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earthstellar · 3 years

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TFP Megatronus x Orion Pax Experimental Concept Playlist: The Timescale of Cybertronian Lives + Music from 1890 - 2021

I know there are tons of playlists for these characters out there, but I’m trying to do something a little less conventional with this one; Please hear me out!

Two Playlists in One: Love Throughout The Ages

The first half of this playlist is almost all new music mixed in with some hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s, etc. to give variety, plus tracks from different genres so that hopefully everyone has a song they can enjoy in there somewhere.

For the second half of the playlist, I wanted to emphasise the idea of how long the war on Cybertron has been going on for, and just how old this conflict and the people involved actually are.

Cybertronian Timescale: Long Lives and The Perception of Time

We think of the Orion Pax / Megatronus stage of their relationship as being relatively brief, which it was in comparison to how long the war has been going on for as of TFP, but these are people who live for centuries. The scope of that is staggering.

Optimus Prime and Megatron have known each other personally (either positively or negatively) for longer than modern human civilisation has existed.

So to me, the best way to touch on that idea of time, musically, is to have the first half of the playlist be modern music, remixes, etc. and then the second half is well known and lesser known hits throughout early radio/TV (with many tracks on this playlist pre-dating those forms of media as well).

What’s on the Playlist, Then?

My grandmother was born in 1914, and her music collection spans nearly 100 years. It’s all good stuff.

I have included some of her favourites, which she always called her “sweetheart jingles”, on this soundtrack. I think many of them work surprisingly well for the Megatronus/Orion Pax relationship.

Many of these songs will probably be unknown by the vast majority of people who might want to listen to this playlist, which is also appealing to me. (I hope if this is your first time hearing some of these, that you enjoy a few of them!)

My parents were born in 1944, and I remember all of the classics they would play; Some of those tracks will be more recognisable as this was the era when radio and TV became far more common and accessible, but I picked the tracks that I think best apply to the pairing and the relationship between the two characters at that point in their lives.

The link to the playlist is below after some notes on Cybertronian language evolution!

Quick Thought: Cybertronian Language Over Time and Era Specific Speech Patterns

While thinking about my grandmother’s music collection as I assembled this playlist, I thought about some of the words and phrases she used commonly that are now totally non-existent in modern conversational English.

She had what would probably sound to most people like “1930s radio voice” or a more Trans-Atlantic Accent way of speaking; She grew up in the Northeast USA and so she had a very distinctive way of stressing the vowels in words. It’s not just the words themselves, or how they were pronounced, but the tone and pace of speech was also very different.

This got me thinking about Cybertronians, age, and speech:

Bots as old as Ratchet may have grown up with a totally different spoken language version of Cybertronian, and we already know that there are regional dialects, multiple written forms (glyphs), and era-specific types of Cybertronian language.

But the way they speak, as I mentioned above with the stressing of vowels and the tone and pace of speech, might still be different due to the different eras, even after language packs/programs are downloaded and updated periodically as needed. We already know Cybertronians have regional accents, so it stands that generational accents would also possibly exist as well.

Such a difference in speech patterns could possibly be used as a primary indicator of relative age on Cybertron, as physically they don’t age in the sense human beings do.

Back to the Playlist: Link + Track List + Notes on Audio Prior to 1930

The playlist is here on YouTube.

Scroll down to get to the second half (oldies section) if that’s what you’re here for!

Please note that the songs are not arranged in any particular order aside from the first half being newer music and the second half being far older music.

Also note, where original recordings are available on YouTube for some of the older songs, I have used those original recording versions.

However, keep in mind that there may be a couple seconds of “fuzz” at the top (start) of those older tracks, because they have been recorded from records or wax cylinders, which are formats of music that typically had a “pause” on the track to allow for needle and speed calibration when playing them manually. Modern records don’t do this in quite the same way and nobody uses wax cylinders anymore, but older records typically did. If this bothers you, skip ahead about two seconds or so, and it will resolve.

Tempo may seem slightly “fast” on two of the tracks due to difficulties with the medium and modern recording tech/methods, and one track has some persistent “fuzz” throughout due to the original recording being rare and therefore it is a “best copy available” type archival recording, but otherwise I’ve managed to find the clearest audio possible for the vast majority of the older songs!

(Fun music note, the “click track” in modern digital music was partially inspired by the clicking of the needle hitting the “countdown grooves” on old cylinders and records, which creates an audible mild clicking sound as the needle finds the groove and provides time for usually a half rotation or full rotation of the record before the track actually begins to allow for adjustment before the music starts! If the clicking is too fast, dial down the rotation speed, for example.

This itself was inspired by classical metronomes as well as the actual physical method of playing the music in this way, but it’s cool to see how this persists throughout musical history even now when we don’t need the click for digital production for quite the same reasons/applications. It’s all about timing, no matter the medium or era!)

Due to the method of how some player piano rolls were credited, often by roll company and not by individuals, the actual artist name is often not available for those tracks. Where possible and where known, I have included credits to the artists/musicians. I have done my best to research and find the artists in these recordings.

I have also included orchestrions and other “automated” music in addition to a player piano track as I think it’s interesting; These are often very old compositions being played on these machines, and as such are designed to reflect the earliest days of their relationship.

Songs range from the years 1890 to 2021, and I will add more as I manage to find YouTube videos with some of the older songs I’m still looking for.

By the way, if you need a love song for like an actual partner or crush that you have, I’m just going to say it now and point out that a lot of these classics are great to use in real life for cute purposes. My partner of ten years agrees, and my grandparents were married for over 60 years and sang many of these daily, so obviously something here works well. You’re welcome. ;)

Below the cut is a track list of the second half of the playlist, as it’s 7 AM and I’d like to emphasise the “classics” section here as it’s the central theme of the concept.

I will add to this list as more tracks are added:

You’re the Top - Cole Porter

What is this Thing Called Love - Leslie Hutchinson

I Get a Kick Outta You - Cole Porter

Puttin on the Ritz - Phil Spitalny Orchestra

What a Day - Carl Fenton

Come Fly With Me - Frank Sinatra

Earth Angel - The Penguins

Ring a Ding Ding - Frank Sinatra

In my Merry Oldsmobile - Billy Murray

Singin in the Rain - Gene Kelly

Dream a Little Dream of Me - Doris Day

Unforgettable - Nat King Cole

Can’t Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley

Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard

Bei Mir Bist du Schoen - The Andews Sisters

Shine on Harvest Moon - Ruth Etting

1920s Dance Sequence from Don’t Knock the Rock

In the Mood -Glen Miller Orchestra

Dream Lover - Bobby Darin

When the Ragtime Army Goes Away to War (Artist Unknown)

After You’ve Gone - J. Lawrence Cook

My Sin (Artist Unknown)

Flick Flack by Albert Vossen (Unsure; Song + Artist Unknown; Orchestrion)

Lotosblumen Walzer by E. Ohlsen (Hupfeld Violina)

Waltz no.2 - Dmitri Shostakovich

Jupiter - Gustav Holst

Love Potion no. 9 - The Clovers (Please note, this song mentions the word “g*psy” once in the beginning of the track. Skip this song if you would prefer not to hear it; I have done my best to only include songs that are friendly to the modern listener, but where needed I will make annotations such as this one to ensure nobody has to hear anything potentially offensive, as is unfortunately often the case with older music/lyrics.)

Come a Little Bit Closer - Jay and the Americans

Sh-Boom - The Crew Cuts

Oh Boy - Buddy Holly

#long post #playlist #megop #megops #cybertronian culture #transformers #transformers prime #tfp #maccadam #maccadams #megatron #optimus prime #orion pax #music #concept playlist #megatronus

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elementofhonesty · 6 years

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Alright so ever since I saw @esmeia‘s cute ass shipmix posts I’ve been wanting to make my own, since I have pLENTY of shipmixes. Some for things I don’t even ship that much. I just listen to a lot of music and like putting them together.

So here’s one! AppleDash has been my longest ship in this fandom and it’s pretty obvious it’s my favorite lol. They’re very special to me but I’ll spare you my life story, because it’s been years.

I put together all my playlists on Spotify now so you can listen to it here! If you want to follow it I’ll probably end up adding more, because I do that as I find new stuff. I’m always open to suggestions if you want, just throw them in the ask box or something. I don’t bite.

All the songs and a little snippet of some lyrics from each that I find fitting are below the cut! I hope you enjoy. I’ll probably end up posting one for each of the Applejack ships sooner or later.

I was too lazy to throw some of my own possibly cute art together for this so credit here for the iconic vector of the girlfriends.

Wild Heart - Daughtry

Applejack: ❝ You used to be the girl that set the world on fire, and they drenched your soul in water but the flames reached higher. Used to act so tough like you could walk on a wire, and they called you devil's daughter, such a pretty liar. ❞

Seein' Red - Dustin Lynch

Applejack: ❝ Wherever we're going, gotta get there fast.. ❞ / ❝ Can't get you outta my head, girl. Can't get you outta my head. The way you color up my world, I'm seein' red. ❞

Angel To You (Devil To Me) - The Click Five

Rainbow Dash: ❝ Well she's hotter than hell, and she's cool as they come, and she's smart, and she's wild all rolled into one. ❞ / ❝ It's not easy to see that she's an angel to you, but she's a devil to me. ❞

Wouldn't Change A Thing - Demi Lovato & Joe Jonas

Both: ❝ Like fire and rain, you can drive me insane, but I can't stay mad at you for anything. ❞

Cowboys and Angels - Dustin Lynch

Applejack: ❝ I've got boots and she's got wings. ❞ / ❝ We ride side by side. A cloud of dust, a ray of light. ❞

Bitter and the Sweetness - The Ready Set

Applejack: ❝ Troublemaker look on your face, followed by a smile and I melt away. ❞

Like This - Shawn Mendes

Rainbow Dash: ❝ And I love it how she's honest, you don't find that nowadays. She's not even drop dead gorgeous, but she kills me anyway. ❞

Gold In The Summertime - Matt Nathanson

Rainbow Dash: ❝ Nobody loves you, the way that I do. The way you shine through, gold in the summertime. ❞

Young Volcanoes - Fall Out Boy

Rainbow Dash: ❝ We are wild, we are like young volcanoes. We are wild. Americana, exotica. Do you wanna feel a little beautiful, baby? ❞

She's so High - Tal Bachman

Applejack: ❝ She's so high, high above me. She's so lovely. ❞

Moments - Tove Lo

Applejack: ❝ I love freaks, I don't care if you're a wild one. ❞

Stutter - Maroon 5

Rainbow Dash: ❝ I'll give you everything. Give some attention to me. All I want is just you and me always. ❞

This Means War - Marianas Trench

Rainbow Dash: ❝ Gotta get you under fire quick, brace for it. I'd rather be a riot than indifferent. ❞

Craving You - Thomas Rhett & Maren Morris

Applejack: ❝ When it comes to you, no, I ain't got no patience. There's something 'bout you girl I just can't fight. ❞

Rock N Roll - Avril Lavigne

Rainbow Dash: ❝ Some some how, it's a little different when I'm with you. You know what I really am all about. ❞

I Must Be Dreaming - The Maine

Rainbow Dash: ❝ She thinks I'm crazy, judging by the faces that she's making. And I think she's pretty, but pretty's just part of the things she does that amaze me. ❞

Cross My Heart - Marianas Trench

Rainbow Dash: ❝ And I do want to show you, I will run to you, to you, 'till I can't stand on my own anymore. ❞

Sleeping with a Friend - Neon Trees

Applejack: ❝ And why mess up a good thing baby? It's a risk to even fall in love. ❞ / ❝ We are both young, hot blooded people. We don't wanna die alone. To become one, it could be lethal. ❞

Just So You Know - Jesse McCartney

Applejack: ❝ It's getting hard to be around you, there's so much I can't say. Do you want me to hide the feelings and look the other way? ❞

Crush - David Archuleta

Rainbow Dash: ❝ Has it ever crossed your mind, when we're hanging, spending time, girl? Are we just friends? Is there more? ❞

Everything I Want - Steve Rushton

Applejack: ❝ I said I liked you and I confessed. By ten o' clock, I was making fun of you. ❞ / ❝ It's kinda cheesy to say but, you're everything I want. ❞

Red - Taylor Swift

Applejack: ❝ Tell myself it's time now, gotta let go. But moving on from her is impossible, when I still see it all in my head. Burning red. ❞

Don't Walk Away - Miley Cyrus

Applejack: ❝ Don't walk away when I'm talkin’ to you, this ain't no time for your bad attitude. ❞ / ❝ Cause my heart's already in it, and I'm never gonna quit it. ❞

Can't Sleep Love - Pentatonix

Rainbow Dash: ❝ Somebody wake up my heart, light me up, set fire to my soul. 'Cause I can't do it anymore. ❞

Animal - Neon Trees

Both: ❝ Here we go again. I kinda wanna be more than friends. ❞

Rock Me - One Direction

Rainbow Dash: ❝ I want you to hit the pedal, heavy metal, show me you care. ❞

Come On Get Higher - Matt Nathanson

Rainbow Dash: ❝ So come on get higher, loosen my lips. Faith and desire, and the swing of your hips. Just pull me down hard, and drown me in love. ❞

Push - Avril Lavigne

Applejack: ❝ Maybe you should just shut up, even when it gets tough, baby, 'cause this is love. And you know when push comes to shove, it's gonna take the both of us. ❞

Her Love Is My Religion - The Cab

Rainbow Dash: ❝ Cause I see the stars in the freckles on her face. ❞ / ❝ She's the truth inside all the world of lies. ❞

I Want Somebody (Bitch About) - Kristin Chenoweth

Applejack: ❝ I want somebody I can bitch about, I want somebody I can't live without. ❞

The Way I Loved You - Taylor Swift

Applejack: ❝ You were wild and crazy, just so frustrating. Intoxicating, complicated, got away by some mistake, and now.. ❞

Hell Of A Night - Dustin Lynch

Applejack: ❝ Ooh, baby you and me, just a-running down crazy. Flying high, living careless, on the edge of wild and reckless. ❞

#mlp #Appledash #applejack #rainbow dash #shipmix #rainbowjack #🍏 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬. (ooc)#🍏 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘴𝘮𝘴. (musings)#🍏 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧. (muse)#🍏 𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳. (rainbow dash)#🍏 𝘪’𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. (appledash)

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uberff · 6 years

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Chapter 24

Eric

 "Mornin'," I mumbled to Deja as I walked into the shop with all of my equipment in my Nike duffle bag.

"Good morning. Issa fresh pot of coffee in the lounge if you need it." she said sweetly and I nodded, going about my business after mumbling a quick 'thank you' with a forced smile.

I wasn't in the mood to crack jokes or sip dirt, I just wanted to take care of my clients for today and head the fuck home.

After the week I've had, offing myself seemed to be the only solution out of it. But, I knew that would make for more problems concerning my loved ones.

I laid out all of my equipment neatly across my desk and mumbled along to Jaded while tryna get this day started. I had all my hair growing out, my weight going up and down, I ain't have the desire to eat no more, and shit just stopped making sense.

I checked out all the boxes on Robyn's checklist, I was the perfect nigga for her. She glowed up through me, man. I wasn't tryna force her into anything, our relationship was so organic, I felt like I was walking on glass to fuckin' please her while she kept breaking mirrors in the meantime, playing hard to get for no fuckin' reason. I mean, I know you been hurt the last three times but I wanted to be her testimony, I wanted to be that E Harmony commercial for her, I wanted to be set apart from those niggas but instead, she placed me right in the box, adjacent to all them fuck niggas.

"Hey, Toby just called and asked to reschedule ya'lls session. Tomorrow night cool?" Deja poked her head into my office and I nodded.

Sighing heavily, I tossed my tattoo gun back on my desk and sunk into my chair. The only shot I had at clearing my mind of this fuck shit was put on hold. I loved what I did, especially when I was going through something, making others feel joy that I could never obtain is what it was all about for me. This girl really got my head fucked up.

After Dej hung up with my client, she came back in and hopped on my chair, across from me and started examining my face. I turned away from her before she could notice anything and dug into my bag for my bottle of Henny. "Ricky." she spun me around and sighed, taking the bottle out of my hands.

"Please talk to me, if it's about what I said the other night-" I put my finger to her lips and mushed her face back. "You 'bout close as shit, ain't you?" I chuckled lowly and she gave me a smile filled with hope.

My happiness was always top on her list. I loved the shit out her gay ass, bro. Forever and always, ever since tenth grade. "Nah, yo carpet munchin' ass ain't got shit to do with this."

"Bitch," she slapped my hand away with a small laugh, and got serious shortly after.

"I'm worried about you, E."

"Don't worry about me, Deja. I'll bounce back."

"Not if you keep tryna handle this by yourself." I twisted my curls with one hand and laid back and let her words sink in.

"I ain't got nobody else. I know I always got you, D. But, reporting shit to you over and over get old."

"I'm willing to listen. You're self-destructing by the week. Each time I see you, it's worse. Talk."

"You know the situation with shawty."

"I do. I also know that you've never been going through such a drought over a girl. That's usually my role."

"How you and Shellz?" I asked and she sucked her teeth. "Fuck how me and her are doing. I don't care about that right now. All I know is that if I lose you, bro-"

"You not gon' lose me, Deja. You and my fam always gon' run through my mind before I think about doing some selfish shit." I kicked her softly when she got to getting teary eyed.

"You hear me?" I asked, still looking up at the ceiling. If I look at D when she crying, I was bound to start crying with her ugly ass. "Yeah," she sniffled and wiped her eyes gently so she wouldn't mess up her beat. "back to you and Robyn."

"Yeah, I loved her, still got love for her. I thought we had something real. I ain't classify her like a basic ass Memphis hoe. I'm hurtin' hard." I said truthfully. It finally felt like someone was removing the bricks from off my chest, one by one.

“I did all this shit just for her to gon' and get pregnant by a nigga she told me ain't built for love, ain't sensitive enough towards her." I wiped my eyes and shook my head.

"I'm sorry, E. Come here." she pulled me up and reeled me into her arms just as I finally let my tears fall. "The one time I let my guard down and try this love shit again, man. She gotta fuckin' baby on the way." I sobbed loudly and hugged Deja back.

"She tellin' me all this bullshit about her exes, for what? Making me wait for what? Defending her fuckin' honor for what? Bitch had me lookin' crazy, thinking I was about to start a family with her. I'm happy as all fuck, screaming out my car window on interstates, spreading fake ass news to strangers, thinking of baby names. Nigga, for what!?"

Deja consoled me calmly and wiped my tears which was all cool but, Robyn still fuckin' played me. Played the shit outta me and had me convinced that I was gon' be the nigga to heal her from all the wrong her exes did. I guided her in that direction of her self-worth and she started feelin' herself, treating me like I wasn't the one in corner from the minute her pretty ass walked into my shop. Two days fresh off the plane from NYC.

"Not like it's being brought up or anything, but you know that I'm always gunna be loyal to family, right? Not saying that my friendship with shawty is done because that's sis, but, I'll always be here for you. Whenever." I nodded.

"Now stop all this fuckin' crying before your chocolate ass melt in here, Tyrese." She said and I laughed so fuckin' loud, bro. I was so relieved to have a real one on speed-dial.

"It's still fuckin' with me though, cuz. We grown as fuck, how she still making these baby ass mistakes?"

"You see the way she looks at dude?" Dej asked and I shrugged.

"She loves the fuck outta that rollercoaster of a nigga. Sometimes when you go through hell with someone, you always gon' be curious to know if you ever gon' make it out that bitch with the same person. I'll personally let Shelby's ass burn but this ain't about me. Ya'll just wasn't the ones for one another and you gotta accept that,"

"I'ma try, dawg. This shit is still so fresh."

Robyn

After hearing a slight noise coming from downstairs, that turned out to be nothing, I've been trying to fall back into my deep slumber but I just couldn't. My baby and I were wide awake, frustrated, and hungry as fuck. I trotted downstairs and turned all of the lights on and went to search for something to eat but, my only options were; ice, mayonnaise, and wheat bread. I groaned aloud and hopped on the counter.

Every place that delivered was closed and I wasn't about to cook at four in the damn morning. I shot a few text messages to Deja, Winter, and Odell and finally gave up on their bum asses when ten minutes went by without replies. I'ma remember this shit when they need me to sew some shit up for them.

I blew air out of my cheeks and went teary-eyed, scrolling through my contacts for some hope. As if I wasn't emotional enough, this pregnancy turned out to make me more of a crybaby than I used to be. Jaylen's new nickname for me was Bubbles, shawty from the Powerpuff Girls.

It fucked me up because I couldn't even fight about it, she was my favorite one. I smiled as I thought about all the hell I put him through, he was still my best friend. The fact that I was about to co-parent with his extra ass always put a smile on my face. We're gunna be bomb ass parents.

I finally shrugged and just decided to call him, I always try to give him his space and not call him first and since he lives about a half hour away, but he always comes to my rescue, even if I do call him last.

"Robyn, the world better be on fuckin' fire, my baby better had climbed out ya walls, or you dead, my nigga. What. the. fuck. could you possibly want at four-thirty in the bitch ass morning?" He groaned in his sleepy voice. I involuntary blushed at the sound of his voice and played with the ends of my hair nervously.

"I'm hungry as fuck, Lenny." he sighed loudly and shuffled around.

"Go cook some shit, Rob, a nigga in here sleep. I just got in the crib like two hours ago."

"I haven't went shopping. I'm barely here."

"Pull up. I got some shit you could cook."

"I'm scared. You know I don't drive at night. Pleaseeee?" He got silent for a second until I heard his light snores in my ear. I sucked my teeth and yelled his name.

"You always have been long-winded as shit. Yo boring ass put me right back to sleep."

"Jay!" I whined and he cursed lowly under his breath.

"You at least have an idea of where you wanna go?"

"No." I mumbled sheepishly. "You choose."

"I AIN'T THE ONE THAT'S FUCKIN' HUNGRY!" He half-yelled and I started to apologize to him through sobs. "Aight, I accept ya apology man. Damn, this pregnancy makin' you act so fuckin' lightskin. I'm coming."

"Thank you." I smiled and wiped my wet face. "Your brat ass already knew I was gon' end up cavin' anyway."

"No." I mumbled while shaking my head yes. Not even on some manipulative shit, Jaylen has been giving me whatever it is that my heart desired. It was all mostly food. "Whatever liar. Gimme twenty minutes. Stay up!"

"Okay." he hung up and I smiled, hopping off the counter and going to lay on the couch while watching Dexter's Laboratory.

*****

I finally decided on Waffle House and took it to-go. It was too cold in there. Jaylen and I just sat in his car and ate with my playlist playing from his Bluetooth.

"Thank you." I grinned while adding sugar to my grits, looking over at him batting my eyelashes. He rolled his eyes and looked at my stomach. "Anything for ya'll, man." I laughed loudly and he smirked at how obnoxious and random it was.

"Why you laughing like that, nigga?"

"Remember the night I only wanted the milk from the Fruity Pebbles and I made you eat-" the more I told the story, the harder I began to laugh.

"Hell yeah, I remember that fuck shit. I can't wait till this shit over and you have my next three babies, I ain't gotta do shit else."

"Bye. No more babies for me." I shook my head and ate my breakfast. I could feel his eyes on me as the car went silent, and I tried my hardest to ignore it. His stares were so intense. Eye contact was a big thing for him; during conversations, sex, even arguments. That's what made me fall for him in the first place, his beautiful ass eyes.

"Is it good?" he finally said and I nodded while snapping my fingers to the throwback Monica song playing. "Want some?" I asked and he nodded. I opened another plastic fork and handed it to him.

We ate together and cracked some more jokes until dawn, I forgot how stressed I've been this week and he was wide awake now as we drove through Memphis, singing along to our favorite songs. His ass never told anyone but he was actually an amazing singer.

I stared at him with so much love in my eyes and he looked over for a split second and started rubbing my stomach. "You good?"

"Yeah. I just-, I'm-"

"Man, I love yo ass more, Rob. Issa big ass elephant in the room everytime we together. Sometimes I be up at night, thinking about you and how much I fuckin' love you. I'm cool right now without the relationship. At least I got you as my Ace. Still my homie, my ride or die."

"Same. You don't miss it though?"

"We toxic. Of course I miss yo kisses and yo fuck game but I ain't with all the extra stress and pressure of tryna be the perfect man right now. I just wanna be the perfect father and yo perfect support system. I don't wanna break your heart again."

I nodded. "I finally know what it feels like to be on the other side of that." I sighed.

"Whatchu mean?"

"Eric."

"Shit, I would've been threw myself off the Hernando Bridge if I was THAT nigga." he smirked. "Nigga lost the best bond ever. Issa W for me, he gotta gon' and transfer that L from Meek Mill's checking." We laughed loudly.

"Stop, I'm going to Hell for laughing." I mumbled, holding my stomach.

"For real. I couldn't imagine being around you everyday, thinking I'm about to start a family with you, only to have it all be a fuckin' pipe dream. Trust me, shit ain't easy tryna live without you. Dreams with you in them don't make reality no easier. Had my hoe ass crying with my pillow, listening to One Wish on full blast every night."

"I'm not the shit like that." I flipped my hair playfully and smiled.

"You is. We all got growing up to do as young adults, but when that glo up hit you and you out here handling shit like a boss. Can't no bitch touch you. Ain't nobody touching you now, I won't let them."

"I love you, Jay Bear." I pecked his cheek repeatedly until he turned his head and snuck a kiss from my lips. I gasped and hit him softly.

"You actin' like you ain't never kiss me before. Like you ain't never taste yaself off these lips. Calm down."

I blushed and sunk into my seat, finishing off my food. "We done, Dora the fuckin' Explorer? Can I go to sleep now? It's almost seven." he yawned and I yawned after him.

“Yeah."

"You sleepin' over, I'm not driving all the way back to East Cutty Bum Fuck right now." I smirked and nodded as he started to drive back to his place.

I fell asleep on his king-sized bed with his big ass dog, Zeus at my feet and he fell asleep on the futon right across from the bed just in case anything happened. Time was healing us and I was content with where I stood with him, a place that I thought I'd never see us standing in. Ya'll know I used to hate his mean ass at the beginning of our journey.

I scratched my head as I looked at all of the mess in this house from unpacking. Jaylen wasn’t here right now, so I decided to do him a favor and clean because I didn’t mind.

Making sure that all the boxes were empty before I threw them out, I came across a couple of pictures of the both of us. Pictures that I didn’t even remember taking. The fact that he still has them made me smile wide. Jaylen still cares.

I pulled my phone out, taking a picture of them and sending them to Jaylen.

what you doing with these 🧐 3:37 pm

why you in my shit nigga 3:38 pm

I was cleaning 3:39 pm

you da best 4 that 🏼 just don’t hurt yourself mama & you know how we rockin even when we not rockin. feel me? 3:41 pm

I laughed to myself, tossing my phone on the couch. I wanted to ask him where he was, but I decided to keep cleaning. Jaylen unpacked everything and moved all the new furniture in, but nothing was organized.

To set the mood, I lit up a few candles and turned on some music so time could go by faster.

It was getting mighty toasty in here so I put my hair up in a bun and went to go change in a comfortable maxi dress. Now I was ready to clean.

Between singing along to Whitney’s untouchable vocals, cleaning and organizing every room in this house, I definitely worked up a sweat. When I was done, I smiled at my hard work and grabbed a water bottle before sitting down on the couch and turning on Power. Jaylen was gonna be mad that I started watching it without him, but I’ve been dying to watch it.

“Robby!” I heard Jayla’s voice come from behind me. I turned around to see her running up to the couch. Jayla was just the sweetest little bundle of joy.

“Hey pretty girl! I missed you! What you been up to?” I smiled at her as I sat her down on my lap.

“I made you a bracelet! Look!” She pulled out a beaded bracelet from her pocket with my favorite colors on it. The fact that she remembered was really special to me.

“Jayla girl.. This is cayuuuuuuute! I love it, thank you! I’m never taking it off.”

“Pinky promise?” I laughed, wrapping my pinky around hers as she nodded.

“Man Jayla love the fuck outta you, she ain’t ever made me no bracelet. I’m lowkey jealous.”

“I adore her so much. Your dad ha-“ I stood up and turned around only to be looking at Jaylen and his father. I froze, because I never thought I’d be meeting his dad. Especially now. Jaylen wasn’t his father’s twin but they had similar features. His dad was really handsome though.

“Hi, Mr. Waters-“ I started to say as I held my hand out for him to shake. He paid my hand no mind, pulling me into a warm hug instead. God, his hugs reminded me of my dad’s hugs so much that I had to pull away immediately.

“Call me Jayceon, we family now.” He smiled at me genuinely.

“Nice to meet you Jayceon. I’m Robyn.”

“Oh yea I know, Jayla and this nigga right here don’t ever stop talking about you. This dude always in my ear telling me about how much you mean to h-“

“Aight, that’s enough talking for you old man.” I chuckled to myself, blushing. I was gonna have to pull his dad to the side later on and get him to spill some more tea.

“I gotchu later on Ms. Robyn. Just let me know.” He said referring to the tea he was just spilling. I laughed and nodded as I made my way into the kitchen to prepare some food since more people were here. I heard Boo’d Up playing from my phone and I had to start singing it. This was Jaylen’s song.

“Feeeeeeling! All ova my bodaaaaay!” I sang out loud as I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist. I would move them, but I was too into this damn song.

“You know how I like itttttt, ain’t gotta tell you what to do.” Jaylen sang in my ear as he rocked us from side to side. I had to snap out of it and stop singing, because it was getting hot in here.

While I stopped, I turned around only to have Jaylen still singing to me. I looked away, because I didn’t wanna smile. My eyes landed on Jayla who was standing there recording us on Jaylen’s phone.

“Cuties!” She ran away with Jaylen’s phone. My mouth formed in the shape of an O.

“How does Jayla know how to record?”

“My nigga 8, she ain’t 8 months.” I put my hand up pretending to back hand him, and he flinched making me laugh. Dude had a smart ass mouth. I bet his mouth got him in hella trouble at school.

“You lucky you pregnant, I’ll tackle yo ass.” I waved him off.

“How many times you got in trouble at school for that mouth of yours?”

“Boy, ion’ even know.”

“Damn shame.”

“My mama told me to speak the fuck up and never hold my tongue for a muhfucka and I’m glad she did. I got a voice, so ima use it.” He had a point, but he didn’t use his voice for the right reasons sometimes.

“Yea and she’s right, but you’re disrespectful with it sometimes.”

“Damn nigga, is you my therapist? I checked outta the center months ago.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

“See!”

“I’m deadass. Tryna tell a nigga bout himself and shit. You just like my mama Robyn, I swear to God.” He snaked his arm around my shoulder.

“Is that good or bad?”

“Shit is different. You care for me like my mama did no matter how much shit I put you through.”

“Cause I love your stupid self.” I shrugged as he smiled.

“Y’all might as well kiss already, damn. I’m tryna watch Good Times but y’all over here acting out a scene from The Notebook.” I heard Jaylen’s dad voice causing me to jump. He made it extremely awkward for the both of us.

“Ima go shower.”

“I’m right behind you, cause this nigga mad nosey.” I laughed as his father flared at him while we both made our way to his bedroom.

“Bubba, Jassy’s calling you!” I heard Jayla say as I walked into the master bedroom that was Jaylen’s. I went straight to the bathroom because I didn’t want to hear their conversation. I guess that plan wasn’t so smart, because I could still hear her yelling from the phone all the way in here.

“Why you buggin’ like this?”

“Son, you’re out here on social media boo’d up with your fucking ex!” My eyebrows twisted up in confusion.

“Wait what? What you talking bout?”

“It’s all on ya snap dude!” I cursed to myself, because that’s probably what Jayla was recording.

“Jas, it’s not even like that.” I sighed, cutting on the shower water. This shit was already stressing me out.

I honestly didn’t even know she was his girlfriend now. I felt really bad. I guess this was gonna have to stop. Only time we need to talk is if it has something to do with our baby.

Just as I started to strip, Jaylen walked in and started looking in the pull cabinet. “Hey, could you take me home when I get out?” He turned around with a look of confusion on his face.

“Why? You bored or sumn’? I thought we wa-“

“We’re obviously getting too comfortable, and I didn’t even know you had a girlfriend. You bought this house to raise the baby in, not for us to flirt and play around in.”

“Ion’ got no girlfriend, that’s m-“

“Ok, but you’re serious with her right?” He got quiet.

“Aight, I gotchu.” He said, clenching his jaw before grabbing his bottle of pills and walking out of the bathroom. I swear, every time I felt like our relationship was moving forward and getting healthier, shit would always go wrong.

Jaylen

“Bout gotdamn time.” I sighed, putting my back up against the wall. Man we done spent the whole damn week putting all of the furniture in my new crib. I was serious about getting this house here in Memphis. Shit was nice as hell.

If I ain’t have a life out back home, I’d definitely move out here. I couldn’t wait to watch our child grow up in this home.

“This shit dope. You might as well move out the condo and stay here bro.” Odell stated, as I took in his words. I felt that, and I actually wanted to, but I would lose hella money. Almost all of my clients are in New York... but I guess if they really fuck with me, I would just have to have my work shipped. I’d have to do some big ass promoting out here though. Ion know shit bout Memphis, but the country ass rappers. They hard though.

“I’m thinking about it.. I love the city though. That’s my home.”

“I feel you, but this a big change for you. You got a new beautiful ass home in a different state, baby on the way, and who knows.. God might have bigger and better opportunities for you out here.” This nigga had a good ass point. I couldn’t argue with that shit.

“Fuck you brah.” I laughed, as he shrugged with a smirk.

“What about you, Mr.Knowitall?”

“What about me?”

“Ankle healed, you been training, season coming up, you got Winter back.. where the ring and the baby at?” He sighed, making me laugh.

“Man, you make it sound so easy. I been tryna propose to her bald headed ass but there’s never time. I can’t remember the last time we actually sat and enjoyed each other’s presence. And you already know the answer to the baby part.”

“Tell her to sit her on the go ass down some where then.” This hoe Winter was always doing some shit and always on the scene whenever she wasn’t at work.

“I do-“

“Nigga, everybody knows you don’t. You probably try, and don’t take this the wrong way but sometimes you let Winter run over you bro. You need to tell her ass wassup.” He stayed quiet, stroking his beard while nodding.

“Hit her up.. right now.”

“She bus-“ I gave him a look and he waved me off, pulling his phone out his pocket.

I watched him click on her name and put her on speaker. It rang for quite some time, and he was about to hang up until we finally heard her voice. “What is it O? I told you not to call me during this time at work. You never li-“ We both started to tune her nagging out while I gave him to look. He nodded and started to speak.

“Nah, YOU never listen. Winter I been trying to spend time with you for the longest but you never wanna hear me out and you always blowing me off for shit. Ion’ give a fuck what you got going on when you get off work. All I know is you better be at my crib at 10 AM when I get back to NY in the morning. No if’s and’s or but’s. You hearing me?” I jumped up from the couch, dapping my nigga cause he finally grew his balls back. I taught my nigga well, man.

“But O-“

“What I say?” He asked, sternly as she sighed and stayed silent for a few seconds. Had that ass shook.

“Ok, I’ll be there..” I pressed the button to hang up as O stood up to his feet popping his collar. This nigga.

“My boy.” I smirked as we did our handshake.

“Aight nigga, now go do the same shit with Rob.” My smirk immediately fell, and I pointed to the door.

“I know you fucking lied.”

“I’m deadass.”

“Ion know what you muhfuckas don’t understand about the word TOXIC. Y’all want us to kill each other? I love that girl to death, I ain’t tryna hurt her again. She look mad happy without me. She making big moves, doing big things with out me and I’m happy for her. I wanna see her happy not constantly crying over me again.”

As much as I love the fuck outta Robyn, hurting her hurt me. Ion wanna jump back into another relationship when I already know I ain’t gone do right by her. We stay at each other necks and I’m just not ready for the stress and headaches again. Plus she pregnant with my child? Man hell nah, we do not need the stress. Robyn been fucking glowing, and I’d like to keep it that way.

“I know you hurt her before, everybody make mistakes. But everybody sees the way y’all look at each other. If you love her so much like you say you do, what the fuck is so hard about keeping her happy?”

I scratched my head.

“I ain’t shit and we both know I ain’t.” I shrugged.

“Talking to you is like talking to a wall, bruh.” He shook his head as he grabbed his things so that he could go to the airport. I ain’t feel like driving at all. I guess I go to Jas’ hotel and chill there for a few. I couldn’t wait to get in her shit.

Send me the addy and room # 7:56 PM

“So I got some shit I gotta break down to you.” She stopped eating her ice cream cone, and folded her arms. Sighing, she sat down next to me.

“If it’s bad news, I’m really not trying to hear it. I just got fired from my job over some dumb shit, so I’m really not in the mood for bad news.” She explained, as I started thinking while stroking my goatee. It wasn’t really bad news on my end.

“Just let me tell you. Ion’ want you to have to find some shit out on your own and then you gone be mad at me saying I never told you.” She sat quiet.

“Aight, so.. you know when I told you I could possibly be a father?” She had this uneasy look on her face.

“Yea..” she mumbled, looking down at the floor. I gently grabbed her chin, and made her look at me.

“Well I am.” The eye contact we once had was gone, and she started to look at the floor again, not saying a word.

“Jaylen, I migh-..” She sighed putting her face in her palms. Just as I was about to ask her to keep going, my phone rang. I didn’t answer it, because I wanted to hear what she had to say.

“What you was saying?” I tossed my phone to the side of me. She just shook her head and stood up.

“Never mind, I’ll be in the bathroom.” I sighed, picking my phone up to see who it was that wanted me. It was just Winter, but she was gone have to wait. I wanted to know what Jas was gone say.

I got up, going towards the direction of the bathroom only to see her leaning over the sink. “You good?”

“Could you bring me my sketch pad off of the table?” Jasmine asked as she gave me an uncomfortable look. She kept saying how her body was in pain.

Leaving the bathroom, I jogged in the living room of her suite and looked on the table for her sketch pad. She had a shit load of books on the table, so I was knocking a bunch of shit over. Almost everything ended up on the floor, so I had to look for it even harder now. I ain’t sign up for this shit.

Sighing, I kept looking around for her fuck ass sketch pad until my eyes stopped at a certain group of words.

Terminated Pregnancy Report

I realized that the papers were sticking out of a Manila folder, and the more I looked through them, the more my anger started to build up. Not Jasmine..

“Hey Jaylen, never mind I fo-“ she stopped in her tracks once she seen what was in my hands.

I closed my eyes and prayed. I prayed hoping that God would forgive me for what I was about to do to this girl. I prayed for him to give me some sort of knowledge to help me understand why the fuck this bitch would go behind my back and do some sick shit like this. She didn’t even tell me she was pregnant.

I plopped down on the floor, chuckling bitterly. “What the fuck is this, Jasmine?” She knew she fucked up, because she couldn’t say a damn thing.

“Man talk!” I yelled at her, getting up from my spot on the floor.

“What do you want me to say?!” She inched closer to me as she started to get teary-eyed.

“Man fuck them phony ass tears! Tell me why the fuck you would go behind my back and do some grimy shit like this! My nigga you killed not only one, but both of my fucking babies! You ain’t even let me know you was pregnant Jas, why the fuck would you do that?! Did you think about how I would feel?”

By now, tears were falling down from my face because I was fucking hurt. Twins might’ve been tough to handle right now, but I helped make them so it was only right that I help take care of them. My mama ain’t raise me to be a deadbeat. Ion even come off like that, so I’m still tryna process why Jas would do that shit.

“I-I.. I’m not ready for kids right now, Jaylen. You even said it yourself that you weren’t either.”

“So that give you the right to go and do that shit behind my fucking back?! You ain’t even tell me you was pregnant to begin with! We both was bein’ irresponsible having unprotected sex, so we was just gone have to deal with it!”

“I’m sorry, I didn-“

“Fucking murderer.” I looked at her with so much fucking disgusts. She wiped the tears from her eyes and tried to grab me, but I backed away from her, looking around for my keys.

“Where are you going?”

“Delete my number, and don’t ever come by my fucking house no more.” I stormed out, slamming her room door behind me. I could hear her screaming my name as I walked off and got onto the elevator but I wasn’t trying to hear that shit.

I was done with that bitch.

Before I flew out here to sign papers for the house and move in, I was spending damn near every day with her, meaning we was fucking damn near every day. Sometimes I’d be so horny that it wouldn’t even cross my mind to use a condom. I was on and off with them bitches. That’s where I fucked up.

She started throwing up at the most random times, and I didn’t pay no mind to it, because her ass got sick real easy. I started to put two and two together and realized she could possibly be pregnant. I asked her, and she told me no so I left it at that. I thought I could trust her, but I guess not.

How could you have it in your heart to kill an innocent child like that? That shit was foul as hell, and I couldn’t even think straight. My vision was getting blurry as hell, so I hope that I could get home as safe as possible.

I tried to take my mind off of this shit and just face the music. Right on time, Drake’s lyrics hit the fuck outta me.

No one to guide me, I'm all alone

No one to cry on

I need shelter from the rain, to ease the pain

Of changing from boy to a man

As I came to a stop light, I had an incoming call from Robyn. I didn’t wanna answer at all, but something could probably be wrong with her.

“W-what you need?” I sniffled as I rubbed my eyes.

“Hey do you wan- oh my God, are you crying?” She asked, concerned. I swear I just wanted to spill every last drop of this fucking tea to Robyn, but I wasn’t in the mood to talk. I just wanted to go home, smoke a wood, and go to sleep and not wake up, real shit.

“What you need, Robyn? The baby good?” I sighed taking the phone off of my face, forgetting this was a damn FaceTime call.

“Yea um, I just.. wanted to know if you wanted me to come bring you a plate because I cooked your fav...” She smiled innocently, as I shook my head no.

“To be real witchu’, ion’ even got an appetite right now. Ima fuck witchu’ later though.” I hung up before she could even respond.

After Robyn called, it’s like my phone started blowing the fuck up so I just powered my shit off. It took me bout 10 more minutes to reach my crib, and I couldn’t be more relieved to be home. I did some illegal shit to get here in just 10 minutes, but fuck it. Jail is the least of my worries right now.

Going straight to my bedroom, I decided not to smoke because I was way too tired anyways and my bed and pillows were calling my damn name. Swear my head ain’t even touched the pillow for 5 seconds, and I was already asleep. I ain’t ever been so fucking tired and drained in my life.

A few minutes into my deep slumber, I felt a pair of arms wrap around me. I opened my eyes, only to be met with Robyn sitting down next to me in my bed.

“Man I love you so fucking much, Robyn.” I mumbled, intertwined my fingers with hers, kissing her stomach.

“I love you too Lenny, I’m always here if you need me or wanna talk.” Was all I heard her say before she kissed my forehead, and I fell right back asleep.

#chrisbrown #chris brown #breezy #teambreezy #odell beckham jr #obj #cbfanfic #yodit yemane

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grimelords · 7 years

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My October playlist is finished, please enjoy it. From 14 minute 70s acoustic guitar instrumentals, Armand Van Helden bangers and Christian music I’ve had a lot of feelings about this playlist has it all in four hours.

Love Love Love - The Mountain Goats: Posting on the web about Mountain Goats songs you've had a moment with is about as universal as it gets, so here's mine for this month. I woke up one morning with the line about Sonny Liston in my head one day after not listening to this song in years. John Darnielle is perhaps the only person on earth I'd trust to write a song about Kurt Cobain's suicide and he does a very simple and beautiful job of it here. Ben's My Friend - Sun Kil Moon: I discovered Sun Kil Moon way after I probably should have via that guy who was doing parody songs of him last year. This song is fantastic because it takes so long to make its point, and like so much good art is just some middle aged guy recounting his every thought and movement for four minutes. You Were Meant For Me - Jewel: I was trying to remember how Dreams by Fleetwood Mac went and all I could think of was this song, and settled on singing it to myself instead. Sober - Lorde: Sorry to be a normie but listening to Lorde break down this song on an episode of Song Exploder was incredibly good and it definitely made me appreciate the way the brass sounds a lot more. Melodrama really does get better and better as a cohesive whole the more I listen to it. Night Moves - Bob Seger: We as a society need to bring back Power Voice I think. I've been obsessed with this song for months now and as far as I can tell Bob Seger has precisely zero other good songs, which is unfortunate because this one is so good. This also is another song about getting the Lamenting Night Hornies because you heard a thunderstorm that reminded you of the times in your youth that you Fucked and it's, in my opinion, very beautiful. Cairo - San Fermin: This is on the list not only because it's a good song but also unfortunately because of Podasts. San Fermin guested on an episode of Improv4humans and got absolutely roasted about this song so I highly recommend the ep. UFO - Sneaky Sound System: It's unfortunate that Sneaky Sound System's highest played song according to Spotify is the Nicolas Jaar remix of Big (an all time top ten piece of music) because it's really overshadowed the rest of their incredibly good singles. Do you remember 2006? What a time to be alive. UFO (Van She Tech Remix) - Sneaky Sound System: This is my absolute pick of the month and I have been raving to everyone who'll listen but nobody cares, I cannot get enough of it. Do you remember when Justice came from France to bless us all with the secret of bass and we betrayed them by inventing Skrillex not three years later? Van She remember. Charlie Chazz & Rappin Ralph - Duck Sauce: I believe there is a real argument to be made that any song that doesn't refer to the listeners collectively as Party People is absolutely worthless. Duck Sauce's album is a completely underrated classic in my opinion, it's a go-to mood elevator from beginning to end and for some reason has a subplot thoughout about aliens transmitting coded messages to influence human evolution, which is a big thumbs up from me. I Took Your Picture - Cults: Guess what Cults are still really really good. I haven't given this album enough time yet but this bassline has invaded my dreams so that's a good sign. Pavement - City Calm Down: The way this layers and builds into and through the chorus is so satisfying. I love this sort of thick synth production and the contrast between the different registers of his voice is so satisfying as the chorus comes back again. Pogo - Digitalism: Australian electronic music had a real moment around 2007 between Digitalism, Van She, The Presets, Midnight Juggernauts, Cut Copy and all them and I'm realising retrospectively that it was very, very good. Semicircle Song - The Go! Team: The world's best band are back and their new album isn't out until fucking January! This song features big horns and a bridge that's just a montage of children telling you their star sign so that's how you know it's good. The Garden's All Nighters - The Number Twelve Looks Like You: It's a real shame that #12 broke up after this album because it feels like they were really on the edge of something. Over 4 albums they morphed from a straight ahead grind band into some sort of math-prog thing approaching it from a whole different direction to everyone else. I love the idea of writing such an expansive, complex song seemingly just about living in New Jersey. The way it transitions into the groovy latin part is so nice and the solo is just beautiful; and unlike other bands in the same sort of sector they never make a joke of genre switches either, they just keep moving forward with a smile. Paris/Orly - Deux: I forget how I first came across this album but it’s easily the wankiest thing I absolutely love. An 80s French synthpop duo that only ever released a cassette and some singles that got reissued by a label called Minimal Wave a few years ago. It is absolutely the best. New wave mixed with Kraftwerk and synthpop except incredibly french and cool as well. I constantly have their song Game And Performance in my head but this one was my obsession this month. Walking Into Sunshine (Larry Levan 12" Mix) - Central Line: There’s something very authentic about disco songs that are lyrically all about working all week all day every day, and desperately needing a break to perhaps, dance your worries away in a new york discotheque. Cradle In The Crater - The Number Twelve Looks Like You: This is maybe my favourite #12 song because it appears to be about some kind of super child who came from space and perhaps wrought havoc on the citizens of earth, but told in a very real and emotional way like it’s a story about someone they really knew. It reminds me of Mother 3 and the good times I had as a teen playing that game with my best friend, so that’s an added bonus. Under The Ice (Extended Version) - Topo & Roby: Italo disco forever. This song is a duet between a woman and a robot where they relay the story of him coming from a distant planet in a spaceship and crashing on the north pole then getting trapped under the titular ice where he waits to I think murder me. Now that I think of it it’s world similar to Cradle In The Crater. It sounds so good, far better than a novelty song like this has any right to. There’s also a video with someone’s 80s mum dancing with an incredibly shit robot on youtube if you’re interested. Outta The Woodwork - Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett: I really love the covers they chose for this album because they both really make it their own. Outta The Woodwork really sounds like a Kurt song now and I love the strong piano giving the song the harder edge the lyrics deserve and Kurt just lazily soloing to hell any chance he gets Peepin' Tom - Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett: I think I almost like this version more than the original, making it just an acoustic thing but still keeping all the dynamics of the original is so nice. I love specifically the deep bass voice of ‘peepin’ to the high ‘tom’. It satisfies something weird in my brain. Mercury (12" Version) - Bloc Party: I can’t believe i’ve lived this long without ever knowing that there was a 12” version of Mercury out there. The song I always felt was way too short to contain the amount of energy it has has a 7 minute version that well and truly lays it out into a slow intense burn instead. Electric Feel (Justice Remix) - MGMT: Just to get my 2007 opinions straight Electric Feel is not a good song. Kids is a good song but Electric Feel isn’t. That said: this remix comes damn close to making it good. Justice figured out the secret sound and we’re all the better for it. Comin' Apart - Gary Wright: There’s no greater joy than tracking down a sample and finding out that the original song is also a banger. This pairs extremely well with My My My as a sort of extended intro. My My My - Armand Van Helden: I posted that playlist a couple weeks ago of songs mid-2000s bangers with extremely horny videos and this is a highlight from that. I'm always amazed with how much mileage great producers can get out of a relatively straightforward sample because this hums along for almost 7 minutes and only gets better. Laser Life - The Blood Brothers: The Blood Brothers are one of the few bands that scratch the brain itch I have for totally bonkers Mars Volta markov chain lyrics phrases like 'Oh dream machine I'm a pound of flesh inside a drum machine dream'. They're also the only band I think that can get away with having this sort of cabaret swing feel in a song with a lot of screaming and not have it be absolutely unbearable. Camouflage, Camouflage - The Blood Brothers: Where a lot of The Blood Brothers early songs were just chaotic bursts, they have a few songs that spread out into a long multi movement ideas culminating in very good final lines like 'I couldn't see the love and affection it was camouflaged as a jungle of erections, and I couldn't see the skeletal lightning it was camouflaged as a young machete' 16 Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford: The mistake people make in covering this song is trying to match the extremely grim lyrics to the music, but this version succeeds exactly because it's on some upbeat Frank Sinatra shit with the clarinet refrain sounding like a children's song while still being very much about dying face down in the dirt from arsenic poisoning. Take This Hammer - Leadbelly: On the other hand you have a song like Take This Hammer from a guy who really worked on a chain gang complete with involuntary WAH sounds to time your hammer strikes to, and it's still so much more upbeat and positive musically than it has any right to be looking at the lyrics. San Francisco - Foxygen: There's something about the chorus of this song, and they way the phrases of the two voices line up where if it gets stuck in your head it just goes around and around and around forever and it is absolutely maddening so I thought I'd share that with you all. El Manana (Metronomy Remix) - Gorillaz: This remix reminds me of Studio to a degree with the way it just moves forward with no regard for regular structure. It's gutsy to remix a song and somehow restructure it so the chorus doesn't even sound like it's the chorus anymore but just another small part in a slowly winding up machine. Monkey Gone To Heaven - The Pixies: The way he's screaming that GOD IS SEVEN in this song I feel like if Black Francis hadn't made it in music he'd be running a very successful incomprehensible conspiracy website. This is a song I can get very lyrically involved in when I'm in certain moods, nodding my head like the creature in the sky DID get sucked in a hole and now there's a hole in the sky, and we're all in trouble because of it. Cannonball - The Breeders: I like this song because it feels like everyone in the band is working on their own unique structure. The clean guitar especially just comes and goes at will through the whole song, the lyrics start whenever, the rhythm guitar just keeps strumming along. It all comes together for the chorus and then they just go their own separate ways until it's chorus time again. S.A.D. - Kirin J Callinan: The production on this song just amazes me, especially as it moves into the later choruses the sheer weight of the chords is just crazy. The barest suggestion of guitars chugging in the background but blending into the huge synths chords. Combined with the vocals it's the most threatening pop song I've ever heard. Wrapped up in plastic thrown down the stairs feeling fantastic. Water Coast Blues - Honeyboy Edwards: I feel like Honeyboy Edwards has gotten a raw deal from history. When he died most of his obitaries made a big point of how he was one of the last living people to know Robert Johnson personally. Which is an important detail but it overshadows Edwards contributions in his own right as a guitarist and songwriter who had a 70 year career. The album this recording's from is a really good compilation that gives an overview of his whole career, mixed with interviews with Edwards and Alan Lomax that are just amazing. Anyway just listen to the playing on this song because it is incredible. The bass figure he switches into when he says 'when I had money'? Phenomenal. Another Leather Lung - The Sound Of Animals Fighting: The Sound Of Animals Fighting was a supergroup of a bunch of guys from RX Bandits/Chiodos/Circa Survive and bands like that coming together in animal masks to make the most pretentious band possible at the time. There's a lyrics on one of their other songs where he sings 'the artist! the true manifestation of struggle!' which is quite good. But outside of that they did make some very good music and the second half of this song where it takesoff is really something. Bone Machine - The Pixies: It's amazing Black Francis hasn't been linked to a string of murders in the mid 80s honestly. This whole song feels like evidence. Also the way he says 'I was talking to peachy peach about kissy kiss.. [incredibly long, awkward silence] ... he bought me a soda. he bought me a soda and he tried to molest me in the parking lot hep hep hep hep' is perhaps the most amazing verse ever. Stomping Tonight On The Pennsylvania/Alabama Border - John Fahey: This is John Fahey's best song and I've listened to it probably 4 times a week for the last 4 years. It is quite honestly an eternal mood. Ares - Bloc Party: War! War! War! War! I love the guitar in this, because it's just textural noisemaking more than anything else and mixed with the vocal manipulations in the chorus it's just absolute chaos. It's such a shame that everyone in Bloc Party either left the band or had their brain removed after this album because between this, Mercury and Talons it was truly an incredible moment. Special Rider Blues - John Fahey: I can't believe I only found out this month about John Fahey covering Skip James, and even that it took me this long for me to listen to the full version of his America album. Mark 1:15 - John Fahey: I also learned that on account of cds only holding 80 minutes of music, this 14 minute reissue version of Mark 1:15 is 2 minutes shorter than the original vinyl version and I'm completely riled up about it and demanding a second, definitive reissue to restore them. Regardless, this song is an absolute masterpiece and when it switches into the portion of When The Springtime Comes again about three quarters of the way through it's just amazing. Swim - Nicolas Jaar: Here's another quite long and involved piece of music from the other side of the spectrum. It has a very similar feeling to Mark 1:15 really, so if you liked that persevere through this. It's taken me such a long time to get around to listening to Nymphs for some reason but I'm glad I finally gave it a shot because this song especially is a real masterwork. Crimes - The Blood Brothers: A third Blood Brothers song for you, If you didn't like the other two there's a chance you'll like this one because it's much more sedate. This song is also a good first Blood Brothers song because the way the second vocalist sounds when he finally turns up is really funny if you're not expecting it. This is another on the long list of songs I seem to just always have in my head and sing to myself when I'm walking around. NRG - Duck Sauce: Are you ready for the most powerful 12 minutes of your life? It's the entirety of the NRG single by Duck Sauce. I like to think of it as a purposeful multi-movement work rather than a song and two remixes because that's what it feels like. Starting out we have the original, incredible instant power of NRG. NRG (Skrillex, Kill The Noise, Milo & Otis Remix) - Duck Sauce: and next we have the absolute peak of the work, the fever pitch. See if you can guess which part Skrillex was responsible for. I love the addition of miscellaneous woos and yeahs among the already busy main riff, I absolutely love the bass which sounds like some kind of steel drum pulled down four octaves. I love the distortion on the vocals in the second half as it slowly gives you time to catch your breath. NRG (Hudson Mohawk Remix) - Duck Sauce: The we move into the comedown, the HudMo contribution where the drums somehow sound like they're coming from next door like the party has passed you by and moved on to enliven your neighbours. I love the snare building and then splitting into triplets like it's going to drop before the peace of the synth gives way to the rolling thunder drums hafway in. On The Other Hand Baby - Etta Baker: I don't know what to say about Etta Baker. She's incredible and it's an absolute shame that she didn't really get recorded until she was about 70. This album was recorded when she was about 92 and her playing is still amazing. Crucible - Sleigh Bells: You have to give Sleigh Bells credit for still going strong four albums in if nothing else. Somewhere along the line they adopted this sort of corny rock chick thing that wasn't really there in their first album and I think it works against them but I really can't get enough of the instrumental of this song. The distorted brass and string amongst everything else especially. I feel like there's a much better song buried in here somewhere but I'll take what I can get. Pirate Blues - As Cities Burn: As Cites Burn are another good example of a metalcore band absolutely mellowing out into a indie rock band over the course of three albums, and the result Hell Or High Water has turned out to be one if my favourites of all time. This song especially is an obsession, and I love a band having the sense to no longer make metalcore, but learning enough from it to take a song to a a huge crescendo when they need to like this one does. Timothy - As Cities Burn: Between As Cities Burn, mewithoutYou and a couple of other christian bands I was very nearly converted in highschool and it still informs a lot of my uh theistic thought in a strangely unembarrassing way. This song, from their second album where they were sort of caught between their metalcore origins and the full fleshed indie rock of Hell Or High Water is one of their best. Yelling at god about your dead friend is a massive thing to write a song about but it's done so well and it builds and builds before dissolving into a sparse, thoughtful solo for a good six minutes into a beautiful ending.

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unofferable-fic · 5 years

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The Flower & The Serpent (Arthur Morgan x OFC)

Chapter 7 - The Luck of the Rebels

Summary: In the early 1890s, the Van der Linde Gang were truly at their finest. Experts at stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, they’ve made a name for themselves across the West. Two of their newest recruits, a pair of rebellious Irish siblings with an unknown past, slowly find their footing and settle into their new lives as outlaws. And yet, as they grow older, threats from all sides begin to appear. A strained relationship with Colm O'Driscoll spells disaster for the gang, and no matter how far they roam across America, the world continues to change around them. If they want to survive, difficult choices must be made. No one is as they seem and the impending arrival of law and order threatens to tear the siblings, and everything they hold dear, apart. Is it too late for anyone to find a happy ending?

Gif originally found here

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Pairing: Arthur Morgan x OFC

Warnings: Language, Irish patriotism, fluff.

Word Count: 6,047

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Playlist: “Let Me In, Heathcliff” — Ruth Barrett, “Mo Ghile Mear (with Sting)” — The Chieftains, “The Rebel Soldier” — Craig Duncan, “We Hear Them Talking” — General Vibe

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A/N: Also available on AO3. Chapter seven comin’ at y’all.

Maebh found herself waiting uneasily with William and Davey in camp, eyes focused on the trail down which their companions had disappeared. While Davey asked her questions about what the hell her and John had seen, William remained eerily quiet, attention seemingly drifting between the visitor and the pocket watch in his hand.

She eyed him up and down, already knowing that his mind was going a mile a minute. “When did you lose the watch again?”

“Yesterday or last night,” he murmured, studying his possession carefully. “I’m not sure which.”

“Dutch didn’t break it, did he?”

He shook his head. “Nah, I think he just caught the edge of it with his foot, but it’s still tickin’ away.” He paused and then shoved it into the pocket of his jacket. When he spoke again, his voice was accompanied by a slight growl, unnerved with the unusual developments. “I definitely would’ve noticed had it been dropped outside his tent.”

“And if not you,” Davey began, eying the tree line. “One of us would’a noticed if it’s been missin’ that long.”

Though they were each clearly coming to the same conclusion, none of them seemingly wanted to say it aloud. Maebh sighed and quickly lit a cigarette, opting for any sort of distraction from the uneasy truth — someone had most certainly placed William’s watch outside Dutch’s tent. They wanted it to be found. And, lo and behold, on the same night when John spots a ropey figure sneaking around outside camp.

Hearing footsteps coming down the path, Maebh raised her head to see Dutch and Hosea returning. If their scowls were anything to go by, the probably didn’t find the person who was messing with them.

“You catch that fucker?” Davey asked, ever the optimist.

“No,” Dutch answered. “He was gone before we even arrived, but John was pretty insistent ’bout what he and Maebh saw. Arthur is gonna stay with him for the rest of the night, as am I, just in case that fool comes back.” His eyes drifted to William, who still wore a frown, deeply accentuating the scar running through his brow. “I believe you when you say you didn’t leave your watch there, William. It ain’t like you.”

“One of us would’ve noticed the watch sittin’ there for an entire day,” Maebh added, standing close to her sibling. “Especially if we’re always walkin’ in and out.”

“Right you are, Miss Hennigan. It doesn’t add up.”

Miss Grimshaw, who took it upon herself to explain to the other confused gang members what exactly was going on and why their sleep had been interrupted, returned with a double barrel shotgun in hand. “What’s the plan, Dutch?”

“Arthur, John, and myself are gonna stay on watch for the night while the rest of you get some sleep. It’s been a long evenin’.”

“You need an extra gun?”

“Sure, if you’re willin’. Ain’t no harm in it, I guess. But four is enough. Off to bed with the rest of ya.”

Had the events of that night not transpired, Maebh would have been excited to finally rest her eyes after a long and tasking day. And yet, when she went to her tent, she found it difficult to drift into sleep with the knowledge that someone had somehow invaded the only place in America where she and her brother felt safe. At least she could have some solace with him by her side.

* * *

3rd September, 1893, outside Winterset, Iowa

We haven’t seen hide nor tail of our camp intruder since Maebh and John’s run in outside camp. Though four of us remained on guard duty that night, he never came back, nor did he come back any night after that. There’s a tense atmosphere around camp, and while he is usually resilient, young William seems angry that someone could invade his personal space and steal something he held so dear. He is more inclined to go on guard duty now, and volunteers for anything that involves keeping an eye on camp. Probably wants to murder the bastard himself before anyone gets a hand in...

The train heist couldn’t be coming at a better time. Dutch seemed excited at the prospect of another good take and, after selling off some of the stolen goods from that homestead to a poor community outside Des Moines, more money couldn’t come at a better time. We could do with some new supplies, and god knows Pearson could do with some fresh meat or herbs or something. He wants me and Maebh to lead with this one considering Hosea is taking another lead and Bessie has come down with something. We’ve also brought in William and Marston for the job, with Karen on standby incase we need an extra gun to be on the safe side. It seems promising, and we could use some good news.

While John does some investigating about a plan of action and the local law, I’ll be heading over to Saint Charles to have a word with a friend of Trelawny’s about that train. After that, we need to discuss how we plan and stopping the thing without hurting any innocent folks…

* * *

Shutting his journal, Arthur yawned and got to his feet. As he put his hat on and strolled out into camp, Dutch approached. “Good mornin’, Arthur.”

“Mornin’, Dutch,” he replied with a little nod. “You seem in a good mood this mornin’.”

“That’s because it is a fine mornin’, son.” He waved a long arm around camp, the gang working away in the bright and warm day. “A fine mornin’!”

“Should be nice to ride to Saint Charles in this,” Arthur added, taking an apple out of his satchel. “After the weather we’ve had lately.”

Dutch began to walk with him over to the stew pot where Susan and Karen were already standing drinking their morning coffee. The two men poured their own cups as Dutch continued on. “I actually wanted to talk to you ’bout that. I’d like you to bring the two Hennigans along with you.”

“How come?”

“I think the young feller needs to get out for a bit,” Dutch elaborated. “He’s been on edge ever since his pocket watch was found — we all have. He needs a good distraction. And Miss Maebh, well, you know they’re attached at the hip.”

Arthur nodded his head in agreement, munching away on the fruit. “Sure, Dutch. What about Marston?”

“Everyone else is workin’, so I’ll go over any information he gathers. I got the Callander boys out on a lead with Karen, and Hosea is lookin’ into the next place we can move to if we need it. He’d rather stay here with Bessie on account’a her bein’ a lil sick.”

Arthur had a sup of his coffee and asked. “You got any plans today?”

“Bar helpin’ John, I’ve a woman I need to visit.”

Arthur couldn’t help but smirk at his mentor. “That girl from the saloon? You don’t waste time.”

“You gotta live life to the fullest, Mr Morgan. That and considerin’ we haven’t seen nothin’ ’bout that stranger since the other night, I don’t mind leavin’ camp for a few hours. Miss Grimshaw said she’d rather stay here to keep an eye out too, which gives me a chance to woo the lovely Annabelle.”

“Then you might as well live life to the fullest,” Arthur chortled, mirroring his previous words. The pair chatted casually over their coffee for a while more before Arthur went off to find the Hennigans. At Swanson’s suggestion, he found them a little while down stream, fishing together in an attempt to replenish food supplies. They sent him some enthusiastic greetings as he approached.

“Are you finally takin’ me up on my fishin’ offer, Arthur?” Maebh asked. “Or you here for somethin’ else?”

“Here for work,” he explained, noticing how they already had a few fish caught in a bag sitting on the shoreline. “If you two wanna get outta camp for the day.”

William’s brow piqued. “I think you know the answer to that.”

“Is this ’bout the train?” Maebh replied.

“Oh, then we’re definitely comin’ with you!”

Arthur waved them after him. “Well c’mon then. Drop those fish off at Pearson’s wagon but bring one or two along — we can eat ’em on the way to Saint Charles. We mount up in ten.”

The siblings obliged and William slung the bag over his wide shoulders. With the fish delivered to a satisfied cook, the siblings soon met Arthur by the horses with some supplies for the day packed and ready for the short trip. It was thankfully quicker than the previous one Arthur and Maebh had ventured on with Hosea. They took a break on the outskirts of town to cook up some of their earlier catch. As they always were when in the other’s company, the siblings seemed in high spirits, joking and telling Arthur a story about learning how to fish as children.

“Da was adamant that we learn how to fish,” Maebh continued on as she ate the last bite of crispy fish meat. “Says we need’ta learn how to fend for ourselves and all that, right? So usually William takes to this stuff like a fish outta water — always got on with horses, always did great breakin’ ’em, was a natural at huntin’ and skinnin’ — but for some reason, this was another story. Da is teachin’ us how to cast and I do okay — it lands in the water as far as my little arms can send it. But William wants to cast his even further. So he whips it back as hard as he can, and flings it forward. We look up, only to see Da’s hat that he left sitting with our gear caught on the end of the line and goin’ flyin’ into the lake. Every time we went fishin’ after that, he would clutch his hat on top of his head and stand as far away from William as possible.”

The story gave Arthur a good-natured chuckle. “Well now I know where you two get your sense of humour from.”

“Our parents were both pretty sarcastic,”William agreed. “As is most of Ireland, I’d say.”

“How did you end up in America?” he asked with curiosity. “From how y’all talk about Ireland, it’s obvious you miss it.”

William threw his sister a glance before she answered. “The British didn’t exactly make it an easy place to live. There was fightin’ left and right so our parents thought it’d be easier to raise us here.”

“I ain’t gonna pretend like I know a lot ’bout Irish history, but I get the impression y’all ain’t fond of the English.”

“We don’t dislike all of ’em,” William added, though his tone was severe. “But their soldiers have been killin’ our people for centuries. There were people campaignin’ for home rule before we left, and when the bill didn’t pass, our parents left with us on a boat bound for New York.”

Arthur nodded along, eager to hear more of their time back home. Bar the usual exclamations about ‘the feckin’ Brits’, he rarely managed to get any information involving their mother and father. He knew nothing of Home Rule, he knew nothing of the British, but why would he? The only bit of education he received from the Hennigans was the fact the Potato Famine wasn’t technically a famine…

“So what, the Irish was tryin’ to rule themselves instead of havin’ the British rule them?” Arthur scratched at his chin in thought. “Seems like a good thing to fight for.”

“Course it was,” William agreed. “You lot had your own war with them too, sure.”

“I gather from your passion that your folks were patriots too?”

There was a short silence around the campfire and for a moment Arthur was worried he had overstepped with an apparently simple question. While Maebh remained silent on the subject, William replied carefully. “Yeah, they were a pretty patriotic pair if I’m honest.”

At that, the conversation dwindled and Arthur seized the moment to get to his feet. “We should, uh, pack up and head into town.”

The brother and sister followed his lead, quickly helping him put everything away and the trio were soon making their way into Saint Charles.

Leaving their horses hitched outside the local post office, Arthur addressed them both. “Okay, so from what Trelawny told us, the clerk who works behind the desk in there is crooked for the right price. We’ll go in and have a chat with him but you two leave the talkin’ to me.”

“You gonna charm him, Morgan?” William asked as they strolled towards the building.

“I ain’t no charmer, but I sure as hell know how to be a scary son-of-a-bitch.”

As they scaled the wooden steps up to the post office’s front door, Arthur spotted a man sitting on a bench outside with his eyes trained on them. At first, this older man made him wary, but as the stranger folded up the newspaper he had been reading, a wide smile covered his plump face.

“William Hennigan?” the man said, his eyes wide in astonishment. “Tusa atá ann nó a bhfuil mé ag taibhreamh?”

Arthur was dumbfounded and, before he could offer to cover up their identities, William stopped in his tracks and asked his own question. “An tUasal Ó Murchú?”

“Bhí a fhios agam gur tusa a bhí ann!” he said delightedly as William approached him for a friendly handshake. Only then did he notice the woman in their company. “Agus tá Iníon Maebh anseo freisin!”

“Buíochas le Dia,” Maebh exclaimed and offered the old man a warm hug. “Shíl mé nach bhfeicfinn tú arís. Conas atá tú?”

“Táim ar fónamh, táim ar fónamh!”

Arthur stood awkwardly on the sidelines as an apparent reunion took place with an old Irish friend. He watched his gang-mates, unsure as to whether he should introduce himself or leave them to a private exchange. While he bided his time, he looked this new man up and down. By his clothing, Arthur assumed he was a trader or farmer of sorts. He looked old enough — perhaps older that Dutch — with his greying hair and beard, and a heavyset frame. He was a big man in both weight and height; the kind of person William usually would have called a ‘big, mean-lookin’ bollocks’. Despite the fact he looked as though he could squash a man by sitting on him, the smile he wore seemed to never fade as he greeted the siblings and rambled on excitedly in their native tongue.

As Arthur looked around helplessly, Maebh suddenly remembered his existence and placed a hand on his arm. “Ah, Jesus, tá brón orm, an tUasal Ó Murchú. This is our friend, Arthur Morgan. Arthur this is an old friend of ours from Wisconsin, Mícheál Ó Murchú.”

Using what little Irish he had managed to remember, Arthur shook Mícheál's hand and offered him an unsteady greeting. “Dia duit, Mícheál.”

Maebh appeared somewhat surprised while Mícheál let out a laugh. “Dia is Muire dhuit, Arthur. An bhfuil Gaeilge agat?”

Arthur paused for a second before shaking his head with a laugh. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid that’s all the Irish I got.”

“When did ye learn that?” Maebh asked, smiling broadly.

“Picked it up from listenin’ to you two. It’s ’bout all I could manage.”

“Sure it’s better than nothin’!” Mícheál replied in an accent almost as thick as his frame. “Sure look, a friend of the Hennigan kids is a friend of mine.”

“Mícheál was our old neighbour back in Wisconsin,” Maebh elaborated, smiling at the memory. “We met him on the boat over here. Owned a ranch up the way with his wife and son.”

“Ah,” Arthur drawled. “So you were tryin’ to get away from the English too?”

“Too fuckin’ right I was! That shower o’bastards took my land and didn’t they only go and reject another Home Rule bill yesterday.”

“I saw,” William grumbled with his arms folded across his chest. “All those governments are the same. Too busy steppin’ all over common folk to sort out any messes.”

“Usually the government are the ones causing ’em,” Arthur offered. “Though I can only speak for the American government in that regard.”

Mícheál gave him a friendly but hefty clap on the shoulder. “Here, I’m sure these youngins have eat your ear off enough that you know all ’bout na Sasanaigh back in Éire.”

“They may’ve mentioned it once or twice,” Arthur joked. “It’s been an educational experience.”

“Those kinda people have a lot to answer for” he growled before his expression turned solemn. The air shifted and Arthur had been confused with the sudden tension as Mícheál placed a hand on William’s shoulder. “I thought you too had been killed after I heard what happened to your dad. It was only when I saw the wanted posters did I know you’s had survived.”

Arthur shifted on his feet, unable to contain his interest in the change of conversation as the old friends caught up. Maebh glanced at him uneasily and he took that as a queue to take a few steps back. Though he gave them a little bit of privacy, he still heard the conversation as it continued on in their native tongue.

“Níor thug siad rogha dúinn, Mícheál,” Maebh was saying in a hushed whisper. “Fágadh amhail marbh muid.”

“Tá a fhios 'am,” Mícheál replied, sounding like he was trying to calm her. “Ní raibh mé ag súil le haon rud níos fearr . A leithéid de sprionlóir!”

“Ní féidir le duine ar bith a fháil amach cá bhfuilimid,” William chimed in. “Táimid ceart go leor, ach má fhaigheann an rialtas amach cá bhfuilimid, déanfar muid a mharú.”

Arthur looked at them over his shoulder as Mícheál nodded firmly. “Is binn béal ina thost!”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Arthur cut in before pointing to the post office. “I’ll head inside and get that letter sorted while you three catch up, alright?”

“Sure thing, Arthur,” Maebh replied with a grateful smile. “Take your time.”

And take his time he did.

The clerk was, as Trelawny promised, more than happy to provide some information in exchange for a few dollars. He casually scribbled down the trains exact course and its scheduled times between stops. Thankfully, the lead became more and more promising with each new piece of information gathered. Sometimes these things turned out to be dead ends and he had certainly experienced his fair share of those. With a nod to the clerk, Arthur headed back into the cool morning air and saw that his companions still stood talking with the old man. Hugs were shared, by the looks of things they were parting ways. He met Maebh’s gaze and gave her a shrug, hoping that she understood his hesitance to interrupt. While her green eyes studied him intently, she held out delicate a hand to him, a gesture he took as a signal to return to the group. He awkwardly held her small hand in his and allowed her to gently pull him back into the fold. Despite the initial contact, he hadn’t been prepared for her to loop her arm around his in an affectionate manner.

“Thanks for that, Mícheál,” she said, switching back to a language he could understand. “You always were a good man.”

The old Irish man grinned beneath his thick white beard as he fitted a flat cap on to his head. “You’s two know more than anyone that this world can be a cruel one. We have to stick together if you want to make it outta here alive, isn’t that right, Mr. Morgan?”

“It sure is, Mr. Ó Murchú,” he replied, hoping that he hadn’t butchered the man’s last name with his inexperienced tongue. “You gotta be loyal to what matters.”

“You’s found yourselves a fine friend here, pháistí. A feckin’ fine friend indeed. Take care of each other and you know where I am if you’s need me.”

They exchanged their goodbyes, and soon Mícheál was ascending his wagon and rolling away with a casual wave. Arthur watched him go, noting the slightly despondent look on the siblings’ faces. “Y’all alright?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Maebh answered, still hanging on to his arm. “We’re good.”

“Guess we weren’t expectin’ to see him ’round here,” William offered measuredly, eyes fixed on the now distant figure. “It’s been four years since the last time.”

Unwilling to push them to talk about it if they weren’t comfortable, Arthur gave Maebh’s arm a gentle tug. “How ’bout we head back to camp then? I got all the information we need for the train.”

The siblings readily agreed, though their demeanours were far more reserved than they had previously been on arrival. He walked to their horses, half expecting for Maebh to release her hold on his arm, but instead she casually strolled arm in arm with him. The intimate gesture made his cheeks flush but he kept his mouth shut, sure that if she was uncomfortable she would have no problem with telling him to go away. As they reached her mount, Arthur released her arm and offered her a helping hand up on to Dullahan’s back. He knew she could get up on her own — this wasn’t something he doubted — but after escorting her along, it seemed like the polite thing to do. As she took the hand he offered in hers, he swallowed thickly and helped to hoist her upwards. Once she was safely seated, he hurried himself to his own saddle and kept his gaze on anything but her. Thankfully, it seemed like her thoughts were focused on other things. Unfortunately, he couldn’t help but focus his on the words Mícheál had uttered that he did manage to understand. He had, not by their choice, discovered some small things about Maebh and William’s upbringing that they clearly didn’t want anyone at camp knowing. At first he was uncertain as to whether he should be suspicious or worried. He had his own secrets for his own reasons, so maybe he shouldn’t be surprised that they too held untold stories close to their young hearts.

Mícheál had been correct about one thing — the world was a cruel, cruel place, one in which everyone seemed to have pasts that haunted them or hidden skeletons they could never forget.

They rode back to camp in a mostly silent and somber atmosphere, unsaid words and admissions held on tied tongues. In saying so little, they had said a lot. Arthur could only hope that some day they would trust him enough to share their undeserved burdens through honest conversation. Then, perhaps, he too could share his own.

* * *

Back at camp, Maebh was leading Dullahan along to graze with the other horses. Their trip to Saint Charles had gone well with regards the intention of gathering information. The run in with a ghost from their past, however, was unexpected. Still, she didn’t have much time to ponder the encounter before Dutch had called the three of them over to talk details.

Inside Dutch’s tent, John Marston sat over a bunch of papers, clearly in deep thought.

“Don’t think too hard there, Marston,” William said as he arrived. “Your brain ain’t used to that shite. It’ll explode if you push it too hard.”

“Fuck off, Hennigan,” John replied gruffly, clearly unamused. “Do you ever shut up?”

William paused, letting the silence hang. “Are you flirtin’ with me?”

Arthur let out a laugh while John nearly snapped the pencil he was clutching tightly. Dutch, sensing the ensuing argument, interrupted. “John, why don’t you update them on our plan before a fight breaks out in my tent?”

“Right.” He cleared his throat and began to address the group. “We’ve been thinkin’ ’bout how we’re gonna actually go about robbin’ this train. We was throwin’ some ideas together when I suggested the best way to go ’bout it would be to get ourselves on that train.”

“Whatchu mean ‘on it’?” Arthur asked with a thoughtful expression.

“We goin’ t’jump it?” Maebh added.

John shook his head. “We’re goin’ as passengers.”

“Hold on. You want us—” She quickly gestured between the four of them. “—to go as passengers on a train full of rich lads? Us?”

“Well… yeah.”

“We don’t exactly look like high caliber posh people, now do we?”

William scoffed. “Speak for yourself.”

“All we need to do is get cleaned up and buy some fancy clothes,” John insisted. “With Trelawny’s help we can tickets off that crooked clerk you met today and hop on the train before it heads through the quiet spot. Then, once it passes through there, we’ll start the robbery. We’ll have two in the first carriage and one at the back. One of us is goin’ to go dressed as a worker so they can get to the driver and force him to stop the train. This way, we got everythin’ covered. Get in, stop the train, rob ’em, and get out.”

“So what you’re sayin’,” William began slowly. “Is that we’re goin’ in undercover and we have’ta pretend to be snooty rich pricks? Like actors?”

“Basically, yeah.”

In a rare show of enthusiasm, the young Irishman clapped his hands. “Right, I’m in.”

“That’s actually not a half bad idea, Marston,” Arthur admitted, looking happy with the day’s work. “You’re gonna need a serious bath though.”

“You’ll all need serious baths if you’re gonna pass for those kinda rich bastards,” Dutch cut in, giving John a supportive squeeze of the shoulder. “You all did great work today — really great work — but we’ll get into specifics later. Go get somethin’ to eat and rest your feet awhile; you all earned it.”

Maebh was soon sitting at the campfire with William, forcing herself to eat Pearson’s leftover fish stew. They had been visibly uneasy since their encounter with Mícheál. He was the first person they had seen from their old life in Wisconsin and they were hardly expecting to see him in a different state altogether. He was nice enough to let them know where his new homestead resided outside Saint Charles and, while she was uncertain about visiting, William seemed fond of the idea. Perhaps at some point they would pay him a call for old time sake. He had always been a good man. Even their father used to trust him enough to take care of her and William when he wasn’t around.

Still, Arthur being there was an unfortunate circumstance she wished could have been avoided. What she and her brother had done was something she hoped he would never discover. Yes, they were outlaws and yes, they had probably done bad things themselves, but this was something that could bring more trouble on to the gang than necessary. As long as they never returned to Wisconsin, perhaps the confession could be avoided. The pressure that remained on her shoulders was constricting and weighed heavier today once Arthur had heard things she wished he hadn’t. She could only assume that William felt the same way.

Noting that the Reverend was sitting nearby, flicking through his bible, Maebh muttered to her brother in their native tongue. “Are you alright after earlier?”

He looked at her and replied in an even tone. “I suppose. It’s a bit of a weird one. It was nice to see Mr Ó Murchú, but I’m worried Arthur might be suspicious ’bout what he heard.”

“Me too,” she admitted. “It definitely would’ve sounded ropey to him.” She paused, finishing the last mouthful of her meal and placing the bowl and spoon on the ground. “I know it’s probably a stupid idea, bu I wish we could just, I dunno, talk to someone ’bout it.”

“That’s not stupid. It’d be nice if we could considerin’ it’s a weight that’s constantly there whenever Dutch talks ’bout loyalty…”

“If you had to tell one of ’em, who would it be?”

William’s brow furrowed, his deep scar highlighted in the light of the fire. “Hosea, Dutch, or Arthur if I’m honest. You?”

“I’d be happy to talk to Hosea or Dutch ’bout it, but not Arthur.” When he gave her a look of scepticism, she shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t trust him, but I’d be more worried ’bout him not trustin’ us as far as he could throw us afterwards. Whereas Dutch or Hosea might give us the benefit of the doubt.”

“Right, right,” William mumbled in understanding before releasing a sigh. “I get that. He’s been very good to us. I’d hate to see him put off by all those goings on.”

“Arthur is a good man to have on your side, so I aim to do very little in life to upset him. Y’know who might be good to talk to as well? Mrs Matthews.”

The idea grabbed William’s full attention. He wiped his beard and mouth with the back of his hand and dumped his bowl inside hers. “That’s actually a good shout.”

Mrs Matthews and Miss Grimshaw were definitely the matriarchs of the camp. They were always there to help if someone came back from a job injured, and always there to scold someone for not pulling their weight. While Miss Grimshaw was the type of person to blow off the kneecaps of someone who threatened you, Mrs Matthews was the type to embrace you afterwards and say you’ll be alright. They had both taken care of Maebh after the robbery in Winterset and while William was always there to help, sometimes friends with a more feminine touch were greatly needed. If there was someone she felt wouldn’t judge them, it was Bessie Matthews.

“Might be worth chattin’ to her and Hosea,” she suggested, nodding to the pair sitting off in their tent. “We don’t even have to get into specifics if we don’t want’a.”

After a moment’s contemplation, William clasped his hands together. “Suppose it’s worth a shot.”

He got to his feet and offered her a hand up. After leaving their bowls by the wagon, the pair strolled over to the tent where the older couple sat together, Hosea grounding up some herbs in a mortar while his wife read a book. She had a thick woven blanket wrapped around her shoulders, so Maebh assumed she was still feeling a tad under the weather.

“Knock, knock,” she said casually and waited outside. “Evenin’.”

Hosea looked up as they announced themselves and offered them a warm smile. “Ah, my favourite Fenian rebels.”

“Mind if we come in? Hopefully we’re not disturbin’ you’s.”

“Not at all! C’mon, take a seat.”

Maebh and William took him up on his offer, sitting themselves beside the laid out bedrolls. William eyed the older woman with concern. “How’re you feelin’, Mrs Matthews?”

“Not so bad,” she replied, sitting up sightly so that she could properly chat. “Feeling a little better than I did this mornin’.”

“Nothin’ a little ginseng can’t fix,” Hosea added, gesturing to the leaves he was grinding up. “This stuff is great when you’re under the weather. If you two ever happen upon some of it in your travels, bring it to me and I’ll show you how to make some health cures.”

“Cheers, Hosea,” William replied gratefully, looking at the mixture. “I’ll be sure to pass it on if I find some.”

“How did you two get on in Saint Charles today?”

William remained silent and allowed Maebh to take the lead with this one. “Good. We got all the information we needed from the clerk and it looks like Marston came up with some decent ideas for the heist while we were gone.”

“So it was a productive day all around then,” Bessie said with an encouraging smile. “I’m sure it’ll go off without a hitch.”

“Hopefully, yeah.”

“What brings you two to our tent, then?”

Keeping a close eye on her brother, Maebh answered. “We were actually wonderin’ if we could talk to you’s a’bout somethin’ more personal...”

Though the statement would probably bring a small sense of anxiety to most people, Mrs Matthews only offered an encouraging smile. “Of course. You know that you two can always come to us about anythin’, m’dear.”

“I dunno,” Maebh muttered. “We weren’t sure if we could come to any of you’s ’bout this.”

“It can’t be that bad,” Hosea said assuredly. “You two are in a gang fulla outlaws and orphans and folk who ain’t known nothin’ other than how to load a gun.”

“We understand that everyone probably has their own skeletons in their closet,” William said, adding his own two cents. “But ours won’t do us any favours.”

Bessie placed her hand over his in a comforting manner. “If it’s somethin’ weighin’ down on you both this much, then I’d rather you let it out. A guarantee you’ll feel better for it.”

“And we won’t see you as any different,” Hosea agreed, encouraging the discussion. “We’ll listen and help however we can. “Don’t you remember how Dutch and I met in the first place? A pair of hucksters tryin’ to rob each other, caught red handed, and y’know what we did? We laughed and shook hands.”

“And are you forgettin’ how they found Arthur and John?” Bessie said. “John about to be hanged for robbin’ a homestead and Arthur a petty criminal who would have no problem cavin’ your head in. Both only kids, but we took ’em in and tried to help. John had already murdered a man when he was only eleven years old. Do you really think we’re gonna look at you two any different?”

“All I know is,” Hosea began, mirroring his wife’s positivity. “That in the three years since you’ve joined this gang, you’ve both pulled your weight and done whatever you could to help the cause. You’ve no problem volunteerin’ for jobs or huntin’ to keep supplies up, and the bond you two share has only strengthened as time passed. You’ve both gelled right into the group and made friends that you trust to have your back. Regardless of what you tell us, we ain’t gonna suddenly turn ’round and erase the good years we’ve had.”

“He really has a way with words, don’t he?” Bessie chuckled and looked fondly at her husband.

Maebh looked to William, whose eyes conveyed the comfort he felt with regards telling the couple what they had done to wind up in such an unfavourable situation. With his permission, she took a deep breath and began telling their story.

Together, under the watchful gaze of two helpful elders, the Hennigans told all about their past discretions and how they came to be found robbing a risky stage in the middle of Wisconsin. Across camp, another pair of eyes were studying the youths carefully. Arthur sat atop his bunk, journal in hand and pencil scribbling away in an attempt to capture the scene. Ever the artist, he studied their expressions so that he could try to recreate the different emotions crossing their faces with lead on paper. He was unsure as to what the conversation had been about, but he could tell from the outside that it was something rousing a level of seriousness between the siblings. If he was to take a guess, it might have been about the unexpected encounter earlier that day.

Unable to do much else about it, Arthur sat and he drew, spending more time on capturing Maebh than the others. With careful strokes, he placed her profile on the page. Her eyes came next, then her thin nose, and rapidly moving lips. He didn’t notice how much time he’d spent on her before moving on to the others, but it seemed necessary. He felt that words weren’t enough to capture the range of emotions being expressed within the tent and the apparent story he couldn’t hear being shared. The beauty of the moment was something he wished to see and relive whenever he flicked through the pages of his journal. Whatever they had been through, he dearly wished to capture it.

Arthur took care in recreating her, more than he ever realised in the moment.

#red dead redemption 2 #arthur morgan #arthur morgan x oc #john marston #red dead redemption fandom #rdr #rdr2 #fanfiction #fanfic #arthur morgan fanfic #the flower and the serpent #dutch van der linde #hosea mathews #rdr fanfiction #rdr2 fanfic #arthur morgan x ofc

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robkirbycomics · 7 years

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My 2017 #31HORRORFILMS31DAYS PLAYLIST

Once again, for the 6th year in a row, I watched 31 horror movies (Hashtag 31HorrorFilms31Days) through the month of October because why not. I realize that absolutely NOBODY CARES whether I do this or not but by god I believe in setting obtainable goals for oneself in this life. This was an especially busy month for me this year and 31 films was difficult to pull off, but somehow or other I muddled through and hit the magic # (it was touch and go there for a while).

Anyway, below are the films I watched, along with my original tweets. I managed to catch up to a lot of things I’d been meaning to see for some time - several of which were quite good. My favorites, the ones I would recommend, are italicized below and I added star ratings to everything. Anything with 3-and-a-half to 5 stars is recommended, obviously. If you care to, you can see my #31HorrorFilms31Days lists from 2016 & 2015 & 2014. Meanwhile, I won’t be watching any more horror films for at least a month, probably way longer, as I am officially horror-ed out! Happy Halloween!

1. SOLE SURVIVOR (’83) Denise survives a plane crash, is then stalked by dead people who are very jealous dead people. **1/2

2. THE CHILD (’77) Girl brat = pals w/ the local cemetery zombies. Note to self: pick better movies or this’ll B a long #31HorrorFilms31Days **

3. THE DEVIL’S CANDY (’15) Hot artist’s latest muse may not be entirely benign. Stylin’ flick gets 4 outta 5 Satan-heads ***1/2

4. IT COMES AT NIGHT (’17) Only marginally a horror film but horrifying all the same. No snark this time–recommended ****

5. AT THE DEVIL'S DOOR (’14) Two sisters battle an ever-increasing number of satanic cliches. *1/2

6. TALES OF HALLOWEEN (’15) Ten mostly black-comedy horror shorts, ranging from fun (a few) to sophomoric (most) **

7. THE HAUNTING (’63) Eleanor wants a house she can call home, but she chose the worst house. She chose *Hill House* ****

8. BLOOD ON SATAN’S CLAW (’71) Possessed village teens in Olde England indulge in Xtreme misbehavior in good flick. ****

9. TROG (’70) Joan Crawford capture Trog. Joan teach Trog play catch. Trog good boy. Then Trog escape. Trog smash. **

10. AS ABOVE SO BELOW (’14) Take 1 part THE DESCENT 1 part BLAIR WITCH & 1 part THE BEYOND–place in oven, over-bake. **

11.TRAUMA (’93) “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs”– LITERALLY. Made in Minneapolis! **1/2

12. ASYLUM (’72) Notably good cast in fun omnibus Brit flick detailing how 4 patients in a mental institute got there ***1/2

13. GHOSTWATCH (’92) BBC mockumentary about a haunted house freaked viewers out when it 1st aired. a Grade-A slow burn ****

14. YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY (’71) Sex-ay giallo w/ murder, nekkid ladies & a cat named Satan! ****

15. SEVEN DEATHS IN THE CAT’S EYE ('72) Italian gothic w/ the usual bloody murder & scheming costars. & that darn cat! **1/2

16. LEFT BANK (’08) Track runner gets injured, moves in w/ hot new BF, finds herself in Rosemary's Baby-type situation ***

17. CATHY’S CURSE (’77) Cult Canadian cheapie: evil ragdoll, possessed child, clueless parents, unintentional laughs **1/2

18. THE CASE OF THE BLOODY IRIS (’72) Gorgeous Edwige Fenech stalked by crazed killer who indeed bloodies several irises ***

19. BABA YAGA (’73) Sapphic sorceress stalks stylin photographer. Worth a look 4 its fab early-70s Euro LookSlashFeel ***1/2

20. MIRROR MIRROR (’90) Teen revenge tale w/ Karen Black & Yvonne DeCarlo! Also, of less interest, a demon in a mirror. ***

21. UNDER THE SHADOW (’16) Djinn stalks mom & daughter in Tehran. Good flik w/ big jump scare that made me spill coffee ****

22. THE EYES OF MY MOTHER (’16) lonely, isolated young woman acts out in severe fashion. This gets Rob's seal of approval ****

23. MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN (’08) Pre-stardom Bradley Cooper takes wrong train, gets trapped in bloody mess a la Clive Barker ***1/2

24. P (’05) Thai girl bar dancer uses magic powers badly, evil takes over. Great little flick w/ = parts charm & grue ****

25. RINGS (’17) Sequel to '02 hit comes about ten yrs past any relevance 2 anyone. Enuff already with this franchise *1/2

26. NIGHT TRAIN MURDERS (’74) nerve-wracking Euro version of LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT is quite frankly far better made ***1/2

27. DEVIL’S PARTNER (’61) Old satanist in godforsaken town dies, comes back as younger satanist in a tie, makes trouble **1/2

28. JACK GOES HOME (’16) and learns that Home is where the Extreme Dysfunction is ***1/2

29. THE DEVIL’S WEDDING NIGHT (’73) Twin brothers run afoul of Lady Dracula who wants 2 make 1 of them her baby Dracu-daddy **1/2

30. TORTURE GARDEN (’67) Cute anthology w/ tales about a demon cat, robot actors, Edgar Allen Poe, & um a killer piano ***

31. AUTOPSY (’75) Italian concoction featuring a rash of suicides-or ARE THEY. Many nude folks, several of them corpses ***

#Horror Movies #horror #giallo #70's horror #31daysofhalloween #halloween

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ninastasia0 · 5 years

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We do know which way’s home (part 6)

Hey guys! So here’s the new chapter! Sorry if the update took some time, I was working on a film set for the last few weeks. Hope you’ll enjoy your reading! Tell me what you think of it!

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Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5

Chapter 6. When I see you smile.

"What do you think of this one ?" "You look like a sexy magpie," answered the Beetlejuice. "I don't know if I should take it as a compliment."

Cora' was trying on dresses. The one she was wearing was a figure-hugging black vinyl one. It suited perfectly her shapes, as Beej' noticed. Lydia upped her thumb with a bright smile.

"I think it's the best you've tried so far." "It's a compliment," continued the ghost, "I love birds, even though they taste terrible."

Both girls looked at him in shock.

"Tell me I've misheard that," prayed Lydia. "Listen, I was bored and the pigeon was there so I gave it a try, and let me tell you that it was a terrible experience. Zero outta ten, I'll never do that again. All this to say, looking like a magpie may not sound like a great compliment, but for me it is!" "If you say so."

Corazana checked herself in the mirror. She knew BJ was in the same room as Lydia and her, but it was weird not seeing his reflection.

"What's this all about anyway? Ya have a date or something, doll?" "I do." "What?" "I do have a date."

The demon mumbled something that neither Cora or Lydia understand.

"Does he, or she, looks great?" asked the gothic teen. "Not really, he's a pretty old man, too old honestly. I just want him to see my paintings and get them exposed in his gallery. But I'm sure he'll try to sleep with me." "Will you?" "Ne-ver. I'm not into guys older than me." "Wow, this one hurt," said Beej'. Lydia smirked, "you never had a single chance, dude." "Give me a break, baby ..."

To be perfectly honest, Cora did notice that he really was upset. Things were getting better between the two of them. They weren't friends yet, but she'll agree on one thing: Beetlejuice was a fun guy. Since they had their little talk, even though he didn't seem interested in changing his attitude towards her, their relationship was indeed different.

"Sir, your age isn't the main problem," started the young woman, "there are two factors much more important than your age, actually: first, you're a demon, and second, you're dead." "Yeah, I guess you got a point on this one."

A smile appeared on his lips. Was it a sweet smile? No, probably just a tired one. Could a ghost be tired anyway?

"You should let your hair down," he suggested after a brief silence. "Since when do you have a sense of style?" Lydia raised an eyebrow. "I don't, but I do know what creepy old guys like." "Yikes."

Cora giggled, hiding her mouth behind her hand.

"You always do that." She looked at Beetlejuice, not smiling anymore, "I don't like my mouth." "Why? I think it's sexy, sexy as in "I could kiss it"." "You could kiss pretty much anything, dude." "That's not true! I couldn't kiss... man I don't know... A fish? Yeah, I couldn't kiss a fish." "That's specific. Well, Cora, you're looking beautiful!"

Corazana was, indeed, beautiful. The more you looked at her, the prettier she gets. Of course, she wasn't the kind of person expecting compliments by saying how ugly she thought she was, not at all, but the young woman didn't need to make a single effort to be attractive. It was just her bright smile, her shining eyes, the fact that she always tried to help other people. Cora was a very empathic person and it showed. BJ had noticed it more than once while he was still invisible to her. That and her naked body. At the beginning, he was just acting like the creepy guy he was, but then he noticed the scars all over her body. He noticed the way she checked herself in the mirror when nobody was watching. Seeing all this disgust in her eyes intrigued him.

"I need a jacket," said Cora, a hand hiding her burned shoulder.

He had guess what happened to her, and then he still managed to scare her to death with fire. Okay, maybe he did felt a little bit guilty now. Especially since he discovered she was ready to forgive what he did. People never really gave him a second chance, they just accepted that he was still going to be there, no matter what.

"Delia has a lot of jackets in her bedroom, I can take some, so you'll try them on." "Good idea."

They spent the rest of the afternoon coaching Cora for her dinner. She wasn't very excited to go, the guy was clearly intimidating her.

"If he does anything weird, give me a call and I'll reach to pick you up," said Lydia. "Yeah, and I'll kill him," added the demon. "Please don't, I really need my work to be exhibited in his gallery. Whatever it takes." "Plus, Beej', you're not the most capable when it comes to judging what's weird or not." "No, sure, I do know that I just wanna kill someone tonight."

Before Lydia or Cora could answer anything else, the taxi honked from the street.

"Hu-ho, that's for me. See you later, guys. And don't do stupid things while I'm out." "Come on," said Lydia, "you know me." "Wasn't talking to you, my dear Lyds."

She winked at the young girl and left. After a moment, Beetlejuice suddenly rose his voice:

"Oh, she was talkin' about me!" "No shit, Sherlock."

***

Lydia went to bed early that night, to BJ's big disappointment. So he was just there, floating around and snicking everywhere he could. The Maitlands weren't even in the house tonight, Miss Argentina called them to the Neitherworld for an archives problem. So the green-haired demon felt kind of bored. Plus, the babysitter wasn't coming back. Continuing his little house exploration, even though he knew it like the back of its hands, BJ was noticing new little details, like the walkman she left on her bed. There was a tape in it, Elton John. The door slammed downstairs, soon after that, he heard someone falling on the couch.

"Well, well, well, what's up, doll?"

The so-called "doll" looked up to Beetlejuice, judging the wet mascara on her cheeks, nothing was good.

"He refused the exhibition." "Oh. Mind tellin' me why?" "I didn't want to go to his apartment and suck his dick."

He was about to say something, like "wow I wasn't expecting those kinds of words in your mouth" but stopped himself right in time because she started crying. Probably not for the first time of the night. And as much as he loved seeing people cry, the demon sat on the couch next to her.

"C'mon baby, that was just one asshole, the next one will be better." "There won't be a next one! It was supposed to be an exhibition for Día de Muertos and he was the only one available in town for that week. I'm screwed," lamented Corazana. Beej' was searching his words, how the fuck was he supposed to comfort someone? "ya can't do anything tonight anyway, huh? We'll talk about all this with Lyds tomorrow, she's a smart kid, I'm sure she'll find something to help ya. C'mon, relax, give me a smile."

She sniffed and tried, but it was more a grimace than an actual smile, though, he seemed satisfied with that face.

"Let's watch a movie, whatcha say?" She hesitated, he noticed it, "yeah, okay."

Neither of them really paid attention to the film, something was different tonight. They could feel it without being able to determine what it was precisely. Corazana perfectly knew that it was impossible to have a "normal" relationship with a guy like the demon, but somehow, it also wasn't the same as his friendship with Lydia or his love/hate relationship with the Maitlands. No, it seemed much more conflictual between the two of them. Like they tried to prove something to the other, either good or bad. Cora ended up thinking it was because of her particular bond with the afterlife due to her culture. Her acceptance of the dead man being able to interact with her might have been too fast for her brain to follow. So now, she just didn't know how to react anymore. And Beetlejuice wasn't really helpful with that, the guy was pretty complicated, even for a ghost.   "Why are you nice to me, all of sudden?" she finally asked, still looking at the TV.

Obviously, Beetlejuice's hair was blue, thanks to all the questions popping in his head. He gave her a curious look.

"Because you're nice to me, even though I don't deserve it."

#we do know which way's home #Beetlejuice the musical #beetlejuice #beetlejuice fanfiction #sophia anne caruso #alex brightman #beetlejuice x OC #lydia deetz #Laurence betelgeuse soggoth #barbara maitland #adam maitland #beetlejuice fanfic #chapter 6 #Chapter six #Corazana Pietro

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