#but for artists that i listen to or pay money to see i'm usually just there to vibe

[maximillien]

Dates with our three men.

Because I've seen @elychee 's tags a lot and honestly I'm thirsty too.

Here are my headcannons:

Cale Henituse:

- I'd really see him as an introverted date kinda guy

- like maybe cuddling and reading together (reading TOGETHER, like sharing a book, ugh imagine having a signal for him so he can turn the page, like tapping his arm, whilst you're both snuggled up in some big comfy throw)

- otherwise it would be at a festival or a comfy restaurant.

- he'd definitely have some type of magic on him to alter his appearance (and on you too if you've done stuff like him in public and are known for it)

- in either dates there'll be eating so snacks or food are a must

- he's rich asf so if you're at the festival or restaurant, he's paying (except if you have dirty money (*somehow steals a golden plate from alberu to pay for bae's meal*)

- a listener. Loves listening to you talk. He might look disinterested to others, but you can tell he is indeed listening.

- if you're out for a date and he sees you staring at something will offer to get it for u

- if you're at home you'll both fall asleep on each other, book long forgotten, as the kids surround you and whisper between themselves before snuggling in with you both.

Choi Han

- omg I love him

- come here boy

- anywho I definitely DEFINITELY hc a festival date.

- especially if it's similar to a Korean night market, for nostalgia, he's going.

- If there are plushies to win and you want one, you'd best bet you're getting them

- very good at physical games (cmon he's a swordsman)

- will win anything you want at the stands. People are staring and trying to hide their stands, whilst his clueless ass is walking around asking where you want to go next.

- has eyes only for you, my god. He's either getting nostalgic staring at the stands or he's staring at you (he's doing the latter like 90% of the time)

- hold his hand and he'll blush but he won't pull away, he'll just become tomato Han

- again, like a Cale a listener, except he'll perk up whenever you go quiet since you think he isn't listening, and ask for you to continue, or he'll squeeze your hand (and give you this excited puppy look. He has eyes only for you)

- very soft

- eating skewers together whilst walking around and enjoying the festival

- if there's fireworks after you bet your ass he's gonna try and find a nice place to see them from

- (very cheesy) kiss him whilst the fireworks go off

- you'll upgrade from tomato Han to tomato soup Han (since he'll have melted on the floor)

-overall an outdoor soft festival date

Alberu Crossman

- here he is

- ugh sexyman. Get over here. Get in my bed.

- honestly he's very busy so dates are few and far between

- but it'd probably be a calm picnic somewhere quiet, where people don't usually go

- you'd say that the both of you should cook together

- he's so up for it. He's waited his whole life to flaunt his cooking skil-

- an attempt at cooking was made. Some hc him to be good at cooking, but honestly I don't think he would totally get it.

- he's not as bad as Choi Han at cooking, but he's not on Cale's level.

- so yeah, you're mainly making the sandwhiches, but he is participating, wether it be trying to get stuff for you or making filling (per your instructions)

- (ugh imagine making cookies and he wipes some flour or batter on your nose and smiles so brightly whilst chuckling- no. I need to stop. I need to stop)

- putting all your stuff in a basket and setting off (please, him in a loose poet's shirt, you know THAT 'pathetic artist' shirt)

- I think you guys would talk about everything and anything (you're both bashing Cale bc of his chaos and the resulting workload.)

- it's a really relaxing and peaceful date

- if you'll allow him, he'll put his head on your lap (xtra bonus: you play with his hair and he guns appreciatively, completely relaxing into your lap) and he'll gently appreciate the wind and you.

- I think it'd be pretty quiet, but if you're talkative go for it, he'll actively participate in Convo or he'll silently listen to you.

- if you stop taking he'll open one eye and nudge your thigh with his hand to continue

- husband material.

- very domestic and soft

- let's hope Cale doesn't overthrow another kingdom whilst y'all are out

a/n: Ely, this is for u I saw your tags and honestly your mutual thirst for Alberu is completely relatable

[n7punk]

What’s your beef with Spotify?

It's less beef and more just a product I don't like - because that's what Spotify is, a product. They really don't want you to think of it that way, but at the end of the day it's particularly invasive product packaging around the thing you actually want to listen to, and there are dozens of different ways to listen to music. As far as gripes, though, number 1 is that it doesn't really pay its artists for shit and its objectively kind of shitty audio-quality wise (I'm not a snob on this, but depending on your hardware it can be especially crunchy while other things like Youtube sound just fine). Number 2 is how much it spies on you and tracks your data. Number 3 is the ads. Number 4, and the actual reason I will never use it, is that it's the enshittification of media consumption.

I do, actually, have a Spotify account. I used it for all of a day before never logging in again or verifying my email. Spotify forces you to experience music the way it wants you to, with absolutely no benefit aside from cloud syncing cross-platform for your playlists that I don't actually need, and I'm used to the freedom from the dawn of the accessible mp3 era.

Better Kind Of Best Friend is a single. I bought it as part of the entire The Sex Was Good Until It Wasn't album, so it came with the album artwork. I wanted it to have its single artwork - so I changed it. And now, in MusicBee and on my phone, I see the single artwork because it's in the file metadata. Spotify doesn't give you that option. It's a little thing, maybe, except when it isn't, like when a song's cover art is graphic or otherwise upsetting to look at, or just plain doesn't fit it.

Sometimes I don't agree with a song's "official" genre (usually because the entire album classifies the songs one way while they actually span genres). The range of things that are classified as indie rock is insane. Anyway, other times I use the genre more specifically, such as "Dark Pop", which isn't actually a thing but if I played you Dark Pop songs you would understand what I mean. In MusicBee, I can change genres to be whatever I want, which is important for various auto-playlists in filtering.

I also have a custom tag for any sapphic songs that automatically populates my lesbian love auto-playlist as they're defined, and another playlist that automatically adds all music from my custom-defined list of queer artists to the "Gay Life" playlist. When I buy a new Reinaeiry song, it automatically gets added without me having to do anything.

I can't listen to demos or any music that Spotify has lost licensing to on it, which means that if I want a complete playlist with a demo song on it, I have to have all those songs exported anyway, and at that point why am I bothering to split my listening across platforms? Idk if you heard, but Spotify lost licensing to a giant catalogue of Kpop music at one point because one company pulled out, and all those listeners were fucked. I don't have to wait for an artist to upload their shit to Spotify (although right now I am waiting for Reinaeiry to put Too Sweet up for download - pls queen - this is luckily more rare of an occurrence than me seeing "please add this to Spotify" comments is).

I like music I can keep forever, listen to whenever, and do so without ads or paying three figures a year to hear uninterrupted. I'd rather buy one album a month with the Spotify premium money than pay for it. I like creating folder after subfolder worth of an unlimited number of playlists (admittedly idr if Spotify allows this feature. It varies by online listening platforms and I don't bother to track the ones I don't use). I like being able to drag and drop my playlists from MusicBee into iTunes to instantly listen to them on my phone (and thus cross-play isn't a concern for me as long as I remember to synch my phone). I like the feature of being able to instantly and permanently adjust the volume, as well as the beginning and end point, of any single song I chose (super helpful for when certain albums are inexplicably quieter/louder than others or have a stupid incongruous music or dialogue part in them).

If I want to listen to something without actually getting it, then I do it on Youtube, which has a wider music selection with more control. Don't like album art? Find a lyric video upload with a generic nebula background. Weird movie sample at the beginning? Someone might have cut that out in their upload (shoutout to the person who turned DICTATOR into a part 1 and 2 to match the two different mood halves), but otherwise Sponsorblock will skip the non-music segments. The only downside of Youtube versus Spotify is I can't share the playlists without exposing my name, but again I actually create those playlists in MusicBee 99% of the time so I wouldn't be sharing a link anyway.

[fr-wiwiw]

15 questions, 15 people

I was tagged by @lienwyn! it's been ages but i have time to do this one now! Thank you for the tag dear ✨

1. Are you named after anyone?

I'm not. My mom's eldest brother gave me my name collaboratively with my parents. It was supposed to be something different like great figure from my country but it felt like a huge responsibility, so they changed it thank God for that lol

2. When was the last time you cried?

Just today. I wouldn't say full on crying, just a minute or less type of crying when you feel overwhelmed by something or when your brain decides to rewind a certain event in your head.

3. Do you have kids?

No but I have a baby turtle that I love <3

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Sometimes yea when I'm having certain conversations with my group of friends or when we're playing online games and if there's a current event (ex: politic figure doing something foolish), it will jump out if i'm flabbergasted once or twice.

5. What's the first thing you notice about people?

Hmm.. depends. But my eyes would scan them up and down- and I realized that can come off as eyeing them like i'm some kind of arrogant person. I'm sorry to these people, I never meant to come off like that. But i like observing creatures and I draw too, so I tend to see them as a whole or if they behave and talk in certain ways and tone. I just notice things

6. What's your eye colour?

Dark brown almost black if there's no lighting. Typical asian eye color

7. Scary movie or happy ending?

Happy ending. I cannot watch scary movies bcs of my strong visualization and imagination. I can visualize almost anything from my memory and imagine them do anything next to me right here right now. It's... uncomfortable especially when my brain decides to scare me when I see dark places. it's the downside of being an artist

8. Any special talents?

So far.. I'm good at art related things. I want to try my hands on sculpting, painting in canvas, diorama, play more music instruments as a hobby and many more. But I don't have the time and money, hopefully in the future. I just love being involved in my curiosity and see what I can make out of it xD

I'm also good at reading people and situations. I'm a big empath too which comes in handy when I imagine or write. Or connect to people. I'm people's go to listener usually hahah but I create some more boundaries for this. It drains me because I feel deeply.

9. Where were you born?

Indonesia.

10. What are your hobbies?

Uh.. drawing, reading, playing video games, writing, listening to music, sing, eat out and take walks in mall or just strolling through shop marts.

11. Do you have pets?

Yes. I once had 2 red eared slider turtles for 11 years. Then 2 mini pomeranian, and another baby read eared slider turtle which sadly didn't make it for only a month. But my friend gave me another baby turtle, she's always ravenous and lively ^^ so cute.

12. What sports do you/have you played?

Oh man.. I played a lotta sports I even got a tan back then lol. Futsal (indoor soccer), soccer, kasti (kinda like softball / baseball), swimming, running, basketball, badminton. Would love to try snowboarding tho ngl it looks fun but I heard it's damn expensive. And horse riding. The only sport I play now is playing console games😂 would love to be active at sports again in the future

13. How tall are you?

156cm (5'11)

14. Favourite subject in high school?

English and art (but depends on the teacher)

15. Dream job?

Right now? A freelance or full time artist with stable income or good amount of followers to pay off my day to day living without a worry. I am a freelance artist, just not financially stable yet. Hope I can get there

I'm so late to this particular tag game so I apologize if any of you have been tagged before. @gaylilsherlock @uhhhhmanda @gayautisticraccoon @briwates @technitango @kdramastrix

[causenessus]

HELLO!! okay lowkey i feel like we talk more through your inbox than we do in dms so im just gonna start ALWAYS talking here 🙂‍↕️ idk tumblr dms just don't work or something so GOOD AFTERNOON!! I HOPE YOURE GETTING A TON OF REST NESS bc tomorrow... we have to go back... sigh. and i have picture day tomorrow so i probably need to make myself look presentable ykwim?? 😞

but like about that friend i yapped about HIGHKEY SHE IS NOT IT YOURE RIGHT!!!! i think what makes it worse is whenever she thinks theres an issue between her and me and she goes to literally everyone but me about it to try to get other people to validate her?? FUNNIEST THING EVER because usually people side w me too pls 💔 like they'll defend me, and the people usually tell me when she starts yapping about it to them so like... just wondering why she feels the need to tell everyone in the world about what i apparently did wrong ⁉️ live laugh love i suppose... AND IF YOU EVER WANNA HEAR ABOUT STUFF THAT SHES DONE TO ME I LITERALLY HAVE STORIES FOR DAYS

ALSO!!!! IM SO EXCITED IM FINALLY GONNA GET MY DRIVER'S PERMIT AND START DRIVERS ED AAAA like ive been waiting for ages!!!! i had to like save up and stuff so it took a bit CAUSE WHY IS IT LIKE 400 DOLLARS IF YOU DONT TAKE IT THROUGH THE SCHOOL LIKE PLEASE 💔

its been days and the try again playlist is literally the only thing pulling me through... ness im forever grateful for the existence of this playlist‼️try again isnt even finished but like NESS i would marry it if i could i think i think about it even more than love notes omf 😭 i need yn as my therapist NOWWW!!! AND ADDING ONTO THAT, TONICS LOOKS SO AMAZING SO FAR OH MY GOD?? LIKE ALL THE DETAILS AND THE GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR ARTIST PROFILES AND EVERYTHING UGHH IM SO EXCITED

okay another thing, i think i told you about a phone vault before cause like my school was really talking it up... it was the stupid pocket thing on the wall. they're out there calling it a phone vault GOODBYE 😭 anyway ive given up on paying full attention in class and have reverted back to wearing and airpod in class so i can listen to music (the SOLE reason why i have airpods is bc they were a christmas gift i dont have enough money to buy those on my own 🫡)

ANYWAY I HOPE YOURE HAVING AN AMAZING DAY LOVE!! MAKE SURE YOU EAT, DRINK WATER, AND TAKE YOUR MEDS LATER!! <33 ILY

HELLO SAV!! AND PLEASE TALK WHEREVER U WANT!! I WILL RESPOND WHEREVER <3 and omg good luck with picture day!! 😭 literally those pics never turn out good like they PURPOSELY WANT ME TO LOOK BAD they're always like "no no!! push your hair out of your face behind your shoulder so we can really see how much of an egg you look like!!" but i'm wishing you the best of luck and that your picture turns out well 😔

and also HELLO??? I'M SO GLAD EVERYONE TAKES YOUR SIDE BC LIKE,, THAT'S JUST EMBARASSING FOR HER 😭 I HOPE SHE TAKES IT AS A SIGN AND REALIZES LIKE...maybe she's in the wrong...or maybe she should go to you and sort it out with you!! instead of just complaining about it to others!!

AND AA YAY GOOD FOR YOU!! it's def expensive but so so worth it in the end 😭😭 i remember for me (idk if every state does this!!) but i actually did my lessons when i was like 16 1/2 (for many reasons we won't get into 😔) but anyway!! in my state or at least at the drivers ed school i went to if you were that age they'd allow you to do this thing where basically they just threw all the information you'd learn over the course of the week (or however long all the drivers ed courses are) in one night crash course style!! and then u take the permit test at the end of it and then u get ur permit!! and although i felt a little behind everyone else bc i didn't start drivers ed immediately yk i was kind of glad i got it all done in one night!! and like you learn all the info and then IMMEDIATELY take a test on it so it was kind of easy!! but best of luck to u!! i hope it all goes well <3

AND AA THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I'M SO GLAD YOU LOVE THE TRY AGAIN PLAYLIST!! i always listen to it in the morning when i'm still waking up and then will switch to the tonics playlist when i'm more awake LMAOO BUT YES!! DW i think now that i've gotten tonics intros out of the way i'm gonna work on try again while trying to outline tonics!!

BUT HELLO THE "PHONE VAULT" BUT BEING THE SHOE HANGER THING?? MAN THAT IS NOT A VAULT 😭 THE WAY SCHOOLS ARE OUT HERE COMING OUT WITH THE CRAZIEST NAMES EVER JUST SO THAT IT LIKE FITS THE AESTHETIC OF THEIR SCHOOL OR WHATEVER IS CRAZY but yes!! i think my wireless earbuds were also a christmas gift or something and then during this one play during high school that was literally the bane of my existence (and also simultaneously the best play i ever did) i NOT ONLY lost my earbuds but i ALSO bit my phone on accident and then broke the screen so like...i sacrificed blood sweat and tears for that play frfr (i also bled all over the set after cutting my finger on accident so i mean it...) so i had to buy myself another pair after that bc my mom was sick of me 😭😭 but they were like an off brand pair and tbh they're better than like samsung buds!! (what i have to use bc i'm not an apple user </3) so honestly it worked out in the end!!

BUT I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY AS WELL!! THANK YOU SO MUCH SAV <3 HAVE A LOVELY DAY AND REST LOTS AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!

[karl-von-moor-official]

Ok but like... who is actually on the side of AI art? Is there literally anyone who's like, fuck yes, I'm an AI artist (whatever that is) and so forth? Perhaps it's because I live in this tumblr bubble but I legitimately have not seen a lot of people who are actually pro-AI. In fact, I think that AI has way less power than many people (esp artists) fear it has, because most people don't actually WANT AI art. Sure, it might fill a niche, but I don't actually think it will be all that successful. Users don't want to get AI bullshit when they google stuff (if I'm not misinterpreting the consensus), so users will begin to switch it off, and a feature that's not used is usually also one the company doesn't invest in.

I think there are ways in which AI could be helpful, for example in science, I want an AI that helps me with my taxes, helps me find the papers I'm trying to cite, helps me do stupid calculations, one that gives me MORE time to create art, rather than making art FOR me while I continue to struggle with google scholar's awful interface. And I actually believe most people would agree with me! I actually believe most people dont see genAI as an art form. I would be interested in hearing a programmer's or a software engineer's opinion on this. Do they think it's art? Are they happy to have created a code that writes its own code? Do they consider it an art form?

All I'm saying is, I think we needn't be afraid. There have been many revolutions in art, whether it be the switch from classical oil paintings to abstract art forms, or the introduction of digital art. Just think of the music industry! Everything's on Spotify nowadays, but that doesn't mean there aren't still people listening to the radio, or buying vinyls. Art is timeless. AI won't take that away from us. And of course a case can be made for AI taking jobs away from artists and it's a tragedy, but making money with art has always been a struggle and the people who were willing to pay you what your work is worth before AI got big will still be willing to pay you now, because those are the people who care for art, for expression, for authenticity. People/companies who are using AI instead of hiring an artist never appreciated art in the first place.

I'm not saying that we should stop worrying about genAI. Protect your data and your art! Tell Meta AI to fuck off! (Look it up, you can and should reject Mata's attempt to train their AI with your data, on places like Instagram, but you have to do it manually.) Keep speaking up about the fact that it doesn't make sense that this is what AI is being used for when we have so many things in our lives we would actually NOT want to do ourselves and art clearly is a thing that we WANT to do ourselves! Don't stop being aware of this topic. But don't fear. AI can't take something away from you that thousands of years of human history haven't been able to take away from you.

[thetragicallynerdy]

game night - jim/ed modern au style

(This ficlet is set in the modern au, aka the Jim/Ed tattoo artist/flower shop au, a long mainly sad au where Jim and Ed find each other at bad times in their lives. This part is a soft part, though.)

"So I can steal your shit."

Ed nods and taps the desert tile. "If you roll a 7, yes."

There's a gleam in Jim's eye that tells him they'll be trying to roll as many seven's as they possibly can. "Sweet. And I'm trying to build houses and shit?"

"And roads. Armies too, if you buy development cards."

"Buy the fucking development cards," Izzy cuts in drily. "Best way to win, in my opinion."

Jim squints suspicously at him. "Uh huh. And I should focus so much on development cards that I don't build castles and shit, is that right?"

Izzy smirks and crosses his arms. "Far be it from me to tell you how to play."

Ed's attention gets pulled away as Fang and Ivan make their way back into the room, both carrying an assortment of food and drinks. Beers, tortilla chips and salsa, and fresh cut veggies that Fang insists on serving because 'game night can be healthy too!'

"Only listen to Izzy a little bit," Fang cautions, handing Jim a beer, cap still on like he knows it'll make them safer. "He gives good advice, but in a way that benefits him."

Ed tries not to pay *too* much attention to the way Jim immediately pulls a knife out of their waistband and uses it to pop the cap of their beer bottle off. It's entirely too hot, and if he stares too long at the way their hands hold the knife then Izzy will notice, the observant fucker.

"I give excellent advice," Izzy protests. "Would I lead Jimbo here astray?"

It's only recently that Izzy, Ivan, and Fang have started calling Jim 'Jimbo,' and it makes Ed smile every time. Makes Jim smile too, even though they try and hide it. He wonders if they have anyone else in their life that likes them enough to call them by a nickname.

"The first time I played, Izzy told me to not worry about building near him, that he wouldn't be in my way at all," Ivan tells Jim, pointing a carrot stick at Izzy. "Fucker blocked me in with roads and settlements within five turns."

Izzy gins like a shark that just smelled blood in the water. "And I taught you a valuable lesson about alliances and how they can be broken, didn't I."

"Taught me not to fucking trust you," Ivan laughs, giving him the finger. "Not stupid enough to fall for it twice."

The gleam is back in Jim's eye, and it almost mirrors Izzy's. Ed grins at the sight of it. He can't wait to see how quickly they pick up the game. They're smart as fuck, and he's seen how vicious they can be when they want to. He hadn't realized how *competitive* they could be until the first time he'd brought over a deck of cards. They're going to give Izzy a run for his money, Ed just knows it.

Ed is good at Catan too - damn fucking good, he has the mind for tactics and a great sense of the game - but he usually gets bored as fuck half-way through and loses as a result. But if Jim is around, then maybe Izzy would finally lose a game here and there. Or even better, maybe Ed would finally find something worth keeping his attention for a whole round.

"So are we putting money on this or what?" Jim asks, leaning towards Izzy and tapping the table.

"That's the spirit," Izzy rasps, grinning even wider. "Twenty bucks -"

"No!" Fang buts in, exasperated. He glares at Ed. "Edward, you brought us another one? No gambling here!"

Jim sits back and pouts, while Izzy glowers at Fang. "If none of you want in, then just Jim and I -"

Fang just shakes his head firmly. "No gambling, love, you know the rules." When Izzy grumbles he leans over and plants a kiss on Izzy's cheek, which makes Izzy shut up, and also turns his face beet red. As if they haven't been basically married for the better part of five years. "At least not for money, or anything worth money."

"Fucking fine." Izzy glares at Jim. "Whoever wins owes the other a pack of smokes."

Jim grins, holds out their hand, and just like that, the bet is made. "It's a bet, motherfucker." 

--

"Read 'em and weep, motherfuckers!" Jim crows, slamming a knight card onto the table, followed by a handful of other development cards. Two victory points, and they already have the longest road -

They lean over the table and swipe the largest army from Izzy's hand. He squawks, but they're faster than he is, and they're already back in their seat, grinning wider than he's seen in months.

"You've played before," Izzy accuses, pointing a finger at Jim. "You cheating fucker, you -"

Jim laughs. "Nah man,  I've never played before. What, you think this game is *hard*?" They lean over the table again, holding out a hand palm-up. "Now pay up, man."

Izzy's nostrils flare. "Double or nothing."

"This is why we don't bet," Ivan snorts, standing up and stretching before he leans over to press a kiss to Izzy's head. Just like before, Izzy's cheeks turn a brilliant shade of red. "Give Jim the smokes they won, babe."

"They cheated!" Izzy protested, waving at Jim and looking back and forth between Ed, Fang, and Ivan's retreating back, heading for the kitchen. "We all saw it!"

Ed kicks lightly at Izzy's foot and grins. "Ah, Iz, forgot what a sore loser you are. You're just pissed because you got cocky and Jimbo here outsmarted you."

Izzy glares at him, then rolls his eyes. "Fucking dick. Fine." He bares his teeth at Jim. "Well played, Jim. I'm going to have a smoke, then I'll get you your fucking pack, and then we're playing another round so I can kick your ass."

"Can't wait." Jim has the audacity to wink at Izzy, and Ed can't hold back the laughter anymore. Izzy rolls his eyes, then heads for the backyard. Fang makes a retreat too, carrying empty beer bottles and the chip bowl for a refill.

When the room is empty Ed leans over and wraps a hand around the back of Jim's neck, bringing them in for a kiss. Their mouth is still curved into a smile, and he loves it, loves seeing them happy and carefree for once.

"Gotta be honest with me," he whispers when he pulls away, grinning so they know he's teasing. "Have you played before?"

They shake their head, whisper back just as conspiratorially. "Nope." Their grin widens. "But I did bring loaded dice."

Ed laughs so hard he falls off his goddamn chair.

[vvatchword]

Soooo I may have fucked up.

As you may not realize, i love people. I smile at everyone. I go out of my way to help folks, have no fear of strangers, and have no concept of hierarchy, so I treat everyone the same, from child to service worker to CEO. I also have some distinct quality that makes other people glom onto me. This has been a lifelong superpower/curse. For some reason, strangers can tell I'm a big ol softie from a distance. Thus I tend to attract everyone from kids to con artists, all for obvious reasons.

This quality used to drive me insane as a young adult. I lived in a town with a big mental institution, so it was common for people with mental disorders to literally seek me out of crowds. I note this because, well, what's the most common problem afflicting the homeless?

I've never lived in a place with such a big homeless population, so I never thought twice about my general behaviors and continued smiling at everyone, talking to them without hesitation, helping out with cash here and there, etc. Well, friends, there's just one problem with this: the homeless are treated like trash at worst and ignored at best.

So.

Uh.

Usually my interactions with them has been super wholesome. Big smiles back and forth, neat conversations, cool stories, you know. It took a year and a half before I realized I was fucking up (and it's possible I was being mistreated before, coincidentally, i just can't tell because I have the social skills of an affable dog). I got chased by two homeless guys for four blocks. I had to trick one of them to escape.

"never again!" I told myself. "Stop being so goddamn smiley!"

Does this work? No. Self is a golden retriever. Self wants to love on all the people. At one point I was telling Zak all about how I met a neat guy and listened to his life story and she was like, "STOP"

Oh. Yeah :(

(he went to jail for killing a man. In retrospect, i may be an idiot.)

For the second time in four months, a homeless dude has glommed onto me, and it's a little concerning. He's a street artist who I had a great interaction with about two weeks back. He was waiting at my bus stop in soft shoes and hospital scrubs with stacks of art all made up with craft paint. I was excited. I'd seen him at other bus stops and had wanted to peruse his wares. I told him so. He was so delighted. I bought a couple of pictures for $20 (you could choose how much to pay, i decided to treat him like I'd treat any artist) and put the art up in my office.

I saw him again yesterday and, uh.

He saw me and said, "Hello, my friend!" And got up for an awkward hug. I think I would have been more gung-ho had i not immediately flashed back to how the previous chase sequence started (overt affection).

"Koranado, how's the art going?" I asked.

"good, my friend, good. You know, I love you," he said.

I laughed nervously. I mean yeah you can use "love" affectionately, but I'm so bad at reading strangers and I didn't want to give him the wrong idea.

"how about this," he said. "I like you. So I don't get in trouble."

"haha I like you too," i said.

"I'm clean, you know," he said. "Got a full checkup from the doctor and I'm clean."

He was looking at me meaningfully, my friends in hell. Now, it is possible he was worried I thought he was dirty or something instead, but that wasn't a concern of mine at all. It's a Texas summer at 104°, everyone is a filthy bog monster, including me. I just don't know how to fucking lie.

"congratulations!" I said. "You know, every time I see you out here with your art, I smile. I hope you carry that with you."

"You are a mother's milk. Speaking of mother's milk, can I have any money for a meal? do you see any art you like?"

"I'm so sorry! I literally have no money. I'll come back when I get paid, though."

"that's okay. That's okay. Here, take this. Make sure no one is watching when you shower. No one is watching."

"advice to live by," i said. (Self!!! said my inner voice. Self why!!!)

He gave me pictures on the house--his best yet--but overall it was. Uh. A little cursed.

Now, I'm pretty sure this guy is manic, from some things I've seen. And who knows what his actual qualities as a human being are. But now I'm concerned about going back to my bus stop. And that makes me feel bad on multiple levels. The homeless aren't that far from any of us. They are human beings who deserve respect and care. But I also can't sacrifice myself in the name of kindness.

The world ain't fair, folks. The world ain't fair at all.

[mayuichi]

“Happy birthday!„

Itto x Reader! No warnings at all!

Note: for everyone: it will not fit your personality/life since it's dedicated to that goober, and i aint sorry about it. There's no name at all for the reader, nor gender (normally) so anyone who wants can read it, but there's other names (like those of two friends), so you can just skip it if you prefer to my goober: hAPPY BDAY BESTIII!!! POOKI YOU TAKE ONE MORE YEAR! HERE THAT GIFT TO CELEBRATE THAT DAY (and also bc i have no money so its the least i can do) I HOPE YOULL ENJOY ITTT especially since you know my current condition ahukfds :( you'll directly know who are referred in that, first bc one is myself.. and you'll recognise the other DIRECTLY. LOTS OF LOVE ON YOU AND IM SURE YOULL HAVE THE BEST DAY EVER!!!

White Day 2023 art by みやも!

The sweet cold of December hits your cheeks. Your lover had to force you to put your coat on. It's not even like you felt that cold... A jacket would've been just fine. But your boyfriend is way too caring to let you risk catching a cold.

You're on your way to your work. It isn't as exhausting as some others. You're an artist, working on commissions and your own projects. It means.. Your hands hurt pretty regularly. You could've worked just fine in your office at your house but.. You needed to dissociate personal life and work. It motivates you further, as you know once you're home, it's only to take care of him and you.

You get on the bus to lead to your workplace, your headphones on, listening to Rare Americans, Hey Sunshine to be more precise. It's your current favorite music.

You feel your phone vibrating, only to see a text from your boyfriend. “When do you finish work today?„ you think to yourself, yet mostly to enjoy your music. “I don't know, maybe around 6?„ he simply answers a OK.

He most likely asked you to know when to get home from his hangout with his friends. He told you he'd meet his gang. You have met them too, all friendly. You first thought it was because you're Itto's partner but perhaps, it was genuine.

You reach your stop, now walking to your building. You're pretty lucky, your bests friends themselves help you paying that place, also because they work there for their own commissions, despite it not being in art.

Entering the main room, you see the both of them chatting together, and you join them happily. “Hey! How have you been?„ Lysandre greets you with a bright smile, her hands behind her back. “Since when do you work during Sundays?„ Toa tilts her head.

It's true, usually you keep the weekends for yourself but... “To be honest, I'm extremely late and I need to pay the rent next month, I can't just slack off.„ you admit. Money is a good motivation...

They burst in laughter, knowing you aren't even joking right now. Then, Lysandre steps closer to you, until she wraps her arms around your chest in a gentle hug. She's the shortest of the three of you, and you're the tallest. That alone makes everything so much funnier.

“You know...„ she steps aside, looking behind to Toa. Toa leaves to the kitchen to retrieve a box from the fridge. “We wanted to give you something...„ Toa walks closer to you with the box, handing it to you.

You raise an eyebrow, taking the box to open it. Two strawberry tartlets are inside, ready to be eaten. You snap your head up, glancing at a proud standing Toa and a more shy and reserved Lysandre.

You open your mouth to say something, but nothing comes out of your throat. You just stand there, smiling and staring at the tartlets. “Happy birthday!„ they say in sync.

“We know it's not the strawberries season but...„ Toa nudges against Lysandre, in a quiet chuckle. “My grandparents harvested a lot last summer, so they gave me some of their fruits and vegetables for me to freeze and eat when I wanted..„

You open your mouth to say something, but nothing comes out of your throat. You just stand there, smiling and staring at the tartlets. “... Thank you.„

After putting it back in the fridge and hugging close your friends, you went to your office to work. At least now, you knew what you'd eat for dessert at lunch. And to think they baked it for you? That's really sweet of them.

You work pretty hard, staying focus, and when lunch comes, you three just chat together again. About the weather, your love life - even if you're the only one having an actual partner, Toa is too hesitant to make a move and Lys'... is just completely empty right now.

It's soon enough time for you to go home. You're the only one to leave now, but the two girls come to tell you goodnight and wish you a happy evening with Itto.

Talking about Itto.. You've been ghosting him all day long! Too focused into your work, you entirely forgot about your phone. So you look at it to see... Wait, why all the messages are either deleted or just bit of sentences?

“Itto, is everything fine?„ you hop on the bus, knowing it'll be a long drive. “Fine! I'm fine! Just busy with the boys haha!„ something seems off, but you just shake it off.

You're also a little disappointed. He didn't wished you a happy birthday at all today. Did he forgot? It wouldn't be surprising from him. But it makes you... pretty sad.

After what feels like forever, you finally arrive home, taking out your keys to open the... wait, did he left the door open?

You enter a dark room, trying to find the switch. Once you do, you close the door behind you and hang your coat and scarf. It has been a long and tiring day, but at least you have managed to work on everything you wanted.

As you're about to sit down on the sofa to relax, a shiny light picks your interest. Resting on the windowsill, you cautiously step closer. You don't remember having anything like this... But it was just a key.

Wait. Since when do you need a key for anything at home beside the front door? Yet it was way too small to be used on the front door! Inspecting each room, you try to call out for Itto, but there's no sign of him.

A sudden fear strikes you. What if someone came in? If Itto did forgot to lock the door, it could've been possible. You hurry to your office, where there is every paperworks and your computer. But on the desk, right in front of your keyboard, there's a box.

You're confused. Confused as fuck. It's locked. Hesitantly trying to unlock it with the key, you see inside a beautiful golden necklace. Carefully picking it up, there's a note. “Turn around.„

If you'd be in a horror movie, you'd know better than to turn around. But, life isn't a movie, isn't it? So you do as told.. Also because you're stupid. But luckily for you, it's only your boyfriend!

You're already pretty tall, yet he's taller.. and much stronger. He holds his arms out for you to come in, which you instantly do. “Happy birthday!„ he laughs out. “Have you done all this for me?„

You can feel him panic, as a sweatdrop runs from his temple. “Well... Kuki helped me a lot to know how to do it... I didn't wanted to be like everyone else and just hand it to you!„ he claims. That's always him. He wants to make you happy, but in a complicated way. Without Kuki, he'd probably still be stuck to finding an idea. You'll have to thank her later too.

You chuckle, feeling his muscular arms holding you tight without accidentally strangling you. You take his hand to place the necklace in. “Help me put it on, please.„ he nods. You hold your hair out if needed, feeling him try to clip it on... and failing a few times under your laughters, which makes him embarrassed.

He lets out a low growl before scooping you up and placing you on his back. He takes your coat and throw it over your face, taking his own that he doesn't put on yet. He lowers himself a little to get through the door.

He leads you to an empty park. At this hour, not many kids are outside, so it's only the two of you. He brings you down, finally wearing his coat as you do so too.

“So, where do you want to go, your highness? I'm your humble servant, for tonight only!„ he jokingly bows before you, allowing you to lead the way.

You decide to just make a runaway, have fun together and messing around until the night comes. He chases you around as you please, going to get you drinks and even food. You sit near a river to eat in silent, your head leaned against his arm.

He misses to trip a lot of time, and when he does, you mock him. Who wouldn't when they know their partner didn't got hurt? But Itto has been quick to stand back up and run to you, taking your hips to lift you and turn around rapidly. He loves to tease you whenever he can.

He just loves to prove his affection to you. You're his, he's yours, what else could matter? You'd go through any hardship together.

The night is fast to fall, and beside some cars here and there, it's empty. Having for only company each other and the street lights. But none of you care. Holding hands while taking a stroll around the city, you don't care how much it's getting colder.

The warmth of your boyfriend alone is all that is needed to keep you from freezing. You hum softly, knowing that day couldn't get any better.

He leads you to a hill, helping you climbing it before sitting on the grass. You're sitting in between his legs, his arms wrapped around your waist. You stargaze in silence, his chin resting over your head.

From time to time, you point out some stars, and when you're about to do it again, turning your head to him, he takes advantages of it to lean in and gives you a passionate kiss.

Leaving you breathless, he presses his forehead in the crook of your neck. “... I couldn't have found better than you.„ he mutters.

Your heart melts at his words. You press your hands against his, sighing in contentment. “I couldn't either. I suppose we found each other, right?„ he simply nods.

You stare at your new necklace for a few seconds, before turning your head back to him since he breathes out. “Having someone as goofy as me is the best feeling. I hope you had the best birthday I could ever give you.„

again, HAPPY BDAY POOKI!! I HOPE YOULL HAVE THE GREATEST DAY EVER AHJGFSA SILLY GOOFY GOOBER ITS YOUR DAY TODAY AND GET THE MOST OF IT!!

/ᐠ - ˕ •マ Ⳋ mayuichi's property. do not repost, copy or translate without permission.

[garudabluffs]

K-Pop Has Figured Out a Solution to the Worst Thing About Concerts

Concertgoers’ scream-singing has gotten out of control. There’s another way. Aug 31, 2024

"Fans of Korean entertainment seem largely unfazed by the masses’ yearslong lack of socialization, partially because they already have a tried-and-true solution to this problem: fanchants. A fanchant is a planned vocal routine of chants for the audience to perform to accompany an artist’s popular songs. The chants are usually coordinated to accentuate specific moments of the instrumental, repeat key words in the lyrics, or even sync up with a particular moment in the choreography, and the routine is typically the full length of the song. You can think of it almost like audience vocal choreography or backup singing for the artist onstage. Many fanchants are made by the label and traditionally distributed via text guides. Here’s a comment on a K-pop subreddit explaining how the fanchant is distributed among fans when a song is first performed, generally at a televised music show in front of a studio audience of a couple hundred. Though nowadays most chants are made by the stars themselves and taught via video performance. This carries even more gravitas for the fan base, as most doting fans wouldn’t dream of going against their favorite singer’s wishes. For example, here’s the K-pop girl group NewJeans teaching the fanchant for their hit song “Super Shy.” And here, in a video recorded from an audience member at a live concert, you can hear the audience participating during the designated parts of the song."

READ MORE https://slate.com/culture/2024/08/concerts-eras-tour-taylor-swift-billie-eilish-olivia-rodrigo-etiquette-screaming-k-pop-fan-chant.html?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-us

122 COMMENTS "

My favorite bands have always encouraged maximum fan participation. This includes singing whenever and at obvious parts, forming circle pits, and even stage runs/diving.

This may be why I call them "shows" and not "concerts". If I'm going to see a band, nothing beats hundreds or thousands of people jumping around/singing together in a shared experience. The band feeds the crowd and the crowd feeds back. If I want to hear perfect takes with nothing else going on I'll just listen to the album.

Pop music and a lot of rock really should be more "shows" than "concerts" because they are less about maximum musicianship and more about fun."

+ "Fanchants achieve two purposes: First, they give fans a role to play, bringing them into the performance. Second, they require attention, memorization, and practice, so fans not only feel involved but are kept busy and focused, often mitigating the issue of constant screaming throughout the show. In nearly every recording of a K-pop performance, whether during broadcast Korean television shows reminiscent of the live performances on TRL—here’s NewJeans performing “Super Shy” on KBS’s Music Bank, for example—or in videos taken from the stands at concerts, you can tell that fans abide by the rules of the chant. While in that crowd of people, you can actually hear the artists onstage and simultaneously express your gratitude for being able to share space with them.

Stars work hard to put on a good show and be heard; in return, we pay bucketloads of money to hear them. This is a perfect solution that honors both the artists’ work and effort as well as our time and money, and that creates a real give-and-take between audience and performer that makes live shows so special. Let’s all take a page from the book of K-pop stans, rally our troops, and get to work: Stop screeching, and start preaching the benefits of the fanchant."

[just-otter-thoughts]

Do you guys think advertising even, like, works anymore? A long, possibly nonsensical rant about advertising and capitalism.

I'm using my own experiences as a paradigm here so what I'm saying might be entirely out of pocket, but out of all the ads that I see, very few actually work in making me:

Want the product, and

Have the conditions necessary to buy the product.

Food ads, for example, flat-out don't work on me. I already have the foods that I like, and I'm not gonna try burritos because I saw it on TV, or because I saw it in a sign. iFood and Uber Eats ads just fully don't work because I don't care. "If you see it while you're hungry it'll work" nope, I don't get hungry. I do crave certain foods sometimes and I have gotten pizza before because of a pizza ad, because I already wanted pizza.

And I feel like I'm not alone in this. I feel like, out of all the ads people see, to some of them, very few work. So having that in mind, do you think that maybe advertising is inherently wasteful?

I mean, there was a post going around the other day that said exactly this. How much paper is wasted on flyers that go straight to the trash? Out of all the flyers someone might see, if they even actually look at the flyers, how many of them do they actually pay attention to and buy the product/service/etc of? How many resources are wasted into creating video ads that someone's going to simply be annoyed by and skip, or better yet, isn't even going to see because they block ads?

We've all seen so much advertising in our lives that we're desensitized to it. "Yeah, whatever, an app I don't need, a food I don't want, a service I don't care about." I see zero ads on YouTube because I block them all, both on my phone and on my computer because I'm tired of seeing ads all the time.

I mean, even if it's something I'm interested in, the ad usually doesn't work on me! I've seen countless metal bands on Instagram Reels that have all the elements of music I like, but that simply weren't interesting enough to warrant me clicking and finding out more about the band, and maybe listening to a song.

I feel like I'm both being an outlier and not noticing the rare times an ad does work. I found out about my favorite artist, Billie Eilish, through a TikTok audio, which nowadays is unfortunately the main form of advertising music. That alone is proof that standard advertising doesn't work anymore and that they need to be more insidious and subtle to actually get someone to listen.

Which, to be quite honest, sounds like the path to hell. That's why we all like Tumblr so much, to be quite honest. "No one" advertises to us here. But on Instagram it's always an OnlyFans link, or an Etsy link, or a Spotify link, or a "novelty" product that's going to "make your life easier", a makeup product, and I can't imagine it's much better on TikTok, but I'm not on TikTok so I can't actually tell.

And look how normalized that has become! Businesses under capitalism always want to grow. The artist always wants more listeners. The influencer wants more followers. More brand deals. Like, do you see how EVERYTHING has to do with advertising?

The very job of being on the internet literally only pays because of advertising, at least primarily. Now on this subject I may be talking bullshit, so feel free to correct me, but in the beginning of YouTube, the only way you could make money out of it was to be big enough that you got a partnership with YouTube and started to earn a share of what they make running ads on your videos. You need to have a large enough platform that they even want to run ads on your videos because, if not enough people are going to see it, they just won't waste their money.

Nowadays we have things like Patreon, merch, media projects (many YouTubers are musicians and, for example, Markiplier fully has a movie), and the likes. So that's a way you can directly support a creator without the middle man of YouTube's ads. But then you have the hassle of THEIR OWN ADS FOR THEIR OWN THINGS. But these ads are very well-placed, because I already like Markiplier. So I'm more likely to go check out his movie because he said so. I know he made it.

I don't know if I'm making sense anymore. The point is, I feel like everything is growing to become so niche that advertisers need to advertise so much in order to have a small amount of people even care about their product. Audio equipment ads won't work on my dad, but they'll work on me. Offroad car ads won't work on me, but they'll work on my dad. Everyone has their own thing now, and it's difficult to cater to a wide audience because everyone is just so different. I feel like that's why TikTok makes so much money, because it's a way to house many different small communities with their own micro-advertising environments.

[curio-queries]

WHAT MAKES A FAN SONG?

As I've been thinking about this topic recently, I'd like to list out a few recent 'fan songs' and what components lead into that descriptor. This certainly isn't limited to the following ideas, just what's been bouncing around my brain.

The songs I'd like to frame this around are:

Take Two (TT)

Letter/Dear.Army (L/D.A)

My You (MY)

I'm limiting to these few as they are the ones that released while I've been actively paying attention to the BTS/ARMY relationship. I'd love to hear thoughts on the other fansongs as well, especially from anyone who was around during their initial release!

Song Links (I cant wait for the day we have a shareable version of Letter):

I'd like to submit that there are a few criteria as to what deems a song eligible for this classification. Not all songs will present all criteria, and ultimately it's up to the artist and audience to collectively agree but let's run with this, shall we?

1. CONTENT/SUBJECT MATTER

This is the most straightforward and easiest to recognise. What do the actual words, the lyrics state? Usually very visible on the surface-level but don't disregard the level of artistic interpretation and nuance in metaphors and levels of meaning! Some lyrics may have further meaning for the fans familiar with their other works. Or maybe it's just about a subject the artist is more willing to share with their fans rather than the world at large - not necessarily ABOUT the fans themselves but more a conversation directed toward the fans.

I'll just list some of the lyrics of each aong that stick out to me (using english translations where applicable):

(TT):

Even when the desert becomes the sea, we swim together

Even the lonely whales, we're singing like them now

We're together so I'm not scared of hoping for eternity

Because you're my belief and my only reason

(L/D.A):

I say uh-oh, I hope wе last forever

You-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh that felt like a warm spring day to me in the cold winter

I say uh-oh, I'll always cherish them

The fun moments between you and me

(MY):

On a starry night

Hope my you sleep tight

Shining purple light

Thank you for being by my side

2. CREATION PROCESS

This is tricky to nail down, particularly when the artist hasn't shared much of the process.

(TT): we don't know much about this process yet but it was clearly pre-planned enough to be ready for recording before Jin left. Also, (in my opinion) the bpm was obviously paced below what a typical catchy summer song would be. I honestly think the song would be better with a slightly faster pace but slowing it down makes it less likely for non-ARMY to catch onto it and thus more of a special gift to fans only. I don't know the bom just seems off to me with this one when i listen to it...

(L/D.A): do we know anything about this beside the images of Jimin's notebook?? Hopefully we get some nuggets of the story in the future. Boy shaaaare! 😋

(MY): JK clearlly planned to include ARMY in the creation of the songs lyrics. He posted a query to get fan participation, reviewed submissions, held a Livestream where he compiled some submissions into lyrics, and took time to explain afterwards why he couldn't use the submissions word-for-word.

3. DELIVERY

This can sometimes be evidenced when the artist releases the song in a way that will benefit the fans more than themself - usually monetarily and clearly not intended for charting.

(TT): released during Festa with no proper music video. (Also, see my point above about bpm?)

(L/D.A): released as a hidden track on the physical albums. Only people willing to spend money in support of the artist have access to the 'legally-acquired' song.

(MY): released during Festa with a lyric vid including many BTS/ARMY Easter Eggs.

What do you think qualifies a song as a 'fan song'? What about BTS' other fan songs - do they fit into these criteria?

[mmm-amba]

i'm excited to write to you finally! i finished finals yesterday and had a picturesque morning --

it's gloomy out, raining. but that's perfect timing, really, because i don't have to walk to campus today. i really enjoyed my walks during finals week. the weather before today was chilly and misty so the walks cleared my head.

you know what i've been thinking about? i've been thinking about writing. and art, i guess. i don't think my dream job is to become a number cruncher or research statistician. i think my dream job would be to write. or maybe i mean like some form of expression. i'm just thinking of the things that i'm naturally good at and just ... innately passionate of. i love listening to stories, i like making jewelry, i like arranging my room for that peak feng shui. i try super hard in my studies, but if i think about my natural gifts that the people around me appreciate, it's usually things about artsiness/cozyness or like advice/writing or like... making people feel comfortable?

so anyway i've been having this idea of like a coffee shop / creative space in chinatown. i went to this white ass indie arts store where local artists can sell their art (jewelry, ceramics, prints, etc) at the store, and the store takes A 50% CUT. that's kind of a lot. so imagine like in chinatown, there's like a coffee shop that sells indie poc art where the artists get most of the profit (maybe like 75%? idk). and maybe there's a bookshelf of other people's book recommendations (of poc authors lol). and maybe there's like a community art supplies thing where you pay a lil to use some of the crafty supplies so you can make things. and maybe this coffee shop / community studio has a lil zine project and they come out with a zine every now and then. and maybe it's not a coffee shop but more like selling little drinks and snacks.

yesterday i hosted a potluck and my friends really liked my rice! i think it's funny because rice usually isn't something complimented. but this whole quarter i've been perfecting my white rice. i don't have a rice cooker so i make it on the stove, and it's been fun slowly figuring out how to prepare it! there were definitely a few batches of rice that were terrible like the texture was just baddd. but imagine if this coffee shop thing could have like simple things to eat. like a good bowl of white rice and furikake and seaweed! like, feels like home.

i also think it would be cool to work for quanta. or pitchfork. two very different publications. i should start reading them more. but there's this fellowship thing that was in my email, and it's like for people studying math but it's a writing fellowship? so for a summer you get placed in this organization and write about stem things for a non-technical audience.

things to think about during winter break ^ because i don't think i want to stay in academia. it's too much imposter syndrome and... theoretical research just seems really pointless? like you're working so hard to figure something out and guess what? it doesn't really make the world a better place and no one really cares and you have no money. i think i'm a creative person, and now that i'm wayyy less depressed than i was in high school and college, i can more clearly see my strengths and where i want to go. anyway...

back to my morning. i woke up and watched youtube in bed. so nice! and then i got up and did a face mask while watching more youtube. i was watching the pink pantheress boiler room set and holy shit pink pantheress is such an icon. her vibe is just next level and i love the confidence. she's imperfect and utterly confident. i love her lyrics. pink pantheress is -- there's just something about her.

and then i did my skincare and cleaned the kitchen. my breakfast was the same ol toast and egg with tea. i added honey to my tea! i don't know why, but this little detail was so incredibly luxurious for me. usually i make tea for caffeine, and i guess i'm too preoccupied with the work i need to finish after breakfast to think about honey. but i have this tiny, tiny tiny jar of honey that i got from a fancy restaurant my brother took me to. and i felt so luxurious drinking honey jasmine tea. and then i ate a costco madeleine with the tea.

also having tea and pastries together is so luxurious. it's almost meditative or like... a practice of intentionality? yin and yang in like texture temperature taste. i don't know. but i find the costco madeleines so funny. there's like 100 or something in my drawer. like what preservatives are in these things i don't know. the madeleines remind me of an old friend whose mom would buy them regularly.

[absentcaryatid]

ATEEZ Unlimited

An ATEEZ fanfic by AbsentCaryatid

With their agency presumed bankrupt, can the guys come up with a way to continue the career they love?

1.8K words, Content note: barely skates by for all Tumblr-using ages, sex work is referenced, no reader, no romance

~

The news hit them like a truck. It broke while being interviewed live and the host paused to listen to their earpiece. “Reports are coming in that the accounting firm used by your company is under suspicion of fraud, theft, and gross mismanagement. Sources willing to go on record say KQ Entertainment will be bankrupt if the assets are unrecoverable.”

The CEO had been looking more stressed than usual lately and now the group knew why, if the rumors were true. Hongjoong's thoughts immediately went to all the employees dependent on KQ for a living. He could worry about his own career and that of the members under his leadership later, but for now the knowledge that there would be no paycheck in two weeks motivated him to make this promise. “I will do whatever I can as an artist to make sure the KQ family is taken care of during this crisis.”

The sincere intention to support a whole company from janitors to stylists and trainees weighed heavily on Hongjoong. Once back home at the dorm he gathered the members to see if the others wanted to rescue the company or let it die and seek contracts with other agencies. It pleased him beyond measure to see that they voted unanimously to work to save the agency. The guys would rather fight as one than admit defeat. It was not a certain thing ATEEZ would be picked up by another company if their contracts were sold off to pay KQ debts and expenses. Chances for KQ Fellaz 2 to ever debut were even slimmer if they lost their supportive environment.

Hongjoong appreciated the loyalty of his crew and explained what he had been thinking. “Long term we could get payouts for more commercials now that we are regularly in the top twenty K-pop groups when it comes to brand ranking. To meet the next payroll though, we need to get money in fast. I was thinking an auction of some of my reformed wardrobe and maybe even some of our old stage outfits. Anybody else have ideas?”

Of course it was Wooyoung who brought up the surest route to cash. “I could strip for pay on my next V Live.”

San was quick to join in. “Me too, I'd feel completely comfortable doing that.”

Yeosang snarked, “About time you got paid for the show we get for free at home. You waltz around the dorm naked often enough.”

San took the good-natured teasing well and laughed with all the others.

Ever the cautious mother hen, Seonghwa informed them nudity would probably break the V Live terms of service. “Besides, there is no tip function to take full advantage of any interest generated.” Seonghwa was nothing if not practical.

“We'll just have to find the right platform then. I'd go full-service camboy to keep our company afloat.”

Seonghwa spluttered as the whole group turned in shock to see who had spoken. They knew from the voice of course, but still it was hard to believe.

Yunho was the first to recover enough to form an opinion of the idea. With a hand held over his mouth Yunho blurted out, “Jongho! You would never need to do that. Other agencies are always trying to poach you. You could be hired elsewhere in a heartbeat.”

“I am loyal to KQ and you guys in particular. Eight makes one team, right? We rise or fall together so count me in on this project.” Jongho ended his rousing speech with a firm nod of his head and a steely look around the group. “I'm not a teenager to be babied anymore. Fans certainly see me as the man I am now if the explicit fanfic is any indication.”

Some eyebrows raised around the group, both at his possible reading choices and his willingness to participate in vividly sexual content streamed as a money maker. Jongho was always full of surprises.

Upping the ante even further, it was Mingi who suggested openly prostituting themselves. “Only the people who want to, and with right of refusal at any point, of course. Think of the big spenders we have among our fans. Who would not be intrigued by the ultimate fanservice from the idol or pair of their choice?”

“He's right, you know,” Yunho said to no one in particular as he gazed at his hands, the ones he knew people would pay dearly to enjoy in very adult ways. “I have seen some of the fanfic too. Pretty sure Mingi and I could work together to put some pretty big smiles on faces of people with money to throw at us.” By the time he looked up at the friends around him there were reactions running from impressed to possibly interested in dipping into their own savings.

Aghast, Seonghwa tried to rein in the brainstorming again. “My first of many objections is that prostitution is illegal in our country.”

“So we don't advertise it that way, just pay for a day with a member and no promises of sex, though buyers would have to bring a recent STI screening with negative results. We could call it 'ATEEZ Unlimited.' If something just so happens between consenting adults on their day together it happens, but we are selling access, not a tumble in bed.” Hongjoong smiled feeling like he had rules-lawyered his way through a loophole.

“The law sees through flimsy denials like that, Hongjoong. Besides, people couldn't keep something like that quiet for long. Really though, nobody with a job at KQ would want us to risk prison when they could still seek work at another company.” Seonghwa was right of course and all the men knew it.

Wooyoung was not ready to let their best moneymaker get away however. “People already think I am promiscuous given my flirty nature. Pretty sure I could argue in court I could not keep my hands off such lovely fans. It is believable, right? After all, rock stars sleep with groupies all the time for free. We would just be going about it in a more enterprising way.”

Some of the group nodded but Yeosang was unconvinced. “ATEEZ means too much to me to see the name dragged through the mud. Saving the company is for nothing if we can't get booked on shows anymore. I think cam work under identity-hiding measures is our best bet alongside more above-board activities like outright selling autographs and high-touch fanmeet tickets.”

“I have been writing fanfic on the side,” Jongho announced. “Commissions are usually paid a pittance, far less than they are worth, but if I was known to be the author I could then charge an impressive rate.”

Far more interested than concerned, San asked, “You write smut about us? Bet you could get paid even more money if it was illustrated with photos or video clips. Wooyoung and I could put together a little something....”

Jongho held up his hands. “Stop. No. I only write me. My fans have often expressed the disappointment that there are never enough Jongho stories.”

He was interrupted by Seonghwa. “I see the same complaints about me in fic.”

“Me too,” Hongjoong agreed.

With frustration in his voice, Jongho pointed out they were the top two in ATEEZ for fanfic written about them. “My fans really are going hungry so I like to give them a little fun under a pseudonym.” With pride he added, “Some of what I have written is among the most popular Jongho content on AO3 and Tumblr. People like the way my Jonghos always feel realistic.”

“That's impressive,” Yeosang praised. “Still, writing would take a while even if the pay was great. And do you really want to be known as the fanfic writing idol?”

Unembarrassed, Jongho argued, “People like different things, but as someone who enjoys it both as a reader and writer, I certainly see no shame in fanfic.”

“Okay, I'll give you that. But to open up scenarios on request means being flooded with very specific fantasies involving yourself, or at least the idol persona in their minds.” Yeosang shuddered. “As much as I love and appreciate ATINY, I would not want that x-rated look inside their heads.”

“Actually, that is a very important point. Thank you, Yeosang. Open season on sending me hard hours about myself is something I do not want to subject myself to.”

Yunho had been listening thoughtfully. “To take a different tack, I'm pretty sure we could do a stripped down concert series locally.” Seeing their wide eyes he clarified, “Not naked I mean, but a simple set, no confetti cannons, smoke, or other effects. Just microphones and outfits we already have.”

Setting aside his notebook where he had been doing some estimates, Mingi chimed in. “Good idea, but renting a hall means an outlay of money upfront before we make anything. Let's stick to profit only opportunities like those personalized video or audio message services. We could knock out plenty of those per hour.” The suggestion made sense and was greeted with approval. Mingi had always been good with math and set to work figuring pricing for solo and whole team recordings.

The group quieted as they contemplated the work ahead of them. Hongjoong's phone rang interrupting their individual thoughts. He took it on speakerphone once he saw the caller. CEO Kim brought the welcome news that the stolen funds had been located. KQ and their paychecks were safe, and he would pay wages from his own pocket until the money was returned to the company.

Hongjoong thanked him then hung up. “We are going to be okay. That is such a weight off our shoulders.” He visibly relaxed further as Wooyoung began a shoulder massage. To see Hongjoong so accepting of touch was telling how tense he had become over the now resolved situation. Bringing himself back to the present, he congratulated the members. “I was impressed the way every one of you pulled together to save our careers.”

Seonghwa also had something to say to the group. “Your devotion to keeping us together is admirable. I do have some concerns how quickly so many of you jumped to selling your bodies though.”

Wooyoung's confusion was honest. “You truly have never wondered what it would be like to give in fully to what some of our fans want of us?”

The smile of a Cheshire cat appeared on Seonghwa's face. “I do indeed think about what my dedicated fans hope to see. Mine may be a little different from yours in that a few hours of streaming LEGO builds satisfies them.”  

The knowing looks that passed among the fanfic reading members were missed by Seonghwa. They would let his innocence be spared. For now it was enough to celebrate the return of KQ to solvency and the once again stable future permitting a continued rise of their success.

~

General Masterlist

Masterlist of stories with No Romance

[sanstropfremir]

I think you've mentioned this before but who are some artists (kpop or not) you think have amazing stage presence?

i think i've mentioned some groups that have good stage presence but i don't know if i've specifically named people? there's a lot of overlap with my fave dancers post, including the usual suspects: boa, taemin, key, hyuna, dawn, cl, kahi, yunho, changmin, junsu, ten, hwanwoong, yonghoon, dongmyeong, hongjoong, san. not idols but all of forestella. also not an idol but i am hopelessly in love with my feral piano man oh eunchul, whom - and i cannot stress this enough - is a classical pianist. not kpop but also santa and rikimaru, and also queen bee because i could watch avu chan go insane forever. miyavi. orville peck. janelle monae. rina sawayama. absolutely unironically: kirin j callinan (yes the cowboy screaming meme song guy). there's a lot more but i'm going to stop here because i don't want this to turn into a list of me just recommending my favourite musicians lol

[angellesword]

YOUR EYES TELL | JJK (11)

Summary: You live in a world where people see in black and white. The solution to finally see the colors? It’s simple. You need to meet your soulmate and look at him in the eyes, but what if the person bound to you is already contented with the monochromatic world? What if…Jeongguk, your soulmate, is already in love with someone else?

Alternatively:

“A future without you is a world without color.”

Genre: soulmate au, e2l, slow burn, ANGST, fluff, roommate au

Pairing: Artist!Jungkook x Lawyer!Reader

Word Count: 2.2k

SERIES:  CHAPTER 10 | CHAPTER 12

"You don't have to pay me, Guk."

 Jeongguk shook his head instantly. Yoongi was being absurd. How could he not pay his older friend?

 "I know you have the money, but I can't just take ten thousand dollars from you, hyung." The younger boy pouted his lips.

Yoongi should know by now that Jeongguk hated owing people something.

 Debt of gratitude sucked. It couldn't be paid. Ever. Jeongguk didn't want that. He hated sleeping at night thinking that someone out there could manipulate his feelings—this was how he perceived debt of gratitude: a manipulation. It was because he felt like he was bound please the person who helped him. It was as though he needed to act in accordance to the likes of said person.

 "Fine." Yoongi shrugged his shoulders as if he didn't care about any of this. "Pay me whenever you want,"

 Jeongguk snorted as your voice echoed inside his head. If you were here, you would tell Yoongi that he couldn't just tell his debtor to pay him whenever he wanted. This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

 Civil obligations like this one was only enforceable for ten years. If Jeongguk couldn't pay within the said period, the obligation would then become a natural one—something that would only be paid out of conscience.

 Jeongguk shook his head. Why was he thinking about the stupid law? Why couldn't he stop imagining your pretty smile as you talked about certain provisions? Why was he hesitating to accept his hyung's money?

 And most importantly, why didn't he want to leave you now?

 Your soulmate loaned thousands of dollars from Yoongi just so he could pay the down payment for the apartment that he wanted buy. He promised himself that he would terminate the lease of contract with you after four months. He just couldn't live with you anymore.

 You were supposed to be temporary in his life; however, with the way you were invading his mind even though you weren't around, Jeongguk realized that you were his constant.

 You were the only person who could tolerate his bratty attitude. You were the only person who couldn't get mad at him. You were the only person who made him feel special and needy—Jeon Jeongguk needed your attention so much that he felt like had to run.

 He didn't know when it started, especially because he believed he was not over Red yet.

 Red.

 Was Red the reason why Jeongguk wanted to leave you?

 This was what you thought while clutching the paper on your chest.

 It hurt, but as usual you had to pretend like you were okay.

 "Your parents are back in their hotel," said by Jeongguk the moment he entered your apartment.

 He was back from the thirty-minute drive.

 Your parents were scheduled to fly to Jeju Island tomorrow morning.

 "That's good." You discreetly wiped your tears away, trying so hard to make your tone sound enthusiastic. 

 Your back was facing him since you were afraid to let him see you crying.

 You didn't want to pester Jeongguk regarding his plan to leave. You felt like he wouldn't appreciate the drama you would obviously bring.

  Jeongguk didn't deserve drama—not when it was clear that he was exhausted. He took care of you these past weeks. The only thing you could do was to give him a damn break even if it meant sleepless night as questions like 'why am I not enough?' clouded your mind.

 "Thanks, Jeongguk. Goodnight!" You hastily added, refusing to look at him as you made your way to your room.

 "Wait," he stopped you like the way he did earlier today. This time, however, he stopped you by breaking your heart even more.

 "C-Can I sleep in your room tonight?" Jeongguk swallowed the lump in his throat; his heart was beating so fast.

 You flinched.

 How dare he ask something so insensitive?

 "Why?" Your lips trembled as you finally found the courage to look at him. It was a wrong move, though. You couldn't do it. You couldn't look at him without tears filling your eyes.

 Looking at Jeon Jeongguk made you realize what you could never have: him.

 You were grateful he's averting your gaze. Jeongguk couldn't meet your eyes as well. He was embarrassed and afraid. What if you rejected him? He didn't have any reason to cuddle with you tonight. Jimin was right. Your parents were the solution to help you get back on your feet. It was as though they had some kind of power. You didn't look like you needed your soulmate to make you feel better anymore. 

 You were back to your old self.

 Sadly Jeongguk had no idea that you were just pretending. He didn't know that you were forced to be okay once again. He wasn't even aware that he was one of the reasons why you're acting like everything was fine.

 "I just want to make sure you're alright," his voice was barely audible.

 Jeon Jeongguk was a liar. The truth was you weren't the only one getting used to cuddling with each other. Jeongguk was also craving to embrace you—to listen to your controlled breathing and raging heartbeat.

 "Really?" You suddenly huffed, causing Jeongguk to flick his gaze at you.

 Your soulmate was a good liar, you were not.

 There's a point where pain was too much to handle.

 Jeongguk was staring at you with puzzled expression. His mouth went agape upon seeing the tears streaming down your face.

 "You want to make sure I'm okay so you can finally leave?"

 "What?" He furrowed his brow, clearly not understanding the words you just said. How could he focus on anything when all he could see was your tears?

 Jeongguk wanted to wipe your stupid tears, but you weren't letting him.

 You took three steps backwards when he tried to reach for your face.

 Anger, frustration, and pain. All of these are visible in your eyes. Your thoughts were poisoning your mind—making you imagine what you thought Jeongguk felt.

 "You...called my parents b'cause you're t-tired of me, right?" You slurred.

 You wanted to run to your room since you knew you couldn't stop speaking your thoughts anymore. This wasn't right. You told yourself you weren't going to make this hard for your soulmate, so why couldn't he do the same thing for you?

 Why was he cornering you? Why couldn't he just go away? 

 And why couldn't you stop the venom in your words?

 "You don't want to deal with me anymore. You want to leave but you're guilty. You feel like you are responsible for my pain," this must be it. You kept thinking what triggered his sudden change of behavior. It couldn't be because he finally realized that he liked you too.

 No. That couldn't be right. The only plausible explanation for this was because of the guilt he felt. He only started to act like he cared when you told him that he hurt you too.

 "That's not true..." But Jeongguk was quick to dismiss the negative thoughts inside your head.

 You inhaled deeply. Fresh tears stained your cheeks.

 "What's the truth, then?" You picked up the paper that would prove his intention to leave.

 It was too late to stop now. You were already acting pathetic in front of him. 

 "Why didn't you tell me you bought an apartment?" You continued to ask despite knowing the reason.

 You didn't. You were imagining things. What you think was different from what Jeongguk felt. Admittedly, his eyes widened. He wasn't expecting you to confront him about this. Hell. You weren't even supposed to find out this way.

 Jeongguk was planning to simply sign the contract to terminate your lease agreement with him, leave your apartment in the middle of the night and never come back.

 Guess he couldn't do it now, huh?

 "I-I," he trailed off instantly. How could he explain this to you when he himself didn't know why he wanted to leave?

 Jeongguk wished it was easy to face his emotions. He identified them, but he still didn't know what to do—not even after spending weeks cuddling with you.

 He needed to be alone, he needed to figure out what he felt and what this all meant to him on his own.

 "Is it me, Gukkie?" You sobbed and your soulmate's heart clenched.

 Your back was against the wall, Jeongguk was standing so close to you to the point that he could literally see the tears forming in your eyes.

 It broke him more.

 "Did I cross the line? Am I being too pushy? Annoying? Hard do deal with?"

 Jeongguk could only bite his bottom lip.

 You proceeded to list the things your former maids despised about you.

 "Is Miri too much too handle? Am I picky with the food? Is it hard to wake me up in the morning?"

 Jeongguk avoided your eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.

 You noticed that he couldn't speak. Why? Was it difficult to admit the truth?

 "Or am I not buying you enough things?"

 The conflicted boy shook his head vigorously. You did not understand anything.

 "Do you need a new laptop? New clothes? Art materials?" You sounded so desperate. "Tell me, Gukkie. I'll do anything you want."

 "I don't need you to do anything." He said coldly as he moved away from you.

 Pain attacked your chest when you saw indifference dancing in his face.

 "You're still leaving me?" You quivered in fear. You were really pathetic. You said to yourself that you wanted him to go away, but the thought of him actually leaving made your stomach turn upside down.

 "Yes."

 It felt like an arrow shot you in the heart.

 How could he not stutter? Was he really decided to leave you?

 Jeongguk saw how his answer affected you, so he immediately defended himself.

 "I mean it's about right. I told you I'm gonna stay here for a few months. It's over now. I don't want to be your tenant anymore."

 "But why!" You whined. This wasn't fair! How could he decide without consulting you first? This was a reciprocal obligation. You deserved to know his reasons.

 Jeongguk scowled. He wanted to leave now. It was getting unbearable to see you cry—it was as though his chest was going to explode.

 "Do I really need a reason?" His frown deepened. "Can't I just leave because I don't want to be with you anymore?" A lie.

 "You're lying." You refused to believe him even if you knew he was telling the truth. This wasn't you. You weren't like this. It was unlike of you to keep pushing Jeongguk. You teased him all the time, but you didn't mean to make him uncomfortable. His happiness was your top priority.

 You swore you just wanted to know the truth. You deserved a reasonable explanation. He couldn't just say he didn't want to be with you. If he couldn't love you, then he should at least be able to respect you like a normal person.

 "Why would I lie—"

 "Because I'm your soulmate!" You cut him off. Your emotions were overflowing.

 Why couldn't you just let him go?

 "And I love you, Jeongguk." You cried. The table had turned. Just a few breaths ago, he was the one begging to touch you. Right now, however, it was you who was desperately trying to latch on him.

 Jeongguk pushed your hand away. He couldn't have you touching him. It would only make it harder for him to leave.

 "I love you so please don't leave me—"

 "You don't." He cut you off, flinching so hard because of how much he hated your confession. He felt like he was gonna puke.

 "I do, Guk. I love you—"

 "No!" Jeongguk insisted otherwise. He was being stubborn and it was irritating you.

 Who did he think he was to tell you what you felt?

 "You don't love me, okay!? You are wrong in all of this!" He took a step back. He was acting as if your touch was going to burn him.

 "You are delusional. Too caught up with the idea of soulmate that you failed to see the truth!"

 Jeongguk was shaking in frustration. He hated that he had to be mean just to make you understand things—similar to what Red did.

 "I can see the truth! I know the truth!" You carried on.

 He was the one being blinded here, not you.

 "You're just ignoring the signs, Jeongguk. The universe wants us to be together!"

 This wasn't a coincidence. You couldn't be wrong—not when he could see colors because of the love you felt for him.

 But he used this against you.

 "I am not your soulmate." His jaw clenched. "Your eyes can tell."

 You stopped breathing.

 "Your eyes tell." He repeated.

 Your mouth felt dry.

 It felt like you had been stabbed straight in the heart.

 If he was your soulmate, if he ever loved you—or cared, you would see colors by now.

 But no.

 You still see in black and white.

 Your eyes would not lie because Jeon Jeongguk was right....

 Your Eyes Tell.

[hypnosisbuttd]

Day 9: Repetition

(Ok this is one of my longer stories but one of my favorites… Enjoy!)

Most people are able to obtain their slaves through the simple act of a one time hypnosis session. However good Hypnotists know that the best slaves are made through repetitive and consistent training. Afterall, practice makes perfect. A lesson our next hypnotist knows all too well. His next victim, a tiny but relatively famous boxer, is about to go through a whole new training.

“Alright Mac Baby… You know the drill!” Louis commanded.

“But Coach… I need to train! You can't go!” Mac whines sadly.

“I know you need to train. I told you this before. I hired a temporary new trainer for you! He's world renowned. You'll do good, trust me!” Louis smiles.

Mac humphs “Fine… But I'm gonna train without him too…” Mac mumbles.

“That's my champ! Good luck!” Louis walks out the door as a strangely catty man quietly walks in through the open door. He shuts and locks the door behind him.

“Hello Little Mac… A pleasure to see you in person…” He smiles.

“Who are you?” Mac asks, confused.

“Why Im your new trainer! Citrine is the name. I hope to make you into the best man you could be.” Citrine smiles.

“Whatever…” Mac grumbles.

“Now then let's begin…”

(Day 1)

“Hey Mac, would you mind listening to this track I made for you?” Citrine asks sweetly

“Why the fuck would I do that?” Mac asks

“I just wanna make sure you have the best training possible Mac. This track was specifically prepared for you. Itll help your mind focus and your muscles relax…”

“How much does it cost?” Mac grumbles.

Citrine looks offended. “This is a gift, Mac! Why would I ever make you pay for a gift?” Citrine says shocked.

“Because you are clearly some sort of scam artist hoping to milk me and Coach of our money…” Mac growls.

Citrine sighs and puts a hand on Mac's shoulder. “Listen… Mac I know you don't trust me… But I just want you to know that I want nothing but the best for you… Just trust me… Ok?” Citrine asks sweetly.

“Grrrr… Fine…” Mac snatches the tape out of Citrine's hands and begins playing the tape on his headphones.

“Huh… This ain't half bad…” Mac notes.

“See? I told you!” Citrine smiles.

“Yeah… Thanks Citrine.” Mac smiles and continues his workout.

(Day 2)

“Mac… I have a recommendation for you…” Citrine mentions.

“Sure… Shoot Citrine…” Mac says punching his usual bag.

“Have you ever considered removing your shirt?” Citrine asks.

Mac goes red as a beet and stares at Citrine, angry and embarrassed “Why in the world would I do that?!” Mac squeaks.

“Your muscles are so tensed up. You aren't hitting as hard, and you always seem exhausted after more and more punches.”

Little Mac doesn't have a snarky remark, he just stays silent.

“Just try it for one day…” Citrine stays silent

Mac mumbles, slightly embarrassed. But reluctantly, he removes his tank top and resumes his workout. He notices his punches are faster, and that he doesn't get as tired after certain punches.

“Wow… You really know your stuff Citrine!”

Citrine just smiles.

(Day 3)

Citrine doesnt bother to introduce Mac into conversation. He knows its working, so he decides to try a simpler approach.

“Your pants seem uncomfortable,” Citrine notices.

Mac seems to reflect this, itching at the edge of his pants “Yeah they are…”

“WHy dont you take them off?” Citrine suggests

Mac blushes “Well… I”

“Come on… It's just me and you here.” Citrine purrs.

Mac realizes, and spends no hesitation ripping off his pants. He tosses them aside and begins lifting a large dumbbell. Squatting up and down, almost as if he's sitting on something ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

(Day 4)

Mac seems uncomfortable as he does his daily workout today.

“What's wrong Mac?” Citrine asks.

“I don't know coach… My butt feels so uncomfortable…” Mac whines.

“Maybe if you take off that Jockstrap you'll feel better…” Citrine grins.

“Oh yeah! You're right!” Mac quickly removes his Underwear, exposing his barebutt to Citrine.

“That feel better?” Citrine asks

“Yeah! Thanks for the idea Coach!” Mac starts punching the bag again.

Citrine seems to think for a moment, but before he's done, he decides to take a risk. He quickly slaps Mac on the butt, expecting him to get angry.

Instead Mac lets out a little yelp and covers his blushing face.

“You ok?” Citrine asks

“Yeah… Can you do that again…” Mac mumbles.

Citrine smiles and gives Mac another smack on the heinie. Mac moans.

“So… Good…” Mac drools.

Citrine gives Mac a couple more spankings before finally leaving him be. Mac looks happily at Citrine before continuing his work out.

(Day 5)

“Hey Coach… Can I ask you something?” Mac stands nervously.

“Sure, ask me anything you like!” Citrine smiles.

“Well I heard you talking about this new exercise that can help relax the groin muscles… Could we maybe try it?” Mac mumbles.

“Are you sure you are ready for it?” Citrine grabs Macs face and gently faces him towards his eyes.

“Y-yeah…” Mach stutters, lost in the beauty of Citrines eyes.

Citrine smiles and brings Mac to the center of the practice ring. Citrine pulls off his pants, revealing his shocking large girth. Mac drools and reaches to it, but Citrine pulls off his glove and smacks his hand. Mac whines and Citrine puts a finger over his lips. Citrine lies down on the mat and gestures for Mac to begin.

Mac carefully removes his other glove and sets himself in a position where he's sitting just above Citrines growth. Mac then finally sits on the cock and groans feeling the penetration inside him. Citrine lets him continue and Mac starts moving his butt up and down and up and down the dick. He moans and groans as he reaches for his own tiny 3 inch. CItrine slaps his hand again and Mac whines even more.

Citrine reaches his hand up and begins Playing with Mac's muscular nips. Mac groans as his man tits leak with sweat and as he speeds up his ‘exercise’. Citrine looks Mac directly in the eyes and flashes his eyes, causing Macs to mewl. Finally Citrine grabs Mac by the ass and stands up, Mac still bouncing up and down his girth. He tilts Mac chin up to face him and locks lips with him. Citrine finally casts his magic and drains any form of Wisdom and Brains from Macs head. With the kiss, Mac finally orgasms as Citrine does the same inside his ass, claiming Mac. Mac sits down in his arms and mewls against Citrine's shoulder

“There we go… Good puppy…” Citrine purrs.

“Im… a Good boy…” Mac mumbles.

“Yeah you're my good boy, aren't you?”

“Yes… Master…”

(Day 6)

Mac stands straight up, attempting to hold the dish properly in his hands. Citrine corrects his posture, adjusting his limbs and torso to be in the most proper, yet comfortable position.

“You are a little slouched, my boy.” CItrine notices.

“I'm sorry Master! My ass is still hurting after the incident last night…” Mac says sadly.

“I apologize that I didn't give you aftercare…” Citrine says running his Hand through Mac's hair.

“No! I must apologize for not living to your expectations, sir!” Mac retorts.

“Oh you really are such a good boy!” Citrine purrs. “Now then lets go over it one more time.”

Citrine stands in front of Little Mac, and smiles.

“What's your name?”

“My name is Little Dick, because of my small useless cock! I am a servant of the Citrine Mansion!”

“Who's your master?”

“You're my master sir! You own every part of me, including my ass, my mouth, and my cock!”

“Are you allowed to touch your cock?”

“No! I must wait until I get the proper chastity before even thinking about touching my useless dick!”

“Are you a good boy?”

Mac seems to want to say something, but then seems to look down sadly.

“What's wrong boy?” Citrine asks.

“Am I a good boy? I haven't always been the best to you. And I'm not even worthy of being your top servant.” Mac says sadly.

“Of course you are, boy! You are my good puppy afterall!” Citrine scratches Mac behind the ears.

Mac seems reluctant at first, but eventually smiles and begins panting while kicking his foot.

“So are you a good boy?” Citrine asks again.

“Yes! I am a good boy! Your good boy sir! Ruff!”

Citrine smiles. His training was finally complete.

(Day 7, final)

Louis returns, waiting to finally get Back to Mac. But notices that Mac is gone. He searches all around town, but no one can seem to find him. The Press sends out a notice of missing, but he does not appear to be anywhere on this earth. The trainer also disappeared but Louis was too panicked to notice.

However, in another world, a slick feline sits in his chair, sipping from a tea cup. By his knees, a husky wearing a green bowtie sits near his lap. Citrine taps his lap, and the husky climbs up and curls up on Citrine's lap. Citrine runs his paw through the husky's hair and the Puppy whines in happiness, having no memory of anything but his master.