#In Through The Out Door Deluxe Edition

[rastronomicals]

11:10 PM EDT May 14, 2024:

Led Zeppelin - "The Epic" From the album   In Through The Out Door Deluxe Edition (July 31, 2015)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm

Rough version of "Carouselambra," a little less produced, a little faster, a little compressed, and without some of those fantastic guitar fills at the end.

Back B

File under: Flames of Albion

--

[nothingbutnowhere]

Part 2 soft!Simon x hypervigilant!reader

Part 1

You don't absolutely need to read the last part to understand this, but it's in the same universe.

Edit for explanation in notes I forgot not everyone knows what a CPAP device is lol, someone tell my why I have sleep headcanons for all my blorbos

Notes: domestic as fuck, Simon snores & uses a CPAP (a device that helps with sleep apnea, looks like this, he definitely has to use a full mask there's no way that man's nose isn't broken to hell and back and has difficulty breathing, why do you think he wears a mask (so he can breathe warm, humid air which is much better for your lungs)) reader is referred to as 'girl' by Simon, referenced off screen sex, teasing and banter

...

The after-sex-cuddles-but-before-bed ritual is set in stone. You both get up, Simon folds up the sex blanket (second best purchase of your life) and cleans your vibrator (the best purchase of your life), while you prep a warm washcloth. He helps you wipe down, he calls you 'messy girl' each time like he didn't contribute half of it. You still blush.

Brushing your teeth together, it often hits you how domestic this all is. Some nights it's painful and Simon holds you until you stop shaking, other nights you're smiling so hard it's difficult to brush. Tonight is somewhere in the middle. Melancholic. Quiet. He shoos you into the bedroom after you're done, turning off the light and closing the door on the way out.

Simon grabs you as soon as you sit on the bed and pulls you down into him, strong arms surrounding you, face nuzzling into your neck like a cat. But you see through the trick.

"Put your CPAP on before you fall asleep."

"Don' wanna," he says sleepily, "Can't do this w'the bloody thing on."

It's true, spooning with the CPAP sucks (unless he's the little spoon) but that's not what the current objective is.

"Simon," you warn.

You try to wriggle out of his arms to no avail.

"Simon Riley put it on right now or so help me god you'll be sleeping on the couch for the next week," your mock 'upset' tone is always only half serious, made even less so by the punctuating yawn.

For both your sake's you need the 'bloody thing'. For one, you'll sleep like shit if he's snoring in your ear and for two he's always in a much better state when sleeping with the CPAP. He's told you he sleeps like shit when he's gone and you tut that it's because he doesn't have access to it. He said it was 'cause he didn't have access to something else and that was the end of that conversation (he went to bend you over the kitchen counter but you slipped away giggling, only to end up tossed over his shoulder on the way to the bedroom).

"Simon."

When he doesn't move you jam your elbow back into him.

He doesn't so much as grunt at the attack, only grumbles and flips over, sitting up to flick on the lamp and mess with the machine.

You watch him as he does, muscular back on display and you resist the urge to run your hand over, lest you disrupt the process. 

He may tease you gently about your 'princess alarm clock' that wakes you up with light and birdsong, but you get him right back with references to his 'CPAP deluxe'. It's got the warm air humidifier for his 'delicate nose', all the bells and whistles.

He finishes and turns the lamp off, leaving the faint light of the street lamp to illuminate the room and him as he turns back around.

"There's my scuba diver," you giggle, tapping the mask softly.

He sighs, knowing he can't make a convincing comeback with the mask on- you'll only laugh at his attempts- and lays down on his back. You immediately snuggle up against his side, hugging his arm, leg thrown over his. His hand cradles your face for a moment, thumb sliding over your lips as a good night kiss before laying his hand over yours on his chest. 

It's peaceful like this. Before you needed silence to sleep but you've gotten used to the CPAP. Mostly because it means Simon's home. And now when he's gone you have to put on white noise to sleep. Nothing your princess alarm clock can't handle. There's been lots of big and small changes since Simon wedged in to your life with his puns and banter and menacing figure but it's been more than worth it.

"Love you," Simon mumbles through the mask.

"Love you too."

...

I do NOT consent for my works, part of my works, or my ideas to be used for ANY form of AI.

Part 1

A/N: I made this account to write smut and here I am with the softest slice of life blurb. Oh well. Maybe I'll write the bit after the 'access' comment, there's lots of fun places that could go.

[withhertea]

the good witch deluxe edition is out on the 27th october surprise :’) making this album was one of the most magical experiences of my life, and i knew from the beginning that there was more life in this record yet - i wasn’t finished telling certain stories. ysuft and tgw feel like sister records to me, different in age and tone but forever intertwined by the person i was when i wrote both, and over the past few years there have been songs i made that slipped through the cracks, that i knew were special to me. i wanted to give them to you, to finish this year and open the door to some of my favourite tales i didn’t get to tell - the good witch is not done yet!!! 6 new songs, all for u.

[zestysthoughts]

Tep Tons: Albums

10. The Break of Dawn (Blue In Green) Smooth all the way through, this is full of music to just kinda vibe to, similarly to what you'd find hosted by Lofi Girl. Along with much of Gramatik's early work, it's the album that helped fuel my initial interest in the hip-hop style, especially with jazz elements. Here's a taste!

9. This Time (Los Lobos) I don't often listen to rock, but it's actually what I grew up with. At the center was AC/DC, Smash Mouth, and Linkin Park. In the periphery and having at most a single album I'd listen to, were Crossfade, 3 Doors Down, Finger Eleven, and Los Lobos. This Time sticks out as being not emo edgy and full of cringe-worthy self-pity. It's got energy, variety, and good vibes all around. Here's a taste!

8. Small Plates (J3PO) Short and sweet, this is one of those sketch albums, filled with some of the many snippets thought up and created by the artist. I love the existence of albums like this, as some of the real banger ideas that never get a full produced song can see the light of day while the artist is still alive, Small Plates (and Sweet Treats) having some of my favorites by J3PO. Here's a taste!

7. Fantastic (Slum Village) I couldn't pick one of the volumes, so I'm going with all of them lol. I love the wonky Dilla-time, as anyone who's seen my music recommendations would know. I love the unfinished feel of Vol. 1 with a bunch of really bumpin' beats that unfortunately never made it past this point, and I love that they revisited and polished a bunch of them and for Vol. 2, then there's the further edited version of 2, complete with hilarious and heartfelt testimonials at the end of some of the tracks. Here's a Taste!

6. Funk Blaster EP (KOAN Sound) While there's no one album that incapsulates my dubstep phase, this one was definitely the most prominent. It's funky, wubby, and well-composed. I'll admit I am "that guy" when it comes to KOAN Sound, I liked them better during their early experimental days, until Polychrome when they made a habit of putting 2 different songs in 1 track. Honorable mention to Risky Endeavors Here's a taste!

6.5. Planet Neutral (Getter)

5. Things Fall Apart (The Roots) One of the newest additions, The Roots has become one of my favorite bands ever. Through and through, this is but one of the masterpieces created in the Soulquarians sessions at Electric Lady Studio, filled with banger after banger. Honorable mention to the Deluxe Edition, featuring some of my favorite Roots songs ever. Here's a taste!

4. Astro Lounge (Smash Mouth) Yes I know, it's the one with All Star. Like I said, Smash Mouth was one of my favorite bands growing up, and Astro Lounge just has a special place in my heart. The title I think sums it up best, feels like you're in a cozy futuristic lounge, or at least the idea of futuristic people had in the late 90's. Here's a taste!

3. Random Album Title (Deadmau5) Another one I'm nostalgic for, this is the ultimate vibe album for me. The somewhat droning and repetitive nature of it, plus the seamless mix between songs, gives it a video game soundtrack quality in that it's great for just putting on in the background while you're doing stuff. Unfortunately Spotify is being weird and there's like 3 slightly different versions of it with the same name. Here's a taste!

2. Plastic Beach (Gorillaz) Aright it's another nostalgic one, this I think is the first physical CD I ever bought. I love the metaphorically nautical/maritime theme, and as per usual with the Gorillaz, there's a great variety in musical styles. Plus there's a kickass music video for Stylo. Here's a taste!

1. Djesse (Jacob Collier) I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, Jacob Collier is the greatest musical mind of our time. This album has such a profound effect on me I can't fully describe. Whenever I sit to listen to any part of it, it feels like a hug that gives you the warm shivers, it tickles my ears, and almost always I well up. Djesse is the work of a man who thoroughly explores the depths of music and sound, travels the world to learn, combines it all in unique ways, and all the while exuding this infectious energy and curiosity. Here's a taste!

[dannystheone]

Completing The Job! (Bee Ler/ Deckard Lee)

Hey guys! I don’t know if anyone is in this fandom in the tickling community so this just might be for me, but I had a cute idea for this show and I wanted to write it :) For anyone who doesn’t know this show, this is Bee and Puppycat! You can find the show on youtube for free or on netflix :>

No warnings, no 18+ 

Bee is out of cash and invites Deckard to an assignment filled with tickling! 

I hope you all enjoy! 

                                     `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` 

 “This week on ‘Pretty Patrick Lunchtime’, Pretty Patrick will be debuting his brand new deluxe lunchbox, complete with insulated compartments, internal snack pockets, adjustable straps, and featuring Pretty Patrick’s logo on the face of this limited edition lunchbox. Tune in to today’s show to join Pretty Patrick in discussing the lunch of the day and what he recommends for the first lunch to carry in your new limited edition lunchbox-” 

 A girl wearing an oversized Pretty Patrick t-shirt pressed her face up against the illuminated TV; her forehead pressed against the screen with stars in her eyes. 

 “I need that lunchbox.” Her face slid off the TV as she landed on her back on the floor of her living room. A jingling sound walked up to the girl, Bee. The jingling sound was her pet, Puppycat. Puppycat craned his neck looking down at Bee.

 “Adoot come-come com-pladd? (What’s wrong?)” Puppycat spoke in a language only Bee could understand. Bee picked up the cat and held him up to the ceiling. Puppycat’s feet dangled in the air. 

 “I need the Pretty Patrick lunchbox. I neeeed it! Huph...but we’re broke.” Puppycat started to squirm in Bee’s hold. 

 “Prettyyy Patriiick! Ham-ham son wee! (I would do anything for him!)” Puppycat squealed in his high-pitched voice. Bee hummed excitedly as she bat Puppycat’s bell collar, and conjured a pink letter from the bell. Bee began to respond to Puppycat when there was suddenly knocking at the door. The two craned their necks up to see a boy walking in through the door. A light-skinned boy spotted Bee and Puppycat on the floor. 

  “Oh- Uh, sorry, Bee. I wanted to bring you this lava lamp- lava- lasagna- I made. It’s still warm.” The boy, Deckard, blinked his heterochromatic eyes. He closed the door behind him as Bee set Puppycat down and popped off the floor. 

 “Ooh, a lunch for my lunchbox! Thanks, Deckard!” Bee ran up to Deckard and scooped the pan of lasagna from his hands.

“Lunchbox? I didn’t know you had one.” Deckard scratched the back of his neck as Bee filled her mouth with yummy lasagna. 

 “Mmm- I don’t have one yet- mmph- but I’m gonna soon.” Bee said in-between bites. 

 Bee had a sudden idea just as Deckard was turning towards the door. 

 “Well, I should probably get back to Cass, I have to clean the kitchen-” Deckard looked down to where Bee had slapped her hand around his wrist. 

 “Deckard, you should come with me to my temp job! It’ll be fun!” Bee set her lasagna down on the table as Deckard had a nervous expression. 

 “Oh uh- I’m not sure if I can-” 

 “Too late!” Bee produced her pink letter and slapped the face of it, transporting the two into Fishbowl Space. Deckard floated upside down with his feet over his head. 

 “Wha! Bee- my slipper’s gonna fall!” Bee looked over calmly to Deckard, her hair trailing behind her as they floated down gracefully from the portal in her living room. She reached up a hand to grab Deckard’s slipper. 

 “Pfft- silly. Slippers don’t fall in space.” She slid Deckard’s slipper on for him, and gave him a sneaky scritch near his heel. Deckard kicked as they appeared infront of Temp Bot. 

 “Temp Bot! We need a job, quickly! Pleeeeeease! Anything you got!” Bee pleaded, Temp Bot’s eyes scanning over the two. 

 “Well a ‘hello’ would be nice, first. But, I do have a job for you. The Bun people on Rabbitoba have been feeling sad lately. It’ll be your job to cheer them up! When you’re successful, you’ll be paid. Stand still for uniform assignment.” Temp bot made two outfits materialize on Bee and Deckard. The two wore matching outfits of white clothes covered in a pattern of different smiling faces. 

 “Oooh my god my boots are smiling!! The mission shouldn’t be too hard! Come on, Deckard.” Bee fell into Temp Bot’s mouth with a nervous Deckard trailing behind her. 

 “Uh, Bee? I really have to get back to- mmph-” Deckard walked face-first into Bee’s giant poof of hair, his mouth muffled with the cushion. 

 “Oh Deckard, isn’t this place cuuute?” Bee chirped as she plucked a flower out of the earth. “It’s adorable in here.” The sky was an Easter egg pink and blue, with huge fluffy clouds and candy green grass. Rolling hills were covered in little white flowers, and trees bore yummy looking fruit. 

 “Yes it’s...cute. Look, Bee, I uh...have to get back to-” 

  “Oh the help! The help has arrived!” Bee and Deckard turned around to see a small community of bunny people, which were bunnies that could speak. They looked like any other bunny; their colors ranging from white to black with brown and mixed colors in-between, but they looked bigger and softer than normal bunnies. 

 “Awww my goodness! Look at you guys!” Bee scooped up a white bunny into her arms and snuggled it against her cheek. 

 “What’s your name little guy?” She asked warmly. 

 “Steve.” The bunny replied in a low gruff voice. “Let go of me, my wife is watching.” 

 “Op- sorry..” Bee released Steve and looked toward the leader of the bunny people. 

 “Great helpers of Fishbowl Space. My name is Archibald. Do not call me Archie, please. We crave entertainment desperately. What do you have for us?” Archibald was a small black bunny with white feet and a pink nose. He had a small red cape fastened around his neck to signify his status as king. 

 Bee held her chin to think while Deckard looked around at all the bunnies. There were certainly a lot, and more coming out of little holes in the ground which he assumed were their homes. Were the homes furnished? Bunny furniture... 

 “Aw, I got it!” Bee snapped her fingers, which snapped Deckard out of his thoughts. “We will entertain you by singing!” The bunnies all took a seat, preparing for the song, except for two curious bunny children that slunk off to the side. 

 Bee clasped her hands infront of her and began to sing the first song that came to mind. 

 “Don’t be sad, I’m still your dad. I’d be there if I could. I sure hope that you’re not broke, and everything’s been running good.” Bee sang wonderfully, but the bunnies were getting antsy. They wanted something more physical, and the song wasn’t doing it for them. 

 Deckard crossed his arms and checked his watch, when he felt fluffy sensations on the outsides of his ankles. Deckard twitched and looked down to find two bunny children snuggling up by his slippered feet. He didn’t want to interrupt Bee’s singing, but this was starting to feel a certain way-

 “Psst! Hey! Go back to your- seheats!” Deckard slapped his hands over his mouth while the bunnies cuddled into his bare skin. Their whiskers were dusting past the tops of his bare feet, and it was driving him a little batty. 

 “Way to go at keepin’ on going, have a happy birthday.” Bee finished the song with a smile on her face, but she realized the attention wasn’t on her anymore. “Huh? Where did every-” She turned around to see that Deckard had fallen on his back, and the bunnies had started to swarm him and nuzzle their noses in him. 

 Deckard’s cheeks were flushed pink with embarrassment at the situation. He had bunnies snuggling in his sides and climbing in his armpits, pawing at his knees and sniffing in his ears. It was all too light and tingly!! 

 “Aaah! Bee help mehehe! This is too- teeheehee! Ticklish! Ack!” Deckard’s slippers had been stolen. Bunnies started cuddling and surrounding his bare feet in fluffiness. 

 “Mmm, I dunno Deckard~ The bunnies seem to be pretty entertained. What do you guys think?” The bunnies all squeaked in agreeance. “Well then, that settles it! Now let’s see.” Bee folded her dress underneath her so she can sit on it properly, and started scribbling her fingers into Deckard’s tummy. Deckard narrowed his eyes and started giggling heartily. 

 “Beehehehee! This ihihihisn’t hehehelping!” Deckard tried his best to cover up his tummy with his hands, but there were bunnies underneath his arms and he didn’t want to hurt them. 

 “Deckard, we have to entertain them and this is what they wanna do! Don’t disappoint them!” Bee’s fingers started scritching into his lower tummy and hips, which Deckard had to be careful to not kick his legs in protest. 

 “Stahahap! Beehehee plehehease!” Bee’s tickling along with the bunnies crowding him in fluff and twitchy whiskers made the situation too sensitive. Deckard felt like he could feel everything all at once. 

 “I remember when you were an itty bitty baby and you used to looooove tickles~ You would wanna play tickle games all night long, and you would lift up your shirt and show me where you wanted me to tickle next. It was so cuuuute!” Bee remembered Deckard’s love for tickles as a child fondly, while still targeting tickle spots at random. Deckard was squirming and trying to avoid as many tickles as possible while the bunnies still crowded him. 

“Okahahay Bee I get- I gehehet it! Cahahan hehehelp mehehe??” Deckard was starting to get red in the face. Due to his consistent squirming, his shirt rode up a bit. A bunny noticed this new opening and nosed his way inside Deckard shirt. The fuzziness of the bunnies fur brushed up the length of Deckard’s side. 

 The white-haired boy gave a manly squeal and tried not to flail so much so he wouldn’t hurt the bunny. 

 “Ahahaha no!! Bunnehehee plehehease! Gehehet ohohout of thehehere!” Deckard squinted his heterochromatic eyes in laughter as more bunnies followed suite by traveling up his tummy. 

 “Aww! Everyone thinks you’re warm and cuddly, Deckard. That’s so cuuute~” Deckard was belly laughing at this stage, which in turn made his body warmer to the touch. The amount of twitching whiskers, fluffs brushing against his skin, little paws pressing against his belly to walk, and dusting bunny tails made Deckard want to yell. Not to mention Bee scribbling and pinching any exposed skin she found, which was Deckard’s belly and hips at the moment. 

 “Nohoho it’s nohohot! Bunniehehes mehehercy!!” Bee looked around at Deckard’s situation and realized it had progressed while she was focused on his tummy. Two heavier bunnies were laying on Deckard’s ankles, and a small revolving circle of bunnies passed by Deckard’s feet like a moving fluff machine. Bee didn’t know bunnies could be so creative. With this method, Deckard’s bare feet never got a break from the brushing of fluffy fur, whiskers or bunny tails being used against them. 

 Deckard’s toes curled and his fists started to clench from not moving as much as he’d like to be. “Alright you guys, Deckard looks a little tired. Maybe we can, you know, lessen it a little?” The bunnies perked their heads up and stopped the tickling momentarily. Deckard breathed in and wiped his forehead of a light sweat, his heart beating from the activity. 

 “You okay Deckard? You took it like a champ.” Bee smiled down at Deckard, making his face redder than it already was. 

 “Y-Yeah.. I’m fine. Just a little tilted- tilt- tired. That’s all.” Deckard felt sniffing by his ear, making him squeak and giggle again. 

 “Tehehee! Aaah, come here little guy. Aww, what’s your name?” Deckard scooped up the bunny while still on his back and held the bunny up to the sky. 

 “Steve. Again. Let me go, my boss is watching.” 

 “Oh- sorry.” Deckard released the bunny and sat up to stretch. “Jeez, you guys know how to uh...do your thing. Heh-” Deckard sat criss-cross applesauce to hide his feet and any other bare parts of his body. 

 “Yes, the Bun people of Rabbitoba thank you for your service.” Archibald, the leader of the Buns spoke. “Our spirits have been lifted!” The bun people gave hoots and shouts and gave thanks to Bee and Deckard. Deckard stood up with Bee, while two bunnies gave him his slippers back. 

 “It was no trouble! It was really fun actually. I’m glad we were able to help you buns.” Bee smiled while Deckard scratched his neck nervously. 

 “Uhh- yeah, it was fun. E-Embarrassing but...fun.” The leader of the Bun people gave a signal, presumably to prepare Bee and Deckard’s payment. 

 “To give thanks to your generosity, we present to you 1000 Bunny Bucks, which you can only redeem in Rabbitoba.” A white bunny approached with the money, to which Bee knelt down to pick up.

 “Oh uh, we need cash for our world. I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but I don’t think anything would be of use to us on...Rabbitoba.” Deckard knelt down to receive his 1000 Bunny Bucks, which he kinda just stuffed in his pocket. 

 “Nonsense! All creature comforts you can find on your world are also commodities of Rabbitoba. See for yourself!” The bunny directed the attention of Bee and Deckard to a storefront that looked like anything they would find back home. 

 There was even a Limited Edition Pretty Patrick Lunchbox in the display window of the store. Bee’s eyes turned into moons as she squealed with happiness and ran into the store. 

 “Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh!! I have it!! Aaah Deckard look!!” Bee ran over with her new lunchbox and jumped up and down excitedly. Deckard smiled at her excitedly and raked his eggshell hair back. 

 “Thank you Bun people. We’ll be on our way now.” Deckard spoke for Bee and himself and placed his hand on her back.

 “Safe travels! And do come back anytime!~” The leader spoke, all the bunnies waving goodbye and wishing them well.

 Deckard guided Bee back to the opening of Fishbowl space, Bee still oozing over her lunchbox. 

 “I’m glad I got to help you get your lunchbox, Bee. You deserve it.” Deckard said genuinely. Bee looked up from her lunchbox and at Deckard. She reached up on her tippy-toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. 

 “Thanks, Deckard. You’re the best.” 

 With an excited Bee and a flustered Deckard, the two traveled back home.

[bracketsoffear]

ok long on why you should vote for the narrator (unless stated, I won't talk about the buck endings if there is a different ending with the bucket.) I am also dyslexic so some spelling might be kinda ehhh while yes, you the player are a character and it's acknowledged a total of like twice in the game in the endings. The museum ending where the Female Narrator talking to you about the narrator and Stanley and in the not Stanley ending where the narrator is talking to you. In the museum ending the Curator as the fans have named her, she talks about how they both wish to control and destroy one another and how they both want to be free (from assumedly the parable) she talks about how they need one another. but while talking to the player she says that "there is only one way to beat this game as long as you move forward you'll be walking someone else's path." id argue that's the path the narrator sets for Stanley. he's the one in control where parts of it are the player and TK (where both characters edit the story to mess with the narrator) the narrator still has control. Now during the not Stanley ending is the ending that the narrator realizes Stanley isn't in control of himself and it's in fact you the player who he's been interacting with. the continuity of the game starts to break down and the narrator instructs you to complete the game correctly, getting you (for the only instance in the game) to backtrack to where you get the first option to go for the left door or the right. going through either door will get you berated for your choice.

now with the player points out of the way, we get to the Narrator and his control over the world around him and Stanley. In the Freedom ending, the idea of escape is always dangled in Stanley's face but is never achievable even with the bucket where its even more stated that stanley can not leave. And in the countdown ending as I stated before the narrator takes joy in stanleys fear and panic while he trys to stop the building from blowing up while he is in there. the narrator does care as he will be unaffected but he takes joy in stanleys panic. In the both the cold feet and in the powerful ending Stanley falls to his death either because of the narrator telling and pushing him to do so or because stanle ytrys to get a bit of control in going against what the narrator wants him to do, except that just causes the narrator to sarcastically tell stanley "good job in disrupting my plan". In the apartment ending we straight up have the narrator pulling the strings and pupatearing stanley's wife. who is a mannequin and is just a puppet for the narrator to torment stanley with. and in that same seen narrates "the Story of The Death of A Man Named Stanley" to torment him. In the games ending in the stanley parable ultra delux where after sending stanley to two different game, in rocket leage he takes all the balls away and reminds Stanley he is playing his game, eventually leaving him there after giving stanley the ability to play the game. All the actions the narrator takes is to torment and hurt stanley in a web the narrator made. while the fear aspect isn't there for us the player its there for stanley. Stanley is a fly stuck in his web but the Narrator does realize that he has spun his web around his own throat. that's such good irrony and I think that's what makes him perfect because he's so stuck in his own web he can not stop. as I also said in the of info, there is an encounter where the narrator tricks stanley into thinking that he is just a tape recorded voice, that stanley is alone to see stanley in fear. in canon the only way stanley and the narrator can get out is though the escape pod ending while being together, but the only way to get that ending is to leave the narrator behind because the narrator will never let stanley go from his web.

(narrator propaganda I just like talking down on my bbygirl. I'm also so tired rn and I'm so sorry if this is kinda hard to understand this is a bunch of unfiltered thoughts being moulded into being coherent.)

.

[narratingvoice]

Beloved fans, it has been almost a year since Stanley and I have returned to your computer screens and expanded into the wide world of console gaming. To commemorate our tremendous worldwide success, I've decided to push the limits of the game even further to deliver what you, the players, want most. You may have thought Ultra Deluxe was the end of our adventure, but in fact, it was just the beginning! Today I am thrilled to announce what is sure to be the definitive version of my legacy. Introducing....

The Stanley Parable SUPER Ultra Deluxe: Game of the Century Edition

Folks, this is not an update or DLC to your existing copy. This is a brand-new remaster packed with so much new content, you'll never want to touch another game. It will absolutely be worth the price point of $60 USD, falling in line with other games of its calibre. Come with me and explore some of the incredible new features you'll find in TSPSUD:GOTCE.

ENDLESS MODE

I've listen to your requests, and what you want is more, more, more content! And if you wish to spend forever with my game, firstly I'm flattered, and secondly I am glad to acquiesce. Not to mention that it's better for my bottom line, too, as you can clearly see from this graph that the secret to success in video games is more content.

Listen, my long tail wasn't as long as I thought it was and server maintenance isn't free. However, I also regrettably am only one person and cannot write an infinite amount of story. But you know what can? A machine! That's why the new Endless Mode will feature environments and scripts entirely generated by ChatGPT, which has been trained on the entire original script for the Parable. You'll wander around randomly generated hallways, listening to an automated version of my voice delivering randomly generated stories. The end is truly never the end when you experience this gameplay!

2. MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER PARABLE

But don't think the original story mode is getting left behind. When you play through Stanley Parable Classic, you'll be able to see other players who are in the exact same location as you in real time. But the ingenious part is that there will be absolutely no means to communicate with anyone you encounter in this way. Online chat features in games are always filled with the worst dregs of humanity, and I don't want any other people talking over me as I deliver my favourite lines. You will simply have dozens of silent companions crammed into the room with you as you listen to my mellifluous voice. Isn't the nice? Doesn't that give you the illusion of human connection that you crave so dearly?

3. IN-GAME CURRENCY

I believe a few changes are necessary for the long-term health of the game, and I do not say this lightly. I feel this is a necessary step toward my goal of preserving and improving the unique experience of playing The Stanley Parable. So for TSPSUD:GOTCE, I'm implementing Parabucks®, a new premium currency model. You'll be able to randomly find the coins by playing Endless Mode, and you'll also get a free login bonus of 10 Parabucks® every day that you play. What do they pay for? Collectibles, of course!

You can head on over to the new StanleyStore® to buy accessories to decorate your Stanley for the benefit of other players (see point 2 above). Or if you're feeling lucky, you can pay 50 Parabucks® to open the Mystery Door and get a random collectible - and some are only obtainable this way! Will you pull the SSS-Rare Golden Figley?? Only time, and money, will tell. Running low on Parabucks®? You can always buy more at the low low price of $10 for 1000 coins. What a steal!

This is all just a taste of the seasonal roadmap planned out for TSPSUD:GOTCE. When does it release? Well, if you haven't figured it out by now....

I'M DONEY WITH THE FUNNY!!!

[vintage1981]

Vinegar Syndrome / Distribpix Press Release: A Home Video Merger of Epic Proportion

Bridgeport, Connecticut - Vinegar Syndrome is excited to announce an exclusive distribution partnership with legendary NYC-based exploitation and sexploitation producer and distributor, Distribpix Inc.

This partnership will bring Distribpix’s extensive catalog of close to 300 feature films to Home Video, including countless never on disc titles as well as classic exploitation films from genre masters such as Michael and Roberta Findlay, the Amero Brothers, Joe Sarno, Chuck Vincent, Radley Metzger, Ron Sullivan, and Shaun Costello, among dozens more. Additionally, Distribpix’s unprecedented archive of key 1960s and early 70s exploitation rarities, many of which have been completely unavailable since the VHS and early DVD era, will at last be making their return to disc, all newly restored and presented in the type of deluxe, collector-centric editions that both Distribpix and Vinegar Syndrome are known for creating.

Vinegar Syndrome co-founder Joe Rubin, in describing the collaboration said, “Vinegar Syndrome and Distribpix have worked together before Vinegar Syndrome existed. This venture has been a long time coming and I couldn’t be more excited to be working on preserving, restoring and releasing this collection. So many of the best and most significant sexploitation and early hardcore features were produced by Distribpix and it is an honor to finally be able to consider them part of the Vinegar Syndrome family.”

Head of Distribpix Inc, Steven Morowitz responded “The gang at Vinegar Syndrome is wonderful; they opened their doors and welcomed me into their family. I am honored and grateful for this opportunity and together we are going to produce some absolutely amazing packages. Vinegar Syndrome is the best at what they do, from the highest quality restorations, to top-notch physical releases, so this really is a perfect match and the best spot for Distribpix. Our companies not only thrive on excellent restorations and releasing, but there is a major emphasis on film preservation and archiving, which was equally attractive to me.”

While schedule specifics are still being worked out, Radley Metzger and Gerard Kikoine’s, The Tale of Tiffany Lust (1981), starring Veronica Hart, Vanessa Del Rio, Desiree Cousteau, Samantha Fox, George Payne, and Dominique St Clair, will be making its world 4K UHD and Blu-Ray debut late this summer, while Michael Findlay’s notorious Flesh Trilogy is being prepared for a Blu-Ray release this fall, in partnership with Something Weird Video. Additionally, the Command Cinema line which has been distributed by Distribpix for the last several years will also be joining the Distribpix/Vinegar Syndrome family and will see both Blu-Ray and 4K debuts of producer/director, Cecil Howard’s acclaimed erotica.

This monumental merger coincides with the launch of Mélusine, a new online marketplace for premium home video editions of sexploitation and hardcore cinema primarily produced during both genres’ golden ages: the early 1960s through the late 1980s. In addition to serving as the new retail home for Command Cinema, several other brandings will be launched:

Mélusine, which will serve as the flagship brand, will offer deluxe 4K UHD/Blu-ray combo pack editions of some of the landmark works in hardcore theatrical features, with an emphasis on works by the genre’s most acclaimed filmmakers.

Quality X, the name of which pays homage to what was one of the most esteemed early home video distributors of erotic entertainment, will offer single film Blu-ray editions of standout and hidden gem theatrical hardcore features from around the globe.

Distribpix itself will become home to all things sexploitation, pulling from both Vinegar Syndrome and Distribpix’s vast libraries and ranging from the earliest nudie cuties all the way through the tail end of theatrical softcore. Releases will be single, double and triple feature Blu-rays.  

Finally, Vinegar Syndrome’s acclaimed hardcore feature branding, Peekarama, will continue to offer double feature Blu-rays of hardcore films in all genres.

In keeping with Vinegar Syndrome and Distribpix’s focus on film preservation, releases under all branding will meet the highest standards in presentation quality and the most comprehensive available extras.

The union between the two companies will produce the widest and most diverse catalog of exploitation, sexploitation and classic hardcore features, available on disc anywhere in the world.

[wafflebloggies]

18. a very thin wire

back - next

And the journey was smooth. And filming went well. And editing, at a puddled park table in the glittering after-storm sunlight, with Mark having all the opinions at his shoulder, getting in the way at every turn in a wound-up, intensely present way that Antonio didn’t mind one bit, while they dried out slowly and Mark drank too much coffee from a vending machine with a bashed-in front they found outside the shut-up park cafe. These short videos had a new energy, quickly filmed, to be hastily uploaded, their message hidden in plain sight. Couched in the cheesiest clickbait titles, filling the Cynical Critics activity feed like so many dionaea traps to pull in the most casual of viewers, who might not even realise what they were watching until they heard the quiet parts said out loud. Antonio could let go of a lot of his worry, for this. Just for this, a quiet evening after the crazy tide of the day, sneaking in just under the wire for their check-in time, their room keys clacking in his hand as he took them from the counter. For just a little peace, a radio playing soft crackly jazz somewhere in the back-office and Mark sitting in a scuffed old bucket-chair next to the check-in, waiting for him, looking down at his phone as if it had just said something rude.

“Upload failed,” he said. “Ehh... it’s probably okay. I’ll try in the room.” “We got the Premiere Wifi Pass,” said Antonio, leafing through the small litter of print-outs the guy behind the little window had slid through to him. “That means a lot,” said Mark, into his coffee cup. He finished it up and shot it into a raffia wastebasket which, along with the bucket chair with its fake bamboo legs, the fuzzy olive-green carpet and the prints of Epcot on the wall, looked as if it had been there since at least the early nineties. “We could’ve got the Premiere Deluxe,” Antonio said, “but that only gets you a free muffin. Not even one muffin per guest, just like, a singular muffin.” Mark didn’t look too broken up about it either way. Antonio could tell he was still antsy about the upload, eager to pin down whatever was wrong with the file or the channel or the connection, but habit kept him from showing it too much, even now. Either that, or maybe- just for tonight- he was too tired to really mind. It had been a long day. “I think we’re gonna live. Come on, let’s go.” The pool in the motel’s central court had been drained and netted, to stop it becoming a soup of fall leaves and unlucky animals. The netting shone in the cloudy moonlight, stretched like a gossamer web. They passed folded lawn chairs and empty plant pots upturned for the season like petrified tree stumps rooted in the concrete, counting the room numbers as they went. The keys had bright red coffin-shaped tags, and Antonio amused himself by poking his through his fingers, so it looked as if his hand was sticking out a stiff plastic tongue. “Mark. Hey, Mark. Look.” He held it up. “Bleaaah.” Mark gave him, and his key-tag-hand-mouth, a wry sort of look, head on one side, mouth a flat compressed line. Antonio knew that Mark knew what a joke was, and therefore had to admit that by Mark’s standards, this one probably wasn’t a headliner. He smiled, letting the tag drop to the end of the loop around his finger. “What if we can’t upload, though?” he said. “If something’s happened to the channel…” “I do actually have a backup,” said Mark, thoughtfully. He tucked his phone into a pocket. “Cynical Critics Too.” “Seriously?” Antonio laughed. It was easy to be delighted by Mark’s cleverness, as unexpected as it always was to find it in the places where it had been driven to hide, now that he wasn’t the one trying endlessly to corner it, hunt it down to the death. It was easy to simply look at it from this equal patch of ground, and feel nothing but admiration. “How the heck did you sneak that one by me, Mark?” “You’d be surprised,” said Mark, with a slight half-smirk, arriving at the right door and unlocking it with his own key. “The only problem was, I never knew what you’d really missed, and what you were just waiting on, to fuck with me. What is that?” His tone- surprise, curiosity, the beginnings of annoyance or maybe alarm- caught Antonio, lodged in his mind the way these mundane things tend to, in the last moments before the world flips. Looking up, Antonio saw- -the room, dark with its plain dark shapes and clusters of shadow, the slant of cold light from the door widening as it opened. Mark, his slight shoulders drawn up, hands tucked in his jacket, paused uncertainly in the act of stepping forwards, a few paces from- -the bed. The cover drawn right up and made neatly apple-pie-fashion in the way of motels everywhere, a squared landscape of shiny quilted nothing-colour that might have been pink or tan in daylight, featureless to the hump of the pillow except- -the thing, a long thin something like a finger with too many joints, glinting dully in the moonlight, lying limp on the quilt, curled on itself like a broken toy snake. Delicate and tapered at one end with its little haptic pads, the other end terminating roughly in a nasty clot of torn and severed fibres that didn’t look entirely like wires, a pool of something dark and wet soaking from the clotted stump into the neat colourless sheet. Antonio only needed to see it for a split second to know exactly what it was, and exactly what it meant. His insides lurched, and the bug awoke and spread every leg and wing and spine it had in petrified warning, filling his guts with ice. “Mark, run!” Mark half-turned towards him, his face bone-pale in the moonlight, and that was when the other shape detached itself from the blackness behind the door like his perfect shadow and stepped neatly behind him, closer than a hug, strong pale hands wrapping neatly around his chest and his neck. Before Antonio could move, the shadow had pulled Mark back a long precise step into the room and held him there, smiling over the crook of his victim’s struggling, jerking shoulder into Antonio’s face. “Hey, buddy!” said the new Mark, brightly. “Long time no see!” Antonio couldn’t think. Every thread of reason in his mind seemed to have turned on the spot into a heavy senseless wad of glue, impossible to feel through, impossible to try. Probably Mark’s voice might have been enough to spur him into action, even then, but one of the new Mark’s hands had slipped swiftly up around the hollow of his double’s neck and was pressing hard across his mouth with his thumb jammed under his chin, and after a first frightened yelp the real Mark was effectively gagged, unable to say a word. “And look who’s here!” The new Mark propped his chin on Mark’s shoulder, smiling into his face. Mark squinted, pulling away, looking very much as if he would rather have torn himself up out of his own skin and into the ceiling than been so close to that smile. His hands bunched at his sides, under the other arm that held him close across his ribs with all the friendly insistence of a rollercoaster restraint. In direct contrast to his double, who moved easily and with neat grace, every inch of Mark looked knotted up in the space of half a second and tensed like a wind-up toy with a caught spring, frantic energy with nowhere to go. 

“The actual OG. I can’t believe I finally get to meet you!” “Fghkygg,” said Mark, with feeling. “Yeah, it’s wild, right?” The new Mark set his cheek against Mark’s, selfie-style, and beamed at Antonio. “Check us out! Twinsies! Nope, nope, nope,” he added, in the same peppy friendly tone, as Antonio took a half-step forwards. The thumb under Mark’s chin twitched, tilting his head back like a puppet’s, pressing in harder. “I don’t wanna be that guy, I’d hate to make this weird, but I will break his neck.” Antonio stopped moving. The thing that seemed really wild to him, as new thoughts finally started to inch through the vacancy in his mind, edging frightened and tentative through a space that felt as empty and exposed as a park after a bomb threat, was that anybody could look at the two Marks and not know which was which. He remembered thinking, not such a long time ago, that the only difference worth speaking of had been the smile, and the idea felt so alien he almost couldn’t believe that it had been his. For a moment, his paralysed thoughts touched with clumsy panic on the idea of meeting with someone you cared about- someone you missed, needed, that you’d known better than yourself- and finding them like this, different, smiling, empty. His whole self pulled back from the inchoate pain of this idea like a burned child, retreated to reality, the slanting moonlight and the two Marks in front of him. It was true that on the surface, they were perfect twins. He didn’t have to look closely to know that everything was the same, from points of height and build, to the pattern of dark-and-light threading in each deep-hazel iris and the little mole on each left cheek. It was enough that everything that mattered was different, the complete lack of care in the slim hands that gripped and strangled, the laughing, avid eyes and the endlessly sharp, meaningless grin. In the half-light from the door it didn’t look as if he’d changed much at all since Antonio had last seen him in the kitchen of Mark’s house, tending to the spore. Dressed in neat black, his slick dark hair combed tightly back and perfect, perky and fresh in his face and his quick strong movements, deeply strange next to messy travel-crumpled Mark with his faded colours, the shreds of bright Band-Aids on his hands and his worn, never-quite-happy, always human face. Antonio didn’t have to look with his real eyes for even a moment to tell, he didn’t need to see Mark’s blue-white fire and the lazy golden glitter under his double’s skin. A similar question seemed to have occurred to the new Mark, who frowned curiously as he focused on his twin. Keeping a tight hold, he drew Mark’s lip up on one side with a finger, let it go as Mark squirmed furiously away and pulled up an eyelid. Abandoning that, his thumb moved again, and before Mark could do anything but flinch and gasp the short strong nail had drawn a sickle-shaped white crescent in his cheek, a cut quickly filling with bright blood. “Ew,” he said, looking at the colour of it on his thumb. “What did you even do here, buddy? It’s like he’s not even in phase one.” Antonio felt a hot deep twist of hardwired guilt, biting to the centre of him despite everything pulling to the contrary. The new Mark watched him, curiously, then made a sad, pouty face. “I’m so sorry,” he said, and the words and the way he said them were so similar to those of the new Carl that even Mark, with a thin trickle of blood drawing a quick line down his cheek from the nail-mark to the grasping fingers, twitched in startled response and tried to look sideways at his double’s face, where the big unshaken grin gave the lie to the words. “They really shouldn’t have let you go weebling around all messed up like this for so long, huh? At first I was like, okay, maybe that’s just the best way of finding you two, but when that didn’t seem to be happening, I was like, wait, what is this, the state of Denmark? ‘Cause something’s rotten!” Antonio couldn’t help it. His eyes flicked sideways, towards the bed. The new Mark caught the motion, as easy as a thought, and smirked. “Yeah, so, me and the J-man... we hung, we caught up. Don’t feel too bad, it’s not like it’s really your fault he decided to get a little too, uh, hands-on with you guys. He’ll be fine. Well, you know… mostly.” The new Mark shrugged, the action drawing Mark closer against him and drawing a suppressed, revolted little hitch of breath from his helpless double. “Anyway, enough about him. What about you, Antonio? You take off, you don’t write, you don’t even call, everyone’s worried, dude! Especially Mother. Oh hey, now, come on, it’s okay. I got you, buddy. That’s what friends are for.” With a quick, nimble movement he drew his hand from Mark’s face to somewhere in the darkness at his side, and when he brought it back, his palm was full of burning gold. Although Antonio knew that, to a human, the little syringe lying in the new Mark’s hand looked like nothing special (and everything worrying, and a lot of things tetanus-y), from the dirty bit of peeling handwritten sample tape serving as a label, to the inside of the glass tube that would appear full of nothing but deep inky blackness to their weak and limited human eyes, to him it was a handful of blazing golden fire. The radiance of it filled the room, hurt to look directly at, half-blinded him with the searing flash as the new Mark tossed it across the space between them in an easy underarm throw and he caught it in both of his hands. He could feel the warmth- Mother’s warmth, the strength of her pure untempered glow- right through the glass, sinking into his palms. “Brought you some of that real good-good,” said the new Mark, happily. “See, she’s not even mad! She even sent you a sweet little care package, C-O yours truly. Go ahead, fix yourself up.” Antonio tore his eyes away from the light, and fixed on the real Mark’s face. Mark was shaking his head, a very small amount but with such an incredible volume of emphasis packed into the tiny motion that he might as well have been yelling his head off, and his eyes were almost cartoonishly wide in their effort to communicate a very clear resounding NO. “Okay, well, I didn’t think I’d have to spell it out,” said the new Mark, after a pause. For the first time, he sounded mildly disappointed, just a little miffed. “But, fine, have it your way. I need you on-side, bud. Do it, right now, or he dies.” His fingers tightened, and Mark started to choke. Antonio tried to move, opened his mouth to say something, anything, an alternative, a denial, a plea, but the fingers pressed in tighter and Mark began to struggle like an animal in a trap, horrible noises coming from his throat and getting louder and more terrible and more desperate by the second as his body started to jerk in helpless reflex against the new Mark’s killing grip. It was useless. At this stage, if Antonio had been able to think clearly through that sound, he might have been a stronger thing altogether, but he wouldn’t have been Antonio. An oddly Mark-like thought in the back of his head pointed out that this was probably irony. He pushed it away. “Mark, I’m- I’m sorry,” he said, quiet and low. He could only hope that Mark knew how he meant it. Not just an I’m sorry for this, but I’m sorry for everything I did, and- too ghastly to even shape the thought in his mind but still there, still there- I’m sorry for everything I might do. Antonio lifted his hand. The golden glare in the little syringe was so bright that it made him squint and turn his face away. Which bared the side of his neck, and as Mark made a frantic noise that was half-croak and half-scream, he injected himself in the place where his shoulder met his throat, and while the blazing light ebbed from the tube he kept pressing down until there was only darkness left, and the syringe was empty.

[noisyfelps]

Best Travel Trailers for 2023 and Beyond

And you’re ready for a new adventure! What better way to relax than to hit the road in a new travel trailer. But how do you choose the right one for you? That all depends on your preferred travel and lifestyle.

1. Jay Feather Micro 173MRB

Designed for young families, this trailer sleeps three to four people with a Murphy bed towards the front of the unit. A kitchen and dinette combination sits in the back, along with a tub/shower combo that makes getting the kids ready for camp easy.

Appropriately named, the Micro series is the lightest travel trailer in the Jayco lineup. It can be towed by most mid-sized tow vehicles and offers plenty of comforts, including a 17-inch griddle for exterior cooking.

2. Winnebago - Micro Minnie 2108DS

Winnebago is an excellent company that makes high-quality travel trailers. Their products are also easy to tow and have great features like a spacious power awning for protection from the elements.

These travel trailers are available in ten different floorplans with a variety of additional add-ons and options. They are ideal for small families and groups and can sleep up to five people. The Micro Minnie has a queen bed at the front of the trailer and is next to a dinette and overhead cabinets. For more details about camperoutdoor, check this site.

3. Keystone 281RK

The Keystone 281RK is a one-of-a-kind travel trailer that brings together luxury fifth wheel features and design into a lightweight, half-ton towable package. This model offers a full wraparound kitchen with windows on all sides to allow natural light and campground views into the living area, as well as a walk-through bathroom that separates the bedroom from the rest of the RV.

Keystone Exclusives like color-coded unified wiring, Tuf-Lok thermoplastic duct joiners, and in-floor heating ducts help make this travel trailer easy to use and maintain. Plus, you'll enjoy amenities like a friction hinge entry door and Dexter E-Z Lube axles.

4. Forest River - Sundowner 235RB

The 235RB is designed with all the bells and whistles to make camping enjoyable for your whole family. The rear private bunkhouse is spacious, and the front queen bedroom offers a cozy night’s sleep. Other features include a walk-in pantry, outside kitchen, XL pass-thru storage and a front window.

2023 Forest River Salem Hemisphere Hyper-Lyte travel trailer 29RBHL highlights: Rear Private Bunkhouse Bike-Size Cargo Door Panoramic Windows Kitchen Island Booth Dinette Fireplace 2nd A/C Front Queen Bed.

This new Salem Hemisphere Platinum Edition destination trailer is packed with comforts for a great vacation. The front queen bed is customizable for any sleeping needs, and the rear deluxe bunks offer room to stretch out.

5. Forest River - Sundowner 235RB

PRICE too LOW to Show Online Call for our LOWEST Price

2023 Forest River Salem Hemisphere Hyper-Lyte destination trailer 25RBHL highlights: Rear Private Bunkhouse Theater Seating Fireplace Walk-In Pantry Front Queen Bed Power Stabilizer Jacks

This model is great for families. It features a rear bunkhouse with two over-sized beds and a front RV queen bedroom. It also has a large exterior kitchen and XL slide. This is the perfect camper for your next camping adventure!

[rastronomicals]

2:05 PM EDT April 30, 2024:

Led Zeppelin - "The Epic" From the album   In Through The Out Door Deluxe Edition (July 31, 2015)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm

Rough version of "Carouselambra," a little less produced, a little faster, a little compressed, and without some of those fantastic guitar fills at the end.

Front D

File under: Flames of Albion

--

[chrancecriber]

Radio NET Bulgaria (October 05, 2022)

23:59 JESSY J - Soul Kisses (Gregg Karukas feat. Jessy J) 23:55 EVERETTE HARP - Old School 23:51 BRIAN SIMPSON - One and Only 23:47 NILS - Dance With Me 23:43 MEKIEL REUBEN - That Girl Told Me 23:39 BOBBY WELLS - She's Playful 23:35 KIM SCOTT - Emerge (Feat. Jonathan Fritzen) 23:31 DARRIUS JAMAR - Bounce Back 23:27 JULIAN VAUGHN - Time Is Now 23:23 ALTHEA RENE - Let Me Love You 23:18 DERRICK HARVIN - When You Say 23:13 ALEX FALDIN - Cold Wind 23:09 JAREZ - Lil Jazzy 23:04 BOBBY LYLE - Living In The Flow 22:58 PROJECT BLUE SUN - Ibiza Zouk (Sunny Mix) 22:52 SMOOTH DELUXE - Wonderful Micronesia 22:47 SYNTHETICSAX - Beach (Dj Rostej Remix Chillout Dreams) 22:41 RUSLAN-SET, V.RAY - The Voice of Star (Union Sense Remix) 22:37 PIANOCHOCOLATE - Les Souvenirs (Original Mix) 22:33 MENZI - Zug nach nirgendwo 22:25 EUPHONIC TRAVELLER - Crescent bay (original mix) 22:21 SOUND BEHAVIOUR - Arena 22:17 THE UNDERDOG PROJECT - Summer Jam (Unplugged) 22:12 SHAUN ESCOFFERY - Into the Blue (Mark de Clive 22:05 KITARO - A passage of life 21:59 DINKA - Magnolia (Original Mix) 21:55 THOMAS LEMMER - Through My Father's Eyes 21:51 SYLVERING - Just an Illusion 21:46 VIVIAN LACOSTE - Clair Del Mar 21:41 REUNITED - Sing It Back (Shazz Man Chill Mix) 21:39 INNA - Hot (Chill Out Remix) 21:32 COASTLINE - Adriatic Sea (Lounge Cafe Chillout Del Mar Mix) 21:27 KENNY FONTANA - U R The Sun (Toni Rivera Mix) 21:22 MICHAEL E - Promise 21:17 ANDAIN - You Once Told Me 21:11 JOSEPHINE SINCLAR - Paradise Deluxe 21:06 ALBERT ST. BARTH - Sabor Do Lounge 21:03 METAHARMONIKS - Doors 20:59 LEO ROJAS - The last ot the Mohicans 20:54 MANDALAY - Beautiful (7'' Canny mix) 20:49 MARTINIQUE LE SOUFFLEUR - El Guapo 20:45 JENS BUCHERT - Polaris (JB feat. Shine) 20:40 351 LAKE SHORE DRIVE - Summernights 20:34 JES - Heaven (Orange Project del Sol Interpretation) 20:29 BLANK & JONES - Coming Home (Afterlife Mix) 20:24 ATB - Still Here 20:18 LA CAINA - I Gotta Know Now 20:14 LAZY HAMMOCK - Star 20:09 GUENTER HAAS - Secret Diary 20:06 JAMES BUTLER - Coastline 20:00 CLAUDE CHAGALL - Sunset Buddha 19:54 ADELE - Skyfall (Skerdi M & Angelo DownTempo) 19:48 YOGEE, TWEET, MISSY ELLIOT - Thugman (Lounge remix 2011) 19:45 VINTAGE - Eva (Roman B & Vova Baggage Slow Mix) 19:40 ZETANDEL - Glowing Spots (Original Mix) 19:36 WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS - Psychasthenia 19:30 VECHIGEN - No Fear (Summer Vibes Chill Mix) 19:24 VLAD ZHUKOV - Nothing (W&D Chill Out Vocal Mix) 19:17 AMBITUS - Answers 19:13 OCEAN DRIVE, DJ ORISKA - Without You (Acoustic Version) 19:10 KATO, JON - Turn The Lights Off (Bullytrax Campfire Mix) 19:06 KIRSTY HAWKSHAW, TENISHIA - Reason To Forgive (Piano Mix) 19:02 MATT DAREY, STAN KOLEV, AELYN - Follow You (Acoustic Version) 18:57 NUAGE, N4M3 - Sunday Morning (Original Mix) 18:53 NITIN SAWHNEY - Breathing Light 18:49 LOWLAND - Children (Orchestral Version) 18:42 LERRY MULLER, ANETTA GRANT - Dreaming (Original) 18:38 LIVING ROOM - Teneriffe 07 18:35 MODJO - Lady (Acoustic Version) 18:30 MIGUEL LARA - Oblivion 18:26 MR. SPECIAL - Aren't You Clever (CJ Alex Chillout Remix) 18:23 MARIUS NEDELCU, RED HEAD - Rain (Acoustic Version) 18:19 MANDEL TURNER - Come Into My Life 18:13 LOUNGAHOLIC - Careless Whisper 18:10 MOBY - Porcelain 18:05 LUIGI LUSINI - I'll Be Home (Original Mix) 18:01 MAX MILLION - Do You Believe (Original Mix) 17:57 MARCELA MANGABEIRA - Don't Stop The Music (Lounge Version) 17:54 JOEL HIRSCH, ROXANNE EMERY - Neon Dreams (Cinematic Version) 17:50 MAKIS ABLIANITIS - Love Secret 17:46 LIULA - Sweet Dreams 17:43 MARIO BASANOV VIDIS, JAZZU - Give It A Try 17:39 MIA LEMAR - Colourful Life (Photo In Lounge Remix) 17:34 MARC PUIG, MARIA COLLADO - To Forget Me 17:28 SIMON LE GREC - Decisions (Delor Mix) 17:23 MEHMET CEMAL YESILCAY - You And I 17:19 MAZELONOSTRA - Twilight Room (Spanish Edit) 17:14 MARGA SOL - Prayer For Love (Soul Avenue's Balearic Blues Mix) 17:10 NIK LLOYD - Number 1 (Acoustic Cover) 17:06 SIMON G - Crazy (original Mix) 17:03 NURKO, AUTREY - So Far Gone 17:00 LOST FREQUENCIES, FLYNN - Recognise (Acoustic Version) 16:55 DEE LUCAS - Dollar Bill 16:51 AL DEGREGORIS - No Holding Back (Feat. Nils) 16:47 AL GOMEZ - For Sure 16:41 OLI SILK - Steppin' Out 16:37 TIM BOWMAN - Love Forever More 16:33 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - March On (Feat. Jeff Lorber) 16:29 SEAN U - Electrify 16:24 STEVE COLE - Looking Up 16:21 SHAWN RAIFORD - Magic Man 16:17 BOBBY WELLS - End of Summer 16:13 GREGG KARUKAS - Daylight 16:09 DARRIUS JAMAR - Heaven 16:04 NELSON RANGELL - Clutch 15:59 DERRICK HARVIN - Gone 15:54 BOBBY LYLE - What Kind Of World 15:49 BRIAN SIMPSON - From the Hip (feat. Chuck Loeb) 15:45 JEANETTE HARRIS - Groovin' 15:41 JAREZ - Its Over 15:37 BLAKE AARON - Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing (feat. Kim Scott) 15:33 ALTHEA RENE - Inner Circle 15:29 ALEX FALDIN - Hand Claps 15:25 AL DEGREGORIS - All Over The Place (Feat. Eric Marienthal) 15:20 AL GOMEZ - Sip Thy Wine 15:16 JACKIEM JOYNER - Southside Boulevard 15:12 JULIAN VAUGHN - Ecstasy 15:08 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - Tonight Is the Night 15:03 TIM BOWMAN - Columbus,Ga 14:58 SKINNY HIGHTOWER - Emotions 14:54 MARION MEADOWS - Andalusian Sunset 14:49 BOBBY LYLE - Spirit Song 14:45 LOUIE FITZGERALD - Jukin' and Jivin' 14:40 DERRICK HARVIN - Another Day in Paradise 14:36 BRIAN SIMPSON - Bonita 14:32 JAREZ - Slow Motion 14:28 BOBBY WELLS - Oooh Baby 14:24 NICK COLIONNE - It's Gonna Be Alright 14:20 DARRIUS JAMAR - My Everything 14:17 DEON YATES - First Day of Summer 14:12 ADAM HAWLEY - Shuffle (Feat. Darren Rahn) 14:08 BONEY JAMES - Sunset Boulevard 14:04 ALTHEA RENE - Barbara Mae 13:59 AL DEGREGORIS - Follow Your Dreams 13:54 FREDDIE FOX - Sensual 13:50 JC SOL - Our Groove 13:46 KENNY NIGHTINGALE - My Saxophone 13:42 JULIAN VAUGHN - Ride Along 13:38 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - Waiting For You 13:35 ALEX FALDIN - Throwback Vacations 13:32 JUSTIN KLUNK - Dive 13:27 BOBBY LYLE - Living In The Flow 13:23 RANDY MULLER BOOM CHANG BANG - Sunnyside Up 13:20 LOUIE FITZGERALD - Through the Rain 13:15 AL GOMEZ - Catchin' a Vibe 13:11 BRIAN SIMPSON - So Many Ways 13:07 NORTH 2UNES WOODALL - Loving 2 13:02 DERRICK HARVIN - From Here 12:58 JAREZ - Mr. Sexy Saxy 12:53 JACKIEM JOYNER - Beautiful Seduction 12:48 MARION MEADOWS - Magic Men 12:45 SKINNY HIGHTOWER - Force 12:42 BOBBY WELLS - My Sweet Butterfly 12:37 STEVE COLE - Neo Sol 12:31 EUGE GROOVE - Chillaxin 12:26 GREGG KARUKAS - Believe in Me 12:21 CHRIS STANDRING - Fat Tuesday 12:17 BRAD ALEXANDER - Yearning for Your Love 12:14 AL DEGREGORIS - Sunnyside 12:09 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - After Hours 12:06 LOUIE FITZGERALD - Keepin' the Groove On 12:02 FREDDIE FOX - So Much Love 11:57 BRIAN SIMPSON - A Soft Touch 11:52 NORTH 2UNES WOODALL - In the Mood 11:48 MARCUS ANDERSON - Mel-Ow Mood 11:44 JULIAN VAUGHN - Sunday 11:39 DERRICK HARVIN - This Time Around 11:35 JAREZ - Around The World 11:30 THE SMOOTH JAZZ ALLEY - EBF 11:25 MARION MEADOWS - Celebration Road 11:21 SKINNY HIGHTOWER - Jubilee 11:17 CHRIS STANDRING - Living the Poetry 11:11 BOBBY WELLS - Bella's Pier 11:06 JOE MCBRIDE, THE TEXAS RHYTHM CLUB - Morning In A Distant Land 11:01 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - Nobody But You (Feat. Billy Mondragon Of DW3) 10:58 LOUIE FITZGERALD - Thinkin' Back on When 10:53 JEFF KASHIWA - Back To Love 10:49 BRIAN SIMPSON - When I Found You 10:42 MARCUS ANDERSON - Give Love (Feat. Anthony Saunders) 10:38 NORTH 2UNES WOODALL - On the Move 10:34 TIM BOWMAN - Flyin Away 10:29 DAVE BRADSHAW JR. - Set Me Free 10:25 PIECES OF A DREAM - Steppers ''D'' Lite 10:21 J. WHITE - Mr. Nugroove 10:17 NAJEE - Happiness (A Felicidade) 10:13 LOWELL HOPPER - See the Light 10:08 DERRICK HARVIN - Colombiana 10:04 DARREN RAHN - Duplicity 10:00 JAREZ - Together Forever 09:57 JOYCE COOLING - Coasting 09:53 NORMAN BROWN - Keep The Faith 09:49 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - Feelin' Good 09:45 MARION MEADOWS - Last Ticket To Somewhere 09:41 CAROL ALBERT - Love Again 09:37 LOUIE FITZGERALD - When I Look into Your Eyes 09:33 MARCUS ANDERSON - Backseat Drivers (Feat. Adam Hawley) 09:28 JULIAN VAUGHN - Waymans Way 09:23 BRIAN SIMPSON - Mystical 09:20 NORTH 2UNES WOODALL - Happy Cause I'm Going Home 09:15 PIECES OF A DREAM - Give U My Heart 09:11 NAJEE - Modern Lovers 09:07 JIM ADKINS - Turning Point 09:06 TONY SAUNDERS - Uptown Jazz 08:55 TIM BOWMAN - Friends 08:51 BOBBY WELLS - Tee It Up 08:45 CHRIS GODBER - Chips 'n' Salsa 08:42 LOWELL HOPPER - No Turning Back 08:40 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - Give And Take 08:30 NATE WHITE - Ducie's Groove 08:19 MARCUS ANDERSON - Let's Not Wait (Feat. Nicholas Cole) 08:19 DANNY LERMAN - You Take My Breath Away 08:04 NAJEE - Dr. Dolittle 07:59 PIECES OF A DREAM - Fired Up 07:54 NORTH 2UNES WOODALL - I Want Her 07:51 KIM SCOTT - Best Part 07:46 TIM BOWMAN - Glory to Glory 07:42 RHODA GRAHAM - Finally 07:37 SKINNY HIGHTOWER - Poppa J 07:32 DEE LUCAS - The Grady Curve 07:28 LOWELL HOPPER - Affection 07:23 JEFF KASHIWA - Hyde Park (The 'Ah, Oooh' Song) 07:19 UNDER THE LAKE - Bridgetown 07:16 WARREN HILL - Play That Funky Music (White Boy) 07:11 MARION MEADOWS - Mother Earth 07:07 OLI SILK - Meet Me In The Middle 07:03 MARCUS ANDERSON - Understanding (Feat. Brian Culbertson) 06:58 NAJEE - Savoir Faire 06:54 DONN BYNUM - Because I'm Feeling You 06:49 SEAN U - Second Wind 06:43 PIECES OF A DREAM - Feelin' Good 06:38 BRIAN SIMPSON - Sunlit Sea 06:33 NORTH 2UNES WOODALL - Susie Mae 06:30 SHAWN RAIFORD - It Feels so Nice 06:25 NELSON RANGELL - Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing 06:21 HANK BILAL - Perfect Harmony 06:17 JEFF KASHIWA - Thanks To You 06:13 ZOLBERT - A Song for You 06:09 TIM BOWMAN - Just Another Day 06:04 KIM WATERS - Nightfall 05:59 ZACH BRIDGES - These Hands 05:54 NAJEE - Isla Hermosa 05:51 MARION MEADOWS - Dream Catcher 05:46 SKINNY HIGHTOWER - Time Marches On 05:42 MARCUS ANDERSON - Limited Edition (Feat. Steven J. Collins ) 05:38 LOWELL HOPPER - Resurgence 05:34 JEANETTE HARRIS - Night Jam 05:29 PIECES OF A DREAM - Gettin' Through It 05:25 DANIEL CHIA - Cali Style 05:21 DONN BYNUM - Mercy Mercy Me (feat. Lew Laing Jr.) 05:18 ADRIAN CRUTCHFIELD - Morning After 05:12 STEVE COLE - Toronto 05:09 BRIAN SIMPSON - Whisper To Me 05:04 JEFF KASHIWA - Show Me Love 05:00 NORTH 2UNES WOODALL - Hip Hug 04:55 EUGE GROOVE - Take You Higher 04:50 NAJEE - Bounce 04:46 GREGG KARUKAS - Coyote Party 04:42 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - Better Days Ahead feat. Jeff Pescetto 04:38 KIM SCOTT - I'm Every Woman (feat. Althea Rene & Ragan Whiteside) 04:34 MARION MEADOWS - Life In The Clouds 04:30 ZACH BRIDGES - Yonder 04:26 BRAD ALEXANDER - A Matter of Time 04:20 MARCUS ANDERSON - Dandelion 04:16 PIECES OF A DREAM - Going Home 04:12 ZOLBERT - On My Way 04:08 TIM BOWMAN - Heart & Soul 04:03 BALANCE9 - 110 at Night 03:59 JEFF KASHIWA - Something About You 03:54 NICK COLIONNE - Whatcha Gonna Do 03:51 JACKIEM JOYNER - Don't Make Her Wait 03:46 NAJEE - Hurricane 03:41 DONN BYNUM - Our Turn to Dance (feat. Paul Jackson Jr.) 03:37 BRIAN SIMPSON - What I'm Waiting For 03:33 LOWELL HOPPER - Ever Lasting 03:29 WALTER BEASLEY - She Can't Help It 03:24 ADAM HAWLEY - Detroit 03:20 SKINNY HIGHTOWER - Bittersweet 03:16 MARION MEADOWS - Real Time 03:12 DANIEL DOMENGE - Between Your Hands 03:08 NORTH 2UNES WOODALL - 102 Degree 03:03 BONEY JAMES - You Can Count on Me 02:59 PIECES OF A DREAM - It's A Vibe 02:54 FRANK MCCOMB - Movin' In Traffic (For Russell Ferrante and George Duke) . 02:50 MARCUS ANDERSON - Can I Come Over 02:46 JEFF KASHIWA - Mediterranean Nights 02:42 JASON PETERSON DELAIRE - Check Please (feat. Chris Camozzi) 02:39 NAJEE - Luna 02:35 DANIEL CHIA - Say You Will 02:31 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - Tell Me Why (Feat. Paul Brown) 02:27 BALANCE9 - Sway 02:23 MICHAEL SILVERMAN, ERIC MARIENTHAL - In These Times 02:20 ADRIAN CRUTCHFIELD - Now I See 02:16 ZOLBERT - Smile 02:12 AL DEGREGORIS - Time Sensitive 02:08 WALTER BEASLEY - Lovely Day 02:04 PHIL DENNY - Around the Block 01:59 TIM BOWMAN - Happiness Is 01:55 THREESTYLE - Missing You 01:52 FREDDIE FOX - Feelin' It 01:48 MARION MEADOWS - Invisible 01:44 FRANK MCCOMB - Cha Cha (For Ramsey Lewis) 01:40 LOWELL HOPPER - Change of Seasons 01:36 JASON PETERSON DELAIRE - After Hours 01:32 NAJEE - Bottom To The Top 01:27 JEFF KASHIWA - 3 01:22 THE SMOOTH JAZZ ALLEY - Smooth Jazz Alley 01:18 PIECES OF A DREAM - Livin' The Life 01:14 BRIAN SIMPSON - All That Matters 01:10 MARCUS ANDERSON - Will Power 01:05 JAREZ - Just Can't Wait 01:01 JAZZ IN PINK - Positivity 00:57 PHIL DENNY - Lifted 00:53 FRANK SUTTON - Its Gonna Be A Lovely Day 00:48 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - Huggy Bear 00:44 VANN BURCHFIELD - I'm Holding On 00:40 WALTER BEASLEY - Barack's Groove 00:36 THE SAX PACK - Back In Style 00:32 SKINNY HIGHTOWER - Now Or Never 00:29 ZOLBERT - Frappe 00:25 BLAKE AARON - Dreamland 00:21 JASON PETERSON DELAIRE - Nightcap (feat. Chris Camozzi) 00:16 NAJEE - Valentine Love 00:12 FRANK MCCOMB - Just Ride (For George Duke) 00:07 JEFF KASHIWA - The Good Life 00:03 TIM BOWMAN - Watchout

[chibinekochan]

My Ghostmate part 5

Ft. Leviathan

Gender-neutral reader insert

Obey me! Monster tales

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

More days pass. The practice goes great. It's also thanks to Levi that I can relate better to the character I'm playing.

Our relationship is also getting better with each passing day. 

I'm getting used to his slight awkwardness and he doesn't complain over anything.

We also got into the habit of watching anime together every evening. It's quite fun if I'm being honest. 

Levi even got me into playing a few video games. 

My new life is pretty good, everything considered.

Once again I come home with food.

"I'm home!" I say with a cheerful voice.

"Welcome back." I hear Levi in the living room.

He is playing a new game. 

I plop on the sofa next to him. Just casually watch him while I eat.

"Huh?! When did you get home? And do you have to sit so close to me?" Levi is flustered.

"A while ago, and yes I have to sit close to you if I want to read the text on screen." I chuckle and move even closer. I feel like punishing him a bit for not noticing me earlier.

Levi reacts right away by becoming even more flustered and pulls his hood over his head. 

In situations like this, I'd love to ruffle his hair but that would probably cause him to vanish.

"S-suit yourself." He barely manages to say this much.

I giggle and move just a bit farther away.

"Oh, actually I have a treat for you. I found my deluxe edition DVD of the Rosen wars. So I figured we can watch it tonight if you want to." Levi puts a box on the table.

"You remember that? Wow, that's very sweet of you!" I give him a big and honest smile.

Levi is very sweet at times.

He blushes. "It's not a big deal. I like the series too."

So we both start the marathon.

It's a 52-episode show and a movie so it's quite a bit to watch.

At some point, I lean back and slowly drift off.

I must've been tired.

Something cold on my shoulder wakes me up.

In my sleep, I somehow ended up leaning on Levi.

"Oh sorry, Levi." I shift away from him and at that moment our eyes meet.

He seems surprised, I'm not sure by what exactly. 

Levi gasps and turns half invincible. "Gaahhh!"

This causes me to fall over and right into Levi.

A cold sensation spreads through my body. It's strange, a bit like a cold chill but not uncomfortable.

So this is how it is to be possessed.

A while later I find myself lying on the couch.

I sit up, checking the time reveals that a good hour has passed.

"A-Are you okay?" Levi speaks to me from somewhere across the room. I can't see him at all.

"Yeah, that was wild." I feel somehow giddy. "So you can possess me, that's pretty cool."

I hear a big sigh from Levi.

"You are a weirdo." He sounds like he came closer again.

I shrug. "That makes two of us. Why did it take you so long to leave my body btw?" Now I'm getting curious again.

"T-that w-was the first time I ever…I ever did you know…" Levi stumbles over his words.

I can practically hear him blushing.

"That makes sense." Not that I would know any differently. "So are we going to keep watching or what?"

"Don't you want to kick me out?" Levi is a bit visible now and his cheeks are indeed very red.

"Nope, unless you did something to my body." I shrug.

"I would never!" He sounds offended.

I pat the couch. "I trust you so move your butt here." 

Levi gasps again, he looks surprised. "You trust me?"

"Of course, you are my friend after all." I smile at him.

Levi blushes and awkwardly starts the DVD again.

I could tease him a little but I think he had enough embarrassment for one day.

So we just watch the show together.

Living with Levi continues as usual. 

Though today is a special day.

"I'm back!" I yell into the house unsure if I get a response. It's about 50\50.

"Welcome home!" Levi is near the door.

"Gee, you almost gave me a heart attack." I'm surprised by him being here.

"Sorry, I was just waiting for you to be home since I have to show you the new game I just got. It's epic!" Levi is so excited it's hard to stay mad at him.

"Awesome, but I have some great news too!" I smile, feeling giddy.

"Don't let me wait, tell me!" Levi is shooting me a smile.

It's always nice to see him just as happy about my news as about his favorite anime dropping new merch.

"We will have our premiere soon! I got a ticket for you." I feel super proud and get the ticket from my pocket. 

Levi's eyes shine at the ticket but it only takes him a moment to realize the issue. I can see his disappointment. It makes me sad.

"I know you won't be able to come but when they said we should give them to people we want there I could only think of you." It's a bit embarrassing to admit but true. "So you can have this!" I hold the thicket towards him.

Levi looks troubled. "Are you sure? You could invite a family member or friend? Giving it to me is useless." 

"That's not true you helped me a lot with your knowledge and practice. I'm sure you know my dialogue in your sleep by now." I chuckle. "Besides, you can keep it for the collector's value. I mean once I'm famous this will be highly sought after." I smile confidently.

Levi blushes, he seems unsure how to respond but then he reaches his hand out and takes the ticket. "Thank you, I will treasure it." He still looks troubled but doesn't say anything else about it.

"Didn't you have a game to show to me?" I decide it's best to dispel the slightly uneasy atmosphere with a topic change.

"Oh, yeah I almost forgot. You see, this game is about Poseidon building an underwater city. It's so wild." Levi is already on his way and keeps talking about it in great detail.

His delighted ramblings are always the best thing about his latest addiction. It always makes my heart feel warm when Levi is like this.   

I watch him play his newest game, which is truly something to behold. At least it distracts me from feeling nervous about my performance.

[chorusfm]

Albums in Stores – Jul. 28th, 2023

If you hit read more you can see all the releases we have in our calendar for the week. Hit the comments to access our forums and talk about what came out today, what albums you picked up, and to make mention of anything we may have missed. Arch Echo – Final PitchAstralborne – War VesselBear The Mammoth – Purple HausBethany Cosentino – Natural DisasterBeverly Glenn-Copeland – The Ones AheadBlacksound – Rosary IIBlood Runs Cold – Blood Runs ColdBrigid Mae Power – Dream From The Deep WellBush Tetras – They Live In My HeadCHIKA – SAMSON: The albumCarly Rae Jepsen – The Loveliest TimediscussDecoherence – OrderDexys – The Feminine DivineDiesel Boy – Gets OldEave – FervorEchosmith – EchosmithFleshvessel – Yearning: Promethean Fates SealedFly Anakin – Skinemaxxx (Side B)From Ashes To New – BlackoutGeorgia – EuphoricGeres – Idle WorshipGirlschool – WTFortyFive?Hooker Spit – Krötch SplitterJessy Lanza – Love HallucinationJim Lockey & The Solemn Sun – ColourJoni Mitchell – Joni Mitchell At NewportJukebox Monkey – Smiles Becoming TeethKacey Johansing – Year AwayKorn – Untitled (Deluxe Edition)Lokust – InfidelMairu – Sol CultusMeteor Police – New Type DestroyerMutoid Man – MutantsNew Standards Men – Against Our VanishingsNo Rome – Blueboy Must DiediscussNuclear Power Trio – Wet Ass PlutoniumOrgan Dealer – The Weight Of BeingOscar Lang – Look NowOxbow – Love’s HolidayPRETTY – Citrus MagicPoison Door – Fear Of LivingPost Malone – AustindiscussRaze – PyrographyRevision The Dream – TransparencyRomhack – Machine MatriarchSam Mooradian – Bad BrainSecret Keeper – Dear Love, I Let You GoSevendust – Truth KillerSigns Of The Swarm – Amongst The Low & EmptySomebody Once Told Me – Expand | DescentStarer – Wind, Breeze, Or BreathSteve Marino – Too Late To Start AgainStreet Soldier – Original Murda MaterialTen Tonnes – Dancing, AloneThe Big Net – Like DogsThe Clientele – I Am Not There AnymoreThe Fierce And The Dead – News From The Invisible WorldThe Glorious Dead – Cemetery PathsThe Gorge – Mechanical FictionThe Sun’s Journey Through The Night – WorldlessThra – Forged In Chaotic SpewTravis Scott – UtopiaUncle Acid & The Deadbeats – Slaughter On First AvenueUnsolicited – Luminous EmpireUrbain – A Soul PurgedUzumaki – Square OneVinsta – FreiweitnWilliam The Conquerer – Excuse Me While I VanishYonaka – Welcome To My HouseYueku – Little Less Noisebdrmm – I Don’t Know --- Thanks to helloiamzach for providing additional contributions to this week’s list. You can check out and support his weekly music podcast It’s Not A Phase or follow him on his socials. --- Please consider becoming a member so we can keep bringing you stories like this one. ◎ https://chorus.fm/albums-in-stores-today/albums-in-stores-jul-28th-2023/

[bmaxwell]

The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe

I’m a big fan of the late Terry Pratchett of Discworld fame. Underneath the silly stories about elves, a bumbling city watch force, a would-be wizzard, a trio of country witches and so much more, there is wisdom. And anger. Anger at a world that treats people as things, anger at a world that puts people in boxes, and anger at those who “think that serious is the opposite of funny.”

That last one stuck with me. Some of my favorite works manage to be funny while being rooted in decency and heart. It’s a tough needle to thread, and The Stanley Parable manages to do this in a rare way. To say it breaks the fourth wall would be a gross understatement. It’s a game about breaking the fourth wall. It is all the way up its own ass 100% of the time. It’s constantly huffing its own farts, then asking you how you feel about that, writing down your response, then laughing and throwing it away, then fishing it out of the garbage and crying because the writer doesn’t know how to make a great game and no one loves him, then writing that all into the game. 

Do you laugh? Cry? Get a little uncomfortable and wonder if the writer needs help, wonder whether they are actually, really happy or actually as tortured as this all seems to be? HA HA HA HA...?

If you played writer/developer Davey Wreden’s The Beginner’s Guide which you didn’t, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Mostly because if you’ve played The Beginner’s Guide then you’ve definitely played The Stanley Parable. TBG is a gut punch of an experience, about fraud complex and the torture that some creative types go through. 

The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe gets into this same territory. There are screenshots of actual, real negative reviews from Steam planted in the game. The narrator talks about trying to reach those people and make them happy too, but it’s impossible. Those negative views of his game reinforce the nagging voice inside that says “You can’t do this, you somehow tricked people into liking your last game but now they’re onto you, and your fraud will be exposed to the world.” Every compliment is out of pity, every criticism is deserved and justified. This is relatable to me. 

Look I made a thing, but I don’t want approval but please pay attention to me even though I don’t care about that, and I know that praise is all just pity, and silence is indifference or disgust. Please look at the thing I made and don’t compliment me, criticize me, or ignore me. Please?

I’ve managed to ramble on quite a bit about the game without actually describing it in any way. Well done, me. It’s a game about an office worker drone suddenly finding himself alone in the office, and a funny British narrator describing his every action. And every inaction. Someone took BioShock’s Would you kindly? and made a game out of it. It’s a raw, overshared earnestness thrown in a blender with funny writing.

And it is smart, and incredibly funny. I’ve largely misrepresented the game here as I’ve been playing the new content in The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe Edition™. There’s a lot of self doubt and conflicted feelings front and center in the writing. Even when it’s uncomfortable and sad, it’s still got a satchel full of dark humor slung over its shoulder. 

Comedy is hard to pull off in gaming, and The Stanley Parable does it better than any game I’ve ever played, and it isn’t close. If I’m being vague, it’s because the humor works in the context of the game in a way that typing it out would do a disservice to. WORDS. The narrator is constantly, uh, narrating. You enter a room with 2 doors in front of you and the narrator immediately says “Stanley walked through the door on the left” and you can do that, or not. You can linger in a supply closet for far longer than any human ever should, just to hear the narrator get increasingly exasperated with you. 

It subverts your expectations over and over again. It also has some great achievements, for those of you who celebrate:

It’s a unique experience, one that wouldn’t work in any other medium. Those are few and far between. 

[elliepassmore]

Africa Risen review

Big thanks to Netgalley, Tordotcom, and the authors for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! The Blue House: Dilman Dila 3/5 stars I thought the concept of this one was interesting, an android attempting to remember her life and identity when she was a human, but had trouble with all the memory.sys and security.sys stuff. March Magic: WC Dunlap 5/5 stars I enjoyed the imagery in this one. Irl: Steven Barnes 5/5 stars I really enjoyed this story. Shango seems pretty unbearable at first, but he really comes through. I also liked the alternate/future version of justice and the intricacies of it. The Deification of Igodo: Joshua Uchena Omenga 3/5 stars This was an interesting story, but not really my thing. Mami Wataworks: Russell Nichols 5/5 stars I was somewhat confused by this one at first, but once I got a hang of the setting, I quite enjoyed the post-apocalyptic scene. Rear Mirror: Nuzo Onoh 5/5 stars This one was very entertaining. I liked the idea and imagery of an angry ghost tormenting the people going against her last/burial wishes. Door Crashers: Frank’s Zeph 3/5 stars The concept of this was intriguing and I think it really felt like it was going somewhere toward the end. However I was confused for most of the story. The Soul Would Have No Rainbow: Yvette Lisa Ndlovu 4/5 stars I liked how we jumped between the past and the present for this one. I also liked the mythological feeling the story has. A Dream of Electric Mothers: Wole Talabi 5/5 stars This one was interesting. I liked how it took contemporary beliefs and carried them forward to be adapted into a sci-fi world. The imagery was also very vivid in this one. Simbi: Sandra Jackson-Opoku 5/5 stars This is a pretty quick story, but I liked the variation on Mami Wata. Housewarming for a Lion Goddess: Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga 5/5 stars I liked this story a lot. There’s a lot of imagery in it and the narrator had a dual-story thing going on. A Knight in Tunisia: Alex Jennings 5/5 stars This was definitely interesting. The shape of this world was somewhat confusing to me, but I liked the concept. The Devil is Us: Mirette Bahgat 3/5 stars I thought this was going to go somewhere but then it didn’t really, so… Cloud Mine: Timo Odueso 5/5 stars I liked this one and where it seemed to be going. I can definitely feel a larger character arc for Salim. Ruler of the Rear Guard: Maurice Broaddus 4/5 stars This was an interesting picture of future-America (or really a slightly exaggerated current America) and how people might find their way out of it. Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition): Tlotlo Tsamaase 2/5 stars TW implied rape I liked the ending of this, but the rest do it was fairly graphic and I wasn’t a fan. The Sugar Mill: Tobias S. Buckell 5/5 stars This story does a good job of showing the predatory nature of land development and of how ‘white vegans’ often prioritize animals over human lives. I liked the ghosts in this story, and I thought it was a funny touch that they enjoyed watching reality TV. The Carving of War: Somto Ihezue Onyedikachi 4/5 stars Interesting, but I was kind of confused. Ghost Ship: Tananarive Drive 5/5 stars This one head a good vibe to it. It feels like one thing at the start and then it becomes something else. I do wish we’d gotten to see Burden again though. Liquid Twilight: Ytasha Womack 4/5 stars This was a light story, though I don’t think I totally understood the ending. There are some implications there that I think I get, but it’s hard to tell. Once Upon a Time in 1967: Oyedotun Damilola Muees 4/5 stars I liked all the different magical creatures in the story. A Girl Crawls in a Dark Corner: Alexis Brooks de Vita 5/5 stars TW/ FGM, rape Unpleasant business but it has a satisfying ending. The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library: Tobi Ogundiran 5/5 stars This was a fun little thriller/horror story. I enjoyed the anticipation of what would happen. When the Mami Wata Met a Demon: Moustapha Mbacké Diop 4/5 stars This was another horror-esque story, but it ended on a lighter note. The Papermakers: Akua Lezli Hope 5/5 stars I thought this one was cool. The paper magic and process of making paper are interesting to me. A Soul of Small Places: Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo 5/5 stars TW mentions of rape This one is good, has a satisfying arc. I also like the ‘monster’ in this one. Air to Shape Lungs: Shingai Njeri Kagunda 4/5 stars The narrative here is in an unusual style. Interesting story though. Hanfo Driver: Ada Nnadi 4/5 stars This one is an entertaining story about misadventures with a hover bus. I did have some difficulty with it since it’s written in dialect. Exiles of Witchery: Ivana Akotowaa Ofori 5/5 This one is probably one of my favorites from the anthology. There’s magic and mayhem and solidarity, with a dash of danger. The Taloned Beast: Chinelo Onwualu 5/5 stars TW/ rape, abuse An overall good story about accepting who you are and standing with other people against the world. Star Watchers: Danian Darrell Jerry 3/5 stars I feel like this one had a lot of potential but doesn’t really have a lot of follow through. I want to know more about the Star Watchers and their community, and I think a slightly longer story could help with that. Biscuit and Milk: Dare Segun Falowo 4/5 stars This one was…weird, lol. It was definitely interesting and I think I liked it, but it is very weird.