#But maybe it would've been better if not everyone makes it past 70

[lunari162]

Vocagathering BETA thoughts from a producer's POV (mostly good!)

So, Vocagathering BETA is over, and I'm happy to report I ended in the top 70! My highest position was 33rd, and my final ranking is 51st. (My entry, if you're curious)

That's a miracle considering I was one of the unlucky few whose video wasn't appearing in the hashtag page (which was Vocagathering's only list of "all" entries, something I hope they change next year now that it's been proven that it doesn't actually include all entries). When the #1 place for you to get exposure doesn't include you, it's hard to get exposure. Rankings are all about popularity and exposure, so if you're a small/medium producer who lacks popularity, you're relying on getting exposure... you can probably see why entering the rankings is unexpected in this scenario ^^;

TLDR: Please share songs that you like because they might have little to no chance of being found otherwise! I hope what happened to me (hidden from search results -> less exposure) doesn't happen to anyone else in the future.

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I also screwed myself over by not posting much in the past 2 years. YouTube doesn't like inactive channels. But I just couldn't think of anything to post. I've also been thinking about the direction of my channel; as I've gotten older, I've wanted to focus more on original songs than covers. I'll poll my YouTube community on what they'd like me to do, but in the end, I'll probably do what feels best to me and just hope some of my audience follows me on that path.

TLDR: I theorize that my channel's years-long identity crisis might've deterred people from subscribing. I should've decided if I was focusing more on originals or covers before Vocagathering began.

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The biggest critique I have is that the rankings are easily predictable by knowing which popular producers plan to enter. That's probably the most common complaint, so I won't go into it too much. I'm lucky to have ranked myself! But gosh, I feel so bad for the smaller producers who were on the rankings early in the event and then got bumped off the list. It can hurt. I would've fallen off too if the top 30 hadn't been expanded to top 70. I took a look at Vocacolle (Vocagathering's inspiration, an event that's been running for a long time) to see if this happens there too... and yep, Vocacolle seems to have the same problem. Maybe it can be helped somewhat by making categories based on subscriber counts and a category for new producers separate from that one?

TLDR: Rankings are indeed popularity contests (though there were some exceptions! My top 10 list has a few small producers who ranked, and I'm super happy for them.)

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I sound negative about this event, but I overall enjoyed it! I found a lot of really great songs, and my entry resonated with a few people in ways I didn't expect. I'm mutuals with one of the team members, and I believe they had pure intentions with this event. I think that's why they called it "beta": some things aren't going to go well, but you can learn from them to make the final product better.

I hope to see Vocagathering back in the future as an even better festival! I'll finish this off with my initial reaction to the final rankings on Bluesky:

"A song about feeling worthless found more love than expected. I even got 1 new sub! Thank you very much to everyone who watched, liked, commented and shared 💛"

[ru5t]

🐇 !!

If you drop a 🐇 in my inbox I'll give you some starter ideas for how your muse might fit into the Dustverse!

This is incredibly incredibly rare in the zones at this point, but in this case I think the most fitting background for Daryl starts with his family being the type who were never citizens of any Better Living city. The kind who survived the worldwide bombings (took place in the early 70s (current timeline is in the 2030s)) either by luck or preparation of some kind and have just ... persisted at the fringes of the world ever since. Very grounded, rough and tumble prairie-living type of vibe, almost; untamed frontier, and people just... doing their damnedest to carve something livable out of it.

There's such a wide age frame he could fit in that's it hard to completely pin stuff down but:

You could keep his birthday and have him (technically) be an old-world remnant but that's rare on both sides, for many reasons. The world skews young in this setting. (Partly from its general harshness and resource situation, partly because BL/ind believes it pays to keep people ignorant of the past, so those who remember are often killed.) I personally feel it would be more fitting to have him zones-born, the earlier gens of it, which were very small. And then he'd just.. know no world but a harsh one, post-bombs, and just make do. But definitely there's wiggle room.

Depending on what you do with the birthdays though Merle could have been... maybe old enough to remember more of the world before the bombings, right? (..I can't remember the age difference oops) which could definitely contribute to him being. well. how Merle is. which would probably also play out here verrrrrry similar to how it does canon. Lone-wolfing too hard gets you killed in the desert.

[Side note this is such a Siblings Sticking Together (For Better And Worse) Through The Madness setting, they would've be very at home in that sense. Sibling duos everywhere, here. (And lots of people who lost siblings, too.)]

If you don't wanna swing the born-in-the-zones angle, it'd also make sense for him to have come from the far edges of the city, in Neon.

--Which is officially, on paper, called "The Neon District" but in practice everyone -including city officials sometimes- calls it the Neon Slums. (Classism (tragically) did not die in the wars.)

There's lots of illicit trading and negligence going on in Neon. Very easily it could have ended up with them tied up in some kind of organized criminal activity, and dealing, etc. Still rough, just like... big-city rough instead of man vs. nature rough.

From there the step out to zones-sided (although you don't have to go zones-sided, he could just be from Neon, he just... seems like he'd end up out there, one way or another, to me) could come from getting caught up in killjoy activity of some kind, and choosing a side. It could also come from getting into run-of-the-mill trouble with Better Living officials and choosing to run to the desert for no other reason than to escape detainment, etc. There's lot of "killjoys" who are really more after saving their own skins than rebelling per se, so starting out (or just generally being) that way is super common and could lead other directions.

I feel like I am all over the place with this I truly am running in circles with my thoughts but other important note (that have contributed to some of my zone-born thinking here):

mechanic skillset very useful on both sides, but a big big plus both practically and culturally in the zones; cars (etc.) are important for enduring the weather, escaping BL/ind and hitting back

animal skills also very useful; wildlife has gotten Weird after the bombs. knowing how to deal with (and defend yourself from) them is very important, especially in the outer zones

There is. a secret third option where he would have come from near one of the other cities and crossed the dead zone but this is even less likely than anything else I've said. But if you're interested in it it's definitely technically possible. Better Living would be on his ass for it if they got wind of it, though. Can't have people thinking the rest of the country could recover without them...

[piggymcbacon]

not to be mean but every time i see one of those " we fucked the franchise with too many movies so now only the original and this one counts" my first thoughts immediately go to " kinda wish [insert 85 year old actor] would die".

[tinyorangepotato]

o this is not one of my better days. I had to go to my aunts today and then go to my job at hollister. should've been fine. I woke up at like 9 still tired hut fuck it dude and left to go shopping for my aunt at 10:30 ish trying to get to timing right so she doesn't know I have shit to do at 2. forgot my wallet. okay thays fine. I'll be a little off schedule but nothing major. went grocery shopping for her and I just got 70 bucks so I'm not as broke so I got myself some yogurt since there's fuck all in the house. turns out my grandparents (the ones that I live with and they own the house) are gonna be gone till Sunday. so I go to my aunts and clean the bathroom and cut up cantaloupe and do everything I need to yknow. planning on leaving around 1:45 so I get to work on time and then I opened the back door and my other aunts dog comes barking and running down stairs. I bring her in (since my other aunt thats the dogs owner isn't home which is why she came downstairs) and go to get my stuff and leave and my aunt asks me to stay for 10 more minutes. what the fuck. I gotta because I don't want to answer any questions about me having a second job and blah blah blah so I leave 10 fucking minutes late and get to work 10 minutes late (i think it was 13 to be exact) and then normal shift. I'm upset about the being late because I accidentally didn't go to my shift on Sunday and that was my second scheduled day so I dotn wanna be late anymore but fuck it dude.

fairly normal shift. just making sure the place looks nice and everything is folded and in size order and all that. there's other workers that come and introduce themselves to me and vise versa but other than that I was silent the whole shift. fucking everyone else is talking to each other and making conversation as they fold but not me. I'm not one to start conversation or intrude into someone else's and then we're mainly in the men's and at the counter while I was folding the women's so ye. I did put my own headphones in for a while which was a plus.

leaving for some reason I want to cry. mainly because of the not getting talked to yknow. like I know it's nothing personal but do I just have the vibe of don't tlak to me. or I was moving around yoo much (there was like nothing to do after I tucked the tags in the Jean wall so I was walking around making sure everything is in size order all over the store)

I also almsot cried when I leftmy aunts because I was gonna run late. and the more I think about how I've been ready to cry most of today the more I want to cry.

left for home and fuck yes. I can smoke and not care if I smell like weed because everyone else alreayd knows I smoke and mt grandparents are gone. nope. get home and my fucjing aunt (actual aunt. not great aunts like before) car is here and so my cousin which most of the time just annoys me by being in the same room is there. I also look in the mirror and my hair has been looking dumb as shit the past few days and today's no different. fucking hate my face and the shape of my head and the look of ym hair and just fuckijg wverythign. usually I'll look in the mirror and mess with or just run ym hands through my hair just because but no I had to immediately or else I would've started crying.

now I'm not high, crying out on the backyard swing (like a bench swing yknow?) and typing this because I ditn want to bother my one friend with it because who cares and I am not going to put it in a vent chat because my other friend will definitely see it and that's emotional vulnerability and I don't liek that.

there's no fucking reason for me to be feeling like this. nothing actually happened today and maybe I'm gonna start my period but I got no clue because that bitch is so irregular I really should see a doctor about that but I don't want to see a gynecologist because that's my privates and I dint want to take any pills because I still can't swallow them and I don't want shots or whatever and now I'm just actually rambling.

[yennefer-stark]

The time was night, the date was wednesday and it was cold and dark because the winter is approached. The lamps in the street gave to the road a dim-lit light as well as the sidewalk. She walked directly to the bridge, and no, she doesnt wanted to commit suicide, she just wanted to be alone, sang out her sadness in the night.

"Everyone got their soulmate... Tony got Pepper, Thor has Jane, Clint already had a family and two kid, Natasha and Bruce are a couple... Hell even Steve with Bucky"

She thought that and started to sing:

Can you hear the silence?

Can you see the dark?

Can you fix the broken?

Can you feel my heart? 

Can you feel my heart?

Can you feel my heart?

I'm scared to get close and I hate being alone.

I long for that feeling to not feel at all.

The higher I get, the lower I'll sink.

I can't drown my demons, they know how to swim.

Can you feel my heart?

Can you feel...?

Her beautyful voice slowly closed, a knot grew in her throat as she started to sob, then cry. She felt nothing but darkness and being alone, while she was the heart of her team. The fact and happy memories didnt helped. But remembered when Steve laughed in the joke, remembered when Tony gave her a compliment about her progress, the training in the gym with Nat, sometimes with Bucky or Steve, even the archery competition with Clint. Her brain closed out those memories and forced her to not let inside. On the other hand... a tall, slim figure watched her. He has got long black hair, a pair of mesmerizing emerald green eyes, sharp features wich was particularly attractive, pale skin and mysterious aura. He hid in the shadow, just like he did in his childhood. He understood her pain, what's more, he felt the same. Being lonlely and left behind. To be honest, the girl would gave everything for a hug and being in a comfy place... Between someone's arm.

-Yes. I can feel it. Why are you here in those times? It's dark, dangerous and you dont know how many serial killer around you. You should go home.

-I dont think that two killer would've such a good talk like us.

Said the girl without looking back. She wasnt scared, she was still sad. The man, however was suprised from the answer.

-In fact, I'd be happy if you'd kill me right here.

-Why would I? I mean I'm not going to kill you.

-Then why are you here? Why dont you leave me alone? You know what? You're right... I'm going home and put on my "nothing happened me, i'm perfectly fine" mask.

Then without a single word, she vanished from the bridge back to the Avengers Tower, where ofc everyone was happy. Well, almost. While our girl was in her room, deep in her thoughts, the black haired man stormed through rooms, used the elevator until he found his brother. He knocked on the door, with a bit of nervousness. Soon, a tall, muscular, bearded blonde man opened the door. His face immediately light up btw. He loved his not so little brother.

-Where you've been Loki?

-None of your business brother.

-Then why are you energised? You always nap and brood in silence. Something has changed I can tell.

-Whatever. How can someone make a sad person happy?

-Someone wants make you happy, or you are the one who doesnt want to commit a crime?

-This time, the second one brother.

Loki quckly arranged his face before Thor could've figured out what caused the change in him. He really hoped that the girl told the truth to him, but doesnt thought that she's inside the Tower like he or everyone.

-Well... Kind words helps most of the time.

-Geez, she wanted to die, by my hands. BY MY HANDS! Shes even more depressed than me brother.

-How she looked out?

-Well, she was at my chest height, or at least i think, she sat on the ground, and i'm not a cat, I cant see in the dark... Btw she had dark hair, maybe brown or black, waist lenght, straight. Her voice was.... Truly beautyful, even when it broke and started to cry.

-Hmm... Looks like you met with Valr. Oh brother, if you really want to know her better, it might be a big bite for you. She only talks when someone ask something from her, and I've never seen or heard her laughing. Most of the time she is in the library, gym or in her room when she isnt on a mission, out here with us. But to be honest, it could be anyone. I wish you good luck, if you really saw Valr... She's a worthy warrior.

-One more question before Ieave. Does she used to attend at dinner?

Thor nodded as an answer for the question, then closed the door after Loki, who teleported to the library. He found it empity tho. But at the other hand, Valr successfully picked herself up from the floor and walked to the common kitchen. She sighed in relief, she was alone, but not for a long time. As the time passed, the table was ready for the dinner. A whole set of plates, forks and knifes with table napkins. As the clock hit 7:30pm, the rest of the team slowly started to attend here and fill the room with energy and happines... The first, and most hungriest person was Bucky, then Steve, after them Natasha and Bruce. Thor followed them with Loki who seemed distant from the others. Clint arrived before the two god. As usual, Tony didnt showed up.

-Ah, Lady Valr, take a seat and eath with us.

-Thanks Thor, but I'm not hungry. I already ate and now I'm full.

-At least, stay with us and drink Val'.

-This cant cause any problem I guess.

The god of mischief immediately looked at Valr from the corner of his eye, when she lied to Thor without batting an eye. He already liked her, and planned to give her leftover food. Somehow he felt what the girl felt. The hardness of keeping the mask on... He greeted as an old friend. Sadness, even depression? Those kind of feelings too, but he played along with Valr. After they finished the dinner Steve stayed in the kitchen with Bucky to do the dishes and everyone went to their room. Except Loki, who kept an eye on her and sneaked up some food for her. He knocked on the door.

-Yes? It's open.

-Thank god it's open, I brought food for you Lady Valr.

-Why? I said I'm not hungry.

But Loki just smirked under his nonexistent mustache and placed the plate on the table. He found her reaction rather funny...

-Honey, you can not lie to the god of mischief.

-Great. Thanks for the food, you can go away and leave me alone. I dont need anyone in my life.

-Really? Then why are you scared to get close and hate being alone?

-I said, you can go away and leave me alone. Are you deaf or what?

-Slow down Lady Valr, there isnt such a reason to behave so mean, but as you wish. I leave you alone now, but I'll keep an eye on you.

-This is what I missed... I dont need baby sitting.

-Have a goodnight, Lady Valr.

If she could have a good night, she'd have a dream, but the next day's morning she went on a mission with Bucky. So she woke up at 5am, streched a bit, then had her regular morning routine before grabbed the suitcase and went to the kitchen, where Bucky waited for her. The smell of coffe enchanted a smile to her lips. The man with the metal hand greeted with a nod, and offered her a cup of coffe. Luckily he knew how Valr likes the caffeined black-ish liquid.

-I cant believe you are in this mission, I know how much do you hate Russia.

-Yes, but you cant dance with Nat, and noone else can speak fluent russian beside me. Do you have that magic tho?

-Poof. It will last while we're close to each other. Maybe one mile... I didnt need to use this spell until then.

-Wow. You amaze me every time Valr.

-Now let's go, I'm sure Tony already booked a flight to Moscow...

They boarded the plane and sat in silence after they talked through the plan. Bucky, who could never escape fully from the past, started to analyze Valr, but it was hard, even for him.

-З-здравствуйте...меня зовут...Valr...

-The hell did you just said?

Bucky never heard Valr talking in Russian so perfectly. She said those words without any accent, and he almost answered in the same language.

-Just one of thies things I can say in Russian.

-Well, it was perfect, but let me talk in Russian. Not because I love it, but 70 years experience from missions is still experience... Oh god, I already miss him...

-If you show feelings towards him, we might be caught. Steve still wanted for the underground, secret organizations in Russia. I know, you're gay for him and he's bi, but we need to play that we're a couple.

As the days passed by, Valr and Bucky grew closer to each other, talked about how they got captured/kidnapped and used to achieve bad goals. Not that fact they were so distant from each other, but they were the two person out of the Avengers... who were the quietest. As the day approached, they practiced a little dancing. You need know that the thing they search for, can be found in a Ball, wich held and organised secretly by Hydra. Extremely evil, right? But they had allies in the shadows and under the sun... When the day has arrived, you could cut the nervousness in the air with butterknife. Now, Valr understood why Bucky doesnt like to take a walk at daytime, unless he did it with Steve, his safe-place.

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Untitled "little" story

Part one

I hope you liked it if you tripped over it...

@winterbuckytho @itsbuckyb1tch @i-smell-penniess