#presents are just another thing i can't give much thought right now hence all the gift cards

[autumnrory]

sighhh looking at my bookmarks of present ideas for my mom and none of it sounds good rn

[quackityquackquackquack]

Hey Inanimate Insanity fandom, want to hear a crazy theory I came up with while thinking about episode 16 in the shower? (spoilers under the cut)

As you know, the latest episode reveals that all of the contests (except Bot, probably Bow, and maybe Dough) were actually created by MePhone4, and it's all-but-stated that this is the in-universe explanation for the gradual change in how they look over the course of the series; MePhone simply kept upgrading their models, so to speak, and making them look better. Now, here's the thing about that: There is one major character (other than Bot) who we can say with absolute, 100% certainty was not created by MePhone4, and that's, of course, Steve Cobs. After all, he's MePhone's creator, and you can't create your own creator (unless you're pulling some kind of weird time travel shit). However, consider the following: This is Steve Cobs in his debut episode,

this is Steve Cobs in the gemory flashbacks in episode 13,

and this is Steve Cobs now.

His design has changed, too. If the design-changes are an in-universe result of MePhone4 upgrading the appearance of his creations and not just out-of-universe artstyle evolution, then shouldn't there also be an in-universe explanation for how Steve Cobs' design has changed?

Well, let's put a pin in that for now. There's another mystery to discuss before I present my theory. It's a mystery that, unlike Steve Cobs' design changing, is one you've likely actually thought about: What is Me?

Despite Steve Cobs saying he got bored of Me, it's highly unlikely that Me isn't important. Too much attention was drawn to it, it doesn't resemble any real Apple product, and a person in the audience during the musical number describes it as "groundbreaking, world-shaking mythology", indicating it must do something really impressive. More to the point, though, its name is highly peculiar. Why just "Me"? Either Cobs is out of ideas for names, or there's something very significant about Me to warrant such a strange name, and the most obvious reason I can think of for why Cobs would call it that... is if it somehow literally is him.

My theory is that Steve Cobs is not actually the glasses-wearing corn cob man we know him as. At least, not anymore. He has uploaded his consciousness into whatever Me is, and the "Steve Cobs" we see throughout the series is just some kind of puppet body controlled from a distance by the real Steve Cobs, aka "Me". That's why his appearance notably changes over the course of the series; just like the people created by MePhone4, this fake puppet Steve Cobs started out not looking quite right, and its appearance had to be upgraded over time. Furthermore, I believe the Steve Cobs seen in the gemory flashbacks is him before uploading his consciousness into Me. That's his original body, hence why it looks better than the Cobs seen in episode 8 despite predating it timeline-wise. By the time of episode 8, he had uploaded himself into Me, but the technology was still flawed and not able to render him quite right, hence his notably different appearance in that episode. When he says that he "got bored of it", that's a sort of technical truth used to obfuscate the real truth. Yes, he's "bored" of it - because he has been Me for years and, knowing him, is at this point probably craving to upgrade to something even greater, but that doesn't mean Me isn't still something very important to him. And now, he's trying to make this Me technology commercially available to the public, which could mean one of two things; either he's giving other wealthy elites the power to also upload themselves into their own personal Mes (plausible, but from a writing perspective such a plot point wouldn't really serve much of a clear narrative purpose) or all of the Mes he's selling contain his consciousness and he's trying to spread himself across the whole world in some kind of world domination scheme.

[chessere]

Ethan Winters. Simon Jarrett. Existential Horror. Something. It's 3 AM Man.

First of all I have to say that I've never played SOMA myself before. When I say I'm horrible with horror I really mean it, but the core theme of the game and how it deals with humanity has been a huge source of inspiration for me for a while. The best part is you don't even have to play the game yourself. Just listening to video essays is enough to make you think for hours if you're not careful lol

Obviously spoilers for both SOMA and RE8, but like, the games are out for years now...

The point is, I feel like understanding Simon Jarrett would help with understanding Ethan Winters a lot better, and why just excepting that he's molded might not work for him. I feel like they have some similarities in terms of their existential horror but SOMA showed it better as it was the whole point about the game, while RE8 is left to be just an underlying thoughts as it was more action-focused... If you can't explain it properly using one game, then use another game baby!!!

Now, I don't think Capcom thought that far ahead, but hey, nothing wrong with trying to humanize your favorite character, right? That's my dad, y'know? So in that way it's pretty much a personal interpretation rather than an actual analysis. Again. It is also 3 AM right now. Hot damn.

Pretty early on in SOMA, you encounter a robot, or a Mockingbird, to be exact, who still thought of himself as a human. He fully believed himself to be an injured human and asked the protagonist to help him. Telling him that he was a robot would anger him, and he'd tell you he still had arms and legs... Or after that, another brain scan that shut himself down from stress once he realized something was wrong and had to be convinced that the simulation was real for him to give up. And then there's Simon himself, too. Initially, Simon also saw himself as a human, flesh and all. Only when he looked into the mirror did he become aware of his true appearance. Do you see what I'm getting at here. The brain does weird things to keep itself together is another thing that was also presented in SOMA.

Not only that, but Simon was also repeatedly explained about the process of brain scanning and how it works, how they'd always be left behind while it was their copies that would live on, but he simply couldn't comprehend it, or rather he wouldn't listen. Repressed, in denial, whatever. It was, after all, an awful truth. Anyways, the last thing Simon knew he was a normal guy with a brain injury, and then he wasn't anymore, but he didn't know that and kept thinking he was normal up until a certain point, sounds familiar?

The point is, you could probably apply the same thought process to Ethan, too, although less extreme as he didn't suddenly wake up a robot. I see a lot of people questioning why Ethan thought he could just reattach his hand and not realize that there was something wrong with him. Personally I think that what if, on a certain level, he did know that he wasn't normal anymore, hence immediately coming to the conclusion that he could just reattach his limbs, but he never questioned it or dig deeper because his brain shut it out to keep itself together. He died, literally. Foot to the head right after his wife chainsawed his arm off. That HAD to be one hell of a trauma. And by the time he finally realized he died, Ethan was angry and had a one-track mind. He did freak out for a bit when Eveline broke it to him ("Then what am I?") but he didn't have time to have a crisis. He had to pull himself together ("Family? F-Family? No! Rose! I have to...save...my daughter!") and save Rose. Then he died before he had a chance to fully comprehend the real horror that lies beyond his superficial humanity.

(I also think he's dubiously human as hell. Best case scenario is the mold revived him and he retained his consciousness. Worst case is the real Ethan died right there and the Ethan that lived on was an archived consciousness, or the mold integrated with him so well it inherited his memories and thought it was Ethan Winters. You can pick whichever you like. A little existential dread is fun once in a while-)

There's not much to talk about here but there's also a pretty interesting parallel at the end where the brain scan of Simon got launched into the ark, and as for Ethan, an archive of his consciousness lives on in the realm of consciousness.

That's probably enough for today I think. I really need to sleep instead of rambling about a fictional man's potential existential dread jfjdjfjjdjfj

[sociomi]

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[finelinevogue]

tales of the heart

Description - the engagement

A/N - this is part of a three part series where you’ll see the engagement, the wedding and then the honeymoon!! hope you all enjoy <33

warnings : self deprecation, swearing

[ masterlist ]

It was a blindingly hot and sunny afternoon, and to make it worse you were outside. You were roaming through the streets of your home town, shopping for an anniversary present for Harry.

It was going to be your 3rd year anniversary, next week, and you both were overly excited. Harry said he had big things planned and that you're going to fall in love with him even more, when the days over. You don't doubt him either.

Harry had told you that you weren't going to buy gifts for one another this year, and instead your love for one another will be more than enough, but if you knew anything about Harry it's that he will have bought you a present. You aren't going to be disappointed if you don't get anything, because you don't need anything from him, but you'd be lying if you said you didn't expect him to give you something. He was enough for you. He could honestly wrap himself in wrapping paper, gift himself to you, and you'd be the happiest woman on the planet.

You were getting really hot and bothered now, though. You'd been in to several stores and none of them had anything you wanted. You had gone in to all of Harrys beloved stores and yet nothing screamed out to you. You were reluctantly entering the mother of all Harrys favourite stores; Gucci.

You'd been avoiding Gucci purely because the price tags made you want to question what you were doing in life. I mean £500 for a t-shirt - you're having a laugh.

There was someone at the door to welcome you and then you freely wandered around the deserted, but beautifully air-conditioned, store. In fact you were the only customer in there. Not that you were surprised. The new season has just dropped and you'd be lying if you said some of the clothing wasn't beautiful. There were bags and shoes too that were stunning. If only you could treat yourself.

You made your way over to the jewellery section, walking past the pair of boots which you've wanted for the longest time but can't afford, and began looking for anything. You saw a few bracelets and necklaces that caught your eye, but nothing worth paying your life's earnings on. You'd been working overtime, the past month or so, to be able to pay for a gift for Harry, and even then you'd be chipping in to your savings to pay for this gift.

Harry always tried to get you to let him pay for things, but you didn't want to be seen as dependant on him. The paparazzi already write you as a gold-digger and you didn't want to give them the satisfaction of being right. You worked hard, just as he did, and you liked that feeling of satisfaction when you could treat your boyfriend to dinner or in this case a couple-hundred-pound gift.

As soon as your eyes caught upon the ring you knew that it was the one. It didn't look like much, but you knew to Harry it would mean everything - mainly because he never shuts up about how beautiful it is. The silver tiger ring was so delicate and intricate that you kind of wanted it for yourself. Harry has always thought the tiger to be his "spirit animal". The tiger symbolises, to him, that he can overcome any obstacle or fear by learning how to control and live with his emotions, that he once felt threatened by. The tiger is a part of his strength, hence why he got it tattooed on his thigh. So you thought a ring would fit perfectly with that symbolism.

"Hi flower! Can I assist you at all today?" A kind, middle-aged, woman asked you from over the counter.

"Yeah actually. I was wondering how much this ring will be?" You pointed to the ring you wanted. The lady opened the drawer on her side pulling out the tray, and picking up the chosen ring in her silk-glove covered hands.

"This one is going to be £350." She said politely, and you had to refrain yourself from laughing at how expensive it was. You could easily go to Claire's, down the road, and buy a sparkly, plastic ring for £1.99. Harry wouldn't notice the difference, right?

"Ok-wow-uh." You said, taken aback. It wasn't as expensive as you came in thinking the gift would be, but it was still a lot.

"You want to take it flower, or maybe another time?" She asked.

"No let's do it." You smiled at her and nodded your head to refrain yourself from having a mental breakdown for paying so much for a goddamn ring. It's for Harry, you remind yourself - and Harry is worth every penny.

"Amazing." The woman said enthusiastically.

You headed over to the till and you selected the right size ring. The sweet lady cleaned and polished it a bit, before expertly gift wrapping it. At least you were getting quality wrapping considering you were handing over £350 to this company.

You sadly inserted your card in to the reader and entered your pin number. You'd go home tonight to see your bank empty and you'd probably cry, but Harry was worth it.

"Congratulations on your purchase, dear." The lady praised you, which you found slightly odd.

"Thank you for your help." You replied before taking the Gucci, gift-wrapped, bag and exiting the store back in to the dreaded heat. It was brutal, especially since Brits are not used to the sun at all.

You now wandered off down the road, finding some other little bits and pieces that you wanted to add to Harrys gift. You'd outdone yourself this year. The past two years you'd gotten him the standard chocolates, flowers and sex, but seeing as you'd gotten your dream job you wanted to pull out all the stops this year.

"Y/N?" You heard a high-pitched voice call out from behind you. You turned around to be met with your least favourite person; Becca, Harrys ex girlfriend.

Becca was Harrys girlfriend before you, but he ended things with her because he found her overly clingy and toxic. She was always really bitchy towards you, singling you out always because you "stole Harry" from her, yet he was the one who chose to leave her. You often found yourself comparing Becca to you. Becca was really hot and looked like the kind of girl Harry would be with, you less so much. You were never rude to her or gave her a reason to hate you, because you strived off being the bigger person.

"Oh hi Becca." You said as cheerily as possible.

"Didn't realise you could afford Gucci?" She mockingly asked, making your heart flicker with sadness that she thought that low of you.

"Not normally." You softly smiled. "But this is a gift for Harry." You added, clearing up any confusion she may have.

"Ooh what did you buy him? What's the occasion?" She asked being nosey.

"I bought him that tiger ring that he's always going on about, for our anniversary next week." You said smiling, because you're proud of yourself for being able to do something so lovely for him.

"Hm interesting." She said. "Well i'm running late and stuff so toodles." She waved her fake acrylics in front of your face before wandering off. You widened your eyes at what an unpleasant experience that had been, but shook it off and moved on to the next store.

•••••

A week later and you were really nervous for the big anniversary and to give Harry his present. It was his first big present off of you, and it would mean a lot if he liked it. It's not like he won't like it, since he never shuts up about how much he loves the damn thing, but you couldn’t help but think what if he might not actually want it anymore?

"Love, are you coming?" Harry called out to you from downstairs.

You were heading over to one of Harrys mates house. Harry hadn't been seeing many of his friends recently, since you and him had travelled to see Anne for a few weeks. Unfortunately, for you, Becca would be there tonight since she was part of that group. Fortunately, for Becca, it hadn't been a messy breakup with Harry and so they were okay with remaining good friends.

You didn't know these friends of Harrys very well and so it was going to be a lonely night for you. Harry had asked you to tag along, because he doesn't like the idea of leaving you alone in the house at night. Of course you agreed, not wanting him to feel uncomfortable over you.

"Yeah." You shouted back down, whilst grabbing your purse off your bedside table.

You jogged down the stairs and were met with Harry by the front door. "Hello gorgeous." He smiled at you widely, making you feel all warm inside.

"Hey handsome." You took his open hand and he pulled you in for a kiss. Even though you've just applied some lip balm and Harry was practically removing it all you didn't mind, because you were too in love with him to push him away.

"I love this top." He stated, raising your arm up, with his, to twirl you around - as if you were ballroom dancing - and admiring you from head to toe.

It wasn't a very exciting top. It was a basic halter neck top, but you assumed Harry liked it because the back was completely exposed. You paired it with some black jeans and a pair of old and worn black boots.

"You only like it because my whole back is on display." You teased as he brought you closer to him again. His large hands glided up and down the soft skin of your back, resting on the dimples in your back every once in a while.

"Obviously." He cheekily replied, rolling his eyes for exaggeration.

"You're annoying."

"But you love me, sooo..." He weighed up your pathetic argument.

"Yeah. I do." You simply said. Harry’s face lit up massively at the words, making him lean down to catch your lips upon his again. His lips were the one thing in life you were sure you'd never get enough of. They were just so soft and pure.

"I love you, too." He let you know, just for sure.

"I know." You kissed his cheek and you both make your way out the door.

••••

You had eaten some crappy takeaway pizza and were all just sitting around have a chat. Apart from Harry, and Becca, you knew nobody. This group of friends weren't people you usually hung out with, they were more Harry’s pals. You recognised a few, but not to the extent where you'd be confident enough to go over and start a conversation with them.

You were sat on the other side of the room to Harry, as he was talking to three lads you didn't know - and you didn't want to intrude on their conversation. You just sat quietly observing the room and trying to work out who people were by listening in on conversations.

You felt slightly self conscious, due to there being a group of four perfectly stunning girls; who looked a lot like Becca. They were all in a huddle snickering at things they said to each other, but you couldn't help but feel like they were sometimes snickering about you.

The couch you were sitting on suddenly dipped and you turned around to see who your new sofa roommate was. Turns out you didn’t have a clue who they were.

"Hi i’m Darrel." He held his hand out for you.

"Y/N. Nice to meet you Darrel." You said, trying not let your shyness overtake you.

You looked over to Harry for a moment and he was already looking at you, with a concerned expression and mouthing to you 'are you okay?' - to which you nodded your head, not wanting to feel like a big baby. Sure, you weren't keen on talking to this Darrel but you didn't want to make a big fuss about it; especially in front of all Harry’s friends.

"Order. Order." You looked to see Becca tapping her wine glass with a spoon to create a scene and gain everyone's attention.

"Are you gonna do another strip tease for us Bex?" A guy, clearly drunk out of his mind, asked. It made the rest of the group laugh, but you couldn't help but get hung up over what she'd just said. Another. You couldn’t help but wonder whether Harry has been the victim of one of her strip teases? If he had, did he enjoy it?

"Not today boys." She smirked. "Today is about Y/N and Harry." At the mention of your name your heart stopped. Becca definitely had something up her sleeve, and you probably weren't going to like it.

You curled yourself further in to the arm of the couch, wanting to disappear, as you hated being the centre of attention.

There were a lot of chants and hoorays at Becca’s words, before she continued, "Tomorrow is the lovely couples 3rd year anniversary and let me tell you I didn't see it coming." She started, making you gulp and look down to fiddle with your fingers. Becca has just insinuated that you and Harry didn't look like you would've lasted, and that hurt.

"I honestly thought our Harold and I would still be together." You winced at her words, not really appreciating her speech right now. "But he found sweet Y/N, over here," you could tell she was being sarcastic, "and now they're living their happily ever after. We love you."

Everyone cheers' to her last sentence.

"So, Harry. Y/N. We got you a little gift, each, to say happy anniversary." She finished, pulling out two bags from behind her. One gets handed to Harry and one gets handed to you.

You looked at Harry and saw that he was urging you to go first. You gave him a small smile, but one that didn’t reach your eyes because you were still not feeling the happiest. Harry squinted as if to acknowledge he knew something was wrong with you, but wasn’t going to press about it in front of all his friends.

You tore back the wrapping paper after pulling the contents out of the bag. You pulled some more and were met with an array of panties and not just cotton ones, lace ones too. You blushed out of embarrassment. You're sure Becca will have done this on purpose - to try and get a reaction out of you.

"Oh wow." You tried and said as convincingly happy as possible, but most likely failed.

"What is it Y/N/N?" Harry asked, looking at you like everyone else was.

"Underwear." You said, putting your head down as you're too embarrassed to look at everyone's faces.

"Not just any underwear; lace panties. The type that I know gets Harry all riled up." Becca winked, smirking over at Harry.

Your heart dropped at her statement. Why did she have to be so open about her past relationship with him? You knew that you'd never wear those panties and that's obviously why Becca has bought them. It didn't make you feel good knowing Harry liked this kind of clothing, but you were too self conscious to wear it. He deserved someone like Becca if this was the kind of thing he was truly in to, not you.

"Ooh give us a peek." The guys next to you swarmed around you, making you feel beyond uncomfortable.

"Oi lads. That's my girlfriend, yeah? Just leave her alone will you?" Harry came to your rescue, obviously knowing how uncomfortable you'd be feeling. You honestly just want him to come over and hug you, but you know that he won't do that in front of all his friends. He has a reputation with them.

"Whatever. Harry your turn!" Becca says giddy, clapping her hands in excitement. She goes to sit on the arm of the chair Harry’s sat on, too close for your liking.

Harry ruffled through the bag. You spent a moment looking at the panties, not finding them a good gift at all. In another world maybe you'd be confident enough to wear them, but you just weren't - especially when you're dating someone whose ex-girlfriend is a model.

"No fucking way." His eyes light up the size of Jupiter, and it warmed your heart to see it. "You didn't..."

"Oh but I did." Becca smugly looked back at him, biting her lip in the process.

You looked at your happy Harry, knowing that the present must be pretty good to get such a reaction out of him. He sat there in shock for a minute before everyone started asking what it was.

"I can’t believe it." He said again, running his hand through his hair. Harry slowly pulled out the little box that the present was stored in. You see the brand on the box and understand why he must be so ecstatic, it's from his favourite store for God sake.

"Well show us the darn thing Harold!" A lad shouted out, eager to see what he was making such a fuss over. Harry nodded and took out the seemingly small item from the box. He cradled it in his hand, looking at it with such admiration, but you felt physically sick at the sight of the gift.

It was the goddamn Gucci tiger ring.

You didn't think you could hate someone more than you hated Becca, in that moment. You'd told her in confidence what you were getting Harry, last week, and she just had to go out of her way to buy it too and then gift it to him first - making you look like the culprit.

Everyone crowded around Harrys palm, oohing and aawing at the ring. It was Harrys dream to have that ring, and you were snubbed of delivering it to him by his ex-girlfriend. You only had less than 8 hours until you'd give it to him anyway, which made it even worse.

"Honestly what a fucking gift." He said, smile wide on his face. He looked up to Becca and thanked her and she returned the favour by kissing him, for at least two seconds, on the cheek.

You sniffled as your eyes had glossed over. You stood up and left the box on the sofa.

"Where you going?" Darrel asked curiously, noticing how you weren't happy for Harry like you should've been.

"I - uh - I don't know." You responded, wanting to get out of here before you broke down completely.

"Aren't you going to tell Harry?" He asked, walking with you to the front door.

"Bye Darrel." You kindly smiled, the best you could, and walk out in to the crisp air night.

•••••

Harry put the ring back in to the ring box after a few minutes of showing it off. He liked to get all his rings polished by a ring cleaner before he wears them.

The ring meant so much to him and he was over the moon that someone had bought it for him. He'd been talking about it for ages, and was all ready to buy if it for himself but then he got busy and never got around to it. He couldn't actually believe that Becca even knew that he wanted it. I mean, he'd never told her before, and yet she still knew.

It suddenly hit him that you hadn’t come over and seen the ring yet, probably because you weren’t one for large crowds and the lads do crowd sometimes. Harry was excited to show it to you, seeing as he never shut up to you about it. He knew you’d be excited for him too. Harry excused himself, ring box in hand, and stood up to go and see his girl. However you weren’t sat there anymore. The box of lingerie, which he thought was a slightly disturbing gift, was still open on the sofa, but you weren’t sat with it.

It made him panic as to where you were.

Darrel wasn’t there either and that made him more anxious. Darrel isn't exactly the hands-to-himself kind of guy, and Harry was wary of him sat next to you the entire time he was there. "I swear to fucking God if he's laid so much as one finger on her—" Harry started to mumble under his breath before hearing someone calling him.

"Harry!" Darrel walls in to the room, noticing Harry was confused as fuck. Darrel wasn't with Y/N either. Was that a good thing or a bad thing?

"Where's Y/N, Darrel?" Harry quickly asked him, panic rising rapidly through his veins - pumping the adrenaline throughout his system.

"Mate she just left." Darrel said looking confused as to why she would leave without Harry. "I tried asking her where she was going but she kept avoiding the question." He added.

Fuck. This wasn't good.

You would never leave without Harry alone, especially at this time of night. Unless you were upset or angry at him, but he couldn't think what he could've done.

"Ok cheers mate." Harry patted Darrels shoulder as he jogged past him and to the door.

Before anyone could stop Harry, he was out of the door and running off straight down the street. He'd left the ring box at his friends house, knowing he could pick it up tomorrow. His main priority right now, as it was always, was you.

If you'd only just left that meant he still had a slim chance of finding you wandering the streets. He couldn't begin to understand how you must be feeling. If you'd left, so abruptly, you definitely weren't okay, and he needed to find you before you did something stupid or someone did something unforgivable to you. He hated where his mind took him and only made him vacate the house that much quicker.

•••••

You regretted not bringing a jacket, that's for sure. You also definitely regretted going to that friends house this evening.

You wrapped your arms tighter around yourself, trying to warm you up slightly. Although the top gave easy access to Harry, and only Harry, it felt terrible knowing he wasn't here in this moment to hold you and rub his hands, soothingly, over your back. The night was cold and it made you feel even more alone.

The pavement was dreadfully blurry, and you could blame that on your streaming tears. You bumped mindlessly in to a few people that were walking along the busy street, muttering an apology to every one.

You probably looked like a mad-woman which was why everyone was staying clear of you.

The quieter lanes made you wish you had Harry here to protect and keep you safe. It was a stupid and reckless decision to walk yourself home at this time of night, but you couldn't spend another minute in that house. It was too much. Seeing Becca flirt with Harry like that, making you stupidly self conscious, was one thing but then seeing her gift Harry the ring you'd also gotten him was something else - and it was all too much.

You cried louder on the quiet streets, knowing there wasn't anyone around to hear or judge you.

"Y/N!" You heard once. You thought you were hearing things, but when you turned around in the direction it came from and see Harry sprinting towards you, at Bolt speed, you started to cry more. You didn't want to believe it was him at first, so to not get your hopes up when it was some random dude, but as he got closer his figure became more and more apparent.

It was your Harry.

"Y/N, baby! Stay there!" He shouted as his pants got louder and louder, as he got closer and closer. "Stay there!" He repeated a couple of times before he was within ten meters of you. You could tell he was relieved to have found you, but you could tell he was experiencing pain too. Pain you probably caused.

You couldn't help but stand still, letting him crash in to you. His arms protectively wrapped around your waist, as yours went around his neck, and he lifted you up and around his waist. He was hugging you so tightly you were afraid you weren't breathing, but it was more than relieving to have him so close to you again. You'd been needing this hug all evening.

You continued to cry in to his warm and sweet scented neck. His neck was a part of him that was like a second home to you and so you often found the most comfort there.

"You're okay baby. You're okay." Harry whispered in to you ear, as he pressed his head alongside yours. "I'm right here. It's alright." He kissed the side of your head multiple times to make up for the fact he couldn't reach your lips.

You only have to replay tonight's events for you to choke up again.

"Hey. Baby? Y/N, hey?" He tried to catch your attention over your deafening cries. You nodded your head slightly to let him know you were listening to him. "You need to calm down, baby, otherwise you'll make yourself sick. Okay?"

You nodded again, trying to match your breathing with his. You listened for the pulse in his neck, and felt the rising of his chest, to get in the same rhythm of his breathing. Harry’s breathing always calmed you down. Even if he was the cause of your irregular breathing, he would still manage to calm you. He was your equivalent of breathing into a paper bag to coax you out a panicked state.

"That's good baby. You're doing so well." Harry praised you as you manage to calm yourself down, pressing constant kisses to the side of your head as you swayed in his arms.

It took you a couple more minutes before you had composed yourself enough to talk to him.

"You want to talk here, or at home?" He asked, helping you clamber off his body. You landed on the floor and looked down at your battered shoes, not being strong enough to look at Harry right now.

"I can't talk at home." You quietly replied.

"What do you mean, baby?" He asked cupping your cheek, bringing your face to look up at his. It was the first time looking at his face, up close, since before you left the house this evening and it broke you to see his worried face. He had fear and panic washed all over his face - emotions you'd caused.

"I- I c-can't go with you Harry." Not only did he look taken aback by the sentence as a whole, but also by how you'd called him Harry to his face. You never call him Harry, and it worries him that you’d just done that.

"What? Why?" He asked quickly, stepping closer to you, firming his grip on your cheek as if you'd just slip away at any moment.

"I'm not right for you, Harry. I shouldn't be your girlfriend. I-I don't deserve you H." You sobbed at the end, not thinking you'd ever be saying those words but yet here you are.

"Hey, Y/N/N? Where the hell is this coming from, huh?" Harry asked quizzically, his own heartbeat rising in anxiety from your words.

"I'm just not the one H, for you." Harry have you a look as if you'd gone completely insane. "I see the way you look at Becca a-and I could never b-be her. I'm just Y/N. Not a model. Not famous or popular. Not rich. Just me. And i'm afraid you'll wake up one day realising that i'm not enough, but I don't want to be there when you wake up. It'll b-break me Ha-rry—" You started choking up again, it physically paining you to speak these words. But it was true.

Harry looked at you in disbelief. You knew that he was thinking over your words. Maybe even thinking how you might be true.

"Just let me go and—"

You were instantly cut off by Harrys crushing lips on yours. You could feel the raw passion burning off of both your lips. He grabbed ahold of both your cheeks and pulled you deathly close to him. Your simple kiss soon turned into more and you were both trying to fight internal demons. You; trying to push away the fact you needed to leave him. Him; trying to push away the thoughts of a life without you.

You could taste the salty tears on your lips as you continued to mould your lips on his. You never wanted to move away from them, but there came a point where you mutually had to pull away from each other before you both passed out - from lack of oxygen.

"Never say that to me again." Harry said, eyes still closed as his forehead rested upon yours, tears still trickling down his face. You used your hand that wasn't cupping the back of his neck to wipe away some of those tears, it hurting so much to see him like this. Harry rarely cried, but when he did it hurt you badly.

"But—"

"No. I'm going to speak now and you're going to listen to every word, until the message has sunk in solidly." Harry let you know and all you could do was comply.

He pulled away from you, after pressing one last and loving kiss to your swollen and possibly bruised lips. He reached in his back pocket and pulled the object round front, getting down on his knee as he did so. He opened the small, black, velvet box to reveal the most beautiful ring you'd ever seen. You stood in shock and cupped your hands over your mouth as you started to cry again.

"You've kind of made me change my plans for how I wanted to do this. I was planning on taking you to our favourite lake spot tomorrow, after a nice dinner out, but i'm scared if I don't do this now there will be no us for me to do this to tomorrow." You silently cried at his words, upset at yourself having ruined his big moment but also so in love with him for doing this.

"You say you're not right for me. That you don't deserve me. Baby, that's how I feel everyday of our lives. I never thought I would meet someone so utterly perfect, someone that I could fall in love with more each passing day, someone who puts everyone else before themselves even if it means hurting themselves, someone whose actions speak louder than words, someone who makes me fucking happy for once in my lonely life, but yet here you are standing in front of me - looking like the angel you are."

"Baby, I really don't want to involve this in my proposal, but I feel I need to make you understand something. Becca means nothing. Absolutely nothing. I don't want you to be a model, baby. I don't want you to be famous or popular. I don't need you to be rich. I just want you to be you. Only you. I fell in love with you, baby, not some rich phoney like Becca. You prove to me that you're enough just by breathing, Y/N/N, and I can't...I won't lose you."

"Y/N L/N. It’s always going to be you, baby. I'll be here by your side, every fucking day till we're old and grey and in our graves. I love you, so much it hurts baby and I really don’t want to lose you. Ever."

By this point you were both crying messes.

"So Y/N/N? Will you make me the happiest man in this universe and marry me?" He finished with a little sniffle, noticing how his hands were delicately shaking.

You couldn't get out any words to start with, you were so in shock, so rapidly nodded your head instead. Once realisation hit you of what he'd just asked you, you couldn't help but repeat one word over and over again.

"Yes!"

Harry stood up fast and pulled you back to his lips. It has been less than 5 minutes away from his lips and you suggest craved them so badly. Your lips moved in perfect sync with his, slight moans coming from you when he bit your bottom lip, like you liked it, or when you pulled on the back of Harrys hair, like he liked it. You pulled away and looked him carefully in the eyes.

"I'm so—"

Harry placed a finger over your lips to prevent you from talking.

"I don't want, or need, to hear it. Okay?" He rhetorically asked. "May I?" He pointed to your ring finger and pulled up your hand so he could place the ring on. The ring fit perfectly and looked stunning on. It couldn't be more of a dream ring.

"Thank you, for not giving up on me yet H." You said, as you rested your forehead against his.

"Never." He reminded you. "Thank you for saying yes."

"Always." You smiled before kissing him again.

••••

You were tucked away in bed now, enclosed tightly into Harrys warm embrace. You were practically laying on top of him, but Harry didn't mind because it meant you were close to him. You listened to his heart beat with the rising of his chest and it made you so sleepy. He had both his arms securely around your back, one for support and one underneath your shirt tracing patterns on your bare skin. You felt so at peace lying in his arms. It was pure bliss.

"Baby?" Harry asked from where you were resting your head on his bare chest.

"Hmm." You acknowledge him, your cheek still pressed against him.

"Happy anniversary." He whispered into your ear, just for you, as the clock struck midnight.

You smiled for a moment but then remembered how your gift to him has been ruined. The gift that has cost you a pay cheques worth. A single tear rolled down your cheek and landed on Harrys abs. You tried to blink it away but it had sheas fallen before you could catch it.

"Y/N/N, what's wrong baby?" He asked, whilst you lifted your head to rest your chin on his upper chest. You smiled at him, but he couldn't smile back knowing you were upset.

"It doesn't matter H." You continued to softly smile at him.

He cupped under your chin and cheek, his large hands allowing it, swiping his thumb over your cheek slowly.

"Please tell me." Harry asked quietly. "Are you having second thoughts?" He pointed to your ring finger hesitantly.

"Never, H. Never ever." You assured him, earning a cheeky smile from him. "Hold on a minute." You told him, starting to shuffle around to sit up.

Before you could climb out of bed, Harry took ahold of your wrist. "Baby if you're about to go and cry in the bathroom, alone, I won't let you." He told you sternly, knowing you've done it many a time before.

"I promise i'm not." You kissed his cheek and he reluctantly let go of your hand.

You walked over to the walk in closet and took out the small hamper box you'd packaged together, as his anniversary gift. You struggled to carry it out, whilst turning off the closets light, but you managed.

"Woah what's all this!?" Harry exclaimed, sitting further up on the bed from his laid down position.

"Happy anniversary H." You smiled widely as you place the basket on his lap.

"Baby wha—"

"I know we said no presents but I didn't listen, because I knew you wouldn't either. I thought I might've even outdone you this year, but that is far from the truth now." You say whilst twizzling and admiring the engagement ring on your finger. Harry just laughed at you before digging in to the hamper for presents.

He opened the standard chocolates and soppy card first, to which he cried over for at least 5 minutes - telling you how much he "hated" you for making his "manly self" cry. You'd gotten him some guitar pics with his initials embellished in them, because he was in need of more. You'd got him a vinyl of his favourite artist at the moment - one that you'd bought in a vintage store he loves. You also had made him some free vouchers to use around the house and with you.

The vouchers included things like; one free ice cream date, or one free massage, or one free make-out session - along with a few other inappropriate ones. It was something you thought would be a cute idea, but something you knew wouldn't be sold in stores.

Finally it had come to the present you'd spent the most on, yet the present he'd already received. He picked it up out of the box, still laughing from reading some of the vouchers.

"Y/N/N... this is Gucci..." He stated in disbelief, like you couldn't read the box yourself.

He started to unbox it but you didn't want to see his disappointed face when he opened it, so you buried your face in your hands and tried to stop the threatening tears. You didn't even realise you had this many tears in you.

"I knew it." You looked up at Harry, through glossy eyes, severely confused but also worried.

"I know. I'm the worst—"

"You told Becca what you got me, didn't you?" Harry asked making you look at him in shock. He'd hit the nail on the head with his assumption, and he could tell by your expression that he was right. "That evil bitch." Harry scoffed to himself.

"We can take it back H, or we could sell—"

"No." Harry looked at you with so much love in his twinkling orbs. "I knew Becca would have had to have had someone tell her I wanted it, seeing as I never told her. I guessed it would be you, but wondered why you'd not got it for me yourself - not trying to sound spoilt or big headed or anything. Makes sense now though."

Harry moved you, from where you were sat on the edge of the bed, so you were straddling his lap comfortably. He cupped your cheek, to which you leant in to.

"I'm sorry she did that, Y/N/N, I truly am. But I want yours. This ring, that you bought, means more to me than anything. That doesn't mean to say i'm not pissed at you for spending so much money on me, because you know I hate it when you do. However, I appreciate it so much and I love you so so much, baby. Thank you, angel." He said.

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault. I guess I was just anxious that you'd think less of me for getting the same gift—"

Harry interrupted you. "The same gift which you bought first baby. Also I could never ever think less of you. It's impossible to. You're the best gift you ever gave me and always will be."

"I love you."

"I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you, future Mrs Styles." Harry winked at you before you both tangled yourself within the fresh cotton sheets. "I want to cash in some of those vouchers now, please." He cheekily said whilst hovering over you.

"Which ones will it be?" You asked innocently.

"I can think of a few."

[minty-malfoy]

“would you still love me if I turned into a worm?” | blurbs

🌱 pairings: reader x blaise zabini, cedric diggory, draco malfoy, fred weasley, george weasley, harry potter, hermione granger, luna lovegood, neville longbottom (sorted in alphabetical order)

🌱 warning tags: language, probably

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Blaise Zabini

“A what, now?” your boyfriend asks, halting the movements of his quill to look up at you; brows furrowed as if it’s the most absurd thing he has ever heard in his entire life.

“You know, those wiggly things that—”

“I know what worms are, (y/n). But what the hell?”

“Dunno,” you shrug. “I’m bored.”

“So you thought about what it’d be like to turn into a worm?” his eyes narrow out of pure bewilderment, blinking once, twice, as he finally turns back to his unfinished essay. “Sometimes I wonder what goes on in that head of yours.”

“Not my fault you’re taking so long with that assignment,” you grumble as you begin to shift on the puffy couch, feeling somewhat annoyed by how cold and empty it is without the other boy in it. “And besides, you love me.”

An amused chuckle escapes his lips. “Can’t say that I don’t.”

“Even as a worm?”

“Will you stop asking if I said yes?”

You nod happily, giving him the answer he needs— or well, wants, really. Even though Blaise couldn’t quite understand the pointless question, he knows it’s significant to an extent.

“Yeah, alright. I would. Now give me five minutes and we can get out of here. Deal?”

A glint of satisfaction flashes through your eyes as you give him a hum in return, thinking to yourself that maybe the silly questions could be more useful than you thought.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Cedric Diggory

The moment the words leave your mouth, Cedric's first reaction is to laugh. He didn't mean for it to come out in a condescending way. He hadn't even meant to laugh, to begin with. But judging by the way you pout with both arms crossed, that might just have been how it came accross.

"I'm sorry," he offers sheepishly. "you were saying?"

"You heard me. I said what I've said," you grumble, despite not being genuinely upset at the hufflepuff boy you've grown to love.

"Wait, I need to get this straight," he takes another breath of air. "You're serious?"

"What do you think?" you pout once again, turning away slightly from your boyfriend. This only seems to ignite his amusement as much as it does his guilt. A second or two later, his arm finds its way around your shoulder, the other brushing a few strands of hair behind your ear.

"You really haven't figured it out yet?" he asks with a genuine grin on his face. You begin to eye him curiously, appreciating the charm of his pearly white teeth as you wait for the boy to go on. Soon, he pulls you into his lap where his arms craddle you lovingly.

"Sunshine," he begins. "I'm surprised you still have to ask. But if that's one way of putting my love for you, then yes. You'd be my favorite worm in the entire world."

"Promise?" you present your pinkie finger as a final means to seal the deal.

With one last chuckle, he wraps his fingers around yours. "Promise."

Everything that happens next is a flurry of innocent pecks and kisses planted along your skin, coupled with the security of two warm arms holding you in place.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Draco Malfoy

"And what exactly do you expect me to say to that?" comes his first response after a long moment of trying to figure out just how in Merlin's name your mind came up with that question.

You, on the other hand, can't help but giggle at the slytherin boy's confusion. "Whatever's on your mind right now will do."

"Well, to be honest with you, I can't quite stomach the idea of my own girlfriend turning into a bloody worm." he nearly spits the words out, softening his edge only when your eyes meet once again. "If you were expecting a different answer, I suggest moving on to the next bloke."

Draco wasn't lying about that first bit. Worms have always been an insignificant, unseen creature in his world; wiggling in the muckiest of places where they could easily be stepped on. Hence, he doesn't like to imagine you—someone so perfectly ethereal and quintessential in every single way; the only source of light shining into his pathetic excuse of a life—to be compared to a dirty worm, of all things.

"That doesn't mean I don't love you, though," he adds in a bit of a guilty tone; voice much, much softer this time. He brings your hand to his lips, dropping a few kisses on its skin. "I just much prefer having you as you already are."

You snuggle deeper into him, indicating that you already know exactly what he means.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Fred Weasley

“A worm!” Fred exclaims, nearly forgetting the food on his plate altogether. "What a brilliant idea!"

A few seats away, you can already see Ginny clamping her mouth shut as to not burst into fireworks of laughter. You mirror her gesture, eyes now on Fred once again, watching him announce this idea of yours to your entire group of friends.

Ron, who's not that thrilled to see his brother's public displays of affection, lets out a groan. "Wouldn't have asked him that if I were you."

"You think so?" comes your reply. "He seems to be having a lot of fun with this." you both glance at Fred, who is indeed already coming up with some sort of thrilling plot.

"Did you hear that, George?"

"Sure did, Fred."

"I reckon we could come up with a potion for that," he muses, turning back to look at you. "Give me a week or two and we can start living out that worm dream of yours, love."

"Wait, Freddie, you're getting it all wrong," you begin explaining, tugging on the boy's sleeve slightly to keep his attention on you, "It was just a silly little question. I don't actually plan on turning into a worm or anything like that."

At this point, you half expect his enthusiasm to die down from the grounding effect of your words. In reality, it doesn't.

"S'that so?" he replies, earning a nod from you. "Looks like you're missing the bigger picture to me, (y/n). Isn't that right, George?"

"Right you are, Fred." the said boy affirms. "Sorry, (y/n). I'm with him on this one."

With a sigh, you turn back to Ron, who's busily stuffing his mouth with a look on his face that says I told you so. You shake your head with a small smile at your boyfriend's shenanigans. You're not sure how you can both dread and anticipate the day of his worm adventures.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

George Weasley

"That's a new one," he asserts with an amused laugh. The boy rests his head against one of his palms, feeling instantly intrigued by your proposition. "Now tell me more about this worm business of yours."

"That's about it, actually." you admit sadly.

George frowns at this, wishing he could hear more worm stories and whatnot. Mostly he's just happy to see the way you talk about things passionately. Makes him feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside in a way he can't ever get enough of.

"That's quite alright. I'll do the talking, then." he offers, rubbing his chin to think of what to say next. You light up in your seat, eyes wide in anticipation. Now it's your turn to eagerly wait for his response once again.

"I've got an idea. We could run off and start a new life— as worms!" he beams all of a sudden. You raise a brow for him to go on, not exactly complaining about your boyfriend's excitement towards the topic. "I'm only turning into a worm to make sure I can properly take care of you, of course. Wouldn't want to—er—squash you between my big human fingers, now do we?"

You both erupt into a chorus of laughter at the conjectured image, melting into one another like two fitting puzzle pieces. When you finally catch your breath again, you pose the main question once more, "So I'm concluding you're still going to love me, then?"

"Love you?" he repeats. "Oh darling, I'll be marrying you in a grand worm wedding!"

You can't hold back the gasp that escapes your lips, more than thrilled to have the first mention of marriage between you. Not too long after, you transform into a complete fit of giggles when George continues. "Then we'll happily live our worm lives, 'till death do us apart. Or when, you know, some bloke accidentally steps on us. Whichever comes first."

You lean into him lovingly to steady yourself after all the laughing. Taking a deep breath in, you mumble a soft, "You always know how to make me laugh, Georgie."

And the truth is, he wouldn't have it any other way. Worms or not.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Hermione Granger

"I'm sorry, I don't think I understand the point of this question."

"Which part, exactly?" you inquire, watching your girlfriend pull out another book from the wooden library shelves.

A few seconds pass before you get your answer. "You're not a worm," she states simply, eyeing you up and down as if to prove her point.

"Yes, thank you for pointing that out, 'Mione," you follow her to the next section. "Which is why I said if I turned into a worm."

The girl looks at you again, analyzing your words and expression briefly before coming to another conclusion. "I still don't understand." she pauses to think. "Unless you might be interested in becoming an Animagus? Even then, opting for a worm wouldn't be very... effective."

You roll your eyes, speeding up to block the girl's way. She lets out a non-committal "Hey!", only for you to quickly muffle it with a warm kiss. A moment or two later, you pull away with a smirk that makes her heart melt. "Just answer the question, would you?"

Still slightly caught off guard from the contact, Hermione finally caves in. "Alright, you cheeky flirt. I love you. Even as a notional worm."

Satisfied with her answer, you plant another peck— this time on her cheek, before announcing a gentle "I love you, too."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Harry Potter

The way his lips purse into a straight line tells you that Harry doesn't exactly understand the question. Not really, at first. Aside from being an entirely foreign concept to his ears, it also seems like an odd thing to ask someone, unless— "Oh! You're an Animagus!"

The smile on your face instantly drops at this. "What? No—"

"Why didn't you just say so, (y/n)?" he begins what—at the time—you don't know is going to be a nearly endless ramble. "I was planning on telling you this for a while now, but I know someone who's an Animagus, actually. In fact, I think you two would get along fantastically!" he lights up at the sudden idea, flailing his arms in the air out of excitement. "Yes, maybe I can try getting the both of you to meet up. No promises, of course, but what do you think?"

"I think you've got it all wrong," you frown; knowing you would have to disappoint your boyfriend and how you're not very fond of the idea.

"What do you mean?" he asks, albeit barely giving you a second to reply. "(y/n), it's alright, really. You know you don't have to hide yourself from me. Besides, I think it's brilliant!— what you can do, I mean."

The smile he gives you is the epitome of love itself, and now you're not quite sure how to handle the messy situation without pulling out the rug underneath Harry's feet. All you can do is squeeze his shoulder with a guilty smile, promising to talk about it again after dinner.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Luna Lovegood

"Of course. Worms are lovely, don't you think?" she says with a dreamy smile. You gape at how easily the answer could be pried from your girlfriend; no questions asked. But then again, it's not like you hadn't expected this exact outcome already.

"Really?"

"Mhm," comes her gentle hum as she begins to stir her honeyed chamomile tea. A soft smile stays glued on her features, as if she's enjoying the conversation. "What kind of worm would you like to be, (y/n)?"

"I haven't really thought about it that far," You admit. "Are you sure, though? We won't be able to hold hands or anything like that."

You can't tell if you had just imagined the almost-frown tugging on her lips, because when she looks back up at you again, her sweet signature Luna smile is back in its place. "I suppose you're right. But I could carry you around everywhere with me. Wouldn't that be lovely?"

"It would be," you nod. "but can a worm even fit into that pocket of yours?" you question, noticing how hers are stuffed with unknown items; blades of grass sticking out ever so slightly. Flowers, perhaps.

"Oh, there's nothing to worry about. See?" she pulls out a couple of daisies and fairy foxgloves to reveal a now empty pocket. "Now, would you like some tea?"

You eagerly join her on the table, snuggling against your girlfriend ever so slightly as you both begin to talk about your day. The entire worm ordeal is slowly slipping out of your mind already.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Neville Longbottom

Neville stops in his tracks at your question, taking a moment to toss the idea back and forth in his mind before he can give you a proper answer. You nearly giggle when his face scrunches up, brows knit and lips parted as he innocently asks, “But why would you turn into a worm?”

"Neville, love, no. It's a hypothetical question."

His entire body relaxes at this, releasing what you assume is a breath of relief. "Oh. I thought you were being serious for a moment there."

You shake your head with a giggle, taking a step closer to adjust the scarf around your boyfriend's neck. "I'm just curious is all. Would you still love me, then?" you ponder.

"Yes! Of course!" comes his instant reply, hands balled up into fists that match the determination on his face. "I would get you a nice worm house with all your favorite flowers in it," he bends one of his gloved finger inwards, beginning to keep count of this hypothetical to-do list. "Would you still be able to have human food? Well, either way, I promise to feed you every single day!"

He pauses, only for a second or two. "Oh! And I'll sing you worm songs! Or maybe we can sing them together? I don't know if you would still be able to talk as a worm though."

You swiftly pull him into an affectionate hug, effectively bringing his rambling—as well as the entire worm topic—to an end. His hands sheepishly find their home around your waist, where he places them softly as if it's his first time hugging you. After all the months of being together, it certainly isn't.

"What was that for?" he dares himself to ask, avoiding your eye contact shyly.

"For being the most loving and adorable boyfriend I could ever ask for," you lean in to plant a soft, gentle kiss on his cheek. You don't miss the way he pulls up his scarf to hide the blossoming blush afterwards.

I have no idea why I wrote this either lol <3

🌷 draco taglist: @arossebyanyothername @kawaii-angelanne @thefandomplace @yuosmi @bbeauttyybbx @mywellspringoflife @slytherinsunrise @avatarbeeb @scarlet-says-hi @lunars @coldlilheart @beiahadid @justmimithings @soundsquid27 @youknowiloveyou-so @n3ssm0nique @ochrythum @explxsion @yaanasluv @autumnpleaves @booksmione @drxcomvlfx @the–queen-of-hell @aspiringsloth20 @runninglownad @snitches-at-dawn @badfvith

🌷 harry taglist: @teheharrypotter @badfvith

[mc-critical]

Despite of the "rough" first season, I think we can all agree that the Janissary rebellion episodes were great. There is so much to enjoy here: a situation quite different from what we've seen, with comparatively higher stakes and especially, Mahidevran and Hürrem protecting each other's children. The amazing showcase of their motherly instincts that care only for the nurturing and safety of these kids, without ever taking into account that they are the enemy's, completely stole the show.

However, what I loved even more, is the aftermath of this protection, that served to drive one of the most human moments of Mahidevran's in front of Hürrem: her going to her chambers and trying to return her ring.

It was definetly an unexpected visit, a move no one would really see coming, judging by both Gülşah's look when she found out they were going to Hürrem and Hürrem and Nigar's surprised faces when they see her there. But it's been something she has thought through, something she's been wanting to settle for a while now. Given their previous confrontations, it makes us question what exactly is Mahidevran up to, what will she say and how exactly will she return that ring.

We see that Mahidevran's intentions were, in fact, genuine. She immediately reveals what motivated her and the fact that she starts off right with this is very telling in that she wants to be in good terms for once. There is only that feeling of gratitude. No insults, no vitriol, no acting proud in order to prevail. Can she manage that completely in front of her rival, though? Can she pull it off until the end?

I love the role of the ring here, because it serves as a visual demonstration of Mahidevran's inner conflict. Throughout the whole scene she's fighting with herself, consistently wondering whether to do the right thing or let her utter disdain for Hürrem overcome her once again. The reason she decided to come is something she would never allow herself to disregard: Hürrem's protection of Mustafa means something, because it's something she didn't even consider possible for her enemy to be able to do, something unbelievable. ("Hürrem was the one who protected you?") It's shocking and incredible for Mahidevran and she would certainly feel obliged to return the favor the only way she knows how, with the thing she now has, but Hürrem is desperately searching for. This is the first time she makes an effort to reach out to her, that's why it's not so easy. The person in front of her is unpredictable and fierce and her words could possibly drift Mahidevran away from her purpose, ignoring her attempts of solidarity. For every instance of this, she looks at the ring, as to remind herself why she's there in the first place.

But the same emerald ring in itself, is another aspect of her struggle in this scene. Up to this point, it is not the symbol of the SOW yet, but a symbol of love, a personal current or former gift with a deeply personal value. The ring meant a lot to Mahidevran even before Hürrem and it still holds its meaning, even after the supposed loss. That's why she wanted it so much after all, would she just willingly let go of it despite of the reason? Even after all these years, it was a chance for her to maintain hope in SS's love, to show to herself that she holds a place in SS's heart anyway. If she gives it to Hürrem, no matter how much she wants to, wouldn't it mean defeat? Wouldn't it mean her symbolically letting Hürrem to Süleiman's love permanently? Is it something Mahidevran can afford? She can't put her finger on it throughout the entirety of their conversation here and it shows. She knows she has to return that ring, but doesn't really know how, hence her diverting the conversation to a different topic entirely after she thanked her for Mustafa:

Mahidevran clearly wants to work her way until she reaches the desired moment, for she has to find out how is she gonna tell her that she has the ring, let alone give it back. She's still figuring out what to say, since she's doing something she's never done before.

And here come her "obstacles" that create and empower her inner conflict:

Don't get me wrong, I completely understand Hürrem's defences here. It's obvious she would put up that attitude to the person who would principally never miss a chance to humiliate her. How could she predict a peaceful visit from the one she forcefully had to ask forgiveness from, who derides her at every turn, who, not three episodes ago, gave a present to her son, but then appeared in front of her and "revealed the whole facade"? No way. It's a mask she has to put, to act high and mighty, to show she's the favored one his majesty shall consistently visit, to make it clear she shall always have that over Mahidevran. She's used to it already, treating it as something she needs to do during their every encounter.

But these same words, along with Hürrem telling her she will invite her for a şerbet on the terrace, put Mahidevran in a rocky position and make her doubt her first-try decision more and more. The moment she hears Hürrem mention Süleiman and all her lines one after another let her slowly "snap back into reality", be who she's always been for Hürrem, creating a neat parallel between both of them that seals the whole scene: with how Hürrem was like here, Mahidevran also saw her as she always had, leaving all existing contradictions behind. Because after Mustafa told her what her rival did, she saw a new side of Hürrem that she had never shown in front of her. And she acted accordingly, by attempting this very thing in the first place. Hürrem could've also witnessed Mahidevran's "weird" behavior, however the only thing she could do is act in utter disbelief - expecting another tricky "facade" and "preparing" herself with words just in case.

With the way the confrontation develops, they both get the confirmations they seemed to have wanted, setting up and then discarding the theme of a possible change, especially in Mahidevran's eyes. Hürrem is still the same Hürrem she's always known and it's not worth the try anymore. Conversely, Hürrem makes of this a usual conversation between them, with Mahidevran later giving her the hint that she has the ring to "call out" the symbol Hürrem thinks it is. ("That ring is my soul. It would harm anyone but me." - "If that ring is your soul, don't drop it. They will trample it underfoot.") Hürrem realizes the intention eventually, but it was too late and the probability for Mahidevran to ever return it to her is still out of the question.

And Mahidevran leaves without doing anything, with Hürrem figuring out the ring is in Mahidevran's hands. This way the dynamic between them stays the same.

This scene feels incredibly telling of Mahidevran's character development. There is a chance to let go of what the ring entails at the moment (her love for SS), but the feelings she has for both Süleiman and Hürrem render it impossible so far. She couldn't let go of it all, even for a moment, as of yet. But I find admirable and neat that she was willing to try it at this point of the show, it's just that it would still take her a long way to go to get there. She will get there, but not yet. Not from the first try.

[fakeloveaskblog]

(Hi, me again. I’ve never played FNAF because I’m terrible with jump scares so I’ll take your word for my introduction being like Freddy Fazbear. I just say that because I have no idea how to start an ask so I use the same phrase every time, I’m glad it isn’t annoying. Anyway onto the ask.)

Hi Remus, the lawnmower ghost has returned. I have some ideas for presents you could give to Janus. The best gifts usually fall into one of two categories. Something that requires you to put thought into it, such as a book you know they have been wanting to get or something that requires time and effort, usually something homemade, like a drawing.

Alternatively one thing I often ask for in gifts (because I am the hardest person on the planet being in the void to buy gifts for.) is an experience, such as going to the park and buying ice cream or having lunch at a restaurant or watching a movie. In my personal opinion this is a good alternative if you are struggling to come up with a meaningful idea for a gift because experiences are often remembered more clearly than gifts unless the gift is particularly memorable, hence my previous statement about gifts that have a lot of thought or time and effort put into them.

I haven’t given many actual suggestions because I’m terrible at coming up with gift ideas but hopefully this did somewhat help, I wish you the best of luck in you search for the perfect gift (Disclaimer, the gift does not actually have to be perfect and attempting to achieve perfection is an unrealistic goal that will cause large amounts of stress.)

And have a fun fact. Did you know that It takes the death of 27,000 trees daily to make toilet paper for humans. That wasn’t such a fun fact in hindsight so I’ll try again. Did you know that horned lizards squirt blood from their eyes as a defense mechanism. There much better, have a nice day and remember to drink water and that you are worthy of love. Bye.

Remus had gotten a little excited and taken out one of the canvases that had been standing in the corner collecting dust for months now. He'd splatted the fake blood onto it. Tried different shades of it. It looked a bit like a very red very contorted very bloody shower right now.

"Hi lawnmover ghost! I'm creating! I'm like a demented god! I'm making a spooky shower since all showers are spooky! Very scary! You could trip and break your bones!! While NAKed!!"

He splashed some more color while listening to you. He'd gotten it all over his clothes.

"Wow I didn't know ghosts were also experts on gift giving. Very interesting. I still don't think anything made by me could even count as a gift. It would be like getting coal. I can't even get anyone to hire me for an art job....ehhh not that I've tried"

He wow-ed at you being in the void. He thought it was so cool he got the urge to use one of the canvases to paint a void.

"Oh I dunno about gifting an experience" He fiddled with his bloody shirt "I mean Jannie and I have already hung out at a bunch of different places. Maybe the gift would just feel like another annoying tuseday to him???.....I would enjoy going to hang out with Jannie as a gift...ugh that's so dorky of me"

He tapped his finger against his chin while wrinkling his forehead. He pouted a little just to himself. He dunked his head against the armseat of the couch behind him while letting out an annoyed groan.

You started to go on about the fun facts. Remus sighed and looked all sad to pity himself, even though he had been the one to make it so he was giving Janus a gift.

When you mentioned the lizard fact Remus' eyes suddenly went wide as he looked at you.

"It does WHAT!? That's so cool!!! I wanna fight people off by squirting blood from my face as well!!! OHOHOH! This is why reptiles really are the best animals!! They are so FUCKED UP!! I LOVE IT! I feel extreme kinship with these strange beasts!! I understand them! They understand me! This is why reptiles and Remy are actually the same! They understand me the same amount!!"

He jumped up on his feet and ran in place while flapping his arms around. He was about an inch away from stomping his drying painting to death

"I HAVE TO BUY A LIZARD!" Remus ran to grab his sister's second wallet (marked for him) he skid to a sudden stop "WAIT- You said water!" He ran to the kitchen and threw his head under the tap and gulped half a liter in before running to the wallet again. He'd forgotten he still had fake blood all over his clothes as he ran out of the apartment.

--

Half an hour later he ran back into the apartment with a 60 inch long snake around his shoulders.

"I BOUGHT A SNAKE INSTEAD!" He patted the snake on it's head "Her name is Carl!"

He sat Carl down on the couch and let it slither away to explore the apartment.

"I was gonna buy a lizard but then I remembered what Rowan tells me. I gotta think about M. E. D. S. before making drastic choices. Y'know my Mood/mental health. My Energy. My Dissociation/delusions. And my Spoons. And I dunno if I have enough energy to take care of a lizard full time. I can't take care of a child!!! Even if the child is scaled!! I'm not even 23 yet!! So I bought Carl- oh shit where's Carl"

Carl was trying to swallow an entire lamp. Remus picked her up and carried her back to the couch. He nuzzled his nose into her cold scales.

"So I bought Carl! For Janus!! I hope they will like her! They can rename her if they want to I guess. I hope it won't be like I'm throwing it onto them. I know they've been wanting a snake for a while. OHOHO maybe I could become the snake babysitter if Jannie ever goes on a trip or something"

Remus sunk further down into the couch. Carl wrapped around him as he let out a longing sigh. He fiddled with his thumbs and stared at the paint on the flesh decorations drying.

"Guess I'll just wait until the gathering and see if he likes it....just gotta wait....just a day or so..........wow waiting is horrible. Right Carl?"

Carl didn't respond because Carl was a snake.

[mantra4ia]

Debris 1x13 "Celestial Body": rewatch Reaction'd, questions and comments

So if all those people are experiencing emotional convergence, who are they converging from? Who's sending the emotional signal that the debris is channeling, or is it the debris manifesting it's "consciousness" in a way that we can understand it by way of human conduits?

Maddox is clearly trading debris pieces with Irina (perhaps the piece that he took out of storage off the books), and Irina is on the phone with presumably her handler/ boss to negotiate this trade. She gives him lateral (which I assume means latitudinal) readings and then he asks for longitudinal readings which we don't get to hear. They are: Lateral 105, 112, 115, 120, 113, 110, 109

What's the significance of these measures? Latitude goes from 0° to 90° from the equator, so that doesn't track unless the scene is cut wrong and they're meant to be longitudinal (E/W) readings, which go to 180° relative to the prime meridian. That would make more sense, because after Irina is done with the first set of readings, the unknown caller on the phone says "drop to level two for vertical" and latitudes are North/South.

If we're talking Western longitudes, notable landmarks include: Denver, Salt Lake City UT / Phoenix AZ / nearly Sedona AZ - aka where the telesphere went, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe/ Nevada border, Great Salt Lake, Alberta-Saskatchewan border, and the Utah-Arizona border.

Or perhaps they're not part of terrestrial measurement at all. The act of "lateral reading" could just mean verifying your sources/accuracy as you go, where as vertical reading is reading for content first to see if something is worth evaluating for sources.

However, if they are part of coordinates, then is the fragment that Maddox is trading with Irina a legitimate "mapmaker" piece like George previously said Influx was seeking? Ya know, when he lied to his daughter. Can a mapmaker piece track moving/animate debris akin to the telesphere? Are those black dust cloud beings George is running from made up of animate debris?

Bryan: After becoming a parent you're in a heightened emotional state, emotionally raw.

George: Higher highs, lower lows, the joy of having a child, the postpartum depression, and the fear of getting it wrong.

Me: Are we in a pensive, self-reflective mood, George? Are you practicing your pub trivia Bryan, delivering exposition, or are you speaking from personal character experience? Seriously, how would you know?!

John Noble as Otto, man why does he always make such a good villain?

What is with the cryptic vagueness when Maddox tells Irina, "You know I can't let you leave with that case right? I mean you know that. There's another door for you Irina, one that only you can go through." They seemed almost on good terms in a previous episode, like friends or something more in a past life "nice car, i almost left / no you didn't", he wouldn't kill her, would he? Or is it more like a code between them, a sort of "I'm being watched, take the back exit"?

Hey, so why is it that sometimes George's eye seems opaque and damaged from the debris implant, but then when he's talking to Finola after he distracts Bryan while being Debris whisperer, his eye seems fine? PS: I googled Tyrone Benskin just to see what he looks like when he's not playing George Jones and I didn't know he's a former member of Canadian Parliament. Don't trust the government, eh?

George: "You're such a compassionate person, you always have been. So much of your mother in you." That's the second time that Finola's mother has been mentioned in the series, back from the pilot. Is it a coincidence that the first piece of debris that chose to interact with Finola resonated her mom? More than just Finola's desire being reflected by the debris, but the debris emoting it's first impression of her as someone compassionate that it can trust?

It also raises my heckles that George repeats, almost word for word, something that Finola said in episode 3. "If we can't help people, we do not deserve this debris / if we don't use this debris on these people, we are not worthy to have it." Are father and daughter that ideologically similar, or has he been spying on her progress this whole time, or both?

George: "I took my life to allow myself a rebirth, I paid the price. I want you to know that not one day goes by that I don't think of you and your sister. I want you to know this." This coincides with my initial impression that George staged his death to get away from Orbital after he assessed how his research was being used/abused.

George: "You never wanted to go into the pool, I had to throw you in, and you kicked and screamed, but you always did better that way." Immabout to throw you George, just keep talking!!!! I'm sorry, this charicature of absentee father reminiscing about the good old days really ticks me off from personal experience.

Also, as a person with a disability, I am not particularly pleased with the use of Dario as a plot device instead of a thoughtful character with a backstory at this point in the show for 13 whole episodes now. Pretty pissed off actually, so they better do something phenomenal and pivotal with Christian Rose (Dario) in season 2 [maybe have his character interact with debris in a similar way to Caroline]. But that's another rant about ableism in screenwriting for another angry day....

George: "A telesphere was born yesterday. It came from a pocket dimension inside Orbital. I think it's birth may have triggered the debris." This is perhaps the one-ish episode that I find George remotely interesting and also infuriating, particularly because of the way he speaks, like he's finally taken off the guise of the old, well-meaning eccentric and turned into a sharp, cunning, and at times calculatingly ruthless individual. I find it peculiar that he says a telesphere is born. Makes me think that the debris is not just part of a spacecraft, but a hybrid of the beings piloting that craft.

I get tremendous satisfaction from Finola head-butting people. This should continue.

I'm not familiar with all of the work of JH Wyman to know if this is a running theme or an ongoing joke. But does he keep his writing staff in a constant state of starvation? Is that why pieces of debris are called "Nachos", and why Influx has "Beans" to shield them from debris side effects, and why Bryan is always eating junk food? Should I be worried about the writer's room and start sending them healthy snacks?!? Just give me an SOS in the credit roll.

Speaking of: is the "Bean" that Finola ingested a piece of debris? Similar to the pieces of debris that fused with Anson Ash? Will it impart some physical benefits to her moving forward?

"I won't lose you again...you belong with me." What are you talking about George Jones, you made the conscious decision to leave your family. You didn't lose Finola, she lost you. In this version of reality at least. Or (unscripted backstory) did Jones and his wife separate prior to her death / was Finola brought up mostly by her mother? That doesn't seem the case if she was buying her father birthday presents and took it upon herself to settle his affairs after his death.

Why do the Influx Operatives Otto and Anson have tattoos on their hands, but not Loeb? Is he like the low end of the totem pole FNG who hasn't earned his stripes, hence why Otto gives him s***: aka "Careful you cretin. All the finesse of a butcher."

What is the hierarchy of Influx anyway? Despite being an anti-government "for the people/ elevate the human consciousness" organization they do still seem to have a governing hierarchy and Otto and George seem to be on the same level, pretty high in rank / they talk with confidence to each other like they go back a while.

What is that weird thing that Otto does with his hands to Bryan's head? What are all the weird things Otto does, including his massacre at the petrol station? Ick.

Why is it that Leob and George are freaked out by the black smoke (debris particle?) man, but Anson and Otto aren't? They seem to see them(?), but don't overtly react.

Bryan: "It seems like we're entering some kind of new phase." Gee where have I heard that one before? Oh yeah, the story of "Blackwater grandfather" and the black wind that they're still teasing endlessly while refusing to tether it into some kind of world building lore. Agggghh!

Lololol, Bryan and Finola's dynamic even in the midst of a very serious episode makes me laugh. "Devon Reese / two e's? / Two e's!" "This one smells like baby diapers. Almost as bad as the tech section of the plane/ You mean your section of the plane. / Almost." That zinger 👍

Paraphrasing Bryan: "[recapping, recap, and did I mention recap]...something about George doesn't feel right." Personal pet peeve: I HATE IT when episodes have intentional explanatory lines like this to point out the fact that we as audience are privy to information that the main characters aren't. Not only does it make the main characters seem less intelligent, it breaks the fourth wall a little bit and gives the impression that the audience, which is ahead of the plot, is not as intelligent and needs a reminder that we're ahead. Lackadaisical writing drives me nuts!!! I can't outright say that it's "bad" dialogue, but it's not a choice I would make if I wanted uninterrupted viewer immersion.

Finola: "My instincts are good" Me: You are an emotionally intelligent decision maker with gaping personal blind spots.

George: You belong with me, your father.

Finola: My father died six months ago, and you are not him.

Me: Chef's kiss 👏👏👏

Otto: "It would never have worked out with that girl [Finola], not in any iteration." Definitely makes me lean towards the fan theory that the alt!Finola in (presumably) suspensia in Sedona Arizona got plucked from another reality.

Surprisingly, the ending credit roll has no voiceover as all the previous episodes of the season have. Disappointed that there's no potential teaser to a season 2 if the show gets renewed. But I find it curious that the extras who were demonstrating emotional convergence were credited as: chess board persons. Not sure if that's relevant, but I definitely feel like this show is playing games with me and my emotions.

[amenomiko]

Thank you for the request ❤❤❤❤❤❤!

MC with Godlike Powers

Nobunaga - Talks to Animals

This woman who had saved him out from burning Honno-ji is a very peculiar woman-- is what he have thought at first, until she told him that she is from the future.

He assumed that's what sums out all the special things about her; her background, her era, and what does the future offered. Until.. He brought her for hunting.

She was amazed with Haguro, and didn't even cower in fear when it is near her. But then again it was his turn to be amazed when Haguro itself fly down from his arm, and to MC. It somehow gave a curt nod at her before letting MC to rub its head.

Then one after another; the animals, came to gather around them-- her, especially. Birds, rabbits, even fishes gather near her when she was resting by the lake. He watches, mouth opening and closing but can't bring himself to break the serene moment in front of him.

"If you are curious.. Well.. I can talk, and understand them. I have this... Ability, since I was born. It's a gift, they say. But I think it is more than that."

She brings Haguro to him, smiling as she continued to rub its beak. "I can feel the connection from me, to them. If you get what I mean."

A grin slowly curved on his lips. "I can see that." His carnelian eyes narrowed to his pet. "Does Haguro have anything to say to me?"

"Hm? Oh," Her smile widen. "He is honored to have you as his master. It is why he choose you."

"Hooh." He smirked, leaning closer to her, "How about you? Are you honored to be my woman?"

".....Birds. Peck his neck (ㆁᴗㆁ✿)."

....Oh hell.

Hideyoshi - Ability to Control Elements

He is wary. Very, VERY wary of her the moment she uses her power to bend water to put out the fire around Honno-ji.

But then again.. Those wariness faded away when she rescued Mitsunari from slipping on a puddle of water, assuring him that she will only use it for saving people, instead of bringing danger.

Day by day, he watch her, using her power to make everyone's life in the castle to be more convenient, like-- calling for the wind to carry heavy items, bending fire and water in the kitchen, and so forth. She even volunteered herself to aid during war, even if it will exhaust herself, to the point he fell for her passion to help people.

"Hey. You should rest. You've used a lot of your power today-- Hey! What are you doing with that water?"

"To drink it..?"

"There's no need to bend it, let me pour it for you."

"W-well.. I can't move much, nor be able to grip around the glass.." She laughed weakly, "I can't move my hand.. Sorry."

He huffed, circling his arm around her shoulder. "You know you can ask for help. And there's no need to be sorry for."

"But.."

"No buts." He said, before sipping the water into his mouth and 'transferred' it to her, through her lips. It surprises her, but she gradually drank slowly, lips unconsciously move on his, somehow sharing a slow kiss.

He pulled away, cheeks flushed slightly. "Do you want some more?"

"..You know you can.. Help to hold the glass right?" Her eyes narrowed, staring into his lips.

"This way is the fastest, more than the need to hold the glass nor for you to bend it-.."

"Hehehe.. You are bad with words at this kind of moment, hmm?"

He feign a cough, looking away awkwardly before turning back to her. "...I can't help it."

Then they slowly lean, and shared another kiss before undressing each other's clothes.

Masamune - Telekinesis

"No..!!!"

She accidentally overused her power, instead of pushing him from the sudden kiss, she had sent him flying to the other end of the lake, with a loud splash.

That's where he discovered her secret power. The ability to move objects, like a psychic, and even the power to destroy something with just a flick of her finger.

It was horrifying to see when she ruthlessly break an enemy's neck in the battlefield, and he is the one to teach her to control her power. She said that it was both a gift and a curse, and was thankful that Masamune is there to calm her down.

Yet somehow it can be scary when she is angry. She will lock all the doors shut, breaks the fragile items around her, even making the maids run away from the floating knives around them. Hence, another note to be taken to NOT mess with her.

"Say.. This power of yours.. I believe "Teleportation" is one of it? I heard it from the ninja lad from Kasugayama."

She nodded. "Yes, but it wasn't a part of my power. Teleportation is a minor power within my bloodline. Why do you ask?"

"Ah.. Well it could be a convenient thing you know? Especially during emergencies."

"Hmm.." She pondered. He is right for that part. But she is thankful as it might use a lot of mana.

"...For example, if you need to poo, teleportation is needed right there, right then. Or maybe, appearing behind Hideyoshi and pull his pants down and disappear again. Pfffft- I just wanted to see if he really wear 'No.1 Right Hand Man for Lord Nobunaga' on his Fudoshi." He snickered to himself, pinching his sides from laughing outloud.

Meanwhile MC: *Already walk away the moment she saw frowning, approaching Hideyoshi from afar* ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

Ieyasu - Premonition

Out of the 6 lords of Azuchi, he is the only one to refuse to believe MC's skills to see the future.

"What is the point of knowing the future? It will only be a nuisance matter to think deep when you are in present."

"Well, lad, there is no need to think deep as you said, we can just take it as a pre-caution." Masamune shrugged before he added "Besides, so far, her premonition is on point. Why not you give it a try?"

"Hmn. I have no interest at all."

"Ieyasu..! Wait!!"

Speaking of it, there she is.

"..What?"

"I apologize if I may offend you but right now, you must listen to me, just this once. I promise that I won't lie."

He glared at her, somewhat irritated to the seriousness in her voice and expressions. "What? Trying to make me believe in you?"

"No..! It's not that. It's just.. If you follow the direction of the hallway that you always use to return to your castle.. I just want to advice that it is better if you use the other way round just for today. As.. Something unlucky will happen if you--"

He turned, not allowing her to finish and start to walk away. "Nonsense."

"I- Ieyasu..! Just this once. Please..!" She begged, while Masamune went silent all the time, silently intrigued to what might happen even when MC ask him for help.

Then..

*Bam!*

"Uwah--"

*Chuuu~~~ ❤❤❤*

"MMF---"

Ieyasu bumped onto running Mitsunari from the so-called direction, loses their balance, and shared a kiss with one another. Not only that, the poor tactician tried to stand up, only to grope on Ieyasu's rear by accident.

"HEY GET OFF---"

He tried to get away from Mitsunari, accidentally slipped on Mitsunari's pants, and fall backwards. In the midst of it, he bumped onto passing Nobunaga and both of them repeat of the things that happened between him and Mitsunari just now.

It didn't end there. He uncharacteristically panicked, stumbled forward, loses his balance and landed on Mitsuhide, and *Chu*-- 3rd Kiss of the Day.

10 minutes later..

Ieyasu: *Gasp* Mmmf!!

And he vomited at the nearby garden.

Mitsunari: Poor Ieyasu-sama QAQ. He must have been sick.

Mitsuhide: Ah, we have made him pregnant with our child it seems ( ͡^ ͜ʖ ͡^).

Mitsunari: EEEH QAQ??

Hideyoshi: Mitsuhide stop it! That's not how it works OAO!

Nobunaga: Hmm.. But his lips is soft 😏

Mitsuhide: Ah I agree 😏

Mitsunari: Yes, I agree too (*´˘`*)

Ieyasu: Mmmf!!! *3rd wave of vomit*

Meanwhile, Masamune: *Laughs on the floor until he have coughing fit* 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

MC: ....Told you 🙄

[cassieschaosdimension]

Okay! Here it is the fanfic some of you have been requesting!

Enjoy it!

"Nico!" Will called to his boyfriend. "Put that sweater on right now! You know you want to!" He starts running after Nico with said sweater in hand. He knows his boyfriend wants to wear it, but the goth message is too strong.

Nico is being chased all over their apartment in New Rome by his overly energetic boyfriend who wants to match for their first Christmas on their own. He would have put the sweater on by himself, but it was too ugly to be seen on anyone. Even Hephaestus and the guy was ugly!

Will stopped all of a sudden and stared at the sweater in his hand. "Nico, it's not that bad! Please wear it! For me!"

Oh no Nico thought as he watched his boyfriend turn on that Southern charm and the puppy dog eyes. He tried to look away, but found he couldn't because Will was advancing slowly towards him.

"William," Nico says slowly edging towards the front door of their one bedroom apartment. "Be reasonable, would you want your dad, the fashion guru of Greek mythology to see me in that?!" The horror is present in his tone. "First off, I would not wear it and you know I would wear almost anything to please you. I draw the line at that thing!"

This gives Will a pause as he considers the question. He stares at the jingle bells stripes and Christmas tree underneath them. The green and gold don't work out and the red of the presents aren't helping the poor sweater's case. He thinks back to the time his dad yelled at him for wearing sandals with socks because he was in a rush after being late for cabin clean up duty. He shudders. He does not want a repeat of his over dramatic father flapping his arms while lecturing him on fashion choices.

Will sighs. "Alright Nico. You win this one. My dad's fashion lectures aren't for the faint of heart and I've had enough of them to last a lifetime. But please dress in green or red okay? You would look really good in emerald green." He starts walking to their room.

Nico grins to himself. He's won this round with his mad reasoning skills. Then again, he almost always wins his arguments with Will. Decades in the Lotus Casino arguing over games will do that to you. Then he registers what his boyfriend requested of him.

He starts to run after Will. "Will! I don't have emerald clothing! I have brown, black, and grey! What are you talking about?! William! Get over here!"

Will cackles to himself while going through their closet. He bought his boyfriend colored clothes for occasions with his father and Nico looks delicious in cool, dark times so that's what he bought. He was lucky he hid them on his side of the closet. He turns to see his boyfriend glaring at him.

Nico stares at his poor boyfriend he only knows wants to help him make an impression on Hades. It was only supposed to be the two of them and Hades and Persephone, but of course Apollo had to invite himself. Rolling his eyes at the memory he turns back to Will with his hands on his hips glare still in full force.

With a pleading look on his face, Will is desperate. They're running late and he doesn't want to leave the three gods alone more than they have to be. "Nico," cue the sigh. "We're already running late and I don't want to find a war going on with your stepmom in the middle. She's scary."

"Will… Fine!" Nico says throwing his hands up and walking to grab the shirt from his boyfriend who is now grinning broadly. He walks to the bathroom and changes into the shirt grumbling about Will and if he didn't live him he wouldn't do this.

Meanwhile Will is getting dressed in a dark maroon, fluffly long sleeve sweater and dark blue jeans with black vans. When Nico comes back from the bathroom his heart stops.

His boyfriend stands slightly slouched, uncomfortable with the attention. The emerald shirt sets off his long lashes, dark eyes, and raven hair perfectly. Will wants to swoon, but they have business to attend to.

"Good you're ready to go. Hades confirmed he's ready for us?" Will says coming next to Nico.

In response Nico nods and they head out the door. "Just so you know," Nico says with an undertone. "I'm only wearing this shirt and making nice with your dad because your mom loves me so now I need to win over your dad."

Will doesn't tell Nico his dad was won over the minute Nicon said hello, I'm only here because Will made me. Maybe he might actually behave. One can hope.

They head to the car deep in each of their thoughts. Nico is worried how long his dad is going to last in Apollo's presence. Will is worried how long Hades can stand to be in his dad's presence because Apollo is overbearing.

They have agreed to meet in the Underworld and Zeus has given Apollo permission to head down there to celebrate with them. As Will starts to drive south, the air in the car turns warmer. They banter and whine about the music choice. Nico wants Green Day and Will wants to listen to Blake Shelton.

They left around eleven in the morning on Christmas Day and it takes them about seven hours to get to Hollywood because of traffic in the LA area. They park the car and walk behind the Hollywood sign, Will grabbing Nico's leather jacket in the way behind the sign because even with a sweater on the Underworld is a child, unforgiving place. There Will grabs onto Nico and they shadow travel down to Hades' living room.

Nico wonders why they couldn't shadow travel in the first place and why Will insisted they drive when they walk in and he immediately knows why.

Persephone is standing by the wall her hands over her head while her husband and cousin are going at it.

"This is my domain Apollo you do not have the authority to say what's going to be served for dinner. I can do that on my own."

"But Uncle, you're serving turkey! It's supposed to be ham! Most mortals use ham!" Turning to his son he implores him. "Will tell Hades most mortals use ham for their Christmas dinner!"

Will is torn between getting the approval of his boyfriend's father and his dad. He ultimately goes for the one that will save his life. "Dad, many mortals celebrate Christmas differently or not at all. If Nico's dad wants to serve turkey then let him serve turkey! We are here as his guests and I expect you to behave!"

Apollo looks torn but nods and says "Will, I know you want to make a good impression on Uncle over there, but I am your father!"

"No dad. Mom raised me to have manners and her manners have taught me to accept all food unless I am allergic to it and I have no food allergies. Now sit down and we can eat." Will turns to Lord Hades. "Please excuse my father Lord Hades. I had a talk about this with him earlier, but it seems to have not rectified in his brain."

Hades nods and strides over to Nico. "Nico. Thank you for coming. I am starting to warm up to the boy, but I still need time."

Nico sighs his left hand clenching in a fist involuntarily. "Father you have been given years to accept Will. And it seems you have, but you don't want me to know. Father, the spirits talk."

Hades looks shocked and now angry. "Now listen here Nico. I may have approved of him, but he must be worthy of Maria DiAngelo's child. Bianca wishes she were here, but she is having fun in the fields of Elysium."

Meanwhile Will and Apollo are having their own discussion.

"But Will, Uncle said he didn't mind me coming!"

"Dad, you invited yourself here, remember? I know what mom saw in you, but really. Your manners need brushing up. For real. Just because Lord Hades is your uncle doesn't mean you can barge into his domain even with Lord Hades permission." Will feels like a dad reprimanding a child.

"William," Apollo strikes a pose. "I am the god of music and medicine. This is a celebration with my son and son in law. I had to come." He dramatically sighs and heads to the table. "Come now Will, let's stuff our faces!

As Will follows his dad he wonders who exactly the child is. He looks over at his boyfriend and his dad. They look like they're still having a heated discussion. Luckily for Will he has Nico's jacket so the chill in the air isn't as bad as it could have been. Nico hasn't noticed the jacket is gone until he brings his hands up to tig it around himself and it's gone. Looking up he mock scowls at Will.

Nico walks up to his boyfriend with an air of I don't care. They both know he cares very much. "Will, give me my jacket."

In response Will sticks out his tongue and says no. This results in a banter fight much like the one back at the apartment.

Will doesn't want to give the jacket back because it's warm and he's freezing. Nico says he can get him another one of Nico's leather jackets. But Will isn't having it. He knows this is Nico's favorite jacket hence why it was in the car, he takes that thing everywhere he goes. He wants to wear his boyfriend's favorite jacket. His boyfriend wants to wear his favorite jacket. The two of them are so engrossed in their argument they don't see the three adults smiling at them.

Persephone was reminded of how she first felt arguing with Hades over the fact she was kidnapped against her will by a much older man. She was intimidated by this man yet she felt some sort of weird connection to him. She pitied him because he was older and lonely down here with no one but Cerberus to keep him company. Eventually she came to care for this man unlike her stepson and his boyfriend who genuinely seem to get along even when arguing.

She goes over to break it up. "Boys, you can have this argument later. Nico, let Will keep the jacket, you can feel him shivering. I'll go turn up the fire. Will dear, come sit and stuff your face as your impatient father has been doing for the past half hour.

At this Apollo looks up turkey gravy dripping from his mouth. They all sigh and hope this is over soon. The dinner drags on and on and suddenly Hades can't take it anymore. While the rest of the group has polite conversation, Apollo finds it necessary to butt in and make it funny when it's not.

Normally Will accepts this behavior with grace, but not on Christmas and not when he is trying to get approval from his boyfriend's father who happens to be Lord of the Dead.

"Hey Dad," Will says from across the table where he has watched his dad pack away most of the food on the table. "I don't appreciate this and maybe I'll tell mom about this little gathering and how your Southern manners disappeared." He raises an eyebrow and Apollo's response is hilarious.

He sits up straight and acts like a Southern gentleman the rest of the time. Will signs in exasperation and turns to Nico and Lord Hades.

"Lord Hades, please forgive my father for his behavior," here he pauses while throwing side glances at his father.

Hades waves his hand in a gesture of peace. "Please boy. This is almost tame for my nephew. Did you enjoy your meal?"

Turning to Nico for reassurance Will answer carefully. "Yes Lord Hades. The good was quite delicious. Thank you for inviting us over for dinner."

"You are welcome boy," Hades says turning to his son. "Now, let's get the gift giving over with so my nephew can go home." The two snicker together and Will tries not to join in. It's impossible though as Persephone is talking to Apollo utterly bemused while he sprouts haikus about the meal.

"Father, here is my gift to you," Nico's voice carries as he hands a gift to Lord Hades.

"Thank you son. I appreciate it." His voice also carries. Apollo is beginning to quiet down and not be so energetic. Now he begins to get downright cocky. He's no longer dramatic.

He heads to their end of the table near the tree Persephone insisted on having. "Ahhhh presents. I remember when I was youn-" Apollo is cut off when Nico hands him a gift.

They're all speechless and Will stares at Nico in shock. Looking around at all of them he asks "what? I can give gifts."

A shocked silence falls over the room when Will throws himself in Nico's arms. He whispers in his boyfriend's ear. "He didn't expect to get one from you Nico. Look, you made him cry. " They look over still wrapped in each other's arms. Apollo is in fact hugging the gift while grinning with happy tears running down his face.

The look on Will's face says it all. Nico grins as he watches his boyfriend watch his dad open the gift. Suddenly Apollo is rushing towards Nico and grabs him in a hug. Stiffening Nico is confused but then reaches around the god and hugs him back.

Hades looks on with pride at his son who with Will Solanc's aid will grow to be a fine young man. He already was, but since he met Will he had grown in leaps and bounds in height and personality. He was proud of his boy.

Will is beaming with pride at the fact his boyfriend was thoughtful enough to get his dad a gift. To their surprise Apollo hands a gift right back to Nico.

The night is just full of surprises and after the gift giving and opening, Will and Nico start to clean up to head out. They had fun despite the rocky start and by the end of the night Hades had laughed out loud more times than Apollo can remember and Apollo hadn't felt the need to be cocky or arrogant. He was the man Will's mom must have fallen in love with.

As Nico and Will get up to leave Apollo hugs each of them, but Nico's is especially long. He whispers thank you for everything in his ear. Nico is absolutely shocked. He didn't think Apollo knew the words thank you. But here he was a mere demigod getting thanked by a god! Wow, Will's dad is full of surprises…

Apollo then goes over and hugs Hades and Persephone. He really is full of surprises today. He goes and leaves. In his wake four very confused people discuss what happened.

Hades wants to know how his nephew behaved all nice and sweet. He almost didn't recognize him! Persephone told him it was because he realized he could be himself and not have to put an image up.

Nico says he doesn't know which Apollo he finds most sickening, earning him a slap on the back of the head from Will.

They discuss it more and the four grow closer. The Christmas dinner really was a success even with Apollo there. Nico hugs his father and stepmother then gathers up their gifts. Will goes up to Hades and shakes his hand thanking him for inviting them. Persephone hugs Will saying he must come back soon when Nico next visits them.

Soon the two fade into shadows with the two immortals waving after them. Will takes off the jacket and puts it back in the backseat of the car with a grin.

"Well Neeks, I'd say it was a success though I was worried for a second." Will says getting into the driver's seat.

"Me too Will. Your dad actually seems like a really nice guy. I bet it gets tiring putting up a facade all the time," Nico responds through a yawn. "Will, don't drive all the way home. Stop at a hotel okay?"

Nodding Will turns the ignition and starts to drive. They talk about the dinner and how different it turned out from what they expected. Then they start to banter tearing each other with how they expected the night to end up.

"Neeks, you look really good in emerald holy Hera!" Will glances over at his tired boyfriend who is drifting off.

"Will, don't even start you look amazing in my leather jacket. Maybe I'll let you wear it more often." Smiling to himself Nico thinks he'll let only Will wear his leather jacket now. They can share it. His last words before he falls asleep are: "I love you William so pull into a hotel and we'll spend the night there. You're not driving all the way home this late."

Nico's soft snores fill the car and Will can't help but think he and Nico are made for each other. They complement one another perfectly and he thinks back on all the memories they've made together since they got together all those years ago.

Seeing a vacancy sign at a motel he pulls into the parking lot. He leaves Nico snoring away while he goes and asks for a room. Coming back out he rouses Nico and tells him he can sleep in a real bed.

Half asleep Nico leans on his boyfriend for support. The night turned out better than he could ever expected. Maybe next year they could shadow travel or even stay the night.

As Will supports his boyfriend while walking to the room he thinks of how grateful he is to Apollo for catching the eye of his mother so he could he born and also Lord Hades because he made Nico come into existence.

Opening the door, Will walks over to the bed placing the dozing Nico on it. After giving him a forehead kiss he goes to the other side of the bed. "Love you too Neeks."

Both Nico and Will dream about the wonderful Christmas dinner they just had and wonder what will happen next year.

And that's a wrap (lol) on they fanfic! I hope you guys like it! Please let me know what you think of it!

[seedleaflesssapling]

Ver 2.0? Turning Point?

I can't really identify to which point in my life that i started to doubt myself but im pretty sure that it was because of UP. Damn, that school, my uni. It do really have the ability to make you feel small; i was in a disadvantaged side when i entered it, you know. I was acquainted, no we did not really talked one-on-one, but i heard when we did introductions - Pisay, UP High, science comprehensive schools, Xavier University, who wouldn't be intimidated by that when you came from Col. Ruperto Abellon National School (who would know where that is? I was lucky enough for a teacher recognized it and my classmates be like 'ahhhhhh,' .....really?! I dont even know where xavier is, it just sounds cool). Another thing is that, i wasn't a stem shs graduate - a leverage(?) or excuse (?) that i always use for them to know that i am at disadvantaged side here, not their competitor, probably a NOBODY. They, being stem graduates, have capstone projects you never thought that they have at that age, but i would hear them saying that it was publish in this journal (whatever, idk the journals lmao, i dont even understand their studies 2nd lmao, but that was some smart shit you know, a shit that makes me feel pathetic for being too proud of my what? Correlational study from inconsistent surveys?!!! Wtf, wtf, wtf). But it was a very good peer pressure you know, i kinda turned it that way. Being left behind, being on the rock bottom, i have no other place to go but up. It wasn't the goal, like making or taking the top spot, i just need to survive.

Inevitably, the exams came. I had hard time adjusting chem but math was kind to me. Who would have thought that i would get two 1.0 at my math subjects for the first semester, the sem that i thought i would barely pass. I was even a CS for that sem. Who would have thought? Our first chemical engineering subject that involves computations was on the list the next semester and the first exam, out of 100 i got something like 20ish. WTF. THAT WAS MY FIRST FAILED EXAM. but no, never did cry but tears were flooding inside. So apparently, i have to focus more on this subject and i did. Some were still failing, but i raised my average up. We also had physics, my first ever physics. I really love physics that time or that sir rommel is just a very good professor. I got the highest score on our second LE, everybody else did fail. Small victories. Not that they lose, but i just won. But i heard one time they were talking about me re: passing the physics exam and even getting a high score. They were uhm.. a guy i really look up to cause his good, the other was a girl that idk but i think she didn't like me back then. They were friends but eventually the girl transferred uni because who cares why. i heard the guy saying something like sin.o gid na si franklin nga taas iya score man, maybe even worse than that, i still look up to the guy even until now. But wtf. I really took it in that time, like i wanted to cry but did not. With all that, i got a fair grade at physics. I still got 1.0 at maths that sem and even maintained being on the CS list. S M I L E. BECAUSE WE HAVE A MIDYEAR CLASS. VERY EXHAUSTING FOR SOMEONE WHO DONT WANT ANYTHING BUT JUST ADJUST, SURVIVE, AND FIND MEANING OF BEING A UP STUDENT. It was just one subject and it was math, but i got 2.0?!!! I have no excuse to that, i am very grateful for the family who accommodated me. After midyear class, i did got sick, it sucks, really sucks. I wanted to file an LOA for the next academic year, it is the only thing i can think of for me to go back on track (i haven't said that my parents pushed me to graduate with latin honor and i wanted to also for my resume to look good because everything else in me is effed up). I really wanted to pause and be free for a while but i also wanted to graduate on time (mostly because i want to give the bitches who dared to have expectations be put on my shoulders not the satisfaction, but the audacity to tell them 'i aint did it for ya') so i asked mama. THANK GOD, SHE DID SAY NA KUNG ANO LANG KAYA MO, AMO LANG DA IH 😭😭🤧🤧 so i enrolled, but went to school late, haven't attended the school opening but all is good. I did kind of reset, just enough for me to face school again.

Second year, it was fucked. I did really love coding on octave and doing sheets at ms excel though. On that year, we have formed the che 103 bagsak group. Together with two of my classmates on 103 and math 55, we became buddies after failing che 103 on the first LE, another 30 over 100 exam hahahahaha. We made bawi just enough for us to pass the subject hahahahahuhu. I have thermodynamics sub, i barely pass. Thank G na wala ko nag removal. If ever i did, i am so sure that i wont make it. My GWA for that sem was not enough for me to be a CS. Who cares? I still did, actually but mama was never been too pushy since then, even since after midyear, after getting that 2.0 grade from the only subject i am good at. Btw, my math 55 for first sem, second year, was 1.25. Not a 1.0 but still, it's good. Second semester that year was when pandemic hit so there's nothing much to tell. I was, sorry but i was really, glad to be away from school for a while, not until for a while became forever. Virtual university set-up was very hard. With too much from taking in whatever i see and hear on my surroundings, even just at home, everything is difficult. It is very hard to find motivation and discipline in studying when i was surrounded with people who do nothing. Even to this point i am writing, everyday is like a battle, but is mostly an internal one. Self vs self, a war no one knows who will win. So the confidence, the tower of knowledge i did build, exponentially went down. I did really well when i was in grade 10, i did my best that time and it can be seen at the achievements i had that year. Being consistently on top 1 the whole year, placing second on division MMC (even getting the highest score on the written elimination round for the whole cluster), doing well sa physics under maam andico, placings on cluster journalism competitions - it was like a record best, best record (?) Whatever. But it wasn't enough you know, i eventually came fourth like wtf. I had read from somewhere Newton saying like the two years when he did write the three laws of motion and the calculus stuff were the two best years of his life, and it kept me thinking that what if mine already passed? That it was when i was in high school?

But, back when i was in school, every time that i was belittling myself or even at random times that i would feel nervous for nothing, my classmates and close friends would say na:

Uno mo man ang Math, uno mo na na (it was a one or two time thing, what if chamba lang to???)

Ikaw man highest sa first le sa thermo (it was really an absolutely one time thing, i barely passed that sub)

Alam ka man sa physics (i was just invested on physics and maybe nachambahan lang na ang ginpractice ko solve kay parallel sa exam ni sir)

Alam ka, d ka lang confident (OKAY???!)

I was ignoring those shit cause who cares if i did really good that time. Yeah, it felt good but it wasn't fulfilling. Satisfied but not happy. But with recent events, i think i would be changing. This post will be a written contract that i will push to be better, to start trusting myself, and build that confidence glow behind me; to believe that i am bright and i can hack it, whatever it may be.

For coherence, i would itemize na lang all of the events that brought me to epiphany lol

It was Friday, 17 Sep, when Dean, in our plant design subject, gave an activity for us - to come up with solutions that would address problems he presented. 1 off grid island community (either you address the water, electricity, and phone reception/signal problem under a 100k budget) and 2 vinegar packaging with a 500 mL volume and should cost less than the cost of vinegar. The due's on Monday, 20 Sep. The challenge is that you should come up with an idea that is not the same with those who already turned in their proposed solutions. I haven't turned in mine until Sunday afternoon. We are 23 in class, hence there should be 23 proposed solutions for each problem. However, only 20 or 21 turned in their solutions and as a student who decided to do it three days after the sheet was given, i was at the second to the last of the entries hahaha. I have limited choice since a lot have been proposed. And ngl, i did entered my idea for the first problem at Sunday evening and for the second problem it was on the afternoon of the next day. Those were basic solutions cause who am I? Am just your basic guy.

Tuesday, 21 Sep (#NeverForget #NeverAgain), class again for plant design (PD). Dean discussed stuffs which im ngl, i did not listen because im bored (not until he said 'we'll have a 5-min break and we'll have a quiz after that' like wtf, how will we do our quiz???!). After the short break, I did study cause i panicked as hell, he presented the prospects of the course, that we will be divided in groups and that the leaders were chosen based on the solutions they turned in the activity previously given. So there's no quiz, i was calm the whole time after that until my name was called. Like wtf??! Your basic guy will be a leader???! Hello!!! So i chat people, asked them if it was a good thing (course it was!!!? So dumb right?!). And then, i asked another leader and she agreed to my argument that we should only be divided into six instead of seven as what dean has decided. So i chatted dean (pic below). I just accepted the role half-heartedly.

As leaders, we should be hiring people for our team and we should make pubs. I dont have a canva account to help me do pubs. I made mine at MS ppt HAHAHAHAHAHA but im good so its cute. We were assigned with projects and i get to have the 4-member team. The vacant roles were project maven and liaison officer for a 3-member team. In my pubs, i included scrummaster as position to be filled, cause who am i to lead?! So yeah, that's it. I did the pubs Wednesday and I submitted my resume Thursday (third to the last hahahaha but my resume's cute hahaha).

Thursday. So i had this invite by a classmate to join the Shell event long time ago. He was reaching out for someone to ask Dean for his approval because Dean did not replied to the email he sent. So, i volunteered. I really want this competition cause this will be my first and maybe last competition as a UP student. So i DMed dean and blah blah blah he asked for selection process. I relayed the message and apologize to them for being me because i was thinking that it was me who made him come up with the decision of having the team be selected. Like, wtf i was just asking for his approval. Getting kicked out of the team was not my intention. Those whom i chatted that night were telling me that it wasn't my fault blah blah blah. So i half-heartedly agreed to them.

Friday came, yesterday, the interview. I am very anxious for someone who will be the one asking the applicants lmao. I already have been interviewed before for college applications and somehow remember the feeling, nerve wracking, whatever. To calm my nerves, i listed questions which i never got to ask properly btw, but at least i have concrete ideas on what to ask. The first interviewee was my very closed friend and so we just laugh and laugh and laugh HAHAHAHAHA. IDK if dean saw it but who cares. And the next and next and next. 3:30 passed by fast and guess what??? YOUR BASIC GUY HAS THE MOST NUMBER OF APPLICANTS TO THE POINT THAT DEAN CUT MY LIST. IT WAS EXHAUSTING BUT VERY FLATTERING. I FEEL SO HONORED. i really thought and very scared at the thought that no one will apply to me but wtf, just wtf. Ranking my applicants was damn hard. 1 i have a dream team but one was cut by dean; 2 this could make my friends mad; 3 this will be the group for the whole year; 4 i am really exhausted. But still, i submitted the list. I was hoping for the people i chose to choose me back. Only two out of three did, i am forever grateful.

Still on Friday, the classmate who invited me to the Shell thing and Dean had a zoom call and discussed about the competition. That classmate told dean what i told him the other day that i might be the reason for the decision of having the selection process done. He told me this through a voice memo, katamad daw magtype. A voice message that i played over and over again. Dean actually find me interesting (?), Invested (?) Idk exactly but the classmate told me na 'may nakikita daw talaga sya sayo. Na grabe ka ka-practical as a person like yung ideas mo daw sa plant design napakasimple lang pero napaka practical to the point daw na madami nag apply sayo kanina. And then, you need more confidence lang daw talaga' so ig, you basic guy is a practical guy now. It's just flattering.

Now, whatever happens, i must meet those expectations right? This could be a lousy motivation but what is if there's none? I dont know why im writing this. I just thought i should get my thoughts out. Ver 2.0? Turning point? Let's just do good 😌

PS I put this on my bio on FB, guess im getting more public, and if you happened to read this because you saw the link on my bio, send me a message about you thoughts.

PPS if your initials are JTZC, these have been my week and i miss you even though you're not interested in me anymore, you are hard to forget

[halloowqueen]

Steff didn't even open his mouth to say anything at first, because he didn't know what it was he would even say, or attempt to. There had been cases in the past, though few and far between, where he had found himself at the end of someone's fist, but it never had before been a girl. He liked to pride himself on the fact that she would be smacked right back, if anyone of the opposite gender did go swinging for him, but he stilled and contemplated that for a moment. She was dainty, fragile and had tears in her eyes.

The male figured it best to just not even offer any verbal backlash either, but turning a little to walk away from the situation, he found her stepping right in front of him with a look on her face indicating she wasn't done yet. He bristled a little because he couldn't entertain scenarios like this and actually withstand it for long; he wasn't aggressive, in spite of his ability to cause such an emotion in the people around him.

“ —you apologise right now, ” Penny keps her gaze on him, eyes filled with fury as she had witnessed his complete lack of disrespect for the seemingly timid girl who walked down the street alongside where they stood some moments before.

“ I don't know if you noticed, but she's gone, ” he scoffed his response, agitated that it was being prolonged to such a degree and for no good reason given the other girl had since scurried off away from where they were hanging out outside Wendy's. They both had shakes and burgers, yet Steff seemed to make a comment on the girl's weight and her own bag of food, remarking that is was too large a portion.

“ She's right over there in the parking lot, Steff, go apologise, ” she wasn't going to let him get away with it that easy, especially as that was a very poor excuse to get out of it and he had probably never once in his life apologised to anyone for anything. She was very familiar with his bullshit attitude and how he thought he was holier than thou. It enraged her and she never once turned a blind eye to those suffering.

Steff might have befriended her over recent months as she was new to the school and she might appreciate the similarities between them, but that certainly wasn't one of them. Her blood was boiling the longer he stood there acting like nothing was wrong, no matter the look in her eyes telling him he was a piece of shit.

“ You go over there right now and tell her you're sorry and mean it, ” Penny is furious with his childlike behaviour and makes it very known, as she steps forward again and notices how he stumbles back ever so slightly. He probably thinks she's going to have another strike at him, but she isn't; she can't believe she did it the first time, but after too many failed attempts at watching the guy treat people like shit, she's done.

“ I'm not apologising for what's true, alright? She shouldn't have bought such a portion if she didn't want at least one of us to say something about it. Go home to your daddy, Penny, I'm done hanging with you for today, ” Steff grimaces in her direction and turns away from her then, wiping his cut lip against his thumb and grunting his displeasure of the way that's going to impact his overall look, at least for a few days.

Her eyes soon fill with tears at the corners and she blinks them away, inhaling deeply to try and smooth over the situation before she, herself, walks over to the other girl and offers a very gentle, apologetic smile. Eyes are still glazed over slightly with upset that her friend had caused, but she does her best to offer the girl kind words and even a friendly gesture of a hug to make up for the unbeliavable insult.

After a few words more and a clasp of the affected girls hand, she smiles and lets her know he won't be bothering her again. They all seemed to go to the same school, but Penny would be ever-watchful of who Steff interacted with in such a vile manner from now on because she was so hurt for the poor girl, so much so she even felt the sting of his words herself and that had sent her into such a volatile spin of emotions, hence the reason she had lashed out and actually punched him in the face.

“ You're a dick, ” she mutters in his direction as she passes him along the street as he had walked a fair distance from Wendy's by now, but in her hurry to get back home so the sky doesn't darken prior to her arrival, she walks at a fast enough pace to pass him by as she goes. Her heels click against the sidewalk in her haste before a hand yanks her right back and forces her frame against a nearby wall.

“ You're a bitch, don't see me complaining. You need a ride home? ” somehow, even in his complete asshole take on his surroundings, he still offers her security. He can see how reluctant she is to accept the invitation, too, but for a moment he says nothing.

Penny shrugs his arm out of her way and tries to continue walking down the street, as though she doesn't need his charity and can very easily find her own way home safely and without needing to dig around in her purse for the pepper spray her father always told her to keep on hand. She fumbles through it a little while longer as she walks in a less than straight line, frightened now and still riled from the incident before. Steff is hot on her heels though as she goes, snapping at her now as he tells her to get in the damn car, as its just a few more feet away from where they are at present.

“ Leave me alone, Steff. I can find my own way back.. I just.. need my spray, ” she's all kinds of frantic now as she picks up the pace a little more and surpasses his porsche, not even glancing up at it to consider the possibility of a ride from such a jerk but tears fill her eyes once again when she realises she clearly did not pack her pepper spray.

Steff is right on her heels again, neglecting his own car in favour of doing a little jog to catch up with the highly frazzled female who no more than ten minutes ago punched him and gave him a bloody lip. He manages to trap her between himself and the wall again before she can walk any further, clanking away in those white heels of hers and tearing up as she rummages through her purse looking worse for wear. He actually gives a shit and that's entirely new to him, so he takes a few fleeting seconds to process it.

“ You haven't got it, sweetheart, don't burden yourself. Just get in the car, alright? ” he seems to say this in a bit of a huff, challenging his usual motive of not giving a damn, which in actuality he should be more annoyed that he is given what she did to him, but somehow he turns a new leaf in that moment, even if it only lasts until she's home.

Penny lifts her gaze to look up at him, doe-eyes searching his for any sign or indication that he is going to give her a hard time just like that girl, but she doesn't see malice. An almost calm washes over her previous fear and panic, replacing her frustration with him as well for a time as she very slightly nods her head to approve. Steff doesn't move right away, though, keeping one of his arms outstretched with his hand on the wall right at her side. She isn't trapped by any means, but she doesn't move away.

“ What? You going to give me some bullshit too cause I'm upset? Honestly, I thought it might be a good thing to befriend you and see if I can impact your lifestyle, but I can't see that happening. You're just not willing to.. ” she's cut off very suddenly, her words swallowed in her throat and her eyes bugging so much she fears they will be removed from their sockets and she fights to catch a breath, but she can't.

Steff is kissing her, his lips cushioning the onslaught of insults she was going to spring on him before he put a stop to it and even he doesn't quite know why. A kiss wasn't the best method of shutting someone up, especially if they annoyed the absolute hell out of you, smacked you in the face, continued to harass you with their bitching and didn't accept the invitation you so kindly offered in making sure they got home in one piece, yet here they were. It crossed his mind to stop, so he did, but he took his time.

“ Get in the car, Penny, ” he simply says, inhaling much needed air as she did the same and simply blinked at him stupidly until he snapped his fingers in front of her and she jumped to life, almost tripping over her heels as she walked back to his car and he was in step right behind her to make sure she didn't take off yet again.

[justanotherlifeff]

Levi Ackerman × reader

Genre: Angst, Hurt/comfort, Fluff, matured themes, slowburn

Warning: There's mentions and descriptions of underage rape and suicidal themes and self harm.

Your POV

The 57th expedition is two days from now and to make things worse, Hanji came over. She declared that as it is our only titan shifter's first expedition, we will be drinking tonight to celebrate. Although her motive was to experiment if Eren can get drunk, heichou strictly denied her requests since Eren is underage. I personally didn't want to drink because those men from when I was 5 were always drunk. "Drunk people are bad and dangerous" was a thought that was stuck into my head. Hence, I was planning to avoid their little party at all costs. It was morning at the moment and we were supposed to have breakfast. I made tea for everyone since I woke up before everyone else. I had already memorised how everyone had their tea, 2 spoons of sugar and milk in Oluo, Gunther and Petra's, 1 spoon sugar without any milk in Eld's, 3 spoons in mine and sugarless for Levi heichou. Eren didn't like tea. I had it all memorised because I tend to wake up before everyone else and thus, I always get the breakfast duty. I made pancakes for everyone and when I was done, I poured my tea in a cup and started reading the book. Every day, Levi would wake up early and sit with his own book and tea too. We would discuss the contents of the books when I go to clean his room. We would also share some of our personal issues to eachother and while I don't know how much it helps him, but it helped me ease up quite a but. Just as I was thinking these, he entered the dining hall as usual and took his cup which I had already filled with tea just the way he liked it. Eventually everyone else came around thus making it impossible to read because of the commotion. Hanji started blabbing about her experiments. Yes, she arrived yesterday and stayed the night in a spare room.

After breakfast, it was time for training. Levi heichou was giving me intensive 3DMG training recently since I already passed his strength trainings. We sparred more later, to test how much I had improved my strength and he won most of them due to his immense stamina which was impossible to match but I gave him a hard time though. In case of 3DMG, he decided that I wasn't making enough use of my agility and that I should be able to match his speed and accuracy. I was still learning his spinning move as I couldn't get a hang of that anyway. Today, we were supposed to have our last practice session as most of us will have hangovers the next day. Not me though. I'll just lock myself in mine and Petra's room. I've noticed by time that Petra tried to impress Levi heichou a lot. It kinda pissed me off because who even looks for emotional attachment when they might die anytime? And it's not like heichou was interested in her anyway. That's another thing I liked about him. He was serious about his career. I had always respected determination and I felt like there couldn't be a better mentor than him. However, something about it was bothering me. Levi heichou was making me feel things that I never felt before. It started with the way he looks during our training sessions, no, all the time honestly. I started having these urges to touch those muscles beneath his shirt, that showed slightly when he was sweaty after training, his clean shaven and extremely smooth looking cheeks and that extremely soft and silky looking hair. God knows how it would feel to run my fingers in there... Yes, that's exactly the problem. I shouldn't be thinking these. Things escalated when he convinced me to stop cutting myself, something even my parents couldn't do. It happened a week back.

One week ago

I was cleaning the floor in Levi's room while he was getting his paperwork done. "So, the protagonist is in a situation where he couldn't blame the antagonist as the antagonist had reasons to justify what they did too. It kinda resembles our world doesn’t it? I mean, titans don't have minds so, they can't really control what they are doing..." I was talking to heichou about the book I recently finished. "Hmm. However, one has to do what one needs right? The protagonist killed the antagonist at the end. It didn't matter if the antagonist had justification for what he did. It depends on who wins at the end. If the antagonist did, then the he would've been portrayed as the protagonist." heichou answered, not looking up from his paperworks. "Yeah. It's the weak who always loses." I muttered. "Not always. One can start off as weak but get stronger. That's what smart people who want to live do." Levi answered to that, before stopping for a moment and asking, "You mentioned that you want to live to make things right didn't you? What is the 'right' for you?". " I don't know, happiness? That's my goal." I answered. "Well, that's what we all want. Anyway, what's your plan to achieve that?" he asked. "I don't know, it started with getting strong enough to take care of myself but I don't really have an aim anymore." I answered, acknowledging it for the first time. "If you want happiness so much, why do you cut yourself? As much as I can recall, you told me, you did that to remind yourself that you're alive. If you don't have a plan, why remain alive at all?" he asked me, looking up from his paper works at me, raising an eyebrow. "Well, that's true... I don't know what I'm doing to be honest... Being alive honestly is pointless." I muttered as an answer. It was the truth. I had no reason to live.

"Oi brat, take my advice on this, you're an extremely skilled soldier. You think I am itching to be alive? I have a goal to be happy too and the fastest way towards it is a bullet in my fucking head. But, there's also another way, that is using my strength to do something for humanity, getting this war over for good and opening up a tea shop. My plan in this case is to stay alive and keep fighting. I suggest you to have the same plan. When this war is over if you are still alive, these people you saved will make a way for you. And trust me, cutting yourself won't help you at all because that only limits your agility as, trust me, I've got into enough fights to know how much every single cut hurts. It may not affect your performance by a lot but a mimimum percentage of performance issues can get you killed in expeditions. So I suggest you to stop with that shit and get your priorities straight." heichou advised me with a straight face. "So, you suggest me to try my best to survive? If I can get through this war, then the people will help me make a way?" I asked before pausing for a moment and stating, "I honestly didn't join the survey corps to make some dead people proud of me. I just wanted to die I guess..."."Well then, you're at an advantage both ways. If you die, you get to your goal. If you live, you get to your goal in long term too." he answered.

"Heichou, why did you join the survey corps?" I asked him out of curiosity. "Well, Erwin blackmailed me into it at the begining but later, I decided that my life was meaningless too and decided to do exactly what I advised you to do." he answered. He was right. If I survive, after the war with titans are over and the survey corps are disbanded, I'm sure they will give us all a way to live. However, will I always be alone? What's the point of living like that? No, wait, Uncle Erwin will be there... He's as good as family, so I'll be fine. Atleast as long as he lives. Maybe I'll even consider marriage... There are so many possibilities... Heichou was right. I had to survive or die in combat. Its good both ways. "(Y/N), if you really want to remember that you're alive at times, instead of cutting yourself, remember your interactions with your comrades. I'm sure you made an impact on a lot of them and you wouldn't be able to do that if you weren't alive." Levi ended his statement with that as I was leaving his room after cleaning. "Yes heichou. Thank you for the advice" I answered before leaving. An affect on my comrades, did he mean the way I intimidated them? But doesn't that mean that I'm an emotionless piece of shit? Or was he talking about my conversations with him? Did... Did I make him feel alive? Because, even if I hated to admit it, he made me feel alive. I felt like I didn’t have to hurt myself anymore.

Present day

Levi heichou beat me this time as well after we sparred for 30 minutes. No one lasts that long against him. During the 3DMG session, everything was going well until suddenly captain Levi attacked me. He came out of nowhere and tried to cut me but I instinctively dodged and tried to escape him. I was shocked as I didn't expect something like that. He was as fast as I am in 3DMG and with his special techniques, he was faster. He slashed his blade against me again and to block it I used my own blade but the blade broke. I was scared that he might kill me and that's when he told me that he was testing how well I'd do in unexpected situations and he definitely wasn't satisfied with my skills.

Levi POV

She was pretty good at running away but she used one blade at the wrong angle when I slashed my blade at her. Ofcourse she didnt learn about what angle to use because Shadis didn't know some of the tricks I learnt underground. However I expected her to use two blades. That's just common sense and the fact that she panicked in a situation like this is unacceptable for someone as skilled as her. She has a lot if potential but stupid decisions like that will get her killed. "Do you have a brain of the size of a pea brat? Anyone with common sense would use two blades. Are you trying to get killed in any unexpected circumstance? " I shouted at her. She kept a straight face but I could see the embarrassment in her eyes. Serves her right. "Sorry heichou. It won't happen again" she said with determination. I'm not usually too hard on her because she doesn't disappoint me often so I let it go. I taught her the angles she should use. It would make her blades last longer. She practiced with complete determination but failed to get the spinning move done. Honestly, no one I trained was able to do that, so, I didn’t judge her. However, she wasn't the one to give up. I respected that about her as a mentor. It was time for lunch and Petra already cooked stew. We had lunch and I saw her head upstairs and come down with her 3DMG and blades. "Oi where are you going?" I asked her. "To practice the blade angle and the movements you taught me. I want to be able to get the spinning move perfected." she answered, saluted and left. I didn't expect her to be able to do it.

I went to my office to complete some paperwork and after about 2 hours, I heard the sound of her falling down with a thump and occasionally, frustrated cursing. I went to the window and saw (Y/N) falling on her face every time she tried but getting up to do the same nonetheless. "Damn, this girl will kill herself at this rate." I thought and felt a bit proud about being her mentor. I looked at her graceful moves through the air, which turned into a complete disaster whenever she tried to use the spinning move on the titan dummy. "There must be some problem with her balancing" I thought. I found her beautiful the day I first saw her. "Just another pretty face that's gonna be titan food" I thought. After she sparred with me and sat on my face, I think I blushed for the first time ever in my entire life. I didn't let anyone see though because it's inappropriate. Now that I see her potential and determination, she seems to be more than just another pretty face. She is what I'd call beautiful. I knew she deserved a normal life and yet she chose this uncertain life where death my come and where its impossible to have a family. She is a very brave person. I know some stuff about her past. How she was rescued from a brothel before being sold off in the underground. How she killed a Garrison member but was let out because she was a minor. I was curious about her given that I was from the underground too. As these thoughts plagued my mind, I suddenly understood exactly what was causing the problems with the balancing.

"Oi brat. Get down here." I called (Y/N) out, who was sitting on a tree, about to do the spinning move again. When she got down, I noticed that she got some minor cuts on her face. Atleast her instincts were good enough to make her use her hands to prevent her face from getting hit. "Yes heichou?" she asked, confused. "I have a fair idea about why you can't get that move done. Your body proportions are what's causing this." I told her with a calm voice even if talking about it made me uncomfortable. "I don't understand..." she muttered, clearly confused. "Your breasts are what's causing the issues. My body structure allows me to distribute all my weight at the correct points but as your body structure is different, the distribution gets disoriented as your breasts are the weights that make you slouch forward easily." I explained as calmly as possible. This was awkward. I saw a blush slowly creep upon (Y/N)'s cheeks as she muttered, "But they aren't too big...". " Well, the simplest errors can make it impossible to master this move. I'm not sure if you can do it but try using bandages to bind you chest and make the surface as flat as possible." I answered with a stoic expression, which was very hard to bring given that I have never talked to cadets about their breasts, and the fact that this particular cadet made me want to rip her clothes off didn't help at all. "Hai!" (Y/N) answered before running off towards the castle.

She actually did it. It didn't take any effort at all. I was right about the problems with body proportions. You came back after a while with an almost flat chest. It didn't look comfortable at all because she looked like someone punched her on the face. I, however, was impressed by her determination. And, the fact that she was able to get the spinning move done at one try. Ofcourse, it wasn't perfect, it had many flaws, but, it was an amazing feat as no one else was able to get this done. However, I knew that this wouldn't work well with her because being uncomfortable on an expedition isn't an option. "Oi, get down" I commaded her as she got down from the tree, pleased with herself. "Yes heichou?" she asked. "You won't be using this move. You're not feeling comfortable in bandages and that's as obvious as it can get. Just make use of the speed training we went through." I advised her. "Yes heichou!" she answered and as she was going off towards the castle, I spoke up, "Oi (Y/N)! You did well.". "Thank you heichou" she answered, giving me a rare smile. She really should smile more often.

Your POV

I came back being pleased with myself after getting a rare compliment from Levi heichou. After some very intense and not to mention, painful training for 2 hours 30 minutes that compliment probably was the best gift anyone could possibly ask for. I went back to Petra and my room to find Petra sleeping. I took a shower and went to take a nap. I was asleep but I was woken by feeling someone drag me out of the bed. I woke up and saw Hanji dragging me out. I tried to get out of her grab but Petra and Eren also held me firmly. I could've gotten away from Hanji easily but I couldn't fight with three people grabbing onto me. They brought me downstairs and Levi heichou was there too with a glass of alcohol in his hand. I was shocked to find him here and looked at Hanji and she explained that she dragged heichou out here so that he won't drink alone in his room, in Hanji's words, like a sad excuse of a human. Apparently he drank alone before expeditions. No matter how hard I tried to avoid drinking, Hanji was relentless. I had to drink a few sips of alcohol. As the alcohol started kicking in, Hanji convinced heichou to have a drinking contest. I had to admit that the alcohol made me feel light headed and more confident. I liked the feeling despite the horrible taste which is why I drank a bit more than I planned to. Then I remembered that my body weight was not enough to take it all but my head started spinning by then and I was slipping on and off my consciousness.

Levi POV

Hanji thought that she would win because she was taller but she didn't know about my high alcohol tolerance. After an entire bottle, Hanji was done. It seemed that she had lower alcohol tolerance than I imagined. I had one more glass and I won naturally. I was pretty drunk and thought it's best to go to bed. Before I got up, (Y/N) puked. Everyone was a bit surprised as they didn't notice her taking on two glasses like an idiot. Since no one was sober enough to get her up to her room, I knew I had to do it "Tch! They had to get wasted now." Eren was already sleeping as he wasn't allowed to drink. "Ofcourse she puked. She didn't come down for dinner" I remembered. "Petra, get Eren to clean this mess up. I'm taking her upstairs and you're coming with me to clean her up" I stated with authority to a tipsy Petra. I took her to the bathroom in their room and made her sit on the floor. She was barely conscious. I waited outside for Petra to be done washing and dressing her so that I can pick her and put her to bed. Petra called me when she was done. I picked (Y/N) up and put her to bed while Petra was washing her clothes.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Your past will be explained now. It includes rape and underage sexual acts and, well, some seriously nasty stuff so don't read if it bothers you. Skip to the next chapter in that case.

"Heichou?" she called out weakly before I left. "What brat?" I asked keeping my usual bored face. "The first day we met, didn't you call me a privileged brat? How does it feel to know that the only thing your prostitute mother told you is that you're born to do exactly what she does? How does it feel when those men do things to your mother and all you can do is sit in the room and read a book to pretend nothing is happening? How does it feel when those drunk men touch you, do things that they did to your mother and hurt you like your body is splitting? How does it feel to know that your mother left you to these people and that you'll never see her again? How does it feel to be hit and cut by these men? How does it feel not being given water unless you drink the semen of those people? How does it feel when you gladly do it because you are so thirsty? You don't know anything about the life I had, heichou. When they told me I'm safe after taking me out of that horrible place, I believed them and I regret it because that man I killed wanted to do the same things I went through in that hell. He told me that I shouldn't mind because he assumed I enjoyed these back then. I enjoyed slitting his throat and gauging his eyes out. You knew nothing heichou " she said, her voice cracking as tears left her eyes. I looked at her, shocked by her sudden confession. I had no idea that she still remembered what I told her that day. I had no idea it hurted her feelings to that extent. Besides, as much as I knew, she never said anything about herself to the court or to anyone. As much as I knew, she didn't talk in her court case about murdering that man. She only did it for self defense. I looked at the weeping girl. She was a brave soldier and seeing her break down like that made me feel things I didn’t quite understand. It made me do something that I never did for anyone before. I sat on the edge of her bed, took her hand and said "Now you know how to fight. No one can hurt you now. You can trust yourself and if you want, you can trust me. I'm sorry about my behaviour that day. I shouldn't have judged you without taking a closer look." She gave me a shocked look after I said that. I gave her a small smile, and left the room. This was the first time I smiled after years.

To be continued

Taglist: @kingtamakimurder, @realityisoftendisapointing

[funknrolll]

Celebrating Prince: discovering a timeless artist and his meaningful and impactful art. Part 3. The legal battle against Warner Bros, The Gold Experience and Emancipation eras.

Hi music lovers, as I anticipated on monday, music addiction is going to celebrate Prince and his amazing and timeless work!! The article will be split into a few little articles. I hope you enjoy this new format and these articles!!

For some reasons I had to repost this article therefore the 4th part will be uploaded tomorrow✨ stay tuned for more✨

As I said yesterday, let me say that I have heard so many things about Prince’s artistry. Some comments came from uneducated people who did not even take a second of their lives to understand, and do research on his art. Hence, I think the time to shed some light on Prince’s art, has come (finally). I hope to help some of those people understand this artist better and to finally appreciate him the way he deserves. We owe Prince big time. Today’s music and musicians  owe Prince everything. Without him, many of the artists we listen to today, WOULD NOT BE EXISTING. As we all know, Prince loved to experiment with music, trying out new music genres, new styles, new harmonies, melodies, rhythms and so on. This is one of the factors that led this legend to create a unique, wide and broad vault. There are so many songs of his that I love so much and that I find relevant for this article. The ones I chose, are going to prove that Prince and his music did not just revolve around sex and sexuality, (even if the artist through his music took the topic to another whole level). Through the article, we will see that Prince was more than all that I mentioned above. He was an extraordinary human being, blessed with so many enormous talents, with a beautiful mind, a uniquely pure soul. A true gift of God. With this in mind, let us start this article.

This is the sequel of the 2 articles I posted yesterday, so in case you guys missed them, check the previous 2 out.

Before I continue with this article, it is important to mention the Prince’s fight against Warner Bros. I know this was a matter so close to his heart and he cared about that. Hence, I think there is the impellent need to explain the situation to spread awareness and to remind the huge efforts Prince made beside his beautiful music. Back in the 90s, the artist’s music was owned by the aforementioned record company, although Prince was the person who composed, wrote, and performed HIS music. The artist was extremely aware of the importance of owning his masters and therefore his music wanted to buy back the rights to his music from Warner Bros, but the company denied that. Therefore, the artist would have had to re-record his music, the same music HE composed, HE wrote and performed. Indeed, as Prince stated in a 1999, Paper interview, “I wanted to buy my masters back from Warner Bros. They said no way. So I'm going to re-record them. All of them. Now you will have two catalogs with pretty much exactly the same music—except mine will be better—and you can either give your money to WB, the big company, or to NPG. You choose.". During this long legal battle, the artist decided to leave Warner Bros and created his own record label The NPG Records. Besides all of that, Prince, during the legal fight with Warner Bros, changed his name into an unpronounceable symbol and started to write the word slave on his face to symbolize the condition of slavery under which many artists had to stay. This battle lasted for about 4 decades. With this Prince was fighting for his artistic freedom, ownership of his work, and his rights. In addition to that, Not only was this huge artist fighting for himself, but also for all the other artists exploited by record companies. The artist formerly known as Prince was not to be silenced. Indeed, many of the works he crafted during the 90s, were an act of protest against record companies. It is extremely important to remind people how this artist gave his contribution and paved the path for other artists to be free and be more aware of this ENORMOUSLY important issue. I briefly summarized and addressed this HUGELY RELEVANT issue, but there would be more to say, and I will write an article about that. I will never stress enough the importance of Prince’s battle against record companies and his music being robbed from him. He has made a big impact and we all should be thankful and grateful to him for being bold enough to speak up about the topic and address this issue. 

Moving back to his music, in 1993 Prince ended the partnership with Warner Bros and started his own record label the NPG Records. Needless to say, as soon as the artist started his label, he began working on his new project, The Gold Experience, that eventually was released in 1995. This timeless gem is the product of Prince’s deep and broad artistic evolution. On this masterpiece, there are 3 songs that I find extremely relevant which are: We March, The Most Beautiful Girl in the world, Billy Jack Bitch, and Gold.  Through its forthright and explicit lyrics, We March is a powerful protest song where the artist speaks up against racism, misogyny, and prejudice.

If this is the same avenue my ancestors fought 2 liberate

 How come I can't buy a piece of it even if my credit's straight?

 If all the water's dirty and I wanna lay the pipe, my dammy

 The river that I drink from, will it be the same as your mammy 

In these lines, the artist is raising his voice against the prejudice of moneylenders.

If this is the same sister that U cannot stop calling a bitch (Bitch)

 If U can't find a better reason 2 call this woman otherwise

 Then don't cry, U made the bed in which U lie

These lines are a protest against misogyny, particularly slurs such as the term bitch which is seldom referred to women. 

Now's the time (now's the time) 2 find a rhyme (Yeah)

 That's got a reason (Yeah) and frees the mind (free your mind)

 From angry thoughts, the racist kind (Yeah)

 If we all wanna a change then come on get in line (Get in line!)

 Next time we march (Whoa)

 We're kickin' down the door

 Next time we march (Hey yeah) (Whoa)

 All is what were marchin' 4

With this bit of the lyrics, Not only is the artist revolting against racism, but it is a warm encouragement to react and change the situation. This song is a total anthem against racism, prejudice, and misogyny, to the point that in 1995 it became the hymn of the Million Men March. Moreover, I think it is urgent to focus on the arrangement of this song. The arrangement is strictly connected to the lyrics to make the song even more vivid.  I picked the music sheet for the piano. I am not going to annoy you with some obnoxious details, and I will try to be brief. I hope to be as clear as possible. The arrangement is presenting a key signature at the beginning of every staff which means the song is arranged in G major.  The key signature designates notes that have to be played higher or lower than the corresponding natural notes, and it is applied through to the end of the piece or up to the next key signature. In this case, after the clef, we can find a sharp sign which means that some notes are raised one semitone above the natural notes. Some other notes have the natural sign near them which means that the sharp key signature is canceled for them, hence these notes are natural. With this said, the question should be, why would Prince arrange the song like this? In my opinion, the artist might have used a key signature to raise some notes and the natural sign to cancel the accidental, for a specific reason. Musically speaking, Prince was an educated genius, hence I am sure he knew exactly what he was doing and why. The artist wanted to create an imbalance between the notes to create the effect of a real and difficult march, almost like climbing a mountain. Perhaps this arrangement might symbolize a difficult march that eventually will lead to the achievement of freedom, respect, equality, acceptance. Therefore, I would say that the connection between the extremely complex arrangement and the lyrics was magistrally crafted. This song is just one of the many examples of how brilliant Prince was.

Furthermore, another song that I love is Billy Jack Bitch. This is another protest song, but the topic is totally different from the previous one. Through these hilarious and sarcastic lyrics, Prince is revolting against a gossip columnist named Cheryl Johnson who was caught being utterly rude. As a matter of fact, the song is so crystal clear that there is no need for further explanations. However, one thing that I noticed in the lyrics Prince managed to mention the initials of the woman. 

Joy - it's in the dictionary

 See "J" Billy Jack Bitch 

The artist could not write the actual initials of the woman, because otherwise he would have been sued. Nonetheless, Prince was so smart that through a phonemic effect (see J) he managed to say the initials of the woman and thus give subtle hints about the woman’s identity. Moreover, what impressed me about the song is the drumline which is in my opinion phenomenal. The striking background vocals also caught my attention because, after some research, I found out that the voice we hear belongs to the rockstar and Prince’s fellow artist Lenny Kravitz’s. Two geniuses in one song are there anything more iconic?

Last but not least, my favorite song on the album is Gold. I love this masterpiece with every cell of my body. The meaning and the message this song is delivering are so POWERFUL!! The deep meaning behind these uplifting lyrics is to be ourselves, be unique, and never follow the mass because “All that glitters ain’t gold”. We should never follow the crowd. Not everything the crowd does is gold, even if it looks like it. We should be ourselves and make a difference. We should take difficult roads and climb the highest mountains to see the top. There would be another method of interpretation. The majestic music video and the scribble slave across Prince’s face might be inferring another significance. Thus, I would assume that this song might be another protest but this time against Warner Bros since Prince was in the legal battle against record label. Indeed, the meaning of the song may apply well to that situation. As a matter of fact, Prince might be inferring that even if contracts with a record company look like gold, in reality, they just glitter that tie the artists to a condition of slavery. Anyways, the arrangement also deserves attention. Indeed, the chorus of the song goes “All that glitters ain’t gold” and in my opinion, the arrangement of the keyboard is extremely peculiar and well related to this bit of the lyrics. First, it is important to say that the keyboard is dominating and I also think it is important to pay attention to its arrangement.  As I could see from the music sheet, the arrangement is characterized by high notes which are raised by the key signature after the clef. Indeed, this song is arranged in D major which means that the arrangement contains 2 sharps and the arrangement is written like this : 

This also means that all the already high notes on the staff are raised one tone. Now you might be asking: what is the point she is trying to make? what does this have to do with Prince? I am aware that the logic behind this might seem odd, but I will get to the point of this. As I said, this song’s composition is characterized by a range of middle-high notes. As Prince was musically educated, I am quite sure that the composition of this masterpiece and its arrangement, have a deep connection with the lyrics. Indeed, I would assume that Prince might have opted for this arrangement to enhance the meaning of this beautiful masterpiece. The chorus of this song goes “all that glitters ain’t gold” and in the music video we can see Prince being “showered” with a rain of golden glitters, therefore this recurring topic might be what connects the lyrics to the arrangement of the song. As a matter of fact, when we think about glitters, especially a rain of glitter we might associate this with a particular sound which most likely might be characterized by some high tinkling sound. This is exactly the effect Prince aimed to create with this magistral arrangement. Those middle-high notes I mentioned have the peculiarity of creating this beautiful effect that is the sound of glitter tinkling, which is even more enhanced by the music video. 

The release of Emancipation marked Prince’s definitive end of the partnership with the record label Warner Bros. It was the artist’s 19th studio album and probably one of my favorites. From the self-explanatory title, it is quite evident that Prince was still fighting against WB for his rights. However, not only is this work featuring protest songs but also some covers and some love songs where the artist expresses his affection for his former wife Mayte Garcia. Through some well thought and precise details, Prince’s personal touch is quite evident in this project. Indeed, this is a triple album and each album is consisting of 12 songs. Each album lasts exactly 60 minutes. Hence, the accuracy and the precision behind this masterpiece are quite impressive. In fact, the artist had an explanation for this, as he explained in several interviews, this was based on his studies of ancient Egypt and Egyptians: “The building of the pyramids and how the pyramids were related to the constellations. They were a message from the Egyptians about how civilization really started."

Among the most significant songs on this masterpiece we can find: The Holy River, Slave, The Love We Make, and the homonymous Emancipation.

The first song mentioned is The Holy River. Through these exceedingly deep lyrics, we can infer that the artist went through a major spiritual shift. More precisely, the Holy River might be a metaphor that might be symbolizing the baptism. Indeed, if my guessing is correct, this metaphor will be perfect with the general meaning of the song as being baptized also means the beginning of a new life, which is what Prince experienced with this major spiritual shift. 

Let's go down 2 the holy river

 If we drown then we'll be delivered

 U can still see the picture upon the wall

 One eye staring at nothing at all

 The other one trying 2 focus through all your tears

 U can try and try but there's nothin' 2 hide

 U can't run from yourself and what's inside

 U got 2 find the answers 2 the questions that U most fear

So over and over U ask your soul

 Why'd U come down 2 a world so cold?

 And the voice inside says 2night the truth will be told 

Also, the chorus of the song is quite eloquent as Prince is providing a detailed explaining of how he went through a dark moment in his life where he was struggling to find answers, where he was afraid to look inside of himself and to find the truth and the answers. 

U surrounded yourself with all the wrong faces

 Spending your time in all the wrong places

 Puttin' your faith in things that only make U cry

 People say they love U when they wanna help

 But how can they when U can't help yourself?

 The more they say they love U, the more U just wanna die

 So here we go again, the self-analysis

 Have another glass of Port and uh... forget this

 The band's playin' at the club 2night and they're bound 2 groove 

Also, these lines are quite eloquent, and I think there is no need for some further explanation. These are practically a description of the troubles he went through and how lonely and hopeless he felt during that time of his life and how he managed to survive. 

There U are, U think U're high

 U can't ask yourself cuz U'd only lie

 If U had a dollar 4 every time U tried

  U can't call nobody cuz they'll tell U straight up

 Come and make love when U really hate 'em

 Relationships based on the physical are over and done

 They're over and done (They're over and done)

 U'd rather have fun

 With only one, with only one

 Only one... one (one) 

Again, in these lines, the artist is describing what he went through. In the last 5 lines, we can notice that a major spiritual shift was occurring and thus the positive change the artist went through Indeed, in the next lines, the artist describes how he started to change after he realized that God was by his side.

And then it hit 'cha like a fist on a wall

 Who gave U life when there was none at all?

 Who gave the sun permission 2 rise up every day? (Ooh, oh yes)

 Let me tell it (Go'n)

 If U ask God 2 love U longer

 Every breath U take will make U stronger

 Keepin' U happy (happy) and proud 2 call His name (Go'n and say it)

 Jesus (Jesus)

  And over and over U ask your soul

 Why'd U come down 2 a world so cold?

 And the voice inside said 2night the truth will be told

 And this time I was listening, hear me 

As a matter of fact, as I mentioned, these lines explain, perfectly a time of transition when the artist was evolving and changing. In the next lines, the artist describes the moments after the spiritual shift took place.

Let's go down 2 the holy river

 If we drown then we'll be delivered (Yes we will)

 If we don't then we'll never see the light (No)

 If U die before U try

 U'll have 2 come back and face the light (Oh yes)

 When U believe it, U got a good reason 2 cry (Oh my, my)

  So I went on down 2 the holy river

 I called my girl and told her I had something 2 give her

 I asked her 2 marry me and she said yes, I cried

 Oh, that night I drowned in her tears and mine

 And.. and instead of a glass of sorrow and wine

 Looking back y'all, I don't miss nothing except the time

 And when I see that picture up on the wall

 The one eye staring at nothing at all

 My eyes trying 2 focus but these are much different tears

 Oh, yes they are 

Like the end of a beautiful story, these last lines, are the conclusion of this masterpiece that closes with a “happy ever after”. Indeed, in these last lines, the artist compares the act of going down to the holy river to facing the light which means a new beginning, a new life. In these last 9 lines, the artist describes the exact moment when he proposed to his girlfriend to marry him. He then reconnects to the beginning of the song where he cried tears of sorrow while at the end of this story he said to be crying “much different tears” which perhaps might be tears of happiness. Moreover, musically speaking, the arrangement of this song is quite homogenous except for the very last bars. After the artist finishes performing the lyrics, he reprises the main harmonies and performs them with a guitar and piano solo, then adding a choir that performs the background vocals with some light head voices that recall the angels singing. These last bars are played in such a manner that reflects the feeling of the artist: joy, love, relief, ultimate happiness. All the emotions a person who has experienced a major spiritual shift will feel. Furthermore, I have also noticed a shift in the instrumental. At the beginning of this masterpiece, the instrumental is “softer” and the sound of the instruments is kept lower. This happens for the first part of the song where Prince describes what he experienced when he was going through a difficult time. Then, after the artist sings these lines: “ Relationships based on the physical are over and done

 They're over and done (They're over and done)

 U'd rather have fun

 With only one, with only one

 Only one... one (one) “ 

it is extremely evident that the instrumental changes. Indeed, Prince turns up the volume of the instruments which are in my opinion, also joyously played, like he is telling his listener “listen to me, this is my story, I Am happy, and you should be too”. 

Another song that I totally love is Slave. This is, in my opinion, such an ingenious masterpiece and we can hear how Prince took inspiration from the whole work songs genre. With the forthright message of the song, Prince was still raising awareness about how record companies exploited artists, hence he wrote this powerful masterpiece, a protest song, to release all his rage and frustration. 

Everybody keeps trying to break my heart

 Everybody except for me

 I just want a chance to play the part

 The part of someone truly free 

From its chorus, this song is extremely eloquent. Prince is basically protesting against his enemies who most likely would be record companies and perhaps, as he mentioned in the 4th line 

“My enemies kept it turning, but now they pound the gavel

 And judging me accordingly, I know, I know”  

 those who judge him for commencing a legal fight against record companies. However, I am quite sure that this masterpiece is a protest song crafted to vent and raise awareness about the condition artists had to stay under for an extremely long time which was treated as slaves. In support of my theory, I would report these lyrics:

Slowly candle burns, where'd they learn hypnosis?

 How'd they keep me under for so long?

 Break the bread I earn, just keep me far from closest

 I need their kind to illustrate what's wrong - what's wrong?

 Well, I'll tell you they just keep trying to break my heart

 They just keep trying to break my heart, ow! 

From the second line, it is quite clear that those who kept the artist under and broke the bread he earned might have been the record companies, particularly Warner Bros, that contractually forced Prince to produce his music and kept a big part of his earnings OF THE MUSIC HE PRODUCED, HIS OWN MUSIC. Another interpretation of this line might be that Warner Bros owned the rights of PRINCE’S MUSIC. Therefore, the artist did not have the rights of his own music which should have been HIS OWN. Moreover, as Prince explained in several interviews when he asked the record company for the rights of HIS MUSIC back, they just said no. This might explain well this line as the record label by not giving him his rights back kept Prince far from emancipating, and hence the artist just left Warner Bros and started his own record company. Moreover, what left me speechless and mesmerized, in total awe about this MASTERPIECE, is the instrumental and the music genre Prince chose to craft this MONUMENTAL PIECE OF ART. Why did Prince choose to give this masterpiece the title of Slave and what music genre could suit well a song with this eloquent title? Obviously, a work song with some soul influences. Indeed, what amazed me is that this masterpiece is crafted as a real work song. To understand this masterpiece better, I need to step back to the work song genre and explain some of their distinctive and relevant peculiarities. Work song is a music genre that was spread around the world (indeed there is more than just one type of work song, they were used all around the world), but focusing on Afro-American work songs, this music genre developed in America during slavery times between the xvii-xix century. This genre had several functions for instance: to coordinate the labor of a group of people working together, which improved the efficiency of the work, and to relieve the boredom of a tedious job, which improves the lives of the workers. Also, work songs were seldom used as an act of protest against the condition of slavery, injustice, and poverty. These songs were frequently sung by a leader followed by a choir. Additionally, to keep the rhythm of those chants, workers generally used their working tools or the stomping of their feet or they even clapped their hands. With this said as I would say that Slave by Prince is part of this music genre. Moreover, as we can hear, the beats of this masterpiece resemble the use of the tools used by slaves to create the rhythmic path to their chants. Another peculiarity that was taken after the music genre just mentioned, is the choir to which Prince was the lead singer. Indeed, the artist performs the main lines while the chorus is performed by the choir. This technique is called call and response which was quite typical in Afro-American work songs. Additionally, the emphatic and emotional and heartfelt performance the artist offered, makes it easy to sympathize with his pain, his rage, and his exhaustion. 

Furthermore, one of my favorite songs on this album is The Love We Make. Such a breathtaking masterpiece. In my opinion, the meaning of this masterpiece is quite hermetic. Indeed, just by reading the lyrics, it might not be clear what Prince meant with those words. However, It is widely believed that this song might have been produced to remember Jonathan Melvoin, Susannah, and Wendy’s brother, who died from heroin overdose. Melvoin was a musical child prodigy who worked with Prince on several projects and he also collaborated with some punk bands. It is believed that this song is dedicated to him for several reasons: the first one is the year he passed away which was 1996, secondly, and most importantly because the artist described the song as “written to speak to the spirit of a friend lost to drugs”. Moreover, in the liner notes to the Emancipation 1996 LP, the song is described as “written for a lost friend”. Hence, for all these reasons, this song is believed to be about Jonathan Melvoin. This is perhaps one of the most powerful and inspiring songs in Prince’s vault, truly breathtaking. With the reassuring yet preaching lyrics the artist was delivering an enlightening message: no matter how difficult life might be, there is still hope and we should all be grateful for the miracle and the gift God gave us. 

Happy is the way 2 meet your burdens 

 No matter how heavy or dark the day 

 Pity on those with no hope 4 2morrow 

 It’s never as bad as it seems until we say 

As I mentioned, specifically in these lines Prince is encouraging the listener to be happy and full of hope no matter what, condemning those who do not have hope in the future as things are never as bad as they seem. 

Precious is the baby with a mother 

 That tells him that his savior is coming soon 

 All that believe will cleanse and purify themselves 

 Put down the needle, put down the spoon 

 Even though these lines are quite hermetic and enigmatic I will attempt to give a proper explanation. The artist is mentioning a baby and his mother, and the mother telling the baby that his savior is coming soon. Hence, as Prince was extremely spiritual and had a great, broad, and keen knowledge of the Bible and the Gospel, I would assume that these two lines are related to the Scriptures. The logic behind this might seem odd, but I will attempt to get to the point with a proper explanation. As Prince was fascinated by the ancient Egyptian world, as it is evident from the set up of the songs on the album, I would assume that these lines are connected to two biblical figures. Honestly, at first, before doing my research, I was going to assume that Prince was alluding to Jesus Christ and the Holy Mary. However, the biblical figures he was hinting to, were instead Moses and his mother Jochebed. For those who are not familiar with the Scripture, Jochebed to avoid the mass slaughter of Hebrew boys, and therefore, her son to be brutally killed, she set her baby adrift in the Nile River, hoping someone would find him and raise him. God so worked that her baby was found by Pharaoh's daughter. Jochebed even became her own son's nurse. Then, God used Moses mightily, to free the Hebrew people from their 400 years of slavery and took them to the Promised Land. Although little is written about Jochebed in the Bible, her story speaks powerfully to mothers of today. Hence, the connection between those two lines of the song and the biblical figures is quite clear. Moreover, as the title of the album is Emancipation and one of the topics of this masterpiece is the artist’s rebellion against Warner Bros, which forced him to work in a condition of slavery, Moses's story who freed Hebrews from slavery and took them to the Promised Land, might apply quite well to Prince’s story who fought to free himself from Warner Bros and start his own record company. Moreover, with the following two lines Prince is suggesting that by believing in God we are purifying and cleansing themselves. As regards to the last line, as I mentioned, is what created the widespread belief that this masterpiece might have been dedicated and inspired by Jonathan Melvoin. In addition to that, on the album, there are not reported the full lyrics of the song, but just one line of it which is precisely “Put down the needle, put down the spoon” and on the bottom line we can find “Written 4 a lost friend.” which hints even more to Jonathan Melvoin. Again, referring to the line I just mentioned, Prince is using another tone to sing these words. Indeed, if we listen to the song attentively, we would hear how the artist was preaching against drug addiction. Furthermore, the next lines, are extremely well related to the previous one. 

Sacred is the prayer that asks 4 nothing, oh 

 While seeking 2 give thanks 4 every breath we take, oh 

 Blessed are we inside this prayer 

 4 in the new world, we will be there 

With these lines, Prince is encouraging the listener to be grateful for the gift of life, giving thanks for every breath we take, praying God without asking him for anything but rather praying him with gratitude for the gift of life. In the last two lines, Prince is basically telling the listener that those who pray God, believe in Him, and have faith in Him, will be blessed with a “new world” which is the Kingdom of Heaven. The last lines of the song are the chorus.

The only love there is, is the love we make {x2} 

 (the only love there is, is the love we make) 

 Only love there is, only love there is 

 The only love there is, is the love we make (yeah) 

 The only love there is, is the love we make 

These lines repeated four times like a beautiful monumental hymn, are used to teach a vital lesson: the only thing that matters is the love we give out, the love we spread while we are alive. That is to say, this is the ultimate purpose of life: to give love and being grateful for the gift of life. Furthermore, as regards the arrangement of this masterpiece, it was crafted in such a way that it allowed the artist to use a preaching tone during the interpretation. This peculiarity in the performance of the song is even more enhanced at the end of the masterpiece. Indeed, when the artist performs the lines that begin with “Sacred is the prayer that asks 4 nothing”, he changed the vocal register from a light chest voice to a powerful head voice which also gives more power to the words he was singing turning them into a real preach. The shift of vocal register in this particular bit of the song is also extremely effective as the artist is singing out loud such an important lesson that MUST be heard by everyone. Perhaps Prince has put so much emphasis on these magistrally written lines because this is the fulcrum of the song that everyone must listen to carefully. Additionally, if we listen to Prince’s voice attentively, we will hear some slight shifts in the intention put in the performance. As regards to the instrumental, the Artist opted for a slow ballad in 4/4. Although the choice of a slow ballad, the song is reinforced by guitar, drums, and piano. Additionally, while I was listening to this masterpiece, I realized that the instrumental is characterized by a progressive raising of the tonality of the song. This way, the instrumental was raised by 2 octaves. This characteristic, besides making this masterpiece even more effective and turning it into a beautiful and inspiring preach, gives the listener the idea of a beautiful climb that gets straight to heaven. Personally, whenever I listen to this masterpiece, I feel like I’m watching a beautiful sunset or hiking in the mountains. Moreover, the arrangement is mostly characterized by music accidentals, which in my opinion are an extremely important part of the composition of the song since without them the song would not be perceived as a powerful preach. 

If you guys would like to purchase your copy of the albums I wrote about in this article (which I recommend, PLEASE DO NOT BOOTLEG PRINCE’S MUSIC), I’ll post the links below here

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G4RYC5D/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=giuliabianchi-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=2a37eabce98ae7fd530fddeff2287ed5&creativeASIN=B07G4RYC5D

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VRFM9YJ/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=giuliabianchi-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=a1e0d017e5a3de4e6b01f3fc5a5f4f3c&creativeASIN=B07VRFM9YJ

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G4LHQHQ/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=giuliabianchi-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=1da616a288e24d1a38bd64113cbb08a0&creativeASIN=B07G4LHQHQ

This was the third part of a series of articles dedicated to Prince to celebrate his life and most importantly his art. Stay tuned for more. If you have missed the first part feel free to check it out✨ In the meantime stay home, stay safe and healthy. Peace and Love 4 one another. thank you so much for your attention 💜 G  💜

[araminakilla]

Ducktales theory: Modern Arabian Night(mare)s

Warning: Long theory, has a little of angst too.

So, you already know I love the Treasure of the Lost Lamp characters, and with Found Lamp! things got better. Today's theory is about D'jinn (I'm not sorry) and a concept that was introduced in this new Ducktales' season 2. What is that concept? Stay tuned.

This Christmas I was watching an original Netflix movie with the name of "Knight before Christmas" The plot is simple: An european knight from the XIV century meets a witch in the forest. Said witch brings him to the present in 2019, days before our Christmas. He has to complete a quest before the Holidays or he can't return home, that is, his time period.

While there is more to tell, I wanted to point this because the knight spoke in a manner that made me think in D'jinn. That's when I realized: That's how medieval knights spoke! (yeah, I think you knew this by this point, I'm slow in some things, it happens)

Not only that, but said knight tried to solve conflicts with his sword and is very loyal with people he just met but have good intentions. Also, he was talking about his quest during the movie, just like D'jinn in the Found Lamp! episode.

There was a post about the movie where the person said that the knight was handsome, among other things, but also very stupid. Then I found this comment:

Why am I telling you all of this? Well, here comes the theory part. I thought in two possibilities of why D'jinn acts like a medieval knight.

1) He's a fan of stories with ancient arabian medieval knights and is imitating them (a dramatic theater boy)

2) He IS an ancient arabian medieval knight stuck in the present.

But how? Well, I think it has to be with this lamp: (pictures belong to @scroogeislife)

The lamp of Eternity. It has to do with time, so that could mean something. At first I thought of Merlock given that he's inmortal, and maybe that could be Gene the Genie's new lamp design, but who knows?

Also a fun fact: Faris means "knight" in Arabic so if D'jinn is really a knight that would make him "Al-Faris Faris D'jinn" which would translate to "The knight Faris D'jinn" or is The knight Knight Genie?? Anyway...

The point is, Faris was doing what arabian knights did with the company of other knights from his hometown. I theorize that he was in a war against some new invaders that wanted to conquer his homeland and destroy his family for the lamp. I would say they were either the Knight Templars or the Ottomans, let's go with the Ottomans since it was established he hates them in the series. The time period would be the early/mid XIV century (I don't really know much about arabian history in those times, so lets continue)

Be a lamp, a wizard or some strange magic, our Faris ended up in the XXI century, 700 years in the future.

To make things better (for us) he ends up in a modern arabian City with many modern malls, very advanced technology and beautiful skyscrapers (because yes, there are still people who believe those things don't exist in the Middle East)

He naturaly freaks up and demands to know what happens and for "demands" that means raising his sword, pointing it at everyone who is making eye contact with him and screaming: What kind of sorcery is this!?

The people around him also freak out, culminating in D'jinn being taken to the police, who proceeds to take pictures of him, hence those pictures in Lunaris' secret war room and why there are two of them when everyone has only one.

They began to make questions like: Who are you? Where did you come from? What are your intentions?

And D'jinn is like: I am Faris D'jinn! Loyal knight of (Insert name of a sultan here) who along with other magnificent people has the sacred duty of stop the Ottomans so they can not expand and become a powerful Empire!

And the police is like: Do you know the Ottoman Empire ended almost a century ago right?

Which is why Faris asks: They became an Empire!? How!? When!? What year is this!?

The Officers explain that the Ottomans ruled the Middle East for centuries and by the time of World War One they started to fall and now their descendants are the Turks. Oh, and also that this is the XXI century.

And then Faris D'jinn.exe has stopped working.

The officers were worried about this guy's mental health and told him they were going to call a doctor to see if he can help him and that he has to wait in a room.

But D'jinn had other things in mind. What happened seven centuries ago after he disappeared? What happened to his people, his companions in war, his family? Where are they now? He wants to know all those answers. He wants to know everything NOW.

So, like the good warrior he is, he escapes and begins to seach for the D'jinn family.

Unfortunately, they seem to have disappeared. There's no sign of his family or descendants with his last name. He begins to fear for the worst. He sometimes thinks the Ottomans wiped them out of existence, but other times he believes they are fine and it's only matter of seaching more, hence why Faris told Huey that the Ottomans failed miserably at trying to destroy his family (and suddenly another funny moment becomes an angsty one)

Gif belongs to @drummergirl231-2

We believed Della had it rough? Well yes that's very true but what about being the only survivor of your family? That must hurt a lot, specialy for someone very family-oriented and who consider bloodline and legacy to be very important.

He actually goes through the 5 stages of grief, the Anger and Depression stages being the most prominent ones.

He refuses to have any contact or friendship with other people, as he can't understand them and he feels they will never understand him.

It's only when he gets to the Acceptance stage that he begins to talk to others and is interested in modern technology, music, etc.

D'jinn even records everything new he learns in different scrolls just in case he has the posibility of return to his time period.

The people (mostly millenials) around him find his way of thinking and speaking funny and they call him a loony when he tries to convince them he is an actual knight from the past.

That's where we return to the "Knight before Christmas" post. D'jinn is not dumb, he's from another time period. He's adapting, with hilarous consequences.

After hundreds of failed intents to revelal his true identity, Faris gives up and adopts a "sure, I'm a dramatic man who loves knights, whatever" attitude, which makes him feel more lonely than what already was before.

Years pass and he knows how to use a cellphone properly, how to ride a motorcycle, among other things. But he still has the hope to return to his true home and see his family again.

In the future (our present), his quest for the lamp of the first Genie continues as it still is one of the (if not the only) relics his family has.

Then he meets the Duck family and the rest is history...

After the lamp adventure, he meets the Living Mummies and bonds with them as they were in a similar situation, being from "other times" and adapting to the present.

If he gets to meet Gene and have the lamp in his hands, he would try to make a wish to return to his original time period. But there are problems:

1) He is starting to like his new present and will miss all of his new allies (the Ducks and the Mummies)

2) He knows to much. OF COURSE he's going to tell everyone about what happens in the future which could end in him becoming the arab equivalent of Nostradamus at best, or everyone thinking he is crazy at worst.

3) He and his family have a code that if someone found a thing with a Genie in it and if the genie is good, they would free it with their first wish. This code is as strong as the Mandalorian's code of not removing his helmet (This is the way) so Faris will be torn about betraying the family code only to return to them or staying in the future and never see his family and friends again.

The only solution would be asking the Ducks to make a wish so he can return but knowing Scrooge, Della and Donald, they would consider that very dangerous because again, he knows to much, he could change dramatically the events of history.

Gif belongs to @nerdalmighty

And things could get worse if Merlock/F.O.W.L. get to know about the time traveler knight.

But that is another story.