ೃ⁀➷ dating benny weir

let me just say this before anything else: HE IS WHIPPED FOR U

he thinks ur the greatest thing since video games

constantly looking at you

sometimes people call him out on it and then he's like "oh no!! not in a creepy way!! im her boyfriend!!" and then he gets all giddy because he's like "i'm her boyfriend!!!!"

he likes it when u sit on his lap <3 not in a dirty way ofc he just likes being able to wrap his arms around u & look up at u <3

ur camera roll is mostly him. like stupid pictures of him

he rarely uses instagram other than liking ur posts, commenting on ur posts, and posting you <3 he's only ever posted five pictures and theyre of you. and one of ethan looking really stupid asleep

has that kind of "only *I* can bully my partner"

yeahhhh he makes fun of you

but its all light hearted

if you get hurt by one of his comments please for the love of god tell him. he would hate to know that you've been hurt by one of his jokes and that your bottling it up

hes kind of a bad listener when you vent to him but he's really good at cuddles and hugs <3

calls you things like babe, angel, sweetheart, baby

half of the nicknames are said jokingly ("did you miss me, sweetheart?" kinda vibes) but theres always a touch of sincereness <3

uses his magic sparingly around you?? actually??

like he sometimes does little spells. like pulling a bouquet of flowers out of his pocket, filling you up a glass of water, simple things like that.

but never big things. and he never, EVER, tries new spells on you or around you because he doesnt ever wanna risk you getting hurt

he loooooves youuuuuuuuuuu :(

Our Year (Eddie Munson x Black Fem y/n)

Okaaayyyy, sooo, hi 👋🏾 it’s been five fucking ever since I’ve written anything on this page. But I love this story so much and I missed writing for a new fandom. So, before you guys read on, I have to mention that I’ll be moving this fic onto AO3. I’m also going to making y/n into an OC (still black of course) so if you enjoy this fic, feel free to read it over there and get to know Alissa Porter!

“Look, they’re leaving.” Michaela giggled.

“Aawww, did we do that?” Liz added, with a mocking chuckle.

“Guys, that wasn’t cool.” Chrissy replied.

“God, Chrissy, you’re such a drag tonight.” Michaela rolled her eyes. “Where is your sense of fun?”

“Where’s yours?” Chrissy snapped back. “We were supposed to be having girls night out and we’ve spent the entire night worried about y/n and Eddie. Can we just watch the rest of the movie, please?”

The rest of the girls fell silent in the wake of Chrissy’s outburst until finally Frenchie replied: “Fine, geez. No need to spaz out over it.”

The girls fell silent, turning their attention to the screen rather than argue back with Chrissy. Lucky thing too, because Chrissy was finally able to relax for the first time all night as they enjoyed the movie. An hour later, the movie was over and the night was still young.

“It’s only 10:30, what do you guys wanna do now?” Liz asked.

“We could always call up the guys and see if there’s a party going on.” Michaela suggested.

“Liz, aren’t your parents out?” Chrissy quizzed. “Why don’t we have The Team over for a get together?” She suggested.

“No way, remember how close we cut it last time when my parents told me they were coming home early?” Lizzie steered her station wagon into the procession of cars leaving the drive-in. “Let’s do Frenchie’s place.”

“Oh, so I get in trouble?” Frenchie exclaimed.

As they exited the parking lot, a loud fizzing sound caught Chrissy’s attention. Before any of the girls could figure out what was happening, Liz’s windshield was splattered with coke and soggy napkins.

The girls screamed as Liz slammed on the brakes, sending everyone lurching forward.

Tires screeched against concrete as the culprit sped away, but the perpetrators were far from anonymous as Eddie’s voice yelled from the distance.

“That’s for my tapes, you cheer cunts!”

“Oh. My. GOD!” Lizzie screamed.

“Those freaks!”

Chrissy’s mouth dropped. She hadn’t thought Eddie or y/n would have that in them.

“Now, should we just ignore them, Chrissy?” Liz turned to her, angrily. “Those freaks ruined my car.”

“They didn’t ruin your car, Liz.” Chrissy replied, rolling her eyes. “We got them and they got us back. Let’s just get to your place and hose it off before it gets sticky.”

“Fine.” Liz grumbled. “But this isn’t over. Especially not with The Freak’s bride.”

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

“I can’t believe we did that!” You laughed as the two of you drove away.

“Your aim and timing was perfect, babe.” Eddie laughed.

“Yeah, but I have a feeling I’m gonna be dealing with the consequences come next practice.”

“Not if I have anything to say about it.” Eddie scowled.

“Oh no, Eddie please don’t start any trouble.”

“I’m not starting it, I’m finishing it. If those cheer cunts wanna come after you, I’ll be ready.”

“I can take care of myself, babe, don’t worry. You should be worried about those hoop heads coming after you after that stunt. Especially Jason.”

“I’m not worried. Jason’s scared of me. Has been since I kicked his ass in the locker room that time and definitely since everyone thinks I’m a devil worshipping magic man.” He wiggled his fingers at you, playfully.

“Wait, you fought him before?” You gawked.

“Oh yeah, Sophomore year. His sophomore year that is. He and his hoop head friends were talking shit about me being behind in my grade so I told him to say it to my face. He did, and I put him in a headlock. Body slammed him and everything. He’s only come at me twice since. I’ll admit, he definitely holds his own better since bulking up from basketball, but he’s never beat me in a fight.”

“Woooah! What!” You exclaimed, shocked by Eddie’s revelation. “Let me find out I’m dating a secret bad boy. Since when was my lover boy a fighter?”

Eddie shot you a sidelong smile that almost turned you on as much as learning about his hidden fighting skills.

“Hey, you learn a few things when your dickhead of a dad was a former jock. Anyway, his buddies keep his ass kicking under wraps, but they know the truth.“

You could only stare at your boyfriend’s unassuming profile as he stared ahead wearing a soft smile. As if kicking Jason Carver’s ass was a fond memory. His big, brown eyes were so soft and boyish and his smile was adorably innocent. Never would you have imagined a soul as gentle as Eddie’s could be capable of that kind of violence.

He took his eyes off the road for a split second to glance at you.

“Y/n? What’s up?”

“I can’t stop imagining you body slamming Jason Carver.” You shook your head. “That’s really fucking hot.”

Eddie chuckled.

“And here I thought you weren’t like the other girls who only liked bad boys.”

“I’m not,” you replied stroking his thigh,“but a good guy with a secret bad boy streak is a turn on.”

Eddie shifted in his seat as your hand inched closer to his crotch.

“Oh yeah?” His voice cracked.

“Yeah.” You giggled back. “And we never got to finish what we started at the movie…”

Eddie bit his lip.

“The night’s still young.” He eyed you back. “Wanna go back to my place?”

“Duh.” You smirked

“Alright ladies, let’s welcome our newest Hawkins High Tigerettes!” Coach Stacy clapped. She was a peppy forty something Asian woman with a valley girl accent and her ever perky attitude was both annoying and endearing.

You ignored the glares of Liz Rawlins and Michaela Washington as your fellow cheer sisters clapped along to welcome you and the six other new girls on the team. Once that was over, Coach Stacy continued.

“Now, we have a lot of work to do to prepare for the upcoming season, starting with a new cheer and chant. So, I want my veterans to help out the newbies as much as possible. The faster we can get through these new cheers the faster we can get to our stunt routines! Captains, let’s get started.”

Chrissy and Liz stepped forward all bright smiles to lead you guys in your stretches. So far so good. Most of the head cheerleaders hated your guts, but at least with an adult present they wouldn’t try to do anything about it.

Or so you thought. As Coach Stacy began to show you guys the moves for the new routine, you found yourself getting tripped, poked, and “accidentally” punched in the arm as the girls found their formation. It was clear, the core four, Chrissy, Michaela, Frenchie, and Liz had already spread the news that you were the team punching bag.

“Y/n, is everything ok?” Stacy asked, her brows wrinkled. “You seem a little off.”

“I’m fine coach, but the girls in my line are a little too close to me. I keep tripping. Maybe if I stepped forward on three instead, I could avoid their fists and feet.”

You demonstrated the step differently and Stacy nodded.

“Hmm, you might be on to something, y/n. We’ll try it your way on that count. Keep showing initiative like that, and you could be captain.” She winked.

Coach Stacy might’ve been impressed but your squad mates were anything but as they glared at you. Whatever. They were lucky you didn’t snitch on them.

Eventually, the girls gave up trying to get your goat in practice and things started running smoothly. Finally, it was time for your first ten minute break.

Coach Stacy exited the gym to make a call while the other girls gathered on the bleachers. Except for you. You headed for the exit, only to be intercepted by Frenchie, Liz, and Michaela.

Your heart revved with adrenaline, but your straightened and crossed your arms to stare them down.

“May I help you ladies?”

“You sure can.” Liz replied. “You can start by cleaning my car, Freakella.”

“Excuse you?”

“You heard her.” Frenchie cut in. “We know it was you and your shaggy dog of a boyfriend who trashed Liz’s car on Saturday.”

“And I know it was you three stooges who trashed my boyfriend’s on Saturday. So, as I see it, we got even. Now, if you’ll excuse me I need water.” You shoved Lizzie out of the way. “I’m exhausted from carrying this team on my back for the past half hour.”

The girls gasped as you pushed past them.

“Bitch.”

“Who does she think she is?”

You heard them whisper as you entered the half empty halls. The only people left at this time of the day were a few students in clubs, a handful of teachers, and the janitors.

You found the nearest water fountain and took your time hydrating. At that moment a wolf whistle piped up from behind you.

You whipped around to see your boyfriend’s sweet grin.

“Lookin’ good in that skirt, future captain.”

“Eddie!” You exclaimed, immediately running into his arms.

Eddie picked you up off your feet, holding you tight. After being picked on for the last thirty minutes straight, his warm comforting frame was such a relief. He smelled like his favorite cheap cologne and weed.

“What are you doing here?” You asked as he lowered you to the floor, never releasing your waist.

“Gotta make sure my little minions get home in one peace. They got AV club today.”

“Oh, the freshies you adopted?” You giggled, referring to the nerdy group of boys that Eddie had taken under his wing. Lucas, Dustin, and Mike were sweet, smart, misunderstood kids, and you loved how brotherly Eddie was with them.

“Yeah, my little protégés in training. You know some of these douchey upperclassmen can’t wait to pick on the fresh meat.” He rolled his eyes. “Cowards. Anyway, how’s practice going?”

“It’s… going…” You sighed.

“Yeah?” Eddie’s probing brown eyes took in your expression. “I know it’s going, y/n, is it going well or is it going bad is what I’m asked.”

“The core four are kinda out for my head right now.”

“Do I have to come in there?” Eddie frowned.

“No, don’t just… be here to walk me out when it finishes. It’ll be over in another half hour.”

“As the lady wishes.” Eddie booped your nose. “The kiddos should be done by then too.”

“Cool. Well, I gotta get back in, babe. See in a minute.”

Eddie kissed your forehead gently before letting you back into the gym.

The rest of practice went well enough, but it dawned on you that if these girls were trying their hardest to hurt you during the regular cheers and chants they could really hurt you during the stunt routines.

Shit. How were you going to navigate that?

As you guys started doing your last rundown of the choreography Coach Stacy taught you, the door cracked open and in walked Eddie.

He shot you a smile and a wave and you returned the gesture. That was when you heard the whispers start out. Before you could tell them to say it to your face, the door opened a second time and Jason entered followed by two of his fellow teammates.

Oh fuck.

You thought as your eyes darted to Eddie. You silently begged him to not engage with those assholes if they started shit. With fifteen minutes to go in practice, there was nothing you could do except hope the boys stayed in their own corners until it was over.

Soul Eater Head cannons lol

1: Maka is a role-player. (This is mostly because Laura Bailey her voice actress is a major role-player) oddly enough her characters tend to be magic users because playing a heroic witch just fills her.

2: Maka drinks Dr Pepper mainly because she happened to randomly leave Tsugumi one at the top of the stairs in Soul Eater Not. Which fills my day because I fucking love Dr Pepper.

3: Soul loves and hates Billy Joel. He loves the guy's music and everything but he knows for a fact that everyone sees him as their Piano Man and it annoys him.

4: Kid has both OCD and OCPD because he shows signs of both disabilities.

5: I've stated this before but I'm 99 percent sure that Excalibur plays everything he does up because he doesn't want anyone to wield him. Hiro passed everything and when it was basically long enough for the sword to know enough of the kid he suddenly was dealing with a sneeze fit.

6: Blair ships Maka and Soul which is why she goes out of her way to flirt with Soul just to make Maka angry. She thinks it's proof that Maka has feelings.

7: Ragnarök is overprotective of Crona like an older sibling. The whole "I'm allowed to pick on them as long as I want. But if someone else does it I'm going for their heads."

8: Blackstar is the glue to the group. He has formed a bond with at least everyone in some way. If he got hurt their will be an army of angry people wanting to revenge him.

9: Kid and Monica from Friends are soul siblings and you can't tell me otherwise. Like I see Kid having a vacuum for his vacuum in case he needed to vacuum his vacuum.

10: The Group watch bad horror movies together to play their own home version of Mystery Science Theater. However Kid mostly gets annoyed and fumes over the movies while everyone else makes jokes.

11: Soul and Liz share music playlists and songs on Spotify. Or the Soul Eater version of it. Like Skullify.

12: Sid plays father figure to all the orphans that join the DWMA. Possibly because he was one and knows how it feels to not have a parent in one's life.

13: Kid has a list of mother figures. Which he's honored and annoyed by.

14: Hiro had a weapon partner but they got injured and or went home which is why he's looked at as the worst meister because he hasn't done any missions sense joining the E.A.T. classes.

Walking Sam [modern cryptid/urban legend]

A slender, pitch-black figure appears to troubled teenagers and kids and convinces them to kill themselves: it sounds like a great premise for a horror movie. The story of ‘Walking Sam’ is often claimed to be an ancient Native American myth but I believe it is actually a modern, 21st century urban legend.

Around 2015, a drastic sudden increase in suicides was reported in the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, USA. An internet creepypasta quickly emerged and spread on social media sites, speaking of ‘Walking Sam’: a mysterious spirit who appears to young people as an abnormally thin and tall figure and drives them to suicide. This enigmatic creature is usually portrayed without a face and with the hanged corpses of his victims dangling from his spread arms. Sometimes these corpses are replaced with the glowing souls of the victims instead, implying that the monster collects souls for some sinister purpose. ‘Walking Sam’ is almost always depicted wearing a dapper top hat. In some versions, he is a black skeleton rather than a skinny humanoid figure.

Also called ‘the Tall Man’ or ‘the Tall Man Spirit’, this creature is supposedly an ancient Native American legend, which drove me to read up on local mythology and religious stories. I found no such link, except for one statement by John Yellow Bird Steele – president of the Oglala tribe of Native Americans – that there is indeed a belief among the Oglala people about a suicide spirit. The character of ‘Walking Sam’, however, seems to be created by the internet (in fact, I believe this urban legend was influenced by Slenderman, a vaguely similar character from modern urban legends/creepypastas).

While the story of Walking Sam may be more sensational, research from SAMSHA (the American Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) points to a decidedly less magical cause: depression, mental conditions and a lack of accessible mental health services are to blame along with the discrimination and racism that many Oglala people still have to deal with.

As a closing statement: if you are struggling with suicidal thoughts please contact your country’s suicide hotline. Magical suicide spirits are not real but your struggles are, you are valid and deserve help.  

Sources: Bosma, J., 2015, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Struggles with Suicides Among its Young, The New York Times, USA. Marty, M. E., 2015, Sioux Suicides, University of Chicago Divinity School. Pember, M. A., 2010, Native Americans Combat the Suicide Spirit, Diverse. (image source: Liz Anna Mae on Twitter)

I mean its a little bit that the most powerful witches were the White ones. It's very much related to how the Original Vampires were all White and went so far as to seed fake lore and myths around the world in other cultures to hide it. That just made these lame ass family ridiculously important. Its a really gross Eurocentric view of history

You're not wrong in any regard.

I probably could have worded my response to that ask a little better, but as someone who is a big fan of witches and magic users within this genre, I like all the characters that get to utilize their craft. And it's, like you said, very Eurocentric when it comes to everything supernatural related on that show.

The fact that the Originals were presented in place of the Old Ones from the books, who dated back the Bronze Age or even earlier, but now are a barely 1000 years old Viking Family. It's the fact that before that backstory was given we had the Aztec and Roman references to the Sun & Moon Curse, only to have it be an elaborate prank by the Mikaelsons so that Klaus could feel more like a man.

To circle back the witch aspect because I feel like I'm rambling, I stand by what I said before. I don't dislike characters like Davina or Liz and Luke Parker for their ability to be incredibly powerful witches. Given how overpowered even the weakest vampire on this show is, it's nice to see witches (and werewolves) flex their power to even the playing field, even if only briefly.

When it comes to Bonnie, she was allowed to he powerful, but then was IMMEDIATELY humbled afterward so as not to upstage the white characters. I would argue that Bonnie was actually the most powerful witch we had in this universe (though admittedly, I never watched any of Legacies so I don't know about the Tribrid - god I hate that word). And obviously, yes, this was because of the racism of the showrunners and the writers, whether intentional or not, but it still burns all these years later.

Ultimately, this all comes down to Plec & Co. watering down the source material so that they could make it more palatable for people who were just tuning in for the love triangle and relationship drama, a staple of The CW. And I'm not saying that like the books were these literary masterpieces, because they weren't, but st least thought had gone into those, whereas the show was just "how do we make this the most simple version we possibly can so that we can get back to the drama?"

Michael Sheen’s Best Roles Show Why He’s a National Treasure

After his rallying cry to the Welsh football team, and now a part in the newly announced Wagatha Christie drama, we celebrate the roles that have made Michael Sheen such a beloved actor.

Michael Sheen recently went viral for an epic ‘pre-match’ speech to the Welsh football team on A League of Their Own – so much so that he was actually invited to address the Welsh World Cup squad for real – but anyone who’s seen a Michael Sheen role won’t have been remotely surprised he had such a rousing monologue in him.

The man has range, charisma, and an extraordinary talent for channelling the characteristics of real people without resorting to impersonation. He’s also clearly game for anything, as the news he’ll be playing Coleen Rooney’s lawyer in Channel 4’s newly announced courtroom drama Vardy v Rooney shows. Here’s our pick of Sheen’s best on-screen performances to date:

Quiz

Throughout his career, Sheen has been unmatched in his terrifyingly accurate depictions of real-life figures, and his portrayal of Chris Tarrant in this ITV drama about the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? cheating scandal is the epitome of his talent in this area. Uncanny to the point of actual witchcraft, it’s easy to spend the whole three episodes so mesmerised by Sheen’s genius that you forget about Matthew Macfadyen’s coughing Major altogether.

The Damned United

You’d think it would be tricky to stand out in a film when you’re alongside acting greats like Jim Broadbent, Stephen Graham and Timothy Spall, but The Damned United gives Sheen one of his finest roles as controversial football manager Brian Clough. Another spot-on example of capturing the essence of a well-known personality, we see the story of Clough’s tumultuous 44-day reign as manager of Leeds United in 1974, including – as you can see above – a pre-match address that doesn’t quite have the same magic as his recent one.

Good Omens

When Sheen met Tennant in this on-screen adaptation of the Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett novel, something truly magical happened. Good Omens is a comic delight with an all-star cast including Miranda Richardson, Jon Hamm, Daniel Mays and Anna Maxwell Martin, but the show’s real USP is the exceptional partnership between Michael Sheen and David Tennant as angel Aziraphale and demon Crowley respectively. Want news of season two? Read our report from the Good Omens NY Comic Con panel.

Frost/Nixon

A razor-sharp portrayal of the infamous interviews in 1977, Frost/Nixon sees Sheen taking on the role of legendary broadcaster David Frost, an undertaking that he yet again nails with breathtaking accuracy without resorting to mimicry. This is one of Sheen’s greatest performances, and yet he somewhat criminally missed out on any major Best Actor nominations thanks to his co-star Frank Langella’s extraordinary portrayal of President Nixon (Langella was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe).

Staged

If there’s one upside to the global pandemic, it’s Staged. David Tennant and Michael Sheen reunited as an epic double-act in this satirical lockdown comedy, playing self-mocking fictional versions of themselves as they rehearse a play over Zoom. It’s a rare opportunity to see them playing alongside their real-life wives, Georgia Tennant and Anna Lundberg, who expertly and comically manage their spouses’ fragile egos and childish bickering. There are also jaw-dropping cameos from the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Judi Dench and Samuel L Jackson. 

Twilight: New Moon

An appearance in the Twilight movies might seem a bit left-field for Michael Sheen, but the man’s got range. He plays Aro, the leader of an ancient Italian vampire coven. His role isn’t the most meaty of his career, but it shows that he can play just about any genre, somehow even including a vampire-themed fantasy romance mainly aimed at teenage girls. And, yet again, he gets to do a pretty rousing speech.

30 Rock

The delightfully ridiculous (and amusingly named) role of Wesley Snipes is one of Liz Lemon’s ill-fated love interests over the course of four episodes. Deeply irritating, contrary and full of disdain for Liz, you’d think Wesley would be completely unlikeable, and yet the hilarious back-and-forth between the couple is richly funny and Sheen plays his role to comic perfection. It’s worth watching for the perfect delivery of the line ‘I can’t suffer through the London Olympics – we’re not prepared, Liz’ alone.

The Queen

Michael Sheen has portrayed former British Prime Minister Tony Blair on no fewer than three occasions in his career. The first was in movie The Deal, the most recent in TV movie The Special Relationship, but his best-known and arguably best portrayal of Blair is in The Queen. Close your eyes, and you’d have no trouble believing you were listening to the real deal – but please don’t actually close your eyes, or you’ll miss out on his spot-on and often very comical physical tics and expressions, too.

Passengers 

Sheen takes on a supporting role in this sci-fi romance movie starring Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence, playing a sophisticated and erudite android bartender called Arthur. Passengers may not have been a hit with the critics, but Sheen is a scene-stealing highlight every time he’s on screen.

Masters of Sex

His portrayal of Dr. William Masters in this American period drama earned Sheen a Golden Globes nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series. Often as seductive as the name suggests, Masters of Sex tells the partially true stories of two pioneering researchers of human sexuality during the 1950s, and ran for four series until it was cancelled in 2016. Sheen stars alongside Lizzie Caplan, and the two have an electric partnership, both earning critical acclaim. And yes, as you’ll see in the clip above, Michael Sheen gets to do another pretty good speech.

Prodigal Son: Playing an unnervingly charming serial killer is a new direction for Sheen, and he takes on Dr. Martin Whitley with pizzazz, adding disarming comedy to the two series of this thriller.

The Good Fight: Roland Blum is a riot of a character, allowing Sheen to shine as an outrageous, no-filter lawyer that is equal parts hilarious and terrifying.

Underworld: This action horror film sees Sheen take on the role of Lucian, the leader of the Lycans, and he later also starred in the film’s prequel Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.

Doctor Who: Sheen’s voice only made a very brief appearance during Matt Smith’s reign, as a malevolent entity called House in The Doctor’s Wife, an episode penned by none other than Neil Gaiman.

Written by:

Laura Vickers-Green

Source

Spider-Man Home Turf: My Pitch for Tom Holland's Next Spider-Man Movie

With the success of the original trilogy and a promise of 9 films in total, another Tom Holland Spider-Man film is imminent.

Although the writers strike is still going on (PAY YOUR WRITERS DISNEY), currently the next Spider-Man film is in early development and slated for 2025. That will likely be pushed back, but the idea of Spider-Man 4 is incredibly intriguing.

This film is not only a continuation of Peter's story, but a restart for him as well. There's a lot of potential for new characters, new story, and a different version of Spidey than what came before.

I have a pitch, one that takes whats great about Watts original trilogy, and I think brings Peter to a place we've never seen him go in live action.

This is not a script, just more so a general idea for the movie. I do have ideas for characters and casting though!

*Spoilers for the MCU in general and all Spider-Man movies*

Let's start with what I love about Watts trilogy:

Something/Someone New Everytime

Whether you love or hate these movies, one must admit every film felt different than what came before. Whether it was the John Hughes high school element, a road trip through Europe, or a multiversal magic finale, none of the films felt like Webbs or Raimis, but something fresh instead.

With the exception of No Way Home, the movies also focused on villains we had not seen before. Vulture, Mysterio, Shocker, The Thinker, all classic villains that never got their time in the light. I like that trend, and want to continue it.

The Mentor

One of the fun things about these movies for me is Peter gets a mentor to match his internal problem at hand. The best part is the mentor is usually kind of bad at it, leading Peter to come to his own conclusions and move beyond them to become an even better hero.

The character needs to make sense in the context of the story, be flawed, and most importantly, connected to the MCU in a way we've seen before.

Love Story

I like all the Peter/MJ & Peter/Liz stuff in all the movies. With MJ and Ned gone now, we're gonna want a new character for Peter to fall for. Again, I'd prefer someone we have never seen before, who can become a fan favorite in their own right.

With all that out of the way, here is the idea:

Peter Parker, now struggling to find any joy in his normal life, spends most of his time fighting crime as your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. He will be in the suit for most of the movie, completely neglecting his normal life, as he feels there is nothing for him there.

Because there are not as many big world ending threats or villains to fight, in order to fill up his life, he has begun taking out portions of the mysterious Kingpins operations, to the dismay of Wilson Fisk.

Kingpin will be one of our main villains of the movie. In this film, Fisk will have secondary goons The Tinkerer, who you may remember from Spider-Man Homecoming, creating gear for his men:

And an enforcer, a menace hoping to one day take on even more power than he already has, Hammerhead.

Hammerhead is a brawler, who can be conniving and slimey. I want someone likable but borderline annoying. Someone who can trade blows and quips and really have some fun against Spider-Man.

Personally, I think who better than Saul Goodman himself Bob Odenkirk, but I'll leaving casting up to someone else.

After a huge fight with Hammerhead and Fisk goons, Spider-Man will be approached by a vigilante he has never seen before.

Enter the mentor. What character better to warn Peter of the dangers of balancing the vigilante life than Matt Murdock?

Unlike mentors before, Daredevil will actually be an extremely positive force for Peter. He will show him the value of balance and the danger of going too into the darkness of being a vigilante.

Daredevil will warn Spider-Man that messing with organized crime without understanding it leads to a power vacuum and desperation, which leads to more danger for civilians. Peter will not listen, which will lead to our actual big bad of the film:

Mr Negative.

Martin Li will be a young newer type of crime boss. With his inexperience will come chaos, and with his power will come war.

I do not have a casting for him, as I feel this character should be a new Chinese actor. Someone relatively young and menacing.

He is joined by his gang the Inner Demons, who will be former members of the Hand who needed a leader when the five fingers fell, and his right hand man and enforcer, The Scorpion.

Some may forget, this character was introduced in Spider-Man Homecoming played by Michael Mando, which I love immensely. I want him geared up, in the suit, using that seem fierce energy he had in his post credit scene.

Seeking to gain financially from the commotion of this gang war will be cat burglar Felicia Hardy.

If Matt is the angel on Peter's shoulder, Felicia will be the Devil on Spideys.

Felicia will also be escaping her past through her persona of The Black Cat, and will serve as temptation for Spider-Man to leave Peter Parker behind.

While she is trying to convince him to move on and just be Spider-Man, Black Cat does have Peter's best interest at heart. I want a flawed but good person here, who will round out team Spidey.

I'd like an actress who maybe feels a tad older than Peter.

My mind jumps to Anya Taylor Joy, but I'm open to suggestions.

Throughout the film, Peter will learn about balance from both Black Cat and Daredevil, how the criminal organizations came to power, and how to properly take them down to save New York.

And with all that comes the pitch:

While trying to clean up the streets Peter Parker accidentally opens the door to a gang war between super powered Mr. Negative and the dangerous Kingpin, leaving the streets of New York desperate for a hero. With the help of new allies Daredevil and the Black Cat, Spider-Man must learn what it takes to save his city.

Spider-Man Home Turf would put Peter at the center of gang war, (something we've never seen), fighting alongside Daredevil (a new mentor), and with a love interest not for Peter but for Spider-Man (a new and different love story).

It would also keep Peter in New York, something the Watts movies did not do enough of, and at the center of the best parts of the Netflix Marvel universe.

It's big enough to feel like Spider-Man, and small enough to be the start of something new.

I think Spider-Man can benefit from a smaller start. Seeing Spidey fighting on the streets of New York is all a fan really wants.

But as long as it's not the clone saga, I will be happy.

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A Collection Of Rare Jeff Buckley Tracks

This is a collection of tracks that I find to contain a certain magic. Some of these showcase guitar and vocal abilites he never cared to show off, and some of them are just amazing in their delivery. You will also find some of the thought to be unreleased tracks in this section.

Ace of Spades

All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun (Jeff and Liz Frazier) All Flowers In Time Bend Towards the Sun (Lambchops Version) Catnip Dream

Dido's Lament - Meltdown Festival

Early Guitar Lesson Play-along (Louie, Louie) Edna Frau

Forget Her - (Alt Take)

I Know We Could Be Happy - (Alt Take)

I Woke Up In A Strange Place

Land of the Giants Theme

Let's Bomb the Moonlight

Mojo Pin (Chocolate Mix)

Moodswing Whiskey (Live)

Musicial Chairs

No One Must Find You Here Opened Once (Instrumental) Ozark Melody River of Dope She Is Free

Squeakor Sky Blue Skin Ullalume Untitled (The Man I Am)

What Will You Say (Glastonbury Festival) What Will You Say (Live Acoustic) What Will You Say (Live in Frankfurt, Germany, 1995) When My Love Comes Down When The Levee Breaks

Christmas Album Concept for Ariana

Album Concept

The Holiday Hotel - Ariana Grande

Holiday Special directed by Mike White

Plot: Ariana arrives to a magical hotel to discover many secrets of Christmas.

Celebrity Cameos: Jennifer Coolidge, Miley Cyrus, Liz Gillies, Avan Jogia, Matt Bennet, Cynthia Erivo, Victoria Monet, Andrea Bocelli, Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Manzel, Jeff Goldblum, The Weeknd, Doja Cat, & Justin Bieber

Tracklist:

1. Holiday Hymns ft Andrea Bocelli

2. I’ll Be Away for Christmas ft Justin Bieber

3. Dazzling

4. Santa Baby ft Liz Gillies (remastered)

5. Holiday (Madonna Sample)

6. I Hope This Christmas….(Dreams Come True)

7. Chill in the Air ft The Weeknd

8. One Night Before Christmas

9. Red Man ft Doja Cat & Cynthia Erivo

10. True Love (Extended Version)

11. Merry Christmas (I Love U)

12. This is What Christmas is All About

Bonus Tracks

14. Wishful Thinking

15. Santa Tell Me (Remastered)

16. The Coldest Night ft Miley Cyrus & Mark Ronson

Moodboard

I was tagged by @girlbosscrawley (hi, liz!) to share 10 movies that I love. I can rant a bit, so I will challenge myself to sum up why I chose these movies in one (1) sentence. We’ll see how it goes.

Pride and Prejudice (2005): perfect comfort film because it takes an indisputable fact - men are morons - BUT mixes it with the ultimate fantasy of said men not only realizing their moronic status, but taking active steps to acknowledge and remedy their ills.

Little Women (2019): I left the theatre almost in tears after seeing this  because it was the first time I felt like I had seen myself - the entirety of myself - onscreen.

Beauty and the Beast (2017): I went to see this in theatres five times so I could get high on popcorn and the cathartic release of watching all the servants die miserable deaths, then - poof! they’re alive again and everyone lives happily ever after SO you get to cry like a baby with no consequences.

Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994): I watched this one recently - just over Christmas vacation - and my sister and I were just dying laughing the whole time at the sheer delight of 90s era Hugh Grant running around London in a state of unorganized adorable panic.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002): Listen: I have a stormy, storied relationship with the star war, but nothing will ever match the impact the alleged “cringe” romance of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala had on my pre-teen self and it still SLAPS.

Sleepless in Seattle (1993): My aunt introduced me to this one while I was staying with her last year, and I was absolutely fascinated, not only by the fact that Tom Hanks was not always an old man, and in fact, once considered Hot, but how despite the leads barely interacting throughout the film, when they meet at the end, the magic and romance and the sense of a happy ending is undeniable and just pooling off the screen and making you, the viewer, feel all fuzzy inside. This is no longer just one sentence, but I have to say, it made no damn sense, but it was magical.

Frozen (2013): It was a game-changer for a reason, I do not care if this is cringe, Frozen (2013) slaps and I was obsessed with it for most of my teenage years and I proudly walked into Theatre Royal Drurry Lane and took my seat surrounded by five-year-olds to watch the musical version in London last November.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009): The slapping soundtrack, the warm brown autumnal colour palate, the Pacific Northwest setting, the depression, the slow-burn, the yearning, the conflict, the angst, the love triangle, the offensively topless Robert Pattinson: this movie has it all: argue with the wall.

My Policeman (2022): I watched this instead of going out for fireworks on Guy Fawkes Day for I was sick (probably with covid, but I digress) and I felt that it was true, intelligent cinema that tricked my emotions and made me completely rethink everything after a Twist Was Revealed, which is what Art should do, methinks.

Sleeping Beauty (1959): The animation style, the score...I would watch this every day when I was four years old and I still maintain that I had taste.

Edit: I was so proud of myself for remembering not only ten movies, but ten movies I enjoyed, I forgot to tag anyone so 1) oops and 2) @sophisticatedswifts @thievesandtraitors @flixls @taylaswift @chiara-swiftiedreamer13 @cmc-things

Life has been super busy/chaotic lately, but I am so excited to see Becca and Hayley’s relationship out in the open. I kept up with the rumors for a long time and just recently, back around January, started listening to Scrubbing In. BT and HK seem like such sweethearts and I can’t wait for Hayley’s appearance on the podcast to hear her side of the story! I’m so happy for them and the fact that Becca is finally at peace with going public and understands the magnitude of that kind of representation. I also really feel single rn…

In Taylor world, I’m going to clown that we’ll get “Sparks Fly (Taylor’s Version)” on May 27th:

Mainly because it’s Liz’s birthday, so I’d love to see “Sparks Fly (TV)” on Friday for Tayliz crack theory reasons.

I would also be okay with “Let’s Go (Battle)” featuring Liz… (their voices together are magical and “Better Man” was practically a feature and I wish it had been credited as such, imo). What a perfect birthday gift for an old friend that would be…

Also, apparently some people think Taylor will make a cameo on Grey’s Thursday night. I’m not holding my breath on that one… (I haven’t watched Grey’s since my 2 favorite characters, Arizona and April, were written off the show and probably won’t watch it this week). That would be a good time to generate more buzz and drop a single, though… just saying.

With how things have been lately, I’ve given up on actually making/believing any “realistic” predictions about any Taylor-related projects… so why not dream big with it…

Radio NET Bulgaria (November 09, 2022)

23:56 GREGG KARUKAS - Napa Road 23:51 PETER WHITE - Together Again 23:45 CHRIS STANDRING - Liquid Soul 23:40 JIM ADKINS - So Far so Good 23:36 RICHARD ELLIOT - Still Sweet On You 23:32 NORMAN BROWN - Remember The Time 23:27 BLAIR BRYANT - Catamaran 23:24 THE SAX PACK - Sooner Or Later 23:20 KEN NAVARRO - Lost And Found 23:16 NILS - I Like the Way You Do It 23:12 PAUL BROWN - Mind Games 23:07 NICK COLIONNE - Nico's Ride 23:03 NICHOLAS COLE - In It to Win It 23:00 DARREN MOTAMEDY - I'll Give You What You Want 22:59 MEDINA - You & I (DJ Petroff Remix) 22:52 ANTURAGE - Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough (Original Mix) 22:48 MOORYC - Communication Breakdown 22:44 THE UNDERGROUND PROJECT - Summer Jam (Ivan Tretyakov ReChill) 22:40 DEEP DIVE CORP., RICOLOOP - Enjoy The Silence 22:36 NUERA - Breathing (Chillout Mix) 22:31 NADIA ALI - Fantasy (Original Mix) 22:25 TIESTO - I Will Be Here (Syntheticsax Ft. LiTa & R.I.J. Project Remix) 22:22 FILIPE NARCISO - Forbidden Love (Original Mix) 22:19 MOKITA - Monopoly (Acoustic Version) 22:16 JAVAH, STACEY MCCLEAN - You And Me (Damien Chillout) 22:10 AQUASCAPE - Sunrise 22:06 TYDI, TANIA ZYGAR - The Moment It Breaks (Original Mix) 22:02 THE UNDERDOG PROJECT - Summer Jam (Unplugged) 21:59 ARTENOVUM - When You Fall Asleep (Slow Coach Mix) 21:55 YURI KANE - Right Back (Chillout Mix) 21:51 WILDBOYZ, AMEERAH - The Sound Of Missing You (Tj's Candlelight Mix) 21:47 LIVING ROOM - Teneriffe 07 21:42 BLUE STAHLI - Corner (Ad Astra Remix) 21:38 INERTIA - Get Higher (Antares Chill Mix) 21:35 INGO HERRMANN - Cumulus 21:28 LAB OF MUSIC - Angel Vibes (Original Mix) 21:23 LIZ KAY - Castles In The Sky (Kenny Hayes Nitelite Mix) 21:17 YANNI - One Man's Dream (Hi-Res Audio, 4K-Ultra-HD) Ledovskiy Valeriy Remix 21:13 MRDISCLAIMER, MILA ZHAVROVA - Evening Sun 21:07 MY 7SKY - Time moment has stopped (original mix) 21:03 SHIBUMI - Gemini Love (Kinobe Remix) 20:56 VECHIGEN - No Fear (Summer Vibes Chill Mix) 20:48 EUPHONIC TRAVELLER - Crescent bay (original mix) 20:44 SIRENS OF LESBOS - I Got New Feelings (Pablo Nouvelle Remix) 20:41 MAXIGROOVE - Alone (Wellski ) 20:35 LOUNGAHOLIC - Careless Whisper 20:30 CIARA, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - Love Sex Magic (Chillout Mix) 20:25 JOHN O'CALLAGHAN, LO-FI SUGAR - Never Fade Away 20:20 DANITY KANE - Stay With Me (Van Immortal Remix) 20:15 JAMES BRIGHT, HELEN WALFORD - Time 20:12 SAJE - Lost Tonight 20:09 KOSMOPOLITANS, ATHENA ROUTSI - I Belong To You 20:05 BOB SINCLAR - World Hold On (Acoustic Version) 20:02 MARIO BASANOV VIDIS, JAZZU - Give It A Try 19:58 BON JOVI - It's My Life (Piano Version) 19:55 TINA COUSINS - Wonderful Life (Ballad Version) 19:51 SUSANA, DARK MATTERS - Sleepless Ocean (Extended Mix) 19:47 MARKUS GARDEWEG, MICHAEL FEINER - Fairplay (Let There Be Love) (Ambient Mix) 19:44 STONEBRIDGE - Don't Matter (Album Mix) 19:39 MARC PUIG, MARIA COLLADO - To Forget Me 19:35 NURKO, AUTREY - So Far Gone 19:30 FEINT - Clockwork Hearts (Fetch Remix) 19:24 ARCADO FEAT. ALLA MOON - One Day (Zetandel Chill Remix) 19:19 INUSA DAWUDA - Dreamily 19:12 AMBITUS - Answers 19:08 KEVIN SUNRAY - Stories Untold feat Gaia Barbero (Acoustic Dubstep Mix) 19:05 ETRO ANIME - Let It Go 19:03 CNBK - Burning skies (acoustic version) 18:57 LUDOVICO EINAUDI - Nuvole Bianche 18:50 JOHN DAHLBACK - Everywhere (D.O.N.S. vs. Tranquillo chill mix) 18:47 THE LIGHTNESS PROJECT, NICK FERA - Beautiful Dream 18:39 TARAS BAZEEV - Western 18:35 T.A.T.U - Show me love (Zetandel chill rmx) 18:30 YULIET TOPAZ - Frozen 18:26 HI-GATE - I Can Hear Voices (Chilled Mix) 18:23 SWEET EUPHONY - After We Close Our Eyes (Chillout Version) 18:17 SYNTHETICSAX - Beach (Dj Rostej Remix Chillout Dreams) 18:13 IGOR PUMPHONIA - Air (Original Mix) 18:07 INDIGO SUN - You Don't Fool Me (Tango Cafe Mix) 18:01 BOBINA, BETSIE LARKIN - You Belong To Me (El Gambrero Remix) 17:57 BOYCHILD, SOUNDMOUSE - Counting What Ifs (Original Mix) 17:53 MANDEL TURNER - Come Into My Life 17:48 MANDALAY - Beautiful (7'' Canny Mix) 17:45 DJ SALAMANDRA - I want it all (Dj Alatiz Remix) 17:41 MAZELONOSTRA - Twilight Room (Spanish Edit) 17:38 MAX STONE - Love Is... (W&D Chill Out Mix) 17:35 DJ PAULBASS, DJ GORODNEV & P.KOLVINKOVSKY - Call Me (Lounge Mix) 17:31 AURORA - Where Would You Go When It Starts To Rain (Original Mix) 17:27 MARGA SOL - Love Dust 17:23 DMITRY FILATOV - Sunlight (Incognet Chill Out Mix, English Version) 17:18 NAOKI KENJI - Maripri 17:12 YOGEE, TWEET, MISSY ELLIOT - Thugman (Lounge Remix 2011) 17:06 LIFE AUDIENCE - Vanilla 17:00 NIGHT, FUNKAGENDA - Shogun (Mark Knight & Funkagenda's Average House Band Remix) 16:56 VINCENT INGALA - Baby I'm Hooked (Right Into Your Love) 16:52 RANDY SCOTT - Daydreams 16:48 RICK HABANA - Round We Go 16:44 ADAM HAWLEY - Anytime At All 16:39 CHRIS GODBER - Escuchame 16:34 BONEY JAMES - Seduction 16:30 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - Flowin' with It 16:25 ROCCO VENTRELLA - I Receive Your Love (instrumental) 16:20 LOUIE FITZGERALD - Peace I Leave with You 16:16 JULIAN VAUGHN - Romance The Rain 16:11 TIM BOWMAN - Light of Love 16:07 DARREN RAHN - Into the Light 16:04 PEET PROJECT - Bipolar 16:00 MARION MEADOWS - Don't Wait Up 15:56 STEVE OLIVER - World Citizen 15:51 DAVE KOZ - Still Got It 15:47 AL DEGREGORIS - Resolutions 15:42 ROB TARDIK - Smoothy (feat. Davor Jordanovski) 15:38 KIM WATERS - Sumthin' Sumthin' 15:31 EUGE GROOVE - Rain Down On Me 15:25 JOYCE COOLING - Mildred's Attraction 15:21 PATRICK YANDALL - Your Satisfaction 15:17 THREESTYLE - Ready to Go 15:12 KIM SCOTT - The Look Of Love 15:08 JEFF KASHIWA - August Nights 15:04 ZOLBERT - Focus 15:00 TONY SAUNDERS - Push 14:57 WAYMAN TISDALE - Shape of Your Heart (feat. Jeff Lorber) 14:52 JACKIEM JOYNER - Big Step (feat. Gerald Albright) 14:48 MARCUS ANDERSON - Let's Groove 14:43 GREGG KARUKAS - Relentless 14:38 PETER WHITE - Another Rainy Day 14:34 CHRIS STANDRING - No Two Ways About It 14:30 JIM ADKINS - Straight Ahead 14:27 SAM BASSMAN JENKINS - After Hours 14:22 RICHARD ELLIOT - Moon Gazer 14:18 NORMAN BROWN - The King Is Here 14:13 BLAIR BRYANT - Footsteps in the Dark 14:09 THE SAX PACK - Shine On 14:04 KEN NAVARRO - Parallel Lives 14:00 NILS - Trip Me 13:56 PAUL BROWN - The Rhythm Method 13:52 NICK COLIONNE - Say What's on Your Mind 13:48 NICHOLAS COLE - Please Don't Say No (feat. Tim Bowman) 13:43 DARREN MOTAMEDY - This Love 13:40 VINCENT INGALA - This Time Baby 13:36 RANDY SCOTT - Mellow Flow 13:31 RICK HABANA - Paradise 13:26 ADAM HAWLEY - Shake 13:22 BEN TANKARD - Passionfruit 13:17 CHRIS GODBER - Chips 'n' Salsa 13:08 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - Pride and Joy 13:04 ROCCO VENTRELLA - Keep in Touch 13:00 LOUIE FITZGERALD - Stars of Light 12:58 JULIAN VAUGHN - Over & Over 12:53 TIM BOWMAN - Table for Two 12:48 DARREN RAHN - D 12:45 PEET PROJECT - On My Way 12:41 MARION MEADOWS - The Thrill of Rain 12:35 STEVE OLIVER - Visions Of Light 12:31 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - Let's Do It 12:25 DAVE KOZ - Careless Whisper (feat. Montell Jordan) 12:20 AL DEGREGORIS - The Other Night 12:16 ROB TARDIK - Get Up 12:07 KIM WATERS - Voyage To Atlantis 12:04 VANN BURCHFIELD - What's Love Got to Do With 12:00 JOYCE COOLING - Don't Mind if I Do 11:57 PATRICK YANDALL - Always There 11:53 THREESTYLE - Adriatic Flow 11:48 KIM SCOTT - What You Stank About This 11:43 JEFF KASHIWA - Show Me Love 11:40 ZOLBERT - The Time Has Come 11:36 TONY SAUNDERS - Uptown Jazz 11:32 WAYMAN TISDALE - Get Down On It 11:28 JACKIEM JOYNER - Secret Admirer 11:23 MARCUS ANDERSON - Du Witt 11:19 THE SMOOTH JAZZ ALLEY - C 11:15 BLAKE AARON - Weekend in Paradise 11:10 GREGG KARUKAS - Heatwave 11:04 PETER WHITE - Temptation 11:00 CHRIS STANDRING - Yesterday's Heaven 10:58 JIM ADKINS - Come a Little Closer 10:54 RICHARD ELLIOT - On The Fly 10:50 NORMAN BROWN - Won't You Stay 10:46 BLAIR BRYANT - B's Bounce 10:42 THE SAX PACK - Smooth As Silk 10:37 KEN NAVARRO - Smooth Sensation 10:33 NILS - Up and Away 10:29 PAUL BROWN - On The Down Low 10:25 NICK COLIONNE - The Closer I Get To You 10:22 NICHOLAS COLE - 5th Avenue 10:17 DARREN MOTAMEDY - Man Of Leisure 10:13 VINCENT INGALA - Snap, Crackle, Pop 10:09 RANDY SCOTT - Affection 10:04 OLI SILK - L.A. To London 10:00 RICK HABANA - Lady Luck 09:58 SAM BASSMAN JENKINS - Can You Feel It 09:53 ADAM HAWLEY - Detroit 09:50 BEN TANKARD - Piano Hymn 09:46 CHRIS GODBER - Vibin' 09:42 BONEY JAMES - Sunset Boulevard 09:38 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - Sexy Love 09:34 ROCCO VENTRELLA - Love 09:30 LOUIE FITZGERALD - When I Look into Your Eyes 09:26 JULIAN VAUGHN - All to Myself 09:22 TIM BOWMAN - All My Life 09:18 DARREN RAHN - One Step Ahead 09:15 PEET PROJECT - Bizd magad most ram 09:11 ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY - Who Knows 09:07 MARION MEADOWS - Lunchbox 09:03 STEVE OLIVER - Barcelo 09:00 ERIC DARIUS - Healin' 08:57 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - Nobody But You (Feat. Billy Mondragon Of DW3) 08:53 DAVE KOZ - The Closer We Get 08:47 AL DEGREGORIS - Times and Travels 08:43 RYAN LA VALETTE - New Beginnings 08:39 ROB TARDIK - Perserverance (feat. Roberto Vally) 08:33 EUGE GROOVE - Get Em Goin' 08:29 KIM WATERS - Love's Melody 08:25 VANN BURCHFIELD - Friends 08:21 JOYCE COOLING - After Hours 08:17 PATRICK YANDALL - Whats Cookin 08:13 THREESTYLE - Missing You 08:09 KIM SCOTT - SHINE! (feat. Blake Aaron) 08:04 JEFF KASHIWA - Back To Love 08:00 ZOLBERT - A Song for You 07:58 TONY SAUNDERS - Celebrate You 07:55 WAYMAN TISDALE - The Turnaround 07:51 JACKIEM JOYNER - Don't Make Her Wait 07:47 MARCUS ANDERSON - Your Touch (Dedicated To Will & Maggie Shares) 07:42 THE SMOOTH JAZZ ALLEY - Livin' In NYC 07:38 BLAKE AARON - Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing (feat. Kim Scott) 07:34 GREGG KARUKAS - Azure Dreaming 07:29 PETER WHITE - Autumn Day 07:26 DEE BROWN - Follow You 07:22 CHRIS STANDRING - The Gist of You 07:17 JIM ADKINS - Into the Storm 07:13 RICHARD ELLIOT - Chill Bill 07:08 BLAIR BRYANT - Caramel Dream 07:04 NORMAN BROWN - Heart To Heart 07:00 THE SAX PACK - The Pack Is Back 06:59 KEN NAVARRO - Summer Smiles 06:55 NILS - Stratmosphere 06:51 PAUL BROWN - Just Chillin' 06:47 NICK COLIONNE - Morning Call 06:43 NICHOLAS COLE - Crank It Up 06:36 DARREN MOTAMEDY - Makes Me Feel Young 06:32 VINCENT INGALA - Love Zone 06:29 RANDY SCOTT - Side Steppin' 06:23 OLI SILK - Lay Back and Think of England 06:19 RICK HABANA - Excursion 06:15 SAM BASSMAN JENKINS - It Makes Me Want You 06:11 BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Hollywood Way 06:07 ADAM HAWLEY - Just Dance (Feat. Dave Koz) 06:03 BEN TANKARD - Rise! 06:00 FREDDIE FOX - Feelin' It 05:57 CHRIS GODBER - Can't Help Believin 05:53 BONEY JAMES - Powerhouse 05:48 UNDER THE LAKE - Have I Told You 05:45 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - Colors 05:40 ROCCO VENTRELLA - Mediterranea 05:36 LOUIE FITZGERALD - Consuming Fire 05:30 JEFFERY SMITH - Turn It Up 05:26 JULIAN VAUGHN - Your Mine 05:21 TIM BOWMAN - Summer Groove 05:17 DARREN RAHN - Easy Does It 05:14 PEET PROJECT - Galaxies 05:08 ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY - Jamaica Heartbeat 05:04 MARION MEADOWS - Dream Catcher 05:00 STEVE OLIVER - Let it Go 04:59 ERIC DARIUS - Heaven Sent 04:55 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - I Love Your Smile 04:50 DAVE KOZ - Definition Of Beautiful (feat. Javier Colon) 04:46 AL DEGREGORIS - Connect the Dots 04:42 ROB TARDIK - Shakin' the House (feat. Darren Rahn) 04:38 EUGE GROOVE - Slam Dunkn 04:34 KIM WATERS - Nina In Tortola 04:31 VANN BURCHFIELD - Stay Strong 04:25 JOYCE COOLING - Daddy 04:21 PATRICK YANDALL - Chasing the Light 04:17 THREESTYLE - Good News 04:13 KIM SCOTT - Something Better 04:08 JEFF KASHIWA - The Good Life 04:04 ZOLBERT - Free 04:00 TONY SAUNDERS - Theme for Ellen 03:56 WAYMAN TISDALE - One on One 03:52 JACKIEM JOYNER - This Time Around 03:47 MARCUS ANDERSON - The Taste Of Passion 03:41 THE SMOOTH JAZZ ALLEY - Bubba 03:37 BLAKE AARON - Dreamland 03:34 GREGG KARUKAS - Club Havana 03:29 PETER WHITE - Perfect Moment 03:25 CHRIS STANDRING - Face to Face 03:21 DEE BROWN - Pop The Question 03:17 JIM ADKINS - Get Over It 03:13 RICHARD ELLIOT - Sly 03:08 BLAIR BRYANT - Kiss of Life 03:04 RYAN LA VALETTE - Monday Swagger 03:00 NORMAN BROWN - It Keeps Coming Back 02:58 THE SAX PACK - Into You 02:54 KEN NAVARRO - Frenchmen Street 02:50 NILS - Fire of My Heart 02:45 PAUL BROWN - Winelight 02:40 NICHOLAS COLE - A Journey of One 02:35 ROBERT HARRIS - New Beginnings 02:31 NICK COLIONNE - There It Is 02:27 DARREN MOTAMEDY - Dance with My Father 02:23 PAUL HARDCASTLE - Cut Loose 02:19 VINCENT INGALA - Personal Touch 02:16 RANDY SCOTT - Step 02:11 OLI SILK - Didn't Know About Love 02:07 DEAN JAMES - Georgia On My Mind (feat. Salio) 02:03 RICK HABANA - Poolside (feat. Blake Aaron) 02:00 SAM BASSMAN JENKINS - Give It To Me 01:55 JAZZ FUNK SOUL - When The Time Comes 01:51 BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Stand Together 01:46 ADAM HAWLEY - Hello (Feat. Kat Hawley) 01:43 BEN TANKARD - Goodness Gracious 01:39 FREDDIE FOX - From The Heart 01:35 CHRIS GODBER - Dreamin' 01:30 BONEY JAMES - Tonic 01:26 UNDER THE LAKE - When Autumn Comes 01:22 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - Versace On The Floor 01:17 ROCCO VENTRELLA - She's Ready 01:14 LOUIE FITZGERALD - Rejoice 01:08 JEFFERY SMITH - In the Moment 01:04 JULIAN VAUGHN - Her Peace 01:00 TIM BOWMAN - City Lights 00:56 DARREN RAHN - Duplicity 00:52 PEET PROJECT - One 00:47 ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY - World Stage 00:44 PAUL TAYLOR - The Face of You 00:39 MARION MEADOWS - Look Inside 00:35 STEVE OLIVER - Desert Traveler 00:29 ERIC DARIUS - Can't Get Enough of Your Love Baby (Barry White Classic re 00:26 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - Coming Home (Feat. Adam Sztaba & Atom String Quartet) 00:22 DAVE KOZ - Let It Free 00:18 AL DEGREGORIS - Time Sensitive 00:14 ROB TARDIK - The Right Time 00:09 EUGE GROOVE - Rewind 00:05 VANN BURCHFIELD - Through the Fire 00:00 KIM WATERS - Midnight At The Oasis

GRRM has projected his love for medieval tourneys, heraldry, pageantry, knights and chivalry on Sansa Stark

Art credit: Heinrich von Breslau (Codex Manesse, 14. Jahrhundert)

GRRM:

“That whole story (The Hedge Knight) is built around a tournament. I love medieval tournaments, reading about them, writing about them. There's of course some of them in the main books, but this was an opportunity in a time of peace, not war, to look at a medieval tournament with all its pageantry and the jousting and the combat and reveal a little of Westerosi History”.

—In conversation: George R.R. Martin with Dan Jones FULL EVENT- August 2019

SANSA:

"The talk in the yard is we shall have a tourney, my lord," Jory said as he resumed his seat. "They say that knights will come from all over the realm to joust and feast in honor of your appointment as Hand of the King."

Arya could see that her father was not very happy about that. "Do they also say this is the last thing in the world I would have wished?"

Sansa's eyes had grown wide as the plates. "A tourney," she breathed. She was seated between Septa Mordane and Jeyne Poole, as far from Arya as she could get without drawing a reproach from Father. "Will we be permitted to go, Father?"

"You know my feelings, Sansa. It seems I must arrange Robert's games and pretend to be honored for his sake. That does not mean I must subject my daughters to this folly."

"Oh, please," Sansa said. "I want to see."

Septa Mordane spoke up. "Princess Myrcella will be there, my lord, and her younger than Lady Sansa. All the ladies of the court will be expected at a grand event like this, and as the tourney is in your honor, it would look queer if your family did not attend."

Father looked pained. "I suppose so. Very well, I shall arrange a place for you, Sansa." He saw Arya. "For both of you."

"I don't care about their stupid tourney," Arya said. She knew Prince Joffrey would be there, and she hated Prince Joffrey.

Sansa lifted her head. "It will be a splendid event. You shan't be wanted."

—A Game of Thrones - Arya II

Sansa rode to the Hand's tourney with Septa Mordane and Jeyne Poole, in a litter with curtains of yellow silk so fine she could see right through them. They turned the whole world gold. Beyond the city walls, a hundred pavilions had been raised beside the river, and the common folk came out in the thousands to watch the games. The splendor of it all took Sansa’s breath away; the shining armor, the great chargers caparisoned in silver and gold, the shouts of the crowd, the banners snapping in the wind…and the knights themselves, the knights most of all.

“It is better than the songs,” she whispered when they found the places that her father had promised her, among the high lords and ladies. Sansa was dressed beautifully that day, in a green gown that brought out the auburn of her hair, and she knew they were looking at her and smiling.

They watched the heroes of a hundred songs ride forth, each more fabulous than the last.

—A Game of Thrones - Sansa II

GRRM:

“Tolkien imitators who came after him, a lot of them created a sort of Disneyland Middle Ages, you know, a sort of Middle Ages like you might see at a Renaissance Faire, but you don't have the dysentery, or the torture, or the leprosy, or the innate sexism, or classism, or racism that was so built into so much of that world for so many centuries, you really have to take, you know, I like the knights in shinning armor, the heraldry and pageantry as much as anyone, but you also have to include the fleas."

— Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival - NIFFF 2014

The novelist is midway through something of a European tour. After his trip to Switzerland, he is due in Scotland for the Edinburgh book festival. It has often been suggested that Ivanhoe (by the Scottish 19th-century novelist Walter Scott) was, alongside the War of the Roses, a major influence on A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones.

Martin was first turned on to Ivanhoe by the 1952 MGM movie starring Robert Taylor, George Sanders and a young Elizabeth Taylor. "I think it was Elizabeth Taylor at the peak of her...," his voice tails off before he clarifies. "She was the most beautiful woman in the world. I think I was nine years old when I saw that movie. How could you not fall in love with her? But the jousting and the pageantry of it made me love that story. Later, in high school, I did read that book. For a modern reader, it's a little tough to get through. The prose is very Victorian and thick but if you fight your way through it, the story is there. It has everything the movie has and more – the heraldry and jousting and the insight into the times. It was an influence in that sense."

—GRRM - Independent - 2014

SANSA:

The green knight laughed again. "Barristan the Old, you mean. Don't flatter him too sweetly, child, he thinks overmuch of himself already." He smiled at her. "Now, wolf girl, if you can put a name to me as well, then I must concede that you are truly our Hand's daughter."

Joffrey stiffened beside her. "Have a care how you address my betrothed."

"I can answer," Sansa said quickly, to quell her prince's anger. She smiled at the green knight. "Your helmet bears golden antlers, my lord. The stag is the sigil of the royal House. King Robert has two brothers. By your extreme youth, you can only be Renly Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End and councillor to the king, and so I name you."

—A Game of Thrones - Sansa I

No one ransomed the northmen, though. One fat lordling haunted the kitchens, Hot Pie told her, always looking for a morsel. His mustache was so bushy that it covered his mouth, and the clasp that held his cloak was a silver-and-sapphire trident. He belonged to Lord Tywin, but the fierce, bearded young man who liked to walk the battlements alone in a black cloak patterned with white suns had been taken by some hedge knight who meant to get rich off him. Sansa would have known who he was, and the fat one too, but Arya had never taken much interest in titles and sigils. Whenever Septa Mordane had gone on about the history of this house and that house, she was inclined to drift and dream and wonder when the lesson would be done.

—A Clash of Kings - Arya VII

Petyr had given her a roll of arms to study, so she knew their heraldry if not their faces. The red castle was Redfort, plainly; a short man with a neat grey beard and mild eyes. Lady Anya was the only woman amongst the Lords Declarant, and wore a deep green mantle with the broken wheel of Waynwood picked out in beads of jet. Six silver bells on purple, that was Belmore, pear-bellied and round of shoulder. His beard was a ginger-grey horror sprouting from a multiplicity of chins. Symond Templeton's, by contrast, was black and sharply pointed. A beak of a nose and icy blue eyes made the Knight of Ninestars look like some elegant bird of prey. His doublet displayed nine black stars within a golden saltire. Young Lord Hunter's ermine cloak confused her till she spied the brooch that pinned it, five silver arrows fanned. Alayne would have put his age closer to fifty than to forty. His father had ruled at Longbow Hall for nigh on sixty years, only to die so abruptly that some whispered the new lord had hastened his inheritance. Hunter's cheeks and nose were red as apples, which bespoke a certain fondness for the grape. She made certain to fill his cup as often as he emptied it.

—A Feast for Crows - Alayne I

Harry was staring at her. He knows who I am, she realized, and he does not seem pleased to see me. It was only then that she took note of his heraldry. Though his surcoat and horse trappings were patterned in the red-and-white diamonds of House Hardyng, his shield was quartered. The arms of Hardyng and Waynwood were displayed in the first and third quarters, respectively, but in the second and fourth quarters he bore the moon-and-falcon of House Arryn, sky blue and cream. Sweetrobin will not like that.

—The Winds of Winter - Alayne I

GRRM:

Firstly, thanks for that very thorough response on the tournaments and knighthood. Fascinating. In particular given the notes about _Ivanhoe_ and its influence -- I've only witnessed the A&E production of it, although maybe about time I read it. Seems it might be ripe for ideas.

IVANHOE is well worth a read, although the style is very old fashioned, of course. Still it has some fabulous characters and scenes, and so far as I know the definitive portrayal of a medieval tournament, both melee and joust.

It has been filmed three times that I know of. The recent A&E production had some good moments, as did the older Sam Neill version... the CLASSIC version, however, is still MGM's 50s version, starring Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, and George Sanders. The jousts are wonderful, Liz is radiant, and George Sanders steals the film as Bois-Gilbert. You should definitely rent that one and have a look.

—GRRM - 1999

SANSA:

She loved King's Landing; the pageantry of the court, the high lords and ladies in their velvets and silks and gemstones, the great city with all its people. The tournament had been the most magical time of her whole life, and there was so much she had not seen yet, harvest feasts and masked balls and mummer shows. She could not bear the thought of losing it all.

—A Game of Thrones - Sansa III

She closed the window, gathered up the fallen papers, and stacked them on the table. One was a list of the competitors. Four-and-sixty knights had been invited to vie for places amongst Lord Robert Arryn's new Brotherhood of Winged Knights, and four and-sixty knights had come to tilt for the right to wear falcon's wings upon their warhelms and guard their lord.

The competitors came from all over the Vale, from the mountain valleys and the coast, from Gulltown and the Bloody Gate, even the Three Sisters. Though a few were promised, only three were wed; the eight victors would be expected to spend the next three years at Lord Robert's side, as his own personal guard (Alayne had suggested seven, like the Kingsguard, but Sweetrobin had insisted that he must have more knights than King Tommen), so older men with wives and children had not been invited.

And they came, Alayne thought proudly. They all came.

It had fallen out just as Petyr said it would, the day the ravens flew. "They're young, eager, hungry for adventure and renown. Lysa would not let them go to war. This is the next best thing. A chance to serve their lord and prove their prowess. They will come. Even Harry the Heir." He had smoothed her hair and kissed her forehead. "What a clever daughter you are."

It was clever. The tourney, the prizes, the winged knights, it had all been her own notion. Lord Robert's mother had filled him full of fears, but he always took courage from the tales she read him of Ser Artys Arryn, the Winged Knight of legend, founder of his line. Why not surround him with Winged Knights? She had thought one night, after Sweetrobin had finally drifted off to sleep. His own Kingsguard, to keep him safe and make him brave. And no sooner did she tell Petyr her idea than he went out and made it happen.

—The Winds of Winter - Alayne I

GRRM:

Amon Shin in Maine asks, “If you lived in Westeros, which house would you like to be part of, or in which area would you like to live?”

Well, you know, there’s something to be said for being an honorable Stark, but you’re kinda cold all the time and poor and so forth. And you have a lot of land, but there’s not a lot of stuff on it, you know? On the other hand, if you’re a Lannister, you have a nice house and all the gold you want and all of that stuff.  So, there’s a lot to be said for being a Lannister.  I don’t know.  Maybe I could probably see me being a Lannister.  And I would always pay my debts.

—A Dance with Dragons | George R.R. Martin | Talks at Google - July 2011

SANSA:

They were going to take it all away; the tournaments and the court and her prince, everything, they were going to send her back to the bleak grey walls of Winterfell and lock her up forever. Her life was over before it had begun.

—A Game of Thrones - Sansa III

* * *

Art credit: Loras Tyrell gives Sansa Stark a rose at the Hand’s Tournament by Jonathan Burton.

As you can see, Sansa loves tourneys because GRRM loves tourneys.

During the events that take place in the ASOIAF Books, we find 5 tourneys and Sansa Stark is directly or indirectly linked with all of them:

The Hand's tourney, a tourney in honor of Sansa’s father, Eddard Stark. Sansa was unofficially crowned the Queen of Love and Beauty by the Knight of Flowers, Loras Tyrell. GRRM wrote this passage as a resemblance to the Great tourney at Harrenhal, hiding hints and reversing colors. 

Tourney on King Joffrey's name day, a tourney in honor of Sansa’s betrothed. Sansa defended and saved Dontos Hollard’s life.

Melee at Bitterbridge, Brienne won the melee and earned a place in Renly’s Kingsguard. Later she swore his allegiance to Sansa’s mother, Catelyn Stark, and made an oath to find Sansa Stark. Brienne also wields Oathkeeper, a sword made of Ice (House Stark ancestral sword).  

Melee at Runestone, this event was organized with the sole intention of knighting Harrold Hardyng, Alayne Stone’s betrothed.

Tourney at the Gates of the Moon to select the members of the Brotherhood of Winged Knights, created and organized by Alayne Stone.

Sansa is also linked with other important tourneys that happened previously to the events of the ASOIAF Books:

Tourney at Ashford Meadows (The Hedge Knight), GRRM wrote the Hedge Knight when he was in the middle of writing A Clash of Kings, and he made sure of link the five initial champions of the Tourney at Ashford Meadows (Baratheon, Lannister, Tyrell, Hardyng & Targaryen) with Sansa’s suitors and betrothed. So Willas Tyrell and Harrold Hardyng are not a coincidence in Sansa’s arc, GRRM had already planned for this since he was writing A Clash of Kings.    

Great tourney at Harrenhal, this tourney was won by Rhaegar Targaryen and as the champion he crowned Lyanna Stark (Sansa’s aunt & Jon Snow’s mother) as his Queen of Love and Beauty. And take note at this very interesting detail: Rhaegar Targaryen wearing an armor adorned with rubies (red) gave Lyanna Stark a crown of winter roses (blue), while Loras Tyrell, the Knight of Flowers, wearing an armor adorned with sapphires (blue) gave Sansa a (red) rose.

Sansa loves knights because GRRM loves knights. Remember that George’s Catholic high school (Marist) football team is called the Royal Knights: 

Sansa loves pageantry because GRRM loves pageantry. Just look at his collection of knights and ladies figurines:

Sansa loves heraldry because GRRM loves heraldry. Take note that GRRM took inspiration from the antagonist of Ivanhoe, Brian de Bois-Guilbert’s sigil, to created House Corbray’s sigil:

Bois-Guilbert’s new shield bore a raven in full flight, holding in its claws a skull, and bearing the motto, Gare le Corbeau.

—IVANHOE: A Romance

The youngest man in the party had three ravens on his chest, each clutching a blood-red heart in its talons. His brown hair was shoulder length; one stray lock curled down across his forehead. Ser Lyn Corbray, Alayne thought, with a wary glance at his hard mouth and restless eyes.

—A Feast for Crows - Alayne I

(Not to mention that Sansa loves books because George loves books...)

There you have it, GRRM self inserts in a few of his ASOIAF characters, and Sansa Stark is one of them.

The Day I Tried To Live

For @riproswell 2021 day one

A Halloween Hallmark-esque romance

Liz Ortecho is a brilliant scientist--the success story of her sleepy little hometown, though she’s barely been back since she left for college a decade ago. But how can she resist returning for her ten year high school reunion, knowing that a piece of her heart will always live within the walls of her old biology classroom?

She doesn’t expect to run into the One Who Got Away--the man she’s been pining over since the age of seven. Max Evans is supposed to be in Europe, working on his next novel.

Unfortunately for her, the reunion is organized by Max’s sister, and he could never deny her anything. So there he is in the gymnasium of New Roswell High School with his tall, blonde fiancee on his arm. She’s everything that Liz isn’t.

Max barely remembers who Liz is, despite all the hours they spent together as biology partners back then--but the girls who tormented her throughout school definitely do. They’ve got a nasty trick up their sleeves for Liz involving a bucket of slime and their Instagram stories.

Luckily for Liz, her friend Maria manages to step in at the last minute and save her with a spell. Maria’s always dabbled in a little witchcraft, but neither of them really thought it worked until they end up in an alternate version of Roswell. Liz has been gone for a decade, but this time Max has been the one pining for her all this time.

It’s everything she ever thought she wanted. Max is courting her and they’re officially in love.

Except there’s always a price to pay for magic. She has Max, but she’s lost her career and she’s stuck working in her father’s diner. Everything she worked so hard for is gone. Worse, Maria’s mother is seriously ill, and Maria herself is starting to show disturbing symptoms. Hardest of all, Liz’s beloved sister Rosa apparently died in a car accident ten years ago, instead of becoming the artist Liz knows her as.

Ultimately Liz has to decide if the happiness she’s found in this reality is worth the pain it brings, or if she needs to let it go and build a new kind of happiness in her own world.

Under the Sea bonus story! I had so much fun returning to this world and these characters. I just really wanted to write a little epilogue sort of chapter. If you enjoy reading at all, please comment and share, it always makes the world of a difference 💙

               Alex heard the laughter of dolphins in his ears, the rush of bubbles against his cheeks as fish swam past. He opened his eyes to treasure; stones of different colors and sizes covered the ocean floor, seaweed, coral, sea creatures of all kinds floated past.

               Once upon a time, Alex had feared the ocean as he feared nothing else. Now he knew he was safe in its waters, for the love of his life resided there. He felt hands on his hips, pulling him back against a warm chest, even under the cold water, and he laughed. He was safe, a bubble of air protecting his head down to the base of his neck.

               “Have you no decency?” Alex asked even as he tilted his chin up, giving Forrest more access to his skin.

               “I wish to kiss my fiancé,” murmured Forrest with a grin against Alex’s neck. “Am I not allowed?”

               “Not here,” he huffed, “where someone might see us.”

               Forrest turned Alex around, making him laugh. He held his face in his hands, the gold band on his finger cold against Alex’s cheek. Forrest’s long blue and gold tail swayed calmly in the water below them, but his voice was in a near growl when he spoke, “I care not who sees us. Let them envy me, for I am the one to marry the most handsome man in all of the oceans and on land combined.”

               Even under the water, Alex’s cheeks heated and he hid his face in Forrest’s shoulder. “Honestly . . .”

               “Don’t you dare look down,” Forrest whispered, tilting down so that his forehead pressed against Alex’s, the blue and gold in his dark eyes glimmering with an overwhelming fondness and love that threatened to kill Alex in the best way.

               As he neared, Alex’s mouth instinctively fell open, and he found himself closing the distance between them, eager to taste Forrest’s lips in his, when suddenly –

               “Oi! Can’t you keep your hands off each other for two bloody minutes?!” Kyle appeared, his green and gold fin swimming behind him. He grabbed Alex’s arm and tugged. “Stop hogging him all to yourself!”

               “Oh, leave them alone, Kyle,” Maria sighed dreamily. “They’re in love.”

               “They have their entire lives to be in love!” Kyle demanded. “I have only another short moment while Alex is a free man!”

               Forrest wrapped his arms around Alex’s shoulders, his smile in place, but his eyes dark. “And what exactly do you assume will happen between you and Alex?”

               “Don’t be such a stiff, Forrest,” Kyle rolled his eyes, tugging Alex, and therefore Forrest, closer. “I just want to talk to him. Without you.”

               “That’s simply not going to happen.”

               “Don’t you trust me?” teased Alex.

               “Implicitly,” said Forrest without a moment’s hesitation, and narrowed his eyes at Kyle. “It’s his wandering hands I don’t trust.”

               Alex laughed and kissed Forrest’s cheek. He nuzzled his neck. Even underwater, as fish tickled his feet and the world turned to a peaceful silence around them, Alex could still smell Forrest. Even down here, he smelled like the ocean.

                “Who knew,” teased Jenna, the white pearls in her hair making her look like an angel, “that Forrest could be so possessive?”

               “I did,” Kyle huffed, “since we first found Alex and he wouldn’t let any of us near him.”

               “I was being protective,” Forrest insisted. “Oh, enough of all of you. Come along, my love. We’ve been down here long enough and soon people will start to wake. We best get back to the surface so that I can change to my human form.”

               Alex nodded, but accepted the hugs from Kyle and the others first. Forrest had been right in that Kyle held on longer than the others, squeezing him tightly enough to make him laugh, and then he had his arms around Forrest again.

               “Hold on tight to me, my love,” Forrest whispered into the space between them. Alex remembered a year ago when Forrest had said the same thing to him before saving him from the cavern and returning him to his home. Alex had held on trustingly. Forrest had been his one small relief, even if he hadn’t really known him.

               Now, as they rose to the surface together, Alex was filled with laughter, his chest overflowing with love for the merman before him. When they broke the surface, the cold hit them first, but Alex clung to Forrest’s warmth.

               “Go on,” Forrest encouraged him, his lips against Alex’s ear. “I’ll be right behind you.”

               Alex nodded, and let go of Forrest. He swam to the shore, and walked up the rest of the way. As he stepped out of the waves, he saw the water change color, as though someone were shining a bright blue light underneath the surface, and he turned to find Forrest standing in the water, the waves lapping around his naked waist. His blue hair and the blue glow of his eyes were gone, and his still-glowing blue seashell nestled in his collarbone. Alex smiled. He loved this version of Forrest just as much, for the magic of the sea never seemed to leave him no matter what form he took.

               Alex reached for the hidden clothes he kept wrapped in a towel behind a boulder, and handed them to Forrest. Once they were both dried and dressed, they made their usual way up the far left stone steps to the street above.

               The marketplace was still mostly bare, but Alex spotted a merchant here and there, preparing their stall for the day. Some waved good morning to him and Forrest, some congratulated them, some merely ogled.

               “I hate when they stare,” Alex murmured.

               Forrest grinned. “They can scarcely ignore your beauty, darling. Don’t begrudge them for it. I can hardly resist staring at you myself.”

               Alex blushed. “That’s different! And it’s not me they’re watching, it’s you!”

               He laughed. “So you’re jealous, then?”

               “Don’t be ridiculous,” he said, and kissed Forrest’s cheek for good measure.

               When the wooden sign for Le Gateau au Chocolat – Gregory and Isobel’s pastry shop – came into view, Alex and Forrest decided to race the rest of the way. They both reached the door out of breath with giggles. Alex had won by only a small margin. Forrest had been getting much better at using his legs.

               “Oh, Alex, good,” Gregory called from behind the counter. “I’ve decided to change the chicken to beef for tonight.”

               Alex faltered. “Isn’t beef expensive?”

               Isobel came in from the kitchens. She wiped her hands on her apron and put them on her hips. “Don’t you go worrying about that. We’ve taken care of it.”

               Alex looked to Forrest, suspicious. “You didn’t . . .?”

               Forrest leapt onto the counter. “Oh, I certainly offered. What’s the point of being a king with riches if I cannot spoil my love? But no, your brother and sister would not hear of it. This time.”

               “Stop it,” Gregory scolded. “We’re older, we take care of you, that’s how it works.”

               Forrest hummed, and his eyes brightened. “Until Alex and I are married. Then he’s all mine.”

               Alex caught Isobel’s amused look, and turned away, his face red. He cleared his throat. “Anyhow. What time’s the dinner?”

               “Eight,” Gregory pointed. “Do not be late, both of you. Oh” – he dusted some of the sand off Forrest’s jacket – “and try not to mention any merpeople, will you? The last thing we need is for Liz and Max to know the truth, too.”

               “They wouldn’t tell anyone,” Alex defended.

               Gregory and Isobel shared a look, and Isobel sighed. “We can’t risk Michael finding out, Alex. I love my brother, but . . .” she shook her head. “Ever since you announced your engagement, he’s been . . .”

               “He isn’t happy,” Gregory said. “Let’s put it that way.”

               Alex sat down, and looked at the band on his finger. A circle of gold with an aquamarine jewel imbedded in the center. He hated to admit it, but in the moments after his excitement at marrying Forrest had faded, Michael had come to mind. What he would think, how he would feel, react. He’d been anxious, and now he knew he was right to have been.

               “It’ll be all right though, won’t it?” he asked, hearing the plea in his own voice.

               Forrest’s smile dimmed. He never liked the mention of Michael, but he leapt from the counter regardless, stumbled, then came to sit in front of Alex. He took his hands in both of his and kissed his fingers.

               “Everything will be perfect, my love,” he promised. “I’m certain he will come to this dinner with kindness and happiness in his heart. He will be happy only that you are happy.” He hesitated, then, “You . . . are happy, aren’t you?”

               “Oh,” Alex breathed, and wrapped his arms around Forrest’s shoulders tightly, burying his face in the crook of his neck. “I love you more than I can say. I’m sorry, my darling, I don’t mean to imply any different.”

               “Really, Alex,” Isobel assured him, “you’ve no reason to worry about Michael. I’ll make sure of it.”

               Alex sighed, resting his head on Forrest’s shoulder. “I just want everything to be perfect.” He played with Forrest’s fingers. “You’re a king after all, you must have standards.”

               “I do,” Forrest nodded. “Absolutely. If it’s not Alex, then I will not have it.”

               “Oi, keep your distance, you two,” Gregory warned with his wooden spoon. “We have customers coming in soon, and this is no pub!”

               Forrest had Alex’s face in his hands, and was nuzzling his nose. He whispered, “I don’t see any customers now.”

               He took Alex’s lips in his own, one hand reaching into his hair, the other cupping his neck. Alex whimpered in the back of his throat, and Forrest tilted his head to deepen the kiss, their mouths slotting perfectly together, Forrest’s tongue sliding against his own.

               He ran his hands down Forrest’s chest, and then Gregory threw a rag over their heads. “Were you not listening?” he snapped. “Your engagement dinner’s tonight, can you not contain yourselves?!”

               Forrest pointed at Alex’s face, incredulous. “Have you seen him?”

               Alex hid his face in Forrest’s shoulder, embarrassed, as Isobel laughed loudly.

                 “Which looks better?” Liz asked, holding up a deep green dress, and a bright red. “This one? Or this one?”

               “I think you look beautiful in both,” Alex said cheerfully. Forrest sat next to him, eagerly shoveling down the biscuits Gregory had given them to have after lunch. Every so often, he offered Alex one, Alex shook his head, and then he ate the entire thing in one bite.

               “Mmh – yes,” said Forrest. “Beau—ifful.”

               “Oh, you both are useless,” Rosa sighed from where she sat on the counter. “Obviously, the red is terribly unsuitable.”

               Liz frowned. “Is it?”

               “Yes!” she took a biscuit from Forrest’s plate. “This is an engagement dinner. The red should clearly be saved for the wedding!”

               “Do you think so, Alex?” Liz asked.

               “Er – actually –”

               “What’re you asking him for?” Rosa huffed. “You know he’s too nice to tell you the truth!”

               Liz opened her mouth to argue when the front door swung open. Max smiled at them.

               “Good afternoon, all!” He ruffled Alex and Rosa’s hair, and kissed Liz’s cheek. “Afternoon, darling.”

               “Did you see the suit I put out for you?” Liz said in lieu of a greeting.

               “Yes, darling.”

               “Don’t you dare wear it until the dinner.”

               Max’s smile widened. “Yes, darling.”

               “We have to look our best for Alex and Forrest,” she said. Then she mumbled something incoherent to him and they glanced at Alex, as though afraid he’d heard. Max merely nodded in response.

                “Honestly,” said Alex, leaning against Forrest’s side. “You don’t have to go through all this fuss. It’s just going to be a small, comfortable dinner.”

               Liz put her hands on her hips. “Then why did Flint order a new navy-blue coat for the occasion?”

               “Did he?” Alex blinked, and flushed. Since their last voyage, he had feared for his relationship with his brother, the distance the truth about their mother’s death may put between them. He had seemed happy to be invited to the engagement dinner, but Alex had feared it had been an act. To know he cared this much, it gladdened Alex’s heart more than he could say.

               Rosa scoffed. “Well, I won’t need any help preparing. I know exactly what to wear.”

               “Yes,” Liz said testily, “but will you know how to behave?”

               “Oi!” she argued. “Don’t you start with me, it’s Michael you should be concerned about!”

               Liz shot her a sharp look, while Max turned a nervous smile on Alex and Forrest. Forrest had stopped eating.

               “She’s joking,” Max assured them. “Michael’s really happy for you, Alex.”

               Forrest smiled, but it was polite and cold, not at all what Alex was used to. “I trust he will be on his best behaviour.” Then he grumbled, “If not, I’ll throw him into the middle of the ocean.”

               Alex hooked his arm around Forrest’s and kissed his shoulder. “Are there any more biscuits left for me?” he murmured.

               Forrest’s eyes lit up at once, and he handed Alex the largest he had. “I saved it for you, my love!”

               Alex laughed, his heart and the atmosphere of the shop lighter at once.

                 Forrest insisted on watching the sunset before dinner, but Alex had not needed much persuasion. Once they’d excused themselves from the shop, they made their way down the street, Forrest’s arm hooked around Alex’s. There was a time he had clung to him to walk, but now he stayed close for the sake of staying close itself. Forrest played with his fingers, and Alex kissed the back of his hand.

               “Congratulations, dears!” Mrs. Valenti called for what felt like the millionth time, as she liked to congratulate them whenever they passed by. “Isn’t it so exciting, Mr. Higgins?”

               “Eh?” Mr. Higgins chuckled good-naturedly. “Yes, yes, terribly happy for them!”

               Forrest’s eyes lingered, once again, on the frozen fish in Mr. Higgins’ market stall, but at a kiss to his cheek from Alex, his eyes brightened once again.

               Instead of going down to shore, they sat on the brick wall that overlooked the ocean, their legs dangling over the end. The sand below was soft, so there was no fear of falling. Nonetheless, Forrest kept a tight arm around Alex’s waist, and Alex felt safe.

               The sky turned to rose and violet and gold as the sun fell behind the ocean’s surface. Alex asked if Forrest had seen plenty of sunsets before.

               “I try to,” he confessed, “but there’s quite a risk of being seen by sailors, even so far out at sea.”

               Alex shuddered as he thought of Forrest tied to a ship’s mast, at sailors who were happy to harm him because of what he was. He burrowed deeper into his side and nuzzled his neck.

               “I will never let anyone touch you again, sailor or otherwise,” he promised in a whisper.

               Forrest kissed the top of his head. “And I will protect you with my life.”

               “Will I ever see your underwater kingdom?” Alex asked.

               Forrest laughed. “Certainly,” he said. “I will have a room prepared where not a drop of water would dare to enter.”

               Alex closed his eyes and let the sun’s warmth bathe them both in gold. “I don’t fear drowning with you at my side.”

               “And you never shall have to,” Forrest told him, his hold tightening and promising a king’s protection.

               They kissed in the setting sun until their lips swelled. They kissed until Forrest’s hand sought out the hem of Alex’s shirt, and Alex realized that if they did not stop soon, they would not stop at all. Then all those walking on the street behind them would have a true reason to stare. They kissed until Alex started to want nothing more than to fall to the sand below with Forrest in his arms, and forget the engagement dinner entirely. To prove their love another way.

               Then he took Forrest’s wrist and pressed their foreheads together, the two panting, and pulled them both to their feet at the first signs of the evening stars. They went hand-in-hand, laughing, back to the pastry shop.

               Alex told Forrest about the gold coat he’d asked Liz for him to wear, and Forrest told Alex about the deep blue ocean flower he’d acquired for Alex’s coat pocket.

               Then a voice cut through their conversation like knife through ice.

               “Alex,” Michael said with a nod. “Forrest.” His eyes fell on Alex and Forrest’s intertwined hands. “Am I too early?”

               His voice was subdued, and Forrest’s eyes had darkened.

               “Good evening, Michael,” he said, his grip on Alex’s hand tightening. “Not at all. Please, come in.”

                 “Are you nervous?” Forrest asked from where he sat on the edge of Alex’s bed. Alex watched him through the mirror’s reflection.

               Alex pulled on his coat and took a seat beside him. He interlocked their hands. “Are you?”

               Forrest smiled, though it did not reach his eyes. “Only that you will change your mind.”

               Alex raised a brow. “Do you truly imagine my heart so fickle?”

               Forrest’s grip on his hand tightened. “I imagine that there is no one who can love as you can. I know it. It is for that reason that I cannot help but worry. He was your first love.”

               “And you are my last,” Alex told him. “That carries far more weight, in my opinion.”

               Downstairs, they could hear the muffled clinking of cups and plates as the sky turned dark and stars peeked out. In the distance, the waves lapped against the shore softly, a comforting reminder that there was always somewhere they could escape to, somewhere where the troubles of land could not follow.

               Forrest said nothing for a long while, then, “I do not want to see you harmed.”

               “I could only be harmed by losing you,” Alex promised him. “I am marrying a king, it is you who has far more prospects.”

               Forrest scoffed half-heartedly. “I will tell you what I’ve already told your brother; have you seen you?”

               Alex burst into giggles, his face warm. He felt the soft touch of Forrest’s lips to his cheek. The laughter faded as they pressed their foreheads together, Alex’s eyes closed as he breathed Forrest in.

               “Stay close to me,” he whispered.

               Forrest nodded once, his lips brushing Alex’s. “Forever.”

                 Dinner had started off well. Alex and Forrest descended down the staircase to the shop where a long table sat and fairy lights had been hung up. The table lay covered with platters of beef, cheese, fruit and bread. Glasses of wine sat at every chair. Isobel and Gregory had truly outdone themselves.

               Liz sat between Max and Rosa. Beside Max was Michael, Isobel, Gregory, and Flint. Forrest pulled out Alex’s chair for him, making him blush, and kissed the top of his head before taking the seat beside him. Alex did not dare glance at Michael.

               For the most part, they shared in their stories, and though Forrest could not share many of his own for fear of exposing himself, he seemed quite content to listen to Alex’s versions of his bravery and kindness.

               “I hear you were responsible for helping to save Alex,” Michael told Forrest, for he had but one of the many different stories of Alex and Forrest’s first meeting. He bowed his head once. “I sincerely thank you.”

               “I could not see anything happen to him,” Forrest said, smiling at Alex. “It was love at first sight, you see.”

               Alex hoped Michael would not respond, but then he said, “Yes, I understand the feeling.” He was looking directly at Alex, his gaze pointed as though he was trying to share a secret message with him.

               Then Forrest took Alex’s hand and kissed the aquamarine bracelet he’d given him so many months ago on the shore. “All right, darling?” he whispered, and Alex nodded, the smile returning to his lips at Forrest’s eyes on him.

               “Goodness, Alex,” Liz sighed. “I do love that bracelet. Forrest made that for him,” she told Michael, “did you know?”

               “Purely for selfish reasons,” Forrest confessed. “I’ve always wanted to see Alex in aquamarine. He looks so beautiful with it, doesn’t he?”

               “Where did you get that?” Flint murmured. “Bottom of the ocean?”

               Gregory nudged Flint with his elbow, but the five of them were already laughing at the private joke.

               “Honestly, Forrest,” grinned Isobel, “do you care about anything but Alex?”

               Forrest hummed, eyes narrowed. “No, I don’t think so. Why?” he asked, genuinely confused when everyone save for Michael started laughing, “Is there anything else to care about?”

               “I would think someone of your position would have plenty,” Gregory thoughtlessly said.

               Rosa frowned. “What do you mean, of his position?”

               Gregory’s eyes widened and Alex tensed. Forrest, after all, was a king. He had plenty of concerns, yet the others at the table did not know that.

               It was Isobel who chuckled nervously and said, “Well, you see, Forrest is very wealthy. He has so much to tend to back in – er –”

               “Paris,” Gregory quickly finished. “Because, as you all know, he is from Paris. Isn’t that right, Forrest?”

               “Certainly,” Forrest nodded. “I am from Paris.”

               Everyone returned to their meat and potatoes when all of a sudden a loud CLANK! drove all other conversation away. Michael had roughly set his fork and knife down.

               “Is that why you chose him?” Michael asked, breaking the heavy silence. “Because he’s so much wealthier than I am?”

               Alex was staring, brows furrowed. He set his utensils down delicately. When he spoke, his voice was cold to his own ears, something fierce and protective overwhelming him. “I beg your pardon?”

               Michael scoffed, shaking his head. There was nothing humorous about it.

               “Michael,” Max warned, but Michael was already seething.

               “I thought it was odd,” he said. “You’d known him for such a short time, yet you fell in love so quickly. Is that why, Alex? He could take better care of you than I could?”

               “Michael,” Isobel hissed, “enough.”

               “Is that why you wouldn’t even give me another chance?”

               Forrest stood at once, but Alex took his arm. He’d never seen Forrest’s glare so full of anger.

               “I will thank you,” Gregory said darkly, “to mind your manners, Michael.”

               “I’m sorry,” Michael said, crossing his arms on top of the table, his eyes on Alex. “I’m sorry that I’m the only one who will acknowledge that there is too much about Forrest that we don’t know. I’m sorry if I’m the only one who wishes to make certain that Alex is not throwing his life away at the first man to offer him comfort after heartbreak.”

               “No, you’re right,” Flint said, slumping in his seat. “I’d much rather my brother stay with someone who hurt him.”

               “Please,” Alex said quietly, and the table turned silent. He raised his chin and held Michael’s gaze. “Forrest saved my life in more ways than I could say. I did not know of his wealth until I’d already loved him, and even if I had, it wouldn’t have changed anything.”

               “Alex –”

               “You are a guest,” Alex told him sternly, “in my home. Forrest is my fiancé, and I expect you to treat him with respect.” His shoulders fell, his tone turned pleading. “I want you to be a part of my life, Michael. Please don’t make me push you out of it.”

               Michael stared back for a long moment, his jaw clenched. Then he stood, murmured an apology, and left.

               Forrest wrapped an arm around Alex’s shoulders, keeping him close. He pressed soft kisses to his ear, his cheek, his jaw as Gregory and Isobel made quick work of returning the rest of the table to cheerier conversation.

               Later that night, Alex woke in bed to find Forrest’s side empty. He sat up, looking through the house, and softly called for Forrest in the shop. When he did not find his fiancé at home, panic began to rise in his chest until he forced it down. His father could not harm Forrest any longer, yet Alex knew he would not rest until he saw his love’s face again.

               Realizing there was only one place Forrest could be, Alex quickly threw on a coat and his boots, and made his way down to the shore. There, with his knees pulled up to his chest amongst the waves, sat Forrest, staring out at the ocean. His blue seashell glittered at his neck.

               Alex hesitated, then came and sat beside him.

               “Are you upset with me?” were his first words.

               Forrest frowned. “What in the soundless seas for?”

               “The dinner,” he said. “I told Michael I – I wanted him in my life.”

               A smirk tugged at Forrest’s lips. “That is no secret, Alex. I’ve known it since before I met you. Don’t you remember?”

               Alex did. Forrest had told him that that was when he had first fallen in love with him; when he’d heard Alex speaking of Michael to the stars.

               “Forrest,” he said, “I love you. More than I’ve ever loved anyone. Stronger than I’ve ever loved anyone.”

               Forrest chuckled. “You dove into the ocean to save me, Alex. I don’t question your love.”

               “Yet you’re here,” he said, his chin on Forrest’s shoulder, “instead of in bed with me.”

               Forrest turned to him, kissing his nose. “I fear the mess of my thoughts might’ve troubled your sleep.”

               “I am only troubled when you are not there,” he murmured, and kissed Forrest’s shoulder.

               “You will never regret me?” asked Forrest.

               Alex clenched his jaw. “You are a king. I am a mere human. What could I possibly offer you?”

               Forrest cupped Alex’s cheek fiercely, his hold tight. He let his hand fall down Alex’s jaw, his neck, and settled on his opened coat collar. As he leaned in, he whispered the words, as though he was shocked Alex did not know the answer already.

               “You.”

               Before Alex could say anything else, Forrest kissed him. Their lips pressed together again and again, and when Alex felt Forrest’s tongue slide against his own, a moan escaped his lips. When Forrest began kissing down his chin, his neck, Alex looked around to make certain that no one was watching. But then this was the middle of the night. He didn’t think anyone would be awake for hours.

               The waves turned suddenly warm as they washed around Forrest and Alex, as their kisses deepened, as Forrest’s fingers undid the buttons of Alex’s coat and gently pushed him onto his back. The kisses turned rougher, more eager, and Alex felt as though they would never move away from one another again.

               Alex released a breathy moan as he ran his hands up Forrest’s naked back. He imagined them, lying nude on the beach, Forrest thrusting into him, licking a line along his neck, the cold quickly turning to heat so thick that Alex couldn’t breathe and was happy to suffocate.

               He ran his hands down Forrest’s bare cheeks, urging him in deeper. He was so in love he could hardly stand it. This man, bathed in moonlight and showered with drops of the ocean, was to be his husband.

               Alex took Forrest’s face in his hands and kissed him as he’d never kissed anyone before. Forrest was all his, the beautiful merman of blue and gold belonged to him. He never imagined, that year ago when he’d first embarked on his father’s voyage, that he would find such joy. When he’d fallen over the ship’s edge and his world had changed forever.

               The ocean waves hit the shore with a gentle shushing sound, protecting Alex and Forrest from searching eyes. They were safe here, Alex was safe here. With Forrest, with the ocean, with the life he’d been given when it seemed he’d been destined to drown.

               “Hold on tight to me,” Forrest told him. And so Alex did.

Please do something birthday themed please, and happy Birthday!!

Thank you and for your request I think I’m going to do how I think each protagonist would celebrate their birthdays !!

Magnus Chase– hotel valhalla hosts a little celebratory party with the help of Magnus’s mates (Thomas Jefferson jr, Samirah, halfborn, Mallory, Alex etc.). I don’t even know how, I don’t even think it’s impossible, but somehow Jack finds a way to get drunk, and serenade Magnus with a soap opera version of Happy Birthday. Maybe Funky Town will play and he’ll get emotional because it’s “their song magnussss 🥺” Blitz and Hearthstone also definitely get drunk too, and a literally bawling at how much he’s grown (which is nothing, since he’s dead) like it’s their jobs. After, Magnus, Alex and Samirah will head out to Amir’s falafel place where Amir would legitimately spoil him. Alex teases him relentlessly for nearly shedding a tear at the feast Amir whipped up for him, but he doesn’t quite care. Later on in the day, he’ll probably receive a birthday card from Annabeth. It’s witty and heartfelt, and reminds him about how he still has family he can rely on.

Sadie Kane— She would definitely spend hours on a call with her grandparents, because if it’s anyone that makes her feel like the most special girl in the world, it’s them. Carter would try bake a birthday cake for her, and then Sadie would want to help, and then Carter would refuse and insist he make it since she’s the birthday girl, and she’ll get bossy and the two will fight and their magic would act up and the cake just explodes. Just like the good ol’ days (they get a good laugh out of it at least). She would throw a big party at the Brooklyn House, and her students would go crazy with the decor (especially Felix and Bast). And then she would settle down for the night with FaceTiming Liz and Emma for a few hours so they could just gossip about life.

Carter Kane— I feel like Carter would be more quiet about his birthday. He doesn’t want anything big. Sadie is in charge of arrangements, and though she wants to throw a massive party for him, she knows that’s not what he wants. So she only invites his closest friends (Zia, Walt, Bes etc.) from the House of Life. The residents from the Brooklyn House also surround him with love and support, and Carter gets really embarrassed and flustered. He never really took birthdays so seriously since he and his dad were always travelling and never really settled down to throw a massive party. Normally his dad would just treat him for ice cream or something. So that’s what he and his mates do, they all go out for ice cream and just talk and laugh about life. When it the day gets darker, Carter finds escape with flying on Freak and just admiring the view of the city in content.

Percy Jackson– the first thing that happens when he wakes up is his mother embracing him and smothering him with kisses. He’s a bit embarrassed and groggy, but even as he tells her to get off him he’s grinning like the momma’s boy he is. Of course, Sally and Paul treat him to a breakfast of blue pancakes, and as he’s stuffing himself, Annabeth and Tyson barge in (Tyson tackles him in a bear hug of his own). Percy spends most of the day just talking and chatting with his family, really appreciating feeling like a normal boy for once (he can’t even remember the last time he celebrated his birthday so normally). Then, of course, the demigod friends come. Leo invented the smallest, most indistinguishable woopy cushion known to man, just in case he wants to embarrass people that piss him off (“you never know how brutal college might be”). Thalia gives him a loveably rude birthday card with as much signatures from the Hunters of Artemis as she can (Reyna even wrote a small message for him!). Piper dyes his hair with a streak of green, which doesn’t turn out half as bad as they expected it to. Grover sobs when Percy blows out the birthday candles, and so does Tyson, so the two embrace and just cry. Sally provides the demigods with blue food and cheeseburgers whenever she sees them look hungry in any way. After all is said and done, Percy and Annabeth take a walk at the beach Poseidon and Sally met, and reflect on how far they’ve come together, and how much more their story has left to go on.

Lester Papadopolous— Apollo has been a god for so long, he doesn’t even know when his birthday is anymore. He doesn’t quite mind, except Meg does. She yaps his ear off about how he should celebrate, how important they are. Apollo is quite sure he celebrates himself enough everyday as it is, but Meg won’t hear it. She uses Lester’s fake mortal birthdate to celebrate Apollo. She forces him on hikes, surfing, exploring dense caves as if normal mortals did that. She tries to make cupcakes for him but they taste like literal dirt, which is not surprising since Apollo can basically see Peaches snickering behind her like he sabotaged the whole ordeal. Apollo receives birthday cards from Lavinia, Reyna, a bunch of his children and a card combined with the three girls at the Waystation, all of which are amused in tone. And Apollo knows for a fact that Meg had pestered them into sending cards. At the end of the day, though, when Apollo is worn thin my Meg’s vigilant insistence, he’s starting to think the day was more about her than him. But when she looks at him, open and hopeful, and asks if he had fun, he can’t deny her. He isn’t lying either. He hadn’t felt more full and content in centuries.