#ft. nat

[deerhobbs]

i quite literally have the best twitter header in all of existence

[autism-swagger]

Lol what if we loved each other so much it rewrote the narrative and un-doomed all three of us haha

Kinda sorta redraw of this.

[samphill-incorrects]

Sampo: So I started seeing someone

Natasha: As in dating or hallucinations?

[nevermindirah]

I'm a lucky duck who lives in one of the markets getting the limited release of Dandelion! Per Nat's request here are my thoughts to tide you over until it's more widely accessible.

As I said in my immediate reaction post, KiKi Layne was built for the big screen. This movie is full of gorgeous closeups of her. And medium-sized shots, and distance shots, and ok maybe it's just me, but bless this movie for making her a singer-songwriter-guitarist, because this means there are so many lingering closeups of her hands, and oh mY GOD NOT TO BE A LESBIAN (gender-neutral) BUT >:)))))))))

I could look at KiKi Layne all day, and now I could also listen to her sing all day. Her voice is beautiful and so expressive. She said in press leading up to it that she was nervous to share her singing voice and maybe that had something to do with just how expressive she is as a singer. Maybe sharing that is more intimate for her than the on-screen nudity this movie also has, and which is also compelling as hell.

This pro review notes that KiKi contributed to the music writing, which is so cool! It also acknowledges that much of the dialogue isn't quite right, often a little too like an essay or a headline to be organic for these characters, while getting at how forgivable that is in a movie whose soul is in the music and the visuals and the chemistry.

Somewhat miraculously for a movie with a white writer-director whose skill isn't primarily in dialogue, about a Black lead in a mostly-white place, it's conscious about race without being didactic. Dandelion is wary of going to white redneck territory for a music competition, and there's a sequence where microaggressions turn into shitty petty crime, but she's also not the only Black person in the sea of likely [redacted] voters. The movie does get a touch didactic about the struggles of women in creative industries, so maybe it wasn't a product of careful effort so much as Nicole Reigel's limited perspective, but the result works. Antiblackness isn't The Conflict of The Movie, simply a shitty part of the background radiation of Dandelion's life.

The music is so damn good. Soundtrack album here! Though the album tragically leaves off two of the movie's best songs: the stunning final number where Tracy Chapman vibes meet Prince, and a cover of 90s white boy song Hey Jealousy that starts off as mere pleasant background track introducing us to KiKi's voice and turns into a sleeper thematic tornado. Once you've seen the movie go look at Hey Jealousy's lyrics and backstory so you can join me in screaming about it and these characters.

Dandelion is a little movie, marvelously so. It's about just a few people in a short time in their lives. I hadn't thought about it like this until now but there are several thematic as hell shots of one or two characters shown tiny and off to the side amid sweeping rocky nature. The artsy shots of flowers superimposed on emotive faces aren't my taste but the overwhelming scale of the landscapes really spoke to me and now I'm realizing this is why.

There's a thing about some side characters wanting to be the biggest band in the world that's kind of an example of the clunky dialogue and kinda perfect for how wonderfully small this movie is. It doesn't matter where Dandelion's career goes after this. These scant few weeks of her life make for such a rich story on their own. This moment in time matters, even if these events don't turn out to have any more effect on the characters' futures than they do on the timeless mountains and prairies of South Dakota.

Fandom people are probably more likely to connect with this movie than the average non-musician viewer because of something that baffled me about a review I wildly disagreed with. Apparently some people can watch this and not understand how fast two people can develop deep intimacy and attachment despite barely knowing each other, just because they make art together. I don't understand how that reviewer didn't understand. You make art with someone and you're in each other's souls. It's intoxicating to collaborate with someone who gets what you're trying to say with your art and helps you make something that best captures the ineffable but crystal clear thing you're trying to say.

Not so intoxicating that you can no longer make rational decisions — but, well, in a way maybe it's the more rational decision to keep chasing the high of drift compatible creation, even when the person you've found to be your musical brain twin is maybe a not great choice in other ways.

Purely for Book of Nile reasons this movie is a damn gift. Tons of shots would be so easy to swap out one scruffy white boy's face for another. (Though Thomas Doherty is the same height as KiKi, which I personally enjoy, it's fun to have variety.) So much of the lyrics are extreme bait for gifsets and fic titles. (Tiny for the movie but very big for the BoNers spoiler: SHE LITERALLY CALLS HIM OLD MAN.) The first two thirds of the movie I kept thinking how perfect this plot would be as a BoN musicians AU — until a twist where I was both so pissed on Dandelion's behalf and internally screaming BOOKER WOULD NEVER.

As I was watching the final scenes I kept waiting for a thing to happen that didn't happen, a certain way of resolving the romance. The ending we do get left me yearning a little. But starting a few hours after leaving the theater the yearning subsided and now a week later my satisfaction with the ending has fermented into a yearning only to listen to that last song on loop forever. (WHY is it not on the soundtrack. I mean, TRACY CHAPMAN MEETS PRINCE.)

One more thing before I go. Dandelion is another thrilling expansion of the repertoire of KiKi's characters in terms of vibes and aesthetics. She looks so different than Nile in a theoretical mirror image outfit of practical boots and jeans and an oversized borrowed button-down thrown over a tee. None of KiKi's other characters, not even gentle Tish, would look so at home in delicate florals, doubly so when they're paired so effortlessly with a comfy denim jacket. And KiKi's physicality here is unique to this person: Dandelion, Theresa, a guitarist. Wholly unlike Margaret the dancer or Nile the warrior. Maybe someday Nile will grow locs like Dandelion's though.

In conclusion: watch Dandelion! I'm as glad I saw this in theaters as I was glad I watched Don't Worry Darling at 1.5x in a small corner of my laptop and only slowed it down for Kiki's scenes. The limited release is real limited, alas, but if you have access to a biggish tv to stream it on I'd strongly recommend making that effort. Both for the landscapes and those gorgeous closeups of Kiki's face.

[ollieinoue]

The Joint Birthday Party [ @nataliavega ]

"Hey!" Ollie greeted as he came up behind Nat, putting an arm around her in a side hug as he handed her a beer. "It's so creepy in here," he said, in a fake whisper, like he didn't want to disturb any unnatural presences. As if the Dean was dead and not just in trouble or something. When in reality this was just a house, and it looked like a normal house. He'd been in here before. He'd crashed the Dean's graduation party last year. But still! It was creepy! "Do you want to smoke a blunt and go outside and make a snowman with me? In the back so nobody will see us, of course…" Although Ollie did like the idea of making a very inappropriate snowman in the front if they wouldn't get themselves, and everyone else in trouble for it. Alas…

[gabevargas]

characters: gabe & natalie where: rusty saddle tagging: @nataliedcluca

It was his last week of freedom before he started Monday in the auto shop, and Gabe was set on a wild blowout to round off this spontaneous vacation. He was a few beers and tequilas deep as he hung with the friends he had made over the last few weeks—some guys from the gym and a few people Benny had introduced to him. Gabe loudly bragged about his impending victory as he stepped up for his final shot. When he bent over the table, someone caught his eye in the distance, and the distraction fucked him up. "Hey... relax. Victory is still mine, but..." he placed the cue on the table and shrugged. "I've something better to attend to, guys!" He down the last of his beer, then made his way over to the bar.

The woman in question was standing there with friends of her own when Gabe made a point of bumping into her. "Oh, sorry... blame the tequila!" When she turned to him, he smirked. It had been a while, but you always remembered the face of the woman you married in Vegas. "Surprise!"

[papaflynn]

characters: callum & nat where: firefly brewery tagging: @nataliedcluca

The season had finally started again, and Callum had been quietly happy to see Natalie back for another year of rivalry. The kids mattered most, but the competitor in him couldn't face another year of losing to her. He had to rub that smug grin off her stupidly pretty face, and this was the year. In their usual tradition, the two met up after the introductory mini-tournament. They would get drunk and set the terms of their forfeit for the end of the season.

"Right, there's no messing about this year... distracting me with tequila to then steal all my tactics and make me agree to the worst forfeit!" Callum quipped before he sipped his beer, hiding his grin from her. Honestly, he enjoyed all of it. He didn't mind. He looked forward to their sideline battles and post-match beers more than she probably knew. "I'm a fortress, missy... You can't crack me." He laughed. "But... " he placed two shots on the table with a mischievous smirk. "A wee tipple of tequila or two couldn't do too much harm, so it couldn't...."

[shcrtsweets]

@antleredpunk liked for ghost jackie!

Jackie didn't even know if Nat could hear, or see, her right now. It was always a toss up if they actually could, and usually she had to put some effort in - but she started speaking anyways as she strolled idly around Nat's little hut. "Thanks. For what you said out there." 'She's not the captain.' 'Neither are you.' 'Yeah cause she's fucking dead.' "It's nice to know someone still remembers me. Well besides ..." Shauna's name went unsaid. "I really hope this rescue thing works out and you guys finally get out of here. I know I'd probably be justified in being bitter and wanting you all stuck here forever, but - the rest of you deserve to get out of here."

[sourapplesauces]

*the* shared canvas parte dos

[fyrewalks]

Nat doesn't say good bye when she slips out of Bradley's bed, retrieves her clothes, and exits his temporary quarters quietly as she can.

Technically, she's already said her goodbyes. One last toast at the Hard Deck after finally being released from questionings, flight reviews, and debriefs. For their troubles, they were rewarded with two weeks leave so they celebrate accordingly. Boisterously, with no regard for tomorrow.

It's not the first time she's followed Bradley home after a bar, yet it feels different anyway. Softer, almost. Not as frantic and hurried as it usually is. She's sure the yellowing bruises, the faint cuts on Bradley, are reason enough for it. But like all the other times they've fallen into bed together, Nat knows after a few months apart, with plenty of unanswered texts and calls in between, that she'll stop thinking about it. Eventually.

Eventually comes sooner than she likes. Midway through leave, they're sent orders to return to Top Gun rather than their respective stations. Already holed up in a stupidly overpriced airbnb overlooking the Cali coastline, Nat has no one to directly process this news with, though she can't say she's shocked. No point in wasting talent.

By unspoken agreement, they all assemble at the Hard Deck again Sunday evening. She's holding a pool stick, but rather than save it to nail Bradley in the gut again, Nat bows out of the game and hands it over to Hangman, feeling only a little sorry that he'll whoop poor Bob's ass.

She finds a spot to squeeze in at the bar top and decides it's not an act of cowardice, dodging Bradley, but rather putting the onus on him.

a not so surprise starter for @entriprises

[naggingatlas]

thinking about picard doing a cocomelon moment with data by singing gilbert and sullivan at him from a karaoke machine in the shuttle that data is shooting at so he calms down. this would work on me 100% ngl.

[snobwhimsicalityy]

💥🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣GIVE IT ALLLLLLLLL

[ambroselm]

PIKE house Friday the 13th [ @nataliavega ]

He'd been to a number of frat parties since getting to Ogden, and Ambrose had to admit… he wasn't that big of a fan. Though perhaps it was the other news that had been given that day that put him in a bad mood. But no, he was sure it was the party. No good alcohol. No good drugs (unless he could get ahold of that Monty guy, presumably). No good food. It was the last thing that had him debating if he should doordash something to himself, but he hadn't reached that point yet in the night. Instead he was standing, perhaps overly politely, in line to get cheap beer from a keg. Oh, how horrified his mother would be. He filled his solo cup at the tap, turning to offer it to the next person when he realized he recognized her. "Oh," he said, "Natalia, right? Fancy seeing you here." Despite it being him that said a rager wasn't really his scene -- which he fully stood by, especially tonight. "Would you like for me to fill your drink for you?" he offered, as polite as he ever was.

[hakchs]

#008. nat / kaz y haruki son invitados a una exposición de "sonidos del mundo" donde está en exposición música de todos los países. / @nvtamarin , @ryonv .

intentaba escuchar atentamente la exposición, con el debido respeto, pero una duda en su cabeza no le dejaba concentrarse por completo. la melodía le sonaba familiar, y como dirían algunos, la tenía en la punta de la lengua. era algo frustrante. no pudo contenerse y se volteó hacia la persona más cercana, indagando entre susurros, sin pensar en la reacción que esta tendría. ' ¿sabes de qué parte del mundo es esta pieza? porque estoy seguro de que no es de la mía. '

[ollieinoue]

Late night on October 26th, at some 7-Eleven. [ @nataliavega ]

He wandered around the 7-Eleven with Nat, pulling items off the shelves to sneak into the Movie theater with them, as they got ready to attend the midnight showing of the Five Nights at Freddy's movie in a few hours. "So the movie is in a different continuity than the games, okay? And then there are also books, and those are also in a different continuity, but then sometimes have to do with the lore of the games. But the fandom can't decide if that's true or not because there is some weird shit in the books. Like goo that forms into people, and a time traveling ball pit, and soul juice that gets infused into the robots and keep them going, and anger juice from those souls? I don't know it's weird. That bit is actually canon in the games too, I think. But I'm not sure." He tossed a bag of Flamin' Hot Cheetos towards Nat. "You're probably not going to need to know any of that. I doubt they put faz goo in the movies," he said with a snort, "but hey, I was a weird 10 year old with an invested interest in indie games, and am now a weird 20 year old with an invested interest in indie games. What can I say..."

[yasgeum]

“diré que interesantes. muy pocas veces una historia resulta ser aburrida,” o así lo creía él, quien siempre terminaba encontrando algún detalle interesante en todo lo que leía o escuchaba. no mentía cuando decía que los retratos le otorgaban esa idea. miró de reojo al otro y fue, de hecho, cuando más sintió que la mirada del retrato señalado lo observaba. frunció la nariz y se replanteó por qué estaba siendo tan supersticioso, sin embargo no pudo evitar darle un asentimiento en señal de acuerdo. después, fue su turno de soltar una risa; lo último que esperaba escuchar era esa pregunta. “¿de qué tipo de maldición estás hablando?” esta vez giró para observarlo mejor, analizando su rostro con discreción. no recordaba haberlo visto antes. “pero, en realidad, creo que estaremos a salvo. no los hemos insultado ni tampoco tocamos los retratos,” comentó. en lo rebuscado de su mente, eso era lo poco que conocía sobre el tema. a la repentina invitación, terminó asintiendo después de pensarlo un par de segundos. “claro, te acompaño. también me viene bien algo de tomar,” señaló el camino hacia la salida y no tardó en dar movimiento a sus pies. “y prefiero no arriesgarme a vivir mi primer encuentro paranormal aquí.” se animó a soltar sílabas con un deje de humor, encogiendo después los hombros.

'' pero, ¿historias aburridas o interesantes? '' pregunta aún sin mirar a quien le ha respondido, todavía paseando su mirada de un cuadro a otro, todavía entretenido en los rostros que veía en ellos. '' uff, ni que lo digas '' aprieta sus labios entre si, que aunque estuviera admirando cada retrato, no significaba que sentía algo de incomodidad de ver en esas paredes tantos de estos. '' porque si te mueves, parece que te siguen con la mirada, ¿no crees? '' ya había sentido eso con otras pinturas o cuadros en otros lados, pero justo en ese lugar que parece antiguo, sentía también eso que había dicho su ahora acompañante. '' si seguimos aquí, ¿crees que nos caiga alguna maldición o algo así? '' por supuesto, tan solo bromea al soltar ese comentario hacia el desconocido, incluso una ligera risita haciendo presencia de su parte. '' mira, que puedo lidiar con esa mala energía '' exagera '' pero de preferencia, necesito un trago '' en eso último, era cierto, hasta una excusa para beber otra copa más. '' ¿vienes o te quedas a que se te aparezca uno de esos? ''.