#˚ youth is right now . . ⊹ NANA TOUR.

[dhiings]

𖦹 NANA Tour w/ Seventeen - EP 1

I'm sorry if there's any translation from Korean that is not entirely correct. I mainly used the sentences/convo/lines from the episode itself hihi. Currently into nana tour, cause i'm missing gose so muccch :""

Scoups entering the dark room alone to wake up Jane. 5 minutes had passed by since seventeen member knock on her door. She's the last two member to be awakened from sleep. Na PD, including the staffs still patiently waiting for her to come out. After further knocking and missed calls, still, no sign of movement or even sound. Scoups decided to take matter with his own hand by entering her room.

"nooka?", Scoups trying to wake her up in small voice. Noticing it wont work, he softly nudge her body to wake her up. "Hm? cheol oppa?", Jane starting to get in touch with the reality.

"Wake up and get ready. Everyone's waiting for you in front of the room", he answered gently. He then starts combing her messy hair with his hand waiting for an answer. "Just tell em to come inside, sleepy", she said while yawning.

"Just come in guys!", he said with a louder voice. Still standing right beside Jane who's now in sitting position instead of lying down. All members and staffs starts to barged in and immediately in awed seeing her awakened-bared face.

"Jein! Woah, you look very pretty waking up. Woah... seventeen members, as expected, handsome and beautiful humans", Na PD said.

Still in between dream land-and-reality, the only sentence that comes out of her mouth is, "Whose birthday are we going to suprise? Oh- Why so many people?". Hearing that, Seungkwan and Mingyu bursts laughing. "Yah! Someone give her water", Hoshi said. Jeonghan hand her a bottle of water. "Oh-Na pd? 안녕하세요? [hi?]", now that she's quite awake after drinking some water.

"HAHA, hi jane. C'mon, get up, were finally going to do it.. today! Youth Over Flowers!"

Still in confusion, she answered lightly, "huh? what? where?"

"Italy noona, I-TAL-LI-A" Dino added. Her eye wide open, she was gagged and her mouth was wide open.

Then, they continued to go to the next room and wake up the last member, The8. On their way to The8's room. Jane was walking beside Scoups, still in her pajama. She quietly ask him, "What about you? Are you going to go too?". He chuckled and answer, "No, how can i go.. this will need a little bit longer time to heal". Hearing that, Jane starts to look concern and sad, even though, just a second before she looks so excited with this trip. Knowing Jane have a little bit issue with separating with her loved ones, even if it's only several day, Scoups side hug her and keep reminding her, "It's okay. You'll be okay. I'm going to be okay. We're all going to be okay. Go have fun".

"OK! You only have 3 minutes to prepare. Go go go!" Na PD announce.

"WOAH, Thank god i packed my bags already. I'm a prepare child, no wonder my MBTI is 'J' '", Jane talked with the cameraman. The next moment we know, she comes back in frame looking more fresh now that she already washed her face and teeth. She quickly put on some moisturiser and put on some lip gloss. "Y'know, i feel like i'm cheating the system here by packing a small bag, but who cares, i'm just a girl hihi."

She entered the room with her finished look wrapped in a cardigan and a simple shoes. She was greeted by Na PD saying, "Ah! Bag is not allowed. It's going to get confiscated. Put it here".

Jane trying to protect her belongings by stating, "Just this small pouch! Can i just bring this pouch? this is my necessity items". Girls that get it, get it. She get a pass... BUT, only a small pouch.

Seventeen members are still speechless though (even Jane herself), they can't believe to be fooled that easily by Na PD. "To be honest, it's really hard to fool all 14 of us", Dino said.

"It's really not easy! It's really not easy!", the others comments too.

"Especially, Jane. She could always predict when something's coming!"

A while later, 6.30. Time to head to the bus. On her way to go downstairs, she saw PLEDIS CEO... "OH- 대표님!", she urged to hug him before she go inside the elevator. "Have fun, okay?" he command.

"Sir yes sir!"

Before entering the bus, she went straight to have a goodbye hug with Scoups. "I'm going to miss you, A LOT" She said, hiding her face in his neck crook. He replied, "I'm going to miss you too nooka", while hugging her back.

He starts to let go of their hug, caressing her cheek, "Go, the others waiting for you". She looks at his eye, "Wait for me okay! I'm going to go back and bring you many maany souvenirs"

At Incheon Airport, while waiting for boarding time to Rome, she stopped by a bookstore. After looking around, she decided to buy one, to accompany her during the long flight.

At the same time when Mingyu's accident (his passport when missing) happened, Jane disappears too. Wonwoo's, being the first one to noticed it, tell the others, even to the staff that haven't board yet, to help look out for her. But, before the staff could go further into panic mode, Jane appeared from the plane's bathroom.

"Sunu-ya, you scared us to death. I thought you haven't boarded and got lost", Wonwoo approached her.

"Wah, what is wrong with today. Don't give me another heart attack please. I'm begging you. And, DK, why? just whyy DK-ya?", Na PD said inside the plane. The others just chuckled.

Throughout the flight, Jane just read her book. Being bored, Wonwoo starts to get curious and kept on peeking on her. "Watchu reading?", he said trying to get her attention. Receiving no reaction from Jane, he playfully grab her hand and starts playing with her fingers.

" 'The Collected Regrets of Clover', it's sooo good", she answered. Just as she's going to flip to the next page, she can't move her hand. She tried to wiggle it out, but there's no use. Her hand is still intact with his hand. "Wonu oppa, i can't flip the next page", she complained.

"I could do it for you!", he said, flipping the page grinning.

Once they landed in Rome, Jane and the other korean members went straight to the bus after they're done with the migration. Jane decided to stick with Wonwoo and have a seat beside him. While waiting, she decided to contact her mom and Scoups informing that they already landed safely.

She leaned on Wonwoo's shoulder, occasionally peeking his phone to see him playing 'Go-Stop' with the others.

Once The8 and Jun complete their migration process, the bus started to move.

"Oh! You came"

"You're here"

"Great job"

"Come on, come on, come on"

Jane's start chatting with Jun who's seated right behind her. "You okay?". "Yeah, just tired", he answered.

"The line must be long, aigoo, you did a great job juni oppa. Here, take a choco bar i steal from the airplane", she offers

"Ah, thanks uki!"

"You too Hao oppa", giving another choco bar to The8, who's sitting not far from her.

Not being in the conversation with the others, Jane's confused on why everyone's laughing. She just stare at Wonwoo, asking 'what happened' with her eyes. "Ah, the airport is called Lenoardo da Vinci. But, DK suddenly just said, Vernon, he thought it was the other Leondardo DiCaprio", he explained.

"Ahhh", hearing that, Jane needs time to process. Then, realisation hit her. Chuckling and teasing DK. But, she get teased back because she realized too late, the joke was already stale.

Once they arrive in front of the colosseum, Jane was so amazed by it. It never conquer to her that it will be this massive big. Then, they took their own time to observe and look around.

Jane followed The8 to observe and admire it by their own eyes (not forgetting to take a picture too!).

Before they all went back, they took a photo with Scoups whose in the phone with Hoshi. "Go back to sleep, don't forget to eat the medicine. Bye bye coupsie oppa!", Jane added before Hoshi ended the call.

Arriving at the Airbnb, she decided to live in the same room with Dino and Jun. Then, she play a game that Na PD insisted, until, he decided to end it because it's hopeless seeing the member keep winning in every round. Before going to bed, they receive a letter that Scoups wrote, which ofc Jane voluntary ask if she can read it.

" Thank you for picking my letter. I feel so sorry for you guys going without any preparation. I will be waiting for you well in Korea. You can use this card however you want, okay? Have fun. I love you.", she read it aloud.

FUN FACT: the voice behind "Nana tour~" in between scene is actually jane's voice

#𓇼 svt-jane's #kpop female oc #seventeen 14th member #seventeen imagine #seventeen female member #seventeen x svt! reader #seventeen added member #seventeen female oc #seventeen x oc

[mikhaela]

2023 recap

studies: did not make much progress with my thesis. in april i got accepted to a post-disaster heritage restoration workshop in bosnia-herzegovina but turned it down despite a scholarship offer. applied to a youth heritage conference in saudi arabia but didn't get it.

home: in june, my best friend jerome moved in with me. i now have all the furniture that i think i need and i am happy with the way my place looks. i inherited a few things from my dad, some from prisa who when i was sad took me to their abandoned ancestral house in san juan and told me to pick out anything i want.

finances: i did okay. spent too much upon getting home from marinduque. also spent too much on transportation but i've been taking the commute and walking and walking and walking a lot lately. invested a good chunk of my money in a family friend's business - it feels right to be less liquid since the depleted amount in my bank accounts motivates me to be less thrifty.

advocacy: started volunteering as a docent at the ateneo art gallery in july. gave a lot of tours and helped out at various exhibitions from july to september, although there were less opportunities when the school year started due to the surplus of interns. i volunteered at an archival effort on the labor movement.

health: if memory serves, i didn't get sick this year. mental health took a deep dive in september courtesy of all the grief. somewhat better now. physically i have never been stronger.

work: led a successful project in marinduque from january to june. briefly dipped my toes in tech from july to september. gave a cultural mapping training in naga in august. pretty much made the de-facto head of my ngo (aside from training & development head and corporate treasurer, haha). interviewed a ton of people while assembling my team for upcoming projects. acquired contract for san pedro last month and currently working on the project proposal.

reading: neglected reading in q2 and q3 of the year. crammed a lot in q4 to make it to the 50-book mark. been reading a lot of manga lately - reread of nana and just hours earlier finished dance dance danseur. standouts this year: tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow by gabriella zevin; the sympathizer by viet thanh nguyen; raise high the roofbeam, carpenters and seymour: an introduction and nine stories both by salinger. wish i read more non-fiction.

travel: spent a week in zambales in february. work in marinduque from february to june. work in naga in august. mindanao backpacking trip in september. two days in fukuoka in october. heading up to baguio for new years' with my family.

relationships: broke up with [redacted1] in january. started dating [redacted2] in april, dumped him in july. started dating [redacted3] in august, dumped him in october. two hook-ups along the way. none of these will leave a scratch save for my relationship with [redacted1].

family: my father died in september, cutting my mindanao trip in half. he converted to islam, apparently, and i had to go home immediately. saw my family from that side for the first time in a decade. i missed them. my uncle, my mom's brother, died three weeks later. on good terms with my brother now (after all that tragedy it was inevitable). should make more effort to spend time with my family. i love them and no one else understands all the shit that makes me who i am.

hobbies: took art classes in january but dropped it. should pick that back up again. started bouldering in june. around the same time i also started cooking more. picked up the piano again in september. yoga and pilates in october. i feel like the latter suits me and my needs better, so decided to focus on that. started making video games again this december.

music: a lot of kanye. didn't like the new bad bunny album that much. my love mine all mine by mitski has been stuck on repeat. had the recording of hadestown on repeat when i first started dating P. listened to a lot of rachmaninoff, liszt.

friendships: grateful that i have become much closer to prisa and miyuki this year. living with jerome has mostly been easy. didn't feel all that connected to jorou this year, but he knew exactly what to do during that first wave of grief. i love hya and kat and joel too.

#personal

[korra-the-red-lion]

Unnatural Affairs. Chapter 1: Move In Day.

(Ally)

The first day of university was one of those exciting yet absolutely terrifying things. Luckily, it was just move in day and that gave me a week reprieve before I actually went to my first class. Still, the anxiety of moving away from home was something you couldn’t help, even if you don’t always get along your parents. Being on your own, expected to fend for yourself alone. That made me shiver to my core.

The car bumped along the road as we approached the campus. My dad said something to my mom under his breath, for her ears only. I didn’t mind, too busy focusing on the school buildings coming into view. It wasn’t a massive campus, but that fit me just fine. I grew up in a small town, so a smaller university was the least overwhelming choice for me to pick. I originally got accepted into Chester University, but with a student population of 45,000, I could feel my heart rate increase just reading about it. My dad was disappointed that I didn’t go to Perkins, his alma mater, but it was just so far away and quite frankly, had a reputation as a party school. No, not for me, thank you very much. I liked that Mount Seamus had a small student population (only 3,000) and was close enough to home that I could go back if I needed to (only an hour and half drive).

“Alexandra,” said my mom, looking over her shoulder, “how are you feeling?”

I tore my gaze away from the window. “A little nervous, if I’m being honest. Excited too, but mostly nervous.”

She smiled at me. “Perfectly normal. I think you’ll be great, sweetie.”

I smiled back at her, before returning my eyes back to the window. We were rolling up to the drop off spot for students. My parents would drop me off there and take my things to my room. I was happy for a chance to be away from them for a short time. I loved them, but sometimes they could be a tad bit stifling. It will be nice to be able to explore on my own for awhile before having to do the whole tour with them.

The car bumped to a stop. I undid my seatbelt, breathing slowly through my nose. I could feel my nerves trying to get the better of me. My mom reached around and placed her hand on my shoulder, giving me an encouraging nod. I nodded back to her and opened the door, the warmth of the August air hitting me.

“We’ll drop your stuff off and meet you at the student services building, okay?” said mom.

I nodded, not trusting my voice right now.

Mom reached out the window and kissed my hands, filling me with warmth, calming me down a little. My dad looked over and mumbled out a ‘good luck’ before they drove off. My dad wasn’t a man of many words, and it was having a hard time with me moving out. I just hoped that he’d open up a bit more before we got here, but clearly that wasn’t happening. Still, there was still time.

The sound of music and people cheering drew my attention. They were holding up signs that welcomed the new students, signs pointing people in the right direction, and just general fun vibes coming from that direction. That’s where I needed to be, so that’s where I went.

The music was a little too loud for my liking, but I just dealt with it. I didn’t have to be at this spot for too long. A student spotted me and waved at me to come over. She grinned as I approached, high fiving her friend. She had her hair tied up in a high ponytail. The colours of the school were painted on her cheeks, nearly hiding the smattering of freckles that spread across her nose and maybe her cheeks. Her friend was a bit shorter, with her hair done in a messy bun and wearing matching face paint.

“Hey-o, welcome to MSU, frosh,” said the freckled girl excitedly. “Is this your first time on campus?”

I nodded shyly, trying to not take a step back. The anxiety was trying to overwhelm me again.

“Nice! I’m Lyn, and this is my buddy Loryn!” she indicated the girl next to her. “We’re here to show people around and help out with anything you need for today.”

“If you want it, that is,” added Loryn quickly, maybe noticing my discomfort.

“Yes, totally!” Lyn looked back and forth between us, frowning slightly for a second before grinning again. “This is not mandatory by any means. It’s more like, uh, a more personalized tour? Some people find the whole group thing super overwhelming and shit, so we do this so people can just have some one on ones.”

“I would like that, actually,” I said with a smile. “If you don’t mind showing me around, Lyn, that would be lovely.”

Lyn winked at Loryn before coming around the table. “Hehe, another win for me, Loryn. If you don’t pick it up, cleaning the locker room sure is gonna suck for you.”

“Shut up and just show the poor girl around. Oh, and try not to be too loud, Lyn.”

Lyn rolled her eyes and indicated me to follow her. She was tall, probably around 6ft or something close to that. I didn’t notice it before, because I was distracted by the blue and white painted all over her face, but she had stunning electric blue eyes. The kind that most girls envied. They really popped against the paleness of her skin.

She must have noticed me looking as she turned towards me a little bit more, her eyes searching mine. Her face softened and she said to me, “You must be really nervous, huh?”

“I am, yeah…” I tucked my hair behind my ear. “It’s my first time away from home, from my parents, you know? You dream of moving out and being on your own for so long, but when the day comes, all you want do is go back home and wish you can just live there forever.”

Lyn nodded. “I get that, totally. Hopefully you’ll adjust here quickly, but girl, don’t feel bad about homesickness. Most of us feel it.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry! I’m Ally, by the way,” I said quickly. It totally slipped my mind to introduce myself earlier, but it occurred to me when she called me ‘girl.’

“Ally, huh? That’s a nice name,” she smiled at me again. “Okidoki, let’s get down to business, shall we? This is here is the main campus, where you’ll find all the classroom buildings and the library. The residence buildings are all located around the main campus, but no building is longer than a 10-minute walk around here. Food hall is over on the east side, over yonder,” she pointed to where I assume the meal hall was located, “so it’s nice depending on which res you’re in. I was in Lukas Hall, which was close to the AC but across from the food hall, so I always had to pack snacks for after practice in case I couldn’t grab something before class.”

“Sorry, but what’s the ‘AC’?” I asked, tilting my head to the side.

“Shit, sorry, you’re new. It’s the Athletic Centre, where I spend most of my days.”

I bite my lip in thought, looking her up and down, trying to guess what sport she played. She was tall and had lean muscle. She was wearing flip flops and track pants, her toes had chipped nail polish on them. She was wearing a university t-shirt, but it gave no indication to which team she was on. She was smirking at me with her arms crossed over her chest, knowing I was trying to guess.

“Okay, um, basketball?” I guessed.

She laughed with a gentle shake of her head. “Nope! I’ll let you guess one more time.”

Damn, okay. She wasn’t too bulky, so I knew basketball was a risky guess. I think volleyball is wrong too. There were no scraps or bruises on her knees and legs to indicate that she played soccer or hockey.

I smiled brightly when it came to me. “Swim team!”

Lyn broke out in a huge grin. “Damn, yeah! How’d you guess?”

“Well, I didn’t notice any bruising on your skin. So, it kind of eliminated contact sports. I did think maybe you did cross country or swimming because of your build. You’re muscular, but it’s not heavy muscle like other sports. It’s the kind of muscle required for endurance. But then I saw your toes…for the most part they look fine. I feel like a runner would have more calluses and swelling down there. Therefore, the logical conclusion had to be swimming,” I explained.

Lyn gave a low whistle and shoved her hands in her pockets. “Well damn, Ally. That was pretty freaking good. You wanna be a PI or something?”

I blushed as I shook my head. “Not really. I just always had a knack for noticing details.”

“Well, that’s a pretty cool knack. I’m shit with details, so there’s no way in hell I could have guessed that just from sizing someone up. Come on, I’ll show ya the rest of the campus and we’ll head over to the meet up spot. I assume your parents are meeting you there?”

I nodded and we were off again. Lyn was honestly not great at explaining where things were, since she would just vaguely point in the direction and tell me the building names, even though I didn’t know much about them. But, she was really nice and friendly. I actually ended up forgetting about how anxious I was about this whole thing and ended up really enjoying the tour. I knew I’d end up doing it with my parents again anyway, so I didn’t mind that this wasn’t the gold standard tour given out by the university coordinators.

Eventually we ended up back to where I met her and Loryn, who was now gone. Maybe she was giving someone else a tour. Lyn directed me to where my parents were waiting for me. My mom was checking her phone, and when our eyes connected, I realized I never took it out once while I was with Lyn. I guiltily pulled it out from my purse and saw that I had three missed texts and a missed called from her. If I was anxious about moving out, my mom was way worse.

Of course, I understood why. Ever since I was a little kid, I noticed things that other people didn’t. At first, my parents chalked it up to youthful imagination but after great grand dad passed away and I told Nana that he wanted to apologize for how he treated her and Betty when they were growing up, my parents came to the conclusion that there was something wrong with me. There isn’t, in the traditional sense. It just seems as if I could connect to the supernatural aspects of this world. It wasn’t normal, and it really upset my dad quite a bit. I tried to make sure I never talked about it once I got old enough to understand how they felt about the situation, but there were times that it slipped. Like at Kat’s 13th birthday bash, which I ended up having a panic attack at because I swore that I saw some sort of demon crawling out of the garden shed. I think my mom just didn’t want me to feel like an outcast again, but university is supposed to be a new beginning, right?

“Sorry, mom. I was talking to someone and just forgot to check my phone,” I said, a wave of shame washing over me.

My mom, a human scanner when it came to people I was with, looked Lyn up and down before nodding slowly, meaning she approved. My dad, however, stared at her for a solid minute of silence. Lyn shifted foot to foot uncomfortably and tugged at her ear.

“Did I do something wrong?” she asked under her breath.

“No, you didn’t. My dad is just very overprotective and tends to do this stupid act to scare people away,” I muttered back.

Finally, my dad clicked his tongue and nodded as well. “I’m glad that you found someone to show you around,” he said slowly.

“Yes, Lyn was very nice to do that,” I said. “The campus is lovely, and it will be nice to have a familiar face to see.” This drew a smile onto Lyn’s freckled face.

“Your daughter is super awesome,” she said to my parents, “but I can’t stick around much longer, unfortunately. Gotta go back and see if there are any other frosh who need my attention, you know?” She spared me a goodbye wink before sauntering back over to her table, where some guy was there instead of Loryn.

I found myself staring over at her before my attention was drawn back to my parents, especially my mom. She had a map of the campus and started asking me where everything was and how close I was to the major buildings (those being meal hall, the library, and the student centre in case I needed campus security for any reason).

I had a feeling this second tour was going to be much longer than the one I just had.

XXX

My parents helped me set everything up in my room. It wasn’t a big space, but that was to be expected. I’m an only child, so the real adjustment is learning how to share the space with another person. She wasn’t here at the moment; she went to supper with her parents. My mom offered to go picked something up so we could eat it here, leaving me alone with dad.

My relationship with my dad was…complicated at best. He was loving and looked out for me, but it was also difficult for him to come to terms with the more… how to say, unnatural aspects of my personality. He grew up as a devout Catholic, so these kinds of things just made him uncomfortable. I remember when I was 9 years old and being told I wasn’t allowed to go over to Chris Parks’ house anymore because his older brother used a Ouija Board during a Halloween party, and my dad was convinced the house was filled with evil spirts since.

So yeah, sometimes it was hard to get along with him. It didn’t matter how many times I explained myself to him, he was always harsh with judgement. It’s not like I woke up one day and asked for this. Trust me, if I had the choice, I’d be much happier living in a world of naivety like the other kids. I’ve had to go to therapy and be prescribed meds to help control my anxiety about seeing dead people and demons. That kind of shit scars you, doesn’t matter what age.

I was humming a tune to a song that helps me stay calm while making sure my poster of Supergirl was straight when I heard my dad clear his throat. Dropping my shoulders in anticipation, I looked over with a frown.

“Yes, dad?”

“Take a seat, I just want to chat before your mom gets back,” he said, patting a spot on my bed next to him.

Wary of what was coming next, I sat with my shoulders curled into towards my body. I fiddled with the arm of my glasses and waited for him to speak. There was no point in rushing him when he got like this.

“Alexandra, I know that growing up, I was harsh with you when it came to…” he waved his hand at me, “…you know. But, it was only for your own good. This here? This is a new chance, a chance to start fresh. No one here knows about your…you know. You can make friends, maybe even get a girlfriend. But baby girl, promise me that you won’t go looking for those kinds of dark things. Promise me you’ll just be ordinary, okay?”

There it was. Ordinary. The word was like a punch to the face every time he said it. I could feel my face grow hot with shame and anger as I got to my feet. “I- dad…you know I hate it when you say it that way…” my voiced cracked as I tried to keep it together.

“I’m not trying to make you feel bad, Alexandra. I just want you to have a good time here and not-”

“What? Not screw up?” I turned away from him, feeling the tears welling up.

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

“That’s how it sounded to me!”

Dad got to his feet as well and try to put his hand on my shoulder, which I shrugged off, not wanting him to touch me. I hated that he made me feel dirty about this.

“Listen, Alexandra, just…I’m sorry, okay? I just want to know you’ll be safe while you’re here.”

I rolled my eyes and forced myself to take a deep breath. “Okay, whatever dad.”

Whatever dumb thing he was going to say next was interrupted by mom coming in with the food. I quickly wiped at my eyes and forced myself to face them both. My mom’s eyes were red and puffy, clearly from crying in the car. Well, there I go too. I burst into tears and pull my mom into a tight hug, trying to take in her everything. I was ready to get away from home, I swear. But leaving my mom was harder than anything else in the whole world.

There we stood, sobbing onto each other’s shoulders while the food got cold beside us.

XXX

I stood on the corner as my parents drove away, my mom waving to me from the window. I had no more tears to spill, so I stood there in painful, hallow silence. Finally, when the bugs started to get too awful for me to deal with anymore, I made my way back to my residence. MacGavin hall was considered one of the better residences on campus, which is why my parents insisted I stayed there. I wasn’t going to argue with them, since they were paying.

I swiped my student card against the reader and pulled the door open once it beeped green. I made my way back to my room in miserable silence. There was already music blasting from someone’s room, and some of the students were sharing alcohol in the hall. Obviously, the RA was either a party person themselves, or they just didn’t care. To be honest, I didn’t care myself at this time.

I opened my door and saw that my roommate, Sarah I think, was sitting on her bed, headphones in. She rolled over with similar puffy eyes and smiled weakly at me.

“Same boat, huh?”

I nodded with a laugh. “Uh, yeah. That was way harder than I thought it would be.”

“Right?” She sat up, rubbing her face. “I was like, so excited to leave home and be like, independent from them. But then when it like, occurred to me that I wouldn’t be waking up in my house tomorrow… it sorta just like, hit me so hard. I ended up snotting in my salad.”

Okay, that made me genuinely laugh. I sat down on my bed and we ended up sort of just talking through the rest of the night, until we both fell asleep.

Maybe the first day of moving away from home was exciting and the start of a new journey. But those movies and books never talked about how hard it could be to let go. They never talked about the tears and the empty feeling of knowing that you just left everything you knew behind. It never talked about the fear that came with being in an unfamiliar place. As I drifted off, I knew I would be okay, even if it took a few days. But man, did my heart ache.

#unnatural affairs #original fiction #original story #writing #ally holland #lyn hart #mystery #paranormal #romance #wlw romance #sapphic lead

[naihexiang]

tagged by @allura-hime  thanks so much for mentioning me!

last?

drink: milk. go ahead, you can laugh; i actually like milk phone call: tried calling my friend yesterday bc it was her birthday text message: they don’t tho... (talking to my friend about the hnk gems not having teeth) song you listened to: What is Love - Twice time you cried: fan expo, probably. the vld voice actors walked past me while i was looking for my friend by the washrooms and i was just in complete shock that it was even happening so...

ever?

dated someone twice: no kissed someone and regretted it: no been cheated on: nope lost someone special: uhhh does my stuffed dog count gotten drunk and thrown up: no fave colors? blue, red, black, white

in the last year have you?

made new friends: i think so? fallen out of love: yeah actually laughed until you cried: see my story about fan expo :’) found out someone was talking about you: i don’t think so i think met someone who changed you: uhhhhh i don’t know yet found out who your friends are: i mean, i’ve gotten to know them more so yeah i guess? kissed someone on your Facebook friends list: i only just got on facebook, so no

general

how many of your facebook friends do you know in real life: all my facebook friends are just my family so all of them do you have any pets: a dog named forest and a guinea pig named serafina do you want to change your name: maybe???? i probably won’t tho what did you do for your last birthday: my family got tickets to fan expo, so that was fun. the night of my actual birthday, we went out and ate ramen. it was good.  what time did you wake up today:  uhhhhh maybe like 4?? but then i fell back asleep and woke up at 7:30  what were you doing last night at midnight: sleeping what is something you can’t wait for:  my youth group retreat! we’re going somewhere new so that’ll be fun what are you listening to right now: my computer engineering teacher talking :’) have you ever talked to a person named tom: don’t think so... something that gets on your nerves: in-game ads that are just super  repetitive. i mean, it’s the exact same game but with vaguely different names and images! ugh most visited website: tumblr, what did you think? hair colour: black. i have like reddish streaks in it but they’re fading now long or short hair: like inbetween? i want longer hair, but right now it’s just shoulder length what do you like about yourself:  my writing’s decent??? i think????  want any piercings: hmmmm i’m not really sure maybe like a few more in my ears? blood type: i have no idea. my mom says maybe A???? nicknames: none, really lol  relationship status: single mostly because i’m too focused on my fictional crushes than people irl zodiac sign: Virgo  pronouns: she/her fave tv show: uhhhhhhh over the garden wall’s one of them tattoos: none (but i want some. plus, i draw on myself in pen all the time so) right or left handed: right ever had surgery: no piercings: just ears for now sports: dance (ballet), and i kinda wanna go back to swimming. skating and skiing are fun, but it’s not really winter yet lol vacation: tbh i really wanna do like a world tour kinda thing  trainers: what do u mean eating: nothing, but i wish i was eating ice cream or something rn drinking: my own spit :’) i’m about to watch: started re-watching the first captain america movie two nights ago, and i’m still working on it. not sure what i’ll watch after... waiting for: the new chapter of houseki no kuni (someone pls help phos)  want: the bortz wig i ordered last weekend (i’m gonna cosplay with my friend for halloween)  get married: not a big concern rn. i mean maybe it’d be nice but mostly i see myself living alone in a nice house in the middle of nowhere with some cats and a garden career: i want to get into research or archiving   hugs or kisses: both! lips or eyes: bOTH shorter or taller: BOTH older or younger: uhhhh idk nice arms or stomach: .....arms?  hookup or relationship: relationship troublemaker or hesitant: idk maybe both

have you ever?

kissed a stranger: no drank hard liquor: no (i did try alcohol at some point and hated cause it tasted bad but it wasn’t even that much, like just a piece of bread dipped in wine) lost glasses: you have no idea turned someone down: for what tho? sex on the first date: i’ve never gone on a first date so yeet i guess broken someone’s heart: no???? had your heart broken: i don’t remember that ever happening so no?  been arrested: no thank goodness cried when someone died: when someone irl died? not really. when someone fictional died? hell yeah fallen for a friend: don’t think so...

do you believe in

yourself: hahahahahaha no  miracles: i mean... i really want to  love at first sight: kind of kiss on the first date: yeah angels:  yeah (at least i hope so)

other?

best friend’s name: marissa and emily  eye colour: dark brown fave movie: PLEASE DON’T ASK (i’m kidding it’s coraline) favourite actor: uhhhhhh tom holland is cute. i’m not really into the whole celebrity crush thing...  favourite food: at this point in time? tonkatsu ramen extrovert or introvert: introvert, definitely favourite flower: the japanese camellia (it’s so pretty) favourite hello kitty character? i don’t really know hello kitty tbh

tagging @noirfos, @celancestial, @p-greentea, @nana-shiros, and uhhhh anyone else really

#connie speaks #i was tagged

[selenelavellan]

MOAR PERSEPHONE MYTH DIRTHALENE PLZ

Underworld AU Part 2

Part One

Dirthamen, Turmoil, Mythal, and the other Evanuris belong to @feynites

Ashokara and Kassaran belong to @scurvgirl

Melarue belongs to @justanartsysideblog

TW for Fire, Murder, Mentions of Children Dying and/or being injured.

There is no sunlight in the Underworld.

No birds sing in its sky, no rabbitsfrolic through its fields. She has never known a time without therays shining around her. The fields here are barren, made of dirt andmoss with rivers of magic and flame running through them. Nothinglike her Nanaes lands, with their towering trees and flourishingplants tall enough to hide those in need of protection. There is nofarmland that she can see, no sea of flowers to bloom with her laugh. 

The air is heavy and cold, whipping at the bared skin of her leg whenit peeks from between the drape of her robe.  The only warmth Selenecan find seems to be buried within the hand of the God helping herstep out of the boat, and onto the shores of his kingdom.

There is no sunlight, but there arestrings of luminescence throughout the streets. Hung like decorationsover homes and walkways. Brilliant blues and greens giving a softglow to the world around them, like pieces plucked and stolen fromthe world above. The buildings are simple, with tall columns forgedfrom stones unfamiliar to her eye. Streets converge into each other,each step placed with purpose. A path leading to what seems to be amassive, twisting labyrinth that stretches up and up and up in aninfinite loop.

It captivates her entirely.

“Come,” whispers the man besideher. “I will show you our home.”

Selene shivers as she tears her eyefrom the maze, and feels something whisper beneath her skin. Awarning, perhaps?Or a promise.

She has no time to dwell on herthoughts, as she is swept through the thoroughfare. Signs and facesilluminated in the dim lighting. Some point at the pair, or whisper.A few wave, and Selene finds herself oddly compelled to return thegesture with the hand not being tightly grasped with gloved fingers.

There are people, here.

Are they all dead, she wonders?

Shouldn’t there be more of them, ifthey are?

It seems no more crowded than the townnear her Nanaes home. Indeed, she has seen larger crowds at herbrothers unveiling in her youth.

Still, she is lead without hesitation over cobbled stones, until the homes and light vanish onceagain. Until she is standing in the shadow of a massive palace,covered in pomp and elaborate carvings. It is very old, older thananything she had seen in the town by centuries, at least. It towersfar higher than any other structure she has come by down here, savefor the labyrinth.

And it seems so very, glaringly,out of place.

She is about to ask him, to inquireabout the strangeness of the palace and the sharp contrast of itsfeatures to those of his own, someone whose entire wardrobe seemsdesigned to help him blend into backgrounds and shadows and moveunnoticed.

Someone else emerges, first.

“You are late,” they snap, stridingconfidently towards Dirthamen in a long coat and tall boots. “Wehave become backed up.”

“It can wait, Turmoil,” he returns.“We have a guest.”

They blink, eyes narrowing as they seemto notice Selene for the first time. Their gaze rakes over her,stopping as it reaches the hand still joined with their masters.

As they notice the rings.

“Are you kidding-” they groan,rubbing a hand down their eye. “We will deal with that later. Thedead will not wait.”

“Of course they will. It’s not asthough they have somewhere else to be.” Selene jokes, trying toease some of the tension in the air.

It doesn’t work.

The shoulders of the God beside herraise sheepishly as Turmoils jaw practically drops in shock.

“She does not even know how wework-” they hiss.

“She will learn,” he insists.

“If you expect me to teach her, youwill find yourself sorely disappointed. My plate is full enoughtrying to keep your head above water.”

“I was planning on teaching hermyself, in fact.”

“Oh, and in the meantime, we’ll just,what, let the dead run loose, all…” their arms shoot up and makea sharp spiral gesture “All willy-nilly,because our King is busy with his…his….” he gestures wildly andturns towards Selene “Whatever you are!”

“I’mjust visiting.” she tries to assure him.

“Ohgood! We are doing toursnow!”

“I’llshow her around!” chimes in a new voice. High, and young. Seleneturns toward the source, and finds a young Qunari girl with stillbudding horns grinning up at her.

“Thatis not necessary, Ashokara.” Dirthamen frowns.

“It’sfine! I’m all done with my chores, so you can go work and I’ll helpher get settled. You can always come find us later, right?”

Dirthamenglances back to Selene uncertainly, finger rubbing gingerly at thering on her finger as Turmoils foot taps impatiently behind him.

“Isuppose that would be best for everyone,” he finally says. “Pleasedo not allow her to come to any harm.”

“WouldI do that?” theyoung girl retorts with an innocent look on her face.

Dirthamenonly frowns deeper in response.

“We’llbe careful,” she agrees, arms looping behind her back. “Noswimming, I promise.”

Turmoilhurriedly pulls everyone into agreement, dragging Dirthamen into theovershadowing palace as they fill his arms with scrolls and beginwhatever sort of work they do.

Selenesupposes she will find out soon enough.

“Sooo…”Ashokaradrawls from beside her “You’re the new Queen, huh?”

Seleneblinks, as she refocuses on the child standing beside her. “I’msorry?”

Theyoung qunari points to the ring on her finger “You married theKing, that makes you the Queen.”

“Oh,”Selene says as she glances down at the piece of jewelry “We didn’tget married. He just gave me a gift, is all.”

“It’son the married finger, like my mama’s used to be.”

“Customscan vary from culture to culture. You’ll understand more when you’reolder.” Selene explains.

“I’malready 809. How old am I supposed to be?”

Seleneblinks.

Blinksagain.

“I’msorry. 809…what? Seasons?”

“No,years. How old are you, like a billion?”

“No!No, I’m-I’m 25!”

“Ohhhh.Sounds like maybe you’rethe one who doesn’t understand then, huh?” Ashokara hums knowinglyas she begins to skip away.

Selenestaggers after her, still curious for more answers.

Andalso determined to prove the girl wrong, just a bit. She certainlyisn’t married. Shewould know.

…Wouldn’tshe?

Whenthe sun rises over their fields, and Selene has still not been found,Melarue begins to rage.

Itstarts quietly. Small bursts in the shadows, a few buds pluckedbefore their time, a tree or two robbed of its harvest before bearingany fruit.

Aelynthihas not heard from his sister either. Nor has his husband, or histeam of warriors hunting for her in lands beyond their immediatereach.

No oneelse seems willing to help with their search. Elgar'nan and Mythalare too preoccupied with their own duties, and send only promises tohelp when they have the resources to spare. Andruil is busy huntingher wifes newest creation for the Summer feast, Sylaise and June withcleaning up the previous nights affair and planning the next gathering to beheld.

Seleneis not a priority, itseems.

Sothey will make her one.

Theforests housing Ghilan'nains prey begin to rot, and crumble. Leavesturn to gold and then to brown, falling long before they are due.Crops begin to mold, and expire. Acres of flowers, planted for theirdaughter, for her bloom, for her laugh,turn to cold barren plots of dirt and sand that will provide neitherlife nor sustenance now.

Thetrees no longer give reprieve from the blazing heat of the sun,forcing people into their homes, sending them to curse the God whoburns too intensely, who must not care for them any longer, who keepsthem in such a fatigued, drowsy state. The grass turns sour, ruiningthe milk of any cows or creature who taste it. Parents reliant on theproduct to feed their children, cry out, cursing the Goddess who issupposed to look out for their families, who is meant to aid themwith her heart and her wisdom.

As thepeople grow more anxious, more hungry, more in need of help, Melaruenotes, the other Gods begin to pay their concerns more attention.

Mythalknocks on their doors before the week is even out.

“Melarue,”they coo. “What seems to be ailing you?”

“Youknow well that my daughter has vanished. Do not play these games withme. I am tired of them, and the people will not survive them longenough for you to get your fill.”

Mythaltsks. “This is a tantrum then, because your daughter has chosen toleave you? You are not so weak as that, Melarue. She will come back,in time. Children simply need their space, to grow, and to learn.”

“Selenewould not leave me. I understand you may not grasp that a child maytruly love their parent, but she would not run like this. Not fromme.”

“Shewill come back when she is ready,” Mythal dismisses “There is noreason to punish the people for her mistakes.”

“Youhave done something. I know you, we have known each other far toolong for me to believe you are not behind this in some capacity.”

“Treadcarefully. Accusations like that sound suspiciously like treason, andyour rage is rising to the surface. We would not want another war.There is no need to exile another member of our pantheon.”

“Asthough you did not manipulate the state of things to fit the end youdesired, even then.” Melarue snarls, taking a step closer to theGoddess.

“Howdare you. Iloved my son, I never would have-”

“Youlove power more. Yourson was unstable, he was unable to care for his wards, and you wantedanothers domain because your own was weakening. I see through you,Mythal. I will not sacrifice a singlechild, and the world will remain barren until my daughter is safelyreturned to me.”

“Youwould not sacrifice the People. You are bluffing.”

Melarue raises a single, perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “Itwould be a shame, would it not? For the People to perish while theGoddess who claimed to protect them did nothing? I would hate foryour image to suffer because you thought my threats empty.”

Mythal hesitates.

Then turns, and walks out as calmly as she had entered.

Melaruewaits for her to leave entirely, before donning their cloak andsweeping into town.

Someoneknows where their daughter is.

“…andthat’s section twelve, and that’s fourteen over there…” Ashokaradrones on, pointing down different intersections while Selene nodsalong beside her.

“Everythingis so well organized here,” Selene notes. “It’s very efficient.”

“It’sboring, y'mean.”

“Ilike it.” Selene grins.

“Yeah,well. The people like it better now, too.”

Selenepauses, hesitates with her foot just barely off the ground. “‘Now’?”

“Yeah,sure. Since Dirthamen took over.”

“Hewasn’t always the God of the Dead?”

“Nah,he used to be wisdom and…I dunno, some other stuff I guess? I neverknew him then, he’s been here a lot longer than me. Some other peopleremember before, though. It was pretty bad, from what I hear. Hebuilt the labyrinth, and now that’s all anyone talks about. Or does.”

Seleneglances up, attention stolen once more by the swirling, growingpuzzle in the center of the city, and the hushed whispers pushinggoosebumps over her skin.

“So…itwasn’t always there?”

“Nope.”

“Whendid it show up?”

Ashokarashrugs “Before I did. You’d have to ask someone older.”

“Youwere never curious?”

“Ew,no.” Ashokaras nose crinkles. “It gives me really awfulcreep vibes, just from looking at it too long.”

“Oh,”Selene hums curiously. “You showed up…almost eight centuriesago, yeah?”

“Yeah….”

Herhead turns to look at Ash. The previously energetic girl suddenlyturned morose, staring down at her feet. With a gentle nudge, Seleneoffers a warm smile.

“Doyou wanna talk about it?”

“I’mnot really supposed to…”

“Well,I’m the Queen, right?” Selene grins “You can tell the Queen. I’llgive you a royal pardon if anyone tries to give you trouble.”

Ashokaraseyes narrow, and dart from side to side before she snags Seleneshand, and tugs her away from the buildings, and back towards theriver Styx. They take shelter at the foot of a large dune, and Ashokara settles carefully onto the ground.

“Youcan’t tell anyone, ok? Mama and I aren’t supposed to tell people whathappened.”

Selene nods, andsits down beside the girl on the shore.

“So…whenI was…still topside,” Ashokara explains “Father wasn’t verynice. He yelled a lot, and he hurt Mama. One night, he was screamingmore than usual, and he tried to reallyhurt Mama. She got hurt so bad she stopped breathing. I was little,but I knew what that meant, and it made me so mad,and scared, and I couldn’t understand why.Mama’s so nice, she didn’t deserve to get hurt like that.”Ashokaras gaze grows distant, as she skips a rock across the river.“I lost control of my magic. I wanted to make himhurt, too. I wanted to save Mama, but I didn’t know how. He and Iboth burned, until we were all…down here. It was really different,when we arrived.

Everythingwas really crowded. They were still recovering from some big fight,so there was rubble everywhere and bodies pressed up against eachother, and everyone was freaking out. Father was right next to me,still, and he was so angrywith me, once he realized what had happened.”

Ashokaralets out a stuttering breath, hands rubbing tenderly at the tips ofher horns. “But I looked around, tried to get away from him. Alittle ways away, I could see Mama in the crowd, and I tried to runto her but I….” Ashokara trails off, sniffling and wiping away afew tears from her face as she tries to calm herself down. Seleneplaces a soothing hand on the girls shoulder for support, andAshokara nods before continuing. “I tried to go to her, to makesure he couldn’t get to her again. To feel safe again, myself.  But Icouldn’t get through the crowd, and when I tried to get aroundeveryone, I fell. Into Phlegethon.”

Sheflings another rock towards the river running parallel to the Styx,and Selene watches as it bounces off of a barrier. “ There weren’tany barriers to keep people out of the rivers, then. If you fell, youwere just…lost. Phlegethon is the River of Fire.It hurt. It hurt so much,I couldn’t stop screaming. I don’t even know how long I was in there.Everything just blurred together in what felt like an eternity oftorture. But then Dirthamen pulled me out.”

“That was verykind of him,” Selene says.

“I guess. He andMama made a deal. He was still trying to sort everything out downhere, and having people just popping up in the middle of town made ithard for him to work or something, so Mama agreed to work for him ifhe’d save me. Now she spends all her time ferrying people on thatstupid boat….”

“She loves you.”Selene whispers, a sharp pain of guilt in her chest as she thinks ofher Nanae, still in the world above. How much time has passed sinceshe’s been down here, she wonders. They must be so worried…

“Iknow,” Ashokara sighs, snapping Selene out of her reverie “I loveher too. I get to see her still, sometimes. And Dirthamen lets uslive in the palace, so I don’t feel so alone when Mama’s working. Butit’s got all these empty rooms, and there’s no one but me and allthese other people that work for him, and they’re alwaysworking, because people neverstop dying, and it’sjust…it’s lonely.”

“I’m sorry.”Selene offers, at a loss of what else she has to give.

“Yeah, well…”Ashokara sniffs. “Life happens. Or death, as it goes.”

“…Are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Dead.”

Ashokara snorts.“Nah. When he pulled me out of the river, he fed me a piece foodfrom here. So I’m technically just a resident of the underworld, notone of the dead.”

“So the people intown aren’t dead?”

“No, they justlive here. Sort of. Mortality is weird in this realm. Like, you canchoose to die if you get approval, or you can get hurt or murdered ifyou piss someone off or something, but you can’t get sick and youdon’t age unless you want to.”

“So you choose tolook like a kid?” Selene teases.

“You would beamazed what people let you get away with when you look like this.”Ashokara grins.

Selene laughs, loudand light. The ground beneath her erupts into greenery, flowersblossoming at her feet, in a wide spectrum of colors. Ferns trailaround her, making patterns to match her timbre until she stops forbreath.

Ashokara stares ather in wonderment.

“Howdid you do that?”

Selene looks aroundat the new greens around her. “Oh, it just sort of happens,sometimes. I get it from my Nanae, but they can do it at will. I’mstill learning, so it tends to just sort of…” She gesturesvaguely “Sprout.”

“Nothing growshere, though. Nothing but lilies, and those still require almost awhole team devoted just to growing them!”

“….whoops?”

“Can you domore?”

“Perhaps later,”booms a deeper voice from the top of the hill behind them. “Selene,will you come with me, please?”

Selene swallows,looking guiltily up at Dirthamen as she brushes some sand and dirtfrom her robes and helps Ashokara to her feet.

Hopefully he won’tbe too upset about the plants.

#Answered #Underworld AU #Dirthalene #Filed under 'things i dreamt i had already written' #i really thought i had already written this because i had it all planned out and my notes done and???? #nope i left everyone hanging MY BAD #heres some world stuff and hinting at other plot stuff and ~*mysterious pasts*~ #(Probably not so mysterious Im not very creative and its probably easy to infer what happened) #theladypirate #Melarue #Ashokara #Selene lavellan #If Turmoil isnt right #(theyre probably not but i didnt have much to go on other than a note to myself to USE TURMOIL THEYRE CANON FOR DIRTHAMEN) #let me know and I will do better moving forward <3

[madlyinlovephff]

Chapter One

“Method To My Madness”

Despite someone’s random approach, there is actually some structure to it.

“Honey, my eyes are scarred right now” Jordon drawled as soon as he entered the kitchen.

Jordon Hay; jovial, persistent, focused and also, my fitness trainer. I can’t remember a time when I’m eating something incredibly unhealthy and Jordon hasn’t popped up in my mind. When I said that he’s focused and persistent; I mean focused and persistent.

Also, he’s extremely British. Right down to his walk. Not that I’m complaining.

I looked up at him, my face looking like a deer caught in headlights. Dammit.

“Excuse me while I go drown myself in your hot tub” He said, hands on his chest and shaking his head like no tomorrow.

I took the spoon out of my mouth, which had previously consisted of Nutella. Clearing my throat I said, “I have a very good reason”

His eyes narrowed at my face, then at the jar that sat on the counter and then back at me.

“Yes, Adelaide, I’m interested and listening”

Quickly getting rid of the jar and the spoon, I sat beside him, “Well, I mean, you know how the tour just got over and I’m always on a strict diet while on tour, so I figured-“

“Figured that I’ll be alright with you eating spoonful of Nutella, at what, 7:30 in the morning?” He almost screeched.

I jumped away from him, deciding it is better to be at a considerable amount of distance. “Well, it’s your fault too, by the way” I crossed my arms.

“Excuse me?”

I stifled a laugh at his infuriated expression, “Yes, there was nothing stocked in my kitchen. Forget about kale and healthy things, nothing, nada”

He paused, looking at me with that wounded expression, “Adelaide Edwards, you have over 5 people working in this huge house for you”

I frowned at him, offended, “You know that I hate how you make them sound like they’re my servants or something”

“Well, maybe because they are?”

“NO! No, they’re not. They’re family, Jordon. I’ve had this same conversation over 283 times with you”

He shakes his head at me, as if he’s amused, “They work for you”

“You work for me” I smirked.

“Okay, I honestly hate when you win arguments. You make the most insufferable face, I swear” He said.

I rolled my eyes, picking up my phone to see that I still have a few minutes before I have to leave.

Jordon let out a huge breath, “David says hi, by the way. You know, it seems eerily quiet here, it’s sort of frightening”

Oh, and he’s gay.

I looked around too, texting back Emma Watson, “Yes, but that’s only because I’ve usually got someone over. And Fred, Gina, Quinn, and all are at mum’s”

Look, honestly, they’re not servants. They’re family. My nana used to have this house-keeper back in the days and she had 5 adopted children because she was never able to have her own. And since Nana only had my mum, who was far too ambitious and always looking at a way to get into Harvard, she almost adopted them as hers when her house keeper passed away.

It’s been years and years and there is still not a single holiday or celebration that they aren’t a part of. They’re all married now, older and wiser, mildly educated too, but they never left the family. So now, they help us just in everyday lives. My mom always tells me how she could’ve never survived the pacing downtown London life is she hadn’t had them growing up.

That feeling runs in our family. Of love and fondness to everyone that wants it. It was only after my Nana passed away three years ago that I decided to do something in her honour. And so I came up with the idea of ‘We Day’; a day dedicated to inspiring the youth, because Nana loved children, she loved their innocence and she hated what our world had come to. And at 26, I can say that I am capable of doing something about it.

It’s pretty simple, really. I struggled with my music for a while, back when I was 16, went around to different record labels, always coming back disappointed. I remember when I used to believe that my music could make a difference, that it had the capability to empower. I’ve always believed that music is one of the most powerful weapons to move people. It was always because of this reason that I wanted more out of music than just learning violin and piano and joining the school choir, I’d wanted a career out of it. I wanted my music to affect people the way other people’s music affected me.

For a while, I genuinely used to think that I’d be a disappointment to my parents. My parents, who were both Harvard Law Graduates, and had always strived only for the best. But, it wasn’t before I had struck a contract deal with Keith Music Ltd, that I’d trusted my talent to the fullest.

And so after a massive debut and a good year, when I’d started to fall down the rabbit hole that is Hollywood, from which I didn’t truly come out for a good 2 years, I had realized my duty.

When you have been lucky enough to hit it big and when you’re automatically provided with the celebrity status, it becomes you’re responsibility of sorts, to use that status well. To give back to the world that has given you all these luxuries. Because at the end of the day, what satisfies you shouldn’t be success and wealth, it should be that feeling of doing good.

“Alright, can we please go over you’re fitness schedule this week?” He asked, checking his phone.

When I nodded, I noticed I’d gotten a text from Lima, my very stylish, very tall, and very Brazilian assistant. It said that she’d be here in a few minutes and I motioned Jordon to start talking.

“Well, I suppose we can be fine with only 2 days for a few weeks. You’re right, you’re just fresh off the tour and we don’t want you to starve or anything” He said, frowning as if he didn’t like the idea in the least. Which, knowing him, he probably didn’t.

I smiled so massive, I’m pretty sure I tore some skin cells, hugging Jordon, “Oh god, Emma had just texted me to go out this evening”

He shook his head at me and got off the stool, “Alright, have fun, I was basically here to welcome you back, it’s great to see you again Addy” he said, smiling.

I smiled at him, it’s nice to be back in London. “Thanks, Jor. It’s nice to be back, the tour was good”

He chuckled, heading towards the door, “Oh, it was more than just good, darling. I reckon the most earning one this year”

I ducked my head, greeting Max and Gary, my bodyguards, with a smile, “We’ll see about that”

After quickly bidding Jordon a goodbye in the elevator, Max and Gary led me to the ready car, inside, there was Lima, scrolling through her phone frantically.

“Lima” I said warmly, hugging her close as soon as I sat in the back seat.

“Addy, it’s been long” she said. I chuckled, shaking my head.

“Yeah, if you consider 12 hours long”

She threw a look at me, just as the car started and we were off from my penthouse in Mayfair.

I liked Mayfair, it was relatively calm as compared to Central London; not that it wasn’t just as extravagant. I’d bought this penthouse from Alexander McQueen, few shorts months before he died.

I’d met him for the first time in 2006, when they had offered me my own clutch line for a whole season. I’d never forget the way he spoke about his ideas, the way he pictured his ideas. It was magnificent, knowing and working with a man like that. Never will I forget him, even though it has been 2 years since he’s passed away. Geniuses like him don’t appear often.

I looked at Lima, whose known me for a good couple of years now. Her parents are still in Brazil, extremely kind hearted people but I still have no idea from whom she gets her feisty streak. This girl could dominate the world if Victoria and her had gotten along better. But nevertheless, she’s extremely hard working and dedicated, that’s what I truly appreciate.

“Your One Hyde Park Apartment will be clean by the time you’re done with the meeting with Keith, so will you be staying the night there?” She asked, turning towards me.

I thought about it for some time, before shaking my head. “Mayfair is fine with me, I’ll be going out tonight anyway” I said.

She nodded thoughtfully, “Yeah, it’s better to come back to Mayfair then, the paparazzi knows you’re back in London”

“Oh shit, I’ll still need to change before heading out” I said, groaning.

Lima shut her eyes and took a deep breath, “Okay, so we’ll be heading to Hyde Park after all"

“I guess” I shrugged.

Looking out of the window, I saw the beautiful streets of London fly pass in the morning light. London, my home for as long as I’ve been on this earth. There’s just something about London, you know? Something ethereal, its history, its architecture. And even though I spend a lot of my time in Los Angeles and New York, nothing beats London.

It wasn’t long before we slowed down at the BBC Radio 1 studios. There was a mediocre amount of people outside, and as I stepped out of the car, my leopard printed boots firm on the ground, I waved at the crowds and first went to greet them.

Call me crazy, but I can’t resist crowds. Especially the ones that have given up their precious time to just come to meet me. How can you let these people down? The ones that wake up even before you to come stand outside random places.

My fans are honestly my favorite people on this earth. Well, other than my mom and dad…. And Amelia…. And Arthur, but nonetheless, I love them. These beautiful people who wait in lines for me, who care for me as if they’ve known me their whole life, as if I’m a part of their family itself. How can you not greet them when you have a chance?

By the way, I digress a lot.

A few hundred selfies later, I was bounded inside the studio where my longtime friend, Nick Grimshaw, was waiting with a Starbucks in his hand, grinning at me like a cheeky fool.

“There you go, one London fog latte” he said, and I shook my head, hugging him and kissing his cheeks before sipping my drink and profoundly thanking him, and heading straight towards my last interview for a while.

“Okay, I know how crazy your day has been Addy, but please tell me you have the single we were talking about, all ready to go” Keith said as soon as I entered his enormous office and went ahead to greet him.

My phone kept beeping but I put it aside for a while, before sitting in the chair right in front of Keith’s desk. I was frowning at him, I knew that because his face fell and he sighed deeply.

“It’s barely been 24 hours since the show in Melbourne ended, and you’re already asking me for a single?” I leaned forward.

He raised his eyebrow, his pepper hair styled to perfection, “Victoria told me that you’re ready with one”

I didn’t reply to that; and his smirk turned smug.

“There’s a reason, alright, but just tell me, for the state of my being, that you do have one song ready Adelaide” he said, his voice calm but his eyes giving away the stress.

I nodded reluctantly, knowing that if he knew that I already have a single ready, it wouldn’t be long before the entire cycle of releasing an album and going on a long tour started again.

He sighed in relief, before looking at me thankfully, “I’ll come straight to the point then, Danny Boyle, wants to have a meeting with you”

I paused, thinking over what he said before giving him a confused look, “And why would he want a meeting with me? You make it sound like I should know what’s going on here”

Keith gave me an exasperated look, “Danny Boyle, he’s the director of the Olympics, Adelaide” he said.

I took in a sharp breath before my eyes widen, “Does this mean what I think this means?”

He smirked, finally getting the reaction he expected, “Pretty sure, he’s been trying to reach you for a couple of weeks and when his message was finally delivered at the head office, I got a hold of it”

I nodded fervently, “And?”

“And I’ve gotten a meeting fixed with you, sometime within the next few days, because I know you’d probably not be in London after this week, so what do you say Adelaide Edwards?”

I smiled, “I say yes ofcourse, what the fuck do you think I would say?”

He shook his head, looking highly amused, “There’s also the fact that he’s approaching only a few artists personally, so I reckon, you’ll be getting a good spot” he said.

I closed my eyes, thinking just what my life had become.

“That’s massive” I shook my head.

“Not much of a surprise, though” he commented.

I looked at him, urging him to continue, “Well, obviously, since Gold became 10X platinum in the UK, you’ve been considered a British icon, a statement of sorts, people relate Britain with you” he explained.

I nodded. Gold was released two years ago, and until a few months earlier, it was still the most selling album in the country and had hit 10x platinum, making it the 8th most selling album in the country in history.

It feels surreal, you know? Those songs I’d written, confined in my hotel rooms, in my tour bus, while backstage at my shows, while in flights, when they were just mine and for them to be known so hugely worldwide now, people knowing their lyrics, making it their own, the feeling is wild.

It was only three years ago, at 23, in 2009, that I’d felt like I couldn’t possibly get more successful than that. But, you know, life surprises you. And it’s the realization that hit me that I get to do what I love, every single day of my life, making people smile and making their worries fade, making them lose themselves in my music, that it was always because of these same people that I am what I am today. Each and every single one person in my life, every single fan, every person that has ever stood up for me, ever supported me, had played a part in shaping my life.

“Earth to Addy? Already dreaming?” He chuckled his throaty laugh.

I gave him a haughty look, before asking him details concerning the meeting, which is highly anticipated (by me).

“Well, do you want to listen to the song or not?” I asked him, already scrolling through my phone to reach the particular recording.

When I played it, I knew it instantly had his full attention. He was looking at the distance, the beautiful landscape of a drizzly London city laying beyond his glassed mirrors.

Once it was over, I turned my head towards him, “Well, what do you think?” I asked.

“I like it, it’s incredibly good, but-“

I frowned, “But?”

Keith took a deep breath, facing me with a serious expression, “Adelaide, I’m going to be honest with you, your song writing is powerful, your melodies are moving and you voice is empowering, truly, but Addy, it’s too similar. This song sounds like it could’ve, I mean, should’ve been in your last album, which obviously did massively, but do you understand where I’m going with this?”

I knew he was trying to be polite and quiet about it; so as to not offend me because I was an easily offended person sometimes and I knew that. And I appreciated his opinion as well, because he wouldn’t not want my songs to do well.

“So, what you mean to say is that my sound needs to be different?” I asked, raising my eyebrow.

He shrugged, “Addy, I have the utmost respect for your music, trust me, I know how powerful you are when you make music, but I feel like it’s so similar, just basically the exact same thing. I know you and I know you aren’t the one who just wants hits, and I know after Richard, your song writing hasn’t changed genres”

I flinched at his name and then I quickly found myself frowning at my boss, “What?”

“Look, I’m not saying that all your lyrics are sad, heartbreaking, break up songs but you have to admit, you haven’t dated anyone for 5 years, Addy, and I get that that is your personal matter, but as your label manager, I’ve got to say this, but maybe you need a new inspiration perhaps?”

I didn’t say anything; because at that moment my mind was all over the place and my heart was beating way too fast. Not wanting to cause a scene in front of Keith, I just nodded.

My music is mine, you know? Not once in my almost 10 year career and 6 albums have I had anybody question the inspiration behind my lyrics, so to have Keith be so blunt about it, I couldn’t help but be down hearted. Do I need a new inspiration in my life, romantically?

Shaking my head, I was getting worked up over nothing, really. I’ve already written tons of songs and all of them aren’t bound to sound same.

“I-I want sometime for this album, Keith. I feel like I should’ve asked this from you long ago, I’m not able to enjoy the time I spend making music, Keith. It’s not a leisure activity for me, it’s my passion. And I want to take advantage of that burning passion because I know that you know that I’ve decided that I won’t drag on my career till my 35s and 40s just for the sake of it, that’s not me” I said, not looking at him, not because I was scared but because I hadn’t ever really expressed my anxiety over the continuous chain that was my life for the past 10 years.

He was quiet for too long, but after 3 minutes and 28 seconds he spoke again, “Adelaide, you know what? Take time for this album, go out, go riding if you’d like, design stuff for your line, and take time off music. Can you do that?”

I stared at him, realizing he’s actually serious, “Yes, yes I suppose. Thank you Keith, truly, I have a lot of work in LA and New York, I think I’ll lay off of a bit, focus on other things, you’re right. It feels like it’s been an endless chain, so thank you” I said, smiling softly at him.

“No, thank you. But now, you’ve got to settle the issue of what to sing with Danny Boyle” he said.

I rolled my eyes, already half way through the room towards the door, “I hardly think he’d want me to sing a new song”

Keith chuckled, “Oh lord, you’re right. You’re grown up, haven’t you?”

“Oh, sod off”

Outfit

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#royalfanficcentral #phffcentral #royalfanficcollection #british royal family #brf #prince harry fanfiction #fanfic #phff #Prince Harry #fanfiction

[andrea-odown]

Keep on Singing - Chapter 45

A Sing (2016)-fanfic.

Read it on FF.Net and AO3.

Description: A few months have passed since the grand re-opening of the Moon Theater. All in all everything seems to be fine. But under the surface, everyone has to deal with some problems. Ash is facing writer’s block with her new album, Rosita is enjoying her new life as a famous singer, but has less and less time for her family, Mike is still hiding from some angry bears, Meena may has overcome her insecurity when it comes to singing, but interviews are still a challenge for her, and Johnny wants to turn the garage he and his father used to live in into a youth center. And Buster has to keep the theater running while keeping Ms. Crawly from driving the new secretary crazy and writing a new play.

Chapter 45: Buster

If someone had told Buster a few weeks ago how things would turn out in the end, he wouldn’t have believed it.

Just a few weeks ago, he had no finished play, no idea how to keep Nana Noodleman interested in funding his latest play, and a new secretary who was being chased around by his old secretary.

Now his play is finished, Nana Noodleman loves it, and his old secretary has stopped driving the new secretary crazy. Actually, Ms. Crawly is now very nice towards Cia. Which might have something to do with the fact that she isn’t the new secretary any longer. Cia now officially is a writer. Yes, she still helps when Ms. Crawly’s desk seems to break under towers of papers, but it’s not her main job any longer.

And she’s doing great. He loves the idea she had for the next show. The one following up the one starring Johnny.

Rehearsals have already started, and so far, Johnny’s doing great. Although they had to go for only one performance per week because after the charity concert a label contacted Johnny and has him signed up for his first album.

Which is fine for Buster. Given Cia’s idea for the next play, he’s going to have another show up and running pretty quickly.

The charity concert was a huge success, by the way, which adds some extra workload to Johnny because now he’s organizing to get the youth center started as soon as possible.

Buster has even volunteered to do some classes on acting.

Ash’s album is finally out, and her album-release concert was a success, too.

Meena seems to love her new image as the always singing talent. Now she even seems to enjoy her interviews, something Buster would have thought impossible some weeks ago.

Just like he thought it impossible for Rosita to find a way to get her tour and her family reconciled. He never told her so, though. And she did it.

From what he can tell she and Norman spend every free minute in their motorhome because Norman needs to practice. Buster thinks it’s more because Norman loves to drive around in the motorhome. He even invited Buster and the rest of Rosita’s Theater-friends for a little tour, and it still makes Buster chuckle how much fun Norman had doing announcements whenever they passed something he thought worth mentioning. Like the Moon Theater. Or Johnny’s garage/youth center. Or the grocery store where Rosita uses to shop.

What still is a mystery to Buster is how Mike has changed after what happened on the rooftop. Yes, he still makes fun of the others, yes, he still has his moments when he can be very annoying, but somehow, he seems more open towards the others.

Although, maybe Buster shouldn’t be so surprised. Mike did call them friends on the rooftop, after all, something Buster never thought he’d hear Mike say.

With a deep breath Buster gets up from his seat, stretches and walks over to the door of his office.

He opens the door, giving the staggering towers of papers on Ms. Crawly’s desk a suspicious look.

He makes a mental note to ask Cia to help Ms. Crawly out in the next days.

When he closes the door of his office, however, the towers collapse.

Buster flinches.

“Sorry, Ms. Crawly!” he calls out as the iguana gets up as if she had all time in the world and starts picking up the papers again. “Do you need help?”

“No, Mr. Moon,” Ms. Crawly replies. “I have everything under control.”

Buster shakes his head with a small smile. Of course Ms. Crawly doesn’t need help. She never needs help.

He decides to ask Cia to show up at the office today.

Johnny’s coming in for rehearsals any minute now, so Cia can’t be far. She usually accompanies her boyfriend, showing up at Buster’s office to talk about her ideas for the new show or brings some notes on new scenes.

If Buster’s lucky he doesn’t have to go looking for them again. Sometimes, they disappear. And really, Buster could do without finding them making out in one of the dressing rooms again.

Although, it’s nice to see Johnny so happy when he’s with Cia. The young gorilla has been through so much, so who’s Buster to judge? As long as Johnny shows up for rehearsals and meetings in time or not waaaaaay too late, he’s fine with it.

He descends the stairs and runs into Johnny and Cia in the foyer. He smiles when he sees they’re holding hands.

“Hello, you two!” he greets them. “Ready for rehearsals, Johnny? I think we should try the song at the end of the first act. And Cia, do you have a moment?”

“On it!” Johnny replies. He shares one quick kiss with Cia before he gets to the stage area.

The snow leopard watches him leave before she turns to Buster. “Yes?”

“Do you think you could show up at the office?” he asks. “Ms. Crawly has to deal with another paper-flood.”

“Again?” Cia asks with a little laugh. “I’m on my way.”

“You know the drill, right?”

“Yes, accidentally show up at the office and start working as if it were the most natural thing in the world.”

“You got it!” Buster smiles at her. “Things are easier now with her, aren’t they?”

Cia shrugs. “She doesn’t chase me around and she calls me Cia, so I guess the answer is yes.”

Buster laughs a little at that. “I’ll tell Johnny where he can find you after his rehearsal. Good luck!”

Cia replies with a laugh of her own. “I’m gonna need it. Maybe.”

And with that she leaves for the office.

Buster shakes his head with a smile before he gets going himself.

Yes, if someone would have told him how things would be now a few weeks ago, he wouldn’t have believed them. Not one single word.

But to be honest, he couldn’t care less.

He has his theater, he has his friends.

Yes, life is good.

Well, this is it, folks, the final chapter of “Keep on Singing”. It was one hell of a ride! I think I never wrote so much for a fandom in a bit more than two months. And I definitely never finished a multi-chapter fanfic in such a short time. I had a lot of fun with this story, and I hope you, my lovely readers, had fun, too. :) I want to thank you all for your support! You are the best! *hugs*

For those of you who want to read more about what’s happening afterwards (especially with Johnny and Cia) I plan on doing a sequel. ^^

#sing 2016 #sing fanfiction #buster moon #sing movie #keep on singing #and's fanfictions

[uelectrifymylife]

Various Mukaichi Mion Translations

These translations were originally posted in Mion’s Stage48 thread by @kittychocokat​ on my behalf but I was asked if I could post my translations on Tumblr as well.

Q&A from the Documentary of AKB48 booklet (July 2016) 

1. Which members are you close with? Komiyama Haruka-chan, Fukuoka Seina-chan, Mogi Shinobu-san. 2. Please list one person who is currently your rival. Miyawaki Sakura-chan. 3. If you have one week off, where would you go? I’d go on a trip to Kyoto.  4. What is something nice about AKB? It’s a place where both members and fans can be “youthful”. 5. What is AKB lacking in? Fun at concerts.  6. What is something you want to change in the current AKB? Further increase hako oshis.  7. What is something you won’t lose to other members? My love for AKB.  8. If you didn’t join AKB, what would you be doing right now? I’d have a part time job at a yakiniku restaurant (lol). 9. What is your dream for AKB? To continue even 100 years later and to be loved as a group forever.   10. Which group would you like to go to if you were transferred or given a kennin position? HKT or NGT, I’d like to work hard in a group that’s among the same generation as me.   11. What is your unknown charm point? I have moles in unusual places, like my armpit and the upper part of my foot.  12. Favourite movie or book? “THE Uchoten Hotel” [English titles: “Suite Dreams”, “Wow-Choten Hotel”].  13. What is a motto that is important to you? “With utmost effort.”  14. What would you do with 10 million yen? I would save 90% of the money then spend the remaining 10% on shopping and travelling.  15. What was the happiest moment you’ve had since entering AKB? When I ranked for the first time in the sousenkyo. 16. What was the most painful moment you’ve had since entering AKB? When we were told, “15th gen’s stage dropped in quality.”  17. What kind of people are most of your fans like?  Serious people and people who write long comments.  18. What is your current dream after you graduate from AKB? To be an actress. 19. What would you do if you were Akimoto Yasushi for only one day? Restart the Young Members Tour.  20. If you became the director for “Documentary of AKB”, what kind of theme would you shoot? Since I like clothes, I’d film the making of a costume until its completion.

Excerpt from AKB48 Shinbun (September 2016)

During [Mogi and Nomura's] photoshoot, a shadow crept into the studio. Peeping in during her break was Mukaichi Mion. She was the one who was eager for Nomura's swimsuit gravure but it was with Mion's partner in the ‘Mogion’ combi. Mion let out a "Woo~~" as she stared and claimed, "It's still nice though! Amazing!! But Mogi-san is mine... I’m looking forward to next month’s photoshoot too." And with a fearless smile, Mion headed to her own shoot.

Note: Mogi is currently doing a series of monthly gravure shoots for AKB48 Shinbun along with a different member for each issue. The September issue featured Mogi with Nomura Nao.   

Flash Special Interview (October 2016)

This was your first time shooting by the sea, how was it? Since I’m from an inland prefecture, there isn’t an ocean’s edge and I’ve never been to it on a trip. So this was the first time I could experience a sea house, it was a lot of fun. I also want to have a photoshoot in the ocean but I actually can’t swim (lol).

This time, we’re shooting a gravure commemorating the sousenkyo senbatsu. In the sousenkyo, you impressively ranked 13th.   It was the third time I participated in the sousenkyo but it was the first time I cried. I ranked 29th during the preliminary results. At handshake meetings, my fans encouraged me by telling me, “It’s absolutely okay.” I thought I probably had a 10% chance to enter senbatsu, there was hope within my heart that I could at least enter undergirls. That’s why I was really happy when my name was called.

Your speech was also well received. Really? I was so nervous. Since my goal was senbatsu, I prepared a bit by thinking about my speech but when the event started, everything left my head. By the time it was the senbatsu announcement, I was happy but the other side of me was extremely worried about what I should say during my speech.

You’re put in a leading position in AKB48 more and more. Has anything changed? Although I’ve been chosen for the senbatsu numerous times now, I was concerned if it was really okay for me to continue being chosen. But I’ve grown to feel confident in my position. At the same time, there’s a sense of urgency to become a person who can contribute to AKB48 earnestly.  Even at concerts, I began thinking about how can we make it exciting. I think it’s no good if I only follow my seniors.

Do you have any goals for the future? First of all, I want to have an active role in the group that is worthy of 13th place. I was extremely pleased when I entered senbatsu together with (Okada) Nana-san and (Takahashi) Juri-san who are the same age as me. But as a group, I want to work with members from the same era and have activities that can gain hako oshis. I also hope AKB48 is able to continue on as the number one group. By the way, when Shimada Shuhei-san read my palm at the beginning of the year on AKBINGO, I was ranked the 3rd luckiest in the entire group. So in the future, I’d like to do my best so that I don’t lose this momentum.

Manga Action Interview (November 2016)

In the show “Kyabasuka Gakuen”, you changed roles from a yankee in “Majisuka Gakuen” into a hostess. That’s right. I’ve certainly seen plenty of hostess clubs in dramas but of course, it’s a completely unknown world to me. Just doing the gestures one by one is difficult. Up until now, I’ve mostly only acted with my members, so it’s fresh to have different male actors playing the role of customers each episode. Acting as a yankee and hostess are both unexpected roles for an idol, it’s tough but it’s fun. I hope those who are watching enjoy the gap [between idol and hostess].

The latest single “High Tension” was released on November 16th, the center Paruru-san (Shimazaki Haruka) will graduate this year, do you have any memories with Paruru-san? During “Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby”, Paruru-san took a break due to her poor physical condition. I was able to appear as her under (substitute) throughout the promotions at the time. After that, I met Paruru-san for the first time in a while and she kindly said to me, “Thank you for appearing even though it was also hard on you” which made me very glad. Since my physical condition was also poor back then, she was worried about me. I think I was able to grow precisely because of that time [as Paruru’s under].

This year, you served as AKB48’s center for “Tsubasa wa Iranai”, leaped to 13th place during the sousenkyo and entered the senbatsu. What is your next goal? Hmm, well, I’d like to release a photobook during my teens. I have a little over a year left until I turn 20 years old. I’m really not good with the cold, so I’d like to go and shoot it in a warm place like a southern island.

What do you do these days for comfort whenever you’re busy? I eat. Recently, I no longer have any likes or dislikes. I originally had a very unbalanced diet, there were a lot of things that I couldn’t eat during lunch when I was an elementary school student. I hated cheese and mayonnaise but now I’ve grown to love both. And understanding the taste of fish has turned me into an adult (lol). I also like to fiddle with my phone while I’m having a bath. I put it in a Ziploc bag and do things like update my SNS (lol).

#Mukaichi Mion #向井地美音 #AKB48

[carriejonesbooks]

When I was a kid at Bates College, I spent a lot of my time feeling like less. My family had been kind of poor after my step-father died. My nana would stand in line to get us big orange blocks of commodity cheese for the week to supplement our $30 grocery budget Every  week my mom would yell at her that we didn’t need that. She always took it.

My mom didn’t answer the phone because she was so afraid of credit card companies calling.  She’d make me do it and lie that she wasn’t there.

I still hate answering the phone, even the cell phone, even when it has caller ID.

Anyway, when I went to college I wanted to forget all that. I wanted to be an intellectual like everyone else. I wanted to have gone to private school in Manhattan or Conneticut, have a summer home in the Hamptons and clothes that weren’t from K-Mart, which was sort of the WalMart equivalent back then, but worse.

I got over all that because I knew it was pretty shallow. What I had a harder time getting over was class issues that had less to do with materialism and more to do with hatred and intellectual history.

In one of my directing classes, one of the sexier straight guys actually announced about Beckett, “People who are not wealthy don’t care about this. A truck driver doesn’t watch public television or listen to NPR. They don’t care, they’re too busy humping and eating and drinking.”

My dad was a truck driver. He watched public television. He listened to NPR. I didn’t want to think about him humping. He ate food. He didn’t drink. His parents had been prohibitionists.

In one of my playwrighting classes the professor announced, “The working people of this country don’t give a shit about nuclear power. They don’t give a shit about a man of color.”

When I was in elementary school my dad would bring him with him to protest the same nuclear power plant that my step dad was helping to build. He helped me try to get New Hampshire to recognize Martin Luther King Day and do a hundred other civil rights things. He cared.

And one of my college friends would love to say, “Carrie is too poor to be pro intellectual.”

He’s a minister now. That still doesn’t make what he said right.

And one of my female poetry teachers told me over and over again, her voice trilling up with her patrician accent, “Carrie, you have the potential to be a poet, but your voice is too raw, not refined, not artistic enough.”

My voice was poor. My cadence was public school. I was not from rich. Every sentence I spoke showed that.

They still do.

Those are just four of the incidents that made me both angry and intimidated and focused, but in the back of my head it just inflamed my self doubt. I could never be a poet because I wasn’t wealthy, private-school educated, my parents weren’t intellectuals. I could never move people with words because my words were too stark and my sentences too short. I would never fit in because I didn’t have the background that most of the other students had.

And then two things happened. I read Sherman Alexie, a not-wealthy Spokane and Coeur d’Alene who despite his issues with women, impacted me positively. Maybe because I never met him.

And I met Seamus Heaney in real life.

Seamus Heaney came to our college at the invitation of Robert Farnsworth, who was an awesome poet and professor. He met with students, he gave a reading and we all got to hang out with him at a reception.

“I can’t go,” I told my boyfriend at the time.

He bit into his pizza. He was always eating pizza. “Why not?”

“Because it’s Seamus Heaney,” I answered staring at the little bits of sausage on the pizza before I plucked them off.

“So?”

“Seamus Heaney!”

“So?”

I didn’t know how to explain. Seamus Heaney was THE poet, the Nobel Prize winner. He was Irish for God’s sake. Those people were gifted with words. They had so many amazing poets… Heaney, Yeats, Wilde, Clarke, Moore. I was from New Hampshire. We had Robert Frost but pretty much every New England state tried to claim him.

Heaney wrote things like:

“A hunger-striker’s father

stands in the graveyard dumb.

The police widow in veils

faints at the funeral home.

History says, Don’t hope

on this side of the grave.

But then, once in a lifetime

the longed for tidal wave

of justice can rise up,

and hope and history rhyme.”

You will regret it if you don’t go,” my boyfriend said. “I’m going to just be playing Leisure Suit Larry anyway.”

So, I went, as anxious as if I was going on stage myself. Heaney transfixed me with his amazing baritone and bear-like presence. And his words… Of course his words… And when I met him afterwards, I was terrified until he grabbed my hand in his and said, “So you are a poet?”

And I said, “No.”

And all he did was nod and say, “Oh, yes you are.”

But in his eyes was this knowing, this connection, and maybe it wasn’t really there. Maybe I just saw it because I wanted him to understand me, because I wanted someone to get who I was and who I wanted to be. Or maybe not?

I don’t know, but one second later my professor said, “Oh, yes she is. I told you about her. She is like you.”

And then one of them said something about growing up not wealthy and I can’t remember the exact words, but what I do remember is that I finally felt understood. Later, I looked up Seamus Heaney’s past, about how his dad was a farmer and neither of his parents were big on words really, not in the intellectual way that everyone in college seemed to be. I found out that he was like me a little bit not because he was a poet and I was trying so desperately hard to write just one decent poem, but because we were both human, that we both came from humble places, that we both looked in people’s eyes when we said hello.

And that was enough for me. That was enough for me to believe in myself.

Seamus Heaney performed a miracle when I met him. He made me believe that I could be whatever the hell I wanted to be and that it didn’t matter how hard I had to fight or work or not fit in. What mattered was that I wanted the miracle of being a writer, of metamorphosis from Carrie the poor neurotic kid from Bedford, New Hampshire into Carrie Jones, the neurotic best-selling author who lives on the coast of Maine.

He gave hope and miracles in his poems and in his person and I am so thankful for his existence and so sorry for the world’s loss.

“The main thing is to write

for the joy of it. Cultivate a work-lust

that imagines its haven like your hands at night

dreaming the sun in the sunspot of a breast.

You are fasted now, light-headed, dangerous.

Take off from here. And don’t be so earnest.”

  I wrote this post back in 2013 when Seamus Heaney died, but in one of my student packet’s this week, I referenced Heaney and then yesterday I saw this Liam Neeson video (randomly) where he was talking about Heaney, so… there you go. I’ve reposted it.

Here’s Seamus Heaney reading his own poem, “Blackberry Picking.”

  Do Good Wednesday

Scary, right?

People are fixing it.

You can help with poetry and kids. These images are from Get Lit’s website and Get Lit is making a difference.

“Get Lit was founded in 2006 after Diane Luby Lane created a one-woman show about the power of words and toured colleges with iconic Chicano poet Jimmy Santiago Baca. After the show closed, she couldn’t bear the thought of cutting off the work completely. She started teaching classic and spoken word poetry in two high schools, Fairfax and Walt Whitman. When the semester ended… the students wouldn’t leave. They insisted on meeting after school. The rest is history. Today, the curriculum has expanded to almost 100 schools, and the Get Lit Players are the most watched poets on the internet. Curriculum requests flow in from Mexico to New Zealand.”

Get Lit “uses poetry to increase literacy, empower youth, and inspire communities.”

Get Lit works – 98% of Get Lit Players go to college, and 70% get scholarships!

Here are Get Lit’s specific needs and how you can get involved.

  Writing News

Carrie’s  super excited about the upcoming TIME STOPPERS book coming out this August.

This middle grade fantasy series happens in Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine and it’s all about friendship and magic and kids saving their magical town.

An imaginative blend of fantasy, whimsy, and suspense, with a charming cast of underdog characters . . . This new fantasy series will entice younger fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.” –  School Library Journal

  “Sticks the landing . . . The world building is engaging . . . between the decidedly wonderful residents and the terrifying monsters who plague them.” –  BCCB

  “Amid the magic, spells, adventure, and weirdness of this fantasy are embedded not-so-subtle life lessons about kindness, friendship, and cooperation.” –  Booklist

  “A wild and fresh take on fantasy with an intriguing cast of characters. Dangerous and scary and fun all rolled into one. In the words of Eva the dwarf, I freaking loved it!” –  Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanteds series

  “Effervescent, funny, and genuine.” –  Kirkus Reviews

It’s quirky. It’s awesome. It’s full of heart. You should go by the first two books now. 🙂

  Time Stoppers

Time Stopper Series

Time Stoppers Front and Back Covers – US versions

CARRIE’S BOOKS

For a complete round-up of Carrie’s 16-or-so books, check out her website. And if you like us, or our podcast, or just want to support a writer, please buy one of those books, or leave a review on a site like Amazon. Those reviews help. It’s all some weird marketing algorhthym from hell, basically.

OUR PODCAST

Thanks to all of you who keep listening to our weirdness as we talk about random thoughts, writing advice and life tips.

We’re sorry we laugh so much… sort of. Please share it and subscribe if you can.

Please rate and like us if you are feeling kind, because it matters somehow.

Love

The Poet Who Saw Me – Wednesday Writing Wisdom When I was a kid at Bates College, I spent a lot of my time feeling like less.

#author #bates #batescollege #dogood #dogoodwednesday #getlit #growinguppoor #irishpoet #liamneeson #motivation #poem #poems #poetry #poor #poorpoet #seamusheaney #survival #writing #writing advice #writingwednesday

[andrea-odown]

Keep on Singing - Chapter 16

A Sing (2016)-fanfic.

Read it on FF.Net and AO3.

Description: A few months have passed since the grand re-opening of the Moon Theater. All in all everything seems to be fine. But under the surface, everyone has to deal with some problems. Ash is facing writer’s block with her new album, Rosita is enjoying her new life as a famous singer, but has less and less time for her family, Mike is still hiding from some angry bears, Meena may has overcome her insecurity when it comes to singing, but interviews are still a challenge for her, and Johnny wants to turn the garage he and his father used to live in into a youth center. And Buster has to keep the theater running while keeping Ms. Crawly from driving the new secretary crazy and writing a new play.

Chapter 16: Buster

The thing Buster hates about last minute-meetings with Nana Noodleman is that they are last minute. And the fact that they are meetings with Nana Noodleman doesn't make things any easier. So it might be legit to say that he hates everything about last minute-meetings with Nana Noodleman. Period.

Meetings with Nana Noodleman are difficult even when he knows about them for days.

Yes, he and the old diva get along better now, but that doesn't mean she's friendlier, especially not when it comes to funding a new show. The success of Dreaming the Singer's Dream made her more open to fund his next show, too, but now she wants to see progress at least every two weeks. Unless she calls for a last minute-meeting. Then she wants progress right now.

Buster managed to get on her good side by telling her about the nationwide tour of Dreaming a Singer's Dream. And when she asked about the play he's recently working on he didn't actually lie. He just extended the truth by telling her that he's making great progress with the writing since their meeting last week. Great was the part where he extended the truth because, really, even two sentences are progress, right?

Then he told her about what he has planned for the squids to do during his new show. Nana Noodleman loves the squids. So Buster is doing his best to include them the best way he can. He even improved his squid-powered stage when they rebuild his theater. The stage is a normal stage most of the time, but the panels can be removed and then there it is, the first squid-powered stage in theater-history! Well, second, actually, if he counts in his first attempt on it. Which he shouldn't. Not after what the poor construction did to his beloved theater. But the new stage is amazing, and he loves every bit of it. And so does Nana Noodleman.

So he went on about the squids and the different formations and colors, and it did the trick. Nana Noodleman didn't ask about the status of his new show again.

He couldn't help to release a deep sigh of relief once he was out of her mansion, though.

He just hopes Cia did a good job getting together all the necessary information for Johnny's charity concert. But really, why shouldn't she? She's been doing a great job so far, even managed to get some of the work on Ms. Crawly's desk done when the iguana was out for lunch or just not looking. And that although Ms. Crawly does all she can to make office life hell for the snow leopard-girl.

He has to admit, he's a little bit amazed by Cia's endurance. He can only guess, but every other secretary her age would have quit by now.

Well, better for him, right? And for his theater - which is even more important.

He hums a little melody as he walks back to his theater - or, to be more precise, home.

"Well, I guess Johnny thought about everything," Buster admits as Cia is done with her explanations and showing him the little sketches and notes she made. She doesn't seem to be that good at drawing, but he can imagine what Johnny meant when she explains them to him.

The only thing he doesn't get is why she went over the details for the roof so quickly. To him, it sounded important, and Johnny's ideas for the roof are rather ambitious. But hey, she gave him all the necessary details, so who is he to judge on how she presented them?

"I guess so," Cia says with a little shrug. "There wasn't anything else I could think of. Johnny will come in after rehearsals to hear your opinion on this."

Buster nods. "Good. Thank you, Cia!"

"You're welcome!" And the young snow leopard turns around and leaves for her desk.

Buster waits till the door shuts closed behind her before he reaches into his drawer for a pen and paper. He better continues working on his new play so next time he has a meeting with Nana Noodleman, he doesn't have to talk about squids ninety percent of the time. Not that he couldn't pull it off - again -, but it'd be better if he could actually show Nana Noodleman some progress.

He stares down on the sheet.

Just a few notes, Buster, he tells himself. If you can distract Nana Noodleman by talking about squids for most of your meeting, you for sure can take a few notes for the next scene. Now come one! Do it!

When he looks at his clock again, he realizes he has been staring down on the piece of paper for ten minutes straight.

Before he can stop himself, he lets out a frustrated groan.

Well, there's still time left until Johnny shows up. He's sure he'll get something done by then.

However, when he hears Johnny greet Ms. Crawly and Cia, there are still no notes on the piece of paper, just pure, sheer whiteness. He crumples it up anyway, just because it might make him feel better. Which it doesn't.

As he tosses the paper into the bin, Johnny enters his office, and Buster puts on a smile, although he'd prefer to scream in frustration.

"Johnny!" he says way too cheerfully. "How are you, boy?"

"I'm fine, Mr. Moon," the gorilla replies in his usual gently voice. "How are you?"

"Great, great." He broadens his smile to hide the fact that he's anything, but great.

"Did Cia show you my plans for the concert?"

Is it just him or did Johnny's voice sound a little insecure?

"She did." Buster finally manages to get his thoughts away from the empty piece of paper and to the charity concert, and his fake smile turns into a real one. Because a concert, no, a charity concert! That's great, right? That's something he can organize, right?

It's the moment he realizes he could have told Nana Noodleman about the concert, too, and just catches his hand before it impacts on his forehead. Well, at least now he knows what he's going to tell her about during their next meeting. If he doesn't get any writing done on his new play. Which he would. For sure.

"So?" Yes, there's no doubt there, Johnny does sound insecure.

Buster's smile turns into such a big grin, the corners of his mouth start to hurt.

"I think all your ideas are great," he says.

"So it's doable?" Johnny asks, still with some insecurity in his voice.

"Yes, it is."

"Yes!" Johnny calls out, doing a joyful leap and punching the air.

It makes Buster laugh silently.

"And I've talked to all your fellow performers. They're in."

"Even Mike?" Johnny asks.

"Even Mike," Buster confirms.

Now it's Johnny's turn to laugh. "What did you do? You didn't sell your soul or something?"

"No, no, I can be very convincing if I have to." Actually, Buster has no idea what made Mike change his mind, but well, never look a gift horse in the mouth.

Buster opens his mouth to say something about how great charity concerts are for a singer's career and that Mike must have realized that, he hears Ms. Crawly address Cia.

"Lucia, be a dear and fetch me that pink binder over there?" the iguana says.

He doesn't know why, but this makes the words get stuck in his mouth and he listens to what happens next.

Johnny looks at him with a frown, but he couldn't care less. He has a bad feeling about this.

"There is no pink binder, Ms. Crawly," Cia replies.

"Isn't there or are you just not looking hard enough?"

Buster flinches inwardly, and even Johnny's eyes widen in surprise at the angry undertone in Ms. Crawly's voice.

"No, really, Ms. Crawly," Cia insists, "no pink binder there."

"Oh? And what about this one?"

"That's purple."

"Well, it looks pink to me."

Johnny's eyes grow even wider, and Buster decides he has to intervene.

"Excuse me for a second," he says to Johnny who doesn't do as much as nod, and gets up. Once in the secretary's office he finds Ms. Crawly holding up a purple binder in some sort of a triumphant gesture.

He has to give it to Cia. She doesn't look as close to scratching Ms. Crawly's eyes out as he expected her to. Actually, she looks rather calm, although a bit annoyed.

"Cia, would you be so nice to get down and help Eddie with the setup for Meena's interview training tomorrow?" he asks.

"Sure!"

"But Mr. Moon …," Ms. Crawly starts, but he cuts in before she can go any further. "As for you, Ms. Crawly, could you make me some coffee? Oh, and hot chocolate for Johnny."

The iguana's face lights up a bit at the mention of Johnny, and Buster is relieved that his plan worked out.

"Of course, Mr. Moon," Ms. Crawly says.

By the time she finishes the sentence, Cia is already out of the office.

When Buster is back in his office Johnny looks at him with such wide eyes, he's afraid they might fall out of his face any second.

"What was that!?" the gorilla asks.

"Office life as it is around here nowadays," Buster explains with a sigh.

Johnny's eyes grow even wider, and the koala decides to change the topic before the eyes falling out-part finally happens.

"So about this charity concert," he says as matter-of-factly as he can. "Maybe we should start thinking about a date."

And this plan works out just as fine as his plan with Ms. Crawly just a few moments ago.

Johnny's eyes go back to normal size.

"Sure!" he says with a smile.

#sing 2016 #sing fanfiction #buster moon #sing movie #keep on singing #and's fanfictions

[andrea-odown]

Keep on Singing - Chapter 15

A Sing (2016)-fanfic.

Read it on FF.Net and AO3.

Description: A few months have passed since the grand re-opening of the Moon Theater. All in all everything seems to be fine. But under the surface, everyone has to deal with some problems. Ash is facing writer’s block with her new album, Rosita is enjoying her new life as a famous singer, but has less and less time for her family, Mike is still hiding from some angry bears, Meena may has overcome her insecurity when it comes to singing, but interviews are still a challenge for her, and Johnny wants to turn the garage he and his father used to live in into a youth center. And Buster has to keep the theater running while keeping Ms. Crawly from driving the new secretary crazy and writing a new play.

Chapter 15: Johnny

Johnny is not nervous. It has nothing to do with the fact that Mr. Moon is going to show up any minute now to check the garage for the concert that the gorilla is pacing up and down in the garage.

No, there must be another reason, like, well, maybe he needs some exercise?

Johnny stops for a moment, slapping his hand against his forehead and letting it slide down.

Who is he trying to fool? He is nervous. What if Mr. Moon tells him that the garage isn’t suitable for a concert? Sure, they could do the concert at the Moon Theater, but that just wouldn’t be the same. Not for him, at least. He wants to give the garage a new purpose, like, right now, and the concert would be an amazing start for this.

“Hello?” a voice asks, and Johnny realizes it’s not Mr. Moon’s. “Johnny?”

“Over here!” he calls out and turns around, setting eyes on Cia.

He doesn’t know if he looks disappointed - because, really, he isn’t; rather surprised - or if she just wants to give an explanation, but she says, “Sorry, Mr. Moon had a last minute-meeting coming up with Nana Noodleman. So he sent me to take some notes on what you’ve planned. He wants you to show up after rehearsals today to go over them.” She takes a notebook and a pen out of her bag.

“Oh, I see,” he replies. “Better not to mess with Nana Noodleman.”

“That’s what Mr. Moon said, too.” Cia gives a little laugh.

“Have you met her?”

“Not yet.”

“Lucky you!”

“That bad?” She frowns a little at that.

Johnny shrugs. “You’ll see.”

Now it’s his turn to laugh a little.

“Okay, shall we get started?”

“Sure!”

“Good, let’s start on the roof!”

“The roof?” There’s something in her voice and in her eyes he can’t quite place, but it doesn’t seem right. But maybe she’s just surprised.

“Yes, for a little billboard, some lights, just adding a little extra, you know.”

“Okay.” She doesn’t sound convinced, but Johnny decides to just show her his idea. So he wents up the stairs to the rooms he and his father’s used as an apartment and from there up the roof. She’ll get it once he shows it to her, he’s sure about that.

Once he’s up the little staircase up to the roof and enters the rooftop, he realizes he must have gone a little too fast because it takes Cia a few moments to catch up with him.

“Okay,” he says once Cia is up on the roof, too, as he steps over to the roof edge. “I want the billboard to be here, and some lights here to put on a little light show before we start the concert. What do you think?”

It’s only then that Cia is still standing close to the door leading to the roof.

“Good idea! I like it!” she says, her voice sounding a little off.

“But you can’t see anything from back there. Come over here!”

“No, thanks, I can imagine it.”

“Oh, come on, Cia! Really you need to see it!” He really wants her to give Mr. Moon the best impression of what he has in mind. And for this, she needs to step closer to the edge. How else is she supposed to get how great a light show would look here? He really isn’t that pushy, but this is important!

“Okay.” Cia finally moves closer, and he smiles at her.

As soon as she’s close enough to look down over the edge, he says, “Just imagine it! Colorful lights going over the people as they wait for the concert to begin.”

He points down the street, slowly following the path he wants the lights to go.

Cia inhales sharply. He takes it as a sign that she gets the idea.

“Amazing!” she says quickly. “Let me take some notes.”

When he turns to her, he realizes she has taken a few steps back, scribbling down in her notebook.

He twists his mouth. Did she really get the whole picture?

“What do you have planned for the garage itself?” Cia asks, not looking up from her notebook.

He really wants to tell her more about the lights and the billboard, but he decides he’s been pushy enough for a day - or a week.

“Let me show you,” he says, setting into motion towards the door. Cia follows him immediately.

“Okay, let’s see if I got this right,” Cia says. “The stage is over there.” - She points at the area he’s shown her. - “There’s going to be a little buffet over there.” - Again, she points at the right area. “And you want the sliding door to stay open, so more people can come and hear the music from the street. Also, you want to close the road for traffic.”

Johnny nods eagerly. “Sounds okay?”

Cia nods, too. “To me, it does. But Mr. Moon is the expert, you know.”

“Yes, yes, I do,” says Johnny, and he feels the nervousness coming back. Cia might like his ideas, but what if Mr. Moon says it’s not doable?

“So, that’s it?” Cia asks.

“Yes,” Johnny replies, and Cia closes her notebook with a clap. When she looks up at him, she frowns.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Really?”

He can only guess that the insecurity must have shown on his face, and so he rubs his neck.

“I guess I’m just a little nervous that it’s not gonna turn out the way I imagined it,” he admits.

“Oh, don’t worry! The idea is great! And I bet Mr. Moon is going to find a way to make this happen.” She smiles at him.

She has a point, Johnny has to admit. “Yeah,” he says, returning the smile.

“I better get going,” Cia says then. Johnny wonders if he’s been staring.

“I’ll leave for the Theater in ten minutes anyway. Want a ride back?” he asks. She came all the way out here, sure, it’s her job, but still, that doesn’t mean he can’t be grateful, right?

“I’d love to!” Cia says. “But I have to run an errand for Eddie. I don’t know why he needs all this stuff, but it has something to do with Meena and an interview.” She shrugs. “Or do you know why Eddie would need a tiger mask for that?”

“Not the slightest,” he replies. It’s the truth. He has absolutely no idea. On the other hand, it’s Eddie, so who knows?

“Okay, I guess we’ll have to wait and see then. See you at the theater, Johnny!”

“Bye, Cia!”

When Cia is gone, Johnny takes one more tour through the garage. Did he think of everything? Is there something else that needs to put into consideration?

It’s only then that he finds the piece of paper on the ground. He picks it up to check what it is, and he’s kind of surprised when it turns out to be poem.

What’s a poem doing in the garage? Last time he checked, his father didn’t write poems, neither did one of his gang members.

He then remembers that Cia has been standing there. So is this hers? Did it fall out of her pocket?

Before he can stop himself, he reads the poem. It’s about someone who has to wear a mask so no one would see how they really feel, who they really are. Because they can never be what everyone wants them to be, they can only keep up the act.

The words speak to him. Only then he realizes that this is something personal. Maybe he shouldn’t have read it.

He stuffs the piece of paper into his pocket with the intent to give it back to Cia later. He needs to apologize, of course, for reading the poem. Although it doesn’t change the fact that he really likes it.

#sing 2016 #sing fanfiction #johnny #sing movie #keep on singing #and's fanfictions