#Mori Girl Tribe

[petite-cosette]

#Mori Girl Tribe #Mori Girl Tribe SNBL #Cinderella #Disney #Lolita #Country Lolita #Sweet Lolita #Lolita Fashion #Japanese Fashion #Kawaii

[retrosofa]

To commemorate Cutie Honey's 50th anniversary, I wanted to post trivia for all 25 episodes. We'll start this week with the first episode: "The Black Claw Grips The Heart."

Screenwriter: Masaki Tsuji

Art Director: Mataharu Urata

Animation Director: Shingo Araki

Director: Tomoharu Katsumata

In the early drafts Honey Kisaragi was originally Honey Tachibana. Honey’s finalized surname name, “Kisaragi” (如月) is a traditional name for February in the Japanese calendar. It refers to the seasonal “changing of clothes.” The name "Honey" comes from the American TV series Honey West.

Honey was voiced by Eiko Masuyama, who would reprise this role a few times over the years, notably in the Re: Cutie Honey audio drama and the Playstation game, Little Witching Mischiefs. She also had a guest spot in Cutey Honey Flash episode 31 as Dr. Kisaragi’s old friend Dr. Mitsuko Kanzaki.

St. Chapel Academy is located in Okutama, a mountainous area that’s about an hour and a half away from central Tokyo. St. Chapel itself was most likely inspired or at least named after the real life royal chapel, Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, France. The hymn the students sing during Mass in these early episodes is “Come, Thou Almighty King.”

The freckle-faced girl who stands next to Honey during Mass is her best friend and roommate, Natsuko Aki. Although she’s almost never referred to by her full name but rather “Nat-chan.” Her first name is in reference to natsu or “summer” while aki means “autumn.” In the original manga she is depicted as having pigtails rather than a bob cut and doesn’t have freckles. Natsuko’s anime design was modeled after an unnamed girl who appeared briefly in the Devilman manga.

Natsuko was voiced by Rihoko Yoshida, who’s best known for voicing the titular character in Little Witch Megu, Maria Grace Fried in UFO Robo Grendizer, and Michiru Saotome in Getter Robo. Yoshida would also voice Panther Zora in the 1995 PC-FX video game, Cutey Honey FX. Noriko Watanabe (Sister Jill, Mami) also voiced Natsuko occasionally for whenever Rihoko Yoshida was unavailable.

Honey’s goofy teacher Ms. Alphonne Louis Steinbeck III is based on a male character from Go Nagai’s Kikkai-kun manga. That same Alphonne also served as the basis for Akira Fudo’s teacher in the Devilman TV series. 

Ms. Alphonne was voiced by the late Noriko Tsukase, who had previously voiced Mr. Alphonne’s wife and son in Devilman. Although Ms. Alphonne appears in every other animated Honey series, this is the only version where she is voiced by a woman.

During the early production stages Seiji Hayami was known as Shun Kazami and was described as "falling in love with Honey, despite knowing she’s an android." He would also have a goofy little sister named Zuuko, who would question if she was really related to her handsome older brother. When the series details were finalized, Seiji became more of a comic relief character and his romantic chemistry with Honey was downplayed. 

Seiji was voiced by Katsuji Mori, who would go on to voice Dr. Kisaragi in Cutie Honey Universe.

Seiji refers to Hurricane Honey as kaminari musume (カミナリ娘) which translates to something like “thunder girl.” He’s actually referring to the kaminari zoku (カミナリ族) or “thunder tribes”, Japanese motorcycle gangs who were known for their loud and rowdy modified motorcycles.

Black Claw’s name comes from the original series proposal, which described Panther Claw’s soldiers as being color coded. Potential opponents for Honey would’ve included Black Claw, Scarlet Claw, Cobalt Claw and Gold Claw. Each would have possessed a specific skill or element, for example, “Scarlet Claw” would’ve possessed fire powers. For whatever reason the whole color coded aspect was dropped but “Black Claw” was still used as the name for Honey’s first real adversary.

According to Cutey Honey Roman Album published by Tokuma Shoten in 1981, Honey's childhood memories are artificial. They were produced by Dr. Kisaragi because he wanted Honey to have childhood memories like any other human girl.

Dr. Takeshi Kisaragi was originally known as Dr. Seiji Tachibana in the original series proposal. In the original manga Dr. Kisaragi looks noticeably younger, has black hair, no glasses and a goatee instead of a mustache.

Originally, Honey was only going to transform once or twice during the first episode. Tomoharu Katsumata (director for episode one) requested that Honey use all of her main seven forms.

Some of the choreography from Honey and Black Claw’s fight is based on sequences from the Abashiri Family manga, specifically when the lead character Kikunosuke battles against teachers from Paradise Academy.

Junpei is based on Kichiza Abashiri from Go Nagai's The Abashiri Family manga. Kichiza is the youngest son of the Abashiri family and is a master of explosives. Junpei was voiced by Kazuko Sawada.

It’s probably worth noting Honey and Junpei are the only two characters to appear in every episode of Cutie Honey.

We'll take a look at episode two next week!

#cutie honey #cutey honey #go nagai #trivia

[windupiceheart]

ffxivwrite #2 - Bark

wc. 793, Strawbewwy ft. @windupnamazu​ ‘s Solar Tide and @winduphaurchefant​‘s Tomouji Mori

“Boy, if you can break free, follow the setting sun and you will find us.” Those were the last words he would ever hear from his father.

On his tenth summer they tied him to the sacred tree as they did for everyone in the Tumet tribe. Thirteen other children were tied alongside him. Though some of them had already gotten loose immediately after being tied and were running to catch up with the rest of the tribe. 

The boy struggled with all his might. Just you wait, I can break free. I can catch up. But his small frame had failed him. He watched as the other children broke free one by one. Desperate to follow, he used all the power he could muster, only to be let down once again. Frustrated, tears filled his eyes and he let out a loud grunt. The ropes were uncomfortable, and the bark from the tree dug into his skin. I want to go home. 

He tried everything he could think of. He tried to squirm out, he tried to use pure strength, he even tried to use his horns to cut the rope, but it was tied in such a way that he couldn’t reach it. 

Soon it was night. Exhausted, the boy’s eyes flickered closed. As he drifted to sleep, he heard the steps of another one who broke free.

He woke up hungry and thirsty, not having a bite to eat or drop to drink since the morning of the day before. He looked to the left and right of him, checking to see if anyone was still here with him. If anyone was, he could see them, and couldn’t very much go around to check the perimeter of the tree. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Maybe if he were to concentrate all of his power right where he needed it, the ropes would snap and he would be free.

“Hhrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr,” he concentrated really, really hard. “Yahhhh!!!!!” He put every ounce of energy into breaking the ropes. But his efforts were to no avail. He let out a yell. To the right of him, he heard some footsteps. 

“There’s no one left you know.”

“Huh?” The au ra looked up at the boy who appeared in front of him. He knew him. He was one of the other boys in his tribe. He didn’t like him.

“You’re the last one, I checked,” he sneered. “I knew you wouldn’t make it. A tiny flower, you. Smallest of us all. I heard your father tell mine that he didn’t think you would make it out.”

The boy was too tired to say anything back, so he tried to give the meanest eyes he could. The other boy laughed at him and started walking away. As he saw his silhouette get smaller and smaller, he started to sob. No tears came out. 

On the third day, he woke up barely conscious. The glaring sun hit his skin. I can’t do this anymore. This was the end. The boy who mocked him was right. He wasn’t going to break free, he wasn’t going to go home, he would be left tied on this tree. He prayed to the gods that in his next life, he would be bigger and stronger. He closed his eyes and he welcomed the gentle embrace of defeat. 

Before he completely faded into darkness, he felt a cool liquid hit his lips. 

“Are you alright?” The boy weakly opened his eyes as a girl with no horns nor scales tipping her flask of water to his lips. Beside her was an Auri boy with the lightest scales he’d ever seen. The au ra tapped the girl’s arm and started making gestures with his hands. “Yeah, I think that would be a good idea– Oh! You’re awake. I’m Solar and this is Tomouji. We saw you tied to this tree.” 

Tomouji took out a knife out of Solar’s satchel and started cutting through the rope that bound the boy to the tree. The small au ra instantly collapsed. 

“What’s your name?” Solar asked.

“... I don’t have one. “ He sat up slowly. “I was supposed to be named if I broke free from the sacred tree... But I couldn’t. I don’t think I can go home anymore.” 

“Guess you can just come with us!” Solar grinned at him. “It’s just me and Tomouji. And you if you want.” Tomouji smiled warmly at him. The boy sat there not sure what to do. He couldn’t stay on the tree anymore. He couldn’t go home because he was ashamed for not breaking free on his own. Solar offered her hand to him.

“...Okay.” The boy hesitantly put his hand in hers.

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2023 #strawbewwy #solar #tomouji #he's just a little boy.

[osharenippon]

70s Japan Trends Through the Music Charts (Part 2)

During the 1970s, the Japanese music industry was in the process of forming its identity. In addition to mirroring the musical preferences of the nation, the charts also served as a reflection of the prevailing societal trends and ambitions of that era. In this series, we chronicle the most significant musical trends of the decade.

70s Japan Trend Through the Music Charts (Part 1)

Trend #4: The Impact of Discover Japan

In 1970, Osaka hosted the World Expo, marking a significant milestone for post-war Japan following the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. To accommodate the influx of visitors, the government expanded the rail network, enabling over 60 million people—half of the nation's population—to journey to the World's Fair. However, as the Expo drew to a close after six months, concerns arose about the railways becoming obsolete. So, with the help of the ad agency Dentsu, they devised a campaign to stimulate domestic tourism by rail. The result was "DISCOVER JAPAN," one of the most iconic campaigns of the decade (which, curiously, was partially inspired by Ivy Fashion brand VAN).

"DISCOVER JAPAN" profoundly impacted Japanese society by popularizing solo travel and igniting domestic tourism, particularly among young women who ventured out on their own. This trend was further fueled by the launch of the first female fashion magazines, AnAn and Non-no, both of which extensively covered visits to charming cities across the country. Cities known as "Little Kyoto," which retained their Edo Period architecture and charm, were particularly attractive to these travelers.

Influenced by fashion magazines, these trend-conscious women journeyed to small cities throughout Japan, earning them the moniker "AnNon" (a fusion of AnAn and Non-no). Their impact during the 1970s was significant enough to be mentioned in a song by Sada Masashi, one of the decade's prominent folk singers.

"DISCOVER JAPAN," the print and TV campaign devised by Dentsu, is one of Japan's most successful and era-defining marketing campaigns.

Sada Masashi rose to fame in the early 1970s as part of the folk duo Grape before launching a successful solo career. In 1977, his song "Ehagakizaka," which paid tribute to his hometown of Nagasaki, mentioned identically dressed stylish young girls in denim, clutching AnAn and Non-no magazines while photographing their surroundings. This song vividly captured the aspirational girl culture of the 1970s, characterized by "healing" domestic trips in pursuit of tranquility and small pleasures, hippie and boho-inspired fashion, and folk music as the soundtrack.

Masashi Sada's song and the AnNon-zoku tribe aside, "DISCOVER JAPAN," had an immense impact on different layers of Japanese society. And that included the music charts. In 1971, the two best-selling singles, "Watashi no joka-machi" by Rumiko Koyanagi and "Shiretoko ryojou" by Tokiko Kato, surpassed 1 million copies sold. Both perfectly embodied the campaign's spirit in highlighting the hidden beauties of Japan.

"Watashi no jokamachi," or "My Castle Town," marked Koyanagi's explosive debut, selling over 1.3 million copies. This enka-infused kayokyoku ballad paid homage to cities with Edo-like architecture, often centered around a feudal lord's castle, evoking a peaceful, melancholic atmosphere in its lyrics. Rumiko continued to sing about regional Japan's charms the following year with another hit, "Seto no Hanayome" (The Bride of Seto). Meanwhile, the folk-inspired "Shiretoko ryoujou" (Shiretoko Journey) celebrated the unique beauty and culture of the Shiretoko peninsula on Hokkaido Island.

In the same year, other artists also succeeded by spotlighting provincial Japan. Enka superstar Shinichi Mori delved into this theme with "Boukyou" (Nostalgia). At the same time, Yuuko Nagisa found success with a Japanese rendition of The Ventures' "Kyoto Doll," titled "Kyoto no Koi" (Love in Kyoto). She would go on to have another top-selling single with her version of another Ventures song, "Reflection in Palace Lake," transformed into "Kyoto Bojo" (Kyoto Longing).

Trend #5: The Legend of Momoe Yamaguchi

"Aidoru" or "idols" are cute girl/boy-next-door types who sing, dance, act, host TV shows, and star in countless commercials. They stand as one of the cornerstones of the thriving multi-billion yen Japanese entertainment industry. The 70s was an essential era for consolidating this type of star. And one idol, in particular, shone the brightest: Momoe Yamaguchi.

Momoe is a legendary star and an example of an "aidoru" who excelled at everything, exuding sophistication, talent, and sex appeal. The fact she retired from public life at the height of her fame cemented her mythical status.

Momoe Yamaguchi in her prime, the idol industry's gold standard.

In 1972, at the tender age of 13, Yamaguchi auditioned for the talent search TV show "Star Tanjou!" (A Star is Born). Her crisp singing voice and mature beauty immediately captured the industry's attention. Hori Production, the entertainment agency, and Sony CBS label swiftly recognized her potential and signed her. In May 1973, five months after her televised audition, she made her official debut with the single "Toshigoro" (Adolescence). Although Sony had a history of immediate success with newcomers, Momoe's first single received a tepid response, so her label decided to court a bit of controversy for her sophomore outing. "Aoi kajitsu" (Ripe Fruit) had the innocent-looking 14-year-old girl singing, "you can do whatever you want to me, even if they say I'm a bad girl." The racy lyrics worked, and the single was a success. 

A few months later, Yamaguchi's backers repeated this formula with "Hito natsu no keiken" (One Summer Experience). The song began with a suggestive promise: "I'll give you the most precious thing a girl has." The lyrics were laden with double entendres, describing a "sweet trap of temptation" that can only be experienced once. She sang, "if the person I love is pleased, then I'm happy. I don't mind if you break it," which could be understood as a reference to a girl's hert or hymen.

The single was an explosive hit, propelling 15-year-old Yamaguchi into the A-list. For the remainder of her career, she was frequently asked about the "most precious thing a girl has," to which she'd always offer a stern-looking reply: "her devotion."

The young, mature-looking girl singing thinly veiled songs about sexual awakening with a dark, serious-looking image set her apart from the prevalent happy-go-lucky idol aesthetic. However, it wasn't merely reliance on gimmicks that transformed her into a legend. In 1976, after firmly establishing herself as a star, she parted ways with her frequent collaborators, lyricist Kazuya Senke and composer Shunichi Tokura. Beginning with the single "Yokosuka Story," she partnered with the husband-and-wife duo Yoko Aki and Ryudo Uzaki.

Ryudo Uzaki, the frontman of the popular enka rock band DOWNTOWN BOOGIE WOOGIE BAND, infused her kayokyoku tunes with a rock edge. Through her lyrics, Yoko Aki redefined Momoe's image as a confident, clear-eyed girl transitioning into womanhood. Initially, Sony opposed Momoe's desire to collaborate with Aki and Uzaki, but the partnership ultimately helped her reach her commercial peak.

"Yokosuka Story" was Momoe's first single to reach the number 1 spot on the weekly charts. The Aki-Uzaki duo penned several other hits for her, including "Playback Part 2" and "Sayonara no mukougawa" (The Other Side of Goodbye), and opened doors for her to collaborate with other luminaries of Japanese music. Two of her most memorable hits, "Cosmos" and "Ii hi tabidaichi" (Beautiful Day Departure), both released in 1978, were penned by folk superstars Masashi Sada and Shinji Tanimura of Arisu, respectively. The latter became the theme song for the iconic DISCOVER JAPAN TV commercials.

Speaking of commercials, idols worth their salt can't limit themselves to music. Momoe earned millions being the face for Toyota cars, Fujifilm photographic films, Casio watches, and Glico confectionary products, among others. She also starred in highly-rated TV dramas and ventured into the world of film.

Starting in 1974, she appeared in two romantic films per year, always paired with Tomokaza Miura as her co-star. While Momoe pursued various ventures, Miura's acting career primarily revolved around being her on-screen romantic partner. Their undeniable chemistry and the box-office success of their films led to them being known as the "golden combination."

In a concert at the end of 1979, Momoe stunned her audience by revealing that her on-screen partner, Miura, was her real-life boyfriend. In a subsequent press conference in March of the following year, she confirmed her intention to marry him and retire officially. In September, she released her autobiography, which sold over 1 million copies in a month. In October, she bid farewell through a series of TV specials and a concert at Nippon Budokan. Her farewell concert reportedly earned Hori Productions over 20 million dollars, according to figures provided by the agency to Billboard magazine at the time. Momoe's success allowed HoriPro to become one of the best-established entertainment agencies in Japan, a position it still holds today. Her final performance took place at HoriPro's 20th-anniversary event, where she sang "Ii hi tabidaichi." In November, she married Miura and disappeared from the media.

The Japanese public obsession with her never waned. Paparazzi tried to capture her at her son's kindergarten graduation ceremony and doing classes at a local driving school. Many speculated she'd eventually come out of retirement. She never did, which only helped feed the obsession around her.

During the 1970s, Yamaguchi enjoyed immense success, but she was one of many popular female idols. The narrative created by her retirement elevated her to the status of a larger-than-life legend. She became the gifted, beautiful young woman who succeeded as a singer, a TV actress, and a movie star before choosing the ultimate happy ending: marriage. By choosing love, Momoe Yamaguchi, the legendary idol, transformed into an ordinary woman—a real-life fairy tale that resonated deeply with Japanese society.

Her decision was driven by profound motivations. Momoe revealed in her autobiography that she was raised by a single mother, the product of an extramarital affair. Her challenging upbringing and her father's late appearance to capitalize on her fame instilled a deep desire for a traditional, happy family life. She also grew weary of the relentless demands of stardom and the repetitiveness of performing the same songs. Thus, she made a heartfelt choice to relinquish fame and public life to give her husband the most important thing a girl has: her devotion.

Trend #6: Idols' Rise

The term "idol" in the Japanese entertainment industry finds its origins in the French film "Cherchez l'idole" (1963), which enjoyed immense popularity in Japan. Initially, "Aidoru" was used to describe the film's star, Sylvie Vartan, before it evolved into a general term to describe youthful-looking triple-threat domestic stars.

Before the coining of the term, "idol-like" stars had already existed. In the 1930s, Machiko Ashita attracted crowds to the Moulin Rouge Shinjuku and served as the face of several brands. In the 1950s, rockabilly stars enjoyed massive popularity among the youth, and the 1960s saw the rise of manufactured "group sound" bands and the female duo The Peanuts, comprised of twin sisters. Legendary stars such as Hibari Misora, Sayuri Yoshinaga, Teruhiko Saigo, Yukio Hashi, and Kazuo Funaki thrived as both movie stars and successful singers.

However, the 70s marked the consolidation of the "idol" aesthetic and career path, paving the way for the "golden era of idols" in the next decade. Essential for it to happen was the widespread adoption of the medium where idols shine the brightest: television.

TV allowed entertainment agencies to aggressively push their young, fresh-faced talents in front of a broad audience. They populated music and variety shows, commercials, and dramas. They were immaculate, life-sized stars ready to play the part of the nation's sweethearts.

Although history has crowned Momoe Yamaguchi as the ultimate 70s idol, she was just one among many during most of that decade. A closer examination of the numbers reveals that Mari Amachi, a female idol, had the most significant short-term impact during that time.

Amachi was first introduced on the popular TBS TV drama "Jikan desu yo" (It's Time) in 1971, playing "Tonari no Mari-chan" (Next Door Mari-chan). She played the minor role of a cute girl who lived close to the show's primary setting, a family-run public bathhouse, and often appeared by her window, playing guitar and singing. By October, with the backing of the biggest entertainment agency of the era, Watanabe Production, and Sony CBS, 19-year-old Mari Amachi officially debuted with the single "Mizuiro no Koi" (Light Blue Love). It was a hit—the first of many. Mari would be 1972's best-selling act, achieving high sales with four albums and five singles.

Mari's image, characterized by an innocent aura, a happy-go-lucky personality, and frilly dresses as stage outfits, became the prototype for female idols. Her short hair and chiseled smile earned her the nickname "Sony's Snow White," evoking the image of a fairytale princess. Unsurprisingly, she was particularly popular with children, leading Watanabe Pro to license her likeness for various goods, including the coveted "Do-Re-Mi Mari-chan" Bridgestone Cycle bicycle, highly sought after by young girls in the early 70s.

Despite her rapid rise to fame, Mari's time at the top was short-lived. By 1974, another Watanabe Pro idol, Agnes Chan, was already surpassing her in sales. In 1977, Mari's health deteriorated, and she took a lengthy hiatus, officially attributed to thyroid issues but later revealed to be depression triggered by her waning popularity. In 1979, she attempted a comeback, even bagging an endorsement deal for an ultrasonic facial device, one of the year's hit items for women. But her time had passed and she didn't find much success. Eventually, Mari's career took unconventional turns, including involvement in a softcore porn movie, the release of nude photobooks, and a transition to becoming a "fat" talento (TV personality), followed by a weight-loss book.

In 2015, in her last public interview, she revealed that, at 63, she was living in a retirement home in the Tokyo suburbs. Her fan club covered her expenses, while her daughter provided a modest weekly allowance. This marked a stark contrast to her glamorous peak years and serves as a reminder of the challenges idols face in the Japanese entertainment industry, particularly women, and how easily discardable idols can be. It also shows how wise Momoe Yamaguchi was, bowing out gracefully at the right time.

However, Momoe Yamaguchi and Mari Amachi represent two extremes within the realm of idols. While Mari achieved record profits for two years before facing decline and eventual obscurity, Momoe maintained relevance for nearly a decade before choosing to marry her on-screen partner, retire, and become a living legend. Most other 70s idols did not experience such remarkable destinies.

In 1971, two other young idols, Rumiko Koyanagi and Saori Minami, made their debut alongside Mari Amachi. The trio was collectively known as the "shin sannin musume," or the "three new girls." Their joint concert at the Budokan on Christmas of 1972 solidified their shared nickname.

The Shin San-nin Musume. Clockwise: Rumiko Koyanagi, Mari Amachi, and Saori Minami.

Rumiko Koyanagi had her skills honed at the Takarazuka Music School. Takarazuka is a very traditional, all-female theater group, and their training academy is known to be highly rigorous and selective. Koyanagi graduated top of her class but wanted something other than a musical theater career. Instead, her goal was to debut as a solo singer. So she left the Takarazuka Revue and signed with Watanabe Pro and Warner Pioneer label to fulfill her dream. Her first song, "Watashi no joka-machi" (My Castle Town), buoyed by the "Discover Japan" boom, surpassed 1 million copies sold, becoming the best-selling single of 1971.

Rumiko's repertoire predominantly featured enka-influenced kayokyoku. Her classical sound may not have been as appealing to the youth as some of her peers' slightly more modern tunes, but it ensured her stable sales throughout the decade. In her sixties, Rumiko has reinvented herself as a passionate soccer fan and a glamorous senior lady, sharing lifestyle tips and her love for Chanel and Lionel Messi on Instagram. She also conducts dinner shows, a lucrative type of intimate concert usually held at luxury hotels, where fans pay hefty prices to enjoy a multi-course dinner while listening to nostalgic hits.

The third "shin sanin musume" is Saori Minami. Minami didn't have a million-selling debut like Rumiko, nor did she become an instant sales behemoth like Mari. That didn't mean she was less impactful. Quite the opposite. Hailing from Okinawa, still under US occupation during her debut, Saori impressed Japan with her exotic beauty. In 1971 and 1972, she outsold every other female idol in bromide sales. Bromide is the local terminology for photographic portraits of celebrities, and historically, its sales are the best way to gauge how popular an idol is.

Her first single, "17-sai" (17 years old), became a classic and enjoyed enduring popularity, with several artists covering it over the decades. After retiring in 1978 upon her marriage to legendary photographer Kishin Shinoyama, Saori made a comeback in 1991 but has made only sporadic public appearances since then.

Two years after the emergence of the "shin sannin musume," a new trio of newcomers known as the "Hana no Chuusan Trio" or the "Chuusan's Flower Trio" (a reference to the fact all of them were in Chuusan, the third year of middle school) came into the spotlight. Masako Mori, Junko Sakurada, and Momoe Yamaguchi were all revealed in the talent search TV show "Star Tanjou" (A Star is Born). In 1975, by the time they were in their second year of high school (kou 2), they co-starred in the successful film "Hana no Kou 2 Trio."

The Hana no Chuushan Trio: Momoe Yamaguchi, Junko Sakurada and Masako Mori.

At 13 years old, Masako Mori secured her place as the inaugural "Star Tanjo" grand champion in 1971. The following year, she debuted under Hori Production and swiftly soared to success. Mori's music was deeply influenced by enka, and by the close of the decade, she had solidified her status as a fully-fledged enka star. In 1986, she tied the knot with enka superstar Shinichi Mori, leading her to retire from the entertainment scene. However, in 2005, following her divorce, the former idol made a comeback, embarking on tours and participating in TV dramas for a few years before ultimately deciding to bid farewell to her career once more on her 60th birthday in 2019. Notably, she shares three children with Shinichi Mori, including TAKA, the lead vocalist of the popular rock band ONE OK ROCK.

Junko Sakurada clinched victory at "Star Tanjo" in 1972 at 14. Subsequently, she signed with Sun Music agency and Victor Music, marking her official debut in February 1973 with the release of "Tenshi mo yumemiru" (Angels Also Have Dreams). Given their similar age, niche, and close debut dates, the industry and some fans pitted her against Momoe Yamaguchi despite their behind-the-scenes friendship. Both idols enjoyed substantial popularity, with Yamaguchi usually holding an edge in sales. The exception was in 1975 when Junpei, as fans affectionately knew her, dominated as the best-selling female idol in music and bromide sales.

In addition to her music career, Junko excelled as an actress. In 1983, she opted to conclude her singing career to dedicate herself solely to acting. A decade later, in 1993, the former idol shocked Japan by announcing her participation in a mass wedding ceremony organized by the controversial South Korean Unification Church at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul. Her husband had been chosen for her by the church.

Her association with the cult brought her career to an abrupt halt. With her image becoming closely linked to the church, TV networks and advertisers distanced themselves from her. Consequently, Junko relocated from Tokyo, devoting herself entirely to her faith and family. Since then, she has made a few comebacks. In 2006, she published a highly-publicized essay book, and in 2013, she celebrated the 40th anniversary of her debut with a special concert. In 2017 and 2018, she returned to the stage, coinciding with her musical comeback and the release of a new album, "My Ideology."

After this project, Junko has remained out of the spotlight, with an official return unlikely unless she completely renounces her ties with the United Church. The cult's controversial image became even more repellent following the murder of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July, committed by a young man who attributed his family's financial and psychological turmoil to the church. Consequently, the cult's unethical financial practices and ties to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party have become widely discussed topics in the country. For Junko Sakurada, her affiliation with the cult has overshadowed her otherwise successful decades-long career.

Completing the trio alongside Junko and Masako was Momoe Yamaguchi. Although Yamaguchi's career has eclipsed that of almost every other idol of the 1970s, she initially experienced the least success among the three young girls. Unlike her peers, both of whom had claimed grand champion titles at "Star Tanjou!," Momoe secured second place at her final showcase. Moreover, her debut single was the poorest-selling among the trio. However, she would ultimately emerge as the definitive idol, and her retirement would serve as the perfect conclusion to an epoch-making career.

While Momoe, Junko, Masako, Mari, Agnes, Rumiko, and Saori, among others, collectively set an impressive precedent for future female idols, male idols also played a significant role in the era. In terms of profitability, male idols reigned supreme, thanks to the unwavering loyalty of their female fanbase. Johnny Kitagawa, the late founder of Johnny's Jimusho, would eventually become the most influential figure in the entertainment industry by monopolizing this niche for decades with his boybands.

However, during the 1970s, Kitagawa was just one among many. Although his agency achieved considerable success with the boyband Four Leaves, it was soloist Hiromi Go who briefly held the nation under his sway between 1973 and 1974. Unfortunately for Kitagawa, this period of dominance proved fleeting, as Go departed for another agency in 1976, signaling that Johnny Kitagawa still had much to accomplish to solidify his authority.

With Johnny's domination still on the horizon, Hideki Saijo emerged as the most influential male idol of the 1970s. Saijo enjoyed success with several hit singles, including the ballad "Chigireta Ai," released in 1973, and 1979's "Young Man," a cover of Village People's "Y.M.C.A." Demonstrating the power of devoted fangirls, Saijo became the first domestic solo artist to perform a concert at Nippon Budokan. His popularity quickly transcended the Budokan, propelling him to the status of a stadium headliner and solidifying his position as the decade's top concert ticket seller.

The loyalty of fangirls meant that male idols consistently outperformed any act in ticket sales. In the 1960s, The Tigers, considered one of the pioneers of the "group sound" movement and regarded by many as Japan's first idol group, became the first domestic act to hold a stadium concert. By the following decade, the "group sound" era had ended, but some former band members successfully transitioned into solo careers.

Kenji Sawada and Hideki Saijo, the two stadium-selling male idol superstars from the 80s.

Kenji Sawada, the former lead vocalist of The Tigers, remained a constant presence on the charts throughout the 1970s. Under the guidance of the influential Watanabe Pro agency, Sawada succeeded as a singer and actor. He brought a rockstar aura to his performances, incorporating impactful and extravagant visual elements and pioneering the use of makeup, drawing inspiration from David Bowie and glam rockers. In doing so, Sawada laid the groundwork for visual kei, a movement that would revolutionize Japanese rock in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Nicknamed "Julie" since his early days in the 1960s due to his admiration for Julie Andrews, Sawada continues to thrive as a prominent music figure in Japan, one of the few stars from that era still capable of selling out stadiums.

While girls' adoration often paves the way for male idols to enjoy lengthy careers, there are exceptions to this rule. In 1974, Finger 5 became one of the best-selling idol groups in the country. Comprising five young brothers from Okinawa, they were marketed as Japan's response to the Jackson 5 and consistently churned out hit singles. However, just two years later, their popularity took a nosedive. Several factors contributed to this decline, notably their heavy reliance on the two youngest members, aged only 10 and 12. These youngsters not only grappled with exhaustion from relentless work schedules but also faced the challenges of puberty, causing their voices to change and preventing them from hitting the right notes in their songs. Consequently, Finger 5 lost its appeal.

Finger 5's brief career underscores a crucial aspect of the idol industry: the importance of youthfulness. In Japan's gender-biased society, some male idols from the 1970s were granted the opportunity to age gracefully, evidenced by a few who maintained success well into their 60s and 70s. In contrast, female idols invariably confronted the pressures and inevitable decline associated with aging.

This brings us back to the quintessential idol of that era, Momoe Yamaguchi. By choosing to retire and steadfastly resisting any temptation to reenter the public eye, Yamaguchi effectively became frozen in time at 21 years old, her age at the moment she bid farewell to both showbiz and the public. This solidified her status as a legendary and unattainable icon—an idol who never aged.

70s Japan Trends Through the Music Charts (Part 3)

#enka #kayokyoku #momoe yamaguchi #70s japan #1970s #japanese music #jpop #discover japan #heibon punch #kenji sawada #hideki seiji #junko sakurada #70s idols #finger 5 #mari tenchi #rumiko koyanagi #saori minami #four leaves #hiromi go

[tepidjasminetea]

Chapter 1 of a novel i might write

Lyanna woke to see the fog crawling over the barren winter heath. To the north, the vast withered land stretched on for eternity until it reached the foot of a mountain and submit to their stoney facades and sharp edges. The sun had not fully risen from the soft bed of night, but it was stretching slowly over the tip of mountain to shower the land with shimmering warmth. She pulled the sheepskin closer around her body and tucked her frizzled golden locks behind her ear. Turning her head to the south she could see the Walls of Ardis, the limestone walls were the height of a ten thousand men stand atop one another, encircled by a man-made moat that ran three-hundred meters deep and with archer towers scaling the sky every 100 meters, it was impossible to scale. To attack was to commit yourself to a long and ardous siege, to waste away outside as lords and nobles feasted in the lofty castle with half-a-decade worth of provisions stacked in the cellars. The Ardis had only fallen once before when the Gate Master went rogue during the Revolution of 1512. She remembered that clearly, how her grandmother shook her awake hurriedly in the middle of the night, handed her off to a nameless knight that died a week later without so much as a word of goodbye. She wasn’t actually there when the city fell, but in her dreams she could see the silver pillars of the palace crumbling to dust. 

The bittersweet taste of jasmine tea swirled in her mouth as she gathered her belongings and covered her tracks. Lyanna was heading south towards Ardis. There would be a lone traveler clad in iron and a red cloak that boasts the Linari flag, he would be returning from the Battle of Skellegg that happened three weeks ago. His entire battalion was decimated during the fight, there was no one left in the military that knew Gavin Ferndrost. A prisoner of war returning to his home country, weak, mutilated, underfed. Most importantly, easy to kill. 

From the distance she saw her canaries returning from the south, stretching out her hands, she called out, “What news do you bring me?”

You must make haste, dear princess, Kori chirped, pack up your things and get on your horse. He has not awaken yet, but he will be soon. 

You exaggerate, he is still in bed with his whore, Mori interjected. I believe he will wake at noon, the earliest. He spent much of his silver on wine last night. 

“Is he with the beautiful one with the green eyes?” 

Yes. 

Lyanna strapped her bag to her brown thoroughbred and mounted the mare, “the poor beautiful girl, she’ll be waking up next to a corpse.” 

The wind swept landscape was welcoming and easy on the eye as her mare galloped through the heath made soft from last night’s rainfall. The occasional tree graced the horizon like a watchful guardian that provided shelter, warmth, and a landmark for travellers. As she found herself increasingly southward, the grass became taller and denser, they danced in the wind like a tribe receiving their chieftain back from a bloody war. The wilderness gave way to paved gravel roads and soon she began seeing snap bean farms dotting the scene. 

She reached her destination as the sun finally peaked its head over the mountains and stretched it’s sleepy form over the sky. From her shadow she saw that it was nearly noon. 

See, I told you to be quick, Kori gloated. 

Mori ignored her stinging jab, he’s on the third floor, you will have to climb, princess. 

Lyanna made her way around to the back of inn and found her way onto the roof from the seemingly forgotten garden in the back, a monstrously large oak tree reigned supreme over the weeds and stinging nettles. Gripping the thick branches of the tree, Lyanna climbed up to the third floor, her cape was caught among the branches as she jumped from the tree to a wooden ledge. A piece of mud covered fabric hung in the wind. 

Peering through the window Lyanna could see the solider’s injured body tangled with the porceline white limbs of the whore. Both were still asleep and their chests rising and falling peacefully. The man was younger than she expected, his sleeping face was a picture of youth, not a single wrinkle or worry line. Freckled cheeks and a long scar running from his collarbone to his chin. Around his neck laid a bronze medallion, a lotus encircled with words that Lyanna could not read from this distance. It must have been a memento, she wondered who gave it to him, was it a friend? A mother or a father? Perhaps even a lover. Whoever it was, it meant that someone, somewhere, dead or alive, was waiting for his return. His hair was short and dirty, covered with dirt and other grim he picked up during his travel. His arms were ropey with muscle, while she could see his ribcage poking out from his skin. Sores of all different shapes and sizes dotted his body like dandelions in spring, his left thigh was wrapped in bandages that looked fresh but blood was already soaking through, staining the bedsheets below him. 

The sight of a couple sleeping so serenely was stinging to her chest, it reminded her of Naruse and his equally freckled face. 

Silently and swiftly Lyanna vaulted over the window sill and made her way over to the bed, delicately she pulled out a small sewing needle wrapped in linen. The needle had been submerged in pufferfish blood while being forged to cool down the steel. In Roliah needles like these were called ‘Pufferfish’s kiss’ and were used to hunt boars and other large beasts. 

“Sleep gently fallen soldier, and walk peacefully through the shadowlands. Today is the day all your sorrows end, today is the day you leave your sword behind.” She whispered gently to herself as she slide the needle slowly into his left chest. 

He shall sleep peacefully but you never will again. Naruse’s voice passed through her like a ghost, leaving her cold and shivering. Like a scene from her dream, Naruse’s face was crumbling with pain, choking and grabbing at his chest. 

Lyanna gasped and stepped back from Naruse. He was reaching out to her, his black hair matted across his forehead in sweat, his blue kaftan wet with blood. All she could say was, “sorry.” 

Princess! You woke them! Kori’s voice rang her back to reality. 

Her hand was sticky with red hot blood, and she was shivering. Her limbs trembling as if she just scaled the walls of the Ardis. It wasn’t Naruse that was dying, it was the Naruse-like boy. The needle had gone in wrong, it had gone into his arteries. Lyanna watched as his grey eyes seeped with fear and confusion slowly dull as the pretty girl shook his shoulders. His expression was similar to Naruse’s. All men die in fear, so it seems. But what kind of expression did Naruse make? Did he look like that? She had thought initially that they looked similar but now searching her memory she could not conjure the picture of his face as he died. He didn’t have grey eyes, that is for sure. 

It was the whore’s scream that move her again, in one swift motion she unsheathed her dagger and lunged forward at her. She screamed as she fell off the bed and tripped over the sheets trying to reach the door. She screamed as Lyanna grabbed her legs to hold her still. She screamed as Lyanna begged her to be quiet, she continued to scream until she was dead, until the only thing pouring out from her mouth was blood. 

#fiction #writing #fantasy #give me feedback #women writers

[long-hot-stories]

The Peddler & the Fairy: Part 3

The trio's idle hours are interrupted by an unexpected guest.In 10 parts, by Scholarly Mori. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.

During the trek back to camp, Reina lagged behind. She felt a little awkward with her new family, but she was also giddy.

'I can't believe I finally found a herd-mate!' she thought. 'He's not what I imagined he'd be; he's not even the same species, but he didn't mind my oddities or disfigurement, and he; he actually kissed them!' She put her hands to her face, blushing at the memory.

'Speaking of kisses, Azalea kissed me, as well, and on the lips no less. What did that mean? Did it mean anything? Is that normal? What is considered normal for humans and fairies? I guess I can only try to play it by ear and see how things develop.'

Arriving at Devin's camp, she assessed her new home. "Your camp looks clean and well organized. I would expect no less from my herd-mate."

"Thanks! I try to keep it that way. Food scraps tend to attract wild animals, and I like knowing where everything is."

Reina looked toward the wagons. The largest barrels had round stone plates on top and bottom, lashed together with rope. Ice clung to the sides and rim of the barrels.

"You mentioned you were a merchant. What do you sell?" Reina asked.

"Before I answer that, how much do you two know about human society?"

"I have not had many interactions with humans. When I was very young, my parents took me with them to the human capital, but all I remember is a lot of people and tall buildings." She shrugged.

"The Northern kingdom is an alliance of demi-human tribes and the old kingdom of Lindone. There are three major human cities: Thawdenn, Iceford, and Merport, with a smattering of smaller towns and homesteads across the region. Because of the poor growing environment, milk is an important staple, especially during the winter months. Because there are very few holstaurs this far north, compared to the Middle Kingdom, sheep-girl and satyr milk have become the primary alternative -- mainly because they endure cold better, and sheep girls have the added benefit of producing wool," Devin explained as he started to break camp.

"So you're a milk merchant?" inquired Reina.

"Mostly. I buy milk wholesale from Thawdenn and resell it in Iceford or one of the smaller settlements, charging a slightly higher price, plus a delivery and handling fee. I sometimes also barter for other demi-human commodities: lamia venom, sheep-girl wool, spools of arachne silk, pollen from alraune, the occasional order of milt, and caviar from Merport, plus a few other things."

"That sounds like a lucrative enterprise."

"It's a modest living. Everyone needs something to be moved from one place to another, so I figured the prospects with that as a profession would be stable."

"Are these stone plates responsible for this?" Reina asked while tapping the ice on one of the barrels.

"Yes. Those specific ones are called chill runes. Think of them as a pre-cast spell. Runes are flexible and convenient for non-affinity users. They can be applied to many different materials for a variety of effects, but they have many limitations, too, mainly duration and availability. I'm not sure exactly how they are made, but I think they take blood as a fuel source."

"Impressive you have multiples of these."

"Enough for each milk barrel, but they'll expire soon, so I hope you don't mind the hasty departure, but it's almost noon, and we have quite a bit of distance to cover. We'll be heading out as soon as we are packed," Devin announced.

When the wagon was fully loaded, and Devin was hitching up the bay, Reina put a hand on his arm. "May I be allowed to pull the wagon?"

"You can, but why?" he challenged with a stunned expression.

Reina patted the old bay. "I can't, in good conscience, let this elderly horse do all the work alone. I would like to assist her."

"That's fine with me, but I don't have a spare harness. I'll have to rig something, and it probably won't be comfortable."

"I am not concerned about a little discomfort." A warm smile broke out on her face.

Reina positioned herself next to the bay as Devin tied some spare rope into an assortment of loops. Then he placed them around Reina's lower torso and behind her front legs.

"How is it? Not too tight?" Devin checked.

"It's a little rough, but it will suffice."

Devin climbed into the driver's seat, and Azalea took up her favorite perch on his shoulder. He gave the reins a test pull. "Can you feel that?"

Reina felt a little tug on her left side, then the other. "Yes."

"Let me know if you become too tired," he offered.

With a flick of the reins, the wagon jerked forward. Reina watched the bay, timing their movements together. Progress was slow at first, but Reina soon settled into a complementary gait.

As they neared the treeline, Devin pulled the wagon to a halt. "How are you feeling, Reina?"

"This is quite invigorating," she panted, "although this area is getting a bit sore." She rubbed where the rope was chafing her skin.

Devin thought for a moment, then rummaged around the wagon bed.

"This might help." He placed some burlap fabric between her skin and the rope. "Better?"

"Yes, thank you."

Devin stood on the wagon and poked his head above the trees, checking the highway for signs of people. Seeing none, he climbed back into his seat, and the trio made their way down to the road.

"What a magnificent example of human ingenuity," Reina commented.

"Half right. The king's highway is the cooperation between humans and demi-humans."

"I remember my mother mentioning it when I asked her about human culture once," reminisced Azalea.

"It was the answer to the problem of particularly harsh winters that would strand many tribes and stymy trade. Though, I think it's mostly taken for granted now," Devin mused.

When she was guided to the edge of the road, Reina had to maneuver a bit to clear the lip of the embankment. Its construction was mostly crushed rock overlaid with packed earth, slightly higher than the surrounding environment. She stopped a moment to wipe the sweat off her forehead. "It has been quite a while since I've exerted myself this much. I don't know how this poor creature managed it for so long." She patted the bay's head. "So we are headed to Iceford, herd-mate?"

"Yes, but we'll make a detour to my friend's homestead," Devin answered.

"I have never been to this part of the region. Excuse me for a moment." She pulled up the blanket covering her backside, squatted, and urinated.

Devin cocked an eyebrow. "Do you have a pee fetish or something?"

Reina hid a smile behind her hand, "For many demi-humans, urine contains a great deal of information about an individual, but to answer your question, no, I do not. The fact you've seen me urinate so much is purely coincidental. In this specific instance, though, there is a custom among Whitehorns called poronkusema. When we start a new migration into a region we are unfamiliar with, we measure the distance based on how often we need to empty our bladder."

"That's one way to do it, I guess."

"Maybe I should have done the same thing when I flew here from my village," Azalea quipped.

--

The sun was slowly warming the crisp morning air as the trio set off west. Usually, Devin passed the dull kilometers daydreaming of a more exciting life, but now that he had it, he was glad for the long hours. He needed time to plan and think about certain changes he'd have to make in the future.

"Reina."

Looking over her shoulder, "Yes, herd-mate?"

"Is this something you want to do full time, or until I find a new horse?"

"If your cargo doesn't get much heavier, I am confident I can fulfill this role."

"I don't usually fill it beyond this amount. I'm assuming you are equally confident in snow?"

"Yes, more so, even."

'That would lessen my concerns quite a bit. Horses are expensive, and Gylan might not even have a spare to let me borrow or sell.' He thought.

For his bay's sake, he never did much winter trading when the snows became deep. This might be an opportunity if Reina was offering and proficient at winter travel. He had to consult with a wainwright about getting a proper harness for her.

The rest of the day was uneventful. Reina would stop roughly every seven kilometers and urinate. Azalea passed the time humming or sketching the landscape, but she eventually grew bored and pulled out a separate sketch pad bound with a thick cord.

"Hey, Reina!"

Reina's ear swiveled backward at the sound of her name.

"Can I sketch your ass?" Azalea requested matter-of-factly.

"You want to sketch my what, ?!"

"Your ass! It's very cute, and I want to preserve it for, posterior-ty!" Azalea grinned at Devin.

"Haven't you seen enough of her ass?" Devin solicited.

"Can you ever have too much of something that's nice to look at?" challenged Azalea.

"It beats staring at trees the whole time," Devin relented. "If it makes Azalea stop making bad puns, then please say yes, Reina."

'Why am I so embarrassed whenever I interact with Azalea,' Reina thought. Aside from the threesome they had this morning, when her embarrassment was superseded by her horniess, she always felt a bit flustered around her.

Blushing, Reina pulled the blanket up, giving the two an eyeful of her shapely rump. They didn't say anything, but she could feel their eyes wandering over her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Azalea start to sketch.

"You have a graceful walk, Reina," Devin extended.

"Th, thank you, herd-mate."

Each footfall was firm and sure as her legs and haunch muscles tensed and rippled with the strain of each step. She shook her head just as a breath of wind caused the filigree in her antlers to catch the light, scattering the sun across the silky hair fluttering behind her. It definitely enhanced her assumed queenly persona.

"I'm done!" Azalea announced two hours later.

She handed Devin her sketch pad. He held it up, comparing it to the real thing. Azalea's giftedness was quite evident. Devin was impressed by the way Azalea used shadow to imply the location of her muscles and provide depth to the finer details of her more intimate bits, especially the grooved lines of her anus and slight creases of her labia. The attention she applied to Reina's fur stood out the most, creating the illusion of movement and softness and making the image seem more real than it should.

"Subject matter aside, you're an amazing artist," he commended.

"One of the few things I'm great at," She said smugly. "That sketchbook contains a collection of all my most memorable and favorite drawings. Flip to the beginning and see!"

Devin turned to the first page, and it made more sense why Azalea chose Reina as her theme.

"Azalea, your collection is extensively detailed drawings of demi-human genitalia?" he asked, incredulous.

"Uh-huh! Well, not all of them, but they are all people I've met, or care about. Aren't they amazing?! Look at all the different shapes and sizes! Isn't this one cute? Can you believe how big that one is? Isn't the shape of this one fascinating?!"

Devin shook his head. The sketches weren't sexual in nature. They were so academic that they just needed labels for it to be some kind of indecent demi-human field guide. "Not sure I want to ask if you peeped on all these people naked so you could draw them."

"Of course not! That would be rude and creepy. I casually go up to them and ask. It's not my fault if they think I'm a Leannin Sidhe."

"A what?"

"They are cousins to us fairies, but eccentric and obsessed with art, drawing, composing music, singing, stuff like that."

"So you don't clarify that you're a fairy."

"Well; not exactly, but it's fine. They were all happy to pose for me."

Halfway through the sketches, the theme changed. Devin had to ask, "Is this your village?"

"Yes. It's very boring, but quaint enough to live in, I suppose."

Very much in tune with the natural surroundings, her village did look cozy. There were tiny doors and windows in trees, fallen logs, and the sides of hills. Its fairy inhabitants looked similar to Azalea, with a wide array of brightly-colored clothing. The scenes looked like what you'd find at any human town: fairies perusing market stalls, some singing to small audiences, all of them going about their daily lives.

The last two pages were a panorama.

"Oh, that's my classmates after we graduated. They wanted to relax after all our studying, so they went to the communal baths to unwind."

"They didn't invite you?" Devin inquired.

"No, but I went anyway. It's normally used by the whole village, but it was early enough in the day so we were the only ones there."

Azalea pointed to a spot in the upper left corner. "The bath is fed by a large creek diverted into two channels. The first feeds five waterfalls where we wash before going into the main area."

Azalea pondered over the picture a moment. "This is Lilac under the first falls, she has a well-rounded knowledge of many topics, especially anatomy. Unlike me, she has no problem remembering all those unnecessarily long names. Next to her is Magnolia, she's soft-spoken and very clumsy, in a cute way".

"Any examples?"

Azalea put her hand to her chin. "We once went foraging in the forest. She tripped over a root. Luckily, I was behind her, so I had a front-row seat, and it was my first time seeing under her dress. She has a beauty mark on her left cheek. Also, I'm sure she has the biggest clit out of all the girls."

"You would notice things like that," Devin commented and laughed.

She circled her fingers and looked through them at him. "As an artist, I have a quick and discerning eye for detail, life-mate."

"Indeed," Devin said amused.

"Where was I? Oh yes, this lovey-dovey couple is Camellia and Reed. They've been together for years. They go everywhere and do everything together. She says her long, golden hair is high maintenance, so she has Reed help wash it, but I think it's just an excuse to feel his penis between her thighs."

"I can relate! I appreciate a certain fairy's thighs wrapped around mine."

"You did?! I'm glad, life-mate!" She pounced on him, hugging his neck. They shared a kiss before going back to the picture.

"The second channel feeds the main bath. I think it can fit twenty-five fairies comfortably, maybe a few more if they sit on these mossy rocks surrounding the edge.

"Life-mate, here's a fun little secret. This moss feels really good on a bare cunt. Imagine soft, bunny-girl fur between your legs. This one especially makes it easy for a little stealth masturbation." She leered at an unassuming rock protuberance.

"Easy to hide wet spots in the bath," Devin speculated.

"That was my exact thinking, too! Too bad it's not a hot bath, or else it'd be easier to hide a flushed face as well." She giggled.

"Let's see, who else? Oh, this is Chrysanthemum. She's quite athletic. It's fun to watch her boobs bounce around when she exercises. She doesn't talk much, though. When she's bathing, she just eats the fruits hanging from these vines and people-watches. Unlike these two," Azalea said and tapped the page, "Myrtle and Hazel, they love to gossip, mostly about Hyacinth. They don't do it maliciously, though.

"Speaking of which, this is Hyacinth." Devin followed her finger to a fairy with tied-up blonde hair and a pair of alluring emerald eyes. "She's the class tease, always flirting with the boys. She's giving poor Sorrell a handjob while he watches Lily grope Marigold. I say poor because she has a bit of a mean streak. She never brings them to climax, always leaving them with blue balls. I overheard some of the boys say her hands feel amazing, so maybe it's worth the discomfort. Now that I think about it, they do get them more often in the bath. Maybe it takes more work to get them hard in cold water?"

"And this is Lily and Marigold?" Devin asked.

"Yep, Lily has the flattest chest in the class. She enjoyed groping all the big girls, especially Marigold, who's the largest aside from me."

"She never groped you?"

"She did. Got my nipples hard on quite a few occasions, but when my little nymphomania secret got out, she stopped."

"So, let me get this straight. You went to the baths with your classmates even though they essentially ostracized you for having a high sex drive?"

Azalea twiddled her thumbs. "Even if I can't get close to people and they don't talk to me, I still like to be around them."

Devin scooped up Azalea and cuddled with her for a moment. "I hope our time together makes up that."

Azalea nuzzled him back. "It already has, life-mate! I've been happier than I've been in a long time! It hasn't even been two days, and already I've had so much fun with you. and now that Reina's here, it's been double the fun!"

Reina smiled. "I too am looking forward to our future together, Azalea."

Devin set Azalea down. "So, fairies aren't normally as horny as you?"

"Faires, no; pretty conservative, the bath thing was just them goofing around. Our Leannin Sídhe cousins, on the other hand, are much more so. They express their sexuality through art, so they can get away with the 'its art' excuse. Pixies, though, the little addicts, sex to them is basically saying hello. The one time I went to one of their villages looking for a life-mate, four of them were going at it in the town square while casually discussing what to eat later. No one batted an eye. They'll do anything whenever, wherever."

"And that didn't appeal to you?"

"It was tempting, but Pixies just love the pleasure. For me, sex is fascinating to study and learn about; the pleasure is just a bonus. Also, they never leave their villages, that sounds boring to me."

Devin nodded his understanding and flipped to the next page.

"Oh, that one is my mom and her husband when they moved to the orc village!"

A fairy with a face resembling Azalea, except a bit older with a smaller bust and short wavy hair, was standing on the open palm of a large, well-dressed orc.

"You keep saying husband. Is he not your father?"

"Hmm? Oh, no, he isn't."

"Oh. I thought it odd you didn't call him dad. Wait, didn't you say fairies can only have offspring with other species?"

"Huh? I don't think so? Maybe I didn't explain it well enough. Fairies can mate with other fairies, demi-humans, or humans, but offspring will always be fairies. Anyway, mom remarried and that picture was when she made her public announcement of marriage."

The way Azalea hurried away from the topic of her biological father, Devin surmised she didn't want to talk about him.

"The adjacent picture is the day after their marriage."

Azalea's mom was in the bath, sitting on her husband's erect penis. "He's a bit of a shy sort when it comes to nudity around anyone but mom, but she managed to persuade him, saying she wanted to make sure they were both clean before drawing the lovecrest.

"This was the first time we had all bathed together. I was sitting across from them. Mom was scrubbing his penis a little too vigorously and ended up making him cum all over me. He was mortified, but mom and I had a good laugh while reassuring him it was alright."

'I see where her lewd side came from.' Devin thought.

"So, your mom has a lovecrest too?"

"She does, she is the one who taught me, but her's, has some unique additions." Azalea trailed off. "Anyway, she was able to take him first try, no problem. That's why I thought maybe you'd fit in me."

"Well, your mom is, well, a mom. She had you, so that was bound to stretch her out a bit."

Azalea sighed. "I hope so."

The second-to-last page had a full-page image of a penis.

'This one looks oddly familiar,' he thought.

"Azalea."

"Yes, life-mate?"

"Is this my penis?"

"Isn't it lovely! I loved snuggling up to it this morning."

"Is that going to happen every morning?

"Of course. Who doesn't like breakfast in bed?" she snickered.

Devin handed her sketchbook back.

"So, what'd you think of my collection?" she buzzed.

"It's, um, a very unique way to express your interests."

"I can't wait to fill up more pages during our adventures!" she beamed. "I'm gonna go show Reina."

She had just landed on Reina's shoulder when a large shadow passed overhead, drawing everyone's attention. Devin instinctively pulled the wagon to a stop.

Azalea and Reina both looked back, eyes wide, as two large and glossy black wings enveloped Devin.

"Hello, little brother," said a tenderly sensuous voice, "I have returned for my bi-weekly sibling bonding time!"

"You know you don't have to, Mavis," Devin replied, nonplussed.

"Don't be so cold. Is that any way to treat your big sister who hasn't seen you in such a long time?!" She hugged him tighter, resting her chest on top of his head.

"It's only been two days."

"Two days is an eternity when I spend all my time alone, flying across the broad swath of empty wilderness." She sniffled melodramatically.

Devin brushed some of the feathers aside and looked up into the smiling ruby eyes of a slim woman in her mid-thirties.

"Won't you give your lonely sister a kiss?"

Devin lightly kissed one of her feathers.

"Now, now! That won't do! Give your big sister a proper kiss."

As Devin sighed, she shook a few strands of black hair from her face and bent down, pressing her soft lips into his in a not-quite-sensual, but definitely more than familial, kiss. She probed his lips questioningly with her tongue, but he kept them firmly closed.

Mavis looked disappointed. "You normally love our little make-out sessions."

"M'not today," he muttered.

"Is it because you're embarrassed to show how close we are to your friends? Oh well, I guess I can settle for this to stave off my loneliness for a while, but next time it will be full tongue!" she cooed.

Azalea, getting over her initial surprise, fluttered up to the harpy calling herself Devin's sister.

"Oh, hello, are you a friend of my brother's? Would you like a kiss too?" she proposed alluringly.

"He's my life-mate, and I have a hard time believing you're his sister, given the obvious differences."

"You don't believe me? Can't you see the family resemblance?" She rested her head on Devin's shoulder so Azalea could compare.

"See? Perfect family resemblance!" she chuckled.

Azalea folded her arms and rolled her eyes.

"She's technically right, Azalea," assured Devin, "though it's more accurate to say I'm her adopted brother. We were childhood friends growing up. I was eighteen when my parents passed away, so Mavis' family took me in."

Mavis mussed his hair. "And that's why he has my family's last name. We are just as close as any biological siblings."

Azalea mulled over this explanation a moment. "If you're life-mate's sister, then; then that makes you my sister too?!"

"I'm not sure that's how it wor―" Devin tried to say.

Azalea exploded in excitement. "I've never had a sibling! What do sisters normally do together?! Try on each other's clothes?! Bake sweets?! Pick flowers?! I could make you a pretty―!"

Devin plucked her out of the air, muffling her in his hand.

"You found a sweet girl, Devin! I like her -- very spunky. She's just what you need to experience the more exciting parts of life," Mavis said.

"Actually, she found me."

"Is that so?" Mavis stole Azalea out of Devin's hand and pulled her close. "You want to hear some interesting stories about him?"

"Most definitely!" She nodded enthusiastically.

"He peeked at me several times in the bath."

"She complained she couldn't wash her back properly," Devin interjected. "That was the first night I moved in and before I became aware of your hobby of teasing me. I got in trouble with your father for that."

"You say trouble. I call it life experience."

"He was such a naughty brother, Azalea -- always trying to glance under my tail feathers."

"You mean you enjoyed giving me a hard time by wearing next to nothing when lounging around the house," he clarified.

"I think you mean hard-on," she teased. "Clothes are such a bother, anyway, when you don't leave the house."

Turning her attention back to Azalea, "That wasn't the most daring thing he did, Azalea. He was even brazen enough to sneak into my bed once and spoon me."

"She snuck into MY bed, in MY room, and rubbed her ass against me."

"You liked it, and I could tell you wanted to cum."

"Did not."

"Well, technically, yes, I couldn't tell since you had a lot of pre-cum and a very wet dream."

Azalea patted them both on the head between laughs. "You two are so cute together, and he does produce a lot of pre-cum. I'll have to try giving him a wet dream sometime, too." Azalea giggled.

"Oh, so you know! He was so mean to me that night, Azalea. Imagine it: it's late at night, and you get those tingles, that deep itch that can only be scratched by someone with fingers, but he's fast asleep! So what am I to do but try to scratch it myself with the nearest long, hard object, but the angles are all wrong to get it inside, so all I end up doing is making him get my tail feathers all sticky. Then, when he wakes up, instead of helping me, he leaves the room embarrassed!" she mock-cried.

Azalea put her hands on her hips. "Life-mate, shame on you, it's written in the younger brother handbook that he has the responsibility to take care of the sexual needs of his older sister."

"First, I wasn't expecting her to be in my bed rubbing up against my morning wood. Second, I wasn't ready to fertilize her eggs, and third, I'm positive and glad no such book exists," he claimed with exasperation.

"He can be quite the stick-in-the-mud, can't he, Azalea? I tried many times to wash his penis, to search out his favorite spots, but he always found an excuse to avoid me."

"You want me to tell you where they are?" Azalea whispered conspiratorially.

"I can hear you when you're right next to me, you know. If you two are quite done teasing me, I would like to know if you have any messages."

Reina sighed. "Always business first. Yes, I do, but first, look!" She spread her wings and did a little spin in the back of the wagon. "Brand new uniforms! Doesn't this purple and yellow beret look professional?" She adjusted it smartly. "It even has our emblem of a talon clutching a scroll embroidered on it, and isn't this black leather jerkin with alternating purple and yellow trim fashionable? I still need help to put it on and take off, but it's a lot quicker now since they moved the brass buckles to the sides.

"The only thing I dislike are these tight, form-fitting breeches. The short belted skirt over it is cute, but how am I supposed to show off my trim ass if it's being covered?"

"I'm sure your ass wasn't even a consideration for your boss."

"Sadly, you're right, even though I'm his fastest harpy at Wing and Claw Delivery. Speaking of asses, I thought I eyed you covering yours just before I landed, Miss Quiet Whitehorn."

Reina had been silently listening and not in any particular hurry to enter the conversation. "A lady would never do such a thing in public," She deflected.

"Is that so? I have a pretty good eye, especially for asses, and I'm positive I saw yours for a brief moment."

"I asked to se―" Devin muffled Azalea with his hand again.

"How about I introduce you two," Devin cut in. "Mavis, this is Reina D Virtsa. She's traveling with Azalea and I. Reina, as you've already heard, this is my older sister, Mavis Ebonplume."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Ebonplume."

"Likewise, Miss Virtsa."

"Returning to business matters, I have a client who has a big commission they want you, specifically, to fulfill; if you're up to it," Mavis announced.

"Oh? Who, and what's the commodity?" Devin queried.

"For now, they would like to remain anonymous but will have the written request completed in a few days. If you could stop by the office, I'll be able to give it to you then."

"Alright, I'll be making a detour at Gylan's farm, so it'll be about two or three days."

"That's fine. It's not an urgent or time-sensitive request. Anyway, I've used up all my break time and need to be off to deliver the rest of these." She shook the large satchels hanging under her wings. "Love you! I'll see you in a few days!"

Mavis spread her wings, did a test flap, and then took flight heading east.

"Your sister is fun to be around, life-mate! I can't wait to see her again!"

"I'm glad you two got along, even if it was at my expense."

--

Managing a few more kilometers before sunset, the trio found a decent place to camp for the night. Devin served up a meal of baked potatoes and wild chives that Reina found. Azalea was the first to finish eating, falling asleep soon after leaving Reina and Devin alone with the fire.

"Are you feeling sore, Reina?" Devin broke the silence.

"It was a bit more exertion than I anticipated, but I will grow accustomed to it."

Again, the two sat in silence for some time around the crackling fire, listening to the crickets' nightly song.

"Your sister really cares for you, herd-mate."

"She does. She's always been highly independent and proactive at doing whatever she puts her mind to, but she was never too busy to check up on me. She keeps trying to get me to quit being a merchant and come live with her, but I don't know how she could afford me not working. She can't make that much at her job. She keeps telling me she has an alternative income but never elaborates where from."

"Even still, you never considered her offer?"

"I like being a merchant and love traveling. Besides, if I had, I never would've met you or Azalea."

Reina tried to hide a smile. "That's true."

Devin got up and joined Reina on her side of the fire.

"Wha; what are you doing, herd-mate?"

"Just wanting to hold your hand."

"Of course, but I've just never done it in an intimate way before, is this part of human courtship? I don't know anything about how humans bond. It hasn't even been a day since we met and things have all happened so fast. I'm sorry if ―."

Devin suddenly kissed her lips. She stiffened in surprise, then felt her worry melt away as their lips lingered together. Settling back he squeezed her hand. "There isn't really any 'right way', go at our own pace," he assured her.

"How do Whitehorns conduct their courtship?"

Reina pondered a moment. "When Whitehorns come of age, both females and males leave their family to join other herds. Most males join together in 'bachelor bands.' During mating season, they will sparr with one another to demonstrate their physical and charismatic prowess to claim the right to be the first to ask potential females. Candidates are chosen based on pedigree, personality, looks, fertility, etc. The female can then either decline or accept to create their own separate herd as a pair or a group.

"The male will choose a primary female. Together, they will co-manage duties between themselves: when and where to migrate, who to trade with, and diplomatic-related duties with other herds or other demi-human tribes. The male will eventually mate with all the females of the herd, but the primary female chooses when and sometimes with who. She does that to maintain the resources balance within the herd. Offspring are raised communally, allowing females without offspring to work with mothers to gain experience and allow other mothers a chance to rest."

Devin leaned his head on Reina's side. "Do you miss your family?"

"I am unsure of my feelings about them right now. My family was never very openly affectionate, and my father was rather stern most of the time. Being the oldest child, they probably had expectations of me, but they never verbalized them or hinted at their wishes. They were probably disappointed that I'm thirty and never found a herd-mate."

"Till now."

She smiled. "Yes, until now, but I am uncertain how they would view our; unique relationship. I've never heard of another of my kind in a similar situation."

"Relationships like ours seem to be rare. In my travels, I've seen only a handful of similar partners. When we first met, you said you were on your way to catch up with your herd?"

"I did. This time of year is our bi-annual migration to our winter home. I had many things dwelling on my mind, so I decided to travel alone for a while so I could think about things," Reina mused.

"And, " he prodded.

"And?"

"How did the bramble come into play?" he asked.

Reina looked down. "It was a rash decision, and my stress was quite high; and I needed some relief."

"Will they miss you when you don't turn up?" Devin pushed further.

"I don't know. I've been left to my own devices for many years now. I doubt they would miss me."

"I'd like to think, on some level, most parents want to at least know if their children are safe," Devin stated with sympathy. "If you want, you can write a letter and have Mavis deliver it. Might give you some closure."

"I'll think about it."

Reina started to feel warm near the fires, so she removed her coat. She still felt a little vulnerable removing her outerwear. Out of habit, she moved to cover her scars but saw Devin watching her and folded her hands instead.

"Do they really not bother you?" she asked quietly.

Reina tensed as Devin made a move to touch them, but with a mischievous smile, he started tickling her. Surprised, she attempted to fend off his attacks but ended up laughing more than defending. He continued his onslaught for a few minutes and managed to roll Reina onto her side before stopping.

"Feel more relaxed?" He grinned.

She nodded, catching her breath and wiping happy tears from her eyes. "I wasn't expecting that."

Devin helped her back up. "It was a spur-of-the-moment decision."

After a pause, he continued, "I'm still curious as to how you got them."

Reina took a deep breath. "I; my sister and I were kidnapped by slavers."

"Wait, you were victims during that slaver attack thirteen years ago!?"

"I was. I tried to protect my sister, or at the very least, keep her in the group I was in. They didn't like my protests that much."

"So they whipped you," he said bluntly and with a tinge of anger.

Reina nodded. They both fell silent, letting the weight of Reina's story sink in.

"I'm sorry about your sister."

"I mourned for her and had nightmares for several years."

Devin pulled Reina into a hug. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"Thank you, herd-mate. I no longer have nightmares, so these scars are the only reminder of that time.

"I'll do my best, and I'm sure Azalea will as well, to make sure you enjoy life from now on."

"I am still getting used to Azalea's; unreserved nature, but I know she means well."

"I don't know if it'll help, but you might try viewing your scars not as a stigma of your failure to protect your sister but as a testament to your courage and survival. Think if you hadn't. If a few minor injuries were the price for freedom, I'd say it was a pretty cheap cost."

"I've never thought of it that way. I'll try to, herd-mate. I suppose the only other good thing that came from that event was my father hugged me for the first time when we returned home."

"See! He does care for you." Devin tried to encourage her.

Reina just looked into the fire thoughtfully. They interlocked and intertwined their fingers as silence settled over the camp, each attending to their own thoughts.

"Reina, I've been meaning to ask about our; mating earlier. I was wondering if we hadn't come along, what was your plan if you got pregnant?"

"I hadn't really thought about the repercussions," she admitted. "I'm ok with bearing your offspring if that's what you're implying?"

"My preferences aside, I really want to hear your feelings."

Reina looked into Devin's eyes. "I'm not against the idea, nor am I particularly eager to rush things. I am already more than happy to spend time traveling with you and Azalea for the time being. Not to mention, the orgasms you two gave me were quite satisfactory," she commended.

They continued watching the fire, enjoying each other's closeness.

Reina tried to stifle a yawn.

Devin leaned against her, imagining no other place he'd rather be than right here, warm and content. "I bet you're going to sleep well tonight with all the exercise you got."

"I will, but I am sure I will feel sore tomorrow."

"Maybe we can alleviate that some."

Reina watched curiously as he straddled her back. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he began a slow, deep massage. "I've found one of the best things in life is a massage right before bed and right when you wake up."

"I can see why." She hummed delightedly.

"Let me get this out of the way." She undid the clasp behind her neck, and her large breasts revealed their freedom with a slight bounce. She rolled her neck and shoulders, which tossed the fabric to the side. "Wearing clothes feels so confining at times."

"Aside from pulling human wagons, you must get sore fairly regularly being so well endowed."

Reina weighed them in her hands thoughtfully. "All the females from my family were blessed with a voluminous bust. I have become accustomed to the discomfort."

"You shouldn't have to! You can ask me for a massage any time."

"Such an attentive herd-mate. I'll be sure to take you up on your offer."

Encouraged by her little purrs of pleasure, he tried to focus on the massage but kept getting distracted by her ample cleavage. He thought of how to ask to touch them when Reina took the initiative.

"If you are going to be thorough, herd-mate, you are going to have to massage these as well." She smirked, placing her arms behind her head and thrusting her chest out.

"As my queen desires."

Thinking he was making fun of her, "M'not really royalty, you know."

"I'm aware, but I already consider you my queen." Devin leaned in and kissed the back of her ear. Heat flooded Reina's face, and she tilted her head down, blushing profusely.

"You're also incredibly adorable when you're embarrassed."

Reina took a few breaths to calm her fluttering heart. "When I was very young, two human nobles and their retinue visited our herd."

Devin scooted closer, his hands kneading the delicate muscles around the base of her breasts, ready to listen to her story.

"Father didn't inform me as to the nature of their visit. I had no interest, either -- that is, until I saw the nobleman's wife, sitting upon her carriage, regal, indifferent as if the mediocrity of everyday life was beneath her."

"What'd she look like?" he asked.

She closed her eyes to bring back the memory. "Her hair was dark as walnut, braided into a crown around her head. She wore a sapphire-embedded coronet. An emblem of blue roses embroidered the entirety of her billowy dress. She looked so striking compared to what I was used to seeing; I was enchanted by her.

"They stayed with us for a week. I wanted to talk with her, get to know her, but I rarely saw her outside her tent. For the first few days, I tried sneaking peeks at her, but I wasn't very discreet, and she shooed me away."

Reina was so engrossed in telling her story that she failed to notice Devin's massage transition from a wholesome alleviation of soreness and tension to a more lewd nature.

He experimentally cupped the oversized mounds in his hands, enjoying the luscious flesh squishing between his fingers.

"On my fourth attempt," Reina continued, "I went at night. She was humming a song while brushing her hair. This time, though, she sighed when she noticed me. She ushered me in. Then she put her brush down, demanding to know why I kept disturbing her. I told her I was infatuated by her, the way she conducted herself, her lifestyle.

"Whether she was bored or genuinely amused, I couldn't tell, but she invited me back to listen to her stories about growing up as a noble and how court life was conducted. Before she left, she gave me a book on etiquette. I ended up reading it so many times, I wore it out."

"An interesting choice for a role model." He remarked, lightly brushing her large gray-brown areola with his fingertips.

"My family and friends thought it cute, at first, but things became rather awkward between us when they realized it wasn't temporary."

Devin slid from her back, taking his place in front of her. "People seem to latch on to what they admire, and coincidentally, I'm admiring these cute, little inverted nipples!"

Reina looked down at his fingers teasing the slight indentations. "They are from my mother's side. Please be gentle. They are super sensitive."

A low moan escaped her lips as he coaxed her left nipple from its hiding place, its stiffness hinting at her arousal. The right one proved less forthcoming, so he placed his lips over the stubborn nub and alternated sucking and pinching until it popped out stiffly.

Reina pushed her chest forward, hugging his head in her arms as he suckled." That feels wonderful, herd-mate! Please don't stop."

Devin increased the pressure in his mouth as he relaxed in the tenderness of her hug. Her warmth and her smell nurtured his love for this lovely young woman. Like with Azalea, he was going to do everything he could to make her happy and strengthen this bond.

After several minutes of their intimate embrace, Reina gently pushed him away. "I'm sorry, herd-mate. That feels fantastic, but I won't be able to have an orgasm just from that. Allow me a few moments to cool down. We should probably get ready for bed. Would you please assist me?"

It didn't sit right with Devin -- getting Reina all worked up then leaving her without satisfaction. As he helped remove the filigree from her antlers, he mentally tossed around a few ideas.

"Could you attend to my fur, please?" She handed him a well-worn brush made of antlers and etched with trees and flowers. Her coarse outer fur was well adapted to protecting against snow. Her wispy, under-fur was silky and suited to resisting cold.

"Reina, until we find an adequate means of birth control, have you ever tried anal?"

"You mean mating with, that hole?" She pulled her tail in protectively. "Do people do that?!"

"Not everyone likes it," Devin admitted while stroking her flank.

She looked at him. "Wouldn't that hurt?"

"Not with the right preparations. It might feel a bit more intense than vaginal, though."

She bit her lip, wrestling with the idea.

Seeing her hesitation. "We'll go as slow as you want, and you can tell me at any point if it's uncomfortable or hurts."

With curious trepidation she let him pull her tail to the side. Right away, she shivered at the slight brush against her anus.

Unlike a centaur's, Reina's anus depressed slightly inward. Human-like in texture, it was smooth and pale-ish pink. He caressed the velvety sphincter, getting her used to the sensation.

"Should I stay in this position, herd-mate?"

"Whichever is more comfortable for you," he replied gently.

Reina remained lying down. She couldn't see exactly what he was doing, but every time his fingers made contact, little goosebumps appeared on her arms.

Knowing her nervousness wouldn't help loosen her up, he considered different approaches to help her relax and have a little fun at the same time. He wondered how much teasing she could endure.

Switching targets, he caressed her slit with the back of his knuckle. She was still mostly dry, so he helped her along by giving her a few playful licks.

She muffled a squeal at the sudden sensation. "Sorry, I've never had anyone lick me there before."

"I'm honored to be the first." Devin took another taste and an extended lick, letting his tongue slowly trail into the smooth recess of her body. He snaked his tongue up and over, staying just out of reach of her clit and vagina. His saliva mixed with her juices as her body began to leak her natural lubricant.

His purposeful avoidance of all the places she wanted his tongue the most was making her all squirmy. She kept trying to angle herself to get more of his tongue, but he kept adjusting to her movements. "Are you enjoying teasing me, herd-mate?"

"Most definitely. I think you're ready for something more direct."

"Please!" She whined.

Devin peeled her dripping lips apart. Her insides blossomed into view -- dark red, swollen, and drooling for more. Again, Devin sensuously trailed his tongue, from Reina's perspective, agonizingly slow toward the source of her need. Pausing just above her opening, he waited.

"Pleeease, herd-mate!" she begged.

With a smile, he plunged his tongue as deep as he could. She issued a guttural moan, and her cunt gushed at the sudden intrusion. He slurped and swirled his tongue, drinking as much of her as he could as he tried to get deeper. The more he lapped, the more she drenched his tongue.

Coming up for air, he licked the juices dripping from his chin and admired his handiwork. When she turned to look at him, her eyes full of lust, he challenged, "Ready for more?"

"I love what you're doing, but I thought we were; gonna do the other thing."

"We are. I just got a little carried away enjoying how you taste."

"I'll let you lick me anytime if this is the feeling I have to look forward to," she panted.

"Just a little more." He eyed her clit peeking out from the bottom of her vulva, nicely glazed with her juices. He dove back in and swirled his tongue around the engorged nub. A passionate mewl encouraged him to play with it more. Pushing up from the bottom, he popped more of it out of hiding as he took it between his lips and sucked greedily. Her wiggling became earnest enough that he had to push her hips down.

He hadn't forgotten the original purpose; he continued to feast as he transferred her lube to her anus. After a thorough coating, he slowly pushed his digit into her tight ring. Her sphincter resisted the initial push before yielding to his digit, and with a little fingering, widened enough for a second.

Devin freed his erection and then stroked his length across her slit, replacing his fingers at her entrance.

He pushed forward firmly. Her anus was unsure if it was ready and constricted. Momentarily pausing his advance, he checked with her, "Does it feel ok, Reina?"

"I feel so full. Please go slow," she pleaded.

He pulled back a bit, applying another helping of lube to himself. His next attempt was easier. With the head fully entering her, he held still, allowing her to adjust. He felt her clench a few times.

A nod from her gave him the go-ahead. Starting with small thrusts, he gradually switched to longer and deeper ones. "That feel better?"

"The pressure feels really intense," she groaned. "Could you aim downward a little? It feels really good when you push in."

He had to switch to a crouch to angle downward. He felt his glans rub the bottom of her rectum when he pushed in. "Like that?"

"Yes, I can feel it, sorta, in my vagina." Reina's purring made her comfort apparent.

He'd have liked to fist her again, but at this angle, he couldn't maneuver his arm properly, so he settled for rubbing her clit with his thumb.

"I'm going to be sore back there, but I can't believe how good this feels," she mewed.

He responded by thrusting faster and harder, his balls slapping the top of her cunt.

"Rub my clit harder! I'm gonna cum!"

He felt her orgasm surge through her. Her anus clenched, making his thrusting difficult but adding to the sensation. Her cum gushed over his hand. He waited until she finished. "Reina, try pushing me out."

She bore down, and her rectal muscles tightened around him. That is when she felt him grabbing her hips and thrusting hard and deep a few more times before erupting in her.

"Oh, I can feel your cum!" she exclaimed, continuing to squeeze her muscles until he collapsed on her back.

Following a few deep breaths, Devin pulled out of her and stood up shakily, licking her juices from his hand. Unlike Azalea's, whose was watery and thin, Reina's was syrupy and thick.

"Did you have fun?"

"You said massages are great before bed. We can add orgasms are great, too!" They both laughed.

Devin helped clean Reina then himself before snuggling up against her.

"Azalea must be a deep sleeper if she managed to sleep through all that noise," he thought out loud.

Reina looked at their diminutive, sleeping friend. "I'm sure she would have joined us if she were awake."

"Imagining a vibrating fairy against your clit again?"

"I'd pass out again if she did that."

They smiled tiredly at each other.

"Good night, my queen."

"Good night, herd-mate."

Sleep prevailed in the camp.

To be continued in part 4, by Scholarly Mori for Literotica.

[dailyrugbytoday]

New Zealand Māori U18 Mareikura Girls to play against New Zealand Barbarians on October 6

New Post has been published on https://thedailyrugby.com/new-zealand-maori-u18-mareikura-nz-barbarians/

The Daily Rugby

https://thedailyrugby.com/new-zealand-maori-u18-mareikura-nz-barbarians/

New Zealand Māori U18 Mareikura Girls to play against New Zealand Barbarians on October 6

The 2023 New Zealand Māori Nga Mreikura Under 18 Girls squad was unveiled by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) today. They will compete in a single match against the New Zealand Barbarians on October 6 at Auckland’s Navigation Homes Stadium.

Players from rugby clubs (8) and schools (9) from all throughout Aotearoa, who were recognized for their outstanding performances this season, make up the 23-member Nga Mreikura side.

Jarvy Aoake of the Bay of Plenty will serve as the organization’s head coach, assisted by Te Rauoriwa Gapper, a current Matat, Stephanie Te-Ohaere Fox, a former Black Fern, and former Black Fern Stephanie Te-Ohaere Fox.

Aoake claimed that having the chance to lead has given him a foundation for personal development. New Zealand Māori Nga Māreikura U18 Girls squad named

New Zealand Māori U18 Girls Schedule

12.00pm | New Zealand Māori U18 Mareikura Girls v NZ Barbarians U18 Girls  

Don’t miss a key moment when watching at home on TV or streaming the match Live to a mobile device using the options listed in this guide.

Un-Official NOW LIVE – Find out below where and when you can watch 2024 New Zealand Māori Nga Māreikura Rugby TV, Fans can now register or Join interest to apply for New Zealand Māori U18 Mareikura Girls Live stream.

Tiki Edwards, the manager of NZR Mori Rugby Development, congratulated the women chosen for Nga Mreikura.

“For our players, the chance to represent their whanau (family), hap (sub-tribe), and iwi (tribe) is a tremendous honor. I’m excited to watch them truly absorb the culture as they spend the week together on a marae and develop a sense of pride before donning the jersey, Edwards said.

These Maori young players represent the future of our sport, and I want to thank the NZ Barbarians for supplying us with such a strong opponent. We are eager for the challenge this game will present.

Mark Hooper and Jimmy Sinclair will serve as the core coaching staff for the New Zealand Barbarians.

The NZ Barbarians officially announced their core coaching staff, which includes Mark Hooper, Jimmy Sinclair, former Black Fern Kendra Cocksedge, and Scrum Coach Aleisha Nelson. Their whole roster will be revealed at a later time.

[twsted-princess]

"So, who wants to get their face caved in?"

(art done by @porcelainglass)

Bio

Name: Petva Rajawat

Nicknames: Pet-Pet, (Mori) Tiger shark/Itachizame, (Floyd) La Bête, (Rook) Asshole (Leona)

Voice Actors: Junichi Suwabe

Gender: Nonbinary (They/Them, is ok with He/Him but if you're a guy DO NOT refer to them as female)

Age: 21

Sexuality: Lesbian, Polyamourous

Height: 6'3

Race: Tiger Beastman

Homeland: Forest of Silence

Birthday: 7/22

Starsign: Cancer

Family: Father, Four Mothers (one is their birth mother while the others are their father's concubines), Two elder brothers, multiple younger brothers and sisters

Occupation: Student

Based off: Shere-Khan (Jungle Book)

Professional Status

Dorm: Ramshackle

School Year: Third

Class: 3-D

Best Subject: P.E

Club: Track and Field (would have joined Magishift but Leona's there)

Dominant Hand: Left

Favorite Food: Spicy chicken curry

Hated Food: Tempeh, Tofu

Likes: Fighting, Training, Baths, Dances, Fire, Naps, Their dorm-mates

Dislikes: People who pick on weaker folks, Trein, Losing, Homework, Crewel, Being paralyzed, Their father

Hobbies: Working out, Meditating, Avoiding work, Practicing with weapons

Talents: Fighting hoards of students by themselves, Dead-lifting 100 kg

Unique Magic: Hunter's Might

Increases their strength and agility, turning them into a complete bruiser. The more they use it the more they become more savage and animalistic so they have to be careful they don't go berserk.

Backstory

The wild tiger of Ramshackle, wrecker of your shit and Leona's biggest rival. But before all they were the child of the Āgneyī tribe in the Forest of Silence. One of the many tribes of beastmen and one of the stronger clans, while they use to fight over territory, game or because those nagas decided to stick their nose in nowadays the tribes get along although they do hold fighting tournaments. Petva was bornto their father, a proud beastman by the name of Varma and his wife Gayatri which would have been a blessed moment....if the child hadn't been a girl. Varma's concubine had already given him two sons and would have been in line to ruling the tribe but since they were born to a concubine, the cubs couldn't. And Petva was a girl, she couldn't be the leader. So she was attempted to be raised into a proper women of the tribe but little Petva never listened. She was more interested in wrestling her brothers along with the boys in the village and tailing behind the hunters then staying in some hut learning how to weave or cook. She loved adventure, getting covered in bruise and dirt, not being told to sit still. As she grow up her father would try over and over to make her behave and act like a woman but it never worked, she just rebelled even more. Now she wanted to be seen as a boy, was joining with hunters to get food and still throwing punches. They agree met Komali (@wispy-selfship-eden) for the first time and thought she was weird...but nice.

So he decided to take matters into his own hands....by beating the young teen within an inch of their life. He yelled that Petva was a woman, that they'll never be deemed a man and that they should give up. But they didn't listen. They were shunned by the elders for not submitting and told that it would be better if "she" was married immediately but they didn't listen. They'd move on to now protecting the women from man who want to treat them less then dirt and even if they get beaten, misgendered and feeling wrong in this feminine body that's not gonna stop them. So they train, grow muscle, love their mother and siblings while starting to transition into a body they can love more. Their father, was done. He ordered Petva been sent to a boarding school for girls so they can learn their place. Gayatri fought desperately against it but his word was law, however his plan didn't turn out fruitful. Petva had fought a queen, Regina on the first day of school and brought it to a standstill. They were also saying that they wanted to go to Night Raven College, a boys school. Varma agreed to let them go though he hoped that the experience would change their mind. Once there Petva was chosen to join Savanaclaw but upon entering they....called Leona a "little bitch-kitty" and demended he fight them so they can rule the dorm. So they fought, Petva gave him a broken nose, Leona gave them a broken hand and when they were about to unleash their unique magic Crowley ordered Petva to either move or leave. Petva then moved into the Ramshackle dorm and now is a valuable member of the team.

#my work #twisted wonderland #twst oc's #Halfway done!!!!!!

[banashee]

I wasn't tagged but @sinister--potato said who feels like it should join in so here I am. 😁

Rules: you can usually tell a lot about a person by the type of music they listen to. put your favourite playlist on shuffle and list the first ten songs then tag ten people!

And once again I'm having too much fun to stop at 10.

Also I'm tagging whoever wants to do this, as well as you Folks (no pressure tho)

@stufenlosregelbar @asamandra @hopelessly-me @lilolilyr @spectralarchers @cruciatusforeplay

1) The Longest Johns - "Ashes"

2) Wardruna - "Helvegen"

4) Lebanon Hanover - "Hard Drugs (Qual Remix)

5) The Last Dance - "Frozen"

6) The Devil and the Universe - "Black Harvest"

7) The Weekend - "Blinding Lights"

8) Boy Harsher - "Pain"

9) Clan of Xymox - "It's all a lie"

10) Bauhaus - "Telegram Sam"

11) The Mechanisms - "Laid in Blood"

12) Lacuna Coil - "End of Time"

13) New Today - "Savior dot com"

14) Frayle - "If you Stay"

15) Lebanon Hanover - "Gallowdance"

16) The Beauty of Gemina - "Trapped"

17) The Mechanisms - "Sigyn"

18) Project Pitchfork - "Drums of Death"

19) The Real McKenzies - "Old Becomes New"

20) The Mechanisms - "Sunrise"

21) Lebanon Hanover - "Dark Hill"

22) Clan of Xymox - "Stranger"

23) Sunrise and the Banshees - "The Killing Jar"

24) The Cure - "Hey You"

25) Faith and the Muse - "Plaguedance"

26) The Sisters of Mercy - "Body and Soul"

27) Lebanon Hanover - "Petals"

28) Lebanon Hanover - "Du Scrollst"

29) Rammstein - "Sonne"

30) Fields of the Nephilim - "Last Exit for the Lost"

31) The Beauty of Gemina - "Kingdom of Cancer"

32) Brandi Carlile - "What can I say"

33) The Wailin' Jennys - "Keep me in your heart"

34) This Cold Night - "Self-deception"

35) Project Pitchfork - "Contract"

36) Bootblacks - "Gone"

37) Murder by Death - "The Big Sleep"

38) Wind Rose - "To Erebor"

39) Siouxsie and the Banshees - "Cities in Dust"

40) Amon Amarth - "Live for the Kill"

41) The Invincible Spirit - "Push!"

42) Clan of Xymox - "Weak in my knees"

43) The Mechanisms - "Pellinore and the beast"

44) Ashbury Heights - "Hollow"

45) Lady Gaga - "Dance in the Dark"

46) Paralysed Age - "Days that are gone"

47) Paradise Lost - "Symbol of Life"

48) The Longest Johns - "Wellerman"

49) Creux Lies - "Virginity"

50) Whispering Sons - "Waste"

51) New Today - "Girl High"

52) Editors - "No Sound but the wind"

53) She Past Away - "Sanri (Clan of Xymox Mix)

54) Xmal Deutschland - "Incubus Succubus II"

55) Project Pitchfork - "Timekiller"

56) Lebanon Hanover - "Hollow Sky"

57) The Last Dance - "Winter"

58) Selofan - "Black Box"

59) Specimen - "Wake the dead"

60) Then Comes Silence - "Animals"

61) The Sisters of Mercy - "Burn"

62) The Beauty of Gemina - "This Time"

63) Depeche Mode - "No More"

64) The Beauty of Gemina - "Haddon Hall"

65) The Devil and the Universe - "Belief Manipulation"

66) Melodicka Bros - "Enjoy the Silence (way too loud)

67) This Cold Night - "Time Bomb"

68) Switchblade Symphony - "Bad Trash"

69) (nice) The Mechanisms - "Rose Red"

70) Faith and the Muse - "Patience Worth (Piano Version)

71) Diva Destruction - "The Broken Ones"

72) Diva Destruction - "Dance Remix of Trees"

73) Lebanon Hanover - "Hall of ice"

74) Generation X - "Dancing with myself"

75) Creux Lies - "Tsavo"

76) Wind Rose - "We were warriors"

77) The Sisters of Mercy - "Dominion/Mother Russia"

78) Faithful Dawn - "She Falls down"

79) The Longest Johns - "Geberal Taylor"

80) The Real McKenzies - "The Ballad of Greyfriars Bobby"

81) Drab Majesty - "Forget Tomorrow"

82) Deine Lakaien - "The Executioner"

83) Clan of Xymox - "Louise"

84) The Last Dance - "Desperately Still"

85) The Cure - "Plainsong"

86) Clan of Xymox - "She is falling in love"

87) Soft Kill - "On the inside"

88) Amon Amarth - "The Hero"

89) Drab Majesty - "Kissing the Ground"

90) Cold Cave - "Life Magazine"

91) The Sisters of Mercy - "Marian"

92) Assemble 23 - "Outsider"

93) Nightwish - "Dead Boys Poem"

94) Dynazty - "The Man and the Elements"

95) The Real McKenzies - "Too Many Fingers"

96) Lebanon Hanover - "Gravity Sucks"

97) Specimen - "Lovers"

98) Jeremy Renner - "Stereo Love"

99) Queen - "Bohemian Rhapsody"

100) Social Station - "All I ask"

101) die ärzte - "Geisterhaus"

102) Social Station - "Endlessly"

103) Kirlian Camera - "Celephias"

104) ES23 - "Only Melodies Remain"

105) Wardruna - "Kvitravn"

106) Volbeat - "The Devils Bleeding Crown"

107) Faith and the Muse - "Rise and Forget"

108) Sopor Aeternus - "Beautiful"

109) Faith and the Muse - "The Woman of the Snow"

110) Wardruna - "Thurs"

111) Sopor Aeternus - "Goodbye"

112) The Sisters of Mercy - "Train"

113) This Cold Night - "Dog"

114) Paradise Lost - "Primal"

115) Danheim - "Hringras"

116) Amon Amarth - "On a sea of blood"

117) Vandal Moon - "Computer Love"

118) Paradox Obscur - "Broken Lies"

119) Paralysed Age - "Your coldest smile"

120) Whispers in the Shadow - "The Rites of Passage"

121) Delphine Coma - "Is this forever"

122) Brandi Carlile - "I'll still be there"

123) She pleasures herself - "The Weeping"

124) The Devil and the Universe - "Elousa"

125) Ashbury Heights - "Cry Havoc"

126) The Beauty of Gemina - "June 2nd"

127) Hapax - "A Tank for Alex"

128) Clan of Xymox - "Heroes (Cover)"

129) Faith and the Muse - "A Winter Wassail"

130) Lacuna Coil - "Kill the Light"

131) The Beauty of Gemina - "Suicide Landscape"

132) Bootblacks - "New Lines"

133) Deine Lakaien - "Because Because"

134) Clan of Xymox - "All I ever know"

135) The Beauty of Gemina - "Wonders"

136) Lebanon Hanover - "No one holds hands"

137) The Mechanisms - "Underworld Blues"

138) Faith and the Muse - "Scars Flown Proud"

139) die ärzte - "Der Graf"

140) Faith and the Muse - "Denn die Toten reiten schnell"

141) Whispering Sons - "Fragments"

142) Inkubus Sukkubus - "Memento Mori"

143) Wardruna - "IngwaR"

144) Boy Harsher - "Come Closer"

145) Danheim - "imar"

146) Drab Majesty - "Hath no Form"

147) Echoberyl - "Into the beyond"

148) Inkubus Sukkubus - "Beltaine"

149) Volbeat - "Mr. & Mrs. Ness"

150) Clan of Xymox - "Home sweet home"

151) This Cold Night - "Circuits"

152) Alien Sex Fiend - "Now I'm feeling zombified"

153) Spear of Destiny - "Liberator"

154) The Last Dance - "World Down"

155) Diva Destruction - "Subterfuge"

156) Esoterik - "Set Fire to me"

157) Tribulation - "Cauda Pavonis"

158) Esoterik - "Cup of Life"

159) Leo - "Monstermash (Metal Version)

160) Epica - "Our Destiny"

161) Nightwish - "Wishmaster Live"

162) Lebanon Hanover - "Your Fork Moves"

163) Brotherhood - "Rain"

164) Twin Tribes - "Upir"

165) Kamelot - "Under Grey Skies"

166) Paralysed Age - "Nocturne"

167) She Past Away - "Ritüel"

168) Twin Tribes - "Avalon (Bootblacks Mix)"

169) Bella Morte - "Dead of Night"

170) Drab Majesty - "Entrance and Exits"

171) Pink Turns Blue - "Your Master is calling"

172) Soviet Soviet - "Ecstasy"

173) Suspiria - "Graveyard of the undead"

174) The Cure - Just like heaven

175) Kamelot - "Abandoned (live)"

176) Amon Amarth - "Blood Eagle"

177) The Sisters of Mercy - "1969"

178) Pink Turns Blue - "Walking on both sides"

179) Shad Shadows - "The Grace"

180) Plastique Noir - "Rose of Flesh and Blood"

181) Epica - "Unchain Utopia"

182) Pink Turns Blue - Missing You

183) The Last Dance - "Regret"

184) Rosetta Stone - "Come Hell or high water"

185) Beast in Black - "No Easy Way Out"

186) Bauhaus - "Hollow Hills"

187) Breaking Benjamin - "Breath"

188) Vandal Moon - "We are electric"

189) Lyca - "Drifting"

190) Lebanon Hanover - "Bring your own wine"

191) Saigon Blue Rain - "Pearly Haze"

192) The Other - "Skeletons in the Closet"

193) Eluveitie - "Belenos"

194) Box and the Twins - "Lovesong for a Ghost"

195) Wind Rose - "Diggy Diggy Hole"

196) The Cure - "A Forest"

197) The Other - "Back to the Cemetery"

198) Storm Weather Shanty Choir - "A Hundred Years"

199) Box and the Twins - "Gravity"

200) Ash Code - "Empty Room"

[eorzeanarchist]

Un Momento Más con Memento Mori

Name: J'nahi Mori

Alias/Nicknames: Memento

Gender: Female

Age: Early-Mid 20's.

Zodiac: idfk tbh

Abilities/Talents: Impersonations and disguises, tracking (urban), scouting, sleight of hand, infiltration, knifeplay, and ninjutsu.

Alignment: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true

Religion: Nymeia, the Spinner, the watcher of celestial bodies and goddess of fate. Once worshipped Azeyma, the Warden, but has since turned her back on the goddess.

Sins: envy / greed / gluttony / lust / pride / sloth / wrath

Virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience

Languages: Hingan, Doman, Auri (Raen dialects), Eorzean common.

Family: J'nahi left her Seeker tribe at a very young age, and was on her own for many years. The people she considers "family" are the oldest friends she has, and the few who remain are kept close to the chest.

Friends: The crew of the Porta Ciela. Syreaux, S'talhdi.

Sexuality: heterosexual / bisexual / pansexual / homosexual / demisexual / asexual / unsure / other

Relationship Status: single / partnered / married / widowed / open relationship / divorced / not ready for dating / it’s complicated

Libido: sex god / very high / high / average / low / very low / non-existent

Build: slender / average / athletic / muscular / curvy / other

Hair: white / blonde / brunette / red / black / black blonde w/ red highlights

Eyes: brown / blue / gray / green / black / other (one eye is purple, and the other is pale green.)

Skin: pale / fair / olive / light brown / brown / dark / other

Height: 4′11″ (149 cm)

Scars: None of note. Yet.

dogs or cats || birds or bugs || snakes or spiders || coffee or tea || ice cream or cake || fruits or vegetables || sandwich or soup || magic or melee || sword dagger or bow || summer or winter || spring or autumn || past or future

A few songs that remind you of them:

1. Lovage - To Catch a Thief

"I'll take the life of crime, all to make you mine

All to catch a thief."

2. Cake - Short Skirt, Long Jacket

"I want a girl with uninterrupted prosperity

Who uses a machete to cut through red tape

With fingernails that shine like justice

And a voice that is dark like tinted glass

She is fast, thorough, and sharp as a tack

She is touring the facility and picking up

slack..."

3. Gillian Welsh - Shotgun Song

"Steady on my shoulders

Standing in the wind

Well I've been down before

But I won't be down again..."

4. The White Stripes - I'm Slowly Turning Into You

"Yesterday it hit me that I do

All the little things that you do

Except those same little things that you do

are annoying

They're annoying as hell in fact

It kinda struck a little bell in fact

I like to keep my little shell intact."

Tagged By: @tigers-roar

Tagging: @mateusronin and @atviera

[petite-cosette]

#Mori Girl Tribe #Mori Girl Tribe SNBL #Cinderella #Disney #Lolita #Classic Lolita #Sweet Lolita #Lolita Fashion #Japanese Fashion #Umbrella #Parasol

[angstybreadstyx]

Anyways, here’s the OBSCENELY long post of songs that make me think of Wereworld. If any of the links are wrong please lmk! Also there’s probably a ton I’m forgetting that I’ll add later.

Stromae-Carmen (Hector)

Phantogram-Black Out Days (Opal)

Jack Stauber-There’s Something Happening (Vega)

Pluto X Ye-Breath (Trent)

Louie Zong-Pumpkin’s Revenge (Hector)

Mother Mother- Get Out the Way (Opal)

Zhu & Nero-Dreams (Lucas)

Jack Stauber-Cupid (Hector)

MARINA-Bubblegum Bitch (Gretchen)

MARINA-Teen Idle (Gretchen)

Florenceandthemachine-Girl With One Eye (Gretchen, Lucas)

BROCKHAMPTON-RENTAL (Hector)

Bad Books-Baby Shoes (Trent)

TV Girl-Not Allowed (Hector)

Oh Wonder-Without you Justice Skolnik Remix (Wereworld in general)

Gorillaz-Rhinestone Eyes (book 6)

Eyedress-Jealous (Hector, Drew)

Tallyhall-& (Wereworld in general)

Possibly in Michigan-Animal Cannibal (Trent, Lucas)

Billie Eilish-Therefore I Am (Opal)

Molina-Hey Kids (Lucas)

Updog-Dying Breath (Trent)

Bo en-Everyday (Main 5)

MISSIO-Twisted (Hector)

SYKO-Brooklynbloodpop (Lucas)

MARETU-Darling (Drew, Hector)

MARETU-SIU (Hector)

Hoosiers-A Sadness runs through him (Hector)

Jack Stauber-Angel (Drew, Hector)

FEiN-Loved (Manfred, Hector)

Robert DeLong, K Flay-Favorite Color is Blue (brown Hector)

Li ncoln-Saint Bernard (Trent)

FANGCLUB-Vulture Culture (Vincent)

Billie Eilish-Bellyache (Opal)

METAROOM-Temptation Stairway OST, Waltz Variation (Hector)

Mag.Lo-TEAM (Lucas)

SWARM-The Nothing (Trent)

Veorra, The Teck Thieves-Ghost Town (Trent)

SAIMÉS-The Wolf (Trent)

MusicbyAden-Monster (Trent)

Jack Stauber-Estranger (Opal, Taboo)

Max Bhron-Cyberpunk (Gretchen)

Midnight to Monaco-Suicide, Weathin Remix (Taboo)

Mickey Valen, Mothica-Overthinking (Gretchen)

MARETU-NAMIDA (Trent)

GHOST-Honey I’m Home (Hector)

AGOSTI-Triangles (Main 5)

Nero’s Day at Disneyland-In Aisles (Lucas)

Updog-Useless (Trent)

KHEMMIS-A Conversation With Death (Hector)

Hop Along Queen Ansleis-Bruno is Orange (Hector)

Caravan Palace-Beatphone (Main 5)

EDITORS- Eat Raw Meat (Trent, Lucas)

Glass Animals-Gooey (Trent)

TLT, Salvonic-Epoch (Trent)

Jack Stauber-Two Time (Drew, Hector)

Jack Stauber-Choice (Main 5)

Jack Stauber-Fighter (Gretchen)

Mystery Skulls- Told Ya (Book 6)

Naughty Boy, Lalala (Hector)

Troyboi-On My Own (Hector)

Spektrem-Shine (Wereworld in general)

The Oh Hellos- Soldier Poet King (Main 5)

Tribe Society-Kings (Hector)

SIVIK-High (Hector, Drew, Vincent)

Sub Urban-Cradles (Hector)

IAMX, Imogen Heap- My Secret Friend (Hector, Vincent)

Glass Animals-Other Side of Paradise (Hector)

Skyper-Hero (Hector)

Glass Animals-Toes (Hector)

Crystal Castle-Reckless (Hector)

Troyboi-Do You? (Hector, Vincent)

Mother Mother-Chasing it Down (Hector)

Dathan-I Think I’m Falling for Ya (Hector, Drew)

Glass Animals-Pork Soda (Hector, Drew)

Verzache-Needs (Hector)

AViVA-GRRRLS (Opal)

Hush Sound-You Are the Moon (Hector)

Jack Conte-Yeah Yeah Yeah (Hector)

Jack Stauber-Library (Hector)

The Neighbourhood-Afraid (Hector)

Tangled-Ready as I’ll Ever be (Wereworld in general)

Mother Mother- Oh Ana (Hector)

MISSIO-Kamikazee (Hector)

LOONA, Odd Eye Circle-LOONATIC (Hector, Drew)

Britney Spears-Toxic 2WEI Remix (Wereworld in General)

Saint Mesa-Fire (Book 4)

PowaPowa P-At a Dreams Mercy (Hector)

Crywank-Memento Mori (Hector)

Cranberries-Ridiculous Thoughts (Drew)

Cranberries-Hollywood (Wereworld in General)

Cranberries-Promises (Hector)

Cranberries-Animal Instinct (Gretchen)

Forrest Day-Sleepwalk (Hector)

#exposing my music taste #I also do listen to a lot of rap and hip hop especially from the 90s but that doesn’t make good Wereworld content #I think the most offensive thing about this is that I am completely prepared to make an AMV or meme for each one of these songs #and ill probably never have time to do them all #Wereworld #you can also use this list to figure out which characters take up what percentage of my brain space

[lovecraftian-lolita]

Disney Authorized Snow White Apple Girl High Neck Long Sleeves Sweater

Mori Tribe

You can buy this from Devil Inspired!

*bust up to 118cm!

#pochacco posts #plus size fashion #plus size #kawaii #kawaii fashion #plus size kawaii #mori Tribe #devil inspired #Snow White #Disney #sweater

[justfinishedreading]

I started October thinking ‘man, I have so many manga to review I’m going to be posting stuff every other day!’. Didn’t happen.

A Bride’s Story, Volume 1, by Kaoru Mori

This manga is set in nineteenth-century central Asia, along the Silk Road, it’s the story of a twenty-year-old woman sent from her nomadic tribe to marry a twelve-year-old boy in a settled clan. They arrange the marriage in order to maintain family bonds between the two households.

This was never going to be an easy read but let me start with the positive; visually A Bride’s Story is utterly beautiful, Kaoru Mori draws with a level of detail I have never before encountered in manga. Written literature is often placed above graphic novels with the excuse that there’s more artistry and depth when a world is bring created solely through vast amounts of words rather than images, and yet here is a case where literature could never compete. The written word could never compete with Mori’s exquisite illustrations of nomadic dress, patterned carpets and wood carvings. In A Bride’s Story we get a full visual experience of a culture and way of life that is now rare.

Story-wise this manga falls neatly into the ‘show, don’t tell’ approach of storytelling: lesser mangas would have the characters openly and plainly discussing themes, telling the audience exactly what they should think and what they should take away from the book, but A Bride’s Story presents this time and culture in a neutral way, with both negatives and positives alongside each other, leaving the reader free to assess their own feelings.

Spoilers ahead

Amir, the female protagonist, is warmly welcomed into her new husband’s family. When we think of a young woman having to marry a child in our minds the situation is horrific, to not be able to choose your own husband and on top of that to be forever tied, socially and legally, to a child is the sort of thing made for tragedy. Luckily for Amir her new husband, twelve-year-old Karluk, is good-natured and is full of admiration for his wife. Amir came from a nomadic tribe, she can shoot rabbits with a bow and arrow whilst ridding a galloping horse, she knows how to travel the lands, rear sheep and skin animals. Karluk sees her like a hunter, almost like a warrior, and he sees her like a mother in the way she frets and worries about his health and looks after him.

Amir is lucky because her new family openly accepts her and they view her differences with curiosity and wonder. They are a large family who have created a safe, happy home and together they work to keep it in peace. So the fears that the reader might imagine about an arranged marriage with such an age gap are not necessarily the ones that appear. The antagonists are actually Amir’s own clan, who realize that there’s a potentially more advantageous match to be made and intend to remove her from her current situation and marry her off to someone else.

Another nice surprise is that although this is a patriarchal society in which men make the life-changing decisions, we do a great character in the matriarchal grandmother of Karluk’s family, who displays a strength and resolve that even the men from Amir’s clan revere.

Onto the negatives: there’s a scene in which Amir is telling Karluk to strip naked because out in the desert, in a yurt, it is common practice to sleep nude because it gets very cold and it is warmer to sleep skin to skin. Karluk is clearly uncomfortable with this. Amir’s naked breasts are exposed and sexily drawn. In the next panels we see that sleeping naked together makes Karluk think of lambs sleeping snuggled to their mothers and for him there is nothing sexual in this experience. While the scene is implying that their relationship is more of mother and child, it is still a shock to see Amir’s naked adult body, and it makes us wonder what will happen when Karluk becomes physically more sexually mature but not necessarily mentally mature.

Japan has a deep-rooted obsession with sexualizing youth, it is something that comes up often in manga, anime, literature and media, and I’m always weary of when it might be sneaking its ugly head in more subtle ways. For example a couple of months ago I watched Beastars, which is a anime about anthropomorphic animal-humanoids (e.g. like Zootopia) and while I enjoyed the anime, there was something disturbing about the central couple; a wolf and a bunny rabbit. Compared to the large size of the humanoid wolf the small humanoid bunny looked child-like. The size thing and species thing is done to create sexual tension between the large scary wolf and the cute sweet little bunny, but there was something about the bunny’s small yet sexually developed form, in a school girl uniform, next to an adult-looking man, which just rang alarm bells. Interestingly I think the manga handles this better as the bunny’s body isn’t drawn in such a sexualized and realistic way as in the anime. In the anime there are moments where there is definitely a subtle catering to paedophilic appetites, especially as issues of uncontrollable desire and danger and predator and prey are brought up.

Back to A Bride’s Story, I don’t feel that this is a book that encourages or excuses paedophilia, it is presenting us, in a neutral way, with things that would have happened at the time. When Karluk presents his wife to some distant family members they are shocked, not with the fact that Karluk at age twelve is already married but because a twenty-year-old bride is considered an old bride. The custom is to marry women off young so they have longer to produce children. At the back of the book in the Author’s Notes Mori writes that women would normally be married at the age of 15 or 16, and beside this comment the author has drawn a picture of a young bride, with the following remark “Hey you! Yeah, you, big guy, looking at her like that! Let’s step out into the hallway and have a talk!” So while there’s no direct comment about paedophilia or the sexualization of youth, this one comment does hint that the author is aware of the issue in society, past and present.

One of the things that I am looking forward to in the series is that it will not centre just on Amir and Karluk’s relationship, it seems that other volumes will introduces other bride’s stories, including women who are lesbians or bisexuals and women who perhaps do not identify with a female gender. There is a secondary character in volume 1 called Smith, an Englishman who is studying the culture and customs of Central Asia and I believe that as he travels to different countries this may be how new storylines are introduced to us.

One difficulty I had in reviewing this manga was that I kept wanting to say it is about people from a specific country, however nowhere in the book does it say in which country the action takes place. In a way this is a western problem, it is an understatement to say that many, many a problem has arisen from the West’s desire for defined borders in countries where, at the time, it was not common to have them, places where tribes moved about depending on the seasons and trade. So after some brief research I believe this book explores the cultures of Mongol Nomads, of countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan that make up Central Asia, and with the potential of exploring influences from neighbouring countries such as China, Russia, Iran and Afghanistan. In the Author’s Notes she also mentions being interested in the Caucasus region of Central Asia, so that may also be countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and the Caucasus Mountains which create a natural border between Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

One thing is for sure: since A Bride’s Story follows the path of the Silk Road, the crossroads from which Europe and Asia traded, it promises to be a wonderful melting pot of traditions and ideas.

Review by Book Hamster

#just finished reading #a bride's story #kaoru mori #central asia #historical fiction #historical manga #brides #manga #read manga #manga reviews #silk road #kazakhstan #kyrgyzstan #tajikistan #turkmenistan #uzbekistan #original mangas #unique manga #arranged marriages #marriage stories #feminism #patriarchy #tribes #families #nomadic #amir and karluk #matriarch #clans #mongol #nomads

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Newman’s Nook: Moriking’s Wisdom and Grace

In the world of Moriking, our titular hero is hoping to one day be crowned the King of the Forest. He represents the beetle tribe and, like other insect contestants for the crown, has a human form. This also means that other contenders to the crown will be challenging him in their quest to the top.

The Challengers

In Chapter 4, the first new contender, Oka Makiri, comes forth. Oka is a praying mantis living as a teenage girl. When she approaches Moriking, Oka challenges him in combat and calls him out for being so blatant about himself in public. Moriking responds by complimenting her strength while simultaneously acknowledging her weaknesses. He notes that while she is an amazing and hard worker, she is unwilling to be her true self to the world. As Moriking says, a king does not hide.

And so, without lifting a finger, Oka admits her defeat and the battle is won by Moriking.

Chapter 8 introduces Ko Kurotsuchi, who is a cockroach. Kurotsuchi is not a candidate for king, but a former servant of a cruel candidate. His former king rejected him outright, calling him weak. So, to try to earn the praise of his former king, Kurotsuchi seeks out candidates for King of the Forrest to defeat them on his king’s behalf.

He fails.

When he comes face to face with Moriking, instead of rejecting and sending him away, Moriking shows grace to this former enemy.

Moriking says, “Your origins don’t matter. And there’s a need for every insect’s talents. There isn’t a single unnecessary life on this whole planet.”

The grace of Moriking shakes Kurotsuchi to his core, and he immediately pledges loyalty to his new king.

The Just (Mori)King

Moriking is well on his way to becoming the King of the Forest by displaying the attitude of a just king. What makes a king good and just? Is it overpowering force? Well, no. Just look at King Saul in the Bible or Shin from Fist of the North Star. Both put themselves first in their quest for power and their reigns were marked with bitterness and jealousy.

David is a better, Biblical example of kingship as he, like Moriking, displayed grace and compassion. In a piece entitled, “What Made David Great?” Kevin DeYoung wrote:

David was a gracious man, bearing with the failings of others, eager to give his enemies a second chance. Twice, while his friends advised him to strike down their enemy, David spared Saul’s life (1 Sam. 24; 26). Though Saul opposed him at every turn, David did not rejoice at his death, but he wept for the king and his son Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:17–27). David welcomed Abner when he defected from the phony king Ish-bosheth and mourned for him when distrusting Joab stuck him down (chap. 3). David was unnecessarily kind to Mephibosheth (chap. 9) and uncommonly patient with Shimei’s spiteful cursing (16:5–14). Later, David would pardon those who rebelled against him during Absalom’s insurrection (19:16–23). Time after time, David showed himself to be unlike the sons of Zeruiah who lived to hold grudges and settle scores. David knew how to forgive. More than anyone prior to Jesus, David loved his enemies. Like no other Old Testament king, David was willing to welcome rebels back to the fold and overlook the sins of those who had opposed him.

We can see such graciousness in Moriking’s handling of Oka and Kurotsuchi.

With Oka, Moriking was well within his right to jump into battle and take her down. In fact, Oka’s plan was to do just that to Moriking. The manga shows that Moriking is incredibly strong and could have easily overpowered Oka. Yet, he did not, choosing a peaceful approach. He chooses to use words explaining why he was best suited to be king. He convince Oka to stand down without lifting a hand against her.

Kurotsuchi comes to Moriking as an enemy warrior. with a goal of destroying Oka, Moriking, or both. Yet, after he fails to with Moriking, Kurotsuchi is shown instant kindness. There is no malice in Moriking’s actions as he forgives Kurotsuchi for his past transgressions. Morking demonstrates to Kurotsuchi that he matters, not merely with words, but with actions, and in a way his former master never did.

Our Perfect King

David, as we know, was not only a just king; he was foreshadowing of an even greater one. The Bible teaches us that Jesus is the perfect King of Kings, above all else.

He displayed wisdom through His teachings.

He tells us to love when the world says hate.

He tells us to forgive when the world says to hold a grudge.

He calls us out for our own weakness, yet shows us His love despite it all.

He shows us grace in His perfect sacrifice.

Christ shows us His grace in that while we were yet sinners, He took the punishment in our place.

Christ died for us, His enemies.

An earthly leader should follow these examples of wisdom and grace. Moriking strives to do that, and it makes a profound impact on those around him—even his enemies. Although he’s not perfect, in demonstrating grace, compassion, and wisdom, Moriking is a perfect choice for King of the Forest, and like David, an imitation of the King of a greater realm—the perfect King of Kings.

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You can read Moriking at Shonen Jump. The most current chapters are always free.

#Manga #Christianity #Moriking #Shinrin Osha Mori King #Jesus Christ #God #Faith #Wisdom #Grace #Shonen Jump #Weekly Shonen Jump #Shukan Shonen Jump #Newman's Nook #Articles #Author: MDMRN

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Favorite reads in 2019: Top 5 favorite graphic novels/comics

The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman

Maus was first recommended to me by one of my high school English teachers. She was not a fan of comics at all, but she said Maus was quite powerful. I finally got around to picking it up and all I can say is wow. Such a fantastic piece of work and certainly one of the greatest stories I have ever experienced in any art form. This is both a testament of the Holocaust and the story of a son trying to understand the horrors his parents went through during the war. I consider this an essential read-- absolutely astounding.

A Bride’s Story (volumes 1-3) by Mori Karou

A friend lent me several volumes of this historical manga series when I was going on a long road trip last year and holy smokes, these are AMAZING. Set in the nineteenth century, the first three volumes follow a young woman from a nomadic tribe married off to a much younger groom-- in fact, he’s twelve and she’s twenty-- from a different culture. The manga is mostly her learning to cope with the differences between her culture and her husband’s. The art style is gorgeous and the characters are layered. There are some strong suspenseful moments too.

Persepolis 1: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

Persepolis resembles Maus in many ways, taking extremely dark subject matter, and suffusing it with wry humor and an expressionistic art style. It’s a memoir of the coming of age of a rebellious, energetic young girl during the Iranian Revolution of the late 1970s and early 1980s. I read it in two sittings and was hard-pressed to put it down. I’ll definitely have to read the next volume.

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud

I read a decent amount of comics and graphic novels, but this book allowed me to appreciate the craft in a whole new way. Comics are more than illustrations or movie stills, and McCloud shows how comics tell stories differently from other mediums.

A Bride’s Story (volumes 4-5) by Mori Kaoru

These volumes focus on a pair of twins hoping to be married off to wealthy husbands. Lots of slapstick and the usual manga-style mischief. I didn’t find these stories as compelling as the first volumes in the series, but they are fun and of course, gorgeously illustrated.

#graphic novels #comics #favorite reads of 2019 #thoughts #a bride's story #maus #persepolis #understanding comics