the time. Just a simple sit down with a punk rock legend in the making.

Richie had written down almost a hundred questions, half of which he wanted to scrape because they just seemed so generic and boring. This might have been just a stereotypical interview but the person of interest was anything but typical.

Dr. K had changed things for the better in the music industry. He didn’t stick to social norms, but he also didn’t jam his uniqueness down your throat. If you wanted to see him, you would see him. If you didn’t want to pay him any mind, that was fine too. Dr. K had said on more than one occasion that he wasn’t there to entertain the small minds of the world. The people who would see him would see him and those who heard him would listen.

Richie listened very clearly. Almost nightly. He wasn’t lying when he told Bill he had seen them sixteen times in the past eight years. From small dingy bars deep in the city to the biggest venues the state had to offer. Richie had been there for it all, cheering on this amazing band and buying up their merch to boot.

Richie thought about wearing one of their shirts, but he didn’t want to come on too strong. He stuck with his regular business attire, making sure that nothing was too wrinkled or had a strange mess to it.

He thought about doing something with his hair until he finally snapped himself out of this little fantasy he had going on inside his head. This wasn’t a blind date; wasn’t some matchmaking at the hands of Bill. This was a serious business and Richie had to take it seriously.

Richie was gangly, with wavy hair and thick glasses. Sure, some guys found him to be cute, but he gave credit to his charming personality. He put on a mask to get by but in reality, he was just a lonely guy who didn’t know where he belonged.

So when the day came, he told himself just to relax because nothing would come from this. There wasn’t going to be a magical spark between the two. He wasn’t going to let go of his career and start touring with Dr. K as his personal assistant slash roadie slash groupie.

He was just a guy interviewing for his place of work and Richie reminded himself that repeatedly as he arrived at the location Bill gave him. Red Balloon records were serious business that only took on the best of the best. Richie gave his name and flashed the pass that he always kept on him from Paper Boats just to show he was legit.

He was sent up automatically and was practically buzzing in the elevator up. When he arrived at the top, a red-headed woman greeted him, offering a polite smile as they walked through the hall. She was dressed smartly in a suit of her own, high up against her neck and tight at the waist. She offered a quick handshake before they got moving.

“Beverly Marsh. You’re a little early, but that’s all right. K likes punctual people.” She revealed.

“Figured it would be better to be early than late.”

“Better late than never as they say,” Beverly commented with a knowing smile. “I hope you have something good to ask him.”

“Way to put the pressure on,” Richie muttered, following close behind her. “I tried to choose questions he hadn’t already been asked before, but there are only so many non-generic questions out there. I’m sure he’ll be asked the same bullshit by the other magazines.”

“Dr. K isn’t doing any other magazine interviews. He’s agreed to only speak to a Paper Boat representative. You, specifically.”

“What? You’re kidding.” It wasn’t unheard of for a celeb to only speak to one news outlet, but for him to choose to only speak to PB when he had so much to release seemed a bit out there. Richie wondered if Bill had worked his magic on Dr. K’s people and convinced them to sell the story to Paper Boat and only Paper Boat.

“You’ll be the only so I certainly hope you make it worth his while.”

“No pressure there,” Richie muttered, adjusting his glasses nervously.

“Don’t be worried. Dr. K is very easy going. Just don’t make this into a big deal.”

Richie snorted, giving the redhead a quick side look. “Right. Speaking to a premature rock God. It's no big deal.”

Beverly chuckled, stopping outside one of the doors. “He isn’t a God. He’s just a guy with a lot of talent.”

“Here I thought the lead singer of a punk rock band would want to surround himself with people who stroke his ego.”

Beverly shrugged, reaching for the doorknob. “He’s not the lead singer of a band anymore. And K doesn’t surround himself with anybody he doesn’t want around. Constantly hearing how wonderful you are can be pretty boring, don’t you think?” Opening the door, Beverly gesturing inside. “He’ll be with you in just a moment.”

The room was empty but set up comfortably. There was a small bar with drinks and a table of snacks set up. Caramel popcorn and peanut M&Ms filled up the bowls. Richie grabbed a couple of candies, tossing them in the air and catching them. He walked around, admiring the room. It had that vintage rock and roll vibe to it. Vinyl along the brick walls and posters of all the bands the record label signed over the year.

Sitting in a cooler were glass soda bottles and Richie lifted one, searching for a bottle opener only to come up empty. Shrugging, he brought the bottle to his mouth, hoping to open it with his teeth the way he used to in college, but that proved futile. He was older and his teeth weren’t as strong as they used to be.

“It’s a twist-off,” A voice from behind him said.

Richie turned and the bottle nearly slipped through his fingers as his eyes settled on the new person in the room.

It was him, his morning glory.

Dr. K.

He looked exactly like Richie hoped he would. Utterly gorgeous.

He wasn’t dolled up in eyeliner or hair gel the way he would if he was on stage or dressed in the best designers for a photoshoot, but he still looked too good to be true. Dark jeans with a dark jacket, a Ramones tee shirt hugging his toned body. His skin was pale, showing off every mark and freckle he had to offer.

His hair was shorter now; another shock vibing out through the music world. First Trashmouth loses their lead and then the lead loses his hair. Richie didn’t mind it though. The shorter cut framed Dr. K’s face ever so perfectly.

He was absolutely gorgeous and Richie felt like he was a six-foot tall garbage can on fire just standing in the same room with him.

Richie watched as Dr. K came forward, going to grab a bottle out of the cooler. He twisted it open with ease, offering it to Richie to switch out with the unopened one he was holding. Richie took it, still not saying a word as he watched the other man open a second bottle for himself and begin to drink it.

“What? Disappointed it’s not beer?” Dr. K asked him curiously.

“It’s ten in the morning,” Richie mentioned.

Dr. K shrugged off, sipping slowly at his drink. “As they say: it’s five o’clock somewhere.” He mentioned, taking another swig of the soda bottle. “So. You’re him, huh?” He asked, looking him up and down slowly.

A tickle of nerves ran along Richie’s back and after nearly spitting out his sip, he placed the bottle down beside him. “Yes. Hi. Richard Tozier; representative of Paper Boat magazine.” He stuck his hand out, offering a shake.

He wanted to be professional, but he wondered if that came off lame. Lame was the last thing he wanted because anything that wasn’t punk or rock and roll was incredibly lame.

And Richie was very sure if he looked lame in front of Dr. K he would throw himself in front of a moving train.

Luckily for him, Dr. K didn’t seem to mind. He offered a polite smile and reached out to shake his hand. His shake was tight and simple, though Dr. K did linger a bit longer than expected.

“So, shall the interview begin?” He offered, gesturing over to the couch across the way.

Richie scrambled to take his seat, wanting to make room for everything that was begging to come out of his mouth.

“First I just want to say thank you for allowing us to do this. I know you aren’t a very public person so to be able to do a one on one with you is truly an honor.”

“People are hungry. Might as well feed them.” Dr. K replied slowly.

“Right. Okay. So a solo album. Why now?”

“Why not now?”

“Right, okay. Great answer.” Richie cliched his pen and began writing that down. “So the album. Do you have a title for it yet?”

“We have a few things bouncing around but nothing has been decided yet.”

“And it’s all original work that you’ve written on your own?”

“Oh, the contrary; my first big solo album will be a complete list of some of my favorite songs already in creation.”

Richie pauses, looking up. “So a cover album?” He questioned, pushing his glasses up. “Why? I only ask because you’re an amazing songwriter! Surely you can make a whole album up on your own.”

“Your flattery is charming. And I have many ideas for songs but there are already so many songs out there and I want to lend my own voice and specific style to them.” Dr. K paused, smiling then. “And don’t call me Shirley.”

“Dr. K gets off with a zinger! Impressive.” Richie scribbled everything down, leaning back in the chair as he grew more comfortable. “Okay so. Cover album. Do I get to know any of the songs?”

“It will be between fifteen and twenty. We’re still narrowing it down.”

“That’s quite a lot. Any particular reason?”

“I’m greedy.” Dr. K shrugged, sipping slowly at his bottle.

Richie focused his eyes on the pad in his hands instead of on the bottle that Dr. K had his mouth wrapped around.

“I will say each song has been chosen by me personally. Little ditties that touched me in one way or another during my life; going all the way back to my childhood to now.”

“Do you have a favorite?”

“I do, though I can’t say without revealing anything.”

“What about in general?” Richie inquires. “Come on. Even a rockstar has to have a favorite song.”

Eddie smiled softly, almost dismissively. Richie thought he was going to ignore the question or request a skip, but instead, Richie would himself getting the answer.

“Clock strikes upon the hour and the sun begins to fade. Still enough time to figure out how to chase my blues away. I've done alright up to now, it's the light of day that shows me how. And when the night falls, loneliness calls….”

Richie blinked, his mind desperately trying to get past the fact that Dr. K just sang to him to recognize the song.

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody?” He asked aloud, his eyes squinting behind his glasses. “Your favorite song is by Whitney Houston?”

“Are you not a fan?”

“What? No, it’s not that! Whitney was iconic. Rest In Peace Queen, but I just meant. It’s surprising! Especially for somebody with your record.”

“Even rockstars can have a soft spot for a good pop song,” Eddie told him with a small smile.

Richie, having found himself staring, scrambling to write everything down. He paused, collecting his thoughts so he could wrap this up. He didn’t want to leave yet but he didn’t want to take up any more of Dr. K’s time.

“Why now?” He asked suddenly. “Why go solo now?”

“My bandmates have lives of their own. Wives. Children. I have neither. Besides, I lived my life doing what people expected of me. Thought I’d have fun and throw a wrench in their plan for me.”

A knock on the door came. After a few seconds, Beverly opened, sticking her fiery redhead inside. “K, I’m sorry to interrupt but Stanley is on the phone. Legal mumbo-jumbo.”

“Duty calls.” Dr. K sighed, standing slowly from the couch. Realizing the interview was cover, Richie stood as well, shoving everything back into his bag. Dr. K didn’t move right away. He stood in front of Richie, that same damn smile across his lips.

“Thank you. Really. Having this chance had been a total career changer.” He mentioned to him, pausing just before they could separate.

Richie always took his job seriously but come on, how detailed could you get about something when the story you were writing was on giant chocolate chip cookies or watching celebs balance pies on their heads? This was the first legitimate of Richie’s career and he was incredibly grateful for the chance.

“Do you think I could bother you for a picture? I know it’s super unprofessional, but you’re like my idol.”

Dr. K laughed then. Not mockingly, but rather with surprise. There was a glimmer in his eyes Richie couldn’t recognize, though he didn’t get the chance to question it as Dr. K came to his side in moments.

Richie scrambled to grab his phone, holding it out so he could capture both of them. They smiled wide, standing beside one another closely as the picture was taken. Richie was definitely going to make that his lock screen the moment he got home.

He offered his hand, one final shake and Dr. K took it without question. “It was nice to see you again, Richie.” He said, giving the hand one last squeeze before Beverly ushered him out.

Richie stood there, offering a lame wave as he was left alone in the room. A solid minute passed before Dr. K’s words repeated in his head.

Nice to see you again? What the fuck?

[robinrunsfiction]

Ok I’ve had this idea in my head for weeks and I trust you to write it. Person A: I’m in love with (person B)?! Why didn’t you tell me? Revenge Frank x reader during warped tour. Where the reader does merch for either my chem or another band and she’s kinda girlier (soft emo? Idk) and frank keeps finding excuses to talk to her and the band keeps teasing him about it. Just lots of awkward but cute fluffiness. Sorry it’s so long I’ve had this idea for weeks and can’t get it out of my head.

Summer of Like, Summer of Love 

Pairing: Frank Iero x Female ReaderRating: GeneralRequested By: @scrolling-my-life-awayWord Count: ~2,400Author’s Note:I love this request because I’m biased toward the early to mid-2000s as this is when I discovered FOB, MCR, all of them really! Also this request gave me an excuse to look at pre-hiatus FOB pics, revenge era MCR, and my own facebook photos for inspo! Also a little background Petekey for fun!

On the 2005 Warped Tour, the heat of the summer sun bakedeveryone alive during the day, and the parties revived everyone at night andtonight was no exception. You were only about a week into your first majortour, running the merch booth for the hottest new band, Fall Out Boy. You weresipping on a cup of stale beer as you looked around at all the band members,roadies and groupies who were partying after the last sets of the nightfinished.

You tried to pick out anyone you recognized when suddenlyyou thought you spotted a face that looked familiar. There were tons of bandsyou loved on the tour, but more than any other band, you really wanted to meetthe guys from My Chemical Romance, and you thought you saw them across the way.You could have sworn for a second Frank was even looking your way.

“Hey, (YN), wanna go grab some food?” Your cousin Patrickasked, seeming to appear out of thin air.

“Jesus, Trick, you really have to scare me like that?” Youjumped.

“Sorry, you wanna go grab something to eat or not?”

“Yea, I suppose,” you said setting your mostly empty cup ona table before following Patrick toward the van waiting to take the band out toget dinner.

From across the parking lot, Frank watched you walk away.

“Hey Mikes, what’s that one band you can’t shut up about?”

Mikey thought for a second. “You mean Fall Out Boy?”

“Yea, we should check them out tomorrow.”

~

The next day Frank, Mikey and Gerard were standing just offstage as Fall Out Boy performed.

“Who are you looking for?” Gerard asked as he watched Franklooking around at everyone but the band on stage.

“No one,” Frank replied snapping back to attention. “I’ll beright back,” he replied wandering off.

“Wasn’t this his idea?” Gerard asked his brother whoseattention was glued to the band, specifically the bassist on stage. “Never mind,”he muttered to himself.

Frank’s suspicion was correct. The girl he had spotted thenight before was singlehandedly working the Fall Out Boy merch booth, but atthe moment she wasn’t busy since all the fans were watching the band play.

“Hi, what can I- oh my God, you’re Frank Iero. Sorry, I justlove your music,” you gushed, blushing crimson.

Frank laughed and looked down to keep from blushing himself.He was used to girls fawning over him, throwing themselves at him, but this wasdifferent. He was certain you were the cutest thing he had ever seen.

“Thanks, I appreciate it. Umm, what’s your name?”

“(YN),” you replied. “Sorry, again, you just startled me.”

He laughed again. “Are you gonna be at the party tonight?”

“Yea, usually am,” you replied, starting to notice peoplewere standing back, looking at the merch. “I’ll see you there?”

“Yea, I’ll see ya,” Frank said before waving and headingback to the backstage area before he got mobbed by fans.

~

Knowing that Frank was probably going to come talk to you atthe party tonight, you decided to put a little more effort into yourappearance. You had been avoiding wearing makeup during the day, since it wouldjust melt off in the heat, but now you made yourself up, and pulled on a pinktank top and a denim mini skirt.

You found Patrick and Joe by one of the kegs and Patrickpoured you a beer. You talked for a while before Pete and My Chemical Romancearrived. Everyone introduced themselves and you couldn’t help but notice Frankhad come to stand over by you.

“(YN), you need a refill?” Patrick asked.

“No, I’m good thanks,” you replied as some more people cameover and started talking. You spotted a picnic table close by and sat down.Much to your delight, Frank followed.

“So, is that your boyfriend?” Frank asked almost shyly.

“Patrick? Oh my God, no! He’s my cousin! He got me the jobmanaging the merch booth because I just graduated college and don’t have a jobyet.”

Frank tried to keep his cool and not let a relieved smilewash over his face. “Oh, sweet. What did you major in?”

“Marketing with a minor in graphic design. It was kind of amiddle ground. My parents would pay for school if I majored in something Icould get a job with.”

“So, what do you wanna do with it?”

You sighed. “I dunno, maybe get a job at an ad agency or-”

“No no, not what do your parents want you to do, what do youwanna do?” He asked, looking dead in your eyes. You stared back, a slow smilecreeping across your face. You were surprised he was able to see through yoursafe, but boring response.

“I wanna design band merch, and logos, and album art, all ofit. That’s why Patrick put me up for this job, he knows I’ve been obsessed withthis for years.”

Frank smiled once he heard the truth spill from your lips.“That’s so cool, I’d love to see your work some time.”

You shrugged, trying to play it cool. “I have a sketch bookback in the bus I could show you.”

“Hey (YN), Frank, we’re going to a party, wanna come?” Peteshouted before Frank could reply.

“Wanna go?” Frank asked you.

“Sure, I could use a change of scenery.”

~

The party was at an over-full house, and most of the peoplein attendance were from the tour as well. The stench of stale beer and weedwafted through the air as music blasted through speakers.

“So much for a change of scenery,” you muttered as youfollowed the gang through the crush of bodies.

“Should have stayed outside, it was cooler out there,” youheard Ray comment behind you.

“Come on,” Frank said taking the lead, charging through thecrowd toward the back of the house. Soon you had escaped into the backyard andinto fresh air.

“This is better,” you commented, straightening your skirt.

Both bands assembled outside around a fire pit that someonehad started but left unattended. Gerard and Andy watched over their friendslike two sober babysitters as everyone got drinks and sat around the fire. Youfound a lawn chair and got comfortable. You weren’t sure if you should try tojump into a conversation, but again Frank made his way to you, pulling up hisown chair.

“Is this your first time being on tour?” Frank asked.

“Yea, I’ve worked some of their local shows and helped makeshirts for them and stuff, but this is the first time I’ve gotten out on theroad. It’s such a different experience. Do you like it?”

“Yea, being in front of the crowds is amazing, but anytime Ican do anything with music I’m happy.”

“Being on this tour I’ve seen a lot of awesome bands, butyou guys are the best. Like, your energy on stage is incredible,” you toldFrank.

“Thanks,” he replied with a grin, again looking down,feeling a blush on his cheeks.

As you and Frank talked, you both leaned closer together, withyou occasionally getting up the nerve to place your hand on his arm, and hewould look you in the eyes adoringly. Neither of you quite believing what youwere experiencing between you.

“Do you think they see what’s going on between them?” Gerardasked.

“I have no idea,” Ray replied with a laugh as he tookanother swig of his beer.

“Just don’t think you can steal our merch girl, she’s the onlyone who can put up with them,” Andy said nodding to his band mates.

“As long as Pete doesn’t runaway with Mikey,” Gerard said with a laughand a glance toward the bassists who had wandered off from the group.

~

It had been a couple weeks since the start of the tour and Frank wasstill going out of his way to hang out with you when he could, and your crush onhim was as strong as ever. Even though so many people looked at you and how youdressed, or did your hair, and thought you didn’t belong with the punk or emo scene,Frank made you feel like you belonged because he looked past that and got toknow you. And as Frank got to know you, his feelings deepened for you as well.

You had been in your bunk, listening to music as you drew inyour sketchbook when you heard Mikey and Pete leaving the back of the bus.

“Wait, Mikey, are you going back to your bus?” You asked,scrambling off your bed.

Mikey stopped almost out the door. “Yea, why?”

You handed him the folded piece of paper. “Its just a designidea I thought Frank might like,” you explained.

Mikey smiled knowingly. “Sure.”

When Mikey arrived back at the My Chemical Romance bus, hefound Frank reading in the back.

“Here,” Mikey said handing his band mate the piece of paper.

“What is it?”

“Its from (YN),” the words barely left Mikey’s mouth beforeFrank snatched the paper from him, a grin forming on his face.

“Oh this is so cool,” he said in awe.

“What is it?” Gerard asked as he and Ray came into the backof the bus.

“(YN) made something for Frank,” Mikey answered.

“It’s a cool design of my name,” he said still studying thedetails around the letters of his name, running his fingers over the lines. “Ishould write her a song to thank her,” he thought aloud, momentarily forgettinghis band mates presence.

“Damn Frank you’ve really fallen for this girl,” Ray saidwith a laugh.

“What? No, she’s just super cool, and really cute, andalways smells good and she’s easy to talk to.”

“And you never stop smiling when she’s around, and she’s allyou can talk about when she isn’t, and you wanna write a song for her,” Gerardsmiled, hoping his friends mind would go where he was leading.

Frank sat for a moment and then a look of realization washedover him. “I’m in love with (YN)? Why didn’t you tell me?” Frank exclaimed.

“I think you’re the only person who never noticed,” Mikeylaughed.

“What am I gonna do?”

“Ask her out like a normal human being?” Ray suggested.Frank shot him a look that said that was the stupidest thing he had ever heard.“What? It’s really not that big of a deal. I mean, I could ask her out if Iwanted to.”

“No!” Frank shouted, jumping up. “I’m gonna do it.”

~

It was nearing the fourth of July, so almost everyone whoshouldn’t have been allowed near explosives had purchased fireworks. Frank was scanning the crowd nervously looking for you. Thenhe spotted you looking uncomfortable with some guy talking to you. You caught Frank’seye and felt relief wash over you as he came your way.

“Frank! There you are!” You said jumping up and wrappingyour arms around him. To your surprise he hugged you back just as tightly. Overyour shoulder Frank glared at the guy who had been talking to you and he tookthe hint to get lost.

“Thanks for that, he was really bothering me,” you said whenhe pulled back and saw the guy was gone.

“Its no biggie,” he replied smiling. “I got your design bythe way, it’s amazing, thank you.”

“No problem. I still gotta show you my whole sketchbooksometime when we aren’t so busy.”

“I’m not busy now,” Frank replied.

You smiled and nodded. “Yea, come on then,” you said headingtoward the buses. As you moved through the dark you felt Frank’s hand graspyours and you smiled, butterflies soaring through your stomach.

When you made it back to the bus, no one else was around. Youwent back to your bunk and pulled out the notepad. You switched on the lightand sat down on the sofa next to Frank.

“Ok, so this is my favorite so far,” you said flipping to apage with Fall Out Boy logos. “I did a few for My Chem too,” you said turningthe page.

Frank examined everything on each page carefully, notletting you rush past, even if you argued that the ones he was looking atweren’t good.

“Pete should give you a job at his label, these are awesome, you reallyhave a lot of talent,” he said looking up at you in awe.

You shrugged. “I’m afraid my style isn’t edgy enough for alot of bands.”

“Nah, it’s cool, and I think you could be edgier if youtried. Its there under the surface, I can tell.”

“Thanks,” you laughed.

“I’m serious, you’re awesome,” he said looking in your eyes.It was now or never. “Umm, (YN) do you wanna go out with me sometime?”

You were shocked and then thrilled. “Yea, yes, that would becool,” you grinned.

Frank grinned back and suddenly you were both leaning in,lips inches from each other.

“Oh (YN) you’re here- oh shit sorry,” Patrick rambled realizingwhat he interrupted when you and Frank both sat bolt upright.

“What’s up Patrick?” you sighed, looking over at yourembarrassed cousin.

“They’re starting the fireworks soon, I know you alwaysliked them,” he replied, looking at his shoes.

“Thanks,” you replied sincerely. Patrick waved as he walkedout. “Umm, do you wanna look at the fireworks?”

“Sure,” Frank replied with a smile. Anything to spend a little more time with you.

You found a spot back from the rest of the people gatheredaround watching the amateur pyrotechnics. You and Frank sat down on thescratchy grass and Frank wrapped his arm around your shoulders. You looked upat him and he smiled down, and you felt yourself leaning in again. When yourlips finally connected with his, you couldn’t help but smile. You pulled back fromthe kiss, the grin still plastered across your face.

“Holy shit I do love you,” Frank said, his eyes wide. Youlaughed and the smile on your face grew even larger. He grabbed your face andpulled you back into another kiss, the momentum of which caused him to tumblehim back into the grass with you laid out on top of him. Needless to say, neitherof you saw much of the fireworks that night.

Masterlist

[closetofanxiety]

50 Wrestling Questions: Why Not

Remember this? It’s been a while. Let’s do this again. Let’s twist again like we did last summer. Or the summer of 2017 in this case.

1. What got you into wrestling?

People ask me this all the time, and I don’t really have a good answer. I’ve liked it on and off since I was very young, and who knows why you like the stuff you like when you’re a little kid? 

2. What is your favorite wrestling promotion?

Of all time: ECW, even though I would probably think of it very differently if it were happening today. Currently: Beyond Wrestling. 

3. Favorite male wrestler of all time?

Gorgeous George, but if we’re talking about people who were alive when I was alive, Dusty Rhodes. I want to say Bruiser Brody, but in my heart I would know I was just saying that to look cool. 

4. Favorite female wrestler of all time?

Gail Kim. For the longest time, she was the only woman in a major global wrestling company who got over based on her wrestling ability. She was doing stuff in TNA that was years ahead of its time, and could adapt her style to get great matches with a variety of opponents with very different backgrounds. And she can still go, as she showed in the match against Tessa Blanchard the other night. I know it would be cooler to say Bull Nakano or Chigusa Nagayo or something, but I don’t know enough of their stuff to make that claim credible. I am who I am, a person who goes to the mall to buy shoes. 

5. Favorite current male wrestler?

Nick Gage

6. Favorite current female wrestler?

Momo Watanabe 

7. Favorite theme song?

Joey Janela’s music captures his vibe perfectly, and sounds great being blasted out of PA speakers inside a small bar or VFW hall. Of all time, probably, I don’t know, Honky Tonk Man? In an ironic way that slowly becomes sincere?

8. Least favorite theme song?

Ricochet’s WWE theme music is pretty dreadful. 

9. Favorite gimmick?

Currently: Orange Cassidy. All time: Road Warriors maybe? They were almost 100 percent gimmick, and they were the biggest tag team in the world at a great time for tag team wrestling. 

10. Least favorite gimmick?

All the racist and gay-hating gimmicks that have been used throughout the years are more or less equally horrible. If we’re talking about a terrible gimmick that was non-malignant, I’d say it was taking giant indestructible ass-kicker Mike Awesome and making him “That 70s Guy.” 

11. Best entrance (either their usual entrance or a special one, like a Wrestlemania entrance)?

Gorgeous George had the best entrance of all time, and it’s been copied ever since (Ric Flair’s entrance is basically Gorgeous George’s, scored with a different piece of classical music). The Sandman also had a great entrance. He was kind of all-entrance, now that I think of it. I also love those old shows in Japan where Brody would come out to “Immigrant Song” running through the crowd, swinging a fucking chain over his head like a lunatic. An entrance that makes you fear for your life: mission accomplished. 

12. Best Undertaker Wrestlemania match?

I am not the right person to ask for Undertaker superlatives, but the Lesnar match had a legitimately shocking conclusion that I still appreciate 

13. Most overrated?

I’m tempted to incur the wrath of the online by making a contrarian hot take selection like Ken Omega, but in reality it’s probably the Undertaker. 

14. Most underrated?

There are a million choices from before the 1980s, the Before Time of contemporary pro wrestling. Edouard Carpentier, say; he was having matches in 1970 that would not look out of place in 2019. Since the 1980s, I’d say Jerry Lynn is a very strong contender for most underrated. The popular choice would be Sid or Lex Luger, but I think they’re pretty much rated exactly as they should be. 

15. Have you ever been to an event? If so, which one?

I certainly have been to many pro wrestling events. I go to one or two a month. Like a lot of things, wrestling is pretty much always fun in person. It helps that the Northeast has a ton of good companies within easy driving distance. My favorite show of all time might be Americanrana 2016. 

16. Who has the best merch?

We’re in a weird period where people on Instagram are making better shirt designs (in insanely limited editions) than the vast majority of wrestlers or wrestling companies. I will say that Kris Wolf has yet to make an ugly or boring piece of merchandise, which is a huge complication in this day and age. 

17. Do you own any merch?

Nope! Wait, I mean, “yes, entirely too much.” Shirts, 8 x 10s, DVDs, magazines, random pieces like fancy enamel badges and a stack of Okada bucks. The one thing I’ve never gotten into is action figures, and that’s probably good for the ol’ bank balance. 

18. Best nickname?

"The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes is an all-time classic. 

19. Worst nickname?

"The Game” is a dumb nickname. “The Cerebral Assassin” is also a dumb nickname. Are assassins supposed to be stupid? I bet they’re typically very smart, although of low moral character. “Triple H” is his only good nickname, and even that sounds like the nickname of a guy who owns a car dealership out by the highway.

20. Best mic skills?

Nobody was ever better than Bobby Heenan, who had incredible range and versatility. He could do comedy and he could do menace. He could do calm and he could do spitting rage. He had an uncanny sense of timing and was quicker on his feet than almost anyone. No one really comes close at matching his astonishing depth, but Dusty Rhodes was an all-time great promo. He really made you care about wrestling matches, which is not an easy thing to do.

21. Most annoying?

I mean, it has to be Vince McMahon. 

22. Most attractive male?

Is Tanahashi too obvious a choice? Best hair in wrestling. It’s incredible and luxurious, like an untamed mountain stream. Andrade “Cien” Almas or whatever they’ve shortened his name to (”And”) is a handsome man. Killer Kross: very handsome. We live in a golden age of attractive wrestlers. Just look back at the gassed-up Zubaz mastodons of the 1980s, or the territories-era guys who all looked like they were 48 years old and had pot bellies. You almost have to try to find unattractive wrestlers. Nick Gage, for instance. But I’m sure even he has his swooning admirers. 

23. Most attractive female?

Again, what a time for attractive wrestlers. It may be shallow, but wrestling is a business that’s at least partially cosmetic. Attractive people sell tickets. I would, and have, bought a ticket to see Hana Kimura. 

24. Favorite faction?

Of all time? Probably the Barry Windham-era Four Horsemen. More recently, Team Pazuzu. 

25. Worst faction?

BULLET CLUB. No, it’s not the Bullet Club, as exhausted as they’ve become. It’s probably the nWo after early 1998 or so, when they had like 60 members and dragged down every storyline. 

26. Best ring gear?

Su Yung and Pentagon Jr. 

27. Who do you think would be the nicest in real life?

I bet Jerry Lynn is a good guy to know. People in wrestling universally praise Little Guido, which is very rare. The Young Bucks seem like they might be decent dudes. Willow Nightingale told a story on a podcast about Nick Gage excitedly playing with Solo Darling’s dog backstage, so you never know. 

28. Who would be the rudest in real life?

On the indie level, it’s probably someone who doesn’t work very much. Above the indie level, I bet some of those British guys are secretly horrible, like Jimmy Havoc. 

29. Favorite heel?

Currently it’s a tie between MJF and Alisha Edwards, two of the only people who can regularly get indie crowds to boo them. Of all time, heel Flair was hard to beat. 

30. Most hardcore?

It’s definitely either a guy in Japan or a guy in Mexico, and he’s definitely been burned by explosive charges multiple times. Onita? It’s probably Onita. Or Jun Kasai? I think Onita has probably been exploded more times than Jun Kasai. 

31. A wrestler you could beat?

At wrestling? Not a single one of them. Nicholas, the small boy who won the WWE tag team championship with Braun Strowman, would wipe the floor with me. Even the most callow bodybuilder-turned-wrestler would not break a sweat beating me senseless. But writing talking points for senior administration officials in preparation for legislative testimony? Now you’re on my turf. Not so tough now, huh, Nicholas? 

32. Best story line?

Freebirds vs. Von Erichs or Stone Cold vs. Vince. My heart says the former, my head says the latter. 

33. Biggest missed opportunity for a story line?

The WWE blowing the invasion angle after purchasing WCW is the obvious one. More recently, they blew it by not turning Reigns heel. 

34. Worst story line?

Ha, so many of them. Impossible to choose just one. At least most of the dumb embarrassing Russo ones in WCW and TNA were basically harmless, like the time Samoa Joe got kidnapped by ninjas. The Chuck and Billy wedding thing was far worse. A low point even by Vince’s impressively cretinous standards.

35. Which wrestler should turn heel?

I’d like to see a Jordynne Grace heel run in Impact. Heel Finn Balor would also be good. 

36. Which wrestler should turn face?

Samoa Joe has a good fiery babyface, “I’m tired of doing your dirty work, McMahon!” run in him. 

37. Who would be the worst to room with?

Can you imagine sharing a living space with Enzo Amore? Or the thicket of twee Disney merchandise you’d have to negotiate every day if you lived with Johnny Gargano?

38. Who would be the best to room with?

I bet Eddie Edwards would be a surprisingly thoughtful roommate, like he’d always do the dishes “because I love doing them!,” that kind of thing. I have nothing to base this suspicion on, he just seems like my old roommate, Shane, who was like that. 

39. Who would be your best friend if you were a wrestler?

I’d like to say Jushin Thunder Liger, and posit that we would go on exciting adventures, but the answer is probably something like “Comp Time” Terry Dandridge, who wrestles monthly for 2Xtreme All-Pro Wrestling Alliance out of Euphoria, Kansas and has a 9 to 5 as a hardware store manager. 

40. What would your job be in a wrestling promotion?

I’d normally make a self-effacing joke here, but I do social media training at my real job, and so many wrestlers are badly in need of help in this area. 

41. Favorite wrestling podcast/Youtube channel?

I like AIW’s “The Card is Going to Change” podcast a lot, and there’s one by the owners of RevPro that’s pretty good. It’s hard to find a well-produced wrestling podcast that talks about independent wrestling. My favorite wrestling YouTube channel is OSW Review. 

42. Favorite finisher?

BURNING HAMMER

43. Least favorite finisher?

The Bayley-to-belly suplex. HOW IS THIS A FINISHING MOVE

44. Favorite match?

Kerry Von Erich vs. Jerry Lawler at Superclash III. It was a bloody, weird, engrossing spectacle, and it was the symbolic end of the territories era. 

45. Favorite PPV?

Royal Rumble is the last PPV my casual fan friends reliably want to see, and with good reason: it’s engrossing.

46. Guilty pleasure wrestler?

Big Banter Baron Corbin, but I feel no guilt here. He rules. 

47. Favorite submission?

THE KATA HA JIME, otherwise known as the Tazmission.

48. Most entertaining to watch?

All time? Randy Savage. Currently? Io Shirai. 

49. Best spot?

Anyone spitting mist into the unsuspecting eyes of their foes

50. Who do you most respect?

I respect you, booker man.

[rickymolina]

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[theareya]

do the even numbers for the vg ask binch

BINCH

Video Game Asks!

2. A game that has influenced you creatively? Writing, drawing, etc.answered!

4. Who do you play with now?Who? Like my friends? Mostly the same people I played with when I was a kid, but now they’ve grown up into ripe gaming fruits. And some new friends who I met through love of video games  *stares directly into camera*

6. Ever buy strategy guides?No. I’d rather spend money on the game itself. I see the pretty art books often and wonder though…

8. Rarest/Most expensive game in your collection?uH. What? Rarest? I don’t have any of those classic games that are worth a fortune now. Most expensive was probably the Dishonored 2 bundle that I bought because I wanted Corvo’s mask super bad

10. Ever go to a midnight game release or stand in line for hours?

I have not! I usually pre-order using the internet and try to distract myself until I can feel the game with my fingers

12. Ever get picked on for liking games?Wheeeen I was younger, yes. I stopped playing for a little while, even though I was not any good at the time anyway. I didn’t pick it back up again until the middle of high school when I stopped caring.

14. Favorite game music?I… really like the Journey and Undertale Soundtrack. However, Kingdom Hearts and Nier: a tomato have been my… main music go-tos .In fact, I’m listening to the Nier ost right now.

16. Favorite game to play with your friends IRL?Answered!

18. Would you date someone that hates gaming?No. Bitch. Worst-case scenario they “tolerate” it. Just kidding, NO that’s impossible. Worst case is they’re indifferent. And in that case, they’d have to be pretty darn spectacular. Like they own Disneyland spectacular. Trust me. 

20. Game that you know like the back of your hand?BIOSHOCK. I can tell you where every audio diary is. And every ridiculous jump scare. I also could say the same about Nier, but that’s a little too recent, so the obsession is still fresh.

22. Do you wear game related clothing/accessories?I have a Fallout t-shirt, Kingdom Hearts Sweater, some lovely Nier pins, and a 2B phone charm accessory. I love game merch, I just am a bit picky on which ones I wear.

24. First Pokemon game?It was actually Yellow. I never got Red and/or Blue.

26. Ever form any gaming rivalries?I don’t like those, but literally Pokemon Go sets them up by making you pick teams and publicly fight the other teams down.

28. Ever play in a tournament?nOpe I’m not that good. I watch a lot of tournaments though.

30. How many consoles do you own?Uhh, since forever? I would say 8. However, the only active ones right now are my ps4 and Switch. Everything else is stored away in the closet or was given away.

32. Did you ever play a game based on your favorite show/cartoon/movie/comic?Not. Really. No. I don’t really love those. One time I got Narnia as a gift and cried at how bad it was. And then there was Shrek Party?? Which was a depressing version of Mario party, but with Shrek characters. I liked it… actually. If it were done well, maybe?  

34. Do either of your parents play video games?My mother plays pokemon go and is level 40, which is higher than me. And it’s kind of made her more open to the idea of playing video games. But my mom knows the basics of certain video games enough to not get mad at me when I tell her I can’t pause. 

36. Have you ever shed actual blood, sweat or tears over a game?I have cried over a few video games. Not full on crying, but my eyes will water and that’s pretty wild. Sweat is all over my controllers. I clutch them so hard. I was also very emotionally compromised over The Last of Us, but it was mostly internal.

oHH! One time I was playing Battleborn and got a nosebleed, but I’m pretty sure that was on account of the weather and not the game. 

38. A game you’re ashamed to admit that you like?I have no shame at all whatsoever in any game that I like. I guess Fable, 2 and 3 were absolutely awful according to everyone, but I thought they were alright, mostly because it made me think of the first game.

40. What to you think of virtual reality headsets or motion controls?I think they’re fun! But am sad that they probably won’t be able to reach their full potential in my house.

42. Maybe it wasn’t your first game, but what was the game that started you on your path to nerdiness?…Bioshock tbh. That was the first game I legitimately played after stopping gaming for an awfully long time. The one that started it all. Kingdom Hearts and Bioshock. Two completely different games. 

44. Arcade machine that has consumed the most of your quarters?I never really played arcade games? Soul Calibur? DDR??

46. Do you like relaxing games like Animal Crossing or Harvest Moon?YES THOSE ARE LIKE MY FAVORITE TYPES OF GAMES!!??!? I can seduce Harvest Moon characters all the ding dang day. And I can fish for hours. Fishing mechanics are vital in every game. 

48. How long does it take your to customize your player character?84 years. In all honestly, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the options that are available. Dragon Age took so… so long. Basically any game with the objective of making your character look cooler is… dEATH

50. If you were a game designer, what masterpiece would you create?Answered!

52. A game that you begged your parents for as a kid?Pokemon Y

54. Do you give in to Steam sales?I use my friend’s steam and he has like 2000 dollars worth of games, so I’d say he definitely does.

56. Did you ever play Roller Coaster Tycoon and kill off your guests?I never played that game, but I remember quality video compilations of that.

58. If you can only play 3 games for the rest of your life, which ones do you pick?Answered!

60. Do you know the Konami Code?It’s like a bunch of directional buttons, but idk which ones.

62. Ever buy a console specifically to play one game?I bought a gosh darn PS3 like 10 years ago because I thought KH3 was going to come out for that. Now here with are the PS4 pro and KH3 will be out in a year.

64. Ever make a TV or monitor purchase based on what would be best for gaming?I have! Or I mean it was a family TV anyways, but I sneakily snuck in a question or two about gaming quality and the guy hooked me up.

66. Did you ever have have an old Nokia with Snake on it?No. I didn’t have a legit cellphone until after high school.

68. Ever save up a ton of tickets in an arcade to get something cool?LOL no I’m so bad at those, I spend all my tickets immediately on the dumbest thing I can find like those finger traps.

70. Very first game you ever beat? I want to say Fable. As a kid I didn’t know what a memory card was and sort of assumed you had to start over every single time.

[a-treat]

The Local Brand That Every New Yorker Should Have in Their Closet

This Rockland-based team behind the up-and-coming line wants you to know that this is more than just fashion.

When my best friend showed me her new oversized sweatshirt, I immediately wanted one for myself. In the center of the black hoodie was clean, small-printed white font that read ‘NEW YORK IS A NATIONALITY.’ It was so simple and, quite frankly, on-trend since high fashion’s embrace of streetwear. If you’re from New York, or at least have been living here for a decent amount of time, you likely are proud to represent it. Although there are other cities in the state, New York City is the largest, and your proximity to the city will determine how much pride you feel for it too. New York Is A Nationality (NYIAN) is a celebration of that: for proud New Yorkers who want to rep their state and their city.

As a born and raised New Yorker myself, along with the majority of my friends, we can connect to this brand. It brought me excitement to support this brand because it hails from my hometown. Rockland County, New York is the less commonly known and smallest county North of Manhattan, and it’s a short distance away from Westchester and New Jersey. Going to college in Manhattan led me to tell people countless times that where I’m from is not considered upstate. To learn of a brand like this that aims to unify New York pride makes me hope that more people will come to know where it originated from too.

Amidst the website’s recent launch, I conducted an interview with two key members of the 10-member collective who found NYIAN—co-founder Milla is also a rapper, and the creative director, Manuel “Manolo” Santana also owns a production company, THC Films. THC produces music videos, commercials and more. It provides all of the production content for NYIAN as well. P.S., rapper and native New Yorker Jadakiss proudly wore his own sweatshirt too. I’d say that’s the perfect start towards the brand’s journey to success.

Tell me about what you guys do. What made you want to start NYIA?

Milla: I’m an artist. I make music. I like to do side things. I go to events. As far as me and him coming about to do the clothing line, we always were looking forward to doing clothing, but we wanted to do something that was an impact. Not just doing a random design like doing something where it's like you're trying to rep your set on a shirt or something...We wanted to do something that was going to make everybody feel as one. Wearing it is not necessarily highlighting one person. That’s why there's no face. It’s a real true fashion statement, as you would say, rather than just a design. I would say he definitely was the one that forced the issue.

Manolo: Yeah, so basically when we started getting into the clothing, we were just trying to get something that everybody could be part of. That was the main goal. Can anybody relate to it? So we were just inspired off somebody's design that was just a statement. It was like, “Yeah. I feel that.” You know? It was getting a lot of attention, so I was like, “we need something like that that's going to touch everybody.” And I think that’s why it came to us. We were like, “wow.”

Pictured: Milla

So you guys always wanted it to be clothing?

Manolo: We wanted to do clothes, but we didn’t want to do no regular [line]. We wanted something that a stranger can look at and be like, “I want one.” From anywhere. But it was hard to get a worldwide design...

Milla: I feel like right now, this is the perfect starting point because you can have somebody in China, like you said, that maybe been to New York and feel like they could wear that because we're not necessarily saying, “oh, I'm from New York.” Or like, “you can only wear this if you're from New York.” This is basically saying New York is a nationality. It's more than just a state where you have to be from. There’s a couple of people that just lived in New York for a little while and still feel the statement. People that's not from New York at all still want to wear that and go other places to take those pictures to prove a point, or make a statement however way they feel.

[To Manolo] What exactly is your role as creative director? What would you say is the main function for you?

Manolo: I just pitch ideas and tell my friends to help me create it. It’s a teamwork thing. I’ll come up with an idea, I'll tell him, and then he'll bounce back some ideas, and we’ll [both] bounce back ideas. We have a big team, so I think that’s what it really is. It's just that we're able to talk about ideas and actually make it happen by putting our minds together. So my role would be [brainstorming] ideas and bringing people together I guess.

Milla: Everybody knows how to play their role, but he's the huge piece. He’s a humble dude, so he’s really not going to really puff his chest out…He’s not the flashy [type]. We’re both two creative people. We started before the clothing. We came together…He was shooting a video for me because he owns his own production company, THC Films, where we came together just to do one quick video that turned into doing shows…and doing other bigger things that we got popping that we're not going to really get all into right now, but it’s like at least to this: we’ve always been bouncing back ideas, but he does not stop.

Pictured: Manolo

Do you feel like there's an importance to making Rockland more known in the arts scene?

Milla: Definitely. That means a lot to us…but with this, we feel like we just bringing more highlight to New York as a whole. New York is really big. There [are] country parts in New York too. I've been on the road. I’ve seen a lot of land. Like, that’s New York? I don’t know—that look like Alabama to me [laughs]. I feel like the New York culture is getting stronger once again. Rockland is a small place, but there's so much that could come out of Rockland right now that people feel like maybe there's a chance, and you don't have to front. You just [have to] move around. You [have to] know a lot of people. And wherever you're from, people are going to respect it once you get to a certain level. If you were the same dude, I'm not going to think you’re cooler just because you from London now. There are certain people that think like that, but at the end of the day, it’s always going to revert back to like, “what are you doing? Who are you? What's your identity? What you about? What you trying to bring to the table?” And then it's like, “where you from?” You say wherever...

How did you guys get Jadakiss to wear your sweatshirt?

Manolo: One of my friends booked me to shoot a music video for his artists and Jadakiss’s Styles P. So around that time, we brought our merchandise to him, and he just liked it. We gave it to them as a gift. It's crazy because he took it to California the next day, and he wore it. We didn’t expect that.

Milla: And everything on the NYIA page as far as content wise/production, that's all THC Films—down to the videos, to the photos, to everything the site put together.

Artwork: Henesi That Artist

What can we expect coming up soon? Do you guys have any upcoming projects that you plan on unveiling?

Milla: Yeah, I mean we got a lot of content coming out as far as new merch for the site. We want people to know that we're much more than a clothing line. We’re going to have a lot of collabs, events, [and] festivals, coming up. That’s going to be taking place in like obviously Brooklyn, Harlem, [and] places in New York directly so that a lot of people [attend]...We have a diverse crowd.

Manolo: We’re going to do events in Rockland for sure.

Milla: That’s where we're topping it off. We want people out here to feel like when this gets big that they always know that this originated in Rockland. It’s a home brand for the home team. New York is not just the city. Everybody feels like when you're not from here, that's all you think of New York—New York City. A lot of dreams come true out there, but do something and make your town feel as big. You will always get love. You do something for your hometown, they’ll always remember it. People are so used to doing stuff for themselves, and it’s like, everybody want to be in competition. I feel like this is a first thing, where I feel like it wasn’t necessarily...Everybody felt like they were coming together. That was different, so I fuck with that heavy.

[mistake-memessenger]

Could I request the rfa+saeran. Reacting to MC being a drummer for a metal band? I'm a female drummer and we don't get much recognition ;^;

aaawwwwww buddy!!! hey man okay lady drummers r HOT AS H E C K

also…. doing she/her pronouns for MC this time

Zen

-deeeeelighted!!-he might be super into musical soundtracks but uh he’s also definitely into metal-got into it back in school tbh-he wants to meet the rest of the band!!-and maybe like…….. sing with them???-he wants to help his metal princess MC reach stardom!!!-and if he has to use his own fame to do it he’ll do it-also when he’s practicing songs at home and MC is there he appreciates that she keeps him on tempo even if her method is-“bABE! WHERE’S UR TEMPO?? UR OFF BEAT AGAIN DO I HAVE TO GET THE METRONOME??”

Yoosung

-his gf is in a band???????-AS THE DRUMMER???-this is the coolest thing!! the best thing!!!-MC was already wAY cooler than him and now this??-he is in love-MC is too cool for Yoosung he feels so lucky holy shit-he tells everybody at school about his hot af drummer girlfriend and her band-he makes a t-shirt? and a sweater!!-he Can Not Stop being proud of her-ends up helping set up for gigs what a helpful boyf!!

Jaehee

-she’s got stars in her eyes for MC-Jaehee’s girlfriend (boy is that rly nice to say, Jaehee thinks) is the backbone of her band-like, sure, some bands don’t have drums at all but MC keeps the beat and she does it well-and that in turn keeps everyone else on beat-they put flyers for MC’s band up in the café and everyone with her band’s merch gets a discount-regularly checks MC’s band’s social media, especially the comments section-sleeps is MC’s band shirts All The Time

Jumin

-he is not a fan of the genre? tbh?-but for MC he gives her music a try-he finds the appeal of metal after much listening-also pLEaSe imagine with me Jumin Han sitting in his home office, face blank, v serious, listening to heavy metal-a bit of an acquired taste for him, but it’s for MC, so absolutely worth it!!-there’s an auditorium in the building and he gives MC and her band mates free reign of it when it’s not booked for other things-he also encourages MC and company to go professional if they aren’t already-he’s got like five record labels lined up to take a listen

Seven

-uhhhhh guess who now has a very professional looking website and multiple social media pages??-that’s right MC’s band!!!!-all put together and run by Saeyoung-he’s also been making videos of her band rehearsals-he’s a lil bit determined to get them going viral???-okay he’s very determined-spambots for the band everywhere tbh-puts together a custom sound system specifically for MC and her band mates, headsets and speakers and he tweaks the pedal boards too for optimal everything and he wants to design a stage system that spouts fire and he thinks all the instruments shout do that too..-occasionally has to be chased away from MC’s drum set bc he doesn’t know what he’s doing with those drumsticks

Saeran

-,,,,,it’s possible Saeran was a fan before even contacting MC?-like, a fan of the band,,-and maybe MC seemed familiar but he didn’t quite connect the dots until after they started dating haha-but omg TEACH HIM TO PLAY THE DRUMS HE’D LOVE THAT-listen he also definitely has every iteration of shirt that’s available for his gf’s band they’re his favorite shirts??-he was……… speechless for like five minutes when he realized that his GIRLFRIEND WTF is the drummer for one of his fave bands????? and then Very Excited-goes to every show-Every Show-always helps her get pumped and ready before every gig

[hi-topmgmt-blog]

The Unwritten Rules of Concerts

Concerts are a sacred place. It’s at concerts where people from all different walks of life cross paths because of one similar belief. This band, this artist, this group, is fucking awesome. I’ve never been a very religious person, but the concept is not dissimilar from going to church. Let’s be real, Dave Grohl is the closest thing to a God I’ll ever have. But there are rules for walking on this sacred land; you don’t show your shoulders in church, and you don’t bring an iPad to a concert. I’d like to say that for the most part, the people who regularly walk on these sacred lands are some of the kindest people on this planet... potentially too kind to tell you when you’ve bent these Unwritten Rules. But believe me, they WILL subtweet you for hours if not days to come. So I’ve written a little guide in hopes that we can all learn to respect both these sacred lands and the sacred people who walk on them.

1. It’s a concert, not a costume party.

For a lot of the people at the show, they live the metal life, the pop life, the indie life, the hip-hop life, every single day. I’m not telling you not to pick out your outfit days before and I’m definitely not telling you how to dress, but there’s a fine line that needs to be walked between appreciation and appropriation. There’s no need to pretend you’re someone you’re not just because the people around you don’t know you, ‘cause believe me, they know you don’t live that life. You know how they know? Because that’s their life. We all know that Nirvana t-shirt is from Walmart.

2. Beware of the Hair

This is key to respecting those around you. As a 5’3’’ woman, and it’s hard enough for me to see over your head when you don’t have a hair-do the size of a lion’s mane, so please don’t make yourself any taller than you are already. Fellow girls and newly long-haired men of the man-bun trend, listen up. When you headbang, your hair turns into the tail of a black lab who just heard the word “walk”. It’s not your fault that the crowd has become packed like sardines, but it is your responsibility to know how close you are to those around you, and how far your hair protrudes from your body.

3. Be respectful when assuming your spot.

If you want to be in the front, you have to get there early. I don’t mean 5 minutes before the headliner, and I don’t mean halfway through the opener, I mean at or even before doors depending on the show. The bare minimum you can do is get there before the first band goes on, and at that point, you get what you get. This is especially true for tall people. Tall people are the target when people can’t see at shows, and I’m sorry because it’s not your fault. But recognize that as a tall person you’re all the more likely to be tweeted about if you try to weasel your way to the front because then you aren’t only pushing the person behind you further back, but restricting their view as well. As a general rule for tall people, get there early so that whoever stands behind you holds the blame for their own inability to see, not you. The front rows of standing shows are filled with the most die-hard fans, don’t think you’ll be able to squeeze in without getting a talking to. This comes down to courtesy. Just because the people in the front row haven’t packed in like sardines, doesn’t mean there’s a spot for you. Nobody wants to be packed like sardines, so if people leave some breathing room, respect that and enjoy breathing oxygen instead of CO₂.

4. Concerts are a great date, but I don’t want to watch the concert between your two sets of lips.

Concerts are the ideal date night with my boyfriend, but I’m sure him and I would both agree we are there to see and enjoy the show together, not enjoy each other in the context of a loud room with the company of hundreds to watch. In no way does this mean you can’t talk during concerts or kiss during “your song”, but please don’t turn my night into your reenactment of Fifty Shade of Grey. Breaking this rule bothers me more than most because not only are you inhibiting my ability to watch the show, but you yourself aren’t even enjoying it.

5. Take pictures and videos, but not at the expense of those around you.

This is probably the most commonly broken of all the Unwritten Rules. I once saw ZZ Top at a venue called the 9:30 club in DC. For those of you who don’t know, the 9:30 club is one of the clubs major acts play when they decide to do a club tour. An incredible show, but it was nearly ruined by a drunken 50 year old birthday girl who decided to Facebook Live the entire show. THE ENTIRE SHOW. This is definitely an extreme, but at every show there are a few people that watch the whole concert through a screen, only taking a break to look down and post. Don’t just do this for me, but do it for yourself. It breaks my heart to know that even though we spent the same money, came to the same place, and are here for the same reason, you won’t get to feel or experience the transcendence that is live music. Just being there isn’t enough, you have to choose to listen and choose to feel. When you throw your phone up not only do I know you aren’t feeling this, but you’ve broken my 30-minute long uninterrupted focus on Billy Gibbons’s fingers. Moral of the story; take your pictures and videos in 30 second bursts, and make sure to take a several at a time so that at least one has to be in focus.

6. Don’t crowd surf if the average audience member is younger and weighs less than you do.

I thought this one was pretty self-explanatory until I saw a robust, grown man come crashing down upon the muddy ground, seemingly surprised that the crowd of We The Kings at Warped Tour couldn’t hold him. Crowd surfing is a dangerous game because even if there are strong people to hold you, the likeliness that they’re looking backwards to make sure they’re ready to catch your sweaty body is slim to none. That being said, crowd surfing is an incredibly cool experience, so if you do choose to crowd surf, make sure the crowd is one that can hold you up. (What would be better still is if you crowd surfed to the back so people can see you coming!)

7. Don’t be a bully in the mosh pit.

Moshing dates back to the early days of punk, so if we’re honest, most of the people moshing today weren’t there when it started. This rule is especially important because anyone who is moshing today has to learn the cultural etiquette. Mosh pits aren’t meant to be an everybody vs. everybody fight to the death. It’s more like a high-stakes game of people pinball with the perimeter of the circle serving as the triggers. Moshers are some of the more violent people at the show, so following this rule is extra important because if you throw a cheap shot, you can bet you’ll get one right back at you.

8. Pouring your heart out to the married lead singer won’t get you backstage.

It always surprises me how many people will try to get backstage. The reality is unless you’ve got an in, or a pocket full of cash to throw at VIP passes, you probably aren’t getting backstage. Not to mention, the kind of rock stars who would want you backstage after only just looking at you aren’t cool, they’re creepy. That’s beside the point though. Rock stars are real people too, they understand who they are, but it’s way cooler to be a hard core fan than their wannabe wife. If you do get the incredible opportunity to meet some of your musical heroes, spend that time telling them how they made an impact on your life instead of how you want to replace the wife they wrote all your favorite songs about.

9. Don’t buy counterfeit merchandise.

Counterfeit merchandise is the biggest backstabbing mistake a fan can make. We’ve all heard it before: physical sales are down, streaming is up, and bands are forced to make all of their money through touring and merchandise. You probably spend hundreds of hours a year listening to your favorite bands, the least you could do is sack up and spend the extra $5 on official merch. It’s easy to think what difference could one person make, but if you really believe in a band, don’t give your money to people who make a living screwing them over.

10. Have a designated driver.

I really wish this didn’t have to be on the list, but it does. At every concert, I’ll see entire groups of people arrive together, get obliterated together, and leave together, as I sip my water and hope that I don’t end up driving next to them on my way home. Even if it doesn’t end in an accident, even if you only had a drink and a half before the asshole next to you spilled it, the parking lot is hard enough to get out of without you being in a drunken haze.

Despite years of teenage girls telling me their dad was in the front row, despite countless hours watching concerts through somebody else’s phone screen, and despite multiple pony-tail whips to the face, I had never once stood up for myself. Never dared to cause confrontation where there needn’t be any. Until just this past week. A couple squeezed in front of me 3 rows back from the front 5 minutes before the headliner came on. I held my tongue. Then they started making out when I am a mere 3 inches away from their faces. I held my tongue. By this point between the girl and the boy caressing each other I had been elbowed in the boob five times, and did I mention I could bite her ponytail off without moving? I held my tongue. Then they started bragging about how close to the stage they were, AND THERE I WENT. I let it out, all the aggression meant for every teenage girl weaseling to the front, for every bald dad taking videos of full songs, for every 6 foot tall guy who ever stood in front of me. I told them off as respectfully, but as truthfully as I could in this moment of true and utter disgust. The wanna be alpha male tried to defend himself and just like that, I had the support of every fan that heard me tell them off.

“I think if you look around, everyone would agree [with her]”

“You should’ve gotten here at 7 like us”

“I came from South Africa to be here tonight”.  

I knew I had been getting stares when I started to go off on these two, but I had no idea they were stares of support. The people at these concerts are extremely cool and caring people, and they don’t want to ruin your night, so please don’t ruin theirs.

So, respect the code, don’t be a dick and we will all have the best night of our lives!

- Devon

[rashaituckerunit6]

Zine Evaluation

Before I started my zines I was required to look up what a ZINE is, collect a variety of visual zine examples and annotated why did I like it, what methods have been used in the design what it’s about, research into other graphic and illustrative styles, find at least 20 examples and annotate 3 in detail, why did I like it, what methods have been used in the design, what is it about, which style theme was I thinking  of using , find visual references and influences online that helped me develop a style and consistent aesthetic and annotate.

In all honesty, I first thought I was going to just stick to the theme “CUT-COPY-PASTE” but the more I started to create my zines the more I wanted to be creative and make my zines truly outstanding. In total, I covered three themes for my zines. I covered “CUT-COPY-PASTE”, Layered chaos and Sparton zen.  With my first zine that I created, I did not use the theme cut-copy-past. I ended up doing my own illustration and doing a sparton zen themed zine. I wanted the zine to be aggressive but peaceful at the same time, or dark / gritty and show enlightening hope. Because my zines involved around the artist Travis Scott, I thought it would be a good idea to portray his dark and gritty albums ( RODEO / DAYS BEFORE RODEO ) to his new bright up beat albums ( Birds In The Trap / ASTROWORLD ). With this idea in my head I thought it would be cool to illustrate a drawing of him with half of his face being blacked out with white sharp teeth. That would portray his old albums that were dark and gritty. On the other side of the face, It would still show sharp teeth with him smiling but with his face not being blacked out. This would portray his current album ASTROWORLD. He would still have the sharp teeth because In ASTROWORLD it still has slight dark themed meanings in some of the songs. I thought having a pink background would look cool as well and make the face pop out. In the beginning the split Travis Scott face had more detail in the creases of the mouth and chin but I wanted to make it more mundane. I ended up using the level tool and darkened one side while keeping the teeth bright and sharp. I wanted to use this as a front and back cover for the zines. The front would be the dark themed (Travis Scott) and the back would be the light themed (Travis Scott). I am happy about how my front and back cover looks but I think I feel like I could have added something more like a simple text.

The second page that I had created ended up being a mix of layered chaos and  CUT-COPY-PAST themed zine. I looked for images where Travis Is performing and going all out in performing. I got about three where he is live and looking intense. I wanted to use three to show his energy and craziness but also show that he is not just some crazy person. I got a pictured of him smiling to the fans as well. I used the magnetic lasso tool, magic wand tool, quick selection tool and move tool. This allowed me to take the images and cut out anything that I didn't want. I overlapped the images of Travis over each other and had the ASTROWORLD concert in the background. Because this page  specifically has to do with ASTROWORLD, I tried to make it not look super dark or gritty. Hence why the biggest picture out of all the Travis's is him smiling looking over all the other Travis's. The last thing that I added was a grainy effect. I wanted it to look a little like an advertisement for a magazine ( just a little ).  I thought it looked amazing and was not to complicated to create. It took time and patience to make sure I cut out each of the Travis Scott pictures. I have no regrets as to how this page came out for the zine. It was fairly easy compared to the other pages that I had to create.

Moving on to the third page for the zine, It was now time to create A RODEO themed page. In the album rodeo, there is a very significant and recognisable figure in the album. The doll of Travis Scott is heavily shown for the cover of the album. I thought it would be a good idea to now base this page as a sparton zen themed page. I would then draw the doll with the names of the songs in the album around it. I wouldn't draw to much detail nor add colour. Why not add colour? I thought it looked better and would stand out more if it didn't have any colour. I kept that sketchy draft look of the doll by not erasing to much of the outline of the doll. Mainly used the brush tool and changed the hardness and texture of the brush to a more flow look. I added a grainy texture to it all to make it look even more cooler. If I had not added the grain, I feel like it would been to plain. I added the parent advisory explicit content box to make it look like an actual vinyl cover, or cd cover. I love this page because of its simplicity.  I am indeed happy with this page. Because it is rodeo and sparton zen themed, I wanted to have the doll staring at you to indeed portray it as creepy but at the same time peaceful. Once again, I was trying to have all my ASTROWORLD themed pages not as dark and grimy as the RODEO themed pages.

The fourth page that I had was pretty fun to make. I was on face time with my friend in my country, who listens to Travis Scott as well. We were talking about cool ideas and interesting things that a photographer could see at a Travis Scott concert. He started to talk about mosh pits and I instantly thought about what others don't see unless they down and dirty in the mosh pits. I decided once again to do a sparton zen theme page which would show aggressiveness but peaceful vibes. A person can indeed get a bloody nose and bruises on their eye in the mosh pit but they could also be enjoying themselves and have the adrenalin so they could possibly not even feel the bruises that they have. All true Travis Scott ragers know that If you go to a Travis Scott conert, there are no bystander's. You best be jumping and moving like there aint no tomorrow. I decided to illustrate a person who is at an ASTROWORLD concert a little bloody and bruised from being in a mosh pit but having a great time. This was very fun for me because I was able to draw a character from my imagination. Because I love drawing characters and in a manga style, I decided why not add a little manga inspired illustration to the page. I ended up with a character who had brown hair and wearing one of his merch t shirts. I got the ear piercing an nose piercing inspiration from myself. When I had initially finished it, I didn't like how the character looked unnatural and unrealistic. I added a grainy effect to it and also made his hair transparent a little bit and flow with the background lights and strobes. It shocked me as to how it looked way better than just him having brown hair looking at the photographer. Because it is sparton zen, I did show that it could be dark and gritty with the blood and bruises but I also wanted to show he is not angry and is actually enjoying himself. He is smiling. The main tools I used to illustrate this page was the brush tool, magic wand tool and quick selection tool. I also played around with the curves to change the darkness of his hair and transparency.  I am extremely happy with what It looks like. I didn't expect it too turn out as good as it looks. I originally didn't like that  he stood out that much because he is a manga inspired illustration but I think that when people draw non realistic drawings into realistic photos it looks eye catching. I had to fiddle around with the transparency and blending mode to get the proper colours set for his hair skin and t shirt. With the drawing tablet I have at home, it allowed m to draw it better than a mouse. But because it is a very tiny and cheap one, its not easy drawing like how I do on paper. I am currently saving money for one that the college provides or better.

For this page, it has to be by far my favourite out of all of the pages for the zine. I personally like Travis Scotts old albums where his music was dark, grimy and gritty. Because this next page had to be RODEO themed I decided again to pick sparton zen. I also did a little bit of layered chaos for this page. This pages illustration was way harder to draw than the previous page. The previous pages illustration had slight bruises and blood but because this person went to a Travis Scott concert  where mainly rodeo and days before rodeo songs where playing, the moshpit was a lot more aggressive with day one OG Travis Scott fans. I had to step out of my cum fort zone and draw a different perspective of a person lying on the floor chin up and thumbs up looking ok.  I am terrible at for shortening so it was difficult drawing and SHADING the hand. I find shading hard but I tried best. Another thing is that I am very unused to drawing on a drawing pad compared to a good old pen and paper. The main reason why I ended up drawing on my pad Is because I didn't have enough time to copy and render anything where I could colour it in the computer. I did enjoy drawing the character though. In the page it shows the illustrated character ( wearing Travis Scott RODEO merch t shirt ) lying down on the floor with a bloody nose, swollen eye, bloody lip and dazed but HAPPY. You have other people around him enjoying the the party. This specific page took me a good set of hours to create. In total it took me about 8 hours straight no break to finish. The main tools that I used as the brush tool to draw the character, quick selection and magic wand tool to cut out the images that I would layer on top of each other. I also thought it would look sick as either an album cover, vinyl cover or CD, so once again I added the Parental Advisory image. I used once again a grainy layer over everything to make it even more grimy and dark. I honestly love this page a lot because I am proud as to how I am being aware of the importance of layers. Separating and creating new layers for each and every important thing. This shows that I can step out of my comfort zone and illustrate things I wouldn't usually. So yes I am extremely hay with what I created for this page. Love it!

With the 5th page coming along , I wanted to create something pretty eye catching and tripy to look at. Because this page had to be ASTROWORLD themed, I thought it would be cool to implament a songs meaning. One of the songs of the album is STARGAZING. I thought it would be cool to have a galaxy looking page with the golden Travis Scott head fading towards the person. At the very end I made the Travis Scott Head pretty visible but bright. I also made sure there was a alaxy with sparkling stars and distant plants. I ended up putting the same text tat you get on the back of a t shirt if you get on  of his merch T shirts. I decided to put it directly in the middle because It grabs the viewers attention. The eyes might wonder all around the page to see and view everything but in the end the main thing that will immediately grab their attention is the test “ WISH YOU WERE HERE”. I  kept the text bright and white. In order to create such A cool page for my zine I had to duplicate the head, make them transparent at a certain limit and make them smaller as they move towards the back ( top of the page ). I left one of the heads not as transparent as the others and changed the blending mode. I also used the quick selection tool, magic wand tool and the magnetic lasso tool. This allowed me to cut out the golden Travis Scott head. The zine theme that I had chosen was layered chaos. Each head was being layered on repeat. I thought that this zine page was unique and outstanding like the others as well. It was simple but eye catching. I honestly do not really have any regrets or thoughts of changes to it. I didn't want to add a whole lot to it and wanted to keep it like it is.

Coming to the last page of the zine, It had to be Rodeo themed. If you look closely you can notice a pattern. Rodeo themes page, astro themed page, rodeo … astro... etc. I decided to make the last page not only rodeo themed but also layerd chaos. I feel like the picture of Travis Screaming or galoping, what ever you want to call it , its a good representation of layers chaos. Truthfully when I finished this page, I thought it was a good way to end it. It shows a bunch of crazy, chaotic Travis Scott raging off into the Texas night. I put the text La Flame there in bright red letters because it is another name fans call him. Its red to implement ( flame/fire ) as well. I didn't want to add to much texts or random objects in it. I decided to put the main Travis Scott horse slightly away from the others to represent leadership. It looks like its Travis leading his loyal fans into the night to rage and party to the end. There is no size or gender that Travis will deny to follow him into the night. Creating, I used the magic wand tool, quick selection tool and move tool. This allowed me to cut out Travis and duplicate him. With the colours that you see that fade into the night, I made sure it all faded smoothly and pretty by messing around with the blending mode. I kept the parental advisory explicit content icon because once again it look kind of like a vinyl or cd cover. Because Travis Scott is from HOUSTEN TEXAS and names his album RODEO I thought it would be pretty smart to implement that into a zine page. In Texas the first thing that comes to my mind is cowboy hats, horses, bulls, cactus etc.

Overall, I think that my zine looks eye catching. It inst a bunch of flashy pictures on the front cover. Its got a simple face in the front which would possibly encourage others to open it and see what its about. I am profoundly happy as to how it came out. I was nervous because I originally created my zines as an A4 document but I was later able to change it. With my zines, it leaves the person not knowing if every single page will look the exact same. For example, If I had a zine about fruits. You could possibly assume that each page would have an image of a fruit. For me its different. The person would flip the page and see Travis Scott but automatically assume that it will be photos of just him page after page. As they flip though the pages they would see that it is Travis Scott inspiration illustrations and graphic designs. So YES, I do think that I have visual consistency. When the person flips to the next page its not something that they should possibly expect. With my zine, It actually ended up better than what I wanted to achieve portray. I am very proud of what I have created.

[theliterateape]

Managing a House for 50,000 People

By Don Hall

"Tiffany to Don."

The terrible analogue radio crackles in my left ear.

"This is Don. Go."

I'm on the southwest end of the park. It's hot. Really hot. Hot enough that one begins to question the sanity of standing out here, wearing all black, amidst 11,000 people listening to a world-class orchestra play Tchaikovsky. Tiffany is one of my 50 ushers. She has encountered an older couple who came out to the park to hear the music yet hadn't really thought through the difficulties of being post-70 years of age in heat that can only be described as Global Warming Hot as Balls HOT. The gentlemen is so overheated that he can no longer walk. They need a wheelchair.

"Copy that. I'm on my way."

I walk quickly to the Welcome Center on Randolph, check out a wheelchair, then navigate the unwieldy thing through throngs of casual walkers around to the east side of the the stage. It takes me around eight minutes and I'm sweating like I'd been in the volcano room at King Spa. The old man sits in the chair after navigating the fear of just falling on his ass while sitting down. They need to go to their car in the parking garage.

Tiffany shrugs. "I don't drive. I don't know the parking garage."

"I got it," I say with a forced smile.

I wheel the man and his wife through the bowels of the building. We get to the elevator and they can't quite remember what floor they parked on. They left their ticket in the car. We sit for a moment, as the garage is huge and the prospect of finding their vehicle with no concept of even what floor (of the seven levels) it is on is an impossible task.

"It's on three."  "How sure are you?" "I'm pretty sure it's on three."

We go to three. No idea what section (3A? 3B? 3C? Jesus Christ…) they give me a description of the car and a license plate number and we set out through each aisle, each row, looking for the car. Thirty-five minutes later — with frequent radio calls for assistance that I direct while seeking an end to the labyrinthian journey I'm on — I spy their ride. They are relieved and thrilled. So am I.

The wife wants to tip me and offers me a dollar. I politely decline and send them on their way. I return just as the concert ends and just in time to set up the two recycling bins in the arcade for the ushers to dispose of the now outdated programs leftover from the weekend.

"So, what do you do?"

It's a frequent question as the term House Manager is like Events Consultant — amorphous and ever-changing based upon the needs of the room and the client.

When I worked as the House Manager for NPR's Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me! between 2007–2017, the job I inherited was vastly different than the one I left. The show was still sort of finding it's legs audience-wise and I came in on a standard taping. Rod, the senior producer at the time, told me, "Just watch how we're doing things and then make a list of things you could change to make it better experience for the audience."

I came in the next morning with five typed pages. I handed it to him, he handed it back without even looking up.

"Do this," he said.

So, for WWDTM, the House Management job developed into:

Redesigning and ordering program booklets (a set up from the one-sheet being used in 2007)

Redesigning and utilizing a more efficient ticketing program (I finally settled on Eventbrite and became so accomplished at gaming their system to accommodate our specific needs, Eventbrite flew me out to San Francisco to give a lecture on it.)

Redesigning and creating a merchandise shop (the 2007 model involved radio producers jumping out of the booth with a few cardboard boxes of t-shirts and mugs after the show) and eventually working directly with NPR to make better and cooler merch to sell. In the decade I was there, the Carl Kasell Bowling Shirts were my favorite and I still have one that I wear.

Working with Chase Bank to create a streamlined line-up process for ticket-holders and a fun way to get them from the streets to the seats and back again.

Recruiting and organizing a staff of 20-60 volunteers to help staff each taping.

And then there were all the day-to-day details to contend with — helping audience members in distress (I recall at least three people having heart attacks during a taping and getting EMS to help without interrupting the show), assisting celebrity guests with their specific needs (a vegan dinner for Mobey, helping Denis Leary find a corner to smoke in without leaving the bank, ushering Tom Hanks through the belly of the bank to get him to his car and avoid the fan throngs), and making sure the cast and crew had everything they needed to get the show done without interference.

According to the folks who worked it last year, the Mariachi Fest was a shitshow. The organizer is a great guy but sees the festival as a big party rather than an event and his process is less administrative than something that brings out 20,000 patrons can handle. The story goes that last year, he gave out more VIP seats than exist in the park (there are 4,000 seats in the Seating Bowl) and the scene even prior to the music starting was chaotic. So chaotic that the House Manager last pulled all of the ushers out of the Seating Bowl for their safety.

I spent hours asking those who worked it questions. From the backstage crew to the ushers to security guards to performers. My task was how to help the organizer be more organized with (or, as was the case, without) his buy-in.

At it's core, the job is to make sure that the preponderance of attendees to each park event has a good experience. Recognizing that no one comes to a Blues Fest or a Gospel Fest with the intent of having a shitty time and fucking with the staff. Creating a platform that is both highly organized yet seems effortless from their vantage.

Folded into my work on the Mariachi Fest included craftily limiting the VIP seat availability, staffing willing ushers (many who worked it last year refused to work it this year) in that section to ensure that VIP felt like VIP, going online to the festival Faceborg page and correcting the almost non-stop steam of misinformation, and working with all parties in the park to make sure we were all on the same page. Luckily, there are some terribly smart cookies on the DCASE staff to collaborate with, a fact that gave us a focused team vibe.

All of the behind the scenes work paid of. In the end, 18,000 people spent the day and night in the park enjoying, dancing to, and singing along with the fun, exciting strains of mariachi trumpets, violins, drums and singers. The organizer even thanked me for being such a pain in his ass and commented that it was the smoothest it had ever gone.

"Congrats on working security at festivals."

It was designed to be a dig from a toxic asshole who makes a living as a babysitter. The thing that was funny was that the folks who work security at Millennium Park work hard and have one of the most thankless jobs I've ever witnessed. By comparison, my gig is far more rewarding. I have nothing but respect for the security in the park, especially this year as the CPD and the City has finally enforced a heightened security presence due to the increase in societal polarity, which has manifested in assholes with guns and a desire for posthumous glory.

All that aside [places respect for the security team I've worked with all summer over here on a chair], the role of House Manager is not one of policing the audience (although some revel in the power). It is more like the party host or the maître d' of the night. On the smaller scale of WWDTM, I often saw my role as the buffer between the talent and the fans, the show and those there to appreciate it. Protect the cast, help the crew, assist the patrons in their pursuit of a grand night out.

When it comes to the GPMF and DCASE, there are far too many balls in the air for even me to keep track of which is why this gig is as much about the managing of the house and staff as it is about constant and clear communication across multiple departments. A park the size of Millennium and a stage as utilized as the Pritzker requires a lot of people to make the damn place run.

It's about 45 minutes until the orchestra starts and I'm walking around (this particular job requires a lot of walking at least the way I go about it) checking in with the 28 ushers on staff for the night, making sure the collateral for the event is displayed correctly and keeping an eye on the flow of audience when I spy a woman breastfeeding behind the stage.

She is doing it out of sight and is surrounded by garbage tubs.

"Excuse me. Would you like to breastfeed your kid in a place that isn't full of trash cans? I'm happy to put you backstage where it's air conditioned, private and not so gross."

She smiles and tells me that would be great. So I take her backstage, get her a chair and tell the security guard on duty that she has permission to be there. Then I make sure she's good and head back out into the park.

I like this kind of work. It's physically demanding, there's always something to do or a problem to solve. I'm exhausted by the end of a typical 12-hour shift and I've earned my sleep each time. I get to talk to hundreds of random people each night from all walks of life as they come to a place of community and beauty and cultural magnitude.

I get paid to listen to unbelievably talented musicians of every type of music and, while it can be difficult at times, I'm tremendously happy to be doing it. I work with 50 ushers I've hired, do their payroll every two weeks, schedule them and watch some of them flourish in the experience.

Will I always be doing this work? I dunno but I'm satisfied to be doing it right now, in Chicago, the Summer of 2018.