#The Academy of Ancient Music

[operasrsly]

The Sorceress - Kiri Te Kanawa

Voilà, probably one of the weirdly campest videos ever made: Kiri Te Kanawa's The Sorceress, (filmed in 1993) with English and Italian subs, so even if you are unfamiliar with opera - you have no excuse!

Tiptoeing the fine line between kitsch and camp, Kiri's The Sorceress has been a long favourite of mine. It's not only a video; it's its own mini-genre. Using the very Baroque tradition of the pasticcio (a patchwork piece to enrich an existing piece or following a known plot), The Sorceress is informed by a time that was celebrating the novelties of MTV video storytelling and was still obsessed with John Malkovich's Liaisons Dangereuses a couple of years prior. It's a throwback to the 90s in so many awesome ways. There are many versions of The Sorceress YouTube; I cleaned up one video a little, made translations and added captions in English and Italian so everyone can understand what Alcina is so upset about.

Kiri Te Kanawa Ensemble: The Academy of Ancient Music Conductor: Christopher Hogwood Choreography: Baroque Opera Atelier Toronto Mise-en-scène: Barbara Willis Sweete Ruggiero: Andrew Kelley Bradamante: Jeanette Zingg Alcina's Servant: Wilbert Hanssen Music by Georg Frideric Händel

I needed a short mental break, so I wasted a day (and a couple of bucks). The original plan was only to add subtitles in English and Italian, but I ended up scrubbing the video a little, upscaling and cleaning it with AI. Don't expect too much; the best version flying around is 444x360 pixels or something (black frame around it included) - VHS, I believe filmed from a screen too.

tl; dr: I did what I could!

[onenakedfarmer]

Currently Playing

George Frideric Händel CONCERTI GROSSI, Op. 6

Andrew Manze The Academy of Ancient Music

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Messiah (Handel) Academy of Ancient Music, Choir of The Queen's College (Oxford) | Runtime: 2hr 18mins

[daemonianymphe-official]

Five years ago at the O2 Academy Islington!

A beautiful venue in the heart of London with support acts: DARKHER and Prometheus and the Satyrs. Were you there?

https://www.facebook.com/DaemoniaNympheOfficial/posts/804143284429306?__tn__=-R

[musicwithoutborders]

George Friedrich Handel/Academy of Ancient Music, Orlando, HWV 31 / Act 1 . Ouverture, 1991

[blueiscoool]

Herculaneum Scrolls Reveal Plato's Burial Place

Researchers used AI to decipher an ancient papyrus that includes details about where Greek philosopher is buried.

The decipherment of an ancient scroll has revealed where the Greek philosopher Plato is buried, Italian researchers suggest.

Graziano Ranocchia, a philosopher at the University of Pisa, and colleagues used artificial intelligence (AI) to decipher text preserved on charred pieces of papyrus recovered in Herculaneum, an ancient Roman town located near Pompeii, according to a translated statement from Italy's National Research Council.

Like Pompeii, Herculaneum was destroyed in A.D. 79 when Mount Vesuvius erupted, cloaking the region in ash and pyroclastic flows.

One of the scrolls carbonized by the eruption includes the writings of Philodemus of Gadara (lived circa 110 to 30 B.C.), an Epicurean philosopher who studied in Athens and later lived in Italy. This text, known as the "History of the Academy," details the academy that Plato founded in the fourth century B.C. and gives details about Plato's life, including his burial place.

Historians already knew that Plato, the famous student of Socrates who wrote down his teacher's philosophies as well as his own, was buried at the Academy, which the Roman general Sulla destroyed in 86 B.C. But researchers weren't sure exactly where on the school's grounds that Plato, who died in Athens in 348 or 347 B.C., had been laid to rest.

However, with advances in technology, researchers were able to employ a variety of cutting-edge techniques including infrared and ultraviolet optical imaging, thermal imaging and tomography to read the ancient papyrus, which is now part of the collection at the National Library of Naples.

So far, researchers have identified 1,000 words, or roughly 30% of the text written by Philodemus.

"Among the most important news, we read that Plato was buried in the garden reserved for him (a private area intended for the Platonic school) of the Academy in Athens, near the so-called Museion or sacellum sacred to the Muses," researchers wrote in the statement. "Until now it was only known that he was buried generically in the Academy."

The text also detailed how Plato was "sold into slavery" sometime between 404 and 399 B.C. (It was previously thought that this occurred in 387 B.C.)

Another part of the translated text describes a dialogue between characters, in which Plato shows disdain for the musical and rhythmic abilities of a barbarian musician from Thrace, according to the statement.

This isn't the first time that researchers have used AI to read ancient scrolls that survived Mount Vesuvius's eruption. Earlier this year, researchers deciphered a different scroll that was charred during the volcanic eruption at a nearby villa that once belonged to Julius Caesar's father-in-law.

By Jennifer Nalewicki.

[mi-dori]

☆Outworld's Beauty☆

●Prompt: In which you trained the earthrealm champions to fight in the tournament and Lord Liu Kang decides to bring you along; however, you saw the beauty of Outworld the minute you stepped out of the portal.

●Warnings: Nothing too explicit, just reader being a flirt.

■MK1■

For countless years, Earthrealm and Outworld participated in a tournament called Mortal Kombat which was founded by Outworld's late Emperor, Jerrod and Earthrealm's protector, Lord Liu Kang. For many tournament, Earthrealm came out victorious because of the champions that fought hard and well to protect their realms. Earthrealm's power was respected by Outworld though there were some who wished to conquer Earthrealm.

Alas, the tournament was slowly approaching. Lord Liu Kang had chosen his fighters and his taste was...interesting to say the least. Johnny Cage, an actor, Kenshi Takahashi, a young man fighting to restore his clan's honor, Kung Lao, a farm boy who dreams big and Raiden, another farm who's contented with his life. Lord Liu Kang saw much potential within them all, and took them to the Wu Shi Academy to prepare and that is where they met the most interesting individual, you.

As a young child growing up, you visited the Academy and watched as the monks trained every day. As you grew older, Lord Liu Kang vouched for you and the monks took you in and trained you, thought you everything you needed to know. Of course those monks were ancient as they had all passed away, passing their teachings and skills onto you who was now the martial arts master of the Wu Shi Academy and also the teacher to the earthrealmers.

Training the earthrealmers required not too much work, as three out of four of them took their lessons seriously. Cage was the one who pushed your buttons. Despite all of that, Lord Liu Kang deemed them ready and as the final test came to pass, Raiden became the choosen one. He vowed to fight for earthrealm tirelessly and to honor your teachings and honor you as his teacher.

The trip to Outworld was quick yet it felt very tiring. As you all stepped out of the portal, your eyes landed on a woman in blue. Her beauty made her stand out among the others there. She looked rather elegant to say the least.

"Are those-Empress Sindel's daughters? Yes." Lord Liu Kang knew the question you were about to ask as he had noticed your gaze lingering on the younger daughter.

"Princess Mileena," he greeted, bowing and so did the rest of you. Mileena and Liu Kang exchanged small talk, introducing the blue one to be Kitana, her sister. Raiden looked at you, noticing how mesmerised you were by Kitana.

The princesses took you all to the Palace where the Empress awaits. You sat in the carriage with Liu Kang, Raiden and Mileena while the other three sat with Kitana. "Do you recognise everyone here, Raiden?" You asked, noticing the way he peeked out of the carriage.

"Yes I do but those beings..."

"The six arm beings are called Naknadans." Mileena answered for him. That was strange... you didn't remember the monks telling you about them.

It took a little while to reach the Palace. The royal guards escorted you all inside, to where the Empress and Princesses sat. Lord Liu Kang bowed, introducing everyone.

"And this is y/n l/n. The teacher to my champions." With a proud smile, Liu kang pointed to you. Sindel let out a pleased hum before Kitana spoke.

"I hope you've trained your warriors well, Y/n."

The way your name rolled off her tongue sounded like music to your ears. "I did. I am quite confident in Raiden, the champion choosen to fight."

"You seem nervous young man," Sindel stated.

"I'm a stranger in an unfamiliar land, here to compete against it's greatest fighters. Yes, I am nervous."

"As you should be." Sindel was quite confident in her champions as well. You wished Raiden good luck before stepping to the side. And so, the first round began. Raiden won without a sweat and so he did for the rest of the rounds. When he seemed to catch a hang of it, Sindel dismissed the tournament until tomorrow morning, inviting you all to the evening's banquet.

The banquet was astonishing, food and beverages were served like it was the oxygen needed to survive. Kung Lao stuffed his face like a pig, receiving disgusted glares from General Shao and his right hand.

You let out a tiring sigh, hearing Cage flirting with Kitana, though you couldn't blame him, you would've and will flirt with her as well. "You're ten thousand years old?!" He asked in shock.

"My, you certainly aged quite gracefully princess," you hummed, tasting the wine.

"Hey that's supposed to be my line!" Cage protested. With a wave of your hand, you dismissed Cage, noticing the way Kitana turned her attention to you.

"Well aren't you quite the charmer?"

"I have my ways with pretty ladies though I must say, pretty is an understatement when it comes to your beauty."

"Oh really now?" Kitana's interest in you spiked. 'How can someone who look so innocent be so damn charming?' She thought.

"Your beauty is ethereal princess." You sighed, a sly smiling carving your lips. Kitana let out a small chuckle.

"Thank you y/n. It truly means alot."

Cage watched with his mouth agape as you and Kitana threw flirty comments back and forth. This was supposed to be his thing not you yet he couldn't bring himself to stop you, not when you looked so happy talking to Kitana.

[lilislegacy]

Positive Percabeth imagines :))) (though ngl this is mostly about their daughters but still)

I imagine that Percy and Annabeth will have twin daughters, and they’ll choose names based off their loved ones. One daughter is named Zoe Elizabeth, after Zoe the Hunter, and Rachel Elizabeth Dare. The second daughter is named Natalie Grace, after Annabeth’s aunt Natalie (and also bc as einherjars Magnus and Alex will never be able to have kids so it’s also for Magnus’ sake) and Grace bc it’s the last name of both Thalia and Jason obviously but it’s a way to honor Jason especially. Natalie Grace is nicknamed Tali, pronounced Tah-lee, and I’ve always pronounced Thalia as Tah-lee-uh, so that way they’re honoring her too. Zoe has dark brown hair and grey-blue eyes, and Tali has dirty blonde hair and blue-green eyes.

Percy and Annabeth lived in New Rome for several years after finishing college, and they both helped create sacred temples and statues and groves and places for all the gods, as Percy started, Jason expanded, and Apollo basically vowed to complete. Annabeth of course did most of the brainstorming and research and building stuff, but Percy was actually the one who would ask various gods and be like “okay Nereus. These are some ideas we have to honor you. Can you tell me which you like best?” And then that god would send him a dream giving varying amounts of detail and instruction as to what exactly they wanted. So the twins, Zoe and Tali, were raised in New Rome for their first several years.

Meanwhile at Camp Half-Blood, they have expanded to have cabins for legacies, and they also started an academy, called Olympus Heights Academy. As more demigods were claimed and now legacies too, it made sense to start a school. When Tali and Zoe are eight, their parents decide to move back to Camp Half-Blood and become teachers. Annabeth predictably tries to teach too many classes at first but eventually settles on just teaching a couple classes, probably Ancient Greek history and language bc we know she taught Percy and also close combat with a knife. Percy teaches swords fighting obviously.

Tali and Zoe are at this point beginning to learn their abilities. Both of them can breathe underwater. Zoe can control water, ocean water most easily but with some degree of control over fresh water. She is an expert in close combat fighting. She is skilled in strategy and has an affinity for the arts. She is a natural sailor. Natalie can communicate with horses and their cousins. She has siren powers, similar to charmspeak, but water based and music/voice linked. She is an expert at swords fighting. She is skilled in craftsmanship and strategy and has an affinity for academics. She is a natural sailor.

You noticed the siren powers? I headcanon that Sally is a third generation legacy of Venus, and Percy didn’t really get anything from Venus except good looks, extra ability to learn Latin, and extra meddling in his love life, but Tali did. I saw someone make a post about, what if daughters of Poseidon could sometimes get siren like abilities? I loved that idea, and had to include that in one of the twins. Normally a second generation legacy of Poseidon wouldn’t ever have siren abilities, but bc of the distant relation to Venus, Tali did get that ability.

The twins will of course go on their own death defying quests and adventures. Percy and Annabeth will happily be living in Camp Half-Blood, visiting Sally and the rest of the Jackson-Blofis family as much as they can.

Oh I also have another funny idea. I actually woke up one morning earlier this week daydreaming about it. Percy and Annabeth, after college, are trying to plan their wedding. But they keep getting into fights about small random things. And this is so out of character for them. Eventually Annabeth realizes that this is Hera meddling and at first she’s furious but eventually tries to reason with Hera. Hera eventually gives specific instructions on something that she wants to be created at Camp Half-Blood to honor her. I’m not entirely sure what it is yet, but whatever it is, it’s gonna be nearly impossible to create. But Annabeth has to do it if she wants to get married to Percy. So she struggles for months with this building project, finally it’s nearly done. Then Hera says that she will allow them to marry, but they have to be married nearby whatever it is that Annabeth had to create, and their marriage will be dedicated to Hera and will act as the way to consecrate the sacred building thing to Hera. So now Chiron has to allow demigods to get married at Camp Half-Blood, allow the queen of the gods to officiate it, and he can’t keep their mortal family from the wedding! So now there are mortals in Camp Half-Blood. But it all goes well, but now a tradition has begun of campers wanting to get married by Hera’s sacred thing, and now Chiron has to deal with weddings and mortal families and he’s seriously annoyed at Hera but he can’t show it bc she’s the queen of the gods.

Hope you like these headcanons!!! :)))

~wolfyboi

thanks for the ask wolfyboi!

awww, these are all so fun and cute! i love thinking about their future and their kids! it just being me so much joy. they deserve to be happy more than anyone. i do hate hera so the thought of them having to dedicate their marriage to her makes me a little queasy, but the idea of chiron having to deal with a ton of people getting married at the camp made me giggle

this put a smile on my face. thank you!! ❤️❤️

[melit0n]

EUCLID ANALYSIS.

Told you guys it was coming, didn't I? I apologise that this has taken a bit longer than expected, my mental health hit me like a bullet train, but I do hope it's sufficient.

Part one -> You're already here!

Part two -> Line by line analysis part 1

Part three -> Line by line analysis part 2

Part four -> Musical/intrumental notes

Part five -> The Night in Sleep Token

Part six -> Conclusion

Please note this is a general analysis. Although I do go into theories, both my own and others, this is just general thoughts. Also note when I speak of Vessel, I mean Vessel as a character, not the person, unless I specifically state so.

Tagline: @rilllvri @a-s-levynn @fivewholeminutes @euclidsvessel @tonguetyd @moonchild-in-blue @kkarmatic @branches-in-a-flood

+ Some people were worried about spam liking/reblogging the last time I did one of these big analysis posts, and I want to say please don't worry about that! I get happy when I see the same users pop up liking and reblogging my work, because it means you're interested in this enough to go through the whole thing. Feel completely free to add your own thoughts, correct any errors I've made etc. As per usual, my DMs are completely open to anybody wanting to discuss ST <3

Let's start off with the basics. ‘Euclid’ is the anglicised version of the Greek name Eukleídes (Εὐκλείδης), mainly known via the ancient Greek mathematician Euclid of Alexandria, who is seen as the ‘father of geometry’, and most famous for his work on symmetry. Its general definition is something or someone who is renowned and or glorious (A) and the lesser known definition is something that is a copy of the same (B) (taken from Euclid’s ideas on symmetry), which we’ll come back to in a bit.

However, there is another Euclid in history that we’ll be referencing; Euclid of Megara. This Euclid, similar to our mathematician, was an ancient Greek Socratic (having been a pupil of Socrates) philosopher. I’ll be taking part of a text out of his Wikipedia article since his ideas have been explained thoroughly there.

(we'll be coming back to him soon)

First off, this is an incredibly interesting choice of name for a song. Outside of someone's maths and philosophy class, this name doesn't exist to most, so the fact it's been chosen at all is intriguing.

Vessel has shown time and time again he enjoys sometimes elaborate references in his art, an example being chemistry and biology in TPWBYT (most notable would probably be ‘Telomeres’), so, I think it would be easy to say that, whether it be a reference to Euclid the Mathematician or Euclid the philosopher, that said reference is understood and intended by Vessel.

So, let's start with our mathematician, shall we?

What I find interesting about Euclid of Alexandria is that his life and existence outside of his work on geometry is almost completely unknown. There's almost nothing known of him, as a person, other than where he spent half of his career (Alexandria; Egypt, hence his title), where he may have studied (Platonic academy) and a general idea of when he lived (around 300BC). What is known about this insanely famous man who created the foundations of symmetry is incredibly barebones. People take Euclid at face value for his work, just like Vessel (both as an artist, and a character).

Further, we, as listeners, don't have much of an understanding of who Vessel is other than being a mouthpiece of a deity known as Sleep, someone once human now grasping at the threads of humanity and someone sharing some of his struggles in life (both with Sleep and unknown people). Like Euclid, he is barebones, we take him at face value; a vessel. He is both a mouthpiece for Sleep, a mouthpiece for his own emotions (obviously) and a mouthpiece for us. His experiences transcend being just his, due to his anonymity, therefore allowing us to connect and express our own experiences. It's music for the sake of music; expression.

Now, having talked through Euclid as a person, it's time to talk about Euclid and his symmetry. Symmetry in shapes is 'reflections, rotations, translations, and combinations of these basic operations. Under an isometric transformation, a geometric object is said to be symmetric if, after transformation, the object is indistinguishable from the object before the transformation- a copy of the same’. So, of course, this means shapes like squares, rectangles, parallelograms and circles. Circles are a representation of infinity, wholeness, unity and loops. What does Euclid do? Loop itself (starts and ends with B major, which also happens to be the same chord that TNDNBTG starts with), and loops the three albums together, musically and lyrically.

Now, onto Euclid of Megara.

Euclid was born in Megara, Athens and was a follower of Socrates (sneaking into Athens to hear him speak, and he was also present during his death). He is most known for his philosophy that good is the knowledge of simply being and that the opposite of good does not exist, aka evil. The Good is described to be a perfect, eternal, and changeless Form, existing outside space and time. A form of Heaven without a God.

This idea could be linked lore-wise with Sleep Token; Sleep could, in a way, be The Good literally. Bliss. Further, with the idea that there is no actual opposite of good, then how can anything be bad? How can Sleep, as a deity, have bad intentions if there is no actual evil?

So far, with these two notable figures in mind, we can perceive Euclid as one of two ways (and there are more ways to come). Euclid can be seen as quite literally being a form of symmetry; a parallel that Vessel lays his life on because it brings all of the produced albums, all of his stories, together. Or, we can think of Euclid as Vessel. This brings me to @euclidsvessel's post on their theory on Euclid; what if Euclid was Vessel’s name before he became a vessel?

The theory that Euclid could be Vessel’s old name is not only extremely insightful, but very plausible as well. They explained their points very well in their original post, and I don't want to repeat what they’ve already said, so I do implore you to go read that! It's not detrimental to needing to understand this post, but I highly recommend it. Despite this, I am here to both support their argument and bring my own comparison. Take a look at the cover art for Euclid:

Let me repeat the lesser-known definition of Euclid; a copy of the same. A clone. A replacement. Held in the right hand is the decapitated head of Vessel's old (2nd gen.) mask. Specifically, the one that covers his mouth; the version that relinquishes the most amount of humanity. The album art is a representation of change portrayed in a symbolically gory way. Beheading, depending on the era you’re working from, symbolises both vengeance as well as a form of purification. By cutting off the head, you remove any ‘unholy’ thoughts. It's also among one of the most horrific and humiliating ways of killing someone (since it was typically done publicly, and sometimes the heads were placed on spikes of battlements as a warning).

Furthermore, there's a theory that's popped up a couple of times, lore-wise, that Vessel is not the first person to be turned into a vessel of Sleep, and he certainly won't be the last. So, considering the literal album art illustrates a replacement of Vessel, I’d say that theory is pretty much confirmed. In conclusion, the album art can either be interpreted as how Vessel will eventually be discarded and replaced by another vessel, or how Vessel himself will change, for better or for worse; clawing out of his own skin to become “someone new”.

So, to compare the idea of Euclid being Vessel’s old name, and to create the third perception of what or rather, who, Euclid is, what if Euclid will be the eventual replacement for Vessel?

[gasparodasalo]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-91) - Sinfonia in D-Major, KV 46a (KV 51), I. Molto allegro. Performed by Christopher Hogwood/Academy of Ancient Music on period instruments.

[rivensdefenseattorney]

Alfea Interdimensional College of Fae

(WIP)

Nestled in the epicenter of Magix, Alfea College is a revered institution in the Fae realms, a sanctuary where diverse Fae lineages converge to harness their magical potential. Majestic spires and enchanted architecture adorn the grounds, harmonizing with ancient forests, shimmering waters, and otherworldly terrains that cater to elemental abilities. Here, students immerse themselves in a comprehensive curriculum that spans elemental mastery, mystical arts, diplomacy, and enchanting expressions of magic. Professors, esteemed for their lineage and expertise, guide students through immersive classes while extracurricular activities, from spellbinding sports to research societies, enrich their understanding of the mystical realms. The academy fosters unity among Fae lineages, promoting camaraderie and understanding across the elemental realms, preparing students for a transformative journey shaping the future of their enchanted realms.

Average Graduation Time: 5-7 Years

Average Acceptance Rate: 4%

Annual Acceptance Rate: 1500 Students

Contribution Level: Tier 1

Departments

Department of Alchemy & Potionology

Department of Elemental Arts

Department of Magical Studies

Department of Diplomacy & Leadership

Department of Mystic Arts & Expression

Concentrated Studies

Potioncraft and Alchemical Arts: Centered around the Department of Alchemy and Potionology, this study delves deep into potion crafting, enchanted botanical studies, and healing/restorative magic.

Elemental Mastery and Defense: Centered around the Department of Elemental Arts, this study focuses on mastering elemental forces, defensive magic & combat, and advanced arcane arts & spellcraft.

Mythical Studies and Creature Research: Centered around the Department of Magical Studies, this study emphasize studies in mythical creatures, magical history & lore, and artisanal magic.

Diplomacy and Leadership in Fae Realms: Centered around the Department of Diplomacy and Leadership, this study fosters future leaders adept in negotiation, governance, and diplomatic relations within Fae societies.

Mastering Enchanted Performances: Centered around the Department of Mystic Arts & Expression, this study focuses on refining magical performances, combining multiple art forms, and creating immersive and spellbinding experiences through artistic expressions.

Cultural Synthesis through Mystic Arts: Centered around the Department of Mystic Arts & Expression, this study investigates how various Fae cultural elements can be integrated into artistic expressions, and explores diverse lineages and their influence on magical arts.

Minor Studies

Minor in Advanced Healing Potions: Aligned with the Potioncraft & Alchemical Arts study, this minor would focus on advanced studies in creating potent healing potions and elixirs.

Minor in Elemental Combat Techniques: Corresponding to the Elemental Mastery and Defense study, this minor would specialize in combat-oriented elemental magic and defensive techniques.

Minor in Mythical Creature Care and Studies: Tied to the Mythical Studies and Creature Research study, this minor would emphasize hands-on experience in caring for and studying mythical creatures.

Minor in Diplomatic Negotiation Strategies: Connected with the Diplomacy and Leadership in Fae Realms study, this minor would focus on honing negotiation skills and diplomatic strategies.

Minor in Cultural Magic Practices: Offering a specialization across studies, this minor would allow students to explore diverse magical practices across different Fae lineages and cultures.

Minor in Arcane Medical Applications: A specialized minor within the Potioncraft and Alchemical Arts study, focusing on using magic for medical purposes and healing spells.

Minor in Enchanted Visual Arts: Explores the infusion of magical elements into visual arts, offering a deeper understanding of mystical mediums and enchantments in artistic creations.

Minor in Harmonizing Magic in Music: Focuses on the integration of magical enchantments into musical compositions and performances, blending musical theory with Fae essence.

Alfea Contribution System

Merits

Merits are the currency of recognition and accomplishment. They serve as a tangible representation of the students' contributions to their community. Merits are mainly achieved through 3 distinct methods:

Unity Merits: Earned by bringing unity and raising awareness within the community through hosting public events. May include workshops, performances, art installations, and various charity events.

Service Merits: Achieved by undertaking missions that contribute to community well-being, donating magical items, elixirs, or resources, and engaging in public service initiatives that address the diverse needs of the magical realm.

Scholarship Merits: Attained through scholarly pursuits and magical research initiatives, students earn Scholarship Merits by advancing magical knowledge, contributing to innovative solutions, and exploring the magical arts within various disciplines.

[writeriguess]

The Umbrella Academy mansion was unusually quiet as evening descended. The usual chaos of the siblings’ various activities had given way to a rare moment of calm. You had been staying at the mansion for a few days, helping out with some research on a case and generally trying to blend into the eccentric environment of the Hargreeves family.

Tonight, however, you found yourself alone in the grand library, absorbed in a book about ancient musical compositions. The soft rustling of pages and the distant hum of the mansion’s old pipes were the only sounds that accompanied you.

Suddenly, you heard the faintest hint of music—a delicate, almost ethereal melody that seemed to float through the air. Curious, you set your book aside and followed the sound, making your way through the mansion’s winding corridors.

As you approached a room at the end of the hall, the music grew clearer. You gently pushed open the door and stepped inside, where you found Viktor Hargreeves seated at a grand piano. His fingers danced gracefully over the keys, producing a hauntingly beautiful piece that seemed to resonate with the very walls of the room.

Viktor’s eyes were closed, his face serene and focused as he lost himself in the music. The sight was mesmerizing, and you couldn’t help but watch in awe.

When the piece came to a gentle end, Viktor opened his eyes and glanced up, noticing your presence for the first time. He offered a shy but genuine smile, his fingers lingering over the piano keys.

“Oh, hi,” Viktor said softly, his voice carrying a mix of surprise and warmth. “I didn’t realize anyone was here.”

You returned his smile, feeling a bit self-conscious. “I heard the music and followed it. It’s really beautiful.”

Viktor’s cheeks flushed slightly, and he looked down at the piano with a hint of embarrassment. “Thank you. I’ve been trying to get back into playing more often. It helps me clear my mind.”

You stepped further into the room, taking a seat on a nearby bench. “It’s clearly working. The music has a way of making everything feel more… peaceful.”

Viktor nodded, his eyes meeting yours with a thoughtful expression. “It’s been a long journey to get here, both with the music and with myself. Sometimes, it’s the only way I can really express how I feel.”

You could sense the depth of Viktor’s emotions and the personal significance of his music. “I can understand that. Music has a way of expressing what words often can’t.”

Viktor’s gaze softened, and he regarded you with a look of appreciation. “I’m glad you think so. It’s nice to have someone to share it with.”

You smiled warmly, feeling a sense of connection with Viktor that went beyond the usual interactions. “I’d love to hear more if you’re up for it. It’s nice to be part of something that brings you comfort.”

Viktor’s face lit up with a genuine smile, and he nodded. “I’d like that. Let me play something else for you.”

As Viktor began to play again, the room filled with a different melody—one that was both uplifting and introspective. You watched as his fingers moved fluidly over the keys, each note telling its own story. The music wrapped around you like a gentle embrace, and you felt a deep sense of calm.

After a while, Viktor finished the piece and looked at you, his expression a mixture of relief and contentment. “Thank you for listening. It means a lot to me.”

You reached out and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “It was my pleasure. I can see how much this means to you, and I’m grateful to be part of it.”

Viktor’s eyes met yours, and there was a moment of shared understanding—a connection that transcended words and music. “I’m glad we could share this moment. It’s nice to have someone who understands and appreciates it.”

You nodded, feeling a sense of warmth and connection. “It is. And I’m here for you, whether it’s for music or just to talk.”

As the evening wore on, you and Viktor continued to talk and share stories, the music serving as a backdrop to a deeper connection that was forming between you. The mansion’s usual atmosphere of eccentricity and chaos seemed distant, replaced by a sense of calm and understanding.

When it was time to say goodnight, Viktor walked you to the door, his expression sincere. “Thanks again for being here. It’s meant a lot to me.”

You smiled, feeling a genuine bond with him. “Anytime, Viktor. I’m glad we had this time together.”

As you left the room, the soft glow of the mansion’s lights guided you through the corridors, and you felt a renewed sense of appreciation for the unexpected connections and moments of peace that life could offer. In the grand symphony of the Umbrella Academy, you had found a melody of your own—a quiet, meaningful harmony with Viktor.

[random-sparks-98]

Sunlit Gotham Universe Notes

Batfam Notes:

- Due to moving around the batfam timeline a bit, Jason is the only one who has died who has been fully buried and then revived (Steph’s heart stopped for about three minutes when Black Mask captured her, and Damian has not been killed.)

- Damian came to Gotham earlier than canon, and is currently 10 years old and in 4th grade at Gotham Academy

- Jon Kent is also going to be the same age as Damian in this AU

- Jason Todd is going be announced as Legally Alive before the beginning of the story (Yes, he is still Red Hood, but he doesn’t kill anymore (most of the time))

- Bruce will NOT be going missing in time

- This means that Tim never drops out of high school, gets emancipated, and becomes CEO of a company at the age of 17. It also means that Dick will not have been Batman

- Selina and Bruce are dating - he’s gonna probably propose soon, but big life events keep happening (like adopting new children every few months) so he hasn’t yet. He claims he’s waiting for a time when everything is calm. His children call bullshit and say he’s just scared she’ll say no

- Selina totally knows that he already has the ring and is honestly just teasing him and stressing him out more by making comments and jokes every so often

How does Wonder Woman not know about the demigods?

- When the Greek Amazons went to live on Themyscira they became cut off from the rest of the mortal world. This means that they weren’t aware of Camp moving around to follow Olympus

- Diana was born WAY before the First Great Prophecy, and technically isn’t a true demigod because she was sculpted from clay - therefore not really part mortal

- By the time Diana had left the island, demigods had gone underground and general society forgot that they existed. Both camps are kept secret so that the demigods are safe, so Diana hasn’t heard about them and assumes that the demigods are just no more

- Due to the Mist, Off World League Missions, Rescue Ops, and the fact that she lived in Paris for a while, Diana hasn’t been around during any of the major battles - or her focus was elsewhere

- Donna Troy might show up at some point, and the same logic about leaving Themyscira works for her too. We’re going with the Magical Duplicate origin story for her, so again, doesn’t quite count as mortal enough for the prophecy

- Cassie Sandsmark originally used magical artifacts to help Diana fight crime and was later ret-conned into being either a daughter of Zeus or a granddaughter of Zeus. The ret-con is going to be brought up in the story and we can all thank the Flashes for messing up the timeline. But basically she doesn’t become a proper descendant of Zeus until after the Titan War and therefore the prophecy doesn’t apply to her either

Children of Apollo have the following abilities According to the Riordan Wiki:

- They can curse others to only speak in rhyming couplets that can take days or even weeks to wear off (depending on strength and number of people in the spell)

- They are expert archers, inherited from their father. However, the children of Apollo who are healers tend to be less skilled with this (as seen with Will Solace)

- They also excel at anything involving throwing or shooting stuff, like shooting hoops or shooting firearms or other missile weapons 

- They are skilled in physical contests and games

- They excel in the arts

- They are skilled musicians

- Vitakinesis: As the children of Apollo, they are natural healers. They can heal people by singing a hymn to their father (in Ancient Greek).

- Audiokinesis: As the children of Apollo, they have the ability to control sound waves and music

- It is extremely rare that a child of Apollo can possess complete photokinesis, as only Apollo himself and the Titan of Light, Hyperion, and the Titan of the Sun, Helios, have been known to use the ability

- From what can be gleaned from The Demigod Diaries, it can be presumed that some, or even all of Apollo's children possess a limited form of precognition

- Thanks to a curse, all the children of Apollo have a terrible fear of snakes

In this AU, souls have auras that are unique to each soul. Demigod children with parent’s who deal with light (ex: Apollo or Iris) can see the auras if they focus really hard. Children of Apollo will often use it as a way to check how well a patient is healing as the brighter the aura the healthier the person.

[choicescommunityevents]

Prompts & Assignments to submit:

Three word prompts (use one, two, three or more):

Day 1: Books ⚜️ Etiquette ⚜️ Rys/Rhys

Day 2: Academy ⚜️ Music ⚜️ Hana Lee

Day 3: Scrolls ⚜️ Library ⚜️ Beaumont

Day 4: Detention ⚜️ Class ⚜️ Drake Walker

Day 5: Uniform ⚜️ Mirror ⚜️ Nevrakis

Day 6: Crown ⚜️ Security ⚜️ Thorne

Day 7: Jewels ⚜️ Student ⚜️ Foredale

Day 8: Professor ⚜️ Tea ⚜️ Ernest Sinclaire

Day 9: Study ⚜️ Duty ⚜️ Annabelle Parson

Day 10: Pranks ⚜️ Strict ⚜️ Prince Hamid

Day 11: Parents ⚜️ Diary ⚜️ Sir Luke Harper

Day 12: Love Letter ⚜️ Sleep ⚜️ Lord Elric

Day 13: Waltz ⚜️ Scandal ⚜️ Lady Thalissa

Day 14: Bullies ⚜️ Cafeteria ⚜️ Lord Tialo

Day 15: Romance ⚜️ Inheritance ⚜️ Garrus

Day 16: Tabloids ⚜️ Timetable ⚜️ Montjoy

Day 17: Classes ⚜️ Elite ⚜️ Somerset

Day 18: Nerd ⚜️ Exams ⚜️ Valleros

Day 19: Ancient ⚜️ Pranks ⚜️ Starfury

Day 20: Athlets ⚜️ Knowledge ⚜️ Al Kaleen

Day 21: Wise ⚜️ Friends ⚜️ Princess Valax

Day 22: Jokes ⚜️ Diary ⚜️ Prince/-ess Clarke

Day 23: Dormitory ⚜️ Security ⚜️ Julivert

Day 24: Schedule ⚜️ Law ⚜️ Sussington

Day 25: Politics ⚜️ Dessert ⚜️ Pendragon

Day 26: Projects ⚜️ Group ⚜️ Kieran

Day 27: Other Royal nobilities (side character)

Day 28: Present us your Royal Choices Main Characters (TRR, Nightbound, D&D, BOLAS etc...) with moodboards, character profiles, art or fanfics.

Day 29: Turn your non-royal Choices Main Character into Royalty with art, edits or more...

Day 30: Pick Royal Characters from different Choices books and let them interact with each other (for example, in classroom, working on school projects, academy halls, etc...). Write a small a fanfic/drabble/social-media-chat OR create art/edit. [Prompt example: Aerin helps BOLAS MC, Trystan, NB MC and Kieran with studies. Baldur & Tialo try to disturb them.]

Thanking @lilyoffandoms for inspiration + help

[catindabag]

Ok. Hear me out. We all know that the Capitol peeps fashioned themselves like Ancient Rome with a dash of Hellenistic influence, but in a futuristic manner, right? They even have the habit of naming their kids after famous Roman/Greek deities, generals, rulers, and heroes. Apollo and Diana Ring are the most obvious ones. Heck, the 24 OG mentors from TBOSAS are the greatest examples. From Juno, Androcles, Gaius, Persephone, Festus to Coriolanus, Florus, Felix, and Lysistrata. More or less, their parents are a proud bunch of Aeneid-Iliad-Shakespearean theater fanatics.

So if you’re a Capitol citizen, you better have an extra copy of The Iliad and The Aeneid on standby when you finally get the opportunity to name your baby.😀

But seriously, I think The Academy educates their students about these kinds of classical books in literature and rhetorics class. So it’s safe to say that Coryo and his classmates have read and enjoyed Homer’s The Odyssey.

However, this post is not about that.

This post is about me imagining the 24 OG Mentors in my crack!AU adapting and releasing their own theatrical version of Epic: The Musical (by Jorge Rivera-Herrans) in front of Panem as punishment for postponing the Hunger Games (forever).🤣

So here’s the cast:

Coryo Snow as ✨Athena✨😌💅

Festus Creed as ✨King Odysseus✨

Persephone Price as ✨Queen Penelope✨

Pliny “Pup” Harrington as ✨Eurylochus✨

Sejanus Plinth as ✨Polites✨

Felix Ravinstill as ✨Poseidon✨

Hilarius Heavensbee as ✨Zeus✨

Juno Phipps as ✨Hera✨

Gaius Breen as ✨Hermes✨

Arachne Crane as ✨Scylla✨🥲🔪

Livia Cardew as ✨Aphrodite✨

Florus Friend as ✨Telemachus✨

Androcles Anderson as ✨Polyphemus✨😂

Domitia Whimsiwick as ✨Calypso✨

Clemensia Dovecote as ✨Circe✨

Apollo Ring as ✨Apollo✨

Urban Canville as ✨Ares✨ & ✨Tiresias✨

Iphigenia Moss as ✨Aeolus✨

Dennis Fling as ✨Antinous✨ & ✨Hephaestus✨

Vipsania Sickle as ✨Winion #1✨

Io Jasper as ✨Winion #2✨

Diana Ring as ✨Lotus Eater #1✨

Palmyra Monty as ✨Lotus Eater #2✨

And Lysistrata Vickers is their stage play director.

PS: This is also an excuse to imagine Coryo and Festus having an epic sing-off dance battle when they perform Warrior of The Mind & My Goodbye.