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sapphire-heart-tippy · 1 year

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Sapphire Heartverse! The Fanfic!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Part 7: Lovelorn Hearts

Part 8

With a short grunt, Ice hoists a few packages into his freshly washed black SUV.

August

“Hm?” He turns around and sees Tippy trying his best to keep carrying one of the large boxes, clearly struggling. Vanilla inhales and sighs, makes his way over to the bluenette, and rests his hands on his hips,

“Now, what are you doing?”

“Lifting… Mr Dio’s… mysterious packages?” Tippy struggles to answer.

“Really?” Ice looks him all over, up and down, “It looks like you’re trying to…” Ice thinks for a bit, “Lift… the pyramids of Giza rather than a simple little package.” He chuckles then takes the large package from Tippy, “Go get the others. They’re more your size anyway, Termite.”

“Wha–? Hey, wait a second! Is that why you call me a termite?! Because I’m short?!” Tippy puffs out his cheeks, a little annoyed. Vanilla sets the package in the back of the SUV before turning around with a bit of a bored expression, as if the answer to this question is obvious,

“No, actually.”

Ice walks past Tippy while saying,

“It’s because you bug me to no end.” Tippy isn’t able to witness Ice’s smug smile at his little joke because he’s picking up another large cardboard box.

“Y…you… I-I…” Tippy is flummoxed by yet again another clever joke from this normally poised gentleman.

“What are you waiting for, bug? Go grab that package.” Ice tells him. Seemingly out of nowhere, Ice leans in close to Tippy and halfheartedly scolds him, “Oh, get your mind out of the gutter, you rapscallion.”

“H-hey!” Tippy blushes, yet again missing the smirk Ice so cleverly hides from him. With a huff and a pout, Tippy carries over the last of the small packages, “Hngh! So, what are in these things anyway?”

“Classified.” Vanilla closes the back of his SUV and heads towards the driver’s side.

“So you don’t know what’s in the boxes? What if it’s rabid alligators? What if it’s more severed heads? What if it’s explosives? What if we hit a bump and go KABOOM?!” Tippy waves his hands and makes explosion noises.

“I never said I didn’t know what was in those packages. I just said that the contents inside of them are classified information… No, they’re not explosives. Well,” Ice turns around then looks back at Tippy with a shrug, “At least I hope not.”

“.... But having said that, you didn’t deny it was at least one or more of the previous things I said.” Tippy narrows his eyes and lightly taps his chin. Ice pulls out of the hidden warehouse driveway and onto the road,

“Mmm… that’s classified.”

“Oh, come on! Won’t ya tell me? I promise I won’t tell Mr Dio!” Tippy pleads.

“I don’t think so, Termite.” Vanilla shakes his head lightly. He presses play on his radio, playing a CD that he had in his car. Tippy recognizes the artist instantly,

“Whoa, hold on a second. That’s Eminem! You like Eminem?”

“Yeah.” Ice braces himself for what’s about to come next,

“I always assumed– nah, it's too easy.” Tippy slumps down in the passenger’s seat. Vanilla sighs in relief and rolls his eyes,

“If you must know, I am fully aware. But that’s all we’re going to say.” He makes a turn and looks around at the city street, “I have a ton of CDs in here before the ‘big bloop’ happened. I couldn’t help myself though. I went ahead and bought a ton more after I had discovered more music. They’re all in the glove compartment.”

Tippy curiously opens the compartment, sure enough there are tons and tons of CDs in cases all in neat rows,

“Whoa!”

“Help yourself. Go on, pick something out, see if I have anything you might like.” Ice’s voice is a bit more gentle. Tippy looks around then notices a familiar CD. He opens it up and places it in the CD player.

“Oh, that’s… that’s a good one.” Vanilla nods at him. Tippy and Vanilla end up happily singing along at the same time,

“I just saw Halley’s Comet, she waved. Said, ‘why you always running in place? Even the man in the moon disappeared… somewhere in the stratosphere!” x

This cheesy little moment has made Vanilla more relaxed and solidified his decision in trusting Tippy just a bit more. The feeling of having somebody sitting in that normally empty passenger’s seat, is enough to make him feel less alone in general. He will never forget this moment.

In the mansion

Vanilla and Tippy bring the packages inside and painstakingly bring them into one of Dio’s sitting rooms for him to inspect.

“So is it like… dr–” Vanilla softly hushes Tippy and kneels to Dio. Vanilla lightly tugs on Tippy’s shirt for him to copy his manners. Tippy kneels down next to Ice and tries to do what he does. Dio turns around and gives the two gentlemen a passing glance as he makes his way to the packages,

“No, sweet little boy, it isn’t illicit substances. Mmm, yes, these are just some things I am simply…. Owed.”

The two remain silent. Ice doesn’t look upon his master, while Tippy watches curiously as Dio takes out a jewel encrusted dagger. Dio slices the packages open delicately, yet something about the way he cuts them is so sinister.

“Hm. Ice.” Dio doesn’t look away from the freshly sliced package.

“Yes, my lord?” Vanilla is ready to jump up and do whatever is commanded of him at a moment’s notice.

“Did you, perchance, tell our little friend here what is in these parcels?” Dio asks with feigned politeness.

“I did not, sire.” Ice answers.

“Hmhm… That’s a good boy.” Dio chuckles. “You two are relieved.” As soon as Dio says this, Vanilla quickly stands at attention and pulls Tippy up by the bicep,

“Yes, sire. Very good, sire.” Ice pushes Tippy out of the room quickly yet gingerly.

In the kitchen

Vanilla is fixing up lunch for the day.

“What the heck was that all about?” Tippy asks, sprawling his arms over the small dining table.

“I told you already, Termite,” Vanilla points a butter knife covered in mayonnaise at xem, “I have sworn to Lord Dio never to tell a soul any secrets he confides in me.”

“But what about Jonny? He doesn’t even have a soul! He’s just a head, so you could tell him then he could tell me!” Jonathan stops bouncing on the counter while holding a plate in his mouth and gives Tippy an offended look. “See? That way technically you didn’t tell me anything.”

Vanilla takes the plate from Jonathan,

“Just because somebody is only a head, doesn’t mean they do not count as a soul.” Vanilla sets a sandwich on Jonathan’s plate. “Don’t you know anything about secrets, Termite?”

“Well, yeah, I know!” Tippy pouts and rests his cheek on the palm of his hand, “I was just wondering is all.”

“Huh! Curiosity killed the cat, bug.” Vanilla notices Jonathan is trying to take the plate in his mouth and bounce off. Ice takes the plate away. He grasps Jonathan gently and swiftly turns him around and sets the plate back down. Pointing at it, he silently tells him to stay on the counter, “Some things are better left a mystery so let’s leave it at that.”

“Oh, alright…” Tippy lays his face on the table. Vanilla walks over and lays a plate down next to Tippy,

“Quit that.” Ice nudges Tippy with his elbow, “Eat.” He walks back over to the counter to finish making himself a sandwich, and to make sure Jonathan doesn’t make a mess.

“Hmph.” Tippy takes a bite.

Ice gently wipes Jonathan’s mouth with a napkin after he’s finished and leaves the plate on the counter. The brunette looks over at Tippy and makes sure he’s eating before he can feel content enough to enjoy food for himself. Ice watches Tippy for a bit and takes his plate when he is finished eating.

“Hey, you need any help, Vans?” Tippy asks, following Vanilla to the sink.

“Hm? No, no. It’s not that much work.” Ice tells him politely as he scrubs a plate with a sponge.

“Well, whenever you need any help, you know where to find me.” Tippy says to Vanilla with a playful smile. Their eyes meet one last time before Tippy leaves. Vanilla’s hand slips and he accidentally drops one of the plates in the sink with a loud KEE-THEENK! Jonathan hops over next to the sink and looks up at Vanilla’s face.

His eyes are a bit wide, his mouth twisted into a frown, Ice is very flustered and troubled at the moment.

“Mr. Ice?” Jonathan speaks up.

“What do you need, Mr. Jojo?” Vanilla remains polite as best as he can.

“I hope you don’t mind me saying this, my dear friend but… I have noticed that your shoulders tend to relax whenever Tippy is around. Otherwise, you’re quite–” Ice accidentally drops a fork on the ground, “er… tense.”

“Tense? I don’t get tense easily,” Vanilla washes off the utensil, “Sure, it’s a bit grueling to have to keep everyone in this place in check, I have to cook and clean and do laundry, I have to go grocery shopping, I have to break up fights…” Ice sighs and rests his hands on the counter after turning off the sink. He dries his hands off and rubs his forehead, “All in all, it’s a sacrifice I am willing to make for Lord Dio. I owe him my life, you know that.”

“Be that as it may… Your mental stability has deteriorated, all of this stress has taken a toll on you.” Jonathan hops along the counter to follow Vanilla, “I worry about you, dear friend. Although, it seems as though all of your troubles simply vanish when that gentleman is around! Ohohoho.”

Ice freezes in his tracks. He’s… he’s right. Somebody who was once a person I dreaded even being around, is now somebody I look forward to seeing each day.

“Oooh, if I didn’t know any better, I would say you’ve developed a little bit of an infatuation for the guy.” Jonathan pokes fun at Ice a little bit.

He turns around to face Jonathan a little too fast that his long brown hair flies over his face. Vanilla spits his hair out, some sticking to his lip gloss, and fixes it by brushing his fingers through.

“What– pleh! What makes you think that?” Ice asks, feeling his heart skip a beat, “You know I love no man aside from Lord Dio! Who even told you such a false claim?! Just because I have to haul that squirmy little aphid around with me on occasion, doesn’t mean I have fallen in love with him! And no, I do not have daydreams about him every now and then like I do with Lord Dio! I am loyal to one man and one man only, and that man is Lord Dio… as I have stated previously many times over.” Ice puffs out his chest and feels his heart flutter in his chest, sending adrenaline shocks through his veins.

“My my! My goodness, Mr Ice. Seems I’ve struck a nerve there.” Jonathan mutters, just loud enough for Vanilla to hear. The brunette is fuming internally, trying not to let his emotions spill out at once. If he keeps speaking this foolish nonsense, I’m going to stick him in a pickle jar.

A few weeks later, one night

“Hahaha, okay then, Termite. I have a question for you now.” Ice chuckles. Both gentlemen are sitting outside under the desert sky. It’s quiet except for the bit of ambience coming from the city in the background. The temperature is cool, a nice contrast from the blistering heat of the day. The stars glimmer across the dim navy blue veil of darkness, which was once a dainty pastel blue. Tippy looks out onto the horizon then back up into Vanilla’s milk chocolate eyes,

“Oh yeah? Go ahead.”

“Hmhm… Why do you always wear those gaudy dog collars around your little neck?” Ice delicately fidgets with Tippy’s spiked choker with a little heart locket on the front.

“It’s not a dog collar!” Tippy smiles and playfully bats Vanilla’s hand away, “I just like chokers is all. It’s like you with those dorky little leotards.”

“Well, at least my leotards have a purpose, Termite.” Vanilla makes a faint smirk, “Do these,” he nonchalantly slips his finger under Tippy’s choker and pulls him a little with it, “serve any purpose aside from making you look like a feral animal?”

The two gentlemen stare into each others’ eyes for a few seconds, both of them with cheeky smiles on their faces. Ice glances down at Tippy’s glossed lips then back up into his dark cocoa eyes. Tippy makes a short inhale,

“Why would a feral animal wear a collar?”

“I don’t know.” Ice releases Tippy, “Maybe somebody was trying to tame it? They underestimated that animal’s ferocity perhaps and it escaped while wearing the collar?”

“Maybe!” Tippy giggles and rubs his arms with his hands, shivering a bit.

“Oh, don’t tell me you’re cold. It’s not that bad out here.” Ice leans back and relaxes a bit more.

“Just a little bit. I get cold easily. Look at all these goosebumps I have.” Tippy shows his arm to Vanilla.

“You are just so darn fragile, hm?” Ice teases him. Tippy looks up at the night sky at all of the stars, still shivering, all curled up in on himself with his knees up to his chest. Vanilla takes his ripped dark jean jacket off and rests it upon Tippy’s back. The jacket is very warm and smells just like Vanilla’s cologne and deodorant.

“Hm?!” Tippy looks over at Vanilla with surprise. Ice’s smile fades and he looks up at the sky,

“You need it more than I do. I’m sweating over here.” He hides the goosebumps on his arms with the sleeves of his leotard. It doesn’t help much, considering his legs are also quite cold. The silence is a bit awkward, but Tippy is warm and content. Vanilla clears his throat,

“So… do you know what constellations are?”

“Yeah, of course!” Tippy laughs. Vanilla points up to the sky,

“There are those that everyone knows about, but… there’s one thing I used to do with Lord Dio before he ultimately grew bored of it. We would make up our own.”

“Oh, yeah! Hey, check it out, that one looks like a diamond!” Tippy points.

“You’re right. Oh, look, over there. That one looks like two hearts.” Ice leans over, getting a little closer to Tippy.

“It does, heh!” Tippy looks up at Vanilla, “Like your earrings kind of.”

Vanilla looks down at him and touches one of his own earrings. Tippy notices Ice’s arms,

“Hey, you are getting cold. Maybe we should head back inside.”

“No, no. I’m fine… However… I think there’s a nice little shop across the street from here where we can, perhaps, grab a couple of drinks and warm up a bit.” Vanilla rubs his neck.

“That sounds like a plan. I was getting a little thirsty anyway.” Tippy stands up and tosses Vanilla’s jacket in his face playfully, “Let’s get going!” Tippy giggles and runs to the gate.

Ice puts his jacket back on and a warm smile spreads across his face.

At the little cafe

The two gentlemen are laughing and drinking their tea. Ice stirs his drink a bit with a straw,

“Yeah… I suppose I have a lot to thank Lord Dio for, hm?”

“Well, now you know not to put Dio’s handmade throw pillows in the washing machine!” Tippy giggles and covers his mouth.

“I was picking out feathers from my clothes for weeks.” Ice smiles and looks at his drink. “Um… hm… You know, Termite. I have a curious little question for you.”

“Go ahead!” Tippy takes a sip from his drink.

“You mentioned… that you have had previous lovers a while ago. Have you ever loved one of them so much that you were willing to do anything for them?” Vanilla casually takes a sip of his drink and looks at Tippy.

“I wouldn’t say that… There have been times where I was afraid of them cheating on me so I just tried to be everything they wanted. It didn’t work and they still ended up cheating.” Tippy tells him.

“I see.” Ice looks to the side, “What did you do after that?”

“I told myself that I’m not going to let myself be treated poorly by anyone ever again. I may be small and weak against physical fights, but I refuse to be treated like dirt. I wasn’t going to stand there and be compared to other people anymore. I wasn’t going to let them tell me who to be or what to do anymore.” Tippy’s face goes from jovial to forlorn once this conversation has begun. Vanilla doesn’t speak nor look at Tippy. This makes the bluenette feel a little embarrassed,

“I-I’m sorry, I think I said a little too much.”

“No, you’re alright…” Ice takes another sip from his drink, “You've been treated poorly by those around you, not just your exes, but from your peers, your loved ones…” The brunette stirs his drink with the straw a little, “Me…”

Tippy’s brows frown. His eyes go from staring into Vanilla’s, to looking down at the floor. The energy between the two gentlemen is tense, but not in the way of anger or resentment. They both regret the things they have done and said to each other in the past. Ice watches Tippy’s body language and knows that he feels a whirlwind of emotions. There is so much to be said in this very moment and yet… silence from both ends.

They both finish their drinks and are too uncomfortable to speak to one another for a while. Vanilla inhales and closes his eyes as he clutches his cup speaking gently,

“I’m sorry.” Tippy looks up at him. “I’m sorry for the way I treated you. That was unfair.”

“No, dude… I’m sorry.” Tippy stands up from the chair, “After all, I started it.” A teasing smirk from Tippy sends a wave of ease to Vanilla. The brunette sighs in relief,

“You sure did, you little Termite.” Ice tousles Tippy’s hair.

After a while, the conversation turns back to lighthearted and fun.

Back outside

“Here,” Vanilla takes his jacket back off once again and rests it on Tippy’s shoulders, “This time, don’t give it back to me until we’re at the manor.”

“Alright, alright, Lucky Charms.” Tippy gives an exaggerated eye roll. During the walk back home, Tippy playfully bumps into Vanilla a few times,

“What are you doing, you little bug?” Ice bumps him back with a chuckle.

“You’re like a brick wall!” Tippy stumbles a bit then bumps into Ice with a laugh. Vanilla laughs back,

“Hey!” The brunette pushes a little too hard and Tippy loses his balance. The short gentleman slips and starts falling to the concrete. Ice gasps and swiftly grabs onto Tippy. Instead of gracefully helping him back up, they both end up tripping and wobbling down to the sidewalk. Both of them end up with scrapes and light bruises. Vanilla and Tippy softly groan in pain and the feeling of being dazed, until they realize…

“Hngh?!” Vanilla had broken Tippy’s fall for the most part and now their legs are intertwined, and Vanilla is still holding onto Tippy’s forearm.

“I-I-I’m sorry!” Is all Tippy can say. They both scan each others’ faces, which are very close to each other. Vanilla’s cheeks are on fire and he feels his heart is about to explode out of his chest. Tippy’s cheeks are scarlet and he feels the same way, and can’t help but laugh uncontrollably. The way Tippy laughs makes things a bit less embarrassing for the two. Vanilla grins, still feeling a little awkward about the situation.

“Here,” Ice crouches and holds out his hand for Tippy to take it. He grasps onto Vanilla’s large hand and is pulled up a bit too quickly.

“Whoa!” Tippy crashes into Vanilla’s chest face first.

“Oh! Are you alright?” Ice asks and gently takes Tippy by the shoulders.

“Y-yeah, I’m good. Uh…” The two look each other in the eyes for what seems like ages. Tippy sighs and looks away.

“Wait. Is something wrong?” Ice asks with concern.

“It’s nothing… Well– no, nevermind.” Tippy may have a slight smile on his face, but there’s sadness behind it.

“You can tell me. If something is bothering you, I would be more than happy to help.” Vanilla nods and they continue the walk back home.

“It’s just that… I don’t want to ruin everything. But– you know what? Now’s a good a time as any.” Tippy steps in front of him. “Vanilla…”

“Y-yes?” Ice tries to remain calm and poised as usual, but he can’t shake the nervous sparks running up and down his body like an electrical current. His stomach churns and his heart skips a beat when Tippy speaks,

“I have feelings for you. I like you. I do. I really really like you! Ugh! And I hated the fact that I liked you for so long, but I just–!” He stumbles over his words and covers his face. Vanilla is taken aback, his eyes are wide and his cheeks are flushed. “I’m sorry. I know your heart belongs to Dio… I know I just ruined everything by saying something, but I just had to say something, but– ugh, this is so confusing!”

Tippy sits down on the curb and sighs, resting his chin on the palm of his hand. Vanilla is at a loss for any kind of response. After a while, Vanilla decides to sit down next to Tippy and speak in a gentle tone,

“Yes, I told you that my heart belongs to Dio… however… I don't think he knows. He doesn't...have to know.” Tippy looks over at Vanilla, which causes Vanilla to turn away. “What I’m trying to say is… you–,” Ice inhales and holds his breath, “I share your infatuation… unfortunately. Now, don’t make me say anything else.” Vanilla exhales.

“R-really?” Tippy raises an eyebrow in surprise, “I mean… I kind of figured you were flirting with me every now and then, so I kind of did the same! Heheh!”

Vanilla covers his face with both of his hands and sighs in embarrassment.

“So uh… what do we do now?” Tippy says softly, with a giddy little smile.

“I guess this means we’re a couple now.” Ice takes Tippy’s hand and looks at him with that stoic face he always has. They both look at each other with pure romance in their eyes. Tippy covers his mouth and can’t help himself, he giggles. Ice attempts to suppress a smile. Ugh… damn it, he’s so cute… I should go for it… right? Vanilla leans in, making Tippy lean in too. Both gentlemen close their eyes and go in for a kiss.

They end up bumping their noses against each others’, chuckling, then finally planting their lips together.

The kiss between Vanilla and Tippy is so warm and filled with desire. Ice can’t control himself, he leans in further, melting into the kiss as if they were both the only two men in the entire world. Tippy wraps his arms around Vanilla’s shoulders, running his fingers through his long brown hair. Vanilla’s touch starvation surfaces when he lets out a small pleased grunt while kissing his new boyfriend. Everything Vanilla has ever wanted in a partner was right in front of him the entire time. This moment is so magical, he wants to cry. Tippy doesn’t pull away too soon like Dio does. Vanilla finally gets the satisfaction of romance he so desperately craved. Tippy smiles on Vanilla’s lips and they both pull away for breath. Ice gently rests his forehead against Tippy’s and gulps, catching his breath still. I don’t want to let him go. I don’t want this feeling to end. Please… please stay… forever and ever. Tippy chuckles and holds Vanilla close,

“This feels right…”

“...yeah.” Ice is internally beating himself up for not saying everything on his mind. Not only does he not know how to articulate his intricate thoughts, but speaking about his own feelings has always been an obstacle for him.

In Vanilla Ice’s bedroom

The two gentlemen decided to paint each others’ nails, brush each others’ hair, and share music like any other night together. Ice listens to Tippy talk about things and make jokes for a while, until he speaks up,

“We kissed…”

“Yeah, we did!” Tippy says.

“But… Everyone knows we don’t like each other very much.” Vanilla messes with some nail polish.

“Well… I mean… nobody has to know anything just yet.” Tippy crawls over to Vanilla and looks into his eyes. Ice’s eyebrows are frowned and his eyelids are hooded. Tippy leans in and lays on Vanilla’s chest, to which the brunette wastes no time wrapping his muscular arms around the thin gentleman. Ice breathes a content sigh and snuggles up against Tippy.

After a while, it’s obvious Vanilla tends to follow his instincts and only has so much self control. Every now and then he does things in the heat of the moment. He and Tippy are quite similar in that regard, the two gentlemen end up sharing a beautiful night full of intimacy and passion. They can’t keep their hands off of each other. Each moment spent together this night is pure ecstasy, the feeling of bliss and fulfillment is immeasurable. Ice has never felt this amount of pleasure in his entire life, he is ever so grateful to share this intimate moment with his new beloved. The couple share a shower, filled with romantic embraces, warm kisses, laughs, and the close feeling of togetherness that is washing each others’ hair.

Vanilla and Tippy end up falling asleep in each others’ arms for the rest of the night. Vanilla doesn’t want to let Tippy go… They keep each other warm in that big cozy bed of his. Those two are inseparable and complete each other to the highest degree. Ice wakes up in the middle of the night, expecting to wake up to a big empty bed once again… but it’s true what happened. He curls up next to Tippy and kisses his cheek sleepily before resting his arm over his boyfriend.

I can get used to this… I don't want sire to know just yet. I can't shake this feeling of guilt, even though I know Lord Dio wouldn't mind. What sire doesn't know won't hurt, right? I can only hope this feeling never goes away… I hope Tippy never ever goes away… I love him so much.

To be continued…

#sapphire heartverse fanfic #sapphire heartverse #tipvans #vanilla my sweet #implied sex #implied sex mention #let me know if this needs anymore tags please #safeship

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sneakyscarab · 9 months

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alrighty, ive now caught up from my backlog of touhous that ive beaten, so the pace from now on is gonna slow down since i need to beat the games first before i write about them. who knows though, if they take as long as this one did maybe i can keep up this pace :P

nina's thoughts on Touhou 12 - Undefined Fantastic Object

so funny story, after Subterranean Animism took me like two weeks to finish, i went into UFO expecting a similar result, but i ended up clearing within a single day. twelve (12) attempts of UFO and i had already got my 1cc! im a bit impressed with myself tbh, but i think i was helped by the gameplay changes in UFO that make it a bit easier.

for starters, real bombs are back baby! no more trading attack power for survivability, full power bombs are here again as a seperate resource. life pieces stick around, but now boss fights only give one out when you defeat their last phase. you would think this makes life pieces incredibly scarce, but theres another entirely new source for them: the titular Undefined Fantastic Objects. some enemies now drop little ufos that fly around the screen that come in one of three colours. when you pick up a ufo it goes into a small tracker in the corner, and when you collect 3 in a row all of one colour, or 1 of each, then a Big UFO spawns on screen. the UFO sticks around for about 10 seconds, slurping up every collectible that shows up onscreen. for each item it grabs, a meter around the ufo fills up and at max it drops an item depending on the colour, and when destroyed it drops another item plus everything it picked up. rainbow ufos drop more small ufos, green gives you a bomb on full meter and a bomb-piece on kill, red gives you a life piece on both, and blue does… something? i don't know. i never saw any items pop out of a blue ufo, and i prioritized blue ufos the least. i can only assume they do something relating to points since those are blue, but i honestly have no idea cause i beat the game before i had to go look anything up about it. once i figured out red guys gave you life i basically hard-focused proc'ing red ufos as much as possible, going for rainbow or green when red wasnt possible. as weird as the ufos are, i have to say their mechanics are conveyed surprisingly well without any real tutorials or even words, just really solid ui design.

the last new addition to the gameplay comes in the playable characters, Sanae is here now! wooo Sanae lets go! obviously Reimu and Marisa are here too, each of them get 2 weapon options so theres still only 6 total. i gave each one a shot, although some of them i literally only played once lol. Reimu has the standard homing shots and needles, Marisa has her illusion lasers but a new secondary weapon that shoots in sort of branching V-shapes, with a couple shots going behind her as well as in front, which i didnt find many uses for in my brief experience with it. illusion laser is the only one of these that i played more than once, as i put most of my focus into Sanae. both of Sanae's movesets are pretty neat, her first one was my weapon of choice for my 1cc attempt. based on Kanako, she shoots out snake beams that fly vertically, and then if they see an enemy to their left or right they take a 90 degree turn, making for an interesting type of homing. her other set, based on Suwako, shoots out frog beams in a wide fan angle, or straight ahead when focused, that explode into lingering AoE damage when they hit a target, which is great at clearing out huge swarms of enemies. i really like how her movesets sorta play off of Reimu's homing shots and Marisa's piercing lasers, but in very different ways compared to the two of them.

for the new characters, my favourite is probably Kogasa. this poor umbrella girl just wants to be scary, but shes inherently too silly-goofy and struggles to do what she as a youkai is Supposed to do. she's trying her best though, and looks adorable while doing it. i believe in you Kogasa!

i wasn't expecting to be a Ichirin & Unzan fan, but they surprised me. Ichirin is basically a stand user, a buddhist monk who controls her partner Unzan, a old man wind spirit with a powerful beard and even more powerful fists. the spell cards involving Unzan are great, seeing his huge angry face show up and throw hands is just hilarious. the best one by far though is their final attack, what i would call the absolute funniest spell card of the entire series so far: Thunderous Yell 「A Scolding from a Traditional Old Man」. if the name alone didn't convince you, the visuals are also hilarious, with two massive Unzan faces appearing on each side of the screen and shooting angry eye lasers at you. just look at it. perfection.

it's become a pattern in these posts that i talk about three new characters, but none of the others in UFO really stood out to me. if i had to pick one id go with Captain Murasa, just cause pirates are cool, but i don't have much more to say about her lol. sorry UFO crew!

anyways i think its about time to wrap this one up. thankfully i kept this one short so we dont have another SA essay situation lol. UFO is pretty fun, if a little bit Too easy with how much free stuff you can get from good ufo management. the story and characters really didn't stand out to me, and with how quickly i finished this one i don't expect it to really stick out much in my brain once i finish the series. if anything from UFO sticks it probably will just be Unzan's laser eyes. can we play that back one more time? thanks.

#grimoire of nina #touhou #touhou 12 #touhou UFO #undefined fantastic object #touhou project

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digital-dhampirs · 3 years

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thank you very much for the ask, @kachowwwww !

I did do a covernalysis for Vol 3, which you can read here: [https://digital-dhampirs.tumblr.com/post/168641851375/here-it-is-the-beautiful-twosome-vanitas-no ], but after staring at the cover of the volume for a little while I’ve started to notice some stuff I didn’t see way back in my original post from 2017. So! I will be doing an all new (hopefully improved) covernalysis four years later! oh by the holy glow of the blue moon it’s been four years

this is technically a part 2, but it’s completely separate from the first part! feel free to just read one or the other..!

VnC Volume 3 covernalysis: part 2

Volume 3 is our first cover featuring multiple characters together, and boy is it a fantastic way to start the trend! Vanitas and Noé lie peacefully in a pool of water, a golden frame between them. There is a Lot going on here, so let’s get started with breaking down the frame!

Volume 3’s golden frame is absolutely dripping in Chasseur imagery— the frame is decorated with stacks of skulls similar to those in the catacombs, the design in the frame’s corners is just like the Chasseurs’ six- winged sword symbol, and at the top of the frame we see the high- ranking vampire skull Roland shows our protagonists in chapter 14. Vol 3 contains chapters 11 through 15 of the manga— the time leading up to and the beginning of Vanitas and Noé’s adventures in the catacombs— so these Chasseur designs seem very relevant. We see one of those ever- present butterflies perched on the dead vampire’s skull, a symbol of transformation and rebirth.

We also see daisies growing in one section of the frame, possibly symbolizing innocence, purity, rebirth, fidelity, and/ or new beginnings. Maybe these daisies symbolize the new developments for Vanitas and Noé’s relationship during and after the events in the catacombs? Or maybe they’re a callback to an old Celtic myth in which daisies grew to console parents after the loss of a child? Or maybe something else!

The other plant featured on this frame is ivy— a symbol of attachment, immortality, fidelity, and eternity. Both daisies and ivy have something to do with eternal life and eternal faithfulness, which is very interesting considering Vanitas’s eventual demise. Ivy is a plant that holds on to things and doesn’t let go, which is pretty neat considering the events of chapter 53..!

There’s one last part of the volume 3 frame I want to mention before moving on to the rest of the cover— the skeletal hands adorning it. Two of the hands are holding the inside edges of the frame, reminiscent of the hands on Vanitas’s frame in volume 1, and two more are holding the vampire skull in a manner eerily similar to the way the Teacher’s hands frame Noé’s face on the cover of Volume 2.

The volume 3 frame has a lot of lil details combining aspects of Vanitas and Noé’s frames from the two previous volumes— the rectangular shape of Vani’s frame with the skull at the top, the row of beads and stick bone decoration thingys (if anyone knows what those things are please tell me I’ve been wondering what they are for literal years at this point) from Noé’s frame, the skeleton hands from volume 1 in the Teacher’s position from volume 2… the Volume 3 frame might have a lot of chasseur elements, but it’s also a combination of Vanitas and Noé’s symbolic details, once again indicating the pair’s developing relationship.

And with that I think we’re finally done with the frame! Now it’s time to tackle the main subject of this ask, the boys themselves.

Vanitas, smirking, shows his mark from Luna to the viewer. The Book of Vanitas rests on his stomach, and he has two more marks of possession on display— Jeanne’s mark, which is bright red, and a duller purple mark on the other side of his neck. We don’t know who this third mark is from yet, but just based on the mark’s color palette it seems pretty likely it’s from Noé. Unlike the marks from Luna and Jeanne, though, the purple mark isn’t leaking out onto Vanitas’s clothes— it’s just there, like a bruise, and the only place its color is really echoed is on the Book. I don’t really know what this means and I suspect we won’t find out until Noé drinks Vanitas’s blood in uhm… chapter… 105… but it’s a notable difference nonetheless!

Moving from Vanitas to his partner in crime! Noé is lying above Vanitas, with the chain from the Book of Vanitas wrapped around his arm. He’s wearing the comfortable sleep clothes he wore in chapter 11 and seems to be calmly watching Vani as the latter shows off his mark from Luna. Noé’s right hand is resting on the Book of Vanitas’s chain, but he isn’t trying to remove it or snap it, he’s just touching it.

The chain around Noé’s arm reminds me quite a bit of another piece of official art,

But on the Volume 3 cover, the chain around Noé’s arm is Noé’s classic purple-magenta color, rather than Vanitas’s cobalt blue like it is in the official art. This difference in color (along with the drastically different poses between the cover and the official art) makes the official art look far more aggressive and confrontational, while the cover image looks much more peaceful and relaxed despite the chain.

The chain’s color on the Vol 3 cover makes me think that, unlike in the official art, Noé is in control of what’s going on and is choosing to keep things this way. He could get rid of the chain at any time, but keeps it wrapped around his arm. In a way, it’s tying him and Vanitas together rather than dragging them apart.

So we’ve covered the frame, we’ve talked about our protagonists… all that’s left to talk about from this cover is the background/ whatever’s going on with the water Noé and Vani are lying in! And honestly? This is another one of those things I have no ideas about. Water symbolizes a lot of things— life, purity, the moon, transformation, and a whole lot more. But I don’t quite know why Vanitas and Noé are lying in it beyond ‘it looks very pretty’.

One thing I do know for sure, though, is that there are shards of glass lying in the water with the boys. Where might those shards have come from…? My best guess is that the frame between Vani and Noé was originally a complete mirror or picture frame made out of glass, but at some point it was shattered, and now the boys are able to lie down side by side between it.

The internal walls separating Noé and Vanitas start to crumble with their argument during the ball and conversation on the roof, and fall apart a bit more during their time in the catacombs. It’ll still be a very very long time before they can even approach the idea of fully understanding each other, but at this point in the manga they’re slowly getting closer and learning to walk side by side.

Annnnnd with that, I think this covernalysis is complete! For now. Thank you so much for reading this ridiculously wordy covernalysis, and thanks again for this ask! Thinking over a cover again four years after my initial analysis was a truly unique experience— maybe in 2025 I’ll come back to this cover one more time and cringe at this analysis the same way I’m currently cringing over my 2017 cover breakdown. Hope you enjoyed this meta/ analysis/ confused rambling thing!

Fun Fact

This volume’s inside cover features the lovely Dominique! Domi doesn’t feature too heavily in this volume, but she plays a major role in Chapter 12, and we learn a lot about her true feelings for Noé during the chapters she’s in. The color scheme of this inside cover is particularly notable when compared with the vibrant yellow and magenta of Domi’s volume 8 cover— Domi isn’t exactly colorless here, but she’s definitely quite desaturated compared to her volume 8 appearance. The magenta color reflecting on her hair and bow actually seems quite close to.. that… faded………. purple….

#vanitas no carte #the case study of vanitas #vnc #covernalysis #meta-ish #i m so inordinately proud of myself for getting slightly better at cover analysis in the past four years #the fun fact is just a joke I swear #unless…….#nah it’s 1000% a joke #unless……….

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sergeantsporks · 3 years

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Another Shot at Life

Rating: General Audiences, Gen

TW: Child abuse, emotional manipulation

Ao3

Hunter accidentally makes his way into the human realm and can't get back home. But he's discovering that might not be such a bad thing.

Ch 2/7: When Mom’s Not Home

Ch 1

“I’m going to tell Belos.”

Hunter woke up with a gasp, patting the area around him. “Red?!” he rolled off of…a couch? Oh—right. When had he fallen asleep? He remembered being up, trying to brainstorm a way to open the portal, up after Camila and Vee had gone to bed—Vee had pointedly locked her door, as if that could keep him out if he actually wanted to capture her.

His palisman chirped cheerfully. Vee was playing with the bird, and Hunter dove for it, snatching Red away. “Don’t touch him!”

She yipped, scrambling back away from him.

Hunter examined the bird in his hands. Red warbled gently at him, and he leaned back against the couch, rubbing his eyes. Sunlight filtered in through cracks in blinds, and Hunter squinted. “What time is it?”

“Ten-ish.”

Hunter bolted upright. “Ten?!”

“Yeah, how do you sleep in that armor?”

“I can’t sleep until ten, I have—” Hunter growled. “Ten. Why didn’t I wake up?!” He glared at his palisman. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

His palisman cheerfully tweeted that he didn’t have to wake up at five anymore, and he needed the sleep.

Vee held out a hand for his palisman to fly to, but Hunter put a hand in front of Red before it could go to her. She frowned. “Why would Belos care if you had a palisman, anyway?”

Hunter scooped Red up. “He… doesn’t like wild magic.” He squeezed his palisman close to his chest, and Red chirped softly, as if to reassure him that he was still there. “And… he eats palisman.”

Vee’s eyes widened. “That’s horrible!”

“No it’s not!” Hunter said defensively, “He needs them—it’s not like he eats them because they’re a delicious delicacy.” He scratched Red’s head. “I just… don’t want him to eat this one.”

Vee scooted a little closer, eying him nervously. “I… promise I won’t eat Red. I know basilisks get a bad reputation, but I would never hurt another creature.”

Hunter hated the fact that his hands were trembling so bad, and he shook his head, still cuddling Red to his chest.

Camila came down the stairs, tossing a bundle of cloth down next to Hunter. “Tell me if those fit. They might be a bit big—they used to be Luz’s father’s.”

“I’m keeping my armor on.”

“Aren’t you hot?”

Hunter tugged his cape more firmly around him. “I’m keeping my uniform.”

Camila shrugged. “Suit yourself.” She sat down on the couch. “I know you’re not friends with Luz, but can you tell me anything about her?”

Hunter set Red on his shoulder, curling his knees up to his chest. “Only that apparently she’s the best girlfriend in existence,” he snorted.

Camila gasped. “Luz has a boyfriend?!”

Hunter scooted away from her a bit. “Noooooooo.”

“Luz has a girlfriend?! She didn’t tell me! Oh, that’s so exciting! What’s her name?”

“Amity.”

“Awwww, she’s growing up so fast.”

“She’s… she was nice to me,” he admitted, “Uh…” what else did he know about Luz? “She’s… she’s gotten pretty good at using magic. Even though she’s a human. She’s even going to school. I think maybe she fits in pretty well on the Boiling Isles.”

He could almost immediately sense that he’d said the wrong thing. It was something small—it was always a little detail, a tiny shift that he wasn’t sure how he’d caught—but it was enough to make him scoot further away from the human before her mood made a more obvious change. “I can’t do magic,” he continued as if nothing were wrong, changing the subject, “Born powerless.” He scratched his palisman’s head again. “Red here helps me do magic. So does my other staff.”

Camila nodded absentmindedly. “I’m going to work, now. Thank you, Hunter. Vee, there’s leftovers in the fridge. Teach Hunter how to use the microwave, kay? Be good, both of you.”

The human disappeared out the door, and Vee stood up. “Camila doesn’t want Luz to stay in the boiling isles,” she said softly, “She feels like she failed her. Maybe don’t talk about how much better off Luz is in the isles. It’s… a little upsetting.”

Hunter followed her up the stairs. “Why do you care so much? I mean—why stay here? You can look like anyone. Go anywhere. You don’t have to stay here.”

“I need magic to transform, first of all, and there’s not a lot of it out here, and second of all, I like it here!”

“Not a lot of it?” Hunter echoed, “So there is some out here, though?”

Vee disappeared into her room, closing the door. “Go away.”

“Hey! What did I do to you?”

“Why don’t you ask your emperor,” Vee responded, her voice muffled by the door.

Hunter rolled his eyes. “Okay. Look. You don’t like me. Fine. But the sooner I can find anything that will get me home, the sooner I’ll leave, and you won’t have to see me again.”

The door opened a crack again. “Fine. There’s a guy who collects magic stuff. He curates a museum. If anyone has something that will get you back, it’ll be him.”

“Where do I find him?”

“Trust me, you don’t WANT to find him. He’s dangerous.”

“So am I.”

“I’m serious. If he finds out what you are, he’ll kill you, cut you open—don’t go near him. Wait until nighttime and sneak in, if you have to go at all.”

Hunter pulled up his hood to hide his ears, and Red hid inside, chirping softly. “No offense, but I think I can pass as human a little better than you.”

“No offense, but you stick out like a sore thumb in that outfit. If you’re so determined to get killed, then go ahead. Like I said, he’s the curator at the museum. That’s where he keeps his magical artifacts, too.”

“Great.” Hunter started towards the door.

“Do you know where the museum is?”

“How hard can it be to find?”

Vee chuckled slightly. “Never mind, I don’t have to worry about Jacob killing you. You’ll get hit by a car before you even reach the museum.”

Hunter’s ears burned, and he slammed the door behind him. Right. This would be fine, he just had to get to a high vantage point, and then he could find the museum. Make a mental map of the area. He surveyed his surroundings, then scrambled up onto a trash can, hopping up and using the window frame as a foothold as he grabbed the top of the roof, hauling himself up.

There were buildings as far as he could see—rows and rows of them, neat and orderly.

No wonder Uncle Belos wants to combine the worlds.

Hunter scanned the building, looking for one that looked like it would hold old stuff. Finally, he caught sight of a statue next to a building that didn’t share the uniformity of the other buildings. Bingo. He mapped the streets in his head, plotting turns.

When he got back down off of the roof, Vee was waiting for him. “I’m going with you,” she declared.

“Thought you wanted to stay away from the museum?”

Vee crossed her arms. “I’m not going to go in. But Camila wouldn’t want you to go alone.”

“Go away. I don’t need you to babysit me.”

“I’m not babysitting you. I’m making sure you don’t go around conspiring with Jacob to capture me.”

Hunter started down the road. “For the last time, I’m not even a little bit interested in kidnapping you. You’re not hurting anyone here. Why would I care?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Vee said sarcastically, following behind him, “Maybe because Belos chased me all the way here?”

Hunter stopped dead in his tracks. “What are you talking about?”

“Seriously? You’re the golden guard, how do you not know about the basilisk experiments?”

That bothered him a lot more than he wanted to say. “Great question. I thought basilisks were extinct?”

Vee walked ahead of him, crossing her arms. “We were. Belos created us.”

“How?!”

“I don’t know, how were you made?”

Hunter rolled his eyes, jogging after her. “Well, you see, Vee, when a mama witch and a papa witch love each other very much—”

“Very funny. Look, I don’t know. Belos didn’t exactly bother shoving his scientific notes into my cage.” She looked back at him. “You really didn’t know?”

Hunter shifted uncomfortably. “I’m head of a whole coven. I don’t keep an eye on every single experiment.” Apparently. But that was Belos’ personal experiment, he didn’t need to know everything—he was head of the emperor’s coven, not the emperor.

“Maybe you should have paid a little more attention to your surroundings, coven head. Belos hurt me, and all of my kind.”

“You think you’re the only one Belos has hurt? You’re not special.” The words popped out of his mouth before he could think, and Vee twisted back to look at him.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean—he’s the emperor—he has to punish people who break the rules—I’m just saying—”

“Well, I didn’t break any rules, except by existing, I guess.” Vee replied. She stopped. “Here we go. This is where I stop.”

Hunter gazed up at the broken-down building, then at the statue nearby.

His heart seemed to stop in his chest.

That was—

“Vee,” he asked in a strangled whisper, “Why does this town have a statue of Emperor Belos?”

Vee blinked at him. “What are you talking about?” Then her eyes widened. “You’ve seen the emperor without his mask?!”

“Of course I have, I—why is there a statue of him here, Vee?!”

“I don’t know,” she responded in a hushed voice, “Those are town founders, I think.”

Okay. Belos had been here before—he’d known that. He could ask when he got back. Right now, he needed to focus. “Where is the magic stuff?”

“In a room behind the welcome desk. Watch out for Jacob.”

“I can handle one measly human.”

Hunter pushed open the door. No one was at the desk, so he just walked into the back room. Vee was right—there was a lot of stuff in here. He picked up a training wand. Useless, at least to him. Still he tucked it in his pocket. He blinked at the back wall. It was covered in paper, pictures of the owl lady, in her beast form and regular. He traced the red lines with one finger, skipping over an old sketch. He stopped, going back. The sketch was worn and faded, but he could just make out a cardinal.

“Looks kind of like you,” he remarked to his palisman.

Red tweeted in agreement.

“Hey! You can’t be back here!”

Hunter whirled around, whipping out his coven staff. “Stay back!”

The man wrinkled his nose. “Eh, geeze, you really go out like that? Costume needs work, if you’re a little witch wannabe.”

Hunter’s ears burned. “I am not a witch wannabe! Where did you get this stuff?”

The man gave him a fake smile. “Hey, kiddo, it’s just some costume stuff, don’t worry about it, just come on out into the regular museum, okay? If you’re here for those tarot cards, they all got stolen, I’m sorry.”

“It is not just costume stuff.” Hunter jabbed a finger at the pictures of the owl lady. “I’ve met her. I know what she can do. And I know that you collect magical items.”

“You met her? Okay. Wait. I’m Jacob. You met the owl beast?”

“Yeah, she’s a real pain,” Hunter muttered, edging for the door. Nothing here could help him—and he was pretty sure that this curator guy couldn’t, either.

Jacob moved to block the door. “Hey! Hey, hey, hey! Don’t go!”

“This was a waste of my time. Get out of my way.”

Jacob’s gaze zeroed in on the inside of Hunter’s hood. “Is that…”

Hunter backed up, clutching his staff tightly. “What?”

Faster than he could react, Jacob lunged forward, flipping his hood off. Hunter kicked him, then slammed his staff right into the curator’s stomach. “Get back!” he warned.

Jacob gasped for air. “That cardinal—you look just like—” he rummaged around in a desk drawer, dragging out a sketch of a man with a cardinal on his shoulder. A chill ran down Hunter’s spine. That did look like him. Down to the haircut. What was wrong with this town?!

“What’s that, your creepy fanart?”

Jacob’s face turned a blotchy red. “It is not fanart, it is an artistic interpretation of what our town founder’s face would have looked like based on his statue! And except for your ears and scar, you look just like him! You even have the cardinal! Are you descended from him? Or maybe a clone, sent from Mars, and made to take his place?”

Wow. “Yeeahhh. Unlikely.” Hunter ducked around him. “Thanks for showing me your… whatever that was, but I’m going now.”

Jacob grabbed his arm. “You can’t go!”

Hunter kicked him right between the legs, wrenching away and making a break for the door. Vee was right. This guy was just insane. He slammed the door behind him, jumping over the desk and pushing it against the door. The door opened inward, so it wouldn’t hold him, but it would slow him down. Hunter burst out of the museum doors, tearing down to where Vee was sitting at the base of the statue.

“Time to go!”

Vee jumped up, running after him. “What happened?!”

“He’s crazy!”

“I told you!”

The doors to the museum burst open, and Jacob’s eyes widened when he saw Vee. “YOU!” he howled, and he sprinted after the two of them.

Hunter stopped, turning to face him. “I’ll take care of him.”

Vee backpedaled and grabbed his collar, dragging him forward. “You will not! The object is to not draw attention! Which fighting an adult in the street will most definitely do!” She yanked his hood over his ears. “You’re really bad at this.”

Jacob gave up, winded, halfway down the street. Vee didn’t stop running until they’d gotten back to the house, huffing and puffing.

“I could have handled that guy,” Hunter panted, “Easy.”

“You’re—crazy. Did you find anything that would help you get home?”

“No,” Hunter sulked, “Just a lot of useless junk.”

“Told you. What did you say that made him go after you?”

Hunter shuddered. “He went on and on about how I looked like one of those statue guys.”

“Oh, yeah. He thinks that the town founders got kidnapped and taken to the demon realm by a witch.”

Hunter rubbed his arms. “Not sure he’s wrong about that part.” That statue had looked way too much like Uncle Belos to be a coincidence. “I… guess you’re going to tell Camila about what I did?”

Vee shrugged. “I don’t know. It might come up. We like to talk about our days at dinner. Why?”

Hunter shifted from foot to foot. “No reason.”

Vee gave him an uncomfortably understanding look. “She won’t get mad. She didn’t tell you not to go there. If anything, she’ll be worried.”

“I… I put you in danger, though.”

“I went on my own. You didn’t make me. Actually, I’m pretty sure you told me not to come.”

“I just… Whatever. It doesn’t matter.”

Vee held open the door for him. “Camila isn’t going to hurt you.”

“I never said she would!”

“No, but you were thinking it. I get it. I used to get worried about making her mad, at first. It’s hard to imagine the adults not hurting you. I won’t tell her if you don’t want me to. But Camila’s not like that.”

Hunter’s shoulders stiffened. “I’m not like you. You were an experiment, you were locked up. I’m the head of the emperor’s coven. I wasn’t—I was happy.”

Vee shook her head. “If you say so.”

“I was!” Hunter took a deep breath. “Look, I… I’m sorry. That you were hurt.”

“By Emperor Belos. Your boss.” Vee pressed.

Hunter rubbed his arms. “Y-yeah. Sure. Whatever.”

“He’s… not a good person, Hunter. You know that, right? You ran from him for a reason.”

“I was just—I was scared of getting punished. But I—I shouldn’t have attacked Kikimora. I would have deserved—”

“Why are you defending him?!”

“I’m not you, Vee! Maybe to you he was a horrible tyrant, but to me, he’s the only family I’ve got! He cares about me, Vee. Sometimes he can be harsh, but it’s just because he wants me to be my best self!”

Vee shook her head. “I can’t believe it. You actually think that!”

“Of course I do! Because it’s the truth!”

Vee jabbed a finger at him. “There’s more than one way to lock someone in a cage, Hunter. And I’m starting to think that I got the better bargain.”

Ch 3

#toh #the owl house #toh fanfiction #my writing #toh hunter #camila noceda #vee noceda

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burkymakar · 3 years

Note

Can you please post screenshots from the new Athletic post from Peter 👉👈🥺🥺

i got you!!! i'm just gonna post the text and the pictures!

About half an hour after an intense playoff practice ended, Jared Bednar wandered back to the concrete circle surrounding the boards at Family Sports Ice Arena, where he greeted a smiling, blonde-haired 22-year-old. The 49-year-old Avalanche coach and his visitor shared a connection, both having played for the same junior hockey team as teenagers: the Humboldt Broncos in Humboldt, Saskatchewan.

Graysen Cameron, the guest at the Avalanche’s practice Tuesday, was a winger for the Broncos in 2018 when a semi-trailer hit the team bus, killing 16 people, including 10 of his teammates. Cameron suffered a broken back as well as a concussion and an eye injury. At the time, doctors thought he wouldn’t be able to play hockey again, and a photo from the hospital went viral of him and two teammates grasping hands.

“Bonding and healing,” read the caption, written by the father of Derek Patter, one of the other injured players.

“Just to see the strength of the people of that community and the families that were affected has been amazing,” said Bednar, who played for Humboldt from 1989 to 1991, on the three-year anniversary of the crash. “A bunch of amazing people there.”

In the aftermath of the crash, Cameron met Marty Richardson, the president and CEO of Dawg Nation, a Denver-based nonprofit dedicated to helping hockey players and their families in times of crisis, and the former Broncos player came to two of the organization’s events in Colorado. This week’s visit was less organized, as a cross-country road trip brought Cameron to town. He and his girlfriend, Madi Lynch, had been visiting his brother in South Carolina and were driving back to Alberta. He reached out to Richardson last week to see if he could stay with him while passing through Denver.

He’s gotten much more than a spare bed.

“I wasn’t going to just have him hang out here,” Richardson said. “I said ‘let’s make this a really neat trip.’”

Richardson took Cameron and Lynch to Game 1 against Vegas on Sunday, and they sat in a box with Avalanche great Milan Hejduk, an honorary board member for Dawg Nation. At one point, a few people slipped out of the box and returned with a jersey of Cameron’s favorite Avalanche player: 22-year-old defenseman Cale Makar, who Cameron watched play junior hockey while they grew up in Alberta.

Then, on Monday, Richardson texted Bednar to ask about attending the Avalanche’s skate Tuesday. The coach responded that practice would be closed to the public — but not to them.

So the three came to Family Sports Ice Arena just ahead of the 11 a.m. skate and, shortly after their arrival, met broadcaster Peter McNab, who played 14 years in the NHL and, like Hejduk, is a Dawg Nation honorary board member. They then picked out second-row seats and watched the Avalanche get to work.

“It’s a really cool experience, and I’m very grateful to watch these guys perform at their best and get ready for a big game tomorrow,” Cameron said as the players skated.

He of course enjoyed watching Makar, and he appreciated seeing Nathan MacKinnon’s speed up close. When practice started winding down, McNab walked back toward him and they talked about how fast the game looks at ice level.

As players started leaving the ice, Bednar put Richardson in touch with security, who led them down to the area next to the rink. That’s where Bednar came and met them.

“I really didn’t know what was going to happen,” Richardson said. “It was way better than (expected).”

Bednar, who is from near Humboldt and helped create the Humboldt Broncos Memorial Golf Tournament, talked to Cameron for around 15 minutes about his trip and the Avalanche’s second-round series, which they lead 1-0. The coach signed a photo for Cameron and is also giving him and Lynch tickets for Game 2 on Wednesday.

“You definitely see his character and the type of person he is,” Cameron said of Bednar, who he had met previously at the golf tournament. “He has a big heart and likes making people’s days.”

Added Richardson: “He’s clearly someone that thinks of others before himself, even when he’s in a really stressful time, which he is right now (with the playoffs).”

The special moments weren’t over. Richardson asked Bednar if he could have Makar sign Cameron’s jersey they’d bought two nights before as well as one for the son of a Dawg Nation’s sponsor. Bednar took both sweaters into the dressing room.

“He came out and handed me the jerseys back (unsigned),” Richardson said. “And he said ‘Cale wants to sign them out here. He wants to meet Graysen.’”

Graysen Cameron, Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and Madi Lynch pose for a photo together. (Photo courtesy Marty Richardson)

Moments later, the star blueliner, who will likely be a Norris Trophy finalist this year, walked out of the dressing room area. He approached Cameron, shook his hand and posed a picture with him and Lynch. Then, as requested, he signed the white No. 8 on Cameron’s jersey. He stuck around for about five minutes, and then Bednar returned with forward Tyson Jost, the only other Avalanche player from Alberta.

“It was pretty low-key,” Cameron said. “Talked about the last game a bit, how they did and what they’re kind of expecting coming up. Just some hockey talk.”

Though he initially thought his own hockey career was over after the crash, Cameron recovered from his injuries. His first hockey game after the bus accident came in October 2019, at a Dawg Nation charity event in Colorado. He suited up alongside 10 current or former NHL players — including former Avs players Paul Stastny, now with the Jets, and Kyle Quincey, who retired in 2019 — and even scored a goal, bringing tears to his dad’s eyes.

Shortly after, he made his return to the Broncos, becoming the team’s first captain since the crash.

“Following in (the late) Logan Schatz’s footsteps there — my former captain — it was really emotional,” he said. “I just felt really honored and grateful to be a leader on that team.”

He played in 46 games that season, collecting 13 points, then suffered an ACL tear in his last game. But he rehabbed the injury and was able to play three games this past season with Northland College, a Division III school in Ashland, Wisc.

At season’s end, though, he decided to call it a career. His body had been through a lot.

“It just was starting to weigh on me mentally and physically,” he said. “ I’m happy and content with (the decision), but you always miss the game and miss being a part of practice.”

And that made watching the Avalanche skate Tuesday even more special.

“It’s really cool to see these guys do that,” he said.

Cameron is an Oilers fan thanks to his father — “he corrupted me at a young age,” he joked — so his childhood favorite team is out of the playoffs. But thanks to Bednar, Richardson, Makar and others around the organization, he didn’t hesitate when asked who he’s pulling for to win the Stanley Cup.

“Go Avs,” he said.

#colorado avalanche #long post #cale makar #jared bednar #Humboldt Broncos #injury cw #death cw #Graysen Cameron

35 notes · View notes

link4eva · 3 years

Text

Kiro’s S2 Company Project- Campus Youth Translation [CN]

Hi, everyone! Just a couple of notes before you begin reading. I don’t actually know Chinese so this translation was done through the power of Google Translate and with help from @keliosyfan. Thank you! 💛

This translation contains spoilers for Season 2 content which hasn’t been released to the ENG server yet. If you wish to not be spoiled, please don’t look below the cut.

Enjoy!~

*Spoilers below for future content!*

[Stage 1]

I’ve already graduated, but it feels good to be back at school.

At this moment, the conference room is full of people.

The woman sitting across from me was drinking water and putting down the thermos in her hand.

This very accomplished woman in front of me is a very reputable director and has a great reputation in many film festivals.

Not long ago we reached an agreement with this director--

A few months later, Kiro will be participating in a movie production involving friendship amongst youths on campus.

The director looked at Kiro next to me and said,

Director: As far as I know, Kiro has no experience of going to high school in China.

Director: Considering that every detail in our youth drama must be accurately portrayed….

Director: I propose that he go to the high school campus for a week to learn about high school life in China.

Director: At the end of that week, let’s discuss the experience of it.

After listening to the director’s suggestion, I fell into deep thought, and my fingers tapped on the table.

MC: If a star were to go to the campus to experience high school life for a week, will it cause “trouble” for the school and students?

Director: I have a friend in a private high school so we can call ahead and see.

Director: And this school holds great importance to the arts. I believe everyone will look forward to Kiro’s arrival. Of course, we will tell the students the exciting news in advance.

Director: With the students’ academic schedules in mind, I can only arrange a week.

MC: Sounds like a good idea.

I nodded slightly and looked at Kiro.

He put his chin in one hand and gave a silly smile.

Kiro: My thoughts are exactly the same as those of the director.

MC: Director, please arrange it.

MC: If you still need our cooperation, please feel free to let us know.

As soon as my voice fell, Kiro’s rang through.

Kiro: Director, I have a little suggestion~

Kiro: I hope that someone can be with me in addition to making it easy to shoot daily tidbits. And, in case any problems arise, they can also be handled promptly and properly.

After listening to these words, the director and I nodded in agreement.

Director: Okay, so do you recommend anyone?

Kiro gave a slight smile, and then those azure blue eyes fell on me.

Kiro: I think the most suitable candidate is….my boss!

After the director listened, she looked at me with a little astonishment.

My eyes widened slightly, and I couldn’t speak due to the surprise.

Kiro: Believe me, she is the best candidate.

Kiro: She is an excellent producer and is also very familiar with the shooting process.

Kiro: More importantly, she can handle various emergencies with her ability.

Kiro: With her, I feel at ease.

He stretched out his palm to calculate the “pros” of me a little bit. Seeing everyone’s eyes cast on me, I lowered my eyes to weigh the “pros and cons” of this plan.

Suddenly, Kiro bent over and came into my peripheral vision.

The golden hair that was swept down from his forehead swayed playfully, gradually occupying my gaze.

I raised my eyes to meet those bright eyes and heard him speak in a voice that only I could hear.

Kiro: MC, will you be my classmate?

(Cut to campus)

The moment Kiro and I walked into the school’s office early on Monday morning, the world suddenly became quiet.

I couldn’t help rubbing my ears; it felt as though the screams of the students were still echoing in my ears.

Unexpectedly, even though the exciting news was given in advance, the enthusiasm of the students was still overwhelming. *Changed some wording*

But looking at the familiar and unfamiliar surroundings, I couldn’t help sighing in my heart--

In the end, I still agreed to their suggestion “confusedly”...

Teacher: The formalities have been completed, so come with me.

A simple and powerful voice immediately pulled me back from my thoughts.

While I was following the teacher, the security guard turned towards Kiro beside me.

He was wearing a clean white shirt and pants for his school uniform. Even his golden bangs were slicked back. *Changed some wording*

The sun fell on his hair, spots of light scattered over it.

Seeing that I was about to arrive at the classroom, I had to withdraw my eyes somewhat reluctantly.

(Cut to the classroom)

The moment we walked into the classroom, all the students turned their eyes towards Kiro. As if they couldn’t contain their excitement, they whispered amongst each other.

Student A: Ah, it’s really Kiro!

Student B: We’re so lucky that he came to our class!

Teacher: Students, be quiet!

The teacher knocked hard on the table, but the students still couldn’t hold back their excited chatter.

Teacher: No matter how excited you are, you have to listen to the introduction of your new classmates.

The teacher seemed to understand the mindset of the students very well, and as soon as the voice fell in the classroom, it was silent.

Teacher: Classmates, please introduce yourselves.

Kiro took the lead in taking a step forward, showing a bright smile.

Kiro: Hello, everyone. I am Kiro.

Kiro: Because of work, I now want to spend a week as a student here with everyone.

Kiro: So, please forget my previous “identity”. I am just your classmate now.

Kiro: I hope I can spend a very happy week with you. Please give me your guidance.

Kiro seemed to have made an agreement and lowered his eyes.

I don’t know if it was because Kiro’s voice was magical; the students nodded obediently and slowly calmed down.

But soon their curious eyes fell on me. I gave a smile and said,

MC: Hello, everyone. I’m MC. Please give me your guidance for this coming week~

After the ceremonial applause was over, Kiro and I sat in the last row of empty seats.

As soon as I sat down, a few crisp claps came from the direction of the podium.

Teacher: Students, the annual art festival will soon start.

Teacher: We will also give a performance and decorate the campus in accordance with tradition.

Teacher: I heard that Kiro loves music very much. He will be responsible for this year’s art festival. Do you have any objections?

Students: No!

Students: With him, our festival must be the most brilliant!

Everyone turned around unanimously and looked at Kiro expectantly.

The sunlight reflected on Kiro’s brand-new white shirt, and the reflection off of it seemed to light up the entire classroom.

He straightened up, and the corner of his mouth raised up into a sincere smile.

Kiro: Okay. Everyone, leave it to me!

[Stage 2]

Internet age. Be comfortable with various situations. *It came out like this so I’m hoping this makes sense lol*

Kiro has been very busy these days. He has to arrange the art festival and attend classes on top of that.

Looking at Kiro, who was lying on the table during the break, I gently took out the disposable camera from my bag and pointed it at him.

In the picture, he is lying on his arm lazily, with long eyelashes, and his face squished.

Suddenly, his eyelashes trembled and he opened his blue eyes.

Kiro: Miss Chips, has class started yet?

There was a trace of longing for sleep in his voice, which made me laugh.

MC: Not yet, you….

Ring--

Halfway through our conversation, the school bell rang in the classroom.

Unexpectedly, he swept away his tiredness and immediately sat up straight in excitement.

Kiro: After this class is a music class. This is the first time I have a music class in a private high school!

He is like a child who is about to get a toy, his eyes full of unconcealed anticipation.

There were neat footsteps in the corridor, and the teacher soon walked in.

Teacher: There is still a lot to do for this semester. We will have two consecutive classes today and cancel the next music class.

As soon as the voice fell, voices of complaint were heard all over the classroom.

I looked to Kiro but found that he was a little bit frustrated and turned his head.

Immediately afterwards, his elbow crossed the middle line and was propped up on my table. He lowered his voice.

Kiro: MC, the music class will be cancelled. Is this reasonable?

I nodded to the person who reached over and cast a regretful look at him.

Kiro: Is there no other way? How did you solve it before?

Suddenly, a white piece of chalk hit his head, leaving a small mark.

Teacher: Class time! Go out and talk.

Kiro rubbed his head aggrievedly and put his hands on his desk obediently.

Teacher: The book, do you want me to get it out for you?

Kiro immediately lowered his head and fumbled in the drawer for a long time and then cast a look at me asking for help.

He just moved his lips, and then followed the teacher with some fear. He picked up the pen and quickly wrote something on the notebook.

After a little bit, a small piece of paper was gently pushed in front of me--

“Miss Chips, what kind of class is this? OvO”

I held the note silently, pretending to be note-taking, and wrote a word in big letters on the note--

“Language.”

[Stage 3]

Helping Kiro organize the school’s art festival can be thought of as filling in something that was not possible before.

The bell finally rang and I turned my head to find that Kiro’s figure had disappeared at the door of the classroom.

Maybe he went to the bathroom….

I didn’t worry too much about it and lay on the table lazily.

MC: Did class time ever pass by this slowly before?

I closed my eyes with ease. I don’t know how long I was out until there was a sudden rush of footsteps outside the door.

Kiro: We’re going to music class!

I opened my eyes in surprise, only to find that the students had surrounded Kiro.

Student A: Wow, awesome! She’s normally what we would consider “unreasonable”. *Changed some wording*

Student B: How did you do it? Quickly teach us!

With every word, the students said, Kiro held his chin pretentiously.

Kiro: Actually, it’s very simple. I just used my role as the person in charge of the festival and confidently asked for music class back!

Kiro: Learning is important, but it also requires a combination of work and rest!

Soon, the class bell rang again, and the students waved their arms excitedly.

Teacher: Walk nicely and go to music class--

The sound of youthful and restless footsteps disappeared one after another from the classroom, leaving only me and Kiro.

He walked up to me in the sunlight and patted my shoulder lightly.

Kiro: Let’s go, it’s time to go to class.

He smiled so brightly, the previous bright smile from before remained on his face.

I looked at Kiro who was so dazzling, and I couldn’t open my eyes for a little bit.

I couldn’t help but look at my school uniform, and suddenly laughed.

Kiro: Miss Classmate, what’s up?

I shook my head without speaking, got up and walked to his side.

MC: Classmate Kiro, let’s go~

I walked briskly out of the classroom, and Kiro followed me closely.

The sunlight pierced through the gaps of the leaves and fell on the corridor, printing a bit of staggered light and shadow.

With the position of the light, his mouth seemed to rise to the same arc as mine.

I can’t help wondering if Kiro and I are both happy about the same thing in our hearts--

I’m glad that I can be a classmate in this time and space with you.

[Stage 4]

Every story will have an ending, just as the cold winter must usher in the spring.

Since I started preparing for the festival’s activities, everyone will seemingly purposely stay after class to help out every day.

I walked around the corner with the camera, recording Kiro’s every move.

Although he was wearing a school uniform and seemed no different from this group of high school students, he still had an aura of maturity.

Kiro looked around and said,

Kiro: Some classmates told me in private that they didn’t like to perform on stage very much.

Kiro: So, those who don’t want to perform on stage, please raise your hands!

When his voice fell, the students laughed at each other and did nothing else for a while.

Kiro seemed to be aware of some of the students’ worries and timidity. So, he let out a long sigh and spoke softly.

Kiro: Although the art festival is a collaborative event, it doesn’t necessarily require everyone to perform on stage.

Kiro: Because I always think that it is embarrassing to “force” myself to do things I don’t want to do.

In the camera, although the corners of his mouth were raised in a smile, his eyes flashed with dim light.

Kiro: Don’t forget that we also have the task of decorating the campus. It is also one of the collaborative activities, isn’t it?

Kiro: So raise your hand loud and proud!

After some silence, a trembling hand finally was raised into the air. Immediately afterward, about seven or eight hands were raised one after another.

The remaining classmates who did not raise their hands seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and smiled brightly when they looked at the raised hands.

Student A: The task of decorating the campus is up to you.

Student B: Well, if you don’t have enough manpower, we will help!

Seeing them in a passionate discussion, the corners of my mouth rose unconsciously.

Suddenly, a familiar golden figure drew me into the crowd.

Kiro: Classmate, I need your help.

He leaned into my ear and whispered something.

I couldn’t help looking at him in surprise, my mouth moved slightly.

MC: How to help?

He smiled and turned his head, the setting sun outside the window happened to fall into his deep ocean eyes, reflecting the charming colours.

Kiro: Of course to help!

After sorting out the desires of all the students, Kiro and I divided them into two teams.

One is in charge of the show and the other is in charge of decorating the campus. In order to improve efficiency, I took the initiative to propose a team responsible for decoration.

MC: First of all, we must make a list of props and strictly manage our budget according to a certain proportion of class fees.

To help everyone understand more clearly, I drew a simple budget sheet on the blackboard.

It wasn’t until I put down the chalk and turned to face everyone, that I found everyone was casting admiring glances.

Students: That’s so amazing….You made it look so easy!! *Changed some wording*

I smiled embarrassedly, but Kiro beside me patted my shoulder with some pride.

Kiro: She is an excellent producer.

Kiro: So don’t worry, leave it to us.

Kiro: Although there’s no guarantee that our class’ performance will be the best.

Kiro: It will definitely make everyone the happiest!

[Stage 5]

Operation school is a go. *Changed some wording.*

There are new messages.

*I had trouble with this part so hopefully it makes sense when you read it. I’ll put the screenshots in below so you can see those too.*

Miss Producer,

There’s some good news for you, the show has been arranged! I compiled a lot of tips from countless stages experiences. I believe that the effect will reach the audience by then!

When the art festival begins, that’s when we’ll “graduate”, right? I don’t have any regrets. I feel that high school life in China is like this; it’s better than I thought and even happier! I wonder if you have the same thought?

Reply:

0(n_n)0~

[Stage 6]

Good actors will blend right into the play. *Changed some wording.*

The school bell rang, and I looked at the books on the desk and stuffed them into my bag with some reluctance.

The day after tomorrow, the high school life experience with Kiro and I will end.

Thinking of this, I subconsciously looked to the side and found that Kiro seemed to show the same expression as me.

He smoothed some of the curled corners of the book, and his curled eyelashes were downcast.

Kiro: Class is over. Let’s go.

I nodded, picked up my bag and walked out with him.

(Cut to outside)

As soon as we walked to the gate of the school, we saw students from a distance stopping us.

Students: Although there is still some time before the art festival, you will be leaving soon.

Students: So we specifically asked the teacher for the chance to rehearse in advance and wanted to invite you to join us!

I couldn’t help but freeze just as I was about to say something.

Kiro raised his hand and rubbed the back of his head, then smiled handsomely.

Kiro: Where is the rehearsal hall? Let’s hurry up!

(Cut to rehearsal hall)

Kiro was standing in the center of the stage wearing a white school uniform, and my thoughts were suddenly taken back to California.

Although I wasn’t there to see him attending school in California, the figure in front of me depicts my imagination of his past.

He must not have been too different back then from how he is now. He was so dazzling that people couldn’t look away.

Kiro: MC!

A voice from a distance drew me back to reality.

Kiro: Come on up!

I walked onto the stage with some hesitancy, but he grabbed my arm tightly.

Kiro: Today is our first and last rehearsal. Don’t be lazy.

MC: Wait, I don’t have a place in the performance….

Before I finished speaking, I was pulled up onto the stage.

Kiro: Haha, I actually don’t have a place either.

Kiro: But it doesn’t matter, let’s just be two cute little actors.

Kiro swayed lightly to the rhythm of the music, and the lights of the stage made him brighter than ever.

Suddenly, the stage light changed colours randomly, as if something unexpected happened.

The students stopped and looked around for the theatre staff. But it seemed that it was because it was lunchtime, there was no one in the booth.

Seeing everyone looking anxious, I hurriedly said,

MC: Someone take me to the booth, let me try to solve it.

One of the students stood up, and I followed her to the booth.

I walked to the booth and looked. The functions on it were similar to what I was used to at the TV station.

I let out a sigh of relief and after a few skilled operations, the stage lights returned to normal.

MC: Classmates, you should go back to the stage first. I will help you with the stage for the time being until the stage staff return.

After speaking, I pressed the PA button.

MC: Let’s rehearse again. I can clearly see whether the formation is neat or not.

MC: If you have any questions, I will give you feedback.

MC: 3, 2, 1, Start.

As soon as my voice fell, I immediately pressed the music play button.

Suddenly, a similar touch of gold in the distance bounced into my sight.

But my position was too far away from the stage, and I couldn’t see Kiro’s expression clearly.

He raised a hand high and seemed to make a gesture.

I couldn’t help squinting my eyes, trying to see his gesture clearly--

A thumb was raised high and shook excitedly at me.

[Stage 7]

High school life ended in the blink of an eye. Kiro and I went to the conference room as scheduled and handed in the “answer sheet”.

Director: Kiro, how was your experience this week? Do you think it will be helpful for the shooting?

Kiro lowered his eyes as if he was thinking, but the corners of his mouth had already “betrayed” him….

Kiro: Actually, high school life in China is not very different from that in foreign countries, but I am very happy.

Kiro: Because I have new wonderful memories of high school.

Kiro stopped suddenly and raised his eyes to look at me.

Kiro: The teachers in China are excellent, and sneaking snacks requires super skill to succeed.

Kiro: And if you whisper in class, you will be hit with chalk.

Kiro: But MC taught me to use a small note to communicate so you’re less likely to get caught.

Seeing Kiro’s “blabbermouth”, I quickly gave him a look.

He seemed to have received my signal and snickered uncontrollably.

Kiro: Ahem, but what I am happiest about is that I feel the beauty of youth again.

Kiro: The beauty of being a student feels purer now as an adult.

Kiro: In fact, this purity has always been there, but it was in slumber.

Kiro: Therefore, we must work hard to wake it up and let it revisit the world.

Kiro’s eyes creased in a smile as if to express his satisfaction of this time.

Memories are always full of filters, painting the time called “youth” with soft and bright colours.

It is flawless and pure, representing all the cleanliness and beauty. It is far away and unreachable as if some beauty can only stay for that period of time.

But people have forgotten that we should have this purity, even more, when we grow up.

When facing this complicated world, we shouldn’t take it for granted.

Looking at his smile, the figure in the white school uniform came to mind again.

It is like the brilliant sun shining everywhere in my heart, making people nostalgic and looking forward to the future.

I can’t help but believe this dazzling figure will meet me in various forms in the future.

The meeting ended in joy, and only me and Kiro were left in the room.

MC: Kiro, let’s wait a bit before leaving.

I took out the USB drive in my pocket and inserted it into the computer, and then turned on the projector.

MC: I have a small gift I want to give you.

After that, a video popped up on the projector background, which was a recording of Kiro’s high school life this week--

There’s footage of him running in the courtyard in his school uniform, and footage of him dozing off with his head on his arm.

And the look of my school bag on his shoulders.

Even the footage of him “copying his homework” was left guilty as evidence by me.

Kiro: Miss Chips….

He watched the video with a look of surprise and murmured to me.

MC: Although it was only a short experience, this is the first time you and I have been classmates.

MC: So I want to keep this memory forever and ever.

Until the video was finished, I looked at the picture in the last frame with nostalgia--

Me in school uniform, and him in school uniform.

We faced the camera and raised our brightest smiles.

This gift isn’t to make up the regret of youth but rather to record the me I was then and the me I am now.

Although we have grown up, we can still depict the youthfulness of Kiro and me at this moment.

Suddenly, Kiro walked right in front of me.

Kiro: Thank you, I really like this gift.

Kiro: But I didn’t expect Miss Chips’ gift to down without my knowledge.

With that said, he took out two small student name tags one by one from his pocket--

The names of Kiro and me are engraved on them.

At that time, due to the rush and short-term “entry”, the school did not prepare a name tag for us.

But at this moment, the name tag in Kiro’s hand seemed to reflect the light of the projector, reflecting a beautiful brilliance.

Kiro: MC, although the time was short, we really did become classmates.

Kiro: And you see, this is proof.

[End]

We went to the high school campus to experience high school life once more. The purpose of this experience was to add more vivid details to the youth drama that was to be filmed. But this wonderful time and the infinite expectations for the future at this moment will be deeply imprinted in my mind.

#mlqc spoilers #mr love queen's choice #mr love #mlqc #mr love game #mr love dream date #mr love kiro #mlqc kiro #mldd kiro #周棋洛 #s2 translation #AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH #ILYSM KIRO #THIS WAS SO CUTE #I wiah that they could've been together in high school #ma heart

26 notes · View notes

dianapocalypse · 3 years

Link

Alright y’all, with the release of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, it’s time for me to share my playlist for the entire trilogy.

I’ve refined this over like six years so scientifically speaking it’s probably good right. oh also it’s four hours long. so if you have a road trip or a boring job, this one’s for you. disclaimer, it’s entirely possible I have garbage taste in music. I also missed some characters and moments because there’s 65 songs here and I am merely human.

If you don’t have the patience for four hours, I recommend starting at track 45 and listening to the end, as the Mass Effect 3 portion is the strongest in my opinion.

UNDER THE CUT FOR DESCRIPTIONS WE GO!

FIRST MOVEMENT - MASS EFFECT 1

1. Atlas - Coldplay Eden Prime

“Sometimes the wire Must tense for the note Caught in the fire, say oh We're about to explode“

I really like the atmosphere of this song. It’s ominous, but also somehow hopeful, and makes me feel like Something Huge Is Coming.

2. I Will Not Sing A Hateful Song - Constantines Paragon Shepard

“But I was also born and raised To always speak and listen clear To know the last sound that I make Could be the last sound that I hear“

OK, listen, I think this song is about vampires, and I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be a metaphor or not. But I think this is a great song about controlling one’s temper, about knowing that you have to Rise Above the parts of you that want to lash out sometimes to get things done and have peace. Seeing as how paragon Shepard, to me, always seems like they’re three deep breaths away from snapping, but manage to keep it in check, it fits them to a T.

And also maybe they’re a vampire.

3. Hard to Kill - Beth Crowley Renegade Shepard

“So I let the rumors Turn me into a legend 'Cause I'm only human But a good myth is hard to kill”

This one’s a recent addition, but holy cow, I love it for Renegade Shep, particularly an Earthborn or Ruthless, but it works for any of them.

4. We Own the Skies - Five Iron Frenzy Joker

“My hands are bleeding where they often crack The stars will sometimes burn with longing Through the choking black Of night shifts piling each against the next”

This really vibes with Joker’s backstory for me, his super driven serious self in flight school, contrasted with who he is when he can fly a ship. He’s the best pilot in the goddamn fleet and I love him.

5. I Just Wanna See - Smash Mouth Kaidan Alenko

“Mister moon checkin' on how y'all livin' The stars all winkin' at the day that's dimmin' I just wanna see”

This song fits into his reactions to first showing up at the Citadel and his former romanticism about living in space. Ironically, it’s a song about Earth, but I feel like it works well for him. Also, Smash Mouth absolutely sounds like the kind of music Kaidan would listen to, no I will not be taking questions or constructive criticism.

6. Don’t Give Up - Noisettes Ashley Williams

“She's got a talented face and a suitcase Ain't got no desire to go no place In her case she's got no desire with her hand in the flame say's she don't feel the fire “

The energy of this song is just perfect for Ashley’s no-nonsense chip on her shoulder attitude.

7. About As Helpful As You Can Be Without Being Any Help At All - Dan Mangan The Council

“I was thrown in the boat/Cast out to sea Friendly with waves/There were sharks below Hungry for me/So I dangled my leg”

I mean, the title says it all.

8. The Captain - Guster Anderson

“Courageous, just like the captain Marching forward with no doubt in his head”

I have adored this song ever since my friend played it for me, and it’s the ultimate mentor-protégé jam for me.

9. Secret Agent Man - Johnny Rivers Garrus Vakarian

“Here's a man who leads a life of danger To everyone he meets he stays a stranger Oh, with every move he makes another chance he takes The odds are he won't live to see tomorrow”

I have to poke a little fun at Garrus and how seriously he takes himself in Mass Effect 1. I romanced him across four playthrus, I’m allowed!

10. I’m Getting Too Old For This Shit - Kill Lincoln Urdnot Wrex

“This random apathy/I swear it's killing me But I guess it's all the same, till the devil knows my name”

I don’t know ANYTHING about this band, but this song fits Wrex’s disillusionment with the Krogan well, plus, like. The title. (And also, that he secretly DOES care what happens to the Krogan.)

11. Bird Song - Juniper Vale Tali’zorah nar Rayya

“I want to dance on the horizon line But there is something I am caged behind I have a heart made for take flight But I'm low, so low”

I adore this song and the sound of Juniper Vale in general. The etherealness of this one, combined with the youthful optimism, feels very Tali. The line about ‘something I am caged behind’ works well for the suits, too. This one’s especially good if you’re a Talimancer!

12. 11. Green Garden - Laura Mvula Liara T’Soni

“And I’ll fly on the wings of a butterfly High as a tree top and down again Putting my bag down, taking my shoes off Walk on the carpet of green velvet”

I really like this song’s vibes and I feel like Liara fits it well, particularly in ME1, before all her youthful optimism is stripped from her. The scenery descriptions feel very Thessia, too.

13. Feed Me (Git It) - Little Shop of Horrors The Thorian

“The guy sure looks like plant food to me!”

Do you get it. Do you get my joke. It’s because the Thorian is a plant that eats people. (I’m not funny)

14. Blindness - Metric Matriarch Benezia

“I was a blind fool, never complained All the survivors singing in the rain “

I don’t love the use of blind here as a negative, albeit metaphorical, descriptor, but I think this song fits Benezia’s indoctrination and death well. If you have suggestions for another, though, let me know!

15. Technologic - Daft Punk Saren

“Buy it, use it, break it, fix it, trash it, change it, mail, upgrade it”

I just think it’s Neat

16. Watershed - Vienna Teng The Reapers

“ While you were building your empires I was still sleeping”

I think this is the song that inspired the entire playlist. Vienna Teng sat down and decided to write a song from the perspective of a natural disaster, and it’s so ominous and gut-wrenching.

17. Hourglass - The Hush Sound Virmire

“This is how it ends We believe every lie and say we'll be friends How long will it last? Before we scratch all the scripts and we rework the cast “

hahahahah rework the cast get it because you have to pick who DIES

Seriously tho I really like this song for Virmire and that moment of choice that feels like it lasts 100 years on some playthroughts.

18. Pompeii - Bastille The Siege of the Citadel

“ And the walls kept tumbling down In the city that we love”

Throwback to when this song was on the radio like three times an hour. Which is around the time I made the first draft of this playlist, incidentally! It’s such a good Final Battle Jam for the Citadel, and the part about “if you close your eyes/does it almost feel like nothing’s changed at all” I think work really well for Shepard in this sequence. Shepard knew the Reapers were coming, had been fighting them all along; this attack on the Citadel is just retreading familiar territory for them, as horrifying as the war being brought to their doorstep is for the Citadel’s citizens and the council. James Vega has some good dialogue about that kind of thing in ME3.

INTERLUDE THE FIRST

19. Starships - Nicki Minaj The Normandy Crew

Starships were meant to fly Hands up and touch the sky

I like to have a little fun OK

20. Gravity - Yoko Kanno The Death of Commander Shepard

“Am I alone? is somebody there beyond these heavy aching feet still the road keeps on telling me to go on”

Welcome to mood whiplash, it’s my specialty! This is the part where you die. I think it also works for her coma very well, when she’s just drifting between life and death, not sure what’s going on, but something keeps trying to pull her back to the world.

SECOND MOVEMENT - MASS EFFECT 2

21. The Phoenix - Fall Out Boy The Lazarus Project

“Hey young blood, doesn't it feel like our time is running out? I'm gonna change you like a remix Then I'll raise you like a phoenix “

this song has no right to go as hard as it does and if you think it’s melodramatic shut up

22. My Body Is A Cage - Peter Gabriel Commander Shepard

“I'm living in an age Whose name I don't know Though the fear keeps me moving Still my heart beats so slow “

This works particularly well if you romanced The Virmire Survivor, but this song captures the energy of Shepard freaking out bc they are trapped with Cerberus, because Cerberus rebuilt their body from the ground up. That jarring, caged feeling is so palpable in ME2 that when they gave me back Joker the first time I played, I BURST INTO SOBS from relief.

23. The Lady is a Vamp - The Spice Girls Miranda Lawson

“That's all in the past, legends built to last But she's got something new”

Listen. She’s a bond babe. Handbags, heels and pistols rock. She’s got class. This is a song about Miranda. That is all.

24. Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down Jacob Taylor

“ I watched the world float to the dark side of the moon After all I knew, it had to be something to do with you “

This one’s about the Vibes for me. Also can apply to his past relationship with Miranda. I’m also super showing my age on this song, oof haha.

25. Stable Song - Death Cab For Cutie Colony Abduction

“Rows of deserted houses all Our stable mates highway bound “

I really like the mood of this one for showing up on the very first abducted colony, the eerieness and sadness of it all and Shepard’s resolve to do something about it.

26. Konichiwa Bitches - Robyn Kasumi Goto

“I'm so very hot that when I rob your mansion You ain't call the cops, you call the fire station”

THAT COUPLET ALONE MAKES THE ENTIRE SONG. I love how playful and cheeky it is.

27. Seven Nation Army Glitch Mob Remix - The White Stripes, Glitch Mob Zaeed Massani

“And I'm talking to myself at night Because I can't forget Back and forth through my mind Behind a cigarette”

Pretty sure we all had this on some playlist or another when it came out, and it’s the perfect Badass With A Grudge song.

28. Science is Real - They Might Be Giants Mordin Solus

“ And when a theory emerges Consistent with the facts The proof is with science The truth is with science “

This one actually got added by my wife to replace a song that wasn’t on Spotify, but that has the same energy; Hank Green’s “I Fucking Love Science”. I get more into the emotional side of Mordin in the ME3 section, but I also really just love his Hamster On Coffee energy and this song captures it really well.

29. Prove Yourself - Radiohead Garrus Vakarian

“I can't afford to breathe in this town Nowhere to sit without a gun in my hand Hooked back up to the cathode ray

I'm better off dead “

The absolute rock bottom mental state Garrus is in when you get back to him in ME2 is so heartwrenching. Might not always agree with my boy’s methods, but he’s one of my favorite fictional characters of all time.

30. Rat a Tat - Fallout Boy Feat. Courtney Love Jack

“We are professional ashes of roses, this kerosene's live You settled your score, this is where you come to beg”

It helps that Courtney Love sounds exactly like Jack to me, NGL.

31. Defeat You - Smash Mouth Grunt

“Hey I know what you've done It makes it that much better to defeat you “

Only I am brave enough to put two songs by Smash Mouth on the same playlist, to be shared in 2021

32. The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot - Brand New Horizon/The Virmire Survivor

“If it makes you less sad I will die by your hand Hope you find out what you want Already know what I am “

Hits harder if you romanced the Virmire Survivor. Mostly from Shep’s perspective. This is a Shep that feels Bad after that encounter rather than Mad, so Your Mileage May Vary.

33. Violet Stars Happy Hunting! - Janelle Monae Tali’zorah vas Neema

“I'm an alien from outer space I'm a cyber-girl without a face a heart or a mind”

I just like the vibes of this one for Tali! I know it’s more about an actual AI but...IDK. I like it. So there.

34. Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd Thane Krios

“There is no pain you are receding A distant ship smoke on the horizon”

This song works both on a Literal level with his Kepral’s syndrome struggles, but also Metaphorical re: his Battle Sleep. Plus, Thane is a dad, so he gets Dad Rock.

35. My Medea - Vienna Teng Samara

“For I have made her prison be Her every step away from me And this child I would destroy If you tried to set her free “

Mom of the year award, here

36. Toxic - Britney Spears Morinth

“There's no escape, I can't wait I need a hit, baby, give me it You're dangerous, I'm loving it”

If Morinth weren’t so under-utilized after recruitment and didn’t get killed off in the background of ME3 I’d probably actually recruit her sometimes. I almost did on my most recent playthru bc that Shepard just HATES SPACE COPS. Anyway the song explains itself

37. Turn me On - David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj EDI/The Collector Attack

“My body needs a hero Come and save me Something tells me you know how to save me”

I know this song is a metaphor but also it works really well both literally and metaphorically for Joker saving EDI

38. Robots - Dan Mangan Legion

“Robots need love too They want to be loved by you “

The Geth just want to live peacefullyyyyyy

39. Be Still - The Killers Love Interest Theme

“Be still / someday you’ll leave fearlessness on your sleeve”

This song works so well for the night before Omega-4. If you had an ME2 love interest, anyway. Also “fearlessness on your sleeve” is one of my favorite set of words ever written.

40. No Cars Go - Arcade Fire The Omega-4 Relay

“We know a place no spaceships go We know a place where no subs go “

This one’s pretty literal.

41. Rocketman - Elton John Suicide Mission

“ And I think it's gonna be a long, long time 'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find I'm not the man they think I am at home “

I like sneaking some Classics onto my playlists, and I think this is how I generally approach Shepard’s mindset during the Suicide Mission, mostly the chorus. I’m also a sucker for ballads during action sequences. This one isn’t a perfect 1:1 but the Vibes check out.

42. Blast Off - David Guetta feat. Kaz James The Normandy Crew

“Got all my people with me And none of us give a fuck So put dem hands up higher Let's smash this party up”

You have to imagine they partied HARD after recovering from Suicide Mission, but before Shep got arrested, right??? This is the Starships for ME2.

INTERLUDE THE SECOND

43. I’m Not Your Hero - Tegan and Sara Liara T’soni

“ Feeling like I am now lighting up the hall I was used to standing in the shadow of a damaged heart Learning all I know now, losing all I did I never used to feel like I'd be standing so far ahead “

This feels like a good coming of age moment for Liara, as she copes with the choices she made in the 2 years of Shepard’s death (giving them to Cerberus), losing Feron, etc. This is her coming into her own as the Shadow Broker. She’s not meant to be an uncomplicated Big Damn Hero, but she can do good from this position.

44. The Well and the Lighthouse - Arcade Fire The Alpha Relay Incident

“I'm serving time All for a crime I did commit You want the truth? You know I'd do it all again“

These opening lines I feel capture the Alpha Relay Incident really well, and how Shepard did what they HAD to do there, and would do it again, but it still feels like shit. I always wished there was more choice on that mission, but also, having something like that happen without player agency is interesting. Shepard is at their most interesting, I think, in times where we DON’T have a say in what happens to them.

45. Reignite - Malukah Commander Shepard

“Crush my heart into embers, and I will reignite”

Is it cheating to use a Mass Effect fan song on my playlist? I certainly don’t think so, and this is the best Mass Effect fan song ever written.

THIRD MOVEMENT - MASS EFFECT 3

46. This Is War - Thirty Seconds to Mars Leaving Earth

“It's the moment of truth, and the moment to lie The moment to live and the moment to die The moment to fight, the moment to fight To fight, to fight, to fight “

It feels Too Easy to use this here but I’m gonna anyway. You’ve seen AMVs of this set to everything. It’s the ending song of DA:O. It’s the quintessential World At War song.

47. Battleborn - The Killers James Vega

“Up against the wall There's something dying on the street When they knock you down You're gonna get back on your feet”

James Vega is massively underrated and I will love him til I’m cold in the ground. Aro icon.

48. Handlebars - Flobots The Illusive Man

“I can hand out a million vaccinations Or let 'em all die of exasperation Have 'em all healed of their lacerations Have 'em all killed by assassination”

The way this song escalates fits TIM and Cerberus’s fall back into being Just Full On Evil really well. Perfect song for a power trip.

49. Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect - The Decemberists The Virmire Survivor

“And I am nothing of a builder But here I dreamt I was an architect And I built this balustrade To keep you home, to keep you safe From the outside world”

I like this song for how the Virmire Survivor feels about their survivor’s guilt and also about Shepard. I honestly wish they were both more heavily utilized in ME2 and 3, but I realize it’s hard to write a ton of content for characters who just aren’t in half of all peoples’ playthrus.

50. Heaven Knows - The Pretty Reckless Grisson Academy

“One, two, three and four, the devil's knocking at your door Caught in the eye of a dead man's lie Show your life with your head held high“

This song is so perfect for Jack and her biotic kids that she’s one of the only returning characters that gets her own song on this playlist

51. The Great Fire - OK Go Javik

“But when the flames die down, and everything is gone, Will there be fire under the ashes still?”

Self explanatory. Javik is the fire remaining under the ashes.

52. Bring the Hammer Down - Paragon Priority: Tuchanka/Kalros

“ Hammer strikes the anvil A rage that breaks the chain Strikes down like a lightening In our ranks “

KALROOOOOS

53. Wake Up - Arcade Fire Curing The Genophage/Mordin Solus

“If the children don't grow up, Our bodies get bigger but our hearts get torn up. We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turnin' every good thing to Rust I guess we'll just have to adjust”

I just really love this song as an image of Mordin’s spirit looking out over Tuchanka as the genophage cure is dispersed, and watching over future generations. If you didn’t cure the genophage, how dare you. No song for you.

Anyway started tearing up listening to this one while writing the description don’t look at me

54. Ballad of a Politician - Regina Spektor Councillor Udina/Priority Citadel 2

“A man inside a room is shaking hands with other men This is how it happens/Our carefully laid plans”

traitor

55. Cyborgs vs. Robots - Ludo The Geth-Quarian War

“But your iron fist will never knock me down 'Cause I'm powered By a conscious right to conduct my life without fear.”

This is probably a bit silly for this awful war. But also. It does fit. You can’t tell me it doesn’t. Just save them both at the end and you can feel fine having some fun with it!

56. Artificial Heart - Jonathan Coulton The Geth

“It's not a real heart It is a real artificial heart”

Just a little fun with the Geth! This works best with Reaper Upgrades.

57. With A Little Help From My Friends - Joe Anderson, Jim Sturgess The Citadel DLC

“What do you see when you turn out the light? I can't tell you, but I know it's mine

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends”

I happen to prefer this version to any other because of how much fun it sounds like they’re having

58. Dark In Here - The Mountain Goats Priority: Earth

“Steal away at sundown, pick a place to hide Check for signs of ambush, hunker down inside Tired of running, tired of never standing still Hear them riding up the hill“

You know I had to get the Goats in here. Would it be a fan playlist if there wasn’t one?

59. Adieu - Yoko Kanno Leaving your Love Interest/Shepard and the Beam

“My love for you burns deep inside me / So strong Embers of times we had And now, here I stand / Lost in a memory I see your face, and smile”

...do I need to say more than that?

60. My Way (Minor Key) - Chase Holfelder The Indoctrination of The Illusive Man

“Regrets, I've had a few/But then again, too few to mention I did what I had to do/I saw it through, without exemption“

This cover takes this song from something I tolerate when I hear it to one of my FAVORITE songs. The frenzied way he sings the “through it all” verse is PEAK Indoctrinated TIM.

61. I’m Alive - Disturbed Refusal

“There will never be a reason why I will surrender to your advice To change myself, I'd rather die/Though they will not understand”

Honestly I didn’t “get” the Refusal ending until I heard this song, then I was like, OH, I SEE IT ALL SO CLEARLY NOW. This is my favorite in-universe Shepard take on the Refusal ending. I always got it from the player’s perspective of being dissatisfied with the options, but this one puts it into the world for me. This is a Shepard who does not trust the Starchild. This is a Shepard that chooses to end things on their own terms rather than submit to their designs.

62. Machine - Regina Spektor Control

“I collect my moments Into a correspondence With a mightier power Who just lacks my perspective And who lacks my organics And who covets my defects “

I used to have Adieu here, actually, because like Refusal, I didn’t used to GET the Control ending. Now, I do, in part thanks to hearing this song. I mean, just go look at the full lyrics. If this song hadn’t been written years before the end of Mass Effect 3, I’d swear it was a fan song for it.

63. Maybe Tomorrow - Yuki Kajiura Destroy

“The moon is gone And the night is still so dark I'm a little bit afraid of tomorrow“

I’m a Destroy Ending person, I won’t lie. Full on “the starchild is a liar and my synthetic friends are FINE” indoctrination theory level destroy ending. But this song is not about that. It’s about the canonical destroy ending, and if you prefer a Shep that survives it, this song’s for you.

This song captures the exhaustion and melancholy of the end of a long journey so well. Shepard is afraid of what comes next, the collateral damage resulting from their actions. But they know that, at least, it’s over now. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

64. Waiting For the End - Linkin Park Synthesis

“ I know what it takes to move on I know how it feels to lie All I wanna do is trade this life for something new Holding on to what I haven't got”

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. The hardest part of ending is starting again. Oof. Gets me every single time. Shepard finding the resolve to sacrifice themself for the hope of something better, of things not going how they planned, ever, of learning to make peace with that and the people who loved them learning to carry on without them? OOF.

65. Shine - Vienna Teng Epilogue

“Shine with all the untold Hold the light given unto you Find the love to unfold In this broken world we choose“

Vienna Teng is a master of capturing life’s softer emotions, and this fits perfectly with the epilogue scene for me. Tell me again about the Shepard.

“Find the love to unfold in this broken world we choose” has to be one of the greatest lines about the human experience ever written.

#mass effect #mass effect legendary edition #no one's gonna listen to this #but i need the world to know it exists #it took me as long as the playlist is to put this together

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sorrelchestnut · 3 years

Text

EVERYBODY’S PICKIN’ UP ON THAT FELINE BEAT, PART 37

holy shit I finished a scene. We’re really close to the end now, y’all. That being said: this definitely ends on a cliffhanger. Fair warning.

Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 6. Part 7. Part 8. Part 9. Part 10. Part 11. Part 12. Part 13. Part 14. Part 15. Part 16. Part 17. Part 18. Part 19. Part 20. Part 21. Part 22. Part 23. Part 24. Part 25. Part 26. Part 27. Part 28. Part 29. Part 30. Part 31. Part 32. Part 33. Part 34. Part 35. Part 36.

Title: everybody’s picking up on that feline beat Author: Sorrel Fandom: Fallout 4 Rating: Mature Warnings: None Relationships: Deacon/Female Sole Survivor Series: Part 3 of everybody wants to be a cat

Coffee helps; fresh air and sunshine helps more. For someone who spends a significant majority of her life inside, underground, nocturnal, and/or just generally skulking around in the shadows, Whisper can be surprisingly solar-powered at times. By the time they're over the river she's in almost obnoxiously high spirits, singing "Anything Goes" in a squeaky falsetto that makes him think longingly of the roll of duct tape in his pack.

"The world has gone mad today, and good's bad today, and black's white today, and day's night today-"

"Whisper, I swear to God-"

"And that gent today you gave a cent today once had sev-er-al chateaus!"

"Alright, Cole Porter, that's enough." She grins wider and opens her mouth, and he hastily slaps a hand over it before she can start the next verse. "No."

Her lips tickle against his palm as she grumbles, "You're no fun."

"What, because I like living? You're going to bring down every raider in the greater Boston area, the way you're caterwaul- ow! Fuck!"

She tucks her thumbs in the straps of her pack and gives him a cheerful, empty-headed smile, showing off the pearly white teeth she just sunk into the base of his thumb. "Talk shit, get hit."

"Jesus, you're aggressive." He studies his hand but doesn't find any sign of bleeding, just a neat row of stark white tooth marks rapidly flushing back pink. "Whatever happened to licking my hand to gross me out?"

"Sometimes I can really tell you were an only child," she informs him, shaking her head faux-mournfully. "You gotta go big or go home, that's my motto."

"Good thing we're going home, isn't it?" When she squints at him, he smiles sunnily and holds his injured hand a couple inches above her head. "I mean, 'big' isn't exactly your strong suit, so..."

She launches herself at him with a war cry.

Bickering aside, they straighten up when they come into sight of Diamond City, falling into character as a pair of road-weary mercenaries coming off an all-night hike and desperate for a shower and some sleep. (Which, to be fair, isn't that far off from the truth, all things considered.) They're both in costume already, not that that took long. All Whisper had to do was slick back her hair and throw on a pair of sunglasses and hey presto: Olivia Bailey, ruins-rover extraordinaire. Next to her all Deacon has to do is look suitably grizzled and road-weary, so he pretty much just tossed the least-disgusting raider's jacket on over his travel clothes and smeared some dust artistically through his stubble and called it a goddamn day.

It certainly works well enough on the second-shift gate guard, a pockmarked woman with nicotine stains on her fingers. She waves them through with a disinterested nod, already going back to her book before they even clear the gate. Deacon squashes down the contrary impulse to make some kind of scene and just nods back, professional and cool, as he wraps an arm around Whisper's shoulder. She gives him a little sideways look that says I know what you're doing but doesn't bother to pull away until they're in the tunnel.

Deacon looks around and then back to her, pointedly. Whisper huffs a laugh.

"What now?"

"Nothing," he says, and waggles his eyebrows. "It's just… here we are again. Where it all started. Back to the site of our fateful first meeting."

Her eyes narrow. "Weren't you the one who said-"

"Mm, yeah, but I've had time to think about it, and I think you made a compelling point. First contact is definitely the first one that counts."

"You just don't want to 'fess up on just how long you were following me around."

"Why, partner, I'm hurt that you would think of such a thing," he says, and moves swiftly on before she can call him on the obvious evasion. "You know, you keep bringing me back here, I'm going to start thinking you've got a secret romantic streak." She gives him a look. "Very secret."

"That's me, all hearts and flowers," says quite the most ruthlessly practical woman Deacon's ever met. "Besides, if I was going to start up with romantical remembrances at this late date, that wouldn't be the one I'd pick. I was so sleep-deprived I'm lucky I remembered my own name."

"Couldn't tell to look at you," Deacon says, in massive understatement. She was all easy swagger and magazine-cover grin, on her way to bigger and better things. She sure as shit didn't look like she was running on the ragged edge of her endurance - but then, he knows better than most just how well she can lie with a smile.

She glances over at him as they break out of the tunnel, her gaze shrewd over the rim of her shades. "You remember it pretty well, huh?"

Nope, nuh-uh, not going there. "Your hair was longer," Deacon says, tweaking the end of one of her curls in a transparent bid for distraction. "I remember that for sure."

"Well, yeah," she says, ducking neatly around a kid that seems really intent on wherever she's running. "You told me to cut it."

"I did?" He definitely doesn't remember that. "When?"

"When we were prepping for the Covenant op. You said blonde, I said I had to grab some bleach, and you gave me that 'oh honey' look you do when people are being particularly stupid and told me to just cut it off, you had a spare wig lying around someplace."

That does sound like him. "And you just did it?" he says, because Whisper is a lot of things, but 'obedient' sure as shit isn't one of them.

"You were brandishing a knife when you said it," she admits. "It seemed easier to give in than argue."

Yeah, that definitely sounds like him. Especially then: that must've been, what, their first week together? Back then everything was one long haze of exhaustion, staggering from one crisis to the next with barely enough time to take a shit. Hauling her into the Covenant op was a desperation play, pure and simple: he needed backup, and anyone had to be better than Glory. He hadn't known, then, what she could do with nothing more than a smile and a little room to work.

Though he figured it out pretty damn quick.

"I'd say it worked out," he says, and tweaks her dark hair again. "You do make a fetching blonde."

She gives him a look over the tops of her shades, knowing and a bit amused. "They do have more fun."

Aaaand now he's thinking about their first time, that silver dress pushed up around her thighs, blonde wig spilling across the mattress above her and blue eyes begging him in the dark. He clears his throat. "You want to go talk to Valentine?"

"In a bit," she says, and wraps her arm around his waist. He automatically puts his arm around her in turn, and she leans her head on his shoulder, a picture-perfect image of a lovesick spouse. "Need to make the rounds, hit up a few of the merchants first. It'd be weird if I didn't."

"God forbid we look weird," he agrees, and laughs at her elbow in his stomach.

~*~

She does break off eventually, slips away to discuss things with Valentine and leaves him with a key and strict instructions to take care of dinner. Deacon makes a quick loop of his own, touching base with the runners they placed last time and offloading some of their scav while he's at it. Myrna's girl has been promoted to working the afternoon shift solo, and is more than happy to take a few extra minutes dickering in order to fill him in on the local gossip. He rounds it off with a visit to the Dugout where the cocky one is still serving drinks - Deacon makes a note to collect the ten caps from Whisper later - and picks up some dinner to go on his way out. Never let it be said he can't follow orders when it suits him.

He's setting out the plates when Whisper follows him in just a few minutes later with a slammed door and a cheerful, "Hallo the house!" from the far end of her little warehouse.

"Kitchen!" he calls back, and a moment later she appears, weaving her way through the stacked boxes and dropping a noticeably emptier pack on the floor by the stove.

"Need a hand?"

The food's pretty much done, so he tilts his head to the table with a hopeful, "Something to drink?"

"I've got just the thing," and she grabs her pack again, fishing around inside until she comes up with a couple bottles of Bobrov's homebrew. "I tried to catch you at the Dugout but Vadim said you just left. Good enough?"

"We-ell, everyone knows a dry white pairs best with seafood, but for day-old mirelurk I suppose it will just have to do."

"You're trying to ruin my appetite but it's not working," she informs him, nose in the air. "I'm so hungry I'd eat a mirelurk raw."

He laughs and nudges in behind her as she turns to grab a bottle opener. "C'mon, darlin', don't be like that. You know it's only the best for my girl."

"Flatterer," she says, nothing in her voice now but laughter. "You talk any sweeter, I'm gonna be forced to check those lips for honey."

"Aw, babe. You say the - ha ha - sweetest things." He buries his nose in the back of her neck and inhales. "I get the cigarettes, but why do you smell like one of Tom's experiments? Hot metal and burnt wiring," he clarifies, when she gives him a truly weird look.

"Oh, I stopped by Piper's after I talked to Nick," she says, all offhand as if she's not talking about the biggest gossip in the Commonwealth.

Deacon unpeels himself from her back and takes her by the shoulders. "Whisper," he says, seriously. "Do we need to have a conversation about operational security? Because I feel like you may have been out that day."

"Oh, so you want her to come by and harangue me in person? Because that is one hundred percent what she'd do if she heard I was in town and didn't go see her first."

Okay, so maybe she has a point. The thought of Piper fucking Wright showing up at his door - well, Whisper's door, whatever - demanding to know his intentions toward her friend… Yeah, no. That's gonna be a haaaard pass.

Whisper grins at him, the devil in her eyes. He knows that look. "Whisper-"

"Ohhhh, I see what this is about."

"Fear," he assures her, trying to head whatever this is off at the pass, "this is a very healthy and reasonable level of fear," but she's on her way to a punchline and won't be deterred.

"You're a fan!" she declares, over his groan of protest. "Aww, sweetheart, why didn't you say something earlier? I could totally arrange an introduction for you."

"Ahhh, no thanks," Deacon manages, through the bolt of terror that thought inspires. "Little-known fact, spies are in fact allergic to reporters? Like, clinically. The hives are brutal."

She takes pity on him and gives way with a laugh, her eyes crinkling up at the corners. "Don't worry, babe, I'll protect you."

"You're the best."

"And don't you forget it." She pops open one of the bottles one-handed, handing it off to him with a cheery flourish. "Besides, you don't wanna bitch too much about my girl Piper. Her caps bought you this booze."

"I take it back, she's my new favorite person. After your radiant self, of course." He takes a swig and passes it back, enjoying the flush of boozy heat down through his chest as he turns back to the stove. After a moment's consideration, he adds a couple extra tatos to the pan. If they're drinking Bobrov's then he definitely wants to lay down a hearty base. "Something interesting afoot?"

"Mhm?"

"Your payout from Wright. Anything I should know about?"

She wobbles her flat hand side-to-side, a wordless eh. "Not really. Just a side project I've been working on."

Interesting. It's not as if they tell each other everything they get up to - he certainly has any number of moving parts at any given moment she's not read in on, and this business with Hancock gave him a good idea about how much he doesn't know about her adventures - but the fun stuff, yeah, that's usually share and share alike. Then again, maybe it's a leftover from her little enforced vacation back in August. He's mostly kept his nose out of whatever she was up to those weeks in hopes she'll do him the same courtesy, so there's a gap in his intel.

"Very mysterious," he teases, nudging a little. "C'mon, not even a hint for your faithful partner?"

She refuses to be nudged, only smiles faintly and hunches one shoulder into a lopsided shrug. "You can read it in the paper tomorrow like everyone else."

"Way harsh."

"That's me, cruel and unusual." She passes him back a plate with an absent kiss to his scruffy cheek. "C'mon, quit fondling that pot holder and get me some supper. I'm starving."

~*~

It's a good night, maybe the best he's had in a while. Deacon sort of figured she'd be distracted, mind on her mission tomorrow, but instead it's the opposite: for the first time in what seems like weeks, he has her full and undivided attention, and he basks in it like winter sunshine. They trade stories and quips, mostly things they've told each other a dozen times over but still fresh, still funny, still so much fun to watch her trying out a new spin, a new angle. She's so fucking good at that, always has been. Yet another thing Deacon never needed to teach her, but damn does he never get tired of watching her reinvent herself on the fly.

Deacon, for his part, finds himself mugging shamelessly for her attention, chasing her approval as fervently as any junkie he's ever pretended to be. And unlike a junkie Deacon gets what he's craving in spades, because she's as generous with her smiles as she is with her stories, lounging back in her chair with her glass in her hand, thighs sprawled wide and her voice gone syrup-slow with that insinuating smirk that only ever spurs him on.

Later, he doesn't entirely remember how they end up in bed. The booze turns everything smeary and soft-focus, like light coming in through a stained-glass window, and his memory preserves only a series of snapshots: pulling Whisper into his lap, her startled yelp of laughter muffled with his mouth. Making out on the landing, one foot braced a step down to put him closer to her height, his fingers busy on her shirt buttons and hers on his belt buckle. Tumbling into bed in a snarl of limbs, laughingly disentangling them until Whisper tugs him up over her in the dark. Burying his face in the sweat-slicked curve of her neck as he works his cock inside of her, her blunt nails scoring lines down the length of his back and her heels digging into the backs of his thighs to urge him on. The flicker of the candlelight playing across her lush mouth and her dark, shadowed eyes, her damp hair clinging to her forehead as she tosses her head back against the pillows. The low breathy rasp of her voice, "Deacon," murmured against his ear, "Deacon, Deacon, please-"

And then when he wakes up, he's alone.

The radio downstairs is playing “The Wanderer,” and Deacon lies there for a moment, listening to the clatter of the rain against the windows, experiencing an overwhelming surge of deja vu.

Then he hauls himself out of bed, picks up his boots, and goes in search of his wayward accomplice.

Unlike last time, there's no pint-sized partner clattering around in the kitchen, cooking breakfast and dancing around like temptation on two legs. The room is cool and dim, only the faint mid-morning sunshine straggling in through an upper window to light the way, and the only sign of habitation is the soft strains of the radio. Deacon does a quick check in the warehouse section just in case - have the boxes been breeding back there? - but the only sign of life in here is him. Most damningly of all, Whisper's pack is gone from the hook beside the door, leaving his looking lopsided next to the empty space where its partner used to be.

Do not project onto an inanimate object, Deacon my lad, he tells himself, and checks the counter next to the radio, where he previously saw a pad and a pencil half-buried under a precarious stack of ammo boxes. Sure enough, there's a note there, torn loose from the pad and folded into thirds with John scrawled across the front in unfamiliar handwriting that must belong to Liv.

She's just keeping cover, not stupid enough to write anything else out here in the open where anyone could walk in and see it, but Deacon still stares at it for a long moment, that single syllable knocking around somewhere at the bottom of his ribs. Then he shakes his head at himself, reaches out, and unfolds the note.

hey handsome, you looked so peaceful i couldn't bring myself to wake you. at least one of us should get to sleep in, and nick had me up with the sun. (you know what he's like when he's on a case!) shouldn't take long though, just a quick run down to goodneighbor and fingers crossed we'll be back by supper. take care of my best guy while i'm gone. xoxo, liv

The radio changes to “One More Tomorrow,” and Deacon glares at it as he folds up the note. Reading between the breezy, heavily fictionalized lines, it's clear enough she decided to handle this Kellogg business solo. Which is… fair enough, he supposes, but something about it doesn't sit square. Did she think he would have told her no, if she asked him to stay put? He thought he made it pretty clear the whole thing was hers to handle or not as she saw fit. Or maybe she just thought it'd be too awkward, having him up in her business like that? Maybe after their last op, she's about had her fill of personal. He couldn't blame her if that's the case, but he hopes she knows the last thing he'd ever want to do is make things harder for her.

Well, there's not much he can do about it either way, not with her at least a few hours ahead of him, judging by the sun, and definitely not with her clear instruction to sit tight. Waiting isn't much his favorite part and he didn't really plan to be hanging out in Diamond City all day, but Deacon's an adaptable fellow; he'll find a way to keep himself occupied.

The market is bustling at this hour of the morning, and Deacon lets the crowd carry him along, thinking vaguely about picking up some noodles for breakfast and then maybe having a wander around. It's not great for his cover to spend so much time out and about on his own, but with the right sidelong look most people will probably assume she's sleeping off a wild night, which would be great for his ego, at least. Besides, there's really no substitute for market gossip when it comes to keeping a pulse on the goings-on in the Commonwealth, which is what he plans to tell Dez if she gives him shit for the wasted day. Not that she will, because if Deacon has his way she'll never hear about any of this, but he likes having a contingency plan in place. Makes him feel all nice and comfy.

It's when he's looping around the counter in search of an open stool that he catches the familiar sound of Piper Junior hawking her wares at full volume. Which is funny, 'cause by his calculation they're not due for another issue for at least a week. Normally Piper's pretty regular with the print, except-

Deacon gets a sinking sensation in his chest.

-except when she has something too juicy to wait and damn it, Whisper, what the hell are you up to?

Normally the last place he wants to be is anywhere near someone named Wright, but since his partner has been up to shenanigans without bothering to inform him first, he figures that in this case 'better safe than sorry' means getting out ahead of whatever nonsense Whisper's been cooking up rather than running the other way. He makes sure to pull his cap low over his eyes, hitches his pack higher on his shoulders, and sidles over towards the Public Occurrences like he just doesn't have anything better to do.

"Extra, extra, read all about it! Minutemen General has the tell-all of the century!"

Oh, it's Minutemen business. Geez, why didn't she just say so? If she's running some propaganda job for Garvey, the last thing he'd want to do is get in her way. It was obvious they needed something after the trip to the Slog the other week, and throwing Piper at the problem is probably the most efficient way to get the word out. Half the damn Commonwealth reads her paper at some point or another, even if it's just so they can tell themselves how wrong she is.

Still, Whisper did tell him he'd find out today, so she probably expects him to read up on whatever it is. He snatches a paper off the top of the stack and flips it over, scanning for the headline.

Woman out of Time: Savior of the Minutemen Tells All About Life Before the Bomb!

"-not the current General," Little Wright's saying, when Deacon manages to stop staring at the paper and drag his attention back to the real world. "The first one, the one that retook the Cast- hey!"

Deacon finds the paper snatched right from his hands, a pint-sized version of a familiar glare beaming up at him. "You gotta pay before you read," Little Wright informs him. "We're not running a charity here!"

"Uh, right," says Deacon, who still feels like he's hearing everything underwater, slow-motion and echoing strangely. "What's the deal with this General, then?"

"Didn'tcha see the headline? She's from before the War! Vault froze her in cryo, right here in the Commonwealth!"

Vault 111. Oh, fuck. Ohhhh fuck.

"So you gonna buy or just stand there and stare?" Little Wright brandished the paper at him. "Hot off the presses! Only ten caps, and you can be the first to know!"

#fallout 4 #deacon #female sole survivor #deacon/female sole survivor #fic #everybody wants to be a cat

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minccinoocappuccino · 3 years

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Beyblade: Evolution Review

Finally got around to writing this review for the person who asked for it

I’m going to break this review into sections so I don’t forget anything.

◉ Mechanics ◉ Graphics ◉ Gameplay ◉ story/Plot

⚠️ I’m not a game reviewer and these opinions are just that opinions ⚠️

Mechanics

Ok so the big thing about this particular game is that you launch the beys through gyro and motion sensors using the Nintendo 3DS’s camera...or at least that’s how it’s supposed to be done. I’ve found all you really have to do is flick your 3DS towards or away from you and it counts as a launch. You do have to launch it at the right time however as you get spirit bursts that “ make your bey stronger for a short time”. If you do launch it off it really doesn't matter much you just start off with less spirit burst which I’ll explain later why it’s fine. There's really not much else to this gimmick though you only use it to launch beys and that's it so it's only about 2 secs of a beybattle despite being one of it’s biggest selling points.

Another mechanic is changing the bey parts to make your own, which is one of the best parts in the game. You can even try and recreate character beys or just come up with your own! They draw back to this though is if you want to win you really can’t use some of the beys at all. The game has the 4 types of beys in it Attack, Defense, Stamina, and Balance but it might as well just be Defense, and Stamina only. The Attack beys are so useless using them is an instant loss unless you get a lucky knock out really fast. They have no stamina at all so once you launch them they run out faster than the ps5 did, you have seconds to knock out the longer lasting beys with no help from your spirit bursts since you won’t have time to gain them. Balance beys suffer from the jack of all master of none curse, even if you build it with mostly stamina , you might as well instead make a full Stamina instead. Side note: Orion is one of the best beys to use its really OP though it’s only able to be bought late game Sagittarius is a good early game one to pick up.

Now let's talk about spirit bursts, they suck. There's not really a gain to using them, yes your beyblade gets stronger by spinning fast but it goes so fast it usually misses the other bey and if they other hits you while your going so fast you have a higher chance of just flying out the ring. After 35 hours of playing this mechanic has helped me exactly zero times but has caused me to lose 7 times that I remember.

Graphics

There's not actually much to talk about with its graphics seeing as how it’s almost identically to other beyblade games. They did put a lot of effort into trying to make the beyblades look realistic, but there's only so much early 2000s graphics can do. The sprites look like they were drawn and then squished down to look pixelated; they still look good however, resembling the show's art while the pixelated effect gives it a more game feel. The text boxes however are really bad imo...There are solid blue boxes that go across the entire bottom of the screen with plain white letters over it for the dialogue. The worst part about them is the characters' names are in the same front, size, and colour of the dialogue so it all just blends together.

The backgrounds are all neat and nice nothing to complain about….except the “special backgrounds”. These are for Battles and some Mini games and they're just real life pictures of parks or buildings. There so blurry and pixelated they look like they were taken from google earth. I know they wanted to give this game the feel of playing an actual bey battle in real life but starting at a clearly modeled and textured bey and area with real grass and buildings behind it is strange and out of place. This is just a nitpick since you really don't notice it much and again I know it’s early 2000s graphics so I can't complain much I still feel just putting in backgrounds from the show or just drawn ones would have looked better.

Gameplay

So the game is like a RNG where you go to different places on the map, meet characters from the show, battle them and enter tournaments and shop for parts. It’s very simple and easy to get the hang of and progress. You have 50 turns to do all this and become the champion™. On your 10th turn you enter tournaments to win beypoints to buy new parts. There are two stadiums for tournaments and you can go to each to do this, they have different rules so pay attention to this before entering. One you can use 3 beys and the other only one, if you can only afford one good bey you need to enter the one bey only one or else you will get crushed. On your turns you progress by going to random places on the map and meeting and talking to the characters to earn points, and their friendship. By befriending a character you get to unlock their mini game plus they will give you parts of their beys as gifts which is great if you befriend Kenta but Ginga might as well be giving you trash. Each talk/battle with a character takes up one turn and it takes a couple of times fighting and beating them to get to a high friendship level enough for them to fork over there bey. Since you only have 50 turns if you want a certain bey from a character focus on them only until you get it. Fully befriending a character will also unlock more characters that show up on the map as well.

You can buy beyparts at the two stores in game the B-pit and WBBA store with Madoka and Hikaru running them. The WBBA has better choices and higher ranking beyparts but the B-pit is cheaper so starting out with the B-pit is usually the best option and then switching over after earning good parts from characters. Going to the shop does use up a turn so buy what you need in one go.

The actual battling is boring and not fun at all. Like I said earlier they really wanted this game to give you the feel of real life beybattling so after you launch your bey you just sit there and watch it spin you can’t control it all so when you get knocked out or win it feels less like skill and more like luck. I get the skill is supposed to come from customizing the best bey but unless you're using the meta beys you kinda lose so you're forced to use beys you might not like to win there's really no room for innovation. The spirit burst was supposed to cover this by giving you a sense of doing something in the battle but it’s so useless most of the time it feels like you wasted it. It’s not even an auto thing you can’t just press the spirit button and your beys instantly get its power you have to aim it and hit your bey with it while its spinning and if you hit your opponent they get it or its just gone.

The minigames aren't a big thing in the game once you befriend a character you unlock his/hers game, which two characters can have the same one, to play and earn points from it. So far I’ve only played 5 different minigames: Balloon pop: you shoot a bey at balloons rising upwards different coloured balloons will give you different number of points the faster balloons give the most Track: you tilt your DS side to side to keep you bey on the track the faster you get to the end without falling off the more points you get Ring: You shoot your bey threw moving rings the more rings you shoot threw in a row the more points you get What part is it: parts of the bey will show up on screen and you have to guess if it's a Facebolt, Energy ring, Wheel, spin track, or tip. The more you guess right the faster they fly across your screen and the wheel and energy rings can look so close together since they are zooming so fast Guess: It gives you a Facebolt, Energy ring, Wheel, spin track, or tip and you have to guess what beyblade it's from.

Story/Plot

The game was marketed as the bridge between Fury and Shogun but there is nothing about it that does that. It’s clearly set after Fury but you don’t know when. It plays out with you battling character after character shopping and mini gaming in between and then on turn 50 battling in a tournament and hoping you win and become the champion. There’s no story to it other than that no underlying plot or an evil villain you need to stop. Just battling and becoming champ.

Talking to the character is fun but you don’t get anything else, no new secrets or facts about them. Also after you become champion the game just starts you over. You start back at turn 0 and have to do it all again and unlock everything again. The game does let you keep 25% of your beypoints the first time you beat it and 100% of them the 4th time if I remember correctly.

Overall: It’s a good game if you prefer talking to characters over battling and story. You can still have fun with the battling system since strange things can happen with beys getting shot out or just spinning out. And the wonky gyro system can cause you to shoot your bey right out the ring which makes for some laughs. It’s a very repetitive game which isn't a bad thing inself just depends on what you like. The Metal Masters game was way better with a decent storyline and fun battle mechanics which I’ll review at a later time, and this game just fails to compete with the other beyblade games. Of course you are allowed to like the game. I enjoyed it a fair bit, and there are really good parts in it. I just think it has so much more room to be better.

Another notes: Some characters that are mentioned to be in the game I have not seen at all such as Nile, and Zero from Shogun. There is a battle area where you just battle for fun that's not a part of the story. I have only done it once though. You are allowed to have two save files on it.

If you want to see more of it you can look through my blog I have it tagged as I play beyblade also again I do not have gameplay footage of it but if it’s something that is requested or wanted I don’t mind recording it

#beyblade #Metal Fight Beyblade #beyblade evolution #i play beyblade #mfb #beyblade review

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shinygoku · 3 years

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Top 10 CSatM Episodes (2/2)

See part 1 here

As a few paragraphs and pictures for 10 episodes in a row makes a rather long, unruly beast of a post!

The second half of my personal preferred picks for a Top 10, though the order they’re being listed in doesn’t correspond to my favour, but the order how I watch them on my DVDs. I still suggest you read the first half of the list before this one, all the same~

Spoilers below the cut, be warned! ✂

Crater 101

So this ep is pretty much a sequel to Lunarville 7, and is followed up with Dangerous Rendezvous. Neither of those made the cut of my list though, and even isolated from those it makes a solid story. The most Space-y of all the episodes and a visual treat, cause while we mostly stuck to the stark accommodations of Lunarville 7 in that episode, here we see the grey grimy gloom of the outside of the Moon, and the sharp, delightful contrast of the Mysteron’s fantastic plastic Complex. Here, vivid marbled colours and flashing lights join inorganic shapes that suggest something of the Mysteron’s nature, but as always, nothing conclusive.

Moving away from the lovely Aesthetics, this is also a strong one for characterisation. We get some sweet interactions with The Lads and for this episode only, the Best Female Character in the whole show. Linda Nolan is the controller of Lunarville 6, a smart, capable woman who had her own cool space mission referenced and in fact critical to the plot. She is also relatable in that she catches feelings for Scarlet, so while she’s barking up the wrong tree I still have nothing but respect for her, hehee.

Eerie, tense, interesting and still somewhat funny, this is another episode that eeks into an even higher ranking list than 10, I could comfortably put it in 5 and mmmaybe 3. Though I’m not gonna be able to say definitively as the best episodes all bring something different to the table, and this may just be the strongest in the uniqueness regard.

Fire at Rig 15

I get the feeling this may be an unorthodox choice, somehow? But yeah, I just really enjoy it. It’s not a funny episode, but it is rather exciting, and contains some lovely new music and a sweet scene at the end. The Mysteron’s plot is pretty simple, but should it succeed, devastating as it would be crippling Spectrum’s operations by removing the unique type of fuel all the craft uses.

In a way, it’s kind of like a dark mirror to a typical Thunderbirds setup; whereas in that show the initial fire would be more likely to be accidental or just maybe some ne’er do well like the Hood, this time it’s as simple as the Mysterons reopening the master valve. When traditional firefighters would eventually retreat to make room for International Rescue, here Spectrum themselves have a rather passive role as a professional rolls in. And of course, said man finds himself very, very dead due to further Mysteron interference (see picture), with Black seemingly hypnotising the poor bloke into standing too close to the explosion.

From there his duplicate half buries his original corpse and later receives direct instructions from Black to suicide bomb the nearby refinery, and it’s en route to this is where the thrilling car chase takes place! Scarlet saves the refinery but the whole SPV he was driving is completely ablaze at the end of it. Like my thoughts on Point 783, I really appreciate the human touch to the last scene, with soft music as arrangements are made for Scarlet to recover from the horrible state we’re spared of seeing. Seeing how his ability to recover from death is one of the cornerstones of the whole premise, I love it when we’re allowed a bit more insight into what the other Spectrum personnel do in the situations, in this case White specifically instructing Dr Fawn to make sure Scarlet is comfortable as the process takes place.

Treble Cross

A notable and unique spin of an episode, where a rather routine Mysteron threat takes quite the turn when their assassinated target is brought back to life! It seems by the 2060′s we’ll have cool machinery to do CPR for a couple of hours as well as doctors ready to play god when they happen to drive by the car crash scene, heheh

Seriously though, this is a really fresh premise, that the villains who have been using doppelgangers for their devious schemes get the tables turned. This time the duplicate gets perma-killed while the original Major Gravener willingly participates in an undercover mission to help draw Captain Black into a trap at last... However, an easily overlooked factor in the driver who was also killed had been duplicated offscreen, so even with this amazing chance Spectrum can’t catch Black. But the World Capital, Futura City, is saved and Spectrum find the Mysterons themselves can’t tell their own copies from the original person, so it’s all in all a net gain!

Also this episode contains the World’s Happiest Clock, so that’s a neat plus.

Flight 104

We start this story on the incredible note of Captain Blue singing in the shower of the Hotel room he shares with Captain Scarlet. Scarlet then orders them both room service for some lunch. And if that sounds like the start of a fanfic plot, it may well be, but it’s also literally right there in the episode, baybee!

Charmingly domestic opening aside, I love this whole shebang. Again it’s the usual Mysterons threatening of an individual who Spectrum are bodyguarding, but the way both our heroes and villains go about this is different from the norm. Scarlet and Blue are trying to avoid drawing attention, so they spend the whole episode in normal clothes (Blue spending 1/3 of this in that comfy bathrobe!), and don’t have their comms. What’s more, they get a pair of reporters suspicious, and the two trail them looking for a Big Scoop.

When I was first watching this, I was expecting the journalists to get killed by Black to be the Mysteron Pawns, but no! They’re both fine from the start to the end! Then we find Black doing ....something.... to the Flight Crew of the titular Flight 104, but they aren’t killed either, just drugged. Instead, the Mysterons remotely pilot the plane on a slow collision course with the Alps, but are undone when an Electrical Plant interferes with their control.

As breaking into the pilot cabin had the side effect of jamming the landing gear, the plane has to crash land at the airport, but almost everyone being unharmed makes this one of the most gentle episodes of the lot... of course, Scarlet himself is still heavily implied to have been killed from the crash, but even his injuries seem pretty minor this time. And yet, it’s not lacking in excitement, as the tension of Spectrum trying to communicate with the two without their Comms and the inability to override the Mysteron’s control until that pre-established Electrical weakness kicks in holds for a while.

Inferno

Those who know of me from Thunderbirds are Go (the 2015 TV series) discussion are likely to know how much I love the episode from Season 1, Tunnels of Time. It heavily features my favourite ship in that show as they explore an ancient South American Temple which is full of peril. The temple is destroyed by the end of the episode.

So anyway, Inferno features my favourite ship in this show as they explore an ancient South American Temple which is full of peril, and tragically the temple is destroyed by the end of the episode! Heheeheheee~

Ok seriously though, eerie parallels aside this is another utterly beautiful instalment, with set design and lighting that really blows other episodes out of the proverbial water. And the pyrotechnic team clearly had fun with the seemingly unending explosions at the end of the adventure. An all-around visual feast!

Main plot is relatively simple, like in White as Snow, the Mysterons kill a Satellite and its crew and steer the reconstructed version towards their target of the week. Unlike WaS, they succeed in the end, a reminder that they’re still not to be underestimated. No human lives are lost, but the important complex and more tragically, the 800 year old temple that’s otherwise intact, get bombed to smithereens. Something something additional cost of warfare on Culture and History.

But while this is the end of my personal Top 10 list, it’s not all bad, because the Scarlet and Blue antics in the temple are utterly lovely and [chef finger kiss] splendid cinema~!

That about wraps up this Two-part post of mine! Picking 10 out of 32 is easier than 10 out of 100, but it’s still tricky as most of the episodes are very good, with only a few I’d promptly write off as a candidate for the list. And in some ways I wonder if I went about this the right way, some eps I only saw once and might feel strong enough to pip one’a the ones I did choose.

I have been rewatching each of the eps covered, and a few that didn’t make it, but my initial choice was made looking at the full list and letting my gut grab a few, having to think over more as the slots filled. Some fan favourites like Lunarville 7 came close, but I hope I’ve been able to clearly convey what it is about this selection that gave them the edge ;3

I will write further posts on Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons in the future, but after this mammoth and also the Notable Episodes list I’d quite like to enjoy it for a while without thinking about points to talk about, haha

#Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons #Captain Scarlet #Supermarionation #Gerry Anderson #CutCat Top Lists

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vanchlo · 4 years

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Birdy (Green Eyes / 2)

Read the first part, Green Eyes, here! :-)

Blurb Synopsis: After finally meeting the mysterious Mr. Styles you subbed for, you take a job at the same school, right across the hall from him. You’re unsure how much longer you can hide your feelings for him as you’ve grown to become best friends.

Genre: Teacher Harry, fluff, romance, angst, and a little sad.

Warnings: None

Word Count: Nearly 8k words

Pairing: Harry x Reader

Music Inspo: Blackbird by The Beatles (click to listen)

Your desk was covered in Twix wrappers, multicolored gel pens, and empty cans of Coke. The new school year hadn’t even begun, and your desk already looked like a tornado had come by. Not to mention the fact that school started in almost three weeks and you hardly had any classroom books. You kept telling yourself it’s a high school English classroom, not a third-grade classroom. There’s a library down the hall for a reason, but the classroom barren of books drove you nuts. Your desk wasn’t shy to books though, as favorites of Harry had found a home on the dark wood.

Leaves of Grass.

Catcher in the Rye.

The Sun Also Rises.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Walking into your classroom on this sunny morning, the thought makes the smile on your face grow wider. Finally, you can say that you have your own classroom. The sight of the week-old books leaves the smile there on your lips. A laugh dances off of them at the sight of the Roald Dahl book, bringing you back to the memory when you found it there one morning.

You had asked Harry why he included it in the occasional stack of books he loaned to you. He said it’s required reading, because so few people know the movies are based on a book. You’re just wondering when he’s going to slip The Outsiders or Stuart Little under your door next.

The rows of ancient cream desks stare back at you, and you wonder just how you’re going to command a classroom in a few days. Well, seven of them to be exact. Then you try to remind yourself, for the twentieth time, that you’ve done this before. It won’t be so hard, then. Perhaps you’ll even have some past students, and that should help. Right?

You’ve barely gotten a few steps into your classroom, because of the thoughts muddling your mind. Sighing, you slip off your bag to leave on your chair. One that some days you don’t even sit in, because your legs are walking miles around your classroom, setting up. Thumbtacks are scattered across the expanse of your desk, reminding you of the unfinished walls. Before you can think about the posters sitting in the corner, a flash of pink catches your eye. Furrowing your brow, your eyes flit back to the flash of color.

It’s a hot pink Post-It note with messy handwriting in black ink.

Should I get us burgers or subs for the meeting we have today?

PS: You’re officially a teacher now with your own pad of Post-Its ;)

You’re sure that the insane happiness painting your face would look more at home on that of a teenager. Nonetheless, you can’t get rid of it, and you wouldn’t want to. This rings even more true when you see the note is stuck to a copy of Matilda. A warmth blossoms in your chest as you pick it up, running your thumb along the weathered edges. Ones you haven’t touched in ages, it seems. Within seconds you’re stepping into the hallway, thoughts knitting together in your mind. They’re from the love you have deep down for this story, a favorite book, and movie of yours as a child. The elation budding in your mind stops when you find his door closed, just as you had minutes ago. Unable to hide your disappointment, a pout tugs at your lips as you turn around.

“Ya gotta verdict already? Dat was quick,” a voice drawls from behind you. Your pout is a thing of the past, and a grin is making its way to replace it. Spinning around, your summery dress follows your twirling body.

A couple paces away, Harry stands at the top step of the staircase. His trademark brown leather backpack is slung over one shoulder. A black Fleetwood Mac t-shirt hugs his upper half, a black and blue flannel covering his arms. His old skool Vans echo down the hallway as he walks towards you.

“Well, I’ve already read it,” you inform him, observing his content smile turn into a confused one. “A couple of times actually. Once when I was 8, then some other times through the years.”

“Ah, so I got lucky and happened upon a lifetime favourite, have I?” he smirks, only a few steps away now.

“Mmmhmm,” you nod, your growing hair tickling your chin before you move it away. “When are you going to tell me what your favorite book is?”

“When ya finally guess it right,” he quips, stopping in front of you. A dimple falls into his left cheek as he shows off his sparkling teeth. Okay, sir, it is too early in the morning to be looking this attractive.

“I’m going to have to ask you to stop being so chipper when it’s only nine in the morning,” you tell him firmly, but it’s all for show. Poking his chest, your finger just hits pure muscle. Swoon.

“Then maybe wake up, already, birdy,” he chirps, the Raybans in his hair moving when his head goes from side to side. Chuckling, he grabs hold of your finger and tries to bite it, but you pull away in time. The mention of the recent pet name slows you down, but you haven’t gotten bitten yet. “Ya betta not fall asleep in today’s meetin’ like ya did last week.”

“I didn’t fall asleep, I was just resting my eyes!” you exclaim, throwing your hands into the air. His amused giggle greets your ears as he unclips his ring of keys from his blue jeans.

“Yes ya did, ya don’t getta lie t’ me, love,” he responds in between laughs, seemingly finding this more amusing than it really is.

“Oh, so John can fall asleep at meetings, but I can’t?” you ask, your voice raising with laughter and faux annoyance.

You watch Harry pluck his sunglasses from his head as you walk into his dark classroom. The streams of sunlight speckle desks and pictures donning his walls. As you flick on the light, the smell of oranges wafts over you again. The red bowl sat upon his desk filled with the citrus makes you feel at home, albeit his mere presence does that without fail.

“No, ya can’t. Sorry, love. I don’t make tha rules ‘round here.”

“Lame,” you sigh, paging through the book mindlessly as you fall into his new chair. He finally splurged and bought a comfy leather one that you steal every chance you can get.

“Want a Bit-O-Honey, honey?” Harry offers, pulling your eyes away from the familiar pictures. Grinning, you take the wrapped candy from his outstretched hand, trying to ignore the pet name. You find it hard to forget as you half look through the book and half watch him peel off his flannel. A sight, indeed.

“Wait, how’d you put this in my room if the door was locked? The other books you sneaked in when I stepped out,” you ask suddenly, working on the piece of hard candy in your mouth.

“I tol’ Marty tha janitor I forgot sumthin’ in yer room.”

You can hear the smirk in his voice even though his back is to you. A broad one at that. When he turns just the slightest to peek at you, you find crinkles around his glimmering eyes.

“Harry!” you scoff, your jaw falling to your chest, although not quite.

“Oh stop it, ya know ya like it.”

Groaning, you cross your arms over your chest in annoyance, but it doesn’t last very long.

“I don’t like all of these meetings,” you complain, throwing your head back onto the headrest. You flip to a page that makes you smile at the sight of cartoon Matilda.

“Get used t’ it, ‘s one o’ tha big differences between bein’ a sub an’ a salaried teacher. Shoulda just stayed a sub then,” he jokes, driving you to pick up a Bit-O-Honey and throw it at his head. Turning away from the things he’s unloading from his backpack, he whines. “Heeey! Watch dat arm o’ yers, ‘s a scary one. Maybe ya should be teachin’ gym class instead.”

“Sports are ew,” you reply, ducking when he throws it back at you. “Harry Styles, you stop it!” you manage in between giggles, finally closing the book.

“Oh ya, and what’re ya gonna do ‘bout it in t’ose heels, huh?” he teases, his hands leaving the pockets of his oversized backpack. “Ya gonna fly over t’ me, li’l birdy?”

Huffing, you set down the book on his neat desk. Placing his hands on his hips, he turns to you and sticks out his tongue.

“Oh, that’s it! You’re going to get it!” you threaten, standing from the chair as his laughter fills the room.

“‘m soooo scared, boohoo,” he teases with a fake sob, his fists mimicking wiping tears from his cheeks. Snickering, he returns to his backpack. “Go hang up yer posters in yer room and leave me be fer once.”

“You’re no fun,” you proclaim with a final whimper. Grabbing the book, you come up from behind him, softly hitting him with it on the shoulder.

“I warned you,” he retorts. Before you know it, he gently grabs your wrist and pulls you over to stand in front of him.

“Warned me about what?” you jest, a giggle wedging its way into your sentence as you drop the book onto a desk. You know that you’re getting on his nerves now. It’s the only time you’ve heard his teacher voice come out, but hey, you’re not complaining.

His thick eyebrows above those eyes raise, wrinkling his forehead tan from your days at the beach the last few months. Harry pushing you off a rope swing into the water, him bitching about doing all of the paddling during your canoe trip, not so accidentally drenching your back with water from his paddle, and head dunking competitions while swimming. The tan looks far better on him, you think, as you admire the sun-kissed freckles peppering his face.

“I told ya one time dat yer good at pushin’ me buttons, and here ya are doin’ it. I know I shoulda neva told ya dat,” he mutters, the curls atop his head dancing as his head rocks back and forth. The nervous laughter bubbling inside of you finds its escape, and you know that you’ve done it now. “But I guess ya jus’ don’t listen, do ya, bird?”

You can’t stop yourself, and there you are poking his dimple with your finger. This time, you squeal when it finds its way between his nibbling teeth. His name leaves your lips in a near shout which only grows worse as his fingers dance along your ribs.

“Stop, stop!” you cry out, but with no avail. His other arm comes around your middle to trap you with your back against a desk, despite your squirming. His other fingers dig into your sides before finding the soft flesh of your tummy.

“Stop bloody screamin’, yer gonna make e’rybody think ‘m murderin’ ya or sumthin’,” he titters. You almost give in at the sight of his crinkly eyes and the smile stretching across his face.

“And what if I don’t?”

“Then I might jus’ hafta find a way t’ shut ya up, my li’l bird,” he coos from above you, a brunette brow raising.

“Oh really?”

“Yes, really,” he hums, the tips of his fingers ghosting over your side now.

His bubblegum lips relax, falling into a knowing smirk. The laughs disappear from the both of you as his fingers still, resting on your side. The seconds tick by as your heart hammers in your chest, because his face is closer than it was a second ago. You gulp, suddenly finding the gold flecks in his eyes you didn’t know were there. Or the smattering of tiny freckles along his nose. That all becomes a thought of the past when his lips become the only thing you can think about as they near you. “Shall I?” Harry says in a breathy whisper, and you’re nodding even before his last syllable hits the air.

Your skin feels hot and prickly all over as your eyes fall closed, waiting for what happens next. The very thing you’ve dreamed of since that day you dropped the books in front of him. When he took off his shirt at the beach, revealing his toned chest covered in black tattoos. The charisma and kindness he carried at your very first meeting after you were hired, the beginning of you two being joined at the hip.

His lips are soft when he presses them against yours, and warm. He surrounds your lips with his slowly, as excitement rushes through you. A woodsy smell engulfs you when your nose brushes against his prickly cheek. His lips feel like velvet against yours with the slightest taste of Carmex chapstick. You’re sure he can feel the smile hiding on yours as his top lip fits between yours like a puzzle piece. His thin beard you’ve never seen him without tickles at your skin as your lips mold together. You can still feel the tingle on your lips after he’s pulled away. As well as the one that spreads across your body when those green eyes look into yours.

“See, I was right. It did get you t’ shuddup,” he mumbles, the blissed-out smirk on his face covering every inch of his skin. You’ve seen his nervous smiles and everything in between, but you’re certain you’ve never seen that smile before. Not that your face is any better, because right now it’s a competition between whose smile is bigger. It might just be a tie, and you wish there could be a tie-breaker.

“You should do that more often,” you smile, an uneasy laugh bringing an end to your risky words.

“I think ‘d be happy with dat.”

You try to tell yourself you’re glad his hands didn’t stray to your face, because he would’ve felt the heat of your tomato likened cheeks. There’s no use, because you want them there, but on your sides, as they are is better than nothing. It fills your stomach with multitudes of butterflies just to have your hands on each other.

His hands draw shapes into your back when you wrap him in a hug. The fresh smell of his citrus body wash fills your nose, your skin touching the fabric of his shirt.

“Ya gonna get all soft on me now, are ya?” he whispers above you, his cheek against the side of your head.

“Mmmhmm,” is all you can muster as you find yourself dragging the tips of your fingers along his side.

Raising your head to peek up at him, his eyes drop to you. “Good, I like ya dat way,” he murmurs, running his thumb along the roundness of your cheek. His tongue peeks out of his lips, held between his teeth. “Verdict?” he almost laughs, causing the butterflies inside of you to stir.

“I don’t know. I think I might need um, another sample,” you smirk, watching a corner of his mouth meet his cheek.

“Tha’s fair,” he agrees before dipping to plant another kiss to your lips. His lips are even more decadent a second time, and you quickly realize how addicting this could become. You realize it’s the only addiction you’d be okay with having as the tip of his nose caresses your cheek.

Your lips part with a soft smack, much too soon for your liking. “We should prolly get back t’ work,” Harry snickers, his breath against your face sweet from the caramel candy.

“Yeah,” you agree aloud, much to your dismay. “I’d give it an A, by the way.”

“Hmmm,” he thinks aloud, quirking his eyebrows in response.

“A long overdue one.”

“‘d say yer right there,” he echos, pinching your cheek between his fingers. Giggling, you pull away as your laughs mix with each other’s.

“Hey, Harry!” a voice calls, sounding far away.

You separate quickly, like two magnets repelling each other. It saddens you, but when a colleague steps into Harry’s classroom a moment later, you’re met with relief as you grab the book off the desk.

“Hi, Trent. Ya ready t’ see who falls asleep first in t’day’s meetin’?” he quips, stuffing his hands in his pockets, nonchalantly leaning against a desk.

“My money’s on John, for sure,” Trent jokes, pressing his red glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Oh hi, Y/N,” he says, greeting you. You wave with a small ‘hi’ as you stand at the edge of the classroom near the windows uneasily.

“I dunno, my money feels pretty good on her,” Harry teases, pointing a finger at you before winking.

“Whatever. I better go take my nap now that you reminded me,” you return, sauntering out of the room and into the hall.

Out of his presence, the butterflies take flight inside of you. A warmth fills your body all over when you reach the safety of your classroom. Closing the door, you fall against it with happiness jumping from the smile on your lips. Squealing with your hands held to your chest, you soon sigh at the thought of his lips. His lips soon being on yours again, and again, and again.

Exhaling, you step down from the chair and stare at your hard work. Nodding in approval, you straighten the skirt of your patterned mustard dress. The happy face of Anne Frank looks back at you from the enlarged poster of her autobiography. Dragging your feet over to your desk, you plop onto your brown spinny chair, ignoring your heels forgotten on the floor. You bask in the new ambiance of your classroom, feeling the pleasure from the new posters donning your walls.

The Diary of Anne Frank.

Ross from F.R.I.E.N.D.S saying ‘you’re means y-o-u a-r-e.’

The quote, ‘Never forget what you are, the rest of the world will not’ - Tyrion Lannister.

A funny grammar poster that makes you feel like an even bigger English nerd.

Frowning, the last poster in the corner sits there begging to be shown off, but you need help with it. After the events of earlier, you’re nervous to approach Harry. A sweet kind of nervousness, but nonetheless it’s there. Huffing, you grab the edge of the desk to pull you closer. Pressing play, the Queen song crawls from your laptop’s speakers, slowly filling the room. Clicking through your open windows, you finally find the unit plan you’ve been working on.

Voices carry down the hallway outside your door, but you can’t make out what they’re saying. Squinting, as if it will help your hearing, you then tilt your head to look out your half-opened door. Jackson from the nearby history wing walks by, laughing at something somebody said.

“Dis betta not be a bloody heavy desk, Jack,” somebody responds, amusement laced in their voice.

“Hey, I know that voice,” you softly whisper to yourself, your lips curling at its sound.

“You’re the one who agreed to help me! You can’t get out of helping me bring it in now, Harry!”

You hear the melodic sound of his laugh, perhaps one of your favorite sounds. The butterflies return when you let yourself think about getting to hear it as much as you’d like in these walls. 5 days a week for 9 months out of the year- well, something like that.

A couple seconds later, Harry zooms past your door saying, “Get t’ work!” in a mocking deep voice, winking.

“You!” you shout back, giggling to yourself with hot cheeks. You attempt to return your attention to the document open on your screen. It’s difficult, you find, because the thing consuming your mind is how nice Harry’s bum looked in those jeans.

Chatter pecks at your ears as you swivel in your chair, watching your new colleagues converse around the table. Your new boss laughs with somebody standing at the room’s front by the projector screen. Reaching forward, you pluck another carrot from your plate to nibble on nervously. Once again, you pull out your phone to busy yourself, only making you feel guiltier for not mingling. You’ve already said at least a ‘hi’ to everyone in this room already, and you have the rest of your career to get to know them, you tell yourself. Bouncing your leg, your eyes drift to the clock on the wall. Impatience spreads like a hot wave throughout your limbs, bringing your eyes yet again to the back door to the conference room. When is he going to get here, you guess fervently, counting down the minutes until the meeting starts.

A thud! surprises you when a white paper bag lands on the table in front of you.

“Hmm, I didn’t know ya were a jumpa,” a voice snickers, its owner soon coming into view in front of you. Harry. “Why ya lookin’ like a lost puppy, bird?” he coos, pushing out his bottom lip as he pulls out the chair to your right.

“I’m not,” you retort, continuing to scroll through Instagram, stopping when you see a picture of a Goldendoodle puppy.

“Yes, ya do. What, were ya wonderin’ what’d ya do if I didn’t show? Can’t have ya missin’ yer security blanket now,” he teases, poking you in the ribs with a glint in his eye.

“Stop,” you giggle, placing your phone face down on the table. Sitting up and eyeing the food, you pinch his thigh for good measure.

“Hey, watch those fingas, missy. They keep gettin’ ya into trouble lately,” he warns, tsking as his head goes from side to side. Opening the bag, he pulls out a familiar wrapped burger to hand to you.

“Thank you, I’ll pay you back.”

“Shhhh, ya can pay next time. Sound good?” Harry hums, flitting his eyes to you with an eyebrow raise.

You give him his answer with a nod before taking a bite of the cheeseburger. Your boss starts to tell everybody to find a seat so they can begin the meeting. Out of the corner of your eye, Harry sets a packet of fries in front of you. Shooting him a smile, he returns it as he feeds one between his happy lips. Chairs squeak and whine as they’re moved and sat in around the long table. Somebody nudges your foot, and to no surprise, you find it’s Harry. He holds out a covered paper cup, a red straw poking from the top. A ‘thank you’ is held in your smile and he just nods, slipping off his sunglasses to set down. Your attention is stolen by his fingers raking through his curls to put them back in place.

A thought pops into your head unwarranted, and consumes your attention as the principal speaks. I wonder if this means now I get to run my fingers through those curls, you ponder as you grab a fry. At the most inconvenient time possible, your mind starts to dig around. Doubts soon fill your thoughts, along with questions about what this will be with him. You try to push them away and lock them in a box, but they’ve done their job. Any smile left on your lips is gone now, and you continue to eat your burger quietly.

“Ya eat jus’ like a bird with t’ose li’l bites,” Harry whispers, scooting closer to the table to retrieve the packets of ketchup from the bag.

Turning to look at him, he holds a glowing smile in his eyes for you. His shoe knocks into yours and he leaves it sitting on top of yours. Take that, stupid brain, you announce to your thoughts as you affectionately bump your knee against Harry’s.

Reverting your thoughts to the towering figure speaking at the front of the room, a smile buds on your lips at the feeling of Harry rubbing his knee against yours.

Rubbing your hands across your eyes, you feel the breath leave you in a whoosh. Tapping the board with your electronic marker that’s a pen, highlighter, and an eraser in one, you drag it in zig zags. The scribbles on the board disappear in a flash. Suddenly, it falls from your hands when you feel a pair of arms surround your waist.

“Hiya, bird,” a voice says, pressing a kiss to your cheek. Their warm breath tickles the nape of your neck, and so does the collar of their shirt. Spinning around, you find Harry standing there, a pout forming on his face. The adorable Starry Night tie you bought for him hangs loosely over his cornflower blue button-down. “What, why won’t ya lemme hug you?”

“Harry, anybody could walk in,” you insist, prying his arms from your waist. Bending down, you pick up the pen and place it back in its holder with a click.

“All tha students are gone by now, babe. ‘s half past 3, and any dat are around are at practice. Tha last place they’d wanna be ‘s back t’ a classroom afta their first day o’ school,” he murmurs, wedging his way back into your good graces as he pulls you back into his arms. “I wanted t’ see how me birdy’s first day went. Sooooo, wha’s tha verdict?”

“It was good. A little overwhelming, though,” you hum in return, letting your head fall backward to fit against his cheek.

“It ‘s fer e’rybody, love, so don’t worry. It’ll get betta, jus’ hang in there. Tha first month ‘s nothin’, that’s tha honeymoon period befo’ e’rythin’ goes wild.” His lips brush against your cheek with every word, the feeling of his ticklish stubble something you’re not yet used to.

“Harry!” you scoff, turning your head to find his hairy cheeks creased with a devilish smile behind you.

“‘m kiddin’, well not really, but hey, ya got me t’ help ya through it all. Don’t fret, love,” he tries to assure you, brushing the back of his fingers along your side. “What was yer favourite part o’ yer day, hmm?”

“Seeing some familiar students from when I used to sub. It was nice to catch up with them and hear stories,” you reveal, looking down as you cover his hands settled on your tummy with your own.

“Mmm, that’s good. Familiar faces are always nice,” Harry mumbles, the point of his nose dragging along the expanse of your cheek. “Did I tell ya yet ya look really pretty in yer new dress?”

“Yes, you did. About three times, but thank you again.”

“Welcome, bird. I hope no teenage boys are crushin’ on ya now,” he jests, planting a loud kiss on your temple. The remnants of his minty piece of gum cover your face in a silent cloud as he laughs at his own joke.

“Yuck! Oh and like there aren’t dozens of girls fawning over you in your classes?” you chuckle, bringing a whine to his lips when you squirm in his arms. “Put that lip away.”

“Or what? Hmm, what’re ya gonna do ‘bout it? Ya can kiss it away like all tha girls in me classes wanna do, if ya want,” Harry smirks, wiggling his eyebrows at you once you turn around. Lifting a hand from his arm, it lifts to brush back the brown ringlets falling onto his forehead.

“You’re gross sometimes. It makes me wonder how I can kiss that potty mouth.”

“Well ya do, and ya sure seem t’ like it,” he winks, dramatically licking his lips with a loud slurp.

“Stop!” you exclaim, collapsing into laughter, your head returning to his chest. His hands clasp over your back, his thumb brushing your skin through the jade dress you wear. You’re grateful for your face hidden away in his chest for when you feel his lips pepper kisses from your temple to your neck. He leaves your skin tingling from his magical touch, and his growing curls leave a trail down your neck.

“I think dis year’s gonna be a good one,” he coos against your ear, letting his smooth nose brush against its lobe. “I got tha reason right here.”

“Can we do this though?” The words jump from your lips without a chance to catch them and shove them back in their safety.

“Do what, love? Kiss? ‘Course, ya jus’ take yer lips and my lips, and put ‘em togetha’ like dis,” he wisecracks, lifting your head to show you the humor painting his face. Puckering his flushed lips, he closes the space between you to press a peck to your waiting lips. Pulling away, he quirks an eyebrow at you in silent questioning.

“That’s not what I meant, Harry,” you continue, your words falling short of the thoughts buzzing around in your skull.

“Then what’d ya mean?”

“Can we, I don’t know . . ,” you begin, but you lose your footing. Leaving his arms regrettably, you almost lose your footing quite literally when he tries to hold on. A sound leaves his lips at your departure, but you try to ignore it. That’s easier said than done, you realize as you fight with yourself, wondering if you should say that word or not. “Date . . as colleagues?”

They they are, free to the wind. It feels like coming home and your heavy book bag leaving your shoulders, although this time it’s far less trivial. The similarity doesn’t ease your anxious mind as you stop in front of your desk, fingering at the note that greeted you this morning. A pink Post-It note smattered with his sometimes unreadable handwriting, resting on top of a box of novels he gifted to you for your classroom.

To my favorite teacher - I know you’ve been dreading this day for months, and looking forward to it, too. You’re going to do great. They’re going to love you. You’re not going to mess anything up. You got this, bird. Remember that. Take it easy on yourself. Remember, you have to take care of yourself, so then you can take care of them. You’ll learn from each other too. Just keep remembering pizza at the beach with me tonight to celebrate your first day.

Harry xoxooxoxoxo

“‘Course we can, as long as it doesn’t bleed into our work life. What d’ya mean?” Harry says, trying to inject lightheartedness into his words. You both can hear the failed effect they have, and they only make his words sound sadder.

“I don’t know, I don’t want to like, get in trouble, or something. I just started this job.”

“Oh,” is all he mumbles. Mumbled or not, you hear the finality in his one word. As well as all that it says with that single syllable.

Looking over your shoulder at him, you find the confirmation you needed knitting together his features. “Harry,” you say, turning the rest of your body to face him. He takes a step back, and now you know you’ve done it. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Then how’d ya mean it?” he retorts, coolness playing in his voice. He knows he’s done it, too. “Hmmm, bird? Ya only care ‘bout dat part o’ it - if we get caught and what people would think? Only wanna keep me a secret?” His words bite as he spits them into the air. They hit your face with a sting, but nothing compares to how he threw your nickname into the mud. The nickname you love, that happened all because of the first meal you shared together.

“Harry, don’t. You know that’s not what I meant- Y-you’re being ridiculous,” you press, stepping forward. It’s like one step forward and two steps back, because he continues to walk away from you. Quickly, your hands grow shaky as the feeling consumes the rest of your body.

“No, I know what ya meant. Or ‘s there mo’ ya want t’ say? Want t’ say dat ‘Oh, ‘s too risky, so maybe we shouldn’t do dis anymo’, even tho’ it makes us happy,’” Harry persists, his right hand lifting in question, before it falls with a slap to his thigh.

“We never even said what this was,” you try to say, but before you get any further, you know you’re just making it worse. You know that he’ll read into your words incorrectly and assume the worst, despite your true meaning. At the realization, your heart pounds harder in your chest. The look on his face like you just slapped him tells you all you need to know. “Harry, wait.”

“No, yer right. We neva said what dis was, but apparently ‘s nuthin’ worth labelin’ or takin’ risks fer,” he grumbles. His head falls with a spiteful smile, but when it lifts again something shatters in your chest. With wet eyes, he continues in a croaky voice, “Then why’d ya take tha job knowin’ I was mad ‘bout ya?”

Your lips wobble with his name dangling from them. When you try to walk over to him, you’re only two steps in when he holds a hand up. “No, don’t. ‘m glad ya told me early on. ‘m happy I didn’t already start fallin’ fer ya or anythin’. That’d be real shitty, wouldn’t it?” he wheezes, a strange smile tugging at his lips dealing failed sarcasm. Sniffling, a tear falls down his tanned skin and he brushes it away. With a shake of his head, he turns to walk out of the door. You know that you shouldn’t, but you let him, because you know you have to.

Collapsing at your desk, your head falls into your hands. Tears splash into your palms as your chest shakes, wondering just how you turned the best first day into the worst first day.

You know that a note won’t be there, but you continue to wish as your heels clack down the halls of lockers. You know that you’ll see his face no matter how hard you try to avoid him, and that it’ll hurt more than you thought it would. Although you prepared yourself, unlocking the door to your classroom and finding no notes from him hurts more than you suspected. The hurt only stings worse when you pass each other in the halls with your students trailing behind, eyes falling away instantly. The spark in the air is lost when he huffs, passing you on the way to the vending machine in the lounge, leaving as soon as he came. Although the hurt grew as the attacks came and went, nothing could prepare you for the absence of his notes that week. That was an eventuality you had dreaded thinking of since the day you found the first one, back in his classroom.

You tried at the very least, albeit an understatement. Notes dropped into his mailbox went unanswered, as well as texts and phone calls. Even the bag of Bit O Honeys failed at their messages of apology. A few times you thought about trudging into his classroom after the bell rang, and hashing it out. Each time you mustered just enough courage to do so, a staff meeting got in the way. Or, within 5 minutes of the bell, his door was locked and he was gone. Speaking of staff meetings, you suffered even worse at those. No longer was he your security blanket at your side, because he no longer saved you a seat. Slowly, the young and pretty visual arts teacher grew to get on your nerves as you watched her be a little too nice to him. He didn’t entertain her taunts and turn to you with a smirk to rub it in your face. No, he was a good guy, and you had to go and ruin it, or what was becoming of it.

He ignored you - at staff meetings, in the copy room, in the staff lounge, in the halls, when both of your classes were in the library - basically everywhere and anywhere. It was an understatement to say you suffered because of it. You had to buddy up with Jen, the poetry teacher. She took the brunt of your questions, whether technology-related or English related. You became fast friends, but unlike the easiness with Harry, you quickly felt you were a nuisance. That was something he never made you feel like, well, until now that is.

You made the mistake of getting your hopes up when you found a bag of Bit O Honeys in your mailbox one morning. That is until the white note on it told you in his writing to stop plugging his box with them. Instead, you tossed them on the counter in the staff lounge to share, never wanting to see those yellow and red wrappers again. Quickly, what you thought had become your dream job morphed into a nightmare. His face filled your thoughts day after day, and it especially distracted you when your mind chose the tear-stricken memory. It bled into your lectures and although it stung less when you saw him, without fail every day, it was messing with your mind. It didn’t help when you were beginning a unit on Romeo and Juliet and a student joked you could play Juliet and Mr. Styles could play Romeo, quite literally.

You had been staying after school every day to finish lesson plans, grade tests, reflect on teaching, and plan for the next day. The October chill that arrived this week only made you want to stay in your cozy classroom with the Autumn decorations you hung up. Soon, it would be Halloween and costumes would fill the halls. The thought pours memories into your mind, but a particular one sours the enjoyment for you. The memory of planning a matching costume with Harry. Jay and Daisy from The Great Gatbsy, like the English teacher nerds you are. Were.

Swallowing past the lump in your throat, you reach for your water bottle. A groan finds its way past your lips when you pick it up, only to find it's empty. Standing with it in your hands, you cross the room to your door. After a few steps into the hallway, your movements freeze at the sight of his open door. Biting back any hesitations, your hand shakes when it presses against the wood.

Something thrilling washes over you when you find his head bent over his desk. His left hand covered with varying rings props his head up as he marks the page with his favorite red pen. A Micron pen, but only you would know that. Pausing, he fiddles with the tan braces strapping his shoulders clad in a handsome white and gray checkered button-down. Words stick together inside of your mouth, and when you hear the click of your shoe, regret surges inside of you.

“I made a mistake,” you say, testing the waters, although you know they’re stormy. Clearing your throat, you hope the subsequent ones will come out louder and stronger, before he can stop you. Your galloping heart jumps when he lifts his head to look at you, a question painting his face. “I fucked up, and I could never say how sorry I am. I said the wrong things, and I didn’t mean them that way- that’s not the point . . . I miss you, Harry. You’re all I think about, even when I’m thinking of other things, or when I’m teaching. That’s how I know it’s bad, because even though it’s only been a month, it still hurts like it was yesterday,” your voice screeches to a halt. You take one step at a time as he watches you.

A curl tickles his bearded cheek, making you want to tuck it back into place, but you can’t. A crumb from a chip sits on his chin, making you want to brush it away, but you know you can’t. And neither can you whisk away the worry lines forming around his eyes.

“I need you, not just to help me figure out how to use a projector or what a conjunction is again. But I need to tell you about the good parts of my day, and even the bad parts. Because even though we haven’t talked for like a month, my mind still goes to you when something good happens, or even bad. Even my students tease that we should be together, so that says something,” you try your hand at joking, but he turns his attention back to his desk. “Harry, please. I’m sorry,” you plead with him, tears catching the last of your words.

“Sorry doesn’t jus’ make it all go away, bird,” he returns cooly. His head lifts ever so slightly, only to fall. As if he changed his mind a few seconds into a decision.

“I know, but I’ll make it up to you, I promise. I’ll buy you Bit-O-Honeys for the rest of your life, grade your papers, check your mailbox, or buy the next meals for a month. Anything.” The apologies run off of your lips, but he doesn’t say anything, nor do his actions. An exhale whooshes over your pursed lips as your nails dig into your clenched palms. Defeat covers your body as you turn to leave.

“None o’ dat takes away what ya said,” he announces painfully, the new fabric of his chair squeaking with his movements.

“I know,” you say automatically, a battle waging its way inside of you of whether to look at him. As if his words laced with hurt didn’t already leave you breathless. “So tell me what I have to do.”

“I can’t do dat, bird. Ya should know,” he sighs, clucking his tongue in disbelief.

Your eyes fall shut and your jaw clenches in anger, but the sweet smell of oranges brings you back to the moment. “I’m sorry that I made it seem like it wasn’t worth being with you, because it was, and I realized that even more after . . what happened. I’m sorry that it didn’t seem like I was dedicated enough, but I want to be a- I want to show you that I can be, and I want to be that to you. I’m sorry that I care too much about what other people think, because I only care what you think. It’s ripped me apart lately knowing that you hate me, and how you can’t even be around me, and . . ,” your string of words breaks off, stolen away by your onset of tears. They rumble through your chest with tremors, and the embarrassment brings your hands to your face streaked with them.

The howling of the wind hugs the windows, masking any other sounds. If there were, you can’t hear them, but you do feel something. His fingers wrapping around yours, pulling your hands away from your face.

“Ya gonna stop now befo’ ya make me cry too?” he hums, one corner of his lips turned up ever so slightly. With raised eyebrows, they pose the question to you. Nodding fast with hiccups stealing your words, he kneads your hands between his own. “Are ya gonna shuddup or am I gonna hafta make you?” Harry softly laughs.

“You’re going to have to make me,” you return, stumbling over your sobbed words.

“Good, was hopin’ ya’d say dat.”

Smirking playfully, he steps forward to cup your face in his hands. The callused tips of his fingers make quick work of the tears staining your face, as well as his lips. “Don’t cry, and don’t ever say dat I hate you,” he coos in between pecks to your wet skin singing with his kisses. “Don’t want me pretty birdy t’ cry no mo’.”

“Your bird doesn’t want to cry and be sad, and miss you anymore,” you whimper, trying to hold it all in, but it comes pouring out.

“Baby bird,” he pouts sadly, his rose lips round and extended. His brow presses into a sad line as the same emotion carries his words. “Lemme make it all betta.”

Nodding, you hiccup again as you cover his hands with yours. His subsequent smile warms your insides cold and aching from the long days without him. His lips bring a respite when they touch yours, ending the harsh drought. Kissing him back, you revel in the feeling of his unkempt scratchy beard against your face. Just one more thing you missed. Severing the kiss, you mumble an ‘I’m sorry’ against his chapped lips.

“Shhh, ‘s okay, love. I know ya are,” he tells you before bringing his lips back against yours. They move together slowly, welcoming the return of the other.

Your mouth falls to envelope his bottom lip in between yours, his facial hair feathery against your mouth. Hungrily, you kiss him and savor his familiar taste and smell. Fingers drifting to his hair, they return home to his buttery curls. His lips pull away only to plant another kiss against your mouth. Too soon, he breaks the kiss with a breathy laugh against your lips.

“My goodness, lemme breathe, love.”

“Sorry . . I missed you.”

“Ya sure did, bird. Think I missed ya a li’l more, though,” Harry chuckles as your hands fall from his locks. His thumb steals the last hint of a tear from under your eye. The amusement creasing his features disappears swiftly. “‘m sorry too, y’know. I overreacted, and I shouldn’t have put meself over yer job. It wasn’t fair o’ me t’ do dat. D’ya think I can have those Bit-O-Honeys back, or were ya serious ‘bout buyin’ me a lifetime supply?”

Groaning, you playfully shove at his chest, only to have him wrap you up in his arms. “I guess I was serious.”

“Hmm, ya don’t sound too serious ‘bout it, bird. But that’s okay, I got all tha honey I need right here,” he replies, planting a kiss atop your head nuzzled into his neck, swaying you back and forth. Nodding, you finally let yourself relax for the first time in weeks at the greeting of his sweet smell. One that feels like home to you. “Wait, yer students said we should be togetha? That’s funny, cuz so did mine.”

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mhaccunoval · 3 years

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i finallyyyy finished the explanations for my tlb playlistttt so come get yall juice

if you haven’t already seen my first (official) post about this silly little playlist then you are still in luck !!! here is the spotify and the youtube links !!! oh yeah also all of the songs are in chronological order (maybe not by month but definitely by year) because i had to be organized like that sbjhshsjbs

———

❥ title

i mean. there isn’t much to explain about it but sbjshbsjhs it’s based on sam’s line “you’re a creature of the night, michael!” of course but i made it plural because this playlist is sort of a. general boys / movie playlist, if that makes sense??? but yeahhhh they’re all littol creechers who love the night >:o]

———

❥ paint it, black — the rolling stones

so !!! i was kind of trying to relate it to the boys vampirism and. love of black clothes sbhsjbshjs but no. similar to the title, they. literally live in darkness because of not being able to go into the sun and because of the few lights in the lair but there’s also a sort of duality where being vampires in an internal darkness??? like. each of the boys takes heavy advantage of the benefits of being undead but i can’t imagine it’s without its faults outside of the lack of sunlight and such. i’m sure there’s a kind of uh. monster complex that follows it, especially with the way outsiders view them, which certainly fits with the song’s vibe of being washed with this sort of sensory overload to color and earning weird looks for it

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❥ riders on the storm — the doors

first of all, there’s a giant ass jim morrison poster in the lair therefore the boys definitely listen to the doors (if not idolize jim) so jot that down. but also !!! it has very Them vibes !!! i think the storm effects definitely relate to boys in how storms create a darkness that is soothing in its own way, and comes on strong, just like the boys’ presence. and. technically they Are killers on the road that Will kill a sweet family sbhjsbshjsb but no most of all the !!! “into this house we’re born // into this world we’re thrown” and !!! the found family that the boys have going. like, if you look at. vampirism as the house they have LITERALLY been born into it and been thrown into a whole new world, depending on each other for comfort and pleasure !!! oh also. they ride motorcycles so they’re also literal riders sbhjsbshjs (fun fact, according to genius lyrics: apparently it was the last song jim recorded before he died a few weeks later 😳)

———

❥ love her madly — the doors

whole jim morrison poster and listening to the doors reasoning is sustained. HOWEVER for the rest of reasoning… perhaps it’s more straight up 95060 than anything but sbhsjbsshj the whole woman walking in and out of the audience’s life is very symbolic of michael being in and out with the boys, never really deciding whether he wants to fully join them and straining. all of his relationships with that indecision and sitting on the picket fence (those who sit on the picket fence are impaled by it). although, it could also be partly symbolic of that indecision, as he does find Some charm in the boys’ lifestyle and keeps finding himself drawn back enough to even consider partaking in it. also, if you wanna go the parko route, paul loves marko madly enough to go after the frog bros personally for killing him <3

———

❥ walk this way — aerosmith

i am. blanking on how to tie it in other than being on the movie’s soundtrack (yes i avoided it and people are strange until the very end of making the playlist, but one of the evils got me clearly— have always ADORED people are strange though). but. i guess you can make the case that the song is full of innuendos and some scenes, like the feeding scene, are lowkey horny sbsjhbshjsbs and YES it’s the aerosmith version instead of the run dmc one because. i prefer this one and it’s my silly little playlist <3

———

❥ the boys are back in town — thin lizzy

technically the boys never Left town but !!! *christopher walken voice* Boys !!! them cast ARE crazy and they’re ALWAYS dressed to kill, ready to spill some blood and pick a fight !!! yeah no it’s just a very fun song that i think really works to. represent their crazy lifestyle and infamy around town due to causing trouble !!! and you can almost say that in this scenario star is the girl who used to dance a lot and slapped the shit out of someone <3 just girlboss moments <3

———

❥ xanadu — rush

hehehe… this started as the. desire to add more rush to the playlist for my own amusement but the more times i listen to it, the more i’m like “!!! it actually fits”… like. xanadu here is meant to a sort of utopia that’s long searched for, partly BECAUSE of the promise of immortality which !!! the boys have (unless. harmed in one of the ways at the end of the movie) because of their vampirism. like even if we don’t know the exact reasons they got turned, they all still, mostly indirectly probably, sought out that same principle. And the dining on honeydew and drinking the milk of ‘paradise’ is similar to their thrill-seeking tendencies and general enjoyment of being unable to die, leaving them to enjoy their undead lives to the fullest. not to mention, in [b part 2] (as genius refers to it) there’s talk of many, many years passing and waiting for the world to end, which we know there’s been quite a few years in between the boys getting turned and the movie, as well as i’m sure they sit back and wait on Some apocalypse, if not just to watch the world burn. in writing this, i’ve ALSO realized how it can be considered very Michael; he didn’t exactly seek this life out but he found it and indulged, only to be that “mad immortal man” towards the end of the song

———

❥ runnin’ with the devil — van halen

i just van halen is neat sbjshbsjsh and would definitely be something the boys would actually listen to hsjbshjsb i don’t Necessarily think vampires are in any way tied to the devil but. here it’d be more like a metaphor of “taking a walk on the wild side” if you wanna call it that; also, they all truly live their lives like there’s no tomorrow (not that they have to worry about death until the very end), have stolen a lot of things just to get by (probably in life AND death), don’t bode well with the ‘simple’ life (likely including the idea of a nuclear family like max proposed) because of it’s lack of pleasures, and don’t exactly have any “love [that] you’d call real” unless you read into the subtext

———

❥ hot blooded — foreigner

originally this was going to be another joke about the. lowkey horniness of the boys and the movie as a whole but i’ve realized in writing these explanations thus far and rereading the lyrics that it’s. it’s just michael-centric sbshjsbsh sam is “at the mercy of his sex glands” and so is the audience of both the movie and the song sbhsjbshsj like. michael finds himself attracted to star immediately and tries for two secret rendezvouses, with only one working, and. can be said that he also finds a fever running within him when he’s around david and the boys sbhjsbshjs i just 🙈

———

❥ renegade — styx

renegade is my favorite styx song so i just said “fuck it” and added it sbshjsbshj but !!! you can say that, again, the boys live their lives on the wild side and. probably commit enough crimes to warrant dozens of sentences, some that would lead to death row (like, ya know, the. manslaughter) but they manage to get away unscathed. And the law man serving as an allegory to all of the people, including the frogs and grandpa, that want them dead for being vampires, with the bounty to be rewarded being the ridding of their trouble from santa carla

———

❥ big shot — billy joel

mikey :o) … ok yeah he isn’t the. silver spoon in hand (nose) type but he’s LITERALLY the type to open his mouth and get himself deep in enough shit that a fight breaks out, potentially bloodied his eyes, nose, and/or fists. i don’t have much of an explanation outside of he is a himbo jock who pulled a “i didn’t know how to talk to my crush so i wrote a note telling them to get out of my school” except he said it with his fist instead of his mouth sbjshbshsj

———

❥ boys don’t cry — the cure

pretty sure this is one of the ones i stole off of shovel (@/iswearimavamp) sbshjbshjs but i do love this song in a general sense too. in regards to the movie, like. none of the guys. obsess over masculinity or anything— and both david AND michael cry at different points— so that’s not necessarily an issue. but, there *is* still a lot of hurt and stepping on toes in many of the relationships in the film that can be stretched to fit, i would think sbjhsbshjs

———

❥ highway to hell — ac/dc

this and back in black were some of the last two i put on here because i. wanted to make an ‘even’ 35 sbsjhsbshjs BUT, like with runnin’ with the devil, it’s about a devilish lack of care for one’s own life or the “status of their soul” and just doing what feels right or like the most fun, no matter if it lands them in hell or not. and !!! “my friends are gonna be there too” fits with the friendship within the boys’ found family and how they’ll all always be together, no matter what !!!

———

❥ back in black — ac/dc

i can’t really think of an explanation that differs from highway to hell so just reread the above sbsjhsbsh

———

❥ witch hunt — rush

OK !!! this is the song i’m the MOST excited to explain !!! right off the bat, moving pictures as a whole is an IMMACULATE album, absolutely love it. right so !!! this song literally SOUNDS like it belongs on the movie soundtrack; it has the same overtones and sounds as cry little sister and it’s just !!! and with the title, a witch hunt is BASICALLY what sam + the frogs went on in search of the lose boys, relying on little else but hearsay and catching glimpses at what was happening to michael, “confident that their ways are best” and moving along like a mob of three to get to the bottom of it. “features distorted in the flickering light // faces are twisted and grotesque” is very reminiscent of the faces the lost boys pull when they’re about to attack, and “they say there are strangers who threaten us” is symbolic of them being outsiders/outcasts that make everyone uncomfortable, even if You aren’t going to be their next victim. “the righteous rise with burning eyes” AND “quick to judge, quick to anger // slow to understand // ignorance and prejudice // and fear walk hand in hand” can apply to any number of characters, particularly the mains who are all pitted against each other, the humans fighting for their lives and the vampires fighting for their Right to live, neither taking into consideration the other’s perspective. i just… ADORE this song…

———

❥ red barchetta — rush

this one was mainly just because of the car that grandpa keeps in the barn and both sam and michael’s fascination with it sbhjsbsshj and just to get more rush on here shjsbshjsbsh

———

❥ maneater — hall & oates

one of the first songs to hit the playlist !!! because the boys eat people !!! they’re the lean and hungry type that only come out at night !!! they’ll be sitting with you but their eyes are on the door and if you want love from them, you won’t get very far !!! the beauty IS there but there are beasts inside that can rip your world apart !!! they’ll chew you up but also leave you begging for more :o)

———

❥ hungry like the wolf — duran duran

the second song to have gone on the playlist !!! the boys are always on the prowl for fresh meat (in both the food AND turning senses) and they come alive while on the hunt, blood no doubt rushing through their veins (assuming it still can) !!! and in the movie, michael is the one they’re after for the turning connotation, all wanting a taste of him for themselves !!!

———

❥ subdivisions — rush

this rush song actually went on before the others shbsjsbshj but !!! it still fits just as well (certainly better than red barchetta)… the movie all takes place on the fringes of the city, “in between the bright lights // and the far unlit unknown”, and while it’s not exactly in the suburbs, there’s still little comfort to soothe the restless dreams of youth. there IS a drawing like moths into the city, for both the emersons and the lost boys, which is what ends up bringing all of them together, although it starts are cruising for action just to feel the living night. and just !!! NOBODY fits in !!! if you take the movie title as them being Lost instead of an allusion to peter pan, then you get slapped with thinking about what actually makes them lost and how they don’t conform in any way, shape, or form to just about. anything. and !!! the emersons are new, which immediately puts them at a social disadvantage, but they Also don’t seem too terribly great at making new friends in general so !!! “nowhere is the dreamer or the misfit so alone”!!!

———

❥ abracadabra — steve miller band

i just love this song for whatever reason. and i think the allusion to magic to very fitting for the hallucinations that david gives michael, putting a sort of magic spell on him if you want to look at it that way. not a lot of silk and satin going gone but plenty of leather and probably some lace in there somewhere ( ;o] ) … also michael DOES heat up like a burnin’ flame whenever his name is called and the situation with the boys just keeps going round and round with no exact end in sight, only the calling of desire

———

❥ separate ways (worlds apart) — journey

you would think i would have more journey on here ??? because i love them ??? but instead i stole this off of shovel too ??? it’s fine. time to be back on the 95060 bullshit sbsjhbsjhs we all know david Really wants michael to join them but. michael is reluctant, so that hesitance sets them worlds apart from each other— as if they weren’t already— and there’s still love between them, or at least the bgeinning sparks of it, even if michael refuses to act on them and only keeps pushing david away

———

❥ cum on feel the noize — quiet riot

just some boys loving to party <3 some boys with evil yet dirty minds, out of time singing, funny faces, and that have a lazy time <3 yeah no this is one they’d rock out to and someone would probably pull a muscle over because it’s just such a banger sbshjsbsjh

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❥ rebel yell — billy idol

Another stolen off of shovel sbjhsbsjhs also ever since it’s been pointed out to me that david looks like billy idol i’ve just been losing it a little sbhjsbshjs Anyway. they’d definitely idolize him to some degree, even if just for looks, and it certainly fits the way that they. most Definitely let out a rebel yell at the midnight hour if you know what i mean— *taken out by a sniper*

———

❥ every breath you take — the police

would to believe to know i took it from shovel (i swear the last three where i say that will be rock you like a hurricane, livin’ on a prayer, and cherry pie sbshjsbsh) BUT !!! the watching every move is yet another. david keeping watch over michael and uh yearning from afar moment, heart aching the longer he’s away and the longer he keeps up this game of not knowing what exactly he wants to do

———

❥ handsome devil — the smiths

ok THIS one was lent to me by ej (@/maybe-strawberry-blue) sbshjbshjsbs and let me tell you. this song (especially when paired with this charming man) is Very homoerotic, aka perfect for this movie shbjsbshjsbs like what got me first was “let me get my hands // on your mammary glands” and just. thinking about trans parko sbhsjbshjs but also in general the. “and i would like to give you // what i think you’re asking for” and “a boy in the bush // is worth two in the hand” and just sbhjsbshjs Everything. fits the ambiguous homoeroticism. And i think the boys would listen to the smiths (will elaborate more in the other smiths song explanation)

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❥ panama — van halen

i Told you all i think van halen is neat sbsjsshjb what can i say. the boys like fast moving vehicles, hard partying, and tender loving sbsjhsbhsj also forgot to mention that i think they’d all be :eyes: about pre-1985 david lee roth and i cannot blame

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❥ rock you like hurricane — scorpions

third to last shovel snatch sbshjsbh Here you can replace any one of the boys with the animals mentioned, as they’re always hungry and need to feed… they come out scratching and ready to win, willing to rock anyone who gets in their way like a hurricane— including with lust, depending on the situation

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❥ livin’ on a prayer — bon jovi

i actually can’t even manage an explanation for this one either just because of the song’s plot and how greatly it differs the movie plot <3 however it will stay because shovel said one of the boys (i forget which) would listen to it and friendship is more powerful than my small brain <3

———

❥ the queen is dead — the smiths

rightttt so here’s the deal, buds and duds. something in my gut just tells me that david would pull a me and. listen to this entire album on repeat, particularly bigmouth strikes again and i know it’s over when in dramatics bshjsbsjh BUT to make a case for the title track itself, breaking into buckingham palce— or really any major building— with only a sponge and rusty wrench would ABSOLUTELY be an endeavor the boys would get up to And they’d all pale (worse than normal) about finding out they’re the descendant of some royal. “oh, has the world changed, or have i changed” and “life is very long, when you’re lonely” is quite fitting of their immortality, which i can only imagine would leave them questioning how the world has evolved and, although they have each other, i’m sure living forever still can get a Little lonely. And they’d certainly celebrate the death of a royal (because anarchy <3). mostly i’ve just been listening to this song on repeat for days sbhjsbshj but, i think it’s the most. generally related to all of the boys, whereas like. cemetry gates would be more solely 95060

———

❥ need you tonight — inxs

my favorite inxs song… technically the 21st century Wasn’t yesterday when the movie came out nor when the song did sbhjsbshjs but there *is* a lot of sweating from desire and aiming to put that passion into use, very blatantly letting everyone know that sbjhsbshjs

———

❥ bad medicine — bon jovi

there’s just something so fun about this song… and while listening to it on the drive home, i was thinking about it from a 95060 perspective where. david’s a bit lovesick (hence the love like bad medicine) and the choir of voices in the bg, saying “that’s what you get for falling in love”, would be the other boys knowing he’s gotten himself in over his head over what was supposed to be a minor tease or a small fling (would be a real fun and poppy animatic i think)

———

❥ pour some sugar on me — def leppard

legitimately this started as a “haha what about my ‘what if the blood was kool-aid instead’ joke” and then i realized it was. a fair enough fit, especially with the feeding scene. except they’re actual vamps not just video vamps sbjhsbshjs anyway. sugar highs and red hot flames of passion for one another <3

———

❥ cherry pie — warrant

ok THIS is the last song i took from shovel and. my reasoning is pretty much the same as pour some sugar on me and. Friendship

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❥ somebody told me — the killers

i wasn’t going to add any modern songs but. i thought it’d be funny if michael had had a girlfriend before leaving phoenix that looked a bit like david sbshjsbshj and then it only just added to angst sbhjsbshj

———

❥ you know what they do to guys like us in prison — mcr

i was reminded that vampires will never hurt you exists but. i went with my favorite mcr song instead because. vwnhy is more like ??? a vampire that fears themselves ??? so like. an edward cullen type ??? while ykwtdtgluip is more about the homoeroticism and community ??? i said what i said

———

❥ house of wolves — mcr

thank god this is the last song because i’m getting tired sbjshsjshb a little less homoeroticism, a little more general sinning and egotism <3

#pant rambles #playlist #ramble #in the last like. ten you can Tell i started getting tired

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warrioreowynofrohan · 3 years

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Rhythm of War Review

PART 1

It feels a little separate from the rest of the book to me at the moment because I read it pre-release, but I think it did a good job setting up the rest of the plot. I greatly enjoyed Navani’s perspective and ideas throughout the book, and the first section established her much more firmly as a character than any of the previous books; her couple of chapters in Oathbringer were more focused on politics and her relationship with Dalinar, so it was great yo see much more of her scientific side.

When I first read Part 1 it felt very Kaladin-heavy, but after completing the book I see how it was necessary to establish his burnout in order to set up the rest of the plot. And Chapter 12 (A Way to Help), in addition to being our only chance in the book to see our trio together, did a great job setting up Kaladin’s later work with mentally ill people, both by establishing the need and showing what kind of help was needed. I was nonetheless quite frustrated by Kaladin reacting to Shallan’s DID with “that would be nice...”. She’s having serious problems, Kal! She’s your friend and could use support, not you regarding her issues as a neat way to take a holiday from one’s own brain! Kaladin’s very kind and caring with those he chooses to protect, as we see with Bridge 4 in TWOK and the mentally ill people in Chapter 25, but sometimes I think he’s not a very good friend. I know he was not in a good place, but in Oathbringer when they were in Shadesmar Shallan had just had a complete breakdown and she still went out of her way to emotionally support Kal, so it would be nice to see his friendships become a bit more two-way. (For similar reasons, I liked seeing the moments of Shallan-to-Adolin emotional support in Shadesmar in ROW, because a lot of their relationship in OB was her relying on him; it felt balanced in ROW as both supported each other.)

PART 2

I loved the Shadesmar arc! The emotional arcs for both main characters were very strong - I had been looking forward to seeing Adolin’s reaction to (in-universe) Oathbringer, and it did not disappoint; the conflict between genuinely loving Dalinar and being unable to forgive what he’d done was well-drawn. I was so pissed off at Dalinar in that last conversation! You burned his mom to death, you do not get to take the moral high ground and lecture him. And I do see a difference between killing innocents, as Taravangian does, and killing someone who’s effectively declared war on you and has a history of treason.

I also liked Adolin’s sense of being generally at sea with his purpose in the world. He’s been trained primarily as a warrior and general, and his combat skills have been made virtually obsolete by the Radiants. And at the same time, the reader can see what makes Adolin special, and it’s not combat skills - though those do give him a big heroic moment in a pinch - it’s his care and compassion for others. The way he interacts with Maya and slowly brings her life is absolutely beautiful. Chapter 35 was such a wonderful Shadolin moment (and starspren are amazing!); he really gets her and understands what she needs. Chapter 24 was sweet too, though super cheesy.

I spent the entire Shadesmar arc side-eying Veil and Radiant, especially with Veil’s takeover stunt at the start, but in the end they genuinely were supporting and helping Shallan. So in retrospect I do like scenes like the one with Veil trying to draw Shallan out by drawing Adolin badly.

Spoeking of drawing, I love the spren art, it’s some of the best art so far, and fascianting to see how they all look!

Kaladin finding non-violent ways to protect, culminating in pioneering Rosharan therapy - and Teft insisting on staying to support him - was everything I wanted for him. His arc could have just been that, and I’d have been perfectly happy. Chapter 25 (Devotary of Mercy) is still my favourite in the entire book.

Unfortunately, then Odium’s forces had to show up and SPOIL EVERYTHING. I’m rather appalled by how quickly Urithiru fell - the enemy forces were literally in the pillar room by the time anyone noticed them.

PART 3

Part 3 was a real slog for me, partly because it is a slog and partly because I hit it at the height of my sleep deptivation. (It’s really...not a good thing to be reading on zero sleep at the literal darkest-hour-before-dawn.) Kaladin’s arc in Urithiru is just so exhausting; he’s so clearly worn to the boneand everything feels so hopeless. Kaladin’s had bad times before - Bridge 4 in TWOK, for example - but then the reader could see progress even if Kaladin couldn’t. (Kaladin: I’m getting nowhere and failing at everything! Everyone else: Kaladin, you were literally just miraculously resurrected.) Here, though - well, I genuinely spent the whole book from Part 3 through to the climax thinking that they would lose Urithiru.

Navani’s arc, and Venli’s, I did enjoy.

The other section of Part 3, in Emul, just felt rather disjointed. It had some interesting moments, but it didn’t have a sense of cohesion or of where it was going. I was entertained by Dalinar’s musings on the merits of despositism and the need to free Queen Fen from having - horrors! - a parliament. (I wonder if the Fourth Ideal will be something like “I will recognize that it can sometimes be beneficial to have people oppose my decisions.”)

PART 4

Again, adored the Shadesmar arc. Really strong character arcs for both Adolin and Shallan, combined with excellent plots and a strong sense of momentum. I was pretty sure Maya would be crucial in the trial, but that didn’t make the moment any less powerful (though Sanders probably shouldn’t have tried quite as hard to replicate his “You. Cannot. Have. My. Pain.” moment from Oathbringer). I need to put together a proper post on the theme of choice in Oathbringer, because that moment - combined with Kaladin’s fourth ideal and the conflict with Lirin over the way he’s inspiring the resistance - really crystallized it for me. To treat a person’s choice and sacrifices as something done to them is to devalue their volition, their agency. Maya is put in the horrifying situation of being used as a prop and treated as evidence of a point that she is diametrically opposed to and turned into a weapon against someone she loves, and it’s enough to drive her to regain her voice and speak for herself. I am very curious to know what specifically led the spren to agree to the Recreance!

I did not remotely guess what Shallan’s secret was, even though in retrospect the Cryptic deadeye should have made it incredibly obvious. I think her fear that she’d lose Adolin if it came out was overblown - he already knows she killed both her parents, he’s not going to be fazed by “I was so distraught over having to kill my own mother in self-defence at age ten that I broke my Radiant oaths”. But obviously it’s not something Shalkan would be able to consider duspassionately. Her arc was rather terrifying once I realized that Formless was, well, basically her, but more specifically, Shallan’s idea of the monster that she was, and her breakdown was driving her to “accept who she was” as being that monster. I like Shallan and was never that into Veil - though she was fairly good in this book and went out well - so I’m not sad to see the back of her.

I haven’t managed to work through all the espionage/mole elements. Yes, Pattern used the box to talk to Wit, and Radiant killed Ialai so Shallan wouldn’t, but who’s Mraize’s spy close to Dalinar?

This arc ended too abruptly. I think Sanderson could easily have traded a Kaladin chapter in Part 3 for an extra chapter wrapping up events in Shadesmar; maybe one where Shallan first goes to see Testament.

I enjoyed the Urithiru arc in Part 4 as well. Switching to Bridge 4 points of view other than Kaladin was a good move - we already know he’s worn to ribbons, so we don’t need to be inside his head to see it. “The Dog and the Dragon” was amazing, and the most appropriate story ever for Kaladin. (I get how Wit’s schtick of telling incredibly topical stories and then saying “no, I don’t have a point, what point?” would be really aggravating in person.) It was nice to see him be gentle with Kaladin for a change, the way he is with Shallan - his two previous encounters with Kaladin read as rather baiting, which annoyed me.

Dabbid was - I don’t know quite how to say this, but his inclusion struck an amazing balance in this book. Navani’s arc is all about two amazingly smart people doing science and making incredible breakthroughs, and that is sincerely valued and given importance by the narrative, and then you get chapters like Dabbid’s and one of Taravangian’s emphasizing that a person’s value and ability to contribute is not determined by their intelligence.

Navani’s arc continued to be excellent. All of her research, and the way the story took you through the process, and her complex relationship with Raboniel, was great.

I loved Venli’s character development, and growing willingness to take risks for the sake of others. To me, her arc parallels Dalinar’s in the last book in some ways. If we can love the story of a bloodthirsty conqueror growing to become a good person, why can’t we equally love the story of a coward coming to become a good person? There seems to be a tendency to be more drawn to strength, even in its most terrible forms, than to weakness. To me, Venli’s confession to Rlain and acceptance of his disgust at her was one of the book’s great moments. (And I can’t understand people saying her arc took up two much space. She had 5 chapters in Part 3, and 4 in Part 4. That’s not very many! I’ll grant that the flasbacks packed less punch than some earlier flashback sequences because we already knew the main events - Brandon acknowledged that even before the book came out - but I still liked them well enough, and Venli’s present-day arc was excellent.)

Anyway, the amount of space I’ve spent on this section relative to Part 3 is another strong inducation of the differences in how I feel about them!

PART 5

I should probably start this section with a discussion of Moash. I’ll try to keep it summarized. here - I could, and may, write a short essay on his development through The Stormlight Archive. The first thing that jumps out about Moash’s arc in this book is his reaction to Renarin’s vision in Part 1. I think that vision is showing Moash who he could still be, in a similar way to Shallan’s inspirational drawings of people - both use the Surge of Illumination. So it’s not that Moash is irredeemable; Renarin is specifucally holding out to him the possibility of redemption.

And Moash’s reaction is to run away in terror. Because he desperately wants his decision to be irrevocable. He desperately wants there to only be one possible path forward for him. Because if there are alternative paths, it means he can choose them, and that would mean facing guilt, facing the fact that his past choices were wrong, and his current choices are wrong. And that is exactly what Moash sought to avoid by giving up his pain and sense of guilt to Odium.

Moash is, nonetheless, very much Moash and not Vyre, as evidenced by his continuing obsession with Kaladin. As with his above need to not be wrong, here he needs to feel that he’s right, and the only way he can feel that he’s right is if Kaladin - whom he still deeply admires - makes the same decision as him, and if Moash can convince himself that he’s doing Kaladin a favour in driving him to that point. It’s ironic that he’s given up almost all feeling abd become almost enturely detached, but his worst actions are driven by his attitude towards the one person in the world who he still does have very strong feelings about. By the end of the book, he’s comprehensively broken, to the point that even when his ability to feel is restored he’s unable to even feel genuine remose over the cold-blooded murder of a friend. I don’t know where he’ll go from here - it would be ironic if he was only ever really appealing to Rayse-Odium, and Taravangian-Odium found Moash too much of a flat villain for his purposes and cast him off.

As the plot climaxes go, I thought the ones for Navani and Venli were excellent and very satisfying. I enjoyed Kaladin’s as well and found it cathartic, but it a was moment we all knew had to come, so it didn’t have quite the kick of some of Kaladin’s other big moments. I did love his reconciliation with Lirin. One of the themes of the book was finding common ground despite deeply felt disagreements - with Navani and Raboniel, with Navani and the Sibling, and with humans and singers/Fused more generally - and Kaladin and Lirin’s reconciliation fit well with that. I am far more favourable to Lirin than most people - if you’ve lived as a pacifist in storming Alethkar, which values the lives of its people slightly more than it does crem, you’re going to have been right a solid 95% of the time, where everyone else was wrong. I can make allowances for the other five percent, especially when Lirin’s life lesson from the last five or so years has been “resisting oppression and standing up for what you believe in will destroy everyone you love”.

And on the topic of finding common ground, Leshwi’s reaction to the revelation that Venli was a Radiant was one of the single most beautiful moments of the book, and one of my absolute favourites. It’s gorgeous and moving, and at the same time rather tragic, because - what might have bern different if Venli had revealed herself to Leshwi at the start of the book? How much of the conflict could have been avoided. Singers don’t appear to attract spren as strongly as humans do, which makes Leshwi drawing joyspren particularly powerful. And then the bittersweet note from “My soul is too long owned by someone else”. (Come to think of it, this is another inverted paralell to Moash. This is someone realizing “I was wrong about everything and I’m so glad about that because it means I have a chance to be someone better than I was.”) Oh my goodness, I would love a Leshwi chapter in a later book, just to check in on her and see how she’s doing in her new life with the Singers.

I also loved the climax of Navani’s arc, and was so relieved, because up until that very moment I wasn’t sure if the Sibling would survuve uncorrupted. I know that some people weren’t pleased because the Sibling didn’t even like her, but to me that became a core part of the story, like I said above - people who deeply disagree finding common ground and common cause. That is a key element of being a Bondsmith - the process of bringing people together in spite of their differences - and something that fits Navani so well given the rapport she found with Raboniel. (Though I was conflicted about the latter. On the one hand, she made amazing discoveries that enabled her to save Urithiru. One the other hand, she...kind of collaborated with the enemy and gave them terrible weapons out of intellectual curiosity and a desire to prove herself?) I will grant that it makes the series, and the characters with the most crucial importance to Roshar, rather Kholin-heavy.

For Taravodium, all I can say is - YIPES. I have no idea how to process the implications of that, but I feel like it will be bad. Really really bad. (Taravangian is probably my least favourite character in the entire Stormlight Archive. The attitude of “I am so brave and selfless for doing evil things and look at how wonderful I am for sacrificing my own morality for the benefit of all, you petty selfish people wanting to be good could never make such a grand sacrifice” drives me absolutely nuts. It’s a complete inversion and twisting of morality, and intensely arrogant.)

Dalinar’s encounter with Ishar was fascinating, and I’m very curious to see where this goes. The spren experiments were deeply creepy! And the way Radiant Oaths can temporarily restore a Herald’s sanity was fascinating - I’m very eager to see where this goes in the next book. I suspect that Dalinar may have made a very serious mistake with regards to this trial my combat, and I have no idea how/if they’re going to fit Szeth’s whole arc into the ten days before the duel. I’ve been eagerly anticipating Szeth’s arc ever since The Way of Kings!

#brandon sanderson #the stormlight archive #rhythm of war #row spoilers #kaladin #shallan #adolin #dalinar kholin #navani kholin #leshwi #moash

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artificialqueens · 3 years

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Galactica, Chapter 38 (Group Fic) - TheDane/Veronica

A/N: Look at us, posting 2 chapters in the same week! Holler! Click here if you’re looking for previous chapters (or here if you’d rather read on AO3). 💫

Last Chapter: Fear and Yearning At Bianca's 40th Birthday. (Summary courtesy of Dartmouth420)

This Chapter: Violet avoids her love life by throwing herself into her work.

***

Violet groaned at the sound of her phone as she turned over in her bed. She had barely slept, dreams and thoughts all swirling around whenever she closed her eyes.

Violet reached out, grabbing her phone from the floor, watching Sutan’s name as it rang out. He had kept calling and calling last night, and if she wasn’t so upset, she would have felt bad about it, the attempt to find out where she was only stopping once she had texted him back.

Violet sat up, her stomach instantly clenching when she saw last night’s dress thrown on the floor, the gown left where she had stepped out of it, the need to get to bed and just forget everything for once squashing her need to be neat.

Violet wasn’t in the mood to get up, didn’t want to know what had actually happened last night, but she still got out of bed, pulling on a set of workout clothes as she started to look for the ancient laptop she knew was hiding somewhere inside her still unpacked moving boxes.

It took about half an hour to find it, getting the laptop to boot up taking so long that Violet managed to make a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of tea before she sat down at her sewing table.

She hadn’t caught the name of the photographer, but there were only so many magazines and gossip sites that cared about the New York fashion elite, and she had caught a glimpse of an OK! magazine press badge.

Violet quickly found an article on the OK! website, a photo of a smiling Bianca front and center on the front page. She clicked it, her heart beating as she went through the photos, clicking as fast as her laptop let her.

She recognized Sutan on several photos, the cameras clearly loving him, Sutan happily posing whenever the camera was near. Violet clicked past a photo of Fame with Bianca, and there, there it was, the photo that had left her sleepless all night, a breath of relief leaving her.

The camera hadn’t managed to capture her. Sutan was right in the middle, his arm around the model that OK! had easily identified, the only trace of Violet the back of her skirt on the edge of the frame, the fabric not enough for anyone to recognize her.

She was safe, and everything would be okay.

Violet bit her lip, feeling absolutely ridiculous about her reaction, but even though it was ridiculous, it was still how she felt, her fears and her worries real for her.

It had been years since Violet had last heard from her family, her new identity hiding her as long as she kept out of sight, but how would she manage that when this was apparently her life now.

She liked Sutan, she did, she really did, but after everything that had happened, she couldn’t help but wonder if their worlds were too far apart, couldn’t help but feel like she’d never fit in when she took the precautions she did.

She couldn’t phantom how she’d explain, how she could ever make Sutan understand everything she was, but most importantly, everything she wasn’t.

Violet got up from her chair, walking back to her bed to find her phone.

Sutan had sent her a thumbs-up and a heart along with a request to call him when she got his message, but she already knew she wouldn’t.

***

“Raja?!” Raja jumped at the sound of her brother's voice ringing through her apartment, a deep groan leaving her as the front door slammed.

“Raja!” Sutan called again, unease in his voice at the fact that she hadn’t come to greet him.

“Leave me alone!”

“It’s an emergency!”

Raja considered if it would be worth flipping off her twin, when Sutan appeared around the corner, the man in sweatpants and a t-shirt.

“There you are.” Sutan sat down, not at all caring that she was hungover, Raja almost reaching for a pillow to wack him with it. She had planned on spending her Saturday watching TV on her couch, Raven thankfully soaking in the tub since her fiancée was always chattering away, but Sutan apparently had different plans than the quiet she had hoped for.

“How many times is too many times to call someone?”

“Are you kidding me?” Raja looked over at him, seriously reconsidering if she should take his house key privilege away, her head pounding. She had done rows of shots with Detox, the sight of Juju trying to shove him into a cab hilarious to her at 3 am. “That’s your big emergency?”

“I told Violet to call,” Sutan tapped his phone against his thigh, her brother radiating nervous energy, “and she hasn’t.”

“So? Maybe she’s just hungover too-”

“I called her two times this morning.”

“What?” That made Raja sit up, though her world got fuzzy around the edges for a second. For the first time since Sutan had arrived, Raja was genuinely interested in what he was saying. “And she still hasn’t responded?”

“Can I call her again,” Sutan flipped his phone over, “Should I wait, or? I should call her again, right?”

“No, don’t-” Raja reached out, grabbing his phone.

“Hey-”

“What did you do?” Raja put it under her pillow, making sure her brother couldn’t embarrass himself any further. He was a grown man, not a teenage boy. No one should call five times without a reply, anything beyond two just humiliating.

“Me?” Sutan looked genuinely offended. “What makes you think I’ve done anything? I’m not the one not taking my calls-”

“Please,” Raja rolled her eyes, winching at the pain. “It’s obviously you.” Raja moved so they were sitting next to each other, Sutan groaning as he slid back on the couch, resting his head on the back. “Now think back.”

“I haven’t done anything-” Sutan crossed his arms, watching the TV.

“You have.” If he was going to play tough, Raja was going to play even tougher. “Violet stayed with you in Paris, if it was anything about you being you that annoyed her, we would have already known-”

“Hey!” Sutan huffed, the conversation once again clearly not taking the turn he had expected. “You’re my sister, aren’t you supposed to be on my side-”

“Please.” Raja sighed, but she still reached out, touching his shoulder. She’d always be on Sutan’s side, them against the world, like they had always been and always would be. “All I’m saying is that she isn’t like the usual airhead socialites you date.”

“Ouch.” Sutan chewed his lips, crossing his arms as he focused on the TV, his ego more than bruised, but Raja knew that it was the tough love he needed right now. “So, I shouldn’t call her?”

“Not until you know what you did.” Raja reached up, gently putting a hand in his hair, the TV still playing at whatever channel she had left it on. “Now what are we thinking for breakfast?”

***

Adore loved waking up in Pearl’s bed. She loved the cheesy satin sheets and being wrapped in the faint smell of weed and leather. She loved how Pearl would sleep with her face buried in her own tangled hair, arms around her from behind, how the first thing she felt when her eyes fluttered open was Pearl’s hand snaking down her belly and over her thighs, fingers trailing teasingly over her bare skin.

“Hey gorgeous…” Pearl drawled into her ear, the low voice making Adore shiver delightedly.

“Fuck,” Adore whispered, arching her ass back against Pearl’s body, not bothering to cringe at the gentle laughter.

“You’re such a needy little baby in the morning,” Pearl whispered, and Adore didn’t have the self control to argue, simply whimpered and turned her head, lips parted, eagerly accepting Pearl’s playful, biting kisses.

The top sheet slid down, revealing Adore’s breasts, the cold air immediately making her nipples stiffen. As Pearl’s long, graceful fingers toyed with her clit, Adore’s chest began to heave, pulse pounding. She gasped with pleasure when Pearl finally slipped a finger inside her, eyes squeezed shut.

When the door to Pearl’s bedroom swung open, Adore took a few moments to notice, so wrapped up in the wonderful feeling of being in Pearl’s arms, fucking down into her fingers.

“Hey, did you guys want some pancak-WHOOPS!” Katya giggled, eyes taking in the scene before her. “Sorry!”

“Good morning,” Pearl grinned, twirling her thumb, causing Adore to gasp.

“I guess pancakes aren’t really your priority right now,” Katya said, trying to balance the tray on her hip as she reached for the door to close it, still giggling. The scent of coffee, sizzling bacon, and maple syrup wafted over to Adore.

“Yeah, I think we’re alright for now,” Pearl laughed, pressing a kiss against Adore’s neck. “But thanks.”

“Fine-”

“Wait,” Adore gripped her forearm tighter, panting out, “I could eat some pancakes.”

“Well, alright then!” Katya replied cheerfully, walking forward to deposit the tray on Pearl’s nightstand.

“Really?” Pearl snickered into her ear. Adore knew that she should probably feel self-conscious, but between Pearl’s magical fingers and the scent of the food on that tray making her mouth water, she just couldn’t be bothered.

“Enjoy!” Katya chirped, before leaving and shutting the door firmly behind her.

It didn’t take Pearl long to send Adore over the edge, moaning and gasping for air, a bruise blooming on her neck where Pearl had sucked on her pulse point. To her utter delight, the coffee was still hot, the steaming mug passing just under her nose as Pearl brought it to her lips.

“Man...I thought my surrogate mother was cool, but Bianca would never.” Adore reached over to lazily pluck a piece of bacon from the tray.

“Katya is the best mom in the universe,” Pearl laughed.

“She should be sainted,” Adore said, picking up her phone and calling Bianca. When her sister’s voicemail clicked on, Adore said, “Okay so Pearl’s roommate just brought us breakfast in bed while we were fucking. That’s real love and fuck you for never doing that for me when I lived with you. Also fuck you for screening your calls. Also I hope you had a nice birthday. Bye bitch.”

When Adore hung up, Pearl was laughing into her shoulder.

“What? Too mean? She’s gonna love it, trust me.”

“You’re truly a monster, do you know that?” Pearl said, still smiling and shaking her head. .

Adore pushed her onto her back and climbed on top, a wicked smirk twisting her lips. “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”

***

Jovan yawned, still practically half-asleep, walking into design and depositing his bag at his desk, an urgent need for some caffeine the only thing propelling his aching body forward. He was just about to turn and head for the breakroom when he caught sight of Violet, his sleepy eyes nearly bugging out of his head.

She was kneeling in front of a dress, thread and needle in hand as she was doing the finishing touches on the golden embroidery that ran all along the edge of the skirt, Jovan instantly recognizing the blue jewel tones of it from her sketches.

“Um...what in the fuck? What is that?!”

“A dress?”

“I can see that.” He had only seen the sketch on Violet’s desk, but he knew at first glance that it was the couture piece she had presented, the piece so clearly playing on the work Alexis had made. “How are you this far along? You’d barely finished patterning on Friday!”

“Trixie told me to present my ideas to tailoring, and I’ve never collaborated with them before,” Violet mumbled, smoothing out the skirt. “So I did some work over the weekend, preparing samples of my style-”

“Some work? Some work?” Jovan huffed, almost a little offended at how Violet downplayed her accomplishment, people acting fake humble one of his biggest pet peeves.

“There isn’t any embroidery on it.”

“You made an entire Met Ball level couture gown!”

“Huh.” Violet cracked a small smile at that, clearly flattered, but kept at it, deep in concentration. Jovan shook his head in amazement, Violet maybe just that crazy, and headed for the break-room to get his much-needed coffee, praying that the machine wouldn’t fight him today.

When he returned, sipping his latte, he saw Bob and Maxwell entering and gave them a wave. Bob strolled forward, a big grin on his face.

“Someone’s famous,” he sang happily, taking a seat on the edge of Violet’s desk.

“I am?” Jovan asked, brow furrowing.

“No, not you.” Bob swept him off with a hand gesture, “No one cares about you,” he teased, then clarified. “I meant Violet.”

“What?” Violet’s head snapped up to see Bob brandishing his phone, looking at the screen he displayed for her. Violet stood up, quickly brushing off her skirt. “What are you talking about-”

Jovan took a sip of his coffee, wondering why Violet suddenly looked so uncomfortable.

“You were on the V List this weekend.”

“The V List?!” Maxwell asked, laughing, the news clearly not something he had already heard.

The V list was one of New York’s premiere gossip blogs, and Jovan often felt like he was the only one in Manhattan who didn’t follow it religiously.

“Yes. Bianca Del Rio’s Party? Fancy shit,” Bob announced, eyes sparkling.

“You were at Bianca’s party, Violet?” Jovan asked, impressed.

“Huh?” Violet looked at him briefly, a weird panic in her eyes. “Yes, no, I mean- I was there, but-”

“Heard the food was amazing.” Bob grinned. “V gave it 4 out of 5 champagne glasses.”

“I- ” Violet was standing completely still, her hands clenched tightly.

“I thought you said you didn’t gossip.” Maxwell reached forward to tug at Bob’s sweater, grabbing the phone out of his hands.

“This isn’t gossip, Cracks. It’s news,” Bob said, trying to get his phone back but finding the smaller man surprisingly quick.

“It’s literally a gossip site!” Maxwell exclaimed. “Come on!”

“It’s info-tainment,” Bob conceded. “So Vi, you gonna give us all the good upstairs tea? Now that you’re partying with them?”

“How is this not gossip?!” Maxwell cried, but Jovan’s eyes stayed on Violet, who was shaking her head vigorously.

“I don’t know anything,” Violet insisted firmly. “And this-” she pointed at the phone, “won’t happen again. Sorry to disappoint.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Bummer. Well, back to reality, I guess!” Bob said, heading for his own workstation.

Violet was still for a few moments, and maybe it was Jovan’s imagination, but he thought her dark eyes looked a bit glassy. But before he could ask her if she was okay, she was all business, brushing off her hands and focusing her attention back on the gown. Jovan decided he better leave well enough alone, at least for now.

***

Violet tried to remain calm, but she honestly felt anything but calm.

The V list was just a stupid gossip site, was just a stupid blog that no one cared about unless they lived in New York.

If only Violet was just hiding from people who lived in Atlanta.

She had finished up the skirt before she had cracked and checked the site on her phone, her lip between her teeth as she had hidden in the bathroom to go over the site. It was just as Bob had said, the OK photographer capturing a shaky photo of her just before she had managed to pull away. She wasn’t truly recognisable, the picture only enough to make someone pause if they really knew her face.

Violet had returned to her station, finishing up the neckline and making sure her stitches held up so she could take it down and show it to tailoring

Violet knew it was weird that she had made an entire dress in a weekend, and she honestly hadn’t meant to, but she had felt so anxious at home, that she had come in for something, anything, to do - her thoughts whirling around the party and the photos and Sutan.

Sutan, Sutan, Sutan.

He wasn’t exactly the problem, but it was hard not to blame him for the predicament she was in, the whole situation with the photographer making her feel sick to her stomach.

Violet had known who Sutan was from the moment she had met him, and she couldn’t help but think to herself that maybe, just maybe, she should have run away at the Vogue Party, that she wouldn’t be in this situation if she hadn’t allowed herself to be swept up in his world.

Violet knew she was weird about photos and being online, but it wasn’t because she hated her body or thought she was hideous. Rather, it was the idea that someone from her old life could find her, that people she didn’t know knew about her.

She had never understood why people had wanted to share their private life online, why anyone wanted to talk about themself when it was so much easier to just say nothing, the opinion of strangers not mattering to her at all.

Violet bit her lip, her thoughts returning to Sutan once again.

Every time they did, she felt it like a stab, her heart hurting. It hadn’t been a problem so far that Violet had no desire to be online, Sutan never asking her to pose for photos or forcing her to be in selfies.

She didn’t want to lose him, but she couldn’t imagine a life for herself where she always had to look out for a camera, couldn’t imagine ever finding it fun or flattering or interesting to be looked at by strangers, to be someone people wanted to know because she dated someone they cared about.

Violet didn’t want to, hated that it seemed like her only option, but she couldn’t think of any other solutions.

She had to break it off with Sutan, even if she didn’t want to.

***

VIOLET: I don’t think we should see each other again. Thank you for everything

***

[Raja! Raja?!] Sutan wasn’t even aware that he had slipped into Indonesian, that this was the second time in a week that he had barged into his sister’s apartment, slipping right past Raven who had been sitting in the living room without even saying hello.

All he knew was that he was hurting, really hurting, and that he wanted his twin.

[Raja!]

“What? What now?” Raja came out of her office, her long hair in a high ponytail, her phone in hand, annoyance thick in her voice. “Sutan I know we’re known as those twins, but you can’t just show up-”

Sutan cut her off, throwing his arms around her and burrowing his neck in her shoulder.

“-whenever you feel like it…” Raja sounded absolutely stunned, and Sutan spent a second worrying if he had done something wrong, if Raja would push him away too, but then she hugged him close, and everything felt slightly less terrible.

[Oh Tantan,] Raja whispered, one of her hands slipping into his hair. [What’s going on?]

[‘M fine.] Sutan sighed, not sure if he could even talk about it, but Raja just snorted, hugging him even closer.

[Sure.] They stood like that for a while, Raja rocking them back and forth, Sutan slowly calming down.

He hated feeling like this, hated being small and frustrated and lost and angry, but he simply couldn’t help it.

[Let’s go into my office.]

[Okay.]

Raja chuckled, pulling Sutan with her and away from the hall, closing the door to her office behind her. It wasn’t that he wanted to hide from Raven, wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, but he didn’t want her to see him like this, didn’t want to have to share how he was feeling with anyone but his twin.

[Sit down.] Raja pointed to the couch in the corner, and Sutan dumped down. Raja’s home office looked almost exactly like the one she had at Galactica, heavy oak and green walls a cornerstone of her style. The biggest difference was that one of the walls was covered by a bookcase that housed every single magazine either Raja or Raven had ever been in, Raja kissing him square on the mouth when he had hunted down the 1996 copy of German Vogue she had been missing for their birthday 4 years ago.

[So,] Raja sat down next to him after closing her computer. [What happened?]

[I got a text.] Sutan felt the flicker of anger again. He had come here directly from work, the terrible text from Violet ticking in just as he was about to leave his office. [Violet broke up with me, which is so fucking lame,] Sutan refused to pause on the fact that he had used the word lame, lame lame in itself since he was in his 40’s, [because we’re not even official and-]

[What?] Raja’s eyes widened, interrupting him. [Wait, wait wait,] Raja twisted her upper body, turning towards him. [Go back. She broke up with you over text?]

[Well,] Sutan didn’t want to admit that that was exactly what had happened, the whole situation completely bizarre. [You can’t really break up with someone you’re not official-] Sutan knew he was being petty, knew he was focusing way too much on the wrong thing, but everything else hurt too much.

[What did the text say?]

[That’s the worst part.] Sutan reached into his suit jacket, grabbing his phone from his pocket. [It just says] “I don’t think we should see each other again. Thank you for everything.”

“WHAT?!” This time, Raja sounded genuinely upset. She grabbed the phone from his hand, reading the text message. “That bitch!”

“Hey-” Sutan sat up. He knew Violet had just broken up with him, but that didn’t mean his sister could call her a bitch. “that’s not fair-”

“Oh it’s more than fair.” Raja looked at him, her eyes burning, and Sutan knew he was dangerously close to Raja getting ready to set the world on fire to avenge him. It was a look Sutan hadn’t seen in a long time, their days of Raja punching people who made him cry on the playground long gone. She swiped right, quickly unlocking his phone.

“I’m going to text her right back-”

“NO!” Sutan grabbed his phone, stopping Raja before she had any chance to type. “No, no you won’t”

“Let me just-” Raja reached out, but Sutan quickly put his phone under his leg, making sure Raja couldn’t get to it without a fight. “She deserves a piece of my mind!”

If it wasn’t such a delicate situation, Raja’s protectiveness would have been touching, but right now, it was only adding to his problems.

“There has to be a reason Rajie.” Sutan looked at his sister. [I’ve been going over the night again and again and again, trying to figure out what went wrong like you said, and I was ready to give up, but now that she’s sent this text-] Sutan took a deep breath. [I must have done something. Something bad, and if I should just figure out what it is, if I should get the chance to apologize-]

[Wait.] Raja tilted her head. [You still want to talk to her?]

[Yes? I mean I miss her and I know it’s only been three days but I still-] Sutan groaned, only now realizing that Raja was staring at him like he had grown a second head, like she had no idea who he was. “Rajie I know sound like a complete maniac, but-”

“No, no.” [I’ll see what I can do.] Raja gave him a small smile, gently touching his knee. [I’ll see what I can do.]

***

Fame loved participating in the monthly design meeting. It was a joy to see all the designers scramble to please her, and she adored watching Trixie put on his little boss pants and act all serious.

The best surprise of all though, had been Violet who had somehow managed to make an entire gown from scratch, apparently because she wanted to take it to tailoring.

Fame didn’t miss Violet, that wasn’t her style, but as she watched her former assistant talk about the underskirt she had made, she couldn’t help but be a little mournful about the fact that that level of dedication and precision was no longer dedicated to her, and her alone.

“So,” Fame leaned back in her chair, turning her head to Raja to whisper. “What do we think of the dress?”

“It fits the holiday collection perfectly.” Raja tapped her pen against the notepad she had in her lap, her outfit of the day a stunning forest green pant suit.

“Right?” Fame crossed her arms, giving a sigh. “So annoying.” Fame almost rolled her eyes, but she knew she couldn’t, not when she could feel the eyes of her designers on her.

“You know,” Raja made a note next to Violet’s name. “We could always include her.”

“What?” Fame looked over at Raja. “No, no. Everyone else would be furious.” Fame didn’t speak with the individual designers all that often, Trixie telling her everything she needed, but Violet was so new, and the collection had been finalized weeks ago. “It wouldn’t be fair.”

“Because you care so much about fair?” Raja smirked, looking over at her.

“Oh shut up.” Fame chewed her lip, watching as Violet moved off stage, Kiara stepping up instead. Fame didn’t mind playing favorites in the slightest, but she didn’t like to make Trixie unnecessarily upset.

“Hear me out.” Raja whispered, “She’s made a gorgeous dress.”

Fame nodded, the point more than fair.

“We’ll have her at the fittings tomorrow, see how the dress looks in person, and then if we still like it, we can offer it up in the couture part of the collection.”

“Hmm…” It wasn’t normal for Raja to advocate this hard, so she had to really see something in Violet’s dress, had to really believe in her as an employee. Fame looked over at Violet, watching the mannequin behind her. The dress was stunning, perfect for the Galactica couture line once the details Violet had described would be added to it, and even though Fame didn’t always agree with Raja, she hadn’t been let down by her yet.

“Fine. Let’s do it.”

***

“Hello brother dear. I’ll accept my thanks in diamonds or floors seats to the Knicks. Your choice.”

“As a thanks for what?”

“Fixing your little problem.”

“What? Raja, what did you do?”

“I made sure that a certain designer will be present for the fittings tomorrow.”

“Okay… And?”

“And, I was thinking you could swing by, check up on whether or not we’re treating your model right.”

“Wait, while Violet’s there- Isn’t that kind of desperate?”

“You’re the one who said you want to know why she broke up with you.”

“I did, but-”

“Look, do whatever you want, you’re a grown man who can make his own decisions.”

“Thank you, I appreciate that.”

“So you’re coming, right?”

“Ugh. I can’t believe I am, but yes. Yes I am.”

“Good decision.”

***

Violet adjusted her wrist pin cushion for the third time, waiting for her and her garment’s time to step up on the tailoring floor. She knew she was fiddling with it, but she couldn’t help it. This was the first time ever that she was present for a Galactica fitting, Courtney nowhere to be seen since Fame never brought an assistant along for these things, Ivy instead taking care of whatever either of them could need. Raja and Fame sitting on one end of the room, a table in front of them as they made live comments on the selected garments for the holiday collection.

When she had presented her dress yesterday, Violet had never imagined that Trixie would come by her desk to ask her to bring it to the fitting. Pride snuggled in her stomach, her head held high. She had no idea she’d be given the chance to show her worth so soon, but she wasn’t going to let anyone down.

Today, she would be perfect.

It felt weird to be wearing pants to work, the black turtleneck sweater and the black high waisted pair she had put on that morning perfect for being on the floor, the combination one Violet knew was approved by Fame, but as she looked around, none of new coworkers from design seemed to care at all about whenever or not Fame liked their personal style.

All around her, people were chatting and drinking coffee, but Violet couldn’t concentrate on the small talk. Instead, she was watching Alexis who was on her knees in front of a model, inching up a hem with the help of one of the tailors, since Fame had suggested that it should be a little shorter.

Fittings were rough on a model, the young girls often standing in place for hours at a time, but Violet could see that Ivy had made sure to bring along both energy drinks and protein bars, the girl in good hands.

Violet bit her lip, considering whenever or not she should go grab a coffee, when the door to the floor opened. Violet looked over her shoulder, wondering who could possibly dare to be late, but it wasn’t a Galactica employee who came through the door, instead, it was the last person she wanted to see, Sutan Amrull smiling wide as he shrugged off his jacket.

Violet turned her head quickly, looking straight ahead, hoping and praying that he hadn’t seen her, the blood draining from her face.

No no no no no no no.

She wasn’t proud of the text she had sent, wasn’t proud of what she had done, but this was a catastrophe. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to run, all she could do was stay still, and hope that everything would be okay.

Violet’s nails were digging into her palm, her breath caught in her throat, but just as she was about to relax, just as she hoped it had passed, she felt a presence behind her, the deep voice she knew so intimately well in her ear.

“Hello Violet.”

#rpdr fanfiction #thedane #veronica #galactica #vitan #adore x pearl #violet chachki #raja gemini #adore delano #pearl liaison #katya zamolodchikova #yvie oddly #bob the drag queen #miz cracker #miss fame #lesbian au #m/f au #fashion au #smut

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