#A Storytelling Session for a Month

[lvdbbooks]

【告】

2025年1月29日（水）〜2月27日（木）

劉李杰「一個月的故事會」

会場：LVDB BOOKS（大阪東住吉区田辺3-9-11）

営業時間: 13:00～20:00（日月休み）

/

LVDB BOOKSの書物（テキスト、写真）からリサーチし、絵画と文字で関係した写真を置き換えて、歴史的な記録を再構築します。このプロセスにより、本来無関係な写真やテキストなとが整理され、ストーリー性と新たな意味を生み出す、目に見えないが歴史的かつ社会的な空間に関連する記憶が浮かび上がるような感覚を作り出すことを目指しています。

劉李杰 | LIU Lijie

1989年 中国浙江寧波市生まれ、大阪在住。

学歴 2020年 京都精華大学大学院芸術研究科博士後期課程単位取得退学 2017年 京都精華大学大学院芸術研究科博士前期課程芸術専攻（版画コース）修了 2012年 湖北美術学院芸術学部 版画コースイラスト専攻卒業

個展 2023年「無聲誦讀」The Terminal Kyoto、京都 2022年「Remembrance / Forgetfulness」香老舖松栄堂・薫習館、京都 2021年「9日間雨が降り続けた」京都精華大学サテライトスペースDemachi、京都 2020年「Another Garden」ギャラリー恵風、京都

主なグループ展 2024年「ARTISTS’FAIR KYOTO 2024」京都新聞ビル 地下1階、京都 2022年、2018年「大地の芸術祭 越後妻有アートトリエンナーレ 」旧枯木又分校、新潟 2022年「いきをする間」GURA STUDIO / GALLERY、京都 2020年「ARTISTS’FAIR KYOTO 2020」京都文化博物館別館、京都 2017年「Stone Letter Project」Gallery TRI-ANGLE、兵庫 2016年「Art book in China abC / f展」上海民生美術館、上海（中国）

[nordpolen]

Sometimes I doubt my abilities as a Vampire: The Masquerade storyteller a lot, but then there are sessions where my players post memes based on the session, or add sounds to the soundboard, or help wingman eachother with the NPC's. It's really starting to feel like their Coterie is a small family, and I absolutely adore it. So here are a few of the memes my players posted for todays session.

[tomaturtles]

Happy one year anniversary of me reading campus apocalypse for the first time and being so normal about it

[billiegabbysyd]

Reader is a massive video game nerd, and she’s always spouting off random facts about different games or going off on tangents about her favorite characters. Billie finds her passion adorable and always looks at her with heart eyes when she’s rambling

𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 (𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒆 𝒆𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒙 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒓!𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓)

sfw just fluff: billie being in love and reader being a cutie

"did you know that in the last of us, clickers are actually based on a real-life fungus called cordyceps? it infects insects and basically mind-controls them—"

billie hums, chin propped up in her hand as she watches you animatedly explain. her focused blue never leaving you. the dinner you two were supposed to be eating is getting cold, but she doesn't care. your eyes are glowing with excitement, your hands waving in the air like this is the most important thing in the world. and to you, maybe it is.

she loves that about you.

you pause, noticing her staring. "am I rambling?"

billie smiles, reaching across the table to squeeze your hand. "yeah.” she shrugged. ‘but it’s one of my favorite things about you.’

your face flushes. "wait, really?"

"yeah," she says softly. "tell me more."

and just like that, you dive right back in, billie listening like every word is gold.

it’s always like this. whether it’s a lazy sunday afternoon or a late-night gaming session where you’re half-asleep on her shoulder, billie always listens. she doesn’t always understand what you’re talking about, but she doesn’t need to. the way your face lights up, the way your voice speeds up when you get excited…it’s enough.

she still remembers the first time she saw you play a game you truly loved. you had been sitting cross-legged in your pink gamer chair. completely focused, the controller practically glued to your hands. she had been scrolling through her phone, not really paying attention, until she heard you muttering under your breath.

“i love this game.”

“what’s so special about it?” she had asked, genuinely curious.

your eyes had gone wide, and suddenly, she had unlocked something in you.

“well, the storytelling is insane like, it makes you feel everything. and the way they use sound design-oh my god! genius. also, the combat mechanics—”

you had gone on for nearly 30 minutes. billie hadn’t said much, just watched, nodding occasionally. but when you had finally paused, maybe expecting her to be bored or rolling her eyes, she had only grinned.

"you get so cute when you talk like this, baby."

the way your face burning from her flattery, had been one of her favorite moments ever.

and now, months later, she still watches you the same way. still listens to every rant, every fact you randomly throw out, every passionate rambling about the fictional characters...

"hey, did you know the voice actress for cortana in halo is the same one they used for microsoft’s AI assistant?"

billie laughs, curling closer to you on the couch. "no angel, but i do now."

you glance at her, skeptical. "are you actually listening?"

she kisses your cheek. "of course i am. i love the way you talk about the things you love babe, you’re so passionate."

you soften, settling against her with a happy sigh. billie doesn’t need to be a gamer to know one thing for sure: she loves you and the way your mind works.

-thank you for the request 🫶🏾

[moviecritc]

hii could you write something about lestappen x reader? maybe taking care of max because he is sick? thank you 💕

sick days ⋆ lestappen

pairing: lestappen x reader

summary: after going on a long run in the morning, max ends up sick, but he doesn't accept it

word count: 1.5K

a/n: ok im in love with this, if you guys have more lestappen requests do them!! bc i love writing em <3

english is not my first language, sorry for the mistakes and poor storytelling.

masterlist | wattpad | letterboxd

Another day, Charles and you woke up feeling the absence of a body in your bed.

"Has he gone out for a run again?" you asked as you approached Charles's bare torso.

"I think so," he nodded, his voice sleepy. You leaned against Charles's chest to see the clock on the nightstand, eliciting a groan from one of your boyfriends.

"It's seven in the morning," you said, almost in a groan yourself.

You collapsed onto the bed, planting a kiss where your hand had rested before. You stretched out, and Charles slipped out of bed, putting on one of Max's Red Bull t-shirts. Before leaving the room, he kissed you on the forehead and then on your bare collarbone. You stayed in bed a little longer, dozing off while Charles prepared breakfast, as he did every morning. The winter break was your favorite time of the year. After being stressed all season with work, going back and forth, and spending weeks without seeing them, these months were the best gift.

Your days revolved around having breakfast together when Max returned from his run. Then, you would make love leisurely and shower together. If you felt like it, you would go shopping or play paddle tennis, then return home to cook together. The boys would then train in the sim or at the gym, and you would usually go for a walk with your friends or even train with them. Although when that happened, it often ended up in a long cardio session in bed. And to end the day, you would go out for dinner at some fancy place in Monaco and then drink and dance at a club.

That morning, Max took a little longer to arrive, but when he walked in, it seemed like a cold smoke followed him. It was mid-December, and it had been a cold winter in Monaco.

Max entered the kitchen and kissed Charles and then you. You noticed his outfit. "Aren't you cold, love?" You looked him up and down, with his short shorts and tank top clinging to his body from the cold sweat.

"Nah," he denied, brushing it off and wiping the sweat from his forehead.

You didn't think much of it until you went to open the window in your room and received a gust of cold air from outside. You were attentive to your boyfriend's behavior for the rest of the day, noticing how he had sneezed several times in the last hour or how, after the shower, he seemed even more tired than usual.

At noon, while Charles was preparing pasta for lunch, you went to Max, who was lying on the couch.

"How are you, love?" You sat next to him, intertwining your arm with his, and noticed - or rather heard - as Max sniffed his nose.

"Fine, why'd you ask?" Max furrowed his brow, feigning confusion.

"Oh, no reason," you shrugged, running a hand through his hair. "I just notice you seem tired."

Charles had an ear on the conversation, also noticing that Max was probably brewing something and hadn't mentioned it for some stereotypical nonsense he thought.

"No, no. Don't worry, schat," Max assured. "I'll go help you now."

He leaned in to kiss you, but at that moment, he started coughing heavily. You let out a sweet laugh and went over to Charles.

"Char, I think our Max is getting sick," you nodded, while Charles put an arm around your waist.

"It can't be!" Charles exclaimed, pretending to be surprised.

"No!" Max jumped in immediately, stood up, and practically ran towards them, swaying a little. "I'm not getting sick."

Max let out a heavy breath and leaned on the counter, catching his breath that he had lost in the four steps he had taken.

"I see," Charles commented, walking past him and giving him a gentle pat on the butt.

"Max, why don't you go lie on the couch? We'll take care of this," you suggested with a comforting smile.

Max rolled his eyes in a very exaggerated way and crossed his arms as you and Charles looked at each other and smiled knowingly.

"I'm going to the sim, I can see I'm not wanted here," he said, with a somewhat sad look.

When Max left, Charles and you looked at each other. "Is he mad?" you asked, leaning on Charles's shoulder and hugging him from behind while he cooked.

"Nah, he just thinks he's the strong one in the relationship," He gave you a soft kiss on the forehead.

In all the time you had been together, you had never seen Max weak. You had seen Charles cry and complain countless times over any little thing. But Max? That man seemed like a piece of iron when it came to feelings. He hadn't even cried at the end of How To Train Your Dragon, and although to some extent the image of a strong guy and the pillar of the relationship was fine, you were dying to see his softer side.

Twenty minutes later, Charles had finished cooking the pasta, and you went to the room where the sim set was.

"Charles, come see this," you called. He came immediately, finding Max totally asleep in the chair, with the car crashed in the first curve of the Monaco Grand Prix.

"Do we wake him up?" Charles whispered, looking at him lovingly.

"Wait," You approached him carefully, taking a picture of him. "Okay, wake him up," you smiled.

Charles began to leave soft kisses on Max's cheek and lips, even lightly biting his earlobe. The sleeping man let out a loud gasp and practically jumped up from the chair.

"Hey, easy, easy," Charles said, putting his hands on his shoulders.

"How you doing, sleeping beauty?" you said.

"I wasn't sleeping,"

"Oh, sure not," Charles said, with a little smile. "Wanna come eat with us?"

"Yeah, just give me a minute," Max nodded, stifling a yawn.

Both Charles and you heard him blowing his nose for almost two minutes straight. Max appeared in the living room, trying to pretend he was fine, but his reddened nose gave him away.

He helped set the table. "What are we going to do this afternoon?" the blonde asked before blowing his nose.

Charles and you exchanged glances, knowing that if you didn't do anything, Max would keep insisting he was perfectly fine.

"I don't feel like going out today," you commented calmly.

"Yeah, me neither," Charles agreed.

Both saw the look of relief on Max's face. "Oh, okay. Well, nothing then," he pretended.

"We can watch a movie," you suggested, shrugging.

After lunch, you cuddled up on the couch, and you chose the movie. You noticed Max moving closer to you, resting his head on your shoulder, which was usually the other way around. Towards the end of the movie, you heard Max sniffling repeatedly, and you didn't even consider that they could be tears until you saw Max wiping his face.

You glanced at him. "Are you crying?"

"No…" Max muttered with a thin voice.

Charles looked at them. "You're crying!" he exclaimed, and quickly changed positions, with Max now in the middle.

"It's just… he found someone who loves him," he said between tears, pointing at the TV. "Like I love you guys."

Charles and you looked at each other with a pout, immediately showering him with kisses. You were watching Shrek.

"Wait, wait, I don't wanna get you sick," Max said, denying the kisses.

Charles backed off a bit in surprise. "Are you admitting you're sick?"

"Of course I'm sick, look at me,"

They chuckled a little, and you got up to get some cough syrup and ibuprofen for your boyfriend, finally. It barely took a minute, but when you returned, Max was lying on Charles's chest while he stroked his hair.

"Did he fall asleep again?" you whispered.

"I think so, come here," Charles stretched out his hand, and you wrinkled your nose a bit.

"I don't want to wake him up,"

Charles rolled his eyes. "Come here, mon ange," he repeated.

You stretched out on the couch, under Charles's arm and covering Max with a blanket. From where you were, you could see Max sleeping perfectly.

"It's so cute to see him like this," you whispered to Charles, while he gave you kisses on your jaw and ear.

"Isn't it?" Charles agreed. "And get ready for tomorrow because he's going to be clingier than ever."

"It's like he's been waiting for this moment all my life," you said, with a radiant smile.

Charles chuckled slightly, causing Max to move a bit, letting out a moan and falling back asleep immediately.

[katiascraft]

“I need to confess. I told you a lie. I said you were the love of my life.” | LN4

part 2 of this.

Parings: Lando Norris x Ex!Bisexual!Reader.

Summary: after leaving Lando, you realized what real love was like. Unfortunately, he didn’t and all he could think about every time he looks at his new parter is you.

Now playing: “L’AMOUR DE MA VIE” by Billie Eilish.

Word count: +2k.

Warnings: angst (?) insults (?) cursed words. Not a native English speaker so there could be (so many) errors. Not proofread.

Author’s note: maybe this sucks. well I don’t know but I just came to this idea for a part 2 no one asked of this but yeah. Reader deserved a happy ending ❤️‍🩹 Don’t forget to like, comment or reblog! And follow me so we can be friends :3 (and drink mate together!)

MASTERLIST

It’s been 10 months since the worst day of your life. The day you had enough of the place that you weren’t enough for. The place who made you so miserable and insecure. The place that broke you in so many pieces it turned you to dust. The place where you never want to go back to.

It’s been the hardest 10 months of your life. Mourning the life you thought you would have forever was the worst process you got yourself through. How you had to not only get over your ex, Lando, but also the you that wasn’t gonna be you anymore for the rest of your life. And that was the hardest past. Let go of who you were when he was in your life and let go of all the memories. It was like learning to be a functioning human being again. And you also thought you couldn’t bear with being single. You felt so ashamed of not remembering how to approach people or even how to feel attractive yourself. You were nothing after that day.

For your family and friends was heartbreaking too. Not only because they had to mourn lando that now was out of your life so then their lives as well, but also the you they knew before and during the relationship. And now learning to know this new you.

It was hard for the first 3 months but thanks to your friends and intense therapy sessions you eventually got better. You started discovering a part of yourself you didn’t know existed. Leaving lando changed you not 180 degrees but 360. You changed your style, your hair, your humor, your attitude. You spoke up. Had a strong opinion. You started being more selective with people and for a long time you remained single. you worked on you. Trying to give yourself back everything that relationship took away. You made new friends and moved to New York to start a new life. In that city you found you loved music and storytelling so you started a musical career on YouTube and became kind of famous. You also went to university. And now you’re a content creator, you upload vlogs of your everyday life and opinions. You love fashion like crazy and post your outfits on Instagram and TikTok along with your music. And you are back into being happy. Not only with your life but with yourself. You love who you are and what you do for a living. There’s no one you have to follow or leave everything behind. You live now in your own world where you are the thing that matters the most. You feel so grateful you made it through.

But you were also madly loved for who you are. Tania was your new girlfriend. You didn’t even know you liked girls as well. You tried with guys but none of them felt right for you until you met Tania in a little music shop two blocks away from your apartment. It was the most romantic way of meeting someone you believed. You two went to the same shop to buy the same album and oh coincidence of life there was only one copy of it. And that’s how you met. She gave it to you and so you offered her to come to your place and listen to it together. Yeah you offered that to a stranger but she looked so beautiful. You felt something so weird you haven’t ever felt before in your life. His blonde hair so shiny and his brown eyes so deep you could drown in them with no problem. She was gorgeous.

In fact, you never felt so seen until you met her. The way she actually listened to what you had to say. The way he understood your insecurities and tried to help you and figure it out together. The way you could laugh for hours non-stop until you went dry from crying of laughter. When you felt how you felt with her you knew Lando didn’t matter at all. He never loved you for who you were. He never appreciated all of the sacrifices you did for him just because you thought you loved him your entire life. The way you listened and supported him anywhere, anyhow, whenever. You gave everything for him, but what about you? He never noticed you. He never saw you. He never cared about you.

Realizing that hurt at first but then you understood it was the wrong person at the wrong time. Because if you hadn’t been through what he put you through then this wouldn’t be your life and you wouldn’t be this loved.

But you know what they say, life’s a bitch so here you were again in Monaco for Alexandra’s birthday. It was gonna be a huge event in a yacht for all of her friends. So of course you knew lando was coming and you also knew because of Alex he had a new girlfriend as well. You weren’t intimidated by him but you felt a little insecure you know. You felt rather uncomfortable. But Alex was your friend and she was so nice she invited Tania as well and few of your hometown friends so you wouldn’t feel left apart. Alex knew you so well. You always have struggled with fitting in. She was really sweet. But at the same time you were also so excited to see the guys again. You talked to Pierre and kika. They were so excited to see you. You missed them all of course you did. Moving countries and having an ex who drives along them made things ticky. It was complicated to meet and hang around outside weekend races during the year and of course you wouldn’t assist knowing lando was there. You didn’t want to see him. So tonight is fireproof. If you see him again and survive then the paddock should get ready to see you every now and then with you gorgeous girl.

She knew about Lando of course. And she was the most supportive angel to you. Of course she also hated him. And probably could kill him if you let her. But she won’t just because you asked her.

you were going by taxi. You didn’t have your car because you were on the other side of the world and you wouldn’t waste money renting one just to go to a party in a yacht. You didn’t care about appearances anymore. You got to the harbor just in time. Most of the invited guests were already there. You got there with Tania in your hand and your group of friends. You looked around seeing so many familiar faces and the first one to run to you and hug you tightly was Kika followed by Pierre. You giggled on her shoulder hugging her as well.

“Oh my god girl you look fucking beautiful what the fuck I missed you so much” she said on your shoulder so excited to see you. It flattered your heart.

“I missed you too, my love” you said sweetly. And when you pulled apart you hugged Pierre and introduced Tania to them. They were always so warm. You really missed them. A few minutes passed and you were talking along with a lot of the formula 1 drivers and their partners just like the old days. You felt so part of it. And so loved. And all of them were so nice to Tania. She was so excited that she met Max and he posed for a picture with her that it melted your heart completely. You didn’t see lando by the way. He hasn't arrived yet. But Carlos didn’t either so probably they were coming together. After 15 minutes, the birthday girl finally arrived with her prince in hand and all of the guests were there. The yacht was ready as well. Lando was there with her. You knew her of course you did. She was friends with Max and Kelly. Of course you remember her. Lando is so predictable. You wanted to laugh in his face but you didn’t. You didn’t even say hi. You didn’t want to and you guess he didn’t either because he barely looks at you when he arrived.

(…)

The party was formidable and you were already drunk laughing and posing. Kika was trying to take a couple of pictures of you and Tania and the sunset behind you. It was a beautiful picture.

“Oh my god you’re so beautiful” she said finally ending the photo shoot so she showed you the pictures.

It felt so satisfying being back and not giving a fuck about Lando. All of the guys were so welcoming and sweet like they always had been with you.

Tania had to go to the bathroom. “You want me to go with you titi?” You called her by her nickname you created. She smiled and gave you a kiss on your lips.

“I’m okay baby. I’ll be right back” she said and after giving you one last kiss she disappeared through all of the people around heading to the bathroom. You stayed with your group of friends dancing around and having fun. Alex was there two sharing with all of us. You loved that woman. She was one of your closest friends who was there with you to hold you and listen. She knew what it was like. But she is loved unlike you weren’t. You were enjoying yourself until you heard someone clearing their throat like exaggerated. You turned to find lando clearly drunk looking at you with puppy eyes yet so dark. You of course didn’t like to see him.

“Y/n we need to talk” he said almost in a whisper so no one could hear him but you. Inside you felt disgusted. His voice was once your favorite sound, one that could send chills down your spine. Now it kinda repulses you.

“No, we don't need Lando. Just pretend I don’t exist” you said clearly upset by his behavior.

“But I can’t y/n. I couldn't stop looking at you since I arrived. I can’t get you out of my head. I tried. But I don’t know what else to do!” He was clearly drunk. And you were unbothered to be honest. You noticed Carlos and Oscar heard him and looked at you. You just rolled your eyes at lando.

“Then it’s not my fucking problem lando. You had me but you couldn’t give a damn about me. Sorry it's too late. I’m happy now and I am loved” you spitted about to turn when he grabbed your arm for you not to go.

“You said I was the love of your life. What happened to that? I know you’re the love of my life. Please, y/n” he said kind of desperately. You looked at him with a poker face. You felt nothing at all. And yes you were surprised but also so proud. Lando Norris meant nothing at all finally. He couldn’t move you. He didn’t have power over you anymore. You won.

“Well then I need to confess I lied. You weren’t the love of my life Lando. You were the motherfucker of my life. You fucking destroyed me. So stop with all of this bullshit” you said Angry. You were saying the truth without being afraid of it. You didn’t care anymore. Now your life is yours and he had no power over it. And you’re fucking happy. You just needed to make sure he knew it. And watch him suffer. And you could see something broke inside of him when he heard you saying that. Fortunately Tania came back from the bathroom just in time.

“Y/n, babe, is everything alright?” She asked, watching lando a little confused but controlling her desires to kill him right there.

You smiled at her. “Yeah beba all good now that you are here” you said, grabbing her by her waist and kissing her gently. She grabbed your face a little surprised at first. But she couldn’t say no to your lips. She was addicted. you didn’t care lando was there. You just kissed and turned to your group of friends ignoring that he was the guy you loved just like he did when he was with you.

[postcardsfromheapside]

Like once again:

Y'all “won”

Almost every single one of the team of devs who apparently shit in your soup, killed your dog, murdered your wife, and generally devastated your life, if the screenshots are anything to go by (I'm barely exaggerating, I promise), are gone. They left, or were forced to leave.

Dragon Age is almost certainly done.

Why are y'all still rending your clothes and tearing out your hair about VG 6 months on. It's not just that you're being cringe AF about your supposed misery, it's also that you whole-ass make up bigoted reasons to be miserable about it.

You could just do something else.

“but I loved dragon age and this ruined it-” weak

"my choices weren't respected-” you aren't part of the creative process or the storyteller. Get real.

A lot of y'all should be required to print out your posts and take them to a therapy session

[steventhusiast]

STWG prompt 11/2/24

prompt: date night

pairing/character(s): steddie, hellfire club

it's valentine's week!! hopefully i can do all the prompts this week :)

"And with that, the barkeep..."

Eddie pauses in his storytelling to glance away from the notes hidden by his DM screen and over to the clock. His eyes widen at the time. Is it really 7:53pm already? Shit.

"With that, this session is over. You'll find out what happens with the angry barkeep next week!"

Everyone in the room groans at that, a chorus of 'seriously's and 'what the hell, Eddie's starting up even as he hurries to put his notes back into his DnD folder, and dumps all his dice into his bag haphazardly.

No one seems to notice for a moment, too busy complaining about the cliffhanger, when Gareth suddenly pauses and examines Eddie with a curious look on his face.

"Hold on, you promised we'd finally find out more about the temple this session? Where was that?"

Eddie huffs in response, and doesn't even look up as he starts folding his DM screen.

"Yeah, that was before you guys decided to talk to every single person at the tavern for an hour and start a barfight."

"That's never stopped you from getting us to where you want us before!"

"Yeah!" "Exactly!" "Please, Eddie. What happens with the barkeep."

Eddie waves a hand at everyone, and looks up to see the younger kids complaining quietly to each other, and his closer friends still seeming to inspect him carefully. He supposes they're valid in that; he's not one to back down from his plans, and has never cut off a session like this before.

But. Today is special. Today he has...

"Oh my god, you have a date." Jeff suddenly says, his eyes a little wider than usual as he grabs at Freak's arm.

"What?! Who the fuck would he have a date with?" Freak scoffs.

Eddie ignores the blush fighting to appear on his cheeks and starts collecting all of his figurines scattered around the table.

"Eddie has a date?" Mike suddenly joins in from across the room.

And, great, now the baby sheep are involved too.

"It is none of you guys's business what plans I have after this session. But, really, I gotta go." Eddie tries, but now Dustin's attention is on him as well.

"That's so funny! Steve has a date tonight too- that's why we had to ask Nancy to pick us up tonight." He says with a laugh.

Eddie laughs along with him, a little strained now because Gareth, Jeff and Freak are now squinting at him.

"Yes.. What a coincidence." Gareth says slowly as Eddie continues to pointedly avoid eye contact.

"Anyway! Got a lot to, uh. Do. Running a bit behind schedule actually, so if you could.." Eddie says as he finally finishes shoving everything back into his backpack and throws it over his shoulder, gesturing toward the drama room's door.

The younger kids leave without much complaint, but Gareth, Jeff and Freak hang back and walk slowly alongside Eddie.

"So... Steve Harrington?" Jeff asks once the kids are out of earshot, his tone a little disbelieving.

"Don't say it like it's a bad thing!" Freak slaps him on the shoulder disapprovingly as he speaks.

"It's not a bad thing! Just.. unexpected!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Eddie tries.

"Sure, sure. Enjoy your totally not a date night that's totally not with Steve 'the hair' Harrington." As Gareth says that, they've finally reached the doors and Eddie can well and truly escape.

He's going to have to break a few road laws if he wants to get to Steve's on time. It's only their third date, so sue him if he wants to try to make a good impression.

Even if Steve's been his friend for a few months now, and already knows about his horrible time-keeping skills.... It's still worth a try. Anything to woo Steve Harrington.

-

part two

[luvrinne]

୭ SOME BOOKS THAT RORY GILMORE READ ׂ  𓈒

— 1984 by Orwell George

nineteen eighty-four by George Orwell is a dystopian novel that portrays a totalitarian society where personal freedom is non-existent. It warns against the dangers of totalitarian power, surveillance, propaganda, and thought control, in a powerful critique of modern society.

— atonement by Ian McEwan

atonement by Ian McEwan is a gripping novel that delves into the complexities of guilt, redemption, and the power of storytelling. Set in England during World War II, it follows the lives of three characters whose fates become intertwined after a tragic misunderstanding.

— the bell jar by Sylvia Plath

the bell jar details the life of Esther Greenwood, a college student who dreams of becoming a poet. She is selected for a month-long summer internship as a guest editor of Ladies' Day magazine, but her time in New York City is unfulfilling as she struggles with issues of identity and societal norms.

— christine by Stephen King

christine tells the story of a car apparently possessed by malevolent supernatural forces. A love triangle involving 17-year-old misfit Arnie Cunningham, his new girlfriend and a haunted 1958 Plymouth Fury. Dubbed Christine by her previous owner, Arnie's first car is jealous, possessive and deadly.

— the virgin suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

the story, which is set in Grosse Pointe, Michigan during the 1970s, centers on the lives of five doomed sisters, the Lisbon girls. The novel is written in first person plural from the perspective of an anonymous group of teenage boys who struggle to find an explanation for the Lisbons' deaths.

— to kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee

to kill a mockingbird is a coming-of-age story about a girl named Scout. Scout and her brother Jem try to understand and relate to their father, Atticus, who is a lawyer charged with defending a Black man falsely accused of raping a white woman.

— sybil by Flora Rheta Schereiber

sybil is a gripping true story about a woman with multiple personality disorder. Written by Flora Rheta Schreiber, the book delves into the life of Sybil Dorsett and her 16 distinct personalities, as well as the therapy sessions with her psychiatrist, Dr. Cornelia B. Wilbur.

— pride and prejudice by Jane Austen

pride and prejudice follows the turbulent relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner. They must overcome the titular sins of pride and prejudice in order to fall in love and marry.

@ luvrinne

[darthstitch]

Of Fairy Tales and True Names

by Darth Stitch

Little Christine Daae first met the Opera Ghost on what was, of course, a dark and stormy winter night.

The ballet rats had thought to amuse themselves at first by telling ghost stories, which Christine enjoyed, though she tried to look appropriately frightened, since it was quite clear that the corps de ballet wanted the newcomer to be scared silly and Christine thought it would be best not to disappoint.

The storytelling session soon dissolved into a "ghost-hunting" session and the group dispersed all throughout the opera house, no doubt intending to jump and squeal and scream at every shadow and imagined bump or footstep.

Christine was not planning to catch herself a ghost. She was tired and she was missing her father with that familiar, aching grief that would not go away even though it had already been months since he'd been laid to rest. She thought that she would go into the chapel and pray a little and if she shed a few tears, then no one would see.

No one needed to know anyway.

She had not counted on hearing someone playing the violin.

Oh, how she had missed those familiar sounds, bringing them with fond memories of her father playing, with all his heart and soul in every note. She crept quietly into the chapel, utterly entranced - even the melody itself was one of those haunting, mournful songs that Papa favored, perfect for this dreary day.

She didn't realize that she had closed her eyes in bliss until she heard, "I see I have an audience."

That voice. Unearthly beautiful in tone and timbre - her eyes flew open to see him looming over her - a tall, elegant figure in the black evening suit favored by gentlemen attending the opera - and the white half mask.

Oh dear.

Well, perhaps the Opera Ghost was not possessed of a flaming skull and hellfire eyes after all.

Christine grew up on fairy tales, of course, and she was also a musician's daughter, so she knew the only proper response.

She clapped, as loudly as she dared. "Bravo, monsieur. Bravo!"

The pale, almost bloodless lips curved into a smile. "An appreciative audience at that."

She nodded, shyly. "The song. It is one of my favorites."

"Oh?"

"Papa used to play it for me all the time." A beat. And then, Christine, greatly daring, added: "You play almost as well as he does."

"Almost as well as your Papa, hmm? A very high compliment indeed, mademoiselle."

She curtsied, wobbling a little bit, but managing to stay on her feet. "It's Christine. Christine Daae. It is very nice to make your acquaintance, Monsieur le Fantôme."

"And here I thought I ought to say 'boo' at this point." A melodramatic sigh, perfectly timed. Amusement danced in those mismatched eyes, one brown, the other blue. "I am afraid I left the flames and the blood and the disembodied hands at home, little mademoiselle."

"I would rather hear you play again, Monsieur." Christine dimpled. Strangely enough, she wanted to see him smile again, keep that amused look on his face - at least, what she could see of it with the mask. "We could always have the flaming skull for your next performance."

He laughed and the sound sent her heart beating double time, for some reason. "Erik."

"Monsieur?"

"Since Mademoiselle Christine was good enough to provide me with her name and request an encore, then you may have my name. It is Erik." He raised the violin. "Does Mademoiselle Christine have any preference?"

"Whatever Monsieur Erik pleases." Erik. It suited him somehow. In that moment, she forgot her weariness and that almost perpetual sadness in her heart. She just settled down on the wooden pew, ready to listen to the Opera Ghost play his violin.

And no, this was not a tale she would share with the other ballet rats. Christine knew her fairy tales. If she wanted to see him again, this was a secret that was best kept close to her heart.

- end -

Footnotes:

a. Erik was not sure what happened, but somehow, instead of managing to scare the wits out of this tiny little girl with the lovely amethyst eyes, he made a new friend. It was a rather novel feeling.

b. He had no idea why the daroga ended up crying with laughter after he relayed this story. At some point, Erik gave up and muttered some choice words about having consciences with the oddest sense of humor.

c. He was quite relieved to find out that little Christine was in the care of the most excellent Madame Giry.

d. No, he did not initially plan to involve Christine in that prank against that insufferable new mezzo soprano who turned up her dainty nose against the ballet rats and seemed to think that they were there to fetch and carry for her. But then, Mademoiselle Aubert called poor little Meg Giry "a wretched little brat who danced like a limping duck" and made her cry. So it was rather satisfying to see Mademoiselle Aubert run screaming from her dressing room, claiming to hear the disembodied voices of ghostly little girls and sinister laughter.

e. It was quite fun to have a little ghost apprentice helping him haunt his Opera House. Christine was a rather apt pupil.

[jello-library]

The Roommate Program (PT 2/?)

Finally part 2!! This one focus more on the reader/self insert!

Also I want to try writing the letters so you can get a feel of what being written instead of just getting vague descriptions!

I hope you enjoy it! 💛

Your first letter from your pen pal was…something else��to say the least. Paired with a prickly friendship bracelet. You felt like you opened Pandora's box with that first letter.

You sigh as you sit down in your office chair looking down at the blank sheet of paper nervously. What in the world do you write back? I mean, writing a letter about yourself is easy but continuing conversations is harder than it looks. What do you say now “Hey I heard you went to solitary confinement was it fun?” Like how you continue talking with him?!

Twirling the pen in your hands your wings twitch and flutter nervously. You joined the program because being a past patient at the Theraprism who managed to opt out of the recarnation ceremony praise the axolotl for that one. You thought it was nice to try to give back to them you know to show that redemption is worth the effort! You felt like you had a pleasant experience there or maybe because you were more cooperative than your peers.

But after the copious amount of interviews and several months of being on the waiting list.

You finally were met with a small envelope congratulating you on your approval into the program and your pen pal. You thought things were finally going well for a chance.

Until…you were brought to have a one-on-one conversation with THE Axolotl themselves you felt like maybe this wasn’t a good idea anymore…They wanted to talk about your pen pal, Bill Cipher. You were somewhat familiar with the name mostly being associated with the chaos he left in his wake.

He was a force to be reckoned with.

Was…

“He is someone who is quite..um…complex..” Look up from your teacup to glance at the other being across the table. The word “Complex” still feels like an understatement to you. The axolotl smiled down at your eyes laced with slight concern before continuing.

“I’ve read your file..” Shit. ”You seem to have been the star patient during your stay. Self-admitted leading to 500,000 years stay before you were released. The top storyteller during puppet hour.“

You can feel yourself getting hot with embarrassment as you sink into your seat. “Yeah, Dr.Oswald says he misses my shows…” You swirl around the remaining tea left within the cup. You don’t know what to say or why they brought you here to begin with. Did all the other participants go through this conversation as well?

“I already know why he joined the program. But I hope for a better outcome than another trip to Wellness Void and I think you can help me with that.”

Looking back down at the blank sheet of paper the pen feels more lighter in your hand now. Just breathe and relax if you mess up you can fix it later.

Dear Bill,

Sorry for my first letter being so plain I can honestly admit I’m a bit nervous about messing this up. I never knew how to talk to someone without it feeling awkward so this is a new step for me. As someone who used to be in the same position you’re in I feel like I can you some advice on how to make your stay less boring! Like, if you want to get out of group therapy it’s time to start taking advantage of art time!

Start doing big projects that take up time with this when art time is over you can ask to stay. But it’s important to say it so can present your piece to the next time group therapy session! Use this advice sparingly those counselors in there are nice but they ain’t dumb! Also if the vending machine is still in the cafeteria hold down on the C button it should give you an extra snack but it’s sadly randomized.

Well, I hope this letter finds you well and also thank you for the bracelet I hope to make you something special when I write to you again!

Sincerely,

██████

[diableriedoll]

Hello everyone! I've been away for three months (longer than expected, not going to lie!) so I thought I'd give you all an update :)

First of all, thank you for all of your messages and checking in on me. I appreciate it and you all so much! I miss you guys <3

Secondly, I originally took a mental health break, which turned out my anxiety was so high because I was having physical issues that I was unaware of and it was causing it. Wild! So I have been given medication for that and we're seeing how that goes. I have also started a titration period for ADHD meds. No major change to speak of in all honesty, but it's a work in progress. Another thing to note, I took a HUGE step to work on my Agoraphobia! Game wise, I'm still very much playing! Ava was staked by the Toreador Primogen Alarik because she refused to be blood bonded to him, causing a Toreador with an Obsession tantrum like none I've ever seen! Though luckily Ava's dice were on her side and the stake missed her heart. She was able to get away and a blood hunt was placed on the now ex-boyfriend and ex-Primogen. Then after that, Ava's Grandsire/ Prince has just been murdered, so she's in mourning. She was the one who fought to get to him to try to help but she found him ashed, despite asking the Primogen for help and none of them turned up apart from one, so she chose to spread the word first before the Primogen could turn it and point blame at her. Her punishment? They made her Primogen. That's right you guys. Primogen Winters will see you now. She freaking hates it but is working on owning it and making it everyone's problem.

As for the new Chronicle with beloved Sister Evangeline... Remember the art that @crownedinmarigolds did of that SI agent with true faith? He's given her sanctuary in the church she feeds in. He's made himself the priest within it, and allows her to pray due to respect of her faith. Though tells her if he finds her outside, he will subdue her and take her to a facility. He is curious of her as she is the first Salubri he has met, and he seems to be mixing faith with her ability to heal. He even questioned her if she's sure she's a blank body. We joke that he thinks she's the second coming of Christ. The last downtime session, she went to go feed and he was there. She told him the truth that she was there to feed. And he told her that he will sacrifice his own blood to protect his flock. He wouldn't allow her to bite, but instead, he cut his wrist, bled into the chalice and fed her it, just like a Holy Communion. But shouldn't she be hurt due to True Faith? Absolutely! And she was, however! The ST had to homebrew a few things with this as True Faith doesn't seem to have much on it and leaves it to the storyteller. Due to her high Humanity (8), her high health tracker (8 due to Fortitude), then on top of that, the ST used the RP to give her the merit Unholy Will, she wasn't badly damaged. It was such an intense and scary scene but omg the imagery. THE IMAGERY. Expect art of the Unholy Communion...

If you made it this far, thank you. I hope you're all doing well. I'll be honest, I'm enjoying the breathing space away from Social Media so I'm unsure yet on if or when I'll return fully, but we'll see :)

<3

[balinsbestie]

Books, whispers and courting chaos 

Reading (or at least trying to) in the library while gossiping. Reader is married to Dwalin. 

Reader x Dwalin, Balin x platonic!reader, Ori x platonic!reader. 

The grand library of Erebor was my favorite place in the mountain. Rows upon rows of ancient tomes and scrolls filled the air with the comforting scent of old parchment and ink. It was a haven of quiet, a place where I could escape the noise and bustle of dwarves hammering in the forges or arguing over supplies. Today, however, the quiet was a little livelier than usual. 

Across the table sat Balin, his beard neatly combed and his expression equal parts sage and sly. Beside him was Ori, scribbling notes in the margins of his journal, his wide-eyed enthusiasm for every topic contagious. And then there was me, tucked into the corner, pretending to read but failing miserably as Balin and Ori kept pulling me into their chatter. 

“So,” Balin said, a glint of mischief in his eye as he peered over the rim of his spectacles, “how’s the courting going with my brother?” 

I groaned, closing the book I wasn’t reading. “Is that what we’re doing today? Gossiping about Dwalin?” 

“We wouldn’t call it gossip,” Ori chimed in, looking up from his writing. “It’s more like… research. For posterity.” 

“For posterity?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“Yes,” Ori said, entirely earnest. “Your courtship with Dwalin is quite the topic of interest. It’s not every day someone manages to tame a grizzly bear.” 

Balin laughed so hard his beard quivered. “A grizzly bear! That’s spot on, lad. Though I’d say my brother’s more like a grizzly bear with a battle axe.” 

“He’s not that bad,” I protested, though my cheeks burned. “He’s just… protective.” 

“Protective?” Balin repeated, leaning forward. “Is that what we’re calling it now? Because last week, I saw him glowering at a merchant for asking you if you needed help carrying your wares. Poor fellow packed up and left the mountain within the hour.” 

“That’s because the merchant was overcharging!” I said defensively, though the memory did make me laugh. “Besides, Dwalin’s not all gruff and scowls. You both know he has a soft side.” 

Balin gave me a skeptical look. “A soft side? You’ll have to point that out next time. I’ve known him for over a century, and I’ve yet to see it.” 

Ori tilted his head thoughtfully. “I did see him give a loaf of bread to one of the children in the lower halls last week. He muttered something about how ‘a warrior can’t fight on an empty stomach,’ but I’m fairly sure he was just being kind.” 

“There, you see?” I said, gesturing triumphantly. “He has his moments.” 

“Few and far between,” Balin teased, though there was a fondness in his voice. “Still, I’ll admit, you seem to bring out the best in him. I’ve never seen Dwalin so… patient before.” 

Ori nodded eagerly. “Yes, like when you made him sit through that storytelling session last month! He looked like he’d rather face a goblin horde, but he stayed the whole time.” 

“And didn’t complain,” Balin added. “Out loud, anyway.” 

I smiled, feeling a warm flutter in my chest. “He tries, you know. Even if he grumbles, he’s always there when it matters. That’s why I—” I cut myself off, realizing I was about to reveal too much. 

“Why you what?” Balin pressed, his grin widening. 

I waved him off, pretending to be engrossed in my book again. “Nothing. Forget I said anything.” 

“Oh, no,” Ori said, setting down his quill and leaning in eagerly. “You can’t leave us hanging like that.” 

Balin crossed his arms, clearly enjoying himself. “Go on, then. Spit it out.” 

I sighed, knowing they wouldn’t let it go. “Fine. That’s why I love him, all right? Because beneath all that gruffness, he’s the most loyal, steadfast dwarf I’ve ever met. He’d do anything for the people he cares about.” 

There was a moment of silence before Balin smiled warmly. “Aye, that he would. I’m glad he’s found someone who sees that in him. He deserves it.” 

Ori beamed, looking like he was about to write the entire exchange down in his journal. “That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you both.” 

“Thank you,” I said, feeling a little embarrassed but also grateful for their support. “Now, can we talk about something else before Dwalin bursts in here and finds you two grilling me about him?” 

“Fine, fine,” Balin said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “But only because I don’t fancy getting on his bad side. Let’s see… Ori, what’s the latest scandal in the lower halls?” 

Ori’s face lit up. “Oh, you won’t believe this! I heard that Bombur caught Nori sneaking into the kitchens again last night. Apparently, he was trying to—” 

The conversation shifted to other matters, and soon the library was filled with laughter and the rustling of pages. But as I listened to my friends and glanced at the books around us, I felt a deep sense of contentment. Courting Dwalin might come with its challenges, but with Balin and Ori by my side, I knew I’d always have a place to laugh, share secrets, and be myself. 

[av1xtg]

Soo umm Triton headcanons P2

. . . . . . . yipee (this is very neptunian moons centered btw (ill prob do a neptunian moons headcanons too ngl) ) btw this contains trillisto at some point so yeah have that in mind

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

Neptune kinda forced him to learn the trumpet, why? Cause mythology triton had a trumpet seashel that he played

"Triton in later times became associated with possessing a conch shell, which he blew like a trumpet to calm or raise the waves. He was "trumpeter and bugler" to Oceanus and Poseidon. Its sound was so cacophonous that when loudly blown, it put the giants to flight, who imagined it to be the roar of a dark wild beast."

-Triton with conch-shell trumpet, Greco-Roman mosaic, Bardo National Museum

Hes actually really good with hairstyles since he's the one who brushes the little neptunian moons hair, also really good at storytelling.

Against his will he knows all of transformers and barbie lore (funfact im watching a barbie movie as im writing this lmao), thank you neptunian moons we say in unison.

He carries a little backpack packed to the brim with toys and snacks for the kids, even when they're not with him.

Smokes a lot but never infront of the little ones.

Everytime he tries to flirt with callie his mind goes blank and he ends up like SUPER nervous. Callisto finds it silly, just like his attempts.

Bad at feelings, HORRIBLE even.

Ass face so bad that mercury offered him a free therapy session.

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh none else have popped up into mind so have this ones for now . . .

And this triton wip

I've had this in my drafts for like a month now wth 😭😭😭😭

[thenatezone]

Having digested the Bell's Hells finale I think I want to make some observations that, FULL DISCLOSURE, will veer into gentle criticism, but that's fine because we're all incredibly normal and mature and we'll just be cool about it.

I know that these last few episodes had to close out not just campaign 3 but presumably also this version of the show. I know the cast likes to revisit their old, iconic characters and that the constant references and connections to previous campaigns are really fun for them. But, fun as it was, I feel it came at the expense of crowding Bells Hells out of their own campaign.

I believe we have reached MCU Phase 4 (?) levels of callbacks and references to previous campaigns, which, in my opinion, M9 handled with much more restraint. Easier for the cast to do back then, you might say, with only one previous campaign and no supplemental series like EXU to weave in, but I would respond by reminding you that no one made them ratchet up the shared universe storytelling. To continue with the Marvel analogy, sometimes a Spider-Man story has pretty high stakes that might justify the X-Men or FF or Avengers showing up to help. If they're going to, fine, but you have to keep the focus on Spider-Man or you've failed to tell a Spider-Man story and you shouldn't have involved so many other heroes if they're just going to take away opportunities for his character development.

Also, with so many EXU installments and the main series only running 3 weeks a month, I thought campaign 3 really dragged compared to the others. Maybe that's because it was a lot less...vignette-y, I guess, than VM or M9? I'm guesstimating here but it felt like Bells Hells had identified the bad guys (and more or less what their plan was) about one-third into the campaign and the other two-thirds was pretty much exclusively about stopping it. Just not my preference for the pacing of a multi-year campaign.

As far as revisiting VM and M9 to give them updated endings, I found this...emotionally satisfying in the moment, let's say, but kind of narratively weak and cloyingly sentimental when considered after the fact. It reminds me (I am old) of the finale of Lost, which ends on an uplifting and feelgood scene. This emotional satisfaction lingers for a moment and then you (if you are me) realize that you will have to make your peace with the fact that the show has been promising answers to its many mysteries and will not be delivering on any of them. It's not a waste of time because you have enjoyed yourself, but you wish the show had delivered more relative to what it had promised. That's how I feel about Bells Hells.

Now I do want to note that if I had played Bells Hells as a home campaign I would have loved it! Would never have shut up about it. Would have been completely on board with the meta-references and the constant in-character arguing and planning and ethical debates that kept going in circles. Would have appreciated the players all taking big swings with their characters even if some of them weren't as successful as others. Would definitely have supported a final session that wrapped everything up a little too neatly, because it might have been the last time our crew could play after years together and the real world had gotten so unpleasant that maybe the fantasy world could lighten up just a bit. And while it's unfair to hold Critical Role to the same standards as a scripted show when it's not, we have to acknowledge that it's also not just some friends playing DnD at home with only themselves to satisfy.

Still love the program, still love the chemistry of the cast, still can't wait to see what they do next with this last EXU and then Daggerheart. The worst day fishin' is better than the best day workin' after all, but I hope some bigger fish will be biting next time.

[petercapaldi-press]

INTERVIEW

Interview: How 1980s Glasgow inspired Peter Capaldi's debut album

3rd November 2021

Paul Trainer Best of Scotland magazine

I WANT to ask Peter Capaldi about his debut album but first he wants to know what the weather is like in Glasgow. He’s planning a trip up for a few days and we spend a moment discussing sensible clothing to pack.

An instantly recognisable actor, there’s not much time spent in pubs these days while he is here but he does like to have a wander around. “I like going around the old parts of the city, where Glasgow emerges, then I will often find myself up around the art school,” he explains.

One crisp December evening a few years ago I was charging through shoppers on Buchanan Street when I was suddenly confronted by the elongated figure and tousled locks of Capaldi as he took a photograph of the police box that sits outside of The Ivy restaurant in the city centre. I relate this momentary, unexpected encounter to him, describing the blue box as “his old office”, an oblique reference to the TARDIS, and his role as the twelfth incarnation of Doctor Who.

He breaks into a cackle, then volunteers: “Sometimes I pass those – Glasgow’s one of the few places with police boxes – so if I see one I send a picture on to a friend of mine who is also in the same mode, shall we say,” giving an intriguing hint at a Time Lord WhatsApp group.

For some people, Capaldi will always be Malcolm Tucker in The Thick Of It – a bombastic performance characterised by a hail of Scottish invective, creating a political satire monolith that continues to cast a shadow nine years after the show went off air. Being cast in Bill Forsyth’s Local Hero in 1983 was a breakthrough. Ten years later he would win an Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film as writer and director of a film about Franz Kafka that starred Richard E Grant. Then there was a memorable turn as Uncle Rory, a significant but infrequent presence in the television adaptation of The Crow Road. More recently, he starred as The Thinker in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. There’s a lot in the back-catalogue.

Before all that Peter started his performing career in music. While studying at The Glasgow School of Art, he put together a band, The Dreamboys, (future comedian Craig Ferguson was the drummer) and enjoyed a small part of the thriving music scene in the city at the time.

While his life went down a different road, he retains his love of music and has recorded a 10-track release called St Christopher. His relationship with music is more to do with storytelling and creating something new. “I’m not that guy who brings a guitar along to every party,” he says.

The story of the album started with an invitation from a friend, Robert Howard, the Scottish singer of The Blow Monkeys, to come along to a few recording sessions at his studio.

“Robert, who’s great and a wonderful musician, does this thing called the Monks Road Social, which is a conglomerate of musicians who put out an album every year, and they’re just happenings. I’d be encouraged to vaguely join in.” At one of these get-togethers Peter was asked if he had anything to record.

“I quickly put together a song, which they recorded in the space of a day, and it was so much fun. I thought: ‘Oh, I really want to do this again.’

“Over a period eight or nine months, I did that. I wrote stuff and sent it to Robert and we would ditch certain ones, and on then other ones he’d say: ‘Let’s hang onto that.’ ”

Did that first song that he wrote make it onto the album? “That was song called If I could Pray, which was released as a single to no acclaim last year. It got about two plays on the radio. That’s showbiz.”

When Peter was in Atlanta in the US to shoot The Suicide Squad he found he had time on his hands. He travelled to Nashville and started writing new songs. A band was assembled and a studio booked in London. Then lockdown intervened. They persevered.

“We just sent it back and forth over the digital ether and then sent it to the percussionist or some other musician who would add something wonderful to it. Because we had the option to do it, we thought: ‘Let’s just put this out and in a very low-key way, just start doing music.’ ”

There’s a lot of Glasgow in this record: echoes of Scotland set against a canvas of Americana guitar and retro synths. “I kept going back to a Glaswegian art school ‘80s vibe,” Peter says.

“The city itself, how it has such a power about it. Glasgow is a wonderful, noirish, synthy setting for things. Robert is very different and his musical experiences takes it in another direction occasionally, which is interesting.”

The American elements enter via those Nashville trips. “When I went there it felt like the spiritual home of any Glaswegian. You feel so at home, the music is elemental and we’ve been fed it already.

“The melodrama and the sadness and the darkness and the joy that’s very present in country music: the west of Scotland is a cauldron of that stuff and we reach for it all the time.

“There’s always a wish among Glaswegian musicians to mythologise the place in music and I think I’m trying to do that as well.”

Peter is open to the idea of taking some of the songs out onto a stage but there’s no tour planned. “Maybe a theatre piece, I don’t know”. He won’t be signing up for a musical. “This isn’t a new career or anything. This is an exploration of my own interest, an expression of who I am, being a performer and an actor and a director. That inevitably leads me to conjure up things, I think, as opposed to making hit singles.”

There’s already one Capaldi in that game. “He’s fantastic and I’m so knocked out by Lewis and I’m so proud of him and he’s just incredible. This is not an attempt to be a pop star.”

If this record, then, picks up where he left off in music, revisiting a time and place, what does he remember of his art school days?

“That was a golden period. In the sense that the government did pay for kids to go into further education and it was an ideology that was respected and it allowed so many of us who came from humble backgrounds to come into these various professions because we were allowed to go and explore.

“Art school was a great melting pot of ideas. There was just a general ethos that you could do anything in that building off the top of the hill there and that you were part of the city. It was the late 70s moving into the 1980s.

“We’d hang out in Nico’s, the first place you could buy a cappuccino or go to The Griffin pub opposite The King’s Theatre. Maestro’s was a nightclub we all use to end up and there was always some piece of nonsense being planned there. We’d do gigs that were not organised or you’d be asked to join other bands to play.

“When we arrived at the art school, we were all dressed as Neil Young with long hair and great coats. Then in the summer the punk thing happened. So we all came back with plastic trousers and peroxide hair. It was very open to all the ideas in the zeitgeist. I didn’t realise it at the time, but it was the perfect place to be.”

St Christopher by Peter Capaldi is released by Monks Road Records on November 19. 

This interview was featured in Best of Scotland magazine, published monthly in The Herald on Sunday and Sunday National newspapers. You can read the November edition here.