#but his composing talent is *chef kiss*

[rewritingcanon]

ok here are some of the one part melbourne hpcc play highlights (part one only because i need to make two seperate posts… they’re too long together) in an attempted chronological order:

part one

first off, why so many dilfs? like not to be like this person about a family friendly play but seriously harry? draco? RON? RON RON RON OH MY GOD 🧎‍♀️ michael whalley please one chance

ron’s voice was very… mhmm. it was good.

harry got more attractive as he got more depressed too..

and also draco’s buttons and cuffs were sparkling and he had many silver rings on his fingers. ill leave it at that

anyways if we were to talk about actual content: the first train carriage scene was so gold omg. right before it started - karl sat down in scorpius’s carriage, seemed to realise who he was sitting with and then immediately this look of horror crossed over his face and he BOLTED away 😭😭 he ended up sitting with james sirius and craig loll

yann and polly were in a carriage together the cuties

also polly was in bicycle shorts the whole time. it was like a cloak and then just black bicycle shorts fr. idk if the actress just didnt have her pants or sum because i found out later that she was a cover (which is CRAZY because she played myrtle and polly so extremely well, she literally sounded exactly like myrtle im not kidding, aisha aidara has so much talent fr)

rose hostile side eye at scorpius when him and albus are talking for the first time i swearrrr shes so funny she was literally like this the entire time

rose looked so pleased with herself when she said “the rumour is that hes voldemort’s son! ☺️☺️” then she realises that both scorp and al are extremely uncomfortable and goes “😧😧😧well its not like its true! 😰 you clearly have a nose 😝” shes so funny bro

when albus was sorted into slytherin craig seemed to be the only one (besides scorpius) excited about it but then composed himself when he saw everyone else’s reactions

in wand dance (which is still the funkiest song of the whole score)— albus’s movement with his cloak wasnt as graceful as everyone else’s transitions in the dance, like he was messing up even that. he was more flinging it then twirling it around and his expression was one of a constant state of annoyance, like he’s aware he’s always messing up but he can’t change it because he doesn’t know how to. its why im grateful for sitting so close to the stage because i don’t think i would’ve recognised this (and other later acting i’ll talk about)

in between the first and second year with draco and harry mirroring each other was not gone unnoticed but was funny asf still.

like here’s harry trying to talk to his kid when karl runs up with his whole belly out wanting an autograph

and then you have draco who yann walks by once and he’s immediately glaring this boy down. like yann literally started ZOOMING AWAY 🏃‍♂️💨 bc draco’s intimidation tactics are so intense

scorpius sniffs rose twice whilst trying to flirt with her. w rizz.

the scene with amos, harry and albus was just ungh *chef’s kiss*

you can literally see the plan forming in albus’s head as he listens to them and his anger at his dad as he’s listening to them, harry’s discomfort at lying to amos whilst also being put to blame for cedric’s death yet again and amos’ bumbling confused pain. like idk george henare plays amos so well it was literally painful to watch

delphi’s eye makeup was so slay. tbh everything about her character was amazing

idk why i just noticed it but delphi literally acts like scorpius when her and albus first meet. awkward, unassuming, clumsy and nonthreatening and seemingly very sweet and funny. hmm.

if you take into account that she was in the background during the 9 3/4 scenes and have the opinion that she was planning on meeting albus for years, and observing him and his family the entire time, then she probably also purposefully tried to mimic the only person albus was known for getting along with, which was scorpius. HMMMM.

when delphi first meets harry she was smiling at him and looking at him with these wide eyes that can be mistaken for awe but as soon as she and amos were out of his line of sight and were leaving the stage she stopped smiling immediately but continued to look at him. the focus lights were off her and the scene was already changing but I NOTICED and it was fucking ominous

i could see how some of the effects worked when sitting up close. for instance i know that the incendio flames and the consequent fire were from tubes that were set into the pillars of st jeromes church. i could see some of the strings when things were flying around. bane’s two-body centaur was more noticeable and less smooth. when ron got kissed by the dementor i thought he was kissing back because he was discreetly holding the dementor by the waist 😭😭 then i realised he was hooking himself onto the dementor to be carried off

BUT there were some tricks that even i literally couldn’t explain and the one that comes to mind is when harry and ginny appeared in the bed during the post-nightmare bedroom scene. like how tf did that happen?? how????? i literally cannot think of anything besides the the actor and actress hiding in the mattress and then emerging BECAUSE LITERALLY HOW ELSE

ginny and harry slandering dumbledore in the bedroom scene 🫶🫶

draco looking at the audience like he’s ryan in the office every time harry says something. especially during the scene in the ministry meeting where harry says his scar is hurting. bro was so done with him.

when albus and scorpius were escaping the hogwarts express scorpius attempted to climb out onto the train’s roof first and he was sticking his leg out and pulling back in, and then sticking his leg out and pulling back in and then he turns to albus like 😧🫴 “i have never done this before bro” look on his face so albus pushes him away and just yanks himself out 💀

“my son is missing” “SO IS MINE” so good, the line delivery was perf

you know i’ve heard lots of people go on and on about how nyx calder plays the perfect scorpius and i totally get the hype now. even the way he stands is accurate to how i envision scorpius. and he’s always fidgeting with his hands, giving this impression of a cute little dorky german boy. his posture is always super straight and his hands are usually clasped which makes him look proper but awkward and very sweet, i love him, very superb acting through body language

speaking of which when amos was roasting the shit out of albus, scorpius looked so terrified. he was gripping albus’s robes and trying to pull him away 😭

“go to your room” being the first thing out of scorpius’s mouth to albus as soon as he’s polyjuiced as harry 💀

ron/albus tried to hide with scorp and delphi when hermione and harry were coming and they pushed him out of the office forcibly 😭😭

albus/ron was the number one instigator that whole scene was fucking funny and it was the first time i could watch it without cringing

when ron blocked the door from hermione he squatted and started t-posing in front of the door and went “im 🕺not🕺blocking🕺anything.” this whole scene was probably the funniest part of the play especially the “I WANT ANOTHER BABY OR A HOLIDAY AND I WILL INSIST ON IT”

also the line where hermione is like “there better not be another stink pellet in there” to ron/albus is replaced by “there better not be another romantic firework display in there” i love them sm

when ron/albus said to hermione that she married ron because of his “puckish sense of fun,” he was saying it a little flatly with this big awkward smile on his face and he was double thumbs-upping her. it looked so fourteen year old core lmfaooo

scorpius started hyperventilating on the ground when delphi and albus got swallowed by the book case and literally started crawling on all fours like *pat pat pat* cmon scorpius *pat* think!! *pat pat*

scorpius standing in between both albus and delphi talking… farther off in the forbidden forest as they were laughing. he looked so defensive like his hands were clenched and his whole body was tense, and when delphi said “wizzo” it seemed to snap scorpius out of whatever he was thinking and he went up to them and said (very sharply, mind you) “what’s wizzo?” like that’s HIS catchphrase. bro was jealoussssss heheeehehe

and when albus quizzed delphi instead of scorpius like usual, scorpius looked like he had been slapped

then when delphi said “im flattered but do you honestly think i can pass as a student” to albus scorpius started shaking his head aggressively and not so inconspicuously doing the cut-it-out hand gesture to albus 😭😭

when delphi kissed albus, scorpius flinched… and then slowly put his own cheek out and delphi literally was like “mmm no” 😭

scorpius said “you look sweaty and red” to albus after the kiss, it didnt sound light-hearted like the other times it did when i saw the play, but accusatory. hmm. interesting.

scorpius also said “sweaty and red” instead of “pale and red” like the script and i might be biased and reading too much into it, but i was thinking about why they might change something so minuscule. maybe because “sweaty” gives a grosser connotation then “pale,” and i genuinely think in this revised version of the play albus isn’t supposed to have a crush on delphi

when scorpius and albus are alone together looking at the school, and talking about how beautiful it is and how they each view their lives at present, scorpius was looking out at the view the whole time but halfway through the scene albus stops looking at the view and starts looking at scorpius instead!!! um!!! with this very soft look on his face as well, until they’re interrupted by hearing their parents come. guys. im not kidding. its so gay usually but up close the play is even worse my jaw was dropping.

albus’s “ZORRY HERZMIONE I ZINK HE HAZ GOZZEN YOU MIZZED WIZZ ZUMUN ELZZZE” in bad german accents and scorpius’s very manly, very loud “YEZZZZ 👹💪” 

when albus and scorpius got caught by harry and co. albus went “hi dad 😙” and his voice was so high, bro was scared 😭😭

i have to think about whether i miss gryffindor albus or not. maybe. i think i kinda do bc it shows how albus being a loser isn’t dependent on his house (and neither is his connection to scorpius). but yeah that whole plotline was scrapped and albus just remained in slytherin in this timeline.

when harry told albus to stay away from scorpius, harry tried to leave it at that and leave but albus started to chase harry out of the hospital because bro was that desperate. his feet were literally bare (im pretty sure this is in the script too but seeing it live is so… god.)

the seperate scene where ron and hermione meet each other in private at the top of the staircase is merged with the scene where albus meets the new not-funny ron. and they both meet on top of the staircase with the light spotlighting them, and its very clear that they are in love with each other

hermione is about to walk off when ron calls her back and she immediately turns around and goes right back to him, her face is so happy 😭

and its so sad because this whole scene mirrors scorpius and albus so exactly in the staircase ballet. like if not in love, why mirroring ron and hermione throughout the play? (even in dark world, which i’ll get into later…)

anyways, staircase ballet: scorpius and albus stare at each other total of three times. and when i mean stare, i mean the light reflects off of them and they are frozen in prolonged silence (longing). once when the staircases meet, another when albus is on the ground and scorpius is at the top of the staircase, unreachable from him. last time is when the staircases stop at a cross section, and they’re standing, looking at each other. and from my angle i could see albus’s face the best, and i feel like it could be interpreted by either seeming apologetic or desperate, either way there was this very pleading look on his face.

they both froze when the saw each other and still look on the verge of moving to one another and then the staircases move off as soon as scorpius starts walking towards him.

albus looks so disappointed because HE WANTED SCORP TO MAKE THE FIRST MOVE because he’s too scared to do it himself. he ends up just sitting on the staircase and dropping his bag beside him in defeat, and looking away. scorpius still stands and watches albus go off. yah its as queer as i remember it. glad this wasnt cut.

draco was fixing and adjusting the furniture whilst duelling harry. idk if the furniture just wasnt on the mark on stage but it was fucking adorable. he kept fixing the chairs up and then patting it nervously ☹️ idc if it wasn’t intentional it seemed in character to me for him to just be a total busybody even in the midst of a duel

ginny’s micro-expressions at draco when he talks about how lonely he felt at school were amazing. harry looked a little uncomfortable when he was speaking but ginny looked really sympathetic to him, and draco notices this and thats why he speaks on “i know you must feel the same ginny” and shes like “i do” which immediately changes harry’s discomfort to shock, then i feel like he starts taking draco seriously

seen the play three times and during the fight scene with scorpius and albus, scorpius has acted differently each time. first time, scorpius was literally sobbing when talking to him, second time he was literally screaming at him in anger, third time he was just disappointed asf in him. i think this time was the best for his characterisation but god it hurt each time

mcgonagall’s “if i didn’t see you, then i didn’t see you” and she does this big over-exaggerated shrug and starts creeping away like a cartoon character to insinuate to albus and scorpius that shes leaving. i love her 😭

also when albus and scorpius were talking about their next plan i realised their bags are so different: albus has this raggedy big ass brown messenger bag and scorpius has this shiny, small, flashy, zesty little pouch. there are two types of gays.

myrtle was literally hitting on scorpius lmfao scorpius was just like 😨 the entire time

and of course myrtle’s “hello draco 😏 heloooooo harryyy 😻” nah because i get her

craig is such a fucking busy body he was trying to manage harry, ginny, draco AND mcgonagall and only stopped when draco pushed him away and death glared him 😭

erm why was umbridge hot asf. idfk the dark world looks really good on her guys

here’s part two

[hrodvitnon]

Listened to that song the other asker sent- and in the More Videos thing, the Japanese dub song for GvK was there!

(link's telling me it's broken lmfao, if it is the song is called Into the Deep)

It's theorized to be sung from Godzilla and Kong's perspective now. Lyrics are very fitting for the both of them and pretty interesting depending on how you interpret these lines hate to be that guy but 'The Dark's your Mate'?? Really, Legendary?

Both of these songs really remind me of a storytelling tool used by especially talented composers- most famous two examples off the top of my head being FF16 and MGR, where a character's theme song has lyrics that act as kind of hidden characterization for eagle-eared viewers to sniff out. It's a great tool for stories that don't always have time to flesh out their characters, letting the background music play as both an inner monologue and just sounding cool as hell most of the time. Seriously, I actually cannot recommend the Eikon Themes of FF16 enough. Every single one is straight gas. Like, most of Jetstream Sam's characterization comes from The Only Thing I Know For Real. Honestly, could be a really good tool for fleshing out the Titans that isn't direct characterization.

(but honestly at this point I'd just be happy to have McCreary back for another movie... for the love of god Wingard please no more junkie xl...)

Oh yeah, I've heard the FF16 score! Good stuff. It'd be amazing if McCreary comes back for the next movie, his KOTM soundtrack was one big Chef's Kiss, but I also wouldn't say no to someone like Mick Gordon taking a swing at it.

[meu-light]

Why Bad Buddy and KinnPorsche are so good?

Good morning fellas,

Today, your girl, will be trying to figure out why those two shows hit home although they have almost nothing in common.

At first I was like "Okay plot-wise, clearly nothing in common", then I thought "Cast members are not the same, some locations could be the same but it's almost imposible to figure it out, WHAT IS IT?"

I went back, again and again, at some point my brain started working and said "Bro, look at the teams behind the shows."

Now, obviously, I've studied the main members of the teams (like the directors and the screenwritters) but my ass never connected the dots because I'm obviously stupid.

Lets start with Bad Buddy.

Surprise surprise we all know that the director was P'Aof, ever wondered who the assistant directors were? If you're familiar with people who have worked on big thai projects (either under GMMTV or Nadao Bangkok) those names will sound familiar.

Assistant Directors

P'Au, check his work here, as you can see he has worked on a lot of projects, including ATOTS, either directing or screenwritting.

P'Aom, check his work here, he happens to be the cast director for a lot of our fave shows.

P'Aea, check out his work here, also part of the ATOTS team, you've probably seen him make cameos here and there in GMMTV shows.

P'Pepzi, check her work here, with this you feel like this name is scratching your brain, AND YOU'RE RIGHT! We will elaborate later though.

Screenwritters

P'Best, check his work here, he has worked as a screenwritter on a bunch of shows, mainly working with P'Aof and P'Jojo, he's also a writter and has a few published novels.

P'Pratchaya, check his work here, he's a very known and respected screenwritter. I admire him a lot.

P'Bee, check his work here, again, if this name rings a bell, YOU'RE RIGHT.

Lets continue with KinnPorsche.

Directors

P'Pepzi, oh oh, a familiar name! Yes, it's the same person. After Bad Buddy she went straight to KP and then jumped to Mama Gogo, she's amazing!

P'Khom, check his work here, another familiar name you say. First of all P'Khom is an award winning director, he has worked on so many amazing projects either as a director or a screenwritter (OR BOTH). He also played Uncle Tong in Bad Buddy and that's just *chefs kiss*. I will also not fail to mention that he adopted baby Tuan (Vegas' hedgehog). He's a delight in general.

P'Pond, KinnPorsche was his first official project, and he had a double, if not triple role. He was both a director and a screenwritter. But do you know who P'Pond happens to be? The CEO of BOC.

Screenwritters

P'Pond, as mentioned before.

P'Ning, KP was also her first official project because she also happens to be a Lecturer at the Department of Dramatic Arts from Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Arts, an amazing woman!

P'Bee, oh my, a familiar name again. Lovely. It is the same person. At this point all I have to say is that both shows are packed with talented people.

Only a few familiar names but to me it makes so much sense. Every little detail in both shows was made with love and attention. Those people gave their everything.

I would like to apologize for not mentioning names like P'Maneerat (KP's Cinematographer), P'Tanai (BB's Cinematographer) and P'Toy (KP's Music Composer). Thank you for being a part of those teams and for your hard work, you're as special and amazing as the rest of the names mentioned.

A huge bow and a thank you to all the crew members behind those shows. Thank you for the memories. Until we meet again!

Spread the love~

[bobsliquorstore]

Top 5 Sade Albums List

Sade is the epitome of counter-culture, which is why streetwear gravitates so much toward this mystic English band. With Sade Adu as the lead singer, Stuart Mathewman at guitar, Paul Cooke on the drums, and Paul Denman playing bass, the synergy of the band is top tier. Breaking the rules of fitting in a certain genre and pop culture, Sade blended the musical arts at their disposal. To this day, they can disappear and reappear 10 years later with a new album that everybody will stop what their doing and listen to it, going at least triple platinum on 5 of 6 of their albums. Sade Adu's immaculate voice and the band's perfect blend of genres creates a quiet storm of self-reflection in love and heartbreak. Since the 80's Sade has had a hold on the culture mesmerizing their listeners. We have concocted a top 5 list of their classic albums that you can't ignore. I wouldn't recommend to Sade and drive, it heavily impairs your driving abilities. 

5. Lover’s Rock

2000’s Lover’s Rock was released after the band’s eight year hiatus from music. Some people say it was something to do with group turmoil, others say it was due to Sade Adu having her first child. Despite the rumors, the album didn’t disappoint listeners awaiting a new project. The album had a heavy reggae influence giving it a distinct sound that stands out from previous projects released, with very minimal instrumentation, relying more on the raw talent of Sade Adu’s mellow voice with meticulously crafted lyrics. Most of the album was composed with an acoustic guitar with songs like “Lover’s Rock” and “By Your Side”. They came with a completely different approach than previous efforts with a minimalistic aesthetic, standing on pure raw talent. This album aged very well as well as the rest of their catalog. Sade has another hiatus for 10 years after this album unfortunately.

4. Love Is Stronger Than Pride

The album’s title is such a beautiful tagline that matches the music. The album cover of Sade Adu on the beach gives you the backdrop of the album, very serene and chill. Starting with the title track “Love Is Stronger Than Pride”, it gives you somebody at peace with their decisions right or wrong. Love Is Stronger Than Pride had a more upbeat feel to it with songs like “Turn My Back On You”, and “Give It All”. This album didn’t have as much of Sade’s signature style of sorrow and heartbreak in its subject matter as their previous projects, which is actually a plus; not everybody wants to feel the sadness.

3. Promise

With the pressure from their debut album being such a world-renowned classic, Sade had high expectations on their follow-up. Sade didn’t fall into the traditional sophomore slump fortunately. The follow-up of the Diamond Life album didn’t disappoint, with classics such as “Sweetest Taboo”, and “Is It A Crime”. Promise was a great sophomore album compared to the critically acclaimed debut album Diamond Life, utilizing the same producers from the previous project: Robin Millar and Mike Pela. While recording for Promise, the band began experimenting more with early digital technology such as digital keyboards, drum machines, and synthesizers that were not around during the recording of Diamond Life. The album is filled with love ballads with the soft, laidback voice of Adu. Promise was covered with Sade’s signature sorrow voice, luring listeners without much vocal variation. The album was named after a letter from Sade’s dad promising the hope to beat cancer before his passing. Listeners gravitate towards Sade because of Adu’s ability to engage the audience with experiences of being in love entangled in the lyrics.

2. Love Deluxe

By the fourth album you can tell they found their stride in their music. With peak production, instrumentation, and lyrics, this album is almost neck to neck with the debut album Diamond Life. With peak storytelling from Adu in songs like “Tar Baby” being the chef’s kiss of the album. Sade’s lyrics touch on a lot of subject matter, like “Feel No Pain” going through unemployment Packed with finely layered instrumentals throughout the album. Creates very serene ambiance with songs like “Cherish The Day”, “Bulletproof Soul”. This was their last project before their 8 year hiatus from music. Heavily inspired by smooth jazz and rnb.

1. Diamond Life

Debut album from Sade released in 1984. Diamond Life includes their biggest all time hit “Smooth Operator,” which crossed over into a mainstream success. The album boosted them into stardom, selling 10 million albums worldwide, keeping them relevant over the decades. With jazzy instrumentation, stacked with Sade’s beautiful voice, takes you on a lonely trip of love and heartbreak. The album was solely written by Sade Adu and guitarist/saxophonist Stuart Matthewman. Diamond Life introduced Sade to the masses of American pop culture and worldwide. With classics like “Love Is King”, “Sally”, and Timothy rendition, “Why We Can’t Live Together.” This album changed all contemporary music from 1984 forward, inspiring numerous genres. The band did an excellent job blending rnb, jazz, soul, and blues, setting the trend for their future projects.

[alatismeni-theitsa]

You wanted Greek productions for antiquity?

Take one! Full movie, English subs, and all!

Iphigenia (Greek: Ιφιγένεια) is a 1977 Greek film, filmed in Greece and directed by Greek Michael Cacoyannis. He adapted the film and the lines from his stage production of Euripides' play "Iphigenia at Aulis". The score was composed by the legendary Mikis Theodorakis!

It's Michael Cacoyannis' third movie in his "Greek tragedy" trilogy (after the release of Electra in 1962 and The Trojan Women in 1971).

The movie was nominated for one Oscar, Best Foreign Language Film. It was also nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival. Iphigenia received the 1978 Belgian Femina Award and received the Best Film Award at the 1977 Thessaloniki Film Festival, where Tatiania Papamoschou also received the Best Leading Actress Award for her role as Iphigenia. ___________________________________________________________

My comments after watching it:

I highly recommend this movie, DUH! For many reasons!

➡️ It just feels SO Greek!

It was filmed in Greece and they captured the blinding midday light and sound of the Greek summer (cicadas, finally!!!) and you can feel the scorching heat through the film. It was filmed in the ruins of a Mycenaean palace (you can see the lion's gate, for example) and other ancient sites.

It has an (almost) all-Greek cast. We see the abundance of Greek actors in their refined but natural appearance (with hair, beards, memorable faces) and in full Greek emotion. The boredom of hundreds of Greek men waiting on the beach is sheer, palpable. You understand why they put Agamemnon under so much pressure to do this sacrifice.

The slogan singing was reminiscent of those we yelled in school and on the football field, and it makes the experience so much closer to today's Greeks! It felt so real, I got whiplash! I thought "shiiit ancient people existed here and they were human like us!" The honest feeling and the intensity are still there when we hear songs by Greek men and women (*chef's kiss*, I promise!)

Some actors even speak with a palatal n (sounding like ñ) and l (think of it with a tilde. The sound of ñ but in l)! It's a type of old Greek accent that fades with time but listening to Agamemnon and Achilleas unapologetically deliver great lines with this accent just adds more authenticity to them. (Besides, is even Agamemnon a standard Greek countryside patriarch if he doesn't speak "with n and l"??)

➡️ Glorious acting!

The intensity! The poetic epic style of words! It's amazing! And why wouldn't it be? The scenario is a direct adaptation of the original Euripides' play! The extremely talented actors bring the lines to life. Chances are, you will cry. If you cry just by reading the play, you are GUARANTEED to cry!

CLYTEMNESTRA'S LULLABY OF TO IPHIGENEIA, I AM CRYING

the dialogue between Iphigeneia and her father, I AM TALKING ABOUT TEARS

"Iphigenia" herself? Heartwrenching performance! Bring tissues because these cute shining eyes are going to haunt your soul like you drew the knife on her!

➡️ Great moments!

(Cl.) We will leave in the morning (Iph.) But Father writes- (Cl.) Let him write. He is a man, what does he know?

The Greek phrase literally goes: "A man he is, he only knows so much"/"A man he is, that's what he knows" (aka, not much)

(yesss 100% Greek traditional wife xD "Oh, yes, my husband, my master! But I will kick your ass if you displease me, you hear me!")

Clytemnestra's character... what a goddess! She goes from "I drink the bitter glass of obedience drop by drop" to "No, by Hera, I' will not listen to you! The whole world is your dominion, so rule it! But in my household, I am the ruler!" in just a minute.

That's Greek traditional wives for you, I can't even bring myself to call it unrealistic xD

Another fave moment: Achilleas to Clytemnestra "- but forgive me, I haven't learned how to talk to women" and running away AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA xDDD

Honorable mention: the fast, very horny friends of Iphigeneia 😂

➡️ Miscellaneous

The haunting soundtrack

The clothing is very close to accurate and follows ancient depictions (of ancient statuettes) and when they got creative with it they did it in a realistic way!

➡️ "Negatives"

Unfortunately, Achilleas doesn't have the mythical blond mane but I suppose darker-haired men were more in fashion in 1977. 😂 But it seems like they robbed him of one of the most distinct features that made him seem special, like a demigod. Plus, he doesn't look very mighty. But the actor's voice and poise restore some of that glory.

There might be some lag in the video and for that, I apologize but it's what I could find. If you have better sources, you can post them in the reblogs! You might be able to find the movie on other sites.

Greeks know where to find the movie without subs, I think! *wink wink* But if you can't, dm me!

[nbrook29]

💞 My ultimate Sobbe fic recs 💞

Recently, I have gone through Robbe/Sander tag on ao3 and I decided to compose a list of fics that are absolute gems for me. A few disclaimers first:

✔ I didn’t include works in progress (WIPs), however I did include fics that are only on tumblr

✔ the order of the fics below is random

✔ this is the list of my personal favorites so if your favorite fic is not on the list it doesn’t mean it’s bad or that I consider it bad - we just vibe with different things :)

✔ if there’s a fic on this list that you decided to give a shot and loved it, please remember about leaving a comment under it to let the author know that

✔ I’ve been trying to add the “read more” thingy but it doesn’t show, I’m sorry, I know long posts are annoying af

under 1k

we’re keeping it simple by noobishere | G

Summary: Sander comes over unannounced and attacks Robbe’s very person (a.k.a the one where Sander teases Robbe on Eenvoud)

This is a guaranteed mood lifter. It’s short, sweet, to the point, and oh so funny. The banter. And I’d die to see that in the show. 

1k - 5k

Fizzy Colas by Foxsake5 | M

Summary: Let’s say this is a clip (hopefully not as short as the standard 1:40 of this season) with Sander as the main on a ‘bros night out’ ���

This author is my queen/king alright? They take a simple idea and turn it into the most lovely/cute/soft story. This fic is exactly that. Sobbe’s chemistry here is out of this world and the banter is to die for.

high for this by flowersmaze (@bowieskam) | G

Summary: In which Sander remains a Flirt™ and in love with Robbe even when he can’t feel his face after a medical procedure

The summary says it all. Loopy Sander is the cutest and funniest thing.

Pull Me from the Dark by TheOceanIsMyInkwell (@theoceanismyinkwell) | T

Summary: Sander discovers that Robbe has recently been prescribed antidepressants, and Robbe opens up to him about the night he almost stepped off the bridge. Only love will show how much they’ve grown and pull them through.

This time, the boys talk about Robbe’s mental state which is unusual in fics. This oneshot is communication 101. And this line is just 👌🏻 “But after the dust of their first kiss and their first vows of commitment settled around them, Robbe took a look at the space in which he floated and realized, somewhere along the line, that finding the love of your life doesn’t fix you.”

diminuendo by noobishere

Summary: Waking up feels like an ordeal. His eyes are heavy, arms a dead weight, he isn’t sure if his limbs are even in the right places, but eventually, Sander comes to. (a.k.a a take on how Sander fairs after Robbe left for school.)

Sander’s POV after Dinsdag 7:27. It’s a great insight into his headspace during that time. This could be a scene in the show because it fits so well.

you’re wonder under summer sky by nothingbutniall | M

Summary: Two city boys go camping. What could go wrong? (Everything, apparently.)

Those boys are a chaotic mess okay? They’re such dorks. This fic has the best kind of grumpiness there is and sobbe is written so in character here.

if we can make it through december (maybe we’ll make it through forever) by nothingbutniall | G

Summary: Robbe and Sander at the Christmas market.

Can you imagine those two dorks at the Christmas market? Well you don’t have to anymore because this fic is everything you need and more. And this line “Couldn’t,” Sander sulks. “You can’t hold hands properly with mittens on.” makes me go all gooey inside every.single.time 😍

A New Sunday Feeling by Foxsake5 | M

Summary:  Sander before Robbe: Ugh, Sundays 😒 Sander after Robbe: 😏🥺🥰

The way this author writes sobbe’s intimate moments is just pure talent. They have such way with words.

memories painted with much brighter ink by nothingbutniall | G

Summary: Saint Nicholas is the perfect excuse for an evening of gifts and banter with the flatshare. (Basically all five of them being cute together, and then Robbe and Sander being cute with just the two of them.)

This is the perfect fic for an October evening, when Christmas is just around the corner and you’ve just made yourself a cup of coffee and want to read some heart-warming well-written christmassy fluff. 

5k - 10k

Let’s Dance by msleviss (@sander-driesen) | G

Summary: Robbe and his friends go to a club to check out Amber’s DJ cousin.

THIS PERSON PREDICTED DJ SANDER Y’ALL. And Robbe thirsts over him. And there is an instant connection. And Robbe dances. And it’s so cute.

video phone by tokyometropolis (@luludemauryyy) | E

Summary: AKA OH MY GOD, THEY WERE QUARANTINED…except not together, because life is cruel. Thankfully it’s 2020 and when Robbe has an…er…intense dream about Sander in the middle of the night, all he has to do is press one button and Facetime him about it. Thing is…sometimes FaceTiming isn’t enough.

Look. I get that smut fics are not everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s totally fine. But. If you’re looking for a well-written smut that’s in character and where you can feel the love between the characters, this is it. Hands down. Sorry not sorry 💁🏼‍♀️

10k - 20k

our camp of dreams by robbesanderx (@robbesdriesen) | M

Summary: a summer camp!AU where robbe and sander are both co-counselors

Misunderstandings lead to pining. Teenage angst at its finest. I really like camp stories, it’s my thing.

Falling For You by silver_etoile (@azozzoni) | T

Summary: Robbe only knows one thing about football: that Sander Dreisen is the hottest player on the FC Utrecht team. When Jens drags him to a match, the last thing Robbe expects is to meet someone so perfect, and it’s all he can do not to mess it up, but will he succeed?

Sobbe in a different setting with a bit different dynamic yet still having that special something. It’s a nicely written story of the development of their relationship, first meeting, falling in love, ups and down, all the best things in fics. And Sander as a soccer player is a pretty 🔥 concept (and I think Robbe agrees).

This isn’t our first time around by noobishere | E

Summary: One moment they are in the kitchen of their shared apartment, the next, they’re in this strange but familiar room.(a.k.a the au in which they accidentally go hopping through multiple universes)

The universe takes matters into their own hands and shows those silly boys that they are meant to be. Sign me up for the ride.

Coffee and Croques by peaceoutofthepieces (@peaceoutofthepieces) | G

Summary: Sander works at the on-campus coffee shop with Eliott, and he might just have a crush on the cute boy in the brown coat.

I’m a sucker for coffeshop fics. There is just something so good about them. This one is the coffeshop!AU that sobbe deserves. Oh the pining, and the secretive looks, the silly boys, and a pinch of Elu. Me likey ☕

The finest of the meadow by allforyoumylove | M

Summary: The universe brings two lonely boys together in a flowering meadow. They fall for each other fast and hard among delicate daisies, warm summer breezes, and shooting stars.

This is magical. My comment on the work was “So soft, so beautiful, so THEM, ugh.” and I MEANT that. This is just the right amount of sweetness. This is a must read. I’m not messing around. 

two side of the same coin series by MajorAccent (@acespaceacepilot) | E

Summary: the valleys and mountains of sander’s bpd

How the boys handle Sander’s ups and downs. Robbe being the best boyfriend ever. I love how good he is for Sander, being there for him, not treating him like a baby, and not controlling him. How much he tries to make it at least a little bit easier for him. If you don’t want to read explicit stories, at least give the first part a try since it’s not E rated. 

Zaterdag 9:58 by Foxsake5 | M

Summary: What happened after the croissants dropped to the floor 🥐🤭💕

I meant it when I said Foxsake5 has great way with words. Every single piece of theirs is just “chef’s kiss”. This fic is a definition of a domestic fic. Oh, and it happened. Totally. It’s my headcanon now.

its an unrequited love by eggsntoast | G

Summary: Sander works part-time at a museum every Sunday. Robbe is a frequent visitor.

A Sander POV fic. I was sold from the beginning. The development of their relationship here is so cute, and they’re being so stupid with their pining instead of just talking to each other and you just want to shake them but at the same time you’re rooting for them so hard. Oh and did I mention pining?

20k+

Jij Verliest series by ravenbrenna09 (@djsander) | M

Summary: For the past three months, Robbe’s life—and what it once was—had been stripped away and rearranged. Now, if anything, his life had become a bit repetitive: homework, stream, ignore Thomas’s Instagram, repeat. But one Friday evening, Robbe meets a hurricane in the form of a platinum-haired tattoo artist who just might show him everything that he’s been missing.

This is a long series okay? But oh so worth it. It’s captivating and you don’t want to stop until you finish. And once you finish you’re sad it’s over even though you’ve just spent 8 fucking hours reading it. It’s amazing. But you probably know that because it’s quite popular (rightfully so). The best thing is that you expect it to go bad halfway through because it’s difficult to keep the quality on the same level in a fic that long. But it doesn’t.

Visitations by lucidpantone (@lucidpantone) | E

Summary: Does Robbe and Sander’s relationship survive into adulthood. This fic takes place in two simultaneously timelines: the past and the present.The present occurs in one entire day. Both timelines are completely out of chronological order. Everything is in clips.You can be dropped in at anytime of the day in any timeline. So clip by clip you will need to piece together what happen to Sander & Robbe and why the present looks the way it does and what happened in the past that got them there.This love story is a journey. So be prepared.In the words of one of our Even’s. It’s a complicated love story between complicated people.

This is not a regular fic. The author put so much thought into it, there are so many gems, so many little things that you have to pay attention to because it.all.matters. And there is not one interpretation. Don’t you just love when a story forces you to think and use your brain? Cause I do. Not gonna lie: this story hurts, and like the author says themselves, it’s a journey. But oh my god get in because it’s amazing. And the ending is just sjsjsjsjsddhdhsdsgdsg 🤯

the night we met by themoongirl (@dearsander) | T

Summary: Robbe Ijzermans has a brain that won’t let him sleep, a chest that feels far too heavy and thoughts that never stop.During his first year of college he meets Sander Driesen. Robbe finds what he never went looking for.

A college AU. This fic is a journey of pain and fluff and humor. It has awesome friendships. And sobbe falling in love. And liminal spaces. I read it a while ago so I don’t remember it as well as the others but you know what? I still remember that it was great and I’m lowkey happy I don’t remember it that well because now I can go and read it again. 

The Stars Look Very Different by @peaceoutofthepieces 

Summary: Robbe is bored. He’s bored of listening to his friends talking about girls, and his other friends making out, and no one ever doing anything. He’s tired of having to put in all the work, of making his own fun. He’s tired of feeling nothing so he doesn’t have to feel like nothing. His party stunts are pushing the limit, his thrill seeking beginning to worry even his friends, and his carelessness is toeing the line of dangerous.

He’s a little tired of being ‘dangerous’, too.

Sander may or may not have a crush on the older boy with the apparent death wish. He wouldn’t mind a little danger.

Once I started reading this fic, each day I was waiting for an update at the edge of my seat which was a feeling I expected from s4 that did not deliver. TSLVD definitely delivered. My favorite sobbe social media AU

Ziggy Stardust Series by skamsnake (@skamsnake) | M/E

A collection of fics taking place throughout the season. Most of them are E rated so be aware of that but it’s a really cool mixture of fluff and spice *fans myself*

[jcspacey]

Pan Dulce

Summary: Héctor, Imelda, and Coco share some sweet memories in the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead.

Written for @swanpit for the Coco Discord server’s Secret Santa gift exchange. 

Inspired by this piece of art 

---

“Papá!” Coco screeched, her little body emitting an infectious excited energy. 

Imelda smiled at the energetic little girl. She loved giving her this news. “That’s right, mija! Papá will be home in a few hours!”

The two year old continued to do her dance around her room for a few moments until she launched herself into Imelda’s arms. “Papá!” she exclaimed again. 

Imelda couldn’t help but giggle. This tour was longer than most and it had taken a bigger toll on her and Coco than she expected. Now that Coco was growing up, she was becoming more and more aware and affected by his absence. She would often ask for him, especially at night, since when he was home he would sing her lullabies to help her fall asleep. Imelda would always have to tell her that he wasn’t there, but that he’d be home soon. But she never really knew when he’d be back.

Then, Imelda received a letter from Héctor saying that he would be on the afternoon train to Santa Cecilia. Imelda could finally tell Coco that he was on his way back to hug and kiss her and sing her lullabies. And perhaps Imelda could even convince him to stay for good…

“Papá is on his way, so you know what that means,” Imelda said, looking into her daughter’s eyes. She looked like she was going to burst from pure excitement. “We’ll make him pan dulce for when he comes home! How does that sound, mija?”

Coco squealed and clapped her hands together. Coco always loved helping her mamá cook because it made her feel like a Big Girl, and she was determined to show her papá just how much of a Big Girl she was.

“Okay, let’s get started,” Imelda said as she scooped the bubbly little girl in her arms and started towards the kitchen. 

Coco helped Imelda crack the eggs and whisk the ingredients. The pair giggled as some of it spilled on their aprons and the flour got in their hair. Gentle, experienced hands guided little hands as they cut and rolled the dough. Soon, the bread was baking, and Coco stopped to take pride in her handy work. She truly was such a Big Girl.

“Mamá, bread!” She exclaimed, pointing at the baking bread and then putting her hands on her hips, a beaming smile on her face.

“You did such a good job, mija! Your papá will love it,” Imelda said, stroking her daughter’s braids. 

Then, at the sound of a door opening, Coco practically flew out of the kitchen.

“I’m home! Where are my beautiful girls?” Héctor’s voice called out from the front room.

“PAPÁ!” the little girl screamed. Héctor dropped his suitcase and squatted down to her level as she launched herself into his arms. 

Héctor hugged Coco tightly to his chest. “I missed you so, so much, mija,” He said. After a few minutes he let go to take a good look at his daughter.

“Wow, you have grown so much!” 

Coco stood up straight and put her hands on her hips again, a proud expression on her face. “Big girl!” She said.

Héctor laughed. “Sí, mija, you are a big girl!” He patted the top of her head before pulling her into another hug. 

“You need to stop growing so fast, I can hardly keep up!” 

Coco giggled.

“Hmm. Maybe if I push down on your head you’ll stop growing so fast…” Héctor gently pushed down on Coco’s head, only for her to cross her arms and give him an adorable little scowl.

“Okay, okay,” Héctor laughed, pulling his hand away. “You can grow a little bit more.” 

Coco seemed content with this, and her gleeful smile returned.

Then, Héctor looked up and his heart skipped a beat when he saw Imelda leaning against the doorframe to the kitchen. 

How she managed to get even more beautiful every time he saw her, he didn’t know. 

“Imelda,” he said softly as he crossed the room to his wife. “Mi amor, I--” His words abruptly cut off when she grabbed his tie suddenly and pulled him into a deep kiss. He stumbled forward slightly, caught off balance by the sudden movement, but he quickly composed himself and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Bleh!” Héctor heard a shrill voice behind him exclaim, and the couple pulled away from their kiss laughing. 

“Welcome home, Héctor,” Imelda said softly with a grin on her face. “I’m glad you’re back.”

“I missed you so much. I couldn’t wait to see you again.” Héctor went in for another kiss and then pulled back quickly while sniffing the air.

“Oh, I smell something good!”

“Bread!” Coco screeched, jumping up and down with excitement once again. “Bread! Bread! Bread!”

“Coco and I have made something special for you,” Imelda said. “Stay here while we go get it.”

Imelda grabbed Coco’s hand and disappeared into the kitchen. They emerged a few moments later with a plate of pan dulce in Coco’s hands. Grinning from ear to ear, she held out the plate to Héctor.

“Wow, thank you! Did you help mamá make these?” Héctor asked, kneeling down to get a better look. 

Coco nodded wildly and pointed proudly at the buns that she helped to make. They were small and sloppy compared to Imelda’s, but Héctor thought they were perfect.

“Eat, Papá, eat!” Coco insisted. She grabbed one of the buns and shoved it in Héctor’s mouth. He laughed for a moment and then took a bite. 

“Good?” Coco asked, adopting a serious expression. 

Héctor paused for a moment as if to truly evaluate the taste. “It’s delicious!” He said, scooping up Coco with one arm and slipping his other arm around Imelda’s waist. “You’re an amazing little chef.”

------

Héctor couldn’t believe it. He was holding his little girl in his arms again.

After years of trying, and failure after failure, he was finally there hugging his child again. Years and years had led up to that moment, and it was as beautiful and emotional as he dreamed it would be. 

But then the moment ended. 

He was happy. Unbelievably happy. Happier than he had been in years. He finally had his familia back-- his wife back, his daughter back. Yet there was still something inside him that wasn’t quite right. Something was still… broken. 

He ignored the feeling. He didn’t want to address it. He hated the feeling. Why on earth should he feel sad? He finally had everything he could ever have wanted. It was more than he deserved. He should feel grateful, and he did, but it was growing more difficult to deny the sinking feeling of time that was wasted, moments that weren’t shared, and choices that shouldn’t have been made.

------

One clear afternoon, Héctor sat on the steps outside the house plucking a lazy tune on his guitar while Pepita stretched her wings nearby. It wasn’t unlike many afternoons since a talented young boy-- his grandson-- got himself cursed and changed all their afterlives forever, but this time he had his daughter. His little girl was by his side once again.

Well, he supposed she wasn’t quite so little anymore. Looking at her now-- her grey hair, her wise demeanor, the fact that she had a husband-- made it all the more real just how much of her life he had missed. Not only the big moments, but the small ones too. She was her own woman now. She had a life, and he wasn’t a part of it. 

Coco sat close beside him, listening quietly as he strummed a half-finished song. They had done so much talking over the past few days, and he had loved every minute of it. He wanted to know everything about her life and the woman she had become. There had been laughter and tears. But it was nice to simply enjoy each other’s company. They had all the time in the world now. 

“Papá, are you okay?” Coco said quietly.

“Of course I am, mija,” Héctor said. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Coco shrugged slightly. “A lot has changed for you. I wanted to make sure you’re doing okay.”

Héctor strummed out a small flourish on his guitar. “I have my family back, and that was all I ever wanted. I’m doing better than ever.”

A few more moments passed before Coco spoke up again. “It just… It seems like something is bothering you.”

Héctor stopped strumming for a moment and turned to look at Coco. He remembered those eyes. When everything else about her was unfamiliar, he still remembered her big brown eyes that would stare up at him in adoration whenever he played their lullaby. But now they were full of concern. Héctor sighed. 

With a deep breath he said, “I am so grateful to be here with you and your mamá and everyone else. I… It’s just… I’m so sorry. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be there for you. I missed so much of your life and…” Héctor closed his eyes.

He felt gentle arms wrap around him and a skull rest on his shoulder. “Oh Papá…”

They sat in silence for a moment. Then Coco said quietly, “A lot of time was stolen from us. But the rest can’t be stolen from us now. We can’t change the past, but we’ve got here and now. And I’m so grateful that you’re here, Papá.”

Héctor turned his head to look at Coco once again, a small smile on his lips.

“You’re absolutely right, mija,” He said. “Now, how did you get so wise? I think I should have pushed down on your head more often to keep you from growing so fast.”

They both laughed, and the moment of melancholy had passed.

“Papá, I was thinking, do you want to make pan dulce together? Now that you’re home again?”

Héctor couldn’t help but gasp a little. His daughter’s memory continued to amaze him. Not only did she hold onto the existence of a man who was only present for the first four years of her life despite the fog of her dementia, but she could remember specific memories of their short time together.

“I’d love that.”

------

The Rivera kitchen was bursting with life (so to speak) as everyone piled in to help make the pan dulce. Coco no longer needed help cracking the eggs and those little hands weren’t so little anymore, but she still held onto that childlike excitement as she and her parents cut and rolled the dough. She was a Big Girl, but she figured she would always be a Little Girl, too. 

The twins stood to the side contemplating how to improve the efficiency of various kitchen tools while Rosita cheerfully shared memories of baking with her mamá. Victoria was leaning over the counter consulting a cookbook while Julio watched in adoration at his wife.

The bread had been baking in the oven for a few minutes when Héctor felt something hit the back of his head. He turned around to see Coco wearing a mischievous grin, trying to suppress giggles, and holding some flour in her hand. 

“Oh no you don’t,” Héctor said teasingly, picking up a wad of flour himself. And before Imelda could protest, a full scale food fight had erupted in the kitchen. Julio had ducked behind the counter while the twins started using the kitchen utensils they were studying as catapults. Even Victoria joined in after being pelted in the face by a particularly large pile of flour that coated the entire surface area of her glasses in white dust.

Then, covered with flour and grinning from ear to ear, Coco presented the finished buns to Héctor. 

“Welcome home, Papá.”

At that moment, Héctor felt something inside him become a little less broken.

He grabbed a bun and took a bite. “You’re an amazing little chef,” he said. 

---

I hope you like it! This was literally my first fanfiction EVER so hopefully everything came across well. Happy New Year!

[wishingforatypewriter]

5,10, and 13 relationship questions for Soueri, Ryoali, Takumegu, Kataang, and Korrasami.

Soueri

5. How would they describe each other?

“My wife is pretty much the greatest chef alive. She’ll crush all of you and I can’t wait to watch” —Souma (on Erina) 

“My husband used to be a peasant, but we forgive him for that. And I guess his cooking isn’t all that bad” —Erina (on Souma)

10. What are their love languages?

I think I change my mind about this at least once a month, but right now I’d say acts of service and physical touch for Erina and quality time for Souma. 

13. Who dies first? How does the other one react?

Souma dies first, when they’re in their late 80s. He had been sick for a while, so Erina kind of expected it, but it still broke her. They’d shared a life and built a family together for over 60 years, and it’s hard for her to adjust to waking up alone. Still, she refuses to let herself far apart, and dedicates the rest of her life (she outlives Souma by about a decade) to supporting the Totsuki Network and mentoring young chefs (her own great-grandchildren among them). 

Ryoali

5. How would they describe each other?

“He’s a complete angry mess, but so good looking”  —Alice (on Ryo)

“On the one hand, she doesn’t understand how to function at all as a normal human being. On the other hand, she’s kind of a mad genius. Heavy on the mad, though” — Ryo (on Alice...perhaps the most he’s ever said at one time). 

10. What are their love languages?

For Alice it’s definitely quality time (with a splash of receiving gifts). For Ryo it’s physical touch. 

13. Who dies first? How does the other one react?

Alice dies first, when they’re quite elderly. On her death bed, she tells Ryo that she wasn’t supposed to be happy. She was meant to spend her life in Erina’s shadow—the less talented heiress, the daughter of the branch family. But because of him, her life was filled with never-ending joy. This breaks him. Like...Alice has said some emotional stuff to him over the years, but this one really takes him out.

 After she dies, he becomes a bit of a recluse, retiring to a small cabin by the sea. Akira and Hisako and Erik and Sofia all check on him, but they know to give him his space. He dies of natural causes within a year of Alice’s passing, as though their very souls couldn’t bear to stay parted for long. 

Takumegu

5. How would they describe each other?

“My husband Takumi is the best man I’ve ever known. He’s so kind and selfless...I still can’t believe I actually get to spend my life with him” —Megumi (on her cinnamon roll Aldini) 

“The earth itself is blessed by Megumi’s presence. She’s so beautiful and kind and...hold on, let me pull up a picture” —Takumi (on his adorable wif)

10. What are their love languages?

Words of affirmation for Megumi and quality time for Takumi 

13. Who dies first? How does the other one react?

I have not pictured either of them dying before because it’s too painful. Let’s see...maybe Megumi dies first, when they’re very old. Takumi is surprised because he expected her to outlive him. He’s kind of in shock at first. Maria moves back to Tuscany to be with him.

Although he’s never had much of a green thumb before, after Megumi dies Takumi spends his afternoons tending her vegetable garden. He always feels close to her there, amidst the tomato plants and basil leaves. 

Kataang 

(I’ve been a zutara stan since I was twelve, but I’m gonna try for you lol)

5. How would they describe each other?

“Aang brought hope back to the world when it was at its darkest. I’ve always associated him with light, even back when we were kids” —Katara on Aang

“I know what you’re gonna say, but it’s true. Katara’s like water. She’s life-giving...and she can make it rain ice daggers at you if you make her mad enough” —The wise Avatar Aang on his wife Katara

10. What are their love languages?

Acts of service for Katara and quality time for Aang.

13. Who dies first? How does the other one react?

It rained for five days straight after Aang died. The whole of Republic City was awash with Katara’s grief (plus Kya’s). After this initial period, she was pretty composed. She relocated to the Southern Water Tribe and dedicated herself to her people. When the next avatar was found, she put her all into training Korra. She reminds herself constantly that he did not die in vain and that the avatar cycle must continue in order for the world to heal itself. 

Korrasami 

5. How would they describe each other?

“You want me to describe Asami? I mean, she’s pretty tall. I have to stand on my tip-toes to kiss her, and it’s great! She’s also a genius, and really pretty. And she can kick your ass. And her hair is so shiny, and her eyes are so green, and she...” —Korra beginning a twenty minute rant about why Asami is perfect 

“Korra is a beautiful disaster, and also the greatest person I’ve ever known” —Asami, who is far more eloquent than her girlfriend 

10. What are their love languages?

Words of affirmation for Korra and physical touch for Asami. 

13. Who dies first? How does the other one react?

Korra dies first (because the avatar cycle). Asami is heartbroken, but like Katara before her, she understands. She designs a beautiful memorial for Korra around the new spirit portal in Republic City and helps the White Lotus find the next avatar. She insists that the next avatar isn’t cloistered in a compound, remembering how lonely Korra said her childhood was. 

[theormostat-terminator]

The essey I promised about the first chapter of book 2 of TAOB

@hella1975 here you fucking go;

Firstly, I wasn't expecting it to start off pretty much where it left off with Zuko. (just a thought, not part of the actual thing, just wanted that out there) 

You can just feel from the way how he's losing hope and as he said that "in the beginning he thought he could escape" like,, first he probably thought he could take the guards and blue spirit his ass out of there, and later when he knew that wasn’t possible he probably wasn’t sure the SWT gang would come to save him, since crappy self-esteem and self-worth, but he was hoping, maybe for weeks, that the others would come save him. 

I can just imagine the first time he thought he saw Hakoda, in his sleep deprived, starved, depressed state, he was probably so happy and relieved but then when he realized it wasn’t real... that’s probably around the time he realized no one was coming to save him. That in itself just breaks my heart.

Also I just love how he just takes Zi Se under his wing immediately. How he tries to protect him is just *chef’s kiss* but then also realizes that, even though Zi Se is small and LITERALLY FIVE (i thought he was gonna be older,, like 7 or sumn) he already has had to learn how to survive in literal prison. 

That fact also kinda makes me imagine how even though Zuko is an awkward little turtleduck, he woulda tried to make it easier for Zi Se. Like, if someone died or got taken and is getting beat up, he would just sing or hum to Zi Se to help him sleep or to keep him distracted from the noises and maybe try to play a game quietly to keep him from seeing unnecessarily traumatizing things, (bodies, bad wounds, I can imagine Chan eating another dead cellmate as well *shudder*) and he would like, teach him games or sumn. Trying to give him a chance to be a kid cuz for all Zuko knows, they could be dead the next day.

AND THEN HE WENT AND MENTIONED UNCLE IROH! He better get those swords from Iroh when they meet up again!!

But whenever there’s sumn bad that happened and the people who are currently in said bad situation start talking about happy plans or sumn that was supposed to happen before shit hit the fan... it always makes me sad.

AND THE FUCKING LOTUS TILE MAKES ME WANT TO SCREAM AND BAWL MY EYES OUT OML-

Them the OTHER THING that broke me; Zi Se asking Zuko to teach him how to meditate and then him thinking of Nanook and Tomkin and how hard he’s trying to block out the memories because they hurt too much im- IM IN SHAMBLES

“It was almost impressive, how quickly they’d taught Zuko to fear fire.”

THAT LINE! Because it probably took a long time to get over his fear of fire the first time he got burnt. And now he would have to relearn to now fear his own element. I’m imagining again how when he reunites with the SWT gang and meets with the Gaang how they all know him as very eager to bend fire etc. But now he refuses to use firebending unless it’s the only option and how he’d only use his swords to fight and I’m just... I break my very own heart with these headcanons and thoughts of what could happen. 

AND NOW TO THE SWT 

 I LOVE HOW HAKODA IS LIKE “BRO WTF, YALL ARE KIDS WHAT YA DOING FIGHTING A WAR THAT SHOULDN’T BE YOURS TO BEGIN WITH?!” 

Also just the shock of the “last time i saw my kids they were small and Sokka was so scrawny and katara barely could make small waves. And now they’re soldiers in this damned war.” 

Also I don’t know what I was expecting but how quick the it went from, “yeet, to the north pole” to “DAMN BA SING SE FUCKING FELL WTF-” was not it.

And I can just feel the pain Hakoda feels from being separated from his kids again so fast.

And like, I gET IT, we’re supposed to like Bato and he didn’t have a chance to be emotionally attached to Zuko. BUT WHY IS HE MAKING ME SO ANGRY LIKE AJOJLKJALFJOPWJPAOJFOIHOF. GO KILL FONG IDC BATO DON’T STOP THEM ISTFG!!!! 

And when it switched back to Zuko I was lowkey waiting for Fong to be like. “Look at this prison we have. Look how secure it is. Look how hopeless we’ve got these criminals to be.” And then they like line the prisoners in the courtyard and Zuko’s like holding Zi Se and ready to whisk him away from danger and like he’d be looking at the ground cuz they weren’t allowed to look the warden/guards in the eyes without getting beat up and he doesn’t wanna put Zi Se in danger and then he doesn’t relaize Hakoda and the others are there and when he hears his voice he’s either like “this shit is another hallucination” or whips his head up and sees them and the SWT STILL HAS TO BE LIKE COMPOSED AND NOT CAUSE A FIGHT BUT ZUKO’S RRIGHT THERE AND-  okay i’m getting carried away with what i thought was gonna happen. 

AND I KNOW IT’S SAD AND ALL BUT IT JUST MAKES ME HAPPY ZUKO HAS FINALLY FINALIZED HIS THOUGHT ABOUT OZAI AND HOW shITTY HE IS YES!

AND THE THING ABOYT HOW HE USED TO SCREAM HIS THORAT RAW WHEN BEING BEAT UP/BURNED BUT NOW HE DIDn’T JSUT TELLS VOLUMES, LIKE HOW OGFTEN DID THIS HAPPEN FOR HIM TO GET USED TO IT MY POOr BABY!!!!

The whole pendant thing was so sweet, in the middle of all that, JUST SO SWEET THANK YOU.

And it makes me sad how they have to fight for food and how Zuko is mostly doing it for Zi Se... HE IS SO SWEET BUT THIS IS SO SAD!!!??!?!?!?!

anD LASTLY THE FUCKING AUTOGRAPH THING.

THat was what finally broke me and made me cry cuz like. They were lowkey fighting(not really but kinda) and then he went to buy it but never got to give it and now he’s keeping it there and I can just feel how he’s like, regretting getting mad over something so trivial and now he won’t get to give the apology autograph (i honestly have bad memory so i don’t remmember if they made up or not so Hella if you could clarify that, then yey)

And like i’m just... There’s just so many emotions.

Your writing is amazing and really makes me feel things. I missed this so much and I’m glad you’re continuing it after THREE FUCKING WEEKS!!! I hope you don’t get tired of writing it and abandon the work, that’s my big fear when it comes to long fics that are good and unfinished, that the author doesn’t want to continue it anymore. :(

But yes, this is the end of this essey, sorry it was so long and uninteresting lmao. either way, Love your work, you have an amazing talent with writing, LOVE YOU OMFG.

[rpgmgames]

March’s Featured Game: acai cOrner

DEVELOPER(S): moca & Mitty ENGINE: RPG Maker 2003 GENRE: RPG, Adventure, Surreal SUMMARY: acai cOrner is about Mizuki, someone who has fallen into the sewers and who happens to find their favorite electric guitar! Upon obtaining the guitar, Mizuki turns into a magical girl who must defend herself against spooky sewer creatures using the guitar's magical powers.

Download the game here! Our Interview With The Dev Team Below The Cut!

Introduce yourself! *moca: Hi, I'm moca, a Starbucks barista aspiring to be a writer and game developer. I have been making RPG Maker games for about six years now, with my first two projects being a Pokémon fan-game and a Corpse Party fan-game. Those two happen to be my two favorite franchises as well! I have also created the RPG Maker game MOMOKA (IGMC 2018). I have founded a group called 'Team Shibu!' dedicated to making horror games! Our current project is a RPG Maker survival horror game named 'Katharsis'.

*Mitty: Hey there, I'm Mitty! I've been working with Moca on several games for a while now, helping with mostly graphics! Please support him, as he is very kind and hardworking!! I'm also the main developer of a game called "Marinette", so I hope you'll check that one out too, when the demo is released!

What is your project about? What inspired you to create this game initially? *moca: acai cOrner is an experimental spooky RPG Maker game that only uses 4 colors! You are a magical girl with a just-as-magical electric guitar that you use to fend off spooky sewer slimes and other weird enemies you find in the surreal sewer system. It's half exploration and half RPG battles. What inspired me to create acai cOrner initially was to actually get myself back into the groove of making games again. I had just recently came back from a hiatus and found myself having trouble getting back into the development of 'Katharsis'. That's when I decided to make a short, experimental game to get the juices flowing.

How long did you work on your project? *moca: acai cOrner was finished in just about under a month!

Did any other games or media influence aspects of your project? *moca: I had always wanted to make a Yume Nikki-like game and thought this was the perfect opportunity to try. So for the more surreal parts of acai cOrner, I took inspiration from Yume Nikki and a Homestuck random planet generator. Gameplay wise though, I took inspiration from a RPG Maker game called Ghost Suburb 0! I really loved how unique it was, especially with the timer and no dialogue aspect. I knew I wanted to do something with a timer, so I tried a rogue-like approach with the gameplay.

Have you come across any challenges during development? How have you overcome or worked around them? *moca: If you played any of my previous projects, you know that acai cOrner is vastly different than anything that I have ever done. I'm so used to using words to describe the violence in my games, so when it came to making the story, I had a lot of trouble. It wasn't until I looked deeper into why people like these types of games that I had realized that people like to interpret the story on their own, guided by exploration, to enjoy these games. After that, I let loose a bit and made something more open-ended. Another challenge was the difficulty. I was the only one playtesting the game, and since I knew the game front and back, and had no trouble getting the ending. That's why when I sent out demos to friends, I was really discouraged to hear that the experience was mostly frustrating and rage quitting-inducing haha. I worked closely with their feedback and made changes accordingly to make the experience less frustrating but still difficult. *Mitty: I think I was going through a weird artblock during the development of the game, so for some of the illustrations and backdrops for each area's fights, Moca sketched out the basic idea of what it could look like, and I just put my spin on it! It made the work much easier and faster!

Did any aspects of your project change over time? How does your current project differ from your initial concept? *moca: Well, the game was meant to be short so there wasn't room for any big changes. Sure there are a couple gameplay changes and enemy tweaks, but not anything mindblowing. I added in the idea of making four surreal worlds kinda last minute, if that counts, haha.

What was your team like at the beginning? How did people join the team? If you don’t have a team, do you wish you had one or do you prefer working alone? *moca: In the beginning, it was just me! I didn't think I was gonna need any outside help since this was supposed to be a relatively easy project to release, but the further in development I got, the more I realized the game needed pizazz. The four color limitation wasn't enough for my lack of graphical talent. That's when I contacted Mitty about helping with the games battle backdrops and sprite animations! She is also a member of Team Shibu!, but we have collabed together even before that. Her art really made the project shine and I enjoy working with them on games! *Mitty: Moca contacted me, and I wanted to help! We are working together on another game called Katharsis, so we are quite familiar with each other. I like working with other people, especially if I'm not in the lead, it releases a bit of the pressure I feel sometimes ahaha

What is the best part of developing a game? *moca: To me, it's seeing everything come together and just... working exactly the way you envisioned it. As a game developer, you section the game off into parts to make development much more organized and faster but seeing it all come together in the end. Pure bliss *chefs kiss*. *Mitty: I like a bit of everything, but currently I've been enjoying animating and spritework, as well as map assets' designs a little more than usual!

Do you find yourself playing other RPG Maker games to see what you can do with the engine, or do you prefer to do your own thing? *moca: Mm... not really! I have an idea of what the engine can do, so when I do go out of my way to player other RPG Maker games, it's usually for writing inspiration rather than gameplay inspiration. Ghost Suburb 0 is something that I accidentally stumbled upon and immediately fell in love with it the minute I played it haha. (Fun fact: the developer of Ghost Suburb 0 is apart of Team Shibu! and is in charge of monster design!)

Which character in your game do you relate to the most and why? (Alternatively: Who is your favorite character and why?) *moca: There is a rat in the game that is internally called 'Ratthew' who leads you into a funky room. I relate them the most. *Mitty: I relate to the land sharks the most on a spiritual level. They are pretty much confused beans, and that's very relatable.

Looking back now, is there anything that regret/wish you had done differently? *moca: I wish I added more random spooky events and trap rooms. But the game was also supposed to be short and I knew that if I kept adding more and more things, development was never gonna end haha.

Do you plan to explore the game’s universe and characters further in subsequent projects, or leave it as-is? *moca: Well, by the time this interview comes out, there should be a new update for the game. The update should include 100% custom music by a talented composer, and a nerf in difficulty. As for sequels, who knows! The next time you see acai cOrner may be in 3D.

What do you most look forward to upon finishing the game? *moca: Definitely the fan reaction! The satisfaction of seeing your work being noticed by people and actually enjoying makes me happy. It's also the relief of just... finishing something! *Mitty: For this particular project I was obviously looking forward to seeing what people said about the little animations and such ahaha! I also was curious about the reaction to the timed difficulty mechanic, I had never seen anything like that before Moca presented it to me, so I had no idea on what people's feedback would be.

Is there something you’re afraid of concerning the development or the release of your game? *moca: How people will handle the difficulty. The game isn't supposed to be completed on your first playthrough, but in 2-3 playthroughs. There are rooms and places that are meant to waste your time that you should ideally skip the more you play. By later playthroughs, you should be shaving time and be better. I understand that it's not handled as best I could, but I think the experience should still be challenging and hopefully fun! *Mitty: I was a little conflicted on the timed mechanic, I loved it because it's pretty original and helps set an interesting athmosphere of worry and unease, and also seems to tell a bit of the vague story; and at the same time I don't like it much because I prefer more story-driven games and the vagueness mixed with the mechanic feels different from what I'm used to playing! I think it's more of a personal taste kind of thing, it was an experimental jam game, after all!

Do you have any advice for upcoming devs? *moca: Take it easy! Take short breaks throughout development. And most importantly, have fun. If it's a hobby and it's making you overly stressed, just take a step back!

Question from last month's featured dev @ressurflection: What would you say is the weakest part of your game development? *moca: Procrastination. I'm so bad at sticking to my own schedule, it's something that I try to keep in check when working with a team especially.

We mods would like to thank moca & Mitty for agreeing to our interview! We believe that featuring the developer and their creative process is just as important as featuring the final product. Hopefully this Q&A segment has been an entertaining and insightful experience for everyone involved!

Remember to check out acai cOrner if you haven’t already! See you next month! 

- Mods Gold & Platinum

[zekroudon]

Dinner with the in-laws

Adrien's first dinner with Marinette's parents since they officially got together. A lot of puns ensues. As usual, you can read it on Ao3 here.

This was the fic I wrote for my application for the Totographs zine, but I didn't get picked, but I'm proud of myself for applying! Once again, beware, lots of puns ahead. 

P.S. I won't be writing fanfics during November since I'm attempting Nanowrimo for the first time! It might not have been the best idea since I still have my classes, but I'll manage.

Edit: Thanks @komorebirei for beta-ing and their insightful tips.

   As Adrien stands in front of the door to Marinette’s home, the bouquet he got for her feels heavy and useless. He has already given so many roses to her, but they feel meaningless compared to how grateful he is to still have her in his life. Her parents must know how amazing she is — they’ll be disappointed…

   He’s hit by flashbacks to the events that led to Tom being akumatized into Weredad. Coming to the bakery after a lonely breakfast. The grey gloomy sky. The awkward kissing Marinette on the cheeks. The pink rose. Admitting he loved Ladybug, Ladybug and not Marinette, an irony Plagg kept teasing him about now that he was fully aware of her identity. Marinette being too good of an actress at being hurt. The enormous tower of vines with the angry beast on top protecting his princess. Ladybug only appearing at the end when everything was crumbling…

   Even though Nino assured him it was casual enough, yet fancy, and that Marinette would like it—a light green buttoned shirt, with only the top two buttons undone, and dark jeans—Adrien feels like he’s underdressed. Plagg phases through his shirt and looks him in the eyes.

“Just press the doorbell! I’m starving and I can’t wait to see Sugarcube!”

“Plagg, what if I mess up again? What if they hate me?”

   Adrien starts fidgeting with the bouquet in his hands. He wipes his sweaty palms on his pants.

“How could they hate you? I’m pretty sure Pigtails couldn’t hate you.”

“But, what if…”

   The kwami presses the doorbell and returns to his warm pocket while dread fills Adrien. He hears the steps creak lightly as someone comes down to open the door. Is it Tom? No probably not—he’s heavier and the steps would creak more. Maybe Sabine? She can also be very scary when she wants to…

   The door opens and relief floods his body at the sight of his lady, princess, and girlfriend. Marinette is wearing a pink dress with a black jacket. He didn’t fail to notice the small cat paws and the kitty she embroidered on the jacket. The dress is fairly simple to the casual eye, but having been raised in the fashion industry for so long, he recognizes all the hard work she put into the hems and her trademark flower motif. Her black hair, free from the usual pigtails, cascades in waves over her right shoulder.  

“You look… beautiful,” are the only words that escape his lips.

“Thank you, you look great too!”

“So… These are for you!” he says, extending the flowers to her.

“Thank you! They’re pretty...” She leans her head into the bouquet, smelling its perfume. “They smell amazing too! Let’s go upstairs so I can put them in some water.”

   Adrien follows her as they enter the apartment over the bakery. Delicious scents hit him as they step inside. Except for the usual sweets from the bakery, he can smell a plethora of aromas he is not familiar with. An overly excited Tom practically bounces to him, followed by Sabine, who looks more calm and composed. Adrien swears the man is about to burst from how much he is shaking and buzzing with energy. He kisses Sabine’s cheek and extends his hand to shake Tom’s, who gladly accepts.

“Welcome, Adrien, we’re glad you could make it! We could not wait to meet the young man that stole our little daughter’s heart.”

“The pleasure’s all mine! Thank you for having me for dinner.”

   Once Tom let go of his hand, it instinctively went to rub the back of his neck, his usual tic when he’s nervous. Fear fills him as the man’s eyes grow big like saucers when a ray of light hits his ring, making it shine a little. Does he recognize him as Chat Noir? Marinette looks at him, unsure of what to make of her father’s reaction.

   He then turns and picks up Sabine. He whirls her before doing a pirouette himself.

“Our little daughter is engaged! She proposed to Adrien! We need to prepare the wedding cake, it’ll be the best Paris has ever seen!”

“Tom, dear…” Sabine says, trying to bring back her husband to Earth, with no success.

“What?” is the only word that escapes Adrien’s mouth.

   “Is it another case of Oblivio?” Adrien asks himself. ”Last time I checked, we were only dating…” He realizes at the same time as Marinette what gave Tom the idea, but she’s quicker to react. He thought that Adrien’s miraculous was an engagement ring. Though, it’s not on the correct hand…

“We’re not engaged, Papa!!” shouts Marinette, calming her father. “The ring’s, um…”

“It was from my mother, it’s not a wedding ring. Not that I would mind being engaged to Marinette, she’s amazing and any guy or girl would be crazy to turn her down. I mean, I’d gladly propose to her, but I don’t want to go too fast and I’d rather have your blessing before…”

   He is stopped by a hand on his arm. Sabine looks up sweetly at him, just like she did with Chat Noir all those years ago.

“It’s okay, dear, we know you love our daughter very much—it’s obvious in your eyes. Tom just tends to get ahead of things. That poor Chat Noir, I hope he wasn’t too traumatized.”

“I don’t think he is…” Adrien shyly replies.

   Since he arrived a bit early, Adrien offers to help make dinner. Considering his lack of ability in the kitchen, he gets vegetable duty, since it’s pretty straightforward and he won’t risk ruining the meal with a beginner’s mistake by putting in too much spice or causing a fire.

“You know, I can’t believe no one ever taught you to cook—but at the same time, knowing your father, it does make sense.”

“Yeah, I  carrot  believe it either. I guess he expected me to  stew  in the mansion and have a cook for my entire life.”

“Even for you, that was pretty bad,” she says, rolling her eyes. “Finish slicing them, it’s nearly ready...”

“I don’t know about that, young lady—there’s always  thyme  for puns,” replies Tom with a smirk, a fire lit in his eyes. “Once you’re done Adrien, I’ll  knead  some fruits for dessert

“Of course! Would you help me,  gourdgeous  princess? We make the perfect  pear , after all.”

“I think you’ll be  apple  to do it yourself, my prince.”

“Ah, you leave me  floured  ! You know I only have  pies  for you.”

“You’re such a weirdo…”

“Maybe, but I’m your  weirdough  and you  loaf  me.”

“See, Sabine, they were  baked  for each other. I’m sure  muffin  could break them apart.”

   A little bit later, once they are all sitting at the table, plates set and food served.

“This is so delicious! I don’t think my chef has ever made me something this good!”

“I doubt your chef would have cooked this—it’s not really suited for a model’s diet,” Sabine says. “But thank you. I could show you some recipes if you want.”

“I’d love that, Mrs. Cheng! Well, I’m  bacon  track now, I’m no longer following a diet as strict as before: no more drumsticks and crumbs.  Dough , I have to admit that I would have been  toasted  if my father had found me eating a meal like this.”

“You can call us Sabine and Tom, dear, no need to be so formal.”

“I’m glad to hear that! You sure could add more meat to those bones of yours,” Tom adds jokingly.

“The  yeast  he could have done was to let you see your friends more often,” Marinette replies drily.

“It’s okay, it’s all behind us now. The  bread  of akumas, the  pain …” He adds, giving Marinette a slice of bread. She shakes her head, but still takes it.

“Doughnut  worry, son, you’ll always be welcome here. I could show you the ropes of a baker’s job! I  croissant  your talent.”

   The rest of the main meal goes well—more puns, talking about their future and hopes. Adrien loved the fact that Tom and Sabine didn’t expect him to follow in his father’s footsteps and take the reins of Gabriel, unlike almost everyone else in his life. Instead, they encouraged him when he said that he would need some time to figure out what he really wants to do with his life, to forge his own path.

   As Marinette ices the cake, Adrien finishes slicing the fruits and placing them. His fingers are all sticky and stained from the juices, but he’s the happiest he’s ever been. He feels like he’s part of a family, in a house filled with love, warmth, and fun. He dips his finger in some cream that has fallen from Marinette’s pouch. She’s fully focussed on the task at hand, just like when she was figuring out an especially complicated lucky charm in a face-off with a strong akuma. He gets an idea. It’s a bit mischievous, but a good one.

   Smirking, he carefully sneaks behind her, channeling his inner Chat Noir. Once he’s close enough, he pokes her nose with his cream coated finger. She jerks back into his arms and squeezes the icing bag, making it explode. Their faces and clothes are covered with icing.

“Ch-Adrien!”

“See, m’ lady, I always told you that you’re  la crème de la crème  . Getting my miraculous was an  ameowzing  day in my life, but meeting you was the  icing on the cake ,” he whispers in her ear.

“Shh! They’ll hear you!”

   Her scolding expression lingers for a bit longer, but she soon bursts out laughing.

“I can’t believe you! All this for puns?”

“I felt like I needed to remind my girlfriend of how amazing she is...”

   Tom and Sabine turn the corner to the kitchen, taking in the mess the two made.

“What are you two  loafing  about… Oh, that’s quite the mess, isn’t it?” Tom asks, stopping in his tracks.

“Go change into your pyjamas, I’ll finish icing the cake in the meantime,”Sabine sweetly adds, opening the fridge to get more icing.

   As they walk past the counter to go change, Marinette picks a cherry and perches it on Adrien’s nose.

“You don’t need to remind me, Adrien, I’ll always  cherrysh  the  koalaty  time I get to spend with you.”

[bangtan-madi]

Top Albums of 2020

I was tagged by the amazing @joonni to list my top nine twelve albums of 2020! This was honestly so hard, but so fun. I love any tags to do with music xD (Your music taste was amazing btw! Sorry I went a little crazy and did a few extra lol.) Thanks lovie 💓

I went with the albums that I loved as whole (aka I loved most, if not all, of the songs) and listened to the most this year. Some choices have deeper meanings, while others were just flat-out enjoyable. I also stuck with albums that came out this year only, but I wasn’t sure if that was inherently part of the challenge. I wasn’t too picky on the criteria, just went with the ones that made up the score for my 2020. All albums have Spotify links incase something catches your eye! (Apologies for my extra-ness; I added recommendations from each album and a brief...ish explanation as to why it made the list.)

Also, they’re in no particular order, because this was difficult enough...

Map of the Soul: 7 by BTS

Explanation — This album was my first comeback as part of the BTS Army. There are so many tracks that I adore, and I honestly can’t remember the last time I was so excited for music. It breathed life into my Spotify, it was the album I listened to the most this year, and Black Swan was my most listened song. The differing music genres that they played with, all the way from orchestral to trap to hip hop and synth pop, left me more and more excited as the songs progressed. If there was a #1 on this list, it would be MOTS:7.

Highlights — Interlude: Shadow, Black Swan, ON, We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal

Zero: Fever Part.1 by Ateez

Explanation — This was the soundtrack to my summer. I hadn’t heard much from Ateez, but what I had heard, I wasn’t a huge fan of? Maybe I hadn’t been grabbed yet, but oh boy. Zero: Fever definitely did that. Every track is such high energy and memorable, so it was so hard to pick favorites! I’ll always think back on this one for summer, and will be transported back to plenty of sunset commutes.

Highlights — Fever, Thanxx, One Day At A Time

The Dream Chapter: Eternity by Tomorrow x Together

Explanation — Until this mini album, I had only listened to TXT in passing. I liked their stuff, but I feel like this is where they really found their stride. TDC:E caught me totally off-guard, in the best way possible. To me at least, this one is a work of art. Each of the six tracks is so entrancing, and so different from each other while still working together as a cohesive story. And don’t even get me started on the MVs! This is an album that I listen to for feels and fun, which to me, TXT are just brilliant at. 

Highlights — Fairy of Shampoo, Maze in the Mirror, Eternally

Dystopia: The Tree of Language by Dreamcatcher

Explanation — It took me forever to find a girl group that I could really stan, like hardcore. This comeback for Dreamcatcher was when I realized they were it for me. This album in particular is so diverse. Their voices are both haunting and beautiful, and the way they interweave rock/alternative elements into their music has always turned my ear. They are so different from so many other girl groups out there, from the sound to their stage presence to their aesthetic. I will never stop talking about them, and this album really shows the best of their work thus far.

Highlights — Red Sun, Sahara, Paradise

BE by BTS

Explanation — How could BE not be on this list? What a perfect end to a shitty year. There’s something so comforting yet uplifting about this one, and I will happily admit I cried when I first heard Blue & Grey. Who am I kidding, I still do. There’s only one other artist I have listed on here with two albums, so BTS is in good company. What more is there to say other than BE was the warm hug we all needed.

Highlights — Life Goes On, Blue & Grey, Dis-ease, Stay

Heng:garae by Seventeen

Explanation — This is another group that I hadn’t listened to much before this album. I was so surprised and excited. Every song that passed, I found myself smiling more. Their voices are astoundingly beautiful, and the songs are sickeningly catchy. Another album that I go to just to have fun. It’s one of my favorites to just put on when a day is good, but doesn’t Seventeen make it a little better regardless?

Highlights — Fearless, Kidult, I Wish, Together

The Untamed by various

Explanation — If you’ve seen the Chinese drama The Untamed, then you know exactly why this is on there. This album is a collection of songs that are themes for the characters in the show, most of which are sung by the actors themselves. Let me tell you; I don’t know a lick of Mandarin, but these are some of the most stunning songs I’ve ever heard. It’s one of the things that drew me to the drama to begin with; everything, including the music, is breathtaking. The classical Chinese sound plays so well with the character’s stories and singer’s vocals. They tell stories all on their own and give the drama so much depth. Even if you’re not a fan of the show or webtoon it’s based on, give this one a listen. You won’t be disappointed!

Highlights — [Wen Qing] woodland, [Wen Ning] Chi Ni, [Lan Xichen] Bu You, [Jiang Yanli & Jin Zixuan] Yong Ge, [Interlude] Yi Nan Ping, [Nie Minghao & Nie Huaisang] Qing He Ju

Humanity (Chapters I & II) by Thomas Bergersen

Explanation — If you know anything about me, you know how important orchestral music is to me. It’s been a huge part of my music journey ever since I was in middle school. Thomas Bergersen has been my favorite composer for years; the way he integrates the classical with the modern is just...there are no words. These two albums cannot be listed separately; they’re part of a seven-part project titled Humanity. Chapters I & II came out in 2020, and honestly, I have no words. The way he tells a story through almost entirely lyric-less work is just immaculate. I’ve never felt more powerful, emotional, or inspired than when listening to these two. I cried when I first heard Your Imagination and Materialize. No matter how I am feeling, whether I need inspiration or hope or just some peace of mind, I go here. I’ve never felt more healed than when listening to his work. If you take a chance to listen to anything on this list, PLEASE. Give these a try. 

Highlights — We Are One, Wings, Humanity, Your Imagination, Materialize, Innocence, The Stars Are Coming Home

Brightest Blue by Ellie Goulding

Explanation — I don’t listen to a ton of western music that isn’t orchestral or lofi, but I used to adore Ellie Goulding. Halcyon was my entire teen-hood. When I saw she came out with a new album this year, I gave it a listen for sentimentality reasons. And boy, I still love her. Her voice is both angelic and haunting, and her sound is so unique. The messages given in these songs are powerful, potent, a tad bit bittersweet, and especially valid for young women navigating adult life. Also the instrumentals backing her vocals are often big and grand and symphonic, filled with piano and violin. That’s enough to get me to listen. And to top it all off, the collabs she has on this album are so fitting for each track, it’s absolutely beautiful.

Highlights — Start, Cyan, Ode To Myself, Woman, Flux, Overture, Slow Grenade, Hate Me

Beneath Your Waves by Sleepy Fish

Explanation — If there’s one kind of music that shuts off the little anxiety bug in my brain and gets me to work, one that isn’t as intense as orchestral music and that doesn’t put me into sensory overload like orchestral sometimes does, it’s lofi. And Sleepy Fish does it so freakin’ well. This album that came out this year is one of my most often repeated over and over. When I’m struggling with sensory issues at work, I put this one repeat and my mind just...goes...quiet. It’s like medicine. And the tunes are so catchy and sweet. I’m instantly transported to someplace magical, some seaside city straight out of a Ghibli film, and far away from the things that are troubling me. Then I can finally get some work done, get to sleep, or just quiet my mind. If you struggle with sensory issues or anxiety like I do, give this album a shot. Also, the album titled My Room Becomes The Sea from 2019 is excellent.

Highlights — Velocities, Sunbreak, Swimming, Nights Like These, Winter Winter

WOOPS! by Woodz

Explanation — Another mini album that is just a blast to listen to, but it also has such a soft side that hits me in the feels. I don’t see a lot of people talking about Woodz, but you all should give him a listen. He’s so talented, and his voice on this one is just *chef’s kiss* everything. The mixing is also impeccable and pairs so well with his vocals.

Highlights — Bump Bump, On my own, Sweater, Tide

D-2 by Agust D

Explanation — I mean, we all knew this one was gonna be dope. Yoongi did not disappoint. This mixtape is so different from most of the stuff I listen to, but I absolutely adored it. The truth and rhythm and pure talent in each and every verse stuns me still. I find myself especially drawn to this one when I’m frustrated (not exclusively, but often, ‘cause 2020.) Both his truth and sound give me a safe place to feel that frustration and anxiety and vent/work through it. I don’t know what it is about Yoongi, but to me, all of his work is like a comforting friend going, “Hey, you’re totally valid and okay for feeling this way...but it sucks, doesn’t it?” 

Highlights — Daechwita, People, Dear my friend

Now, I’ll tag these lovely people! Only if you wanna :)

@kooala​ @cultleaderyoongi​ @yoontopia​ @hobicomeholla29​ @helenazbmrskai​ @moon-write​ @dreamcatcherjiah​ @ditttiii​

[milas-imaginarium]

The kindest thing

Language: English

Rate: G

Pairing: Lancelot Kingsley x MC

Note:  @styletters​  there you go dear. I proofread this but it may contain mistakes, sorry in advance, this is long as hell. 

Should I create a masterlist? I have not too much writings after all. I hope you like it. 

Her eyes opened in slow motion as her lashes fluttered heavily, the bright sun blinded her for a second but shortly she was able to look where she was.

"Young Lady, are you okay?" she didn't recognize the pleasing voice but the tone of it soothed her, seconds after she realized her body was resting peacefully on a stretcher, no pain, no blood.

"Where I'm?" the girl uttered lighter than usual, her eyes finally focused on the person taking care of her; a doctor from the red army. He was not Kyle, he seemed older. A prick of worry made her head spin.

"I see, you don't remember anything" what was that man talking about? She tried to sit down but the red-haired doctor didn't allow her "I'll tell you everything but please stay still" what happened? Thousand of possibilities crossed her mind as her heart raced almost jumping out of her chest.

"Last night a soldier found you on the royal garden. You were unconscious but using a gown also a tiara so we assume you're from a royal family out of this country" the doctor kept quiet for a moment trying to find the words to clarify the situation avoiding a panic state "What we don't understand is why you're here. His majesty asked me to take good care of you."

Lancelot was the king, Lancelot Kingsley was her fiancé, why the impersonal behavior? "I don't know what happened to you young lady, but the red army is going to help you as much as we can" and then it hit her as a fiery wave "Oh, no..." her hands encased her face "Please let me see the king. I beg you."

Her legs were shaking as her stomach felt sick. It couldn't be and the only way to prove her suspicions was to see the king, however a bad feeling crept in her mind. The mere idea of something like this happening was ridiculous but not impossible...Oliveira guessed.

°°°

It was the celebration of the "Stargazing" festival in Cradle, as the two armies signed a truce the festival felt different. Happiness and peace were floating around the citizens and authorities, it was a dream to assist to a festival in her new home one week before the wedding, but something was off.

"I see, Oliveira" the Queen of spades spoke solemnly when the bride to be concluded the story. Last night she showed Lancelot a picture of himself in his childhood sleeping peacefully, the picture was inside a book in the old part of the library. Lancelot was taken aback and avoided the topic, his blue eyes full of sorrow "Lance was a lonely kid. He was born to fulfill his place as the future king. I shouldn't be telling you this, Lance sooner than you think will be ready to tell you by himself, after all, a man can't keep secrets from his wife"

"Having fun without me?" a deep voice made both, Queen and bride to be, turning around their heads only to find Lancelot looking sober.  Oliveira smiled subtly, that's the face of a jealous King "Never. I see you around, Mrs. Kingsley."

As Sirius walked away smiling nonchalantly Lancelot spoke: "I admit it sounded good, isn't it?" the young lady nodded embracing herself to her lover's chest "I love you, Mrs. Kingsley. Let's go...we need to initiate the festival." with a kiss on his fiancee's forehead both went to the dancefloor, as the official royal couple they were in charge of the first dance. Everything was unreal except for the awkward sensation in her chest, she would never forget the baby boy in the photo living a life where loneliness was constant.

After dancing and eating all kind of typical Cradle's food people was ready to make their wishes. Every two years the festival was celebrated thanks to a meteor shower, as Cradle was a magical country people kept the tradition to ask favors to the stars, that's what the festival was about.

"I want to make Lancelot happy in all the stages of his life, I want to fill his heart with joy and his days with light"

°°°

"This must be a dream" Oliveira murmured while marching behind a guard, the King was ready to talk to her.

"After lunch, you'll attend the second part of your classes, Prince Lancelot" the woman stood silently, her desperate eyes looking for Lancelot and there he was, a six or seven years old boy, blue eyes, messy blond hair, the expression she knew so well. The floor melted under her feet, it was too real to be a dream.

"Are you okay, Lady?" the guard questioned giving her a confused gaze "The king is waiting for you" Lancelot and his instructors walked down the hall until his small figure disappeared, there was no need to see the king...But still, it was inevitable. Trying to compose herself and not to cry or be in commotion, Oliveira got into the King's office. Being in Cradle for more than a year taught her a lesson: in terms of magic, it was better to let it flow.

"Welcome young Lady. I'm the King of hearts" the man was blond but his eyes were not blue, perhaps Lancelot was more like his mother, though her father-in-law was a handsome mature man. Oliveira lost herself thinking about how Lancelot would look like in his late 40's "The royal doctor told me you don't remember more than your name, I'm deeply sorry for that, however, your tiara indicates you're a royal and you're going to be treated as one until you remember where you belong to."

"Of course it indicates royalty, it's your army's tiara and I'm your son's future wife." Oliveira thought at the same time her hand touched the fine piece of jewelry, they provided another dress for her to be comfortable but the tiara remained in her head "If you're a royal you must use it with pride" said the doctor when she denied to use it with the casual outfit.

The meeting with the King ceased too soon thanks to the Queen of hearts, for god's sake...that man was incredibly gorgeous. "Lady Oliveira, you'll have food and your room. What you do in your free time is up to you, I recommend to rest and try to remember something."

Despite the King's words were polite and almost kind she was not stupid. They considered Oliveira a threat but as they knew the young lady was a royal they had to treat her well enough to avoid a war with another country.

°°°

The next week consisted in her reading every book about magic in the library, nothing related to the "stargazing" festival or even magic to travel through time but something caught her eye "meaningful magic" or magic with purpose, it was the type of natural magic that had a specific purpose, sometimes it was as simple as a coincidence but in other cases, it was powerful and unpredictable, the point behind this kind of magic was to accomplish a mission or objective in the person's life.  

Oliveira had to options: to believe in meaningful magic or to forget about her previous life, the answer was easy.  What her purpose could be? another easy question. Her eyes darted the library's window, right in the garden a little kid was practicing fencing as disciplined and serious as a grown-up man "Make you happy is my mission, my Prince".

Oliveira decided to go out to take a sunbath and maybe have the chance to get close to the blond Prince that melted her heart; he was cute, pretty as a doll, small, soft, sweet "Do our kids would look like him?"

"Your kids with who, Lady Oliveira?" a feminine voice asked, oh shit. Oliveira tried to form a coherent excuse in her mind, then she remembered her wedding. Grinning she raised her hand and kept on playing the lady with no memory facing Lancelot's mother. Yes, Lancelot resembled her mother, even in that cold expression.

"Mrs. Kingsley" she bowed to show respect "I don't remember more than my name but this ring is an engagement one. I guess someone is waiting for me" it was not a lie, Lancelot was waiting for her, worried as hell but it was better not to think about that, her lover was strong "And I want to have beautiful and talented kids, just like Prince Lancelot, with that person." Lancelot's mother looked at her kid, no changes in her expression.

"I see you're quite fond of my son, I presumed you were plotting against the heir but now I know you're just mesmerized by the idea of having kids." the stunning woman dressed in fine materials spoke again "I'm too busy to pay attention to Lancelot but you have plenty of time, don't you?" with that she parted to an unknown place. The King's wife has duties but how cold-hearted you needed to be to ignore your kid?

That day Oliveira had dinner with Lancelot, it reminded her the first days in Cradle. The conversation didn't flow until she spoke about animals, a little nerd of tigers he was and see him with those big blue eyes shinning was everything "I know you're pretty busy but if you don't mind I would like to accompany you"

"Do as you please, Lady Oliveira" his soft voice echoed into the dining room. Deep down his cold expression, a marvelous heart remained untouched, some things never change.

°°°

Another week had passed and Oliveira was almost Lancelot's nanny.  Sure, it was not easy but she handled adult Lancelot, nothing on earth could be more difficult than that. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner together, the royal chefs where not in charge of his foods anymore, she prepared fun and nutritive meals. Slowly the walls that kept Lancelot isolated from the world started crumbling; by the third day of the week she started reading stories for him before sleep, by the fifth day both were practicing fencing, Jonah's lessons were quite useful and by the seventh day, Lancelot smiled to her kindly.

A smile from the ice prince. It was better than gold, was she making him happy? She missed her old life, she missed her boyfriend, her friends but kid Lancelot...needed to be loved for the time the meaningful magic determined.

"Lady Oliveira, are you going to practice today?" approaching Lancelot was a hard task but his child version was more easy-going than his adult self for obvious reasons.

"Of course, this time I'll win." was it humiliating to lost in front of a kid? Yes, but that kid was incredibly good with the sword, so it was understandable.  Nor the King or his wife went to the training field to look for their kid if she needed to think about there were days where Lancelot was left alone with his instructors and maids. If it was painful for her...how painful could it be for a little kid?

After a hard swordplay practice with the prince, she asked for a break while Lancelot glanced at her with that cheeky smile he displayed sometimes "You're mean, you now that? Let me win at least once"

"If I let you win once...how could you learn to be better?" and there he was, Lancelot being Lancelot. It was cute to see him saying serious things being just a baby, Oliveira's heart was under regular attack.

"Touché. I'm going to make your dinner, my dear Prince. Wait for me, okay?" she found herself enjoying cooking for Lancelot back in the past when she attempted to make him eat something. Food is necessary but also could be heart fulfilling. The little Prince fidgeted wanting to say something, his instructor remained quiet as always.

"What is it, Prince Lancelot? Do you want to request a special dish?" Lancelot eluded her sight, his cheeks blushing "Do you mind if I help, Lady Oliveira?"

And that was the beginning of a delightful routine for them, under the astounded eyes of the army staff members Prince Lancelot was smiling again, being the kid he was. His mother paid some visits sometimes and the King checked the prince's training but nothing more, they ignored his other activities and likings.

°°°

"Tomorrow I'll go to town, do you need something Prince Lancelot?" Oliveira said while preparing to read a story that night, Lancelot didn't need anything so shook his head. She has been living in the red army for three weeks, she kept on acting as the lady without memory but anybody seemed to be annoyed by that, it was quite the opposite; the King seemed pleased of how Oliveira treated the Prince.

Taking the big red book in her hands Oliveira noticed something opening her eyes in realization, it was the same book where she found Lancelot's picture. How silly of her not to notice that before.  "Is there a problem, Lady Oliveira?"

"No, no prince." she smiled at him with her eyes full of tender love. The boy using red pajamas made himself comfortable.

°°°

Cradle was different from the past or the present or whatever, Oliveira got easily confused with all that time traveling thing, nevertheless, the city remained charming preserving the mystic air that made Cradle...well, Cradle. The real intention behind going to the city was to find a present for the Prince, it was weird not to see toys in a boy's room but it was Lancelot's room after all.

The maids were busy gathering the food for the next week so Oliveira walked by herself around Cradle looking for the perfect present, the options were almost infinite but nothing so special, not at least for her beloved little prince, anyway she was far to give up. Of course, love was so much more than a present but something was true, a simple gift can be like the magic that brought her back in the past: meaningful.

After a whole day in the civic center, she was ready, the gift was perfectly wrapped on a golden box with a huge ribbon on top. Lancelot and Oliveira were the main attraction in the red army headquarters, perhaps soulmates no matter their age, were bright when they were together.

For the bride-to-be, that day felt different, was it the anticipation for Lancelot's gift, or was it something more? however, she shook her head and after a wonderful homemade diner for two, both walked to Lancelot's room where the gift was awaiting over his bed. The expression of his round pretty face was memorable "I hope you like it"

Oliveira expected that adorable expression in his face after seeing the giant albino tiger plush, but never expected the kid's answer was a hug, his eyes were closed as his hair was messier than usual, Oliveira couldn't resist and kneeled before him hugging the little prince too "Did you like it?"  Lancelot just nodded, he was warm, soft, and smelled like a baby if that made sense. Time stopped in that instant, nothing else matters than the feelings contained in that innocent hug "Prince Lancelot, you deserve happiness and infinite amounts of love. Never forget that."

Lancelot didn't say anything else before went to bed, his sleepy face showed a smile while his body embraced the fluff copy of Shine. It was love what Oliveira felt for that kid, she wanted to treasure the moment, she wanted to keep in her memory his voice, his smile, the expression when they were together practicing fencing or cooking.

"You don't know how much I love you, my little Prince. You're the kindest thing that ever happened to me."

That night Oliveira slept thinking about Lancelot, the prince, the king, the lonely man, the serious kid, the shattered person, her lover, her world, her reason to be strong, her reason to give it all to immerse him in eternal love.

°°°

"She's waking up! Call the King"  her eyelids were heavy and she recognized the feeling back when she traveled to the past, was everything all right? "Oliveira, are you okay? Do you feel good?"

"K-Kyle?" There, looking at her with a worried expression was the royal doctor, her friend "What happened?" the dizziness in her head made everything blurry.

"You fainted after the dance with Lance. Have you been overworking yourself again?" Oliveira shooked her head slowly, she was in a strange house resting in a comfortable bed. Her dress the same she was using in the festival "I came back..." the girl murmured closing her eyes again just to see a perfect picture of Prince Lancelot.

"Was everything a dream?" She thought with a hefty sigh.

"Yes, that's it. You came back and Lance will be happy. The poor man almost faint with you..." Kyle said with a relaxed smile. When Oliveira fell unconscious Lancelot was startled, a citizen offered her house for Kyle to check on the girl, there was no explanation, perhaps Oliveira was just tired or her corset was too tight.

"Kyle..."

The young doctor stopped in his tracks when Lancelot spoke, the King's eyes full of expectation "Fine, fine...I'll leave you two alone. Don't overwhelm her, Lance." He just remained quiet and approached to his fiancee in a graceful motion, his slender cold fingers traced a line in Oliveira's jaw until reaching her soft hair, Lancelot took a seat close to her "How are you fee-" Oliveira interrupted him with a needy kiss "I'm okay my love, don't worry...Don't worry".

°°°

It was dreamlike, all eyes were on them waiting for the great King of hearts' vows. It seemed like he couldn't believe his eyes, Lancelot Kingsley getting married. Oliveira's knees were shaking slightly and her eyes were on the verge of dropping tears, both holding hands.

Never in his wildest dreams something like that happened, was it reality or mere fantasy? Oliveira smiled containing her tears of happiness, Lancelot cleared his voice and the words emerged almost like a love song.

"You're the kindest thing that ever happened to me. Now my lips have your taste in them, my skin has your caress tattoed and my heart beats at your voice's tempo.

You're like the rain on a drought, rain falling over buds making them flourish. Oliveira, I promise to make you immortal in the land of my memory if you love me until my last breath."

And that was all, Oliveira was crying gracefully during the rest of the ceremony, luckily for her, the makeup was waterproof. The exchange of rings took place and a round of applause filled the church.

"You can kiss your wife, King Lancelot."  and he did so as if that kiss was his last.

"Cheers for the couple", "Congratulations King", "Take care of Alice", "Have a life full of happiness", "We're expecting a little prince soon", "Don't let him go, Oliveira".

People from both armies were happy, the day was full of light and love "I'll make you happy forever, my King." Oliveira said walking hand to hand going right to the wedding party.

°°°

In the silence of the night the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley made it to their shared bedroom. Lancelot left the room to prepare the bath, the plan was to relax taking a long romantic bath together and getting ready...For the wedding night.

Oliveira crossed the room after seeing the red big book over the nightstand "was it a dream?" she bit her lip opening the book to see the beautiful picture inside, Lancelot and his plush. Delicately she took the picture in her hand but then the picture fell off to the floor on its backside.

"You're the kindest thing that ever happened to him"  Was written in perfect cursive handwriting. Oliveira took the photo in her hands wondering who would have written that.

"Is everything all right Oliveira?" asked Lancelot before running to hug his wife from the back "Oh, the picture. That's my father's handwriting" Lancelot paused "My childhood was not perfect, I hardly remember my mother or father being there for me...but this picture is special." He was opening to her, Sirius was right "I don't even remind her face or her name...but a Lady gave that plush to me, for the first time someone loved me, showed me a hint of what happiness is."

"Lance..." and more tears rolled down Oliveira's face before a gentle warm kiss took place "Don't cry my love," said the King of hearts "Come with me, I'll make you...cry for a different reason" using an insinuating tone Lancelot undressed his wife caressing her naked figure and downing her mouth with wet kisses. It was just the beginning of a life together.

[anicalewis]

Queer Eye for the Opera Ghost

We just rewatched The Phantom of the Opera, and it looks like I’m doing this again.

Karamo: Okay, guys, special treat today: we are heading all the way to PARIS!

*all cheer*

Jonathan: OMG, I love France!

Tan: And I love you, too. *laughs at collective groan* But seriously, I am excited to visit the birthplace of the French tuck.

Antoni: I don’t know if you guys know this, but French food is good. Like, really good. Like, you hardly even need to add avocados to it, it’s so good.

Karamo: We’re going to be meeting Erik. He’s a composer, but he also has a background in architecture. In his spare time, he does free music tutoring for an orphan girl.

Jonathan: *high-pitched squeal of emotion*

Karamo: Erik was nominated by his friend, Madame Giry.

Madame Giry: Erik is brilliant. A genius, truly. But he doesn’t do well with people. He lacks confidence about his appearance, and I think he could stand to get out more. He wants to see his music performed, but I think the way he’s going about that – threats, kidnapping, and passive-aggressive notes – is not going to get him the results he’s hoping for.

Karamo: Okay, that is a lot. Also, did she furtively mutter something at the end there? Something that sounded weirdly like murder?

Tan: *flipping through papers* Apparently that was never proven? Might have been an accident?

Karamo: . . .

Karamo: Okay, right, so! At the end of the week, Erik’s opera is going to be performed. This is a longtime dream of his, so it’s a really big deal.

Jonathan: Ooh, yay Erik!

Bobby: *studying file* Um, am I reading this correctly? He lives in an opera house?

Tan: Oh, cool, like a converted opera house?

Karamo: Not exactly.

*Fab Five pull up in front of the Palais Garnier opera house*

Madame Giry: Hello! Thank you for coming! I will show you how to get to Erik’s . . . let us say, “apartment.”

Jonathan: Okay, this is a lot of, just, darkness? What’s happening there?

Bobby: *pulls out industrial flashlight* I got it. *shines flashlight around* Looks like the place has some good bones, although I am concerned about what looks like a pretty serious flooding situation down there.

Madame Giry: Keep going in this direction. Erik will meet you with the boat.

Tan: I’m sorry, the what?

Madame Giry: You may want to keep your hand at the level of your eyes. Just to be safe.

Karamo: What?

Madame Giry: I go no further! *rushes away*

*Erik glides over on a gondola lit with candles*

Erik: Honored guests! I had so hoped you would come.

Jonathan: Oh my gosh, look at you! All European and swoony with your boat and your candles! Who gave you permission?!

*Fab Five crowd onto gondola*

Karamo: You must be Erik! I’m Karamo. *bear hugs Erik*

Erik: *frozen*

Jonathan: Honey? You okay?

Erik: Was that . . . is that what it is to be hugged? *shakes it off* Ahem. This way. Welcome to my lair.

Tan: Did you just say “lair?”

Karamo: *looks into the camera with wide-eyed alarm*

Bobby: Yeah, that checks out. This is very lair-style architecture.

Antoni: Where’s your kitchen?

Jonathan: And your bathroom?

Tan: And your closet?

Karamo: The blank look you’re giving us tells me we have some work to do. All right, team, hands in!

 DAY ONE: LIVING IN THE BASEMENT

Tan: I am loving the drama of your wardrobe. *to camera* Erik is a guy who knows that you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to wear a statement piece. Like that mask! That said, he could stand to shake things up a little bit, so we’re going to work on that.

Jonathan: Okay, you sexy subterranean music man, tell me about your skincare routine. You wear sunscreen, right?

Erik: I have literally never been outside during the day.

Jonathan: Hey, whatever floats your romantic little candlelit boat. No judgment. Can I touch your hair right now?

Erik: No.

Antoni: I can’t find any form of kitchen down here. Where do you keep your food?

Bobby: *to camera* This is tough. My instinct is to bring in a bunch of houseplants, but Erik’s home is very low on natural light. I’ll need to give this some thought.

Karamo: Okay, Erik, let’s talk about you. What brought you to where you are now?

Erik: A traveling circus that kept me in a cage.

Karamo: . . . I am going to have to sit with that for a minute, honestly.

Antoni: Still wondering about the apparent lack of food and food prep areas down here. Erik, you aren’t, like, living off rats, are you?

Bobby: And what’s over . . . oh, another secret passageway. That seems to be a real theme here. Big on secret passageways, not so big on adequate lighting.

Jonathan: *to camera* I think our new friend Erik might be a little self-conscious about his face, based on how he wears a mask all the time and had kind of a teeny-tiny rage-seizure when I asked if he would take it off? I want to help, but I can’t do that if he’s not going to let me see his gorgeous face!

Antoni: Taking another tack, Erik, if you DID eat rats, where would you be cooking them?

Karamo: I’m back. All right. So, let’s maybe start with something positive, Erik. What’s something about you that you’re proud of?

Erik: I am a musical genius.

Karamo: Love that confidence! Will you sing us something?

*Fab Five cheer and chant Erik’s name until Erik launches into “Music of the Night.” Everyone freezes and gapes at him until the last notes fade.*

Bobby: Oh

Tan: Oh my

Antoni: *weeping*

Karamo: Is . . . is there an orchestra down here? Did anyone else hear an entire orchestra start playing just now?

Erik: *to Jonathan* Why are you on my lap?

Jonathan: Shh. We’re dating now.

Karamo: Okay, we do have some issues to figure out here, but Erik also has immense talent and charisma when he sings, as well as possibly magical powers? Anyway, he’s clearly a diamond in the rough. So let’s get polishing!

*Fab Five dance break*

 DAY TWO: OUI QUEEN

Tan: I love that you have a signature accessory. That’s great. Have you thought about playing around with color a little more?

Erik: You know, I do like red, but I worry that colors other than black would affect my ability to lurk unseen in the shadows.

Tan: Oh, do you do some behind-the-scenes stuff at the opera house? Where you have to work without people seeing you?

Erik: Exactly.

Tan: All right, I’ll see what I can do.

Karamo: Erik. I have in my hand some notes. Notes that I believe you delivered to various people working in the opera house. Is that right?

Erik: . . . Yes.

Karamo: Look, I applaud the attention to detail. Not a lot of people take the time to write notes anymore, let alone to make them rhyme.

Erik: Thank you. I feel like no one really appreciates the effort I put in.

Karamo: Oh, yeah, I see you, man, I see you. But I’ve gotta say, the tone these take is not making you sound your best. You’re coming off pushy, to be honest. Even threatening. Do you think that’s a good way to get what you want?

Erik: It’s worked pretty well so far.

Karamo: *deep inhale*

Bobby: How attached are you to this lake? Because I can tell you right now, your usable square footage goes up a lot if we drain it.

Antoni: Good news! There’s a marketplace just a short walk from here that has just incredible produce. And the cheese! *chef’s kiss* The bread!

Erik: I do not leave the opera house during the day.

Antoni: How firm a rule is that? Because –

Erik: I said no! *loud, angry organ chord plays from apparently nowhere*

Antoni: Gotcha. I will look into delivery options.

Karamo: Tell me about your pupil, Christine.

Erik: Christine is an exquisite singer, in large part due to my teaching. With my guidance, she will continue to improve until, through her, my brilliance dazzles the world.

Karamo: Is that arrangement working well for both of you?

Erik: . . . What do you mean?

Karamo: Just checking that you two have an appropriate teacher-student relationship built on mutual respect and honesty, working toward a clear common goal, all that good stuff.

Erik: . . . I just need her and everyone else to do what I say.

Karamo: Okay, pull up a chair, because we are going to sit down and have a TALK about this.

Bobby: Where do you get all these candles? Are you making them here? Do you have a massive standing order with a lighting store of some kind?

Tan: I’ve noticed that you like a cape. I approve; it’s a great silhouette. But you have to balance it by going skinny on the bottom. I got you these slim-fitting trousers. What do you think?

Erik: Ooh, look at my legs!

Tan: EXACTLY.

Antoni: *to camera* When it comes to putting food on the table, it’s important to meet people where they are. Luckily, where Erik is happens to be freaking Paris, and he has a generous salary. So I’m just helping him set up some regular delivery orders with local food vendors, and we’re going to assemble a cheeseboard. Yum! It’s also a good no-cooking option, since I have yet to locate any form of kitchen.

Karamo: Do you want to talk about your family?

Erik: I never experienced any kind of affection through my entire childhood. My own parents fled from my horrible disfigured face.

Jonathan: *shouting from another area of the lair* Hey! Do NOT talk about my foxy new boyfriend that way!

Karamo: Hey, look at me, Erik: your parents failed you, okay? You didn’t fail them. You were just a kid. You deserved love, and they didn’t come through for you. That wasn’t your fault.

Erik: *tears up*

Karamo: You want a hug? Bring it in.

*They hug, and soft music plays spontaneously in the background*

Karamo: That’s better, right? Yeah. Now, this is just my own curiosity, but: does ANYBODY here actually speak French?

Antoni: *shouting from across the lair* Oh, I do! Me, me!

Erik: *shrugs*

Jonathan: Okay, you outrageously talented dreamboat, this is it. This is the moment. I don’t know what you’re hiding under that mask, but I am here to help you. Are you going to let me help you?

Erik: *looks away, conflicted*

Jonathan: Take your time. I will sit here and keep complimenting you for as long as it takes.

Erik: You don’t want to see my face.

Jonathan: Would it help if we cuddled? You can be whichever spoon you want.

Erik: It’s hideous.

Jonathan: La la la, I can’t hear you over the sound of how smart and talented you are and how much you deserve to love yourself, la la la!

Erik: Fine! *whips off mask* *crashing organ chords* Is THIS what you wanted to see?

Jonathan: Okay that was a very aggressive reveal, but good job! Progress! Proud of you! *claps* Yay!

Erik: *stares*

Jonathan: All right, sweetie, come over to the mirror and let’s talk options.

 DAY THREE: THAT O.G. SWAGGER

Antoni: Time to build that cheese board! Remember what I said about picking out cheeses?

Erik: A balance of mild, medium, and strong.

Antoni: That’s my boy! Okay, go with Jonathan and get your makeover on.

*Jonathan takes Erik upstairs to the backstage area of the opera house to do makeup*

Jonathan: Makeover time! Are you excited?

Erik: Yes! All the many problems in my life have been caused entirely by my horrifying face. It alone stands between me and triumph, success, and all the joys of the world.

Jonathan: Haha, so no pressure, right? *to camera* Corrective surgery doesn’t seem to be feasible for Erik, but it’s important to him that nobody see the way this side of his face naturally looks. Fortunately, his theatrical background has made him super comfortable with makeup! So we are gonna start with a nice moisturizing base, and then we are going to get out our makeup kit and go. To. Town.

*Jonathan and Erik go back downstairs. Erik dramatically whips off his mask, and everyone exclaims over how great he looks.*

Erik: I’m just so excited that I’ll be able to interact with people without them either screaming in horror or staring at my mask.

Jonathan: They’ll be staring, but only because of how totally fabulous you look!

Bobby: Ready to see the lair?

*They all tour the lair*

Bobby: You have a strong theme here with candles and mirrors and secret passages. What you didn’t have was a lot of practical everyday spaces.

Antoni: LIKE A KITCHEN.

Bobby: That’s right. So now you have a kitchen and dining area, and also a bathroom.

Erik: Oh, that will be nice.

Tan: Please do not tell me what you were doing when you didn’t have a bathroom. I don’t want to know.

Antoni: Now let’s go check out that brand-new kitchen and your delicious cheeseboard!

Karamo: That looks great! You know, you could bring one of these to your next lesson with Christine. I think she’d be very impressed.

Tan: Everyone ready to see some outfits?

*Fab Five cuddle up on the new sectional sofa*

Tan: This first look is an update of Erik’s professional wardrobe. He typically wears black to avoid drawing attention to himself backstage, so I stuck with that, but look at the lining of the cape.

*Erik flashes the inside of his cape, which is red. Everyone is delighted.*

Tan: Dramatic, yeah?

Jonathan: Oh my gosh, you’re like a sexy Dracula!

Tan: Look number two is eveningwear. Apparently masquerade parties are big around here, so Erik needs a costume for that. He wanted something powerful and edgy. And you all know how I love a print . . .

*Erik sashays out in a leopard costume with mask as organ music plays in the background*

Jonathan: Rawr!

Tan: This last look is what Erik plans to wear to the performance of his opera. Introducing . . . Don Juan!

*All squeal and cheer*

Jonathan: Love it! But why is it covering his gorgeous face?

Tan: *shrugs* Part of the opera, apparently.

*Erik joins them on the sofa*

Erik: All these years, I thought that success was about making the world see my genius. Now, I realize that it’s okay if the whole world doesn’t love me. I can love me.

Karamo: I’m so proud of you, man.

Erik: I wrote you these thank-you notes.

Jonathan: Aww!  

*Antoni tears up*

Tan: *reading* This is . . . kind of an ominous and mildly threatening note?

Karamo: Still an improvement, honestly.

*all hug*

Antoni: Your opera is going to be amazing!

Jonathan: It totally is! My pookie is going to absolutely SLAY!

[ssuibian]

The Untamed OST: A gush list

As I mentioned here I’m in love with the beauty that is the the untamed soundtrack, especially the character themes. And in the end I did end up making my gush list (feat. moodboards) for my favorite tracks. I’m not 100% sure about the english translations.

CONTAINS SPOILERS!

They are in no particular order, they’re all beauties, except for the one and only:

Wu Ji / Unrestrained / 无羁 aka Wangxian’s theme

First of all, the fact that they have their own song. Composed by Lan Wangji because he’s that in love with Wei Wuxian just, melts my heart

And it’s such a magnificent melody too, and that it was used often in the drama was like putting two lines under an answer because that’s right, these two belong together in a more than platonic way, even if they couldn’t show it on screen

Secondly, that it’s sung by their actors, god bless. Xiao Zhan & Wang Yibo did a really good job. 

THE LYRICS are so poetic I wanna cry (but I also want to cry when I think about Wei Wuxians smile, or how ethereal Lan Wangji looks *sob*)

And that there are so many versions available is perfect. You wanna cry over wangxian? Here’s the original theme. You wanna study? There’s like three instrumentals. 

I wrote a lot more on wuji than the other tracks but oh well, I’m biased I guess

Song ends with Chenqing / 曲尽陈情 

All the themes represents their characters so well in a musical way that it hurts.

And Wei Wuxians is so clearly made for him and it’s just so right

The combination of Xiao Zhan’s voice and the flute is *chef’s kiss*

It’s a “Wei Wuxian was the gossip of the town and misunderstood” anthem

You can’t possibly argue that Wangxian is straight

Every time he sings about Lan Wangji it’s so obvious that he’s talking about the love of his life  

Won’t forget / 不忘

The guqin strumming in the start is iconic 

Wang Yibo is a talented person in every form 

Won’t forget, well Lan Wangji waited for like 16/13 years 

The melanchony just seeps trough the whole song, it’s just pure pining for your soulmate

And when the bridge hits out of nowhere, damn

The instrumental track Wangji /忘机 is also a beautiful listen. The sound of the guqin just hits so right

Newborn / 赤子

Just the name of this track? Y E S 

Wen Ning is a newborn, innocent soul who deserves the world

The lyrics are about him observing the world and pledging to protect  Wei Wuxian forever. 

My heart is mush at this point

The electric guitar riffs are 100/10

Modern!au Wen Ning as a soft emo kid 

(I demand justice for Wen Ning, there are almost no good stills out there. His moodboard isn’t near what he deserves.)

Goodbyes filled with hatred / 恨别 

A very fitting name for the theme of mr.13/16 years pent up anger and frustration

But on a more serious note: the lyrics depicts Jiang Chengs emotions as he has to tackle everything after the burning of Lotus Pier arc

He was way too young to be thrown into that, sect leader and rebuild everything

And he’s so hurt by his falling out with Wei Wuxian

The whole song is basically all his pent up emotions he never let out and it’s so ughhhh

Communication for crying out loud 

Discontented / 意难平 

I’ve said it before, and imma say it again: You wanna start sobbing uncontrollably out of nowhere? This is the song  

Jiang Yanli is one of the, if not the purest person ever

She just wants to go back to her brothers and the peaceful days in Yunmeng

I’m tearing up just listening to the first note while writing this 

Idk why her theme hits so hard

But it’s beautiful 

Clear heart sound /  清心音

There are two versions of the song of cleansing and I’m here for both of them

After listening to both versions you eventually recognize the difference between the original and the collection of turmoil

Ironically both are very soothing (I love listening to them while I study)

 I’ll just risk that qi derivation 

Night Run / 夜奔

Instantly brings me back to Lotus Pier and the golden-core change reveal

Wei Wuxian laying in Lan Wangji’s lap, 

the pain and tears on Lan Wangji’s face 

and Jiang Chen’s disbelief just, 

stabs me in the heart every time

Bonus:

The Juniors theme, the only track that doesn’t make me emotional

“ Youths that should not be underestimated”

I’m squealing, that title is so cute

They’re talking about being strong and fearless

But in my head they’re smol beans