#Markus Pauli | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

dermontag · 2 years

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Rostock hat Klassenerhalt sicher HSV spektakelt sich zurück in den Aufstiegskampf 30.04.2022, 15:23 Uhr Weil Werder am Freitag dramatisch patzt und St. Pauli und Nürnberg sich die Punkte teilen, springt der Hamburger SV mit einem dominanten Sieg beim FC Ingolstadt zurück auf den einige Wochen schier unerreichbar scheinenden Relegationsrang. Dresden verpasst Big Points, Rostock ist gerettet. FC Ingolstadt 04 - Hamburger SV 0:4 (0:2) Der Hamburger SV ist wieder mitten drin im Aufstiegsrennen der 2. Fußball-Bundesliga. Die Hanseaten gewannen beim als Absteiger bereits feststehenden FC Ingolstadt mit 4:0 (2:0) und schoben sich mit 54 Punkten zunächst auf Relegationsrang drei. Die ersten drei HSV-Treffer fielen jeweils nach Kopfbällen. Allerdings kann Darmstadt 98 am Samstagabend (20.30 Uhr/Sky und Sport1) gegen Erzgebirge Aue wieder vorbeiziehen. Der Ex-Ingolstädter Sonny Kittel (27.) und Kapitän Sebastian Schonlau (29.) trafen für die Hamburger, die den dritten Sieg in Folge einfuhren, per Doppelschlag und stellten vor dem Seitenwechsel die Weichen auf Sieg. Robert Glatzel (57.) auf Vorarbeit von Kittel erhöhte mit seinem 19. Saisontor auf 3:0, für den Schlusspunkt sorgte Mikkel Kaufmann (81.). Am Freitag hatte Werder Bremen durch ein 2:3 gegen Holstein Kiel die Tabellenführung an Schalke 04 (2:1 beim SV Sandhausen) abgeben müssen. Der FC St. Pauli war durch den späten Ausgleichstreffer über ein 1:1 gegen den 1. FC Nürnberg nicht hinausgekommen. Bereits in der 14. Minute besaß Glatzel die erste Chance für die Gäste. Aus 15 Metern verfehlte der Torjäger den Kasten der Schanzer nur ganz knapp. In der 35. Minute besaß Florian Pick für den FCI die große Chance zum Anschlusstor, aber einem feinen Solo scheiterte an Torwart Daniel Heuer Fernandes. Zwei Minuten später ging ein Seitfallzieher von Kittel über das Tor der Hausherren. Hansa Rostock - SC Paderborn 07 0:0 Aufsteiger Hansa Rostock hat vorzeitig den Klassenerhalt geschafft. Die Mannschaft von Trainer Jens Härtel erreichte gegen den SC Paderborn ein 0:0 (0:0) und beseitigte damit aus eigener Kraft die letzten Zweifel. Hansa hat nun 40 Punkte auf dem Konto, Paderborn (48) wird eine ordentliche Saison wohl im oberen Mittelfeld beenden. "Solange das nicht rechnerisch durch ist, gibt es keinen Grund nachzulassen", hatte Härtel vor der Partie gesagt und gewarnt: "Wir müssen zu 100 Prozent unsere Leistung abrufen. Alle wollen das Ziel so schnell wie möglich erreichen." Das Ostseestadion war in froher Erwartung bestens gefüllt - und Hansa hatte durch John Verhoek (8.) die erste Großchance der Partie. Der Rostocker Topscorer scheiterte aber an SCP-Keeper Jannik Huth, der mit dem Fuß zur Stelle war. In der Folge rückte Markus Kolke in den Fokus, der Hansa-Torhüter verhinderte gegen die beste Auswärtsmannschaft der 2. Liga mit mehreren Glanzparaden einen Rückstand. Dynamo Dresden - SSV Jahn Regensburg 1:1 (0:0) Dynamo Dresden hat den direkten Abstieg noch nicht ganz abgewendet. Die Sachsen mussten sich im Heimspiel am Samstag gegen Jahn Regensburg mit einem 1:1 (0:0) zufriedengeben, sind allerdings mit 31 Punkten kaum mehr von Relegationsrang 16 zu verdrängen. Christoph Daferner (73.) erzielte das 1:0 für die Gastgeber, Andreas Albers (88.) gelang der Ausgleich. Noch kann somit Erzgebirge Aue mit drei Siegen an Dynamo vorbeiziehen. Als Absteiger steht der FC Ingolstadt fest. Der Abstand von Dynamo auf den SV Sandhausen auf Position 15 beträgt allerdings sieben Zähler, sodass sich Dresden wohl auf das Relegationsduell gegen den Dritten der 3. Liga einstellen muss. Schon in der sechsten Minute setzte Michael Akoto mit einem Schuss gegen die Latte für ein erstes Ausrufezeichen aus Sicht der Gastgeber. Die Dresdner begannen mit viel Elan, doch im weiteren Verlauf verflachte die Partie. Torchancen blieben auf beiden Seiten Mangelware. Erst in der 43. Minute war wieder Akoto involviert, doch er traf den Ball sechs Meter vor dem Tor nicht richtig, sodass Jahn-Kapitän Benedikt Gimber den Schuss noch blocken konnte.

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stefan-groenveld · 6 years

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Neuer Trainer beim FC St. Pauli: Markus Kauczinski

#FC St. Pauli #Markus Kauczinsk #Pressekonferenz #Trainer #Uwe Stöver

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whumpywhumper · 4 years

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Waking Up

Tagging: @0idril0 @captivity-whump @castielamigos-whump-side-blog @walkingchemicalfire @untilthepainstarts @comfy-whumpee @imagination1reality0 @whatwasmyprevioususername

This directly follows: Humans Part 2

See the Master Post which needs to be updated

I really just want to get to the next parts I have written *shrugs*

Edit for Masterpost

~~~

Everything felt slow and heavy when he woke up for the first time.

Like he’d simultaneously been filled up with cotton stuffing, his muscles and organs replaced with fuzzy numbness, and like he’d been swaddled in pain, his limbs connected to him with tenuous spider webs, his bones like fractured, spun glass.

Instinctively, he tried to move, even though there was a bone deep fear that he would shatter all over the floor into a billion tiny pieces. But his eyelids refused to obey his desperate command to open, impossibly heavy, weighted down. His body was no better, and he felt a desperate whimper lock up in his throat, caught there like a burning coal.

His ribs moved on their own, every forceful expansion puncturing through the lethargy that has draped over him in a velvety cocoon, and god, fuck, it hurts so much. Everything hurts so much, and he doesn’t understand, why does it hurt so much?

Confusion made his anxiety spike in his chest, his heart picking up its pace as it tried to crawl up his throat, a previously unnoticed beeping picking the rhythm that sent his heart dancing. He didn’t know where he was or how he got to wherever here was, and he’s scared. He’s so fucking scared.

Other noises started to trickle in past the panic, past the whoosh of blood in his ears, but god, he was suddenly so fucking tired. Darkness was eating up what little awareness he’d gained, and he can’t fight it back, and it was so-

-damned-

dark.

~~~

The next time he drifted toward consciousness, things were a little clearer.

He was still in a lot of pain, still exhausted beyond all reason, but the fear had been muted somehow. Finally, finally, after a few tenuous moments, he managed to drag his gritty, dry eyelids open. The room swam and blurred as his eyes filled with tears, his vision refusing to really focus on the room. It was dark, the dim pinpricks of light effervescent to his weak sight, the dim lighting creeping under the closed curtains doing little to reveal his surroundings.

His mouth was cottoned and dry. His throat raw. He was still so tired.

An attempt at turning his head only bought him an overpowering blanket of fatigue, and he flinched as something brushed against his hair. The muscle jerk caused a chain reaction of pain, falling like dominoes through his body, every nerve lighting up and making him want to cry out. His throat worked, wanting to make some noise to indicate his distress, but the noise refused to come out.

A voice started murmuring to him, soft words accompanying the tender touches to his face “ . . . Shhh, Shhh, don’t try to talk, darling. Shhh. You’re being taken care of, just rest, beautiful. It’s okay, it’s okay.” A face came into view over him, long fingers carding through his hair, over his cheeks, and Markus felt his heart tripping in his chest, recognition stripping away the comfortable, muted fear.

Lucien was leaning over him, his pale skin the only thing that Markus could make out in the near darkness and tears. He wanted to bring his arms up to push the vampire away, but he felt a sour wash of adrenaline as he realized he couldn’t move his arms more than a few inches. Soft straps encircled his wrist, the cuffs holding him easily, plastic buckles knocking against the bed rails as his heart monitor started to trill frantically. The rapid fire beeping drilled into Markus’s ears, covering Lucien’s quiet voice as he continued to try and soothe him.

The noise caused another anxious wave of fear to roll through him, and Markus started shaking his head weakly, refusing to listen as Lucien continued to soothe him. Panic was sucking him down as he tried to pull a breath in and was unable to do so. He’s choking, tears overflowing onto his cheeks as his chest bucked, fighting the restraints with all of his remaining strength.

Sudden lights blinded him as numerous footsteps thundered into the room, voices incomprehensible as they spoke over each other, layering their words into a cacophony. Hands pressed on his shoulders and legs, holding him down as a new face replaced Lucien’s over him. His eyes rolled away, searching for an escape, a way out, a way to fucking breathe. Anything.

“Markus, hey, sweetheart. Look at me, I need you to calm down, okay?” A small, delicate—warm— hand cupped his cheek, guiding him to concentrate on the blurred face above him. “There you are, sweetheart, just keep looking at me. Listen to me, Markus, you’re intubated, that’s why it feels like you can’t breathe, cause you’re fighting the machine, okay?” A thumb caressed under his eye, the gentle touch over the bruised skin making his eyelids flutter and more tears course down his temples. “I need you to let the machine do its job cause you can’t breathe very well on your own, okay? So try and settle down, sweetheart, try to relax.”

Her voice was calm and steady, a mantra that had his exhausted mind trying to fold like a cheap house of cards. His hands dug into the sheets, white knuckling the material, throat working to try and breathe.

“Paulie, give him that sedative, please.” Her tone shifted as she addressed the warm body that sidled up beside him, but it returned as it felt like something cold was slowly being poured on his chest. “Okay, baby, that’s gonna take just a second to work. Just relax, I promise you’re getting air, and nobody is trying to hurt you.” The delicate hand carded through his hair, so different from Lucien’s, her graceful fingers finding a settling rhythm that started to lull him into relaxing against the pillows behind him. “Just let the ventilator work for you, you just need to rest. Lucien’s not in here right now. You’re safe.”

Air pressed into his lungs as the fight left him, every muscle shuddering as fatigue more than hands pressed him into the mattress, the relief making his eyelids slide closed. Warmth started its journey through his extremities, pain masking itself under the disguise of numbness. “There you go, sweetheart. Shhhh, shhh, shhh, just rest.”

Celeste watched as the witch slipped under, not quite able to stop herself from continuing to smooth back the dark locks of slightly greasy hair. The potent sedative took affect quickly, and she looked away from him when it was clear Markus’s red-rimmed eyes had sealed with sleep. The frantic vitals that had caused the machines to send in the herd of nurses had quieted, returning to not normal, but safer ranges.

Sighing, she nodded over to Paulie to take over as she stepped away. The plump, matronly woman pulled the disturbed warming blanket back over the witch’s chest and shoulders as the others cleared out. A final look at her patient, and Celeste exited the little understaffed clinic, suppressing the growing whine of her magic when she saw Lucien lingering in the hallway. The vampire was calm and collected to the outside eye, but Celeste could see the tell-tale fractures in his façade.

The glare on her face, however, must have been magnificent because Lucien flinched when he saw her, raising his hands in a placating gesture. “Celeste, I—“

She didn’t give him the opportunity to finish the sentence, both hands meeting in the middle of the Elder’s chest to shove him into the wall, his back meeting the drywall with a solid thunk. “I told you not to come here, Lucien. Did I make myself clear, or not?”

The whine of her magic was an audible ring through the hallway, and she made a physical effort to restrain her self, hands shaking. She was just so angry with Lucien for taking the witch, and now this happened.

“Celeste, I can explain—“

She raised her hand, eyes flashing silver as her anger mounted. “I don’t care what you have to say, Lucien, I don’t care how you want to explain this. You promised me that you wouldn’t take supernaturals into this nest, that you wouldn’t keep them like this.”

Her voice trembled, and she could feel the glass vibrating in the hallways. “You lied to me, you don’t listen to me about how to treat your addiction, you let this happen—“ she gestured to the poor witch in the other room, “—and then you don’t even listen to me when I tell you not to come here.”

“I couldn’t just stay away!” he started, and she slapped a hand over her mouth to stop the indignant scream from leaving her lips. Lucien lowered his chin, fangs dropping, an answering black invading the white’s of his eyes. “Celeste. . . “ he growled, low and apprehensive.

Shaking, the banshee stepped away, her back meeting the opposite wall. She slowly removed her hand, looking up at the Elder, all of her energy rushing out of her. Leaving her cold.

“I’m done, Lucien.”

His eyes widened, and he lifted a hand toward her, lips parting. “What—what does that mean? Celeste?”

“I don’t know why I’ve stayed this long,” she murmured, eyes searching the hallway for answers. She laughed hysterically. “I don’t even know why you haven’t brought in someone who’s fully trained to run this farce of a clinic. You could bring in anyone! You don’t need me here!”

“I trust you!” Lucien blurted, hand still reaching for her. “Celeste, please, I do need you.”

Celeste took a step to the side, hand sliding into her curly hair. She shook her head. “You don’t. Not anymore. You’ve changed, Lucien. . . maybe I’ve changed too.”

She’d been with Lucien for going on decades, since she’d been kicked out of medical school for being a supernatural, angry and disenfranchized. They’d worked together for years without trouble, each accomplishing their goals in harmony.

But, now, she was done.

I can’t watch that witch die, she thought, those wide, terrified green eyes searing across her brain.

Lucien wouldn’t give the witch up, and she wouldn’t be able to fight off the entire nest for him. (She wasn’t even sure the poor man would survive even if she were able to.) But she could decide to not be apart of this anymore. She could decide to be better. To help people again. To start over.

“I can’t be a part of this anymore,” she voiced aloud, “I’m done.”

A wounded noise followed her declaration, but it didn’t change her mind. Lucien may be possessive about his nest, but he knew better than to try and keep her where she didn’t want to be.

Slowly, she turned, making her way out of the clinic.

She wouldn’t be going back.

#Markus/Lucien Series #whump #hurt/comfort #strapped down #aftermath of injury

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motioncollector · 4 years

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DCN Video Pick: Three Pills by Christian Wenger // In the year 2050, the system provides three pills to every elderly person, to be taken on their 70th birthday. Three Pills offers a grotesque vision of our future in an overpopulated and aging world, with haunting parallels to the ongoing pandemic. Behind the Scenes https://vimeo.com/427692846 Feature I Selection filmshortage.com/shorts/three-pills/ retrospectiveofjupiter.com/films/three-pills/ https://tv.booooooom.com/2020/05/08/three-pills-christian-wenger/ genre SCI-FI story by VERONIKA HERREN written, produced & directed by CHRISTIAN WENGER director of photography MATTI IMMONEN music composer AKI SILVENTOINEN cast VERONIKA HERREN crew production manager MARKUS MUTANEN 1st assistant director MARKUS PALMEN production designer HEIDI WENGER set designer & props master MARKUS MUTANEN set decorator MINNA LILJA rear projection designer TEEMU ÅKE make-up & hair SANNA LILJAMO cinematographer MATTI IMMONEN 1st assistant camera PAULI BOSTRÖM gaffer SANTERI SIIRTONEN best boy JOONAS KOHONEN bts videographer VILI LEHTISALO post editor CHRISTIAN WENGER music & sound design AKI SILVENTOINEN colorist SARRAH WILKMAN graphic design HEIDI WENGER “three pills” logo design JOONAS KOHONEN camera equipment CANON FINLAND light & grip equipment KINOS RENTALS color grading services GRADE ONE emotional testing AFFECTIVA special thanks JOONAS SCHWARTZBERG, MATIAS BOETTGE, MIKKO SAVINAINEN, MATTHEW STRAFUSS, HARRIET KOLLANUS, SAMI MUTANEN HELENA & JUKKA PIHKO, JOKKE HEIKKILÄ, DONAL CROTTY & THE CITY OF HELSINKI RESCUE DEPARTMENT / HARRI KOSKIMÄKI & COLLEAGUES production CHRISTIAN WENGER & SMAK FILM Finland Helsinki 2020

#vimeo #motioncollector #motion video #Christian Wenger #Three Pills

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gadgetgirl71 · 4 years

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World Book Day

Well today it’s World Book Day in the UK, but I didn’t realise that it’s held on different days in other countries. So I’ve put a few facts together that may interest you. Let me know what you think about what I’ve found out.

Facts:

April twenty-third (the festival is on the nearest Sunday) is a symbolic day in world literature. Declared as International Day of the Book by UNESCO in 1995, this celebration of books and literature draws its inspiration from a Catalan tradition, the Festival of the Rose.

Legend has it that Saint George, Patron Saint of Catalonia and international knight-errant, slew a dragon about to devour a beautiful Catalan princess. From the dragon’s blood sprouted a rosebush, from which the hero plucked the prettiest rose for the princess. Hence the traditional Rose Festival celebrated in Barcelona since the Middle Ages to honour chivalry and love. In 1923, this lover’s “festa” became even more poetic when it merged with “el dia del llibre”, or The Day of the Book, to mark the nearly simultaneous deaths of Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare, the two giants of literary history, on April 23, 1616.

On this day in Barcelona, bookstalls and street festivities run the length of the picturesque La Rambla, the old city’s main boulevard and, according to the Spanish author Garcia Lorca, “the only street in the world which I wish would never end”.

The Pauli Bellet Foundation Catalan Library, the Town of Kensington, and all our sponsors, invite you to celebrate this wonderful day on Howard Ave, our “La Rambla”.

World Book Date Dates

UK World Book day Thursday 5 March 2020

UN World Book day Thursday 23 April 2020

USA World Book day Thursday 23 April 2020

International Children’s Book day held on the Birthday of Hans Christian Anderson 2 April

UK & Ireland

The UK & Ireland changed their day from 23 April to 5 March, so it wouldn’t clash with Easter or St George’s Day. So to celebrate our World Book day all children of school age and who are still in full time education are given a voucher to spend on books. It is also a charity event in March, held annually on the first Thursday and coinciding with the release of special edition. The annual celebration on 23 April is World Book Night, an event organised by independent charity The Reading Agency.

Catalonia

In Catalonia, Spain, St. George’s Day (Diada de Sant Jordi), the Saint Patron of this historical region, has been commemorated since 1436, and involves the exchange of gifts between loved ones and respected people. St George’s Day in Catalonia is celebrated with giving loved people Books and Roses, and is an opportunity for Catalans to honour their patron saint and show their love of culture.

Sweden

In Sweden, the day is known as Världsbokdagen (“World Book Day”) and the copyright aspect is seldom mentioned. Normally celebrated on 23 April, it was moved to 13 April in the year 2000 and 2011 to avoid a clash with Easter.

USA

In Kensington, Maryland, the International Day of the Book is celebrated with a street festival on the Sunday closest to 26 April.

United Nations

The original idea was of the Valencian writer Vicente Clavel Andrés as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes, first on 7 October, his birth date, then on 23 April, his death date. In 1995 UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on 23 April, as the date is also the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, as well as that of the birth or death of several other prominent authors.

(In a historical coincidence, Shakespeare and Cervantes died on the same date — 23 April 1616 — but not on the same day, as at the time, Spain used the Gregorian calendar and England used the Julian calendar; Shakespeare actually died 10 days after Cervantes died, on 3 May of the Gregorian calendar).

Websites of Interest

World Book Day UK

Kensington USA World Book Day Festival

UN World Book Day

Book Lists for Children from the Very Young to Teenagers

Top 25 Picture Books

DOWNLOAD

The only picture books on this list that were around when I was younger are:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Rupert the Bear Annuals by Alfred Bestall

Top 25 Books Aged 5 to 8

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Well yet again not many of these books were available for me when I was aged between 5 & 8 how every there are a few books on the list that I have read:

Paddington Bear by Michale Bond

Winnie the Pooh by A A Milne

Charlotte’s Web by E B White

I did read son Roald Dahl but they haven’t made it on to the top 25. I read James and the Giant Peach & Georges Marvellous Medicine

Top 25 Books Age 9 to 12

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Well I have to say that I haven’t read any of these not when I was 9 to 12 and now as an adult I only know 3 of the books. Can you guess which books they are?

Answer at the bottom of the page.

Top 25 Books for Young Adults

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Again most of these book weren’t available when I was a teenager, but I’m glad to say that I have read a couple of them and a couple more are on my classic TBR.

Northern Light by Phillip Pullman

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

The books that are on my TBR are:

To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

The Catcher in the Rye by J D Salinger

To get more book lists like these then please go to WorldBookDay.com as they have lost of interesting items on their website such as: Resources, News & Event, Young Adult, Inspiration, Play & Win and Videos. Even as an adult I’ve found it a very interesting website.

So what are you doing to celebrate it?

Answers: Matilda by Roald Dhal, The Chronicles of Narnia by C S Lewis, Stig of the Dump by Clive King.

All the Children’s Reading Lists are with thanks to WorldBookDay.com and their sponsors

Share this:

#worldbookday #worldbookday2020 #book #booksbooksbooks #reading #ReadingChallenge #readinglist

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joecomputer · 5 years

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list of human names

-alan mcdonalds -sportsy -giovanni stinkyfingers -paulie no-knees -jake rowling -man antwood -jonothon frease -adam macdonalds (evil) -the chain -goose cringwald -hawkwood hardman -ronin samurai -george gahrage -Pedro -danniel dobius -carl kristen -alphonso plague -andrew ”COMPOUND” stern -herpes caine -compulse marco -buddy hollie -ameri c. football -bart kingsly -benny forbo -tristan jackson -reebo jordan -krender monnohan -arnold washcloth -danny darko -michael thanksgiving -baby cat -thomas tomatocauce -rick kopinski -shart o’kinnley -dale bladerunner -john obama -blacksmith washington -henry john olivierr -mack fleetwood -andrew munson -bobby bigtime -fart pliskin -dipshit portland -jonathon nighthawk -dallas dinkley -dennis dinkley -steven movies -ed beans -shotput shalton -cisco runner -samuel L. ramone -tim tall -great together -buzz :) -oliver grundle -roland jericho -warden wilkins -hurt again -cannibal caine -brother ramirez -jim dylans -babe botkins -freedom france -john scrotum -tom scrotum -frenchfry fatfuck -todd bachus -j.p. timothy -penis lohan -fox brother -dalton shallowmouth -joe abdul jabbar -carlton cozy -jose reynolds -punk parsley -dufflebag danton -boysie pennsylvania -human puncher -walter red -joker wayne -david paperman -guy idiot -bluebo blopo -miami vice -hero dogg -good greg -emilio estevez -punkie poropo -okay okay -kevin kingsman -beauty browning -arnold inhuman -creation crimewell -markus peterson -general gps -smallie biggs -teevee dinner -voice sequence -downtown upsville -tonay hehe -rush barley -markus freeman -sandwich maker -happie hamlin -ahdult arbalester -arnold palmer -mike valeska

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phroyd · 5 years

Video

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The Notwist

“Where In This World”

From: The Devil, You + Me (2008)

Markus Acher — guitar, vocals (1989–present)

Micha Acher — bass (1989–present)

Andi Haberl — drums (2007–present)

Martin Gretschmann (aka Console and Acid Pauli) — programming (1997–2014)

Martin Messerschmid — drums (1989–2007)

Phroyd

#alternative #the notwist #music

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knightwingyj · 5 years

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Little Do You Know Ch 5

The background was coming together nicely and would certainly draw the viewer’s eyes to the center of the piece. Markus placed his brush to the side and took a cleansing breath. The color was muted, not much different than the original color of the canvas but it had a few shades and breaks to avoid feeling too empty. His phone buzzed on the side table, breaking the calm environment he had created and startling him a bit. Annoyance pinched his face as he snatched up the Plastic-wrapped device. The annoyance vanished with a grin when he saw who had texted him.

‘Why the fuck are there so many shades of white?!’

Shaking his head, Markus typed back a response with paint-stained fingers.

‘Hello to you too, Conner.’

The young CFO only tended to curse when he was beyond frustrated with something and whatever it was had to be particularly grating to warrant the drop of the F-bomb. It wasn’t long before his phone buzzed again.

‘Seriously, white is white.’

‘And hi Markus.’

The painter chuckled.

‘What has white ever done to you?’

‘Besides supposedly having more than one shade?’

‘Having my fiancée and her mother asking me whether cream or eggshell goes better with eggplant.’

‘EGGPLANT MARKUS!!!’

A laugh escaped him on that one. It seems Conner is in desperate need of saving.

‘Tell them to go with a bright white.’

‘Anything else and it’ll just look dirty.’

The phone in his hands remained still as he patiently waited for the verdict. Ding.

‘They officially believe me to be a color genius.’

‘Thank you!’

Chuckling softly, Markus typed his reply.

‘Glad to be of service.’

‘I expect payment in the form of Pauli’s giant caramel mocha shake.’

‘You got it.’

That winky face at the end did things to Markus’ insides that should be considered illegal. Cheeks aching, he set his phone down and set about cleaning up his supplies. He was in the middle of cleaning up his brushes when his phone suddenly blew up. A little startled, he dried his hands as quickly as he could and hurried to grab his phone that was doing it best impression of Carol of the Bells. “Jesus, Conner,” he muttered to himself, opening his messages.

‘This was a huge mistake.’

‘Mayday! Mayday! They want my ‘expertise’ for the rehearsal dinner place settings.’

‘I don’t know anything about place settings!’

‘Markus, help me!!’

‘Why are there so many shades of the same color?!’

‘MARKUS!’

‘Oh, why didn’t I lie?!’

‘I blame you for this.’

‘No shake for you.’

His smile grew wider with each new message and he could practically hear Conner’s panicky voice in each one. The last one had him dissolving into chortles and scrambling to answer back. The deliciousness of Pauli’s shakes was on the line.

Conner sighed and rubbed his eyes. Figuring out the color schemes for the wedding ceremony, reception, and rehearsal dinner compounded into a migraine despite the marvelous tips from the man behind the curtain, or massage as it were. He could hear Hank’s hastily muffled laughter as Chloe dragged him from one set of China to another. It was unfortunate that his bodyguard was immune to his glares or we would have been a steaming pile of goo on the department store floor.

Rubbing his temples, he almost didn’t notice Conan approach him. “Headache?” His brother asked.

“Unfortunately.”

“I’ll have someone bring you an aspirin, but for now,” the slight warning tone in Conan’s voice set Conner on edge. “She wants to see you.”

Something akin to ice flashed through his veins and all expression slid from his face. “Thank you for informing me.” Conan nodded seriously. A hand on his bicep squeezed reassuringly before he mounted the stairs.

The door was closed, it always was, and he allowed himself a moment to purge and collect his thoughts. Taking a deep breath, he turned the brass knob and entered. Her office at the manor was almost identical to the one at Cyberlife, all cool colors and sharp edges. He avoided this room like that plague when he was a kid, afraid that he would somehow impale himself on the furniture or art around the room. There was even the accent wall with blood red roses creeping up to the ceiling. That’s where he found her, carefully pruning the flowers she loved so much.

“Good afternoon, Conner.” Amanda greeted unbothered to turn and address him.

Conner stood stock still, hands clasped behind his back, ram-rod straight, and eyes fixed on a point just above her head. “Good afternoon, Mother.”

“How was your time with Chloe?” Those hands, thin but precise, snipped the dead and dying leaves and blooms from the healthy ones.

“Productive. We managed to finalize the color scheme and place settings for both the rehearsal dinner and reception if you should want to review it.”

“I’m sure what you two have chosen with be sufficient.” She dismissed the suggestion with barely a wave or her shears. “And Chloe? How is she handling everything?”

“Remarkably well. She had booked the venue for both events and the ‘save the date’ cards have been delivered.”

“Excellent. Very good, Conner.” Snip. Snip. “And how much time have you spent together?”

Conner’s brow pinched as he attempted to understand her question. “We were together today during the selection.”

“I meant outside planning for the wedding and your work at Cyberlife.” Snip. “How much time have you spent together recreationally?” Snip. Snip. Snip.

A pale hand tightened around a thin wrist, sending pens and needles dancing down his fingers. “Not much, I’m afraid.”

Amanda hummed, displeased with his answer. “Take her out tonight. Spend some downtime with your fiancée. If you want to form any kind of relationship with her, you actually have to put in the work.”

Her tone dictated that this wasn’t a suggestion and Conner’s own grip was becoming painful. He was probably leaving behind bruises. Tonight was supposed to be his night with Markus. They had planned a Star Trek marathon after the artist discovered his lack of sci-fi knowledge and was determined to make him a ‘true Trekkie’. Now, it would seem that he’d have to cancel. Nails dug into the flesh of his wrist to keep his expression from voicing his displeasure.

“You may go, Conner. Enjoy tonight.” Snip. Dismissed.

“Thank you, Mother.” Conner bowed his head to her back before walking out the door and calmly closing it behind him. He sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was not how he imagined this day going.

Retreating to his room, he barricaded himself in and hit speed dial on his phone. He counted three rings before it was answered. “Well, hello there stranger. Thanks for all the text messages, you kinda blew up my phone.” The sound of Markus’ voice never failed to put a smile on his face.

“Sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry about it. It was a pleasant distraction.” There was the sound of rustling as if Markus had shifted the phone to a more comfortable angle against his ear. “So, what do I owe the pleasure of your call?”

For a split second, Conner had forgotten why he had called, content to just listen to Markus speak, but the question brought him back to the true purpose of the conversation and his smile fell. “Markus, I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to cancel tonight.”

“Is everything alright?”

“Depends on your definition.” He took a deep breath. “Amanda has informed me that I have been neglectful in my duties to Chloe and has…suggested that I take her out this evening. I won’t be able to attend out marathon.”

“Okay, raincheck then,” Markus replied pleasantly.

Conner blinked. “You’re not upset?”

“Not, why would I be?”

“…because I wasn’t able to stick to the original agreement we had made?”

“And that’s okay. You’re human, Conner. Things are going to mess up our plans all the time. You just have to adapt a bit. Nobody’s perfect.” There was silence as Conner tried to process what he had said. “I’m not mad, Conner,” Markus assured softly.

“Promise?” Conner cringed at the very child-like question that slipped out.

“Promise.” He could hear the fond smile drifting through the speaker.

Conner practically deflated with relief. “Okay. I just wish…”

“I know. Me too.” Not for the first time, Conner wondered how he was lucky enough to warrant having a friend like Markus. They took a moment to just listen to each other breath, each morning for their lost time and secretly yearning for the next to come. “Go see Chloe, Conner. We’ll hang out another time.” Markus said softly breaking the fragile silence.

“Alright. Goodbye, Markus and don’t watch any without me.” The last part was added hastily and was only partly playful.

“Of course not,” there was that smile again. “Goodbye, Conner.” There was a faint click and Conner pulled the device away from his ear. It wasn’t nearly enough, but it would have to do for now. Finding himself sighing again, Conner typed out a quick message.

‘Would you care to join me for dinner tonight at Maroni’s?’

Chloe’s response was almost immediate.

‘I would love to!’

‘I’ll pick you up at six.’

‘Can’t wait!’

Chloe’s emojis didn’t make him smile quite like Markus’ does.

Here he was in another suit at yet another event he had no desire to be at. Chloe sat across the table from him, a vision in lavender, delicately spinning her pasta with her silver fork and spoon. His own ravioli was slowly cooling in the white china dinner plate in front of him. Hank sat at the table next to them, silently enjoying his own meal while scanning the area around them and not-so-subtly rolling his eyes at their inability to fill the space between them with any type of conversation. Conner took small sips of his wine from the spotless crystal glass, eyes fixed on the candle flickering the silver candlestick in the center of the immaculate white table cloth.

His eyes flickered to Hank, who gave him a pointed look and gestured to Chloe, mouthing an aggressive ‘talk to her’. He cleared his throat. “How is your food?” He asked and Hank face-palmed.

“It’s delicious,” Chloe replied with a polite smile. “And yours?”

“It is very good.”

“That’s good.” The silence was back, and Conner could feel Hank’s unimpressed glare heating up the side of his face and he pointedly avoided looking over. He was getting a lecture on the finer point of social conversations on the way home tonight for sure.

“I wanted to thank you for taking me out tonight.” She said fork pushing the pasta around her plate. “I know we haven’t seen much of each other these past few weeks, with both of us being so busy.”

“I know,” he acknowledged. “I apologize for neglecting you.”

“Oh, I’m not upset or anything. I mean, both of us have lives to live. I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to spend tonight with me. That’s all.”

“Oh…” he didn’t really know what to say to that. “You are welcome, I suppose.”

She smiled warmly at him. “Were you able to watch the play the other night? Or did you give the tickets away?”

“Right, the play. Um…” his mind flashed to Pauli’s dinner, laughing and enjoying great food with a certain beautifully mismatched man. He couldn’t decide if this feeling was bitter or sweet to the taste. “I went for a portion of it but wasn’t able to stay for the full performance. Special…circumstances arose that required my…immediate attention.”

“Oh, that’s too bad.” Chloe’s hands disappeared beneath the table. “I would have liked to hear how it ended.

That bittersweet taste soured, and he swallowed the rest of his wine to chase it away. The awkward silence was back, making his ears ring painfully. The conversations of the other patrons nor the soft music playing over invisible speakers did nothing to dispel it. It was, of course, Chloe that broke it. “Do you remember that carousel that we used to ride all the time when we were kids?” She asked looking away as her hand tapped her chin. “I can’t remember the name of it.”

He knew exactly which one she was referring to. “The Cullen Carousel.”

Her eyes lit up. “Yes, that’s the one.”

“Yes, I remember it.” He smiled. “I also happened to remember that your brother challenged us that we couldn’t ride it without throwing up.”

She giggled, hand covering her mouth. “Yeah, and each of us rode it till we did.”

“If I remember correctly, you beat us all. Rode it ten times.”

“You were a close second.”

“Then Elijah.”

“Then, of course, Conan.” She giggled again. “Poor Conan, he was never very good with rides.”

Conner shook his head fondly. “He had a weak stomach. He would get so mad at me when I forced him onto anything with any kind of spin to it. He’d always end up a little green afterward.”

They laughed lightly together, bonding of memories of their shared childhood. “Those were the days, weren’t they?” She said wistfully. “No work. No responsibilities.” She shifted slightly in her seat, the mood dropping quickly with her tone. “Whatever happened to those days, Conner? We used to be such good friends and now…now, we hardly talk to each other.”

Conner looked away, staring into the bottom of the wine glass rolling between his fingers. He couldn’t answer her. So much had changed since then. He had changed.

“Hey,” a perfectly manicured hand reached across the table and gently grabbed his wrist. He glanced up at his…fiancée. She smiled softly at him, blue eyes glowing in the candlelight. “Why don’t we go?”

His head tilted. “Go where?”

“Back to the carousel. I’m sure it’s still there. We could go back to those days. Just for a little while.”

His mouth opened to refuse her. There was no use in dwelling in the past, but…maybe…just this once. The smile grew on his face. “Let’s go.”

Grinning, they stood together, and Conner helped her put on her coat. Hank glanced at them confused. “Just where are you two going?” He asked standing as well.

“On an adventure,” Chloe declared giggling.

“Would you bring the car around Hank?” Conner asked slipping into his own coat. To his credit, Hank just shook his head and did as he was asked.

They paid the bill and were soon cruising toward Cullen Plaza and the childhood memories hidden there. They could see the operator starting to close down the carousel and ran the rest of the way. “Wait, sir! Wait!” Chloe called trying to catch her breath.

“I’m closing up for the night, guys.” Said the man with the name tag the read, ‘Jerry’.

“We know. We would just like a few minutes. Please?” Conner asked.

Jerry’s eyes flicked between the two of them, taking in their ruffled evening clothes and faces filled with childish hope. He sighed good-naturedly and smiled. “A few minutes.”

Chloe bounced in excitement and Conner thanked the man and handed him a hundred for his trouble. They opened the gate and rushed to the glowing carousel. Chloe chose a beautifully-painted white stallion and Conner mounted the chestnut one next to her. The music started up and the ride began to spin slowly. Chloe giggled and for a moment, Conner could see the little girl he knew years ago. Platinum blond hair up in pigtails and chubby cheeks pink with laughter. Feet barely able to reach the stirrups and safety belt wrapped around her waist. What had happened to the feeling of freedom that came with those days? How did things get so jaded with age? That little girl was one of his close friends and now? Now, he found himself engaged to her with no desire to replace what they had back then. Why did life have to taint those good memories?

The carousel slowed to a stop and they got off, Chloe still giggling. They thanked Jerry and walked back to the car where Hank was waiting with an amused smile. The ride back to the Kamski’s mansion was filled with Chloe reminiscing about their childhood and Conner doing his utmost not to ruin the mood.

Ever the gentleman, Conner walked her to the door. “Thank you for tonight, Conner. I haven’t had fun like that in a while. Hopefully, we can do it again soon.” She said hesitantly, brushing a stray curl from her face.

“Of course, Chloe,” Conner replied with a polite smile. “Goodnight.”

As he went to turn away, a hand on his arm stopped him. Resting on the step just below her, Chloe was able to look him in the eye and she stepped toward him. The same panicked feeling from that afternoon in his office bubbled up inside him, threatening to burst. His muscles seized as her warm breath ghosted over his face and he held his breath to keep from hyperventilating. The moment her glossy lips met his, his hand flew to her arm as if to push her away.

A little voice in the back of his head informed him that this is what an engaged couple does. They were affectionate, intimate, with each other. Be affectionate, Conner. That sounded too much like Amanda. Swallowing down the panic, he forced himself to loosen his grip and just allow what was happing.

Encouraged by his reaction, Chloe’s head tilted, slotting her lips against his closed mouth. Her hand held the back of his neck, keeping him from escaping.

You can stop now, he pleaded. Please stop. It was as if she heard him as she finally, finally, broke the kiss. She seemed more relaxed in her smile as she gazed lovingly at him. Don’t do that. “Goodnight, Conner.” Her voice was husky, and he shivered. It had nothing to do with desire. She turned away and headed inside, and Conner could finally breathe. A shaking hand wiped at his mouth and he desperately tried to calm his racing heart.

The night seemed like a success. He had spent the adequate amount of time with Chloe and was even affectionate towards her. The little trip down memory lane was unexpected and it wasn’t clear if it had been welcome. Amanda would be proud. So, why did he feel like he was going to be sick?

#my fic #markus x connor #dbh markus #dbh connor #dbh hank #dbh jerry #rk1000 #rk900 #emotional manipulation #arranged marriage #human au #slow burn #ao3 #i can never remember all of my tags #dbh chloe #dbh amanda

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