#the ballerina short film

[chellilonaaphra]

BALLET IN HORROR

Suspiria (1977)

Black Swan (2010)

Suspiria (2018)

Us (2019)

The Ballerina (2021)

[diana-andraste]

Thème et variation (court métrage), 1928

Germaine Dulac

[theinfinitedivides]

also since i've basically been live blogging watching this i'm going to offer up an unpopular opinion. so pls if you are my mutual and have seen this do not hate me if you haven't avoid this post but uh. Ballerina could have been better than it ended up being and i don't know how to feel about that

[belleeverygreen]

Guys this video is tragic but so beautifully made. 

Note and trigger wronging: Nudity, Sex and a refence to historical events. While not major was common at the time. Gobelins

[moondirti]

sorry, this was born out of a need to indulge myself featuring: gaz, ballerina!reader, stalking, intrusive thoughts, delusion, mentioned SA and kidnapping

Kyle first spots you on the Piccadilly line in London's underground.

He's usually wary of public transport – would really rather walk the hour from Knightsbridge to Hammersmith than risk the inevitable unsavoury interaction bound to happen in an overcrowded tube – but it was late at night, he'd just spent his day sitting in a hotel lobby gathering intel for Price, and the idea of ducking down narrow streets in the blistering cold was the last thing he wanted coming to fruition. That's how he ended up in a (thankfully empty) train car anyway; hoodie up and hands stuffed deep into his pockets, thumb brushing over the handle of a switchblade.

He's focused on the shady character stretched across three seats adjacent to him when you happen to prance in. Perhaps prance isn't that accurate an account either, but it's hard to attribute much else to you when you're dressed like a character from one of his sister's childhood storybooks. Angelina ballerina, or something of the sorts – mismatched leg warmers, knitted bolero sleeving a black camisole, basketball shorts over nude-coloured tights, and dance booties that look like little puffer coats for your feet.

The duffel bag slung over your shoulder concerns him briefly – it's hard to look at carryalls the same after serving the military, he finds – but the tired look on your face pacifies any suspicions he might have of your intentions. Wouldn't be wise to execute an offensive when one of your operatives is weary, especially given they're the only agent in sight. Regardless, he's hit with a distinct trepidation that takes a while to name.

You slide past the figure he'd been observing early, hop over Kyle's boots as well, fingers clasped over your behind as if to protect yourself from any wandering hands. The feeling rippling in his chest worsens, yet it's only as you slot yourself onto a far-away seat is he able to recognise it.

You shouldn't be here this late. This isn't the place for you.

With your hair neatly pulled away from your face, he's given full reign to ogle at your darling features. Round cheeks. Hydrated lips. Pretty thing. His molars grind against each other. There are no doubt men on this train that'd want to take advantage of that. Press your mouth open with a thumb on your tongue, rub themselves raw just to see cum decorate your lashes and drip over your brow. Barrack talk, the type of shit he hears floating between his comrades-in-arms when missions drag a little too long. Perversion brought on by desperation.

The intercom dings, and the lady with the soothing voice announces their arrival to Hammersmith. His stop, yet the thought of getting off and abandoning you is enough to keep him stuck to his seat. His stomach upturns as possibilities occur to him like frames in a technicolor film; none pleasant, all ending with you tied up in the trunk of some random van. Some part of him recognises his paranoia, the ridiculousness in his attachment to a perfect stranger (which chides him in a voice eerily similar to Price's, all gruff vowels and whispered consonants), but it does not change the fact that when the doors open to his station, he does not move.

Yeah. He stays on so long as you do – which fortunately is not an extensive length of time. You collect your stuff one stop later, standing to wait at the door once the lady announces Acton Town. He doesn't get up until you're a few seconds out though, slipping through the closing panels of the entryway to follow a few paces behind your heel. Up the escalator and down the block.

The night air nips at his nose, chilling his knuckles so they creak if he curls them. Are your nipples knotted under your layers? Or would they need the help of his fingers to perk up? His throat stiffens. He shakes the thought from his head.

You make a turn. Kyle stops for a second, breathes in, before veering left behind you. Heading towards the west part of town, now. It's a good place to live, all things considered. Still, he wonders if you deadbolt your doors, if you keep yourself safe online. You seem smart, but there are people who won't rest until they get their way. People like the one's he deals with at work – amoral men with biceps that could crush your head. Rotten, horrible men who are only rotten and horrible to cope with the tasks assigned to them. Depraved enemies, depraved friends. Only difference between the two being which flag they fight for.

You throw a look over your shoulder, shoulders shrinking as you wrap your arms tighter across your chest. He looks around, seeking the threat you seem to be so put off by. Nothing but brick-and-mortar storefronts and flattened cigarette butts.

He's compelled by the urge to shush you, to scratch your back as he tells you that there's no need to worry. He'll walk you all the way home. Make sure you get nice and situated, listen for the tell-tale lock of your deadbolt, watch for the dimming of your light. He'll stay until you fall asleep, then walk back to where he came from, take the returning line to Hammersmith – so when he flops back down into his own bed, he'll be reassured by the knowledge that you're safe a mere 4 miles away.

Might take a shower before then, though. Your arse looks great when you're speed-walking like this, pronounced even behind the loose material of your basketball shorts. He hopes the image remains as vivid when he's attending to the heavy mass between his legs later.

Kyle halts right in his tracks.

What is he doing?

You're nearly running now, shrinking away from him at an exponential rate, and duck another corner when you look back to see that he's no longer in pursuit. Completely out of sight.

His Captain’s voice comes to life once more, echoing in the part of his brain he has yet to compartmentalise.

You draw the line wherever you need it, Sergeant.

[javieraestrada-blog]

PAPER MAGAZINE features THE DREAM FILM!

Click on the image below to see the article. 

[cherry-leclerc]

method acting ☆ cl16

genre: series - humor, strangers to friends/roommates

word count: 4.1k

*can you guess what film it's based off of? i practically laid the answer out in front of you guys lol

ch. one ch. two ch. three ch. four ch. five ch. six ch. six

Chapter 3

Life, as you fear, is falling apart as you're confronted with a serious case of writer's block that puts your career on the line. As a solution, you're roommate helps you plan a solo trip to the Amalfi Coast for a much needed break but it doesn't take long for you to meet a certain Monegasque who lays passed out on the beach.

The Spaniard shifts uncomfortably before taking a step back. You had read all about him - of course you had - but how were you supposed to know he would be here? For sure you were drooling by how in shock you were, but you couldn’t find the strength to pick your jaw off the floor. 

And then it got worse.

“Carlos, you won’t believe what I just saw! A Stormtrooper just got slapped by some ballerina! I mean he was kind of asking for it - he grabbed her and she just…” He mimics a dramatic strike as Carlos chuckles. “Best night of my life.”

The brown eyed man quirks a dark brow towards the lousy looking Super Mario. “This is my friend, Lando.” He leans closer to your ear. “He’s not normal.”

“Hey,” the Brit warns as he fixes his overalls, then blushes. “I-It was such short notice.”

Bewildered, you let out soft pants as you pat your chest over and over. The two men share a concerned look. “Are you feeling okay?” Would it be the worst thing in the world to bolt out the door and fly back home? Eyeing the entrance, you contemplate it for a bit but then you hear the familiar accent.

“She's yeigh high, won’t stop talking even if you beg her to…”

“I’m fine!” The pair flinch at the sudden burst. “I’m just going to pop out and take a breather.”

“There you are.” Your stomach drops. Charles raises his brows in a curious manner at the back heads of Carlos and Lando as you weigh your options. You can deal with this - pretend none of this was actually happening. But instead you do what you do best.

“Where are you-”

Pushing past the crowd, you make your way out the door. Once you take a step outside, you look both ways before shaking your head and running down the street. You receive weird looks, but don’t bother to care. There wasn’t an exact destination in mind, but anything was better than dealing with whatever that was. 

Loud footsteps make your spine tingle with uneasiness as you turn around. And this has to be some sort of nightmare because a Stormtrooper, heist man, and Super Mario chase after you. You sprint faster, often taking glances back as Charles tries to catch his breath.

“Where the fuck are you going? Are you crazy?” he shouts as Carlos and Lando stop, immediately recognizing his voice. You stop dead in your tracks as Charles inches closer. Grabbing you by the shoulders, he shakes you harshly. “What’s wrong with you? You can’t just run off like that!”

“I-I…” You spot the two friends as they mutter at each other, walking closer. Feverishly, you shake your head, headache coming in strong. “I needed air-”

Cold eyes narrow down like knives. “That’s fine, but couldn’t you have gone through a more sane route?” You’re a blubbering mess, jumbling out non-existing words as the Monegasque wrestles to decipher them all. 

That sounds just like Leclerc, or am I going insane? Lando murmurs as Carlos nods silently. Kind of, but we should help her. What if he’s just some creep? 

The duo are about to reach you and your roommate when you land on what seems like the worst idea, but reluctantly, saves you. Tippy toeing, you throw your arms around Charles’ neck before pressing your lips onto his. He stiffens. 

“Oh umm…so…they’re not strangers.”

The Spaniard’ eyes grow wide. “Definitely not. We should probably leave them alone.”

Making their way back to the party, you sigh with relief against the brunette’s pink lips as you relax your feet down onto the pavement. But this only leads to the green eyed boy to angle himself lower and continue the kiss. Pushing him back sharply, you shriek.

“No!”

He jumps with high alert. “Wh-what’s wrong?”

Rosy cheeks flush furthermore as you rub your eyes harshly. “This…this is wrong.” A beat. “I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

The Monegasque lets out a small laugh before running a large hand against his stubble. “But I thought-”

“I know,” you chant. “But it wasn’t the right thing to do. I got lost in the moment and that’s my fault, but we’re friends, Charles. That was…weird.”

His heart stops from your sudden burst. Bruised is an understatement. He won’t say he has a crush - God, it’s only been a couple of days of knowing you - but it would be an outright lie if he said a kiss hadn’t crossed his mind. But did you have to be so unfazed by it all?

A raw cough rings through the air, only soft music being heard as you two awkwardly stare at each other. “It was kind of weird.” A forced chuckle makes its way up your throat as you rub your arm. “I also got lost in the gist of it all, don’t feel too bad.”

“We’re good then?” 

He nods, lips stretched out into a knowing smile. “Yes.”

You whistle. “Thank God. I wouldn’t want things to get…”

“Me too.” He winks teasingly. “Just answer me one thing; Was I any good?”

Unable to keep eye contact, you softly smack his suit. “What are you tal- I was.” He wiggles his dark brows. Stop lying. You gape at him. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore!” He chuckles. 

“Do you want to go back, or?”

“Or.”

-

Unlocking the door, the Monegasque steps aside as you thank him, brushing past his tall figure and making your way onto the couch. “I don’t think I could ever party again. Might just have to accept my fate.”

The white cloud plunges down as he takes a seat next to your tired state. “Which is?”

“That I’m old.” You sit up straight as you point an accusing finger up at him. He tilts his head. “Correction - we’re both old.”

A hand slaps your mouth shut as you squeal against it. “I think it might just be you.” Yoomphtoofth, you muffle as you try to wiggle free from his strong grip. “Let me know if you disagree.”

Licking his hand, he yelps as he pulls away, immediately drying himself against your tutu. You smirk. “Asshole.” He narrows his eyes. Shrugging him off, you curl your legs up to your chest. “Truce?” Glaring at your hand, he questions it for a second before hesitantly shaking it. Tugging it towards your mouth, he lets out a high pitched squeak as you lick it. 

“You’re a heathen,” he shrieks as you throw your head back laughing. Relax. You’ve already kissed me. “You kissed me, let's not forget.” You blush. Suddenly I’m feeling very tired. Off to bed I go.

Staring with slight amusement, he waves you off. When you come to a halt, sleepy eyes reconnect with yours. “I know you said it’s fine for me to keep the bed and you the couch, but I’m willing to share now that I trust you.” 

A playful scoff escapes. “I’m flattered.” You stick your tongue out, aiming your ballet shoe at him. He dodges it before comedically scowling. “It’s fine, you can keep it. Hopefully it helps tend to your nasty attitude. You should seriously get that checked out.”

You huff, foot stopping against the wooden tiles. “And I’m sure you’re getting a hump back, so by all means stay in your microscopic couch.” Green eyes bulge out with worry as he runs into the room. 

“On second thought, I think we should share!”

-

So he’s a cuddler. You learn so very quickly when he instinctively drapes his hand over your belly. You try to wrestle free for a while before you realize how nice it feels. A few seconds tick by before you drift off to sleep. 

The strong beams that slither past the curtains are enough to shake the Monegasque awake. Groaning, he squints his eyes as he analyzes his surroundings. It takes a second for him to register how close you are, and even worse, how his arm lays over your delicate figure.

Flinging it away, he scoots back. You toss and turn for a while before you lazily rub your eyes. Was there an earthquake? Charles opens his mouth, then snaps it shut. You raise an expectant brow. T’was my imagination? “Must have been,” he croaks, a raspy voice bouncing off the walls. “How about some breakfast?”

After a strong counter argument on your behalf, he eventually complies and strolls out the door, set to get some breakfast for you both. It should have been for the best to tidy up the bed, clean up a bit.

Definitely not hunt for a small journal.

Guilt resurfaces as you open the side drawer, finding it empty. What were you doing? Charles has been nothing but good to you - he was someone you considered your friend. Maybe it was for the best, it was a bit too invasive.

Your tummy grumbles as you glare at the clock, time slowly passing by and still no sign of the Monegasque. Dragging your feet to the living room, you shamelessly plop onto the couch when you spot an oddly familiar item. The brown diary.

You can feel the way your eyes sparkled with merriment as a delirious laugh ringed past your dry lips. It had been dug between the pillows begging to be let out. To be skimmed through. Analyzed. Soft fingers trace the front cover as your breath hitches. 

This doesn’t have to happen. You didn’t have to do any of this. You could be honest, admit what you’re doing, that you know who he is and how that would change nothing between you two, and that you needed this. He would understand. But the thin pages were luring you in by every passing second he doesn’t walk past that door. A tiny peek won’t hurt.

You can’t tell how much time has passed, but the moment you hear keys jingling, you hurriedly stash it back in its original hiding spot and rush over to the terrace overlooking Amalfi. Strong accent calls out for you as you holler back. With a sheepish smile, he hands you a box of crepes. Grazie. 

His green eyes flicker with evident panic, though he tries not to show it. “Hey, have you seen a small journal by any chance? It’s sort of important.” As quickly as you started, you stopped munching and immediately started to choke. A large hand pats your back as you inch away as if he held a deadly disease. 

“N-no I have not.” You brush your hair back, suddenly hot. “Is it that big a deal?”

The brunette shrugs but reluctantly nods. “I write down my feelings sometimes. Helps me cope with lots of things.” An appreciated and honest expression maps itself between his soft features. “Though I think I found a new outlet.” Your heart stops as he glazes over the open scenery. “Still, I should go look for it.”

Left hollow and sick, you burn with fury towards yourself. You should have let it go, but God, why did you have to ruin everything? 

The day settles with a drive around town with a navy Vespa. Charles had bought it on a whim when you gushed over the idea of adventuring in true old fashion. Just like Princess Anne and Joe Bradley. Snuggling your head with a hideous helmet, you pout as he clicks it securely before working on his own. “This is not what I had in mind.”

He clicks his tongue. “Rather be safe than sorry.”

“This is only going to mess with my hair. I planned this outfit to perfection, Cha! And look!” You give him a quick twirl as he rolls his eyes at the dramatic gesture. “Now you’ve ruined it.”

“Just get on.”

Bumpy road makes you squeal with hysteria as you cling on extra tight around his waist. You can hear his croaky laughter as he swerves to avoid crashing into a fruit stand. Scusa! “You’re going to get us killed, and contrary to belief, I would love to live!” 

“Would you relax? I know what I’m doing.”

Once you make it out of the busy village, you’re actually able to enjoy the ride. You even try to convince him to play a round of i-Spy with you, though that later backfires when you accuse him of cheating. You’re in the heat of your one-sided argument when he pulls into an abandoned church. Hopping off, you lay your arms firmly against your hips. “What is all this?”

It goes unannounced, but he quietly makes his way over to creaky doors. “Would you like to find out?” With a decent round of skepticism, you begrudgingly follow. I don’t see what there could possibly be in here. Why don’t we just go for ice cream? Bringing a finger up to his lips, he signals for you to hush. Doe eyes flutter with curiosity as he makes his way to the altar. 

As soon as he kneels down, you awkwardly kick your leg around as you puff your cheeks. You hum slowly as you watch the way he remains still for a while, eyes closed. 

“Should I let you have a moment, or…” Be quiet, he hisses. You weren’t necessarily religious but you figured you should give him some space. The sound of old wood crumbles underneath your feet as you walk down the steps. I fucking got it! 

You gasp loudly as you recklessly spin around to find him pulling pieces of wood, clearly destroying the already grubby floor. “I’m not that close with the man up above, but I’m almost sure you can’t say shit like that in here, even if it’s abandoned.” You slap your mouth shut as his eyes glimmer with amusement. Heat rises up to your cheeks. “I’m also sure you can’t be doing this! It’s private property.”

“Who’s going to stop me?” he childishly murmurs as he continues with his careless task. “Ouch,” he yelps when a splinter digs through his finger. 

“Serves you right.”

Glaring up at your smug figure, the brunette waves you over. “Instead of just standing there, you should help me.” 

“With what? There’s nothing valuable here! What are you even looking for?”

With a minor annoyance, he fiercely kicks through the board as it lets loose as cracks. Thunder rumbles as you shake your head with disapproval. You’ve done it. You made God mad, I hope you’re happy. Only, he’s grinning ear to ear as he shows off a small box. You tilt your head with clear confusion as he dashes up to you. 

“I can’t believe it’s still here after all these years.” There’s a trace of disbelief and adoration as he takes in the dusty package. There’s a whole galaxy shining within his watercolor eyes when he looks up at you. Your breath gets stuck in your throat.

Blinking rapidly, you gently run your finger across it, skin instantly becoming a dark shade of brown as you scrunch your nose. “What is it?” Your eyebrows arch into a sympathetic peer. “Oh no…did you bury a hamster or something like that in there?”

Tears well up in your eyes as you tap the wood in a downhearted state. “No, you ghoul.” He tenderly opens it up. Pulling out a golden pin, your eyes widen as The Prancing Horse reflects back towards you both. 

“My father left this here for me.” You heart swells at the sensitive mention. Charles had told you about his fathers death a few nights ago, so you were still new with deciding how to react. “He said he would, and he did.”

“That’s really sweet,” you whisper, hand pressing against his broad shoulder. “What does it mean?” And it takes you a while to realize that you weren’t asking for your benefit, but rather because you wanted to learn more about the Monegasque. Any crumb felt like a feast to you. 

It appears as if he’s playing the words in his head as he runs his thumb against it. “My dad helped build this church when I was 6. It helped bring in a bit of money for the family.” Your eyes glimmer attentively as you nod. “When I had time to get away from boxing…yeah, boxing…he would bring me and my older brother to carry wood. Arthur was much younger.” 

His Golden Goose tapped against the brown ground for further classification. “Maman would get upset at him, saying we were just babies, but we didn’t mind at all.” A gray cloud paints his eyes as he twists his lips. “I’m glad we did that, now that I’m older.”

“You must really miss him,” you mumble, glassy eyes shining back at him. He lets out a sorrowful smile. 

“I do.” A beat. “But what am I doing acting like I’m the only one who’s had it tough?” Dark brows form a sharp V as he signals to you. “Oh, because of you and your relationship with your parents-”

“I got that,” you scowl with a lighthearted glare. The corner of his lips lift. “But my situation is nothing compared to yours. Sure, my parents and I aren’t close - not enough for my liking - but at least they’re alive.” He flinches slightly as you cradle his face. “I-”

“I know,” he reassures you with a small smile. “He was the best. Always put his family first; his son's dreams were his priority.” He raises the golden pin. “One night after dinner, he mentioned how he hid a small horse somewhere in the church, so that when the time was right, I would go back and look for it. I was covetous, wanted it right there and then. So, I worked up the courage to ask everyone around if they had seen a horse. They looked at me as if I was crazy.” He chuckles.

“He found out and sat me down. Told me it didn’t work like that. My biggest dream was to own a Ferrari, just like everyone in Monaco hopes to. He believed in me, swore that if I worked hard enough, then I could do it. Only then would I know where the mysterious pin was.”

“Lorenzo, my older brother, knew there was a key for…” He signals sheepishly at the wooden floor, a lock hidden in plain sight as he blushes. “I guess I never really learned how to be patient. I barely figured it out a few days ago, when you kicked the cabinet door open.”

You gape. “It was jammed.”

He snickers. “It reminded me of something he had said after he painted the walls. Only the toughest can kick without feeling any regret. He would have loved you, that much I know.”

Flustered, you twirl the hem of your dress. “You’re saying I’m a horse?”

“You’re definitely abnormal.” Your shoulders droop. “All I’m saying is that you helped me find the missing piece. And that means a lot.”

“But you don’t own a Ferrari yet,” you retorted, even though only you knew, you knew the truth, but he doesn’t bat an eye, only clips the pin onto your dress. 

“One day I will.” He winks. “Until then, you can take care of this for me.”

-

“Two more weeks, huh?”

Forcing a spoonful of gelato into his mouth, you pout. He struggles to digest the berry treat. “That’s kind of sad. I think I’ll actually miss you, Charles.” 

His lips curl. “I know I’ll miss you.” Brown hair flows against the summer breeze. “But it doesn’t have to end like this. We can still see each other. Right?”

“Uh…”

He would find out eventually once the article was published and he would hold every right to hate you. To not want to see you again. Your lack of response has him pinching his face. “You don’t want to?”

Scrambling like a clumsy giraffe, you fidle with a nearby pillow. “I do! But when would we have the time?” You’re going to be too busy racing and hating my guts, you want to spit out when he beams back at you.

“I would make the time just for you.”

Your heart clenches. Could he just be honest? Open up to you. You would gladly do the same, but he needed to do this first to give you the courage to own up to your secrets. Lips part, then purse. “Charles, I-” A ring lingers in the air as he tips his head, giving to the go-ahead. Excusing yourself, you march into the sunny room.

“Yes, hello?”

“How’s vacation?” Eleanor’s rich voice enters your ears as you squirm. 

“Vacation?” you squeak.

She sighs. “I’m obviously kidding. Can’t you tell that I’m kidding?” A nervous giggle flutters as you hum back at her. She continues. “Anyways, that's not what I called you for. I just wanted to check up on you.”

“Oh. My injuries are much better. Doc says I can have the casts removed in a week-”

“Let me rephrase. I wanted to check up on your work. Progress.”

“Of course,” you say. “I actually have it done. It just needs a few more rounds of proof-reading, but I’m sure I can send it to you by…” You stare at the calendar. “Two weeks.”

Eleanor clicks her tongue in disapproval. “No, I need it by Friday. Nothing past that.” 

Your stomach lurches. “Eleanor, I can’t.” And why not? Biting down on your nails, you peek over to where the brunette sun bathes, or naps, you can’t tell. I need two weeks because by then I’ll be gone and won’t have to deal with a certain driver detesting me. You understand, right? But you don’t say any of that.

“You said it was an exclusive. I need this,” she warns, subtle threat lacing his voice. “We’re talking about one of the most sought-out drivers in all of Formula One. Do you realize what this could do for your career? If you nail this right in the eye, you might even become my right hand. And you know it’s only up from there, sweetheart. Friday.”

“Friday.”

That same night, the sound of your digits hitting the keyboard are the only thing being heard. Charles tries to sneak a peek, but when you cry out stating you were helping a friend get over a break up, he took a step back and scrolled through his phone.

Stellar job…The most…Amazing…

A frustrated growl escapes you as you fist your hands. Taking a look, Charles can’t help but grin. Often misunderstood, the 26 year old deals with lots of… “Argh!” His eyes widened. 

“That bad, huh? What did he do to your poor friend?”

“What?” you rudely retort, but quickly try to ease your breathing. “Right. Um. Yeah, men are shit.”

“Of course we are,” he replies warmly. “How about you take a break? If you’re getting too riled up, you won’t do her any good. Just refresh and come back to it. I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.”

But the blank space has you stressed as you circle back to what Eleanor said over the phone. You had perfect this. “I have to do this. Help her, I mean. Now.” 

“You’re too kind.” It’s as if a loving glow towers over his face as he sits at the edge of the bed. “I admire that.”

“You do?”

“Mhm. But seriously, let's go for a walk.”

Despite the sun setting, he of course wears his famous Raybans and a Boston hat lounged over his curly hair. His killer mullet was rolling in as you licked your lips at the dreamy sight.

Wait. No. 

With a secretive glance, you find him whistling an unknown tune. Though he wears the darkest shade of sunglasses, you can still feel his warm gaze. Though his luscious hair is draped with an old hat, you can still distinguish his shampoo scent. His body next to yours is enough to make your inside flip as you shake your head abruptly.

This was Charles. Just a friend. A friend for the time being, at least. There was no room to form a crush now. You settled on the fact that he was just merely attractive. That you can do - admit.

“I was serious about what I said earlier today. I will visit you wherever you are.” Green eyes flicker over to you. “You’ve become one of the most important persons in my life. A good friend to have around.”

Your heart for some reason shatters as you squint your eyes at the golden sun. “Right after Amelia and Roman, you are someone I consider a friend, too. I’m glad we met.” A peaceful silence lingers between you two as your heart thuds against your ribcage. “Charles-”

“I know you read my journal.”

taglist: @blueflorals @starmanv @coolio2195 @lovrsm

[fancyfeathers]

Idea sorta came from @yandere-wishes with Neuvillette having a ballerina darling so credit goes to them for this idea

(A/N- I love when ballet is romanticized, one of my fav things in media, especially since that is what inspired me to become a ballerina. This little idea has darker historical undertones where ballerina at the Paris opera were sort of “entertainment” for the elite after performances. They did this to get money to pay for shoes, room and board, and sometimes these nobles would help them get better roles and teachers for the ballerinas. Ballet these days is much different but it helps if you know the history behind it. Along with that, it will show how painful ballet really is, pretty but painful. All of that said I love this concept and as a ballerina I love my job and would not trade it for anything besides my girlfriend/fiancé, because she is the world to me)

(This short film, LOUISE, displays what the reality of that situation was. Trigger warning, it is dark and has sensitive topics that I mentioned above along with sexual acts and non sexual nudity, but it is very well done, but definitely not for minors.)

Neuvillette would see, not yet meet, his darling for the first time when Lady Furina dragged him along to see a ballet at the Opera House. She was one of the stars of the show that evening, and she was so incredibly beautiful, her movements like glowing water from a creek, soft and flowing from step to step. He would be enamored with her at the first sight, but not yet have the chance to talk to her since after the show she was swept up by the crowd wanting to talk to her after the show. He would go to every show, falling more and more in love with her every time, and every time he would try to go and talk to her but every time she would get swept up in the crowd. Eventually, he decides he’ll go to her dressing room right after the show to meet her personally and hand her the bouquet of flowers Lady Furina had told him to give to her. When he arrives at her dressing room there is talk from inside the door, and he listens in…

“Monsieur, I am afraid I cannot accompany you tonight, my little-“

“I thought you wanted those lessons I promised? It is not every day you get an opportunity like this.”

“Monsieur, please I am so tired-“

“I’ll be outside the opera house, don’t keep me waiting.”

Neuvillette stands there as the man who addressed his darling walks out of her room, a noble, he shoots a glance at Neuvillette but says nothing to the Chief Justice. The door was open to reveal his darling sitting at her vanity, her eyes pained but went wide once she was the Iudex of Fontaine there, holding a bouquet of flowers for her. She stands up before him and offers him somewhat of a curtsy in her panicked state.

“Monsieur, forgive me, I did not know you were there. Is there anything you would like?”

Her voice is terrified as she addresses him and he can feel his heart ache at seeing her like this. There are tear stains on her face to show she had been crying before he came here. He steps forward, into her dressing room and sets the bouquet down, and he quickly notices how many other flowers are in the room alongside his own, but all the others have little notes with them, and when the Iudex reads them it makes him feel disgusted. What was going on here?

“I would like your company.”

“I… I apologize Monsieur, I am already taken for tonight and I am afraid I am too tired for another, my feet are already blistering and-“

“No, I just wish to talk to you.”

“You do?”

And he does, but he does not yet ask about what happens behind closed doors just yet, wanting to gain her trust. He makes a point to come to her dressing room even at night after a performance and gets there first, after all, who would want to bother the Iudex? He soon gains her trust and asks what really happened that night and she explains everything. This is what it is like for the dancers here, a constant cycle that none of them can get out of, if they refuse them they will destroy her so she has no choice but to accept, no matter how much pain she is in after a performance. Her dress doesn’t fit properly, but she can’t afford another so she just has to deal with not being able to breathe. Her shoes are a size too big so she has to tie them even tighter so they don’t come off which just leads to blisters and her toes bruising against the point every time she lands.

He holds her in her dressing room while she cries in his arms. She just wants all the pain to end, it hurts too much…

Not a week later, the owners of the ballet company are called to court for their business malpractices, and they are found guilty. She is left without a job now, but a friend who is the Iudex of Fontaine and is more than willing to take her in.

[artzychic27]

For the Actor AU, how did they feel abt the canon heroes' outfits? If they could, how would they have modified them?

Marinette: Basic as fuck! It looks like I’m wearing footie pajamas! If I were in charge of my costume, I’d give myself a full-on punk look because Ladybug’s are some badass motherfuckers. Oh, and boots that have soles equipped with a shock-absorbing cushion, and a heel that contains a reinforced spring to soften the shock whenever I land. And… Maybe a backpack shaped like ladybug wings to hold my Lucky Charms and anything I need to collect for my plan.

Adrien: Less leather! That stuff shrinks, and a full leather bodysuit is not comfortable. Also, because of the cat holders’ powers, it would be cool if heroes had some sort of medical supplies on them just in case, like stored in a utility belt. And I’m with Mari, those boots sound badass. What else?… Oh, definitely add some more color instead of just basic black.

Alya: Well, the Fox doesn’t seem like a combative hero due to the powers. I see Rena Rouge as a distraction, really, so her outfit wouldn’t be one of those “ready for battle” types. Here’s what I’m thinking, one of those noir-film type outfits. The hat covers my face a bit to give me an air of mystery, and the outfit would look almost casual that no villain would suspect me.

Nino: I mean… Carapace’s look is cool. It’s alright. I’m liking the goggles, but… I’d prefer if he had armor. He’s the fucking turtle hero! He should be ready to take any blow that a villain sends his way!

Rose: Where to begin? Look, you all know me; I love pink more than the next guy, but… Sometimes too much is too much. The Pig Miraculous strikes me as… More farmhand than ballerina. Yee, I know, the heroes come with a tambourine, but come on! While I do love the skirt, I’d trade it in for overalls, either shorts or a skirt. Oh, and add some black in there, too. Daizzi has a black circle around his eye, let him be represented!

Juleka: Studded jacket. That is all.

Luka: Oh, honey, either give me a hood so I can look like a cobra or get the fuck away from me with that outfit.

Myléne: The mouse strikes me as more of the elegant type, I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the pastel pink mixed with the grey, but I see Polymouse wearing skirts over Pigella. But, that’s just my opinion.

Ivan: Honestly, I’m fine with the canon design for Minotaurox. Yeah, he’s got pockets and padding, I-I like it. And if you show me a better design, I’ll happily take a look at it.

Marc: … I think all of the effort went into making Rooster Bold’s costume. He’s got rooster hair, the little tallons on the back of his boots, and a fucking tailcoat! He and Mayura are the only ones to have tailcoats! I’m not complaining, though. I… I actually like it, but it is a nightmare putting on and taking off that wig.

Nathaniel: Well, I can say I sort of know how some of the girls feel, because that suit was tight as hell! You could see my hip dip! Also, I would’ve liked to have a different hairstyle and maybe some color, because I am the only male redhead around for miles. Oh, and climbing boots becuase, I’m a goat, duh.

Alix: … Do I need to say it? Okay, give me some active wear! I’m traveling through a shit ton of different timelines! I need someone sporty and active when I’m on the go. Also, I’ll need a backpack like Marinette.

Kim: Not hearing any complaints from me! I liked Roi Singe, but being Scarlet Beetle is way cooler!

Max: The glasses can easily come off. What I need is a high collar or a bandana that can cover the lower half of my face in case my glasses become askew or someone is able to place my identity because all I have on my face are some stupid glasses! God, I’m so glad I’m doing this new show now.

Chloé: Oh, I just want wings.

Zoé: Same.

Sabrina: Can mine just not look like my clothes, please?! I’ll take whatever, just not that!

Kagami: I would prefer if I had some form of armor and not a spandex bodysuit. It would need to be lightweight but also durable to allow me to travel faster, of course.

[gayfraggle]

short film idea I have

So basically there's a headless ballerina who starts dancing while a butterfly is on her hands, and as she dances blood/ink starts flowing from her neck and she tries to keep the butterfly on her while keeping it away from the blood. By the end of the performance she's almost completely covered in blood except for her fingertip and the butterfly flies away; she collapses, the curtains close, and the audience applauds Also the music that might play during it is clair de lune

I wanna keep the meaning up to interpretation so I'm not gonna decide on a meaning

this was previously sent as an ask to @cloudydays69

Concept doodles:

The ballerina is probably gonna be named either Sherri or Rosaline, and the title for the possible short film is "Remain" (but it'll be in French)

[imakemywings]

Sapphic Film Recs

So you read some books, now you want to watch some movies. Not all of these center F/F relationships, but they all include F/F or WLW characters. (Note: Mind your trigger warnings if you decide to watch any of these.)

Atomic Blonde (2017) - Lorraine is a British spy sent into Berlin right at the end of the Cold War to retrieve a list of agents that is at risk of falling into Soviet hands. While there, she makes contact with the French agent, Delphine.

Badhaai Do (2022) - A lesbian gym teacher and a gay cop in India decide to get married to get their families off their backs. Hijinks ensue.

Black Swan (2010) - Nina is an ambitious, competitive young ballerina who is cast as the swan queen in Swan Lake, but the pressure of the position starts to get to her.

Breathe (Respire) (2014) - A French film centering on the deeply charged relationship between two teenage girls and its violent ups and downs.

Carol (2015) - The classic sapphic Christmas film, isn’t it? In the 1950s, directionless young Therese encounters Carol, a stylish, wealthy woman in the middle of divorcing her husband.

Elisa and Marcela (Elisa y Marcela) (2019) - Based on a true story about a Spanish woman who created a male identity for herself to marry her girlfriend.

Fingersmith (2005) - The two-part miniseries based on the book by Sarah Waters. It tracks very closely with the novel! Susan Tinder sets out to befriend and rob wealthy heiress Maude--but gets more than she planned for when she starts falling for her mark.

Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) - The movie eschews the explicit romance between the two main characters present in the book, but the love between them still shines through. An elderly woman relates to her younger visitor stories about Idgie and Ruth, a couple of women in love in 1920s Alabama.

Genius Loci (2020) - A trippy short film about Reine, a struggling young woman who has a discombobulating night out in her city.

The Half of It (2020) - Here’s your teenage drama film, drawing from Cyrano de Bergerac. Ellie agrees to help a boy in her school write love letters to his female crush--who happens to also be Ellie’s crush. 

The Handmaiden (2017) - Basically an AU of Fingersmith, this time the story takes place in WWII-era Korea and Japan. Young thief Sookhee enters the service of Lady Hideko as a handmaiden with the intent of robbing her of her fortune--but things get complicated when Sookhee develops feelings for Hideko.

Pariah (2011) - A gay Brooklyn teenager struggles with understanding her identity in an unwelcoming household and fights to grow into her true self.

Pistachio (2021) - A short animated film about having a crush on a straight friend and being bisexual. (Available here on Youtube)

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) - Marianne is a portraitist called to paint Heloise before her upcoming wedding. While Marianne tries to get close to Heloise in order to capture her essence, she finds herself falling in love.

Princess Cyd (2017) - Teenage Cyd takes the opportunity to spend several weeks over the summer with her novelist aunt, Miranda. Over the course of the summer, Cyd discovers a lot of new things about the world and herself.

Rafiki (2018) - Two daughters of rival politicians fall in love, but struggle with the attitudes of their community in Nairobi.

[holdmytesseract]

Little Dancing Star

Tom Hiddleston x fem!Reader

Summary: After a stressful day at work, you are relieved to be finally able to shut the door behind yourself. Therefore that Tom was at home currently and not away filming or on a press tour, he had been on dad-duty today. Little did you know, that a cute surprise awaited you…

Warnings: None! This is pure fluff with a touch of, uh, suggestive smut? I don't know if you could even call it that... Anyway, it's super sweet and funny, I'd say!

Word Count: 1,4k

a/n: I listened to, well... 'Stand by Me' by Ben E. King and decided to write this little fic for @youlightmeupfinn to hopefully put a smile on her face with it... I know it's been quite stressful for you lately, so I thought I gotta do something to help you get through those stressful times! I hope it works! I love you, girl! :) 🧡

Finally at home, I thought, as I shut the main door behind me. It had been one hell of a day at work... Hectic, stressful and certainly way too long. I sighed, took off my shoes and jacket. Then I tossed my keys into the bowl, standing on the little shelf beside the door, before I made my way towards the living room, expecting to find my husband there. But when I entered the living room, it was empty. The room was dark - just like the kitchen, in which I went next. "Tom?" I received no answer and therefore decided to search upstairs for him. "Tommy?" As soon as my feet touched the ground of the second floor, something urged to my ears... Music. To be exactly, the soft sounds of Ben E. King's Stand by Me - one of Tom's favourites. I slowly walked down the hallway, on search where the song came from - and it turned out to be our daughter Ava's room, of course.

I couldn't help but smile at what I saw, when I pushed the ajar door gently further open. It was almost completely dark inside the room. The only source of light came from Ava's night light. Like I already recognised, played the music box the gentle tunes of Stand by Me. Ava's toys and some of the furniture, like the rocking chair and the small table and chairs had been moved neatly to the side. And my husband and daughter? They were dancing together through the created space, Tom twirling our little girl from time to time around or lifting her up, making her giggle. Dancing... Ava's big passion. She loved to dance and wanted nothing more than to become a ballerina, when she was grown up. That was probably the reason, why she wore her pink ballet apparel… Tom and I agreed to allow her to take dance lessons, when she was big enough.

When my eyes fell on my husband again, I noticed just then what he wore... Let's say he was dressed like his daughter. Yes, it is what you think it is. He wore one of my skirts. A short baby blue plaid skirt. O-kay? Why not? Tom could wear anyway anything. I first thought that he was shirtless, but on the second look, I saw the he was wearing... I blinked, didn't trust my eyes. My beige swimsuit?! What?! Really?! How did he even fit inside that?! I shook my head, but had to stifle a laugh. It was ridiculous, yet so… cute. That combined with his curls being longer, just ending above his shoulders, he looked like a Disney Princess. I covered my mouth with my hand at that thought, suppressing another laugh. The two were so caught up in the dance and music, that they didn't even notice me. So, I took the opportunity to watch them, leaned against the door frame, smiling. Yep... I would never get tired of seeing Tom being a dad.

At some point, the song ended - of course and Tom and Ava took in their final dance position. Tom leaned down and dipped our little girl professionally, causing her to giggle once again. Tom helped her stand, squatted down to be on eye-level with her, then pressed a kiss on her forehead. "Thanks for dancing with me, daddy." Ava smiled like a Cheshire cat. "Of course, princess. Always. I love to dance with my little girl." Tom stated with a smile. "You're an incredible dancer already." That was the moment I decided to make myself noticeable. "Yep. Way better than daddy." Heads whipped around into my direction, barely after the words had left my mouth. When Ava saw that it was me, standing in the door frame, her eyes lit up. "Mommy!" As fast as her small feet could carry her, she ran over to me, blonde-brown curls bouncing. I reached down and swept her off her feet and lifted her up in my arms, cuddling her close. "Hello, my sweet girl." I pressed a kiss to her cheek, receiving a sloppy one in return. "Did you have fun with daddy today?" She nodded eagerly, "Yes!" and began to tell me from her exciting father-daughter day. It was utterly sweet how she explained anything and everything they did together. "And then you made daddy a ballerina, too?" Ava nodded again, smiling brightly. "Uh.Huh! What do you think, mommy?" I looked at Tom, who was standing just a few steps away from me now, before I turned my head back to the little girl in my arms. "I think he looks amazing, sweetheart. You did a great job." She smiled even brighter, eyes sparkling. Yes... I would do anything for my baby, just to see her smile. I set her down gently again, after taking a look on the watch in her room, realising how late it actually already was. "Now off you go to the bathroom and brush your teeth, my little dancing star. It's already late and way past your bedtime." "Can I leave my tutu on?" "Your tutu?" "Please?" I sighed, but nodded. "Okay, yes." "Yay!" She bounced happily up and down, before she ran out of the room, down the hallway, towards the bathroom. I just shook my head, smiling. Little whirlwind... Then I turned around, redirecting my attention towards the man standing in front of me. "Hey, babe." I stepped closer to Tom and stood on my tiptoes, signalling him to lean in for a kiss. Even on my tiptoes, he was way too tall... Tom knew exactly what he had to do, of course, after all those years. He leaned down, meeting me halfway for a soft kiss. "Hello, darling. Long day?" I nodded, sighing. "Yeah..." He took me immediately in his arms. "Today was so stressful." I leaned against him, wrapping my arms around his torso and just enjoying being close to him. "I hate such days..." "I know, love, I'm sorry." Tom started to massage my back, causing me relax even more against his body. I almost started to purr, making Tom laugh. "Good?" "Mhm..." He continued for another while, until I felt completely relaxed. "Thanks, babe." Tom smiled, pressed a kiss on my forehead. "How was your day?" I questioned him then. "My day was wonderful. Every day I can spend with my little girl are wonderful." At his words, I felt my heart almost exploding with love. "Ugh, I love you." Tom giggled softly. "I love you, too, Y/N."

As romantic as this situation was, I couldn't help myself but to say something about the outfit our daughter had dressed him in. I couldn't just let something like this slip, could I? I had to tease Tom a bit.  So, I took a step back, looked at him, biting my lip to hide the smile. "Babe, can I just say... You look breath-taking in my skirt. Almost like a Disney Princess." I snickered, wiggling my eyebrows. Tom's cheeks turned slightly red, but he had to laugh as well. "Well, thank you. Our daughter sure has a good taste in fashion." "She definitely does… But Tommy... How the hell did you fit in my swimsuit?" I asked, laughing even harder. "You're a man, babe. This thing-" I said, tugging at the straps of the beige swimsuit. "Isn't quite tailored for men." Tom shrugged his shoulders. "I kind of just squeezed myself into it, so..." "Okay, but... Isn't it completely uncomfortable and... tight?" "Yes, but you know I would do anything for Ava to make her smile and she chose that outfit for me, so... But by now, I think I stretched it out." I rolled my eyes, but smiled. "Geez, thanks. Buy me a new one, will you?" Tom smiled, wrapped his arms around my middle and pulled me close. "Darling, I will buy you hundred new swimsuits if you want." "That's really flattering and utterly nice of you and as much as I like seeing you in my swimsuit and skirt, can you please take them off now?" Tom nodded, kissed me once again. "Sure, darling. Don't worry, I am sure they'll still fit you." I let go of Tom again, deciding that it was time to look after Ava. "It's not the swimsuit I am worried about, babe." I said, grinning cheekily as I made my way over to the door. "Wouldn't want something happen to our family planning, would we?" I stated, winking at him. Tom frowned, was clearly a bit confused. "Family panning? Does that mean...?" I heard Tom say, but I was already out in the hallway, smiling to myself. "Darling, wait!"

[thewritingbeforesunrise]

BALLERINA - Chapter Eight.

A Jake Kiszka AU

Physiotherapist!Jake x Original Female Character

Previous Chapter.

A/N: I had to cut the chapter that I had previously planned, so this is quite short.

Please, feel free to let me know what you think about this!

Word count: 1.4K

Warnings for this chapter: none, kissing and fluff.

_________________________________

They gathered their things and exited his studio.

It was still raining lightly outside and the temperature had significantly dropped since the afternoon.

She sunk further into the hoodie he had given her to stop shivering from the wind.

He handed her an umbrella, but right before closing the main door, he received a phone call.

He answered and, after a few seconds, muttered a low curse and hung up.

"Iris, I am so sorry but I have to go check my house. I have just received a notification from my alarm system and I am afraid that my idiot brother may have left one of the windows open during the storm. Do you mind if we go to my house and order something from there, while I check if everything is alright?" He asked her, defeated.

Iris honestly didn't mind and she told him it was ok for her.

He closed the door and jumped under the umbrella with her.

He led her to his car just around the corner and opened the door for her.

She climbed inside and handed him the umbrella.

He rounded the car and climbed into the driver's seat with a huff of breath.

The sky was dark even though it was only 8 pm and occasional thunders could be heard far away, still.

Lightning illuminated the wet pavement with cold flashes of light that made her shiver a little.

He put the car in drive and smiled briefly at her, turning the warm AC on.

Then, he placed a warm hand on her thigh and watched the road carefully, avoiding broken tree branches and the deep holes into the pavement,

caused by the heavy rain.

His house wasn't that far away from hers, she noticed.

But it was a bit more on the outskirts.

When they arrived, she observed that it was a beautiful white detached house with a lot of trees all around.

He opened the gate with a remote control and did the same with the garage.

Once inside, Iris exited the car and followed him up the stairs carefully.

Once on the landing, she was finally able to take in the absolute coziness and elegance of the house.

In front of her, he stopped with his arms spread wide in a theatrical gesture.

"Welcome to the Kiszka's den" he said and switched the lights on, making the space glow like the bright morning sun.

The walls were white but decorated with many framed pictures, paintings and what looked like old film posters everywhere.

The first floor was a beautiful open space consisting of a lovely enormous dark wood kitchen and a living room with a big tv, a large emerald green sofa and an enormous bookshelf that took up an entire wall.

Iris audibly gasped at it, gaining a big smile from him.

In the living room there were also three emerald green armchairs that looked very comfortable.

In one corner, there was an elegant black grand piano and, next to it, on the wall, there were two acoustic guitars, a black one and a light brown one.

Iris recognised the black one as the one that Jake had played the night she had first kissed him.

She bit her bottom lip, thinking about the feeling of his soft lips against hers and remembering how his elegant fingers plucked at the chords.

The entire wooden floor was littered with many potted plants and the room was surrounded by many windows. The one next to the piano was wide open, with its long white curtains billowing in the chilly post-storm wind.

He spotted it too and cursed under his breath, approaching it to assess the real damage.

She followed him but her attention was captured by a picture on the wall.

It showed four boys hugging and smiling wide at the camera on a sunny beach.

She recognised Jake as the one on the right, his long hair was swept around his face by the wind. In the middle there was another boy with long dark hair. His features were very similar to Jake's but he was a few inches taller. He had one arm around the shoulders of another tall boy, with strong but sweet features and long dark curly hair. It was obvious that he wasn't related to the others, but it was clear to her by the happiness conveyed by the picture that they were really close. On the other side of the picture there was another boy. He had a head of unruly curls and a wonderful smile that reminded her a lot of Jake's.

She jumped when she felt Jake's presence behind her, his hand on the middle of her back.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry" She quickly apologised.

"No need to be sorry," he said and she could hear the smile in his voice.

He pointed to the picture and started explaining.

"This one is my little brother Sam, the one who broke my arm" he said, chuckling.

She remembered the story he had told her about that accident and laughed.

"This one is our best friend Daniel, he is like a brother to us" he said, pointing at the tallest boy with long curly hair.

Then his finger moved to the right side of the picture where the smiling boy with curly hair was.

"And this one," he chuckled, shaking his head, "this one is Josh, my idiot twin brother who left the window open during a hell of a storm" he said with fondness in his voice, despite his irritation.

"Oh my God, you have a twin!" Iris said out loud before she could stop herself.

Now the realization dawned on her. That's why Josh's smile reminded her so much of

Jake's.

"We are identical twins, but sometimes people think that Sam is my twin. If you look closely you can see the resemblance but many people are misled by the hair." He answered, chuckling at her enthusiasm, while untangling his locks with his fingers.

They got stuck in a messy knot, making him hiss.

Iris started to help him but this brought her very close to him, again.

His eyes captured hers and before she knew it she was pressed against the wall, his mouth soft and warm on hers, while both of her hands were still in his hair.

The kiss deepened instantly and she tugged at his locks making him hiss.

His tongue swirling slowly against hers was intoxicating.

She already needed more even though, not even one hour ago, she was in the same position.

They were interrupted by a freezing gust of wind that reminded them that the window was still open and the floor under it was a big puddle, shining every now and then with flashes of distant lightning.

They separated with heaving chests, his eyes hastily leaving hers.

The hunger in them was making her weak at the knees.

He whispered a light sorry and disappeared for a minute.

She tried to heaven out her breathing before he returned.

He came back with towels, rags and a bucket and started drying the floor.

Despite his complaints, she helped him, wiping the floor and wringing rags into the bucket till there wasn't any more water left.

Then, she helped him take down the soaked curtains framing the now closed window, carrying them in the laundry alongside the rags.

Once they were finished they sat together on the couch and decided to order pizza for dinner.

The food arrived pretty quickly and they ate together, while he kept telling her funny anecdotes about his three brothers.

He switched on the tv and started looking for something to watch.

After a while, they agreed on watching "The Lord of the Rings", despite having already seen it so many times.

Distant rumbles of thunder could be heard, but, for the first time in ages, Iris felt relaxed like she had never felt while in the company of someone.

She was laying on her side and Jake was behind her enveloping her in his arms with a soft blanket over their bodies, and their legs intertwined.

The main lights were off. The feeble light in the room was provided by little vanilla scented tealights scattered all around and the TV screen.

After a while, like the weather forecast had announced, the storm was slowly approaching again.

She could hear the wind whistling as the dark clouds became closer and closer.

The TV signal stopped working so Jake had to turn it off.

At the same time, a loud roll of thunder startled Iris and she wiggled closer to his body.

"I think we have to find another way to entertain ourselves tonight, darling" he whispered with a sultry voice into her ear, making an anticipation shiver run down her spine.

________________________________

Taglist: @gvfpal @sammyslappers @jessicafg03 @spark-my-nature @hellowgoodbye @highladyofasgard @sparrowofthedawnsworld @doodle417 @jaketlover @ejoygvf @jakekiszkasbabymama

[brokehorrorfan]

Inland Empire will be released on Blu-ray on March 21 via The Criterion Collection. The 2006 film is written and directed by David Lynch (Twin Peaks, Eraserhead).

Laura Dern, Jeremy Irons, Justin Theroux, Harry Dean Stanton, Karolina Gruszka, Peter J. Lucas. Krzysztof Majchrzak, and Julia Ormond star in the experimental horror movie.

Inland Empire has received a new HD digital master from a 4K restoration supervised by Lynch, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio and uncompressed stereo soundtracks, newly remastered by Lynch and original rerecording mixers Dean Hurley and Ron Eng.

Special features for the two-disc set can be found below.

Special features:

LYNCH (one) and LYNCH2 - 2007 documentaries by blackANDwhite

A conversation with actors Laura Dern and Kyle MacLachlan (new)

More Things That Happened - 75 minutes of extra secens

Ballerina - 2007 short film by Davd Lynch

Reading by David Lynch of excerpts from Room to Dream, his 2018 book with critic Kristine McKenna

Trailer

Booklet with excerpts from Richard A. Barney’s book David Lynch: Interviews

The role of a lifetime, a Hollywood mystery, a woman in trouble . . . David Lynch’s first digitally shot feature makes visionary use of the medium to weave a vast meditation on the enigmas of time, identity, and cinema itself. Featuring a tour de force performance from Laura Dern as an actor on the edge, this labyrinthine Dream Factory nightmare tumbles down an endless series of unfathomably interconnected rabbit holes as it takes viewers on a hallucinatory odyssey into the deepest realms of the unconscious mind.

Pre-order Inland Empire.

[fearsmagazine]

ABIGAIL - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: Universal Pictures

SYNOPSIS: A group of low-level criminals are brought together to pull off a caper - kidnap and babysit overnight the 12-year-old ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, the pay-off is a $50 million ransom. The hideout is an old isolated mansion. They try to settle in for the night but the rules go by the wayside as, one by one, the gangsters grisly and mysteriously meet their demise. The gloves come off and when they confront their prisoner, to their mounting horror, they discover that they’re the prisoners and are locked inside the mansion with no normal little girl.

REVIEW: Occasionally, screenwriters attempt to breathe new life into the vampire mythos by blending genres into their screenplays. While many of these scripts start off with a great promise, the final product often falls short of expectations. However, there are a few notable exceptions that have managed to capture the essence of the vampire genre. Examples include "The Lost Boys," "Innocent Blood," "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," and "Vampires," the last two based on novels.

In Stephen Shields and Guy Busick's screenplay for ABIGAIL, elements of O. Henry's classic short story "The Ransom of Red Chief" and the 1990's film "Home Alone" converge, driven by the urban legend of Abigail's gangster father and tales inclusion of vampire mythology. The screenwriters incorporate subtle nods to Agatha Christie, creating humorous moments in the film. They skillfully weave in references to numerous films and TV shows, including "Reservoir Dogs," "Innocent Blood," and Kevin Durand's involvement in the vampire series "The Strain." The narrative is multi-layered, as the writers creatively rework the vampire myth to suit their story. What truly captivates the audience is Abigail's character arc and the motivations behind her actions. At its core, the story delves into a child's yearning for parental attention or the lack thereof, intertwined with the guilt experienced by parents. This complex exploration of parenting, children, and vampires sets ABIGAIL apart as a refreshing take on these themes since "The Lost Boys."

Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett masterfully orchestrate a symphony of tension, action, and shocks that ebbs and flows like an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride. Their ability to consistently surprise and engage the viewer stems from their skillful framing and editing of sequences, coupled with the captivating performance of actress Alisha Weir, who portrayed Matilda in the 2022 adaptation of the musical. Her portrayal is simply outstanding here.

The mansion in which the characters are hiding serves as an integral character in the film. The production design is remarkable, creating a subtle yet tangible atmosphere. While there were a few scenes in the third act that raised questions about potential escape routes, my engrossment in the film at that point prevented me from giving them much thought.

The combination of practical and digital effects in the movie created some truly impressive "wow" moments, especially in the fight sequences. The dental design and contact lenses used for the vampire look were particularly well done. My favorite scenes were the visual sequences showing the destruction of the vampires—a real treat for die-hard horror fans.

The film's musical foundation is a harmonious blend of classical melodies and a gripping score composed by Brian Tyler. Tyler, a renowned composer with a rich portfolio of screen and television scores, has masterfully created musical movements that seamlessly intertwine with the classical selections, escalating the film's action and horror. In other moments, his score complements the actors' performances and heightens the suspense and tension of the scenes, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

The film features a talented cast with extensive horror experience. Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kevin Durand, Kathryn Newton, and William Catlett have each starred in multiple horror films, bringing their expertise to the project. The cast also includes Matthew Goode and Giancarlo Esposito, who add their unique talents to their characters, enhancing the film's energy. This exceptional ensemble cast delivers a thrilling viewing experience, creating captivating characters that engage and entertain the audience.

ABIGAIL offers a "fangtastic" combination of a caper story and a vampire tale. It's one of the best horror-thrill rides I've experienced in theaters this year. In fact, I haven't had this much fun with a horror movie since "The Lost Boys" or "Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn." Not since Macaulay Culkin faced off against bumbling heist men has a kid's involvement in an action film been so entertaining. Yes, it's a bloody film, but families with tweens should venture to their local cinema for a killer good time.

CAST: Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir, Kathryn Newton, William Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud and Giancarlo Esposito. CREW: Directors - Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett; Screenplay - Stephen Shields & Guy Busick; Producers - William Sherak, Paul Neinstein, James Vanderbilt, Tripp Vinson, and Chad Villella; Cinematographer - Aaron Morton; Score - Brian Tyler; Editor - Michael P. Shawver; Production Designer - Susie Cullen; Costume Designer - Gwen Jeffares Hourie; Prosthetics Designer - Matthew Smith; Dental Prosthetics - Dominic Mombrun; Visual Effects Supervisor - Andre Bustanoby; Visual Effects Companies - NEXODUS, Crafty Apes, & DNEG. OFFICIAL: www.abigailmovie.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/AbigailMovie/ TWITTER (X): www.twitter.com/UniversalHorror TRAILER: https://youtu.be/cOHf2qUZYBs?si=Kd0YefSxfpfRGpHd RELEASE DATE: In theaters April 19th, 2024

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)

Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri

[cloudydays69]

concept doodles <3

As much as I wanna name it something like "Stay" (but in frech because ballet lmao) that would kinda make it lean towards a specific meaning :/

So idk what to call it lmao

Also the ballerina's name is either Sherri or Rosaline

SHES SO PRETTY!! Rrrgrgr I LOVE the way u drew her in the third image, the posing is really good!! I feel like Rosaline would be a good name for her, but uhhh that's up to you man

"Stay" or "Remain" I think is a pretty fitting name for the short film, considering that she doesn't want the butterfly to fly away from her yk (omg in rambling oops 💀💀)

(LMAO the Ermes doodle in the corner)