#when in doubt release the q

[meanbossart]

Pin!

Hi, I'm RJ (Male, 27 years old) I'm a -usually- horror oriented artist and collaborator alongside my partner and better-half @barbatusart, though I'm currently on a Baldur's Gate 3/DnD streak with both my art and writing, specifically centered around the Dark Urge I created for my campaign and his antics, so that's most of what you will find here!

I want to leave a warning right here that I occasionally venture into delicate topics in regards to character lore and history - though none of it strays too far from what the game already delves into and I try to give a heads-up ahead of time whenever I feel like something might catch someone off-guard otherwise.

PATREON WHERE I POST WIPS, SKETCHES, UNRELEASED ART, ETC : patreon.com/meanbossart/

BLUESKY WHERE I PUT FULL VERSIONS OF THE NSFW THAT I CAN'T POST HERE: bsky.app/profile/meanbossart.bsky.social

TWITCH WHERE I STREAM SOMETIMES: twitch.tv/meanboss14

PSA: I get a lot of asks and I'm slow to go through them, please don't take it personally :U

FAQ BELOW

Q: Does your Durge have a name? A: Nope! I named him "drow" when I played the game because I didn't feel like thinking up anything special. His lack of a name has become part of the character's lore and you will find him to always be tagged with "DU drow", or referred to as The Drow or just Drow.

Q: Where can I find more of your work? A: You can find mine and my partner's comics here, but please bear in mind that most of it is highly violent stuff and you should read the content warnings on the store page carefully before making any purchases - if in doubt of whether or not any of it could be detrimental to your mental health, DON'T BUY IT. Stay safe!

Q: Where can I read your BG3 fan-fiction? And what is it about? A: Right here! The main plot follows DU Drow, Astarion, and Shadowheart on a new adventure that fractures into a couple of different directions, but mainly focuses on the aftermath of the spawn that Astarion has released and the personal development of the main cast, alongside a number of original characters that get involved in the narrative. My goal was to create a kind of "DLC" experience, so you can expect a lot of themes that parallel the main game.

Q: Can I draw one of your characters, a scene from your story, or any of your characters interacting with mine/other characters? And can it be NSFW in nature? A: YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN, AND I'LL BE DELIGHTED TO SEE IT IF YOU CARE TO SHARE. I'm equally fine with NSFW as long as everyone involved (in the art and otherwise) is an adult.

Q: Do you take commissions? A: I am not currently taking any new commission inquiries, sorry!

#text #pin

[floofiestboy]

Translation of the PASH interview with M27's Director

I translated the interview with M27 Director Nakaoka Chika in PASH's April issue, as well as a few of the questions from the Scriptwriter Ookura Takahiro's interview. (Raw from the DCEN Discord.)

Key new information:

There's a scene that reveals why Kudo Shinichi and Kaito Kid look similar.

They decided to save Hakodate's best nightscape for an "important scene" (that isn't the Kid vs. Heiji swordfight). Additionally, Heiji will be saying an impactful line, and Nakaoka would like everyone to pay attention to Heiji's feelings leading up to him saying that line.

Per Nakaoka, Aoyama said that Okita and Kazuha know each other's faces, but aren't any closer than that. (Also, they have a conversation in the movie.)

Ookura is fond of Ran's role because of the way Ran enthusiastically supports Kazuha in the movie.

Translation under cut.

Preparing For Battle

What will be the plot of Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram, which will be released next month…? 

Gather hints from Director Nagaoka and scriptwriter Ookura’s stories!

A new truth regarding Kid, not yet shown in the original series, will be revealed.

As the release date of The Million-Dollar Pentagram draws ever nearer, new information drops by the day. What no doubt drew everyone’s attention the most was the tagline on the main visual- “At last, it will be revealed. ‘The truth regarding Kid.’” It appears as though in this movie, a “secret” that has yet to be shown in the original series will be revealed.

Please also draw your attention to Hattori Heiji, who stars in a movie for the first time in seven years, and how his confession to Kazuha will turn out. We hope you look forward to the release! ♪

Staff Interview 01: Director Nakaoka Chika

Q. When did you receive the offer to be the director of Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram?

It was after The Scarlet Bullet (Detective Conan Movie 24) ended. Aoyama-sensei was the one to nominate me- it was already decided that Kid would appear at that time, and as he quite enjoyed The Fist of Blue Sapphire (Detective Conan Movie 23), he likely nominated me thinking “Well, it’s a Kid movie, so better go with Nakaoka!” I definitely felt the pressure, but I was also determined to do my best.

Q. In this movie, Hattori will be part of the main cast along with Kaito Kid, correct?

I learnt that Heiji would be a main cast member at the same time I learnt that Kid would appear, but my first thought was- “So they meet at last!” In the original manga and the anime series, Kid and Heiji have shared the stage in Fairy Lips (Anime Ep. 983-984 Kid vs. Koumei: The Targeted Lips). But in the movies, even if they’ve appeared in the same one, they’ve never met without Kid being in disguise. So I realized that this would be the first time they would actually talk.

Q. Their swordfight, as shown in the currently-revealed previews, left quite the impression on me.

As the movie takes place in Hakodate, and Hijikata Toshizō appears as an original character, we decided fairly early on to include a swordfight. Aside from the Kid vs. Heiji swordfight revealed in the PVs, there’s actually so many swordfights you might think- isn’t this a bit much?! We did decide, “Let’s go with something related to katanas,” but honestly I never thought we’d show so many katanas in the end (lol). 

Q. Please tell us the inside scoop on the Kaito Kid vs. Hattori swordfight scene.

We decided we wanted to have an action scene somewhere where you could see Hakodate’s nightscape, but we wanted to save the well-known nightscape for an “important scene”. So, we had Kid and Heiji fight with a lesser-known nightscape as their backdrop.

Q. As the movie takes place in Hakodate, Hokkaido, did you go visit in person?

Yes! It was my first time in Hokkaido, so I was very excited for it. And when I arrived, I truly felt once again that Hakodate valued history deeply, from the way they kept old buildings in great repair. I understood at a glance why Hijikata-san valued the land so deeply. It also felt rather special that Mount Hakodate was visible no matter where you were.

Q. What are you keeping in mind with this movie as you bring Edogawa Conan to life?

I keep in mind that it’s always Edogawa Conan who discovers the important things when it comes to mysteries. While Kid and Heiji are the main cast in this movie, I’d still like the protagonist to play a big part. Also, this is just related to Conan, but the way Takayama Minami-san would act out Conan’s expressions left a big impression on me. She would question my lines and ask things like, “What is Conan feeling in this scene?” And her feedback was all amazingly sharp- it made me think, “I’d expect no less from Conan-kun!” (lol). Sometimes my heart would thump as I answered.

Q. Could you tell us what you think we should focus on in the movie?

Definitely the katanas. As the main motif, they appear quite a bit, and I investigated them quite a bit- I put lots of care into it. There’s also a scene where Heiji says a line I’d want everyone who loves Detective Conan to hear. His entire atmosphere changes when he says that line- it was so amazing, I couldn’t stop smiling after the recording. Please look forward to it! I’d also appreciate it if you’d pay attention to Heiji’s feelings until that point. 

Aside from that, there’s a scene in the PV where Heiji is shocked at Kaito’s bare face- please don’t miss the scene that reveals why, “Hey, don’t Shinichi and Kid look kinda similar?” 

Q. Please tell us what left an impression on you during your interactions with the movie staff.

It was my first time meeting Kanno (Yugo)-san, but I truly felt that all of the songs he composed for the movie were superb. The Million-Dollar Pentagram has aspects to it that resemble a period drama, so I requested that he include taiko drums in his pieces. Then, he created music reminiscent of a festival that hadn’t appeared much in Detective Conan before. It felt very fresh to me when I heard it for the first time.

Q. Did your experience with The Fist of Blue Sapphire and The Scarlet Bullet help you with this movie?

When it comes to the Detective Conan movies, the usual suspects are always present on the production crew. So I feel as though I’ve gotten the hang of things like everyone’s areas of expertise, such as what scenes would be best drawn by which person. So I always made sure to give the storyboarders and animators scenes that would allow them to bring out their own unique talents. I also think the way the Detective Conan movies use a surprising amount of CGI is also one of its unique points. We use so much, it makes me think- “I don’t think a normal series would use so much?” But it’s because it’s been used for so many years that when we join CGI with animation, we can judge that, “Ah, this much is alright.” I believe that The Million-Dollar Pentagram has managed that balance as well.

Q. On the flip side, what did you do for the first time?

We had a designer named Hama Yuuto-san join us for this movie. When I met him on a different project, I thought that he drew designs that made a big impression. He’s produced various designs in a superb manner for The Million-Dollar Pentagram as well. For example, I consulted with Hama-san regarding things such as the stained glass and Higashikubo Eitatsu’s katana’s [scabbard(?)]. I think it’s best to consult a professional designer when designing something rather than an amateur trying it, and as a large number of katanas appear in this movie, it also allowed us to differentiate them. 

Q. Who would you like us to focus our attention on in this movie?

Among the guest characters, I would say Kawazoe. He’s a bit clumsy and scatterbrained, but he’s skilled at information gathering despite that. He was a fun character to bring to life. Among the main cast, I would say Heiji and Kazuha. What will happen with their love story? I’m sure there’s plenty wondering about that!

Q. On a side note, when the teaser visual was revealed, Okita went trending on X (formerly Twitter.) I think many look forward to his part in the movie.

We decided to include Okita as the movie takes place in Hakodate and includes Hijikata, but he’s certainly a super cool character. Though I can’t say much as it’s before release, there is a scene where Okita and Kazuha talk to each other. But I think in the original series they haven’t talked properly before, so I didn’t know how close they were- that’s why I asked Aoyama-sensei for information on what their relationship is like. He responded, “They would recognize each other, but that’s all.” I kept that in mind while having them talk.

Q. Finally, please leave a message to our readers waiting with anticipation for the release.

I believe you’ll see the movie in different ways if you watch it from a different perspective each time- for example, first from Kid’s perspective, then from Heiji’s, then again from Kazuha’s. Also, you’ll only be able to experience the mystery of where the treasure is the first time you see the movie, so I would appreciate it if you played the part of one of the detectives and tried to solve the mystery as you watch.  

Staff Interview 02: Scriptwriter Ookura Takahiro

T/N: I was too lazy to translate the whole thing by the time I got to this point, but have a few of the questions I was actually interested in.

[...]

Q. So that’s why Okita will be appearing in the movies for the first time?

While I can’t speak in detail about it, in the end I appreciated that Okita was part of the movie cast. Please look forward to it.

Q. Speaking of first appearances, Detective Kawazoe will be appearing as an original character in this movie. How did you create his character?

As the movie takes place in Hakodate, we decided to have Inspector Nishimura appear- that’s when we realized that he would have a subordinate, something like what Detective Takagi is to Inspector Megure. Since we couldn’t make Inspector Nakamori into his subordinate, we created Detective Kawazoe. 

Also, before we decided on the treasure-finding plot, we initially had him as a spy that Public Safety had placed into their ranks. There were some characters we created because we’d need more police officers if Public Safety made an appearance as well. But even after the plot changed and Public Safety no longer played a part, Detective Kawagoe remained. This is the inside scoop on his character creation. 

[...]

Q. What other characters would you like us to focus on in this movie?

While Heiji and Kazuha are the main cast, personally I’d choose Ran. I must apologize, but I haven’t been able to make Ran shine in the scripts I’ve been in charge of until now. But in this movie, I felt it was easy to bring Ran to life. She supports Kazuha full steam ahead. I personally was a big fan of that (lol).

[...]

#detective conan #dcmk #detective conan movie 27 #meitantei conan #detco #the million-dollar pentagram #hyakumandoru no michishirube #detective conan m27 #honestly given the focus on hijikata toshizou my money is on shinichi and kaito and okita all having a shared bakumatsu era ancestor #my translations

[succulentsiren]

Practical Tips to Live A More Seductive Life: SucculentSiren x FemmeFataleVibe

It's my pleasure to provide this collab between FemmeFataleVibe and I. Seduction is a complex practice, so here we discussed new perspectives and ways to utilize it in your daily life. Thank you @femmefatalevibe for your enlightening knowledge. It definitely expanded my view on how to live more seductively.

What does seduction mean to you?

SucculentSiren: Seduction is using enchantment to attract a desired outcome. You can seduce yourself, by applying certain self-beliefs, or you can seduce others by influencing them and stimulating their senses and emotional responses.

FemmeFataleVibe: Being seductive cannot be reduced to a behavior, way of dressing, or speech. It is a palpable yet intangible shift in how you see yourself and how you show up for yourself alone or out in the world.

✦•······················•

Topics

-Mindset

FFV: Embrace an abundance mindset. Perceive new connections and opportunities as complimentary rather than a source of validation or self-actualization. Living as a seductress is only possible when you know you create a complete life without others' permission. You've already filled up your cup, so you have additional energy to give and receive to those individuals and projects that are deserving

SS: It is crucial to have a ‘Winners Mindset.” Shift your mindset from expecting to fail, to expecting to win. Envision yourself receiving your desires. Having this mindset eliminates anxiety and doubt around your capability in attaining what you want. You must also know that you are deserving of the things you are attracting. Be patient regardless of external circumstances. Keep your eyes in the prize and remain firm in your self beliefs.

Surrounding self with things that elevate you (people, hobbies, environment, décor)

FFV: Release any shame surrounding your pleasure-seeking fantasies. For a seductive individual, there is no guilt in living in a state of joy, fulfillment, and regular indulgence. Remind yourself that you're entitled to enjoy nice things –from your outfits and beauty routine to your meals, workouts, and our home environment. You should (generally) derive pleasure academic pursuits or professional identity, goals, relationships (of all types), and leisure activities. 

FFV: Allow yourself to feel deserving. Show up as the person you strive to be. Hold yourself, dress, speak, act, and move through the world in a way you aspire to be. Stop people-pleasing and allow yourself to minimize yourself or your goals for the comfort of others. Your peace of mind is the most sacred element of your being.

SS: Whether you know it or not, your surroundings have an immense influence on you. Who you spend time with, what you and you company talk about, who you follow and watch on social media, what decorations you decide to have in your home, etc. All around you you are being influenced. So choose to be surrounded by things and people that make you better. Know your strengths and weaknesses but appreciate and learn from others as well. Remove the people that see with lack, stress and fear. Befriend people who uplift, motivate and inspire you to see abundance and opportunity in all areas.

✦•······················•

Q&A

Q: Do you believe that being a seductive person has more to do with physical appearance or personality? How do you believe someone can show up as a more seductive person through how they present themselves – physically, emotionally, or socially? 

SS: I believe seduction is a combination of inner confidence, mental agility and an appealing appearance. Using seduction towards yourself can help with building self confidence and create a positive outlook on how you view yourself and therefore influence other people to treat you with respect.

FFV: I believe that being a seductive person stems from genuine self acceptance of your most authentic desires, unshakable inner confidence, and non-negotiable level of self respect. To embody these qualities, I believe that a seductive person's energy will radiate naturally through their personality into their physical presence through traits, including good posture eye contact, and mannerisms. Similarly, I believe that unwavering self-respect is a care aspect of being a seductive person. So, naturally, I think that a seductive person will embody their character traits through both personality traits like setting strong (healthy) boundaries and taking care of their appearance (excellent hygiene, prioritizing their health, remaining thoughtful when putting themselves together - clean, well-styled outfits, makeup, hairstyles, nails, perfume, etc.).

Q: How do you think you can be a more seductive person in areas of our life outside of your romantic or intimate endeavors? Do you believe that seduction is more of a libidinal or creative energy?

FFV: I believe cultivating your inner seductress/seducer will make you a better conversationalist, writer, speaker, dancer, athlete, chef, project manager, learner, etc. In my eyes, libidinal and creative energy are one and the same. So, I see creative energy, by definition, as the art of transmuting libidinal energy into areas of your life outside of the bedroom and romantic pursuits (think Napoleon Hill's concept of Sex Transmutation as an exercise of will-power in his book, Think and Grow Rich). I think you can be a more seductive person in any area of life that requires confidence, high energy, stream-of-consciousness-level focus (flow state), and, of course, creativity. Anecdotally, I've found that understanding that good writing is akin to good sex & sexual chemistry has been one of the best ways to up-level my professional skillset.

SS: Seduction is a creative practice of attracting your desires, sometimes through material and emotional lures. It isn’t always sexual, but since seduction stimulates emotions it can create pleasure. I believe a person can use seduction in various ways. When most people think of seduction, they think of manipulation or sneakiness but seduction is just a simple art of attracting what you desire at all costs. Having this mindset can help with becoming open minded and relentless when pursuing goals. Instead of settling and accepting what you don’t want, seduction shows you alternative ways to attain your desires and live a life that you truly enjoy. Using seduction in platonic relationships, can help you better understand the needs of others. Such as, putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. When you do this you make that person feel appreciated and heard. This quality alone enriches relationships, friendships and partnerships. Another example is disagreements. Seducers don’t have to argue, they listen and then strategize solutions that everyone can benefit from because no one wants to compromise if there's not anything that they too can benefit from.

#succulentsiren #femmefatalevibe #writers and poets #dark feminine energy #collabs #seduction #seductive #femme fatale #confidence #high value #femininity #it girl #affirmations #self love #divine feminine #dark femininity #light femme #dsrk femme #femme #dark seducer #the art of seduction #coquette #siren #goddess #dark feminine #feminine energy

[iluvroc]

Dmitri “Enzo” Antonov NSFW alphabet

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

Afterwards, He is all over you, kissing any bruises he left on your body praising you softly and telling you how much he loves you. Making you melt in his touch as he continues with this until you both fall asleep

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

He would have a hard time picking his favorite body part of you, but if he would have to go with one it would be your eyes. Loving to see the pleasure he brings to you through them, loving to watch them roll back as you ride his cock.

If he had to pick favorite part of his body it would definitely be his hands, the amount of pleasure his hands gives you makes them #1 he also loves holding you in them, whether that be your faces, your hands, or your ass

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)

He isn’t a big fan of making a mess of you, often preferring to cum inside of you, or on your stomach/ass.

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

Loves when you go down on him, the sight of you on your knees with your pretty mouth wrapped around his length, trying to swallow him whole could make him cum in a second.

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

As experienced as the next guy, not much of a player as you would think.

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

He loves trying new positions, but cowgirl would be his favorite. Loving to see you on top of him, Squeezing your ass as you bounce up and down on his cock, letting you do all the work as he leans back, thrusting upwards every now and then to hear your pretty voice.

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

He is more serious in the moment, wanting to make sure you’re enjoying it as much as him

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

He makes sure he’s shaved and clean, not wanting a mess of hair down there

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

Definitely very intimate during the moment, stopping to pull you into a deep kiss and make sure you’re ok before resuming

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

I doubt he would do it unless he was away from you for too long, I don’t think he would care about his own release though, focusing more on pleasing you and making you cum

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

This man definitely has a breeding kink and loves giving you a cream pie. The thought of seeing your'e stomach round with his son/daughter turns him on to the next level.

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

He is a very possessive man, not wanting anyone else to see you except him so it almost never goes out of the bedroom, the most having to be in private

Despite being intimate and romantic with you, he actually has a thing for fucking you on the floor or ground. Something so dirty and raw about it turns him on even more.

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

Goes with Location, the thought of fucking you on the floor or ground gets him going

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

As much as you beg him, he would never intentionally hurt you. Never wanting to inflict on his love

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

Loves going down on you more than anything, staring up at your dazed pleasureful face as his tongue hit deep inside of you, loving the taste of you on his tongue

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

Starting, he is very slow-paced, not wanting to hurt you as much as you assure him you want it but once he gets into the heat of the moment, he pounds into you hard in fast, his hips slapping against yours, hitting spots deep inside of you

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

He would bend you over anytime you guys are in private, bringing you over the edge before him would be his top priority.

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

Would be hesitant about taking any risks of doing anything that could potentially hurt you. There couldn’t be any scenario where he would want to put you at risk of anything.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

He can last quiet awhile, of course holding out till he’s made you cum atleast several times

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

Doesn’t have any toys, preferring to use his hands and mouth to pleasure you rather than a lousy toy he thinks

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

For the most part he isn't too keen on teasing you but, some days it seems as that would be all he likes. Edging you until you plead for more.

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

Definitely a groaner, seeing you take him makes his head throw back with a deep groan. Would moan softly at the sight of you taking him in his mouth

W = Wild card (nicknames he would call you)

He would go for the more classic nicknames for you, like ‘love’ ‘darling’ ‘dove’ loving to see your cheeks flustered at his nicknames for you

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

He’s about the average size, 5-6 inches, but is very thick, stretching you out enough for you to arch your back in pleasure.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

Overall not as bad as yours, which makes you initiate things more than him

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

Would definitely wait for you to fall asleep before him, wanting to make sure you get rest. Once he’s sure you’re asleep, he pulls you towards him putting his head on top of yours as he wraps his arms around you.

Stranger Things Masterlist ->

https://iluvroc.tumblr.com/post/686237253388926976/stranger-things-masterlist

#enzo x reader #stranger things #stranger things x reader #enzo #dmitri antonov #enzo stranger things

[accirax]

DRDT New Character Talent Analysis

WHO ARE THESE GUYS???? GOING CRAZY GOING STUPID

Ahem. 

As likely everyone has now seen at this point, DRDTdev made a very exciting announcement on Twitter– namely, that he’s been working on another fangan alongside DRDT! (Very relatable, once you make one fangan it’s kinda hard to stop.) Understandably, assuming this fangan is ever developed in full, it will be several years down the road, given that it would only be published after DRDT is complete.

However, we have these designs now, and I wanna know what their talents are, dammit! The blurb says that they are students trapped in a killing game, so I assume that they have been given Ultimate abilities. Thus, here’s my best shot and first look analysis. I tried not to look at anyone else’s work too much before presenting my opinions in order to get them out as fast as possible, so, sorry if I missed any major details that people have uncovered!

Notably, when I downloaded the images to my computer (so I could look at them without waiting for the website’s load time), all of them saved with weird number/letter codes. These probably mean nothing, although they do all end with “_o”, which could indicate that they were put through a code scramble of some kind. At the very least, the codes are a kind of convenient way to refer to the characters, so I’ll use the first three letters as a name. Also, I’ll be using they/them pronouns for all characters, since we don’t know how they identify.

We’ll start with the Protagonist, and go alphabetically by code from there. I’m so excited!!! Here we go:

I’m glad that this guy is basically confirmed as the Ultimate Teacher, because I honestly have no clue what I’d call them otherwise.

The main thing I noticed throughout their design was the repetition of red undertones everywhere. You can see them in two places: on the jacket, and in their hair. We know from the July 31st Q&A that characters in the Despair Time Fanganronpa Universe (DTFU) see blood as red, and that Monokuma’s color palette is black, white, and red. It’s kind of a suspicious color– the children’s hospital color theory of it all. O-or, maybe it’s just their favorite color…!

The bows in n9Z’s hair kind of remind me of the one on Peko’s sword case (sorry I didn’t put in a picture), although I doubt there’s a connection there. The gloves make me think of something fancy, the trenchcoat makes me think of a detective, the ID makes me think it’s something top secret… dude, what are you doing?

I guess there is the question of what exactly this person teaches. If we assume they’re the teacher Min mentions in A History of Hope’s Peak, it seems like the answer would be, “Ultimates.” If you want to teach Ultimates, you need to know and be able to do a lot of stuff, so that could explain the utilitarian design. They could have also initially had a background as something else, such as a government agent or employee of XF-ture Tech, before winding up as a teacher.

The fact that their eyes are always closed is also notable. Given DRDTdev’s penchant for putting important stuff in the eye designs, it’s possible there’s some important info in there that he's not ready to release yet. Like, if n9Z had black/red heterochromia or something, that would send us spinning. (Personally, I’m kinda hoping there’s an apple in there…) I also had the thought that n9Z might just permanently have both of their eyes closed, kind of like how Setsuka Chiebukuro of SDRA2 always keeps one eye closed. That would be a cute parallel to Min, whose eyes are always obstructed.

So, yeah. Ultimate Teacher, probably. Despite the fact that we more or less have their Ulimate talent, I somehow feel like we know the least about them…

My first impression of this person is that they’re definitely athletic in some regard. The ponytail that ends in a braid would be keeping the hair out of their eyes, and the athletic shoes would be helpful for running around.

About the marks under the eyes... While the comparison to my superhero design for Arturo is still a lighthearted jest, the reason for them being there may be fueled by the same reasoning. The superpower that @1moreff-creator gave Arturo was a skill that involved his vision, so I put those marks under his eyes as a natural mark that would mimic eye black. If you don’t want to read the entire link, eye black is those lines of paint (or sometimes stickers) that baseball or American football players wear under their eyes. While it’s not entirely scientifically proven, the point of the marks is supposed to be absorbing the rays of sun around the eyes to reduce the glare you would see. Thus, 0a6 may have these marks under their eyes to make it easier to see in a fast-paced situation (even though they're not particularly dark in color).

Additionally, if we didn’t already know who the protagonist was, I would guess it was 0a6. They have an ahoge in very much the same way that Teruko does, and they share an eye design with Hajime Hinata. The styling of their belt buckle also reminded me of how truth bullets are designed. However, 0a6 is NOT the protagonist, which must mean that these things mean something else. I don’t have much to say about the ahoge, but the eye design might instead imply that this person’s talent has to do with rejecting, opposing, or ending something. The bullet could be a regular bullet, and therefore imply that this person’s talent has something to do with guns.

For whatever reason, the hairstyle already made me think Ultimate Archer at first glance, so with the gun thing, I’m going to submit my guess as Ultimate Sharpshooter. This talent (and other slight variations of it) shows up pretty commonly in fangans (Kiyoka Maki of DRA, Desmond Hall of P:EG), and for good reason. It’s a talent that gives off a cool vibe, a potentially level headed yet aggressive personality, and can obviously be involved in many cool murder tricks.

My other guesses besides Ultimate Sharpshooter are in a similar ballpark– aforementioned Archer, Ultimate Bounty Hunter, Ultimate Spy, etc– but I could be way off track. I don’t see any weapons on 0a6, which would be weird for any of those talents. It could be more of a Debater type talent (with the eye symbol and truth bullet), or the blue gloves could hint at something more scientific (a la Charles and Arturo), although I don’t see the benefit to the sporty under-eye mark in either of those cases.

3Km is interesting, because they’ve got a lot going on. Hexagons, fire, zebra print– put it all together, and what does it mean? One interpretation is that their personality, too, is a lot.

I was immediately drawn to the markings on the left side of 3Km’s face, because I don’t know what they are. They could be angry veins, but… I don’t think veins really work like that in the shoulder. It’s far more than the typical anime stylization, not in the same place, and they don’t look particularly angry, so that's probably wrong. In that case, it’s probably a scar. But, what kind? Acid? An animal? Fire, like the symbol on their shirt?

Let’s move on for now and take a look at their pants. There’s a zebra pattern, which could imply a connection to animals/zoos or travel/Africa. The kind of pants they’re wearing are called chaps, which, hey, are typically ridden by horse riders! They’re meant to protect the rider’s legs from “thorny vegetation, extreme temperatures, and the animals they work with.” That definitely makes it seem like the zebra is important, as an equine animal.

Thus, my guess for this character is Ultimate Wild Animal Tamer. They wear chaps and gloves to protect them from the untamed animals they work with, yet they may have gotten a scar from a taming gone wrong. They’re strong so that they can get the upper hand, and the fire and piercings could speak to their rebellious, similarly wild personality. @venus-is-thinking also suggested that, as a Wild Animal Tamer, this character could work in the circus, which could further explain the flamboyant clothing and fire motif. They definitely seem like a character who could be putting on a show.

As for the other character pictured… that person is almost certainly 3Km’s sibling, likely a twin. However, as a fellow member of the killing game cast, we’ll get to them later! For now, let’s check out somebody else.

This character is one of the ones that I’m the most baffled about. They don’t wear a lot of symbols or field-specific clothing, so, it’s kind of a shot in the dark.

They definitely seem kind of fancy, what with the super swirly hair. Square scarves also typically seem to be worn in professional circumstances for stylish people. They’re wearing a lot of layers (including said scarf and a sweater), so it’s possible they work in a cold environment? Or maybe they just naturally run cold. There’s a lot of draping elements in their clothing, between the folded jacket and two-layered skirt, but that doesn’t really correlate to a specific location or profession.

The eyes patterns are also weird. They’re very spiky and not perfectly circular. What they reminded me of first were either an explosion, a loud noise, or a circular blade distorted while spinning quickly. Glasses are typically associated with nerdy or smart characters (like Eden and Charles), but anyone can wear glasses, so I wouldn’t use that as a huge selling point.

Anyways, the combination of fanciness, loudness, and potential nerdiness made me think some kind of talent incorporating a voice and art. I had ideas ranging from Ultimate Opera Singer to Ultimate Art Critic. In the end, I settled on Ultimate Stage Director, mostly as a vibe check. I could imagine this character ordering writers, actors, and set designers around with the goal of following their vision. A person like that who’s used to being in charge could be an interesting figure in a killing game. Again, though, I don’t have super strong feelings about this, so I’m extra looking forward to learning more.

I was going to slam dunk this one as the Ultimate Shepherd until @fuji-iri pointed out to me that there’s actually a sewing needle pattern in their eye! I’m kind of glad, because it gives me more to talk about and might explain some of the weird things I noticed if this character were the Ultimate Shepherd.

Besides the sewing needle, the eyes are definitely reminiscent of a sheep. Same with the braids in their hair– they’re arranged in a spiral reminiscent of a sheep’s horns. The cloud-like pattern on their cloak, as well as the soft-looking trim, seem fluffy and wool-like. 9lt definitely has a sheep motif, but that doesn’t mean it’s the talent exactly.

9lt’s bell hints at that concept. Although sheep often wear bells, according to google images, they’re more often regular bells than the circular bell depicted in their outfit. It seems like sheep can wear these bells, but they’re more commonly seen on cats.

There’s also a strong focus on pastel colors in the design, particularly pink. The design is very fun and childlike, it’s silhouette appearing smaller due to the large bow and lack of visible arms. (They’re also just pretty short.) The cloak, which obscures most of their body, kind of reminds me of Toshiko Kayura of P:EG. Small, cute, and childish, yet kind of mysterious and strange: that’s the vibes this design is giving me.

Given the sewing needle, it’s tempting to give this character a talent in fashion design. They do have a very specific style, which could play into their designs. However, with the strong connections to animals and fluffiness makes me think that they actually might be something along the lines of the Ultimate Plush Maker. It’s cozy and cuddly while also involving the sharp eye (of the needle) that a creator needs to have.

Now, this is a character with a lot going on. They’ve got symbols all over and a really fun hairstyle, so, let’s see how it could all fit together.

One of the aspects that first caught my eye was the flower in hwR’s hair. I’m pretty sure it’s a dandelion, which could be read in a couple of ways. The first is that a dandelion is a weed. hwR could be a character who often isn’t wanted, but manages to persist regardless. Secondly, dandelions have a lot of medicinal benefits if you consume them. So, hwR could be a character focused on health, especially in alternative ways. Thirdly, there’s the superstition that blowing on a dandelion will grant you a wish. I’d lean against this one because the dandelion isn’t… ripe(???) enough to be blown on yet, but the interpretation is still there.

The bunny symbol also has a lot of interpretations. As I listed out in the image, some options are good luck, longevity, opportunity, and adventure. The white rabbit is also a main character in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, which DRDTdev is clearly familiar with if the LGI MV is anything to go by. Generally, rabbits are also fast, cute, and known for multiplying. White rabbits seem to have generally positive connotations, which is a good sign for this character.

Other symbols include the crescent moon and sparkle type shapes, which seem to indicate nighttime or mystery. The symbol in hwR’s eyes is a spiral, which is also mysterious and could have to do with hypnosis. Apparently they also represent the circle of life, which could be suspicious…? Dying and living, killing games, and the like.

Anyways, with all this supernatural and superstitious imagery, I feel like the talent has to deal with something similar. I’m not exactly sure what to call it, or what the specific niche is. The one I wrote down in my notes was the Ultimate Alternative Medicine Practicioner, tying in the medicinal uses of dandelions and therapeutic uses of hypnotism. However, that title is a mouthful, and there are definitely other options. I sort of wanted the talent to just be someone who believes in spiritual practices, but given that a spiritualist is apparently someone who believes in talking to ghosts, the best name I could come up with for that was Ultimate Believer. hwR could also be something like an Ultimate Fortune Teller or a straight up Hypnotist, or a Lucky Student who really leans into the title. There are plenty of options, but I think it’s something in this genre.

This guy is fun! The fashion is pretty plain so there’s not a lot to work with, but I’ll give it my best shot.

As compared to 8CT (the one with the curly hair), Jfl at least has the very obvious symbol on their shirt to point us in the right direction. I’m pretty sure those are audio levels, which means that their talent probably combines something with sound with something with technology. I don’t know why they would need a lot of pockets or a hat with a visor for that, but hey, always good to be prepared.

The hat is pretty plain, but there is that green square on it. It may just be a large tab, as appears on many baseball caps to show off a logo. This one is blank, though, so it could be something else. It kind of looks like the press marker that appears on stereotypical reporter hats in, like, the 1920s, but those weren’t typically lime green, either (unless the black and white movies are fooling me hard).

The overall color scheme plus the fingerless gloves sort of make this character look like an Ultimate Hacker to me, but then I’m not sure what the connection to the audio levels are. They could also be something more like an Ultimate DJ, but the hat, jacket, and cargo pants make me feel like it’s something a little more active/outdoorsy. Thus, I’m going to go with the kinda-compromise that this character is the Ultimate Podcaster. In my mind, they would do some field reporting first (hence something that looks kind of like a reporter hat), and then come back to their home office and talk about it to publish in a podcast.

With my argument about the clothes feeling more outdoorsy, I have a few ideas for what the podcast could be about. The first is something along the lines of hunting cryptids. Jfl goes into the woods, looks around, and then reports their findings in, like, a ghost log. A little more in the realm of realism, Jfl could tail important figures around, either as a paparazzi-type person or someone who’s unraveling a conspiracy, and then release a report on them. That could also get Jfl involved in some kind of scuffle with XF-ture tech, which makes me lean more in that direction.

With the fish scales, knA is pretty obviously nautically coded. Their talent probably has something to do with water, but, in what way? Let’s look at the other details.

Just like Nico, knA has slit eyes. In Nico’s design, it was meant to make them look catlike, due to their profession as the Ultimate Pet Therapist. Similarly, 9lt has horizontal slit eyes, which are meant to make them look like a sheep. It seems like these elongated pupils are meant to make us think of animals, so knA’s talent probably heads in that direction. They also have a catlike mouth ( :3 ) and wear a collar, which (like Nico) makes them lean feline. Maybe it’s a catfish? Or maybe that’s more of a personality beat.

On the other hand, knA’s eye pattern has two circles in it, a larger one that goes around the long pupil and a smaller one that’s sort of hidden behind it. In context, this most reminded me of a sonar/radar system, which sailors use at sea to make sure they aren’t running into anything. Through that lens, the belt(?) that wraps around their leg reminded me of an anchor wrapped around a post. That’s kinda confirmation bias with the water thing, but it may have been intentional.

To be honest, I was really back and forth on whether to call this character the Ultimate Angler or the Ultimate Diver, but by the bolding, you can tell I settled on the former. I liked Ultimate Diver because it would place the character more among the fish (why they’re coded as an animal) as opposed to someone who catches them. But also, cats are known for catching fish, right? Plus, my interpretations of a sonar and an anchor would connect the character to a boat, which is less important for diving and more important for fishing.

Now this is the character that seems to be the talk of the town! And for good reason, too: they have a lot more recognizable imagery that specifically ties them to DRDT than anybody else.

First off, there’s the obvious XF-ture Tech logo, shaped like a hexagon, which appears on u1l’s jacket. That certainly connects them to the company in some way, whether they’re an employee or just someone who received some merch. This is extra interesting given that u1l wears the same pin that Min has on her design. In A History of Hope’s Peak, Min says she was sponsored by XF-Ture Tech, so maybe this guy was, too? It could be a kind of alternate company logo. Or it could have some kind of bug to listen in with. That’d be fun.

Otherwise, it’s pretty nondescript. They have regular eyes, a regular shirt, and a regular ol’ pink tie (other than the connection it may have to the Sleepy MV). The jacket is tied really weirdly at the bottom, kind of looking like a fish tail, but I think it’s a normal jacket. The boot design kind of reminded me of Xander’s, which could indicate that this character has to be prepared to run around.

Pinning down u1l’s talent is kinda hard because… honestly, I kinda feel like they’re just “Ultimate XF-Ture Tech Guy.” Like, they’re clearly connected to the company, and may be here as their representative. Thus, in my notes, I called this guy the Ultimate Technician.

A technician is “a worker in a field of technology who is proficient in the relevant field and technique, with a relatively practical understanding of the theoretical principles.” Is that vaguely tech-ish as hell? Yeah. Is XF-Ture a tech company that also does vague other things? Yeah. Ultimate Technician lets this u1l have a lot of skills yet not have to elaborate on it at all, which is something that I feel like they would enjoy. Just like how they might enjoy how all of us are chomping at the bit to learn more about them, and yet, we probably won’t hear anything for a while…

A very pretty addition to the cast! I love their vibes. Time to figure out what they mean.

There’s a lot here that signifies wealth. The crown hairpin is very obvious in that regard, as is the cape. Purple is often thought of as a color of royalty, and uBg is wearing a lot of it. Same with the cape– it’s an article of clothing often worn by kings. Their eye pattern contains a diamond within a circle. Diamonds are a jewel; wealth, royalty, etc.

This character also has some elements of promiscuity to them. Garter socks (which is what I think is what they’re wearing on their left leg?) are typically thought of as a sexually-charged thing to wear, and their other leg is fully exposed (oh my!). You can also see their bra peeking out from under their shirt, as well as some cleavage. Is this related to talent, or just to personality? I’m not sure.

While it’s tempting to go with something more along the lines of Ultimate Celebrity or Ultimate Heiress, I’m actually kind of partial to my interpretation of Ultimate Treasure Hunter. They wear a crown because it’s the treasure they’ve won, and there are diamonds in their eyes because that’s what they’re looking for! The cape could read as more of a heroic/adventurer thing, and the gloves also feel like ones belonging to someone more active. I’m aware this has nothing to do with the promiscuous aspects, but… like I said, that could just relate to personality! Plus, if you’re traveling the world searching for treasure, you might want a chance to tour the people, too.

Finally, we’ve returned to the probable sibling of 3Km, the potential Ultimate Wild Animal Tamer! If the similar color schemes and eye designs weren’t enough, the fact that their little chibis were obviously paired together makes it pretty obvious that they’re related. Assuming that everyone in this cast is the same age (18+), they would be twins.

However, I also want to propose that 3Km isn’t the only character XWu is “related” to. Remember how I mentioned that the XF-Ture logo was a hexagon? Well, the pattern in 3Km and XWu’s eyes is a hexagon. Could they also have a connection to XF-Ture tech, and thus, u1l? Maybe they’re part of the family who founded the company. It’s a big stretch, but it’s possible. Just wanted to bring it up.

Back to XWu, it’s interesting that they’re probably the twin of 3Km, ‘cause their designs are pretty opposite. While 3Km seems wild, XWu is very fancy. They have a chain, much like uBg; some boots that look sort of princely; and a very fancily-patterned vest. I didn’t notice while I was making my visual, but I think that the vest has snowflakes on it to mirror 3Km’s fire. Honestly, I don’t know if that means it’s more likely that it has something to do with their talents, or less…

I feel like XWu might have some kind of managerial talent. It could be something more business-y, related to XF-Ture Tech, or if 3Km is part of the circus, XWu could be, like, the Ultimate Ringleader. Leaning on the former, I settled for the Ultimate Business Consultant. I was thinking about 3Km going around the world taming animals or whatever, and XWu tagging along, making business connections and deals along the way. The “X” in their bangs makes me think that they might have a talent or personality that revolves around rejecting things. That could lean business leadership, so… yay?

-

And that’s that! To summarize, the cast of talents as I determined them were Ultimate Teacher, Ultimate Sharpshooter, Ultimate Wild Animal Tamer, Ultimate Stage Director, Ultimate Plush Maker, Ultimate Alternative Medicine Practicioner, Ultimate Podcaster, Ultimate Angler, Ultimate Technician, Ultimate Treasure Hunter, and Ultimate Business Consultant.

Obviously none of this is concrete, and I’m speculating based on very few details. I won’t be disappointed no matter what the talents are because, hey! We get more fangan content from DRDTdev either way! I feel like the Ultimate Winner with that fact.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this, and, if you have alternate interpretations or design elements I missed, I'd love to hear about them! I might make an update if we get any additional information any time soon.

#danganronpa despair time #drdt #drdt mystery fangan #what are people calling it #anyways IT IS DONE #sorry that it took so long everyone i was kinda busy today so i had to keep jumping in and out of it #like i said i really haven't looked at what other people have said yet so i have no idea if i'm #A) repeating what everyone has said already #B) totally off the mark with others' beliefs #or C) the only person who's attempted this at all so far #and that's not even counting websites that aren't tumblr. gosh #this was fun though! ultimate designs are always so creative :) #my theories #every day there is more drdt content to analyze /pos

[infernaleikon]

Obikin and either Q or K

Q - one missed call (2k)

*****************************************************************

As Anakin made his way through the room, people he hadn’t talked to yet—some he didn’t even recognize—stopped him. He found his hand grasped by honored guests and as they shook it in their warm, sweaty grips, they congratulated him with drunken cheer. Their caterwauling followed him as he untangled himself with laughs and shoulder pats, making for the open double doors leading out into the garden.

When he finally made his escape, dodging more damp hands, he slunk out onto the terrace. The night air was crisp and smelling of spring flowers, and it felt like a balm on his heated cheeks. He inhaled until his lungs felt too full to hold it all, and released the breath in a languid exhale. As he started walking, deeper into the garden, the noise from inside spilling out fell away until it was just a low hum in the background. The soft rustling of wind in spring-new leaves filled his ears. A too familiar urge itched under his skin.

It was the first quiet moment all day, and while Anakin didn’t mind the attention—enjoyed it, really—after a whole day of excitement, speeches, games, and well-wishes (and too warm hands), he needed a moment to himself. He thumbed at the new ring around his finger and the sensation of smooth metal was pleasing in a way he couldn’t even describe.

Anakin fished the cigarette and lighter he’d snagged from one of their guests from his pocket. He’d raised it halfway to his lips when he paused mid-air, doubt halting his hand. It had been months since he’d last smoked, the habit as good as beaten. He still remembered Obi-Wan’s face whenever they’d kissed after Anakin had had a cigarette.

“What?” Anakin had asked when Obi-Wan’s brows crinkled ever so slightly and he had drawn away from him. “You said you didn’t mind.”

“And I don’t,” Obi-Wan had insisted, and instead of going back to kissing him, just pressed his lips to Anakin’s knuckles.

Anakin scowled and grabbed at his wrist, pulling him back in. “Then what?” he had pressed, pushing Obi-Wan down on the sofa and straddling him to keep him from running away again.

Obi-Wan’s hands had settled warm and heavy on his hips. A soft chuckle had slipped from his mouth. “I prefer tasting you,” he’d said, a hand sliding up and to Anakin’s neck, fingers wrapping firmly around his nape before guiding him down to Obi-Wan’s face. “Smelling you,” he’d added as he nosed under Anakin’s chin. Raising his head to look at Anakin again, his slow smile had grown wider. “But I’ll take you any way,” he’d promised before slotting their mouths together for a kiss that had left Anakin’s toes curling.

Anakin caught himself smiling, and then lit the cigarette. Obi-Wan would forgive him for it. After all, it was a stressful day and he’d been so good for months.

As he took the first drag—the slow, warm curl of nicotine felt soothing, familiar—he dropped his head back and closed his eyes. Tension bled away from his shoulders and jaw; he hadn’t even realized how tense he was. No wonder, he supposed, he’d been on a tight schedule all day.

Anakin rolled out his shoulders and pulled his phone from the inside pocket of his jacket. Maybe he could play a round or two of Candycrush (without rage-quitting), or just scroll the social profiles of their friends who’d surely already posted pictures from the wedding.

He swiped away a few notifications, checked the two emails he’d received, tapped to see whose call he’d missed.

Anakin frowned at his phone. Obi-Wan had called him earlier… several times in short succession. Staring at the missed calls, Anakin tried to fathom what had made Obi-Wan try to reach him. He had no reason to.

“You’re smoking again.”

His head snapped up to the source of the voice and jerked his hand behind his back, like a child caught red-handed still trying to hide.

Obi-Wan was smiling wryly at him. The light of the lanterns along the garden path gleamed in his hair, caught in his eyes, and he looked so handsome in his dark blue suit.

“No,” Anakin said reflexively, his heart beating in his throat. He’d been good. “No, it’s just—”

“Relax, Anakin,” Obi-Wan said with a light chuckle. “It’s alright. I’m not here to berate you.”

Anakin eyed him warily, hackles rising with stress and anxiety as Obi-Wan stepped closer. He half expected a deep, disappointed sigh from him at the misstep, except there was only warmth in Obi-Wan’s eyes.

Obi-Wan grasped him firmly by the upper arms, the heat of his hands seeping through Anakin’s jacket, and closed the distance until they were less than an arm-width apart from each other. Anakin’s breath caught in his throat. He’d always felt trapped under Obi-Wan’s gaze—and strangely enough it had never been uncomfortable. Obi-Wan’s attention was intoxicating, and he never could get enough of it.

He felt like he could breathe again.

“Congratulations, Anakin.”

The words hung between them in total stillness, suspended in a moment of disbelief.

Anakin felt himself grow cold. “What?”

A nonsensical question and yet he couldn’t stop it from tumbling from his lips. He could feel his heart hammer against his ribs.

“On your wedding,” Obi-Wan clarified, as if Anakin had forgotten. “I wish you all the happiness in the world. Truly. May you have the marriage you’ve always wanted.”

The last bit of warmth slipped away when Obi-Wan withdrew his hands and put more distance between them again. Shivers ran up and down his spine. Anakin heard his own blood rush in his ears like an angry, roiling ocean.

A sudden burst of anger surged through him. Of course Obi-Wan would come here and act high and mighty, like he was somehow better than Anakin; like he was such a magnanimous do-gooder. Like he’d won.

He hadn’t. Anakin had. Anakin was the winner, and the fact that Obi-Wan was here, now, only proved it.

“You wouldn’t be here if you really did,” Anakin spat with far more venom than he’d anticipated.

A shadow passed over Obi-Wan’s handsome face as he slid his hands into the pockets of his dress pants. What looked like a display of casual carelessness Anakin knew to be practiced calm, an iron-grip on composure when there was something fierce raging on the inside.

For a fraction of a second, he looked like he wanted to snap back. Anakin wanted him to.

Instead, Obi-Wan winced. “You’re right,” he admitted. “Apologies. I didn’t mean to upset you.” After a beat, “I’ll leave.”

“Why are you here?” Anakin asked before Obi-Wan could even turn away. The question tumbled from his mouth before he could stop it; before he even knew he wanted to ask. Needed to know. Anakin’s heart was pounding in his throat, surely loud enough that even Obi-Wan could hear. He didn’t know which answer he dreaded more.

Obi-Wan stroked a hand over his beard. The ghost of a sad smile flashed on his face. “I suppose I wanted to see you happy one last time.”

Anakin’s hands, fisted by his sides, trembled. He wanted it to be from anger.

“Well, then take a good, long look,” Anakin snapped. “Because I am happy.”

He was. He was happy. He was happy. Without Obi-Wan. Today was proof of that.

“I’m glad for it,” Obi-Wan said softly. His eyes were full of warmth, little crinkles at the corners as he smiled, with more affection than Anakin could handle. “It looks beautiful on you.”

Caught between fight and flight, Anakin stared at him. He felt himself crumble. He wanted to rage.

Something hot gathered behind his eyes.

“Goodbye.” Obi-Wan sounded… final. “Anakin.”

Obi-Wan had already turned around and started walking away when Anakin regained his voice. “Wait!” he shouted, stumbling after him. “We’re not done yet.”

There was a scowl on Obi-Wan’s face when he turned to face him but he stood, patient and stoic, as always.

Anakin’s lungs felt too small for his breaths. “You called me,” he said, words almost swallowed by the lack of air. “You called me, earlier, several times.”

Obi-Wan looked pained, regretful. It sent a pang through Anakin.

“Why?” Anakin asked, voice trembling with urgency. “Why did you call?”

Obi-Wan dropped his gaze, a deep furrow between his brows. “Anakin,” he murmured—begged, by the sound of his voice. He’d heard this tone once before.

“Tell me,” Anakin demanded. There was a wild thing charging behind his ribcage and he was sure if he didn’t reign it in, he’d go insane.

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan said again, slowly, pleading; almost sighing. Ah-na-kin. As if it was being torn from his throat, from the very depths of his soul.

“Tell me.”

Obi-Wan set his jaw, caught between frustration and desperation. It wasn’t a rare sight. Anakin had put that look on his face more than once, and Obi-Wan had always cracked when Anakin pushed just hard enough and on the right spot. And Anakin would push until he got what he wanted.

Anakin hissed, gaze snapping to his hand just as he dropped his long-forgotten cigarette. It had burned all the way down to the filter, abandoned. He ground the remains into the grass before bending down to pick up the stub. When he looked back up, Obi-Wan’s face had softened to something achingly adoring that it almost made Anakin’s knees buckle.

Obi-Wan had always disapproved, when they first met, of Anakin simply throwing the stubs to the ground, carelessly tossing them down and away, not wasting a second thought on it. He’d stopped doing it after he realized, and Obi-Wan kissed him—taste of nicotine and all—until Anakin had felt light-headed.

When their eyes met, Obi-Wan sighed, and Anakin knew he’d get his answer.

He looked like he was bracing himself before he said, quietly, “I wanted to tell you not to do it. Not to marry Padmé.”

Anakin’s heart skipped a beat, or several. He wasn’t sure.

“Why?” His voice was barely above a whisper, eyes glued to Obi-Wan’s face.

Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut. He exhaled deeply, and then turned his gaze squarely on Anakin. “Because I was being selfish. Because… I made a mistake letting you go.”

Time moved faster as it stood still.

“Because you love me,” Anakin whispered, with certainty, with awe, with a wildly beating heart.

With regret. With guilt.

If he’d only thought to look at his phone when he had paced around his room, stalling, hoping Obi-Wan would show up.

“Yes,” Obi-Wan said with a nod and a sad smile. “I do.”

Anakin thumbed his ring. It felt too smooth.

Obi-Wan’s eyes dropped to his hand and Anakin followed his gaze to his wedding band. He raised his hand, slowly twisting the ring with the fingers of his other until—

—until he’d twisted it off.

Anakin pocketed the ring before he strode towards Obi-Wan. He grabbed his lapels to pull him close. Their noses brushed, their breaths mingled. Obi-Wan’s eyes tracked him carefully but he didn’t resist. Quite the contrary, his hands fell to Anakin’s waist, warm and safe, pulling Anakin even closer.

“I wouldn’t have married her,” Anakin said into the scant space between them.

“You did.”

It wasn’t an accusation, Anakin knew, just a statement of facts, uttered with regret.

“I waited for you,” Anakin promised, bunching the fabric in his hands.

“I’m sorry I was too late,” Obi-Wan said. He took a deep breath and moved to draw away again.

Anakin stopped him by gripping him tighter, refusing to let go now.

“You’re here now,” he said, and he could barely recognize his own voice: breathy, hungry, happy.

Obi-Wan eluded him when Anakin leaned in to kiss him. His eyes searched Anakin’s face carefully, and for a brief, heart-stopping moment, Anakin thought he’d leave. That Obi-Wan’s morals would kick in.

And then, “I’m here now.”

Anakin smiled harder than he had all day when Obi-Wan’s lips caught his own.

#obikin #ficcups #soldieronbarnes #eeeeeeeeeehhhhhh idk what this is #anyway first obikin i've written in months and it really feels like it

[gardenschedule]

A collection of Beatles quotes about the breakup

I know I'm preaching to the choir on tumblr.com because people here examine the breakup with empathy, nuance and critical thought. BUT these quotes are convenient if you ever get caught up in frustrating arguments online with male boomer beatle fans who think John and George hated the band and couldn't wait to escape while Paul was desperate to get back together. Sorted by band member and chronological order.

Quotes from/about Ringo:

1970:

Ringo?  He was the peacemaker for John, George and himself to Paul and was shaken to find Paul intransigent to the point of saying some pretty blunt things.  But none of the Beatles is vindictive, and pettiness is their natural enemy, and when Paul released his album, Ringo sent a telegram congratulation him on “Maybe I’m Amazed” (one of the tracks) and meant it.  Ringo has a lot of heart and more soul than most and since he knows he will be a Beatles to the grave, he will cooperate should it all come together again.

The Party's Over for the Beatles - written by Derek Taylor

1971:

The Beatles might yet stay together as a group. Paul is the greatest bass player in the world. He is also determined. He goes on and on to see if he can get his own way. While that may be a virtue, it did mean that musical disagreements inevitably rose from time to time. But such disagreements contributed to really great products. […] I was shocked and dismayed, after Mr. McCartney’s promises about a meeting of all four Beatles in London in January, that a writ should have been issued on December 31. I trust Paul and I know he would not lightly disregard his promise. Something serious, about which I have no knowledge, must have happened between Paul’s meeting with George in New York at the end of December. […] My own view is that all four of us together could even yet work out everything satisfactorily.

Ringo Starr’s affidavit – From “The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After The Break-Up 1970-2001” by Keith Badman

No one doubted that Starkey would go along with the majority.

You Never Give Me Your Money – Peter Doggett

People really have tried to typecast us. They think we are still little moptops, and we are not. I don’t want to play in public again. I don’t miss being a Beatle anymore. You can’t get those days back. It’s no good living in the past.

Ringo Starr, 24 March 1969 while filming The Magic Christian in New York

Quotes from/about George:

1969:

“Yeah, quite definitely, but I’d like to do it with the Beatles but not on the old scale, that’s the only drag. With the Ono Band and me playing with Delaney and Bonnie there’s no expectations because it’s really quite anonymous, you just go and do whatever you can do. Once the Beatles are advertised and all the crowds come along they expect too much. I’d like to do the Beatles thing, but more like Delaney and Bonnie with us augmented with a few more singers, and a few trumpets, saxes, organs, and all that"

Interview conducted by Roy Carr, NME, 20 December 1969

1970:

George was greatly disappointed that Paul should come off like he was injured by Klein (business manager) whom George believes to have greatly eased the effects of the present and insured the safety of the future. George view is “Did you have to be so nasty. You can go so far but you can never get back, and you can say things which get in the way forever. For me, I would be glad to play with all of us again.”

The Party's Over for the Beatles - written by Derek Taylor

Q: “You think the Beatles will get together again, then?” George: “Well, I don’t… I couldn’t tell, you know, if they do or not. I’ll certainly try my best to do something with them again, you know. I mean, it’s only a matter of accepting that the situation is a compromise. In a way it’s a compromise, and it’s a sacrifice, you know, because we all have to sacrifice a little in order to gain something really big. And there is a big gain by recording together – I think musically, and financially, and also spiritually. And for the rest of the world, you know, I think that Beatle music is such a big sort of scene – that I think it’s the least we could do is to sacrifice three months of the year at least, you know, just to do an album or two. I think it’s very selfish if the Beatles don’t record together.”

WABC-FM, May 1, 1970

The Harrison quote that went around the world that spring was purely optimistic: 'Everyone is trying to do his own album, and I am too. But after that I'm ready to go back with the others.'

You Never Give Me Your Money – Peter Doggett

1971:

The only serious row was between Paul and me. In 1968 I went to the United States and had a very easy co-operation with many leading musicians. This contrasted with the superior attitude which, for years past, Paul has shown towards me musically. In January 1969, we were making a film in a studio at Twickenham, which was dismal and cold, and we were all getting a bit fed up with our surroundings. In front of the cameras, as we were actually being filmed, Paul started to ‘get at’ me about the way I was playing. I decided I had had enough and told the others I was leaving. This was because I was musically dissatisfied. After a few days, the others asked me to return and since I did not wish to leave them in the lurch in the middle of filming and recording, and since Paul agreed that he would not try to interfere or teach me how to play, I went back. Since the row, Paul has treated me more as a musical equal. I think this whole episode shows how a disagreement could be worked out so that we all benefited. I just could not believe it when, just before Christmas, I received a letter from Paul’s lawyers. I still cannot understand why Paul acted as he did.

George Harrison’s affidavit – From “The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After The Break-Up 1970-2001” by Keith Badman

“In a “Come back Paul, all is forgiven” mood, George Harrison said this week: “I wish we could all be friends again. It’s a drag that things are as they are, because Apple is now becoming much more what we originally wanted it to be. “Personally I’d like to see Paul back at Apple and let him do what he wants to do. After all the new studio is his studio, too, and I’d like to see it all happening for us all.”

October 1971 Record Mirror

When John finally hinted that he would be willing to play with George when he appeared at Madison Square Garden. “Well, maybe I can come and help ya,” he said. “That’d be nice.” George glowered at John. Then George’s anger really burst forth. “Where were you when I needed you!” he snapped. It was the first of a series of explosions, each of them followed by moments of tense silence. “I did everything you said. But you weren’t there,” he repeated. “You always knew how to reach me,” John would reply evenly to each of these outbursts. There was no doubt in my mind, watching those two, that George’s anger with John had been accumulating for years. It was exactly the kind of situation that John usually ran from. But I could see in that moment that he loved George enough to remain calm and still as George drilled away at him. George said that repeatedly in the past he had sung what John wanted him to sing, said what John wanted him to say. Because John wanted it, George had gone along with the decision to go with Allen Klein. In the nearly four years since, John had virtually ignored him, a fact that pained George deeply. George’s voice grew even more harsh as he blasted John for his sudden appearance, as if out of nowhere, to offer an evening’s worth of help. Yet again George said furiously, I did everything you said, but you weren’t there.”

May Pang, Loving John

1973:

"George came into the office and said, 'I wanted you to know before anyone else. We're leaving Allen.' I said, 'Why?' And he said, 'We'll never get together again with Allen managing us.' And that was it. They left. George always had that distant hope."

Allan Stecker, Mojo interview 2023 (on Monday April 2 1973)

"[Allen Klein] made [John, George and Ringo] feel financially and artistically secure,” Steckler reckoned. So why did they decide that Klein had to go? Steckler believed he knew the answer. “George called me and said, ‘We’re not re-signing with Klein,’” he recalled. “I asked him why, and he said, 'The only way The Beatles can get together again is if Allen isn’t there. I’m ready to do it, so is Ringo, and I think we can persuade John to go along with it. But if we’re going to work with Paul, we need to get rid of Klein.’"

Peter Doggett, You Never Give Me Your Money

1978:

Personally, I’m not opposed to the idea, if it’s done through mutual agreement. But the pressure seems to be bigger than any of us, and when they talk of sums like $50 or $60 million, it’s almost a farce. I know Paul’s booked for the next few years, and John may have lost interest in the idea. Ringo and I are closest on it; we both feel it’s not impossible, but it’s highly unlikely, if only because of the legal and business maze that would have to be resolved before the four of us set foot on stage together.

M. George Haddad interview with George Harrison for Men Only magazine (Nov. 1978 issue)

Quotes from/about Paul:

1970:

On the eve of the release of the Beatles new movie and album “Let it Be,” Paul McCartney said, “I quit,” or “I think I quit,” which is roughly the same thing. As a publicity stunt, it’s as good or bad as any stunt they ever appeared to pull. But like every stunt they never did pull, this isn’t one either. McCartney’s declaration of independence was entirely impromptu, spontaneous and personal and so far had the group’s lines of communication become crossed that none of the Beatles really knew when the album would be out, or whether, nor did they greatly care.

...

I guess the way it stacks up now and the way it was around the time when Paul dropped the big on is that he wants right out of it all and they don’t.

The Party's Over for the Beatles - written by Derek Taylor

"John's reply was that I was daft!" He then said he wanted to leave the Beatles and wanted an immediate divorce. None of us really knew what to do about the situation, but we decided to wait until our film 'Let it Be' came out in April. I got bored and made 'McCartney' instead!"

Paul McCartney, in his first magazine interview since the split, tells FLIP's Keith Altham... "THE BEATLES ARE FINISHED!"

When we had to go to the studios, Linda would make the booking and we’d take some sandwiches and a bottle of grape juice and put the baby on the floor and it was all like a a holiday. So as a natural turn of events from looking for something to do, I found that I was enjoying working alone as much as I’d enjoyed the early days of the Beatles. I haven’t really enjoyed the Beatles for the last two years.

Paul, Interview for Evening Standard • Tuesday, April 21-22, 1970

1971:

Klein: “If Paul McCartney doesn’t get his way, he bitches. He may have a choirboy image in the press and with fans, but I’m here to tell you its bullshit. If anybody broke up the Beatles, it was him.”

Allen Klein, Playboy: A candid conversation with the embattled manager of the Beatles. (November, 1971) (note: obviously we should not trust a word Klein says, but at this point why isn't he repeating John's party line that he wanted a divorce?)

I think John thought I was using this press release for publicity-as I suppose, in a way, it was. So it all looked very weird, and it ruffled a few feathers. The good thing about it was that we all had to finally own up to the fact that we'd broken up three or four months before. We'd been ringing each other quite constantly, sort of saying, 'Let's get it back together.' And I think me, George and Ringo did want to save things. But I think John was, at that point, too heavily into his new life-which you can't blame him.

You Never Give Me Your Money – Peter Doggett

1972:

“We planned a big festival for one afternoon in Central Park, and ‘Imagine’ was the theme. Each retarded person from an institution would be paired with one able-bodied volunteer – twenty-five thousand people in the park. The issue arose whether the retarded should come to the matinee concert at Madison Square Garden. Obviously it would be a huge revenue loss. So Allen Klein and John just bought $50,000 worth of tickets and gave them to the retarded kids and volunteers.” Suddenly John got cold feet, after the concert had been sold out for weeks. “John said he didn’t want to do it,” Rivera recalled. “He said he hadn’t played in public for years, he hadn’t rehearsed with a band, he was just too nervous. …When they had that rush of insecurity, Yoko told me that she and John called Paul and Linda. They said, ‘Let’s bury the hatchet and appear together at the concert.’ Why Paul said ‘No’ I’ll never know.” Rivera and others managed to calm John’s fears and get him to start rehearsing with Elephant’s Memory.

Jon Wiener, Come Together: John Lennon in His Time. (1984)

“A few months ago, John asked us to do a concert with him at Madison Square Garden (note: same concert as the above quote) and it’s a pity now that we didn’t do it. I didn’t want to do it at the time but we will do things, I’m sure. I don’t see any reason why all four Beatles shouldn’t be on stage at some time all playing together and having a good time. I don’t think you’ll ever get the Beatles reforming, because that’s all gone. The Beatles were a special thing in a special era and I really couldn’t see it all coming together again. But I think it’s daft to assume that just because we had a couple of business upsets we won’t ever see each other again, or that if John has a concert some time we won’t go up and play on it.”

Paul McCartney, interview with Ray Connolly in The Evening Standard, December 2, 1972 (source: The Ray Connolly Beatles Archive)

“Don’t ever call me ex-Beatle McCartney again. That was one band I was with. Now I’m not with them. I’ve got another band. We won’t do things the same way any more. We’re not so bothered in trying to please other people all the time even though we obviously don’t try to displease them. All we want, in Wings, is to please ourselves with our music, That’s all. “If people start fan clubs for us, do that kind of thing from the past, well, fine. But we won’t start one. I just get irritated by people constantly harping on the past, about the days when I was with that other band, the Beatles. “The other Beatles get together and that is fine, but I’m almost always in another part of the world. The Beatles was my old job. We’re not like friends – we just know each other. But we don’t work together. so there’s no point keeping up old relationships.”

“All I know for sure is that I’ll never be conned again. I’m 30 now and, after what I’ve been through. I should know my way around. I get angry with fans, who interrupt my life, even now. I get fed up with the feeling that I was losing my identity, becoming some kind of legend, not a person. And I’m downright angry with the people who keep trying to get me back with the others again.

1976:

“The truth is very ordinary. The truth is just that since we split up, we’ve not seen much of each other. We visit occasionally, we’re still friends, but we don’t feel like getting up and playing again. You can’t tell that to people. You say that and they say, ‘How about this money, then?’ ‘Or how about this?’ And you end up having to think of reasons why you don’t feel like it. And, of course, any one of them taken on its own isn’t really true, but I was just stuck for an answer, so I said I wouldn’t do it just for the money anyway. And I saw John last time, he says, ‘I agreed with that.’ But there’s a million other points in there. A whole million angles. “I tell you, before this tour, I was tempted to ring everyone up and say, ‘Look, is it true we’re not going to get back together, ‘cause we all pretty much feel like we’re not. And as long as I could get everyone to say, ‘No, we’re definitely not,’ then I could say ‘It’s a definite no-no.’ But I know my feeling, and I think the others’ feeling, in a way, is we don’t want to close the door to anything in the future. We might like it someday.

Paul McCartney, Rolling Stone: Yesterday, Today, and Paul. (June 17th, 1976)

Later/unknown year:

“John phoned me once to try and get the Beatles back together again, after we’d broken up. And I wasn’t for it, because I thought that we’d come too far and I was too deeply hurt by it all. I thought, “Nah, what’ll happen is that we’ll get together for another three days and all hell will break loose again. Maybe we just should leave it alone.”

Paul, November 1995 Club Sandwich interview

“ELLEN: So was there ever a time when both you and John Lennon wanted to reform the Beatles? PAUL: There was a time… let’s put it this way: there was never a time when all four of us wanted to do it. And each time it was always someone different who didn’t fancy it And I’m actually glad of that now. Because the Beatles’ work is a body of work. There’s nothing to be ashamed of there. In the end we decided we should leave well enough alone. The potential disappointment of coming on and not being as good as the Beatles had been… that was a risk we shouldn’t take

Paul McCartney, interview w/ Mark Ellen for Radio Times. (October 20th-26th, 2007)

“Don’t ever call me ex-Beatle McCartney again. That was one band I was with. Now I’m not with them. I’ve got another band. We won’t do things the same way any more. We’re not so bothered in trying to please other people all the time even though we obviously don’t try to displease them. All we want, in Wings, is to please ourselves with our music, That’s all. “If people start fan clubs for us, do that kind of thing from the past, well, fine. But we won’t start one. I just get irritated by people constantly harping on the past, about the days when I was with that other band, the Beatles. “The other Beatles get together and that is fine, but I’m almost always in another part of the world. The Beatles was my old job. We’re not like friends – we just know each other. But we don’t work together. so there’s no point keeping up old relationships.”

...

“All I know for sure is that I’ll never be conned again. I’m 30 now and, after what I’ve been through. I should know my way around. I get angry with fans, who interrupt my life, even now. I get fed up with the feeling that I was losing my identity, becoming some kind of legend, not a person. And I’m downright angry with the people who keep trying to get me back with the others again.

Interview for Liverpool Echo • Wednesday, December 13, 1972

Quotes from/about John:

1969:

JOHN: The point is, if George leaves, do we want to carry on The Beatles? I do. [inaudible; drowned out by mic feedback] And I’d just get another member of the group and carry on. But if The Beatles split, well, I’ll get another group. [to Paul and Yoko?] I’m a singer not a dancer, baby! Woo-hoo!

January 10th, 1969 (Twickenham Film Studios, London)

MICHAEL: But funny enough, the other day, when we were talking, he said that he really did not want not to be a Beatle. He said he really looked forward – not, you know. Meaning he didn’t want that screwed up.

[T]he Beatles are always discussing, “Should we go on or shouldn’t we? Why are we together for now?” And what it gets down to is I like playing rock n’ roll and I like making rock n’ roll records. Now, I’ve got either the choice— if I want the whole LP to myself — is to get a few musicians together. Now, I know that— I’ve played with other musicians — just very rarely, but occasionally I’ve played with them — and it needs some work together to get anything going. I don’t like session men, so I try not to use them. I don’t like violinists or anything these days. I try not to use anybody but the Beatles. And if I wanted to make a record I’d chose the Beatles! I can say, “Give me a ‘Be Bop A Lula’”. So therefore, we’ve got that going. And even from a commercial point, when we discuss it, “What’s the biggest selling name? Beatles or John Lennon and The Fabs? Or George Harrison and The Fabs?” Which— Where’s our biggest market? It’s Beatles! Who are our closest friends? Beatles! Who do we have the most arguments with? Beatles. So Beatles is it!

John Lennon and Yoko Ono give a series of interviews at the Apple Corps building at 3 Savile Row, London (Friday, 12 September 1969).

JOHN: See they’re growing up too, you know. And uh, we all want Beatles still cause it’s, it’s a big power and it’s good power, you know. And we’ve no intention of splitting it, you know. Any of us. I can’t be specific about it, you know. But obviously, I’m deeply involved with Yoko, it has some…you know, maybe less reliant on the others but so it goes for the others too, you know. That as we’re all sort of branching out. Which we were occasionally all the time, you know. Like I did How I Won The War, I wrote In His Own Write and Paul wrote the music for Family Way, etc. and George went off to India with sitars and that. So it’s only, you know. We nip off and come back and do some work then nip off again, you know.

John and Yoko gave several interviews on September 12, 1969

[Will] The Beatles split up? It just depends how much we all want to record together. I don’t know if I want to record together again. I go off and on it. I really do.”

John Lennon, interview w/ Alan Smith for NME. (December 13th, 1969)

JOHN: I was really losing interest in just doing the Beatles’ bit – and I think we all were – but Paul did a good job in holding us together for a few years while we were sort of undecided about what to do, you know. And I found out what to do, and it didn’t really have to be with the Beatles. It could have been, if they wanted… But uh, it got that I couldn’t wait for them to make up their minds about peace or whatever. About committing themselves. It’s the same as the songs. So I’ve gone ahead – and I’d have liked them to have come along. YORKE: Did you ever try to get them into the peace scene? JOHN: I did a little at first, but I think it was too much like Yoko and me and what we’re doing and trying to get them to come along; and I think they reacted. I hassled them too much, so I’m really leaving them alone. Maybe they’ll come along, wagging their tails behind them, and if not, good luck to them.

John Lennon, interview w/ Ritchie Yorke. (December 23rd, 1969)

“This is why I’ve started with the Plastic Ono and working with Yoko . . . to have more outlet. There isn’t enough outlet for me in the Beatles. The Ono Band is my escape valve. And how important that gets, as compared to the Beatles for me, I’ll have to wait and see.

NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS DECEMBER 13, 1969

1970:

Why do you think he [Paul] has lost interest in Apple? That’s what I want to ask him! We had a heavy scene last year as far as business was concerned and Paul got a bit fed-up with all the effort of business. I think that’s all it is. I hope so.

John Lennon interviewed by Roy Shipston for Disc and Music Echo (February 28, 1970)

John’s view is: “Okay. If this is it, this is it. We’ve all left the Beatles anyway.” If Paul were to approach him and say, “Let’s do it together again,” he probably would; with no more words, he probably would do it.

The Party's Over for the Beatles - written by Derek Taylor

Now even Lennon was prepared to hint at a positive outcome: 'I've no idea if the Beatles will work together again, or not. I never really have. It was always open. If somebody didn't feel like it, that's it! It could be a rebirth or a death. We'll see what it is. It'll probably be a rebirth.'

You Never Give Me Your Money – Peter Doggett

'Eventually,' McCartney recalled, 'I went and said, "I want to leave. You can all get on with Klein and everything, just let me out." Having not spoken to Lennon for several weeks, he sent him a letter that summer, pleading that the former partners 'let each other out of the trap'. As McCartney testified, Lennon 'replied with a photograph of himself and Yoko, with a balloon coming out of his mouth in which was written, "How and Why?" I replied by letter saying, "How by signing a paper which says we hereby dissolve our partnership. Why because there is no partnership." John replied on a card which said, "Get well soon. Get the other signatures and I will think about it.” Communication was at an end. Yet the press continued to believe, fired by hope more than evidence, that it was only a matter of days before the four men healed their wounds. The stories taunted McCartney, who fired off a letter to the prime offender, Melody Maker: 'Dear Mailbag, In order to put out of its misery the limping dog of a news story which has been dragging itself across your pages for the past year, my answer to the question, "Will the Beatles get together again?"...is no.' He had finally pronounced the verdict that was missing from his self-interview in April: the Beatles were no more.

You Never Give Me Your Money – Peter Doggett (note: John is stalling)

For McCartney, and maybe Harrison and Starkey as well, this signified hope. ‘For about three or four months,' he recalled years later, 'George, Ringo and I rang each other to ask, "Well, is this it, then?" It wasn't that the record company had dumped us. It was just a case of: we might get back together again. Nobody quite knew if it was one of John's little flings, and that maybe he was going to feel the pinch in a week's time and say, “I was only kidding.” I think John did kind of leave the door open. He'd said, “I'm pretty much leaving the group, but...” McCartney testified in 1971, ‘I think all of us (except possibly John) expected we would come together again one day.

You Never Give Me Your Money – Peter Doggett

John: George was on the session for Instant Karma, Ringo’s away and Paul’s – I dunno what he’s doing at the moment, I haven’t a clue. Interviewer: When did you last see him? John: Uh, before Toronto. I’ll see him this week actually. If you’re listening, I’m coming round. (Note: as AKOM point out, Toronto was before the divorce meeting. Why is he pretending it never happened?)

Feb 6th 1970 (audio snippet approx 1:14:00)

Interviewer: What about the Beatles all together as a group? John: As soon as they’re ready, you know, we had half the Beatles on again at the Lyceum Ballroom. Uh it was George and me but we also had Delaney and Bonney and 17 piece band we had on, it was a great experience. Uh it should be like that you know, if we were doing that and all the Beatles wanted to come it would be great, and it would be no great thing about ‘oh the Beatles are coming back on stage’ like they expect, sorta of, Buddha and Mohammad to come on and play. I keep saying that, but that’s the fear the Beatles have, including me as a Beatle, about performing. It’s such a great – so much expected of us, you know, but you see George has been on tour with Bonnie and Delaney playing and I’ve been drifting around playing, it’s just playing isn’t the hang up. It’s going on as the Beatles that’s the problem for us.

1970 (audio snippet approx 1:23:00)

Interviewer: Do you care about making another Beatles album? John: I think Beatles is a good communication media you know, and I wouldn’t destroy it out of hand or dissolve it out of hand. So that’s what I think about Beatles.

1970 (audio snippet approx 1:41:00)

Interviewer: Why do you think rumours like this start? John: Because there was a lot of tension around the Allen Klein coming in days and the ATV thing going on, and the Beatles were under a lot of pressure and we had to be together all the time, fighting and arguing and listening to all the different business things. And so we’re taking a break from each other like we always did after a tour end. The business thing is like a heavy tour, in it we may get back in abbey road and a couple of singles and under a great strain you know, doing that business. And so now we’re just taking a break from each other.

1970 (audio snippet approx 1:41:00)

You can’t pin me down because I haven’t got- there’s no- it’s completely open, whether we do it or not. Life is like that, whether I make another Plastic Ono album or Lennon album or anything is open you know, I don’t like to prejudge it. And I have no idea if the Beatles are working together again or not, I never did have, it was always open. If someone didn’t feel like it, that’s it. And maybe if one of us starts it off, the others will all come round and make an album you know.

1970 (audio snippet approx 1:43:00)

In 1964 I produced a book, they were asking me that then, and why should I not write a book? The Beatles wanted me to do it, they wanted me to do these LPs, you know, they have nothing against it – I want George to produce and record any records he wants to. It doesn’t interfere with Beatle time, I use my own time to do other things and so do they. The Beatles will remain, there’s no doubt about that. And we’ve been saying it since She Loves You, we’re together and that’s it.

1970 (audio snippet approx 1:45:00)

I just uh I wanted to do it [announce the breakup] you know, should’ve done it. I think damn, shit, what a fool I was. But there were many pressures at that time, I think Northern Songs and all that was going on, it would’ve upset the whole thing. (Note: again as AKOM point out, the Northern Songs fight ended the day before the divorce meeting. Why would the pressure of Northern Songs impact John's decision not to announce the breakup?)

Lennon Remembers

1971:

INT: I asked Lee Eastman for his view of the split, and what it was that prompted Paul to file suit to dissolve the Beatles' partnership, and he said it was because John asked for a divorce. JOHN: Because I asked for a divorce? That's a childish reason for going into court, isn't it?

John Lennon interviewed by Peter McCabe and Robert Schonfeld at the St. Regis Hotel, September 5, 1971

Well, there was this Japanese monk, and it happened in the last 20 years. He was in love with this big golden temple, y’know, he really dug it, like—and you know he was so in love with it, he burnt it down so that it would never deteriorate. That’s what I did with the Beatles.

John Lennon, interview w/ Alan Smith for NME: At home with the Lennons. (August 7th, 1971)

MCCABE: Let’s talk a bit about Paul’s aversion to Klein. From what we’ve read it seemed as if this wasn’t there in the beginning, even though Paul wanted the Eastmans to run things. But it came on later as things progressed. And yet despite this, we gather that Klein was still hoping that Paul would return to the group. JOHN: Oh, he’d love it if Paul would come back. I think he was hoping he would for years and years. He thought that if he did something, to show Paul that he could do it, Paul would come around. But no chance. I mean, I want him to come out of it, too, you know. He will one day. I give him five years, I’ve said that. In five years he’ll wake up. MCCABE: But Klein is still hoping? JOHN: He said to me, “Would you do it, if we got your immigration thing fixed? Or if we could get rid of the drug conviction?” YOKO: And people don’t understand, you know. There’s so many groups that constantly announce they’re going to split, they’re going to split, and they can announce it every year, and it doesn’t mean they’re going to split. But people don’t understand what an extraordinary position the Beatles are in, you know. In every way. They’re in such an extraordinary position that they’re more insecure than other people. And so Klein thinks he’ll give Paul two years Linda-wise, you know. And John said, “No, Paul treasures things like children, things like that. It will be longer.” And of course, John was right.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono, interview w/ Peter McCabe and Robert Schonfeld. (September, 1971)

It was true, that when the group was touring, their work and social relationships were close, but there had been a lot of arguing, mainly about musical and artistic matters. I suppose Paul and George were the main offenders in this respect, but from time to time we all gave displays of temperament and threatened to ‘walk out’. Of necessity, we developed a pattern for sorting out our differences, by doing what any three of us decided. It sometimes took a long time and sometimes there was deadlock and nothing was done, but generally that was the rule we followed and, until recent events, it worked quite well. Even when we stopped touring, we frequently visited each other’s houses in or near London and personally we were on terms as close as we had ever been. If anything, Paul was the most sociable of us. From our earliest days in Liverpool, George and I, on the one hand, and Paul, on the other, had different musical tastes. Paul preferred ‘pop-type’ music and we preferred what is now called ‘underground’. This may have led to arguments, particularly between Paul and George, but the contrast in our tastes, I am sure, did more good than harm, musically speaking, and contributed to our success. If Paul is trying to break us up because of anything that happened before the Klein–Eastman power struggle, his reasoning does not make sense to me.

John Lennon’s affidavit – From “The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After The Break-Up 1970-2001” by Keith Badman

JOHN: Yeah, Gilbert and Sullivan. I always remember watching the film with Robert Morley and thinking, “We’ll never get to that.” [pause] And we did, which really upset me. But I never really thought we’d be so stupid. But we did. WIGG: What, like splitting like they did? JOHN: Like splitting and arguing, you know, and then they come back, and one’s in a wheelchair twenty years later— YOKO: [laughs] Yes, yes. JOHN: —and all that. [laughs; bleak] I never thought we’d come to that, because I didn’t think we were that stupid. But we were naive enough to let people come between us. And I think that’s what happened. [pause] But it was happening anyway. I don’t mean Yoko, I mean businessmen, you know. All of them.

October, 1971 (St Regis Hotel, New York)

Q: "Did Klein hope to get Paul back into the group?" JOHN: (laughs) "He came up with this plan. He said, "Just ring Paul and say, 'We're recording next Friday, are you coming?' So it nearly happened. Then Paul would have forfeited his right to split by joining us again. But Paul would never, never do it, for anything, and now I would never do it."

St Regis Hotel Interview, September 5th, 1971.

John would say things like, ‘It was rubbish. The Beatles were crap.’ Also, ‘I don’t believe in The Beatles, I don’t believe in Jesus, I don’t believe in God.’ Those were quite hurtful barbs to be flinging around, and I was the person they were being flung at, and it hurt. So, I’m having to read all this stuff, and on the one hand I’m thinking, ‘Oh fuck off, you fucking idiot,’ but on the other hand I’m thinking, ‘Why would you say that? Are you annoyed at me or are you jealous or what?’ And thinking back fifty years later, I still wonder how he must have felt. He’d gone through a lot. His dad disappeared, and then he lost his Uncle George, who was a father figure; his mother; Stuart Sutcliffe; Brian Epstein, another father figure; and now his band. But John had all of those emotions wrapped up in a ball of Lennon. That’s who he was. That was the fascination. I tried. I was sort of answering him here, asking, ‘Does it need to be this hurtful?’ I think this is a good line: ‘Are you afraid, or is it true?’ – meaning, ‘Why is this argument going on? Is it because you’re afraid of something? Are you afraid of the split-up? Are you afraid of my doing something without you? Are you afraid of the consequences of your actions?’ And the little rhyme, ‘Or is it true?’ Are all these hurtful allegations true? This song came out in that kind of mood. It could have been called ‘What the Fuck, Man?’ but I’m not sure we could have gotten away with that then.

Paul McCartney, on “Dear Friend”. In The Lyrics (2021).

Q: “If you got, I don’t know what the right phrase is… ‘back together’ now, what would be the nature of it?” JOHN: “Well, it’s like saying, if you were back in your mother’s womb… I don’t fucking know. What can I answer? It will never happen, so there’s no use contemplating it. Even if I became friends with Paul again, I’d never write with him again. There’s no point. I write with Yoko because she’s in the same room with me.” YOKO: “And we’re living together.” JOHN: “So it’s natural. I was living with Paul then, so I wrote with him. It’s whoever you’re living with. He writes with Linda. He’s living with her. It’s just natural.””

St. Regis Hotel Interview, September 5, 1971

1973:

My last question was inevitable… Any chance of us seeing the four Beatles on a stage or record together again? “There’s always a chance,” grinned John. “As far as I can gather from talking to them all, nobody would mind doing some work together again. There’s no law that says we’re not going to do something together, and no law that says we are. If we did do something I’m sure it wouldn’t be permanent. We’d do it just for that moment. I think we’re closer now than we have been for a long time. I call the split the divorce period and none of us ever thought there’d be a divorce like that. “That’s the way things turned out. We know each other well enough to talk about it.””

John Lennon, interview w/ Chris Charlesworth for Melody Maker. (November 3rd, 1973)

MINTZ: Would you want to initiate that happening? JOHN: Uh… Well, I couldn’t say. [long pause] MINTZ: If you could, I mean is it something you would like to see yourself doing? JOHN: If I could… I don’t know, Elliot, because you know me, I go on instinct. And if the idea hit me tomorrow, you know, I might call them and say, “Come on, let’s do something.” And so I couldn’t really tell you. If it happens, it’ll happen. MINTZ: So it’s not something that you would totally rule out as never taking place again? JOHN: No, no. My memories are now all fond and the wounds are healed. And if we do it, we do it, if we record, we record. I don’t know. As long as we make music.

November 1st/10th, 1973 (Malibu, Los Angeles): For Eyewitness News on KABC TV Los Angeles, Elliot Mintz

1974:

“No, no, no,” he answered and he meant it. “I’m going to be an ex-Beatle for the rest of my life so I might as well enjoy it, and I’m just getting around to being able to stand back and see what happened. A couple of years ago I might have given everybody the impression I hate it all, but that was then. I was talking when I was straight out of therapy and I’d been mentally stripped bare and I just wanted to shoot my mouth off to clear it all away. Now it’s different. “When I slagged off the Beatle thing in the papers, it was like divorce pangs, and me being me it was blast this and fuck that, and it was just like the old days in the Melody Maker, you know, ‘Lennon Blasts Hollies’ on the back page. You know, I’ve always had a bit of a mouth and I’ve got to live up to it. Daily Mirror: ‘Lennon beats up local DJ at Paul’s 21st birthday party’. Then we had that fight Paul and me had through the Melody Maker, but it was a period I had to go through.

John Lennon, interview w/ Ray Coleman for Melody Maker: Lennon – a night in the life. (September 14th, 1974)

John seemed to be in a very strange state of mind about the dissolution. From the hints he had dropped since we had been together, I had learned that John’s departure from the Beatles had essentially been Yoko’s idea. Without Yoko to drive him forward, he felt strangely ambivalent about officially ending the Beatles at that moment. By nature, also, he felt inclined to take a position opposite from that of Paul McCartney. Paul desperately wanted that agreement signed. Whether or not it was the best thing for him to do, John, on principle, was inclined not to want to sign it.

May Pang, Loving John. (1983)

I’ll tell you exactly why I said that. We had a business meeting to break up The Beatles, one of the famous ones that we’d been having — we’re still having them 17 years later, actually. We all flew in to New York specially. George came off his disastrous tour, Ring of flew in and we were at the Plaza for the big final settlement meeting. John was half a mile away at the Dakota and he sent a balloon over with a note that said ‘Listen to this balloon.’ I mean, you’ve got to be pretty cool to handle that kind of stuff. George blew his cool and rang him up: ’You fucking maniac!! You take your fucking dark glasses off and come and look at us, man!!’ and gave him a whole load of that shit. Around the same time at another meeting we had it all settled, and John asked for an extra million pounds at the last minute. So of course that meeting blew up in disarray. Later, when we got a bit friendlier — and from time to time there would be these little stepping-stones of friendship in the Apple sea — I asked him why he’d actually wanted that million and he said, I just wanted cards to play with. It’s absolutely standard business practice. He wanted a couple of jacks to up your pair of nines. He was one great guy, but part of his greatness was that he wasn’t a saint.

Paul McCartney: An Innocent Man? (October, 1986) (note: John is STILL stalling)

At that moment, John was at his most unpredictable. Suddenly his fears that his money was going to be taken away from him, that he was going to be cheated, that he had to have as much money as possible, had all come into play. This was also John’s way of resisting the reality that the Beatles were officially about to come to end, and that Paul was about to prevail.

Loving John, MAY PANG (1983)

1975:

“At the time I was thinking that I didn’t want to do all that Beatles—but now I feel differently. I’ve lost all that negativity about the past and I’d be happy as Larry to do ‘Help’. I���ve just changed completely in two years. I’d do ‘Hey Jude’ and the whole damn show, and I think George will eventually see that. If he doesn’t, that’s cool. That’s the way he wants to be.”

John Lennon, interview w/ Chris Charlesworth for Melody Maker: Rock on! (March 8th, 1975)

1976:

“I’ve always felt that splitting up was a mistake in many ways” John Lennon has said, and he believes a Beatles revival “would undoubtedly produce some great music.”

Australian Woman’s Weekly, 1976

1980:

“I and the other three former Beatles have plans to stage a reunion concert…” (Part of a statement in the legal disposition brought by Apple Corps against the ‘Beatlemania’ stage musical for trademark infringement. John was referring to an event that was to be filmed for a documentary being put together by Neil Aspinall. It was abandoned/shelved after John’s death, but ultimately became the Anthology project)

John Lennon, 1980

“Just days before his brutal death, John was making plans to go to England for a triumphant Beatles reunion. His greatest dream was to recreate the musical magic of the early years with Paul, George and Ringo … (he) felt that they had traveled different paths for long enough. He felt they had grown up and were mature enough to try writing and recording new songs.”

Yoko Ono, quoted in The Beatles: The Dream Is Over - Off The Record 2 by Keith Badman

#the beatles #john lennon #paul mccartney #george harrison #ringo starr #there are absolutely quotes that contradict these (ie paul not wanting the breakup and the others wanting it) but we see those constantly #mclennon #almost forgot to tag them but lbr it's all about them

[deus-ex-mona]

yeah it's them again, ✨izumo edition✨

Aizo: Cheerful and athletic. During their visit to Izumo Shrine, he said “I will definitely become an idol who’ll not lose to anyone else, so please cheer me on.” when he was making his prayers.

Q: What feature(s) of Izumo made the biggest impression on you?

Aizo: It goes without saying that the shrines and temples were impressive, but I also climbed to the top of a lighthouse known as the Hinomisaki Lighthouse. I heard that it’s the tallest lighthouse in Japan, and the view from the observation deck at the top was amazing. You can see the entire Sea of Japan from up there. I hope that everyone would be able to give climbing to the top of the lighthouse a try.

Yujiro: Mild-mannered and polite. During their visit to Izumo Shrine, he said “Thank you for watching over me every day. I’ll continue to devote myself to my work.” when he was making his prayers.

Q: What feature(s) of Izumo made the biggest impression on you?

Yujiro: I guess it’d be Izumo soba, their local delicacy. It’s known as Warigo Soba, and the soba is served in three stacked tiers of round bowls, along with condiments and dipping sauce on the side. It was the first time that I had ever eaten this style of soba, and I found it to be delicious. This style of soba seems to have been perfected back when people started to eat soba as a packed meal. The origin story of the meal was also really interesting to listen to.

The Tourism Ambassadors of Izumo: Up Close and Personal with LIPxLIP!

Congratulations on being appointed as the tourism ambassadors of Izumo! How do you feel about it?

Yujiro: Through this collaboration, I learned that Izumo City has a very deep connection to the history of Japan, with the famous Izumo Shrine and numerous historic shrines and temples being found within the city. As such, I feel that it’s a great honour to have been appointed as the tourism ambassadors of Izumo City.

Aizo: You know, Izumo City is where shito, our producer from HoneyWorks, spent his youth, so I wonder if that connection to him led us to our appointments as its tourism ambassadors thanks to the Matchmaking shrines in the area. I’d like for us to show off the charms of Izumo City to many people as LIPxLIP, its tourism ambassadors.

What are your plans for this collaboration event in Izumo? Also, how did your voice recording go?

Aizo: Starting on the 26th of January, “Izumo Day”, we will commence a digital stamp rally called “Touring Izumo City with LIPxLIP” via an app, which will play our voices as you visit famous spots in Izumo. The recording was a ton of fun too. We learned a lot as we voiced our introductions about each of the featured spots.

Yujiro: There are many stories about places and people that are straight out of Japanese History textbooks, so I think there are things to be enjoyed about the tour, aside from our dialogue. Of course, there are snippets of our personal conversations included in the recordings. Like when I went into a footbath with Aizo. Right, Aizo?

Aizo: You mean that time when you chased me all the way to the edge of the footbath, huh?!

Yujiro: Is that what happened? Ahahaha (laughs).

I heard that the two of you reunited with an unexpected person while you were sightseeing in Shimane, while you were there for a tour?

Aizo: Yup, we did. We bumped into him by chance. His name’s Nagisa. You know about him, don’t you?

Yujiro: Nagisa came to our concert too. I think he became a fan of LIPxLIP too, don’t you?

Aizo: Yeah. He definitely became our fan. No doubt about it.

Yujiro: We’ll confirm it with him when we see him again.

HoneyWorks’s 6th album, which is set to be released in March, will include a recording of the Special Sunny Party (SunnyPa) Live on a bonus disc. You guys performed Shin Jidai for the first time at SunnyPa. How was it?

Aizo: Shin Jidai was a song that our seniors, Full Throttle4, invited us to collaborate on. It felt like a brand new challenge to us, as it was a song that we would not usually get the chance to sing or dance to as LIPxLIP. As such, I got the sense that we were performing it with a rather fresh feeling.

Yujiro: Our seniors were singing and dancing fairly seriously, so we were desperately doing our best so as to not fall behind them. Just like Aizo had said, I, too, felt like we had performed with a fresh feeling. And, through this performance we got to experience a sense of something that we didn’t yet have, which we are hoping that we would be able to apply in our next performance.

Aizo: The Julieta who watched the concert loved it. They said that their hearts pounded when they saw Yujiro acting all aggressively confident, since he doesn’t do that often. Right, Yujiro?

Yujiro: Weren’t there comments about how scary my face looked? I haven’t watched the recording yet, but I wonder if I did alright.

Aizo: They sure were honest, huh (laughs). Please do check out the recording, okay?

During the emcee portion with Full Throttle4 (FT4), you guys imitated each other again, didn’t you? What are your thoughts on FT4’s imitations of you two, and how did you feel about trying to imitate them again?

Aizo: Let’s not talk about the imitations! We were just swept up in FT4’s bad vibes, really. We didn’t even agree to do that beforehand, and yet they suddenly sprung it on us… 

Yujiro: That's the one thing I wish they’d stop asking us to do. It’s embarrassing, regardless of whether we succeed or fail at imitating them, and it’ll destroy LIPxLIP’s image, you know? (laughs)

Aizo: Wait, don’t tell me that emcee portion was recorded too?

Yujiro: It seems to be so.

Aizo: Seriously…? I wonder if it’ll appeal to our Julieta, though…

Lastly, LIPxLIP, please give a message to your Julieta who support you!

Yujiro: We’re truly happy to have been granted the opportunity to bring happiness to all of you Julieta, right from the start of the year, in the form of our collaboration with Izumo City. I’d like us to continue to expand the scope of our activities as LIPxLIP and meet lots of you along the way, Julieta.

Aizo: This year has only just begun, and I hope to make it a fun year with all of you Julieta. Please look forward to seeing a different and more mature LIPxLIP as compared to how we were like last year. See y’all around, Julieta!

Yujiro: See ya!

Yujiro: I’d like us to expand the scope of our activities as LIPxLIP and meet lots of you along the way, Julieta.

Aizo: I'll be really happy if our feelings of gratitude to our Julieta have been conveyed properly.

#aighttttt goodbye lxl im not tling any more of your nonsense for the rest of the month im all lxl-ed out #ngl i had to stop and rewatch the shinjidai performance for a bit bc of how they were describing it #y e a h it still isn't as cool as how they're making it seem here lmaoooooooo #but with each passing second of watching the vid... i found myself thinking with increasing certainty that... #...dai moved just like one of those wacky inflatable arm tube men in that dance i m s o r r y #anyways it's midnight so im queuing this for a more reasonable time of day goodbyeeeeeeeeee #染BODY ONCE TOLD ME— #lxl tl things

[foryouwereinmysong]

Do you think John and Paul ever saw each other again after ‘76? Or even talked on the phone? I know Paul says they did but every so often doubt creeps in and I start wondering if Paul isn’t just making up stories to convince himself that they were still friends. Your thoughts?

Thank you for the ask! It made me look back at John's last interviews and some of Paul's earliest after the murder. I don't think Paul made up the phone calls, because he has been consistent in talking about them since the early 80s. In his interviews shortly after John's death he talks about it quite detailed and I don't think he would make something like this up. For other speculations about their last meeting I found this great blogspot post: https://mccartnet.blogspot.com/2012/04/when-was-lennon-and-mccartneys-last.html

What I do wonder is, if they maybe saw each other for the last time in 1978. John mentions in 1980 he thinks that the "turning Paul away incident" was like 2 years ago and Geoffrey Giuliano claims that John, Yoko, Paul and Linda went to see the movie "Pretty Baby" together, which was released in April 1978. (The lost Lennon diaries) - but people say he's not a reliable source... But maybe John didn't turn Paul away the day after the SNL evening (24th of April 1976), but after the movie night? But then again Sean was already a toddler in 1978...

WELL if somebody did more research on this, I would love to know, but I'll end it here, because I think in the end there won't be a really satisfying answer. And maybe the important part is that the love they had for each other never went away either way.

(Newsweek, 1982, by Jim Miller)  Q: "Did you see much of him before he died?"

PAUL: "I saw him quite a bit. Always, the problem was talking business. Whenever we got into business, we got into an argument. It wasn't a pleasant framework for a relationship. When Sean (John and Yoko's son) was first born, I visited him a few times at the Dakota (Lennon's apartment house in New York). And then it had gone snotty. I used to turn up without calling him. One time, he got annoyed with me. He said, 'Well, look, man... Why do you just keep turning up here and surprise us? Why don't you just call first?' And I took that the wrong way. After that, I don't think I did see him. I phoned a few times. As long as we were talking about family, about life, it was good. The last time I spoke to him, I got off the phone and it felt like old friends again. I've talked to Yoko since then, and she's said to me, 'You know, he really was quite fond of you.' I think we were pretty close. But, sometimes, with brothers, you argue. They can be the most intense arguments, too."

(Playboy, 1984, by Joan Goodman) PLAYBOY: "Do you remember your last conversation with John?"

PAUL: "Yes. That is a nice thing, a consoling factor for me, because I do feel it was sad that we never actually sat down and straightened our differences out. But fortunately for me, the last phone conversation I ever had with him was really great, and we didn't have any kind of blowup. It could have easily been one of the other phone calls, when we blew up at each other and slammed the phone down."

PLAYBOY: "Do you remember what you talked about?"

PAUL: "It was just a very happy conversation about his family, my family. Enjoying his life very much; Sean was a very big part of it. And thinking about getting on with his career. I remember he said, 'Oh, God, I'm like Aunt Mimi, padding round here in me dressing gown' ...robe, as he called it, cuz he was picking up the American vernacular... 'feeding the cats in me robe and cooking and putting a cup of tea on. This housewife wants a career!' It was that time for him. He was about to launch Double Fantasy."

(Playboy, September 1980, by David Sheff) PLAYBOY: "Aside from the millions you've been offered for a reunion concert, how did you feel about producer Lorne Michaels' generous offer of $3200 for appearing together on 'Saturday Night Live' a few years ago?"

LENNON: "Oh, yeah. Paul and I were together watching that show. He was visiting us at our place in the Dakota. We were watching it and almost went down to the studio, just as a gag. We nearly got into a cab, but we were actually too tired."

PLAYBOY: "How did you and Paul happen to be watching TV together?"

LENNON: "That was a period when Paul just kept turning up at our door with a guitar. I would let him in, but finally I said to him, 'Please call before you come over. It's not 1956 and turning up at the door isn't the same anymore. You know, just give me a ring.' He was upset by that, but I didn't mean it badly. I just meant that I was taking care of a baby all day and some guy turns up at the door... But, anyway, back on that night, he and Linda walked in and he and I were just sitting there, watching the show, and we went, 'Ha-ha, wouldn't it be funny if we went down?' but we didn't."

PLAYBOY: "Was that the last time you saw Paul?"

LENNON: "Yes, but I didn't mean it like that." (Newsweek, 29th of September 1980, by Barbara Graustark) Q: "Paul McCartney's theory is that you became a recluse because you'd done everything - but be yourself."

JOHN: "What the hell does that mean? Paul didn't know what I was doing - he was as curious as everyone else. It's ten years since I really communicated with him. I know as much about him as he does about me, which is zilch. About two years ago, he turned up at the door. I said, 'Look, do you mind ringin' first? I've just had a hard day with the baby. I'm worn out and you're walkin' in with a damn guitar!"

#john and paul #picking interviews apart #last mclennon meeting #dakota that damned place #mclennon #the beatles #john lennon interview #paul mccartney interview

[night-market-if]

When the game to be released, I really want to play it and my patience is running thin, please......😢😭

While I doubt you mean this in a negative way, I am going to give a bit of insight into this.

Each chapter, just to read through, edit and code, takes me 8 to 10 hours to do. Chapter 1 and 2 actually took me 15 hours each.

On top of that, I monthly put out 5 short stories for patreon, a Q & A, and lore posts. While also doing personalized stories for my upper tiers. All of those take me 2 hours to write and some change to edit.

Then, for the base game, I am also writing a good amount of new content which I have to then code into the game. Each interlude takes me about a day to write and another day to edit.

I also need to code in a completely new interface for the game so I can include some new reading options. I need to do a coding overhaul because I knew nothing about coding when I started, and I have to rewrite 6 NSFW scenes, all of which have several variations to it which makes it more like reading and editing 24 scenes.

I also am only able to work two days a week.

That being said, I am also a mother of four. Two of those children are incredibly young. My time for writing is often found when my husband has a day off work. We have no help to watch them otherwise.

It's going to take some time, my friend. I am hopeful that I can work through it all at a faster clip due to my own desire to see it done, but comments like this are rarely helpful. They are not inspiring and in fact, add to the pressure of doing something I am supposed to love. Feeling like I am letting someone down rarely gives me a desire to work hard. Again, I don't think you meant this in a negative context but I do think it is important for people to know what they are asking of someone when they send in asks like this.

#the night market #interactive fiction #answering your asks #writing #editing

[therealmsdelulu]

girlie!!! what about cleaning up/helping Jonah when he is sick or injured?

Doc McStuffins

Summary: 2 drabbles, one is of reader patching up Jonah after he gets hurt doing a stunt and the 2nd is of reader nursing Jonah back to health when he catches the flu.

Warnings: Mentions of injury (nothing graphic just a small cut).

A/N: Super sweet and short.

THE FIRST TIME

Jonah was filming the multiple stunts on the boat. Considering how wet everything was it was no surprise that he slipped and hurt himself. Which is how you found yourself with Jonah sitting on the bathroom counter and you carefully examining his face.

You frowned as you noticed the cut above his eyebrow. He noticed you worried expression and grabbed your hand and gave it a soft kiss as reassurance.

“I’m okay, I promise,” he told you as you looked for some neosporin, alcohol, q tips and bandaids.

“Let me know if I hurt you,” you told him as you put some alcohol on a Q-tip and gently cleaned the wound. You heard him wince quietly and whispered an apology before placing a kiss on his cheek. You put some neosporin on the cut before placing a spongebob bandaid over it.

“Thank you sweetheart,” he said as he got down from the counter and gave you a quick kiss on the lips.

“You’re welcome,” you said and placed a kiss to his forehead.

“How come you’re so good at this?” he asked curiously looking at the spongebob bandaid in the mirror. “You must watch a lot of Grey’s Anatomy,” he suggested.

“Nope,” you said, “Doc McStuffin’s,"

“Should I call you Doctor Y/N from now on,” he joked.

“Depends on how much you plan on being a patient,” you teased subtely making fun of his clumsiness.

“I plan on it often if I get to recieve kisses from the nurse,” he said smiling at you and kissing your cheek before saying goodbye and returning to rehearsals.

THE SECOND TIME

You had got a call from Jonah saying he didn’t feel too well so being the amazing partner that you are, you immediately got in your car and drove to his house.

You let yourself in with the key that he gave you a few months ago not wanting to knock and wake him up. You made your way into the kitchen placing down the soup and medicine that you had brought over.

You quickly noticed Jonah lying on the couch and smiled to yourself before walking over to the couch and kneeling down in front of it in order to place a kiss to his forehead. He slowly woke up and you smiled softly.

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” you whispered and gently carresed his face.

“It’s okay,” he said as he slowly sat up.

“Did you take anything?” you asked and he shook his head before you touched his forehead with the back of your hand. It was no doubt that he had a fever. You began to get up and head to the kitchen but Jonah grabbed your hand and pulled you back towards him.

“I don’t want you to leave,” Jonah whined and you laughed quietly.

“I’ll be right back, just going to get you some medicine,” you told him and he released your hand.

You came back and sat next to him handing him a Tylenol and glass of water. You placed an ice cold rag on his forehead in hopes to reduce his fever.

MINI TIME SKIP

You were snuggled up on the couch with Jonah gently rubbing his back as he lie his head on your chest. He began to fall asleep and you smiled softly looking down at him.

“Stoppp,” he whined and moved your hand from off of his back.

“What’s wrong,” you asked amused.

“I don’t want to fall asleep,” he said and you laughed quietly.

“You need to rest baby,” you argued before gently rubbing his back again. You smiled to yourself when you heard him scoff in protest but he eventually began to fall asleep.

“I love you,” you whispered placing a gentle kiss to his temple.

“I love you too,” he mumbled before he dozed off.

#jonah hauer king x reader #jonah hauer king #jonah hauer king fanfiction #jonah hauer king x y/n #jonah hauer king fluff

[rumalumasuns]

Living in a Fairy Tale

What would you do or say to the person you love? Choose a quote and get a fairytale. It's as simple as that.

I do hope you enjoy your journey~

! - All works are purely fictional, and are fanfictions! All vtubers used do not belong to me (obviously - they're from the Nijisanji company!). All fairy tales and stories mentioned do not belong to me either lol. Also release times are all in PST!

𝙸𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚎𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐

"Each day I love you more, today more than yesterday, and less than tomorrow" (Rosemonde Gerard) - With Shu Yamino (Shu Yamino - release 1/16/23)

"I love you for all that you are, all that you have been, and all that you will be" (unknown) - With Alban Knox (Alban Knox - release 1/24/23)

𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝙰𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎

"I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect, and I loved you even more." (Angelita Lim) - With Ver Vermillion (Ver Vermillion - Coming Soon~!)

"You're the first boy I ever kissed, and I want you to be the last" (unknown) - With Ike Eveland (Ike Eveland - release after Hiatus)

"To the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you are the world" (Dr. Seuss) - With Ren Zotto (Ren Zotto - release after Hiatus)

𝚂𝚝𝚞𝚌𝚔 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚋𝚢𝚜𝚜…𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐

"You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known - and even that is an understatement" (F. Scott Fitzgerald) - With Uki Violeta (Uki Violeta - release 3/16/23)

"You're not just another person, you're the love of my life" (unknown) - With Yugo Asuma (Yugo Asuma - release after Hiatus)

"I choose you. And I'll choose you over and over and over. Without pause, without a doubt, in a heartbeat. I'll keep choosing you" (unknown) - With Sonny Brisko (Sonny Brisko - Coming Soon~!)

"When you love someone, you love the person as they are, and not as you'd like them to be" (Leo Tolstoy) - With Fulgur Ovid (Fulgur Ovid - release after Hiatus)

𝙸'𝚖 𝚜𝚘 𝙻𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚢 𝙸𝚗 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎

"That's what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you're not so lovable." (Deb Caletti) - With Vox Akuma (Vox Akuma - release April)

"Lots of people want to ride with you in a limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down" (Oprah Winfrey) - With Luca Kaneshiro (Luca Kaneshiro - release after Hiatus)

" I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone" (J.R.R Tolkein)- With Aster Arcadia (Aster Arcadia - release after Hiatus)

"Respect yourself, love yourself, because there has never been a person like you and there never will be again" (Osho) - With Kyo Kaneko (Kyo Kaneko - release after Hiatus)

𝙱𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚈𝚘𝚞

"We accept the love we think we deserve." (Stephen Chbosky) - With Hex Haywire (Hex Haywire - release after Hiatus)

"'I trust you' is a better compliment than 'I love you', because you may not always trust the person you love, but you can always love the person you trust" (unknown) - With Mysta Rias (Mysta Rias - release after Hiatus)

"I love you, and I'll love you until I die, and if there's a life after that, I'll love you then." (Cassandra Clare) - With Doppio Dropscythe (Doppio Dropscythe - release after Hiatus)

𝙼𝚢 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎, 𝙼𝚢 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚘

"I promise to handle your heart with care and treasure it with love." (Mr. Senti) - With Vezalius Bandage (Vezalius Bandage - release after Hiatus)

"I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I'm with you." (Elizabeth Barrett Browning) - With Vantacrow Bringer (Vantacrow Bringer - release after hiatus)

"You had me at 'hello'." (Jerry Maguire) - With Yu Q. Wilson (Yu Q. Wilson - release after hiatus)

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚛

"Love starts as a feeling, but to continue is a choice; and I find myself choosing you more and more every day." (Justin Welch) - With Claude Clawmark (Claude Clawmark - release after hiatus)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The End~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you enjoyed your journey! Come back sometime <3

#nijisanji en #nijisanji boys #nijisanji x reader #luxiem x reader #noctyx x reader #iluna x reader #xsoleil x reader #nijisanji en boys #nijisanji en boys x reader

[rhaenerystargaryen]

rhaenyra targaryen nsfw alphabet

pairing: rhaenyra targaryen x gn!reader

synopsis: learn more about the realm's delight with her nsfw alphabet.

warnings: nsfw content

wc: 772

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

rhaenyra loves to cuddle up next to you after the two of you finish. she spends her time pressed up against you, hands wrapped tightly around your frame.

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

hers: arms, she loves using them to pick you up.

yours: neck/collarbone area, she's always marking it up to show people who you belong to.

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)

i can't see her being too crazy about cum, but she gets a certain joy from seeing your face when you cum from her works.

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

wants to do something risky dragon-riding

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

rhaenyra definitely has had some experience. she knows what she wants and there is no doubt she'll cater to your every need. whether you need a sweet release after a hard day or just some cuddles, she's happy to provide.

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

loves when you straddle her. it makes it easier for her to pull your hair back and do some damage on your neck.

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

we all saw how she was playing with ser cr*ston--rhaenyra will definitely keep the mood light and free.

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

her hair is light and sparse (i mean look at her icy white hair), but she does not care if you have hair down there or not.

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

every moment with rhaenyra is intimate. she goes out of her way to make sure you feel comfortable and special no matter the circumstances.

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

she definitely indulges in a bit of self-pleasure from time to time, but only when she can't get to you.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

exhibitionism, voyeurism, praise, queen kink (??), possessiveness

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

the castle is so big you two could do it anywhere (and you most definitely have), but the place near the weirwood tree will always win.

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

standing up to any authority, seeing you ride a dragon, sword fighting, literally anything!! (you could wear a sack and she would still be attracted you)

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

mommy kink

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

she's an oral god 100%, no arguments.

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

depends on the situation. she can be fast when you two are in the halls playing out her exhibitionism kink, or slow when you two have the time.

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

quickies are always welcome since rhaenyra is usually busy carrying the targaryen legacy on her back.

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

your whole relationship is a risk, but rhaenyra will stop at nothing to be with you. the riskiest (non-sexual) thing you've done is ride syrax with her.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

max is 2 rounds. she gets tired easily.

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

not opposed to toys, but rhaenyra prefers to use her hands and mouth to please you.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

will tease you just to spite you. that fighting turns into a steamy makeout session that leads to something else.

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

if there was prize for the prettiest moans, rhaenyra would win. loud queen!!

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

wants to try doing it on the iron throne.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

she's well built under those dresses. dragon riding truly builds the body.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

when she misses you, it sky-rockets. however, when the two of you are together...who am i kidding, this girl is always horny for you.

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

rhaenyra is almost, if not always, the first to fall asleep.

#rhaenyra #queen rhaenyra #rhaenyra x reader #princess rhaenyra #daemon #daemon targaryen #alicent targaryen #alicent hightower #viserys i #viserys #targaryen #house targaryen #house of the dragon #hotd #game of thrones #got #asoiaf #asoif/got #daemon prince #milly alcock #matt smith #the house of the dragon #house of the dragon spoilers #house of dragons #rhaenyra targaryen fluff #rhaenyra targaryen x reader #rhaenyra targaryen smut

[doomandgloomfromthetomb]

Sonic Youth - CBC Studio Q & Massey Hall, Toronto, Ontario, June 30, 2009

Holy schizophrenia, Batman — we're in the homestretch of our #SonicSummer trip, which began way back in May of this year. Here we join Sonic Youth on tour promoting The Eternal, their final studio album (of "songs" anyway). It's a strong LP with some interesting fresh wrinkles — more group vocals, hard-hitting grooves and that rarest of rare things, a Lee Ranaldo-centric single. But when I want to revisit these songs, I head for the live stuff — specifically the officially released Berlin show. It smokes!

This day in Toronto smokes, too, kicking off with a unique Lee/Thurston duo situation in CBC's Studio Q. (A little content warning — the host here is Jian Ghomeshi, who would later be exposed as a total creep.) "Unplugged" maybe but far from folkie. After that, Sonic Youth hit the venerable Massey Hall for an Eternal-heavy set, the band sounding very energized by the new material. Highlights include a rip-roaring "Calming The Snake" and a beautifully extended "Massage The History," a great showcase for Kim Gordon's more-hushed vocal stylings.

Things close out with that aforementioned Lee-led "What We Know" — a totally sweet ride across the great divide that would've no doubt been a live standard if the band had lasted longer — and "Death Valley 69," Sonic Youth spiraling into the heart of darkness one more time. Hit it!

#sonic youth #sonicsummer

[mollywall-e]

Chapter Two of Whitestone Is For Lovers (inspired by the NYCC Q&A)

Imogen’s a bit distracted throughout the meeting with the rulers of Whitestone, if she’s being honest. It all passes in a blur of band-and-forth bickering and sullen faces, resigned sighs and frantic planning, but it seems to have gone well enough. As well as it can, given the circumstances.

All too soon, Imogen finds herself in a rapidly emptying chamber. Her companions begin filing out of the room: Laudna and Chetney muttering to each other animatedly, no doubt trying to convince FCG to participate in their next thrill-seeking venture; Ashton trying (and failing) to pick Fearne’s pocket without being noticed while she eyes the ornamental weapons adorning the chamber walls.

Orym lingers behind, fixing Imogen with a curious glance. Summoning what she hopes can pass as a confident smile, Imogen flashes him a thumbs up and nods towards the door. Orym hesitates, but nods solemnly, falling into step with Keyleth as she trails the rest of the group. The door shuts behind them with a final click.

Turning away from the door, Imogen spots the Lord and Lady talking amongst themselves at the head of the table, surrounded by a handful of guards. Huffing a deep breath, Imogen approaches. They don’t seem to notice her arrival, at first, entirely consumed by their own conversation. She coughs pointedly.

“Ah, apologies.” The Lord of Whitestone clears his throat, more of a nervous habit than a productive cough. He squints his eyes a bit. “Miss Temult, is it?”

“Imogen, yeah.”

“Well, Imogen.” His voice drips with a self-important boredom. Imogen’s fists clench reflexively as he continues, “Do you have urgent business you wish to discuss?”

“I’ve just got a question." Imogen glances away from Percival’s pointed stare, eyes falling onto the Lady, sitting regally in the seat beside him. The Lady catches her gaze, with eyes so familiar but not quite right. Just a shade too light, not round enough. Maintaining eye contact with Vex’ahlia, Imogen continues, “More of a request, really.”

“Very well, go on.” Percival replies gruffly.

Imogen glances between the Lord and Lady, shifting under their scrutinizing gaze.

Vex’ahlia’s face flickers, growing soft for a moment as she chimes in, “Darling, I believe I can take care of this.” She places a hand on Percival’s.

Percival glances between his wife and Imogen. “Yes, very well.” He begins to rise from his chair, dusting imaginary dust off of his perfectly pressed pants. “Should you need me, you know where to find me, dear.”

The Lord leaves the room, trailed by a pair of guards. The Lady watches him depart. When the door closes behind him, she turns back to Imogen.

“Right, then,” Vex’ahlia motions with her hands. “Do go on.”

“Thank you, Lady Vex’ahlia.” Imogen exhales, fists unfurling at her sides. “It’s about Laudna.”

Vex’ahlia nods solemnly.

“It’s nothing like last time, I swear,” Imogen rushes to explain. “It’s just - As I’m sure you can understand, she’s got a lot of…bad memories associated with this place. Her home.”

Vex’ahlia’s face pales ever so subtly. Imogen resists the urge to start pacing, but she can’t keep her hands still, wildly gesturing as she continues her plea.

“I just - While we’re here, I wanted to - I want to try and help - ”

“Imogen.”

Smooth hands grab hers, stilling their frantic motions. Vex’ahlia, now risen from her chair, gives Imogen’s hands a gentle squeeze before releasing them, arms drifting back to her sides.

“You and your companions are honored guests of Whitestone.” The Lady fixes Imogen with a pointed look. “Your friend, Laudna, is a daughter of Whitestone, one who is owed a great deal. One I owe a great deal. Whatever it is that you require, you need only ask, dear.” Vex’ahlia pauses, face scrunching in a way that belies her regality. “Within reason, of course.”

Read the rest and the previous chapter here

#imodna fic #cr fic #my fic #imodna #southern gothic #a wild vex’ahlia appears

[alpaca-clouds]

Anime movies and those straight teenagers...

It's Saturday and that means I am rambling about some anime topic, right?

So, let me talk about something that has to do with anime movies. Especially those big movies that usually get attention in the west. Those that actually do have a budget and marketing and what not.

They are... so darn straight. And that in a way I personally just kinda find cringe.

Okay, let me prephase this with one thing: I never got into teenager romances. Not even when I was a teenager myself. Sure, this also was because I am aromantic no doubt. But also because of one thing I personally just learned: Teenage romances tend to be overdramatic - and most of the time they do not last.

And sure, yeah. There are teenage romances that last. Obviously. I have a friend from highschool who got together with his girlfriend when they were 16. First ever relationship for both. He is now 35. Still married. Two kids. That does happen.

But it is not the norm. Most teenage romances burn bright, but burn out fast. And that is okay. Absolutely okay.

But... it kinda makes me so annoyed about those big ass anime movies that most of the time will definitely focus around some teenage romance in the center. This is less true for Ghibli, but if you look at Makoto Shinkai and half those newer anime movie releases produced through Netflix, it is definitely true.

Someone on YouTube (I do not know who) once put it so nice: "And then in the big finale like always with those movies we have that teenage boy and the teenage girl and they are dramatically running towards each others!"

And yeah, that is kinda the thing.

I have talked before about how I do not like Makoto Shinkai movies that much. Like, they are BEAUTIFUL and visually stunning. But most of them - to me - are ruined through the romances, that just... do not really work.

Because they kinda do the thing that is so usual for all sorts of media... But kinda make it worse because of the characters being teens. That is the idea that a male and a female characters cannot exist around each other and NOT fall in love.

And it is just this typical hetero- and allonormative worldview.

And I know, I know... Shinkai actually wanted to create a lesbian romance in Suzume and just did not get allowed to do that. So, yeah, it is maybe not even his fault there. Or the fault of the other creators.

But man... I just wished those movies, that often have like really strong hooks, ended up having a finale that does not somehow involve that teen girl and teen boy dramatically running towards each other.

But it without romance. Or be it, like... gay romance. Stuff like that. Something different. Just once. Just... Please. I cannot deal with this teen heteronormativity anymore. Q-Q

#anime movie #anime #heteronormativity #give me gay anime movies #or some not featuring teenagers #allonormativity #why always romance? #queer #lgbtq #aromantic