#WHEN THAT OVERTURE HIT!!!!! IT WAS ALL OVER FOR ME MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thewertsearch]

GT: I should preface this request with an overture of appreciation. GT: For how much your cool and brotherly friendship means to me. GT: It has just been… GT: Absolutely *bully* having a standup gent like you in my corner. GT: Just a grade a dude whos a cut above the others in class and camaraderie. GT: Phew… *gropes for fresh kerchief*.

Wow, Jake is fucking terrified of this guy - or at the very least, he seems incredibly intimidated for a guy who's ostensibly just chatting with a friend.

Unfortunately, this is exactly what I'd expect from a Bro who's not any different from his adult self. Jake's acting exactly like Dave did, back when he was forced to share an apartment with the guy.

TT: Take it easy, bromide. TT: Just about the only way I could salvage endearment from this perilous slope of horseshit would be to discover, really fucking soon mind you, it was a preamble to some floundering invitation for me to rush to your vicinity as nakedly as possible.

In other words, you wish he was hitting on you.

I really don't think he's kidding, especially since both Roxy and Jane seem to want a piece of English, too. Jake's sitting at the epicenter of at least three crushes, which is not a pleasant place to be sitting when you're fifteen.

TT: But since we've already shot that wad's eventuality on so many dry runs of flustered ambivalence that were as hilarious as they were one sided, TT: That leaves only one hope for this message to avoid spiraling toward qualification as a critical fucking defect in the hull of the Mach 10 rocket that is my precious spare time.

And here's the guy's actual personality. It's a fairly even mixture of Rose and Dave, a combination which synergizes much better than you'd expect.

He's still prone to Dave-style rambles - but unlike Dave, his streams of consciousness are every bit as eloquent as Rose's text, which some extra swear words tossed in for flavor.

It's very good, and immediately does a lot to humanize him, especially when all we've seen so far is "roof. now." and "State your business."

TT: And that hope lies in the extent to which you were practicing artful insincerity. TT: Now's your opportunity to pretend that's what you were gunning for. I suggest you seize it. GT: I… GT: Oh. Yes! But of course. GT: The ironies! GT: Good grief how i was bandying them just now. You know me dude. GT: *Blows smoke off red hot irony pistol.* GT: *NONSUGGESTIVELY!!!!!*

lmaoooo

Alright, I can't actually tell if that was a Freudian slip or not - but I kind of hope it was. If these two became a couple, the vibes would be incomprehensible.

TT: I'm guessing you're probably jonesing for uranium about now. No? GT: Ok can you please just sendificate me some more already?? Im in kind of a hurry! [...] TT: You know. I've offered to construct the rabbit for you many times before. I would craft a much deadlier model. […] GT: Damn it man ive told you this is just something i have to do myself. […] TT: Yeah, I know this is your policy. You've done a good job and you should be proud. TT: But it's my responsibility as your friend to offer one last time. TT: Just as it's my responsibility not to just fork over a bunch of uranium just because you ask me in a moment of weakness. […] GT: Why not??? TT: It's too easy.

Throughout this whole conversation, I've been trying to get a grasp on Bro's general vibe - and I think I'm starting to understand it.

When you're talking to Kid Bro, everything is a game - and he'll make damn well sure that you follow the rules.

Jake previously committed to making the bunny alone, and Bro refuses to rescind that rule, even if Jake's no longer following it himself. He strikes me as a guy who frames every interaction he has as transactional, confrontational, or instructional. He's not capable of just shooting the shit - there has to be an angle.

Mind you, I don't think there's any genuine malice in it. I think this is just how he's wired - and I really do think he's trying to help Jake develop as a person, in his own way.

The problem is, we've been down this road before...

...and nothing good lies down this road.

[zeyris-daydreams]

The Silent Overture; # Fugue [1/4]

Yandere Sunday x Reader.

Part 1 of [The Silent Overture].

General synopsis; don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Or do, and suffer the consequences.

Pay attention to the warnings in the link above, reading it will help you understand the events of this story. Stay hydrated, but most importantly, stay elated!

1. Music

a contrapuntal composition in which a short melody or phrase (the subject) is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others and developed by interweaving the parts.

2. Psychiatry

a loss of awareness of one's identity, often coupled with flight from one's usual environment, associated with certain forms of hysteria and epilepsy.

You haven’t had many expectations. Your legs felt weak from prolonged lack of movement, like bags of sand dragging behind you with each step. You had to wake- you had to wake up.

The ache in the back of your skull persisted, washing down your body in a steady rhythm, pulsing like a tumor. You hated that persistent feeling. The presence of the wall on your fingers was dull, texture hardly registered as you glared towards the neverending traffic on the streets of Penacony. As of now, all that remained was your overbearing urge to vomit — alongside the street light right around the corner. It still was too bright, the back of your eyes in constant pain.

You chose to remain in the alleway, deciding that it wasn’t worth risking being seen by any of the guards. The shadows kept you hidden well enough, and so there was no risk of being spotted from a distance. It didn’t mean however you could just sit here.

You had no time to spare. Each hour that passed worsened the withdrawal at the price of better bodily sensation - like a drug that you were relying on without your own consent.

Your knees nearly bent under the weight of your body, other hand clutching your chest. A hiss escaped you when your bare knees hit the unforgiving ground. You were faintly aware of the cold sweat sticking to your forehead, and the feeling of fire from the inside - it felt like a furnace in there.

Any other person within this “sweet” dream would have woken up at the hotel, but not you, no. Perhaps if you launched yourself to a driving by vehicle, maybe then-

No. If you failed, that would alert the Bloodhound guards. And then - you’d be back to square one. The clothes you donned wouldn’t help the hit much anyway - something unspecified that hung over your body, and socks. Like a mockery of a pyjama - that and underwear.

Your hair stuck to your forehead and you pushed it away to see better - surroundings blurring together.

How long were you hiding here? A day, maybe…? While you traversed a very short distance, it was as though your body was getting ready to go down. It was distasteful, to turn into such a pathetic rag after being regarded so highly once. Once.

As of now, you were deemed dead.

Your breath came in and out in short specks, chest unable to expand fully and constrict fully - akin to an experience of breathing while sleeping.

Self loathing and compassion in your mind were brought to a stop by a hand on your shoulder. The grip was firm, enough to have you tense, jerking your head back. An older man - a bloodhound - alerted you. His brown hair was brushed from his face by his hand. “You okay?”

It didn’t look like you were in trouble, but—

“Yes.” Maybe your tone wasn’t as convincing, and you gripped your head at another wave of a headache. ’You will speak when I allow you to. You will look at me when you speak.’

The man took the cigarette out of his mouth, brow raising. “I don’t think so.”

As you cleared your throat and opened your mouth to speak, the pain persisted. But you had to prevail. After weeks of biding your time and waiting for a chance, you couldn’t— you could not mess this up. “I’m not.. help.. help me..”

He put the cigarette out on the wall, a soft ‘hiss’ as the ashes crumbled to the floor. The item was discarded into a large bin nearby. Meanwhile your body nearly collapsed, and the man caught you by your arms. Silently at first, he pulled you up to your feet. “Let’s not stay out here.”

Your legs followed mindlessly, feet scrambling over the pavement as he led you along. When you walked forward, he looked at you from the side, before continuing on. Your head hung low the entire time, only aware of how the tips of your toes scraped at the ground below with each horrible drag, and how you weren’t pulled out into the bustling street.

The exhaustion was only setting in - the adrenaline having long worn off. You found that the effects of harmony could prolong for days, weeks, months. It was like a never ending source within your mind; once a cancer sets in, it’s unlikely to ever eradicate it fully.

Maybe that’s why your perception of time was so utterly out of place, and you haven’t even realised you’ve already walked through a doorway.

As you tipped your head to look up, you squeezed your eyelids together, your mouth feeling dry. The migraine was ever-present, photophobia only serving to enlarge its effect — making everything look impossible to distinguish. The room looked white, spare for rougher edges of furniture before your vision sharpened. The shapes were clearer and clearer, and you found yourself within an office. One that Bloodhound’s probably worked from, as you’ve seen many alike months ago.

“Name’s Gallagher, by the way.”

He stepped to the desk, using his foot to pull the chair back, before lightly guiding you onto it. Gallagher stepped back, headed for the joint room of this office.

Sat like that you slouched, ignoring the way your throat tightened. ‘You ought to sit properly’, but who cared about that now? You watched your trembling hands, laid on top of your lap. The fingers shook, hot and cool at the same time. The waters of harmony swayed inside you, and the coldness of the outside chilled your weary shell.

You wore close to nothing after all.

The chair you leaned against brought some comfort to your sore muscles. It took a lot of work to even get moving, and like so it took even more effort to keep in motion. The amount of energy you used on even lifting yourself up previously was taking its toll now, your limbs entirely relaxing, dragging your weight down on the chair. A weary sigh left you.

It was the only moment you had to recall the previous event —waiting until the harmony didn’t rest so heavily upon the back of your brain, just to throw it off your mind and body like a weighted blanket you had enough of.

All that effort, and you still didn’t even leave penacony. It must’ve been over a day-

When Gallagher came back, you didn’t bother to look behind, feeling your shoulders be wrapped in a blanket. You welcomed it, grabbing the edges to pull them over yourself properly. “Thanks..”

He murmured something to himself about ‘troublesome young dreamers’, before he sat on the chair behind his desk. Only then did you briefly meet his gaze, noticing he placed a cup of water in front of you. “Drink, kid”

While you wanted to scoff, you merely reached for the paper cup, both hands gripping onto it to bring it to your mouth. Given your expertise, you should have checked the contents. Yet your eyes closed and you tipped your head, greedily downing the contents in huge gulps. Small stream of water ran down the corner of your mouth, dripping onto your skin and some on your plan white shirt. Not plain anymore. Wandering about for hours surely made it disorderly. Oh how he’d hate it.

Only when the cup was empty did you put it down on the table, and - as it was nearly weightless - almost knocked it off the darkened wood of the desk. ‘Officer Gallagher’ the decor on the desk read, showing his elevated position within the hierarchy.

You were cooked. What if you’d been recognised? If they had found out you—

The Bloodhound leaned back in his chair, fingers intertwined together in thought. “What were you doing, out and about?“ It was a matter-of-fact question, one to ask a thief when you were certain of their guilt. Then again, maybe not. Usually the guards don’t find people in your condition. Your eyes were growing weary, but you tried to keep your gaze trained on the desk. Yet your eyelids fell shut, and you opened them once more.

No one would believe you if you said the truth. And if they did, you’d doom yourself more than necessary. He was doing you a favour by not seeking further justice, if you exposed him, you’d expose yourself—

“I don’t-“ Your throat suddenly tightened, “-remember. I’m.. sorry.”

Gallagher thought for a moment, studying you. You couldn’t judge from his expression whether or not he bought that excuse, so you swallowed the thick saliva that pooled in your mouth. Your vision felt strange, everything swimmed. The air in your chest felt hot and dry.

As you blinked you could swear that the bloodhound’s outfit was grey for mere seconds. You were clearly losing it, your vision doubling.

”—Injury maybe, I just can’t remember.” ‘You won’t speak of it to anyone, lest it is to find your way to me.’

Before you spun more elaborate excuses, he waved his hand dismissively. “Nothing to be done about that.”

Your skull felt heavy, threatening to smash into the desk in front of you. Something was off, something was out of place—

It took all your strength to not slide onto the desk, fists tightening on your lap. Reality and tiredness blurred into one. The man stood, and your eyes snapped open again, revealing hints of his now lighter hair.

“It’s not like elaborate tales were ever your strong suit, dove.” You knew that voice, trying so hard to keep your eyes open. Your hand flew to the desk, grabbing the edge to keep you upright. Through your half lined gaze you saw the - now halovian - man regard you.

His clothes were pristine as always, yours— not so much. He oh so lightly and gracefully lifted himself from the seat in all his damned might, hand on the wood as he took a step. “Can’t even do your job right, how..”

The halovians gloved hand held his chin, and he pretended to look for a word he already knew. “..utterly pathetic. The only thing you were good at was laying in soft cushions and being useless.”

His voice carried a sense of mockery. Your elbow bent, having your upper body lean onto the desk. Your mouth opened, but no words came out. Sunday walked around the desk slowly, his shoes sounding out in an already similar way. Steadily he approached your side. His words felt like spoken through a blanket, everything so pleasant and fuzzy.

”But the charade is over, doll. You’re coming back to me.”

Sunday’s hand placed itself on your head, giving it an almost mocking pet, before everything went dark.

[ddarker-dreams]

In Life, In Death.

Enver Gortash x F Reader.

Warnings: Unhealthy relationships, obsessive behavior, imbalanced power dynamics, manipulation and brief mentions of blood. Word count: 2k.

Control. 

In all its variations, this word is what you associate most with the tyrant hiding in plain sight — Lord Enver Gortash.

If it’s an art form, then he’s a virtuoso. The invisible score he weaves needn’t hypnotize the listener, no, they are drawn in willingly. Lured by innocuous and diabolical plans, shackled into place by unchecked ambition. Though they may feel unique in their role, to him, they’re little notes that shall fall silent once the page is turned. 

The full vision behind the overture is unknown to even you. From the snippets you’ve overheard, it leaves a sinister impression. Discordant harmonies promise a dark future. 

You thought you’d find satisfaction in stilling his tongue. You dreamt of the day, yearned for it, like a bride one night away from walking down the aisle. From your current vantage point, you should be seconds away from fully realizing this goal. The control he exudes over himself and others can’t be infallible. Nothing is. 

If the gods can bleed, then so can he. 

If the gods can die, then so can he. 

If your fellow man can kill, then so can you. 

“One thing’s for certain, dearest,” he comments, his tongue unfettered as ever, ���Our evenings together are never dull.” 

Contrary to your wishes, it’s you who is rendered speechless. 

You are hovering above him, the long skirt of the nicest dress you own rising to accommodate the uncomfortable position. Beneath you lies a man whose dark eyes inspire more trepidation across your features than what’s reflected in his own. A perfect politician’s smile accentuates the bags beneath them. The brief struggle — if it can even be described as such — has left his hair more tousled than usual. It’s splayed out against the wooden floorboards of his study. 

When he speaks, his Adam’s apple rises dangerously close to the blade kissing his skin. This is made riskier by how shaky the implement is in your hands. 

“Breathe, darling,” he instructs, stoking your frustration. Only he would have the audacity to make commands of the person holding him at knifepoint. “You’re seconds shy from passing out in a nervous fit. That would be counterproductive to your designs, I take it?” 

Your nostrils flare. “You want to enter the afterlife making insufferable quips?” 

He considers you for a long moment. 

“The delay’s left me with little else to do.” 

“‘Delay,’” you scoff. Your grip around the hilt tightens. “A self-important egoist to the end.” 

“You’ve made up your mind, then?” 

“Long ago.” 

“Hm,” he hums, the low sound resonating in his chest. “I wonder about that. Fantasizing over my death in your head is a far cry from enacting it out yourself.” 

Your eyes narrow into slits. You want to dismiss this as a petty taunt, but you both know that isn’t the case. It’s why his tone lacks condescension — he’s pointing out a fact. Everything is hitting you simultaneously like you’re being doused in an icy pale of water. The soft smile on his face, the steady rise and fall of his chest, how level-minded he remains despite what should be a looming threat.

Then there’s you. 

Sweat beading down your temples, your breathing erratic and your stomach twisting into knots. You’re acutely aware that outside the heavy mahogany doors stands a legion of Banite fanatics. Some disguised as Flaming Fists, the others choosing not to bother. At Gortash’s command, they’d have no difficulty subduing you. The agonies that’d await afterward… you shake your head, willing the thought from your mind. 

Your eyes flicker to the two golden chalices sitting atop his desk. Wanting to build up courage, you downed most of yours, whereas he nursed his. In retrospect, your uncharacteristic indulgence should’ve warned him that something was off. He, playing the kindly host, always offered a vintage bottle during your tête-à-têtes. You rarely took him up on the offer. Alcohol dulls the senses, which you need to keep razor-sharp in his presence. 

“... You saw this coming, didn’t you?” 

Gortash exhales sharply, his eyes gleaming with entertainment. “I expected some form of retaliation. I am the reason your less clever co-conspirators are idling away in the dungeons instead of scurrying about.” 

This makes you bristle.

“They’re my friends, not ‘co-conspirators,’” you hiss, leaning down to glare at him closer. “And they’ve done nothing to earn such a… a… ridiculous sentence! Libel? Treason? Sedition, of all things? What’s next? Blasphemy?” 

“It could be arranged.” 

“Bastard,” you growl. 

“It’s a jest, dear, a simple jest,” he takes a deep breath when you apply pressure to his solar plexus. His eyebrows pinch together from the pain and he coughs. He strains to speak again, though his cadence is unsettlingly calm. “My girl, there’s a great deal in this world you’re ignorant to. Ironic though it may sound now, there was dissatisfaction over your pacifism. Dissatisfaction that almost gave way to drastic measures.” 

Gortash takes your silence as reason to continue. “The Dark Lord and I are in agreement upon your value. The same cannot be said regarding your… compatriots. They lack your finesse — your practicality. Their single-minded pursuit of ‘justice’ had them poking their nose where it doesn’t belong. I can’t abide by such behavior.” 

You grit your teeth. “Then you should’ve come to me, so I could resolve the problem.” 

His response is immediate, requiring no forethought. 

“You’re soft-hearted. Charitable where you should be strict. Why else would they feel emboldened enough to act against your wishes?” 

“I…!” 

He speaks your name, effectively silencing you.

“Answer me this,” his eyes bely a certain intensity that has you swallowing thickly. “How would you see this city become the shining utopia you long so desperately for it to be? Free of poverty, corruption, and injustice?” 

“That’s never the standard I’ve aspired for,” you reply. “If it was, I never would’ve swallowed my pride and worked alongside you. Progress comes in increments. The ills that plague Baldur’s Gate aren’t chronic, the proper alms can lessen the symptoms. Righting the city’s massive wealth disparity is where I’d start.” 

He smiles at you, his eyes creasing with fondness. “My dear, the rich would sooner surrender their souls than their wealth. It’s intrinsic. When faced with outside pressure, they will exert their own, and it will hurt.” 

“I’m aware of the risks.” 

“Are you, though?” He challenges. His voice grates your ears like a drunkard’s warbling. “Your resolve is commendable — I’ll give you that. I have no doubt you’re every ounce of the bleeding heart you present yourself to be. And therein lies the issue. You can’t quell dissent with a slap on the wrist. The bones are better broken, so the hand can never rise against you again.” 

You roll your eyes. “Spoken like a true tyrant.”  

“Is tyranny so terrible?” Gortash cranes his neck upward, forcing you to move your weapon back, lest it break skin. “When I assume the role of Archduke, I won’t inflict suffering for suffering’s sake. The common folk, when left to their own devices, scramble about like livestock; beholden to superfluous pursuits and preyed on with ease. A little order would serve them well.” 

This song and dance rings familiar. 

In undermining his political aspirations, you found your paths crossing more than you would’ve preferred. It’s these ‘coincidental’ meetings that bore what he labels an alliance. You call it a temporary truce. Funds found themselves in the coffers of almshouses, orphanages, and other charitable programs in exchange for your cooperation. Cooperation being loosely defined as a more subtle subterfuge. 

You wet your lips. When did your mouth go so dry? 

“... Truthfully, I’ve never understood why you let a thorn such as myself remain in your side. These aims of yours would’ve been achieved easier with my death.” 

Outside, a bell tolls, revealing the time to be six in the evening. The window pane behind his desk barely muffles the sound of city life. There’s the clank of metal meeting metal and the thumps of arrows finding their targets as the Flaming Fist train. Children can be heard advertising the latest installment of Baldur's Mouth Gazette. A fellow bard strums his lyre and recounts daring tales from Avernus. 

It’s for these folk that you’ve toiled endlessly. You’ve always held the belief that one can rise beyond the circumstances of their birth, so long as they have the resources available to them. It’s a matter of where they get those resources. Amidst the Mistress of the Revels’ enclave, like you, from the Nine Fingers, or worse, among The Dead Three. The options are infinite yet few are good. 

“The answer’s identical to the doubt plaguing you know — ‘what if I’m offing the lesser evil?’” 

Swifter than you can comprehend, his gauntleted hand seizes your wrist. Before a spell can leave your lips, he brings the blade closer, allowing it to nick his skin. Your eyes widen as droplets of crimson gather and trickle down his neck. The setting sun’s rays reflect against the silver weapon, nearly blinding you. When your eyes readjust, you find something about his expression different. Heavier.

“I’ve seen to it that in the event of my death, no harm would befall you,” he speaks without wincing, despite the blade’s tip penetrating his skin. “My estate, research, and Steel Watch; they’d be yours. Whatever painfully altruistic means you put them to are at your discretion.” 

It feels like the air’s been forcefully squeezed from your body. “A bold lie.” 

“In my desk’s bottom-most right drawer, you’ll find a copy of my will proving the opposite.” 

“To what end?” The question comes out breathless. “You’d throw away your life’s work to— to prove a point?” 

He chuckles darkly. “My girl, your ignorance is as endearing as it is perplexing. You can’t see it? The fascination I hold for you that’d drive me to such extremes? My blatant favoritism?” 

Gortash’s grip around your wrist tightens. 

“A death by these untarnished hands…  I’d claim what remains of your innocence for myself. A prize worth the price of admission into the afterlife.” 

Your head aches, throbbing like your brain itself is being squeezed. You break out into a cold sweat. Favoritism? Is that what this is? Can such debauchery align with the word? It’s painfully obvious now; the amusement your indecision provides him. That, along with someone else. Something foreign. A sweet concept that most spend entire lifetimes chasing, twisted into an omen. 

He says your name with enough reverence to stir envy among the divine.

“What shall it be, darling? My ironclad rule or your fleeting paradise?” 

“...” 

Your hand falls limp. 

You wordlessly move to accommodate as he props himself up. Gortash cleans the blood off your knife with a handkerchief. Next, his ornamented fingers find the hair loosened from your updo during the struggle, tucking the stray pieces behind your ear. The interaction feels like it lasts a lifetime. Warily, you eye the weapon in his non-dominant hand. There’s still a chance that this is a ploy, meant to humiliate you in a final violent act. 

As if sensing your thoughts, he raises an eyebrow. “Out of consideration for our partnership, I’ve never done you any harm, have I?” 

“Physical harm is but a single category,” you murmur, the words notably sluggish. 

“True enough,” is his blasé response. He holds his palm open, as if expecting you to relinquish something. When you remain still, he sternly utters your name. “Give me your hand.” 

You obey his command. 

The gold metal forming his claw-like gauntlet is cold against your skin. He closely scrutinizes your hand, manipulating it so he catches every angle. This dedication reminds you of when he’s tinkering with a new invention. The mental notes he takes, how he maps out dimensions and improvements for future iterations. It could be paranoia, but you swear he studies your ring finger with special interest. 

Slowly, while looking you straight in the eye, he presses an open-mouthed kiss against the bruise forming on your wrist.

“Now that that’s settled… was there anything else on your agenda for the evening?” 

[myeyebagsaredesigner]

Uhh, concert band au because I (a former band kid) say so. Here's the bats and co. in a couple situations that I have witnessed or experienced from my time in band.

Alright, in my mind, we got:

Dick on tenor sax, Jason and Tim on trumpet (Tim because he'll probably follow Jason wherever he goes), Damian on clarinet, Steph, Roy, and Babs on percussion, Cass on Euphonium, Wally on trombone, Kon on French horn, and Jon on alto sax. Duke doesn't want to be there but is forced to handle passing out music. And Bruce as conductor, obviously. Bear with me now.

Walking down the halls and transporting instruments after a performance

Dick, rolling a timpani, struggling: "I don't get why I have to take this broken ass timpani. I don't even play it."

Jason, holding a cymbal: "Yeah, good luck with that."

Tim, walking back to the band room: "Dude, that was so bad. I cracked like half those notes."

Damian: "I would've been fine, had my reed not chipped."

Tim: "Yeah, that's the thing to blame."

*Hears a loud thump and turns around, seeing Dick crashed the timpani in the doorway and Jason cackling on the floor*

Tim: *Turns to Damian*

Damian: ".. We were never here."

Kon: *Leaving to get water*

Jon: *Takes his mouthpiece and passes it to the back row*

Jason, taking the metal: "Haha, this is so much funnier when it's not happening to me." *Passes it down the line to Wally*

Kon, coming back: "The fuck? Where's my mouthpiece?"

Bruce: "Alright, horn on measure 15"

Kon: "Where- WHERE'S MY MOUTHPI-"

Duke and Babs chatting:

Roy in the background, gearing up to smack Dick's ass:

Wally: *Playing his music*

Cass, in the middle of rests: *Flips his page upside down*

Wally: *Panic*

Percussion having a lil jam sesh, AKA being called out and worked on by Bruce:

Everyone else: *Silently bopping their heads and dancing every time Bruce looks away*

Duke, in a mocking voice: "Duke, go pass out music! Duke, Collect all the originals! Duke, go find me an overture! Duke-"

Bruce, calling out from his office: "Duke, go make me copies!"

Duke:

Bruce: "Okay Jon, this run we're playing through your solo, so be prepared to go on."

Halfway through the piece, before the solo

Roy: *Farts audibly*

Jon: *Giggles*

Jason and Tim: *Grabbing onto each other in silent laughter*

Steph, head in her hands on the marimba: *Snorts*

Jon misses his entrance and the solo is replaced by silent giggles across the room. Bruce does not stop conducting, sighing in disappointment.

Roy, trying to cover up the boards:

Steph, very much in his way, trying to hump Cass while she packs up her horn:

Bruce: *Working with percussion*

Tim, sighing: "Man, it's always the percussion."

Steph: *Hits him on the head with a drumstick* "You take that back"

Duke, passing out new sheet music: "The fuck is a bassoon? Are any of you a bassoon? What even are you, you all look the same."

*Moves on to brass*

Duke: "Are you a trumpet or a cornet?"

Jason and Tim: *Shrugs*

Duke: "I- whatever, have both."

Duke: "Finally, Cass. Someone reasonable. Are you baritone or euphonium?"

Cass: *Shrugs*

Duke:

Dick and Jon watching a Minecraft parkour video from the phone placed on their stand:

Tim, Jason, Wally, and Cass watching from the row behind them:

Anyone needing to play a solo:

Everybody turning around to stare into their soul:

Jason, minding his own business:

Wally: *Snatches his music and passes it down a row*

Jason: "Hey wait- nO-"

Damian, counting his rests on his fingers: *Looks over to Jon*

Jon, with a different amount of fingers up even though they have the same amount of rests: *Panic*

Damian and Jon, silently communicating and panicking about the rests, both missing their entrance

Jason, squinting at his music: "The fuck? Why the hell is there a 6/8 in here?"

Tim: "How do you count 6/8 again?"

Jason: "That is a very good question." *Mumbling the rhythms to himself* "1 and 2, 3 and, and- no that's not it.. 1 e a 2? 1..2?"

Tim:

Jason:

Jason: "Maybe Damian has the same melody before us."

Tim: "Yeah, let's just listen to him."

[emlan]

DLC

Lies of P: Overture ramblings, a bit scatterbrained but these tend to be fun to read anyway. (I also talk about my ships so B-ware.)

I'm a gamer girl so I did DLC on default difficulty with my trusty Booster Glaive even tho it meant getting stuck on each real encounter for 2-5 hours (I didn't say I was a GOOD gamer girl) But I swapped to ez for final boss just to wrap it up no regrets. I'll use the boss select to fight him proper later… Some Time… I have no idea how you are supposed to beat him solo or even learn it when you are usually seemingly Unkillable with the easymode DEF buff but STILL that moveset can nuke you………………?

Arlecchino is actually the one thing from main game that I dislike (but tolerate bcs sure devs can add a silly batman ref if they want) so I was a bit :| over him getting top billing in DLC. But they gave him a really good design with that cartoon 'stache and exaggerated fur coat so I'll allow it… Phase 1 only tho.

I want similar outfit for P sans coat…. Those ankles at full display and high waist…. loose scarf.... eroi….

In general mobs felt a bit overtuned (the big baboon gorillas especially), but it's possible they balanced for ppl having more NG+ quartz unlocks and I was on a fresh NG for purity.

A big HC win for me is that original Carlo was not the type to don V-necks~ So cute how he's dressed just like papa in both his portraits (white shirt + vest is stock wear for any man this era but please ignore that detail)

Plus Lea confirming [Magpie] P as Cute & Canon ✌ (but also hey! we just met, you can't comment on my shiny collection tendencies)

On the topic of V-necks, Gepp's initial shirt choice for P seemingly got a surprise sickomode buff; But tbh I can see him simply going I Suppose This Is What All Strapping Young Men Would Wear? bcs what would he know. Such a handy cut in general since it also gives Easy Access~ (for heart plucking, I mean) ---

In general I really like the quest handholding in LoP (ie showing a dot when a certain area has Thing to do or NPCs to talk to) but forcibly opening your inventory to show the whistle at the bird sign is a game design crime lol; Most likely not a single playtester thought to use the whistle so they over-corrected to not have the cute secret go to waste, but maybe it would've worked fine just bolding the relevant text for triggering a less intrusive lightbulb to go off for players….

There's just so many cute details… The various animal sound clips at the zoo (love my son receiving some free education), the carousel horses having hit boxes, the lil' carnival mini games in general, multiple babby Spring money shots, the little mini stories you unlock with The Tracker, joyous! (The stories were downers; but it's a cute feature)

The mob designs are all so fun specially the crime against nature Zoo critters, I cracked up fighting the ugly kangaroos only for an extra big and ugly one to emerge. And the elephant protrusion surprise. Best was the very silly swordfish mobs sliding around later 😌 Also went No Wayyy at the waifu sexbot levels of Markonia's arch puppets, love when characters truly know what they're about. If it wasn't for P's type being older men he would've surely had some kind of Awakening getting those shiny butts and thighs shoved into his face~ Love her room with the red lamp district saucy fainting couch overlooking a massive naked angel and a cage [that had] a little girl puppet beside it, a fine pervert presentation. It was nice of her to wear short sleeves so we can see how the puppeteer hand gadget attaches to the arm.... ---

Cutest P moment in DLC was Alexander talking about how since he's able to think it means he's still alive and P doing his big nod in response… My deep son…. (Disappointing to not get to meet another "character" for real, but at least I right away realized it was never gonna happen when he mentioned everything was black around him lol….)

Most brutal part of the DLC is Gemini asking you to show off your new dance moves but then he doesn't actually say anything after you finish your twirl 🥲

Pretty delightful how much "talking" P does in DLC, but since the prompts are explanations of what he's gonna ask about, it kinda comes off as one of those sitcom episodes where someone is whispering to MC what to say while MC is on a date 🤭 Gemini sure has got our back! Super cute all play dead lines he has. They really did deliver on the new Gestures even if the other's aren't voiced.

Antonia's heartfelt letter severely scolding Giuseppe for ignoring Carlo that would've only been met with a super sterile stock reply from the man was soooo good 🥰

There's not much padding to speak of but P's butt look really cute in Veronique's outfit.

Was fun seeing that one large mining puppet type use the crappy floor mines arm that no player has ever bothered to equip on P. The crab/bucket stone tossers adorable.

Lumacchio seemingly sucking up to Simon too… I don't understand how that uncle has so many stans when he is a charisma void. (Maybe he gives off extremely alluring pheromones.)

Kraus hot shame we didn't get more bonding… Dying fisherman hot too… stop robbing me of old men… I had Geppetto pinned as more of a recluse, but him being really salty about Venigni stealing his spotlight prolly means he does enjoy some socializing if it means him getting praise 🤭

The big guardian was prolly my fav boss even though he took longest, had a fair moveset that I understood and that big falling dive that you parry was so satisfying. So tantalizing the wish-granter vision memo possibly referring to RB Carlo.... Not knowing right from wrong but wanting to please would suit him so well.... It sounds too good to be true that that creature would be referenced, but what else can it be about, specially making note of his eye color to the T. ----

They added a bunch of fanservice when it comes to Carlo and Romeo (and Alidoro), but lorewise I don't think we got anything substantial…? In main game, these were the biggest thing I was curious about:

How did Carlo die? DLC made this an even bigger question mark.

What is the rough timeline of events, mainly when did Geppetto trigger the frenzy for real? DLC makes it seem the frenzy has been ongoing for several years so how has it been possible for anyone to live their life in Krat?

Why does the Legendary Stalker memory refer to Gemini as if he's a person? DLC added zero refs to this outside of Gemini remembering they had some kind of relation but keeping it to himself.

What kinda "deal" did Romeo make with Geppetto, and why did Geppetto make him the King of Puppets anyway? (seems a bad idea to put someone that loathes you in a position that could fuck you over but I'm not a certified genius so what do I know…) DLC only shows how he got his hands on Romeo initially.

(btw, the Arlecchino recording at the boat implies to me Gepp was the one that set him free (he mentions talking to a 'maniac')? So I guess they handshaked that Geppetto could get the leftovers when Arle was done icing Lea? I expected us to get daruma Romeo when he talked about how Lea ripped his limbs off, so that murder puppet Only getting fucky with Romeo's arms sure was generous 🙃

On the topic of Carlo dying… right now my mental map is along the lines of;

Alchemists invites him to the Devil's Pit with the intent to kidnap him since his mother was Listener material and thus he might have interesting qualities too. At the Devil's Pit he either got attacked by the Alchemists as planned, or and chaotic accident took place (there are warnings about too much ergo making things dangerous down there). Carlo managed to escape the main scene, but dies on his way back due to injuries and/or acute PD infection from the attack. Lea got news about the sus invitation but she didn't make it in time to stop him from going, hence her 'too late' comment. She doesn't wanna burden Sophia with such an horrible thing happening to a friend so she lied and told her he had passed away from PD [naturally].

~fin~

Shame there will never be clarity here since I doubt they'll spell out the correct answers outside of the game, and I can't see us getting more realdeal DLC (maybe another freebie hat for some occasion)

Lea cool but I'm bothered by how young they made her look, bcs it gives the impression of Carlo and Romeo bonding with a fellow classmate instead of getting taken in by a Mentor figure. I expected an auntie but she is barely old enough to be Big Sister tier 🤔 Love what a tuff and rebellious girl she looks like compared to sweet Sophia in the big Monad portrait, might as well has been wearing full sukeban attire 🤭 Straighten your back young lady! Her feeling bashful about addressing Valentinus as Father was adorable.

Kinda want the deetz if there was some sister drama here… Sophia not using Lea's name in her diary almost makes her sound resentful about having a step-sister. Prolly just awkwardness of her having tried to bond but getting pushed away.

Think that's it for general comments for now…

Do note that I didn't go back and double check any of the notes or lines I'm using as refs, and I might've missed some important documents. So this is close to raw initial impression thoughts :V But obvs I've been musing a bit with other players already.

---- OBNOXIOUS PROBLEMATIC SHIPPER QUARANTINE ZONE STARTS HERE ----

You can't see it but my HP bar has been blinking a critical bright red ever since DLC made Geppetto beat the soncon allegations and I'm still not sure how to recover 🩹

The way the mad man's boat note is worded makes it seem like if puppet Camille hadn't made that final "plea" about getting her child brought to her, he would've just wasted away from depression/apathy from both his family members dying… But here he kicks into high gear "only" to fulfill a misguided favor to her? It sucks bcs now all the ""passion"" of his deranged quest is aimed at Camille and not Carlo (or well, Himself is probably a more correct way to put it. Him being ultra greedy was a charm point.)

I can't say Gepp being a wifeguy comes out of left field since there is that loving memorial outside of Opera House, but it is kinda bizarre how Camille is basically a completely "missable" entity in main game for casual players. Him not referencing her at all in his out-of-it jail cell droning about how they can finally be a family again feels Off when now knowing how much he treasured her. I suppose Camille is automatically bundled in when talking about Family but you should know what I mean.

The child's drawing also implies that Camille built Rosaura as a playmate 'sister' to Carlo which would make her part of their family too yet Geppetto didn't bother finding/remaking her… 🤨 Shouldn't you be taking your family reunion quest more seriously? I would've thought Rosa would have value as a Camille "memento" too….? And even if he doesn't care about that, Rosaura (or a new replica of her) should be included in his family plans just for "show", no?

Makes further sense why he leaves RB Carlo to collect dust at the Hotel postgame since he's not really interested to play house outside of making a checkmark next to the Bring Back Son bullet point. Fortunately I am also keen on onesided scenarios where Gepp bites off more than he could chew with a son that becomes more Attached to him than intended~ (that goes either of the sons 🍴) so I'll live (hopefully).

Still no Mischievous Puppet outfit to buy for us commoners btw. I wont forget this slight, Round8.

[dilf-docs]

I just read all of your works and I loved soooooo much!!!!!!! you're so talented <3

I'm definitely gonna re-read some, but can I ask if you have some autors recommendations?

I hope you're having a good day/night!

thank u so much for your kind words, dear anon, thankful u went thru all of the dilf library 🫶 welcome to town, citizen! hope you enjoy the rest of your stay :) you're free to get ur residency (follow me hehe)

SO unfortunately, i don't read as much as i used to because of the whole writing stuff, but have some recs i fished from my main blog (the one i created before creating this side; have owned it since 2016 or something) @onlythehobi which i use as a sorts of fic library 💌 but it's very messy and goes from bts, to logan to pedro-- you can see when i switched from pedro to hugh and then when my pedro obssesion hit again HELP featuring lots of bts sprinkled in the middle

JOEL MILLER

wants and needs by @strang3lov3

this was so well-written and so sexy. read it yesterday and it altered my brain chemistry thighs clasped hard in public and now i'm the 1 with that problem ijbol

that funny feeling by @bluebeary-jay

touch love deprived soft flustered miller? SIGN ME. THE FUCK. IN

the consequences of us by @josephquinnswhore

raw, next question. possesive old ass dbf joel miller go RAHHH

father figure by @gutsby

yes, sign me for that old man dick. UM, and the tags? u know you're abt to be in for a rideeeeee ALL HAIL PREMATURE EYACULATION

my burning sun will someday rise by @littlcdarlin

just as a i said, i need to be euthanized after i read it. actually, nothing sexier than dbf!joel with u on hornyvacays

an overture of indulgence by @wintrwinchestr

dk if this is up your alley, but if you're a big pedro™ widow like me, this works to soothe the wound a bit

i'm empty without you, so come grow within me by @chronically-ghosted

angst so good, the certified angst whore (me), was too stunned to speak. never been more jealous of such a talented writer, all their fics are just *chef kiss*

make it stick by @gutsby

YES YES PLSPLSPLS GIMME MORE OF THEM their dynamic is so good, i've never wanted old man dick so BAD

snowed in by @v4nillau

pls support my oomfie's sexy ass piece. bring back fun spin the bottle games! while it snowed in with ur dad's hot older best friend

FRANKIE MORALES

the boyfriend act by @capuccinodoll

this series is ruining my life /hj. i love it SO MUCH you guys have no idea i'm literally #1 tba fan GET AWAY likelikelike their dynamic might tire u up a bit BUT it's so complex u need more of it. also, add fake dating to the mix? BEST TROPE (gotta write that up someday). i was already SAT

sweet as by @ak-vintage

babysitting and eating fruit had never been this sexy. anyone named frankie morales need a babysitter for the summer? i katniss-volunteer myself

plea by @javier-pena

real men yearn and watch u touch yourself to them frankie's body description here is so good i want to lick him like an ice cream lollipop melting under the hot summer sun

grocery shopping by @berryispunk

I LOVE PUBLIC SEX wait who said that

nut vid with the sound on by @syd-djarin

what the title says. just read it. you'll thank me later

DIETER BRAVO

you can never keep a soul by @chronically-ghosted

i have such a soft spot for dieter and this balanced between angst, fluff, comedy and sex like REAL GOOD sex. just,,,, tell me where i can get a faux uncle as sexy and messy as our chaotic king and then u can hmu

AND anything by @beefrobeefcal really. their peña and grandpa!joel fics... GO AND READ THEM

done hehehehehhehehe. i promise u, dilf-docs fangirls over stuff too. hope this helps!

[writing-for-life]

Would love to see a post about how Destiny is the worst older brother. Not like, actively, but just because he always fulfills his responsibilities and then treats Dream like a baby for having any difficulty with his. And he also visits the parents and doesn’t ask them for anything. Maybe you’ve already done so!

We also have a serious take/meta now…

Oh you know, I totally think he is the worst brother, older or otherwise 🤣

Getting kind of cozy with the Fates in SoM and calling in that family meeting? Check.

Being the one who both saves but also somewhat dooms Dream several times over (and of course he’s NOT doing either because he’s just… Destiny)? Check.

I mean, do we know what would have happened if he had left Dream in that black hole in Overture instead of going, “Erm, actually, you dropped something in my garden, can you sort out your mess?” That looks so typically older brother who pulls up the little brother to sort out his shit, and then we’re made to believe, “Well, but he was helpful in a way, wasn’t he?” Yes, he was, but someone also had to help setting up that stable loop from which there would be no escape, right? The one where Dream had to be actively pulled out of some shit to land him in it even deeper (of course for the greater good, yeah yeah, we get it). And who better to do that than Daddy Time’s favourite boy Destiny, right?

Wondering how the father/son meetings between Destiny and Time go. I mean, they’re hardly ever happening, because our boy is not annoying. Not as annoying as Dream anyway (but then again, Dream is the one with the mummy-issues, the daddy issues are just the cherry on top). Destiny will probably just check in for that half hour visit every couple of billion years, and Time will go, “Alright son?” And Destiny will be like, “Yup, never better.” “Want a coffee or something?” “Nah, need to run.” Quick awkward nod, done. And Time will have more fuel to go, “See Dream [I can literally hear the contempt in my head], your brother never asks for anything. Not even a coffee.” And Dream will go, “But but… I didn’t want mum’s food either. I didn’t even ask, man, she just tried to force it on me.” <insert mild sob> And all Time will say is, “Don’t call me man, son! Bit more respect, please…”

Or Destiny’s, “I’m your big brother, be sensible”-speech in Brief Lives. Where we all go, “Wow, he actually advises him. Sorta. The way he can. Tells him stuff. Gets rebuffed by Dream, so it’s his own fault really.” But then he turns round and goes, “Yeah, but that most important question, the one about how to find Destruction—sorry mate, we all know I know how, but you’re still on your own and need to ask that oracle. Crap it’s your son, eh? Sorry, I abide by my rules and responsibilities. Shit, do I recognise this somehow? Never mind…” And when Dream goes, “Nope, I don’t want to do this,” Destiny says, “Atta boy, finally you’re being sensible, well done. Knew you’d get there in the end.” And then Del steps in, tells Destiny off for always doing everything by the book (d’uh!) but unfortunately also gets Dream back on his feet, and Destiny just turns round, shrugs his shoulders and inwardly goes, “Guess I tried, huh?”

They’re a funny bunch.

Also, the real dilemma is they have ongoing beef about a coffee spill on a dream record, but that’s info Dream only shares with his therapist…

[If we wanted to be serious about it for a sec: I’d love to see more people exploring how we always talk about Desire as the main antagonist but sort of never about the others. When they are all fairly good at putting the final nails into Dream’s proverbial coffin by mere being their function (when Desire is the one who actively disengages when the shit hits the fan). Never mind, always getting carried away with that one 🙈]

@hyperboreancomics ask answered

[sunny-honeytears]

So I wrote this down and forgot to do it as a reblog but I'm too lazy to insert every picture again, so here is my experience with the og vienna cast recording on spotify👍 (only act1 because you'll see how much I wrote just about that)

disclaimer(ish)? I wrote every opinion while, or immediately after listening to a song, so a lot of the times I go back and correct myself, or change my opinion, but hey atleast it's authentic. Also I compare it a lot to the hungarian recording because I heard that dozens of times and that's what I am used to.

Enjoy I guess, this is a long one!

Overture: Great 10/10 i love it in every language, has a bit different vibe than the hungarian version with more bass, I like both👍

He ho he: I actually *really* enjoyed that! Alfred has a nice voice that reminds me of Héger Tibor who is my favourite Alfred so thats great 10/9 only because I prefer the edge the hungarian version has to it its just a teeny tiny bit more sharp imo, and for me nothing tops the mic peaking scream Alfred lets out there. But overall amazing so far!

Knoblauch: Fhuuuu lot to unpack here for me. I'm definitely getting used to the german, which I don't here a lot of in a daily basis becasue hehe Hungary, but I'm trying to not view it as strange therefore bad, it has a lot of great moments but I'm used to the flow of hungarian. Now, I really don't know how to feel about professor right now. If you have seen my page, I *LOVE* hungarian professor, but so far.. I don't love this version. Alfred is still cute tho, but I miss his dumb little laugh when he says the line about Magdas breasts, somehow that made me like him even more. Also, Chagal. I have a mixed but mostly positive relationship with him in the hungarian, he has a very fun way of singing changing his range all the time, but so far he irritates me sorry😅 But yeah 10/7, Knoblauch 👍

Bitte meine Herren: LOVE ALFRED, starting to like professor👍This is a kind of a nothing number because it's mostly dialouge but yeah very solid 10/8

Eine schöne Tochter: Man I really don't like Chagal😭 Just the way he sings triggers something deep ick in me. Funnily enough the hungarian version is one of my favourite songs so just for that 10/5

Ein Mädchen, : ALFRED ❗❗ IN MY BED❗❗NOW❗❗ I love his voice😭😭. Sarah is also really great, professor and chagal are...ehhh..there. Rebecca *chef kiss* And the chorus whaaaaaaa 10/10 👍👍

Gott ist tot: I....i actually prefer Egyházi Géza sorry. I knew going in that I'm going to be very biased for Egyházi Géza because well...yes. But while I didn't dislike the song, I actually liked it, nothing tops his performance for me. The hungarian version is more...what is the right word.. soft? Flowy? Really hard to explain because I'm not an expert but to me german is a harsher sounding language than hungarian and because they are both from different language families, it's hard for me to relate to something so different. This doesnt mean the german version is bad❗❗I love the chorus part it's very eerie, maybe even more than the hungarian but I still prefer that over this. Regardless 10/8👍

Alles ist hell: Love love love the start 😭 Koukol I...don't like so far but for me he really peaks in act2 so all I'll say is please don't wheeze into my ears 10/8 for the wheezing

Warheit: Yeah uh...I don't like professor. It's a very delicate matter because essentially he sings the same way as hungarian professor but **something** is missing that makes him lovable in my eyes. Also just singing "logic" is weird for me, and for that I actually prefer the hungarian lyrics which is "Ténytől tényig, ez visz az igazságig- From fact to fact this leads to the truth" but thats really not something I can complain about. I love when the others starts singing too, it really elavates the whole number to a 10/8 jegercsik csaba hit that high note better imo

Du bist wirklich sehr nett: I prefer Héger Tibor here. Somehow he captured that exact tone of being terrified but also infatuated with Sarah (and my actual flirting skills) for me nothing beats his "goodnight" at the start. Sarah is great and I really enjoy her so far so this is a strong 10/9 for me 💪

Einladung zum Ball:

We both know what im about to say

Guys I actually prefer Egyházi Gé-🔫🔫

Amuuuugy..I like this. German fits here well and you know what this is 10/10❗❗

Draussen ist Freheit: Why is three songs mixed together here?? Okay so I'm just gonna mirror translate the hungarian names here and write my opinion in that order💪

Life awaits us outside: Alfred im still not seeing you in my bed/j 10/10 you know what? I might prefer this to the hungarian version (but just might)

Red boots: the start is way rougher in hungarian, and that i prefer, but the instrumental part is just as mindblowingly beautiful to me in both versions so I already give it 10/10 just for that👍 Also I'm easing up to Krolock, it might have been the Gott ist tot song that I didn't enjoy because this is beautiful! Still prefer hungarian but at this point are you even surprised I just really like the hungarian version

Prayer: Beautiful 10/10 without question. I love Alfred joining in, I heard it louder in the hungarian version, here I don't know if he even joins in but he probably does so I love that here too👍👍 Also in this i really enjoyed Krolock and Sarah

Wuscha Buscha: Once again in hungarian its two different songs so-

The chase of Sarah: Alfred more energy ❗ more passion❗ more energy❗ Rebecca gets it. Rebecca gets it so much. Even Chagal weirdly. 10/8

Wuscha Buscha: professor stop singing WHO SAID THAT??? I love the bit when Alfred and professor geek out together and *that* part, that part was good. But other than that professor-

Rebecca I LOVE YOU and I hope she had a very happy life after her whole family dies <3 overall 10/8

Tot zu sein ist komisch: Now I actually don't really care for this song in hungarian so I was pleseantly surprised here. Now this is a song german suits better imo so just for that it gets a 10/10 because I finally fully enjoy the song. But its also multiple songs soooo

The chase of Chagal: I want to know what professor and Alfred say. Does professor give an F to Alfred for messing up the ribs? Do they joke around? I need to know. Alfred you are doing amazing I love you sweetie <3 10/9

By the way is it ever explained why Alfred never hits on 3? Is he just afraid or is there like another reason? Anyways back to rating

Durch die Wildnis zum Schloss: very solid 10/10 💪💪 I'll never forget when I saw it in live and heard the door open behind us, so I turned around and we stared at eachother with the guy in vampire costume like this 👁👄👁 then he did some slutty dance moves infront of us and exited and for that I respect him

Vor dem Schloss: Krolock loves yapping and is definitely not a vampire guyssss hes just emoo..This Krolock is growing on me slowly but surely but still egyházi géza grrr..

I miss the loud BOO Krolock does but we can't have it all, professors voice still gives me the ick, I like the singing but not the plain dialouge, HOWEVER

Herbert Herbert Herbert Herbert Herbert

At first Herbert was the reason I came to the fandom so just him appearing deserves a 10/10

Koukol's "bleh" deserves a bonus point its to precious

Krolocks flirting with Alfred is very beautiful very powerful so this song is a 10/10 with the added +1 of the bleh. If we dont count Herbert and Koukol, its a 9/10💪

Act 2 review is coming soon guys please don't kill me 👍

[cyclogenesis]

o/! for the DVD commentary meme, can I hit you with the last few paragraphs of Every Single Other Universe? From "Which bird hieroglyph did you want to know how to pronounce?" through to the end. (Also, if you have anything to say about the bit where Wade compliments Logan's eyes and Logan gets all flustered about it, I love that little exchange very much.)

DVD commentary on those bits from Every Single Other Universe behind the cut for the meme, thank you for asking! 🥰

“This is darling. Look at them, baby’s first slaughter!” The red-suited menace made up, in one way or another, of their DNA, whirls through a crowd of bad guys, cleanly slicing someone in half with a katana and then catching the guy foolishly trying to sneak up on them from behind with three adamantium claws to the face. Sick! Wade couldn’t be prouder. “Do you think they look more like me or you? I hope they have your eyes. You have such pretty eyes.” “Oh,” says Logan, looking a little flustered. “Thank you.” Give Logan a minimum of three compliments a day every day for the rest of our lives, Wade mentally notes. Not perverted ones. Well, still perverted ones, can’t help those. But non-abs-related ones too. Logan’s looking away all shy like he must now hide his confirmed pretty eyes, but Wade saw that brief second of blushing chibi Logan and it was everything to him.

This is such a good thing to highlight because it's a key moment in the whole relationship development journey and Wade tooootally misses it. 🥲 I think Wade is such a special type of pansexual disaster because he knows how to flirt with women, like, he has the playbook for that based on when he grew up and, I imagine, coasting on a pretty face for a long-ass time, as we see with how relatively easy he gets with Vanessa (fair and I get it).

He also wants to fuck men, though, and unfortunately he is fucking terrible at communicating that. Just loses all ability to be a Real Boy and goes full Haha...Unless??? clown mode with over-the-top horniness. Unfortunately the balls-in-holes-esque innuendos are not treated as the mating overtures they are due to men being so afraid to experience a queer feeling that they take it all as a joke. A tragedy.

So, anyway, every horny thing Wade says about a man is something that he means and would follow through on given the opportunity in my opinion. Logan reads it all as meaningless homosocial tomfoolery, because of society and because Wade uses humor as a coping mechanism to protect himself from being Perceived.

And THUS, Wade hitting him with an obviously sincere compliment that's not about his tits or abs or dick throws him for a loop because first of all nobody compliments him genuinely like that ever because they'd have to be nice to him in the first place to do that, but also because, combined with their in-progress Grand Tour of Happier Thems, he is for the first time realizing that...maybe...Wade has been serious about all of it? Oh fuck, wait, wait oh fuck oh god, etc.

But what Wade takes away from this is just to try to come up with similar compliments so he can watch Logan be adorably shy and also to make him happy, not to pull back on the flirting that Logan can take as a joke. So close, buddy. So close.

Also Hugh Jackman has pretty eyes. I love hazel eyes! I have hazel eyes and I think they're neat. It's like, pick one color and stick with it! They can't though. They're not gonna.

Lazily stroking the base of Wade’s skull like he just enjoys the way Wade’s skin feels, Logan asks, “Which bird?” “Hmm?” “Which bird hieroglyph did you want to know how to pronounce? There are fifty-four of them.” “Fifty-four?!” Wade asks. Like it’s not emotionally devastating enough that Logan fucks like a pro and also wants him back, he has to be reminded that Logan is also smart as hell and has a whole entire multi-century history that Wade gets to learn about. God, this rules. “Okay, just FYI we might have to do a hot professor roleplay at some point. Where you actually teach me stuff because this is interesting but then also we fuck. Or maybe like an Indiana Jones thing. I’m ideating. Uh, whichever bird’s your favorite.”

First of all, I love comparing men to cats, and I think Logan would like the way Wade's skin feels and would enjoy nuzzling up on him. Headbutt. Scent mark. Purr. Etc.

Second of all, I did a really unnecessary amount of reading about hieroglyphics to get to this. I had to download multiple font packs to get everything to show up correctly. Here's G48:

Look at those little fuckers! Effervescent. I also was unaware that there were 54 bird hieroglyphs before I looked into this, the Ancient Egyptians were out here with bird feelings. This is a good sign list, treat yourself to the Gs. G33 is an egret and it means "tremble"! Girl, what.

Anyway, Logan was definitely low-key swept up in 1920s Egyptomania when King Tut's tomb was found, but took about thirty years to stop feeling like a dweeb about wanting to go to college. This has always been a very, very small field of study and only a few universities offer it as a Ph.D. Logan got his at NYU and spent some time with the Beatniks, fucked Jack Kerouac, got annoyed by hippies, and then left the US for awhile to work on some digs in Egypt before the sunshine got to be too much for him and he had to get away from the equator. He still keeps up with the field and continues to find hieroglyphs and logographic writing systems in general immensely appealing.

Logan is bad at role-playing but a pretty good teacher when it's a subject he loves. He and Wade try a professor/student thing but they get so deep in the weeds with the phonograms and determinatives that they forget to fuck. Couple goals: read the Book of the Dead together in the original hieroglyphs. Am I right???

(I also went to NYU and on a weekly basis daydream about an AU version of myself that went for Archaeology instead of an English degree. Should I go back to school?)

“G48. Three ducklings in a nest,” Logan says. Oh, he had that one in his back pocket ready to go. Wade looks forward to asking him many future questions about his favorite random things. Books, colors, flowers, decades, Pokemon. He might have to guide him through that last one, but he’s also thinking it’ll probably be Pikachu for a variety of reasons, mostly aesthetic. “It looks like they’re dancing. Translates to something like nest or pond. Pronounced like sesh but varies depending on context.”

The amount of research I had to do before I felt comfortable with that last line...I think it's right. I think.

I was iffy on the Pokemon reference because it's just out of my own age range and Wade is older than me, but it won out due to Ryan Reynolds voicing Pikachu in the Detective Pikachu movie. Also the Wolverine costume and Pikachu share a yellow and black color scheme and I find that funny.

This is a brand new feeling Wade’s having right now. Kind of an…academic horniness? Is that a thing? This is so exciting. Wade can’t wait to find out all the other ways Logan can make him weirder. And all the ways he can make Logan weirder. Oh hell yeah. Hell yeah. Not that he’s biased or anything, but Wade’s pretty sure this is going to be their best universe of all.

Academic horniness is a thing!! Not just for me, probably? Also couple goals is gradually merging into a little freak ball via weirdness fractalling over several centuries. Hell yeah.

Wade is biased, I actually think the South of France Besties 4eva universe is the best one, much less trauma and more of my favorite beach ever in Cannes. But I'll let him have this one, the old romantic.

Thank you for asking!! Hope this was enjoyable to read ♥️

[acespaceacepilot]

i'd bleed for anything if it held me the right way 🩸🗡️💥 a wyll/astarion playlist on spotify

(song list + lyrics that made me chose them below the cut)

man or a monster (feat. zayde wølf) - sam tinnesz

it's so hard to tell which side you're on / one day is hell, the next day is the dawn / the lines are blurred, you keep rubbing your eyes / the tables turn, now it's time to survive

eat your young - hozier

i'm starving, darling / let me put my lips to something / let me wrap my teeth around the world / start carving, darling

until it doesn’t hurt - mother mother

i wanna fight, i wanna bite / i wanna swallow all the light / but i'ma stay right here / i'ma stay inside / i'ma just sit tight for another night / if i can't make it right / then i won't make it worse / i'ma just sit tight until it doesn't hurt

biting down - lorde

skip a hit, don't make a sound / (it feels better biting down) / breathed so deep i thought i'd drown / (it feels better biting down) / listen to the beats resound / (it feels better biting down)

furthest star - dirt poor robins

behold the day she found me here / so near the end of love's career / i feared every flower that appeared / had been uprooted by my peers / but then my autumn prayers were heard / just before the frost emerged / and i'll have my just deserts / when, once again, i'm next to her

flesh and bone - black math

break the truth inside of me / climbed down to hell on the devil's tree / i clutched a branch of soot and flame / the thought that rose, to scorch my feet

de selby (part 2) - hozier

what you're given, what you live in / darlin', it finds a way to live in you / and your heart, love, has such darkness / i feel it in the corners of the room

my body is a cage - arcade fire

my body is a cage / that keeps me from dancing with the one i love / but my mind holds the key / you're standing next to me / my mind holds the key / i'm living in an age / that calls darkness light / though my language is dead / still the shapes fill my head

gilded lily - slowed + reverb - cults

now it's been long enough to talk about it / i've started not to doubt it, just wrap my head around it / i remember when you told me it's an everyday decision / but with my double vision, how was i supposed to see the way? / haven't i given enough, given enough? (x4) / always the fool with the slowest heart

dispense with sentiment - we are scientists

i've been turning this over in my head / but i've been trying not to pick it apart / it's an overture to something, i guess / but i'll be goddamned if i can say to what / it's like i'm winding up to speak / for the first time in weeks / i'm trying to make sense / can we start again / and drop our defenses? / it might just be best / if we start dispensing with sentiment

graveyard whistling - nothing but thieves

all that afterlife / i don't hold with it / all your gods are false / just get used to it / let's go out tonight / kill some stubborn myths / set those ghosts alight, get into it. // ok, i admit / i'm not innocent / i did everything and i would again

crying wolf - julien baker

'cause i'm not crying wolf / i'm out here / looking for them / in the morning when i wake up / naked in their den / i'll swear off all the things i thought / that got me here / in the evening / i'll come back again

blood bank - bon iver

that secret that we know / that we don't know how to tell / i'm in love with your honor / i'm in love with your cheeks / what's that noise up the stairs babe? / is that christmas morning creaks?

bite the hand - boygenius

who do you think you are? / who do you think i am? / what do you wanna say? / what do you think will change? / maybe i'm afraid of you (x2) / i'll bite the hand that feeds me (x2) / bite the hand (x2) / bite the hand that needs me (x2)

metaphor - the crane wives

don't look too hard 'cause you won't like the scars he left in me / i've gotten good at making up metaphors / i've gotten good at stretching the truth out of shape / and all these words are sweet and meaningless / you can't trust a single thing i say

various storms & saints - florence + the machine

i'm in the throes of it / somewhere in the belly of the beast / but you took your toll on me / so i gave myself over willingly / oh, you got a hold on me / i don't know how i don't just stand outside and scream / i am teaching myself how to be free

savior complex - phoebe bridgers

baby, you're a vampire / you want blood and i promised / i'm a bad liar / with a savior complex / all the skeletons you hide / show me yours, and i'll show you mine

see the day - the altogether

the sleeping slip has begun to fray / i never thought i'd see the day / the pious hunter stops stalking prey / i never thought i'd see the day

myth - beach house

if you built yourself a myth / you'd know just what to give / what comes after this / momentary bliss? / the consequence / of what you do to me / help me to name it

posthumous forgiveness - tame impala

ever since i was a small boy / no one else compared to you, no way / i always thought heroes stayed close / whenever troubled times arose / i didn't know, ain't always how it goes / every single word you told me / i believed without a question, always / to save all of us / you told us both to trust / but now i know you only saved yourself

slowing down - the backseat lovers

whisper in my ear / that you need me / but if you saw it clearly / would you leave me? / i'm honest to you / but i'm lying to myself / and i don't wanna hear it / it has something to do / with the balance of my blood / and when i'll have to spill it

only - ry x

coming from the cold / buried under heat / lay you on the floor / i was only falling in love / cut me like a rose / turn me like a beast / hold you to the floor / i was only falling in love

daylight - david kushner

tellin' myself it's the last time / can you spare any mercy that you might find / if i'm down on my knees again? / deep down, way down, lord, i try / try to follow your light, but it's night time / please, don't leave me in the end

touch - sleeping at last

i know, i know the sirens sound / just before the walls come down / pain's a well-intentioned weatherman / predicting god as best he can / but god, i wanna feel again

will anybody ever love me? - sufjan stevens

will anybody ever love me? / for good reasons / without grievance, not for sport / will anybody ever love me? / in every season / pledge allegiance to my heart / pledge allegiance to my burning heart

holy lover - keaton henson

i think i love you / baby, please, don't be afraid of me / i think i love you / and oh, holy lover / i'll be the colors i can't see / and i will try harder / avail my father, live every need / and i've been so lonely / oh, please, just hold me so i can sleep

true love will find you in the end - someone, benjamin longman

but how can it recognize you / if you don't step out into the light, the light / don't be sad i know you will / don't give up until / true love will find you in the end

the moon doesn’t mind - lord huron

the sky doesn't care what my poor heart wants / and the desert can't hear my cries / the moon doesn't mind that i'm left all alone / and she's gone, gone

my love mine all mine - mitski

'cause my love is mine, all mine / i love, my, my, mine / nothing in the world belongs to me / but my love, mine, all mine

to build a home - the cinematic orchestra, patrick watson

this is a place where i don't feel alone / this is a place where i feel at home / 'cause, i built a home / for you / for me / until it disappeared / from me / from you

[alchemistoftheend]

The Piper (Case #9220611)

Pre-Statement

Statement of Staff Sergeant Clarence “Lucky” Berry, regarding his time serving with Wilfred Owen in the Great War.

Original statement given November 6, 1922.

Date of Event(s): 1917-1918

Statement

Wilfred was the only person he knew that ever saw The Piper

tf does he have against poets???

“There was an emptiness to it and every time he tried to put the war into words it just sounded trite, like there was no soul to what he had to say”

Wilfred had a habit of trailing off and tilting his head when reciting his poetry, as though his attention had been taken by a far-off sound

They were assigned to attack the Hindenburg Line near Savy Wood, pushing towards trenches on the west side of St Quentin.

Wilfred was unusually quiet, Lucky attempted to raise his morale but he shushed the Sergeant, and turned his head to listen.

“At the time I didn’t know what it was he was hearing but it kept him silent”

During the charge, Lucky got caught in barbed wire and saw Wilfred

standing, blank-faced, and his head swaying to some silent rhythm.

then he heard it, a faint, piping melody

“It’s whistling tune was unmistakable, and struck me with a deepest sadness and a gentle creeping fear”

There was a single gun shot, hitting Wilfred before he was hit by a mortar shell, he didn’t return with the wounded soldiers

A week and a half later, a scouting party found Wilfred in a crater along with the remains of Joseph Rayner

a man had just died, and nobody had noticed except Wilfred

“I met the war.”

He said it was no taller than he was and had three faces. One to play its pipes of scrimshawed bone, one to scream its dying battle cry and one that would not open its mouth, for when it did blood and sodden soil flowed out like a waterfall. Those arms not playing the pipes were gripping blades and guns and spears, while others raised their hands in futile supplication of mercy, and one saluted. It wore an olive green, wool coat, underneath—where it was not stained black—was a body beaten, slashed and shot and until nothing remained but the wounds themselves.

The piper came to claim Wilfred, who begged for his life.

It paused its tune before offering him a pen.

Wilfred knew he would live to play its tune but it would return for him one day.

Wilfred was wearing the same look he had before the shell hit and for a moment I could have sworn I once again heard that music on the breeze

Since then, every time they went over the top he watched the soldiers faces

A few of the men seemed distant, and were slightly tilting their heads, like they were listening to the distant music

Those men never returned

to pay the piper

the debt of Hamelin, who for their greed had their children taken from them, never to be returned.

I began to wonder: were we the children stolen from their parents by The Piper’s tune? Or were we the rats that were led to the river and drowned because they ate too much of the wealthy’s grain?

Even now, I can’t hear Exposure without being back in that damned trench at wintertime.

“I can say without a word of a lie that across all the war I never saw a soldier fight with such ferocity as I saw in him that day”

I hasten to add that that statement is not given in admiration – the savagery I saw in him as he tore into a man with his bayonet… I’d just as soon forget it

I could have sworn that I saw him cast a shadow that was not his own.

“Almost over now, Clarence,” Wilfred said

He sat there staring quietly for some time, Clarence could I knew he was listening to The Piper’s tune.

Wilfred Owen died crossing the canal at Sambre-Oise two days later.

He stopped turned to Clarence with a smile on his face

At that moment, a trickle of blood start to flow from an opening hole in his forehead.

But here, the bullet hole simply opened, like an eye, and he fell to the ground, dead.

It was on that day the first overtures of peace were made between the nations,

Clarence believed that very moment, when Wilfred fell, that the peace was finally assured.

Post-Statement/Thoughts

There are no follow-ups for this statement as it is too old

Jon feels like he’s heard the name ‘Joseph Rayner' before

Let’s start with the entity of this episode, the slaughter

war and what not

First of all, Wilfred Owen is a real man who wrote war poetry and died a week before Armistice

tbh i’m a little scattered brained and don’t know where to start

not that this episode was overwhelming i’ve only sleep for about 2 hours

anyways, let’s start with the description of war/the slaughter

three heads

play its pipes of scrimshawed bone

scream its dying battle cry

one that would not open its mouth, for when it did blood and sodden soil flowed out like a waterfall.

The slaughter seems to also be associated with music

a faint, piping melody that silenced those who hear it and condemns them to die

it’s also disturbing to those who hear it

Lucky describes the feeling as “striking me with a deepest sadness and a gentle creeping fear” and the music brought Wilfred to tears

Wilfred Owen’s Exposure, now i could analyze this poem but it’s 7:28 am on a Monday so moving on

to pay a piper: an idiom that means to face the consequence of one’s actions/decisions esp when accepting the responsibility of choosing a particular course of action

Originating from the story “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”

the town on hamelin gets overrun by rats, spreading disease and ruining crops. the townspeople try to exterminate them and failed. Then, a man named Pied Piper offers to solve the problem using his magical pipes. The people agree to pay him and with his tunes lire the rats into into the Weser river and they drown. however, when the piper came back to town the people refused to pay him liked they had agreed, feeling betrayed piper decided to get his revenge. the next day, as the townspeople gathered in the church piper plays a different tune on his pipes to lure the children out of the town never to be seen again

so to pay the piper: the debt of Hamelin, who for their greed had their children taken from them, never to be returned

When Clarence says “were we the children stolen from their parents by The Piper’s tune? Or were we the rats that were led to the river and drowned because they ate too much of the wealthy’s grain?” i know that certainly means something 🫤

i’m so tired pls help

context woohoo, so when the slaughter or i guess the piper takes soldier were they being punished for the own greed for the greed or someone else’s

something something music

this was weird “but here, the bullet hole simply opened, like an eye”

it’s probably a stretch to say that this was the referencing the entity, the eye but idk

also wtf would The piper/slaughter give Wilfred a pen

“The piper came to claim Wilfred, who begged for his life. It paused its tune before offering him a pen. Wilfred knew he would live to play its tune but it would return for him one day”

ok now that i think about i believe this has to do with wilfred’s war poetry

i don’t know how to put it but i think the pen was for the Wilfred to immortalize the war. He wrote poetry well before he met the piper but at best it was described as trite, like there was no soul to what he had to say, but then after his encounter with the slaughter his poetry gains widespread popularity. Lucky (Clarence) himself, who described his work was lifeless, later says that he couldn’t help but feel like new works sent him back to being stuck in those icy, barren trenches

[droughtofapathy]

The DroughtofApathy Theatre Awards Nominations:

Best Ensemble Stereophonic Jaja's African Hair Braiding Merrily We Roll Along Illinoise

Best New Song "Evanesce," Days of Wine and Roses (Adam Guettel) "Masquerade," Stereophonic (Will Butler) "East of Eden," Stereophonic (Will Butler)

Bad Accent Eddie Redmayne's Muppet Voice Whatever the fuck Jeremy Jordan was doing Colton Ryan's Muppet Voice from last season, I'm still not over it

Diva Performance of the Year Jennifer Simard, Once Upon a One More Time Jessica Lange, Mother Play Emily Skinner, Suffs

Most Incredible Scene Transition The I Need That home cleanup transition Opening up Jaja's African Hair Braiding shop Mary Jane's apartment set lifting up to reveal the hospital set Doubt revolving set Appropriate house falling into shambles with a tree and everything De-renovating the Broadway Theatre after Here Lies Love flopped

Most Beautiful Woman On Stage Bebe Neuwirth, Cabaret Kelli O'Hara, Days of Wine and Roses (bonus points for The Hours) Jessica Lange, Mother Play Anika Noni Rose, Uncle Vanya

Moment So Horrifyingly Bad I Physically Recoiled Eddie Redmayne as the Emcee singing "Tomorrow Belongs to Me" BEFORE the party Everything Gayle Rankin did on that stage "My name is Ponyboy//I'm the youngest of the three," lyric from The Outsiders The Hell's Kitchen book being allowed on Broadway at all

Most Hated Sound Designer Gareth Owen, The Who's Tommy Jon Weston, The Wiz Gareth Owen, Hell's Kitchen (hey, a doubly-bad showing) Brian Ronan, The Great Gatsby, but specifically those gunshots

Floppiest Flop Show How to Dance in Ohio Lempicka Here Lies Love Grey House Once Upon a One More Time

Weirdest Marketing/Publicity/Social/Design Decision How to Dance in Ohio only emphasizing "AUTISM REP" over everything that might have drawn in any kind of crowd at all.

The Lempicka social media team just straight-up lying with their pull-quotes and then doubling down and getting snide.

Broadway producer Greg Nobile's twitter discourse.

The Cabaret social media brand refusing to acknowledge Bebe Neuwirth exists and is the only thing holding that show together.

Who did the Days of Wine and Roses cast album design and like...why?

Can You Spell Miscast? Eddie Redmayne, Cabaret Gayle Rankin, Cabaret Eden Espinosa, Lempicka Basically all of The Wiz Doubly so for The Great Gatsby

Star-in-the-Making Sarah Pidgeon, Stereophonic The Grey House kids Hannah Cruz, Suffs Amber Iman, Lempicka Anna Zavelson, Encores! The Light in the Piazza (not Broadway, but I said what I said)

Criminally Underutilized Older Character Actress Jayne Houdyshell, Uncle Vanya Emily Skinner, Suffs Andrea Burns, The Notebook Beth Leavel, Lempicka Mia Katigbak, Uncle Vanya Bebe Neuwirth, Cabaret

Worst Audience Behavior The couple who stayed on their phones the whole time at The Wiz.

The guy who started screaming and fighting at the top of act two at Hell's Kitchen.

The drunk women at Melissa Etheridge who were singing and flailing the whole show.

Shrieking girls at Bad Gatsby whenever the leading man did anything.

Family in front of me at Heart of Rock and Roll.

Guy behind me at Cabaret crunching wine chips through all of act two.

Iconic Merch Item Rosie the Elephant, Water for Elephants: she's so soft and well-made and perfect and I love her and need her. Great American Bitch clothing, Suffs Mother Hat, Mother Play Tissue box, The Notebook

Moment that Had Me in Tears When *spoiler* off-stage, Jaja is taken in by ICE and her daughter can't find her and may face deportation herself.

Merrily We Roll Along overture.

Mary Jane breakdown over the music therapist.

All of Maryann Plunkett's masterful performance in The Notebook.

Me going home to sob over how they butchered Cabaret.

Kimberly Akimbo final performance, it might've opened last season, but fight me

Reading an article on the opening of the Bad Gatsby where a car hit a pedestrian right next to where all the celebrities were getting their photos taken and no one noticed. (tears of laughter-pedestrian was not hurt badly)

Single Best Costume Emily Skinner's Dorothy Louden coat Jennifer Simard, titties up and out as the Stepmother Sara Gettlefinger's fun jumpsuit and headscarf combo Anika Noni Rose entrance blue gown with the plunging neckline and deep v back Bebe Neuwirth's little pink nightie and phenomenal shawl Kate Baldwin's off-the-shoulder outfits in the regional production of A Little Night Music

Best Playbill Design Stereophonic - 10/10 no notes Suffs - Like the art style Illinoise - I really like the colors and art style Here Lies Love - I like the colors

Worst Playbill Design Cabaret - you should be ashamed of yourself. Not even the title Doubt - I know there was a last-minute replacement, but c'mon Lempicka - whoever did this should be taken out back and shot Spamalot - it's just the same damn design as the original, but brighter and worse

Tony Snub Laurie Metcalf, Grey House Jennifer Simard, Once Upon a One More Time Chip Zien, Harmony Days of Wine and Roses, Best Musical Grey House, Best Scenic Design of a Play

Cars on Broadway The Bad Gatsby cars that actually drive The Lempicka silver car that isn't green and doesn't drive The Illinoise concept car made out of props and actor's bodies The Back to the Future car that files and spins and shit

[kmomof4]

Word from your wips: smirk

Thanks for playing, Randi! Sorry it took me so long to answer, I kept forgetting! Oh, man... thanks to the sprint game a couple of weeks ago, I now have SIX official WIPs... 🤦🏻‍♀️😱 I've NEVER had that many before!! Now to see how many you hit!

A Scoundrel... Or a Gentleman- CS fic coming soon, tentative drop date in early May, inspired by Francesca Bridgerton's story.

Alice huffed. “Her dance card will surely be filled by then. You should go now.”

Killian gave her his signature smirk, designed to make her forget whatever she was fixated on at the moment, and set his glass down on a nearby table. 

“Now why would I do that,” he said, gallantly with a deep bow, “when I can dance with you instead?”

Her expression changed quickly to amusement. “You rascal.” But she didn’t protest when he led her out to the floor. 

He knew he’d pay for this tomorrow. The society matrons were already circling him for the kill, and there was nothing they loved better than a rake who doted upon his mother. 

The Arena- Werewolf fic for the @cssns dropping on July 3.

Nothing there

Return to Me- Dracula inspired fic for the @cssns dropping on August 22.

Killian saw red. This man, this Dr. Cassidy, descendent of Malcolm, the man who’d… was attempting to seduce his love.

Her eyes widened as her brow furrowed and her jaw dropped into a stunned “O” of surprise. “Don’t I have a say in the matter?” she queried, her eyes flashing with indignation. If Killian wasn’t so astonished at the revelation of her first name, and furious at Cassidy’s romantic overtures, he would have smirked at the pique on Emma’s lovely face- the very expression that had prompted his affectionate appellation of Swan on his beloved all those years ago. But he stood rooted in the shadows unable to do anything but watch and seethe in helpless fury.

The Risk of Remembering- H/C fic that is at the bottom of the priority list, no matter what @snowbellewells and @jrob64 say...

Nothing... sorry...

The Rescue- fic inspired by the recent daring rescue of a female tractor trailer driver over the Ohio River when involved in an accident.

Nothing again. Sorry.

Killian (Indiana) Jones- a fic inspired by... three guesses and the first two don't count... Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The jungle dripped with humidity as the tall man who was undoubtedly the leader pushed through the next tangle of vines and branches on the way to a cave that held the object of his desire. 

Two men followed him- one plainly nervous, betrayed by the way his gaze darted around the jungle and the small flinches whenever the cries of animals concealed within the greenery reached them. The other was a native, and when the first man stopped for a moment, mopping his sweat covered brow, he approached with a chuckle. 

“Not used to the heat and humidity of Columbia, eh, Dr. Jones? Aren’t you glad you brought me along…” The smug smirk on his face made Dr. Killian Jones roll his eyes in response.

“I’m fine,” he deadpanned, “I can assure you. I’ve been in jungles far worse than this. You just stay close.”

Thanks again for playing, babe!

[vinylspinning]

Various Artists: Música dos Grandes Mestres (1959)

Nestled between the tony Westchester County burghs of Chappaqua and Mount Kisco, the Reader's Digest headquarters stood like a red brick, Quaker-designed Taj Mahal; its towering cupola fed by a long, stately driveway and surrounded by 114 acres of well-tended gardens.

Constructed in 1934, the iconic, four-story building became a familiar landmark for travelers making their way through the New York suburbs via State Route 117, or living nearby, as I did, over 40 years ago, when the area was still just another suburb, affordable to mere humans.

Once, when we were eleven or twelve, my best friend Glenn and I rode the bus to play the arcades in Mt. Kisco, spent our last quarters on a game of Centipede, and then had to RUN all four miles back to Chappaqua before our parents got suspicious.

It was our Stand by Me moment (as in the movie, not the song), minus the dead body ... though we came pretty close to being squashed like bugs by the cars and trucks roaring past on 117 ... man, were our leg muscles sore the next day.

Good times ...

Founded in 1922, Reader's Digest, the company, was once an American institution; like the Farmer's Almanac for avid readers (as of 2006 it still reached more people with household incomes over $100,000 than The Wall Street Journal), it curated, edited, and published monthly collections of articles found in other periodicals.

In a way, it was to publishing what a Now! hits CD is to music.

Such was the brand's power and reach in its heyday that it branched out beyond U.S. borders and into other mediums, such as this 12-LP box set released in Brazil, which my father either purchased in 1959, or maybe inherited from his parents, my grandparents.

In any case, as its title, Música dos Grandes Mestres (Music of the Great Masters), suggests, this is a Western classical music primer housing key works by key artists like Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Wagner, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Stravinsky, etc.

Compiled in partnership with RCA Records, it was made available in numerous countries (e.g. here's the British edition), though I'll admit that I probably spun the entire set only once, and merely skimmed the detailed liner notes, here translated into Portuguese.

I think the only works I wasn't already entirely familiar with were the selections from Schubert's Eighth Symphony, Berlioz's Carnaval Romain, César Franck's Symphony in D Minor, and Nikolai Kossakoff's Russian Easter Overture.

But I'm sure box sets like this educated and entertained innumerable listeners, same as Reader's Digest's monthly volumes did for readers, at least until technology turned the editorial and music worlds upside down in the Third Millennium.

Sure enough, shortly after the turn of the century, Reader's Digest relocated its offices to Midtown Manhattan and their grand old HQ sat empty until 2017, when work began to convert it into a mixed housing and retail development dubbed Chappaqua Crossing.

There's even a Whole Foods there!

As for the Reader's Digest brand, it apparently lives on all of 101 years after it was founded, but who knows for how long, since the company has already faced a number of bankruptcies and corporate restructures.

More Classical Music: Béla Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin, Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3, Claude Debussy’s Prélude à L'Après-Midi d’un Faune, George Frideric Handel’s Water Music, Gustav Holst’s The Planets, Franz Liszt’s Piano Sonata In B Minor, Moondog’s Moondog, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Luciano Pavarotti’s Favorite Tenor Arias, Sergei Prokofiev’s The Love for Three Oranges, Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10, Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, Edgard Varèse’s Complete Works, Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras, Antonio Vivaldi’s Le Quattro Stagioni, Richard Wagner’s Der Ring Des Nibelungen, Xenakis’ Metastasis, Frank Zappa’s London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. 1, Various Artists’ 2001: A Space Odyssey, Phases of the Moon.

[amarriageoftrueminds]

Every scene with Peggy in CATFA is infuriating. But the two scenes that infuriate me the most are: Peggy shooting Steve over petty jealousy and Peggy being so damn rude to Bucky at the bar. The last one is especially infuriating because Bucky was being polite and courteous to Peggy, but she just totally ignored him and continued to oggle at Steve. Like WTF was that all about??? What did Bucky ever do to Peggy???

That second scene is interesting when you factor in the period, and the fact that they thought they were writing a heterosexual scene.

Because you've got Bucky, who's supposed to know all about romancing the dames, who sees a woman walk up to his friend in a bar. And just... stays where he is.

Bro etiquette -- now and then -- dictates he should be hustling across the room to give Steve some privacy. But he doesn't.

(And Steve doesn't seem at all bothered that he doesn't either, does he?)

There is no reason why Steve -- even if he is busy giving his usual Live Slug Reaction to being hit on, yet again, by a woman who can't take a hint -- cannot answer Peggy's clumsy overtures himself.

But he doesn't.

So Bucky steps in, and prevents her from making even more of a fool of herself (twinkling at a man who just gives 🙂), by filling in the conversational gap. Picking up the anvil-sized hints she's dropping since Steve apparently doesn't care to.

(Hitting on a woman who walks up in a vamp dress and a bar would be considered less gallant by today's standards, but by WWII standards? Bucky is being the sole gentleman here!)

So why does he do it?

Did they mean to imply, by casting Jenna Coleman, that brown-eyed-brunettes are Bucky's type? 😬 Eeesh. Doesn't really say much for why Steve would be interested in her then, does it?

(In fact, it's like he only enjoy's Peggy pass as a do-over of the Stark Expo Double Date, but now he gets to succeed with the 'Jenna Coleman' instead of Bucky. It's just another version of Endgame's Hero's Journey-style 'Woman As Prize' motif. 🙄)

Bucky stays where he is and shows an interest because the dudebro writers so transparently wanted Steve to get the Nerd's Revenge; a little wish-fulfillment power fantasy. The handsome popular friend with the great personality, getting punished for being more popular and handsome than the hero in high school, by striking out with The Girl while the hero succeeds.

But -- since they're incompetent and/or cannot control what CEvans chooses to do with his performance 😂 -- Steve is not at all bothered when Peggy leaves, makes no move to go after her, etc. 🤔

No move to 'go dancing' when he has the opportunity, just like he didn't make a move on the original Jenna Coleman character, either...

(Contrast that with: actually-interested Tony Stark who couldn't be prevented from going after Pepper Potts, when he saw her in a 'hero' dress at the party.)

And those idiot writers think this scene is Peggy proving she's a Cool Girl.

Because she, who alone knows the Real Steve, has remembered that Steve is secretly just a great big loser inside...

(Never mind that he's a globally famous film star, a decorated war hero, a superhuman and a heart throb, obviously he's still beneath such an important person as Peggy Carter, nepotism hire!)

...So she has come, in Gaston Red, to announce that she will Allow Steve to date Her!

(Her Royal Highness the Most Specialist- nay, Only Special Person in the Whole Multiverse!!)

And she widens her eyes at him as if to say what a lucky boy he is, what a treat for him!

.

She is rude to Bucky, and won't look at him, because she is written by men who think a Strong Female Character means one who acts like a man.

In this case, it's a 'won't acknowledge the less-attractive female friend of the woman he's relentlessly targeting at the club' sort of a man. 🤡

Bucky's crime is being undateable and yet still in her presence. (Why can't he just have the common decency to not exist??)

No wonder Steve stayed with his bros! If he was a girl, he'd be a girl's girl. 😌

[infinitelytheheartexpands]

let’s go to 1968!

-so we’re making a documentary! love that

-“do you still think i’m the sexiest man alive?” LMAOOOOOOOOOOO

-the self awareness is actually really beautiful

-NABUCCO OVERTURE!!!!!!!!

-she didn’t get that speech on film lmaooooooooo (and we’re watching it on film)

-“what will remain of your time?”

-THE FOLGER’S AD IN THE 60S MONTAGE OMG

-y’know, i was expecting a little more “brewing unrest” in that montage

-very amusing to watch amusement park footage tho

-PATRIA OPPRESSA!!!!!!!!!! love this chorus, and a perfect way to start us off

-y’know, i always forget how truly beautiful that chorus is

-everyone loves chairs

-LOMBARDI ARIA SPOTTED

-this guy’s voice????????? also he’s a snack (his name is justin hopkins)

-playing fast and loose with the text/translation but that must be expected with a pastiche

-YEET the chair

-okay i dig the dancing

-i wanna see a lombardi with this guy as pagano/the hermit

-okay warning for light effects

-this girl quoting mlk in her press conference speech 👍

-this is a great speech

-LUISA MILLER EXCERPT SPOTTED

-look even if it’s a pastiche we need to keep up standards, like the leading soprano getting an entrance aria /j

-i can’t decide whether or not i like her wig

-leading tenor has arrived on the scene!

-the struggle is real (trying to fit all the letters in one row on the board when you made the first few too big)

-this is honestly one of my favorite verdi love duets i’m happy it made it in

-good big brother

-you’re in a liberation movement but you’re trying to coerce a gal into marrying you *math isn’t mathing*

-the singers playing carlo and giuseppe respectively played raoul and nevers in the la monnaie huguenots a couple years ago and i keep thinking about that

-they’re practicing the lombardi act 3 trio prelude

-also the wanderer over a sea of fog painting

-tfw you’re crushing on your collaborative piano project partner but she has no interest in you

-oooooooooh

-“breaking the rules is far more exciting”

-“did you fuck carlo”

-the DRAAAAAAAAAAAAAMA

-YESSSSSSSSSS LAURA TELL HIM OFF

-boat

-enea scala ended up shirtless at la monnaie AGAIN lol

-also i actually can’t remember which opera this is from (i want to say attila but i don’t think so?)

-definitely no homoeroticism in this scene (lying)

-ah yes, the obligatory drinking chorus (and the guys frantically getting dressed again)

-i can’t identify this chorus either but either way it bops

-nabucco overture comes back

-thank you for teaching me how to conjugate “participate” in italian

-we have encountered the riot police!

-nabucco opening scene, i believe

-they’ve got their hands up. will the riot police acknowledge this? (no. they will not)

-the dancing is so cool

-yeah. fuckin called it (they did not acknowledge it. they used tear gas and bullets)

-DUE FOSCARI TIME

-omg this girl is amazing (her name is gabriela legun)

-THAT HIGH NOTE

-tfw a guy hits on both your sister and your girlfriend

-dads pretty much never have time for their kids in verdi except to give them trauma and emotionally neglect them so this tracks

-MASNADIERI ARIA SPOTTED

-yeet the shoes

-hurray! carlo lives!

-lorenzo NOT THE TIME

-someone is having a rough day and his name is lorenzo

-another luisa miller excerpt spotted!

-okay if you wanna see her happy then maybe just LEAVE HER ALONE??????

-okay i wanna see this guy do like every verdi bass role ever i LOVE his voice

-carlo got kidnapped by the police????????????

-and they’re trying to bribe him with offering to pay for his sick mom’s medical treatment??? (unclear as to whether or not he took it)

-okay i think this is the giovanna d’arco coronation scene but i could be wrong

-nope i was wrong this is the battaglia di legnano opening

-okay i don’t think he took it

-or maybe he did? he seems really conflicted

-yeah you cried but not entirely for the reasons you’re saying (you were MAD at him earlier)

-cristina’s just awkwardly watching her boyfriends interact lol

-don’t yeet cristina that’s mean

-they’re slaying this

-the dancers continue to rock

-okay this *is* giovanna d’arco

-laura: friendship ended with nonviolent resistance now violent resistance is my best friend

-what are these bobbleheads

-okay this is a cool stage picture

-ma’am are you giving her a DYNAMITE BELT?????

-laura: *wakes up and sees a belt of dynamite tied to her*

laura: well weirder things have happened

totally normal response

-if there’s one thing la monnaie likes doing, it’s having enea scala take off his shirt

-this pastiche is really leaning on how many verdi characters are named carlo

-and that’s intermission! more to come later

alright nerds

rivoluzione/nostalgia time!!!

(aka la monnaie de munt’s current verdi pastiche, available for free on operavision)