#i was like oh i should play the tune twice and sing the first verse and then i realized that would be a terrible idea to put on the net

[lactoset0lerant]

My first thought when i saw the frog thing tumblr lets you do on desktop

#i was like oh i should play the tune twice and sing the first verse and then i realized that would be a terrible idea to put on the net #with my singing voice i mean #my chemical romance #mcr!! #welcome to the black parade #tbp #also THE FROGS ARE SO CUTE #the only tumblr update we needed

[becausethathappens]

i love the way you write. can you tell me something nice to calm my nerves? my day has been awful and the way you write takes me out of it, instantly. *currently rereading everything you've written on ao3 ignore the kudos that might give this away 👀*

anonnnnnnnnn. 🤚💓

something nice: rhett and link have been together longer than i’ve been alive. (i’m more than three decades old. 😩)

and something short for you, because this made me blush:

-———————-

needs no conversation

1k - Rhett and Link duet for the first time.

songs referenced: yesterday’s wine / islands in the stream

-

Over a year passes after Rhett's voice dropped before he starts using it as regularly as he used to. More than once, trying to sing along to whatever's on the radio and having his voice crack and squeak has led to teasing from friends and family alike. He's gun-shy to hold a tune until he's sure the baritone that his register has changed to is permanent.

Poor Link's voice has only gotten higher, since around the same time, but the elasticity and charm of it suits his personality.

It's years into being grumpy, monosyllabic teenagers before they feel happy enough to sing aloud, let alone together.

One night, while they’re stuffed with pizza and sketching tree forts (they're sick of lugging all their things to the river, every time they swim and want a place to store belongings in the woods, closer by), Rhett finds himself singing along to Yesterday's Wine with a full-throated joy that makes Link's insides swirl. It's certainly the most he's used his voice, confidently, since it's settled on this octave.

Rhett's voice sounds good. Objectively good and better than it's maybe ever sounded.

Link, shyly, joins in because he's sure the longer he sits and listens, it'll become a problem for his head or his heart or both. It unsettles him.

He's not more than three seconds into the chorus, singing along with George Jones' section, when he notices that Rhett's set aside his writing instruments, as well, and is looking over at him.

In near the same way that Link was looking at him.

It's then, right that second, Link hears it.

The natural harmony they've stumbled across.

The song's over too soon. 

With busy eyes and unsteady hands, Link scrambles over to the tape deck to switch out to another song. The next up was a solo b-side from Merle's early work that won’t showcase what he’s just heard.

He picks the first tape with a duet he can find.

Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

It's just to prove a theory, the song choice. Selected because Link knows it has two distinct singers. Not much thought going into it beyond that.

He pops the tape into the player and hits play. He feigns looking down at his drawings for a moment, like he's merely changing the background music and returning to them.

But after a few seconds, he can't withhold his interest and looks up. 

Rhett's still staring right at him.

And he doesn’t seem to have stopped this whole time.

As the music fades in softly, his eyes are soft and doe-y. 

To Link’s surprise, he starts to sing, clearly begging Link, wordlessly, to do the same in the next verse.

"Baby, when I met you there was peace unknown I set out to get you with a fine tooth comb," Rhett begins.

Link stares at him, takes it in. He lets his ears adjust and come to grips with the fact that Rhett's voice really sounds that smooth and adult, overpowering Kenny's easily in the quiet room with the volume purposefully low.

They both know the lyrics.

"I was soft inside There was something going on," Rhett sings.

Link’s smile breaks wide, an outburst of shocked elation that Rhett sound only improves. He really sounds this good. Professionally good.

An idea bubbles into his mind, one he'd never dare to think if not so immersed in the candied daydream of hearing his friend's beautiful voice echo around the small bedroom for what feels like the first time. He's picturing Rhett singing this for an audience, his unused hand holding a microphone, as Link watches Rhett drum a steady one-two rhythm along with the beat into his thigh.

Link does the same and then immediately jumps in on the first harmony.

"You do something to me that I can't explain Hold me closer and I feel no pain Every beat of my heart We got something going on," they sing together.

Link's eyes dart back and forth, feeling zapped by the electricity of how their voices sound paired together. 

It’s not just Rhett.

He takes in that, to his ears, his voice sounds much deeper than it has in years. When he sings with Rhett, trying to match the key change, it feels like Rhett is sharing some of his baritone. His own lifts up, as though to meet Link halfway.

Their words tumble out over each other in a kind of velvety sophistication that makes Link picture them both on a stage performing. It makes Link's heart leap, how natural it would seem, were it to be like this.

"Tender love is blind It requires a dedication," Rhett belts out, getting into it.

Link grins and nods. They could lead the choir at church.

They both sing, "All this love we feel needs no conversation We ride it together, ah ha."

Rhett wiggles back and forth to the beat, Link joins in.

"Making love with each other, ah ha," they sing, blushing. 

Rhett laughs, inaudibly, in respect to the music, at how silly that line sounds, when sung by the two of them. 

"Islands in the stream That is what we are No one in between How can we be wrong Sail away with me To another world And we rely on each other, ah ha From one lover to another, ah ha," they harmonize.

Link's eyes shine. They could start a band.

Link sings, "I can't live without you if the love was gone Everything is nothing if you got no one And you did walk in the night Slowly losing sight of the real thing."

Rhett's eyes are also shining back. Link is already sure that he'll agree to the idea. He hardly ever says no, in Link's experience. 

They sing, "But that won't happen to us and we got no doubt Too deep in love and we got no way out And the message is clear This could be the year for the real thing."

He pictures their names on a marquee.

Link closes his eyes and sings, "No more will you cry Baby, I will hurt you never."

He imagines their album cover, posed like Lionel or Merle.

Rhett joins him, "We start and end as one In love forever We can ride it together, ah ha Making love with each other, ah ha."

Link nods along, lost in fantasy.

"Islands in the stream That is what we are No one in between How can we be wrong Sail away with me To another world And we rely on each other, ah ha From one lover to another, ah ha," they recite in tandem.

Link opens his eyes again and is struck by the fact that Rhett's eyes are also open or have still never closed. 

Once again the ZING of amazement bolts through him at how strongly the affection and pride on Rhett's face beams at him.

They sing, "Sail away Oh come sail away with me."

The chorus repeats twice, both of them staring like that the whole time, and Link fights the urge to reach out and join their hands as if in prayer. He's seen duets do that before, like Sonny and Cher. He understands the impulse, now. He wants nothing more than to chase this connected, harmonious feeling, now and perhaps the rest of his life.

Entertain himself and others, alongside Rhett.

As the song finishes, they sing, "Islands in the stream That is what we are No one in between."

This is their ticket out.

A solo track ticks on next and the spell is somewhat broken. 

Link leans back and laughs, covering his mouth with both palms at once. 

Rhett settles, blushing, and hides his mouth with the back of his right hand. It also masks the smile growing fast at Link’s reaction. 

It feels like they've just discovered a secret too great for them to know.

"That was so good," Link tells him, honest.

"I 's just thinkin' that," Rhett agrees, chuckling. "Don't think I've ever been able to hold an melody like that. You hit the high notes dead-on."

"And that was some professional-grade crooning," Link assures him.

"Oh, don't know about that," Rhett dismisses.

"No, I'm serious. We should start a band," Link says, earnestly.

Rhett watches him for a few seconds, trying to judge whether or not he's serious. When he sees no hesitation, finally, he smirks.

"Okay," Rhett agrees, looking thrilled.

Link grins back at him.

"It's like it was written about us, too. We've got an island in a stream. If you could count the river as one. How’s that for song choice?" Link asks, playfully.

Rhett frowns. "That's... not what the song - it's about - " Rhett looks at Link funny, then continues, "It's not about that. D'you even listen to the lyrics?"

"No," Link answers, easy and truthful.

"You really wanna start a band with me?” Rhett’s eyes fall and he scratches the back of his head. “If you got distracted while I was singing?"

"Rhett, I got distracted by your singing," Link explains.

Rhett looks down. "Oh."

There's a long pause.

"Well, I got distracted by you, too."

Link's eyes widen.

"By your singing," Rhett adds, hastily.

Link rolls his eyes and shakes his head. Unsure how else Rhett would've expected him to take that.

The blush that warms his chest also brings with it a smile.

He rewinds the tape so they can begin again.

#things i wrote #sharing music is intimate #i love you @anon #i have a WIP that i need to finish #and other things #but i'm in my feelings about them today #🥺️ #rhink fic #fluff

[the-archxr]

Waterloo!

steve harrington x reader

Summary: After witnessing you and a Family Video frequent flirting and connecting over your favourite band, Steve gets jealous and ends up showing you how ABBA should truly be celebrated.

A/N: so hahaha, I have recently been obsessed with Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, which led me to this fic, which is ONE THOUSAND PERCENT based off of the Waterloo scene from Here We Go Again, because the more I thought about it the more I realized that Steve is like Harry in that sense, so yeah. Here we are.

Song Inspo: Waterloo - ABBA, Waterloo - Hugh Skinner and Lily James (cause you can’t just pick one, m’kay?)

•••••

“Okay, but speaking in terms of the be-all to end-all of questions...”

The boy with the dirty blonde hair and ragged plaid shirt leans over the counter slowly. His blue eyes meet yours and his teeth are bared in a striking smirk. “And just so you know, your answer will determine the future of our relationship...”

You nod with a laugh. “Okay.”

“What’s your favourite ABBA song?”

You snort and shake your head, picking up his rental to ring it through.

He gives you an expectant look, which you respond with a simple shrug and and, “I don’t know.” 

He scoffs playfully. Gliding over to the register with ease he rests his head on his fist. You roll your eyes at the sight before you. If he wasn’t so cute, then you’d be severely turned off by the excessive forwardness.

“Aw, c’mon. Everyone has a favourite.”

After shutting the register with his exact change in it, you cross your arms with a sigh. “Well, if you were as true of an ABBA fan as you say you are, then you’d know that that’s a trick question. Because every ABBA song is good, therefore, they’re all my favourite.”

“Smartass,” he huffs, earning a laugh from you.

Suddenly you hear a loud “shit” come from behind you which grabs your attention from the flirtatious customer to your coworker and friend.

“You alright, Steve?”

He hops out from behind the back wall, a faint blush gracing his cheeks and neck. “Y-yeah. Just got attacked by these goddamn boxes.”

You laugh and look back to the blonde who still hasn’t left. Quirking an eyebrow, you look him up and down.

“You’re still here?”

“Well, yeah.” He shrugs with a shit-eating grin. “Was hoping I’d be able to talk to you a little more.”

“...About?”

He opens his mouth to speak before his eyes flit to the clock above you. “Shit, I gotta go. I have to pick up my little brother and his friends up from the pool.”

He grabs the VHS, before shooting you a wink as he waves goodbye.

It isn’t until after he leaves that you hear a scoff come from your coworker. You frown and spin on the heels of your feet.

“Something wrong, Stevie?”

He rolls his eyes and leans over to pick up the empty boxes he tripped on earlier. “No. Yes...? I don’t know. I guess, it’s just...him?”

Picking up the remaining boxes you follow him to the back. “What do you mean ‘him’?”

“Ah, c’mon he was practically eye-fucking you in the middle of the store. It was—it was gross and icky and...bleh.”

You laugh loudly at that and watch your friends hair bounce with the movement of hauling the cardboard into the large bin. “Bleh?”

“Bleh!” You both walk back to the door, which encourages Steve to hold it open for you. “I mean that’s a total Billy move.”

“Oh, so now he’s not just bleh, he’s a Billy.”

“Yeah,” Steve huffs and runs a hand through his hair. “Meaning he’s a complete and utter dick.”

“Just cause he was flirty?”

“That’s not being flirty that’s called being horny.”

You groan at his words, regardless of the fact that they don’t offend you in the slightest. If anything they amuse you.

You heave yourself on top of the counter, one leg splayed over the countertop and the other swaying idly. He gestures to the sticker gun beside you, which you grab and wave in his direction. “Oh, and you know something about the difference between flirty and horny?”

“Yeah, because I used to be that horny guy.” He snatches the sticker gun out of your hand and begins to wave it around as he walks to the one end of the store.

“Oh, right. Your whole King Steve faze.” You watch him shake his head at your words with a slight frown. You sigh. “King Steve, ruler of the horndogs.”

He laughs, making your plan in lightening up the mood a success.

The silence in the store pulls on for a few seconds before you reach over and turn on the radio—the hum of the static and muffled voices echoing through the building as you switch through the channels before you set it on the desired station.

You lean back and watch your friend move around the store lazily, putting bright pink stickers on the assortment of rentals haphazardly.

You frown as you think (a curse, cause you never seem to stop thinking), and sit up playing with the many woven bracelets on your wrist. “No, but seriously, Steve. What’s your problem with the guy?”

He stops his motions and turns to you. He looks nervous and his chest heaves up and down with trepidation. He opens his mouth to speak, but he pauses. You can practically see the words stuck on the tip of his tongue, before he sighs, mainly to himself, and shoots you a small (and kind of sad) smile.

“He has a favourite ABBA song. No one trustworthy has one favourite ABBA song.”

You laugh at his words, slapping your knee as you keel back to the wall with laughter. He laughs loudly too and tosses the sticker gun and himself on the countertop. He sits opposite of you with his Nike shoe pressing almost perfectly against the sole of your Converse.

You look at the clock and huff. Steve follows your line of sight and his face falls at the sight of the time. “We got a whole half hour left.”

You hum and close your eyes, resting your head against the wall. You stay like that until the radio announcers voice comes through. You open your eyes instinctively, only to see that Steve is already looking at you.

But maybe he wasn’t because with one blink he’s actually looking at the door.  An awkward cough resonates in the back of your throat as you groan.

That’s when the mans voice comes to a slow and the beginning of the next song plays. It takes you a second, but when you recognize the song your ears prick up and a smile graces your face.

Steve eyes you strangely as you grab the knob to turn up the sound. “What? What song is this?”

Your jaw drops in your friends direction. “Uh, Waterloo?”

“Water what?”

You laugh and hop off the counter, your feet already moving to the beat of the song. “Waterloo. It’s an ABBA song.”

“No I know this is ABBA. I’m slow, not stupid.” You cackle and roll your shoulders to the sound of the guitar. “I’ve just never heard it before.”

You grin before grabbing his hands and pulling him to the middle of the store which surprisingly has the most space. You sway both of your arms back in forth, in an attempt to coax him to start moving. An action that he doesn’t take to immediately.

“Aw, c’mon, don’t be a Debbie Downer, Harrington.”

He scoffs. “I am not a Debbie Downer.”

You shake your head and stick your tongue out at him. “Well then, prove it. I mean, didn’t you used to be the funnest man in all of Hawkins?”

“Funnest isn’t a word.”

You gasp. “Wow, look who actually payed attention in English.”

He rolls his eyes and once again runs his hand through his damn hair. He stands there for a second, before a small grin appears on his face. “Also, what do you mean used to be?”

Your jaw drops as he grabs a hold of your arms and spins you around dramatically. You gasp, the breath being knocked out of you suddenly as he holds your arm above you and spins you twice. You laugh as he pulls you back into him, to which he begins to bounce around the space, spinning you every so often—much to your delight.

You gasp after another spin, but by the second verse you’re too caught up into wanting to sing the words then being worried about your lack of oxygen if you do so. “My, my! I tried to hold you back, but you were stronger!”

You spin on your heel away from him, the momentum sending you back into the counter with a laugh. “Oh yeah!” You both sing out.

Then, with a wink and a spin of his body, he uses his hand and slicks his hair back in a Greaser fashion, earning another string of laughter from you. Jumping back to you, your back is pulled into his chest as he holds an arm out and runs forward.

The bun in which you put your hair in is now dangling loosely just below your shoulders, and as he spins you for the nth time, fate would have it that some of your hair gets in his mouth. Steve sputters and makes a face, causing the both of you to erupt in another fit of laughter. Soon, you both are dancing like fools, completely in your own space, yet never too far from the others reach. “Waterloo! Finally facing my Waterloo!”

He takes your hand firmly, spins you and as the song nears the end you almost fall to the ground. However, with Steve’s knee propped up beneath you, he has you dipped and breathless. His eyes are partially closed and as he pulls you up you almost grow dizzy from him dipping you a second time. This time, the dip is more dramatic and your loose hair falls onto the ground in a soft pile, indicating that you’re far lower than the first time. 

“Waterloo!” He sings, finally getting the lyrics to the song.

“Knowing my fate is to be with you.” You finish. The song ends abruptly and both of you are at a loss of breath as you try to tune down the echo of laughter.

It’s at that moment that the sound of a door bell jingling has you both breaking away from each other awkwardly. Still out of breath, you hurriedly rush to the counter and try to smooth down your hair. (Not that you expect that to hide anything with the way your cheeks are so inflamed. If anything, whoever had come in would think that they caught you in Steve in the middle of something else.) 

Your eyes finally focus on the customer, realizing that it’s the same blonde boy from earlier. “Hey, again.” He winks at you, resting his forearm on the countertop.

“Hey,” you say back. Your eyes flit over to Steve, whose back is faced to both of you. He’s already walked to the other side of the store, and the obvious distance he has quickly put between himself and the customer makes you think.

But you don’t have to think too hard as the realization practically hits you over the head. You suddenly grin and look at the counter, the feeling of your cheeks reddening further blooming throughout your upper body.

“So, uh...” the boy in flannel begins, clicking his tongue. “I came back.”

“I see that.” You counter him quickly with a soft smile.

He laughs and runs a hand over his jaw before looking to you. He hesitates. But only for a moment. “I’m tryna’ ask you out, ya know.”

You nod at that. “Yeah, I know.”

He pauses as he bites the inside of his cheek. Suddenly, the air around you two has turned very awkward and you can tell that he knows it.

“So...”

You shrug. “So?”

Shoving his hands in his pockets he moves his shoulders up in question. “So what do you say?”

You look down at your bracelets for a moment before looking back at him with a soft smile. “I’d have to say that I’m flattered. But, uh, no thanks.”

The boys eyes widen, as does Steve’s who’s attention is now on both of you.

The blonde nods and scratches the back of his neck. “Oh...okay then. Thanks for being honest at least.”

You smile at him, which sends the boy back to the door and on his way. You let out the breath you had been holding in and look to Steve who looks just as shocked as the other guy.

“What just happened?”

“I said no to his offer.” You say matter-of-factly as you walk around the counter and closer to your friend. He shifts from foot to foot, his eyes telling you that his brain is going a mile a minute.

“W—why? Why would you say no?”

You quirk an eyebrow at him. “Usually you say no to a date when you don’t want to go on a date. At least, I don’t want to go on a date with him anyway...”

Your voice trails off purposely as you look directly at the boy in question. Steve is still stunned and is still very confused, which makes you want to laugh at his obliviousness.

It’s cute though...his obliviousness.

...He’s cute.

“Steve,” you say lowly. He’s biting his lip, and the slightest hint of worry blooms over his features.

“...Yeah?”

You sigh. “Well I’m trying to imply that I want to go on a date with you...”

If you didn’t know better, you’d say that Steve had stopped breathing. Eliciting a laugh from you, you glide closer to him and look the boy in the eyes. “Steve...did I break you?”

He almost short circuits in a sense and looks at you with disbelief. “You want to go on a date with me?”

You shrug with a nod. “I think it could be fun.”

The poor boy stands there, still in shock. You shake your head and kiss him on the cheek before walking to the counter and grabbing your bag.

“Pick me up at 8 tomorrow at Dustin’s and we’ll go to Dairy Queen or something.”

His eyes and mouth are wide open as his gaze follows you to the door. The door barely closes behind you before you pop your head back in the store. “Oh, also, Steve since you’re the last one in here you gotta’ lock up.” You smile widely at him and run off before he can protest.

But even with the thought of having to lock up present in his mind, Steve doesn’t feel like protesting. When he comes back to his senses he nods to himself with a smile and runs to the back; excitement coursing through him.

•••••

Steve Harrington Taglist:

@wigofokoye @timeladygallifrey @fairlysuitehearts @loulouloueh @bluegreyme @coltonparayyko @readinthegarden12 @hello-therree @gothackedalready @aphrodites-perfume @fic-cheesecake @bohemiandeakyy @nerd-domland @blueoz @laneygthememequeen @xelaalec @i-justlikewhales @elen-alambil @heykarsyn @yellowhopes @veeshthefrog @justsomeficsilike @cxddlyash @aniya21890 @billyhargrovescigarette @nugturally @daddystevee @asheseiler @enchantedcruelsummer @jxnehxpper

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington #joe keery x reader #joe keery #stranger things #stranger things x reader #stranger things imagines #abba references #waterloo #this ia kinda cheesy #but like #who cares #its cute #mamma mia! here we go again #references

[madam-mademoiselle]

The Ill Wind of Mozart's Horn Concerto No.4

It was one of those days where the rain was beating against the mansion, keeping residents at home. Normally those who are out in Paris at this time of day were occupying themselves in a little free time from their normal schedule. The weather being bad as it was, Sebastian forbade you to even take a carriage into the city to get what was on the grocery list along with the tenants' needs list.

You had more or less stuck with the same chores, wanting them to be done so tomorrow would be a lighter load on you and Sebastian. He had told you to make sure the windows and mirrors on the second floor were cleaned. The least favorite chore you had to do. There was that one smudge that resulted in a painful flick to the forehead. 

With Mozart's piano playing in the background, you swore you almost heard the same tune. You hummed along with it before realizing what it was! You snapped your fingers and smiled. Oh he was not going to like this, but! This was going to be worth it for you!

You waited as he played through an arrangement before coming to the one you knew quite well. Clearing your throat while cleaning the window next to his door. As soon as the first stanza began, you followed along singing.

"I once had a whim and I had to obey it

To buy a French Horn in a second-hand shop;

I polished it up and I started to play it

In spite of the neighbours who begged me to stop."

The piano stopped briefly from your… lack of the musical ability to carry a tune. You made sure the hallway was clear of any of the residents, starting your lovely melody as Mozart began his concerto again. You sounded off again much to his dismay.

"To sound my Horn, I had to develop my embouchure;

I found my Horn was a bit of a devil to play."

The sound of piano stopping suddenly had you quiet again while footsteps could be heard marching towards the door. You pressed your lips together to suppress the smirk that was trying to make its way on your face. Facing the window and focusing on the cloth, the door opens to have Mozart peering around to find the offender.

Those violet eyes were drilling into your person. You pretended to focus on the glass but turned to him. You gave him a smile, "is there anything you need Mozart?" The rag in your hand as you paused to give him your attention. Staring into your soul, he stepped fully into the hallway.

"Yes, I thought I heard someone butchering one of my concertos out in the hallway." You turned your head down the hall, making a show of it. You turned back to him with an expression of confusion. "I'm sorry, I haven't been paying attention. I've been trying to make sure the windows and mirrors are clean and streak free. Maybe some hot chocolate and sweets will help? You stayed up late last night working on your piece."

That part was true, he was frustrated when he described the music he heard in his head wasn't wanting to come through the way he was wanting it. When he did come to bed, he tossed and turned before getting up and returning to the piano. When you woke up to see him sleeping on the piano, you covered him with his blanket, and went to retrieve some Blanc from the kitchen to drink later.

Back to the current situation, he shook his head, "no. I appreciate the offer. Thank you for the Blanc and blanket earlier mein liebe.” His eyes softened as he reached to push back a stray lock from your face. Feeling sympathetic, you wrung the rag in your hand. “You know Wolf, someone once told me you need to focus on something else and whatever thought you were thinking of so hard before, will come in front of your mind. 

Seeing him looking indignant, you held up a hand, trying to soothe him. You started to tick off ideas for him to do. “Before you say you were playing something else, you still saw the notes in your head. Leave the music room for a little bit. Go to the dining room and get some lunch, I can make you coffee, or maybe go watch Jean and Napoleon spar, I’m sure Jean wouldn’t mind.”

He shook his head, “it's not that simple. It is at the end of my finger tips, the melody is there. Trying to convey it…" Placing the rag on the window sill, you take one of his hands in yours. You kissed the back fingers and squeezed his hand gently before letting it go. You knew he was a germaphobe and didn't want to push it too far.

"You'll figure it out and once you have it penned in the stanzas, it'll have its place. I won't keep you further, I have to get back to cleaning windows before Sebas finds out I am shirking work." You groan the last part. Thinking about any flicks to the forehead he may deliver if he catches a single streak.

He offered one of his private smiles for you before shutting himself back into the music room. You sighed and got back to work, listening to him play through his arrangements. Hearing the frustration in his playing as he tried to find the notes that eluded him. When you got to the last window and raised your rag to clean it, he started with that concerto again.

You waited patiently, keeping yourself distracted. Listing chores that you had completed, thinking of the shops you needed to visit in town, and even to the point where you were pursing your lips as you were mouthing along with it. He heard your God awful caterwauling for the first time. Mozart probably knew it was you singing and was too preoccupied with that tune to speak to you about it.

Taking it no more and ready to face his disappointment and horror when he realizes his significant other couldn't sing, you continued your song:

"I miss its music more and more and more.

Without that Horn I'm feeling sad and so forlorn."

Your voice had reached a deep pitch of the song when singing out forlorn. You coughed quickly to clear the tickle it had created in your throat. Quickly resuming where you had left off in your tune.

 

"I found a concerto and wanted to play it,

Displaying my talent at playing the Horn,

But early today to my utter dismay it had totally vanished away."

The piano had stopped abruptly. The rag dropped from your hand realizing what you had just sang aloud. Oh boy, that was probably the wrong thing to belt out when your composer boyfriend just told you he was having issues trying to wretch out that stubborn melody from his skull. You heard more than saw as the door to the music room swung open with more force than normal. In the doorway revealed Mozart, giving you an icy stare as he slowly walked toward you.

"MC? So it was you from earlier. I was going to give you the benefit of the doubt. However, I simply cannot forgive what I just heard." He placed his hand on the wall beside your head while you were staring at him with wide eyes. He moved to eye level, close enough to kiss him, his other hand moved to gently hold your chin in place. Maybe it was a bad idea to choose that song out of anything else? "Mozart, it's just that your music is so accomplished, that there may be some parodies of your work and that so happen to be one I overheard…"

He was silent, cool amethyst eyes watching your expression. Pondering about what to do with you. You had interrupted his time twice with what you called singing. No doubt everyone in the mansion had heard them. Grasping your chin, his eyes bore into yours, a small smirk started to grace his lips. "You had suggested I take a break. Come." Letting go of your chin and stepping away from you, he started towards his music room.

"Why are we heading towards the music room? I don't think it would be productive if you took a bre-!" Forgetting your momentary faux pas and getting slightly annoyed that you were still in your spot, he came back over to you to sweep you off your feet. "Your listening skills are as bad as your singing." That smirk got a little bigger as he carried you to the room. You glared at him for that little comment.

"I am going to take a break with mein liebe by giving her a voice lesson. That should inspire me." At the threshold of the door, he kissed you, teasing out a low moan from your throat. "Much better." With you still in his arms, he shut the door to start your "lessons".

*A few hours later*

Closing the door to the music room and hearing the piano's song flowing beautifully in the hallways you grabbed your cleaning supplies. Heading to the kitchen, you straightened up your clothes and hair. You happen to look at the wristwatch Issac had repaired for you, realizing it was 10 minutes passed the normal time the caffeine addicted vampires of the mansion took their coffee, Mozart included.

Arthur had beat you to the coffee grinder as he was drinking his fill of the precious bean water along with Leonardo present. His tool kit was sitting on the counter, putting away one of them. "Coffee grinder mess up again Leo?" Placing the bucket in the pantry and washing my hands, both vampires were silent, feeling their eyes on me. Drying your hands, you made eye contact with Arthur's sapphire ones. "What?"

"I didn't know Wolfie's bird wasn't much of a songbird. Was going to come out of my room and give you a standing ovation." Your cheeks were flushing red. You thought everyone had moved to the first floor, you had forgotten about the other residents that reside on the second floor. Arthur was probably writing instead of being with Theo. Leonardo chuckled, handing you the grinder. "Everyone heard you cara mia."

You groaned, hiding one of your hands. Arthur smirked at your embarrassment, "yeah. Mozart caught me singing to one of his concertos with verses that weren't really appropriate for it. He was trying to compose with a melody that wouldn't come to him and I told him a break would probably help."

Leonardo was silent, hearing the muffled sounds of piano playing. "It sounds like it helped cara mia or would prima donna be more suited to you eh?" You threw the drying towel at him, seeing him getting a laugh out of the teasing both of them were doing to you.

"It did, I'm just glad it helped. It finally came to him after he gave me some music lessons so I am happy he can get it on paper now." Placing the towel back on the counter, Leonardo left the kitchen, leaving you and Arthur. The smirk on his face grew the size of the Cheshire Cat's. "What? Why do you look like the cat that ate the canary?"

 "I think you enjoyed the lesson too, bird." His index finger tapped to the place where his shoulder and neck met. Miming him, you felt the dried blood from where you had ‘your lesson.'

"Arthur!" Furious, you placed the coffee grinder down on the table to chase after the laughing writer.

------

Thank you @aeoncryptic for proof reading and for the support for my first Ikemen Vampire fanfic shot!

The song MC is an actual song called Ill Winds by Flanders and Swann. Take this fic as you will, just wanted to have a little fun with Mozart.

#ikemen vampire #ikemen mozart #ikemen vamp #ikemenvampire #mozart x reader #mozart x mc

[dream-a-little-bigger-x]

Parallels | Chapter 4

Add yourself to my taglist! | Here’s my masterlist! | Parallels Masterlist

Characters: OC! Violet Grace Dawson, Luke Patterson, Julie Molina, Carrie Wilson, Bobby Wilson, Reggie Peters, Alex Mercer, Flynn nolastname, Willie nolastname, Nick Danforth-Evans, Dirty Candy 

Guideline: Sunset Universe is the universe in which Sunset Curve is famous and Violet is friends with Carrie, Julie and Flynn. Candy Universe is the universe in which Dirty Candy is more famous and Sunset Curve has broken up. 

Song(s) used: Clued Up - Little Mix 

Warnings: none

Words:  2,845

It was almost midnight when the two girls collapsed on the floor of the dance studio after having rehearsed every single Dirty Candy song at least twice. Violet had almost gotten everything down. 

“Will you tell me more about the other universe?” Carrie asked as she stared at the off-white ceiling overhead. 

Violet turned her head a little to look at her best friend before facing the ceiling too. “Where should I start?” 

“Are we friends?” Carrie questioned without missing a beat. 

“Yeah, we’re best friends with Julie and Flynn. We spend most days in Julie’s garage, making music. We wrote at least a dozen songs together, I believe.” Violet smiled at the memory of them writing their first song together just a few years ago. It was one of their proudest moments together. 

Carrie then sat up straight, the movement capturing Violet’s attention. “Will you show me one?” she asked, and Violet shot up into the seating position too. “Please?” 

Violet’s eyes darted across the room where she found a bunch of instruments stalled. With a smile, she got up and made a beeline for the acoustic guitar in the corner before returning and sitting down opposite of Carrie. 

After having tuned the guitar to her liking, Violet placed her fingers on the correct strings and started playing. An upbeat melody chimed through the room seconds before Violet’s voice followed. 

“Hey, yeah, no, oh, oh, yeah, mmm” Listen, I used to dress like everybody else I wanted to just blend in They told me no, keep my dreams on the low Told me I'd never win, yeah I love to be different Guard up to opinions then let 'em in Tear me down, wanna see me drown Like being happy is such a sin, uh-huh”

Violet looked up for a second to find Carrie watching her with the softest smile on her face, the way Carrie always looked at her. It made her feel at home. 

“And now I'm older, it's never over It don't stop affecting me, the world keeps testing me I'm getting on track with every knock back On a bad day, I just gotta stay, stay, stay, stay”

Violet’s voice grew stronger as she lapsed into the chorus with Carrie watching her intently. 

“I stay clued up and I'm ready To love the good and live the bad C-c-clued up and now I get it Just make the best of what you have 'Cause sometimes it's beauty, sometimes it's pain Sometimes it's sunshine and sometimes it's rain I'm c-c-clued up and now I get it Just make the best of what you have”

“Woah-oh-oh, woah-oh-oh Woah-oh-oh, woah C-c-clued up and now I get it Just make the best of what you have”

She slowed it down again, her voice mellowing out during the second verse. 

“Invisible, I feel like I'm forgotten Do you even notice me? Yeah Work myself up, let the nerves take over How I feel isn't what you see I need control, don't know how to let it go I need to learn to let it be, yeah Gotta remember nothing lasts forever So I'm just happy being me, oh-oh”

“And when I'm older, it's never over It don't stop affecting me, the world keeps testing me I'm staying on track with every knock back On a bad day, I just gotta stay, stay, stay, stay”

“I stay clued up and I'm ready To love the good and live the bad C-c-clued up and now I get it Just make the best of what you have 'Cause sometimes it's beauty, sometimes it's pain Sometimes it's sunshine and sometimes it's rain I'm c-c-clued up and now I get it Just make the best of what you have”

To Violet’s surprise, Carrie joined in during the post-chorus, which caused a wide, genuine smile to fall on Violet’s lips as the two voices blended together. For a moment, it was like nothing had changed and she was still in her own universe. 

“Woah-oh-oh, woah-oh-oh Woah-oh-oh, woah C-c-clued up and now I get it Just make the best of what you have”

“I will never run, never run from a lesson I will never hide, never hide from the present All the ups and the downs All the heres and the nows, oh Everything I face, no, it's never forgotten 'Cause every single day is a chance I can blossom All the ups and the downs Yeah, I'm living right now, hey”

“Mmm, I'm living right now, yeah Aah, one, two, three!”

A giggle escaped Carrie’s lips before she tried her hardest to sing along with Violet. It ended up with her just echoing some of the words, but it added a certain quality to the song that Violet really digged. 

“I'm c-c-clued up and I'm ready To love the good and live the bad C-c-clued up and now I get it Just make the best of what you have 'Cause sometimes it's beauty (beauty, no), sometimes it's pain (pain) Sometimes it's sunshine and sometimes it's rain (oh, sometimes it's rain) I'm c-c-clued up (up) and now I'm ready Just make the best of what you have”

“Woah-oh-oh, woah-oh-oh, oh, oh I'm c-c-clued up and now I get it Just make the best of what you have Beauty, but sometimes it's pain, mmh Sometimes it's sunshine, sometimes it's rain”

The last notes echoed through the space as the song came to an end, and made room for Carrie’s clapping and giggling. 

“That sounded great! Did you write this one?” she asked, intrigued to hear more about this universe of Violet’s. 

Violet smiled and placed the guitar next to her before answering. “Actually, you did…” 

Carrie’s eyes widened. “I did? Y-you mean your Carrie doesn’t sing about being popular and being the best at everything like I do?!” The girl was baffled at the idea that there were other subjects to write about than just popularity. 

“You should try it sometime,” Violet told her with a smile. “I’m sure you got something great in you. If Carrie from my universe can do it, then so can you.” 

“Sounds like a pretty good universe you lived in,” it sounded from the other side of the room and it didn’t sound like Carrie’s voice, whatsoever. Violet and Carrie turned their heads to find Bobby in the doorway. 

Violet smiled. “Actually, it was just okay. I don’t see you that often…” Bobby tilted his head a little before walking closer towards the girls. “What happened to Sunset Curve here? In my universe, they’re pretty big and touring the country at this very moment…” 

“We, uhm, we split up…” Bobby replied with a tinge of sadness in his voice. 

“What happened?” 

Bobby heaved in a deep breath before joining the girls on the floor. “Creative differences. I wanted to be famous, Luke was in it to prove to his parents he could make a career out of it, Alex just wanted to work out his frustrations and Reggie was just in it because his friends were…” 

“Oh, that sounds pretty terrible. Where are they now?” 

The boy shrugged. “Luke plays football, Reggie is focusing on his studies and Alex only has time for Willie.” 

“Who’s Willie?” Violet wanted to know, having never heard of the boy before. 

“Alex’s boyfriend,” Carrie replied, “And they’re the cutest couple on earth, I swear to God!” 

Violet’s eyes widened. “I knew Alex was gay. I swear the whole dating-a-different-girl-every-night was just a publicity stunt!” The Wilson siblings shot the girl a questioning look. “It’s a long story… But Alex is gay! Yay!” She excitedly clapped her hands, making the two teenagers in front of her chuckle. 

“So, any clue how we’re gonna get you back?” Carrie asked then. 

Violet smirked, “You already sick of me, Wilson?” Carrie’s mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. “I’m kidding. But no, I’ve got no clue whatsoever… There must be a reason why I’ve been brought here, right?” 

“I mean, you did tell me you wished someone would believe in me,” Bobby muttered, his voice laced with hurt and betrayal. 

Violet’s eyebrows furrowed. “I’m sorry about that, Bobby… I’m sure I didn’t mean it…” 

The three kids let the words settle in their brain before the three of them burst out into laughter. That sounded weird, even considering the situation. 

For the rest of the night, the three of them brainstorm together, trying to figure out what reason could be behind the switch. There had to be a reason for her to suddenly show up here. It had to mean something. 

Determinedly, Violet stormed through the hallway towards where she last saw Julie, Flynn and Carrie. They were still at Julie’s locker and, like they had many times before, immediately shut up. This time, Violet ignored it and instead came straight to the point. 

“What’s this?” she asked and showed the girls the picture she had made of the news article in the trophy case. “This isn’t right! Sunset Curve broke up a year ago!” 

Just as the words left her mouth, a girl Violet could recognize from miles away walked her way. She had a strut in her step and her long, black hair swooshed behind her with every swaying step she took. 

“Kayla!” Violet called out and when her friend turned around, her face screamed disgust. 

“What do you want?” she asked, her tone laced with annoyance. 

Violet’s eyes flicked from Kayla to Carrie and back. Kayla and Carrie weren’t friends here. And neither were Violet and Kayla. Dirty Candy wasn’t a thing in this universe. Though the logo on Kayla’s badge that was pinned to her jean jacket said differently. 

“Nothing – N-nevermind.” Violet turned back to the girls she was previously talking to. “Does Dirty Candy exist?” she asked in a hushed voice. 

“Yeah,” Carrie replied, the volume of her voice matching Violet’s. “It’s Kayla’s. She created the band with Dana, Cynthia and Sophia.” 

Violet blinked a few times, trying to process all the information. “Dana’s in the band?” she whispered, and neither of the girls were sure if she was talking to them or not. “Dana got kicked out of Dirty Candy… Our Dirty Candy.” She said that last part to Carrie. 

“Vi, we were never in Dirty Candy…” Carrie told her with furrowed eyebrows. 

Julie lifted her hand to Violet’s arm. “Are you certain about that universe thing?” 

“Yes!” Violet groaned. “This isn’t the world I’m used to living in. In my world, Carrie and I are in Dirty Candy and we haven’t spoken in over a year since your mother died.” She pointed at Carrie first, then gestured to the two other girls before her gaze landed on Julie. 

Julie’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Her mother really did know more, she was certain of it. There was something she was hiding and Julie had to find out what it was. But first, she wanted to know more about this universe Violet seemed to come from. 

She grabbed Violet’s hand and dragged her towards the empty music room at the back of the school where no one ever came. This used to be Sunset Curve’s rehearsal space during their free periods and  now, Julie used it to work on her music when the girls couldn’t help. 

“Tell us more about that universe of yours,” Julie demanded as she hopped onto a desk in the corner. Her eyes flicked to the other two girls, searching for their approval before adding, “We wanna know everything.” 

“So, in my universe, your mother passed away. She got ill, really ill and after she passed, you lost your love for music. You didn’t sing a note for a year and we kinda lost each other. Carrie and I started to spend more time together afterwards and eventually created Dirty Candy. We grew our band with Cynthia, Sophia and Kayla, and became more and more popular the more we performed at school and at Chubbie’s pizzeria.” 

Carrie’s eyes twinkled at the idea of forming a band with her best friends, though she couldn’t quite see how she could start a band without Flynn and Julie. There was no Carrie and Violet without Flynn and Julie, or any other way around. 

“You have a Chubbie’s too?” Flynn questioned, earning a glare from Carrie and Julie. 

“That’s your question?” Julie shot back, shaking her head. She then turned back to Violet. “Continue, please.” 

Violet chuckled a little. “Besides rehearsals for Dirty Candy, I mostly hang out at Carrie’s where Bobby mostly mopes around because he doesn’t have any friends since Sunset Curve split up.” 

“Why’d they split?” Carrie wanted to know. 

“I don’t know, some drama, I guess? I don’t really pay much attention to him, to be honest.” A soft laugh escaped Violet’s mouth at the thought of teasing Bobby to the fullest with all her stupid pranks and witty comebacks during rehearsals. 

“Why’d you switch places with our Violet?” Julie then queried. 

Violet shrugged. “If only I knew that… The blogpost I found doesn’t really give a theory about why people switch places with their parallel self. It just – happened, I guess?” 

Julie mulled the answer over in her head whilst her teeth dug into her bottom lip in thought. She knew she could ask her mother about all of this. She had to know something about it. There had to be more that she could tell them. 

“I think there’s someone who can help us,” she muttered and jumped back on her feet. Her three friends followed behind her until they reached the street and they were on their way to Julie’s house. Their last period was a free period, so it wouldn’t really matter that they left school early. It was something they did quite often to go and jam in Julie’s garage. 

“Mom?” Julie called out as the girls entered the house. “Mom! You home?” 

Rose entered the hallway from the living room with a wide smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes that Violet hadn’t seen in years. The girl’s eyes widened upon seeing the curly-headed woman. She was alive. Alive and well and right in front of her. 

“You– you’re alive… Miss Molina… You’re alive. You’re actually–” Violet let out a surprised chuckle whilst tears pooled in her eyes. “You’re actually alive…” she breathed. 

Rose’s eyes darted from Violet to her daughter and the other girls before landing back on Violet. A light behind her eyes flicked on, signalling at the resemblance of the situation she had found herself in years ago. 

“I know what’s going on here,” Rose mumbled before heading into the kitchen. The girls exchanged glances before following the Latina woman. Violet and Julie took a seat at the table, opposite where Rose had taken a seat, while Carrie leaned against the counter where Flynn hoisted herself onto. 

With the girls’ expectant eyes on her, Rose heaved in a deep breath. “You’ve switched universes, haven’t you?” was the first question she asked. “You fainted and woke up in a world where you know the people but they lead completely different lives?” 

Violet’s mouth dropped, her eyes flicking to the other girls before focusing back on Rose. “Y-yes, that’s… That’s exactly what happened.” 

Rose smiled faintly. “I got myself in the same situation…” she admitted. “I was eighteen at the time and I had told my boyfriend at the time that I wished I lived in a world where he wasn’t such a jerk. Next thing I knew, I fainted and woke up in a world where my boyfriend was gay and my friends led completely different lives from mine. I was in a band, Rose and The Petal Pushers, and we were pretty famous there. All my other friends either didn’t talk to me anymore or were in my band.” 

Carrie and Violet exchanged a quick glance. That sounded an awful lot like them. 

“How did you get back here?” Flynn questioned from her spot on the counter. 

Fiddling with the bracelet on her wrist, Rose continued. “There’s this unfinished business I had to complete in that world and the Rose I knew had to do the same in mine. My unfinished business was getting Rose and The Petal Pushers in a band while the other Rose had to help find my boyfriend’s way out of the closet…” she smiled at the memory that floated back to the surface. “Aside from marriage and having two beautiful children–” she tucked a strand of Julie’s hair behind her ear with a smile, “The switch was the biggest adventure of my entire life.” 

“Wow, mom,” breathed Julie. 

Violet nodded her head, “That’s a crazy story, miss Molina.” 

Rose scoffed and reached for Violet’s hand. “Please, you call me Rose in this universe.” 

A smile landed on Violet’s cheeks. “Thanks for the reassuring story, Rose.” 

“I hope it calms your nerves and worries about all of this.” 

“It definitely does.”  

Rose smiled before patting the girl’s hand. “So,” she said, “What’s your unfinished business?” 

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[illfoandillfie]

Hey i hope you're enjoying your time off work so far! Id like to request a roger blurb please, it's not from a prompt list but I had a thought the other day I couldn't get out of my head! So I was reading something on The Cross and the other lads in the band were like 22, and I just imagined being one of their friends and they offer to bring you into the studio for a day because youre interested to see how they record but you're a bit nervous to meet roger and when are introduced you can't get over how hot he is in the flesh and he thinks youre really cute and takes a liking to you and theres a bit of flirting and loads of chemistry 😍 honestly would love to read a whole fic on this but a blurb would great! 😁 p.s sorry this is so long! 😂

This is such a cute idea! I hope I did it justice!

~~~

You’ve known Peter for years. Watched as he’s picked up the bass as a hobby and then got seriously into it. You went with him when he went to audition for a band, waited out the front of the building they held them in and asked him how it went when he was done. The rumour was that a musician who was already quite famous was looking for people to join a new band so your first question was actually…

“Who was it?”

“Roger Taylor!”

“Who?”

“From Queen! Y’know, the drummer,”

Less exciting than you’d imagined. If it had been Freddie himself you would have been more impressed. And the guitarist (whats-his-name, tall fellow with all the hair) might have been worth a exclamation and maybe tempted you to turn back and try and catch a glimpse. But the drummer? Who cares. But the good news was that Peter was in. Rodney or whatever his name was had clearly liked what he saw and you couldn’t blame him, Peter was the best bassist you knew, best musician you knew. You were proud of Peter and happy for him.

There were a few perks to being besties with the bassist in a proper band. He gave you copies of all their albums and you got to meet the rest of the band. Well most of them. The singer, the famous one, had never been able to make it, always busy with Queen or his family. But he seemed like a top bloke from everything you heard about him and you did like his style, his voice. You’d thought you might finally get to meet him when you went and saw them play on the tour but unfortunately you’d had to back out at the last minute after catching a flu-like bug.

It wasn’t until they were working on the next album that it happened. You were hanging out at Peter’s place, his first day off since they’d finished recording, when he got a phone call. As he put it, some fucking moron had fucked up one of the tapes and they had to go in and re-record a whole fucking song. He was apologetic for ruining your day together but you waved him off. You could see him again tomorrow or the next day or whenever.

“Unless you wanted to come with me? Hopefully it won’t take more than a couple of hours and then we can go see a movie or something. And you can see how we make an album.”

“All that shit you’ve told me about it might actually make some sense,” you laughed but agreed to the plan.

Spike was the first to see you, pulling you into a hug but the rest of the band was soon saying hi too and waving as they plugged in instruments and tuned them. Peter left you to find Roger and ask what had been lost so you ambled around the studio, looking at the records that hung on the walls and all the equipment. The numerous buttons and dials and adjustable slides made you feel a little like you were in a space ship in a sci-fi movie. You were just beginning to wonder where Peter had vanished to and when they’d be getting on with it when the door behind you opened and in he walked with Roger. You smiled and waved and he said something to Roger before they came over to your corner of the room.

“So you’re Y/N? I’m sorry I haven’t been able to meet you earlier, Peter’s told me so much about you.” He reached out to shake your hand as he spoke and you were struck by how charming he was.

“He has, has he?”

“All good I promise,”

“Of course it’s all good. He knows how much dirt I have on him.”

Roger laughed as Peter rolled his eyes.

“Sorry, I’m Roger by the way.”

“Nice to finally meet you Roger,”

“I’ll try not to keep your boy too long. But please, make yourself comfortable. There’s a couch over there or you can sit and watch what they do at the desk.”

You thanked him for letting you be there and wished them luck as they turned and went through the second door into the recording space. And then you kicked yourself for saying something so stupid. No one had told you Roger was hot. That was crucial information and no one had thought to inform you. You’d heard he was funny and a great musician and all this other stuff and not once had they said he was hot! You tried to remember if you’d noticed it on any of the record sleeves but you couldn’t say you’d really paid much attention. You’d been much more focused on Peter. But now, after having met Roger, you felt like you were regressing to a giggly teenager again and had to turn around so no one would see you grinning.

After a bit of discussion half the band left the recording space, leaving the drummer to lay down his part first. Peter came over to talk to you, but your eyes were firmly stuck on Roger as he bent over one of the mixing boards.

“Y/N, did you hear me?” Peter said, tapping you on the shoulder.

“Huh?”

“Can you stop drooling over Rog for a second,”

“I’m not drooling,” you wrenched your eyes away from Roger and turned to face Peter instead.

“Might as well be,”

“What’s his deal anyway?”

“Seriously?”

“I’m curious, sue me,”

“Divorced. Kids. Twice your age,”

“Any downsides I should know about?”

“Twice your age isn’t a downside?”

“Course not. Means he’s experienced and mature,”

Peter laughed and you took the opportunity to look over at Roger again, though you quickly brought your gaze back to Peter.

“Seriously though, is there any reason I should be wary?”

“I’ve known Rog for a few years now and he’s a really great guy, if a little busy. Plus, if Spike’s stories about Queen tours are to be believed, you’re right to say he’s experienced,”

You laughed and this time when you looked back at Roger your eyes met. You smiled, the sort of flirty smile the boys in the local pub liked. He smiled back before turning to the desk again.

 For the next few hours you watched as each band member took a turn in the booth, playing their part over and over and over until everyone was satisfied with how it sounded. It was a little boring, the novelty soon wearing off, but there were things to keep you entertained. Peter talked to you while he wasn’t preoccupied, sometimes joined by one or two of the others. Occasionally they’d interrupt whatever they were saying to comment on how the person playing sounded, and Roger would make adjustments based on the feedback, or talk into the little speaker and relay the advice. Mostly you amused yourself by fantasising about Roger, watching him over the shoulder of whoever was talking to you. You caught him look at you a few more times too. It happened more frequently once Peter was in the booth and you decided you might as well make a move. Afterall, how likely was it you’d see Roger again any time soon?  

He’d said you could sit closer to the desk if you wanted so you sidled up next to him and asked him to explain what you were looking at. He beckoned you closer still, wrapped his arm around your waist as he pointed out different slides and buttons and explained what they did. There was a definite tension between you, something electric, something that made your skin tingle where his hand lay. You nodded along, asked questions. He seemed impressed by that, happily answering everything in great detail. Until he turned back to watch Peter, his hand slipping from your waist and his voice becoming much more serious. When Peter was done, you hugged him and said he sounded great.

“I saw you practically sitting on Roger’s lap just now,” he whispered, double checking Roger himself wasn’t listening in.

“I think he likes me,”

“You’re young and pretty of course he likes you,”

“You’re the worst person to talk to about this,” you laughed, “But would you care if I…”

“What, seduced him?”

“I was going to say asked him out but same diff,”

“Y/N, you’re a grown woman and I’m not your keeper,”

“Okay but you’re in a band with him, I don’t want to like, get in the way.”

“If you want to go for it then go for it.”

“Even with the age gap?”

“It clearly doesn’t bother you and lord knows I hope that when I’m 40 something I can still pull 22 year olds.”

You laughed, your mind made up.

There wasn’t much chance to put your plan in motion inside the studio. Too many people and Roger became distracted as it was his turn to record his vocals. Hearing Roger sing what was obviously a love song made your breath catch and your heart race. If you’d felt unsure about him, those doubts were gone. You found yourself standing by the desk again, not to see how they adjusted the levels but just to be closer to the glass between you and Roger. He smiled at you between verses and you desperately wanted to be the person he was singing about. As he re-sang the final verse, adjusting based on feedback from the others, you felt like you needed some air. Slipping out the door you headed down the corridor and stepped out of the building. Two vending machines were there and you dug out your purse for some change. As you were crouching down to collect the bottle you heard the door open again. It was Roger.

“I’m sorry this is taking longer than we thought,”

“Oh, it’s fine I feel like I understand what Peter does now. But maybe can make it up to me after with a coffee?”

Roger opened his mouth to respond and then paused.

“Doesn’t have to be coffee…”

“I’m flattered but I’m not sure that’s a good idea,”

“Why not? Is it because I’m younger than you?”

“No, no, that’s not it. I’m just not in the habit of taking my bandmates girls’ out on dates,”

Realisation dawned on you and you began to laugh, even more so once you saw Roger’s confused expression, “Me and Peter aren’t together. We’re just mates,”

“Really? But he talks about you a lot and Spike said-”

“Spike doesn’t know what he’s on about. Did you not wonder why I was flirting so much?

“No, I definitely wondered. But that’s, that’s good.”

“Good?”

“Well, what I mean is, you’re cute. I would have asked you out already expect that I thought…But that’s by the by, um,” he scratched the back of his head, “So you still want to get that coffee?”

#my writing #my blurbs #roger taylor x reader #roger taylor imagine #look! somehing non filthy! #scorpiogemini

[betweenthetimeandsound]

Three Minutes to Eternity: My ESC 250 (#230-221)

#230: Dschinghis Khan -- Dschinghis Khan (Germany 1979)

"Die Hufe ihrer Pferde, die peitschten im Sand Sie trugen Angst und Schrecken in jedes Land Und weder Blitz noch Donner hielt sie auf"

"The hoofs of their horses, they lashed in the sand They carried fear and horror in every country And neither flash nor thunder stopped them"

One of my favorite songs to jam to is Boney M's "Rasputin". A disco-influenced song about the life of "Russia's greatest love machine", it's energetic while telling that of a myth. I mention this because Dschinghis Khan is compared to this often, in all the ways.

Only this time, it's about the great conqueror Chinghis Khan, who took over the whole universe (and lasted for a very long time). From how he struck fear across the steppe to fathering seven children in one night, he is seen as the embodiment of masculinity.

While entertaining, sometimes I'm put off by the gimmickry. It can be argued that it wouldn't age that well today, because it can be seen as culturally appropriative or mocking Mongolian culture. But for what it's worth, it's enjoyable and still a classic today.

Personal and actual ranking: 4th/19 in Jerusalem

#229: Louisa Baïleche -- Monts et Merveilles (France 2003)

“Oh, mon amour Où es-tu, mon amour?” “Oh, my love Where are you, my love?”

A definite case of love at first listen for me—Monts et Merveilles is a calming ballad, albeit with sad lyrics about the end of a relationship. The instrumentation is quite nice; it reminds me of songs that stood out on the charts during that time. It also had the "ethnic style" percussion in the bridge, which made me think that France Televisions wanted to mix what worked in the last two years (ballads) with the ethnic sounds from the 1990s (as Louisa is half Kablye, an Algerian ethnic group)

Despite it, it got a pretty low result—though it may be because 2003 was a stronger year songwise compared to the two years that came before it. Or it maybe because of the hair getting into her face that took away from the experience...

Personal ranking: 5th/26 Actual ranking: 18th/26 in Riga

#228: Hakol Over Habibi -- Halayla (Israel 1981)

"הלילה, הלילה, יהיה זה הלילה נאמר דברים שלא אמרנו מעולם"

"Tonight, tonight, it will be the night We’ll say things we’ve never said before"

On a random note, whenever I would search up Idan Raichel's "Hakol Over", Hakol Over Habibi would be one of the first search items that pop up. I would completely ignore it until now, when they actually participated in Eurovision!

That said, Halayla is very groovy song which plays with the disco vibe of the 1970s and the highly energetic choreography that would define 1980s Israeli Eurovision entries. The instrumentation is quite awesome, with the mix of piano, strings, and I think accordion setting up the vibe. (And it switches well from minor to major and back again , which can go awry when done wrong).

The members seem to have a ball on stage, and Kikki looks beautiful in her dress, which was fitted that way because she was pregnant at the time!

Personal ranking: 5th/20 (though it jumps around often...) Actual ranking: 7th/20 in Dublin

#227: Wind -- Laß die Sonne in dein Herz (Germany 1987)

"Manchmal bist du traurig und weißt nicht warum Tausend kleine Kleinigkeiten machen dich ganz stumm Du hast fast vergessen wie das ist, ein Mensch zu sein Doch du bist nicht allein"

"Sometimes you feel sad and you don’t know why Thousands of little reasons are making you dumb You nearly forgot what it’s like to be a human being But you are not alone"

Wind has the interesting distinction of participating three times and coming in second twice out of those three. The first one, "Fur Alle" was seen as such as a big contender that there were bets made against it winning. And then it didn't.

Laß die Sonne in dein Herz didn't come that close to winning in 1987, but I can argue it's the better song of the the three.

It catches you right away with the reggae influences, which creates a relaxed vibe throughout the song. It builds up well with every key change--it does get repetitive at times (especially with the choruses), but never boring. And while it shares a similar theme to Fur Alle, it doesn't come off as either derivative or charitys-single like.

(That said, I did grow to like Fur Alle eventually, but this one was more instantaneous.)

Personal ranking: 7th/22 Actual ranking: 2nd/22 in Brussels

#226: Charlotte Perrelli -- Hero (Sweden 2008)

“This is a story of love and compassion Only heroes can tell.”

The better Charlotte song, in my opinion. The song she won with, “Take Me to Your Heaven” is a complete vintage track, almost influenced by ABBA-nostalgia going on at the time. “Hero” , while still on the same schlager vein, modernizes the production a little bit, to the point I imagine it would be a good pop song of that era.

Alongside that, Hero has some compelling lyrics, one which could summarize the hero's journey in general. I wouldn't be surprised if somebody were to write a Eurovision jukebox musical, they would use this in some format.

That may be the case on why l like it better, but it could also be because it should’ve done better in the contest. The fact the jury wildcard saved Charlotte is a reason why they're around, but the fact there was a wildcard which kicked out the actual tenth placer (North Macedonia's Let Me Love You) could be totally flawed too.

Personal ranking: 6th/43 Actual ranking: =18th/25 (with France) in Belgrade

#225: Carlos Paião -- Playback (Portugal 1981)

“Podes não saber cantar nem sequer assobiar, Com certeza que não vais desafinar, Em play-back, em play-back, em play-back,”

“Maybe you don't know how to sing or even how to whistle But you won't sing out of tune for sure, In playback, in playback, in playback”

This is so modern and infectious it’s unbelievable. From the introduction to Carlos’ biting lyrics to the choreography, it makes one wonder why it got neglected in the voting. 1981 was a strong year, sure, but this song is definitely one of the best of that field.

Playback, as the title suggests, is about the pervasiveness of lip-synching in the music industry. One day, nobody will have to learn how to sing because the playback will save them. They can all focus on the performance without taking note of the song.

It's eerily relevant to Eurovision today, considering we don't use live music anymore and backing vocals can be mimed. I have mixed feelings about the latter, because one side argues it allows different genres of music to appear, but the other argues it reduces artistic credibility. I prefer having live vocals; if a delegation wants to use them on the track (e.g. looping), it should be on a case-by-case basis.

Maybe that's why it somehow made the ESC250 the last two years...

Personal ranking: 4th/20 Actual ranking: =18th/20 (with Turkey) in Dublin

#224: Emma -- La mia città (Italy 2014)

“E dimmi se c’è davvero una meta O dovrò correre per la felicità”

“And tell me if there really is a destination Or I have to run for happiness”

The black sheep of Italy’s post-comeback output, and coincidentally the only song completely chosen internally. That being said, La mia citta is still a good song, and for me it’s better than some of the fan-favorites out there.

Admittedly, I prefer the punchy verses to the chorus, with the latter reminding me of something out of P!nk's discography, but I revel on Emma’s energy and her letter to the city of Rome. We have struggles about the place we are from, but still try to sing its praises when we can!

The staging was a bit tacky at times, but I did like the aesthetics of it—particularly her laurel wreath. Her costume had a good concept also, but is also overdone it in terms of the bejeweled top.

(As for the Sanremo winner that year, Contravento, it feels like a bit of a grower. The clarinet intro really takes one in, but there has to be a whimsical, sweet staging to accompany the hopeful song. Had they done so, a left-side finish would've waited for them)

Personal ranking: 6th/37 Actual ranking: 21st/26 in Copenhagen

#223: Brigitta -- Open Your Heart (Iceland 2003)

“Everything you share with me Turns a little darkness into light And that is how we’re meant to be Truth will keep the light shining brighter”

Also known as, the woman who originally came from Husavik! The difference is that Birgitta was the lead singer of the group Irafar. Open Your Heart reminds me of songs that end up on DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) soundtracks—it can actually work in the end, but also in the beginning to introduce the characters and/or their circumstances. The random running order really helped it with being first, haha! Beyond that, it's an optimistic song, helped with the guitar influences which ground it in the era. Plus, the production and lyrics add to this feel, encouraging even the shiest to open up their feelings. Also, I like the flowery aesthetic that Birgitta has, from one in her hair to the larger one (which I think is real?) on her microphone. Personal ranking: 4th/26 Actual ranking: 8th/26 in Riga

#222: Tomas Ledlin -- Just nu! (Sweden 1980)

“Han vill dra iväg, kanske ner till Paris Och hitta äventyret på något vis Inte sitta här på stans konditori Och låta tankarna, bara fladdra förbi” “He wants to go away, perhaps down to Paris And find adventure somehow And not just sitting here at the local café Just letting the thoughts flutter by” The 1980s saw the genre New Wave come to vogue, and Just Nu was a valiant attempt on the genre, especially considering the direction Eurovision would go later. From the opening notes, I got the punkish notes from the instrumentation, and the lyrics definitely add to the feeling of being free from societal expectations, crying out "right now"! (which is funny, because I learned Romanian at one point and nu means no in the language. So I keep thinking it's "just no!" against conformity) Tomas also shows quite the attitude on stage--he just struts into the stage with a boyish charm and kickstarts the song. With his looks and usage of the microphone stand, he portrays this rebellious character well, though the orchestration could’ve been improved with the strings and flute. Personal ranking: 2nd/19 Actual ranking: 10th/19 in Den Haag

#221: Lea Sirk -- Hvala, ne! (Slovenia 2018)

“Moje ime je Lea in/Za vas imam nov lik!” “My name is Lea/ And I have a new character for you!”

I love the opening lines for this song—it immediately sets the tone and has a strong statement alongside it. She's Lea, and she won't let anything down on She asserts that she can’t be sold out, and has a great attitude to accompany the trap beat, which reminds me of a K-pop song for some reason. The staging fits the song to a T--though it didn't need any changes from the NF, haha. As for the fake break, I don't have any strong opinions on it, but it definitely kept up interest for the song. A nicer touch was the Portuguese line in the end. Either way, it was a surprise qualifier in its semi that year, and it was one surprise that I greatly welcomed. Hvala da!

Personal ranking: 8th/43 Actual ranking: 22nd/26 GF in Lisbon

#esc 250 #esc top 250 #esc germany #esc france #esc israel #esc sweden #esc portugal #esc italy #esc iceland #esc slovenia #three minutes to eternity #eurovision song contest

[secret-engima]

Pretty Song verse Drabble: Night and Song

(oh look a Thing! Hope you all enjoy. Also the song in this is this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNV593nUTQw because oh boy is it pretty.)

...

     It was well past moonrise when she felt it. The slight stirring of confusion among the daemons. A few of them turned their heads in the same direction, shuffling and chattering softly in confusion. She paused in playing her music, tilted her head and listened in equal confusion.

     Was that … music? Music that wasn’t hers?

     Humming softly to keep her friends calm, she diverted from the nearest Haven and instead made for the strange sound. It was music. It was flute, deeper and huskier sounding than her little one, and Pretty Song wondered who else played music for the daemons. They’d never said anything about it before. A few of the imps chittered, unfamiliar with the song or the player, and she realized that the player must be new. She wondered who it was.

     Pretty Song fell silent altogether as she carefully peaked over the last hill between her and the echoing sound. There was a human base down there and for a moment she almost ran away for fear of the humans living there and the bullets she was sure would come flying her way. But then she realized it was too scraggly and odd-looking to be a Nif base. This one was built in some of the old ruins that dotted the area, with huge spotlights set up to keep the daemons out. And actual humans patrolling the edges rather than the stiff-legged not-humans that were like daemons, but were deaf to her songs. So … not a fatal place, but still a human place. Not a safe place.

     There was a man out there, a good ways away from the patrolling humans, sitting just on the edge of the light, his toes in shadow, just out of reach of what most daemons would dare to attack, but definitely far closer to the darkness than humans usually went, far closer than the patrolling humans were going. Another man, bigger and heavier than the first, leaned against a piece of rubble well within the light, scowling at the first man like he wanted to hit him but couldn’t.

     The first man was playing a song on his flute. A few goblins shuffled slowly as near him as they dared, bobbing their heads to the music, their Thirst not as sated by her own music did these days, but still relaxed —for now, for as long as the song played, just like the early days before they had named her Pretty Song, before she had become one of them in all but Thirst and form—. Pretty Song tilted her head and listened from the safety of the shadows, watched as the man eyed the daemons listening to him nervously, but also … in curiosity. Like he was doing this on purpose, to see what would happen.

     His song stopped and the daemons that had been following Pretty Song all growled, the Thirst stirring in their heads as they scuffled closer to the man who was just on the edge of their reach. He looked up and seemed very surprised at having such a crowd now, yipped a little as one of the imps he’d been watching scratched angrily at the ground near his toes.

     “Nyx…” warned the man firmly in the light.

     “It’s fine,” said the first —Nyx? Was that his name?—, “they just don’t like it when I stop, I think.” Another angry scratching and chittering, the Thirst getting loud enough that Pretty Song twitched nervously for her whistle —they hadn’t been this Thirsty near her in a while and she didn’t want to get scratched or bitten—. But then the man raised his flute to his lips again and started a new song, making the daemons slowly settle down again.

     Oh.

     Oh she knew this song. That was Papa’s favorite song from long long ago, the first she’d ever sang for the daemons. They recognized it too, chirped and cooed and rattled their bones, as close to happy as they ever got. One of the Tonberry tugged gently on her sleeve, swayed silently to the rhythm in silent request. The man played nice, but he wasn’t Pretty Song, and this was Pretty Song’s song.

     She could do that.

     Licking her lips and hesitantly standing up so she could sing better, she waited for the melody to loop around again and started singing.

“Give me a flower, tell a little rhyme,”

“Make a melody and sing it all the time.”

     Both men jerked at the sound of her voice, the one who’d been playing yanking his flute away from his mouth with an angry screech of a ruined note to stare sharply into the darkness and Pretty Song cringed inwardly at both the attention and the way the daemons snarled, furious. This was their favorite song and the man had just ruined it. Two of the Tonberry waddled furiously forward, fully ready to risk the edges of light if it meant stabbing the man and Pretty Song hastily started humming the song again, quiet enough that the men … probably couldn’t hear her. But the daemons could and it calmed them down. Good. She didn’t want anyone to die tonight. Even if they were humans.

     Both men looked very pale as they stared into the darkness, the man in the light whispered, “Did you just…?”

     “I heard it,” the other whispered back, “still working on believing it.”

     “What should we do?”

     The black haired man fiddled with his flute and then hesitantly raised it back up to his lips. He started the song again. Pretty Song blinked, hesitated, then opened her mouth.

“Give me a flower, tell a little rhyme,”

“Make a melody and sing it all the time.”

     This time the man did not stop playing, though she could see his eyes frantically sweeping through the dark, like he was trying to find her. It made her nervous, but she didn’t stop singing. Her friends liked the song, and she liked it too.

“Show me a penny, listen to a loom,”

“Whisper to the wind and play a little tune.”

“Shine up your penny, jump into the air,”

“Whistle out a song to castles in the air.”

“Run in the grass then climb up on a dune,”

“Touch a hanging cloud and play a little tune.”

     The daemons swayed, burbling softly. They had never gotten to hear a flute and her voice at the same time before, she could only do one at a time. A few of the imps somersaulted in glee, and one of the Iron Giants groaned contentedly as he swayed. The Tonberry began all swaying their lit lanterns back and forth in time, and a few Bombs swirled around her. The men’s eyes widened. They could see her in the light of the Bombs now. But the man didn’t stop playing, just stared as around her, the daemons began to dance.

“Penny whistle, play a tune.”

“Play it for the babe with a silver spoon.”

“Play it for the stars and the man in the moon.”

“Penny whistle, play a tune.”

     They went through the song two whole times, the daemons around dancing for them in glee at having twice the music as usual. The Bombs nudged her hands in excitement and she gently patted them, unafraid of the crackling fire of their bodies —they were only hot when they were angry after all—. She ended up dancing with the daemons as she sang, caution forgotten in the fun, bare feet scuffing against the dirt as a Ronin bent way down to take her hands in its talons ever so gently and pull her around in clumsy circles.

     By the time the man finally stopped playing and she spun to a stop, the daemons were the calmest she’d felt in a long time … and she was a lot closer to the two men than she’d been before.

     Pretty Song froze, suddenly nervous. It had been a very long time since she had anything to do with humans. For a while she had slept in towns during the day after learning the night was safer for doing things, but then one day someone had found her little box fort and had tried to touch her in ways she’d hated, so she’d stabbed him in the neck with a sharp piece of glass she’d found in the dumpster hours earlier and run away. She hadn’t been back to town or human place since. The night was safer. At least if the daemons ever turned on her —which they wouldn’t she was their Pretty Song—, she knew all they would do was eat her.

     Both men looked very pale. And like they weren’t breathing. She wondered if they were going to scream. Some humans did when they saw her at night with her friends. Others tried to chase her, but only if it was light out, so she didn’t think they would do that —her friends would stop them if they did—. Then the man with the flute smiled. It was a wobbly smile, “Hey there. You’re, uh, you’re a really pretty singer.” Pretty Song blinked at him, not sure how to respond. The man’s smile was still a little funny looking, like it was hard for him to do it. He took a deep breath and shifted his weight like he was going to move. Pretty Song stiffened and shuffled to hide behind one of the Tonberry. The man immediately froze, “No, no, hey, hey it’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you. I promise. I’m just- aren’t you hungry kid? Or cold?” He licked his lips and very slowly reached for the buttons of his coat, “I’m just taking this off okay? That’s all I’m doing.” She watched warily as he wiggled out of his coat and then shifted to gingerly hold it out toward her, “Here. You can have it. You look like you need it more than me. It’s okay-, I promise I won’t try to grab you or anything.”

     Pretty Song dithered for a moment while the daemons around her chittered in confusion. It was true that she was cold. Her clothes were falling apart, had been for a long time, but she had nothing else and she didn’t dare go into a human town to get more. Not when humans were so unsafe. Instinct said to not go closer. The man might grab her and hurt her. But… he had played such a pretty song with her. Papa’s song. And he had … very nice eyes. Big and blue and pretty. They looked … kind.

     She inched just close enough to snag the edge of the coat with her fingers. The man let it go in an instant and she dragged it with her a safe distance away before picking it up and looking it over, humming absently the entire time to keep her friends calm. It was very big, and heavy.

     It looked warm.

     She wiggled into it and immediately discovered the sleeves were far too long. She’d never be able to play her flute like this. Pretty Song pulled her arms out of the sleeves and, after a moment of debate, used the sleeves and the topmost button to fix the coat around her shoulders like a giant cape. The coat just barely brushed her ankles this way, its unfamiliar wait was big and just as warm as she’d thought it would be. The warmth sank into her bones and she hummed in pleasure before singing a shy thanks to the man. He smiled at her with too-bright eyes, “No problem, kiddo. You hungry?” She blinked at him, hope warring with fear. He was human, and most humans weren’t trustworthy. But he also seemed like he was truly kind. Maybe he was one of the rare kind humans?

     This time the other man tossed him something that crinkled, and when he held it out to her, she wasn’t nearly so skittish about taking it from his hand —one of her Ronin still followed her the entire way, just in case—. She backed away again to a safe distance before inspecting it. She assumed it was food, but it was in a wrapper. She tugged at the wrapper but couldn’t get it off. After several seconds of struggle, she pouted at it. The blue-eyed man said, “Oh, right, I should have opened it first, if you’ll just lemme-.” She patted one of the Tonberry on the head and held out the wrapped item. The Tonberry blinked at it before obligingly chopping it in half with his knife, leaving her to pick the two halves of food out from the wrapper. As she munched, she heard the man mutter weakly, “Or … you could do that. Astrals.”

     Pretty Song ate the food greedily, the taste novel after so long on just raw veggies and things she could find in the wilds, ignoring the conversation between the two men going on not far from her.

     “How long do you think she’s been on her own?”

     “Who knows. Astrals, Lib, she’s practically bones. And she trusts daemons more than us. That’s just … messed up.”

     “Yeah. Gonna get her killed someday if we don’t do something. Think you can talk her into coming into the base, Nyx? We could get Captain to send a transport to take her to Insomnia, or at worst take her with us during the next rotation. See if she’s got any family left.”

     “I can try. Hey, hey kiddo?”

     Pretty Song looked up and hummed in question. The blue-eyed man —what was his name again? She’d already forgotten if she’d heard it or not— smiled at her and this time she dared to smile back, “You wanna come inside? The ground is pretty hard and cold out there. You can have one of the beds, stay the night … we’ve got more food too, and the cook will be happy to make you something in the morning-.”

     A loud thump from further inside the human base, then loud footsteps and an angry voice, “Nyx? Nyx where are you? It’s your turn for watch you slacker! If you’re playing your flute again for the daemons like an Astral’s-d*mned idiot-!”

     Pretty Song didn’t wait to see who the owner of the angry voice was. She knew what angry voices led to. They led to being chased away from the dumpsters that she’d been looking for supper in and having things thrown at her for sleeping in the doorways of angry people. One time she’d gotten her arm hurt from a thrown thing so badly she hadn’t been able to play her flute for weeks. She wasn’t risking that again. Humans were trustworthy enough to risk that again, especially not loud ones.

     She fled into the darkness, ignoring the desperate shouts of the flute-player and the man with the food, ignoring the sudden shrieks and howls that went up as the spell of the songs were broken and some of the daemons flung themselves at the men only to recoil from the light and flee into the shadows with her. Pretty Song barely had the breath or presence of mind to hum as she ran so they wouldn’t get mad at her, and she didn’t stop until she had reached the Haven she had been walking toward before hearing the flute music. Huddled on the stones, Pretty Song tucked her knees to her chest and trembled. Frightened by the close call.

     It wasn’t until she fell asleep and woke up the next evening that she realized she was still wearing the flute man’s coat. She thought about returning it … but that would mean going near the yelling man again. No doubt all the other humans in the base would be looking for her now, and the coat was … so very warm.

     She ended up keeping the coat. For one, she didn’t dare go near the human base again to return it. For another … she … didn’t quite think that man would mind.

     He’d had very kind eyes. For a human.

#Melodies and Manuscripts #Secret Engima Rambles #Pretty Song verse #Pretty Song (OC) #nyx ulric #long post

[mirkwoodshewolf]

Robin and Gale Hood; Ben Hardy x reader Chap. 7

*Author’s note*

Another short and sweet chapter for you all and just one more to go so I hope you all will also watch the video I provide cause it’s also the song from the Disney film and if you know the words or want to follow along with the lyrics, sing along! Enjoy my loveies!

Chapter 7,

Phony King of England

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@simonedk

@ixchel-9275

@psychosupernatural

@waddles03

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@geek-and-proud

@queensdivas

@queen-paladin

@queendeakyy

@wormzteef

_____________________________________________________

Popping out from the bushes was Friar Tuck.  Soon enough coming out from the bushes and trees surrounding the camp were the rest of the people of Nottingham.

“Long live Robin and Gale Hood!” cheered Friar Tuck.  Soon coming from either side of the Friar were two of his helpers of the church, Father Jim and Sister Anita.

“And long live Prince James and Maid Marian!” proclaimed father Jim.

“Bravo! Bravo!” soon all the people of Nottingham began to cheer.  The four young heroes smiled as they looked at the people of Nottingham.

“And damned to hell with that scoundrel Prince John!” a familiar Welsh to the two young rouges called out.  They soon saw standing between Kit and David was a now healed Gilbert.

“Gilbert!” the siblings proclaimed happily before racing over to him and embraced him tightly.

“Takes more than a knife to kill me. But you both are squeezing the bandages area.”

“Sorry, sorry.” The siblings apologized as they released him.

“We’re just so glad to see you’re alright. You had us worried.” Gale said.

“Hey I couldn’t leave you lot behind. Especially you Gale. Who else is gonna keep your brother in check.” He cheekily winked at her. She softly giggled.

“I think I’d be more worried about you Gilbert. You’re even cockier than Robin is at times.”

“Hey!” Robin exclaimed.

“She’s got you there Rob.” Little John nodded.

“Agreed.” Said Kit shrugging.

“Fraid that’s true Robin. I did warn you that the tournament was a trap but did you listen to me? No.” David said.

“Okay, Okay I get it! I deserve the insults.”

“Alright now my darlings enough of teasing the fox brother. I’d say in light of this glorious occasion a celebration is in order.” I said to them.

The people all applauded and that’s when the beautiful Gale told me.

PLAY VIDEO

“Take it away then Alan!” I turned to the rest of the band and gave them a nod as I began to play my lute and they joined up behind me in a merry tune.  People then began to dance about as I sang a song about our Phony king of England.

Oh, the world will sing of an English King A thousand years from now And not because he passed some laws Or had that lofty brow While bonny good King Richard leads The great crusade he's on We'll all have to slave away For that good-for-nothin' John Incredible as he is inept Whenever the history books are kept They'll call him the phony king of England *All* A pox on the phony king of England!          “Care to take the next verse Little John?” I asked Robin’s second in command.

“Certainly.” Little John said in a posh tone.  As Little John sung the next verse, behind the camp a little puppet show was being put on.  Friar Tuck had made with a small bag of empty grain and old rags a stick puppet of Prince John.

As he made the puppet of our ‘good’ Prince John prance around (the crown slipping off his head of course), the Blacksmith Adam Sharpe raised his arm up wearing a yellow sock, representing his snake counselor Sir Heston.

The two of them acted out their ‘old married couple’ arguments with Heston nagging into the Prince’s ear before the friar peeked his hand through the shirt of his puppet to choke Sir Heston.  As well as beating him on the head.

Adam Sharpe then shook his hand and took the stick back and began to hit the Prince John puppet back twice as hard over the head sending him down.  Then the good ol Friar proceeded to mimic our Prince John sucking his thumb with the puppet, all pouty faced and everything.

It got the whole crowd laughing and rolling on their side right before Adam hit the puppet over the head once again, this time obliterating it to pieces.  As Adam and the Friar peeked up and looked at the puppet, they merely shrugged and turned to their audience and bowed their heads.

*Little John*

He sits alone on the giant throne Pretendin' he's the king A little tyke who's rather like A puppet on a string And he throws an angry tantrum If he cannot have his way And then he calls for Mom

While he's suckin' his thumb You see, he doesn't want to play Too late to be known as John the First He's sure to be known as John the Worst A pox on that phony king of England! Lay that country on me, babe!          As the band and I kept playing our merry tune, the people proceeded to dance.

It was like the festivals of old that Nottingham was once famous for.  Yeah you wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t told you but Nottingham is best known for all of it’s fabulous festivals.  We had parties that even made the people in London tremble with envy.

I saw Robin and Marian dancing together, spinning around one another and never once releasing each other’s hands.  Arthur and the Merry Men doing a little jig together, then my eyes turned to James and Gale (whom I would say were the most passionate dancers).

Doing spins, tricks, and him raising her up in the air before setting her back down.  Never have I seen the village so happy since King Richard left for the crusades.  It was like things were going back to normal.

But enough of that, I got back to the final verse of my song as the villagers clapped along and our two lovely ladies Gale and Marian began to dance with each other.  The two ladies joined hands before spinning away from each other to go to their next partners.

Marian went with the Bucher while Gale went to Adam Sharpe. The two ladies joined hands with their male partners and spun around before Gale moved onto Arthur.  She and the future Count joined hands with each other and spun around each other, while next to them Marian now danced with Adam and the Bucher clapped along to the beat.

After a few more spins, Gale went to the Bucher while Marian went over to Arthur and Adam now clapped to the beat.  After that the men now clapped as our two ladies rejoined hands and danced around each other, all smiles and laughing joyously.

Almost close to the end of my song, I leaned down towards young Michael Sharpe and pointed out and soon sticking himself through the once Prince John puppet was the scoundrel Robin Hood.  The crown sliding down perfectly onto his head.

As the crowd began to laugh, Gale soon attacked her brother in a hug from behind.  She leaned against her brother while Robin playfully ruffled his little sister’s hair. She pushed her brother’s hand off her hair and took the crown and placed it on her head as the two fox siblings stuck their tongues out cheekily. While he taxes us to pieces And he robs us of our bread King Richard's crown keeps slippin' down Around that pointed head Ah! But while there is a merry man In the foxes wily pack We'll find a way to make him pay And steal our money back A minute before he knows we're there Ol' Rob and Gale'll snatch his underwear The breezy and uneasy king of England The snivellin', grovellin' Measly, weasely Blabberin', jabberin' Gibberin', jabberin' Plunderin', plottin' Wheelin', dealin' Prince John, that phony king of England Yeah!

         Yes my darling we partied in Sherwood forest till the sun began to rise in the sky. It warmed my heart so much having that little party, like I told you it’s the most fun we’ve had in years.

         After everyone left Sherwood forest to return to their homes, all that left was the royal trio, Robin, Gale and the rest of the Merry Men.  Now I should mention this in advance, they probably wouldn’t want me telling this part but I’m a nosy person so I couldn’t help myself.

Prince James and Gale excused themselves to have a little privacy.  So the two of them ended up deeper into the woods where a romantic cliffside stood. You can see the sunrise so clearly without any hindrance of trees, bushes, or even the mountains.

James and Gale cuddled close together as the night became the dawn.  Gale resting her head against James’ shoulder and James having his arm wrapped around her waist, his head resting on top of hers.

“I’ve always loved the sunrise. I always found it to be the most beautiful sight in the world.” Gale said.

“Yeah. Beautiful.” James whispered in awe looking down at her, completely ignoring the sunrise.  She looked up to see him looking down at her.  She shyly blushed before turning her head away but James tipped her chin back up to look at him. “Gale……meeting you has probably been the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“Even given the circumstance?” she said as she fingered the scar under his chin from where she had hit him with the rock.

“I let you take that hit.”

“Sure, sure keep telling yourself that.” She hummed.

“I wouldn’t go insulting me.” He warned.

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” she challenged.

“Because.” He gave her a kiss. “I seem to recall that you.” he kissed her cheek before growling in her ear. “Are ticklish.” He then attacked her sides with tickles and Gale began laughing.  James kept a tight grip onto her sides as he growled an evil chuckle as she kept laughing.

“OKAY! OKAY STOP! Stop! Stohahahp!” he ceased his attacks and the two continued to stare at each other.

“There’s……another reason why I wanted you alone.”

“And what was that reason Charming?” he took a deep breath before exhaling out and he said as he took her left hand and stared deeply into her eyes.

“Gale, meeting you has been the best thing that ever happened to me….”

“You said that already.”

“Will you let me finish?” he laughed.

“Sorry, go head. Go ahead.”

“You’re not like most girls. You’re strong, independent, a skilled fighter, a wild spirit. But you also have a kind soul, a heart of gold, and are loyal to your cause. The people of Nottingham are in your debt. No—all of England is in your debt.”

“Well I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Modesty. That’s another thing that I’ve always loved about you. You think you deserve nothing when you deserve the entire world. You care not for gold or riches in return for your services. But I—I hope that my love and…….”

“James.” She interrupted him. “Your love is all I’ve ever needed. In fact all I ever need in this world to be happy is you.”

“And you will. You will always have me my love, but I—I hope I can also have this.” He stood up till he was on one knee and he took something out of his pocket.

A small blood red ring box.

He opened it and inside was a beautiful engagement ring. A small diamond stood at the center while emerald and blue jewels surrounded the golden band.  Gale gasped and looked up at James.

“It was my mother’s engagement ring. Before I left for London, my father gave it to me and told me to give this ring to the one woman whom would make my life worth wild. Worth fighting for, worth living for. And Gale—you are that woman. So……will you Gale Hood, like to spend an eternity by my side as my wife?”

Gale was speechless.  Helpless as she stared into those eyes of his.  Her breathing slightly increased as she choked out.

“But you—you know I am of not royal blood. What would that…..”

“To hell with those ol farts! Or anyone else who deems it wrong. All I know is that a world without you by my side is a world not worth living. As long as I’m alive Gale I swear to the mighty Father above you’ll never feel alone again.”

A smile spread across Gale’s face as she finally told him the two words that would forever seal their fate together.

“I do.” James’ face lightened up with a smile as he placed the ring on her finger and the two young lovers kissed each other lovingly. Their faces being cupped by the other person before they embraced one another.

After releasing from their embrace, James wrapped his arms around his future wife and held her left hand, the two of them admiring his mother’s ring on her finger.

“I know you said you weren’t the jewelry type. But this ring suits you.”

“I think I’m starting to agree with you. I love you, Charming.”

“And I you, my sly vixen.” They kissed each other softly before turning back to see the sun now up in the sky.

As the day went on, the town’s folk would secretly sing my song to themselves, like it was their own secret little code.  And I wouldn’t believe it for myself but even ol ‘stick up his arse’ Sheriff of Nottingham heard of the song and couldn’t help but sing it to himself.

He came into the palace to deliver his daily tax fees that he had collected.  And he was singing the song to himself while at the desk, Sir Heston was looking down at the records and heard the Sheriff singing.

He throws an angry tantrum If he cannot have his way He calls for Mom and sucks his thumb And doesn't want to play Too late to be known as John the First He's sure to be known as John the Worst

         The two of them laughed about it as the Sheriff said.

         “How about that huh?”

“That’s PJ to a T. Let me try, let me try.” Heston laughed. He then began to clear his throat trying to find the right key as he began to sing, unaware that just behind the Sheriff with a wine bottle in his hand, was Prince John himself.

To late to be known as John the first

He’s sure to be known as John the wors—

When Heston saw Prince John standing behind him, the snake stammered as he began to quickly change the insults to praises.

“The fabulous. Marvelous, merciful. Sheer—”

“No, no, no, no, no! You got it all wrong Heston. The Snivellin, grovellin, measly, weaslin…..”

“ENOUGH!!!!” Prince John roared.  He threw the wine bottle over the Sheriff’s head.  The glass shattered to pieces as he was now drenched in wine.

“No, no, no sire I would never personally call you that. It’s just the whole village has been singing it. All day in fact.”

“Oh they have, have they? Well…..they’ll be singing a different tune.” The arrogant prince threatened as he got up in the Sheriff’s face. “Double the taxes! Triple the taxes! SQUEEZE EVERY LAST DROP OUT OF THOSE INSOLENT……musical peasants.”

#ben hardy x reader #ben hardy #ben hardy imagine #ben hardy imagines #ben hardy fanfic #ben hardy fanfiction #rami malek #rami malek x reader #rami malek imagine #rami malek x lucy boynton #rami malek imagines #joe mazzello #joe mazzello imagine #joe mazzello imagines #joe mazzello x reader #gwilym lee #gwilym lee imagine #gwilym lee imagines #gwilym lee x reader #taron egerton #jamie bell #richard madden #brian may #roger taylor #john deacon #freddie mercury #borhap cast #borhap cast imagine #borhap cast x reader #borhap cast imagines

[archdukecaleb]

Monochrome Week 2020 — Day 6: Music AU

Word Count: 1757

The halls of Beacon High were empty as Blake walked down them with her hands in her pockets. The final bell had rung mere moments ago, and most of the students had already gone home. The few that remained in the building were here because of various clubs and extracurricular activities. The faunus with black hair and amber eyes, however, did not fall into that category.

She adjusted the guitar case strapped around her shoulder. She was headed for the band room so she could play her guitar. Some of her friends always asked why she did not want to play at her house and, although she could, she preferred the privacy of a big, empty room. She always felt a bit self-conscious when other people heard her play.

A few posters on the walls caught her eye. The school was hosting a concert where students could try out and perform.

Blake would be lying if she said she had not thought about trying out once or twice. Ultimately, she knew she could not do it. She loved playing her guitar, but she could never handle being on a stage all alone. She sighed and kept her eyes forward.

On her way to the band room, she began to hear something. It was so faint at first, she could not put her finger on what it was. As she got closer, she realized it was a voice. Someone was singing their heart out and it sounded beautiful yet heartbreaking.

With her curiosity piqued, Blake followed the song and found herself at the doors to the auditorium. She slowly pushed the door open and was met with a massive, dark room. The only light was on the stage, and it shined over a single girl in white.

Blake sat down in one of the many vacant seats near the back. She was mesmerized by what she was hearing. The song was almost like a lullaby, but it made her feel distressed instead of sleepy. She did not realize she sat through the entire song until the girl stopped singing.

“How was that? Should I do it one more time?” the girl in white asked through her microphone.

Blake furrowed her brows and followed where the spotlight was coming from. She saw a few people—the tech crew, she inferred—give the girl a thumbs up. The music started up and Blake felt herself grow excited to hear the girl sing again.

She only listened until she got to the part she heard when she arrived and left the auditorium. The girl in white had a beautiful voice, and Blake adored hearing it, but she still wanted to play her guitar for a little while.

Finished with her little detour, Blake found herself humming the tune of the song she just heard. She finally made it to the band room and went into a closet near the back where she knew was an amp she could use. After plugging the amp into an outlet, she unzipped her guitar case, plugged it into the amp, and sat down on a cooler near the back wall.

Blake took a moment to tune up her guitar and strummed a chord. The sound of her guitar gave her chills every time. She went through a few chord progressions all while the song she heard dominated her mind. The chords she played soon began to match the song and she had to stop herself.

She gasped as an idea popped into her head.

I should make a cover of that song…

Giddy about her idea, Blake re-tuned her guitar and chose a key that was different from the original song’s. She did not want her cover to sound so familiar that she would be accused of copying the girl in white’s song if anyone heard her playing.

She started off slowly. Her style matched how the girl in white’s song began. It sounded like a lullaby and made her feel distressed. After the first chorus, she paused until a smile found her face. She cracked her knuckles, increased the tempo, and changed the style a bit. Now, it sounded less like a lullaby and more like a statement. It made her feel rebellious. She loved the sound and kept it that way until the next chorus. From here, a chuckle escaped her lips and she kicked it up a few more notched. Her fingers flew across her strings and her head bobbed to the beat. She felt amazing and powerful. By the time she was finished with the song, she had to take a deep breath.

Blake snapped her head to the door at the sound of someone clapping.

“Wow! That was incredible!”

Blake blushed as she locked eyes with the girl from the auditorium.

She had flawless, white hair and the crystal eyes of the lightest shade of blue Blake had ever seen. And she was coming right for her.

“You’re really talented! I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone play like that,” the girl laughed.

Blake’s cheeks grew redder, “Really?”

“Well, I suppose I have seen other people play like that,” the girl tapped her chin, “all of them are professional guitarists!”

Blake frowned, “Oh…”

The girl laughed, “That was a compliment.”

Blake looked up, “Oh!”

The girl laughed again and pointed to the cooler under Blake, “Do you mind if I grab a drink?”

Blake flinched and hastily stood up, “N-no. Not at all… Sorry.”

“It’s alright,” the girl smiled.

Blake watched as the girl opened the cooler and plucked a water bottle from the ice.

“Want one?” the girl asked, looking back at Blake.

“No, I’m good.”

The girl shut the cooler and greedily drank from the bottle until half the water remained, “That’s better. Singing for that long can really make your throat dry up.”

“Yeah, I bet,” said Blake.

The girl turned to Blake and extended her hand, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you around before.”

“I usually like to keep to myself,” Blake chuckled, “I’m Blake.”

“Nice to meet you, Blake. My name is Weiss,” said the girl as Blake shook her hand, “So… That song you were playing… It sounded like it would fit perfectly with the song I’m performing at the school concert. All that would need to change is the key. Can you play that again in C-sharp Major?”

“R-right now?” Blake asked.

“Yeah, I just want to hear it,” said Weiss as she grabbed a microphone off a table nearby and plugged it into the amp, “Well, go on. Sit down!”

Blake blushed again and reclaimed her seat on the cooler. She looked up at Weiss.

“Ready when you are,” Weiss smiled.

Blake swallowed hard and tuned her guitar again to better fit C-sharp Major. When her fingers strummed the guitar, it started out slow again. The passion in her heart led the song until Weiss began to sing along. Blake watched Weiss’ expression.

Weiss’ eyes were closed as she nailed each note with perfect pitch and tone. She was gorgeous…

Blake began playing the first chorus and Weiss sang just like she did in the auditorium. She felt her heart flutter as Weiss opened her eyes and winked at her.

As she did the first time, Blake increased the tempo slightly and altered the style. She was surprised to hear Weiss do the same.

Now, Weiss was putting more passion behind her words and was having trouble stopping her body from moving with the beat.

Blake felt her smirk return as the next chorus came by, and Weiss sang it flawlessly in this new style. She readied her hands to increase the tempo again and was blown away by the sheer power behind Weiss’ voice.

Weiss was pouring her heart into the next verse and when the final chorus came along, Blake could not help herself from joining in.

“I’m not your pet!”

“Not another thing you own!”

“I was not born guilty of your crimes!”

Weiss opened her eyes again and grinned as she moved the microphone so they could both sing into it.

“Your riches and your influence can’t hold me anymore!”

“I won’t be possessed!”

“Burdened by your royal test!”

“I will not surrender,”

“This life is mine!”

Suddenly the room was quiet and Weiss stood by Blake, breathing heavily.

“That was amazing!” Weiss cheered as she spun in a circle with a laugh, “There are a few things we could work on, but I love it! It’s like a rock version of my original song! God, it’s almost like your accompaniment was made for this!”

Blake laughed and scratched the back of her head, “Who would’ve thought? Ha ha…”

“Ugh, I feel so powerful right now!” said Weiss as she turned to Blake with a massive smile on her face, “I want you to be on stage with me at the concert. I want to perform this version of the song!”

Blake blushed and looked down at her guitar, “I… I don’t know…”

Weiss crouched in front of Blake so she could see her, “Please come on stage with me? You are so amazing, and I really want to perform this song! Pretty please?”

Blake found herself lost in Weiss’ pouting eyes. She was irresistible.

“Okay,” Blake smiled, “I’ll do it!”

“Yes! Thank you!” Weiss laughed as she squeezed the life out of Blake with a crushing hug.

After the shocked expression on Blake’s face disappeared, she reciprocated the hug.

Weiss pulled away, practically bouncing where she stood, “I have to let the tech crew know about the change. In the meantime, there are some things I want to look at and practice before the concert. How about we meet up later and discuss it over dinner?”

“Dinner?” Blake asked.

“Yeah, we can go wherever you want,” said Weiss, “What do you say about tonight?”

“Uh…” Blake felt her heartbeat skyrocket, “Sounds good to me.”

“Excellent!” Weiss cheered as she turned, only to turn back, “So… It’s a date?”

Blake was caught so off-guard she almost forgot to answer, “D-date…? I’d like that.”

The smile on Weiss’ face doubled in size. She spotted a marker on a table and snatched it. After looking for a piece of paper and not finding one, she grabbed Blake’s hand and scribbled a few numbers on her palm.

“See you tonight,” Weiss giggled and walked out of the band room.

Blake looked down at her hand and sighed as the butterflies in her stomach faded away.

“What the heck just happened?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The song I used in this is called “This Life is Mine” from the RWBY Volume 4 soundtrack by Jeff Williams

#monochromeweek2020 #monosweek2020 #monochromeweek #rwby #weiss schnee #blake bellodona #weiss x blake

[chaoticspacefam]

OC Playlist Meme - Saarai (of course)

I was tagged by @thehighground​ (thank you! :D) this one was super fun!! I was caught between the twins of who I should do for this one, Saarai won because she is my favourite and her 70-song playlist was basically made for memes like this (yes, you heard me, 70. No it’s not a typo. Yes I have a slight, maybe, problem with her being my favourite LOL) 👍

I’ve shared all their playlists at various points, if you search up the “swtor oc theme songs” and “oc playlist” tag on the blog you should be able to find them! Or if you want links to the full playlists drop me a line and I can link you to them no problem! :D

Just the one this time cause this one’s pretty long, if I get tagged again tho I’ll do Ni’kasi next! :D

I shall tag (if you feel like it, no pressure as always!) @abyssal-space​ @stratosara​ @anchanted-one​ @pauletta-00​ @hypnowinnermugpeach​ and anybody else who wants to have a go, this one’s super fun! Long post so under a cut! <3 gonna pop the content warning up here to: TW for mention of past abuse/manipulation and parental abuse in one of the songs in case ya wanna avoid it. there’s a warning above the specific section as well if you wanna read the rest and just skip that song, up to you!

♦️  Their intro theme: Up The Wolves - The Mountain Goats

“I’m gonna get myself in fighting trim, scope out every angle of unfair advantage. I’m gonna bribe the officials, I’m gonna kill all the judges! It’s gonna take you people years to recover from all of the damage!! Our mother has been absent, ever since we founded Rome. But there’s gonna be a party when the wolf comes home.”

♦️  Their own favorite song: DARKSIDE - Shinedown

(She has to set a good example with being one of the leaders of the Alliance (especially because her saying “don’t do that” is the only reason her sister and Aria don’t go for their new Jedi allies - at least to start with, before the Alliance y’know, bonds and becomes a proper coalition!). But learning to trust Jedi was still hard for her after what they did to her people, and I feel like if it existed in the verse she’d find it relatable and listen to it a lot.)

“Can you hear me, am I speaking clearly? Are you star-struck or just made of stone? Block out the actors, and all these bastards. That took all the fun out of rage and revenge.”

♦️  Their boss battle theme: Castle - Halsey

(it was difficult to pick one for this one, she has quite a few in her playlist that I consider her “boss battle” songs for various points in her life/the two different verses. But I think this one is the most universal! :D)

“I’m heading straight for the castle. They wanna make me their Queen. And there’s an old man sitting on the throne there sayin’ that I ‘probably shouldn’t be so mean.’ I’m heading straight for the castle...they got the kingdom locked up. And there’s an old man sitting on the throne there sayin’ ‘I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut!’.”

♦️  Their love song: (one for each of her main ships, but again, they have whole playlists because I use playlists to “set the mood” of the character/ship while I write. Pro writing tip, do it. It helps [nod nod] <3)

For Zephyrverse/Sash: Heaven’s Gate - Fall Out Boy

“And in the end if I don’t make it on the list, would you sneak me a wristband? Or would you give me, give me, give me a boost? Give me a boost over heaven’s gate. I’m gonna need a boost, cause everything else is a subtitute for your love. Give me a boost over heaven’s gate.”

For Subterfugeverse/Lana & Koth: The Last Of The Real Ones - Fall Out Boy

“I know this whole damn city thinks it needs you, but not as much as I do. As much as I do...Cause you’re the last of a dying breed, write our names on the wet concrete. I wonder if your therapist knows everything about me. I’m here in search of your glory, there’s been a million before me, that ultra-kind of love you never walk away from. ”

♦️  Their sad times song: Bruno Is Orange - Hop Along (tw: mention of abuse/manipulation, parental abuse)

“ ‘Bruno, what happened to your good sense?!’ I broke down ‘That man was good!!’ ‘I bet he works for the government!’ Did you hear about that mother, broke her daughter’s legs in two and said: ‘It’s too dangerous out there to walk so I have to save you!’ ”

♦️  A song that fits their aesthetic: Woman King - Iron & Wine

“Black hoof mare. Broken leg. Eye on the shotgun shell. Age old dog. Hornet’s nest. Built in the big church bell. Hundred years, hundred more. Someday we may see a woman king, sword in hand, swing at some evil and bleed.”

♦️  A song that reminds them of a better time: Downhill - Lincoln

(though most of this song has sad undertones to it, this part in particular would remind her of the short time she had with her father when he was alive, when he would take the twins outside and sit them on his lap to look at the stars <3)

“Cause you were the first one to show me the stars. And they don’t mean much to me, but I still wonder where you are. Some nights I still try to find you, relative to constellations. And all your relatives are still on vacation, or so I heard from a friend...”

♦️  A song that calms them down: 10,000 Enemies - Emeli Sandé

(headcanon that this is a song their mother D’leah used to sing to her and her twin, Ni’kasi, when they were children hiding out on Rishi and it stuck with her.)

“I hear the sweetest sound, blowing from the North. It says ‘don’t panic now, what’s mine is yours...’ I hope 10,000 times you tell me the truth. Cause now there’s much to do. I trust in you. I shall be free...I shall be free. We shall be free.”

♦️  A song that gets them hyped up: Young And Menace - Fall Out Boy

“We’ve gone way too fast for way too long. And we were never supposed to make it half this far. And I’ve lived so much life, lived so much life. I think that God is gonna have to kill me twice.”

I’m assuming this section is meant to mean a song the character would associate with each season? So I hope I’ve interpreted that correctly, I wasn’t really sure what else it was referring to. So that’s what I’m doing LOL

♦️  Spring: Thunder - Imagine Dragons

“Just a young gun with a quick fuse. I was uptight, wanna let loose. I was dreaming of bigger things and wanna leave my own life behind. Not a yes sir, not a follower, fit the box, fit the mold, have a seat in the foyer. Take a number, I was lightning, before the thunder.”

♦️  Summer: The Times They Are A’Changin’ - Fort Nowhere

(a.k.a the time of year where everything went to hell for her, though she uses it to remind her of how far she’s come once she’s older and more at peace with everything that happened so it’s positive in the end!)

“Come gather round people, wherever you roam. And admit that the waters around you have grown, and accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone. If your time to you is worth saving, well you better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone. For the times, they are a’changin’.”

♦️  Autumn: Dragon - Built By Titan feat. Skyborne

“When I was younger, I had a dragon. We would fly away to places you can’t imagine. And this is a story, of a lonely island. And a boy who found a way to become a lion.”

♦️  Winter: Youth - Glass Animals

(Winter is when Ty was born so it’s a mixed bag of trauma-induced depression (See “sad-times” song above), missing her twin and being sad about what happened but also wanting to make sure Ty never has to experience what she did and just wanting him to have a safe & happy life, so. This song kinda fits that.)

“Boy, when I left you you were young. I was gone but not my love, you were clearly meant for more than a life lost in the war. Oh, I want you to be happy, free to run get dizzy on caffeine, funny friends that make you laugh and maybe you’re just a little bit dappy.”

♦️  The song that plays while they’re lying on the ground bleeding out in a Walmart: Everything You Ever - Neil Patrick Harris (from Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog)

“So your world’s benign. So you think justice has a voice? And we all have a choice? Well now, your world is mine.”

♦️  The song that would play each morning if they’re stuck in a time loop: Ends Of The Earth - Lord Huron

“ Oh, there's an island where all things are silent, I'm gonna whistle a tune. Oh, there's a desert that size can't be measured; I'm gonna count all the dunes.”

♦️  The song they’d listen to while robbing a Wendy’s: Pork Soda - Glass Animals

“Somebody said I’m a fucking slum, don’t know where I belong. Maybe you’re fucking dumb, maybe I’m just a bum. Maybe you’re fucking scum, don’t you go psycho chum.”

♦️  The song they’d accidentally introduce to people in medieval times if they were a time traveller: The Time Warp - Rocky Horror Picture Show.

(Also not accidentally, she has a silly side and she’d probably play this one for the LOL’s to see who got it or who got mad. She’d totally learn the dance moves and do those too XD)

“ The blackness would hit me And the void would be calling Let's do the Time Warp again Let's do the Time Warp again.”

♦️  The song they’d play in the middle of the night when their neighbors are being too loud: Blood // Water - grandson

("Do you think if I play a really loud, aggressively threatening song they’d shut the fuck up? I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna try it.” XD).

“You’ll never get free, lamb to the slaughter, what you gon’ do when there’s blood in the water?!”

♦️  The song that plays at their funeral: Sax Rohmer #1 - The Mountain Goats

“Ships loosed from their moorings capsize and then they're gone. Sailors with no captains watch a while and then move on. And an agent crests the shadows and I head in her direction. All roads lead toward the same blocked intersection. And I am coming home to you. With my own blood in my mouth...yes I am coming home, to you. If it’s the last thing that I do.”

♦️  The song that plays when it’s revealed that they faked their death: Joan of Arc - Arcade Fire

“You’re the one that they used to hate but they like you now. And everything that goes away will return somehow....first they love you, then they kill you, then they love you again...and then they love you, then they kill you, then they love you again.”

#swtor #star wars: the old republic #OC meme #tagged meme #swtor OC playlists #swtor oc theme songs #swtor oc: saarai ahaszaai #sith warrior #sith pureblood #[me cackling gleefully as i have yet another excuse to put my excessively-in-depth character playlists to good use] #except for the time warp obvs that's not in her playlist but c'mon what other song would you play to troll people when you time travel XD #let's face it saarai's basically taken over this blog #i should change my icon to one of my many screenshots of her really #tw: past trauma #tw: past abuse #tw: parental abuse #tw: manipulation

[wewillwriteyou]

Crazy Little Thing Called Love || Chapter 5

A few elements from the main plot: A fine line falls between fiction and reality: what starts as a musical slowly becomes a game-changer. Tables will turn and it will get clear as the sun that the only unstoppable power in life … is love.

Summary Chapter 5:  Boundaries between real life and fantasy are getting more blurred by the minute: Elizabeth and Gwilym know something about it. Who could have imagined that rehearsing a simple dance choreography on stage would have caused so many mixed emotions? Especially, when jealousy works harder than reason.

Word count: 4k

Warnings: ‘Angst is in the air’, but apart from that and a terrible rollercoaster of emotions this chapter is safe territory for everyone. 

A/N: Don’t miss this chapter, folks, because some little events that happen in this one will change the whole dynamics between the characters. Enjoy and ... get ready for the drama. It’s coming 😏🧚🏻‍♀️ 

Tuesday, 12 November 2019

“When at home air smells like betrayal,” sentenced the Sorcerer “even the strongest give in at the weakness of the heart”

“Alright people, let’s try this again” Denise shouted from her seat in the first row of the auditorium.

At her call, all the actors on stage took their places on the little white ‘x’s that marked their spot at the beginning of the scene.

Denise smiled knowing Joe would have been very pleased once the whole act was completed. He had left her on watch that morning since he needed to go into town to pick up some mail and a few more things for the stage.

She had been sceptical when Joe had offered her to co-direct the musical but as days went by, she had come to even enjoy her work behind the scenes. She hated to admit that Joe was right, but she did love being part of the production.

“Didi, should we do the dance sequence as well?” Elizabeth appeared on her left and made her jump for the surprise.

“Uhm… yeah, sure if you want” she said “Just give me ten mins to see if this works and the stage is yours”

Elizabeth smiled and walked back to her seat a few rows back, next to Gwilym and Rami.

“What’d she say?” the latter asked.

“She said it’s okay” the girl untied her ponytail and braided her hair on her shoulder, “I think we should try both scenes…”

“Both?” Gwilym asked, startled “Our sequence isn’t even finished yet…”

The redhead stopped for a moment then shook her head. “It’s been a week since we last rehearsed… it’s not gonna hurt to practice the scene and the dance sequence altogether…”

Gwilym was definitely sceptical and frankly quite nervous to show the whole auditorium how he still could not dance. It didn’t matter what Liz thought or said: he still felt like the least graceful dancer of all time. He was quite sure Liz had only always been gentle with him just cause she was Liz. She was way too polite to hurt his feelings, but he never believed she meant what she said.

He felt like he had only gotten the part because he was Joe’s roommate and best friend. And he could almost hear the whispers of the rest of the cast wondering why the hell he’d been cast in the first place.

However, he couldn’t seem to be strong enough to let go of the musical. There would have been still time to find someone new, better than him for the part. But he inexplicably held on to the role, ignoring the voices in his head.

What’s so important that is keeping you here? he thought to himself and as if the universe wanted to give him an answer he felt someone calling him.

“Liz to Gwil – the redhead was waving a hand in front of his face – you there?”

“Uhm? Yeah,” he shook the thought from his head. You’re delusional, Gwil.

“I asked you if it was okay that Rami and I went first” Elizabeth repeated, wondering why he seemed so distant. Had she said something to upset him?

Gwilym nodded “Sure, it’ll give me time to read the script again”

Elizabeth smiled and got up to head to the stage, soon followed by Rami, not before he’d turned towards him and winked, “Don’t worry man, you’ll be great”.

Gwilym just smiled and let his gaze wander around the auditorium. Elizabeth had already sat next to Denise and they seemed to be quietly chitchatting.

Are you sure there isn’t another reason why you’re avoiding the dance sequence with her? his inner voice could not hold back anymore. You cannot tell me you didn’t feel your heart beat faster when she showed you the steps the first time.

Gwilym sighed and watched in her direction one more time. Elizabeth was already on stage, setting up the props for the scene. He got up as well and without thinking about it sat beside Denise in the second row.

“Oh, so you do exist. I thought you were just the phantom of the opera, who spies rehearsals from a corner and tries to scare actors away…”

Gwil chuckled “It’s just my turn soon”

“Sure. Whatever you say, phantom” Denise shrugged, glancing at him on her side and catching him with an embarrassed smile on his face.

As he watched her act that small scene with Rami that was supposed to be one of the first scenes of the musical, he realised maybe for the first time how natural it came to her.

It was not Elizabeth on stage, it was Princess Hyv.

She always joked – sometimes actually complained – how Joe’s play had taken over her life, but watching her on stage, acting, dancing and singing a few verses, he realised how much she was having fun.

He knew her to well not to recognise the smile she tried to hide every time she felt like nailing the scene.

It wasn’t the first time he’d stopped to look at her, wondering if his eyes were fooling him and the fluttering of his heart was only coincidental.

He’d had a crush on Lucy for like a year and knew very well the feeling of being around her and feeling his stomach tingle with butterflies.

But with Elizabeth it’s different. As he thought that, he admitted to himself for the first time that there was something else between them, beside friendship.

Yet, aside from a few glances and some awkward smiling, he couldn’t figure out whether she felt it too.

When the scene ended and Elizabeth turned to Denise, and he noticed how her eyes sparkling with joy, their gazes met for a brief fraction of a second and he could swear he’d felt his heart flutter.

Not a good sign, mate.

Denise got straight up and started applauding, as well as the dozen people in the otherwise empty auditorium.

Elizabeth giggled and took a deep bow, before taking Rami’s hand and repeating the gesture. They both chuckled as they walked down the steps of the stage, visible excitement in their eyes.

“Liz, oh my God! – Denise cheered – you guys were amazing!”

“Thanks, Didi” Liz hugged her tight before turning to Gwil, who was still sitting in second row, hands fidgeting in his lap.

“I’m ready when you are”, Liz smiled to him and he felt his heart definitely flutter. Again.

Twice in less than a minute. Not a good sign, mate.

How was he supposed to act and dance with her in front of the rest of the cast when he was not sure he could have held it together?

“Gwil – Liz awoke him from his thoughts – are you okay? You’re on another planet today…”

“I’m fine. – he gave the three pairs of eyes staring at him a small smile – I’m ready”

Liz nodded, not quite convinced but too into her own thoughts to wonder about it. The adrenaline of perfectly handling the scene with Rami was still running through her veins but she was terribly worried how Gwil would have had an effect on it.

Every time they rehearsed together she could feel her heart speeding and slowing at irregular rates.

Besides, this was no regular scene. It was the scene their characters met for the very first time.

Their characters were written as to they would fall in love by accident, by mistake, and Elizabeth felt like laughing at the irony.

Could it be that she was falling for him because of their characters? After all, everything had been fine before they started rehearsing…

Was she falling for Gwilym or for Hymy?

Gwilym was such a good actor that every time they read lines, she could see that he completely disappeared into his character and he became the gardener of the castle, the only person who understood the princess’ urge to escape from a set up marriage.

She was completely smitten by everything he said when they were on stage, like she was bewitched by his voice.

They got up on stage, both with the head full of thoughts, without the faintest idea how similar their minds were as they took their places and got ready to start the scene.

Elizabeth turned around, tying the long skirt around her waist – her character was in fact supposed to have a long dress in that scene.

Breathe in. Breath out., she repeated to herself.

“Has the sky always been so blue? – she started – Has the palace always been this splendid?”

Gwilym knelt on the ground, pretending to be planting flowers.

“Is princess alright?”

She swiftly turned, stumbling on her feet “I am not quite sure, sir – she stumbled again – My head is spinning so fast but the world seems suddenly so bright and its colours so vivid”

She brought the back of her hand to her forehead and smiled absently, letting herself fall backwards.

But before she could hit the ground, Gwilym caught her in his arms and smiled.

She returned his smile and a sparkle flew between them.

That was supposed to be the moment their characters fell in love. The potion had kicked in and cast the spell. The magic was done.

“Miss, you ought not to be out here in your situation. May I take you to your rooms?”

“What? No! – Elizabeth said, acting indignant of his suggestion – No, I want to see the world! Today seems so beautiful and new!”

She jumped right up and started running around the stage, as the music began to tune in the background. He was following her right after, checking she didn’t fall or faint like she just had.

“Why are you following me?” she asked.

“I don’t know – he chuckled – I cannot help it. It’s stronger than me”

She chuckled as well and started pirouetting all around the set up garden. The music started to fill the air and gradually their running around turned into dancing.

Elizabeth started spinning around and hiding behind panels that meant to be columns and fountains in the palace’s garden. Gwilym was right behind her, sliding gracefully as to mimic a game of hide and seek.

Suddenly he reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her closer and making her gyrate in front of him. The smiles on their faces were anything but pretend-smiles and Elizabeth thought they were close as ever.

For the final step, he extended his arm out and she pirouetted away from him far enough to be pulled closer right back.

Elizabeth completed her last spin by bumping into Gwilym’s chest and almost making him fall. He grabbed her by the shoulders and managed to hold them both.

She mouthed a thank you, momentarily sliding out of character, and smiled looking up to him. She realised she was closer to his face than she’d ever been and thought how blue his eyes looked under the floodlight of the stage.

As he stared into her eyes, the only thought roaming around in his head was how much he wanted to kiss her. Her face was so close he could basically feel her breath on his nose. He hoped time stopped so he could consider that decision, but his muscles acted faster than his brain and all he knew a second later was that his lips were on hers.

***

“Sorry, I’m late!” Alex’s footsteps could be heard down the hall, meaning she was running upstairs as fast as she could.

Joe rolled his eyes and snorted “I’m having a deja-vu…”

Before she even turned the corner, he could already hear her voice telling him were to go. And he was not mistaken.

“I was finishing the paper sheet for the song in act two, you moron” she hit him on the shoulder and Joe chuckled.

“Just kidding, you know how much I appreciate your contribution” he blew her a kiss and it was her turn to roll her eyes.

“So, why are you not in there directing, Mr. Director?” Alex questioned as they proceeded down the corridor.

Joe chuckled “I went to the tailor to pick up the costumes but apparently I drove up there for nothing cause they won’t be ready for another week at least…”

They reached the end of the corridor and Joe let Alex walk ahead of him as they began climbing the last flight of stairs.

“Thing is, I’m always everywhere but in the auditorium and I really wish I didn’t have to do all the errands by myself…”

“I can help you with that, if you want – Alex offered, turning her head to politely smile to him - Just tell me the day and I’ll pick the costumes up for you”

Joe sighed and smiled “You are a doll, Alexandra, I’m telling you”

Alex turned again and winked “I know”

As they turned the corner heading to the main door of the auditorium, they heard chattering and when Joe heard Alex muttering something that sounded like ‘shit’, he grinned, cause he knew exactly who the chattering belonged to.

“Hey guys – Joe greeted Ben and Allen, caught in some chat of theirs about the imminent canoeing race – what are up to?”

Allen smiled widely and wily glanced at Ben before answering “Well, I heard a rumour that my good friend Benjamin was rehearsing today so I figured, why not?”

Ben stared at him with dead eyes but a grin on his face “You better be joking or I’ll throw you out that bloody window…”

They laughed at his threaten and Joe noticed Allen glancing at Alex. What the hell is going on here?

As he thought that, Allen turned to the girl “It’s a pleasure seeing you again, Alex”

She smiled and glanced sideways at Ben, who was staring right at her. Joe saw her straightening her posture and taking a step closer to Allen, as if something had crossed her mind.

“Good to see you too, Allen. If we don’t stop meeting like this, I’ll think you’re following me” she chuckled and he followed right after, while the other two boys looked at each other confused.

Allen smirked, “Well if you want we can stop meeting by chance and, say, meet at Costa’s tomorrow morning for coffee?”

Joe raised his eyebrows. What the heck? He glanced at Ben and could have sworn he’d felt his gaze burning Allen’s jacket. He giggled too himself. Why are those two so obvious and yet still too big-headed to let the other closer?

“I’d love to” Alex smiled, to Joe’s – and Ben’s – surprise.

Joe decided he’d had enough of that game and walked across the love triangle.

“Alright guys, I’m sorry but I gotta get to work” he walked up to the main doors of the auditorium and pulled them open, letting the others enter behind him.

He recognised the music right away and felt his muscles tense up. Hyv and Hymy’s first scene together, the moment they fall in love.

After that night at the pub almost a month before, Joe had tried to eat his feelings and store down everything he thought he felt for Elizabeth, but he knew perfectly well that that situation was eating him alive instead.

He was the one who’d cast them to be lovers and he hated himself for that choice. Well not hated hated himself. But he kept thinking if he’d never cast them, that whole situation would have never been a problem.

He’d always suspected one of the trio would have developed feelings for someone else inside the trio; he’d never thought it’d be him.

As his mind reminded him what a poor choice he’d made, he pushed the doors open and the scene before his eyes left him frozen on the spot.

Elizabeth and Gwilym were kissing. At the hem of the stage.

He was definitely not ready to face such a scene.

He felt blood pumping in his head and for a firm half minute his mind clouded, leaving him sad, angry and confused walking down the aisle-way.

“What the fu-” he muttered, before beginning to march faster towards the stage and raising his voice “CUUUT!! CUT CUT CUT!” he yelled.

Elizabeth jumped on her feet and abruptly broke the kiss, stepping backwards and trying understanding what was happening around her.

“What the hell, Joe?! - Denise yelled back at him – what’s the matter with you?”

“THAT – he pointed at the couple on stage – is not meant to happen till the second act. SECOND!”

“Chill out, mate – Malcolm stood up from his seat and walked up to him – they did a fantastic rehearsal and I think that kiss is the cherry on top of this scene”

He patted him on the shoulder and walked away, before he could be reached by Joe’s deadly look.

“Malcolm's right – Denise jumped in – I think you should consider moving that first kiss here. It just makes sense…”

Joe looked up to his best friends up on stage and let his arms fall down.

“I’m sorry everyone” Joe started. He sighed, his hand scraping the back of his head nervously “Look, there’s a lot of things going on right now and I’m sorry I lost it…”

Liz and Gwilym were still staring at him like two deer caught in the flashlight of a car. It was clear they hadn’t registered what had just happened either and, maybe for the first time, he actually didn’t know how to talk to his best friends.

He couldn’t stand their gazes any longer and the fact that neither of them had said a thing was killing him.

“We’ll… uhm… we’ll discuss this next time, guys. I’m sorry I need to go…” he looked away and turned his back and without another word, walked back the way he came.

“Are you okay, Joe?” Alex placed a hand on his arm enough for him to slightly turn in her direction.

He gave her a small smile “I’m fine, just need to be somewhere right now…”

“Joey, wait!” Elizabeth spoke up at last, picking up her long gown and jumping down the stage to run after him.

“Please, don’t call me Joey, Elizabeth” he abruptly replied without stopping.

“We need to talk-” she walked faster so she could grab his arm but he was quick to shake off her grip and turn to look at her.

“Elizabeth, would you let me go?! – he realised he was being a tad more dramatic than he’d thought, but anger had taken over his mind. No, not anger. Sadness. – We’ll talk later.”

And with that said, he walked out of the auditorium and disappeared in the corridor.

For a few seconds the auditorium stood still, in complete silence.

The drama had only just begun.

***

Elizabeth was walking up and down her room so fast, she thought she’d consume her soles. Her hand fidgeting and picking the cuticles was not helping calm down her nerves.

‘What now?’ was the only question her mind could elaborate.

After Joe had come in the auditorium, caused a scene and stormed out, rehearsal had been just weird. It seemed like everyone in there was wondering what the hell was going on between the three of them. And, frankly, Elizabeth was wondering the same thing.

What happened to us?

At the beginning of the semester everything was working out just fine and where were they now?

She’d never forget the look Joe had given her before rushing out of the room. He looked appalled. Mortified. Sad, even. But the thing that bugged her the most was that he’d called her ‘Elizabeth’. The two of them had an unstated agreement that they’d be calling themselves by full name only when one of them had screwed up.

She stopped and crashed on the bed with a loud sigh, her hands joined on her forehead to cover her eyes.

The worst thing is I have an idea about why he’s mad at me, she thought to herself.

As much as she would have wanted to forget that whole thing, her mind kept on replaying the last few seconds of the scene with Gwilym.

When they were inches from each other, she remembered asking herself whether it was a good idea to get even closer. No it wasn’t a good idea, you moron.

Though, she hadn’t had much time to think and before she knew it, Gwil’s lips were pressed against hers.

She realised she had a lot of expectation on that kiss and when it’d happened it was… different. Not in a bad way, but not even in the best way. She still needed to make up her mind about that feeling.

A knock on the door made her jump on the bed.

“I’m coming, Alex, just let me get my keys” she fumbled in her purse.

“Ehm… it’s not Alex”

Elizabeth froze on the spot. Gwilym.

“Oh… well… let me get this-” she tucked the key in the door and pulled it open. Gwilym was leaning on the door frame, a small apologetic smile on his face.

“Hi,” she smiled lightly and moved from the entrance “Come on in.”

He awkwardly smiled, “I’m sorry to bother you right now… it’s just… I didn’t know who to talk to…”

Elizabeth sat on her bed and clumsily gestured him to do the same.

“Don’t worry – she smiled as he sat down – ‘twas pretty bonkers before, huh?”

She didn’t mean to bring that up so soon, but who was she kidding? That was the only topic worth talking about.

Gwilym giggled and shifted on the mattress “I’d say that, yeah…”

He glanced at her and there was her heart pounding again in her chest.

“Look, - he started – if that kiss made things weird, let’s please just forget the whole thing, alright?”

Elizabeth looked down to her hands “I didn’t think it was weird – she answered with a low voice – until I heard Joe shouting. Then I thought he was weird…”

Gwilym chuckled and she smiled, happy she could at least break some tension.

“Why’d you think he’s so mad at us?” he asked.

“He’s mad at me, not us…” she corrected him, before wiping some loose hair from her forehead and sighing.

“I think I’ve known Joe long enough to say that that reaction means he felt betrayed… - she looked at him, but Gwil was looking down – I think that seeing what he saw he felt like we were betraying him and cutting him out of the trio…”

“Well, what are we supposed to do, ask him to join?” Gwil burst out, making Liz chuckle.

“That’s not what I meant, doofus – she bumped her shoulder against his arm – I think maybe he would have wanted us to talk to him first”

“And ask for permission? Who is he, the godfather?”

“Would you stop? I’m trying to have a serious conversation…” she said between laughter.

“Sorry sorry – he bumped her back and turned to look at her – I think you may be right…”

Elizabeth nodded and looked away to her hands again.

“So, - Gwilym began again – about that kiss… did it mean anything for you?”

Elizabeth raised her eyebrow “Boy, you go straight to the point, huh?”

Gwil chuckled “Sorry, it’s just who I am… - he stopped to see if she’d had any reaction to his question and all he could see was some redness on her cheeks. He smiled – If it helps, it meant something for me…”

Elizabeth turned her head to him and this time he was staring back. She smiled, “Me too” she just replied.

She caught his gaze wandering from her eyes to her lips and then again to her eyes, his mouth curving in a small smirk.

Elizabeth realised she was relentlessly inching toward him, as his hand slowly crawled to her knee.

“Last time we were this close it didn’t go so well…” she whispered.

“Well, there was an audience staring at us…” he whispered back, making her lightly chuckle.

“Ehm, Gwil? – her mouth was completely dry as she tried to articulate a sentence – We should, ehm… probably talk to Joe first…”

“Mmh… - Gwilym seemed to agree – soon”

“Yeah. Soon,” she breathed before getting an inch closer and sealing the distance between their lips.

-

Chapters: ⬸ previous | next ⤑

A/N: Hello folks! We know you’re shocked: the ending is pretty unexpected. Or, at least, we hope you liked it! Let us know what y’all think about this chapter!

Enjoy!

Tag List: @littledarlingwellaway​ - @petriwhore​ - @bohemiandelilah​ - @misshystericalqueen​ - @loki-lover095​ - @inthelapofthe39​ - @starsoflovingness-wq​ - @minetticatinwonderland​ - @cairdes20​ - @friendswillbefriendsblog​ - @o-holynight - @trash-record-collection - @please-stop-me-now - @theappleofmybri - @imgonnabeyourslave - @babygotblueeyes - @mi55chanandlerbong - @deaky-with-a-c - @luckytrashgooprebel - @thosequeenboys - @rogahs-drowse - @rogerismyfairyking - @killer-qu33n-of-disaster - @sunshine112 - @a19103 - @queenlover05 - @modymody99 - @bensrhapsody - @peterwandaparker - @sjeunhaelover - @franciu95 

#crazy little called love #CLTCL #bohemian rhapsody #bohemian rhapsody cast #borhap #borhap cast #borhap boys #joe mazzello #ben hardy #gwilym lee #lucy boynton #rami malek #allen leech #joe mazzello x oc #ben hardy x oc #gwilym lee x oc #lucy boynton x rami malek #borhap boys imagine #smut #fluff #angst #sweetgcreature #deakyswhitequeen #wewillwriteyou #wewillwriteyou masterlist

[leupagus]

you will miss the green and the woods and streams

A Schitt’s Creek AU thing I wrote for @broadlybrazen, which boils down to “lol what if Schitt’s Creek had been Schitt Records can you imagine.” 

You’re welcome/I’m sorry.

***

“Okay, but why are you making me do this.” David doesn’t ask, because it’s not a question; it’s a declaration, something he’s learned in the long years since he and Stevie were coworkers, then friends, then — something, almost, not quite — and now they’re people who drag each other to shitty bars in shitty basements in shitty Toronto, except only Stevie is that.

“I’m not making you do anything,” Stevie lies right to his actual face as they collect her beer and his wine from the bartender. “You offered to comfort me.”

“I don’t think I said ‘comfort’ so much as I said ‘support you in your time of—‘“ he waves at her generally, carefully not to spill. “Loss, or whatever.”

Not that Jake qualifies as a loss, per se; he hadn’t even tried to get out of the contract, which Stevie keeps saying is the important thing. And David of all people knows that above-average sex can only take you so far when the other guy is an emotionally illiterate carpenter/rockstar who responded to a breakup text with “bummer :P”

“Well, this is you supporting me.” Stevie takes a swig and leans back against the bar; David admires the clean line of her neck and chest the way he’s done a thousand times before, absentminded appreciation the way he looks at a beautiful coat or listens to a new record; letting it slip through his fingers, like everything else.

“You’re not…performing, are you,” David doesn’t-ask.

Stevie gives him a long look. “You’ve known me for over two years,” she says, even. “Do you think I’m likely to break out into song?”

“You’re a talent scout for a major record label,” he feels obliged to point out.

“Uh, first of all, it’s not major, and second of all, so are you,” she says.

This is, sadly, irrefutable.

*

When Ira disappeared to God knew where with the keys to the Rose family fortune, their lawyer had pulled them all into the living room with a chipper expression and a folder. David hadn’t listened, the sounds of furniture, paintings, his life being carted out the door overwhelming everything else. But Dad’s voice cut through.

“Schitt Records? That was a joke—“ and it still is a joke, almost two and a half years later. The biggest joke in the music industry, and David hears the laughter everywhere he goes.

*

Roland Schitt had been managing his wife and an extremely chipper singer-songwriter who went by “Twyla” and did tarot card readings after every set. Schitt Records was worth approximately nothing; probably why the government had let them keep it. When Dad finally exercised his ownership clause and made Roland an ex-officio (read: non-voting) board member, Roland had actually cackled with delight and wished them all the best, taking his “President of” title and a small stipend with him. Jocelyn and Twyla stuck around, although David still isn’t sure that Twyla’s all that aware of the change in management.

And anyway, as far as David’s concerned, the only thing of value at Schitt Records, at least at first, was Stevie.

*

They’d put Alexis back in the studio for want of any better ideas; David had found a semi-decent, semi-sober songwriter to give her some of the songs Meghan and Ariana had rejected. “Pullin’ Up Alexis” didn’t so much as crack the top 200 but it had put Schitt Records in the black, at least, even if Alexis did go white-faced and brittle at the awful venues David coaxed her into for the better part of a year — county fairs and no-name festivals where the audience wanted to jeer and heckle, where her dancing would get her laughed offstage if her singing didn’t. But every time he’d tell her she could quit (she couldn’t) and that they’d find another way to get the company on its feet (they wouldn’t), she’d lift her chin and smile and ask her where they were going next, and David loved her more than he’d ever, ever tell her.

And when the tour ended, David gritted his teeth and went out with Stevie to find something else. They found Ronnie, who hates them all but has hands like an angel on the piano; Jake who’s prettier onstage than off but who can draw a reliable crowd; even Ray, whose one-man band act is surprisingly lucrative, though David suspects that’s because anyone who listens can’t actually believe what’s happening.

Schitt Records still isn’t worth buying, but it’s worth something, now; worth spending late nights in small towns, worth sleepless weekends working festivals, worth more than David had ever expected to find.

But he’s still looking, he knows, for something else.

*

Even more insultingly, the open mic has a theme; “90’s Nostalgia!” which means too many bad covers of Alanis and one truly offensive attempt at “I Will Always Love You” that has David ordering his next glass of wine in a pint glass.

Stevie is laughing, though — she’s happy, in tune with the crowd who are clearly here for their respective friends onstage, leading the shaky ones through their choruses and cheering with far more enthusiasm than is merited when each of them wraps up.

“This is horrifying,” David tells her as some guy in his 60s gets gently ushered offstage and there’s a blessed lull.

“I know,” Stevie replies, eyes shining. “It’s great.”

And it is, in a weird way that David would never have enjoyed in his other life; he would never have set foot in here, would never have been friends with someone as grounded and solid and plaid as Stevie in the first place. So he takes a drink and doesn’t suggest they leave, but does pick a fight about sending Ray to ACL.

Stevie obligingly takes the bait and they’re halfway through the comfortable old argument about riders when David realizes the strummy-strummy lala in the background is a) recognizable, b) good, and c) infuriating.

The guy onstage is best described as “unprepossessing accountant,” wearing an ugly shirt and ugly slacks and uglier shoes and an astonishingly ugly fringed vest that’s probably (hopefully) a joke, judging by the wolf whistles from a table near the stage. But he’s got a smile like a searchlight as he rounds the corner of the first verse:

“I’m caught up in the midst of you And I cannot resist…”

David flails around until he makes contact with Stevie’s — okay, her face, which she’ll probably complain about later, but he’s too incensed. “He’s singing Mariah?”

Stevie swats his hand away. “He’s not bad.”

“I—“ David clutches at his pint glass. Fringed Vest, still grinning into the crowd and unaware of David’s newborn vendetta against him, continues.

Boy, if I do The things you want me to The way I used to do Would you love me, baby Hold me, feeling now Go and break my heart

The entire bar joins in on the chorus, Fringed Vest leading them like some hick accountant Pied Piper:

Heartbreaker, you got the best of me But I just keep on coming back incessantly Oh, why did you have to run your game on me I should have known right from the start You'd go and break my heart

Fringed Vest does not, thank God, try his hand at rapping the break but the crowd seems reluctant to let him actually finish the song, the choruses getting progressively louder and more boisterous until Fringed Vest puts a line underneath and steps back from the mic and they finally take the goddamn hint.

“That was—“ awful, he’s about to say, but the problem is that it wasn’t. There’s not a whole lot a Canadian accountant can add to Mariah Carey, especially with the advent of Lip Synch Battle. But it hadn’t felt patronizing or mocking; Fringed Vest knew every word, sang with a voice that couldn’t hold a match to Mariah but still expressed some sort of longing. He’d been joyful, earnest where most people tonight had clung to trite. It… worked.

He’s even more enraged.

“C’mon,” Stevie says, slipping through the crowd with the weary ease of someone who’s been doing this half her life. David tromps behind in her wake, bumping up against the same people Stevie glides past and almost losing her twice before she gets to the dinky curtain that is the backstage and ducking inside.

Which smells like vomit; David immediately flips through the various acts tonight and makes a bet with himself that it was the very sweet otter with the beard and the accordion even while Stevie is making her way over to the side of the stage where Fringed Vest is talking to somebody else and drinking — god, Red Mountain, David is vetoing any contract Stevie tries to push on this guy for that alone.

But Stevie’s introducing them and Fringed Vest extends a hand. “Patrick,” he says, grip firm. Up close he’s — not attractive, exactly, no eyebrows to speak of and a haircut that screams middle management, that smile still the most interesting thing about him. But it’s very interesting.

“David,” he admits, aware of Stevie’s narrowed eyes.

“David Rose,” Patrick says, worryingly. “You own Schitt Records.”

He blinks; this is possibly the first time anyone’s said the name of the company without smirking. “Co-own,” he corrects.

“You manage a friend of mine,” Patrick continues, “Ray? Butani?”

“We only manage one Ray, don’t worry,” Stevie tells him.

“How are you friends with Ray?” David demands. “He plays a vibraphone.”

“We both went to Rotman,” and that explains so much about both Ray and Patrick. “He was pretty excited when he signed.”

“Yes, the glamour of the pub circuit,” David says. “Who can resist the allure of all this,” and he almost hits a girl with beads in her hair and a banjo in her hand climbing onstage.

“It’s got its charms,” Patrick says, still smiling.

*

#schitt's creek #david/patrick #schitt records #schittalking #ficcage of interest #this story happened mainly because I finally bit the bullet and listened to Noah Reid's album #which hit all my 'very impressed‚ was not embarrassed at all‚ and I thought I would be' buttons #and was like 'oh no what if Patrick had written this instead'

[hellcbk-blog]

⋟  Studio Session ♫ ▶ “Your Way”

“I freakin’ love Aaliyah. I was only four when she passed but I actually remember it and I remember the feeling I had about her death at such a young age. As I got older I became more in tune with her music and who she was as not only a person but an artist. I think her sound was authentic. When you heard her voice, you knew it was her. That’s the type of impact I wanna have on people with my music.” Brooklyn said as a bright smile crept onto her duo just before she gasped.

“Oh my god, I just got an idea! Remember her song Come Over? And the part that was like “baby I wanna come see you..” the female sung briefly tilting her head to the side. “I wanna pay homage and use that sample to record this song I wrote a few days ago. I didn’t know what type of beat I wanted but now I do and I think it’s gonna be perfect.” She said before searching the web on her phone to find the sample handing it over to the producer she was working with so that he could put the sound with the appropriate beat. She waited patiently for him to finish mixing and getting the sound together before he played the finished product for her. As they sat there listening to the instrumental of the track, Brooklyn couldn’t help but to smile and nod her head to the beat that was playing throughout the studio. “I already know the flow for this one, you ready?” She asked him as she stood to her feet taking her phone into the booth with her. Brooklyn held one side of the headphones onto her ear keeping the other one uncovered so that she could hear her vocals as well as the beat. She cued the producer to play the beat for her and swayed from side to side as the music played; the sample being the first thing she heard before her verse. “Baby I wanna come see you, said I really wanna come see you don’t you worry ‘bout a thing just wanting to hold you.” The sample played twice before the beat dropped which was her cue to start singing the first verse. “Boyyy, you been lurkin’ in my mind and you know it wasn’t long before I had a feeling this was right. Speedin’ down the 101, it’s about 12:01 AM, wanna spend some one on one time with you. And I ain’t even gotta front, I can never get enough we can do whatever you want to do. You can have it your way, your way, your way, your way uh huh. So I’m coming your way, your way so you can have it your, have it your, have it yourrrr wayyyy.” She sang into the mic before cueing the producer to stop the track so that she could hear what she had just recorded before continuing. The flow of the song came so natural to Brooklyn that they both agreed she should leave it the way it was instead of recording it over again. “Next verse?” The producer questioned the female just before restarting the song once she gave him the ‘okay’ to do so. Getting a feel of the flow again, Brooklyn came in strong with her second verse once the chorus finished playing in her ear. “Babeeee, there ain’t nothing left to say. Can’t wait until we’re standing face to face.. I’ll make sure there’s no delay, ooh ooh. Ya got me, speedin’ down the 101 and it’s about 12:01 AM wanna spend some one on one time with you. And I ain’t even gotta front, I can never get enough. We can do whatever you want to do.” She paused letting him duplicate her vocals for the chorus so she wouldn’t have to record it again and it would sound exactly the same as the first time around. “We ready for the bridge?” She asked as she kept reading over the lyrics she had written down in her notes on her phone. “Yeah, let’s do it then I can edit this and make sure your vocals are straight.” Nodding her head she waited to hear the last part of the beat as she came back in to conclude the track. “Maybe I’m going too far I should just stay in the car. Maybe I’m losing my mind, I’m runnin’ all of the lights wondering what we are.. we are… (we are) we are.. we are..” she smiled as the beat faded. “You rockin’ with that?” She asked him as she walked out of the booth to sit next to him. “That shit was dope and it came naturally like.. it didn’t seem forced at all. You’ve got yourself a hit baby girl. Imma work on this tonight, you can add your adlibs tomorrow and by next thursday you’ll be set.” He smiled nodding. “Thank you so much. Especially for coming out last minute. I really needed this.” Brooklyn said giving him a hug before she gathered her belongings to leave STNE.

#⋟ ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴏʀᴅ ᴛʜᴇɴ ɪ ʙᴀʟʟ ♫ ▶ sᴛᴜᴅɪᴏ sᴇssɪᴏɴ. #⋟ ᴅᴏɪɴ’ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴛɪᴍᴇ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀsᴛ ᴍᴏɴᴛʜ ♫ ▶ ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘᴍᴇɴᴛ. #I really hope there's no typos cause my ass tired.

[deadcactuswalking]

REVIEWING THE CHARTS: 16th June 2019

Top 10

For the fifth week since its debut, Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber’s “I Don’t Care” stays at the #1 spot, not to be dethroned anytime soon... except Drake and Taylor Swift, as well as Sheeran’s other song down the charts, are all viable contenders so we’ll see how that goes.

Meanwhile, “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X is also pretty steady at number-two.

“Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi isn’t moving either at number-three.

Speaking of not moving at all, “Vossi Bop” by Stormzy is also at number-four from last week.

Billie Eilish’s “bad guy” hasn’t moved from its space at number-five; seriously, whilst there a lot fo debuts this week, looking at the first half of this top 10 you’d be confused to why I’d consider it busy or even interesting.

We have got some traction with something in the top 10, however, with “Hold Me While You Wait” by Lewis Capaldi unfortunately being boosted up a single spot to number-six.

The release of the posthumous album TIM has lead the late Avicii’s “SOS” featuring Aloe Blacc up one spot to number-seven.

We actually have a top 10 debut this week, however, with “No Guidance” featuring Drake by... Chris Brown. Fantastic, we need more of him on the charts at number-eight. This is Brown’s 35th (!) Top 40 hit in the UK and 16th Top 10, and Drake’s forty-fricking-seventh UK Top 40 hit, which is insane, and only 17th Top 10 like Brown. Whether that’s due to general quality and talent or just latching onto what can be a hit and launching it into success by pure star-power without quality control or a need to think twice is up to your interpretation.

Ed Sheeran’s “Cross Me” featuring Chance the Rapper and PNB Rock is surprisingly stable at number-nine, although the UK Singles Chart says on the mid-week that this could be making a run for #1.

Oh, and Jax Jones and Martin Solveig’s “All Day and Night” featuring Madison Beer is up a spot to #10. That EUROPA collaborative album still isn’t out yet, though.

Climbers

Sigala and Becky Hill’s “Wish You Well” makes a sudden boost up nine spaces to the top 20 at #15, becoming Sigala’s eighth Top 20 and Hill’s fourth. On the topic of EDM, MEDUZA and Goodboys’ “Piece of Your Heart” is “up” 11 spaces according to BBC’s awfully-made first-draft page they upload instead of a legitimate rundown of the top 40, but it’s actually had its streaming cut and is down 11 spaces from last week. “One Touch” by Jess Glynne and Jax Jones is up seven spots to #23, “Easier” by 5 Seconds of Summer is up seven to #27, as is “3 Nights” by Dominic Fike at #31, and “Sixteen” by Ellie Goulding is up six to #29, but it gets more interesting in the fallers.

Fallers

We see the aftermath of Skepta’s album bomb last week, with “What Do You Mean?” featuring J Hus also moving “up” 11 spaces down to #25, and “Greaze Mode” featuring Nafe Smallz down 10 spaces to #28. “OT Bop” by NSG is also down six spaces to #32, while otherwise not very notable, Miley Cyrus’ “Mother’s Daughter” is “diwn” two spots to #33. How professional. “Falling Like the Stars” by James Arthur and “Carry On” by Kygo and Rita Ora are down nine and six spaces respectively to #34 and #35. “Location” by Dave featuring Burna Boy has interestingly survived on the Top 40 despite streaming cuts as hip-hop doesn’t often do, down 24 spaces to #36, and yeah, that’s all.

Dropouts & Returning Entries

Moving to an unofficial chart-watching site for this one because clearly the BBC can’t be trusted, after its debut, last week “Bruises” by Lewis Capaldi is out from #16. I’m pretty sure this is due to streaming cuts as well because it’s charted for 12 weeks outside the Top 40 and is an old song, so maybe it just went recurrent and dropped off so... “Grace” could return to #12. I know exactly what is happening and it’s kind of hilarious – Lewis Capaldi’s album is doing so well that the highest-performing songs are always on the chart, but since that can only be three, “Grace” and “Bruises” have been trading places for the last three weeks in the top 20. I think “Bruises” won’t be returning here though, because “Grace” has a lot more longevity although it has already peaked. We have a couple really sad drop-outs actually, as these are songs I pretty much loved that I feel are exiting prematurely, as “Summer Days” by Martin Garrix, Macklemore and Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy is out from #40 and “EARFQUAKE” by Tyler, the Creator featuring Playboi Carti and Charlie Wilson is out from #37. “Talk” by Khalid out from #28 also hurts but that’s due to streaming cuts and it was in the top 10 for God knows how long so I’m fine with this. There are a LOT of drop-outs actually, wow, mostly from hits in the Spring that are making space for Summer hits, like “So Am I” by Ava Max from #35, “Fashion Week” by Steel Banglez, AJ Tracey (We’ll be seeing more of him) and MoStack from #33, “Keisha & Becky” by Russ splash and Tion Wayne from #19, “What I Like About You” by Jonas Blue and Theresa Rex from #23, “Bullet from a Gun” by Skepta from #32 after the album’s hype died down and “Here with Me” by Marshmello and CHRVCHES from #20, all making way for... “Sucker” by Jonas Brothers to return at #40. That wasn’t worth it.

ALBUM BOMB

STACKO – MoStack

Yeah, I didn’t expect this but I should have been, I didn’t think MoStack was this big to have an album bomb, with two songs debuting in the Top 40 thanks to the release of his debut album debuting at #3 on the Albums Chart, entitled STACKO. I think I just under-estimated his success because I’ve never liked him to be honest, but his debut from last week, “Shine Girl” featuring Stormzy has grown on me quite a bit and I feel I quite like it now, so I guess my opinion reflects the public since it’s up two spaces to #13, surpassing Katy Perry. MoStack also has two debuts in the Top 40, one of which I’ve already heard because it had Dave on it and I love Dave so I had to check it out. The track listing for this album is basically a who’s who of the best guys from the British hip-hop roster, with Dave, J Hus, Stormzy and Fredo all making guest appearances, and I guess we should start with the lowest debut from the album...

#39 – “I’m the One” – MoStack featuring Fredo

Produced by Hazard and Steel Banglez

This is technically a “MoStack x Fredo” song but I don’t care, and it’s Stacko here’s fifth UK Top 40 hit, as well as Fredo’s fourth. You may recognise the name Fredo from chocolate confectionary in the shape of amphibians or his #1 hit with Dave, “Funky Friday”, from last year, which has grown on me a lot from my lukewarm initial review and it’d be pretty high on my list of the best UK hits from 2018. Despite this, Fredo is kind of boring? A lot of his work doesn’t rub off on me at all or just ends up being rather decent instead of being all that interesting despite it often showing a lot of skill and I liked his album Third Avenue quite enough. I doubt I’ll see more in Fredo when paired with MoStack, though, but this beat is something. I love the mellow keys with a distant vocal sample that’s eerie enough to contrast the funky, groovy keys that remind me pretty explicitly of the Wii Shop Channel... because of course, it does. The trap beat kicks in and the percussion drowns out all of the funk or groove it used to have and the shrill synths that come in during the verses where Fredo and Stacko trade bars are off-beat, I’m pretty sure. The content is the same as any other UK rap song, with Fredo being blunt and much more charismatic and intimidating than MoStack could try being, with his nasal voice and much less of the Auto-Tune but a lot more of his irritating inflections, repeating nonsense words in an accent that’s obviously put on in his second verse. Yeah, this could have been something as well, as the outro is pretty moody, pretty atmospheric especially with the lo-fi piano but I’m not a fan of the performances or even the percussion here. It’s mixed okay, I suppose, although I’d argue there’s not enough bass as there should be and that the rattling percussion is louder than everything else. As it is, like the best of MoStack’s music, it’s barely serviceable.

#19 – “Stinking Rich” – MoStack featuring Dave and J Hus

Produced by Ill Blu

When I first heard this, I remember actually being pretty disappointed, as Dave and MoStack have really impressed me with the song “No Words” back in 2017, which was one of my favourites of that year. This is Stacko’s seventh Top 40 hit, Dave’s eleventh and J Hus’s seventh, as well as Hus’ fourth Top 20, Dave’s eighth and MoStack’s fourth, and it really didn’t click with me at all, and it still hasn’t. MoStack is best playing to his strength, I feel, which is often just singing on Afroswing beats, to be honest and whilst I’m not that big of a fan of those songs they appeal to somebody, but I feel he’s clueless completely on hard trap beats. “Stinking Rich” is a massive example of that, as while this beat is okay, with gliding pianos typical of this genre playing pretty smoothly over a boring trap beat that reminds me very much so of “Options” by NSG, MoStack is... charismatic, I guess. He starts his verse off with, well...

All I want is more life and... more vagina

The way he delivers this is hilariously awful, and I’m finding a lot of UK hip-hop delivery to be similarly pretty comically blunt, but otherwise he’s just boring and often kind of pathetic. While I enjoy his break from the verse to croon his “Bang, bang” ad-libs, it’s clearly thrown him off as afterwards, he gets a lot louder and more angry and that leads to him being completely drowned out by the beat and the mixing means his furiously-delivered lines about council houses falls on deaf ears, and he’s slightly off-beat at times, or at least his flow is sloppily switched pretty frequently. I don’t know who’s singing the chorus, but whoever came up with the line “What’s your perfume? I said I’m stinking, stinking rich” is either a genius or a cornball, probably both, but with its overdone delivery it really sounds like a joke that falls flat in a stand-up routine, instead of a casual bragging punchline like it should have been. I don’t like to say this, but Dave’s verse just kind of sucks? His content is generic, and his wordplay, while at least being there in comparison to MoStack’s plain statements, is really freaking janky and while the rhyme scheme is impressive, rhyming “bust down” with itself and talking about how now he bought his girl a purse, these girls want to PURSue him doesn’t reflect well on his verse. I wouldn’t say it’s phoned in entirely, but when compared to J Hus’ verse, which is incredible especially with the way the beat builds up and elevates as his content starts with pretty mundane girl talk and ending with violent imagery about police and breaking a woman’s privates with his trigger-finger, which is disgusting in every possible way, before the chorus comes back for one last time, and you realise that J Hus probably should have put his verse on a better beat and a much better song. I like the trumpets at the end, I guess, but yeah, I had a lot to say about this song for some reason but that’s because I’ve had a lot of time to think about it, even though in the end it’s just mediocre. That’s all for the album bomb, and yikes, I don’t think I’ll be checking this album out at all, and I thought I’d give it a better chance, especially considering the features but I’ve heard them all now and I don’t think Stacko can handle that many solo tracks. I like “Shine Girl” though, that song’s pretty cute.

NEW ARRIVALS

#30 – “Strike a Pose” – Young T & Bugsey featuring Aitch

Produced by Toddla T

Young T & Bugsey are a British rap duo because I can’t escape that genre today (I’d only be complaining if it were the dull and samey variation, and trust me it is), and Aitch is some other dude. I’ve heard Young T & Bugsey on the charts before when they had that song “Ay Caramba” with Fredo, funnily enough, but otherwise they haven’t really had much chart impact. This is Aitch’s first hit too, I don’t even know who he is and I’m relatively in tune with British hip hop, even if I don’t like a lot of it. First of all, this song’s wavering 808 groove that starts the song is really funky and smooth, and its abrupt drop into Afroswing/dancehall-infused production with a couple buzzing synths creating some beautiful melodies in the background, sounding very 80s, is very effective because of how intimidating and menacing the song ends up sounding despite the singer’s smooth, double-tracked falsetto and the content being just about a woman dancing... Maybe this doesn’t actually work, but I don’t really care, because it’s only barely about a woman to be honest, as it’s mostly braggadocio from Young T & Bugsey, who have really charismatic voices, flowing quickly on the beat which they ride and really fit on to be honest, especially Bugsey’s more nasal tones. The chorus is incredibly catchy and while this doesn’t sound like it’s going to be big, I think I love this to be honest. The second verse sounds like he’s grinning for the whole time, and while the content is pretty disgusting and objectifying as always, it’s not like it’s being glamorised, I mean, can you hear this beat? It’s pretty dark and eerie, so I don’t think this is a celebration of the culture at all, with those pounding kicks and hypnotic 808s making this a lot more depressing than it sounds. This is a really interesting take on the faux-dancehall faux-grime fusion genre (That MIGHT be called Afroswing?) I see a lot on the charts, and is actually pretty good. This doesn’t exactly sound like a hit, though, but time will tell.

#26 – “Ladbroke Grove” – AJ Tracey

Produced by Conducta

I can’t seem to get a break, can I? This song has been bubbling below the Top 40 for a while, and has just now moved up to the Top 40, becoming AJ Tracey’s fifth hit in this region, thanks to its release as a single and a remix with Novelist. Now, Tracey is okay, and has never really given me all that much of an awful impression, although I have to admit he is kind of the poster child of a genre and style I’m not a fan of, even though I took a fondness to his performance on the awful “Fashion Week” and I liked “Butterflies” back when that debuted, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to me if I ended up liking this new song, and, well, I love it, I’m sorry. This is a perfect throwback to the urban dance music sounds of the 2000s, and I’ve heard a lot of deserved high praise for the song. It’s a genre called UK garage, specifically, which is closely related to grime, and that pitch-shifted, chopped-up Jorja Smith sample is inspired, despite perhaps sounding somewhat lazy. AJ Tracey is perfect over this beat, though, and instead of focusing on flexing or even women (Well...) he goes for a simple “DJ rock the set I rock the mic” topic that would be typical of MC’s who rap over music of this genre. The flow is rapid and fun over a bouncy instrumental, and to put it bluntly it’s an absolute tune. None of Tracey’s songs I’ve heard are the same genre, and I appreciate that, but honestly can he just stick to this? His verses are hooks in themselves, and are repeated incessantly because it’s UK garage and made for the clubs, and if they weren’t catchy I would be trashing it but this is so fun. His final verse, is especially powerful as it reflects what the chorus has been droning on about all this time, not specifically the topic but the tonal juxtaposition between her longing vocals and the beat, by mentioning cop cars and making it evident that this music is a form of expression against discrimination as dance music was and will be for people of colour... It’s not that deep, it just bangs. The remix is okay, as well, but yeah I’m impressed, Tracey. I’d like him to do more of this traditional, somewhat throwback UK garage and grime stuff like this and especially “Horror Flick” – that song’s even better, I really dig it and it feels oddly nostalgic.

#22 – “Shockwave” – Liam Gallagher

Produced by Greg Kurstin – Peaked at #1 in Scotland

In stark contrast, here’s everyone’s favourite “fat man in an anorak” (Noel’s words, not mine) Liam Gallagher, with his fifth UK Top 40 hit as a solo artist after the break-up from Oasis and later on Beady Eye. Now, Noel and Liam’s constant fall-outs and back-to-back disses have been victim to media ogling for decades now, but there’s one point I feel isn’t touched upon enough in terms of their solo work, and it’s that they both have essential components in each other that they now completely lack, and will forever sound like wasted potential. Liam has the very distinctive vocals and his aggressive attitude was often reflected in that powerful and often desperate, distant performance. Noel, on the other hand, could write coherent hit singles and can’t hold a note to save his life. Do you see where I’m going with this? In terms of solo work, Liam’s is what I prefer more often than not because he has more personality than Noel and his high-flying birds or whatever, although both of their discographies are hit-and-miss and honestly compiling it all would make the worst Oasis album, and that’s saying something considering their 2000s output. Is this new song any good then? Well, I don’t think it’s bad, but it’s definitely uninteresting. Liam sounds restrained, which is something I never want to hear him sounding like considering he’s at his best when he’s giving it his all. In fact, I hear some Auto-Tune on his incredibly safe vocal performance. In fact, everything here is safe, the guitar riffs are oddly familiar, the droning bass sounds like it’s an FL Studio loop, the drums are monotonous and the way the chorus “transitions” into the verses is janky and abrupt, once again showing how Liam’s songwriting isn’t great. The chorus isn’t even catchy and honestly, this has no grit or much passion at all. I’ve always preferred Blur, so maybe that’s my issue but even me, a Damon Albarn fangirl, could appreciate the best of Oasis back in their day, but no, this is really mediocre and kind of boring. Sorry.

#20 – “Heaven” – Avicii featuring uncredited vocals from Chris Martin of Coldplay

Produced by Avicii – Peaked at #2 in Sweden

I really hate this chorus, I absolutely despise it. It reeks, and honestly the fact that it was released is really despicable. I don’t hate posthumous music on principle, if it’s finished or the estate and/or person before their death has given the thumbs-up, it’s really none of my business, but when the music released is awful or has a severe case of tonal dissonance that is perfectly tuned and twisted to make it a hit song, that’s when it breaks me. This is from the late Tim Bergling’s “new” album TIM and all profits are going to charity, which is something I can congratulate it for mostly because I’m about to defend XXXTENTACION’s post-murder releases. When X spoke of death, it was never an extended metaphor in an otherwise lyrically upbeat track, it was very bluntly about death and was often on a melancholy, piano or guitar-lead ballad or bassy distorted SoundCloud trap beats. Whilst the profits didn’t go to charity and the painful attempt at fanservice by using the dumb stylisations he used in the song titles is evident of how the label cared more about preserving X’s quirky image and making him out to be a martyr to his fans than actually releasing finished, worthwhile music, at least the lyrical content wasn’t re-purposed. The twinkly lead synths are precious but then we get into the inspired EDM that sounds a lot like Avicii’s older stuff, and is actually pretty good. Then we get the uncredited Chris Martin feature, who also provides some guitar somewhere. Then he sings the hook in his typical lower register, “I think I just died and went to Heaven”... this song is about love. This song is not about Avicii’s death or him coming to a realisation of his own fading morality. This song is just about being in love with someone and having that initial spark in the relationship, but it’s obviously being marketed as the new hit single by getting the biggest guest star on the album, making it easily the most accessible track on the record and maybe I’m nitpicking, but the fact that it’s uncredited sucks too. Did Chris Martin not want to put his name on this cash-grab? I don’t blame him or Coldplay if that’s how he was going to be credited, because this is just a re-hash of drops I’ve heard from Avicii before with that infuriating, morally reprehensible chorus. This and “SOS” really reek of re-appropriating lyrical content to make it seem like it’s some kind of prophecy, but no, it isn’t, really. The fact that it’s Heaven as well, because we all know that he committed suicide using a broken WINE bottle and suffered severe alcohol- and drug-related addictions, meaning that no matter how good a person he could have been, he probably wouldn’t have gone to Heaven in the first place, if we’re theorising it existed. This is dreadful, and I’ve lost respect for everyone involved in this album, but in the end, it’s a cash-grab that’s for charity, so what am I to complain? Am I an awful person for thinking this is a morally unrighteous statement since its profits are going to a charity we should probably have a lot of faith in? God, and I thought Lil Dicky’s charity single was a can of worms. I’m not going to cover this on my end-of-year worst list because it is, once again, a can of worms, but this rubs me the wrong way, to say the least.

#18 – “Mad Love” – Mabel

Produced by Steve Mac

Yup, we’re not done. After ranting about MoStack’s album bomb and the immoral Avicii/Coldplay collaboration, as well as going on nostalgia-induced rambles about AJ Tracey’s UK garage throwback, we still have to cover two more songs out of our collection of eight, one of which is by Chris Brown. Delightful. Thankfully, I can skip past most of these songs since I don’t have much to say. This is the latest of about four lead singles from Mabel’s new album – by that I mean she’s released a mixtape, a deluxe re-issue of her mixtape and a Jax Jones feature that will all probably end up on the album, which will definitely have an album bomb since she only has one single on the charts right now. This is her sixth Top 40/20 hit, and for what it is, it’s pretty decent. I first heard it on 4Music (Yes, I know what you’re thinking, but I have to do my, ahem, research on UK pop music) and it hasn’t clicked with me yet enough to consider it any good, but it’s definitely not bad. The 80s synth melody is simple and cute, somewhat 80s-like, but the painfully fake finger-snaps accentuating Mabel which are too loud in the mix, as are Mabel’s vocals to be honest, as she and her pitch-shifted counterpart are clipping into the synths when the chorus comes in at times. The lyrical content is just some primal, “I like you, let’s have sex” in a similarly self-centred way to how Young T & Bugsey are asking for it, but instead of sounding menacing, this is just a burst of joy, and the fact that the main hook is essentially a nonsense phrase just makes this all the more fun. Is it great? No, as I’ve said before the mixing is pretty bad and I’m not over-the-moon about his incredibly repetitious nature, but her vocals are well-delivered and the production is pretty bouncy, and that’s all you can really ask from a pop tune like this.

Oh, did you know Mabel is Neneh Cherry’s daughter? That surprised me too when I first saw it, but does explain her rise to fame.

#8 – “No Guidance” – Chris Brown featuring Drake

Produced by Vinylz, J-Louis, Noah “40” Shebib and Teddy Walton – Peaked at #7 in Canada and #9 in the US

Can I just skip this one entirely? I’ve done a lot this episode, I don’t need to finish it off with Chris Brown and Drake. There’ll be more of each in the coming weeks as well, just give me this one, guys. It’s their first single together in a while and their first since Drake squashed the beef late last year that started as early as 2012 over Rihanna and honestly I don’t think she wants either of them so I’m glad both of them have quit trying. A couple glass bottles were thrown, I don’t know, I don’t care. I try not to follow anything Chris Brown does because he just makes me angry more often than he shows any true talent. For what it’s worth, the song’s okay, I love the distant, drowned-out vocal sample with all the cloudy synths around it and 90s R&B soundfont that has been a lot more prominent in recent years. Drake sounds great, and sure, it’s pandering but it’s what Drake does, and has done for a while. His performance is good, but not as notable as how they build up Chris Brown like a space rocket coming down to Earth, but he has this phaser effect that really weakens his impact and Drake tries to put him to a halt with a subdued “Ayy” before he even lands. Brown actually doesn’t sound bad wailing on this, he kind of sounds like Kanye at times? This is way too long, though, I assume these guys wanted it to be 4:20 for the novelty but after the half-way mark not much is worthwhile other than the kind of empty but still pretty heated rap verse from Drake, with falsetto ad-libs, pounding 808s and hilarious use of Chris Brown vocal samples as a shrill, gliding synth. This isn’t bad, which is surprising considering it’s Chris Brown featuring Drake, but it’s not even close to good either. Just passable.

Conclusion

I’d feel awful giving the Worst of the Week to a dead man... so it’s going to Coldplay for “Heaven”, with Dishonourable Mention unfortunately going to Liam Gallagher for “Shockwave”, yeah, MoStack is saved by Fredo and J Hus here from getting any mention in this conclusion. Best of the Week should be obvious, it’s going to “Ladbroke Grove” by AJ Tracey but an Honourable Mention should be going to, to my surprise, Young T, Bugsey and Aitch for “Strike a Pose”. For more pop music ramblings follow my Twitter @cactusinthebank and I’ll see you next week!

[pmcmlu28ass2-blog]

Unit 28 Mixed Compositions

1. Three part Guitar Loop  (Scales and Harmony)

Source of Inspiration

This was just an off the cuff experiment with no specific inspiration or focus and happened without over thinking.

Melodic and Harmonic Development

Using a BOSS RC2 to create a loop, Initially I put down a bass line melody using Am pentatonic scale then I composed a funky style guitar chord sequence of Am7, D7sus4, Dm7, Em7 and Em7+7 over the bass line. Then I simply soloed over this looped sequence using the Am pentatonic scale in various positions along the fretboard.

Lyrical Development

There are no lyrics in this particular piece.

Recording

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69M_Js48SWE&feature=youtu.be

2. Church Hymn ‘Let Us Ask’ (Lyrics and Scales)

Source of Inspiration

I was asked by a woman called Racquel Pallares to compose a hymn in English that she could use in the spiritualist works she conducts Internationally, in the Santo Daime tradition. Santo Daime is a shamanic church originating from Mapia, deep in the amazonian rain forest of Brazil. I had already played some guitar for her when she was visiting Ireland conducting some of these events.

Melodic and Harmonic Development

So the critical element was the melody lines that must facilitate the singing of the lyrics. I was not unduly concerned about harmony initially.

Then next of importance were the lyrics which must follow the melody line.

I used the scale of Am, the natural minor of C, feeling this would be accessible to a wide range of voices.  And in 4/4 time. Another instrument used is a maraca ringing out the 4/4 beat. Once I had developed the melody line it was relatively easy to apply harmony by chords on the guitar. The melody is as follows :-

CDE  A G   E D CD     CDE   D C  B A

E  A   C B   C  A  GA   E A   CB   A  G

E  GAG  E  CD CD     C  DED  C B A

A key instrument in this piece is the voice(s) delivering the lyrics.

The harmony guitar chords are  Am Dm Am    Am  G    Am Dm  Am

Instrumentation was a nylon string acoustic guitar and voice(s).  Particularly in the Santo Daime tradition the guitar sits underneath and supports and focuses the singing by playing melodies the singers can follow which match very closely the lyrics. Also the melodies need to be relatively simple and either 4/4, 3/4 or 6/4 as all participants in a Santo Daime ritual drink an hallucinogenic tea called called ayahuasca before and during the ceremony whilst they have to dance and sing at the same time.

Lyrics

The final English lyrics I arrived at can be seen below. Each verse has a theme and is sung in its entirety twice. It probably took me about a week to finalise the lyrics and I still am not 100% happy but Racquel was and translated the hymn into Portuguese and now it is a part of her works as she travels the world conducting these spiritual rituals. There is an opening sequence where they prepare and my hymn is number 5 -  Pecamos. The prayer book and Portuguese version can be seen in the pictures below, after the English verses. Sadly she omitted the Mc from my name but no one is perfect.

Verse 1 is about the fact we are human with human frailties. Verse 2 is about our innate selfishness leading to hurt of others. Verse 3 is about how strong emotion distorts our thinking. Verse 4 is about holding one’s place in the spiritual ritual which can be very challenging as the ego is deconstructed. Verse 5 acknowledges we need a Higher Power to guide us to spiritual liberation and freedom of the soul and this will come about if we stay firm in our work and concentration.

Let Us Ask

Let us ask God’s Help to do our work Let us ask with Modesty Because we are all human beings

Of flesh and blood are we So we need God’s help to shine a light On a path to set us free (repeat)

Let us ask God’s Help to do our work

Help us work very seriously

For the times we turn away from you

For the times it’s all about me

For the times we hurt our fellow man

Please forgive our humanity (repeat)

Let us ask God’s Help to do our work           Let us ask for Liberty               From the storms that rise up in our minds               From our fear and Jealousy               For the things we do we should not do      We ask God to set us free (repeat)

Let us ask God’s Help to do our work Let us ask him humble eeehh We hold our place, We firm our minds All here in Unity Let ask of you, Oh Lord, Oh God Help us live in Harmony (repeat)

So we ask God’s help, We do our work      Do our work with honesty      Give Praise, Give Thanks to you Oh Lord      Give thanks that now we see      You alone have got the Power, all Power      You alone can set us free (repeat)

Recording

https://youtu.be/pRNasHqSjbM

Below is Songbook and first page of Hymn

3. Folk Song ‘Soul Warrior’ (Harmony, Lyrics, Alternate Tuning)

Source of Inspiration

I was touring with Paul Brady and had to take a break and spend a couple of

weeks in a rehabilitation unit for depression after two close friends died in the same week, one from suicide the other from an accidental drug overdose when I was inspired to write this tune. Looking at all the people in the clinic I realised most people crave peace and right relationship and I was humbled by the efforts the individuals were making to try and sort out their lives.

Melodic and Harmonic Development

Paul Brady has fantastic strumming technique, coupled with alternate guitar tunings and also I liked very much the musical stylings of Luka Bloom.

I tuned the guitar in DADGAD and played around with strumming patterns and various chords. I initially came up with the refrain / chorus sequence   D  A  Bm  G    -   D  A  G  G (2nd time).  Then I worked out the verse chord sequence: Bm  A  G  G. I liked the descending line Bm, A, G in the modal tuning for the verse and it was relatively easy enough to add lyrics using standard rhyme to construct the verses. It could be argued verses 1 to 3 are actually verse 1, (See song structure below). However, I realised the piece needed a hook and something to pull in the listener and catch the ear at the outset (as Paul Brady does a lot)  so I messed around again until I came up with the  EM  F    G  F    G  F    G  A  Bm   instrumental introduction sequence, which is also repeated a couple of times throughout the song.  This is an ascending sequence. And I worked out an outro just to give a clear signal the piece was ending and facilitate a nice big modal D chord flourish finish.

Lyrical Development

In this case I developed the music before I composed any of the lyrics, which is my standard approach.  Initially I decided on a theme for what I call a verse ( 4 lines) and noted this down on my pad. Then it took me a couple of days to fully develop the lyrics with a lot of playing around with rhyme and using the pad jotting down words that were similar and playing with them. The repetition on line 4 was for reinforcement of the key concept of each four line part: i.e. Need for Love, Confront Fear, Right to freedom and Liberty, Resisting Temptation and Craving, Letting Go of Anger, Be Persistent and Diligent.   Also I modify the length of the lyrics and instrumental lines as we work through the piece to add some structural variety and then increase tension through the longer instrumental at the end. The repetition of what I call verse 6 is to reinforce the core message of the lyrics, it is a motivational song, as stated, inspired by the bravery of the human spirit in the face of adversity. IE Never Give up the Fight. Also I dropped the tempo for the first iteration of Verse 6 again to provide reinforcement of the key message of the song and also capture a mood of hope.

SONG STRUCTURE and LYRICS (original)

Soul Warrior (Key of Bm) (DADGAD guitar tuning)

Intro / Instrumental (x 2)

V1

Chorus

Instrumental (x 1)

V2

Chorus

V3 (drop tempo then speed up on 2nd iteration)

Chorus x 2

Instrumental (x 3)   (stagger Instrumental on 3rd iteration)

Outro

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INSTRUMENTAL     (lively strong 2 part strum, bass down, treble up stroke)

Em F   G F    G F    G A Bm (Bar chords, bottom 2 strings open)

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OUTRO (lively strum)

A aug  Bm7    A aug  Bm7   A aug  Bm7    D           (bottom 4 strings only)

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CHORUS

Sweet Soul Warrior D A Bm G

Brave Soul Warrior D A G G

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Verse 1

If love’s not alive Bm

Hate Can Thrive A

Hope Won’t Survive G

Hope Won’t Survive G

Trouble has begun Bm

When the urge is to run A

But not this one G

No not this one G

Call is be free Bm

No bonds or slavery A

All equal, You and Me G

All equal, You and Me G

Verse 2

Temptress she call Bm

Yes means a fall A

Warrior stands tall G

Warrior stands tall G

Resentment you keep Bm

When anger runs deep A

Let lying dogs sleep G

Let lying dogs sleep G

Verse 3

Change wrong to right Bm

Turn darkness into light A

Never give up the fight G

Never give up the fight G

Recordings

The following are links to three different recordings of the song.

Soul Warrior - Impromptu Ensemble recording

The link to the MP3 above was an impromptu recording one night when a group of us were hanging out and jamming. As you can hear Keith the lead vocalist gets the lyrics wrong but the feeling is there and he improvised with Sofia the female vocalist around the original structure as detailed below. I like this recording because of the timbre of Keith’s voice and its richness captures the emotion of the piece.  Unfortunate about the mispronounced lyrics as this was almost a viable releasable version.

Soul Warrior - Solo Individual recording

The second recording is one with just myself on guitar. Very obviously not as good a quality or strength, but it shows that the songs message is still there regardless of the instrumentation. This piece highlights the original pathos of the creation and the underlying strength of the guitar line to support the lyric.

Soul Warrior - Studio Recording

The third recording was done in Temple Bar studios with a wider variety of instrumentation and a full production plan and Dan Barry on lead vocals. Despite all the work this somehow lacked the feeling of Keith’s impromptu recording.

4. Midi Multi Composition(s) K1 MixT (multiple compositional technigues)

Source of Inspiration

Writing some pieces for the Public Technology Performance module and  the PPP module I also wanted to produce some music for a german friend who runs unique workshops of which one component is people lying on mats and listening to music whilst breathing deeply. Pure experimentation in sound just using Midi instrumentation and audio samples and some synthesised sounds originating from a voice sample.

So this piece actually consists of five parts with two linking crossfade sections and lasts for 8 minutes and 33 seconds in total.

Melodic and Harmonic Development (all parts)

Part 1 : (0 - 1.40)

Initially I found some drum loops in a shared webspace open for all and I created a Reaper project combining the loops to create a consistent pushing semi urgent rhythm. Then I added in some synth lead sounds and some Effects sounds to add depth and body and intensify the sense of urgency and going somewhere. The melody line(s) are relatively simple interval jumps back and forth with an ascending chord harmony backing blended with the effects sounds and pulsing drum loop rhythms. This piece I also separated into a track called Bromance which was used for background music in the Arabian Night production.

Part 2 : (2.11 - 3.26)

I created a simple kick drum beat 1 2 3 4& over which I layered cymbals and then a synth lead repeating arpeggio. I altered dynamics and also increased tension by multiplying number of cymbal hits whilst adding a synth lead at higher frequency.

Part 3 : (3.27 - 5.24)

I located a pumping synth pad effect in a VST called Expand2 and put a simple repeating kick drum pattern underneath it and a high pitched bell type synth lead voice above it. The only fixed repeating pattern was the pumping synth. So three sounds. I particularly like this section for its simplicity but effectiveness.

Part 4 : (5.37 - 6.55)

I took a couple of sample parts from part 1 and edited them together and increased tempo to 120.

Part 5 : (6.56 - 8.33)

Using a tiny voice sample I put it into the Simpler in Ableton Live and created a series of tones / voices which I then layered together and into repeating sequences. So there is a kick drum layer. A horn type sound layer constructed into a simple melody.  A tom tom sound. A whispering shimmering effect and then also the application of reverb, delay and I also reversed some of the loops.

Link Sections : These are just structural devices to assist in transition from a given  part to another. Constructed at a) 1.41 to 2.10 Between Part 1 and 2  and b) 5.25 to 5.36 between Part 3 and 4

Lyrical Development

There are no lyrics in any of these five parts just the occasional use of midi voice synths for padding and harmonic effect.

Recording

K1 MixT

5. Arabian Night Ambibright and Apartment (specific themes)

Source of Inspiration

We were offered the opportunity to develop musical and sonic pieces to be part of the backing soundtrack for a production of Arabian Night by the BIFE Black Box Theatre group. Arabian Night is an unusual and sonic immersive play which relies on auditory experiences and audience imagination to generate imagery based on performer dialogue and sound rather than visual stimulation. I studied the script and characters and some requests from the play’s director and in addition to producing sequences of street noise and running water I composed five distinct audio parts which I called Desert, Apartment, Bromance, Ambibright and Haunted with the intention of providing specific backing to particular parts of the performance. Some of these pieces were part of the performance soundtrack, two of which I have detailed below and one is detailed above in section 4, which I also used as part one of the K1 MixT arrangement.

Melodic and Harmonic Development

Ambibright : Based on simple repeating kick drum line I then introduced an

Arpeggiated eastern type sound and then developed all sorts of layers around that and added some special effects. This piece contains Sequences, Counterpoint, Ostinato, Scales, Riffs, Modes and a variety of mid instrumental sounds. The individual components can all be accessed on my Soundcloud account Sao-Paolo. All pieces are public.

Apartment : This piece I composed by setting a repeating kick drum and bass line and then layering a simple Motif in C major with some alternating synth effects over that. The low tones and sustain and strings effects were an attempt to introduce a sense of foreboding and eeriness.

Lyrical Development

There are no lyrics in any of these three pieces.

Recordings

AmbiBright

Apartment