#i love using copyrighted music its my favourite thing ever.

[juneviews]

youtube anon here!! omg thank you!! sorry im so late with this i was busy bc deepavali + wanted to make sure id thought of everything to ask ahsjdjdkf and ofc if you decide not to reply to this i understand as well, so really no pressure at all, okay? 😊 what software do you use to edit your videos? what made you decide to start making videos? do your videos get taken down bc of copyright? how do you deal if/when that happens? what are some of your favourite kinds of videos to make, and why? how long do you usually spend on a video (idea conception, filming, editing etc)? and since i know you from this blog, even before you started making videos: do you have any advice about putting out content in fandom? bc you make gifs + write + make videos and like. idk im just wondering if you ever feel shy about posting? (not that you should bc for real everything you put out is great- including all the off pictures you keep posting… thank you for that btw i dont have social media so thats the only way i get to see his beautiful face) i guess it sounds stupid but IM really really shy and the thought of putting anything out there for anyone at all to see makes me want to hide forever sdjfhskjg but like. i kinda want to make video edits too. mostly for myself as like a visual journal thing? like its a personal project. but i thought okay since im putting in so much effort why not share it with other people too? and id love if people discovered new music + shows bc of me yknow? but yeah anyway like. how do you deal with it if you ever feel that way? thats all i can think of for now, wow this got LONG. i hope its not too much rip. and again thank you for letting me ask you these questions ❤️

hi, OOF you really had QUESTIONS lmaooooo

I use the free software shortcut to edit my videos. I hate it & it's very slow which makes my already least favorite part of the video making, editing, even worse (:

I decided to start making videos bc 1) I saw a gap in the youtube market where people who talked about bl either did reactions or short analyses without showing their faces. 2) there were many topics that were easier to tackle in a longer video than a blog post. 3) if I were to be able to make a living off of youtube (which will not happen but wish I had known that then lol) it would solve most of my problems & allow me to combine pretty much all of my interests at once.

my videos ABSOLUTELY get taken down bc of copyright, if you look through my community page I've talked about that many times.

when that happens, I always appeal but most of the time it doesn't work, which means I spent 30+ hours MINIMUM on something that will never see the light of day (: it's in big part why I'm switching to thailand focused content instead of thai series content tbh, it was very heavy on my mental health for a hobby that takes so many hours out of me every week. not worth it.

my favorite kinds of videos to film are definitely my ranking ones or reaction ones bc they demand very little preparation & scripting and are just about me rambling for 2 hours, but my ranking ones take FOREVER to edit so on that part any non scripted video is the worst haha

the time spent on a video really depends, but usually the writing of a video takes me between 3 to 6 hours, the filming takes me 2 hours & the editing takes me a good 20 hours (funny bc I hate editing so much lmaooooo.) but some videos have only taken me 10 hours (short reactions), while others have taken me well above 50 (longer commentary ones.)

about putting out content in fandom, you're right in saying that I've basically done every kind of content LMAO. honestly the faceless one like giffing, writing fics, making fanvids, etc. is easy? like it needs to come from a drive of wanting to do it but bc your personal image isn't really attached to it, I feel like the trial & error is easier? if you wanna stop tomorrow no one will really care? but when I started making videos that demand significantly more time & that have my face clearly attached to it, that's when the doubts started creeping in. I never feel shy bc I just haven't been shy in a while, but I do feel ashamed to talk to irl people about my videos bc they aren't successful & I've invested over 2 years of my life in them so it's just kinda pathetic LMAO. but about you being shy, you can focus on the fact that it's the internet? like if you really don't want anyone to know it's your fanvids, create a new username & post them under it, bc then literally NO ONE will know it's you. to be honest it's taken me years but I've gotten rid of the notion of "cringe" and "embarrassment" out of my vocabulary. just do what makes you happy bc people will hate on you no matter what. I just know I personally want to live my life authentically & not filter it just so MAYBE I'm not as hated. so yeah, I hope you DO get to create the fanvids you want & good luck with that! thanks for the support as well, it means a lot <3

xxx

#answers #video making #those were really good questions #you should've been there for my q&a haha

[cadaverkeys]

SHE KNOWS! A little snippet from QFTC session like two weeks ago. Dearly realises her weirdo party member has no reflection :smirk: whatever that means.

ft @daeivs human/wererat character Kethra and @thebina's dhampir character Mortimer.

#ocs #oc #dnd #animatic #seerdoesart #i love using copyrighted music its my favourite thing ever.

[imagination-is-key-in-my-world]

Awkward Encounters

Authors Note: At first, I was going to write this as the reader being in Tessa’s perspective but then I thought that it would be too much of a copyright. There may be some similarities to the story but I have written Tessa in as a separate party. Tessa is still with Noah in this. Also, I will be referencing parts from both the movie and the novels. In this particular fanfiction Tristan is a girl, like the movie.

Summary: You are a freshman at college and your life there started pretty normally. Your best friend is Tristan who is dating Steph who is roommates with Tessa. That was until you went to a party with Tristan and the girls. You had no idea that the mysterious British boy was going to intervene when you come face to face with the Bitch that is Molly.

Warning: Swearing

Pairing: Reader x Hardin Scott

Word Count: 4,423

“Come on Tristan, I told you.” I moan. “I can’t go to another party; I am still recovering from the last one.” I cling to a cold compress, trying my best to shield my eyes from the light that is seeping in through the open door.

Tristan threw a pack of Ibuprofen onto my lap that she snooped around in my bag for. “If it’s that bad, take one of these and get your butt out of that bed.” I groan at the impact from the small box just for the effect. “Don’t be a baby and get up.”

I roll over on the bed to face the wall. “Can’t you just go with Steph?”

“No!” She abruptly spat out. “I want to go with you. Steph is bringing Tessa and I don’t want to show up alone.”

“But you will be with her when you’re there. What’s the point in me getting out of this lovely cocoon that I have made, just to walk you to the party?”

Tristan had her head bent over, pulling her hair into a high ponytail on the top of her head. “You know that what you just said was the whole point.” She sighed. “Everyone is going to stare at me when I walk in there all on my lonesome.”

I eyed the short revealing dress that she was pulling onto her petite and envious body. “You know everyone will be staring at you no matter what if you wear that.” I laugh. “Those legs are going to be the headliner for that party.”

Tristan winked at me and continued adding more accessories to her ever-growing ensemble. “That my dear naïve British friend is the goal of this outfit.” She dropped to her knees faster than I could pry open the antibiotic wrapper. Gripping onto my hand she pulled me away from my mission to rid the world of the swirling furniture before my very eyes. “Y/N, if you do not go, I will literally never talk to you ever again.”

I raised my eyebrow at the sight before me. “Is that a promise.” I bravely say.

“Y/N! Please!”

“Fine alright. Give me five minutes.” I surrender, using every ounce of strength that I had left to lift myself from my comfy nest. “But you owe me, big time.” Tristan’s arms were around my neck faster than I could respond. Her soft lips that I am sure Steph adores, pressed against my forehead.

“I love you so much Miss Y/L/N!” She squealed.

I let out a stiff laugh as I saunter off to the bathroom to sort whatever state I currently appeared to be in.

***

“You know, when you said that this was going to be a cool night for us both? When did I factor into the equation?” I scoff, lifting the red solo cup to my lips. The bitter taste made my stomach curl, but what was worse was not drinking around all these over-the-top drunk people.

Tristan was straddling Steph on the sofa by the side of me. These two did not understand the true definition of PDA and why some people may find it uncomfortable. Including myself.

I inch further down the sofa that was unsurprisingly very sticky. If I wasn’t feeling queasy when I turned up, I certainly felt it now. I try to distract myself from the fact that I had to peel my legs from the leather material just to cross them. The sound was very unflattering.

“Why are you in my seat?” I roll my eyes the minute I recognised the irritating voice that filled me with angst and hatred from across the room. Molly Samuels. Her whole presence just irritates me, and it appears that I am not the only one with this response. I gaze over to my left to see Tessa shaking her head at the general distaste she had for the girl. I lift my cup up to Tessa who shyly mimics. ‘To stuck up bitches, ay?’ I say to myself, quietly so that she couldn’t hear.

Molly pushed Zed Evans and his girlfriend for the night out of her shitty throne causing his date to land hard on her arse. I am sure it wasn’t the first time that Molly has done this to declare her ‘power’ to the whole room. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” The blonde cried as Zed attempted to pick her up from the floor which was soaked in alcohol.

“Does this brat literally think she can talk to me right now?” Molly scoffed, flicking her hair over her shoulder. Turning to her so-called friends for approval of her comment and actions.

“What did you just call me?” The poor young girl shook off Zed’s protective arm and stepped right in front of Molly’s nose. Probably not the best move, but I have always found that Molly needed taking down a peg or two.

“You heard me, loud and clear” She popped her tongue on the letter ‘l’ in loud. “A little slutty brat who thinks for a second that Zed will call her back after he fucks her tonight.” Molly’s teeth were snarling almost like a wild animal.

“At least I’m not a bitchy whore who thinks that everyone here is her friend.” There were a couple ‘ohs’ and ‘ahs’ almost as if we were at a panto and not a college party after Zed’s girl’s response.

The second Molly let the words register her hand was leaving that poor girl’s cheek, along with a bright red handprint in its place.

“What the fuck, Molly!” I heard the words clear as day, but I never in a million years imagined that they would come from my mouth. But there I was, standing right in front of Molly, shielding the young girl from another blast to the face.

I could hear people whispering behind my back. ‘What is she doing?’ ‘Is she stupid or something?’ ‘Does she not know what Molly is like?’ Despite being close friends with Tristan, I never would have expected her to step up to defend me, especially when Molly Samuels was involved. She stayed on Steph’s lap; eyes bugged open. Utterly frozen.

“Wow Y/N? Get involved in other people’s business much? Just because your life is too sad, you feel like you can insert yourself into other people’s.” I roll my eyes at her pathetic attempt to rattle me. “You’re just a sad little virgin that no body wants around. Tristan only invited you tonight for her own benefit. Just look around, you don’t fit in here.”

I stay silent. I may have only spoken up once tonight, but that was enough for me. Frat parties are my least favourite place to be. The only reason I came here tonight was for Tristan. I should have left the minute she started making out with the red-haired beauty.

“Cat got your tongue now, bitch.” Molly’s face was inches from mine and I choked on the strong aroma of alcohol on her breath. “Oh, wait I forgot, the girl doesn’t own a backbone.” There were a few stifled laughs here and there. Zed stayed silent, as did Tristan and Steph. None of them making the effort to stand up for me. “Let me guess. Tristan batted her big eyes at you and begged you to come tonight, didn’t she? Then ditched you the moment someone prettier came into the picture.”

I gulp back the bile that I knew had risen to the back of my throat. “Why don’t you go back to your dorm. Oh, better yet, get on a fucking plane and fly back to shitty England. We could only get lucky and hope the thing crashes with you inside it.”

“That’s enough Molly!” The voice behind me held a British twang similar to my own. A voice I had only heard about but never actually seen. The bad boy, Hardin Scott.

Hardin Scott was attractive. Since I got here, I knew he was the talk of the college. Everybody knew who he was and that he wasn’t good news. His white shirt displayed his various tattoos clearly through the thin and tight fabric. His black hair was pushed back to show his piercing eyes and anger set eyebrows. His eyes never left Molly who was stood behind me.

“Oh, Hardin you know I am only messing with the virgin.” She forces a small laugh. “It’s not like I can control the planes is it.” Her head tilts to the side as her gaze locks onto mine, only to intimidate. “I mean I wish I could.” She muttered so that only the people stood around her could hear.

“Do you ever know when to stop!” Hardin barks, not acknowledging me physically. “Do you ever think that you’re the one that people don’t want around?” He questions, moving slowly across the room. I hadn’t noticed but the volume of the once booming music had been lowered to a slight hum in the background.

Hardin was now stood right beside me glaring down at Molly who mimicked his stance. “Ding Ding. Come on guys let’s just drop it!” Nate calls over when he noticed their glares on each other were far from breaking.

Molly was the first to move. “You’re right Nate.” She coos. “Let’s play a game.” She scans the room of her so-called posy who all appeared to be done with her shit for the night. “It’s Friday night. We need to play a game. I will even let the little virgin here play along, too.”

I am very aware that all the eyes were now back on me.

This wasn’t something that I wanted to be a part of. It took me what felt like an eternity to move my feet across the room to where Tristan was sitting. “I am going to head back to the dorms.” I declare quietly to her, but I can tell that they are all listening.

“No please stay, it won’t be the same if you go.” Tristan reaches for my hand which I pull away.

I don’t know why I am letting Molly’s words sink in so much. Everybody who knows her knows that she is full of herself and couldn’t give a shit who she hurts.

“No, it’s late.” It was only nine. “And I have assignments that are due.” I lie, they are all finished. “I’ll see you back at the dorm.”

I start towards the door but I can hear Tristan calling after me to stay.

As I reach the front door to the frat house, I hear Molly’s voice loud and clear. “So, Hardin truth or dare?”

***

The walk back to the dorms was anything but peaceful. The cars were loud and honking at me as they passed. Classy.

I reach for my phone in my bag. I could do with tuning out the world for this half hour walk back in the dark. But my fingers only find a vibrant red lipstick that I couldn’t pull off in a million years.

I stop dead in my tracks. This was Steph’s bag; I grabbed the wrong one during my never-ending embarrassment.

I couldn’t go back, but I couldn’t go further either. Where was I supposed to go, Steph’s key wasn’t in here so it’s not like I could sleep in her room for the night. No cash, key or phone meant that I had no other choice. I had to suck it up and go back.

“Fuuuck!” I shout, not caring that I startled an elderly woman who was placing a rubbish bag in her bin just outside her front door.

“Not a very ladylike thing to say.” I hear a mocking chuckle behind me causing me to jump out of my skin.

When I turn around, I am greeted by the tall British bad boy covered in ink standing about 6 foot in front of me.

His head cocks to the side when I don’t answer him. “You don’t say much, do you?” My eyes scan over his attire, black ripped jeans, white top, and a jet-black leather jacket. “But you do stare a lot, don’t you?” That British chuckle makes it’s second appearance tonight.

“What do you want?” I blurt out, shaking my head at the fact that I was indeed caught staring at the boy.

He steps a little closer to me, closing the gap between us ever so slowly. I watch in amazement at how sexy he makes walking look. “You left this at the party.” I hadn’t realised that he had extended his hand to reveal a clutch bag. My clutch bag.

“Oh!” I speak. “Thanks.” I take the bag from him and prepare myself for the walk back.

“Don’t take any notice of Molly. She is a bitch.”

“Yep.” I chip in, turning to walk back towards the college dorm rooms.

I only get a few steps ahead when I feel a cold sensation wrap around my bare arm. Why the fuck didn’t I bring a coat? I gaze down at the hand that is pressed to my skin. “Where are you going?” He softly says. His tone and action were not at all forceful but something about him made me shiver with fear deep inside the pit of my stomach. I was warned about Hardin Scott. Tristan said that he wasn’t exactly good news around her group of friends. Acting with his fists before connecting his words, that’s what she said at least.

“H-Home.” I stutter, half from the interaction, half from how fucking cold it was. I straighten up. “I am going home.”

“Alone?” He jumps in straight away.

I don’t answer. I just look back at his hand around my arm.

“S-sorry.” He stutters, removing his hand from my arm. “It’s just it’s a long way back to the dorms and it is late.”

I shrug my shoulders at his declaration. “I know.” I simply say and start to walk again but I am blocked by the gorgeous boy standing in front of me. “Oh fuck, you’re not going to kill me, are you?”

“No of course not!” He blurts.

“Good! Now could you” I gesture to the fact that he is stood directly in my path. He catches on to my hint and steps aside.

“You’re not going to walk there alone, are you?” His voice sounding desperate.

I spin and mockingly look around for people, lifting my hand to shield my eyes as I continue my search. This provokes a choked sigh from Hardin. Once I am satisfied with my ‘search’ I say “yep” and continue to walk.

“But it is late.” He chimes in again walking backwards trying desperately not to break my gaze as I try desperately to avoid his. “And you’re alone.”

“Yes, we have established this.” I mock, glaring at the stoned pavement or sidewalk ahead of me.

Hardin reaches both hands out in front of himself creating a wall which stops me from taking another step. “What is your problem?”

I take a step back, alarmed at his outburst. “My problem. You’re the one who has continuously blocked my way for the past ten minutes.” I bark. I try to move around him but he doesn’t budge, copying my actions to stay ahead of me.

“I am trying to offer my services.” Hardin exclaimed but then scowled at his choice of words. I too have a hard time accepting the word ‘services.’ Just as I go to argue he opens his mouth. “Fuck that’s not what I meant to say.” His hands instantly dart to push his hair back out of his face. A nervous tick I assume. What did he have to be nervous about? He is the one stalking after college girls at half 9 at night.

“Look can we start over?” He offers shoving his hands into his jacket. My arms promptly raise to cover my bare arms where goosebumps have started to form. Why didn’t I bring a jacket? “Could I possibly walk you back to the dorms?” His eyes dropped to the ground to stare at a pebble that he toyed with his shoe. Was he anxious?

“Why?” I question fairly quickly.

“I just want to make sure that you get back safe!” His tone wasn’t very friendly. I cock my head to one side. “Sorry, that came out bad.” His tone softening. “I just didn’t like the way that Molly spoke to you earlier and I also hate the fact that you would be walking back in this sketchy neighbourhood alone.”

“Fine.”

***

We walk all the way back to the dorms in silence. Hardin looked uncomfortable the entire time as if he were being forced to be here. I sure as hell did not make him.

I pull the key from my bag and slot it into the lock on the door. Pushing the door slightly open I stand with my arms still draped across my shivering body in the doorway. “Well, thanks for walking me back and bringing me my bag.”

Hardin didn’t budge. His eyes were locked on my body, traveling from my legs to my face. His face turned a shade of white when his eyes caught up to mine. “Fuck!” He announced.

“What!” I jump at his sudden change in demeaner.

“Your lips.” He gestures to my trembling lips that haven’t stopped shaking since I stepped outside of the frat house. “They are fucking blue!” Panic surges over him as he rakes his hands through his hair. “Why didn’t you say you were cold?” He started passing back and fourth in front of me.

“There wasn’t much you could do.” I counter. “My own stupid fault for not bringing a coat.”

I walk inside the room and grab a jacket and throw it on over my shaking body. Hardin enters after me and grabs my hand carefully. “Fuck lot that will do.” He picks up a towel and drags me back down the hallway.

I try to pull my arm back but it is no use. “Where the hell are you taking me?” I say a little too loud. Silently cursing myself if I may have woken up any of the other students living down this dorm.

“The showers now come on.” He tugs a little harder as his feet guide me towards the shared bathroom just a few floors down from my own.

As we reach the bathroom, Hardin throws the towel over the railing and reaches in to turn on the water. I couldn’t help but watch his every move. “Get in!” He cries. Gesturing to the box that was filling with tempting hot steam.

I hesitate. “Y/N, get in the fucking shower.” I jump, not at his tone. But at the fact that he used my name. How did he even know it? Oh right, he was at the party when Molly was insulting me. “If you don’t start undressing now, I will have to start doing it for you.”

I raise an eyebrow but decline his offer, stepping into the box and pulling the curtain across to shield my naked body.

***

Hardin was right, I needed that shower. I hadn’t realised how cold I had gotten from that walk home. I stood in that shower for what felt like half the evening.

I shut off the water and begin to pull the curtain slightly across so that I could reach for the towel that Hardin had placed on the rail when Hardin’s hand slips through holding the towel between his fingers.

“Thanks.” I mutter, draping it around my soaking body.

I step out to find that Hardin’s hair has dropped and started to stick to his forehead in places from the steam. His eyes dart up and down my body, quietly.

I am the first one to break the silence as we stand there in the shared bathroom. “So, I should um, probably get back to my room.”

I watch as Hardin lets my words break him from his still stance. “Yeah, um, after you.” He holds his arm out and follows me out of the bathroom. Something has shifted in Hardin. Tonight, I have seen him; angry, intimidating, shy, solemness and lost for words. It was a lot to take in during a short period of time.

I open the dorm door and step inside. When I hear the door shut, I jump and almost drop the towel. “Shit, sorry I didn’t mean for the door to shut so loudly.” He curses under his breath.

“It’s okay.” I mutter. I cling to the towel as I stare back at Hardin who hasn’t moved or made any effort to leave.

“Y/N?” Hardin’s voice softer than ever tonight, bringing my eyes to meet his. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“What do you mean?” My words coming out slowly. His head dropped to face the floor. Was he trying to count the flecks of glitter on the carpet from Tristan’s body butter or something?

“Why didn’t you say that you were cold?” I roll my eyes, this again. Crossing my arms over my stomach.

“Like I said, there wasn’t anything you could have-”

“I could have given you my jacket.” He interjects. Taking a step closer to me. His body was merely a foot away from mine.

“But then you would have been the one with the blue lips.” I counter. Tilting my head to the side in a modest challenging manner.

This stirred something within Hardin, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I know that he isn’t used to a woman not agreeing with every word that comes out of his mouth.

I suddenly shake my head as I feel a slight chill spread up my back. I am still in my towel and now I am very much aware of that. Quickly I turn away from his locked-on gaze.

“Can I have some privacy please.” I mumble, not able to turn around to face him. “I need to, uh, get changed.” I add.

Hardin lets out a small grunt but eventually I do hear the click of my dorm-room door close. I don’t know why but I feel a shed of disappointment at the fact that he listened and actually left.

It takes my hands what feels like hours to release the tight grip that I held on to the towel. Allowing it to fall onto the floor.

“You know what-” I hear the click of the door and his voice fill my ears. I jump from my spot in the middle of the room. He doesn’t finish the sentence, instead Hardin slams the door behind him. “Fuck!” His eyes firm but glued on my body.

I quickly try to grab the towel up off the floor, but it is no use. Hardin instantly placed his foot over the soggy material. “Don’t.” He lets that one word fall from his lips as he slowly continues to decrease the distance between us.

“Hardin!” I shout. “Give-” I can’t finish my argument as I find his finger is placed over the top of my lips.

Hardin doesn’t speak, he just shakes his head. His soft hand moves from my lips and trails off to my cheek, holding me in place. My eyes locked onto his own, frozen in place. I watch as his eyes bounce from my own to my lips, seeking permission. His other hand snaked its way around and laid itself on the small of my back, pulling my naked body closer to his.

I was completely thrown off by the audacity of my body responding to his touch, bringing me to him. Everything happened in slow motion from the second we were back in my room. I knew that Hardin was trouble, everybody did. But no one actually prepares you for a moment like this. Where you are stood in front of a gorgeous guy whose whole attention you own. Did I say he was gorgeous?

I shake my head breaking the eye contact trance I was in. “Har-”

“You’re so beautiful.” He interrupts, breaking right through the barrier I was desperately trying to build. Correction, he shattered the wall to pieces and I find myself pushing my lips aggressively against his, hungry for the contact.

It takes him a second to return the haste in my actions within his own. Moving his lips to mimic the speed that I had set for him. It took no time at all for that jacket that he kept holding over me for not taking since we got back to the room to be thrown onto the floor, revealing the crisp white T-shirt underneath.

His hand wandered lower to lay slightly above my bare arse. While my hands slithered up underneath his shirt. Desperate to feel the skin underneath and to trace the ink that it held. The hand that rested on my cheek now held tightly to the back of my neck making it impossible to break the kiss, not that I wanted to.

I could stay like this forever, kissing Hardin has awoken something inside me that I didn’t even know existed. This overwhelming hunger for his contact. I tug a little on the hair on the back of his head which in response summoned a deep growl from Hardin that I didn’t think I was prepared to hear. Any sense of doubt that we should stop kissing left my mind the second I heard that sound.

“Y/N? You would not believe what you missed after-” Tristan stood in the open doorway, her mouth held open just as wide.

Fuck. I jump back from Hardin and scramble for the towel, concealing my naked form from my roommate. I look over to Hardin who didn’t look at all affected by the events in the last ten seconds.

“I can tell your busy so I will just, yeah.” Tristan steps back and shuts the door behind her.

I run into the closet and quickly throw on a set of underwear and a long-oversized shirt that came down to lie just beneath my arse. “I think it’s about time I start locking that door.” I joke as I step through the closet door.

My eyes roam the room for the handsome boy I was just making out with only to be greeted with an empty room. My shoulders fall, “I guess that’s goodbye.” I mumble, trying my best to hold myself together. Locking the door before falling onto my bed.

Part 2?

#after #afterwecollided #afterwefell #aftereverhappy #before #afterfanfiction #afterwecollidedfanfiction #afterwefellfanfiction #after fanfiction #after we collided fanfiction #after we fell fanfiction #aftereverhappyfanfiction #after ever happy fanfiction #beforefanfiction #before fanfiction #after au #after fanfic #after we collided fanfic #after we fell fanfic #after ever happy fanfic #after imagine #after we collided imagine #after we fell imagine #after ever happy imagine #before imagine #hardin scott #hardin scott fanfiction #hardin scott imagine #hardin scott au #hardin scott gif

[galadhremmin]

silm asks - 1, 9, 13, 22

1. Favorite Section (Ainulindalë, etc.)? The end, because it breaks my heart! The sense of loss is so palpable. You really experience a feeling of mourning for the destruction of a world that never existed in a way I have never experienced with other fantasy. I do love the Ainulindale because the idea of a world made of music and responsive to it is incredible appealing to me. ‘Is that not a silmaril,’ or! that sentence about the death of Miriel...  ‘ and the sky reeled, and the hills slid, and Númenor went down into the sea, with all its children and its wives and its maidens and its ladies proud; and all its gardens and its halls and its towers, its tombs and its riches, and its jewels and its webs and its things painted and carven, and its lore: they vanished for ever. And last of all the mounting wave, green and cold and plumed with foam, climbing over the land, took to its bosom Tar-Míriel the Queen, fairer than silver or ivory or pearls. Too late she strove to ascend the steep ways of the Meneltarma to the holy place; for the waters overtook her, and her cry was lost in the roaring of the wind.’ Painful; beautiful. But yeah, I can’t really choose. Though I’d still say the end.   9. What Age of Arda would you like to live in? I love reading about heroic and tragic events and enjoy dramatic irony, but I want none of those things in my own life! Years of the Trees in Valinor. Every time I try to think about what Valinor would be like in a slightly more concrete way it grows stranger and more intense in my imagination. Even if it would speed up my death-- fine. See Valinor And Die. ‘ And tales and rumours arose along the shores of the sea concerning mariners and men forlorn upon the water who, by some fate or grace or favour of the Valar, had entered in upon the Straight Way and seen the face of the world sink below them, and so had come to the lamplit quays of Avallónë, or verily to the last beaches on the margin of Aman, and there had looked upon the White Mountain, dreadful and beautiful, before they died.” -- That’s the spirit. If it actually existed I’d swim upstream towards the blessed realm like a salmon in season, right here right now.   13. Would you want The Silmarillion to be made into a film or tv series? Only if it was animated, and only if it was done by people like the ones who made Song of the Sea, The Red Turtle or similar. I don’t think the entire thing would really work in the same style; an anthology of separate stories by different creators might work best. The only live action version of a Silm story I’d like to see would be Del Torro in the spirit of Pan’s Labyrinth. But overall I think the Silm material and the way people interact with it would suffer from a big studio laying claim over it. Copyright and capitalism don’t go well with this sort of story.  22. What is your opinion of Fëanor? He’s interesting. This is getting a bit long, so cut.

I think it doesn’t do the character or the story justice to make his conflict with Fingolfin entirely about his father’s affection; there’s a interesting sentence in one of the versions of the stories that indicates Fingolfin was at least perceived as threatening not just Feanor’s but also Finwe’s authority, in favour of the Valar;  Whispers came to Feanor that Fingolfin and his sons Turgon and Fingon were plotting to usurp the leadership of Finwe and of the eldest house of Feanor, and to supplant them by the leave of the Valar-- for the Valar were ill-pleased that the Silmarils lay in Tuna, and were not given in their keeping. [..] on the high day of the Valar Feanor spake words of rebellion against the Valar, crying aloud that he would depart back to the world without, and deliver, as he said, the Gnomes from thraldom, if they would follow him. And when Fingolfin sought to restrain him Feanor drew his sword. ' Combined with from yet another version; 'said Finwë: ‘While the ban lasts upon Fëanor my son, that he may not go to Tirion, I hold myself unkinged, and I will not meet my people.’ ... I think there’s room for more than just a narrative about a child insecure about his father’s love. That is also there; and it is fascinating all on its own, because he is the first person in Valinor to lose a parent, the first for so many things. But this is there, too; a potential politico-religious conflict about authority supported by Noldorin tradition vs. the Valar. Given that Ulmo called Feanor’s birth a result of Marring and Indis line the good to come of it I think this makes sense on both levels.  Anyway, aside from that I think his devolving into a state of horrible, selfish paranoia and grief leads him to do entirely awful things in an interesting way. I don’t read the character as a parallel for real world fascists/nationalists because that just doesn’t make sense in context of, well everything. Being a King in a feudal society is only the start of it... But given Tolkien’s life experiences I’d say when he uses a sentence like ‘no other race shall oust us’ the wording is deliberate, and you’re supposed to feel those associations; the way his spirit starts to twist, the wrongness of the words he uses to motivate those not convinced by the need for vengeance etc. Feanor is a character who often plays the oracle without knowing it. He predicts his own son’s final fate (Maglor) without realising it. When he sees the future he doesn’t know it, and when he is justified in his emotions or even opinions he reacts in the worst possible way. It makes him fascinating. He is too much of everything, and you get the distinct sense that he doesn’t truly understand himself.  Aside from that; well, the slender dexterity of Feanor’s fingers... haha. He was Tolkien’s favourite, clearly, and it shows. I really love what seems like his intense curiosity and need to engage with the world he lives in. I love that his heraldry seems related to the spectrum of visible light, when so much about him is about light. I think Nerdanel might be the only woman in Tolkien’s work who is not loved for her beauty but her spirit, and that in turn tells me something about Feanor’s spirit. I could go on, probably verging into headcanons. I enjoy the character; I think of his actions and eventual implied ideology are indefensible. I also think that the circumstances being what they were (no one born in the blessed realm truly understood loss, or having to let go of a possession, for one) and with the qualities ascribed to him his choices make sense. 

#feanorianethicsdepartment #'her cry was lost in the roaring of the wind.’ is ....like what happened to all of beleriand. underwater ruins reduced to legend

[ziamhaze]

Writer Questions

Thank you for the tag, @zqua1d​!

1. When did you start writing?

Almost exactly two years ago.  I’d never done any sort of individual creative writing prior to writing Compartment 451.  Crazy how random that was and how much it’s changed my life.

2. What fandoms do you write for?

Exclusively 1D, specifically ziam.  I’ve had people ask me if I would ever consider writing for another fandom, but I just don’t have it in me.  Not now, at least.  Every idea I’ve ever had (written and saved in my ideas doc) has been inspired by ziam as individuals - either because I’ve wanted to explore a specific characteristic of theirs or because I had an AU setting that I’d love to see them interact in.  Can’t say I’ve had that for any other fandoms/individuals.

3. Do you write better in the morning or at night?

Night, hands down.  Writing is my “full-time job”, so I can pretty much create my own hours.  I go through phases, but for a majority of the year, I’m usually nocturnal.  I like the darkness and the solitude.  The silence is a plus, but I think it’s the ‘in my own world without distractions’ sort of thing that gets me.

4. What music do you listen to while writing?

I’ve gone through phases with this too.  I wrote C451 with instrumental film soundtracks playing throughout, then with Kick, Push it was primarily lo-fi music because of Zayn’s character.  Since I knew that I was going to write Z.A.Y.N. after The Prince King, I listened to a CRAZY amount of r&b during the latter.  Listened to that all the way through both.  As for the last three stories posted online, I don’t remember listening to anything in particular.  The book that I just finished that I unfortunately can’t post, I used Korean ‘Study with Me’ videos on YT.  Highly, highly, recommend.  This one and this one are my two favourites.  I work like crazy, so these are great if you’re like me and enjoy tracking how much you work/ can create a good schedule when you don’t have an external source (office, class, etc.) to give you one.  OR, if you can’t sit down and study/write on your own accord, this would be good for you to build in breaks and good habits.

5. What do you/plan to major in at college?

Fuck, what didn’t I major in in college?  I’ve got a BA in Film/TV Production Management and Geography (specifically urbanization and the middle east).  Then I’ve got an MSc in Management (specifically international corporate strategy) and an MA in Creative Writing (specifically fiction, novel writing).  In the Fall (unless I move to Sydney, then next Feb-ish), I’ll be starting a PhD in Creative Writing which will be looking at masculinity, ‘the city’ in the novel, and the presentation of male-centric mental health in literature.  All wrapped up in a novel I’ll be writing for the program.

6. Do you write an outline before writing a story?

If you asked my workshop classmates that question, they’d just burst out laughing.  It was an ongoing joke about just how much I outline/plan a story.  For reference, Red vs. Black ended up being ~113k, but the outline document I had for it was about 25 pages on its own.  My outlines look a lot like a VERY detailed bullet note list of points that need to be touched on in each scene.  If you want a look at my lil baby one for C451, click here.  This is soooo bare bones compared to what they look like nowadays, trust me.  Each scene nowadays would probably have about 10x this many bullet notes and timings and all that.

7. Do you write multiple stories at one time or only focus on one?

NEVER.  I have to stay with one at a time.  My stories have so many tiny intricacies and details that need to be given my entire attention to unfold correctly.  I fully throw myself into a story; I get lost inside the world and characters much like an actor does.  I have to in order to make everything consistent and more importantly, true.

8. Do you write every day?

Yes!  It may not be for a novel, it may be academic papers or applications, but I do write something every day.  Also, it may not even be original writing, but I count editing sentences as writing.  You have to engage your brain in a similar nature.  You have to manipulate your native language and just...words.  That’s writing.

9. What are your goals for your stories? (& do you want to become a published author one day?)

Well, my summer goal is to get my latest story a publishing deal.  As most of you know, it’s currently sitting with Harper Collins, but I really don’t expect anything to come of that.  After that (inevitable) rejection, I’ll be shopping it around to agents, so I’d say that’s my latest goal.  Eventually, I want to publish Kick, Push, The Prince King, and The Heart of Him with lots and lots of rewrites.  Clearly copyright would make publishing Z.A.Y.N. as it is impossible, but I think the way it’s presented and the two characters that live within it are kinda cool.  I’d have to rewrite all the lyrics to be original and obviously change Zayn’s name to something that could fit with the title being an acronym.  (Zain/Zayn was a true blessing for that)  Plus, a lot of the magic falls with the songs that come out of their relationship and the hints that I gave to them throughout.  An original song wouldn’t be something a reader could do that with.  So, yeah, it’d be a stretch.  With Red vs. Black, I’ve been given some professional (let’s say) advice telling me to rewrite it with a different metaphor other than superheroes.  I see where he’s coming from in regards to sales and a publishing deal, but then I’ve also had another, professional (let’s say), from a different sector of the field tell me that it’s fine with storyline, but that if I’m trying to sell it in novel format, it might not work.  So, that’s going to take some reworking/deep thinking on my end.  And as for Customer of the Month, I’d like to adapt it as a YA book.  I think the message rings the clearest for that age group.  Which of course means, more rewrites beyond simple edits.

10. Favourite work of yours?

Besides the one I’ve just finished, I’d say Red vs. Black.  It’s really fucking complex if you take a step back and look at it on a character level and not a ‘ziam fic’ (same with COTM.  Zayn’s character in that one is actually really fucking heartbreaking).  It took so much precise weaving and timing and development, that finishing it was a massive accomplishment for me.  I’m glad people enjoy it, but honestly, coming out of it, I remember thinking, I don’t even care what people take from it, I’m proud of me for pulling that the fuck off.  It’s got NOTHING on the book I just finished (so you can imagine the self-pride I have for that), but given the fact that I’d only been writing for a year, RvB was a huge accomplishment for me.  I also really fucking loved writing Zayn’s character in that story - his humour, his turmoil, his arc.  It was a massive challenge, but I actually enjoyed it and that’s huge for me.

#writer questions #my writing

[ultraclairedg]

Story of the Yianxi Palace

“The Old Girl talks Fantasy” is usually, as the name implies, a blog about anything related to fantasy and science fiction. That is to say, whether it be books, films, animated series, music or whatever, it doesn’t have much to do with life as we know it. The post below, however, deviates from this format in that it deals with a tv series based on historical events that took place in China during the 18th century. I have included it however because, although the historical background is based in fact, we cannot know for sure if many (if any) of the details in the series ever happened. They are the imaginings of the series writers. As a total fan of anything oriental, though, especially China and Chinese culture, and with this series being so totally addictive, I felt I had to include it. So, here goes.

During the reign of the Qianlong emperor (1711-1799), the man born Hongli, fourth person to reign over China proper, had a variety of wives, consorts and concubines. The series “Story of the Yianxi Palace”, a Chinese period drama which ran in July/August 2018, focuses on the heroine Wei Yingluo and her rise from servant girl in the palace to become the emperor’s favourite consort and later empress.

As it is not documented when Lady Wei entered the palace, this allows for much scope within the series for exploration of the palace intrigues, particularly within the royal harem. The machinations of the consorts and concubines to out-manoeuvre each other to attain the emperor’s favour are totally fascinating, and, as they had precious little to do apart from wait for the emperor to take them to his bed-chamber, it is understandable that  such conniving actually did take place. Each episode is utterly addictive and as full episodes are available on Youtube, it is easy to spend hours binge-watching them. The English sub-titles are also amusing in that a lot of modern American slang is used, which seems very funny coming from characters dressed in 18th century traditional costumes.

Another very interesting aspect of this series is the fact that, even though it became extremely popular both in China and worldwide, it was removed by order of the Chinese government after 70 episodes (along with a similar series, “Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace”) because it was deemed “incompatible with the core values of socialism” and was considered to have “a negative influence on society.” That hasn’t stopped its popularity, though and it has been watched by millions both inside and outside China.

I also have to mention the absolutely gorgeous costumes and headpieces. They are all made as authentically as possible by the limited number of expert craftsmen who still remember how to make these wonderful items. Of particular note are the “tian-sui” or jeweled hair pieces which were made from precious metals and costly jewels, and the “ronghua” or velvet silk flower headdresses.  If you compare the two pictures below, one of its era of Wei Ying Luo in formal court dress and the other her character in the series, you can see what attention to detail has been made.

All of the episodes for the series are available on youtube with English subtitles. I dare you not to binge-watch.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND ALL THINGS GOOD TO EVERYONE

  Linguistic Phun (BTW, some people have asked why I write “fun” as “phun” – well, that’s just a bit of linguistic fun on my part, isn’t it?)

Chinese words which have come into English – cash, ketchup, gung-ho, kowtow, soy – to name but a few.

 (I do not own the copyright to these images)

#Chinese history #Qianlong Emperor #story of yanxi palace #historical costume

[tipsycad147]

Airmid: Keeper of the Herbs of Healing

Things That Are Sacred to Her:

Colours: Green blue purple and brown Time of Day: Morning Day & Moon Phases: Monday during the Waxing Moon to promote healing, Waning Moon to diminish disease. Stones: Amber, Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Zircon, Jasper, Opal Metal: Silver

Animal: Snake Senses: Touch and Sight Incense: Lemon, Verbena

Elements: Earth and Water

Seasons: Summer and Fall

Holiday: Beltane

Herbs:

RISH GODDESS OF HEALING

Level Two Project by OceanPhoenix Adept in the Sisters of the Rising Moon School

© 2012.  All original material in this site is under copyright protection and is the intellectual property of the author.

Image courtesy of http://www.sacredfamiliar.com/2011/08/happy-awakenings-at-imbolc-and-big-roar.html

Other Names: Airmed, Airmeith Race: Tuatha Dé Danann

Who is Airmid? Airmid is the Celtic Goddess of the Healing Arts. She was also a member of the Tuatha De Dannann, the most ancient race of deities in Ireland.  Goddess Airmid is revered as a master herbalist and magician. She rules over magic, healing, learning, Herbalism and the complexities of family relationships.

Culture: Northern Europe Celtic Realms Ireland Place Associated with Airmid: Sláine the Well of Healing / Heapstown Cairn

Popular Myth: According to legend, there was once a great and noble god, Nuada, who ruled the Tuatha De Danann. During battle, Nuada lost his arm and was forced to relinquish the throne as a result of the deformity, as it was said to rule one must be at all time whole.  Airmid’s father, Dian Cecht, fashioned a silver arm for Nuada so he could  return as ruler of the land. Dian Cecht’s son, Miach, believed that with his own skill as a surgeon and his sister Airmid’s aptitude for regeneration, an even better solution was possible. Together, they rebuilt Nuada’s arm of flesh.  Dian Cecht was furious when he found out.  He flew into a jealous rage and attacked his son. After a few attempts (as Miach was a skilled healer and could keep up with the wounds), Dian Cecht finally landed a blow to his son's head therefore preventing him to heal himself.

Deeply grieving, Airmid went to her brother’s grave and laid a cairn of stones around the burial plot. She went there everyday to grieve. Then, after a year, she noticed three hundred and sixty-five herbs grew on that spot - each one a cure for a specific part of the body.  She spread her cloak and began to gather up the herbs according to their properties. Dian Cecht learned of this, and again in a fit of rage, he overturned the cloak scattering the herbs to the wind and forever losing the gift that Miach had shared with humankind. Only Airmid has knowledge of the specific herbs in Her brother’s offering, and so in times of need, we may invoke Her spirit for guidance.

Another tale is about Sláine, the Well of Healing.  Airmid and her brothers helped build the Well of Sláine, also called the Well of Health. The Well became known as the Heapstown Cairn. The Well of Sláine was created to restore life to warriors killed during battle. The wounded warrior would be dipped into the well and life would return, making him fit for battle. During the second Battle of Moytura, the opposing side filled the well with stones in order to stop Tuatha De Dannann from healing their warriors. Legend has it that the site is still guarded by Dian Cecht and his sons.

Symbols: Wells and Springs Three Entwined Snakes The Mortar and Pestle

Things That Are Sacred to Her:

Colours: Green blue purple and brown Time of Day: Morning Day & Moon Phases: Monday during the Waxing Moon to promote healing, Waning Moon to diminish disease. Stones: Amber, Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Zircon, Jasper, Opal Metal: Silver

Animal: Snake Senses: Touch and Sight Incense: Lemon, Verbena

Elements: Earth and Water

Seasons: Summer and Fall

Holiday: Beltane

Herbs:

Image courtesy of http://botanicalposters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2

Lessons to Learn from Airmid: With healing one must be patient. Time heals all wounds.

How Prayer Was Used by Her People: The  healing charm that Airmid and other healers recited remains in Celtic folk use even today. This is said to be the one She and Her brother chanted over Nuada's arm as they were healing him: Bone to bone Vein to vein Balm to Balm Sap to Sap Skin to skin Tissue to tissue Blood to blood Flesh to flesh Sinew to sinew Marrow to marrow Pith to pith Fat to fat Membrane to membrane fibre to fibre Moisture to moisture

Original art by Ocean Phoenix  *The Herbal Spiral*

How She Is Worshipped in Today's World: We celebrate Goddess Airmid by appreciating Nature and the gift of plant medicine. Call on Her for general magick, learning herbalism, for inspiration in crafts or understanding family loyalty, and of course, healing.

Irish Healing Waters Spell:

Take equal parts of lavender, violet, and rosemary.

Empower them and then boil them in a pot with about a quart of water over medium heat.

When the water is richly coloured and the herbs are scenting your kitchen, drain the water off into a jar. A plain coffee filter works great for this.

Place the jar in sunlight for an entire day to absorb the radiant energies of the sun. *You can do this on a Wednesday to add the healing powers of Mercury to the spell.*

Occasionally look at the jar and add your own energies to it.

Just before sundown fetch the jar and hold it firmly between your hands just below your naval. Feel your desire to be well filling the jar and with your minds eye see it glowing brightly as the sun.

Chant these words until you have filled the jar with as much energy as it will hold.

By the herb and by the sun. Wellness and I are now as one, Strengthening energies now are merged, Baneful energies now be purged.

Image courtesy of http://herbsandnutritionalhealth.blogspot.com/

~The Codex of Airmid~ Goddess of Healing Herbs Decrees The Right of Gaia's Children to Gather, Grow, and Use Nature's Gift of Medicinal Plants. — The Tuatha de Danann

http://www.cherylrose.com/icons/airmid/

Ritual to Bring Airmid's Healing to You: THE RATTLE OF HEALTH ~Adapted by the ritual to Airmid by Michelle Skye~ Items needed: Your favourite meditation music two candles (I suggest green) a rattle a white sheet ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * make your Altar on a low table like a coffee or end table. * Once you are set up, turn on your music making sure it loops or the whole CD is one song. Listen to the music for a little while relaxing your body and letting stress slip away from you. * if you wish to cast a circle do so now and you may even want to call in Airmid herself into it. * Take a few deep breaths and light your first candle.  this candle represents your ailment you no longer want. (i.e.: depression, cold, headache, etc.) Think about it, How long have you had it? the pain it has caused.  explore this. when you feel like you have explored it in depth, light the next candle. This is the healing candle This candle symbolises  the healing you wish to be done.  What would your life be like with out this ailment?  who will it change you? Picture your  self with out it. * With this in mind, pick up your rattle.  begin to shake it.  Shake it over the area you wish healed. head heart arm, where ever the ailment is.  Think of the positive  benefits it would have for your life and your family.  Picture this and let the energy build.  use Airmid's healing chant with the beat of the rattle: Bone to bone Vein to vein Balm to Balm Sap to Sap Skin to skin Tissue to tissue Blood to blood Flesh to flesh Sinew to sinew Marrow to marrow Pith to pith Fat to fat Membrane to membrane Fiber to fiber Moisture to moisture *When you are done, blow out the candle that represents your ailment. * Wrap yourself in the whit sheet and lay down in the light of the healing candle that still burns. * Breath in and out  deeply and visualise the white healing energy all around you and within you.  The white sheet represents the healing energy from the universe and the goddess. *When you feel you are ready, sit up and blow out the healing candle.  Repeat this as needed until healed.

My Prayer to Airmid: ~Adapted from the Invocation to Airmid by Michelle Skye~ Oh Airmid, Gentle and sweet, fierce and dark, You dove into the depths of your sorrow and found your power.  You gained yourself and healing for your sorrow.  Great giver Airmid, Help me honour my gifts so I may appreciate the life around me and the life within.  Grant me your light to help others that need your love and healing. Blessed be

Altar for Airmid:

"A home altar for Airmid should be covered with a cloth, symbolising the cloak on which she laid out the healing herbs. It can be scattered with dried or fresh plants of all types. Flowers in vases, bunches of herbs, potted plants, wreaths of branches or piles of berries could all be placed on its surface. A bowl or cauldron of spring or rain water can symbolise her well of healing and regeneration. Incenses for her should be floral or earthy scents redolent of growth and verdant green, pine or fir resins, or the elegant sweetness of amber. If you use candles, they should be of beeswax to symbolise the fertilising work of the bees and the curative powers of honey. If you feel a need for a blade on the altar, consider using a sickle for its close association with agricultural work, rather than an athame. Bronze, silver, stone or wood are preferable to iron, for the folklore tells us that the de Danann dislike iron. Your indoor temple can be decorated with bunches of drying herbs hanging from the ceiling, herbal wreaths on the walls, baskets of dried flowers, with indoor herb gardens in pots and under sunlamps, with bottles filled with your dried herbs, and mortars and pestles for their preparation."

http://cleticpagan.tribe.net/thread/0133ee6f-c433-4d6c-af2e-e9bb146f5abd

My Altar dedicated to Airmid:

#Original art and Altar devoted to Airmid Irish Goddess of healing by OceanPhoenix #~Book Sources~ Auset Priestess Brandi. The Goddess Guide: Exploring the Attributes and Correspondences of the divine Feminine. Woodbury Min #http://www.orderwhitemoon.org/goddess/Airmid/airmid.html

[paralleljulieverse]

Julie Andrews sings "Love, I Hear" on The Garry Moore Show, 1 May 1962

This lovely solo performance from Julie's fourth and final guest appearance on The Garry Moore Show in May 1962 has previously circulated on YouTube and other video-sharing platforms, but not, as far as is known, with the framing prefatory and concluding material. The latter is especially engaging as it contains a reference to Julie and Carol's landmark Carnegie Hall TV special which was in post-production at the time...and, well, you can never have too much Julie, so here it is in its entire original form. 

The other historically significant aspect about the segment is that it was the first ever public broadcast performance of this charming Stephen Sondheim song from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. The popular 1962 Broadway musical –– Sondheim's first sortie as both lyricist and composer –– was set to premiere the following week on May 8, so Julie's performance on national primetime TV would have been a very welcome –– and, no doubt, strategically planned –– PR coup for the as-yet unknown new show. Sung in the stage version by the lead male juvenile, Hero, this charming rendition of "Love, I Hear" is also one of the few times the lyrical ballad has been performed by a female singer. 

Julie had strong personal connections to Forum, so the choice of song was far from arbitrary. Her then-husband, Tony Walton, was the scenic and costume designer for the Broadway production, and he would perform similar honours on the show's London transfer in 1963, as well as the 1966 film version (Pecktal: 212). In fact, one of the last few public outings Julie and Tony Walton enjoyed as husband and wife before the sad break-up of their marriage was a special preview screening of Forum in October 1966 ("Funny Thing": 5). Consequently, Julie often singles out Forum as a personal favourite, saying the show "has a special place in my heart" (Cerasaro: para.31). 

References

Cerasaro, Pat. "InDepth InterView: Julie Andrews Talks Despicable Me, Obama, GLEE, Hollywood & More!" Broadway World. 21 July 2010. <www.broadwayworld.com/article/InDepth-InterView-Julie-Andrews-Talks-Despicable-Me-Obama-GLEE-Hollywood-More-20100721#.UzRaN14e6hM>.

"Funny Thing Happened to Julie at 'Forum'." Daily News. 12 October 1966: 5. 

Pecktal, Lynn. Costume Design: Techniques of Modern Masters. New York: Back Stage Books, 1999.

Disclaimer: This is a fan preservation project; it was created for criticism and research, and is completely nonprofit; it falls under the fair use provision of the United States Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. section 107.

#julie andrews #the garry moore show #love i hear #stephen sondheim #a funny thing happened on the way to the forum #Broadway #classic television #musical theatre #1962

[loverholicrobotronic]

27 sf9 61 brown eyed gworls

Thank you for including the names so thoughtfoulle 😔❤

27: i of course knew of sf9 for some time now (crazy but i knew of them before i knew of shinee) bc i used to be an fnc connoisseur... i watched a few of their mvs just now i have to say! You can see the work and the songs are good. Theyre almost noisy but there is musicality to them the line has not been crossed (yet) it feels like if i give each 2 or 3 more listens itll grow on me. From the few mvs i watched i cant spot a distinguished distinguished singer which is unusual of fnc! But a few members seem to be good singers which i think is better than what the label habitually goes for (1 very good singer but it all falls on them). I loved some of the outfits in Enough and o Sole Mio has some really nice dystopian aircraft views it reminded me of that animated girl who pilots flying cars she has stars on her face... Anyways long story short i see potential and i will keep checking them out every once in a while

61: oh my god The Brown Eyed Girls is my baby. Has your kpop group been going strong with all of its members whole since 2003? No. The beg changed history with every release Korea was never the same after Abracadabra i was never the same after the Sixth Sense. Frankly? Theyre like the psp they were way too ahead of their time like if they debuted around this time and carried on having the exact same parcours so far people would lose it. They never really followed trends only set them their music does! Not! Age. Every member is distinguished! Basic with Base were the 2 best albums of 2015 every, single, song, on Basic was a favourite song and it was so cohesive alltogether so new. They enjoy basing songs on other works and do it very well like with Brand new world and its michael jackson sound + the retro futuristic dystopian elements that i saw a youtube comment pick up on and explain the references to the novel of the same name ... and Kill Bill which has got to be one of the most coherent pieces to come out of kpop ever everything about it the lyrics the song (composed by jea. Of course jea only) the mv the choreography the outfits the characters all told a story but more groundbreakingly THE SAME STORY while being an incredibly addictive song and entertaining performance its snatching excuses to lack like you do not see that anywhere else. I cant wait for their comeback that they teased a little supposedly for this year but i dont mind it not coming out until 2020 im just so excited to see them exhaust more genres and have it be the best interpretation you will ever see of a given concept. Miryo is one of few rappers who actually add to a song and have their rap verses be relevant to it as a whole lyrically and rythm wise also has 94 songs copyrighted much to even visualize... What i have to say is they are on the more sexual more mature side of kpop and have been for most of their career (love that for them) so if that is not your thing it still is worth it to listen to their songs alone! Nothing makes a kpop group like its discography. Individually theyre extremely solid soloists all different all worth checking out. Every time Dear. Rude by jea comes on my I am Longing This Summer sp*tify playlist i lose it that was maybe my best song and mv of 2019 along with want so far. I have yet to hear the majority of their side tracks and earlier songs and i rest assured that they will be good and that i will love them. Immortal artists!

#thank you for sending the ask i always want to talk 💘💕💓💘💓💞💕💘💞💓💞💕💞💕💞💕💓💕💞💕💞💕💞💓 #artists #long post #lettres

[applegelstore]

My sis and I are through with the actual main plot of KH3, so I can officially go back to scheduled ToZ fangirling now. …Well, I promised Cray a bit of fix-it-fanart, so after that, I guess.

Hit the cut for a resume. It got super long and has endgame story spoilers, so you might not want to stumble upon it by accident.

Another extra big shoutout (again!) to @crazayrock for bearing my liveblogging on Discord, screaming without context and occasional spoilers. And linking me fluffy Soriku doujinshi. Here, have my favourite, spoiler-heavy excerpt of our conversation:

Okay anyway, let’s get started: GAMEPLAY

Kingdom Hearts 3 is BEAUTIFUL. The gameplay is so smooth and intuitive that you can immediately get to playing like you’d never done anything else; in fact so smooth that I doubt I will ever be able to pick up the first game ever again. It’s always been fun, but the looooooong years’ gap actually did wonders to the gameplay.

The keyblade form changes are fun and keep things fresh, you can do flashy triangle button shit every other minute, and shotlock is still insanely useful without being a game-breaker.

It seems easier than the first two main games, though?

The gummi ship is still a pain in the ass to steer, but I do enjoy the open world-like travel options (even if there’s not… much to discover except heartless lasering the shit out of you). I’m also eternally grateful that they kept the gummi ship thing from KH2 where you can just use a new gummi ship once you got the blueprint and don’t buy actual fucking legos as in the first game.

Thank you, Square. Not thanking you for the dumb cherry flan game, though.

The Caribbean being basically an open world stage was delightful! Apparently what our resident island kid needs is a big ship and tropical islands to plunder.

VISUALS AND STUFF

PRETTY LIGHTS EVERYWHERE

The long gap between the games also did wonders to the visuals.

There’s finally, FINALLY a few towns with actual NPCs you can talk to. Why it took the team so many years and the Gods know how many games is beyond me. The magic effects are beautiful, the animations smooth (honestly you can hardly tell apart cutscenes and fully rendered CGI scenes in this day and age of the PS4. I’m probably the only person still amazed by this because the only games I played on PS4 before were a few hours of Child of Light and of course Tales of Zestiria and Berseria. No, I still haven’t played FFXV but that’s a topic for another day). How far videogames have come.Even space finally looks like space, lol. Not really high-end what the PS4 can do I assume but god, it’s such an amazing and much needed upgrade from the terrible textureless colourful tubes you flew through before.

No excuse for the terrible battleship thingy before the Keyblade Graveyard, though. I got lost and beaten up so many times and crashed against more walls than I can count.

Nothing beats the World that Never Was, but the Keyblade Graveyard also has creepy cool potential, as does the beautiful but ghosted City in the Sky.

Still not getting what’s with JRPGs and very Definitely Final Dungeons (TM) that are basically space. …………or heaven. Or nothing. I’m getting the bad kind of original NGE TV series ending vibes. But. Okay.

The soundtrack is splendid

.……I miss Traverse Town and Radiant Garden, however.

Which brings us to:

THE WORLDS

I guess I can live with no more Final Fantasy characters being there (although I always loved that), and the meta jokes in Toy Story world really got me. Seeing Disney characters calling the KH villains call out on their shit was delightful. …the KH characters lampshading their own games’ sloppy dialogue writing was delightful.Still, those Disney worlds are always so much more in my head than what I actually get to play. This has been bugging me ever since the first game and it still does. I do not expect or want to replay the entire movies, but would it hurt to give the cutscenes some goddamn background music? Whenever there’s cutscenes, either the world’s usual BGM keeps playing or the music stops altogether. Together with the shortened dialogues and generally drastically shortened plots with odd cuts, that leads to scenes that are awkward at best. They never even remotely have the impact the movies had. You just sit there and think “oh wow that is so silly and awkward”.

Dancing scene in Corona? My favorite scene in Tangled. Zero impact on me without the lovely BGM (at least they made it a minigame so the moment isn’t over after 3 secs). Just for example. You can ask me like, world by world, but I can think of only exception off the top of my head and it’s not helping:

Let it Go of course. Listen guys, I actually love the song. But it’s so overused (and Frozen is an overrated movie at best that doesn’t deserve its hype in the slightest) that I can’t even really enjoy it being there. Like.


IF THAT’S OKAY WITH YOU,WHY DIDN’T YOU INCLUDE LITERALLY ANY OTHER ORIGINAL SONG FROM THE ORIGINAL MOVIES. Instead of BGM just not being there entirely, or in odd, cringey re-renderings that nobody wants to listen to (*cough* Atlantica *cough*).

Why torture me and not give me the one good scene from At World’s End (the up is down scene) when you had the chance?Kingdom Hearts is also prone to super lazy level design and wasting chances at wonderful scenery for no apparent reason other than I suppose empty cliffsides are quick to render. All games before did that, and KH3 is, sadly, no exception. We get to see a bit of Corona and Athens and they finally have NPCs, too, but you cannot even get near Arendelle. You cannot enter Elsa’s palace. You spend the entire time there climbing around in the snowy mountains of Norway, and unfortunately it looks less interesting than one would expect from the lovely concept art that the film unfortunately never used.You cannot enter Rapunzel’s tower although Sora can apparently parkour his way up even without her help.

………In short, the places you can go are, again, very limited, and a lot of interesting places and scenes you never get to see.

And to follow the plot you still only need the stuff that does NOT happen in those Disney worlds because they’re all beach filler episodes. It’s always been like that, but I keep wondering whether I’m the only one bothered by that. I’m also still salty they didn’t introduce a single new world from a 2D animated movie.

Also, as I said, I miss Traverse Town, it felt so warm and welcoming and beautiful.

And I get behind The World that Never Was missing although I loved it there, but why not give us back Radiant Garden? Destiny Islands since they’ve been restored? Disney Castle?

As much as I love the series, it never fucking lives up to its own potential. Idk whether it’s made more difficult by copyright issues or whatever, I just know that it bugs me.The first two games also had like twice as many worlds.

PLOT

I mean it’s never been deep; however, it’s complicated. No analysis or whatever from me because plot analysis and meta writing bore me like seven hells, just my emotional reaction: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH 
Okay, bad news. I got into it expecting nothing, and still got disappointed. I don’t actually enjoy the prospect of writing essays about it, but here’s my tea with it; in not particular order:

1) the pacing is terrible. Nothing happens for like 30 hours and then suddenly like 20 characters’ arcs are (naturally poorly) resolved within the last few hours of cutscenes. Build up anyone? At least they actually did pick up Maleficent and the box thing again. …In the epilogue.

2) Speaking of build ups, Sora’s breakdown could have been developed nicely and steadily over the game to feel natural, and instead it’s hinted at in the beginning by everyone picking on him, but then it’s never further developed and comes out of fucking nowhere. Like. For real? It felt terribly OOC.

3) Why on earth have they shown 90% of the plot in the trailers already, and why are those scenes so massively disappointing in context

4) Kairi. Oh god, Kairi. What are we gonna do with you. I want to love her, I really do, but she’s a prime example of shittily written female leads. Mostly because she’s not leading. It’s not her fault. She’s just a fictional character. But honest to God, Nomura, why. Her screen time is almost nonexistent, and she’s entirely use- and helpless whenever she’s on screen (which isn’t often). Her ONLY point in the plot is being rescued because she is fucking useless. Why. Just why. Why waste her character like that. All we know is that she’s shoehorned into being the token love interest, but she has zero plot relevance and there is even less build up of her relationship with Sora. It’s all tell and NEVER show; and not even much telling, either. She has literally zero direct interaction with in the entire game before they share their paopu. The question remains: why are straights like this

5) On a related note: look, I don’t even ask for (or expect, or even hope) my ship to be canon. Squeenix doesn’t exactly have a rich history in queer representation. I’m totally fine with Sora and Riku being best friends. BUT. Building up Sora as the most important person in Riku’s life (and arguably, vice versa) over the course of several games, just to then hardly have them interact in the finale and then SUDDENLY bring back Kairi into the equation, who hasn’t interacted with him since the ending of KH2 (except for one unsent(?) letter) is just piss poor writing, period.I actually love Cray’s suggestion she gave me over Discord: let Sora, Kairi and Riku all share a paopu together (and let them group hug, too, you cowards). It would have been the perfect message to send (Sora as truly all-loving hero, and loving all your friends equally; romantic love isn’t more important than platonic love and doesn’t need to be singled out). Really sad that this isn’t what happens. Apparently that wouldn’t have been no homo enough.

LET THE DESTINY TRIO GROUP HUG YOU COWARDS


Do Riku and Kairi even interact once in the whole game?


HOW IS THIS A TRIO, IT’S JUST A SHITTILY WRITTEN LOVE TRIANGLE

6) Time travelling is a bitch, Christ. It doesn’t solve plotholes or can be played for drama, it just adds MORE plotholes. It just got WORSE. The cloning blues and people not aging doesn’t help, either.

7) Just so you know, I care absolutely zero for wild fan theories. You’re not Nomura. I want a statement from the man who wrote this shit himself why on bloody earth Sora dies when he apparently successfully found and brought back Kairi (and since nobody aged a day, apparently it didn’t even take that long lol). DUDES, THIS IS KINDA PART OF THE PLOT, AND YOU DON’T BOTHER TO EXPLAIN IT INGAME???? And how was Ienzo/Zexion able to revive Naminé while Kairi was still missing/dead/whatever…?

Okay so in short the writing is worse than ever and that’s saying something.

However, let’s try to find something good in this trainwreck; it wasn’t all bad. There’s some really nice scenes which sadly are better enjoyed without any context at all.

So, guess my favourite scenes.You had time enough, here’s the solution:

1) Purifying uhm er rescuing Aqua. Poor girl. She deserves the rest. Poor, poor Aqua. The only properly wirrten female in the whole damn franchise. Also the only person other than Riku who fucking gets shit done.

2) The Gayblade (TM)

3) Happy Axel in the reunion with his kids. Oh god, the poor chap deserves it so much. Thank you, Nomura. I don’t care that it makes pretty much no sense. Make him happy. Give him his friends back. Just give Axel all his friends and let him happily set things on fire. Hi I love Axel

4) The party at the beach cutscene before the credits roll. Axel and Xion get clothes. Half the organization is on our side now. I almost teared up at the Wayfinder trio saying goodbye to Eraqus’ forceghost. Hey come on he’s the voice of Luke Skywalker

5) Sully yeeting Vanitas

6) Woody calling out Xehanort that nobody loves him

7) Jack Sparrow bad breathing Luxord

I wish we had gotten:

1) justice for Kairi

2) a happy Zexion, the poor emo kid. Well maybe now he will be, with all the orga members who changed sides now, lol.

3) I will never trust mobile games ever again so I don’t want to play KHUX but I would have loved to learn about the Keyblade Wars :;))))


WHAT WAS THE KEYBLADE WAR ABOUT CAN WE SPEND MORE TIME IN THAT COOL CITY IN THE SKY WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH MIKLEO
I MEAN THAT EPHEMER KIDDO


WHAT’S WITH THE MASKED DUDES AND DUDETTES FROM THE MOVIE


WTF WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM AFTER THE MOVIE???? WHERE THOSE KEYBLADE USER NAMES ACTUAL MOBILE GAME PLAYER NAMES??? Next game? PLEASE?

I really, REALLY hope the epilogue means we will get Xiggy/Luxu as our new big bad and we learn more about the five dudes and dudettes from the movie. Please. PLEASE. I’m so up for it. Them finally pickung up the bit with Maleficent and the mysterious box again? Hell yeah.

The secret movie was really unexciting in comparison, although I laughed very hard at the “Verum Rex” scene in Toy Story world. Maybe that’s why it was much cheaper to unlock than in KH1 and KH2.

4) give Ven a drink

DLC ideas I would actually pay for because I’m a sad human being: 1) more Disney worlds 2) Japanese audio 3) at least one of the following as permanently playable characters: Riku, Kairi, Axel, Ven, Aqua. At least as a guest member as in KH2. THIS SUCH A BIG STEP BACKWARDS I’M FUMING

FINAL THOUGHTS

Kingdom Hearts 3 is a hella lot of fun, beautiful, and also moving when it sets its mind to it. Unfortunately it doesn’t always do so. I don’t feel like it wasn’t worth the wait; it was. However, I’m very salty how rotten the writing is. I do not mind logical fallacies, I do not mind the cheesiness and cringeyness; however, I do mind how so many interesting characters do not get the screentime they deserve, and Kairi is a very bad joke.

I’ll probably find more to nitpick about (Gods. Just. Don’t come up with dub excuses why Sora is lv 1 in each game. JUST LEAVE IT BE. You don’t explain why Donald and Goofy are lv 1 again, either. JUST. LEAVE. IT. BE. The sacrifice was dumb and not even moving, I’m just still furious that Kairi’s ONLY point in the plot is being so useless that it’s literally getting herself KILLED and she needs constant rescuing to the point that Sora has to sacrifice himself for her, effectively. Kairi deserves better, Sora deserves better, I deserve better than to think about this absurdity.…I’m just… gonna cherry-pick the good bits from the lore and try to pretend the finale didn’t exist, I guess. GODS.

#long post #random rambling tag

[travelcenter-uk]

Cheap Flights to Los Angeles? We’ve got you!

Listen, I love New York, but if Los Angeles was on Tinder, I’d swipe right like my life depended on it. And let’s not act like you wouldn’t – we all would (sorry, New York). That’s why I’ve taken it upon myself to let you know about our flights to Los Angeles.

Everyone has a weakness – ours happen to be Los Angeles; there’s no shame in admitting it. But sometimes, the city of angels carries a hefty price tag, and the flights to Los Angeles from London don’t seem to help you minimise your expenses.

Not to brag, but we give all our passengers the chance to choose from over eighty international airlines. So, let’s do a quick check of all the things we have in store for you.

A variety of international airlines – (✓)

Flights to Los Angeles – (✓)

Cheap flights to Los Angeles – (✓)

So, what more could you want to book your flights to Los Angeles from London with us?

Random citizen shouts from the other side of the screen* ‘HOW ABOUT A REASON?!’

Reality smacks me across the face*

Why, of course! How could I glaze over the fact that you could be here because you have nothing better to do; and the harsh reality that you might not be in love with Los Angeles.

Well, if I’m trying to convince you to book your flights to Los Angeles from London with us, then I might as well give you a few reasons to fall in love with La La Land.

Why You Should Swipe Right on Los Angeles!

Sunny days, sandy beaches, and endless entertainment— it’s hard to deny the allure of Los Angeles. This diverse city with 75 miles of coastline is known for its intrinsic beauty and creativity— here, you can find sophisticated art and dining on par with New York, plus outdoor pursuits NYC could never offer. Travellers flock here for award-winning fine dining, high-end shopping, sightseeing, and the incredible chance of spotting a celebrity among the everyday crowds. This is the self-proclaimed entertainment capital of the world, and it’s no wonder that anything feels possible in this city of bright lights. It’s all happening here. Ugh, New York could never! Never, I tell you!

Also, let’s not forget that the streets of LA are full of eye candy. If you’re from LA, you’re attractive. You can’t change my mind.

Los Angeles – Bio

What? You need to know the kind of place you’re swiping right on!

Suggested Airport – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Average Temperature – 81°F in summer; 68°F in winter

Recommended Mode of Travel – Car

Average Water Temperature – 62°F

So, what more would you need to book your flights to Los Angeles from London with us…?

How about a quick laydown of the best places in LA?

Universal Studios Hollywood

I’d give anything to revisit my childhood, but until they figure out how to build a time machine, this theme park will have to do.

Universal Studios Theme Park is known for its nostalgia-inducing rides based on blockbuster movies, but it is also a working movie studio and a holiday highlight everyone can enjoy (even the annoying teenagers).

The highlight for most people is the ever-changing selection of rides, which range from simulators to roller-coasters. Favourite movie and TV-themed rides and sets include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Simpsons, The Walking Dead, Transformers, Jurassic World – The Ride, and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.

Venice Boardwalk

Strap on those rollerblades or slip into your trunks or bikini and get ready to show the world what yo’ mama gave you. Hey, you’ve got it, so why not flaunt it?

Captured in an array of movies and music videos, the Venice Ocean front walk is where the crazier side of LA hangs out. It’s eccentric, flagged by soaring palm trees, dotted with tattoo parlours and packed with everything that will help you one of the most memorable days of your life.

Getty Center

Boo! Boring. Hah! You really thought I would diss the Getty Center? Well, think again!

The Getty Center delivers soul-lifting panorama, hillside mansions and showcases centuries of uproarious creativity. From show-stopping scenes to world-famous sculptures, this free (except for parking – let’s not get too greedy!) highlight is definitely worth visiting.

Griffith Observatory & Hollywood Sign

I can already feel the judgement. I can feel your noses crinkling in disgust, thinking, “bleh, how basic!” well, let me tell you something, your Los Angeles experience wouldn’t feel complete without a trip to the mediator between LA and the heavens above.

Trust me; Griffith Observatory delivers star gazing in a whole different light, and the Hollywood sign is way too legendary to skip.

La Brea Tar Pits

Every time I hear about this attraction, I’m transported to a scene where 10 years old me watched Sid from Ice Age hanging out with two female sloths in the tar pits. Good god, that film made a mark on me.

Anyways, La Brea Tar Pits is your stop to being hurled back in time to prehistoric LA. It was here that thousands of creatures perished between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago. It’s a sad story, but this place also happens to be the only active, urban ice-age excavation site in the world, meaning it’s worth visiting.

Well, that’s all for now! If you’re still not interested in booking your flights to Los Angeles with us…well, I don’t really know what to tell you. However, you might be interested in some of our other offers. Just call us, send a message or if you hate human interaction – sign up for our newsletter, where we keep you updated about all the hot flight/holiday sales in existence. Stay safe, folks!

Read More:-  Cheap Flights to Los Angeles? We’ve got you!

This Article, Information & Images Source (copyright):- Travel Center UK Blog

#Travel #Travel Blogger #Travel Blog #Travel Vibes #Holiday Makers #Traveller #Travelling #Los Angeles #Travel Center UK #Cheap Flights

[sundaynightbombers-blog]

ON BENEFITS OF FANFICTION; OR, VETERAN OF THE FLAME WARS

            I was flipping through some old writings of mine a while ago, all while re-watching the French animated series Code Lyoko in an attempt to recapture my childhood or something, with the looming deadline of this week’s post over my head. Oh, and an unfinished album review for a metal CD that came out last week. Good times.

            Anyways, I was looking through some of my older stuff when I stumbled upon that cringe-inducing aspect of my childhood that made me not only regret undertaking this bit of literary skullduggery, but also made me remember way too many things all at once. This was, of course, all of my old fanfiction stories from when I used to kill time on deviantART.

            Oh yeah. We’re talking about this.

            Alright, firstly, let’s get the obvious out of the way: fanfiction has an immensely controversial reputation, one it’ll probably always have. Fan labour will always be around, fan art will always be popular, and fans will always remake their favourite films, either by their lonesome or through mass collaboration, and fanfiction will always be written and read. Fan labour and its many facets are, honestly, some of the most impressive, sincere, and genuinely cool enactments of creativity that’s readily available, but where there’s fandom, there is unease. Ever since the internet became a viable meeting ground for fans of, well, anything, it’s also become a battleground-cum-farmer’s market of fan-made goods and loving tributes to anything and everything that has a copyright slapped on it and has existed at some point. For every twenty pieces of fan art, there’ll be forty arguments being carried out across countless forum posts on the very same subject.

            Fanfiction’s place amongst all of this is one of distinction and notoriety. The art of using established characters and settings and telling your own stories with them reaches all the way back to the death of Sherlock Holmes, where fans resurrected the character for their own stories after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle killed the character off. Since then, fans crafting their own adventures for their favourite characters have long become a popular way of not only displaying their affection, but also showing off their own writing and storytelling skills. It should also be noted that the idea of having two male characters enter a non-canonical relationship started not with the anime boom, but with Star Trek fans. In fact, the seminal novel Killing Time had heavy undertones of a Kirk/Spock relationship in its original manuscript, something that’d been well-established and practiced among female fans of the show since the original run. Fanfiction has a seminal place in the development of modern fan culture, and there just isn’t no denying it.

            But as I was reading back through these old fanfics of mine, I realized something. Fanfiction, especially nowadays, has this uncanny ability to see where a person was at the time of writing a fanfic. A lot of general queasiness about fanfiction comes from not only the sometimes subpar writing on display, or the admittedly cringe-inducing sex scenes that sometimes play out in an unsurprising amount of these stories, but also the large amount of times when the story starts to play out like someone’s diary rather than a cohesive narrative. I’m certainly guilty of this myself, and while it can certainly be uncomfortable to read for the uninitiated, other times it shows just how deeply connected someone is to what they’re writing. Sometimes, it takes someone else’s creation to get your deepest thoughts and feelings out, which is something that’s not so easily accepted.

            So why am I talking about fanfiction? Well, I think it’s because I believe that, like fan art or fan games or fan music or whatever, it has value to those who partake in it. It’s hard to sit here and really speak ill of something I’ve been involved with since I was young, but that doesn’t mean I understand why it usually elicits shocked laughter and uncomfortable side-glances from those who’ve seen some of the more questionable sides of the subject. The numerous ironic reading videos of people trying to stifle their laughter as they slog through a poorly-written overly-edgy My Little Pony fanfic can be hilarious, just as the idea of an erotic story involving Tracer from Overwatch getting gangbanged by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles can confuse and horrify anyone who’s not the reader. It’s no secret that fans sometime use these forms of fan labour as conduits for their own oddly-specific fetishes and fantasies. It’s a way for teenagers to get out a lot of their angsty, underdeveloped emotions, all without resorting to real-world actions. It’s a weird, strangely personal world.

            But is it bad? Like, should we believe the horror stories we’ve heard and just shun anyone partakes in fanfiction?

            The reason looking through these old stories compelled me to write this is to highlight the good that comes from writing fanfiction and letting people do their thing when they write it. As someone who considers writing their natural talent, I can honestly confess that if I hadn’t started writing dumb human-girl-meets-alien-boy fanfics way way back in grade 7, I would’ve never planted the seed that made me realize that I actually have a way with the written word. Other people might think otherwise, and that’s fair, absolutely. But fanfiction is not only a way of expressing one’s love for a piece of media, or getting out of your head all those weird unrealistic self-insert fantasies, but I also see it as a genuine way of honing one’s abilities to write and tell stories.

            Hear me out: imagine having an idea where you think of a story, but instead of characters or setting or anything, you think of a scenario or a new way of telling a story, or an experimental way of structuring a multi-chapter story. Fanfiction gives writers a place to experiment without having to create characters or settings. Pick something you know by heart, and throw your ideas at it, see what happens. It can also allow creators to tap into that childlike sense of make-believe, when kids ran around their suburban backyards throwing imaginary Hadoukens at each other. You have your favourite characters, now go on new adventures!

            It’s really hard to summarize my feelings about fanfiction. I see why some don’t like it, I see why others, myself included, love it. As I come to the exhausted end of this, I sit here and try to think of why fanfiction still matters in a day and age where fan artists can make money off of their work, fan remakes warrant documentaries about their productions some decade or two later, and where fan games are more popular than ever. Hell, the Japanese have essentially chiseled their own economy out of fan works, just look up Dōjin on google, the numbers are STAGGERING. But, why do these niche, sometimes awkwardly constructed stories still matter?

            Well, I think it’s the freedom that comes with it. It’s far from popular, and remains only a minor niche format these days, but the freedom of the written word is a beautiful thing. And fanfiction, in manners both fantastic and horrifying, may just be one of the ultimate exercises in creative freedom. At the top of the pile are works like Fallout Equestria and Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality¸ while at the bottom you have the eternally-infamous My Immortal. And everything between, and below. It’s a strange world, definitely not for all. But I can’t stay mad at it. In a way, I owe my creative life to it.

            Still, Tracer getting spitroasted by Donatello and Leonardo does bother me. And I don’t even like Overwatch.

 ~M.C.

#notes of a dungeon dweller #fanfiction #opinion #awkward #benefits

[deadcactuswalking]

REVIEWING THE CHARTS: 06/02/2021 (Fredo’s Money Can’t Buy Happiness)

This is an odd, scattered week - a slow one thankfully for the day after my birthday - but we do have a bigger album bomb than I expected from Fredo, even if “drivers license” is still at #1 for a fourth week, blocking EDM remixes of sea shanties because of course, it’s the UK after all. Let’s just get back into REVIEWING THE CHARTS.

Rundown

Now, I predicted last week that Fredo would have two songs debut high up on the chart from his most recent album, Money Can’t Buy Happiness, and the pre-release single “Back to Basics” would rise to the top 10. That didn’t exactly happen, as “Back to Basics” actually dropped out of the chart off of the debut for being one of the lowest-performing Fredo tracks, or at least less successful than the three songs that debuted, as that’s all the UK Singles Chart allows. Speaking of drop-outs from the UK Top 75, they’re all mostly inconsequential, made up of recent debuts like “Wellerman” by the Longest Johns and “Bad Boy” by the late Juice WRLD and Young Thug. In terms of notable drop-offs, we do have some arguably premature falls for minor hits, like “champagne problems” by Taylor Swift, “Body” by Megan Thee Stallion, “Lonely” by Justin Bieber and benny blanco, and, finally, “Diamonds” by Sam Smith. This is a slow week outside of the top 40, so we just have some spare oddities to cover outside of the drop-outs. For our fallers, we have “34+35” by Ariana Grande fading its remix boost at #14, “Therefore I Am” by Billie Eilish at #30, “SO DONE” by The Kid Yaoi at #52, “All I Want” by Olivia Rodrigo at #54, “Lo Vas A Olvidar” by Billie Eilish and ROSALÍA at #64 off of the debut and a couple real crashes at the tail-end of the top 75, those being “Holy” by Justin Bieber featuring Chance the Rapper at #71, “WAP” by Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion at #72, “Notorious” by Bugzy Malone featuring Chip at #73 and “Dynamite” by BTS at #75. This may explain the otherwise inexplicable returns for songs that are always clinging onto the back half of the chart, like “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac at #74, “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran at #70 and, incredibly, “Mr Brightside” by the Killers at #68, the highest it’s been in a while (and that’s a feat considering how long it stays on the damn chart). For gains, we’re really not picking up much traction here. Sure, “Baby Shark” by Pinkfong is back at #73 for some reason, but otherwise we just have middling songs with middling gains, like “Martin & Gina” by Polo G at #61, “Take You Dancing” by Jason Derulo at #59, “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles rebounding to #44, “Your Love (9PM)” by ATB, Topic and A7S making a surprising and scary gain to #42 (and I’ll admit, I’ve warmed up to it quickly), “i miss u” by Jax Jones and Au/Ra clawing back in the top 40 at #39, “Friday” by Riton, Nightcrawlers and Musafa & Hypeman dopamine re-editing itself up to #24 (Please don’t make this a hit) and finally, “Streets” by Doja Cat continuing its rise up to #12. Oh, yeah, and “Skin” by Sabrina Carpenter is down to #41 off of the debut but everyone’s forgotten about that song considering how big “drivers license” still is, so yeah, let’s just get to our new arrivals, because we do have some interesting things to touch on this week.

NEW ARRIVALS

#66 – “Higher” – Clean Bandit featuring iann dior

Produced by Mark Ralph, Grace Chatto and Jack Patterson

Well, they made a song with 24kGoldn, and that was awful, so... I guess it’s Puerto Rican emo-rapper iann dior’s turn. They might as well remix “Mood” while they’re at it. Instead of Mabel filling in for the singing where 24kGoldn couldn’t on “Tick Tock”, however, we have honestly a less charismatic singer in iann dior playing all the parts, without a rap verse to speak of. Okay, so this could work if he just fills in the spot of generic anonymous singer, and it fits exactly within that mold if he wants to, even though that’ll take away any of the character he had – not that any of that character was likeable or interesting, but hey, baby, he is not your dad, so maybe he’ll blend in well with Clean Bandit’s decreasingly unique production. This is a tropical EDM track where iann dior’s non-existent range and raspy, uncaring tone zaps the energy out of the touches of steel drums and orchestral stabs. This drop is nothing more than a vocaloid loop, and a pathetic one at that, with iann dior’s really gross falsetto proving that Auto-Tune can’t really fix bad singing, not that it needed to be proven. The lyrics here are nothing to write home about, wrapping a love song with ocean metaphors probably just so he can say “I’mma get her wet, oh, baby, then slide”... Gross. There’s like zero build-up to this drop at all as well, so there’s no stakes, no climax, and hence not a good EDM track. Come on, Dan Smith of Bastille wrote this, can’t he get the lead vocal? At least it would sound competent.

#63 – “Grown Flex” – Chip featuring Bugzy Malone

Produced by the Fanatix

Ah, my favourite duo. Apparently this is from a Chip album that I didn’t even know existed, thankfully because it’s 21 tracks, over an hour, with two consecutive Young Adz features. “Grown Flex” is another collaboration with Bugzy Malone, probably here because of the video and the sample of iconic UK bass tune “Heartbroken” by T2, one of the most popular songs in that wave of EDM and a pretty damn great song. It has been sampled before by people like DJ Khaled and Drake but no-one’s made a better song, so maybe these formerly feuding Londoners can make a good song with this sample as the base? That isn’t a question actually, but if it was, the answer would be no. They pitch up the (honestly ahead of its time) vocaloid loop, and put an obnoxious UK garage-adjacent drum loop over it that’s barely on beat with all of the chiptune sound effects distracting from Chip’s also off-beat flow. The chorus is really awkward, with him being off-beat and uncredited female vocal backing vocals with entirely different vocal processing coming in and sounding equally janky. This beat isn’t broken inherently, it could work but it’s too shrouded in these two rappers void of personality. Bugzy Malone is here but his rough tone does not work on this beat, regardless of how much he wants to pretend there’s any melody to his drawl with the Auto-Tune and multi-tracking. He’s still somehow the best part though because, yeah, this is just... incredibly awful. The production is onto something by the end with the horns coming in but they immediately fade out and eventually it just abruptly cuts to some pointless chiptune beeping sounds that have been there the whole time but play alone right at the end for no reason. This is aggravating, I know I’m pretty much nit-picking but there’s nothing of substance to pick apart here anyway. This is pure incompetence and a butchering of a good sample... that they should be allowed to use freely, though, by the way. Abolish copyright law.

#62 – “Ride for Me” – B Young

Produced by Mike Spencer and Pacific

Since everyone seems to have forgotten how to actually make music this week, at least we can always count on B Young... okay, no, but at least he’s given up on trying to be a rapper or R&B singer at this point, as a lane of generic guitar-pop probably would work best for the guy’s voice. I mean, we have an acoustic loop here that sounds like it’s jacked straight from a Shawn Mendes demo. At least the incompetence here is charming, with his rougher vocals being a pretty nice contrast from the otherwise kind of ugly mixing, especially on the flat percussion. I do like the lyrics here, as he’s simply love-struck and enjoys the company of this woman, for more than just sex and appearances. He just hopes that things don’t change and the relationship lasts forever. Sure, it’s shallow but it seems genuine. Sure, there’s some drug references and him being pushy to ask her for no make-up, though it does come off as just enjoying her presence instead of any stuck-up preference, especially since he offers his tracksuit and they end up watching some crap Netflix original film. Yeah, this is just a sweet track if nothing else. Since I did do a full song review for his song “Jumanji” years back, I feel a weird sense of almost parenthood for this guy, like I’ve seen him grow and finally he’s made a good song, even if it’s a bit out of his wheel-house. He’s never not been genuine, just only now that’s given him some more likeability, even if it’s just to make a cute love song. He sounds like a good boyfriend, and that’s really the appeal of the song, so, yeah, good job. I’m honestly kind of surprised.

#60 – “Gravity” – Brent Faiyaz and DJ Dahi featuring Tyler, the Creator

Produced by DJ Dahi

This is the most frustrating song I’ve heard this year so far, I’m almost fascinated by it. Before we get into that, I’d like to say that it’s good to see Brent Faiyaz finally debuting a song relatively high, and this is DJ Dahi’s first ever credited UK Singles Chart entry, although he’s produced top 40 hits before for Kendrick Lamar. Faiyaz has been a bubbling artist in R&B for the past few years, and honestly he might have had the most successful career off of the three artists that propelled themselves off of the back of “Crew” with GoldLink and Shy Glizzy. It was a minor hit that ended up producing no rising stars until around five years later, where we have a genuine hit potentially coming from the guy who sung the chorus, of course with some help from Tyler, the Creator. I do think this song is good but owes a lot to that to the production and charisma of our artists, as I can pick this apart way too easily for my taste. This beat is good, with some incredible guitar work from Steve Lacy as he would always deliver, but feels very aimless, especially with the pointless air horns in the background that if anything distract from Brent Faiyaz, who needs room to breathe. I mean, he’s an R&B singer, of course he does. The beat takes certain left turns during the verses that seem like meanders and if it’s not deflating any of its groove for the sake of guitar loops, it’s got this really tense percussion that does not work for the content or performances here, which are both pretty checked-out, especially Tyler, who’s as stiff as always but without any really interesting lyrical moments or a shift of flow. It’s one of his worst verses in my opinion, and he really goes in one ear and out the other with how short it is, which surprises me because of how Tyler usually either steals the show or meshes really well with his collaborators. So, our two performers are mostly checked-out with little to no chemistry, and the beat is awkward and unfitting for the content, which is about them being brought back down to Earth by their loved ones, hence the name, despite their travel habits due to touring – which isn’t a thing that’s happening right now at all, so maybe this’ll be a slow burn hit before it can really resonate. If we listen to these lyrics more closely, we also don’t get the sense that Brent Faiyaz is even likeable here, as we have no reason given for this woman to not feel uncomfortable that he’s paying little attention to her. Instead, Faiyaz just comes off a dismissive ass to this undeserving woman who is reasonably upset at the lack of time spent with him. It’s never made clear that she’s pestering him, so I honestly don’t get how Faiyaz wants to frame this. It doesn’t help that Tyler has the opposite reaction, longing for his partner when he’s on tour instead of feeling annoyed by her, but ultimately with no interplay so this means nothing. Oh, and if the songwriting weren’t janky enough, the chorus is barely catchy and covered in pitch-shifted multi-tracking that takes any of the focus off of Brent Faiyaz, who’s constantly crushed by backing vocals, being pitched down for no reason with unnecessary censor bleeps when they both swear freely at other points in the song. This type of maximalist production works but only when there’s any grandiosity to make it feel warranted, and if there isn’t that, the gunshot percussion is out of place and there ends up being a lot of empty space. There’s nothing smooth about this, and that’s frustrating as you’d expect these three to bring a really relaxed tune with some great 70s soul vibes and... I mean, that’s obviously what they’re going for here, but it is painfully over-produced and ultimately immensely disappointing. I can see people enjoying this a lot but no, this doesn’t work for me at all. Sorry.

#45 – “Dancing on Ice” – Yxng Bane featuring Nafe Smallz and M Huncho

Produced by Don Alfonso and Quincy Tellem

Oh, Jesus Christ, these guys again... and Yxng Bane, I guess. So, you know what the deal is with this UK ‘trap-wave’ type stuff, right? There’s a vaguely interesting synth loop drowned out by cheap percussion and crap bass mastering, as well as awfully processed vocals from everyone involved. They can trade verses, but more often than not don’t say anything that doesn’t embarrass themselves. You get a sense of really toxic masculinity, misogyny and materialism without any charm in their delivery, inflections or wordplay – which is usually non-existent. Here, it’s not any different. Yxng Bane has some good melodic flows – and I really like his line about his Rolex Presidential Watch being discontinued but since he’s “going Donald”, he wears it anyway – but he also threatens... presumably the listener with gay conversion therapy in the first line of the verse, so all good will’s lost. Nafe Smallz sounds better than usual but his nasal flow is still whiny and insufferable, and M Huncho is here to waste time and sound bad doing it, although he’s probably the least worst sounding vocally out of these three clowns. I misread his line about his rucksack being heavy as “nutsack”, and that’s all the positive engagement I could claw out of this. I ask this every time but honestly, who listens to this?

#21 – “Ready” – Fredo featuring Summer Walker

Produced by Mojam

Much like the end of a Morrisons sweet aisle, past this point, it’s all Fredo. Admittedly, I didn’t end up listening to the record but I have heard a select few songs, this being one of them, and I’m not really a fan. I do like the eerie loop but it seems a bit unfitting for a triumphant flex song emphasising a rags-from-riches narrative, especially since the mix really crushes both Fredo and Summer Walker in this blend of boring skittering trap percussion and the ambiance, making her hook impact a lot less. Fredo’s verses are pretty damn heartfelt, I’ll admit, and I really like his lines about pleading with God that he should be let into Heaven. In fact, Fredo’s bars are pretty consistently great, focusing on how his criminal past in the streets of London refuses to escape him despite his efforts to make it out using rap, and by the end, he sounds pretty defeated when he says, “Yeah, I’m lonely, but that’s just a player’s life”. Honestly, for a song that initially builds itself up to be a triumphant flex song, it ends up just being kind of sad, and that’s fine, more fitting for the instrumental but it really makes the hook feel even more out of place. Ah, well, the song’s fine, really, just a blend of ideas that never really stick the landing together.

#18 – “Burner on Deck” – Fredo featuring Pop Smoke and Young Adz

Produced by RicoRunDat and Yoz Beats

Now this is what I want from Fredo. Now, this is posthumous in Pop Smoke’s case but it’s far from an unexpected feature, as whilst this is one of his first UK drill collaborations, Pop Smoke was known for his pioneering of the New York style of London’s grittier, more menacing drill music, and even named Fredo and Young Adz as some of his favourite rappers. Okay, so he had questionable taste – I mean, Young Adz? - but Pop Smoke felt more of a connection between New York and London beyond just instrumentals, with a shared slang, street culture and arguably most importantly, inequality. This is all cited from a Complex interview, by the way, but you can tell even from his music what a great respect he had for British hip-hop, especially considering his main producer, 808 Melo, is from London. The song itself is pretty great too, relying on these spacey synth loops that build up with more eerie keys before finally crashing into an intense drill beat, with all artists sharing the Auto-Tuned hook, but Young Adz probably shining the most in how he plays off of Pop Smoke’s deeper, rich voice with his nasal whine. The lyrics may be generic gunplay and flexing, but the delivery saves it for me, with Fredo enthusiastically shouting out Gorillaz of all people, and the chorus being way smoother than it would usually be for a drill track, as well as being really catchy. Pop Smoke absolutely kills it here, going with his typical stiff, fast-paced flow for a verse that is really short but just as powerful as he usually delivers. You can tell this was made for this track as well from the interplay on the hook and him shouting out Young Adz in his verse. Fredo pretty much completes the second verse by chiming in and showing more of the charm I enjoy from him as he mentions coughing the bar before he coughs for basically an entire bar. It caught me off-guard at full listen and it still leads in perfectly to the oddly-mixed sombre piano that comes in for the final hook. With a better mix – and even then, it kind of works without it – and maybe some extended verses from both London and New York drill artists, this could bang even harder. Maybe for a remix, this beat could bring the best out of Swarmz, DigDat, AJ Tracey, Hardy Caprio, Tion Wayne, Fivio Foreign even... I could go on, this could be a great posse cut. As it is, it’s still pretty damn good, and again, rest in peace to the late Pop Smoke.

#3 – “Money Talks” – Fredo featuring Dave

Produced by Dave

At first, I was surprised this debuted at #3, which seems high for a British rap track, but then I remembered that the last time these guys collaborated on a single it debuted at #1 without an album attached, and it helped that “Funky Friday” is also a great song, admittedly something I didn’t think at the time. It does make perfect sense that this debuts so high, especially since this album was actually executively-produced by Dave, so given these guys’ track records together and alone, I did expect something great, and, well... okay, so instead of a drill beat as this pretty vocal sample would be fit for, as would the flows, we get a lightweight trap beat with odd vocal and bass mixing. Admittedly, the 808 slides here are pretty excellent, but that’s the only shred of intricacy I see here, which is usually commonplace in Dave’s production. There’s also simply not enough consistency or variety here to make it worth the four and a half minutes, with the chorus being awkward if anything. There’s less depth to the rags-to-riches stories here, with Fredo probably giving more commentary than Dave does, which seems odd but fitting for how checked-out Dave is here. There’s just a resounding lack of anything to this song other than a boring beat and performances that could be a lot sharper and interesting. Sure, Dave flexes his technical piano skill by the end but the beat had already run dry by about two extra minutes before that – this could have run through your second verse, Dave, or you could have added a bridge instead of repeating the chorus. I do like some of the lines here that are obviously more personal and introspective, like Fredo’s conflict with the justice system and Dave explaining how he got robbed when he was a child and to cope with the trauma of this, he started toting weapons. I guess the EastEnders reference is funny but it just reminds me of DigDat making a similar cocaine joke with arguably funnier source material on “Guten Tag”. Yeah, this could be a lot better but it’s not offensive and hey, it’s competent at least. I mean, it’s Dave, it won’t be anything less, just a tad disappointing. I mean, come on, “coochie freshly shaven, man’s got expectations”?

Conclusion

This week is so disproportionately male, huh? Ironically as I say that, none of the women represented here – in the form of soulless EDM production and boring guest feature – get Best of the Week, as that’s going to Fredo’s “Burner on Deck” featuring the late Pop Smoke and, yes, Young Adz, with an Honourable Mention to B Young of all people for “Ride for Me”. Worst of the Week will obviously go to Chip and Bugzy Malone for the pathetic “Grown Flex”, with a tied Dishonourable Mention this week going to both “Dancing on Ice” by Yxng Bane featuring Nafe Smallz (for being gross and offensive) and “Higher” by Clean Bandit featuring iann dior (for being remarkably inoffensive). Yeah, Brent Faiyaz and Tyler are safe there but that’s still a fascinatingly bad song, though I don’t think I’ll make any friends with that opinion. Anyway, here’s the top 10 for this week:

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed and want more of my cacti-branded rambling, follow me on Twitter @cactusinthebank. I can’t make any predictions for next week that aren’t depressing, but we may have to discuss death and politics next episode if a certain song gets renewed traction. Happy times. See you next week!

[leiyahime]

Fanfic - A parental Song

This belongs to the universe of my Rock Band AU. After Shuusei left the Shadow Warriors he plays at Hotsuma’s restaurant regularly. His fans have already noticed and so the restaurant is full as always. But then Shuusei notices two people he didn’t expect to meet again in this life.

A parental song

 Shuusei straightened his back and entered the restaurant, his guitar at hand. It was a Wednesday evening which meant he would spend it here and play for about two hours until the place closed down for the night.  As expected the place was crowded, not a single table was empty. By now the rumour that he played at this small restaurant once or twice had spread through the internet by now so it had become necessary to make a reservation for these nights. Hotsuma was happy about it. At least for now he didn't have to worry about his income and Shuusei was happy that he had found a place where he could play for an audience in a cozy atmosphere.

Of course he was soon recognized and his fans started to whisper and squeal.

Shuusei smiled a bit and nodded towards the excited girls. But then he noticed people he knew. People he didn't expect to be here. He raised an eyebrow and walked towards them. A man and his wife in their early 50s were sitting at a small table and had just gotten their drinks. The man didn't seem happy about something.

 "Oh, isn't that Shuusei-kun? Good evening," the man greeted him.

 "Good evening." Shuusei nodded at the two and bowed politely.

 "How are you, dear?" the woman asked. "I've heard you’ve had some problems lately?"

 "I'm fine. Everything's back to normal and relaxed again. And what about you, Renjou-san? Back from Europe?" He purposely didn't mention he knew about all the countries Hotsuma's parents had moved to.

 "Just for the holidays," Hotsuma's father answered. "This place has changed and I wouldn't say it's for the better. I had been looking forward to great Japanese food."

 "There had been economic difficulties and this place had to almost close. So the changes had been necessary to attract new customers and the more modern concept works just fine. The Japanese food is on page four of the menu And it’s really good if you ask me." Shuusei told the man. "I can recommend everything here, the chef is talented." He still didn't dare to say anything about said chef's identity. First he wanted to know if these people had changed their mind about their son.

 "So you're here often?" Mrs. Renjou asked.

 Shuusei raised his guitar case. "I play here at least once a week. So I know the whole menu."And almost everything the chef was able to prepare.

 "And that's how you earn money? Is it enough after a life as an idol?" Mr. Renjou asked sceptically.

 "No, it's not. But this is a great place to play for people and I didn’t want to completely stop that. My main job is song writing and composing for my band. I can live from that quite well. So have you decided what you want to eat? I'll tell the chef."

 "I'll take the ratatouille," Mrs Renjou said and Shuusei nodded. This was still one of his favourite dishes ever.

 "I'll get the Yakisoba." Hotsuma's father seemed to be in a rather bad mood. "This used to be such a fine place and now it's not even decent anymore."

 "I guess the young people like this atmosphere," his wife mused and looked around at the mostly young girls with friends or family.

 Shuusei nodded and vanished to the staff area where he directly went to the kitchen and entered said room.

 "Good evening, I'm finally here,” he greeted the chef and his colleague.

 Said chef finished the task he was doing before he washed his hands and turned around with a fond grin on his lips. He came to Shuusei to embrace him and greet him with a loving kiss.

 “You’re late. Much to do?” he asked and brushed a few strands out of Shuusei’s face.

 “We’re working on new songs for a new album so yes, there’s much to do at the moment.” He answered and gave Hotsuma another short but sweet kiss. Hotsuma’s colleague, like everyone else working here, was used to their relationship and didn’t seem to care about the affectionate couple.

 “Take care of yourself!” Hotsuma pleaded gently and caressed Shuusei’s cheek.

 Said young man smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry too much.”

 “I’ll always worry. I know you tend to neglect yourself.”

 Shuusei sighed. Hotsuma was right about that. But he didn't know what to say, so Hotsuma just smiled at him and kissed him again. "I'm here for you. And you know that, right?"

 “Hotsuma... I know you’re deeply in love, but you have work to do There are many customers out there! And I can't do everything myself," his colleague scolded him. So Hotsuma rolled his eyes but let go of Shuusei to wash his hands again and returned to his work.

 "Then I'll go changing," Shuusei announced and turned around. "One ratatouille and one Yakisoba for my parents-in-law please"

 Hotsuma blinked. "Your what?"

 "You heard me. Or do you need the definition of 'in-law'?" Shuusei asked.

 "What? But..."

 "They are on holiday in Japan and chose to eat here tonight. I don't know more."

 "I'll make this a miserable experience for them... Like... using the almost rotten carrots..." Hotsuma's expression was cold and Shuusei could understand him.

 "Why don't you do your best and serve them the best food they ever had and serve it yourself? Wouldn't that be more of a satisfaction for you? You know prove them that you have found your place in life and are happy with what you have achieved and are really good at what you're doing? Surprise them with not doing what they'd expect you to do." Shuusei had turned around and leaned in the door frame.

Certainly Hotsuma's parents would expect him to ruin their food if they knew he'd be the one who prepared it. But it would be a punch in the stomach for them when they learned their son who they had thrown out now had a wonderful life he enjoyed very much.

Hotsuma thought about it and then nodded. "You're right. As always."

 Shuusei blowed him a kiss and turned around to really get changed and go out to start playing.

 "Hey and what do you wanna eat?" Hotsuma called after him. Shuusei shrugged.

 "Don't know. Make me something nice!" He said and turned around.

 "Shuusei! That's not on the menu!" Hotsuma called after him loud enough that it could be heard in the guest room.

 "Think of something! I guess you already have your next experiment up your sleeve." Shuusei left the room grinning and changed from his everyday street clothes to a fancier outfit: A dark shirt with sequined collar and cuffs and plain black trousers. Then he got his guitar and left for the main room where his fans already started to squeal. Shuusei nodded at them and placed is guitar in its stand next to the piano.

 "Good evening. Sorry I'm a bit later today but I guess all of you want to have the new Shadow Warriors album with excellent songs on the scheduled release day, right?" Of course the fans signalled their approval.

"I thought so. But that means I'll have to work on it much right now so bear with me being here late thank you!"

 "Shuusei!"

 "Take your time!"

"No need to force yourself!"

 Shuusei smiled. He was glad that the fans coming here to listen to him were nice people and understood that they were also humans.

 "Thank you." He sat down at the piano and started to play. It was a melody he had thought of a few weeks back but it hadn't been used for a song. He had to promise Takashiro that he didn't play Shadow Warriors songs because of copyright reasons so Shuusei usually played songs he thought of himself, ideas that didn't make it into songs to be released, Old songs from their high school times or other evergreens. There was enough music out there to be played.

 But only after two songs he took a break, grabbed his piano chair and carried it to his in-laws’ table not without announcing that he was starving and food should be almost ready by now.

 “You don’t mind me sitting with you, do you?” he asked but Hotsuma’s mother already made some space for him.

 “To be honest, Shuusei-kun, I’m a bit surprised you didn’t ask about Hotsuma right away.” The woman looked at him but seemed like she didn’t feel comfortable with the topic of her son.

 Shuusei shrugged. “Well that’s what I wanted to ask now. How is he?” he asked with a thin smile.

 “To be honest... I don’t know. “

“Haven’t seen the boy for years.” Mr Renjou grumbled.

 “Why’s that?” Shuusei was really interested in these people’s point of view and was a bit glad that it came up before Hotsuma came out with the food.

 “He threw everything away. Everything he could achieve. Didn’t care about anything just his utopia of becoming an astronomer. He preferred to leave his parents’ house and try his luck on his own.”

 Shuusei raised an eyebrow. He had heard it differently. But before he could say anything the waitress appeared with their food. Shuusei was a bit surprised. He had expected Hotsuma to appear, but he didn’t ask. But he would drag him out if he didn’t come out later.

 “Who gets the yakisoba?” the young woman asked and placed the plate in front of Hotsuma’s father. And the ratatouille to his mother.

 “And here is ‘something nice’ for you. I don’t even know what this is...”

 Shuusei smiled. “I’ll see.” He trusted Hotsuma.

 “That’s Currywurst Pommes. Typical German fast food.” Mr Renjou looked at it sceptically. “I thought this restaurant would do better.”

 Shuusei sighed. “This is an experiment. The chef often gives things like this to me or my friends or his colleagues to try out how we like it. And on days like today he can’t do bigger experiments.” Really, this place was full of people, so Hotsuma could not try anything too big like the German Rouladen a few months ago or the big fish ‘n chips evening three weeks ago.

 Shuusei tried what he had gotten and yes, he knew why it was more on the fast food side. But it was quite good. And Hotsuma’s parents also praised the food. Shuusei was curious how they’d react if they found out it was made by their son.

 “So you know something about Germany?” Shuusei asked. Of course he knew the story but he was still curious on the view of these two people. But most of the things were what Hotsuma had told him. They just had a much worse view on their son’s behaviour which especially Hotsuma’s father didn’t get tired of mentioning.

 “What did he do that you have such a bad opinion of him?” Shuusei asked at one point.

 His father looked straight at him. “I wanted to spare you that knowledge but now that you ask... That person is gay. So take good care of your behind if you ever encounter him again.”

 Shuusei frowned but since they had finished, the chef came out of the kitchen with three small desserts on a tablet.

 “What are you doing here?” his father asked coolly when he recognized his son.

 “Earning my money if you don’t mind. I hope you liked the food your disgrace of a son has prepared for you. These are on the house.” He said while he placed the desserts in front of them. “And before you ask: I’m very fine even without you.”

 “So... You didn’t ask about him right away. Because you knew.” Mrs. Renjou looked at Shuusei.

 He nodded. “We live together. So yes, I know exactly how he is.”

“You... what? I guess you should look for another place to live. Especially after what I just told you.”

 Shuusei’s expression grew angry. “Hotsuma is a very fine guy. I’m just sad that his own parents don’t want to see it because they reduce him to one small part of his personality” He said and got up to stand beside his boyfriend.

 Hotsuma looked at him in surprise but took the hand Shuusei offered him. They were aware they were watched but none of them cared at that moment

 The look on Hotsuma’s father’s face was fantastic. He clearly got the meaning of it but Shuusei stated: “I think my behind is quite safe with Hotsuma. He’s never done anything with it I didn’t approve to.”

 “Oh... Congratulations then... I guess.” Mrs. Renjou said. At least she didn’t show as clearly as her husband how much she was shocked about this revelation.

 “Thank you.” Shuusei said and Hotsuma nodded.

“I’m back in the kitchen. Still much work to do.” Hotsuma said and let go of Shuusei’s hand. “Have a nice evening.” He nodded towards his parents not intending to see them again.

 “I... I’m out of words!” Mr. Renjou said.

 “You could for a change be proud that your son has found his place and is successful with what he does.”

 “Proud? No... I’d be proud if he had found a well paying job and a wife. Not... this...”

 “This job earns him enough. But I’m not sorry that I am no woman.”

 Shuusei nodded towards them and returned to his instruments. He noticed Hotsuma’s parents left soon after. But Mrs Renjou came to him when her husband had already left the building.

 “Shuusei-kun?” She asked carefully after he had ended another song.

 “What? I don’t regret taking care of Hotsuma when he needed it.” He said. He would never give him up and he yould never have anyone talking into their life together.

 “I know. I... I wanted to thank you for doing so. For being there for him when we weren’t. Tell him I’m happy that he found his way and seems to enjoy his life.”

 Shuusei tilted his head. “So you...”

 “I don’t approve of him being gay. But nevertheless he is my son and I want him to be happy.”

 “Okay. I’ll tell him your words.”

 “Thank you.” The woman bowed before him but then left. Shuusei was sure he would not see them again. But somehow Mrs Renjou seemed to be relieved to know what had happened to her son and that was good.

#uraboku #My writing #hotsuma x shuusei

[caseofthestolenspecs]

Promptober Day 25: Birthday

(For @miluette‘s Promptober!) (Happy birthday to a sweet special someone who has burrowed his way into my heart as my favourite character of all time. I hope he likes this Promnis-flavoured birthday cake in the form of a fic, and that you do too! <3)

Prompto wasn’t sure what came over him that morning. As he sat there on his Coleman’s chair by the remains of last night’s fire, the embers snapping and popping by his feet, he stared over at the nearby food prep table. For some reason, he was filled with the insatiable urge to touch something he knew he shouldn’t, to flip through the pages of what could possibly be the equivalent to a certain someone’s personal diary.

Ignis’ recipe book.

There it sat on the food prep table. Like a priceless golden idol on a pedestal, it called to Prompto, begging him to touch it, daring him to flip through it. What would be the harm? It was just a recipe book, right? Ignis was off at the nearby lake on laundry duty with Gladio, and Noct was off fishing, meaning everyone would be occupied for a while. The moment was perfect. It was like someone had wrapped this opportunity up like a conveniently boxed present and dropped it into his hands, complete with a shiny, glittery ribbon weaved with temptation.

And yet, his conscience reprimanded him for the very thought, arguing with him in his head.

Don’t touch it, Prompto.

It’s just a recipe book!

Yeah, but you know how protective Ignis is over his stuff!

C’mon, one little peek won’t hurt. It’s just. A. Recipe. Book.

Yeah, a book that still isn’t yours? Don’t do it!

“Hey, Prompto,” the book said in a deep voice, “Fancy a look-see at my sweet, sweet content?”

Oh, great. Now the damn book itself was taunting him. It radiated an aura, as if it were some kind of mystical tome of power from an RPG, just waiting for someone of a high enough level to stumble upon it and discover the magic within its pages.

Oh, no. Now it was even more tempting.

Before he could stop himself, there it was, in his hands, and he was back in his chair.

Crap.

Well, now that it was here in his possession, he may as well just do it. Just a peek. It would be quick. Ignis would never know. Right? What was he so protective over, anyway? It wasn’t like it was a big secret that the man copied recipes out of books in the marketplace, or that he analyzed a cook’s dish until he was able to pinpoint every single ingredient so he could replicate it himself later. It wasn’t like the book contained patents that he could copyright to his own name. Right?

So what was one little peek?

Prompto swallowed his conscience in favor of exploring the book. He opened it carefully, thumbing through the pages slowly as his eyes passed over the words written on each page. Ignis’ writing was neat and legible. Even the entries that looked written in haste were damn near font-worthy. How was that fair? Maybe that was why he didn’t want anyone to see his book. The scandal of his secret double life of being a font designer would be exposed to the world.

Looking at all the recipes was a little like taking a trip down memory lane. In some ways, it was like Ignis’ scrapbook. He’d written down the names of the places where he’d learned the recipe, and if he knew the name of the original chef, he’d written it down in a little box at the bottom of the page. Prompto recognized most of the dish names and every single one of them had been delicious, even the ones that he had been apprehensive about at first. No wonder Ignis was so meticulous when it came to writing down a recipe - it was to ensure a perfect replication. And he always succeeded.

Oh, hey, he especially remembered this recipe in particular. ‘Carp of the Diem’. Gladio hadn’t been able to stop singing its praises the first time they’d had it. Prompto smiled as he remembered that night. That was a good night. Good food, good company. As he studied the page a little closer, he realized that there was something different about it that he hadn’t noticed until now.

There was a “G” written in the top right-hand corner.

“G” for what?

Wait.

“G”… for Gladio?

Oh. It wasn’t coincidental. As he continued sifting through the book, he discovered that more pages were labeled, each one matching a dish that he knew that person was fond of. “G” for Gladio, “N” for Noct, and even “P” for Prompto.

Ignis had been keeping track of all of their favourite foods.

It was actually really heartwarming. Ignis… he really cared about everyone, huh? If he didn’t, then why would he even bother taking notes like that? Not that Prompto had any doubt in his mind that Ignis was their friend, it was just… nice to see him express it, in his own little way. He knew it couldn’t have been a coincidence when their favourite meals would start popping up more frequently, especially if one person in particular had had a rough day or something.

Now that he had noticed this detail, he flipped back to some of the previous pages to check them out, see where else the letters appeared. And in doing so, he noticed one more little detail: all of the “P” pages had a double underline under the letter. Huh. Was there a reason? Prompto didn’t dwell on it for very long, though, as he was far more interested in the fact that there was a severe lack of “I” pages.

Odd. Did Ignis not have a favourite?

No, he definitely did. And besides, it was his book. Why would he label anything as ‘I’? Ignis didn’t speak in third person. Oh, but wait--- this page had a star in the top corner. Could this one be Ignis’ favourite? No… no way. It only had two ingredients! But then again, he remembered the small hint of a smile Ignis had had on his face the last time they’d stopped by The Crow’s Nest. What had he ordered? A Kenny’s Original?

Oh. Look. This was definitely the recipe he had written down that day. It matched. Prompto smiled. Ignis was a man of simple tastes, he’d learned.

Prompto continued browsing. The next “P” page was for spicy curry. Damn right he’d loved that one. He’d made sure to compliment the chef many, many times that night. Best damn meal he’d ever had, actually. Ignis seemed pleased that he’d made a hit, and Prompto remembered how handsome Ignis had looked sitting by the fire that night.

The book was an ongoing work in progress. But despite Ignis adding to it all the time, the man had somehow managed to keep it organized, even going so far as to make a tab system to separate the sections. Dessert had its own section, and beyond that was a tab that was unlabeled. Huh. What could this be?

Beyond the unlabeled page wasn’t recipes, but rather hastily written notes. Some that were nonsensical to Prompto, but probably made at least some sense to Ignis. Others were notes that Ignis had written about everyone. Little things like 'Gladio best enjoys his Cup Noodle at a temperature of exactly 100 degrees', 'Beans off the menu for Noct, but had successfully served them in a pureed form mixed in ground meat for added nutritional value'. Heh. Oh, man. If Noct knew, he’d flip. Prompto smirked at the forbidden knowledge he’d just gained.

The miscellaneous tabbed section turned out to be kind of interesting, when it made sense. More similar notes about food and everyone’s preferences. Other random comments regarding how to prep some ingredients and the like. Notes about daemon’s weak points. Then, hidden among the tidbits of knowledge a few pages later, he came across one note that stood out from the rest.

'October 25th'.

That was all it said. It looked like it had been written over a few times, as if it were an attempt to make it look bolded. It was also underlined, like, five times.

Prompto's heart nearly leapt out of his chest. Normally he'd pay no attention to a random date, but... that was... That was…

His birthday.

October 25th was his birthday.

But why?

Why was his birthday written down, and in such a way to make it stand out? There was no way all that extra detailing wasn’t done on purpose.

Oh… oh shit.

Tomorrow… happened to be his birthday.

Was… Ignis planning something?

Suddenly, he became aware of just how much mystic power the recipe book he held in his hands possessed. He’d been right. It really was a powerful tome of mystery, filled to the brim with secrets and sorcery. The double underlined “P”. The birthday note.

Did… did Ignis...

Prompto turned bright red as a hundred different emotions and thoughts hit him all at once, weighing down on him like a blanket heavy with retained water. Feeling more than just slightly overwhelmed, he clapped the book shut, quickly scrambling back over to the table to return it to its rightful place, nearly tripping over his own feet twice in the process.

There. The golden idol had been returned to its pedestal.

Prompto’s heart was racing.

The wait for tomorrow was going to be brutal.

And it was.

The following day was awesome, though. Everyone said happy birthday to him right away. Gladio, unfortunately, insisted on giving him ‘birthday bumps’ as a gift before he slipped him a gift card to use toward music downloads. Noctis gave him a new case for his camera. Ignis gave him a sweater, a nice and cozy one at that, and even if Gladio and Noct teased him for his gift choice, Prompto thought it was great. He got chilly sometimes, so the heavier top was definitely needed. It was really thoughtful. Had Ignis noticed him shiver a little when it got dark?

In that moment, he learned that Ignis had paid him far more attention than Prompto had originally thought.

The rest of the day was normal, only now Prompto couldn’t stop thinking about Ignis.

Ignis Scientia.

Prompto had always been fond of him. As it turned out, the man was really kind and had an awesome sense of humour, to boot. To Prompto’s surprise, they actually had a lot in common, and there would be times when they would stay up later than the other guys and have long conversations before finally heading to bed. They even listened to some of the same music.

Somewhere along the way… Prompto had gained a little bit of a crush on him. Now, that crush was making itself painfully obvious, his heart aching something fierce while butterflies fluttered in the pit of his stomach every single time he looked at him. And for what? An assumption he’d made while sneaking a look at Ignis’ recipe book?

No.. he’d liked him this whole time. He knew this. Ever since they first met, Prompto had felt a little funny around him. But now, there was a chance that Ignis liked him in return. And it made all the difference in the world.

Later, it was finally time for dinner. Prompto pretended to be really invested in his cell phone as he sat by the fire, trying not to look Ignis’ way at all since they’d returned from their day’s hunts. Ignis was cooking, and when Prompto glanced up he noticed that the others were nowhere to be found. Huh.

“Prompto, could you come here for a moment?” came Ignis’ voice.

Prompto’s heart stopped.

Well. Here goes nothing.

There he was. Ignis, standing beside his cooking table. Spicy curry, served on two plates. Noct and Gladio were still MIA. He’d been kind of mad at them for apparently ditching on his birthday, but now he understood. Something was happening. Something... special.

Something about Ignis was different tonight. Maybe his shirt had been ironed with more care than usual, or maybe it was his hair that was styled just right. Even his suspenders seemed like they were perfectly placed in the middle of his shoulders, his shirt collar perfectly folded. Prompto wasn’t sure if he was just imagining things, but… Ignis just… looked ten times more handsome than usual right now.

Before Ignis could say anything else, Prompto spoke, interrupting his train of thought.

“Sorry, this is incredible and all, but I have to confess something before I go nuts,” he said quickly.

Ignis blinked, taken aback. “Very well… what is it, Prompto?” he asked.

Prompto took in a slow breath, bracing himself for a potential disaster. “I… peeked in your recipe book yesterday,” he admitted, eyes downcast. He really did feel bad about it, now. Not only was the book kinda personal, he’d accidentally ruined a surprise. Sort of. It still managed to be a surprise.

Ignis seemed to relax a little. “Ah. I see. And how was that for you?” he asked casually.

“It was, uh, enlightening,” Prompto replied. Good. Ignis didn’t seem mad at him. Or was he? Sometimes Prompto couldn’t tell. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to touch your stuff. Won’t do it again.”

“It’s quite all right, Prompto. I appreciate your honesty.” Ignis smiled at him, shifting his weight to his opposite foot. Looking handsome. As always.

Well, that was a relief. Only now, there was silence, and a whole lot of it.

Oh, Gods. What sort of mess had he gotten himself into? Now things were awkward, and… it was just the two of them, standing there, in front of a meal that Ignis had clearly cooked for him and only him--- well no, obviously it was for both him and Ignis since there were two plates instead of one, or four, but---

He remembered those underlined “P”’s and that super underlined “October 25th”.

He just… he just had to know.

“I’ve.. got another question for you, too.” Prompto’s heart was racing again. It was practically screaming at him, longing to burst from his chest so it could be in Ignis’ hands instead. Where it belonged.

“What is it, Prompto?” Ignis asked softly.

It was a long moment before Prompto spoke again. “How long has it been?” he asked in a small voice.

“...I beg your pardon?” was Ignis’ reply.

Prompto took another deep breath before he continued. “That you’ve liked me.”

Prompto saw Ignis’ Adam’s Apple twitch, just a little, as the man cleared his throat. He saw a hint of his usual calm composure cracking for a split second. Had he been right?

But Ignis… wasn’t replying. Nerves were on the rise.

“It’s... ah… been quite some time,” Ignis said at last. It was like the man had shrunk right then, his proper posture deflating somewhat.

“How long, Ignis?” Prompto urged.

Ignis took a short breath. “...four years,” he uttered.

Prompto stopped breathing. He felt dizzy. Four years… wait, but that meant… “Dude, but that’s… how long you’ve known me?” he said slowly, hoping his voice wasn’t cracking from the nerves constricting his throat.

Ignis cleared his throat again, adjusted his glasses that didn’t need adjustment and pulled at the cuff of one of his gloves. “Yes. That’s right,” he replied hurriedly.

Ignis… was nervous. Clearly. Prompto had never seen him act like this before. Well, he himself was nervous, too, so at the very least they had yet another thing in common.

Was Ignis’ heart also screaming?

Before Prompto could reply, Ignis stepped closer to the table. “Happy birthday, Prompto,” he said gently, lifting up one of the plates and holding it out to him.

“...my favourite,” Prompto murmured, smiling shyly. He trembled, but despite he managed to take the plate from Ignis without dropping it. Yet. “But you knew that, right?”

“Correct.” Ignis picked up the other plate.

“It was one of the ‘P’ recipes,” Prompto added.

Ignis chuckled. “Also correct.”

“You… remembered my birthday.” Prompto glanced up, meeting Ignis’ gaze.

“Of course I did, Prompto. I made sure I couldn’t ever forget. After all, it’s a very important day,” the man articulated.

Prompto wanted to cry.

“....four years,” Prompto whispered.

“Pardon?”

“...It’s been... four years. Since, I, uh…” Prompto fidgeted with his pocket chain, using his free hand. “Since I knew I liked you, too. Four years… and neither of us knew… that the other had felt the same… the entire time. Heh.”

Ignis set his plate back down on the table, stepping closer to the other. “So it would seem,” he replied. His tone was warm. Loving. And so was his hand in Prompto’s hair, gently coaxing the other to step closer to himself.

Prompto’s heart was halfway through his ribcage now.

“I…” Prompto tried to say something. Anything. Anything at all. But all he drew were blanks. He nearly dropped his plate right then, scrambling to get it back over to the table before he could. “Crap.”

“It’s all right. The curry is safe from the jitters,” Ignis mused. “Can’t quite say the same about you, though. Are you all right, Prompto?”

“Y-yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. I’m better than fine. I’m just… really happy,” Prompto admitted. He took a deep, slow breath, trying his best not to ruin the moment any more than he already had. “Ignis… thank you so much for this. For dinner. For… everything. For always being there for me, for watching out for me this whole time. For taking the time to chat with me, even if it was about something unimportant, or just... silly. For... forgiving me for snooping in your cookbook,” Prompto added with a laugh. “And... thank you. For… caring… about me.”

Ignis listened, stepping closer to him as he did so. “You are very welcome. It was my pleasure.” The man watched Prompto for a moment. Ignis looked content. Calm. Prompto could see himself in the reflection of his glasses, wishing he could see Ignis’ gorgeous green eyes instead. Ignis slid his hand away from his hair before he continued.

“Happy birthday, Prompto,” Ignis repeated. Then, Prompto felt a pair of deft hands on his waist, and the space between them closed as Ignis embraced him. Prompto’s night-air-kissed skin warmed, then, and he swore it became harder to breathe. Their screaming hearts escaped their chests at last and met halfway, beating as one from that point on.

#prompto argentum #ignis scientia #promnis #prompto birthday #happy birthday prompto #promptober #writing #mine

[tipsycad147]

How To Create A Guided Meditation For Your Spells

Julie Hopkins

Many witches are familiar with using crystals, oils, herbs and candles in their spells and rituals—but one of the most effective tools in magic comes from within. Your mind is powerful, and the more you can explore how it can affect your magic, the more you can use it to strengthen and add focus your spells.

Meditation is a great way to harness the power of your mind while performing spells. There are many different forms of meditation, but my all-time favourite for magical use are Visualisation Meditations.

Whenever you perform a spell with specific results in mind, consider using a guided visualisation meditation to continue your magic throughout the following week, month or even year. Visualisation meditations will reinforce your magical intention by walking you through every detail of your spell’s ideal outcome. This keeps you focused on the results and encourages you to believe that your desire is on its way to you.

How To Create A Visualisation Meditation Step One: Get Specific with your Desired Outcome

The first thing you need to do when creating a witchy meditation is to decide exactly what you want your spell to accomplish. Spend some time journaling about what your life will look like once your spell has manifested. Ten to twenty minutes is plenty, but write until you feel complete.

For example: if you perform a spell to bring you a work-from-home job, take a few minutes to break that intention down into tiny pieces. You can do this by writing a description of a typical day in your life once this desire has manifested. How will a work-from-home job change your life? What things will it allow you to do? How will it make you feel? What will your schedule look like from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed? Get as detailed as you want with this exercise and include lots of emotion in it. Write in first person and present tense to make your words feel more personal and immediate. Most importantly, remember to have fun with this! If this starts to feel like a chore, take a break and come back to it later.

My journaling around this intention could go something like this:

“I love my new job working from home. I wake up in the morning and take my time making coffee and leisurely cooking a nice breakfast for myself and my family. After I finish eating, I begin my workday routine which includes reading and answering emails, doing a conference call, and working on that day’s projects.

Today, I’m working on something I’m really excited about—a logo design for a new clothing company. I get started by sketching out different concepts on my notepad while I sit on my patio and enjoy the warm sun on my arms. I can smell floral scents wafting up from my neighbour's garden and it gives me a sense of contentment. I’m wearing my comfiest pants and tank top—an outfit I’d never be able to get away with at my old job. This thought makes me smile. I get to wear comfy pants on a Monday morning—I’m the luckiest woman in the world!

Around noon, I take a break for lunch and I meet a friend at my favourite cafe for sandwiches and good conversation. She asks me how I like my new job, and I gush about how it’s made my life so much more balanced and fun. After lunch, my friend leaves and I stay at the cafe to get some more work done before I close my laptop for the day and head home…”

Go moment by moment until you’ve documented what an entire day would look like after your spell has worked its magic.

Step Two: Read it Out Loud And Make Edits

Read your journal entry out loud. Add any details you’ve left out, and take out anything that doesn’t make you feel excited. Look for more ways you can get all your senses involved. What smells, sights, sounds, tastes and physical sensations appear in your ideal day? Try to include at least one detail that focuses on each of your five senses in your journal entry. This will help your meditation feel more “real” to you.

Step Three: Time Yourself Reading Your Journal Entry

Time yourself reading your edited entry out loud, slowly and clearly. Pause briefly after every sentence. Those pause will give your mind time to create more vivid images during your meditation. Slower is better.

Your journal entry is basically the word-for-word script for your witchy meditation. If you read through the whole thing in less than a minute (including a slow pace and pauses), add more details to your journal entry. I like to make my meditations between five and ten minutes long. Any shorter than five minutes and I feel like I don’t have time to fully immerse myself in my vision. Any longer than ten minutes and I’m tempted to skip my meditation entirely when I’m running late or feeling too tired.

Step Four: Record Your Meditation

There are so many ways to record yourself, so pick the technology you’re most comfortable using. You can use a good old tape recorder with a built in microphone, or you can hook up your fancy podcast mic to your laptop and record with a program like Adobe Audition or Garageband. There are pros and cons to every recording method, so I encourage you to experiment with whichever one works best for your needs.

I like to use the free “voice memo” app on my iPhone to record my visualisation meditations. I’ll go to a quiet area where I know I won’t be disturbed and hit the record button on my phone. It’s a simple no-frills approach that has never let me down. I’ll save the recording on my phone and give it a title I’ll easily recognise. Using the earlier example, I’d call this meditation, “My Work-From-Home Meditation”.

If you love music, you can pick a song to play at the beginning and/or end of your meditation. I prefer mellow instrumental music for my recorded meditations, especially the classical and cinematic-style playlists on Spotify. (Note: If you choose to add music to your meditation, you won’t be able to distribute it to others for copyright reasons. If you do plan on sharing it with others, do a Google search for “Royalty-Free Music” and check out the results. There are hundreds of sites that specialise in affordable royalty-free music.)

The last thing to remember as you’re recording your meditation is to make sure you’re in a good mood when you do it. If you record your meditation from a place of tiredness or sadness, that energy might slip into your words—even if it’s only on a subconscious level.

If you’re going through a tough time, find a way to lift your mood even if it’s only for a few minutes. Go for a walk in nature, take a bubble bath or call up your bestie for a chat before you record your meditation. Maybe you need to watch an episode of your favourite TV show to lift your spirits. Whatever you need to do, do it! The more joy you can pour into your guided meditation as you read it, the more joy you’ll feel every time you listen to it.

Step Five: Test Out Your Meditation

Test out your guided meditation recording before you make it a part of your daily (or weekly or monthly) witchy practice. Sit or lay down in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Spend one to three minutes focusing on nothing but your breathing. If any thoughts float into your head as you’re beginning your meditation, just let them pass through without any attachment or judgement. When you feel pretty relaxed and are ready to dive into your meditation, play your recording either through speakers or headphones.

Listen once and allow yourself to be mentally “led” through your ideal day. See yourself working on your laptop in your apartment. Allow yourself to be transported into this “imaginary” world you’ve created for yourself in this recording. Let yourself feel all the excited, happy or peaceful feelings that you hope this spell will bring you.

When the recording is over, open your eyes and ask yourself these questions:

-Could I see myself clearly throughout this entire meditation?

-Do I believe this ideal outcome is possible for me?

-Did this meditation bring up strong positive feelings inside of me?

If the answer is yes to these questions, congratulations! You’ve made an effective meditation to support your spell. If the answer is no to any of those questions, go back to your journal entry “script” and tweak it until you can answer yes to all of those questions.

Step Six: Make a Plan for How Often You’ll Meditate

Decide on a time, place and frequency of your meditations. For my “Work-From-Home Meditation” example, I could choose to listen to my recording once while I’m performing my spell, and then twice a day for the seven days after my spell.

Maybe you’d like to try doing your meditation once a week for the four weeks following your spell. If you’re working towards a big goal, you might consider listening to this meditation once a month for an entire year.  

As for the time of day to meditate, I think it’s helpful to combine this meditation with a habit you’ve already established in your life, such as brushing your teeth. You know you’re going to remember to brush your teeth twice a day, so why not listen to your meditation immediately after you brush your teeth? I’ve also experimented with doing a meditation right after I wake up in the morning, and again right before I fall asleep.

Regarding a place to meditate, I recommend picking a space that is both quiet and comfortable. This could be at your altar, on your bed, in your living room or in your car on your lunch break.  Wherever you choose to meditate, try to stay consistent.

More Ways To Meditate

If you really enjoy creating and listening to your own guided visualisation meditations, try exploring ways to meditate with other mediums. Do you draw or paint? Try creating a visual representation of your spell’s desired outcome. Do you dance? Choreograph a sequence that tells the story of your ideal day. Push the boundaries of your witchcraft and see how many ways you can integrate a meditation practice into your magic.

Have you ever wanted to try astral travelling but weren't sure where to start or how to learn?

Maybe you tried learning but all of the instructions you could find were unclear. Maybe you started reading about the astral planes and found forums and books full of warnings about how dangerous astral travelling can be. Or maybe you even tried astral travelling but just couldn't quite get it to work for you!

If any of this sounds familiar then Astral Travel For Absolute Beginners is the course for you.

Learn More Here >>

https://thetravelingwitch.com/blog/2018/7/12/how-to-create-a-guided-meditation-for-your-spells