#well i guess i can call myself a runner now?

[mysunshinetemptress]

2005

Leah Williamson x reader

Warnings: I hate this but I wanted to give you guys something

You were born the youngest of four girls Amelia your eldest sister by ten years, followed by Ellie and finally Charlotte who although closer in age was still six years older than you.

Walking out the door you stood beside her mums car dressed in you new school uniform as you waited for your sisters to come barrelling out in order to go to school, you turned her attention from the hall door to the noise of someone shouting pass, looking down you spotted the blue ball before looking into the garden next door to see a young boy not much older then you calling for it, you smiled passing the ball back before asking if you could play. The young boy nodded as you stepped on to the grass of your next door neighbours front garden before running up to the older boy "my names Y/n I'm four and I start big school today." The older boy smiled at her "my names Jacob and I'm five it's my first day of big school today too." The pair smiled at each other before Jacob kicked the ball to you as you both started passing back and forth. Your older sisters had gotten themselves ready and out to the car searching for their little sister before noticing you next door "who's that she's playing with." Amelia asked looking at Ellie and Charlotte to see if they knew only to get a shake of the head stating they hadn't a clue. Amanda had walked out her front door with her daughter right behind her flustered that the pair were going to be late before stopping to watch you and Jacob "Jacob honey." Jacob stopped playing with the blue ball at the call for his name before Jacob turned back to you"I have to go to school now but I might see you later." You nodded smiling at the older boy "ok can we play football then as well." Jacob smiled nodding his head before bounding over to his Mum and sister as you crossed the threshold back into the front garden as your mum came out the door. The mothers smiling at each other as they rushed their children into the cars late to get them to school.

Later that day the Mums stood separate from one another waiting on their youngest to come running out of the primary school. Natalie your mum smiled as she watched you run along side the boy she recognised from earlier in the day "Mummy guess what." Natalie smiled down at you her youngest daughter moving some hair out of the four year olds face "Jacob my new best friend is in my class we sit beside each other." Natalie smiled at the young boy standing beside her daughter "hello and you must be Jacob, Y/n’s new best friend." Jacob beamed up at Natalie "I am and we are next door neighbours it's like we where meant to be friends all along." Amanda smiled walking over to her son and his new friend "hi sorry I didn't introduce myself this morning I'm Amanda Jacobs mum." Natalie smiled shaking Amanda's hand "we where both in mad rushes I don't blame you, I'm Natalie y/ns mum it's nice to finally meet the neighbours we have been living beside the past four years." The pair laughed as they began chatting you and Jacob dropping your bags beginning to play a game that ran through their imaginations like wildfire until Amanda shouted over to them "come on Jacob have to get your sister to training and then get you ready for yours." Natalie turned to Amanda "what type of training do your kids do." Amanda smiled at her "oh my pair are football mad Leah's Arsenal crazy like myself and Jacob takes after his dad as a Tottenham Spurs fan but he plays for the local under 8s team." Natalie looked over at you before looking back at Amanda "Y/n’s football crazy too unlike the rest of our girls she takes after my brother does your team have a girls team by any chance I might sign her up." Amanda shook her head "I'm afraid they don't but she could join Jacobs, I tell you what why doesn't she come over to ours after she's changed out of her uniform stick a pair of runners on her and I'll bring her down with Jacob tonight to see if she likes it, Leah used to play on it before she moved up." Natalie looked at her daughter before turning back to Amanda again "only if your sure." Amanda shook her head picking up Jacobs bag and beginning to walk to the cars " of course I'll drop her over to yours after." Natalie smiled agreeing before calling the kids over and separating for the time being.

Leah huffed trying to get her homework done as she munched on toast listening to her younger brother ramble on about his new best friend "and she's the youngest like me but she's also younger then me so technically I'm not the youngest anymore oh and Leah... Leah she likes football like us and she knows how to pass and everything  Mum said she's coming over and after we drop you off she's coming with me to try out for my team." Leah nodded along halfheartedly listening to him "that's nice buddy, why not go get changed while I finish this then we can kick about the back till mum says it's time to go." Jacob jumped from his seat running out of the room to get dressed in a hurry as Leah focused back on her homework. Leah huffed as the doorbell went getting up to get it as her mum shouted down to her "Oh hello, you must be Leah I'm Natalie and this is Y/n is your Mum about." Leah smiled at  Natalie before looking down at you as you just stared up at the older girl "yeah come on in Mum Natalie and y/n are here." The pair followed the young blonde into the kitchen waiting for Amanda to come down. "Oh perfect  Natalie I hope leah introduced herself." Natalie smiled looking over to the young girl finishing her homework as you let go of her Mums hand walking over to the kitchen table watching the older girl again. "What are you doing." Leah looked up from her work to see the younger girl standing right beside looking down at the books "my homework." You looked at Leah scanning her face "I don't have homework." Leah smiled at her "yeah Jacob was telling me here why don't you sit there I'm nearly done Jacob will be down in a minute and then we can play football out the back before we leave." You couldn’t help but look at Leah in shock "you play football." Leah smiled at you "yeah I do I have since I was your age." You nodded excitedly"but you play with your brother too." Leah nodded looking down at her work as she began finishing off her maths "my sisters don't play football with me." Leah looked up at you eyes softening as Natalie and Amanda stopped talking as they listened to the girls "I kick the ball against the wall but then Melia says it's really annoying so she makes me stop, Lellie has dance so she's to busy all of the time and Charlie plays with her friends down the road and says I'm to small to come." Leah put down her pencil again "well I'll happily play football with you anytime I'm home and Jacob loves playing football to so next time you want to play just come to us ok." You looked at Leah eyes filling with hope "Really." Leah nodded smiling at her before picking up her pencil before going back to work as you sat quietly content with just watching her.

#woso #awfc #woso fanfics #woso one shot #woso imagine #leah williamson #leah williamson x y/n #leah williamson imagine #leah williamson x reader #leah williamson x you #woso blurbs #woso x reader #woso community #woso soccer #woso couples

[mysteryshoptls]

SR Riddle Rosehearts - Beach Wear Vignette

Riddle: Hm…?

Riddle: It's rather refreshing to be woken up by the sound of lapping waves. And the others are…

Everyone: Snooore… Zzzzzz…

Riddle: It looks like they're all still asleep. …Well, since I'm awake, I suppose I'll step outside for some air.

[Uninhabited Island – Beach]

Riddle: The ocean stretches on forever. This doesn't feel real at all, but we really are stranded here…

Riddle: I wonder if Trey, Cater and the others have started to worry? What about my mother…?

Riddle: …

Lilia: Why're you just gazing off towards the ocean like that, is something wrong?

Riddle: Oh, Lilia-senpai. No, not really…

Riddle: My daily routine every morning was to wake up before all my other dormmates and patrol the dormitory, before ironing my shirts.

Riddle: Ever since coming here, I haven't needed to do either. That's why I'm not sure what I should do.

Lilia: It's good that you're so studious. But I think it'd be fine if you relax a little and enjoy the moment, too.

Riddle: Relax, you say… Even if you were to tell me that, it's difficult to bring myself to waste my time doing absolutely nothing productive.

Lilia: Hm, I see. I guess that's very much like you… OH, I GOT IT!

Lilia: I had a great idea. After we all eat breakfast, do a quick patrol and gather more provisions, we should meet back here on this beach!

Riddle: What do you plan on doing?

Lilia: That's for you to see later. Kufufu!

Lilia: ―So, here we have it, folks!

Lilia: THE FIRST EVER SUMMER BEACH FLAG TOURNAMENT BEGINS NOW～～!!

Riddle: Beach Flags… They say this competition originated from the training that surf lifesavers did.

Riddle: The runners would lay face down on the starting line with their backs towards the flags, and upon the given signal, would run towards the flags.

Riddle: If I recall, the rule was that there was one less flag than the number of runners, and the one who could not capture a flag would be eliminated.

Lilia: You know your stuff, have you done it before?

Riddle: It was the theme of a crossword that was in the appendix of one of my study materials. So I do have some knowledge of it, however I've never tried it…

Lilia: This isn't just a game. We are all stranded on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean… There's no telling when we could all fall prey to danger.

Lilia: So basically, we'll use this sport to train ourselves, both mentally and physically. However…

Lilia: Since it wouldn't be fun just running, I've prepared for everyone a rather splendid prize! The winner will get...

Lilia: Floyd's Super Deluxe ☆ Special Fruit Parfait!

Everyone: PARFAIT!?

Ace: I totally didn't wanna run, but… I definitely want to eat that super deluxe parfait!

Azul: Floyd's excellently whipped-up creations may be great additions to the Mostro Lounge menu…

Jack: I don't really care about parfaits, but… There's no way I can let myself lose in a competition.

Floyd: Aha! What, you all think you're gonna get to dig in? Obviously, I'm gonna be the winner!

Riddle: A parfait! …Ahem. If this is to be training, I shall have to focus up properly.

Grim: I wanna eat the parfait already! Lilia! Let's get this show on the road!

Stitch: Yeehaw!

Lilia: Everyone's so fired up! Alright, let's begin! Reaaaaaadddyyy…

[blows whistle]

[Uninhabited Island – Beach]

Everyone: RAAAAH!!

[CRAAAASH!!]

Riddle: A-Ack!? Everyone just dove at the sand face first!? You're all covered in sand. Are you alright, Ace!?

Ace: The sand's real smooth, so I'm totally fine. 'Sides, Beach Flags is just supposed to be for fun, anyway.

Riddle: Eh, you're enjoying being covered in sand!?

Lilia: The lifesaver's mission is, just as they're called, to save lives. In order to do that, they must be prepared to fly towards the target without any hesitation.

Lilia: Therefore, it wouldn't be wrong to say that diving into the sand with great vigor is just another rule of this competition! It can be a necessity in times of emergency!

Riddle: It's a rule!? I-I understand. If it is a rule, then I shall also jump forth.

Ace: …Was there actually a rule like that in Beach Flags?

Lilia: This is more fun… I mean, more exciting. Alright, we're starting the next round!

[blows whistle]

[running, sliding]

Riddle: I captured a flag! Oh… Right, I was supposed to dive into the sand. Hup!

Floyd: Goldfish-chan, that's hilarious that you're just flopping yourself into the sand after you grabbed a flag! You make no sense!

Riddle: W-Well, I can't figure out how to slide.

Floyd: You just gotta go for it, like how you'd jump into the water. Like, this!

Riddle: What are you even saying? When entering a body of water, you need to first shower yourself with the water, let your body get used to the temperature, and step in one foot at a time!

Lilia: Hrrm, he's a hard-headed one. ALRIGHT, NEXT!

[blows whistle]

Riddle: This time, I'll definitely get it right… HIYAH!

Azul: Wha―! Riddle-san just slid into the goal and grabbed the flag with his foot!?

Riddle: I concluded that it is more difficult to dive into the sand face first. There is no rule against capturing the flag with your feet, now is there?

Ace: I mean, it's technically not against the rules, or anything… But shouldn't that actually be harder to do!?

Lilia: Alllright, it's really starting to heat up! Next!

[blows whistle]

Lilia: After so many bouts of fiery competition that could dry up a whole ocean… Finally, we come to the championship round! The two remaining contestants are…

Lilia: Jack, the supernova of the track and field club, who has been capturing the flags with his beautiful running posture and spirited diving!

Lilia: And Riddle, the rose-red ruler of Heartslabyul who has somehow continued to win, despite never successfully diving into the sand!

Lilia: Any comments from the rest of you, who have all been eliminated while trying to sabotage and drag each other down?

Ace: I mean, I don't think even my Housewarden'll be able to beat Jack…

Azul: There is an overwhelming difference in physical stature. And since magic is forbidden, he may not have much of a chance to win.

Grim: Both of you do your best～! And then give me a bite of your parfait when you win～!

1. Do your best, you two! 2. Share your parfait with meee～!

Lilia: Kufufu… No one can predict what may happen. Monsters lurk everywhere on this summery beach.

Floyd: …Hmm～? Those shells by Sea Urchin-chan's feet… Are those…

Lilia: Alright, here we go! Both of you get ready… Seeeet!

[blows whistle]

Jack/Riddle: RAAAAH!!

[rustle, rustle]

Jack: Ack, what's happening!? All the shells around my feet are starting to move… Were these hermit crabs that were hiding under the sand!?

Riddle: HAAAAH!

[CRAAASH!]

Floyd/Lilia: HE FINALLY DOVE IN FACE FIRST―――!

Azul: The sand is flying everywhere… Such momentum! Does he not know what moderation means?

Riddle: …Bleagh! Cough, cough! Th-There's sand all in my mouth… But, I finally was able to dive into the sand!

Riddle: And I captured the flag! Yes! I won! Did you see that, Ace!?

Ace: Yeah, yeah, I saw you, Housewarden. Gooood job!

Ace: Maaan. Look at him covered in sand and jumping for joy… If any of our dormmates saw this, they'd flip their lids.

Jack: That was due to the course being faulty! I demand a remat… Meh, I guess it's ridiculous to get worked up over a silly game like this.

Jack: I guess having the hermit crabs jump in is just another part of it being summer.

Floyd: Mmkay, so to our winning Goldfish-chan, here's Floyd's Super Deluxe Special Fruit Parfait ♪

Lilia: And for the rest of the participants, you'll get a special sundae for your valiant efforts! Let's all go eat!

Everyone: YAAY! HOORAY!

Riddle: This is the first time I've ever been covered in this much sand. But… Heh, this isn't too terrible.

Stitch: Ehe!

Riddle: Ah, hey! Stitch! This is my parfait! If you try to snatch it from me, it will be off with your head!

Stitch: Yahahaha!

Requested by @dida-books.

#twisted wonderland #twst #riddle rosehearts #ace trappola #jack howl #azul ashengrotto #floyd leech #lilia vanrouge #twst riddle #twst ace #twst jack #twst azul #twst floyd #twst lilia #twst grim #twst stitch #twst translation #twst lost in the book with stitch #mention: trey #mention: cater

[nomoreusername]

My Glue

Pairing: Newt x female reader

Summary: When your brother is killed in the maze Newt is still by your side to support you.

Being a Runner was practically what I was meant to do. Since I first showed up and laid my eyes on the maze I wanted to go in. Being a girl wouldn't stop me from that. That part's extremely relevant to mention because I just so happen to be the only girl here. Of course, just like everything in this place there are a few other details that make it different.

When I came up in the box I had a faint memory of some of their faces. I even knew a few names before they were told. That's probably how I figured out tho my brother was here. While a few Glader's were suspicious of me, which I guess isn't the most uncalled for, when they saw that we're basically the spitting image of each other it sort of became accepted.

We were close. He was my best friend and one of the most important people in my life.

That changed though. The day started out normal. I woke up, had breakfast, got packed for the day, said goodbye to Newt, and was off. That's how it should have remained. Nothing about that was supposed to be different.

On that day though everything was. I left the maze on time along with every other Runner.

He didn't though. Now he's dead, and I'm in the Glade barely holding it together. Of course, there isn't a lot of time for people to notice that I'm breaking. I barely even can because I am always doing something. I'm always running or trying to make myself better. If I can't then I'm asleep.

It's always there though. In the back of my mind the feelings will forever taunt me. I don't even know what to call it. I just know it makes me want to lay on the ground and never get up.

It's Greenie night now, and instead of being with the people that care about me I'm hiding in the Deadheads. Even though I safely could and want to I don't have the energy to cry.

As I laid there and stared at the tops of the trees I heard footsteps. Realistically I knew I should move. I know that I physically can. At the same time I also can't. There's this weight on my body that's forcing me to stay on the ground.

"Hey love,"Newt greeted, stepping towards me. I turned to look at him. He wore a small smile that almost gave me this bittersweet feeling. Despite it being so dark here I could still see the way it shine brighter than any star ever could. Usually, that would be all I needed to get through the day. Making him laugh just so I could see it used to be at the top of my to-do list.

Nothing is now though because there isn't one. As long as I run in the maze that took my sibling from me then nothing matters.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"He offered, taking a seat next to me.

"No,"I admitted.

"Okay. Do you want to talk about anything?"He asked in that same voice that's smooth as honey and causes me to go weak in the knees. That was different now too though. He always sounded softer and just a little quieter.

"No,"I repeated.

"Okay love. That's fine,"He said, putting a hand on my shoulder. I laid my head on his lap and tried not to think about anything that exists, did exist, or even might. I didn't want to think about anything right now. I'm a way I don't think I was. Physically, I'm right here. Mentally, I'm a thousand miles away.

"Do you know what you do need right now?"He asked, now gently running his hand through my hair. I took a minute to try and think, but nothing came to mind.

Thankfully, he knew me well enough to know what my silence meant because he assured me that I didn't have to answer or even talk.

"Thank you,"I whispered.

"Of course. I'm right here Y/N. No matter what,"He promised.

I knew that I had to believe him. He was the glue that kept me together. Whether that included smiling until my cheeks hurt and laughing until my ribs were sore, or just being the reason I kept going, he was the reason for it.

Newt means everything to me so all I can do is be grateful he's here. I don't think I could handle losing him too.

#newt x y/n #newt x reader #tmr newt #newt tmr #one shot #the maze runner #tmr #fluff #light angst #hurt/comfort

[pynkhues]

I recently read an article in which Quentin Tarantino stated that fewer movie stars exist as a result of "Marvel movies in Hollywood." I think Jennifer Aniston made a similar argument before saying that there are no longer any movie stars. I'm not sure what that means. I can think of a lot of movie stars right now, such as Zendaya, Timothee Chalamet, and Zoey Deutch etc. what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this and Quentin's comments.

QuillBot's

Months ago, when you sent me this ask, anon, I wrote out a really long reply and as soon as I hit post, my laptop crashed and ate the answer, and I was so annoyed at myself for not saving my reply, that I couldn't bring myself to try and re-write an answer. I'm really sorry for that, especially because I think this is such an interesting ask (or well, two asks, because I think the death of the movie star and the impact Marvel's had on the broader concept of a movie star, are kinda two different things).

I've been thinking about it a bit again recently though, particularly as the Oscar race gears up, and Jacob Elordi and Charles Melton''s respective stars are rising in an industry currently desperate to find the new young Hollywood male 'talent', and I've been thinking about it again because honestly?

I agree with Jennifer Aniston, I think the movie star is dead.

We are a long, long way from Golden Age Hollywood where actors like Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe could captivate a public imagination in a way that translated to big box office effect, after all. Hell, we're even out of New Hollywood, an era dominated by names like Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, and Jane Fonda, and the Blockbuster era with Tom Cruise, Sylvester Stallone and Harrison Ford.

My original reply went into a lot of the different reasoning as to why this is (like with many things, I don't think there's any one reason for it), in particular how the advent of streaming has changed our relationship with films and TV shows, how the saturation of the market has diluted the staying power of celebrities, how social media and the perceived accessibility of celebrities removes personal mystique which in turn removes intrigue and increases a sense of entitlement, and the fact that so many people having stopped going to the cinema means that the experiential element of seeing a film in a setting larger than life has been diminished.

I think call out culture plays a role too, with any actor on the rise being torn down by tweets they made eight, nine or ten years ago impacting how their star rises, I think the dismantling of the studio system (which is a good thing!) also harmed actors in the long run as studios stopped investing the same resources into making and training stars (they used to be able to sing, dance and act! Now some can barely even act!), and I think, of course, the rise of prestige TV changed the industry substantially (after all, movie stars were movie stars - they traditionally did not, and would not, do TV, which created a clear class structure in terms of screen-based storytelling).

And yeah, I think the language shift from film and TV to content has done irrepairable damage to the artistry of filmmaking and the consideration of a movie star as an actor at the top of their field instead of an actor with the most Insta followers or YouTube subscribers (after all, if everything's content, isn't it the same thing? [no lol]).

Which I guess is kind of where Quentin Tarantino's argument comes in, right? What he's saying is that Marvel's made it so that the IP - the content itself - is the star, not the actor, and I'd say he's probably right with that.

Think of it this way - back in the New Hollywood/Blockbuster era, Harrison Ford was the movie star - he was leading new franchises left-right-and-centre between Star Wars and Indiana Jones, sci fi epics like Blade Runner, leading action thrillers like Patriot Games, The Fugitive and Clear and Present Danger and getting nominated for Oscars for Witness.

He was a movie star in every sense of the word because you could hinge a film - one with a new concept, not just remakes or sequels - on him and be virtually guaranteed a success. He was what sold the tickets, the director just hopefully had to make something good enough people would leave the cinema glad they saw.

Tarantino's argument is the Marvel model - - hell, even the new Star Wars properties, turned the franchise into the star, for better or worse, which means original films can't compete because nobody knows the IP. Back when Harrison Ford was at the top of his game, his name was what helped original films including smaller, standalone works like Witness find an audience, but the studios have changed that. Capitalism has changed that.

Properties with existing audiences and deep pockets for merch were prioritised, only now those franchises are faltering and you've got a generation trained that 'cinematic events' are reserved for blockbusters in established universes, instead of taking a risk on a new film because you know you love an actor who's in it.

Do I think we could go back?

Maybe, but probably not.

I think the place we are now in the history of cinema / TV / 'content' means you can't make a movie star anymore because I think the industry is simply so different that no actor can break through in the same way that even Leonardo DiCaprio could 30 years ago. That industry doesn't exist anymore, actors aren't guaranteed draws (Bones and All proved that for Timothee Chalamet, and Wonka I think could go a similar way), or they have to heavily rely on other industries to become household names which I think dilutes them as a pure 'movie star' (Zendaya's a great example of this - I like her a lot, but how many movies has she even been in? They built her career up in peripheral industries long before they tried to sell her as a movie star, and frankly, I'd question her even as a leading actress yet given she's typically only either been in ensemble casts or clear supporting).

It's a whole new world, and yeah, I think the movie star is dead.

#i hope this makes sense haha #it's an interesting topic #and a shame really #i also think there's a difference between being famous online and a movie star #like zoey deutch i really like and i know film twitter likes her #but she's b-list at best and i doubt she has any broader name recognition unfortunately #whereas timmy and zendaya defs do #but even their star power isn't working #dune did well because of tarantino's argument #the ip is the star #challengers will be the real test for zendaya #and wonka will be timmy's biggest one #because bones and all tanked but is a) genre and b) indie #don't look up french dispatch and little women were all ensemble #so yeah #wonka will defs be interesting to see #film asks #welcome to my ama

[emotionallychargedtowel]

Why hello! I don’t see why we can’t keep the Top 5 trend alive in the new year so…

From one chronic rewatcher to another, what are your top 5 most rewatched scenes?

Sorry this took so long, @wen-kexing-apologist! I'm just now getting back to posting a bit more regularly after the holidays got me totally off track, and this question brought up a lot of Thoughts so I've been chipping away at it for weeks.

So, um, this is the best question ever. Except it’s the meanest question ever, because I'm terrible at choosing between things like this.

I am a massive rewatcher, whether you’re talking about whole series, episodes, or scenes. Scenes especially. Why watch an entire thing when you can go right for the best part/s and watch them over and over? This is also one of the reasons I have way too many gifs saved on my phone.

I thought about coming up with a list that was based more on what would make a good post, and/or what would make me look less uncool, than what I actually rewatch the most. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. I wanted to be honest instead. So at the risk of seeming even more like an Utsukare obsessive and overall one-trick pony, I'm going to talk about the five scenes I think I've actually rewatched the most, even though four of them are from my perennial obsession.

The four Utsukushii Kare scenes are in the order they occur in the series, not from most rewatched to least. Then I'll talk about a fifth scene from another series that I've been pretty vocal about appreciating, and I'll mention some runners-up.

“who do you like, him or me?”

If gif posts are any indication—gifs are the smallest increment of rewatching, after all—some of my favorite scenes to rewatch aren’t that popular with other rewatchers. This one gets gif’ed, sure, as you can see. But it's not as popular a choice for this kind of treatment as a lot of other Utsukare scenes.

There are a few reasons this one is a favorite of mine. One is that I tend to like some jealousy in my romance. I have my theories about why it’s so appealing to me specifically, but I’m not entirely sure how to explain it. I also love a good aggressive shirt-grab. (Utsukare certainly delivers these regularly.) But the main reason I keep coming back to this moment is that in just a few sentences, a bunch of character development happens. Well, I guess it would be more correct to call it character revelation. This is the first time we really see this side of Kiyoi, and in that respect, it foreshadows the big perspective shift that’s just around the corner. The viewer picks up a lot of hints that Kiyoi has feelings for Hira prior to this point (even if Hira remains stubbornly oblivious to them). We’ve even seen Kiyoi kiss Hira already (even if he did push him to the ground a split second later). But this is the first time we see such direct evidence of the strength of his feelings for Hira. Kiyoi is so unguarded for this brief moment. The mask slips and what’s underneath is total desperation.

Hira, of course, misses the real meaning of what Kiyoi is saying despite how obvious it is. Which means it's also the viewers’ first indication of how intensely Hira clings to his favored view of reality in the face of evidence to the contrary.

"sorry I like you"

This is another scene where so much is happening in a short span, all because Kiyoi got desperate enough to talk about all of the unspoken bullshit between him and Hira. As usual, Hira doesn’t get it. But he might be starting to. 

This scene is pretty rough watching in some ways. When this episode first aired and it ended with this scene followed by each of them on their own and feeling terrible, I was a bit of a mess. It was silly of me to worry. There were plenty of favorable signs in the preview for the finale. I knew the novels had a happy ending. But it was just so sad and so real that it got to me anyway. But I also enjoyed it, because for an obsessive analyzer like myself, seeing these important relationship dynamics finally come to the surface in such concentrated form was fascinating. It was also a relief to see things out in the open.

Both leads turn in such great performances here. Yagi Yusei really steps up. It’s even more impressive given his relative lack of acting experience. His performance is so raw and affecting. If he had been less vulnerable, Kiyoi’s point about how contradictory Hira’s actions and statements are could seem like a kind of “gotcha” moment designed to win an argument--like he was pointing out that Hira was hypocritical in a bid to score points. Instead, Yagi shows viewers how deeply being caught in this double bind with Hira has hurt Kiyoi. 

Hagiwara Riku, in contrast, portrays Hira as so confused that he’s basically dissociated. Hira has a really strong tendency to see the world in whatever way suits him, regardless of the truth. Kiyoi’s words force Hira to set his usual narrative aside and see how much clinging to it is hurting the person he claims to love, and it throws him off to such an extent that he seems to be experiencing a form of psychomotor slowing. He looks like he’s moving through molasses. He can’t form sentences, or at times, even words. His normally expressive eyes seem like they’ve shrunk to half their normal size. He’s really come unmoored, and it shows. The more I think about Hagiwara’s work in this scene the more impressed I am by the insight and physical control he had to bring to bear in order for it to work. 

Of course, if I watched this scene on its own habitually, this level of blorbo distress might take a toll on my mental health. Which is why I usually follow it up with…

"I'm not going to kiss you for a while"

I’m busting out the bullet points for this one because otherwise it might take me all day.

This scene works on so many levels!

Well, the main ones are:

Relationship progress! Character growth! 

The whole kiss fakeout thing is hot

Hira gets some payback and frankly, he deserves it

The other highlights for me are: 

Even after repeated viewings and knowing very well what happened in the story, I still feel kind of relieved to see that Kiyoi came back, especially right after rewatching the scene prior to this one. 

When Kiyoi asks Hira why he thinks he came home and he says, “to punch me?" he does it in the most weirdly cute way.

Kiyoi’s absolutely lethal snotty face/voice when he response to the possibility of punching Hira with “maybe” is so perfect that it's hard not to think that Hira might have a point about this whole King deal. 

Hira apologizes and it’s actually sincere and not just some knee-jerk bullshit. 

The way Hira closes his eyes and waits for Kiyoi to smack him is a rare case of him actually letting go and putting himself in Kiyoi’s hands instead of his usual topping-from-the-bottom thing.

More about the kiss fakeout:

Hagiwara does a great job of telegraphing Hira’s expectant response. In scenes where two characters are going to kiss but get interrupted, it's not uncommon to see a kind of hesitation or other subtle signal that the actor knows the kiss isn't going to happen. But there's none of that here. Hagiwara even does this sort of gulp/swallow thing like he thinks the kiss is going to start any moment. When the kiss doesn't materialize, he nails an absolutely pitifiul sad puppy expression.

Kiyoi’s vulnerable voice and facial expression when he explains about the kissing boundary thing is so sincere and cute. Could he be any more different from season 1 episode 1 Kiyoi?

I’ve written about how the no-kissing-until-Hira-takes-Kiyoi-seriously policy might seem like a controlling move or an inappropriate ultimatum to some viewers but it actually better resembles what Harriet Lerner calls a “bottom line,” resulting in a boundary that is not only justifiable but downright healthy…or almost healthy, at least. It's a bit on the extreme side, and the fakeout part remains a little mean. But they're understandable given what Hira has put Kiyoi through. 

Here's my s2e4 writeup that includes that discussion:

“sorry, Kiyoi”

So, I’ve already written quite a bit about this scene. In one instance, I wrote a propaganda blurb when it was in bl brackets’s kiss bracket.

Here's the original blurb I wrote for @bl-bracket when I nominated the scene, as used in the post where people voted:

Hira and Kiyoi Final Kiss: "It’s an important plot point (because Kiyoi has said he won’t kiss Hira until he stops putting him on a pedestal and now Hira is making progress on that front, and because Hira hasn’t initiated physical stuff in the past, and initiating is itself a way of treating Kiyoi more like an equal). It’s also just a really well-acted and effectively shot kiss, and as a result it communicates so much about the characters and shows a side of their relationship not portrayed elsewhere in the show. And of course, it’s super hot. That includes the kind of weird but suggestive details that are typical of the show, like Hira passing candy/candy spit to Kiyoi through the kiss and then switching into this really distinct sexy voice that makes it sound almost as if he’s changing personalities."

And here's an additional, longer propaganda post I wrote to lobby for votes:

One of the points I tried to make in that post about why this scene is special was that it really does represent a leap forward in how both leads portrayed intimacy in this series. Prior to this scene, viewers had seen a dead fish kiss on graduation day, a more intense makeout situation in the season 1 finale that was shot so impressionistically that it was often hard to tell exactly what the actors were doing, and some interrupted kisses earlier in season 2. And then this happened. Here's a quote from what I wrote previously:

Personally, despite being a fan of both actors and thinking they did amazing work on the series, until I saw this scene I really didn't know if they had it in them, if they could actually pull off something that felt real. But they brought it. They're not holding back. As opposed to more stylized kisses you see in BLs and other romance dramas sometimes, I found it very naturalistic, like the way a couple of real kids in their early 20s would kiss.

So, yeah. I thought it showed real growth on the part of the actors as individuals and as a pairing/team.

This scene also caused me to dig deeper, with the help of some very knowledgeable mutuals, into what “persistent” and “cute” mean in a sexual context in Japan. My main post about that is below.

Noticing Hagiwara's use of Hira's "persistent voice" also helped me to notice something else when I checked out his other work, and that is that he often uses his voice in very different ways in different roles. I recently watched a drama he did before Utsukare and I was struck by this all over again. Again, it shows a really impressive degree of control.

And now, for our one non-Utsukare scene in the top 5:

"I'm trying to seduce you"

I also wrote a nomination blurb about this scene for the kiss bracket. (If you're seeing a pattern here, well, yeah, it's a pattern.) The original voting post here but I'll go ahead and quote it in its entirety since it's pretty short.

This kiss is ridiculously hot and is a culmination of so much that’s been simmering beneath the surface for the entire show up to that point. Togawa has been pining so hard for Nozue for so long that when Nozue gives him a glimmer of hope and then tries to leave, everything he’s been bottling up comes surging out. Kimura Tatsunari exudes a level of desperate lustfulness in this scene that’s as intense as anything I’ve seen in any genre. We’re all familiar with the idea that people look at a person’s mouth when they want to kiss them, but Togawa looks at Nozue’s mouth like he dreams about it every night and sees it every time he closes his eyes. No wonder he feels a need to stick his thumb in there. Takeda Kouhei also communicates so much in this scene. Nozue is shocked and confused but he can’t help but respond to Togawa’s kisses. You can see the gears turning—and refusing to turn—as he tries to make sense of what’s happening—and keeps kissing Togawa back even though he still can’t process it. Togawa’s declaration, “I’ve been trying to seduce you, with everything I have,” is the cherry on top.

There's another bit of subtle physical communication here that I find interesting, and I think you might too, @wen-kexing-apologist. Just recently I've been thinking about the meaning, in kissing scenes, of what for lack of a better term I'll call the head-bonk. By this I mean the thing where one person puts their forehead against the other person's, often with at least a tiny bit of an impact that renders it a bonk rather than, like, just touching them together. Togawa kisses Nozue once, then a second time, and then goes in for a third that Nozue avoids by sinking toward the floor. The third kiss doesn't happen, but when Togawa starts to initiate it he does an absolutely sublime head-bonk. I'm still figuring out what I think about the head-bonk thing. All I know is that, from my vantage point, that little move on Kimura's part practically screams "I've been holding this back for five goddamn years and I can't wait one more second to kiss this person."

Runners-up and honorable mentions:

Semantic Error:

Their first kiss in the restaurant after Jae Young calls Sang Woo "hyung" - I have watched this so much that if I had been asked for my top 6 this would have been #6.

Jae Young demonstrating the features of the "free trial"

Minato’s Laundromat (season 1, of course):

Shin freaking out about Minato being alone with Hanabusa

The washing machine kabedon

The “smelling the sheets” scene

Kiseki (I just watched this for the first time a week or so ago and I have already done so much scene-rewatching it's ridiculous):

That incredibly angsty sex scene with Ai Di and a drunk Chen Yi, you know the one

Chen Yi's confession to a physically restrained Ai Di

The scene at Ai Di's bar where Chen Yi puts him in a double kabedon

Ai Di and Chen Yi's conversation after Ai Di gets out of prison, where he says he fucked Chen Yi "just for fun" and offers to let him do stuff to him as "revenge"

Ai Di trying to scare Chen Yi by stroking his chest and asking him if he wants to "play" and then getting weirded out when Chen Yi asks, "What if I say yes?"

Jheruei and Zongyi's first real kiss and subsequent A+ lap-sitting moment

And as a bonus, here's my most-rewatched non-QL moment:

There's a scene I'm obsessed with in Something in the Rain where Jun Hui comes to Jin A's home and sees her ex-boyfriend there with her and her parents, lobbying to get back together and manhandling her, and he reacts exactly the way you'd expect as someone to who's in love with Jin A. It is tattooed on my brain. If I ever learn to make gifs I am gif'ing the fuck out of that scene.

#obsessive rewatching #utsukushii kare #utsukushii kare meta #old fashion cupcake #hagiwara riku #yagi yusei #kimura tatsunari #takeda kouhei #BL asks meme #semantic error #kiseki: dear to me #minato's laundromat #something in the rain

[best-type-moon-couple]

The Winner of the “Best Type-Moon Couple” Tournament is…

Gilgamesh and Enkidu (52% of the Vote)

[Congratulations for the Runner-ups, Mr. Sakamoto Ryouma and Mrs. Sakamoto Oryou, who came close with 48% of the Vote]

Thank you so much to the 502 people who voted in the final poll, as well as everyone else who participated/nominated/followed this tournament. I appreciate every single one of you and hope to see you next time I do something like this again. Until then, thanks for voting, see you whenever there’s a next time!

Letter from the Mod (Under the Cut):

Introduction:

So… uh… been a while since we talked like this, completely nervous, unprepared tournament mod to the hundreds of thousands of potential listeners and followers of the poll. Well, now that it’s over, I want to introduce myself.

Hi, you can call me Snow. I’ve been a Type-Moon fan for about a year now. I got into this series when my cousin introduced me to “Fate” and from there I started to grow on this series at an… large… unnormal… potentially problematic and unhealthy way.

“Where’d the inspiration come from?”:

When I got into Fate, the one thing that reached out to me were the characters themselves and their relationship with one another, and the more I looked into the nasuverse, the more characters that I found that I feel in love with, the more I started to hate, the more I started to have convoluted and mixed feelings towards, but the one thing I loved about most was how characters interacted with each other and how well, or unwell, they get along and nothing else can show my love and appreciation for character dynamics than the couples of Type-Moon.

The couples of Type-Moon range anywhere from being weird to comical to sad to disgusting to wholesome and even genuinely life changing, with the characters themselves having dynamic that either showed how much they pine for love, how love broke them, how love managed to fix them, or by simply how wholesome they are. When Samurai Remnant released and featured a character who loves their spouse very much that they make it their main focus in game, juxtaposed by their spouse still showing their love and devotion for them, it was the thing that eventually caused me to make this tournament in the first place (they weren’t in the tournament though, but it’s the thought that counts).

Running the Tournament:

I was completely sure that I wanted to run this tournament, but the main caveat was the fact that I never ran a tournament like this before and it became very clear, very quickly that I had no idea what I was doing (the potentially weird rules for the tournament and the delayed start times were a big red flag of this, so I’m glad we had so many people stuck around despite that).

Still, I wanted to do my best for this tournament, so I created everything myself (with my sister helping to find a tournament bracket website). And when I mean everything I mean I edited together the main banner of the blog and edited together most of the couple portraits (I got lazy and used official art for some of them, guess which ones)

What’s next?:

Honestly, I want to do another tournament sometime. Obviously not immediately since I also want time off, but I’d also want to do something else and see more people come together to vote on something we all may or may not enjoy. And while I have no ideas at the moment (if you want to give any ideas then feel free to share then through the askbox or through the submission box) but maybe this blog will go through a renovation when I figured something out, hm?

Want to see what I do?:

Well, in case you wanna follow me specifically, then you can follow my personal blog (@player-blandon) for more of my personal things or things I post about games I like sometimes. I don’t post there consistently, and when I do it’s probably, mostly, shitposts unless I’m live-blogging a game I’m playing through or (in the most recent post’s case) doodled something I wanted to share. It’s the place where I share things sometimes and hopefully it’s a place where I can talk to all of you about some stuff as well (chances are I’m going to be posting more fate and type-moon things after this tournament).

Closing Thoughts:

Honestly, this tournament was a bigger undertaking than what I originally thought, but I’m glad I did this. I consider it a learning experience.

Thank you all once again for participating in this tournament. Congratulations to the King of Heroes and his only friend for winning and good job Ryouma and Oryou for putting on a good fight. We all put in a lot in this tournament and I hope to see you all again when I do something like this again…

…until then, I’ll see you whenever I can. Goodbye everyone. See you later!

#a couple’s battle #couple tournament #tumblr tourney #and then they kiss #end of the tournament #fate #fate grand order #fate stay night #kara no kyoukai #tsukihime #mahotsukai no yoru #witch on the holy night

[pointy-spiral]

Hello! I hope you still take requests, if not I'm so sorry to brother you!!!

Anyways! I would love to see more of your yuusona, I think they are so cute 🥰.

And please tell us more about them :D

JKDLSJIIOAUEIOWUIOJKFLDJKFDL THANK YOUU!! :') not a bother at all!! This is such cute and sweet request!! u lil cutiee!!

i haven't really thought out much about her yet, and shes not really based on any specific Disney character, but i have some fun facts about her-

Her shirt is the same style as Epel's, because its a spare pomefiore shirt that Rook gave her during her first week at school. She's really scared of him though. Her first encounter with him was him commenting on her messy uniform, (since i doubt that Crowley would do much more than just grab whatever's in the lost and found basket for Yuu and call it a day) Rook basically drags her to Pomefiore to play dress up while she tries desperately to find some excuse to leave jkhfdfdshhsd

She wishes she could have just kept the job as a janitor instead of being a student at first (but she comes to like school starting the second year) since she enjoys cleaning and tidying and just going for walks, so being an errand runner for Crowley didnt seem too bad to her.

Because of this i wanted to make Floyds nickname for her "Vampire squiddy", since they feed on marine snow and are generally one of the "cleaners" of the deep sea. They live really deep in the sea, matching her gloominess and dislike for crowds and bright light. BUT THEN I REALIZE THAT LILLA CALLED DIBS ON BEING VAMPIRE SQUID so now i don't know anymore... i guess shrimpy still works..

Ever since accidentally stepping on Leonas tail she's been avoiding him like the plague. She thinks he's still mad at her, and nearly cries anytime she sees him dshdhdhdfhj she thinks he's super scary

The skirt she actually sewed by hand herself , using a spare curtain from Ramshackle as fabric.

Back in her "home world" she used to collect and make her own jewelry, the one she wears is one of them. She makes friendship bracelets for her friends of course.

She's good friends with Ortho, and they are desk neighbors. He's tried multiple times to invite her over for game night but she's too scared to hang out with Idia around. But her an Ortho hang out and study together a lot :) he's the designated extrovert friend

She became friends with Jade by being forced to wanting to join the Mountain lovers club. Its actually pretty good, since its a long walk and she can forage for stuff to eat so she can save more money (Crowley pays us in a handfull of pebbles and a pat on the back i swear to god) He's the social anxiety shield and talks for her sometimes.

She still kind of works as a janitor, and she stays after school hours to clean. And uses her job as an excuse to stay away from people, too much to clean!! so many floors to mop!! no i cannot come to ur party Kalim i am so so sorry!! would love too but i have to deep clean the school, by myself, all alone!! tomorrow as well! and the day after!! fdhdfshdshj

Has absolutely bonked Ace in the head with her broom!! he deserves it

Azul tries at some point to get her to be a janitor at Mostro lounge but she runs away from him mid conversation

Secretly very insecure about her height, thinking shes too tall for a lady, plus it just makes her stick out more as well

(actually as im writing this i realize she could be based on Cinderella in a way!!! with the whole evil stepmom (crowley) making you do a bunch of shitty work. im getting ideas.. >:) teehee gonna redraw the ball dance and glass slipper scene with her and someone maybe mwehehehehe)

#my art #twisted wonderland #twst fanart #my art🩷 #yuusona #twst oc

[soulofapatrick]

The Feeling is Mutual - Gabriel Luna x Reader

Summary: Coco is getting sick of you telling her and Pedro how much you like Gabriel so she takes matters into her hands and let’s just say you’ll have to thank her 

Words: 1.8k 

Warnings: teasing

Y/N’s POV

“Men are stupid,” I’m growling as I storm into Pedro’s trailer. He just glances away from his phone, Coco raising an eyebrow at me as I flop onto Pedro’s bed, “I have been flirting with Gabriel all fucking week and he is so fucking oblivious.” 

“Have you told him you’re flirting with him?” Coco asks and I just turn my head to face them, an adorable smirk on Pedro’s face while Coco’s just gone back to making his hair Joel-like. I send a glare at her because she’s right but they both know I’m too shy to outwardly just tell the Texan that I am in love with him. I’m not really anybody compared to everyone else on set, being Ashley’s younger sister and here for the fun of being an extra in a game and show my sister helped bring to life, “I’ll take that as a no.” 

“No.” My voice is muffled from pushing my face into the pillows, relaxing at the comforting smell of Pedro: a strange mix of peppermint; rosemary and something woodsy like eucalyptus or lemongrass, “I can barely form a sentence in front of him let alone let him know I like him.” 

“So how have you been flirting then?” Pedro quirks an eyebrow at me while Coco’s typing furiously on her phone, a heart sinking smirk on her face. It has me jumping up and racing across the trailer to her but she’s pressed send and gives me a slightly guilty look. She’s just messaged Gabriel. My heart drops and I’m shimmying under the covers, pulling them over my head and letting out a small groan, “Coco, what did you do?” Pedro’s asking his stylist and there’s a pause before he lets out a quiet “Ahh.” 

Before either can speak they’re being called for, Pedro to go act and Coco to go help go stand by for touch ups. A gentle hand squeezes my foot before they’re both gone with the click of the trailer door, letting me pull down the covers and just stare up at the ceiling wondering what the fuck Coco sent Gabriel and how I’m going to get out of this without embarrassing myself. He’s probably laughing at the message, thinking I’m so stupid and immature for liking him. I mean I probably am because he’s the Gabriel Luna and I’m just Y/N Johnson… I’m nothing like my sister, no matter how much I’d love to be just like her but the acting tables have never been in my favour, only getting extras and sympathy roles like this. I’m only here as an extra because of who Ashley is but I guess I can’t really complain too much as I’ve become such good friends with Pedro. 

I didn’t believe people when they said he was one of the most down to earth and humble celebs they had ever met until I got introduced to him. He ignored my hand held out to shake and pulled me into a hug, telling me loved my role in Lockwood and Co. as if he watches it. It’s a show for young adults and no way would he watch the show just because we’d be together during ‘The Last of Us’ filming like he told me. Ashley told me that he had watched it to get to know me seeing as I’m going to play one of the kids from Jackson that is going to be prominent in season two. The show runners wanted to add a character that balanced out the Jackson Trio so they cast me when they heard who I was and what significant I have to the show. Well, what significance Ashley has to the show seeing as she voiced Ellie in the game. I’m not envious of Ashley, I really admire her and am so fucking happy she’s who I am related too it’s just a lot when people compare us. 

“Knock knock.” That deep southern rasp makes its way through the door and the thoughts swirling around my mind. It’s a voice that makes me weak at the knees and usually I’d love to heart right now? I want to just melt into the bed and stop existing. 

“Nobody’s home,” I call back, that sweet laughter no longer muffled when he swings the door open and steps inside. He closes the door behind him and just watches me, unruly curls falling in his face, cognac eyes bright with amusement and those freckles adorning his cheeks bright against his sun kissed skin. He’s smiling softly, hands on his hips as I mumble out a weak, “Hi Gabriel.” 

“Hi there sweetheart.” He moves towards me, face soft and actions slow as if not to spook me which yeah probably could happen. I’m not great at facing my fears and prefer to just leave the problem to sort itself out so when the problem rears its head like Gabriel coming here to see me I tend to panic and freeze, “So I heard something quite interesting.” He tells me, sitting on the bed in front of me as I sit up. 

“Hmmm, yeah?” I can’t keep the slight shake from my voice when he leans forwards, closing the gap between us until there’s centimetres. He smells like coffee and cedar wood and it’s so intoxicating, I can’t get enough of it.

“Yeah,” He breathes, those dark eyes flicking down to my lips and back up to meet my gaze, “Is it true?” I don’t trust my voice so I just nod and look away, feeling my cheeks heat up but those long delicate fingers catch my chin so I have no choice but to watch him again. His cheeks are just as read as he leans even closer, stopping when his lips are almost brushing mine, giving me the opportunity to pull away if he’s wrong which he’s most definitely not. In a rare moment of confidence I surge forwards, closing the gap and a small sound escaping when his lips move against mine. It’s soft and pulling, his hand cupping my cheek and thumb rubbing soothingly over my cheekbone, drawing me closer. I’m sliding onto his lap and his other hand is migrating to my hips as we separate for air, his thumb never stopping its soothing gesture, “I’m glad it’s true.” 

“Really?” 

“Would I be kissing you if I didn’t?” He raises an eyebrow at me and I just grumble, burying my face in the crook of his neck, face feeling like it might set fire to itself. His shirt is silky against my cheek, fitting him perfectly so I can feel the strong muscles under it, “Hey sweet girl, there’s no need to be shy around me.” He’s drawing me away from his shoulder and into another sweet kiss that has me tangling my hands through his curls, groaning at how soft they are and he moans back when I tug at them. Fuck. This is definitely unexpected but very much everything I’ve though about. He’s leaning back a little, hands on my hips, eyes dark and lips parted when he looks up at me and the sight has me letting out a low sound as he looks so fucking good. 

“You’re gonna ruin me if you keep looking at me like that,” I groan and his tongue just darts out to wet his lips as he smirks. He’s leaning forwards, lips attaching themselves to my neck and he’s sucking a hickey to the sensitive skin, causing me to arch into him both of us gasping when I accidentally roll my hips down into the tent in his tight jeans, “G-Gabriel, fuck.” 

He’s standing, setting me on my feet but keeping a hold of my hips as he walks me backwards until I hit the wall with a soft ‘oof’ and he’s pressing a leg between mine and capturing me in a kiss that has me tugging on his addictive curls. He’s crowding around me, being that much taller than me and it’s so fucking hot, being pressed against the wall by his body flat against mine. He’s pulling away too soon, murmuring, “I want to take you on a date first sweetheart and I don’t think Pedro would be too pleased if we did anything in his trailer.” 

Shit. We’re in Pedro’s trailer and I was meant to go find Ashley for lunch when Pedro and Bella went to film for the afternoon. Gabriel’s frowning, tilting his head when he sees the panic across my face, my hand reaching for my phone in my pocket as it rings. Ashley. 

“Ash! I’m so sorry!” I answer before she can speak and Gabriel just grins a cheeky look on his freckled face and he’s diving forwards, lips attacking my neck, “Am I-I too late to meet you?” 

She just sighs fondly as I try to hold in a moan, my breath hitching when Gabriel finds the soft spot just under my jaw, “No, of course you’re not, dumbass. Just get here soon okay? We have some catching up to do and you need to tell me all about Bella and Pedro. I’m actually really nervous to meet them!” 

“Y-yeah sure, give me half an hour.” My breath hitches again when Gabriel’s grip on my hips forces me to roll down onto his knee and my free hand is yanking at his hair by accident, a sound leaving his lips and there is no way Ashley didn’t hear it, “I’ll be there soon!” 

“Y/N, who-“ 

“Bye!” I’m hanging up and Gabriel’s chuckling, biting hard before his tongue soothes the pain and then his lips are on mine. They’re plump and velvety, leaving me wanting more when he nibbles at my bottom lip before his tongue darts out. Holy shit, I could kiss him all day but Ashley’s waiting for me and if I’m much longer she’s going to get suspicious. I’m never late to things like lunch with her and the fact she definitely heard Gabriel. 

“Go on baby girl, I’ll be here when you get back.” He pulls away and I whine at the emptiness surrounding me but he’s right. Ashley’s gonna get annoyed if I leave her handing for too long and Pedro is probably going to want an empty trailer when he’s done filming. He wonldn’t be mad or upset or anything if he found me still in here but I think I might get banned from his trailer if he finds Gabriel in here with me. 

“I won’t be back in time.” I whisper, keeping his hand in mine. 

“Alright then sweetheart, I’ll be at the hotel. Room 403, see you there baby girl.” He steals a chaste kiss before nudging me out the door of Pedro’s trailer, a smirk on his face as I’m unaware of the hickeys adorning my neck. His public mark of that I’m his and his alone. 

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If anyone knows of any other Gabriel Luna fanfics please let me know - he is highly under appreciated 

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TAGS: Tag List Form

@iraot @gemimawrites @pedropascalsrealhusband @twopercentmilk @sxnshinebxcky @nelsoomon @urnewghostfriend @sonhee-a​ @dizzyforyou-blog​ @grooveandshit​ @reyas-world @canpillowscry​ @jell0buss-37​ @androgynousgaz​ @not-a-unique-snowflake89​ @kalllistos​ @mediocrewallflow3r​ @certifiedhunter​ @alexis-doggy-76 

#Gabriel luna #Gabriel luna x reader #Gabriel luna x oc #Gabriel luna x y/n #Gabriel luna fluff #Gabriel luna smut #Gabriel luna fanfiction #Gabriel luna angst #Gabriel luna fanfics #Tommy miller #the last of us #Tommy miller x y/n #the last of us 2 #agents of shield #ghost rider #the last of us Gabriel #Gabriel luna appreciation #Gabriel needs more love so here it is

[emanation-aura]

Weird questions for writers, 19 and 38!

This is a response to this post about questions for writers!

19. Tell me a story about your writing journey. When did you start? Why did you start? Were there bumps along the way? Where are you now and where are you going?

Wow, so uh. Maybe this is a common origin story for writers my age, but I started out on Wattpad? It must have been about 2014-15 or so when I began; I have vivid memories of hopping off a flight and impatiently waiting to be driven home after vacation so that I could use my iPad to type the next chapter to my fic there, haha.

I started writing Pokemon fic, specifically of the X&Y Pokemon anime. I dunno if people here know this, but there used to be a fic genre there called "Ash gets betrayed by his friends" that was super popular, and I wrote a version of that too— it was my first fic (I named it "Heartbroken") and I made so many poor and melodramatic choices with it, but also i look back on it fondly. Some of the stylistic choices there survive in my writing there. Apart from that fic, I also wrote stuff for Star Wars Rebels, Percy Jackson, and Ranger's Apprentice (so typical YA stuff).

Why I started... well that's kind of difficult to answer, because I honestly I don't know. But it may have to do with that spidey-writing sense I get sometimes when reading or engaging with fiction, the desire for a story out of what I know.

There were a couple of major "incidents" that spurred me on the path of the fic writer: one was reading this AoT fic (tw graphic self-harm) and this Maze Runner fic (tw grief, suicide, psychological torture). Ok maybe this sounds bad on the surface but I am legitimately convinced that reading these at a young age made my writing style what it is today: a bit purple-prose-ish, slow and contemplative, chock-full of emotion and introspection, always, somehow, sad or angsty. (and they end up touching on the topics mentioned above, although most of the ones that do I don't publish.)

As for closer to the present... well, I really hit the ground running when I started writing Genshin fic. It's pretty much the beginning of my "modern style" (or stuff that I can read back through without cringing), and I want to keep developing that: writing sadness and grief and pain is deeply cathartic to me, and outside of lore studies, those are what I will be focusing on in the future. (...currently staring at the inordinate number of angst WIPs I have.)

38. What is something about your writing process YOU think is Really Weird? If you are comfortable, please share. If you’re not comfortable, what do you think cats say about us?

In all honesty, most of my fic is kind-of vent fic, just more verbose and coherent that what the name 'vent-fic' tends to evoke. I need to be in a really specific kind of mood to write angst/hurt/comfort (my staple), and for a long period of time, I was perpetually in that state, which made creating... not easier, maybe, but something else that spurred it on. I'm not like that now, but the emotional intensity needed to create and convey hasn't left me, either.

Putting it this way: i need to find or set myself into a Mood(tm) to find my creative juices. It's weird because I can and do write when I'm mentally fine, but sometimes the low mood makes things sharper and easier to convey. These days, I usually put on music to do this: not just any generic songs I like but specifically stuff I've curated from listening non-stop 1000s of times before I keep it on the "dopamine injection" playlist. Stuff like that speaks to me in ways that makes me feel probably far too much, and it puts me in the right (or wrong, I guess?) state of mind to pour emotion onto the page. Cause thats what it is for me: if I don't feel emotionally destroyed by what I'm writing then what even is the point?

In lighter terms: anybody is free to ask stuff in general, not just from the question list, in my askbox whenever. Please. I love talking about writing (why write when I can talk about writing)

#fanfic meta

[pennyparsnip]

Ohhh hoh, boy! A jubilant "Howdy, Neighbor" to you indeed!

I have an OOC happy moment for everyone!

I don't know how many people will remember me saying waaaaaay back in the early days of the AU that once the actual plot started going, I would take some time to clarify up some character stuff as well as list general trigger warnings and things of that nature! Well guess what! Today, that day has come! It is finally time!

Since the journey of the Once-ler fandom began on Tumblr, I thought it only appropriate his journey began similarly! Right here on Tumblr! Now it is going to branch off yet again to another platform that I'm sure many of you around these parts are familiar with; Archive of Our Own (aka ao3)! If this worries you because of website security, fret not! I will not be typing and uploading directly to ao3. The lore will be backed up and safe!

Now, what is it exactly that is getting posted there? Well, let me tell you! It is what I am calling "The Deep Lore"! It is lore that is extremely significant to not just what is happening in the AU, but what happened to Penny before it all took place. What's fun about it is you don't need to know it in order to enjoy the AU! So if you miss it, you'll still have fun :)

The Deep Lore is going to be basically 100% of Penny's pre AU lore; who she was, what she was up to, how she came to the universe she made, all that juicy stuff. Not much of it will directly have to do with MO!Wally (Mister Onceler Wally in case anyone has missed that up to now), but it will fluff the horror elements of the story to read what gets uploaded there. There will be no illustrations in it at all (most likely), and that is a symbolic choice! One which I will let you chew on and think about!

Now on to the next thing!! I wanna clear up the narrative tone for you. I know its been confusing, and that has been on purpose! It will probably not become less confusing! Sorry! Mystery and obfuscation are kinda the names of the game, Neighbor! 💚🤭

Minor notes:

Referring to me as Penny is fine! That is my actual preferred name! I gave it to Penny (the character) for the sake of writing a 4th wall breaker!~

Talking to me on Discord is OOC!

Okay! So! From here on out, a completely OOC moment from me, the runner of the accounts and maker of the characters is going to be indicated by ((double parenthesis))! Sometimes, the characters might refer to me as "The Narrator," but if they do, it will probably just be for memes or whatever silly shit. It wouldn't be a canon thing. So if you see ((double parenthesis)) for some reason from here on, that is why. It is an OOC moment!

That leads to Penny!

Without spoilers, who is she in the story? Who/what is she to me? How do I feel about her? I will tell you!

Penny is The Artist. Her name is Penelope Jane Parsnip, and she prefers to just be called Penny. She is The Artist for the Biggering AU of Welcome Home! She is from our world and finds her way into the AU she made through means that you will read about on ao3. She has access to our internet, and that includes when she is outside of her reality! That is how she is posting about the AU; she is using human world internet that she can access from the AU via her smart divices that come from reality!

What is Penny to me, the actual Penny?

I'm not sure what the label for her is, but! I can explain her, I think! She started as simply the way I represented myself to the audience when I needed to speak for whatever reason. She was aesthetically based on me save for the fact i gave her a different eye color from me because she's a cartoon (I do actually have heterochromia like she does, though! That is true about me, haha! ). She had my personality because she was essentially just a mouthpiece for me! I thought of her and designing her as quite literally making a digital muppet of myself, and nothing really more than that.

But then it occured to me as I wrote more and fleshed out more details.. if I am going to write a character like Onceler Wally, who has no regard for the 4th wall whatsoever and understands what he is.. he would totally want to know the one who made the world he's in. So then Penny started to become less of me (the person) and more of her own character. But by the time I had these realizations, she had already been represented several times, and it was too late to change it! So I just took the personal L's about that, lol! I have let her go, despite the fact that she is a character based very directly on myself. She's her own gal now as far as I am concerned. I will still use her to represent myself, of course, because she does look like me, haha! But I don't have the emotional attachment to her to call her a self insert/ sona or anything like that. I'm not really sure what she counts as now. She exists sort of by accident, lol!

The tone from here on with all this in mind:

I will continue to post as Penny, The Artist! That is it! I don't think it's fun to lay out all the mystery and surprises for you by laying everything out. I hope you keep having fun and thank you for your support! Seeya in The Deep Lore @>:)

Oh! And one more thing! Here, I have the prelude for you! You read the whole post, enjoy the lore tidbit while you wait 💚🤭

#welcome home au #welcome home biggering au lore #onceler wally #onceler #biggering au #you're looking for me again #arent you? #silly silly @>:) #greedler wally #welcome home biggering au

[pinkcherryblossomangel]

Away from home -chapter 5

Y/N is an actress, filming for her first lead role in the film adaptation of her favourite childhood book, produced by maximum effort.

She bonds with Ryan Reynolds over their share Love of the Korean pop band Stray Kids, and he has a surprise for her.

When she starts missing home and the darkness creeps upon her, her hotel neighbour comes to her rescue.

Trigger warnings- mentions of depression, self harm and anxiety

Stray kids fan fic

Mainly staring 3ratcha

But the other boys do make appearances it's just easy to keep to minimum of characters lol

Chan x oc

This is my first ever fan fiction so if it's shit soz.

It's been 5 days since the 3racha boys came to set. And everyday so far has been so joyous. Their fun and passion is contagious. Today's also the last day on these scenes, a days filming is only like 3 minutes of footage, which is why we spend weeks on single scenes.

Call time is a bit earlier today, so unlike the the past 3 days I head to the location base by myself. Keith seems to feel Chris's absence moaning that he misses hearing his Australian accent in the morning.

"He'll be back tonight!"  I say, which seems to cheer him up a bit. Like always I nod off and wake up driving through security. It's 7 am by the time we arrive. I head straight to my trailer when my costume for today has been laid out next to my call sheet.

I get dressed and head straight to make up. It's only a natural look today, but with Tabby's iconic red lippy! My hair doesn't seem to behaving the way they want it too, so after almost choking on 2 cans of hairspray I'm ready. I look in the mirror. I don't recognise myself most days, but when I'm in character I really don't. Which is good. I think?

I head down to the breakfast table and grab a bacon and egg sandwich. My dad's favourite. And some grapes and then wander down to set. I'm 15 minutes early, but like my old teacher told me, on time is late! When Jenna and Tash arrive they join me on the bleachers all gossiping and eating. Tash tells us of some drama she got in on twitter. Well that her fans got into. Something to do with her ex girlfriends new album. That's something I find quite funny about being apart of the Hollywood world, I now get the inside scoop on twitter feuds.

I look at the clock in the hall and realise he'll be here in 20 minutes. I'm suddenly acutely aware that this is the first time he's seen me in makeup. I've been barefaced and dressed in comfy clothes this whole week and I feel heat rising in my cheeks, burning with self consciousness. Jenna puts her hand on my knee, as if she can read my mind. I try to ground myself looking for things to see and hear.

-----------------------------------------

The filming goes without a hitch, but I haven't seen the boys. Seems like I was nervous for nothing.

And there they are entering the hall with our main runner alice and our lunch orders. There's someone else with the too! Hannah! The reason I even know who these guys are. Chan makes a b-line for me, with my lunch order, buttered chicken.

They decide to eat with us on the bleachers. Chris asks to have a quick chat just the two of us.

"I was wondering if you'd like to come out for a few drinks with me the guys and Hannah tonight? It's okay if not, I just think you two would get along and the guys wanna hang out with you, cause I apparently keep going on about you...."

"It's a date" I reply. Both of us blushing at my response. "Sorry I had to"

"I'll pick you up at 10?" Chris questions with an upturned brow.

"Don't be late, i know it's quite far away."

"A whole 4 steps!" He jokes as we walk back to everyone else.

-----------------------------------------

Today we're supposed to finish at 6pm, it's currently 6:20pm and we have another angle to shoot still. Like most days we're running behind. I told Keith to take Chris back to the Milton but I guess he decided he doesn't want to go yet as I can see him peeking behind Olivia as she's watching the monitors. She checks her watch and sighs.

"Alright everyone, we are running behind, but since it's a Friday I'm gonna let us off now. Get some rest this weekend and we'll finish the scene on Monday."

I head to ovet Keith with Chris, I almost trip over some wires I'm that engaged in our conversation.

"You two seem chirpy" remarks Keith as we enter his car

"It's that Friday feeling" Chris replies, I audibly cringe which makes both men laugh.

Back in my room, I tidy up after making myself a snack of instant noodles. There do lack something being done in a microwave. I decide to get a shower to freshen up before getting ready to go out tonight. But as soon as I get naked and turn the tap on, the showers head falls off and I'm covered it what's an equivalent of a bucket of freezing cold water. Unfortunately my room doesn't have a bath. I could ask to use Chris's shower right? I'm sure he wouldn't mind.

I put my dressing gown on and walk over to his door. I'm about to turn away out of embarrassment when he Unlocks the door. "I'm guessing that shriek I heard had something to do with this" He gestures to my current state.

"Youd be correct" He grins at my response. "Can I use your shower? mine has busted and the hotel can't fix it till tomorrow."

"Sure" he says waving me in. His room is tidy and smells of him. A mix of vanilla and musk. I head to his bathroom, the plan is the same as my room, except this one has him. "Feel free to use any of my products," He probably noticed my lack of any.

"Oh Shit, no, I'll go get mine."

"No Please, use mine"

"My knight in shining armour!" He looks down in a really cute way. I think making him blush may be my new favourite thing.

" enjoy your shower Y/N"

"I will Christopher" I smile, and head into the shower.

---‐-------------------------

I smell like him, I realise as I get changed. I decided to keep it casual with some black, wide legged trousers and an oversized t shirt. Something I'm not afraid to get dirty, but nice enough to be seen in. I apply just a small amount of makeup, for no other reason than o don't particularly like the feeling of it on my face. Don't get me wrong, I love getting dolled up,especially for events, but if I'm honest, I can't be arsed right now.

There's a knock at my door. It's Chan. Obviously. I grab my back pack and open the door.

"You ready?" He asks

"Yeah lets go. Im excited I've not been out out in ages."

"Out out?" He questions

"Yeah like out is like the pub but out out is like a bar or something. Do you guys not say that in Australia?"

"Not that I know" we reach the lift. "I'll have to ask Hannah, maybe she knows!"

The cab we order is right on time and we get to the bar at 9:15pm. There waiting for us is the rest of 3racha and Chans sister.

#bang chan x reader #bang chris #chan x reader #christopher bang #seo changbin #bang chan #han jisung #stray kids fanfic #stray kids #bang chan fanfic #kpop fanfic #fanfic

[littleperilstories]

The Prince of Thieves: Take a Breath Before You Leap

You can also read on Ao3!

Let's learn a little about our heroine, Bree Cooper, in this brand-new chapter!

Warnings: implied past violence/abuse, poverty, starvation, getting jumped (kind of? I don't know what to call it), lady whump I guess?

Previous | Masterpost | Next

Word count: 2505 || Approx reading time: 10 mins

Take a Breath Before You Leap

Teaser: Up here, no one else can see me. Up here, no one can say a damn thing when I pull up my sleeves. There’s no one to gasp or gawk as I reveal the soft, scandalous flesh of my arms, trace my fingers along forbidden flesh, throw into sharp relief what must remain invisible at all other times: black-as-night ink painted on the canvas of my skin.

Bree Cooper

There’s no feeling like the one I get the night before a new run: the buzzing excitement, the impatience for the eventual payoff, and the dizzy, fluttery what-ifs—What if something goes wrong? What if I mess up somehow? What if this is the one where I get caught? Anticipation and nervousness churn in my belly, but I can’t deny it—I’m looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.

Of course, I’m not thrilled about the “new job” I was hired for today. Working in the Smith household as a maidservant is undoubtedly going to be a nightmare. Something far better is what will come out of it—or rather, what’s going to come out of the family’s lock-box. Right out of their household. Carried in my pocket. Into the hands of someone who needs it. That’s going to be the good part.

I’m under no illusions that the job will be easy. A few days ago, when she picked me for this run, Spider warned me it wouldn’t be a walk in the park. I’ll need to be swift in earning the Smiths’ trust… become an exemplary maid so I don’t get sacked and thrown out before I can make my move… memorize the layout of their home and learn the location of their family jewels. (The way Spider told it, the patriarch might as well be a dragon, the way he hoards his riches.) All the while, I’ll have to hide my identity, tattoo, and true purpose from the family and the other staff.

It’s cold up here on the roof of the boarding house—that’s why no one else is up here, probably—but there’s something delightfully bracing about the wind scrubbing the day’s dust from my skin while the stars gaze down. It’s delicious, almost wicked, to peer into the city streets from so high.

Up here, no one else can see me. Up here, no one can say a damn thing when I pull up my sleeves. There’s no one to gasp or gawk as I reveal the soft, scandalous flesh of my arms, trace my fingers along forbidden flesh, throw into sharp relief what must remain invisible at all other times: black-as-night ink painted on the canvas of my skin.

It’s a shame the tattoo would send me to prison if the constables saw it, because it’s beautiful. Sometimes I just stare down at the details—the leaves bursting from a tree in full bloom, the ring around its swirling, entwined roots. Would anyone else, other than my fellow runners or the constabulary, know what it means if they caught a glimpse? I’m not so sure, but they’d certainly be confused if they saw it on my arm. Silas Cooper’s daughter, tattooed like a common criminal? A gentlewoman like her? How? Why? What happened to her?

I scowl into the night. Breanna Cooper died with Silas, or at least I like to think she did. When I think back on the girl who stumbled, dry-eyed, away from her father’s deathbed and then ran from the man she was supposed to marry, out into a chilly autumn night much like the one I’m gazing out into now, I don’t recognize myself. That girl ran into a life of nothing, yes. But isn’t that also what she ran away from?

I hug my knees to my chest and close my eyes. If my father could see me now, wearing the sigil of the county’s most notorious gang of thieves on my body, he’d be spitting furious. Cherry-faced furious. Raise-his-arm-and-swing furious.

If the man who would’ve been my husband could see me now… I think he’d be much the same.

The roof and its bird’s-eye view of the city always make me pensive. Not sad, per se, but certainly reflective. I can’t help but wonder who I’d have been if little pieces of my life had been different. If Father hadn’t lost our fortune, if Mother hadn’t died, if Father hadn’t sold me off to the highest bidder and then kicked the bucket himself. If I’d sentenced myself to stay with a man who was exactly like my father. If I hadn’t run away.

If I, cold and desperate and hungrier than I’d ever been, hadn’t chosen that girl’s pocket to pick that day.

My limbs had shrunken to ragged skin and bone; I’d taken some clothes in a bag when I slipped away in the middle of the night only a week after Father’s wake, but they didn’t fit anymore. That day, my last clean dress—if “clean” was even the right word for it—hung off my body in rippling folds like a shroud. Any longer, I think now, and it might have indeed become my death-sheet. I caught my reflection in the glass of a storefront on the high street—a place I couldn’t enter, for I had not a penny to spare—and what I saw was horrifying. Pale, sallow skin streaked with grime. Rags for clothes. Limp, tangled hair, greasy to its ends.

I remember thinking, I should just lie down here in the street and let the cold take me.

That is not what I did.

It took a few days for me to find what I needed: a long, loose-fitting shirt to disguise my figure, some trousers whose hems I hacked into with a pair of scissors so they wouldn’t be too long, and a cap I stole right off a boy’s head to hide my hair. I hovered the scissors’ blades over the ends of my filthy tresses, willing myself to just snip it short and be done with it… but I couldn’t bring myself to make the cut. I simply bound it as best I could with twine and tucked the ends into my stolen cap.

Suddenly, I was invisible on the city streets. Everyone looked askance at an unaccompanied girl loitering on street corners and winding through alleys, but no one batted an eye if it was a boy doing the same.

For the first time in my life… I had freedom. Real freedom.

At first, I was too frightened to take much. An apple here, a few crumbs of bread there. Each day, though, brought with it more bravery. The first time I ever stole an entire loaf of bread, I felt as accomplished as if I had swum across an entire ocean.

I suppose that courage and the false sense of security led me to become bold enough to start picking pockets. The problem was, I was good at it, and that made me cocky.

I was good at picking pockets until the day I wasn’t.

The girl seemed like an easy target: she wore two fluffy, mismatched petticoats with an exposed pocket peeking out from beneath her woollen apron. She dressed like a poor girl, but there was a drawstring pouch dangling from her waist, clinking with coins. She was asking for me to steal her purse. I was drawn to it like a moth to a candle—and it wasn’t long before my wings were engulfed in flame.

Instead of being wise, I neatly liberated the pouch and slipped my way through the crowd, moving fast, the cotton bag soft against my fingers. The coins sang as I emptied them into my pocket. I didn’t even take a second glance at the girl’s now-empty purse as I tossed it into the street, delighted to leave my incriminating evidence behind.

If I had been smart enough to look over my shoulder, I might have been a little less haughty about my successful pocket heist.

I made it two blocks and around a corner before they caught up.

A hand clapped over my mouth, sealing in the shriek that tried to claw its way out as my attacker’s other arm wrapped around me and pinched my wrists together. They yanked me backwards, pressing my back against the solid, unyielding body behind me.

“Who the fuck,” said a voice, cool and filled with sharp, prickling amusement, “picks my pocket and thinks they’re getting away with it?”

I jerked against the hands holding me, a muffled whine escaping my lips, but whoever it was only held on tighter. In front of me, the girl with the wool apron and coloured petticoats sauntered into view. What I could see of her face was beautiful—she’d hidden the lower half behind a black scarf. But there was a glittering in her eyes I could not interpret.

“Let’s see who, then,” she said, leaning down, and I realized far too late that she was holding a knife—slim and short, but sharp. Silver and glittering in the fading autumn light.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck—

Time seemed to slow to a trickle, and my scream died in my throat. I remember thinking, Fine, then. If this girl was going to kill me, so be it. Let her. What did I care? What did I have to lose? 

Fucking nothing, that’s what.

As the girl ran the blunt side of her blade along my jaw, I heard a sigh and a mutter somewhere above my head. The blood was rushing in my ears so loudly, however, that I couldn’t comprehend a single word.

I won’t scream. I won’t cry.

Sticking out my chin—as best as I could with a hand still pressed against my mouth—I met the girl’s eye. I could have sworn I saw her expression change, but it was difficult to tell with her face covered. A smirk? It couldn’t be.

Her eyes flicked up to meet the gaze of the person behind me, and then she leaned in close. She tugged away my grey cap, and it fell to the ground, soaking up the muck from the autumn rain that had drenched the streets earlier that day.

“Ooh,” she said, looking me over, one hand fishing in my pocket, “our quick-fingered thief is a little girl.”

Little? Hardly. I jerked against the arm holding me still. Unsuccessful again.

“Come on, Spider.” It was a boy behind me. When he spoke, his voice was light and quick. Impatient. He didn’t let go, but his grip loosened slightly. “I can’t kick the shit out of a girl.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. I don’t want to kick the shit out of her,” the girl said, pulling her hand back and grinning. “I just want my money back.” She dropped a handful of coins into the pocket tied beneath her apron. “We’re good now.”

“Was the knife really necessary?” the boy muttered.

I winced as she dug the point of the blade into my skin. “Yes.” She winked. “Just teaching her a little lesson. An important lesson.”

In my ear, there was the faintest breath of a whisper. “Sorry. You'll be okay. She’s laying it on a bit thick... I think she’s having fun.”

What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

“Okay, Muscles. You can let her go now.” She stepped back, and the boy’s arms dropped.

“See?” I heard him say.

“What the fuck?” I yelped, jumping away from him and sucking air into my lungs even though he hadn’t been cutting off my breath. “What is your problem?”

I pressed a hand to my chin, where the knifepoint had bit into my skin, but my fingers came away clean. No blood.

The girl tucked a stray curl of dark brown hair behind her ear. Beneath her sleeve, the ghost of a dark-lined tattoo peeked out. “That was quite a bold move you made there, little bird.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t wear your purse hanging off your ass if you don’t fucking want people reaching in,” I shot at her. I remember faintly wondering how horrified my parents would be if they could hear me cursing like a sailor.

The girl tossed her knife in the air, watching it spin gracefully, then tucked it away and winked. “If you wanted to cop a feel, kid, all you had to do was ask.”

My cheeks flooded with heat. “I didn’t mean—”

I realized then that she was shaking with laughter. When I looked over at the boy, he was, too.

“Not just anyone could walk off with my bag and make it this far,” the girl said. “Maybe we’ll cross paths again.”

This far? I made it two blocks.

She smirked and walked away, the coins I’d stolen—and immediately been forced to surrender—jangling in her pocket. The boy paused before he followed her. He wore a hood, his face half-obscured like hers, but I could see his: hazel, deep and bright at once, and twinkling with amusement.

He touched two fingers to his temple in a lazy, mocking salute, then followed the girl and disappeared into the night.

When I dipped my hand to mourn the emptiness of my pocket, my fingers bumped into something round at its bottom. Had she missed one of her coins? Left one for me out of pure pity?

When I pulled it out under the light of the gas lamps that lined the high street, I frowned. It wasn’t a coin, at least not one I could fucking spend on food. It was made of… wood? Whittled to a smooth surface, with a design carved into one side and letters into the other: a tree with twisted roots and the letters I.A.

I wear the wooden coin around my neck these days, upon a cord that’s long enough to tuck into my clothes and hide beneath the neckerchief when I choose to wear skirts. Now, with the gas lamps twinkling far below, the moon shining down on me instead, I pull my necklace out and inspect the design. The one that matches the tattoo on my arm.

I’ve seen that girl—we runners only know her as Spider—more than once since I joined. In fact, I saw her earlier today. Just for a few minutes, a quick passing conversation with our backs turned to one another as I gave her the confirmation that I won the position in the Smith household and I start work tomorrow. Just once, I glimpsed her face. Beneath the hood, it was drawn and pale, and I got the sense that something was wrong, but she didn’t say why.

“Remember to take it slow,” was all she said. “Don’t do anything foolish. Don’t get caught.”

The boy from that day, I’ve seen twice. They never send him to meet runners like me. I think of that day we first met, though. His whisper in my ear, the laugh lines around his eyes, the green tint to his gaze, the little upturn of his mouth as he gave me that salute and then vanished.

I tuck the necklace back inside my short gown. The chill is sinking deep into my bones; it’s time to go inside.

Tomorrow, a new day. A new job, a new name, a new purpose. Until the next one, anyway. One of these days, dawn will bring a new day and, finally, a new life.

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[Banner ID: A narrow, rectangular banner featuring a barred archway. The bars and the stone walls evoke the feeling of a dungeon or prison. There are burning candles on either side of the archway. The title of the story, The Prince of Thieves, appears in white text in the centre of the image. The author's username, abbreviated to LPS from littleperilstories, appears in the bottom right corner in partially transparent text. End ID.]

#the prince of thieves #oc Bree Cooper #oc Will Wardrew #oc Jamie Wardrew #oc Baden Hatchett #whump #whump writing #whump story #whump fiction #original fiction #original writing #original story #whumpblr #writeblr #implied past abuse #poverty #starvation #jumped from behind #lps-writes #lady whump #lps-tpot-revival #handgag #threatened #threatened with knife #knife

[deafblindshorty]

An In-depth (attempted) Analysis of "Through The Turbulence"

Okay, I couldn't help myself. I am going to comment and analyze the Poe and Rey story in Stories of Jedi and Sith.

First off, I made a post about a year and a half ago about Poe and Rey's friendship (and I kinda wish I had waited until...well, now now that I'm looking back on it so I can add to it. lol) I am going to make a few references to that post. You can read it here.

"She knew Poe wasn't a bad person. Rey trusted General Organa, BB-8, and Finn with her life. If they had really cared about him as much as they did, then there was no way he could be malicious or cruel. He was just...a lot to deal with sometimes."

So, I'm guessing this takes place after Resistance Reborn and before Rise of Resistance. I can see where she's coming from. Unkar and most of the men on Jakku mistreated or ignored her, Kylo kidnapped, mind-raped, and injured her and killed her mentor and injured her first real friend, and (this is really minor since he made up for it, but) Finn lied to her about being in the Resistance and more or less abandoned her. She has trust issues. All she needs is a bonding experience with Poe.

Poe and Rey were sent on a supply run on a planet in the outer rim. They chose that planet because there is no First Order presence. I guess they couldn't find the Colossus from Resistance.

"That charming smile that seemed to work on everyone except Rey"

"Rey would let a happabore eat her before she let Poe know she was struggling. (with the Force)"

Those two lines sound like classic romance novel lines! That charming smile probably didn't work on Rey because she doesn't fully trust him yet.

"So now you're trying to steal my droid on top of my mentor?" Poe's eyes went wide as if he hadn't meant what he said.

Okay, in the movies Poe might not seem like the jealous types, but he has shown shades of jealousy in Poe Dameron: Free Fall and TROS (It's subtle, but Poe keeps asking Finn what he was going to say to Rey before sinking in the sand as if he's jealous of how close they were). Also, this kind of makes the "Poe the Parent-Stealer" meme from a few years back hilarious in hindsight. I wonder if the author knew about that. (Probably not)

"Maybe it's not as fancy as what you grew up with...."

"Maybe she didn't grow up with war hero parents like Poe did..."

Sounds like Rey is jealous of Poe's upbringing.

"It stung to admit there was something she could not do, especially to someone like Poe, who did almost everything perfectly. Well, not counting his mutiny on the Raddus. That definitely did not go well."

She's insecure around Poe. Oh, Rey, if only you knew about his shenanigans during Poe Dameron: Free Fall. He's even less perfect that you could possibly imagine. Maybe that's why she was so interested in Poe's spice runner past in the TROS novel! It was then she knew Poe wasn't perfect.

After Rey admitted she can't use the Force, since she's having trouble with it since Luke died (which I think is total bullshit. They were NOT THAT CLOSE! COME ON! Ahem...anyway...), instead of being angry, frustrated, or disappointed, he was really understanding and actually helps her through the "Force block" by comparing it to flight turbulence (hence the title!). I see Poe as being a Stealth Mentor or Big Brother Mentor in that situation.

BB-8 get captured by sphere objects obsessed creatures called Qoogai and Rey and Poe work together to rescue him (and themselves).

I think after that adventure, Poe and Rey became better friends.

#star wars #stories of jedi and sith #poe dameron #rey skywalker #damerey

[totaldramafan-lauri]

Eurovision 2023 final thoughts

Well, it’s been a few days since the final....the post-Eurovision depression is surely hitting many people like it is me. That feeling of “......now what? We have to wait a whole year?” after the dust clears......

But, I don’t feel like it’s truly over until I give my full thoughts on the results after I’ve calmed down and rewatched, so.....here goes!

MAN this was a good year. I’m not sure I can call it one of my favorites - it wouldn’t be fair to do that since it’s still fresh in my mind - but it’s certainly up there! Not only ending with a worthy winner and a worthy runner-up, but the production was incredible! You would’ve never guessed that this contest has given the UK so much grief over the years, cuz you can TELL that they still love it. I-it’s like....an unhealthy relationship, pfffff......

B-but I’m getting ahead of myself.....so, here goes.

Just a warning: I-I may come off as a bit....harsh at times here. I’ve just....seen some things I don’t agree with, and I wanted to respond to them in my own way....None of what I say is meant as an attack on any specific people, and you don’t have to read this if you don’t wanna. I-I just think it’d feel good to....release it all at once, both my happiness and my frustrations.....

This is coming from an unbiased American perspective, keep that in mind. Also, I’m someone who loved both Sweden AND Finland, so if you expect the venting I mentioned to be about me taking a side, it’s not.

Thoughts under the cut!

O-OK......so, first of all, production-wise....I really loved the co-hosting this year. I thought it was really unique, and it worked super well! I loved how the interval acts incorporated music from both countries, how the hosts were from both countries, Eurovision alumni from both countries were brought back, etc. Super cool and heartwarming at the same time. I did look it up, and yes, this IS the first time this kinda thing has happened, so I’m surprised at how well it worked.

That being said, the intervals weren’t my favorites ever.....but I personally LOVED the Sam Ryder song (”Mountain”, I think it was called), and I liked the Liverpool Songbook (the highlight of which being Daði Freyr  FINALLY getting to sing live at this dang contest, complete with the audience singing along with him), but the covers weren’t all-time greats for me, and a similar thing already happened in 2019 with former contestants singing each others’ songs, which I thought was more entertaining. Still, I had a good time! However, I think my favorite interval was actually the drag queens in the second semifinal. (I can’t remember the last time I preferred a semifinal’s interval.....this might’ve been the first time?)

The energy in the arena was contagious throughout the whole thing, as usual (especially when they absolutely lost it whenever Finland got points and chanted “CHA CHA CHA”), and of course we also had Graham Norton just.....being himself. I loved getting to hear his comments without having to wait for cheeky fans to provide links to BBC feeds I’m geoblocked from. That was cool. Also, thank GOD they got him to host, even if just for the final. It would’ve been a huge missed opportunity if they didn’t. XD The other hosts were good too, but he stole the show.

My only real “complaint” (besides the jury vote segment being less varied and fun to watch), and I use that lightly, is more of a nitpick, and that’s.....there was WAY too much red. I have no idea why this was, like.....there’s no way the lights were THAT limited, so it had to just be a really weird coincidence, right? But this is just a nitpick. It wasn’t awful, it was just....pretty distracting in points, how we’d have multiple songs in a row where everything is just RED. I get wanting to use a striking color, but I really could’ve used more variety in places. XD

As for the results, it’s....mixed. I agree with a lot of what did well, but there were a FEW songs I think deserved better than what they got. I don’t have a LOT to complain about, especially when looking at these numbers, but there were a few results I was absolutely scratching my head at. I think this year had more of those moments than other recent years.

I-I’ll do my best to try to understand those results......but FIRST.....I have some choice words.

(This is your last chance to stop reading)

So, I’m SUPER happy Sweden won. I think it was a well-deserved win, even if a bit predictable. Their song was amazing and well-performed by Loreen. While I don’t like “Tattoo” as much as “Euphoria”, it’s still a masterpiece, and her voice is still incredible and elevates it further into greatness. Not only that, but this is one of those songs that I like more when watching the live performance. It’s such a BIG BIG BIG song, that having it boom and resonate throughout a full arena just feels so right. And finally, one thing that I cannot praise enough is the EMOTION she sings it with. Especially in the final, and especially at the end of the song, I got goosebumps cuz it legitimately sounded like she was tearing up at the slow bridge. She knows how to sell you on every emotion this song wants you to feel, and almost comes off as....unpolished, but in the best possible way. Sometimes, vulnerability helps a lot in music.....

So, yeah, even though I DID want Finland to win, since I loved them more, I literally have no complaints with Sweden winning. It was a moving performance, one of the best vocals of the night, a beautiful song, the staging was great too....yeah, it was pretty much flawless. And I think Sweden were FAR overdue for tying Ireland’s record, since they’ve given 100% effort every single year, are absolutely in love with Eurovision, they know how it works and how to send quality. Ireland clearly haven’t been the masters of this contest for a LONG TIME, and it’s pretty obvious who took over.

THAT. Being. Said.....

While she HAS gotten a lot of love, I’m not gonna act like it’s all sunshine and rainbows. And the way some of Käärijä’s fans have been taking Loreen’s win, particularly on Twitter and even YouTube comments, has been just downright toxic. I can’t even read it after a while. Not saying they’re ALL like that, far from it......I’m just talking about the ones who say things like:

“The contest was RIGGED!” “The juries are ALWAYS biased towards Sweden, no matter what they send!” (they aren’t, but OK) “The result was predetermined from the start!”

Um.......did you miss the part where she came SECOND IN THE TELEVOTE!?!?

With Sweden’s highest televote score in....probably close to a decade!?

She did win the jury vote, yes, but jury winners have lost before. Heck, that exact thing happened to SWEDEN before. And Sweden have gotten poor televote results before, and they ARE able to finish on the right side of the scoreboard, which happened in 2021. The system is NOT rigged towards them at all, from what I can tell. And heck....I’ve been watching this contest since the votes were split, and literally the ONLY TIME the juries have piled votes on Sweden that they didn’t deserve was 2018 with “Dance You Off”. That’s it. (And before anyone says “well what about 2019?” THAT song was INCREDIBLE and it DESERVED its jury score and should’ve had more love from the televote, FIGHT ME) Yes, “Dance You Off” wasn’t that good a song, and didn’t deserve finishing in the top five. But it was elevated by its staging, so I can somewhat rationalize it? But that was literally the ONE TIME.....

From an unbiased point of view, I can say that Sweden ARE just that good at Eurovision, and people just LIKE their entries that much. This one, they brought back not only a former winner, but a near-universally-loved one, with an honest-to-god emotional powerbomb of a song. You shouldn’t immediately shout “RIGGED” when the juries love that, OK?

And AGAIN, even though their lead in the jury was by a wide margin, it wasn’t an insurmountable lead by any means! Finland would’ve won...

....if YOU PEOPLE didn’t vote for her so much, too!

You liked her. You loved her, even. Stop acting like you suddenly don’t love her anymore, just cuz she wasn’t the winner you personally wanted. Shouldn’t you be happy that A song you liked won, even if it isn’t your number one? C’mon....it should go without saying, right?

I myself would’ve LOST IT if Finland won, don’t get me wrong. Finland were my number two this year, and Sweden were my number eight (six in the final). So, yes, I WAS rooting for Finland. But I do love them both, and either would’ve been a worthy winner. Even though Loreen wasn’t my ideal winner, I still celebrated when she won, cuz hey, a song I loved still won! A good song, that deserved its acclaim! Even if it wasn’t the one I wanted more.

......I-I probably shouldn’t dwell too much on this.....There’s barely ever a winner that doesn’t have discourse around them in recent years....It’s in a Eurofan’s nature to be competitive....so, I-I’m sorry for going on about this. I-I just....got really bothered by the people claiming this win wasn’t legitimate in some way. I think it’s gross. This was a clear fan-favorite song, people loved it, and it got a lot of votes!

If there ARE people who actually didn’t like the song, and NEVER liked the song, and didn’t contribute to its win, then......I can’t, and won’t, force you to like it. And I get being salty when something you didn’t like won. I would be a hypocrite if I called you out on that, cuz I was in that exact position in 2017. I still remember how disappointed I was. But do you know how I dealt with that in 2017?

I kept my complaining to my personal bubble (this blog) and didn’t attempt to shove my opinions in people’s faces. I didn’t try to directly insult the artist or his fans when I did. I didn’t try to claim that he cheated! I just let off some steam, and talked about how I hated the song and didn’t agree with the win, and once I got it all out, I moved on. I got over it. No matter how I felt, he won fair and square.

And Loreen won fair and square. If you wanna cry about it, go ahead, but don’t claim the system is rigged just cuz you couldn’t handle it. The system is fine. She came first in the jury vote and second in the televote. That means she won. If you can’t deal with that, then cry about it where we who support her can’t see you....

Also, while a lot of people do agree with me on this, I still feel like there are some people who don’t realize how amazing a second place is for Finland. Normally such an underdog in Eurovision, this is literally their FIRST second place and only their SECOND TIME in the top ten after their win in 2006. Heck, it’s their FIRST time in the top FIVE since their win in 2006. All other years, either DNQ or towards the bottom in the final, no matter what they send. Good song after good song, overlooked. This is AMAZING for them. I don’t think anyone over there is complaining about this result. Even if they go back to the status quo next year, they can be proud of this one runner-up for a looooong time.

Not to mention that runners-up can be winners in their own right! Look at how iconic “Dancing Lasha Tumbai” has become! Heck, I even made a comment on Twitter saying something like “Why do I get the feeling that ‘Cha Cha Cha’ will be to ‘Tattoo’ what ‘Dancing Lasha Tumbai’ was to ‘Molitva’“. I was partly joking when I said that, pffffff...but I did make that parallel. The goofy, fun runner-up that was a huge fan-favorite, and the emotional winner that won people over come the contest proper. Which one of those two songs is the one that keeps showing up and has been kept alive as a symbol of the Eurovision spirit? That’s right....And there’ve been plenty of other songs that didn’t win, yet still became iconic. Ooh, ah, just a little bit~! Heh, so yeah, I really do think that Käärijä could easily become a Eurovision icon. You don’t have to win to become one of those~

Actually, since I’ve said all I wanted to about Sweden and am moving on to Finland.....Even if they didn’t get that win, they actually.....still did BETTER than I was expecting? I was legit worried about their jury score. I didn’t know how much the juries would like such a strange song, especially the live performance when the music kinda swallows him in the second half. But Finland actually got fourth with the juries, which made me super happy! They DO know how to have fun!

In my rankings post before the contest, I called “Tattoo” a masterpiece, but now that I think about it, I think “Cha Cha Cha” is a masterpiece too. I loved the song from first listen, but I mainly loved it for its catchiness, its wild energy, and how intense yet fun it was. But when I really listen to it hard, it’s kinda....INSANE how well it works? The two halves are so distinct from each other, yet they transition into one another so seamlessly, it’s crazy! If I tried to tell past me that I’d be in love with a song like this, and tried to describe it in text, I wouldn’t believe myself. On paper, this sounds like it’d be super disjointed and messy. “So, the first half is an intense nu-metal rap, and it turns into a happy party song in the second half“. WHAT? The fact that this works so well just means it was put together expertly and I HAVE to get credit where it’s due. I guess that could be part of what the juries saw in it too.

This might not be my overall favorite Finnish entry (that’s “Jezebel”), but it’s definitely in my top five favorite Finnish entries now. Could not be happier that it did so well and got Finland their second-best result ever. This song deserved to be the one to do that. They might’ve not beat Sweden, but they were the true underdog story this year. Finland CAN DO WELL IN EUROVISION, they can send bangers of songs, and people have FINALLY put respect on their name. WOO!

So.....I-I think that’s all I have to say about the top two......So, on to how I feel about the rest of the results. I-I’ll try to go a bit faster now.....

So, Israel in third......I-I didn’t totally call this at first, but after watching the performance, I realized how badly I underestimated them. Their song is normally only one that I can enjoy when I’m not thinking too hard, cuz the lyrics bug me and are, uh, hard to take seriously.....but as a spectacle, I enjoyed it a lot more, and I totally got swept up in it. It got the crowd energized in the similar way Finland did, and the dance break was the best one this year. It’s still far from a favorite of mine, but I get what people saw in it. I will admit that, once I figured out that they were gonna do a lot better in the jury vote than I expected (and Sweden weren’t super far ahead yet), I was briefly scared. I-I think I’ll always be scared of Israel winning in the upcoming years, cuz it’s.....it’s not worth the....everything that a win from them would cause, even if their song is good, so.....Yeah, I was briefly worried, but there was nothing to be worried about in the long run, so that was on me for having my mind jump to that, pffffff.

Italy did a LOT better than I expected in both votes. I did think the juries would like it, but I didn’t see this as a top five song, and I especially didn’t see it doing so well in the televote. This was definitely one of the best vocals of the final, hands down, and the song itself is gorgeous, yet I still underestimated it.....This is probably because I was comparing Marco’s result in 2013 with a similar ballad, and was like “this is of the same quality as that, so it’ll probably do about as well”. I....I have to stop underestimating Italy. They clearly know what they’re doing. Their streak of top five finishes does indeed continue....Do I agree with this result? Hmmmm.....um, not sure. I think I do. Like I said, one of the best vocals in the final. Definitely the best male vocal.

And Norway round out the top five! This was one of my favorite songs, and the favorite of so many other people to. I think that this is one result this year that literally no one will have a problem with. Even on Twitter, I have seen NO hate for this song. Everyone loves it. It’s the perfect example of a great, solid entry that doesn’t take huge risks or anything, but instead aims to just be a good dang song, and it succeeded at that. Everything about this song works and comes together perfectly. A top five finish feels so RIGHT for this cuz it just does its job so flipping well. Do I wish they did better with the juries? Of course, but I wasn’t worried about them for a second. I knew this would be in the top three in the televote. Again, everyone loves this song, or at least, no one dislikes it.

Ukraine came sixth. I did originally call them finishing in the top five, but Italy doing much better than I expected pushed them down. XD I was actually really impressed with their staging! I thought it was really creative, and probably one of the best of the final. And no, I’m not saying this cuz it was one of the few that didn’t use nothing but red. XD I thought the screens were cool, and there was always something interesting to look at. The song’s still not one of the best, but I saw their 100+ televote score coming, so I didn’t mind it. They didn’t do nearly as well as last year, that’s the important part. Don’t wanna open that can of worms again....

I’m really happy Belgium finished in the top ten! I thought that was definitely a top ten-worthy performance! It was cool to see them get multiple 12s from the juries, too! I expected their televote score to be, ehhhh, a BIT higher? Cuz it really felt like the arena really got into the song, so I thought people at home would too. But I cannot complain with this result, cuz it’s still Belgium’s best in a few years. The song’s fun and was performed well. And I gotta remember that Sweden, Finland, Norway, Italy, and Israel stole a looooooot of the televotes this time around, so songs like this probably suffered from it.

If you ask me, probably the one song I underestimated the most was Estonia’s. This was the only song I was indifferent to. I liked the vocals and the lyrics, but thought it was too boring music-wise to keep my attention. And that opinion does stay true, but I can see why others would like it. I can especially see why Estonia did so well with the juries. This is the kinda song the juries eat up every year. Even with 100% televoting in the semifinal, at least one of these songs still got through, heh....But I can’t say I’m surprised. They did well in the semi, but in the final, they were stuck between Italy and Finland. Their televote score surely suffered from that.

Coming in ninth are my semifinal-winning, best-of-the-worst kings, Australia! Look, I’m not even gonna front, I adored Finland, but my actual favorite song was this one. I ADORE this song and I’ve been quoting it constantly all week. It’s just such a perfect song to me with how it captures an emotion I feel all the time, and to have a song I can listen to when I’m in that mood is SO nice. I’m gonna be listening to this song many times in the future whenever I wanna be told everything’s gonna be alright, while also in the mood to shout at the top of my lungs at same time.....Not every comfort song has to be happy and cheerful, or soft and sweet, right? It’s perfect. And I literally cannot complain with their result either. Do I wish they got more televotes after that kinda performance? Yes. 21 points is way way waaaaaaayyyy too low. (And yet it’s Australia’s best televote since 2019, so blegh) The only real justification I can come up was that Finland took votes from them, or Belgium took votes from them (Belgium performed right after them) But at the same time....they broke even, like I said before. I expected a higher televote score, but I also expected a WORSE jury score, by like, a LOT.....but the juries had them so firmly in the top ten that they stayed there after the poor televote score! That’s nothing to complain about, not to mention that this is the best result a number one favorite of mine has gotten since.....really? 2016? Gosh, my luck with favorite songs hasn’t been the best since my lightning-in-a-bottle year....So yeah, ninth! Solid ninth! Considering Australia’s luck AND my luck, that’s awesome!

I read that this might’ve been Australia’s last Eurovision. Took long enough, honestly.....but, y’know? They finished well. Part of me still thinks they overstayed their welcome, but this song made it worth it. I also think it’s kinda funny that, if this ends up being true......then, the only Australian entries that’ve been in my top five were their first one and their last one. Pure poetry, huh? XD

Rounding out the top ten is Czechia, one of their best results! Another country who didn’t do super well in the televote, and for good reason - they were stuck between Finland and Australia. It was EASY for them to get overshadowed (and yet, I think they still got more points than Australia? I think?) Still, tenth place for a normally underdog country is solid, and I think they deserve it.

Right outside the top ten is Lithuania, who also did better than I expected with the juries, but the televote....Look, songs that qualified from the second semi, even that semi’s winner, didn’t do well in the televote in the final (Estonia were carried so high by the juries). The two semifinals were SO lopsided this year, to the point where it was a slight problem. NONE of the songs from the second had any winning power when put up against the ones from the first, and I’m pretty sure everyone knew this. The only possible exceptions were Australia (who I already talked about) and Austria (who I’ll get to soon). I really hope that next year, this isn’t that bad of a problem, cuz seriously, having ALL the hard-hitters in one semi makes that one semi overly stressful and the other feels like it has barely anything going on, or it gets your hopes up for some songs doing better than they end up in the final once they have stronger competition. Lithuania did well with this, eleventh is a great result, better than I expected, and her vocals were great which was definitely the reason, but the same can’t be said for the other second semi songs (except Estonia and Australia cuz, again, juries).

Another song I majorly underestimated was Cyprus. While I don’t agree with them doing better than Austria, I will freely admit that they made me eat my words. Before the contest, I wrote them off as a non-qualifier, cuz, and I quote “It’s not catchy enough, or emotional enough, or punchy enough. It’s just....there, and I say that as someone who likes it” (I’ve always liked the song, but cuz of slight bias reasons). Come the live performance, I was VERY impressed. It was staged well, and he sounded great. I couldn’t complain with being proven wrong. I do think they deserved to be in the final. I don’t think they quite deserve twelfth in the final, but it’s still a song I like. It’s not their fault, it’s just that I believe multiple songs below them should’ve done better. XD

Then we have Croatia at the bottom of the left half, and aside from the top two being the top two, this was easily the most predictable result of the final. I called it a MILE away. Of COURSE this would rank toward the bottom with the juries, and of COURSE they’d be saved by a 100+ televote score. Especially since they performed second-to-last. Have you heard this song!? The result writes itself! This isn’t so much of a song as it is...an experience. And it wasn’t an experience the music professionals wanted anything to do with, but for the audience? I could hear them singing along. There was no way this was gonna do any worse.

Now we move to the right side of the board, which is where the problem results are for me.....Armenia’s fine. It’s whatever. I know a lot of people loved them, and their staging was really good, but for me, there were plenty of better songs than this one. They were still good, but this was still about as well as I thought they’d place in the final.

No, the problem results for me start with Austria and France. What the heck- O-OK, I don’t really have THAT many complaints with the top ten we got, but that doesn’t change the fact that I really believe these two should’ve been up there. And yes, they still scored more than a hundred points each, so they weren’t flops. But come ON! What happened!? These were fan-favorite songs! Consistently both in the top ten in the betting odds, too! And both of them had great performances!

With Austria....you CANNOT convince me that they were penalized THAT HARD just by opening the show. Songs that’ve performed first can still do well in the televote and score highly! Ukraine 2014, Belgium 2016! This song should’ve done as well as those! It had it in the bag! Everyone I know loves this song! So.....what happened? I can think of two things: one is that the staging didn’t make them stand out well enough (I do agree that their staging should’ve been better), and the other is that the people who would normally vote for them voted for Croatia instead, who was fresher in their memory. But still, even if those things happened, it’s not much of an excuse!

But at the very least, Austria did get one set of 12 points from a jury. We got to see them celebrate that. France didn’t even get that much. Again, this wasn’t a flop like last year, so I guess my prediction of “justice will be served” was....true? But more like “justice will be technically served”.....Still disappointing for such a good song that was seen as a darkhorse for so long. And I can’t even think of a reason for this one other than just “it’s France”! Being performed so early is not an excuse when SWEDEN also performed early, and the staging was pretty, and the live voice was great....My brain hurts trying to think of what happened.....Maybe I can just chalk it up to “there were just songs people liked more”, but that still doesn’t excuse that the juries also mostly overlooked them, so.....I-I’ll just move on....

After those two is Spain.......Look, I don’t like their song. I’ve never liked their song. But I still respect it, and I respect Spain for taking a risk with it this year. And I was still surprised by this. Coming last in the televote.....Even if it was my least-favorite song, I still respect it enough to kinda think it was unfair? I mean, it was unique, and the live performance sounded just like the studio version! Shouldn’t it have...stood out more? Then again, maybe it stood out in a bad way.....I-I didn’t expect that many people to be on the same page as me....I thought this was an unpopular opinion.....but no! How should I feel about this.....? I dunno....I guess I’m happy I don’t look like an uncultured idiot for not liking the song? But I’m also kinda stunned....? I-I’m not used to feeling these kinda....mixed emotions....

After THAT are the last of my top five favorites, Moldova and Poland in 18th and 19th, doing worse and better than I expected respectfully. I thought Moldova would be in the top 15, but this wasn’t that far off, and their televote score was respectful (I think it was over 60), so I can’t complain. I’m glad there are people who loved their beautiful song as much as I did. And while Poland tanked with the juries like I called, getting over 80 points in the televote blew my mind! I remember when I was told how HATED their song was....I believed it. I believed it, cuz of the stories I heard, and how it really is just a catchy, mindless song that doesn’t make you think too hard. That’s why I love it, but that could also be why others hated it.....but now.....geez! You played them dirty, but now who’s laughing? Sure, 19th is 19th still, but for a song I was surprised even qualified for the final? Again, no complaints! Poland really went all out with their staging, too, so I could tell how much effort was put in to make people like this song. And surprisingly, they succeeded.

Switzerland....I find that I can only slightly enjoy their entry when I’m trying not to pay attention to the lyrics and just focus on his great voice, but it’s hard, especially when part of the staging resembles.....y’know what...raining down....I still don’t like this one at all, but the staging is disgustingly good, and his voice is great, so I actually did expect it to do better. I predicted this’d be in the top ten with the juries, actually. But again, like with Spain, more people were on the same page with me than I expected. Good. Stay down there. Send something fun next year, or if you’re gonna send a singer that good again, give them a song that doesn’t leave the listener feeling depressed. I couldn’t be happier that this was performed third. Got it outta the way. XD

Slovenia, I expected better from, since they were so late and also sounded good live. Can’t think of what happened to them other than they just got overshadowed, perhaps due to going right after Israel. Still, the people who loved Slovenia, REALLY loved Slovenia.....I guess they were just fewer in number than I thought. Albania and Portugal did about as well as I expected, so not much to say about them.

Serbia, tho....I do feel bad for them, but I also get it. After learning that they were only three points away from not qualifying for the final, I’m just happy to have them there at all. I really do like the song, it was in my top ten, but let’s be real, it was always a guilty-pleasure type song. It’s.....OUT THERE, and not everyone’s thing. The whispery vocals were hard to hear in places live, too. I didn’t mind since the vocals aren’t my fav part of the song (I love the instrumentals), but that might’ve cost them a bit. They’re LUCKY. If the semifinals still had a jury vote, they definitely wouldn’t have qualified and we would’ve had Latvia instead (whether that’s an improvement is up to you).

Every few years, there’s an entry where the song isn’t the best, but the live performance is a spectacle, having creative and fun staging, and/or the artist having a great stage presence, and when that entry doesn’t qualify, fans online fly into a rage, crying out “Why didn’t they qualify? They were so fun! They know what Eurovision spirit is!” and maybe pin the blame on a ballad that got in over them. Off the top of my head, there’s “Igranka”, “Space”, and last year had two of these in “Eat Your Salad” and “Stripper”. “Samo mi se spava” was SO CLOSE to being one of these. It just BARELY made it to the final, getting the respect it deserved. If it had lost to Latvia, the fan outrage would’ve been massive. And I’m so happy for that, cuz I really do like this song (and its staging) a lot. I really hope Serbia keep sending out there and experimental stuff. Their entries have been so interesting the last couple years.

And finally, at the bottom of the board once again, are the UK and Germany. These are the other two songs I 100% believed deserved better, especially Germany’s. The UK’s song was a lot of fun and had cute staging (that WASN’T RED), but I can.....kiiiiiinda see how it’d be overshadowed? Germany, not so much. That song should NOT have been overshadowed. If that kinda music isn’t everyone’s thing, that’s fine, but that can’t be the whole story, right? Rock music has done well in recent years....I know rock and metal aren’t the same, but there’s overlap! What happened? They performed toward the end, and they sounded great! The audience really got into it too! I guess that’s the kinda song that probably goes over better in the arena than at home, since, like I said before, it’s the kinda song that was MEANT to boom throughout an arena, filling every corner.....At the very least, Germany actually got points from BOTH votes this time, but still, I feel awful for them. I REALLY want them to do well again. It’s been years. This should’ve been the song to break their streak, and people just weren’t feeling it for whatever reason. =/

And......I can’t believe I’m saying this, but.....that’s it for this Eu-red-vision! Overall, good results, with only four songs I think were either slightly (Austria, France) or majorly (Germany, UK) robbed, but up top, I have little to no complaints! I’m happy for both Sweden and Finland, and MAN I can’t wait for next year. Sweden KNOW how to host Eurovision. There were a lot of different factors that added up to 2016 being my favorite contest (I can’t list them all right now), and their production was one of them. “Love Love Peace Peace” part two, anyone? XD Also super excited for the return of Luxembourg! I never watched any contest they participated in (they dropped out before 1997), so this’ll be a first! I hope they send a good song, or else that’ll be a major anticlimax....if they DO send a good song, their return will definitely be a highlight of the year. We’ll see how it goes!

(Also, one final note: I’ve been watching......SOOOOO many reaction videos on YouTube over the week, and it got me a bit motivated to.....maybe....KEYWORD: MAYBE.....t-try to.....record some audio next year? Like....instead of my normal text rambling for my rankings, I could try that? Again, I DUNNO if it’ll happen....it’s too early....but I’m kinda in the mood to try it right now, so maybe....? O-one of my new year’s resolutions this year was to be nicer to myself, and one of the things I’ve always hated is my voice, so I’ve posted videos on Instagram with my voice in them to start....maybe I can try working my way up to something more elaborate....? I-it really depends on how I’m feeling next year tho, and how reception is, so maybe I’ll try some small things first)

See you next year! Cross my heart till the sky turns red in the sunrise!!

Promise me it’s gonna be alright! (BE - AL - RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT) ALRIGHT!!!

And a final “thank you” if you were one of the people who contributed to Malta’s three points in the first semifinal. You were doing god’s work. XD

#eurovision #opinions

[monthyear-majo]

1. Overwhelmed

Right now I am at a point in my life where I feel pressured to be better.

Do you ever see posts about people you used to know and notice how they are doing so well in life? Well, do you really know what's going on in their life? Probably not. But they do a great job at making you feel jealous because they have their life together better than you do. I am only 25, yet still I feel like I have no time. Is that normal? To feel like you have no time? I think it is. I mean, it can't possibly be just me. Life is just so fast and I feel like I've not done anything at all but when I see those kinds of posts from people I used to know it makes me feel like I am left behind.

I work at a cafe. I make drinks all day and come home smelling like tea. I love tea but I don't like being here for ten hours a day. I'm a full time student right now too. I'm majoring in something I thought would at least make me happy but as I grow older and realize how long it's taking me to graduate with a bachelor's degree, I ask myself if I want to be in school anyway. I'm so close yet so far. There is always something wrong with my transcript, always gotta make appointments to talk to my advisor and the problem is never truly resolved. So my graduation date gets pushed behind. I am 25 and only have an associates in which I can probably use but I'm too afraid of change to do anything about it. While my job is demanding and pays shit— I don't really want to leave.

I was clinically diagnosed with depression. a year ago but if you ask me I've had depression for years. I never told my family because having depression in a hispanic household is real taboo. Sometimes I'd bring it up to my parents and they would say it's all in my head. Duh— its a mental disorder? Anyway, they bypassed it all of the time.

Now I struggle to keep myself from wallowing in self-pity but it's kind of hard when you sometimes hate yourself. Your mind, body, and soul. Those things are important and if you hate one of them or most of them, are you even human? Can I call myself a human if I despise the three traits that are meant to make me human? Well, I have a beating heart and a functioning brain I guess.

The financial tension is also kind of insane right now. We have a shitty president who is running up again for elections this term and his runner up? An even shittier candidate who hates anyone who isn't white. Our country is in flames and we keep adding to the fire. Especially our government who make decisions based on ignorance and racism. Now? Now it's hard to afford a gallon of milk because you make 14 dollars an hour, ten hours a day for five days but you still have to pay your twenty-three hundred dollar rent by next month and your $500+ utility bills and you decide you don't really need that gallon of milk. But wait— your tuition payment is due next week and thank god you get paid on Friday! Only your boss pays you three days late causing you to overdraft on your account because planet fitness took out that damn monthly payment that you owe them for using their gym. Do you even go? The answer is no, you don't. So why do you give them 22 dollars every month? Because you don't want to go all the way up there to cancel. Stupid. You've got all of these payments to make, can't afford to help your parents with the rent (because thats the kicker! They're the ones paying the 2300 but you can't even help them with half because you don't make enough unless you quit school and work seven days a week) and all you're left with is .23 cents in your bank account. Not to mention you're 17k in debt with credit cards and loans, some of that debt shouldn't even be yours but you offer your credit to your parents because you love them and want to help them out some kind of way.

Point is, you have no money and no way of getting out of this unstable financial situation without endangering your education and social life. You work to pay bills. You live to not die but die slowly while living. How is that fair?

And then you get depressed but haven't you seen the homeless people who have no food of shelter? Don't you see that the Palestinian's are getting killed? For what? For what? What did they do? Why is America, why is Israel, why—

Because it's all about money. it's all about political power and guess what? You can't do anything about it. Maybe you can boycott, but you can barely feed yourself and you live in a country where everything is about status and power. And they are dying. And suddenly you feel like you don't have a right to be upset or depressed. You are safe, here in a worthless money-driven country and they are there, dying of starvation.

But I am overwhelmed. I work and I study and I still get nowhere. My grades are C-average and despite what everyone says about C's get degrees, you're not achieving anything.

I am typing this at work. it's slow today. I still don't want to do anything and I'm feeling a sort of anger. At myself? Probably. I am tired and I somehow just want to go home and watch my favorite pirate show.

#life #journal #entry 1

[lexingtonprincess]

Soooooo, I finally finished my fricking essay that thing took way too damn long. It wasn’t bad though and I didn’t mind writing it but it was just very time consuming especially when I finished it last second anyway. But I did it and I’m pretty proud of myself!!

So cause of choir the singletary center was closed. So we had to go to the Newman center (church on campus) And then the director changes it last second to call backs only. Therefore I was free for an hr. Saw a friend hung out with her then met this other lady. Now we all have a group chat and we can only speak Spanish, learning daily words etc. And now I'm going running with her twice a week. So I guess I can consider myself a runner/walker. I try to run most of it but it goes to walking and then running as I can praying I don’t die because I swear it feels like I might.

I have two midterms this coming Friday, which is Friday the 13th. I’m scared, but I’ll be okay. I really think I got it as long as I pay enough attention and review things like I need to. So fingers crossed I do okay!

Besides having midterms classes have been very fun! Having a work life balance isn’t easy or honestly even possible but I’m somehow doing it, I’m really not even mad about it. I feel like I balance it very well for what I’m doing. For having 20 credit hrs and then already planned to have 21 next semester I think I’m doing really fricking well!!!

Anyway Im trying to keep this shorter since I need to get to bed and get a shower to go on my morning run tomorrow at like 7:30am. So wish me luck and Good Morning/ Good Night y’all!!!

Never forget I love y’all so so much, and I’m proud of y’all!!!💜🫶🏻

#i love you #university of kentucky #college blog #lexington #spotify #studying #introduction #sewing #resources