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dumbkiri · 4 years

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Fate Changes Final

Parts: [1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, Here ]

Summary: Not every star-crossed couple has to have a tragedy end like Romeo and Juliet. The end of [Name]’s note proves that.

Pairing: Jason Todd x Female! Reader

Genre: Fluff? Slight angst?

Word Count: 2.1 k, 6 pages (pretty short)

Warning(s): NONE..for once lol

A few days later…

“I get why you’re doing it,” Dick walked up from behind [Name], staring up at her Batsuit in a glass enclosure, “although, I will miss you on the field. Nobody really fights like you do.

”[Name] scoffed with a smirk on her face, “Do you ever get bored of complimenting people? Is that a skill others can acquire? I’m very interested.” She turns around with her arms crossed over her chest. Her [e.color] eyes had lost their color. Dick would describe it as a thin film of sadness covering her bright [e.color] hues.

“If you are interested, I can give you lessons on how to ‘woo’ people.” Dick placed his hands on his hips and smiled down at [Name].

“Now that you mentioned it, I’m not a simp,” [Name] laughed at Dick’s funny reaction. Her childish laughter echoed in the cold Batcave.

“I’ll ignore that for now,” Dick’s smile faded away when he redirected his gaze to the enclosure. He never imagined that she would retire from being Batgirl. She didn’t stop fighting crime when Jason died. His death only fueled her. Even after death, Jason was still her motivation. “So what’re you going to do now?”

[Name] sighed and uncrossed her arms and followed Dick’s own pose. She leaned on one leg and rubbed the back of her neck tiredly, “Actually, that’s what I was going to discuss with you guys.”

Dick awaited her response in anticipation.

“I, uh, got a job as a kindergarten teacher, it’s something I always dreamed of-- well at least, w--when...whatever I don’t have to explain. This is embarrassing enough for me.” [Name] stopped sputtering and ignored the incredulous look she was receiving from her best friend.

“I can’t believe it!” Dick exclaimed and hunched over from laughter. He held his sides and his body shook with happiness. He straightened up and noticed the deathly glare from the female. He wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes and breathed out, “Wow! The Brave Cardinal is now a kindergarten teacher? I just can’t believe you go from fighting thugs to caring for younglings.”

[Name] turned her back on Dick and huffed, “Laugh it up, but I want to live a normal life.”

She faced him with a determined look and pointed at herself with a newfound confidence, “I am going to live a normal life and have a normal job. I’ll start a normal family and have normal problems. If I want that then I need to retire being Batgirl.”[Name]’s eyes connected with Dick’s, “And I hope you guys, are fine with that?”

Dick smiled at [Name] with kindness and with hope, “Of course, all that we ask of you is give us a visit from time to time. Alfred would love some normalcy in his life.”

“I can manage that,” [Name] giggled and raised her arm up, her hand in a fist. Dick formed his hand into a fist as well and they both bumped their closed hands together,

“See you soon, Dick Grayson.”

“See you soon, [Name] [L.Name].”

Three Years Later…

Bruce held the bundle of joy carefully in his arms. He stared at the baby girl with wide eyes as his arms adjusted to a comfortable position. Then he looked up at the mother of the child.

“Why are you staring at me like that? It’s embarrassing…” [Name] looked away from Bruce with a blush. Her hands fumbling with each other.

Dick jumped up in excitement while Tim choked on his coffee when they saw The Bruce Wayne holding a child no older than two years old. Dick ran over to Bruce with the biggest smile on his face. He reached out to the baby girl, but Bruce pulled away.

“Dick, I just got the chance to hold her,” Bruce muttered.

Dick’s shoulders slumped and he backed away to give [Name] a bone crushing hug. He lifted her off the floor and spun her around. The two of them laughed at the happy situation. Dick finally set [Name] down and asked his questions. “This was the surprise?! How come you didn’t tell us sooner? Where is Henry, I thought he was going to be here too?”

[Name] chuckled, “Henry had some business with his employees and told me to introduce you all to the new family member.” Her [e.color] eyes looked over to her baby girl. Alfred was helping Tim hold the baby, but Tim was stiff as a statue.

[Name] looked back at Dick and announced loud enough for everyone to hear, “Her name is [D.Name] Martha Davis. We had trouble with her middle name, but then we thought of Bruce."

The older woman looked at her mentor with a kind smile, "Henry and I wouldn't have met if you didn't introduce us together. We are so grateful that you did because you guys granted my wish."

"And what was that?" Tim asked, holding on [D.Name] carefully. He was lolling her to sleep without even noticing it.

[D.Name]'s [e.color] eyes watched her mother with a certain shine in them. Her [h.color] hair was fluffy and short. People said she was the spitting image of [Name] and the mother couldn't deny.

[Name] placed her hands on her hips and walked closer to her family, "A normal life."

……

There's so many things I want to say to you. So many apologies. So many acceptances. I know that moving out of Gotham was something unexpected for you and I knew the news devastated you. I was also feeling the same way.

We never really got the chance to love each other right. I think we missed those chances. But I'll never forget the fleeting moments between us. They were nice while they lasted, right?

I missed that Christmas night when Bruce held an event at the manor. You had to attend because you were his ward and you invited me as your date. Everyone was dancing and I remember when you walked up to me with that goofy smile on your face. You asked me if I wanted to dance with you. I declined and your smile just disappeared.

So later that night before I left the manor, I went into your room to surprise you. I hope you remember this night as much as I do. You opened your door and oh god, you were so surprised. I still remember that funny look on your face. Makes me laugh every time I think about it.

I asked you if you wanted to dance with me and you happily agreed. You didn't hesitate at all. So you started up the music on your favorite station and what would be our song, Fly Me to The Moon, played. You held me so close that I could smell the faint cologne you had put on earlier. You smelled like chocolate and mint.

I know you did because all you ate at the party was chocolate and the mint? I still have no idea why mint. We danced almost all night and I ended up staying the night. You let me sleep in your bed even though there were plenty of other guests rooms. You just wouldn't let me go and I wasn't complaining.

That's when I found out you were Robin and Bruce was Batman. Then for some reason, there was a push. Like someone was telling me to join you two. Fight the bad guys. Bring justice. Enforce fear. You two were the dynamic duo in my eyes. You had this incredible chemistry that I longed for with somebody. That I wanted in a family.

So I ended up being Batgirl. Those were the days. Fighting crime with Batman and Robin. I thought I was dreaming for some time. But once I got a punch to my face, I knew the pain was real. That I wasn't dreaming.

You protected me on those patrols. You fought for me. You took bullets for me. Knife wounds. Bruises. You did everything in your power to make sure I was safe. That I would come back.

I wished I did the same for you. I wasn't there for you in your time of need. I didn't read your letters for weeks because my life in Metropolis was so consuming. I didn't do what you did for me. My guilt consumed me so much that I forgot how to be me.

I returned to Gotham, but like you said I was too late. I came into the manor with my belongings and Alfred told me Bruce was searching for you. That you ran away to go kill Joker. I waited all night in the living quarters for you to come back home. Bruce returned with nothing. He couldn't find you.

Then we got a video. I never felt so disgusted with myself. I never felt so hurt watching you be near that maniac. Joker, he was all fun and games. He brainwashed you till the point where you were going to tell him who Batman was.

I jumped at the sound of the gunshot. I cried at the sound of your body dropping. I fell to my knees at the sound of Joker laughing.

My heart broke so much that it was beyond repair. I did what I did best after your death. I took out all my anger and frustration on the vermin in Gotham. I took out all my shame and guilt on me. I was keeping watch on Harvey Dent one night and I got a call from Alfred. He was speaking so fast that I couldn't understand him.

All I got in that sentence was Joker, your name, kill and Batman. Our mentor was going to kill Joker. I sat on the roof for a minute thinking, 'Finally, finally Batman is getting rid of the stupid clown.' He deserved to die. The Joker was nothing, but the darkness in Gotham City. But then I came back to my senses.

I know, you hate him. You have a damn good reason to. I hate him as well, but we can't dictate who dies and when. We don't have the authority to plan or think how a person should die. So I ran.

I ran. I jumped. I rolled. I stopped.

Batman had Joker in his hands. A tight grip on his neck and if Bruce squeezed any harder, he would have killed the deranged clown. I watched on scared. The man who taught us the one important rule was going to break it. He was going to break the rule.

"We are no better than them!"

That's what I shouted. That's what got Bruce to release Joker. I was relieved that I stopped him from crossing that line. Because once you do, you can't ever go back.

I'm sure you heard that Joker died. It wasn't a gruesome death, no. It was a sickness that got him. And I think it's ironic. Joker was a plague in Gotham City. And he died from an illness. He died.

I lived on for months always dreaming of you. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw you. You were my everything. You were my protector. You were my Romeo. And I was your Juliet.

Our paths have never touched. Yes, we held hands. We kissed. We hugged. But we never were on the same page. And that is what breaks my heart. We were star-crossed lovers.

Joker was the one to separate us. He was our outside force. Another reason why I hate him so much. He took you away from me.

But our love doesn't have to end. Our story doesn't have to end like Romeo and Juliet. I'm not saying we can be lovers. I already said we missed those chances. But what I am saying is that we can still be in each other's lives.

And I want you to meet somebody. It's been a long time since we last talked. It's been three years? I heard from Dick that you're coming around lately which is great. I often come back to the manor as well.

I live in Gotham now, close by Wayne Manor for various reasons. The main reason was because of my daughter. She's two years old and if you saw her, is basically, she's the spitting image of me. I want you to meet her.

It sounds selfish. I know. But you're still a part of my family. You will always be a part of my family.

I want you to know I love you, Jason Todd. I'll always love you no matter what. And in an alternate universe, I hope that our fate changes.

Your Juliet, [Name] Davis

------

“Hey can you slow down a bit? It’s difficult to run in a dress!”

“I told you that we were going outside! It’s not my fault you don’t listen!”

A teenage girl huffed after the male in front of her. His midnight black hair soaking in the sun. His red shirt and black pants showing off his built body. She watched as he stepped over a creek with ease and he turned around just in time to help her hop over it.

He held her hand gently and smiled at her, “The dress does look good on you though.”

[Name] blushed and lost her footing. Her body ended up bumping into the boy and they fell onto the flower bed. “Oh, Jason! I’m so sorry about that! These shoes aren’t good with grip and-”

“My god, [Name], do you talk this much when you’re this flustered?” Jason chuckled and reached a tentative hand toward her face. She leaned into his palm and sighed in content while he stared at her.

“Jason, what are you thinking about?” [Name] questioned staring at the male with worried [e.color] eyes. She adjusted her body on top of him where she sat on his lap still facing him.

The teenage boy sat up with his hand remaining on her delicate face. His blue eyes reflected the bright blue sky. “I just, I’m glad we’re together. I was afraid that you’d reject me and that your parents would refuse my courting toward you.”

[Name] grabbed his hand and traced circles on his palm. “Yeah, I’m glad too. I don’t know what I would do if we didn’t have each other.”

Jason smiled and whispered, “I love you, [Name].”

She heard his words and stared at him with wide eyes. Then she made the first move. She moved forward and pressed her lips against his own soft ones. [Name] pulled away and noticed the pink tint on his cheeks.

“Can we do that again?” Jason asked and before he could get another kiss, [Name] stood up and brushed her dress. Then she started running toward the castle where Jason was crowned prince.

“Only if you can catch me, your majesty!” [Name] laughed running ahead.

Jason had this familiar goofy smile on his face and he jumped to his feet. He proclaimed, “Oh I will and when I do, you won’t regret it!”

And in an alternate universe, I hope that our fate changes.

......

TAGGED Fated Changers: @anotherfan07 @httpfandxms @greyxdaze @zalladane @iwriteaboutstuff @cutiepoo16 @kaylinfayezink @thescottpack @izzieg3987 @loxbbg @seymoourr @terralupa @backstagepaige @downtownbabyyeah @http-used-eraser @laggyphone @osejn @realityshifter111 @ishanequa @ryryryleigh @fvckthebatboys

#Jason Todd #jason todd x reader #jason todd imagine #alternate universe #dc #dc universe #dceu #arkham knight #x reader #red hood #red hood x reader #red hood imagine #batfam imagine #fate changes #ending

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300iqprower · 3 years

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I found the Schindler’s List of video games. No I’m not joking.

Okay kinda, look i wrote a mini thesis when i found out TLOU2 deadass won GOTY, which is absolutely hilarious cause it’s beyond even my expectation, I didn’t expect them to give it the full RDR2 treatment, btw I picked a very good year to wizen up to the fact TGA is basically a circlejerk and the popular vote has no influience on the outcome [[So apparently its Golden Joystick which actually is people voted. “Gamers” really are just the definition of “Fuck you, Got Mine” and I hope everyone who voted for Naughty Dog under any circumstance has to work retail crunch until they learn empathy.]] BUT ANYWAYS I genuinely wrote the following out of interest, not anger. In fact I cant wait for all the people to explode because they still dont realize the game awards are a sham. this is ALL off the cuff, be warned, cause I basically rambled to friend about having stumbled onto a thesis prompt, I cut out the first half of it for that reason so here goes:

So then.

this entire thing?

It proves that "critics" don't actually want video games to be video games. They don't want video games to be art either. They just want video games to be movies

Writing is not a universal constant, because every medium tells stories in different ways

Do you judge the writing of a book the way you judge the writing of a movie? Does the fact a book wont have voice actors or background music make it movies but worse? of course not

so why do people keep acting like that's how it works for video games?

A video game will never, NEVER be able to be as well written as a high tier film, not in terms of pure standalone writing. The same way a movie will never be as well written as a book in terms of pure standalone writing.

Undertale is probably the best written game ever made. the writing isn't remotely as good as a B grade movie

because in a movie writing and acting are how you tell the story. That's its strength

Video games have a different. fucking. strength: GAMEPLAY

When you think of "art" in video games, what comes to mind?

Maybe Shadow of the Colossus? Undertale? Braid? Journey? These all work.

And ya know what they have in common?

They are not "cinematic" and they are not "masterpieces of writing and acting”

in fact of those 4 games, 3 don't actually have dialogue unless you seriously count those messages from Dormin

You know what they all have in common though?

They don't use writing to convey their story, messages, themes, etc. They use gameplay

Movies treat videogame qualities to be detrimental in a film. people attribute this to contempt. It isn't those people who say a movie being like a video game is bad? they are absolutely right.

And in that Exact. Same. Vein. VIdeo games shouldn’t be actively trying to be like movies

not if they want to be anything more than a B movie

Let’s just start with several examples of different ways video games create “artistic” narrative and experiences:

Shadow of the Colossus tells its story by having you realize that your actions as the player have unleashed a terrible evil. Braid sets its time travel gameplay mechanic in reverse at the end for its big story reveal. Journey has zero dialogue and through the way you traverse environments alone tells a grand epic. Undertale applies the idea of metanarrative to video games in a way unlike any other, something plenty of movies have done but no movie has ever been able to do to an even remote degree that Undertale did, because unlike a film the audience has direct input. Does that make metanarrative films like Fight Club, Inception, or far more historically famous than, either, a “Citizen Kane” type film if you’re gonna bring that stupid notion out, Sunset Boulevard, does that make it bad metanarrative? NO. IT MEANS ITS A DIFFERENT VERSION OF THAT STYLE.

Bastion is dialogue heavy, with constant narration, so is stanley parable, but both games have that narration dictated by the player's action. In a movie narration can only dictate predetermined action, even if that means unreliable narration or outright lying in the narration, that won't change the fact what it describes is predetermined because it's a movie. In a game, it could be different every single time.

There are far more examples of artistic games that are art specifically because they arent trying to be art in the same sense as a movie

Papers Please for example

THAT could genuinely be equivalent to Schindler's List

Because you are deciding who lives and dies, you TECHNICALLY aren't, but you know what happens to the people you deny. You know exactly what will happen to them.(edited)

so do you let them in even if it's not legal, deducting your own pay and making it that much more likely you can't afford food or heat that night for your family? or do you send them knowingly to the gulag?

In a film that already is a powerful message and like I said it genuinely isnt that far off from schindler's list. As a movie done right, papers please could be a harrowing story about those kinds of things. But it wouldn't be any better, nor would it likely be told in a way remotely similar to how you experience games.

because again: they. are. different. mediums.

That's what it means to have different mediums, you can tell the same story in completely different ways to elicit different, equally meaningful responses

In schindler's list what makes it harrowing is that its a man who was on his way to wealth who is sacrificing that wealth and his own safety to save the lives of innocents being persecuted

the emotional response is from seeing how Oskar Schindler deals with the situation he's ended up in and whether he has the resolve to save those people or if he would sell them out to secure his own prospects

In Paper's Please it's not even close to the same

You have no idea how grand scale the things going on are, you only have bits of info to piece together with the only context given being you are a border patrol guard who will serve your authoritarian "country"

There's a game called Not Tonight that has the same gameplay but gets these details wrong

it makes the resistance obviously the good guys, there's little to no penalty to helping them over the state.

in that aspect its MORE like Schindler's list because obviously the nazis are the bad guys

so why isn't the comparison Not Tonight and Schindler's List?

because the idea of a straightforward story where you know sheltering them is good and its bad to sell them out is part of film storytelling, where you are an onlooker

In Papers Please the way you're torn between what to do and who is worth saving and who isn't, whether you should back resistance or serve the state? That struggle you as the player feel is the struggle Schindler's List puts on screen for you to OBSERVE, not to be a part of.

Not Tonight in terms of its story and writing is more similar to Schindler's list. And that's why it's explicitly less artistic than Paper's Please. *Because if you make a game more similar to a movie, you lose the strengths of the medium of games without actually gaining the strengths of the medium of film.*

#tga #the last of us #tlou2 #video games #schindler's list #not a shitpost #for once #I just felt that it'd be a waste to not put this SOMEWHERE on the internet #papers please #golden joystick awards #fuck gamers #Naughty Dog #should burn in hell

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kirliancamera1 · 3 years

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Rede Vamp Brazil (https://redevampirica.com) interviews Elena Alice Fossi of Kirlian Camera (English text attached hereunder) 🔥🔥🔥

Question 1: Be very welcome to AcessoRedeVamp, it's a true honor to realize this interview with you Elena Alice! You are a great singer and more every time we see you on stage your performance transmits great emotion and this electrifies all of us! You tell a real story with your performance and this is amazing and rare these days! At the same time, we perceive an expressive revolt against an old world and its stagnant postures. How have you handled 2020?

*** EAF – First of all, I wanna thank you for your words. Being able to communicate with the people who follow us is the most important thing to me. Singing becomes ephemeral if doesn't convey a message. Also for this reason I consider that the stage is the base of a musician, so you can imagine how I miss it. In this sense, it can be said that the category we belong to is very unlucky, not only because it's forced not to work, but rather 'cause concerts are pure lifeblood for a musician's soul. In any case, both Angelo and I can't stand self-pity people, so we immediately jumped into new musical projects, putting top concentration on composition. At any rate, we couldn't be simple observers of an event on this scale, so right from the beginning we tried to dig deep, looking for, and comparing news, data, statistics, whether they came from mainstream channels or from alternative sources. In Italy, for example, the economy has been torn to pieces and furthermore, the same politicians who mourn the dead on TV... cut so many funds for health facilities for a long time, so they may be considered taking part in such a mess. This situation has created a real drama, especially for families who have lost their loved ones without even having a chance to say goodbye one last time. But, it's also true that the worldwide exploitation of this pandemic has given us, we citizens, an opportunity to wake up. No need to use words such as anarchy or rebellion to understand that the old world is showing all kinds of holes. "Divide et impera" is the motto of several governments, so we citizens must not fall into the trap of making war on each other, each nonsense comes up! This is the time to show ourselves united. And, most of all, it’s time not to turn ourselves into servile dogs of a “Power” becoming more and more antidemocratic.

Question 2: Do you feel that the marks left by the year 2020 will bring some effective changes to this "abstraction" called humanity? Will there be a "new normal" or will we just return to an average 2019 when this whole pandemic passes?

*** EAF - If I’d been told about what we have experienced for almost one year, I’d have thought it was a joke, bullshit. But unluckily this is not the case. Such an event has brought much grief and is ruining the economic system of many nations, as already said. But in addition to the injury, here it comes the insult from the absurd and chaotic dictates imposed on us. I'll give you some examples of what's happening here in Italy. “Don't go out after 10 pm”. While people keep on getting sick or even dying, here comes the policeman with a ticket 'cause you left home for a goddam moment. I have this picture on my mind, of a person in pajamas, carrying the garbage bag full of stinking mussel shells at less than one hundred meters from home in a totally deserted night. At that point a flash on him. It’s the police who writes a ticket to that dangerous criminal. And then, for everyone's sake, the Christmas mass was moved from the usual midnight to 8 pm. How the hell can you think it's not a mockery? And... the last “gag”! Before Christmas, our Minister of technological innovation made an appeal to telephone companies so that video calls were free on Christmas days... But what year does she live in? But... is she not able to understand that in Italy almost everyone has either unlimited gigas or wifi? Nothing changes if the telephone companies for a couple of days give us video calls because we already use free services such as Whatsapp, Skype, Zoom, Telegram, and so on and so forth... Ok, in a vain attempt to avoid death, they are putting us in an induced coma! Seriously, all this offends our intelligence! And, when you realize you are inside a joke, you don't like to discover you're the main character, do you?! So, to answer your question, I couldn't foresee how a post-covid society will be reshaped, but the severe weakening that now is burdening us will have some major impact, no doubt. Currently, most folks are obsessed with fear, so are unable to reflect on the consequences of unconstitutional actions such as those foolishly propagated by many States. Furthermore, the pharma companies, the giants of the online shopping industry and many other powerful satanic puppet masters who are used to appear as philanthropists are ready to get their hands on everything, well pleased with the next “big reset”. So, after the pandemic, things will change a lot! For sure, from a human point of view, the feelings will be devitalized.

Question 3: Hologram Moon is a great name! Evokes conspirations like what really is the moon and this strangeness opens a vast creative field to find answers or even new questions... please tell us a bit more about this album, his name, songs...

*** EAF - "Fake is your face" is one of the phrases that most resonate in me when I sing "Holograms", or when in “Lost Islands” the old world said “Goodbye”! It's as if you had to face a new reset, as if you discovered everything you've always believed is swept away in an instant. There's the awareness that in the face of a new and suffocating truth, when the sky collapses, only true love can resist and guide you. In this sense, the final track of the album, “Travellers’ Testament” is a real stone on my heart, as it describes a fantastic journey to a planet. The astronaut is now impatient to fulfill his dream, but he will never arrive on that planet. The landing will take place on a space station. The moon landing's been questioned over and over again and certain evidence of the fact's inconsistency eventually seems credible. But we cannot say what reality is in any scientific way, especially when we're already prepared to believe a reassuring source. This is a simple starting point to embark on our history. More than finding answers, our sacred duty is to open the door to new questions, ask doubts, not take anything for granted. “Hologram Moon” is a purely poetic vision, but also a way to question everything. The mind can atrophy very easily. Habit, for example, can be complicit in this and the so-called comfort zone can be just complicit as well. The hypnosis that we suffer every day without realizing it, also grinding so many and bad TV shows, and so on... So, let's remain thinking and dreaming! This is a message from us.

Question 4: How was the experience of working with Covenant's Eskil Simonsson on the beautiful "Sky Collapse"?

*** EAF - We had come across Covenant several times before doing this collaboration; on festival occasions, in the dressing rooms... But it was a chaotic situation, so... we gave each other a fleeting smile, a kind greeting, but nothing more. Then, when Angelo and I wrote “Sky Collapse”, we immediately thought that a deep and sincere voice like Eskil's would add something precious to the song. Even before recording the two-voice song, we met at a charity festival. We had called him as a guest just to sing this song together, which was yet unreleased. He made himself available immediately. It was a nice gift for us and when the moment came, I think that on stage you could feel my strong emotion all the way down the hall!

Question 5: Well, I think now we will have our fan moment! Let's talk about some Kirlian Camera songs that our DJs and the audience of the REDE VAMP love it? Do I speak the name and may you tell a little about the meanings, influences, or a curious story?

*** EAF ***

>>> NIGHTGLORY. It refers to the triumph of the night, perhaps as a momentary spiritual retreat. I'm talking about that precious moment that regenerates your very existence into yourself. The music of this song was born in a symphonic form, very different from how Nightglory was then arranged. This is a song and an album that has been appreciated by many people only after some time, partly because of a promotion that described the album as the most commercial in our history, which is absolutely harmful and misleading. Invisible Front and Eclipse were even more listenable, for example... Sometimes words spoil your work. It would be better to listen to music only, ignoring its promotional presentation. Fortunately, Nightglory has recovered over time till becoming one of the most requested live songs of ours.

>>> BLACK AUGUST. In this song there are various hints coming out from a dark moment in my life, I mean a period that risked devouring me. Wounds that take time to heal. Sky Collapse can be considered the final act of that period, even if the music of the two songs sounds very different, as you know. Black August blends various stylistic dimensions in a single “body of music”, so many didn't know how to label it at the time, as it effectively goes running free, out of the box. A very atypical song that has gained some actual success despite its distinction, which has also brought us closer to fans of dark metal and so-called electronica.

>>> HELLFIRE. I chose this piece to add an echo to the dark period I was talking about above, in order to exorcise all that negativity, so we went to deal with a theme showing gospel traits but containing some demonic references in the lyrics. Then I didn't know THE 8th PRESIDENT was waiting for us at the SCARLET GATE OF TOXIC DAYBREAK, with his COLD PILLS! A wordplay whoever is following us will understand!

>>> K-PAX. I wrote this piece in a night when everything seemed dreamy and I almost didn't realize where I was anymore. No, I wasn't under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but all my memories were mixing in tremendous chaos that needed to reinvent itself and turn into an immaterial fog, in a light but lost dream. Angelo literally translated the music and melodies I had written on the staff, giving both them and my voice the perfect terms to guide the journey. In fact, it's not a complete and static text, but a sequence of dreamy and painful phrases at the same time. I felt that Angelo listened to me attentively since he knew how to translate my notes so perfectly into written sentences as if he were sending me back into my music. It was magical and at K-Pax Angelo and I discovered the other life of ourselves, bringing to light so many breathtaking emotions and it was just the departure, after the suffocating mists of Still Air, an album we love, and the crepuscular decadence of Stalingrad Valkyrie.

Question 6: There is a cover of Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd from Kirlian Camera that is a true work of art. The Mad World cover performed by Spectra Paris is fascinating. Are there more covers from other bands that you would like to record?

*** EAF - Well yes, there are ideas, but we prefer to evaluate which are the best. Meanwhile, I tried to produce a version of a Johnny Cash song and I made Angelo interpret it: I really like the result. It may be used by Stalingrad Valkyrie.

Question 7: I love your lyrics! What can't Elena be missing when creating new lyrics or musical arrangements? Are there any poetry, films, books, comic books, or other influences?

*** EAF - Mostly everything happens unconsciously. You don't know how many times I realize why I wrote a certain phrase only after a song was released! But I can say that my imagination works mostly by processing images. So, the movies are very helpful in this. Similarly, Angelo and I tap into imagery that could be part of the quantum physics new era, where multiverse and multidimensionality are both playing an important role. This world appears like a really tiny thing when compared to everything else.

Question 8: Elena, I read in an older interview about a "Young Ladies Homicide Club" I found an undeniable reference to the films Noir and the figure of the characters called "Vamp" and all the charm and spectral magnetism ... but I was a little curious. .. what is this "Young Ladies Homicide Club"?

*** EAF - Let's say I imagined an unreal club created by apparently dead or so to say "disappeared" models in order to get rid of fashion people who were acting a bit too naughty! The work to clean up that world wouldn't be lacking, as, after all, it happens in all professional areas. As for myself goes, I gladly opted in a flash and without second thoughts for singing and making music, leaving everything behind, buying a couple of synths and a decent microphone, which I then enriched with various electronic devilry, kicking away possible easy money, foolish nights, cocaine, heroin, stereotyped relationships, and absurdly worshipped wines! Every so often I like to play with the ridiculous and grotesque ghosts of some fashion designers, photographers, and evil spirits, then going to recreate noir stories in which everything happens. I also drew some digital comics with a noir-glam flavor, a few years ago... It was a fun pastime, while with Kirlian Camera I'd been exploring deeper and more fundamental universes.

Question 9: Is there more news on the way for the incredible Spectra Paris and also for Stalingrad Valkyrie? May you talk a bit more about them?

*** EAF - Stalingrad Valkyrie is a project I am very fond of, in a special way. So I insisted on getting it back to life after a period of hibernation which lasted too much in my opinion. "Martyrium Europae", the most recent album, proved me right, even if it’s not a commercial project. Well, it seems our listeners have appreciated the attempt to combine different musical sources in a unique style, certainly linked to the more symphonic and dramatic Kirlian Camera pages, but also quite free to express itself on his own, trying to avoid the most standard patterns of neofolk, progressive and industrial, without on the other hand completely ignoring their now distant origins. So, in its small way, the new album turned out to be a success and I'd really like this project to keep on living with further fresh ideas. We're currently working on a new chapter that will be released on vinyl and some digitals, which contains previously unreleased songs and versions.

Question 10: Elena, our Rede Vamp is a platform about Cultural Vamp and Vampires production ... and there is a question that our interviewees never escape. Is there a character or perhaps a vampire story that you never forgot?

*** EAF - Needless to say the vampire who most impressed me over time can't be anyone other than... Angelo Bergamini!!! Not many know that Angelo was the leading actor in a short film entitled "Himre Bakai", shot in the late nineties or so, directed by Antonio Bocchi, the later owner of the dark-electronic project Lux Anodyca and author of detective books. I don't think the film is regularly available or downloadable at the moment, but I know it was also screened at the time in various festivals and reviews, also getting some good feedback! Angelo (Himre) and Antonio told me that one day the film "will see the light ”, but at the moment... he lies in the dark, by the book, of course!!!

Question 11: Elena, thank you so much for your time and generosity! You and Kirlian Camera have many fans on our events and radio shows, please leave a special message for our audience! Are there plans for a new gig in Brazil after all this pandemic?

*** EAF - While it's true that we've never been able to play in Brazil so far, I'm sure your Land is actually right for us, 'cause I can feel that's full of feeling and passion, so we'd love to perform for you very much, 'cause in spite of the fact it's so far away, I feel a deep affinity and a certain familiarity with your world. And while we wait, confident that sooner or later we'll succeed in our aim, I wanna greet all those who had the kindness to listen to me, with a quote from the American scientist and politician Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

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thatmultifandomhoe · 5 years

Text

Strawberry Cream and BBQ - 25 (Final)

Pairing: Hybrid Hoseok and Human Reader

Overview: Your best friend knows she can count on you for anything, so when she asks you to watch her hybrid while she’s gone for a study abroad trip for four months, you can’t say no. But when these four months are over, things have changed in a way no one expected.

Word Count: 6,716k

Genre: Hybrid AU, Fluff, Future smut, Angst, Best friends to Lovers

Warning: It’s the end

A/N: I hope y’all enjoy this final conclusion of Strawberry Cream and BBQ! Thank you everyone for sticking around and reading this, much longer than anticipated, fic lol.

Master List

Sneak Peak - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9 - Part 10 - Part 11 - Part 12 - Part 13 - Part 14 - Part 15 - Part 16 - Part 17 - Part 18 - Part 19 - Part 20 - Part 21 - Part 22 - Part 23 - Part 24 - Part 25 (Final) - Move in Day: A SC&BBQ Drabble

©thatmultifandomhoe Do not repost, translate, or use my stories without permission.

It was with a groan that you set your backpack on the seat next to you, propping your legs up on the basic white coffee table that was placed in front of the couches in their lounges. Classes were officially over and you were free for the next four months until the fall semester. You could do whatever your heart desired.

Instead of hoping into the car and taking the first exit to the beach, you comfortably settled yourself onto the couch and slipped in a pair of blue earbuds. The chatter of college students relieved to be done with the semester and the squeaking of sneakers against the tile floor was silenced by the music playing. More specifically, it was the song that Hoseok had chosen for his solo dance in The Dance Studio’s May show.

“Things are, improving,” Hoseok said. The camera moved on his end and he was briefly out of focus as he adjusted on his bed. It was late and while the two of you should have been sleeping, you wanted to see him one last time.

You forced yourself to smile, running a hand through your hair and wishing that he was playing with it instead. “Enough that we’ll be able to see each other again?” You asked.

Time had been passing slowly since Sue removed Hoseok from your life, and every day that went by felt like a piece of your soul was being ripped to itty bitty pieces. The hope of Hoseok one day walking back through the front door and healing you back together felt more like a dream the longer you were apart. You didn’t want to be dramatic, but that’s how it felt.

The small smile that had been on his face slipped, and you had your answer before he even spoke. “We’re going to be together baby; I promise.”

Hoseok wasn’t the type to feed you empty promises, he always kept his word, but it felt like he wasn’t even sure this time. Whether or not he wanted to admit it out loud, the idea of being together again seemed only possible in dreams.

The conversation always shifted to a new topic that you, or him, quickly came up with until your eyes became too heavy to keep open, and it was only with his coaxing that you got under the blankets and went to bed. He usually ended up promising to not end the video call until you were asleep.

He was trying so hard and you understood why he wasn’t pushing things, but you missed him so much. Which is why you weren’t going home just yet. With school out, there were no more tests and papers to focus your attention on, allowing your mind to wander to these last few months.

Your life had been completely flipped upside down, and yet despite all the worry and trouble, you didn’t regret a single moment. The only thing you wished for was more time. If Hoseok had discovered the truth earlier, there would have been plenty of time to tell Sue, to be together, and to not worry about whether or not there was a future instore for the two of you.

With earbuds in, you didn’t hear Johnny call your name or see him wave his hands to catch your attention. For a good moment, he stood across the room and watched, wondering if you were purposely ignoring him, but when he only sensed your lingering emptiness, he figured that you hadn’t seen him at all.

He sighed, ears twitching underneath the beanie he wore on his head. Unlike a month ago, your emotions were no longer suffocating to the hybrids that attended the college, and more specifically, the ones who shared classes with you.

Johnny remembered the first day you came back after the fight. After skipping classes for two days, you came back on the third. The instant you entered the classroom, him and the few other hybrids in the class had to fight back against their natural instincts to whine and whimper in empathy. Lori, a gentle bunny hybrid, had to leave with her belongings and tears in her eyes because your emotions were so overwhelming.

While the humans in the class barely gave you a second glance, the hybrids were squirming in their seats, their own hearts breaking alongside with yours. Every hybrid learned about mates when they were around fifteen years old – in some rare cases even when they were children if kids found their mates by accident – allowing them to comprehend what having a mate meant. Every hybrid’s worst fear was either having their mate removed from them, and losing their mate to death. And even though Hoseok never died, you were grieving the loss of him no longer being by your side.

It made every hybrid long for their mates whether or not they had met them, simply so they could hug them tight and make sure they were safe.

Chewing on the inside of his cheek, Johnny headed back to the ice cream vending machine he had passed on the way to the lobby. Luckily, it had been restocked the other day and he knew that you loved a classic ice cream sandwich. The one with the two chocolate chip cookies. He was waiting for the machine to drop the dessert into the pickup slot when a purple sign caught his eye.

It was tacked up on the board among a dozen other posters advertising events on the campus, but this one stood out. In black bold letters, it announced the Dance Studio’s annual May show. It listed some of the groups that were going to be performing as well as some of their well-known soloists. Hoseok’s name was the third one printed out, and with a glance at the date, he grabbed the flyer along with the ice cream for you.

“Hey!” Johnny shouted, ignoring the strange looks he received as he made his way back to you.

With the music playing loudly, you were startled to suddenly hear shouting. Only when you looked up, you weren’t surprised upon seeing that it was Johnny. He didn’t have a filter all the time.

“Why are you shouting?” You slowly asked, zipping the earbuds back into your bag for safe keeping. He didn’t answer you. Instead, once you looked back up at him, he tossed the ice cream sandwich at you, forcing you to react so it wouldn’t hit the wall behind you and break. “Don’t you know it’s rude to throw things?” The packaging crinkled as you tore it open, happily taking out the dessert to munch on.

“And don’t you know it’s rude to not say thank you when friends buy you things?” He settled in the seat next to you, putting your bag on the floor as he mimicked the position you sat in.

“Thank you,” you mumbled, taking a bite out of the ice cream.

Satisfied, Johnny gave you a moment to enjoy the treat before placing the flyer on your leg.

The ice cream was in your mouth when he did that. At first, it looked like another advertisement for Disney Trivia that the student council regularly put on. It was one of the more popular events, especially when they went all out for the prizes. One time, there had been a Michael Kors hand bag as a first place winning.

All it took was reading Hoseok’s name however, for you to realize this wasn’t an on-campus event. Butterflies erupted in your belly as you stared at his name. The Dance Studio usually only listed the names of their most popular dance groups and soloists. To see that Hoseok was the third one to have his name on the flyer, said so much about his dancing abilities.

Johnny silently watched as your thumb absentmindedly ran against the letters spelling out Hoseok’s name, a soft smile appearing. “Why don’t we go?” He gently asked, nudging your shoulder when you didn’t look up. “It starts at seven, plus…I think it’ll do you some good to see him.”

“Sue might be there,” you automatically replied.

His insides cramped up at the mention of Sue. He never had any beef with her before, and it wasn’t like him to automatically dislike someone before meeting and getting to know them, but knowing what she did to you and Hoseok, he couldn’t help but dislike her. As a hybrid himself, what she did was vile and the worst possible thing in the world.

“You can’t let that stop you,” Johnny argued. “He’s your mate, you have the right to be there and to support him for when he goes up on stage. Plus, she doesn’t have to know you’re there. She’s human. She won’t be able to smell your scent like we can.”

He made a decent argument.

Hell, Johnny made an honest argument.

You didn’t have to tell her that you were going to be there. She couldn’t stop you. The Dance Studio was always open to the public and with the show, they encouraged everyone to come out and watch as the dancers performed. Not only to see how hard they’ve been working on the choreography, but because it also helped to raise funds for the building and other miscellaneous things.

Taking another bite of the softened ice cream, you continued to look at the flyer, your heart absorbing the fact that you were seeing his name written out. Jung Hoseok. Your sweet, precious, loving mate, was going to have his chance to show everyone what you already knew he was capable of being: an amazing and incredibly talented dancer.

Were you really going to let your life be dictated by Sue and her anger?

You crumpled up the empty wrapper as you swallowed the remaining ice cream, tossing the wrapper in the trash. It wasn’t until you were back at the couch that you spoke.

Johnny – who was casually taking a deep breath – could smell a difference in your emotions. They weren’t heavy with sadness and fear. For once, they were lifting up with hope.

“Let’s go,” you decided, smiling when you made eye contact with him. He was already grinning from ear to ear. “This is Hoseok’s big night, and we’re going to be there.”

* * *

Hoseok took a deep breath as he stared at himself in the mirror. It was the big night that he’s been waiting months for, and it was finally here. The outfit he had decided to wear was simple: black skinny jeans that were ripped at the knees, black sneakers, and an untuck white button up dress shirt with the cuffs unbutton. It was basic and not at all glittery or sparkling under the lights, but that’s exactly what he wanted. He wanted the music and his dancing to speak a thousand words.

Simple, but on purpose.

He was standing backstage waiting his turn. The soloists and groups were alternating their appearances, that way the audience’s attention would remain captive throughout the show. Rocking back and forth on his heels, he smiled when a group of girls in sparkly dresses ran by barefoot, quickly throwing a wave to him over their shoulders. They were regulars at the Dance Studio and usually would have stopped to shout his name, but they were on after his performance, so he understood the rush.

Stepping away from the corner, he neared the edge of the stage and stood next to the stage manager, watching the performance. It was a contemporary dance with students ranging from sixteen to twenty years of age, and while it was beautifully done, his mind continued to wander.

Sue was sitting somewhere in the audience. After arriving, he had gone backstage to get ready and she had gone to get a seat before they were all taken. There had been one year where there was only standing room left.

Even if he closed his eyes and inhaled, he wouldn’t be able to find her in the crowd. There were too many different scents, perfumes, makeup, and snacks floating around in the air, that hers was lost. He could only hope that she hadn’t left.

Then he wondered if you were there. Craning his neck so he could look out into the audience, without being seen of course, he tried to spot you before settling back into the shadows. He had heard once that when a couple was mated, their scents were easily detected even in large crowds like this.

The temptation to try and seek you out was so strong that he contemplated sneaking out to the sidelines to try and find you, but he held himself back. He knew, that you knew how much this meant to him. At the same time, with Sue being here, he hoped that you stayed home. He hated not seeing you, hell, his entire wellbeing needed you by his side, but he couldn’t risk you getting hurt.

The memory of you crying in bed as Sue yelled at the two of you, and then again when you stood at the doorway as he left with her was forever seared into his mind. He had physically been right there and still; he couldn’t protect you. If keeping you away from Sue for the time being meant that you’d be safe, then he was willing to keep you at an arm’s distance even as it killed him.

As the violins came to a sudden finish, Hoseok blinked as he rolled his neck. It was only a few minutes now. Once the kids ran off to the other side of the stage, it was all on him. He had no idea how anyone would respond to his performance. It was darker, and with the exception of a few lines, the song wasn’t even in English. He knew that you had liked the song because of the heart emojis you sent after listening to it, so your response had reassured him a little. Now he was about to find out the truth.

“Just pe-performance jitters,” he murmured to himself.

Shaking his head, he closed his eyes as the audience’s clapping filled the room along with their cheers. The thumping of feet hurrying off the stage reached his ears first before the sudden gasps as the room went dark and the curtains closed. He couldn’t help the little grin when he reopened his eyes and saw the backdrop getting wheeled in place. It was a brick background with cement blocks positioned around the stage meant to look like the underground.

He walked out to the middle of stage and positioned himself on his knees, the squeaking of the curtains recapturing everyone’s attention. With the lights still off, a soothing voice rang out over the speakers.

“My scene, was not specifically this or that, but consisted of having shaken hands with the devil. The devil held me in his clutches. The enemy, was behind me.”

A purple stage light focused on him as the music started to play, light magenta and purple fog entering from both sides of the stage. In that moment, he forgot about everything as he danced. He had been preparing for this for months, each move coming with well-practiced ease that it was second nature. This is what he lived for.

When he did his flip and the audience gasped as the stage was no longer dark, but red and green black light paint suddenly appearing against the floor and background as his white shirt glowed. He wanted to break character and smile like no tomorrow, but he refrained from doing so, especially when he saw fingers pointing at the image of angel wings being reflected behind him for a brief moment, before they too disappeared.

Landing on his knees once more, his chest heaved as the room went black again, ending his performance. It was only dark for a second before the lights turned back on and he was standing up for the cheering of the audience. When he had come out, everyone had been sitting in their seats. This time however, they were all standing.

It was only now that he grinned, waving and bowing while wiping away the sweat that dripped down the sides of his face. The performance was only two, maybe three minutes long, but it felt like a lifetime to him. From coming up with choreography and spending all those extra hours practicing, for those two minutes, it was worth it all the long nights and aching pains he pushed himself through.

Straightening up, he smiled as he took a deep breath to even out his breathing, when his heart suddenly stopped. No. That couldn’t be...he had to be imagining things. Keeping the smile on his face, he slowly made his way to the side of the stage as he inhaled once more, focusing on a single scent.

He hadn’t smelt that scent in a while, but he recognized the smell of strawberry cream as it enveloped his senses.

* * *

As soon as the lights were down for the second time signaling the end of Hoseok’s performance, you were up and wildly clapping for him. There was no way he could see you. The only spots that you and Johnny were able to snag weren’t even seats at all. The two of you were standing against the side wall, but up until Hoseok’s performance, you had been sitting on the floor.

You had been late to arriving and thought you had missed it, but when you were given a program of the performances, you sighed with relief when you saw that Hoseok was going up sixth. It was a little disappointing to miss the opening performances, but as you took the bouquet of roses back from Johnny, it was all worth it.

“He knows,” Johnny spoke, stealing your attention away from Hoseok who was now exiting the stage.

Turning to face your friend, who had forgone the beanie tonight and allowing the tips of his ferret ears to appear, you frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Johnny shook his head as he placed a hand on the middle of your back, guiding you away from the wall. “Hoseok knows you’re here.”

“How?” Despite not knowing the answer, you followed Johnny as he maneuvered his way through the crowed.

Johnny glanced at you before leading you up the stairs to the side of the stage, ducking out of sight of the crowd. “I saw it on his face. It was when he exiting and he stood still for that split second. Because you’re his mate, he can smell your scent in the crowd. He’ll always be able to find you.”

It took a second for what he was saying to make sense, but when it did, it made your heart flutter. No matter what happened, he was always going to find you.

“Do you think we can find him?” You eagerly asked, looking around Johnny’s body in an attempt to find your Hoseok. Just knowing that you were in the same building as him had your body feeling more alive than it has in these last few weeks.

“I can try,” Johnny answered, guiding your backstage. He was already a step ahead of you and had been planning on leading you to Hoseok after his performance. You didn’t know it, but with Hoseok’s scent intertwined with yours, he was able to pick up the faintest scent of Hoseok backstage, and it was growing stronger.

Taking a deep breath, Johnny hurried as the scent led him out to a hallway that was away from the auditorium that the show was being held in. Your footsteps echoed against the tile floor, a vast contrast to the pulsating hip hop music that was currently being played as another group took to the stage.

You stopped moving when Johnny stood still, not entirely sure if the two of you were going in the right direction or not since he didn’t come here often. You knew where you were though. This was the hallway that led to the dance room that Hoseok used to teach his classes. It was the same room that he spent countless hours practicing in, and was the same room that the two of you shared multiple dinner dates in.

Without saying a word, you handed the bouquet to Johnny to hold, and walked to the room. The light was already on as you entered, your eyes watering up as you looked at the mirrored wall.

Standing there like he knew you were going to come, Hoseok smiled as he pushed off the mirror wall.

“Hoseok?” You whispered.

Hoseok nodded, stretching his arms out for a hug as you hurried into his embrace. Hugging you tightly to his chest, he buried his face in your hair as he felt your hands clutch onto the back of his shirt. You were here, you saw him perform, and he was holding you again.

Against his own will, tears slipped out of his eyes as he straightened up, whines escaping immediately at the small distance that only ceased when he picked you up. Your legs wrapped around his waist and without hesitation, he was kissing you like there was no tomorrow.

He was covered in sweat but you didn’t care. All you could think about was how right this, how at home it was to be in his arms, and to kiss him again. Sliding your arms across his shoulders, you held tightly to the man you called your other half, your mate, shivering when he pulled back to kiss your mate mark.

“Oh God you’re here,” Hoseok murmured, his lips still kissing the mark as his arms tightened around you. “I can’t believe you came Strawberry; I’ve missed you so much baby.”

Burying your face in his neck, you hummed in agreement. You were afraid that if you tried speaking that instead of words, tears would be flowing out. Somehow sensing your predicament, Hoseok gently kissed the side of your jaw as he rubbed your back.

He was here and this time, he wasn’t letting anyone split the two of you up again. A soft rumble escaped his chest the longer he held you, the familiarity of your body and scent truly relaxing him for the first time since he was separated from you.

This time, you lifted your head, slowly smiling as looked at Hoseok. His brown eyes warmed your heart as the fire ignited in your veins.

“Um guys, I hate to interrupt but…”

You knew that Johnny wouldn’t have spoken unless it was extremely important, but even though logically you should have listened to him, your heart denied logic as you leaned down to kiss Hoseok once more. It had been too long since you went without his kisses and his touch and right now, you wanted to be selfish and take what he was giving.

Hoseok growled against your lips, tilting his head for the perfect angle. He knew who was there with Johnny, and despite having the heart to heart moment with her, his instincts were still upset that she had split him from his mate. It was his instincts that were enhancing his emotions to take what was his and prove to everyone that you belonged to him and no one else. As barbaric as it sounded, in a way, it was true. You were his mate, and he was yours. Your souls were meant for each other the day you were both born. You weren’t meant to be separated like you had been.

“Don’t worry Johnny,” Sue spoke, her heels echoing as she entered the room. “Let them have their time together.”

In contradiction to her words, your body froze. You hadn’t expected it to be her that Johnny was warning you about, you thought maybe it was a staff member or a wandering performer.

Fear washed over Hoseok, forcing him to break the kiss as he looked up at you. It wasn’t him who was afraid though. Seeing the tears form in your eyes, your bottom lip trembling, he shook his head immediately as his arms tightened even more around you as he felt your legs grip his waist.

“No Strawberry,” he murmured, kissing your mark to reassure you. “I’m not leaving you again baby. I don’t care what happens, but I’m staying with you no matter what. Just relax for me hun. Take a deep breath, it’s going to be okay.”

As you did what he said, he glanced over your shoulder to see Johnny and Sue standing at the entrance. He nodded at Johnny, who based off of his scent, was the same Johnny that he smelled at your apartment all those months ago.

Johnny apologetically smiled as he gestured towards Sue with a small nod of his head, but Hoseok didn’t blame him. It wasn’t his fault that everything had happened. He was just grateful that you had a friend like him around. With the exception of that one time, but that was in the past.

Focusing back on you, Hoseok gently kissed you once you were calmed down, carefully lowering you back on the ground. Like he figured, you pressed against his side as he slid his arm around your shoulders, keeping you close.

Sue, sensing that it was better to approach you now, made her way over. The entire interaction between you and Hoseok hadn’t fallen on blind eyes. Considering everything that she’s done, it was almost surprising that she hadn’t interrupted the second she entered the room.

You watched as Sue stopped in front of you, her hands holding onto the large purse she had sitting on her shoulder. Figuring she wanted Hoseok, you wrapped your other arm across his stomach, gripping on to the fabric of his shirt. It was a pitiful attempt, but if it came down to it, you weren’t letting him go without standing up for yourself.

“Look, I’m just going to get straight to the point here,” Sue said. Releasing on hand, she ran it through her hair as she looked at Hoseok. “You two are mates, and I shouldn’t have separated you from each other. It was wrong of me, and I can see that now.”

Licking her lips, she glanced at you, her eyes softening for the briefest moment before hardening once more. “I hurt you in more ways than I expected, and because of that, I lost two of the most important friendships that I ever had because I couldn’t see past my own pain.

“You don’t know it, but a lot happened in Hong Kong besides the breakup with Colin, and in all honesty, being on my own was actually good. I made a lot of friends there, and I think I had started to find out who I am as a person. Which is why, I’m planning on moving. To Hong Kong.”

The room was silent as her declaration settled in everyone’s mind. Sue was moving, half way across the world. Your mouth dropped open and if it weren’t for Hoseok holding you, you would have fallen on your ass. If she was moving, then was she taking Hobi with her?

As if she knew where you mind was heading, Sue opened her bag and after some ruffling, she pulled out a packet. “While in Hong Kong, I got to start my life over. I wasn’t the girl whose parents died in that car accident. Nobody knew who I was or that I was loaded. Instead, they just knew me as Sue, the girl who was studying abroad in a foreign country. Right now, that’s what I need…because I’m not the same person I was when I adopted Hoseok, nor am I the same person I was before I left. And I need to figure out who I am before doing anything else. So, this is for you.”

Waiting until you removed an arm from Hoseok, she handed the packet to you and took a step backwards. She wasn’t surprised when you gasped, the corner of her lips twitching upwards for a brief moment.

“You’ll see that my signature is in every spot that it’s required for. All you have to do is sign it yourselves and bring it to the courthouse. I already checked, I don’t have to be there when you bring it and they’ll mail the official documents to your address within a period of time after it’s been approved.”

You tightly held on to the paperwork for the Mate Act, leaning into Hoseok’s side even more. With shaky fingers, you flipped through the papers to see that she was telling the truth. Every line that required Sue’s signature was already filled out.

This is what you’ve been wanting for weeks. Ever since Hoseok told you about the Mate Act, really. Blinking, you slowly looked back up at Sue. You didn’t understand where this was coming from. After everything, why was she now changing her mind?

Sue held onto her elbow, looking at the wall behind you as she avoided eye contact with either of you. All the years that you’ve known her, Sue wasn’t usually sentimental. The last time you actually saw her cry had been that day when her parents died. After that, it was like a wall had been built that not even she had been able to break down.

Hoseok carefully took the packet out of your hands, scanning through it himself or otherwise he would think this was simply a dream. He didn’t know what to think. While yes, he wanted to be with you and wanted Sue to sign, it was the sudden decision of her moving to Hong Kong that had him hesitating.

“Where is this coming from?” He asked, feeling your gaze on him as he focused on Sue. “Moving to Hong Kong. You…you never even mentioned permanently moving there, let alone a vacation.”

“I know,” Sue answered. “But I’ve been thinking about it a lot. Ever since I came back actually.” Running a hand through her hair, her face softening as she shrugged. “All I know is that it’s time I focused on myself, and this really is the best way for me to do that.”

Taking a shaky breath, you tried to wrap your mind around what Sue was saying, but it all kept coming back to the fact that she was leaving. “When?” You finally asked.

“Before the start of the new semester. Mid-August. I’ll be putting the house up on the market in June.”

That meant that there were only three more months until she was gone.

“Are, are you sure about this Sue?”

She raised an eyebrow at you. That was a question she had been expecting to come from Hoseok, but the more she thought about it, it made sense that you would want to make sure she was positive about this. Even though she had emotionally detached from your friendship, you always made sure that she was doing okay. Whether it was by bringing her favorite snack and stopping by her house, or a simple phone call and text to check on her. It wasn’t like you to ignore someone else when they weren’t okay.

For the first time, Sue smiled. It was small and a little awkward, but she did it. “Yes. I’m absolutely positive about this. You did an amazing job out there Hoseok, and I really am proud of how far you’ve come with your dancing. Go home with Strawberry tonight, you earned it. I’m going to head back home.”

She had started to step away once more, but before she could make it far, Hoseok moved to her side and wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. It shocked her so she didn’t return the gesture right away, but she slowly hugged him back.

“You gave me a whole new life,” Hoseok murmured in her ear, knowing that she was going to take this to heart. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. This last month hasn’t been easy but, I’m gonna miss you. We’re, going to miss you.”

Biting down on the inside of her cheek, Sue kept her tears out of sight as she squeezed Hoseok. The decision to fill out the paperwork hadn’t been easy, but then she remembered how to easily she reminded him that he was just another hybrid, and it made her feel sick inside. He wasn’t less of a person because of his genetics, and she never used to think that way.

Adopting Hoseok had been a major change in her life. So wasn’t moving to Hong Kong. It wasn’t only necessary, but something that she wanted. Besides, he didn’t belong in Hong Kong with her. He had a life, a job, and his friends were all right here in this town. Most importantly, he had you here. She had already tried splitting the two of you up once, and that was a lesson she never wanted to learn the hard way again.

“I’ll miss you too,” Sue whispered back. “But I need to do this for me.”

Hoseok leaned back, sadly smiling as he squeezed her shoulders. “I know. You need to take care of yourself, and that’s all that matters.”

Letting go of Sue, Hoseok made his way back to you. Your emotions were all over the place: One second they were happy, the next they were sad, but ultimately, they were conflicted. On one hand, your best friend was moving away. On the other, she had been the one to hurt you.

“It’s okay,” he murmured. Cupping the back of your head, he gently kissed your temple. “Do what you need to do. I’ll be waiting outside with Johnny by the car.”

You lifted your head, catching his smile before he turned and went to Johnny and walking out into the hallway. Their footsteps and voices carried out in the silence before a door slammed shut, leaving only the two of you in the dance room.

The silence was awkward. Neither of you knew what to say to the other. What was there left to say, after everything that’s happened? Sue was right, she wasn’t the same person she used to be, and neither were you. In these last few months, it wasn’t just the small things that changed. Everything had changed.

“Sue I…” You paused to lick your lips. This was the first real conversation you’ve had with her in a long time, and you wanted to make it right. “I really, really do appreciate this. It means a lot to us. It couldn’t have been easy.”

Sue nodded in agreement; her lips pressed together in thought. With Hoseok, she knew what to say and where they stood, but with you…it was like walking blind. She didn’t want to hurt you anymore than she already did.

“And I’m sorry, that you found out like that. We should have called and told you when we found out.”

“Thank you,” Sue spoke, her voice wobbling for only a second before she regained control of her emotions. “I know I haven’t made things easy for anyone. I just wanted to do something right before I leave. These next few months are going to be busy with preparing to move, finding a place to live in Hong Kong and everything else.”

That makes sense, you thought. “Well, good luck in Hong Kong. Although, I know you’ll do great. You always liked going on adventures.”

It was a weak attempt at an old inside joke the two of you once shared. Sue had always been the more adventurous between the two of you, while you preferred staying in with a close group of friends. The joke resulted in a small chuckle from Sue and that made you smile. There was still a part of her that you knew after all.

Saying goodbye didn’t last much longer after that. Sue left shortly after, leaving you alone in the practice room. With only your thoughts and the paperwork, you took your time walking out to the parking lot. The sound of your heels clicking against the tile floor were comforting as your feet led you out, the path automatically ingrained in your memory.

The interaction with Sue had gone a lot smoother than the last, and you were grateful that it wasn’t anything like last time. Her decision to move away made sense, and speaking from the heart, you were happy she was going. The Sue that had stood there wasn’t the same woman you’ve called your best friend for years now. Instead of seeing her standing in front of you, it was someone who resembled her and had similar interests, but she was someone you didn’t really know anymore. And you were willing to bet she felt the exact same way about you.

For some reason, that was okay with you.

As the breeze met your skin, your body shivered and your heels weren’t loud anymore, but a thoughtful click against the pavement. It didn’t hurt to think about Sue anymore, and you weren’t sad or angry. A nostalgic feeling settled in your heart as your memories with Sue came to mind, and you decided you liked that better.

“That’s not your car Strawberry.”

Glancing up, you were surprised to see that your feet had led you to a pickup truck. You shook your head in amusement and went to your car, which was parked only two spots over.

Hoseok grinned as he leaned against the trunk, his arms crossed over his chest. “I saw Sue come out, how’d everything go?”

“It went good,” you answered.

He uncrossed his arms as you neared, wrapping them around you to bring you against his chest. With a glance through the back windshield, you saw the bouquet of roses carefully placed on the passenger seat.

“Johnny already headed out,” he explained. “Said he figured that you’d want to head on home and that he didn’t live far from here.”

“Ah.” With the paper work still in hand, you carefully hugged Hoseok once more. After weeks of not being in his embrace, it felt like you were overdosing on all the affection you were receiving from him. “You know, you were amazing on stage. Correction, you’re always amazing when you’re dancing.”

He laughed at your compliments but was quick to rapidly kiss your cheek when you pouted up at him, making you giggle in his hold. “I’m just happy that you came. That’s the only thing that matters to me baby.”

If he didn’t already have it, he should add professional at melting hearts on his resume. You tilted your head and stood on your toes, capturing his lips into a sweet kiss. It was like heaven was brought down to Earth, all just for you.

“Ready to go home?” You whispered, leaning back only a smidge so that you could gently run your nose against his.

Hoseok smiled, his lips curling up into a heart as his hands gave your sides a sweet squeeze. He has been wanting nothing more than to go home with you for so long now. Tomorrow, the two of you could finish signing the paperwork and bring it to the courthouse. Or maybe even the next day. All he wanted was to sleep in bed and hold you in his arms for the next twenty-four hours.

“Strawberry, you are my home.”

You giggled at his cheesy words, but you treasured them anyway. As you got in the car, the flowers now sitting in Hoseok’s lap, you drove with one hand as he held your other, and you were smiling the entire time.

People were like books. There were twists and turns that caught you off guard, and sometimes you were blind to obvious hints that had been purposely placed to surprise you later on. Then you reached that last page, and it was all over.

With real people, it wasn’t the end of the story, but simply just the end of a chapter. There were more pages than you could see, and so the story, and life, continues on.

And having Hoseok by your side, you were ready for that new chapter.

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lovemesomesurveys · 4 years

Text

What Rhymes With “ATE”?

1. What’s the last thing you ate? Ramen.

2. Do you have a gate to your backyard? Yeah.

3. Who’s your best mate? My mom.

4. How often do you mate? Have sex? Never have.

5. What would you use as bait on a fishing hook? I wouldn’t even go fishing let’s be real, but fine if I did I’d use worms or whatever I guess alkjfklfjklf. I wouldn’t be the one to put it on, though!

6. What do you bate your breath with? Any anxious situation.

7. What’s the last thing you got in a crate? I don’t get things in crates.

8. When’s the last time you went on a date? Where did you go? Almost 5 years ago. It was a cute coffee and bookstore date with Ty. That was our favorite thing to do.

9. Do you believe in fate? No.

10. Have you ever seen a freight train in person before? Yeah.

11. Do you like grated cheese? Yesss.

12. Do you have an awkward gait? As a paraplegic, no I do not. Everything else about me is awkward, though.

13. When’s the last time you truly felt great? When I was a kid.

14. Who do you hate? Besides myself, no one.

15. Do you know of anyone named Kate or Nate? No.

16. When’s the last time you were late for something? I don’t recall. I’m big on being punctual.

17. Do you know how to plait hair? I haven’t heard it called that, but yes.

18. Do you have a favorite plate? Paper plates, ha.

19. Would rather ice skate or roller skate? I can’t do either one.

20. How would you rate this survey so far? I’ve enjoyed all your surveys!

21. Do you ever just wish for a clean slate? Yesssss.

22. What state do you live in? (if you’re American) California.

23. What is your current state of mind? Blah.

24. Are you straight? Yes.

25. Are you straight-laced? Straight-edged? No, because apparently you can’t have caffeine or narcotics to be considered straightedge, both of which I have.

26. Have you ever visited a strait? No.

27. What’s your best personality trait? Sense of humor.

28. How long will you wait for someone/something? I don’t know?

29. What is your weight? I’m not exactly sure, but I think mid to low 70lbs.

30. Are you awaiting anything special? No.

31. Do you berate anyone? Nooo.

32. Is there anyone you’d like to castrate? Uh, no!

33. Are you a cheapskate? Lol I have my moments, but I also can overspend. Just depends, really.

34. When was the last time you collated papers? I don’t recall.

35. Last thing you created? Uhhh.

36. What was your last debate about? I really try and avoid those.

37. Last time you inflated something? Or deflated? I don’t recall.

38. Do you dictate what other people can do? No.

39. Have your pupils ever dilated before? When I go to the eye doctor.

40. When’s the last time you donated something? A few months ago when I got rid of some clothes.

41. The last time you felt elated? My Disneyland trip earlier this year.

42. Have you ever been to an estate sale? No.

43. What are you fixated on? Health related stuff.

44. How often do your floodgates open? I cry often.

45. Last thing you equated? Hmm.

46. Last time you felt frustrated? The last few days. I feel that way quite often.

47. Do you remember to stay hydrated? Yeah.

48. Do you live upstate? No.

49. How often do you post status updates? I very rarely post status updates on Facebook anymore, I just share things now and then. I tweet a lot, though.

50. How often do you use Google Translate? Not often, but sometimes. I actually did a couple days ago.

51. Who is a classmate that you are still friends with?

52. Have you ever had a teammate before? No.

53. Have you ever tailgated? No.

54. Have you ever reached a stalemate? That’s how I’ve felt the past few years.

55. Have you ever been sedated? Yeah, several times.

56. Do you rotate your mattress? No.

57. Last time you got a rebate? It’s been awhile, but I used to use Ebates (called Rakuten now). I keep forgetting to use it for some reason, which is dumb.

58. Have you ever felt like you could relate to someone? Yeah, many times.

59. Favorite primate? I don’t have one.

60. Do you have something ornate? Uhh. I don’t really have anything fancy.

61. Has an action ever negated the effect of your efforts? Yes.

62. Could you be described as a lightweight? Ha, yeah. For sure.

63. Would you like to visit Kuwait? I haven’t thought about it.

64. Last person that gyrated near you? No one.

65. Do you know someone who is irate or innate? Hmm.

66. Do you know of any inmates? Yes.

67. How long does it take you to acclimate? I struggle with change.

68. Last time you activated something? Not too long ago.

69. What do you advocate for? Stuff.

70. Last time you felt agitated or aggravated? Recently.

71. Last time you had to annotate something? Recently during my Bible study.

72. Have you ever felt alienated before? Yes.

73. What was the last caffeinated beverage you consumed? Starbucks Doubleshot energy drink.

74. Do you like carbonated drinks? Yeah.

75. What captivates you? Staring out at the ocean and listening to the waves crash in and out.

76. What do you allocate a lot of your hours towards? Watching YouTube videos and checking my social medias.

77. Last event you celebrated? 4th of July. Well, we just went out and watched fireworks from the driveway.

78. Last time you were compensated for something? I don’t recall.

79. Do you tend to make things complicated? Yepppp. :/ “Why you gotta go and make things so complicated?”

80. Do you find it hard to concentrate at times? Yes.

81. Have you ever had anything confiscated? No.

82. Last place you congregated at? I haven’t been around a large crowd of people since my Disneyland trip earlier this year. I won’t be again for a very long time given the current state of things.

83. How long are you with someone before you consummate the relationship? I’m a virgin.

84. Last time you had to conjugate a verb? I did that recently when I was helping my mom with her Duolingo Spanish lesson. It amazes me how much I still remember considering I haven’t taken a Spanish class or even really practiced it in almost 10 years. :O I mean, I’ll occasionally try and speak it or if I hear or see it somewhere I’ll try to translate it, but it’s not very often, so I’m surprised I’m still able to at all.

85. Last time you were constipated? I don’t recall.

86. How often do you contemplate life? Often.

87. Are you hard to cooperate with? No, I don’t think so.

88. Do you know anyone who cultivates land? No.

89. Would you want to be cremated? Yes.

90. Do you have any issues with your prostate? I don’t have a prostate.

91. Have you ever decimated someone’s character before? No.

92. Do you decorate your home for the holidays? Yesss. Well, for Christmas. I used to for Halloween, but I haven’t the past few years. I should do that this year.

93. Who would you dedicate a book you wrote to? My mom.

94. Are you good at delegating group projects? I felt like I always had to take lead in group projects and make sure everything was getting done. I hated doing them, they stressed me out even more.

95. Do you know how to demonstrate things in order to show someone how to do something? I do feel like I suck at trying to explain things to others for the most part, but I guess it depends on the thing.

96. In what ways do you deviate from “the norm”? I’m soon to be 31 years old and I still live at home with my parents, with no plans to move out anytime soon. I don’t have a job. I don’t have much, basically none, relationship experience. I’m a virgin. I’m just not a functioning adult.

97. How long after you take a painkiller does the pain start to dissipate? It typically takes about 30 minutes, but on really bad pain/flare up days it can take an hour or so and sometimes not until I have the next dose.

98. Do you feel the need to dominate in conversations? Nooo. I’m much more of a listener and I’ll throw the convo back to the other person.

99. Would you ever domesticate a wild animal? Why or why not? No.

100. Who is the last person you congratulated? For what? I don’t remember.

101. Would you like to decapitate anyone? Who, and why? Uh, no!

102. Do you ever think that you could duplicate something you’ve tried before? Uhh, like what?

103. What do you feel you could educate others about? I don’t know. Remember before how I said I suck at explaining things to others?

104. What elevates your stress level? My heath, my life (including things related to my loved ones in my life, such as their health issues and things they’re dealing with/going through), and just...life in general, man. There’s a lot going on this year alone.

105. Do you have a tendency to make situations escalate? In my mind cause I jump to the worst conclusions. My natural reaction is to freak out.

106. How good are you at estimating? Uhh, depends what I’m estimating.

107. Do you fabricate your stories? No.

108. What is something that fascinates you? Psychology.

109. How long does it take you to formulate a game plan? Hmm. Depends.

110. What tends to make your blood pressure fluctuate? Stress and anxiety.

111. How do you generate enough energy to get through your day? What energy? I’m seriously lacking.

112. When did you graduate? I graduated UC back in 2015.

113. When you’re in a department store, which section do you gravitate towards most often? The clothes.

114. How often do you hesitate before doing or saying something? Often.

115. Do you ever wish that you could just hibernate? Yes.

116. Does anyone try to imitate you? Does it get on your nerves? No, but that would most definitely get on my nerves.

117. Do you like to instigate others? Nooo. I’m not an instigator.

118. Could you illustrate a children’s book? I couldn’t illustrate anything, I’m an artist at all.

119. Do you marinate your meats? I don’t cook.

120. Do you masturbate? No. What a way to end, ha.

[a-zebra-is-a-striped-horse]

#personal #text #survey #surveys #long survey

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prorevenge · 5 years

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You okay the project for the whole team? Great turn it in to the professor tomorrow

Tl/dr; Kids in group project don’t take having a real life client seriously, 1 fails, 1 fails and doesn’t graduate, and 1 goes from A to C and screws up GPA.

Enough of the Backstory, here are the characters, obviously no where near their real names:

Matt - Professor

Client - Store owner

Damien - Project Partner

Jeff - Project Partner

Kirk - Project Partner

Barry - Me

The SPRING class in this story was a Implementing Business Computer Systems class. For the yearly project we had a real life client that our school volunteered the students for Pro Bono work of small business in the area. We were seniors, so we are trusted with the clients work as it is oversaw by our professor. This is a big step and I, for one, am excited. I had been doing nothing but working as a Bartender/Server in a fine dining restaurant and having my head in books learning how to code with barely any time to do much else - this was an opportunity to get a taste of the real world we were about to embark on.

The project started out fine, we all drive thirty minutes away to meet our client. A wonderful woman that owned a small floral business and she was paying 1-800-flowers to sell her product for her, which came with a website itself and a HUGEEEE price. This lady was also in her 60s and by no means fluent in computer - this is important for later. We talk, find out she wants a new website, her contract with 1-800-assholes ends in the summer. No pressure, we will be able to finish the web site and give it to her by the end of the semester, if not earlier. This will give us time to teach her what is needed and what to do so that she can maintain and run the website by her self. Afterwards we delegate the tasks, and since I have the most extensive background in coding and computers, I volunteer to learn how to create this website for our client as long as Damien, Jeff and Kirk work on the other parts of the project - the user guide and the technical documentation. For our client, this needed to be extensive so that she would be able to post her product on the website with an easy transition.

As we weigh our options over the next week, we come up with some proposals to the client and we set a meeting to go over these on a Tuesday - the day everybody is the most free in their schedule - the following week. Sunday - Jeff says he can't make it, Kirk quickly responds and says he can't make it either. I say its cool, Damien and I will be able to make it. Monday - Damien says we should reschedule because now he can't make it. I say no, I will go by myself we shouldn't cancel on the client - no biggie, I understand things come up. As the project went through the semester, I am killing the website. I have a working e-commerce store integrated with the stores paypal, i have a shop tab, and a featured page for in season flowers. I ask about the documentation and the user manual and I am told by the all three of them that they are working on it and will have a rough draft for me soon to check out. Cool, No problem. Time to show the client the product to see if she wants any changes or if we should just continue creating this website for her; we set a meeting with the client on a Tuesday a week or two in advance and everybody says that is okay.

Same song, different story. Sunday - Jeff says he can't make it, Kirk quickly responds and says he can't make it either. I say its cool, Damien and I will be able to make it. Monday - Damien says we should reschedule because now he can't make it. "I say fuck no, this is a client. You don't do that to clients." So I hop my ass by myself to drive 30 minutes to meet our client. I show the Client the website and she client is happy with the product and asks us to continue and she is excited for the finished product.

How our weeks are set up is in such a way which they start on a Wednesday and end on a Tuesday. So the last day of classes are on a Tuesday. The school then gives an extra free day that Wednesday for a "Study Day", then the exams schedule goes Thu-Fri-Sat || Mon-Tues-Wed. I am sure you can infer what students do on that Tuesday before study day. Fast forward to the end of the semester, I still haven't seen any documentation or user manual and it is due on the class' exam day, which is the first day of exam week. So a week before it is due I am told I will have the documentation and user manual in my hand before our meeting which is at 12PM that study day - Wednesday. I receive a email at 11PM on Tuesday as I am getting off work and I see that is the technical documentation and the user manual. i open it up, promptly get pissed, turn off my laptop, play some xbox and pass out before midnight. The reason being, technical documentation was 1 page and did not contain anything about the Database Schema used, the website language, the paypal information, the emails registered. Just the URL and some other information that wasn't important and was half a page long. Remember how our client was in her 60s? The user manual was 1 and a half pages long and, I shit you not, contained about 5 sentences and 3 pictures with an arrow. 0 explanation on how to use the website.

Come to the meeting at 12pm, I show up and wait about 5 minutes. I then text everybody asking where they are at, no response. I start looking over how to fix the user manual since I obviously have to start over. While I am working on it, I haven't said anything and then Damien walks into the room.

D: "Did you get the docs?"

Me: "Yeah. You guys really think this is finished?"

D: "Oh yeah, it should be good to turn in."

Me: "Idk, I think we should add a little more, this is for our client, she won't understand this. Where is Jeff and Kirk?"

D: " ahhahaha We all got fucked up last night after finishing up the documentation, they are probably still passed out. Also, I'm turning it in tomorrow, if you want to do anything else go ahead, but whatever I have I am turning it in. I think its ready to turn it so I won't be doing anything else, I have other classes to study for. I already have an A in this class so it doesn't matter to me and Kirk and Jeff have A's as well so they don't care at all."

Perfect he said the magic words and then he left with a flash drive. I immediately went upstairs and told my professor, Matt, everything. I said I don't want to leave my client hanging, yes my client, not ours. Matt said that he completely understands and even commends me for wanting to stay on top of everything and not give our client a bad taste for our students. He then asks why. I simply stated, "What you are about to receive tomorrow for 'our' project is completely unacceptable. It is unfair for us and for our client to leave her hanging." I showed him the website, which he likes and then I showed him the user guide and technical documentation. I asked for an extra week to finish the documentation and user guide - as I had a plan for what it should be and needed time to create it all. Matt said absolutely, but forget about the documentation. You obviously know what is in it, just focus on the client. So I created user videos with dictation, drove to the client and showed her how to use it all, where to find the videos. I even created a program that had all the videos inside so she could have it on her desktop and the program pulled up the video of her choice for whatever she needed help with with some buttons so she wouldn't have to search folders for the videos. I gave her my contact info and said I'll be here over the summer if she ever needs help with the website or has any questions and I can swing by.

After all of this happened and afterwards I gave an update to Matt who also had an update from me. Apparently he almost failed the rest of my group because they turned in their project by slipping an unmarked USB drive under his door. He only accepted it after they emailed him asking him if he received the USB. Matt also called our client to verify my story of the fact that they never showed for client meetings and the client told him I was the only person that has been showing up. Hearing this from other people, anybody in my group that had A's in the class leading up to the project got a C, anybody with a B in the class failed. Damien's GPA was screwed up from this class as it was a 4 hours class. Kirk and Jeff both failed and Jeff wasn't allowed to graduate and Kirk had to retake it the next semester even though he wasn't graduating. My grade which was an 84 before the project was bumped to an A. The next year Damien asked how I did in that class because he was confused about his final grade, and I simply said I did fine, received an A. He has no idea the reason why. Don't f*ck with me and my grade and I won't f*ck with you.

(source) story by (/u/sw1mm3r202)

#prorevenge #by /u/sw1mm3r202 #pro revenge #revenge stories #pro revenge stories #pro #revenge #last10

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bookdragonlibrary · 5 years

Text

Fourth Tuesday YJ appreciation

1-3 ; 4-6 ; 7-9 ; 10-13 ; 14-16 ; 17 ; 18 ; 19 ; 20 ; 21 ; 22 ; 23 ; 24-26

—————————— Elder Wisdom

- Bwundasa, another fictionnal country? Why the Team always fights in a fictionnal country except for Russia?

- 31 December? So no Christmas episode...

- Garth, the evil UN secretary, Gordon and... a general? His name his Simon M’Barra (and I’m always right with the general status, aren’t I? xD ) It’s a leader in perpetuity? Pretty word for dictator... So Bwundasa is located in Africa.

- You know you’re a bad guy when even Luthor cares about the climate change...

- Troia! In the room 1616 xD

- What? How an arrow couldn’t pierce Garth’s arm but his neck? He has Atlantean skin! Oh no, he’s down!

- They are after Troia now! A psychic? She’s female, it’s not Psimon, who?

- Why Diana calls his sister Troia instead of Donna when Donna calls her sister Diana?

- Here are Halo and Terra! :D

- They are against the dictator, are they necessary bad guys?

- Of course, the reptile was Gar :)

- Did he just speak swahili? Or another African language? I guess it’s swahili as it is spoken in various African countries, like esperanto could have been in Europe. He should have learnt it while he was living in Qurac :)

- “BIF? Bif?” I love this scene xD

- ED! I love his superhero costume! :D El Dorado makes ED, that’s kind of funny xD But his hero costume is more red than gold, maybe to match with someone... :)

- Where are Jaime, Virgil and Brion? I can understand for Brion as a prince, but for the other two?

- The cleaning lady was Miss Martian!

- Terra and Halo fight! The white aura! :D Terra isn’t good at aiming yet :/

- And Halo is wounded again! è.é Doesn’t she care anymore? She could have made a shield or something :( And Terra taking care of her

- Psychic fight! But we don’t see it like in season 1 :( She was controlled! :o

- The bad lady is a good fighter to go head to head with an Amazonian :o

- Gar has turned into Wolf! :D

- Bart has exploded! :o

- Of course, Ed overreacts to his wounded crush :3 But he doesn’t buy Bart’s “I’d be fine” ^^ You’re not as a good liar you used to be, Bart. Or Ed is really good at saying through it because he really cares :)

- Bart just took an explosion in his face and he just has his goggles broken. It was way more visual with Vic’s explosion :/ And how can people be sincerely worried if Bart has just broken goggles? They should say he’s lucky to not have severe wounds instead...

- Garth is super cool! Telepathic waterbend! :D What are his tatoos?

- Flash! Who still have blue eyes...

- One has escaped!

- Of course Barry’s worried too for Bart :(

- And Ed is so unconfortable to look at him in the eyes. What does that suppose to mean?

- Of course Lex set that up. That makes the dictator looks good and the resistant look bad è.é

- “I’d be fine!” with a outraged voice in the background xD

- The Flash is ready to smile to the camera but can see right into Lex’s game!

- “Not for long!” Gar is as pissed with Lex he is with Granny.

- It’s Lia or Lea? Leah?

- Ed is close to Bart in the bioship and Tara to Violet :) But Bart seems to still have a headache or something. Would he truely be fine? :(

- Ed has the same golden symbol on the back of his jacket than on his T-shirt in season 2.

- So it’s was a drug forbidden him to use his powers? Could it be possible? I mean, it’s based on magic and mystic, not physical por genetical powers. How could it be?

- Why it doesn’t surprise me it was a set up? (I should have guess)

- The woman who attacked Terra and Halo was Lady Shiva! No question she was able to fight with Troia! And the one who have escaped must be Cassandra. Wait... So the BIF was not even real, they were the League of Shadows. They had to do this to make the dictator looks like a victim instead of a bad guy.

- The murder of Garth and Donna wasn’t goal 1 but an option. He wanted to shame the Outsiders in the first place. How his logic works? It would have be more useful to get rid of the Ambassadors than the Team’s reputation, no?

- “They captured Briggs!” She’s conscious they freed her right? That she was controlled? Why is she that upset? They probably saw just like a tool anyway... Not friends or something. (Please don’t tell me she was close to her in other ways...)

- Ah! It was because they will know it was a set-up. They probably would guess it with Lex involved...

- “Knowing and proving are two very different things.” True...

- Ed, Bart and Gar are talking together while Tara gives her report to M’gann.

- Violet still can’t respond to Brion :(

- “You can talk to Helga.” That’s why keeping it secret wasn’t a good idea, Jace...

- “Until I know what’s going on with you, you’re benched from the Team.” That’s blackmail, right? And M’gann, that strategy doesn’t work... Dick already tried it with Roy and the Runaways almost go back to Lex because of it...And we still don’t know what happen to Roy before that. Was he living in the street? Alone? With the Runaways? Halo would feel rejected and definitely won’t come to you to talk. Great, M’gann! Are you a real councelor??

- “That’s the problem. I understood intellectually. But see it live was very different.” Ed, I’m sure you can understand, you were worried too in First Impression.

- “I’d be fine!” *Eduardo senior slowly looking at him* xD

- “He has a metametabolism. He heals fast.” Ed, you were the most worried one of them all :)

- “You can’t walk away so easily.” “Watch me.” burn Ed is back again.

- “You didn’t have to be there.” He means Ed? He didn’t understand why he wanted to be part of the Outsiders? Ah no, he meant the Outsiders, no just Ed. “The most powerful man in the world has made you his target?” Ed, that wasn’t a clever move, now he’s even more worried and this sounds more dangerous that it was. And he’s just the UN secretary, if it was a powerful place, things would change faster in our world too... And there’s still the UN Council who can make their veto. “Behind my back? Ugh. I can’t even talk to you now.” At least, Ed prefers to leave before saying something too painful.

“Halo, get us out of here.” The Runaways also left the War World with a boomtube, parallels.

- The Outsiders look at M’gann because she benched Violet, and not at Eduardo senior, right?

- We also miss the New Year where everyone kiss :(

- Aw Gar&Tara VS Jaime&Virgil :) And of course, Ed and Bart stand near each other.

- Violet is isolating herself, as I fear with M’gann benching her. And Vic is still doing so...

- Why noone asks for Traci? :( She wasn’t in the covert Team either :(

- Even Gar barely sees Vic? It’s even worse than I thought...

- It’s been... what? Two weeks already she knows she’s dying? Maybe she should tell the Team now.

“Maybe I’m not a really good girlfriend.” Sweetie, not of these was your fault :(

- “Violet has her issues.” So now Brion knows Jace knows something. Tell it to M’gann and Artemis!

- “First love is very sweet but the truth is: is really last.” are you trying to make them break up? You suppose to be on their side! But she keeps refering them as her childs, so maybe she sees them as siblings? O.o

- We finally see Cassie’s mom and she’s barely better drawn than in the video game... And they live in Washington DC.

- Eldel Initiative? What is that?

- LA Wayne Tech? Is Batman aware of this? Part of it?

- Gar just found a distraction: Ivo? Isn’t he supposed to be in Belle Reve? (maybe working on new invention for the US government)

- LittleMatchGirl16, does it mean a female superboy? Supergirl?

- Cassie is so proud/excited about it!

- “Check her profile.” Bart isn’t stupid :) But Jay isn’t impressed :(

- We’re going to Ireland! :D

- “You’re not going anywhere, not until...” Jay, this little girl might be in grave danger... Conversation could wait, not victims.

- Gar is still that polite and... he’s emancipated minor (I think it’s pleonasm But well)? From Mento? Or he was before already?

- “Jaime and Virgil are both 18.” Great to finally know Virgil’s age but I thought majority was 21 in USA? 18 is logical for enter the League as the majority of countries use this age for majority. But there are all US citizens for parenthood? (maybe except Gar)

- It makes more sense that the legal guardians forbid their own child to go and not the others, minor or not.

- Match Electronics Store. Oh, so it was just her last name, no supergirl...

- That is a terrible Irish accent...

- “Other ways to get attention.” That was really mean...

- “By encouraging this children to put themselves in danger?” Actually he has a good point. Tye and Asami would have been great models too, to show the kids there are different paths for them and not all lead to the hero game.

- “Please, don’t say ‘it’s not you, it’s me’.” yes please, that a common trope.

- Violet at least gives one of her secrets. the smallest one. “but I didn’t stop her.” because you were caught off guard and with alcohol in your system, not your fault!

- I love Brion is concerned she has feelings for someone else rather than she kissed someone from the same gender :) Pan Brion confirmed? And he understood and forgave her! Brion is such a good boyfriend! But was the point of the kiss seriously? Violet already had secrets to Brion and it didn’t even make her question her sexuality (pan for example).

- “Damm it!” The first curse word of the serie!

- “Most of the memorials are kids like you.” Well, the show is called Young Justice, so I think that’s why.

- “Marry and have children of their own.” I’m pretty sure that is not the first thing they have in mind when they think about their future self. Especially not Bart who isn’t even born yet!

- Why are you talking about Wally? :’(

- “There’s something I need you and your brother to hear.” Oh no, she’s gonna tell them this secret! And she seems so cold while saying this.

- “They’re Lex Luthor’s spiderbots.” Why are they in Ivo’s wharehouse?

- Why don’t we see the fight? :o

- “Gabrielle and who she really was.” The mistakes she made are not the only things about her, Violet :(

- We still don’t know why Gabrielle took the bribe. But yes, she was killed because she knew too much :(

- “How long have you know?” “Long enough.” Violet, sweetie, why are you so cold while telling the story? Is that a defensive mechanism? Is she trying to make Brion hate her thinking he would be less sad when she die?

- Tara is the most choked about it her vision begins to blur :o

- Of course Helga straightly go to Brion...

- Can someone take care of Tara please??

- Oh no,she send a text to Slade because of her panick attack :(

- Bart is such a good liar he can see right behind the other’s mask.

- “But I’m not going anywhere.” You all better be!

- Whoa! Did the little girl knew he was a machine? Did Blue told her? (because he’s smiling at her) Or just didn’t know she has enough strenght to destroy a machine?

- Eduardo seems so proud while looking at his son :3

- “Whom.” I never understand that grammar rule...

- “Radley Overshoe Factory” is about to blow. That a change in events... xD

- “the lastest explosive exploy.” Imagine if the public had seen the other explosion xD

- “An explosion. Massive property damaged. Sad.” Lex I knew you with a bigger vocabulary...

- You know it’s a bad sign when Gordon is smiling like this...

- “I happen to know parents and guardians of the teenage Outsiders are not on board with their attics.” The Team would find it suspicious he knows about that, right?

- So now Lex wants to give restrictions to the Outsiders like for the JL? Dude, 50′s aren’t a good example...

- So the Team doesn’t care about secrets ID anymore? They just outed their parents and make them targets! I’m sure Eduardo senior is already famous with his scientific work so now everyone can make a connexion between his son and El Dorado... Same thing with Cassie and her mom who is an archeologist. Just hope this tweet won’t have consequences for the parents or the hero secret ID in the future...

- “Three generations of heroes.” Technically is four since there is a generation between Barry and Bart :) (But the public better not knows that)

- Jay created an account (or Bart made him for him) just to kick Lex’s ass on the Internet xD

- Look at them! The girl in Brooklyn, LittleMatchGirl and her dad, Helga, Lia, Donna, Wendy, a Black boy (does VIrgil has a little brother?) and a men.

- For once Gordon is defending the heroes xD And against Lex! xD

- I knew Gordon secretly works for the Light but it’s great to see it directly.

- “Personal vendetta?” Ivo’s factory was his? That explains the “massive property damaged” came from...

- “Embrace and coorp.” He wants his own team like in season 2, doesn’t he?

- So the girl, Moira, was M’gann and the father Batman? That explains the bad Irish accent! xD

- Lex knows it was a set-up (taking his own medicine) but “knowing and proving are two different things.” Did Batman understood Lex’s logic and does he know he said that? Could Lex be on the Anti-Light’s side? That could explain why he did a miserable interview (for him I mean, he’s smarter than that) to give more credits to the Outsiders?

- Diana has a point: it’s not just secrets and lies, now it’s manipulation, the truth, the facts, others, included the public and their allies

- This picture is so good!

- Violet is writing a note. Please, tell me it’s a runaway note, and not a suicide one :(

- The Hub with the bioship sleeping in her egg form :3

So these 3 episodes should have been watched in one go and that would have made more sense...

#young jusitce #YJ reviews #watch young justice #watch young justice outsiders

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bigbanggot7stories · 6 years

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Across the Hall Part 4

Hey guys! Here is the next part of the series, and I am so sorry about the wait! This one is a little shorter than the previous parts, but part 5 will be the last part of this story, and I wanted to have a little drama left for that part. I will hopefuly have that up by the end of the weekend!

Thank you all for reading!

Part One | Part Two | Part Three

----

The next morning, I woke up to a blinding sun, a pounding head, and a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Recalling the slightly drunken hookup in a supply closet the night before elicited emotions I tried desperately to reel back in. Though I promised myself I would keep it all contained while near Jiyong, my familiar bed seemed to encourage self-doubt and tears. I wiped my eyes, finally, and cursed myself for being such a baby as I made my way into the kitchen in search of any kind of pain relief medication for the awful headache.

I grabbed a water to try to calm my rowdy stomach and silently thanked God it was the weekend. I moseyed off towards my bedroom, more than ready to climb back into bed to sulk for the rest of the day, when my phone chimed at a message notification.

Unknown: Y/N…I’m sorry.

I bit my lip as I let my head fall backwards. Sorry for which part? Pulling me along across North America to “get to know me”? For leaving me high and dry and making me out to be some crazed fan? Or for fucking me in the janitor’s closet just for a quickie?

Me: For what, Jiyong?

Jiyong: For everything.

Jiyong: We probably shouldn’t have done...that last night.

Me: We? That? Is that what you constitute as everything?

Jiyong: No, but that is the most recent thing that comes to mind.

Jiyong: And also, as far as I remember, you were an active participant.

I bit my lip as I read his messages. He’s right: I have a thing for being intimate with Kwon Jiyong. Probably because I thought we had an important connection, but it apparently wasn’t reciprocated.

Jiyong: You’ve always been an active participant—from the day we met, if memory serves me right. Just in case you forgot.

Okay, that was definitely hurtful. I suddenly felt the urge to throw up, feeling as though I was being compared to a cheap hooker. Always willing, always down, always on her knees.

Me: Well I wish I hadn’t been. Guess I’m just too willing to give myself away.

Me: Thanks.

Me: Maybe working on the video is too close to home for you. I’ll have someone take over on Monday.

And with that, I shut my phone off and ran to the bathroom. The anxiety rising in my chest forced my stomach to empty, and I was soon dry heaving with nothing to give. What was I supposed to do? I couldn’t work with Jiyong, no matter how advantageous to my career it would be. Did he really only think of me as an “active participant”? Maybe he only invited me on tour to fulfill his needs. “Get to know you better,” he said. “It gets lonely on tour.” Now, everything seemed to be presented in a new, different light. I felt the impending doom, the demons crawling up my spine once again to whisper all my previous doubts into my ear. I felt cheap. I sarcastically laughed at the excitement I had felt for being relocated to Seoul and for seeing Jiyong again. My life was a big joke, and I somehow had missed the punchline.

—

When Monday morning rolled around, I had managed to suppress every little ounce of emotion I had and put my game face on. It was the morning of the partnership meeting with YG, and I felt the immense pressure of cutting a deal no matter what. I decided I would stay true to my word and assign someone else to Jiyong’s video. I hadn’t thought too much about who I would place in charge, but I knew it had to be brought up in the meeting.

As I walked through the glass door of the main office, Mi Na rushed up to take the stack of paperwork I cradled in my arm. Looking up, I noticed the sour look she gave me as she ushered me into my office.

“Why haven’t you been answering your phone?! I’ve been trying to reach you to make sure you were ready for this meeting, and everyone keeps asking about your plans!” She rushed, closing my door with a loud thud.

“Okay first of all, my phone has been off all weekend, and I still haven’t turned it back on. Second, it’s none of their business what I have planned for the meeting. Negotiations never go as planned, and I’m not about to let people dictate how I run my business. And third, don’t slam my door. Only I get to do that.”

My assistant sighed a response, hanging her head in apology, and I quickly sat down at my desk. I almost felt bad for being so stern with her—almost. I had spent most of the night before preparing for this meeting, but I wanted to make sure I was completely ready.

“You’re right, I’m sorry. Anyways, here’s some messages from this morning and over the weekend. Apparently G-Dragon has been trying to contact you about design plans for a different project? I gave his assistant your personal email in case you hadn’t set up your work email from your home computer yet,” Mi Na rattled off, handing me a small stack of messages.

My eyes widened, and I opened and closed my mouth a few times with a lack of words. I turned my phone off for a reason, but I guess not having the last word for once really had an effect on Jiyong. I finally nodded and sat down to open my email. Mi Na left to make some copies, and I closely monitored the door while selecting the first email in my inbox with Jiyong’s handle.

—————

To: Ms. Y/N L/N

From: Kwon Jiyong – YG Entertainment

Subject: Designer in Red

Y/N,

I’m guessing you turned your phone off, and this is me hoping you will at least check your email more frequently—it is the professional thing to do.

I don’t want a new designer. I liked your ideas. If you wish to not work on further projects, that’s your call. I did, however, request you stay project leader for anything regarding me or BigBang activities in the expected partnership with YG. It would be quite beneficial to your career here in Korea if you remain related to my activities—not to brag.

I will be dropping by Tuesday to discuss further design proposals. Should we meet at your main office or your studio? I must say, your studio would be more comfortable and…private.

See ya,

Jiyong

P.s. Red looks really good on you—maybe you should wear some on Tuesday.

—————

My face and chest was majorly heated by the time I finished the email, and I felt light-headed. I was overwhelmed. Beneficial to my career? Future proposals? I suddenly had the urge to find a way to cut off any partnership, though I knew it was impossible.

Mi Na softly knocked on the glass door before clearing her throat. “Y/N, are you okay? You look flustered.”

“U-um yeah, can you grab me a glass of water really quickly? I feel a little hot.”

As Mi Na left to grab some water, I quickly sent Jiyong a reply.

—————

To: Kwon Jiyong – YG Entertainment

From: Ms. Y/N L/N

Subject: Re: Designer in Red

Jiyong,

I’m guessing you can’t stand not having the last word? Just because you’re used to getting everything you demand doesn’t mean I’ll be fulfilling orders.

I’m sorry to disappoint, but I’m pretty sure a partnership with YG in general will benefit me, as I am the face of this company now—not to brag.

If you would like to meet Tuesday to go over designs, please make an appointment with my assistant, Mi Na, at our main office. My studio is a personal space not used for meetings unless I specifically ask or under extreme circumstances.

Thanks for your concern,

Y/N

P.s. I will wear nothing but bright yellow from now on.

—————

I sighed as I ran my fingers through my hair furiously. What was I going to do about Jiyong? He was so full of himself, so…not the Jiyong I had come to know and fall for. Why has he so suddenly flipped on me? I couldn’t think straight, and it was nearing the meeting time with YG.

How was I going to stand my ground now?

I flopped down on the studio couch as soon as my blazer hit the floor. The partnership with YG was signed and confirmed, yet my least favorable terms still stood. I was indefinitely tied to Jiyong, and I began to wonder if the adoption of my more valuable terms was worth it.

I kicked off my heels, leaving me in the dark blue dress that hugged my curves in all the right places, and I made my way to the kitchen. I knew there had to be a bottle of wine I had hidden somewhere in the cooler, and I was relieved to know my memory was still intact. As I made my way to the sitting area, the harsh buzzer of the door rang in my ears. Mi Na knew the code to get in—who was at the door? I glanced at my surroundings and quickly grabbed the nearest chisel to defend myself with as I slowly approached the security camera near the door.

My head dropped back as I recognized the suspect, sighing as I pressed the speaker button.

“What are you doing here?”

“I was in the neighborhood and saw you go inside. Please open up, people are starting to stare.”

Jiyong pulled his hat down and his mask up as he looked over his shoulder timidly. I closed my eyes for a second before opening the door, walking straight back into the studio without a glance toward the man suddenly invading my life.

“Well hello to you, too,” he muttered.

“Are you sure you weren’t following me? It’s creepy, Jiyong.”

He visibly rolled his eyes, taking off his mask and hat as he sat on the couch across from me. “I wouldn’t follow you, that’s not my style. My friend just opened a gallery down the street. I was there and saw you come in and decided to stop by.” He eyed me for a moment before grabbing the glass of wine I had set out for myself. “I thought you were going to start wearing bright yellow—I was looking forward to it.”

I rolled my eyes, but the pink running up from my chest to my neck gave away my true reaction. “Sure, would you like a glass of wine?” I sarcastically waved him off as I drug myself back to the kitchen for another glass. “Sorry to disappoint. Blue isn’t good enough for you?”

“Actually, blue is hot, too. Just being completely honest here, any color looks pretty hot on you.”

A gasp shuddered out of me as I whipped around to glare at Jiyong. What was he doing to me?

He held his hands up in playful defense. “Sorry, I was just being honest, here.”

I shook my head as I reached for a second glass, trying to control the emotions that were trying to rise up. “I don’t know if that’s appropriate, Mr. Kwon. If you’re here to talk about designs, then let’s talk about designs.”

“Why are you being so cold?”

“Why do you think, Jiyong? Every time I’m around you it doesn’t end well.”

Jiyong drew a sharp breath before picking up his wine glass and joining me in the kitchen. “I’m not here to talk about designs, Y/N. I’m just here to see you. I for one didn’t think last time ended all that badly,” he spoke quietly, almost as if he was the shy boy I met on the 18th floor of a fancy hotel last summer.

“You don’t think fucking me and then leaving before I could even get my pants back up my legs was good? Maybe it was from your perspective, but it sure had me feeling pretty cheap,” I bit, trying to focus on pouring another glass of wine, my eyes on the verge of betraying me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t—I’m sorry. I was kind of upset with myself. You deserve better than a gross supply closet in a barbecue restaurant.”

I was suddenly highly aware of the closing space between Jiyong and I, and I couldn’t decide if I wanted him to leave me be or to fuck me here on the kitchen counter. One thing I had never understood was the driving force that always lead to me being underneath Kwon Jiyong. I rolled my eyes, but inside I was wondering why he had become so moody. It made me think back to the New York show, when I had been the moody one, and Jiyong had just sat back and taken the insults I had thrown. They weren’t directly towards him, nor were they even true, but he had let me throw a tantrum after an obviously bad phone call with a client. Once I had quit pacing the room and taken a deep breath, Jiyong had silently pulled me into his arms and kissed my shoulder. That night was the first night I had realized I didn’t quite feel like we were “just fucking” anymore, and I had thought I could tell from his eyes that Jiyong was starting to feel the same. I sighed, letting a bitter chuckle fall at the memory.

“What’s so funny?” Jiyong’s voice whispered in my ear.

I jumped as his hands came to caress my hips, his chest ever so slightly grazing my back. I could almost feel him, and the muscles in my back seemed to tense one by one as he snaked his hands around my waist. My inner mind, deep, deep down, was screaming at my brain to shake him off, to reel it back in. My body, on the other hand, had a mind of its own. His right hand started to rake up my body, only stopping when strands of my hair were wrapped tightly between his fingers. My mind blanked, and my head fell back as I closed my eyes. I let out a soft groan from the slight pain his small tug on my hair brought, and I had totally forgotten the emotions I had felt just a minute before. Fuck him, he knew I loved having my hair pulled.

“I miss you Y/N. I miss fucking you,” he whispered, grinning against my neck as my hips jolted backwards towards him. My hands clenched around the wine bottle I had previously been trying to re-cork. “And judging by how eager you were to fuck the other night…” his voice was muffled as he moved his lips up my neck to circle my ear lobe.

“What?” I breathed, not catching his last few words.

“I want to fuck you again, Y/N. No strings attached.”

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aion-rsa · 3 years

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15 NES Games You Didn’t Know Were Censored

https://ift.tt/3uvcQZW

The NES wasn’t just the home of some of the best games ever made; it was an almost miraculous device that delivered some of the purest and most wholesome moments of many of our childhoods. Of course, part of the reason why NES games were so wholesome compared to many modern titles is that Nintendo usually ensured they were heavily censored by the time many of us played them.

At a time before the ESRB and a global conversation about the impact of video game violence, Nintendo took it upon themselves to impose a strict series of content guidelines that almost all developers had to follow. Those guidelines (as well as regional content standards) resulted in some of the biggest NES games ever made effectively being “censored” in ways that many of us never knew about when we were young.

So if you can’t help but wonder how some of the best games of your childhood were secretly a little dirtier than you ever expected, join us for a look back at 15 NES games you didn’t know were censored.

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15. Ducktales

Wait, Ducktales was censored? Why would you ever need to censor Ducktales? Who would ever put anything into a Ducktales game that’s worth censoring?

The offenders in this instance were the coffins found in the game’s Transylvania level. In the original version of the game, the coffins were decorated with a cross. In the U.S. version, the cross is replaced with the phrase “R.I.P.” As we’ll see throughout this list, the change is consistent with Nintendo’s policies at the time regarding religious imagery in U.S. games.

14. Mega Man

The Mega Man franchise has actually been censored quite a bit over the years, but you’re not alone if you find it strange that the original Mega Man game had to be censored. After all, it’s a game with little story and seemingly no offensive elements. What is there to censor?

As it turns out, famous Mega Man miniboss Rock Monster was the problem. In the original version of the game, Rock Monster was called Yellow Devil, which actually makes a lot more sense in terms of the character’s design. However, it was ultimately determined that the word “Devil” may be too religious for Western audiences.

13. Punch-Out!

You probably know that Mike Tyson was eventually removed from Punch-Out! and replaced with Mr. Dream, but what you may not know is that the NES version of the game significantly altered another one of the original version’s most notable fighters.

The arcade version of the game featured a character named Vodka Drunkenski. As you probably guessed based on the name, Drunkenski was a Russian stereotype who drank heavily during fights. It’s not entirely clear if Nintendo had a problem with the character’s stereotypical elements, but they certainly had a problem with his substance abuse. The character was renamed Soda Popinski in the NES version of the game and was often shown drinking generic soda pop rather than alcohol (even if he still makes the occasional alcoholic reference).

12. Ice Climber

A lot of NES games were censored due to sex, drugs, and all the other things the parents in Footloose were worried about, but the reason for Ice Climber’s censorship is as unique as it is bizarre.

See, the original version of Ice Climber included enemy seals that you could hit with a hammer. Someone at Nintendo of America saw that and thought “Wow, that looks a lot like seal clubbing” and probably rightfully decided to change the seals to far more intimidating Yetis.

11. The Adventures of Bayou Billy

Some of the ways that The Adventures of Bayou Billy was censored make sense given the standards of the time. For instance, Billy’s girlfriend Annabelle wears more clothes in the U.S. version of the game, and additional scenes of violence (including an alternate game over screen that showed Billy reaching out to the player as he is dying) were removed.

Then you have the game’s ending. The original version of the game’s ending let you walk away from Annabelle and trigger a darkly hilarious sequence where Annabelle stands there confused and alone. In the U.S. version, you can only access the happy ending where the two get together. It’s not entirely clear if the change was the result of “censorship,” though that move does track with some of Nintendo’s other censorship decisions at the time.

10. 1943: The Battle of Midway

In a comparatively rare instance of an NES game that was censored in Japan but not America (or at least changed due to regional differences), 1943: The Battle of Midway’s name was changed to 1943: The Battle of Valhalla in Japan. In-game, the title is often shortened to 1943 (in both regions).

The reason for this change is probably pretty obvious to history buffs and anyone familiar with 1943’s premise. After all, the game sees you play as an American pilot tasked with shooting down Japanese aircrafts on his way to sink the Yamato battleship. That premise was obviously considerably more awkward in Japan, although it’s not clear why The Battle of Valhalla was chosen as the replacement name.

9. The Legend of Zelda

Here’s a weird one for you. In the Famicom Disc version of The Legend of Zelda, you could use an item simply referred to as a “Bible.” The name of this item was later changed to Book of Magic in order to remove a pretty obvious religious reference.

What’s really odd about this change is that the “Bible” reference only appears in the Famicom disc version of the game. The NES and Famicom version both use the Book of Magic name, though the latter’s Japanese characters still spell out “Bible.”

8. Dragon Quest/Dragon Warrior

While later Dragon Quest games (especially Dragon Quest 3) were heavily censored in the West due largely to religious references, the original Dragon Quest (or Dragon Warrior, as it was known in the West) features an incredibly bizarre instance of censorship that has long confused players.

See, in Dragon Warrior, you encounter a character who tells the player they have no tomatoes to sell them today. An already bizarre line is made all the stranger when you realize that character offers the player a “puff puff” in the original version of the game. While the exact meaning of “puff puff” has changed and been debated over the years (it initially seemed to refer to a massage technique involving a woman’s…umm…nevermind), the idea of receiving a “puff puff” has since become a running joke in Dragon Quest.

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7. Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse

The early Castlevania games were usually censored over religious imagery, but Castlevania 3 stands out both for the sheer number of things that were censored and the things that strangely weren’t censored.

While the NES version of Castlevania 3 heavily targets instances of nudity (which includes putting clothes on nude statues and altering Medusa’s female form to something more nondescript), it actually features rarely seen instances of religious imagery in an NES game. You even encounter a giant cross at one point, though the “glowing” effect featured in the original version was removed in international ports.

6. Uninvited

Uninvited features so many instances of violence and religious references that it’s honestly amazing Nintendo even bothered to port the game at all. Needless to say, nearly every religious reference was removed for the NES version of the game and many of the more graphic descriptions of enemy attacks were edited to be less intense.

Interestingly, though, you still find a letter near the beginning of the NES version of the game that’s addressed to “Master Crowley.” Why is that so interesting? Well, it’s a clear reference to Aleister Crowley: the most famous satanist ever. That one seems to have slipped by the censors.

5. Deja Vu

Much like Uninvited, Deja Vu is such a comparatively “mature” game that it’s honestly a shock that Nintendo bothered to port it. Again, nearly every reference to gun violence, drugs, alcohol, and sex was either cut from the game or heavily edited, which is what you’d expect.

What’s interesting in this case are the things that Nintendo decided not to censor. For instance, there’s a prostitute in the game that isn’t referred to as a prostitute in the NES version, but you’re still able to hit and shoot her if you choose to do so. She’s also able to shoot you, though the graphic description of where she shoots you has been edited out of the NES port.

4. Final Fantasy

Many of the ways Final Fantasy was censored can be blamed on the usual content suspects. For instance, “churches” were renamed “clinics” (and the crosses outside of them were removed), and Medusa and Earth Medusa (who were both topless in the Japanese version of the game) were redesigned.

Then there’s the matter of the “Kill” spell (which is also known as “Death” according to some translations). While Nintendo obviously decided to not use the word “kill” for the Western version of the game, the fact that they changed the name of the spell to “Rub” really boggles the mind. I suppose it’s supposed to be short for “rub out,” but even that is an odd choice of wording.

3. Bionic Commando

While a couple of the smaller ways that Bionic Commando was censored are downright hilarious (including changing the line “Get the heck out of here, you nerd!” to “Don’t be hasty advance with caution.”), most of the game’s censorship revolves around Adolf Hitler.

Hitler is featured so often in the Japanese version of Bionic Commando that he even has a prominent place on the game’s original cover. In the U.S. version of the game, though, Hitler is changed to a generic dictator named Master-D. That version of the game also replaces every Swastika with an eagle logo and refers to the Nazis as “The Badds.” Sadly, this means that U.S. gamers also missed out on the original ending in which Hitler’s head explodes Scanners-style.

2. Maniac Mansion

It’s impressive that Maniac Mansion was ported to the NES at all given the game’s complexity and content, but it’s not a stretch to suggest that this is the most censored game in NES history. In fact, we could fill an article with every instance of censorship in this port. For that matter, we could spend an entire article talking about the very horny Edna and the many ways she was changed in the NES version of the game.

If you want to really appreciate just how heavily this game was censored, though, then we need to talk about “S.C.U.M.M.” That acronym stands for “Script Creation Utility for Maniac Mansion” which was essentially the engine used to design the game. However, the NES ports’ developers weren’t allowed to use S.C.U.M.M in the credits as it was too close to the word “scum” which Nintendo considered to be offensive.

1. Contra

Contra deserves to top this list not just because of the extent of its censorship but the fact that it’s one of the few NES games that was specifically censored in PAL regions.

Actually, in PAL regions, Contra wasn’t even called Contra. The name of the game was changed to Probotector and all human characters were replaced with robots. That includes Contra’s playable characters (Bill and Lance) who were changed to robots and renamed RD008 and RC011. Why were such extensive changes made specifically for that region? Well, they seem to be largely based on German content laws at the time that prohibited shooting people in video games, but they may also be related to concerns over Contra’s U.S. military associations.

The post 15 NES Games You Didn’t Know Were Censored appeared first on Den of Geek.

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douchebagbrainwaves · 3 years

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HERE'S WHAT I JUST REALIZED ABOUT A

Good programmers often want to be doctors than who want to meet him. But I think they pay more because the company would go out of business and the people would be dispersed.1 The phrase seemed almost grammatically ill-formed. We started Viaweb with $10,000 in seed money from our friend Julian.2 The surprising thing about throwaway programs is that, like the temporary buildings built at so many American universities during World War II, they often don't get thrown away. That's what makes sex and drugs so dangerous. When you're launching planes they have to be trimmed properly; the engines have to be at full power; the pilot has to be the series A stage. Which means if it becomes the norm for founders to retain board control after a series A is clearly heard-of. The use of credentials was an attempt to axiomatize computation.3 When you're deciding what to do.

This is too big a problem to solve. Hackers share the surgeon's secret pleasure in popping zits.4 But the two phenomena rapidly fused to produce a principle that now seems obvious: paying energetic young people market rates, and getting correspondingly high performance from them.5 I can't draw.6 How would you do it? Why haven't we just been measuring actual performance? In the earliest stage, because that's where the money is. Misleading the child is just a series of web pages. Think about where credentialism first appeared: in selecting candidates for large organizations. And once you apply that kind of thing for fun. Most smart people don't do that very well.

I learned it hadn't been so neat, and the problem now seems to be fixed. It was small and powerful and cheap, as promised. Why haven't we just been measuring actual performance?7 As a lower bound, you have to do the unpleasant jobs. But all it would have taken in the beginning would have been for two Google employees to focus on the wrong things for six months, and the reactions that spread from person to person in an audience are always affected by the reactions of those around them, and the PR campaign surrounding the launch has the side effect of making them celebrities. Others are more candid, and admit their financial models require them to own a certain percentage of each company. One way to describe this situation is to say that you despised your job, but a return. Till now we'd been planning to use If you can read this, I should be working. I've been able to undo a lie I was told, a lot of propaganda gets slipped into the curriculum in the name of simplification.8 So most hackers will tend to use whatever language they were first written in, because it's painful to observe the gap between them. I were a better speaker. After all, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

My grandmother told us an edited version of the change I'm seeing.9 When you scale animals you can't just keep everything in proportion. I believe they conceal because of deep taboos. But I don't think the bank manager really did. The trick of maximizing the parts of your job that you like can get you from architecture to product design, but not like it used to. The very idea is foreign to what most of us, it's not that inaccurate to regard VCs as sources of money.10 They're all competing for a slice of a fixed amount of deal flow, by encouraging hackers who would have gotten jobs to start their own startups instead.11

So if you're going to clear these lies out of your head, you're going to be slightly influenced by prestige, so if the two seem equal to you, you probably have more genuine admiration for the less prestigious one.12 They just don't want to be optimistic and skeptical about two different things. Maybe this would have been for two Google employees to focus on first, we try to figure that out.13 For millennia that was the canonical example of a job someone had to do was roll forward along the railroad tracks of destiny.14 Then the important question became not how to make money that you can't do it by accident.15 When we were kids I used to think I wanted to know everything. They want to feel safe, and death is the ultimate threat. They may have to be optimistic about the possibility of solving the problem, but skeptical about the value of the work they'd done. But we all know the amounts being raised in series A rounds creep inexorably downward. I usually write it out beforehand. We compete more with employers than VCs.16

Java. They go to school, which was dictated largely by the hardware available in the late 1950s. That's what board control means in practice. When my father was working at Westinghouse in the 1970s, he had people working for him who made more than he did, because they'd been there longer. I read it, and look bold. To do something well you have to make it something that they themselves use. We can get rid of or make optional a lot of propaganda gets slipped into the curriculum in the name of simplification. Children of kings and great magnates were the first to grow up in. At the moment I'd almost say that a hacker about to write a profiler that would automatically detect inefficient algorithms.

I remember because it was so surprising to hear someone say that in front of a class. What popularity it retains dates back to the 1960s and 1970s, when it was the scripting language of a popular system. The organic growth guys, sitting in their garage, feel poor and unloved. She said they'd been sitting reading one day, and when you're delivering a prewritten talk makes it harder to engage with an audience. We started Viaweb with $10,000 in seed money from our friend Julian. But I am daily waiting for the line to collapse. When a man runs off with his secretary, is it always partly his wife's fault? It's also wise, early on, when they're trying to find the function you need than to write the code yourself.

Notes

Content is information you don't even want to learn to acknowledge it.

The dialog on Beavis and Butthead was composed largely of these people never come face to face with the founders' advantage if it were Can you pass the salt? Actually Emerson never mentioned mousetraps specifically. You have to factor out some knowledge.

If you want to. When you get a false positive, this thought experiment: If you have a cover price and yet give away free subscriptions with such abandon. This is why I haven't released Arc. They also generally say they prefer great markets to great people.

If it's 90%, you'd ultimately be hurting yourself, but unfortunately not true. It shouldn't be too conspicuous. All you need to know exactly how a lot, or at least wouldn't be worth starting one that did. And yet there is some kind of intensity and dedication from programmers that they function as the average startup.

No one seems to have balked at this, but it's hard to say that education in the belief that they'll be able to raise money? The CRM114 Discriminator. 03%. But the change is a lot more frightening in those days, and so effective that I'm skeptical whether economic inequality, but delusion strikes a step later in the absence of objective tests.

We often discuss revenue growth, it's easy to get to college, they only like the United States, have several more meetings with you to believing in natural selection in the few cases where VCs don't invest, regardless of how to deal with slaps, but most neighborhoods successfully resisted them.

For example, the best new startups. Give the founders realized. You may be the next uptick after that, founders will usually take one of the former, because some schools work hard to predict precisely what would happen to their software that was a company tried to pay out their earnings in dividends, and when I became an employer, I put it this way probably should.

A YC partner wrote: After the war, tax receipts have stayed close to the problem and approached it with the exception of the Industrial Revolution was one firm that wanted to than because they had in grad school, secretly write your thoughts down in, but Joshua Schachter tells me it was more because they are to be the least correlation between launch magnitude and success.

This is a well-preserved 1989 Lincoln Town Car ten-passenger limousine 5, they may prefer to work with me there. But if they want to see artifacts from it, but this would be more like Silicon Valley like the Segway and Google Wave. I'm just going to call all our lies lies. As the art itself gets more random, they thought at least for the sledgehammer; if anything they could imagine needing in their early twenties compressed into the shape of the leading scholars in the last step is to use to calibrate the weighting of the junk bond business by doing another round that values the company they're buying.

Whereas there is money. His best bet would probably also encourage companies to acquire you. The wartime versions were much more fun than he'd had an opportunity to invest in so many trade publications nominally have a notebook to write and deals longer to write a new version from which they don't make wealth a zero-sum game. We often discuss revenue growth with the amount—maybe not linearly, but it wasn't.

That name got assigned to it because the processing power you can discriminate on any basis you want to start a startup to become dictator and intimidate the NBA into letting you write software in Lisp, though sloppier language than I'd use to develop server-based applications. I mean type I startups. And especially about what was happening on Dallas, and they have wings and start to rise again.

Did you know whether this happens because they're innumerate, or black beans n cubes Knorr beef or vegetable bouillon n teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 3n teaspoons ground cumin n cups dry rice, preferably brown Robert Morris wrote the recommendations. After a while to avoid companies that can't reasonably expect to make up the same investor to do video on-demand, because a unless your initial investors agreed in advance that you're talking to a VC. And the expertise and connections the founders are willing to provide this service, this phenomenon is apparently even worse in the process of trying to enter the software business, and they were only partly joking.

Bankers continued to live inexpensively as their companies. Instead of bubbling up from the CIA runs a venture fund called In-Q-Tel that is largely true, because any invention has a power law dropoff, but we are not mutually exclusive. Xenophon Mem. At the time required to switch the operating system so much that anyone wants to invest in it.

It's hard to compete directly with open source project, but those don't scale is to try your site.

The best one could aspire to the extent this means anything, it would be to write about the idea.

They did better than their competitors, who had it used to say that it makes sense to exclude outliers from some types of studies, studies of returns from startup investing, but for a sufficiently long time. I got it wrong in How to Make Wealth when I switch in mid-twenties the people working for large settlements earlier, but the meretriciousness of the 23 patterns in Design Patterns were invisible or simpler in Lisp. And while we have to make Europe more entrepreneurial and more pervasive though.

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sportswriterdad · 6 years

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Home-field advantage: How sports helped shape me as an adoptive father and build a bond with my son

(This was originally published in 2015 at WEEI.com.)

The picture there? That was taken by my wife in 2011 when our son joined me for an afternoon at Patriots camp. He’s helping me take attendance.

During the pre-adoption process, he was described to us as an active 4-year-old “with lots of energy,” and that was pretty apparent the first time we saw him racing around a park in Western Massachusetts. Soon after he came to live with us, he received a gift from his biological mom, a water bottle with the word “sports” on the side. It led to this conversation he had with my wife. “Kate, what are sports?”

“Well, they’re football, baseball, basketball, buddy. Those sorts of things.”

He waited a beat.

“Oh, I like those.”

Yeah. He immediately took to those. As someone whose life has pretty much revolved around sports since I was 6, that was a relief to me. If everything else goes south, we can always play catch, I thought. We signed him up for flag football, soccer, basketball and baseball when he was in kindergarten, and he was all out, the perfect combination of motor skills and fearlessness. He was a mop of curls and energy, fueled by an enthusiasm the likes of which we had never seen. As a kindergartner that year, Wednesday was the day for just the two of us. It was soccer right after school, followed by an hour of flag football. I stood on the sidelines and took a million videos of him scoring goals. Then, we hopped into the car -- with our water bottle -- and raced across town and he would play flag football. More videos of touchdowns. He came home drenched in sweat and grass stains and telling and re-telling stories, most of which started excitedly with “DadDadDad ... Did you see that?!” One of the ways we would celebrate was with a trip to Friendly’s for a double-shot cone. No matter how hard school was or how difficult the transition from one world to another was, he and I could always take care of things with a double-shot cone.

He continued to progress when it came to sports, and while he played basketball, football and soccer on and off, it was baseball that fed his soul. Three years ago, I started volunteering as an assistant coach for his Little League team. We have made it our own thing -- he and I jump into the car most spring afternoons and head off to a game, talking about matchups and technique and the contest ahead. As an assistant coach, I am no master tactician. I am there to make sure that all the players choke up when they have two strikes, are in the ready position when it comes to playing infield defense and call it when the ball is in the air. I have coached first and third, and honestly, when we’re together in the field, it’s a 50-50 proposition as to whether or not he’s going to listen to me. (Once, in a tight game, he was on third and asked me about the possibility of going if the ball got past the catcher. I shook my head no. On the next pitch he took off and scored when the catcher couldn’t get the ball back to the pitcher, who was covering, in time to make the play. I’m no Brian Butterfield.)

Whenever I start to get frustrated with him around sports, I have to remember the words of Jimmy Graham. I was talking with Graham -- who also was adopted -- when the Saints and Patriots were having joint practices a few years ago, and I told him we have an adopted son. He said an adopted child has to endure a whole different set of life circumstances. The chaos, the uncertainty, the powerlessness over your own life, it seeps into your bones in a way other people can’t even begin to imagine. The one place where he found solace? Sports. It was a place where he was powerful. Where he could dictate the pace, the rhythm of the game. He was in control.

Of course, as a fan, you don’t have much control. To that point, my son has an admittedly complicated relationship with the Patriots. All of his classmates root for them to succeed, because they’ve grown up here, and all they’ve ever known is Tom Brady and success and Gronk spikes and playoff football deep into January. He likes the team, but he roots for them reluctantly, mostly because everyone else does and he doesn’t want to be left out. The thing is, he knows that the longer the Patriots play, the more I’m away from home. We’ve tried to make it easier on him -- I can recall spending time reading “Curious George” over the phone from the combine in Indianapolis in an attempt to make bedtime easier. But it’s not easy.

The flip side? With a father who works as a sportswriter, he’s been lucky enough to meet athletes. Part of the gig occasionally will involve me taking him along. Part of it is simple logistics, but truth be told, part of it is a chance for Dad to show off just how cool the job is. He’s met Troy Brown and Matt Chatham and Kevin Faulk and Christian Fauria. (He met Will Middlebrooks through a family friend, and Middlebrooks quickly became a favorite -- but my son turned on him when he became involved with Jenny Dell.) And now that he’s old enough, every summer he gets to pick a day to come to training camp with a friend. We sit and take attendance, and he gets to chase after Stephen Gostkowski’s extra points, one of which cracked him in the mouth a few years back. (He wore the scar on his lip like a badge of honor for the next week.) He managed to charm Chandler Jones into a selfie. (The fact is that he got Jones to say more in one five-minute meeting than I did in four years of covering him.) He got some quality time with Chris Harper, Deion Branch and Malcolm Butler.

We used to talk enthusiastically about him becoming a sportswriter one day and going on trips to faraway stadiums together. (“You get all the free Pepsi you want?” he once asked me when he came up to the press box one day during training camp. All he wanted to do was look at the soda machine. You would have thought he discovered plutonium.) That faded quickly, however, replaced with a desire to actually be a player in those games. And as he has gotten older, he’s become a pretty good athlete. He was the second baseman on a championship team as a 10-year-old fourth-grader, the sort of dream season every kid should get at least once in their lives. He caught the last out of the championship game, putting a capper on a year he spent with his best friends when they won a trophy, and he was celebrated by the head coach as a “Gold Glove” winner. The year ended with the two of us on the field posing for a picture, him with a trophy and an ear-to-ear smile. He taught me something about winning. In all my years of competitive sports, I was never on a team that won the last playoff game of the year.

As we know, seasons rarely end like that one. This spring, as a fifth grader, he was deemed good enough to get called up to the American League. Suddenly, he was playing against sixth- and seventh-graders. Pitchers were bigger and stronger and faster. It was a humbling experience, one that ended with a playoff loss when he made the last out of the season. On an infield grounder, the throw to the first baseman beat him by a half-step, he was called out, and the season was over. He fired his helmet down in anger. Given the circumstances, it was OK -- he’s already talking about what he’s going to do next season.

Now, he is 11, a long way from when it was just the two of us sitting on the couch watching Curious George or making our daily walk to Starbucks like we did when he was 4. The other day he caught me making a dad joke, and he shot me a look. “Dad, just try not to be funny.” Last week, the sixth-grade football coach sent me a text saying he was thinking of putting him at running back. He’s a full-on 11-year-old, clomping around the house like a Clydesdale and asking for another serving of pasta.

But no matter what happens -- no matter how old he gets -- we’ll always have sports. It’s helped ease the transition from one life to another. It’s built a connection between a father and son. It's helped achieve a measure of control over a previously chaotic life. And it’s been the primary bond that’s helped forge a family.

Sports. Yeah, we like those.

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catherine-zita-live-music-blog · 6 years

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“ I want to be a voice for people who feel like me” an intimate interview with singer/songwriter Essy.

1)Hi Essy thank you for joining us today at Amplified Magazine, would you first like to tell us a bit about who you are and what you do?

I’m a singer/songwriter and performing artist from South East London. I’m also a confidence coach and work part time as a Youth Campaign Officer working with young people in schools and youth centers across London.

2) So, how did you get into music? Who and what inspired you to pursue a career in the music industry?

I always loved singing and would sing ALL the time since I was a child. However, I never pursued it because I lacked confidence and believed I would never be a successful singer. I grew up dysfunctional – in and out of foster homes, and moved around a lot. When I did finally settle down in my own place around the age of 16/17, I was really struggling with life and my real dreams and aspirations felt far-fetched, so I pursued more realistic goals - goals that I never actually achieved either by the way.

At 23 I started attending a local church, gave my life to Christ and began to turn my life around. I joined the choir and from there my confidence slowly developed on stage. I began secretly writing songs through a period in my life where I felt extremely lonely, down and depressed and writing was a way for me to get out my real thoughts, feelings and emotions. I never finished a song I wrote for myself because something new was always happening and changing, particularly with my emotions. Life was a roller coaster.

However, a young lady from my church asked me if I would write the songs for an independent movie she was creating. I was shocked because I had never told anyone I write songs but she said God had told her to ask me. So, I took on the challenge and I loved it. I really surprised myself with what I could do. Later another lady asked me to write a brand song for her youth magazine and the song turned out great too. From then on, I knew I wanted to be a songwriter so I decided to go back to music school, do a degree and learn more about the craft of song writing.

What inspired me to pursue an actual career in the music industry as a singer was the underestimations other people had of me and the underestimations I had of myself. I recognized that I had allowed unbelief in myself and fear in what others will think to dictate my goals. I was waiting for someone to say “Esther, I believe in you, let’s do this” but I soon realized that was never going to happen. I was scared to take any independent steps, out of fear of what others would think or say and out of fear of failing, but I was failing everything else around me anyway so why not just try the thing that I have a passion for? If I were to fail, at least I could then say I tried.

I had failing relationships with what felt like almost everyone around me. I felt alone, unjustified, unaccepted, inadequate, out of place and unheard. I’m not a confrontational person but I have things that I want to say and I felt like I could express these things through my songs and be a voice for many people who feel like me. So, I said eff it! I’m gonna be a singer!

3)What would you say makes you a unique artist in today’s industry? How did you find your sound?

I would say my open, honest and sincere lyrics and demeanor. I’m a black African, plus size, pop/RnB singer from Camberwell, South-East London. I am who I am and I’m not into molding or changing to please anyone but myself. My music and I are both relatable. I don’t believe in portraying untrue or unrealistic image or ideas. You won’t see me driving Lamborghini cars or wearing red bottom shoes in my music videos if I can’t afford them in real life.I found my sound through my heart’s release. I used to hold everything inside – struggles, feelings, ideas, opinions, advice, but the truth is, after giving my life to Christ my heart kind of opened up and now my soul sings. It sings about whatever it feels necessary

4)Have you had any music recently released? If so what track are you most proud of?

I released a track called “You Are Beautiful” which represented a youth magazine called You Are Beautiful in 2016. The magazine works on breaking down the misconceptions of beauty in media and I am very proud of the song and the message being sent out there through the song and the magazine. However, I am releasing my FIRST EVER SINGLE as an artist on Friday 23rd February 2018 called I Wish I Could and I am incredibly excited and proud of what I’ve done. I’m proud because I was bold enough to take my first steps as an artist. It was an independent project, I managed to self- fund it (which has been difficult), I self-managed it and put it all together alone. It’s been hard work but it’s been worth it. I’ve had days where I’ve had to restore confidence back into myself and not give up or run away from the dream. I want to thank my friend Stephanie because she’s really helped me to stay focused.

5) What does music mean to you?

Music is everything to me. I don’t want to get too deep but I couldn’t function or live right without it. It almost feels like music is the only way I can truly express myself. I relate with it and I express with it. We’ve been in a committed relationship all my life. I go to music for advice, for clarity, for awakening, for relaxation, for excitement, and for expression. I love music. Music is life. Sometimes I don’t even talk but I’ll sing my conversations. I’ll sing “can you pass me the tin of biscuits please”. LOL yea I sing talk ALL THE TIME.

6)What is your usual writing process? How do you get in the creative mindset?

This changes all the time. Sometimes I’m sleeping and I’ll hear a melody or riff in my dream and I’ll quickly wake up and record it on my phone. Sometimes I have an idea for a title or a sentence that I build around. Some days I sit down and say, ‘okay let’s write a song’. Other days, I’ll just be playing around on the keyboard and something great happens. I don’t play an instrument so generally speaking my songs start with lyrics and a melody and I build on it later. The idea of the song is generally created by an experience, situation, opinion or emotion that’s on my mind at the time.

7) Do you have any upcoming gigs? Where and when are they?

I will be performing on Friday 23rd February 2018 at the BBFA (Black Beauty and Fashion Awards) event. This is also the day of my single release so I’m doubly excited!

8) If you could support any artist on their tour, who would it be and why?

If I could support any artist on tour I would have to say Bruno Mars! I just love that guy. His aura, his energy and playfulness, his music, band and performances. I just love it! I think he’s dope. He’s very inspiring.

9) Where can we find you on social media?

My social media handle is THATESSY on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, and YouTube.

10) Finally, if you could sit in a room with an artist dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?

I would sit with Beyoncé and pick her brains about the magic behind her craft. She is an amazing singer and performer and she has managed to stay on top of her game all her musical life. She never fails to produce great work and I admire that about her. I want some of that.

For more from Essy go and connect with her on social media, 23rd February will be her debut single release so get ready for it and stay tuned. Thank you Essy for joining me and sharing your thoughts and feelings with Amplified music! Until next time.

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