#queen faye always delivers

[eleanor-bradstreet]

Ummm the amazing @fayes-fics is having milestone mania! She reached 2k followers and got 2k notes on her first fic Sonnet 29 all within a week of her first blogaversary. All I can say is, it’s well deserved Queen 🫶

[captainpetebradshaw]

Movie Diary 2021

Apparently I never got around to posting this last year so belatedly here are the movies I watched for the first time in 2021. My faves are bolded :)

1 Wolfwalkers

2 Wonder Woman 1984

3 Another Round

4 Soul

5 Promising Young Woman

6 Da 5 Bloods

7 Minari

8 Jaws

9 To All The Boys: Always and Forever

10 Derek DelGaudio’s In & of Itself

11 Space Sweepers

12 Spies in Disguise

13 Josee, the Tiger and the Fish (2003)

14 One Night in Miami...

15 Deliver Us from Evil (2020)

16 Michael Clayton

17 Raya and the Last Dragon

18 Coming 2 America

19 Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art

20 The Personal History of David Copperfield

21 Demolition Man

22 Wall Street

23 Nomadland

24 Mank

25 Better Days

26 Judas and the Black Messiah

27 Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

28 The Father

29 A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon

30 Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

31 Quo vadis, Aida?

32 Hillbilly Elegy

33 The United States vs. Billie Holiday

34 News of the World

35 The Man Who Sold His Skin

36 Pieces of a Woman

37 Collective

38 The White Tiger

39 Love and Monsters

40 Greyhound

41 Time

42 Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution

43 My Octopus Teacher

44 The Mole Agent

45 Saint Maud

46 The Mitchells vs. The Machines

47 Stowaway

48 Daughters

49 Mortal Kombat

50 Army of the Dead

51 Nine to Five

52 Dance of the Forty One

53 Ammonite

54 Bo Burnham: Inside

55 The Last King

56 Bungee Jumping of Their Own

57 Kajillionaire

58 XXY

60 Perfect Blue

61 Supernova

62 Wish Dragon

63 Emmanuelle: Queen of French Erotic Cinema

64 Luca

65 A Quiet Place II

66 Black Widow

67 Gunpowder Milkshake

68 Freddie Mercury: The Untold Story

69 The Magic Vocies of Pop

70 Jungle Cruise

71 Flight of the Navigator

72 The Suicide Squad

73 Shall We Dance? (1996)

74 Space Jame

75 The Legend of Hei

76 Space Jam: A New Legacy

77 The Green Knight

78 Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguar

79 Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

80 Tove

81 Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai

82 A League of Their Own

83 Kate

84 Dune

85 Escape Room: Tournament of Champions

86 Pig

87 Free Guy

88 Best Sellers

89 Yes, God, Yes

90 I Am Divine

91 Nightbooks

92 Annette

93 The Lost Boys

94 The Love Witch

95 The Medium

96 Gerald’s Game

97 Venom: Let There Be Carnage

98 Lamb

99 Z-O-M-B-I-E-S

100 The Trip (I onde dager)

101 Eternals

102 Red Notice

103 The Devil Wears Ju-Ni Hitoe Kimono

104 Josephine Baker: The Story of an Awakening

105 Army of Thieves

106 Jiang Ziya: Legend of Deification

107 The Eyes of Tammy Faye

108 Last NIght in Soho

109 The Rescue

110 Spider-Man: No Way Home

111 Contact

[borup65chappell]

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[aion-rsa]

Riverdale Creates Its Own Church Because Why Not?

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This Riverdale review contains spoilers.

Riverdale Season 5 Episode 16

“Being canonized has always been one of my life’s goals.”

And so it came to pass that Cheryl Blossom turned water into maple syrup.

Goddamn Riverdale is glorious trash.

In what is either very subtle marketing for The Eyes of Tammy Faye or just the best direction this show has taken since everyone was hopped up on Jingle Jangle, the Blossom family’s “Church of Jason” antics came into sharp focus this week. Although relegated to a B or C plot, this plotline — which works equally well as a satire on hip religions that popped up out of nowhere (see also: last week’s The Other Two) or as Cheryl’s latest brush with divine darkness.

The focal point of this episode was clearly supposed to be Archie getting justice for his fallen comrades, but how can one be expected to pay attention to military intrigue when a line like “for I am Cheryl Blossom, Queen of the Bees” is delivered by Madelaine Petsch without a hint of insincerity? Disjointed as this season is, there’s been a clear effort on the part of the writing to staff to give the show’s secondary characters more to do. (Due to Petsch’s constant scene-stealing it’s easy to forget that she was previously a supporting character before the series’ producers made the wise decision to become an ensemble piece instead of focusing primarily on Archie, Veronica, Betty and Jughead). As a result, Cheryl has shone brighter than ever.

While Penelope clearly sees the Church of Jason as another shady enterprise, for Cheryl it has become a, well, bona fide religious experience. Since breaking up with Toni she has become, in the immortal words of The Lemonheads, “a ship without a rudder.” The Church of Jason gives her a purpose, even if it is only to satisfy her carnivorous desire for validation. Although this has some unexpected side effects, namely that her false divinity unexpectedly gave rise to an actual miracle when she controlled the bees and use them to dispel Penelope from the Church. “Something inside me has shifted,” she tells Kevin afterwards, “something powerful.” More than just quasi-literally becoming a Queen Bee, Cheryl has undergone a true religious awakening and tapped into a power inside of herself. How will this manifest? And what ramifications will it have for her and all of Riverdale itself?

Cheryl has always been more of a persona than a character, reliably outrageous with hints of an inner depth that go undeveloped as the series’ tears through its storytelling. I’d like to think that whatever is happening here is going to correct that wrong and give Cheryl the ability to be fleshed out more. Seeing how self-aware Riverdale has been of late (i.e. Josie’s takedown of the entire gang last week), there is a renewed effort to strengthen sidelined characters. Let’s see how Cheryl benefits from this in the few remaining episodes of the season.

Speaking of sidelined characters, there is none more so than Casey Cott’s Kevin Keller. Five seasons in and Kevin can be boiled down to “loves musicals and cruising for anonymous sex,” which doesn’t exactly befit the character’s GLAAD-award comic book counterpart. The continual lack of depth for Kevin and the show’s reliance on stereotyping him remains an absolute downer. Where are his multitudes? At least by pairing him with Cheryl he isn’t out in Fox Forest all the time. Again though, he remains sidelined without any clear definition. I give the series credit for not following the cliched “Bury Your Gays” trope, but by continually mishandling Keller the argument could be made that his lack of dimensions are a fate worse than death. I’m hoping that the show finally figures out what to do with him, as Cott and Keller — who was Archie’s first openly gay character — deserve much better.

The Church of Jason’s actual goals are unclear, and the miracles on display here were pretty much sacrilegious. Now that something has shifted in Cheryl, expect her to transform the religion into something based on her past trauma (and her mother’s scheming) into something entirely different, and perhaps dark. For now though, I’m willing to go on faith that the Church of Jason, and Riverdale itself, has some entertaining miracles up its gloriously bonkers sleeve.

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Riverdale Rundown

Like last week’s excellent installment, this episode was directed by Robin Givens, who is rapidly becoming one of this series’ best helmers.

I for one would have loved to have seen Cheryl and Kevin’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat medley. Thanks Penelope.

A nice bit of meta humor appeared when Jason was referred to as “a man of few words” as we have yet to see the character utter even a pre-death flashback syllable.

K.J. Apa’s hair seems to be rebelling against the red hair dye more and more each week.

This episode’s main plot was about Archie’s attempts to bring General Taylor to justice, but it is so disconnected from the other storylines that it ultimately results in a major shrug. Even the show seems uninterested in this, with the climatic tribunal — which would have at least provided some A Few Good Men pastiching — happening off screen.

Before it was cancelled, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina‘s next season was supposed to be a massive Riverdale crossover involving witches. One can only wonder if Cheryl’s new abilities are somehow tied into this abandoned event.

We learn that Reggie and Hermosa had “a thing,” and one that Veronica seems both revolted (and perhaps a bit jealous?) of.

Hiram Lodge storing his palladium in model of So-Dale is very on brand.

The book Jughead initially passes off as his own before coming to his senses is “Rules of Distraction,” (an obvious riff on The Rules of Attraction) written by the very Riverdale-named Cora Carter.

Jughead’s agent is named Samm, and this is perhaps not so coincidental. One of the greatest-ever Archie artists was Samm Schwartz, who has best known for his work on the Jughead solo comic. By giving the character fluid movement and hilarious facial expressions, Schwartz’s gag-packed panels remain the most pleasing take on the character in Archie’s 80-year history.

Copter Cab, a rideshare company that takes one-percenters to exclusive events via helicopter is such a douchey idea that I’m generally shocked it doesn’t exist in real life.

Jughead gets one of the best lines of the week when he remarks to Betty that she “solved like eight mysteries in high school and were still valedictorian.”

What with Archie’s crusade for justice, Veronica generally kicking ass in her battle to detach from Chad and regain her She-Wolf of Wall Street Mojo, all the aforementioned magic of Cheryl and Kevin, and Jughead’s attempt to get his life back on track, Betty’s search for the Lonely Highway Trucker didn’t get much screentime until the end of the episode. By pairing with Tabitha Tate on the road, she has a new ally, and I can’t wait to see these two trying to solve crimes together.

Speaking of, the Lonely Highway Killer has to be TBK, right?

It’s interesting that the past two episodes have worked overtime to make Mr. Lodge seem small and foolish. I’m not quite sure where this is leading, but it’s satisfying to see him get some comeuppance at last.

Fake brands this week include the Boysenberry pager and The Wall Beat Journal.

Now that Jughead’s The Lost Weekend-ing seems to be headed towards the backburner, I’m excited for next week’s installment which promises the return of Mothmen. Finally.

The post Riverdale Creates Its Own Church Because Why Not? appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[taste-in-music]

My Favorite Albums of 2019

It’s that time of the year again folks! 2019 was year filled with exciting new releases by some of my all-time favorite artists being dropped left and right at an overwhelming rate. Not only that, there were so many debut full-length projects from artists that had been simmering in the EP zone for years, or had otherwise gotten onto my radar from their shorter efforts in years prior. Needless to say, I found this year to be even more enjoyable and enthralling than last year, and last year was pretty great. I’m going to stop rambling. Like last year’s list, this is in no particular order with the exception of the final album, which is my favorite album of the year. 

Dedicated by Carly Rae Jepsen: Part of me was nervous for this album’s release. How could Queen Carly Rae possibly follow up the modern pop masterpiece that is E•MO•TION? However, my nervousness was sated when I heard the single “Now That I Found You,” which, I’m going to say it, is the best pop song of the year. Hands down, no competition even came close. It slams every single time I put it on. The whole album is a lot of fun to listen to, from the glimmering sugar-rush synths on the opening track “Julian” to the playful Popeye sample on “Everything He Needs.” If for any reason you’re still a Jepsen skeptic stuck on her being the “Call Me Maybe Girl,” give this album and E•MO•TION a try and you will realize just how much she has to offer.

My Top Tracks: Now That I Found You, Party For One, Happy Not Knowing

Heard It In A Past Life by Maggie Rogers: This album dropped in January and it’s safe to say it was my first favorite album of the year. I’d been counting down the days to this since falling in love with Now That The Light Is Fading early last year. I made an entire post reacting to this album, and while some of my thoughts have changed since then, I can still say that this project has an array of great folk-pop songs with excellent vocals and lush production. Classics like “Alaska” are always fun to return to, but the deeper cuts are what really shine on this project. The bounciness of “The Knife” cements it as an essential Summer bop, “Say It” is an achingly relatable and sensually delivered unrequited love song, the fluttering opening chorus of angels on “Retrograde” gives me chills every time, and “Back In My Body” reduces me to an emotional wreck.

My Top Tracks: The Knife, Retrograde, Back In My Body

Sucker Punch by Sigrid: Sometimes you just need to listen to something that will make you happy, and this album offers joy in spades. Sigrid’s vocals range from fleeting and emotional to raspy, but are always charming. The production is vibrant and colorful, from the flurry of strings that open “Sight of You” to the splashy sound effects that pepper “Business Dinners” or that giant, stomping chorus on “Mine Right Now.” The hooks on this album are catchy as ever, crawling their way right into your brain and making a home there in the best kind of way. Sigrid is such a reinvigorating presence in the pop world, and while I do wish that she could have made more of a splash stateside, seeing her European success gives me hope for the future.

My Top Tracks: Sight Of You, In Vain, Don’t Feel Like Crying

Keepsake by Hatchie: If I had heard Hatchie’s debut EP Sugar & Spice last year, I’m sure that it would’ve made it onto my year end list. Thankfully, this year we’ve got an album, so I can continue to gush about Hatchie and give her the notoriety she deserves. Her vocals are filled with genuine, love stricken euphoria as they drift over fluorescent, guitar driven soundscapes. Listening to this album feels like floating away on cotton candy clouds, it’s a sugar rush of dreamy indie rock that will sweep you clean off your feet.

My Top Tracks: Stay With Me, Without A Blush, Her Own Heart

WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? by Billie Eilish: Listen to this thing with a pair of really good headphones and you’ll be in for a whole experience and half, the production is amazing. Not only that, it’s creative. Take the vocal warping on “xanny” and “bad guy,” or the knives scraping along “you should see me in a crown,” or the sample of a dental drill used on “bury a friend.” (The only exception to this is that first track where she takes out her Invisalign. Those slurpy sounds make me cringe every time.) The rest of the albums is pretty great though. Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell went and crafted one of the most lyrically tight and sonically textured pop albums this year had to offer, and for that I have nothing but respect.

My Top Tracks: when the party’s over, all the good girls go to hell, bury a friend

Jade Bird by Jade Bird: Jade Bird has been one of my favorite up-and-coming artists of the past year or so, dropping not only the wonderful Something American EP but also a slew of firecracker singles in anticipation for this album. This project contains not only rock bangers that showcase the firepower and grit in Bird’s voice, (“Uh Huh,” “I Get No Joy,” “Love Has All Been Done Before,”) but also softer, somber ballads that allow her lyricism to shine, (“17,” “If I Die.”) This album is a strong debut that showcases not only promise, but prowess as well.

My Top Tracks: Uh Huh, Love Has All Been Done Before, I Get No Joy

Pang by Caroline Polachek: This album transports me to another plane of reality, melding frosty art-pop soundscapes with glistening synths and captivating melodies. Polachek’s vocals are some of the most expressive and impressive of the year, gliding through runs and jumps with ease. Each song feels like its own little world, whether it be the wistful seas of “Ocean of Tears,” the flitting pianos on “Go As a Dream,” or the funky groove of “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings,” the most instantly addictive song of the year.

My Top Tracks: So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings, Hit Me Where It Hurts, Look At Me Now

Cheap Queen by King Princess: Everything about King Princess’s music and aesthetic is so self-assured and cool that I feel slightly unworthy of being in her presence. That doesn’t mean that this album is devoid of relatability, however, as the lyrics still touch on themes of self consciousness, (like on the opening track, “Tough On Myself,”) and the trials and tribulations of relationships, (”Prophet,” “Ain’t Together.”) The production on this album meshes King Princess’s modern feel with vintage flourishes, such as old vocal samples or record crackles, that come together to give the record a sense of timelessness. 

My Top Tracks: Tough On Myself, Cheap Queen, Hit the Back

Cuz I Love You by Lizzo: From the very first note of the very first song of this album, you know that Lizzo is putting in 1000%. Can we just sit back and thank the powers of good for allowing us to be in her presence? We truly don’t deserve her. This album has everything, from empowerment anthems, (”Like A Girl,” “Tempo,”) to heartbroken ballads, (the title track, “Jerome,”) to roof-raising bops, (”Juice,” “Exactly How I Feel.”) Every element of this project, from the vibrant production to the powerful vocals to the lyrics, emulates such a sense of confidence and love that by the end of each listen I have no choice but to stan both Lizzo and myself. 

My Top Tracks: Cuz I Love You, Juice, Jerome

Atlanta Millionaires Club by Faye Webster: This album is one of the most charming listens of the year, I heard the very first line of the very first song and fell head over heels in love. Faye Webster’s tear-stained R&B-infused folk pop walks the line between catchy and melancholic, joyful and melodic, just perfectly. “Kingston” gets my award for dreamiest song of the year, I can’t think of any other song that is able to put me at ease faster. Whether she’s lamenting about her best friend being her dog or letting Father jump on a track to deliver the chillest rap verse ever, she’s got something you’ll love up her sleeve.

My Top Tracks: Kingston, Jonny, Room Temperature

Norman Fucking Rockwell! by Lana Del Rey: As soon as I heard “Mariner’s Apartment Complex” last year, my expectations for this album skyrocketed through the roof. Needless to say, this album didn’t disappoint, and is in my opinion Lana’s strongest work to date. Norman Fucking Rockwell! features some of the most mature and sharp songwriting, beautiful performances, and sweet melodies of her whole career. The title track works like a diss track, as Lana roasts the subject in question with beautiful eloquence. The lilting syllables on the chorus of “Bartender” allow the song to nestle deep in your brain and stay for a while. The atmosphere of the album reminds me of a cool day in early September, driving down the coastline of rural California, and I adore it.

My Top Tracks: Norman fucking Rockwell, Cinnamon Girl, Mariners Apartment Complex

Don’t Feed The Pop Monster by Broods: What a fun and refreshing listen this turned out to be! Whether it’s with a Summery synthpop jam on “Peach,” the 90s-eque grunge of “Old Dog,” or the heartbroken pleading on “Why Do You Believe Me?” Broods always deliver. While the sound of this project is a bit all over the place, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t cohesive, as it is grounded by the creative force that is the Nott siblings. If you’re on the hunt for some pop that’ll keep you on your toes, then this should be right up your alley. (Also, get some good headphones, wrap yourself up in a fuzzy blanket, and really take in “Life After.” You won’t regret it. That song continuously brings me to tears. Just beautiful.)

My Top Tracks: Peach, Sucker, Life After

Practice Magic and Seek Professional Help When Necessary by Tōth: I think I’ve finally found an album that can finally help define as “warlock music.” I stumbled across Tōth due to his involvement in the band Rubblebucket, (whose song “Fruity” made my favorite songs of the year list last year,) and what a hidden gem his music turned out to be. There’s a kind of sweet peacefulness that inhibits this album that always keeps me coming back for another listen. The lyrics follow a painful breakup and the healing process after, and the tone of the music wonderfully matches the fragility of that state of mind. The instrumentals are soft and somber, but also have some unique elements sprinkled in, (take the trumpet solo on “No Reason” or the clip-clopping groove on “Copilot.) If you need an album to put on to just unwind, give this one a try, I really love it.  

My Top Tracks: Copilot, No Reason, Picture Of You

Good At Falling by The Japanese House: Let’s contextualize my love for this project. When I heard the single “Follow My Girl” last year, it literally made my jaw drop with its beauty. Now, it’s not even my favorite song from this album. The plucky guitars on “You Seemed so Happy” gets me smiling from the very first chord, and the rhythmic rush that follows each chorus in “Wild” makes my heart skitter. Amber Bain’s vocals are coated in their signature layer of slick vocoding, allowing them to drift over the icy soundscapes with ease. Just lovely.  

My Top Tracks: Follow My Girl, We Talk All The Time, You Seemed so Happy

LÉON by LÉON: And here we have it folks, my favorite album of the year. After years of only releasing EPs, LÉON finally delivered her first full-length project, and it did not disappoint in the slightest. This album’s got it all, both the ever-bouncy bops and the heartbroken ballads that make me miss a relationship that isn’t even mine. LÉON's vocals are as warm and smoky as ever, the melodies are instantly catchy, and the lyrics are to-the-point yet endlessly effective. “Hope Is A Heartache” discusses working through possessive feelings following a breakup, and hits like a gut punch every time. Her voice shines on the “Cruel To Care” voice memo, where she sings in one take over a simple plucked guitar. Other favorite moments include the airy, vocoded “Pink,” (an excellent unrequited love song that tunes into my clownery,) and the doo-wop “ooh-woo”-ing add-libs on “Baby Don’t Talk.” 

My Top Tracks: Baby Don’t Talk, Falling, Pink

Also, if Saved by Now, Now had come out this year it would be #1 on this list. 

What were your favorite albums of 2019? Did you listen to any of these albums? Leave your recommendations and thoughts down below.

[logan-russo]

As shitty as it was to be away from Faye while she was quarantined a couple of weeks ago, it gave me the opportunity I needed to get the ball rolling on my proposal. After spending weeks - a couple of months, if i’m being honest with myself - trying to think of the perfect way to propose, I finally realized what I was going to do. Faye isn’t a stereotypical girl, i’m pretty sure she’d knee me in the junk if I pulled some huge stunt in public. Not that she’d be embarrassed, no. She just isn’t one for all of the fanfare and having the attention solely on herself, even if I think it should be. Nonetheless, she deserved a grand gesture and I thought I had the perfect way to propose that felt genuine to who we are.

I had always used my hobby of creating graphic novels as a front for my drug business, something to look legit if the police were to ever get involved. I knew I was talented and I made a decent living selling my books. With it being one of the first things Faye and I bonded over when we first met, I knew I wanted to make one for her.

With Faye out of the house I had the perfect opportunity to work on the book without the fear of her finding it. I illustrated everything; meeting her at one of Anthony’s parties in New York City, late night pizza at one of my favorite joints in Queens, flying to LA whenever I got the chance just to see her before finally making the permanent move to the West Coast. I wanted to paint the picture of our entire relationship up to this point. I’ve always prided myself on keeping my emotions in check and not allowing myself to be vulnerable, but I knew with this book I needed to throw that out the window.

I didn’t exactly have any sort of example growing up about what a loving marriage looked like, having been tossed from one foster home to the next. The families I was always placed with were money hungry and selfish, unfazed and disconnected from each other on an emotional level. I knew that what I had with Faye was real and I wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of my life showing her how much she means to me. I wanted to give more than what I was given as a child.

Waking up with my stomach in knots, I couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason for my nerves. I wasn’t worried that she’d say no. We’ve talked about marriage recently a few times and I knew we were on the same page. A part of her was expecting this. Desperately wanting to pop a xanax to calm my nerves I stopped myself and texted Anthony.

How much shit would she give me if I took a couple pills to calm my nerves?

You can’t propose to your girlfriend high, you fucking asshole.

Well.. he had a point. Quietly escaping from our room and leaving my sleeping girlfriend in our bed, I set to work in the kitchen making all of Faye’s favorites. Realizing pretty quickly that i’m absolute shit at cooking - no surprise, really - I cursed myself for not ordering something to be delivered. Too far in now to quit, I set about making possibly the ugliest pancake i’ve ever seen in my life. It’s the thought that counts, right? Quickly plating up the rest of the food - and leaving one downstairs for Astro - I grabbed the finished comic I had stashed in my office and set it all up on a breakfast tray.

Setting the tray on the nightstand, I carefully lean across the bed, caging a sleeping Faye between my arms. Pressing kisses along her naked back and up to the curve of her ear, I whispered for her to wake up. Watching as she carefully sits up, I debate going to get her a shirt. If she going to yell at me if I propose to her while her tits are out? Probably. Will she be suspicious if I throw her a shirt to put on while we’re in bed together? Abso-fucking-lutely. That’s never happened before. This is a lose/lose situation. Thinking quick, I grab my flannel from the “laundry chair” we keep near the bed and wrap it around her. “You look... cold. Goosebumps,” I mutter before turning around and grabbing the tray before setting it on her lap. Knowing Faye sees right through my bullshit, I busy myself with pouring both of us cups of coffee and juice before noticing she’s picked up the comic. I swear I stop breathing once I hear her asking what it is. “Open it,” I murmur, my heart in my throat.

[strinak]

Readathon Pre-Post

I should actually already be in bed - start time is 7 1/2 hours from now - but I’m wrapping up loose ends!

As always, would love y’all to join me in Dewey’s 24hr Readathon tomorrow; you’re encouraged to read an hour or the whole 24 as you prefer. Low pressure, max encouragement style readathon!

I just put some vinegar cucumbers in the fridge to snack on tomorrow (sliced cucumbers & red onions + 2 parts white vinegar to 1 part canola oil + sugar to taste). I’ve also got plain cucumbers to go with my carrots, broccoli, and hidden valley ranch dip so I can pretend to be healthy before I dive into the bakery order getting delivered in the morning lol

I have SO MANY book options even though I failed to save some of my planned reads. It has been my year-ish of No More Delayed Gratification, so, on theme? The readathon does explicitly say anything written counts so I could do all fic but I like to keep the ‘thons as at least majority published fiction. I really left published fiction by the wayside for a few years before doing a massive reset in 2016 and I’ve been trying to keep more of a balance since. 

Not as a weird moral stance like that shitty post about people who only get into media for fic, but just as a “stuff on the internet moves fast now, if you don’t check in on the reg you will be Very Lost”. It used to be very normal for a trilogy to get published over six+ years! Now I follow a bunch of authors that put out full novels every six weeks!

I will be DNFing a bunch of stuff with 0 regrets, to be clear, since that’s been a talking point this time. I do it in normal times but I do it QUICK during readathons. You wouldn’t run a marathon in shitty sneakers, don’t try a readathon with a book you don’t vibe with!

Some short reads I just put on my kindle:

Tatterhood by Ethel Johnston Phelps, a multicultural collection of feminist folktales I first owned as a child

A Little Fairy Dust by Mell Eight, a single author anthology containing one of my readathon go-tos, Cleanly Wrong, about an outcast brownie and a very messy prince

Little Moments Vol 3 by Megan Derr, epilogues to several of her books and stories including Tournament of Losers, about a commoner using a marriage tournament to repay family debts but accidentally doing well, which I consider her Best Work To date

A Girl Corrupted by the Internet is the Summoned Hero?! by Eliezer Yudkowsky, an isekai adult comedy by the author of Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality

Failure to Communicate by Toni McGee Causey, a short story in her Bobbie Faye universe, where robbers find out why you don’t take the Contraband Queen hostage

Don't Fear the (Not Really Grim) Reaper by Carole Cummings, an m/m romcom novella about a reaper and the guy whose soul just won’t stay reaped

Jericho Candelario's Gay Debut by R Cooper, an m/m first time novella, in which responsible Jerry Candelario finally asks for what he wants

If anybody has any short recs, let me know! Sometimes you just need to bang a few books out to feel like you’re making progress, but it’s hard to filter “quick lgbtq reads” without just getting a bunch of porn :/ I mean, yeah, I downloaded a couple but not the time, Amazon!

[fanesavin]

The investigation begins into the method of venom used to kill the High Raj prior to the Quiver meeting.

[ Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 (x) | (x) Part 4 | Part 5 ]

@bumblingbrujo / @faye-andrews / @danisavin / @mayaparker / @imviapassmeabeer​

Miguel set the crown back down on the throne - leaving it still bloody and envenomed. He doubted that anyone would touch it. He turned with Danian down the hall and went looking for the library - for more information on venom or mechanics. Maybe even gold or the history of the crown. What they needed more than anything was information, plain and simple.

Fane looked back at Dani and Miguel making his way down the steps and noting Faye stood at the base of the stone dais. While he wanted to speak with her, he caught sight of Maya lingering near the back of the hall and frowned a little. He paused momentarily however, “I need to check on those of my household who were in attendance… But I’d like to speak later.”

With nowhere else to be at the moment, since it appeared they were waiting on more of the lords and ladies to return for the quiver meeting, Faye followed behind Miguel and the one who’s name she didn’t know. She avoided Lord Savin’s gaze, eyes focused on the path ahead.

Maya waited at the back of the hall until most of the company had dispersed to follow their own investigatory threads. “Sir, is there somewhere we might be able to speak privately?” she asked in a voice too low for anyone but Lord Savin to hear. As she said it though her eyes were on the crown, thinking over what she had overheard the nobles saying about it earlier.

Fane was blanked by Lady Lacroy, not entirely fair in his opinion but ultimately he had bigger issues than one disgruntled woman presently. As Maya asked for some time to speak he looked at her curiously unsure what need she would have of him, “aye…” A few of his men had returned to his side, more for his protection than anything else not that he needed it presently. “There’s a a private audience room attached to my chambers.. We can speak there if that would suffice?”

Maya nodded. Although the silent exchange between her master and Lady Lacroy hadn’t escaped her notice, there were more important things to discuss at present. They made their way to the private audience room with Maya ensuring that they weren’t followed. Once she was absolutely certain they wouldn’t be heard she turned to her lord. “Sir, I feel you must know although it is unlikely to be discovered. Several years ago I was in the employ of a Lord Walden in a land far east of here. He was poisoned. I swear I had nothing to do with what happened to the High Raj, but I fear that accusation may fall on you if anyone here were to connect me to that history. I thought it better I tell you before someone else discovered it.”

Fane requested his men wait outside and see they weren’t disturbed. Once inside he walked a short distance before turning to observe her before making a gesture for her to say what she had to say. Though what she did end up saying caused him to look at her for a long moment, the confession wasn’t one he’d anticipated and he blinked at her as the news processed. “Was the culprit caught? And was there any reason for someone to want him dead? And how long ago was this would you say?” He grimaced at the mention of blame potentially falling on him, “I have little to gain from the Raj’s death.”

“No. Yes. He was an awful lecherous man. A few years ago,” Maya replied. The culprit hadn’t been caught because she was standing in front of Lord Savin now. She nodded, but said, “That doesn’t mean you won’t be accused of it, sir. I would expect suspicion will fall on every House before the truth comes out. If the truth comes out.”

Fane weighed up what Maya had to say, he wasn’t here to to stand judge and jury on a crime for a man that by Maya’s account deserved it. Though didn’t they always deserve it by some extent of justification? It was also a tad too convenient. Closing his eyes he pinched the bridge of his nose, another thing to be concerned about. “Unfortunately you’re right, and this has made my position more complicated…” none of them were above suspicion… But he couldn’t let her go now, it would just arouse suspicion to Maya’s case. Equally being found to have someone responsible for poisoning in his employ reflected badly on him. There was no real way to win. Though it appeared the Raj hadn’t been killed by poison. “I’ll keep in mind what you’ve told me… And I’m going to ask this out of respect for the fact you’ve been honest about this… Is there anything else that I need to be made aware of about you or your history? I’d rather you told me now than it come out later.”

Maya nodded again. She knew that it would make things more complicated for him, but it wasn’t as if she could simply disappear as she usually did. She also had nothing to do with what had happened to the High Raj and technically she had used poison and not venom like what had killed the High Raj. And any road she doubted anyone else would discover that particularly ugly part of her history. She didn’t hesitate when Lord Savin ask if there was anything else he needed to be made aware of about her. “No, sir,” she replied feeling the statement to be completely honest. He didn’t need to know her birthright. It had nothing to do with the events of the day. House Parker wasn’t and never had been part of the Quiver of Houses. Her long abandoned homeland held no power here. “I’ve spoken to the servants and they say that someone has been guarding the crown since it was delivered by the blacksmith. I should be able to ask around and see if anyone gained unsupervised access to it without arousing suspicion.”

Fane would have said Maya disappearing would just have drawn even more suspicion than was already present. Letting his hand fall away from the bridge of his nose he turned levelling Maya with a long and searching look. If he chose to believe her then he was putting his faith in her, and misplaced trust could get you killed so easily these days. “Very well… Thank you for informing me as you have…” though Maya’s mention of others having access to it caused Fane to nod ever so slightly, “aye, find out what you can but… quietly. I’d rather not inadvertently kick the hornets nest… Anything you find out comes back to me.”

Maya ’s expression didn’t change as Lord Savin looked her over. Technically, she wasn’t lying. Even if she had been though it was a lie so well practiced that it was unlikely to be discovered anyway. She nodded a third time when he warned her to do any investigation quietly. “Yes sir,” she said, “I’ll be careful.”

Fane nodded, “very well. If there’s nothing else to inform me about then you may go.”

Maya curtsied, “Thank you sir.” She left, slipping once again into the shadows unnoticed to learn what she could by observing.

While walking with Miguel, Danian felt a presence behind them and glanced back to see Lady Lacroy following behind. They slowed their steps so that she could catch up and walk beside them instead. “M'Lady,” they bowed their head to her briefly. “I’m glad to have you joining us. Your insight will be of great help.” 

Faye nodded in return as Miguel’s companion slowed to speak with her. “I found I can’t stand to be in that room a moment longer,” she said with wane smile. “But thank you. I’m afraid we haven’t properly met. I’m Faye. Of House Lacroy.”

“Danian. Of House Lovel.” They offered her a polite smile before tilting their head to ask, “I heard you had a bit of trouble with House Kesley yesterday. I hope you haven’t had any further issue from them? They attempted to kidnap Queen Cassandra of Summerset as well. I can’t help but wonder if they have a hand in all this.”

Faye nodded. “I’ve heard of your House. A good family.” Faye frowned at the mention of the incident in the market. “Is that who that was?” Faye had also heard of that house. Not a fan of ‘witches’ in any regard. Though the potential kidnapping of Lady Cassandra was far more upsetting. “It would seem likely. Unless the two incidents were merely a distraction.”

Danian couldn’t resist the proud grin and subtle straightening of their posture when Faye complimented their family. It wasn’t often they were complimented outright, as small as they were, so their day was quite brightened to hear it. “Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say.” They paused a moment before adding, “I’m sorry I don’t know an awful lot about your house aside from myth, but personally, I prefer to put no stock in such stories. It’s better to meet someone for yourself before you join in the judgement of others.” As she responded to their news of the near-kidnapping, the lord’s hand squeezed briefly around the pommel of the sword at their hip. “We should consider all angles. A distraction would be awfully clever… There has been a concentrated watch on Kesley since the incidents. Perhaps they were meant to thin out the attention of the guard elsewhere.”

“I wish more people thought that way.” Faye gave Danian a small smile. “But it’s much appreciated.” The idea of a distraction was a good one. It’s what Faye would’ve done, though she kept that to herself. “They said the crown was gone for quite a while, correct? Do we know who had access to it at the time? Who the men were that were with it?”

Danian returned Faye’s smile, but then sighed to her observation. “It toured around through the individual kingdoms. I would imagine it was heavily guarded throughout the journey - or at least it should have been, but I never had a chance to see it myself.”

Faye sighed as well. “If it is viper venom, we should at least be able to locate where it’s from. Or…” She gave Danian a slightly helpless look. “… at least where the serpent originates. Perhaps if the crown passed through such a place…” It was a long shot, as certain potent ingredients could be bought most anywhere, if one knew where to look.

“It would be a start.” Danian put a careful hand on her arm for reassurance. “No matter the true circumstances.” Their hand returning to their side they added, “We’re not the only ones looking into this. We don’t have to solve it ourselves. We take what we can find and apply it to whatever else comes of the rest of the investigation, yes?”

“Of course,” Faye nodded. The possibilities made her head ache, to be quite honest. She hadn’t come here to help solve murders. She had only come to bear witness and show that her family was still a part of things. They eventually made it to the expansive library, and Faye looked around at the sheer volume of texts available. “Gods… I’ve never seen so many books in all my life…”

Miguel had let Lord Danian and Lady Faye talk as they made their way down the hallways - Miguel kept his eyes out for the library, and once they stumbled upon it he entered messy room and looked around. They had their work cut out for them. He read the spines, and found many of the spines had no lettering - they had to be taken off the shelf and opened. That got a grumble from his throat. His scrolls were far more neat - and they had to deal with the constant swaying of the ocean. “Is there any sense to the arrangement?” He asked his companions, but also himself. If there was a rhyme or reason to the layout of the books, he didn’t see it.

Danian Like Faye, Danian was mesmerized by the sheer number of books in the castle library. It wasn’t that they hadn’t seen any large libraries before, but this really dulled them all by comparison. Hearing Miguel, they blinked out of their momentary distraction. “Ah..” stepping forward, they glimpsed at some of the spines and shelves themself. “Not that I can see. Why don’t we split up and to cover more ground?”

“I’ve never set foot in here before,” Faye said to Miguel. “Perhaps there’s… a manifest? A book that lists all the other things contained here?”

Miguel walked toward a far corner and started inspecting books. “Let’s look for a manifest then.” That was a good idea. And it would probably be close to the door. He focused on the front of the room and started looking in all the books for anything to make sense of the messy library.

Moving off the left, Faye made her way around the outside of the large room. There were layers of dust so thick that Faye wondered just how long it had been since most of these scrolls had been read. It was so dusty, in fact, that it was the lack of dust that drew her eye. To a large book on crowded but mostly dust free desk. “I might have something,” Faye called.

While Miguel looked toward the front, Dani moved to their right, shifting through books and rolls of parchment alike. They hummed under their breath as they did so, but eventually, the noise stopped. Faye’s voice cut in from across the room and they looked back over their shoulder before striding in her direction. “Do you?” They stood beside her and inspected the volume, carefully opening the cover to get a glimpse inside. “Well- it certainly looks like a manifest, they said as they saw the pages of listings.”

“It’s the only thing without dust in the whole place.” Faye peered over Danian’s shoulder, reading the list of items held in the library. Coming across a name of two that looked helpful, Faye tapped a finger on the page. “I’ll see if I can find this one?”

Danian flipped through the pages slowly until Faye stopped them. They knew she would have a much better idea of what titles to seek out than they would. “That’s perfect,” they glanced back at her with a nod. “Is there anything else you’d like me to search for while you’re looking for it?”

“Anything similar. Anything on toxins or… past attempts on the lives of other rulers. Maybe we can find something similar that gave someone an idea?”

“Ah- yes. That’s a brilliant thought. I’ll see what I can find.”

They looked around for quite awhile, finding a few books here and there. Along with the occasional scroll. “This will take ages to look through,” Faye said of the assembled tally. “Are we allowed to take it back to our rooms?”

Octavia roamed the castle for a few hours, taking time to familiarize herself with the grounds. She walked into a room that seemed to be a library and noticed she might have interrupted something. “Oh, hello again.” She said to Faye. “Hi there, I’m Octavia.” She introduced herself to the others.

Faye turned to sound of a familiar voice as she and Danian looked over the items. “Hello again,” she greeted her. “Where is your mistress tonight?”

Danian looked over to Faye and nibbled the edge of their lip for a moment, looking over the collection of materials they’d found. “I would think so…” but before they could say more, another woman walked into the room and they looked up with Faye to greet her. “A pleasure to meet you, Octavia.” The lord offered her a polite smile. They grew interested in Faye’s question before stating their name, pausing to hear the woman’s answer first.

Fane remained in his chambers for a while after Maya left, but ultimately there was work to be done before the Quiver was summoned. Opting to change out of his finery into something simpler and more befitting the situation at hand he returned downstairs asking after his ward and being pointed to the library. Arriving at the room in question he dipped his head politely to Miguel and Lady Lacroy wondering if she would continue to opt to steadfastly ignore him ultimately meandering over to his ward. “Danian… Have you found anything useful?”

She’s found some friends to join for a dinner. So, I’ve been left to my own devices.” She said walking over to the table the two were seated at. She noticed the various books and scrolls sprawled across the table. “Light reading?” She asked. Octavia ran her fingers across one of the books, crushing the dust between her fingers.

When Lord Savin entered the room, Danian spun on their heel to face him, though their response came with a sigh. “Lord Savin– we have found ourselves a fair collection of material, focused on toxins, venomous reptiles, former royal assassinations…” they glanced back at the table briefly. “But, it’s going to take time to read through the lot of it. Lady Lacroy and I were considering taking some of it back to our rooms for review.”

Fane grimaced a little at the task at hand looking to the books and papers that were spread over the table. “How can I assist you? I have time before the Quiver is called and I’m happy to lend my assistance in any way that might useful.”

Octavia: “Would you need these extra eyes?” She asked, nodding at Lord Savin when he walked in. “I’m guessing you think the High Raj was…” Octavia picked up a book and read the latin title. “Poisoned?” She asked.

Faye’s expression visibly tightened as Lord Savin joined their small group. She gave a small nod, but then turned her attentions back to the book in front of her. She let Danian explain what was going on, since Faye herself hadn’t been addressed. “Possibly,” Faye said to Octavia. “Most likely a fast-acting venom is involved somehow, considering the nature of his death.”

“Any additional eyes would be highly valued,” Danian looked between the two newcomers, then settled again on Fane. “Though, there’s anything you know regarding the previous tour of the crown around the kingdoms - who was responsible for its protection and who might have had access to it - we could use that insight as well.”

“The names of anyone capable of engineering the workings of the mechanisms in the crown would be useful as well. I’m sure those types of smiths are few and far between. In all the kingdoms.”

“It would make sense, though the culprit would not have been able to act alone- it would have had to be at least three or four people. Someone who helped serve the High Raj food and drink, someone who knew the ins and outs of the castle, and someone who would have been able to bring the poison in.” Octavia put the book back on the table.

Fane picked up a small piece of parchment jotting down that which needed to be investigated further before rolling it into a small scroll and tucking it away in his pouch.

Faye also made a mental list of what to come back for, tucking one book in particular in a small slot beneath the desk. She nodded to Octavia that she believed it wasn’t the work one person, though how many was also a question, before it was time for the Quiver.

[storiesofwildfire]

author’s note: as I transition some of Loki’s information to reflect God of War 2018′s canon, I have decided to add Loki’s mother, Laufey ( yes, you read that right, mother. I know Marvel describes Laufey as Loki’s father, but in mythology, Laufey has always been Loki’s mother, which is something I have always kept as part of my own canon ), to my secondary muses. 

Laufey is a mixture of mythology, God of War, and Marvel canon, though this backstory heavily reflects what we know of Laufey from the God of War game and includes her relationship with Kratos.

legal name: Laufey aliases: Faye, Laufey the Just, Last Guardian of the Jötnar age: Upwards of 2,200 Jotun years occupation/title: Protector and Queen/King of Jotunheim gender & pronouns: Gender fluid ;; she/her, they/them, he/him  female faceclaim: Bridget Regan male faceclaim: to be determined aesir appearance: Laufey is right around 6′ tall with long, dark brown hair, green eyes, and a fairly pale complexion. Although she does possess a curvy figure that would likely earn her the praise of being beautiful, she’s also very defined, with strong-yet-lean muscle that speaks for itself in terms of her strength. Although Laufey tends to default to a female visage, she is a talented shape-shifter who may also appear as male at any given time. natural appearance: Laufey’s natural appearance is significantly larger, scaling more than twice the size of her Aesir appearance. Her complexion is a rich cobalt tone with vivid markings that suggest she descends from royal blood and is a powerful magic-user. Like most Jotun, her eyes are entirely crimson with darker sections where the irises and pupils would be. While she does often default to being more feminine and motherly in nature, her Jotun form is much more androgynous than her Aesir form, though she has been known to scale up her masculine features when dealing with politics between realms that seem to favor male superiority ( looking at you, Asgard, looking at you ). sexual/romantic orientation: Pansexual / panromantic  siblings: none children: Loki ( Atreus ) Laufeyson ;; Ulla Laufeydottir ;; Agnar Laufeyson ;; Ragna Laufeydottir ;; Ivar Laufeyson ;; Ulf Laufeyson ;; Olja Laufeydottir ;; Livia Laufeydottir  grandchildren: Fenrir Lokison ;; Jörmungandr Lokison ;; Sleipnir Lokison ;; Hel Lokidottir ;; Saga Lokidottir relationship to loki: Laufey is Loki’s biological mother. In some verses, Loki and Laufey are extremely close. In others, where Loki has been taken from Laufey, Loki may be hostile towards them or unknowing of their relation to Laufey. Regardless of relationship status, however, Laufey is very loving of Loki and wants nothing more than for their child to be happy, safe, and healthy.

Bio: Born in the realm of Jotunheim, Laufey was always destined for greatness. As the future ruler of the realm and no siblings to survive into adulthood, she carried a heavy burden as well as the determination to see her people into a better and brighter future.

Unfortunately, before she had ever taken the throne, war broke out between the Aesir and the Vanir. The Great War, as many came to call it, quickly swept throughout Yggdrasil. Most realms could not hope to go untouched by the carnage that followed and Laufey knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that if she did nothing, her people would likely die off early on as well.

The Jotun pushed for her to take up the mantle of their ruler. As Laufey’s mother fell into poor health, they needed a stronger leader who could carry them through the war that threatened to destroy them. Sitting on a throne and sending off her own to battle never sat right with her, though, and as her abilities with foresight matured and developed, a clearer understanding of what was to come greeted her.

She told her people stories of a child she would one day have. Laufey called them Loki and expressed that having Loki would be essential to their survival. A piece that would be needed so Jotunheim could play its proper part in the war, as she also saw them delivering the final blow to Odin that would end the war. They only needed to survive long enough to get to that point.

Needless to say, her people were skeptical. Foresight wasn’t always a surefire thing and the future wasn’t set in stone. Putting all of their faith in the existence of one child that had yet to be born seemed foolish to them and they insisted they take their own precautions. Why trust in something that did not exist when they had someone who could act as their key right in front of them? Many believed Laufey to be that key.

Laufey could hardly disagree. All things considered, it would be years before her visions ever came to fruition, but her people were not violent or malicious. Defending their home was absolutely a priority, but throwing themselves into a war she knew they could not win? At least, one they could not win yet?

Going to war prematurely would mean unnecessary death, destruction, and would likely run the risk of powerful Jotun falling into Odin’s hands. After all, most knew the Hanged God was desperate to gather powerful assets and information about the future. He’d been given the nickname because he literally hanged himself just so he could acquire more knowledge of death and the future in his brief period of experiencing death himself. Collecting one or more individuals gifted with the ability of foresight would have Odin salivating like a starving dog smelling raw meat.

No, they would need to be cleverer about how they approached protecting their realm. They devised a plan, one that would seal Jotunheim from the rest of Yggdrasil so that no one could actually work their way into the realm without promised passage. Laufey knew that her people were capable, but to make Jotunheim completely unreachable, outside help needed to be brought in. The Bifrost constructed by Heimdall ( though, due to Odin’s displeasure in the Vanir and the way he wanted to keep total control over Heimdall in particular, much of the Bifrost’s credit had been given to Tyr ) literally reached every realm. To ensure that its passageway to Jotunheim could not be accessible, Laufey had to turn to individuals far outside of her own.

In truth, she wanted to go to Heimdall. No one knew the Bifrost or Yggdrasil better than the Watcher who saw every soul within all of the realms, but Odin’s grasp on the Vanir God was tight and therefore, Heimdall seemed impossibly unreachable and a dangerous connection to risk. Tyr, though? He always had the Giants’ favor and seemed to favor them in turn, and he had been more than willingly to help them seal off the gateway.

Jotunheim going off the grid certainly set a lot of minds to ease, but three very real problems still existed for the ruler-to-be.

One: Jotunheim couldn’t exist in isolation forever. Eventually, they would have to come out of the woodwork and bring themselves back into favor with the rest of Yggdrasil. To live cut off and alone would eventually result in extinction, especially for people like Laufey’s people, who thrived off of social interaction and cross realm exploration. The Jotun and the Vanir, for example, were quite close. Another point that worked against them, in all truth. In the eyes of Odin, that made them even more of a threat.

Two: Odin didn’t relent in his desire to break into Jotunheim. The resources of the land and the people were enough to make Odin’s desire outweigh any of the dangerous obstacles set before him. Getting his hands on one person with a knack for seeing into the future was worth countless lives.

Three: The Jotun were foreseen to be the force to finally beat back Odin in the final battle of the war. If they excluded themselves completely, hope could very well be lost, but they needed to survive long enough to endure.

A failsafe was set in place. Laufey understood she still had a part to play outside of Jotunheim. Even if her visions did not come true, she had to pursue them and give them a chance to thrive. Outside of Jotunheim, she could keep watch on movement from their enemies and report back or even eliminate threats if need be. It took quite a bit of convincing, but after a while, she came to an agreement with the rest of the realm. She would leave, act as a guardian or protector to her people, and those who survived on their realm would go into hibernation to present an illusion of lost life and a dying realm. If Odin ever managed to break through their barricades, he would find nothing useful to him. He would also not expect them to be the force that finally brought him down.

The ancient magic that thrived on Jotunheim would be safe and the key to unlock that potential could be stored in a single person... With so many unwavering angles and a need for their people to be protected until the end, the remaining Giants agreed.

So Laufey set out, taking the appearance of a mortal woman with soft, ebony hair, brilliant emerald eyes, and pale flesh. Her beauty carried over from her most authentic form, though the small stature, the color muted complexion, and the eyes took a bit of getting used to. Especially the size. Condensing down into a body that barely stretched to six feet for an extended period of time took quite a bit of adjusting, even for a gifted shape-shifter like Laufey.

Still, she managed with little complaint, and eventually made her way to Midgard, the realm at the center of them all. It was there that she could keep an eye on the events of the war and how they unfolded without throwing herself into the battlefield too early. She could hide with the use of protective wards that often took the shape of golden handprints on the sides of trees or structures. She could make connections and seek out people who had already helped her, such as Sindri and Brok, two Dwarves who crafted the Leviathan axe that she carried with her.  

Midgard also served as the inevitable meeting place where she would come across Kratos, a Spartan warrior lost in deep Norse territory. Their first meeting could have gone better, in truth, as Kratos sought the weapon she carried with her and she had been forced to defend herself against him. Killing him would have been easy, seeing as he had already been seriously injured prior to their meeting, but Laufey had always been a kind soul, quick to aid and only resorting to violence if nothing else could be done in its place.

Despite having the excuse to put the man out of his misery, she spared his life and help nurse him back to health. At the time, she did not realize that this was the man who would fulfill the visions she had. The future always revolved around her inevitable child and while she knew details of the man she would likely marry; she could not see him by face or by name. Good, perhaps, so she didn’t go searching for something and force an outcome that did not come naturally. Loki’s birth might have been necessary, but she wanted to ensure that her child was also brought into the world out of love and desire.

Initially, he only stayed with her because he felt indebted to her. Rather than kill him, as would have been her right, she took care of him. He stayed by her side as she traveled, aiding her in what he could so he gave back, determined to pay his debt to her until he no longer needed to. Together, they traveled like that for months. Kratos assisted Laufey in any way he could while also learning from her in the ways of magic and utility in an area that was clearly out of touch with where he came from. She loved to talk, loved to share her stories, and loved to sing. Kratos wasn’t much of a talker at all, but he enjoyed her company, nevertheless. What came as a surprise to the disguised Jotun was that he seemed to hang onto every word she said, even when she thought he wasn’t listening...

One night, lost in the dark, he protected her. It’d been little more than a reflex to defend her from something she could not see, but he’d thrown himself in front of her to take the blow from the Draugr. She likely would have died had he not and just like that, any lasting debt he owed her was gone. It came with surprising heartbreak when she confessed as much, telling him that if he wished to leave, he could. He owed her nothing, but Kratos didn’t go. Instead, he asked her if she wished for him to go, to which she immediately replied no.

Kratos may not have been good with words or expression, but it became rather clear that they both meant something more to the other. She took care of him and in turn, he’d learned to be more loving and gentler. They impacted one another in such a way that lent itself to love and to part seemed not only foolish, but impossible.

She’d even learned the truth somewhere along the way of who and what the man truly was and accepted him regardless of his brutal and bloody past. She often felt the urge to do the same, to let him know the truth of her and where she came from, but to do so would endanger her home. No one could know, not yet, but Kratos would, in time.

Shortly after, they decided to build a home. Laufey set out to protect the woods around the location with her wards so they could build and live in peace. The building had hardly been finished by the time they conceived their first child. She wished to name the child Loki, as she had been referring to her baby as such amongst her own for years. Loki’s story was well known by the Frost Giants, but Kratos wished for a different name. Atreus, a name that once belonged to a Spartan warrior he held very near and dear to his heart, someone he hoped his son could be like.

They decided to give their son both names, though Atreus quickly caught on. In youth, the boy was sickly, often keep the new mother home while her husband ventured out to hunt and gather supplies. As Atreus grew, the ailment came and went, but he at least showed the strength to continue on. She grew more and more concerned as the years ticked on, though. Atreus had no knowledge of the truth behind their origins and the more their gifts in magic tried to manifest, the worse the sickness became.

Her visions of the future altered, showing her that if she lived, both her husband and her child would die. She needed to return to Jotunheim to awaken her kin, but she did not need to be alive to do so. So long as her magic returned to the realm, life would once again thrive.

So she left detailed instructions with Kratos on what to do should she pass, laying out the groundwork to send her family on a quest that would return her ashes to Jotunheim while also revealing to her child the truth that would allow him to thrive.

When death came for her, she greeted it. While it broke her heart to leave her family, she knew what needed to be done to ensure that they survived as well as Jotunheim. Kratos and Atreus burned her body and collected her ashes so they could be taken to the tallest peak within the Nine Realms. It eventually took the father and son to Jotunheim, where they learned the truth of her origins and the truth of Loki’s future.

As they spread her ashes, from the top of the mountain, her magic settled across the land, but it did not come alone. Despite Loki’s young age, his newfound understanding of who he was and his growing connection to his father allowed his own magic to radiate with her. Unbeknownst to the young boy, he set in motion the key to reawakening the realm.

But such magic took time to settle and unfold. Life could not be restored in the blink of an eye. It took years for the Jotun to come out of hibernation and for Laufey to come back to her own with it. She hadn’t expected the spell to revive her, so it came as a shock when she first opened her eyes again.

Much to her dismay, though, she found that years had passed since her death and in that time, an unexpected complication arose. Ragnarök had come far earlier than anyone could have anticipated.

While the Jotun inevitably fulfilled their destiny by facing the Aesir in one last battle, beating them back enough to end the Great War that raged for years, nothing could be done about Ragnarök. Odin’s forces retreated, stealing the Casket of Ancient Winters as they fell back to Asgard. Odin knew that without the Casket, a power source the realm protected and thrived from for years, Jotunheim would be far easier to conquer once Ragnarök settled.

Believing both Loki and Kratos dead with Ragnarök, Laufey had no choice but to finally settle on the throne of Jotunheim and push forward despite all they had lost. Her only focus then became ensuring that her people endured and that she had a family large enough to carry the weight on the realm even after her second death.

[danisavin]

-- - Prince Miguel invites Lord Danian to join him for an adventure on the town following the funeral of the High Raj. Mischief leads to mead, and amid the night’s darkness, intimate secrets come to light. In the morning, Prince Iann delivers some sudden news that may complicate the impending conviction of the inquisition. 

@bumblingbrujo / @ianncardero

warning: this gets pure and soft af. jo and lori will confirm. emotions will most likely be stirred. 

Miguel went looking for Danian. Things had been spiraling further and further out of his control and he just needed the time and ability to blow off some steam. Miguel had his sailing outfit on, a mix of mercenary and fisherman -- with very little hint of prince or noble, only the obsidian daggers that he always carried. But those were tucked away where no one could see them. "Come Northern Hero, shall we get into trouble," he sang under his breath.

Danian had intended to blow off some steam the day prior. They had offered to walk with Faye along the balconies for a bit of air, given she wasn't keen on their idea to explore the city. But, of course, yet another horrific event had to bloody the week. Quite literally. Thus, they had made it out to the city, but their search through the streets for a friend had been stressful and tiring -- only for them to return to the castle and find that she had been safe inside all along. Today was the funeral. A happier occasion, oddly enough. After returning from the service, Danian had retired to their room, intending to change out of their formal wear for the remainder of the night. The young lord had just pulled on a shirt when they heard a breathy sort of singing outside their door, though they couldn't quite make out the words. Raising a brow, they walked forward to open it and peer out into the corridor. "Miguel?" they blinked at the prince, not failing to notice his choice of attire. "Curious change of appearance you've put on. Were you.. singing?"

Miguel grinned, lopsided and joyful when his friend popped into the corridor. "Sure was." He glanced down at his clothes as if he forgot what he was wearing. "Of course, I was nostalgic for our first meeting. Would you like to accompany me out into the city?"

Danian couldn't resist mirroring Miguel's grin, even throwing in a short chuckle for good measure. "Well, I couldn't hear it too well, but I'm sure it was lovely." When he asked if they would like to accompany him into the city, there was a mischievous glint in the corner of their eye. Like he had, however, they had to pause and glance down at their present attire. They were only half dressed and not towards the same style as the man outside their door. "Two minutes." With that, they hurriedly closed their door and switched out what they had planned to wear for something a little more street worthy. Perfect for the side mercenary that they were. The only potential giveaway was the sword at their hip. It had been their father's. They never parted with it. Their hunting knife was concealed elsewhere. "Shall we?" they grinned again as they strode out to meet their companion.

Miguel waited, back against the hall wall as Danian went to get changed. They came back looking fit for an adventure, which was exactly what Miguel had wanted. "We shall!" He strode easily with Danian, since their legs were the same length. When he walked next to his brothers he had to take two steps for every one from the much taller men. "Where to? Hear of any great injustices to right? Or is it a pub kind of night?" Miguel chanced a wink at the young Lord. There had been too much destruction in the walls of the keep. A night as a commoner at a pub sounded like a breath of fresh air in comparison.

It was a relief not to have to quicken their steps with the prince. Walking beside Lord Savin, for instance, was a nightmare. Hells, they could even relax their pace a bit like this. "Why not both? I'll stay the occasional late night when I want to," Danian responded to Miguel's wink with a smirk. Then, the hand that rested on the pommel of their sword drummed as they looked up in thought. They stopped, and their attention returned to him not terribly long after they had started, sighing. "Nothing too specific. But as things stand-- I doubt we'll have to travel far before we come across something even a wee bit nefarious."

Miguel kept his eyes forward as they walked, but the comment about staying the night made his eyebrows quirk up for just a moment. Well, he hadn't expected that from the young Lord -- though he didn't know why. Not that he minded the interest, from Lord Pettaline or Lord Danian -- and his night with the Honeywild Lord was relaxing in its own way, why not this rowdy (boi) Lord from the North? "Then to the pub, and we can right injustices on the way." They walked more silently as they walked toward the gate, until they were out of the keep and creeping along shadows.

Danian hadn't meant for their late night comment to come out so... suggestively. Sure, they'd had those sorts of nights before, but it was a general reference. One that included sticking out an evening in a tavern simply with friends or hiking or stargazing far longer than intended. Not that the prince wasn't appealing.He certainly had his charms. If Danian was pursuing him, it wasn't consciously. Sometimes their responses were just a little too teasing.

After nodding to Miguel's plan, the Northern lord led them through the city all the way down to the Lower districts. It looked terrible. At least, the section that Danian brought them to did. When the Queen of the Dark Woods had called her wolves, the beasts had torn through the streets, leaving destruction in their wake. Buildings damaged, wares scattered, blood on the ground where a few unfortunate bystanders had become collateral damage. There was an eerie quiet to the area, having already been abandoned by most; but, Danian knew well that the truly broken places were where the worst crime came would be. Injured residents and broken architecture made the area opportune prey for looting -- and by extension murder, among other atrocities. "Perfect venue to kick off the night, aye?" Danian glanced to Miguel from where they stood on the shady side of an abandoned carpentry workshop.

Miguel shook his head, but a subtly amused look stayed on his face. "You sure know where to go for trouble." He hadn't thought Danian would lead them so quickly to trouble, but they were like a moth to a flame. And within minutes there was a crack and a bang coming from inside the abandoned carpentry workshop. Miguel turned toward where the door used to be, only a sad wooden beam barred the way. He kicked it aside, held out one hand, and lifted one eyebrow. ’After you,’ said his expression and his pose, even though he remained silent.

"Oh, I was born for trouble," the Northerner grinned, stating so with pride. But not with narcissism. "Even Lord Savin would admit that if you needed a second opinion." The crash that sounded from within the shop was like music to their ears. They shifted toward the door alongside the prince, peering inside before he gestured they lead them in. With a nod, Danian did just that. They padded into the dusty shop, staying low as they made their way towards a back room. The thin coat of dust that covered the entirety of the place -- there were footprints in it, and what faint light was available illuminated clouds of the same substance that were rolling about in the air. From the sounds of it, whoever was in there was rifling through the carpenter's storage for something. Coin or anything of value, most likely. The door to the storage room was positioned in the middle of the wall. So, Dani stepped to one side and pressed their back flat against it, glancing at the opposite side in hopes that Miguel would do the same. They pulled out their knife and held up their hand, counting down with three fingers. When the last had fallen, they put their back flat against the wall once more, and whistled.

Miguel held his own daggers at the ready. There was a dense silence, thick as a well grown Northern fur, for a handful of moments. And then the banging and cracking started, slowly, coming toward them. Miguel's eyebrow crunched and his face turned into a raisin with concern. Just how big was this fella? In a moment he saw. Someone with giant blood in them, had to be. Their head ducked and still almost brushed the top of the ceiling. They were covered in ash and dirt, with a sleepy expression on their face that turned to anger when the little weasel-like man at the giant's side said: "Hurry it up! Get 'em!"

"Fuck," Danian cursed under their breath when the far larger of the two individuals stepped out on their side of the door. Of course. But they wasted no time dwelling on luck. Their knife was immediately sheathed. They ran toward the entrance. Their opponent was large and strong, but that also meant he wasn't agile. That was Danian's advantage. They wanted to get themself outside where they had more room to move. Inside, the sheer size of the other could trap them easily.

The giant ran for the entrance after them. Danian got there first. They shifted to the side of the empty doorway and pulled off the brooch of the black cloak they wore. As the being came ducking through at top speed, the Northerner whipped out the wide swathe of fabric. It smacked on the wet ground just before the other stepped over it. When his heel alone rested there, Danian yanked the cloak back. The sudden lurch of the surface beneath them caused the criminal to slip and crash onto his back with a booming thud.

As the giant ran, so too did the weasel man, and Miguel ran after him. It was a large game of cat and mouse, with no way to know who was the mouse or the cat until the game was over. This wasn't a couple of Kesleys, so Miguel bit back to urge to bury a dagger into the man's back. That wasn't very honorable anyway. Instead he grabbed the Weasel Man's collar and winced at the noise he made as his body carried him forward. The Weasel Man coughed, hacked, and flailed at the end of Miguel's fist. Slowly, Miguel was able to drag him outside to where Danian was -- the giant already sprawled out on the ground. "What were you doing?" Miguel asked simply.

The skinny man writhed in his grip. "Just lookin'! Ain't no rules against lookin' are there?" He found his footing, able to pick himself up and lean away from Miguel at the very least.

Danian had their sword pressed tightly under the giant's chin, discouraging them from rising to their feet or trying anything else. When Miguel came out, they looked down at the Weasel Man in his grasp, barely withholding the bit of a snicker that wanted to break free at his desperate struggle. They knew it was terrible, but all the flailing about and coughing was just... it was amusing. But again, they kept their thoughts to themself. "There's a very thin line between lookin' and lootin', 'specially at a time like this." Danian tended to allow their Northern accent to thicken when they weren't dealing with nobility. "Half these streets are torn to rubble. Any coin left in the mess are better served goin' to rebuildin' than your pockets."

"An' just how do you know it ain't my kin that owns the shop?" The Weasel Man hit Miguel square in the wrist and took three big steps back. But Miguel simply shrugged and got out one of his daggers.

"Generally speaking, those that have business somewhere come in the daylight and don't run when someone else arrives." Miguel's words stayed pretty, but his tone took on the hard edge of the sea. His voice said high end merchant, his demeanor and gear said seaside mercenary, but the hilt of his dagger screamed noble.

The glint of the dagger wasn't lost on the slinky little fellow and he ducked his head nervously. "Tsela, come on, there's nothin' for us here." He glared at Danian. "Let my cousin up, if you please," he said it slowly, enunciating every word with care.

Miguel's reasoning was solid. No reason for Danian to add any backup to the Weasel Man's question. They did raise a brow when Miguel drew a dagger. Though, they weren't entirely surprised. It was a rather flashy weapon. One that gave him an extra aura of power that could work to his advantage.

As the young lord was addressed by the smaller looter, they stared back at him steadily, warning his glare for only a moment before carefully turning away the sword at his cousin's throat. "Of course." Interestingly, they offered Tsela their arm to clasp if they wished any assistance rising to their feet. Even more interesting, they accepted it without complaint. Once they were on their feet, Danian looked the giant squarely in the eyes. "There's good work for giant-bloods in the North, ye know. Pays well enough too. If you're willin' to make the journey, you might not have do anymore lootin' again." They glanced to the Weasel Man and then back to Tsela again before releasing their arm with a shrug. "Just a suggestion."

Tsela nodded at the scary little dude, gripped their cousin's arm, and walked off at pace that was both sluggish and quick -- their long legs moved slow but carried them far.

Miguel waved at them as they left. Once the two odd cousins were out of sight, he put his dagger away, and lolled his head to grin over at Danian. "Does this mean we can visit the pub now?"

Danian gave the departing pair a sort of salute-wave as they tromped and scurried away. If they had managed to get to them in any way, perhaps they wouldn't cause the city any trouble again. Perhaps, they would even heed Danian's words and travel north. Who knew?

Once they were far enough away, the Northerner retrieved their cloak from the ground, grimacing at the mucky wetness of it as they made an attempt to shake, then squeeze, some of the liquid out. They wouldn't be putting it back on, that was for sure. "Depends," they exhaled heavily before looking over to the prince. "Would you rather hunt for more giants or go for a drink?" A grin pulled at the corner of their lips as they asked. "Your call, Your Highness."

Miguel waited as Danian picked up their cloak, only chuckling a little at their dour expression. "Well, I am but a soft hearted and heavy-footed prince, used to the soft and simple life. And I simply don't think my constitution could take another giant..." He trotted out of the area of destruction, toward more well-lit parts of the city. "Though, what an interesting pair of cousins. I hope they heed you. I wouldn't mind someone with giant's blood on my crew..." he trailed off, thinking of his men and what might face them when they made it back to the shores of the capital.

Danian shook their head, unable to resist a small laugh as Miguel painted such a poetic image of himself. "At least, you're not the one who had to risk getting trampled. I allowed you that small mercy," they teased him, lightly jabbing his arm with their elbow. They had to admit, despite their offer for further hunting, they would rather prefer not to face more than one giant a night as well. "Awfully curious, indeed," Danian agreed. "I do as well. I feel bad at times, when it comes to thieves. No matter their actions, there's the chance their motivations are genuine. Like feeding their families and whatnot. It's not always easy to tell. But you're also very right," they glanced aside at their companion. "A giant on a ship's crew would be quite a formidable force."

Miguel ducked into the nearest ale house and looked it over, it was dimly lit -- and people seemed tense. Well, some people looked tense. Others looked two casks in and relaxed. Some looked two casks in and swaying to the music that came from the lute player in the corner of the room. "Ah, yes, you're right. There's a thin line between looting and exploring the way my brothers and I do, bringing artifacts back to the isles..." he said softly, so he wouldn't be heard over the din of ale house. He ordered two mugs of ale for himself and Danian and paid with an assortment of coins -- too many houses to speak fealty to one, the cherry on top of his masquerade as a merchant, though the fact that he was a traveler was true enough. "Though I wouldn't trade my crew for a hundred giants. I've been lucky in their loyalty thus far."

Danian followed Miguel into the ale house and scanned the establishment around them. There was definitely a tension in the air. No wonder why. And yet, there was still music and the amusement of drunkards. A small smile pulled at the edge of Danian's lips seeing the few men swaying ungracefully to the tune. This was what they missed. The camaraderie among Northerners that could come even in the darkest of times. Maybe it wasn't quite the same here in the Capital, but tonight, they would happily take what they could get. "I've become a bit of traveler, myself, but artifacts aren't really in my interest." They took their ale as it was served with a short 'thank you' to the man behind the bar. "The problem with exploring is that as exciting as it can be, I end up yearning for home all the same. The North tends to have that effect on the blood of its people. We're always called back. We can never truly belong anywhere else..." they tipped back their mug for a drink and found the two of them a table near the back of the room. "It's like you say-- we're lucky in our loyalty. Not just in our people, but in our bond to our home itself. It's why we get so bloody fierce and protective all the time."

Miguel stared into his ale. A loyalty to home. Yes, Miguel loved his people. But was he loyal to them? Not in the same way that they were loyal to him. It didn't sit well in his chest. Was his loyalty to the land? To his house? He didn't know, but somewhere in him there was loyalty, there was devotion, maybe he just hadn't found the right place to kneel yet. "Yes," was what he said though. "I love the Isles, there's a freedom there, I think a feeling the North shares. It's hard to make us kneel." He grinned at Danian, a challenge in his voice. And then he tipped back the flagon of ale and drank half of it in one go.

Danian had been drinking while Miguel had been talking. The shared sentiment he spoke of with the North would have resulted in a smile when they'd put their mug down if he hadn’t finished with the statement that he did. His words in combination with his grin made them half-choke on their drink. They set their mug down quickly after to cough against the back of their hand. A small, predominantly harmless glare was shot his way. "Is that so?" Their voice was still a little rough from the incident, so they swallowed and cleared their throat before raising a brow at him and glancing down to his drink. They knew there was a challenge brewing. "What kind of drink do you Forty-Islanders claim as your standard? I'm just curious. I've never actually been. Always figured the heat would be a little too much for me, but maybe you could convince me otherwise," the Northern lord said with a straight face before moving to finish off their own ale.

Miguel's grin widened into something that would look provocative on anyone but a cat. "It is so." He sipped the remaining ale slower. "Ah! I'm surprised you don't know, or perhaps you're just teasing." He paused to sip his drink. "We prefer mead. Honey wine made from our bees. One can't go more than three steps on the islands before bumping into a honey bee. The commonfolk cultivate them, as well as the nobles. I know Iann has his own hives. My mother makes a marvelous lavender honey mead." His smile turned soft at the mention of his mother. "I doubt they have any here, but if we go back to the castle, I brought a cask that Iann doesn't know about yet. Or he would have finished it off," he chuckled at that. Iann was always getting into Miguel's private drinks. Though Miguel returned the favor. "The islands are beautiful, if it ever suits you to visit, you're more than welcome to stay with me." He finished his flagon and leaned back in the seat, a small smile on his face.

Danian smirked at Miguel's grin, leaning over the table, arms crossed atop it, as they soaked up his words. Their expression became more sincere, however, as he began speaking of his home once more. They were intrigued, genuinely. They didn't know. Not absolutely, anyhow. "Honey bees? And they don't sting you?" His mention of his mother hit them with a slight pang of sadness, but the feeling was fleeting. "Oh- yes. It definitely sounds interesting. So long as Iann hasn't already consumed it, I'd like to give it a go." They flashed him a smile. "I'll keep your offer in mind."

When he emptied his flagon and leaned back, Danian stood and swiped it off the table along with their own. "Next pair's on me." It wasn't long before they returned, handing the prince his drink as they sat themself back down. Flipping the subject, they tilted their head at him to inquire about his own travels before they started on their second beverage of the night. "Have you ever been to the North?"

"Thank you." Miguel took the flagon and drank. Not sipping anymore, he was drinking to forget himself. "Oh, they sting, but only if you accidentally step on one or try to crush it. It's hard to be mad at them once you know that each can only sting once, and once they sting their time on this mortal coil is over." He frowned slightly. "They're fragile little things."

"Ah, once or twice. But it's better to hear about the North from a Northerner. Have you any stories to regale me with?" He fiddled with the handle on his flagon with one hand and leaned on the other. "When we're done with this round we could go back to the castle..." he offered. "And you can taste my mead," as it came out of his mouth he realized it was an innuendo, and he winked. Danian was cute, one of the few Lords as small as Miguel. It made Miguel want to push them up against a wall.

Danian was a difficult one to get truly inebriated. They were used to the heavy drinks of the North. Ale like this? It wasn't bad, but they would need well more than two flagons before their mind or balance started slipping. Drinking was another way for them to unwind. Not unhealthily, but it did generally work faster than quiet time to themself or fresh air. In the moment, at least. They needed this. "I can honestly say, never in my life would I have imagined I would come to have feelings for bees. Animal or not, that sounds ungodly cruel."

The young lord tipped their flagon for a needed drink after that fact. It wouldn't take them much longer to empty it. "Any stories?" they huffed ridiculously. "You're going to have to specify the type. There's far too many to tell." This time when they went back to their beverage, they had fortunately already put it down before the prince slipped out his innuendo. Maybe it hadn't been entirely intended at first, but it seemed like he accepted its suggestion afterward with the way he winked at them. It had felt more of a teasing game between them before, but now it was real. Danian's brows shot up. There was just a faint dusting of pink to their cheeks as they brought their fist up to their mouth and coughed a brief laugh. "I-- well..." they had certain things to consider when faced with these sorts of possibilities. But-- just because they went back to his room at the castle to try the beverage they had wondered about didn't necessarily mean... So, why not see what happens, right? "Technically, we would be breaking the rules if we didn't go back anyway," the Northerner wore the slightest grin as they downed the remaining bit of their ale. Genuine liquid courage at this juncture. "And I am intrigued."

"They're social animals! Complex and interesting. They can talk to each other, they can fly, they build whole worlds in wax!" Miguel got just as excited about bees as Iann did, though sometimes he needed a little coaxing before he started gushing about them. "The children of the Forty-Isles learn early not to bother the bees, and the bees don't bother them."

"Let's see then." Miguel stroked his beard scruff and stared at Danian with narrowed eyes. "A story about a giant then, something topical. That or saving a damsel, if I remember correctly, you enjoy saving damsels." He finished the second flagon and held tight to the handle.

"Uh, those rules are driving me to sea. I want to go to the port and hop the nearest ship." Miguel had spent altogether too much time inside. He was desperate for the sails, the wood, the rigging -- the open ocean. He wanted salt spray in his face, and the taste of entirely too many pickles a constant on his tongue. Not to mention his crew...

He stood up and took his flagon with him. "I miss the sea, I miss the Isles. Maybe the lavender mead will soothe my troubled soul." Miguel returned the flagon to the bar and waited by the door for Danian.

"Huh," Danian blinked on the subject of bees. "You teach your children about bees, and those of us in my little corner of the North teach the kids how to track and hunt. All of 'em. Soon as they can run properly."

"I do enjoy saving damsels," they smiled. "I enjoy saving just about anyone, really. It's a rush for you and another day of life for them." They had emphasized the damsels part previously because-- well... young men and saving damsels could go hand in hand, especially in stories. The stronger that perceived appearance, the better. In reality, they knew full well that women could be no less strong or fierce, or even more so, than any man. Anyone could be. Unpopular opinions, though. Hardly the place and time to voice them. "I'll have to think about it. Damsel stories are more of a southern trend, as far as I can tell. Topical sounds better."

They watched in subtle amusement as Miguel yearned for the sea, standing only once he had delivered his flagon to the bar. They walked over to do the same. "Maybe it will," they chuckled as they stepped out with him, patting him on the back for a bit of reassurance. "Me-- I just have to wait until all this is over. I can go home for awhile and find my spirit again. Lord Savin wants me to return to Blackspire for a visit, but I think I'll just have to postpone that visit a month or two." Assuming we all make it out of this unscathed.

"We must teach them different skills to survive in different environments," Miguel agreed with a shrug. Though he had no children himself to teach.

The physical touch sent a little thrill through him and the urge to press Danian against a wall grew stronger. "As soon as this ends, I must return to the Forty-Isles. My father is ailing..." he glanced away a moment before patting their back in return, their small warm body under his hand was comforting. It was nice sometimes, just to be with someone else who was alive and warm. Vitality bred vitality after all.

It sounded like Danian missed their freedom just as much as Miguel did. "I think, I'd like to go on a few more adventures though, after I sail home. Perhaps we could go save everyone together." They walked together through the gates again. Walking quietly and companionably through the keep until they made it to the corner of the castle where Miguel was staying.

He knocked on the door in the special pattern that let his crew, if they were in there, know that it was him. And then he opened the door. After a quick glance around he pulled Danian into the small personal room where he could actually have some privacy. And then he pulled a tablecloth off a circular end table and revealed a cask of lavender mead.

Danian's brow furrowed when Miguel revealed that his father was ill. A frown set on their features. He glanced away, and for a second, they held their breath until he patted their back in return. "I'm sorry about your father. I can't presume how close you are with him, but if it's any consolation, I lost my father when I was seven. He died fighting in the wars… but he left me this." Unsheathing their sword, they gave it a quick spin before offering the weapon for their companion to see. "I hope your father finds some way to recover. It's not easy, losing someone you love. It stays with you, but once you come to terms with it, you can use it to make yourself stronger."

"I wouldn't be opposed to another adventure," the young lord nodded, "but that might have to wait." The suggestion of saving everyone, though-- that made them laugh. "Somehow I doubt that would be possible. Not that we can't try. I only worry it would consume the rest of our lives and we'd never return home again. That, I know I couldn't live with."

Danian was occasionally scanning the halls around them for others, trying to keep them from being spotted. They didn't really have to. No one would care if they saw a prince and a lord walking through the halls. They were used to it. But Danian couldn't quell their instincts. As soon as they entered the security of Miguel's rooms, they breathed a small breath of relief. When the prince slipped off the tablecloth to reveal his much talked-about cask of mead, the Northerner chuckled. "Looks like Iann hasn't gotten to your stash after all."

"Oh... Lord Danian." Miguel's eyebrows furrowed, but a sympathetic smile remained. "You're too kind, truly, your words are a comfort." They were so honest, and giving, and the fact that they had shared that with Miguel was the part that touched him. He didn't care if his father lived or died. In fact, it would be better if he died. But not until Miguel could get the current situation under control. "My father has been ailing for years. Honestly, I'm closer with my mothers." All three of them. "But still, I appreciate the comfort."

"Oh!" Miguel laughed when Danian suggested saving everyone was too much for the two of them to handle on their own. "I meant... saving people regardless of gender. Saving everyone might be too big a task for even the two of us."

Miguel grabbed a couple glasses, pulled the cask onto its side, and filled them. "Still full. Maybe I'll offer him some once the lack of Forty-Isles mead turns him into a curmudgeon. Though I hope everything is settled before it comes to that." He stood and handed a glass to Danian. "Until then..." he clinked his glass against Danian's. "Fair weather and fine sailing."

Their father's death was a fact. There were no secrets behind it. He was another casualty on the battlefield, plain and simple. It might have been hard for a little lordling to comprehend when they were first shipped off to Blackspire, but time, training, and experience had allowed them to overcome their grief. Now, talking of his passing was not difficult, though they never would cease to feel a little pang of sadness every time they spoke of him. Sheathing their blade once more, they nodded lightly in Miguel's direction, showing a subtle smile despite it all.

"Oh," Danian laughed themself, thankful for the prince's correction. "Now that I can most certainly handle! Everybody needs a little rescuing these days. Sticking to the damsels just wouldn't be fair."

"A curmudgeon, eh?" They snorted. "Somehow I get the feeling that a lack of mead may not even be necessary to turn him into an old grump eventually. But you're right-- putting this whole mess to bed had better come first." Taking the glass from him, they clinked theirs against his with a grin. "Fair weather and fine sailing," they echoed before tipping back the drink. Which-- they might have taken a bit too much of, because they had to stop and clear their throat. "Gods, that's-- it's very good, but it's also very sweet." Blinking, they studied the contents of the glass curiously before tilting their head to Miguel. "How much of this do you usually drink in a sitting?"

Miguel chuckled at the description of Iann. "He is an old curmudgeon, huh? Doesn't even have to try." As Danian tried their first taste of the Forty-Isles mead, Miguel watched with ill-hidden curiosity, and then broke into a grin at the look on their face when the sweet honey wine hit their tongue.

"I am a small man, Lord Danian, I drink one glass if it's uncut. Two if I add water." He sighed. "Though that Northern Iron stomach seems to be able to handle much more alcohol than I...." he was eye to eye with Danian but could tell they were a just a tiny bit taller than him. He wouldn't point that out then.

He sipped his mead slowly, for the taste, not the light-headed feeling he already had.

Danian was also a somewhat height-challenged individual. Miguel was one of very few people they actually stood taller than, if only by an inch, so they could understand why he typically restricted his alcohol intake. Danian had the advantage of being a Northerner. They were used to strong beverages -- and many of them. Such was customary at any proper feast or gathering in their region. That being said, even with that tolerance, they still had to restrict themself when beside their Northern kin. "It's been through a lot," they said of their stomach with an amused huff. "Believe me, it's earned whatever tolerance it's built."

Which gave Danian a potentially dangerous thought. Miguel mentioning their drinking fortitude alongside his single-glass honey wine capacity made them wonder how many glasses of the stuff they would be able to handle if they hadn't already had two pints of ale in their system. But even with two pints of ale in their system, they were still curious. Not often one for sipping drinks for taste -- this one overly sweet for theirs -- they knocked back the rest of their glass fairly quickly. Pointing an accusing finger at Miguel, they smirked. "You want to see how much of this I can handle, don't you?"

Miguel threw back his head and laughed. Danian was a rowdy little rogue on the inside... maybe the outside too. They were still in their adventuring gear after all. Their presence eased Miguel and riled him in different ways. At least they made him forget about subterfuge and duplicity with their volatile and honest demeanor. "Lord Danian never backs down from a challenge... or so I hear." He took their empty glass and refilled it -- then went back to sipping his own mead.

Miguel was a trickster. Of that much, Danian had no doubt. To what degree and form, they could not be certain. Deception could be used purely to tease. For a bit of mischief -- as the Northern lord felt he had been utilizing just now. Manipulating them into a little contest. They didn't mind that. In fact, they were impressed. But the flip side of a trickster.... No, no-- they didn't want to think about that now. Dissecting elaborate, villainous assassination scheming could wait for tomorrow. "I never back down from a challenge, huh?" they accepted their refilled glass with a smirk, taking a short drink of it off the bat. They tried to ignore the sweetness as best they could. "And who did you hear that from, exactly?"

"Who did I hear that from?" Miguel stood next to the cask of mead, ready to refill Danian's glass. "I think it was you. The last time we were together. When you fought that ghostly knight who had been challenging people to duels." The memory made Miguel grin. Danian was strong and fast and brave. The bravery was the trait Miguel found most attractive. Bravery and devotion. "Though that challenge wasn't over drink, I'm sure the idea still applies. Correct me if I'm wrong."

"Oh gods," Danian snorted and rolled their eyes in spite of themself, "yeah, that- that does sound like something I would do." They laughed under their breath as they took their second drink. "The ghostly knight... he actually almost had me. That's a fight I won on pure chance." Shaking their head at the memory, they tipped back the rest of the contents of their glass. "Must have been a year ago, at least, hm? And no-- you're not wrong. Challenge always applies." The prince was given their glass once more, but Danian could tell it wouldn't be a very long contest from here. Their thoughts were becoming a little hazy and the room felt like it was getting just a tad warmer. As sweet and innocent as the Forty-Isles local brew seemed, it hit hard in a way of its own.

After the third glass was poured, Miguel closed up the cask and hid it as a table again. "That's enough challenge for one night. I don’t want you vomiting in my room." Miguel went back to his own glass to sip, finishing it up and leaving it on top of the cask. "A year sounds about right... I find it hard to believe you didn't tell me you were a lord. But then, I didn't tell you I was a prince either."

"Smart idea." Danian didn't particularly want to end up vomiting either, so they were glad Miguel had the foresight to reduce the chances of such an uncomfortable event. This time, they did take their consumption a little bit slower, just so they didn't push themself too far. "True," they sighed, "so it's fair, in that sense." After taking a long sip, they glanced down briefly, "I try to avoid announcing my status when it's not necessary. It makes my life easier." Another drink. "Or- I can relax, ye know? Do what I want to do without anyone naggin' at me that I'm not being properly mannered and all." They frowned as they took another long sip. "People treat you differently once they know what you are. They stop bein' themselves, an' if I was to make a friend with someone like that, who changed soon as they knew, I wouldn't be able to stand it." Carefully finishing off the mead, they moved to place the glass back down themself. There was a bit of a lean required to do so, and when they came to straighten themself again, the motion of it kicked in the slight dizziness they hadn't quite realized they'd been contracting while they'd been simply standing there. "Hells," they huffed a breath and braced themself against the wall with their arm. Yet, they laughed two seconds later, looking at Miguel. "What all else do you put in that? I can tell why you stick to one."

"Well," Miguel started, he walked toward Danian and gently took their arm. "Honey, water, some flowers or berries or fruit. Depends on who made it." He brushed a strand of long hair back from their face. "Do you want me to bring you back to your rooms, or would you like to stay here?" It was a gentle offer, the warm mead in Miguel's stomach made his blood equally warm and he leaned in for a quick kiss. A preview of things to come if Danian chose it.

The room was definitely warmer than it had been when they had first entered. Danian had asked what the honey mead contained, but honestly, they couldn't even focus on the answer. The question had been more rhetorical, anyway. They couldn't focus because Miguel had taken their arm, and moments later, he was brushing a hair from their face. A short flurry of blinks was the only response they could manage at first. "My rooms?" they swallowed, just lightly. "I- I don't think I could make it to my rooms without lookin' an absolute disaster- even if I wanted to..." Danian was usually more confident than this, but with all the alcohol in their system and especially the kiss they had just received, the demeanor that exposed itself was adorably shy. A blush reddened their cheeks even deeper than the heat from the booze already had. Quietly, they confirmed, "I can stay..."

Miguel grinned. He wrapped his arms around Danian's waist and pressed them into the wall they were leaning on. His heartbeat thrummed loud in his ears as he kissed them deeper, slower, a little more exploratory.

Danian was tentative at first, not having done this in.. a little while. They absolutely did not mind being pressed against the wall, but the kiss was distracting, so it took them a minute to figure out what to do with their hands. Eventually, they settled for one on either side of Miguel’s waist. Danian took their time. The kiss started out slowly and lightly, but as they settled into it, the kiss became deeper, and despite their rising pulse, the any tension they had been feeling seemed to relax.

Miguel could feel as Danian melted into him. Their kisses got more passionate and joy fluttered hard in Miguel's stomach. Everything that Danian had said about living in disguise, away from people who would treat them differently if they knew they were a Lord, it resonated with Miguel. And he trusted Danian. Trusted them enough that for once he wasn't worried about the usual Big Reveal that had to happen when he took someone to bed. He kept his weight pressing against them, their foreheads against each other as he started undoing Danian's belt.

Danian's heartbeat grew quicker, but not harder like it would in a fight. There was more pressure, they could hear the rush of it, but they felt lighter-- a sensation they hadn't realized they were desperate for, until now. It was as though all the stress from the past week had been whisked away. They sighed into the kiss and a small smile broke through it. Tightening briefly on his sides as he started to remove their belt, Danian's hands moved up to where their heads pressed together, one finding its place on the back of the prince's neck and the other on the side of his head. "Careful," they murmured, grinning slightly as they brushed their nose against his, "if you damage that sword, you're gonna have to pay for it." And yes, they did mean their father's. It wasn't as though they had another to refer to. After chuckling shortly, they pulled him in for another kiss.

Miguel froze when Danian spoke, he was always nervous when it came to the intimate arts -- and he afforded everyone the same considerations he wanted for himself. He nodded, and when he pulled their belt off he took the sword and paused the kisses to carefully place it on the floor near the foot of the bed. While he was there he took off his own belt and removed his daggers. There would be no accidental pricks tonight, only conscientious ones.

He removed his own outer layer and boots to add to the pile and went back to Danian with a soft expression, heart already on his sleeve. There were few instances when Miguel removed all his masks, but when he did he laid bare and vulnerable to the people he trusted.

Miguel looked over Danian's arm bands and gloves and boots and heaved a great sigh. "Danian, you have too many straps. My fingers aren't quick or flexible enough for this."

Danian watched when Miguel paused to set down their sword as they had asked him to. They hadn’t been expecting him to do it with such care, and seeing that, they softened. He was being open and vulnerable, which appealed to them more than anything else. There was a happy little flutter in their stomach and they would've bet they had a bit of a dumb smile on their face from it too.

His examination of their attire made them laugh briefly. "Hey-- you don't have to hate on the straps. I put a lot of effort into makin' rogue look good." There was an amused grin on their lips as they set about stripping their more difficult pieces of attire. The boots came first -- easy enough. They tossed those carefully over onto the pile. Then they unfastened the arm guards and slipped off the gloves, handing them over to Miguel once they were done. "Better now?"

Miguel looked them over and hummed. "Just a bit." He pulled off his own shirt and added it to the pile. "But I want to see what you look like under there." His hands went to his hips and he waited - flexing juuuuust a little. He had seen himself shirtless in a mirror before, and when Iann called him vain he was being completely truthful.

Danian raised a brow at Miguel when he removed his shirt. They couldn't complain. They did smirk, though, at the ridiculous way he flexed when he propped his hands on his hips. "Right. Cute." But fair was fair.

Danian went to grab the hem of their shirt and had pulled it up an inch or two before they stopped cold. The color seemed to drain from their face as they stood there, suddenly very tense and with a small flicker of fear in their eyes. They had been so relaxed and warm in the moment that they had completely forgotten about the part where they would have to strip off their carefully maintained perception. Unable to look Miguel in the face, their eyes flicked downward to their hands where their knuckles were white. "I-- I- ah-" their voice came out strained and quiet, "Can you--?" Between their words and in the tone of their voice, there was an unspoken plea for help. Miguel had been entirely open with them thus far. There was strength in that vulnerability that Danian was now lacking. They were scared of what he might think, but it was still better if they didn't have to reach that point of judgment alone.

Miguel's eyebrows furrowed slightly, but he stepped forward and kissed Danian's forehead, gentle and affectionate again. Then their neck, as he slid his hands up under their shirt to touch, explore, and help them out of it. Their body was a bit softer than he expected in places, and then there was another something keeping things tight. Once they were out of their shirt he saw that it was a leather contraption, much more sophisticated than the strips of cloth that some people used at the risk of their ribcages. "Oh..." he picked his head up to kiss their lips, soft but passionate. His stomach bubbled with a new kind of excitement. He had never found anyone who could understand him. Not all the way. Only people that could understand facets of the young prince. But it looked like Danian was more similar than most. "Unexpected, but not unwelcome." He pulled back to grin at them. "In fact..." he stepped away further, to free himself of his trousers before sitting naked on the bed.

Danian gradually calmed down with each touch Miguel imparted them. They slowly released their grip on their shirt, resting their hands on his chest instead. They focused on their breath, on the long sigh that came from their throat when he kissed their neck, and all the minute shivers that followed wherever his hands trailed -- though those could have been little nervous trembles as well. When he had finally removed their shirt, they held their breath, expecting some form of negative reaction or confusion, but... his was very different. He kissed them and the overwhelming wave of relief that passed through them had their arms wrap around his neck to hold him there for a little while as they kissed him back. And then, he revealed something just as unexpected. They were blinking at him for a few seconds, purely surprised, but they grinned back at him with a noise that could only be classified as a giggle. They were so elated to be both accepted and in the company of someone who, at least to some extent, must have understood their situation. It gave them all the assurance they needed to kick off their own trousers, and lastly, remove the article that concealed the remainder of their torso. Then, they came and sat beside him, taking his hand to hold it for a moment. "I just need you to know-- it's not about pretending," their golden gaze sought out his. "I've never been a Lady, and I never will be. Does that- make sense?"

Miguel held Danian's hand, the smile that lit up his face would have been impossible to bite back. But he didn't want to bite it back, he wanted them to know how happy he was. "Of course it does." He pulled them closer for another round of affectionate kisses. He peppered their face, forehead, cheeks, lips. Miguel wanted them to know how grateful he was that fate had let this happen.

Danian squeezed Miguel’s hand when he smiled, not even having a chance to respond before he pulled them in for an ambush of kisses. They found themself giggling, but also getting teary-eyed as they wrapped their arms around his neck again, holding there tightly. “Thank you,” Danian whispered, even though they didn’t need to, resting their forehead against his.

Miguel rubbed his nose against Danian's, the smile on his face soft and happy. "Thank you," he replied. They were just as much as a relief to him. A place to dock after a long journey through a storm.

Danian gave the tiniest nod to Miguel, smiling right back at him, though theirs was slightly more subtle. There was a bit of water clinging to their eyelashes from few tears that had escaped them. Hopefully, there wouldn't be more of them. They didn't want to ruin the evening by breaking down in his bed. "So, what happens now?" Danian searched his eyes, trying to gauge what he felt up to, now that their standing with one another had changed so drastically, albeit beautifully.

Their bodies were warm against each other, and it was easy to get lost in Danian's eyes for a bit as they searched his soul, leaving the dregs of his being feeling scorched and raw. Miguel didn't know if he wanted to chance sex. He wrapped his arms around Danian and squeezed. "I'm... unsure." He hid his face by nuzzling against the crook of their neck. "We could keep going the way the wind was pointing. We could hold each other and fall asleep, try again clear headed..."

Danian was content to just be as they were. They felt safe and comfortable -- they didn't need anything else. Smiling when he rested his face against the crook of their neck, Danian turned their head to press a small kiss to the top of his. "Let's just stay as we are, then. Hm? I think we could both use the rest."

Miguel nodded and moved to give them one more kiss, soft and chaste, but full of emotion. "Alright." He was content with that. He squirmed a little to make himself more comfortable, but kept his arms around Danian. Miguel was basking in the feeling of having someone with him, really with him. Not an idea of him or the Prince of the Forty-Isles or even the satisfaction of bedding him. Just Miguel and Danian wrapped up together and slowly falling asleep.

The next morning, Miguel woke up cold. He blinked a moment as the sun streamed into the room. In the hazy light he saw the gentle curves of Danian's back and smiled. He inched forward, closing the distance that had accumulated in the night. At the end of that distance he found he was afraid to touch them -- afraid they would vanish in the harsh light of morning like a mirage. With a little trepidation and a lot of caution he reached one hand out and put it on their shoulder blade -- it was met with warm skin and Miguel breathed a sigh of relief.

Danian could never sleep in bed with another and not grow too warm. At some point in the night, they had shifted away from Miguel to possess their own side of his bed. They weren’t fond of mornings. They hated when the sun shined in their eyes. Why couldn’t they just sleep a little longer? Why did it have to be so damn bright? But this time, it wasn’t the sun that woke them up. They felt a hand on their shoulder, which confused them for a second. They had a splitting headache, and only after a few seconds of thought did the events of the night return to them. Danian shifted, a low groan slipping from their throat. Their arms tightened around the pillow where their head rested and their shoulder rolled slightly beneath Miguel’s hand.

Miguel bit his lip to hold in a chuckle. Danian's hair looked like a natural wonder of the world, it shot out in odd angles with a mix of tight and loose curls. The sun brought out the brown highlights of the dark hair. It wasn't quite as black at first glance, not like Miguel or Iann's hair at least -- which meant it looked warmer. Miguel chanced putting his hand into that mass of fluff and hoped he wouldn't lose his hand. He rubbed the very back of Danian's head and down to where neck met skull. He wanted to help with what he assumed was a bit of a headache. The terrible face under that angelic hair only endeared them more to him. "How are you feeling?"

Miguel very well may have lost his hand if Danian wasn't too beaten to do anything about it. They growled something quiet and unintelligible into the pillow when he first did so, but once he started massaging it or whatever it was he was doing, their grumbliness lightened up a bit. A breath, long and deep, passed out through their lungs before they turned their head to face him, though they hadn't opened their eyes quite yet. "Like I've had my head pounded on by a bear," they grumbled, but there was a little funny huff at the end of it. One of their eyes managed to crack open about halfway. "You?"

"I feel fine." Miguel's hand rubbed down their neck, came out of their hair, and rubbed down their back. "The spot behind my eyeballs aches a bit." He hadn't gotten completely sloshed, just tipsy. In the light of morning, he didn't know what Danian was feeling anymore. And he worried. It was almost a pastime for him, overthinking things. And at the moment, he thought Danian might be mad at him.

Danian sighed at the effect Miguel's hand was having on their soreness. It was immense help, whether or not he could tell. "Does it?" they smirked and shut their eyes again. "I can't figure out how I was still standing after that third glass." Still not in the mood to move much, they lazily sought out Miguel's second hand to hold. "I don't want to get up..."

As they pulled on his other hand, Miguel gave himself a moment to close his eyes and smile. His heart was floating on a cloud and the plans he had set in motion felt a million miles away. "Sheer willpower?" Miguel offered his theory on how Danian survived three glasses of mead. Looking at their sleepy face made Miguel ache for more nights like the previous. Adventures, helping people, holding Danian after they drank a bit too much. "No one will force you to get up, darling." He squeezed their hand and kept rubbing.

"Sheer willpower," Danian half-snorted, half-giggled and rubbed at their eyes with their unoccupied hand. "Or maybe besting a giant earlier in the night awarded me with a temporarily higher tolerance." They smiled and squeezed his hand in return, turning their head back into the pillow a bit. "Good. I'm not in the mood to fight anyone off. Yet."

When an old, ageing, dying parent ails for a long time, the news of death isn't surprising, but it's still shocking. At least it was for Iann, who finally heard the news he'd been waiting three years for. He had to grieve later. He was done remaining in the Bluesprings Capital; it was time to leave. If he was to be accused of a murder, let them accuse him as a King, not a Prince. But before he left, he did feel honour bound to do one last thing. Or perhaps he did it just because he got the news first, and he wanted to be the one to tell Miguel himself. The guards, loyal to Miguel, let Iann in once the soon-to-be King gave them a warning glare that it was either move aside or death. "Brother," he said, bursting in. "Father is -- " He paused, sensing something wasn't right. "Oh."

Miguel twitched protectively toward Danian before his daydream shattered. Ah, yes. There were plenty of reasons he couldn't run away with them to Blackspire and beyond. The most pressing being his promises to Cassandra. His bindings were as strong as the Grand Lady of Summerset, and just as likely to kill him if things didn't go according to plan. "Iann," he snapped. "Ever heard of knocking?" He pulled the sheet up to hide Danian and slipped out of the side of the bed to start getting dressed. "What happened?"

When Danian heard Iann’s voice burst into the room, their heart nearly stopped. They knew how strong a suspect he was, and despite their brotherly relationship with his son at Blackspire, they had not been able to bring themself to trust him. Especially after what he had said to them in the brothel nights before regarding Miguel. It very well may have been a genuine warning, but even so, there had been something about it that just didn’t feel… right. They were thankful for the sheet Miguel pulled over the rest of them, but they worried it wasn’t enough -- or it was already too late. The last thing they wanted was for Iann to have such a sensitive secret to hold over them. With Fane in the position that he was, it could put all of their work into jeopardy.

When Iann saw the Lovel boy with his brother, he put three instances together in his mind: Miguel talking to Cassandra, Miguel talking with Lady Florent, and Miguel -- literally -- in bed with the beloved ward of the Inquisitor Savin. It was over. The war -- the war that actually mattered to Iann -- was just starting, and he was already losing. He only had moments left now. The Quiver of Houses was meeting; and after that, Iann would leave immediately. Still duty compelled him to say, "Our King is dead. After this Quiver assembles, I'm leaving immediately. You can do what you like. I'm going back to my Forty Isles. In light of this High Raj… business, I won't be holding any coronation, so your presence isn't necessary, brother. Lord Lovel," Iann said with a formal bow towards Danian.

That was enough to make his blood boil. It was enough to burn away any remaining affection or soft desire that was still trapped in Miguel's chest. There was business to attend to. "I'm coming with you," he said simply to Iann. Why did his father take so long to die? Why did he do it before Miguel could take care of Iann? Why did he slip away at the worst possible time? Since Iann knew who had been warming his bed, Miguel felt no guilt at leaning toward them once he was dressed and giving them a light touch. "Apologizes, Danian. Honor compels me to leave." Things were moving too fast.

Iann looked cold, almost disappointed -- a look he inherited from his father, ironically. "That's one sort of honour," he murmured, but he didn't want to see any more of this. It settled cold, like a dagger in his chest, and all Iann could think about was how to keep his children safe. "I shall see you both, perhaps, at the Quiver of Houses." And with that, he left.

As soon as Iann had addressed them by name, Danian sat up with the sheet held to their chest and a resigned sigh, looking tired and awkward more than anything else. They greeted the elder prince with a grumbled, "'Morning." They weren't awfully surprised when Miguel decided to accompany his brother back to the Isles. It was his home, and aside from that, they weren't blind to the animosity between the two, even if the full extent wasn't aware to them. So, when he leaned over and touched them, the Northern lord simply offered him a faint smile and nodded. "I understand. You don't have to apologize," and they said so genuinely. A part of them knew they had gone a little too far. They didn't doubt the alcohol had intensified their emotions in the first place. The chances of this being something concrete with the separate lives they both lived had been slim to none. Now that their head was clear to realize that, they didn't feel any heartbreak over his departure. Besides, there was someone else they planned to find again, once they had the chance. Firmly, their hand came to cover his. "Do whatever you have to do." And with that, they released him and watched as he followed Iann out the door.

[eleanor-bradstreet]

Hi Eleanor! Do you have any bridgerton fic recommendations? Love your writing!!

Hello Nonny!

I'm so pleased you enjoy my stories, that is sweet of you to say! Thank you! 💙 As for fic recommendations, build your blanket fort, get a beverage and prepare to never emerge because boy do I ever have some for you...

Do you want to feel like an artist is painting a mural across your heart, swirling colors of intense emotion from lust to anguish to redemption to joy, all of it blending perfectly into a sensation of bone-deep satisfaction? Then you need to check out the works of my dear friend @thebabblingbrookenook Masterlist here.

Brooke has crafted some of the most unique and heartfelt Benedict and Anthony stories out there, mostly modern AU and x Reader, delving deep into character psyches in a variety of breathtaking scenarios. I don't know if I can pick favorites, but don't miss:

If The World Was Ending - an apocalyptic Benedict love story

His First Muse - the most beautiful examination of Violet and Benedict's relationship you'll ever read

Wide Open Spaces - for some sultry Benedict friends-to-lovemaking

The Viscount Who Loved Me Too Much - an ongoing Anthony multichapter romance that is sure to surprise and delight

Or if your tastes are skewing a bit more...carnal, you must know about the incomparable @fayes-fics. Benedict smut queen and creator of the A&B manbread sandwich, her catalog offers so many steamy encounters with the two eldest Bridgerton brothers that you are at risk of developing bedsores while you enjoy them lefthanded 😉 But lucky for us, she plies her skilled pen to sweet romance and heartwrenching emotions as well. Masterlist here.

There are literally, literally too many jewels to highlight in the treasure trove of Faye's stories, but I highly encourage reading:

Lessons - the A&B throuple series of your dreams

Double Bind - an A&B love triangle series Faye sweetly crafted from my greedy little prompts

Second Son - a beautiful G-rated story of Benedict finding love and self-worth

The Things We Do For Love - Anthony. Benedict. Orgasms. Emotions. Just read it.

I have to cut myself off because I could list these forever...

Then if you're in the mood for some Viscount served up piping hot, pay a visit to our darling Bridgerton smut auntie @colettebronte My talented friend practices her own kind of alchemy, blending no-holds-barred kinks with fantastical settings and even a dash of history to create stories that are completely unique and entirely incendiary. The steam is....burning, the sweetness is real and the characterizations are always on point.

Her entire collection should be read, Masterlist here, but personal favorites for me include:

Lord Bridgerton's List - Thigh Riding - Just, read the whole List. Trust me.

The Queen and the General 4 - A powerplay threesome with Anthony and Simon. Need I say more?

Rise and Breathe - healing heartbroken regency Anthony through kink? I cannot wait to see where this series goes...

All The Time in The World - an apocalyptic Anthony series that I am salivating for more of!

I know so many talented fic authors, I could turn this answer into a novel. Search the #fic rec tag in my blog to see them all, but I would be remiss not to highlight these other incredible stories and authors:

@queen-of-the-misfit-toys is a stunning Bridgerton family writer, who knows how to make your jaw hit the floor, either from the delightful filth of her smut or the most heartbreakingly beautiful angst you could imagine. I recommend The End of All Things

@the-other-art-blog Just knocked my absolute socks off by imagining the most perfect origin story for My Cottage here

@fiction-is-life Is taking my prompts for angsty Benedict and delivering with a stunning series starting with Touchstone of Our Character

@urchintoast creates wonderful, lively imagery and has written some heartfelt and adorable Anthony and Benedict stories. I highly recommend Fear

And dear lord, the sweepingly beautiful, searingly sexy, deeply moving Don't You Remember by @captainbucky-yt is my most favorite Benophie retelling

I could type my fingers to stubs if I told you about all the fics I have loved, so please take this as a springboard and go enjoy everything these Bridgerbuddies have to offer 💙

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

[sailorzakuro]

SCD Week 1 Thoughts

So they’re uploading the videos now so HERE WE GO.

Alex and Neil - In the words of Frankie Boyle, they were surprisingly rubbish XD. Idk I guess I expected more from Alex considering how hyped she was but fuck that was... disappointing. Her posture felt weak, her arms in hold were just floppy and she didn’t have the right poise for a quickstep. She had the energy but she just looked awkward. I mean I’m happy for Neil getting a partner and all but doesn’t mean I have to like her XD.

Chris and Karen - MY KING WAS ROBBED FIGHT ME. Yes of course it wasn’t amazing but my god there were a few I thought were worse than him but the judges absolutely tore him apart I was shocked. He was loose and his posture and hands were lazy, but I thought his footwork was pretty good. He had amazing energy and I loved his “push out stomach” (you know when they do the open move in cha cha cha the pros always push their stomachs out and their arms are right behind them, celebs don’t usually do that but Chris did), I think the judges were a little harsh on him, and he’s a king and I love him.

Catherine and Johannes - It was a very sweet dance and Cath isn’t that bad. Her top’s a little stiff and she did seem to stumble a little bit out of hold but overall she was quite nice.

Saffron and AJ - (why do I have to watch this again ugh) OVERMARKED fuck I hate her attitude, she had the complete wrong energy for a tango it felt like a gimmick. Her “tango hand” was meh okay but she looked like she was going to fall over a few times. I think the choreo itself let them down though it was just... BLAGH. They played on her internet youth too much for it to be a serious tango.

Mike and Katya - K honestly I have no idea what the judges were thinking that looked bloody awful where I was sitting. He had energy and stamina and... that was it? He was stiff, his movements didn’t flow, he was flying about all over the place, he had no balance or coordination. His legs moved and his top half just kind of moved with it. It even made Katya look unbalanced, it had no grace whatsoever. Entertaining but fucking shocking.

V.Emma and Aljaz - I loved them feeding David James in the VT that was sweet XD. Ngl warming to V.Emma a little bit after this, I’m liking her energy XD. She was maybe TOO graceful for a cha cha cha? It wasn’t sharp enough, her technique and footwork was pretty good but she lacked hip action and body movement. However, would love to see more of her.

James and Luba - Aaaaand the winner of stupidest song choice goes to... wow this was bad XD. He looked like a grumpy father who was forced to dance with his daughter at her wedding. His posture was like me during exam season, he seemed to just kind of walk around with Luba?? I don’t think he had a tango face it was more of a... resting bitch face.

Kelvin and Oti - Wow the guy who comes in late beats everyone how much has that got to suck? XD. And I thought the guy had no chance OTI DELIVERS A GREAT SAMBA AGAIN. Only thing I would say is that his arms were a little stiff sometimes but HOLY FUCK KELVIN HAS SNATCHED MY WEAVE. Sometimes I didn’t quite know what was going to happen but shit man, just... I have no words.

David and Nadiya - And these 2 win funniest dance concept of the night. I don’t think he was too bad actually. He certainly lacked dynamics, especially in comparison to Nadiya, and his head seemed a little stiff but his footwork was pretty nice. I wanna see more of him.

( @missemperor ) Michelle and Giovanni - Okay I’m sorry I know she’s an American and Gio seems intimidated and I shouldn’t like her but I’m kind of loving her XD. Her attitude was PERFECT for a cha cha cha and she really surprised me. Sometimes I felt her upper body could have a bit more flow, her arms sometimes could move a little backwards so there was more shape to her body but I LOVED her dancer hands XD. It always baffles me when people don’t have nice hands on their free arm cos I’m so used to doing it XD. Overall I think she was pretty good!

Dev and Dianne - Omg he really surprised me XD. His footwork was amazing!! His hold was pretty nice too. I was just DESPERATE to push his shoulders back a little bit XD. His upper body was a little too upright and lacked a slight shape to it but overall he did really well!! Go Dianne! XD.

Anneka and Kevin - First of all THEY CHANGED THE LYRICS TO ANNEKA INSTEAD OF GLORIA I’M SCREAMING XD. K Anneka was pretty much exactly what I expected of her, pretty bad XD. I think two fours were generous XD. She did the moves but there was no performance at all. She had no dynamics, her balance was terrible and her entire body had no shape to it. Can’t see how anyone could find something redeemable in her performance honestly.

Karim and Amy - OH HIS BODY HAD SO MUCH FLOW IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. All his movements just flowed through every joint it was a DELIGHT to watch XD. I would say his posture could have been a bit better sometimes and there was a couple bits that looked awkward but omg he was so surprising and he just looked like a dancer. AND HE HAD THE PUSH OUT STOMACH THAT MAKES ME HAPPIER THAN BRUNO ON BATH SALTS.

Will and Janette - WILL IS STILL THE MOST PRECIOUS I LOVE HIM. And he really surprised me! His energy was just outstanding holy cow. I feel like Janette’s choreography let him down though, there was a whole section that looked really static and awkward? But that’s not Will’s fault at all and he did his best at that bit anyway XD. His legs had so much bounce and spring to them it was amazing! His hold was a bit stiff but honestly I think he did so well and... I love him XD.

Emma and Anton - Oof they couldn’t let Anton be happy for long could they XD. I think they were a bit harsh on Emma! It reminded me of Faye and Gio’s jive last year, great footwork but a lack of energy. Her arms sometimes had no shape but her legs were pretty nice. She needed to be a bit looser but her alignment was sooooooooo beautiful on certain moments. She deserved better and hopefully they’ll be nicer to her on a ballroom dance cos I feel like she’d really do well there.

And that’s it! Apart from stating that Motsi is a queen and Claudia is iconic. That’s it.

[kiissme]

          Of all the times he made her shiver that night, the one that ran through her at the moment was entirely not of his doing. Making her settle closer towards him, seeking the warmth of their joined bodies underneath the luxurious sheets of the bed they both laid in. Her lips press against his, delivering soft, teasing kisses as she curls around him. A happenstance of the afterglow she found herself in, feeling the need to touch him. As if thanking him for satisfying her so deeply by caressing his body, sliding fingertips along his flesh and delivering kiss after kiss. The scent of them hanging in the air, marking what they had done together. And what they’d be doing again. Perhaps even at that same night  ━ they had the time, after all. She doesn’t know when her heartbeat will return to its normal pace, the sweat along her body making her shiver once more, the air-conditioned room driving her mad as she took refuge along his body once more, kissing at his shoulder before resting her cheek at his chest  ━ over his heart. She liked that. Hearing his heart beating within his chest, making her smile softly as fingertips grazed and trailed over his stomach. The sex was great, there was no denying it, but so often they were driven to have it as quick and fierce as possible and without anyone knowing. To come and pretend it didn’t happen for the rest of the world. It was so rare that they could enjoy simply being together after, the bliss that they gave to one another, coming together as if they were always destined to do. A soft hum comes from her, and she has to ask, “Does she really make you sleep in a room this cold? I mean... Did you marry a real Ice Queen? I’m practically freezin’, how do you handle that?” She shouldn’t complain  ━ through his wife’s own vanity she had decided to take a trip and away for a week, which had meant Faye could have her time with Oliver all by herself  ━ in a married man’s bed. A thought that, shouldn’t have excited her, but it did. “Can’t we heat things up?”

cuddle up with me, @olliscot

[drink-n-watch]

I’ve been promising this post for a while now. I did a voice actor version some time ago and it was one of my favourite lists to put together. I think you guys enjoyed it too.

As we all know, an actor’s performance can really drag down an anime. There’s something heartbreaking about a painfully wooden performance in the middle of a wonderful story that rips you right out of the fantasy. On the bright side, I’ve seen more than a few characters go from boring to endearing on the strength of an actor’s charisma. Voice actors don’t have as much to work with as conventional actors. They can’t rely on body movements or smouldering looks to get their message across. So it’s doubly impressive when they manage to convey subtle emotion and complex feelings though inflection and tone alone.

And for me, these ladies do just that.

Today let us celebrate the artistry that goes into bringing some of our favourite characters to life. In no real order we have!

5. Aoi Yuuki

I don’t care how petty it sounds, I’m just going to put this right here. This young woman is shorter than me!!! A musician and traditional actress, Aoi unique voice has made her quite successful in the field. Here are a few selected roles out of the tons she has had:

Hana – Ben-To

Tsuyu – My Hero Academia

Mina – Vampire Bund

The Energetic Ringo – Daily Lives of HighSchool Boys

Sosuke – Free!! (surprised? – I was)

Victorique – Gosick

Mihoshi – Gundam

Russia – Hetalia

Kino – Kino’s journey

Futaba – Persona 5

Iris – Pokemon

Mélie – Radiant

Shinra – Durarara!!

Sunako – Shiki

Borr – SSSS.Gridman

Tanya – Saga of Tanya the Evil

Oh yeah – she’s also Madoka in some magical girl show…

She’s set to play Touka and Boogiepop in the upcoming remake and I am psyched for this!

Not to mention roles in March Comes In Like a Lion, ACCA 13, Asobi Asobase, Welcome to the Ballroom, Gangsta, Gintama, Goblin Slayer, Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens, Hyakka, Hyouka, Your Name, last exile, One Punch Man, Seraph of the End, Sword Art Online II, Tanaka-kun, Tokyo Ghoul, Snafu, Yuru Yuri, and I seriously skipped over most of them. This lady works!

The surprisingly raspy quality of her vocals, and the counterintuitive depth of her tone makes her suitable for a wide range of diverse characters. A small actress with a big voice! Irresistible.

4. Chiwa Saito

Miss Saito has been acting for some time which means she’s had the chance to amass a pretty impressive portfolio. One of my favourite random facts out there, is that she is part of a voice acting groups called “MORE PEACH SUMMER SNOW”. That’s the best name ever. I’m going to rname Buddy that. (His actional name if Sir Buddy Livingston Master Chief Brown). Sadly, she is taller than me.

Yona – Yona of the Dawn

Aika – Aria

Hitagi – Monogatari series

Sigyn – Break Blade

Yuki – Vampire Bund

Chloe – Fate/Kaelid series

Natsumi – Keroro

the fantastic Riko – Kuroko’s Basketball

Louise- Gudam 00

Anita – R.O.D. TV

Kotori – rewrite

Meru – Zetsoubu Sensei

Nadeshiko – Yuru Yuri

She’s also Homura in some magical girl show…I swear I didn’t know this before researching for this post. I never realized how much I liked the Madoka casting before!

Of course there’s like a billion more titles but I’m going to name these ones because, reasons: Amanchu, Arakawa Under the Bridge, Boccano, Berserk, Dog & Scissors, D-Frag, Daily Lives of HighSchool Boys, Gintama, Girls Bravo, Kino’s journey, Last Exile, Log Horizon, Lyrica Nanoha, Murder Princess (I just like this title) One Piece, Sward Art Online, I’m just going to stop now.

You can actually hear her sing in some roles and she truly has a beautiful singing voice. It has a rich timber and she obviously has a great ear for melody. If ever she chose to switch career paths to the musical instead, I’m sure she’d have a great future. We would miss her as an actress though so let’s not encourage that!

3. Megumi Hayashibara

A more classical voice actress and one of the best known in Japan, Megumi almost became a nurse instead. There’s a certain personality that goes along with choosing a career in nursing. Caring but also resilient. You can see that peek through a bit in Megumi’s character and acting choice. Then again, there are so many to pick from I could probably make an argument for any character type.

Pai and IV – 3×3 eyes

Ai – Detective Conan

Haruko – FLCL Progressive

Haruka – Love Hina

Todomatsu – Osomatsu-kun

Paprika and Chiba – Paprika

Musashi – Pokemon

Ranma – Ranma 1/2

Lime – Saber Marionette J

Anna – Shaman King

Lina – Slayers

Ai – Video Girl Ai

Genkai – Yuu Yuu Hakusho

Hello Kitty…this woman is Hello Kitty

The incomparable Faye Valentine – Cowboy Bebop

Probably best known as Rei Ayanami – Evangelion

She can also be heard in Blue Exorcist, Bakuretsu Hunters, Sailor Moon, Blue Seed, Chihayafuru 2, Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor, Macross Plus, Lupin III, Maison Ikkoku, One Piece, Project A-ko, Shadow Skill, the Doreamons, Tenchi Muyou, and obviously a million more shows.

This lady’s body of work speaks for itself. I have to say I was already pretty amazed that spunky, opinionated Faye, with her womanly register and quiet monotone Rei were played by the same person, add in Hell Kitty to the mix and my mind is a little broken…and then you have comedy queen Ranma. This is the type of career you look up to!

2. Romi Park

Did you know that Romi studied Korean in university. I just find that intriguing, obviously she’s always liked languages. Ok I’m beating about the bush so let me just say it, miss Park’s performance was one of the best parts of FMA: Brotherhood for me. I literally caught myself in the middle of scenes just going, OMG the acting is phenomenal. I’ve heard great things about the English language cast but you really are missing ouy if you didn’t catch this performance.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya –  Bleach

Teresa – Claymore

Akane – Danganronpa

Tanaka – Daily Lives of High School Boys

Igarashi – Deadman Wonderland

Kenichi – Cyber Coil

Ken – Digimon

Sena – Eyeshield 21

Natsume – Gakuen Alice

Walter – Hellsing Ultimate

Switzerland – Hetalia

Angelina – Black Butler

Taiga – Major

Falis – Murder Princess (love this title)

Temari – Naruto

My precious, precious Naoto – Persona 4

Jiro – Pokemon

Syrup – Precure

Alma – Radiant

Zoe Hange – Attack on Titan

Everyone’s favourite rocker Nana Osaki – Nana

And of course Edward Elric – Fullmetal Alchemist

And if that wasn’t enough, you can hear her in Air Master, Beelzebub, Blue Dragon , Clannad After story, Detective Conan, Devil May Cry, Garo, Granblue Fantasy, Hunter x Hunter, Kill la Kill, Lupin III, Gundam 00, One Piece (everyone is in this), RahXephon, Sengoku Basara, RDG, Samurai 7, Terra Formars (cause it’s terrible), Aquarion, White Album

Romi Parks has the most devastatingly emotional voice I know. She often plays calm, cool and collected genius type characters (a lot of boys as you can see) but when an emotional contrast is needed, she really knows how to deliver, making her characters feel so real and raw.  One of the greatest performers in my opinion, she tends to make me want to see a show just to hear what she can do with the character.

Honorable Mentions

Ami Koshimizu

C,mon, she Ryuko from Kill la Kill. Always loved that sexy alto voice! Apparently she was also both Hiro and Naomi in the recent Darling and the Franxx. I loved her as Ibuki in Danganronpa. She was Kallen in Code Geass, Holo in Spice and Wolf and Yuiko in Persona. Obviously I’m skipping over st of her work including some very big roles. I suggest you look her up! The only reason she isn’t on the list proper is that I simply haven’t seen that many of her shows even though a lot are very popular.

1. Megumi Ogata

OK fine so this is a subjective choice. Well they all are really, it’s my top 5 list. Fact is, I’ve been a fan of Megumi Ogata for a long long time and I’m just always going to be. She’s the first voice talent I ever learned about and I absolutely love her work. Sure, she might have voiced a few of my anime crushes but surely that did not influence my choice in any way…. She’s much taller than me.

Ayato – Angel Beats

Haruka (Sailor Uranus) – Sailor Moon*

Jun – Captain Tsubasa

Yukito and Yue – Cardcaptor Sakura*

Makoto – Danganronpa

Nagito – Danganronpa***

Shinji – Evangelion*

Izumi Rio – Searching for the Full Moon*

the terrifying Fairies – Humanity has Declined

Cranberry – Raising Project*

Ichigou Fujimoto – Magical girl Ore

Ken – Persona 3

Yukimura – Samurai Deeper Kyo*

Akagi – Slam Dunk

Valkyrie – UFO Princess Valkyrie

Yuugi – Yu Gi Oh!*

Karuma – Yuu Yuu Hakusho*

And just o drive the point home, here are a few more at random. If you want to full list, you’ll have to look it up. I just can’t type that much! Bleach, Detective Conan, et Backers, Great Teacher Onizuka, Kino’s Journey, Magic Knight Rayearth, Tamayura, Tokyo Mew Mew,

Megumi Ogata is a revered veteran in the field. Comparing Nagito to Makoto (purposefully similar characters with a lot of very similar lines) will reveal her mastery on inflection and subtle vocalisation to embody a character way beyond their dialogue. Anyone still under the illusion that voice acting is simply reading your lines, please see master Ogata’s work!

Good list isn’t it!?! I discover new voice talent all the time mind you. I’ll be watching a show and suddenly realize that the actor is doing fantastic work. And I’m always so happy when I discover a new favourite. So please, share yours with me!

that was a lot of pics to find….

  Top Five Voice Actresses in My Harem I've been promising this post for a while now. I did a voice actor version some time ago…

[newmusickarl]

Album & EP Recommendations

Small Talk by Soda Blonde

I must admit until this week, I had forgotten all about Little Green Cars. Having discovered the Irish indie rock outfit at Dot-to-Dot festival a few years back and subsequently hammering their two albums, Absolute Zero and Ephemara, they kind of just dropped off my radar. As it turns out, in the five years since that Dot-to-Dot appearance and the release of their second album, Little Green Cars had called it a day due to one of the original co-founders exiting the band. But out of the ashes of Little Green Cars arose Soda Blonde, with the four remaining members now finally releasing their debut album under this new guise – and it is fantastic.

Back repackaged and with a fresh sound, this may technically be Soda Blonde’s debut, but you can tell from the off these are no novices. Built on the experience of their previous outfit, the musicianship is exquisitely mastered and the lyrics as stirring as ever. This is a very accomplished record, with the band steadily navigating shimmering alt-pop tracks built on self-reflection, heartbreak and difficult relationships - be it with former lovers, family members or even strangers online. The band stated in a recent online listening party that the record was partly inspired by Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreaks, and that is certainly one influence you can hear coming through.

There are really so many highlights on offer here – from Tiny Darkness opening proceedings with a catchy melody and stunning orchestration, before the neon-glow of single In The Heat of the Night arrives shortly after, followed then by the melancholic downbeat riffs of Terrible Hands. There is also the decidedly 80s flair of the brilliant title track, as well as the glorious string-tinged closer Choices. However, ultimately the track that ends up leaving the biggest impression is I Still Have Feelings for You – an ultra-raw acoustic number where frontwoman Faye O’Rourke lays bare her vulnerability, speaking out to an ex in what is a really stunning vocal performance.

All in all, this is a wonderful listen and an album I can see myself frequently returning to over the next few weeks. Little Green Cars were special, but with Soda Blonde this band are now really hitting their stride and I can’t wait to hear what they deliver next.

Seize The Power by Yonaka

Another band I discovered at Dot-to-Dot festival (where they got handed the 1am graveyard slot but still absolutely killed it!), I’ve pretty much enjoyed the entire output from Brighton-rockers Yonaka so far. With their debut album, Don’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow, making it into my Top 20 Albums of 2019, my expectations for their second release have certainly been high – luckily with their new mixtape Seize The Power, the young band have delivered big once again.

Where their first album was ultimately a rock album with a slight pop shimmer to certain tracks, this new project feels much harder to pigeonhole. Across the album’s eight tracks, the band push their musical boundaries out even further, sonically defying genre to perfectly match up with frontwoman Theresa Jarvis’ ever-impressive vocal acrobatics. However, some things thankfully have returned from the debut such as the relentless energy, glossy production, big anthemic choruses and stadium-sized sounds they produce.

Kicking off proceedings with the big riffs of Ordinary, the incredible title track soon cuts in with Theresa Jarvis aggressively spitting her rallying mantra over an ominous and masterfully produced electronic backdrop. From there the band soon head into their most radio-friendly track to date, Raise Your Glass, with its huge chorus and noticeably more pop melody. However just when you think Yonaka might be softening, they hit back with the siren blaring riffs of Clique, with Theresa and FEVER 333’s Jason Aalon Butler yelling “Get the fuck out my face before I do something” on the track’s hook.

The mixtape is then brought to its conclusion through another collaboration, this time with singer-songwriter Barns Courtney. A stunning piano ballad with a jaw-dropping vocal performance from Theresa Jarvis, Anthem is one of the band’s best tracks to date and a perfect example of how their artistry is nicely maturing. Although this may turn out to be just a prelude to what will eventually be their second studio album, this still feels like a significant step in Yonaka’s captivating evolution.

Vince Staples by Vince Staples

Elsewhere this week, Compton rapper Vince Staples released his fourth studio album and, as the project being self-titled would suggest, this is by far Vince’s most personal release to date. However more importantly, where a lot of hip-hop artists nowadays will choose to deliver bloated, overlong and ultimately dull projects - Vince has instead given us the absolute antithesis of all that.

Just 25 minutes in length and every track under 3 minutes, no bar is wasted here – this is a concise, thrilling and intriguingly introspective listen. With Kenny Beats in the production driving seat, he helps to elevate Staples’ work further, with highlights including Law of Averages, The Shining and Sundown Town. Although it may not quite hit the dizzying heights of recent albums from Brockhampton and Tyler The Creator, this is still a great hip-hop album that’s well worth your time.

It Won’t Always Be Like This by Inhaler

And finally, all young bands have the weight of expectation on them when it comes to delivering on their debut album – that first record is always going to be a big “sink or swim” moment. However, when the father of the singer is one of the most recognisable men in music, in this case U2’s Bono, there does seem to be an added pressure.

Luckily for young Irish indie rockers Inhaler led by frontman Elijah Hewson, they take this pressure in their stride on what is a very impressive first outing. Showing plenty of potential through their energetic sound, as well as their knack for writing killer hooks and big anthemic riffs, I will not be at all surprised when these guys quickly move onto arenas in a few years time.

Tracks of the Week

Creep (Very 2021 Rmx) by Thom Yorke featuring Radiohead

On the tracks front, something I did not expect to hear this week was a new remix of Creep from none other than Thom Yorke and Radiohead themselves. Where the original is a classic guitar-driven anthem, here it is reimagined as a synth-soaked nightmare that will fill you with harrowing, existential dread. Very 2021 indeed!

Golden Arches / Ever New by One True Pairing

Tom Fleming formerly of Wild Beasts has also returned this week with two beautiful new tracks – the first, Golden Arches, a sparkling synth-soaked number with Tom powerfully singing the refrain of “Hope is all I know, you are my inspiration.” Then things are completely stripped-back to basics for a gorgeous, mostly-acoustic rework of Beverly Glenn-Copeland’s Ever New – really haunting stuff, the latter of which you can watch/listen to above.

Funny Way of Showing It by Spector

Co-written by Jack Kaye from The Magic Gang, indie legends Spector continue their build towards new album Now or Whenever with this spacey, guitar-driven new single. As always, packed with a killer hook and an instant melody that will get stuck in your head for hours.

Good Girl by CHVRCHES

The Scottish trio deliver this striking new single, which frontwoman Lauren Mayberry wrote “after listening to some friends arguing about the present-day implications of loving certain problematic male artists – I was struck by the lengths that people would go to in order to excuse their heroes and how that was so juxtaposed to my own experiences in the world.”

A glistening synth-driven pop song, contrasted with razor-sharp lyrics and a defiant message at its core – catchy, but also powerful and thought-provoking.

The Unforgiven by Vishal Dadlani, DIVINE & Shor Police featuring Metallica

I must admit I’ve been really enjoying these Metallica covers in recent weeks, with the likes of Biffy Clyro, Miley Cyrus and St. Vincent taking on the challenge so far. This week a bit leftfield as Indian singer-songwriter Vishal Dadlani teams up with rapper DIVINE and pop duo Shor Police for a fun, albeit slightly cheesy, take on the Black Album classic.

Only Love by Tycho & Benjamin Gibbard

Benjamin Gibbard returns to his Postal Service roots for this collaboration with electronic artist Tycho, for what is a dreamy, feel-good summer anthem.

Dangerous by Hard Feelings

Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard also delivers his second collaboration with Amy Douglas for their Hard Feelings project, an ultra-funky, dancefloor-ready disco tune.

The Aftergone by Holy Holy featuring CLEWS

Australian outfit Holy Holy, who are due to drop their fourth studio album next month, team up with CLEWS for another brilliant teaser that sees the band continue to expand their already adventurous sound.

I Go by Peggy Gou

And finally, the Queen of House only drops a new single once in a blue moon, but they always seem to be just what you need to hear. This one is no different, with I Go built on dreamy vocals and euphoric summery vibes.

[fayewonglibrary]

Interview with Queen Faye Wong (2001)

It’s not easy to interview The Heavenly Queen. I contacted Faye Wong’s management several times and would receive their apologies [for being unable to schedule]. After a week of frustration, our two sides negotiated a rather creative interview method: fax. I listed the questions that I wanted ask and sent it to Hong Kong. Faye Wong answered while she was taking a break. She recorded herself on an MD disk and then had it express delivered to me. Faye Wong’s greetings to readers of this newspaper were also sent by fax. And of course, she did not forget to promote her Guangzhou concert. Reporter:  What have you been up to recently?

Faye Wong: I was mainly filming in Japan for the drama “Love From A Lie” for Fuji TV. The next album is also in production which has kept me busy.

Reporter: When will your new album be released?

Faye Wong: The production is nearing completion, probably around October.

Reporter: How did the last Guangzhou concert feel? What are your expectations for this time?

Faye Wong: The last Guangzhou concert was the first stop of my first mainland concert tour, so I was quite impressed. Speaking of my expectations for this concert… my expectations for a concert is always the same. I hope that I can be very emotional in the concert. I hope that the audience will follow my emotions and I hope that they can watch it very enthusiastically. In short, the input from both sides is what I look forward to most.

Reporter: You shed tears in previous concerts. In this concert, what song do you think is most likely to cause you to cry when you sing it?

Faye Wong: I haven’t thought about this. I think whether I shed tears depends entirely on the emotions at the time.

Reporter: Someone said Faye Wong has not been very “hot” in the past two years but she is still better than other singers. What do you think of this statement?

Faye Wong: First of all, I think what’s “hot” and “cold” are products of a trend! Anyway, trends are always changing! Trends will always pass, so I don’t think anyone can be “hot” forever. I think if someone has this opinion, of course they must have their own reason.

Reporter: It is said that you are a singer of the “Diva” class. Are you worried that your “heat” will cool down?

Faye Wong: This kind of thing depends on the public, the audience, and the market, so it is useless to worry or not worry about something that you cannot fully control!

Reporter: Which mainland singers and musicians do you admire? Why?

Faye Wong: There are many that I appreciate from before to now. For example, of course Zhang Yadong who has been working with me for a long time. I especially like his album “Zhang Yadong” released in 1998. I think when I’m listening to an album, I’ll judge if it’s good or not mainly on whether or not it can bring me into a mood and an atmosphere. His music can make me very engaged and create resonance, regardless of whether his thoughts when he was producing it were completely different from the thoughts I had when listening to it. As long as it can drive my emotions, it's good. I think Zhang Yadong has been very successful in this regard and he is very talented.

There is another person worth mentioning, Jin Wulin, who is working with me for the first time in my upcoming album. I didn’t pay much attention to his music before, but I like the song that he wrote for me this time and his arrangement is also very good. I hope we will collaborate more in the future.

Reporter: Your last two albums insisted on personalized music but the fan reception did not seem very enthusiastic. What do you think of this contradiction?

Faye Wong: I think you may be referring to the album “Fable”. Speaking of personalized music, in fact, our starting point when making records is not to personalize the music. I find it difficult for me to consider the business side because I don’t know how to distinguish between business and art.  I just think about whether it sounds good or not. For me, this may be purely a matter of personal taste, so it is a matter of preference! The reason is not too complicated.

Of course, since it is a matter of preference, there will definitely be a contradiction between my preferences and the audience’s preferences. I have not found a good solution to this problem. If the things I like are not accepted by everyone, I really don’t know how to solve it! But I don’t want to make a record that is not based on my point of view at all, so I can’t compromise myself. It is difficult. Reporter: Speaking of the contradiction between music style and the market, will you make some changes to conform to the market?

Faye Wong: Actually, there have been some changes in the records I have made. It’s not that you can see it as clearly as in the previous album. For example, the first 5 songs and the last 5 songs in “Fable” are completely different. There are totally two different feelings. The first 5 songs were produced by Zhang Yadong and me and the last 5 songs were produced by Hong Kong producers. I think the role of the producer may be key to this kind of balance! Reporter: Do you think you are “cold” to people?

Faye Wong: Any comments I get, whether I agree or not, I have to accept it. For example, I think since they always use the word “cold” to describe me, they must have their reasons. It’s not for nothing. Maybe I really don’t smile much in public or I am not the type of person who often smiles in front of the camera. It doesn’t matter whether this is because of my personality or other reasons. The audience saw me through the media and that was their understanding. They can never fully understand me, so I don’t care. Reporter: I often see your unsmiling expression. Are you an “irritable” person?

Faye Wong: I don't think I’m an irritable person.  Everyone will be like that when they are unhappy . But when I am unhappy, I don’t lose my temper easily. It may be because I don’t talk much.

Reporter: How interested are you in developing your film career?

Faye Wong: I think acting is very difficult to figure out. In terms of interest, acting and music feel completely different to me. I don’t know when I will suddenly become interested in acting. There may be a long period of time without interest at all. It is difficult to tell how this interest will come about. And I still don’t have much confidence in acting.

Reporter: Talk about your performance in the new Japanese drama.

Faye Wong: I think there are some things I am satisfied with. For example, before, I didn’t know the satisfaction that acting could bring, but I felt it when filming this Japanese drama because I participated and put forward my opinions to the director which I have never done before. Perhaps the satisfaction comes from this. Of course, looking at it as a whole, I think I’m still lacking. It’s not completely satisfactory, I can only say that some things are.

Reporter: What kind of life do you think is the happiest? Are you happy in life?

Faye Wong: In my opinion, of course, the most fundamental happiness in life does not all come from external conditions. Everyone’s happiness should be found in their own heart by finding a psychological balance and peaceful state of mind. A very peaceful state of mind will be happier, of course this is just my opinion. I think this is the only way to find true happiness. But it is very difficult to do this. It requires “cultivation”, so I think I am still cultivating now. Reporter: Does the entertainment industry bring you more troubles or more pleasure?

Faye Wong: It’s equally the same amount! No matter how much trouble there is, you will get as much pleasure. You have to work hard physically and mentally. I think it’s not just the entertainment industry. If I was not in the entertainment industry and I was doing another job, it would still be like this.

Reporter: Until when do you think you will continue to sing?

Faye Wong: I didn’t think clearly about when I’ll stop singing. I have always been a person who goes with the flow. This kind of planning is not very suitable for me, so I haven’t considered it clearly.

Reporter: What is the status of music and family in your life? What’s the weight of each?

Faye Wong: In my life, work (that is, career), family, love, children and other aspects, I never rank them.  I think these things are all part of my life. I will try to coordinate them as much as possible instead of ranking. Reporter: What is your biggest feeling about marriage?

Faye Wong: The biggest feeling that marriage gives me is that it allows me to understand myself better!

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SOURCE: SOUTHERN METROPOLIS DAILY // TRANSLATED BY: FAYE WONG FUZAO